Linguist Analyst questions and answers.docx

1. RFP p. 42 of 49: Please clarify that a customer-completed past performance questionnaire should be provided to the Air Force for each one of the past and present relevant contracts that a company (and its subcontractors, as applicable) provides in Part III, Past Performance. We assume that a prime contractor should provide five (5) customer-completed past performance questionnaires, and that each of its subcontractors should provide five (5) customer-completed past performance questionnaires to the Air Force.

***No more than 5 questionnaires in total.

2. RFP p. 43 of 49 states that “Typing shall not be less than 12 pitch.” So that the Air Force can best evaluate industry responses, we ask that consideration be given to establishing guidelines of 12 point New Times Roman font for text, and 9 point Arial Narrow font for tables, figures, exhibits, and graphics. Please clarify your intentions as to font size.

***The pitch is no more than 12, will not specify the font for text. As for the tables, the font size can be reduced as long as it’s readable.

3. Please clarify the exact due date for Past Performance Questionnaires. In the RFP on page 42 of 49 it gives the due date as January 13th. On page 1 of 7 of Attachment 5, the Past Performance Questionnaire Instructions, it gives the due date as January 8th. Please resolve this contradiction and confirm the expected due date.

*** The due date for Past Performance Questionnaires is 13 Jan 2010. An amendment will be issued next week.

4. On page 45 of 51 of the RFP, you state that foldouts used for charts, tables or diagrams may not exceed 11” x 17”. Please clarify if these foldouts count as one or two pages.

*** one page

5. We assume that the cover page, title page, table of contents, cross-reference matrix, list of tables of figures, and acronym list are outside the page count of 50. Please confirm.

*** The cover page, title page, table of contents, and acronym list will not be counted in the 50 pages.

6. What transition time will the government be allowing for the overall transition period, exchange of deliverables and information, and for the new contractor to shadow the incumbent contractor upon award?

***The transition period will depend on the when the contract is awarded. There will be some time allowed to exchange deliverables and information, but no period is allowed for the new contractor to shadow the incumbent.

7. May we reference staff with relevant experience throughout the proposal – in both the technical and past performance sections, with the understanding that resumes are prohibited?

*** IAW the tech info…the contractor shall demonstrate how their assigned personnel technical skills, knowledge, experience, and demonstrable proficiency shall meet the identifiable task in the SOW. It also states that resumes and names of contract personnel will not be accepted.

8. This solicitation requires OCONUS support at Mildenhall, UK and Kadena AB, Japan. Will the government include the necessary clauses and/or language in the contract to provide the contractor with the appropriate SOFA status, componency status and/or logistical base support?

***Yes, the solicitation or contract will be amended to include this information when approved.

9. Page 32 of the RFP indicates that this is a "firm-fixed-price" contract (52.216-1), but also states that it is an "indefinite quantity" contract. This information is confusing and contradictory. We request that the government clarify the contract type.

*** It’s a FFP IDIQ contract. The labor hours are fixed but the number of labor hours are indefinite. An amendment will be issued next week to correct.

10. The Attachment 1 spreadsheet has the labor category Security Mgr, Site Lead, and Tech Support under CLIN 3 but those labor categories are not included in the SOW. Can the Gov’t provide labor category descriptions for these labor categories?

11. The table on page 12 of the SOW has different FTE counts for some locations than the Attachment 1 spreadsheet. Specifically Ft. Meade and RAF Mildenhall AB, UK. Can the Gov’t clarify what is the correct total of FTEs for those locations?

*** Page 12 is quantity initially required. The counts in the spreadsheet allow for adding personnel as needed, hence the need for the Indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract.

12. The table on page 12 of the SOW lists a Deputy Program Manager labor category that is not listed in the Attachment 1 spreadsheet. Can the Gov’t clarify if that should be a different labor category or provide a labor category description for that labor category in the SOW?

*** The DPM will be added to the spreadsheet. The customer has two separate missions being incorporated into one contract. The DPM is basically an assistant program manager to provide support to one of the missions, while the PM (Lackland) provides support to the overall contract and other mission.

13. For pricing purposes, should contractors assume 1920 annual hours per FTE?

*** Yes, except for the security manager which is only a part-time function.

14. Please confirm that the “Training Mgr” labor category under CLIN 3 is the Training Manager and Alternate Command Language Program Manager (CLPM) labor category listed in the SOW?

*** Yes

15. On pg 2 of 49 of the solicitation, under Item No 0001, it states that the Contractor is to provide pricing for all labor categories in the attached spreadsheet for the base and option periods. Is it the Government’s intent to receive an hourly rate for every single labor category, including specific language Linguist labor categories for each location? For example, in Attachment 1, under CLIN 0001, it lists “Arabic with French” with a quantity of 1 under the Hulburt location. Should respondents provide an hourly rate for “Linguist-Arabic with French” for all locations or only for the Hulbert location?

*** Yes, only for the locations as specified in the spreadsheet. Each location requires specifics languages.

16. Reference RFP pg. 43. PART III – PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

(C) Due to time constraints, it is imperative that the questionnaire be completed and returned not later than 13 Jan 2010 Clarification

1. Part III states the government is requesting Past Performance evaluations 13 Jan 2010 while Attachment 5 page 1 states the evaluations be returned 8 Jan 2010 please clarify the correct date for submission.

***Questionnaires are due on 13 Jan 2010. An amendment will be issued next week to correct.

17. Reference RFP Pg. 46-47 Sub-factor 2 Management Approach

Contractor will also be evaluated on whether their staffing plan indicates that their personnel will possess a Top Secret SCI clearance at start up and if the Contractor possesses a Top Secret Facility clearance.

Clarification

1. Our understanding is that a Top Secret Facility Clearance is not required at the date of award; offerors are to provide the information if one is already issued, please clarify?

***A contractor will not be able to begin work on this contract without a top secret facility clearance. There is no time allowed for the Gov’t to wait for a facility clearance to be processed or granted.

18. Reference Linguist Analyst Services SOW 8 Dec 09 Attachment 2 Para. 3.1.6 “The Contractor shall develop new global and cryptologic training materials and curriculum where none exist …Upon Government acceptance, all developed materials become the property of the Government…. “ Clarification

1. How does the intellectual property of software training modules developed by a contractor play into this paragraph?

***All the material and content belongs to the Gov’t.

19. Who is the incumbent contractor and what is the value of the current contract?

***Nangwik Services, other information is available under FOIA.

20. Have any FTE’s been added to this procurement after the award to the incumbent contractor?

***Yes

21. The total positions listed in the SOW (page 12) are not the same as the list on the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (attachment 1). This also affects the total number of positions for the contract. The SOW lists 100 positions. Attachment 1 lists 103 positions. Specific discrepancies are noted as follows. What are the specific position requirements by duty title and work location?

CLIN 0003

Content Mgr

Deputy Program Manager

*** Page 12 is quantity initially required. The counts in the spreadsheet allow for adding personnel as needed, hence the need for the Indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract.

22. CLIN numbers on SF 1449 Continuation Sheet and RFP Attachment 1 (Excel Spreadsheet) are different. SF 1449 lists Item 002 as “Managers” and Item 003 as “Instructors.” RFP Attachment 1 (Excel spreadsheet) lists CLIN 002 as Instructors and CLIN 003 as Managers. What are the correct CLIN numbers and associated titles?

*** CLIN 0001 Linguist/Analyst

The spreadsheet will be corrected.

23. SOW Paragraph 5.1 (Security) states that “contractors used for Global Language Training will only require a SECRET NAC…. and in some cases and mission scenarios Contract linguist may only require a SECRET clearance. Specific clearance requirements by mission set will be provided to the Contractor.” There is no further identification as to which positions require only the SECRET clearance. Clearance level of the individual linguists affects the labor rate charged for those positions. Does the Government have a list of clearance levels by individual position?

*** At some point the employees will require a full TS/SCI clearance, and at some locations a CI poly to fulfill mission requirements. As referenced in 5.2 for less commonly taught language the Gov’t “may allow” someone with a secret clearance to work until full clearance is accomplished.

24. SOW Paragraph 2.5 identifies specific training each contractor must complete. Is the training conducted at the individual work locations? If not, is the travel required to training location billable to Government under CLIN 004?

***paragraph states that training is only for personnel at 70 IW (Ft. Meade), which is were the training is accomplished.

25. SOW Paragraph 5.2 (Security) states Government will sponsor clearance applications and billets at Contractor’s expense in order to meet mission requirements. Will individual linguists be allowed to work and be billed while clearance applications and/or CI Polygraph’s are processed? Will any non billable overhead support personnel be allowed a SCI billet for this contract?

***Yes, No

26. Is this a new requirement? If not, please identify any incumbent(s) and the number of FTEs currently working this contract.

***Current work is provided under two contracts both with Nangwik Services, other information is available under FOIA.

27. SF 1449 Continuation Sheet. There are some discrepancies between the SF 1449 Continuation sheet and the Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet, “Spreadsheet for solicitation breakout language Attachment 1”

a. On Sheet 1 of the Excel Spreadsheet, under CLIN 0003 (Managers), the total number of personnel authorizations is 17. Under the SF 1449 Continuation Sheet for Item No 0002, Managers, the works hours are 33,600 which equates to 17.5 man years based on a 1920 hours per man year. This discrepancy repeats itself in Option Year 1 and option Year 2. What is the extra .5 man year to be used for?

***The extra .5 is the security Manager man hours. This will be corrected in the spreadsheet.

b. On Sheet 2 of the Excel Spreadsheet, under CLIN 0001, it appears that a row is missing. Under the row labeled “Total CLIN 0001” there is no entries for several columns. The totals for CLIN 1 appear in the row labeled “CLIN 0002.” It appears that the row for “Intell Analyst” is missing.

***The spreadsheet will be corrected.

c. On Sheet 2 of the Excel Spreadsheet, under CLIN 0001, the total required personnel are 103. Under the SF 1449 Continuation sheet, the total hours listed under CLIN 0001, Option 1 is 196,020. This equates to 102.09375 man years. If the 103 personnel number is correct, the total hours should be 197,760 *** This will be reviewed and corrected if necessary.

28. Can the offer submit Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) as Past Performance and also as Past Performance Questionnaire?

***No, please submit the questionnaire. CPARS will be pulled if necessary.

29. In the final SOW (except for language instructors), the required SCRL proficiency is listed as Interagency Language Round Table (ILRT) level 3 in listening and reading; but there is no requirement stated for speaking and writing skills. However, SOW paragraph 3.3.2 requires the ability to write and speak in clear and concise grammar and pronunciation of the SCRL. Additionally, paragraph 3.3.4 requires consecutive, accurate translations and interpretations of on-going conversations – this requires advanced speaking skills. Are consecutive translation, consecutive interpretation, speaking and writing still requirements?

***Yes, see para 3.3.1

30. If consecutive translation and interpretation are still required, which locations require this ability?

***This will be determined after award.

31. Ref: SOW paragraph 3.3. and 3.3.5, What percentage of the operational work on this effort (non-training requirements) requires contractors to translate into the target language, from English?

***unknown

32. Ref: SOW paragraph 9, “Service Delivery Summary” The performance threshold indicated for on-line transcripts, off-line (verbatim) transcripts, and Traffic Analysis Reports is “No more than 1 validated complaint by unit QAPs per month.” Does this indicate 1 validated complaint per location, or across the entire program?

***SDS specifies “by unit” QAP. Per location.

33. Ref: SOW, Page 12: The SOW lists language instructor positions exist only at Fort Gordon. Is platform/classroom language instruction currently being used at locations other than at Fort Gordon? If so, approximately how many hours monthly of platform instruction are being performed at each of the eight (8) locations referenced in this SOW?

***Instructors are located at Ft. Gordon. Yes. Depends on the requirements of the Gov’t as contract progresses.

34. SOW, paragraph 5.1: For the sake of eliminating any possible ambiguity, can you please confirm that contractor personnel associated with this effort at Hurlburt Field; Davis Monthan, AFB; Kadena AB; RAF Mildenhall; and Lackland AFB, do not require a polygraph?

***Response will be posted later.

35. Which positions currently listed in the SOW and spreadsheet are not currently filled by incumbent contractor personnel?

*** Please bid to what I specified in the SOW. Any questions regarding the current contract, other than information already addressed, must be requested through FOIA.

36. Which positions currently listed in the SOW and spreadsheet are filled by incumbent personnel that not performing adequately?

*** Please bid to what I specified in the SOW. Any questions regarding the current contract, other than information already addressed, must be requested through FOIA.

37. Ref: SOW, Page 12: For Arabic linguists, which dialects are needed at which locations?

***Will be based on the requirements of the Gov’t upon contract award.

38. Ref: SOW, paragraph 3.1.4, 3.1.5, and 3.1.6: Do any other locations associated with this contract have Language Training Facilities similar to the trailer at Fort Meade? If so, how are they currently being utilized? Can you provide a description of technology and capabilities available at the language training facilities associated with this contract at other locations?

*** Ft. Meade is the only location with a trailer. Other locations have training areas which be set aside by the Gov’t. The technology is tech II classrooms at some of the other locations.

39. Ref SOW, page 41, addenda to 52.212-1 “Proposal Preparation Instructions”, section C, parts II and III: This section states that an original, plus three (3) copies are required for the Technical and Past Performance volumes. However, the information regarding the submittal of proposals on page 43 indicates that two (2) copies must accompany the original. Does the email copy satisfy the requirement for the 3rd copy? If this is not the case, please clarify.

***one original and 3 copies.

40. Ref SOW paragraph 2.5, states that all personnel assigned to 70 IW need this training. Do personnel supporting the 480th at Fort Gordon also need this training?

*** As specified “all” personnel at 70 IW. Not required for 480th at Ft Gordon, only the 70IW.

41. Is there a page limit for Past Performance information?

***No

42. The CDRL contradicts the SOW regarding the frequency and due date of the CLPM Newsletter. The CDRL states that it is a quarterly deliverable, but the SOW states that it is a monthly deliverable. Which is correct?

*** Please re-read; We see no discrepancies CDRL 0008 states monthly, and the SOW 3.2.3 states monthly.

43. CDRL contradicts the SOW regarding the timeliness documenting OJT on AF Form 623A. Which is correct?

***We see no conflict, there is no specified time in the SOW.

44. CLINs 0002 and 0003 on the RFP SF 1449 (pages 2 and 3) specify a max quantity of hours of 33,600 and 7,680, respectively. However, attachment 1 location/skill spreadsheet reverses these amounts by CLIN. Which document takes precedence?

*** The spreadsheet will be corrected.

45. On the attachment 1 location/skill spreadsheet, CLIN 0003 includes the security manager as a line item, but does not list a quantity or a location. Should there be an entry here?

*** The spreadsheet will be corrected.

46. CLIN 0007 FFP Surge specifies the max quantities as “undefined.” Are there any further requirements defining how to price this CLIN?

***CLIN specifies that a FFP rate will be negotiated before CLIN is used. Do not include any pricing information.

47. 52.212-1 ADDENDUM, C. Specific Instructions indicates that completed Past Performance Questionnaires should be submitted no later than 13 January 2010. However, the cover to the Past Performance Questionnaire indicates that questionnaires should be submitted no later than 8 January 2010. Please confirm the deadline for receipt of completed questionnaires.

***Questionnaires are due on 13 Jan 2010. An amendment will be issued next week to correct.

48. Please confirm the staffing requirements in the out years.

*** Please bid the quantities specified.

49. CLIN Items 0005 and 0006: The government has put in NTE numbers of $143,600 and $132,000 respectively. Can the government explain the basis of estimate for those NTE amounts?

***These are estimates only developed by the Gov’t. As specified please use the amounts given.