Question Set 2 - Gov_t Responses to Contractors Questions.docx

The Government has received the following questions from contractors. Please see the responses below. Be sure to reference the forthcoming RFP release regarding all changes made below.

Question Set 2:

Contractor Question: Section L, Paragraph 4.2 indicates that the "offeror shall demonstrate their capabilities needed to produce USAF technical orders in accordance with Performance-Based Work Statement 3.0." As such, please confirm that the IPDF files delivered with the samples as outlined in Subfactors 2 & 3 shall be produced in accordance with PWS Paragraph 3.10.4. Please note that if it is the Government's intent to use the sample tasks to evaluate the capabilities of each contractor relative to the PWS requirements as stated in Section L, then the Government's evaluation criteria in Section M Paragraphs 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 and in the evaluation factor documents for Sample Tasks 1 & 2 appear to be in conflict with PWS Paragraph 3.10.4 for the IPDF sample task deliverables.

Government Response: The Government revised Sections L & M to accurately reflect PWS paragraph 3.10.4. Reference forthcoming RFP release for changes made below. See below.

Section L:

Revised paragraph 4.2: Clarified directions - The Government changed the verbiage from, "The response should clearly demonstrate understanding of specifications that are called out in PWS paragraph 2.0 AND be able to apply their understanding to complete the sample tasks below..." to "The offeror's sample task should clearly demonstrate understanding of specifications that are called out in PWS paragraph 2.0 as they apply their understanding to complete the sample tasks below..."

Section M:

Revised paragraph 4.2 and 4.3:

The Government changed the requirement from, "Submittal demonstrates two(one) hyperlink (IPDF) capabilities using the table of contents to link a chapter reference to the appropriate page" to "Submittal demonstrates hyperlink (IPDF) capabilities IAW PWS paragraph 3.10.4 and TOCR"

The Government updated Sample Task 1 – Evaluation Factor: Job Guide and Sample Task 2 – Evaluation Factor: IPB of Section L&M. It now states the offeror shall demonstrate hyperlink (IPDF) capability IAW PWS paragraph 3.10.4, rather than specifying only two/one hyperlink(s). Reference forthcoming RFP release for changes made below. See below.

Sample Task 1 – Evaluation Factor: Job Guide - Revised 3):

The Government changed the verbiage from, “Demonstrate Index Portable Document Forman (IPDF) with two built-in links within the table of contents to link a chapter reference to the appropriate page” to “Demonstrate Index Portable Document Format (IPDF) with built-in links IAW the TOCR called out in PWS paragraph 3.10.4”.

Sample Task 2 – Evaluation Factor: IPB - Revised 3):

The Government changed the verbiage from, “Demonstrate Index Portable Document Format (IPDF) with built-in links within the table of contents to link a chapter reference to the appropriate page” to “Demonstrate Index Portable Document Format (IPDF) with built-in links IAW the TOCR called out in PWS paragraph 3.10.4”

Contractor Question: According to RFP Section B, PWS 3.2.1.7 (Familiarization) is not listed in the PWS paragraphs covered by CLIN 0001. Should support for PWS 3.2.1.7 be included in CLIN 0001? If not, how is support for this requirement billed to the Government?

Government Response: Support for PWS paragraph 3.2.1.7 should not be included in CLIN 0001. The Government included the Familiarization task under the Data CLIN, CDRL 0004. Each offeror shall submit a price based on PWS paragraph 3.2.1.7, this price should include labor, materials, etc. to accomplish this task.

Contractor Question: RFP Section L does not specify the format and number of copies for submission of the technical and pricing proposal. Does the Government require hard copy submission or electronic files or both? If hard copies are required, how many copies? If electronic, please specify acceptable file formats (Word, PDF, etc.) for the technical and price volumes.

Government Response: The Government has revised Section L to provide further clarification regarding Proposal Submittal.

The Government requests each offeror submit their proposal (including a master Table of Contents/Glossary) as outlined below:

· 1 CD

· Management Plan - Section L & M, Factor 1, Subfactor 1

· Microsoft Word format

· Sample Tasks - Section L&M, Factor 1, Subfactor 2, 3 and 4

· Each sample task should be separated in to different folders within the CD

· Use the specified format called out for each Sample Task Subfactor.

· Cost/Price Proposal - Section L&M, Factor 2

· Microsoft Word or PDF format

· 1 Hardcopy

· Cost/Price Proposal - Section L&M, Factor 2

Please reference forthcoming RFP release Section L, Paragraph 3.3 Proposal Submittal and Factor 1 – Technical Proposal, paragraph 1. See below.

Section L:

Added Paragraph 3.3 Proposal Submittal under paragraph 3.0 Organization and Page Limits - The Government added the verbiage, “The offeror shall submit one (1) Compact Disc (CD) which contains: the Cost/Price Proposal (outlined in Factor 2 – Cost/Price Proposal), and the Management Plan and Sample Tasks (outlined in Factor 1 – Technical Proposals). Please separate each sample task into a different folder within the CD. The offeror shall also submit one (1) hardcopy of the Cost/Price Proposal outlined in Factor 2 – Cost/Price Proposal. Please send the one (1) hard copy Cost/Price Proposal and the one (1) CD to Marika Ainscough at the following address: 6067 Fir Ave, BLDG 1233, Hill AFB, UT 84056-5820. In addition, please send an e-mail receipt notifying the Government your company has mailed the proposal to marika.ainscough@hill.af.mil. The CD shall contain no proprietary markings or company identification. ”

Revised Factor 1 – Technical Proposal, Paragraph 1- The Government revised the paragraph to remove the verbiage that is now included in Paragraph 3.3 above. The remaining verbiage from the paragraphs remains unchanged as follows, “For the following factors and subfactors, the Government defines the term “clearly” as being in conformance to the specifications and standards referenced in PWS paragraph 2.0. The offeror will not be reimbursed to perform the sample tasks below. “ Contractor Question: PWS Paragraph 4.3.1 lists CDRL A001 as Technical Manual Research and Analysis Source Data DI-TMSS-81354. However, CDRL A001 attached to the solicitation lists Failure Summary and Analysis Report DI-RELI-80255. We believe PWS Paragraph 4.3.1 is correct and CDRL A001 is in error and should reference DI-TMSS-81354. Please advise.

Government Response: The PWS paragraph 4.3.1 CDRLs correctly labels CDRL A001. The Government has updated CDRL A001 from Failure Summary and Analysis with DID DI-RELI-80255 to Technical Manual Research and Analysis Source Date with DID DI-TMSS-81354. Reference forthcoming RFP release for updated CDRL A001.

Contractor Question: Ref Section L, para 1.2, Proposal Detail. Is there a page limitation for the technical volume of the proposal?

Government Response: The Government intend for the management plan to have a page limitation of 5 single spaced pages. Please reference Section L, paragraph 3.1 (a) and (b) Page Limitations. There is no page limitation on the sample tasks; it is whatever it takes to meet the MIL specs. See below.

3.1 Page Limitations

Contractor Question: Ref Section L, para 1.2, Proposal Detail. Please clarify what additional information is necessary for the technical volume to satisfy requirements identified in this para; I.E. Do you require past and relevant performance information? If so, how much and how should it be presented in the volume? Facility information, please clarify intent and type of information required. How is the proposal to be delivered; paper or electronic (e-mail)? If paper is necessary, how should the proposal be prepared; I.E. number of copies, type binders etc? Where should it be mailed? Should a completed (signed) original 1447 be forwarded with our response or sent under separate cover?

Government Response: The Government does not require past/relevant performance for this evaluation.

Experience through this effort will be based upon the Sample Tasks, facility information is not required for this effort. Please reference forthcoming RFP release as the Government has removed “…facilities and..” from Section L, Paragraph 1.2. Reference forthcoming RFP release for changes made below. See below.

Section L:

Removed verbiage from Paragraph 1.2 Proposal Detail- The Government changed the verbiage in the last sentence of Paragraph 1.2 from, “…Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror's proposal.” to “…Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror's proposal

The Government has revised Section L to provide further clarification regarding Proposal Submittal. The Government requests each offeror submit their proposal (including a master Table of Contents/Glossary) as outlined below:

· 1 CD

· Management Plan - Section L & M, Factor 1, Subfactor 1

· Microsoft Word format

· Sample Tasks - Section L&M, Factor 1, Subfactor 2, 3 and 4

· Each sample task should be separated in to different folders within the CD

· Use the specified format called out for each Sample Task Subfactor

· Cost/Price Proposal - Section L&M, Factor 2

· Microsoft Word or PDF format

· 1 Hardcopy

· Cost/Price Proposal - Section L&M, Factor 2

· It is the choice of the offeror if they would like to use a binder or not for the hardcopy

Please reference forthcoming RFP release Section L, Paragraph 3.3 Proposal Submittal and Factor 1 – Technical Proposal, paragraph 1. See below.

Section L:

Added Paragraph 3.3 Proposal Submittal under paragraph 3.0 Organization and Page Limits - The Government added the verbiage, “The offeror shall submit one (1) Compact Disc (CD) which contains: the Cost/Price Proposal (outlined in Factor 2 – Cost/Price Proposal), and the Management Plan and Sample Tasks (outlined in Factor 1 – Technical Proposals). Please separate each sample task into a different folder within the CD. The offeror shall also submit one (1) hardcopy of the Cost/Price Proposal outlined in Factor 2 – Cost/Price Proposal. Please send the one (1) hard copy Cost/Price Proposal and the one (1) CD to Marika Ainscough at the following address: 6067 Fir Ave, BLDG 1233, Hill AFB, UT 84056-5820. In addition, please send an e-mail receipt notifying the Government your company has mailed the proposal to marika.ainscough@hill.af.mil. The CD shall contain no proprietary markings or company identification.”

Revised Factor 1 – Technical Proposal, Paragraph 1- The Government revised the paragraph to remove the verbiage that is now included in Paragraph 3.3 above. The remaining verbiage from the paragraphs remains unchanged as follows, “For the following factors and subfactors, the Government defines the term “clearly” as being in conformance to the specifications and standards referenced in PWS paragraph 2.0. The offeror will not be reimbursed to perform the sample tasks below. “ The completed (signed) original 1447 should be included with all fills with the proposals.

Contractor Question: Ref Section L, Sub factors 2, 3 and 4. Request the government provide a breakout of the appropriate CLINS the government would expect to use for the completion of the work required in each sample task.

Government Response: The sample tasks fall under CLIN 0002 – Technical Order Formalization (SERP, MOD, or SUSTAINMENT). There are sub CLINs under 0002, depending upon the type of change requested (i.e. Text, Graphic, or New Graphic). Please refer to the RFP as each CLIN calls out the applicable PWS paragraph that outlines the Government’s requirements.