QA posted 15 Oct 09 Final.docx

Questions with Answers to RFP H92222-09-R-0034, posted 15 Oct 2009.

1. In your answer to Question 7 of Final Qs and As to the draft GBPS RFP, released on 12 Aug 09, the government states “The Command does not have this policy or view” about companies participating in both the GBPS and SITEC solicitations. The recent SITEC RFI released by SOCOM provides further insight on two scenarios for the SITEC solicitation. Possible options describe the roles of service managers and service providers. This raises three more detailed questions as it relates to your answer to question 7 and the final language in the GBPS RFP:

a. Can a GBPS prime be a service provider as described in the SITEC RFI?

b. Can a GBPS prime be the service manager as described in the SITEC RFI?

c. Can a GPBS subcontractor be a SITEC service provider as described in the SITEC RFI?

2. Does the government believe there is a relationship between the GBPS and SITEC contracts that creates a conflict of interest for the prime GBPS contractor or its subcontractors, if those contractors want to participate in SITEC. Specifically:

a. Will the GBPS contractor(s) participate in requirements generation, requirements analysis, acquisition support, budget planning and management, business process reengineering, program planning and execution support, or SOW preparation related to SITEC?

b. Will the GBPS contractor(s) be required to "test" the services provided under SITEC?

c. Will the GBPS contractor(s) have access to information that will give it an unfair competitive advantage on SITEC?

d. If the answer to either of the preceding questions is yes, will the government consider a mitigation plan to preclude a potential OCI?

Answer for 1 and 2: There is currently no approved acquisition strategy for SITEC. There is a possibility that as a GBPS prime you may be precluded from proposing as a SITEC prime, however, without a final acquisition strategy for SITEC this is as much information available at this time.

3. For Task Order 4, certain costs associated with materials and shipping/distribution will vary depending upon current market conditions (e.g., cost of gasoline will effect shipping costs). Will the government allow for an economic price adjustment option to the fixed price based on such changing market conditions?

Answer: No. If this was just a contract for shipping, the gasoline cost variation "might" warrant consideration. In this case, the element of performance with the potential cost variation is only a small portion of the overall requirement.

4. Section L and Amendment 3, Questions and Answers, #55 We understand that the Tables of Contents are: (1) excluded from Volume 2 (Factor 1, Program Management) page count and (2) included in the page count for Volume 3 (Factor 2, Past Performance).

It appears to us that the Task Orders would benefit from a Table of Contents since they as more stand alone documents. With only 10 pages having it included in the page count would be very difficult and take away for the meat of the proposal. Would you consider allowing a Table of Content excluded form page count for Factor 3 (Volume 4)?

5. Section L and Amendment 3, Questions and Answers, #55 We believe there is real value in offerors providing cross references that show how their proposals address the requirements of the RFP. Are cross-reference matrices excluded from the page limitations?

Answer 4 and 5: If you desire to use a table of contents or matrix please feel free, however, if Section L doesn’t already state “not included in page count” then it will be included.

6. Ref Section L 1.13.4.1 Small Business Subcontracting Plan – NAICS paragraph. The RFP states ‘The offerors will then be able to determine their subcontractors and the NAICS code for the work that the subcontractor will be performing at the task order level.’ Is it the intent of the government that the NAICS codes for the subcontractor be included in the response? If so, does the government want all NAICS codes for each subcontractor in Volume 1? Does the government want the applicable NAICS code for subcontractors bid on each task order included with the task order response?

Answer: All: Yes

7. Reference Amendment 3. Will the government please clarify its response to Question 43? The question asked whether the government would provide software licenses or whether offerors should include these items in their cost proposal. The government answered “No,” however, it is unclear to which of these items the answer was referring.

8. The Government's response to questions on 5 October provided information on the requirements for "other collateral print media such as special editions, calendars, inserts, and brochures." Please clarify the following:

a. Does "six calendars per year each" mean one calendar per GCC per year?

Answer: Yes

b. How many copies of each calendar are we to produce?

Answer: Same print amounts as magazines, but shipped separately

c. Are the production numbers for the special editions the same as for the quarterly magazines-i.e., are we to use the quarterly production numbers for each magazine as guidance on how many special edition magazines to produce?

Answer: Yes

d. Are we to distribute the special edition magazines in accordance with the same guidance provided for each GCC magazine

Answer: Yes

e. Are the inserts placed into two quarterly magazines (for each GCC) per year (and thus we will produce as many inserts as the quarterly production numbers for each magazine, twice per year)?

Answer: Yes

f. How many brochures are we to produce per GCC, per year?

Answer: 1 per GCC/year same print amounts as magazine

g. What is the distribution guidance for the calendars and brochures?

Answer: Brochures are inserted into magazine for distro, calendars are shipped separate

9. Reference TO 3 SOO Paragraph 2.4.1.1, Required Skills. Requires a Master's Degree plus 9 or greater years experience to meet resume requirements. Will the government accept a Bachelors Degree with a given number of years experience in exchange for a Masters Degree (e.g., 15 years experience and Bachelors Degree to substitute 9 years experience and Masters Degree)?

Answer: This question was number 35 on those Q&A posted 5 Oct 2009. Previous answer was No. Revised answer is; Yes, however the additional experience in a relevant job in lieu of the Master's is required and must be at least 4 years extra experience (beyond the already 9 required) in lieu of the Master's.

10. Does the SOFA agreement for Germany cover activities of Task Order 4

Answer: Currently there should be no reason for task order 4 to require SOFA status for temporary duty to Germany. A LOA in SPOT for TDY to any GCC is accomplished per RFP clauses. TESA approval through Docpeur in Germany is only required for contractors in permanent status over 30 days in Germany.

11. Reference Amendment 3. Will the government please clarify its response to Question 43? The question asked whether the government would provide software licenses or whether offerors should include these items in their cost proposal. The government answered “No,” however, it is unclear to which of these items the answer was referring.

Answer: There will be no software licenses or GFE provided, this should be included in offerors indirect costs as determined by the offerors.

12. Just so we are certain, the proposal delivery point in L 1.10 is USSOCOM, SOAL-KH, 7701 Tampa Point Blvd., MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5323. Is this the Bldg. 501 main Mail Room or the Contracting building behind 501?

Answer: Working a waiver and Amendment 4 to change the delivery address in Section L. Amendment should be posted next week at the latest once the waiver is approved.