QA_CFT_03_June_13.docx

QUESTIONs and ANSWERs (Q&A) – Contract Field Teams Program Part I. QUESTIONs submitted prior to Industry Day (Posted to FBO on 03 June 13) Part II. QUESTIONs received after Industry Day (Posted to FBO on 03 June 13)

Part I.

Contractors were given the opportunity to submit questions to be addressed at the CFT Industry Day prior to 15 April 2013, 4:00 PM CST. The Government stated that those questions would be addressed at the industry day. The following is a summary of those questions:

1. Is it the Government’s intent to continue with LPTA awards using alternative criteria?

ANSWER: Currently the Government (CFT Program) utilizes a best value determination where we make award to the lowest Total Evaluated Price otherwise eligible for award. Since all contractors have been performing in a satisfactory manner, the CFT PCOs have determined this is the alternative source selection process to be utilized for CFT task order awards. In each CFT Fair Opportunity Notice (FON), it states the Government intends to award one task order to the offeror with the lowest Total Evaluated Price otherwise eligible for award. The Government may continue to utilize this technique in the future if all contractors are performing satisfactorily. It is solely a PCO determination if they feel it’s in the Governments best interest to implement a tradeoff scenario.

2. Will the Government utilize the CFT 104 process to grade Contractor Performance for use in the Weighted Average Award Process?

ANSWER: The Government will utilize the CFT 104 process to grade Contractor Performance as discussed in the basic Contract PWS. CFT 104 scores will be part of the evaluation criteria used for Task Order selection. Ultimately, it will be a PCO decision based on the circumstance surrounding each Task Order when determining the most appropriate source selection process.

3. How will the Government integrate Small Business utilization into the CFT procurement?

ANSWER: Small Business utilization within the CFT program is very important. How we ultimately determine the most appropriate utilization technique is still unknown. We are still in the market research phase. Ultimately, the Government wants to maximize the use of Small Business as much as practical.

4. How will the Government determine which requirements will go to large vs. small businesses?

ANSWER: The Small Business set aside standards are still unknown. This will depend on what the Government determines gives Small Business the best opportunity to succeed while taking into consideration they must meet a complex and dynamic scope of work. Further market research will allow the Government to make this determination.

5. How many contract awards will be made to large/small businesses?

ANSWER: The number of contracts to be awarded to Large Business and Small Business are currently unknown. This mixture will be determined after the Government gathers extensive market research. The Government will determine a mixture that will meet the CFT mission and that will properly balance the capabilities of Small and Large Businesses.

6. When does the Government expect to release a procurement schedule?

ANSWER: The notional milestones were released on Slide 39 of the Industry Day briefing charts.

7. Which Government customers will the CFT PMO target to replace large programs who are no longer part of the CFT contract?

ANSWER: The CFT Program is customer driven. Slide 9 and 10 of the Industry Day briefing charts mention both current and historical locations covered under the CFT Program. This program is fluid. Whether or not a customer will leave or join this program is unknown to us at any given time. Senior leadership across the DoD enterprise is aware of our strategic vehicle and the scope of work covered within. Ultimately, the success of this program relies on the quality performance of our contractors as well quality customer service from the CFT PMO.

Part II.

Post Industry Day Contractors were given the opportunity to submit questions prior to 03 May 2013, 4:00 PM CST. The Government stated that those questions would be addressed formally in writing. The following is a summary of those questions:

1. Do you plan to use OCI clauses & rules? Are you anticipating any rules for or against cross teaming?

ANSWER: Yes we do plan on implementing clauses and eliminating any possible conflicts of interest. Exactly which OCI clauses we implement are still under discussion. This team is dedicated to ensuring fair competition amongst all interested parties.

At this time, the CFT team has determined there will be no cross-teaming allowed for this effort. The Government wants to ensure healthy competition throughout the life of the CFT Multiple Award Contracts. The Government feels the scope and type of work associated with CFT does not require cross teaming.

During proposal submission Offerors will be required to list themselves (prime) and all proposed subcontractors. Each CFT prime or subcontractor may only participate on one CFT contract team at any given point in time.

After award of the CFT Multiple Award Contracts, any addition or replacement of a CFT contract team’s subcontracting partners will be accomplished subsequent to Contracting Officer approval. Since cross-teaming is prohibited, if the proposed subcontractor is found to be a member of another CFT contract team, the proposed subcontractor addition or replacement would not be approved by the Contracting Officer.

Should any decision regarding teaming arrangements and cross teaming change, it will be fully defined in the formal CFT RFP.

2. What has been the general experience on 2008 CFT task orders regarding retention of existing workforce versus recruiting for and hiring new employees to complete task orders?

ANSWER: Each CFT contractor must have their own internal plan for hiring and recruitment. We do not monitor historical retention data. Depending on the team complement size and the location of the work effort, it is the goal of the CFT program office to give adequate transition time to allow for recruitment & hiring of all contracted personnel. It is the goal of the CFT PMO to award task orders with a minimum of 30 days of transition; however, the final CFT PWS will establish the minimum number of days a CFT contractor may have for transition into a CFT work site.

3. Do you anticipate the need to issue task orders to companies with a facility clearance at a level higher than secret?

ANSWER: Security requirements documented on a DD 254 are determined as the task order requirement is developed; therefore it is not possible to anticipate the DD 254 requirements for all future task orders. However, it should be noted, that in order for a contractor to be able to get clearances for employees at any level, the contractor must have the same level facility clearance. For example, if a contractor employee required a Top Secret Security Clearance to work on aircraft at a Government Installation, the contractor’s facility must have a Top Secret Security Clearance.

4. Is there any information indicating that sequestration will impact the CFT proposal process or award? Do you anticipate or is it possible that sequestration could drive a higher percentage of funding dollars to small business?

ANSWER: Sequestration should have no impact on the CFT proposal process at this time. Whether or not customers would have funding to support contracted requirements on a task order could be impacted by sequestration in FY16, but it is much too far in advance to know of any customer funded task order sequestration impacts for FY16. It is not known how sequestration would drive a higher percentage to SB or that it would at all. The percentage of work set aside for CFT small businesses will be determined by market research accomplished by the team and will be provided to industry when the CFT Acquisition Strategy has been approved.

5. Is the alternate acquisition strategy still on the table for consideration? As we move further along the proposal development process, would you be willing to reissue the alternate acquisition strategy questions back out to industry in an RFI for additional input?

ANSWER: The RFI posted on 06 Dec 12 which asks for input on an alternative acquisition strategy is still open for response. There is potential for additional RFI’s based on the alternate acquisition strategy if the CFT team feels like we need to target a more specific topic.

6. Will additional draft documents be released that will specify or list common hand tools, PPE and other equipment/tooling type items that will need to be provided by the contractor?

ANSWER: Yes. There will be a local clause issued within the draft RFP that will define what the Government’s expectations are regarding common hand tools and PPE.

7. Are DCMA functions all handled from the DCMA Dayton office or will the DCMA Dayton office delegate functions to the local DCMA offices where contract/task order awardees are located?

ANSWER: All DCMA functions for CFT are handled by the DCMA Dayton office. Each CFT task order will have a PCO delegated Contracting Officer Representative on site. In addition, any delegated quality functions of the DCMA Dayton office would be delegated to government Quality Assurance Representatives where the work is being performed. No other DCMA offices will have delegated duties for CFT.

8. Have any of the 2008 CFT small business awardees “graduated” to a large business status and, if so, how many?

ANSWER: Yes. One has graduated to large business.

9. PWS Location: 2.0, Scope:

The CFT Program Management Office (PMO) is responsible for supporting requirements generated by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to provide a flexible rapid deployment capability and to field supplemental skilled technicians on site anywhere in the world in support of the Government's war readiness and posture planning needs. These contract field teams perform modification, maintenance, inspection and repair of active systems in the DoD inventory, such as aircraft, vehicles, aerospace equipment, communications equipment, automatic data processing and crypto logic equipment, missile systems and ground support equipment. Efforts will include on-site Organization, Intermediate/Field, and Depot/Sustainment level maintenance support at customer locations both in the Continental United States (CONUS), and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). This effort may include approved Foreign Military Sales (FMS) support (with an approved FMS case number and Letter of Agreement between countries). All weapon systems supported under this contract will be non-commercial and must have Government owned technical data. These requirements will not include personal services or inherently governmental functions. The objectives and requirements identified within this PWS are described in general terms. Each Task Order will specifically address Task Order requirements, scheduling, Task Order options, and other related performance criteria as necessary.

Discussion: Some CFT sites such as the Golden Knight's support commercial aircraft under the current contract. While the aircraft are operated under an Airworthiness Release provided by the Army, all other tech data such as operator's and maintenance manuals are commercial manuals bought by the Government. All logistical support is provided through commercial vendors.

Question: Will CFT continue to support sites such as the Golden Knights?

ANSWER: Yes, we can continue to support efforts such as the Golden Knights. The distinction is whether or not the government owns the tech data. CFT task orders support customer’s requirements as long as the government owns the tech data.

10. PWS Location: 3.1 The Contractor shall adhere to the latest versions of the following documents in accordance with the Performance Requirements and Special Requirements section of this PWS.

Discussion - Numerous requirements located in this Performance Work Statement are governed by DCMA Instruction 8210.1. If this instruction were to be updated from its current version after task order award administrative requirements would change. Recommend if this instruction be revised all contractors are given ample time prior to contract award.

Question - Will DCMA Instruction 8210.1 dated 1 March 2007 be revised and incorporated into the requirements of the Contract Field Team Program Performance Work Statement dated 29 March 2013?

ANSWER: At this time, the CFT PMO is unaware of any anticipated changes to DCMA Instruction 8210.1 dated 1 March 2007. Should any changes to this instruction occur, all offerors would be provided ample time to ensure all considerations can be made prior to proposal submission.

11. PWS Location: 4.1.1 Transition:

The Contractor shall accommodate rapid response and deployment to any operational government location worldwide. The response shall include, but may not be limited to, passports, visas, immunizations, and security/country clearances as required by the individual Task Order PWS. The Contractor shall make available qualified personnel and shall develop a time-phased transition plan to achieve the required team complement. Qualified personnel will be chosen from the skills listed in Attachment A and specified in the individual Task Order PWS. Transition is defined as the time in days from Task Order award until the last date prior to the start of the specified start date in the Task Order Period of Performance (PoP). The contractor shall meet a transition timeframe of no less than seven (7) calendar days while minimizing disruption during the transition period and maintaining cost and schedule. The Contractor shall provide a transition plan, CDRL A003, IAW 6.4 and all Task Order PWSs. In addition, the Contractor shall provide a transition execution status report, CDRL A004, as specified in 6.5. The contractor shall execute each transition within the contractor specified timelines, goals, etc., as indicated in CDRL A004.

Discussion: While some CFT sites have an incumbent workforce others do not; some sites are initial startups. Time to generate deliverables, recruit a workforce, and establish operations require extensive effort.

Question: Will the Government adjust timelines to meet deliverables when contractor is only provided seven (7) calendar days to start a site?

ANSWER: The goal of the CFT program office is to always provide a minimum of 30 days of transition; however, the final CFT PWS will establish the minimum number of days a CFT contractor may have for transition into a CFT work site. If the contractor was not provided adequate time for deliverable submittal, this would be considered and not held against the contractor.

12. Question: What is the minimum time that will be provided for an initial new start or transition period?

See Answer to Question 11

13. Question: Are the times driven from the transition plan provided by the Contractor or strictly by the Task Order PWS?

ANSWER: The transition period is task order specific and is determined by the government as requirements are developed, dependent upon mission and complexity of the effort. For more information regarding transition time, see answer to Question 11.

14. PWS Location: 4.1.2:

The Contractor shall ensure the minimum team complement, applicable to FFP, specified in any applicable Task Order PWS is maintained throughout each Task Order PoP and is maintained at the minimal level for all Task Orders.

Discussion: Military duty and medical LOA should not be counted against the Contractor in performance measurements as these are situations that are beyond the control of the contractor.

Question: Will the Government count medical LOA and military duty against the Contractor in performance grading?

ANSWER: If any FTE is going to be absent for longer than 30 days, it is expected that there will be a backfill that will meet the Minimum Team Complement.

15. PWS Location: 4.2 Quality:

The Contractor shall develop and utilize a Quality System that complies with the requirements of the latest version of SAE Aerospace Standard 9100.

Discussion: Previous PWS required ISO 9001-2008 compliance. AS 9100 does not conform to the typical CFT task order and the governing regulations associated.

Question: Why the change to AS9100 for CFT?

ANSWER: AS9100 is the quality standard being referenced more often with aviation-related work performed by contractors, and is actually ISO 9001-2008 with aerospace pertinent processes added. Using this standard serves two purposes: 1. It allows contactors to create and maintain one standard that would allow them to compete on CFT contracts and other aviation work. 2. It captures the additional requirements unique to aerospace processes that are encountered with CFT aviation work. If an order does not have aviation work or the type of work does not include the additional processes, those processes of AS9100 simply would not apply.

16. Question: When disparities exist between DOD regulation and AS 9100, which compliance standard is used?

ANSWER: While the FAR itself doesn't impose a specific quality standard, FAR 46.202-4(b), on higher level contract quality requirements, allows for the contracting officer to require higher-level quality standards to be maintained per the contract. This FAR requirement supersedes DoD requirements for contractor oversight. If a conflict does arise between DoD regulations and any contractual quality requirement, in this case AS9100 per the PWS, the contract will prevail.

17. PWS Location: 4.2.1 The Contractor shall ensure quality service is maintained throughout the life of the contract, and shall prepare and implement a Quality Control Plan (QCP), CDRL A005, Management Plan: Quality Control Plan, as required for each individual Task Order and IAW 6.6. The QCP shall reflect the Contractor's overall approach, internal controls and establishment of procedures for evaluating each of the major service areas (who, method, how often), reporting to the Government, resolving deficiencies, identifying potential improvements, and maintaining and making documentation reflecting quality control inspections and any corrective actions taken available to the Government. The Contractor shall submit a QCP not later than 3 calendar weeks after the start of the Task Order PoP that is acceptable to the QAR without revision and within 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP. Any revisions required after 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP, not directly related to a change of work requirements, means the QCP is not acceptable.

Discussion: Para 4.2.1 seems to contradict itself in the same sentence.

Question: What is the standard for submitting a QCP, three calendar weeks or 30 calendar days of Task Order PoP?

ANSWER: The QCP must be submitted within 3 weeks in order to allow time for the government QAR to determine whether the QCP is acceptable by 30 days after the start of the PoP. The QCP MUST be ACCEPTABLE within 30 days. In order to be determined acceptable, the QAR has to review what is submitted by the contractor, so the contractor must SUBMIT within 3 weeks to allow time for any back & forth between the government QAR and the contractor to occur. It can be submitted as soon as it is available, but it must be submitted within 3 weeks to allow time for the QAR to do the review and determine adequacy by 30 days after the start of the PoP.

18. Discussion - The Government currently has numerous definitions when it comes to PoP and transition periods. Paragraph 4.2.1 does nothing but confuse the reader.

Question - Could the Government please define their requirement in paragraph 4.2.1 in relationship to a transition period? And would the Government consider all transition periods to be 30-days vice 7 in-order-to meet the administrative requirements of this paragraph.

ANSWER: The transition period and the Task Order Period of Performance where the hands on labor will occur are 2 distinct contractual periods. The PWS will be changed to more clearly define these periods. See the answer to Question 11 for information regarding transition timelines.

19. PWS Location: 4.2.2.1 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

SOPs are the Contractor's internal policies and detailed procedures that provide the guidance and instructions for CFT activities. These procedures will be reviewed by the Contract Management Office (CMO) for adequacy. The provisions of this contract shall govern in case of any conflict with these operational procedures. The Contractor shall ensure the SOP includes the relationship between their job descriptions to those skill classifications contained in the proposal/contract. After basic contract award, the Contractor shall submit SOPs, CDRL A006, to DCMA CMO IAW 6.7. In addition, for each Task Order awarded, the Contractor shall submit SOPs, CDRL A007, to the QAR IAW 6.8. The Contractor's site supervisor/lead person may need to develop Local Operating Instructions (LOIs) to supplement SOPs that do not specifically describe the process being performed at the site. If applicable, the contractor shall submit LOIs, CDRL A008, IAW 6.9 & 6.10. After development, the site Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) will be responsible for reviewing all LOIs for adequacy IAW the standards of AS9100. The Contractor shall submit LOIs not later than 3 calendar weeks after the start of the Task Order PoP that is acceptable to the QAR without revision and within 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP. Any revisions required after 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP, not directly related to a change of work requirements, means the LOIs are not acceptable.

Discussion: Para 4.2.2.1 seems to contradict itself in the same sentence.

Question: What is the standard for submitting LOIs, three calendar weeks or 30 calendar days of Task Order PoP?

ANSWER: Same answer relative to QCPs at #18. LOIs must be submitted within 3 weeks in order to allow time for the government QAR to determine whether the LOIs are acceptable by 30 days after the start of the Task Order PoP, unless it is a part of the FOPs/GOPs as indicated in para 6.10 of the PWS. The LOIs MUST be ACCEPTABLE within 30 days. In order to be determined acceptable, the QAR has to review what is submitted by the contractor, so the contractor must SUBMIT within 3 weeks to allow time for any back & forth between the government QAR and the contractor to occur. It can be submitted as soon as it is available, but it must be submitted within 3 weeks to allow time for the QAR to do the review and determine adequacy by 30 days after the start of the PoP. If LOIs are part of FOPs/GOPs as referenced in PWS para 6.10, LOIs must be submitted to the GFR 1 calendar week prior to the end of the transition period.

20. PWS Location: 4.2.2.1.1 When the scope of work involves the repair, maintenance, modification, or overhaul of aircraft, the Contractor shall develop specific written Flight Operations Procedures (FOPs, if applicable) and Ground Operations Procedures (GOPs) for all flight/ground operations IAW DCMAI 8210.1 and submit IAW CDRL A009 at 6.10 and each individual Task Order PWS. Contractors shall not begin flight or ground operations until the procedures have been approved in writing by the Government Ground Flight Representative (GGFR) [or Government Flight Representative (GFR), if assigned]. FOPs/GOPs are separate and distinct from all other Procedures required by this contract.

Discussion - Within DCMA instruction 8210.1 interim procedures can be used while the contractor is developing site specific procedures.

Question - Will the Government allow interim procedures to be used during the writing of site specific Flight/Ground Operation Procedures development?

ANSWER: There are three different types of approval available to the GFR/GGFR's: DCMA 8210.1, para 3.7.4 states that the GFR/GGFR may conditionally approve the Contractor’s procedures in cases where the contractor is making progress towards a complete and satisfactory set of procedures. A conditional approval allows the contractor to begin work with procedures that have been approved with a caveat: they are approved pending incorporation of the GFR/GGFR's recommendations within a suspense time.

A partial "individual" approval allows the contractor to begin work on only those individual processes that have been approved but not the entire Procedures.

A full approval is when all of the Contractor’s procedures are fully approved.

Any "interim" procedures that would be approved, conditionally or a partial individual procedure should be the same procedures that the Contractor is making site-specific.

21. PWS Location: 4.2.2.3.1 For Satisfactory performance, the Contractor shall not have more than X% of all inspections that are rejected once the work has been submitted to the government for final inspection.

Discussion: The value of X% is not given.

Question: Will the value of X% be given in respective Task Order PWS or is there an across the board standard?

ANSWER: Yes. The value of X is not known at this time. We are running an internal data query in the CFT database over the next several months to pull data from current monthly CFT 104s. When we have a better idea of what that percentage should be, the value will be filled in.

22. PWS Location: 6.6 The Contractor shall prepare and implement a Quality Control Plan (QCP), CDRL A005, Management Plan - QCP, as required for each individual Task Order. The QCP shall be submitted to the QAR and the CFT PMO PM. The Contractor shall submit the QCP not later than 3 calendar weeks after the start of the Task Order PoP that is acceptable to the QAR without revision and within 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP. Any revisions required after 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP, not directly related to a change of work requirements, means the QCP is not acceptable.

Discussion: Para 6.6 seems to contradict itself in the same sentence.

Question: What is the standard for submitting a QCP, three calendar weeks or 30 calendar days of Task Order PoP?

ANSWER: Please see answer to Question 18.

23. PWS Location: 6.9 If applicable, the Contractor shall develop LOIs and submit IAW CDRL A008 and each individual Task Order PWS. The Contractor shall submit LOIs not later than 3 calendar weeks after the start of the Task Order PoP that is acceptable to the QAR without revision and within 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP. Any revisions required after 30 calendar days of the Task Order PoP, not directly related to a change of work requirements, means the LOIs are not acceptable. If an applicable LOI is referenced or part of the FOP/GOP, the contractor shall submit IAW 6.8.

Discussion: Para 6.9 seems to contradict itself in the same sentence.

Question: What is the standard for submitting LOIs, three calendar weeks or 30 calendar days of Task Order PoP?

ANSWER: Please see answer to Question 20.

24. PWS Location: 6.10 When the scope of work involves the repair, maintenance, modification, or overhaul of aircraft, the Contractor shall develop FOPs/GOPs IAW DCMAI 8210.1 and submit IAW CDRL A009 and each individual Task Order PWS. All FOPs/GOPs shall be submitted no later than 1 calendar week prior to the end of the transition period in order to be approved in writing no later than day 1 of the start of the Task Order PoP by the site GGFR (or GFR if assigned). Additionally, if an LOI is referenced in, or included as part of the FOP/GOP, the LOI shall be provided to the GGFR/GFR with the FOPs/GOPs as part of the approval process no later than 1 calendar week prior to the end of the transition period.

Discussion: This requirement is unrealistic, especially if contractor is only given a seven (7) day transition period.

Question: Will the Government extend deadline or approve interim FOP/GOPs when contractor is only provided seven (7) day transition?

ANSWER: See answer to Question #11 with regards to extension of deadlines. Interim approval of FOPs/GOPs will be at the discretion of the onsite GFR as stated in response to question #21.

25. PWS Location: 6.12 The Contractor, in conjunction with the COR, shall conduct an initial inventory of all GFP for each Task Order issued. In addition, the Contractor shall conduct either a yearly inventory of all GFP or shall conduct an inventory of all GFP at the completion of each Task Order, whichever comes first. Data shall be submitted IAW CDRL A012 by the first day of each Task Order PoP and annually thereafter.

Discussion: This requirement is unrealistic, especially if contractor is only given a seven (7) day transition period. Oftentimes an accurate inventory report is not provided by the customer to the contractor which delays the process, not to mention, some sites have an extensive amount of GFP to be inventoried. If there is no incumbent workforce, there is no familiarity of what is on hand and a portion of your start-up workforce would have to be hired prior to the PoP in order to complete an inventory. Only in the case where there is an incumbent workforce, and the previous contractor completes their end of task order inventory, can someone complete the inventory on day one, assuming the accountable person from the previous contract continues with the succeeding contractor.

Question: Will the Government extend deadline based on site specific requirements?

ANSWER: See answer to Question 11.

26. PWS Location: A.15 Forklift Operator (21020):

The Forklift Operator operates a manually controlled gasoline, electric or liquid propane gas powered forklift to transport goods and materials of all kinds within a warehouse, manufacturing plant, or other establishment Comment: A.15 does not have provisions for diesel forklifts.

ANSWER: Forklift Operator (21020) is pulled directly from the Directory of Occupations. There isn’t a Diesel Forklift Operator located within the Directory of Occupations.

27. QUESTION: The PWS references AS9100 and the draft referenced 9110. Which one is it, and is it certification or compliance?

ANSWER: The requirement is for any offeror to be compliant with AS 9100.

28. QUESTION: If the government’s intention is for a 10 year contract, what is the intention for the Task Orders?

ANSWER: Currently, most CFT task orders have been for a basic year and a one year option. The CFT PMO would like to award task orders with a three year PoP. This will be dependent upon an approved acquisition strategy for task order PoPs. The objective is to ensure healthy competition over the life of the CFT Multiple Award Contracts. Each CFT Fair Opportunity Notice will outline the PoP for the task order requirements.

29. QUESTION: Are Task Orders listed on FBO?

ANSWER: They are not listed on FBO. All CFT Fair Opportunity Notices are issued via email.

30. QUESTION: Will we be required to submit a management plan at the task order level?

ANSWER: Yes, a management plan will be required at the task order level.

31. QUESTION: Will there be a mandatory bid requirement?

ANSWER: This is still under discussion and will be outlined in the formal RFP.

32. QUESTION: Regarding all inclusive NTE rates, can an offeror propose a large NTE on the basic and discount off of the NTE for the task order competition?

ANSWER: How each offeror proposes at the task order level is an individual business decision. The CFT basic contracts will establish CONUS & OCONUS Not To Exceed (NTE) rates. An offeror cannot exceed the NTE rates at the task order competition unless the PCO provides instructions in the Fair Opportunity Notice for this due to a variety of reasons. An offeror can offer a discount at the task order competition if they so desire.

33. QUESTION: Will personnel require certification, i.e. paint certification, avionics certification, etc.

ANSWER: Any requirements related to skill certifications will be specified in the Task Order PWS.

34. QUESTION: Will you have OCONUS Rates and CONUS rates or will you break the basic contract Not To Exceed (NTE) rates into regional areas?

ANSWER: The CFT basic contracts will establish CONUS & OCONUS Not To Exceed (NTE) rates. The team is still gathering market research to determine if there will be OCONUS NTE rates for regional areas. (i.e. Pacific, Europe, Southwest Asia, etc.)This will be clearly defined in the formal CFT RFP.

35. QUESTION: Will all contractors be required to have CAC cards?

ANSWER: The draft PWS will be changed to be more clear. All CFT contractors will be required to have a CAC cards.

36. QUESTION: Should an offeror include COLA in their proposed OCONUS NTE rates?

ANSWER: The CFT PMO is still gathering market research data regarding pricing of CONUS and OCONUS NTE rates. At this time, we believe the OCONUS NTE rates should include all costs associated with hiring and maintaining a qualified workforce to include labor, COLA, housing, meals, etc. The only exception to this would be any Hazardous Duty Pay which would be handled on a Cost Reimbursable basis and based on Department of State Hazardous Duty Pay scales. This will be clearly defined in the formal CFT RFP.

37. QUESTION: Do the weighted average performance ratings carry over from the old contract to the new contract?

ANSWER: No

38. QUESTION: Does the CFT PMO hold any kind of “How’s It Going” meetings?

ANSWER: The CFT PMO holds a Tier III meeting every year. The Tier III is attended by the CFT PMO, DCMA Dayton and all small and large CFT Contractors. The CFT PMO expects we will still hold these meetings for CFT 2015.

39. QUESTION: Does each task order define the number of hours per FTE or is there a standard number of work hours per year?

ANSWER: The number of hours per FTE will be defined in each task order PWS.

40. QUESTION: Do you set escalation rates for the basic contract NTEs?

ANSWER: There will not be a contractual escalation rate set. Contractors will be able to propose any escalation they deem necessary into the proposed basic contract NTE rates at the time of proposal submission.

41. QUESTION: Do you not have Non Destructive Inspection in your wage determination?

ANSWER: NDI is included in the group of labor categories we are working to have conformed prior to award of CFT 2015.

42. QUESTION: Do the PWS metrics take into consideration backfill for OCONUS contractor employees and the submittal of deliverables due to the government in 30 days?

ANSWER: The final CFT PWS will address OCONUS transitions and timelines. In addition, each task order PWS will clearly define all of the metrics and deliverable delivery expectations taking into consideration the need for a longer transition time and backfill time for OCONUS efforts.

43. QUESTION: Is CMRA Work Force reporting in the PWS?

ANSWER: Yes and it will be in the RFP as a DFARs clause.

44. QUESTION: Will the minimum team complement continue on FFP task orders?

ANSWER: Yes, the minimum team complement will be stated and required for each FFP task order. The RFP will outline how the CFT PMO plans to ensure compliance.

45. QUESTION: How will you determine the number of supervisors on a task order?

ANSWER: The customer determines how many supervisors to request as non-billable. The information will be specified in the Fair Opportunity Notice and the task order PWS.

46. QUESTION: If the new CFT basic contracts include a process for on/off ramps for small businesses who might “graduate” from their NAICS Code, what will the process be for keeping the large to small business ratio?

ANSWER: If any small business “graduates” and becomes a large business, the CFT team believes there would be a competition utilizing the same evaluation criteria established for the basic contract source selection to bring on the exact number of new small businesses for the number “graduating”. Please keep in mind, the CFT team is still in the early acquisition strategy phase and this topic is under discussion. Any process for on/off ramps will be clearly defined in the formal CFT RFP.

47. QUESTION: How does an offeror know which OSHA mandated physicals are required for any CFT requirement?

ANSWER: The CFT team is gathering data and determining the best way to handle all required physicals for future CFT requirements. How physicals will be treated and how an offeror should consider physicals with regards to proposed NTE rates will be clearly defined in the final CFT PWS and formal CFT RFP.

48. QUESTION: Will there be small business set asides for Veteran Owned, Woman Owned, etc?

ANSWER: There will be no set-asides to specific small business categories. History and Market Research has shown that a simple small business set-aside will be suffice.

49. QUESTION: Will you levy upon small businesses a subcontracting plan?

ANSWER: No it’s not a requirement. However, we encourage Small Businesses to utilize other Small Businesses if they decide to subcontract.

50. QUESTION: Are there labor category waivers for experience, etc.

ANSWER: There is no waiver process. Each CFT task order PWS will define all experience requirements for each skill category.