Questions Answers.docx

SOLICITATION FA4819-12-R-0001

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Reference. RFP, page 1, block 8 of the SF 1449

Background. The referenced block indicates that proposals are due by 12:00 AM

Question (a) Please confirm that it is the Government’s intent for proposals to be submitted by midnight on June 13 and not noon on June 14.

Answer: Proposals are due on June 14 at 12:00 PM CST. This will be corrected in an amendment to the RFP.

2. Reference. RRP, page 15 of 58, Clauses Incorporated by Reference

Background. The solicitation includes FAR Clause 52.212-5 -- Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, which requires that the Contracting Officer check as appropriate the applicable clauses from the list referenced within the clause.

Question (a) Please confirm which of the clauses referenced in 52.212-5 are applicable to this effort.

Answer: FAR Clause 52.212-5 should have been in full text. This will be corrected in an amendment to the RFP.

3. Reference. RFP, page 55 of 58, Evaluation Factors, Volume III – Price Factor, Paragraph 2(a)

Background. The FFP fully burdened unit prices for each line item/job title identified in the Pricing Schedule Worksheets, at RFP Attachment 1, for CLINs 0001, X001, and X002 (for the Basic and all Option Periods) will be multiplied by the corresponding estimated number of hours for that line/job title item to calculate a total estimated amount for each. The sum of the total estimated amounts will calculate the TEP for the Basic and all Option Periods.

Question (a) Please clarify if CLINs 0002 and 0003 will also be included in the calculation of the TEP for the Basic Contract Period. It appears that those two CLINs were inadvertently omitted from the evaluation criteria.

Answer: CLINs 0002 and 0003 for the base year were inadvertently omitted from the evaluation criteria, RFI page 55, para 2b. This will be corrected in an amendment to the RFP.

4. Reference. PWS, page 29, paragraph 3.2

Background. The Government will furnish computer equipment (desktop and/or laptop), and necessary application software, office supplies, reproduction support, and office phone(s) (digital and/or analog).

Question (a) Government Furnished Supplies and Equipment, does not indicate that the Government will provide any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), although several of the positions will require such items. Please confirm that those items are at Contractor expense.

Answer (a): The Government will provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if needed for performance of the job.

5. Reference. PWS, page 36, paragraph 4.15, Sub-paragraphs (b.), an (d.)

Background. Subparagraph (b.) Ancillary Training. The contractor shall take all ancillary training courses that the Government requires for all military and Civil Service employees and any specific course pertaining to a task, such as land mobile radio (LMR).

Subparagraph (d.) Crew Mission Ready (CMR) Certification. The contractor must complete any required training to become or retain CMR certification. The contractor is required to meet CMR status for any mission-specific requirements as established by the Government.

Question (a) Please clarify if these types of training are Government provided or if the Contractor is responsible for the associated costs.

Answer (a): Ancillary training is provided by the Government at no cost. Paragraph 4.15, subparagraph (d) lists CMR certification as an existing requirement. The contractor must meet contract requirements, thus CMR certification costs (or any other existing, required certification, training, etc.) will be paid by the contractor.

6. Reference. PWS Appendix A-Historical Workload, Paragraph 1.5.1, 1.7.4, 1.9.1, and 1.9.3

Background. As of 01 November 2009 this Air Force Specialty Code 3A0X1 was converted to 3D0XX Specialty Code.

Question (a) Please confirm the correct AFSC.

Question (b) Please clarify if the Government will accept personnel who have held the 3A0X1 identifier and in addition, whether the Government will accept proposed personnel who have held the 3D0XX identifier.

Answer (a): The correct AFSC is 3D0XX, Knowledge Operations Management.

Answer (b): The Government will accept the 3A0XI Information Management AFSC and/or the 3D0X1 AFSC.

7. Reference. RFP, page 50 of 58, Volume IV – Past Performance, Paragraph (a.)

Background. Offerors shall select a minimum of one (1) but no more than five (5) past and current contracts for past performance information (PPI) consideration. These contracts may include Federal, State, and local government and private efforts similar to the requirements of this solicitation performed within the last 3 years.

Question (a) Will the Government consider the use of an ID/IQ consisting of multiple Task Orders to be considered as one past performance record?

Answer: No, multiple task orders may be use for past performance if the information is recent and relevant as identified in the RFP.

8. Reference. None

Background. The Government is requesting the Offeror provide Computer and Information Technology Support

Question (a) Could the Government please identify the certifications required by each position for personnel to work on the contract? For example, Computer Support: Security +, MCSA or MCSE certification preferred.

Answer: This work requires privileged network access, and according to PWS section 4.1.11 (PWS page 32) Computer Security Requirements….“In accordance with DoD 5200.1-R and AFI 31-401, the contractor shall comply with AFI 33-115 V2, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professional, AFSSI 8522, Access to Information Systems, and AFI 33-200, Information Assurance Management as they apply to required security clearances and training requirements prior to being granted access to systems.”

AFI 33-115 V2 states in section 2. Background….“The Air Force has initiated an aggressive drive to operationalize and professionalize its networks. In a continuing effort towards that aim, DoD 8570.01-M implements DoDD 8570.1, Information Assurance Workforce Training, Certification and Workforce Management. The program requirements apply to all members of the DoD Information Assurance (IA) workforce including military, civilians, foreign nationals, local nationals, and contractors. The Air Force Implementation Plan for DoD 8570.01-M provides specific guidelines for the official training and certification of personnel performing as IA privileged users or management functions. For specific program information and eligibility requirements, units should consult their IA Manager. Certification and licensing is also included in the Inspector General agenda. This instruction builds on the guidance provided in AFI 33-115, Volume 1, Network Operations (NETOPS). Standard licensing criteria ensures all personnel who access the Air Force network are knowledgeable of their roles and responsibilities for protecting information.”

AFI 33-115 V2 also states in section 3. Network License and Certification…“This guidance and policy applies to: All military, civilian, and contractor employees using or providing professional network services in the Air Force network (af.mil or af.smil) domain on any Air Force system, network, or Air Force-operated joint system as a part of their official duties. See AFI 33-202, Computer Security (will become Networking and Computer Security), for guidance on granting local/foreign nationals access to the network and/or information systems.”

Finally, DoD 8570.01.M (Appendix 2, IA Workforce Levels, Functions, and Certification Approval Process) provides a link to certification criteria posted on the DISA IASE website (http://iase.disa.mil/eta/iawip/). It is at this website that the contractor can find the required minimum certs required to perform the required functions (listed in 1.10.1)…which require privileged network access. It should be noted that while the contractor personnel might not be part of the “IA Workforce,” they still perform functions that require a level of training beyond the rudimentary IA CBT.

9. Reference. RFP, pages 5-13 of 58, CLIN 0004, 1004, 2004, 3004, 4004.

Question (a) Does the Government have a preferred process for OT approval?

Question (b) If so, what type of documentation is needed to support Govt CO/PM approval of contractor request OT?

Correction to your CLIN reference 0004 for overtime; the correct base year CLIN for overtime is 0005 not 0004.

Answer (a) and (b): The PWS states the COR must approve overtime prior to the contractor working the overtime hours. There is no preferred process. Notification via any formal, generally accepted business communication form and method are acceptable, i.e., Word document, e-mail, etc. The request must contain: employee name, hours needed, the dates when the hours will be worked and reason why overtime is needed.

10. Reference. RFP, page 34, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires.

Question. The bidder anticipates that many of the employee classifications will fall under the Service Contract Act of 19665. Considering the Government’s planned date to make the award announcement, does the Government anticipate that there will be sufficient time to process the SF 1444 Request for Authorization of Additional Classification and Rate prior to 15 September.

Answer: No. DoL requires that the “additional” work (which is justification for the conformance) to be performed before they will consider conforming a lower wage rate to a higher wage rate.

11. Reference. RFP page 40 of 58, 5352.204-9000 Notification of Government security activity and visitor group security agreements subparagraph (a) requires the contractor to make certain notifications to Government agencies 30 days prior to beginning operations.

Question. Will the Government notify the successful bidder so that the bidder may make the notifications in time prior to beginning operations on 15 Sep?

Answer: The mobilization period starts on 15 Sep. Performance begins on 30 Sep 2012. Award is anticipated 30 days prior to performance, if not, start date will be adjusted to allow adequate notification.

12. Reference. RFP, page 42 of 58, 5352.242-9000 Contractor Access to Air Force Installations (AUG 2007) and 5352.242-9001 Common Access Cards (CACs) for Contractor Personnel.

Question. Does the Government expect the successful bidder to complete these two tasks within the 14 day transition period?

Answer: The AFNORTH Security Manager was consulted and both tasks can be completed within the 14 day transition period. So yes, the Government expects both tasks to be accomplished at contract start.

13. Reference. RFP page 48 of 58, Volume II Technical Capability, Tab 2, Staffing Plan, subparagraph b.

Question. The Government requests that bidders provide the number of qualified employees by task that are presently available from the contractor’s existing workforce that will be used in this effort.

(a) Given that public employment is “at will,” that is, an employee may terminate their employment with an employer at any time with or without notice and that the employer may terminate an employee’s employment at any time with or without notice, this requirement puts a bidder in a position of that they may not be able to deliver what the bidder states in their proposal response. Recommendation: change to read: “…existing workforce that may be used in this effort.”

Answer (a): No change based on the recommendation.

(b) When will the Government be able to provide the bidder a list of the current SCA employee so that the bidders can accurately consider staffing plan actions consistent with Presidential Executive Order, 30 January 2009, Non-Displacement Of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts? A list of the current SCA employees and their assigned position would allow bidders to more accurately portray staffing plan actions IAW the RFP evaluation criteria. This information would also allow Government evaluator to evaluate staffing plans of the bidders and incumbent using the same base-line considerations thereby avoiding any perception of unequal treatment.

Answer: (b) The Government will be unable to provide offerors with a list of incumbent employees. A final rule implementing Executive Order 13495, Non-displacement of Qualified Workers under Service Contracts, was published by the Department of Labor (DoL) on 29 August 2011. Although the final rule has been published, it will not become effective, nor can it be implemented in our contracts and solicitations, until the FAR Council issues regulatory language and guidance. The FAR Council is considering adding additional language to the proposed FAR rule and as a result, the Council has requested public comments. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until 2 July 2012.

(c) The PWS specifies the unique skills, knowledge and abilities of employees must have to fill many of the PWS CONR/AFNorth mission requirements; accordingly, there is a finite number of potential candidates who would be qualified IAW the PWS and Appendix A – Historical Workload. Given that most bidders will hire qualified incumbent employee who desire to remain on the contract, what is the Government’s purpose for wanting to know the “number of qualified employees” available from the contractor’s existing workforce? Certainly, the incumbent would have a very high if not 100% of the PWS tasks covered providing the incumbent a significant advantage in a pass/fail sub-factor evaluation.

Answer (c): This subfactor determines the contractor’s employee reach back capability within their existing workforce to mitigate risk.

(d) For the Government to expect a non-incumbent to have a moderate number of current employees “presently available from the contractor’s existing workforce…” is problematic given a pass/fail evaluation method. For a bidder to obtain an acceptable rating in this sub-factor, what is the minimum number of qualified employees, by task, presently available from the contractor’s existing workforce that will be used in this effort? Recommendation. Given the At Will, Presidential Executive Order and unique PWS mission task requirements, the Government would be better served if the bidders were required to show an ability to hire and supply the Government qualified employees on other contract of similar or more difficult nature as opposed to relying on the bidder to give the Government a specific number of employees available to begin work that has limited ability to assure deliver several months into the future and heavily favors the incumbent contractor in a pass/fail evaluation.

Answer (d): Refer to the workload data in the PWS for purposes of determining contract manning requirements. Also, the new requirement is not identical to the predecessor’s contract.

14. Reference. RFP page 49 of 58, Volume II Technical Capability, Tab 2, Security Clearances, subparagraph b. For similar reasons mentioned in the question on Staffing Plan, Recommendation, given the At Will, Presidential Executive Order and unique PWS mission requirements, the Government would be better served if the bidders were to show other contracts where the bidder was able to hire and supply the Government with Federal Government security clearances on other contract of similar or more difficult nature as opposed to relying on employees from the contractor’s existing workforce.

Answer: Subparagraph b asks for the number of qualified personnel available by contract start date with security clearances which does not limit the offeror to the staff of the predecessor contract.

15. Reference. RFP page 49 of 58, Volume II Technical Capability, Tab 4, Subfactor 3, Quality Control Plan. Please verify the reference to paragraph “2.1.”

Answer: Paragraph “2.1.” references the Performance Work Statement (PWS) para 2.1 Quality Control Plan.

16. Reference. RFP page 55 of 58, Volume III – Price Factor, subparagraph 2.b. Please explain/clarify how the board will evaluate Option to Extend Services (base and option periods) as part of the TEP?

Answer: RFP page 55 of 58, Volume III – Price Factor, subparagraph 2b refers to cost reimbursable CLINs that “will not be included in the TEP calculation.” The reference to FAR Clause 52.217-8 should have been a separate paragraph. This has been corrected via amendment to the RFP.

For TEP evaluation see RFP page 50 of 58, Volume III—Price Proposal, paragraph d. In accordance with clause 52.217-8, this means the period to be extended (not to exceed 6 month), will be priced the same as the preceding performance period/option to include any changes in the wage determinations.

17. Reference. RFP page 56 of 58, Relevancy Assessment, second paragraph, first sentence.

Question (a): What information does the Government need to adequately evaluate the “business relationship between the Offeror and teaming partners?”

Answer (a): Provide documentation adequately defining the teaming arrangement as well as past performance for that relationship, if it fits the criteria for revelancy.

Question (b): How will the Government evaluate this relevancy sub-element if the Offeror does not provide an offer with teaming partners?

Answer (b): The relevancy criteria in the solicitation will be applied the same regardless of whether a teaming arrangement is proposed.

Question (c): Will the Offeror’s bid of one, or more, or no teammate(s) be perceived as more preferable than other teaming relationships?

Answer (c): No. What is being evaluated is relevant past performance.

18. Reference. RFP page 31 and 51, PWS 4.14, and the Atch 1 worksheets. Given that the Government anticipates a FFP contract, did the Government factor the eight down days (approximately 64 labor hours per labor category) into the pricing worksheet, estimated quantity labor hours given that the contractor shall not charge any cost for down-days unless approved by the COR?

Answer: Yes. The 1,896 hours worked does not include the eight down days. Those categories listed as 1,960 hours are required to work on down days.

19. Reference. PWS page 27, Services Summary, Performance Objective SS-1, PWS Para “Historical Workload” and RFP page 48 of 58, Volume II – Technical Capability.

Question (a): What is the relationship between the RFP task requirement for a bidder to submit their manpower staffing plan demonstrating a clear understanding and sound approach to staffing all the manpower support tasks outlined in the PWS and the historical workload at appendix A?

Answer (a): Due to mission requirements, per SS-1, the contract requires qualified staffing to be maintained at a 95% compliance rate over the life of the contract. It is imperative that offerors have the ability to staff qualified staff members based on the taskings identified in the PWS and listed in the historical workload data at Appendix A.

Question (b): Why does the Service Summary reference a historical workload assessment? Is the historical workload a representation of the staffing to support PWS tasks?

Answer (b): Yes.

20. Reference. Attachment 2, PWS. The PWS appears to be silent with respect to formal education requirements. Does the Government have an education preference for the PWS task areas noted in paragraphs 1.3., 1.4., 1.5., 1.6., 1.7., 1.8., 1.9., and 1.10.

Answer: No, but experience counts. See SS-3 of the PWS page 27, paragraph 4.20 on page 37, and the workload data in Appendix A, page 38.

21. Reference. Attachment 2, PWS, page 38, Appendix A – Historical Workload.

Question (a) The term “Min. Requirements” is used. Is this minimum requirement a reflection of the Government’s PWS task needs?

Answer (a): Yes.

Question (b) In the column “B.Y Est. Hours per Year” please clarify the acronym “B.Y.”

Answer: “B.Y.” means “base year.

22. Reference. None.

Question: For total evaluated price (TEP), does the Government normalize the hours or take actual hours proposed by the contractor without normalizing to a standard work year?

Answer: The Government’s evaluation of TEP will be based on the number of hours reflected in Appendix A—Historical Workload and in Attachment 1 to the RFP—Pricing Schedule worksheet.

23. Reference. RFP, page 50, Volume IV—Past Performance, Paragraph c

Background. The referenced paragraph states “Early Proposal Information: The Government requests Offerors ensure that their PPI is received by the CO no later than ten (10) calendar days prior to the date set for receipt of proposals. Federal agencies and commercial customers will use the past performance questionnaire to submit PPI on the Offeror.”

Question. Will the Government please confirm Volume IV--Past Performance is due with Volumes I-III to the Government by Thursday, 14 June 2012.

Answer: Your reference to paragraph c refers only to past performance questionnaires which are due 4 June 2012.

Volume IV—Past Performance is due with volumes I through III to the Government by noon CST, on Thursday 14 June 2012.

24. Reference. PWS, page 37, para 4.20. RESUMES/QUALIFIED STAFFING. The contractor shall obtain resumes showing that contractor personnel are qualified for the tasks they are performing. Within 15 days of contract award or replacement of personnel during the life of the contract, the Government may request and verify contractor personnel are qualified for the tasks they are performing. We assume this means?

Question (a): The personnel do not have to be current employees.

Answer (a). Correct.

Question (b): And we shall have time to make offers to personnel who are currently working in these positions?

Answer (b): Correct.

25. Reference. PWS, page 30, paragraph 4.1.4 CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Question (a): Does the contractor have to have a facility security clearance at the time of submission of their bid for this opportunity?

Question (b): If they do not have the facility security clearance at the time of submission, is that an automatic disqualifier for award based upon this solicitation?

Question (c): Upon award to a contractor without a facility security clearance, would an interim clearance be acceptable to begin performance under this contract?

Question (d): Could a firm without a facility security clearance be awarded this contract granted it submits a proposal that it the best value for the Government?

Question (e): If the contractor is awarded the contract without a facility security clearance, how long would they be given to receive either an interim or final clearance award?

Answers (a-e): See PWS, para 4.1.4, page 30. “The contractor must possess or obtain an appropriate secret facility security clearance prior to performing work on a classified Government contract. If the contractor does not possess a facility clearance, the Government will request one.” This could transpire subsequent to contract award.

26. Reference. RFP page 49 46 of 58, Volume III. Please reassess the maximum allowed page count for this volume. Our minimum estimate is 26 pages without any explanation of how a bidder would derive their pricing is:

a) Tab1, Table of Contents – 1 page

b) Tab 2, SF 1449 – 13 pages (approximately)

c) Tab 3, Pricing Schedule Worksheet – 11 pages (approximately)

d) Glossary of abbreviations and Acronyms – 1 page Recommendation: Exempt Tab 2, SF 1449 and Tab 3 Pricing Schedule Worksheet from the total Volume III page count and reduce the Volume III maximum page count to eight (8) pages.

Answer: Changes have been made to the RFP page 46, Table—Proposal Organization via Amendment 1 to the solicitation.

27. Reference. RFP, page 45 of 58, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Paragraph E Evaluation of Proposals, sub-paragraph 3, Table 1 – Proposal Organization

Question: Are the Table of Contents, Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms, and Tabs to be included in the page count for Volume II and Volume III? We are assuming they are not included in the total page count. Please clarify.

Answer: Changes have been made to the RFP page 46, Table—Proposal Organization via Amendment 1 to the solicitation. You are correct. No page count is assigned to the Table of Contents or the Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms for Volumes II and III.

28. Reference: RPF, in the Proposal Preparation Instructions, page 46 of 58, the Volume III (Price) page limit is 15 pages. Does the page count include Government forms SF 1449 (11 pages) and Tab 3 – Pricing Schedule Worksheets (6 pages on legal paper) as part of the page count or will these solicitation pages be excluded from page count?

Answer: Changes have been made to the RFP page 46, Table—Proposal Organization via Amendment 1 to the solicitation.

NOTE: Please see RFP, page 46, paragraph 5, Page Structure. Pages 11 by 17 inches in sized are not to be used for pricing, they are restricted to “depicting organizations, systems and layout, implementation schedules, plans, etc.” only.

29. Reference. In the RFP, Proposal Instructions, Table 1, Proposal Organization (page 45), requires that the SF 1449 be included in both Volume I (Exec Summary) as Tab 5, and in Volume III, Price, as Tab 2.

Question: Please clarify in which volume the completed, signed SF 1449 should be included.

Answer: Changes have been made to the RFP page 46, Table—Proposal Organization via Amendment 1 to the solicitation. The completed and signed SF 1449 is to be included solely in Volume I, Executive Summary, as Tab 5.

30. Reference: If the SF 1449 is included in Volume III (Price) page limit is 15 pages. However the combination of Tab 2 – SF 1449 (11 pages, including continuation sheets) and Tab 3 – Pricing Schedule Worksheets (6 pages on legal paper) exceeds the page count allotted without leaving pages for Tabs 1 or 4. Will the Government increase the page count to allow for a one page Table of Contents and one page Glossary, for a total page count maximum of 19 pages?

Answer: Changes have been made to the RFP page 46, Table—Proposal Organization via Amendment 1 to the solicitation. Also see answers 26 through 29 above. NOTE: Legal sized pages are restricted to “depicting organizations, systems and layout, implementation schedules, plans, etc.” only.

31. Reference. RFP, page 50, Volume IV—Past Performance.

Question (a): If the past performance questionnaires are to be sent directly to the Government by June 4, 2012, how can they be included as a part of the response to the solicitation? So, I am asking if Volume IV gives the respondent the opportunity to provide additional past performance citations other than the ones previously submitted to the Government by June 4, 2012?

Answer (a): Yes.

Question (b): Basically, in order to respond to Volume IV of the RFP, are we allowed to reference the questionnaires that have been previously submitted to the Government or can we add additional citations/references for relevant past performance?

Answer (b): Both.

32. Reference. PWS, page 30, paragraph 4.1.4., CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Background. The solicitation clearly addresses the technical capability evaluation process, but leaves me with a concern as to whether or not the lack of a current Facility Clearance will result in an unacceptable rating on Subfactor 2 which, in turn, would render the entire technical proposal unacceptable.

Question (a): Will the lack of a facility clearance at the time of proposal result in an unacceptable rating.

Answer (a): No.

Question (b): Would it be possible to obtain copies of materials (briefings, handouts, and attendance lists) from the 24 May site visit.

Answer (b): All materials from the 24 May Pre-proposal Conference as well as questions and answers will be posted to FBO.