Questions_and_Answers_-_5_Oct_2017.pdf

Questions and Answers – 5 Oct 2017

1. We note that the Government has added labor categories to the Attachment 4 Cost Model spreadsheet that are aligned with categories described in the Service Contract Act (see attached). We have noted however that at the same time the Government has retained certain labor categories that either overlap with the SCA labor categories, are descriptive of Davis Bacon

Act wage classifications, or in some instances both. We believe that this could result in a mismatch between the cost/price model evaluation and the actual workload, or make contract administration more difficult as to the selection of labor categories for the negotiation of unique work scopes. Paring down the labor categories will also streamline and simplify the offeror’s proposal effort and the Government’s evaluation, and since the SCA labor categories are defined as to skill and responsibility level this would ensure all offerors are proposing equivalent labor categories.

We therefore respectfully request that the Government consider removing the following labor categories:

Electrical Engineer Level 1 – 3

Mechanical Engineer Levels 1 – 3

Jobsite Foreman/Superintendent

Draftsman Level 2

Electronic Repair Technician Level 2

Mechanical Repair Technician Level 2

Electrician

Carpenter (Millwrights)

Sheetmetal Mechanic

Painter

Equipment Operator (Forklift)

Equipment Operator (Crane)

Field Labor Helper

Ironworker

The SCA labor categories we propose to include are attached again for your reference.

ANSWER: The Cost Model Attachment 4 will be updated to reflect the correct labor categories under this services contract.

2. Additionally, there are labor categories in the Cost Model that would apparently fall under the Walsh-Healy Act, as they are for shop manufacturing and not services. Can the Government confirm it agrees these labor categories would not fall under the Service Contract Act?

Manufacturing Electronic Technician Levels 1 - 3 Manufacturing Shop Labor Levels 1 & 2 Manufacturing Welder Levels Shop Labor ANSWER: The Cost Model Attachment 4 will be updated; these categories will be removed.

3. The Government recently advised in response to a previous question that the wage determination will be evaluated every time an option is exercised. Since the offeror is proposing a single wage that is valid for all locations, basically an average, what is the mechanism for conducting the evaluation of the wage determination when an option is exercised to determine if there has been a change? Would the Government for example determine the average SCA wage and fringes for the current year of contract award as the baseline, and then compare the average SCA wage and fringe increase/decrease to that baseline to determine an appropriate percentage increase/decrease? We assume that the clause authorizing adjustment shall be as noted below.

ANSWER: There will be a separate wage determination for each location (CONUS) out of which contractor personnel are headquartered.

4. We have noted that the draft RFP contains the Clause 52.222-44 Fair Labor Standards Act and

Service Contract Labor Standards – Price Adjustment. We request consideration that this should perhaps be changed to Clause 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards – Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts).

ANSWER: This clause will be changed in the RFP.

5. We noted that the Government in response to a previous question advised that the SCA would apply to US bases at overseas locations. Please clarify, as to our knowledge no SCA wage determinations are available for overseas locations. If the Government concurs would an adjustment factor for overseas locations be considered?

ANSWER: The contractor is correct; there are no SCA wage determinations for overseas locations. RFP Attachment 4 Cost Model will be updated to include a tab for FFP OCONUS labor rates.

6. We have noted on Page 4 of the RFP that “The Technical Order Conversion will be funded at time of award”. There are CLINs for T.O. conversion under the NSS types (except for T-4, see below). Conversion is mentioned in PWS 4.4.1.35, with further reference to 4.4.13 and 6.2.1.

The latest version of the DD1423 that we see does not have an A018 Data Item that is referenced in the Cost Model, nor the TMCR. Will the TMCR define the exact scope of what the Government wishes to include under “conversion”? For example, if the technical manuals are converted into electronic Work Package Format this will require reformatting and rewriting, not simply input into a new electronic medium.

ANSWER: The TMCR CDRL will be provided with the final RFP; it will define the exact scope of “conversion”.

7. Reference CLIN T14 CDRL A014 Technical Manuals. Is the Government going to negotiate for the delivery of individual technical manual updates as unique efforts? In this case should the annual pricing be noted as unique TBN? If the intention instead is for the Offeror to firm fix price complete T.O. updates, perhaps CLINs should be established for T.O. updates for each NSS type, similar to the CLINs for the T.O. conversion. CLIN T14 could still be identified as TBN for any updates in the outyears after delivery of the complete T.O. update, as the scope of further work or level of effort for future updates is unknown and will have to be defined.

ANSWER: CLIN T14 will be changed to TBN. Updates are to be priced by the change page on a case-by-case basis.

8. Regarding CLIN T11 CDRL A011 for Product Drawings and Associated Lists. We are not certain how an annual deliverable would be made for this CLIN, unless it is to be negotiated as a unique TBN price. However, similar to the T.O. conversion effort, would the Government consider establishing firm fixed price CLINs for the delivery of complete TDPs for each NSS type?

Updated TDP would not be required for T.O. conversion, but would be required as a baseline to support updated Technical Manuals. If the Government concurs with this approach, we might suggest staggering the efforts over several years in order of priority – T10/T11, T-9, etc. After initial delivery of the updated TDP further drawing updates could be handled under the NOR/ECP process. We also wish to note that in our experience updated TDPs would be required to support T.O. updates. Please advise.

ANSWER: CLIN X019 Exhibit T T11 will be changed to TBN.

9. We have noted that Exhibit B CLIN X002 does not include a CLIN for Technical Order Conversion.

To our understanding the T-4 Technical Manual is not in current format in electronic medium.

Please advise.

ANSWER: The current T-4 manuals will not be converted. All T-4s are to be updated to the next-gen configuration per a separate effort, and TOs are being separately provided for that configuration in electronic format, so no TO conversion is necessary.

10. We have noted that Exhibit A CLIN X001 A-18 Standard Repair includes Item A04 Final Report per PWS 4.4.5. This is also included under other Standard Repair CLINs. Exhibit T CLIN X019 also includes T07 Contract Summary Report per PWS 4.4.5. Please advise.

ANSWER: CLIN X019 Exhibit T T07 will be changed to Not Separately Priced (NSP).

11. Similar to the above, we have noted that Exhibit A CLIN X001 A-18 Standard Repair includes Item A02 Test Procedures & Report per PWS 4.4.3. This is also included under other Standard Repair CLINs. Exhibit T CLIN X019 also includes T05 Test Procedure per PWS 4.4.3, and T06 Test/Inspection Report per PWS 4.4.1.34.4 and 4.4.3. Please advise.

ANSWER: CLIN X019 Exhibit T T05 and CLIN X019 Exhibit T T06 will be changed to NSP.

12. Similar to the above, we have noted that Exhibit J CLIN X009 includes J01 Unique Task Evaluation, PWS and Cost Proposal per PWS 4.4.2.3, 4.4.2.4 and 4.4.2.5. This is also included under Exhibits K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, and S. Exhibit T CLIN X019 also includes T03 Repairable Item Inspection Report per 4.4.2.3 and T04 Statement of Work per 4.4.2.4.

ANSWER: CLIN X019 Exhibit T T03 and CLIN X019 Exhibit T T04 will be changed to NSP.

13. We have a question regarding the CLINs for Technical Conversion, for example Exhibit A X001 A01 Technical Order Conversion per 4.4.1.35. We suggest that the Government may change the

Estimated Quantity to 1 Lot for all T.O.s associated with the reference model of NSS, as typically the separate -1 & -4 manuals are combined into 1 manual under Work Package Format.

ANSWER: The quantity will be changed to 1 Lot.