H98210-16-R-0008-0001.doc

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following have been added by full text:

Vendor Questions and Responses for TVPO Solicitation H98210-16-R-0008:

1. Please confirm that the above solicitation does not require the requisite MOBIS Schedule with Special Item Number 874-1, "Integrated Consulting Services" as per current contract.

Response: Confirmed

2. Instructions to Offerors, page 24, paragraph - 3.A.Tab 3. Request the government allow the Offeror to submit at least one past performance reference in which the Offeror performed as a significant subcontractor on efforts directly relevant to this solicitation.

Response: This paragraph stands as is.

3. Instructions to Offerors, paragraph 3.B. The solicitation states, "Font may be Times New Roman or Arial with not less than eleven pitch." Will the government allow a smaller font to be used in tables as long as the text is legible?

Response: No

4. Attachment A – Evaluation Factors, Criteria, and Rating Methods, page 54 of 59, paragraph 3.2 –

There are three elements identified as criteria for technical factor. These are: Element A – Technical Approach and Methodology; Element B – Project Management Plan; and Element C – Staffing Plan.

Please confirm that all three elements are to be included in the 30 page limit identified in the Instructions to Offerors on page 24 of 59 in the solicitation.

Response: Confirmed

5. Attachment A – Evaluation Factors, Criteria, and Rating Methods, 56 of 59, 3.3.1. Request the government consider each offeror’s demonstrated current and relevant record of performance in supplying products and services as a prime contractor or a significant subcontractor that meet the contract’s requirement.

Response: See #2

6. Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past?

If available, please provide the incumbent contract number. If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

Response: Incumbent contractor – Archimedes Global, Inc. Contract Number – H98210-15-F-0086

7. Would you be able to tell me if there is an incumbent contractor for this requirement? If so, could you please provide the contractor name and the contract number that was awarded?

Response: See response to #6.

8. Can you tell us who the incumbent is on the above opportunity?

Response: See response to #6

9. Would you kindly confirm if this is an entirely new effort or is there an incumbent currently providing the services? If so, can you please provide the incumbent contract details?

Response: See response to #6

10. Since the solicitation has new requirements there may not be an incumbent, however, some of the tasks appear to be ongoing such as program management, curriculum development, etc. and are there contractors performing those ongoing tasks and if so can you identify them.

Response: See response to #6

11. The current Past Performance requirement is very restrictive and may disqualify potential capable SDVOSBs. Will the government consider amending the Past Performance Requirement to work performed EITHER as a Prime or as a SubContractor.

Response: See response to #2

12. Will the government consider allowing Past Performance from the Team instead of just the Prime.

Response: See response to #2

13. Solicitation - PWS, Page 13 of 59, Paragraph 7.0 - Where is the OCONUS travel destination(s)?

Response: Actual travel destinations are not currently known. Historic destinations have been Germany and Japan.

14. Solicitation - Administrative Information, Page 5 of 59, Section C - What date does the Government anticipate awarding this contract?

Response: August 2016

15. Solicitation- Administrative Information, Page 5 of 59, Section C - What date does the Government anticipate starting this contract?

Response: September 1, 2016

16. Solicitation – PWS, Page 15 of 59, Paragraph 9.0 - What is the Government’s policy for contractor personnel parking at the Mark Center? Is parking available and is there a fee?

Response: Parking is not available to contractors at the Mark Center.

17. In regards to the proposal submission instructions on page 23, is it allowable for an offeror to provide the government with the tracking number and also obtain delivery instructions for hand delivery? If an offeror intends to mail the proposal and provides the tracking number to the government within five days of proposal delivery, but the package is lost/damaged/delayed in transit, the offeror may not have at least two business days to request hand delivery instructions.

Response: Yes

18. In regards to the proposal submission instructions on page 23, if the tracking number provided to the government is changed by the shipper due to damage, will the government accept the package? The offeror may not have at least two business days to request hand delivery instructions in that scenario.

Response: Package must be delivered by due date.

19. Is there a different period for acceptance of offers or is the offeror to hold prices for 30 calendar days from the receipt of offers as per FAR 52.212-1?

Response: See updates to FAR 52.212-1 Addendum

20. Page 3, Section/Task - SF1449 Continuation Sheet - Is there a specific reason behind the breakdown of the contractual period of performance? It is somewhat unusual for a period of performance to contain a six-month option in between two, one-year periods of performance. A base year followed by two one-year options may be more cost effective and better support staffing continuity.

Response: This was a business decision based upon resource availability.

21. Page 2, Section/Task - 2.2 - Would the government please provide an overview of the integrated delivery structure via an interagency partnership with DoD and federal agencies that currently provide veteran and family support that came about as a result of TAP’s programmatic change?

Response: See http://www.dodtap.mil/

22. Page 6, Section/Task - 4.1 - Would the Government please clarify what is meant by “interrelated program areas” and summarizes the range of interrelated program areas?

Response: TVPO’s program areas include: Policy/Program Oversight & Interagency Curriculum Sustainment and Modification, Performance Assessment and Evaluation of Interagency TAP, and Public/Private Engagement. These program areas are interrelated because each is dependent on the other (e.g., curriculum is influenced by both Policy and Evaluations).

23. Page 6, Section 4.2.1.1 - What metrics with regard to customer satisfaction, program accountability, and programmatic effectiveness currently exist? How well do these metrics cover the full range of data the government desires the offeror to track?

Response: In reference to the program, customer satisfaction is currently measured for curriculum with voluntary responses to the Transition GPS Participant Assessment, and for the overall Transition Assistance Program with responses to the Active and Reserve Status of Forces Surveys. Metrics to assess program effectiveness are collected in partnership with Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and include VOW Act compliance and Career Readiness Standards (CRS) completion. These metrics and feedback are provided by TVPO for onsite analysis.

24. Page 6, Section 4.2.1.1 - Will the government please confirm how customer feedback is currently acquired?

Response: See response to #23.

25. Page 6, 4.2.1.2 - Will the government please confirm which of the specified evaluation tools currently is in use?

Response: See response to #23.

26. Page 7, 4.2.1.3 - Would the government please provide a list of the interagency partners?

Response: Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Homeland Security, Education, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Small Business Administration.

27. Page 7, 4.2.1.5 - Would the government please clarify the name and location of these primary data sources?

Response: See response to #23.

28. Page 7, Section 4.2.1.5 - Would the government please confirm the level of quantitative analysis that is currently being performed relative to the tools and methods described?

Response: The successful offeror must be able to extract needed data from DoD data sources; integrate complex data from many sources; perform quantitative statistical analyses (create composite variables; merging multiple datasets; performing t-tests, ANOVAs, correlations, multiple regression, longitudinal trend analysis) using statistical analysis software (SPSS, SAS, or STATA); resolve data problems; and identify trends across monthly/quarterly data in order to interpret data and identify the policy/program implications of the data results.

29. Page 7, Section 4.2.1.5 - How does the government define success for the TVPO from a quantitative standpoint?

Response: Question is not relevant to the solicitation.

30. Page 7, Section 4.2.2.2 – 4.2.2.5 - Would the government please describe the existing TAP business system(s) in place to include branches supported?

Response: The Transition Assistance Program Information Technology (TAP IT) consists of a series of web applications, electronic transition form, and an enterprise database hosted and managed by the Defense Manpower Data Center and owned by the Transition to Veterans Office (TVPO) for the purpose of capturing, analyzing, and dispersing data to measure compliance of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) To Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (VOW Act). VOW Compliance is measured as a Service member completes a Pre-Separation Counseling Checklist (PSCC), attends a Department of Labor Employment Workshop (DoLEW), attends the Veterans Administration Briefings I & II (VA I&II), and then transitions to Civilian life. Transition data is captured through DoDTAP for Commanders, Managers, and Counselors web application which functions as a portal for TAP Commanders, Managers, and Counselors to enter the PSCC, attendance data, and CAPSTONE completion. This data is stored in the TAP Enterprise Database at DMDC. An additional web application is operated and managed by DMDC and owned by TVPO for Service members to access personal transition-related data called DoDTAP for Service Members and Veterans. An open-to-the-public web portal called DoDTAP is also operated and managed by DMDC and owned by TVPO for TAP-related information that is made available to Service family members and the general public.

31. Page 8, Section 4.2.2.2 – 4.2.2.5 - Is there a plan to implement a new systems or supplement the existing system?

Response: There is not currently a plan to implement a new system. Modernizations and enhancements may not be required; sustainment will be needed for all TAP IT applications. Sustainment will be, but not limited to, tech refreshes, maintenance of current capabilities, future updates to align with immerging technologies, and reviews of current capabilities to support mission and TAP strategies.

32. Page 8, Section 4.2.3.1 - Would the government please provide an overview of the scope and scale of the existing GPS curriculum?

Response: Service members receive training through the Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success) curriculum, which includes both a core curriculum and individual training tracks focused on Accessing Higher Education, Career Technical Training, and Entrepreneurship. Transition GPS is delivered in classroom environments and is also available online to Service members anytime through Joint Knowledge Online (JKO).

33. Page 10, Section/Task 4.2.57 & 4.2.6.2 - Please confirm the government wishes for the offeror to continue to track engagements across the TAP enterprise from all TVPO sources and maintain the legislative tracking system in Excel spreadsheets.

Response: Confirmed

34. Page 12, Section/Task 4.3 - Would the government please confirm who is currently performing this requirements or parts of this requirement (i.e., government, contractor or no one at all) and specify who is performing which part and for long? Is this contractor still eligible to bid as a prime contractor on these requirements?

Response: See #6

35. Page 12, Section/Task 4.3 - Would the government please confirm the names of the contractor(s) or components currently performing the direct support for the TAP for the people transitioning out of the military?

Response: Those contracts are managed by the Services and are not germane to these requirements.

36. Page 12, Section/Task 4.3 - Would the government please confirm the number of military personnel transitioning on an annual and historical basis, and their locations? Are these personnel supported locally or remotely?

Response: See http://www.dodtap.mil/

37. Page 17, Section/Task - Historical Data - Would the Government consider providing a level of effort estimate for offerors to price in order to ensure a consistent price evaluation amongst offerors?

Response: No.

38. Page 24, Section/Task - Tab 3 - Would the government consider allowing one or two of the five past performances to come from a subcontractor? It may enable the government to better assess offeror relevance given the range of programmatic requirements (i.e., traditional program management support, curriculum review and design, complex statistical analysis, information technology requirements analysis, communications and public relations campaign experience).

Response: See #2

39. Page 23, Section/Task - Tab 1 - Is it correct to assume there is no page count limit for Tab 1?

Response: Correct

40. Page 23, Section/Task - Tab 2 - Is there a required page count limit for Tab 2? Is there a preferred format (i.e., MS Word or MS Excel, or a combination of both)?

Response: There is not a page limit for Tab 2 nor a preferred format.

41. Page 24, Section/Task - Tab 3 - Is it correct to assume the past performance questionnaires are due by the final date and time of proposal submission?

Response: Yes

42. Page 24, Section/Task - Tab 3 - It appears that the only requirement for the past performance is the questionnaire itself. If so, how will the government conduct the evaluation of the relevancy of offerors past performance given this document provides for a high level overview? For example, will the government interview the awarding activity’s Procuring Contracting Officer or other points-of-contract or review the contractual statement of work or something else?

Response: This is provided in Attachment A of the solicitation.

43. Page 24, Section/Task - Tab 3 - How will the offerors past performance be evaluated if the offerors submits less than 5 past performances?

Response: See #42

44. Page 24, Section/Task - Volume II - Do experiences or resumes of proposed personnel count against the page limit?

Response: Page limit for Volume II is 30 pages.

45. Page 24, Section/Task - Volume II - Please confirm the government does not require key personnel for this bid.

Response: Confirmed.

46. Page 55, Section/Task 1.4 - Pass/Fail - Assuming the contractor meets the eligibility requirement, will the government please provide more information with regard to the established criteria requirements the contractor must meet to warrant getting past the pass/fail stage? This is a critical consideration for making a bid/no bid decision, as we would not want to be put in the situation of not meeting all or part of the performance requirements for this bid for which we are not aware, given the significant time and effort required to prepare a bid.

Response: Per page 55, Pass/Fail factors will not be used.

47. Page 55, Section/Task 1.4 - Pass/Fail - Will the government provide notification to offerors that do not get past the pass/fail stage prior to initiating review of the remaining proposals?

Response: See response to #46

48. Will the Government allow the Prime contractor to submit a PP example where they are performing the work as a subcontractor to the other proposed partner for this work?

Response: No

49. Will the Government please clarify the proposed travel and provide more detail on locations and length of trips? Or will the Government provide an NTE amount for travel to use in the proposal with the understanding that all trips will individually approved and ordered?

Response: The Government will provide a Not To Exceed amount of $50,000 annually

50. Will the Government provide a price template for this effort?

Response: No.

51. Will the Government provide the current contract value for this work?

Response: $1,470,237.32 for 11 months

52. Has the total number of personnel required and the level of effort for each been determined? Or should the proposal identify the number of personnel in the staffing plan developed based on the PWS?

Response: The proposal should identify the number of personnel.

53. Is this work being performed by an incumbent? If so, is all or only specific portions of the current work being provided by the incumbent? Is this a totally new requirement?

Response: See response to #6.

54. What is the anticipated award date for this requirement? Is it tied to specific contract end?

Response: See response to #14.

55. It is stated in section 7.0 Contractor Travel to expect 10 CONUS and 2 OCONUS in support of tasks as outlined in 4.2.4.9 and 4.2.5.3, will all contractor personnel be expected to travel during contract performance?

Response: Depending on the requirement there is a potential for each individual contractor personnel to travel through the duration of the contract. See #49 for travel ceiling.

56. The place of performance for this effort was not identified in the RFP. Will the work be performed 100% at client site, or will there be a requirement to house off-site personnel supporting this contract?

Response: Work will be performed at the TVPO office.

57. During the Transition Period, will the incumbent contractors pair with the incoming contractors for the turnover during a two week period?

Response: No.

58. Does the Government have a list of requirements or checklist that the incumbent will use to ensure a smooth transition?

Response: No.

59. Does the incumbent use any other database tool other than Microsoft Excel to gather, maintain and analyze data?

Response: Yes, STATA and SPSS.

60. Does the Government have a list of the DoD data sources referenced in 4.2.1.5?

Response: This information will be provided at the post award conference.

61. Is the Government’s requirement to update the Interagency TAP Evaluation Plan once a year a firm milestone, or is the government open to additional updates as needed/required?

Response: The government is open to additional updates if needed.

62. Does the Government have a preference for the social media messaging referenced in 4.2.4.5?

Response: No.

63. Travel states not to exceed but 7.0 does not give enough detail for a price estimation. Is there a value in mind or past history that could give direction for pricing? Same question for analysis.

Response: See response to #49.

64. - 4.2.1.5 - Data extraction requirements - If we are not onsite, will we have remote access to the data sources? Is there a definitive list of sources?

Response: See response to #60.

65. 6.0 Contract Man Hour reporting - Is this required for a Firm Fixed Contract?

Response: Yes

66. For potential approved virtual or remote work will the government provide GFE to achieve compliance with governing IA/security requirements for IT, or, must the contractor program for purchase of compliant IT components?

Response: It is the contractor’s responsibility to provide equipment for remote work if required.

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

The following have been modified:

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

OFFERORS SHOULD NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:

1. SAM: Any Offeror that submits a proposal in response to this solicitation must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), in accordance with FAR Clause 52.232-33 and DFARS Clauses 252.201-7000 and 252.204-7004 Alt A, prior to contract award. Registration information can be found at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

2. Communication: Solicitation information and amendments will be posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov. Offerors may email written questions requesting clarification of the RFP to the Contract Specialist, Matthew Poole at matthew.c.poole.civ@mail.mil. No information concerning this RFP or requests for clarification will be provided in response to telephone calls. Questions will be received up to 11:00 am Eastern on March 23, 2016. Questions received after the due date/time may not be answered.

3. Proposal Submissions: All proposal submissions in response to this solicitation must be received no later than the date and time specified on the SF1449. No electronic submissions will be accepted. For mailed submissions, Offerors must submit notification to the Contract Specialist via email five days in advance of proposal delivery. This email notification shall also include a tracking number for the package. Submit proposals to the address below:

DHRA PSO

Attn: Matthew C. Poole Solicitation No. H98210-16-R-0008

4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 06J25-01

Alexandria, VA 22350

NOTE: If hand delivering proposal, contact the Contract Specialist via email at least two business days prior to the due date for delivery instructions.

Proposal: Proposals shall be submitted in two separate volumes as follows:

A. VOLUME I – Business, Pricing and Past Performance: Offerors shall submit one hard copy of Volume I.

Tab 1:

i. Signed copy of the Standard Form 1449, with blocks 17 and 30 completed.

ii. Signed copy of the Standard Form 30 of any amendments issued against this RFP.

iii. Offeror’s DUNS number, Cage Code, and Tax ID number.

iv. Completed Representations and Certifications of Offeror (FAR Clause 52.212-3 Alt I) and all fill-in clauses that require an offeror’s response.

Tab 2:

The Offerors Price Proposal, to include

· The proposed labor categories, hours and fully burdened labor rates for the Base and all Option periods.

· A brief description of each proposed labor category

The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 120 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in an amendment to the RFP.

Tab 3:

Past Performance References: Offerors shall submit up to five relevant and recent past performance references, for work completed as a prime contractor, utilizing the Past Performance Relevancy Questionnaire (PPRQ) at Attachment B. Complete and submit one PPRQ per reference.

The Government will utilize the references submitted to obtain additional performance information on the Offeror. Subcontractors Past Performance will not be reviewed. Should the offeror possess no relevant past performance, a written statement shall be provided by the offeror so indicating. In this case, the Offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance and will be assigned a rating of Unknown Confidence.

B. VOLUME II – Technical: Offerors shall submit one original and three hard copies of Volume II to address the items below. Page limitation - In total, the page count for this volume shall not exceed 30 single-sided pages (inclusive of any tables of contents, appendices, attachments, etc). Margins shall not be less than ½ inch. Font may be Times New Roman or Arial with not less than eleven pitch.

i. Technical Proposal: This section shall address the technical requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Evaluation Factors (Attachment A).

ii. Staffing Plan. Offerors shall provide a Plan in accordance with the Evaluation Factors (Attachment A).

(END OF INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS)

(End of Summary of Changes)