SCS_Draft_RFP_QnA_Consolidated_2.pdf

SCS Presolicitation Question and Answers RFP Draft 2

(Consolidated)

NOTE: DUPLICATE QUESTIONS (IN ANY FORMAT) HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED

Atch 12 SCS Past Performance

Relevancy Baseline

The attachment provides a baseline that the Government will use to evaluate submitted past performance. The baseline items are not weighted, and the Government does not intend to weight them. IAW Section L4.1, an offerors’ past performance rating will be determined based on all PPI’s submitted and information obtained from other sources to determine the overall evaluation of past performance. This is ultimately a subjective evaluation which can only be based on each submission.

Updates have been made to Sections L-4 and Atch 12 based on questions provided.

The Government has not included all questions concerning Atch 12 in this response based on the above statements.

RFP Section Pg./Para. Questions/Comments

1 Atch 12 – SCS Past Performance Relevancy Baseline

Row:

Performance Locations and Geographical Requirements

Q: If a contract requires multiple TDY assignments, including long-term TDY (30+ days), can Offerors count each TDY location as a Performance Location?

A: Yes.

2 Atch 12 SCS Past Performance Relevancy Baseline

Q: The government’s Past Performance Relevancy Baseline is unreasonable for a small business. Will the government consider reducing the past performance baseline requirements?

If not, will the government allow a subcontractor’s past performance reference to count towards the relevancy baseline?

For example, if a small business Prime does not submit a past performance reference and receives a Neutral rating, but their subcontractor has a reference that meets a Substantial rating, will the Prime be evaluated as a Substantial rating?

A: See revised Atch 12.

IAW Section L4.3.1, a minimum of two PPI sheets must be submitted by the Prime offeror or JV managing partner.

In the case of the aforementioned example, a SB Prime who did not submitted past performance would be determined Not Responsive, the proposal would be deemed Unacceptable, and would be ineligible for award.

3 Atch 12 SCS

Past Performance Relevancy Baseline

Q: This question is Per GAO ruling (B-415097.2), Past Performance of a parent or affiliated company can be attributed to the offeror where the proposal demonstrates that the resources of the parent or affiliated company will affect the performance of the offeror.

In the case of an American Indian Tribal owned 8(a) Joint Venture, would the government allow the parent company’s past performance to count towards the Past Performance Relevancy Baseline evaluation?

A: Yes, given that the proposal clearly identifies, within both Vol II and Vol III, how the parent company’s resources and past performance can/will be attributed to the offeror.

4 Reference Section L, Paragraph L4.3.1

Q: The Government states “a minimum of two PPI sheets shall be submitted by the prime offeror or JV managing partner.” As well, “a Government determination of “Not Relevant” for either of the two required Prime PPI sheets will automatically prevent the offeror from obtaining a “Substantial Confidence” rating.”

Question: In a 2014 protest (B-409187), the GAO affirmed the past performance benefits of Mentor-Protege Joint Ventures.

Specifically, the GAO cited the view of the Small Business Administration that “it appeared contrary to the intent of the SBA’s…mentor-protege program for a procuring agency to downgrade a proposal based on the lack of experience/past performance of a protege,” since “in order to be a protege, an entity must lack experience.”

Recommendation: Request the Government re-word Paragraph L4.3.1 to read, “A minimum of two PPI sheets shall be submitted by the prime offeror. The remaining PPI sheet submissions may be from the prime, subcontractors, or teaming partners. Offeror are cautioned that a Government determination of “Not Relevant” for either of the two required Prime PPI sheets will automatically prevent the offeror from obtaining a “Substantial Confidence” rating.” This solution treats all prime submissions equally, whether a single company or a mentor protege JV prime contractor and supports CFR 13

125.8 and 125.9 (e).

A: No. While the Government understands the concept of the SBA M-P programs, and the protest mentioned, the Government is placing a significance on the role of the Prime offeror, in this case the protégé, and how that relates to their ability to provide the required services.

5 Section L Page 7, para

L4.3 Q: Will the government consider allowing at least one Past Performance Information Sheet for each subcontractor if the Team is comprised of more than 5 subcontractors to show team diversity/experience to meet any Task Order requirement?

A: No. Offerors are limited to a maximum of 5 PPI Sheet submissions.

6 Section L Page 7, para L4.4

Q: Does the offeror have to submit a consent letter authorizing release of adverse PPI if there has been no adverse PPI?

A: Yes. IAW Section L4.1, the Government will utilize information obtained from other sources to determine the overall evaluation of past performance. The offeror may not be aware of information available to the Government through other sources.

7 Section L2.5.2 Pg. 4 of 8 Q: Will the Government accept an electronically completed and signed SF 33 “Original” inserted into Volume I PDF under heading Section A – Solicitation/Contract Form? OR must the offeror also submit the completed SF33 “under separate cover” as a single file in addition to the three required volumes in our submission as we would for a hard copy submission? Please clarify.

A: See revised Section L2.5.2

8 Table L.1 Pg. 2 of 8 Q: In Table L.1 on the row L-3.2: IDIQ Management the Page limit column states “50; Plus Key Personnel resumes*”, We acknowledge that the resumes are limited to 3 pages each.

Please confirm that the 50-page limit does not include the resumes and that the resume page count is separate.

A: Correct. The 50-page limit does NOT include the resume page count.

9 Section M2.2.1.3 Pg. 3 of 4 Q: Please confirm that the Government will consider subcontractor/ team member experience with OCONUS efforts including SPOT, SOFA, and TESA requirements, in lieu of the Prime in the event that the Small Business Prime lacks this experience.

A: Correct.

10 Section L1.9 Pg. 3 of 8 Q: Section L1.9 states that “Offerors shall submit, as a stand-alone document, a comprehensive glossary, compliance matrix and acronym list” but fails to provide guidance for where or how to identify the Glossary, Compliance Matrix, and Acronym list.

Please clarify by providing specific Volume location and additional instructions to offerors.

A: See revised Section L

11 Pre Decisional

SOW

5.0 “In addition, the contractor may be required to provide multilingual interpretation services via native speakers, or the certified native proficiency equivalent at the professional level from target languages” Q: With regard to native speakers will US Citizenship be a requirement or will legal residents eligible to work in the US be permitted?

A: This will be determined at the task order level in regards to specific requirements.

12 Pre Decisional

SOW

5.0 “The contractor may be required to provide translation support to include but not limited to the translation of audio clips, website content, print, video, graphic, electronic, multi-media and any additional forms of communication. In addition, the contractor may be required to provide multilingual interpretation services via native speakers, or the certified native proficiency equivalent at the professional level from target languages to the English language and from English into target languages as required for meetings, conferences, briefings, and various other forums of voice communications. The contractor may be required to provide broadcast quality voice talent as required.”

Q: 1. At the task order level, how will pricing for these services be requested? These tasks require individuals with varying skill levels and training, in most languages no one individual can perform all tasks identified in the SOW.

2. Will security vetting be required for all tasks, if so how much lead time will we be afforded to process the most qualified individuals for each task?

3. If not, please identify the tasks that will require security vetting and at what level and the languages most likely needed?

4. Will all translation and interpretation services be required onsite at MacDill AFB or will the contractor be permitted to perform services at their location?

5. If a linguist in a specific language is not local to the work location will the government pay the costs associated with

TDY?

6. Is there a Wage Determination associated with the translation and interpretation services? If so please provide.

A: These questions can only be answered at the task order level with regard to individual requirements. Should a requirement arise, this information will be included with the task order request for proposal.

13 Attachment 9 –

Past Performance Information Sheet

“2. Provide 2 points of contact most knowledgeable of the submitted contract” Q: Could the government consider changing this requirement to 1 contact with the option of 2?

A: No. The Government requires two contacts in order to ensure the ability to accurately assess past performance.

14 Draft SOW Section 11

Pg. 8 of 10 Q: At the task order level, in the event that Secret or above storage is required by the accompanying DD 254, please confirm that the storage capability can belong to a subcontractor or teammate.

A: At this time, the storage capability can belong to a subcontractor or teammate. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to revise this requirement based on offeror’s ability to respond timely to task orders requiring Secret storage.

15 Section L4.3 Q: If a Joint Venture (JV) is bidding, and in reference to Section L4.3, is it relevant for either or both members of the JV to submit the required two PPI’s?

A: As stated in Section L4.3.1, the two required PPIs shall be submitted by the Prime offeror or JV managing partner.

16 Section L L.4.3.2 Q: Are subcontractors permitted to submit PP on which they serve as the prime?

A: Yes. See revised Section L4.3.2

17 Section L Page 5, para L3.2.1.2

Q: The Management Approach/Organization section of the IDIQ Management Factor asks for transition times at the contract and task order levels. Is there a baseline transition timeline (i.e. 30 days) for task orders?

A: See revised Section L3.2.1.2

18 SOW 6.0 Pg.6, Table Q: Would the Government consider Defense Acquisition University (DAU)/Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level II Certification in Program Management as equivalent to a PMP certification?

A: See revised SOW. DAWIA Level III required

19 C - SOW Pg. 7, Para. 6.0, Table 6.1.

Q: Reference Table 6.1. Personnel Qualifications, specifically the second bullet of IDIQ Program Manager (PM) required skills / qualifications. Please clarify the requirement for 10 years’ total experience in USSOCOM assigned organizations.

Does the IDIQ PM candidate require 10 years of total experience as an actual employee of the USSOCOM assigned organizations?

Would 10 years of total experience as a contractor supporting USSOCOM assigned organizations qualify the IDIQ PM candidate?

A: See revised SOW. Experience required as military or Gov’t civilian.

20 SOW 6.0 Pg. 6, Table Q: The Required Skills/Qualifications for the IDIQ Program Manager states a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is required. Would the Government consider any type of master’s degree in business to include an MA or MS (for example MS in Business Organizational Management) with the relevant experience as equivalent to the MBA for the PM?

A: See revised SOW. Any Master’s degree in Business related field.

21 SCS IDIQ Level Statement of Work

6.0 IDIQ

Program Manager Qualifications (Table 6.1)

Q: In this table the Government identifies the required qualifications for an individual to perform as the SCS IDIQ Program Manager. One of the qualifications listed is a “Program Management Professional” certification, yet the certification is listed as PMP. However, a Program Management Professional certification is actually PgMP while PMP represents a Project Management Professional certification. Can the Government clarify which is the appropriate certification?

To be clear – a PgMP is much more difficult to obtain and having a PMP certification is a prerequisite for obtaining a PgMP.

A: See revised SOW. Requirement is for Project Management Professional.

22 SOW 6.0 Pg. 6, Table Q: In Table 6.1 Personnel Qualification, The IDIQ Program

Manager Required Skills/Qualifications states that the IDIQ Program Manager (PM) is required to have 10 years’ total experience in USSOCOM assigned organizations and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree – OR – any Bachelor’s degree and an additional 10 years’ (total of 20 years’) experience in USSOCOM assigned organizations.

If the government limits key personnel to someone with a Bachelor’s degree and at least 20 years of experience at USSOCOM assigned organizations (or an MBA plus 10 years of USSOCOM experience), the talent pool is reduced to a very small group of people, possibly only incumbents, which could potentially limit a true and fair competition among qualified contractors. A PM with a minimum of 10 years of combined experience (active duty, government civilian or contractor) at USSOCOM assigned organizations, combined with 10 years of program management experience (active duty, government civilian or contractor) on DoD contracts should provide USSOCOM with a well-qualified, experienced PM. Would the government consider a bachelor’s degree with 10 years’ total experience in USSOCOM assigned organizations and an additional 10 years’ program management experience on DoD contracts to be compliant with the intended requirements?

A: See revised SOW.

NOTE: There are no incumbent personnel, as this is a newly defined position.

23 SOW 6.0 Pg. 6, Table Q: In Table 6.1 Personnel Qualification, The IDIQ Program Manager Required Skills/Qualifications states that The IDIQ Program Manager (PM) is required to have 10 years’ total experience in USSOCOM assigned organizations and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree – OR – any Bachelor’s Degree and an additional 10 years’ (total of 20 years’) experience in USSOCOM assigned organizations.

Can the government please confirm that the 10/20 years’ of USSOCOM experience requirement counts active duty as well as experience as a DoD contractor filling a position on a contract supporting USSOCOM assigned organizations?

A: See revised SOW. Experience as a contractor will NOT count.