Amendment_2_-_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

# Section Page(s) Question Answer

SOW

HRIS Infrastructure Project Management and Requirements

Page 7 identifies two task areas: HRIS Project Management and Human Capital Data Analytics. However, when reviewing the position descriptions beginning on Page 16 through Page 20, we do not see any positions that would align with completing the work in these two sections, i.e. Business Process Reengineering Consultant, Data Analyst, Systems Specialist, Jr. Business Analyst. Further similar positions are also not identified in the Pricing Sheet. Would the government please provide guidance on staffing and pricing for these activities?

Labor categories have been corected in the Statement of Work (Attachement A) and the Pricing Spreadsheet (Attachement C).

All known labor categories are now accounted for.

SOW ‐

IV Location Work and Travel

"…however there may be times when contactor support may be required outside of normal hours of operation, to include weekends."

Does the government anticipate OT rates should be bid at the BPA level or by task order?

If special rates apply for OT, after hours or weekends they should be bid at the TO levels. If OT is authorized, we would pay those rates.

3 Pricing Worksheet Are the 13 AEIO contractors currently working overtime?

Yes, but only when approved and absolutely necessary.

Generally, OT is not required.

SOW ‐

VII Personnel Qualifications

“All Contractors will be required to obtain the same Level 5 Public Trust Security clearance.”

Please confirm that the government will initiate each contractor into the e‐quip system to complete SF85 for the Level 5 Public Trust Clearance.

The government will iniate and cover all costs for contractor clearances.

5 Security

Will the government accept personnel with an active secret clearance for positions with Public Trust clearance requirements? If so, will the cleared personnel be required to get fingerprints and conduct a background investigation?

No, all contractors must go through FDA's security clearance process.

Solicitation

Attachment F: FDA Personnel Security Clearance Requirements

Please confirm that HHS will pay for all costs associated with the security requirements/levels (background checks, fingerprinting, etc.) at HHS’ sites.

The government will iniate and cover all costs for contractor clearances.

7 Security Does the government anticipate there will be a secret or top secret requirement at the task order level? If so, will a DD‐254 be issued at the Individual Task Order (ITO) level?

No secret or top secret clearances will be required.

8 Security Is the IDIQ being issued at the classified or unclassified level?

Contractors would be Unclassified with a Level 5 Public Trust clearance

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

In the paragraph “Security and Privacy” besides use of FDA HR systems, will the contractor be restricted to using FDA computers or will the signed Commitment to Protect Non‐Public Information form 3398 suffice?

No, but only FDA computers can access FDA systems.

Solicitation ‐

Instructions to Offerors

In the section that outlines items not counted against the overall page count of our technical response, resumes are listed along with the requirement that they can be no more than 3 pages in length. However, there is no other mention of resumes in the RFP. Can the government confirm that resumes are not required with this proposal and will only be needed at the RFTOP level?

Resumes are not required for the base IDIQ. They would be requested in the resulting Request for Task Order Proposals

(RFTOP).

Solicitation ‐

HHSAR 352.237‐75 KEY

PERSONNEL

In regards to HHSAR 352.237‐75 KEY PERSONNEL, “the IDIQ Program Manager shall be considered key personnel…”, can the Government please clarify if offerors should include a resume for the Program Manager with proposal submission and, if so, where in the proposal should offerors include the resume?

Resumes are not required for the base IDIQ. They would be requested in the resulting Request for Task Order Proposals

(RFTOP).

12 General Will the government allow questions at the Task Order level if necessary prior to RFTOP submission?

Yes.

Attachment G – Form FDA 3398

(10‐10) and Attachment I

Sample Commitment Letter were provided by the Government as attachments to the solicitation. Are these forms included in anticipation of task order award?

Is it the FDA’s expectation that the Contractor shall include completed attachments G and I at the time of task order proposal?

These forms are included as samples, and are not required at this time. Successful offerors would be required to submit these forms with their responses to a Request For Task Order Proposals (RFTOP).

Solicitation ‐

Transition Services

The Government refers to GFE and GFI in reference to transition in and transition out services. Is the Contractor to assume that we will not be required to provide any Contractor furnished equipment?

No contractor supplied equipment will need to be furnished unless specifically stated in the task order, however it is expected that the government will furnish required equipment.

15 SOW and Pricing Worksheet 17

Attachment C – Pricing Worksheet identifies the labor category "Human Resource Generalist." Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services section VII Personnel Qualifications only defines personnel qualifications for "Senior Human Resource Generalist.” can the government confirm the right title of Senior HR Generalist for the pricing worksheet? Is it the Government's expectation for the contractor to provide pricing for both labor categories?

Labor categories have been corected in the Statement of Work (Attachement A) and the Pricing Spreadsheet (Attachement C).

All known labor categories are now accounted for.

16 SOW 19

Is the Senior Project Manager position description (Page 19) different that than the Senior HR Project Manager in the pricing spreadsheet? If not will the pricing spreadsheet be updated to reflect the Senior Project Manager Position?

This was an oversight. The category we require is the Senior HR Project Manager, and we have updated the solicitation documents to reflect this.

Attachment C:

Pricing Worksheet

The Labor Categories show a part‐time Sr. HR Project Manager, Is this position serve at the ITO level for each task? If so, will this person be on‐site? Also, in the SOW (page 17, It shows “Senior Project Manager” is this one in the same?

This was an oversight. The category we require is the Senior HR Project Manager, and we have updated the solicitation documents to reflect this.

Statement of Work VII.

Personnel Qualifications, and Attachment C Pricing worksheet

The Statement of Work VII. Personnel Qualifications, and Attachment C Pricing worksheet provides for the usual HR labor categories. Will the government add additional rows for the appropriate HRIS, Logistic Support, and other labor categories appropriate for the other than pure HR requirements?

Additional labor categories have been added for a Systems Analyst/Information Specialist II, and and Systems Administrator III.

19 Solicitation 7

“Ordering Procedures” the Government identifies additional labor categories may be added by mutual agreement of the parties. Will this be done during the solicitation process or during the Task Order process? Based on the requirement, what mechanism will the Government use to add Labor Categories?

In the event that new Labor Catagories might be needed, a bilateral modification would be sought for the base IDIQ. The labor categories included in this solicitation are the only ones anticipated at this time.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

The narrative on page 1 states that contractor staff will be required to have technical expertise in several specific areas. However, the list does not map directly to Section II Objectives, page 2, nor does it include some of the task areas in Section III Scope of Work, pages 2 ‐11 (e.g. strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, human capital data analysis, workforce planning). Can the Government clarify the full list of expertise that the Offeror is expected to demonstrate?

Please see the revisions to Attachment A that clarify the full scope of work that the vendor is required to demonstrate.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

In the paragraph “Personnel Qualifications – Senior Project Management” the Senior Project Manager LCAT requires a PMP certification. Will the Government accept 10 years of experience managing federal HR projects, contracts, or task orders in lieu of the PMP certification?

We will substitute experience for a PMP certification.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

"Scope of Work. Classification Support” are there any major reorganizations underway or anticipated for the base year?

None are anticipated that would affect the performance of this award.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

“Scope of Work, Workers’ Compensation Support,” how many unions are at FDA and how many collective bargaining agreements are in effect? Are any expected to be renegotiated in the next year?

None that apply to this IDIQ.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

“Scope of Work, Stakeholder Outreach and Communication Support” does FDA have continuing programs with colleges and universities that provide interns and graduates for building the workforce pipeline? Would the Government expect the contractor to support FDA in any of these programs?

While it is possible that such work could be required, it would be outlined in a Task Order requirement, not the base IDIQ.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

"IV Period of Performance” the Government indicates that the commencement of the period of performance will begin at contract award. Can the Government please provide an anticipated start date and end date for pricing purposes?

Award is anticipated in spring of 2017, and would be awarded as a Five‐Year Multiple Award IDIQ.

26 General Can the Offeror provide a compliance matrix that will not be included in the page count to illustrate that all requirements have been met and where they are located in the proposal?

Yes.

Can we submit separate HR Labor Categories/Rates for Non‐DEU Certified and DEU Certified personnel?

Please provide pricing for the requested labor catagories. Most, if not all, HR employees would be required to be DEU Certified.

In reference to Human Resources (HR) Information Technology (IT) support, is this requirement a stand‐alone sole IT support (Tier I, II &) position for the HR Section without any other IT assistance from the FDA CIO/IT support services.

Or, is this a desktop support (Tier I) requirement specifically focused on assisting users with minor HR software application, printer, user level issues. In addition, will HR IT support will be required to identify and elevate user IT issues to higher level Help Desk Tier II & III support?

Various systems may require Tier I and Tier II IT support, however, most support will be provided by whichever organization is suporting the system in question (there are several). No IT support will be required beyond what is provided in the SOW.

29 General

We understand that The MITRE Corporation operates a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) under CMS and has been asked by the Federal Drug Administration to assist in the evaluation process for this solicitation. The FFRDC will follow established standards of conduct during the source selection process and will maintain confidentiality of proprietary and source selection information. Being that The MITRE Corporation has relationships with numerous firms in the federal space, what protocols will be in place to ensure fair competition for this solicitation?

All parties involved with the evaluation of proposals will be required to sign non‐disclosure agreements and conflict of interest forms prior to receiving any materials.

Does FDA currently have service level performance standards for recruitment?

If so, what are you measuring and what is your level of performance?

FDA follows OPM's guidance and standards for recruitment.

31 How is demand data and budget used to forecast recruitment needs? Not applicable to this solicitation.

32 To what extent does FDA rely on special authorities to support STEM vacancies? Not applicable to this solicitation.

How are internal program managers engaged in defining job requirements and selection criteria?

Not applicable to this solicitation.

Solicitation

Factor 3 – Past Performance 12 & 13

It is requested that offerors provide (3) customer references and (3) completed past performance (PP) questionnaires. Can the 3 references come from the 3 completed PP questionnaires or do they have to be from other contracts?

The three (3) PP questionnaires can be from the same contracts/exeriences as the three (3) customer references.

Solicitation

Factor 3 – Past Performance 12 & 13

Will a past performance questionnaire completed by the Government point of contact for performance as a major subcontractor be accepted rather than from the Prime?

The past performance questionaire may include contracts/order on which the Offeror served as a subcontractor, provided that the subcontract was similar in scope, duration, and price to this effort. If a subcontract, contact information for the prime contractor, not the customer, should be included.

Solicitation

Factor 3 – Past Performance 12 & 13

Does the Prime have to submit a minimum of three (3) PPs or can this be a combined number?

This can be a combined number. However, past performance information for the prime will be considered more important to the Government.

Solicitation

Factor 3 – Past Performance 12 & 13

On page 12/32 of the solicitation it says past performance from primes are more important than those of subs to the primes. 3 past performances are required. Does the government have a limit as to how many past performances / questionnaires be submitted?

No limit was provided beyond the minimum of three (3).

Solicitation

Factor 3 – Past Performance 12 & 13

Can the Offeror submit subcontractor past performance in addition to the three required citations, or shall subcontractor past performance be included in the three citations?

Yes, the additional past performance would be acceptable, as long as the minimum of three is met.

39 How is FDA currently assessing their reputation for employment?

Not applicable to the statement of work. Please refer back to to the statement of work.

40 How are internal FDA staff engaged as ambassadors for recruitment?

Not applicable to the statement of work. Please refer back to to the statement of work.

41 To what extent does FDA use social media and other channels to attract talent?

No social media requirements are defined within the statement of work.

What internal resources are used to follow‐up and keep applicants aware of current vacancy process?

Not applicable to the statement of work. Please refer back to to the statement of work.

Human Capital Data Analysis and Reporting Support – How does workforce planning and workforce composition shape and/or influence recruitment strategies?

Not applicable to the statement of work. Please refer back to to the statement of work.

How does the government anticipate the Hiring Freeze Executive Order will affect task order performance?

The execution and performance of this IDIQ and all susbsequent Task Orders will be in full compliance with all applicable Executive Orders.

Does the FDA agree that its solicitation is inconsistent with the requirements of President Trump’s Executive Order and OMB/OPM Guidance? If it does not agree, on what basis does it justify its position?

The execution and performance of this IDIQ and all susbsequent Task Orders will be in full compliance with all applicable Executive Orders.

Assuming there will be approximately 3 IDIQ awards, when preparing our Transition Plans, should we anticipate interfacing with more than just the departing incumbent contractor and the government (i.e., should we plan to also interface with approximately 2 other new awardees)?

When a new Task Order is awarded, the incumbent and the awardee would be required to interface with each other in accordance with the Transition‐In/‐Out specifications in the SOW to ensure a smooth transition and to minimize disruptions.

47 solicitation ordering procedures

The solicitation ordering procedures describes the process for requesting task order proposals and we assume there will be other contractors operating wherever we operate. However, for management efficiency and economies of scale can we assume the government will solicit task orders by service area (e.g., Recruitment and Staffing, Classification, HRIS, Worker’s Comp, etc.)?

Task orders will be solicited as needs arise, and will be competed among the awardees of this IDIQ.

Solicitation FAR 52.217‐8 Option to Extend Services, and FAR

52.217‐9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract

Solicitation FAR 52.217‐8 Option to Extend Services, and FAR 52.217‐9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract provides the government the option to extend with written notice 5 days before the contract expires provided the government gives written notice at least10 days before the contract expires. From a workforce management and retention perspective, employees deserve at least the customary two‐week notice, and HHSAR 353.237‐75 Key Personnel requires at least 30 days’ notice from the contractor. Will the government change the notice of intent to 60 days and change the exercise of the option to 30 days as is customary on most federal professional services contracts?

We concur, and FAR Clauses 52.217‐8 and 52.217‐9 will be updated.

SOW ‐

HR Project Management Support

Can FDA provide example tasks related to this support? Is this referring to the overall PM of the IDIQ OR specific project management expertise to be assigned to FDA federal team or projects? Please clarify.

We require each awardee to have an overall Program Manager that is responsible for all Task Orders under their award. The specific project mangement expertise will be defined at the individual task order level.

Attachment A – Statement of Work, HR Support Services

“Task Requirements – Project Management” the Government refers to Program Management Support separately from Project Management Support. Is it the Government's intention for the offeror to provide a separate Program Manager to fulfill this requirement? If so, can this Labor Category be added to the IDIQ list?

Program Managers would not be a separate billable position, and should be included in the loaded bill rates for the other labor categories.

51 SOW 24 Please confirm that the IDIQ Program Manager (PM) is a billable position.

Program Managers would not be a separate billable position, and should be included in the loaded bill rates for the other labor categories.

52 Solicitation

(final paragraph) Is it the government’s intent to include the PM on the first awarded TO per company, and if so should we include a PM labor category for our submission?

Program Managers would not be a separate billable position, and should be included in the loaded bill rates for the other labor categories.

Are there any project management guidelines? Ie. will we need to report using our own PM tools, or provided PM tools?

The FDA uses specific project management tools for project tracking, reporting and data presentation. GFE will be provided to the vendor at the task order level.

54 SOW

The labor categories in the SOW and corresponding pricing spreadsheet, do not seem to reflect the work needed to be done under HRIS Infrastructure Project Management and Requirements Development; will the government add additional labor categories to correspond to the task requirements (i.e, IT labor categories)?

Yes, two labor categories were added to the statement of work and pricing spreadsheet.

Will the government consider adding additional labor categories for the Stakeholder Outreach Support and Coordination task?

Not at this time. If they become absolutely necessary, then additional labor catagories could be added via a negotiated modification.

Will the government consider adding additional labor categories for the Strategic Communications and Change Management support? Or is the HR Specialist II (Policy Writer) anticipated to be utilized for this task?

The HR Specialist II (Policy Writer) anticipated to be utilized for this task.

Please confirm that the Secretary/Admin Support Level 1 (on page 19) corresponds to Secretary I (01311) on the DOL Wage Determination.

Yes, the Secretary/Admin Support Level 1 category corresponds with Secretary I

Please confirm that all of the work will be transitioned from the incumbent contractor within 45 days from the initial task order award.

The transition period would be dependant on needs of each individual task order.

Does this IDIQ support the existing FDA HR staff? If yes, how many feds in the HR function?

Individual RFTOPs will identify the centers and duties required.

Can you identify which specific functions/tasks will be performed 100% by the contractor? (for example: in hiring process there are numerous hiring steps in the life cycle, can FDA give us a sense of the life cycle steps handled solely by the contractor?

The specific tasks to be performed by the vendor will vary based on the individual assignment and needs of the government.

In the support to FDA under this IDIQ, will FDA require contractor staff “on‐site” 100% or will some of the work performed be provided remotely?

a. For example: for staffing and classification contractor staff on SOW page 6 section 3rd bullet, can this work be performed by the contractor staff off‐site?

b. If yes, will FDA grant contractor staff remote access?

Work will be performed on‐site.

62 Solicitation

(3rd Paragraph) Are any of these contract personnel to be provided working from contractor sites or are they all to work on Government sites?

Work will be performed on‐site.

63 Pricing Worksheet Will telework be authorized? If so, how will it be implemented?

This would be on a case by case basis, per the needs of individidual task order requirements.

64 Pricing Worksheet Is alternative work scheduling allowed?

This would be on a case by case basis, per the needs of individidual task order requirements.

Where will all of the work be performed, and can you please provide the addresses of the locations?

Metro DC Area including, Washington DC, Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring Maryland

66 Does FDA have any special pay or direct hiring authorities? If yes which ones?

Yes, but individual RFTOPs will detail the requirements for each specific task order when it becomes necessary.

Is there any backlog work that the contractor will support? If so, in what task areas?

Individual RFTOPs will detail the requirements for each specific task order when it becomes necessary.

How many hard‐to‐fill or critical hire positions will the contractor be responsible for supporting? To what degree or in what capacity?

This is not known at this time as these needs cannot be predicted. Individual RFTOPs will detail the requirements for each specific task order when it becomes necessary.

In addition to the 13 current contractors on‐site, will FDA need additional HR Specialists and HR Assistants to support the contract? If so, how many?

Individual RFTOPs will detail the requirements for each specific task order when it becomes necessary. It is anticipated that additional contractors will be required.

Now that this will be a multiple awards how does FDA see issuing task orders?

This is a new IDIQ is showing 21.5 FTEs and if the current incumbent maintained their 13 FTE’s are these 21.5 new positions or does that include the 13 currently supporting this requirement.

See Ordering Procedures in Solicitation for details. The estimated hours listed in the pricing spreadsheet is for price analysis purposes only.

I understand there will be three awards and the incumbent has/had a 5 year contract – will the incumbent need to re‐compete this contract? Or will this be 3 additional awards with a total of 4 contractors?

This award will replace the existing award for the same, ongoing requirement.

Once the individual task order (ITO) is issued, what's the timeframe for turnaround delivery?

Offerors should include their turnaround timeframes in their proposals, to include a transition if one is needed.

73 SOW 6 (4th bullet) Can you share what are the Professional Series (i.e. 400, 600, 1300, series) and how do they differ from supervisory, non‐supervisory, interdisciplinary?

Please refer to the SOW on page 6 that outlines all of the Classification support duties. Classifications will be case‐by‐ case.

What HRIS system does FDA currently use (i.e. Empower, NFC, HR Connect etc.).

In the HRIS support outlined in the SOW, what specific tasks within HRIS is FDA looking for this contract to support?

A list of all the major systems was included in the solicitation, but not necessarily all the sub‐systems. Individual RFTOPs will detail the requirements for each specific task order when it becomes necessary.

Is FDA looking to maintain the current HRIS system or any sense of new plan for looking at bringing in a new HRIS? If yes, what role will the contractor play in supporting the development or analysis of any new HRIS process/system from a requirement building standpoint?

FDA will not be replaceing a HRIS system.

76 SOW 7 ‐ 9

These appear to be new requirements, this may include but not limited to: BPR, HRIT systems support, portal content/web development/management, subject matter expert (SME’s) for HRIT development, coordination and management, PeopleSoft (technical) configuration development, testing, QA , Data analysis support, communications and change management. Based on the Labor Categories are all HR functional in scope, the SOW calls for technical support, even at the ITO we would need Labor Categories (LC) to support these requirements‐ Is this an oversight? If so, can you provide Labor Categories and job descriptions?

Two more labor categories have been added to the statement of work that apply to these requirements.

77 If the above is correct, will there be an extension on proposal delivery?

The due date for proposal submission has been extended.

Please review the latest amendment for the most current due dates.

SOW

Section 7 and 8

Is the Government going to add IT Web Content and Communications Specialist labor categories in support of the IT and communications/outreach requirements of the SOW?

Two more labor categories have been added to the statement of work.

What is the proposed HRIT solution, websites and digital communication tools being implemented?

FDA is seeking assistance in the development of tools that will interface with HHS and FDA HRIS systems specifically CapHR, BIIS, EASE etc.

80 Solicitation and SOW

Please clarify: Whereas the need for ‘Strategic Communications and Logistics Support’ is mentioned on page 1 of the Solicitation and on page 2 of the SOW, a latter section of the SOW defines the work as ‘Strategic Communications and Change Management Support’ (see page 8). Please clarify actual tasks in Strategic Communications and Change Management support, can FDA provide some examples in tasks?

The ‘Strategic Communications and Logistics Support’ has been changed to ‘Strategic Communications and Change Management Support’ in the SOW.

81 Solicitation 10

"The Offeror shall submit a narrative of their corporate experience that demonstrates their experience and ability working for the federal government performing end‐to‐end federal HR Services (such as recruitment and staffing, processing personnel actions, and classification/position management in public health, scientific and/or regulatory agencies/organizations); and experience in HR Project Management, HR Information Technology, and HR Infrastructure."

Question ‐ Will the Government accept corporate experience in State and Local Governments in lieu of Federal Government experience?

Offerors shall submit a narrative of their corporate experience that demonstrates their experience and ability working for the federal government performing end‐to‐end federal HR Services.

82 Pricing Spreadsheet Please explain the pricing unit strategy. Is it estimated at a 2000 man hour year?

Is this the estimate for a sample task order?

The pricing spreadsheet hours are only provided as a representative estimation of the government's need, and a tool by which to evaluate price. The individual needs, as they arrise and allow, would determine the total FTEs for this IDIQ.

83 Pricing Spreadsheet The hours reflected on the pricing XLS do not appear to be all‐inclusive. What is the total estimated FTE on this IDIQ?

The pricing spreadsheet hours are only provided as a representative estimation of the government's need, and a tool by which to evaluate price. The individual needs, as they arrise and allow, would determine the total FTEs for this IDIQ.

84 Are the incumbents eligible to bid on this contract?

Eligibility for 8(a) awards is determined by the SBA, not the awarding agency.

If there is a current contract(s) can you please provide the contract number(s), award amount(s), and award date(s).

These services are currently provided by AEIO, LLC, under IDIQ Contract No. HHSF223201510021I, which has a $4,000,000.00 ceiling, with a performance start date of 07.15.2015.

What is the current contractor staffing level if any and if so can you please provide number of personal for each labor area/category.

There are currently 13 contractors under the exisiting award.

What percentage of work of the overall work the government estimates will be in the HR Operational work versus HR IT and HR Strategy defined as follows:

HR Operations :

• Recruitment and staffing

• Personnel action processing

• Classification support

• Employee and labor relations

• Worker’s compensation

• Administrative support HR Strategy:

• Project Management Support

• Human capital data analysis and reporting support

• Strategic communications and logistics support

HR IT:

• HR information systems infrastructure support

Most of the work will be operational in nature.

Will companies awarded a contract under this solicitation be eligible to bid on task orders after their SBA 8(a) status expires?

Yes, once an offeror is deemed eligible by the SBA and receives a contract, that offeror would be eligible to compete on all task orders under this IDIQ, regardless of the 8(a) status after award of the base IDIQ.

89 SOW

With regard to the Human Capital Data Analysis and Reporting Support section in the SOW:

a) Can we get clarification on what organizational proposals referenced in bullet 1?

b) Are the incentives meant to attract employees to FDA enterprise wide, or to OHR as a Center (bullet 4)?

a) Specific task/duties/functions such as these will be outlined in individual RFTOPs.

b) Specific task/duties/functions such as these will be outlined in individual RFTOPs.

At the task order level, will the contractor be given access to the current incumbent’s personnel (position, salary, etc.)?

A Request for Task Order Proposal would provide the necessary details for offerors to submit proposals. Pricing would be up to offeror preparing the proposal.

Once awarded the IDIQ, can a contractor add a subcontractor at the task order level?

All subcontracting would have to be performed in accordance with FAR Clause

92 Solicitation

Page 2 of the RFP mentions Standard Form 1449, yet the RFP and its related attachments do not contain this form. Should we disregard this statement or is there a SF 1449 that we should be submitting with our proposal and, if so, where can I get a copy?

This information pertains to the award document (SF 1449) that will be the result of this solicitation ‐ not the solicitation itself. We are not requesting that an SF 1449 be submitted with the proposal package.

93 Solicitation

On page 28, under "FDA 1350 Access to Non‐Public Information," it refers to "(Form FDA 3398) provided as Attachment I to this contract (See Section J)," yet the information provided with the RFP doesn't include a Section J and only includes an Attachment I to the RFP that is a Sample Commitment Letter. Is this something we need to be concerned with during the RFP process or is this a stipulation that will be addressed upon contract award?

This was a oversight on our part. The correct attachement is Attachement G ‐ Form FDA 3398. The solicitation will be amended to correct this.

What systems are in place that need to be supported? Are they homegrown (built in‐house) systems or 3rd party vendors or a combination of both?

The FDA will not require techinical system support beyond what is descibed in the updated SOW.

95 Is there a system in place, such as a ticketing system, to track support activities?

Yes there is a system support tracking but the FDA will not require that type of support activities.

96 What are the SLA requirements to support each of the following systems? FDA will not require system support that would require an SLA.