Official Industry Questions - JGASS II RFP.pdf

Official Questions from Industry with Government Responses for

JGASS II Request for Proposal H92402-20-R-0003

1. L.2.8 ISO Certification - If not certified at the time of proposal submission, can the offeror provide a detailed description of the QMS in place or a contract-specific Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) at the time of proposal submission (as a Vol 1 Appendix), in lieu of the ISO certification?

Government Response: The Government has updated the ISO Certification Language contained in Section M of the solicitation and the Statement of Work.

2. L.1.12 Proposal Submission Requirements; L.4.1 Corporate Experience and Management - The Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan must be compliant with Section 1 Clause

252.237.7023. We are concerned the 3-page limitation may not offer the level of detail required per Section 1 Clause 252.237.7023. Can the Government please verify the page limitation for this plan?

Government Response: The Government will increase the page limit to 7 pages for the mission essential Contractor Services Plan. See also Question #36.

3. L.2.7 Afghan Business License; SOW Section 11.6 - Will the Government please confirm

Subcontractors must obtain an Afghan Business License prior to their employees deploying?

Government Response: All subcontractors must have an ABL before any of their employees are deployed (to Afghanistan). The Government requires all contractors supporting this effort to be deployable (SOW 3.0) thus all subs will be required to have an ABL prior to award (per SOW 11.6)

4. L.3.1 (5) Transition Plan - Can the Government clarify the prime must provide the IAEFTC facility and not a sub-partner or teammate?

Government Response: The Prime must provide the IAEFTC facility.

5. L.4.2.1 Key Personnel - Does the Government intend to score each of the work experiences in the

KP resume’s (“efforts”) against the scoring matrix? If so, how does the Government intend to average the scores for different ratings in experience?

Government Response: The Government intends to score each work experience in the Key Personnel's resume per L.4.2.1. The Government will not discuss how each resume will be scored, however, the five similarity aspects are listed in descending order of importance from left to right. Solicitation Section L.4.2.1 has been updated.

6. L.4.2.1; M.4 (10) Key Personnel - Section L requests a 12-month commitment from the KPs in the form of a ‘Letter of Intent”; Section M then requests this in the form of a ‘Letter of Commitment.’ Please confirm which should be submitted.

Government Response: Letter of Commitment is the correct form and the RFP has been updated.

7. L 4.2.2 KP Similarity Rating Matrices; SOW 4.2.11 - Could the Government clarify if the Key Personnel are classified as a Program Manager and Deputy Program Managers or, as a Project Manager and Deputy Project Managers?

Government Response: Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager are the correct titles and Sections L and M of the RFP, and the SOW have been updated.

8. L.4.2.2 Key Personnel Similarity Rating Matrices - With the addition of “TS FCL and” to the

‘Security Requirement of Effort’ column, which now states “TS FCL and providing TS/SCI personnel.” Is the customer’s intent to propose PM/DPMs having experience managing contracts with TS/SCI personnel performing work on their contract? Can the Government clarify the intent of the addition of “TS FCL”?

Government Response: The intent of assigning similarity to the PM/DPMs who have experience/history managing personnel with TS/SCI security clearances is based on this being a requirement under JGASS II. The intent for assigning similarity to the PM/DPMs who also have experience/history managing a TS/FCL certified facility is based on this also being a requirement under JGASS II.

9. L.5.1 Total Compensation Plan; Attachment J-5 Pay and Benefits Workbook - Can the

Government confirm PTO is not to be included in the in the J-5 Annual Fringe Benefit Cost?

Government Response: The J-5 Instructions tab definitions states that annual PTO is not to be included in fringe benefits calculations. Separately, solicitation Attachment J-5 has been updated to reflect a change in the naming of "Annual Fringe Benefits" (J-5 Instructions Tab, row 35) and "Annual Paid Time Off" (J-5 Instructions Tab, row 36) to "Fringe Benefits" (Row 35) and "Paid Time Off" (Row 36) to more closely align with the examples provided in rows 14-32.

10. Attachment J-5 Pay and Benefits Workbook; L5.1 Total Compensation Plan - Please confirm that the intent of Attachment J-5 is to capture the Prime’s proposed Total Compensation Plan inclusive of the Subcontractors’ agreements thereto, i.e. no need to include separate Subcontractors’ Hourly Fringe Benefit Cost (excluding PTO).

Government Response: The Intent of J-5, in part, is to capture the Team's minimum compensation (salary and benefits) package. You are correct that there is no need to individually identify each/all team members hourly fringe rates on the J-5 Attachment. The J-5 Attachment shows examples of this in the Instructions Tab, rows 14 - 32. The Offeror may show different Fringe Benefits Packages (by company) in the 11 x 17 Master Team Summary Benefits Matrix. See also response to Question # 41.

11. Attachments J-5 Pay and Benefits Workbook; Attachment J-7 Pricing Matrix - Attachment J-5

Instructions Rows 9-11 state “…and OCONUS hourly rate when OCONUS.” Is the intent for the CONUS and OCONUS rates to be identical as provided per Attachment J-7?

Government Response: The CONUS and OCONUS rate will be the same per J-7 Instructions (Number 3) and Sec L.6.2 and L.6.2.2.

12. L7.1 (5) Oral Presentations - Can the Government verify if the committing official can assist PM, 2x DPM, and TM in the scenario preparation at the time of Oral presentations and be present during presentation delivery?

Government Response: The Company Committing Official is able to assist in the preparation of the Offeror's response to Government Oral presentation scenarios and be present during presentation delivery, however, they are not able to present, respond to questions, or speak during the Offeror’s Oral Presentation response.

13. Att 7, Pricing Matrix - Please confirm the government is expecting the offeror's to escalate rates

(i.e. changing the rate floor) in order to retain the workforce. Would the government consider setting an escalation floor (e.g. 3%)?

Government Response: The Government has set a labor-rate floor, by labor category, for the JGASS II effort. The Government will not mandate an escalation to the labor rate floor. The offeror shall determine what labor rate and what escalation, if any, is necessary to achieve the goals of the JGASS II Program, consistent with their proposed approach to meet the JGASS II requirement. See also Question # 28.

14. SOW 11.4 - The government requires the IAEFTC Training facility to be operational within 15 days of award. Please confirm that this does not include transfer of SCIF cognizance as the process will take longer than 15 days.

Government Response: The IAEFTC must be addressed in the Transition Plan to include the schedule for assimilating and beginning the course. The SOW does not state a requirement to have or transfer SCIF cognizance, only the ability to hold classified discussions per SOW 11.4. The Government recognizes that accreditation for the classified discussion space may take longer than 15 days.

15. L.1.2 - Please confirm that for the TCP submittal, the narrative, master team benefits summary matrix, and Attachment J-6 (included in an appendix to the TCP) should all be submitted in a single Word file and the Attachment J-5 should be submitted as a separate Excel file.

Government Response: The TCP should be submitted in MS Word format, the master team benefits summary matrix should be submitted in MS Word format, Attachment J-5 should be submitted as a Microsoft excel file, and attachment J-6 should be submitted as a MS Word or Adobe PDF File. These are all separate documents which are required submittals in response to this solicitation. Solicitation Section L.1.12 has been updated.

16. L.4.2.2 – Data Scientist: Please require the same education requirements for the Similar and Very

Similar ratings, which will still leave several points of differentiation (e.g., years of operational experience, number of publications) between the two ratings categories.

Government Response: The Government has updated the Similarity Matrix for the Data Scientist to include additional degree fields.

17. L.4.2.2 - Would the government consider changing the data scientist LCAT requirements (e.g.

allowing a wider breadth of educational backgrounds) to promote competition from offerors who can submit resumes from equally qualified candidates with differing academic backgrounds?

Government Response: The Government has updated the Similarity Matrix and SOW

4.2.12.1 for the Data Scientist to include additional degree fields.

18. L.4.2.2 - The L.4.2.2 Key Personnel Similarity Rating Matrix table allows for "Company Command Military Equivalent" experience for the PM/DPM positions. Please confirm similar-sized military/Government mobilization experience for the Transition Manager is acceptable, assuming it demonstrates relevancy in terms of FTE count, scope of effort, OCONUS aspect, effort customer, and security aspects?

Government Response: This assumption is not correct. The PM/DPM similarity matrix allows for Military Command equivalency, but the Similarity Matrix for the Transition Manager does not allow a Military Command equivalency. This is intentional due to the importance of the actual FTE numbers transitioned in evaluating similarity to the JGASS II effort.

19. L.4.1 - Many DoD/IC contracts similar to JGASS II provide functional FMV and GEOINT support but do not use identical LCAT names. Please confirm that offerors can provide data related to these similar LCATs when responding to RFP requirements like the average wash-out rate.

Government Response: With regards to corporate experience, LCAT titles are not required to be identical, however, the labor category descriptions should be similar. All labor category descriptions will be assessed for relative equivalency.

20. L.4.1 - Please provide a list of all current tools in use at JSOC so that offerors can adequately describe their corporate experience and technical capabilities.

Government Response: The Government has confirmed that a sufficient description of the current tools and technical capabilities used by the customer is stated throughout the SOW and in the labor category descriptions.

21. M.3 - The SOW states that the transition period is 90 days. Section M states that a letter of commitment with at least 12 months of commitment from full performance start date is desirable.

Please confirm that the Government requires a commitment for the Transition Manager for the 90-day period of performance of the transition period.

Government Response: The Solicitation Section M has been updated to show that 12 months is desired for all Key Personnel, except the transition manager. The Government desires a commitment from the transition manager for the full proposed transition period.

22. M.3 - The key personnel resume for the Transition Manager is listed as one of seven evaluated factors for the Transition Plan. Given this fact, please confirm that offerors can be deemed exceptional and low risk on the Transition Plan if offerors do not receive an overall “Very Similar” rating for the Transition Manager key personnel resume.

Government Response: The Government will not entertain hypothetical evaluation ratings or scenarios. The Government has defined the requirements necessary to be rated Blue/Exceptional in the table at Section M.1.3.2.

23. L.1.1 - Please confirm that the Government has established controls with the incumbent to prohibit company-internal sharing of information that would provide an inherent advantage in proposal design resulting from USSOCOM's use of the incumbent's FedSelect software for source selection.

Government Response: The source selection desktops are only connected to a stand-alone server and cannot be accessed from outside sources. Additionally, this facility no longer utilizes the FedSelect software since the previous license was not renewed. This software has previously been un-installed from the desktops.

24. L.3.1 - To provide an equal playing field with the incumbent contractor, offerors should be given the information required to construct a detailed plan to transition the IAEFTC course. This information includes the current number of trainers, any GFI/GFE required to administer the course, learning management/tracking systems, etc. Please provide this information so all offerors may provide adequate facilities and a plan for transitioning the IAEFTC course from the incumbent.

Government Response: The Government has confirmed that all information required to provide adequate facilities and a plan for transitioning the IAEFTC course is stated in SOW sections 9.4, 9.4.1, 9.4.2, 11.4, 11.5, as well as other sections. Additionally, solicitation section L.3.1 (5) has been revised.

25. Attachment 7 Tab 0006 - Please confirm that offerors who propose an aggressive and realistic transition that demonstrates the ability to achieve full staffing early will not be penalized in the price evaluation.

Government Response: The Government will not entertain hypothetical evaluation ratings or scenarios. The Government will be assessing each offeror’s TEP, as proposed, for reasonableness, realism, and completeness. The Government will evaluate all offerors in accordance with Section M. Offerors are reminded that this is a Best Value Tradeoff with a relative importance of evaluation factors. The offeror must decide, and propose, its approach to meeting the transition requirements in this solicitation.

26. Attachment 7 Tab 0006 - Is the incumbent contractor required to complete the full 90-day transition period? Given that all offerors are required to price the total number of hours for each LCAT, the incumbent would seem to have a significant pricing advantage if they are able to execute a very short transition period.

Government Response: All offerors are required to complete a 90 day transition for the JGASS II requirement. All offerors must explain how they will transition the requirement in accordance with Section L.3. All offerors' transition plans will be evaluated in accordance with Section M.3.

27. Attachment 7 Tab 0006 - Is the incumbent contractor required to price all of their current incumbent staff at the start of the 90-day transition period, or are they allowed to keep their staff on the current JGASS contract and then transition them toward the end of the transition period?

The latter scenario would give them a significant inherent pricing advantage.

Government Response: All offerors are required to meet all the requirements of the solicitation. All offerors must explain how they will transition the requirement in accordance with Section L.3. All offerors' transition plans will be evaluated in accordance with Section M.3.

28. Attachment 7 - Is it the government’s intent that offerors are not to include direct labor escalation applied over the 8 year period of performance, or will the government modify the matrix to reflect a government mandated escalation over the life of the contract? Since offerors are proposing FBLR for all years, offerors should include an annual escalation for each category to allow for annual merit increases for its employees. By mandating the minimal annual escalation, the DLs floors per year will be inclusive of a minimal escalation for all offerors.

Government Response: The Government has set a labor-rate floor by labor category for the JGASS II effort. The Government will not mandate an escalation to the labor rate floor.

The offeror shall determine what labor rate and what escalation, if any, is necessary to achieve the goals of the JGASS II Program, consistent with their proposed approach to meet the JGASS II requirement. See also Question # 13.

29. L.1.7 Proposal Delivery Instructions - Given some of the COVID related restrictions at MacDill

AFB, are there any other precautions or instructions that need to be followed to ensure delivery can be made other than a 24 hour advanced notice?

Government Response: The Government will have a representative meet each Courier at the MacDill AFB Visitor Center Parking lot, therefore no access to MacDill AFB is necessary to deliver the proposal. There are no additional COVID-related instructions to hand-delivery.

30. L.1.10 Proposal Due Date - "Factor 4, Oral Presentations - For those Offerors remaining in the

Competitive Range, the Government anticipates notification will be provided in December 2020."

Given this is an estimated date, could the Government confirm if that date could be pulled forward? Is there an earliest date by which the Government intends to provide notification for an Oral Presentation?

Government Response: The Government provided an estimated date for oral presentations, however there are multiple variables that prevent providing additional fidelity. The Government will continue to provide offerors information and notices whenever possible.

31. M.5.1 (U) General - The Government noted all FTEs need to be TS and obtain SCI prior to being provided an assigned billet. "All other Contractor team individuals shall be cleared at the SECRET level at the start of this task". Based on Attachment 2, please provide clarity on "All other Contractor Team individuals".

Government Response: SOW 5.1 has been updated to provide clarity.

32. L.2.1 - Since there is only one (electronic) copy, would the Government please confirm that it is not necessary to state on the Volume cover whether the proposal package contains anything original or executed?

Government Response: It is not necessary to designate on the Volume cover which proposal package contains the original executed copy of the solicitation. Section L.2.1 of the solicitation has been updated.

33. L.1.8 - The Excel attachments that are Government-provided use different fonts, font sizes, and margins that do not meet the requirements listed in L.1.8. Would the Government allow the Offeror to submit the templates with fonts and margin as-is, without changing them?

Government Response: Offerors shall not change fonts, font sizes, margins, or formulas in any of the excel attachments (i.e. the J-5 Pay and Benefits Workbook and J-7 Pricing Matrix) provided by the Government.

34. Solicitation H.11 - We request that the Government delete Clause H.11 or in the alternative revise

Clause H.11 so that such restrictions are not applicable to existing employment agreements and state instead that “All offerors/contractors, and their subcontractors, may not include such conditions in any new employment agreements or Letters of Commitment between an offeror/contractor/subcontractor and an employee hired or providing a Letter of Commitment for work under this solicitation”?

Government Response: The Government does not find Clause H.11 to be unduly restrictive and therefore will not change the wording of the clause.

35. M.6 Total Compensation Plan (Volume 5) - Will strengths and weaknesses be assigned to the

Total Compensation Plan as part of the Government evaluation?

Government Response: Strengths and Weaknesses will not be assigned to Volume 5 Total Compensation Plan. The TCP evaluation will include a risk assessment applied to the factors as identified in Section M.

36. L.1.12 - The Mission-Essential Contractor Services Plan Appendix is exempt from the page count and is limited to 3 pages. Will the government allow 10 pages for the Mission Essential Contractor Services plan so offeror's may appropriately address DFARS requirements?

Government Response: The Government will increase the page limit to 7 pages for the Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan. See also Question #2.

37. L.4.1 (2) - Providing a complete list of subcontractors spanning all years an offeror has been managing subcontractors could span multiple pages. Will the government allow the total list of contractors to be provided as an appendix?

Government Response: No. Section L.4.1 has been updated to specify “in the most recent 3 years” or “in the most recent 5 years” with regards to corporate experience. Section M.4 has been revised to state “recent” instead of “current” in multiple references in the subparagraphs.

38. L.7.1 (5) - To fully evaluate our offering, will the government please revise instructions for Oral

Presentations to include all 5 key personnel (to include the Data Scientist)?

Government Response: Yes. The Government has revised Section L.7.1 (5) to include the Data Scientist participation in the Oral Presentation.

39. M.7 - Based on the government's evaluation of the TEP, transitions that are completed prior to the established 90 days will increase the TEP. Will the government consider excluding CLIN 6 Transition from the total evaluated price?

Government Response: The Government will not remove the Transition, CLIN 0006 from the TEP calculation.

40. L.2.6.1.c - Given that ORCA and CCR were replaced by System for Award Management (SAM) on July 31, 2012 is it the Governments intent to accept a subcontractors registration in SAM which includes NAICS codes and socio economic designations?

Government Response: Yes, SAM registrations meets the requirement. References to OCRA and CCR have been removed from the solicitation.

41. Reference L.5.1 Total Compensation Plan, Attachment J-5, and J-6 - As part of Volume 5, the

Offeror and each of its team members and subcontractors are required to complete the Master Team Benefits Summary Matrix which provides details each companies benefits package. This will provide justification that each member of the Offerors team has met the minimum DL and compensation benefit packages. The solicitation also requires the Prime, Partner, and each subcontractor to submit a signed Attachment J-6 which acknowledges and agrees to pay the minimum salary and benefits proposed. Attachment J-5 workbook instructions states that one benefit Workbook must be submitted by the Prime, and will be binding on the Prime and current and future subcontractors Partners and teammates. Clarification: Since each offeror has agreed to the minimum DL, and minimum benefits and each company has varying fringe rates, please confirm the only binding contractual rate is the DL and FBLR.

Government Response: The only contractually binding rates are the Minimum Hourly Direct Rate (Attachment J-5), the Minimum Gross Hourly Total Compensation (Attachment J-5), the Fully-Burdened Labor Rates (Attachment J-7) and the Indirect Rates (L.6.7). Attachment 6 is the agreement by all team members to pay the proposed minimum direct labor rates and proposed minimum benefits. Section L.6.7 and Attachment J-5 have been revised.