QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_COMPILED_23-May-2014JCTv3.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (J9-ORSA)

1. Reference: RFP Page 1 of the solicitation synopsis, last paragraph, lists the requirement for a “Contractor Capability” statement as part of our proposal. However, the “Contractor Capability” section is not included in the Instructions for the Preparation of Quotes on pages 61 – 64 of the RFP.

Question: Please confirm the “Contractor Capability listing in the Synopsis is a typo and is not part of the proposal submission? If it is part of the submission, please clarify the government expectation for the requirement by including in the “instructions” section.

Response: The Contractor Capability is a typo and not required for proposal submission.

2. Reference: The last paragraph of the solicitation synopsis states “The Government reserves the right to award on a single award; multiple award; or an all, some, or none basis.”

Question: Under what circumstances and decision criteria will the Government use to determine if there will be a single award or a multiple award? If there is a multiple award, does the Government expect there will be future task orders competed under the contract?

Response: The statement is deleted in its entirety. The government intends to make a single award.

3. Reference: RFP Paragraph 3.9.1; Page 8, Transition; Requirement states “The Contractor is responsible for performing all tasks necessary to ensure personnel detailed in paragraph 4.1 report to JIEDDO no later than 30 days from the date of the contract award, in order to begin the transition process with the incumbent.” Also, on page 67 in the PRS, the Transition-In Performance Objective states there will be a 30 day Transition In period.

Question: Please clarify when the Transition-In period begins. Does it begin at contract award, or does it begin 30 days after award when all personnel are required to report for duty? It is our understanding from Industry Day information that the government intends to make award on this contract in early July, 2014. We also understood that the current incumbent’s contracts are set to expire on or about 8 Aug, 2014. If these dates are accurate and if all incoming personnel are not required to report until 30 days after contract award (presumably in early Aug), and if the 30 day Transition In period begins at that point, that seems to allow inadequate time to fully in process JIEDDO, travel to the OCONUS location, and conduct a relief in place with the outgoing incumbent.

Response: The requirement is as stated.

4. Reference: The Government’s estimated contract award date is 02 July 2014. Solicitation Paragraph 3.9.1, Page 8: Requirement states “The Contractor is responsible for performing all tasks necessary to ensure personnel detailed in Paragraph 4.1 report to JIEDDO no later than 30 days from the date of the contract award, in order to begin the transition process with the incumbent.” Solicitation Pages 1-5, 21 and 63 state that the Period of Performance begins 08 August 2014. These requirements are contradictory.

Question: Please clarify the government’s timeline for contract award, period of performance start, and when the 30 day transition period begins?

Response: See response to Question 3.

5. Reference: RFP Paragraph 4.1, Tables 4.1 thru 4.3, Pages 8-10: Requirement states The first column references Task Areas 4.4 thru 4.11.

Question: Will the Government confirm that the Task Areas referenced should be Paragraphs 4.2.1 – 4.2.8?

Response: See revised Tables

6. Reference: RFP Paragraph 4.1, Tables 4.2 thru 4.3, Pages 9-10: Requirement indicates the “Total Estimated Hours” for 4 “Senior Operations Research Analysts” working “1920 hours per person” is “9,600 hours.”

Question: It appears the “Total Estimated Hours” should be “7,680” hours. Please Confirm.

Response: See revised Tables

7. Reference: RFP Page 9-10; Tables 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 lists the annual hours for Experienced ORSAs at 2,432 while all other CONUS positions are listed as 1,920.

Question: Please confirm whether the Government’s estimate of annual hours for the Experienced ORSAs is 2,432 or 1,920?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

8. Reference: RFP Paragraph 4.2.8, Page 11: Requirement states “The contractor will have “eight” (8) years of hands on experience conducting operations analysis and at least two years of applied operations research (OR) experience with C-IED efforts in a current theater of operations. The “four” years can be a combination of four (4) years of military ORSA service and four (4) years of government civilian support to DoD, CCMDs or Services.”

Question: Is the total hands on experience requirement eight years or four? It is our understanding that the combination of hands on military ORSA experience and civilian hands on ORSA experience may equal the total hands on experience (eight or four) in any combination. Is this correct?

Response: See revised paragraph 4.2.8 as follows:

The “eight” years can be a combination of four (4) years of military ORSA service and four (4) years of government civilian support to DoD, CCMDs or Services.”

9. Reference: PWS Paragraph 6.3.1; Page 13: Requirement states “The Contractor shall perform tasks under this contract primarily on DoD controlled facilities in Afghanistan, other areas of responsibility (AOR), or wherever the global response force unit is deployed. If the situation arises, and there is a demand for deployed analytical support, deployed analyst will provide support on Government-owned facilities in those locations identified by JIEDDO.”

Question: Given the possibility of performing work in places other than Afghanistan and the fact that State Department recommendations for Hazard and Hardship allowances could vary based on location, will the government confirm that for pricing purposes, all OCONUS positions and hours should be priced at current Afghanistan rates?

Response: OCONUS hours should be priced at current Afghanistan rates.

10. Reference: RFP Section I – Contract Clauses, Page 22: Requirement lists clauses incorporated by reference and several sections of the solicitation include references to small business plan requirements. The RFP does not request a small business plan to be submitted as part of the proposal.

Question: Please confirm there is no small business plan requirement for this proposal?

Response: Clause 52.219.9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan is added to the solicitation.

11. Reference: RFP Paragraph B.(3), Page 61: Requirement states “Resumes for key personnel and demonstration of their commitment [presumably the commitment of the key person] to this effort;” yet solicitation Paragraph B.2., Page 63 of 68, states “The degree of commitment of the offeror to use those proposed as key personnel will also be considered.”

Question: Who must demonstrate commitment (key person or offeror), and what is the standard/expectation for that commitment? Pleases clarify.

Response: Requirement is as stated.

12. Reference: Solicitation Paragraph B.(3), Page 61: Requirement indicates that we are to provide a sanitized copy of the pricing template (Solicitation Attachment 4) in the staffing plan as part of our Management Approach by stating that “A sanitized copy of the pricing template will be provided supporting the proposed staffing plan.”

Question: It is our understanding that “sanitized” means we should remove all prices to include the hourly rates and extended price but leave in the labor categories and proposed hours per year. Is this correct?

Response: Correct

13. Reference: RFP Instructions for Preparation of Quotes, Pricing Quote (Volume 2), Page 62: OCONUS destinations are unknown until the time of award.

Question: Is it acceptable for lower-tier Subcontractors to bill Defense Base Act Insurance and Hazard and Hardship as an ODC?

Response: Requirement is as stated.

14. Reference: RFP Paragraph immediately under “PRICING QUOTE (Volume 2),” Page 62: Requirement states “The price quote for the contract is to be submitted as a listing of the applicable labor categories and rates that could be used to satisfy requirements of the PWS based upon your open market rates for the base year and two option years of the contract.”

Question: Is it “could” or “shall?” Pleases clarify.

Response: Requirement is as stated.

15. Reference: RFP Paragraph 3 - Performance Requirements Summary (PRS), Page 67: Perf. Obj. #4’s, Performance Threshold, states “95% of qualified personnel are in-place at conclusion of 30 day transition-in period” yet Solicitation Paragraph 3.9.1, Page 8 states “The Contractor is responsible for performing all tasks necessary to ensure personnel detailed in Paragraph 4.1 report to JIEDDO no later than 30 days from the date of the contract award, in order to begin the transition process with the incumbent.” These two requirements appear to be contradictory – one says 95% and the other implies 100%.

Question: Is the requirement 95% or 100% of the staff that must be present on day 30 after contract award? Pleases clarify.

Response: Requirement is as stated.

16. Reference: RFP Paragraph 3 - Performance Requirements Summary (PRS), Page 67: Perf. Obj. #5’s “Standard,” “Threshold” and “Method of Surveillance” do not appear to match with the performance objective to provide a Transition-Out Plan.

Question: We recommend that the threshold be updated to “Transition-Out Plan must be submitted and approved by the government 90 days prior to the end of the contract”.

Response: Requirement is as stated.

17. Question: Do subcontractors of the Prime Company have to submit pricing directly to the government?

Response: Requirement is as stated. The prime contractor must submit all labor rates IAW pricing directions. There is no requirement for the contractor to submit detailed cost and pricing data.

18. Question: Is a pricing narrative required for descriptions of the build-up of the price proposal for the Prime Contractor or the Subcontractor?

Response: See Question 17

19. Question: Should DBA Insurance and Hazard/Hardship pay for Deployed Positions be price into the burdened rates?

Response: No, DBA and Hazard cost reimbursable CLINs will be added to schedule B.

20. Question Key Personnel-is there a page limit for each resume or the section?

Response: There are no page limitations for resumes.

21. Question: Is it a requirement to propose 1920 hours as listed in Table 4 for each of the On-Site FTEs, or does the Contractor have flexibility to propose a slightly different amount of hours in accordance with their standard man-year?

Response: Table 4.1 provided an estimated level of effort. Contractors should propose a level of effort that can “meet all technical requirements of the primary PWS tasks at a high-quality level using proposed tools, methods, processes, and frameworks.”

22. Question: Will there be a separate CLIN for authorized overtime hours? How would we account for that in the rates?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

23. Question: Would a week with a holiday count as a 32 hour work week?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

24. Reference: It states on Pg. 62B. Management Approach Factor- “2 Staffing, including staff numbers, will be evaluated for personnel available and ability to obtain and maintain a qualified workforce, including any proposed subcontractors for performance of the PWS. Proposed Key personnel will be evaluated for ability to perform assigned tasks, including a determination of relevant experience and qualifications. The qualifications and ability of key personnel will be substantiated by the resumes. The degree of commitment of the offeror to use those proposed as key personnel will also be considered”.

Question: Can the government define what their ideal “degree of commitment” is for the key personnel. Would a letter of Commitment be ideal? If so, should it be submitted with the resumes?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

25. Question: How will travel approvals/cost be processed?

Response: See Section 13 of the PWS.

26. The Position Description (Section 3.3) For the Deployed ORSA Trainer states that “Training services shall include ORSA support to units and staffs while in preparation for and during pre-deployment exercises at the National Training Center (NTC), Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), and other designated locations CONUS and OCONUS.”

Questions: Will the place of performance while not deployed be Arlington and Fairfax County Virginia?

Response: The place of duty while not deployed is JIEDDO HQ.

27. What is the anticipated percentage of deployed time for the Deployed ORSA Trainer positions?

Response: 98% percent. Deployed analyst will complete training at JIEDDO HQ and CRC prior to deploying to the specified AOR. The preparatory training is approximately 6 weeks.

28. Reference 4.2 - Personal Skills, Experience and Educational Requirements Question: Can the Government provide a definition for the “technical discipline” and “technical field” as required for these qualifications?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

29. Reference 3.1, 3.3 - 3.1 Task Description: Deployed Operations Research/Systems Analysis (ORSA), 3.3 Task Description: Deployed ORSA Trainers.

Question: Can the Government provide for these two task areas the minimum and maximum deployment lengths?

Response: 12 Months for task 3.1 7-30 days for task 3.3

30. Questions - Can the Government confirm for personnel supporting these task areas that the deployments are considered rotational with a CONUS based position when not deployed?

Response: No these positions are not to be considered as rotational.

31. Reference 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 - 3.1 Task Description: Deployed Operations Research/Systems Analysis (ORSA), 3.2 Task Description: Global Response Force (GRF) Deployable ORSAs, 3.3 Task Description: Deployed ORSA Trainers.

Question: For the tasks that require deployments, should contractors bid separate CONUS and OCONUS T&M rates?

Response: See revised Schedule B.

32. Reference 3.3 – Deployed ORSA Trainers.

Question: The requirement states 1-year ORSA deployment experience. Can the Government confirm that any combination of duration or timeframe meet this requirement as long as it is a minimum of 1-year total?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

33. Reference Table 4.1 - Level of Effort (8 August 2014 – 7 August 2015) Time and Materials Question: Can the Government provide the CONUS duty station locations for all 44 FTEs?

Response: See PWS Section 6.3 “Place of Performance”

34. Reference 13.2 - 13.2 Day Of No Scheduled Activity (DONSA)

Question: Consistent with the first statement of this requirement, will the Government pay for the time spent on DONSA?

Response: The Government will pay for travel to and from the deployed location.

35. Reference Section I – General Question: Will the Government consider adding the provision below, which is common in all JIEDDO services contracts?

“While performing duties in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, the Service / Agency (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will provide force protection to Contractor employees commensurate with that given to Service/Agency civilians in the operations area.”

Response: The requirement is as stated.

36. Reference 3.4 Task Description: Senior SAS Engineer Question: The Contractor shall provide analytical support to the JIEDDO Analysis and Assessments Division, multi-intelligence teams, social analytical teams, and special operations analytical teams, which may include providing: the Contractor shall possess an ability to create complex programs in SAS® that require multiple steps ingesting, parsing, transforming, and analyzing data.

We believe this is an incomplete sentence. Can the Government complete the sentence?

Response: Section 3.4 of the PWS will be revised.

37. Reference 4.4 – Key Personnel Question: Are Letters of Commitment required / acceptable for Key Personnel? If so, are they considered Part of page count for the technical submission?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

38. Reference On-site PM Question: Section 6.6 refers to an on-site PM. There is no Position Description for an on-site PM. Is this meant to reference the Senior ORSA identified in 3.7? Will the Government provide clarification?

Response: Section 6.6 also states “(or contractor designee)”.

39. Reference 2.0 Deployed Analytic Support Question: The RFP states that deployed personnel are required to work the lesser or 84 hours or per the Theater Commander’s guidance. Will the Government provide clarification?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

40. Reference 3.2 Global Response Force (GRF) Question: Is the Global Response Force position full time, located at JIEDDO HQ with support as required to GRF or is the duty location in Fayetteville NC, (minus deployments and Field Training Exercises?) Will the Government provide clarification?

Response: The position is located at JIEDDO HQ when not supporting the GRF unit.

41. Reference 3.9.1, 3.9.2 The PRS Transition Question: Transition Plan requires personnel detailed in paragraph 4.1 (44 FTEs) must report to JIEDDO NLT 30 days from the date of contract award. Section 3.9.2 states that the contractor shall have all personnel hired no later than 30 days after contract award. However, the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) requires 95% of qualified personnel are in-place at conclusion of 30 day transition-in period. Will the Government provide clarification?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

42. Reference 13.2 Data Collectors Questions: Section 13.2 refers to data collectors. There is no position description or LCAT for a data collector. Will the Government provide clarification?

Response: Data collectors should read as “Deployed Analyst”.

43. Reference 13.2 DONSA Periods Question: Are the 2 x 15 day DONSA periods associated with a standard 12 month (1 year) deployment duration? Will the Government provide clarification on the expectations of deployment rotations, duration?

Response: Requirement is as stated.

44. Reference 4.2.1, 4.2.8 Minimum Experience Question: Sections 4.2.1 through 4.2.8 state required minimum education and experience levels for each position description/LCAT. However, section 4.3 indicates that experience can be substituted for education. Does this apply equally across all positions? Would the Government provide clarification on minimum education and experience acceptable to satisfy contract requirements for each position description under this contract?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

45. Reference 6.3.1 Place of Performance Question: This section refers to Deployed technical integrators and Operations research analysts. There are no position descriptions or LCATs that match this definition. Does this refer to the personnel filling the requirements identified in 4.2.1 through 4.2.8?

Response: The section refers to Deployed personnel.

46. Reference 3.1 Deployed ORSA Question: What is the Time Phase Labor Mix (TPLM) of deployments to meet operational commitments for these personnel? Will the contractor be afforded adequate time between date of award and TPLM to obtain LOAs, TCR, and pre-deployment certifications through an authorized deployment center?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

47. Reference 4.2.4 Senior SAS Engineers and 4.2.5 SAS Engineers - For Senior SAS Engineers, it notes "Minimum Education. Doctorate degree plus two (2) years general experience, Master’s degree in technical discipline plus five (5) years of experience, or Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline plus seven (7) years of experience. "For the SAS Engineer, it notes "®. Minimum Education. Master’s degree in technical discipline plus five (5) years of experience, or Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline plus seven (7) years of experience."

Question: As the years of experience are similar for the Senior SAS Engineer and SAS Engineer, would the Government consider revising the years of experience for the SAS Engineers to Master’s degree in technical discipline plus three (3) years of experience, or Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline plus five (5) years of experience?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

48. Reference 4.2.4 Senior SAS Engineers – It notes “Personnel who are not certified are allowed four (4) months to complete their certification. Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the contract”.

Question: Can the Government confirm that the four (4) months period to complete certification is also applicable to the SAS Engineer labor category?

Response: Yes, the same time 4 months time period will apply.

49. Reference 3.6 Task Description: Geospatial Analyst – The Contractor shall perform geospatial C-IED assessments by gathering input from the appropriate Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) and other US Government organizations. The Contractor shall identify alternatives and consequences on a wide variety of C-IED – related geospatial trends.

Question: Can the Government confirm the CCDRs that they intend to support, and is there already a prioritized list of geospatial areas to focus on for trends or will that need to be developed?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

50. Reference 3.6 Task Description – Geospatial Analyst - The Contractor shall conduct review of studies and analyses involving a spatial context of IEDs in support of JIEDDO and monitor efforts highlighting the strengths, weaknesses and areas that may prove to be the source of actionable recommendations for JIEDDO senior leaders.

Questions: What studies will be provided as GFE in support of this work?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

51. Reference 4.2.4 Senior SAS Engineers and 4.2.5 SAS Engineers - For Senior SAS Engineers, it notes "Minimum Education. The Contractor shall be a Certified Advanced Programmer. "For the SAS Engineer, it notes "®. Minimum Education. SAS Engineer must be a Certified Advanced Programmer."

Question: As the certification requirements are similar for the Senior SAS Engineer and SAS Engineer, would the Government consider revising the SAS Engineer requirement to Certified BASE SAS programmer?

Response: As stated in the requirement.

52. Reference Table 4.2 – Level of Effort and Table 4.3 Level of Effort - The total estimated hours for task area 4.10 is noted at 9,600.

Question: Can the Government confirm that the total hours should be 7,680 (4 FTE * 1,920 hours per person)?

Response: See revised tables

53. Reference Pages 1-5 and page 15 in Section 7.5 - Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices and 7.5 Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance Coverage. Contractor shall provide DBA insurance as required by statute to deployed analyst. DBA insurance costs shall be reimbursed by the Government, including General and Administrative (G&A) and fee, in the initial invoice after contract award. The Contractor shall provide additional DBA insurance coverage to satisfy mission needs of, and contractual requirements imposed by the Government.

Question: CLINs are not provided for ODCs, but the contractor is required to provide DBA insurance. Please confirm if DBA is priced into labor. Is it the Government’s intention that the contractor will price HOLA/COLA/moving/child education assistance into our proposed labor rates?

Response: Any expenses that contractors must provide or agree to provide their employees shall be included in their proposed labor rates. However, DBA and Hazard CLINs will be included.

54. Please advise if Section B, Supplies and Services or Prices, must be completed and included in Offeror response. If so, please confirm Section B is not included in the page count limitations.

Response: Schedule B does not need to be filled out. All pricing shall be submitted IAW the instructions and pricing templates.

55. Will the Government accept past performance questionnaire responses based upon the personal experience of Offeror staff members who have explicit experience supporting the PWS requirements?

Response: The requirement is as stated.

56. Please advise if offeror’s are to include Hazardous Duty and Hardship Pay differentials in their costs build ups as outlined in Department of State regulations for Afghanistan. If so, should these costs be included of fully burdened labor rates or billed as ODC’s.

Response: See Question 51.

57. The Fedbizz Ops posting stated Past Performance Questionnaires are due NLT 1:00 pm EST, Thursday May 22, 2014 and Solicitation responses are due NLT 1:00 pm EST, Monday June 2, 2014. RFP Page 63, under QUOTE DUE DATE, outlines the Past Performance Questionnaires are due no later than 1:00 Eastern Time, Monday May 26, 2014 and technical and price quotes are due on or before 1:00 pm Eastern Time, Thursday June 5, 2014. Please confirm the actual due date for past performance questionnaire responses and solicitation response date.

Response: The Past Performance Questionnaires and proposals are both sue Monday June 2, 2014 at 1:00 PM EST.

58. What is the anticipated percentage of deployed time for the Deployed ORSA Trainer positions?

Response: 98% percent. Deployed analyst will complete training at JIEDDO HQ and CRC prior to deploying to the specified AOR. The preparatory training is approximately 6 weeks.

59. The position Description (Section 3.3) for the Deployed ORSA Trainer states that “Training services shall include ORSA support to units and staffs while in preparation for and during pre-deployment exercises at the National Training Center (NTC), Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), and other designated locations CONUS and OCONUS.” Will the place of performance while not deployed be Arlington and Fairfax County Virginia?

Response: The position is located at JIEDDO HQ when not supporting training exercises.

60. Section B, CLIN x003 for Travel states, “Travel costs reimbursement include only the actual allowable costs under FAR 31.205-46 without any additional General and Administrative overhead or any other indirect costs or mark-ups”. Page 62 of 68 states “As part of the quote, the contractor shall identify any G&A or overhead rates applicable for travel”. Please confirm contractors will be reimbursed for G&A for travel.

Response: Travel is IAW PWS Section 13, “Travel”.

61. Page 62 of 68 – Pricing Quote (Volume 2) states, “Not providing the backup calculations to support the proposed total price will cause the quote to be determined non-responsive”. The contract type listed in the RFP is T&M. Please confirm no backup other than fully burdened T&M rates, hours, and extended price as shown in the government’s pricing template is needed.

Response: PWS Price Quote (Volume 2), will be revised.

62. The Government’s pricing template, Attachment 4, does not include a line item for the travel plugs. Please confirm contractors should add the Government plug numbers for travel to their total T&M price in order to get the grand total price.

Response: See revised Pricing template

63. Reference Section I – Page 40 – 41 Amendment 1 – Clause 52.21-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial and Items: A Small Business Subcontracting Plan (52.19-9) and Clause 252.219-7003 Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required.

Question: Where are offerors to include the Small Business Subcontracting Plan in their responses? – Is there an SF 1449 that accompanies this RFP?

Response: Offerors (other than small businesses) are required to submit a small business subcontracting plan. The plan is not part of the proposal page count. There is not an SF 1449.

64. Reference Section I – Page 23 – 26 Amendment I.

Question: Where should the 52.212-3 Alt. I Representations and Certifications, 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters as well as the 52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility matters be included in the proposal submission?

Response: Documentation is “NOT” part of the proposal.

65. Reference FBO Posting 5/2/2014 & 5/5/2014

Question: Will the government be incorporating the page limitations and instructions written in the body of the FBO postings into the RFP instructions?

Response: See FBO Posting

66. Reference Evaluation Criteria – Page 63 Amendment I – D Pricing Factor.

Question: Are Post Differential, Danger Pay, and DBA insurance costs expected to be included in the T&M rate provided to the government for each labor category or should they be priced separately? If to be priced separately, will the government provide a revised Section B?

Response: See Question 19.

67. Reference Instructions – Submission Requirements – Page 60 Amendment I

Question: Is a second copy of the pricing narrative and/or pricing workbook required to be included with the reference alpha code for submission?

Response: See Submission Requirements.

68. Reference Personnel Requirements 4.2 – Page 10 Amendment I – 4.2.4 Senior SAS Engineers “Personnel who are not certified are allowed four (4) months to complete their certification”.

Question: Are the SAS Engineers (4.2.5) also afforded the same four (4) months to complete their certifications?

Response: See response to Question 50

69. Reference RFQ Page 61 Past Performance – The Prime Contractor may also submit up to two (2) contracts/tasks orders that proposed subcontractors had with customers that demonstrate recent and relevant past performance of proposed subcontractor.

Question: Please confirm this is a total of 2 past performances, not 2 per subcontractor.

70. Reference PWS 3.5, 4.3, 4.4, 4.2.5 – Table 4.4 List of Key Personnel Task Area: 4.8 Key Personnel: 0 Title: SAS Engineer.

Question: Please confirm that the SAS Engineer (PWS 4.2.5) is not considered key and that a resume for the SAS Engineer is not required.

71. Reference Section B CLINs 0003. 1003, 2003 – Page 62 Price Quote. - Section B: Travel costs reimbursement include only the actual allowable costs under FAR 31.205-46 without any additional General and Administrative overhead or any other indirect costs or markup.

– Page 62: As part of this quote, the Contractor shall identify any G&A or overhead rates applicable for travel.

Questions: Please confirm the Contractor shall identify and apply G&A or overhead rates for any applicable travel. Recommend the Government revise Section B as follows; Travel Costs reimbursement include only the actual allowable costs under FAR 31.205-46 with any additional General and Administrative overhead or any other indirect costs, but without any markup or profit.

Response: See question 58.

72. Reference Section B – Page14 Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance Coverage. – Section B currently does not include an ODC CLIN. DBA insurance costs shall be reimbursed by the Government, including General and Administrative (G&A) and fee.

Question: Will the Government consider including a CLIN for ODCs for deployed locations to include items such as visas, passports, DBA insurance, etc. or is the Offeror to include costs for those items in the fully burdened time and material rates?

Response: See Question 19.

73. Reference Page 62 Price Quote – The price quote shall be based on the Contractor’s current open market contract labor rates, utilizing any and all discounts.

Question: Will the Government please clarify if this RFP is to be bid under a schedule? If not, recommend removing the statement “The price quote shall be based on the Contractor’s current open market contract, labor rates, utilizing any and all discounts”.

Response: The requirement is as stated.

74. Reference Page 8 – 4. Estimated Effort. – Page 13 Section 6.4.1 Time of Performance.

Task Description: Experienced Operations Research Analyst.

Question: What is the anticipated length of deployed work time for the Experienced Operations Research Analyst?

Response: Experienced Operations Research Analyst hours per person: 2,432.

Question: Will the Government please confirm the hours per FTE for an Experienced Operations Research Analyst and the breakout between anticipated CONUS and OCONUS hours including expected hours per week? (i.e. Deployed Operations Research Analyst = 4,032 hours per year OCONUS: 84 hours / week * 48 weeks CONUS: 40 hours/ week * 0 weeks).

Response: See PWS Section 4.1 “Labor Hours/Categories”.

75. Reference Page 8 – Deployed ORSA Trainers hours per person: 3,224

Question: What is the anticipated length of deployed work time for the Deployed ORSA Trainer?Will the Government please confirm the hours per FTE for a Deployed ORSA Trainer and the breakout between anticipated CONUS and OCONUS hours including expected hours per week? (i.e. Deployed Operations Research Analyst = 4,032 hours per year OCONUS: 84 hours / week * 48 weeks CONUS: 40 hours/ week * 0 weeks).

Response: See Question 56

76. Reference Page 8 – Global Response Force (GRF) – Deployable Operations Research Analyst hours per person: 3,576.

Question: What is the anticipated length of deployed work time for the Global Response Force (GRF) – Deployable Operation Research Analyst?

Will the Government please confirm the hours per FTE for a Global Response Force (GRF) and the breakout between anticipated CONUS and OCONUS hours including expected hours per week? (i.e. Deployed Operations Research Analyst = 4,032 hours per year OCONUS: 84 hours / week * 48 weeks CONUS: 40 hours/ week * 0 weeks).

Response: See Question 56

77. Reference PWS 4.2.5 – Personnel Skill, Experience, and Education Requirements: SAS Engineer.

Question: For personnel without the “Certified Advanced Programmer” certification, will they be permitted to obtain the certification within four (4) months such as the Sr. SAS Engineer (PWS 4.2.4)

Response: The Requirement is as stated.

78. Reference 52.219-14 Limitation of Subcontracting.

Question: Recommend removing 52.219-14 as it applies to small business set-asides.

Response: Clause 52.219-14 is removed.

79. Reference Page 13 Section 6.4 Time of Performance PWS 6.3.1

Question: This solicitation includes a potential variety in hours and locations deployed. Can Offerors use pricing methods such as separate CONUS and OCONUS T&M rates for positions which are not deployed year round and/or a separate fee bearing CLIN for uplifts such as hardship and danger?

Response: See Question 19

80. Reference PWS 6.3.1

Question: What proportion of the OCONUS work do you anticipate being in locations other than Afghanistan?

Response: See PWS Section 6.3 “Place of Performance”.

Question: What labor categories can deploy to locations other than Afghanistan?

Response: See Question 78.

Question: Will the Government provide historic information regarding deployment and travel to locations other than Afghanistan such as how many people deployed, which locations, the length of time, etc.?

Response: No, please request FOIA.

81. Reference 52.219-9 and 252.219-7003.

Question: Please confirm whether a small business subcontract plan is required. If so, is the small business subcontracting plan is due upon contract award.

Response: See Question 61.

82. Reference 5152.225-0008 – X Authorized Weapons.

Question: Weapons are authorized per 5152.225-0008, and the contract includes the necessary FAR clauses for contractors to be armed. However, the PWS does not include a requirement for arming. Will the Contractor be armed upon award or are the clause provided in the event arming is required later?

Response: This is a standard clause. Any arming requirements would be stated in the PWS.