Final_Questions_and_Answers_Amendment.pdf

HQ0034-17-R-0122-0001

AMENDED SOLICITATION

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1. In response to Question 3 in the solicitation Q&A Final issued by WHS, the government indicated that “The offeror shall provide Past Performance Questionnaire for the contract references that are not listed in PIPPRs.” However, section 52.212-1 ADDENDUM, Section D does not incorporate the government’s response to question 3 of the Q&A that bidders can submit PPIRS in lieu of PPQs.

In order to ensure that we are fully complying with the government’s instructions, may we please confirm that PPIRS can be submitted to WHS in lieu of PPQs?

Answer: Please see “Draft Solicitation Question #3, “The Government will evaluate the offerors past performances as identified in the Combined Synopsis Solicitation. The offeror shall provide Past Performance Questionnaire for the contract references that are not listed in PIPPRs. Please see in the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation that incorporates this information, under 52.212-2 EVALUATION-- COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014) ADDENDUM under Factor -2 Past Performance.

Question 2. The PWS refers to sections 5.3 - 5.7 as related to CLIN 001 for IPM support to the JSP and Internal customers as identified in Exhibit 3. However, under Exhibit 5 "Estimated Workload Data" CLIN 003 includes 5.3-5.7. Is the government's intent for the contractor to provide pricing for technical support services for the Internal customers as identified in Exhibit 3 under CLIN 003? Or is the technical support for Internal Customers as identified in Exhibit 3 to be covered under CLIN 001 and it is erroneously included under the references in the tables under the Estimated Work Load Data column, "PWS Task Section" under CLIN 003?

Answer: Technical Exhibit 3- Internal & External Customer Listing, identify both the internal and external customers. CLINs X001 and CLINs X003 specifically identify the requirements that are needed in accordance to the solicitation. Please see amended Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation.

Question 3. Technical Exhibit 5 Estimated Workload Data:

a. The Type of Personnel column lists Subject Matter Expert (Master/Senior) for CLIN x001; SME

(Senior) for CLIN x003 – are these two the same Labor Category?

Answer: In CLIN X001, the Subject Matter Expert will reflect a Master and a Senior. In CLIN X003, it will reflect a Subject Matter Expert (Senior). As stated in the Technical Exhibit 5- Estimated Workload Data-, the data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance Work Statement. The contractor is not required to propose the hours listed below and is encouraged to use sound judgment and business practices when preparing cost proposal.

b. The Type of Personnel column lists Project Manager for CLIN x010 and Project Master for CLIN x003 – are these two the same Labor Category?

Answer: Please see amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation as CLINs 010 and X003 has been updated. Please refer to the amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

c. The Type of Personnel column lists Specialist (Master/Senior) for CLIN x001 and Specialist

(Senior) for CLINs x004 through x007 – are the all the same Labor Category?

Answer: In CLIN X001, the Subject Matter Expert will reflect a Master and a Senior. In CLIN X003, it will reflect a Subject Matter Expert (Senior). CLINs 0004 to 0007 has been updated. As stated in the Technical Exhibit 5-Estimated Workload Data-, “The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance Work Statement. The contractor is not required to propose the hours listed below and is encouraged to use sound judgment and business practices when preparing cost proposal. Please see the amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

Question 4. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation document lists the ITEM NO and QUALTITY for all CLINs. In this document, the estimated quantity of hours for CLIN x002 is 54. However, this does not match the estimated hours for CLIN X002 in Technical Exhibit 6 LABOR HOUR CLIN TABLE. Which numbers are accurate?

Answer: Please see amended Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation as it reflect 54 hours for CLINs X002 and Technical Exhibit 6- Labor Hour CLIN Table.

Question 5. Will the Government allow prime contractors to use past performance references performed as a subcontractor? We have CAC/PKI policy, RA, and CAC/PIN reset workstation management experience for the Army as prime for 13 years, and similar subcontract work from 2013 to 2016, where we led the CAC/PKI work for Army under a large business prime.

Answer: Yes, past performances references can come from a subcontractor as long as the served as the Prime. Please see the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Question 6. Will the Government allow past performance references performed within the last 5 years?

Answer: No, past performance references must be performed within the past three years from proposal due date as identified in the amended Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation.

Question 7. Will the Government consider changing the PPQ due date from 9 August to 15 August to allow raters adequate time to respond?

Answer: The Government has extended the due date for the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) from Wednesday, August 09, 2017 to Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 4:00PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Please see the amended Combined Synopsis /Solicitation.

Question 8. Technical Exhibit 5 shows 17 FTEs. Is this correct? Please clarify.

Answer: Based on historical data identify in Technical Exhibit 5- Estimated Workload Data, the technical exhibit shows approximately 18.00 to19.00 FTEs. The Government has provided a Technical Exhibit 5- Estimated Workload Data which identify the estimated FTEs, but the data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance Work Statement. The contractor is not required to propose the hours listed below and is encouraged to use sound judgment and business practices when preparing cost proposal. Please see the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Question 9. Please clarify whether the Employees Compensation Plan is a separate volume (Volume V) or part of the Price (Volume IV).

Answer: Yes, Compensation Plan is separate volume under Volume V.

Question 10. Given the summer vacation schedules and availability of some of our customers, would the Government extend the proposal due date to August 18, to allow the CO/COR/GTR evaluators the ability to complete the PPQs?

Answer: No, the Government will not extend it to August 18. We have amended the solicitation and extended the due date to Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 10:00AM EST. See the amended Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Question 11. Will the government consider modifying this requirement to 30 days to allow the incoming contractor to assess the benefit of incumbent staff hires to ensure maximum continuity of service?

Answer: No, the Government will not modify this requirement to 30 days to allow the incoming contractor to assess the benefit of incumbent staff hires to ensure maximum continuity of service.

Question 12. Will the government consider adding a clause in the solicitation that prohibits the use of non-compete provisions for current prime and subcontractor employees as to allow for the potential to retain incumbent staff during contract transitions?

Answer: No, the Government will not add Non-Compete provisions.

Question 13. For Project Manager Key Personnel Position; is both 10 years in Information Technology Management and 10 years in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity a requirement? Or is it one or the other? If both, would the government consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience?

Answer: Both 10 years of experience in Information Technology Management, and 10 years of experience in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity are required. The 10 year requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping. No, the Government will not consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience.

Question 14. For Project Manager Key Personnel Position; are non -DoD 8570.01-M certifications listed a requirement on Day 1?

Answer: Yes, DoD 8570.01-M certification, Project Management Professional (PMP) listed is required at proposal submission. PMP would be in addition to one of the DoD 8570.01-M certifications listed that are also due at proposal submission.

Question 15. For Lead SME Key Personnel Position, is both 7 years in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and 7 years in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE a requirement? Or is it one or the other? If both, would the government consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience?

Answer: Both seven years of experience in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and seven years of experience in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE are required. The 7 year requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping. No, government will not consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience.

Question 16. For Lead SME Key Personnel Position; are non-DoD 8570.01-M certifications listed a requirement on Day 1?

Answer: Only DoD 8570.01-M certifications (CASP or CISSP) are listed for the Lead SME position and are required at proposal submission.

Question 17. For Technology SME Key Personnel Position, is both 7 years in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and 7 years in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE a requirement? Or is it one or the other? If both, would the government consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience?

Answer: Both seven years of experience in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and seven years of experience in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE are required. The seven (7) year requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping. No, government will not consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience.

Question 18. For Technology SME Key Personnel Position; are non -DoD 8570.01-M certifications listed a requirement on Day 1?

Answer: Only DoD 8570.01-M certifications (CASP or CISSP) are listed for the Technology SME position and are required at proposal submission.

Question 19. For Policy SME Key Personnel Position, is both 7 years in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and 7 years in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE a requirement? Or is it one or the other? If both, would the government consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience?

Answer: Both seven years of experience in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and seven years of experience in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE are required. The seven (7) year requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping. No, the government will not consider college degrees in a related field as a substitute for years of experience.

Question 20. For Policy SME Key Personnel Position; are non-DoD 8570.01-M certifications listed a requirement on Day 1?

Answer: Only DoD 8570.01-M certifications (CASP or CISSP) are listed for the Technology SME position and are required at proposal submission.

Question 21. The Specialist and Analyst labor categories for the FFP do not specify what type of specialist/analyst, should it read Information Security Specialist and Web Content Analyst as in Exhibit 6?

Answer: In the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, the Government has provided an estimated workload table in Technical Exhibit 5. The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance Work Statement. The contractor is not required to propose the hours listed below and is encouraged to use sound judgment and business practices when preparing cost proposal.

Question 22. The line items for Web Content Analyst in Option Period 1 and Option Period 2 are missing, was that intentional? If not, should we assume it is 6 hours and 588 hours as in the other periods?

Answer: Please see the amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation as Web Content Analyst has been updated under Option Period 1 and Option Period 2 under Technical Exhibit 6-Labor Hour CLIN Table.

Question 23. On Page 35 of 75 RFP says that the questionnaires must be received via email by Tuesday, August 09, 2017 AT 10:00AM, EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT). Questionnaires that are not received by the due date and time will not be evaluated?

Answer: The questionnaires will need to be received by Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT). See amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

Question 24. The first sentence of this paragraph reads: "Unless all offers are rejected, the Government intends to award a single, firm fixed price contract …" Everywhere else in the RFP the government states that this will be a hybrid firm-fixed price and labor hour contract. Would the government please clarify what type of contract will be awarded?

Answer: The Government intends to award a hybrid firm-fixed price/ labor hour/time & materials contract. See the amended Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation.

Question 25. The certifications required for the Project Manager are:

"Project Management Professional (PMP) or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)". This indicates that the Project Manager need have only one of these four certifications to meet certification requirements.

CASP, CISSP, and CISM will all address DoD 8570 IA certification requirements but PMP is a different type of certification. If the Project Manager has only a PMP, the PM will not meet DoD 8570 IA certification compliance requirements. We believe that the government meant to require the PMP AND one of the three IA certifications.

Would the government please clarify the certification requirements for the Project Manager?

Answer: The Project Manager (PM) will need one of the three IA certifications (CASP or CISSP or CISM) and PMP. Please see the amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Question 26. The first two sentences in Performance Work Statement Section 1.6.14.1. paragraph read:

"All travel that is performed outside the normal business hours in accordance with the PWS Section 1.6.4 titled “Hours of Operations” shall be charged against the Time and Materials (T&M) CLINs. All travel that is performed outside the normal business hours in accordance with the PWS Sections 1.6.4 titled “Hours of Operations” shall be charged against the Labor Hour (LH) CLINs." These sentences are identical except for how the travel will be charged. The first sentence states that travel will be charged against the Time and Materials (T&M) CLIN. The second sentence states that travel will be charged against the Labor Hour (LH) CLIN. Would the government please clarify how travel will be charged?

Answer: The PWS in section 1.6.14.1, has been updated to clarify the travel for this requirement. Please see amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

Question 27. Para 1.6.17.1 requires the Contractor to submit a Transition-In Plan however the Deliverable Table does not identify the Transition Plan as a deliverable (though it does include the Phase- Out Plan). Would the government please clarify whether the Transition-In Plan is a deliverable?

Answer: There is no deliverable for Transition-In Plan as it’s required at proposal submission.

Question 28. The instructions indicate that offerors are supposed to provide a completed OCI form in Volume I. The Government has provided an OCI document that outlines the purpose and scope of an OCI, but with no form attached. Is there a specific form that the Government wants offerors to complete and submit with the proposal, or is an offeror-drafted statement of OCI adequate?

Answer: Please refer to the amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation which includes the Organizational Conflict of Interest Form.

Question 29. The government instructs offerors to make every required part of Volume I into a separate document, and then place all documents into a folder for that Volume. Since the submission is not on CD, are offerors permitted to compress (zip) folders in order to attach them for the email submission? Or should offerors name each document with the volume number and email all documents separately and uncompressed? ("Volume I - OCI," "Volume I - Representations and Certifications," etc.?)

Answer: No compressed (zip) folders are to be attached for email submission. Please see amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

Question 30. In the final RFP, the Government has removed from the requirement to provide a full QCP, however, it is still listed in the instructions. Does the Government want offerors to provide a Quality Control Plan in the narrative?

Answer: The Government is requesting a Quality Control Plan (QCP) 30 days after the contract award.

The Offerors shall discuss the quality of services in their proposal as identified the amended Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.