SIFM_II_QAs_18_Sep.docx

Questions and Answers For SIFM II

HHM402-14-R-0005

1. Per section L.19 “Table of Contents”, please confirm that the total number of pages allocated to Volume I, Factor 1, 2, and 3 is 40. Also, please confirm that the total number of pages allocated to the Technical Expertise; Program Management; and Transition Management Sub factors is 35; and those pages can be distributed as needed within the written response.

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

2. Per section M, specifically pages 118-123, please update the formatting within the various “Rating Tables” to expand the cells so all descriptions can be viewed by the reader. For example, on page 118, within the Rating/Description Table for the Technical Capability and Management Approach the cells are not expanded and therefore the additional text within the “Description” cells is cut-off and cannot be read.

Gov’t Response: See amendment 1 posted on FBO, 2 Sep 2014.

3. Would you consider a rolling Q&A period through 3 September given the 30 day turnaround time for submissions? Answers to Questions beget other Questions.

Gov’t Response: Q&A response time ended at 10:00 AM on 3 Sep 14.

4. In reference to the subject solicitation for SIFM II, Section L appears to assign 85 pages to Volume I. May I ask if the Government’s intent is for Volume I to consist of 85 pages? If not, would the Government please indicate what the appropriate page allocation is by section?

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

5. Out of the maximum of 10 past performances, as stated in section L.24 “Past Performance Information” of the RFP, what is the minimum number of past performances that you are requiring from the prime contractor? (I.E. Is the Government looking for 1 past performance from the prime, no past performances from the prime, etc.)

Gov’t Response: Prime contractor shall provide a minimum of three (3) past performances.

6. Section B identifies four levels of Project Manager, from Junior through Credentialed. SOO Paragraph 15.0 identifies the Project Manager as key personnel, but does not identify which level. Please clarify which level of Project Manager that Offerors are to propose as their key person with this IDIQ proposal.

Gov’t Response: There is no longer a Project Manager Labor Category. Category was removed from Section B and subsequent documents.

7. Schedule B identifies the Period of Performance (PoP) for the Base Year as 07/01/2014 to 06/30/2015, and corresponding PoPs for each Option Year. Since 07/01/2014 has already occurred, will the Government please update the PoP for all contract periods of performance to reflect the actual (estimated) PoPs?

Gov’t Response: See updated Schedule B.

8. These CLINs are labeled as “Travel in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Guidelines”; however no guidance is provided within the RFP on how to price these CLINs. Please provide either a Travel/ODC “plug number” that Offerors should use to price these CLINs or provide guidance on how Offerors are to price these CLINs?

Gov’t Response: Plug in $10,000 for ODC’s.

9. Is the SIFM II contract intended to cover "Contract Management" functions within the DIA CFO organization as covered under various current DIA CFO contracts? If so, we believe that the RFP is missing Labor Categories and CLIN(s) for various "contracting" labor categories, i.e. “Contracting Specialists”, “Contract Closeout Specialists”, and “Acquisition Policy Analysts” (at all 4 levels), which are required to cover and mirror the Contract Management task of this contract. We recommend either including these separate Labor Categories, or removing "Contract Management" from SOO 3.1 sub-tasks.

Gov’t Response: Contract Management will be removed from the SOO.

10. Schedule B and SOO 4.1 identify four (4) Levels of Expertise/Training Qualifications for each identified SIFM II Labor Category, including “Credentialed subject matter expert in Business or Accounting.” In order for Offerors to accurately price this “Credentialed SME” level, will the Government please provide more clarity on what specific credentials, education level, and years of experience are required for “Credentialed SMEs” in each Labor Category? Is the ‘Credentialed’ level of expertise expected to have more expertise/ training qualifications than the ‘Senior’ level of expertise?

Gov’t Response: An individual that would meet the requirements for the Credentialed category would include an individual that has either an advanced degree or work experience that would make them an expert in a specific field. The individual would be recognized within the community and/or recognized by peers as having expertise in specific accounting, financial, Federal government or auditing topics. DIA will make the determination whether a contractor fulfills that requirement. This being said, we have removed Credentialed experience level from the SOO.

11. The Security Plan only requires the prime and subcontractors to have a Top Secret facility clearance level; however, the Incidentals suggest that “Individual Task Orders will require contractor to have specific infrastructure capabilities such as SCIF space or JWICS communications capabilities, essential for the performance of the task.” Can the Government confirm that SCIF and JWICS capabilities are not required as part of Pass/Fail Evaluation Criteria?

Gov’t Response: No, currently there is no contractor SCIF requirement as all work is to be performed at US Government facilities, however, based on task order specific requirements; this may change in the future.

12. Paragraph H.14 “Key Personnel”, under “Contract Level”, describes the responsibilities of the Program Manager. SOO Paragraph 15.0 says the contract level key person is a Project Manager. Please clarify whether Offerors are to propose a Program Manager or a Project Manager as the contract-level key person.

Gov Response: The Government expectation is that the Program Manager is a key person assigned to manage the contract requirements and contract staff; and any proposed replacement would have to be approved by the Government. Additionally, key personnel will not be replaced for a minimum of 12 months after contract award. The Government shall also designate specific positions as key personnel in addition to the Program Manager for each task order (see Section D.; Para H14).

13. Paragraph H.14 “Key Personnel”, under “Contract Level”, describes the responsibilities of the Program Manager. The SOO does not identify any requirements for a Program Manager. Please identify what qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) the government will use to evaluate the required Program Manager resume.

Gov’t Response: The specific qualifications required by the Program Manager are stated in the Solicitation items; Section D - Packaging and Marking; paragraph H.14. This now corresponds with Paragraph 15 of the revised SOO.

14. Paragraph H.14 states that contractors should provide notice of key personnel replacement 120 days in advance, while Paragraph I.185 identifies 30 days in advance. Please clarify which is correct?

Gov’t Response: Notification will be provided 30 days in advance.

15. Recommend this clause be removed, as this effort is for professional services, not blue-collar wage-grade service industry work. Otherwise, please provide a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination that is applicable to this ID/IQ contract.

Gov’t Response: Clause will be removed from solicitation.

16. In this clause, the minimum order amount is specified as $20,000, but elsewhere in the RFP it is specified as $2,500. Please clarify which one is correct?

Gov’t Response: Clause will be adjusted to reflect $2,500

17. Sec. I.184 “Ordering Procedures–SIFM” suggests that, in cases where a Statement of Objectives (SOO) is provided by the Government, Offerors shall; respond with a proposal that identifies a proposed Statement of Work (SOW) that was developed in accordance with the Government-provided SOO. However, neither Sec. L nor Sec. M of the RFP provides direction for Offerors to propose a SOW for the ID/IQ-level proposal. Please confirm that a SOW is not required to be proposed as a part of Offerors’ Vol. I Technical Capability/Management Approach?

Gov’t Response: Government does not require a SOW to be provided for the IDIQ contract.

18. The third paragraph in L.18 states, “Text Spacing and Type. Except for the reproduced sections of the solicitation document, the text size shall be no less than 12 point. The font will be Times New Roman.” However, the second paragraph in L.18 states, “Graphics and tables may be in differing font sizes and font styles.” Please clarify exactly what font sizes and font styles are permissible/required for narrative text, graphics, and tables within Offerors’ proposals?

Gov’t Response: Differing font sizes are permissible in graphics and tables but font style shall be in Times New Roman.

19. The Maximum Page Limits for each proposal volume as listed in the Table on p. 110 of the RFP are very confusing. For example, as depicted, and depending on how a reader interprets the table, Volume I page limitations can vary from between 5 to 80 pages. Similarly, Volume 2 page limits could be interpreted as either 10 or 20 pages. Will the Government please clarify the page count restrictions for each proposal volume, as depicted in the table on p. 110?

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

20. Depending on how the table in L.19 is read, one could interpret that the Government has allocated a maximum of 5 pages in Offerors’ proposals for Subfactor 1: Technical Expertise. Sec. M instructions for Subfactor 1 state, “Offerors shall, at a minimum, detail its understanding of the requirements, and its depth and breadth of experience, knowledge and capability in performing work similar to that described in the SOO. Offeror shall, at a minimum, present its strategy, approach, and realistic plan to accomplish the tasks that are associated with each section of the SOO.” It is impossible for any Offeror to adequately address all of these Subfactor 1 requirements within a mere 5 pages. Request that the Government raise the maximum page limit for Subfactor 1 to a minimum of 35 pages.

21. The table in L.19 states “Resumes Not Included” under the Maximum Page Limits for both Subfactor 2, Program Management Plan, and Subfactor 3, Transition Management Plan. Please clarify within which Subfactor Offerors’ should include the resumes of any submitted personnel?

Gov’t response: “Resumes Not Included” refers to the fact that they will not count towards the maximum page count for those sections.

22. The table in L.19 directs that certain Volumes of the proposal are to be provided as “Redacted” copies. However, the RFP does not provide any guidance on what is meant by “Redacted”. Please provide specific instructions on what elements of information are to be redacted in Offerors’ proposals. Specifically, please address whether or not the following information is required to be redacted:

· Prime Offeror company name

· Subcontractors company name(s)

· Prime Offeror individual personnel name(s)

· Subcontractor individual personnel name(s)

· Prime Offeror’s proposed Key Personnel name(s)

· Information identifying the Prime Offeror or any proposed subcontractors’ status as a current incumbent on the SIFM I contract vehicle.

Also, please identify any additional information that the Government requires to be redacted in Redacted copies of each Offeror’s proposal.

Gov’t Response: All bulleted info shall be redacted and no additional information needs to be redacted.

23. In the table in L.19, Factor I Security and Factor II Technical Capability/Management Approach are both identified as Volume I, but they have different number of written copies required. Please clarify if both Factors are to be in Volume I and how many written copies are required for Volume I.

Gov’t Response: Both factors will be included in Volume 1 and require 1 original copy. Factor 2 also requires 7 redacted copies (See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014).

24. The table in L.19 and the text in L.20 contain contradictory information concerning which volumes are to be submitted in electronic format. For example, L.19 identifies electronic submission for Volumes I and II, while L.20 states that only volume III is to be submitted electronically using Microsoft Office. Please clarify which volume(s) are to be submitted as an electronic file.

Gov’t Response: The original version of all 3 volumes will be delivered electronically. See L.19 in amendment 2 on FBO.

25. Does the government require the Price Volume to be submitted electronically via e-mail? Section L.19 “Table of Contents” states only a written version is required, while Section L.20 “Electronic Submission” refers to an electronic submission of the Price Volume. Please clarify?

Gov’t Response: Volume III Price will be delivered electronically.

26. L.19 and L.20 under “Evaluation Software” identify email delivery of electronic copy. L.20 under “File Naming Convention” states “Each file must be stored in a folder that corresponds to the proposal volume it represents.” The only way to email a folder is to “zip” the file(s) into a compressed file folder and email that. Please clarify, is the Government asking Offerors to submit electronic file(s) as zipped files?

Gov’t Response: Zipped files are permissible.

27. L.19 identifies a requirement for one (1) non-redacted and seven (7) redacted copies of Volumes I and II, and only one (1) non-redacted copy of Volume III. Section L.21 states “Offerors shall hand-carry seven (7) hard copy proposals.” Please clarify how many hardcopies of each volume are required.

28. L.21 states “Each Offeror shall submit a four-volume proposal. An Executive Summary is optional and may be submitted in addition to the volumes identified below.” The rest of Sec. L and all of Sec. M identify only the three volumes. Please clarify if an Executive Summary volume is allowed and if it will be evaluated. If a separate Executive Summary volume is allowed, what are the instructions to Offerors regarding Maximum Page Limits, Redacted vs. non-Redacted, hard-copy vs. electronic submission, etc.? What are the Sec. M evaluation instructions regarding an Executive Summary volume? What volume number should be assigned to the Executive Summary?

Gov’t Response: If contractor desires to include an executive summary it shall be included in the beginning of Volume 1 of proposal and does not count against maximum page count.

29. A sentence within Paragraph 3 of Section L.21 “Proposal Format” states, “Provide documentation of a Government approved accounting system and purchasing system in accordance with FAR 52.230-1 Cost Accounting Standards.” FAR 52.230-1 Cost Accounting Standards does not apply to Small Businesses. Is this documentation required since this solicitation is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside?

Gov’t Response: Clause will be removed.

30. A sentence within Paragraph 3 of Section L.21 “Proposal Format” states, “Provide documentation of a Government approved accounting system and purchasing system in accordance with FAR 52.230-1 Cost Accounting Standards.” Please be more specific on what kind of documentation is required? Is an approval letter from DCAA or another Federal Agency required? Is a bidder ineligible for award if the bidder does not have said documentation?

Gov’t Response: See question 29.

31. L.19 identifies a requirement for electronic copies and submission via email. L.22 only identifies hardcopy delivery. Please clarify, if electronic copies are required, how they are to be delivered and to whom.

Gov’t Response: The originals of each volume will be delivered electronically to the contract specialist (James Merrill). The redacted copies will be hand delivered in accordance with paragraph 1 of L.22.

32. Please clarify whether or not Offerors are required to include an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Mitigation Plan as a part of their proposal? If so, within which Volume/Factor/Subfactor should this OCI Mitigation Plan be included?

Gov’t Response: OCI Mitigation Plan shall be included in Volume III – Price.

33. L.24 states that proposals shall include no more than ten (10) Past Performance references. However, L.19 “Table of Contents” allocates a maximum of ten (10) pages for Volume II, Factor 3–Past Performance. It is difficult for Offerors to adequately convey the depth and breadth of their relevant Past Performance in only one page per Past Performance reference. Will the government please increase the maximum page limit for Volume II to 22 pages, in order to accommodate 10 references of two (2) pages each, as well as an introductory paragraph and the required “illustration mapping the references to specific topic areas as identified in Section 3 of the Statement of Objectives”?

Gov’t Response: Maximum page count will increase from 10 to 20.

34. L.24 requires that Offerors provide “an illustration mapping the references to specific topic areas as identified in Sec 3 of the SOO.” Will this illustration be counted against the maximum allocated page count for Volume II?

Gov’t Response: Illustrations will be counted against the maximum page count.

35. L.25 states, “All proposed rates will be fully burdened rates and remain in effect for the life of the IDIQ.” Please clarify if ID/IQ proposed rates are to be Time and Material (T&M) rates, Firm Fixed Price/Labor Hour (FFP/LF) rates, or another type of rates?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall propose Time and Material Rates.

36. SOO 15.0 identifies the “Project Manager” as the key personnel for the contract proposal. M.3 Subfactor 3 Paragraph (d) requires Offerors to submit a resume for the SOO-identified key personnel. Section B identifies four levels of Project Managers that should be proposed for pricing purposes. Please clarify which level of Project Manager is to be provided as a key person with this contract-level proposal.

Gov’t Response: The SOO has been corrected to state Program Manager. Section B now reflects the correct Labor Categories.

37. M.2 (b) states “The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced.” Please clarify what the Government considers as “unbalanced.”

Gov’t Response: Contractor rates shall not be unrealistically high or low.

38. In table 3 there is some text that appears to have been cut off by the table format. Please provide a reformatted table 3 that shows all of the content.

Gov’t Response: See Amendment 1 posted on FBO, 2 Sep 14.

39. The Transition Management Plan identifies content that can only be determined for a Task Order level transition plan. For example, it says the government will assess rationale for the composition of the team, the status of the team members (currently on staff, contingency hire, or other), and the potential for those individuals not being available. Without a task order to propose against, Offerors cannot determine a team composition or the individual team members that would be required. Please clarify what the Transition Management Plan should contain for this ID/IQ-level proposal.

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall discuss how they are going to staff full time equivalents to meet government requirements.

40. The Transition Management Plan is to “include a potential pool of available personnel.” Please clarify what Offerors are to provide for this requirement. Do we simply describe our pool of current employees with relevant qualifications?

Gov’t Response: Agree contractor shall describe their pool of current employees with relevant qualifications.

41. M.3, Factor 1, Security, identifies “Does the Prime Contractor have a TS Facility Clearance” as the only evaluation criteria in the Security part of Volume I. Later, the evaluation criteria say that Offerors will receive a FAIL rating if we do not adequately demonstrate “all security requirements”. Please clarify what are all the security requirements to be addressed in the Factor 1 Security portion of Volume I.

Gov’t Response: Evaluation Factor 1 states the offeror must demonstrate the prime contractor possesses a Top Secret Facility Clearance. The offeror should respond to Factor 1 security requirement to have their proposal further evaluated.

The only security requirement is Offeror’s must possess a current Top Secret facility clearance level (FCL) as listed in the Defense Security Service (DSS) Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD) at the time of proposal submission

42. Due to the number of RFP areas requiring clarification, and the likelihood that answers to Offerors’ questions will not be provided until the week of 15 September 2014 at the earliest, will the Government please grant a two-week extension to the proposal due date of 22 September 2014 (i.e. extend the due date to 06 October 2014)?

Gov’t Response: Government will extend the proposal due date to 1:00 PM EST on 6 October 2014.

43. Section L requests a resume from “any individual(s) he proposes to utilize in performance of any resultant contract.” For the IDIQ contract, are there any personnel beside the Project Lead that are required? Are resumes required for all proposed personnel since there are no sample task orders to propose against?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall provide resume for the Key Personnel only “Project Manager Senior.

44. If so, which labor categories (and level, Sr., Mid, Jr.) and how many of each should we be providing key resumes for? Must all resumes have a TS/SCI rating or is TS sufficient,as the SCI would be added after assignment?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall provide one resume “Key Personnel” Project Manager. The Project Manager must have a TS/SCI .

45. Is the government looking for representative (Non-Key) resumes for each labor category that demonstrate a firm understanding of the labor category requirement? Perhaps one resume for each labor category would be sufficient?

Gov’t Response: The Government does not require (Non-Key) personnel resumes.

46. The incidentals section states that individual task orders may have the requirement for SCIF space and other infrastructure. Is that a requirement for the overall IDIQ contract? Should we include that information in the security volume?

Gov’t Response: The offeror shall include the required information related to SCIF space and other infrastructure capabilities in Volume 1 of their submission.

This is not a requirement for the overall IDIQ contract.

47. Does the government require a Project Lead that isn’t in the direct labor pool? (i.e. working as a part time Project Lead and the other time as a Financial Manager, as an example) or is that up to each individual contractor?

Gov’t Response: The offeror should include in their proposal the designated full-time key contractor who will serve as the Project Lead; same contractor shall fill a billet within one of the Task Order Labor Categories.

48. Volume II – Subfactors 2 and 3. For each of these subfactors in the table, you state that the page limit is 35 pages (Resumes not Included). Is this correct? Did you mean that the page allocation is 35 pages for both Subfactors 2 & 3 (Resumes not Included)?

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 14.

49. Is it admissible to use FED EX or any other carrier to deliver the proposal by 1:00 PM on September 22, 2014? Will the government consider extending the time due to 5:00 to facilitate this type of delivery?

Gov’t Response: FED EX is permissible but contractor is responsible to ensure all proposals are received by the due date and time.

50. Please clarify whether or not there is a requirement for a Small Business Participation Plan.

Gov’t Response: There is not a requirement for a Small Business Participation Plan.

51. As this was originally planned to a SDVOSB procurement, will SDVOSB primes receive extra evaluation credit? If so, how much?

Gov’t Response: This is a small business set aside only.

52. Is there a particular form or format that is to be used for Past Performance? If we present our information in tables, is it acceptable to use a font smaller than 12 point TNR? As we have to provide a cross reference to the SOO, would the government consider adding two pages to allow for this cross reference to appear without cutting in to the page allocation for the PP narrative?

Gov’t Response: See question 18.

53. The solicitation states: “In accordance with FAR Provision 52.216-27, the Government intends to make 'a single or multiple' award(s) resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer(s), conforming to the solicitation, will be the best value to the Government, all evaluation factors considered in accordance with the evaluation criteria” Please clarify whether or not there will multiple awards for this contract. In order for the government to reach the best and most qualified talent in a widely varied area of disciplines, it would behoove them to select a number of companies that would compete for task order awards. Suggest multiple award.

Gov’t Response: This IDIQ will be a multiple award.

54. The solicitation states: “Offerors will discuss how long it will take to provide 100 percent of the required team resources after contract award and coverage for the interim period. Include a potential pool of available personnel.”

Please provide the number of personnel, by labor category and location that make up this 100%. We need this number to tailor our transition plan to that stated requirement. We are assuming we can use TS cleared staff that meet the SOO qualifications in our Transition and Staffing Plan.

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall discuss their staffing plan and all potential personnel must be at a minimum SCI eligible.

55. Also, may we assume that the potential pool of available resources is referring to the number of personnel currently employed by the proposing Team?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall discuss pool of available personnel.

56. Section B CLINs – it is our understanding that Offerors are to propose fully burdened labor rates for each of the CLIN Unit prices and Amounts for the Base Year and all Options in a separate spreadsheet. Please confirm that Offerors are not to complete Section B of the Solicitation.

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall complete both Schedule B (Legal Document) as well as the Excel Spreadsheet.

57. Are the fully burdened labor rates to be exclusively for Government site performance? (Ref SOO para 10.0)

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall provide on-site rates only.

58. Are the hours for each of the CLIN labor categories for evaluation purposes only?

Gov’t Response: The hours provided in the labor categories for evaluation purposes.

59. This Clause states that the period of performance is from 1 July 2014 through 30 June 2019. Since 1 July is no longer the anticipated start date, what should Offerors use as the estimated start date?

Gov’t Response: Solicitaion will be updated with correct Period of Performance.

60. Factor 2 (Sub-factor 1) states that Offerors are to demonstrate clearly and fully that it has proven depth and breadth of expertise. Since the Solicitation does not provide the anticipated level of effort by labor category, and this is an ID/IQ contract, we respectfully request that this requirement be either removed or modified.

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall adhere to the Factor 2 (Sub-factor 1) as written.

The offeror should provide a response to Factor 2 that includes consideration of the specific focus areas that will be required when a task order is issued under SIFM II. Each task order will identify the specific skill and labor categories (SOO) required to fulfill the task order requirements.

61. Question and Answer number 20 identifies the incumbent contractors. Could the Government please provide the incumbent staffing levels for each of their contracts?

Gov’t Response: Government will not provide staffing levels of incumbent contractors.

62. Since the Period of Performance on the SF 1449 and in Section F. p.41 read July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2019, could you provide new information on the beginning date for the period of performance and adjust the SF 1449 accordingly?

Gov’t Response: Solicitation will be updated with correct Period of Performance.

63. On p. 4, Section 4.1 should the Labor Category of Project Manager be included to reflect that which appears on the SF 1449?

Gov’t Response: Government will remove Project Manager from the 1449.

64. On p. 112, Section L.21 under Proposal Format it states, “each offeror shall submit a 4 volume proposal….” Should that read “3” volume proposal?

Gov’t Response: Offerors should submit 3 volumes (See L.19 on amendment 2).

65. Does an Executive Summary count against the page count?

Gov’t Response: The Executive Summary does not count towards the maximum page count.

66. If we include an Executive Summary where should it be provided – in its own volume or at the front of Volume I or Volume II?

Gov’t Response: Executive Summary shall be place at the front of Volume I.

67. On p. 112, Section L.21 Volume II, it states, “PPQs (attachment 4) must be returned to the CO by the closing date of the RFP” and in Attachment 3, page 1, number 3, it says, “please send a copy of the completed questionnaire directly to the VaCA contract by email or fax so as to be reviewed timely (i.e. NLT 15 September 2014, 1:00 pm). Please clarify that the PPQs are (1) attachment 3 and not attachment 4, and (2) by which date do the PPQs need to be returned, the RFP due date of Septebmer 22nd or the PPQ indicated date of September 15th?

Gov’t Response: Past Performance Questionnaire shall be provided to the Contract Specialist (James Merrill) via email NLT 29 September 2014.

68. Should vendors address or provide a table of acceptance for certain items such as Sections 8.0 – 14.0 and 20.0 (excluding travel)?

Gov’t Response: The offeror should provide the required information in the best possible format determined by the offeror to ensure the Government is able to clearly understand and evaluate the information presented.

69. Is an offeror required to submit a completed Section K or will the Government reference the offeror’s Representations and Certifications in the Systems For Award Management (SAM) system?

Gov’t Response: Contractor is required to provide a complete Section K.

70. Will an offeror be required to submit a completed SF1449 as part of the Price Volume?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall provide a completed SF1449.

71. Do any items in Section I need to be included with an offeror’s proposal response? If so which volume should it be submitted within?

Gov’t Response: Contractor is not required to provide items included in Section I.

72. Is there a requirement for the section that addresses the “documentation of a government approved accounting and purchasing system?

Gov’t Response: There is not a requirement for documentation of a government approved accounting and purchasing system

73. Section L.21 states that “the past performance questionnaire (Attachment 4) must be returned to the contracting officer by the closing date of the RFP” while the past performance questionnaire (Attachment 3) number 3 states to be received “no later than 15 September 2014 at 1:00 P.M. EST.” Please clarify whether questionnaires are due 9/15 or 9/22 (RFP close date). Can the due date be changed to 9/22/14?

Gov’t Response: Past Performance Questionnaire shall be provided to the Contract Specialist (James Merrill) via email NLT 29 September 2014.

74. Sections G.20 (a) iii. and I.184 (3) both address exceptions to fair opportunity to bid on task orders. The sections state “the order must be placed on a sole source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow–on to an order issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.” Please clarify what the intent is of this statement as it could mean that you could without further competition award current incumbents a new TO for follow-on work.

Gov’t Response: The intent of the Government is to award all task orders competitively.

75. Section 15.0 states that the only key personnel on the IDIQ is the Project Manager. Given the size and scope of the IDIQ can we propose a Deputy Project Manager to act on behalf of and support the Project Manager?

Gov’t Response: The Program Manager is a key non-labor category for the SIFM 2 contract; however, each task order will identify key personnel positions, such as the Project Lead (e.g. Financial Manager (Designated Project Lead).

76. H.14 c. states that the program manager shall not be compensated as hourly-rate contract line item. If the program manager is bid to perform work on a TO can he/she be billable?

Gov Response: The Government expectation is that the Program Manager is a key person selected by the Vendor who will provide contract oversight.

77. The days to notify the government of changes in key personnel are different in Section H.14e (120 days) and Section I. 185 (30 days). Please clarify.

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall provide notice of changes in key personnel 30 days in advance. Section H.14e is now updated to reflect same.

78. Section H.23 states that a digital copy of all data collected and generated by the contractor will be delivered to the government within 60 days. Please clarify what this includes, e.g.- emails, deliverables, interim products, etc. Also since all work is done on JWICS this information cannot be downloaded or removed from the system. Is saving the data to on a shared drive acceptable?

Gov’t Response: Where the data cannot be downloaded or removed from the system; the contractor should reference the location of the data and affirm the data cannot be retrieved and provided in the final digital copy.

79. Please clarify what is meant by “redacted” and “non-redacted” in the context of proposal volumes. Does redacted mean specific company and personnel names are redacted? What other information should be redacted?

Gov’t Response: See question 22

80. To facilitate Government points of contact completing the requested questionnaire easily, would the Government please provide a Microsoft Word-compatible or Adobe form version of the questionnaire?

Gov’t Response: Government will not provide any new documentation.

81. The base period of performance is listed as 7/1/14 – 6/30/15. Since the proposal is not due until 9/22/14, please adjust the base period of performance, since it didn’t start on 7/1/14. All option year period of performances will need to be updated as well.

Gov’t Response: Government will update the solicitation with correct Period of Performance.

82. "Contractors who do not possess a TS/SCI Clearance shall not invoice the government." Is it the Government's intent that all personnel require TS/SCI clearances to work on this contract (as opposed to setting the security requirement on a TO by TO basis)?

Gov’t Response: Personnel are required to have a TS/SCI clearance

83. Is it the Government's intent that all work products be delivered, or is this clause intended for Formal Document Deliverables?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall provide all deliverables on-site.

84. For past performance as a subcontractor, will the Government accept a Past Performance Questionnaire from the Prime Contractor POC instead of the Government COR?

Gov’t Response: Past Performance shall come from a government POC.

85. Does the proposal need to address all 10 focus areas contained in the Statement of Objectives? If not, what will be the minimum number of focus areas required to be proposed in order to be responsive to the requirements of the solicitation for placement on the BPA?

Gov’t Response: This contract will not be a BPA. Contractor shall address all focus areas in their proposal.

86. Please advise what the Government is expecting to be listed under #2, “Report Type” on the questionnaire?

Gov’t Response: PPQ is to be provided by a government POC.

87. Please advise if the Offeror’s “FSC” needs to be listed on the questionnaire?

Gov’t Response: PPQ needs to be completely filled out.

88. Same question as above related to the period of performance. The start of the contract period of performance is listed as 7/1/14, since the proposal is not due until 9/22/14, please adjust the base period of performance, since it didn’t start on 7/1/14.

Gov’t Response: The solicitation will be updated with the correct Period of Performance.

89. The drafts RFP included an Auditor - Financial, Program, Information Systems labor category. Has this been replaced with System Accountant, or does the Government require a separate labor category for staff with an IT Auditor skill set?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall reference the current solicitation for labor categories.

90. Section J – List of Attachments on Page 88 lists Attachment 2 Past Performance Questionnaire 5 pages. Likewise, Section L.21 on page3 112 refers to the past performance questionnaires (Attachment 4). The actual Past Performance Questionnaire is labeled Attachment 3. Will the Government please clarify the Attachment number for the past performance questionnaire?

Gov’t Response: Solicitation will be corrected to reflect PPG as attachment 2.

91. The Past Performance Questionnaire is a scanned document. Will the Government please provide a fillable Microsoft Word or PDF form to provide to Offeror’s references for ease of completion or may Offerors modify the form to make it fillable for our customers to complete and submit?

Gov’t Repsonse: Government will not provide any new documentation.

92. RFP Section L.21 - Volume II Past Performance on page 112 states: “In order to be considered; the past performance questionnaires (Attachment 4) must be returned to the Contracting office by the closing date of the RFP.” The proposal due date is September 22, 2014. The provided questionnaire instructions state: “3. Please send a copy of the completed Questionnaire directly to the VaCA Contact by e-mail (preferred) or facsimile so as to be received timely (i.e., no later than 15 September 2014 at: 1:00 P.M. EST. ” Will the Government please clarify what date the past performance questionnaires are due to the Government?

Gov’t Response: Past Performance Questionnaire shall be provided to the Contract Specialist (James Merrill) via email NLT 29 September 2014.

93. The table in Section L.19 lists 7 ORGINALS – WRITTEN VERSION – REDACTED for Volumes I and II. Will the Government please clarify what information, if any, is to be “REDACTED?”

Gov’t Response: See question 22

94. It is unclear what the “NUMBER REQUIRED ORIGINAL/COPIES” are as outlined in the table on page 110. Will the Government please clarify how many pages and copies Offerors are to submit for each Factor/Subfactor as listed in the table under Section L.19?

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014. .

95. The table on page 110 in Section L.19 shows “NON-REDACTED” at the top of the “NUMBER REQUIRED ORIGINAL/COPIES” column next to Factor 2. Is this misplaced? It appears the information in this column for Factor 1 and Factor 2 need to be combined together so that Offerors are providing consistent number of originals/copies for the entire Volume 1. Please clarify the information in this table.

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

96. The Table on page 110 for L.19 implies the electronic and hard copy proposals will be different (i.e. redacted vs. non-redacted). However, L.20 Paragraph #2 states, “In the event of inconsistencies between the hardcopy and softcopy versions of a proposal, the hardcopy version shall take precedence.” These two sets of instructions are inconsistent with each other. Please clarify the proposal submission instructions.

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

97. Please clarify if the Past Performance Volume is limited to 10 pages or 20 pages.

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

98. Please clarify if Vol 1 Factor 2 is limited to 80 pages.

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

99. Section L.20, Evaluation Software on page 111, states “Offerors must submit only PRICE VOLUME using Microsoft Office 2003 (or a previous compatible version); do not use Apple/Mac versions of these programs. Cost and pricing data must be submitted using Microsoft Excel 2003 (or a previous compatible version) …” Will the Government please advise how the Offerors should submit the electronic submissions of Volume I and Volume II? (e.g., using Microsoft Word 2003 (or previous compatible version) or PDF?)

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall submit all electronic Volumes using Microsoft Office 2003 (or a previous compatible version).

100. Will the Government provide the historical Task Orders that were performed under SIFM I (e.g., TO Name, FTE count by Labor Category, and expiration date)?

Gov’t Respnse: Government will not provide SIFM I Task Orders.

101. Section L.17 states, “Contractor shall submit as part of their proposal, a brief resume on any individual(s) he proposes to utilize in performance of any resultant contract.” Please clarify that the Government is only expecting to see 1 resume from each Offeror (i.e., for the key personnel position) for this IDIQ response. If the Government is expecting to see more than 1 resume from each Offeror for this IDIQ response, please clarify what additional resumes are required by labor category and work requirement to be performed.

Gov’t Response: The Government is asking for the offeror to submit, as part of their proposal, a brief resume of one or more individuals they propose to utilize in the performance of any resultant contract; this in addition to the Program Manager and Project Lead resumes. The offeror should follow this guidance.

102. Please confirm our understanding from the Q&As that the Government will NOT be evaluating a Small Business Participation Plan with the IDIQ proposal responses but instead, will require Small Business Participation Plans for individual Task Order responses under SIFM II that exceed $150K.

Gov’t Response: Government will not be evaluating a Small Business Participation Plan for the overall IDIQ contract.

103. Will Primes be allowed to add subcontractors to their team post award should the need arise? If so, what is the process to add a subcontractor to their team?

Gov’t Response: Contractor can add subcontractors to their team.

104. Section L.20 – Evaluation Software: Is the Price Volume to be submitted in MS Excel or MS Word or both?

Gov’t Response: See amendment 2 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 2014.

105. Section L.20 – Table of Contents: Is a table of contents with hyperlinks required for the Price Volume if it is in Excel?

Gov’t Response: Contractors shall not include hyperlinks in documents.

106. Section L.20 – Table of Contents: Is a cross-reference matrix required for the Price Volume?

Gov’t Response: Cross-reference matrix is not required.

107. Section L.21 – Proposal Format. The government states that the Offeror must hand carry seven hard copy proposals and proof of un-classified transmission of the price volume. Is an email delivery receipt notice sufficient proof? If not, what proof would the government want supplied? Also, in what volume should the proof of un-classified transmission of the price volume be contained?

Gov’t Response: An email delivery receipt is sufficient proof of transmission for electronic delivery. Hand delivery receipts shall be included with Volume I.

108. RFP, Page 29, Section 6.7. “Contractors who do not possess a TS/SCI Clearance shall not invoice the government.” Is TS/SCI to be treated as a single level or is the contractor allowed to invoice the government for personnel with TS level pending SCI determination?

Gov’t Response: All SIFM 2 contractors supporting the government shall have TS/SCI clearance; therefore those who do not possess clearance shall not invoice the Government.

109. DD254, Page 3, Section 10e states, “All contractor personnel assigned under this contract must possess a current Top Secret security clearance.” Would the government consider rewording Section 6.7 of the RFP to “Contractor shall not invoice the government for personnel who do not possess a TS or TS/SCI clearance.”?

Gov’t Response: The Government does not intend to amend the DD254.

All personnel on this contract will require TS/SCI access. This is standard verbiage included in all DD254’s for DIA where access to non-SCI is authorized. See Question #82.

110. If the Offeror decides to submit an Executive Summary Volume, what are the instructions for submission (i.e number of copies, electronic vs hard copy, redacted or non-redacted).

Gov’t Response: If the offeror determines an Executive Summary is required as part of their proposal submission, they should include the Executive Summary in the appropriate volume. Each volume is subject to the page limitation stated in the Request for Proposal.

111. What is the anticipated award date for this contract?

Gov’t Response: Government anticipates award by 15 December 2014.

112. Can the Government please provide copies of all solicitation files in Microsoft Word?

Gov’t Response: Government will not provide any new documentation.

113. What is the validity period for offeror proposals?

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall determine how long their proposal is valid.

114. The Government states that “This process will enable the Government to consolidate existing services in order to decrease government oversight and streamline level of contractor resources required.” Please provide a description of the services the Government intends to consolidate vis-à-vis the SIFM II Program.

Gov’t Response: Explanation is not applicable for this requirement.

115. Please confirm that “System Development Lifecycle (SDLC)” services will NOT be required under the SIFM II Program (as they were under SIFM I).

Gov’t Response: See current solicitation

116. Please confirm that the “designated Project Lead” position defined in Section C.4.0 is synonymous with the SIFM II Program Manager position defined in Section H.14.

Gov’t Response: The offeror should assign individuals to respond to the Government on the SIFM II solicitation. The RFP now references a Program Manager for the IDIQ and the need for a designated Project Lead for each Task Order.

117. The Government states that individual Task Orders may require “a SCIF space or JWICS communication capability.” Given the significant challenge in securing DIA Accredited SCIF space sans possessing an existing contract (particularly difficult for Small Business), please confirm that Leased SCIF space with IC Agency Accreditation will satisfy the requirement (e.g., NRO accredited SCIF with active DIA MOU in place).

Gov’t Response: USG SCIF space that has a current accreditation can be utilized, as long as, a Co-Use Agreement (CUA) can be finalized between the accrediting USG Activity and DIA.

118. Based on reviewing this section, it appears that key personnel, beyond the SIFM II PM, will be identified and proposed at the Task Order level (versus submitted as part of the IDIQ level proposal). This appears counter to the description of Key Personnel provided in Sub-factor 3 (Transition Management Plan) on page 119 – “Offerors shall provide a resume for the key personnel identified in the SOO…” Please clarify the specific Key Personnel requirements for the proposal (beyond the SIFM II PM).

Gov’t Response: The Government assumes the offeror will designate an individual or individuals as the Program Manager/Point of Contact for the SIFM II contract; and that a Project Lead/POC will also be assigned as required for each Task Order awarded to the offeror.

119. Please confirm that the term “Transition” for the purpose of the proposal is defined as the period between TO award and Full Operating Capability IAW the description provided in Sub-factor 2 Program Management Plan on page 118 – “how it will manage the transition from task order issuance to full performance...” versus any transition from incumbent contractors on the current SIFM I Program to the new SIFM II contractors at contract award.

Gov’t Response: There is not a transition between SIFM I and SIFM II

120. The RFP states: “Include a potential pool of available personnel”. Can the Government please clarify what it means by “potential pool of available personnel”?

Gov’t Response: The offeror should demonstrate they have the capability to provide qualified staff when a SIFM II task order is issued. The offeror should demonstrate their capability to provide qualified personnel and may do so by including a potential pool of available personnel in their proposal.

121. The RFP states: “Include a potential pool of available personnel”. In what format does the Government want Offerors to provide the pool of available personnel?

Gov’t Response: The offeror may provide resumes of the individuals that are included in the potential pool of available personnel or include the pertinent information in an alternative format in their proposal.

122. Section F.2 lists the Period of Performance as starting on 01 July 2014. What is the new SIFM II start date? Please update Section F.2 (and Section B) to reflect the new period of performance.

Gov’t Response: Solicitation will provide and updated Period of Performance.

123. Section L.8, paragraph (b) requires offers to include various contractual elements (i.e., completed SF1449, completed Representations and Certifications, acknowledgement of amendments). Please clarify whether the information required under Section L.8, paragraph (b) shall be included as part of the Price Volume or as separate files from any of the three required proposal volumes.

Gov’t Response: Contractor shall include Representations and Certifications in the Price Volume III.

124. The Section L numbering jumps from L.12 to L.17. Are Sections L.13 – L.16 missing? If so, please provide.

Gov’t Repsonse: See attached Section L in amendment 02 posted on FBO, 3 Sep 14.

125. The Government states “Contractor shall submit…