Government_Responses_to_Industry_Questions-Comments_-_21_February_2019.pdf

Government Responses to Industry Questions and Comments dated 21 February 2019

FA8750-19-R-0001

RFP Section Reference Questions/Comments Government Response 1 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and

Notices to Offerors, RIK-L013 Will the Government accept TS eligibility and allow Contractor to submit SCI nomination request, then if approved, the Government SSO will update JPAS to reflect SCI owning relationship and submit RRU for SCI eligibility upgrade?

Government's SCI Nomination Process:

1. Contractor FSO submits SCI nominations of company personnel to the PM for approval.

2. PM signs off on nomination and forwards request to SSO Rome.

3. SSO Rome establishes and SCI-SMO “owning” relationship in JPAS and becomes the SCI security office to process the SCI Access request.

4. SSO Rome verifies that the contractor nominee possesses a TS clearance and SCI eligibility; if yes send to SIO; if no, submit SCI eligibility to the AFCAF for processing; when SCI eligibility is granted send to

SIO.

5. The Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO) for Rome then must approve the SCI nomination.

6. SSO Rome conducts the SCI indoctrination – or – sends an indoctrination assist to another location requesting a different SSO provide the read-in.

2 Fill-in Portions of the RFP that Require Response

The original RFP document, which has all section B, and other fill-ins throughout is password protected. We’ve tried to find a way to save this so we can type in the info throughout with our proposal submission, but haven’t succeeded yet. Can you either provide the password OR provide an unlocked copy?

The Government's contract writing system produces the protected pdf document. Unfortunately, there is no password to unlock it for editing.

3 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L009

Where does the 5 page software development plan go in the technical volume of the proposal? Would the Government find it acceptable to place the Software Development Plan in an Appendix of Volume III?

Please include the Software Development Plan in Section 1 (Performance Work Statement) of Volume III - Technical.

4 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L009

Is a software development plan required for each task order response? The Government would like a software development plan that describes the contractor's overall approach.

5 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L009

Is a software development plan required in the response to the PWS? The Software Development Plan should be a general plan and does not need to speak to specific items in the PWS.

6 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L009

Is it correct to assume that items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on RFP pages L-20 and L-21 of 36 do not belong in the Basic Performance Work Statement response?”

The only item that would require an approach specific for each order would be #2 on page L-20, as it specifically states, “(2) Approach to a stand-up plan includes a 60 day phase-in period for each order (Sections 2-5 above), with minimal disruption to the program and worldwide customers:”

All others can be written as a general response explaining the systems engineering approach of the overall

IDIQ.

7 Attachment 18 - Cost Proposal Pricing Template

Does the Government want each subcontractor to price using Attachment No. 18 – Pricing Template in their Volume II?

Subcontractor pricing does not have to follow the Attachment No. 18 - Cost Proposal Pricing Template format. However, any subcontractor total costs should be included in the subcontractor line of Attachment No. 18.

8 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L006

Is the Government willing to accept hand delivery of proposals? If so, what is the best way to arrange a time/place for delivery?

Per block 9 on the cover page of the RFP, hand delivery is acceptable. Please contact Ashley.VanDenTop@us.af.mil or Andrew.Munn@us.af.mil to set up a hand delivery date/time.

9 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L007 & RIK- L013

With regard to the names and SSNs of personnel required by Sections RIK-L007 & RIK-L013, will the Government accept an excel file on a CD with the requested information as password protected, with the password to be furnished at proposal delivery?

This is an acceptable form of delivery.

10 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L005

Can the Government apply any additional SOFA clauses or security agreements to countries where OCONUS work is to be performed? (eg. Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti)

The RFP includes all current SOFA clauses or security agreements to countries where OCONUS work is to be performed. SOFA and security requirements often update/change and will be updated in the resulting contracts as needed.

11 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L013

We request the Government allow submission of this information using Visit Requests via a secure portal such as Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS). Bidders and each of their subcontractors would be able to submit a Visit Request using the GARDEM RFP number (in place of contract). Specific language could be added in the comment field notifying AFRL of the contents, identifying Prime offeror, etc. Your consideration of this request is greatly appreciated.

Additionally, would the Government please consider delivery of PII in this format (submission via JPAS) on or before March 15, 2019? This would give Offerors time to ensure proper notification to all employees and subcontractors to clear release of this information.

Submissions of the required PII using encrypted files, password protected CDs, etc. have been determined to be acceptable. The Government's security team is reviewing your alternative submission technique. The Government hopes to have a definite answer in the near future, however we will not extend submission of the required PII beyond 28 February 2019, so please plan accordingly. The due date for Proposals, in their entirety, remains the same.

12 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L013

RIK-L013 states: (c) Have an SCI accredited and approved Automatic Data Processing System to run SCI information. Offeror must identify in its technical proposal the location and type of SCI accredited system that will be available to the program upon contract award.

Please clarify if offerors should provide the information required in (c) above in Section 3 of Contract Forms Volume I along with the other required Clearance information, or if it should be provided in Volume III Technical as stated.

Please include the location and type of SCI accredited system that will be available to the program upon contract award in Section 3 of the Contract Forms Volume I.

Government Responses to Industry Questions and Comments dated 21 February 2019

FA8750-19-R-0001

13 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L006

In volumes I and II, we are providing private personal information regarding our employees including social security numbers (vol I) and payroll data (vol II). Rather than print this private information, can we submit on a CD only in a password protected file? If the Government is amenable to this, we will reference the file in that section of the print copy and send the Government the password to the protected files via email.

Submission of required PII and payroll data via a password protected file on CD and referencing such in the corresponding volume is acceptable.

14 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L012 & Attachment No. 18 - Cost Proposal Pricing Template

Currently Attachment 18 includes the pricing template for the First Order.

1. Does the Government want the first order tabs bound separately from the rest of the Vol II tabs?

2. On the CD, does the Government want Vol VI to be a separate Excel file from the Vol II workbook that they are currently a part of? Please note that the Government-provided template is locked so extracting tabs would require a password to the file.

The First Order tab can remain with the Vol II tabs within Attachment No. 18 - Cost Proposal Pricing Template and can be in the same excel file on the CD.

15 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L011

RFP RIK-L011. (a) states “Provide past performance information, limited to no more than three (3) relevant contracts each for any one prime and each of its major subcontractors performed in the past three (3) years (e.g., if prime is proposing three subcontractors”

Will the Government define a “major subcontractor” in relationship to this effort?

Major Subcontractor: subcontractors that perform major or critical aspects of the requirement.

16 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, RIK-L008

Is it acceptable for subcontractors to provide their unsanitized pricing workbook via email to the contracting officer? If not, what is the method off delivery preferred?

Subcontractors can provide unsanitized pricing proposals via email to Ashley.VanDenTop@us.af.mil or Andrew.Munn@us.af.mil.

21 February 2019