Draft RFP H9223924R0007 SOA TRMS Q and A Posted to SAM 12 Aug 2024.pdf

Special Operations Aviation (SOA) Training, Readiness Management Support (TRMS)

DRAFT RFP H92239-24-R-0007

Questions & Answers 12 August 2024

Question

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

1 RFP (IDR) RFP Page 92 of 106 Table 2.1.2.

VOLUME II, Technical Factors FACTOR I, Technical Capability of Flight Training & Support Services

Requirement States “Maximum Page Limit” as 30 Pages.

Recommend that the “Maximum Page Limit” be changed from 30 pages to a page count anyplace in the range of 50-60 pages to adequately address all the requirements in the RFP.

Increased to 35 pages.

2 RFP, p. 96, para 2.2.3.2

PPIS: Will the Government consider the Prime submitting a minimum of two (2) Performance Information Sheets with each over $19M in contract value for DoD?

The Government will evaluate Past Performance Information Sheets (PPIS) in accordance with (IAW) the evaluation criteria, which requires at least 3 PPIS for each prime and at least 1 for each major subcontractor.

3 RFP, p. 104, para 2.5.2

Price Realism: For the “larger candidate pools” would the Government consider providing estimated GS pay-band rates to help account for appropriate price realism?

FAR Clause 52.222-42 (Statement of Equivalent Rates For Federal Hires (May 2014)) was added.

4 RFP, p. 30, para 1.17

ODC: Given the FFP contract, would the Government consider plug numbers or cost reimbursable ODC and Travel CLINs? Otherwise, can the Government provide which conferences the contractor must support with the estimated number of personnel for each?

The final RFP and spreadsheet will include plug figures for travel and ODCs. Offerors can include G&A on invoices for travel and ODCs.

See RFP paragraph 2.2.4.3.1.

5 RFP Tab F Factor 2

b. requests offerors to describe any cross-utilization proposed.

Is cross-utilization solely up to the Offeror or does cross-utilization of certain/any Labor Categories have to be approved by the KO/COR?

The proposed solution to PWS requirements is up to each offeror. The evaluation team will evaluate each offerors proposed staffing solution and evaluate IAW the evaluation criteria.

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

6 RFP Tab F Factor 2

b. requests offerors to describe any cross-utilization proposed.

Are there any labor categories that are currently authorized for cross-utilization?

The proposed solution to PWS requirements is up to each offeror. The evaluation team will evaluate each offerors proposed staffing solution and evaluate IAW the evaluation criteria.

Some platform instructors teach more than one class; however, those platform instructors are still carrying out platform instruction.

No other employees are currently being cross utilized.

7 RFP 2.1.3-

Evaluation Factors - Cyber Security

Can the Government confirm that this requirement applies to “major subcontractors” as defined in RFP section 2.2.3.2 Past and Present Performance Information Sheets” and not minor subcontractors with minimal scope (”major” is defined as those subcontractors, teaming partners, joint ventures and affiliates who are projected to perform 25% or more of the total contract effort)?

See paragraph 2.2.1.5. Cyber Security.

The NIST score applies to all Subcontractors and Teaming Partners.

The NIST score is not related to past performance requirements under Factor 3.

8 RFP 2.2.2.3.

Tab E

i. states that Offerors should provide a detailed narrative demonstrating the Offeror’s technical capability of flight training and the other required support services “through relevancy of recent corporate experience” and competency…Can the Government please confirm that it is not their desire for Offerors to write to relevancy or recency of Past Performance and corporate experience in this volume of the proposal since it is already covered in Volume III:

PAST AND PRESENT PERFORMANCE?

Correct. The cited reference is from Section L, Instructions to Offerors for Technical Factor 1 and does not apply to Past and Present Performance (Factor 3).

RFP Section L, PDF pg. 90

Notice of Pre-proposal Conference. Does the Government anticipate holding a pre-proposal conference prior to the release of the final RFP?

Yes. The pre-proposal conference is at Fort Campbell, KY on 22 Aug.

2024. All updates regarding the details of the pre-proposal conference will be posted to SAM.gov.

9 RFP Section L, PDF pg. 90

Notice of Pre-proposal Conference. Does the Government have an anticipated date for the pre-proposal conference?

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

The pre-proposal conference is at Fort Campbell, KY on 22 Aug.

2024. All updates regarding the details of the pre-proposal conference will be posted to SAM.gov.

10 RFP Section L, 2.1.1

Can the Government please confirm that an 11x17 inch page (used only as necessary for large figures such as the Org chart) counts as 1-page?

Correct. These pages shall count as one (1) page each.

11 RFP 2.2.3.1

Contents. D.

CONSENT

LETTERS

Will the Government please provide a template for the consent letters or provide all detail requested for inclusion in this letter?

The subcontractor’s consent letter only needs to state that the subcontractor is teaming with the prime offeror for solicitation H92239-24-R-0007 and consents to the Government discussing the subcontractor’s past performance references with the prime offeror, if necessary.

12 RFP 2.2.4.3.1

TAB A—Price Schedule.(c).O ther Direct Costs

If it is part of the Offeror’s disclosed practices to burden ODC’s with G&A, and other indirect costs. How can Offeror’s pass through those types of costs if G&A is not allowed on ODC CLINs?

Offerors may include G&A on invoices for the ODC CLIN. RFP paragraph 2.2.4.3.1 and the Pricing Spreadsheet have been revised.

13 PWS 1.7.1. Can the Government please confirm that the Program Manager position will be required to reside at Fort Campbell, KY?

Yes, the PM will perform at Ft. Campbell, KY.

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

14 PWS 1.7.1.g. PWS currently requires that the PM must have “served as a Battalion Commander or Senior Flight Company Commander” It appears that there have been changes to this Program Manager Qualification requirement over time and the current draft removes the ability to provide a qualified former SOF rated pilot that served as a Warrant Officer. We have spoken with retired CW5s that are very well respected within the community and otherwise qualified candidates that would be excellent leaders for this contract. In order to avoid eliminating qualified Warrant Officers from qualification for this position, would the Government consider amending this language to state: “…served as a Battalion Commander, Senior Flight Company Commander, or Chief Warrant Officer 5.”?

Please see revised PM qualifications that have added CW5 experience.

15 Technical Exhibit F, Historical Workload Data

Historical Workload Data currently provides estimated number of FTEs required by labor category. Will the Government also consider providing other historical workload data that will assist Offerors in accurately pricing the effort? For example, will the Government please consider providing some historical workload data on the amount of TDY travel required? Although Travel is captured in a Cost CLIN, the amount of TDY travel per year will be a heavy driver in the amount of manpower required when expertise is pulled from home station.

Please see table 1 below. Generally, travel includes the following positions: Pilot Instructors, Air Movement Specialists, Logistics Specialist, and other direct support positions for the AH-6 Little Bird (4 classes), MH-60 (7 classes) and MH-47 (7 classes). Currently, these classes are 10 days each. Compensatory time is generally required for off duty travel, TDY work over 8 hours a day plus Saturday and Sunday work.

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

16 Technical Exhibit F, Historical Workload Data

Historical Workload Data currently provides estimated number of FTEs required by labor category. Will the Government also consider providing other historical workload data that will assist Offerors in accurately pricing the effort? For example, will the Government please consider providing some historical workload data on the amount of compensatory time required per year by labor category? It is our understanding that TDY travel also drives significant compensatory time for employees. Accurately forecasting the TDY travel and resulting compensatory time is a key component to accurately estimating cost, ensuring employees are compensated fairly, and ultimately in maintaining employee satisfaction.

Please see Table 1 below. Contractor personnel generally accumulate 3-5 days of compensatory time per trip.

17 PWS 2.1.9 KEY PERSONNEL. Will the Government please confirm that no Key Personnel resumes are required at the time of proposal submission?

PWS section 2.1.9 revised. No resume required for key personnel.

18 PWS 1.6.12 Will the Government please confirm if any employees currently work remotely due to new post-pandemic environment? If so, which labor categories?

No employees are currently working remotely. Remote work meaning that the employee can live anywhere and there is no expectation of coming into the office.

19 Pricing Template

The draft Pricing template (Phase-In Table) only provides editable cells to include hours for the PM and OM position.

Are Offerors allowed to insert additional labor categories as necessary?

The RFP only requires support from key personnel during phase-in.

Offers may include other personnel in their phase-in costs. Offerors may insert additional labor categories.

20 Pricing Template

The draft Pricing template (Phase-In Table) only provides editable cells to include hours for the PM and OM position.

How would the Government like Offerors to include other costs outside of labor such as travel, ODCs, etc.?

The Phase-in Table will be revised. Offeror shall input their total price for phase-in inclusive of all their costs (travel, lodging, etc). The Travel CLIN on the contract shall not be used for phase-in.

21 Pricing Template

RFP Section 2.2.4.3.1.(e) mentions Surge Support and Emerging Requirements as a plug value for CLINS 1005 and

The final Pricing Spreadsheet may include these amounts. However, the offeror does not need these amounts to provide their proposed pricing. The same plug amount will be used for all offerors.

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

2005; however, these CLINS do not appear in the draft Pricing Template. Will the Government please advise?

22 Pricing Template

Ref: draft Pricing Template, Section B Schedule, Other Direct Costs. If it is part of the Offeror’s disclosed practices to burden ODC’s with G&A, and other indirect costs. How can Offeror’s pass through those types of costs if G&A is not allowed on ODC CLINs?

The Pricing Spreadsheet will be revised to allow offers to apply G&A to their ODC invoices.

23 Draft RFP, Section 2.2.1.5 Cyber Security, we came across a major concern that we wanted to bring to your attention immediately.

Reference: Draft RFP, Section 2.2.1.5 Cyber Security, states that:

“the Prime Offeror shall have, for itself AND its subcontractors, a minimum Basic Confidence Level score of 110 in the Supply Risk Performance System (SPRS) NIST SP 800-171 Assessment at time of proposal submission.”

Discussion: The NIST SP 800-171 Assessment has a score range from -203 to +110 with +110 being the MAXIMUM score that a contractor can achieve. Research from major consulting firms showed that -50 to +50 was the average score for a basic confidence level assessment in 2021. 2022 data similarly showed an average score of -23 for Government contractors.

We see no issue with Draft RFP, Section 2.2.1.5.a or 2.2.1.5.b which layout the DFARS requirements for DFARS 252.204-7012 and DFARS 252.204-7019, respectively; however, the lead in requirement stated above is not a DFARS requirement and appears to introduce some CMMC requirements which do not apply to Government contractors yet.

Question: Will the Government please consider removing the requirement to have any specific score since this will unnecessarily limit competition?

The requirement for a 110 NIST score is to ensure that all potential awardees (including teaming partners) have systems in place to safeguard DoD information from adversaries and wrong doers. This is a tool used by the DoD to measure the risk of a contractor's cybersecurity position in protecting sensitive DoD information (CDI/CUI). This contract requires processing information up to the TOP SECRET level. Many FTEs require TOP SECRET/SCI individual clearances. USSOCOM is increasing its cyber security standards across the enterprise. The requirement or an NIST score of 110 remains unchanged.

RFP Section Reference Question Government Response

24 PWS 4.2.

Secret Facility Clearance

The Contractor shall possess and maintain a SECRET facility clearance from the Defense Security Service. The Contractor’s employees, performing work in support of this contract, shall have been granted a SECRET security clearance from the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office. The DD254 is provided as Technical Exhibit [indicate #]. However, PWS Para 1.6.13. Security Requirements “The Contractor shall possess a TOP SECRET Facility Clearance (FCL) at the time of proposal submission must be maintained for the duration of the contract contradicts. Please clarify which is it?

A TOP SECRET Facility Clearance is required. PWS revised accordingly.

25 PWS Para

1.6.13. Security

Requirements “

The Contractor shall possess a TOP SECRET Facility Clearance (FCL) at the time of proposal submission must be maintained for the duration of the contract.” Please clarify the purpose, given that this requirement is unobtainable without per DCSA, by the government agency and is actually a barrier to competition and is limiting otherwise competent and qualified businesses to submit a proposal. Without any rationale we can only surmise that the agency wished to unfair competition give the incumbent a significant edge. To ensure even competition will the government sponsor contractor for TS FCL. Recommend a change to state “The awardee will be sponsored by the agency and obtain a Top Secret FCL prior to commencing any effort.” Allowing for sufficient competition.

A TOP SECRET Facility Clearance (FCL) is required upon proposal submission to ensure no disruption to mission training or operations. The process to obtain a TOP SECRET FCL is a lengthy process that cannot be completed during the 60-day phase-in for a potential awardee that does not have a TOP SECRET FCL and applies for one after contract award. This means that the awardee will not have a TOP SECRET FCL at the conclusion of phase-in and cannot provide employees with TOP SECRET individual clearances at the start of full performance. Additionally, just because the awardee applies for a TOP SECRET FCL does not mean that the awardee will be granted a TOP SECRET FCL. If denied, the Government is left in a position of inadequate training support, terminating the contract, and having to resolicit the requirement. These are risks that the Government is not willing take for this critical training and operational mission. Multiple companies responded to the Government's Sources Sought Notice and expressed that they already possess a TOP SECRET FCL to ensure sufficient competition. See GAO Case: B-411153, Matter of: Contract Services, Inc.

26 All Contractor personnel shall have at minimum a SECRET clearance. Some positions shall possess a TOP SECRET clearance.”

Please clarify which positions are designated “Top Secret”

See PWS paragraphs 1.7.1 – 1.10.11 for security requirements for each position.

27 Is there an incumbent, if so, who is it? The current prime contractor is CACI, Inc.

Table 1: Question #16

Class Class # Training Type Course Dates

Travel Deploy/ Redeploy (Travel Time for 1st &

Last Day)

Training Hours Per

Day

Saturday Work Days

Sunday Work Days

MH-60 24-02 Desert/Mountain 3/26 - 4/6 12 hours per day 8 - 10 2 1 MH-47 24-02 Desert/Mountain 4/11 - 4/20 12 hours per day 8 - 10 2 1 MH-60 24-02 Overwater 4/26 - 5/4 12 hours per day 8 - 10 2 1 MH-47 24-02 Overwater 4/26 - 5/4 12 hours per day 8 - 10 1 1 MH-60 24-03 Desert/Mountain 5/29 - 6/10 12 hours per day 8 - 10 2 2 MH-47 24-03 Desert/Mountain 6/3 - 6/13 12 hours per day 8 - 10 1 1 AH-6 24-02 Desert/Mountain 6/4 - 6/14 10 hours per day 8 - 10 1 1 MH-60 24-03 Overwater 6/17 - 6/24 12 hours per day 8 - 10 1 1 MH-47 24-03 Overwater 6/24 - 7/1 12 hours per day 8 - 10 1 2 AH-6 24-02 Overwater 7/15 - 7/25 10 hours per day 8 - 10 1 1 MH-60 24-04 Desert/Mountain 7/16 - 7/28 12 hours per day 8 - 10 2 2 MH-47 24-04 Desert/Mountain 7/24 - 8/3 12 hours per day 8 - 10 2 1