Atch 4_QnA Responses_Amend 1_MRSG SIGINT Courses_01Feb22.pdf

Consolidated Q&A

MRSG SIGINT Training Courses

RFQ Questions: H92257-22-Q-0030

As of 01 February 2022

RFP

Document Para. Questions/Comments

General N/A Q: Is there a transition timeline?

A: The Government anticipates a 30-day transitional period based on the current timeline.

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 2, para

3.0.1.2

Q: Will the vehicles in question be used for personal in-and-around travel?

A: Vehicles are to be utilized for execution of course requirements.

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 2, paras

3.3.5 and 10.1.4

Q: Paragraph 3.3.5 states that role players must have a Secret clearance.

Para 10.1.4 states that all contractor personnel must have a Top

Secret/SCI clearance. Will the Government please clarify the discrepancy?

A: Instructors of each course will have a Top Secret/SCI while role players to support scenarios are allowed to have Secret only. See amended SOW (para 10.1.4)

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 3, para

3.1.1

Q: FCC Extra Class License: RFQ states the Lead Instructor for the

"High Freq Recognition, Analysis, and Targeting Course" and the

"Digital Push-To-Talk Comms Targeting Course" must have the FCC

Extra Class License. Can ONE lead instructor cover both course requirements or must it be TWO qualified personnel?

A: FCC License is to ensure the vendor has ability to transmit legally at all required frequency bands. Only one instructor (lead) needs to have this license. The two instructor requirement is to meet the instructor to student ratio to provide interaction and instruction at the depth of interaction students may require.

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 3, para

3.1.1 and 3.2.3

Q: Paragraph 3.1.1 states, “The Contractor shall provide High Frequency

Recognition, Analysis, and Targeting (HFRAT) Course focused on High

Frequency (HF) communications technology, equipment, and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). The end state of the course shall be

SOCS-Fs that are trained and capable of conducting independent HF

Communications for commercial and military operations. This training shall enable personnel to collect, process, and analyze analog and digital

HF communications.”

Are there specific Digital HF signals MRSG wants to exploit?

A: Digital signals seen throughout the digital spectrum to provide students with ability to demodulate properties and allow use of all equipment capabilities. Demonstration of signals that cannot be demodulated but recognized is applicable but will decrease ability to complete information processing cycle. See SOW amend 1 para 3.1.1

Para. Questions/Comments

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 9, para

3.4.7.1

Q: Will the Government expand on the meaning of "understanding of information and roles"?

A: Understanding the roles and responsibilities of SOCS-F requirements for off net Cyber Operations given current national authorities and permissions. See SOW amend 1 para 3.4.7.1

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 9, para

3.4.7.1

Q: Will the Government expand on the definition of “exploitation and expansion?”

A: Enumeration of information gathered to support future information requirements of effects. See SOW amend 1 para 3.4.7.1

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 9, para

3.4.7.1

Q: Will the Government explain the requirements for “CMT Enabling

Introductions?”

A: Understanding the roles CMT’s play with offnet cyber operations.

See SOW amend 1 para 3.4.7.1

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 9, para 3.5 Q: Ground Special Recon Teams: will the USG/MARSOC provide active-duty ground Special Recon Teams for the FMP or is the contractor responsible for replicating these Teams in the training environment?

A: The instruction will be provided to Ground special reconnaissance teams. See statement added to SOW Amend 1 para 3.5

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 10, para

3.5.4

Q: Terrain; are there any constraints on location of this training area? Does MARSOC require this location be within a certain distance from Camp Lejeune?

A: There are no constraints regarding the location, as we recognize terrain requirements may not be available close to Camp Lejeune.

Training the specifically requires varying terrain must meet the training location requirements stated in SOW (Amend 1) para 1.4.2 and the training site location requirements for the specific course(s). Alternate training sites meeting SOW requirements should be clearly articulated in the RFQ response.

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Page 1, para 1.4

Page 9, para

3.5.1

Page 10, para

3.5.4

Q: Para 1.4, states, in part, “Places of Performance: Due to security requirements, the government anticipates most training will occur in

Onslow or New Hanover counties in North Carolina or other proposed training locations that meet the specific POI requirements, as will be agreed upon following award.”

Para 3.5.1 states, in part, “The TBTS shall be capable of being conducted in mountainous terrain at high elevation or within urban settings to provide a range of challenges depending on the Governments current requirements.”

Para 3.5.4 states, in part, “In addition to the basic requirements specified in Paragraph 3.0.1.1, the contractor must provide at least 25km of open terrain for movement of the mountainous portion.”

Q.1. Is it the Government’s intent that offerors provide training in mountainous terrain?

A.1. Yes

Para. Questions/Comments

Q.2. What does the Government consider “high elevation”?

A.2. Example would be Mystery Training complex in Nevada going up to 3,500 MSL

Q.3. What is the Government’s intent for training in mountainous environments?

A.3. Arduous terrain providing complex moving environment to challenge employment of operations in varying environments.

Q.4. Para 1.4 seems to contradict paras 3.5.1 and 3.5.4. Will the

Government clarify?

A.4. SOW (Amend 1) para 1.4.1 covers training that does not require the course specific training environments. Those courses will require a separate training venue. Please review each course terrain requirements and present training locations in the RFQ response.

Q.5 Reference para 3.5.4, what type of movement will occur (mounted, dismounted, etc.)?

A.5. Dismounted patrolling

See new para 1.4.2 in SOW-Amend 1

MRSG

SIGINT

SOW

Pg 13, Sec 4.6

Q: Can the lead instructor be dual-hatted in multiple lead instructor roles?

A: Yes, as long as courses do not overlap in scheduling where the key personnel requirement would stand for appropriate replacement. See updated statement in SOW-Amend 1 para 4.6.

Pricing

Matrix

N/A Q: The pricing matrix is confusing. You list the course and under it a row labeled either base or Out Year and to the right list student minimum numbers in two rows (example 4) and below it 5-8 for the first four courses. Then only one row of 4-6 for the remaining two courses. I am assuming that the difference is to account for an additional instructor to meet minimum requirements of 1:4.

A: That is correct. As noted in the SOW course requirements, only the first four have a specific student to instructor ratio that would change the number of instructors required based on the number of students. However, the Team-Based Tactical SIGINT Full Mission

Profile Advanced SIGINT/EW Tactics Training courses have a minimum instructor requirement of 2, regardless of the number of students (although it’s anticipated to be 4-6 per iteration for those two courses). See revised Pricing Matrix – Amend 1

Para. Questions/Comments

Pricing

Matrix

N/A Q: There is no ODC spreadsheet. Where do we account for the cost of leave behind equipment? In the overall cost for each course?

Or do you plan to handle equipment purchase ODC costs separately post award and per event? Same question for facilities provided by the contractor – how are they factored into the pricing?

Or do you expect a roll-up of all costs including ODCs into the price per course?

A: All facility, logistics and other direct costs must be incorporated into the proposed per-class firm-fixed prices. See RFQ – Amend 1 for revised Factor III Price (Volume IV).

SOW 3.0.1.9 Q: Does the initial assessment constitute an entrance exam, upholding a standard requirement for entry into the course? Ex.

“Students must obtain an 80% or higher to participate in the course, retests shall be given on day 3 for any failures.”

A: Initial assessment should be utilized to gauge the current knowledge of the student not as a basis for removal. Allows instructor to concentrate on more advanced or baseline requirements to enhance training. See added statement in SOW-

Amend 1 para 3.0.1.9

SOW 3.1.3 Q: Can the senior instructor’s requirement to possess a FCC Extra

Class amateur radio license be substituted with a SOF specific HF targeting and analysis certification? Ex. SOCO HF Targeting and equivalent? Most signals targeting SMEs from the SOF community purposely avoid obtaining civilian licenses in efforts to remain anonymous to the public

A: No, this requirement is specific to ensure the vendor and instructor can transmit legally on FCC controlled bands.

SOW 3.1.5 Q: The requirements in each course for government retained or student retained equipment is confusing. For example, there is no guarantee that a graduate from one course will matriculate into a follow-on course requiring the same equipment. If each student in one course is provided a kit anticipating use in another course and they don’t attend the follow-on course, where does the equipment go? Request the government better define what equipment per student is retained by the student, what equipment in what quantities is retained by the government and whether the contractor or government will retain possession and of what equipment.

A: See addition of para. 3.0.1.10.1 – 3.0.1.10.5 in SOW (Amend 1)

Para. Questions/Comments

SOW 3.1.6 Q: Can the government provide a list of specific GOTS equipment that will be used in the course for POI development and integration?

A: All equipment listed under SOCOM Joint Threat Warning

System Program.

SOW 3.2.4 Q: Please expand on the statement: “The capability and utilization of pre-recorded signal environments is required to generate government specified interest for courses”.

A: Training areas will not always produce an environment conducive to a varied signals environment. Recorded capability will ensure standard environments are available for each class to demonstrate topics being discussed. See SOW-Amend 1 for statement in para 3.2.4

SOW 3.2.5 Q: Does the government have a preference for equipment?

A: SDRs are a common item utilized within the amateur radio community. The government employs a variety of systems that meet software requirements. Knowledge of this integration would be needed to understand the requirement.

SOW 3.3.4 Q: We will require a classified conversation with the government to determine which Modes require active and passive or both. The capability depends on the equipment being provided by the government.

A: Answered through unclassified means by understanding M1 –

M6 and incorporation into course expectations.

SOW 3.4.7.1 Q: Does the government provide applicable permissions and authorities relevant to the command and component?

A: Yes

SOW 3.5.4 Q: The 25km open terrain for movement in the mountains is confusing. Is this a straight line 25km? Is it to be located in

Onslow or Hanover counties? We do not know of a mountainous terrain location in those counties. And if not there, where specifically? More information on the scenario is required.

A: For training that cannot be conducted in Onslow or New

Hanover Country regions, no specific geographic area/location is required as long as the requirement for 25km open terrain and other training requirements, as specified in the SOW, are met to allow freedom of movement for participants.

Para. Questions/Comments

SOW 3.5.1 Q: What level of this exercise/course will be required? Will

Special Reconnaissance Teams be provided by the government?

Are the students supposed to physically link up with these teams or are they supposed to create products to support these teams?

A: The course is designed to train the SR teams within the government.

SOW 1.4 / 3.0.1.1 Q: The facilities requirements are confusing. Para 1.4. discusses utilizing a house or commercial property rented or owned by the contractor. Para 3.0.1.1 discusses a training facility. Courses may be taught simultaneously or may be overlapping. How many facilities are needed? Will all the courses be taught from the same location?

A: This was designed to provide flexibility to the vendor.

Understanding the TBT FMP specifically may not be executable in the same location as all the other courses.

ITO Pg 40, Para. b, Subfactor 2:

Technical

Capability

Q: Can the Training Facility Plan be submitted as an

Appendix/attachment?

A: Yes, they may be sent as a separate appendix/attachment and not count against the page limitation. RFQ (Amend 1) changed to reflect this.

ITO Pg 40, Para. a, Subfactor 1:

Personnel

Qualifications

Q: Utilization of independent contractors to conduct training presents a risk for the government and continuity of training operations.

Recommendation: If instructors are not current employees of the vendor, recommend a signed offer for employment to be included with the key personnel resume.

A: There is no expectation or requirement to provide signed offers of employment at this time.

ITO Pg 40, Para. c, Subfactor 3:

Programs of

Instruction

(POI)

Development

Q: With respect to POI development, does the government require specificity on the specific COTs and GOTs equipment used to conduct each training course?

A: This will be required to understand if the equipment will meet expectations. Equipment requirements added to POI requirements in

Section M of RFQ (Amend 1).

General N/A Q: Is there any expectation to run courses simultaneously?

A: This possibility exists but expect the HFRAT, DPTCAT, ASECOD, and AWAT courses to be run concurrently. It is possible that the TBTS

FMP and ASWTT will run concurrently/simultaneously with the four other courses. Also, TBTS FMP and ASWTT have the possibility of being requested by more than primary users within government.

RFQ Pg 41, Sec Factor II

(Vol. III)

Q: Is the Prime’s Past performance the only one evaluated?

A: Yes.

Para. Questions/Comments

SOW Pg 3

Sec 3.0.1.10

Q: Will the contractor provided laptops be used to operate any GOTS equipment? If so, what are the minimum requirements for the laptop in order to operate the GOTS equipment.

A: All GOTS equipment will come with their provided systems to operate.

SOW Pg 4

Sec 3.1.5

Q: Per the SOW, the gear will be retained by the government. Is the intent for the gear to be given to the students to keep or will we use the same gear throughout the year and at end of contract turn over all the gear?

A: See addition of para. 3.0.1.10.1 – 3.0.1.10.5 in SOW (Amend 1).

SOW Pg 5

Sec 3.2.4

Q: What courses require a live DMR TI-III network? Only the

DPTCAT course specifically mentions Tier3

A: DPTCAT, ASWTT, and TBTS FMP have possible utilizations of system.

SOW Pg 16, Sec 11.1.1

Q: In order to be cost effective, can you project the number of

“contract may include in-person coordination meetings that will require access to government installations “so we can price accordingly

A: Would expect twice a year to address concerns or shifting priorities of courses. All other correspondence can be done virtually. See SOW-

Amend 1 para 11.1.1

SOW Pg 13, Sec 6

Q: Will we have access to the GFE during pre-training? Or do we assume all equipment will be in working order and POIs will not to be adjusted?

A: All government equipment operability is the requirement of the providing unit to ensure operability prior to course start.

Pg 10

Sec 3.5.4

Q: Is the 25km area only required for the TBTS FMP?

A: Yes