ConFLASC_Q&A.pdf

Question PWS Section Answers

To better assess the Level of Effort for the Task Orders being consolidated and the two presented in this solicitation under this IDIQ, are there incumbent(s) for any of the Task Orders or portions of those Task Orders. If so, what are/is the incumbent contract(s)? What were the Level of Efforts on each of these individual contracts and/or contract value?

General RFP Question The incumbent for the SMO Firm Fixed Price Task Order is Analytic Services, Inc and the incumbent for the IO Firm Fixed Price Task Order is ICF International, Inc.

2 Program Manager is identified as a key position. The pricing table has an IDIQ Program Manager/Strategic Planner. Request clarify the Strategic Planner part of the LCAT. PWS 1.6.10 See Amendment 0001

3 Operations Research Analyst is identified as a key position. The pricing table does not list this LCAT. Request clarify. PWS 1.6.10 See Amendment 0001

4 Tables identify numerous LCATs that are not listed in the RFP. What are the minimum education and experience requirements for those LCATs to allow for consistent pricing across Offerors? What are the labor category definitions or task functions for those LCATs? Pricing Tables See Amendment 0001

5 The RFP requires completing the Task Order pricing table but does not provide the LCATs and associated level of effort for each Task Order. Request provide the LCATS and Level of Effort for each Task Order. Pricing Tables

See Amendment 0001 and it is up to the Offeror to propose the level of effort they believe is necessary to complete the task associated with each Task Order.

6 Can you identify the incumbent contract(s) at the IDIQ and/or task order level so that we may better evaluate LCATS and Level of Effort? Pricing Tables See the response to Question 1 above.

7 The IDIQ Labor Rates tab in the Pricing Table document only include columns for Overhead, G&A, and Fee. Are we allowed to add additional columns or can the sheet be adjusted to include other cost pools, such as Fringe? Pricing Tables Yes, please ensure to include an explanation in your Cost/Price volume to explain the change.

8 Due to the need for clarifications with the Pricing Table, LCAT descriptions and the clarifications on Level of Effort for the Task Orders, we request a 2 week extension to allow appropriate time for response to this solicitation. General RFP Question At this time, the proposal submission date will not be extended.

9 Will the Offeror be expected to provide capabilities for each performance objective, or will it be expected of combined teams of Offerors?

Some Offerors have capabilities that may facilitate some, but not all, of the required performance objectives. 7.1 The Offeror and their Subcontractor(s) shall meet all performance objectives together.

10 Can another clear, readable, comparable 12-point font be used other than Times New Roman and Arial - for instance Calibri ? Section L, L.4.1 See Section L.4.

11 Will the Offeror's proposal be considered responsive if it responds to the general capabilities described in Section C and only one of the task orders (i.e., either SMO or IO)? Section L See Section L.3.2.

12 For work to be performed on-site, will DSS provide the successful Offerors with seat(s)? 1.6.5 See Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, IDIQ Contract PWS Part 3.

13 Can DSS list and describe the business processes to be included in the FFP task order? SMO; 5.2.1.3 See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments - Attachment 2, SMO Task Order PWS Part 7.

14 Can DSS clarify which programs and projects are considered within the SMO area of influence and should be considered in the FFP bid? SMO; 5.2.1.3 See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments - Attachment 2, SMO Task Order PWS Part 5.

15 How many climate support surveys are expected to be administered over the course of the base period? How many employees are each expected to reach (i.e., are surveys agency-wide or specially designed/administered for each organization)? SMO; 5.2.1.4 See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments -

Attachment 2, SMO Task Order PWS Part 7.

16 Can DSS share the government estimate (in FTEs) for the level of support for the IO and SMO PWS? General It is up to the Offeror to propose the level of effort they believe is necessary to complete the task associated with each Task Order.

17 Can DSS clarify the clearance requirement for staff proposed for the SMO task? SMO; General See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments - Attachment 2, SMO Task Order PWS Part 4.

"Offerors shall provide an outline of how the effort required by the solicitation will be assigned for performance within the Offeror’s corporate entity and among the proposed Subcontractors. The information provided for the prime Offeror and each proposed major Subcontractor must include the entire company name, company address, CAGE code, DUNS Number and type of work to be performed by citing the applicable Government PWS subparagraph number.” Can DSS clarify how this requirement pertains to Past Performance?

Past Performance, L.5.3.1.3 Subcontracts

The evaluation team uses this information to determine if the past performance information supports the proposed assignment of performance within the Offeror’s corporate entity and the proposed Subcontractors.

19 Can DSS please define the labor categories provided in the pricing tables in terms of required education, skills, years of experience, etc.? Pricing tables See Amendment 0001

20 Does DSS intend for Offerors to respond in the Technical Volume to the Base PWS tasks or only the two Task orders? If so, is there a specific page allotment for that portion of the technical response?

Page 15, Specific Tasks of Base IDIQ PWS See Amendment 0001

21 The Government requires that the Offeror's performance begin upon award without delay -- does the government acknowledge that delays can be the result of clearance crossovers which are out of the control of the contractor and provide relief from those government delays? L.2.1.2 The Government intends to have a transition period for each Task Order to allow for on-ramping.

22 Is DSS able to provide a mapping of the IO Task Order key personnel descriptions / titles to the labor categories offered in the Pricing tables? Pricing tables See Amendment 0001

DSS states that the order of importance for evaluation are first, past performance; second, Technical; and third Price for the IDIQ and Task Order in section M.2 and M.2.1. This seems to be inconsistent with earlier language that the Task Order will be judged according to LPTA. Can the government please deconflict.

M.2

The order of importance questioned is regarding the IDIQ evaluation. Once awardees are determined at the IDIQ level, the IO and SMO Task Orders will be evaluated using lowest priced technically acceptable because the awardee(s) have already been determined to be the best value to the Government on a trade-off basis.

24 Can the government please clarify if there is a minimum or maximum number of Past Performance references required to be submitted? L.5.3 The solicitation does not set a minimum or maximum number of Past Performance reference required.

Can the government clarify if it is requiring that the contractor submit a questionnaire for every Past Performance reference submitted in the Past Performance Volume? If so, we recommend the government give a limitation to the number of questionnaires required to be submitted, either 3-5 questionnaires.

Section J, Attachment 3, Past Performance Questionnaire

It is up to the Offeror to determine how many past performance references are required to provide enough evidence for the Government to evaluate them as the highest confidence rating for the past performance evaluation.

26 For the Operations Research Analyst position, does time spent conducting advanced course work count towards experience in operations research? 1.6.10.2 See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments -

Attachment 1, IO Task Order PWS Part 1.6.10.2

27 For the Operations Research Analyst position, can higher or multiple degrees be substituted for a certain number of months of work experience 1.6.10.2 See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments -

Attachment 1, IO Task Order PWS Part 1.6.10.2

28 Factor 2 – Technical Capability, requires a labor mix assigned to the functional program areas. Is this labor mix organized by FTEs, number of hours, or value? M.2.3 For Technical Capability, the Government will look at the proposed FTEs and proposed labor hours.

Paragraph 4.2 states, "4.2 Clearance: The Contractor shall possess and maintain a Top Secret facility clearance. The PM is required have Top Secret security clearance eligibility at time Task Order award and all other personnel performing work under this Task Order will be required to obtain a Secret security clearance from the Personnel Security Management Office for Industry (PSMO-I)/DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF) at time of Task Order award." Does the above language mean that personnel do not need to have a security clearance at time of submission, but are only required to be submitted for a clearance at the time of task order award?

4.2 See Amendment 0001

30 May Offerors modify this table to accurately reflect application of their disclosed indirect rate structure (e.g. additional columns for separate Fringe and OH rates)? Pricing_Tables - IDIQ Labor Rates Yes, please ensure to include an explanation in your Cost/Price volume to explain the change.

The Labor Categories listed here are not defined in terms of education and/or experience anywhere within the RFP. In order to ensure a fair comparison between offers, will the government provide labor category descriptions to include minimum education/experience requirements?

Pricing_Tables - IDIQ Labor Rates See Amendment 0001

IAW the FAR and the solicitation, the Compensation Plan applies to professional employees only. The definition of "Professional employee" is outlined below. Please identify the labor categories that the Government considers professional according to the definition in FAR 22.1102.

FAR 22.1102 Definition.

Professional employee, as used in this subpart, means any person meeting the definition of "employee employed in a bona fide . . .

professional capacity" given in 29 CFR 541. The term embraces members of those professions having a recognized status based upon acquiring professional knowledge through prolonged study. Examples of these professions include accountancy, actuarial computation, architecture, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, the sciences (such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and teaching). To be a professional employee, a person must not only be a professional but must be involved essentially in discharging professional duties.

Section L - Clauses Incorporated by Reference: 52.222-46 Evaluation Of Compensation For Professional Employees

See Amendment 0001

33 In reference to the IO Task Order, is the expectation that the PM or alternate be full-time, on-site and available 8a to 6p, Monday through Friday? 1.6.10 (page 42) It is up to the Offeror to propose the level of effort they believe is necessary to complete the task associated with each Task Order.

34 In reference to the IO Task Order, is an Interim Top Secret or Interim Secret clearance acceptable at the start of the task order? 4.2 (page 45) See Amendment 0001 35 Please confirm that the IO task order PM must hold a Top Secret clearance. 4.2 (page 45) See Amendment 0001

36 In reference to the IO Task Order, Part 5 references Program Manager and Operations Research Analyst support to the SMO. Can the government confirm that these are the same or different roles than those sited in 1.6.10 (page 45)? 5.1 (page 46) See Amendment 0001

37 In the IO Task Order PWS, under 5.1 pg 46, will the Govt confirm that the sentence should read "The Contractor shall provide IO with the necessary ConFLASC…" and not reference SMO? 5.1 (page 46) See Amendment 0001

38 Can the government specify the vendor responsible for providing the IT infrastructure for administering the climate survey/general surveys? 5.2.1.4 / 5.2.1.5 (page 58) No

39 Can the government specify number of meetings per year? Number of participants per meeting? Historical number of planning personnel required to support this PWS item? 5.2.2 (page 58-59) There is not a set number of meetings per year.

40 Can the government provide historical data on level of effort to support either IO or SMO task order? General See the response to Question 1 above.

41 Is there an incumbent contractor for the IO Task Order? If so, who is the incumbent and what is the current contract number? General See the response to Question 1 above.

42 Is there an incumbent contractor for the SMO Task Order? If so, who is the incumbent and what is the current contract number? General See the response to Question 1 above.

43 Can the Prime Offeror submit past performance for Subcontractors not expected to perform more than 25% of the work to show the overall experience of the team?

L.5.3 - Vol. II Past Performance (pg 107), M.2.2 (pg 113)

Yes. Also, make sure to address the information in accordance with L.5.3.1.3.

44 Can the Prime Offeror submit the names of Subcontractors not deemed as "major" to show the type of work to be performed by the entire team? L.5.3.1.3 - Subcontracts (pg 108) Yes. Also, make sure to address the information in accordance with

L.5.3.1.3.

45 Is there a limitation on the number of references allowed in the Past Performance Volume? L.5.3 - Volume II Past Performance (Page 107) No

46 Can the government provide a stand-alone past performance questionnaire (PPQ) rather than the file embedded in the RFP? Page 64-69 Yes. The file has been uploaded as an attachment to FBO.

The PPQ asks for an evaluation of each of the elements of the ConFLASC IDIQ PWS. Due to the fact that most contracts do not cover the entire IDIQ PWS scope, can the government confirm that the rating system will score each PPQ on the areas performed and not devalue a past performance score if not all areas of the PWS are performed, as long as the Offeror is able to cover the entire IDIQ scope across the aggregate of the Offeror's references/PPQs?

PPQ (page 67-68; Questions 4-7) All information submitted for the Past Performance Volume will be evaluated together for the Past Performance rating.

Question #8 of the PPQ asks each customer reference to evaluate the extent that the service provider satisfied the types of work identified in the individual PWS' and the level of performance for each type of work. Does the government intend for Offeror customer references to review the IO and SMO PWS' and then score the Offeror based on each type of work in the comments?

PPQ (page 68) See Amendment 0001

49 In light of the level of effort required to complete Question #8 on the PPQ, will the government remove question #8 from the PPQ? PPQ (page 68) See Amendment 0001

Given that ConFLASC is an IDIQ contract with no defined total price and no set number of task orders, it is impossible to determine which contractors meet the “major Subcontractor” percentage threshold, will the government please remove this requirement and allow relevant past performance for all teammates?

L.5.3 Volume 2 – Past Performance.

pg 107 See Amendment 0001

M.2.2 Factor 1 – The Past Performance evaluation factor states it will only evaluate past performance from the Prime and Major Subcontractors. We will be using our team to cover the PWS areas, and since Major Subcontractors have to be 25% will the Government evaluate the Prime and all Subcontractors for past performance?

M.2.2 Factor 1 – Past Performance.

pg 113

Yes, in accordance with the solicitation all past performance will be evaluated.

How will the government determine the difference between and large business and a small business? Will the government create a separate small business ConFLASC opportunity for companies under $15 million, with evaluation criteria providing a level playing field for fair competition on the large and small business tracks?

General If the Contracting Officer determines that a Task Order can be set aside for Small Businesses, it will be done at that time.

Given this is a full and open competition, and small business must compete against large business, teaming is a key factor to providing a level playing field for all competitors. The instructions do not allow a small business to have their Team's highly relevant past performance references evaluated due to the definition of Major subcontracts defined as having more than 25% of the total price. For the DSS to best evaluate the team compositions and its ability to address both current and projected task orders as a "best value" will you please remove the Major Subcontractor requirement?

L.5.3 Volume 2 – Past Performance, No, in accordance with the solicitation all past performance will be evaluated but in accordance with L.5.3 Offerors past performance shall be provided first, followed by each proposed major Subcontractor.

In the Evaluation Factors for the Technical Capability, M.2.3. paragraph g, evaluates whether or not there are discrepancies between the small business participation strategy outlined in the Technical response and the Offeror's subcontracting plan (if required). In the event that a Large Business does have discrepancies, how will this be evaluated relative to a Small Business who is not required to submit a Subcontracting Plan? Since Large Businesses and Small Businesses have to adhere to different requirements, would the Government consider amending the solicitation to include 2 tracks - a Full and Open track, and a Small Business track, in order to ensure companies are evaluated fairly, against the same criteria?

M.2.3 Factor 2

Each proposal will be evaluated on its own and not compared to any other proposal. Large Business are required to submit Small Business Subcontracting Plans in accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-9. Material discrepancies between the small business participation and commitment strategy and subcontracting plan (if required) may negatively impact your evaluation under this factor.

Please provide guidance on how we utilize the small business plan, that requires small business work allocations that are significantly less than 25%, yet we are not permitted to use those SB's past performances due to the workshare threshold for major Subcontractors set at 25%?

L.5.2 Volume I and L.5.3 Volume 2

– Past Performance. page 107

The solicitation does not state that an Offeror may not submit past performance for a Subcontractor who is not considered a major Subcontractor.

Based on the RFP restriction on Subcontractors past performance, DSS has restricted the competition for the ConFLASC opportunity. In order to achieve “substantial confidence” in past performance, companies have formed teams to provide the necessary expertise. What criteria and weights will be applied to determine the overall performance confidence rating? Will you please rank order the factors by importance in determining the performance confidence rating: size, scope, magnitude, complexity, and performance (PPQs &/or CPARS ratings)?

M.2.2 Table 2 pages 114-115 All required Past Performance information is weighted equally.

Since the Government has an established rating system policy, mandated by FAR 42.15 to annually prepare Past Performance Evaluations, will you please confirm that for contracts that have a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPARS) in the Past Performance Information System (PPIRS), that the DSS will use the CPARS instead of having to complete the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ)?

Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire, Page 64 See Section M.2.2.

Given that the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) shares it's first page with another section of the RFP, and may confuse some customers that need to fill it out, will the DSS please provide the PPQ in a separate MS Word file document for the customers to complete?

Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire, Page 64 Please see the response to question 46 above.

The PPQ instructions state, "The Offeror shall complete Part I of the Past Performance Questionnaire...", but Part 1 is the PPQ instructions with nothing to fill out. Will you please confirm that the PPQ instructions should read, "The Offeror shall complete Parts 3 and 4 of the Past Performance Questionnaire..."?

Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire, Page 64, Part 1 General Instructions, See Amendment 0001

Question #8 of the PPQ requests our customers to, "Please indicate the level of performance for each type of work" but does not define "type of work" and only provides one block for grading. This could be confusing to customers that are required to fill it out, because "type of work" is not defined, and the PPQ does not provide a way for multiple "types of work" to be rated. Will you please confirm that the Government will define "type of work" and provide detailed instructions on how a customer is supposed rate multiple "types of work" for PPQ question #8?

Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire, Page 64 See Amendment 0001

The instructions state, "For IO Task Order PWS only: The proposal shall provide copies of resume(s) for the key personnel identified in IO Task Order PWS Section 1.6.11." but 1.6.11 is Manpower Reporting. Will you please confirm that this should state, "For IO Task Order PWS only: The proposal shall provide copies of resume(s) for the key personnel identified in IO Task Order PWS Section 1.6.10."?

L.5.4.1.1 d. See Amendment 0001

62 The ConFLASC PWS states “1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The Government SHALL evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this IDIQ contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. ” Will the Govt please provide a copy of the QASP? PWS 1.6.2 page 6 The Government will provide a copy of the QASP to awardees.

Section L.5.3.1 states "This volume shall be organized into the following sections:" then lists the L.5.3.1.1 "Contract Descriptions" and after that the L.5.3.1.2 "Past Performance" narratives in separate sections. Will the Government allow us to the Contract Descriptions and Past Performance narratives together for each contract, or should we separate them as instructed?

L.5.3.1, L.5.3.1.1, L.5.3.1.2 Pages 107-108

The Offeror's proposal shall include all information as required by Section L.

64 In section L.2.1.1, the RFP states "Set-asides will be determined for each individual Task Order." This implies that some portion of the IDIQ awards will be set-aside for Small Business. How many Small Business awards does the government anticipate making? L.2.1.1 The Government cannot "anticipate" any specific number of award(s) or business sizes of awardee(s).

The RFP instructs Offerors to provide past performance data concerning the prime Offeror, followed by each proposed major Subcontractor (defined as one whose subcontract is for more than 25% of the total price). Will you please confirm, that while past performance is required from major Subcontractors, past performance from non-major Subcontractors will also be accepted and evaluated in order to ensure that the capabilities and experience of the team are understood?

L.5.3 Yes, confirmed.

When outlining the Specific Tasks for the IO Task Order, paragraph 5.1 on page 46 of the RFP states "The Contractor shall provide SMO with the necessary ConFLASC support services…." Will you please confirm this is a typo, and should state "The Contractor shall provide IO with the necessary ConFLASC support services..."?

Part 5 Specific Tasks See Amendment 0001

67 Can you provide labor category descriptions for this IDIQ? Page 116, Section M.3.1.2 See Amendment 0001

68 What are the government's expectations for a full-time contactor in terms of work hours/day (e.g. 8 hours per day)? Page 7, Section 1.6.3.2 Page 41, Section 1.6.4

The Government's expectations for a full-time Contractor are eight hours per day, Monday through Friday.

69 Is it correct that the contractor will be expected to work both on-site and at the contractor facility? Page 41, Section 1.6.5 At this time, it is anticipated that the Contractor will work within the Government's facility.

70 Can you confirm that DSS will weight DSS past performances heavier than outside past performances (those from organizations external to DSS)? Page 113-114, Section M.2.2 All relevant past performance will be weighted equally.

71 For the IO and SMO tasks, the tasks are vague and high level. In order for us to propose a firm fixed price, can you provide more clarity (regarding specific activities for each task) on what would be required from the contractor? Pages 40-64, All Sections The Government believes that the tasks have been defined enough to propose a firm-fixed-price.

For those tasks mentioned in the general task, but not mentioned for the specific IO and SMO tasks, is there a place where we can demonstrate our capabilities for those requirements?

For example, the leadership alignment task (as written on pages 16 and 17), highlight seven tasks, yet the IO task has zero leadership alignment tasks and the SMO task only has one leadership alignment task (which reflects 5.1.3.7 Knowledge Management). Six of the leadership alignment tasks as reflected in the general task on page 16 and 17 ( 5.1.3.1, 5.1.3.2, 5.1.3.3, 5.1.3.4, 5.1.3.5, 5.1.3.6) are not represented on either the IO or SMO tasks.

Pages 15-17, All Sections

Pages 40-64, All Sections

The Offeror shall provide a proposed solution that satisfies the requirements specified in the solicitation for the IO Task Order PWS and SMO Task Order PWS.

73 Will DSS evaluate past performances from non-major Subcontractors (those sub-contractors that have a subcontract for less than 25% of the total proposed price)? Page 107, Section L.5.3 Yes

74 Do we need to be registered with WAWF prior to bid or after award? Page 23, Section C(2) Offerors do not have to be registered in WAWF prior to contract award.

75 The Government says they will evaluate Contractor's performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. Will you confirm that plan is provided in section 7.1 of both Task Order PWS'? 1.6.2; and 7.1 of each Task Order The Government will provide a copy of the QASP to awardees.

In several sections within the two Task Order SOWs, there are paragraphs that state: "(See Base IDIQ PWS) with no identifying information explaining what element of the SOW the paragraph is referring to. Will you confirm these paragraphs in the SOW correlate with the same paragraphs in the IDIQ SOW?

1.6.3.1, 1.6.3.3 through 1.6.3.8, etc., in both Task Order PWS sections See Amendment 0001.

The following statement is in Paragraph 2 under Past Performance Questionnaire: "Task Orders will be competed amongst all IDIQ awardees unless the Contracting Officer determines an exception to fair opportunity exists based on the needs of a particular requirement.

Set-asides will be determined for each individual Task Order (emphasis added)." This seems incongruent with the strategy of an unrestricted award based on price with a limited number of awardees. Will you consider awarding in an unrestricted and a small pool?

This will allow cross-pooling among teams, which will result in the best possible value for the government.

Past Performance Questionnaire, paragraph 2, Description of the current solicitation. Page 65

See Amendment 0001

The Task Order PWS statements say: "The Government expects the Contractor will establish normal operating hours under this contract between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday through Friday." Will you confirm the intention is for the contractor to establish a consistent 8-hour period within those hours for operating hours?

1.6.3.2 in each Task Order PWS The Government's expectations for a full-time Contractor are eight hours per day, Monday through Friday.

79 There is no requirement in the RFP to identify team members. Will you confirm a successful prime contractor can add Subcontractors to their team based on Task Order requirements as they are issued?

See Section L.5.3. IDIQ Awardees may add Subcontractors at any time, but they shall notify the Contracting Officer to ensure that the Government may confirm that they are eligible to work with the Government.

Are the labor categories provided intended to cover the breadth of requirements for Task Orders under the IDIQ, or are they representative for the purpose of price evaluation only? For example, several of the specific tasks within the IDIQ and both Task Orders appear to be suited for administration support personnel (i.e. scheduling support, file maintenance, etc.), yet there are no administrative labor categories listed in the pricing tables. In future labor hour type task order procurements, will successful contractors be allowed to propose labor categories that best align with task requirements?

ConFLASC Pricing Table Offerors may propose additional Labor Categories if they believe they are necessary to meet the requirements of any specific Task Order.

81 To level the price evaluation process, will you please provide specific labor category requirements for each listed labor category? ConFLASC Pricing Table See Amendment 0001

82 Will you confirm the labor categories in the ConFLASC pricing table are for the purposes of evaluation only, and will not necessarily be the only labor categories used in any subsequent task orders? ConFLASC Pricing Table Offerors may propose additional Labor Categories if they believe they are necessary to meet the requirements of any specific Task Order.

83 Will you allow Offerors to propose additional labor categories so support specific tasks in the IO and SMO Task Orders? IO and SMO Task Orders;

ConFLASC Pricing Table

Offerors may propose additional Labor Categories if they believe they are necessary to meet the requirements of any specific Task Order.

As currently written, the IO and SMO Task Orders do not have sufficient detail upon which to build a response. It is difficult to tell the level of effort required to complete specific tasks. For example, the IO Task Order requires communication support to maintain social media. Without additional information, it is difficult to scope the amount of effort expected, i.e. original material to be developed and posted, frequency of updates, etc. Similarly, the requirements to develop and maintain a unified knowledge management environment within the DSS enterprise to support IO operations could be scoped as a project to replace your current SharePoint administrative function, or as a single individual serving as IO's liaison with the current enterprise knowledge management system. Without specificity as to the exact expectation and scope of each specific task, deliverables, timelines, etc., it is difficult to submit a credible bid. Will you provide sufficient detail in tasks, requirements, deliverables and timelines to allow greater fidelity in our proposal?

IO Task Order 5.2.1.1, and 5.2.1.6.1 See Amendment 0001

The proposal defines a major Subcontractor as one whose subcontract is for more than 25% of the total proposed price. The past performance instructions direct data concerning the prime Offeror to be provided first, followed by each proposed major Subcontractor in alphabetical order. Will you confirm that these instruction are intended to require at least one past performance example from every "major" Subcontractor? Will you also confirm that this DOES NOT preclude an Offeror from using past performance from Subcontractors who may receive less than 25% of the total proposed price?

L.5.3 Yes, Offerors shall submit at least one past performance "example" for every major Subcontractor. Yes, confirmed.

The Government indicates in the opening paragraphs of the Evaluation of Proposals section that this will be a "best value" award with the Non-Price factors being "significantly more important that the Cost/Price factor". In the Evaluation Procedures paragraphs, however, you reserve the right to stop evaluations once five proposals, ranked by lowest price, are found to have an acceptable rating for Technical Capability and a substantial confidence assessment for Past Performance, which makes this a Low Price Technically Acceptable competition. We completely support the intent of the Government to procure services at the most advantageous cost, but based on the RFP, our current work with DSS, and our understanding of the magnitude of change and challenges we know are facing your organization, we are concerned as taxpayers that an LPTA procurement strategy is not in the best interest of the Government. Will you confirm that this will be a true Best Value competition, with price evaluated, but not the most important element of the evaluation process?

M. 1.1 and 1.3; M. 2 and 2.1; M.3, 3.1, 3.3.1.3 and M.3.4. See Section M.1.1.

Please clarify the statement that "Set-asides will be determined for each individual Task Order." Does the Government intend to reserve IDIQ awards for socio-economic categories in order to set-aside some task orders or does this refer to the small business subcontracting targets for each task order, different from those established by the RFQ?

L.2.1.1 No

88 Please clarify that all Offeror's may need "access to classified material in the performance of any contract or Task Order" and therefore, all Offerors must have a Top Secret facility clearance at the time of IDIQ award. L.2.1.2 See Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, IDIQ contract PWS Part

4.2

89 Please clarify that proposal Volumes are to be submitted as separate files rather than being combined in a single file. L.4.1 See Section L.4.2.

Section L.4.1, which states that "Volumes that contain pages that exceed the...or total page limit shall be considered technically unacceptable and the Offeror shall not be considered for award" and Section L.4.3 which states that "For those pages that exceed the page counts in Table 1 for each volume or attachment, the exceeded page(s) may be removed from the volume for evaluation purpose...lead the proposal volume to be determined unacceptable." Please clarify if exceeding the page count will automatically disqualify an Offeror's proposal.

L.4.1 and L.4.3 See Amendment 0001

91 Please clarify what "supporting documents" the Government anticipates in addition to Offerors' proposal responses. L.4.5 See Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments - Attachment 3 - Past Performance Questionnaire

Section L.4.7 requires Offerors' proposals to address each task in the solicitation; however, the Table in Section L.4.2 states that the 60 page limit for Volume 3, Technical Capability, is split as 30 pages for the response to the IO Task Order and 30 pages to respond to the SMO Task Order. Please clarify where Offerors are to address the Specific Tasks called out for the IDIQ in Section 5 of the IDIQ PWS beginning on Page 15 of 120.

IDIQ PWS 5 - 5.1.4.7 See Section L.4.2.

a. Labor category descriptions and minimum qualifications, such as education, experience, and certifications, have not been provided by the Government. Request labor category descriptions so that Offeror rates can be fairly compared.

b. Indirect rates include more cost elements the Overhead and G&A elements shown in the column titles. Please clarify if Offerors are allowed to add columns to add other indirect cost elements in their approved DCAA pricing methodology.

c. The spreadsheet has a column titled “Base Rate”. Please clarify if Offerors should populate this column with the direct labor rate.

Sec J. Pricing Tables, Tab IDIQ Labor Rates See Amendment 0001

94 Will the Government consider eligibility determinations to be acceptable for Secret and Top Secret positions as required by the two tasks? IO Task Order, 4.0 Clearance SMO Task Order, 4.2 Clearance See Amendment 0001

Section L.3.2 Acceptable Proposal states "The Government must have received from the Offeror an acceptable proposal. The proposal is acceptable when it meets all of the terms and conditions of the solicitation, which includes the IDIQ contract PWS, the IO Task Order PWS and SMO Task Order PWS. Additionally, the Government may declare a proposal to be nonresponsive if it does not meet all terms and conditions of this solicitation." Volume 3 - Technical Capability does not allocate page count to specifically address the IDIQ contract PWS. May the Government please clarify how Offerors are to respond to the IDIQ contract PWS.

L.3.2 See Amendment 0001

Section L.4.4 Content Requirements states " The Summary Section shall contain a brief abstract of each volume." Please clarify if 'The Summary Section' is in reference to Volume 1 - Proposal Summary; Solicitation, Proposal and Award Document(s); Section K - Representations and Certifications; and Subcontracting Plan.

L.4.4 See Amendment 0001

Section L.1 Exceptions or Conditions Contained in Offeror’s Proposal states "In the event the Offeror takes any exception to, or sets any conditions for its proposal under this solicitation, such exceptions or conditions shall be set forth in a cover letter to Offeror's proposal."

Please clarify whether the Offeror is required to submit a Cover Letter if it does not take any exception to, or sets any conditions for its proposal.

L.1 See Amendment 0001

L.5.3 Volume 2 – Past Performance states that "Offerors shall provide a synopsis for all past and on-going work in Government and non- Government contracts (prime and major subcontracts) for consultation, facilitation, leadership alignment and strategic collaboration services during the past three years, which are relevant to the efforts required by this solicitation in accordance with the below instructions. Data concerning the prime Offeror shall be provided first, followed by each proposed major Subcontractor, in alphabetical order." Please clarify if Offerors are required to submit information for contracts that will not have an accompanying Past Performance Questionnaire.

L.5.3

Offerors shall provide a synopsis for all past and on-going work in Government and non-Government contracts (prime and major subcontracts) for consultation, facilitation, leadership alignment and strategic collaboration services during the past three years.

99 This section states that the Contractor shall provide ConFLASC support services to SMO. Should "SMO" be replaced with "IO?" Attachment 1, IO PWS, Paragraph

5.1 See Amendment 0001

100 This section states a requirement to report expended hours by labor category. Why is this level of detail required for a FFP Task Order? Attachment 1, IO PWS, Paragraph 7.2.1

Because that is the level of detail required to be included within the deliverable.

101 There appears to be an inconsistency with the IO PWS Deliverables Schedule. In the IO PWS Part 5 there are no sections 5.1.2.1.1,

5.1.2.1.2 or 5.3.1. Is a correction needed?

Attachment 1, IO PWS, Paragraph

7.2 See Amendment 0001

102 For the IO PWS Deliverable Schedule is it correct for tasks 5.2 and 5.2.3 that a deliverable is only required once a quarter? Attachment 1, IO PWS, Paragraph

7.2 Yes

There are numerous references to a Performance Measurement System in the Deliverables Schedule. Does the SMO have an existing system that is operational today and will that be provided as GFE/GFI, or is the task to develop a new system based on requirements from DSS stakeholders?

Attachment 2, SMO PWS, Paragraph 7.2

The Government's intent is to have system in place prior to Task Order award. At this time, the information is being tracked manually.

104 In order for the government to receive comparable labor category prices from all Offerors, the government could provide minimum years of related experience and education for each of the labor categories. Is there a reason that these requirements are not provided? Attachment 5, Pricing Tables See Amendment 0001

105 Section L.2.1.2 states that Contractors must have a Top Secret facility clearance at time of IDIQ award. Section 1.6.7 on page 8 ties that requirement to the time of Task Order award. Is a Top Secret facility clearance required at time of IDIQ award or Task Order Award? L.2.1.2 See Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, IDIQ contract PWS Part

4.2

106 The wording of this section appears to be inconsistent with Past Performance since it describes how the effort required by the solicitation will be assigned among the proposed team. Should this be moved under Section L.5.4.1.1? L.5.3.1.3

The evaluation team uses this information to determine if the past performance information supports the proposed assignment of performance within the Offeror’s corporate entity and the proposed Subcontractors.

107 Section L.4.1 states that "the titles for each file are detailed below," but those titles appear to be missing. Does the government prefer to supply a file naming convention or leave it up to the Offerors to define? L.4.1 See Amendment 0001

In Section M Evaluation Factors the RFP indicates "The Government is more concerned with obtaining a service provider who’s demonstrated Past Performance of relevant contracts, with similar scope, size, magnitude and complexity, is of superior quality, than with making an award at the lowest overall evaluated price to the Government." But Section M.3 indicates "Initially, proposals will be ranked according to price." Can the government please clarify if the IDIQ and Task Orders are ranked by Past Performance first or by Price first?

Section M The proposals will be evaluated starting with the lowest priced proposal.

The cost/price factor will be evaluated in accordance with M.3.5.

The Contract Description section k requires, "Performance recognition documents received within the last three years such as awards, award fee determinations, customer letters of commendation, and any other forms of performance recognition." This will amount to a significant number of pages per contract submitted that will take away a significant number of pages from the Past Performance relevance narratives, Contract Descriptions, Subcontracts, and New Corporate Entity information that is required. Will the Government allow the "Performance recognition documents ..." provided, to not count against the Past Performance Volume page count?

L.5.3.1.1.k, Page 108 See Amendment 0001.

Section 1.6.7 States: Security Requirements: Contractor companies performing work under this IDIQ contract must have a Top Secret facility clearance at time of the Task Order award, and must maintain the level of security required for the life of the IDIQ contract. Since waiting times for clearances can be substantial, will DSS sponsor the IDIQ awardees to enable them to obtain that clearance after IDIQ awards and prior to bidding on task orders, or must potential bidders already have that clearance before competing for the IDIQ award?

Section 1.6.7 and various other sections

See Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, IDIQ contract PWS Part 4.2

The Past Performance Questionnaire General Instructions on pages 64-65 instructs Offerors to have client technical representatives for past/current contracts to directly email PPQs to the DSS Contracting Office. However, page 108 lists section L.5.3.1.5 Past Performance Questionnaire as a part of Volume 2: Past Performance. Further, instructions state that PPQs are exempt from the Past Performance Volume page count (page 108-109). Can the government please confirm that Offerors shall only submit Part I of the Past Performance Questionnaires as part of Volume 2, since Part II will be submitted by our project technical representatives directly to the government?

L.5.3.1.5 Past Performance Questionnaires are exempt from the Past Performance Volume page count limitation.

112 Are the tasks in section 5, page 15 the "IDIQ PWS", as referenced in section L.3.2 on page 104? L.3.2 See Amendment 0001 113 Should the Offerors include their response to the Tasks listed on page 15 as part of Volume 3 - Technical Capability? L.5.4 See Amendment 0001

114 For Volume 1, what is required under the component "Solicitation, Proposal, and Award Document(s)" given that Section A - SF 1449 Commercial Solicitation is listed as a component of "Representations and Certifications" in Section L.5.2? L.5.2 See Section L.5.2.

115 Does Section L.5.3.1.3 - Subcontracts relate to subcontracting as part of past performance write-ups or plans for CONFLASC support? L.5.3.1.3 The evaluation team uses this information to determine if the past performance information supports the proposed assignment of performance within the Offeror’s corporate entity and the proposed Subcontractors.

116 Should Offerors provide their response to "Section L.5.3.1.3 - Subcontracts" in the Volume 2 or another volume? L.5.3.1.3 See Section L.5.3.

117 If Offerors do not plan to use major Subcontractors (a share greater than 25% of the work), do they need to provide a response to Section L.5.3.1.3 - Subcontracts? L.5.3.1.3 Yes

118 Do Offerors who are small businesses have to include a response to L.5.4.1.1, Part e (small business participation) as indicated on page 109? L.5.4.1.1 Yes, small businesses have to submit a response to L.5.4.1.1.

119 Page 46 of 120: Minor clarification, under 5.1, Basic Services, the introductory paragraph states, "The Contractor shall provide SMO with the necessary CONFLASC services." Will the Government confirm that the intended recipient of these services for this PWS is IO? J.5.1 See Amendment 0001

Page 51 of 120, in Row 2 of the Deliverables Schedule, the requirement refers to "PWS 5.1.2.1.1 & 5.1.2.1.2" needing to be delivered once per quarter or as requested; however, there is not a corresponding description of the requirement in the Specific Tasks. Can the Government please clarify what requirement this is line item should address?

J.7.2 See Amendment 0001

The RFP requires: "The Offeror's proposal shall consist of four volumes. The Volumes are 1 - Solicitation, Proposal and Award Documents, Section K - Representations and Certifications and Subcontracting Plan, 2 - Past Performance, 3 - Technical Capability, 4 - Cost/Price." The RFP also requires: "Each volume shall be clearly identified and shall begin at the top of a page." Does the Government intend for Offerors to submit one Word document containing the four volumes (with one cover page and one Table of Contents), or is the Offeror to submit four Word documents (one for each volume, each with its own cover page and Table of Contents)?

L.3 and L.4

The Offeror may determine if one document containing all volumes is acceptable or if each volume should be submitted separately. It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure their proposal can be sent and received through email.

The RFP requires: "The Summary Section shall contain a brief abstract of each volume." Does the Government require an abstract of each of the four volumes within the "Proposal Summary" section of Volume 1, or does the Government require an abstract within each volume containing a summary of that volume?

L.4.4 See Amendment 0001

123 Are all Subcontractors required to possess a Top Secret facility clearance or only the prime contractor? C.4.2.

Only the Prime Offeror is required to possess a Top Secret Facility Clearance at time of IDIQ award. The Prime Offeror is required show ownership of the Subcontractor underneath their Security Management Office (SMO) code.

124 Would the government consider evaluating the sample TOs on a best value rather than a LPTA basis? M.1.3. No, the Government will have determined each IDIQ awardee to be the Best Value to the Government.

125 Will DSS be open to negative comments on potential organizational upgrades on its business and management model? C.5.1.4.3 In the event that is a requirement for the DSS, yes.

126 Will DSS allow total access to its facilities, management personnel, and systems for study and ability of the contractor to give feedback? C1.3, C.5.1.1.1 In the event that is a requirement for the DSS, yes.

127 Can a Course of Action (COA) be developed with desired end results be negotiated between client and contractor? C.1.0 In the event that is a requirement for the DSS, yes.

129 Is the ordering period defined in item (a) an estimated period based on contract award? 52.216-18 Ordering (page 33) Yes.

130 Is there an anticipated ceiling for this IDIQ? 52.216-19 Ordering Limitations (pageSee Section B - Contract Minimum/Maximum Quantity and Contract Value.

For GSA schedule holders whose labor categories are team-based (i.e., daily or weekly team rates vs. individual hourly rates), is it permissible to use the team-based labor categories defined in our GSA schedule to provide pricing for this RFQ? If not, can you provide any guidance on an acceptable method for bidders with team-based rates to submit pricing? For example, may bidders estimate the number of hours and individuals derived from their team-based labor categories?

L.5.5 Volume 4 – Cost/Price. See Section L.5.5.

Section 1.3 Objectives on page 40 of 120 states in part, "This support will develop IO strategic planning documents; develop and track IO metrics; produce internal and external briefing books and other publications as required; and provide technical edits to material produced by IO Headquarters (HQ) personnel." This statement seems to indicate that an IO Strategic Plan and supporting documents will be prepared as separate, stand-alone documents. Please clarify if the IO Strategic Plan and supporting documents will be included in the DSS strategic plan, or should be separate, stand-alone documents, or both.

Section 1.3, Page 40 The IO Strategic Plan nests with the DSS Plan. It is written at a tactical level to ensure implementation.

133 Why is G&A, Overhead and fee broken out in the pricing table if the Task Orders are all FFP, T&M or Labor Hour based? Attachment 5, Pricing Table

Because there is a possibility for Labor Hour or Time and Materials type Task Orders in…