Attachment 16 - SSHINE Comment Resolution Matrix.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 48 KB Posted
- Attached to
- FINAL RFP - Space Systems and Hardware Integration for Novel Experiments (SSHINE) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- FA9453-25-R-X002-FINAL-RFP
About this file
This is a comment resolution matrix containing questions and answers for a Space Systems and Hardware Integration for Novel Experiments (SSHINE) solicitation issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The matrix addresses clarifications and discrepancies identified in various RFP documents including Section L (Instructions to Offerors), Section M (Evaluation Criteria), SOWs, CDRLs, and other attachments.
Key clarifications include: OCI mitigation plans are to be submitted in Volume IV with no page limitations; indirect costs are allowable on ODCs/materials if they meet FAR criteria but fee is not permitted; key personnel identified in the IDIQ SOW are required for each task order; proposal due date is March 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM MT; technical factors are significantly more important than cost/price; and the government will conduct best value trade-off evaluation with the right to select other than lowest priced offeror. The matrix also addresses questions about staffing requirements, security clearances, proposal organization, evaluation methodology, and various administrative matters related to proposal submission.
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Text version
Section L
| Document Title | Location of Discrepancy | Description of Perceived Discrepancy/Clarification or Remedy for Consideration | Resolution/Action Taken | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.5.10.1 | Description of Perceived Discrepancy: L.5.10.1 states, "For each Task Order (Task order 0001,0002, and 0003), submit a list of proposed probable subcontractors showing: | ||
| 5.10.1.1 | The supplier | |||
| 5.10.1.2 | Description of effort | |||
| 5.10.1.3 | Type of contract | |||
| 5.10.1.4 | Price proposed by each | |||
| 5.10.1.5 | Price included in prime's proposal to the Government | |||
| 5.10.1.6 | Degree of competition (include competitive pricing, if competed) | |||
| 5.10.1.7 | Percentage of effort | |||
| 5.10.1.8 | Commercial item/service determination support, if applicable. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please define "subcontractor" so there is a minimum threshold (e.g., 10% of total workshare), clarifying which teaming partners need to provide detailed information in response to a variety of requirements in the RFP like L.5.10.1? | Section L-5.1 states associated subcontractors/ interdivisional transfers (IDT)/ consultants/ teaming partners (hereby referred to collectively as subcontractors). See Section L- 5.1.6 and 5.5 for further submission guidance. | |||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | 5.13 Baselined Costs by CLIN (Varies by Task Order) | Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please confirm if the Offeror should apply applicable indirect rates to the Baselined costs (ODC's, Travel, Materials) which would then exceed the costs or include its applicable indirect rates but not exceed the defined baseline value in this section? | Yes, Indirect costs are allowable if they meet the criteria outlined in FAR 31.2 and are proposed in accordance with contractor's standard accounting practices. See section 5.6.7.5 and 5.6.7.5.1 | |
| Solicitation- FA945325RX002_16 Jan 2025 |
Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors 18 Dec 2024 Section F - Deliveries or Performance
| Section L.6.1.4, | Section F - Deliveries or Performance | Description of Perceived Discrepancy: The Solicitation+-+FA945325RX002+16+Jan+25, Section F, Deliveries or Performance table appears to already have been partially completed by the Government. The only fields left to complete are Address and POC for this section. However, it is not consistent with Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors 18 Dec 24, 6.1.4.1 - 6.1.4.5 which includes: |
| 6.1.4 | Section F - Deliveries or Performance | |
| 6.1.4.1 | Overall Performance Period | |
| 6.1.4.2 | Transition Period | |
| 6.1.4.3 | Technical Period | |
| 6.1.4.4 | Final Reporting Period | |
| 6.1.4.5 | Ordering Period |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Is the Contractor required to complete the Address and POC in the Solicitation+-+FA945325RX002+16+Jan+25, Section F, Deliveries or Performance table? In addition, will the Government please clarify whether the requirements should be the same in Section F as in Section L.6.1.4? | Offerors do not complete the address and POC information in section F of the solicitation. Section L 6.0-contract volume documentation, has been revised. Offerors are to submit a copy of the solicitation with the completed sections as applicable. |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors 18 Dec 2024 |
Solicitation-FA945325RX002_16 Jan 2025 Section L.6.1.5 - Section G, Contract Administrative Data Description of Perceived Discrepancy: L.6.1.5 Section G - Contract Administrative Data does not appear to include any fields that require completion. In addition, Section G - Contract Administration Data in Solicitation+-+FA945325RX002+16+Jan+25 does not appear to have an fill-ins.
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please confirm that the offeror is not required to provide additional information for Section G, Contract Administration Data. | Offerors are not required to provide additional information for section G, contract Administration Data. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors 18 Dec 2024 | L.6.1.6 Section I - Contract Clauses | 52.242-4, Certification of indirect Rates. The offeror has provided its indirect cost rate proposal to DCAA where it was certified. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please confirm this clause is not required to be completed? | This clasuse is not required to be filled-in as part of the proposal submission. FAR clause 52.242-4 will be applicable to the resulting contract at the end of contract performance. | |||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | L.6.10 | Accounting System, if the Offeror has an approved accounting system and can show evidence from an Auditing agency, is a Pre-Award Accounting System adequacy checklist still required to be submitted (in addition)? | A pre-award accounting system adequacy checklist is not required to be submitted. Evidence of an approved/acceptable accounting system is required to be submitted in volume IV. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.2.22 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: Section L.2.22 states, "Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms. Each proposal volume shall contain a list of tables and drawings included in each volume. The list of tables and drawings do not count against the page limitations for their respective volumes." |
Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify these instructions? Should this title for this section really be "List of Tables and Drawings"?
| Section L 2.21-2.24 titles revised. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.2.23 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: L.2.23 states, "List of Tables and Drawings. A cover sheet shall be included in each volume, clearly marked as to volume number, title, copy number, solicitation identification, and the Offeror's name. This will not be counted towards page count limitations. Be sure to apply all appropriate markings including those prescribed in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(e), Restriction on disclosure and use of data, and FAR 3.104-4, Disclosure, Protection, and Marking of Contractor Bid or Proposal Information and Source Selection Information." The description text refers to the Cover Sheet, but the subtitle is, "List of Tables and Drawings". |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify how the content for L.2.23 relates to the "List of Tables and Drawings"? Should the title of this section really be "Cover Sheet"? | Section L 2.21-2.24 titles revised. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.2.21 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: Section L.2.21 states, "Indexing. Each proposal volume shall contain a detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume. Tab indexing shall be used to identify sections. Each proposal volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, and with an explanation for each. Glossaries do not count against the page limitations for their respective volumes. Each proposal volume shall contain a detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume." There appears to be conflict between subparagraphs, section headings and tab indexing. Combines, " a detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs" and “Tab indexing shall be used to identify sections” implies a requirement that each subparagraph is tabbed in the table of contents. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify these instructions? Is the table of contents for each proposal volume supposed to identify the subparagraphs within that volume? Are sub-paragraphs the same as section headings? How should the table of contents be structured? | Section 2.22 has been revised accordingly. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.4.4.1.1.6 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: L.4.4.1.1.6 requires the Offeror to "provide an organizational conflict of interest mitigation plan in accordance with section 6.12 and FAR Subpart 9.5 Organization and Consultant Conflicts of Interest." Organizational conflict of interest mitigation plans can be extensive and sometimes longer than the fifteen pages allowed for all Subfactor 1: Corporate Management content. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please exclude the OCI Plan from page count? | OCI plan requirements have been moved to section L-6.7 and needs to be submitted in IV. The plan is excluded from any page count requirements. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.2.23 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: L.2.23 requires, "a cover sheet shall be included in each volume." FAR 52.215-1" requires a title page. In addition, 2.1.8 requires, "cover pages, tables of contents, glossaries, acronym lists, list of tables and drawings". |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please confirm that the requirements for 1) cover sheet, 2) cover page and 3) a title page are intended to be the same? Also, is this page excluded from page count? Will the Government also confirm that a separate cover is allowed and is excluded from page count? | Cover sheet, cover page or title page are intended to be the same. Section L-2.18, cover pages, tables of content, glossaries, acronym lists, list of tables and drawings will not count towards page count limitations. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.2.2 and L.3.0 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: Section 2.21 requires, "each proposal volume shall contain a detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume." |
In addition, 3.1.1 requires, "The executive summary will include a master Table of Contents of the entire proposal."
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify whether or not two Tables of Content are required in Volume I, Executive Summary? Also, will the Government please confirm that all Tables of Contents, in every proposal volume, are excluded from page count? | The table of contents requirements for the executive summary can be combined into the same table, they do not require two separate tables. Section L 2.18, cover pages, tables of content, glossaries, acronym lists, list of tables and drawings will not count towards page count limitations. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.4.3.2 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: 4.3.2 requires, "In addition to the narratives, the Offeror may substantiate any prime, subcontractor, and/or teaming partner experience referenced in the technical proposal by providing corroborating documentation. Some examples of corroborating documentation are listed below, and can be tailored to address the specific approach captured in the proposal". In addition, L.4.3.2.5 states, "The provided corroborating documentation shall not exceed a combined page count of fifteen (15) pages and must be cross-referenced within the proposal." and 4.3.2.5.1 states, "The provided corroborating documentation will be counted toward the overall sixty (60) page limit of the subfactor 2 overarching technical approach." |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please confirm that all "corroborating documentation" must be included Volume II, Technical, Subfactor 2, Overarching Technical Approach and counts towards the 60 page limitation? | Updated guidance per Section L 4.3.2.5.1. 4.3.2.5.1 The provided corroborating documentation will not be counted toward the overall sixty (60) page limit of the subfactor 2 overarching technical approach and should be distinctly marked to separate this material from the pages of the technical approach. The 15 page limit for corroborating documents still exists. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Sections 2.21, 2.23 and 5.5 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: Section 2.21 requires, "each proposal volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms". In addition, 2.23 requires, "a cover sheet shall be included in each volume". However, 5.5 Volume Organization for Volume III, Cost/Price, does not identify where a cover sheet and a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms belongs. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please confirm that Volume III, Cost/Price, does not require a cover sheet or a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms? | Volume III, Cost/Price section 5.5 has been revised to include a cover sheet and glossary of abbreviations and acronyms. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section 5.0 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: Section 5.5 outlines the organization for Volume Organization for Volume III, Cost/Price. However, there are requirements for inclusion in the Offeror's proposal submittal in Sections 5.1 to 5.4, as well as 5.6 to 5.13 that aren't identified in Section 5.5. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify the organization of the Volume III, Cost/Price in Section 5.5? Will the Government please confirm that if items are not included in Section 5.5, they are not required with the proposal submission? | Volume III, Cost/Price- volume organization renumbered to clarify the requirements in the cost/price proposal submission. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section 6.0 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: 6.1 states, "The Offeror's proposal shall include a signed copy of the Model Contract and Sections A through K." However, 6.1.1 through 6.1.7 only call out Sections A, B, F, G, I and K. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify whether the offeror is required to include Sections C, D, E, H and J? If so, will the Government please clarify the organization of 6.0 Volume IV Contract Documentation? | Section L-6.0 has been revised. Offerors are to submit a copy of the solicitation and complete section fill-ins as applicable. |
| Attachment 14-Section L-Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 |
Attachment 1-SSHINE DD 254_3 DEC 2024
Attachment 11-Senior Key Person Profile RFP Section L. 6.9 Science and Technology Protection Description of Perceived Discrepancy: 6.9 states, "The Offeror Shall submit a completed Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile (Expanded Form) and Security Program Remedy Questionnaire. Templates for each requirement are included as an attachment to the solicitation."
The RFP documents include Attachment_1_-_SSHINE_DD_254_3_DEC_24_(CO_Signed).pdf and Attachment+11+-+Senior_Key+Person+Profile, but a Standard Form 424 is not included as an attachment to the solicitation. In addition, Attachment+11+-+Senior_Key+Person+Profile is Form OMB Number: 4040-0001 (not SF 424). The DD 254 Form appears to be a form used for Grants.
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Will the Government please clarify whether or not the "Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile (Expanded Form)" is one form or multiple documents required for submittal? Will the Government please clarify whether Attachment+11+-+Senior_Key+Person+Profile, Form OMB Number: 4040-0001 is required for submittal? Also, if required for submittal, will the Government please provide " Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile (Expanded Form)"? | The verbiage "Standard Form 424" has been removed from section L-6.9. Attachment 11- Key Person Profile is required to be submitted with proposal package. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section 1.0 - Program Structure and Objectives, Paragraph1.1.4 | Description of Perceived Discrepancy: Paragraph 1.1.4 states that two key focus areas of SSHINE are not reflected Table 1- Workload Indicator: assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) development and ground system development. |
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Do the staffing estimates provided in table 2 - Government Reference Staffing Matrix include table 1 estimates and estimates for AI&T and ground system development? | They include directly mission related AI&T and Ground taskings, but do not include long term development taskings | |||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.4.3.1.1.1 and L.4.4.1.1.6 | According to L.4.3.1.1.1, the page limit for Subfactor 1: Corporate Management is 15 pages. According to L.4.4.1.1.6, an OCI Mitigation Plan should be included in Subfactor 1. Inclusion of the OCI Mitigation Plan in the page count restriction will consume a large portion of the 15-page allocation, leaving insufficient room for evaluated content under Subfactor 1: Corporate Management. Can the Government please exclude the OCI Mitigation Plan from the 15-page limitation for Subfactor 1? | OCI plan requirements have been moved to section L-6.7 and needs to be submitted in IV. The plan is excluded from any page count requirements. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.6.7.2 and L.6.3 | Section L.6.7.2 states “...if your company or a subcontractor, teammate, etc., has active SBIR contracts or plans to compete for future SBIR contracts within AFRL/RV or AFRL/RD, the Offeror shall provide an OCI mitigation plan addressing how it will ensure that engineering solutions do not favor research conducted under these efforts." |
Section L.6.7.3 states “if the Offeror is aware of any other actual or potential OCI that could impact the SSHINE acquisition or subsequent contract, the Offeror shall provide the Contracting Officer with the complete information as well as address how it will handle the situation in an OCI mitigation plan."
| Both of these statements use "if" clauses which suggests that an OCI Mitigation Plan is required only required only if an OCI exists as defined in Section L 6.7.2/6.7.3. Please confirm/clarify. | See section 6.7- Offerors shall provide a plan that describes means to mitigate potential existing conflicts or future conflicts. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.6.7.2 | Section 6.7.2 states“...if your company or a subcontractor, teammate, etc., has active SBIR contracts or plans to compete for future SBIR contracts within AFRL/RV or AFRL/RD, the Offeror shall provide an OCI mitigation plan addressing how it will ensure that engineering solutions do not favor research conducted under these efforts.” This wording can be interpreted as all SBIR contracts, not just those within AFRL/RV or AFRL/RD. |
| Can the Government please confirm/clarify that “active SBIR contracts” refers to active AFRL/RV or AFRL/RD SBIR contracts? | Section L-6.7.2 revised. The SBIR OCI concerns relate to AFRL/RV and AFRL/RD SBIR contracts. | |||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.4.4.1.1.4 and 4.4.1.1.5 | Section L.4.4.1.1.4 and 4.4.1.1.5 do not have an associated Section M evaluation criteria. Can the Government please clarify how they will evaluate Section L.4.4.1.1.4 and 4.4.1.1.5? | Section M-2.6.1 has been revised. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L 6.9 | Section L6.9 states that "the Offeror Shall submit a completed Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile (Expanded Form) and Security Program Questionnaire. Templates for each requirement are included as an attachment to the solicitation." The templates for the Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile (Attachment 11) and the Security Program Questionnaire (Attachment 12) are included as attachments, but Standard Form 424 is not included or listed as an attachment. Please clarify. | The verbiage "Standard Form 424" has been removed from section L-6.9. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | RFP Section L.5.13 | Section L 5.13 states that “other direct costs, travel, and materials shall be cost reimbursable with no fee.” Per the FAR, fee is allowable on a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract. Thus this is an RFP restriction which is stricter than the FAR, which is the right of the government. However, this makes it difficult for small businesses to bid on this contract. |
| Winning this contract could bankrupt a company due to the volume/size of the ODCs, Travel, and Materials. In the RFP, these costs total approximately $28M per year. Any small business will likely have to borrow to purchase the non-labor items. The annual financing costs, which are unallowable and therefore paid out of profit, would dilute any profit from the potential labor that is fee barring on the SSHINE contract. Would the Government consider allowing a different fee level on the ODCs such that legitimate small businesses can propose? | Indirect costs are allowable if they meet the criteria outlined in FAR 31.2 and are proposed in accordance with contractor's standard accounting practices. Fee will not be applied to ODCs which includes the ODCs, Travel, and materials CLINs. | |||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section 4.3.1.2 - 4.3.1.2.1, 4.5 - 4.5.3.3 | Section 4.3.1.2 - Factor 2 has a page limit of twenty (20) pages. Section 4.2.1.2.1 states "No Subfactor for Factor 2 may exceed ten (10) pages in total. When you look at Section 4.5 Factor 2: Scenario Responses there are Subfactor 3 (Section 4.5.1), Subfactor 4 (Section 4.5.2) and Subfactor 5 (Section 4.5.3). If we do 10 pages for each of them we are at 30 pages which is over page count. Can the Government change Factor 2 page limit to be 30 pages? | Factor 2 page limit remains 20 pages; Section L 4.3.1.2.1 has been removed, eliminating page allocation limitations. | |
| Attachment 14 - Section L Instructions and Attachment 15 - Section M Evaluation | L-4.4.1.1.6 and L6.7; M-2.6.1.4 OCI | Recommend that the OCI requirements be address in only one volume (Volume IV) vs in the Vol II - Technical and Volume IV Contracts. Justification for the OCI to be in only one volume Technical response section is limited to 15 pages and OCI Mitigation Plan would essentially eat up the 15 page limit. Whereas if provided only in Volume IV which is unlimited. Or if you want it in both places can we provide the OCI Mitigation Plan as an appendix outside page count? | OCI plan requirements have been moved to section L-6.7 and needs to be submitted in colume IV. The plan is excluded from any page count limitations. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section 6.8 Teaming Arrangements | Are we to provide copies of our Teaming Agreements with our bid response? | Section L-6.8 states provide complete information as to the arrangement | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | pages 21 and 24 | Task Order 0001- RVEP-- 5-year Period of Performance CLIN 0002 - ODCs: $1,608,738 (baselined) |
CLIN 0003 - Travel: $665,456 (baselined) CLIN 0004 - Materials: $9,116,192 (baselined) Task Order 0002 - RVEN--5-year Period of Performance CLIN 0002 - ODCs: $4,182,721 (baselined) CLIN 0003 - Travel: $938,430 (baselined) CLIN 0004 - Materials: $115,024,892 (baselined) Task Order 0003 - RVEX--5-year Period of Performance CLIN 0002 - ODCs: $529,926 (baselined)
| CLIN 0003 - Travel: $80,435 (baselined) CLIN 0004 - Materials: $804,368 (baselined). Please advise as to which Baselined Costs by CLIN is correct - 5.13 or Attachment 1, Section B. | This discrepancy has been addressed in section 5.6.7.5 (formerly section 5.13) and Section L Attachment 1 Section B. | |||
| Attachment 13-SSHINE Security Billet Information-controlled and Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_ 18 Dec 2024 | Given that there are TS/SCI billets for all positions in the Government Reference Staffing Matrix, is the expectation that all of those staff will be TS/SCI? | The Offeror shall have the ability to administratively process TS/SCI up to all personnel to perform the work required on the resulting contract. Key personnel identified in section 5.3 of the IDIQ SOW and section 5 of the RVEP and RVEX TO SOWs shall possess a current DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance at contract award. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | 4.4.1.1.6; 6.0; 6.7; 6.7.3--pg 10-11 and pg 23 | Section L requires an OCI Mitigation Plan that shall be IAW Section L-6.7. Section L-6.7 is under Volume IV: Contract Documentation. |
Will the government clarify where offerors are to include their OCI Mitigiation Plan: Volume II/Subfactor 1; Volume IV; or Volume II/Subfactor 1 and Volume IV?
| If the government requires the OCI Mitigation Plan in Volume II/Subfactor 1, will the government exclude the OCI Mitigation Plan from the Subfactor's 15-page limit? | OCI plan requirements have been moved to section L-6.7 and needs to be submitted in IV. The plan is excluded from any page limitations. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | 4.4.2.1.1 |
4.4.2.1.4 4.4.2.1.5
4.4.2.1.6 Section L-4.4.2.1.1 requires offerors "meets the requirements as specified in basic contract Statement of Work."
L-4.4.2.1.4-4.4.2.1.6 requires a technical approach to meet TO 0001-0003 SOW requirements.
The work in the IDIQ SOWs align with the TO SOWs, with the exception of numbering, e.g., IDIQ SOW 4.3.1 is RVEP 4.3.1, but is 4.3.3 for RVEN.
Would the government be willing to fix the discrepancies in the numbering across SOWs?
Examples of discrepancies found:
Basic SOW possible discrepancies:
It appears 4.2.5-4.2.5.4 in the basic SOW is a duplicate of 4.2.4.9-4.2.4.9.4.
It appears 4.3.9.2 refers to different sections across the other SOWs (2.1.3.2.3 vs 4.3.3.1.3).
RVEP SOW possible discrepancies:
4.1.9 in the RVEP SOW aligns with 4.1.9.4 in the basic SOW.
See RVEP SOW 4.3.5 vs Basic SOW 4.3.4.1.
RVEN SOW possible Discrepancies:
4.1.2.2 and 4.2.2.3 appear to be errors and duplicates of 4.1.4 and 4.1.5.
Same issue with 4.1.9 as stated before
4.1.18.2 appears to have been accidentally merged with 4.2.
4.2.2.0-4.2.2.6 are off by one due to starting on 0 vs 1 and out of consistency with other SOWs
4.3.3 should be 4.3.1 and rest of section numbering updated
| 4.4.3 should be 4.4.1 and rest of section numbering updated | numbering discrepancies have been addressed in the SOWs | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | pg 21 section 5.13 | Each task order is limited to $150,000,000 maximum value; are the baselined costs for ODCs, travel, and materials (CLINs 0002, 0003, and 0004) included within that maximum value limit? |
| Additionally, please verify that the baselined values, specifically RVEN materials (CLIN 0004), are accurate. For RVEN, the baselined values equate to about 80% of the maximum task order value. | Yes, baseline costs are included in the maximum value limit for each task order. Baseline values have been clarified and revised in Section L-5.6.7.5 (formerly section 5.13) and Section L Attachment 1 Section B. RVEN Material cost has been revised to more accurately reflect material purchases. | ||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | pg 19 section 5.10.5 | Within the directions for Volume III - Cost/Price, it is stated that "Subcontractors are required to submit fully disclosed proposals containing the same information as required of the prime contractor, if not competed." Are there any additional directions available for subcontractors? Is this requirement only applicable to Volume III requirements? |
| Additionally, it is stated that "Proprietary subcontractor information submitted separately is due by the closing date for offers." Please provide direction for subcontractors in submitting their proprietary proposals directly to the Government; should the prime request an additional DoDSafe link for subcontractors so that they may submit their files separately? | Added subcontractor submission info to Section L-1.4.2 and Section L-5.1, 5.5, and 5.6. | |||
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.2.16, GFP and/or Base Support Requirements | The Section L requirement states: The Government plans to provide the items listed in the solicitation as Base Support. Is the Offeror required to maintain this equipment or is this covered by a base support contract? | The base support list, IDIQ SOW, TO SOWs, and Section L have been revised for clarity on what capabilites the SSHINE contractor will maintain. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L, 2.18, Page Limitations, Size, and Format | Will the Government allow 11"x17" foldout pages? | All proposals shall be submitted electronically. Please see Section L-2.18 for page limititation, size, and format information. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L, 1.1.5 Government Reference Staffing Matrix, Table 2 | The Table 2 requirement for Support states "(security, IT, purchasing, PM)". Does the acronym "PM" stand for project management (e.g., TO management) or program management? Our assumption is that the overall SSHINE Program Management/Administration is not included in this table by definition of Section M.2.8.1.3.4 | Program management in this line refers to the management of specific flight programs, the overall SSHINE program management burden is not included in this table. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L, 4.5.3 Subfactor 5 | Can the Government please provide a detailed description of the "existing HWIL/SWIL testbed" stated in 4.5.3.3? Is the "testbed" in the base support list provided with the draft RFP? | No further details are available. The testbed is not included in the base support list provided in the RFP. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.2.23 | In L.2.23 there is a reference to "copy number". The responses to this solicitation are required to be submitted electronically, can the government confirm this term is an error and should be removed? | Section L 2.23, "copy number" has been removed. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.5.10.5 | Can the government confirm that subcontractors are not required to submit a Cost/Price Narrative and are only required to submit their unsanitized Cost Summaries (MS Excel file pricing submission) directly to the government? | See Section L paragraphs 5.1, 5.5, and 5.6 for subcontractor submission information. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.1 Table 1, 5.10.5.2, 5.13 | The workload indicator table, the sample Schedule of Hours by Labor Skill Mix, and the Baselined Costs by CLIN include data or references to only the 5 year base period. Can the government confirm that offerors are only required to submit pricing for the 5-year base period? | The Period of Performance for each task order the government anticipates awarding with the basic IDIQ is 5-years. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.5.1.3, 7.1 | The Travel plug figures for Task Order 0001 and 0003 in section 5.1.3 are reversed in section 7.1. Please confirm the correct plug figures for each Task Order. | Baseline values have been clarified and revised in Section L-5.6.7.5 (formerly section 5.13) and Section L Attachment 1 Section B. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L - 4.4.2.1.4 - 4.4.2.1.6 | Section L asks for separate narrative descriptions of the technical approach for the basic contract SOW as well as TOs 01, 02, and 03. There are very minor differences between these four documents. Section M 2.6.2.4-2.6.2.7- evaluates the basic contract SOW and TO SOWs together under SOW 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. Can the Government modify L-4.4.2.1,1 to read "Shows the offeror meets the requirements as specified in basic contract Statement of Work and TO SOWs" and remove Sections L - 4.4.2.1.4 - 4.4.2.1.6 to agree with Section M 2.6.2.4-2.6.2.7? | Sections L - 4.4.2.1.4 - 4.4.2.1.6 and Section M 2.6.2.4-2.6.2.7 will not be modified. The government requires this duplication. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.4.4.1.1.6 | This section states : 4.4.1.1.6 The Offeror shall provide an organizational conflict of interest mitigation plan in accordance with Section L- 6.7 and FAR Subpart 9.5 Organization and Consultant Conflicts of Interest. Section L.6.7 states: 6.7.3 If the Offeror is aware of any other actual or potential OCI that could impact the SSHINE acquisition or subsequent contract, the Offeror shall provide the Contracting Officer with the complete information as well as address how it will handle the situation in an OCI mitigation plan. If an offeror provides that no OCI exists, is a plan required with the proposal or only if and when an OCI arises during performance? | OCI plan requirements have been moved to section L-6.7 and needs to be submitted in IV. The plan is excluded from any page count requirements. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.1.1.5 | Table 2 government staffing matrix no longer has the note "*Does not include contract management/administration". Does this mean that contract management/administration is included in Table 2? | The note was re-inserted into Section L under Table 2. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L - 4.3.1.1.2 and 4.4.2.1 | Section L 4.3.1.1.2 Subfactor 2 has a maximum limit of sixty (60) pages and required the offeror to address all of the requirements of the basic contract Statement of Work, and narrative description of their technical approach for TO 0001, 0002, and 0003. Will the Government consider revising Section L to consolidate responses to the contract SOW and TO SOWs together and remove Sections L - 4.4.2.1.4 - 4.4.2.1.6 since the requirements in the TO SOWs are virtually identical? | Sections L - 4.4.2.1.4 - 4.4.2.1.6 will not be modified. The government requires this duplication. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.6.9 | Section L.6.9 states for Science and Technology Protection, The Offeror Shall submit a completed Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile (Expanded Form) and Security Program Questionnaire. Templates for each requirement are included as an attachment to the solicitation. Is the Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile the same as Attachment 11- Senior_Key Profile? | The verbiage "Standard Form (SF) 424" has been removed from section L-6.9 | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.6.9 | If Attachment 11 - Senior_Key Profile form needs to be completed, does this mean named key personnel resumes/biographical sketches are required? Does this apply only to the three key personnel listed in the Basic SOW or all TO SOW additional key personnel? | Attachment 11- Senior Key Person Profile, needs to include all key personnel. The template allows additional individuals to be added by selecting "next person" in the bottom right of the form. A biographical sketch and resume are not required. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L - 5.13 Baselined Costs by CLIN | Can the Government provide the 2023-2024 historical breakdown of materials/services line items (Purchase Order line items) procured on the RISE contract to disclose the number and type of procurements under SSHINE? | The Government will not provide 2023-2024 historical breakdown of materials/services line items procured on the RISE contract. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.2.13 | Section L.2.13 states that “…to be eligible for award, offerors must have completed a DoD Assessment, as described in the NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Methodology, to determine their compliance with the NIST SP 800-171 security requirements.” Can the Government please clarify that CMMC Level 2 (MEDIUM or HIGH Assessment) is required and that this requirement can be satisfied by an offeror’s attestation of being scheduled for a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) assessment? | DFARS provision 252.204-7019 offerors shall have a current assessment (i.e., not more than 3-years old.)If the Offeror does not have summary level scores of a current NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment. An Offeror may follow the procedures in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision for posting Basic Assessments to SPRS. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L.1.3.3 | In Section K (52.204-8 (2)), the small business size standard for NAICS code 541715 is listed as 1300 employees, but in Section L.1.3.3 it shows 1000 employees. Please clarify which size standard applies to SSHINE. | Section L 1.3.3 has been revised to reflect 1300 employees. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 4.6 | Since much of the staffing plan will be submitted through the Government-provided Staffing Plan template, will any of these Spreadsheets need to be copied into the 10 pages allocated for this portion of the Technical Volume or does offeror just include RFP Attachment 9 (which does not count against the technical volume page count)? | The staffing plan is a requirement within the technical volume; however, Section L 4.6.1.1 states the staffing plan spreadsheet does not count against the page totals for this portion of the technical volume. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 4.6 and Para 5.0 | Does the Government want any staffing approach or cost/price data submitted for the staff supporting the IDIQ SOW (Program Manager, Chief Engineer, Lead Flight/Ground Software Engineer), including the SOW Supplement and identification of Principal Investigator and Technical Contract Manager? | See section 5.3 of the basic IDIQ SOW. The personnel listed are essential to each task order. Individual task order SOWs may include additional key personnel. The Principal Investigator and Technical Contract Manager are government positions that will be identified upon award. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.5.2.9 | Does the Government plan to provide a TEP spreadsheet or a Government WBS for Contractor consideration/use? | The Government will not provide a TEP spreadsheet or Government WBS for use. See section L-5.6.4. and 5.6.5. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.9.3 and 5.13 | Paragraphs 5.9.3 and 5.13 appear to request the same acknowledgement of Baselined Costs by CLIN/Task Order. Please clarify what should be included in each of these sections. | See revised section L- 5.5.9 and section L-5.6.7.5 | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.10.5 | Paragraph 5.10.5 states, "Subcontractors are required to submit fully disclosed proposals containing the same information as required of the prime contractor, if not competed." Please clarify the definition of "not competed". In addition, what level of details are required of subcontractors? Do all subcontractors have to submit full cost/price proposals or is a labor rate buildup adequate and only required for "significant" or "major" subcontractors? | Not competed means the prime obtained only one quote/proposal for the subcontractor's effort. See section L-5.1, 5.5 and 5.6 for submission information. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.11 | Will these Task Order rates and escalation become part of the awarded contract and used on future Task Orders or only to be applied to the TO 0001-0003 bids? | IAW Sec L, paras 5.5.4.9 and Sec M, paras 3.1.1, 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 awarded task order pricing applies to Task Orders 0001-0003 only. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.12.6 | Shall Offerors propose New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax (NMGRT) in the Total Evaluated Price or will this tax be waived for the R&D focus of SSHINE? | See Sec L, para 5.6.7.4.6- Effective 1 January 2016 and prior to 1 January 2031, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) has extended the Gross Receipts Tax deduction for R&D efforts. It is the responsibility of the prime contractor to determine the applicability of the deduction to the prime and potential subcontractors. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.12.6 | For comparison of SSHINE pricing/Total Evaluated Price (TEP) and ensuring the Government is reviewing Offeror's total price in a similar manner, should Offerors propose NMGRT without any deductions/exemptions be present for any invoiced amounts on the SSHINE contract? | See Sec L, para 5.6.7.4.6- Effective 1 January 2016 and prior to 1 January 2031, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) has extended the Gross Receipts Tax deduction for R&D efforts. It is the responsibility of the prime contractor to determine the applicability of the deduction to the prime and potential subcontractors. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 5.13 | Baselined Costs in Paragraph 5.13 do not match Section L - Attachment 1, Section B Proposal pricing on the final page. Please clarify the correct plug-number to use for CLINs 0003 for Task Orders 0001 and 0003. | Baseline values have been clarified and revised in section L-5.6.7.5 and section L- Attachment 1, Section B. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 6.1 | To ensure a compliant Model Contract, does the Government want offerors to includes Sections C, D, E, H, and J in this volume? | Section L-6.1, the offeror's proposal shall include a signed copy of the model contract which includes sections A through K. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 6.1.4 | Section F instructions identify subsections for overall performance period, transition period, technical period, final reporting period, and ordering period. Please clarify what is needed to be compliant with these instructions or if Offeror just needs to include the Section F materials from the Model Contract (with or without the address and POC information). | Section L-6.0 contract documentation volume has been revised for clarity. Offerors are not required to submit information for section F of the model contract. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Section L/Para 7.0 | If the Offeror DOES NOT plans to add and/or tailor any compliance documents that were not already provided within the Basic IDIQ SOW, does the Offeror need to provide a Volume V - Compliance Documentation Volume or simply note this statement in the Volume for submission? | Section L-7.1- list additions or tailored compliance and reference documents that are not already provided within the basic IDIQ SOW. If no additions or alterations to compliance documentation, the offeror shall include a statement acknowledging the compliance and reference documents provided and confirm no additions or alterations. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | DD 254 | Where does the Offeror need to include DD254 details in proposal submission? | Draft DD254 is to inform offers of certain access they will be required to have for the contract. Offerors do not need to provide any information regarding the DD254 at submission. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Attachment 11 - Senior Key Person Profile | The Government RFP includes Attachment 11 - Senior Key Person Profile.pdf. Where should this information be included (what Volume/section) in Offeror's proposal? | Volume IV, contract documentation | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Attachment 11 - Senior Key Person Profile | Does the Attachment 11 - Senior_Key Person Profile.pdf need to be included for only key personnel? If so, does the biographical sketch attachment need to include a resume? | Attachment 11- Senior Key Person Profile, needs to include all key personnel. The template allows additional individuals to be added by selecting "next person" in the bottom right of the form. A biographical sketch and resume are not required. | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Attachment 12 - Security Program Questionnaire | The Government RFP includes Attachment 12 - Security Program Questionnaire.docx. Where should this information be included (what Volume/section) in Offeror's proposal? | Volume IV, contract documentation | |
| Attachment 14- Section L- Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 | Attachment 12 - Security Program Questionnaire | The Government RFP includes Attachment 12 - Security Program Questionnaire.docx. This questionnaire doesn't seem applicable if all classified work will be conducted at Government locations and this would only mostly apply to Offeror's internal processes for their internal security processes. Please provide further clarification of completing this questionnaire for the SSHINE proposal. | Attachment 11 and attachment 12 are required to be included in accordance with the science and technology protection guidance outlined in AFRLi 61-113. |
Section M
| Document Title | Location of Discrepancy | Description of Perceived Discrepancy/Clarification or Remedy for Consideration | Resolution/Action Taken |
| Attachment 14-Section L-Instructions to Offerors_18 Dec 2024 |
| Attachment 15-Section M-Basis of Award_18 Dec 2024 | L.4.4.1 |
| M.2.6.1 | Description of Perceived Discrepancies: Section L.4.4.1 Subfactor 1: Corporate Management includes these requirements - |
-4.4.1.1.4 The Offeror's corporate organizational structure and corporate management approach (to include subcontractors and/or teaming partners, as applicable) and its application to the SSHINE organizational structure and SSHINE management approach (this shall include an organizational chart delineating positions/roles/responsibilities) -4.4.1.1.5 The Offeror's approach for meeting scalable surge requirements while maintaining contract performance in accordance with Government priorities across multiple, concurrent Task Orders.
Section M.2.6.1 Subfactor 1: Corporate Management does not have evaluation criteria that align with these two requirements. These section M requirements were deleted with the 11/27/24 DRFP release.
| Clarification or Remedy for Consideration: Were the evaluation criteria related to L.4.4.1.1.4 corporate organizational structure and L.4.4.1.1.6 surge requirements inadvertently deleted from Section M of the RFP? Will the Government please clarify whether Sections L.4.4.1.1.4 and L.4.4.1.1.5 are being evaluated or not? If they are being evaluated, will the Government please clarify which evaluation criteria are being used for the evaluation? | The evaluation criteria for subfactor 1 is in Section M-2.6.1 and has revisions. | |||
| Attachment 15 - Section M - Basis of Award | Section M- 2.2.5 | 1) In the primary evaluation methodology, does technical outweigh price? 2) If the Government conducts its Alternate Evaluation method, what is the Government's prioritization calculus? For example, will the Government accept a higher-priced "Purple" over a lower-priced "Green"? 3) In the alternative evaluation approach scenario, does technical outweigh price? | Section M-2.4 states, the technical factors are significantly more important that the cost/price factor. The evaluation steps outlined in section M-2.2 and relative importance clarified in section M-2.4 remain the same throughout the evaluation process. | |
| Attachment 15 - Section M - Basis of Award | Section M-1.4 | Section M-I 1.4 states "The Government seeks to award to the Offeror whose proposal provides the best trade-off value to the Department of the Air Force, based upon an integrated assessment of Technical/Technical Risk and Cost/Price factors." But the M II 2.2 Evaluation Steps shown are essentially a Lowest Price, Technically Good (LPTG). Is SSHINE not going to be a best value trade-off of all sections, where multiple strengths can be traded against price? | Section M-1.4 states, the government seeks to award to the offeror whose proposal provides the best trade-off value to the Department of the Air Force…The Government reserves the right to award to other than the lowest priced offeror for a superior technical proposal. Section M-2.2.6 states, the government reserves the right to select the highest price proposal within the competitive range that meets or exceeds the technical requirements if it is in the best interest of the Government and cost/price is determined, complete, balance, reasonable, and realistic. | |
| Attachment 15 - Section M - Basis of Award | Section M-2.2 Evaluation Steps | Focusing the Government evaluation on lowest cost, while holding labor to +/-15% of the Government staffing reference, drives the competitors to cut to the lowest possible cost resources. This is not conducive to the competitive Albuquerque labor market. This creates attrition and sets the bar for lowest qualified personnel to backfill positions or not filling vacancies. Has the Government factored this into their risk analysis? Does the Government consider this best value? | Section M-1.4 states, the government seeks to award to the offeror whose proposal provides the best trade-off value to the Department of the Air Force…The Government reserves the right to award to other than the lowest priced offeror for a superior technical proposal. Section M-2.2.6 states, the government reserves the right to select the highest price proposal within the competitive range that meets or exceeds the technical requirements if it is in the best interest of the Government and cost/price is determined, complete, balance, reasonable, and realistic. |
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