TDSSe_Contract_Industry_Day_Questions_(10_May_19).pdf

10 May 2019

FROM: AFLCMC/LZPTP TDSSe² Program Office (Russell Kessinger, 468‐7618)

Subject: 23 April 2019 TDSSe² Contract Industry Day Questions and Answers

TO: AFSC‐PZIE ATTN: Wendell Crittenden

I. The Technical Data Sustainment Support enterprises (TDSSe²) program held a Pre‐solicitation

Industry Day on 23 thru 25 April 2019. The following questions were captured and answered to give the offerors a better understanding of the program and assist them in providing an accurate and complete proposal.

II. Be advised, any statistical or numerical references are based on current conditions or projections and are not intended to be definitive however are the Government’s efforts to provide as much information as possible to respond to questions from Industry Days. As such, statistical references could change and are no means binding on the Government for the final proposal.

III. If you have any questions please contact myself or Alyssa Pruett (Alfrejd), 468‐7390.

1. Confirmed that the effort has been approved to be a single award?

a) Yes, this effort will be single award

2. Please provide rationale that led into why this ended up being a single award and did small business sign off?

a) Single Award is a more efficient tool.

b) Small business was included in conversation/coordination.

3. Will this be a best value award?

a) Yes, the source selection will be a tradeoff of technical risk with price (not LPTA.)

4. Clarification on the Wage Determination (WD) as if the rates are solely for Robins AFB? Would they use the WD for another location based on submitted WD rates?

a) A single set of not to exceed rates will be established for each known location. (Robins, Hill, Tinker and Peterson AFB)

b) WD requirements should be considered at each location.

c) Rate tables for all other locations will be negotiated when work at those locations occur.

5. Will re‐negotiated rates be used IAW SCA or full markups?

a) See question 75.

6. Why is the government asking for labor hours to be reported monthly?

a) The government use this information to determine internal fair share cost on consolidated tasks and preponderance of work on the basic contract.

7. When reporting monthly labor hours, does the amount of hours need to be associated with each employee name?

a) No. Monthly labor hours reporting on the basic contract needs to be associated with the task order and labor category.

8. Will one set of rates be established for known, potential and unknown locations?

a) A set of not to exceed rates will be established for each known location. (Robins, Hill, Tinker and Peterson AFB) (i.e. a total of 4 sets of rates)

b) Rate tables for any other location will be negotiated when work at that location occurs

9. Other than certified cost and pricing data, what other types of data may be needed for pricing?

a) Payrolls, material quotes, other standard information, etc.

10. Are estimated annual hours (338), referenced in section M, on Labor Rates Matrix flexible?

a) The example is for demonstration purposes only and is provided as a means of identifying how the various types of calculations will be performed. The information is not based on any real data.

11. Did the Government work with the DOL mapping back to the Wage Determinations?

a) The Air Force does not map to WDs. The contractor is responsible for mapping and meeting WD requirements. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Labor.

12. During the industry day it was mentioned that there was a potential increase in conversion to S1000D/IETM. Will there be a dedicated CLIN, for IETM conversion?

a) The Government is considering adding a CLIN associated with converting TOs to S1000D.

13. Would the government consider adding a CLIN to catch other data conversion details that current CLINS may not uphold?

a) See question 12

14. How will the government handle S1000D business rules, etc.?

a) As required, the Government will provide items such as mapping and business/project rules as during the task order award process.

15. S1000D Conversion: Suggests that the government add a fixed price CLIN structure for S1000 conversions.

a) See question 12

Break out levels to mixed categories in order to reduce risks?

b) Identify risks for factors and sub‐factors and provide appropriate mitigations for all.

Changes will be reflected in the RFP.

16. Will the CLIN structure be adaptable for task orders issued outside Robins?

a) One CLIN structure will be applied to all locations

17. Would additional labor categories be able to be added to task orders based on their uniqueness?

a) Additional categories may be added on a case‐by‐case basis at the award level.

18. In the RFP it mentions having one‐on‐one meeting with contractors after RFP release. How will the government keep from being perceived as biased?

a) After RFP release all communication will be made available on FED BIZ OPS to the contractor community.

19. Price tradeoff in relation to risks, only looking for weaknesses and not strengths?

a) The government plans to look at weaknesses to determine technical risk. A lower technical risk may be considered significantly more important than price.

20. Technical risk rating paragraph under section M. Where should risk be identified in the instructions? Where should risk be outlined under the sub factors? Maybe the government should include specific language as to where risk should be included in Section L?

a) The Government is reviewing this language and intends to clarify. Updates may include identifying risk/mitigation within each sub factor.

21. Risk rating perspective: Do the proposals have to be low in risk in order to be awarded?

a) No, the government will look at all tradeoffs before making a decision, even if a contractor has higher risk.

22. How will the government define the risk with evaluations?

a) The contractor is expected to identify risk and mitigation as applicable to their plan.

b) The government will rate risk based on factors such as; disruption of schedule; increased costs; degradation of performance; the need for increased government oversight;

and/or the likelihood of unsuccessful performance

23. How does the government assess the risk with cost and technical considering the government won’t be utilizing past performance?

a) Risk will be based on Technical competency. See question 22.

b) Past performance will not be evaluated. See question 22.

24. How is the government grading proficiency when they are not looking at past performance?

a) Proficiency is not evaluated. The government will evaluate technical capability. See question 22

25. Government oversight? What is this defined as?

a) Government oversight is the footprint required to maintain surveillance, areas that could increase government oversight may be items such as: negative PARs, CARS or get well plans. Do not confuse strategic collaboration (working together) with oversight.

26. Does every employee have to maintain a secret clearance?

a) Varies at the task order level based on requirements – some task orders do not require secret clearance and some require all employees have a secret clearance.

27. Is a facility clearance (DD254) required at time of proposal submission?

a) A facility clearance is not required for proposal submission. However, contractor must be capable of obtaining appropriate facility clearance upon award.

28. Would not having a facility clearance prior to award, be a risk to the government?

a) No

29. Are we looking for sealed bids or one price lists with the subs?

a) One price list for all, subs included. See question 8.

30. Will there be a requirement for a manual as a deliverable?

a) No

31. How confident is the government with the current RFP schedule?

a) The government is confident that the current RFP schedule is on time.

32. Who is evaluating the proposals?

a) Government personnel.

33. Ceiling is $260M? What is the likelihood that the government would reach that ceiling?

a) Indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts ceilings are established to include:

Knowns (things we know); Unknowns (things we know, but don’t know how they will impact); and Unknown Unknowns (everything else we haven’t thought of).

34. Will the ceiling include the current (non‐TDSS) Task Order work that is being done at Tinker?

a) There is no planned consolidation of work from other contracts.

35. Has the government considered pricing each location separately and potential locations separately?

a) See question 4

36. Similar work may be out there that can utilize this contract vehicle, can the contractor recommend them to our IDIQs?

a) Yes, but be sure that you are not obligating or advertising on behalf of the government.

37. Will there be allowance for a full time PM, if they will be managing multiple programs?

a) The government does have a PM labor category. PM cost decisions at the task order level may vary based on PCO/location. This does not exclude the requirement of the general manager reference PWS 4.7.1

38. Can you explain what is the awardable task is for?

a) It is a sample task to determine how accurate your company can propose at the task order level.

b) It will not be awarded.

39. Is it possible to price the knowns and negotiate the unknowns?

a) See question 4

40. Is there are benefit to having multiple socioeconomic companies in their proposal?

a) There is no benefit for adding additional socioeconomic companies.

41. On ramping new subcontractors throughout the PoP? What is the process?

a) There is no process for this and no permissions that are needed.

42. Is there added benefit to discussing bringing back some of the previously lost knowledge‐ base?

a) No.

43. Is there anything built into the contract for cost‐savings? For example, being able to get the job done with 5 people as opposed to 10?

a) Cost based task orders will be available, however a majority of task will likely be firm fixed price

44. How are Sub factors ranked?

a) All technical sub factors are equal. Technical risk is considered more important than cost.

45. Can you provide access to historical and projected costs? Is the government projecting the next five years to be in the same ballpark as previous years?

a) Projections do include current recurring work, however, there is potential for additional work.

b) See question 33

46. Would you consider modernizations as part of the next 5 years?

a) N/A

47. What were the biggest challenges with your previous vendors/program?

a) N/A

48. Do you anticipate any use of augmented reality or mixed reality?

a) Unknown at this time.

49. Capability Task Requirement: conversion being a big component. Did the government conduct a risk assessment on providing an actual product?

a) Yes, the government considered risk when developing the source selection strategy.

50. Will all of the ALCs be part of the source selection?

a) Yes

51. Does the government have an estimate as to how many TOs will come to the new contract?

a) No, however the current contract task orders were considered when determining ceiling.

52. What if the awardee is not performing after award? Would the government do an off‐ ramping, what is the backup plan?

a) Appropriate contract actions for non‐performance will be implemented.

53. Can you clarify what work will be included on TDSSe² contract? For example, will TM changes, revisions and new development be part of the new TDSSe² contract? Was the discussion with regards to data conversion a task above and beyond TM changes, revision, and new development or part of it?

a) The management and distribution of TM Changes and revisions are large part of the TDSSe² scope.

b) Newly developed TOs are not the focus of TDSSe2 but development can occur in conjunction with government engineers/ES technical oversight.

c) Data conversion is part of the TDSSe² scope and there may be an increase in conversion work over the next few years. Specifically moving data to S1000D/XML.

54. Will the Gov’t provide their Business Rules applicable to each Task Order?

a) See question 14

55. For IETM/IETP deliverables what viewer will be required?

a) If required, the designated view will be determined by the requirements program at the task order level. Currently the only recommended viewer is SDL Live Content. However additional viewers may be added to the recommended viewer list at any time.

56. Will Gov’t provide their Data Module Requirements List per Task Order?

a) See question 14.

57. Will Gov’t provide a Business Rules Exchange (BREX) for each Task Order?

a) See question 14.

58. What issue of S1000D will the majority of workload be in?

a) This will be determined at the task order level. However it is likely that S1000D 4.1 and

MIL‐STD‐3048B will be the base with project rules being defined by the specific program.

59. Can subs be on multiple teams? Can primes add subs to their team after the initial award?

a) Yes, subs can be on multiple teams.

b) Yes, primes can add or delete subs after award.

60. Can subs be added at certain milestone points (i.e. new fiscal year) or at any time?

a) Anytime

61. Will the new‐to‐the‐team sub fall under the prime’s negotiated rates or can the prime renegotiate rates?

a) No renegotiations. Subs will fall within the primes contract rates

62. DRAFT PWS item 3.3.2 Base Support states contractor performance may be restricted to a maximum distance from supported AF location – do you know what distance is being considered?

a) May vary but will be determined at the task order level.

63. DRAFT Section L, Section C. Volume II, Written Technical Proposal, 2. Format and Specific Content states “technical evaluation will not use past performance as a determining factor…”

– can you elaborate why the gov’t will not evaluate PP?

a) The government decided that time and resources used to review past performance as a discriminator for developing businesses within the 8(a) program do not add value to the process.

64. Do subs need facility clearances pre‐award?

a) No. Subs do not need facility clearance pre‐award

65. What does “balance” mean when stating cost will be evaluated for reasonableness and balance?

a) Balance is address and discussed in Section M for the pricing factor: Balance: Offerors are cautioned against submitting an offer that contains unbalanced pricing.

Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, one or more contract line items (including the Basic and Option periods) is significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the application of price analysis techniques.

An overstated or understated CLIN price may be due to an illogical progression of rates, factors or unit prices between program years, (b) unit prices that do not take into account quantity variations, or (c) the “front‐loading” of CLINs; either of these situations would reflect an inaccurate “true” cost for that CLIN. Front‐loading occurs when a larger than normal amount of costs are concentrated in an early contract period. The government will consider any “front‐loaded” CLIN as unbalanced, since acceptance of the proposal would result in advance payment. The government will analyze offers to determine whether there are unbalanced, separately priced line items or sub‐line items. Prices submitted will be compared and evaluated to ensure that a logical progression exists as related to price and quantity changes within each offeror’s response to the pricing structure in RFP Attachment XX ‘L‐2 Labor Rate Matrix’. Offers that are determined to be unbalanced may be rejected if the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk to the government.

b) An example of an unbalanced offer would be one where the rates fluctuate greatly from period to period and the fluctuations are not in line with escalation.

66. Please clarify if TDSSe² will be LPTA or Best Value.

a) TDSSe² will be Best value

67. Off site location restrictions of any kind? I.e. distance from base (if so – what level of production capability must it have)

a) Off‐site restrictions will be determined at the task level.

68. If there is a distance requirement – will it be a blanket application or on a Task Order basis?

a) Distance requirements are established per individual task order.

69. What is the criteria used to determine whether a Task Order is to be performed On‐Base or Off Base?

a) Criteria will be determined at the Task Order level

70. Percentage of work that will be classified in any way?

a) Currently less than 5%

71. Will FAR 252.204.7012 be included?

a) It is included

72. What percentage of work will be in legacy publishing software PageMaker, FrameMaker, Interleaf, etc…?

a) Currently there is approximately a 15% use of legacy systems.

73. Clause 52.222‐48, Exemption from application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to contracts for Maintenance, calibration, or repair of certain equipment – Certification. Does the government intend for other than “services” work to be performed on this contract that would warrant this exemption?

a) No

74. Clause 52.222‐49, Service Contract labor Standards, Place of Performance Unknown, how are we to price up labor rates if we are not provided locations? The draft solicitation has indicated work will be performed at Robins AFB, Hill AFB and Tinker AFB, the draft PWS also indicated Hanscom AFB, Kirtland AFB, and Peterson AFB. Will the RFP include wage determinations for all of these locations? How are increases in wages (revised wage determinations) to be handled after award?

a) Yes, wage determination will be provided for all known locations identified. Unknown locations will be negotiated if/when work at those locations occur. See question 4

b) Revised wage determination will be addressed as they occur based on DOL wage determination.

75. Clause 52.216‐8, Fixed Fee; How will fee be addressed/negotiated when the instructions (Section L) state that FFP/CPFF labor rates will be inclusive of all applicable labor loadings, but will exclude profit/fee? Please clarify.

a) Fee will be negotiated on each individual task order. The source selection will establish Not to Exceed (NTE) rates (burdened to the cost line but excluding profit) and will establish the single awardee. Example of labor burdened to the cost line, excluding profit: Direct labor rate * Fringe rate * Overhead rate * General & Administrative rate = Fully burdened rate, excluding profit.

76. Clause 52.230‐2, Cost Accounting Standards (and all other 52.230 clauses), this is an 8(a) competitive RFP, but CAS does not apply to small businesses. Will these clauses be removed from the final RFP?

a) The contractor is correct CAS does not apply to SB contracts.

77. Section L, Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors; Indicates that data other than Certified cost and pricing data may be required to support a determination of price reasonableness, what would this other “data” be?

a) See question 9

78. Draft RFP Attach 2 Labor Rate Matrix, confirm this is the only pricing that will be requested (not a table similar to 15.2)? If yes are we to price the highest SCA rate location and then discount other locations per the stated local SCA table?

a) A single set of rates will established for each known location, with future locations being negotiated. See question 4.

79. Paragraph 4.1.1, Contract/Order Period of Performance, indicates the basic TDSSe² contract is comprised to 5, one year ordering periods, which does not agree with the draft solicitation, page 3, which indicates the basic period of performance is 5 years with no option years. Or does this paragraph indicate how the task orders will be ordered with base period and options? Please clarify.

a) The Period of Performance will be five ordering periods.

80. Workshare – Limitation on subcontracting presented by SBA Director. For an unpopulated 8(a) JV, does the 8a partner have to perform 50% of the work? Current 8(a) rules allow for the 8a to perform a minimum 40% of 8a JV workshare.

a) FAR 52.219‐14 states “A joint venture agrees that, in the performance of the contract, the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (e) [50%] will be performed by the aggregate of the joint venture participants.” Therefore, instead of the prime 8(a) and similarly situated 8(a) subcontractors meeting the percentage of 50%, the joint venture partners must meet the entire percentage. The CFR requires the 8(a) participant to perform at least 40% of the JV share.

81. Will the government define the risks for the evaluation?

a) No. the offeror should identify risk and provide appropriate mitigation.

82. Is non past performance a higher risk than having past performance? Wouldn’t the government experience more risk with a single awardee with no past performance than if they would just evaluate past performance?

a) Past performance is not being evaluated

83. What is the expected required level of Facility Clearance at time of award?

a) No clearance is expected at award, however clearance for appropriate security level must be gained prior task order award.

84. Volume III Pricing‐ Is certified pricing required for partners? If the offer is an 8(a) Joint Venture, would both members of the JV must submit certified pricing?

a) Certified cost or pricing data is not required for Source Selections with adequate competition, per FAR15.403‐1(c)(1).

85. Volume III pricing: certified pricing, is that for the prime and subs?

a) See question 84

86. Pricing Sheets ‐ Will final pricing sheets be required for only the prime or will all subcontractors have to have completed pricing sheets?

a) Since all rates will be treated as FFP down to the cost line, the final pricing sheets will only be completed by the prime. Subcontractors will be negotiated at each task order and if the subcontractor exceeds the TINA threshold (with no exceptions), then certified cost and pricing data from the subcontractor will be provided with the task order proposal.

87. Have you heard anything in the industry day that may delay the schedule?

a) No, not as of now.

88. Is the government outsourcing the evaluations of the proposals?

a) No, evaluations will be completed by experienced gov’t employees.

89. H‐901: ACO Negotiated Labor Rates/Labor Categories ‐ In the event an award is made against a location not previously priced, would the government consider allowing a pre‐approved wrap rate, (Fringe, overhead and G&A) to be used as the basis for billing rate negotiations.

This would allow for a simplified approach to timely pricing for any task orders issued against a location that is not priced.

a) Rates will be negotiated at the time of award for a new location so there should be no need for a wrap rate.

90. In the draft RFP and the slide show, the government list Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) as part of the pricing structure and includes FAR reference 52.216‐8. In the briefing the government briefed that Fee would be negotiated for each task order and the pricing matrix does not include fee in the FFP pricing tables. It is our belief that the government intends to utilize a FAR 14.403‐1 Fixed‐price incentive (firm target) contract approach. Can the government explain the rationale for this approach and what they consider as an incentive on a competitive bid opportunity?

a) The government is not utilizing fixed price incentive fee.

91. Does the S&H Plan have a page limit, or will it be included against the Volume II 70‐page limit?

a) Doesn’t count against their 70 page limit in Volume II. Each location may require their own S&HP.

92. Should manpower for the awardable task be bid on separate sheets than the capability tasks?

a) Yes, these as two completely different Sub factors and should be answered separately.

93. Can you confirm that computers will be provided for on‐base tasks?

a) Will be determined at the task order level.

94. Will office supplies will be provided for on‐base tasks or will they be purchased through the

ODC CLIN?

a) Office supplies will be the contractor responsibility.

95. Will the government add new labor rates for each labor category when executing at unknown locations?

a) Yes the government intends to negotiate new labor rates for each labor category for each new location.

96. Given references from different services, is Air Force tech data experience view as more relevant than non‐Air Force experience? How would it be scored more favorably?

a) Scoring will be based on evaluation process identified in the section M of the RFP.

97. Are any Top‐Secret Task Orders expected in the immediate future?

a) Will be determined at the task order level

98. Could employees work with an interim TS?

a) Determined at the task order level and by appropriate agency

99. What happens if one of the subs graduates from the program, etc.?

a. They would no longer be considered similarly situated, so they will no longer receive

8(a) credit for work.

100. What about the first tier and second tier subs?

b. The government expects the prime contractor to manage all sub‐contracting activities according to the 8(a) program.

101. Are primes also allowed to sub‐contract on another bid? Can one company play two different roles, one as a prime and one as a sub on the proposals?

a) The primes are only allowed to submit one proposal. See question 60

102. Timeline and process of selecting and matching up. Specifics of the requirement is needed in order to match up with a company. The solicitation only gives them 10 days to respond to the TO level, how will this come into play? Will have to team up with one of the AbilityOne partners in advance?

a) SourceAmerica has a process similar to FBO. They post the basic contract PWS to a site similar to FBO and find potential AbilityOne matches. You would be introduced to those potential AbilityOne companies early on and would develop relationships with them prior to the task orders—the 10 days shouldn’t be an issue.

103. How are AbilityOne personnel employed?

a) The AbilityOne nonprofit agency will be a subcontractor to the prime. All of the

AbilityOne workers are employees of the nonprofit agency.

104. Is there concern about conflicts of interests with one of SourceAmerica network companies working with more than one company?

a) Since there are limited companies that could perform this work SourceAmerica has advised the nonprofit agencies not to sign exclusive NDAs with any one company.

105. Do AbilityOne partners need to be included in proposal submission?

a) Offerors do not have to have a defined teaming partner with AbilityOne at the time of award. 3% AbilityOne goal is detailed in the PWS.

106. Will the 8(a) requirement of 50% count at the TO or basic contract level?

a) It will count at the contract level.

107. Unpopulated 8(a) joint ventures: where does that fall in the 8(a) AbilityOne 50% requirement?

a) JV (populated or unpopulated) as an entity must comply with the limitations of subcontracting, 13 CFR124.513. Seek guidance from your appointed SBA representative on the mechanics of unpopulated 8(a) ventures.

108. How did the government come up with the 3% AbilityOne goal? From a historical perspective?

a) The 3% is a goal and we do believe it is achievable.

109. AbilityOne: if they used it, is that primarily with the prime or the entire team (subs) to meet those percentages?

a) It is a team goal. SourceAmerica would be happy to set those relationships up. The Prime is responsible to meet the 3% goal.

110. Is Source America the “go between”?

a) Yes, they set up with agencies that the contractors will partner with.

111. Any value added to shooting for a higher AbilityOne value? In the management plan, part of that evaluation is the use of AbilityOne.

a) A1 goals presented should be realistic. Having a realistic goal may have less risk than an inflated goal

112. Is there incentive for utilizing a higher percentage?

a) No. The goal is 3% but this is not mandated. Keep in mind that whatever percentage you proposed is what you should attempt to reach or it could be reflected in your CPARS. Be realistic and propose what you think you can attain.

113. Evaluations of AbilityOne participation? Measurement during performance only or is it a part of the source selection?

a) Technical Sub factor one in the management plan. This is where the AbilityOne will come into play.

114. Can you clarify how AbilityOne proposed participation will be evaluated?

a) It is a part of the plan but is only a goal.

115. Will referrals from SourceAmerica (e.g. Wounded Warrior), which are then hired, count towards the 3% requirement?

a) They already have a relationship with Wounded Warrior. But they are not an affiliated agency with the Source America network. In order to meet the AbilityOne goal the work must be completed by an AbilityOne. Workers hired from the AbilityOne agency become an employee of the prime and do not toward the goal.

116. AbilityOne. There was discussion during the RFP overview that use of AbilityOne would be evaluated. However, during the presentation of the AbilityOne, Source America, it was stated that teaming with AbilityOne Agencies didn’t need to be completed and part of the proposal.

Please confirm?

a) Indicating the use of AbilityOne in your plan will be evaluated as part of your proposal.

117. How would AbilityOne be measured throughout performance?

a) This would be captured in the CPAR rating.

118. The PWS (as well as the QASP) references FAR 52.219‐14—Limitations on Subcontracting, but the clause is not included in the solicitation document itself. Additionally, the references to this clause focus on the contractor performing at least 50% of the cost of the contract, but currently Deviation 2019‐O0003 revises the wording to state a contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid to it by the government.

a) The deviation clause will be added to the contract. See question 80.

119. Will the solicitation be revised to include the clause and its Deviation?

a) Yes

120. If contractors will have one rate deck covering all possible locations listed in PWS paragraph 4.1.2, will multiple wage determinations be provided to cover locations other than Warner Robins? With only one wage determination provided, this would seem to lead to offerors underpricing categories that may be required at all locations and Clause H‐901 only allows offerors to negotiate for new labor categories not represented in the rate deck based on task order need.

a) See question 4

121. Will the government provide GS‐equivalent locality pay information for locations listed in PWS paragraph 4.1.2?

a) Yes

122. If certain material purchases, such as normal office supplies for personnel on base, cannot be purchased against a task order’s material/ODC CLINs, but an offeror can use an AbilityOne provider for such materials, how will an offeror obtain credit for using an AbilityOne source if the purchase cannot be made directly against a CLIN?

a) AbilityOne provided materials and supplies would be in the required annual report on AbilityOne usage. The dollar value of the purchases from an affiliated AbilityOne agency would count towards the AbilityOne goal set forth in the contractor’s proposal.

123. Where a contractor is required to obtain permission for subcontracting IAW FAR 52.244‐2, will a contractor be required to obtain permission to subcontract with each AbilityOne partner, given the contractual requirement to use AbilityOne partners?

a) No, subcontracting will be managed by the prime.

124. Several sections of the solicitation discuss phase‐in/phase‐out requirements (PWS paragraphs 4.9, 4.10, 4.12.4, and FAR 52.237‐3) but only 4.12.4 indicates the requirement would be applicable at the task order level—please clarify whether phase‐in/phase‐out requirements would, when directed, only be applicable at the task order level?

a) All phase‐in and phase‐out requirements will be at the Task Order level as Task Orders roll over to TDSSe²

125. PWS paragraph 4.11.3 requires information (including an initial list of employees, by location) 10 business days prior to [basic] contract start date, but at this point in time a contractor will not yet have any awarded task orders, so should this information be due prior to the start of task orders (with subsequent reporting each month)?

a) This should read, “within 10 business days of contract award”. PWS has been updated to reflect this in paragraph 4.11.3.

126. PWS paragraph 5.2.4 states “The Contractor shall ensure applicable Contractor/sub‐ Contractor personnel have security clearance(s) at the Secret level for proper accomplishment of contract/order requirements”, but 5.2.5 states “DD Forms 254 (draft or final) will be attached to the RFOPs and resultant task order as required”—so for clarification, because one section points to “contract/order” (which appears to include the basic contract) and the other specifically to task orders, does everyone working this contract have to have a minimum of a secret clearance (understanding individual task orders could require something more specific, such as a Top Secret clearance)?

a) Not everyone has to have a security clearance to perform work on this contract, however, a favorable background check (NAC) and fingerprints for access to the Automated Information Systems (AIS) is required. Individual task orders will determine the level of clearance required based on the type of work being performed. The PWS has been updated to reflect this in Paragraph 5.2.4.1. See question 26

127. PWS paragraph 5.9.2 requires the Safety and Health plan “be submitted as part of the contract proposal” but does this refer to task order proposals or the proposal for the IDIQ award?

a) This PWS refers to the IDIQ award not individual task orders. Task orders will have their own PWS requirements.

If this refers to the proposal for the IDIQ award, can an offeror include the plan in Volume I?

a) Yes

128. PWS paragraph 5.12 states “The Contractor shall submit their ISO9001:2008 certificate or their Quality Control Plan along with their proposal”, but does this refer to task order proposals or the proposal for the IDIQ award?

a) This PWS refers to the IDIQ award not individual task orders. Task orders will have their own PWS requirements.

If this refers to the proposal for the IDIQ award, can an offeror include the certificate in Volume I?

b) Yes

129. The QASP refers to a clause H‐901 that speaks to receiving negative CARs, but the solicitation’s H‐901 pertains to labor categories/rates, so it appears the QASP reference to H‐901 is outdated—will this be updated in the final solicitation?

a) Section 2.3 “Plan for Corrective Action” refers to issuing negative PARs and repetitive PARs. No reference to H‐901 can be found in the QASP.

130. PWS paragraph 4.2.2 states the CDRLs shall be submitted in PIEE (formerly WAWF), but the CDRLs read differently (specifying email deliveries)—is a contractor to submit deliverables using both methods?

a) Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) no longer has the capability for document management.

CDRL submissions will be as stated on the DD1423‐1. The PWS will be corrected prior to final RFP

131. The CDRLs state “LT” in block 7, for Letter of Transmittal only, but the Data CLIN calls for Receiving Reports, so should the CDRLs read “DD” in block 7 (where “DD” requires the submittal of receiving reports)?

a) This block designates the location (contractor's facility or destination) for performance of government inspection and acceptance. The applicable codes for inspection and acceptance correct with LT because the government is not performing a physical inspect but rather accepting a written report.

132. What is the minimum order for the IDIQ? Page 3 of the solicitation reads $2,000 but FAR 52.216‐19 states $50,000.

a) The minimum order amount will be $50,000 and should be met at the first order.

133. Is a digital copy of Volume I‐Completed RFP required? Section L is inconsistent in two places, where the table on the second page of Section L (under “II. Volume Organization, A. General) states paper and digital copies for Volume I‐Completed RFP, but content underneath the table (at the double‐asterisk) does not reference the Completed RFP where it states “**Technical and Cost/Price proposal information shall be submitted in written form (1 copy for Technical) and CD‐R or DVD‐R (write once/read only) (1 copy for Technical and Cost/Price)”

a) The Completed RFP is required to be in both paper and digital copies as per the table.

The Double Asterisk applies only to the Technical and Cost/Price proposal.

134. In Section L, Volume I Completed RFP requirements (bottom of page 3 in Section L) states “including the proposed prices associated with the contract line items in the Schedule of the RFP”, but what CLIN pricing is there to complete if the pricing is the rate deck?

a) Couldn’t find this reference so I’m not sure where the offeror is referring. It’s not in the Section L&M that I drafted so it must be in another area. The wording may need to be revised to say “including the proposed rates associated with the contract line items in the Schedule of the RFP”?

135. In Section L (top of page 4), it states the Cross Reference Matrix “will be utilized as a tool to show critical interrelationships and dependencies among the technical requirements document Performance‐Based Work Statement (PWS), the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN), the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), Section L (Instructions to Offerors), and Section M (Evaluation Basis for Award)” but in Section M (top of page 2) it states the Cross Reference Matrix “will be utilized as a tool to show critical interrelationships and dependencies among the technical requirements documents Performance‐Based Work Statement (PWS), the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), Section L (Instructions to Offerors) and Section M (Evaluation Basis for Award)” which does not include the same CLIN reference as Section L— which is correct?

a) The Section M is referring to the CDRLS this is the correct description. The section L will be corrected.

136. In Section L (page 6), under “D. Volume II, Price” #2 references multiple ordering periods

(stating “one‐year basic ordering period, with four, one‐year ordering periods”) but page 3 of the solicitation seems to indicate just one, five‐year ordering period (where it states “Basic Contract Ordering Period (5 Years)”)—so is the IDIQ one, five‐year long ordering period or are there 5 distinct ordering periods?

a) See question 79

If there are five distinct ordering periods, does each ordering period have to be exercised?

b) You do not have to exercise ordering periods

137. In Section M (page 5), under “C. Total Evaluated Price” there is a reference under “NOTE:” that states “total labor hours expected to award during each contract period, which is provided in the ‘Labor Rate Matrix’, row 10, on both the ‘On‐Base’ and ‘Off‐Base’ worksheet” but in the Steps under the “NOTE:” it states “estimated labor hours (not disclosed to the Offeror)”—so please confirm which section is correct regarding whether estimated labor hours are to be provided or not?

a) The estimated labor hours are provided on the ‘On‐base’ and ‘Off‐base’ worksheets annually. The breakout of the hours among the labor categories is not disclosed to the Offerors. The Steps is explaining that the rate proposed for each labor category will be applied to the internal breakout of the estimated hours by labor category to calculate the TEP. However, to further clarify, I am adding some wording to the Steps under Section M for the Final RFP

138. Will the Service Contract Act Clause 52.222‐41 be included in the final solicitation?

a) yes

139. Is it correct that orders will not be issued under the resulting IDIQ until 04/30/2020 (reference FAR 52.216‐18 which states orders may be issued from 04/30/2020 to 04/30/2025)?

a) The period of performance will be based on contract award date.

140. During Industry Day, there was a statement made regarding evaluation of AbilityOne participation in the proposals with greater participation rated more favorably. Later there was a statement AbilityOne participation would be measured during performance only. Can you clarify?

a) See questions 103 thru 116.

141. Capability Task requirement describes a narrative on a conversion task for the A/M32A‐60.

Discussion in Industry Day described a significant amount of the awarded contract tasking would be about conversion. The previous TDSSe solicitation required performance of an SGML conversion to be performed and submitted as part of the proposal. Did the government assess the risk of not having offeror’s demonstrate their capability to perform a data conversion task?

a) Risk was considered when developing the source selection plan

142. The Capability Task and Awardable Task require performance performed within the Technical Order Authoring and Publishing System (TOAP) guidelines and these were not provided in the draft. Will the government provide the current TOAP architecture, TOAP conversion guidelines and current TOAP TO specifications in the formal RFP?

a) No additional guidelines on TOAP will be provided. Proposal responses should be completed with the information given.

143. Will the other ALC’s be a part of the contract Source evaluation?

a) Yes

144. Is the section L task a new awardable task requirement or an existing task that will be a rollover from the current TDSSe contract?

a) This is a sample task only.

145. Do you have an estimate of how many anticipated task orders?

a) See question 56

146. Is the government going to make this a mandatory use contract across the Air Force?

a) No, at this time it is not a mandatory use program.

147. DRAFT Section L Sub factor 1 (Management Plan) refers to Cosmic Top Secret requirements (CTS). How many CTS task orders did the government Issue during the current IDIQ and how many CTS TOs are expected to be released in the next IDIQ?

a) Currently there are not any task orders that require CTS work, however, the requirement still exists.

148. DRAFT DD 254 classification is at Secret but Management Plan requires offerors to describe how they will manage Top Secret and Cosmic Top Secret requirements. Offerors with only a SECRET FCL cannot manage TS personal clearances but a company with a Top Secret FCL can manage both TS and SECRET personal clearances. Should the classification of the IDIQ/DD 254 become Top Secret, requiring the offerors to have a TS FCL?

a) Secret is the level that is required at this time but the contractor should be prepared for higher clearance if the requirement arises. See question 27

149. Would the government consider adding the following two labor categories and descriptions to the Final RFP?

Analyst Collects, compiles, organizes and interprets technical data related to DOD weapons systems and equipment. Uses specialized techniques associated with data conversion and management information systems. Provides repository and technical library functions, conducts research, and performs data entry. Requirements knowledge in the use of one or more commercially available software programs.

Analyst, Senior Senior expert with extensive knowledge and experience developing and apply analytic methodologies and principles. Leads the application of analytic techniques and helps define project objectives and strategic direction. Is responsible for providing leadership and vision to client and project teams around the methodology. Resolves complex problems, which require an in‐depth knowledge of analytic methodologies and principles. Directs the activities of more junior Analysts or other staff as necessary on activities related to the application of analytical techniques and methodologies. Demonstrated managerial and supervisory skills.

a) The government will address the possibility of adding the Analyst and Senior Analyst to the labor categories prior to the final RFP.

150. Attachment 2 Labor Rate Matrix asks for both a FFP/CPFF rate for each year of contract performance, yet there is only one column provided for each year. Can the government please modify the Labor Rate Matrix to allow for both a FFP and CPFF rate to be entered for all years of contract performance?

a) The Government intended there for only one column to be used for both types of rates.

Since the rates proposed are only burdened to the cost line (not including profit), it should be the same rate proposed for both FFP and CPFF. (The Government believes that the only burdens that change between a CPFF and FFP rate is the profit line). This was to allow for simplicity of proposing and reduction of evaluation time. The rates should be the same down to the cost line. Profit will be negotiated for each task order based on which contract type is being used.

151. Will the government please clarify whether the Safety and Health Plan is required with this IDIQ proposal response? Or is it to be required with future Task Order proposal responses?

a) The Safety and Health Plan is a required piece of the IDIQ proposal and must be submitted as part of the package. Each location where there are task orders, (Robins, Hill, Tinker or Peterson), may require a Safety and Health Plan to fulfill local requirements.

152. If the Safety and Health Plan is required with the IDIQ proposal response, can the government please: Please update PWS 5.9.2, and Sections L and M to reflect the requirements of the S&HP; Confirm that it is to be located in Volume II; and exclude this plan from page count?

a) PWS paragraph(s) 5.9 through 5.9.5 sufficiently describe the requirements for a Safety and Health Plan of the PWS for the requirements of the S&H Plan. Attachment M, Volume II, Sub‐factor one (Management Plan) has been updated to describe the requirement for an S&H Plan. The S&H Plan is not included in the 70 page count limitation.

153. Section 6.0 lists many applicable publications, standards, and directives that are necessary to develop a comprehensive technical response. Can the government please provide these publications, standards, and directives?

a) The latest publications, standards and directives listed are available on the Air Force publishing website (Publications at ‐ E‐Publishing, https://www.e‐publishing.af.mil/, DOD instructions at ‐https://www.esd.whs.mil, and MIL‐PRF/MIL‐DTL can be found in – https://www.everyspec.com). These are available to the public for access and download.

154. One vendor indicated that Hill requires each task order to meet the 8(a) 50% cost instead of measuring it as the overall contract. (Gov’t response, please confirm accuracy: Our intent is that the overall contract meet the 50% mark. Some T/D Orders might require more assistance from larger businesses than others)

a) The FAR states that Limitations of Subcontracting is based on the amount paid by the government. However, for IDIQ 8(a) awards, limitations of subcontracting is determined for each performance period of the contract (i.e. base and option periods). The contracting officer, may require the contractor to comply with limitations of subcontracting at order. [13 CFR 124.510]