UPDATED Questions and Answers to HQ0236-09-T-005.doc

UPDATED Questions and Answers to HQ0236-09-T-0005 as of 01/05/2009

1. The RFQ section 5 a the bottom of page 4: "Quoters shall provide at least two references for each project identified under Factor 2 above that has a performance period within the last three years..."

On our projects there is rarely more than 1 client counterpart is familiar with and knowledge of our day-to-day operations and the overall success of our training work. Was the intent to indicate "...at least two references from those that were identified in Factor 2 above..."? Do you envision a contracting officer and COR for at least 2 projects? Please clarify.

The Marshall Center envisioned a COR and KO equivalent, if possible, for each projected listed under the experience Factor 2.

2. Under Factor 4. Price at the top of page 5, the RFQ states "The quoter shall provide firm fixed unit and total prices for all items, including options, listed in Attachment A to the contract and Attachment A to the first Task Order."

Attachment A to the contract, on page 47 of 49 is not consistent with the Attachment A to the Task Order. Also, there is no reference to the pricing format on pages 7 through 9 of the RFQ (the customary pricing format). We assume that the Marshall Center requires offerors to submit (1) a completed Attachment A to the Task Order, as it more accurately reflects the staffing requirements (4 Level 3 instructors), and (2) complete pricing information in the format presented in pages 7 through 9 of the RFQ. Please confirm.

The Marshall Center wants quoters to complete Attachment A of the basic contract to include hourly, daily, and weekly rates for each of the labor categories. Those prices would be evaluated to ensure that they are reasonable and balanced. We also wanted quoters to complete Attachment A to the task order, which would also be evaluated for reasonableness. The price schedule is essentially a firm fixed price not to exceed $5.5 million including options. The price for each subsequent task order will be negotiated at time of award, but the labor rates would be based on pre-established prices under Attachment A to the basic contract. While the labor categories on the Attachment A in the task order entitled, Tutorial Hours and Evening Testing are not in the RFQ Attachment A, when they are proposed for a task order, the rates of them should be calculated based off of the rates that were established for the applicable instructors in the Attachment A of the basic contract.

3. Can invoices on this contract be submitted monthly, beginning with the end of March, 2009? If not, what is the earliest that an invoice can be submitted?

The timing of the invoice will depend on the structure of the Contract Line Items for each Task Order, particularly the Unit of Issue. However, monthly invoices will likely be permitted in all cases.

4. Can the offeror choose to bid in a currency other than US dollars?

Generally, quoters shall bid in the currency in which they wish to be paid. In order to be paid in Euros the US vendor will have to establish a bank in Germany and the funds will be subject to German taxes so bidding in another currency is not advised. US vendors shall verify with DFAS before quoting a currency other than dollars.

5. Can the Past Performance Questionnaire be used to evaluate a US government contractor who is an individual rather than a corporation?

The past performance questionnaire is one means that will be used to gather information for all quoters.

6. Please provide the list of incumbent contractors Previously 9 incumbent contractors were listed. Only these 4 should be contacted. The others are still under contract with the GCMC for other language services.

Service

7. On FedBizOpps.gov, the closing date for the RFQ is January 14, 2009?

14 JAN 2009 is the date for all submissions. Your quote and all supporting information must be received by 14 JAN 2009 at 5:OO PM LOCAL TIME.

8. There was a solicitation in the spring on FedBizOpps.gov for the same office and location; is this a different project or are you switching vendors?

We posted draft information earlier this year for EFL and GFL. This is generally the same requirement without GFL and with some changes to allow for an IDIQ contract with one contractor (vice multiple sole proprietors). We did not award a contract based on the draft information that we posted earlier.

9. In section 5.2 of the Performance Work Statement, it states: "The contractor shall provide four level three EFL instructors." In the synopsis on FedBizOpps.gov, it states that four instructors are required, with one being the curriculum developer. Can you please clarify if we need four instructors plus a curriculum developer or if we need a total of four instructors including the curriculum developer?

There are two Performance Work Statements. The first PWS is part of the solicitation (starting on page 40) and that is the umbrella PWS for the contract. The second is the PWS for the first Task Order and I believe you are referring to this one. For the first task order, we need you to provide pricing information for 4 instructors (section 5.2) and the options (section 5.12). A curriculum developer is not required under the first task order. There may be some materials development tasks required of the instructors (section 5.8 of the TO PWS), but we don't anticipate needing a curriculum developer. We also need you to provide pricing information for all labor categories as described in Attachments A and B to the solicitation (pages 47-48). Also, see question # 2 above.

10. Who should complete the Past Performance Questionnaire?

The Questionnaire should be completed by at least two references for each project identified under Evaluation Factor 2 that has a performance period within the last three years. The Questionnaire should be submitted to murphyl@marshallcenter.org before the closing date.