QA-4_HC1028-14-R-0006_Amd_0004.pdf

HC102814R0006

Amendment 0004

QUESTION 16:

Reference: 7.2.4.2 Small Business Participation and Commitment

Question: The small business goals in the RFP are stated as being “as measured against the total contract value”. Our understanding of FAR Part 19 is that small business requirements do not apply to OCONUS work. If that is the case, will the Government revise the section to read, “as measured against the CONUS components of the contract?”

Answer: Section L 7.2.4.1 has been updated to reflect CONUS work only.

QUESTION 17:

Reference: 7.2.4.2 Small Business Participation and Commitment

Question: Are the percentages identified in this paragraph participation Goals, or does the Government intend to require bidders to meet these participation percentages?

Answer: FAR PART 19.702 outlines the statutory requirements for subcontracting on government contracts. Contractors must make a good faith effort to attain the goals outlined in their subcontracting plans. "As stated in 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(8), any contractor or subcontractor failing to comply in good faith with the requirements of the subcontracting plan is in material breach of its contract. Further, 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(f) directs that a contractor's failure to make a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of the subcontracting plan shall result in the imposition of liquidated damages"

QUESTION 109:

Reference: RFP; Section L 7.2.4.3; Page 262

Question: FAR Part 19 only applies to CONUS work.

(Question) How does the US Government envision the prime contractor meeting the 36.7% small business target goal when most of the work being performed is OCONUS?

Answer: Please reference response to question 16.

QUESTION 220:

Reference: Q/A 16 The answer to this question states “FAR Part 19.000(b) does indicate the part is applicable only to the United States and outlying areas. However, as outlined in the Statement of Work, Section 8 Place of Performance, contractor personnel will be required to perform operations in the Contiguous United States. As such, small business goals are applicable to the entire requirement.”

Question: We realize that because a small part of this work is in the Contiguous United States, we must provide a SB plan and goals. However, goals are only reported on CONUS work and only a very small percentage of this work is being executed CONUS, with the bulk of the work taking place OCONUS in Southwest Asia. As such, it will be impossible to meet a 36.7% small business goal. Will the Government change the requirement and allow goals to be placed on the CONUS work only?

Answer: Please reference response to question 16.

HC102814R0006

Amendment 0004

QUESTION 227:

Reference: QASP; 8. Incentives (Positive and/or Negative) The QASP states “Service interruptions, outages, or other conditions resulting in the customer/user not being able to access the service may result in invoice adjustments.”

Question: What are the parameters of these adjustments as they relate to contract type? Are they limited to a percentage of the fee?

Answer: The sentence regarding service interruptions, outages, or other conditions has been removed from the QASP.