EC2 Draft RFP Q and A Final.pdf

Q# Document Pg # Par. # Comment/Question Response

Page 2 (Section L);

Page 12 (Ordering Guide)

L.2.1 (Section L);

2nd Para titled

FOPR

(Ordering Guide)

In paragraph L.2.1, the Gov't invokes FAR Subpart 19.502-4 and indicates this acquisition will be "set-aside for Small Business and a portion of the requirement may be set-aside for other socio-economic small business set-asides in accordance with agency procedures and the EC2 Ordering Guide". This appears to indicate there will be no opportunity for Other Than Small Businesses (aka Large Businesses) to participate in this acquisition at the basic contract level (ID/IQ). If this acquisition is intended to restrict Large Businesses from submitting offers at the basic contract level (ID/IQ), this is contradicted in the EC2 Ordering Guide, under the Fair Opportunity Ordering Procedures (FOPR) paragraph shown on page 12, 2nd paragraph, in which the FOPR states "Pools will not be established for this contract. It's in the Government's best interest to award the IDIQ's on an unrestricted basis and conduct SB set-asides at the TO-level, to the maximum extent practicable." Please clarify whether or not Large Businesses (per NAICS Code 541330; Revenue Size Standard $41.5M) shall be considered eligible or ineligible from submitting offers as a Prime Contractor in response to the Solicitation at the basic contract level (IDIQ).

The acquisition, to include the ordering guide does not restrict other than small businesses from receiving IDIQ awards. Large businesses will be eligible for submitting offers as a prime contractor and receive IDIQ awards. The ordering guide is used to support the ordering activity at the task order level.

2 A Solicitation 9 (Sec. F) 1 Does the Government intend for Line Item 0002 to be the Option Period? If so, does the PoP need to be adjusted to reflect the dates 9 May 2028 - 8 May 2033?

The Government will be updating the line items on the Final RFP. There will be an option period Line Item and the PoPs will be adjusted.

3 Work Sample Cover Sheet 3 1 Can the Government please clarify the primary scope of work areas that should be mapped into this section? Is it the Government's intention that this should map to the Specialty Area? Yes

4 Work Sample Cover Sheet 3 1 Can the Government please clarify what is required to be entered with regard to the Percentage of SOC-E Program Areas Covered under work sample, should this reflect the Percentage of Specialty Areas covered?

This will be corrected in the Final RFP. Should read EC2, not SOC-E.

5 L-M 10 L.6.8.2 Can work samples include IPR slides or MSRs?

Section L.8.6.2 will be revised to provide further clarification of work sample submissions. The work samples shall consist of only official contract documentation. "Official contract documentation" includes key documents integral to contract performance, including contracts, orders, modifications, PWS/SOW/SOO, CDRLs, subcontracting plans, invoices, meeting minutes, progress reports, monthly status reports, or other reports. The contractor may submit other documentation it regards to be integral to the contract (i.e., CPARS, FPDS, memos from COs/government official/prime contractor), but offerors are cautioned that the documentation is validated for past experience (not past performance) and that authenticity (contract-contemporaneous documents) and level of detail are critical considerations of any work sample.

The Government cautions offerors to ensure detailed information (through the work sample and attachments (Atch 6). Do not presume that the government will necessarily extrapolate details that are not clearly presented. Submission of relevant excerpts (vice submitting an entire document) is recommended. In Atch 6 and the work sample, spelling out critical acronyms, providing "lay person" explanations, and marking/highlighting (or otherwise distinguishing) key excerpts may also ensure that the Government may consider the work sample and its nexus to the SAs under the IDIQ. The markings/highlighting should be evident that the marking/highlighting were newly-added by the offeror and not part of the original document.

6 L-M 8 L.7.6 Does a JV need to be registered in SAM? Or can the managing member be the one in SAM? Yes, the JV must be registered in SAM. See FAR 52.204-7.

7 L-M 10 L.8.7.1 Can a company use the same work samples on multiple teams/bids? Yes.

8 PWS 4 1.3 What will be the approximate total FTE count for EC2 contract? In addition, what are the priority key fills at the time of contract award?

Cannot be determined at the IDIQ level, all service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

Average AMIC cyber contract FTEs are 20-50, there can be more or less as determined by the requirement at the TO level.

9 PWS 4 1.3 Who are considered key personnel (Program Manager, Cyber/Information Technology (IT) Project Manager, etc.)?

Cannot be determined at the IDIQ level, albeit the positions you’ve mentioned are typically "key" on most cyber-related contracts.

10 PWS 4 1.3 What will be the approximate total FTE count for EC2 contract? In addition, what are the priority key fills at the time of contract award?

Cannot be determined at the IDIQ level, all service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

Average AMIC cyber contract FTEs are 20-50, there can be more or less as determined by the requirement at the TO level.

11 PWS 4 1.3 Who are considered key personnel (Program Manager, Cyber/Information Technology (IT) Project Manager, etc.)?

Cannot be determined at the IDIQ level, all service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

Average AMIC cyber contract FTEs are 20-50, there can be more or less as determined by the requirement at the TO level.

12 PWS 4 1.4 Is there an annual Award Term Plan to award each additional Option Year? How are the 5-Option Years going to be awarded? 5-Year Base Period + One 5-Year Option Period

13 PWS 4 1.4 Is there an annual Award Term Plan to award each additional Option Year? How are the 5-Option Years going to be awarded? 5-Year Base Period + One 5-Year Option Period

14 PWS 5 2.1 What are the classifications of the networks to be serviced (e.g. Unclassified, Secret, Top Secret, NSAnet, etc)? Cannot be determined at the IDIQ level, all service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

15 PWS 5 2.1 What are the classifications of the networks to be serviced (e.g. Unclassified, Secret, Top Secret, NSAnet, etc.)? Cannot be determined at the IDIQ level, all service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

16 PWS 8 2.7

The current Draft RFP in the PWS section 2.7, it was noticed that Cyber Modeling, Simulation and Ranges were left out from the previous Pre Solicitation Draft RFP. Was this intentional and/or an Administrative error? (Of note this verbiage is in the Solicitation Document on page 5)

Intentionally removed. Modelling work nests under PWS 2.1.1 and can be performed by a Data Analyst, and the other positions all nest under other SAs as applicable.

17 PWS 8 2.7

The current Draft RFP in the PWS section 2.7, it was noticed that verbiage from the previous Solicitation Draft RFP referenced full-spectrum cyberoperations (old section 2.8). In the current version of the Draft RFP is the Governments intent to cover Full-Spectrum Operations across the section (e.g. cyber network exploitation, cyber operations?)

Intentionally removed. Full Spectrum Cyber Operations falls under any or all of the Categories/SA.

18 Subcontractor Teaming Partner Consent Letter 1 3

The third paragraph in this attachment refers to DUNS, which was replaced on 4 April 2022 by Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as the primary means of entity identification.

Q: Does the Government intend to revise this document, replacing DUNS with UEI?

The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This form will be updated in the Final

RFP.

19 L-M 20 4 Will there be different HTRO requirements for small and large businesses? Methodology will be revised (no longer referred to as HRTO), and there will not be unique methodology applied to small businesses vice large businesses.

20 Ordering Guide 9 5

Contract Type lists Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Firm Fixed Price level of Effort (FFP-LOE), and Cost Reimbursable (CR). However the Draft Solicitation document (attachment A) in Section B on Page 3 indicates that there will also be Cost type Contracts as well (CPFF, CPIF, and CPAF). Can the government confirm that there will be Cost type contracts under the IDIQ as stated in the solicitation?

There may be any type of contract/task order issued under the EC2 program. This has been updated to Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursement from which all other types of contracts may be awarded.

21 L-M 20 5

"To advance past Step 2, the Government-validated Past Experience Score must demonstrate qualifying experience in at least 90% overall of the EC2 Specialty Areas (SA), which equates to at least twenty-eight (28) of the thirty one (31) SA as defined in Section L. ", Will the Government consider amending this language for Small Businesses "For Small Businesses to advance past Step 2, the Government-validated Past Experience Score must demonstrate qualifying experience in at least 90% in only the EC2 Specialty Areas (SA) Past Experience is being submitted."

This requirement/language will remain unchanged in the Final RFP.

22 PWS 10 5.1

Will the Prime Contractor be required to lease SCIF spaces or will all work be performed in Government facilities? If so, will the SCIF agreement be finalized at the time of EC2 contract proposal submission?

Likely no, however, this cannot be determined at the IDIQ level. All service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

23 PWS 13 5.1 How many Task Orders (TO) will there be time of award? Will there only be just the IDIQ base award? There will be one TO issued to each awardee.

24 PWS 11 5.5

Performance overseas requires unique tax accounting, import of equipment, and employee benefits such as COLA and requires significant lead time to set up. Can the government identify the anticipated number of Task Orders to be issued for each Locations of Work identified, and specify the anticipated OCONUS locations?

Primary: JBSA-Lackland, Port San Antonio, and San Antonio, TX Alternate:

- Nellis AFB NV and the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR).

- Norfolk NAS, VA.

- Ft Kit Carson, CO. Joint Electric Power Range (JEPR)

- Playas, NM. IW Combat Range

- Additional locations, including OCONUS areas, may be required and will be identified in subordinate TOs created under this contract.

The Government can't provide the anticipated number of task orders to be issued to each location at this time.

25 PWS 11 5.5 Is work out of the primary or alternate sites currently being done remotely? If so, when is it expected for work to return on site?

Likely no, however, this cannot be determined at the IDIQ level. All service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

The Final EC2 RFP will be posted at a later date. The Government is not bound by the below Q&As in relation to the EC2 Final RFP. The Final RFP will be a sovereign, stand-alone document not related to the Draft RFP, the below Q&As, previous RFIs, or any other previous postings or communications issued by the Government. The purpose of the below Q&As (and all previous correspondence) is to collect suggestions, areas of improvement, and industry's best practices so it may incorporate those best practices into the EC2 Final RFP. The purpose of these communications is to maximize the accuracy and succinctness of the Government's requirement so interested parties may have the best opportunity to participate and receive an IDIQ award. Please refer to the provisions of the Final RFP for the Government's official RFP terms, conditions, instructions, and evaluation criteria before submitting a proposal. The anticipated date for the Final RFP release is not known at this time. 20 Jul 2022

26 PWS 11 5.5 What is the government's anticipated remote capabilities across task orders? We acknowledge that COVID has changed the work environment significantly; however, this cannot be determined at the IDIQ level. All service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

27 PWS 11 5.5 The Performance Work Statement states that locations are subject to change. Are locations still subject to change following award? The locations will be based on the task order requirements stated in the task order PWS.

28 PWS 11 5.5 Are the CONUS Places of Performance locations final as stated in the PWS or will there be more added with follow-on TTOs? The locations will be based on the task order requirements stated in the task order PWS.

29 PWS 11 5.5 Will all work under subsequent task orders be performed in the work locations identified in Attachment 14 EC2 Ordering Guide, or is remote work anticipated?

We acknowledge that COVID has changed the work environment significantly; however, this cannot be determined at the IDIQ level. All service delivery requirements exist at the TO level.

The Ordering Guide will be corrected in the Final RFP.

30 PWS 11 5.5

Is there any way to get a list of OCONUS locations as we will all need to get insurance to support our personnel in AOR? We are going to have to be able to identify the scope of travel for us to get a quote. This may be a heavy reach for a small business if they do not help us provide the information that would be cost-effective to get the proper insurance to protect our companies and personnel while over in operations over seas. Are there going to be other locations outside of Germany? The document reads one-way one and but the requirements are broad.

OCONUS locations are not limited to Germany. At the task order level, offerors will be provided more information

31 PWS 16 7

Could the Government please advise if post-differential and danger pay maybe applicable under this IDIQ based on the specific OCONUS location(s)? If yes, will the guidelines of this pricing be stated within the task order and/or EC2 ordering guide?

This will be defined at the task order level if applicable.

32 PWS 16 8 Should the Prime Contractor have policies and procedures in place for OCONUS travel requirements at the time of the base IDIQ contract award? This is a TO driven requirement and is not required at IDIQ award.

33 dd 1 9 Block 9 of the solicitation states bids will be accepted until 12:00pm on 5 October 2022. Is this the anticipated due dates of RFPs, if so what is the anticipated date of the RFP release?

This will be corrected/updated upon final RFP release. The anticipated date of the RFP Release is 6 July 2022.

34 L-M - - When will the Government provide the conformed RFP that includes all Q&A updates? The conformed RFP will be provided in the form of the Final RFP.

35 L-M - - Does the Government anticipate providing industry with a forward-looking forecast of future planned task orders?

The Government does not anticipate providing forward-looking forecasts of future planned task orders at this time.

36 A Solicitation - - Does the Government intend to globally change areas in its RFP documentation in which an Offeror's DUNS# is requested, to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) since SAM.gov states that DUNS# are being removed from the system?

The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This will be updated in the Final RFP.

37 L-M 1 L.1.2.1 Please clarify the contents required in Volume I. L.1.2.1 is not consistent with L.5 Table 1 list of sections/contents. This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

38 L-M 11 L.8.7.1.1

According to the draft RFP, in mentor-protégé JVs, protégés must demonstrate experience in 6 SAs. Would the Government please confirm that for a given SA, the protégé can provide one work sample and the mentor may provide another to result in the maximum of two work samples per SA?

Confirmed. From the thirty-one defined categories/specialty areas, the JV must demonstrate the contributions/experience of the protégé member in a minimum of six of the defined categories/specialty areas (SAs). For the 6 SA, the protégé partner could provide one work sample and the mentor partner could provide another work sample (maximum of two work samples per SA).

39 L-M 17 M.4.2

Reference: In order to demonstrate relevant past experience, the offeror should deliver a proposal, either expressly or inherently, having performed the performance and task level objectives stated in the PWS and PWS Supplement.

Q: Can the Government specify if in Attachment 2, PWS Supplement, all "tasks" must have been performed to show adequate relevancy? For example if 10 tasks were met out of 14 sited?

The PWS provides the relevant categories and specialty areas. The PWS supplement integrates those SAs (with the task IDs, KSAs, and more). The solicitation does not prescribe that the work sample must explicitly state each and every task ID or task (or KSA). However, where an offeror cites a work sample that is vague, does not address the tasks, or provides little nexus to the SA under the IDIQ, then the government cannot extrapolate and simply may not be able to validate that work sample.

40 L-M Is a cover letter required in any volume? Each volume is required to include a cover page per L.4.2.2

41 L-M Should offerors add "Attachment" to the respective files for submission? Or use the listed naming format for Volume files for Attachment files? Please use the listed naming format provided.

42 L-M In many instances the Attachment number in the file name does not match the number listed in the document. For example, this document file name is "12" but 15 is listed in the document name above.

This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

43 Team Structure

Attachment 4 Column G requires information on the "Verification of Prime Status (i.e. prime contract references for Team Member)" Question: What does the verification of "Prime Status" include or what RFP requirement does it address?

This column has been deleted.

44 A Solicitation 83-85

Question 1: Will clauses 252.234-7001 & 252.234-7002 (Earned Value System) be applied at the task orders level if it’s over $100M?

Question 2: If a SB or LB does not have an EVMS in place will the Government allow a suitable substitution or will the SB/LB not qualify for an award if EVMS is not established?

Question 3: If the order is below $100M will the Government require for the contractor to have

EVMS?

These clauses will not be included in the Final RFP. Ordering Contracting Officers (OCO) will determine whether these clauses will be included in Task Orders based on FAR & DFARS prescription language.

45 L-M

Please confirm that the word “Offeror” as used throughout Sections L & M includes the proposed prime contractor’s corporate parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates for the purposes of submitting relevant experience references? Case law from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) indicates that the response should be “Yes,” but we wanted to confirm. Contractor can provide the case law upon request.

The offeror is the prime contractor with its respective Tax ID, Unique Entity Identifier (UIE), and cage code. The offeror may be a joint venture (with its own Tax ID, UIE, cage code). An offeror may have other companies/entities which support the prime contractor in performance under the IDIQ. A subsidiary, parent, or affiliate company may also support the prime contractor in performance under the IDIQ. However, for government consideration of the capabilities of the supporting company's past experience or past performance, it's incumbent upon the offeror to demonstrate that the company will be supporting the offeror and describe how they will be supporting the offeror under this IDIQ. See Attachment 3.

46 Team Structure

Attachment 4 Teaming Structure Column G states "Verification of Prime Status (i.e. prime contract references for Team Member)". What is the method of verification required to be entered into this cell? For example on the GSA Services MAC multiple award IDIQ competition, they are requiring offerors to provide an FPDS-NS report of their prime contracts. Recommend AF EC2 require FPDS-NS report as the verification of at least one prime contract for each teaming partner / subcontractor listed on attachment 4. This report can be included in an appendix within Vol 2.

Attachment 4 and other provisions will be revised to eliminate requirement of the agreement (teaming agreement or joint venture agreement). However, the Offeror must identify the teaming partners (companies) which will support the Offeror in the performance of the IDIQ (Atch 3) The "verification of prime status" provision will be deleted.

47 Team Structure Attachment 4 Teaming Structure Column G states "Verification of Prime Status (i.e. prime contract references for Team Member)". Work samples and past performances recency is 3 years as of the date of the final RFP. What is the recency requirement for prime experience?

Column G has been removed. Past experiences and work sample qualifications at L.8.7.5 provide work must be no older than 3 years.

48 Misc The numbering of the attachment files often conflicts with the Attachment Number within the file.

Would the Government please make sure that the numbering of files aligns with the Attachment Numbers?

The numbering mistakes will be corrected in the Final RFP.

49 Misc Due to the nature of the work described in the RFP, the description of past performance of many relevant programs are contained within classified statements of work. Will there be any way to cite this type of work either by reference or through submission via classified channels?

Classified proposal information shall not be submitted and will not be evaluated. The burden of proof is defined at L.8.5. The Government will evaluate unclassified proposal information only and determine if the past experience is relevant IAW M.4.1.

50 Offeror Company Information 1 Remove reference to "DUNS" and replace with "UEI" The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This has been updated.

51 PWS Supplement

Regarding PWS Supplement Task Descriptions and the Self-Scoring Matrix: PWS Supplement Task Descriptions, Labor Category tab: Has AN-LNG-001, Multi-Disciplined Language Analyst aligned with PWS Task 2.4.4, Targets and has AN-TGT-002, Target Network Analyst aligned with PWS task 2.5.4, but there is no PWS task 2.5.4. Likewise, the Self Scoring Matrix has 2.4.5, Language Targets, but there are no Labor Categories listed for 2.4.5 in the PWS Supplement Task Descriptions (i.e., 2.4.5 is missing from the Labor Categories tab). Please confirm that either: 1) AN-TGT-002 should be aligned with PWS 2.4.4, Targets and that AN-LNG-001 should be aligned with PWS 2.4.5, Language Analysis on the PWS Supplement Task Descriptions document; or 2) AN-LNG-001 will remain aligned with PWS 2.44, Targets and that AN-TGT-002 will be aligned with PWS 2.4.5, Language Analysis.

This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

52 A Solicitation 1 What is the projected date for Final RFP Release? What is the anticipated due date? Anticipated: 6 July 2022 RFP issuance date and 9 September 2022 proposal due date.

53 Ordering Guide Can the government provide an estimate on the percentage of value or task orders that will be set aside for small business and other socioeconomic small business set asides?

The intent of stating “partial small business set-aside” by the Government was to indicate to industry that the rule of 2 will be applied at the task order (TO) level allowing for 100% and/or socio-economic small business set-asides. The attempt by using “partial set-aside” vice “Full and Open” was to emphasis that small business set-asides are allowed and anticipated for many requirements at the TO level. There is not an estimate at this point of how many TOs will be set-aside or a specific “type of work” that will be set-aside. The SB set-aside will be determined on every task order based on results of market research (IAW the ordering guide).

54 A Solicitation 24 DFARS 252.239-

Regarding DFAR 252.239-7018 Supply Chain Risk. Feb 2019, is a Supply Chain Risk Management Plan required at the IDIQ level? And will it be based on NIST SP 800-161r1? A Supply Chain Risk Management Plan will not be required at the IDIQ level.

55 A Solicitation 103 DFARS 252.239-

Regarding DFAR 252.239-7017 Notice of Supply Chain Risk. Feb 2019, is a Supply Chain Risk Management Plan required at the IDIQ level? And will it be based on NIST SP 800-161r1?

NOTE: DFAR clause is incorrectly cited on this page.

A Supply Chain Risk Management Plan will not be required at the IDIQ level.

56 Question and Answer Matrix 1

The Note indicates that "If Prime is checked above, offerors must submit all completed CPARS reports … " but the Answers to Questions 17, 18, 118 indicate that "the Government does not expect to require Offerors to submit CPARS ". Please clarify the instructions and if we should assume that the Answers to the Questions is OBE since the Section L also calls for the submission of CPARs.

1) Offerors must provide either a PPQ or CPAR IAW M.5.2. 2) If offerors have CPARS within the last 3 years they must be provided IAW L.9.5.4. 3) Attachment 12 will be updated in the Final

RFP.

57 Work Sample Cover Sheet 1 Row 11 of the Work Sample Cover Sheet asks for the "PERCENTAGE OF SOC-E PROGRAM AREAS COVERED UNDER WORK SAMPLE ". Is this Security Operations Center-Enterprise? If not, please clarify what is meant by "SOC-E ".

This was an error and will be corrected in the Final RFP.

58 PWS Supplement 2.2.3 and MP-SPP-002

7._Self- Scoring_Matrix.

xlsx and 2._PWS_Supple mentTask_Descr iptions.xlsx

The Subtasks for 2.2 Management and Policy are listed on Tab MP-SPP-002 on the attached spreadsheet. Cyber Policy and Strategy Planner (MP-SPP-002) relates to developing and maintaining cybersecurity plans, strategy, and policy to support and align with organizational cybersecurity initiatives and regulatory compliance. Could the Government please provide guidance regarding self-scoring for 2.2.3, management, administration, financial and acquisition?

MP-PMA-001 through MP-PMA-005 provide the requested KSAs and Tasks.

59 Scoring Sheet Directions NA Significant changes were made to the scoring and self-assessment spreadsheets but a revised scoring sheet directions document was not provided as part of Update 11. Could the government provide a revised directions sheet as part of this pre-solicitation process?

Revised direction sheet will be provided in the final RFP.

60 Work Sample Cover Sheet 1

"PERCENTAGE OF SOC-E PROGRAM AREAS COVERED UNDER WORK SAMPLE" -

Please clarify if this is asking for the percent of the 31 specialty areas covered by the work sample?

This was an error an will be corrected in the Final RFP.

61 Work Sample Cover Sheet 1

"Was this work sample performed as the Prime Contractor?" The response for this question is prime or subcontractor. If the work sample was performed by a member of a joint venture who is proposing as an individual offeror not as that joint venture, should this question be answered "prime" and is a explanation required so that the government understands that the offeror was a joint venture member?

The offeror (Joint Venture) includes the JV partners. The offeror may rely on the capabilities, past performance, experience, business systems, and certifications of its partners. Atch 6, Part I seeks information on the past contract (work sample). When asked "Was this work sample performed as the Prime Contractor?", the answer should be in the affirmative if the JV or any of its partners was the prime contractor. If the JV and all its partners was not the prime contractor, then the answer should be in the negative.

62 MISC

Work products aligned to some of the specialty areas might require redacting the classified version of the PWS to be able to submit. Will the government have the ability to assess classified PWS documents and if not, will the burden of proof be with the offeror or the contracting officer to determine if the work sample demonstrates the specialty area?

No. Classified proposal information shall not be submitted and will not be evaluated. The burden of proof is defined at L.8.5. The Government will evaluate unclassified proposal information only and determine if the past experience is relevant IAW M.4.1.

63 L-M L.1.2.4 L.9

L.1.2.4 lists Subcontractor/Teaming Member Consent Letter as part of the Vol IV Past Performance but it is not listed in L.9. Volume IV Organization. Is a Subcontractor/Teaming Member Consent Letter requested in both Vol II and Vol IV?

This will be corrected in the Final RFP. The Subcontractor/Teaming Member Consent Letter is required in Volume II only.

64 L-M

To receive credit in a Specialty Area, does an offeror’s Work Sample need to show that experience for the associated performance objectives as identified in the PWS and all tasks identified in the associated LCATS within the PWS Supplement. For example, for 2.1.1 Data Administration, do offerors have to show experience performing PWS task 2.1.1.1, all 14 tasks in LCAT OM-DTA-001, and all 23 tasks in LCAT OM-DTA-002?

The offeror should demonstrate, to the maximum extent practicable, their past experience matches the size, scope, and nature of the work described in the PWS and PWS Supplement.

65 Work Sample How do you want the offeror’s Work Samples to be marked for scoring? For example, is it acceptable to use highlighting and annotations?

Use of Attachment 8 - Cross-Reference Matrix is key. Markings on the work sample are acceptable at the discretion of the offeror.

66 Work Sample Cover Sheet 3

In Attachment 6 the Primary Scope of Work (within the instructions on page 3) identifies Program Management, Operations & Maintenance, Install/Warehouse, SOC-Enterprise Services/Helpdesk as the only choices to select on the Work Sample Cover Sheet. Please confirm these scope areas are for EC2.

This was an error and will be corrected in the Final RFP.

67 Team Structure

Column G of Attachment 4 requires us to indicate whether or not a team member is a Prime Contractor for the purpose of supporting reference qualifications. Can the government confirm if this information is still required or is this hold over from the Draft RFP from Update 8 (Nov 2021)? The current DRFP does not require team members to have conducted work as prime contractors to participate or submit work samples; thus the column appears to conflict with the

RFP.

This column has been deleted.

68 Team Structure Column D requires an update from DUNS to UEI. The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This form will be updated in the Final

RFP.

69 Team Structure Recommend adding columns for e-mail address and telephone number to Attachment 4 to efficiently meet the requirements in M.2.3(h). Phone number and email address columns have been added to attachment 4.

70 A Solicitation How many Small Business awards are anticipated?

The intent of stating “partial small business set-aside” by the Government was to indicate to industry that the rule of 2 will be applied at the task order (TO) level allowing for 100% and/or socio-economic small business set-asides. The attempt by using “partial set-aside” vice “Full and Open” was to emphasis that small business set-asides are allowed and anticipated for many requirements at the TO level. There is not an estimate at this point of how many TOs will be set-aside or a specific “type of work” that will be set-aside. The SB set-aside will be determined on every task order based on results of market research (IAW the ordering guide).

71 A Solicitation How many awardees will there be for the IDIQ vehicle? The Government is unable to estimate how many awardees will be selected at this time.

72 A Solicitation How many Small Business task orders are anticipated to be released per year?

The intent of stating “partial small business set-aside” by the Government was to indicate to industry that the rule of 2 will be applied at the task order (TO) level allowing for 100% and/or socio-economic small business set-asides. The attempt by using “partial set-aside” vice “Full and Open” was to emphasis that small business set-asides are allowed and anticipated for many requirements at the TO level. There is not an estimate at this point of how many TOs will be set-aside or a specific “type of work” that will be set-aside. The SB set-aside will be determined on every task order based on results of market research (IAW the ordering guide).

73 A Solicitation How many Large Business task orders are anticipated to be released per year?

The intent of stating “partial small business set-aside” by the Government was to indicate to industry that the rule of 2 will be applied at the task order (TO) level allowing for 100% and/or socio-economic small business set-asides. The attempt by using “partial set-aside” vice “Full and Open” was to emphasis that small business set-asides are allowed and anticipated for many requirements at the TO level. There is not an estimate at this point of how many TOs will be set-aside or a specific “type of work” that will be set-aside. The SB set-aside will be determined on every task order based on results of market research (IAW the ordering guide).

74 Ordering Guide 37 / 20

The solicitation states that the contractor is required to comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting "[b]y the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period." However, the Ordering Guide states that the contractor is required to "comply with the limitations on subcontracting by the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract." Is it intended that the first requirement applies on the IDIQ level and the second on the TO level?

Large Business Prime Contractors will submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan as part of the EC2 IDIQ proposal. Subcontracting Goals will be provided in the Final RFP IAW FAR 19.705-2

(e) A contract may not have more than one subcontracting plan. However, an Ordering Contracting Officer may establish separate subcontracting goals for each order under an IDIQ contract The Ordering Guide will be updated to reflect this in the Final RFP.

75 PWS Supplement Are the listed knowledge, skills and abilities requirements or suggested guidance? Suggested/informational only. To be used as assistance in the self-scoring and by the Government to develop TOs.

76 PWS Supplement Is the list of skills and knowledge comprehensive or is it foreseeable that additional skills and knowledge may be required on specific task orders beyond what is included for each LCAT?

Suggested/informational only. To be used as assistance in the self-scoring and by the Government to develop TOs.

77 Offeror Company Information This document requests the offeror's DUNS. Should this request be for the offeror's UEI instead? The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This form has been updated.

78 Team Structure This document requests the DUNS for each team member. This request should be for the team member's UEI as required in RFP L.7.4.

The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This form will be updated in the Final

RFP.

79 Subcontractor Teaming Partner Consent Letter This document requests the subcontractor's DUNS. Should this request be for the subcontractor's

UEI instead?

The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This form will be updated in the Final

RFP.

80 Misc When is the final RFP anticipated to be released? 5 July 2022 is our current estimated Final RFP release date

81 Misc Can teaming partners be added after award? If not, how should bidders provide comprehensive documentation of teaming partners, given that some may not be providing work samples?

The government does not on- or off-ramp subcontractors, team members of a prime contractor.

IDIQ awardees (prime contractors) will not be precluded in proposing new teammates/subcontractors at the task order level. The Prime may add or remove Team Members as needed to fulfill requirements in Fair Opportunity Proposal Requests. The Prime has discretion as to how to structure its Team to meet Small Business goals, etc. The Prime may be a Large or Small Business. At the task order level, the government may consider the Prime contractor's team change and may require additional information (for example, past experience and past performance).

82 Misc Would the Government please confirm that a large business can submit a prime bid, and also participate in a JV bid for the small business portion? Confirmed.

83 Misc Will there be separate tracks for Unrestricted and Small Business? Small or Large Businesses do not have separate proposal instructions to be awarded an IDIQ.

84 Past Performance Information Sheet Form contains fields for DUNS numbers but should be Unique Entity Identifier. Would the Government clarify which one should be used?

The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This form will be updated in the Final

RFP.

85 Team Structure Would the Government provide instructions on how to complete Column G? This column has been deleted.

86 Past Performance Questionnaire 3

In the Past Performance Questionnaire, the contract POC is asked to "Please discuss all ratings except ‘Satisfactory’ or ‘Neutral’. Would the Government consider adding a fillable field to help the POC enter their answers? Also, if the POC declines to answer this request for the additional discussion and only provide the basic ratings, how will that affect the Government's assessment of Performance Quality?

Yes. This will be corrected/added in Final RFP.

87 Work Sample Cover Sheet 2 WORK SAMPLE COVER SHEET: What exactly does 500-characters mean exactly? Do narrative responses include spaces as well as letters or just letters? Yes, 500 characters includes spaces.

88 Past Performance Info Sheet 2-Jan

PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (PPI): How exactly should PP be annotated and provided and integrated into the overall proposal? A combination of references with the self scoring matrix and documents 6, 9, and 10? (#6 Work Sample Cover Sheet, PP info sheet, PP Questionnaire).

Following the instructions provided at L.9.

89 MISC Will the Government consider excluding spaces from the 500 character limit imposed upon Form 6 Past performance?

The 500 character limit includes spaces. The Government is confident 500 characters is enough to describe an individual work sample.

90 Work Sample Cover Sheet Will the Government send out a revised Form 6 that allows bidders to enter data into the form? This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

91 A Solicitation 1 Section J 3. Offeror Company Information, Pages Column, should read 1 This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

92 A Solicitation 1 Section J 10. Past Performance Questionnaire, Pages Column should read 4 This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

93 A Solicitation 1 Section J 11. DCAA Contractor Accounting System Pre-Award Survey, Pages Column should read 10 This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

94 L-M 5 L.5. Table 1 - Proposal Organization does not list SF33 and SF30 required by L-6.4 and L-6.5 respectively This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

95 L-M 6 Is L.6.6. Insurance Certificate required? It was struck under L.1.2.1.

This provision will be deleted. The government may require evidence of compliance (FAR clause 52.228-5, Insurance – Work on Government Installations in task order evaluations and contract administration.

96 L-M 16 M.2.6. Insurance Certificate. Will this be evaluated? It was struck under L.1.2.1.

This provision will be deleted. The government may require evidence of compliance (FAR clause 52.228-5, Insurance – Work on Government Installations in task order evaluations and contract administration.

97 Misc Atch 3, 5, 9 Reference: DUNS # Q: Should the offeror provide the UEI Number instead of the DUNS Number? The DUNS is no longer used. The UEI is now required. This will be updated in the Final RFP.

98 Misc Please confirm that offerors will be able to address potential OCIs on a “task order-by-task order basis” depending on the specific tasks required in situations where it is currently unclear at the IDIQ level whether a potential OCI may exist or would be created by the task order scope.

Confirmed. Identification of an actual or potential OCI for the IDIQ source selection is required, with mitigation plan as applicable. As services are required at the task order level, there may be other OCI issues, which will be addressed in the FOPR.

99 Misc When does the government expect to release the final RFP? 5 July 2022 is our current estimated Final RFP release date

100 L-M What will the anticipated turnaround time be for Task Order proposals?

The dollar value of the task order, number of tasks, complexity of task, and locations of performance, will directly impact the time it takes for an Ordering Contracting Officer to award.

The Government is unable to estimate a turnaround time at this time.

101 Misc Past Performance - when forming a team, does the teaming member or subcontractor past performance count towards the self scoring matrix and overall past performance to be submitted din the proposal?

Yes.

102 Misc When will the final acquisition schedule be available? The final RFP? Final Proposal submission date?

At the time the Final RFP is posted on SAM.gov we will provide the final proposal submission date.

103 Misc Will this be a mandatory use contract vehicle for the USAF? It’s not anticipated at this time.

104 Subcontractor Teaming Partner Consent Letter Subcontractor Teaming Partner Consent Letters referred to as Attachment 5 within Section L-M and Section J but Attachment 14 within the actual document This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

105 Work Sample Cover Sheet Work Sample Coversheet is referred to as Attachment 6 within Section L-M and Section J but Attachment 8 within the actual document This was an error and will be corrected in the Final RFP.

106 Cross Reference Matrix Column E - Reference Please verify that Column E mapping is only to the Specialty area and not to the Individual Tasks in the PWS Supplement? Confirmed, it maps to the Specialty Area.

107 Cross Reference Matrix Will approved\signed PMRs or Status Reports be acceptable as supporting documentation for Work Samples?

Section L.8.6.2 will be revised to provide further clarification of work sample submissions. The work samples shall consist of only official contract documentation. "Official contract documentation" includes key documents integral to contract performance, including contracts, orders, modifications, PWS/SOW/SOO, CDRLs, subcontracting plans, invoices, meeting minutes, progress reports, monthly status reports, or other reports. The contractor may submit other documentation it regards to be integral to the contract (i.e., CPARS, FPDS, memos from COs/government official/prime contractor), but offerors are cautioned that the documentation is validated for past experience (not past performance) and that authenticity (contract-contemporaneous documents) and level of detail are critical considerations of any work sample.

The Government cautions offerors to ensure detailed information (through the work sample and attachments (Atch 6). Do not presume that the government will necessarily extrapolate details that are not clearly presented. Submission of relevant excerpts (vice submitting an entire document) is recommended. In Atch 6 and the work sample, spelling out critical acronyms, providing "lay person" explanations, and marking/highlighting (or otherwise distinguishing) key excerpts may also ensure that the Government may consider the work sample and its nexus to the SAs under the IDIQ. The markings/highlighting should be evident that the marking/highlighting were newly-added by the offeror and not part of the original document.

108 Cross Reference Matrix Cross Reference Matrix is referred to as Attachment 8 within Section L-M and Section J but Attachment 10 within the actual document This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

109 Past Performance Information Sheet For the Past Performance Information Sheet shall the description show the mapping to all Tasks in Attachment 2, PWS Supplement

The PWS provides the relevant categories and specialty areas. The PWS supplement integrates those SAs (with the task IDs, KSAs, and more). The solicitation does not prescribe that the work sample must explicitly state each and every task ID or task (or KSA). However, where an offeror cites a work sample that is vague, does not address the tasks, or provides little nexus to the SA under the IDIQ, then the government cannot extrapolate and simply may not be able to validate that work sample.

110 Past Performance Information Sheet Past Performance Information Sheet is referred to as Attachment 9 within Section L-M and Section J but Attachment 12 within the actual document This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

111 Past Performance Questionnaire Past Performance Questionnaire is referred to as Attachment 10 within Section L-M and Section J but Attachment 13 within the actual document This will be corrected in the Final RFP.

112 Ordering Guide

In the post award contract phase does the EC2 contract and program office envision providing a Task Order (TO) tracking Data Base so EC 2 contract holders can have a repository to identify and track TO’s? (A number of other IDIQ’s include such a repository to contract holders to help in opportunity ID and tracking. It also helps maximizing competition and use of the EC2 IDIQ contract vehicle.

Thank you for your suggestion. The Government will consider this while creating after award admin procedures.

Work Sample Cover Sheet and Slide 31 (Work Sample Example from 17 May 2022 Pre RFP Conference and Section L Proposal Instructions

Instructions provided for Attachment 8, Page 3, Part III: Work Sample Description states that Offerors shall provide a brief description of the work sample. The information provided will not be evaluated by the Past Experience Evaluation Team. Can the Government please clarify how they want to see the Work Samples and if Offerors should reference the specific Labor Category -as Slide 31 is citing two LCATs for a "Good" Work Sample example.

This has been corrected. The work sample description will be evaluated by the evaluation team.

The organization and content of the work samples are described in Section L.8.7.

114 Misc Is there a dollar limit on the small business orders? No.

115 Past Performance Information

RFP Attachment 12 Past Performance Information (PPI) B.

Brief Description of Effort

*NOTE:

For references included from offeror subcontractors of which the subcontractor performed in a prime capacity, can the company send their CPARS directly to the EC2 CO/CS as long as all requirements are met (e.g., each CPARS page includes the Work Sample (WS) identifier)?

Offerors must submit proposal information in accordance with the proposal submission instructions included in Section L.

116 Ordering Guide 2 1. Introduction

EC2 Ordering Guide Introduction section states the IDIQ is a "contract vehicle with a ten (10)-year ordering period (five (5) year base, with five (5) single year options)." This does not agree with PWS Section 1.4 that states that "the period of performance shall be for five (5) Base Year with one five-year option." Can the Government confirm which period of performance is correct?

The period of performance shall be for five (5) Base Year with one five-year option. The Ordering Guide will be corrected in the Final RFP.

117 L-M 10 1.8.6.3 Work samples are limited to 2 per Specialty area. Is there a maximum number of Work samples for the entire submission?

Yes. The maximum number of work samples is: 31 Specialty Areas (SA) x 2 Work Samples per

SA = 62.

118 PWS 15 15.14.1

Would the contractor be required to maintain and monitor the training records, or will this be digitally monitored by the DWCA? Justification would be needed as a part of the fully burdened rate; will this require a resource for the vendor to monitor or monitor and maintain the training.

This could be a way to squeeze in getting Cyber resources training for entry-level.

The Contractor company is required to delivered certified indivuals as the time of TO award and IAW the IATO requirements for each FTE within that applicable TO. Moreover, the Contractor company is required to track all Contractor employee training and to maintain the continuous learning requirements for Contractor employees.

119 PWS 15 15.14.3

So only the personnel performing these tasks on the contract technically must have the 8570 certifications? We will have other cyber support analysis support functions that may not be supporting the requirements directly since there is an R&D task that could be a component of this.

This supports ups with the ability to staff.

IAM/IAT 8570 compliance is only required as specified in the TO.

120 PWS 15 15.4.3 Will the prime contractor be responsible for DOD 8570 verification of its subcontractors' personnel? Or is this the responsibility for the subcontractor for its own personnel?

Ultimately it is the Prime that is held accountable, but this is dependent on the agreement between the two companies. Subcontractors should be able to provide valid IAT or IAM certification to the Prime and the Government prior to placing Contractor employees on a TA.

121 A Solicitation 108 16 (FAR 15.404- 3(c))

Would the Government consider the removal of Subcontractor sealed bid proposals? If no, then would the Government limit the Subcontractor sealed bids to only Subcontractors who are performing at a minimum 20% of the workshare?

Sealed bid proposals are not included in this RFP.

122 PWS 5 2.1.3.1 This section states that the customer service rep "Typically provides initial incident information to the Incident Response (IR) Specialty." Is this the government's preferred approach?

No, it's informational only and based strictly on the NIST/NICE Cyber Framework. The approach will be defined at the TO level.

123 PWS 5 2.1.5.1

Both section 2.1.4.1 and 2.1.5.1 have Firewall Management listed. Is this to allow for certain TOs to have FW management fall to sysadmins if there isn't a network services component to the work or is the…