Questions_ _Answers_20160811.pdf

Questions and Answers

FA4830-16-R-0011

Unit Support Services I

Presolicitation Questions

1. Would the USAF entertain awarding to a company that does not currently have the clearance, but that could/would initiate the process immediately upon award?

a. No, offerors shall provide documentation indicating that the company currently has a Secret or higher level clearance. Reference Solicitation Amendment

FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

2. Is there an incumbent(s)? If so, who?

a. Advanced Concepts Engineering

3. What is the incumbent(s) contract value and period of performance?

a. $1,378.96.25; 26 Sep 2011 – 25 Sep 2016

4. Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past?

a. Yes

5. Is the incumbent a SDVOSB eligible for this follow-on contract?

a. Yes

6. Is this effort covered by the Service Contract Act (SCA)?

a. Yes

7. The level of effort associated with these Draft PWS is significantly less than originally described under Solicitation FA4830-16-R-0008, Unit Support Services. For example, the Mobility Manager, Unit Deployment Manager, Supply Manager, Vehicle Control Manager, Current Ops Scheduler were previously included requirements. Is it the Government’s intent to solicit for these additional requirements under a separate acquisition? If so, what is the timing of that acquisition? Will the title be changed to prevent confusion with this acquisition?

a. It is the Governments intent to solicit the remaining requirements at a later date and change the title to prevent confusion. The Government does not have a proposed timeframe for the other solicitation at this time.

Solicitation Questions

1. In the proposal Instructions to Offerors 52.212-1 would you please clarify the instructions for Attachments 3 and 5. Line (1) iii. Refers to the Contractor Information Sheet “at Attachment 5”. The Contractor Information Sheet is labeled as Attachment 3. Attachment 5 is labeled as Certificate of Compliance with Insurance Requirements.

a. The reference has been corrected via Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

Attachment 3 is now correctly listed as the Contractor Information sheet.

2. In Attachment 3, Part 2 Current Business Commitments there is direction to provide information in reference to ‘item 3’, but there is no item labeled 3. Would you please provide information on item 3.

a. Attachment 3 has been corrected via Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

References to “item 3” have been removed.

3. Would you please provide clarification on what would constitute “evidence” that a candidate has or can obtain a secret or higher level clearance?

Unit Support Services I

a. Offerors do not have to provide “evidence” showing that each candidate has or can obtain a secret or higher level clearance for evaluation. The qualification documents must demonstrate that the qualifications of the candidate(s) submitted meets this speciality requirement. This can be demonstrated in different ways, such as a statement in the qualification document the candidate has a Secret security clearance, or that the candidate has the ability to obtain a security clearance.

4. In the job qualifications it states that the candidates must have a “knowledge or principles, policies, procedures, training requires, computer system, products….” (Sec. 1.4.1.1) Would you provide more clarification on which specific principles, policies, procedures, training requirements, computers systems and products you are looking for knowledge in.

a. Please reference Attachment 1- PWSs dated 10 August 2016, Sec. 1.4.1.1. and Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

5. Are the Candidate Qualification Documents and Letters of Intent counted toward the total page count for the technical volume?

a. Yes, Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001 as the maximum number pages has increased from 15 to 25.

6. Would you please provide the current SCA wage determination rates for the area?

a. The Department of Labor has determined that this requirement does not require a wage determination, however FAR 52.222-55 which references Executive Order 13658 does apply and the current Executive Order minimum wage rate is $10.15.

Reference 52.222-55 for additional requirements.

7. If our company never has and never intends to do any lobbying what is the protocol for filling out Attachment 6, SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

a. You are still required to fill out the SF LLL. The company may answer with ‘none” or “n/a” where needed.

8. Is there a site visit scheduled?

a. No.

9. Are key resumes required?

a. Key resumes are not required by the solicitation. Documentation is required. As stated in the solicitation MDY ADM-1I(4)i.a. “The documentation must demonstrate that the qualifications of the candidate(s) submitted meets all “Specialty Qualifications” of the PWS that corresponds to the position.

10. Annual Contract Value and Total Contract Value.

a. Reference Question 3 in the Presoliciation Questions.

11. In Reference to current employee list, Are there 2 more names? The RFP PWS/pricing list 5 positions. Is that going to be changed?

a. There are not 2 more names. Two SEAA positions are options that are not exercised on the current contract.

12. CLIN 0004 and CLIN 0005 are identified as options. Is it the government's requirement that LOI only be provided for CLIN 0001-0003 since CLIN 0004 and CLIN 0005 are described as options?

a. Reference solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001. Qualification documents are not required for the 41st and 71st Standardization Evaluation Administrative Program Assistants (SEAAs).

13. Reference CLINS 0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, and 4007. Can an Offeror bid zero dollars for these CLINs and be considered to have submitted a compliant proposal?

a. There are many different factors that must be considered when determining if a proposal is complaint. It is not the Governments position to inform an offeror of the monantary value that the offeror may submit for the offerors proposal. The amount the offeror would charge the Government for overtime hours for the five positions reflected in the PWS must be reflected in the offerors pricing for these CLINs. Please note, the Fair Labors Standards Act applies to this solicitation and resulting contract. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

Attachment 4 Pricing Schedule has been updated.

14. Reference 5352.215-9001 Notice of Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference. Does the Government intend to hold one? If not, please clarify the intent of that paragraph.

a. The government does not intend to hold a site visit. The clause was added because it contains information in regards to submitting questions.

15. For Offerors that propose a Subcontractor, request confirm submission of Attachments 3, 5, and 6 are only required for the Prime contractor.

a. Yes, these attachments are only required for the prime contractor.

16. Reference Volume 2(a) Past Performance Information, request confirm that there is not a page limitation for documentation of the contract information.

a. There is not a page limit for past performance information however you are to only submit a maximum of 3 contracts. Reference Solicitation Amendment

FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

17. Reference Volume 2(b) Technical "The entire Technical Approach document shall not exceed 15 pages excluding charts and tables and shall be written in a font not smaller than twelve (12) point, although 10 point may be used for charts and tables." This page count limitation factor will challenge Offeror's who embed charts and tables in our text as part of our approach. Would the Government consider revising the above guidance to read "The entire Technical Approach document shall not exceed 25 pages including charts, tables, and Appendix items and shall be written in a font not smaller that tweleve (12) point, although 10 point may be used for charts and tables."

a. See Solicitation Question #5. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R- 0011-0001.

18. Will the Government provide the required format or minimum data contained in the "Qualification Documents"?

a. A format will not be provided, however the minimum data contained in the "Qualification Documents" should meet the “Specialty Qualifications” of the PWS that corresponds to the position.

19. Will the Government provide the required format or minimum data contained in the "Letter of Intent of Employment" ?

a. The Government will not provide a format for this letter. The minimum required data in that the letter must demonstrate the candidate’s intent to work for the offeror under the contract that may result from this solicitation. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

20. Qualification Documents - provide documentation indicating each candidate has or can obtain a Secret or higher level clearance. Please clarify what documentation meets this requirement.

a. See Solicitation Question #3.

21. Please clarify information required on the Contractor Information Sheet at Attachment 5 should be Attachment 3 and should be completed to reflect the prime only.

a. See Solicitation Question #1. It should contain prime contractor information only.

22. "The offeror may submit evidence of recent and relevant contracts performed for unit support services. A maximum of three (3) contracts may be submitted. Please confirm these (3) contracts include those submitted by subcontractor?

a. Yes, the maximum of three (3) includes both prime and subcontractor. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

23. Technical Approach includes a set of documents that are required to demonstrate a complete and realistic plan. However, there is no mention of requiring a transition plan.

Are a, b and c the only document required to meet the intent of a "complete and realsitic plan"?

a. Yes, a,b, and c are the only documents required.

24. Facility Clearance - Contractor shall provide documentation indicating that the company currently has or is able to acquire a Secret or higher level clearance. Due to the uncertainlty with obtaining a FCL will the government consider requiring offerors to have a current Secret FCL or higher at time of bid?

a. Contractor shall provide documentation indicating that the company currently has a Secret or higher level clearance. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830- 16-R-0011-0001.

25. Facility Clearance - Contractor shall provide documentation indicating that the company currently has or is able to acquire a Secret or higher level clearance. Is it acceptable to provide the company CAGE code for "documentation" or should offerors provide ISFD report or DSS FCL award letter?

a. Just a company cage code will not be acceptable. Contractors can provide their ISFD or DSS FCL award letters.

26. Contractor Information Form 1.c Equipment List - Please Provide a list of equipment to perform job or resources to obtain equipment. Please describe the historical Contractor Furnished Equipment (GFE) or Tools. Please describe any tools required to accomplish the PWS requirements not provided by the government.

a. Equipment list is not required. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R- 0011-0001 and updated Attachment 3.

27. As the owner of the Anchorage Technologies I previously held Secret Clearance Status and am still eligible to receive it. Will this count as Secret Clearance for the company or is there a different process that I need to go through to receive it for the company?

a. A personal clearance will not suffice.

28. If I team with another company for this solicitation will the Sub Past Performance Count as full Past Performance for the submission? How will it effect the rating if only the Sub has Past Performance?

a. In accordance with DoD Source Selection procedures “In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance (see FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv)). Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown (or “neutral”)”. Therefore you can submit your subcontractors past performance and it will be evaluated in accordance with this solicitation. In the contract of the acceptability, a neutral rating shall be considered “acceptable”.

29. If I team with another company is the insurance from the Sub partner sufficient or does the Prime company have to have insurance as well?

a. The Prime contractor is required to have insurance. The Sub contractor’s insurance will not be sufficient.

30. Are there incumbents on this contract? If so can we find out how many years of service they have for vacation purposes?

a. Terms of employment (such as vacation) are between the employee/employer, and as such will not be provided. Incumbent employee contact information may be provided in accordance with MDY ADM – 1 FAR 52.222-17.

31. Are resumes needed for all positions or just the vacant positions? If just for vacant position can you please name the positions that are vacant?

a. Qualification documentation is only required for the 41st & 71st Training Manager and Weapons Tactics Support Specialist. Reference Solicitation Amendment

FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

32. Will the things listed on the Contractor Information Sheet only be required if our company is awarded this solicitation or is this info required for submission to proposal?

a. In accordance with MDY ADM-1 I(c), the offeors proposal shall consist of the information required on the Contractor Information Sheet. As such, the information is required as part of the offerors proposal.

33. If the prime company has Secret Clearance Status or is eligible does the Sub company need it as well?

a. If one of the three candidates will be employed by the subcontractor, then the subcontractor is required to also have a secret clearance.

34. Will the government confirm cover letters, Table of contents are excluded from page count?

a. Cover Letters and table of contents are included in the 25 page limit.

35. There seems to be a contradiction:

Reference: 5352.215-9000 FACILITY CLEARANCE (MAY 1996) The offeror must possess, or acquire prior to award of a contract, a facility clearance equal to the highest classification stated on the Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254) attached to this solicitation.

Reference: 5352.204-9000 NOTIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT SECURITY

ACTIVITY AND VISITOR

GROUP SECURITY AGREEMENTS (MAR 2012) (b) Prior to beginning operations involving classified information on an installation identified on the DD Form 254 where the contractor is not required to have a facility. security clearance, the contractor shall enter into a Visitor Group Security Agreement (or understanding) with the installation commander to ensure that the contractor’s security procedures are properly integrated with those of the installation. As a minimum, the agreement shall identify the security actions that will be performed:

a. The reference at 5352.215-9000 is correct. The the reference of 5352.204-9000

(b) does not apply because the Facility Clearance is required, however, both the DD Form 254 and the Visitor Group Security Agreement(VGSA) will apply because the VGSA requirement is noted in block 14 of the DD Form 254.

36. Does the Contract Lead (described in the 347th OSS WTSS PWS) have to be on site at Moody AFB? Is this a separate salaried role? Can the Contract Lead role be accomplished by a Training Manager or does it need to be a separate person?

a. The Contract Lead has to be on site at Moody AFB and does not require a second salary role. The Contract Lead can be either one of the TMs or the WTSS.

Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

37. Who is the contract incumbent and what is the dollar size of the current contract?

a. See presoliciatation questions #2 & 3.

38. Which employees on the current contract have consented to being contacted in regards to remaining in place if the contract switches vendors? What is the contact info for those personnel?

a. This information will be provided to individual offerors who request the information separate from these Questions and Answers.

39. The contract information states that funds are not presently available for this contract, when are those funds projected to be available? And what parameters drive that decision?

a. It is unknown when the funds for this solicitation will become available. The decision is based on the availability of funds for this effort.

40. CLIN Item 0004 & 0005 are marked as option; Are these positions currently filled with incumbent personnel?

a. CLIN 0004 and 0005 are not filled positions. As stated in the solicitation, “This work is not guaranteed but may be exercised at the discretion of the Government at any time during the current period of performance.”

41. Are all positions covered under the Service Contract Act?

a. Yes

42. What SCA labor categories do the Training Manager and SEAA positions map to?

a. See Solicitation question 6.

43. Please provide the wage determination.

a. See Solicitation question 6.

44. RFP pg. 46 of the RFP is blank, is that the government’s intention?

a. The blank page was caused by a contract writing system conversion error. RFP page 46 was blank.

45. RFP pg 65 vi. DD254 is included as required in Volume 1 but states “must be completed by the Awardee prior to contract performance.” Can the Government clarify if offerors are to include the DD254 with the proposal submission? And, if so, what boxes does the Government want filled in before contract award?

a. The DD254 is to be included in an offerors proposal submission. They are required to complete boxes 6 a, b, and c and 7 a, b, and c (if using a subcontractor). Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

b.

46. RFP pg 65 (4) i.a. Qualification Documents – “shall provide documentation indicating each candidate has or can obtain a Secret or higher level clearance”; What does the Government require as documentation? Will stating it on a resume be acceptable?

a. See question 3. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

47. The DD254 states that the highest level security clearance required for this contract is

SECRET. What documentation is needed to indicate that a candidate can obtain a level of clearance higher than a Secret?

a. See question 3. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

48. Are interim clearances allowed for employees to start work?

a. Yes

49. Regarding providing qualification documents for the SEAA positions that are currently marked as “option.” Can the government remove the documentation requirement for these two positions for proposal submission and amend the RFP to require that documentation be provided when the options will be exercised?

a. The government has removed the qualification document requirement for the 2 SEAA positions. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

50. RFP pg. 65-66 Technical Approach – Are the facility clearance documentation and the Essential Services Plan excluded from the 15 page limit for the Technical Approach?

a. They are included. The page limit has been amended from 15 pages to 25 pages.

Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

51. 41st PWS pg 3, 1.1.1. What “other items” will the contractor need to provide? And, how will any costs be handled?

a. That is determined by the contractor. It consist of any items the contractor feels is needed to perform the requirements of the PWS. Since this is a firm fixed priced contract, whatever cost associated with those items should be factored into the contractor’s proposal.

52. 41st PWS pg 17 4.9 – Is there a Collective Bargaining Agreement in place for the current contract workers ? Are the current incumbents part of a Labor Union? Is this work being moved to a Union and a Collective Bargaining Agreement?

a. There is no Collective Bargaining Agreement in place and none of the incumbents are part of a Labor Union nor are there plans at this time to move this work to a CBA or Labor Union.

53. 41st PWS pg 21 Schedule D – Will the government provide desks, chairs, and telephones?

a. Yes

54. 71st PWS pg 4 1.2.5. – Is the requirement to coordinator with other Contract companies i.e. Lockheed Martin? In what capacity is this coordination needed?

a. PWS has been changed, Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011- 0001, look for 71st PWS on Pg 4, para 1.2.5. Additionally, be advised, the TM will only coordinate with on-base agencies. TM will coordinate aircrew training with unit scheduler and with other offices (external agencies for this purpose is on base) such as simulator maintained by Lockheed Martin or any other provider that may maintain the simulator.

55. : Section L, Instructions to Offerors, Section (4) Volume 2(b), Technical, paragraph a (page 65), states:

“Qualification Documents - Offerors shall provide documentation for the personnel (hereafter referred to as candidate(s)) that the offer intends to use to fill the positions identified below. The documentation must demonstrate that the qualifications of the candidate(s) submitted meets all “Specialty Qualifications” of the PWS that corresponds to the position. In addition, the offer shall submit a Letter of Intent of employment for each candidate and shall provide documentation indicating each candidate has or can obtain a Secret or higher level clearance. The offeror must submit this documentation for the following positions:

41st Training Manager; 71st Training Manager; 347th Weapons Tactics Support Specialist ; 41st Standardization Evaluation Administrative Program Assistant; 71st Standardization Evaluation Administrative Program Assistant” The NOTE at the end of that same section (page 66) incorporates FAR 52.222-17:

“Note: FAR 52.222-17 Non-Displacement of Qualified Workers applies. Contractors may contact Allison Lewis at allison.lewis.2@us.af.mil and 23CONS.LGCB@us.af.mil for contact information of current employees. Contractors will have access to employee information of only those employees who have consented to release this information. All current employees may be considered.”

It seems unreasonable to require every offeror to recruit, vet and offer employment to a duplicate workforce that is not intended to be utilized.

QUESTION: Would the government consider removing the requirement for qualification summaries, or at the very least, remove the requirement for signed offers of intent and have offerors provide representative qualification summaries similar to what is done on CAAS IV?

a. The Qualifications documents are required for the 41st and 71st Training Manager and the 347th Weapons Tactics Support Specialist. Qualification documentation is not required for the two Standardization Evaluation Administrative Program Assistant. Reference Solicitation Amendment FA4830-16-R-0011-0001.

56. The government states that contractors will have access to employee information of those employees who have consented to release of this information.

QUESTION: Have all employees on task consented to release of this information?

a. Current employees have consented and offerors may request this information separate from these questions and answers.