Questions and Answers_08.29.12.pdf

Organizational & Management Planning Support

Responses to Questions received for HQ0034-12-R-3110

1. Will the government accept a bid from a Contractor Team Arrangement (FAR Subpart 9.6)?

The Government will accept a bid from a Contractor Team Arrangement (FAR Subpart 9.6). As stated in Section H.16., “It is the Government’s policy to recognize the integrity and validity of Contractor team arrangements and to not restrict the market, provided the arrangements are identified and company relationships are fully disclosed in an offer or, for arrangements entered into after submission of an offer, before the arrangement becomes effective. The Government will not normally require or encourage the dissolution of Contractor team arrangements.”

2. Is there an incumbent? If so, who?

This requirement is for services as described in the Performance Work Statement. The current requirement is a new requirement with a new contract type.

Some task areas of the Performance Work Statement have been performed by SAIC and WESTAT. The contract numbers are GS-23-F-8006H, Task order HQ0034-09-F- 3062 and GS-23-F-8144H, Task Order HQ0034-07-F-1053, respectively.

3. What is the value of the current contract?

The values of the current contracts are $7.5M and $3M respectively.

4. Our company has had a Top Secret facility clearance since 2005, but we were temporarily downgraded as of November 2011, after completion of our last TS contract. The Industrial Security Specialist at Defense Security Service, said our TS facility clearance would be reinstated as soon as we are awarded a new TS contract.

Would our current Secret facility clearance with imminent upgradeability to Top Secret upon award be acceptable to meet the TS facility clearance requirement?

Please see response to Question 72, 1c below.

5. Will the government evaluate past performances of subcontractors or only from the prime?

As stated in Section M.7.2.3. of the solicitation, “The Government may consider past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant.”

6. L.1.1.2.c states "Each description shall not exceed three (3) pages in length." Does this mean up to 3 pages for each of C-3.1, C-3.2, C-3.3, C-3.4, and C-3.5 for a total of 15 pages, or it a total of 3 pages for all 5 PWS sections?

As stated in Section L.1.1.2.c, each description shall not exceed three (3) pages in length.”

The offeror has the opportunity to provide three (3) “descriptions” which speak to their experience with the work in Sections C.3.1 through C.3.5. Therefore, the maximum page count for this section is 9 pages.

This does NOT mean three (3) pages for each section of the PWS. The offeror has three (3) opportunities to describe their experience with variety of tasks as specified in the PWS.

7. L.1.1.3 states "with a reference to section g below" but we did not find a section g.

Could the government clarify what section is being referenced?

Please replace the reference to section “g” with section “c”. Please see Amendment 0001.

8. Section L.2.1.2 states that all type must be no smaller than 12 pt font. Is a smaller font size acceptable for graphics, headers, footers, captions, and tables?

A smaller font type (no smaller than 8) is acceptable for graphics, headers, footers, captions, and tables. Please see Amendment 0001.

9. L.2.1.2 states that paper form should include one original and four copies whereas the table in L.2.2.1 states a requirement of original + 3 copies for hard copies. Is the requirement for an original + 3 copies or an original + 4 copies?

The requirement is for an original + 3 copies. Please follow guidance as detailed in Section L.2.2.1. Please see Amendment 0001.

10. L.2.2.2 What counts as a Page, states exceptions of items listed in L.3.2.3. There is no L.3.2.3. Could the government clarify what section is being referenced.

The correct reference section is L.2.2.3, Pages Not Included in Page Count. Please see Amendment 0001.

11. L.2.3.1 references Section L.3.3.2, There is no L.3.3.2. Could the government clarify what section is being referenced?

The correct section being referenced is L.2.3.2. Please see Amendment 0001.

12. Is this a follow on requirement, if so could you please provide me current contractor name and contract number along with submission/evaluation criteria?

Please see answer to Question 2.

13. Is this a new or follow on requirement? If it is a follow on, please let us know the current contract number and incumbent name.

Please see response to Question 2.

14. The DD254 states that the level of safeguarding is TS. Does the government envision that awardees would need a SCIF for the performance of any task orders under the resulting contract?

The government anticipates some performance conducted during the life of this contract will be at the TS level. Therefore, offerors must have a Top Secret Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the time of award.

The government also anticipates that some contract performance under this effort will likely be conducted in contractor facilities requiring receipt and generation of classified information up to and including the TS and or TS/SCI level; therefore, requiring SAFEGUARDING at the TS level. The government anticipates that most TS and/or TS/SCI performance will be conducted in government facilities. Offerors should have the capability to provide all levels of support (up to and including TS/SCI) at their facility.

Please see Amendment 0001.

15. Does the 2 page cover section count toward the page limit of the Technical volume?

As stated in Section L.2.2.3., Pages Not Included in Page Count, the cover section does not count toward the page limit.

16. L.1.1.2. Experience (FACTOR A) requires offerors to describe past performance; yet

L.1.1.3. Past Performance (FACTOR B) asks for the past performance instances.

This structure would tend to favor an incumbent already performing this kind of work.

Would the government consider combining Factor A & Factor B, and creating a section called Capability to more adequately describe a team’s capabilities – specific to this program?

The Government has considered this request; however, the evaluation factors shall remain as stated. Experience (Factor A) represents examples of the same or similar work performed with respect to the Performance Work Statement. Past Performance (Factor B) is a validation of how well that experience was performed.

17. For an Offeror with a strong and diverse team, there appears to be no place to describe the Capabilities of an offeror’s team – unless the team’s experience can be included in the experience section. A maximum of 3 past performance references is further limiting. Would at least 1 past performance of team members’ experience be acceptable? If so, will the government consider raising the number of references to 5?

The Offeror may provide experience examples derived from the team proposed. The Government has considered this request; however, the maximum requirement of 3 remains as stated.

18. Q1 - Is there an incumbent, if so, who is it?

Please see response to Question 2.

19. Q2 - What is the current LOE supporting this effort?

Please see response to Question 2.

20. Could you let me know the incumbent on the subject solicitation?

Please see response to Question 2.

21. On Page 61 of the RFP the Government requests an original and 4 copies on white, un-textured paper, however on page 62, in the matrix, the RFP states that the copy count should be one original plus 3 copies. Can the Government please clarify the correct number of copies?

Please see response to Question 9. Please see Amendment 0001.

22. If offerors provide a Compliance Matrix, Acronym List, List of Figures, will they be excluded from the page limits?

As stated in Section L.2.2.3, Pages Not Included in Page Count, “Covers for volumes, tables of contents, indices, title pages, and section dividers /tables will not be included in the page count if they are inserted solely to provide ease to the reader in locating parts/sections of the proposal. They will be counted if they contain any other information, e.g., diagrams, extraneous data, etc.”

23. Does the font restriction (size 12) also apply to graphics and tables? It is requested that a smaller font be allowed for graphics and tables.

Please see response to Question 8. Please see Amendment 0001.

24. Reference L.1.1.3: L.1.1.3. Past Performance (FACTOR B): “The contractor may submit no more than three (3) typewritten pages for the past performance section with reference to section g below.” There doesn’t appear to be a Section G within L.1.1.3 – can the Government clarify what is intended for Section G? Would three pages be allowed for each past performance citation (9 pages total)?

Please see response to Question 7. As stated in L.1.1.3.c., “offerors are authorized to describe any problems encountered on the identified contracts and any corrective action taken. Each description shall not exceed one (1) page in length.” Therefore, the page limitation to describe these problems remains at a 3 page maximum. This is the ONLY past performance information subject to a page limitation and that the offeror is allowed to submit. There is no page limit for the past performance questionnaire which are to be submitted by the offeror’s customers. Please see Amendment 0001.

25. In Sample Task #1, Section 8 - Facilities (Page 3) it reads... "The contractor needs to have a facilities clearance for classified work up through Secret" then the section ends with "the contractor needs to have information technology systems that are compatible with DoD systems, and that conform with DoD information assurance policies and procedures for handling DoD information that is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY." If the contractor needs to have a facilities clearance for work up to Secret, does the contractor also need IT systems up to that level?

Individual task orders awarded under this contract may stipulate that government provided work space is provided to accomplish specific tasks. Generally, those task orders shall not exceed the Secret level. However, it is anticipated that some tasks will be awarded that requires performance in either the government or contractor facility to be accomplished at the TOP SECRET and/or TS/SCI level. This includes a requirement to have appropriate information systems accredited at the required level.

26. In the Sample Task #2, Section 3 first paragraph, last sentence (Page 2). This sentence, along with others throughout the sample task, suggests the need to evaluate and analyze cost (and perhaps budget) data from the defense agencies and DoD field activities. Will the Government provide that cost data for this analysis?

Unfortunately, the data is not centrally managed and, as a result, Sample Task #2 would require a significant amount of effort working with each Defense Agency and DoD Field Activity to ascertain the organization’s costs and funding. Assume the government will provide access to each of the appropriate functional organizations responsible for overseeing resource management.

27. In the Sample Task #2, Pages 3-4, Section 4.2 (Objectives) and Pages 6-7, Section

6.3 (Contractor Technical Approach) spell out a similar list of activities, tasks and requirements. Can the Government confirm that the response to this sample task order should be to those listed in Section 6.3?

While Section 6.3 describes the manner in which reviews were performed in the past (with respect to previous biennial reviews), offerors may provide an alternative technical approach that will effectively meet the objectives in Section 4.2, but produce a different approach than identified in Section 6.3.

28. In the Sample Task #2, Pages 5-6, Section 6.1 states that "soon after award the contractor shall meet with the Government to develop a POAM...” Page 6, Section

6.3.1 then states "consistent with the overall Biennial Review POAM, and in coordination with O&MP, the contractor shall develop a plan for their proposed approach. The POAM shall...." This suggests two POAMs. Can the Government clarify if the Offeror should submit two proposed POAMs? How can the notional Section 6.3.1 POAM be consistent with the overall Biennial Review POAM (Section 6.1) when it will not be developed until "soon after task order award?

Offerors should propose a single POAM that incorporates collaboration with government officials responsible for overseeing these functions.

29. In the Sample Task #2, Page 8, Section 6.3.5.1 states that the contractor shall provide individual reports for each field activity and defense agency. Can the Government please clarify? How many pages for each report?

On page 8, Section 6.3.5.1. details the products required to be delivered, in the event the Sample Task Order was executed. Offerors should describe the contents of the reports, if executed, the offeror would deliver to the government in whatever detail the offeror deems necessary to meet the objectives in Section 4.2.

30. On page 31, Section H.12. Responsiveness, of the RFP, there is a reference to quality products in paragraph 3.0. Can the Government clarify to what this paragraph is referencing?

Please replace reference to “paragraph 3.0” with reference to Section C, Performance Work Statement. Please see Amendment 0001.

31. On page 58, Section L.1.1.5.c. Management Plan-Communications, the Government requires the need to be able to contract contractor personnel from 6:00 am to 12 p.m., seven days a week; however on Page 67, in the Section M.5.5 Management Plan, under ii, the RFP states the need for a reachable POC between 6:00 a.m. and midnight. Which timeframe is correct? Is the requirement seven days a week?

The management plan should identify how the offeror would be reachable between 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM (midnight), seven days a week. Please see Amendment 0001.

32. Please confirm that the past performance information to be submitted by September 4th ("Send past performance information to catherine.stevens@whs.mil by September 4, 2012 at 3:00 P.M. EDT") is only referring to the completed questionnaires to be filled out by offerors' customers and sent directly to the government.

This is correct. As stated in Section L.1.1.3. Past Performance, Subsection b, “The Offeror’s customer must submit past performance information on the attached past performance questionnaire. Each past performance questionnaire must correspond to each experience example submitted. The POC’s identified on the questionnaire must be able to provide information on the quality of your performance.”

Further, as stated in Section L.1.1.3. Past Performance, Subsection e, “Failure to submit past performance information by this date or failure to send the prescribed email indicating that an offeror lacks relevant past performance means the proposal will be late; therefore, it will be ineligible for award.”

The Government is amending the date and time for submission of the past performance questionnaires. Please refer to Amendment 0001.

33. Page 20, G.2 e. (4) No-Bid Replies states that the Contracting Officer may suspend

IDIQ holders from future task order competition when the ID/IQ holders elect to opt out in response to three successive RFPs during any period. Does this apply to instances where the ID/IQ holder believes there is an organizational conflict of interest (OCI)?

This requirement does not apply to situations of a possible Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI).

34. It appears the labor categories in the solicitation are those from various GSA

Schedules. Please confirm that offeror’s are not submitting under a GSA schedule.

The labor categories represented are sampled from various GSA schedules. Offerors are not submitting prices under a GSA schedule. Offerors are requested to refer to Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs for detailed guidance regarding pricing.

35. Is there any incumbency for any of the requirements or tasks that will come through this ID/IQ?

Please see response to Question 2.

36. If there is an incumbent, can you please share this information with industry?

Please see response to Question 2.

mailto:catherine.stevens@whs.mil

37. Why did WHS ultimately decide to procure this Full and Open after receiving several small business RFI responses from industry?

The Government decided on a Full and Open acquisition strategy after thorough market research and exchange with Industry. The Government issued a Sources Sought notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website and also held an Industry Day.

This was followed by an additional opportunity to respond to a second Sources Sought notice. Thirty (30) capability statements were received and evaluated. Market research indicates that no vendor demonstrated capability to meet all of the requirements identified in the sources sought announcement. Therefore, the Government determined it was in its best interest to pursue a Full and Open acquisition strategy.

38. Did the small business RFI responses not offer low risk / high value solutions for

WHS / OSD?

As stated in the response to question 37, “Market research indicates that no vendor demonstrated capability to meet all of the requirements identified in the sources sought announcement.” Some of the small business RFI responses indicated capabilities with respect to several of the requirements identified, but not all. Due to the high sensitivity of these requirements, the Government requires a contract structure that minimizes the risk of unsuccessful performance. Therefore, after careful consideration of all the information provided, the Government determined that a Full and Open acquisition strategy provided the lowest risk and greatest overall value.

39. Did the WHS acquisition team appropriately collaborate with the OSD and WHS

Small Business Offices before releasing this as Full and Open?

The WHS acquisition team appropriately collaborated small business coordination with the Director, Office of Small Business Programs and with the Small Business Administration.

40. Will the government consider raising the minimum small business contracting percentage from 15 to 50?

The Government has considered the request; however, the Government has decided that the small business participation commitment will remain unchanged at 15%. This figure is deemed appropriate for this particular requirement.

41. Have any companies provided unsolicited white papers or solutions for this requirement? If so, can you please share this information?

The Government is not aware of any unsolicited white paper or solutions that have been provided for this requirement. The Government has only received capability statements in response to Sources Sought Notice #CLS02242012.

42. Has WHS or OSD received any advice or consulting from any organizations regarding this procurement? If so, can you please share this information?

WHS or OSD has not received any advice or consulting from any organization regarding this procurement.

43. Reference Attachment 1 and 2. It is difficult to scope or provide a reliable estimate of the cost to conduct either Sample Task 1 or 2 with existing PWS information.

Please provide information related to the organization, size, mission, staff, functions, etc. under consideration in the PWS to allow us to estimate with some degree of accuracy the scope and costs implied or provide an estimate in FTEs.

The offerors must provide a technical approach for Sample Tasks 1 and 2. Its technical approach will be the offeror’s basis for pricing. The organization, size, mission, staff, functions, etc of DoD Components are available through publically available web based search tools such as the Defense Manpower Requirements Report on the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness web page, Exhibits on Budget Justification on Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) web page, and the DoD Issuances web site.

44. Reference Page 8 C.3.1, Page 9 c.3.2.g, Page 10-11 C3.3.k.

Can the government provide the costs associated with each of the past examples provided in the RFP to assist in pricing the Sample Tasks?

No, the government will not provide the cost of the past examples cited in the RFP.

45. Reference Page 9. C.3.2. Is there an existing web-based library? If so, can companies have access to the existing library to assess its current level of development?

Yes, please see http://odam.defense.gov/omp/index.html http://odam.defense.gov/omp/index.html

46. Reference Page 14. #4. Administration and Security. The vendor shall assist the Director, O&MP with routine administrative and security tasks within the office as well as supporting other organizational entities within the National Capitol Region as the Director, O&MP specifies (PWS 3.4.). Can the government elaborate on the scope in regards to “other organization entities .i.e., how many FTEs are anticipated, is the support temporary to support surge operations or required full-time?

The scope of this support is variable and may be both limited and temporary to meet surge operations as well as comprehensive and enduring as the task orders are requirement driven and hard to predict.

47. Reference Page 16. F.3. Place of Performance. The government will provide access and information to perform the tasks articulated within this PWS and facilitate the interface of the contractor personnel with other staff offices as required to complete related tasks. Contractor Key Personnel, defined as all personnel provided work space within the National Capitol Region, will primarily perform work in office space provided. Can we assume other contractor personnel supporting a particular project other than key personnel can do so from contractor spaces and other locations as long as they meet the security and DoD information assurance policies and procedures for handling classified and unclassified DoD information?

Yes, you may assume other contractor personnel supporting a particular project other than key personnel can do so from contractor spaces and other locations as long as they meet the security and DoD information assurance policies and procedures for handling the information appropriately.

48. Reference Page 60 b. Sample Tasks: Offerors shall submit a firm, fixed price proposal for Sample Task #1 and Sample Task #2 in accordance with Section G.2.e.(5). The way this statement above is written would indicate a single price proposal for both Task #1 and 2, however, the attachments indicate a separate price proposal is required for each TO. Does the government want separate price proposals for each TO?

The government seeks separate price proposals on each Sample Task. Please see Amendment 0001.

49. Reference Attachment 1, Page 3.Can the government specify what the latest requirements are to conform with DoD systems, and DoD information assurance policies and procedures for handling DoD information that is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR

OFFICIAL USE ONLY.

Contractor personnel assigned to perform IA functions and responsibilities shall comply with DoD Directive 8570.1 "Information Assurance Training, Certification, and Workforce Management" and it's implementing Manual, DoD 8570.1-M. Contractor personnel shall have applicable certification requirements complete at the time of the offeror's submission. The Contracting Officer, in conjunction with OSD CIO, will ensure that contractor personnel are appropriately certified and provide verification to the Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERs). Contractor personnel who are performing IA or Information Security functions and responsibilities must possess a Secret clearance and meet the requirement outlined for sensitivity level ADP-I. All individuals shall be U.S.

citizens. The contractor shall comply with the standards established in DoD 5200.2-R, DoD Personnel Security Program. DFARS 252.239-7001 Information Assurance Contractor Training and Certification

50. Reference Page 56 -57, Section L, Factors A and B. Section L.1.1.2. Experience

(FACTOR A) and Section L.1.1.3 appear to be asking for redundant information.

Can the government clarify? May we suggest that the Experience section address the contractor’s understanding of the government’s needs and describe their capabilities to meet them in all five areas C 3.1 – C3.5 and that the Past Performance Section would be limited to 3 Past Performance examples, addressing similar scope and complexity?

Please see response to Question 16 and please reference Amendment 0001.

51. Reference Page 57, Section L.1.1.3. Past Performance (FACTOR B). The RFP states “The past performance section of the technical proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages in total. The contractor may submit no more than three (3) typewritten pages for the past performance section with reference to section g below.” There is no section g. Will the government provide a section g or delete the reference to section g?

Please see response to Question 7. In addition, the Government is striking the sentence, “The past performance section of the technical proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages in total” because the past performance questionnaires are not subject to a page limit. There is only a 3 page restriction in accordance with section L.1.1.3.c.

Please see Amendment 0001.

52. Reference L.2.1.2, page 61. The government stipulates that font restrictions are, TNR 12 on page 61. May we use a reduced TNR 10 pt for tables/figures/graphics?

Please see response to Question 8. Please see Amendment 0001.

53. Reference L.2.1.2, page 61. On page RFP Stipulates that one (1) original and 4 copies are required for submission. L.2.2.1, page 62 requires one (1) original and 3 copies. Please clarify proposal submission requirement. Also, is one (1) CD total for Part I Technical and one (1) CD total for Part II Price acceptable?

Please see response to Question 9. In addition, one (1) CD for Part I Technical and one (1) CD for Part II Price is acceptable. Please see Amendment 0001.

54. Section B.3.3. Sample Tasks, Page 6. Do the Sample Task proposals require deliverable submission of actual proposed deliverables or examples of similar deliverables? Please clarify.

The sample tasks technical approach should include actual proposed deliverables and if available examples of similar deliverables.

55. Section B.5. Labor Categories & Pricing, Page 6. Are respondents required to price all suggested labor categories or just those that are anticipated for use?

As stated in Section B.2.1., “Offerors must propose prices for all services required during the base period, as well as for each option period, in order to be considered for award. Partial pricing by an Offeror shall render the proposal non-responsive to Washington Headquarters Services/Acquisition Directorate’s (WHS/AD’s) requirements and the proposal shall not be considered for award.”

Attachment #7 provides the pricing grid for the representative labor categories. For the term of the IDIQ vehicle, as stated in B.5., “The rates herein represent the maximum price per LCAT that may be charged per task”.

56. Section H.9.1 Key Personnel, Page 29. “The key position for the Basic Contract is the Program Manager who shall manage contract supervision of the base contract and corresponding task orders…” Is a resume required for this key Program Manager position? If so, would the resume be included as part of Section L.1.1.5.e and not count against page limitations?

Section L.1.1.5. subparagraph e. states that the offeror should provide “Resumes of the personnel that the contractor has on its staff at the time of the offer that could perform the requirements in the sample tasks…” Therefore, the Program Manager’s resume should be included. As stated in Section L.1.1.5. subparagraph f, excluding resumes, this section shall not exceed six (6) typewritten pages.

57. Section L.1.1.3.a Past Performance (FACTOR B), Page 57. “The past performance section of the technical proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages in total.” In addition, the last sentence indicates “Information beyond the nine page limit will not be considered.” Is the nine page limit for Past Performance Questionnaires? Please clarify.

Please see response to Question 7 and 51. There is no page limit on past performance questionnaires. Please see Amendment 0001.

58. Section L.1.1.3.a Past Performance (FACTOR B), Page 57. In this section, there is a reference to “section g”; however, section g is not present in the RFP. Please provide section g.

Please see response to Question 7. Please see Amendment 0001.

59. Section L.1.1.3.b Past Performance (FACTOR B), Page 57. The Past Performance

Questionnaire does not have a page limit for the respondent. If there is no stated limit and the respondent delivers more than three (3) pages, will the proposal be compliant?

Please see response to Question 51. In addition, there is no page limit on the past performance questionnaires. If the respondent delivers more than three (3) pages, it will be considered compliant. Please see Amendment 0001.

60. Section L.1.1.3.e Past Performance (FACTOR B), Page 57. This section states, “Send past performance information to Catherine.stevens@whs.mil by September 4, 2012 at 3:00 P.M EDT.” Does the “past performance information” refer to only the Past Performance Questionnaires or does it include all of Past Performance (Factor B) and Past Performance Questionnaires? Did the Government intend to ask for Past Performance information to be submitted six (6) days prior to the due date of the proposals of 10 Sept 2012?

Please see response to Question 32. The Government did intend to ask for the Past Performance information to be submitted six (6) days prior to the due date of proposals of 10 Sept 2012. However, the Government is amending the date/time for the submission of Past Performance Questionnaires. Please refer to Amendment 0001.

61. Section L.1.1.5.c, Management Plan (FACTOR D), Page 58. “The Government needs to be able to contact contractor personnel from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm seven days a week.” However, M.5.5.ii specifies the “Communication plan to ensure the Government always has a reachable point of contact; between 6:00 am and midnight”. Please indicate if the requirement is seven days a week and whether the requirement is 12:00 pm (noon) or 12:00 am (midnight).

The requirement is seven days a week and 6:00 AM until 12:00 AM (midnight) per page

67. Please see Amendment 0001.

62. Section M.5.5.iv Management Plan (Factor d), Page 67; L.1.1.5e Management Plan (FACTOR D), Page 58. M.5.5.iv specifies “Contractor’s bench personnel resumes at the time of submission of the offer”, but L.1.1.5.e indicates “Resumes of the personnel that the contractor has on its staff at the time of the offer that could perform the requirements in the sample tasks.” Are bench personnel resumes only required to support the Sample Tasks?

Résumés should be provided for all bench personnel that the contractor has on its staff at the time of the offer that could, but not limited to, perform the requirements in the sample tasks.

63. What information technology tools are used today to support O&MP Knowledge

Management?

While the information technology tools used today in O&MP include: SharePoint 2010, MS Office Suite, Adobe Pro, common shared storage, Dreamweaver, CHARRTS website https://charrts.osd.mil/, Greensheet/OLC website http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/ (then OLC Internet System link), Visio, and Internet Explorer; the government is seeking advice and input to better manage information and knowledge management.

64. Page 9, Para C.3.2-Knowledge Management: What is the current Knowledge

Management tool in use by WHS today and are there any planned upgrades or changes to that system anticipated by WHS?

Please see response to Question 63.

65. Page 57, Para L.1.1.3.a.-Past Performance (Factor B): It is not clear has to how many past performance citations are expected. The sections says “The past performance section of the technical proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages in total. The contractor may submit no more than three (3) typewritten pages for the past performance section with reference to section g below” ; however, there does not appear to be a section g to reference. Please clarify.

66. Page 57, Para L.1.1.3.a-Past Performance (Factor B): Please clarify the perceived disconnect between the first sentence that indicates the Past Performance Section is limited to 12 pages, and the last sentence that reads “Information beyond the nine page limit will not be considered.” What is being referred to with the nine pages?

Please see response to Question 57 and 59. Please see Amendment 0001.

https://charrts.osd.mil/ http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/

67. Page 57, Para L.1.1.3a-Past Performance (Factor B): How do the Past Performance Questionnaires get counted in regards to the 12 page count limit for this section of the proposal?

Please see response to Question 59. Please see Amendment 0001.

68. The top Paragraph of Page 57 of the RFP, it says that the “contractor may submit no more than 3 typewritten pages for the past performance section with reference to section g below. However, there is no section g in 1.1.1.3. Please clarify that is Section L.1.1.3

69. Page 60, Para L.1.3(f)-Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers: subparagraph (2) is missing. Please clarify

Please take guidance from subsection (i) and (ii) under subparagraph (2). There is no information missing.

70. Page 61, Para L.2.1.2-Font Size: Please clarify if the font size may be smaller than

12 pt Times New Roman for charts and graphs.

Please see response to Question 8. Please see Amendment 0001.

71. Page 26, H.1. Security Requirements, paragraph 1.:

This paragraph states that “The contractor is required to have a Secret Security Clearance to perform work within Pentagon office spaces.” However, within the same paragraph is the statement: “Any firm which is not cleared at the Top Secret level will not be able to compete for this tasking.”

See question 14 above. Depending on the security requirements of the individual task order, contractor employees working in government provided space shall meet the mandatory investigative, access, and/or security clearance requirements of (a) the individual task(s) and (b) office space provided. Some tasks may be awarded that require performance to be accomplished at the TOP SECRET or TS/SCI level;

therefore, offerors must have the requisite Facility Security Clearance (FCL) and cleared/eligible employees at that level at the time of their offer. Please see Amendment 0001.

72. 1a. Please clarify if the contractor is required to have a Secret or Top Secret clearance to compete for the contract.

Please see response to Question 14 & 71 above. Please see Amendment 0001.

1b. If a Top Secret clearance is required, is the requirement for individual staff members working within Pentagon office spaces, or does the offeror also need to have a Top Secret facility Security Clearance (FCL)?

Please see response to Question 14 above. Please see Amendment 0001.

1c. Our company held a Top Secret facility security clearance during the performance of a recent contract. Our clearance is currently Secret since we do not have an active task order requiring Top Secret work. However, our DSS Representative has indicated that we remain eligible to have our Top Secret facility security clearance reinstated following the award of a task order or contract requiring this clearance level. In this case, would the government accept the bid of an offeror with an active Secret Facility Clearance and Top Secret eligibility, if the contractor’s current sponsor is willing to reinstate the Top Secret clearance following award of the contract?

The government anticipates that near term contract performance under this effort shall be accomplished at the TOP SECRET or TS/SCI level. Therefore, offerors must have a Top Secret Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the time of award. Any firm which is not currently cleared at the Top Secret level will not be able to compete for this tasking. The Government will not sponsor the contractor for this requirement. Specific security requirements shall be also be defined at the task order level. Please see Amendment 0001.

73. Page 56, Section L.1.1.2. Experience (FACTOR A):

This section states that offerors can provide a “maximum of three contract/order examples for relevant experience… similar in size, scope, and types of task” to that of sections C-3.1 to C-3.5. As there are five relevant sections, we respectfully request that the government increase the maximum number of examples to five or more so that we can provide an example for each of the five sections.

Please see response to Question 17.

74. Page 57, Section L.1.1.3. Past Performance (FACTOR B):

3a. Subsection a) appears to provide different page limits for the past performance section. The first sentence states “a. The past performance section of the technical proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages in total.” However, the second sentence asks for “no more than three (3) typewritten pages for the past performance section,” and the last sentence states “Information beyond the nine page limit will not be considered”. Please clarify that the page limit for the Past Performance Section is 12 pages, (as this is the page limit also identified in section L.2.2.1. on page 62).

Please see response to Question 24.

3b. Subsection b) states that “Each past performance questionnaire must correspond to each experience example submitted.” Is this referring to past performance descriptions provided as part of FACTOR B, Past Performance, or to the examples provided in FACTOR A?

As stated in Section L.1.1.3.b., “Each past performance questionnaire must correspond to each experience example submitted.” The reference to “each experience example submitted” refers to Section L.1.1.2.b. For each experience submitted, there should be a corresponding questionnaire completed by the customer.

75. Page 61, Section L.2.1.2. Does the 12 point font requirement also apply to text that is part of a chart, graph, or diagram?

Please see response to Question 8. Please see Amendment 0001.

76. Does the Government intend to award more than two BPA’s as a result of this solicitation? At industry day it was mentioned that the planned acquisition strategy was to award one large and one small business each a BPA. Is that still the case or has that changed?

As stated in Section A.1., “Washington Headquarters Services/Acquisition Directorate intends to obtain these services through an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract as contemplated by FAR 16.504.”

As stated in Section M.3., Basis of Contract Award, “The Government intends to award two (2) or more IDIQs to the offerors determined to be the best value, all factors considered. Of the IDIQs awarded, the Government shall reserve for award one (1) or more IDIQs to small business(es) including those in any socio-economic category, provided the offeror is determined to be the best value all factors considered and it is in the Government’s best interest.”

77. Specific to the following responsibility in Attachment 2, Sample Task 2, page 5.

Does the reference to MOBIS indicate that this is a Schedule 874 procurement?

“Contractor Responsibilities. The contractor shall provide services principally under Special Item Number 874-3: Survey Services, as listed in the General Services Administration Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS) contracting arrangement.”

The Government is amending the solicitation. This is an open market procurement.

Please refer to Amendment 0001.

78. Are the sample tasks going to be awarded?

As stated in the footnote of Sample Task #1 and Sample Task #2, these are sample tasks only. They are not funded or intended to be executed at this time. These sample tasks are for evaluation purposes only.

79. Who is the incumbent and how long have they been in the position?

Please see response to Question 2.

80. Can a small business bid as both the prime and the sub?

Yes, a small business can bid as both the prime and as a sub.

81. For the tracking of implementation activities in the sample task #1, what was the expected period of performance?

The expected Period of Performance for Sample Task #1 is six months from date of award.

82. Section L.1.1.3 – Past Performance (Factor B) – the government states “The past performance section of the technical proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages in total. The contractor may submit no more than three (3) typewritten pages for the past performance section with reference to section g below”. Would the government clarify the content of the 12 pages. It is our understanding that for each past performance reference, we are to include a COPY of the three page questionnaire (as part of the hard copy of the technical proposal we submit) sent to each customer (totally nine pages). In addition, we have three pages (one page per) to discuss any problems and mitigation encountered. Please confirm.

Please see responses to Questions 7, 24, and 51.

83. On page 8, section C.3.1, next to the last paragraph, there is a mention of an “incumbent”—who is the incumbent?

Please see response to Question 2.

84. Re: page 30, section H.11, will O&MP sponsor an SCI if a proposed Program

Manager currently is cleared at the TS level?

Please see responses to Questions 14, 71, and 72.

85. Task 2, section 6.0 states that the contractor shall provide services under MOBIS

SIN-874-3. This is the only reference to MOBIS—do we need to have MOBIS SIN 874-3 to bid?

Please see response to Question 77.