FA5209-09-T-0130 Questions Answers.28 Sept 2009.docx

Monday, 28 Sept 2009

SOLICITATION FA5209-09-T-0130

374 CONTRACTING SQUADRON (374 CONS/LGCZA)

YOKOTA AB JAPAN

IT Project Management & Systems Analysis Support for 374 CS/SCX

Questions & Answers from Solicitation

Question 1: Is there an incumbent for the subject requirement? If so can you tell me who it is?

ANSWER: Currently there are two contractor employees. They were provided by the following contracts:

Question 2: My candidate is married and would like to bring his wife. Will there be billeting?

ANSWER: Reference Attachment 1, Addendum to FAR 52.212-4, Para. (x) (4) – Temporary lodging at Kanto Lodge up to five (5) days for arrival/departure transition on Space A Basis. This is the only billeting provided by the contract and it would be at the contractors expense.

Question 3: Is travel from US to Japan will paid by the Government ?

ANSWER: No.

Question 4: What are the yearly allowance for travel to the contractor employees ?

ANSWER: There is no yearly travel allowance. If the contractor employee needs to go on a site visit, etc. that requires overnight travel then the contractor will be reimbursed in the amounts listed in the FTR (link is below) via a modification to the contract on a case by case basis. (See Paragraphs 1.4 on Page 2 and 1.5.5 on Pages 3-4 of the PWS) http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?specialContentType=FTR&file=FTR/FTR301TOC.html&pageTypeId=17113&channelPage=%2Fep%2Fchannel%2FgsaOverview.jsp&channelId=-24568

Question 5: There are two person, one PM and one Systems Analyst ?

ANSWER: We are requesting that the Contractor propose the number of employees they feel are necessary to perform all the requirements. Historically, 80 hours have been required during a week to perform the requirements. Currently, as stated in Question 1 above, there are two contractor employees.

Question 6: Is our pricing need to cover for the logistics of our employees in Japan or it will be covered by per diem allowance ?

ANSWER: The Gov will not pay any expenses associated with logistics (moving to Japan and/or living in Japan--housing, utilities, etc.). The contractor should factor those expenses in their pricing.

Question 7: Will there be a separate CLIN or provision for housing/COLA?

ANSWER: No, The Gov only provides the the benefits listed in Attachment 1 to contractor employees. Housing and COLA are only for Gov employees.

Question 8: Reference RFP section 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items, paragraph (a)5(i), Past Performance Reference List: Are we limited to submitting only 3 projects for reference?

ANSWER: No. The Government is requiring a minimum of three project, but there is no maximum as long as they meet the relevent and recency test as described in FAR 52.212-2.

Question 9: Reference RFP section 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items, paragraph (a) (2), which states “Past performance regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement will be evaluated as highly as past performance information for the principal offeror.” Is it permissible to submit resumes for our proposed key personnel?

ANSWER: The sentence referenced above relates to subcontractors, not key personnel. So NO, please do not submit resumes – they will not be part of the evaluation process and would not be looked at. Evaluation is based on Past Performance and Price as indicated in Clause 52.212-2. After the contract is awarded the contractor will then be requested to send resumes for proposed key personnel for the Government to review.

Question 10: Can the Government provide estimated values for the Reimbursable Travel CLINs (x002)?

ANSWER: No. As stated in the solicitation the contractor is not required to provide a quote for these CLINs.

Question 11: Can the Government provide an estimate of the number of projects that must be supported on an annual basis for this effort?

ANSWER: No, we do not have an estimate of the number of projects. Please refere to Appendix A of the PWS (Page 11) for workload estimates to assist you in planning/estimating.

Question 12a: Specific to Performance-Base Work Statement (PWS) task 1.1.2, to what degree will the government expect project management functions to be performed?

ANSWER: It depends upon the project - as a project manager – coordination between stakeholder and other entities is the key factor, elevation of questions to the appropriate party. Basically a project manager is assigned a project from cradle to grave.

Question 12b: Will updates being requested be merely inputs to existing project management files or will these files need to be created from scratch?

ANSWER: A project that is inherited by the incoming project manager will entail - managing that project and updating or creating any files that are needed in support of that project; as well as initial creation and updating of subsequent project files for other projects assigned.

Question 13: Specific to PWS task 1.2.2, will OSP/ISP support be of a consulting nature only or will this also require ‘hands on’ installation/integration services?

ANSWER: OSP/ISP support will not require 'hands on' work. It is all management and oversight on the project.

Question 14: Specific to PWS task 1.2.5, in what format will technical expertise be expected? Hands-on training; white papers; or verbal discussions?

ANSWER: Technical expertise will be expected to be in the form of being able to make informed recommendations of what options, actions, or installations activities may be needed to complete the project. Basically to be able to determine if course of action or solutions that are recommended are technically sound, compatible and acceptable for integration into AF infrastructure.

ATTACHMENT 1 – TAKEN FROM PAGES 9 – 11 of the solicitation

Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Mar 2009):

(v) SOFA Article I(b) Status

(1) SOFA Article I(b) status. Individuals including, but not limited to, technical advisors, consultants, entertainers serving under contracts with the United States for the provision of services in support of U.S. armed forces in Japan, and whose presence is required in Japan to provide such services, may acquire SOFA status in Japan as part of the civilian component under Article I(b) of the SOFA. Article I(b) does not create a lawful status in Japan for any entity other than individuals (e.g., the company employing the individual). To qualify for SOFA status under SOFA Article I(b), such individuals must be:

(i) United States nationals,

(ii) not ordinarily resident in Japan,

(iii) present in Japan at the invitation of, and solely for the purpose of executing contracts with, the United States for the benefit of the United States armed forces, and

(iv) not contractors or employees of a contractor whose presence in Japan is solely for the purpose of executing contracts within the definition of SOFA Article XIV.

(2) SOFA Article I(b) procedures. Contractor personnel must obtain a Letter of Identification from Contracting Officer to authorize entry into Japan under SOFA Article I(b) and to identify which Article I(b) privileges and benefits will be provided to each employee/dependent. Contractor shall, in writing, identify all contractor personnel and accompanying dependents eligible for SOFA Article I(b) status to the Contracting Officer.

(3) SOFA Article 1(b) privileges and benefits. Persons granted authority to enter Japan under SOFA Article I(b) and their dependents (defined as spouse, children under 21, and, if dependent for over half their support upon an individual having SOFA Article I(b) status, parents and children over 21) shall be accorded the following benefits of the SOFA. These privileges are personal to the employee/dependent and to not inure to the employer.

(i) Access to and movement between facilities and areas in use by the United States armed forces and between such facilities and areas and the ports or airports of Japan as provided for in SOFA Article V, paragraph 2;

(ii) Entry into Japan and exemption from Japanese laws and regulations on the registration and control of aliens as provided for in SOFA Article IX;

(iii) Acceptance as valid by Japan, without a driving test or fee, a U.S. Forces, Japan Operator’s Permit for Civilian Vehicle as provided for in SOFA Article X. Issuance of such permit shall be subject to applicable military regulation;

(iv) Exemption from customs duties and other such charges on materials, supplies, and equipment which are to be incorporated into articles or facilities used by the United States armed forces furniture, household goods for private use imported by person when they first arrive to work in Japan, vehicles and parts imported for private use, and reasonable quantities of clothing and household goods for everyday private use which are mailed into Japan through United States military post offices as provided for in SOFA Article XI, paragraphs 2 and 3;

(v) Exemption from the laws and regulations of Japan with respect to terms and conditions of employment as provided for in SOFA Article XII, paragraph 7, except that such exemption shall not apply to the employment of local nationals in Japan;

(vi) Exemption from Japanese taxes to the Government of Japan or to any other taxing agency in Japan on income received as a result of their service with the United States armed forces as provided for in SOFA Article XIII. The provisions of Article XIII do not exempt such persons from payment of Japanese taxes on income derived from Japanese sources;

(vii) If authorized by the installation commander or designee, the right to use Navy exchanges, post exchanges, base exchanges, commissaries, messes, social clubs, theaters, newspapers and other non-appropriated fund organizations regulated by United States military authorities as provided for in SOFA Article XV;

(viii) The transmission into or outside of Japan of United States dollar or dollar instruments realized as a result of contract performance as provided for in SOFA Article XIX, paragraph 2;

(ix) The use of postal facilities as provided for in SOFA Article XXI;

(x) Exemption from taxation in Japan on the holding, use transfer by death, or transfer to person or agencies entitled to tax exemption under the SOFA, of movable property, tangible or intangible, the presence of which in Japan is due solely to the temporary presence of these persons in Japan, provided such exemption shall not apply to property held for the purpose of investment or the conduct of other business in Japan or to any intangible property registered in Japan.

(xi) Japan authorities have the right to exercise jurisdiction over SOFA personnel in relation to offenses committed in Japan and punishable by the law of Japan. In those cases in which the Japanese authorities have the primary right to exercise jurisdiction but decide not to do so, the United States shall have the right to exercise such jurisdiction as is conferred on it by the law of the United States.

(x) Logistic Support. Contractor, contractor personnel, and in the case of personnel granted SOFA Article I(b) status, dependents, shall, subject to availability as determined by the installation commander or designee, be provided logistic support including, but not limited to, the items below.

(1) Navy, Base or Post Exchange, exchange service stations, theaters, and commissary;

(2) Laundry and dry cleaning;

(3) Military banking facilities;

(4) Temporary lodging at Kanto Lodge up to five (5) days for arrival/departure transition on Space A Basis.

(5) Open mess (club) membership, as determined by each respective club;

(6) Casualty assistance (mortuary services) on a reimbursable basis;

(7) Routine medical care on a reimbursable basis for U.S. citizens and emergency medical care on a reimbursable basis for non-U.S. citizens;

(8) Dental care, limited to relief of emergencies on a reimbursable basis;

(9) Department of Defense Dependent Schools on a space-available and tuition-paying basis;

(10) Postal support, as authorized by military postal regulations;

(11) Local recreation services on a space-available basis;

(12) Issuance of U.S. Forces, Japan Operator’s Permit;

(13) Issuance of vehicle license plates.

(End of clause)