A23 Attachment 12 Responses to QA Amend 0001.pdf

# RFP Document Section Subsection Page # Line # Impact Question Government's Response

1 Draft PWS Template 1.6 1.6.7 3 General Re: "All personnel assigned to this contract must be U.S. citizens." Does this apply to subcontractor personnel as well? Are there any restrictions for dual citizens (US citizens who also hold a citizenship for another country)?

This statement is accurate: All personnel assigned to this contract must be U.S. citizens, to include Subcontractors.

2 Draft PWS Template 1.6 1.6.11.1.2 7 Substantive Can non-key personnel be included that fall into other position/labor categories (e.g., Assistant Professor, Senior Scientist, etc.)?

Offerors are free to offer additional FTEs as they see fit outside of our estimated workload data suggests. See PWS Section Technical Exhibit

3, Estimated Workload Data - "The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance

Work Statement".

3 Draft PWS Template Exhibit 3 21 Critical Are the total FTE expected for this project expected not to exceed 6.5 FTE?

Offerors are free to offer additional FTEs as they see fit outside of our estimated workload data suggests. See PWS Section Technical Exhibit

3, Estimated Workload Data - "The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance

Work Statement".

4 Draft PWS Template 1.6 1.6.11.1 6 Substantive Section 1.6.11.1 says that the Program Manager is "Key Personnel", but in Section 1.6.11.2, the Program Manager is listed as "Non-Key personnel". Can you please clarify who shall be the Key Personnel?

Section 1.6.11.1 has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

5 Draft RFP Section B B Admin (Vol I)

Security Requirements

66 Critical Must all subcontractors hold a SECRET facility Clearance?

This is a SECRET contract that requires the SECRET Facility

Clearance. Pleas esee revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

6 Draft RFP Section C C Pass/Fail (Vol II) 67

Does this statement also apply to subcontractors:"The Offeror shall submit evidence, System for Award Mangement (SAM) results that shows that are situated under the NAICS code assigned to this contract. This requirement is Full and Open for concerns under NAICS code 611310 – Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools."?

Correct, this requirement is open to all concerns under NAICS Code 611310 for the Prime.

7 General A23

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6 Final DRAFT

1 General Can you please clarify the expected budget? Is the budget for this effort $34.5M over 5 years?

$34.5 is the size standard for the NAICS Code, not the budget for the contract.

8 Draft RFP Section B B Admin (Vol I) 66 Critical Re: "The Contractor’s employees, performing work in support of this contract, shall have been granted at minimum a Secret Personnel Security Clearance (PCL) from the DSCA." Does this apply to all subcontractors as well?

The only position requiring a SECRET clearance on the contract is the Project Manager. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

9 General Do you expect this to be an IDIQ contract with Task Orders to be issued?

This is anticipated to be a single award, hybrid contract (Labor (LH) &

Time-and-Material (T&M) not-to-exceed ceiling.

10 General General 0

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58)

20 Critical

The RFP indicates that "This Solicitation is issued under NAICS code 611310

– “Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools.”" Public institutions of higher education perform research and development, and are not commercial organizations that sell goods and/or services. FAR 52.212-4, FAR 52.212-3, FAR 52.212-5, 52.212-1, 52.222-46, 52.232-17, 52.232-23, 52.243-3 Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE consider a using a Cooperative Agreement or Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) with terms appropriate for Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools?

This is anticipated to be a single award, hybrid contract (Labor (LH) & Time-and-Material (T&M).

11 Draft PWS Template 6 6.1 A23 Attachment

1 PWS 5-6-2024

(p. 16) 2 Critical

PWS Part 6 indicates that the Contractor must abide by FAR Part 35 (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-35), which states:

"Because the absence of precise specifications and difficulties in estimating costs with accuracy (resulting in a lack of confidence in cost estimates) normally precludes using fixed-price contracting for R&D, the use of cost-reimbursement contracts is usually appropriate (see subpart 16.3). The nature of development work often requires a cost-reimbursement completion arrangement (see 16.306(d)). When the use of cost and performance incentives is desirable and practicable, fixed-price incentive and cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts should be considered in that order of preference.

(d) When levels of effort can be specified in advance, a short-duration fixed-price contract may be useful for developing system design concepts, resolving potential problems, and reducing Government risks. Fixed-price contracting may also be used in minor projects when the objectives of the research are well defined and there is sufficient confidence in the cost estimate for price negotiations. (See 16.207.)" As such, would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE consider using a cost-reimbursement contract?

This is anticipated to be a single award, hybrid contract (Labor (LH) & Time-and-Material (T&M).

12 General Clauses

Incorporated by Reference

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9)

53 Critical

52.243-3 Our university accounting system does not calculate salaries based on hourly rates nor does it have the capability of providing itemized invoices to a sponsor that tracks hourly rates for audit purposes. Any rates per hour provided as requested by the sponsor are for evaluation purposes only. These calculations are based on salaries as reported in the University’s Human Resource payroll system and fringe benefit rates as provided in ASU’s federally-negotiated rate agreement. Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE consider a using a Cooperative Agreement or Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) instead of a Time & Materials contract?

This is anticipated to be a single award, hybrid contract (Labor (LH) & Time-and-Material (T&M).

13 General Clauses

Incorporated by Reference

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10)

1 Critical

Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE consider replacing "52.246-4 - Inspection of Services-Fixed-Price" with "52.246-9, Inspection of Research and Developement (Short Form), (Apr-84)" due to the nature of this project and the intended contractor type?

This FAR Clause will be replaced by FAR 52.246-6, Inspection Time-and-Material and Labor Hour as applicable.

14 General Clauses

Incorporated by Reference

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2 Critical

Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE consider replacing "52.249-2 Termination for Convenience (FFP)" with "52.249-5, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Educational and Other Nonprofit Institutions)" due to the nature of this project and the intended contractor type?

This FAR Clause will be replaced by FAR 52.249-5 as applicable.

15 General Clauses

Incorporated by Reference

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10)

28 Critical

252.204-7021: Contractor Compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level Requirement requires contractors to have a current CMMC certificate at the CMMC level required by the contract. What CMMC level does WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE anticipate for this project?

This clause is removed. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

16 General 0 0 0 0 Critical

What is the anticipated timeline for notifcation of award and project start date?

This is critical information in setting out the required Staffing Plan. Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE intend to/consider pre-award expenditures (e.g. to meet data security, financial reporting requirements)?

Project will commece immediately after contract award.

17 General Proposal Volumes

Requirements Volume IV

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59 & 65), A23 Attachment 8

Past Performance

Questionnaire

39 Critical

In A23 Attachment 8 Past Performance Questionnaire it is stated that entities providing references should “Submit questionnaire to the DSCA mailbox at:

whs.ncr.ad.mbx.dsca-group@mail.mil for evaluation,” but A23 RFP HQ003424R0196 IWC CoE references the inclusion of a Past Performance Reference Document in Volume IV (p. 59). Then on p. 65 of the same document, it is stated: The Offeror shall provide Past Performance Questionnaires (“PPQ”) to its customer references and instruct them to email the completed Questionnaires to the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (“PIEE”) web platform: https://piee.eb.mil/ for evaluation. Please clarify how PPQ references will be submitted and what to include in Volume IV

PPQs will be submitted via our org box. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

18 General

Minimum Quantitative Requirement

(MQR) --

Participation of

Small Businesses

A23 Attachment 10 Small Business

Participation Commitment

Doc

1 Substantive

The A23 Attachment 10 Small Business Participation Commitment Doc asks us to set a Minimum Quantitative Requirement (MQR) usually set by the Government based on market research. We understand 0% is an unacceptable MQR per page 67 of A23 RFP HQ003424R0196 IWC CoE, but can you clarify an acceptable MQR range for WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE?

The acceptable MQR range is anything more than zero percent.

19 General 0 0 0 0 Substantive

What role do you see small businesses playing in the objectives of this contract (conduct academic research, provide SME, develop curriculum/educational solutions)? Would they be responsible for specific task orders, provide staffing/assistance, or supplying goods/services?

We encourage small business participation on all requirements; it is imperative for Offerors to consider small business participation in their offers in whichever capacity the Offeror see fit.

20 General Evaluation

Criteria

1) Basis for

Contract Award

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66)

13 Critical

Can the following clause on pg. 66 be removed? This clause would prevent any negotiation of the terms and conditions, and some of the terms appear to be set up for commercial entities instead of universities.

The changes required for universities are subtle, but would be important to ensure the work can be completed.

“Proposals that take exception to any requirement, state assumptions or impose requirements on the Government, is contrary to the solicitation, or otherwise qualifies the proposal shall not be considered and shall be deemed unacceptable for award."

This sentence has been removed. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

21 General

1.6.11 Contract

Personnel

1.6.11.1.1 Qualifications for key personnel are

listed below

A23 Attachment

1 PWS 5-6-2024

(p. 7), A23 Attachment 4 Key Personnel Requirement

Qualifications

1 Substantive Research Assistant is listed in key personnel in the PWS, but not in the key personnel attachment doc. Can WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE clarify whether the Research Assistant(s) is/are key personnel?

Section 1.6.11.1 has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

22 General

D. Factor 2 - Past

Performance (Volume IV)

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2 Substantive

Page 64 of the A23 RFP HQ003424R0196 IWC CoE states Offerors can proide up to three past performance contract references. Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE consider allowing Offerors to approach more than three references, and assume only the first three respondants will be included for review?

We will evaluate up to three (3) PPQs in the order that they are received.

23 General 1. General

1.1 Description of

Services/Introduct ion

A23 Attachment

1 PWS 5-6-2024

(p.1) 1 Critical

A23 Attachment 1 PWS 5-6-2024 p.1 states "The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to complete the research support services for the IWC, and technical assistance at center offices and other sites as designated by program needs as defined in this PWS except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services.' Is it to be assumed the Contractor will provide stated support with funding from this contract?

Offerors are encouraged to submit their best and final offers to include the labor mix and hours appropriate and necessary for the Offeror to complete the required work.

24 General 0 0 0 0 Critical

In addition to the Key Personnel roles listed (e.g. Program Manager), may Contractors budget for additional personnel as deemed appropriate to accomplish the goals/objectives of this contract (e.g. Finance Manager, Project Coordinator to support Program Manager, additional Research Assistants, etc.)?

The Ktr are free to offer additional FTEs as they see fit outside of our estimated workload data suggests. See PWS Section Technical Exhibit

3, Estimated Workload Data - "The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance

Work Statement".

25 General C. Pass/Fail (Volume II)

3. Small Business Subcontracting

Plan Instructions

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62)

11 Critical

A23 RFP HQ003424R0196 IWC CoE P. 62 states "The Offeror is required to use the Small Business Subcontracting format provided as Attachment 9 and must address all fifteen elements IAW 52.219-9. Attachment 9 is provided as an instructive guideline only for the Small Business Subcontracting Plan and is not an explicit submission format requirement." Can you clarify whether Attachment 9 is a required format or an instructive guideline only?

Attachment 9 is the required template to submit for Small Business Subcontracting Plan for evaluation.

26 General 0 0 0 0 Critical In lieu of the PMP requirement for the program manager/chair, is a combination of a Strategy Management Professional certificate, scrum master certificate, and Master’s Degree in Public Policy Management acceptable?

PMP is the required minimum qualification. Other combinations do not meet the requirement. Please see PWS Section 1.6.11.1.1

27 General

Solicitation/Con tract/Order for Commercial

Items

10. This Acquisition is

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1), A23 Attachment 11 Responses to

Market Research Questions

0 Substantive

The A23 Attachment 11 Responses to Market Research Questions states "The Department recognizes and appreciates the $5 million Congress included in the FY2024 budget enactment for the IWC COE." and a $34,500,000 figure is listed as an example on page 1 of the A23 RFP HQ003424R0196 IWC CoE.

Would WHS - ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE be willing to specify a minimum and maximum $ range for this award?

$34.5 is the size standard for the NAICS Code, not the budget for the contract. There will be no minimum and maximum range. This This is anticipated to be a single award, hybrid contract (Labor (LH) & Time-and-Material (T&M) not-to-exceed ceiling.

28 Draft PWS Template 1 1.6.5 3 45 Critical What is the government's intent by requiring the following "Place of Performance: Support shall be provided at the Contractor university location"?

Is the government seeking a unversity campus for contract activities?

The Government is not seeking a university campus for contract activities other than for research to be conducted.

29 Draft PWS Template 1 1.6.11 6-7 9 Critical

Paragraph 1.6.11 states that only the Program Manager is considered Key Personnel but the table in 1.6.11.1.1 on Qualifications for Key Personnel includes the Research Assistant positions. Would the government clarify the Key Personnel for this solicitation?

Section 1.6.11.1 has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

30 Draft SOO A 59 2 Critical Is the table correct at Section A, PROPOSAL VOLUMES REQUIREMENTS, that commitment letters are required in both Volumes 2 and 3?

Commitment letters are only needed in Volume II Pass/Fail. Table A, PROPOSAL VOLUMES REQUIREMENS Volume III has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

31 Draft SOO Evaluation

Criteria 65 51 Critical

The RFP lists 3 evaluation factors in some places and 4 factors in others in Sections A-E. Will the government please clarify the number and subject of evaluation factors and whether small business participation is an evaluation factor?

52.212-2 Evaluation Addendum, Paragraph 2 PASS/FAIL CRITERIA, #3 has been revised. Smal Business Participation is under Pass/Fail criteria and not an evaluation factor. Please see revised Solicitation

Amend 0001.

32 Draft PWS Template Part 5 5.3.2 13 35 Critical The RFP states, "Develop course and workshops, and coordinate and align academic standards…" Does the IWC need the contractor to deliver instruction and conduct the workshops?

PWS Paragraph 5.3.2 has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.

33 Draft PWS Template Part 5 5.3.2 13 35 Critical What is the estimated duration of the courses the contractor must develop?

PWS Paragraph 5.3.2 has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation

Amend 0001.

34 Draft PWS Template Part 6 5.3.3 13 35 Critical What is the estimated number of courses and workshops the contractor must develop?

PWS Paragraph 5.3.2 has been revised. Please see revised Solicitation Amend 0001.