Questions_209_-_289_16_December_15.pdf

# Reference Question

209. Section H – H.5 Security Clearances.

Paragraph A, page 21.

Would the Government provide the personnel security requirements for Task Order 1, Task Order 2, and Task Order 3? In addition, could the Government provide the number of FTE by clearance type (Secret, Top Secret, Top Secret/SCI) required for each task order?

The PWSs will be modified to indicate the security level of major tasks (X.0).

ADD TO SECTION L –

In each PWS there is a section on security which requires SECRET or Interim SECRET for all who access Government spaces.

Additionally there will be a need for some senior and midlevel personnel to hold TOP SECRET or TS/SCI clearances. Where higher level of clearances are required a note will be added to the appropriate task.

210. Section H – H.6. OCI, page 21-22

How will Organizational Conflicts of Interest be evaluated? Could the Government provide a list of programs which would result in an OCI? Where should offerors address OCI in their proposal and is there a standard certification form?

Sections L and M have been extensively revised. Please review the revised sections.

211. Section L, page 44

What is the schedule for awarding additional task orders under the IDIQ?

Sections L and M have been extensively revised. Please review the revised sections.

212. Section L Para 1.9 Subcontracting, page

Please provide guidance as to where L.1.9 should be addressed in the offeror’s response.

Sections L and M have been extensively revised. Please review the revised sections.

213. Section L – 2.1.2 Factor 2, page 46

Would the Government provide additional guidance as to the number of labor hours and labor mix required by each task? Could the Government provide a list of labor categories, NO, Cost Plus has been established as a way to provide flexibility dependent on the amount of work required. This labor hours by labor category, and labor category qualifications for each contract year?

will vary with the major programs being supported and other factors driving the DASD(SE) workload.

214. Section L – 2.1.4 Factor 4, page 46

Could the past performance timeframe be extended to 5 years?

See solicitation section L and M

215. Section L – Para 2.1.1 and Attachment 1, page

Which deliverables should be included in the project schedule? Are these the deliverables included in Attachment 1? If so, the paragraph numbers do not align with the

PWS.

WHS has rewritten Sections L&M and will address

216. Section L – 2.2.1 Factor 5, page 47

Since this is not an order against an existing contract vehicle, what discounts is the Government anticipating (Section L 2.2.1)?

See solicitation for revision

217. Section L – 2.2.1 Factor 5, page 47

If IDIQ rates are required, what labor categories and labor requirements are offerors to bid against?

218. Section L, page 44

Could the Government confirm how many awards it expects to make at the IDIQ level?

See solicitation section L and M

219. Section M – Factor 2, What advantage to the incumbent would be provided by including a separate “personnel” assessment? What are the disadvantages to the Government by including assessments of proposed personnel?

See solicitation section L and M

220. Section M, page 48

Section L lists five factors, however, Section M lists 4 factors. Could the Government clarify as to the number of factors there are in this evaluation?

221. Section M Factor 4 Cost

Would the Government confirm the number of annual level of effort hours used to calculate attachment 1?

DASD(SE) will provide the CWRB seat allowance for in house support to be included by WHS in the RFP

222. Section M Factor 4 Cost

What role will the technical evaluators have in conducting the traceability of the proposed labor hours and qualifications to the technical proposal?

See solicitation section L and M

223. Attachment 1, Tab 3 (EE List)

Would the Government update the EE list with all FTE? What are the full labor category requirements for the FTE?

NO – Again This is Cost Plus and the FTE’s indicated were an artifact of the current FFP contracts

224. Attachment 1, Tab 3 (EE List

Could the Government add additional information to the terms “Junior/Mid-Level” “Mid-Level” “Subject Matter Expert”, and “Senior Level”? What are the years’ experience and degrees required?

A list of requirements has been provided to WHS.

225. Attachment 1, Tab 1 and Tab 3 (MPS List and PD-FO)

How many FTE are required for the MPS and PD-FO task orders? What are the annual labor hours and minimum qualifications (e.g., what was provided in the EE list) required for the PWS paragraph?

Dependent on what is needed to perform the functions in the PWSs. An approximation is listed in Q 215

Cost Plus should allow flexibility.

226. When is the final RFP expected?

The release of the RFP will be within weeks.

227. Can we reasonably expect the same approximate amount of time as last time (six months) between RFP and award?

As shown in Section F, the start date is projected to be March 15, 2016.

228. Since the previous effort had three awardees, will this have approximately the same number?

The goal of the procurement is to ensure future competition for task orders. The number of awards will be based on this and the quality of the proposals.

229. When will the Government award a contract? See section F

230. Will any of the Task Orders be multi-award?

231. What is the number of envisioned FTEs for each attached PWS?

WHS has rewritten Sections L&M and will address

232. What is the envisioned dollar ceiling for each of the Task Orders?

See section B

233. Is there a maximum number of staff that can work on-site in Government spaces?

Yes 118 across ALL Task Orders

234. Is there a maximum number of CAC cards allowed on this contract?

CACs can be issued for off-site support that needs access to Government Computer systems.

CACs will be provided for all who work in Gov’t spaces and for those who need access to Gov’t networks

235. What are the LCAT requirements for all required positions? Are there requirements in terms of Years of Experience, Degrees, or Certifications?

That has been provided to WHS and will be added to the RFPs

236. Sections L and M are inconsistent with the numbering associated with the Factors, for example Section L has “Cost” as “Factor 5”, Section M has “Cost” as “Factor 4”. Please clarify

See Section L and M

237. How many awardees are envisioned?

238. Can you explain what is “the first Task Order”? Is it associated with the first attached PWS? The first Task described in Section 2.0 of the Draft RFP? Something else?

239. For Factor 1 – Program

Management Plan, the draft RFP indicates that our Proposal must include a schedule, staffing plan, and proposed approach to meet or exceed the minimum performance or capability requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

1. Can you provide more details regarding expectations for the staffing plan?

2. Are we to describe Key staff? The entire staffing plan?

3. Can you provide the number of staff expected in this section?

4. Can you provide the basic qualifications for these staff?

5. Which PWS are we to respond to? One of the attachments? All of the attachments?

6. The staffing plan is not evaluated in Section M Factor 1, Program Management Plan, as listed in Section L, Factor 1 – is this an error?

Section L has been rewritten to better clarify.

240. Section M.0 Evaluation Criteria, Factor 1, Section M for Factor 1

– Program Management Plan states “The offeror shall as a part of the proposal include a program management plan demonstrating knowledge of

DASD(SE)

requirements and how

Is the government interested in efficiencies across the three identified Tasks or should the focus be specific to the efficiency within each specific Task?

See section L and M to ensure that products are of acceptable quality, delivered on a agreed to schedule at a efficiency that limits waste of resources.

241. Factor 2 – Personnel, the draft RFP indicates that our Proposal must provide a list of personnel made up of members of the management plan and Senior Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and their resumes.

1. Can you provide more specifics regarding the key positions we should address?

2. Can you provide which specific positions we should address?

3. Can you provide how many positions should we address?

4. Can you provide basic qualifications for these positions (e.g. years of experience, degree, etc)?

5. Can you clarify what specific information is expected in the staffing plan required in Factor 1, what specific information is expected in the 10 pages of Personnel description in Factor 2, and what specific information is expected in the resumes in Factor 2?

6. The Staffing plan is part of Factor 1, Program Management Plan, in Section L but is evaluated as Factor 2, Personnel?

Is this an error or will it be evaluated

Section L has been rewritten to better clarify.

separately from the PMP?

242. There is a statement in Section M under Factor 2 – “This evaluation will exclude a separate “personnel” assessment to not provide a competitive advantage to the incumbent

Can you clarify the intent of this statement?

Given that Section L requires that we include names and resumes in this section, what is meant that the evaluation will “exclude a separate personnel assessment”?

243. The evaluation factors for the Program Management Plan and Personnel Factors focus on quality deliverables and quality proposed personnel.

Should there also be a focus on ensuring continuity and the quality of replacement personnel over the contract period of performance, as well as the quality of personnel meeting new and currently unknown requirements?

While continuity is of some value, the qualifications and the plan to provide efficient execution of tasks is of higher value. The PWSs go into sufficient detail on tasks to ensure an understanding of the workload and expertise required to support the tasks.

244. Attachment 2, Section

9.6 references Software Workforce.

This work appears to be similar to Attachment 4, Section 7. Are these efforts to be complementary or will they be staffed by the same individuals? We want to confirm that Software Workforce belongs in Attachment 2.

n Attachment 2 Section 9.6 (MPS) this is execution of Software Engineering functions, In Attachment 4 (EE support), this is the Development of Guidance and Policy in support of all DoD efforts in this area. Changes have been made to the PWSs to make this clearer

245. Attachment 5, Section 2 (DIB, Cybersecurity and IA) seems out of place in this section that generally requires

This PWS section seems better suited in Attachment 3 or 4, can you confirm it belongs in Attachment 5?

DIB, Cybersecuity and IA are managed by the Principal Deputy DASD(SE) and this PWS will be support the PD DASD(SE).

administrative and front office support.

246. Attachments 1, 2 and 3- Attachment 1 Tab “MPS List” and All Attachments 2 and 3

The PWS section numbers identified in the deliverables list in Attachment 1 do not represent all or align with the paragraph numbers in Attachment 2 (PWS 1) and Attachment 3 (PWS 2), the two MPS PWSs.

There are some PWS sections from Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 that are not identified at all in Attachment 1. Is it correct to assume there are no deliverables associated with those PWS sections not identified in attachment 1? If not, can the government please clarify?

There are some PWS sections in attachment 2 and attachment 3 that do not correlate with attachment 1. Can the government please update?

The PWS indices will be updated on each PWS

Attachment 1 has been updated

In some cases the work may not include a deliverable per se, but require engineering support to as needed in the task to include meeting attendance, advise to Gov’t offices etc.

247. Attachment 3, Paragraph 9.1

Defense Acquisition Program Support (DAPS) Methodology states: “The contractor shall continuously update the DAPS methodology … The contractor shall develop an online

The paragraph specifies continual updates to the DAPS, but is silent on the expected maintenance /update/administration of the on-line support tool. Please specify the required task and frequency to maintain and/or make improvements, and administer the on-line tool set. For comparison Para 6.0 states “incrementally updated (no less than quarterly) thereafter” for the other Analysis Methods, Processes, Systems and Tools.

Para 9.1 has been changed “The contractor shall use an iterative SE process to develop, administer and maintain the support tool. He initial system prototype shall be delivered in 4 months and incrementally updated (no less then quarterly) thereafter.

The contractor shall perform system administration activities, data inputs and database assessment support tool that guides contractor and government DAPS users through the creation of their findings/reports for reviews or assessments that use the DAPS methodology.”

maintenance.

248. Attachment 4 Attachments 2 and 3 which contain the PWS requirements for supporting the Major Program Support organization are clear about the current workload and how it will increase over the 5 year contract period to inform bidders’ proposals. However, Attachment 4 which deals with supporting Engineering Enterprise organization lacks any specificity on the current and projected workload to inform bids.

Will more detail about the current and projected workload in the EE organization be provided in the final RFP?

Cost Plus, Gov’t will review as needed and may adjust the level of effort within the PWS as needed to support future changes.

# Reference Question

249.

General

Is there a specified transition timeframe? 30 days? 60 days?

No

250.

General

Will the basic contract be single award or multiple awards? If multiple awards, how many awards are planned?

See section B

251. General Will initial task orders be awarded with the basic contract?

See section B, L, and M

252.

General

Will the Government convene an industry day and/or Government/contractor one-on-one sessions prior to final RFP release

No

253. Contract Deliverable Lists

The tab titled "EE List" provides guidance as to the level of effort desired (~54 FTEs). Will similar information be provided to the bidders for the other two tasks? In the absence of this information, will the Government provide historical information as to the level of effort expended by the current incumbent contractors?

CWRB and Past Performance Labor chart have been provided to WHS for inclusion into the RFPs.

254. What is the proposal response timeframe? See section L

255. L.1.8 Will a small business subcontracting plan be required? If so, what are the small business subcontracting goals?

Yes

256. L.1.8 Please confirm that the total page count for Volume 1 is 35 (2+20+10+3) and not 25.

See section L

257. L.2.1.1 This requirement asks for a project schedule.Given this is not structured as a completion effort but rather as a supporting level of effort, please clarify what content is desired in this schedule. Alternatively, are you looking for our schedule management approach instead?

258. L.2.1.1 Given resumes are not included in the page limit of 10, the only requirement contained in those 10 pages is simply a list of personnel. Is this correct? Furthermore, how many names are required, as a minimum, to be in the list?

Does the Government intend to define the key personnel/key positions?

See solicitation section L and M

259. L.2.1.4 Are the use of references from subcontractor teammates allowed?

Yes, please see the Solicitation, Performance Work Statement, and all other documents for this solicitation.

260.

Sections A-M L.2.2.1

Does the Government intend to define the number of positions, number of labor hours required for each position, and the labor categories required? Does the Government intend to provide the bidders with an excel based cost model to be populated?

Please see the Solicitation, Performance Work Statement, and all other documents for this solicitation.

261.

Sections A-M M, Factor 2

This states in part "this evaluation will exclude a separate personnel assessment to not provide a competitive advantage to the incumbent".

Please explain what is actually excluded given line two makes it clear that "the personnel will be evaluated for suitability for the proposed position(s)...".

See solicitation section L and M

262.

Sections A-M M, Factor 4

Please define "projected cost" further. Is this the figure defined by the bidders in their respective bids or is this a figure developed by the Government?

WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address

263. Sections A-M M, Factor 4

Given certified cost or pricing data is usually not required when there is adequate price competition, is the Government anticipating

WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address that they will not obtain adequate price competition?

264. Sections A-M M, Factor 4

What requirement from Section L is being evaluated in order to make a determination that an offeror has sufficient financial resources?

WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address

265.

Sections A-M M, Factor 4

At what point does the proposed cost go from being the lowest projected cost which is most favorable to a significant underestimation of cost which is considered less favorable?

WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address

266.

General

Will the Government provide a draft copy of the DD1423s associated with the Attachment 1 deliverables?

No

267.

PWS 1 and 2

Question No. 1: What is the difference/significance of having two PWS for MPS support? Nominally, PWS-1 is for Software and Schedule, and PWS-2 appears to be more general, but there is a lot of duplication between the two PWS’s.

Question No. 2: Will there be separate task orders for PWS-1 and 2? If so, how will the government and offerer distinguish between the two PWS’s for overlapping tasks? For example, Sections 5 and 6 appear to be identical in both PWS’s. Section 8 in PWS-1 is similar to Section 7 in PWS-2, in that both address MDAPs and MAISs, but PWS-2 includes an additional task for SAR and MAR support.

The two PWS separate the work load to better allow management of tasks. Some duplication may occur and some work between contractors will be required.

There will be SEPARATE task orders for each of the PWSs

Work in support of both MPS PWSs is similar.

# Reference Page # Questions

268. Section H – H.5 Security Clearances.

Paragraph A

21 Please provide clarification on the security requirements for each task order. How many people by task order who require a Top Secret clearance? How many people by task order require TS/SCI? Are any specific positions designated as requiring a TS/SCI?

Those tasks requiring security clearances above SECRET will be addressed in the

PWS.

269. Section H – H.6.

OCI

21-22 Please provide additional information on Organization Conflict of Interest. Can the Government provide a list of all programs which, if the offeror worked on as a technical perform/vendor/supplier, would cause the offeror to have a conflict of interest? How will Conflict of Interest be addressed in Section M?

See solicitation section H

270. Section L 44 How many task orders will be released under the IDIQ? WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address

271. Section L 44 How many IDIQ contracts will be awarded as a result of this solicitation?

WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address

272. Section L Para 1.9 Subcontracting

45 Where in the proposal should the offeror provide the information required in Paragraph 1.9? Can it be excluded from page count limits?

Volume 1, can not be excluded from page count limits

273. Section L – 2.1.2 Factor 2

46 Can the Government please provide a list of billets (labor categories and hours) by task order the offeror should propose against?

See solicitation section J

274. Section L – 2.1.4 Factor 4

46 Will the Government increase the timeframe for the 3 past performances to be submitted with the proposals from 3 years to 5 years. A three year limit favors the incumbents due to the period of performance for the current contracts being five years in duration.

See solicitation Section L and M

275. Section L – Para

2.1.1 and Attachment 1

46 Should the project schedule include all deliverables in Attachment 1?

See solicitation Section L and M

276. Section L – 2.2.1 Factor 5

47 What discounts is the Government expecting per Section L 2.2.1? How should these discounts be addressed in Volume 2?

The reference to discounts will be removed

277. Section L – 2.2.1 Factor 5

47 Should the offeror bid IDIQ rates? Where should the offeror include this information? What are the labor qualifications, minimum years’ experience, and categories for the IDIQ rates?

See solicitation Section L and M

278. Section M – Factor

48 Can the Government provide additional information on how a “personnel” assessment is separate from the evaluation listed in Section M, Factor 2? What will the Government be doing in the evaluation to prevent such an assessment?

See solicitation Section L and M

279. Section M – Factor

48 What is a “personnel” assessment and how does it favor the incumbent?

See solicitation Section L and M

280. Section M 48 Please provide clarification as to the two Past Performance factors in Section L.

See solicitation Section L and M

281. Section M Factor 4 Cost.

Does the Government allow the use of uncompensated overtime on this effort? If so, how will this factor into the cost evaluation? How will offeror’s be compared to one another in terms of uncompensated overtime?

See solicitation Section L and M

282. Section M Factor 4 Cost Data Support

How will technical evaluators have insights into the cost volume? Who will be examining the traceability of the proposed labor hours/costs to the quality of personnel in the technical proposal?

See solicitation Section L and M

283. Definitions 53 Does the definition of LPTA on page 53 indicate that this No is an LPTA evaluation?

284. Attachment 1 Tab 3

(EE

List)

The EE list is missing FTE estimates for some statement of work paragraphs. Can the Government update the EE list to include a full listing of FTE? What are the labor category requirements?

The FTE effort will be based on the understanding of the Vendors of the tasks as explained in the PWS. A definition of labor categories and criteria will be provided.

285. Attachment 1 Tab 3

(EE

List)

Please provide years of experience and degree requirements for the “Junior/Mid-Level” “Mid-Level” “Subject Matter Expert” “Senior Level” labor categories.

The FTE effort will be based on the understanding of the Vendors of the tasks as explained in the PWS. A definition of labor categories and criteria will be provided.

286. Attachment 1 Tab 1 and Tab 3

(MPS

List and

PD-FO)

What are the number of FTE required for the two MPS, PD, and FO task orders? What are the labor category requirements?

The two MPS task orders have overlap in tasks, is it the government’s intention to duplicate this effort?

WHS has rewritten the Section L and M to address

287. Attachment 1 All Did the government use 1880 as the number hours to compute the man years in attachment 1?

Yes