Draft_RFP_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

FA4890-17-R-0011 AFEC PMEL II

Draft RFP Questions & Answers

1Q. What is the government’s expectation for the number of trainees in the contractor’s apprenticeship training program per year?

A. The approach is at the company’s discretion. The Government will determine with each task order solicitation whether an apprenticeship training program is worth the additional cost to the Government using the Value Adjusted Total Evaluated Price (VATEP) selection process.

2Q. Does the government anticipate an apprenticeship training program to be 4M, 6M, 9M or some other timeframe? Without a government expectation the contractors NTE can vary greatly.

A. This is determined at the task order level and will be structured based upon the apprentice programs provided by the offerors at the IDIQ level. Programs should include both formal and on-the-job training.

3Q. How will the government choose to exercise the apprenticeship training program CLIN? It is assumed the contractor will be able to choose where to implement the apprenticeship training program.

A. At the task order level, the government will determine whether an apprenticeship program will be incorporated.

4Q. Should we assume that if we don’t have an appropriate location for practical hands on training that the government will provide a location and equipment?

A. All cost associated with the apprenticeship training program will be assumed by the contractor.

5Q. If a company is doing practical training in a PMEL the applicable CBA would dictate the apprentice trainee labor category pay & benefit rates. Given apprentice trainees will have to do practical experience at PMELs under a CBA, what does the government anticipate will occur when the trainee graduates? I.e. No open slot at the PMEL and they are terminated, entered into a database so other PMELs could hire them, or they are employed at the PMEL where training was performed and the government would pay for the increased staff size, other?

A. The approach is at the company’s discretion.

6Q. Would the government, in lieu of the apprentice program, allow the contractor to hire a qualified PMEL Tech (veteran incentive program) that would take staffing level higher than the TO award for a finite timeframe to mitigate anticipated retirement(s) at PMEL locations?

A. This approach would be allowed but not compensated using the VATEP process.

7Q. If apprentices are so restricted, will the government allow an “education stipend” to encourage participation?

A. Consideration for the additional expense of an apprentice is being considered under VATEP. It is up to the company to determine how the funds are distributed within the program.

8Q. Would the government consider an internship program as opposed to an apprenticeship program?

A. The Government is implementing apprenticeship programs as a method to attempt to grow new technicians in the field.

An internship is an opportunity offered by an employer to potential employees to work at a firm for a fixed, limited period of time. Interns are usually undergraduates or students, and most internships last for any length of time between one week and 12 months. The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.

An apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading).

Apprenticeship also enables practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated profession.

9Q. Would an apprentice program be considered acceptable to the government that only utilizes graduates of an Associate’s degree in electronics or equivalent to be eligible to participate in the company’s apprentice program?

A. The approach is at the company’s discretion.

10Q. If an apprentice program was put into place at the Feltwell PMEL would the government entertain allowing a UK citizen to participate?

A. The Government does not limit whether an employee is a US or UK citizen at the Feltwell location.

11Q. Will the government restrict personnel within the apprentice program from performing calibration or maintenance identified in appendix G workloads. Without this restriction apprentices would need to be part of the collective bargaining agreement. The restriction also prevent offers from including apprentice program trainees as part of their technical solution at the task order level.

A. The Government would expect all employees work Appendix G workload. Note: The participants of the apprentice program will not considered as part of a company’s technical solution and will be evaluated as such. Each proposed solution will have to meet technical acceptability based on the task order manning not including an apprentice program. They will be evaluated separately.

12Q. Please confirm that if a company exceeds the NAICS 811219 $20.5M dollar threshold standard after AFECII PMEL award that the company will still be considered a small business for the duration of the 10 year ordering period and will not have to recertify as a small business under NAICS 81129.

A. Section M-1.2 states “All companies receiving an IDIQ award as a small business concern will be treated as a SB throughout the life of the 10 year ordering period.”

13Q. Since electronic methodology for evaluation is being utilized will the government consider also allowing electronic proposal submission. Printing and shipping numerous copies is time consuming and pricey.

A. Section L-5.3.3 of the draft RFP request 2 CD/DVDs and no hard copies.

14Q. Will the government consider adding economically disadvantaged to increase the 8a competitive pool in case there are less than two 8a companies that make it to the competitive pool? Will the government consider making direct awards to qualified 8(a) companies for certain locations?

A. The current acquisition strategy is for a Total Small Business Set-Aside with the possibility of certified 8(a) small business set asides. The acquisition strategy for each individual task order will be determined at the start of the solicitation to establish if a set-aside is necessary. AMIC Small Business goals will factor into this decision. The Task Order ordering guide will provide additional information.

15Q. Can we coordinate a site visit to Andrews AFB?

A. The site visit locations have been set after much consideration. The locations were selected as examples of a Type IIA and Type IIB laboratory. All measurement areas are represented in these examples. Additional site visits are offered during task order competition on an as needed basis.