Questions_with_Answers_1_FBO_.doc

H92239-18-Q-0005

ADVANCED SURVEILLANCE AND SURVEILLANCE DETECTION TRAINING

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS #1

13 MARCH 2018

1. The NAICS code listed in the solicitation is 611699, “All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction”. This NAICS code is meant for commoditized classroom instruction. The type of services requested in this solicitation required specialized experience, subject matter expertize and a specifically tailored Program of Instruction (POI) that are typically categorized under NAICS 541990 “All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services”. Will the Government revise the NAICS for this solicitation to 541990?

Answer: The NAICS code remains 611699 as stated by the Government.

2. Page two of the solicitation states “Award will be made to the offeror providing the best value”. The third page states “The government intends to award a best value award to the responsible offeror on the basis of the lowest evaluated price technically acceptable that meets or exceeds the requirements.” Will the Government please confirm that this is a best value contract and not an LPTA contract?

Answer: The Language has been modified. Please see Amendment 2 posted 13 March 2018.

3. The Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 states that Volume 2 Technical Capability is limited to six pages. It appears unlikely that an offeror can adequately address the areas required in Volume 2 with only three pages dedicated to each of the two major subjects as well as articulate the differentiators between other offeror’s. Given that the offeror must fully explain their understanding of all tasks and provide a detailed approach and methodology to the instruction of the POI as well as all personnel qualifications for essentially two major subject curriculum areas, will the Government consider increasing the page count to fifteen?

Answer: The Government will increase the page limitation to 10 only.

4. Can resumes be submitted in support of the Technical volume and not be counted against the page limitation?

Answer: Resumes are not requested at this time, but may be reviewed after award. It is incumbent upon the Offeror to ensure all qualifications requested in the PWS are met.

5. In reference to PWS para 1.2.2.9 and para 1.6.5.17, the role players under this solicitation require essentially the same qualifications as the Surveillance and Surveillance Detection instructors yet there they appear to be subject to the unnecessary and extensive CI screening as per the referenced policies simply because of the use of the term role player. They appear to be assistant instructors that happen to be playing a role during the surveillance practical exercises and could be made exempt for the administrative requirements outlined in para 1.6.5.17 . Additionally, given the dates for procurement schedule, there is no way to meet the reflected suspense of submitting security screening packets seventy days prior to the start of training. Will the Government drop requirements in para 1.6.5.17 and/or re-title the two associated positions as Assistant Instructors with the specific duties to act as the “Subjects” for the surveillance practical exercises?

Answer: 1.6.5.17 will not be dropped. Please review this full section of the PWS: The verbiage ..."An initial list of applicants must be provided to the COR later than [7] business days after the initial contract award to start the CI-focused security screening process." And then further down... "The Vendor must provide all other completed security screening packets in a sealed envelope/box to the designated security office conducting the CI-focused security screenings on award of the contract or at least [70] days prior to the start of the training." "OR" being the option.

6. There is no mention of a requirement for surveillance team members, role players or instructors to have current security clearance. Given the sensitive nature of the training and that the students’ identities will be known to the contractor force, should you require at least a Secret clearance for all contractors supporting this contract?

Answer: There is no requirement that contractors have secret clearances. The training is sensitive in nature, but not classified.

7. (a) Paragraph 1.2.2.3 states that we must provide coverage for “approximately 75% of the surveillance detection portion of the course.” Please clarify that this mean we are required to cover 75% of each student’s surveillance detection routes (SDR)?

7. (b) How many SDRs will each student be required to make?

Answers: (a.) It includes all multi-modal (foot, vehicular, public trans) SDRs

(b.) This is up to the vendor and how he writes his POI as to how the vendor instructs/teaches SDRs

8. Understanding that a surveillance team consists of 5 members, how many SDRs will be conducted concurrently? This information is required to estimate the number of teams required each day.

Answer: Yes, they will be conducted concurrently. At max, 4 groups at a time (individual)

9. Will students run SDRs as a team or a singleton?

Answer: They will start as groups, going down to single individuals by the end

10. (a) What is the desired proficiency expected of the students at the end of the course?

10. (b) A general understanding so the student understands surveillance TTPs and where to look for surveillance while conducting SD?

10. (c) Or should students be able to conduct discreet surveillance upon completion of training?

Answers to All: Students should be able to conduct discreet surveillance upon completion of training. They should be proficient in surveillance detection.

11. Does the customer have a preference into how the instruction is divided? Six days surveillance and 6 days SD?

Answer: No. Standard is half-half, but the POI is on the vendor

12. What is the purpose of the Role Players in paragraph 1.2.2.4?

Answer: RRC: Role players will serve as the target that the Students surveilling

12. (b) Do they expect these role players to have in-scenario interaction with the students?

Answer: They will not

12. (c) Will the students conduct surveillance against them?

Answer: Yes.

13. Paragraph 1.2.2.8 states that our instructors must have SME level knowledge of both USG and British surveillance methodologies. Will the customer accept US instructor that has received British training? Is this instructor for the surveillance or SD instructor?

Answer: No, the instructor must have at least 10 years’ experience in the British Intelligence Community or Special Operations Forces (see 1.2.2.8.d.)

14. Is the expectation that the entire training instruction/program remains unclassified?

Answer: Yes.

15. Can the customer provide more detail on the scenario requirements in paragraph 1.3.1?

a. How deep do they want the scenario to be?

Answer: It should be a multi-layered cell network where Students can report on the target’s place within the hierarchy

b. Do they want dossiers on the cell members?

Answer: Yes, there must be some background on the target for the Student

c. What type of terrorists? A domestic group radicalized in the US? An OCONUS group running a cell operating in the US? Domestic Right Wing or OCONUS directed religious-based terrorists?

Answer: OCONUS cell operating OCONUS (scenario based OCONUS, conducted NCR)

d. Do they want to use a real group like Al Qaeda or ISIS or do they want a fictional/notional group that we develop?

Answer: Fictional

e. Do they want the scenario briefed to students on Day One or do they want it before the course starts so the students come to training knowing the OPFOR?

Answer: Brief them on day one or whatever makes sense for the scenario developed

16. (a) Paragraph 1.5 says the Period of Performance is 8-20 April. April 8th is a Sunday, is that the first day of training or does the course begin on the 9th?

Answer: In-Brief/Coordination will be made on 8 APR so the course is ready to start 9 APR.

16. (b) Will the students work weekends?

Answer: Yes.

17. I am hoping to find out if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services or if this is a new requirement. If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the contract number?

Answer: There is no incumbent.