Industry Questions and Answers.doc

Tinker Advisory and Assistance Services Contract (TAASC) II

FA8100-12-R-0003

Questions & Answers

16 Dec 2011

Question 1: Would the Government consider eliminating the initial ranking of proposals by price and only consider price once a technical acceptability determination is made on an offerors’ technical proposal?

Answer 1: The Government did consider evaluating proposals for technical acceptability first, however, due to the high volume of proposals expected in response to the solicitation, the Government has determined that the evaluation methodology set forth in section M ensures efficiency of evaluation as well as an adequate number of acceptable proposals for consideration.

Question 2: Would the Government consider requiring a single composite rate be submitted from all offerors and eliminate the need for separate rate information from team members?

Answer 2: The Government has considered requiring composite rates. The Government team is still reviewing applicable contracting regulations and the final decision will be set forth in sections L and M of the formal RFP.

Question 3: Will the Government consider adding Other Direct Costs (ODC) to CLIN 14 or establish a new CLIN for ODC?

Answer 3: The Government does not anticipate needing to use ODCs based on TAASC I acquisition history and will not be adding an ODC provision to CLIN 14 or under a separate CLIN.

Question 4: Would the Government consider an allocation of fifty (50) pages to address Subfactors 1 and 2 and twenty –five (25) for Subfactor 3? Would the Government also consider the breakout of the sample task pages to allow for unlimited pages for the resumes and pricing of the sample task?

Answer 4: In the formal RFP, the Government anticipates revising the Technical Volume page limitations to fifty (50) pages for Subfactors 1 and 2 and twenty-five (25) for Subfactor 3. Under Subfactor 3, the pricing information will not be bound by a page limit and will not count against the twenty-five (25) page limit for Subfactor 3. Additionally, the resumes will not count against the twenty-five (25) page limit for Subfactor 3. However, in the draft RFP, Section L 4.2.4(c) states that each resume shall not exceed three pages and the Government does not anticipate changing this format in the formal RFP.

Question 5: Would the Government consider concurrent past performance submittal with solicitation closing date given that it will not be evaluated until these steps are completed first?

Answer 1: Draft RFP, Section L 5.2 states, “Each offeror is requested to submit Volume III Past Performance for each relevant contract fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the solicitation closing date. Failure to submit early proposal information will not result in offeror disqualification.”

Question 6: Would the Government consider an RFP release of 2 January to ensure that industry can contact Government officials if there are RFP clarification requests after release?

Answer 6: The Government’s intent is to release the formal RFP on 19 Dec. 2011, however, if release of the formal RFP is delayed, the Government will post an update on FBO detailing the most recent status.

Question 7: Is it the Government’s intent to receive sample reports against the five listed reports in the Sample Task Order and if so, how would they be counted against the technical volume page count?

Answer 7: The Government does not request sample reports as a part of the Sample Task Order but offerors should address how they plan to accomplish the reports in their Sample Task proposal.

Question 8: Would the Government consider using an independent, commercial process such as D&B Open Ratings for the past performance questionnaire submittals to support the Government’s past performance evaluation?

Answer 8: The Government will not use D&B Open Ratings and will accomplish past performance evaluation as stated in Section L of the RFP.

Question 9: Will the Government provide more specific information as to the actual skill mix or number of resumes requested on the Sample Task Order to allow offerors to more accurately scope the requirement?

Answer 9: The Sample Task Order PWS in the formal RFP will be updated to reflect a more specific scope for the labor mix and skills required.

Question 10: Can Past Performance recency be changed to five (5) years?

Answer 10: No, Past Performance recency is three (3) years. However, any part of an effort accomplished with the three (3) year timeframe qualifies that entire effort as recent.

Question 11: Can management plans be submitted within the Contract Documentation volume? This would include plans such as an OCI plan, VPP, etc.

Answer 11: No, these plans shall be discussed in the Technical Volume as stated under Subfactor Two: Program Management.

Question 12: Can subcontractors send Past Performance Questionnaires to their end customer and not a competing Prime?

Answer 12: The formal RFP will not indicate that Past Performance Questionnaires must be sent to prime contractors. The Government will accept questionnaires from sources familiar with the requirement being cited in the questionnaire.

Question 13: Can overarching IDIQ contracts and their IDIQ Task Orders be referenced individually for Past Performance?

Answer 13: Yes, IDIQ contracts and their individual task orders can be referenced individually, as long as the work referenced meets some or all of the evaluation criteria.

Question 14: What is the date for receipt of proposals?

Answer 14: This is dependent on release of the formal RFP. The window for proposal submission will set at 45 days after the RFPs release.

Question 15: Is the percentage of breakout between Prime and subcontractor in the Past Performance evaluation at the contract level or task order level?

Answer 15: The breakout can be shown either way. Which ever way is shown should be clear, concise, and easy to follow.

Question 16: Can the breakout of Prime and subcontractor in Past Performance evaluation be displayed in a matrix.

Answer 16: Yes, reference Answer 15.

Question 17: Can separate blended rates for each state by labor category be used for the main contract?

Answer 17: The CLIN structure is designed to allow different rates for each location and labor categories.

Question 18: Will the Government better define which labor categories are exempt and non-exempt in regards to Technology Insertion and Information Technology?

Answer 18: The Department of Labor determines which labor categories are and are not exempt from the Service Contract Act.

Question 19: Will the Government make a task order forecast available to the TAASC II prime contract awardees?

Answer 19: The task order forecast is not part of the source selection process.

Question 20: Will the Government clarify the definition of “telework” as referenced in Draft PWS 1.4.1?

Answer 20: The Government will clarify “telework” as follows in the formal RFP: work performed from any location that is neither a Government facility nor prime/sub contractor facility.

Question 21: How will the Government evaluate independent work done by the contractor as referenced in Draft PWS 1.8.7.1 and 1.8.13?

Answer 21: Evaluation of independent work performed by the contractor will be determined on a task order basis and clearly defined in the Task Order PWS.

Question 22: FAR Clause 52.216-29 permits blended rates, yet DFARS Clause 252.216-7002 does not allow blended rates. Will blended rates be permitted?

Answer 22: The Government team is still reviewing applicable contracting regulations and the final decision will be set forth in sections L and M of the formal RFP.

Question 23: If blended rates are not permitted, how will the Prime offeror be confident they can be compliant with FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting?

Answer 23: The Government is seeking more information to answer this question and will post the answer as soon as possible.

Question 24: Will the Government provide a reference to support the language in Section L 7.3.5(a) allowing “the at least 50% rule” to be met by an “affiliation of small businesses?”

Answer 24: The Government is seeking more information to answer this question and will post the answer as soon as possible.

Question 25: Where will the ceiling G&A rate for CLIN 0014 be incorporated into the RFP?

Answer 25: The ceiling G&A rate for CLIN 0014 will be incorporated in the Labor Category Rate Matrix.

Question 26: Can the Past Performance requirement be removed from Section L, para 4.2.4 Subfactor Three: Sample Task Implementation Proposal?

Answer 26: Yes, the past performance requirement will be removed from the formal RFP Subfactor three: Sample Task Implementation Proposal and all corresponding language.

Question 27: Would the Government consider changing the font requirement from Arial 12 point to Times New Roman 12 point?

Answer 27: Yes, the font requirement will be changed in the formal RFP from Arial 12 point to Times New Roman 12 point.

Question 28: Can an offeror add G&A to travel since we use the CAS Total Cost Input (TCI) method for allocating G&A?

Answer 28: Offerors are allowed to develop the G&A rate within their CAS approved system, however, the G&A rate used must be indicated on the Labor Category Rate Matrix. Offeror must demonstrate that G&A will not be double billed.

Question 29: Is it the intent of the Government to have pricing information in the technical volume under subfactor three: Sample Task Implementation Proposal when Section L 2.2.5 states all pricing information shall be addressed only in the cost/price proposal volume?

Answer 29: “Prices” will be required for the Sample Task Implementation Proposal included in the technical volume. This information will only be used to assess an offeror’s technical ability to provide a complete task order proposal, to include rates in-line with those provided in the offeror’s Labor Category Rate Matrix. This information will only be used to determine the offeror’s technical acceptability or unacceptability and will not be used outside of this context. Note that the prices included for the Sample Task Implementation Proposal will not be utilized in terms of developing the Total Evaluated Price (TEP).

Question 30: Who are the incumbent contractors and what is the current contract number?

Answer 30: The current contract numbers are FA8100-07-D-0002 through 0006. The incumbents are CNI Aviation, LLC; Odyssey Systems Consulting Group; Hebco, INC; Leader Communications, INC; and Virtual Technology Services, LLC.

Question 31: Would the Government consider making subfactor three: Sample Task Implementation Proposal an attachment to the technical volume instead of embedding it within the technical volume?

Answer 31: No, subfactor three: Sample Task Implementation Proposal will be a part of the technical proposal. Reference question/answer 4 for further information.

Question 32: Can a subcontractor participate on more than one bidding team, and then select one to stay with, once contracts are awarded?

Answer 32: No, a subcontractor must select a prime to bid with before proposals are submitted.

Question 33: For offerors with no relevant past performance record, will the Government consider relevant past performance information of the small business’s key personnel?

Answer 33: The Government will consider all past performance that is relevant to the TAASC solicitation.

Question 34: Would the Government make the DD 1423’s available?

Answer 34: TAASC will not use DD 1423s. Instead all information requested of contractors on a task order will be in the form of a report. Reports and their requirements will be specified on an individual task order basis.

Question 35: The number of relevant contracts in Section L 5.3, Relevant Contracts conflicts with ITO Attachment 1.1. Is Section L 5.3 the correct reference?

Answer 35: The correct number of relevant contracts for past performance will be listed in the formal RFP Section L 5.3. ITO Attachment A.1 will be updated to match as well.

Question 36: Are all 5 volumes due on one CD/DVD?

Answer 36: The Government will not place a restriction on the number of CDs/DVDs used.

Question 37: If separate CDs/DVDs are used, can the Master TOC be a .pdf file?

Answer 37: Yes, if a linkable Master TOC is not possible because multiple discs have been used, then another format can be used for the master TOC.

Question 38: What binding should be used?

Answer 38: Binding should be 3-ring binders.

Question 39: Can the PPIS font be reduced or a different format used for efficiency?

Answer 39: The PPIS form should be used as is.

Question 40: Are the hours in the Labor Category Rate Matrix set by the Government or can offerors adjust hours?

Answer 40: The hours in the Labor Category Rate Matrix are based on Government estimates and cannot be changed.

Question 41: Will the AFMC Re-organization have an impact on this solicitation?

Answer 41: The AFMC re-organization will have no foreseeable impact on the TAASC II Source Selection or the workload it is to support.

Question 42: Would the Government clarify “key or critical portions” in Section L 5.3 Relevant Contracts?

Answer 42: “Key or critical portions” refers to anything having to do with the technical factors and subfactors.

Question 43: Due to the reorganization, will TAASC II be different from TAASC I in terms of scope or skill mix?

Answer 43: The difference between TAASC I and II revolve around changing needs of the center, not around the re-organization.

Question 44: Will the RFP have organizational terms to match the re-organization?

Answer 44: At this time, we don’t know any changes to organization names and terms.

Question 45: Does the term “shall assist” in the PWS indicate a government-lead effort with TAASC support contractors?

Answer 45: The contractor is not responsible for an end product, just assisting with the work load.

Question 46: Is TAASC mandatory for studies where contractor delivers the results of a wholly independent analysis?

Answer 46: All OC-ALC A&AS requirements are mandated to use TAASC II. There is, however, a waiver process for requirements that do not quite fit into the TAASC.

Question 47: Does the executive summary have a page count requirement?

Answer 47: In the formal RFP, the executive summary will be limited to five (5) pages.

Question 48: Can the Safety and Health Plan referenced in PWS 1.7.1 be prepared at contract level instead of TO level?

Answer 48: The safety office and QAPC have reviewed the PWS and recommended the safety and health plan be incorporated at the contract level and all Task Orders.

Question 49: Can the subcontractor rate breakdowns referenced in Section L 6.1.6 be submitted directly to the Government rather than through the prime?

Answer 49: The subcontractor rate breakdowns can be submitted directly to the Government.

Question 50: Is the Sample Task order a live or notional Task Order?

Answer 50: The Sample Task order is a notional Task Order.

Question 51: Are the resume pages for the sample task order implementation plan subject to the page limit of the Technical proposal volume?

Answer 51: The resume pages are limited to three (3) pages per resume and are not subject to the technical proposal page limit.

Question 52: Will the Government relax the resume requirements for subfactor three: Sample Task Implementation Proposal and replace them with requiring identification of key personnel for the IDIQ with a 180 day non-substitution clause?

Answer 52: The resume requirements are to show the offeror can submit resumes for qualified personnel identified in the Sample Task PWS. The resumes will not be used to fill any requirements as the Sample Task Order is notional.

Question 53: Where should the fourteen (14) functional areas be addressed in the proposal?

Answer 53: The fourteen (14) functional areas should be addressed in the technical volume under subfactor one: Resource Management.