AOC_QAs_as_of_20_Dec_13.pdf

INDUSTRY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS AS OF 20 Dec 2013

1. Solicitation, Page 58, Section 6, Paragraph 9.5, D. Table of Past Performance Information

Contract References. Question: Does the Government want the table to include references to teaming partner past performance submitted as part of Paragraph

F? Rationale: Clarification. Requirement under D.1 and D.2 state “For references where the offeror performed as the prime contractor / as a subcontractor.”

Yes

2. Solicitation, Page 61, Section L, Paragraph 11.1, First sentence states “The offeror shall complete Section 3 of the solicitation...”. Question: Would the Government clarify on what page Section 3 begins. Rationale: We could not find a Section 3 marking in the

Solicitation document.

Section 3, Supplies and Services begins at Page 5

3. Solicitation, Page 75, Section 7, Paragraph 4.2.2.C. “Detail plan to ensure adequate continuity, knowledge and products for critical and existing processes given if there is no transition period. Comment: Recommend the Government remove this evaluation criteria and plan on awarding the contract on time to support the two week transition period as documented in the PWS. Rationale: The Government has created a criteria that is virtually impossible to satisfy unless you are the incumbent contractor. It is unrealistic to require a non-incumbent bidder to begin performing task requirements without any transition period to hire incumbent personnel or provide overlap with incumbent staffs.

Not changed. The Government is requried to address all contingency plans to include the possibility of having no transition period.

4. PWS, Paragraph 4.1.2.8. Please explain the meaning of T3, M1, M2 and M3 certifications. Rationale: We could not find this nomenclature used in DoD Manual

8570.1-M Change 3, dated 01/24/2012.

- N/A for 608 th because System Mgr does not have elevated permissions to network. They only validate user-level permissions.

- These definitions can be found at:

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/857001m.pdf

- Specifically, Chapters 3-5, 10 and 11 spell out the definitions.

5. PWS, Paragraph 4.1.2.8. Request the Government allow contract personnel to obtain the stated certifications within the first 6 months after contract start. Rationale. Upon review of AOC WSM task requirements we do not see any tasks that require direct hands on manipulation of system configurations or Information Assurance (IA) controls. Given the nature of the task requirements and other KSAs we find the number of IA certification requirement at contract start to be competition restrictive.

- Government will allow the 6 month timeframe.

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/857001m.pdf

6. PWS, Paragraph 4.1.2.8. Second sentence that starts “If administration privileges are required as site,….” Question: Does the Government know if administrative privileges are required at site or if Information Assurance Officer tasks are assigned? Rationale: KSA requirement is ambiguous and should state the requirement without interpretation.

- It is site dependent:

- 608 th

: N/A because System Mgr and Configuration Mgr do not have elevated permissions to network so do not need to meet 8570 requirements.

Also, they are not performing Information Assurance Officer (IAO) duties.

- 609 th

: System Admin privileges are required for contract personnel.

IAO is an Active Duty individual

7. PWS, Paragraph 4.2.2.9. Request the Government allow contract personnel to obtain the of AOC CM/Deputy WSM task requirements we do not see any tasks that require direct hands on manipulation of system configurations or Information Assurance (IA) controls. Given the nature of the task requirements and other KSAs we find the number of IA certification requirement at contract start to be competition restrictive.

8. PWS, Paragraph 4.2.2.9. Second sentence that starts “If administration privileges are required as site,….” Question: Does the Government know if administrative privileges are required at site or if Information Assurance Officer tasks are assigned? Rationale: KSA requirement is ambiguous and should state the requirement without interpretation.

- It is site dependent:

- 608 th

: N/A because System Mgr and Configuration Mgr do not have elevated permissions to network so do not need to meet 8570 requirements.

Also, they are not performing Information Assurance Officer (IAO) duties.

- 609 th

: N/A because the contractor will not have admin privileges.

9. PWS, Paragraph 4.4.2.7. Recommend removing this KSA requirement. Rationale: The task requirements of the AOC Database Manager do not reflect that would require configuration of operating systems or database management systems. Task appear to be an “operational database manager” of the information and not of the supporting system. In this case, the requirement to have an MCSC, A+ or Security+ certification does not lend to completion of task requirements.

- 608 th

: N/A, does not apply.

- 609 th

: N/A, not requires.

** Section 4.4.2.7 has been deleted.

10. PWS, Paragraph 4.4.2.8. Request the Government allow contract personnel to obtain the of AOC Database Manager task requirements we do not see any tasks that require direct hands on manipulation of system configurations or Information Assurance (IA) controls. Given the nature of the task requirements and other KSAs we find the number of IA certification requirement at contract start to be competition restrictive and not in line with the performance requirements of the position.

11. PWS, Paragraph 4.7.2.4. Request the Government define “Industrial technical certification in a field applicable..” Rationale: The KSA is ambiguous and open to interpretation.

- 608 th requests 4.7 position name changed to “Contractual Technician”.

- Paragraph 4.7.2.4 is deleted along with “for the types of equipment listed in the applicable annexes” in 4.7.2.3.

12. PWS, Paragraph 4.7.2.4. Request the Government define clarify what it means by

“applicable annexes.” Rationale: Clarify annexes to reference when evaluating this requirement.

- Paragraph 4.7.2.4 is deleted along with “for the types of equipment listed in the applicable annexes” in 4.7.2.3.

13. PWS, Paragraph 4.8.2.4. Request the Government define “Industrial technical certification in a field applicable..” Rationale: The KSA is ambiguous and open to interpretation.

- 608 th requests 4.7 position name changed to “Contractual Technician”.

- Paragraph 4.8.2.4 is deleted along with “for the types of equipment listed on the equipment list in the applicable annexes” in 4.8.2.3.

14. PWS, Paragraph 4.8.2.4. Request the Government define clarify what it means by

“applicable annexes.” Rationale: Clarify annexes to reference when evaluating this requirement.

- Paragraph 4.8.2.4 is deleted along with “for the types of equipment listed on the equipment list in the applicable annexes” in 4.8.2.3.

15. Past performance regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or sub-contractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement will be considered as highly as past performance information for the principal offeror.

a. Can the offeror submit resumes of key personnel, or is this limited to those offerors that do not have relevant past performance (ref Solicitation Evaluation

Factor 4.1 Factor 1)? Yes

16. After reviewing the requirements for the GCCS Engineer position for the AOC, the

GCCS engineer is required to have expertise and experience working with GCCS-AF systems such as JOPES, DCAPES, LOGFAC, and GSORTS. While these systems are very important to AF operations they are solely used outside of the AOC and within AF operations. Is it really a requirement, since all AOC’s have now transitioned to GCCS-J as a standard per RE11-1, for the GCCS engineer to be highly involved in AF Logistical systems? Experience in these systems are great, but really have no involvement in the

AOC operations. When looking at the systems within the AOC WS, you do not see any of these being a factor. (ref. PWS 4.7.1.5.1, 4.7.1.5.6)

- 608 th recommends removing requirements for DCAPES, JOPES, LOGFAC and GSORTS as they are not used.

17. Will office space be provided for Program Manager (ref PWS 4.9)? Yes If so, where?

It will be at the gaining organization’s discretion where to place the individuals.

18. Since SCI clearances are program specific, are you saying that only staff currently SCI cleared for this AOC work will be considered for these positions? No Will candidates with a TS clearance with another program be acceptable and be allowed time to be “read-in” to meet the timeline of the contract start date? (ref. PWS 8.2.3) Yes, the government can accept someone with a TS clearance in another program and will be afforded the time to be read-in but must also meet the other requirements for that position.

19. Provide 24/7 on-call support (non-overtime basis) if required (ref 4.7.1.5.7). In what circumstances is this 24/7 on call support required? Based on AOC past utilization of this requirement, what is the estimated duration of the 24/7 on call support (a week, a month, on-going)? Does this only occur during deployments or exercises or are there other events that require this support? Could be on-going depending on the situation...possibly needed 24/7 during exercises, deployments and real world situations.

20. PWS 4.4 During increased focus of efforts 4-6 weeks prior to major exercises per year, what will be the Level of Effort required? It will not incur an increase in workload, just a prioritization towards the exercise preparation.

21. RESERVED

22. Can Offers contact incumbent personnel for resumes? The government has no issues with that.

23. RESERVED

24. RFP 4.2.2 Aspect II provide quality control plan that meets PWS paragraph 4.12. There is not a 4.12 in the PWS. Paragraph 4.12 will be added in the PWS.

25. Are there any part-time position on the task order? No

26. RFP 4.2.1 Aspect II B. What are Direct, non-direct, ancillary hours?

It will be deleted as it does not apply.

27. Are the Transition , Quality and compensation plan stand alone plans? Do they count against the page count?

Yes, they count against the page count. They’re part of the Technical Volume

28. Reference page 56, paragraph 7.4 states, “Fold-outs will be counted as the appropriate number of pages based on the number of folds (i.e., fold-outs with one fold shall count as one page; each additional fold counts as one additional page).” Does this mean that an

11x17 folded in half will count as one page or two?

Only count as one page.

29. Reference page 56, paragraph 7.6 states “Executive summary shall be included in Vol II

– Technical – limit is 2 pages.” Does the Executive Summary (2 pages) count as part of the Technical Volume 50 page limit?

Yes.

30. Reference page 58, paragraphs 9.5 D. and E.: Does the Government intend that these two sections of PPI be separate stand-alone sections, where the table of basic contract data is separate from contract overview and relevancy information, or would a single integrated reference for each contract be preferred?

Yes, as separate stand-alone sections.

31. Reference page 58, paragraph 9.5 E. Offeror’s Past and Present Performance Contract

References, states that “The offeror shall submit … one (1) sheet for each contract reference…”. QUESTION: By “one (1) sheet”, does the Government intend that this section not exceed one page per contract reference?

32. Reference page 72, Section 7, paragraph 1.0: This paragraph references Air Force

Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) Mandatory Procedures 5315.3

Source Selection Interim Change per Policy Memo 13-C-03 dated 5 Sep 2013. We are unable to locate this Policy Memo. Would the Government please provide it?

Copy of the Memo and attachments (98 pages) will be posted in FBO.

33. Reference page 73, Section 7, paragraph 4.1, Factor 1 – Past Performance (Note): The cited clause FAR 15.305 (a) (2) (iv)) states that an offeror with no record of past performance “…may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.” In considering “Unknown” past performance to be “Acceptable”, the Government is in effect evaluating unknown past performance favorably. Recommend the Government change the evaluation criteria to regard “unknown” past performance as “Unacceptable”, or at the least, “Neutral”.

This is a mandatory Department of Defense procedure that we have to follow.

34. Reference page 73, Section 7, paragraph 4.1, Factor 1 – Past Performance, 2nd subparagraph: This subparagraph states that “Relevancy is defined as having performed services of the same size and complexity as outlined in the PWS”. By this definition, almost any past performance could be deemed relevant regardless of the type of work, as long as the work is complex and comprised of roughly the same number of FTEs.

Recommend that the Government consider re-defining relevancy as a measure of the extent of similarity between the AOC service/support effort, complexity, dollar value, contract type, and subcontract/teaming or other comparable attributes of past performance, as well as what aspects of an offeror’s contract history would give the most confidence that the offeror will satisfy the current procurement.

The relevancy criteria stated in the solicitation has been determined adequate to satisfy the government’s requirement.

35. Questions regarding PWS personnel qualification/experience requirements:

a. Reference PWS page 7, paragraph 4.3.2.9 requires “Microsoft Certified Systems

Engineer (MCSE), A+, Security+, or equivalent commercial certification.”

Would the government clarify whether this means that candidates must possess all of above stated certifications, or any of the above stated certifications?

- 608 th

: candidates must possess at least one of these certifications.

Recommend delete Security + from this list as it’s already covered under any requirements for DoD 8570. Recommend adding CCNA (CISCO Certified

Network Admin) certification with MCSE and A+.

** See answer to 35b. – 4.3.2.9 will be deleted.

b. Reference PWS page 7, paragraph 4.3.2.10. Does this paragraph capture the intent of paragraph 4.3.2.9? If so, will the government consider removing

4.3.2.9?

- 608 th

: Yes

c. Reference PWS page 8, paragraph 4.4.2.7 requires “MCSE, A+, Security+, or equivalent commercial certification.” Would the government clarify whether this means that candidates must possess all of above stated certifications, or any of the above stated certifications?

- 608 th

: does not apply (only applies at 609 th

** Section 4.4.2.7 has been deleted

d. Reference PWS page 8, PWS paragraph 4.4.2.8. Does this paragraph capture the intent of 4.4.2.7? If so, will the government consider removing PWS paragraph

4.4.2.7?

- Deleted 4.4.2.7

e. Reference PWS page 15, paragraph 4.8.2.4 states, “Industrial technical certification in a field applicable to assignment for the systems/equipment listed in the applicable annexes.” There were no annexes appended to the PWS. Would the government please provide a list of required certifications?

- 608 th

: Requests candidates possess one of the following certifications:

MSCE, A+, Security + and/or CCNA. Added to PWS as 4.8.2.4.

36. Reference RFP page 58, Section 9.5 PPI Contents, D. Table of Past Performance

Information Contract References, which states in part: “1. For references where the offeror performed as the Prime contractor” and “2. For references where the offeror performed as a subcontractor”

a. Question: Does the Government intend for this table to include Past Performance

Information Contract References for the offeror only or should the table include references of Proposed Subcontractor, Proposed Partner, and/or Proposed Joint

Venture Partner?

For consistency, include the references for the proposed subcontractor, partner, etc., in the table.

37. Reference RFP page 75, Section 4.2.1, Aspect I, item C. which states in part: “Proposal provides explanation of the key personnel positions (i.e., weapons system manager, configuration manager, etc.) …”

a. Questions: Is the offeror permitted to identify key personnel positions (e.g., weapons system manager, configuration manager) or does the Government have specific key personnel positions in mind?

- Reworded to show that a Program Manager is required. The individual will be at the contractor’s discretion and by definition, is the key person.

38. RESERVED

39. Reference RFP page 75, Aspect II: Quality Control Plan, which states, in part: “Provide a

Quality Control Plan that meets PWS paragraph 4.12. Also reference page 1 of the PWS, Section 4.0 Task Requirements, which states, in part: “Specific operational sub-tasks area documented in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.12.”

a. Question: Where is PWS paragraph 4.12? Please clarify. Paragraph 4.12 will be added for the Quality Control Plan aspect.

40. Reference RFP pages 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 related to Travel CLINs, which state: “Annual

Travel CLIN is NTE $10,000 for each year of the contract. Also reference PWS page 17, Section 7.4, which states “Total annual travel cost is estimated to be $40,000.”

a. Question: Which Travel number is correct- $10,000 or $40,000 per year? Please clarify. $40,000/yr.

41. Reference RFP page 59, Section F.4, which states in part “(See paragraph 11.)”

a. Question: Where is paragraph 11? Will be corrected to read: Appendix 1 of

Section 6 of the Solicitation

42. Reference RFP page 6, CLIN 0101, and RFP page 61, Section 11.1, which states in part:

“complete Section 3 of the solicitation (Schedule of Supplies and Services (CLINS)) by inserting the price elements (unit price and extended amount) for all Firm Fixed Price

(FFP) contract line item numbers (CLINS)”

a. Question: Is it the Government’s intent that FFP represents prices (unit and total) without the requirement to present cost build-up or breakdown for labor hours?

Yes. However, if the Governemnt cannot determine the proposed pricing to be fair and reasonable, other than cost and pricing data will be obtained from the offerors. (See paragraph 4.3.1.3, page 76 of the RFP)

43. Reference RFP page 61, Section 11.1, which states in part: “For ease of administration, all pricing should be rounded to whole dollar amounts.”

a. Question: Does “whole dollar amounts” apply to both unit price and total price?

44. Reference RFP page 61, Section 11.1, which states in part: “The price proposal shall also include the following:”

a. Question: Is there a missing list or is the reference for 11.2 and 11.3?

No. There’s no missing list. The price proposal includes 11.2 & 11.3.

45. Reference PWS pages 1-15, Section 4.1 through 4.8, which identify specific labor categories and locations. 14 positions are identified.

a. Question: Is the Program Manager function accomplished by one of these 14 positions? Yes, it is not a separate position.

46. Reference PWS page 8, Section 4.4, which states in part “Managers will be located at 608

AOC, 609 AOC, and 612 AOC, and optional SME location is TBD.”

a. Question: Is that three staff positions? Should the optional SME location be included in the price? Yes. Optional SME has been deleted.

47. RESERVED

48. What is the current level of effort supporting this effort? As per the PWS.

49. RESERVED

50. Is this an SCA contract? NO

51. Is there a wage determination? NO

52. 51a. For the Optional FTE, when will this be exercised? The Optional FTEs were dropped from the proposal due to budget constraints. PWS Page 8, para 4.5

“optional SME” will be deleted.

53. On solicitation, page 56, section 7.6, Executive Summary limit is 2 pages, Are those pages counted in the 50 page limit? YES

54. On the PWS, page 13, section 4.7.2.4, Where can we obtain these annexes in order for us to evaluate certifications on specific systems/equipment? The section has been deleted.

55. Who is the current incumbent contractor for the AOC positions referenced in the PWS?

UAV Communications, Inc., dba Bosh Global Services

56. RESERVED

57. On the PWS, page 15, section 4.9, Key Personnel. The Contractor shall identify the

Program Manager and all key personnel in the technical proposal regardless of the task type. How are key personnel defined? See the answer to question #37.

58. On solicitation, page 75, section 4.2.1, Aspect I: Management Approach, paragraph

C. Proposal provides explanation of the key personnel positions (i.e., weapons system manager, configuration manager, etc.) and an explanation of how the offeror will meet the task required in paragraphs 4.1-4.11 of the PWS. How are key personnel defined?

In the PWS. Also, See answer to question #37.

59. What is the minimum clearance level of GCCS Contractual Engineer? Secret or TS/SCI?

(ref. 8.2.3 table and subtask 4.7.2.1 job description). It is listed as one level in one place and another level in a second place. TS/SCI

60. What is the minimum clearance level of Network Technician position? Top Secret or

TS/SCI? (ref 8.2.3 table and subtask 4.8.2.1 job description). It is listed as one level in one place and another level in a second place. TS/SCI

61. This RFP is for an 8(a) Set Aside. If a company is an 8(a) at the time of proposal submission, but graduates from the 8(a) program prior to the award date of March 2014, will they be allowed to compete for this contract? Yes

62. Will office space be provided for Program Manager (ref 4.9)? If so, where? Office space is made available for all personnel.

63. Are Key Personnel vacancies to be filled in 14 or 30 days? Both timeframes are listed.

(ref. 4.9 and Attachment 2, Services Summary) 30 days

64. Since SCI clearances are program specific, are you saying that only staff currently SCI cleared for this AOC work will be considered for these positions? Will candidates with a

SCI clearance with another program be acceptable and be allowed time to be “read-in” to meet the timeline of the contract start date? Yes to the 2 nd sentence – candidates with an SCI clearance in another program are acceptable and will be allowed time to be

‘read-in’ and they meet the other requirements.

65. “Provide reach back internally to GCCS developers…” Does this mean internally to offeror’s GCCS developers or to AOC GCCS developers?

“Capability to reach back to significant COE and system/mission technical expertise that can be made available to this task order…” Does this mean reach back internally to offeror’s staff or to AOC staff? (ref 4.7.1.5.4) Both AOC GCCS Staff and DISA

GCCS Staff.

66. Does “internally” refer to internally within the AOC? Or “Internally” within the contractor’s company? Within AOC

67. Provide 24/7 on-call support (non-overtime basis) if required. (ref 4.7.1.5.7). In what circumstances is this 24/7 on call support required? Based on AOC past utilization of this requirement, what is the estimated duration of the 24/7 on call support (a week, a month, on-going)? Does this only occur during deployments or exercises or are there other events that require this support? Could be on-going depending on the situation...possibly needed 24/7 during exercises, deployments and real world situations.

68. “Travel to support other Air Force sites as required. Travel outside the U.S. to Ramstein

Air Base, Germany, will require passport and may require country specific VISA.” (ref

4.7.1.5.7 ). Are there other CONUS and OCONUS locations that the Government foresees the offeror to support? Network Tech could have to travel OCONUS, GCCS

Engineer only CONUS.

69. Should the reference to AOC Knowledge Management Officer (KMO) in 4.1.1.20 be changed to AOC Information Management Office (IMO) as shown in 4.2.1.20? Yes

70. Is the GCCS Contractual Engineer required to have experience working with and understanding Coalition C2 systems (i.e. CENTRIXS, ISAF, etc.)? No

71. Ref 7.10 Travel. In the travel table in 7.10 seems inconsistent with the potential travel listed in certain job descriptions. For example: 4.1 WSM lists CONUS and OCONUS, but the chart in 7.10 lists only OCONUS. Barksdale does not list OCONUS travel, but the job descriptions assigned to the location do list OCONUS travel. Network Tech could have to travel OCONUS (very seldom), GCCS Engineer only CONUS (if ever). The table now generically lists all travel.

72. Would it be possible for you to separate out the KSA’s for the GCCS Contractual

Engineer and Network Technicians – as you have done for the other positions? They’re there already, just labeled wrong. Change paragraphs 4.7.2 and 4.8.2 from

“Required skills and qualifications include:” to “Knowledge Skills and Ability: The

Contractor shall provide personnel that meet the following qualifications:”

73. 4.8.1.16 and 4.8.1.18 Operate National Security Agency (NSA) approved network encryption devices, SAN, NAS, and network infrastructure. Experience with loading and maintaining Bulk Encryption devices such as KG-175s and KG-250s. With regards to encryption devices, will basic administration be required or does the offeror need to provide personnel with significant crypto/encryption background? No

74. If the work is not currently funded, when do you expect information about funding to be received? Is there a possibility that this contract will not be awarded at all? This contract has been appropriately vetted/prioritized through ACC/AFGSC channels and funding is set.

75. RESERVED

76. PWS 4.10.4l “Reference Attachment 3 for report format examples”. Are these examples going to be available as they are currently omitted from Attachment 3?

This is Attachment 1 of the PWS and was posted with the RFP. Please check FBO posting.

77. What is the contract number from previous award? FA4890-09-C-0008