Amendment0002.doc

H92239-07-R-0006

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following items are applicable to this modification:

REQUEST TO VIEW POI

The Government has received a request to view the Program of Instruction (POI). The specifications for the requirement are fully outlined in the solicitation and the Government believes that viewing the POI is not necessary in order to respond to the solicitation. However, the POI will be available for viewing on Friday, March 14, 2008, 9:30AM, EST. Offerors interested in viewing the POI must notify the government no later than 12 March 2008, 1:00PM, EST. Only those vendors that provide notice of intent to attend will have the opportunity to view the POI and the viewing will not be rescheduled. The viewing will be held in a secure room. No electronics or electronic storage devices are authorized. No notes or copies will be made during the viewing.

The viewing will be limited to two (2) individuals per company. Vendors that notify the Government of their attendance will be provided the location details. Directions will be available upon request.

Vendors that will attend should respond to Ms. Umetria Thomas, Contract Specialist via email at thomasu@soc.mil, by phone at 910-432-6145, or by fax at 910-432-9345. Due to the unreliability of email, it is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure e-mail requests have been received. In your request, please include the following information:

1. Name of Company,

2. Cage Code,

3. Name of individual(s) that will attend (remember there is a 2 person limit), and

4. Contact information (phone, fax, and email).

RFP Q&A (AMEND 0002)

The following items are questions/comments received from vendors in response to the solicitation. The questions/comments are in black and appear exactly as there were submitted to the contracting office. The Government’s responses are provided below the questions in red. Each question, or section of questions, is separated by a black line. The questions have not been renumbered but appear they were originally submitted.

Please note that some questions/comments contain assumptions/additional information that did not appear in the solicitation. Vendors are advised to disregard any information that is not included in the statement of work or that was not verified by the Government as being correct and only consider the Government’s response.

Item #1:

Para C.1.1. SCOPE OF WORK indicates the contractor will perform

Information Management Technical Support, administrative and logistical support for the JSOMTC.

Para C.1.3.3.5 Non Instructor Support states that the contractor shall provide personnel to support administrative or logistical functions of the JSOMTC, contractor employees and support personnel.

JSOMTC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY MATRIX: The following items appear to be exclusively Information Technology and Logistic oriented:

Ensure primary group hand receipts are properly maintained

Ensure group sub hand receipts are properly maintained

Maintain ADP and networking systems

Questions/Issues:

1. Request clarification of such support other than that which would be routinely expected of any contractor supporting its work force at a Government facility.

2. Where are the IT and logistical support qualifications and performance requirements? Neither the CLINs nor any other SOW requirements identify specific functions or effort associated with Information Management nor logistical support.

In response to the requirements of the JSOMTC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY MATRIX has been modified and the requirement to “Maintain ADP and networking systems” has been removed. In response to 1 and 2, please refer to paragraphs C.1.3.3.5 and C.3.3.1 for the Non Instructor Support Requirements. The IT and logistical support line was left in Para C.1.1. in error. Neither is required. The annotation in the JSOMTC Performance requirements summary matrix is also old and related to jobs no longer required. Paragraph C.1.1 has been revised as follows:

C.1.1. SCOPE OF WORK. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform training and other support stated herein except as specified in Section C‑3 as Government furnished property and services at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The contractor shall provide instruction in all the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Medical Skills Sustainment Course (SOCMSSC) and Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) /Special Forces Medic Sergeant (SFMS) Courses offered by the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center (JSOMTC); and perform administrative support for the JSOMTC, US Army John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, US Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC in accordance with this Performance Work Statement (PWS). The Contractor shall teach all classes identified as contractor taught in strict accordance with the Program of Instruction (POI) and lesson plans approved by the government. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

Item #2:

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT #3: REFERENCE INFORMATION SHEET provides a format for reporting past experience/performance.

Para 5652.215-9008 Past Performance Data (2001) Section I states that offerors will identify past or current contracts and it indicates the applicable information that must be furnished. This format is not the same as that shown for the Reference Information Sheets. Additionally, Sub Para(a) 3 requires identification of the Federal Supply Code.

Questions:

1. What format is to be used, or do you want both to be used?

Use the format identified in SOFARs 5652.215-9008 Past Performance Data. The solicitation has been modified to reflect this change and the Reference Information Sheet has been removed from technical exhibit 3.

2. Since the past performance will reflect services versus purchases, Federal Supply Codes do not apply. If the format identified in Para 5652.215-9008 is to be used, request guidance how sub para (a) 3 is to be completed for a services contract.

The FSC is Federal Supply Class/Service Codes are used for services and supplies. Service codes will be begin with an alpha character (A-Z) and are used to classify the requirement under the code that most closely describes the acquisition.

Item #3:

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT #3, Para C. provides a resume format and also indicates that each Key Person identified as directly involved in the project shall provide a Letter of Intent or documentation that the individual is currently employed by the firm.

Section L, PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, Volume II: Technical Proposal, Para (3) Key Personnel indicates resumes shall not include the name of the individuals being proposed. It identifies Key Personnel as being Instructors and a Data Analyst/Personnel Tech.

Para 5652.237 1998) Contractor Personnel Changes, and Para 5653.237.9001 Key Personnel Requirements identify similar reporting requirements for all personnel assigned to perform the tasks and for Key Personnel, respectively.

Questions:

1. If the Key Personnel must sign a statement of intent, why must the resumes not include their names? The statement will reveal it anyway, unless contained within a sealed package.

The following statement has been removed from Technical Exhibit 3, “Note: Each Key Person identified as directly involved on this project should provide a Letter of Intent or documentation that the individual is currently employed by your firm.” Additionally, the format provided in the technical exhibit has been modified to remove the “Name”. Submitted resumes are now required to provide the title of the proposed individual as it relates to the personnel identified in the RFP. For example, submitted resumes should identify an individual as an Advanced Medical Instructor, SOF Paramedic Instructors, Contract Manager, Senior Instructor Manager, Veterinarian Technician, etc.

2. Is it the Government's intent that all instructors be designated Key Personnel? It might appear so, since para 56552.237 (1998) Section I requires contractor notification to the Contracting Officer of any assigned personnel changes.

Yes, all instructors are identified as Key Personnel.

3. May offerors identify personnel by name elsewhere to facilitate presentation of their technical approach, or must the proposal omit the names of all personnel intended for performance of the work and be "nameless" throughout? If the latter, respectfully request explanation of the rationale for such decision.

Offerors should not submit names of personnel identified in the technical proposal. However, the offeror may refer to the individual by title. The anonymity of the proposed personnel is requested during the evaluation of offers. The resumes will be used solely to determine whether or not the offeror has a clear understanding of the employee qualifications required to comply with the statement of work.

Item #4:

Section L, PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, Volume II: Technical Proposal, Para (1).f., and Section M, EVALUATION CRITERIA, Para b.(1).f., EMT Support must be addressed by the offeror in the proposal.

Question:

The SOW does not identify any requirement for such support.

Request clarification.

The language in both sections has been modified to remove the wording “EMT Support” and revised as follows:

(1) Technical Approach to the performance of:

a. Implementation/Development of the lesson plans

b. Special Operation Medicine

c. Providing training Operational Medicine and Trauma

d. Skills Stations and live tissue laboratory training

e. Veterinary support

f. Basic and Advanced Medical Instruction

g. SOF Paramedic Instruction

h. Non Instructor Support

i. Day to Day operations of JSOMTC Support

Item #5:

Section M, EVALUATION CRITERIA, Para M.2.b.(2) and M.2.b.(3).

Question:

The third sentence in M.2.b.(2) appears to be repetitive of

M.2.b.(3). Does the Government intend to apply two scores to the same information?

The Government will score the overall technical proposal based on all of the areas addressed in Volume II. Paragraphs (2) and (3) of Section M are related. However, the third sentence in paragraph M.2.b.(2) will be used to assess the offeror’s ability to fulfill the contract requirement and paragraph M.2.b.(3) evaluates the offeror’s understanding of the employee qualifications indentified in the statement of work.

Item #6:

Section L, PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, ADVISORY NOTICE discusses page count and limitations, and at the end of the sentence says: "(plus past performance information) limitation."

Questions:

1. Request clarification of intent.

Volume II – Technical Proposal has a 50 page limit. Title pages, resumes, and past performance information is not included in the page count.

2. Is all Past Performance information exempt from the page count?

Yes

a. Past Performance narrative?

Past Performance Information is exempt from the page count.

b. Past performance details in whatever format is required? (Please see Item #2, above.) c. Past Performance Matrix?

Use the format identified in SOFARs 5652.215-9008 Past Performance Data. This information is exempt from the page count.

3. Are all resumes exempt?

Yes

4. Are all Key Personnel letters/statements of intent exempt?

Yes

5. Are Contents exempt?

Yes, Tables of contents are exempt form the page count. Please be advised that no proposal information should be included on these pages.

6. Are divider sheets with no proposal content but title/labeling information exempt?

Yes

Item #7:

Synopsis, Modification 10 indicates an initial period of performance of 7 months. The Solicitation bidding schedule for the Base Period indicates 12 months.

Question:

Is the bidding schedule identified in the Solicitation correct?

The period of performance in the requirement is a 10 month base year, with 4, one-year options. Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices, has been revised.

Item #8:

Para M.5. Relative Importance of Evaluation Factors, second sentence states that the technical proposal is more important than the technical offer. Questions/Issues:

1. This is confusing as written. What is the "technical offer" versus "technical proposal"? Request clarification.

The evaluation factors for this requirement are (in descending order of importance) are Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical capability is comprised of the “offer” and the technical proposal, as detailed in paragraphs M.2 (a) and (b) respectively. The “offer” does not address the offerors technical capability and is therefore less important than the technical proposal.

2. What is the relative importance supposed to state?

The source selection decision will be based on a best value determination. As indicated in paragraph M.6 Source Selection Decision, trade-off procedures will be used to determine the best value. The relative importance of the evaluation factors ranks the factors in the order of importance during the trade off process.

Item #9:

Paragraph M.2.b.(6) indicates that the contractor will be evaluated on the current status of a Facility Clearance.

Question:

Since a contractor cannot have a clearance until they have a contract, can this be an evaluation subfactor?

Yes. The contractor must have a current facility clearance on the first day of performance in order to perform against this contract.

Item#10:

Section M does not indicate a "satisfactory" rating in the identification of categories; however, Para M.2.1 does mention "satisfactory rating" in its discussion of ratings.

Question:

What constitutes a satisfactory rating as required by Section M.2.1.? ("Acceptable?") Request clarification.

The language in paragraph M.2.1. has been changed to read, “A rating of not less than acceptable (green) is required for this factor and each of the subfactors to be eligible for award.”

Item #11:

Para C.3.2.2.4 Pipeline Sustainment/Recertification Training

Support indicates a minimum effort of 80 hours, and stipulates requirements between "now and the end of the current contract (29 FEB 08).

Questions/Issues:

1. It is our understanding that the minimum hours necessary to accomplish BLS, ACLS and PEPP recertification, as prescribed by the respective proponent agencies, is 20 hours. Also, the requirement to perform the training through 29 Feb 08 must be an error. Request confirmation of the required hours.

2. Request clarification of the performance requirement.

Based on current training pipeline 8 times per year as many as forty-four 18 D students require Special Operations Forces (SOF) Medical Skills Sustainment Course (SOCMSSC) type recertification classes to occur on a weekend. Usual number is thirty 18D students per class (8 classes per year). Each of the 8 annual times this occurs requires 16 hours of instruction at a 1 to 6 instructor to student ratio. This means 5 instructors work 8 hours per day for two days. Thus, the total instructor hours is 80. This requirement is ongoing and will not end on 29 Feb 2008. That was an error. The language has been revised in the performance work statement.

Item #12:

Para C.3.2.1: the second bullet indicates the contractor shall:

"Be responsible for daily operations of the JSOMTC, to include all exercises and instruction."

Question:

This appears to be an error. The solicitation indicates elsewhere that NCOs do not work for the contractor, and certainly neither do any other Government personnel. Request clarification of intent, which we suspect is "daily contractor instruction operations at the JSOMTC" vs the text as written.

The text as previously written was missing the word “supporting”. Operations the contractor will be supporting are in the area of instruction and administrative support. The correct statement should read: “Be responsible for supporting daily operations of the JSOMTC, to include all exercises and instruction."

Item #13:

Para C.1.3.3.4.4. requires an employee to be designated as Contract Manager (CM), and an instructor shall be designated Senior Instructor Manager (SIM). Para C.3.2.2, Senior Instructor Manager requires the SIM to perform the role of CM in the CM's absence.

Questions:

1. Considering that all but one of the positions identified in the solicitation are instructors, can the CM and SIM be the same person, as has been permitted under previous JSOMTC solicitations?

2. If this is acceptable are there other requirements associated with Alternate CM designation, or are contractors free to offer whatever Alternate CM arrangement they deem necessary or practical?

Current text that delineates the aforementioned three key roles is as follows:

C.1.3.1.1. Contract Manager. The contractor shall provide an onsite contract manager (CM), who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer prior to the contract start date. The Contract Manager may be one of the "working" contract employees. This individual needs general manager’s experience and experience working with senior military officers.

C.1.3.1.2. Senior Instructor Manager (SIM). The contractor shall provide a senior instructor manager (SIM), who shall be responsible for the quality of all contract instruction. The SIM shall be one of the "working" contract instructors.

C.1.3.1.3. The CM or SIM shall be available during hours of operation (see paragraph C.1.7.1.1.).

C.1.3.3.4.4. One employee shall be designated by the contractor as Contract Manager (CM). The Contract Manager may be one of the "working" contract employees. As well, an instructor shall be designated as Senior Instructor Manager (SIM). At a minimum, the CM shall have military experience with a minimum retired pay grade of E8; Note, an E7 will be acceptable on a case by case basis, if the accumulated civilian experience after military service, results in equivalent professionalism, knowledge and skill, and demonstrates the maturity level and developmental level required to be an EMT staff supervisor. The CM will meet all requirements listed in C.1.3.3.4.3. The Contract Manager or the SIM shall be available during hours of operation.

Reply to questions:

C.1.3.1.1 states that a CM and an alternate shall be designated. C.1.3.1.2 states a SIM will be designated. C.1.3.3.4.4 that states the CM or SIM shall be available during hours of operation. AND that the CM will have the same skill set as a SOF-P as delineated in C.1.3.3.4.3. There is no restriction against the CM alternate from being dual hatted as the SIM. If the CM is the SIM, then this person could never be absent as one of the two must be available during hours of operation (C.1.3.3.4.4). This therefore limits any dualhatting of these three roles to the SIM and the Alternate CM. Two instructors with appropriate skill sets could fulfill requirement for these 3 roles if the SIM has the skill set to fulfill the management experience required to be the alternate CM.

Item #14:

In the PWS, the Government identifies total required labor hours for required AMI instructors, SOF-P instructors, and Data Analyst/Personnel Tech.

Questions:

1. Are these annual hours for a full 12-month performance period?

Yes, these are annual hours and are estimates based on historical records.

2. If so, what are the requirements for the 7-month base period of performance?

As indicated in previous questions, the base year has been modified to a 10 month period of performance. To determine the number of hours for the 10 months period of performance, take the total number of hours and divide by 12 and then multiply that amount by 10. For example, the requirement for advanced medical instructors for one full year is 15,360 hours. This will equate to a 10 month total of 12,800 ((15,360/12)*10). The 10 month requirement is as follows:

Advanced Medical Instructors – 12,800

SOF-P Instructors – 56,000

Data Analyst/Personnel Tech – 1,600

3. What are the hours for the final period of performance under which the total instructor equivalents are reduced to 22, or is this a typographical error?

For the final option year, the hours remain unchanged from those stated in the PWS. CLIN 4001AB does have an error. The correct number of instructors is 35. This error has been corrected in the RFP.

Item #15:

Section L, ALTERNATE MANNING

Question:

If alternate manning is proposed, will the PWS paragraphs of Section C.1.3 of any resulting contract be revised to reflect alternate hours?

Proposals containing alternate manning will be evaluated to ensure that it complies with the class requirements as outlined in all Technical Exhibits and referenced standards (e.g. POIs, regulations, etc). If the alternate manning is accepted, the PWS will be modified accordingly.

Item #16:

Para C.1.3.3.4.2 Identifies 67,200 hours of SOF-P instruction.

Question/Issue: This implies fulltime "instruction" versus "instruction support" as was specified for AMIs. Is this the Government's intent?

The PWS defines the requirements for contractor support in the specified training programs. The SOF-P instructors are responsible for providing the required training as specified in the PWS. The contractor will provide personnel to work along side Government personnel currently providing training in established programs of instruction.

Item #17:

Wage Determination and the 1920 man hours discussed in Section C.1.3 paragraphs.

Question/Issue:

A normal man year is normally considered to be 2080 hours.

Deducting the 10 Federal Holidays (80 hours) required by the Wage Determination, the resulting man year is 2000 hours. The Wage Determination does not require vacation time until after 1 year of service, and requires more than 2 weeks of vacation time for 8 or more years of service.

What is the basis of the 1920 hours identified in C.1.3? In asking this question, we are attempting to resolve potential concerns regarding the appearance that this is a Personal Services contract, as well as to ensure a fair playing field among competitors when alternative manning may be proposed The 2080 calculation is fully burdened and includes all holidays, sick day, vacation days, etc. USSOCOM has typically used 1,920 or the non-burdened hours for a man-year equivalent. It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable Department of Labor regulations when responding to the solicitation.

Item #18:

Para C.1.3.3.4.4., Qualification/Psn Matrix is not discussed in the paragraph, but identifies among the positions Senior Instructor and Assistant Senior Instructor.

Question/Issue:

We do not see the positions of Senior Instructor and

Assistant Senior Instructor identified or discussed anywhere in the PWS, only the Senior Instructor Manager. Request clarification.

The chart corrections are as follows and the revised chart is included in the PWS:

1. There no longer is a position called Assistant Senior Instructor. This row needs to be removed.

2. The AMIs do NOT have to be NREMT-P or ATP certified. This check mark needs to be removed for AMIs.

3. The far right column labeled NREMT-P Instructor is not required for any of the positions and should be removed from the chart.

Question 1: Section L, page 100 of 108 provides an advisory note that says: “The offeror is advised that the page limitations will be enforced – Title pages and resumes will not be counted. If proposal information is added to the Title page(s), the Government will either count the page or not use the information during evaluation. The method the Government will use to eliminate the overage will be to remove the pages from the end of the proposal section that exceed the 50 page (plus past performance information) limitation.”

(1) Does a table of contents count toward this 50 page limit?

No, the table of contents will not count toward the 50 page limit. However, be sure that no proposal information is included in the table of contents.

(2) Does an Executive Summary count toward this 50 page limit?

No, the executive summary will not count toward the 50 page limit. Please note that the information contained in the executive summary will not be evaluated.

Question 2: Section L, page 98 of 108, under Key Personnel states: “Each offeror shall provide sample resumes of key personnel using the format contained in Attachment C. Key personnel are deemed to include the Instructors (Advanced Medical and SOF Paramedic) and the Data Analysts/Personnel Tech. To be rated in the area, the contractor shall provide personnel with the qualifications identified in the PWS. These resumes will be used to determine whether or not the offeror has a clear understanding of the employee qualifications required to comply with the statement of work. The resumes shall not include the name of the individuals being proposed.”

(1) The RFP does not include an Attachment C. Are we correct in assuming that you want us to provide the resumes as part of “Technical Exhibit 3 – Past Performance/Corporate Experience” where it asks for:

“C. Brief resume of Key Persons, as designated in the PWS. Note: Each Key Person identified as directly involved on this project should provide a Letter of Intent or documentation that the individual is currently employed by your firm.

Name & Title

Project Assignment

Years experience: With your firm With other firms

Education: Degree(s)/Year/Specialization

Active Registrations:

Other Experience and Qualifications relevant to the proposed project”?

Yes, you are correct in assuming that offerors should provide resumes as part of Technical Exhibit 3. The reference to “Attachment C” has been changed to state “Technical Exhibit 3”. Please also note that the information in Technical Exhibit 3 has been changed as indicated in the questions above.

(2) The guidance in Section L states that resumes “shall not include the name of individuals being proposed”, but Technical Exhibit 3 specifically asks for the names of Key Personnel. Which direction is correct?

The format provided in the technical exhibit 3 has been modified to remove the “Name”. Submitted resumes are now required to provide the title of the proposed individual as it relates to the personnel identified in the RFP. For example, submitted resumes should identify an individual as an Advanced Medical Instructor, SOF Paramedic Instructors, Contract Manager, Senior Instructor Manager, Veterinarian Technician, etc.

Question 3: Section C, pages 20 and 21 of 108 under C.1.3.3.4 Instructor Categories identifies the requirement for eight (8) Advanced Medical Instructors (AMI) and thirty-five (35) SOF Paramedic Instructors (SOF-P). Does the Government want us to identify all forty-three (43) individuals as key personnel in Technical Exhibit 3 paragraph C or only a representative sampling of those individuals as is suggested in Section L on page 98 of 108?

No, offerors are not required to provide resumes of all personnel but should submit a representative sampling of those individual as indicated in section L. The offeror shall submit as many resumes as they feel necessary to indicate that they have a clear understanding of the employee qualifications required to comply with the statement of work.

Question 4: Section L, pages 102 and 103 of 108 states in 5652.215-9008 Past Performance Data (2001) Section L:

“(a) Offerors shall identify past or current contracts with Federal, State, and local governments and private industry for efforts similar to the effort required by this solicitation. Offerors may identify up to five (5) contracts. Applicable information for each contract shall include the following:

1. Contract Title

2. Prime Contract #

3. Federal Supply Code

4. Description

5. Award Amount

6. Total Contract Value

7. Contract Type

8. Award Date

9. Government Contact Point

10. Phone Number of Contact

11. Deliver Date/ Period of Performance

12. Place of Performance

13. Key Subcontractors

14. Amount of Overrun/ Under run (if any)

15. Reason for overrun/under run

(b) Offerors are encouraged to provide information on problems encountered on contracts and the offeror's corrective actions.”

(1) Section L guidance asks for up to 5 contracts. Technical Exhibit 3 asks for up to 10 contracts. Are we correct to assume that you want us to limit our past performance references to five (5) contracts?

Yes, please limit past performance references to five (5) contracts. The solicitation has been modified to reflect the past performance requirements.

(2) The 15 items identified in Section L do not correspond to the 12 items presented in the Reference Information Sheet. Specifically, the Reference Information Sheet does not ask for item 1 Contract Title, item 3 Federal Supply Code, item 7 Contract Type, item 13 Key Subcontractors, item 14 Amount of Overrun/Under run (if any), and item 15 Reason for overrun/under run. Are we correct to assume that you want us to respond to the 15 items listed in Section L separate from our response to the Reference Information Sheet?

When providing past performance information, please use the format found at 5652.215-9008 Past Performance Data (2001) Section L. The solicitation has been modified to reflect the past performance requirements. The reference information sheet included in technical exhibit 3 has been removed.

Question 5: Section C, paragraph 1.3.3.4.1 page 21 of 108, under Advanced Medical Instructors (AMI): states “have at least one year of experience as a member of a USSOCOM deployable Special Operations unit” are we correct in assuming that this includes the Veterinarian? Or does this only apply to the Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners?

This applies to all including the veterinarian.

Question 6: Section C, page 22 of 108, the table showing required qualifications of Instructors shows a requirement for the Advanced Medical Instructors to be NREMT/ATP/Certified EMT-P. Paragraph C.1.3.3.4.1 which shows experience and qualifications required by AMI’s does not include this requirement. Which is correct? Do the AMI’s (Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and a Veterinarian) also need to be Paramedics?

AMIs do not need to be paramedics.

C.1.3.3.4.1 should have an additional line that states all AMIs have to meet the AMI requirements in the chart below C.1.3.3.4.4.

Additionally, this chart has several errors which need correction:

1. There no longer is a position called Assistant Senior Instructor. This row needs to be removed.

2. The AMIs do NOT have to be NREMT-P or ATP certified. This check mark needs to be removed for AMIs.

3. The far right column labeled NREMT-P Instructor is not required for any of the positions and should be removed from the chart.

On page 53 -

5652.237-9001 Key Personnel Requirements (2003) Section I

(c) The follow positions are identified as Key Personnel:

Advanced Medical Instructor

SOF Paramedic Instructor (SOF-P)

Data Analyst/Personnel Technician

I believe this to be an error identifying Key Personnel. If this is not an error, do I understand correctly that all instructor resumes must be submitted with the proposal?

The key personnel identified are correct. However, offerors are not required to provide resumes of all personnel but should submit a representative sampling of those individuals as indicated in section L. The offeror shall submit as many resumes as they feel necessary to indicate that they have a clear understanding of the employee qualifications required to comply with the statement of work.

Question

For the SOF Paramedic Instructor and Advanced Medical Instructor (AMI) positions the solicitation requires “at least 1 year experience as a Navy Independent Duty Corpsman; or an Army Special Forces Medic at a grade not less than Sergeant; or a Special Operations Combat Medic; or as an instructor in a USSOCOM medical pipeline course.”

We recognize the need for experienced personnel for a large part of the curriculum. We request that individuals with advanced degrees and over 5 years University faculty teaching experience in advanced medical programs be recognized as fully qualified for a percentage of the positions.

We have many professionals with exceptional experience and credentials in the following areas: Basic Life Support (BLS) / Automatic External Defibrillation (AED); pharmaceutical calculations; anatomy; physiology; medical terminology; basic physical exam techniques; pharmacology; basic airway management; medical patient assessment for medical emergencies; advanced airway management; patient management skills; prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS); trauma surgical skills lab; operating room procedures and glove and gown; EMT-Basic certification; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

The above question appears to be a statement. It is the Government’s assumption that the question is “Is the USSOCOM requirement necessary”. The contract is providing personnel to work side by side with active duty and GS personnel currently providing training in established programs of instruction in outdoor locations outside of conventional classrooms. Students being instructed are entry level combatant medics who will learn field expedient and unconventional methods of providing trauma management. Teaching BLS, ACLS, PHTLS, TCCC is easy in a classroom but doing it in a pipeline under field simulated combat conditions is a different matter. Experience as a combatant medic is essential.

I am currently working on this proposal for our company and wanted to find out when I should expect an amendment on the resume format for this proposal. The current solicitation states that the resume format is located in attachment C, however as you probably know, there is no attachment C. Please update at your earliest convenience.

The resume format is found in technical exhibit 3, paragraph C. The solicitation has been updated to reflect these changes.

1. As emphasized in the Section L Other Information Advisory Notice on Page 99, there is a 50 page limit, title pages and resumes will not be counted. However, no mention was made of font or margin size.

Questions: Is a specific title page format expected? Is there any minimum font or margin size?

There is no specific title page format expected. The recommended minimum font is Times New Roman, 10 pt font, suggested margins are 1”.

2. C.1.2.2 in Overview states curriculum or other modification shall be approved by the joint services Board of Regents (BOR).

Question: How long is this process of approval? For example, does the BOR meet once a month, one every 3 months, etc for this process to occur?

Contractor is not involved in changing curriculum. The contract is providing personnel to work side by side with active duty and GS personnel currently providing training in established programs of instruction. Contract Instructors will, at times, be required to update and revise a class they are teaching but they are in no way responsible for determining, or making changes to, the curriculum.

3. C.2.3.1 Regulation/References makes no mention of Training Regulation guidance.

Question: What is the standard by which training will be developed?

Development of training is not the contractor’s responsibility. The contract is providing personnel to work side by side with active duty and GS personnel currently providing training in established programs of instruction. Contract Instructors will at times be required to update and revise a class and its associated lesson plan that they are teaching but they are in no way responsible for determining or making changes to the curriculum.

4. Extracted from Section L is a) Offerors shall identify past or current contracts with Federal, State, and local governments and private industry for efforts similar to the effort required by this solicitation. Offerors may identify up to five (5) contracts.

Question: Is this 5 total or in the case of having subcontracting team mates, will this be 5 from each member?

Yes, 5 total. If teaming partners are used, offerors may submit a representative sampling from each team member. However, if it’s purely a subcontracting arrangement, the contract will be awarded to the prime and the Government has no privity with the subcontractors – hence, no need for past performance from them.

5. The sample resume format shown in Technical Exhibit #3, Para C, pages 63-65 reflects a Name/Title. However, in Section L, Volume II, (3) Key Personnel the last sentence directs no names to be included for submission.

Question: Could you please clarify? Question: Could this please be clarified?

The format provided in the technical exhibit 3 has been modified to remove the “Name”. Submitted resumes are now required to provide the title of the proposed individual as it relates to the personnel identified in the RFP. For example, submitted resumes should identify an individual as an Advanced Medical Instructor, SOF Paramedic Instructors, Contract Manager, Senior Instructor Manager, Veterinarian Technician, etc.

6. The matrix located below C.1.3.3.4.4 on page 20 indicates both AMI and SOF-P instructors are to be NREMT/ATP/Certified EMT-P, PHTLS or BTLS instructors, BLS, ACLS, and EMT-P instructors. There is no mention in the itemized qualifications or expanding text that the AMI personnel are to have these same qualifications as is itemized for the SOF-P personnel.

Question: Could you please clarify?

AMIs do not need to be paramedics.

C.1.3.3.4.1 should have an additional line that states all AMIs have to meet the AMI requirements in the chart below C.1.3.3.4.4.

Of NOTE…This chart has several errors which need correction:

1. There no longer a position called Assistant Senior Instructor. This row needs to be removed.

2. The AMIs do NOT have to be NREMT-P or ATP certified. This check mark needs to be removed for AMIs.

3. The far right column labeled NREMT-P Instructor is not required for any of the positions and should be removed from the chart. Thus AMIs do not have to be EMT-P instructors.

4. The other requirements in the chart are still valid.

7. C.1.3.3.5 on page 22 states contractor shall provide personnel to support administrative or logistic functions of the JSOMTC contractor employees and support personnel. However, there is no supporting CLIN for noninstructor support personnel pricing. Similarly, in Scope of Work, para C.1, page 16 states Information Management Technical Support is required. However, no CLIN is established for this.

Question: Could you please clarify?

Paragraph C.1.3.3.5.1. identifies the non instructor support as the Data Analyst/Personnel Technician. This position is delineated in Schedule B under CLINs 0001AC and subsequent option year CLINs.

The IT and logistical support line was left in Para C.1.1. in error. Neither is required. Paragraph C.1.1 has been revised as follows:

C.1.1. SCOPE OF WORK. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform training and other support stated herein except as specified in Section C‑3 as Government furnished property and services at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The contractor shall provide instruction in all the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Medical Skills Sustainment Course (SOCMSSC) and Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) /Special Forces Medic Sergeant (SFMS) Courses offered by the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center (JSOMTC); and perform administrative support for the JSOMTC, US Army John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, US Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC in accordance with this Performance Work Statement (PWS). The Contractor shall teach all classes identified as contractor taught in strict accordance with the Program of Instruction (POI) and lesson plans approved by the government. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

Additionally, the requirements of the JSOMTC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY MATRIX has been modified and the requirement to “Maintain ADP and networking systems” has been removed.

8. CLIN 1001 on page 5 shows Medical Instructor Support for only option year 1, vs. its corresponding CLINs in both initial year and option years 2-4 list Medical Instructor and Support Services.

Question: Could you please clarify if this is a typo?

Yes, this is a typo. The language “and Support Services” has been added to the CLIN description.

9. There are no CLINs for overtime pricing for option years 2-4.

Question: Could you please clarify?

CLINs 2002, 3002, and 4002 were inadvertently omitted and have been added to the contract.

1. Paragraph C.1.1, Scope of Work, and paragraph C.3.1, Requirements, General, state, “The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform training and other support stated herein except as specified in Section C‑3 as Government furnished property and services at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.”

Question: What will be provided as GFI/GFE? Please provide a list of the equipment, tools, materials and other items that the contractor is required to provide.

The Government will provide all equipment. A listing of some the Government furnished items is identified in technical exhibit 4 of the solicitation. The contractor is required to provide the personnel as identified in the requirement of the solicitation.

2. Are the following positions presently being filled on the existing contract? If not, which of these positions are new positions as compared to the existing contract?

8 – Advanced Medical Instructors

35 - Paramedic Instructors

1- Data Analyst/Personnel Technician

Yes, these positions are currently being filled on the current contract.

3. How many positions are estimated to provide logistical support? Are they being filled on the existing contract?

Paragraph C.1.3.3.5. has been revised to remove the “logistical” reference. There is one position identified to provide administrative support. The requirements for this position are identified in paragraphs C.1.3.3.5, C.1.3.3.5.1., and C33.3.1.

4. How many positions are estimated to provide administrative support? Are they being filled on the existing contract?

There is one position identified to provide administrative support. The requirements for this position are identified in paragraphs C.1.3.3.5, C.1.3.3.5.1., and C.3.3.1.

5. What level of security clearance is required for the Advanced Medical Instructors? Paramedic Instructors? Data Analyst/Personnel Technician? Contract Manager and Alternate Contract Manager? Senior Instructor Manager? Logistical support personnel? Administrative support personnel?

The facility clearance level for this requirement is Secret. ______________________________________________________________________________

6. Item C.1.1.2.4, States that only personnel with the appropriate security clearance will be allowed to observe. What is the required security clearance level/need to know?

The facility clearance level for this requirement is Secret.

7. Item C.1.3.3.5, Non Instructor Support states that the contractor shall provide personnel to support administrative or logistical functions. How many FTEs should we price and which labor category?

Please recall that paragraph C.1.3.3.5. has been revised to reflect only administrative support. The recommended number of FTEs to support this requirement is 1. The labor category is listed as a Data Analyst or Personnel Technician.

8. What are the government’s expectations regarding pricing for overtime and travel? There appears to be insufficient data to provide a reasonable calculation of either of these CLINS. In cases like this, it is not unusual for the government to provide plug numbers for the purpose of price estimates. Will the government consider providing this solution?

Offerors will not propose a cost for the travel and overtime CLINs. The travel CLINs are cost reimbursable CLINs. The travel and overtime are funded by the Government. Travel will be paid for by the contractor and reimbursed by the Government upon review of the supporting documentation as required in paragraph C.3.1.9. Cost Reimbursable expenses for TDY are travel costs incurred during TDY such as rental vehicles (if authorized by the Government), fuel and parking for rental vehicles, lodging, and per diem. Lodging and per diem are reimbursed at a rate comparable to, or in accordance with, the Joint Travel Regulation (JFTR). In accordance with C.1.7.1.3., the contractor shall coordinate any requirement for overtime with the COR. The Government shall compensate the contractor for only COR approved overtime hours.

9. Historically, how much travel and overtime has been required for this work?

For this requirement, the Government anticipates little to no travel. However, the contractor may occasionally have to travel to an alternate location. Overtime is also projected on an occasional basis and usually occurs during the Pipeline Sustainment Course. More information on this requirement can be found in paragraph C.3.2.2.4 of the PWS.

10. Clause 52.222-42 shows two labor categories that are considered WD to include the wage rate and fringe rate. Is the fringe rate correct for the Data Analyst position as presented?

The information provided in FAR 52.222.42 is provided for informational purposes only and should be used as a guideline. The clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency. ______________________________________________________________________________

1. Pg 14 CLIN 4001AB why are only 22 instructors required for this period while previous periods require 35 instructors?

The quantity of 22 listed in CLIN 4001AB is a typographical error. CLIN 4001AB requires 35 instructors per month and this information has been changed in the solicitation.

2. Pgs 3-14 The RFP states that this is a FFP contract, however, since there is a CLIN for overtime, is this to be billed as a FFP Level of Effort?

The RFP is a firm fixed price (FFP). However, CLINs 0002 and 0003 (and related option year CLINs) are cost type CLINs. The successful offeror must submit supporting documentation when invoicing against these CLINs.

3. Pg 20 will the government provide reimbursement for the required professional certifications, licensure, and associated training of each instructor? [para C.1.3.3.4.1 Adv Med Instructors; C.1.3.3.4.2 SOF Paramedic Instructors]

No.

4. Pg 23 para C.1.3.4 is it permissible for the facility clearance requirement to be satisfied by a sub-contractor to the primary contractor?

The contract will be awarded to the prime contractor and the prime must have the appropriate facility clearance. Additionally, the prime is responsible for ensuring that sub-contractors have the appropriate clearances as well.

5. Pg 25 C.1.9 will the government provide all required training equipment and supplies?

Yes, the Government will provide all required training equipment and supplies. Additionally, the Government will provide the items identified in paragraph C.1.9 and supporting paragraphs.

6. Pg 27 C.1.10.1 what contractor equipment is being supplied by the incumbent contractor?

All equipment is provided by the government to include manikins, etc.

7. Pg 32 C.3.1.9 what travel may be anticipated for the contractor? For what purpose would the travel be required?

The Government anticipates little to no travel for this requirement. However, examples of the travel that may be required would include attendance at conferences/seminars.

8. Pg 33 C.3.2.2 are lesson plans the property of the government? Are there current lesson plans that will be available to the new contractor or must the new contractor develop lesson plans prior to the start of training?

Lesson plans are the property of the government. The instructors are provided time during the duty day to perform any required development or revision. All lessons in Programs of instruction have current lesson plans that are revised regularly.

The Contractor is not involved in changing the curriculum. The contract is providing personnel to work side by side with active duty and GS personnel currently providing training in established programs of instruction. Contract Instructors will, at times, be required to update and revise a class they are teaching but they are in no way responsible for determining or making changes to the curriculum.

9. Pg 34 C.3.2.2.4 will the government provide reimbursement for the required professional certifications, licensure, and associated training of each instructor? [para C.1.3.3.4.1 Adv Med Instructors; C.1.3.3.4.2 SOF Paramedic Instructors]

No.

General Questions:

C.1.9

1. Will the Government furnish a cross-cut shredder (for classified destruction)?

2. Will the Government furnish photocopier that is classified-approved?

3. Will the Government furnish SIPR/NIPR Net access or internet connectivity?

This Government will provide the necessary resources for all necessary destruction and waste disposal in accordance with current regulations. Photocopiers will be available, however, no photocopying of classified material is expected to occur. Additionally, the Government will provide SIPR/NIPR access or internet connectivity as required to perform the responsibilities of the contract.

Technical Exhibit #4

1. “Sony Mavica” (depending on the model) is a digital camera that still uses 3.5 inch floppy discs instead of memory cards. You’d need a backpack of floppies for recording any event. Is the Government willing to make an equipment change to an upgraded version for consideration?

Please see response below question 5.

2. Can you provide a description of the “Dauler”?

Formal information and description of the equipment to be used will be provided after contract award. The list of equipment in the solicitation is representative of some of the equipment on hand and is subject to change prior to contract award.

3. The “Quadrapro LX” is a 2003 disc duplicator that may or may not have come with the optional 450-disc feeder or the printer. That can be the difference between leaving work on time and feeding discs into the machine for extended periods of time.