STEP_Pre-solicitation_QAs_05Feb2016_PAO_GC_revised030316.pdf

HDTRA1-16-R-0001 – 05 Feb 2016

Scientific & Technical Engagement Partnership (STEP) Program:

Questions Submitted from DRAFT Request for Proposal (RFP)

GENERAL RFP QUESTIONS

1. Will a DRAFT RFP be issued?

• Yes. Please see Fed Biz Ops for the DRAFT RFP posted 05 Nov 2015.

2. Will all slides and attendee listing be posted on Fed Biz Ops?

• Yes. Slides from the Pre-solicitation conference were posted to Fed Biz Ops on 19 Nov 2015. The Attendee listing will be posted with the Final RFP.

3. Is DTRA looking for a specific model to respond to this RFP?

• We are looking to make it easier for Country Managers to implement CBEP requirements. There is not a specific type of business that we are looking for. We need the Prime to be able to meet the requirements as they are developed.

4. Is this truly a Full and Open competition? Are newcomers to CBEP welcome?

• Yes, this is truly a full and open competition. Newcomers are welcome.

5. Is there going to be surge support in the official RFP?

• No.

L.1.3.5.1 Page Size states that pages must be formatted in two columns:

• We assume this only applies to pages of proposal narrative, and not to those items listed in L.1.3.5.3 Pages Counted which fall outside the page count – is that correct?

o That is correct. This will not apply to pages outside the page count.

• Does the two column format apply to the text prepared for the Technical Directives responses in Blocks 9a and 9c?

o No. It does not apply to the Sample Technical Directives.

6. The management approach is ranked higher than the technical approach?

• Yes. In compliance with FAR 15.304(d), Factor 1 (Mission Capability) is more important that Factor 2 (Past Performance). Factor 2 is more important that Factor 3 (Cost). Sub-factors under Factor 1 are listed in descending order of importance. Sub-factor A, Management Approach is more important that Sub-Factor B, Technical Approach. Refer to Section M.3.2 in the RFP for additional information on relative order of importance.

PMO, STAFFING & MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS

7. There was nothing specific mentioned regarding staffing in the DRAFT RFP. What are you looking for exactly?

• DTRA is looking to see the Prime Integrator’s proposed network of people and resources, not just people that are standing by waiting to work. This would display the ability to pull the appropriate level of staff at the time of the described requirement, as developed and described within the Technical Directives.

8. Paragraph L.3.1 states that: “Asserted capability and/or intent to meet the requirements must be supported by detailed descriptions of approach and personnel qualifications.” Paragraph L.3.3.2 states the management plan should include: “knowledge and expertise to accomplish the SOW tasks”. Paragraph M.2.1.1 states the management approach will be met when: “includes experienced management personnel”, and M.2.1.2 says that TDs will be evaluated on “Appropriate skill mix”.

• Q: How will the government evaluate “personnel qualifications”, the “knowledge and expertise” or the “experience” of management personnel? Details of required labor category descriptions and minimum qualifications are provided in Attachment 2, WBS.

However there is no requirement in L.3.1, L3.3.2 or L.3.3.3 to provide personnel names;

or room in the current page count to provide sufficient detail to validate team personnel qualifications. Will the government modify the final RFP to require the provision of 2-5 key resumes? With details of required personnel qualifications?

o Key personnel resumes shall be included as part of the Management Plan, in accordance with page limitations, to be submitted in proposals and included in the Final RFP. Please review the final RFP for specific instructions (Sections L.3.3.2 and M.2.1.1).

9. Key Resumes are not included in the Offeror submission per DRFP Section L. Can DTRA make provisions for inclusion of resumes for key personnel to meet the requirement of "…detailed descriptions of approach and personnel qualifications" and for the evaluation of the offerors ability to provide "experienced management personnel"?

• DTRA will allow key personnel resumes for the Program Management Office, in accordance with page limitations, to be submitted in the proposals included in the final RFP. Please review the final RFP for specific instructions.. Other Resumes may be submitted, in accordance with page limitations, as part of your proposed Technical Solutions to the sample Technical Directives (Refer to Sections L.3.3.2 and M.2.1.1).

10. The SOW requires the offerer to "establish a robust pool of academic and technical resources…" as well as "highly credible scientists and clinicians". Does DTRA intend to make provision for personnel resumes of key personnel to substantiate the resources and personnel?

• Technical Personnel can be "key" if they are also required to manage the contract (i.e., PM, DPM). Recall that we (a) don't want a standing army of experts, and (b) are allowing resumes for responses to the sample technical directives to demonstrate depth and breadth of accessible expertise. DTRA will allow key personnel resumes, in accordance with page limitations, to be submitted in the proposals included in the final RFP. Please review the final RFP for specific instructions.

11. Do the resumes come into play for evaluation purposes in relation to the sample Technical Directive responses?

• Resumes may be provided as supplemental information for suggested labor skills to support the proposed technical solution to the sample Technical Directives. Refer to Sections L.3.3.3 and M.2.1.2 in the RFP for information.

12. Resumes—The RFP is asking for Subject Matter Experts (SME). How will DTRA evaluate the SMEs without resumes? Does DTRA want representative resumes for each skillset?

• In the responses to the sample Technical Directives, resumes may be provided for the samples for any Subject Matter Experts that are proposed in the technical solution to the sample Technical Directives. They will support the offeror’s responses to each of the sample Technical Directives. Refer to Sections L.3.3.3 and M.2.1.2 in the RFP for information.

13. For individual consultants or individuals, does DTRA desire letters of commitment to work the project included in the Volume I material described in section L2.6?

• The RFP will reflect that letters of commitment are required in Volume I of Section L2.6.

14. Would DTRA consider not requiring "letters of intent" for contractor recruiting, since potential delays between proposal submission and final award make such letters unenforceable?

• Letters of intent are a requirement as part of proposal submissions. Refer to Section L.2.6 in the RFP.

15. The subject RFP paragraphs identify “major subcontractors”. What constitutes a Major Sub-contractor?

• This phrasing has been altered in the RFP.

16. Can the implementing partner for this activity be a non-US university, NGO, or research institution?

• Yes.

17. What role do the National Labs play and why are they excluded?

• National Labs can’t compete with industry on Prime contracts. They can be proposed as subcontractors, however. National Labs have not been excluded; the RFP and SOW have been updated to reflect this change.

18. Will full-time support staff be required in each country? If so, can you specifically identify those countries in advance?

• There is no expectation that full-time support staff will be required in each country. The COR and technical point of contact will determine if full-time staff is necessary if the STEP contractor proposes full-time support staff as part of their Technical Solution(s).

19. Will the program manager also travel for coordination?

• It depends on how you structure you teaming arrangement and approach. In addition, specific travel requirements may be described in the sample Technical Directive responses, as appropriate.

GENERAL TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

20. What is the vision for what the Prime Contractor is going to offer? What specific strength is

DTRA looking for?

• The Prime Contractor is envisioned to be a Master Integrator to implement the STEP program requirements, as described in L.3.3.2 Section 1 of the RFP.

21. Identify components of resources, joint recruitment, and project and performance management?

• DTRA uses partner/host country personnel to provide the range of human and animal sector disease diagnosis of reporting, provide mentorship and training to the staff of the partner/host country ministries. In the laboratory, DTRA uses mentors who work with the scientists or staff of facilities to aid them in conducting their own studies. When the need does arise it’s the responsibility of the prime contractor to be able to find the appropriate skill mix to address solutions to the requirements.

22. Does bidding on STEP provide any potential Organizational Conflict of Interest to Cooperative Threat Reduction Integrating Contracts (CTRIC) work?

23. What is the future of the Biological Threat Reduction Integrating Contracts (BTRIC)?

• We cannot predict or comment on the future of the BTRIC.

24. Why are you doing the STEP procurement when you have the Cooperative Threat Reduction

Integrating Contracts (CTRIC)/Biological Threat Reduction Integrating Contracts (BTRIC)?

• Market research has indicated that the services to be performed under STEP are commercial in nature (i.e., customarily used by the general public for non-governmental purposes). The current integrating contracts (CTRIC/BTRIC) are for use of non-commercial services only, and are therefore not a viable option to execute STEP requirements.

25. How many countries would the Contractor be required to support at any one time?

• CBEP requirements are dynamic and as such, any estimate provided at this time will not be reflective of reality at the time of implementation. It is expected that the Contractor will be able to support requirements as they arise in any country CBEP is engaged with, as described within the sample Technical Directives.

26. The Middle East or North Africa – do you plan to move into these areas?

• Refer to the Industry Day and Pre-solicitation slides for a list of current CBEP engagements. Additional countries and regions will be added through DoD Determination.

27. No work in Central and South America?

• Correct, DTRA cannot work there without a DoD Determination.

28. Who is the target audience for training--Partner Nations, DTRA Personnel, or both?

• The target audience for training is partner nation participants.

29. Development of technical reports and assessments: Is there an assessment framework already in place?

• No. The contractor should assume that frameworks will not be provided unless otherwise notified.

30. What will be assessed--Partner Nations or DTRA Programs?

• Partner nations.

31. What are the expectations for establishing in-country support offices and are any protections provided for foreign nationals supporting STEP?

• There is no expectation for the contractor to establish in-country support offices. No legal protections will be provided for foreign nationals through STEP.

32. Will the Contractor be required to provide any on-site support at the DTRA HQ on Fort Belvoir?

If so, which positions?

33. Will the Contractor be responsible for the Quality Assurance of foreign partner In-Country lab facilities, or will that be handled outside of this contract?

• Quality Assurance of foreign partner facilities is outside the scope of this contract.

34. Who develops training curriculum?

• DTRA CBEB has existing training curriculum materials that will be provided to the Contractor, as appropriate. However, the Contractor may be requested to modify existing training materials or to create new materials and will be described in future Technical Directives, as appropriate.

35. Training: Is integration into pre-service training, i.e. PPE training in nursing schools, part of the scope? Or just training for current professionals?

• Training is dependent on requirements as they develop and will be described in any future Technical Directives, as applicable.

36. Regarding training, how will DTRA metricize the effectiveness of the training? If there is a training plan, how is it going to be evaluated?

• Broadly across the CBEP Program, there are initiatives that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the program that will need to be established as the program continues.

The benchmark that will be used is to look at the existing standards or competencies. We want to be able to differentiate the difference between the people developing the training, providing the training, and implementing the training. The evaluation would be for training that somebody else provided.

37. Could there be a need for infrastructure contractors later down the road?

• No. This contract will not be doing any type of construction or infrastructure building.

38. When you look retrospectively as to where CBEP has been, what are the most significant “lessons learned”, opportunities for “leaps forward” and near term “next steps”?

• The STEP contract is a response to lessons learned from CBEP’s need to adapt quickly to changing requirements and partner country needs. Science and technical engagements are major components of CBEP engagements.

39. What are your Top 3-5 strategic and tactical priorities (engagement and technical)?

• The goal is to help partner countries meet goals, to nurture the scientists, and help make them marketable for future engagements.

40. Sometimes it is difficult to gather expertise from outside resources and bring experience from other places, i.e. speaking the same language, appearing like a local for safety reasons. Does the Contractor need to consider fixed standards for in-country ministries?

• If required, DTRA will provide the Contractor performance requirements in the form of technical directives, and the Contractor will be expected to execute those requirements as described.

41. Are exclusive partnerships needed for in-country institutions? Do those relationships need to initially exist? Are specific institutions defined?

• Exclusive partnerships are not needed for in-country institutions, and specific institutions will not be defined, but may be described within future Technical Directives, as appropriate.

42. Would universities require exclusive agreements? Would the RFP state that?

• No, exclusive agreements are not expected to exist. It would not be advantageous to either party. Non-exclusivity will help broaden the network.

43. Can a FFRDC be used?

Yes, FFRDCs are fine.

44. What is the requirement for in-country personnel and for the Contractor to bring in personnel?

• It depends on a case by case basis per requirement, as described in the Technical

Directives as appropriate.

45. Are there deployed regional points of contact?

• It depends; DTRA currently has some people representing DTRA at some of the embassies.

46. When it comes to executing, how much of this is coordination between other organizations?

• CBEP does a lot of coordination already with other Agencies in the Department of

Defense and across the United States Government, as well as with Non-

Governmental/International Organization partners. Coordination requirements under STEP will be determined by the requirements for individual Technical Directives.

47. Do the embassies and companies prescribe roles they want to the U.S. Government?

• Sometimes the embassies prescribe roles to the U.S. Government; DTRA has to be flexible.

48. Historically, can you give a profile of the expertise of how much is laboratory, epidemiology, etc.?

• DTRA covers the broad spectrum of the field to lab. What is needed is dependent on the level of engagement, maturity of the country, and CBEP priorities.

49. When building capabilities, how much information is rolled up and shared between countries and regions?

• DTRA encourages countries to share information with their neighbors regionally and directly. CBEP helps to create a forum or platform to allow countries to share information.

50. Are there standards for sharing information? Is developing standards part of the scope of this contract?

• DTRA has been working with World Health Organization to develop standards. This contract may be needed to help countries implement standards, but not develop standards.

51. Will this contract require sharing data sources (surveillance type)? Will the contract need information sharing sessions to be facilitated?

• The Contractor is not expected to conduct disease surveillance on behalf of CBEP partner countries. Rather the Contractor may be tasked via technical direction, and within the scope of the SOW, to assist partner countries with technical and scientific aspects of disease surveillance, to include sharing data with regional and international partners.

52. Can we bring in new companies and institutions at the Technical Directive level?

• Yes, you can propose to bring on other companies/institutions if they are appropriate for the requirement, as part of the technical solution to the issued Technical Directive.

53. Is the expectation that the academia institutions will play a large role? Mainly academic institutions?

• CBEP is not presupposing the source for the resources. CBEP is looking at the breadth of expertise and depth of experience in those fields. The long term goal is to build capabilities and scientific workforce.

54. How does the dynamic work with host-partner governments at present, what if any improvements can be made, and will that change in the future? What expansions are expected and what challenges exist?

• It depends by country, CBEP works with the civilian agencies in host countries with a focus on institutions and facilities within these agencies that support surveillance networks.

55. Do you want the contractor and/or supporting organizations to attend conferences?

• If CBEP requires the contractor and/or supporting organizations to attend conferences, requirements will be described and issued through the Technical Directive. Following issuance and approval of the Technical Directive, CBEP will facilitate attendance and engage partners to attend and participate, as appropriate.

56. What process is DTRA using to identify those conferences?

• CBEP has a process that searches for and selects conferences for participation. Once selected, CBEP Conference POC reach out to partner agencies and laboratories to gain attendance interest. CBEP reviews the conference findings quarterly.

57. Will STEP be used to communicate these conferences?

• If there are relevant activities and directives in STEP, we may reach out to those Country

Managers and/or Technical POCs defined in each activity.

58. Is the same process used for relevant journals to publish in?

• No, DTRA does not make that decision for researchers. The people doing the research should decide where they want to publish.

59. The academic review period is of concern.

• DTRA wants to have information published and our intention is not to limit publication.

In accordance with DFARS 252.204-7000 Disclosure of Information, any information to be released shall be submitted to DTRA at least 10 days before the proposed release date, for security and policy review.

60. Training Materials: How many would be new vs. existing?

• This will be dependent on each Technical Directive.

61. How are you currently handling data collected from similar projects?

• DTRA supplies its own knowledge management.

62. How do you envision using technology and data analysis to advance the research priorities of this program?

• Technology and data analysis may be used to support research priorities, but it is not a requirement at this time.

STATEMENT OF WORK TASK AREA QUESTIONS

63. The description in the SOW section 4.1 requires an integrated effort in coordinating the project/program across several country, regional, and functional areas. However the WBS and Cost Summary do not provide for this function. Does DTRA require overall Program Manager support in addition to the regional PM requirements described in the WBS to perform the duties described in Task 1? If yes, then will Attachment 2 and 3 (the WBS and Cost Summary template) be updated to reflect this?

• PMO will be a separate FFP CLIN.

64. The SOW refers to four categories of technical engagement staff: 1) Visiting Scientists and Scientific Mentors, 2) Qualified Trainers, 3) Subject Matter Experts, and 4) Research Collaborators. In the WBS document (Attachment 2), Labor Categories are identified as Scientist (I, II, and III), Trainer (I, II, and III), and Technical Analyst (I and II).

• Do the SOW-identified titles of Visiting Scientists and Scientific Mentors, Subject Matter Experts, and Research Collaborators all map to the WBS category of Scientist (I, II, or

III)?

o The SOW-identified titles and WBS do not have a one-to-one relationship.

Visiting Scientists and Scientific Mentors, Subject Matter Experts, and Research Collaborators may map to any of the WBS category of Scientist that the Contractor proposes in their Technical Solution to have the appropriate level of expertise to address the Technical Directive.

65. Are only the Visiting Scientists and Scientific Mentors required to potentially live and work in

CBEP partner countries for up to 12 months per year?

• Yes.

66. Will we be hosting foreign national “Visiting Scientists”?

• No.

67. Based on SOW Section 4.2, not all Scientists will be required to spend 12 months in a partner country. Since this requirement will dramatically reduce the pool of potential candidates, would the government consider removing it from the contract Labor Category requirements, and instead enforce it at the Technical Directive level as appropriate?

• The labor category only requires that a Visiting Scientist or Mentor is capable of living in a partner country for up to 12 months. If this requirement does arise, it will only be enforced at the level of individual Technical Directives.

68. The SOW requires “access to a cadre of expert research collaborators” who are “recognized researchers”, and engagement of “strong research and technical centers”. The experience qualifications for the highest scientific personnel rating provided (Scientist III: terminal degree and 7-10 years of experience) are those of a Mid-Level industry Research Scientist or an Assistant/Associate Professor in academia, and not those of an industry Senior Scientist, high-level SME, or a university Professor. Would DTRA consider adding an additional level IV scientist for persons to qualify for the "recognized researcher" and high-level SME requirements?

• The labor category descriptions have been updated. Please refer to the final RFP, WBS for this information.

69. SOW requires "VS/SMs will be required to successfully pass a background check as required by DoD/CBEP, complete orientation training, in country operations training, and all DoD/CBEP required training for foreign travel". Will DTRA publish the background check requirements, orientation training required, in country operations training, and all DoD/CBEP required training for foreign travel?

• Background check requirements, orientation training, in-country operations training, and all DoD/CBEP required training for foreign travel will not be published, and will be communicated upon award. Ability to complete these requirements will not be evaluated as part of the evaluation criteria.

70. Qualified Trainers: What qualifications are required of the trainers?

• Minimum qualifications are provided in the WBS.

SAMPLE TECHNICAL DIRECTIVE QUESTIONS

71. On the Technical Directives provided, will specific requirements be given? Are you expecting resumes to be given in response to them?

• Specific requirements will be described within each sample Technical Directive as appropriate. Supplemental information, such as resumes for suggested labor skills and other supporting documentation to support proposed technical solutions are permitted, as response to the sample Technical Directives (refer to Section L.3.3.3 Section 2 of the RFP for clarification).

72. The Technical Directives are asking for personnel qualifications in respect to their resumes. How are they going to be evaluated?

• Evaluation factors for the offeror’s responses to the Sample Technical Directives are described in Section M.2.1.2 Sub-factor B-Technical Approach

73. The RFP requires the offeror to provide solutions to the four sample Technical Directives (TD) included in Attachment 4. The RFP paragraph says that for each Technical Directive the Offeror shall provide input for the Attachment 4 TD Box 9a, 9b and 9c. The solution to each TD is limited to 2 pages (box 9a) and the TD Basis of Estimate is limited to 2 pages (box 9c). It is not clear whether the solutions should be completed within Attachment 4 format and the attachment then provided as an enclosure to the offeror’s proposal; or, if the solution should be provided as part of the offeror’s technical approach in response to the Attachment 4 TD’s. Please clarify the Government’s expectations.

• The Offeror’s technical solutions should be completed within Attachment 4 and will be considered as part of the technical approach.

• Does the government require that offeror’s Volume II, Section II contain the full TD form/template—containing boxes 1 through 16—in our responses? If yes, would the entire filled in template be included in the page count for this section?

o If no, can contractor format be used to just put in clearly marked Box 9a, 9b and 9c responses?

o If yes, will the full form/template be provided that allows for data entry? Excel or word document? The current draft attachment is a PDF file.

The Government will provide an editable template for completion.

74. Are the technical directives for evaluation purposes only or does the government anticipate they will be awarded?

• The sample technical directives are for evaluation purposes only; they are not awardable (Refer to Section L.3.3.3 Note 1 in the RFP).

75. Is cost going to be evaluated in the Technical Directives?

• No. Cost is not evaluated within the sample Technical Directives. Refer to Section

L.3.3.3 Note 3 in the RFP for clarification.

76. Will the Technical Directives have enough granularity for the Contractor to develop a project plan?

• The Sample Technical Directives in the RFP will provide as much detail as possible.

Section L.3.3.3 Note 2 addresses this concern. Note that it is expected during contract execution that the contractor will have dialogue with the technical points of contact to address clarification, however due to the nature of the source selection, clarification dialogue will not be allowed for the sample technical directives.

77. Will there be a COTR, separate from the COR?

78. Who will the Points of Contact be?

• The Point of Contact will be listed on the Technical Directives during contract execution.

This will most likely be the Country Manager. No points of contact will be provided for the sample Technical Directives.

79. For the sample Technical Directive training in Turkey – where in Turkey specifically?

• A specific location in Turkey will not be specified within the Sample Technical Directive S-004..

80. The Government does not want an overarching technical approach? Will the 4 sample Technical

Directives most likely be the ones used in the final RFP?

• An overarching technical approach is not required; the offeror shall prepare and submit responses to the 4 sample technical directives. The sample Technical Directives are indicative of the types of requirements that could be implemented throughout the contract. (Refer to Section L.3.3.3 of the RFP). In addition, refer to Note 1 of Section L.3.3.3 which explains that they are for evaluation purposes only and are not awardable.

81. Technical Directives S-002 and S-003 both make reference to leveraging “existing CBEP materials where possible” for the proposed training tasks. Will the Government identify the current contractor executing the work who is responsible for developing the training materials, and will the training materials be provided for review?

• No. The government will provide CBEP training material applicable to the proposed training tasks, as described in both S-002 and S-003.

82. For all Technical Directives, will the Government provide a background summary of recent relevant CBEP engagements with the specified countries, and identify the current contractor executing the work?

• No. Offerors may reference the STEP Pre-Solicitation Conference slides for background on CBEP engagements.

83. Does DTRA expect to issue a Technical Directive for overall program management? If not, how will the Task 1 labor be directed and accounted?

• A separate Technical Directive will not be issued for overall program management. The CLIN structure will be updated to better reflect program management requirements.

Please refer to the final RFP for updates.

84. Per DRFP Section L, the Technical Approach is limited to 24 pages and is described as addressing the four Sample TDs, which include 2 pages for technical solution, approximately 1-2 pages of template material including embedded Excel workbook for pricing, and 2 pages for BOE

- is this to mean that the four TD responses are to comprise the entirety of the Technical Approach?

• Page limitations will be updated. Please refer to the Section L.1.2of the RFP for specific instructions.

85. Section L of the DRFP requires a "detailed budget for the technical solution using the labor categories in Attachment 2" for each TD response - is this information to be provided in addition to the embedded Excel workbook in the TD template? If so, is the detailed budget excluded from page count? It is not listed with the page count exceptions in Section L.1.3.5.3, but including such detail with the Technical Approach will exceed the specified page count.

• The Offeror is expected to propose solutions to the Sample Technical Directives using the labor categories in Attachment 2. Proposed hours and labor rates per labor category proposed through each Sample Technical Directive are required and will be technically evaluated for understanding of the requirement, however, labor rates proposed for each Sample Technical Directive solution will not be considered as part of the cost evaluation.

The detailed budget will not be excluded from the page count. The Government will provide an editable template for the detailed budget in the final RFP.

86. Sample TD #2 (BS&S training) specifies 2 sessions per cohort, 6 trainees per cohort, and 4 day duration per cohort, but does not appear to specify total number of cohorts - would DTRA please provide this information?

• The sample TD will be updated to reflect the total number of cohorts.

87. Sample TD #3 (Vet epi training and support) specifies a 12-month POP inclusive of in-country SME support for 6-months - is the intent of DTRA for this SME support to be specifically limited to the latter 6 months of the overall POP, such that it is provided only after the other activities defined in the TD are complete?

• The in-country SME support is not specifically limited to the latter 6 months of the PoP.

88. Does the government anticipate providing any GFE or GFI under the technical directives of this contract?

• GFE or GFI may be provided at the technical directive level.

89. Will the Contractor be responsible for entering into a contractual relationship with the local university/research center when mentoring/training?

• The STEP contractor may enter into a contractual or other legally binding relationship with the university/research center as it deems necessary to fulfill a Technical Directive, upon approval by the COR and technical point of contact.

90. If the bulk of the work is in countries that require indirect costs, are you able to provide information as to where those Technical Directives would take place?

• Currently, there is less activity where there are security risks. Africa and Southeast Asia are where our program has seen the most expansion.

SECURITY CONCERNS

91. In common with our peers, we are concerned with the health and safety of our employees and subcontractors when deployed overseas. While all risks cannot be eliminated, we recommend that the government include clauses that take risks into account, while ensuring the flexibility necessary to execute, when structuring this procurement.

• Personnel security clauses will be included in the final RFP.

92. Will the Government add the below clauses to Section I-Clauses Incorporated by Reference?

• FAR 52.225-19, Contractor Personnel in a Designated Operational Area or Supporting a

Diplomatic or Consular Mission Outside the United States – No

• FAR 52.225-26 Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United

States (JUL 2013) – No

• FAR 52.228-5 Insurance - Work On A Government Installation (JAN 1997) – No

• DFAR 252.228-7000, Reimbursement for War-Hazard Losses – No

• DFAR 252.233-7001, Choice of Law (Overseas) – No

• DFAR 252.228-7003, Capture and Detention – No

• DFAR 252.225-7040, Contractor Personnel Supporting a Force Deployed Outside the

United States – No

• DFAR 252.225-7043, Antiterrorism/Force Protection Policy for Defense Contractors

Outside the United States –Yes

93. Will the U.S. or Host-Nation Government provide in-country security for the contractor’s personnel when deployed to OCONUS locations or for visiting employees?

• The US Government or Host-Nation Government is not responsible for providing in-country security. The STEP contractor will be responsible for obtaining their own security services pursuant to Department of State requirements and COR approval.

94. Is there any requirement for Contractor personnel to carry firearms?

95. Will USG fund additional security measures (guards, surveillance systems, etc.)?

• Decision to fund additional security measures will be negotiated through future technical directive solutions, if appropriate and described within a specific Technical Directive.

96. If we need to hire security guards? Where do we put that cost?

• The costs associated with security should be included as an ODC under the materials

CLIN.

97. Who is responsible for ensuring the security of U.S. partners and scientists while in-country?

• Security services will be a cost provided by the contractor and proposed under a response to a future Technical Directive.

98. If unrest develops in a country where we have personnel deployed, will the U.S. Government evacuate Contractor’s personnel?

• While it is highly unlikely that Contractor personnel will be deployed to a country where there is potential for unrest, the Government will evacuate personnel in accordance with Department of State determinations.

99. How do we expedite exfiltration, should evacuation be required?

• Should evacuation be required, exfiltration will be coordinated through the Department of State. However, should a Contractor choose to evacuate their own personnel by other means, the Contractor will be responsible for the safety of their own personnel.

100. Who is responsible for ensuring the security of U.S. partners and scientists while in-country?

• The STEP Contractor is only responsible for the security of their own personnel.

Specific security requirements will be determined by the US Department of State and the associated Embassy. At the direction of the COR and inclusive of Embassy country clearance requirements, the Contractor may be required to obtain security services for personnel safety purposes. All costs associated with obtaining security services and/or equipment shall be proposed through the technical directive and approved by the COR prior to procurement.

101. Will the customer/government provide in-country security for the contractor personnel when deployed to OCONUS locations?

102. Do you want to know the Contractor’s general processes related to security? Does the Contractor need to show specific security plans and procedures?

• This information is not something DTRA is looking to see or evaluate.

LEGAL, EXPORT

103. Will the Government provide a list of the countries with current MOUs to support this work?

• No. Each country that CBEP is engaged in has a DoD Determination.

104. Do you anticipate adding any other international agreements (such as the umbrella agreements) that will affect the work?

• Any international agreements required will be negotiated between DTRA/CBEP and the partner country. CBEP will provide direction at the Technical Directive level if the requirement to collaborate arises.

105. Is it possible to get a copy of a CTR Agreement so we can determine what types of support the foreign Governments will provide?

• A CTR Agreement will not be provided. The STEP Contractor will not be responsible for determining the type of support the foreign Government will provide.

106. What Government to Government agreements are available to cover this work in countries mentioned in Attachment 4 that have not signed Umbrella Agreements as shown in the

RFP?

• Government to Government agreements will not be provided except in instances where a specific term of a government-to-government agreement is relevant to contract performance; in those instances, DTRA will include that provision in the Technical Directive. Assume that all agreements have been negotiated and are in place as part of your response(s) to the Sample Technical Directives.

107. Will a Government to Government Agreement be put in place with each country before a

DTRA STEP contractor travels to that particular foreign country?

• Not all countries that CBEP engages with will have Government to Government agreements.

108. Will any foreign signature be required for approval of work or will only U.S.

representative approval be required before payment?

• Foreign signatures will not be required for approval of work except to the extent required to conform with local laws regarding operation in the country. Compliance with host country laws for foreign contractor work is the responsibility of the Contractor.

109. What legal protections will the team have under the terms of this contract to carry out the research and cooperative work with the entities in a foreign country?

• DTRA will not be providing indemnification. There are agreements with some Former Soviet Union countries that may provide legal protections to contractors; however, discussion on the availability of such agreements will depend on the locations for individual technical directives. Regardless, the Contractor is required to obtain Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance for all OCONUS work.

110. Clarify the statement in the Uzbekistan Agreement regarding exporting, which states that contractors "shall be exempt from any license," …"but nor from the procedures called for by the export control system." Do these training and research exchanges need to be licensed exports or not?

• Training and research exchanges may be considered licensed exports and are subject to export compliance regulations. Specific requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, as described within the Technical Directives.

111. How would the STEP equipment, technology or information to be handled via U.S.

Export Control Regulations? ITAR /EAR licenses?

• The STEP Contractor is subject to export compliance regulations and is responsible for informing and requesting from the Government export review of any and all STEP equipment/technology/information required as part of their Technical Solutions.

112. Will the Scientific Research activities be covered by an Export Control License for the delivery of information to a foreign national?

• The STEP contractor will be responsible for informing and requesting from the

Government an export control license as part of all scientific research activities.

113. For those countries where Umbrella Agreements have not been negotiated, will the Government indemnify the Contractor and its employee’s for any and all taxes, fees, customs, licenses, tariffs, duties, etc. imposed by the local or national jurisdiction?

• No. The STEP contractor is responsible for information the Government of any associated taxes, fees, customs, licenses, tariffs, duties, etc. that may be incurred while working in a partner country.

114. Some countries require any business that does work within that country to register and/or obtain a business license to operate within that country. Will the Government facilitate contractors getting this license and/or registration? Will the Government pay all costs associated therewith?

• The STEP contractor is responsible for informing the Government of any business license/registration requirements in their Technical Solutions prior to executing work.

Payment of associated costs will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis, as directed through Technical Directives.

115. Will waivers be granted from foreign requirements for corporate registration, tax liabilities, work permits, duties, biometric testing, etc?

116. Some foreign countries require local sponsorship. Will DTRA serve as the Contractor’s sponsor and pay all costs associated with local sponsorship?

• The Government will determine this on a case-by-case basis, as described through

Technical Directives.

117. If Contractor personnel or the local nationals being mentored contracts the disease they are researching, does the Government bear all liability associated therewith?

• Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance is required to be obtained by the STEP contractor and will be used for Personal injury. The Government does not bear liability.

118. Will the government accept responsibility for research accidents or other consequences resulting from this work in potentially dangerous environments? Will the prime contractor be completely liable?

• DBA Insurance will be responsible for Personal injury.

119. Who is responsible for containing an outbreak should it result from contractual research efforts? Who will be financially liable?

• The partner country government is responsible for containing an outbreak. The US government may also provide support. DBA insurance will be responsible for covering any medical liabilities associated with the contractor. The foreign and US government are financially liable for all other personnel involved.

120. Is the Contractor required to have a plan in place in case of outbreak?

• While the Contractor is performing work under a technical directive, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to develop and maintain an evacuation plan in case of an outbreak.

121. We will need to understand the labor laws of all countries included; has the Government finalized the list of countries for this solicitation? Have labor arrangements been concluded with those countries already?

• The list of countries that CBEP is engaged in is fluid and continually changing. See the Industry Day slides for a map of current CBEP engagements. DTRA does not conduct specific labor arrangements with partner countries.

122. Will there be constraints or mandatory reviews required of U.S. Scientists that would hamper their ability to publish separately any work performed together with foreign partners?

• Please see DTRA clause 252.204-9004 Implementation Of Disclosure Of Information, which states that any information to be released shall be submitted at least 10 days before the proposed release date, for DTRA security and policy review.

123. What are the obligations vis a vis Intellectual Property? Will participating U.S. Scientists be able to publish their data? Will they need disclosure reviews before publishing? Any prohibitions or constraints?

• Any material that is specifically requested to be developed in the Technical Directive (e.g. training material) shall become GFI. US Scientists are permitted to publish all unclassified data. Disclosure reviews may be required on a case-by-case basis. However, DTRA Public Affairs approval will be required for all publications citing DTRA. See DTRA clause 252.204-9004 Implementation of Disclosure of Information, which states that any information to be released shall be submitted at least 10 days before the proposed release date, for DTRA security and policy review.

EXPATS

124. What will contractor personnel status be when they are not working (i.e. off-duty) in foreign country -- who is responsible if there is an accident, criminal event, etc.?

• Contractor personnel will be considered off-duty when they are not working. The STEP contractor is responsible for any incidents involving off-duty personnel.

125. What type of support will DTRA arrange for the Contractor with the US embassies or other U.S. Government facilities in-country/OCONUS? Medical, dental, evacuation, housing, transportation, any other?

• The STEP contractor will be responsible for arranging all support as needed, unless otherwise authorized on a case-by-case basis which will be communicated through the

COR.

126. When deploying personnel for 12 months or longer, will the contractor personnel be responsible for living on the local economy (i.e. medical, housing, food, etc.)?

• Yes.

127. In cases where visiting scientists are on longer term deployment in countries can the

Contractor reach out directly to the Embassy for support and issue resolution?

• This should be coordinated though the technical point of contact identified in the specific

Technical Directives.

ADMINISTRATION, COORDINATION, LOGISTICS

128. Will the USG provide Official Government Passports to contractor employees to provide them official status in the foreign country?

129. Will Foreign Clearance Guide procedures be required prior to contractor travel? If so, will the Contractor or DTRA be responsible for prior coordination?

• Yes. The STEP contractor will be responsible for coordination.

130. Does DTRA require any pre-deployment training of Contractor personnel?

• Yes. The STEP Contractor will be notified of specific training requirements upon contract award.

131. Will we need agreements with countries that will take care of our personnel in country? Can you provide a preliminary CONOPS regarding how our scientists will go into country?

• All contractor personnel are required to complete DTRA-required training and obtaining appropriate vaccinations prior to going in-country. The STEP contractor is responsible for all logistics of Contractor personnel. If security services are required in accordance with Department of State regulations, the STEP Contractor is responsible for obtaining approval from the DTRA COR and technical point of contact.

132. Will the USG provide support from the Embassy Regional Security Officers?

133. Are there any security clearance requirements on the work? If so, what are they and where do they apply?

• All work is considered unclassified.

134. Who is responsible for coordination with U.S. Embassies and other U.S. facilities in-country?

• DTRA.

135. Has Embassy coordination been a challenge in the past?

• It depends on the Embassy. The CBEP partner countries are sovereign governments and they have their own processes that can make it more difficult for CBEP to implement our goals.

136. Is the Contractor supposed to funnel resources to Non-Governmental Organizations or is it more of a coordination function?

• Requirements will be identified through issued Technical Directives; coordination will be described, as appropriate.

137. What vaccinations will be required?

• Vaccination requirements will be communicated upon contract award.

138. What kind of challenges have you run into logistically?

• To mitigate potential logistic challenges, DTRA utilizes a single shipper to handle logistics. The Contractor of Logistic Support (CLS) contract is responsible for providing efficient and effective logistics support to all program areas under the CTR Program, throughout all areas of responsibility (AORs) and in all operational and physical environments. This includes the seamless integration of other USG partner’s efforts;

other contractor, collaborator and stakeholder requirements; and recipient state efforts.

This includes the following support:

• Shipping and personnel logistics

• Language services

• Procurement & Maintenance

Refer to Section H.1 in the RFP for additional information.

139. How much to price in-country logistics? How are travelers handled?

• The Contractor is expected to cover travel logistics for their own personnel. Participants

(as identified within each Technical Directive) travel will be covered by CLS.

140. Will the DTRA CLS contractor (e.g. TTI) be responsible for delivery of in-country logistics?

• The CLS contractor will be responsible for delivery of in-country logistics for CBEP participants (see question 138 above). The STEP contractor is responsible for in-country logistics of their own personnel.

141. Would DTRA please clarify specific breakdown of logistics responsibilities between the CLS contractor and STEP performer?

• The STEP contractor is responsible for in-country logistics of their own staff, to include sub-contractors. The CLS contractor will be responsible for global supply chain management/shipping, travel services (for partner country participants), and language services. A complete description of CLS contractor logistics responsibilities will be in included in the final RFP (Section H.1).

142. Will the Contractor be required to lease training facilities or local housing in the foreign country?

• The STEP contractor is not responsible for leasing training facilities or local housing.

These requirements will be handled by CLS or the Embassy, as required.

143. When providing training and mentorship, will the contractor be expected to perform these tasks in the local language? Can translators be hired as foreign nationals as needed?

• The Contractor may be expected to perform training and mentorship in the local language. The STEP contractor is responsible for informing the Government of any translation/interpretation requirements as part of their Technical Solution, and the Government will exercise discretion in determining the most appropriate method for utilizing translators.

144. Industry Day briefers noted a logistics provider, but also that in-country logistics would be the responsibility of the STEP Prime contractor.