Consolidated Questions List.docx

Amendment 1 24 March 2022

Questions and Answers:

1) 3.2 States- The FINEX is a (10) day exercise. Will the government provide details as to the pre-FINEX and post-FINEX attendance requirements including pre-training meetings, set-up, after action meetings, etc.

Q: What is the travel and lodging requirement beyond the actual training allocation of 10 days?

A: There is no travel and lodging requirement outside of the training days. All pre and post meetings can take place through email or virtual meetings.

2) 3.3 States- Provide up to (16) fully equipped kits of all necessary cables, Software Defined Radios, Radio Frequency Splitters, and hubs.

Question- Will the government please provide a complete and specific list of required equipment per kit, with specificity as to the brand, model, specifications, capabilities, lengths, sizes, and special features, how the kit should be packaged (pelican cases?) and size requirements of the package (kit). Specifically, please provide the information required for the contractor to price and provide a compliant kit.

A: The kits being proposed shall be compatible with the offeror’s proposed POI, therefore specificity of equipment is independent to the offeror’s proposed instructional material.

3) 3.3 States- DPTT SME provides DPTT Theory and collection training aboard Camp Lejeune, NC or within 90 miles of CLNC.

Q: Will the government confirm that the DPTT training location can be supported on CLNC as a government furnished item for each course?

A: Yes, training location can be confirmed as a government furnished item.

Q: Will the government please provide specific information regarding the significance of the 90-mile radius of CLNC, as it pertains to a “requirement” of the program? Specifically, is there a location or feature that is imperative?

A: Training will be conducted aboard CLNC as a furnished item; however, in the event government classroom cannot be used, training will occur within the 90-mile area around CLNC in a classroom location provided by the contractor. The location must be able to support the contractor’s POI.

4) 3.3.1.1. States- Must have graduated from SOF DPTT course or performed as a SOF DPTT Instructor.

Question- Will the government verify that the government is not requiring formal graduation from a SOCOM funded or another DoD sanctioned course including specific certification?

A: Refer to SOW 3.3.1.1; must have graduated from a SOF DPTT course or performed as a SOF DPTT Instructor. Yes, formal graduation from SOF education in a DPTT course is a requirement.

5) 3.3.1.2. States- Must have at least (2) deployments working a primary SIGINT mission.

Question- Will the government specify its definition of (2) deployments? Specifically, can the deployments be non-SOF deployments and/or in support of non-SOF units? Must the deployments be SOF related?

A: Deployments are considered at least 90 days of OCONUS operation. SOW 3.3.1.3 states, ‘Must have knowledge of/experience with MARSOC structure and employment methodologies, specifically Direct Support Team Operations. Proposed resumes must demonstrate this knowledge/ experience.

6) 3.3.1.4. States- Must have an active TS/SCI Clearance.

Question- Will the government confirm that an active TS clearance is required as SCI would require active participation in a SCI program? Will the government consider SCI eligibility as the compliance criteria?

A: SCI eligibility complies.

7) 3.3.2. States- The contractor (DPTT SME) shall also provide a syllabus covering the (4) days of DPTT Theory and collection training.

Question- Will the government specify whether it is the government or the contractor that shall provide the curriculum as well as the syllabus?

A: Contractor shall provide the curriculum and syllabus.

8) 3.4 States- Provide 13 role players to conduct scenario-based exercise support on relevant and current events typically found in MARSOCs are of operation.

Question- Will the government please detail specifically the minimum education and experience requirements of each role player?

A: Minimum qualifications are listed in paragraphs 3.4.1 through 3.4.5.

Question- Will the government please detail specifically the operational duties and profiles of the role players. Specifically, will role players be responsible for adhering to scripts, possession and management of squawk boxes, possession and management of radios, drive distances, walking distances, etc.

A: Role players will need to adhere to a script provided by MRTC, will manage and talk on radios, and have small driving distances in scenarios.

9) 3.5.1.7 States- Must have TS/SCI.

Question- SCI is only available to TS cleared personnel with active SCI requirement. SCI is and extension of TS. Will the government acknowledge this challenge and specify that TS must be active with SCI eligibility?

A: SCI eligible will suffice.

10) Will the government accept a Cessna Turbo Station Air 206 that has a service ceiling of 25,000’ in lieu of a King Air if the C-206 can support all the ISR requirements listed? The benefit of to the government utilizing a Cessna T206H is that the operating costs are less compared to a King Air and those cost savings would be reflected in a lower overall price to the government.

A: Aircraft minimum standards are included in the SOW, for evaluation purposes MRTC is looking will give a favorable rating to contractors offering a King Air or equivalent.

11) Will there be an airborne SIGINT ISR requirement in addition to what is listed in the PWS?

A: There is no airborne SI requirement.

12) How many total flight hours per year does the government expect to use?

A: 60 flight hours per year.

13) What locations will the government plan to use throughout the year?

A: Refer to SOW; CLNC, Camp Gruber, OK and Tulsa, OK.

14) Under the ISR Support pricing spreadsheet it reflects 1 person for 10 days for that year. We feel that the real daily rate for the aircraft, personnel and fuel is the cost you are looking for. Is that correct? Are you looking for one daily cost figure that encompasses all costs associated with the ISR mission? Again, knowing where these events will take place each year will allow us to better estimate.

A: Yes, one daily cost for the ISR mission is what the government intends to evaluate.

15) The pricing spreadsheet reflects personnel only. It does not account for per diem, travel, rental car, etc. It also does not account for equipment purchases defined in the SOW. Is the government asking for one daily price that includes all contractor costs for the exercise? Location will affect some of these costs.

A: Yes, the intent is to award one Firm-fixed price Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Contract per the RFQ. The government intends to establish 1 price per FinEx iteration.

16) What information is the government expecting to see in the Technical response regarding aircraft, pilot, certifications etc. identified in the SOW? Does the government expect some sort of statement to the affect that the contractor agrees to provide an aircraft and pilot that meets the requirements or is the government expecting more detail?

A: Per the RFQ, statements merely stating that the contractor agrees to meet the requirements in the SOW are not sufficient. A technical narrative is expected to include enough detail for the government to determine the offeror’s technical capability and ability to perform the requirements stated in the SOW.

17) The Deliverables noted in para 5 of the SOW do not match the deliverables Table 1 in the SOW. The AAR required dates differ in both as well. Pilot FAA license to include instrument rating for quoted aircraft is listed in Qualifying Criteria page 21 of RFQ, but not in deliverables.

A: Paragraph 5 has changed. The FAA License requirement has been added to table 1.

18) What is the disposition of the 16 fully equipped kits post exercise? Will the government take ownership and custody between exercises? Will the government take final ownership at contract expiration? Will the contractor maintain possession and ownership of the kits? Where is the cost of the kits captured in pricing or is it rolled up in the daily role player rate?

A: The government will take ownership of the kits after each iteration. A FFP CLIN was added to capture the price of the equipment. Equipment will be purchased new at the beginning of each ordering year.

19) The pricing matrix reflects twice a year exercises and DPTT courses. However, the SOW mentions that current courses are conducted three times per year and the CLINS reflected in the RFQ page 2-4 reflect a maximum of three courses per year. We just want to ensure that we are pricing two vice three exercises a year according to the pricing matrix.

A: Pricing should be for three iterations per year.

20) Will each role player be required to have their own individual transportation for the exercise? Will their roles require them to be mobile and transit to different locations? This affects the price quote in terms of number of rental cars and fuel estimates.

A: Role players will need their own rentals.

21) Does the government wish to incorporate the use of USRP radios in the training and if so, does each of the 16 students require a USRP radio considering the high cost per unit? Does the government have a preference of COTS SDR systems considering the large number of options on the market?

A: The government does not need 16 USRP radios. Offeror’s shall propose the SDR systems that based on their technical experience will best support this requirement.

21) REFERENCE: SOW: 12.1 and 12.2

12. TRAVEL, LODGING, MEALS, AND INCIDENTALS:

12.1 Contractor is responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals for contractor personnel.

12.2 Contractor is responsible to provide sufficient transportation for all contractor personnel to ensure there are no delays in the training.

QUESTION: Does the government intend to update Attachment 3 pricing spreadsheet in order to allow for contractors to provide pricing for evaluation and invoicing related to the referenced expenses?

A: The offeror may include it’s cost breakdown as par of their Volume IV Price submission. The final price for Role Players and SMEs is what we are looking for in the pricing worksheet.

QUESTION: Will the government clarify with specificity how the contractor shall account for and invoice for these costs?

A: The intent is to award one Firm-fixed price purchase order per the RFQ. The government intends to establish 1 all-inclusive price per FinEx iteration to be invoiced as such.

22) REFERENCE: SOW: 12.1 and 12.2

12. TRAVEL, LODGING, MEALS, AND INCIDENTALS:

12.1 Contractor is responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals for contractor personnel.

12.2 Contractor is responsible to provide sufficient transportation for all contractor personnel to ensure there are no delays in the training.

QUESTION: Does the government have a “plug” number to provide contractors for these expenses?

A: A plug number has been provided for travel in the Pricing Worksheet.

23) REFERENCE: SOW 3.4

3.4.3. Must have (1) female role player and (12) male role players.

QUESTION: Does this requirement relieve the contractor of compliance with “xx (30)(i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O.11246)”?

A: No

QUESTION: Is it the government’s intent to ensure a gender mix of “at-least” one of each gender” on contract?

A: SOW 3.4.3 has been updated to read “At least one (1) female role player is required to fulfill the total thirteen (13) role player requirement.”

QUESTION: For the purpose of defending the Contractor’s deviation from the FAR, will the government provide the basis for the specific requirement for a sole female participant?

A: There’s no sole female participant requirement, the requirement is for at least one (1) of the role players to be a female.

QUESTION: For the purpose of defending the Contractor’s deviation from the FAR, will the government describe the feature of the 12 role players that render’s those labor positions unsuitable for females?

A: There’s no sole female participant requirement, the requirement is for at least one (1) of the role players to be a female.

24) Reference: SOW 3.6, Question: Historical safety requirements of MARSOC have required a twin engine airplane to conduct safe aviation operations. Does MARSOC require a twin engine airplane to support the MDIOC FINEX requirement?

A: A twin engine aircraft is not required.

25) Reference: SOW 3.3, Question: The government requires the contractor to provide up to (16) fully equipped kits, however the kit requirements in the SOW are non-prescriptive. Will the government allow vendors to propose technical solutions commensurate with their provided POI?

A: Yes, offeror’s shall submit an equipment solution that support their POI.

26) Reference: SOW 3.3, Question: Does the government require the contractor to provide laptops within the (16) DPTT kits?

A: No, laptops will not need to be provided.

27) Ref SOW 1 /3.3, Q: The language is vague regarding the “up to 16 DPTT kits.” Do you require 16? Please provide pricing guidance for this requirement. Include in the DPTT SME line in the pricing volume?

A: Pricing should include 16 kits. An equipment & materials line was added to the pricing worksheet for this purpose.

28) Ref SOW 1/3.3.1, Q: Will the government consider 8 years of recent / relevant DPTT instructor experience in lieu of holding SIGINT MOS? Change this from required to desired? Other military MOS’ and interagency experience is potentially applicable in addition to a SIGINT MOS.

A: MRTC requires a SIGINT MOS.

29) Ref SOW 1/3.3.2, Q: What format and what level of detail is required for the syllabus? How does this tie into the POIs and training schedule that the government will provide on page 5 in section 9.3?

A: No specific format is required, and MRTC would require a day-by-day breakdown for topics covered in training. The government can provide generic POI requirements such as SDR familiarization and Digital Signal Processing and Recording.

30) Ref SOW 2/3.5.1, Q: Will the government consider 8 year of recent / relevant 802.11 instructor experience in lieu of holding SIGINT MOS? Change this from required to desired? Other military MOS’ and interagency experience is potentially applicable in addition to a SIGINT MOS.

A: SIGINT MOS is required.

31) Ref SOW 3/3.6.7, Q: The information provided is inconclusive for pricing purposes regarding the 2 and up to 5 RVTs. Please provide pricing guidance for this requirement and number of RVTs required. Include in the ISR line in the pricing volume?

A: Pricing should be provided for the maximum possible number of 5 RVTs. An equipment & materials line was added to the pricing worksheet for this purpose.

32) Ref SOW 3/3.6.2 & Pricing Worksheet, Q: The SOW states 5 days of OSH for the aircraft but the pricing worksheet calls for 10 days. Please clarify.

A: Pricing worksheet has been revised.

33) Ref RFQ 1/3, Q: Will the government use the more stringent VA certification for SDVOSB verses SAM.gov self-registration in determining qualified offerors?

A: The offeror’s self-registration in the SAM.gov website will be utilized.