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Number
| 1 |
| Given that the Government has a review process in place for FAC-P/PM courses, will the Government require FAC-P/PM courses to have been reviewed by FAI to be considered for this RFP? |
The RFP allows vendors who have not had their FAC-PPM courseware previously verified by FAI as aligning to the competencies to submit this verification with their proposal.
| 2 |
| If a FAC-P/PM program has been reviewed by FAI and found to meet FAI’s FAC-P/PM Competency and Aligned Skill requirements, and the program does so in only 4 courses (rather than the 5 courses mentioned in the pre-solicitation announcement), will it still be considered for this RFP? |
Yes. The 5 course series outlined in the RFP was an example, not a requirement.
| 3 |
| Is the Government open to awarding FAC-P/PM training to more than one vendor, or does it plan to select just a single vendor for its FAC-P/PM training? |
The Government anticipates awarding to more than one qualified vendor for the FAC-P/PM training.
| 4 |
| Will the Government give preference to VOSB or SDVOSB vendors? |
FAC-COR courses and some Electives are set aside for small business concerns.
| 5 |
| Is FAI not planning to include FAC-COR Level III courses in its RFP? |
Not at this time
| 6 |
| Is the Government asking vendors to propose solutions now for courses that will not be offered until Option Years 1-4? |
Yes.
| 7 |
| Will the Government be asking for copies of all course materials in making its decisions. |
Section 9 contains all requirements for proposal submission.
| 8 |
| Are offeror’s required to submit a draft/sample of COR courses with their proposal for FCR 100 and FCR 201 and or electives? |
| P100, att 3 |
| No. |
| 9 |
| Are offerors required to submit course descriptions, outlines, and other details? |
Section 9 contains all requirements for proposal submission. FAC-P/PM verification requires the submission of course materials (see question 1) per section 9.1.17.1.1.
| 10 |
| Are proposals to be submitted electronically, hardcopy or both? Page 138 and 139 states all proposals are to be submitted digitally. Para. 9.1.13 states hard copy and SF 33 shall be submitted to address in Block 7. |
| P138-9. 9.1.13 |
| Proposals shall be submitted electronically only. The RFP has been changed to reflect this. |
| 11 |
| Request clarification of CLINs 0003-0016. Pages 7-11. |
| P7-11 |
| These CLINs are to accommodate potential future changes in courses/competencies required for COR certification. |
| 12 |
| Where are the Spreadsheets provided for pricing? |
| 9.1.17.5 |
| Per the RFP cover letter, the Contract Pricing Spreadsheets were not provided with the initial RFP posting. The Spreadsheets will closely reflect the tables in Section 1, only in an excel format. |
| 13 |
| Are courses to be developed or are instructors simply to present government developed courses? |
| P99 |
| This contract is for the purchase of commercial off-the-shelf courses. FAI and ordering agencies will be looking to purchase courses that have already been developed by commercial entities unless FAI or the ordering agencies provides government-furnished material from which the vendor will teach. |
| 14 |
| CLIN 0057AA asks costs per instructor per day whether it is an online administrator or in-person at a government facility. Is an administrator of courses similar to that of a DAU administrator or of a college online administrator? Tasks varying greatly. Pages22-24, page 142. |
| P22-4, 142 |
| Yes, it is similar to that of a DAU course administrator. |
| 15 |
| What will be the ordering process for other agencies using FAI's IDIQ? |
Other agencies will be utilizing a direct acquisition model, which will require a fair opportunity process as outlined in FAR 16.505.
| 16 |
| Will FAI be involved in the source selection process? |
It depends. FAI will be involved in the MAC awards, and any task orders funded by FAI. FAI will not be involved in the source selection of any other agencies' source selections.
| 17 |
| Will the ordering agency get to determine how award is made, or will the award process be managed/determined by FAI? |
Each ordering agency may select their own acquisition strategy, including relevant factors for their fair opportunity.
| 18 |
| What is the anticipated award evaluation criteria be for future task orders? Best-value using LPTA or best-value using cost trade-offs? |
Each ordering agency may select their own acquisition strategy, including relevant factors for their fair opportunity.
| 19 |
| Can large business primes working with small business subcontractors make an offer on the small business set-asides? |
For the small business set-asides, only small businesses may submit proposals. See FAR Part 19.
| 20 |
| What is the status and expectation of the FAC-C courses since they are not included in the solicitation? |
The FAC-C courses will be subject of a separate contract action.
| 21 |
| Per FAI.gov, FAC-P/PM Certification, “A revised FAC-PPM competency model is in DRAFT and has been forward to OFPP for review and approval….Reviewing the draft competency model now gives agencies early notification of future changes in training and experience requirements for program and project managers.” Given the changes to the competency models, does FAI intend for the FPM courses listed in these sections to include the new competency knowledge, skills, and ability requirements? If so, will vendors have an opportunity to review the final competency model requirements in time for submission to the RFP? |
| (1) 1.1.2; 1.2.2; 1.3.2; 1.4.2; 1.5.2, (2) 2.1.3 |
| Offerors should bid their previously verified courseware that aligns to the current standing competency model or submit evidence of said verification of alignment along with their proposal as provided for in the RFP, section 9. The draft competency model on fai.gov is currently waiting approval and is for information purposes. |
| 22 |
| At this time, FAI does not appear to have the FPM course numbers required in the RFP listed on their website. Please confirm if FAI wants vendors to determine the curriculum best suited for each course based on the draft competency model requirements at www.fai.gov and that FPM course are not required to map to the specific course numbers and lengths provided in the RFP. |
| (1) 1.1.2; 1.2.2; 1.3.2; 1.4.2; 1.5.2 , (2) 2.1.4 |
| The FPM courses must be verified by FAI as aligning to the current competency model. Offerors whose FPM courses have not been previously verified must provide evidence their courseware does align to the current competency model. The draft competency model on fai.gov is for informational purposes. |
| 23 |
| Is FAI requesting pricing only for unspecified “certification” and “elective” courses for each course length and location with regard to CLINs named “Purchase of P/PM Certification Course…” or “Purchase of P/PM Elective Course? |
| 1.1.2; 1.2.2; 1.3.2; 1.4.2; 1.5.2 |
| Yes, FAI is seeking pricing for currently unspecified COR and P/PM Certification and Elective courses which might be ordered through future task orders |
| 24 |
| Are materials for 30 students also provided by the contractor? Please confirm if pricing for instructor services only are needed. |
| 1.1.5; 1.2.5; 1.3.5; 1.4.5; 1.5.5 |
| CLINS in 1.1.5, 1.2.5, 1.3.5, 1.4.5, and 1.5.5 are for instructors only, and not course materials. |
| 25 |
| Please indicate the number of awards anticipated for both the small and unrestricted portions of the contract. |
| 2.1.1 |
| The Government cannot anticipate the number of awards when the number of qualified proposals is unknown. |
| 26 |
| Will FAI provide the regions or city/state for the locations outside of the DC area to determine training costs and pricing inclusive of contractor provided facility space? |
| 2.1.9 |
| FAI will not be providing locations. |
| 27 |
| Please confirm if the hard copy course materials are to be submitted to the Government for GSA COR inspection and acceptance prior to course delivery. |
| 2.1.31 (Deliverables for 2.1.28) 4 (including 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3) |
| Change to RFP Section 2.1.26: Upon contract award, resultant task orders may include award of COR or P/PM courses where a vendor has been given a courseware requirements package. If the vendor has not had their proposed COR or P/PM course already verified by FAI, the vendor must submit their proposed course material to FAI no later than thirty (30) business days prior to the class start date. FAI shall review the course material and provide any comments, needed changes, and/or verification of alignment with the competencies for the level of the course being offered no later than seven (7) business days after receipt of vendor provided materials. If changes need to be made, FAI may request a second review prior to final verification of course materials. Vendors shall not begin instruction on the proposed course until final FAI verification has been received. Note: This requirement does not apply for new courses in which FAI or the ordering agency has provided a complete courseware support package. |
| 28 |
| If course materials are to be submitted to the Government for GSA COR inspection and acceptance prior to course delivery, please provide the required delivery dates (prior to the course) and turn-around times required for FAI to provide comments and for the contractor to make any required adjustments. |
| 2.1.31 (Deliverables for 2.1.28) 4 (including 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3) |
| See answer to Question 27 above. |
| 29 |
| Will the government allow additional courses to be priced and verified after initial awards have been made? |
| 7.1.11 9.1.17.1.1 |
| No |
| 30 |
| Are the resumes outside of the 10 page limit for Volume 2 Key Personnel and Instructor Qualifications? |
| 9.1.17.2 |
| Resumes will not be included in the page count for Volume 2. Resumes shall be no more than 2 pages. |
| 31 |
| Where teaming arrangements are proposed, will the Government allow three additional past performances to be submitted from subcontractors? |
| 9.1.17.3 |
| Yes. |
| 32 |
| If the offeror chooses not to price some Elective courses, will this decision negatively affect the offeror’s ability to receive an IDIQ award? |
| 9.1.17 |
| No, it will not for electives that are not aligned with FAC-COR and FAC-P/PM. |
| 33 |
| Will the Government evaluate the price proposals of various contractors on a per-CLIN basis, or on the basis of the entire proposal? If the latter, how will the Government evaluate different proposals which offer different numbers of CLINs? |
| 10.1.6 |
| Aggregate for P/PM courses. Per-CLIN for all others. |
| 34 |
| we request that the Government remove the requirement stating that to be responsive to this RFP, that vendors must submit pricing for these CLINs CLINS 0057AA – 0060AD, 1057AA – 106AD, 2057AA – 2060AD, 3057AA – 3060AD, and 4057AA – 4060AD. |
The requirement is unchanged.
| 35 |
| Will the Government evaluate and select vendors for these mandatory Additional CLINs separately from the FAC-P/PM and FAC-COR CLINs? |
| 1.1.5, 1.2.5, 1.3.5, 1.4.5, 1.5.5 |
| Aggregate for P/PM courses. Per-CLIN for all others. |
| 36 |
| Does the vendor have the right to decline to accept Task Orders placed for these CLINs? |
| CLINS 0057AA – 0060AD, 1057AA – 106AD, 2057AA – 2060AD, 3057AA – 3060AD, and 4057AA – 4060AD. |
| Decisions to participate in a fair opportunity is at the discretion of the Vendor. |
| 37 |
| Is the Government requiring all classes with 30 students to have a second instructor (including contractors’ proprietary courses), or does this only apply to Government-owned courses? |
| CLINs 0059AA-0059AD |
| No. The CLIN shall be used at the discretion of the Ordering Agency. |
| 38 |
| What requirements does the Government have for Instructors to administer Government-owned courses asynchronously? Knowing this will allow contractors to appropriately determine costs for this service. e. CLINs 0057AA-0057AD |
As an example, for the future FPM110 distance learning course (asynchronous) targeted for fielding in FY14, FAI will require instructors to service student questions on content and assessments.
| 39 |
| For these mandatory CLINs, will the Government provide the necessary equipment for contract instructors to provide synchronous Virtual Learning training? |
For pricing purposes, the Government will not provide the equipment.
| 40 |
| If the Government is going to provide the equipment, what is the difference between having an instructor offer this training at a Contractor facility versus a Government facility? |
Please see the answer to question 39.
| 41 |
| If the Government is NOT going to provide the equipment, what equipment must contractors have in their Contractor facilities in order to meet the requirements of these CLINs? |
This is at the discretion of the contractor. The equipment shall allow the instructor to perform all required services per the Task Order requirements.
| 42 |
| Price Volume 5: With the requirement to specify volume discounts at $500,000 increments from $500,000 to $40,000,000, does the Government expect to see 80 individual volume discounts, or is it stating that volume discounts can only be offered in increments of $500,000? |
| 9.1.17.5 |
| The thresholds have been changed. Please see the RFP. |
| 43 |
| Price Volume 5: Please clarify the following statement: “The prices provided in the contract Price Tables will be the awarded prices; the prices for the FTO will not be part of the awarded contract, but the Government reserves the right to award it as part of a Task Order under the contract resulting from this solicitation.” a. What is the “it” that the Government reserves the right to award as part of a Task Order – the FTO price, or the awarded contract price? Or something else? |
The FTO prices. See changed language.
| 44 |
| “P/PM Elective” and “COR Elective” Courses: Does the Gov’t want vendors to propose, as Elective courses, optional curricula which go above and beyond the requirements of the basic FAC-COR and FAC-P/PM certifications, and which could be used as continuing education / CLP credit? And if so, how will the Government evaluate the overall price proposal of different vendors, who will likely be offering widely varying numbers of CLP course options? |
Elective is for the use of a COTS course by agencies such as "Developing an Independent Cost Estimate". Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with Section 10 of the RFP.
| 45 |
| Classes held in Washington, DC: States that DC-based courses shall be “within one-quarter mile walking distance via Metro Rail unless otherwise specified in the resultant task order.” Does this 0.25 mile requirement hold for contractors’ off-site facilities as well? |
| 2.1.10 |
| Yes. |
| 46 |
| FAC-P/PM Courses: CLINs 0018AA – 1046AD: Can the Government describe the difference between “FPM-x0x” courses, “P/PM Certification Courses – Title TBD” courses, and “P/PM Elective” courses? |
| 1.1.2 |
| The difference is that P/PM Certification is for a future course that would be required for certification. Elective is for the use of a COTS course by agencies such as "Developing an Independent Cost Estimate". |
| 47 |
| FAC-P/PM Courses: CLINs 0018AA – 0032AD: What does FAI define as the difference between courses FPM-x01, FPM-x02, FPM-x03, FPM-x04, and FPM-x05, given that they all have the same course description of “Program/Project Management Course”? |
| 1.1.2 |
| See answer to question 46 above. |
| 48 |
| FAC-P/PM Courses: CLINs 0033AA – 0039AD: What does FAI consider to be “P/PM Certification Courses – Title TBD” outside of those required to meet the requirements of FPM-x01 – FPM-x05? Are there specified requirements or an FAI competency model for these “Title TBD” courses? Also, why are these courses specified with lengths of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 days? |
| 1.1.2 |
| See answer to question 46 above. |
| 49 |
| FAC-P/PM Courses: CLINs 0040AA – 0046AD: As these are “P/PM Elective” courses which are not defined at www.fai.gov, is the content of these classes open to determination by the vendor? |
| 1.1.2 |
| The content required is at the discretion of the ordering agency. |
| 50 |
| FAI P/PM Verification: Does having courses listed on the FAI Training Crosswalk (http://www.fai.gov/drupal/sites/default/files/FAC-PPM%20CROSSWALK_1_8_13.pdf) and the Vendor Consortium (http://www.fai.gov/drupal/node/187) constitute valid evidence of FAI’s verification of a vendor’s courses? |
| 9.1.17.1.1 |
| Yes |
| 51 |
| Is the Government planning to award FAC-COR training to more than one vendor, or does it plan to select a single vendor for its FAC-COR training? |
The Government anticipates awarding to multiple vendors for the resultant IDIQ.
| 52 |
| What does FAI consider to be “FAC-COR Elective” courses? Are these courses separate from the standard FCR-100 and FCR-200 courses? If so, are there FAI requirements for these courses? |
The difference is that COR elective is for the use of a COTS course by agencies such as "Developing an Independent Cost Estimate".
| 53 |
| For CLINs 0010AA – 0016AD which are listed as “COR Elective” courses, since there is no FAI definition of COR Elective courses, is the content of these courses open to determination by the vendor? |
| 1.2.1 |
| The content required is at the discretion of the ordering agency. |
| 54 |
| CLINs 0003AA – 0009AD: What does FAI define as “COR Certification Courses” outside of those required to meet the requirements of FCR-100 or FCR-200? a. Also, why are these courses specified with lengths of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 days? |
The difference is that COR Certification is for a future course that would be required for certification.
| 55 |
| Factor 5 – Price: Will the Government evaluate the price proposals of various contractors on a per-CLIN basis, or on the basis of the entire proposal? If the latter, how will the Government evaluate different proposals which offer different numbers of CLINs? |
a. Another way of asking this question: Vendors proposing more CLINs will necessarily have a higher overall proposal price than vendors who propose for fewer CLINs. How will the Government evaluate proposals from vendors offering differing quantities of courses, so that vendors proposing more total courses – and thus having higher overall price proposals – are not negatively evaluated on total price vis-à-vis vendors proposing fewer total courses?
| 10.1.6 |
| For the P/PM CLINs for levels 1-3 which are required to be proposed as a group, or not at all, the Government will evaluate the aggregate price. For the additional CLINs that all vendors shall submit, the Government will evaluate the aggregate price. For all other CLINs, the Government will evaluate them on a CLIN-by-CLIN basis. Vendors who propose more or less total courses will not negatively or positively affect their proposal’s price evaluation. |
| 56 |
| In statement 2.1.4, the number of classes was suggested as a “guide”, however, the length/duration statements in 2.1.15 don’t include that this too is “guidance”. Would the FAI please specify if the course length/duration has minimum/maximum guidance as well? |
| 2.1.15 |
| For P/PM courses only, the days listed in 2.1.15 are a guide only. |
| 57 |
| It is understood that those Offerors who are large businesses must have a subcontracting plan in place. In this case, is a company-wide subcontracting plan sufficient in fulfilling this requirement? |
| 7.1.4 |
| See FAR 19.7. |
| 58 |
| Section 9.1.9 instructs that “all proposals shall be submitted digitally only via email” while section 9.1.13 mentions submitting a hard copy proposal. Would the FAI please clarify which submission method(s) is required? |
| 9.1 |
| All submissions shall be electronic only. |
| 59 |
| Is there is maximum file size that FAI will accept for e-mail attachments? |
| 9.1.9 |
| Yes. E-mails shall not exceed 25 Megabytes. |
| 60 |
| Will the FAI accept zip file e-mail attachments for proposal submissions? |
| 9.1.9 |
| Yes. |
| 61 |
| If a file size exceeds the FAI inbox limit, are files e-mailed via YouSendIt acceptable? |
| 9.1.9 |
| No. |
| 62 |
| The second paragraph of section 9.1.13 states that there should be 4 volumes comprising our response; however 5 volumes are listed. To clarify, are 5 volumes required? |
| 9.1.13 |
| 5 volumes are required; Small Businesses are not required to submit a Small Business Plan. The paragraph has been corrected. |
| 63 |
| Could a large business be the prime contractor for CLINs 0001AA – 0016AD, 0048AA – 0052AD, and then subcontract work under the above CLINs to small businesses in accordance with our small business subcontracting plan? |
No.
| 64 |
| Please clarify if a small business bidding only the “set-aside for small business concerns” portion of the Solicitation is required to submit its proposal with a “large business” prime contractor or in the alternative it may submit a separate proposal as a prime for only the set-aside portion of the Solicitation. |
A Small Business can: (1) submit an offer as a prime contractor on the Small Business Set-Aside portion of the requirement; (2) submit an offer as a prime contractor on the Unrestricted portion of the requirement; (3) under a large business prime contractor, be named as a subcontractor in the Subcontracting Plan on the Unrestricted portion of the requirement
GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy