Final__19-R-0010_Q_and_A_RESPONSE.pdf

Question PWS Section Company Government Answer Government RFP Changes

Travel is reflected in Section B CLINs as FFP, however in PWS Section 1.25 the Government provides no information on frequency and location of travel. Additionaly travel is stated to be cost reimbursable. Would the Government either provide sufficient information to estimate travel or provde a plug number for proposal bidding purposes?

Section B & 1.25 Potomac River Group, LLC

Not to exceed $12,000 contract year.

The government has indicated a PhD and a minimum of 10 years of expereince. We would like to point out that in many instances valid and applicable work experience is as valuable as a educational degree. Our analysis & synthesis based on our experience in Insider Threat identification and mitigation programs, leads us to conclude that a PhD is a 'nice-to-have' but a

Masters degree in Forensics Psychology is most appropriate for the operational environment of the DITMAC. Further, this would likely provide a much broader range of proposals and cost competitiveness. Question: We respectfully ask will the government subsitute 4 additional years of experience for PhD when a proposed key personnel has a Masters Degree in a related field?

1.23.1.2 Advanced Onion, Inc.

The USG not wanting only a Forensic

Psychologist as we are not looking soley for expertise within the judicial and legal systems, neither of which the DITMAC is involved. USG appreciates the advise, however the requirements within the PWS remain.

See the entire PWS for guidance to inlcude 1.23.1.2 and 1.23.1.3.

The government has indicated page counts for

Volume 1 and states "Resumes no more than 3 pages". Question: We respectfully ask will the government clarify if the total page count allocated for BOTH KPs shall total 3 pages, or if

EACH resume shall total 3 pages?

L.1.2 Advanced Onion, Inc.

Each resume shall not exceed 3 pages.

The government states that "Contractor shall provide three (3) past performance experiences…". Question: Will the government find acceptable per the evaluation requirements a proposal that lists only one PP that is ongoing and a Program of Record for DoD?

L.2.2.3 Advanced Onion, Inc.

See Section L and M - Past

Performance and submit an offer accordingly.

Is this a new requirement? Dark Horse Technologies Yes

Will the Government accept a Doctorate of

Psychology (PsyD) in place of a Doctorate in

Philosophy (PhD)?

1.23.1.1 Guardian Defense Group, LLC

No, please see APA definitions for

Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in

Psychology. Also see other tasks/requirements in PWS for additional guidance on expectations

Will the place of performance remain Crystal

City for the lifecycle of the contract?

1.11

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Potentially, any changes will be reflected to contract modification

Are paragraphs 5.10, 5.11, 5.12 also Tasks? 5.10, 5.11, 5.12 Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Yes, the referenced paragraphs are tasks.

Updated paragraphs to reflect: 5.10

Task 10:, 5.11 Task 11, and 5.12 Task

Are paragraphs 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, and 6.13 also

Tasks?

6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Yes, the referenced paragraphs are tasks.

Updated paragraphs to reflect: 6.10

Task 10:, 6.11 Task 11, and 6.12 Task

12, and 6.13 Task 13

Do resumes count against the page count? L.1.2, Table 1 Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Resumes should be included in the total page count.

Solicitation has been updated to reflect the following: 30 pages including resumes (Resumes no more than 3 pages)

Which volume does the Government want the

Cover letter contained within?

L.2.1 (a)

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Cover Letter shall be included in

Volume I.

Solicitation has been updated to reflect change.

Does the Government have a preferred format for the Pricing Excel spreadsheet?

L.2.2.2 (b)

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Yes. See pricing table.

Does the Government require a price breakout for labor: fringe, overhead, GNA, Fee, etc.?

L.2.2.2(b)

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

No. Address Section B of the solicitation.

The Government states" Part I" when referring to key personnel. Does the Government mean

Volume I?

L.2.2.1 (d) Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Yes. Volume I. Soliciation reflects changes.

Does the Government require the Reps and

Certs filled out, or will a statement that our company is current and up to date in SAMS be acceptable?

52.212-3 (b) Guardian Defense Group, LLC

52.213-3 speaks states "The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the

System for Award Management

(SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. " - A statement saying reps and certs are up to date is fine.

If the Government requires Reps and Certs to be filled out, in which volume should we insert them?

52.212-3 (b) Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Volume I

If the requirement of prime and/or Subcontractor withdraws does not apply to our bid, does the vendor have to write to it?

L.2.2.1(c,i) Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Address the applicable areas of the solicitation.

In which volume does the Government want the table summarizing the Qualification of Key

Personnel inserted in or is it a separate document?

L.2.1 (c.)

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Volume I

Does the Government require a master table of contents or do they require each volume to have its own table of contents?

L.2.1 (b) Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Each Volume should have it's own

TOC.

The Travel CLIN states "..Travel as detailed in the PWS Section 1.26. There is not a Section

1.26, does the Government mean 1.25?

CLINs Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Yes. Travel Section references have been updated to "Section 1.25"

Information provided under "Contractor Travel" does not provide enough information to accurately forecast travel costs. Can the

Government provide a PLUG number for travel to facilitate the evaluation process?

PWS 1.25

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Not to exceed $12,000 contract year.

PWS paragraphs 1.25.1 to 1.25.4 are subsets of paragraph 1.25, which means they should be related to travel, but they are not. Would the

Government consider renumbering these paragraphs?

PWS 1.25.1 - 1.25.4

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Paragraphs have been renumbered.

Does the Government require the contractor to provide a Program Manager (PM)?

PWS 1.9.2

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Identify whom on the contract side the government COR is to interact with. This is not a billable position.

If the Government does require the contractor to provide a PM is that a separate billable position, or does the Government prefer the contractor duel hat the Senior Threat Manager or Senior

Behavioral Specialist with PM duties?

PWS 1.9.2

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

No

The Government states, "all employees have appropriate experience, as described in the PWS at Sections 1.24 and 1.25. Sections 1.24 and

1.25 do not describe employee experience requirements. Did the Government mean

Section 1.23?

PWS 1.17

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Removed 1.24 and 1.25. Yes, statement should have included 1.23.

Updated solicitation to reflect the change.

In which volume does the Government require the SF 1449 to be inserted?

52.212-1 (ITO), (b, 11)

Guardian Defense Group, LLC

Volume I

Par 1.13 states "Contractor personnel performing work under this contract must have a

TOP SECRET (TS) facility clearance…" but Pa

1.23.11 and 1.23.2.1 state "Currently hold or can obtain a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented

Information (TS/SCI) clearance". Please clarify which is correct. Unclear if SCI is required for these positions.

Par1.13 vs. Par 1.23.11 and

1.23.2.1

Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

1. Change all facility clearance requirements from Top Secret (TS) to

Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented

Information (TS/SCI). TS/SCI facility clearance is required. 2. All contractors are required to have

TS/SCI prior to being selected

Since membership in the Association of Threat

Assessment Professionals (ATAP) is either required or preferred to be qualified for the position and since membership requires sponsorship from an existing ATAP member, this could be considered a barrier to entry for some SB with some very qualified candidates who had not joined this organization. As written this could be considered a non-compliance criteria. Especially since the primary evaluation critieria is price (LPTA).

Would the government consider allowing up to

60 days from contract award to obtain membership?

Par 1.23.1.5 and Par 1.23.2.8 Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

Change 123.1.5 to read "is preferred."

Par 1.23.3 states "Possess a forensic background with experience in one (1) or more of the following areas:" and then list 3 specific areas.

Since the evaluation criteria are consider acceptable or unacceptable, does having experience in just one area qualify as acceptable and will it be rated the same as someone with experience in 3 areas?

Par 1.23.3 Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

The Offeror must meet the minimun qualifications specified in 1.23.

Where position description requirements specify

"optional" or "preferred", how will these requirements evaluated since there is no allowance for any rating other then acceptable or unacceptable. If they are optional or preferred and the candidate does not have those skills, will they be evaluated as non-acceptable?

Par 1.23.1.6 and 1.23.2.7 and

1.23.2.8

Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

The preferred qualification is

Association of Threat Assessment

Professionals (ATAP). See 1.23, which specifies minimun qualifications.

This paragraph is an example but there are several references requiring contractor Project

Management support of contract and personnel oversite such as quality control. Will the government allow additional part-time PM hours or is it expected that one of the 2 identified FTE will also serve as a Project/Site Lead?

Par 1.25.2 Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

Identify whom on the contract side the government COR is to interact with. This is not a billable position.

Will the dates for questions due and proposal due date be adjusted IAW release of final RFP?

Sec L.1 and L1.1, page 87

Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

Yes.

There will be a revised RFP release date based on finalizing the Q&A.

Does the 30 technical volume include the 3 pages for each Key person, e.g. 24 page technical volume plus 6 pages for 2 reusmes equals 30 pages.

Table 1 on page 87 Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

Yes. See Section L1.2, Table 1

Given the broad range of skills and indepth technical knowledge required for the 2 FTE key positions that will be critical to shaping the

DITMAC policies, procesdures and understanding new threats of the future, it does not appear that the best value for the government is being served with an LPTA evaluation criteria. By doing so minimum requirements have to be presented to obtain an acceptable rating in technical, to include the resume qualifications of the candidates and in past performance and must only demonstrate that the technical portion is compliant, present candidates that meet the criteria laid out in the

RFP, all on a pass/fail basis. Then it comes down to price. There can be a large variance in the quality of person to fill the 2 requested position while still meeting the acceptance criteria (just pass/fail). If it boils down to price on an LPTA contract, the bidder will be forced to propose the minimum requirements so they

Section M Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

Thanks for the recommendation;

however, Section M remains unchanged.

To obtain the most highly qualified candidate for these critical tasks, recommend changing

Section M to a Best Value vs. LPTA critieria to allow for qualitiative assesment of candidates and corporate capability to obtain the most highly qualified personnel and human capital required for these tasks.

Global Resource Solutions

(GRS)

Thanks for the recommendation;

however, Section M remains unchanged.

Given travel is undefined, will the Government provide an amount for the Travel CLINs?

Section B (page 4) Filius Corporation NTE $12,000

Table 1 provides 30 pages for Volume 1. The

30-page limit does NOT include the letters of commitment. Does the 30-page limit include the volume cover page, table of contents, traceability matrix, narratives to Factor 1, and resumes?

Section L.1.2 (page 87) Filius Corporation

The following are NOT included in the 30 page count: Cover Letter, Table of Contents, Traceability

Matrix, and Letters of Commitment.

Solicitation reflects the update.

The traceability matrix is to provide traceability from offeror’s proposal to the applicable PWS sections. Pleas confirm that applicable PWS sections include Part 1: 1.23, Part 5, and Part 6.

Are there other applicable PWS sections?

Section L.2.1.2 (page 88) Filius Corporation The sections that should be addressed are Part 1: 1.23, Part 5, and Part 6.

The traceability matrix is to be submitted as a separate attachment in Volume 1. Is the traceability matrix included in the 30-page limit

(of Volume 1)?

Section L.2.1.2 (page 88) Filius Corporation

Yes, the traceability matrix can be an attachment an it is not included in the page count.

Solicitation reflects the update.

Should we include the Cover Letter in Volume

1?

Section L.2.1.6 (page 88) Filius Corporation Yes Solicitation reflects the update.

This section requires offeror to “address how schedules will be maintained for the requirements and goals identified in the PWS.”

Whose schedules need to be maintained? Can the Government explain what schedules need to be maintained in relation to the tasks to be performed by the Sr. Threat Manager and Sr.

Behavioral Specialist? The only task with associated schedule is the weekly status report.

Section L.2.2.1.b) (page 89) Filius Corporation The contractors being provided, in this case 2.

The Government generally anticipates the nature of the work in the base and each of the option periods as represented in the form of a table and the tasks. Normally, information in a table is not intended to establish an absolute solution, but it is used to frame the scope and scale of the support requirements defined in the PWS.

Without a Level of Effort an incumbent has the advantgae and there is no need to submit a response to the RFP. This RFP already has a short turn around time which also favors an incumbent.What is the level of effort?

DPMS LLC See Solicitation - Section B and C

Is there an incumbent? DPMS LLC No, this is a new requirement.

The RFP designated NAICS Code 561611 primarily includes services for background checks, bounty hunting, finger printing, private investigations, lie detection, missing persons tracking, polygraph, privative detective support, and skip tracking. The scope of the work included in the RFP is for threat analysis and behavior analysis. Therefore, we suggest that the designated NAICS Code 561611 is not the appropriate NAICS Code. For acquiring support for insider threat analysis including behavior analysis, other agencies such as the Department of Energy have used NAICS Code 541690 Other

Scientific and Technical Consulting Services with a Size Standard of $15 Million. Therefore, we request that the Government please consider using NAICS Code 541690 Other Scientific and

Technical Consulting Services.

SF 1449

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Noted, no changed made.

The SF 1449 indicates that ITEM Nos. 0003, 0004, 1003, 1004, 2003, 2004, 3003, and 3004 are not separately priced. Would the

Government please consider deleting them from the SF 1449?

Section B - Supplies or

Services and Prices

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Language remains unchanged.

This section states, "The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials...and other items...necessary to perform the DITMAC

Senior Threat Manager function and the

DITMAC Senior Behavioral Specialist function, as defined in this Performance Work Statement

(PWS) except for those items specified as

Government furnished property and services.

Would the Government please indicate what other equipment, supplies, facilities, tools, materials and other items the contractor would be required to provide?

Section 1.1, page 11 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Professional tradecraft

This section indicates that this will be a firm, fixed-price (FFP) contract requirement.

a) Would the Government please indicate whether the contractor would be allowed to invoice on a monthly basis using a percent complete based on using a month as a percentage of the work completed? b) Would the

Government please consider making this a Fixed

Rate Requirement?

Section 1.12, page 13 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Language remains unchanged.

This section emphasizes experience with DoD.

However, other agencies within the Intelligence

Community also have requirements for the expertise of Senior Behavior Specialist and

Senior Threat Manager. Therefore, would the

Government please consider revising the emphasis on the DoD to experience with federal agencies within the Intelligence Community?

Section 1.23, pages 15-16 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

The DITMAC is the insider threat

HUB for the DoD for which some members of the intelligence community are part of the DoD. The

DoD introduces unique aspects that may not be seen elsewhere.

Therefore, language remains unchanged.

This section requires the Senior Behavioral

Specialist to have current membership in the

Association of Threat Assessment Professionals

(ATAP). Would the Government allow the

Senior Behavioral Specialist to become a member of the ATAP after the award of the contract?

Section 1.23, page 15 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Change 123.1.5 to read "is preferred." Updated PWS.

Section 1.12 indicates that this requirement would be a firm, fixed-price contract. Therefore, would the Government please indicate the reasoning for Contractor Manpower Reporting?

Sections 1.12, page 13; and

1.25.2, page 17

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

eCRMA is a requirement, per solicitation.

Would the Government please confirm that the

Contractor will not need to have a facility that is approved for receiving, storing, processing, and handling classified information, documents, and records?

Section 4.1, page 19 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

1. Change all facility clearance requirements from Top Secret (TS) to

Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented

Information (TS/SCI). TS/SCI facility clearance is required. 2. All contractors are required to have

TS/SCI prior to being selected

Would the Government please indicate the nature and the scope of work that the Contractor would be allowed to perform at the Contractor's facility?

Section 4.3, page 20 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

None. This is a contractural placeholder, however contractor will perform duties at government facility or governement identified workplace.

As this contract would require one Senior

Behavioral Specialist and one Senior Threat

Manager, would the Government please define the requirements for the Quality Control Plan and its expectation about how it should be executed?

Attachment 2 - Deliverables

Schedule, page 63

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Section 1.7 specifies expectation of the QCP. Please review and address in your offer accordingly.

As this is a Small Business Set-aside requirement, would the Government please allow offerors to submit past performances on contracts that were completed within the last five (5) years and had at least three (3) months of performance?

Volume III, page 89 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Language remains unchanged.

As this LPTA contract would only require one

Senior Behavioral Specialist and one Senior

Threat Manager, would the Government please consider deleting the requirement specified under 1.2.2.1 c)?

Volume I, page 89 Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Solicitation language 1.2.3.1 "C" has been updated.

Solicitation language 1.2.3.1 "C" has been updated.

Would the Government please provide a template for the Price Proposal?

Volume II, page 89

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Yes. See Attachment 3 - Pricing

Table.

Solcitation updated to reflect the additional information.

Would the Government please confirm that for this LPTA requirement, Factor 1: Technical

Capability and Factor 3: Past Performance would be evaluated only for determining the technical acceptability?

52.212-2 Evaluation-

Commercial Items (OCT

2014), page 91

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Solicitation identifies evaluation methodology and ratings - See

Section M.

Would the Government accept one project in order to determine technical acceptability?

Volume III, page 89

Systematic Management

Services, Inc.

Language remains unchanged.

Hello I hope all is well. My question is in regard to the PHD requirement for the Senior

Behavioral. Can years of experience be a substitute for a PHD?

Section C - 1.23.12 Cross Fire Biz The PHD is a requirement and can

NOT be substituted by experience.