Q&A_With_Industry_Round_Two___23_Feb_17.pdf

Industry Questions and Answers - Draft Request for Proposal (RFP), FA8750-17-R-0001, dated 15 Feb 2017 - Round 2 23 February 2017

Reference RIK-L015 CROSS REFERENCE MATRIX, PAGE L - 24 of 26. “For each volume except for Vol. I, the Offeror shall complete the cross reference matrix in Attachment No. 7 indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to Section L, Section M, requirements document, CLIN numbers, and CDRL references found therein. This document will not count against the page limit for any volume in which it is included.”

Question Is the matrix to be included in multiple volumes, or should the matrix be included in only one volume of the Offeror’s choice?

Answer Yes, the matrix is to be included in multiple volumes; II, III, IV, V.

Reference RIK-L006 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS – GENERAL, PAGE L - 9 of 26. “(5) All pages shall be numbered sequentially from the first to the last page using only Arabic numerals.”

Question May pages excluded from the page count (such as the Table of Contents, Cross Reference Matrix, and appended resumes, etc.) be numbered with roman numerals in an effort to differentiate what pages count and do not count towards the page limit?

Answer Offerors can choose how they want to differentiate these pages.

Reference SF 33. “Sealed offers in original and *copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Section L, RIK-L018…” AND RIK-L006 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS – GENERAL, PAGE L – 8-9 of 26. “(a) Page limitation, format. A proposal shall be prepared in separate volumes with the page limit and number of copies specified as follows…”

Question Please clarify if Offerors should provide an original copy of each volume in addition to the number of copies listed in RIK-L006. (For example, for Volume I Contract Forms, PAGE L - 8 of 26 lists “2” under the heading “copies.” Are we to submit one original and two copies OR one original and one copy OR two copies?) And should Offerors distinguish between original and copies?

Answer The number of copies listed in RIK-L006 is the total number required, including originals. Contract forms, original signature on SF33 + 1 copy = Total of 2. Cost Volume, original signature + 4 copies = Total of 5.

Reference RIK-L018 SUBMISSION, MODIFICATION, REVISION, AND WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS, PAGE L - 25 of 26. “Unclassified proposals and modifications to proposals shall be submitted in both paper (see number of copies in RIK-L006) and electronic media (one copy of a CD-ROM).”

Question Are Offerors to provide one CD that includes ALL five volumes, or should Offerors provide one separate CD for each volume?

Answer One CD that includes all five volumes will suffice.

Reference RIK-L006 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS – GENERAL, PAGE L - 9 of 26. “(4) Proposal must lie flat when opened; elaborate binding is not desirable.”

Question Are three-ring binders acceptable?

Answer Yes, three-ring binders are acceptable.

Reference Attachment 16 Cost Proposal Pricing Template Question The "CLIN SUMMARY" appears to structured based on the IDIQ instead of Sample Order 0001. For example, Sample Order 0001 is strictly a CPFF effort with only RDT&E and O&M CLINs.

Answer Attachment 16 will be revised in the final RFP to be structured IAW Sample Order 0001.

Reference Attachment 16 Cost Proposal Pricing Template Question In Section L, RIK-L005, Sample Order 0001 does not have CLIN 0009 through CLIN 0011. For CLIN 0009 through CLIN 0011 should vendors input "0" in

Attachment 16 Cost Proposal Pricing Template?

Answer Attachment 16 will be revised in the final RFP to be structured against Sample Order 0001.

Reference Attachment 16 Cost Proposal Pricing Template Question Instead of listing CY2017, CY2018, CY2019, CY2020, CY2021, CY2022, and CY2023, can this be changed to Contract Year 1, Contract Year 2, Contract

Year 3, Contract Year 4, and Contract Year 5. These five Contract Years cover the total 60 month period of performance for the Sample Order 0001.

Also, this suggested Contract Year format allows for any changes to the estimated start date for Sample Order 0001.

Industry Questions and Answers - Draft Request for Proposal (RFP), FA8750-17-R-0001, dated 15 Feb 2017 - Round 2

Answer Attachment 16 will be revised in the final RFP to be structured against Sample Order 0001. The Government requests the continued use of CY2018, CY2019 etc.

Reference Attachment 16 Cost Proposal Pricing Template Question Does "CY" mean Calendar Year or Contract Year?

Answer Contract Year. The Instructions on Attachment 16 will be revised to add this information.

Reference RIK-L011(c )(1)(vi), RIK-L011(c )(2)(viii) Question With regard to the updated Section L, it would seem that several items under the new related experience sections for the Tech volume are more appropriate for the Management Volume, specifically:

(A) Experience managing federal contracts that involve performance at the Top Secret security level.

(B) Experience issuing and managing subcontracts under federal contracts.

(C) Experience competing for and simultaneously managing multiple Task Orders (TO) or contracts of a similar value and magnitude as anticipated under ACT 2. TOs under ACT 2 are anticipated to have a face value of up to $50M.

(D) Experience composing teams that can adequately contribute to solving problem sets similar to those expected under ACT 2.

Would the Gov consider making those specifically addressable items for the Management Volume versus the Tech Volume?

And secondly, is it necessary to duplicate those items that do seem appropriate to the Tech Vol in both Section 1 (SOW) and Section 2 (STO).

Specifically those items are:

(E) Experience in each of the 8 technical areas and be able to reference previous examples of solutions delivered to the government within the scope of the ACT 2 SOW.

(F) Experience in transitioning cyber solutions from developmental stages into actual operations.

(G) Experience in using novel and unique technical approaches to address cyber requirements in an effective and affordable manner.

(H) Knowledge of, and experience working with, operational cyber systems currently deployed throughout the US Department of Defense (and other US Government organizations).

(I) Knowledge of, and experience working with, various players in the cyber research community and any areas where contributions were made to the research communities to advance the "state of the art" in cyber practices

Given the limited page count and the general nature of the related experience, it would be helpful to delineate those areas that are most appropriate to Section 1 versus Section 2. Would the Gov consider specifying a single Tech Vol section (1 or 2) for each related experience area (E-F above)? With these additional requirements, and taking into account the page limitations for both the technical and magement volumes, can the above two lists of A through I be incorporated into the resumes rather than within the main body of the volumes?

Answer The Government has decided to remove the newly incorporated requirements (A) through (J) from section RIK-L011(c )(2)(viii) completely. These requirements will remain in section RIK-L011(c )(1)(i), however requirements (A) through (D), listed above will now be moved to the Management Section, RIK-L012(a)(5), and requirements (E) through (I) will remain in their original section (RIK-L011(c )(1)(i). These changes will be reflected in the Final RFP. These requirements should be addressed in their respective sections.

Reference RIK-L018 Submission, Modification, Revision, and Withdrawal of Proposals (Nov 2016) (b) Classified proposals and modifications to proposals UP TO THE COLLATERAL SECRET LEVEL must be submitted in paper only via U.S. Postal Service, registered mail and addressed to: AFRL/RIKD, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4514. Please address the inner envelope to Christopher Scialdone, Contracting Officer, AFRL/RIKD Info Grid & Systems Contracting Branch, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4514. Electronic media submission of classified information is NOT authorized.

Industry Questions and Answers - Draft Request for Proposal (RFP), FA8750-17-R-0001, dated 15 Feb 2017 - Round 2

Question Submission of proposal material via registered mail takes an undetermined length of time that could be weeks in delivery. Will the government accept classified proposals sent via United States Postal Service Express Mail which is handled in a guaranteed time frame with secured accountable processing?

Answer Yes, this is acceptable, but keep in mind it is the Offerors responsibility to have proposals delivered on time IAW FAR 52.215-01 ALT I & ALT II.

Reference RIK-L011 (a) (2) states that the technical proposal will be prepared in the same sequence as the SOW while (c) of this section states that the Technical Volume shall address the following... and lists a number of elements including (c)(1) (vi) (E) which addresses experience in the 8 technical areas of the SOW

Question 1. What is the intended format for the response (SOW or Section L)? 2. Are the other sections of the SOW (4.1.9-4.1.11, other than the first “8” technical areas) required in the response to (c)(1)(vi)(E)?

Answer 1. When responding to the SOW, follow the numbering sequence of the SOW. 2. As stated in Section RIK-L011(c )(1)(ii), any technical information pertaining to the SOW and not covered in the Sample Order sections below shall be included in this section, in addition, all section of the SOW shall be addressed.

Reference Industry Day Slides, Proposal Recommendations, Exclusive Teaming Agreements Question It was recommended that in order "to promote agility, flexibility, and availability of niche talent on all orders, AFRL has taken the stance that we do not restrict teaming to the companies proposed. Subs are encouraged to join multiple teams, and Primes are encouraged to subcontract to the most qualified subs during performance regardless of proposed team." With that being said, the Solicitation does not include a requirement which restricts exclusive teaming agreements. We recommend you add the requirement to restrict exclusive teaming agreements, and include in this requirement, copies of the teaming agreements to ensure that the primes follow the Government's guidance to promote agility, flexibility, and availability of solutions for this effort.

Answer The Government highly encourages teaming for this effort, and still recommends no exclusive teaming agreements. However, there will not be a restriction placed on teaming agreements either way. It is a business decision on the Offeror whether or not they require exclusive teaming agreements.

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