RFP_Questions_Answers_MARS-IV_FA9300-19-R-0001_20191030.pdf

Item # Question Government Response

1 For the Past Performance Volume, the PIFs are already two pages long without required information filled in. When filled in, they will be at least three pages long, and the 10-page limit on this volume will limit the number of PIFs submitted in the past performance volume to at most three entries.

We are looking at building a team to bid on this opportunity that could include at least one subcontractor and would therefore want to include past performance on more than three relevant contracts. Will the Government consider increasing the page count for this volume when the final RFP is released?

Per Attachment 5 Solicitation Provisions the pages count is "Limited to no more than 10 pages per contract submitted." The PPQ documents are not considered past of that page count.

2 I would like to know what we need to do as a small business to be able to work with the Air Force.

Contractors are required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Please contact our local Small Business Office 661-277-3640 for more information.

3 Can you tell me if this RFP ever came out? The draft RFP closed on 10/2 for questions and industry feedback. The RFP is expected to be released the week of 10/7.

4 Single Award / Multiple Award Single Award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.

5 Who are the incumbents The Incumbent is INQU LLC.

6 Best value contract / Lowest value contract The award will be made in accordance with the solicitation provisions Draft RFP Attachment 5, as a best value award.

7 No. of Personnel needed The Government will not provide this information.

8 Can you provide incumbent contract information? The contract number is FA9300-15-D-0001.

9 The technical proposal is going to be evaluated as ACCEPTABLE OR UNACCEPTABLE. Can you clarify that the only area that needs to be discussed in the technical volume is the transition plan of incumbent staff along with the NDA transferal process?

Yes, both are correct.

10 In submitting for the past performance requirement, can we submit commercial past performance examples that fit the functional areas required under this contract? How many examples are required?

Yes, commercial contracts qualify in accordance with Draft RFP Attachment 5. Up to three (3) PIFs may be submitted.

Update to this Answer: See answer #107 below.

11 Can you clarify if key personnel resumes such as program managers should be included?

Resumes are not required, but can be submitted. Submittals will count towards page limitations.

12 Is the incumbent eligible to bid on the MARS IV? All companies that meet size standard specified in the RFP are allowed to submit, unless they appear on the excluded parties list on the System for Award Management.

13 Will the government provide sponsorships for contractors do not currently have a secret facility clearance?

This contract will have a DD Form 254. Company has to obtain their facility clearance through Defense Security Service (DSS). The AF does not sponsor.

14 Reference D.8.a., page 164: Will the government allow tables and figures to be in a smaller font than 12 pitch?

No.

Update to this Answer: See answer #64 below.

15 Reference D.1, page 164: RFP states: “Documents submitted in response to this Request For Proposal (RFP) must be fully responsive to and consistent with the following: 1. Requirements of the RFP and Government standards and regulations pertaining to the PWS.” Can the government please clarify this requirement (i.e. understanding of the technical requirements of the

PWS)?

See Appendix 4 for a list of applicable publications and forms.

16 Reference “Instructions to Offerors”, para 8b. page 164-165: Can the government please clarify if an Executive Summary (to include offer/subs introductions) is permitted and if it will be excluded from the page count?

An executive summary is permitted but will be considered part of the page count.

Management Administrative Resources Services IV (MARS IV) RFP FA9300-19-R-0001: Questions & Answers This document contains the Questions & Answers for both the Draft RFP and the actual RFP for the above mentioned effort. Questions & Answers for the Draft RFP can be found in numbers 1-19 below, while new Questions & Answers pertaining to the actual RFP are found in numbers 20-110 below.

17 Reference Attachment 1, MARS IV PWS, Section 1.10, Page 27: Please provide the timeframe for both the contract Phase-In and Phase-Out transitions.

Based on the information provided in the DRAFT MODEL Contract CLIN 1 the phase-in/phase-out periods are anticipated to be 30 days.

18 Reference Attachment 5 MARS IV Solicitation Provisions, Part II – Technical Proposal, Page 7: Is there a page limitation for the Technical Proposal?

10 pages

19 Please detail which labor categories are applicable to Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS).

The Government will not provide this information.

Item # Question Government Response

20 CLIN 0001-This CLIN is only 1 month in duration, but the CLIN calculation has it times 12. Could you clarify this?

The duration of CLIN 0001 will be one (1) month (total of 30 days) total. Offerors are to propose one (1) month only for this CLIN.

21 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards-Please provide the years of service for all SCLS (SCA) personnel to allow for accurate and complete FFP Pricing for vacation. This will ensure proposals are in compliance with SCLS years of service requirement.

The years of service correlate to the years within the contract Period of Performance (POP).

Each CLIN has POP information within the CLIN Descriptive Data field.

22 52.212-1 (D)(7) -How long does it typically take mail to reach your office once it is delivered on base?

Mail delivery service times vary. The Government cannot provide detailed information on this as delivery times depend on mail carrier or shipping providers.

23 52.212-1 (D)(9)(a)(ii)-What electronic exhibits are we required to fill out? The blanks within the model contract CLINs for pricing and Attachment 4 of the model contract are required to be filled out by Offerors.

24 52.212-1 (D)(9)(b)- Will the government clarify the pages allowed for the technical volume? The statement of "limited to no more than 10 pages per contract" is confusing. That is the same language in the PP volume.

Both the Technical and Past Performance volumes shall not exceed 10 pages each. In reference to the language, as stated "...per contract…" would be better suited (worded) as "…per offeror…"

25 52.212-1 (D)(9)(b)(ii)-Will the government be providing the awardee the necessary NDA language that needs to be included in all 150 company-to-company NDAs?

No, the Government does not provide a company to company NDA template.

26 52.212-1 (D)(9)(b)(ii)-The requirement states we have 10 days to initiate 150 NDAs. What is the timeline required for completion so it can be included in our transition plan? What is the government need for this?

150 is an estimate of the total number of NDAs throughout the life of the contract; however, that number would not be required within the first ten (10) business days of contract award.

The number required within the first ten (10) business days is dependent on the number of active contracts at AFRL at the time of contract award. It is estimated that no more than forty

(40) NDAs would be required in the first ten (10) business days.

27 Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, A Price - The government has indicated evaluation will be based on reasonableness, balance, and affordability (within any budgetary information included in the solicitation). No budgetary information has been included so how do you intend to evaluate with this criteria?

Offerors are required to propose prices based on their own technical approach, therefore the Government will not provide budgetary information. This is a performance based service contract and therefore the Governments evaluation will be based on offerors technical approach to meet PWS and contractual requirements.

28 In preparing the cost volume of our proposal, are we to prepare the Cost Proposal for one FTE?

The Government will not provide the number of FTEs for the MARS IV effort. Offerors are required to propose total price.

29 While reviewing the solicitation in preparation of submitting a proposal, we noticed the solicitation is an IDIQ and no work load data was provided.

This is a performance based service contract therefore the Governments will not provide additional work load estimates to those already specified within the PWS.

Section 1.6 of the PWS provides workload estimate information for the different tasks covered within the PWS.

See answer #106 below regarding the PWS.

30 In the RFP we normally see a sections L & M – I did not see those sections in the Final RFP or Draft. Technical - Are we evaluated only on the Transition Plan and not the tasks? Will the government provide a section L and M?

Please reference the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and its supplements for reference on when Section L and M are seen in RFP situations. For this effort, given it is a commercial service, there is no Section L and M and instead we are governed by FAR 52.212-01 and 52.212-02. Within these provisions you will find the information on Instructions to Offerors and Evaluation.

Offerors will be evaluated as annotated in FAR 52.212-02 within this RFP.

The following are Questions & Answers for the actual RFP which was posted to FBO.gov on 10 October 2019

31 Providing a sufficient number of fully qualified employees to satisfy Performance Work Statement (PWS) requirements. To give the government a good pricing proposal we are trying to ascertain how many full times equivalent it will take for each task.

See answer #28 above.

32 Do you consider a FTE – 1950 or 2020 hours? The Government considered an FTE 1,950 hours.

33 Scope of work - There is no historical data relating for each task to properly assess how many FTE’s it took in the past.

Historical information is not provided as requirements for this effort differ from the prior contracts. See answer #28 above regardinf FTE numbers.

See answer #106 below for information on the PWS.

34 Does the Air Force have an estimate of how many FTEs are needed for each Item in the SF 1449?

See answer #28 above.

35 What level of clearance is required by the contractor? A minimum of a Secret facility clearance is required. Contractor personnel requiring access to classified information will be required to obtain a Secret security clearance.

The offices requiring a Secret clearance are Safety, Security, STINFO, and the Technical Library.

This contract will have a DD Form 254. Company has to obtain their facility clearance through Defense Security Service (DSS). The AF does not sponsor, for sponsorship guidance contact the local Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency (DCSA) Office.

36 Since this is an IDIQ and task orders are issued, can you confirm if the price provided in the CLIN is per person or per service. Do I submit a monthly price for per person or per service?

Offerors shall propose total price per CLIN. The Government will not dictate preferred proposal method (i.e. The number of FTEs etc.) for each CLIN.

37 PWS, paragraphs 1.6.1. and 1.6.2 – these have great duty descriptions, but it does not provide any information to the level of effort required to support.

Can we get a basic historical workload requirement to determine if this is 1, 2, or 3 FTEs?

See answer #28 above regarding number of FTEs.

These sub-tasks are in support of primary PWS tasks. For example PWS section 1.6.1.6 applies to 1.6.3, 1.6.4 etc.

See answer #106 below for information on the PWS.

38 PWS para 1.6.3 and 1.6.4. Are the Fin Support for RQRO and RQRE located in the same general area and can we work out of a centralized location since the workload is similar? The workload appears to be 2-4 people, but if we can centralize the work, it would enable us to improve the efficiency of operations.

These two specific PWS tasks are not located in the same general area.

39 PWS para 1.6.11. The Librarian Technician, there are several areas which indicate the numbers supported for 2018 were lower than historical averages. Has this historically been performed with more than 1 FTE?

See answer #28 above.

40 The file is password protected and will not allow us to work within the document. Is there a way we can get an editable version so that we can highlight, cut and fill in information on the pages?

The Government's contract writing system does not allow for model contracts to be editable.

Therefore we cannot provide an editable version.

41 We have no security clearance. Based on this RFP paragraph, do firms need to have clearance? (2) Prior to beginning operations involving classified information on an installation identified o the DD Form 254 where the contractor is not required to have a facility security clearance, the contractor shall enter into a Visitor Group Security Agreement (VGSA) with the installation commander to ensure that the contractor’s security procedures are properly integrated with those of the installation.

1 - Yes, a facility clearance is required of the contractor. This is a classified contract. See attached Section 13 (7 pages via separate word document) of the DD 254 for supplemental security guidance attached with this Q&A document, which was previouslly not able to be opened in the original RFP post as the link was broken.

2 - A VGSA is no longer required for onsite contracts.

42 Solicitation, SF 1449 Continuation-Are any of the incumbent contract staff currently covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?

No.

43 Solicitation, SF 1449 Continuation-The period of performance for CLIN 0001 CONTRACT PHASE-IN is stated to be "1 March 2020 - 31 March 2020;" however, the total cost calculation for the CLIN is stated as "$____/per month x 12 = $____." Please clarify the instruction to calculate the total cost for CLIN 0001 by multiplying the monthly cost by 12 for a period of performance of one month.

See answer #20 above.

44 Solicitation, SF 1449 Addendum, 10. FAR 52.212-05 CONTRACT TERMS

AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Jan 2019), paragraph (c)-ADDENDA TO 52.212-1, PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS (pg 163/205) states: "A. Management Administrative Resources Services (MARS) lV is a single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract." 1) Please clarify pricing for this IDIQ contract. Monthly fixed pricing is inconsistent with an IDIQ on which specific requirements are typically described and awarded in future task orders. 2) Is the pricing being requested in the SF 1449 only for the first task order which will be awarded at the same time as the IDIQ? 3) Is the price evaluation based on pricing for the first task order only? 4) How will subsequent task orders be priced? 5) Is the work (number/type of transactions, frequency, etc.) described in the provided PWS only for the first task order? 6) If the SF 1449 pricing and PWS work description are not just for the first task order, what portion of the work is anticipated to be awarded with the IDIQ award?

1- The structure is based on awarding tasks based on available Government funding and/or needs. For example, in an option OR funding period a certain number of CLINs may be ordered while in another option OR funding period a different set of CLINs may be ordered. Therefore monthly pricing shall be proposed by offerors.

2- No, it is for the entire contract. The Government does not currently know the amount of funding that will be placed on the contract at award. The Government will utilize monthly proposed price per CLIN for funding purposes at contract award, based on available funding.

3- No, it is based on total evaluated price for the entire contract. This shall include the total of all CLINs, to include Option CLINs.

4- See answers above for this question.

5- No, the PWS is for the entire contract.

6- See answer to -2 of this question above.

45 The referenced paragraph indicates contractors must comply with 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495) which requires contractors to provide bona fide offers of employment to incumbent contract staff and 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67) which requires contractors to pay wages and benefits in accordance with the applicable Wage Determination and requires contractors to provide credit for ALL prior service for contract staff providing substantively the same service for the same customer without regard to the contractor for which they were employed when providing those services. Complying with both credit for prior service and the Wage Determination means some/many of the incumbent contract staff who the contractor is compelled to hire will be entitled to more than the basic amount of paid leave dictated by the Wage Determination. The additional leave is a potentially significant additional cost for bidders which without additional information being provided to all bidders is only known to the incumbent contractor, creating a distinct competitive disadvantage for non-incumbent bidders. To ensure all bidders have a full understanding of the cost of providing this support including the compelled hiring of incumbent staff, please provide a list of all incumbent contract staff hire dates which bidders must use in accordance with the Wage Determination to determine leave eligibility for incumbent staff. Please provide the list by CLIN to allow non-incumbent bidders to accurately map this additional cost to each contract CLIN so they can provide accurate pricing in the format required by the solicitation.

Per FAR 22.1204 the Contracting Office will provide the service employee list to the successor contractor, but not before contract award.

The incumbent contractor exceeds the size standard for this acquisition.

46 Solicitation, SF 1449 Addendum, 10. FAR 52.212-05 CONTRACT TERMS

AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Jan 2019), paragraph (c)-Please provide the information required for clause 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014)(29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). The employee class, monetary wage and value of fringe benefits required to complete this clause are not provided in AMDT 1 to the solicitation.

SCA Directory of Occupations 5th Ed. – Table of Contents & Federal Grade Equivalents can be found at the new beta.sam.gov site which replaced WDOL.gov. Links to fringe benefit rates for WG and GS staff should also be found at that site.

The Contracting Officer will update infomration pertaining to this Clause and will post an additional Amendment to the RFP by 05 Nov 2019.

47 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6 Specific Tasks-Please provide either historical FTEs (number and Occupation Code - for example: "Paragraph

1.6.1.1 requirements have been historically supported by 0.5 (1/2) of a 01112 - General Clerk II.") required to perform all PWS paragraph 1.6 (including subparagraph) requirements or the number and types of transactions expected along with the average time to complete each identified transaction (for example: "Anticipated tasking for paragraph

1.6.1.1 is scheduling of five (5) to twenty (20) VTCs each month and VTC scheduling typically is anticipated to require 30 minutes to complete;

scheduling of ten (10) to twenty-five (25) recurring/non-recurring meetings each month and meeting scheduling typically is anticipated to require 30 minutes to complete and attending and recording minutes of five (5) to twenty-five (25) meetings which is anticipated to require 5-25 hours/month."). It is impossible for non-incumbent bidders to identify the quantity of work to be completed and, therefore, accurately cost it with the data provided in the current PWS, giving the incumbent contractor's team a distinct and unfair advantage.

Occupation codes can also be found at SCA Directory of Occupations cited in answer #46 above. See answer #46 above.

The incumbent contractor exceeds the size standard for this acquisition.

See answer #106 below for updated PWS information.

48 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6 Specific Tasks-For any subparagraph in which "surge support" is referred to in PWS paragraph 1.6 subparagraphs either confirm surge support will be provided via the issuance of a separately priced and awarded task order or provide detail necessary for bidders to accurately price the required surge support (either list transactions and average time for processing anticipated surge transactions or provide estimated FTE requirements including number and Wage Determination Occupation Code).

Surge support will not be provided via a separate task order, nor will it be separately priced.

The Government will not provide the number of FTEs. Surge historical data will not be provided; surges occur when funds are received.

See answer #106 below for updated PWS information.

49 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6 Specific Tasks-For any PWS paragraph

1.6 subparagraph for which transaction data is not provided (for example, 1.6.3.18, 1.6.4.3, 1.6.4.12 and several subparagraphs in 1.6.7, 1.6.8 and 1.6.10), please provide transaction volume data to allow all potential bidders to thoroughly understand the requirements.

This is a performance based service contract therefore the Governments will not provide additional work load estimates. Section 1.6 of the PWS provides workload estimate information.

See answer #106 below for updated PWS information.

50 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6.1.2 Records Management- Please confirm the government will provide any/all training necessary for contract staff supporting PWS paragraph 1.6.1.2 to be "appointed as an Area Record Professional (ARP)." If no, please identify all training and the source for the training to allow bidders to identify costs associated with providing training necessary to provide this support.

The Government will provide training pertaining to PWS task #1.6.1.2.

51 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6.1.6. Financial Management Training- Please confirm the government will provide any/all training necessary for contract staff supporting PWS paragraph 1.6.1.6 to "complete Financial Management Body of Knowledge – Basic and other finance training" for each contract position. If no, please identify all training and the source for the training to allow bidders to identify costs associated with providing training necessary to provide this support.

The Government will provide training pertaining to PWS task #1.6.1.6.

52 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6.1.7. Continuity Books- Please confirm the awardee will be provided with the then current version of the "Continuity Books" at the contract kick-off meeting and that the tasking due within the first 180 days of full performance is for the awarded contractor to update the then current versions of the books.

Yes, the current continuity books will be provided to the winning offeror. Task 1.6.1.7 requires that new company specific continuity books be provided in accordance with the PWS. Updates AND validation of current continuity books, and any new continuity books are due within 180 days of contract award by the winning offeror.

53 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6.2.4. NDA Repository-The referenced paragraph states: "The CM shall track and maintain an online historical repository of signed NDAs and NDA waivers." 1) Will the government provide the system in which the online repository is maintained or will the awarded contractor be required to provide a system (for example, SharePoint)? 2) If the contractor must provide the system, will it be hosted by the government or the contractor?

1- The Government will provide a system.

2- N/A

54 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6.6. Safety Office Support- Please clarify the apparent discrepancy between these to statements in subparagraph 1.6.6.2: "Processing includes coordination, generate letters, responses, communicating, logging, tracking, and validating until complete on over 200 documents/packages per year. There are approximately 120 to 150 documents to be processed per month." Is the work volume 200 items per year or per month?

TYPO. Average approximately 12-15 documents processed per month.

55 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.6.11. Library Technician Support.- Multiple subparagraphs in PWS paragraph 1.6.11 include this statement:

"Numbers could fluctuate since the historical numbers are usually higher."

1) Please provide historical work volume numbers to allow potential bidders to understand the potential fluctuation of the work volume. 2) Please state the reasons the government's estimates of future work volume are less than the historical requirement.

PWS paras 1.6.11.1 and 1.6.11.9 refer to circulation of materials within the libraries. Historical data in 2018 is ~2,550 and in 2017 ~2,700 and is the combination of both check in/out.

Historical data and the estimate of future work is dependent upon the type of work brought to the site.

PWS para 1.6.11.8: Historical data 2017 is 496 and 2018 is 182. Historical data and the estimate of future work is dependent upon the type of work brought to the site.

PWS para 1.6.11.13: Historical data 2018 is 32 and in 2017 is 50. Historical data and the estimate of future work is dependent upon the type of work brought to the site.

See answer #106 below for updated PWS information.

56 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.7. Minimum Qualifications- Most position requirements described in the subparagraphs of PWS paragraph 1.7 include this statement: "Associate's Degree preferred." Positions requiring degrees are most often categorized as "exempt" under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) only applies to positions categorized as "non-exempt" under the FLSA. If the majority of the positions on the contract would be categorized as "exempt" under the FLSA, the SCLS does not apply. Please clarify if 1) SCLS applies or 2) if degrees are desired for the contract staff filling the majority of the contract positions. Based upon which is required, please delete the other requirement. That is, if degrees are needed, remove the SCLS clause (and the associated clauses - 52.222-17, -43 and -44) or if SCLS applies, delete the reference to the desire for degreed contract staff.

Tech Library is the only category requiring a degree. Section 1.7.8 of the PWS.

If the majority of positions on the contract would be considered as “exempt” under the FLSA, the SCLS does not apply. The law is there is a two-step test for SCA applicability.

First, the contemplated work must be principally for services.

Second, a significant percentage of the workforce on the contract must be service employees.

USDOL defines a significant percentage as 20% of overall workforce and not a majority of the workforce.

See answer #46 above for information on updated Clause information.

57 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.7. Minimum Qualifications- Please confirm the only positions requiring Secret clearances are those supporting the Safety Office (1.74) and Training Office (1.7.7) as stated in the referenced PWS paragraph. Also please separately confirm the individuals supporting the Security Office (1.7.6) are not required to hold a Secret or high security clearance.

See answers #13 and #35 above.

58 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 1.7.7. Training Office Support- Please clarify the apparent conflict between these two statements in the reference paragraph: "Three (3) to five (5) years of work experience with customer service/interpersonal communication skills, which includes establishing rapport and building relationships with a diverse group of individuals, resolving issues and inquiries daily, and working in a professional environment." and "Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) of progressive office administrator functions, preferable in a military setting." Is the minimum 3 or 5 years? Or are these requirements additive so the minimum is eight (8) years?

See answer #28 regarding number of FTEs.

The number of years of experience in the PWS for "...customer service/interpersonal communication skills..." and "...progressive office administrative functions..." are required as listed. These are NOT additive unless the offeror proposed more than one FTE.

59 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 3.1.4. Employee Training-Please confirm in addition to the training listed in the referenced paragraph, the government will provide any contractually required training - for example, security training referenced in PWS paragraph 4.7.2.

Yes, the Government will provide training.

60 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 3.2. Government Facilities What is the maximum number of seats (desks/chairs) the government plans to provide for this contract in accordance with the referenced paragraph?

The Government will provide a desk and chair for each contractor employee.

61 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 3.4.2. Supplies-Please clarify this statement in the referenced paragraph: "The contractor will provide all supplies for offices including calendars." 1) Please identify the specific supplies the contractor must provide (copy paper, pencils/pens, postage, envelopes, staplers/staples, paper clips, etc.) and the historical volume of each to allow bidders to include this cost in proposed monthly FFP pricing?

2) The statement says: "The contractor will provide all supplies for offices."

Please confirm supplies are only provided for the contractor staff in the supported offices, not for government staff. 3) Will the contractor be provided with locking storage for contractor-provided supplies or may the contractor bring locking storage into government offices?

1 - It is the contractors responsibility to ensure employees have the right office supplies needed in order to perform all tasks in the PWS. The Government cannot provide this information as it is dependent on the offerors approach to meet PWS requirements. The Government does not have historical infomration/volume to provide.

2 - Supplies are not cross shared with the Government. The Government does not manage needs or purchases by the contractor.

3 - Contractor will be provided lockable storage.

62 Solicitation, Attachment 1, PWS, 4.2.2.1. Certifications-Please identify any/all certifications required by position for contract staff in accordance with this statement in the referenced paragraph: "Contractor employees shall have current and valid professional certifications and licenses required to perform the work in this PWS, prior to contract award."

The MARS IV contract does not require any certifications outside of PWS paragraph 1.7.

63 Solicitation, Attachment 4, PPQ- Please provide the PPQ in Word format to allow reference providers to easily complete and email the PPQ as allowed in the provided instructions. Also, two evaluation criteria are not readable in their entirety (P2 and T/PI2) in the .pdf version of the form. Please ensure all text is readable in the updated form.

The PPQ has been added to the RFP via Amendment 2 for offerors use.

64 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 8- May figures/tables included in Parts II and III use a font size smaller than Times New Roman, Font Size 12 (TNR, Font Size 8 or larger, for example)?

After further consideration from the Government team, the Government will permit font size 10 or larger, Times New Roman, for tables and figures to include "shadow boxes" only. All other sections of the proposal volumes shall be font size 12 or larger (Times New Roman).

65 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 9 a. -Please clarify the reference to the requirement to submit "Excel files" in this statement in the referenced paragraph: "a. PART I - PRICE PROPOSAL: All cost or pricing information shall be addressed ONLY in Part 1 - Submit 3 paper copies (original, plus 2 copies) and 1certified virus free electronic copy in Adobe (.pdf) or Microsoft Word Version 2016 or earlier. Excel files must be Excel 2016 format or earlier."

What content is the bidder to submit in Excel?

Excel files are required for submittal of pricing information as appropriate to this effort.

66 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 9 a. iii.-The referenced paragraph states: "The provision FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, shall be returned along with the proposal." Please confirm inclusion of a completed paragraph (b) from the clause is sufficient to meet this requirement for any bidder whose registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is current and accurate.

Offerors are to complete FAR 52.212-03 "Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items" as required. Section (b)(2) of that provision gives instructions to offerors.

The Government cannot dictate if Sections (c) thru (u) of the provision apply to an offerors or not, and per the provision those sections shall be annotated in (b)(2) if the offeror is taking exception to what is within their registered SAM at the time the offer is submitted.

67 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 9 b.-Please clarify this instruction in the referenced paragraph: "b.

PART II - TECHNICAL PROPOSAL: Submit 3 paper copies (original, plus 2 copies) and 1 certified virus free electronic copy in .pdf or Microsoft Word limited to no more than 10 pages per contract submitted or Excel files." 1) The required content of Part II does not appear from the instructions to include the submittal of any contract information. Please clarify the stated page limitation of 10 pages per contract. 2) Please clarify the reference to a submittal in "Excel files."

1 - The technical proposal shall be no more than 10 pages. In reference to the language, as stated "...per contract…" would be better suited (worded) as "…per offeror…"

2 - Offeros can submit an Excel spreadsheet indicating how they will initiate company to company NDAs if they so chose.

68 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 9 c.-Please clarify what Part III content the government intends for bidders to submit in Excel files based on this statement: "c. PART Ill - PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: Submit 3 paper copies (original, plus 2 copies) and 1 certified virus free electronic copy in Adobe (.pdf), Microsoft Word, or Excel files (Version 2016 or earlier for Microsoft Word and Excel)."

Government is not directing offerors to submit in Excel, but if offerors chose to submit in Excel it must be version 2016 or earlier.

69 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 9 v.-Please confirm the agreements referenced in this statement are NOT included in the 10 page limit for each contract citation: "v.

Partnership Agreements. If any of the contracts you identify were performed as teaming or joint venture partners, offerors must thoroughly explain the relationship of each partner, e.g. managing partner under the contract submitted, and include copies of the teaming and/or joint venture agreement for these contracts. This are is subject to the limitations set forth in 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors c.ii.2, of this solicitation." Teaming and JV agreements are almost always more than 10 pages by themselves, leaving no room to provide the contract data required on the PIF if the required agreements are included in the page limitation.

Partnership/teaming documentation is not part of the 10 page limit.

70 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, FAR 52.212-01 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Oct 2018), paragraph 9 vi.-Please confirm the letters referenced in this statement are NOT included in the 10 page limit for each contract citation: "vi.

Subcontractor Consents. Past Performance information pertaining to a subcontractor cannot be disclosed to the prime offeror without the subcontractor's consent. Contractors must provide, with the proposal, a signed letter of consent from all subcontractors consenting to the release of their past performance information to the prime contractor."

Contractor consent documentation is not part of the 10 page limit.

71 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items, A. Price Evaluation. (STEP 1)-Please provide the budgetary information referenced in this statement: "Offerors whose total evaluated price is unreasonable (in accordance with FAR 15.404 and FAR 31.201-3), unbalanced (in accordance with FAR 15.404-1), or unaffordable (not within any budgetary information included in the solicitation) may not be considered for award." Bidder is unable to find the information referenced as included in the solicitation in the AMDT 1 document.

Please disregard that statement. There is no budgetory information provided. See answer #27 above.

72 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items, B. Technical Acceptability (STEP 2)-Bidder is unable to identify the number of "new" personnel needing to be transitioned into contract positions in accordance with the following statement, without knowing the number of incumbent staff entitled to right of first refusal offers under 52.222-17: "The Transition Plan provides sufficient details outlining the methodology for transitioning new personnel into support positions by day one of full contract performance (i.e. CLINs 0002-00012) with minimum disruption of ongoing support requirements." Please identify the number and labor category of all incumbent staff eligible for 52.222-17 protections, by CLIN (0001-00012), to allow bidders to identify "new" staff needed by day one of full contract performance and to develop a transition plan that addresses providing those new staff members.

The Government will not provide the number of FTEs or labor categories of the incumbent staff.

73 Solicitation, Attachment 5, Solicitation Provisions, 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items, C. Performance Confidence Assessment (STEP 3)-Please define the term "Contract Environment" as used in paragraph "4. Relevancy Assessment" of the referenced solicitation section.

Contract Environment refers to the physical location where the contract took place.

74 Please provide an extension to the due date of vendor proposals of no less than 21 calendar days after the publication of the answers to all vendor questions or the final solicitation, whichever is later. Answers to vendor questions are critical to bidders' ability to develop and submit compliant, quality proposals and bidders need time to adjust proposals after publication of answers and the final solicitation.

See answer #106 below for due date extension information.

75 Would you be able to release a PDF of the RFP that is not password protected? …we like to break up the RFP into sections electronically but we cannot do that with the document password protected. Thank you for you assistance in this matter.

See answer #40 above.

76 I noticed there is a secret Facility clearance required. Is this true and if so would you sponsor a company? I am a Prime on all my contracts and done of them require a FCL. Can you please let me know?

See answers #13 and #35 above.

77 I downloaded both files in the solicitation and I’m trying to highlight information and add information to the SF1449. The file is password protected and will not allow us to work within the document. Is there a way we can get an editable version so that we can highlight, cut and fill in information on the pages?

See answer #40 above.

78 Can the government provide the number of FTEs currently supporting the contract by CLIN?

See answer #28 above.

79 What type of security clearances are required for personnel? See answers #13 and #35 above.

80 For the Technical Proposal is only there only one Subfactor? Subfactor 1 (Transition Plan). Please confirm ten pages is the limit for the technical proposal.

Yes, there is only one subfactor.

See answer #24 above for page limitations.

81 The clearance requirement: Is a Facility SECRET Clearance required UPON submission, or will government sponsor the apparent successful offeror?

See answers #13 and #35 above.

82 Who is the incumbent and what is the incumbent contract number? Provided in Q&A document posted to FBO after the Draft RFP. See answers #5 and #8 above.

83 If no incumbent, who is currently performing this work? See answer #82 above.

84 Current or anticipated level of effort (fte), what labor categories and how many of each?

See answer #28 above.

85 Are all personnel required to be cleared at SECRET level? Reading the PWS, it looks like only the Training personnel (1.6.10) and Safety Office (1.6.6) personnel require SECRET.

See answers #13 and #35 above.

86 Please verify evaluation criteria is as follows: lowest PRICE, acceptable TECHNICAL (this is pass/fail), and SUBSTANTIAL CONFIDENCE (past performance). The first contractor proposal that gets thru each gate in succession wins the contract.

If the offeror with the lowest proposed price who is evaluated as technically acceptable is judged to have a "Substantial Confidence" performance rating and the offeror is determined to be responsible, that offer represents the best value for the Government and the evaluation stops at this point. Otherwise an integrated assessment comes into play.

87 Can the Government confirm whether or the incumbent is eligible for this requirement?

The incumbent contractor exceeds the size standard for this acquisition.

88 Can the Government clarify how a firm outside of the incumbent can achieve a Substantial Confidence rating for past performance?

See answer #87 above.

89 Will the Government state which labor categories are applicable to the SCA? No. The offeror has exclusive responsibility to classify their workforce therefore the Government will not provide labor classifications.

90 Will the Government provide WD occupation codes for each labor category? No. Offeror can use the classification codes provided with the SCA Directory of Occupations cited previously but it is for them to classify their own workforce. See answer #46 above.

91 Will the Government allow Past Performance Questionnaires to be submitted at the proposal due date instead of October 28th?

Yes. See RFP Amendment 1. Additionally, see answer #106 below.

92 For the past performance volume, can we submit multiple BPA calls/task orders that were completed under a BPA award?

Yes.

93 For the price proposal, can you provide total level of effort to include # of personnel and hours?

No. See answer #28 above.

94 Is the government’s intent to transition incumbent staff? The Government will not dictate the offerors approach.

95 Can you confirm that there are 8 total non key personnel staffed on this project noted under section 1.7 with minimum qualifications?

The Government will not dictate the offerors approach to meeting the requirements of the PWS or the MSRS IV contract. PWS Section 1.7 is to provide minimum qualifications for each supporting role of the MARS IV effort, and is not meant to indicate that each 1.7 sub-section correlates to 1 FTE.

96 Can you confirm that each position within the SF1449 represents 1 FTE? See answer #28 above.

97 Are all positions required covered under SCA? See answer #89 above.

98 Do you require an excel breakdown of cost buildup for the price proposal? No.

99 Can the titles and subheadings for Figures and Tables be in 10-point Times New Roman instead of 12 point?

See answer #64 above.

100 What is the CHEMMS acquisition spoken about in the PIF? TYPO. Please disregard and replace with MARS IV.

101 Since the RQ directorate is split between Edwards AFB (RQ-West) and Wright-Patterson AFB (RQ-East), will the GPM send additional jobs to RQ- East? Should we anticipate that RQ-East will have other functions besides handling inquiries and processing of In-House patents during the duration of the contract? If so, how many different job titles will be assigned to RQ- East?

No, the MARS IV requirement is to provide support at RQ-west only. The location will be the AFRL located at Edwards AFB, CA.

102 The SF1449 is secured, can a word or unsecured version be provided to electronically fill it out?

See answer #40 above.

103 How many FTEs does the Air Force anticipate needing for per Item under Supplies or Services?

See answer #28 above

104 The clearance requirement: Is a Facility SECRET Clearance required UPON submission, or will government sponsor the apparent successful offeror?

See answers #13 and #35 above.

105 Attachment 5 para 9.b.ii. We are require to describe our plan to initiate >150 company to company NDA within 10 business days. Can you provide clarity for these NDA’s? Are you asking us to explain and initiate a change to 150 company to company NDAs because we are the new contractor, or are you asking us to explain, within 10 days of the award, how we would track and collect 150 company to company NDAs when a new contractor is brought on board?

The plan to address soliciting, obtaining, and processing company to company NDA's is due with the proposal. The actual spreadsheet tracking the NDAs is due within 10 business days from contract award.

106 1. Will an update to the PWS be provided?

2. Will the Government allow for a due date extension to the RFP?

1 - An updated PWS is provided with this Q&A document.

2 - The due date for receipt of proposals is hereby extended to 18 Nov 2019 at 4:00pm PST.

This due date includes PPQ responses and all other items which are due in conjunction with this RFP.

107 If electing to submit commercial past performance examples how will they be rated?

In determining relevancy for individual contracts, consideration will be given to the effort, or portion of the effort, being proposed by the offeror, teaming partner, or subcontractor whose contract is being reviewed and evaluated to determine: (1) the performance quality of relevant efforts and (2) how closely the products provided/services performed under those contracts relate to the Management Administrative Resources Services. The relevancy considerations in descending order of importance are as follows, where Scope is significantly more important than Contract Environment, Magnitude/Complexity, and Contract Type.

Contract Environment and Magnitude/Complexity are equal in importance and more important than Contract Type.

108 The RFP states “c. Each volume of the proposal shall be separately bound in a three-ring, loose leaf binder permitting the volume to lie flat when open.”

Can you clarify if you require a separate binder for each copy of the technical, price, and past performance volume? As each of these volumes require 3 copies, I wanted to clarify if you require 9 different binders to account for all the copies or if we can submit all copies for technical into 1 binder, past performance into 1 binder, etc?

Each proposal volume shall be bound separately. Therefore there will be a total of nine (9) binders provided to the Government with submission of your proposal.

109 Will the Government take any further questions on the MARS IV RFP

#FA9300-19-R-0001?

No. Questions will not longer be taken for this RFP.

110 I noticed looking at the DD 254 for MARS IV, they mention Section 13 of the Solicitation, there is no Section 13 of the Solicitation.

See answer #41 above.