1195171_RFP_Questions_Govt_Responses_09-14-2018_FINAL.pdf

RFP#: FDA‐SOL‐18‐1195171_Amendment 1

MATLAB Technical Services in Scientific Computing

Contractor Questions / Government Responses

Question 1: We only do services as time and materials. We don’t do fixed bid contracts for any customers, so will the Government ensure our response is taken with that as a fundamental understanding?

Government Response: As noted in Section 12 – Contract Type and Section 20.1 – Instructions to Offeror of the Statement of Work (SOW), this will be a labor‐hour contract as described in FAR Subpart 16.602, which states, “A labor‐hour contract is a variation of the time‐and‐materials contract, differing only in that materials are not supplied by the contractor” (see FAR 16.602 at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vmfara.htm for more information). As such, this contract will be neither a firm‐ fixed price nor a time and materials contract. If an Offeror believes materials are required to fulfill the requirements delineated in the SOW, please provide a list of what those materials would/may be in your proposal.

Question 2: Given the above question, our proposal will need to be for an estimated number of hours, at our hourly rates. Is this ok?

Government Response: See the Government’s response to Question 1. This is a labor‐hour contract;

therefore, the Government is requiring the Contractor provide their best estimate on the number of hours required to efficiently and effectively complete/deliver the requirements/deliverables. The Government anticipates providing a ceiling value/price of the contract at time of award.

Question 3: We have our own consulting terms and conditions that will need to be signed. If the FDA will not sign these (they will be part of our proposal), we can work through a 3rd party. Assuming a 3rd party may be needed for this, should the 3rd party be responding to this RFP instead of us?

Government Response: Upon Government evaluation, if there is no technically acceptable, fair and reasonably priced proposal received by the RFP close date (terms and conditions (T&Cs) will be included as part of the evaluation), the Government will cancel the current solicitation and re‐evaluate the requirement.

Question 4: If we are awarded the contract, given we work on time and materials, once we start can the scope/tasks be modified during the project? Can the contract be extended if additional hours are needed?

Government Response: As noted previously, the Government intends to make a labor‐hour award with a specified period of performance (POP). As this will be a labor‐hour contract, the contractor to whom the Government makes the award shall provide their best effort within the terms/conditions, scope, POP, and agreed upon ceiling price of the contract to meet the requirements and provide the required deliverables. The Government is not obligated to extend the contract beyond the POP end date.

RFP#: FDA‐SOL‐18‐1195171_Amendment 1

Question 5: Do we need to fill out the “pricing worksheet”? If so, it will be estimated times, not fixed‐ price/bid?

Government Response: All Offerors are required to complete the Pricing Workbook. As previously discussed above and as noted in the Pricing Workbook (tabs 4.1, 4.2), the Government intends to make a labor‐hour award. As such, all Offerors are to provide their best estimate of the required level of effort (hours) to execute the requirements delineated in the SOW. If an Offeror needs to add additional rows/columns/tabs/etc., the Offereor may do so (e.g., if Offeror believes “materials” are required, in addition to providing a list of those materials, they should also include an estimate of those material costs in the Pricing Workbook).

REQUIREMENTS / TASKS QUESTIONS

Question 6: What does the “Integrate MATLAB with other programming languages C, C++, …” in the Task 2 of Athena Enhancements mean?

Government Response: This means a programing interface that may use libraries in other programing languages; such as C, C++, and python. See the updated SOW (tracked changes) in Amendment 1 of the

RFP.

Question 7: Is there a stochastic model or other models that need to be integrated into the Athena 2.0.6?

Government Response: Yes, stochastic system dynamic models based on system of stochastic differential equations as discussed in Section 4.2 within the 7th bullet point listed on page 5 of the SOW.

Question 8: Are there any bug fixes required on Athena 2.0.6?

Government Response: The Contractor shall develop/implement bug fixes for issues identified by the Contractor and FDA users throughout the implementation of the Athena enhancements delineated int the SOW. See the updated SOW (tracked changes) in Amendment 1 of the RFP.

STAFFING QUESTIONS (Section 13)

Question 9: Simulink experience is called out a few times. Will new enhancements/models need Simulink as part of the workflow ‐ Is this a strict requirement?

Government Response: A variety of MATLAB toolboxes will be part of the work flow, including Simulink, and this experience is a strict requirement. See the updated SOW (tracked changes) in Amendment 1 of the RFP.