Attachment 9 - Q_A - Amendment 0001 v2.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 17 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program (SCWDP) Support Services Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- HQ003421R0217
- Issued by
- DOD Washington Headquarters Service
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to a solicitation for Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program support services. The Defense Security Cooperation University requires subject matter expertise in areas including security cooperation workforce development, analysis and analytics, education and training operations analysis, concept development, strategic planning support, budget analysis, data collection and analysis, information technology requirements, and performance metrics. The incumbent is The Cumberland Group. Key details include a requirement for active facility security clearance at the secret level, clarification of labor categories and past performance criteria, and an extension of the proposal due date to August 30, 2021 in response to questions raised.
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Questions - DSCU
| ATTACHMENT 9 - Questions & Answers - DSCU SCWDP Support Services Solicitation# HQ0034-21-R-0217 | |||
| Reference | Question Category | Question | GOVERNMENT RESPONSE |
| Solicitation Section M Evaluation Factors for Award, paragraph 4.b. Factor 2 -Past Performance, page 106 | Technical | The last sentence of the Step 1 - Recency paragraph on Page 106 of the solicitation reads, "Performance of each reference must be completed within the last four (4) years of the Proposal due date to be considered recent." However, the second sentence in the first paragraph under the Factor 2 - Past Performance section on page102 reads, "Recent experience is defined as that performed no more than three years prior to the date of the solicitation." Can the Government please clarify if recent past performance is within three years or four years of the solicitation date? | Please see Amendment # 1 Performance for each reference must be completed no more than three years prior to the date of the solicitation to be considered recent. |
| Solicitation Section L.c. Factor 2 -Past Performance (Volume IV), page 102 | Technical | The third sentence of first paragraph under the Factor 2 section on Page 102 of the solicitation reads, "To a project to be considered, its duration must have been at least 12 consecutive months and its value must be at least $1M." |
| However, the second sentence in the second paragraph under the Factor 2 section on Page 102 of the solicitation reads, in par L, page 102 reads, "Past Performance contract value references also must be in the range of $8M or higher for the total contract." Can the Government please clarify what the value of past performance projects should be for inclusion in Volume IV? | Please see Amendment # 1 Contract value references must be in the range of $8M or higher for the total contract value. | |||
| Attachment 8 Key Personnel Qualifications | Technical | In attachment 8 the Key Personnel Labor Category title of 4th category is listed as "Security Cooperation (SC) Workforce Research Consultant (WPAFB)" but the Minimum Labor Qualifications in the table appear to correspond with the Labor Category qualifications for the Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development (SCWD) and Management Operations Consultant per PWS section 1.6.11.7. Also, the label for the 5th category is listed in attachment 8 is listed as "Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development (SCWD) and Management Operations Consultant" with labor category qualifications corresponding to the Security Cooperation (SC) Workforce Research Consultant (WPAFB) per PWS section 1.6.11.8. Can the Government please confirm that the labor category titles for the 4th and 5th categories in attachment 8 are supposed to be reversed? | Please see Amendment # 1 and Revised Attachment 8. The 4th and 5th labor categories has been revised accordingly. | |
| Attachment 6 Personnel Matrix | Technical | If proposing more than one labor category to accomplish the tasks associated with a single CLIN, can offerors insert additional rows for those CLINs in attachment 6 (personnel matrix)? | The offeror can insert additional rows as needed. | |
| Solicitation | Contract | When is the anticipated start date of the Program? | Estimated award date is 20 September 2021. | |
| Solicitation | Contract | Is an interim secret clearance allowed for key personnel at the time of submission? | No. | |
| Solicitation | Contract | If there is an incumbent contractor performing this work, can the Government please provide the contract number? | The incumbent is The Cumberland Group, contract# HQ003419P0068. | |
| Solicitation | Contract | Page 102 of the solicitation states “The Offeror shall also provide pricing in section B of the solicitation.” However, Section B and A23 Attachment 5 - Pricing Template. v2.xlsx CLIN structure does not match, can the government please provide an updated Attachment 5 that is compliant to Section B, or will the government allow the offeror to alter Attachment 5 to match Section B in the solicitation? | Please see Revised Attachment # 5 that is compliant to Section B. | |
| Solicitation | Contract | In Section B, the Travel and ODC CLINS have the contract type listed as T&M (Time and materials), typically these type of CLINS are Cost Reimbursable? Can the government confirm this is the correct contract type? | The Governments confirms that this is the correct contract type. | |
| Solicitation | Technical | Section L.B.b.3 states that an excel file of the Personnel Matrix (Attachment 2), should be a separate file. "Inconsistencies between the staffing matrices may result in an Offeror being ineligible for award." What is the other matrix to be completed? | Please see Amendment # 1 and revised Attachment # 6 Personnel Matrix. | |
| Solicitation | Technical | Section L.B.b.4 Phase-In Plan. What is the Government's expectation for the total duration of the phase-in period? Confirming that it is a 30-day Phase-In plan. | Correct, as stated on page 104 the phase-in period "shall take place during the initial 30 calendar days upon contract award". | |
| Solicitation | Technical | Section L.B.b.4 Key Personnel Resumes. Confirming that for all key personnel, the Offeror is to submit a resume in addition to completing the Key Personnel Resume template in (Attachment 8). | Correct, the Offeror is to submit a resume in addition to completing the Key Personnel Resume template in (Attachment 8) for all key personnel. | |
| Solicitation | Technical | Section L.B.c. Factor 2 Past Performance, the government states "Past performance contract references can come from the Offeror or the subcontractor, as long as they served as the Prime Contractor for the past performance reference." We strongly encourage the Government to please consider past performance from Offerors where work was performed as a major subcontractor to be allowable. Given that this acquisition is a small business set aside, requiring only work performed as a prime significantly reduces the ability for small businesses to demonstrate their relevant ability to perform this work. | No change to Section L.B.c. Factor 2 Past Performance. | |
| Solicitation | Technical | In Section L.B.c Factor 2 Past Performance, confirming that PPQs are not required if a CPAR is submitted with the proposal. | PPQs are only required for contracts not listed in Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). | |
| Solicitation | Technical | In Section L.B.c Factor 2 Past Performance. "Questionnaires that are not received by the due date and time may not be evaluated." Given that this is a very busy time for our Government customers, if a customer is not able to or fails to submit by the time permitted, confirming that the Government will not evaluate the Offeror's PP, which could negatively affect and Offeror's bid. | The Offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably, if a customer is not able to or fails to submit the PP by the time permitted. | |
| Attachment 6 | Technical | Clarification, what is the difference between Column C, "Proposed Labor Category", and Column D, "Labor Category"? | Please see revised Attachment # 6 Personnel Matrix. Deleted column D. | |
| Attachment 6 | Technical | Do Offerors have the freedom to propose a technical solution that allows for proposing additional positions as necessary to perform the work, as well as collapsing positions to promote efficiency? | Yes. | |
| Attachment 6 | Technical | On the current contract, how many FTE are currently performing this work? This will help Offeror's ability to adequately provide a comprehensive technical solution and adequate pricing. | 22.5 FTE. | |
| Attachment 6 | Technical | For completion of Attachment 6, confirming that this is for key personnel only, which aligns with Attachment 1 PWS, under Technical Exhibit 3 Estimated Workload Data. | Attachment # 6 is for all proposed personnel. | |
| Main Solicitation Section L. B.a.(1) pg.100 | Contract | Is the Offeror able to satisfy this requirement through having their facility clearance held by another company that will be a subcontractor on the Offerors team? | No, the Offeror shall submit a letter from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency that demonstrates the Offeror holds an active Secret Facility Clearance. | |
| Main Solicitation Section L.b.1 pg. 101 | Technical | For Task 3: Operational Systems Support, and Data Collection. Is there an existing database? If so, what format is it in? | SCWD-D is a Java-based Web application that uses a MS SQL Server database. | |
| PWS General Information 1.6.11.6 pg. 8 | Technical-Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development Consultant Qualifications | Will equivalency courses for all Completed SC training courses be accepted? | Yes, equivalency courses (legacy DISCS/DSCU courses) will be accepted as designated on the DSCU website. | |
| PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks 5.5.3 pg. 25 | Technical | Approximately how many SC Workforce and training operations did DSCU perform last year? How many training operations does it anticipate performing during the base and option years of the contract? | Please see revised PWS. Anticipate 250 to 350 events every full year of the contract. DSCU had 301 discrete training events scheduled in FY20. | |
| ITO |
B. ADMINISTRATIVE (Vol I), b. Factor 1- Tech Approach and Cap. (Vol III)
1. The Government will evaluate the quality of the offeror’s Management/Technical/Transition approach for performing the following PWS tasks as exemplars for the overall contract:
Task 1: Provide Subject Matter Expertise and Consulting Services for SC Workforce Initiatives Task 2: Development and Analysis of Predictive Resourcing Models Task 3: Operational and Systems Support, and Data Collection Task 4: Manage and Update MILDEP SCWD-D Record
| Task 5: MILDEP SCWD Program Management Support | Contract | Are offerors only expected to provide technical approaches to PWS Tasks 1-5, or is the Government expecting Offeror to address all 17 PWS tasks within the Volume III 20 page limit? | Yes. |
| PWS – |
1.6.11.5 Project Manager
1.6.11.6 Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development Consultant (NCR)
1.6.11.7 Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development & Management Operations Consultant REF: Completed SC training courses:
(1) Introduction to Security Cooperation (SC-101), (2) Introduction to Technology Transfer (SC-111) or equivalent, (3) Introduction to Cross Cultural Competence and Regional Orientation (SC-151), (4) one Intermediate Cross Cultural Competence
| course (SC-25x). | Contract | The Key Personnel labor category descriptions for the Project Manager, Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development Consultant (NCR), and Senior Security Cooperation Workforce Development & Management Operations Consultant are unusually specific and favor the incumbent contractor. To ensure equal competition, will the Government confirm that the “Completed SC training courses” listed in the LCAT descriptions for each of these labor categories are preferred, and not required? | SC Training courses are required in accordance with Section 1.6.11 of the PWS and the proposed contract labor categories. |
| B. ADMINISTRATIVE (Volume I) |
a. PASS/FAIL Criteria (Volume II)
(1) The Offeror shall submit a letter from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency that demonstrates the Offeror holds an active Secret Facility Clearance as identified on the DD254. Contract Per DCSA policy, DCSA no longer issues FCL letters to contractors.
To align with the expedited timeline and validate our FCL, will the Govt accept a NISS screen shot of our current
| clearance status? | Yes. | |
| PWS 1.6.11.3 Key Personnel | ||
| 1.6.12 Non-Key Personnel | Contract | What is the Place of |
Performance for each of the
| named positions on this contract? | Please see revised PWS within Section 1.6.11 of the PWS and the proposed contract labor categories for duty locations. | ||
| PWS Section 5.4 Task 4 | |||
| 5.4.1- Last sentence- At least one month per month. | Contract | Should this read – “At least one update per month is required.” | Yes. Please see revised PWS. |
| ITO |
B. ADMINISTRATIVE (Vol I), b. Factor 1- Tech Approach and Cap. (Vol III)
5. Key Personnel Resumes
| REF: Note. Resumes for Key Personnel and Personnel Matrix under (Volume III) shall not count against the page limitation. | Contract | Will the Government please confirm that the completed RFP Attachment 8 ‘Key Personnel Qualification Sheet’ is also not included in the page count for Volume III (along with resumes and the Personnel Matrix). | Correct, Attachment 8 ‘Key Personnel Qualification Sheet’ is not included in the page count for Volume III (along with resumes and the Personnel Matrix). | |
| PWS Technical Exhibit 3 and Pricing Template (Attachment 5) | Contract | The labor category descriptions for CLINs 0001-0006 do not align between the PWS and pricing template. For example, CLIN 0001 is listed as the Program Manager in Technical Exhibit 3 of the PWS, but is listed as “workforce development program support” on the pricing template. Will the Government please confirm what labor categories should be bid against each CLIN? | Please see Amendment # 1, revised PWS, Technical Exhibit 3 , and revised attachment # 5 Pricing Template. | |
| PWS Technical Exhibit 3 and Pricing Template (Attachment 5) | Contract | The labor category descriptions for CLINs 3001-3006 do not align between the PWS and pricing template. For example, CLIN 3001 is listed as the Program Manager in Technical Exhibit 3 of the PWS, but is listed as “workforce development program support” on the pricing template. Will the Government please confirm what labor categories should be bid against each CLIN? | Please see Amendment # 1, revised PWS, Technical Exhibit 3 , and revised attachment # 5 Pricing Template. | |
| PWS Technical Exhibit 3 and Pricing Template (Attachment 5) | Contract | The Government has listed the key personnel individually for CLINs 0001-0006, however those descriptions no longer appear in the Option Periods. Will the Government please confirm against which CLIN the key personnel should be bid for Option Periods 1 and 2? | Please see Amendment # 1 and the revised Attachment #5 Pricing Template. | |
| RFP Section B / Pricing Template | Contract | The CLINs in RFP Section B do not align to the pricing template. For example, in Option Period 2 – there are CLINS on the pricing template through 2010, but the RFP only indicates CLINs through 2007. This also occurs for Option Period 3. Will the Government please confirm what CLINs should be bid? | Please see Amendment # 1 and the revised Attachment #5 Pricing Template. | |
| RFP Section B / Pricing Template / PWS | Contract | CLINs 4001-4007 appear in the RFP (Sec B, E and F) – but do not appear in the pricing template or PWS. This appears to extend the PoP an additional 12 months. Will the Government please confirm what the PoP should be on the contract, and what CLINs should be bid? | Please see Amendment # 1 and the revised Attachment #5 Pricing Template. | |
| Given the need to address Offeror questions in response to this RFP, will the Government please extend the proposal due date by 1 week? | The solicitation will be extended to 10:00 AM, Monday, August 30, 2021. |
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