Questions and Answers_v6_022311.docx

JIEDDO DASS IDIQ Contract GSA FAS Fedsim

RFP Questions and Answers

RFP Cover Letter Question 1 (Q1). RFP Cover Letter: "The Cost Proposal, Written Technical Proposal, and the Oral Presentation slides will be due no later than 11:00 am EST Monday, February 28, 2011." QUESTION: Respectfully request that the Government grant an extension of the due date for the Cost, Technical, and Oral proposal submissions to allow the Government adequate time to respond to offerors' questions, while giving offerors the opportunity to provide responsive proposals by adequately incorporating the Government's clarifications within their proposals.

Answer: The due date for proposals will be extended for a period of 7 calendar days. The new deadline is now Monday, March 7, 2011.

Q2. For this proposal, should the Offeror bid assuming the same level of effort through the DASS period of performance, or are there currently plans to adjust and/or reduce the "As Is" LOE/staff mix to a new "To Be" state?

Answer: The Government required level of effort may change in the future based on the needs of the JIEDDO-COIC mission. For purposes of this solicitation, structure your proposal assuming that mission requirements are constant through the DASS period of performance.

Q3. QUESTION: Will offerors who are awarded prime positions on the overall IDIQ be permitted to team together in the pursuit of particular Task Orders?

Answer: This will be allowed at the Contracting Officer’s discretion, determined on a task order by task order basis.

Section A Q4. Would the Government consider extending the solicitation by 30 days?

Answer: The due date for proposals will be extended for a period of 7 calendar days. The new deadline is now Monday, March 7, 2011.

Section B Q5. Section B.2, Page B-1, Services and Prices/Costs: "The labor category direct and indirect costs used in proposing work for individual task orders shall not exceed those included in the DASS contract." QUESTION: Is the Government capping indirect rates - or just the overall labor rate?

Answer: No to both. Language in the RFP is altered in section B.1.

Q6. Section B.2.1, Page B-1, Labor: "The specific amount / percentage of fee for labor under the DASS contract will be negotiated at the task order level. However, for cost plus task orders, the Government is establishing a cap of 2% for base (or minimum) fee to be applied under the DASS contract." Please confirm that cost plus fixed fee contracts would be excluded from the referenced language.

Answer: Fixed fee task orders are excluded from the referenced language.

Q7. Section B.2.1, Page B-1, Labor: "The Contract labor categories and descriptions are listed in List of Attachments, Attachment K." QUESTION: Will the Government verify that the attached labor categories are the only ones considered for this IDIQ.

Answer: Each proposal shall include the Contractor’s proposed labor categories which must be mapped to the standard set of Directed Analysis Support Services (DASS) labor categories provided in Attachment K.

Q8. Section B.3, Page B-4, Contractor Accounting for Contract Services: Section B.3 refers to contractor accounting for contract services requirements in section C.3.1.1. C3.1.1 does not exist; please clarify.

Answer: The RFP should reference section C.3.2 not section C.3.1.1. This is amended in the RFP.

Q9. B.2.11 CLINS give two different definitions Of “unburdened” which we interpreted to be the same (exclude all direct & indirect or exclude all costs) Answer: References to “unburdened” costs are modified to state “burdened” throughout the RFP. See subsections B.2.1.1 and L.6.1 for further instructions.

Q10. B.2 1. Reference RFP Page B-1, Section B.2, Will the customer provide the anticipated award date of the IDIQ rates or the anticipated start date of the contract to allow all offeror’s to provide proposals based on the same period of performance dates?

Answer: For the purpose of submitting a proposal, offerors shall assume an IDIQ contract start date of March 31, 2011.

Q11. B.2.1 Section B.2.1. Section B.2.1 states "The specific amount / percentage of fee for labor under the DASS contract will be negotiated at the task order level. However, for cost plus task orders, the Government is establishing a cap of 2 % for base (or minimum) fee to be applied under the DASS contract." The use of the terms “cap” and “minimum” appear contradictory. Please clarify.

Answer: The use of the term “minimum” is removed from the RFP. The base fee remains capped at 2%. The 2% base fee as described in this section is the guaranteed portion of the overall fee % amount the contractor shall receive for performing work on a Task Order on award fee or incentive fee Task Orders. For example: If a 10% award fee is awarded on a particular Task Order then the contractor is guaranteed to receive 2% of the total 10% award fee. The remaining 8% award fee is dependent upon Task Order performance.

Q12. B.2.1 Section B.2.1 states "The specific amount / percentage of fee for labor under the DASS contract will be negotiated at the task order level. However, for cost plus task orders, the Government is establishing a cap of 2 % for base (or minimum) fee to be applied under the DASS contract." We recommend the following language: "The specific amount / percentage of fee for labor under the DASS contract will be negotiated at the task order level. However, for cost plus award fee or incentive fee task orders, the Government is establishing a cap of 2 % for base (or minimum) fee to be applied under the DASS contract."

Answer: See Question 11 above for a clarification on the base fee. Note that the term “minimum” is removed from the RFP in referencing the base fee.

Q13. B.2.1 Pages B-1, B-2 and L-4, Sections B.2.1. and L.6.1.b. The first bullet, para L.6.1.b. states to provide “the proposed unburdened costs (i.e. all proposed costs excluding fee”. Does the Government mean “burdened costs excluding fee”? If so, this reference will also need to be changed in the cited CLIN references in Section B.

Answer: References to “unburdened” costs are modified to state “burdened” throughout the RFP. See subsections B.2.1.1 and L.6.1 for further instructions.

Q14. B.2.2 Please clarify that the ceiling amounts provided for the Travel, Tools, and ODCs for the sample task order cost proposal only requires contractor burden rates to be input into the spreadsheet.

Answer: The percentages proposed in Travel, Tools, and ODCs should represent contractor rates. The percentages are not intended to be ceiling rates.

Q15. B.2.2 Section B.2.2 requires indirect rate percentages for Travel, Tools, and ODCs. Are these indirect rates intended to be ceiling rates?

Answer: No.

Q16. B.3 This section references C.3.1.1 which does not exist. Was this reference supposed to be C.3.2? Please clarify.

Answer: The RFP should reference section C.3.2 not section C.3.1.1. This is amended in the RFP.

Q17. B.2.1 …..Establishing a cap of 2% for base (or minimum) fee..”

Please confirm that the cap on base fee (2%) is applicable to CPAF and CPIF contracts only and the cap on CPFF type contracts would be the statutory cap (e.g. 10% for services non R&D) unless otherwise specified in the Task order request. Also confirm that the maximum fee allowed is the statutory fee for CPAF and CPIF(e.g. Base(2%) plus award/incentive fee would be 10% for services non R&D).

Answer: This will be discussed and handled at the Task Order level.

Q18. B.2 • Reference RFP Page B-1, Section B.2, Will the customer provide the anticipated award date of the IDIQ rates or the anticipated start date of the contract to allow all offeror’s to provide proposals based on the same period of performance dates?

Answer: For the purpose of submitting a proposal, offerors shall assume an IDIQ contract start date of March 31, 2011.

Q19. • Reference RFP Section B.2.2. Please clarify that the ceiling amounts provided for the Travel, Tools, and ODCs for the sample task order cost proposal only requires the Prime burden rates to be input into the spreadsheet. How are subcontractor rates reflected?

Answer: See subsection L.6.1 d. Subcontractor Supporting Documentation for details.

Q20. • Reference RFP Section B.2.1 Labor and B.2.1.1. Do the rates to be provided in these CLINs represent composite rates for both the Prime and all Subcontractors or are they just the Prime contractor? If just the Prime, how do we provide the Subcontractor rates?

Answer: See subsection L.6.1 d. Subcontractor Supporting Documentation for details.

Q21. • Reference RFP Page B-2, Section B.2.2. Section B.2.2 requires indirect rate percentages for Travel, Tools, and ODCs. Are these indirect rates intended to be ceiling rates for Prime and Subcontractors?

Answer: No. See Q15 above and subsection L.6.1 d. Subcontractor Supporting Documentation for details

Q22. • Reference RFP Page B-4, Section B.6. Section B.6 requires escalation percentages for the task orders which extend beyond the contract end date (i.e. POP).

o Are these escalation rates intended to be ceiling rates?

o Request offerors be allowed to propose reasonable escalation percentages for periods beyond the end of the contract rather than basing them on Period 3 rates.

Answer: Yes, the escalation percentage utilized for Task Order awards cannot exceed the escalation percentage that was proposed for the IDIQ contract. Option Period 3 is the last year of the IDIQ DASS contract. As a result, the escalation percentage shall be based upon the final contract year’s rates.

Section C Q23. C.4.4 Does the OSAAC Research and Conference Center currently exist, and if so, where is it located and who runs it?

Answer: An OSAAC Research and Conference Center currently exists and is operated by GS5, LLC performing under a RDECOM contract.

Q24. Section C. 3 states, “This is a modular contract divided into the five Task Areas listed below and detailed in Section 4.” Will awards be made per task order?

Answer: Task Orders may encompass up to all five Task Areas.

Q25. Section C.4.5, Page C-6, Task Area 5: Advanced Analytical Techniques, Processes, and Tools: QUESTION: What will be the process by which the Analytical Techniques, Process and Tools will be introduced for consideration and use and to whom or what entity will they be introduced?

Answer: The specific requirements will be determined under future task orders. In general, these techniques, procedures and tools would be expected to support the mission of the Mission Integration Division or the Training Integration Division.

Q26. C.4.1.8 Instructions in Sec L indicate that Work Breakdown Structure is due with the Technical Proposal; this conflicts with the STO, which has the WBS due at Award +30 days. Which should we use?

Answer: Both references are correct. The proposal is to include a technical proposal that provides clarity at level 3 WBS, and a future task order will include a requirement for submission of a WBS that defines the performance of that task order. The two may or may not be identical.

Q27. C.4.4 What type of communication capabilities do we need in cleared facility (i.e., NIPRNET, SIPRNET, JWICS, etc)?

Answer: Up to Secret level.

Q28. C.4.4 Approximately how many seats will the cleared facility conference room require?

Answer: Fifteen.

Q29. C.4.1.4 and F.3 on pages C-4 and (Section F is not numbered). Section C.4.1.4 reflects that the monthly status report including cost information is due on the 10th of each month, whereas Section F.3 reflects the delivery date of the 15th of the month. Please clarify.

Answer: Deliverable item 04 in Section F of the Sample Task Order is due only on the 10th of the month. This is amended in the RFP, Section F of the Sample Task Order.

Q30. C.3.1 a) Please provide examples of contract-level program management functions as compared to task order level program management functions. B) This contractor assumes that the costs are associated with Task Order program management functions directly billable to the task order if they are charged and billed in accordance with the offeror’s Disclosure Statement. Please validate.

Answer: Managing subs and responding to TO RFPS Concur.

Q31. C.4.3 If the Government’s intent is adequate competition for the IDIQ, then we request removal from the Sample Task Order Section C.4.3, the entire requirement for the OSSAC Facility support. This requirement greatly inhibits competition. The requirement as stated by the Government is currently being provided by an incumbent and the distance requirement of 10 minutes from the COIC is extremely restrictive. As stated by the Government this is a unique (one time) requirement, so it will be a requirement in a Task Order but it clearly is not representative of the other tasks as it relates to the IDIQ and without a doubt it’s continued inclusion would unnecessarily limit competition.

Answer: Non-concur. The need as stated in the sample task order for the conference center reflects to the Government's need. While a secure facility may not be required for the performance of all task orders, evaluation of the IDIQ proposals will consider how such facilities would be provided if needed in particular task orders.

Q32. • Please clarify if a contingent hire referenced in Section C, Table 1 of the Sample Task Order, is a current employee or a potential hire?

Answer: Unknown reference. The term "contingent hire" does not appear to be used in Section C, Table 1 of the sample task order, which is the contemplated Performance Requirements Summary.

Q33. C.4.4, 3.4.4 (#7) “The SIE system will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment. The Contractor shall ensure that adequate space and power is available to accommodate the SIE hardware, software, and associated equipment.” What are the space and power requirements for the SIE System?

Answer: Please see Attachment 2 to the Sample Task Order Attachment for details on the SIE System.

Q34. C.4.4 – 3.4.4 (#7). Will the SIE System be moved to the contractor’s worksite?

Answer: Yes.

Q35. Per the RFP, C.4.4, 3.4.4 (#9) – “Contractor shall make a record of all simulation sessions, which will include captured sound and/or images…etc.”

Q - Is the recording equipment provided by the government or is this contractor furnished?

Answer: See Q33 above.

Q36. • Reference RFP Section C.3.1. In paragraph C.3.1 the government is directing "The contractor shall provide the requisite program management capabilities …." Yet in this same paragraph it states "Contract-level Program Management functions shall not be directly billed to the contract.” If the contractor’s accounting system bills Program Management functions as direct, please clarify why this function would not be billable?

Answer: The Government requires that project management requirements at the IDIQ / contract level not be directly billed, and the offeror should structure their proposed rates to reflect this requirement. At the task order level, individual task orders may contain project management tasks that may be billed directly during performance of that task order.

Q37. C.4.2 _ What are the non-English targeted languages referenced in Task Area 2 that JEIDDO-COIC wants the Contractor to conduct open source research in?

Answer: Current interest is in Arabic, Dari/Farsi, or Pashtu and English. However, there could be interest in any language as JIEDDO-COIC conducts its global mission.

Section E Q38. E.1 Section E.1. Since Fixed Price Tasks may be issued under this vehicle, will the Government be including FAR clauses 52.246-2, Inspection of Supplies – Fixed Price and 52.246-4, Inspection of Services – Fixed Price into the RFP?

Answer: Yes.

Section F Q39. RFP states that the Contractor shall provide appropriately cleared office facilities within close proximity of the COIC office as required by individual task orders. Can you give us the maximum number of miles allowed?

Answer: The requirement is that cleared office facilities must be within 10 minutes transit time.

Q40. Section F.2.1, Page F-1, Rotational Duty Locations: QUESTION: Will all or part of the DASS personnel workforce be required to sign letters of intent to support deployment to rotational duty stations? As outlined in this section, those stations cover CONUS, OCONUS, and Theater locations; as well as outside the wire movements between Forward Operating Bases (FOB). Will all of the anticipated IDIQ Task Orders inherit these deployment requirements, or will some Task Orders have positions that don't require deployments?

Answer: Letters of intent are not required. There is not presently a known requirement for deployed operations under this contract. However, the potential exists that this may become necessary in the future given the nature of JIEDDO-COIC's global mission. Any specific requirements will be articulated in future Task Orders

Q41. Section F.2.3, Page F-2, Work Hours: "CONUS - While on duty in the United States, a standard 40 hour work week shall be applied. Normal work hours are from 8:00 to 17:00. However, as directed by the JIEDDO TPOC / FEDSIM COR, the Contractor may be required to provide labor hours in excess of 40-hours per work week to include holiday, weekends, and/or during irregular times and shifts based upon operations and exercises which may require 24/7 support." QUESTION: If shift work is not factored in as a baseline requirement, does it negate any ability to adjust bill rates to compensate shift work later?

Answer: No.

Q42.Section F.3, Page F-2, Period of Performance: QUESTION: Will the Government establish a start date for the IDIQ?

Answer: For the purpose of submitting a proposal, offerors shall assume an IDIQ contract start date of March 31, 2011.

Q43. F.2.2 Will client-provided armed security be available during times of client required contract personnel movements in deployed situations?

Answer: Movements in deployed situations are under the direction of the field commander.

Q44.F.2.3 CONUS Section states that all overtime work must be approved in advance. Since the positions to perform the work will be primarily or exclusively exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, does the RFP really mean simply that approval must be obtained if an employee will need to work in excess of 40 hours in a workweek rather than an expectation that the contractor will be paying an overtime premium (1.5 x employee’s regular rate of pay) for hours worked in excess of 40 in a week?

Answer: Yes and no overtime premiums will be paid without prior authorization.

Q45. F.2.2 26. Assuming that any Visa requirements were created for the ID/IQ timeframe, based on the first Task Order, Re: F.2.2 - In the event that a newly-issued task order continues the support of Contractor personnel who are already deployed, must the Contractor personnel return to the CONUS location in order to “start the clock” for compliance with the timeframes specified in F.2.2?

Answer: No deployments are presently known under this contract.

Q46. • Which labor categories are anticipated to be open to TDY to other “home” locations for CONUS, as outlined under F.2.1 Rotational Duty Locations, on page F-1 of Section F,?

Answer: There is no restriction on the applicable labor categories.

Q47. • How often is it anticipated that the government will modify deployment periods as indicated on page F-2 of Section F?

Answer: This will be addressed in applicable task orders, but there currently are no known requirements to deploy.

Q48. • Which labor categories are anticipated to be required to work “On-Call Duty” or Extended Hours as outlined in F.2.3 Work Hours, on page F-2 of Section F?

Answer: There is no restriction on the applicable labor categories.

Q49. • Reference RFP Page F-2, Section F.2.3. Paragraph F.2.3 states the contractor may be required to work, weekends, holidays and/or irregular times and shifts. May contractors propose the use of a shift differential for the nonstandard shifts? If allowed, should the shift differential be included as an ODC, to minimize the need for additional sets of labor rates?

Answer: No. Offeror’s proposed rates shall be in accordance with the Offeror’s disclosed practices to DCAA (See subsection L.6.1.k). Individual task orders may specify shift differentials if appropriate. The Government currently anticipates that the shift differential will not be billed as an ODC.

Section G Q50. G.1.1.5 Travel “This invoice information shall identify all cumulative travel costs billed by CLIN/Task.” “Cumulative travel” is not defined.

Answer: Cumulative means during the life of the CLIN.

Q51. G.3 Can the prime contractor use Contractor-Owned spaces of its subcontractors and/or teaming contractor partners to secure classified material?

Answer: Yes.

Q52. G.3 When the Government shall provide unclassified and classified IT and communications support and maintenance, does this apply to Contractor-Owned spaces? Will the Government install requisite communications equipment?

Answer: The intent is to provide for the communications links. Other government furnished equipment may be available for a specific Task Order.

Q53. G.1.1.1 Sections G.1.1.1. The listing of columns and totals does not include reference to an incentive fee / award fee. The last paragraph indicates that “The Government will promptly make payment of any award fee upon the submission….of a public voucher or invoice in the amount of the total fee earned for the period evaluated.” Is it the Government’s expectation that the award fee invoice will not have all of the other listed items included on the invoice and that the monthly invoice showing cumulative values will not reflect any fee? If not, should contractors include both a base fee and an award fee column on the invoice?

Answer: The Government expects offerors to submit future invoices as directed in future Task Order solicitations.

Q54. G.1.1.1 RFP Page G-1 and G-2, Sections G.1.1.1 and G.1.1.2. These paragraphs require employee names to be provided on invoices. Typically, contractors invoice by labor category for CP type contracts and do not include individual employee names. Would the Government consider modifying this requirement to reflect labor costs by labor category and only showing employee names for hours data?

Answer: Employee names are required to be provided on invoices as stated in the RFP.

Q55. G.1.1.1 Page G-1 and G-2, Sections G.1.1.1 and G.1.1.2. These paragraphs state columns include “Labor costs (as proposed in the task order cost proposal)” and “Corresponding DASS Contract labor category costs”; both of these items appear to be asking for the same labor cost information. Please clarify the requirement and provide the distinction between the two columns.

Answer: The RFP has been amended so that only one bullet point refers to labor costs for both G.1.1.2 and G.1.1.3.

Q56. G.1.1.5 Section G.1.1.5. It appears as if the column for Miscellaneous Allowable Costs was excluded from the list of columns. Please clarify.

Answer: This is not an error. There is no column for "Miscellaneous Allowable Costs".

Section H Q57. RFP states “the Contractor shall provide a security plan in accordance with the NISPOM Manual dated January 1995.” Is the Security Plan required to be in the proposal? Or is it required after contract award?

Answer: The security plan referred to in H.13.1 of the RFP is required after contract award.

Q58. H.1.1 STO C.4.3 “…work shall be performed in close proximity (10 min transit time) to the JIEDDO COIC facilities.” What constitutes close proximity/10 minutes?

Answer: The time it would take to travel from JIEDDO-COIC to the facility under normal conditions.

Q59. H.1.1 STO C.4.3 Will all work be performed at the government’s OCAAC facility, at the contractor RCC, or spread out among different offices.

Answer: There are no specific restrictions on the distribution of work.

Q60. H.1.1 Do we have to have the cleared office facilities available at proposal submission or at contract award?

Answer: Within the Contractor’s team at contract award.

Q61. H.1.3 Government Furnished Items Will the Government determine the necessity for ITAR compliance with respect to items supplied such as uniforms, protective equipment, etc.? If ITAR licensing must be obtained for such items, who will bear responsibility?

Answer: The procurement includes the standard DFARS clause concerning ITAR. It is the contractor's responsibility to be in compliance with ITAR.

Q62. H.1.3 Does the unauthorized disclosure of information and materials requirement exist indefinitely? What happens if and when such information/materials become fully in the public domain?

Answer: The requirement exists indefinitely.

Q63. H.12.1 Does the prime Contractor require a classified facility to safeguard metal and electronic keys? If so, can the prime contractor use the classified facility of its subcontractors and/or other teaming contractor partners to meet this requirement?

Answer: Yes to both.

Q64. H.12.1 Will access to Synchronized Pre-deployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) program be required by the prime contractor and/or its subcontractors to submit LOA requests? If so, can LOA submission request authority be granted to its subcontractors belonging to the prime contractor?

Answer: Deployments are not known under this contract at this time, but they may be specified in future Task Orders. Access to SPOT will be required only under Task Orders requiring diplomats.

Q65. H.13 Can the prime contractor use Contractor-Owned spaces of its subcontractors and/or teaming contractor partners to secure classified material?

Answer: Yes.

Q66. H.13 When the Government shall provide unclassified and classified IT and communications support and maintenance, does this apply to Contractor-Owned spaces and/or a teaming contractor partner’s secured facility?

Answer: Yes as negotiated.

Q67. H.13 Will the prime contractor be required to obtain classified facility accreditation to operate secure facilities in designated anonymous locales? If so, can the prime contractor use the secure facilities of its subcontractors and/or teaming contractor partners to operate secure facilities in designated anonymous locales?

Answer: It is not presently known if the Government will use secure facilities in designated anonymous locales. If so, yes.

Q68. H.13 The Contractor’s performance shall require access from unclassified through Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), including SI/TK, G, and HCS, depending on the specific work that must be performed. A Few STO Positions have a Clearance/Access Level as SECRET, while a couple of others are TOP SECRET and other indicate no clearance requirement. What is the Clearance/Access level required to perform assigned duties for all Labor Categories?

Answer: The specific requirements for security clearance will be established under individual Task Orders.

Q69. H.14 Will additional DBA riders be charged as a direct cost to the government? Will it be placed on an ODC CLIN and prorated over time or, can it be invoiced as a lump sum? (Company A has to pay the underwriter in a lump sum, so this would be an additional upfront expense for Company A) Answer: See subsection H.14 for procedures regarding Defense Base Act Insurance.

Q70. H.14 DBA insurance – government requires but doesn’t allow for direct cost except: “DBA insurance shall be at no direct cost to the Government and shall be furnished to the task order Contracting Officer within 30 days of award of a task order; however, if required and approved by the CO, additional DBA riders may be charged as a direct cost to the Government.” Please provide allowable “additional DBA riders”.

Answer: See subsection H.14 for procedures regarding Defense Base Act Insurance.

Q71. H.23.2 If weapons familiarization, training, and qualification is deemed necessary, to what standard will actions be conducted? With what documents will the contracting company be provided after training is complete? (We are concerned about the quality of training to be provided since Company A will be liable for any actions the team member may take) Answer: The need for weapons training is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q72. H.29 Whom are the Medical Readiness Team Members authorized to sign-off on the Deployment Readiness Program Checklist?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q73. H.29 May the contractor select the facility to provide theatre-specific immunizations or will the government select the location?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q74. H.29 Will contractors be required to process through a CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) before deploying?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q75. H.3.2.1 “Be summarized by traveler” This is a sentence fragment and the full meaning is unclear.

Answer: The bullet point referenced is redundant and is deleted. By providing the "Name of each Contractor Employee" traveling, this requirement is met.

Q76. H.30 While the contractor is responsible for obtaining all passports, visas, and other travel documents, can these items be invoiced to the contract? If so, how?

Answer: The actions described within this question should be invoiced under a Travel CLIN (0002a, 0002b, etc.). Instructions on submitting invoices begin in subsection G.1 Invoice Submission.

Q77. H.41.b Will the government provide the RUF and additional training associated with carrying a firearm? Will this be the training identified in paragraph H.23.2?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q78. H.6.2.3 Removal of Personnel How does the testing requirement apply for OCONUS personnel? Will the government allow the Contractor to use its medical facilities for testing purposes? Must the employee remain in leave status will awaiting test results or may the employee continue to work – absent clear evidence of impairment – until test results are completed and confirmed?

Answer: No OCONUS personnel are presently known under this contract. It is the Contractor's responsibility to determine how to administer tests if they are required by the government.

Q79. H.9.2 What constitutes an approved purchasing system? Is an approved purchasing system required prior to Proposal submittal by due date 28 February 2011?

Answer: See FAR subpart 44.3. An approved purchasing system is not required prior to proposal submission.

Q80. H.36 Special Legal Considerations “Applicability: This act applies to anyone who engages in conduct outside the U.S. that would constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year …” Does this mean offenses punishable under U.S. law or the law of the country in which the alleged conduct occurred?

Answer: U.S. Law.

Q81. Section H.6.1, Page H-5, Key Personnel: "The Contractor shall propose appropriate personnel and labor categories for key personnel positions. The Contractor shall propose appropriate levels of support for each task order…The minimum key personnel requirements for the contract is a Program Manager. Additional key personnel requirements may be specified by the Government in individual task orders." QUESTION: Is it the Government's intent to limit the key personnel to the IDIQ Program Manager and those key personnel identified in the sample task order? May the Offeror propose key personnel that may not serve a direct role on the Sample Task Order?

Answer: The requirement is to propose key personnel for the IDIQ, and to demonstrate how you would propose key personnel in the sample task order. There is no requirement to propose key personnel that must serve a direct role in the sample task order.

Q82. Section H.9.2, Page H-7, Contractor's Purchasing Systems: "Prior to award of the contract, the Contracting Officer shall verify the validity of the Contractor's purchasing system." QUESTION: What are the criteria, methodology, and schedule to satisfy this requirement?

Answer: See FAR subpart 44.3.

Q83. Section H.9.3, Page H-8, Earned Value Management (EVM): QUESTION: Does the Government intend to verify the validity of the Offeror's EVM system prior to contract award?

Answer: No.

Q84. Section H.14, Page H-12, Defense Base Act Insurance: "DBA insurance shall be at no direct cost to the Government…additional DBA riders may be charged as a direct cost to the Government." QUESTION: Typically, DBA Insurance is allowed as an ODC on a cost reimbursable basis. Will the Government reconsider allowing the base DBA as an ODC? Will the Government define what can be included in the term "additional DBA rider?"

Answer: This will be handled at the Task Order level.

Q85. H.1.1 page H-1. A) The second paragraph states “…to share space at a single Contractor facility.” What is the maximum number of staff that could be required?

Answer: The second paragraph of H.1.1 is removed. Any requirement for sharing space will be articulated in the individual Task Order.

Q86. H.6.1.1 The second paragraph states "Substitute personnel qualifications shall be equal to, or greater than those of the personnel being substituted.” Would the Government consider changing the requirements to be: "Substitute personnel qualifications for the Program Manager shall be equal to, or greater than those in H.6.1. In the case of task order key personnel substitute personnel will be equal to or greater than the minimum labor category contract qualifications in Attachment K for the position being substituted."

Answer: Directions as provided in subsection H.6.1.1 Key Personnel Substitution remain the same.

Q87. H.3.2.1 Section H.3.2.1. Please clarify how the Contractor receives the Interagency Agreement number.

Answer: The Interagency Agreement number will be provided at the time of award and on the award documents.

Q88. H.3.3 Section H.3.3. The RFP states that the trip report template is provided in Attachment J but there does not seem to be a trip report template in Attachment J. Please provide the trip report template.

Answer: This is an error. There is no attachment J. IDIQ awardees will be able to access the trip report template on the JIEDDO network. The RFP is amended to reflect this.

Q89.H.37 Under section H.37 of the IDIQ RFP, it states that the “contractor shall be reimbursed for payments made to its employees for danger pay, not to exceed that paid US Government civilian employees…”. Please confirm that the ceiling is the percentage specified in the Department of State regulations vice a specific dollar amount.

Answer: Yes.

Q90. Section H The RFP lists qualifications for the Program Manager in Section H, page H-5, under H.6.1 and also in the Sample Task Order in Section H.2.1. Is it the Government’s intention that the Program Manager meet both sets of qualifications?

Answer: It is the Government's requirement for each awarded contract to have a Program Manager with responsibility for all Task Orders awarded under the contract, and a Program Manager for each Task Order awarded under the contract. The Government will not dictate if the IDIQ PM and Task Order PM(s) must be the same person.

Q91. H.14 H.14 DEFENSE BASE ACT – “The Government requires that employees hired by Contractors and subcontractors who work internationally be protected by the DBA coverage, regardless of their assignment and/or location unless a waiver has been obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor..”. The RFP states “DBA insurance shall be at no direct cost to the Government and shall be furnished to the task order Contracting Officer within 30 days of award of a task order”, which we infer to mean that this cost is not reimbursable. DBA is variable cost, dependent upon the traveler’s salary and actual time in an area where it is required. Our policy, consistent with, and accepted, on other USG proposals is the DBA is treated as an “ODC” proposed on specific travel requirements, during the Task Order process if known, or later if emergent, and then reimbursed at cost after travel. Insurance coverage is under the USG Rutherfoord policy when allowable, or through a separate corporate DBA policy established at the same rates. Request that the language be modified to allow for development and recovery of DBA costs as ODCs with indirect rates applied consistent with the contractor’s accounting system.

Answer: See subsection H.14 for procedures regarding Defense Base Act Insurance.

Q92. H.23 Reference H.23 DEPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS and H.45 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED TO ACCOMPANY U.S. ARMED FORCES DEPLOYED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES (JUL 2009) - The Government requires employees and subcontractors participate in any necessary pre-deployment qualifications training at the JIEDDO COIC…” This training may include time at places such as the center in Ft. Bliss. Please confirm that the Government reimburse labor and travel/per diem costs during this pre-deployment effort.

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q93. • In section H, is it a prerequisite for the Prime contractor to have cleared office facilities within proximity of the JIEDDO COIC facilities in the metropolitan Washington DC area (page H1).

Answer: Yes and within the Contractor’s team at time of IDIQ contract award.

Q94. • Who will pay for the contractor pre-deployment training specified under “Deployment Requirements” page H-15 paragraph 4?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q95. • Who will pay for the required Pre-deployment Health Assessment examination specified in Medical section page H-18 paragraph 2?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Q96. • Who will pay for the required medical screening outlined under H-29 Medical section paragraph B page H-19/H-20?

Answer: The need for deployment is not presently known under this contract, but it may be specified under future Task Orders.

Section J Q97. Section J, Page J-6, List of Attachments; Attachment E - Corporate NDA Statement: QUESTION: Are subcontractors required to sign the Corporate NDA as a part of the Offeror's proposal?

Answer: No.

Q98. Section J, Page J-14, List of Attachments; Attachment L - Offeror Labor Categories Mapped and Costs: QUESTION: Is the labor category requirement for Column B - Offeror's Mapped Labor Category intended to reflect the Offeror's typical internal labor categories mapped to the Government-provided IDIQ labor categories, or is the requirement to only map the labor categories listed in Attachment N - Sample Task Order, Attachment 1 - Historic Information on Positions to the Government-provided IDIQ labor categories?

Answer: Column B of Attachment L is for the offeror to map their internal labor categories to the DASS IDIQ labor categories. It is not specifically directed toward Sample Task Order labor categories in Attachment 1 or the Sample Task Order.

Q99. Section J, Page J-15, List of Attachments; Attachment M - Sample Task Order Cost Template: The Instructions tab of the spreadsheet states "4. For travel, tools and ODCs, the Government has inserted a ceiling for each year of the sample task. The Offeror shall provide its handling rates." QUESTION: Should the Offeror assume that the ODC ceiling amounts must be used in the cost proposal as stated?

Answer: Yes for the Sample Task Order.

Q100. Section J, Page J-15, List of Attachments; Attachment M - Sample Task Order Cost Template: The Instructions Tab/Worksheet states, "3. The response shall assume that all work will be conducted on-site; as a result, the Offeror shall utilize its on-site costs for labor." However, Attachment N, Sample Task Order, Section F.1, Place of Performance states, "The contractor shall provide office facilities within a close proximity (10 minute transit time) of the JIEDDO-COIC office. The contractor will ensure all the cells within OSAAC remain in the same office facility." QUESTION: Will work under the Sample Task Order be performed at the Offeror's facility and, thus, require changes to the instructions in Attachment M?

Answer: This is an error in the instructions for Attachment M. Instruction 3 has been amended to read: “3. The response shall assume that all work will be conducted off-site; as a result, the Offeror shall utilize its off-site costs for labor”.

Q101. Section J, Page J-15, List of Attachments; Attachment M - Sample Task Order Cost Template: QUESTION: Will the Government verify that the attached labor categories are the only ones considered for the sample task order? They do not reflect the labor categories referenced in the text of the Sample Task Order, Attachment 1. Are the labor categories reflected in Attachment M appropriate to the type of work required under the DASS IDIQ and the Sample Task Order?

Answer: The labor categories referenced in Attachment 1 of the Sample Task Order are historical and provided to assist the offeror with tailoring their proposal. To respond to the RFP for the Sample Task Order, the offeror should use those labor categories in Attachment M.

Q102. Section J, Page J-16, List of Attachments; Attachment N - Sample Task Order, H.2.3, QA Lead: Please clarify the minimum two operational years as a civilian or military all-source analyst and the minimum four years technical intelligence analysis experience reflected under Highly Desired Experience / Skills.

Answer: It is desired that the QA Lead have at least two years of experience as an All Source Intelligence Analyst in either a military activity or a civilian intelligence activity, and at least four years of experience in a more specific intelligence discipline (e.g., HUMINT, MASINT, GEOINT, IMINT, etc.).

Q103. Section J, Page J-16, List of Attachments; Attachment N - Sample Task Order, C.4.5.1, Page C-10, Subtask 5.1 - Provide Transition-In Support: "Within one week after Government approval of the baseline TPLM, the Contractor shall ensure that the COIC Personnel Manning Roster (PMR) is updated to reflect this baseline without errors (including false positives and false negatives)…" QUESTION: What are the referenced false positives and false negatives?

Answer: The referenced “false positives and false negatives” are deleted from the RFP.

Q104. Section J, Page J-16, List of Attachments; Attachment N - Sample Task Order, C.3, Page C-1, Scope: The Sample Task Order includes Task Areas 2, 3, and 4 of the IDIQ. QUESTION: Will these same Task Areas be the competed together as the first formal Task Order? Can the Government provide their overall anticipated number, size, scope, and order of Task Order release after overall contract award?

Answer: Offerors can expect the initial Task Order to be very comparable to the Sample Task Order provided in the solicitation.

Q105. Section J, Page J-16, List of Attachments; Attachment N - Sample Task Order, C.4.1, Page C-2, Task 1 - Provide Program Management: "Should the Contractor encounter any technical, financial, personnel, or general managerial problems throughout the contract period of performance, the Contractor shall immediately contact the FEDSIM COR and JIEDDO TPOC." QUESTION: What scope or magnitude of problem is the Contractor required to report?

Answer: Problems that have the potential to affect cost, schedule or performance parameters of the contract should be reported.

Q106. Section J, Page J-16, List of Attachments; Attachment N - Sample Task Order, C.4.1.6, Page C-5, Subtask 1.6 - Earned Value Management (EVM) Criteria: QUESTION: For the purpose of a EVMS as applicable to DFARS 252.234-7001, which dollar value applies: the ceiling of the IDIQ or the value of the Offeror's proposal?

Answer: The value of the Offeror’s proposal for the Sample Task Order.

Q107. Section J, Page J-16, List of Attachments; Attachment N - Sample Task Order, C.4.3, Page C-8, Task 3 - OSAAC Research and Conference Center: "The Contractor shall provide a venue, logistical support, and other support services to facilitate an unclassified (open source) and classified (Secret through TS/SCI)..." QUESTION: Would the Government please clarify as the DD254 does not specify Secret through TS/SCI as the Offeror's facility requirement?

Answer: This reference is updated to state only “Secret” level. “Through TS/SCI” is removed for this reference in the RFP.

Q108. Section J Section J – Attachment N. Is it valid to assume that the proposed period of performance start date for the Sample Task Order is the same as the period of performance start date of the IDIQ rates? If not, will the government provide the anticipated start date for the Sample Task Order?

Answer: For purposes of responding to the RFP, the offeror can assume that the Sample Task Order period of performance will start on Friday, June 10, 2011.

Q109. Page J-6 Attachment E on page J-6. The Corporate NDA reflected in this RFP references the JIEDDO TSE RFP by name and RFP number. Will this be updated to reflect the JIEDDO DASS opportunity?

Answer: The reference to the TSE contract is an error. This is corrected in the amended RFP.

Q110. 1. Section J, Page J-10, List of Attachments; Attachment I – Contract Key Personnel Qualifications Matrix: QUESTION: Is it acceptable to modify the format of the matrix so long as the Offeror preserves the data that is being requested?

Answer: Any modified matrix the offeror provides shall have the same columns, column headings, and header information (i.e. "Proposed Personnel Name") as shown in Attachment I.

Section L Q111. L.6.2 The Cover Letter is supposed to be in Part II – The Written Technical Proposal, can the Government please confirm that the Cover Letter is to be placed in Part II and not Part I – The Written Cost/Price Proposal?

Answer: A single cover letter may be provided for both Parts I and II and it does not apply to the page count.

Q112. L.6.2.3 Could the Government clarify what Past Performance Reference Forms are and how these differ from Past Performance Descriptions?

Answer: Past Performance Descriptions refer the information described in the first half of section L.6.2.3: the maximum of three pages per project, description of three projects, with details such as "Project Title", "Client Organization Name" etc. "Past Performance Reference Forms" refer to the Past Performance Questionnaires in Attachment O, and described in the last half of section L.6.2.3. Also, note that the Attachment O had an erroneous reference in the header and has been amended (the Government recognizes that some offerors may have already provided the original version of Attachment O to references. The change in no way affects the content and therefore the Government will accept responses formatted in the original as well as the amended format.).

Q113. L.6.2.4 _ Does the Contract Key Personnel Qualifications Matrix (TAB D) in Part II – The Written Technical Proposal only include the Program Manager for the IDIQ PWS, not the 3 Key Personnel for the Sample Task Order?

Answer: As discussed in section L.6.2.4, the matrix is only required for proposed contract level key personnel. The minimum is the Contract Program Manager. If the offeror is proposing additional key personnel at the contract level, these should be included in the matrix (the section has been changed to clarify this point). For Sample Task Order key personnel, the offeror is directed to the instructions in L.6.2.1.b.1. The offeror has the option to present additional information regarding task order key personnel that the offeror feels will improve their proposal. However, the offeror should recognize that this information will count towards the maximum page limit.

Q114. Section L.6.2 states that only the title page, cover letter, table of contents, past performance reference forms, Level 3 WBS, risk register & assumptions are excluded from page count. Will the Government consider making the List of Acronyms excluded from page count?

Answer: No. Any list of Acronyms will count towards the page count.

Q115. Section L.6 states that Part I only includes Tab A through Tab K, whereas L.6.3 states that Part I includes Tab A through Tab L. May the Government clarify which section is correct?

Answer: Section L.6 has been corrected. We believe that the offeror meant to ask if L.6.1 was correct (not L.6.3). Yes, L.6.1 is correct; Part I includes Tab A through Tab L.

Q116. According to Section L.6.2.3 Past Performance Descriptions and Reference Forms (TAB C), "As a result, to demonstrate relevancy, the Offeror's three past performance projects should collectively demonstrate the following: Ability to manage performance-based contracts, which include the management of multiple task orders; For performance-based contracts, describe performance measures utilized and incentive/disincentive provisions." QUESTION: Does the Government require that all past performance be "performance based" as identified by the Government client? Seven (7) of our prime contracts are with National Intelligence Community customers but none of them are identified as "performance based", will the Government accept these Past Performance as long as we respond to the bullitized requirements of this section?

Answer: As stated in section L.6.2.3, the combination of all three projects should collectively demonstrate all points for maximum relevancy. Past performance that does not demonstrate some of the points will not be considered as relevant as past performance that demonstrates all points.

Q117. According to Section L.6.2.4 Contract Key Personnel Qualifications Matrix (TAB D) of the RFP, "The Offeror shall submit a Key Personnel Qualification Matrix for the proposed Program Manager at the contract level, relating the specialized experience identified for the Program Manager in Section H.6.1 Key Personnel of this RFP and the qualifications of the person or persons being proposed for that…