Q-A_Registry_Solicitation_HHSF223-15-SOL-1142795_Amendment_0002__07102015.pdf

SOLICITATION: HHSF223-15-SOL-1142795

AMENDMENT: 0002

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

OFFEROR QUESTION

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

SOLICITATION

REFERENCE

1 The RFP for the above-mentioned opportunity was posted on FBO this morning. I would like to request for a one-week extension so that we would have enough time to ask questions and submit a qualified response. Can you please grant a one-week extension? Can you please give us an opportunity to ask questions as well?

See solicitation amendment 0001 and 0002 Articles 8.2 & 8.3

2 Who is the incumbent for this solicitation? See response to question #4 N/A

Would the government consider extending the submission date since the turn around is only 10 working days?

See response to question #1 Article 8.2

4 Who is the incumbent? DRT Strategies N/A 5 What is the incumbent's period of performance and contract value ?

September 15, 2010 – September 14, 2015 $ 80,000,000.00

N/A

6 Are the RFP's staffing hours to be priced the same, more or less than the current incumbent requirement?

See article 9.3 of the amended solicitation document and attachment B.

Article 9.3 and attachment B

7 Assuming the Service Contract Act (SCA) applies, please provide a FAR 52.222-42, "Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires" (applicable DOL Wage Determination labor category and $$)

Offerors are to review the McNamara–O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965

Attachment A

8 Assuming the Service Contract Act (SCA) applies, please provide the appropriate DOL wage determination.

See response to question #7 See response to question #7

9 Are any resumes required with the proposal ? If so, which position(s)?

See updates provided in the amended solicitation. Article 8.1.c

10 Would you be able to clarify whether there is a contractor fulfilling the services as requested by the referenced requirement and if there is, to provide their name and contract number?

See response to question #4

HHSF223201000047I

N/A

11 Can evaluation “Factor 1 – Multiple Con Current Task Order Management (Go/No Go)” come from a combination of prime

The Government does not have privity of contract with subcontractors. However the Government will

Articles 8.1 & 9.1

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and team members? evaluate Offerors’ Factor 1 submissions from eligible joint ventures as defined in FAR 9.601

12 For past performance, will government consider those from a combination of prime and team members since in conjunction with Factor 1, the qualification requirements are quite steep for an 8a firm?

See response to question #11

13 This is a fairly complex IDIQ acquisition and will require a high level of effort in preparing and submitting a quality response.

Since there was no pre-solicitation or sources sought/RFI as heads-up, will government consider extending the response due date to give qualified 8a firms sufficient time to prepare their response?

See response to question #1 Article 8.2

14 Page 5 of 29 from the solicitation states that resumes and letters of commitment are not within the page limitations. Are resumes and commitment letters required for this proposal response? If so, which positions is this for? Are there specific key personnel for this response that we are required to submit resumes for?

See amendment 0002 of solicitation document Article 8.1.c

15 Can proposals be hand delivered to address in Rockville, MD provided on page 8 of 29 of the solicitation?

Yes Article 8.2

16 Page 6 of 29 under Volume 1 from the solicitation states, “The narrative provided should be no more than 5 pages, not including attachments.” Will the Government kindly confirm which attachments it is specifically referring too?

Any attachments deemed necessary by offerors within the page limitations stated in the solicitation

Article 8.1

17 Will the Government consider placing Evaluation Factor 4:

Relevant Experience outside of page count or moving directly to Volume 3 Past Performance? With the already tight page count for volume 2 it doesn’t seem like it fits within the content of Volume 2. Will the Government consider placing all past performance within one part of the response instead of several response locations? (e.g. Volume 1 – Factor 1, Volume 3 – Past Performance, and Volume 2 – Evaluation Factor 4: Relevant

See solicitation document amendment 0002 Article 8.1

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

Experience).

18 Will the Government please consider revising the page count allocation and required response criteria for Volume 2? As it stands now, it doesn’t seem realistic or reasonable to provide a Technical Understanding and Approach with Risk Mitigation for all Task Areas (Factor 2) to include a management understanding and approach (Factor 3) with relevant experience (Factor 4) and TO technical understanding for all tasks with risk mitigation and understanding to include a full program management plan (Factor 5) within the 40 page limit.

We kindly request the Government to revise the page counts, consider revising what is required, and extending the due date considering the amount of information required to allow offerors to adequately address the Governments requirements.

See response to question #17 Article 8.1

19 Will the Government revise what is needed for evaluation factor 5 within volume 2 considering that evaluation factor 2 within that volume already requires a technical approach, understanding, and risk with mitigation strategies for almost identical tasks? To merely revise or adjust the content based solely on it being considered a sample task order doesn’t seem effective. Will the Government please revise the requirements for evaluation factor 5?

See the requirements as stated in the solicitation document amendment 0002

Article 8.1

20 Will the Government elaborate if the “Task Order Management and Control” plan mentioned in section 5 of attachment E is required with submission. If so, will the Government explain what it means where stated, “A plan shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of section 5 of the base contract’s statement of work (SOW).”? Which base contract should offerors be referring too? Is this plan the same requirement as the Program Management Plan mentioned in

5.2 Sub-Factor – Management Approach within the solicitation

documentation? Is the Program Management Plan / Task Order

See the revised requirement of attachment E and solicitation document amendment 0002

Article 8.1 & attachment E Section 5.0

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

Management and Control Plan outside of the 40 page limit for the entire volume?

21 Will the Government please state and confirm the official volume titles for each response volume? The directions within the solicitation do not make this clear.

This information has been updated in the solicitation. See amendment 0002.

Article 8.1

22 With the requirement for a hard copy proposal submission of four volumes, and completion of the past performance surveys by the time of submission, would the government allow for a one-week extension to the due date and time, also ensuring adequate and fair competition among offerors?

See response to question #1

23 Is the pricing of the Sample Task Order for evaluation purposes only, or will this task order pricing result in an awarded task order?

The proposed and evaluated price of the sample task order will be the awarded value of the order(less any discounts offered). See the title of the amended attachment E document

Article 9.3 of solicitation

24 Can a firm currently providing software Dev support at the FDA, provide support on this contract?

Offerors must be able to satisfy the Government’s stated requirements. See the revised organizational conflict of interest clause provided in solicitation amendment 0002

Article 13.3.5 of solicitation

25 Will the government consider utilizing other sources such as PPIRs for past performance evaluation in lieu of past performance surveys given there is less than two weeks for our government customers to complete the surveys at a time with numerous end of year activities as well as vacations keeping them from being readily available?

Past Performance data will be considered from a wide variety of sources both inside and outside the Federal Government. Additionally, see amendments 0001 & 0002

Articles 8.1 & 9.4 of solicitation

26 Reference Solicitation document p. 6 Volume 2: May the bidder utilize relevant experience from its proposed subcontractors as well as its native experience?

See response to question #11 Article 8.1

27 Reference Solicitation document p. 6-8 Volume 2 and 3: Does the Government intend/require that the 3 relevant experiences required for Volume 2 Evaluation Factor 4 be the same experiences used for Volume 3?

There is no requirement for the submissions to be congruent.

Article 8.1

28 Reference Solicitation document Volume 4: The RFP requires The Government will accept teaming arrangements. Article 8.1

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

subcontracts to be submitted as part of the proposal.

Subcontracts may be negotiated ahead of announcement of award, but are not executed until award is announced and only if the bidder is the successful offeror. Will the Government accept unexecuted subcontracts as part of the proposal to satisfy this requirement?

See amendment 0002 solicitation document.

29 Reference Solicitation document Volume 4: Will the successful bidder be allowed to add subcontractors post-award to meet specific needs?

The Government will award one (1) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforming to the requirements of the solicitation represents the best value. The Government does not have privity of contract with subcontractors.

Article 9

30 Reference Solicitation Section 8.2: What are the logistics associated with delivering the proposal to the specified addressed (e.g., access to the delivery building, availability of POC to receive the proposal package)?

Proposal due date, time, location, formatting instructions, acceptable media and Government point of contact are provided in the solicitation document.

Article 8.2

31 Reference Solicitation Section 9.4: 3 past performances are required as part of the submission. Does a proposal with less than 3 past performances (i.e., 1 or 2 past performances) be viewed as an offeror without record of relevant experience (i.e., neutral evaluation), or will 1-2 past performances be viewed be evaluated for a rating other than neutral?

Past performance will be treated in accordance with article 9.4 of solicitation.

Article 9.4 of solicitation

32 Reference Solicitation Sections 14.3 and 9.3: It appears that some portion of the potential tasks may be performed at contractor facilities. 1) Are there any geographic limitations as to where contractor facilities may be located within the United States?

2) Are contractor facilities required to be within the United States?

The anticipated places of performance are defined in article 14.2 of the solicitation. During performance of contract requirements other direct costs (ODCs) incurred in accordance with the articles 14.4 of the solicitation will be reimbursed in accordance with article 14.6. Any proposed ODC’s to support travel in the sample task should be captured in attachment B. It is expected that during performance of contract requirements, contractor personnel will be issued Government

Articles 14.2, 14,4, 14.6, 13.3.4, 13.3.5 and 13.3.6.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

computers and will be subject to requirements of articles 13.3.4, 13.3.5, 13.3.6. Lastly, all proposed labor rates proposed shall be fully burdened.

33 Reference Appendix A: Of the total 21 labor categories, only one labor category lists “years" of experience as a requirement, and none have an education requirement associated. The Government is seeking a bidder with “an efficient, low-risk price service at a fair and reasonable price.” Without specified years of experience and educational requirements, we feel that the establishment of price value across the bidders will be very difficult and the Government faces the potential of borderline qualified staff. We request that the Government establish years of experience and education requirements for all labor categories?

See stated labor category definitions in attachment A. Minimum education requirements are not included in labor category definitions as doing so would be inconsistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulations for IT Services.

Attachment A

34 Reference Appendix C Section 3. “This contract provides for program and project management of the Agency’s 90+ IT projects as either in a facilitative or supportive capacity.” 1) Are these IT projects solely software development, or do they also include deployment and operations/maintenance? 2) Do these IT projects include infrastructure deployment and enhancement (e.g., networks, servers, operating systems, DBMSs, etc.)? 3) We request the Government provide the names of the current FDA IT Projects that will fall within the scope of this RFP.

A complete list of projects will not be provided.

However in general, IT projects may include deployment, operations and maintenance, infrastructure deployments and enhancements.

Attachment C

35 Attachment A - Doe the government require a minimum number of years in specified role to determine eligibility of potential candidate? (IE Program Manager 10 years experience?)

See amendment 0002 attachment A Attachment A

36 Attachment E - 7 Key Personnel - May individuals identified as Key Personnel allowed to work across this IDIQ and on multiple task orders awarded by FDA at the same time?

The Government takes no exception as long as work performed is provided in accordance with the resultant contract requirements and costs are accurately allocated in Offerors’ price proposal.

Attachment B and E

37 Section 13.2.5 Organizational Conflict of Interest - There are Offerors are required to meet requirements as Article 13.3.5

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

potential bidders or subcontractors who are presently performing IT services for FDA that may fall under the RFP’s scope. Will the Government consider for approval OCI mitigation plans for the RFP’s scope from potential bidders who are presently delivering IT services to FDA under current contract?

stated in the clause. The clause has been revised in amendment 0002. The Government does not intend to request mitigation strategies at this time.

38 Attachment E for the sample Task Order contains a section entitled “Database Administration Facilitation Services”. Should this section also appear in Attachment C?

No. Requirements defined in attachment E are included in the body of attachment C.

Attachment C & E

39 A number of the task areas in attachment C show representative activities. This includes 4.1 Concept Development, 4.2 Program and Project Control, 4.3 Program and/or Project Planning, 4.4 Support of FDA Software Releases and Infrastructure Upgrades, 4.13 Quality Assurance, and 4.14 Test Management. For these task areas, does the Government expect a response that addresses each of the individual elements or can these be addressed as classes of items?

Attachment C provides representative activities.

Offerors are to prepare most competitive proposal in response to the stated requirements of the solicitation.

Attachment C

40 Attachments C and E list “Program Artifact Configuration Management” under Develop and Document Program-Level Technical Standards and Methods. What is meant by “Program Artifact Configuration Management”?

Used in this context, artifacts are defined as existing documents to include templates, guides and checklists.

Attachment C

41 Attachment E for 4.4 Program and/or Project Planning includes estimating, WBS, communications plans, collaboration tools for licenses, instrument support, supporting applications, and SOW development. Attachment C under 4.3 Program and/or Project Planning does not seem to include the elements in Attachment E. Does the scope of Attachment C need to be modified?

No. Requirements defined in attachment E are included in the body of attachment C.

Attachments C and E

42 Attachment E for 4.11 Security includes Contingency and Disaster Recovery Plan. Should Attachment C 4.9 IT Security Support be modified to include contingency and disaster

See response to question #41 Attachments C and E

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

recovery?

43 Attachment C contains “Performance testing and analysis and documentation of results” under 4.13 Quality Assurance.

Attachment E contains “Review and analyze performance testing strategy and analysis and documentation of execution results” under 4.15 Quality Assurance. Attachment C also contains the following under 4.16 Test Management:

“• Plan and execute independent business process testing to support releases of FDA applications at the end of each EPLC phase. This work is performed in parallel with development system testing. In addition, the contractor shall provide development and test teams with performance test script creation, execution

• Perform performance test execution and results analysis and summarize them in a management level report to support the Implementation Stage Gate review and the resulting management decisions.”

Should the scope of Attachment C be modified to agree with Attachment E? Or should the scope of Attachment E be modified to agree with Attachment C? If not, then why does it appear that execution of performance testing in Attachment C is under Quality Assurance while in Attachment E that is under Test Management?

See response to question #41 Attachments C and E

44 Based on the extremely short turnaround time required for Past Performance Questionnaires to be returned and the fact that many people take extended vacations this time of year, as well as the extensive solutioning and pricing required in order to submit a compliant, cost-effective proposal, we request that the Government allow at least a two week extension of the due

See amendments 0001 & 0002 of the solicitation. Articles 8.1 and 8.2 of amended solicitation

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

date for proposals on this Solicitation.

45 The following questions apply to the government's requirement that

Offerors have performed on at least three Task Orders on the same BPA or

IDIQ:

a. We request the Government elaborate on what they are seeking Offerors to demonstrate with this requirement?

b. If the Government is seeking Offerors to demonstrate their capabilities to manage multiple concurrent projects, we suggest that this can be adequately demonstrated by the original criteria or by allowing Offerors to demonstrate their capabilities managing at least three separate concurrent projects that may fall under different contracts. If the Government agrees, we request the Government revise the requirement for three concurrent Task Orders on the same BPA or IDIQ contract in favor of allowing vendors to demonstrate their capability to manage at least three separate concurrent projects that may fall under different contracts.

c. If the Government does not agree, we request that the number of concurrent Task Orders on the same BPA or IDIQ be reduced to two instead of three.

d. If a company has no BPA or IDIQ but instead has multiple sizable contracts, are they eligible to submit a proposal that would pass the Go/No Go criteria for proposal evaluation of this solicitation?

e. If a company has multiple concurrent projects (three) that are based off the GSA Schedule, will the Government

A. Demonstrated capabilities and capacity to resource and manage several concurrent task order requirements.

B. See the offeror proposal requirements stated in amendment 0002 C. See the offeror proposal requirements stated in amendment 0002 D. See the offeror proposal requirements stated in amendment 0002 E. Per the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.4 the General Services Administration (GSA) issues Multiple Award Schedules (MAS). MAS are a group of contracts. Therefore, Factor 1 could be satisfied if an Offeror has three (3) or more concurrent orders in performance resulting from a single GSA FSS contract (i.e. GS-15-F-1234V), or has been awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) from a GSA FSS contract and the BPA has a minimum of 3 calls in performance.

Article 8.1 of amended solicitation document

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

accept these as meeting the requirement of performing on at least three Task Orders on the same BPA or IDIQ?

46 We wish to be in alignment with the Government's requirement to clearly identify "each volume by volume number and volume name," and we appreciate the Government has provided the title for Volume 1, but we are unable to find names for other three volumes. Will the Government please provide the names they want Offerors to use for Volumes 2-4 (II-IV) and state whether these should be Arabic or Roman numerals.

See response to question #21

47 Can a prime vendor use a Past Performance Questionnaire and reference for a subcontractor as one of the three Questionnaires and references required for Volume 3?

See response to question #11 Article 8.1 of solicitation document.

48 Page 13 of 13 of the Sample Task Order SOW (Attachment E) document, Section 7, states that “all subject matter expert(s) and the project manager supporting this order are considered ‘Key Personnel.’” Page 5 of 29 of the Solicitation document, Section 8.1b states that Letters of Commitment are not included in the stated page limitations. Are Letters of Commitment for Key Personnel required as part of the Sample Task Order response?

No. A letter of commitment is required for the IDIQ Program Manager. See amendment 0002 document

Article 8.1 of solicitation document.

49 Page 5 of 29 of the Solicitation document, Section 8.1b states that Resumes are not included in the stated page limitations, yet there does not appear to be any mention of resumes elsewhere in either the Solicitation document or the attachments. Are resumes required for this response, and if so, should resumes only be included for the Key Personnel proposed as part of the Sample Task Order (Attachment E) response?

See response to question #48 Article 8.1 of solicitation document.

50 Page 6 of 29 of the Solicitation document, Section 8.1c states that the “Offeror shall provide information about 3 projects

See response to question #11 Article 8.1 of amended

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

that are most similar to this effort in terms of type, scope, complexity, and size.” Is there a minimum number out of these 3 projects that needs to come from the prime’s experience versus proposed subcontractors?

(0002)

51 We assume the three past performance references submitted under Volume 3 Past Performance are the same as the three projects for which the Offeror shall provide information under Evaluation Factor 4: Relevant Experience. Is this assumption correct?

See response to question #27 Article 8.1 of amended solicitation document (0002)

52 The Government has designated Key Personnel for the Task Order. Are these the only Key Personnel requirements for the overall proposal submission?

See amendment 0002 HHSAR clause 352.242-70 and 8.1 of solicitation amendment 0002.

HHSAR Clause 352.242- 70 and article 8.1 of amended solicitation

53 The Government has designated Key Personnel for the Task Order. Can the Offeror suggest additional Key Personnel either at the IDIQ or the Sample Task Order level? If so, how would they be evaluated?

See response to question #52 HHSAR Clause 352.242- 70 and article 8.1

54 While it is clear that Volume 1 overall has a 10 page limit, it is not clear which portion is limited to 5 pages within those 10 pages. Should we assume that the 5 page limit for narrative is for “2. A response to the questions based on the scenario contained within Attachment D. At a minimum, Offerors responses should consider the following: …”?

See amendment 0002 Article 8.1 of amended solicitation

55 Is it correct that Attachment D is only relevant to responding to Volume 1? We assume the Labor Categories listed in Section 1.2 of Attachment D are examples only and do not have any correlation with Sample Task Order response or Pricing. Is this assumption correct? In other words, the Offeror does not have to provide pricing for these 3 task orders.

That is correct. No pricing information is associated with or required for attachment D. The labor categories provided in attachment D should be used to respond to Factor 1.

Attachment D & Article 8.1

56 We understand any proposed Key Personnel can be employed by either by the Prime or any of its teaming members. Is this understanding correct?

It is not the Government’s position to manage contractor organizational structure or staff and does not have privity of contract with

N/A

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

subcontractors.

57 Requirements mention “Business Process Testing”. Can the

Government define Business Process testing? Is it the same as “Functional testing”?

Functional Testing is a quality assurance (QA) process that bases its test cases on the specifications of a particular software component under test. Business Process Testing (BPT) is also a QA process. However, BPT tests the resulting business process, including the human interaction with the system component being tested.

Attachment C

58 Do the labor hours provided by the Government represent the entire IDIQ with all exercised task orders over the period of performance of the IDIQ?

The resultant IDIQ contract awarded from this solicitation will have a 5 year ordering period and no pre-defined option periods. The labor hours provided in attachment B represent an estimated level of effort for the entire ordering period of the contract.

Attachment B

59 We understand the “Tak Order HHSF22301001T Pricing” tab of Attachment_B_Pricing_Schedule_06162015_FINAL refers to the Attachment E, Sample Task Order pricing. Is it correct that we are expected to select only those labor categories that we propose to deliver the work under that Sample Task Order? We also understand that if we do not propose a labor category, we can enter 0 hours for QTY of LH.

Yes, this is correct.

Yes, 0 hours may be entered into pricing sheet if offeror will not propose any LH for a specific labor category.

Attachment B

60 Are there any educational requirements or years of experience required in association with the labor categories listed?

See response to question #33 Attachment A – Labor Categories

61 Will a contractor be allowed to propose additional labor categories when bidding task orders if the work is not covered by one of the IDIQ designated labor categories?

No Attachment A

62 Text states Key personnel are to be available immediately upon reward of task order. Will Key personnel be able to work during clearance process?

Attachment E has been updated to remove that requirement. See amendment 0002.

4.1.1 Transition-In of

attachment E

63 Are fold out pages allowed in the proposal? See article 8.1 of the solicitation document Article 8.1 64 If fold out pages are allowed, will they count as a single page? See response to question 63 Article 8.1

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

65 Will graphic text be searched for responses to RFP requirements?

Offerors should prepare a proposal which conforms to the stated requirements of the solicitation. See article 8 for instructions.

Article 8

66 Would the government please further explain how the use of a “Grand total Price” will be used to evaluate the pricing for the IDIQ? Does the FDA anticipate that “discounts” may be applied to IDIQ rates for individual task orders?

See updated information in amendment 0002 Articles 9 Basis of Award & Evaluation Criteria;

9.3 Pricing

67 Would the government please explain the impact of the following statement on the evaluation of the pricing: “The Cost Estimates at both sites assume that 60% work will be performed at the Government’s site and 40% will be performed at the Contractor’s site.” Does this apply to the pricing of the sample task order only or the entire IDIQ? Will this split be applied to all task orders under the IDIQ as well.

This allocation of hours by site only applies to the proposed pricing for the 5 year ordering period of the resultant IDIQ contract. This allocation is for proposal evaluation only. Offerors’ proposed price will be evaluated in accordance with article 9.3 of the solicitation. Offerors are to use the sheet titled “Task Order HHSF22301001T Pricing” in attachment B to prepare price proposal for the proposed technical solution of work effort defined in attachment E.

Articles 9 Basis of Award & Evaluation Criteria;

9.3 Pricing

68 The government indicates that it will use “data from sources other than the references submitted by the Offeror” in the evaluation of the performance risk. Would FDA define these data sources? Will they include CPARS for example?

See response to question #25 Articles 8.1 & 9.4 of solicitation

69 Would the FDA consider releasing the “Target State Architecture” in order for offerors to consider the expertise level required for the IDIQ?

No Attachment C; IPS SOW;

Section 4.5 Develop & document Program- Level Technical Standards & Methods

70 Page 8 of 29 in the solicitation (under Volume 4) requests copies of any subcontracts among the Prime Contractor and proposed subcontractors. Prime Contractors do not execute subcontracts with subcontractors until after a contract award.

Our recommendation is to either eliminate this requirement or to request copies of Teaming Agreements instead of

See response provided to question #28 Article 8.1

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subcontracts.

71 Column J on the Labor Category Pricing Sheets reads over rates from the Government Rate Worksheet rather than from the Contractor Rate Worksheet. The solicitation requests that respondents do not change formulas in the spreadsheet, however, we wanted to ask if it is acceptable for us to change the references in Column J.

Formula has been corrected. See amended 0002 attachment B version of document

Attachment B

72 How will the size standard for submitting 8a companies be validated?

Size standards will be validated using the procedures of FAR 19.3

N/A

73 Will there be an extension offered to respond to the solicitation?

See response to question #1 Article 8.2

74 Approximately, what is the dollar amount of IT assets (infrastructure, licenses, development, etc.) this contract currently supports?

This information is not available for public release. N/A

75 Approximately, how many major IT investments, non-major IT investments, and projects (reported under CPIC) does the current contract support?

This information is not available for public release. N/A

76 What FDA governance bodies are supported directly or indirectly via the current contract?

Change control and enterprise architecture N/A

77 Approximately, how many FDA servers does the current contract support?

This information is not available for public release. N/A

78 What is the current status of FDA’s mobile computing? Currently being pilot tested N/A 79 What cloud services does FDA currently utilize and/or provide? This capability is still in development at the FDA N/A 80 Does FDA currently utilize Gartner and/or Forester to research new IT tools? If so, which one or both?

Gartner is preferred, however, the use of both is being explored.

N/A

81 Is there a standard or methodology the current contract utilizes for process and procedure improvement?

82 Please define a FDA system and FDA application. These terms are currently used interchangeably.

Generally, a system often refers to a grouping of applications which together form systems.

N/A

83 Which software tools does the contractor currently use to facilitate this process? Do Federal employees also use these

It is not clear which “process” is being referred to.

Additional details are needed to provide adequate

N/A

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

same tools? Are there purchases/implementations "in process"? What is the IT health of these tools?

response.

84 Do you use Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of these processes in addition to the Task Order Management and Control described in Section

5. What are they?

It is not clear which “process” is being referred to.

Additional details are needed to provide adequate response.

N/A

85 Will an ORA move to the FDA Campus in FY17 or FY18 restructure this SOW? How?

This information is unknown at this time. N/A

86 Are staff centralized or embedded in Centers, or is that an option that the contractor has to recommend?

It is not clear what is meant by “staff”. Does this term refer to Government employees or contractor support staff? Historically contractor personnel have been collocated with Federal workforce in government furnished space for these types of services. However, Offerors are to prepare proposals which are responsive to the Government’s requirement.

N/A

87 Section 4.2 : “Integrate Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC), Subject Matter Expertise Office (e.g., project management organization, PMO), Security, and EA processes to the efficient and effective governance of the FDA information technology investments and assets” – what is the delineation between CPIC, Project Management, and EA at FDA?

88 What is FDA’s tool for EVM? FDA does not currently utilize a specific tool for

EVM.

N/A

89 Labor Categories: Are there required years of experience/education?

See response provided to question #33 Attachment A

90 What is the computer operating system and is there more than one?

The current standard FDA computer operating system is Microsoft Windows 7.

N/A

91 Considering there was no RFI or Pre-solicitation, would FDA consider extending the due date?

See amendment 0001 & 0002 Article 8.2

92 How will FDA evaluate past performances for subcontractors? See response to question #11 Article 8.1(c) and 9.4

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

93 How much consideration will be given to personnel with prior experience with FDA?

The Government will award one (1) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforming to the requirements of the solicitation represents the best value. Best value is defined as the offer that results in the most advantageous acquisition decision for the Government, as determined by an integrated trade-off assessment among price and non-price factors and Sub-factors.

Article 9, Basis of award and evaluation criteria

94 Section 5.1 of RFP: Please confirm that Task Order HHSF22301001T is the task order documented in Attachment E.

The number of the initial task order issued from the resultant contract of this solicitation will be HHSF22301001T. The document defining the Government’s technical performance requirement of the initial task order is provided as attachment E to the solicitation.

Attachment E of the solicitation

95 Section 8.1(b) of RFP: May offerors include a glossary, and if so, will it be outside of page count limits?

See amendment 0002 Section 8.1(b)

96 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 1(i) of RFP: Along with the Base Contract Number, does the Government also want a Name for the overall Contract?

See amendment 0002 Section 8.1(c)

97 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 1(iv) of RFP: Is the brief description of the scope of work for the overall contract, for the individual task orders, or both?

See amendment 0002 Section 8.1(c)

98 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 1(vi) of RFP: Is the number of Contractor FTEs that were invoiced during the PoP for the overall contract, for the individual task orders, or both?

See amendment 0002 Section 8.1(c)

99 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 1(vi) of RFP: Is the number of Contractor FTEs that were invoiced during the PoP for the overall contract the maximum number of FTEs during the PoP up to the present? Or just the average number of Contractor

See amendment 0002 Section 8.1(c)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

FTEs during the PoP?

100 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 2(i) of RFP states, “An approach, ..., to responding to ... the three sample scenario task orders”. Does the term “responding to” in this context mean that the approach should be in the form of a “technical/management approach” as it would be in a proposal that responds to a Request for Task Order Proposal (RFTOP)?

The response to the questions in attachment D should demonstrate the ability for the Offeror to manage and operate multiple task orders under a project management support IDIQ contract.

Section 8.1(c) & attachment D

101 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 2(i) of RFP states, “An approach, ..., to responding to ... the three sample scenario task orders”. Does the Government also want offerors to address the actual process how they would go about preparing a response to the Government’s RFTOP once the contractor receives the RFTOP, and the amounts of time that would take (in other words, a timeline for response)?

See attachment D, section 1.1

Attachment D

102 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 2(iii) of the RFP states, “Offerors responses should consider the following: ... iii. A quality management approach”, however Section 9.1 of the RFP states instead, “The Offeror’s quality management approach includes a reasonable training and communication approach”.

Please confirm that although it is not included in Section Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 1, 2(iii), a training and communication approach is suppose to be in the quality management approach.

See updated information in amendment 0002 Section 8.1(c)

103 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 2 of the RFP states, “The Offeror shall provide a narrative describing their understanding of the type of services required and the Offeror’s approach to providing these services.” Each of the Subsections of Section 4 of the SOW states, “Representative activities may include: ..."

with a long list of many different activities, often that don’t have a common approach. Is it the Government’s intention that

In the heading of section 4.1 of the SOW, it states that the items listed are representative activities.

Section 8.1(c)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

offerors should respond with their understanding and approach for each of the representative activities? Or due to the page count limitation, can offerors treat the groups of representative activities more generally and at a higher level?

104 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 3 of the RFP states, “The Offeror shall provide a narrative description of its approach to managing the requirements in the IPS IDIQ statement of work (SOW)”. Each of the Subsections of Section 4 of the SOW states, “Representative activities may include: ..." with a long list of many different activities, often that don’t have a common management approach. Is it the Government’s intention that offerors should respond with their management approach for each of the representative activities? Or due to the page count limitation, can offerors treat the groups of representative activities more generally and at a higher level?

See Government response to question #103 Section 8.1(c), 105 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 3 of the RFP: Are offerors limited to a maximum of 3 projects?

See requirements listed at the citation of the solicitation document amendment 0002

Section 8.1(c)

106 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 3 of the RFP: Can subcontractor relevant experience be cited?

See response to question #11 Section 8.1(c) Articles 8.1 & 9.1

107 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 3 of the RFP: Is there a minimum number of relevant experience citations which must come from the Prime Contractor?

See response to question #11 Section 8.1

108 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 5, 5.2 of the RFP: Program Management Plans according to the Project Management Institute (PMI) contain: introduction, project management approach, project scope, milestone list, schedule baseline, work breakdown structure, change management plan, communications management plan, cost management plan, procurement management plan, project scope management

A task order management and control plan is required. See amendment 0002 solicitation document.

Section 8.1(c), INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS) plan, schedule management plan, quality management plan, risk management plan, risk register, staffing management plan, resource calendar, cost baseline, quality baseline, and sponsor acceptance. These plans typically run into the 50+ pages. Given the page count limitation for Volume II, can the Government move the Program Management Plan outside of the page count limitation? If not, can the Government more precisely define what the Government minimally wants to see in the Program Management Plan?

109 Section 8.1(c), Evaluation Factor 6 of the RFP states, “Each task order will include labor categories and number of hours appropriate to the project. The quantities listed are for evaluation purposes only.” However, the Government has not provided the labor categories and number of hours appropriate to the task order in Attachment E. This may be an oversight. Can the Government provide the labor categories and hours for the task order in Attachment E, or alternatively correct this Evaluation Factor text?

See attachment A and the last page of attachment B of the solicitation package

Section 8.1(c) A & B

110 Section 8.2 of the RFP states, “FDA will not consider any past performance questionnaires receive after the defined proposal submission requirements.” Please confirm that the Government is referring here to the deadline established in Section 8.2 of the RFP.

That is correct Section 8.2

111 Attachment B: May an offeror propose additional contractor-offered labor categories in Attachment B?

No Attachment B

112 Section 9.3 of the RFP states, “Offerors proposed Labor Hour (LH) price in response to the sample task order (Attachment E).”

However, the Government has not provided a spreadsheet or format for offerors to propose LH number of hours, labor categories, or pricing. Can the Government provide a format in which offerors should respond with LH price in response to

See response to question #109 Attachment B and Article 9.3 of solicitation

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

Attachment E?

113 May offerors discount from the IDIQ-level rates for individual task orders such as in Attachment E? If so, can the Government indicate how to offer such a Task Order specific discount for the Sample Task Order of Attachment E?

See amended attachment B.

For the purpose of evaluating price reasonableness and realism as defined in Article 9.3 of solicitation, discounts will not be evaluated. However, should discounts be offered they will be applied to price of task order prior to task order award.

Article 9.3 of solicitation document and Attachment B

114 Attachment A: May an offeror propose additional contractor-offered labor categories in Attachment B?

No Attachment A

115 Can the Government clarify how the pricing of the task order (Attachment E) will be evaluated in conjunction with the pricing of the IDIQ? That is, will the Total price of the Task Order for the entire task order period of performance be added to the Total Evaluated Price of the IDIQ for evaluation purposes?

See Article 9.3 in amendment 0002 of solicitation document.

Attachment B and Article 9.3 of solicitation

116 All things being equal, how will two offerors have pricing being compared if one has a high Total Evaluated Price (IDIQ) but low sample task order price, but the other has a low Total Evaluated Price (IDIQ) but high sample task order price.

See response to question #115 Article 9 of the solicitation

117 Is this an new contract or is there an incumbent? If so, Who is the incumbent? What is the Contract Number and Award Amount for the old contract?

See responses to questions 4, 5 and 10. None applicable

118 The solicitation document (Solicitation_06162015_FINAL.pdf) states for evaluation factor 5 on page 7:“The Offeror shall provide rationale and narrative description of its proposed management approach to performing the work required in Attachment E. This should describe its organizational structure and how it proposes to manage this task and include a Program Management Plan. The Offeror shall describe its methodology for managing the tasks, performance measures it will use to monitor performance, any management tools it will use, how it will ensure quality products are delivered, and how it will

A task order management and control plan is required. See amendment 0002 document.

Article 8.1

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

communicate to stakeholders.”

The solicitation document (Solicitation_06162015_FINAL.pdf) states for evaluation factor 5 on page 11:

“The Government will evaluate the extent to which the offeror's TO Management and Control Plan demonstrates the clarity and effectiveness of the Offeror's comprehensive approach to managing all aspects of task order performance and administration.”

Should this be a Program Management Plan or a Task Order Management and Control Plan?

119 Is the Program Management Plan (or Task Order Management and Control Plan) for evaluation factor 5 excluded from page limitations (as this is usually its own document)?

See response to questions #118 Article 8.1

120 Is the narrative reference on page 7 for factor 5 part of the Program Management Plan (or Task Order Management and Control Plan) or is this separate?

A task order management and control plan is required not a Program Management Plan. See amendment 0002 document.

Article 8.1

121 Are the methodology, performance measures, management tools, and communications referenced on page 7 for factor 5 part of the Program Management Plan (or Task Order Management and Control Plan) or are they separate?

See response to question #120 Article 8.1

122 Attachment E includes “IPS IDIQ Dashboard Status Report” in the deliverables table. Should this be “Inputs for the IPS IDIQ Dashboard Status Report”?

Yes. See amendment 002 attachment E

Attachment E

123 The solicitation document (Solicitation_06162015_FINAL.pdf) under 9.3 on page 11 states:

“Offerors proposed Labor Hour (LH) price in response to the sample task order (Attachment E). The final proposed and

See last page of attachment B Article 9.3 of solicitation

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM & PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (IPS)

evaluated price will be the awarded value of of the first task order of the IDIQ contract.”

Should there be an additional attachment for pricing the sample task order? If not, then how should this be submitted?

124 The solicitation document (Solicitation_06162015_FINAL.pdf) under 9.3 on page 11 states:

“Offerors proposed Labor Hour (LH) price in response to the sample task order (Attachment E). The final proposed and evaluated price will be the awarded value of of the first task order of the IDIQ contract.”

What is the meaning of the word “evaluated” in this context?

See updates to article 9.3 provided in amended solicitation document (0002).

Article 9.3 of solicitation

125 For task orders, can offerors use prices discounted from the IDIQ prices?

See response to question #113 Attachment B

126 Attachment E includes three bullets under section 4.12. The third bullet states:

“For all the above meetings the Contractor shall prepare the following: agenda, minutes or notes, issues and action items, distributing related documentation, and actively contributing to the meeting to meet its goal. On average, Contractor staff can expect to attend 2-4 meetings per week.“

This appears to repeat the content of the first paragraph in this section. Should this third bullet be removed from the SOW?

Yes. See amendment 002 attachment E Attachment E

127 Attachment E in section 4.1 states:

“The Contractor shall support transition-in and out activities.”

Are transition-out activities applicable or should this be removed from the SOW?

See article 14.7 of amended solicitation

Article 14.7 of