Question_and_Answers_Post_RFP_Release_19_Oct.pdf

Industry Question and Answer

- Post RFP Release –

Note: Comments in black and entitled “Question” are received from Industry. Comments in blue and entitled “Answer” are from the Government.

04 Oct 2017

Question 1: Per section L, paragraph 6.6.2, “…the offeror must submit the information that identifies and specifies the extent of their commitment to the participation of SB, VOSB, SDVOB, HUBZONE, SDB and WOSB. These targets will be provided in the small business subcontracting plan IAW FAR 52.219-9.” This guidance does not dictate actual SB percentages.

Answer 1: Correct, Offerors shall be required to provide a Small Business Subcontracting Plan

IAW FAR 52.219-9 as stated in Section L para 6.6.2. Actual Small Business percentages were not stated as it is not a requirement of this acquisition.

Question 2: Good morning. In reviewing the RFP Package we noticed that the solicitation

(specifically Sections L and M) references OEM's CM Plan in several areas. We didn't see the plans included in the bidder's library and respectfully request that the Government add them to the bidder's library

Answer 2: Sections L & M regarding program management has been revised, see below.

Amendment reflecting this revision is forthcoming.

“Program Management: evidence of a Program Management approach that adheres to the

PWS PMP (para 4.2.1.2) and satisfies this Sample Task One to include addressing AIS hardware, software, and data management IAW a Configuration Management Plan that satisfies Sample

Task One. Additionally, the offeror’s Master Schedule will be reviewed for evidence of incorporating necessary milestones and technical reviews that are required to satisfy Sample

Task One.”

19 Oct 2017

Question 3: In accordance with Section L, Paragraph 2.22, Binding and Labeling: “…..Each page that contains proprietary information shall be marked inside the header and footer of each page with the following statement "SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION (FAR 3.104) FOR

OFFICIAL USE ONLY."

Request: It is requested that the header and footer marking requirement be revised to state

“SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION (IAW FAR 3.104)” and the reference to “FOR OFFICIAL USE

ONLY” be deleted. “For Official Use Only” documents requires additional safeguarding procedures to be followed for unclassified controlled information that maybe beyond industry’s proprietary information restriction policies.

Answer 3: Section L, paragraph 2.22 has been revised and will reflect the following:

“Binding and Labeling: The three-ring loose leaf binders used to contain the proposal information shall permit the volumes to lie flat when open. Staples shall not be used. A cover sheet should preface each volume, clearly marked as to volume number, title, copy number, solicitation identification and the Offeror's name. The same identifying data should be placed on the spine of each binder. Since classified information shall not be provided in the proposal, all document binders shall have a color other than red or other applicable security designation colors. Be sure to apply all appropriate markings including those prescribed IAW FAR 52.215-

1(e), Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data, and FAR 3.104-5, Disclosure, Protection, and

Marking of Contractor Bid or Proposal Information and Source Selection Information.”

Question 4: The Final RFP removed any reference to a due-date for CDRL A013 (PMP +

Transition-in Plan).

Request: Recommend the government make the Transition-In Plan due at the Kick-Off meeting, and the remainder of the PMP (i.e. CDRL A013) due at Award + 45 days.

Answer 4: The Government considered this request and declined to accept the request.

Question 5: Please confirm it is the governments intent to have the contractor describe the methodology, rationale, and approach to develop the CDRLs listed in the sample task versus preparing the actual documents in accordance with the DID and including those CDRLs in the technical response.

Answer 5: Confirmed, IAW Section M, the intent is to describe the methodology, rationale, and approach regarding CDRLs.

Question 6: Please clarify and confirm where bidders may access the “latest version of OEM CM

Plan.”

Can the Government please clarify if “CM” is defined by “Configuration Management,” or

“Change Management”?

Answer 6: See Question and Answer #2 above. Confirmed; CM stands for Configuration

Management.

Question 7: Please confirm the TEP Workbook is only required in electronic format in bidders’ responses to the solicitation.

Answer 7: Confirmed, the TEP Workbook is required to be in electronic format. See Section L, paragraph 2.23 for additional guidance.

Question 8: Please confirm the proposals in response to the solicitation are due November 24, 2017, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Will the Government accept an early proposal delivery? If so, please provide a point of contact to coordinate delivery of the proposal.

Answer 8: Confirmed, the current due date for solicitation proposals is 24 November 2017.

However it is anticipated the solicitation due date will be extended to 27 November 2017. If the

Government decides to extend the solicitation due date, an official RFP Amendment will be released on FBO.

Confirmed, the Government will accept early proposal submissions. Refer to Section L, paragraph 2.15 and sub-paragraphs for additional guidance.

Question 9: In order to further remove barriers to competition, will the Government include a statement in the solicitation prohibiting the two OEMs (who are the sole providers of the subject AIS equipment) from entering into exclusive teaming arrangements with potential bidders, thus providing potential bidders an equal opportunity for due diligence purposes in preparing their proposals?

Answer 9: The Government executed market research and cross-talks with all parties prior to

RFP release and determined that no barriers to competition exist for this requirement. In other words, all potential offerors have the necessary information to adequately, competitively, and fairly propose to the solicitation.

Question 10: Has the Government made a determination regarding the applicability of a Service

Contract Act? If so, can the Government please provide the appropriate wage determination(s) for each location where work is to be performed and which labor categories are covered by

SCA.

Answer 10: Confirmed, the Service Contract Act applies. Applicable area wage determination(s) will be incorporated prior to contract award. Refer to the RFP and associated clauses for additional guidance regarding which labor categories are covered by the Service Contract Labor

Standards.

Question 11: In accordance with FAR 9.602(c), in order to offer the Government the best combination of performance, cost, and delivery for the system or product being acquired, please verify that proof of recently (within one year) negotiated terms and conditions to procure relevant systems; letters of commitment to provide products to the new contract;

and/or, formal teaming agreements are acceptable to fulfill the requirement of “Section 6.6.5.

Offeror shall submit evidence of a signed formal agreement between the prime contractor and any other contractors listed in the teaming arrangement.”

Answer 11: The Government recommends referencing Section L and M—specifically, Section L, paragraph 6.6.5.

Question 12: RFP Section L, Section 6.6 Other Information Required, Subsection 6.6.5, it appears to require offerors submit a separate “teaming arrangement” document to comply with Section 6.6.4. Please confirm that this “teaming arrangement” document (i) is a stand-alone document that identifies the prime contractor and any subcontractors whose technique, capability, certifications, or qualifications are used in the technical proposal, and (ii) is not signed by the prime contractor or subcontractors.

Answer 12: No, the teaming arrangement referenced in Section L, paragraphs 6.6.4. and 6.6.5.

should not be considered “separate”. Recommend reviewing Section L, paragraph 6.6. and subparagraphs.

Question 13: 6.6.5. requires a “signed formal agreement between the prime contractor and any other contractors listed in the teaming arrangement.” Is a bilaterally-executed signed letter of commitment between the offeror and prospective subcontractor, which lists the general roles and responsibilities of the prospective subcontractor identified in the teaming arrangement, sufficient to meet this requirement?

Answer 13: Refer to Section L, paragraph 6.6.5.

Question 14: 6.6.5. requires that the “agreement must provide evidence that it will be valid beginning on the date of contract award.” Will the agency remove the word “beginning” from this requirement? Doing so will confirm that “signed formal agreement” for which the offeror must provide evidence can be executed and effective before proposals are submitted, so long as it is valid at date of contract award.

Answer 14: The Government considered this request and declined to accept the request.

Question 15: For costing purposes, what should offerors use as the Award Date?

Answer 15: The estimated award date will be in the third quarter of calendar year 2018.