Posted_04-03-2013_Questions_-_Answers_Group_Review.pdf

Solicitation Number FA7037-13-R-0002

SECTION

PAGE

NUMBER(S)

QUESTION

1Q PWS Sect 5.6.3 QUESTION: 1. Section 5.6.3 of the PWS states “The contractor shall provide cryptologic language and global mission related training to military forces to include all linguist professional skills as outlined in section 5.5.6.1 of this PWS” and section 5.6.4 indicates “The contractor shall provide training using existing global and cryptologic language training curriculum and materials.” However, section 3.1.4 of the RFP then states that “The Government will evaluate the offeror’s five (5) current complete samples of current curriculum to include lesson plans, quizzes/progress checks and tests for courses. The samples shall include at least one sample each for refresher (4-6 weeks), intermediate (7-12 weeks), and acquisition (13-

20 weeks) type courses. The remaining two (2) samples may be the offeror’s choice. The Government will evaluate the offeror’s documentation of how many iterations of each type course have been conducted, the complexity, the number of students in each course and student results (increase/decrease in DLPT scores). The curriculum samples will be considered as an indicator of technical capability. The DLPT student results will be considered as a measure of training effectiveness. The curriculum samples and DLPT student results will not be considered in Present and Past Performance. “ Can the Government please clarify if the contractor will be required to use existing global and cryptologic language training curriculum and materials that the Government will provide, or will the contractor be required to have current refresher (4-6 weeks), intermediate (7-12 weeks), and acquisition (13-20 weeks) type courses already developed to provide the required training?

1QA ANSWER: The contractor may use existing global and cryptologic language training curriculum and materials in the Government's possession to begin instruction on day 1 of the contract. Refer to Section L paragraph 5.2.4 for the Government's requirement for samples of current curriculum for evaluation purposes.

2Q Is the Government going to give a pre-award announcement to allow the winning firm time to prepare to meet the high % of employees on site day one of the contract?

LINGUIST/ANALYST SUPPORT SERVICES

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2QA ANSWER: The Government is not contemplating issuing a Pre-Award announcement. Contractor must meet 85% threshold as outlined in Section L paragraph 3.2.6. An initial task order (ITO) will be issued simultaneously upon contract award based on the attachment to be added on the forthcoming amended solicitation.

3Q SF 1449

Continuation

Sheet

Pages 5-6, 9-

10, 13-14

CLINs 0005, 0006, 0007, 1005, 1006, 1007, 2005, 2006, 2007

The description of these CLINs allows for Relocation Expenses, including DBA and HHG. Will the

Government please provide a complete listing of “Relocation Expense” allowable items under this CLIN?

3QA ANSWER: The complete list of “Relocation Expenses” allowable items under this CLIN is Defense Base Act

(DBA) insurance and Household Goods (HHG) shipment (to/from) overseas locations.

4Q SF 1449

Continuation

Sheet

Pages 5-6, 9-

10, 13-14

CLINs 0005, 0006, 0007, 1005, 1006, Is the successful contractor required to procure ODCs (computers, software, peripherals, pagers, cell phones, office space, etc.) in performance of this contract? If so, will the Government please identify if those required items are allowable items under this CLIN?

4QA ANSWER: The contractor is not required to procure ODCs (computers, software, peripherals, pagers, cell phones, office space, etc.) in performance of this contract.

5Q SF 1449

Continuation

Sheet

Pages 5-6, 9-

10, 13-14

CLINs 0005, 0006, 0007, 1005, 1006, 1007, 2005, 2006, 2007

Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) tuition is specifically not allowed under this CLIN.

This can be an extremely expensive cost item. Should the contractor build DoDDS tuition costs into our submitted labor rates? Will tuition cost recovery be allowed in another manner?

5QA ANSWER: Yes, the contractor should build DoDDS tuition costs into their submitted burdened labor rates.

No, tuition cost recovery will not be allowed in another manner.

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6Q SF 1449

Continuation

Sheet

Pages 5-6, 9-

10, 13-14

CLINs 0005, 0006, 0007, 1005, 1006, 1007, 2005, 2006, 2007

For those ODCs (computers, software, etc.) not allowed under these CLINs, Should the contractor build the costs into our submitted labor rates? Will cost recovery be allowed in another manner?

6QA ANSWER: The contractor is not required to procure ODCs (computers, software, peripherals, pagers, cell phones, office space, etc.) in performance of this contract.

7Q General

Costing/ Pricing

Will OCONUS contractor employees working this contract be granted Commissary access and privileges?

7QA ANSWER: Yes, at RAF Mildenhall, UK. No, at Kadena AB, Japan.

8Q PWS Sect 3.1.7 Page 26 Under the section regarding excluded from page limitation items, there is a reference to resumes;

however, nowhere else in the document does the Government define which personnel it wants resumes from. Nor does it explain in what section within the proposal response to include resumes. Please clarify.

8QA ANSWER: The Government does not require resumes to be included with the contractor proposal. The reference to resumes will be deleted.

9Q PWS Sect 9.3 Page 34 This section indicates that the Solicitation/Contract is to be included in Volume V. Does this mean the

Government wants the entire Solicitation document (all 102 pages) inserted into this Volume? If not, please clarify as to what the Government wants the contractor to provide for this requirement.

9QA ANSWER: No, however, the contractor is required to complete all applicable solicitation "fill-ins".

Currently, pages 1-14, 41-55, and 80-81 (unless amended).

10Q PWS Sect 10 In section 10 of the PWS regarding security will the agency sponsor the prime contractor to upgrade from a Secret to a Top Secret facility clearance?

10QA ANSWER: Top Secret facility clearance is required for this contract at time of award.

11Q PWS Sect 10 In section 10 of the PWS regarding security does the Prime contractor have to be [at] the location with the

Top Secret or can it be a subcontractor?

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11QA ANSWER: Per NISPOM DoD 5220.22-M, the prime contractor has to have the top secret clearance.

12Q DD254 Please clarify SCIF requirements. DD254 states that SCI work must be done in SCIF but doesn’t say if contractor or gov’t provides

12QA ANSWER: The Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) work will be performed in a Government SCIF.

13Q RFP

Linguist

Requirements

Table

Page 31 Can the Government please advise which Arabic dialects they require for the 27 listed Arabic positions?

13QA ANSWER: The Government requires a mix of Levantine, Iraqi, Syrian and Yemeni dialects.

14Q RFP

Linguist

Requirements

Table

Page 31 Can the Government please clarify which dialect of Chinese they require for the nine positions listed?

14QA ANSWER: The Government requires Mandarin dialect.

15Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Page 2 (1) The PWS states that “CAT III Linguists shall have and maintain a minimum proficiency in the target language Interagency Language Round Table (ILRT) level 3 in listening and reading. The contractor shall have an advanced working proficiency in English, ILRT level 2+, based on the current Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) version for each specific language. The contractor shall provide a copy of contract linguist DLPT scores for each specific language.”

(2) Will the Government accept language proficiency tests from commercial vendors?

15QA ANSWER: No, the Government will not accept language proficiency tests from commercial vendors.

16Q PWS Sect

5.6.5.1 and

5.6.5.2

Page 4 The PWS states, “The contractor shall deliver consistent, repeatable access to approved training using

Advanced Distributed Language technologies and emerging language acquisition technologies.” and; “The contractor shall track student training, provide reports on student training and use of on-line training materials.” Does the Government have system for posting, distributing, and tracking training or will the contractor be responsible for providing one?

16QA ANSWER: Yes, the Government has a system for posting, distributing, and tracking training; the

Government utilizes the CLPM database on the AF Portal.

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17Q PWS Sect 3.1.4 and 5.2.4

Page 28 Section 5.2.4 states the following: "Provide five (5) samples of current complete curriculum to include lesson plans, quizzes/progress checks and tests for courses." Based on the description of the samples, please confirm if the word "curriculum" refers to a syllabus. Would a comprehensive course syllabus that covers daily lesson plans for the entire course duration, as well as quizzes, test, and student progress be sufficient to meet the sample requirements?

17QA ANSWER: The word "curriculum" refers to the entire course. No, a comprehensive course syllabus that covers daily lesson plans for the entire course duration, as well as quizzes, test, and student progress will not be sufficient to meet the sample requirements.

18Q PWS Sect 3, Table B-1 Notes

Page 25 There is this reference to resumes not counting against the page count: **Excluded from Page Limitation:

Blank Pages, Dividers, Cover Pages, Title Pages, Tabs, Indexes, Table of Contents, Glossaries, Cross-

Reference Matrix, Consent Letters, Current Curriculum Samples (L 5.2.4), Present and Past Performance

Recipient List, Resumes (2-page limit per resume), time lines including attached notes, call-outs and/or equivalent descriptive narrative, and Organization Charts. Will the Government require submission of any resumes for any positions this proposal? And if they are required, could the Government states which positions they are required for?

18QA ANSWER: The Government does not require resumes to be included with the contractor proposal.

19Q PWS Sect 5.0, para 5.2.4 (also para 3.1.4)

Page 28, also page 38

RFP address what curriculum they want, however it is not stated that all this curriculum has to be from linguists training: Do all curriculum citations have to come from language training courses?

19QA ANSWER: Yes, all curriculum citiations have to come from language training courses.

20Q PWS Sect 5.0, para 5.3.6

(3.2.6)

Page 28, also page 38

RFP talk about providing a staffing plan for "skilled" personnel, however there is no definition of what

“skilled” personnel consists of. Can the Government please define/describe what they mean by skilled personnel?

20QA ANSWER: "Skilled" personnel are defined in section 5.5.1 through 5.5.6.2 of the PWS.

21Q PWS Sect 3.0, para 3.2.6 page 38 RFP states that offeror must have 85% of the required personnel on day one and 100% within 90 days of award. How does the Government define “day one”? Is this at award, kickoff meeting, performance start date or what? Additionally what is meant when they say "must have 85% of required personnel"? What does the “have” mean? In other words - what is the burden of proof that we “have” the employees - is that a hire contingency letter, or signed under contract or what?

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21QA ANSWER: Day one is the first day of the period of performance as designated in the contract. Contractor must meet 85% threshold as outlined in Section L paragraph 3.2.6. An initial task order (ITO) will be issued simultaneously upon contract award based on the attachment to be added on the forthcoming amended solicitation. "Must have 85% of required personnel" means you must have 85% of the contract staffed on the first day of the period of performance as designated in the contract. "Have" means employees ready to fill 85% of the positions on the first day of the period of performance as designated in the contract.

Refer to Section L paragraph 5.1 and Section M paragraph 3.2.6 for Government expectation to meet contract staffing requirements. Misrepresentation of staffing capabilities that subsequently leads to a contract award is subject to Government action.

22Q DD254 Item 11C DD254 in item 11c states contractors will not "receive or generate classified" documents. However, PWS para 5.7.4 talks about building new course ware / prototypes. Can we assume that all developmental activities will be done in the unclassified domain on unclassified systems, or is the DD254 in error?

22QA ANSWER: No, you cannot assume that all developmental activities will be done in the unclassified domain on unclassified systems. DD254 in item 11c states contractors will not "receive or generate classified" documents because all classified work will be done in a Government SCIF. It is important to note that

Items 11a, b and c, refer to work being conducted at the Contractor's facility.

23Q RFP General We see no mention of the Indian Incentive Clause (DFARS 252-226-7001) in the solicitation documents.

Would the Government be willing to add this clause to this solicitation?

23QA ANSWER: No, the Contracting Officer does not contemplate use of this clause.

24Q PWS Sect 7.0

Government

Property

7.0 indicates the Government will provide standard office equipment and software, but does not specify computers. Are computers GFE or CFE?

24QA ANSWER: Computers are Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).

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25Q RFP Sect 1.0 and 1.1 Points of Contact and

Proposal

Delivery

Confirm proposal delivery address and past performance questionnaires are to be sent to Margie Naylor and will electronic copies be accepted? RFP: 1.0. GENERAL INFORMATION TO OFFERORS; 1.1. Points of

Contact and Proposal Delivery. The Contracting Officer, Mr. Bill Kaufman, and Contract Specialist, Ms.

Margie Naylor are the points of contact for this acquisition. Address all questions or concerns to BOTH the

Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist. Faxes are NOT acceptable. Their addresses are: AFISRA/A7K, ATTN: Mr. Bill Kaufman, 102 Hall Blvd, Ste 258, San Antonio, TX 78243, Phone: (210) 977-6545; E-Mail:

william.kaufman@us.af.mil; and AFISRA/A7KB, ATTN: Margie Naylor, 102 Hall Blvd, Ste 258, San Antonio, TX 78243, Phone: (210) 977-2823, E-Mail margaret.naylor@us.af.mil; Proposals (CD-ROMs and paper copies) shall be hand delivered or mailed to the Contract Specialist to arrive at her address listed above.

25QA ANSWER: Margie Naylor is the Contract Specialist; provide the proposal copies to her address. The past performance questionaires (PPQs) are to be sent to both the Contracting Officer, Bill Kaufman, and the

Contract Specialist, Margie Naylor to ensure Government receipt. No electronic copies of the proposal will be accepted.

26Q RFP Sect 5.2.1 Page 26 Resumes for key or assigned personnel. 5.2.1 refers to “assigned personnel” but these personnel are not identified specifically in Table B-2; RFP 5.2.1. Describe how your assigned personnel’s technical skills, knowledge, experience and demonstrable proficiency will meet the identifiable tasks in the PWS paragraphs 5.5 through 5.6, including subparagraphs. Page 26 refers to “Resumes (2-page limit per resume)”, but there are no references in the RFP or PWS **Excluded from Page Limitation: Blank Pages, Dividers, Cover Pages, Title Pages, Tabs, Indexes, Table of Contents, Glossaries, Cross-Reference Matrix, Consent Letters, Current Curriculum Samples (L 5.2.4), Present and Past Performance Recipient List, Resumes (2-page limit per resume), time lines including attached notes, call-outs and/or equivalent descriptive narrative, and Organization Charts.

26QA ANSWER: The Government does not require resumes to be included with the contractor proposal.

27Q Table B-2 Table B-2 identifies a Deputy Program Manager but the position is not referred to in Attachment 1:

Performance Work Statement (PWS).

27QA ANSWER: Program management responsibilities are identified in PWS. The Government anticipates a requirement of this size may require a Deputy Program Manager.

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28Q RFP Sect 5.2.4 and 1.10

Page 24 Several curriculum samples are classified. Can we describe or redact information from some of the samples. 5.2.4. Provide five (5) samples of current complete curriculum to include lesson plans, quizzes/progress checks and tests for courses. Include at least one sample each for refresher (4-6 weeks), intermediate (7-12 weeks), and acquisition (13-20 weeks) type courses. The remaining two (2) samples may be the offeror’s choice. Provide documentation of how many iterations of each type course have been conducted, the number of students in each course and student results (increase/decrease in DLPT scores). The curriculum samples will be considered as an indicator of technical capability. The DLPT student results will be considered as a measure of training effectiveness. The curriculum samples and DLPT student results will not be considered in Present and Past Performance. RFP 1.10. Classified Materials

(page 24 of 102) All information provided in the proposal must be UNCLASSIFIED.

28QA ANSWER: Yes, you can describe or redact classified information from some of the samples.

29Q Sect 2.0 Page 35 EVALUATION FACTORS (page 35 of 102) should also be referred to as Section L. Question: The cross reference matrix refers to this section as "L". Please consider changing "2.0" to "L".

29QA ANSWER: Section 2.0 falls under the Evalation Criteria in Section M.

30Q Attachment 1

PWS

Attachment 1: Performance Work Statement (PWS) does not refer to a language requirement for 5.7.2, 5.7.3, 5.7.4, 5.7.5, 5.7.6 and 5.7.8. Question: Please confirm if there is a language requirement for these positions.

30QA ANSWER: There is no language requirement for 5.7.4. There is no language requirement for 5.7.2, 5.7.3, 5.7.5, 5.7.6, and 5.7.8; however, it is highly desirable as they are dealing directly/indirectly with 1A8s and

1N3s.

31Q DD254 DD Form 254 Supplement Attachment 2’s footer refers to Attachment 3

31QA ANSWER: The DD254 is attachment 3 to the solicitation; no change required.

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32Q RFP Sect 7.0 7.0. VOLUME III - RELEVANT PAST AND PRESENT PERFORMANCE; Question: There is no requirement that the Prime Contractor submit any past performances – all five could be from subcontractors. Please consider revising 7.0 and require that at least 50% of the Past Performances be from the Prime Contractor.

RFP: 7.1. Applicability. Each offeror shall submit present and past performance information with its proposal. This information is required on the offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners. RFP: 7.1. Applicability. Each offeror shall submit present and past performance information with its proposal. This information is required on the offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners. 7.2. Submission Requirements. Offerors shall provide a list of all

Government or commercial contracts, completed or in progress, of comparable complexity and relevance to this acquisition which have been performed in the last 3 years (from the date of this solicitation) not to exceed five examples. To the maximum extent possible, offerors should relate key aspects of their Past and Present Performance to the requirements in the solicitation.

32QA ANSWER: Correct. The solicitation allows the offeror to provide the past performance references that most accurately reflect their ability to complete this effort.

33Q RFP Sect 2.0 GENERAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS Question: Does the “white paper with black ink” apply to graphics, illustrations, charts, and section titles (where color is used to clarify the response)? RFP: 2.3. Paper Copies

– The offeror must submit the number of copies identified in Table B-1. Each proposal will be submitted in five (5) volumes, preferably in loose-leaf binders. A cover sheet shall be affixed to each volume, clearly marked as to content, volume number, copy number, the solicitation number and your company’s name.

A COPY number shall appear on the spine of each binder to allow for rapid accountability when copies are placed in a vertical position in a storage cabinet. All documents shall be on white paper with black ink.

33QA ANSWER: Black ink is required for text, not grapics.

34Q Sect L para 5.4.2 Solicitation states that the offeror must: "Provide five (5) samples of current complete curriculum to include lesson plans, quizzes/progress checks and tests for courses. Include at least one sample each for refresher (4-6 weeks), intermediate (7-12 weeks), and acquisition (13-20 weeks) type courses".

May the offeror submit complete curriculum examples of those types with different durations if they meet all other requirements, since this would still indicate the offeror's technical capability?

34QA ANSWER: Yes, the offeror may submit complete curriculum examples of those types with different durations if they meet all other requirements provided the duration of the course is of a longer, NOT

SHORTER, period than that specified in the solicitation.

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35Q Past

Performance

The requirement to submit past performance information limited to the past 3 years is unduly restrictive because it would be very difficult for any offeror other than MultiLingual Solutions (MLS) to provide relevant past performance information for the past 3 years in that MLS has been the only contractor providing these services to AFISRA in recent years. As a result I ask that the agency either: 1) eliminate the

3-year recency requirement regarding the past performance information to be submitted by the offerors:

2) revise the recency requirement to 5-years and/or 3) be consistent with FAR sect. 15.305(a)(2)(iii), and amend the RFP that provides offerors which do not have current and relevant past performance, be able to reference "contracts/efforts demonstrating the present and past performance for each of their key personnel." And that the proposals of offerors, who have no current (within the past 3 years) or relevant past performance, as defined by the RFP, cannot be rejected as unacceptable because they lack current or relevant past performance, but "may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance" and will be provided an "unknown confidence rating."; FAR sect. 15.305(a)(2)(iv); Kalman & Co., Inc., B

287442.2, Mar. 21, 2002, 2002 CPD para. 63 at 8 (agency reasonably evaluated a proposal under a past performance evaluation factor as "neutral" where it found that the offeror lacked current relevant past performance).

35QA ANSWER: The Air Force ISR Agency normally utilizes a period of three (3) years for it's recency requirement. Since this acquistion requires current advanced learning methodologies, a longer period is not appropriate. The Government will consider past performance of key personnel. There are a number of

Government Agencies with linguist contracts therefore contractor past performance is not limited to one company or one Agency.

36Q RFP Section L

2.4

Page 24 The Solicitation states “content and page size of electronic copies must be identical to the hard copies,” then instructs offerors to “use separate folders / files to permit rapid location of all portions, including subfactors, exhibits, annexes, and attachments, if any.” By splitting the sections into multiple folders, the content will not be identical to the hard copies, including the Tables of Contents. Would the Government prefer each volume in its own folder, or broken into further sections? If the Government would prefer each volume broken down into different portions, how detailed should each file structure be (i.e., by each section, subsection, or solely the technical factor into the two subfactors)?

36QA ANSWER: The content needs to be the same; how it is divided for clarity may be different.

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37Q RFP Section L

2.4

Page 24 The Solicitation states “two (2) copies of the entire proposal shall be submitted on virus-free CD-ROM” and later instructs to identify each CD-ROM with “the Contractor’s Name, Solicitation No., Volume(s)

Number, Volume Title, and Date.” Since each CD-ROM is supposed to contain the entire proposal, does the offeror need to list the names and titles for all five volumes?

37QA ANSWER: Yes, if it will fit on the CD; if not, the CD only needs to indicate the volumes that it contains.

38Q RFP L Table B-1

(pg. 26);

Sections L 4.0-

9.0(pg. 26-33)

Page 26 - 33 The Volume titles in the table differ from the titles listed in the Format and Specific Content instructions.

For example, Table B-1 labels Volume IV as Factor 3: Price/Cost, whereas Section 8.0 labels Volume IV as

Factor 4 – Cost/Price. Which Volume titles would the Government like offerors to use?

38QA ANSWER: Offers will not be rejected if they use Price/Cost or Cost/Price as volume titles.

39Q RFP Section L

3.1.5

Page 25 The Solicitation states “tab indexing shall be used to separate and identify both Volumes and Sections.” To what level would the Government prefer the offeror tab each section?

39QA ANSWER: The Government does not have a preference.

40Q RFP Section L

2.4 (pg. 24);

Section L 5.2.4

(pg. 28)

Page 24 and

Solicitation Section 5.2.4 states that the offeror is required to “provide five (5) samples of current complete curriculum.” In Section 2.4 the Solicitation requires two (2) copies of the entire proposal to be submitted on CD-ROMs. If the entire proposal and curriculum examples are too large to fit onto one CD-

ROM, may the offeror provide two (2) copies of the curriculum on separate CD-ROMs?

40QA ANSWER: Use as many CDs as required.

41Q RFP Section L

8.1.2

Page 30 This section refers to ‘associated subcontractors’ with regard to the response to the Cost/Price volume.

Please clarify whether or not subcontractors are required to provide supporting cost/price documentation in addition to the prime contractor. If they do have to provide supporting documentation, please provide instructions for submission of subcontractor proprietary cost data.

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41QA ANSWER: As indicated in Section L 8.2.3. , the Government anticipates award based on adequate competition; therefore, IAW FAR 15.403(b) the prime contractor should conduct appropriate cost or price analysis to establish the reasonableness of proposed subcontract prices and include the results of these analysis in the price proposal. Submission of proprietary subcontractor cost data is not required by the

Government; however, if the contractor wishes to submit proprietary subcontractor cost data in support of its proposal, the information should be submitted either in a sealed envelope with the prime contractor’s proposal, or as a direct submission to the contracting officer. The responsibility for ensuring the data is received IAW the solicitation requirements remains with the prime contractor.

42Q Reference: **Excluded from Page Limitation: Blank Pages, Dividers, Cover Pages, Title Pages, Tabs, Indexes, Table of Contents, Glossaries, Cross-Reference Matrix, Consent Letters, Current Curriculum

Samples (L 5.2.4), Present and Past Performance Recipient List, Resumes (2-page limit per resume), time lines including attached notes, call-outs and/or equivalent descriptive narrative, and Organization Charts.

Question: Is there a requirement for resumes and resume formatting?

42QA ANSWER: The Government does not require resumes to be included with the contractor proposal.

43Q Are offerors authorized to contact incumbents?

43QA ANSWER: Offerors may contact who they wish.

44Q Are offerors required to provide language test scores? If so, how long are tests valid?

44QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year. Post award language deficiencies could impact contract performance and will be addressed by contract remedy options available to the Government.

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45Q Does the Government require resumes for contractor proposed Key Personnel, as no key personnel are identified in the RFP package?

45QA ANSWER: No, the Government does not require resumes to be included with the contractor proposal.

46Q PWS Sect 5.4 PWS states normal work day is 8 hours per day, and that 24 x 7 coverage may be required. As a firm fixed price contract, how would the Government want the additional workhours priced, or is a standard workyear to be utilized and the additional coverage addressed via change order/modification?

46QA ANSWER: The Government has not required this support in the past. A standard work-year is to be utilized; any additional coverage will be addressed by a modification to the contract. The Government is adding an additional CLIN for those hours worked in excess of a 40 hour work week. A firm fixed price will be negotiated when this situation occurs.

47Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Section 5.5.2 – “The contractor shall provide a copy of the contract linguist DLPT test scores for each specific language.” “The DLPT testing will be provided by the Government.” As DLPT testing is only available to Government employees, is an alternative testing entity (ALTA, etc…) acceptable?

47QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year. No other test scores are acceptable.

48Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Requirement Text: "The contractor shall provide a copy of the contract linguist DLPT test scores for each specific language." "The DLPT testing will be provided by the Government." Question: Is the subject DLPT testing to be provided by the Government for candidates submitted for assignment to the program, or for candidates already in positions?

48QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year.

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49Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Requirement Text: "The contractor shall provide a copy of the contract linguist DLPT test scores for each specific language." "The DLPT testing will be provided by the Government." Question: How is new candidate testing to be addressed?

49QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year.

50Q PWS Sect 8.2 –

Wrap Up

Meeting…

Should our transition plan to include the incumbent contractor wrap up meeting as part of the overall effort?

50QA ANSWER: No, the incumbent contractor wrap up meeting is not a part of your transition plan.

51Q 5.0 Vol II -

Technical; Sect

5.2.4

5.2.4 mandates 5 samples of current complete curriculum; do these samples specifically have to be existing curriculum developed by the offeror and administered in support of an existing contract?

51QA ANSWER: Yes, these samples specifically have to be existing curriculum developed by the offeror. No, these samples do not have to be administered in support of an existing contract.

52Q Sect 5.2.4 5.2.4. mandates 5 samples of current complete curriculum; Can these samples be solely examples of HOW the offeror intends to administer the various lesson plans associated with linguist/analyst training?

52QA ANSWER: No, current complete curriculum must be submitted with the proposal for evaluation

53Q PWS Sect 5.2.4 and 5.6.4

5.2.4 mandates 5 samples of current complete curriculum; Can these samples be existing USG-owned material that is administered by a contractor in support of a previous or on-going contract? The solicitation indicates in the PWS (5.6.4) that existing training curriculum and materials will be used by the contractor.

53QA ANSWER: Yes, as long as it was developed by the offeror .

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54Q PWS Sect 5.2.4 If training POI's from the SIGINT Linguistics Program are to be used , are classified submissions allowed? If not, then how can an offeror deliver can an offroer deliver meaningful content for evaluation? If representative information is allowable in an unclassified format, then why isn't the same scale used for the relevancy assessment in the past performance evaluation criteria?

54QA ANSWER: You may describe or redact classified information.

55Q PWS Sect 5.2.4 Does the Air Force require regulations to be included in the samples of current complete curriculum? If so, how far are those regulations required to extend? Do those regulations include, AF, DoD, IC, NSA and the like?

55QA ANSWER: No, the Air Force does not require regulations to be included in the samples of current complete curriculum submitted for evaluation.

56Q PWS Sect 5.6.5 Can you identify specific global and cryptologic training/curriculum materials that need to be developed, i.e. the training areas that are non-existent?

56QA ANSWER: Not at this time.

57Q PWS Sect

5.6.5.1

Is there an existing ADL technology currently in use by the incumbent and advocated/administered by the

AFISRA?

57QA ANSWER: Yes, there is existing ADL technology currently in use -Blackboard and CL-150

58Q PWS Sect

5.6.5.2

By what means (ADL Technology, LMS, Web Portal) are students' training reports currently tracked?

58QA ANSWER: The Government has a system for posting, distributing, and tracking training; the Government utilizes the Command Language Program Manager (CLPM) database on the AF Portal.

59Q PWS Sect

4.1.2.2 H

Shouldn't "H" be pulled out as it undually favors the incumbent?

59QA ANSWER: No, the evaluation criteria, Section M, para 4.1.2.2 h advises the offeror of the performance that would be considered relevant to this effort.

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60Q Past

Performance

For a small business competition, why is the weight of any given team member provided equal weight during the evaluation with the small business prime contractor? If the Government wants to prefer the incumbents past performance , then why make this a small business set-aside? Why doesn't the

Government place more weight on the small businesses ability to deliver results or even be familiar with the same similar size and scope? The present evaluation criteria seem to require that the small business be overly reliant upon the prior incumbent contractor, how does the government plan on rewarding those small businesses that are not overly reliant on their teammates during the evaluation?

60QA ANSWER: The source selection authority will base the source selection decision on an integrated assessment of proposals against all source selection criteria in the solicitation which includes but is not limited to Past and Present Performance. Note that all Technical Sub-factors are more important than Past and Present Performance.

61Q Past

Performance

If the small business is capable and familiar with performing the same size and scope of work, then why is the incumbent provided with a more relevant rating, than new competitors? What is the specific difference in weighted grade regarding a small business Prime contractor's Past performance regarding

Primes Past Performance vs. any of their large business Subcontractors?

61QA ANSWER: The source selection authority will base the source selection decision on an integrated assessment of proposals against all source selection criteria in the solicitation which includes but is not limited to Past and Present Performance. Note that all Technical Sub-factors are more important than Past and Present Performance.

62Q Industry Day, Past

Performance

Is the Government open to hosting an industry day or explaining more of its intent, especially since the final requirements differ from previously written requirements?

62QA ANSWER: No. All changes are being addressed via amendment for clarification.

63Q RFP 4.1.1

Confidence

Assessment

How does the Government define, explain, differentiate or remove the ambiguity out of the evaluation ratings? Specifically when evaluating the difference between terms like "Essentially the Same" and

"Similar" Scope; in the Confidence Assessment, Evaluation Criteria?

63QA ANSWER: The evaluation criteria is based on DoD Source Selection Procedures and AF policy. The definitions are extracted from that policy.

6/3/2013 3:50 PM Solicitation Number FA7037-13-R-0002 16 of 25

64Q RFP 4.1.1

Confidence

Assessment

How is the Government fostering competition or an even competitive landscape by placing such high ratings and value on incumbent performance? Does the Government's market research show examples of non-incumbent contracts that it considers to be "essentially the same", since at least 10 major teams have been put together to pursue this new solicitation, can the Government provide a listing of at least 10 of these types of essentially the same contracts? If not, then how can a truly competitive landscape exist based on the evaluation criteria provided to date?

64QA ANSWER: There are a number of Government Agencies with linguist contracts therefore contractor past performance is not limited to one company or one Agency. The source selection authority will base the source selection decision on an integrated assessment of proposals against all source selection criteria in the solicitation which includes but is not limited to Past and Present Performance. Note that all Technical

Sub-factors are more important than Past and Present Performance.

65Q SCA Will the Government ensure access to the incumbent workforce so the successor company can maintain compliance with Executive Order 13495? (2.21.2012 Rule Requiring Federal Service Contractors to Hire

Contract Predecessor's Employees Effective January 18. Executive Order 13495, "Nondisplacement of

Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts", requires contractors (including subcontractors) under a contract that succeeds a contract for performance of the same or similar services at the same location offer the predecessors contractor's employees a right of first refusal of employment under the contract.

The Department of Labor has announced January 18, 2013, as the effective date of the Executive Order. A copy of the DOL's Notice, published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2012 is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-21/pdf/2013-30595.pdf)

65QA ANSWER: The Service Contract Act does not apply to this requirement for professional services. 52.212-5

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2013) will be amended as necessary.

66Q RFP Sect

4.1.2.2.* and/or

4.1.2.2.h -

Relevancy

Assessment

The detail provided in item (h, along with subbullets) (and the 7 others in this section) is limited to being achievable primarily by incumbent contractors only. This appears to be unreasonably favor an incumbent sponsored team. Will the government remove this requirement from the Relevancy Assessment?

66QA ANSWER: No, the evaluation criteria, Section M, para 4.1.2.2 h advises the offeror of the performance that would be considered relevant to this effort. The source selection authority will base the source selection decision on an integrated assessment of proposals against all source selection criteria in the solicitation.

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67Q RFP Sect

4.1.2.2.h -

Relevancy

Assessment

Based on the 8(a)/Small Business nature of this acquisition, will the Government reconsider the "same magnitude" requirement to obtain a "Very Relevant" or "Relevant" Past and/or Present Performance

Rating?

67QA ANSWER: No, the evaluation criteria is based on DoD Source Selection Procedures and AF policy. The definitions are extracted from that policy.

68Q PWS Sect 10.1 Page 13 Are we to assume that if the billet is not a Global Language Training billet that all remaining billets require an active TS/SCI with CI Poly?

68QA ANSWER: All positions require TS/SCI with the CI Poly. There are only two positions which are not classified, they are a Pachto and a Urdu located at Ft Meade.

69Q PWS Sect 10.1 Page 13 What is the “window” that will be honored for accepting passing CI Polygraphs (one or two years after passing)?

69QA ANSWER: CI Polygraphs are valid for 5 years.

70Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Page 2 Will the Government expect DLPT scores to be presented upon contract award or in the proposal for each contract linguist for each specific language?

70QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year. Post award language deficiencies could impact contract performance and will be addressed by contract remedy options available to the Government. 71Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Page 2 Will the incumbents require language testing after contract award? If so, how will the Government determine the need (timeline, etc…)?

71QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year. Post award language deficiencies could impact contract performance and will be addressed by contract remedy options available to the Government. 72Q PWS Sect 5.5.2 Page 2 Would the Government consider Linguist candidates who have ILR based scores instead of the DLPT?

6/3/2013 3:50 PM Solicitation Number FA7037-13-R-0002 18 of 25

72QA ANSWER: Offerors are not required to provide language test scores at this time. After award, if contractor proficiency becomes an issue of concern, the contractor will provide Defense Language

Proficiency Test (DLPT) scores upon Government request. If the contractor does not have current DLPT scores, the Government will arrange for DLPT testing. DLPT scores are valid for one year. No other testing will be acceptable.

73Q PWS Sect 5.6.3, 5.6.4

Page 4 Does the referenced training include basic language training for military forces?

73QA ANSWER: Yes

74Q PWS Sect 5.6.3, 5.6.4

Page 4 Does the referenced training to military forces include civilian personnel?

74QA ANSWER: Yes, it could.

75Q RFP 52.222-41,

Service Contract

Act of 1965

Page 64 In accordance with the SCA, Please provide the applicable wage determination

75QA ANSWER: The Service Contract Act does not apply to this requirement for professional services. 52.212-5

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2013) will be amended.

76Q RFP 52.222-42,

Statement of

Equivalent

Rates for

Federal Hires

Page 64 Please provide the required information

76QA ANSWER: The Service Contract Act does not apply to this requirement for professional services. 52.212-5

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2013) will be amended.

77Q RFP 52.237-3,

Continuity Of

Services

Page 18 Does the existing contract include this provision?

77QA ANSWER: No, the existing contract did not contain contract clause 52.237-3. However, the Contracting

Officer had determined the clause does apply to this requirement.

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78Q Master Table and Glossary

Is the master table of contents and Master Glossary of Abbreviations required in volume 1 excluded from the page limitations?

78QA ANSWER: No, Glossaries are not included in the page count.

79Q RFP Sect L 9.3 The requirement to provide requirement to provide “Solicitation / Contract”. It is unclear what specific elements of the solicitation or contract you are asking to be included within the volume V response. Could you please clarify?

79QA ANSWER: No, however, the contractor is required to complete all applicable solicitation "fill-ins".

Currently, pages 1-14, 41-55, and 80-81 (unless amended).

80Q 1.0 GENERAL

INFORMATION

TO OFFERORS;

3.1.17

Page 25 Requirement Text: Font – Font shall be Times New Roman or Arial, no smaller than 12-point with normal proportional spacing. Text lines will be no less than single-spaced. Question: Would the Government consider allowing offerors to use no less than 10-point font for graphics and tables?

80QA ANSWER: No. Reference Section L, paragraph 3.1.7.

81Q 1.0 GENERAL

INFORMATION

TO OFFERORS;

5.2.4

Page 28 Requirement Text: Provide five (5) samples of current complete curriculum to include lesson plans, quizzes/progress checks and tests for courses. Include at least one sample each for refresher (4-6 weeks), intermediate (7-12 weeks), and acquisition (13-20 weeks) type courses. The remaining two (2) samples may be the offeror’s choice. Provide documentation of how many iterations of each type course have been conducted, the number of students in each course and student results (increase/decrease in DLPT scores). The curriculum samples will be considered as an indicator of technical capability. The DLPT student results will be considered as a measure of training effectiveness. The curriculum samples and

DLPT student results will not be considered in Present and Past Performance. Question: a. The information the Government is asking offerors to provide belongs to our customers. If the offeror's customer will not let the information asked for in this requirement be released, please explain how best to demonstrate the offeror's capability in these areas. b. Is this information part of the overall page count for this volume? c. For clarity and document organizational purposes, will the Government consider allowing offeror's to include this information as an evaluated, and tabbed, Appendix to this volume?

81QA ANSWER: a. If this situation arises, please contact the contracting officer and contract specialist for guidance; provide the customer POCs and their contact information. b) No c) Yes

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82Q 2.0

EVALUATION

FACTORS;

4.1.2.3

Performance

Quality

Assessment

Page 40 Requirement Text: ... The quality assessment consists of an in-depth evaluation of all past and present performance information available, regardless of its source. Question: Please identify the specific elements that the Government uses to assess/evaluate quality.

82QA ANSWER: Reference Section M paragraph 4, the source selection authority will base the source selection decision on an integrated assessment of proposals against all source selection criteria in the solicitation which includes but is not limited to Past and Present Performance.

83Q PWS Sect 5.6.4 Page 4 Requirement Text: The contractor shall provide training using existing global and cryptologic language training curriculum and materials. Question: Who will provide us with curriculum and materials? Sites, ADET, NCS, AETC, GAFB, DLI?

83QA ANSWER: The COR will ensure curriculum and materials are made available.

84Q PWS Sect 5.6.5 Page 4 Requirement Text: The contractor shall develop new global and cryptologic training materials and curriculum where none exist. The contractor shall coordinate the development and submission of these materials with the COR. The contractor shall coordinate with the COR for content development. The contractor shall ensure all developed submissions are cleansed of active content and scanned for malicious software. All submissions shall be converted to Government specified formats. The contractor shall centrally store all submissions and ensure submissions are presented to COR electronically for review and coordination. The final submission shall be made available for Government use. All final developed materials and documents shall become the property of the Government. For reporting and accounting purposes, the contractor shall at a minimum provide the following data upon COR request: Provider, Language, Country, Dialect, Level, Genre, Format, Length, Source, Description, Copyright, Notes, File

Name, COR, Initials. (A002). Question: Sites need to provide content - has this been taking place under the current contract? Will contractor have direct access to classified mission materials?

84QA ANSWER: Yes, this has been taking place under the current contract. Yes, the contractor employees will have direct access to classified mission materials if they have the required security clearance (TS/SCI with

CI Poly).

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85Q PWS Sect

5.6.5.1

Page 5 Requirement Text: The contractor shall deliver consistent, repeatable access to approved training using

Advanced Distributed Language technologies and emerging language acquisition technologies.