Answers_to_Questions_as_of__16_Apr_13.pdf

16 Apr 13

Government Responses to Additional Industry Questions on the MPF RFP FA4890-12-R-0019 as of 16 Apr 13

#1. TOTAL PRICE - TRANSITION, BASE YEAR AND TRAVEL CLINs. Does the Government intend for the Travel CLINs to be included in the total in cell E58 of the Base Year in Attachment 17?

Government Response: No, the Travel CLINS are included in the TOTAL PRICE (Transition, Base Year and Travel CLINs) that is calculated in cell G58 of the Base Year Attachment 17.

#2. Did the Government intend to delete references to the date of the PWS and Period of Performance Dates in Amendment 0001 CLIN descriptions? Or did the Government add just the (FYXX) and expect the rest of the statement to remain the same? CLINS 0211, 0311, 0411, 0511, 0254, 0354, 0454, & 0554 still refer to the 29 Mar 13 PWS.

Government Response: Yes, the PWS and Period of Performance dates were removed from all CLIN descriptions. Travel CLINS 0211, 0311, 0411, 0511, 0254, 0354, 0454, & 0554 have been corrected with Amendment 0002.

#3. Reference: RFP Section 6a - Addendum, Section 3.3.2. The RFP states “Proposals signed by an agent shall be accompanied by evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office.” Please clarify what the Government considers “evidence of that agent’s authority.”

Government Response: Each vendor must supply their company’s documentation of the signing agent’s authority to include his or her name, title, address, and their authority to negotiate on the offeror’s behalf with the Government in connection to this solicitation.

#4. Reference: RFP Section 6a – Addendum, Section 5.9. The RFP states “The organizational chart, acronym list, cross reference matrix, and overview section (for exceptions) will not be included in the page count.

Question: Please confirm what constitutes this “organizational chart” and in which section of the proposal response it should be placed (Past Performance, Technical, or Price). Also, are “the acronym list, cross reference matrix, and overview section (for exceptions)” required for all proposal volumes or just the Volume II: Technical?

Government Response: An organizational chart is a graphic representation of how the authority and responsibility is distributed within a company. In accordance with RFP Section 6a-Addendum paragraph 8.3.1, Technical Subfactor A, the offeror shall provide an organizational structure for all functional areas detailing lines of authority and communication, responsibilities, and functional relationships (to include teaming partners and subcontractors).

If acronyms are used, an acronym list should be included in the appropriate volume. In accordance with RFP Section 6a-Addendum paragraph 5.4, each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated without cross referencing to other volumes (e.g. Past Performance referenced to Technical Volume) of the proposal. Information required for proposal evaluation which is not found in its designated volume will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal. Cross-referencing within a proposal volume is permitted where its use would conserve space without impairing clarity. In this instance, the offeror shall provide a cross reference matrix indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to the RFP, PWS, and applicable CLIN references. This is only a tool to assist in the proposal preparation process. Offerors are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their proposal fully addresses all areas and that all requested information is completed in accordance with Section 6a – Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors and Section 7, Addendum to 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items of this solicitation.

#5. Reference: RFP Section 6a – Addendum, Section 8.3.2, Part a. The RFP states “Describe the quality management structure to include personnel authority and responsibility (using a tree diagram)”

Question: Did the Government intend this chart as an organization chart? Please confirm that the Government is referring to an organizational chart rather than a tree diagram.

Government Response: No, this is not in reference to an organizational chart. A tree diagram is a graphic tool which systematically breaks down, and maps out in increasing detail, all components of a process or situation. The tree diagram should graphically demonstrate the quality process and management structure of the organization to include personnel authority and responsibility.

#6. The PWS, paragraph 3.1.1 Listing of Employees, states, “Employees must, at a minimum, have or be able to obtain a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) or a Favorable National Agency Check (NAC) investigation at expense of contractor.” It is our understanding NACI’s (SF85 – NAC’s are now NACI’s) and below are paid for by the local command. The contractor has no access to the SF85 in the system. Can the Government clarify this requirement?

Government Response: RFP Attachment 1, MPF PWS dated 11 Apr 13 paragraph 3.1.2, has been revised to clarify the required Clearance Requirements of the contract.

#7. PWS 1.4, pp. 9-10, Military Awards and Decorations Administration. Are evaluations and promotions included within the scope of his procurement? If yes, will the government provide workload data for this function?

Government Response: No, the Evaluations and Promotions functions at each installation is outside the scope of the MPF PWS.

#8. Regarding the answer to Question #22 in the Responses to Industry Questions document dated 3 Apr 13. Can the Government please clarify? Is the actual QCP to be included in the page count, along with our synopsis? Or should it be provided as an Appendix or Attachment to the Technical Proposal, and not included in the page count?

Government Response: RFP, Section 6a-Addendum paragraph 8.3.2 does not require a Quality Control Plan synopsis. This was a question of another vendor. All proposals should provide a quality control plan for the MPF requirement in accordance with at least the minimum requirements of 6a-Addendum paragraph 8.3.2. The Quality Control Plan is included in the page count of the Technical Volume.

#9. Amendment 0001, 3 April 2013, p. 4, 5.7: "Offerors shall NOT submit any document in PDF that are copies as images." Can the government clarify? For example, our 8(a) certification letter from the SBA is included as a PDF image: is this forbidden?

Government Response: We cannot accept any PDF documents that cannot be electronically searched.

However, in accordance with Section 6a-Addendum paragraph 5.7, JPEG images can be submitted for charts and screen shots.

#10. Section 6a - Addendum to 52.212-1, 9.1: We understand that we are to submit pricing on the provided spreadsheet. Does the government additionally want us to fill in and include the CLINs as provided on pp. 3-41 in the RFP?

Government Response: No, the CLINs as provided on pp. 3-41 in the RFP do not need to be filled in.

Each offeror is to only provide their price data in the excel spreadsheet at RFP Attachment 17.

#11. Para 1.2.5.1 Site Security Manager. States: The contractor shall provide two site security managers for each rapids site. Is this required when only two terminals are present at a RAPIDS site?

Government Response: Yes, the requirement is not predicated on how many terminals but to ensure continuity of operations. The RAPIDS system can only be operated if a SSM is present. Each site must be assigned a minimum of two SSMs to ensure RAPIDS operations are ongoing at all times.

#12. Para 1.2.5.2 Super Verifying Official. States: The contractor shall provide one or more super verifying official for each rapids site. Is this required when only two terminals are present at a RAPIDS Site

Government Response: The requirement is not predicated on how many terminals but more so for continuity of operations and to perform Audits of the RAPIDS system. A minimum of one SVO is required at each site.

#13. The Past Performance Information sheet states: "As applicable, address how the proposed effort relates to each of the three technical subfactors shown in paragraph 8.4." There is no paragraph 8.4 in the technical instructions as the section ends with 8.3. Will the government please provide paragraph 8.4 or revise the reference in the PPI?

Government Response: The PPI reference has been corrected via Amendment 0002. Please see the revised Section 6a Attachment 1, PPI dated 11 Apr 13.