DoD IAC PMO DRAFT RFP Questions and Answers Final.pdf

Draft RFP Section &

Para.

Question/Comment Answer

1 Section B

In Section B on page 4, the "Supply/Service" description associated with "Option Line Item 0006" includes "Financial Associate, Financial Analyst which supports PWS 1.5.6." Is this a reference to two separate labor categories (LCAT) for two separate FTEs that would provide support under this CLIN or is it a longer description of one LCAT for one FTE?

Support under PWS 1.5.6 provides 2 separate FTEs: Financial Associate, and Financial Analyst each are full time.

2 L 1.0

Section L 1.0 states, "This acquisition contains a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 with an employee size standard of 1,000". Since this is a 100% 8(a) Set-Aside contract, would the Government consider the use of NAICS code 541611 with a size standard of $27.5M? This NAICS includes a size standard that is more inclusive for small businesses and would afford the Government increased competition.

NAICS code 541715 supports the requirements within the PWS and is more inclusive for small businesses, allowing for greater competition.

3 L 4.4.3

This section indicates the need to document the approach to develop, track, and conduct analysis of IAC program related metrics. Will the Government identify the metrics currently in use and the "Business Intelligence Tools" (minus MS Excel) that are currently being used to perform this analysis as part of a "bidders library" for this acquisition?

The Offeror is encouraged to present its approach to provide analysis/metrics support based on the PWS requirements Power BI is the metrics visualization tool currently in use. The specific metrics are typical metrics for tracking business operations: revenues, process timelines, etc.

4 L 4.6

This section outlines the information to be presented in the "Transition-In" Plan. Will the Government provide the incumbent's "Transition-Out" Plan so that Offerors can understand and incorporate these expectations into any proposed plan?

The Government does not intend to provide the incumbent's transition-out plan at time of solicitation.

5 L 5.4

This section indicates the need to include the Field Advisors and the Program Manager in CLIN 0003 (which would equate to 5 FTEs) while the PWS only calls for an LOE of 4 for Field Advisors (reference Section 1.5.13).

Can the Government provide insight into the apparent difference between the LOE and the direction provided in this section?

Section L5.4 will be updated to remove Program Manager

6 L 5.6

This section identifies the CLIN for Optional Task Labor for the IAC PMO and relates to Section 4 of the Draft Solicitation document. However, there seems to be an inconsistency between these two references. Should the CLIN for the "Optional Task Labor" in Section 5.6 be "0005" versus the "0006" so that it is consistent with Section B of the Draft Solicitation document?

Section L5.6 and L 5.7 will be updated.

7 L 5.7

This section identifies the CLIN for Optional Labor for the IAC PMO and relates to Section 4 of the Draft Solicitation document. However, there seems to be an inconsistency between these two references. Should the CLIN for this "Optional Labor" be "0006" versus the "0007" so that it is consistent with Section B of the Draft Solicitation document?

Section L5.6 and L 5.7 will be updated.

8 L 5.7

Section 5.7 of Section L identifies the labor categories associated with Optional Labor for the IAC PMO and relates to Section 4 of the Draft Solicitation document.

Section L5.6 and L 5.7 will be updated.

There seems to be an inconsistency between Section 5.7, Section 4 of the Draft Solicitation, and PWS Section

1.5.6. Should the reference to PWS 1.5.6.1 in Section

5.7 really be a reference to 1.5.6 for CLIN 0006, which would make it consistent with the PWS and the Draft Solicitation document?

9 L 5.7

Section 5.7 of Section L identifies the labor categories associated with Optional Labor for the IAC PMO and relates to Section 4 of the Draft Solicitation document.

There seems to be an inconsistency between Section 5.7, Section 4 and PWS Section 1.5.7. Should the reference to PWS 1.5.6.2 in Section 5.7 really be a reference to

1.5.7 for CLIN 0006, which would make it consistent with the PWS and the Draft Solicitation document?

Section L5.6 and L 5.7 will be updated.

L 5.7

Section 5.7 of Section L identifies the labor categories associated with Optional Labor for the IAC PMO and relates to Section 4 of the Draft Solicitation document.

There seems to be an inconsistency between Section 5.7, Section 4 and PWS Section 1.5.10. Should the reference to PWS 1.5.6.5 in Section 5.7 really be a reference to

1.5.10 for CLIN 0006, which would make it consistent with the PWS and the Draft Solicitation document?

Section L5.6 and L 5.7 will be updated.

M 3.1.3.1

The "Dollar Value" definitions in Section M appear to be high given that this solicitation is a small business set aside. For example, the definition of "Relevant" includes a dollar "floor" of $5M, which appears high given that the threshold for an 8(a) Small Business sole source award is only $4M. In addition, small businesses typically have acquisition-related work that is very relevant in terms of the skills required and work performed but would not be considered relevant with the dollar value thresholds in the draft RFP. In the interest of increased competition and given that this procurement is focused on Small Businesses, will the Government consider reducing the thresholds in the relevancy sections of Section M to ones that are more consistent with typical awards to small businesses (for example, reducing the "Relevant" definition to $4M to be consistent with the upper threshold of a Small Business 8(a) sole source award)?

No change required, this effort is not a sole source award.

PWS

1.5.15

Regarding the statement "[a]ll contractor personnel supporting this task must possess extensive expertise, education, and training in one of more technical areas specified by the Government," Will the Government identify the "more technical areas" to ensure vendors can evaluate the skill and capability requirements of positions supporting this task?

Updated PWS

PWS

1.5.15

Researching and responding to technical inquiries has historically been a function of the IAC Basic Centers of Operation (BCOs). Will the BCO still be responsible for some part of this function? Can the Government describe the relationship between the BCOs and the work to be performed under Section 1.5.15?

This is a completely separate function from that of the BCOs. There is no relationship between the BCOs and the work performed under this section.

Section F, Pg. 14

Based on the Periods of Performance listed for the CLINs in Section F, please indicate whether the following breakdown of the overall contract POP is accurate:

Transition In (~1 month): April 1, 2020 - April 29,2020 Base Period (~4 months): April 30, 2020 - August 31, Option Period 1 (12 months): September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 Option Period 2 (12 months): September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022 Option Period 3 (12 months): September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023 Option Period 4 (12 months): September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024 Option Period 5 (12 months): September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025 Option Period 6 (7 months): September 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026 Optional Extension (6 months): April 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026

It is correct.

L1.0

GENERAL

INSTRUCT

IONS AND

INFORMA

TION, para

SOW 1.3

Purpose/S cope, p. 2

L 1.0 "This acquisition contains a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 with an employee size standard of 1,000."

SOW 1.3 Purpose/Scope, p. 2 "...DoD IAC PMO support services contract serves as a vehicle to provide program management analysis, acquisition management, process improvement, strategic communications, performance measurement support, training, program capability awareness, research analysis, operations analysis, financial analysis and assist the Combatant Commands (CCMDs) in gaining and maintaining familiarity with the full range of DTIC tools and research and collaborative methods..."

541715 is for "Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)." The 5417* code is for Scientific Research and Development Services. We recommend using NAICS 541611 "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting" that includes "Strategic Planning Consulting Services" and "General Management Consulting Services."

See updated PWS. NAICS code 541715 supports the requirements within the

PWS.

L.2.2.6

ELECTRO

NIC

MEDIA

OFFERS

AND

SUBMISSI

ON ,para 1

The instructions state "The DoD IAC PMO Support Services Price Model will be included only as a Excel file only and must not be password protected, within Volume III Cost/Price. " Please verify that this means the Price Model Excel file shall be inserted as an attachment within the Adobe .pdf document for Volume III Cost/Price

The Price Model will be submitted in Excel as a separate attachment to Volume III Cost/Price submittal.

L5.3 PMO

Labor

(CLIN

0002), para

The instructions state "The Price model shall ... as a minimum include the labor hours and direct labor rate."

It is not customary for Firm Fixed Price proposals to include direct labor rates. Please advise why this is

The Government wants to ensure prices are realistic for the work performed. This PWS requires highly skilled personnel and the Government wants to ensure that offerors are providing rates that are necessary or consider adjusting the requirement to call for "Fully Burdened Labor Rate".

realistic to attract and retain the needed skill sets. NOTE: The Government is not requiring the full break down of all the indirect rates rather only the burdened and unburdened hourly rates.

L5.4 Task Field Advisor Labor

(CLIN

0003), Para 1

The instructions state "The Price model shall ... as a minimum include the labor hours and direct labor rate."

It is not customary for Firm Fixed Price Level of Effort proposals to include direct labor rates. Please advise why this is necessary or consider adjusting the requirement to call for "Fully Burdened Labor Rate".

The Government wants to ensure prices are realistic for the work performed. This PWS requires highly skilled personnel and the Government wants to ensure that offerors are providing rates that are realistic to attract and retain the needed skill sets. NOTE: The Government is not requiring the full break down of all the indirect rates rather only the burdened and unburdened hourly rates.

L5.8 Cost Summary,

a. Direct Labor, para

It is not customary for Firm Fixed Price or Firm Fixed Price Level of Effort proposals to include direct labor rate information. Please reconsider these requirements.

The Government is not requiring the full break down of all the indirect rates rather only the burdened and unburdened hourly rates. In addition, this is a non-commercial contract.

L3.1

Of the five (5) past performance references with at least four (4) from the Prime Offeror, please clarify if the offeror must demonstrate coverage of all fifteen (15) task areas individually within each of the past performance references or just coverage of all task areas within the combined four references as a whole.

Offerors are not required to demonstrate coverage of all task areas within each of the past performance references, however " Offerors will not receive an overall past performance confidence assessment rating of “Satisfactory” or “Substantial” confidence if they do not have recent and relevant coverage from the Prime Offeror within four (4) of the five

(5) Past Performance contract references covering R&D Acquisition and Requirements Engineering (PWS 1.5.2), IAC Program Analysis and Operations Research (PWS 1.5.3), Science and Technology Field Advisors (PWS 1.5.7), and one other covering the requirements listed in the PWS." Sections that identify four (4) from the Prime has been updated to three (3) out of five (5).

L3.2

Of the four (4) past performance references form the Prime Offeror, must all references provide similar size, scope and relevancy, i.e., 32+ FTEs, diverse geographical location coverage, multi-year, etc. as well as all areas of support, i.e., Tier I Help Desk, IAC Contractor Assessment Services reviewing Scientific and Technical Information (STI) inputs for adequacy, S&T field advisors services, User Training Programs for DAI System Ops, etc.

The government will evaluate the relevance of each past performance to assess the extent of its similarity to the IAC PMO requirement based on technical scope, complexity, and magnitude (dollar value) and then an overall confidence assessment will be made based on all evaluated references.

L3.2

Are there any restrictions on past performance date of completion?

Please see M3.1.2 Recency " In determining recency the Government will only consider contracts (or task/delivery orders if past performance information was collected at the task/delivery order level) completed or ongoing within these dates: 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2019. If the ordering period on an IDIQ type contract has expired but the performance period on a Task Order is still ongoing or within the above dates, the performance of the Task Order will be considered within the recency parameters."

Would the Government be open to a sole source under the SBA 8(a) program?

No, please see FAR 19.805-1(a)(2) and FAR 6.204(b)

Is this a new requirement or contract renewal? This is a follow on, however it constitutes consolidation of two contract requirements into one. See answer to Questions 25.

If renewal, what is current contract number? DoD IAC PMO Support Services

(FA8075-17-C-0002) and Field Advisors

(FA8075-17-C-0001)

When does the Government anticipate the RFP release? First Quarter FY20

Will the RFP solicitation number be changed? It may change to FA8075-20-R-0002

When does the Government anticipate the award - FY19? FY2020

Will “Facilities” and/or “Personal” clearances be required for this opportunity?

A Top Secret Facility clearance and Secret or Top Secret personnel clearances are required (see PWS 1.4.5) Government facility space will be provided for up to 20 FTEs at Defense Technical Information Center, 8725 John J.

Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir VA 22060

What was the period of award? See section F

Why is it being recompeted this early? It is not being recompeted early.

Will there be any new requirements? The PWS lists all requirements.

Will there be a multiple award? No.

Draft Solicitation

- Section B

What the distinction between FFP CLINs which are given in months and Fixed Price LOE CLINS which are given in Lots? Are the Lots also based on 1920 hours for a full-time position?

FFP-LOE are based on 1920 hours for an FTE, offerors are to bill per hour worked.

FFP CLIN will be billed per month.

PWS 1.3

Purpose/S cope

Please clarify the requirement that "all contractor personnel shall possess the required level of DoD clearances at the time of award." Is this at the award of the overall contract, at the award of an individual task, or upon assignment of a contractor individual to the task?

It will be at time of contract award.

Contractor staff are not authorized to support the contract without the required appropriate clearance level.

PWS 1.4.5

Security

For the tasks which require Secret or TS clearances, do ALL the positions require the clearance or a subset of the positions? For example, Task 1.5.2 Customer Acquisition Support lists ten (10) historical FTE positions. Would all 10 contractor personnel need Secret clearances?

PWS section 1.5.7 requires a TOP SECRET clearance with ability to obtain Special Compartmentalized Information (SCI). All other PWS sections require SECRET clearance. Contractor staff are not authorized to support the contract without the required appropriate clearance level.

PWS 1.4.5

Security

Subsections 1.5.6.2 and 1.5.6.3 are referenced but not provided in the PWS document.

PWS 1.4.5 will be updated.

PWS

1.5.14.1 Transition- In

Is it the government's expectation that the contract will be fully staffed (approximately 42.75 historical FTE positions) by the end of the 30-day transition period?

Yes.

PWS 3.0

GFE

Will contractor personnel be expected to bring/use their own company furnished devices (laptops, cell phones) when working on-site at DTIC, or will equipment be provided?

All required equipment will be provided when working on-site at DTIC. Off-site personnel will be provided a government laptop only.

PWS 4.0

OCI

If a company currently holds a prime contract on IAC MAC but does not have any awarded task orders, are they eligible to be a subcontractor on IAC PMO Support?

No, neither current nor future subcontractors supporting task orders on the IAC MAC are authorized to support the IAC PMO contract.

L1.6 Security Requireme nts

Would the Government consider reducing the security requirement to a Secret Facility Clearance to enable a broader set of competitors?

TS facility clearance is a requirement of this PWS.

L1.6 Security Requireme nts

Would the Government allow a subcontractor of the 8(a) prime to hold the Top Secret Facility Clearance? E.g., 8(a) prime has Secret-level and subcontractor has TS-level.

Yes

L3.2 Past Performan ce

If the 8(a) prime is a joint venture, may the 4 prime past performance references come from either of the JV partners?

Yes, for joint ventures. PWS Sections that identify four (4) from the Prime has been updated to three (3) out of five (5).