SERE-QA's_as_of_21_April_2016-RELEASED.pdf

Page 1 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

H92239-16-R-0002 Question and Answers SERE Support Services

# Question Solicitation Reference Government's Response

Page 2 of the solicitation states that the contractor should submit questions pertaining to the solicitation by 1pm EST on 22 March (which seems pretty quick), along with its intent to attend the site visit.

Our commercial service that provides us notice of solicitations stated that questions are due by 31

March.

Can you please clarify the due date and time for questions pertaining to the solicitation?

Solicitation, page 2 The last date for all questions is 31 March 2016.

At what time will the site visit begin?

What time should our personnel arrive on the 25th?

At what time will the POI be available for viewing?

How long will a company have to view the POI?

What time does the site visit and viewing end?

Does the government require an official visitation request to be made through JPAS for visiting company personnel and to verify personal clearances?

If so, what is the appropriate government Security Management Office (SMO) code to use for the visit request?

Solicitation, page 2

The Government provided all pertinent data to all vendors who expressed an interest to attend.

Page 2 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Section C.1.4.2.2 states 21 Day curriculum and only 17 classes this CY where Section C.1.2.2 states 19 Day curriculum and 22 classes. Please clarify the correct number of days and times delivered.

PWS, C.1.4.2.2 and C.1.2.2

The course is a 19 consecutive day course taught up to 22 courses a year.

Please see revised Performance Work Statement (PWS) for section C.1.4.2.

Section C.1.4.2.2.1. states “The Contractor is required to provide support over weekends and holidays during any course iteration” where section

C.1.4.2.1.1.

Recognized Holidays: The Contractor will not be required to work on the 10 Federal holidays. Please clarify which section is correct.

PWS, C.1.4.2.2.1. and C.1.4.2.1.1.

Both sections are correct, the differentiation pertains to when/if students are going through an active course.

Statement (PWS) Section C.1.4.2.

C.1.4.2.1. states "No overtime (OT) or compensatory time (CT) is authorized. Contractor personnel shall not exceed a 40 hour work week."

But in section C.1.4.2.2.2. it states a “An 8-hour shift, plus one (1) hour prior to start of shift to conduct course pre-shift briefings and one (1) hour immediately following each shift for debriefings shall be required”.

So an employee is only allowed to work 4 days per week?

PWS, C.1.4.2.1. and C.1.4.2.2.2

Statement (PWS) for section C.1.4.2.

Please be advised that each prospective offeror is responsible for providing and pricing an adequate team complement/labor mix in order to meet all the requirements of the

PWS.

Additionally, the Government provided Technical Exhibit 6- Historical Workload Data for informational purposes.

Page 3 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

In order to comply with section C.1.4.2.2.3. “The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS.”

Please provide a definition of adequate workforce or provide the minimum number of contracted employees required to be considered adequate along with the required labor categories.

PWS, C.1.4.2.2.3. Please see response to Question 5.

How will the scheduling of section C.1.4.4.1.11 take place prior to proposal submission?

It states that all contract employees prior to hiring shall receive an initial psychological evaluation performed by the USAJFKSWCS SERE Psychologist. How will this be evaluated during source selection? Currently no non-incumbent employees will have that current evaluation requirement. Those employees are held under an NDA making them not accessible to anyone but the incumbent.

PWS, C.1.4.4.1.11.

Refer to C.1.4.12.1.3., which states that the evaluations will take place during the 30 day phase-in period.

The qualifications for the CM & ACM which are key personnel for the proposal are required to have a current screening IAW section C.1.4.4.1.11.

Currently no non-incumbent employees will have that current evaluation requirement. Those employees are held under an NDA making them not accessible to anyone but the incumbent. Can the requirement to have a psychological assessment for the CM & ACM be removed for the submission of the proposal? If not how will this affect your evaluation of the CM and ACM we submit? Can the requirement to submit Key Personnel resumes/identify them be removed?

Solicitation, page 14 Please refer to Question 7.

Page 4 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Is section C.1.4.4.3.2 a new requirement? The current incumbent staff does not meet this qualification level? It states SERE level “C” Course instructors shall be ex-military (E-4) or higher, with a minimum of three (3) years of honorable service in the US military and shall be a graduate of an approved DoD SERE Level “C” High Risk Course. Will waivers be given to incumbent employees that currently have the required experience as an SME teaching SERE C but do not have the military experience or be a graduate of the a DoD SERE C course?

PWS, C.1.4.4.3.2.

The Government's requirement will remain as set forth in the solicitation and no waivers shall be granted.

In section C.1.4.11. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) the incumbent has unlimited access to the POI that is not available on an unlimited basis to others preparing a proposal. This provides them an OCI in being able to have access to in order to calculate the current POI instructor requirements.

Understand and not challenging that the POI is sensitive in nature and the adverse effects of releasing it publically will have on the force. We also understand that there will be time restrictions during industry day to review the POI and that we will not be able to take notes which prevents us from gathering data that we can go back and analyze later to determine the data point of total number of required contractors to perform.

Because of this we request the government provide us the total number of current contractors performing on this contract, but as stated in section L.3.2 Subfactor 2: Staffing Plan It is still a requirement of potential bidders to determine labor categories.

PWS, C.1.4.11

The Government cannot mitigate the natural advantage of the incumbent, as it is present in every contracting action.

However, the Government recognizes that all qualified vendors may benefit from a viewing of the POI.

As such, the Government provided as much time as it could to view the POI to assist prospective vendors in their proposal submissions.

Furthermore, to assist each vendor the Government provided Technical Exhibit 6-Historical Workload Data for informational purposes.

Page 5 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Is the current contract a Service Contract Act (SCA) effort and contract?

Yes

As per Executive Order (EO) 13495, “Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts” and the Regulations at 29 CFR Part 9 incumbent employees who have worked more than 3 months must be given the right of first refusal for employment with the successor contractor. How will this be taken into effect if they do not meet C.1.4.4.3.2?

PWS, C.1.4.4.3.2 and FAR clause 52.222-17

IAW FAR Clause 52.222-17 (b) "The Contractor and its subcontractors shall, except as otherwise provided herein, in good faith offer those service employees employed under the predecessor contract whose employment will be terminated as a result of award of this contract or the expiration of the contract under which the service employees were hired, a right of first refusal of employment under this contract in positions for which the service employees are qualified"

All employees must meet the qualification requirements of the solicitation.

Page 6 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Under an SCA contract (Reg. 29 CFR 4.173) we are required to provide vacation time for each employee based on factors of continuous service with the present contractor or successor and the requirement of “first right of refusal” under an SCA contract. In order to properly price for reasonableness/realism and to ensure compliance with SCA guidelines as well as the SOW requirement for uninterrupted service/performance we will need to be provided an breakdown of the number of current employees that have worked less than one year; number of current employees that have more than 1 year but less than 8 years; number of current employees that have worked between 8 – 19 years; number of current employees that have worked over 20 years. Please remember that length of service includes the whole span of continuous service with the present contractor or successor, wherever employed, and with the predecessor contractors in the performance of similar work at the same Federal facility.

Please provide the total number of contracted employees working in the C.5.1.2. Resistance academics Detachment (RAD).

PWS, C.5.1.2.

Please refer to Question 5.

Additionally, please be advised that under any SCA covered contract, the incumbent must adhere to FAR 52.222-41(n) and provide a seniority list NLT 10 days prior to the completion of any service contract.

This list will then be provided to the incoming Contractor at the commencement of the succeeding contract.

Please provide the total number of contracted employees working in the C.5.1.3. Resistance Training Lab (RTL).

PWS, C.5.1.3. Please refer to Question 5.

Page 7 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Please provide the total number of contracted employees working C.5.2. Doctrinal Support Analysis.

Are these individuals also performing instructor duties in the RAD an RTL?

PWS, C.5.2. Please refer to Question 5.

IAW with section C.1.4.12. Phase in and Phase out.

What is the manning requirement during the Phase In period for the awarded contractor?

PWS, C.1.4.12. Please refer to Question 5.

Will the incumbent/outgoing contractor be required to pay full labor costs of all incumbent employees during the transition period (1 - 31 July) or is the awarded contractor expected to take over and beginning paying the employees on the start work date of 1 July?

PWS, C.1.4.12.

The incumbent is responsible for contract performance until the end of their period of performance, which is

July 31, 2016.

Page 8 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Is there any Hazardous Pay Differential requirement?

This is a determination that each prospective Offeror must make. If you have questions, please contact your Department of Labor representative.

In “EXHIBIT 6-HISTORICAL DATA” it states Project Manager that is not mentioned in any other part of this document is the PM and CM the same person?

Solicitation, Exhibit 6-Historical Data

Yes, they are the same person.

Please see revised Exhibit 6- Historical Data.

In “EXHIBIT 6-HISTORICAL DATA” it states historical data. Please tell me the period of time and how recent that this historical data covers.

Solicitation, Exhibit 6-Historical Data

The Historical Data timeframe is FY 15.

Please see revised Exhibit 6-

Historical Data.

Page 9 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

What is the organizational structure / alignment and numbers of the current contractors by section ARL & RTL and other? (I.e. ARL has # instructors, RTL section has # instructors).

The Government will not disclose the current Contractor's staffing solution.

Please refer to question 5.

Are there any organizational tasks for IT support or Admin Clerical labor categories?

The current requirement does not require any IT or Admin Clerical support.

Is the school house closed for the Christmas Holiday break (the 2 weeks) taken off by SWTG like other courses where the instructors do not work and no courses are scheduled?

PWS, 1.4.2.; Technical Exhibit 2-SERE Tentative Course Schedule

The “schoolhouse” does not “close” or have any “Holiday Break”.

However, for planning purposes, the course schedule ends courses the second week in December.

However, please be advised that when courses are not in session, the

Contractor is still required to perform services IAW the hours of operation as delineated in PWS, C.1.4.2.1.

Page 10 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Are there any periods throughout the year when the course is closed? What are the instructor requirements for duty during that time period?

PWS, 1.4.2.; Technical Exhibit 2-SERE Tentative Course Schedule Please refer to question 4.

Which GS positions scale was used for the 52.222- 42 determination (Rest of US, General Schedule or location Raleigh-Durham which Fort Bragg falls under)?

FAR Clause 52.222-42 The Government utilized the Raleigh-Durham schedule.

The GS pay scales provided for equivalency 1702 GS-11 ($31.23) and GS-12 ($37.43) do not even compare to the Moore County SCA rates for Technical Instructor 15090 ($18.45) or Technical Instructor/ Course Developer 15095 ($22.57). Can you please define the appropriate pay scales and the reason for the large difference? Is this an SCA expected contract or are these exempt positions?

FAR Clause 52.222-42 and Technical Exhibit 3-Wage Determinations

The Government cannot "define" the appropriate pay scale. The individual wage determinations are different than the Statement of Equivalent

Rates for Federal Hires.

This contract is subject to the SCA.

Page 11 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

27 Are these employees expected to work 1880 or a 2080 man year?

Technical Exhibit 6-Historical Workload Data utilities an 1880 man-year.

Please clarify the Facility Clearance requirement.

Para C.1.4.3.2. States that “The Contractor must obtain a Facility Clearance at the appropriate level (IAW the NISPOM DoD 5220.22-M) prior to the start of the contract awarded period of performance.” However, Section L states, “L.2.1 Facility Clearance. The offeror must have a Secret Facility Clearance as accredited by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The contractor shall indicate whether or not he currently has a clearance and at what Level. “Does the government intend to allow companies with without a current Secret FCL to propose to this solicitation? If so how will this rate in evaluation to companies who have active FCLs IAW with Section L&M.

PWS, C.1.4.3.2. and L.2.1.

The Contractor must obtain a Facility Clearance at the appropriate level

(IAW the NISPOM DoD 5220.22-M) prior to the start of the phase-in period.

Please see revised PWS C.1.4.3.2.

and Solicitation M.2.

Will the Government provide current Task Organization and how the contractor workforce is integrated into the Organization Chart?

Site Visit Question No, the Government will not provide current Contractor's Task Organization Chart.

Page 12 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Phase-In is separately priced; this provides the incumbent a significant advantage in an LPTA Solicitation. Will the Government consider removing the Phase-In costs from the overall total during evaluation?

Site Visit Question

No, the Government will not remove the Phase-In costs; it is each offeror’s responsibility to propose a competitive price for each CLIN.

31 Will the Government provide a list of Site Visit Attendees? Site Visit Question Yes, upon request.

To keep the process fair, how are the non-incumbent contractors going to obtain "Letters of Intent" from the current contract employees?

Site Visit Question

Recruiting employees and complying with labor law is the responsibility of each offeror. The Government cannot provide business advice to offerors.

Page 13 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

33 Incumbent seems to have a great advantage. Site Visit Question Please refer to question 10.

34 What wage determination should be used: SCA GS 11/12 or determine our own? Site Visit Question Please refer to question 26.

34 In order to be relevant past performances does it have to be SERE specific? Site Visit Question Please refer to revised L.4.1.2.1.

Page 14 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

In the SOW the statement is made that the bidding/proposing company must have SERE as primary "scope" or core competency. Is that "scope" definition for training/training support or is the definition "scope" recent/relevance SERE contract?

Or training contract?

Site Visit Question Please refer to question 34.

36 What are the true numbers of FTE required? Site Visit Question Please refer to question 5.

It was stated (on the bus) that the Government is looking for Contractor support at the RTL & RAD.

Are these the only areas in the 21 day curriculum where the contract support is needed or should we plan support for the evasion and survival plus FTX portions of the PGI?

Site Visit Question

The Government's requirement is for Resistance Academics (classroom & ARL) and Resistance Training Lab

(RTL).

Page 15 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

38 What will make-up of the source selection board? Site Visit Question The Government cannot disclose this information.

40 How is the workload divided between RAD, RTL, Survival & Evasion? Site Visit Question Please refer to question 5 and 37.

41 Number of Active Duty and GS instructors on SERE staff? Site Visit Question Please see revised PWS, C.1.2.3.

Page 16 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

42 How many shifts are required and how often are the classes? Site Visit Question Please see Technical Exhibit 2 and

PWS 1.4.2.

43 Are there requirements for female instructors? Site Visit Question The requirements are the same regardless of gender.

44 Who is the incumbent contractor? Site Visit Question FSCX, Inc.

Page 17 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

45 What is the incumbent contract number? Site Visit Question H92239-11-C-0011

46 What is the current fill rate CM, SERE, RAD? Site Visit Question Please refer to question 5.

Is the Contracting Office using SCA or GS equivalent when evaluating pricing when considering individual salaries?

Site Visit Question Please refer to question 5.

Page 18 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

48 Does the SCA Apply? Which DOL Version? Site Visit Question Please refer to Technical Exhibit 3.

Under the solicitation in paragraph C.1.4.3.2 states that we must have or be able to a Facility and individual clearances. Later on under the same paragraph states that we must Obtain the Clearance at the appropriate level. We have individual clearances, of equal or higher level, but lack the Facility Clearance. If we bid for this contract, would the government sponsor us to obtain the clearances?

PWS, C.1.4.3.2 Please refer to question 28.

L.1.10 g. states “For the unprotected version, Microsoft Office 2007, presentation and spreadsheet products are acceptable.” L.5.2 allows for use of Microsoft Word and Excel 2010 and earlier.

Question:

a) Please clarify the acceptable software version.

b) Is Microsoft Office 2007 compatible software acceptable?

Solicitation, L.1.10 g. and L.5.2.

Microsoft Word 2010 or earlier is acceptable.

Please refer to revised L.1.10 g.

Page 19 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

L.1.11 Proposal Submission Requirements details requirements for electronic copies to be submitted on CD-ROM/DVDs.

Question:

a) Are only CD-ROM/DVDs required?

b) Are hard copies on paper not required?

Solicitation, L.1.11

The Government is only requiring CD-ROMs/DVDs.

Please see revised L.1.10 (g)

L.4.1.1 Past Performance Information Sheets

(PPIS).

Question: Please confirm the Government does not expect a specific template to be utilized, that offerors should develop their own outline.

Solicitation, L.4.1.1

There is no specific format; however, the information shall contain the data as indicated in L.4.1.1.1. and be accompanied by a Past Performance Questionnaire (Technical Exhibit 7) as indicated in L.1.1.1.2.

L.4.1.1.2 Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) makes reference to “Technical Exhibit 8,” Question: Is the correct reference to “Exhibit 7 –

PPQ”?

Solicitation, L.4.1.1.2 Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs)

The correct reference is Exhibit 7.

Please see revised L.4.1.1.2.

Page 20 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

L.1.11, L.4.1 Past Performance Volume 3, Page Limits.

Questions:

a) Can the Government please confirm if the Summary Page, PPIs, and Organization Structure Change History are included in the 40 page limit in Volume 3?

b) Is there a specific page limit for the "Summary Page" as included in the 40 pages allowed for Volume 3 (can the summary be more than 1 page)?

c) Is the Organization Structure Change History included in the 40 page limit for Volume 3?

Solicitation, L.1.11, L.4.1 Past Performance Volume 3, Page Limits.

The only items excluded from the page count in Volume 3 are the Table of Contents, the SF 294/295s, and the consent letters with explanations.

L.4.1 Past Performance Volume 3, Consent Letters.

Question: Please confirm the Government does not expect a specific template to be utilized, that offerors should develop their own Consent Letter outline.

Solicitation, L.4.1 Past Performance Volume 3, Consent Letters.

Correct, each offeror may develop their own Consent Letter outline.

L.4.1.4 Organizational Structure Change History.

Questions:

a) Is Organizational Structure Change History information required from proposed subcontractors/teammates?

b) if yes, is it required from all subcontractors teammates, or just "Major" subcontractors?

Solicitation, L.4.1.4 Organizational Structure Change History.

Yes, it is required for all primes and major subcontractors within the past three (3) years.

Please see revised L.4.1.4.

Page 21 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

L.1.10 b Proposal Format states “A cover sheet should be bound in each CD, clearly marked as to volume number, title, “original” or copy number, solicitation identification, and the offeror’s name.”

Question: Could you explain more specifically what “bound in each CD” means?

Solicitation, L.1.10 b.

A label should be on each CD which clearly marks as to volume number, title, “original” or copy number, solicitation identification, and the offeror's name.

Please see revised L.1.10 b.

L.5.3 Instructions Support includes the requirement for other than cost or pricing data.

Questions:

a) Is other than cost or pricing data required for proposed subcontractors/teammates?

b) If yes, will the Government accept submission of this proprietary data directly from subcontractors/teammates?

Solicitation, L.5.3 Instructions Support

a) Yes, other than cost and pricing data is required for all labor rates.

b) Yes, however, this data must be labeled appropriately and should annotate which prime offeror it is associated with.

Please see revised L.5.3.

L.5.3. Instructional Support, states that the instructor support CLINs are 0002, 1001, 2001, 3001 and 4001, but in section B, the instructor support CLINS are 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, 4002.

Question: Please confirm if the correct instructor support CLINS are 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, 4002?

Solicitation, L.5.3. Instructional Support The CLINs have been corrected.

Page 22 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

L.5.4. Travel, states that the travel CLINs are 0003, 1002, 2002, 3002 and 4002, but in section B, the Travel CLINS are 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003.

Question: Please confirm if the correct travel CLINs are 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003?

Solicitation, L.5.4. Travel The CLINs have been corrected.

Reference Section L.4 . Volume 3 – Factor 2 – Past Performance. Paragraph L.4.1.2.1 states, “For the prime offerors, relevancy is defined as contracts that are most similar to this overall effort. Some of the factors in determining relevancy include: the diversity of required expertise, scope of SOW, magnitude, project complexity, security classification requirements, business management and control processes, contract type(s), number of employees required, special operations support, other DoD support, and some major functional areas as SERE's PWS, etc.” Paragraph L.4.1.2.2 states, “For proposed subcontractors/teaming partners, relevancy is defined by that which reflects experience in the area of expertise the subcontractor is projected to actually perform under the SERE program, (i.e. specific areas in the SOW).” Under the Technical Performance area in the Past Performance Questionnaire, the first three evaluation ratings “Perform to standards of instructions for all SERE courses; Perform to standards of technical and tactical competence for SERE; and Perform to standards as it applies to communicative skills in the application and limitations in the use of physical and psychological pressures in the conduct of safe ARL & RTL role-play activity” do not align with relevancy requirements of other special operations support, other DoD Support, and some major functional

Solicitation, L.4. Yes, the Government has revised Technical Exhibit 7.

Page 23 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM areas as SERE’s PWS. Will the Government consider changing the wording of the first three evaluation ratings in Technical Performance on the Past Performance Questionnaire to align with the relevancy definitions in paragraph L.4.1.2.1?

62 Who is required to fill out SF294 / 295?

Please see FAR 19.704.

Small businesses are not required to fill out a SF294/295.

If the prime and subcontracts are all small businesses, what are they required to submit with their PP (SF 294, Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts, and 295, Summary Subcontract Report, or audit data)?

Please refer to question 62.

Under the PWS C.1.4.2.1.1., it states that for recognized holidays, the Contractor will not be required to work, yet under C.1.4.2.2.1 and C.1.4.2.2.2, it states that the Contractor is required to provide support training over weekends and holidays during any course iteration. Will the Contractor be required to provide support training during recognized holidays?

PWS; C.1.4.2.1.1.; C.1.4.2.2.1.; C.1.4.2.2.2. Please refer to question 4.

What level of doctrinal support analysis is required from the Contractor? Is the doctrinal support analysis conducted ICW with SWCS training developers and instructors, or is the Contractor expected to perform independent doctrinal analysis?

Solicitation, C.5.2.; C.5.2.1.; C.5.2.2. Please see revised C.5.2.1.

Page 24 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

In addition to the quarterly report and the Contractor manpower reporting, will the COR require the Contractor to submit a weekly report of labor hours or key issues?

Solicitation, C.5.3.; C.5.3.1.; C.5.4.

No, the Government will not require labor hours in the quarterly report submissions as this is a FFP contract.

However, C.5.4. requires that labor hours be reported in the Contractor

Manpower Reporting tool.

Additionally, the Government has added C.5.3.1.7. to allow the

Contractor to submit any key issues, if identified.

Solicitation outlines contractor support for ONLY the RAD and RTL. Please confirm that the contractor will be supporting the RAD POI of four

(4) days of the program. Does contractor support for the RTL include the three (3) days of FTX preceding the RTL as well as the one (1) day following for “Debriefs/Ex-POW Panel”?

PWS, Course Schedule Format

Under this contract, only RAD; RTL;

and debriefing support is required during the active course, there is no support of the FTX.

Please see revised C.1.4.2.2.4.

Please confirm that the instructor to student ratios of 1:16 is to be used for both the RAD and RTL.

Specifically, is 1:16 to be used for both “Resistance Academics” days (x2 days) as well as “Academic Resistance Laboratories (ARL’s)” (x2 days) per course of instruction? Is the contractor also to provide support for the three (3) days of FTX prior to the RTL and the one (1) day after for debriefs?

Is 1:16 also the ratio for these days of the program as well?

PWS, C.1.3.1.

Yes, the ratios for both RAD and RTL are 1:16.

Please see revised C.1.4.2 for further clarity on the FTX and debrief requirements.

Page 25 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Under the RAD the solicitation states that 24 hour support or shift work may be required. Of the four

(4) days outlined to RAD, which days require 24 hour support? Which days require shift work and what are the additional hours of support? This is imperative as it allows the contractor to accurately propose manning.

PWS, C.1.4.2. Please see revised C.1.4.2.

If the contractor is supporting the FTX days, do these require 24 hour support? If the contractor is supporting the one debrief day following the RTL, does this day require 24 hour support or is it a normal working day?

PWS, C.1.4.2. Please refer to question 67.

For proposal submission, does the government want our proposal delivered on CD-ROM or emailed electronically?

Solicitation, L.1.9. Please see L.1.9.

Page 26 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Page 9, para C.1.3.1 provides an instructor to student ratio of 1:16 for up to 100 students per course. The math for this results in very few instructors, even with two overlapping courses.

Question: Does the Government intend the ratio to mean that it is a minimum number of instructors to ensure safety considerations, for example, but not necessarily all instructional purposes?

PWS, C.1.3.1

Ratios are based on JPRA requirement for High Risk Role Play.

1:16 is the highest ratio allowed per this requirement (for both RAD and

RTL) This ratio is based on total # of instructors Active

Duty/Civilians/Contractors.

Please see additional data as provided in PWS C.1.2.3.

Page 10, para C.1.4.1.1 specifies that the QCP shall be provided to the Contracting Officer no later than the post-award conference. However, the Deliverable Schedule on page 50 specifies that the QCP shall be delivered to the Contracting officer and the COR within 30 days after contract award.

Question: Please clarify if 30 days after contract award is correct?

PWS, C.1.4.1.1; Technical Exhibit 6 Please see revised C.1.4.1.1.

30 days after contract award is acceptable.

Page 11, C.1.4.2.1. Will the Government please complete the unfinished sentence that reads” When the government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings or similar government directed facility closings.

PWS, C.1.4.2.1. Please see revised C.1.4.2.

Page 27 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Page 12, Course Schedule legend refers to a 21 day curriculum and refers to a Jan 2105 ATTRS schedule. Questions:

a. Should it state 19 day curriculum?

b. Can the Government update the number of classes for FY16-17

PWS, 1.4.2. Please refer to revised PWS, C.1.4.2.

and Technical Exhibit 2.

Page 15, para C.1.4.4.1.11.1 states: “As part of the representative SERE school’s risk assessment program, periodically observe and conduct psychometric and/or analog psychological assessments of all instructors who may have direct student contact during high-risk role-play activities.”

Questions:

a. Are we correct in assuming the person making the periodic assessments is the Govt SERE psychologist?

b. Are we to assume that the Govt SERE psychologist will conduct initial assessments of any replacement contractor personnel over the life cycle of the contract as well?

PWS, C.1.4.4.1.11.1

Any assessment that affects Contractor personnel will be conducted by Government personnel only.

Page 17, para C.1.4.6.1 requires the contractor to produce a local travel log template. Question:

a. Is there really a need for travel log template given all of the information the long distance trip report and template should contain?

b. If a travel log template is required, should it be called a long distance travel log template and, if so, what information should it contain?

PWS, C.1.4.6.1. Please see revised C.1.4.6.1.

Page 28 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Page 18, para C.1.4.8 the link to the regulation does not work.

(http://www.bragg.army.mil/provostmarshal/Vechic leRegistration.html). Question: Is there a different, working link?

PWS, C.1.4.8. Please see revised C.1.4.8.

Page 23, para C.4.2.1states that the contractor will be responsible for providing like uniforms for employee in the event of a uniform change pursuant to POI change; e.g., uniform color or pattern. It also states: “This change in uniform will be issued via a change order.” Question: Will the contractor be permitted to submit a price proposal for the change order?

PWS, C.4.2. Yes.

Page 25, para C.5.1.3.5. refers to JTS RPG Encl 4 – E2.11.1 thru E2.12 dated 1 DEC 2010. We could not find this reference in the solicitation. Question:

Can the Govt spell out the abbreviations and where to find the reference or provide the reference?

PWS, C.5.1.3.5.

This refers to a document titled: Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, Joint

Training Standard on Role Play Guidance in Support of Code of

Conduct training, dated 1 DEC 2010.

This is an unclassified/FOUO document.

This document can be found at Joint Personnel Recovery Agency website with appropriate access.

Page 29 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Page 16, para C.1.4.4.2.2 specifies that we are to provide the names of the Contract Manager and the Site Manager to the COR within 5 days after contract award. Page 46, reference 5652.237-900, sub paragraph (a): “Such personnel are defined as Key Personnel and are those persons whose resumes were submitted for evaluation of the proposal.” Subparagraph (c) specifies that the Contract Manager and the Alternate Contract Manger are Key Personnel.

Questions:

a. Is the notification of the names of our CM and ACM to the Contract Officer within 5 days after contract award in addition to the submission of their resumes in our proposal, or are we not to submit their resumes in the proposal?

b. If we are to include the resumes of our CM and ACM (Key Personnel) in the proposal, may they be included in an Appendix to the Technical Volume and excluded from the page limit?

PWS, C.1.4.4.2.2.

Please see revised 5652.237-9001.

No resumes are required. Only the qualifications are required at time of proposal submission.

Page 17, para C.1.4.6 specifies that the Contractor shall be required to attend Post Training Events (PTEs).

Question: Are the PTEs for the contractor to obtain specific training information, provide input to training or conduct SERE related training?

PWS, C.1.4.6. Please see revised C.1.4.6.

Page 30 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Page 48, the first paragraph under Performance Standards includes a reference to C.6.2, which is not in the solicitation. The second paragraph refers to Survival and Evasion. Questions:

a. What is the correct the reference in lieu of C.6.2?

b. Are we correct that the reference to contractors conducting Survival & Evasion classroom and field training is an old requirement and is not applicable to this effort?

Technical Exhibit 4

C.6.2. has been deleted.

The reference to Survival and Evasion has been deleted.

Please see revised Technical Exhibit

4.

Page 67, para L1.10 refers to tabs, dividers, original, number of copies, etc. among other proposal submission requirements. Para L1.11 has a column entitled Electronic Copies.

Questions:

a. Just to be sure, are we correct in assuming the Govt only wants electronic proposal submissions and no paper submissions?

b. If paper submissions are required, will the Govt please indicate if they also require 1 Original and 1 or more copies?

c. For the electronic submissions, if we begin each Subfactor on a new page, must we still precede each Subfactor with a divider Tab? It certainly complicates the page numbering and doesn’t enhance the ability to find each Subfactor, especially with a linked Table of Contents.

d. Are we to submit one CD as a protected version and a separate CD as an unprotected version for each volume, and should we indicate protected or unprotected on the CD cover labels?

e. Is there requirement to mark a CD as “Original” and some “Copy Number” for each of the protected

Solicitation, L.1.11.

a. Correct, only electronic submissions;

b. No paper submissions;

c. It is an offeror's choice to use Tabs.

d. The files can be on one (1) CD.

e. Please refer to L.1.10 b.

f. The Government will keep the requirement at 20 pages plus 5 pages for an Executive Summary.

Page 31 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM and unprotected CDs for each volume, and if so, how many copies for each volume?

To ensure a thorough and compliant Technical response in 20 pages is a significant challenge, especially with a 1.5 spacing requirement. Will the Government consider increasing the page limit in the Technical Volume to 40 pages?

Page 71, para L.5.3. The Government requests other than cost and pricing data. It also requests fully loaded labor rates for each proposed labor category.

Questions:

a. Is the Government asking for an actual breakdown of cost elements for each loaded rate;

i.e., the direct rate plus ODCs, applicable indirect rates and fee and associated calculations, or rather the generic formula on how we calculate loaded labor rates?

If the Government requires the actual direct, indirect rates and fee and associated calculations, does the Government also want subcontractors to provide their actual cost elements breakdown and provide it to the Government in a sealed envelope?

Solicitation, L.5.3.

a. The Offeror shall show the details of the calculations of its proposed monthly fixed prices.

b. Please refer to question 58.

Page 32 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Page 74, M.3.3. states: “Section M.3.3 Subfactor 3:

Technical Experience. To be deemed technically acceptable, the Offeror's Technical Experience must demonstrate: (i) Offeror has at least three (3) years corporate experience in the type of service industry required by this PWS.

Question: Are we to assume the definition for the “type of service industry required by this PWS” is defined as company that has provided SERE training services similar to the PWS requirements?

Solicitation, M.3.3.

Yes, SERE training services similar to the PWS requirements is

IAW Section L.3.3.

"The offeror shall demonstrate relevancy of corporate experience and core competency in conducting the required training. The Government will evaluate each offerors organizational experience on the basis of it depth and its relevance to the work that will be required under the resultant contract."

Then each Offeror's demonstrated corporate experience will then be evaluated as outlined in M.3.3. which states "(i) Offeror has at least three

(3) years corporate experience in the type of service industry required by the PWS"

Page 75, para M42, Note states: “In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance (see FAR 15.305 (a)(2)(iv)).

Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown past performance. In the context of acceptability/unacceptability, “unknown” shall be considered “acceptable.” To rate an “unknown” past performance as acceptable means that a competitor with no past performance or sparse past performance gets an acceptable rating the same as a competitor that submits highly relevant and recent past performance.

Solicitation, M.4.2.

No, "unknown" shall be considered "acceptable".

Page 33 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Question: Are we correct in assuming “acceptable” is a typo, and it should state: “unknown” shall be considered “unacceptable”?

Are contractor teams permitted to use 1099 independent contractors (that would be fully qualified under the requirements of the PWS) to fulfill any short term gaps in instructor coverage when needed, or is it the intent of the contracting office/COR that any and all such instructors be employees of the awarded prime and subcontract team companies?

No, 1099 independent contractors are not permitted.

All instructors shall be employees of the prime or subcontract team companies.

Are contractor teams with additional qualified and vetted SERE-C instructor staff as employees be permitted to proactively offer them in "reserve" or "on call" only when needed to fulfill short term gaps or unforeseen instructor workload increases (new instructor training/vetting/upgrading) as long as those same temporary "backfill support" instructors are NOT already funded by and working on other concurrent US government contracts?

(Ensuring no OCI issues.)

Each offeror is responsible for presenting their unique solution for staffing the requirement.

Page 34 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Travel. Will there be any travel for contract personnel from their home base to attend / advise / assist at any other SERE Level B or Level C courses?

No, the only travel required pertains to PTE events.

C.1.1 States courses will typically be conducted at USAJFKSWCS. Is there any other location to be used?

PWS, C.1.1. Please see revised C.1.1.

C.1.4.4.3.3 If all other qualifications are met will USAJFKSWCS provide contractor with any slots to attend ITC and or is there a list of any other service courses that are acceptable alternatives to ITC (Navy / Air force / College)?

PWS, C.1.4.4.3.3.

All contractor personnel shall have all qualifications prior to starting work.

Page 35 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

In paragraph L.3.1 (Page 69 of 76), subparagraph ii, bullets jump from c. to e.

Question: Is this an oversight in numbering or is a paragraph missing?

Solicitation, L.3.1. Please see revised L.3.1.

In reference to section C.4.2.2.

Question: Are corporate polo shirts acceptable for instructor wear in the classroom?

PWS, C.4.2.2. Yes, corporate polo shirts are

Paragraph C.1.4.2.1 of the PWS “The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential to successful performance under this contract. No overtime (OT) or compensatory time (CT) is authorized. Contractor personnel shall not exceed a 40-hour work week.”

Question: Can the Government provide a more detailed course schedule, prior to the proposal date, that outlines the timelines for the various training events, enabling offerors to more accurately budget their manpower requirements and provide the government with more cost conscious solutions?

PWS, C.1.4.2.1. Please refer to question 4.

Page 36 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Paragraph L.3.2 (ii) Sub-factor 2: Staffing Plan asks the offeror to address the required qualifications, knowledge, skills, security clearances, training, and education levels for each labor category (including key personnel) IAW the PWS.

Question: What are the security clearance levels required for contract instructors? Are there any required minimum education levels?

Solicitation, L.3.2.

a. Please refer to C.1.4.3.2. for clearance levels.

b. There are currently no Government requirements that establish a minimum education level.

The end of paragraph C.1.3.1 states that “Additionally, these instructors must possess the skills needed to present academic and laboratory role-play instruction and must meet all qualifications listed in C.1.5.4 below.” There is no paragraph marked C.1.5.4.

Question: Can the government provide us with the missing information or direct us to the appropriate sections where the information is provided? Is it

C.1.4.4?

PWS, Section 1.3.1. Please see revised 1.3.1.

Page 37 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

In section L.4.1.1 it states that the offeror shall submit a maximum of (5) and a minimum of (3) Performance Information Sheets. The solicitation does not contain a template for a Performance Information Sheet but rather only a Past Performance Questionnaire in Exhibit 7.

Question: Does the government intend to give offerors a template for the Performance Information Sheet?

Solicitation, L.4.1.1. Please refer to question 52.

Section L.4.1.1 states that SF 294’s or SF 295’s are required. However, the GSA instructions state they are not required for small businesses. The size standard for this solicitation is $11 million.

Question: Can the government confirm that small businesses do not need to submit SF 294s or SF 295s?

Solicitation, L.4.1.1. Please refer to question 62.

Section L.4.1.1.2 states that offerors are required to complete and send questionnaires with a cover letter and Technical Exhibit 8, to all POCs. The PPQ is actually Exhibit 7 and there is no Exhibit 8.

Question: Can the government please confirm that this is either a typo or provide us with the appropriate Exhibit?

Solicitation, Section L.4.1.1.2. The correct reference is Technical Exhibit 7.

Page 38 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Exhibit 5 – Deliverables (page 50 of 76) refers to PWS Paragraphs C.1.5.4.5 and C.1.5.3.4 which do not exist.

Question: Can the government provide us with the missing information or direct us to the appropriate sections where the information is provided?

Technical Exhibit 5 Please see revised Technical Exhibit 5.

Will the government accept a proposal from an offeror who does not have a facility clearance but has the means to obtain one? Will the government allow for the offeror to obtain a facility clearance during the phase in and allow the phase in time line to be extended beyond 60 days to allow for the facility clearance to be granted?

Please refer to question 28.

I would like to request a one week extension for submission of the SERE H92239-16-R- 0002 proposal providing the opportunity to submit on 25 April 2016.

Please see revised Block 9.

Page 39 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

Respectfully request you send a clean fillable version of the PPQ (exhibit 7) for the solicitation number H92239-16-R-0002, the embedded version in the Solicitation is proving to be extremely difficult to deal with.

Please see Revised Technical Exhibit

Noticed a new PPQ with different questions was posted to FBO with Amendment 0001 and again today?

We and our subcontractors have already coordinated for PPQs to be completed and submitted to the Government and many of them have already submitted.

Please confirm that we DO NOT have to request those individuals to complete this new PPQ in order to be compliant.

Revised Technical Exhibit 7

If the offeror has already submitted and received Government confirmation for a PPQ and determines that no changes are needed then the Government will accept the previously submitted PPQ.

However, if the offeror decides that submitting a revised PPQ is necessary then the Government will accept the revised PPQ.

I am requesting clarification on Question #86 of the Q&A released on 13 Apr 16. The question asked if the definition of “type of service industry required by the PWS … is defined as a company that has provided SERE training services similar to the PWS requirements.” The answer was “Yes.”

The “Yes” answer to Question #86 imposes a new, more restrictive evaluation criteria than is currently written in the solicitation. Nowhere in the solicitation does it state that offerors must have previous SERE training experience.

Q&A #86 For added clarity, please see revised Q#86.

Page 40 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

If the Government intends to use the evaluation criteria currently written in the solicitation, then the answer to Question #86 cannot be an unqualified “Yes.” If the government intends to exclude offerors who do not have specific SERE training experience, then an amendment should be published changing the language in Sections L and M.

The graphic depicts two days of Resistance Academics and two days of Resistance Academics with Academic Resistance role-play Laboratories (ARLs). Is there a difference in the number of hours of contract support required for each? In other words, are there more or less hours required during the ARL time?

Amendment 0001, C.1.4.2.2.5, Active Course Period Support

*NOTE: The Government has determined these recent questions are not material in nature, so there will not be an extension or any subsequent amendment to the solicitation. Amendment 0001 is the only change to the solicitation.

The support is the same for both Resistance Academics and Resistance Academics role play Laboratories (ARLs) they are both (up to 12 hours.)

The reference states "Contractors are required to ensure that shifts for debriefings are no more than 8 hours. Does the total requirement for contract work exceed 16 hours on that day? In other words, does the contractor have to be prepared to support more than two shifts on the debriefing day?

Amendment 0001, C.1.4.2.2.2.1, shifts during debriefings

*NOTE: The Government has determined these recent questions are not material in nature, so there will not be an extension or any subsequent amendment to the solicitation. Amendment 0001 is the only change to the solicitation.

As per, C.1.4.2.2.2.1, in Amendment 0001, the last day of SERE course is debrief day and will not exceed 8 hrs. of schedule work for that day.

Page 41 of 41 as of 4/21/2016 3:45 PM

The referenced paragraph states that "Up to 12 hour shifts are required and shift work may be necessary…." During this portion of training will more than one 12-hour shift be required on any given days?

Amendment 0001, C.1.4.2.2.1, Hours for RAD

*NOTE: The Government has determined these recent questions are not material in nature, so there will not be an extension or any subsequent amendment to the solicitation. Amendment 0001 is the only change to the solicitation.

As per C.1.4.2.2.1. in Amendment 0001, the timeframe will be what is stated in the reference section.

Will a conformed copy of the RFP be released because of Amendment #1, since it is required to be included in proposal submissions?

*NOTE: The Government has determined these recent questions are not material in nature, so there will not be an extension or any subsequent amendment to the solicitation. Amendment 0001 is the only change to the solicitation.

No a conformed copy will not be released, Prospective Offerors should provide a signed H92239- 16-R-0002 Amendment 0001 Acknowledging the changes.