Qs-As.pdf

DMA CLOSED CAPTIONING

PRE-PROPOSAL

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. Reference: Instructions to Offerors, page 46: In Subsection 2. Part II – Past Performance Information, paragraph (a), DMA requests “information currently available (letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc.) which demonstrates customer satisfaction” for contracts completed in the past three (3) years. Paragraph (b) of the draft solicitation indicates that “All past performance surveys must be submitted...” Can the surveys that are requested in paragraph (b) also provide the information requested in paragraph (a)?

A1: No, they should be separate. The survey will not be part of your proposal. The letters, metrics will be part of your proposal in Section II.

Q2. Reference: SF 1449 Continuation Sheet, pages 3-7: The CLINs on Pages 3 through 7 of the draft solicitation are structured to be priced consistent with a “Labor Hour” contract, which would be based on the number of labor hours an individual works in support of a direct-charge contract activity. However, captioning services are typically priced and paid based on the runtime of a particular live event or video, and may be based on various outputs, response/turnaround times, after hours support, etc. Please clarify how offerors are expected to price these CLINs to ensure that all offerors follow the same guidelines and assumptions, and to ultimately provide for an apples-to-apples comparison for source selection purposes.

A2: Since you state captioning services are not typically priced at Labor hours, how do you suggest pricing? Would a fixed price work better? This is Industry’s chance to tell the Government what would work better before the actual RFP is posted.

Q3. Reference: SF 1449 Continuation Sheet, pages 3-8: The CLIN structure presented on Pages 3 through 8 of the draft solicitation appears to only cover the base year and two 1-year option periods.

Should additional CLINs be added to account for Option Periods 3 and 4 (i.e., 3001, 3002, 3003, 4001, 4002, and 4003)?

A3: This requirement is for a base year and 2 option years.

Q4. Reference: Body of the solicitation, page 36: The clause, 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, indicates in paragraph (c) that the total duration of the contract “shall not exceed 3 YEARS.”

Should this be changed to read “5 YEARS” in order to be consistent with multiple indications throughout the draft solicitation that the proposed contract will cover a base year and four 1-year option periods?

A4: This requirement is for a base year and 2 option years.

Q5. Reference: Instructions to Offerors, page 46: In Subsection 2. Part II – Past Performance Information, paragraph (b) of the draft solicitation indicates that “All past performance surveys must be submitted...” However, there is no sample past performance questionnaire/survey included with the draft solicitation. Please provide a sample questionnaire. Also, in cases where prospective offers can provide a completed Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) from its existing customer(s), will the government allow the submission of the CPAR(s) as an acceptable substitute to/in lieu of the past performance questionnaire/survey?

A5: No, because the Government can obtain the CPARS information provided we have the correct information necessary to enter into CPARS. The questionnaire will be added once the final RFP is issued

Q6. Reference: Labor Rate Table, page 57: The Labor Rate Table embedded within Page 57 of the draft solicitation raises a few questions:

a. The tables are structured for “labor categories” and associated hourly rates; however, captioning services are not typically priced in this fashion—we suggest that the CLINs be priced based on live event or video runtime and/or the type of output, response/turnaround, after hours support expected.

b. There is a line for “Travel/Other Direct Costs”—what annual amount does the government want all offerors to use for estimation purposes, since there is no mention of those requirements within the draft solicitation or Performance Work Statement?

c. With travel and ODC’s included, wouldn’t this be considered a time-and-materials contract vs. labor hour?

d. There are no corresponding travel or ODC CLINs within the CLIN structure contained on

Pages 3 through 7. Does the government intend to add travel or ODC CLINs in the body of the solicitation for each of the 5 contract periods?

A6: Since you state captioning services are not typically priced at Labor hours, how do you suggest pricing? Would a fixed price work better? Travel and ODCs are not required for this procurement.