LANCE_BAA_Q_and_A_3_(14_Feb_2017).pdf

Laser Advancements for Next-generation Compact Environments (LANCE) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

FA9451-17-S0008

Questions and Answers #3 14 February 2017

Q: Do the classified pages count towards the 30 pages?

A: Yes, any information provided as an addendum to the Technical Volume will count towards the Technical Volume page limits, and is held to the same format, and date/time proposal submission requirements. (Ref: FA9451-17-S-0008, Full Text Announcement, Section VII., Paragraph A.2.)

Q: How should an offeror refer to text or figures provided in a classified addendum in their unclassified proposal?

A: Offerors may present the information however they choose.

If text or figures are referenced in the unclassified proposal, but provided in the classified addendum, there must be a space/placeholder in the unclassified proposal for that text or figure.

If complete sections are provided in the classified addendum, include page numbers to indicate where they fall in the unclassified proposal (and to ensure the information adheres to the page limitations).

Q: The BAA cites Arial 12 pt font. Can we use Times 12 pt font?

A: No, proposals must be submitted in accordance with the BAA which states, “Font shall be standard 12-point font Arial.” (Ref: FA9451-17-S-0008, Full Text Announcement, Section VII, Paragraph C. 2. a) (1))

Q: Can the classified addendum be submitted in strictly an electronic (CD-R) format without producing a paper copy?

A: A paper copy of the classified addendum is required and shall be submitted in the same format as the unclassified proposal.

Q: We would like to coordinate the submittal of a classified addendum, can you provide the instructions for submitting classified information in support of our response to BAA FA9451-17-S- 0008?

A: Please contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) listed in the announcement. (Ref: FA9451-17-S- 0008, Full Text Announcement, Section III, Paragraph A.)

Q: If a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is required for a non-Government advisor, we are to submit a copy of the NDA with the proposal. The Government will coordinate with the non- Government advisor to execute the agreement. Once executed, the non-Government advisor will gain access to the proposal documents as requested by the evaluation team. The execution of the NDA will not interrupt the proposal evaluation, just the non-Government advisor’s access to the information.

A: This is correct; the non-Government advisor will strictly serve in an advisory capacity, not as a proposal evaluator.

Q: The submission of option pricing is allowed, as long as it is clearly segregated from the base offering.

A: This is correct; however, if options are proposed, they should be within the scope of the announcement.

Q: The Section K Representations and Certifications contain FAR clause 52.234-02 Notice of Earned Value Management System – Pre Award IBR. Can the Government grant a waiver of the Pre Award IBR requirement if the offeror has an approved Earned Value Management System (EVMS) system?

A: The Section K Representations and Certifications mistakenly included FAR 52.234-02. The Government is not requiring an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) prior to award. A revised Section K will be posted to FBO under FA9451-17-S-0008.

Q: I understand the pages in the classified addendum count against the total page limitation for the Technical Volume. Does the required classified cover page also count against this total?

A: The classified cover page does not count toward the page limitation for the Technical Volume (30 pages).

Per Section VII., Paragraph C. 2. a) 6) of the LANCE BAA, “The page limitation covers all information including indices, photographs, foldouts (counted as one page for each 8.5 by 11 inch portion), tables, charts, appendices, attachments, etc. Blank pages, title pages, tables of contents, lists, tabs or cover sheets are not included in the page count.”

Q: The Bidder’s Library Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) states, “My business unit will not duplicate or copy to a networked computer any CUI or classified information viewed or downloaded from the LANCE Bidder’s Library disks. If my business unit’s proposal team does incorporate CUI into its proposal, this information will be marked accordingly.” If an offeror wishes to copy a figure or table from the LANCE Briefing For Industry charts and insert that into their proposal, can they do this on a networked computer?

A: Per the LANCE Bidder’s Library Non-Disclosure Agreement, CUI information cannot be uploaded to networked computers. Therefore, copying tables, figures or other information from the LANCE Bidder’s Library into a proposal prohibits processing these items on a networked computer.

Q: The Bidder's Library Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), states, “If my business unit's proposal team does incorporate CUI into its proposal, this information will be marked accordingly.” Is adding CUI identification language to the footer of the impacted pages acceptable?

A: Adding CUI identification language to the title page and to each affected page within the proposal is acceptable.

Q: There is information contained in the LANCE Bidder's Library that was also information presented at the LANCE Briefing for Industry. Are we to now protect this information as CUI?

A: CUI is contained in the LANCE Bidder’s Library and was also presented at the Briefing for Industry.

Please refer to the distribution statements on each document in the LANCE Bidder’s Library for guidance on how to protect the information contained within.

Q: DFARS PGI 204.7108(D)(12) Special Payment Instructions (JAN 2017) in the Draft Model Contract states, “The contractor shall coordinate with the Government Program Manager for identification of the ACRNs to be billed prior to submission of any cost vouchers in iRAPT (formerly WAWF).”

How does the Government manage the ACRN distribution - will the consumption be determined after costs collection or in advance? Said differently – is the contractor to seek Government Program Manager billing direction of ACRN identification prior to incurred costs, or after? How far in advance will the Government Program Manager provide instruction?

A: When the Government incrementally funds the contract through modification, the Government Program Manager or Contracting Officer will provide the contractor with an allocation of how each ACRN should be billed.

Q: The LANCE BAA references a size standard of 1,000 employees. Does the proposal have to come from a prime contractor with 1,000 employees?

A: The proposal does not have to be submitted by a prime contractor with 1,000 employees. The LANCE BAA is issued under NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)) which has a size standard of 1,000 employees. This business size standard indicates the maximum number of employees allowed for a concern and its affiliates to be considered small.