The file's text, extracted by GovTribe without its formatting.
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
HC1047-18-R-4002
QUESTION & RESPONSE TEMPLATE
Questions & Response Template
| Question # |
| Questions / Comments |
| RFP Reference |
| Government Response |
| RFP Change Required (Y/N) |
| Location of Change |
| 1 |
| The incumbent contract number/task order number (HC1047-14-D-0002-VC03) provided by the solicitation is not available in the Federal Procurement Data System and unsearchable elsewhere. Could the Government please provide the incumbent contract, or direct offerors to where it is located? |
| RFP Introduction |
| AECOM is the current incumbent contractor. The Government cannot provide the current incumbent contract documentation. The total lifecycle value of the current contract is $23,598,590.27. |
| No |
| 2 |
| The Skill Summary outlines number of personnel for both non-key and key positions in the "Position Status" column (Column B). Does the number of required key personnel provided for each position correlate to the number of resumes required in section 14 of Task Order 1 and IDIQ PWS. For example, "6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.4 - Budget Execution Analyst" lists 3.5 Key Personnel within the Skill Summary Worksheet. Are offerors required to submit a single resume against this listed labor category, or are offerors required to submit enough resumes to satisfy the projected number of key personnel (FTEs) contained in column B of the skill summary sheet? |
| Attachment 11, Skill Summary / |
TO1 PWS 14
| Attachment 11, Skill Summary for Task Order 1 only represents a minimum level of staffing that the Government believes is required for successful performance. Offerors are able to propose additional personnel. This is a performance based acquisition and offerors should review the RFP documentation and propose as they deem necessary. A resume should be provided for EACH individual proposed as KEY PERSONNEL. |
| No |
| 3 |
| M.2.2.2 Subfactor 2, Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), reads "This subfactor will be evaluated on an "Acceptable / Unacceptable" basis." Could the Government please clarify what is acceptable/unacceptable? |
| RFP M.2.2.2 |
| RFP Section M.2.2.2 states “The Offeror shall submit for Government evaluation and approval an acceptable ID/IQ Supply Chain Risk Management Plan. The plan must provide a systematic process for managing supply chain risk by identifying susceptibilities, vulnerabilities, and threats for the products and services rendered under this contract, as identified in the services column of the ID/IQ PWS SCRM section 15.j. and developing mitigation strategies to combat those threats.” |
| No |
| 4 |
| L.4.2.2.6 Part F, Letters of Intent, reads "Offerors shall submit Letters of Intent from all personnel who will staff this contract to demonstrate it has met this requirement." Could the Government confirm that offerors are only required to submit Letters of Intent from key personnel, not all personnel? |
| RFP L.4.2.2.6 |
| Offerors are required to submit letters of Intent for all personnel who will staff this contract, not just the key personnel. Per the revised Section L and M, “Letters of Intent must be signed by each of the personnel who will staff this contract, and must specify that the individual holds a current TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility and will be available to begin performance on day 1 of Task Order 1 performance or within the first two weeks of the period of performance.” |
| Yes |
| RFP L.4.2.2.3.1, L.4.2.2.6, and M.2.2.1 |
| 5 |
| Within the "Attch_1 IDIQ Labor Categories", there is a minimum education requirement that states a degree is required or may be substituted by years of experience. There is also an "Experience" requirement that specifies years required. Are the years substituted for bachelor’s degree required in addition to the required "Experience" requirement? |
| Attachment 1 |
| If personnel do not have the required degree then the offeror has the ability to consider individuals with the stated years of experience. The years substituted in lieu of a degree are NOT in addition to the required “experience.” |
| No |
| 6 |
| The IDIQ RFP refers to Telecommunication Network – Optical Engineering Support, (Refer to Task Order 1 PWS Section 6.3.1). However in the PWS, this task is 6.2.1. Could the Government clarify or confirm this is a typo? |
| RFP M.2.2.3 / |
TO1 PWS 6.2.1
| Yes, this is indeed a TYPO. The correct reference should be “(Refer to Task Order 1 PWS Section 6.2.1).” |
| Yes |
| RFP Section M.2.2.3 |
| 7 |
| The Skill Summary outlines the minimum number of personnel for both non-key and key positions in the "Position Status" column (Column B). Both IDIQ and TO1 PWS states to use the skill summary for “Experience and Educational Requirements”. Is the intent of the government to use the skill summary as a baseline for the minimum number of FTE required to support TO1 as outlined in Column B, Position Status? |
| Attachment 11, Skill Summary / |
TO1 PWS / IDIQ PWS
| The ID/IQ PWS does not reference the Skill Summary. Attachment 1 includes all the Labor Categories for the ID/IQ contract. Attachment 11 provides further detail specific to Task Order 1. Yes, the skill summary will serve as a baseline for the minimum number of FTEs required. |
| No |
| 8 |
| How many FTEs does the government anticipate for 6.2.1 since it will depend upon the number of Task Orders? Will contractor propose the number of FTEs it deems appropriate? |
| IDIQ PWS 6.2.1 |
| For Task Management (6.2.1) at the ID/IQ level the Government has provided estimated hours in the pricing spreadsheet which will be used for evaluation purposes. The offeror shall use the provided amount of hours. |
| No |
| 9 |
| Will contractor be required to prepare and submit IGCE in support of budget projections? |
| IDIQ PWS 6.2.4 |
| Yes, cost estimates will be required when providing budget projections. |
| No |
| 10 |
| Will contractor be responsible for invoice validation for various efforts being performed by the contractor or other third parties? |
| IDIQ PWS 6.2.4 |
| No, all invoice validation is conducted by the Government Contracting Officer’s Representative. |
| No |
| 11 |
| Will the contractor support any technology acquisitions, such as supporting requirements development, and supporting bid response analysis and recommendations? |
| IDIQ PWS 6.2.5 |
| Yes, the contractor will support technology acquisition, such as supporting requirements development, and response analysis and recommendations. |
| No |
| 12 |
| What is the current state of Configuration Management (CM)? Is there a government CM organization? How mature are the CM repositories and processes? |
| IDIQ PWS 6.2.6 |
| The Agency has a CM process, NLCC is in the infancy stages. NLCC does follow CM processes. |
| No |
| 13 |
| To whom will the Planning and Strategic Planning functions report to in the government? What portion of IT will the contractor be responsible for planning? |
| IDIQ PWS 6.2.7 / 6.2.8 |
| The contractor will report to the NLCC. The portion of IT that the contractor will plan encompasses telecommunications, information systems, and communications. |
| No |
| 14 |
| Attachment 4 Excel workbook specifically has separate tabs for Prime offeror to include subcontractor's fully burdened labor rates. However, section L.6.1 of the RFP states no subcontractor rates are required or permitted. Will the Government remove subcontractor price tabs from the Government provided Attachment 4 Excel workbook in order to be compliant with the Section L.6.1 language and requirements? |
| RFP page 71, Section L.6.1 |
| The paragraph in question in section L.6.1 discusses labor rates for the ID/IQ. The instructions tab in Attachment 4 Excel workbook, item #2 states that tabs highlighted in GREEN are in reference to the ID/IQ. Tabs highlighted in YELLOW are in reference to Task Order 1. The Subcontractor tabs referenced in this question are highlighted in YELLOW. If Subcontractor(s) will be utilized for Task Order 1, the Subcontractor(s) labor rates go in the applicable Subcontractor tab. |
| No |
| 15 |
| Will the government independently verify contractor TS/SCI eligibility in JPAS? |
| RFP page 74, Section L.6.4.1 |
| The contractor must be diligent and ensure that their contractors are TS/SCI eligible. The government will not verify TS/SCI eligibility prior. |
| No |
| 16 |
| Will the government please confirm that bidders must certify that all contractors must meet SAP eligibility? |
| RFP page 74, Section L.6.4.1 |
| All personnel performing work at the ID/IQ level (at time of ID/IQ proposal submission) and Task Order 1 to include sub-contractors and Independent Consultants, must possess a current FINAL Top Secret security clearance granted by the U.S. Government, and must also be approved as meeting Intelligence Community Directive 704 eligibility and meet the requirements listed in DoDM 5205.07-V2 for SAP access. Personnel must hold the designated clearance level required for a position at the time of appointment/award as indicated by the Government. Contractor shall provide proof of fully cleared personnel, to the TS with SCI and SAP eligibility, at time of proposal submission. Letters of Intent must be signed by each of the personnel who will staff this contract, and must specify that the individual holds a current TS/SCI clearance and are SAP eligible and will be available to begin performance on day 1 of Task Order 1 performance or within the first two weeks of the period of performance. By “SAP eligibility,” the Government means that the offeror has completed its own due diligence and determined that based on DoDM 5205.07-V2 the individual meets that specified criteria. The Government will make the final determination and issue the appropriate SAP clearance after award and offerors are NOT expected to know, without a doubt, if the Government will grant the SAP clearance level. By “certify,” the Government means the signed letters of intent will state the above mentioned due diligence was completed and to the offeror’s knowledge the individual should pass the SAP portion of the clearance requirement. |
| Yes |
| RFP L.4.2.2.3.1, L.4.2.2.6, and M.2.2.1 |
| 17 |
| TO1 PWS pg 15 para 9 includes Virginia Beach as a place of performance. TO1 Attachment 11 does not include Virginia Beach as a place of performance. Will the Government verify that Virginia Beach is a place of performance for TO1, and if so, for which position(s)? |
| Virginia Beach is listed in paragraph 9 as a place of performance. Virginia Beach still has the potential to be a place of performance under Task Order 1, however, at the time of RFP release the requirement for this support is not needed. The Government will use the SURGE CLIN as a method to provide support when and if support is deemed necessary at this location. |
| No |
| 18 |
| Price worksheet (Attachment 4) for Base Year of TO1 shows 48.75 FTEs, including 3 FTEs for Cybersecurity/Risk Management - Journeyman; and 2 FTEs for Special Security Support - OCONUS. Attachment 11 FTE totals to 44.75 and only includes 1 FTE for Cybersecurity/Risk Management - Journeyman and does not include any FTEs for Special Security Support - OCONUS. Will the Government clarify whether the pricing worksheet, Attachment 4 (48.75 FTEs,) or Attachment 11 (44.75 FTEs) is correct and the appropriate breakout of FTEs by Labor Category, skill set, location, and key/non-key position? |
| Attach 4, Attach 11 |
| The Tab entitled “Base Period Year 1” contains estimated hours for the ID/IQ not the Task Order. The estimated hours will be used to determine an ID/IQ price for evaluation purposes only. These tabs have been color coded “Green” which per the Price Spreadsheet directions, item 2 are in reference to the ID/IQ. Attachment 11 provides further detail for Task Order 1 for offerors to consider in the development of the proposal. Both documents are correct. |
| No |
| 19 |
| What government location in Warrenton, VA is this work performed? |
| Para 6.1.4 Subtask 4 – Cost, Budgeting, Planning, and Execution Support |
| Warrenton Army Training Center |
| No |
| 20 |
| Discussion: This paragraph states that some of this work will be performed at a Government Agency in Virginia Beach, VA. |
Question: What is the government facility in Virginia Beach, VA where this work is performed?
| Para 9. Place of Performance |
| Virginia Beach is listed in paragraph 9 as a place of performance. Virginia Beach still has the potential to be a place of performance under Task Order 1, however, at the time of RFP release the requirement for this support is not needed. The Government will use the SURGE CLIN as a method to provide support when and if support is deemed necessary at this location. Additional information will be provided at that time. |
| No |
| 21 |
| Discussion: Minimum Qualifications. This paragraph lists seven (7) key positions for this task order; whereas, Para 14 lists 13 positions as key personnel: |
6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.1 - Task Order Manager
6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.4 - Budget Execution Analyst
6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.4 - Financial/Budget Planning Analyst
6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.4 - Cost Analyst
6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.5 - Acquisition Specialist
6.1 Task 1, Subtask 6.1.8 - Strategic Planning and Enterprise IT Policy Consultant.
6.2 Task 2, Subtask 6.2.1 - Telecommunications Network – Optical Engineer
6.2 Task 2, Subtask 6.2.4 - Engineering Consultant
6.2 Task 2, Subtask 6.2.8 - Systems Engineer
6.3 Task 3, Subtask 6.3.1 – Personnel Security
6.3 Task 3, Subtask 6.3.3 - Information System Security Manager (Senior & Journeymen Level)
6.3 Task 4, Subtask 6.3.4 - Program Protection/ Program Security Manager (Senior & Journeymen Level)
6.3 Task 5, Subtask 6.3.5 – Cybersecurity / Risk Manager (Senior Level)
Question: Please clarify which positions are key for Task Order 1?
| Para 15d. Minimum Qualifications.; Para 14 |
| The information provided in Task Order 1 PWS, Section 15.d. is some additional information regarding the required skill set/expertise for those applicable PWS Tasks. These are not necessarily KEY PERSONNEL. The KEY PERSONNEL for Task Order 1 are identified in the Task Order 1 PWS, Section 14 and attachment 11- Skills Summary Matrix. |
| No |
| 22 |
| Discussion: Paragraph 6.3.5 says, “…The contractor shall provide Cybersecurity/Risk Management (Cybersecurity/RM) and have a minimum of 10 years of experience support to the Division to incorporate appropriate Cybersecurity/RM safeguards in accordance with DoD and DISA IT Security standards to ensure Availability, Integrity, and Confidentiality of information and IT”. |
This statement seems to state that successful contractor must have worked in NLCC Division for a minimum of 10 years which would eliminate any other contractor except for those companies currently working in NLCC for at least the last 10 years.
Recommend: This section be changed to say that “the contractor will bring a subject matter expert with 10 years of experience in Cybersecurity/Risk Management within DoD/Federal Government.
| PWS Para 6.3.5 |
| The word Division has been removed. It is replaced by the words US Government. |
| Yes |
| Task Order 1 PWS, Section 15, d, Minimum Qualifications |
| 23 |
| Discussion: Atch 11, TO1 Skills Summary Worksheet identifies 27.75 Key Personnel for the three task areas under TO1 and 17 Non-Key Personnel for TO1. |
Questions: As currently listed, it would appear that only the incumbent team would most likely be able to bring these key personnel with the proposal submission and given a competitive edge in the selection process. Please clarify if this is the intent of the government or would there be a transition period, for instance 30 days, for the awarded offeror to have an opportunity to reach out to the “best qualified” personnel to meet the qualifications of the key and non-key positions?
| Atch 11, TO1 Skills Summary Worksheet |
| The incumbent is a large business and is unable to submit a proposal as a prime contractor. Resumes are only required for Key Personnel, however, “letters of intent must be signed by each of the personnel who will staff this contract, and must specify that the individual holds a current TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility and will be available to begin performance on day 1 of Task Order 1 performance or within the first two weeks of the period of performance.” The letters of intent are required due to the individual security clearances that are required to be able to perform on this effort. It is the Government’s intent to have an overlap in performance between the current contractor and the awardee to ensure performance does not stop. In addition, per Section L and M, the Government is requiring a Transition Plan to determine the offerors ability to provide appropriate staffing levels on day 1 to ensure continuity of services while ramping up to be fully staffed within the first two weeks of Task Order 1 performance. |
| No |
| 24 |
| Discussion: Referenced solicitation section states “The Program Management Plan shall include a Transition Plan which provides the offeror’s approach to provide appropriate staffing levels on day 1 to ensure continuity of services while ramping up to be fully staffed within the first two weeks of Task Order 1 performance.” To accomplish this, the successful offeror would need to onboard all 44.75 individuals on day one of contract award which would give people employed elsewhere an opportunity to give two weeks’ notice on day one of contract award, which is customary in industry. However, if there is a protest, it would be very difficult for any small business to maintain this number of personnel, who have all given notice, until a protest is resolved. |
Question: Will the Government consider giving at least a 30 day transition between contract award and start of performance?
| L.4.2.2.4.1 Subfactor 4- ID/IQ and Task Order 1 Management/Staffing |
| No. While the agency understands the difficulty of retaining personnel when a stay of performance is required for a post-award protest (which could take 100 days to adjudicate before the GAO), the transition period reflects the Government’s needs and will not be changed. |
No
| 25 |
| Discussion: The solicitation says that the incumbent contract is HC1047-14-D-0002-VC03. |
Question: What is the executed value of the contract to date?
| PWS |
| The executed value of the contract to date is $23,598,590.27. |
| No |
| 26 |
| How many FTEs is the incumbent contractor currently providing under the current contract HC1047-14-D-0002-VC03? |
| PWS |
| The current contract has 34 FTE’s, however, this effort is substantially different than the current effort and this information is being provided for historical purposes only. |
| No |
| 27 |
| The PWS section 6.1.1.1 of Attachment 9 refers to the Skill Summary Matrix dated 11/07/2017. Please confirm that this is Attachment 11. Also, there are some discrepancies between Attachment 11, TO1 Skill Summary and Attachment 1, IDIQ Labor Categories related to years of experience, minimal education requirements, and personnel skills summary. Furthermore, several LCATs in Attachment 1 are not listed in Attachment 11. Which document takes precedence? |
| PWS 6.1.1.1 Attachment 9, Attachments 1 and 11 |
| The document referenced in the TO1 PWS, Section 6.1.1.1, Skill Summary Matrix is indeed attachment 11. Attachment 1 includes all the Labor Categories for the ID/IQ contract. Attachment 11 provides further detail specific to Task Order 1. The Government reviewed both documents and did find discrepancies in the years of experience required for the Configuration Manager and Program Analyst, which has been corrected. |
| Yes, Attachment 11, TO1 Skill Summary |
| 28 |
| Who are the current incumbent contractors performing this work? |
| General |
| AECOM is the current incumbent contractor. |
| No |
| 29 |
| In order to allow offerors to develop a labor rate build which incorporates necessary DoS published allowances, would the Government please provide any specific anticipated OCONUS site locations? This will help ensure evaluation is fair and consistent among offerors. |
| B.6. Work Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS), Attachment 4 Pricing Worksheet (Labor Rate Build (OCONUS Site)) |
| The specific OCONUS locations are not known at this time. The only information that can be provided is provided in the ID/IQ PWS which states a Government Agency in the European Area Of Responsibility (AOR) and a Government agency in the Pacific AOR under the Place of Performance Section. |
| No |
| 30 |
| Please provide guidance on how offerors are to address OCONUS allowances (e.g. living costs abroad, per-diem rate maximums, quarter’s allowances, hardship differentials, etc.) in their labor rate builds. |
| B.6. Work Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS), Attachment 4 Pricing Worksheet (Labor Rate Build (OCONUS Site)) |
| The specific OCONUS locations are not known at this time. The only information that can be provided is provided in the ID/IQ PWS which states a Government Agency in the European Area Of Responsibility (AOR) and a Government agency in the Pacific AOR under the Place of Performance Section. |
| No |
| 31 |
| Is the Government providing OCONUS allowances (e.g. living costs abroad, per-diem rate maximums, quarter’s allowances, hardship differentials, etc.) as ODCs? |
| B.6. Work Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS), Attachment 4 Pricing Worksheet (Labor Rate Build (OCONUS Site)) |
| The specific OCONUS locations are not known at this time. The only information that can be provided is provided in the ID/IQ PWS which states a Government Agency in the European Area Of Responsibility (AOR) and a Government agency in the Pacific AOR under the Place of Performance Section. |
| No |
| 32 |
| Is all work to be performed on Government sites? |
| 9. Place of Performance, paragraph 2 |
| Yes, all work will be performed on Government sites. |
| No |
| 33 |
| If the Government requires off-site support, are offerors required to provide off-site rates as part of the ID/IQ pricing submission? |
| B.6. Work Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS), Attachment 4 Pricing Worksheet (Labor Rate Build (OCONUS Site)) |
| Only Government site support is required. |
| No |
| 34 |
| Would the Government raise the page limits of the Technical Approach (Volume II, Part C) to 45 pages so that offerors can fully demonstrate their understanding of and ability to support all PWS task areas? |
| L.2.2 Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits |
| The Government will raise the page limit of the Technical Approach to 35 pages. |
| Yes |
| L.2.2 Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits |
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Defense Information Systems Agency