HCaTS SB RFP Q A Part 2.pdf

Date Question Answer

9/2/2015 On the form J.12, Section II, Question 12, page 4 (and repeated for each past performance description) the second item asks the offeror to enter, “The total estimated and/or obligated value of Relevant Experience Project is:” Entering that value is straightforward, however, the instructions to offerors direct the offeror to calculate the annualized total. Where do we enter the annualized total, or is that what is being requested in Section II, Question 12?

The Offeror shall enter the total estimated or obligated value in accordance with Section L.5.2.2 on Attachments J.12.1, J.12.2, J.12.3 and J.12.4. The annual value set forth in Section L.5.2.4.3 will be selected on Attachments J.5.1 and J.5.2.

9/3/2015 Is it necessary to have the courses already developed, or do we simply need to have the capacity to create the courses?

HCaTS does not set forth requirements for specific courses to be offered during performance. Offerors are reminded that the HCaTS scope (as set forth in Section C) is for customized solutions; commercial off the shelf products are not included.

9/5/2015 The past performance roll-up form (J12.3), question 13, “autofills” incorrectly. Selecting the drop-down boxes for one of the six roll-ups changes the entries for others.

Fixed in Amendment A01.

9/11/2015 There do not appear to be any instructions on how to document that a past performance project includes three or more subcontractors. Do we merely declare that, or, do we include documentation to demonstrate the subcontractor? If so, how do we indicate which documents correspond to which past performance, and where do we indicate where they are?

Verifiable documentaiton substantiating all aspects of a Relevant Expereince Project necessary to validate any minimum requirements or scored evaluation criteria being claimed shall be submitted as set forth in Section L.5.2.2.

9/21/2015 I just received my verification as a SDVOSB in the area of HCaTS, dba Michael McGinnis International. Is it too late to visit with whomever about a portion of this being set aside for a Verified SDVOSB/VOSB?

As set forth in Section L.2.3, the Government intends to award at least three contracts to Offerors in each of the following socio-economic sub-groups: HUBZone Small Businesses (HUBzone SB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB), and 8(a) Small Businesses (8(a) SB).

9/22/2015 1. It appears that the cells in the J12 are limited to 900 characters (“Scope Explanation” and “Customization Explanation”) and 400 characters (“Where in Doc is KSA 2 Scope Found” and “Where in Doc is KSA 2 Customization Found”). Can you confirm these are actual limits or that the forms have some technical issue?

Character limitations are intentional as included in released Attachments.

SB HCaTS Request for Proposal (RFP) FAQ

9/22/2015 2. We do not understand how to explain customization. By the nature of our work, particularly KSA 3 Org Process Improvement, we do not provide “off the shelf” process improvement that is the same for every customer. How do we complete the sections/cells “Customization Explanation” and “Where in the Documents is customization found”?

Our answer for each cell and every past performance would be “We do not provide off-the-shelf process improvement services/training, each engagement is customized to the specific operational and personnel environment of the client’s organization.” What might be an alternative to using this line in every box which would seem to be non-responsive to the RFP even though the RFP does not describe what they’re looking for in those sections of the J12.

No, Offerors shall provide required customization explanation in accordance with solicitation requirements.

Offerors shall explain how the Relevant Experience Project is within scope of the claimed KSA(s).

Offerors shall explain what component of the claimed KSA-related work is customized.

9/22/2015 We respectfully request a two week extension to allow vendors to thoroughly review Amendment 1. We thank GSA for the detailed changes in SF 30, however this still requires vendors to review (along with the 400 Q&As), digest and update our proposal response accordingly.

Amendment A03 will provide proposal submission deadline extension information as applicable.

9/23/2015 On the original and amended J5’s, self-scoring sheets, there is an error when inputting the date for the ISO 9001:2008 certification. The column is labeled Date Issued but when you hover over the cell, it says date of expiration. If I put in the Date Issued, it turns the cell red and produces a message that says the accreditation has expired. If I put in the date of expiration, it is fine. Which is it? Date Issued or Date Expired?

The Offeror shall follow the instructions on the "Company Accrediations" Tab and enter the expiration date for both L.5.4.5 and L.5.4.6 accreditations. However, this functionality has been removed with Amendment A03.

9/23/2015 We are attempting to complete the amended J.7 Price Worksheet form, and we are still having an issue checking the boxes for Pool 1 and Pool 2 in the Pools Applied For section. Is there any way to unlock those boxes so that we can check them appropriately?

The HCaTS team has tested the Attachment J.7 that was released via Amendment A01 and has confirmed that it is properly functioning. Download the most current version of the attachments from FBO.gov.

9/23/2015 We have discovered that the amended J.12.2 and J.12.4 for both HCaTS SB and HCaTS have the incorrect pool NAICS codes in them.

Can you please revise the form and provide another amendment?

J. 12.2 questions #6 for all references J.12.4 question #9

Fixed in Amendment A02.

9/24/2015 We continue to experience issues with our DUNS number starting in “0” to appear properly in row 11 in Attachment J.2, row 10 in Attachment J.4, and row 8 in Attachment J.5.2. It appears J.7 Is functioning properly. We request that you acknowledge that a comment in J.2 regarding the files is sufficient, or provide revised excel attachments J.2, J.4, and J.5 that recognize a number starting in 0, as either a number or as text.

These attachments were corrected to allow for DUNS Numbers that start with a 0 in Amendment A01. The HCaTS team has confirmed that the Attachments released in Amendment A01 are functioning properly. Download the most current version of the attachments from FBO.gov.

9/24/2015 With respect to HCaTS Amendment 1, Form J.12.2 HCaTS SB A01, Relevant Experience Projects Supplemental Form SB Pool 2, SECTION II, Item #6 states “What, if any, NAICS Code applies to this Relevant Experience Project?” However, the drop down menu does not include NAICS codes relative to Pool 2. Does the government intend to replace this form?

Fixed in Amendment A02.

9/24/2015 I have a question regarding the opportunity: Human Capital and Training Solutions (HCaTS) (GS02Q15CRR0001).

How do we identify the differences between the HCaTS SB and HCaTS Contract Vehicles. Is there a repository to provide all the required documents for these opportunities? Please advise

Questions pertaining to the Solicitation GS02Q15CRR0001 shall be addressed to the apropriate inbox as set forth in Section L.3.5 of that Solicitation.

9/24/2015 We have an urgent issue that needs to be addressed regarding the J6 and J9 form revisions.

We sent these forms to our customers for completion over a week ago.

We have received their evaluations and information and were ready to include these in our proposal submission.

I feel it an undue burden to ask our customer to redo what they have already sent us. Can we submit the old forms i.e. J6 not the J6_001 for the customers who have already completed these forms?

We do not want to get disqualified for not submitting the most recent forms, however, in this case, we would like an exception granted.

See Table at L.4.1 which sets forth which versions of each Attachment will be accepted.

9/24/2015 Based upon the recent response received to the questions for the HCaTS Solicitation GS02Q15CRR0002, will an extension be given?

Amendment A03 will provide proposal submission deadline extension information as applicable.

9/24/2015 Per our review of the HCATs questions and answers we are seeking a two week extension of the proposal delivery date. Please advise

Amendment A03 will provide proposal submission deadline extension information as applicable.

9/24/2015 Question in regards to Solicitation # GS02Q15CRR0002

Has this been awarded?

No.

9/24/2015 We are attempting to complete the amended J.7 Price Worksheet form, and we are still having an issue checking the boxes for Pool 1 and Pool 2 in the Pools Applied For section. Is there any way to unlock those boxes so that we can check them appropriately?

GSA has verified the Attachment J.7 (Price Worksheet) that is posted on FBO.gov and it works correctly. Download the Attachment J.7 again

9/24/2015 With regard to Form J.12.2 HCaTS SB A01 (Relevant Experience Projects Supplemental Form SB Pool 2), for question 6 in each section (What, if any, NAICS code applies to this REP?), the NAICS codes in the dropdown list do not reflect the Pool 2 NAICS codes. Instead they only show the Pool 1 NAICS codes. Can the government revise this form to reflect the proper NAICS codes?

Fixed in Amendment A02.

9/25/2015 We respectfully requests that GSA HCaTS SB team allow for the “grandfathering” in of any forms that we had a CO sign prior to Amendment 1 being posted. We had already gotten signature forms for the J6 and J10 back from our government POCs, and with this being Fiscal Year end it doesn’t seem fair to make them complete the form again.

See Table at L.4.1 which sets forth which versions of each Attachment will be accepted.

9/28/2015 Reference C.3.1.1 KSA1 (Customized training and development services) 1. “Customized training services mahy also include training that is developed and/or delivered to a Federal Agency’s constituency(ies)…” Will the government define the word “constituency” or “constituencies” in this context.

Constituency as used in Section C is in reference to the people involved in or served by the Federal Agency.

9/28/2015 On the original and amended J5’s, self-scoring sheets, there is an error when inputting the date for the ISO 9001:2008 certification. The column is labeled Date Issued but when you hover over the cell, it says date of expiration. If I put in the Date Issued, it turns the cell red and produces a message that says the accreditation has expired. If I put in the date of expiration, it is fine. Which is it? Date Issued or Date Expired?

The Offeror shall follow the instructions on the "Company Accrediations" Tab and enter the expiration date for both L.5.4.5 and L.5.4.6 accreditations. However, this functionality has been removed with Amendment A03.

9/28/2015 1. We noticed that the Contractor Key Personnel Form that was in the Draft Solicitation is not included in the Final Solicitation or amendments. Could you please confirm that this form is not required?

Confirmed.

9/28/2015 2. The 2 amendments for HCaTS SB have included SF 30 for each; should we include signed copies of these forms in Volume 1 of our submittal, and if so, what should the naming convention be?

In accordance with L.5.1.1, if any amendments to the solicitation are issued, the Offeror shall acknowledge each amendment number and date in Block 14 on the SF 33.

9/28/2015 On the original and amended J5’s, self-scoring sheets, there is an error when inputting the date for the ISO 9001:2008 certification. The column is labeled Date Issued but when you hover over the cell, it says date of expiration. If I put in the Date Issued, it turns the cell red and produces a message that says the accreditation has expired. If I put in the date of expiration, it is fine. Which is it? Date Issued or Date Expired?

The Offeror shall follow the instructions on the "Company Accrediations" Tab and enter the expiration date for both L.5.4.5 and L.5.4.6 accreditations. However, this functionality has been removed with Amendment A03.

9/29/2015 To date, 2 SF-30 Amendment file shave been issued. Please provide instructions on how to submit signed copies of these files? For example, in which volume should we include the signed files?

In accordance with L.5.1.1, if any amendments to the solicitation are issued, the Offeror shall acknowledge each amendment number and date in Block 14 on the SF 33.

9/30/2015 1. There is some inconsistency in the modification numbering referenced. In the Q&A modification released there is a reference to an Amendment 00 but there is no record of that amendment. In addition, on FBO there is a reference to an Amendment 03 but there is no record of that amendment being released in the solicitation documents.

Please clarify

The Amendment A00 numbering schematic references the original Solification release. Amendments A01 and A02 have been issued; Amendment A03 will be issued shortly.

10/1/2015 Can anyone help me determine if my client can receive points for having an acceptable estimating system ( L.5.4.1 ). If so, as his CFA, what would I need to do to verify the system?

Offerors shall adhere to and provide documentaiton as set forth at L.5.4.1 if they are claiming points for any accreditations.

Documentation submitted direct from a CFA shall not be accepted.

10/2/2015 We are unclear as to how the forms for relevant past experience are to be handled by our clients. The documents require a signature from the government official, but there are no instructions that we can find for the government official to submit the forms once they are complete.

Are they to submit these directly to you, or should they send them back to us?

All attachments that are filled out by the Offeror's customer shall be returned to the Offeror to be included in its proposal submission.

9/8/2015 I received a NAICS Code Confirmation Form for solicitation GS02Q15CRR0002. Shall I send these to you or back to the offeror?

You will send this back to the Offeror.

9/17/2015 I received a PPQ from a contractor in reference to the subject solicitation. Will you please provide a contact name and email for the individual who should receive the questionnaire? This information is not present on the form.

(Gail replied): Offerors of HCaTS SB have to include their Past Performance Substitute Forms along with all other parts of their proposal with their proposal submission. You would need to send this back to the contractor who sent it to you.

CUSTOMER QUESTION(S)

9/25/2015 Thank you for the below email. I just want to make sure you did not misconstrue my intent. In reference to the request for extension, I was just letting you know the concerns of the vendors. I advised the vendors of the email address to submit their questions and requests for an extension.

Gail replied: I'm just following up on the conversation we had on Tuesday about the HCaTS SB RFP and formerly submitting a request for an extension. There was another part of the HCaTS SB RFP that will be of interest to the VA, H.24 On-Ramping. In this section we discuss the ability for an existing contractor to On-Ramp onto the unrestricted HCaTS, the other Pool, and open seasons where we may target specific socio-economic subgroups, including SDVOSBs.

Please submit your request for an extension to the HCaTS deadline at this email sbhcats@gsa.gov as well as referring potential Offerors to the same email address with their requests for an extension.

9/29/2015 I am completing a past performance reference for a vendor applying for an HCaTS award. Who do I submit the past performance to once complete?

Gail replied: You will send it back to the Offeror and it will submit the form with its proposal.

10/1/2015 I have a Past Performance Substitute Form the contractor would like me to fill out in lieu of a past performance evaluation in CPARS. Is that allowable? I have not done a past performance evaluation in CPARS yet?

Gail Replied-Yes, you are permitted to fill out Attachment J.6 (Past Performance Substitute Form), provided you meet the definition of an Assessing Official as defined on the form. After you fill out the form, you will send it back to your customer.