Netcents_2_App_Svs_Final_RFP_Q_A_07Jun_10.xls
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- FA8771-09-R-0021
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Q A NETCENTS-2 APPLICATION SERVICES (SMALL BUSINESS COMPANION) - FA8771-09-R-0021 Note As of 1 May 2012 the HERBB system has been officially decommissioned. Documents previously posted to HERBB site https //herbb.hanscom.af.mil will now be posted directly to FBO.
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| Final RFP FA8771-09-R-0021 Questions and Answers | ||||
| Date Answered | Question # | Paragraph/Page Number | Question/Discussion | Answer |
| 4-Jun-10 | 1 | Section J, Attachment 15, Subfactor 2 – Test Support STO, Page 1,2,3 - Paragraphs 1.2.4, 2, 5 | Paragraph 1.2.4 states that in a real world task order, locations for the conduct of the task order would be specified. However, paragraph 2 and paragraph 5 specify multiple execution locations (WPAFB, OH and MAFB, Gunter-Annex, AL). Will the government clarify its expectation regarding the identification and implementation of multiple task execution locations in offeror solutions? | Paragraph 1.2.4 is setting expectations for similar task orders to be competed under NETCENTS-2. For those, the locations would be specified in the task order. For this SAMPLE task order paragraphs 2 & 5 state that this work is assumed to be done at WPAFB and MAFB-Gunter Annex. The government wants the offeror to respond to the sample task order with the locations identified in the sample task order. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 2 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 9, paragraph 4.2.4 and Section J, Attachment 15, Page 3 | Section L, paragraph L4.2.4 identifies Subfactor 2 requirements which correlate to the PWS requirements in paragraph 5 of the Test Support STO. However, STO PWS paragraph 5.1.3 (Support to Service Oriented Architectures) is not identified explicitly as a Subfactor 2 requirement. Has the Government embedded STO PWS 5.1.3 within one of the other Section L criteria, and if so, in which Subfactor 2 area? | Not all requirements set out in para 5. are necessarily evaluated as part of the task order evaluation. The Government has not embedded 5.1.3 into any section L criteria. The evaluation factors and instructions described are the only items that will be evaluated. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 3 | Section J, Attachment 15, Subfactor 2 – Test Support STO, Page 3 | Section 5 of the Test Support STO PWS identifies a descriptive statistic called cyclomatic complexity as a means to articulate the relative complexity of the various software applications to be tested. Will additional metrics related to the size and scale of the software applications and system environment be provided to ensure offeror solutions are appropriately scaled to meet enterprise architecture test requirements? | The applicable metrics relating to size and scale are included in the Sample Task Order. No additional information will be provided. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 4 | Section J, Attachment 15, Subfactor 2 – Test Support STO, Page 2, paragraph 2 | Paragraph 2 identifies AF Instruction 99-103, Capabilities Based Testing, as the guiding policy for Test Command activities. However, no mission/capability context is provided in the STO PWS. Will the government provide additional mission context for the “Information Systems Directorate” such that offeror’s can ensure solutions represent a capabilities-based approach necessary to guide TC interactions with external test organizations? (e.g. typical system use, users, operating environments, key mission system interfaces, and mission data supported) | The information provided is adequate. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 5 | Section J, Attachment 16, Subfactor 3 - Systems Sustainment STO, Page 3 | Section 5 states that 100% of the system code is released each year during a major (baseline) release. Can an estimate be provided in terms of how much of the codebase is modified during these releases? | The information provided is sufficient for offerors to understand the code that is changed. It would be an unusual government or commercial practice to release 100% of a system unless 100% of the code was affected. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 6 | Section J, Attachment 16, Subfactor 3 - Systems Sustainment STO, Page 3 | Section 5 states that one baseline release and four quarterly releases will be included each year. Does this assume the baseline release will be developed concurrently to the quarterly releases? | The offeror should propose how they would handle the workload as described in the sample task order. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 7 | Section J, Attachment 16, Subfactor 3 - Systems Sustainment STO, Page 4, paragraph 5.2 | Section 5.2 indicates Help Desk support. Can an estimate of current call/email volume be provided? | Historically, call volume for calls has been on average 100 per month for Tier 2 and 50 per month for Tier 3. The RFP, Scetion J, Attachment 16, table in paragraph 5. will be amended to add this information. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 8 | Section J, Attachment 16, Subfactor 3 - Systems Sustainment STO, Page 5, paragraph 5.3 | Section 5.3 mandates the contractor adhere to AFI 63-1201 for requirements development and management. Requirements gathering and management is not specified elsewhere in Section 5 as a required task. Will requirements gathering and management be part of the STO, and if not, or would they be provided to the contractor for each of the yearly and quarterly releases? | The information provided in Section 5.3 is very clear on what is required for maintaining a system. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 9 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L , page 7, paragraph L3.1.1 | The requested table asks for Place of Performance for previously held government contracts. How should we respond when there are many contracts involved? I doubt that you want us to list all locations. | The RFP, Section J, Attachment 8, paragraph L3.1.1 Summary Table, will be amended to read: "Previously held government contract over $10M. If yes, answer Primary Place of Performance" |
| 4-Jun-10 | 10 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L , page 8, paragraph L4.2.2 | A strict interpretation of the Technical Proposal Volume Outline does not provide for introductory information , such as the introduction of our team and the rationale for recruiting the various team mates. Please clarify whether or not we have any flexibility with the format given. | The source selection process described in Section M1.1 using the Performance Price Tradeoff (PPT) procedures states that the technical proposals will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Using this methodology, the evaluation is focused on the critical areas outlined in detail in Sections L and M. Additional information is not required, nor requested. Technical Acceptability Subfactor 5 addressed the key Management Approach areas that will be evaluated. Recruitment and retention approaches are requested in that subfactor. Additional information can be provided in the Executive Summary. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 11 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L , page 12, paragraph L4.3 | Is this the complete matrix the government expects to see in the proposal except that the final column needs to be completed by the offeror? | Yes, the table is the cross reference matrix for the Technical Proposal, Volume II the Government requires each offeror to include in their proposal with the last column completed by the offeror. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 12 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L , page 17, paragraph L6.2.2.2 | The instructions state that: "The proposal should reflect the proposed labor categories, estimated hours in each,…" What level of detail is required to justify the estimated hours? Is the fact that the hourly estimate is our engineering estimate based on previous experience sufficient? | No, in accordance with Section J, Attachment 8, paragraph L6.2.2.2, last sentence; "Offeror shall include basis of estimate such as vendor quotes, purchase orders, engineering estimates, etc". Offerors may also include historical data to support estimated cost. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 13 | Para H139(4)(3)(a) | Subject paragraph references a CDRL A006, but the PWS does not list a CDRL A006, nor is it included in any of the Section J attachments. Please clarify if this should instead be one of the B-series CDRLs. | Yes, the reference to the CDRL A006 should be Exhibit B, CDRL B002 . The RFP will be amended to correct the reference to the CDRL. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 14 | Section J, Attachments 6, 17 and Section K (Reps & Certs) | Can you please release Section J – Attachment 6, Attachment 17 and Certs & Reps in Word Document format? | Section J, Attachment 6 was released in an editable pdf format. The other documents are not available in an editable format. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 15 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 19, paragraph L7.0 Volume 5 - Contract Documentation | Please confirm that the Small Business Participation Plan and Subcontracting Plan are not required to be submitted. | Correct, the Small Business Participation Plan and Subcontracting Plan are not required to be submitted. The RFP will be amended to remove this requirement. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 16 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 19, paragraph L7.1 Contract Documents | (b) Model Contract – DO NOT HOLE Punch This Document. Do you want us to place all the four items under MODEL CONTRACT to be in a separate envelope and place them in each volume 5? | The model contract documents can be placed in any binding as long as it is not hole punched (i.e. a document protector) and place in each Volume V. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 17 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 19, paragraph L6.2.4 | Please confirm that Section 4 (L.6.2.4) in Volume 4 is not needed to be submitted and Volume 4 will have only three tabs. | Only three sections are required at this time. The fourth section will be required only upon request by the PCO. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 18 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 16, paragraph L6.2.1.1 | Is this TOC same as TOC for this volume 4? If so, can it be in the beginning (before Section 1) or are you asking us to include the TOC for Volume 4 in Introduction section? | Volume 4, The Cost/Price Volume, requires its own TOC. This TOC shall be the first item in SECTION 1 of the Cost/Price Volume. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 19 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 8, Subfactor 1 - Quality Processes, paragraph L4.2.3 | If we are SCAMPI Appraised CMMI L-3, Copy of certificate is sufficient or should we include along with certificate, appraisal plan, disclosure statement, and appraisal schedule? | As described in Section L4.2.3, the prime contractor shall provide proof of certification (copy of certificate with initial proposal submission) of being appraised at Level 2 or higher for CMM, CMMI, or CMMI-Dev using the SCAMPI (Method A). |
| 4-Jun-10 | 20 | Section J, Attachment 9, Section M, page 5, paragraph M3.4 | Section M3.4 can the government please clarify the definition of “window” in “However, only that portion of the performance that has been performed since the beginning of that window, to include any performance that continues through to contract award, may be evaluated.” For example |
-if there is an ongoing project since 2004 will that past performance considered recent.
-if there is a contract that started in 2004 and ended last year with that be consider recent.
| Please clarify | "Window" is a time period" If any of the performance falls in between 20 May 07 - present, then it will be considered recent. But, only the performance that falls within this window will be evaluated for performance. For example, if you have a contract that has been performed since 2004 and is still ongoing, then only the work performed since 20 May 07 will be used for evaluation purposes. | |||
| 4-Jun-10 | 21 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 16, paragraph L6.2.1.3 | "For CLINs requiring other than Firm Fixed Price (FFP) prices (i.e. Fixed Price Incentive, Cost Plus Fixed Fees, etc.) involving cost information reporting or for reconciliation purposes, accounting systems adequacy and approval is required." |
| Question: What agency is responsible for determining accounting systems adequacy and approval? | Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) | |||
| 4-Jun-10 | 22 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page , paragraph L3.1.1 | "A concise executive summary of the entire proposal shall be provided…… The following table shall be included for each prime and 1st tier subcontractor." |
| Question: Are we limited to one contract "place of performance" per company. If not, should each company's "place of performance" be listed on a separate row? | No, you are not limited to one contract "place of performance" per company. All contracts over $10M need to be listed with the primary place of performance. If more than one primary place of performance, list within the same row. See answer to question 9. | ||||
| 4-Jun-10 | 23 | Section J, Attachment 14, page 16 | Application Services Small Business TEP Worksheet: The RFP requires that pricing be provided for a Cost-Reimbursable Sample Task Order and Fixed Price Sample Task Order. In addition to the Total Prices for the Cost-Reimbursable Sample Task Order and the Fixed Price Sample Task Order, the TEP worksheet requires a “Labor-Hour Total Price”. Please clarify. | The Labor Hour Total Price entry in the TEP worksheet is automatically populated from the Maximum Labor Rates BEQ Worksheet. No insertion is necessary. The RFP will be amended to state that "The offerors Total Labor-Hour (LH) Price from the Maximum Labor-Hour Rates BEQ Worksheet will automatically populate the Total Labor-Hour Price Row in the TEP worksheet". | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 24 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 7 and page 14 | Do “1st Tier Subcontractor” mentioned in Section L3.1.1, Summary, and “significant subcontractor” mentioned in L5.1.1, Past Performance Volume, mean essentially the same thing? | No, they do not mean the same. You can have a first tier subcontractor that is not a significant subcontractor. FAR 22.8 defines a first-tier subcontractor as: a subcontractor holding a subcontract with a prime contractor. A significant subcontractor is defined in the NOTES section of Section J, Attachment 8, paragraph L5.1.1.2 as those subcontractors the offeror considers necessary to accomplish critical aspects of the requirement. RFP, Section J, Attachment 8, L5.1.1 NOTES will be amended to read: " "*Significant subcontractor – Those subcontractors the offeror considers necessary to accomplish critical aspects of the requirement. Additionally, significant subcontractors, will only consist of 1st tier subcontractors, and when used to provide Past Performance Information in proposal submission shall not be substituted after contract award unless approved by NETCENTS-2 Application Services PCO." | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 25 | Section J, Attachment 8, pages 9-10, paragraph L4.2.4(f) | Reference paragraph (f) states “The offeror shall provide their labor categories, associated descriptions, and estimated effort in the Application Services Price Proposal Workbook, Cost Reimbursable Sample Task Order tab.” Will the government clarify whether offerors may create additional labor categories for the sample task orders in addition to the base 12 labor categories listed in Section J Attachment 14? | In accordance with Section J, Attachment 8, paragraph L6.2.2.5 Additional Criteria, "Offerors shall not add or delete any labor categories to |
or from the Maximum Labor-Hour Rates BEQ Worksheet." However, for the Cost Reimbursable Sample Task Order, the offeror may propose additional labor categories, as indicated on the spreadsheet "Summary Cost Task Order Offer" in red text " [offeror replace sample data with real inputs]."
| 4-Jun-10 | 26 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 14, paragraph L5.1.1.2 | This section states that a consent letter “shall be completed by each subcontractor and/or teaming partner identified in your proposal within Volume I, referenced within L3.1.1.” Does this mean that consent letters need to be completed by each subcontractor listed, even if we are not using past performance information from the subcontractor? | Yes. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 27 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 19, paragraph L7.0 | The reference paragraph requires that offerors include a Small Business Participation Plan and Subcontracting Plan in Volume V. However, Section H paragraph H139 states these are only required for Small Businesses to submit after Option Years 2 or 3 if they are applying for graduation from the small business to the unrestricted ID/IQ pool. Will the government please clarify the requirement for SB offerors to include a Small Business Participation Plan and Subcontracting Plan with the initial proposal submission? | See answer to question 15. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 28 | Section J, Attachment 14, pages 3-4 and 7 |
| “Application Services Small Business Labor Category Descriptions” and “Maximum LH Rates BEQ Worksheet”. | One of the labor categories listed on the “Maximum LH Rates BEQ Worksheet” does not match the “Labor Category Descriptions” table. The Descriptions Table includes “Functional Expert” while the Worksheet has “Functional Area Expert, Level III.” Can we assume this is the same labor category and there are not multiple levels of Functional Area Expert? | Yes, the Application Services Maximum LH Rates BEQ Worksheet, Section J, Attachment 14 will be amended to state "Functional Area Expert." | |||
| 4-Jun-10 | 29 | Section J, Attachment 14, pages 3-4. | Will the government please provide required years of experience and education level for each of the defined labor categories? | FAR 39.104 Information Technology Services, prohibits the government from describing minimum experience or educational requirements for proposed contractor personnel. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 30 | Section J, Attachment 1, page 21, paragraph 7. | What are the technical and functional requirements for establishing a B2B or GEX interface with AFWAY 2? | The requirements for NETCENTS-2 customers and vendors to use AFWAY II are being worked. As stated in the PWS, when the technical and functional requirements are identified "general policies and procedures will be established and published by the NETCENTS-2 PMO." | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 31 | Section J, Attachment 1, page 21, paragraph 7. | PWS 7.0: What are the technical and functional requirements to provide interoperability with the current AFWAY? | The current plan is for AFWAY II to be operational prior to NETCENTS-2 awards. The use of AFWAY legacy is a back-up plan in case AFWAY II implementation is delayed. As stated in the PWS, when the technical and functional requirements are identified "general policies and procedures will be established and published by the NETCENTS-2 PMO." | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 32 | Section J, Attachment 1, page 21, paragraph 8. | PWS 8.0 : If we have been SEI appraised, what is expected for Technical Proposals, Subfactor 1 – Quality Processes? Is the Assessment documentation sufficient, or is other information required for our processes? | See response to number 19. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 33 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, Table 1, page 5 | Section L, Table 1: Is the 90 pages of the technical proposal (Volume 2) made up, in its entirety, by the 5 subfactors? | Yes, that is correct. Reference L2.2 ORGANIZATION/ DISTRIBUTION/ NUMBER OF COPIES/PAGE LIMITS, paragraph (b) "Each page shall be counted except the following; any Cover Sheets, Table of Contents, Tabs, Glossaries of terms/abbreviations/acronyms, cross reference matrix, resumes and organizational charts." | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 34 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 18, paragraph L6.2.2.4 | L.6.2.2.4. states that the BEQ worksheet will be the Maximum rates for the categories, but may be discounted during the fair opportunity process. However paragraph L.6.2.2.4.1 states that these rates should be for Conus Government Site performance. Does this mean that all work will only be performed at the Government sites, since contractor sites are usually higher. How will the government account for contractor site rates during award if contractor site rates are not submitted? How does the government want the submission of subcontractor teammates other than cost or pricing data or cost buildup data where applicable? | 1. No, not all work will be at the government site. 2. Evaluation of contractor site rates will be at the task order level. |
3. If the subcontractor rate is the maximum, submit the loaded subcontractor rate. Any required subcontractor cost/pricing data may be submitted in a sealed envelope "clearly marked sealed" with the prime's proposal.
| 4-Jun-10 | 35 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 18, paragraph L6.2.2.4.1 | L.6.2.2.4.1 states for the contractors to provide “a full labor category description (with qualifications) for each proposed LH rate describing the specific skill sets of the personnel the offeror would assign to each labor category. However L.6.2.2.5 states that the offerors shall not add or delete any labor categories to or from the Maximum Labor-Hour Rates Worksheet and the actual worksheet has labor category descriptions. Please clarify what is to be submitted and is the government looking for multiple rates per labor category? | No, the government is not looking for multiple rates per labor category. The government expects a single rate for each category - 12 Maximum Labor Hour rates for Conus government site work should be proposed. The instructions recognize a government defined category may be filled by a composite of an offerors labor categories. However, one rate should be proposed for each category. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 36 | Section J, Attachment 8, Section L, page 20, paragraph L7.1(b)(4) | Section L.7.1(b)4 states that either the Section K or Orca notice must be submitted. Here’s a question: Must the Prime response for Section K – Representations and Certifications include subcontractor Representations & Certifications? | No, Representations and Certifications are only required for the Prime. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 37 | Section J, Attachment 8, Subfactor 2 - Test Support STO, page 9, paragraph L4.2.4(f) | The knowledge, skills, abilities and products needed to accomplish the requirements identified in the task order and present an appropriate mix of labor categories with total proposed hours summarized by labor category. The offeror shall provide their labor categories, associated descriptions, and estimated effort in the Application Services Price Proposal Workbook, Cost Reimbursable Sample Task Order tab, Section J, Attachment 14 of the RFP. |
| Question: We understand the Section J, Attachment 14 requirement. Is any of this information (e.g., mix of labor categories and hours without rates) required in the Technical Proposal description? | No, the offeror shall provide their labor categories, associated descriptions, and estimated effort in the Application Services Price Proposal Workbook at the Cost Reimbursable Sample Task Order tab. | |||
| 4-Jun-10 | 38 | Section J, Attachment 8, Subfactor 3 - Systems Sustainment STO, page 10, paragraph L4.2.5(f) | The knowledge, skills, abilities and products needed to accomplish the requirements identified in the task order and present an appropriate mix of labor categories with total proposed hours summarized by labor category. |
| Question: Is this information required in the Technical Proposal, the Price Proposal Worksheet, or both? | In accordance with Section J, Attachment 8, paragraph L4.2.5(f), this information is required in the Tehcnical Proposal. | ||||
| 4-Jun-10 | 39 | Section B, page 2 | Is the offeror required to complete Section B and provide as part of its proposal? If so, in which Volume and Section should it be included? If Section B is required to be completed, can the Government provide it as a separate attachment in editable format for the offeror to be able to complete it electronically. | No, you are not required to complete Section B and submit with your proposal. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 40 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 6, paragraph L2.3.1 | Please confirm that binder covers and spines are to be left totally blank for each Volume - that there should be no text indicating Offeror, Program Name, or Volume. Or do the instructions for "no markings or graphics" pertain solely to logos, graphics, and images? | Yes, the binder covers and spines are to be left totally blank for each volume. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 41 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 7, paragraph L3.1.1 | L3.1.1 Executive Summary requires completion of a table indicating Place of Performance for government work done by the Prime and Tier 1 Subcontractors. |
1. Are offerors to note all their government contracts or only those from a particular period, such as current or within the past three years?
2. Notation of all government contractors and place of performance will consume a considerable amount of space in the five page limit. Will the table be excluded from the page limit for the Executive Summary?
3. What information is required for the Place of Performance - the city and state, the customer, the street address, or some combination thereof? 1. See answer to question 9.
2. No, the table will not be excluded from the page limit since we have clarified we don't want them all.
3. City and State will be enough.
| 4-Jun-10 | 42 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 13, paragraph L5.1.1 | The notes indicate offerors may not cite more than one task order or stand alone contract level (no IDIQs) per citation. In the event a software development effort spanned multiple task orders under a single IDIQ (i.e. requirements under one Task order and the subsequent development work under a follow-on task order) - how are we to represent this in our past performance citation? | Only one task order is allowed per citation referenced. If additional work is performed under another task order than that will be considered as a different citation. You should select those task orders that cover as many criteria areas as possible. Per Section M, Past performance citations that cover more of the relevancy criteria areas are preferred over those that cover less. The offeror should provide as many citations as possible covering as many relevancy criteria areas as possible to have a greater impact on the Performance Confidence Assessment." |
| 4-Jun-10 | 43 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 19, paragraph L7.1 | In accordance with Section J, Attachment 8, para L.7.1 (b) offeror is required to complete the following: SF33, SF30s, DD254, Section K and Attachment 17. However due to the security setting of the .pdf file, that is not possible. Can the Government provide the above referenced documents as a separate editable attachments for the offeror to be able to complete them. | Our contract writing system does not allow us the ability to give those documents to you in an editable format. For the DD254, see answer to question 14. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 44 | Section J, Attachment 14, page , paragraph 1.2.4 | Attachment 16 - FFP Sample Task Order, para 1.2.4 states that travel requirements have been identified in Attachment 14, Sample Task Order - Summary Cost Task Order Offer which is a cost summary worksheet for Cost Reimbursable task order. Does that mean that travel requirements for CR and FFP task orders are the same? |
Travel trip details (Attachment 14) state 5 trips to Washington, DC. What is the origination point of the travel? 1. For this sample task order, little travel is required. Estimate 1% of labor costs. The RFP will be amended to include additional information for the FFP and Cost Reimbursable SAMPLE TASK ORDERs.
2. The travel detail of 5 trips to DC was provided as an example only.
| 4-Jun-10 | 45 | Section J, Attachments 15 & 16, page 4, paragraph 5.2.3 and 5.2.4 | Section J, Attachment 15 and 16 require the offeror to propose Travel and ODCs. For evaluation purposes only, can the Government please provide NTE amounts for Travel and ODCs. If the Government is not willing to provide NTE estimates for Travel and ODCs, can it provide more details as to what kind of travel and ODCs might be required in performance of the task order. | See response to question 44. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 46 | Section J, Attachments 15 & 16 | What is the anticipated place of performance (location, government or contractor site) for Cost Reimbursable and Firm Fixed Price Sample Task Orders? | For Attachment 15, Test Support Cost Reimbursable STO, paragraph 2. states the location of performance is "WPAFB, OH and MAFB, Gunter-Annex, AL. Test work is conducted at each of the operating locations identified above." |
Attachment 16, Systems Sustainment FIrm Fixed Price Sample Task Order, paragraph 3. states "The Program Office for the system is assumed to be at MAFB-Gunter Annex, Montgomery Alabama."
| 4-Jun-10 | 47 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 8, paragraph L4.2.3 | If a Joint Venture (JV) submits a proposal and one of the partners of the JV is externally appraised by an SE-authorized lead appraiser at CMMI Level 3, does this make the JV qualified as a CMMI Level 3 prime bidder? | Section J, Attachment 1 of the RFP (PWS paragraph 8.0) clearly states that "formal certifications must be held at the organizational level performing the contract." The goal is to reduce technical risk by having the prime offeror hold the certification. In a joint venture offering, The formal certification can be in the Joint Venture name or all of the partners of the JV would need to be qualified. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 48 | L2.1.6, Section K - Representations and Certifications, page 3 of Section L and L7.1 (b) 4, page 20 of Section L. | First ref says we must complete reps and cert AND comply with ORCA while second ref gives us a choice of doing one or the other. Please clarify that we can do only one. | In accordance with 52.204-08(b)(1), if the clause at 52.204-7 is included in the solicitation, paragraph (d) of this provision applies. This part of the provision requires the offeror to complete the annual Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs) electronically via ORCA and only changes are identified in the paper version of the Reps & Certs. The RFP will be amended to clarify that Reps & Certs must be done electronically. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 49 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 12, Table 2 | Is the table a sample or does the table reflect the actual cross reference matrix the government wants each offeror to include in their proposal? | See response to question 11. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 50 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 13, paragraph L5.1.1 | If a Joint Venture (JV) submits a proposal and the JV, as a prime, is composed of two firms can the past performance references for the prime come from either of the firms forming the JV? | Yes. Past Performance can come from either of the two firms, and will be considered Primes, as long as they are identified as a Joint Venture per Section K, provision K001. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 51 | Section J, Attachment 1, page 15, paragraph 5.2 | The RFP does not require offerors to provide a resume for the Program Manager. Please confirm that such a resume and identification of a proposed Program Manager is not required. | The offeror is not required to submit a resume for the Program Manager at the time of proposal submission. This submission is not a part of the technical evaluation. From the contract management perspective, the requirement at the time of contract award is for the offeror to "identify the primary representative responsible for all work awarded under this contract, participating in Program Management Reviews and ensuring all standards referenced herein are adhered to" in accordance with Section J, Attachment 1, PWS, paragraph 5.2 |
| 4-Jun-10 | 52 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 3, paragraph L2.1.5 | Since we are located a great distance from Maxwell AFB we want to ensure our proposal is delivered. If we send two complete copies, each via a separate courier, will you accept both and then destroy the extra copy? Should we put any special marking on our extra copy? | The government will evaluate the first proposal received and will not open the second proposal. It will be destroyed. Since you do not know which the government will receive first, no special markings need to be added as long as the two proposal are identical. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 53 | Section J, Attachment 15, page 3, paragraph 5.1.3 | The sample task order requirements (para 5.1.3) requests discussion of Support for Service Oriented Architectures, but the section L associated instructions do not include the SOA support in the items to be performed. Does the Government intend to include the SOA Support in the evaluation? | The Government will evaluate only the criteria identified in Section L. The SOA Support identified in the sample task order is meant to provide the offeror with an understanding of the types of work that may be associated with the types of task orders that may be issued through this contract. The Government will evaluate the offeror's response to the sample task order IAW the criteria identified in Section L. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 54 | Section J, Attachment 14 & Attachment 15 (para 1.2.4), | In the assumptions for the sample task order, the travel is defined to be 1%, but the Cost Reimbursable Sample TO provides yearly breakdown for travel and ODC? Does the Government request the 1% travel profile or the travel profile supplied in the pricing workbook be used for pricing? Does the Government wish the contractors to use the $15k/year for the ODC in the pricing? | 1. The government request the 1% travel profile IAW the Cost Reimbursable Sample TO. 2. No, the government does not wish that the contractors use the $15k/year in the pricing workbook. The numbers provided in the price workbook consist of sample data that should be replaced by the offeror with real inputs. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 55 | Section J, Attachment 15, page 1, paragraph 1.2.1 and page 3, paragraph 5.1.2 | The Government indicates some sample COTS packages that are to be used to support the testing activities. Should the contractors assume that the Government will provide COTS/GOTS packages required to perform the taskings in the testing sample TO? If the contractor's processes include additional COTS items, do these need to be included in the ODC on the pricing workbook? (Note that the task description implies other software/hardware tools, but the products are not specifically named. Assume that the contractor can assume that these products will be available for continued usage. For example, para 5.2.2 requests support for defect tracking, but no specific tool has been specified.) | The offeror should propose the COTS products to be used in fulfilling the requirements of the sample task order and identify them in the pricing workbook. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 56 | Section J, Attachment 16, paragraph 5.2.2 and Attachment 8, paragraph L4.2.5 | Please confirm that the help desk support is 24hours/day x 7 days x 365 days per year. In addition, please provide level of support requested for each support Tier? For example, does a one hour return call support meet the operational need for Tier II and III support? | 1. Yes, the help desk support is 24hours/day x 7 days x 365 days per year. |
2. See response to question 7.
| 4-Jun-10 | 57 | Section J, Attachment 16, paragraph 5.2.2 vs. paragraph 5.0 | The Government specifies operational and test systems at Government owned and managed locations, and a development system at the contractors facilities. Paragraph 5 does not indicate the location for the help desk personnel to have access to a system to support the process to resolve issues (without impacting other on-going activities). For the purposes of the proposal, should the contractors assume that the help desk personnel will have access to a system at the contractor's facilities? | Assume the contractor shall have access to the Government's Help Desk tracking system. The RFP will be amended to add this additional information. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 58 | Section J, Attachment 16, paragraph 4.0 vs. paragraph 5.1 | Paragraph 4 states that "The contractor shall analyze, develop, and evaluate application software to sustain…" while paragraph 5.1 state that "The contractor shall design, develop, test and install systems and software changes as well as provide problem resolutions for existing system." Can the contractor ignore potential differences in these two wordings, and use the wording in paragraph 5.x as the baseline for the proposal? | Paragraphs 5.1 through 5.6 are the requirements in more detail and are under paragraph 5.0 "Requirements." Paragraph 4.0 is the Scope paragraph and gives an overall idea of the types of work done under the sample task order. The Government will evaluate the offeror's response to the sample task order based on criteria defined in Sections L and M. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 59 | Section J, Attachment 16, page 5, paragraph 5.3 | The paragraph 5.3 states that "The contractor shall provide system maintenance activities to include maintaining the existing legacy system and environments IAW disciplined engineering practices." Can the Government clarify the contractor's role and/or requirements for the standard maintenance activities of the operational system, the test system, and the GFE provided development systems? Paragraph 5.1 indicated that the contractor was to perform software installations. Should the contractor assume that our pricing needs to include all aspects of operational support for software and hardware, since the reference time says "environment"? | Assume all operational environments and operational test environments are Government-owned and managed. The RFP will be amended to add this additional information. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 60 | RFP, Paragraph H138, page 56 | Will successful contractors be able to add labor categories as may be required by changes in the industry after the contract is awarded? | The list of labor categories and maximum labor rates is not an all inclusive list. Other labor categories can be proposed at the task order level, see Schedule B, CLIN 0003. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 61 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 18 , paragraph L6.2.2.4.1 | Section L6.2.2.4.1 Instructions states “Offerors shall provide a full labor category description (with qualifications) for each proposed LH rate describing the specific skill sets of the personnel the offeror would assign to each labor category”, can please specify how rates will be evaluated? Can you provide minimum requirement to standardized rate cost structure? |
Please confirm that all required hardware and software will be provided as GFE 1. Rates will be evaluated IAW Section M4.2. 2.The government provided minimum requirements for each labor category.
3. Yes, all required hardware and software will be provided as GFE.
| 4-Jun-10 | 62 | Are Subcontractors required to submit a separate cost proposal from the Prime? | No. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 63 | Section J, Attachment 14 | Can subcontractor’s cost be submitted as Time and Material for Cost Reimbursable Sample Task Order and Firm Fixed Price Sample Task Order? | No, Time and Materials for Cost Reimbursable Sample Task Order and Firm Fixed Price Sample Task Order shall not be submitted. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 64 | Section J, Attachment 14 | Are subcontractors required to submit completed tables provided in Attachment 14? Will the Government accept sealed envelope from the Subcontractors? | 1. Only the prime contractor is required to submit completed tables for Attachment 14. 2.Yes, provided the sealed envelope is submitted with prime's proposal and is "clearly marked sealed." |
| 4-Jun-10 | 65 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 3, paragraph L2.2(d) | If Prime Contractor is a JV and does not have a cognizant Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) POC, where should we submit required DCAA paper copy and one CD/DVD of proposal Volumes I, II, III, IV and V? | The offeror shall establish who their cognizant DCAA office is by using the website in the answer to question 66 using where the primary place of performance is for the Joint Venture. Once you establish your DCAA office, that is the office to submit your proposal to. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 66 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 3, paragraph L2.2(d) | Would the Government provide a DCAA Point of Contact in case Offerors do not have a cognizant Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) office | The website is http://www.dcaa.mil/ . The contractor should review the column to its left and select Audit Office Locator: CONUS or OCONUS. |
The government will contact DCMA to perform the Pre-Award Survey.
4-Jun-10 67 RFP, H133, page 57, paragraph 2 “Significant small business subcontractors used to provide Past Performance Information in proposal submission are considered 1st Tier subcontractors and shall not be substituted after contract award unless approved by NETCENTS-2 Application Services PCO.”
| Question: If a subcontractor’s Past Performance is not used in the proposal submission, can said subcontractor still be considered “1st Tier”? | Yes, you can have a first-tier subcontractor that you don't use for Past Performance Information. | ||
| 4-Jun-10 | 68 | RFP, Section H140, page 59, paragraph 7.a. |
Section J, Attachment 8, page 8, paragraph L4.2.3
| Section J, Attachment 9, page 2, paragraph M2.1 | Question: Please clarify the apparent discrepancy in CMMI requirements for the prime contractor’s engineering processes between what is stated in Section H, and what is stated in both Section J Attachment 8 (Section L) and Section J Attachment 9 (Section M) per the above references. | There is no inconsistency with H140 and Sections L and M. H140, which includes the CMMI Level 3 requirement is only applicable to a small business companion contractor that is unable to recertify as a small business concern based solely on internal growth to transition into the unrestricted multiple-award ID/IQ contract pool. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 69 | Section J, Attachment 1, page 19, paragraph 5.2.5 (3rd para) |
| Section J, Attachment 2, page 1, paragraph 2 and 3 | Please clarify whether the contractor is expected to pick up any or all costs of processing security clearances or National Agency Checks for accessing AF Systems. | As stated in Section J, Attachment 1 (PWS), Paragraph 5.2.5 Security, "In cases where access to systems such as e-mail is a requirement of the Government, application/cost for the PSI shall be the responsibility of the Government. In cases where access to systems is as a condition of the contract/ task order, application/cost for the appropriate PSI shall be the responsibility of the contractor." Further requirements regarding costs for processing security clearances or National Agency Checks will be identified at the task order level. | |||
| 4-Jun-10 | 70 | Section J, Attachment 1, page 11, paragraph 4.1 | The PWS states that contractors shall obtain all products and associated peripheral equipment required by each individual task order from the NETCENTS-2 Products contract. If a specific product is not available, can exceptions be made? | Yes exceptions will be considered. However, the scope of the NetCentric Products contract is for COTS netcentric products to include (COTS) software. It would be unusual to require a product that is not covered or can't be delivered under the NETCENTS-2 NetCentric Products contract. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 71 | Section J, Attachment 15, pages 2-3, paragraph 5 | The RFP states, “Historical data shows that the Government and contractor test personnel take 90-110 hours of effort for minor complexity releases, 350-450 hours of effort for medium complexity releases, and 1900-2000 hours for highly complex releases. The management (DBA/SA) of the two test environments historically took two FTEs of organic or contractor personnel at each site.” Can the Government separate contractor personnel hours from those of Government for BOE and pricing purposes? | Historical data shows 2 FTE's, which could either be Government or contractor. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 72 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 6, paragraph L2.3.2 | The solicitation indicates that the required font must be Times New Roman. For graphics and tables, can Arial be used as long as the point size is 8? | All fonts shall be Times New Roman in accordance with Section J, Attachment 8, paragraph L2.3.2. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 73 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 12, paragraph L4.3 | The solicitation requests a Cross Reference Matrix to be included at the end of the Volume II – Technical Proposal for each of the sections contained within. However, the column for mapping offerors proposal responses indicates that volume, page, and paragraph should be included. Does this mean that a Cross Reference Matrix should be included for all five proposal volumes? If yes, similar to Volume II, should the respective matrices be placed at the end of each volume? | No, Cross Reference Matrix is to be included for the Technical Volume alone. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 74 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 19, paragraph L7.0 | In several places, the solicitation indicates that a Small Business Participation and Subcontracting Plans are only required for large business primes. However, Section L7.0, Contract Documentation indicates that this volume should include these artifacts. Please confirm that these Plans are not required for small business participation on the NETCENTS-2 Application Services Small Business Companion Acquisition IDIQ. | See answer to question 15. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 75 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 5, paragraph L2.2 Table 1 - Proposal Organization | In the update from the early versions of the draft RFP to the final, the Government removed the ability to use an ISO 9001 certification as the basis for a Pass rating in the Quality subfactor. Based on several years of discussions and representations by the Government including a reference in the final draft RFP in Section L to using an ISO 9001 Certification, we have been marching toward an anticipated contract award building our quality process plan focusing on ISO 9001 compliance with our proposal, then CMMI Level 2 later in the year, and finally, CMMI Level 3 by contract award. On paper, our approach would have generated a Pass rating in this factor. However, we now perceive a risk in our approach if we are unable to “extensively” document our processes to the evaluator’s satisfaction within the allotted 20 pages. Would the Government consider re-adding the language to allow for ISO 9001 certification to meet the requirement? | See response to question number 76. | |
| 4-Jun-10 | 76 | Section J, Attachment 8, page 5, paragraph L2.2 Table 1 - Proposal Organization | 7. L2.2 Table 1 – Proposal Organization (p. 5 of 21) In the update from the early versions of the RFP to the final, the Government removed the ability in Section L to use an ISO 9001 certification as the basis for a Pass rating in the Quality subfactor. We now perceive a risk in our approach if we are unable to “extensively” document our processes to the evaluator’s satisfaction within the allotted 20 pages. Would the Government consider returning to the final draft RFP position that included an unlimited page count for the documentation of Quality Processes? | The Government will not require ISO 9001 certification for the Application Services Small Business Contract; however, the offeror may provide evidence of other documentation that supports the requirement for documented systems engineering processes, as identified in paragraph L4.2.3. (The ISO 9001 requirement in the Application Services SB DRFP was identified only in Table 1, NETCENTS-2 Proposal Organization and Page Count by mistake. The actual paragraphs within the PWS and Sections L and M make no mention of the ISO 9001 certification requirement). |
The 20 page allotted is adequate.
| 4-Jun-10 | 77 | RFP, Section H139, page 57 | Question 1: Is there a requirement for submission of a Small Business Subcontracting Plan for the Large teammates under this solicitation? | |
| Question 2: If H139 overrides the requirement for a Subcontracting Plan is CDRL A006 to be completed by each Large teammate semiannually to be submitted to the CO during PMRs? | 1. No, not for proposal submission. |
2. See response to question 13.
| 4-Jun-10 | 78 | Section J, Attachment 16, page 1, paragraph 1.2.4 | The Summary Cost Task Order Offer is for the Cost Reimbursable Task. Is this an error? If so what are the travel requirements for the FFP Sample Task Order. | See response to question 44. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 79 | Section J, Attachment 15, page 1, paragraph 1.2.4 | The Summary Cost Task Order Offer sheet for the Cost Reimbursable Task Order contains trip location to Washington DC. Are we to assume 1% of labor costs for these trips? | See response to question 44. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 80 | RFP, Section B, CLIN 0001 and B030, B031 | Question 1: The solicitation only requests hourly rates for Labor Hour contract type. How will labor rates be established for CLIN 0001, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP). |
Question 2: Are the Incentive Fee and Award Fee to be proposed in this solicitation or in the individual Task Orders upon award of a Basic. 1. Labor Rates for the Firm Fixed Price CLIN will be proposed at the task order level and determined fair and reasonable by the task order Contracting Officer when you respond to a RFP/RFQ.
2. To be proposed at the task order level.
| 4-Jun-10 | 81 | RFP, Section B, CLIN 0002, B038 and Section I, 5352.216-9003 | Is the Award Fee to be proposed under this solicitation or cited in each individual task order? | Yes, the Award Fee (if applicable) will be proposed on individual task orders. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 82 | RFP, Section I, 52.244-05 Competition in Subcontracting, page 66 | Assume that the intent of this solicitation is for the contractor to assemble a team to fill all required capabilities. With this in mind does this clause apply to subcontracting with the proposed teaming partners? Also assume that the teaming partners will be marketing this effort and will bring opportunities to the prime. Same question, does this FAR clause apply? | At the task order level when the cost type CLIN is used IAW FAR 44.204, any subcontract will have to meet the requirements of 52.244-05. Task Order Contracting Officers will determine which clause/provision applies to their RFP/RFQ and include the applicable clauses. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 83 | RFP, Section I, 252.237-7006 Subcontracting, page 70 | Does this DFARS clause apply to the Teaming Partners or will they be considered pre-approved at award? | This DFARs clause does not apply and will be removed. |
| 4-Jun-10 | 84 | RFP, Section I, 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, page 63 | Does this clause apply to the entire Basic ID/IQ Agreement? Will the prime be required to work the required percentages by Task Order or on the aggregate ID/IQ? Do small subcontractors count toward the required percentages. | 1. The clause applies at the task order level. |
2. Yes, the prime will be required to work the percentages in the clause per task order.
3. No, in accordance with the clause, the percentage of cost shall be employee of the concern.
4-Jun-10 85 Section J, Attachment 1, page 12, paragraph 4.6 Page 12 of 26, Para 4.6 Security states “The contractor shall provide application services support for Certification and Accreditation (C&A) processes, DIACAP processes, SISSU processes, Enterprise Information Technology Data Repository (EITDR) certification or ICD 503.”
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