Solicitation_Questions_and_Answers_Final.pdf

HQ0034-17-R-0122

DRAFT SOLICITATION

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Question: Page 58, Section 52.212-1 Addendum, and A1 (#3) - The government states: Responses to Technical Approach & Capability, Past Performance, and Price shall be in separate electronic folders (files). A cover letter shall be inserted in each folder (file), clearly marked as to the RFP identification, date of submittal, acknowledgement of any amendments, the Offeror’s name, address, Taxpayer ID number, CAGE code, and the Offeror’s POC name, phone, and email.

1a. Does the Government require three (3) separate cover letters, one (1) for each volume?

Answer: Yes, the Government require separate cover letters for each volume. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation ion.

b. If yes, does the government require the RFP identification, date of submittal, acknowledgement of any amendments, the Offeror’s name, address, Taxpayer ID number, CAGE code, and the Offeror’s POC name, phone, and email to be included three (3) separate times, once in each volume?

Answer: Yes, the Government require the RFP identification, date of submittal, acknowledgement of any amendments, the Offeror’s name, address, Taxpayer ID number, CAGE code, and the Offeror’s POC name, phone, and email in each volume. Please see Combined Synopsis Solicitation

2. Question: Page 59, Section 52.212-1 Addendum, B - Administrative (Volume I) - The government states: "The offeror shall present all cover letters , certifications, Organizational Conflict of Interest Form (OCI) and the completion of Clauses/Provisions, Signed 1449, and evidence of all security requirements, PWS 1.6.13 Security Requirements "

a. If the government is looking for three (3) separate cover letters, are all three cover letters to be included in Volume I as stated in Section B or ‘inserted in each file’ as instructed in Section A1 (Page 59)?

Answer: The cover letters shall be included in Volume I and each cover letter shall be included in its respective volume. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

b. The table provided on page 58 list the following additional elements for Volume I – Tax ID, CAGE Code, DUNS Number – are these elements required to be incorporated into the cover letter and thus are not listed under Volume I in Section B.

Answer: Yes, the elements identify in FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offeror-Commercial Items (FEB 2012) “Addendum,” Proposal Submission Table under Volume I- Administrative, must include the requested information as part of Volume I.

3. Question: Page 60, Section 52.212-1 Addendum, D – Past Performance (Volume III) – The government is asking that bidder’s prepare and submit past performance questionnaires to up to three (3) references.

a. Will the government accept PPIRS or CPARS in lieu of the past performance questionnaires?

Answer: 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.

4. Question: Page 60, Section 52.212-1 Addendum, E – Price Factor (Volume IV) – the government states: “The Price Volume shall contain two tabs that entitled (1) Price Schedule and (2) Labor Categories, both of which must be completed by the offeror.” The sections below then list Tab 1 – Price Schedule, Tab 2 – Labor Categories and Tab 4 – Travel

a. Should bidder’s plan to have three (3) tabs in the pricing spreadsheet?

Answer: Yes, the offeror shall provide three (3) tabs in their pricing spreadsheet. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation

b. Should Travel be labeled as Tab 3 rather than Tab 4?

Answer: Yes, Travel is listed as Tab 3. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation

5. Question: Page 60, Section L.E (Vol IV) states: “The offeror shall propose a firm-fixed price for the contract by submitting Price Volume IV in MS Excel Format.” Will the government provide pricing spreadsheets for Tabs 1 and 2, or is contractor format acceptable?

Answer: No, the Government will not providing pricing spreadsheets. The offeror shall provide pricing spreadsheet in MS Excel Format. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

6. Question: Page 67, Section H-10 states: “The contractor must have a Secret Facility Clearance” whereas the accompanying DD254 indicates a Top Secret Facility clearance is required. Will the government please clarify the facility clearance level required?

Answer: The offeror must have a Secret Facility Clearance. See updated Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

7. Question: Of the three total past performance references, how many past performance references are permitted from teammates?

Answer: The offeror shall provide up to 3 past performance references as specified in the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

8. Question: Please confirm the 12 page limit to Volume III - Past Performance refers to a 12 page narrative written by the offeror that describes the past performance reference and its relevance to this solicitation. This narrative is assumed to be in addition to Attachment 4 - PPQ that will be completed by the offeror and Government representative.

Answer: Yes, the page limitation for Volume III-Past Performance is 12 pages. The Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) is not included as part of the page limitation of Volume III-Past Performance. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

9. Question: The RFP states that the QCP shall be delivered and evaluated as part of Volume II- Technical Capability. However, the PWS states that the QCP shall be delivered via electronic mail within 30 days of contract award. Please clarify.

Answer: The Quality Control Plan (QCP) is not part of the evaluation of the Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Please see updated Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

10. Question: Are all the required elements for Volume I-Administrative to be submitted as separate documents?

Answer: Yes, the elements identify in FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offeror-Commercial Items (FEB 2012) “Addendum,” Proposal Submission Table under Volume I-Administrative must be provided as separate documents under Volume I.

11. Question: Is each volume to be inserted into a separate folder?

Answer: Yes, it shall be submitted in separate electronic folders (files) as identify in FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offeror-Commercial Items (FEB 2012) “Addendum,” A.1., “Instructions for Proposal Submittal.” See formal Combined Synopsis Solicitation

12. Question: Are offerors permitted to submit a pricing narrative Word document with pricing justification?

Answer: Yes. See formal Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

13. Question: Does the Government want Excel spreadsheets provided in PDF format or just Excel?

Answer: Yes, the offeror must provide both. Please see Combined Synopsis Solicitation “Electronic Submission,” under FAR 52.212-1-Instructions to Offeror-Commercial Items (FEB2012) “Addendum.”

14. Question: Would the Government please confirm that the phase in/out period will be thirty (30) days?

Answer: The Phase-In will be for a total of seven (7) days. The offeror shall provide a Phase-Out plan no later than six (60) calendar days prior to expiration of the contract. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

15. Question: Could the Government please clarify if offerors are to identify key personnel and provide resumes and/or letters of commitment?

Answer: Yes, see Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

16. Question: Can any of the three (3) past performances required, come from a significant subcontractor?

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

17. Question: Please confirm that offerors may propose multiple LCATs and labor rates to be utilized during execution of PWS 5.8 requirements and that for evaluation purposes, a plug number will be utilized?

Answer: This is a Labor Hour CLIN, and the offeror shall propose the Labor Categories, Labor Rates, the quantity of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for the specified hours listed in the solicitation for services performed under PWS Section 5.8. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

18. Question: Given that multiple skill sets/LCATs may be required to support the requirements of PWS 5.8, please consider removing the estimated quantity of hours and instead providing a plug number for evaluation purposes.

Answer: This is a Labor Hour CLIN, and the offeror shall propose the Labor Categories, Labor Rates, the quantity of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for the specified hours listed in the solicitation for services performed under PWS Section 5.8. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

19. Question: Please confirm that offerors may propose multiple LCATs and labor rates to be utilized during execution of PWS 5.10 requirements and that for evaluation purposes, a plug number will be utilized.

Answer: This is a Labor Hour CLIN. The offeror shall propose the Labor Categories, Labor Rates, the quantity of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for the specified hours listed in the solicitation for services performed under PWS Section 5.10. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

20. Question: Given that multiple skill sets/LCATs may be required to support the requirements of PWS 5.10, please consider removing the estimated quantity of hours and instead providing a plug number for evaluation purposes.

Answer: This is a Labor Hour CLIN. The offeror shall propose the Labor Categories, Labor Rates, the quantity of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for the specified hours listed in the solicitation for services performed under PWS Section 5.10. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

21. Question: Given that the Travel itinerary is subject to change, and therefore a cost variance may arise, offerors are unable to accurately estimate the travel costs at this time. It seems that an FFP CLIN is not appropriate for Travel. Please confirm that Travel will be a cost-reimbursable line item.

Answer: No, the travel will be issued as a Time & Material (T&M) CLIN. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

22. Question: The estimated quantity of hours is not currently presented in this CLIN. Please consider removing the estimated quantity of hours for all x002 CLINs and instead providing a plug number for evaluation purposes.

Answer: This is a Labor Hour CLIN, and the offeror shall propose the Labor Categories, Labor Rates, the quantity of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for the specified hours listed for all Labor Hour CLINs. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

23. Question: Is a Phase-Out CLIN intended to be included or will Phase Out services be provided during the final months of Option Period 4?

Answer: No, there’s no Phase-Out CLIN. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

24. Question: Please clarify if this procurement is subject to the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act

(SCA).

Answer: No this procurement is not subject to McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA). See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

25. Question: If this procurement is subject to the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), please provide the applicable Wage Determination(s).

Answer: No, this procurement is not subject to McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA). See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

26. Question: Is DFARS 252.239-7009, Representation of Use of Cloud Computing, intended to be included within the solicitation?

Answer: Yes, DFARS 252.239-7009 Representation of Use of Cloud Computing is intended for this solicitation. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

27. Question: If the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) Web site located at https://www.sam.gov/portal, please confirm that a statement to this effect within Volume I satisfies the referenced requirement for Representations & Certifications?

Answer: Yes, please submit along with Volume I. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

28. Question: Please clarify the reference to "Local Clause H.2.”

Answer: Local Clause H-2 is Evaluation of Information Technology Employees. See formal Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

30. Question: Will an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Form to be completed by each offeror be included with the final solicitation?

Answer: Yes, an OCI Form will be provided. See the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

31. Question: Please confirm that offerors are to submit the Price Proposal on a hybrid firm-fixed-price and labor hour basis.

Answer: The contractor shall submit a price proposal on a hybrid Firm Fixed Price and Labor Hour(LH)/Time & Material (T&M) contract type. See the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

32. Question: "If the offeror submits recent and relevant projects performed by a subcontractor, joint venture partner or key personnel as a past performance reference, the offeror must also explain how the subcontractor, key personnel or joint venture partner significantly contributed to the performance of the referenced project and how the offeror expects the subcontractor, key personnel or joint venture partner to significantly contribute to the successful performance of the solicited work."

Does this statement indicate that we may use key personnel performance on a contract as a separate past performance reference?

Answer: The past performance reference section has been updated. Please see the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

33. Question: How should the offeror provide a Past Performance Questionnaire if the cited Key Personnel is not currently an employee of the offeror?

Answer: Key Personnel is no longer a requirement for Past Performance Reference. See the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

34. Question: Price Factor Tab 3 Is Missing: Are we correct in assuming Tab 4 is actually Tab 3?

Answer: Yes, please see the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

35. Question: Are we correct in assuming 1.5.15 on Page 5 is actually 1.6.11?

Answer: Yes, please see the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

36. Question: In the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11, Key Personnel, each entry under Years of Experience in the Minimum Qualifications column contains two distinct requirements. Are the number of years associated with each requirement concurrent? For example, does the Project Manager need to have 20 years of experience total or can the Project Manager have gained experience in both IT Management and Cybersecurity during the same 10-year period?

Answer: Both 10 years of experience are required. The 10 year requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping.

37. Question: In the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11, Key Personnel, each entry under Certifications in the Minimum Qualifications contains multiple certification requirements. Must each individual possess all of the certifications listed for that position?

Answer: Only one of the listed certifications must be held by each respective resource under Key Personnel section 1.6.11 of the Performance Work Statement. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Certifications are required at proposal submission.

38. Question: In the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11, Key Personnel, Each entry under Certifications in the Minimum Qualifications contains Comp TIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). The certifications requirement does not align with certification options provided for within DoD 8570.01-M. Depending on the level, one certification or the other is an option to fulfil the DoD 8570.01-M requirement but not both certifications.

Will compliant certifications that meet the requirement for DoD 8570.01-M for Key Personnel suffice in fulfilling these certification requirements?

Answer: Yes. As long as they have one of the certifications listed under the appropriate level category.

39. Question: In the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11, Key Personnel, 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? For Project Manager Key Personnel Position; are all certifications listed a requirement on Day 1?

Answer: Both 10 years of experience components are required. The 10 year requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping. Certifications are required at proposal submission.

40. Question: In the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11, Key Personnel, 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 7 years of experience components are required. The years of experience requirements identified can be concurrent and/or overlapping. In regards to college degrees in a related field as a substitue for years of experience, the Government is requesting for certifications and experience as identified in the Key Personnel section of the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11. See the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

41. Question: In the Performance Work Statement section 1.6.11, Key Personnel, for Lead SME Key Personnel Position, please clarify if the requirement for "7 years in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD or Federal PKI or PKE" is meant to be interpreted as 7 years in technical positions focusing primarily on DoD, Federal PKI, or Federal PKE?

Answer: The second 7 year experience requirement could have permutations as follows: 7 years’ experience in DoD PKI, 7 years’ experience in DoD PKE, 7 years’ experience in Federal PKI, or 7 years’ experience in Federal PKE. Certifications listed are required at proposal submission. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

42. Question: Where multiple certifications are identified for a Key Personnel position, please clarify if all certifications listed must be held by the respective resource or if only one of the certifications listed must be held by the respective resource?

Answer: Only one of the listed certifications must be held by each respective resource under Key Personnel section 1.6.11 of the Performance Work Statement. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

44. Question: Please confirm that the Transition-In Plan is due not later than five (5) calendar days after contract award given that the Phase-In period is seven (7) days, and all personnel have to be on board from Day 1 - Day 7 of Phase-In? Are all personnel required to be on board during the entire Phase-In or are offerors to reach 100% staffing levels prior the end of the Phase-In period?

Answer: Yes, all contractor personnel must be on-boarded during the Phase-In period as identified in Performance Work Statement Section 1.6.17. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

45. Question: Which positions require a TS/SCI clearance?

Answer: None of the positions are required for TS/SCI clearance. See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

46. Question: Non - Duty Hours/COOP - the estimated quantity (54 hours) does not align to the Technical Exhibit 5, Base Period of Performance Estimated Hours for CLIN 0002 (page 35) in the Draft PWS. Please confirm 54 hours is what the government intended.

Answer: See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

47. Question: Program Management Support Services - the estimated quantity (1 months) does not align to the Technical Exhibit 5, Base Period of Performance Estimate Hours for CLIN 0010 (page 35) in the Draft PWS. Please confirm 1 month is what the government intended.

Answer: See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

48. Question: Please confirm that only the cost/price for Program Management Support Services required under PWS 5.10 shall be included in CLINs x010, and that no costs associated with PWS Tasks 5.2, 5.3, or 5.8 shall be included in CLINs x010 as each of these PWS Tasks has a corresponding CLIN established to capture the costs/prices for fulfilling each respective PWS Task.

Answer: Performance Work Statement 5.10 is a Labor Hour CLIN and is not included in CLINs x010.

See Combined Synopsis Solicitation.