Q&A_Solicitation_FINAL.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 29 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- HB0001-19-R-0011
- Issued by
-
Department of Defense Cyber Command
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Questions and Answers- FINAL Version
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Q&A_Solicitation_FINAL.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| SNOOK_SOW-_FINAL.pdf | ||
| Q&A_Solicitation_FINAL.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| SNOOK_SOW-_FINAL.pdf | ||
| DD254_-_SNOOK.pdf | ||
| Section_M___Revised_Eval_Crit__FINAL.docx | DOCX document | |
| Section_L_-_Instruction_to_Offerors_FINAL.docx | DOCX document | |
| HB0001-19-R-0011_FINAL.pdf | ||
| Q&A_Solicitation.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| DD254_-_SNOOK.pdf | ||
| Section_L_-_Instruction_to_Offerors_v2.0.docx | DOCX document | |
| HB0001-19-R-0011.docx | DOCX document | |
| Past_Performance_Questionaire.pdf | ||
| SF_33-_HB0001-19-R-0011.pdf | ||
| Section_M.pdf | ||
| Section_L.pdf |
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Sheet1
SNOOK Q&A CLOSING DATE: 12 APRIL @ 1200
| Question | Response | |
| Based on the SNOOK requirement utilizing CPARS suggests that only small business with Prime contract experience can submit past performance. Is this the case? If so that means only prime contractors can respond to this solicitation. | CPARS will only be required for companies who were primes on other contracts. If a company/vendor was a subcontractor, they should contact the prime and have them fill out the Past Performance Questionnaire, which will count towards their Past Performance review/evaluation. | |
| The SF33 document uploaded to FBO.gov does not show in Section B that it is a Base + 4 Option Years. The CLIN list stops at the base period only. | The contract is anticipated to be a base year plus 4 option years. | |
| Section L - Section 4.4.5 - No CLIN or plug-in number is provided in Section B of the SF33 which corresponds to this Section L. | A travel CLIN will be established Not to Exceed (NTE) $15,000 per year. All proposals shall include the $15,000 allotment per year as part of their financial cost pricing. | |
| In reviewing the solicitation documents for the subject-referenced solicitation, I found we are missing the following attachments: Attachment 1: Pricing Workbook and Attachment 3: DD Form 254. Will there be an Amendment or Modification issued with those documents? | A pricing workbook will not be issued. Each proposal will be responsible for submitting their own cost volume. A DD254 has been attached to the amended solicitation. | |
| It does not appear to be clear what type of contract will be awarded. Pricing in Section B is shown as fixed price, but other sections of the RFP seem to indicate that the contract will be T&M. | The contract is anticipated to be FFP-LOE, with a CLIN for Travel at direct COST. | |
| Can you confirm the FTE labor hours per year? | The Labor Hours for this effort will be 1880= 1 FTE. | |
| The SF 33 does not indicate that this procurement is a Small Business Set Aside. In fact, the only place this is mentioned is in Section L Page 1 of 13, section 1.1. Nowhere else in the solicitation is this identified. The FBO announcement does state that this is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Please confirm that this is a small business set-aside under NAICS 541611 $15M across three-year average. | This effort is confirmed to be a total-small business set-aside under NAICS 541611. | |
| Section L Page 2 of 13, can you please provide a point of contact at the MITRE Corporation, phone and email address for the NDA coordination. | The Point of Contact for the MITRE Corporation is John Jubinski, 301-617-3170, jpjubinski@mitre.org | |
| PWS Page 16 of 49, 2.1.4 Manpower Estimate, second sentence states “Alternate labor categories and level of effort may be proposed by the Contractor based on the Contractor’s expertise and the Government’s mission requirements.” The next paragraph states that “The Government may request additional level of effort to address within-scope requirements as a result of surges, special studies or other unanticipated needs for persons under this effort.“ On page 17, the government estimates a maximum within scope surge for any given year may not exceed 100 percent of the base year level of effort. It further states upon notification of additional surge support, the contractor shall provide a proposal to include the full pricing data using the approved labor category and rates for the base or option year of the original contract. This approach to surge would be appropriate under a T&M contract. The Attachment 3 workbook does not allow the offeror to price alternate labor categories and/or additional level of effort. Please clarify how we are to respond, T&M or FFP. Also, respond that the maximum surge effort would be 100% of the base 4.5 FTE, meaning a total of 9.0 FTE if the surge is funded. | This effort will be FFP-LOE, including any surge efforts required throughout the Period of Performance of the contract. The maximum surge effort would be 100% of the base 4.5 FTE, thus a maximum total of 9.0 FTEs could occur; if funded. | |
| PWS Page 18, 4 Government Furnished Property/Information states that “no government furnished property or information shall be included in this effort.” However, given performance is on Government site, please confirm that installation access, offices, office equipment (computers and network accesses), as well as access to J9 relevant program information, policies and stakeholder communities will be provided and are available to support this contract. | The Government will provide all necessary access to equipment required and government information needed to complete taskings. | |
| PWS Page 19 of 49, section 5.1.2 states that “The Contractor shall generate a project management Plan PMP within 3 weeks of award. Section L, Page 6 of 13 states that a Draft PMP shall be included and formatted as defined in CDRL 002 of the solicitation. There is no delivery schedule, QASP, or CDRLs in the RFP. All of these are needed to prepare a meaningful PMP. Suggest the government supply the QASP CDRLS and delivery schedule by amendment, allowing the offeror to propose a management approach for the contract to include addressing the development of the PMP as well as request the draft PMP within 15 days after award. This suggestion we believe would minimize any disruption to the current proposal activities and schedule. | CDRLs provided within the solicitation allow the contractor to propose enough understanding of the requirements to be evaluated. Proposals should discuss i.e. Corrective action plans, personnel management plan, and work breakdown structure/schedule. | |
| Section L, Page 4 of 13, for the glossary of acronyms, where all “acronyms are defined at first use”, please confirm that “acronyms are defined” means spelling out the words that form the acronym. For example, DoD defined as Department of Defense, and as to defining a definition of what DoD is. | Yes, acronyms shall spell out the words in full form. I.E. DoD is Department of Defense. | |
| Section L has Proposal Format Page 5 and 6 of 13. Volume 1 is Technical Capability. Please clarify if this narrative is limited only to the two Volume III Past Performance References, or should it be written to the company’s total relevant capabilities and experience and inclusive of the two references. | Volume 1 shall address the companies total capability and experience, not necessarily inclusive of the two references. | |
| Section L has Proposal Format table on Page 5 of 13 and identifies Volume III as Past Performance. Please confirm that this should be Volume II. | Yes, Past Performance should be Volume/Factor II. | |
| Section L Past Performance Volume 3 states the first of the two past performances shall be from the prime offeror, and is followed by the second for teaming partners. If not teaming, may the Prime submit 2 past performance references? | Yes, past performance will be accepted from two previous Prime Contracts. | |
| Section L, Page 1 of 13 section 1.1 General states “It is the Government’s intent to issue a Time and Material contract to successful Offeror.” Also, on Price Proposal Instructions Page 9 of 13 it asks for “fully burdened rates” to be entered into the Attachment 3 workbook stating that all other cells are locked. The workbook calculates the extended Price using these fully burdened labor rates. It further states that the government will complete the Schedule B based on the labor rates within the Offeror’s proposal. Last, the last question answered on the Q&A released on 8 April indicated that the contract type is FFP-LOE, with a CLIN for Travel as a direct cost. The pricing instructions are, however, for a T&M type contract. Please clarify or deconflict all the references to contract type, adjusting the Attachment 3 workbook accordingly. | This effort will be FFP-LOE, including any surge efforts required throughout the Period of Performance of the contract. The solicitation documents have been amended to reflect the proper contract type. | |
| In Section B and Section L: the solicitation contains CLINs for surge efforts, but there are no instructions in Section L on how the government wants this priced. Please confirm the government’s intent is to apply the proposed individual hourly rates for any specific surge and will negotiate the quantity of hours required based on the specifics of the surge and at the time of the surge request. Please clarify if this is automatically calculated in the work book based upon the posting the fully burdened labor category rates? | The Government will apply the proposed hourly rates to any surge efforts, based on the hours worked. There will be a 1:1 payout for additional hours. | |
| Section L, page 9, para 4.4.3: The instructions require us to provide pricing for the extension of services, but it is not defined. Will the government clarify if this is meant to incorporate pricing for the extension of services authorized under FAR 52.217-8? Please clarify if this is automatically calculated in the work book based upon the posting the fully burdened labor category rates? | The Extension of Services pricing tab has been removed and will not be included/considered as part of the proposal workbook. Inclusion of FAR 52.217-8 should be anticipated. Only propose against Tabs 1-5, with a summary breakout on Tab 6. Any services extended shall be billed based off agreed upon labor rates. Per FAR 52.217-8, "These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months." | |
| Section L, page 9 and Section B, page 2. In Section L para 4.4.4 the solicitation indicates that one FTE is defined as 1,920 direct charge hours. However, Section B indicates all the positions are based on 1,880. Will the government confirm and amend accordingly that an FTE position is equal to 1,880 hours? | This effort will consider an FTE as 1880 hours. | |
| Section L, page 9 the solicitation references Attachment 3 Workbook. Section J page 45 identifies 4 attachments to the RFP, none of which is Attachment 3 Workbook or a pricing model. Will the Government amend the solicitation providing Attachment 3 Workbook? | A workbook will not be provided. This has been removed from the Solicitation documents. | |
| Appendix A Labor Category Descriptions – For the Cyber Strategy Consultant – National & International Policy (SME Level II) and for the Cyber Strategy Consultant – DoD (SME Level III) the government appears to be making allowances for additional experience in lieu of education. However, for these two positions the descriptions require the same minimum experience with a Bachelors or no degree (SMEII) and with a Masters and or a Bachelors (SMEIII). | For Cyber Strategy Consultant- National and International Policy SME Level 2 the following combination is required: 12 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree focused in Cyber, 14 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree- Not Focused in Cyber, 16 Years of Experience with no Bachelors Degree. Cyber Strategy Consultant- DoD Policy Level 3- 18 Years of Experience with a Masters Degree focused in Cyber, 20 Years of Experience with a Masters Degree Not Focused, or a Bachelors Degree Focused in Cyber, 22 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree Not Focused in Cyber. There will not be any waiver for an individual with No Degree, regardless of years of experience. | |
| Section F page 24, the solicitation has the same base period of performance on all 15 CLINs. This is supposed to be a one year base with four option years. Will the government amend the solicitation correcting Section F? | The PoP shall be One (1) Base Year, with Four (4) Option years. The PoPs are accurate within Section F. | |
| The DD-254 provided with the solicitation has both “Sample” and “Draft” watermarks and the file can’t be edited. Will the government provide an editable version of the DD-254 for the Offerors to complete in accordance with Section L – Volume 5 Contract Documentation? | The DD-254 that has been posted is the editable PDF version. | |
| Section L, page 9 para 4.4.5 the solicitation states that the government has provided plug numbers for travel and that Offerors are prohibited from applying fee to travel. Will the government allow Offerors to apply their approved indirect burden to travel costs? Please provide instructions on how we are to do this if this formula is locked. | The Government will not allow Offerors to apply their approved indirect burden to travel costs. All travel shall be billed at cost, and reimbursed as such. An identified cost of $15,000.00 shall be applied to each year's cost. | Recommend: |
| Please clarify the due date for PPQs? PPI: page 6, para 4.2 states 19 April and PPQ: page 1 states 16 April. | Due to solicitation changes, PPQ's have been pushed back with a new due date of 6 May 2019. | |
| What is the contract and contract number currently supporting this work? | The Contract number is H98230-15-C-0369, Task Order #009, PoP 31 March 15- 31 October 2018 | (SME Level II) |
| What company is the current incumbent for this work? | The current incumbent for this work is Noblis. | · Bachelor's degree in a cyber-related field (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security) or a field requiring communications and analysis skills. In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, a total of 14 years of experience is required. |
| PPI: page 11; para 5.1.1: confirm due time is 11:00 EDT vs. EST | The due date for the PPQ is 11:00 EST. | · Minimum 10 years’ experience in a cyber-related field (e. g., Information Assurance, Information Systems Security, and Computer Network Defense) in the development of National Security Policy and Strategy (if having a BS as stated above) |
| Would the Government please release its CDRL document as the Project Management Plan must be in accordance with CDRL 002? | CDRLs are defined in accordance with the SOW Section 5.1.1-5.1.4. | |
| Please confirm the work hours required for this program. Some section of the RFP state 1880 hours per year; other sections state 1920. | The Labor Hours for this effort will be 1880= 1 FTE. | (SME Level III) |
| Will the government allow more than two (2) past performance references where the offer was/is the prime contractor, i.e. two references for the prime and one for the subcontractor. Relying on just one prime contractor past performance does not allow a full explanation of the prime contractor’s past performance and its ability to execute to CYBERCOM’s requirements. | No, the government will NOT allow for more than 2 past performance references. Per Section 4.2 of Section L, "Offerors shall submit no more than two (2) contract references to meet this requirement. Past performance references concerning the Prime offeror shall be provided first, followed by proposed teaming partners." | · Masters’ degree in a cyber-related field (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security) or a field requiring communications and analysis skills. In lieu of a Masters’ degree, a total of 20 years of experience is required. |
| The due date for the submission of the past performance questionnaires states they are due back to you by April 16th; the RFP instructions state April 19th, please clarify. | Due to solicitation changes, PPQ's have been pushed back with a new due date of 6 May 2019. | · Minimum 14 years’ experience in a cyber-related field (e. g., Information Assurance, Information Systems Security, and Computer Network Defense) in the development of National Security Policy and Strategy (if having a BS and MS as stated above) |
| The solicitation states throughout that one FTE is considered to be 1920 hours, however the CLINs in Section B Supplies or Services and Prices are all calculated at 1880 hours. What is the actual number of hours per FTE? | The Labor Hours for this effort will be 1880= 1 FTE. | |
| The title of section 7.2 of the Instructions suggests that proposals may be submitted via CD, yet section 5 states proposals are to be submitted via email. Are CD submissions allowed? | CD submissions are not allowed. This has been corrected in the Instructions. | Justification for Change: Industry standard is an additional 1 year relevant experience for each year required for a Bachelor or Master degree (i.e. 4 years for Bachelor and 2 years for Master). Suggest that you change the Minimum years specified in the second and third bullets from “14” years to 10 Years for Level II, and for Level III from 20 years to 14 years. This would make these two positions consistent in substitution in the approach used for the Communications Technologist Level 1. |
| Many prime contractors do not complete past performance questionnaires for subcontractors as a matter of policy. The RFP uses the word “may” rather than “shall” with regards to providing PPQs and their use in evaluation. Are PPQs absolute requirements in addition to detailed past performance narratives in Volume II, or are they simply acceptable additions to the past performance volume? If a past performance prime contractor is not willing to complete a PPQ, but will allow POC information to be provided, will that be acceptable when included with additional reference information? | The prime contractor is required to complete the past performance questionnaire. Sub contractors may provide a POC in addition to the completed PPQ, but completed PPQs are mandatory as part of the evaluation process. | |
| The SOW states in Section 2.1.4 Manpower Estimate that one FTE = 1,880 hours. Section B seems to use 1,880 to represent one FTE as well. However, Section L 4.4.4 defines one FTE as 1,920 hours. May the Government please confirm the correct hours for the FTEs? | The Labor Hours for this effort will be 1880= 1 FTE. | |
| May the Government please clarify which resumes (labor categories) and the number of resumes required based on the statement in 5.2 Paragraph 2 “ All proposed personnel are considered key personnel” and the statement in Section L 4.1 “Resumes - Offerors shall submit at a minimum one (1) resume, but no more than two (2) per key personnel for this effort.” | The following resumes are required: Three (3) National and International Policy SME Level 2, One (1) DoD Policy Level 3, and One Half-Time (.5) Communications Technologist Level 1 are all considered "Key Personnel". Offerors shall submit a minimum of one (1) resume for each Key Personnel listed above, but no more than two (2) for each Key Personnel. | |
| May the Government please confirm the numbering of the volumes as Section L has different numbering for the volumes. Please confirm the volume numbering as: | The government confirms the correct numbering. | |
| Volume I – Technical Capability | ||
| Volume II – Past Performance | ||
| Volume III – Price | ||
| Volume IV – Contract Documentation | ||
| May the Government please provide Attachment 3 Workbook as referenced in Section 4.4.3 of Section L? | Attachment 3 Workbook will not be provided. This has been removed from the Solicitation Documents. | |
| May the Government please confirm that an electronic copy emailed to the POC is the only submission method required? | The government confirms that email submissions are the only method accepted and required. | |
| May the Government please confirm if proof that Offerors are in compliance with DFARS § 252.204-7012 is required and which Volume this information should be presented if required? | Proof that Offerors are in compliance of DFARS 252.204-7012 is required, and should be included in Volume 4- Contract Documentation. |
| With the understanding that this is a new requirement, has similar work been done on any other contracts? If so, by whom? | The current incumbent for this work is Noblis. The current Contract number is H98230-15-C-0369, Task Order #009, PoP 31 March 15- 31 Oct 2018. |
| With regards to Section 6 (U) Appendix A: Labor Category Descriptions, If a Cyber Strategy Consultant - National and International Policy SME Level 2 has a Bachelor's degree in a cyber-related field (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security) or a field requiring communications and analysis skills are they required to have : | For Cyber Strategy Consultant- National and International Policy SME Level 2 the following combination is required: 12 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree focused in Cyber, 14 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree- Not Focused in Cyber, 16 Years of experience with no bachelors degree. |
| •Minimum 14 years' experience in a cyber-related field (e. g., Information Assurance, Information Systems Security, and Computer Network Defense) in the development of National Security Policy and Strategy. | |
| •Minimum 14 years’ cumulative experience in Legislative process and Congressional relations, plus any four (4) of the following: | |
| -Interdepartmental or interagency collaboration and cooperation | |
| -Capabilities and requirements analysis | |
| -Performance management and metrics implementation | |
| -Process definition, deployment, and improvement | |
| -Facilitation of team activities and resulting product development | |
| -Program analysis and evaluation | |
| Also with regards to Section 6 (U) Appendix A: Labor Category Descriptions, If a Cyber Strategy Consultant - DoD Policy Level 3 has a Master’s degree in a cyber related field ((Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security) or a field requiring communications and analysis skills, are they required to have the following: | The following combination of experience and education will deem candidates eligible: |
-18 Years of Relevant Experience with a Master’s Degree focused in Cyber -20 Years of Relevant Experience with a Master’s Degree- Not Focused in Cyber, or a Bachelor’s Degree Focused in Cyber; or, -22 Years of Relevant Experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
-There will not be any waiver for an individual with No Degree, regardless of years of experience.
| •Minimum 20 years' experience in cybersecurity (e.g. Information Assurance, Information Systems Security, and Computer Network Defense) in the development of National Security Policy and Strategy. | |
| •Minimum 20 years cumulative experience in Legislative process and Congressional relations, plus any five (5) year of the following: | |
| -Interdepartmental or interagency collaboration and cooperation | |
| -Capabilities and requirements analysis | |
| -Performance management and metrics implementation | |
| -Process definition, deployment, and improvement | |
| -Facilitation of team activities and resulting product development | |
| -Program analysis and evaluation | |
| PWS Section 6 “Appendix A: Labor Category Descriptions”. Both the Level II and Level III Consultant positions allow the degree “to be in a field requiring communications and analysis skills”. Please confirm that a Business, or combination of accumulated multiple Professional Certifications may also substitute for the degree requirement (for example combinations of certifications like CISSP-ISSAP, CSSP, CISSO etc.,) may also substitute for the degree requirement. Recommend that each of these highly sought certifications be equivalent to 1 year of additional experience towards a degree. This would allow candidates to substitute professional credentials if their masters or undergraduate degree is not in any of the specified fields. This gives offerors a greater range to recruit from if they have the related technical experience. This also recognizes that Universities have not modified the curriculum that is responsive to the current needs, technologies and skills required in the current cyber security field. | Additional certifications beyond a particular degree will be acceptable/accepted to meet education requirements/specialties. Any certification being used in lieu of/in addition to degrees, must show knowledge, experience and maturity in a cyber related area or field. Any combination of certifications WITHOUT at a minimum of a Bachelor's degree will not be waived for the Cyber Strategy Consultant Policy Level III. |
| Will the Government clarify the minimum education and experience requirements for these positions and any allowances for education/experience substitutions? Similar to how the minimum was determined for the Communications Technologist Level 1? | The minimum education for a Cyber Strategy Consultant- National and International Policy SME Level 2 is 12 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree focused in Cyber, 14 Years of Experience with a Bachelors Degree- Not Focused in Cyber, 16 Years of experience with no bachelors degree. For Level III -18 Years of Relevant Experience with a Master’s Degree focused in Cyber |
-20 Years of Relevant Experience with a Master’s Degree- Not Focused in Cyber, or a Bachelor’s Degree Focused in Cyber; or, -22 Years of Relevant Experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
-There will not be any waiver for an individual with No Degree, regardless of years of experience.
| There are different dates for the submission of the PPQs. Past Performance Questionnaire sets the due date as 16 April 2019 and the Section L, page 6 of 13 sets the date as NLT 12:00 Noon EST 19 April 2019. Please confirm which is the correct date. | Due to solicitation changes, PPQ's have been pushed back with a new due date of 6 May 2019 at 16:00 EST. |
| Can PPQs be pushed to May 6th instead of being due April 26th to accommodate vendors reaching out the prime contractors on past awards? | Due to solicitation changes, PPQ's have been pushed back with a new due date of 6 May 2019 at 16:00 EST. |
| Can page counts be updated to allow an additional 2 pages per category? | Page counts will remain unchanged for this requirement. |
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