Training_Support_Contract_Solicitation_Questions_-_25Jan2017.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

The purpose of this amendment is to: 1) provide responses to questions 2) extend the closing date from 29 January 2018 to 02 Feb 2018.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

See full summary for details.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 7

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 25-Jan-2018

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X HQ051618R0002

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

07-Dec-2017

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer X is extended, is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

25-Jan-2018

CODE

HQ0516 DMA CONTRACTING

KETA HUMPHREY

6700 TAYLOR AVE

FORT MEADE MD 20755

HQ0516 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

HQ051618R0002

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The required response date/time has changed from 29-Jan-2018 04:00 PM to 02-Feb-2018 04:00 PM.

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

CLIN 0007

The cost constraint NTE has been added.

The following have been added by full text:

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS (2)

Training Support Contract Solicitation Questions Sol#: HQ051618R0002 (2)

1) On p. 62 of the Solicitation the page limits for each proposal volume are identified and on p. 63 of the Solicitation in Section 2.2.6 there are instructions for including a Table of Contents within each volume.

Are Tables of Content excluded from the page limitations identified on p. 62 of the Solicitation for each applicable volume?

Answer: Yes, the Table of Contents are excluded from the page limits identified on p.62 of the solicitation.

2) On p. 64 of the Solicitation in Section 3.2 there are instructions for inserting a Master Table of Contents for the entire Quotation within Volume I. Is the Master Table of Contents excluded from the 5 page limit for Volume I – Executive Summary?

Answer: Yes, the Master Table of Contents is excluded from the page limit for Volume I – Executive Summary.

3) If a Compliance Matrix is provided within a Volume for assisting the evaluator, will the Compliance Matrix be excluded from the applicable page limits found on p. 62 of the Solicitation?

Answer: Your entire proposal, including or excluding the Compliance Matrix should be within the page limits identified in Section L.

4) Referencing p. 64 of the Solicitation, Section 2.3, will the Government accept electronic proposals submitted in PDF format?

Answer: Yes, the Government will accept electronic proposals submitted in pdf format. Proposals must also be mailed or hand carried to DMA Contracting as instructed on p.64, section 2.4 of the solicitation

5) Referencing p. 64 of the Solicitation, Section 2.3, will the Government accept electronic proposal submitted in PDF format for items within Volume V (SF1449) and Volume III (Past Performance Consent Letters) that contain signatures?

Answer: Yes, pdf is an acceptable format for electronic submissions.

6) Referencing p. 62 of the Solicitation, Table 2.2, Volume V’s title references a QASP, yet there is no mention of a QASP within the instructions for Volume V in p. 70 – 71 of the Solicitation. Please clarify if a QASP is required for Volume V submission.

Answer: A QASP is required for Volume V Submission. The QASP should encompass your approach for monitoring the contract and assure that the level of skills and expertise needed for the requirement is met.

7) On p. 72 of the Solicitation, item a, number 4, Subcontractor Consent Letters are required for submission for any Subcontractor Past Performance reference. Are these consent letters counted against the 10 page limit for Volume III Past Performance?

Answer: No, the Consent Letters will not count against the 10 page limit for Volume III Past Performance.

8) How should travel be calculated?

Answer: The total cost for travel (including base and option years) should not exceed $60,000.

9) What is going well in your current programs and in the current contract? What could make a bigger impact?

Answer: We have dedicated, highly qualified Subject Matter Expert instructors. Our programs are accredited and receive ACE Credit Recommendations. What would make a bigger impact is a more agile processes for making curriculum updates and the ability to include current, industry and DOD operational insights.

10) The proposed contract amount is much larger than last contract. Are there things other than additional traveling teams and online delivery that your organization expects the additional funds to cover?

Answer: As per the solicitation SOW paragraph 4, the contract will need to have the capability to meet existing and emerging training and training-related requirements to customers both local and geographically dispersed. These requirements also include: curriculum development; social media consultation and content development; Mobile Training Team (MTT) planning and execution; workforce professional development (leadership and technical skills); audio visual production of training content;

project management; writing support; other DMA worldwide training support.

11) We didn't see a needs analysis phase in the contract. Has this already been done? If so, could you kindly share the results?

Answer: Needs analysis was not completed.

12) Questions about the courses:

a. How many courses are to be developed and delivered?

Answer: DINFOS first priority it to develop the Military Communication Foundations (MCF) course, which is a 108-day, integrated, multi-disciplined initial entry training course for enlisted DOD communication occupational specialties. Over the period of performance, the intent is to convert all residential course content and resources as modular, eLearning objects.

b. Which specific courses? Do you expect a basic, intermediate, and advanced course in each area? The following courses are listed below in the preferred order. Offerors should include their solution for completion in the technical proposal. Refer to the DINFOS website for specific course details.

Answer:

Military Communication Foundations (MCF), 108-days, entry level – needed by March 14, 2018 MCF-Armed Forces Network, 24-day, entry level – needed by January 31, 2019.

MCF-Storytelling, 10-day, entry level – needed by January 31, 2019.

MCF-Combat Photo and Video Production, entry level - – needed by January 31, 2019.

MCF-Graphic Design, 22-day, entry level – needed by January 31, 2019.

Public Affairs Qualification Course (Officer and Senior-Enlisted entry level) Instructor Training Course (entry level) Intermediate Videography Course Visual Information Manager Course (intermediate) Combat Camera Leadership Course (intermediate) Intermediate Public Affairs Course Joint Intermediate Public Affairs Course Digital Multimedia Course (intermediate)

Public Affairs Course for International Students (Officer entry level) Joint Senior Public Affairs Course (advanced) Content Management Course (intermediate) Basic Television Equipment Main Course (entry level) Broadcast Radio and Television Systems Maintenance (intermediate)

c. Is this the same for the staff development areas?

Answer:

Staff development areas focus on leadership, project management, business processes improvement, and technical skill development for the DMA enterprise.

d. What is the time phasing for delivery (i.e., which courses are to be available at which dates)? Of most concern, which courses must be available in April of 2018?

Answer:

DINFOS first priority it to develop the MCF course by 14 March 2018. Followed by MCF

e. Courses range from 5 days to 124 (roughly 8 hours/day)?

Answer:

Courses range from 5 days to 124 days. See DINFOS website for specific course details.

13) What do you envision in the social media space? Is this to be training, promotion of programs, or something else?

Answer: This will involve some training and advising training departments on the incorporation of social media into all training programs of instruction. It would also involve developing social media workshops on site at DINFOS with industry experts. It will also include administration of the Social Media Manager Course and also the development of a future on-line/resident social media course.

14) How many course deliveries by mobile training teams do you expect in CONUS? OCONUS? And in what timeframes?

Answer: This is unknown as we do not have current requirements. Historically, requests from Combatant Commands have been to support training in the Congo, Afghanistan and other locations in Europe and the Pacific.

Could be anywhere in the world.

We have received up to eight requests this year to support training at overseas locations including Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. We would like to build the DINFOS capacity to support eight or more overseas mobile training requests annually. This would really depend on the number of requests we receive.

15) What do you envision with respect to online course delivery? Are such courses to involve live instructors?

Will they be synchronous or on demand? Will they involve the same hands-on activities as face-to-face courses?

Answer 15: DOT Distance learning requirements are accomplished by instructors primarily on site, in person at DINFOS using web-based training to students around the world, and with students also having an in-residence phase at the school. Instructors would also augment resident training. There would be a requirement for a whole year of work at a time between the on-line, in-residence and supplementing resident public affairs training. The contractors would need to be present at DINFOS throughout the year.

Current distance learning courses are generally asynchronous, though the instructor may schedule synchronous opportunities as appropriate. DINFOS goal is to create eLearning content objects that can be flexibly packaged for deployment using multiple methods:

• On-sight, residential, instructor led

• Webinars

• Virtual training

• On-line, instructor facilitated (includes hybrid)

• Web-based Self-guided, self-paced

• Mobile training teams

16) We come to the project with substantial subject-matter expertise in technical areas such as cyber security, data analytics, software development. However, what we are really expert at is custom design and development of learn-by-doing training programs working in partnership with client organizations, and hiring and overseeing faculty in effective delivery of those programs. Does lack of specific subject-matter expertise in the areas of interest disqualify us from proposing?

Answer: This requirement was submitted as full and open and can be proposed with the labor mix that would best meet the requirement in its entirety. We are looking for entities that can meet our requirements of the solicitation and propose the best solution to the Government.

The following have been modified:

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS(1)

Training Support Contract Solicitation Questions Sol#: HQ051618R0002

1) What sort of training internationally needs to be conducted?

Answer 1: Training will fall under the areas of public affairs and visual information. In the past, U.S. Government and military organizations have requested lesson content that we currently teach at DINFOS. At times, instructors must tailor approved lesson plans to meet the requestor’s training objectives and allotted time period.

For international training requests, we have been asked to support training exercises conducted by Combatant Commands with approved lessons in public affairs, mass communication and visual information. For example past requirements have been for 2-3 instructors for 7-14 days.

Instructors are asked to serve as subject matter experts, trainers or observer controllers to assist partnered military forces with training on public affairs and communication-related tasks. The more popular training requests are for media relations, crisis communication, basic photography and social media management.

2) Where will the international training need to take place and how frequently?

Answer 2: This is unknown as we do not have current requirements. Historically, requests from Combatant Commands have been to support training in the Congo, Afghanistan and other locations in Europe and the Pacific. We have received up to eight requests in past years to support training at overseas locations including Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia and Morroco. We would like to build the DINFOS capacity to support eight or more overseas mobile training requests annually. This would really depend on the number of requests we receive.

3) Do you expect ongoing contract support to be made on-site or remotely?

Answer 3: Specific location will be stipulated at the task order level;but instructor support will be on site at DINFOS, Ft Meade, MD.

4) What do you expect the anticipated budget for the project to be?

Answer 4: This is still being discussed.

5) Will DINFOS require a CAC for base access to facility support?

Answer 5: CAC requirement will be determined at the task order level however, contractors working on site and require network access will require a CAC.

6) Please elaborate on DOT distance learning requirements. Will this training need to be done in-person or will it consist of web-based training?

Answer 6: DOT Distance learning requirements are accomplished by instructors primarily on site, in person at DINFOS using web based training to students around the world, and with students also having an in-residence phase at the school. There may be opportunities to work remotely and that will be a case by case basis and will be identified at the task order level.

7) Is the award being made to the lowest priced and technically complaint submission?

Answer 7: As per Section M (pg. 74 of 84), The Government will award to the offerors whose quotes are the best value in terms of Technical capability, Past Performance and Cost/Price.

8) Please clarify if Key Personnel Resumes should be included in both volumes II and VI.

Volume VI is referenced on page 62 of 84 in Table 2.2 Quotation Organization however there are no further instructions on what is to be included in Volume VI. Instructions for Volume II include Key Personnel (page 66 of 84, 4.3 Factor 2 Personnel Qualifications)

Answer 8: Key resumes are required in Volume VI.

9) Please clarify how many Past Performance Information Sheets are required. Page 66 of 84 states "no more than 3" but page 67 of 84 states, Past Performance Information on1 recent contract.

Answer 9: One (1) is required, no more than three (3) will be accepted.

10) Do Past Performance Information Sheets need to be included in both Volumes III and V? For Volume V page 71 of 84 it states to include required attachments which includes the required Past Performance Info.

Answer 10: Past Performance Information Sheets are included in Volume III.

11) CLIN 0005, 1005 and 2005: CLIN states "Total labor hours over 3 year term:

284,160". Are these CLINS 284,106 hours each or do we divide by 3 (94,720 each CLIN)?

Answer 11: The total hours per year is 94,702 for each CLIN and 284,106 for the 3 years.

(End of Summary of Changes)