Industry_Q_and_A_114th_11102016.pdf

Q # Doc/File Title

Page No. Line (if applicable) RFP Section Reference Question

Answer

1 RFP 18 of 91 "Note 1" Note 1: The Government’s preference is for the offeror to provide a signed document from the offeror’s Facility Security Officer (FSO) that all proposed key personnel have been adjudicated by the Defense Intelligence Agency

Where does this letter go in the proposal? In the Resume section or somewhere else?

Please provide the adjudication letter in the résumé section of the proposal.

2 RFP 18 of 91 7.9.1 7.9.1. Offerors shall submit information on no more than three (3) contracts considered most relevant in demonstrating the ability to perform the proposed effort

Due to the number and unique nature of many of the task areas, would the Government consider allowing 5 Past Performance citations?

No.

3 RFP 24 of 91 2.4.2.2 The offer will include one resume for the program manager, and resumes for two to five administrative services managers (team leads).

What LCATS on the pricing spreadsheet are these "two to five" employees? Are these FTE to be included in the pricing volume and if so, where?

The information provided in paragraph 2.4.2.2 was included erroneously. The FTE's necessary for this requirement are located in section 1.7 of the PWS. The pricing spreadsheet is accurate and will not be changed.

4 RFP 24 of 91 2.4.2.4 2.4.2.4. The offer will include a Transition In Plan that addresses the process and procedures the Contractor will use to minimize disruption experienced during the transition to the new contract.

A transition plan usually indicates that the new contractor given an award will be taking over services form another incumbent contractor. Is there an incumbent contractor or multiple contractors who are performing these services today? If not, why does the government require a transition plan?

This is a new requirement and as a result, there are no incumbents. The tranisition plan portion of the solicitation has been updated within the RFP. The government is requesting a "phase in" plan to account for proper staffing levels once the contract is awarded.

5 RFP 57 of 91 1.3 (second bullet)

Continuously improve end‐to‐end service levels. Are current service levels documented? Can current service levels be described or issued to bidders?

The current service levels are documented and described within the attachment of Technical Exhibit 3 (Attachment 1, IT Services Guide) of this solicitation.

6 RFP 18 of 91 7.8.1.1 Provide resumes of the key personnel identified in paragraph 1.7 of the PWS that demonstrate how the key personnel meet the minimum requirements in paragraphs 1.7.1 through 1.7.1.10, This requirement seems to be in conflict with Para 2.4.2.2 (pg 24), which states a requirement for a Program Manager resume and 2‐5 Administrative Services Managers (Team Leads) resumes. Is it the Government's intent that all 10 of the "labor categories" listed in Section

1.7 of the PWS be considered key and therefore requiring resumes, or does the requirement in 2.4.2.2 stand?

The information provided in paragraph 2.4.2.2 was included erroneously. The FTE's necessary for this requirement are located in section 1.7 of the PWS.

7 RFP 63 of 91 1.7.1 The subsections below identify the Key Personnel and desired Contractor provided skill sets.

Can the Government please clarify the difference between task area requirements and Key Personnel requirements? Section 1.7.1 seems to be a combination of labor category requirements and task requirements. For example, 1.7.1.2 (VDI engineering Services) states requirement for "at least 5 years' experience", and then lists 24 bullets that combine experience requirements and tasks. It is highly unlikely that a VDI Engineer exists that is a SQL database expert, a VDI expert and a VMWare expert.

The Government has revised the PWS. Please refer to the updated RFP for additional details.

Questions and Answers for RRMC ITES

8 RFP 69 of 91 1.12 The Contractor shall transition all services without interruption or degradation of service levels.

Can the Government clarify from whom the contractor will be transitioning?

See the response to question #4.

9 RFP 84 of 91 5.13.7 There seems to be a jump from section 5.13.7 to 5.3. This seems incorrect and out of place to go from sextion 5.13 to section 5.3, which is a duplicate of an earlier section number.

That is correct the number scheme is incorrect/duplicated, however the information is not duplicated and still applies. The numbering has been updated within the RFP.

10 RFP 81 of 91 5.8 This entire section refers to CISCO and Juniper centric network infrastructure, however the most recent 114th Signal Batallion installation standards which is referenced in section 6 outlines Passive Optical Network (PON) technolgies as the standard moving forward for Network infrastructure. Can the government clarify the need for CISCO/Juniper Network expertise with the new standard?

That is correct, the organization is moving to a PON technology, however this does not exist today. Even if we installed PON tommorrow we will still have the Juniper/Cisco Switched network for the forseeable future until such time the entire facility has been migrated. The projections for this is out to 2025. The Government still has the requirement for Juinper/Cisco expertise, if the contractor has PON technology expertise it will be a bonus.

11 RFP 88 of 91 PRS #3 99.95% Network uptime Can the government provide data on current Network uptime? Will the government allow a "ramp up" of the PRS based on the contractor "inheriting" a network infrastructure that was not designed or built by us?

Current Network uptime us 99.977%. The contractor will not be "inheriting" the network but working with existing Government network personnel and subjected to the same standards of network up time.

12 RFP 63 of 91 1.7.1.1 This position requires training and certification within DoD 8570.01‐M compliance: minimum IAM Level I. Additionally this position requires Project Management Professional Certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification.

The IAM Level I certification requirement is an entry level security certification, while the CISSP is a more senior level requirement. Can the Government clarify which level is required for the Program Manager?

The minimum for anyone working on this contract is IAM level 1.

The RFP specifically reqiured the Program Manager to have CISSP.

13 Gen N/A N/A N/A Is it acceptable to propose someone to fill a key personnel slot who will have the necessary certifications at contract start date, but not at the time of the Proposal?

No.

14 RFP 13 para (f) Under Instructions to offeror’s, para (f), (1), at top of page 13 government states “..time of receipt is 4:30 p.m. local time”. This conflicts with the time stated on block 8 of SF 1449 which states the “offer Due Date/Local Time is 11:00am”, can the government please confirm the time proposals are due?

Paragraph (f)(1) states: "If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 pm." We have specified a time and the time we set is in accordance with block 8 of the SF1449.

15 RFP 9 Under General Information, pg. 9, government states “This is a single award, IDIQ”, yet on pg. 13, para (h) the government states “Multiple awards”. Can the government please clarify if this is a single award, IDIQ or multiple award, IDIQ?

The government anticipates awarding this as a single award IDIQ.

16 RFP 7.6.3.1 Section 7.6.3.1 states that signed Non‐Disclosure Agreements must be included with our proposal. Please confirm that the Government only needs the signed NDAs from the people who will be filling the positions that are listed as Key Personnel located in Section 2.2.2.

The NDA's must be signed by the key personnel and their management after award.

17 Please confirm if the Government requires Letters of Commitment for Key Personnel in reference to Section 2.1.6.

No, the Government does not require Letters of Commitment for key personnel.

18 Please confirm the Government only requires the resume of the PM and 2‐5 administrative services managers, as specified in Section 2.4.2.2 in the PWS.

See the response to question 6.

19 Please confirm the Administrative Service Managers referred to in Section 2.4.2.2 of the PWS are the Key Personnel listed in table 1‐7 of the PWS

See the response to question 6.

20 Please confirm if the resumes for Key Personnel are a part of the 20 page limitation in Volume I Section III Management Approach.

The résumés do not count towards the page limit for the Management Approach.

21 Please confirm if the Government requires the company to be a Prime on their Past Performances referred in Section 7.9.1 of the PWS.

The company may be a Prime or Subcontractor in regards to their past performance qualifications. Paragraph 7.9.1 of the RFP has been updated.

22 RFP 19 7.10 On pg. 19, para 7.10 Price (FACTOR 4), pg. 19, para 7.10.3, Estimating Techniques and Methods, is the government asking contractors to provide a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) with their submission?

No, paragraph 7.10.3 has been updated.

23 RFP 20 7.11 On pg. 20, para 7.11 “The Offeror’s Price Volume shall consist of the following”, the government only references the two pricing matrix worksheets and no narrative requirement. Is the government requesting only that contractors submit the two excel spreadsheets as their Price Volume or is the government expecting to see a written narrative to support? If so, what specific narrative would the government expect to see?”

Yes, a written narrative is expected. Please refer to the revised RFP paragraph 7.11.2.

24 RFP 58 1.6.4

On pg. 58, para 1.6.4 Hours of Operation, 2nd paragraph the government states “The Contractor shall also provide limited on‐site support during extended work hours (EWH) at no additional cost to the Government if the COR provides written notice to the Contractor..”. What is the expectation of EWH hours the government expects the contractor provide at no cost? What is the typical frequency (historically) of requiring EWH hours and number FTEs used to support limited on‐site support?

Historically to support excercises and planned events there could be up to 2 work weeks per year the EWH is required. Real world events cannot be planned. However, the verbiage for paragraph

1.6.4 has been updated to remove the language stating "at no additional cost to the Government". We will add an additional CLIN on the base and task orders for any potential EWH, as necessary. Refer to the revised PWS within the RFP paragraph

1.6.4 for additional details.

25 RFP 67 1.7.2 On pg 67, para 1.7.2 the government states “..the Contractor may be required to add additional Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) with the required technical certifications…”; We assume the government is not asking contractors to include an estimate and price this potential increase in our submission, but this requirement will be based on a future task order after award of the IDIQ, correct?

Correct.

26 RFP 7.4 Does the government have a preferred Font and Font Size?

Times New Roman font with a font size no smaller than 10 pt.

27 RFP 7.4

Can offerors use a smaller Font size for Graphics/Tables?

Yes.

28 RFP

7.9.4

The government states, “All past performance input must come from your customers through the attached PPQ.” Is it the government’s intention not to have a write‐up section that includes the required Reference: 7.9.10 Past performance reference information?

The past performance section has two parts: (1) Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) which shall be completed by the customers and sent to us directly via email in accordance with 7.9.4. (2) The past performance write‐up shall be written in accordance with

7.9.3 and 7.9.10 which shall not exceed 12 pages in length.

PPQ's shall not to be included in the page count for the PP write‐ up.

7.9.9 has been removed in its entirety.

7.9.4 and 7.9.10 have been updated to reflect the changes mentioned above.

29 RFP

2.4.2.2

The government states, “…and resumes for two to five administrative services managers (team leads).” Does the government have specific team leads for specific tasks or is this organization left to the Prime contractor’s discretion?

See the response to question 6.

30 RFP

2.4.2.2

Does the government want the 10 Resumes of Key Personnel‐Section 7.8.1.1 or does it want 5 resumes per the Evaluation criteria above Section 2.4.2.2?

See the response to question 6.

31 RFP

2.4.2.2

How many pages per Resume and are Resumes counted towards page count?

See the response to question 22.

32 RFP

2.4.2.3

Does the government expect a transition in plan as part of the Management section (Factor 2), or does it expect per the Technical Exhibit 2 Deliverables Schedule: A Draft Transition‐in Plan 5 days after award?

This is a new requirement and as a result, there are no incumbents. See question 4.

Gen

A hard copy delivery is required by the morning of the 14 Nov, which would normally mean that most bidders will want to submit their proposals the Friday before;

however, that Friday is Veterans Day and the Government is closed. Would the Government consider extending the due date to the following Friday, 18 Nov? This would allow the many Veterans working for SDVOSB companies to enjoy the holiday weekend and not cut short the number of available days to complete the proposal before delivering by hand.

The RFP submission deadline will be extended to Monday, November 28th at 11:00 AM EST.

34 58 Page 58. In reference to NWH/EWH “at no additional cost.” Would the Government please clarify such that in a FFP, will those hours be offset (comp’d), or should we build those into our pricing proposal (beyond the scheduled hours).

See the response to question 24.

35 If employees are asked to work outside of the norm, how will this be compensated? Will there be a clause for “above any beyond” or should this be anticipated and priced into our proposal?

See the response to question #24.

RFP

7.8.1.1

Can the resumes and copies of certificates be added as an appendix to the Management Volume outside of the page count?

See the response to question 20.

37 RFP 18 7.8.1.1 What is the per‐resume page limit? Please refer to section 7.8.1.1.6.

RFP

7.9.4, 7.9.7

7.9.4 states "All past performance input must come from your customers through the attached Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ). Information beyond the twelve page limit will not be considered." 7.9.7 states: "The customer must return the Past Performance Questionnaire directly via email to the Contracting Office as indicated in the questionnaire." Question: If PPQs are sent directly to the contracting shop we will not be able to include them in the PP Volume. Please clarify these two statements.

See the response to question #28.

RFP

2.4.2.2

"The offer will include one resume for the program manager, and resumes for two to five administrative services managers (team leads)." Question 1: Are the administrative service managers the same as the key personnel listed in PWS Section 1.7? Question 2: If they are the same, how many total resumes are required to be submitted as part of the management approach?

See the response to question #3.

RFP

7.8.1.1

Resumes are required for all key personnel listed in Section 1.7 of the PWS. The Planet IRM Integration Engineer is listed but the position is not required until Option Year 2. Question: Please clarify why this position is Key if it is not required for two years?

Depending on circumstances, this skill set could be needed at any given time.

RFP

1.6.4

Question 1: Can you provide a rough estimate as to when 24x7x365 operational coverage will be required?

Question 2: Please identify what positions will require 24x7x365 coverage?

Historically to support excercises and planned events there could be up to 2 work weeks per year the EWH is required. Real world events cannot be planned.

The following positions in Table 1‐7, Key Personnel, page 63 might be required to support EWH:

1.7.1.2 through 1.7.1.5 and 1.7.1.9

In addition, see the response to question #24.

RFP

1.6.4

Will any of the contractor personnel be identified as Mission Essential?

No.

RFP

7.8.1.1.6

Note 1 states "The Government’s preference is for the offeror to provide a signed document from the offeror’s Facility Security Officer (FSO) that all proposed key personnel have been adjudicated by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and have the applicable required current or active security clearances; however, it is incumbent on the offeror to provide information / documentation that gives the Government reasonable assurance that the offeror has met the minimum certification and security clearance requirements." Is SCI adjudication and eligibility by another agency sufficient to meet the requirements of the contract?

The Government does not have sufficient information to answer this question.

RFP

1.6.4

Please explain the details of providing "limited on‐site support during extended work hours (EWH) at no addtional cost to the gov?" How can this be proposed in a FFP contract?

See the response to question #24.

ATT 5

1 & 2 Please clarify the Labor Categories listed in Column B to include education and years of experience, specifically for

SME II.

All labor categories and their respective education requirements can be found in the RFP under the PWS section (1.7).

ATT 6

Tab 5 Can you provide directions or instructions on how offerors should price items that are expected to reach end of sales or end of life prior to the end of the 5 year POP?

We look to the contractor to propose new items, different models, transition plans as possible replacements to ensure manufacture support is maintained.

Gen

Is there a contract in place to provide these services? If so, who is the incumbent contractor and what is the contract number?

This is a new requirement and as a result, there are no incumbents.

48 Would the Government please clarify if proposed candidates are required to possess all certifications at time of submission, or prior to contract start?

See the response to question # 13

49 In regards to the PM position, the job description indicates that the candidate must be, at a minimum, IAM Level I compliant, and must also possess a PMP and CISSP certification. It appears that a CISSP certification is actually an IAM Level II certification. Would the Government please confirm that if our proposed PM possesses both, a PMP and CISSP, he/she will fulfill the IAM Level I requirement?

Confirmed.

50 Would the Government please confirm whether any contingent offer letters or letters of intent must be included for key personnel?

See the response to question #17.

51 Would the Government please confirm that only 10 of the 14 resumes are being requested as part of our submission?

The government is expecting 14 résumés.

52 Gen Is there an incumbent currently performing this work? See the response to question #47.

53 Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation under solicitation number HQ003416R0218 contain requirements similar to a current contract? If possible, please provide the current contract number. Or, is this a new requirement for the government?

See the response to question #47.

ATT 5

N/A

N/A

How many FTEs is the Government requiring? Is it 14 total or is it 9 with 5 of the positions being filled by part‐time personnel. The hour amount is what is causing the confusion.

Base Year is 14. FTE is considered 1880 hours per man year. The Excel formula calculates 2 FTEs even though it has 1880 hours for

1 FTE.

55 RFP 19 7.9.4 All past performance input must come from your customers through the attached Past Performance Questionnaire. Information beyond the twelve page limit will not be considered.

Per the instructions on the PPQ, our customers will submit the response directly to the Contract Specialist. As a result, the offeror will not have access to the completed PPQ. Additionally, Instructions in 7.9.9 and 7.9.10 require additional information to be included in the Past Performance Section. Suggest that this instruction be revised to direct offerors to document the administrative information of each reference, the offeror's performance and the relevancy (size, scope, complexity) to the RRMC ITES effort.

See the response to question #28.

56 RFP 19 7.9.9 7.9.9. 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.

Section 7.9.4 states that the Past Performance section shall not exceed 12 pages in length. Section 7.9.9 states that each description shall not exceed 1 page in length, but we are limited to 3 references. Please clarify the page limits for each past performance citation, and what those page limits entail, e.g., past performance questionnaires (which are to be submitted directly to the Government and not sent to the offeror) or just offeror's write‐up including the details and a limit of 1 page for each of the 3 references describing problems/corrective actions.

See the response to question #28.

57 RFP 18 7.8.1.1 Provide resumes of the key personnel identified in paragraph 1.7 of the PWS that demonstrate how the key personnel meet the minimum requirements in paragraphs 1.7.1 through 1.7.1.10, and include the following information as applicable

Please clarify whether resumes are excluded from the 20‐ page limit for Section II Management Approach? Can they be included as an Appendix to this volume?

See the response to question #20.

58 RFP 17 7.6.3.1 Signed Non‐Disclosure Agreement (NDA), Attachment 3.

The instructions state that offerors shall include a signed NDA (Attachment 3), which seems to be an NDA that is signed by employees at as part of the onboarding process.

Please clarify the intent behind this requirement and that this is the correct NDA that should be included, or if it's the correct NDA, who should be completing and signing.

See the response to question #16.

59 ATT 6 Regarding Corning. This is in regards to Part # LCLCGFM424NXR05 (Line 313, Item A290 on their Material List). Is this truly a break out fiber or a fiber jumper?

In addition, is an OM3 or OM4 needed and is this multimode or singlemode?

It is a MTP to LC breakout fiber. OM3 and OM4 is laser‐optimized 50‐micron multi‐mode fiber. Whether it is needed or not will depend upon the technical guidance of the Subject Matter Expert (SME) awarded the contract. This list of materials is a list of possible items that could or might be purchased, not necessarily purchased.

60 RFP 1.7.1.1 Program Management‐‐ This position requires training and certification within DoD 8570.01‐M compliance: minimum IAM Level I.

Additionally this position requires Project Management Professional Certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification. This individual should have at least 8 years of Project Management experience with IT and telecommunications systems and also have experience in management, budget development, strong communications and briefing skills, and strong interpersonal skills.

Would the government consider removing the CISSP Certification from the PM position because other’s within the Team‐i.e., The Information Assurance Engineer has this certification.

See the response to question #59.

61 ATT 6 Bosch ‐ More information in needed in order to quote.

Could you please provide part numbers/specs?

See attached and response to question #59.

Part_Numbers