Final_PostDraftRFPQuestions

PRE SOLICITATION QUESTIONS AND GOVERNMENT ANSWERS

Question 1: Will there be another opportunity to submit questions after the final RFP is released? When does the Government anticipate releasing the final RFP?

When does the Government anticipate the proposal responses will be due?

Does the Government anticipate major changes to the RFP from this draft version to the final version?

Answer 1: Questions may be submitted via our PMOSS mailbox up to the time of receipt of proposals. As to the release of the RFP, please see our pre solicitation notice dated April 23, 2009. The Government does not anticipate major changes to the RFP from the draft version.

Question 2: Section H.4 and Section L.8(f) page 119: In these sections the Government does not specify what sub-section of FAR Part 44 is applicable. Our question is in two parts:

a. Is it acceptable to provide a statement that the company's management practices and accounting system are adequate for meeting the needs of FAR 44.201-1(b)?

b. If a company has an established process for obtaining authorization and consent prior to all types of subcontracting but has not been selected by their ACO to undergo a Contractor's Purchasing System Review (CPSR), is it acceptable to provide a description of that process in response to H.4 and L.8(f)?

Answer 2: A statement that the company’s management practices and accounting system is not sufficient. The contractor shall notify contracting officer reasonably in advance of placing any subcontract or modification thereof for which consent is required (See FAR 52.244-2).

Question 3: Section H.2 states, “The maximum cumulative dollar ceiling value of all TOs in this multiple award procurement…” The remainder of the document, the response format required and question 12 released with the draft RFP all indicate that this is actually a single award procurement. Will the Government confirm that this is in fact a single-award procurement?

Answer 3: Yes this in fact a single award, IDIQ procurement. Section H.2 has been changed to reflect a single award.

Question 4: Section L.7.3 requires past performances, “for three (3) projects…similar in size and scope to the requirements identified in the RFP and attachments, which are at least 50% complete.” Will the Government confirm that the “50% complete” requirement refers to the contractual period of the contractor’s support rather than the overall completion of the project?

Answer 4: Yes, 50% complete refers to the contractual period of performance.

Question 5: Section L.7.3 also requires subcontractors to, “submit past performance information for at least three (3) relevant contracts completed in the past three years.” Our question is in two parts. Would the Government clarify whether offerors are required to submit past performances from each subcontractor or three relevant past performances total? If we are required to submit three past performances from each subcontractor, and given the Government’s desire for small business participation, will special consideration be given to subcontractors who are small business concerns and may not have three projects that are of the same size and scope of SBI?

Answer 5: Offerors are not required to submit past performance surveys for their subcontractors. Section L.7.3 has been revised to remove the requirement for subcontractor past performance surveys.

Question 6: Section H.19, page 45: Since SPRDE_SE Level III certification is a relatively new process/certification, and to date no grandfathering process has been defined, will other certifications such as INCOSE CSEP-Acq be acceptable?

Answer 6: Systems Planning, Research Development and Engineering-Systems Engineering (SPRDE-SE) certification is preferred, but if the resume can show the requisite years of experience and identify other certifications that are equivalent, that will be considered. In addition, the RFP has been changed to require that the Senior Systems Engineer be SPRDE-SE certified Level II or equivalent.

Question 7: Section H.19, page 45: Similarly to question 6, will the Government accept equivalent certifications to those listed for Key Personnel at both the IDIQ and Task Order levels?

Answer 7: The RFP has been changed to reflect that the desired certification for the Lead Senior Management Principal and Deputy PM is DHS or DoD Level III certification, however DHS or DoD Level II certification or individuals certified through the Project Management Institute® as Project Management Professionals® combined with extensive program management experience will be accepted. Individuals certified as DoD Acquisition Level III Program Management meet the requirements for certification at DHS Level III. Individuals certified through Project Management Institute® as Project Management Professionals® need only complete the 24 hours in leadership, management, communication, or human resources to meet the Level II certification requirements. Individuals certified as DoD Acquisition Level II Program Management meet the requirements for certification at DHS Level II. Also see response to question number 29.

Question 8: Attachment 13, paragraph 7.13.1, page 27: Will the government accept DoD Level II certification as an equivalent substitute for DHS Level II?

Answer 8: The Government (Attachment 15) for Task Order 2 requires the PM and Deputy PM to be a Level II certified PM and, yes, DoD Level II certification will be accepted as an equivalent as well as individuals certified through Project Management Institute® as Project Management Professionals® that complete the 24 hours in leadership, management, communication, or human resources will be considered to have met the Level II certification requirements. Also, please see Government response to question number 7.

Question 9: Section L.7, page 116: Due to the fact that the staffing tables for Task Orders 1 and 2 will potentially be several pages in length, would the Government please exclude them from the page limitation?

Answer 9: Section L.7 has been revised to exclude the Program Staffing Plan and Key Personnel Qualification Matrix from the page limitation.

Question 10: Section L.7.3, pages 117 - 118: Can primes and subcontractors currently providing support to SBI use SBI as one of the references for past performance?

Answer 10: Yes, primes currently supporting SBI can use SBI as a reference. Subcontractors that do not have past performance as a prime are not required to submit past performance surveys (Please see answer to question number 5).

Question 11: Attachment 17: The SBI Program Management Office is also receiving support services from Logistics Management Institute, Gulf South Resources Corporation, Compass, Nortel, Willcor and possibly others, but they are not identified either as incumbent support contractors or someone the PMOSS awardee must work with. Does PMOSS’s scope include any of the work being performed by these companies and any others not listed? If so, please specify.

Answer 11: PMOSS scope does not include the fore-mentioned contractors.

Question 12: Section B.4, pages 3 - 4: Time and Material (T&M) Type Task Orders are not listed. Given the dynamic nature of SBI, the known draw-down of support as the government staff builds up, the desirability (cost savings, space savings, practicality) of immediately fine-tuning support staffing at the individual staff level as each new government accession occurs (rather than adjusting quarterly), the need to avoid numerous contract adjustments required during a period of constant change, and the desire to have flexibility to respond to new demands and changing priorities, will the Government consider issuing T&M Task Orders under this procurement?

Answer 12: The Government will not issue T&M task orders under this procurement. The Government will only issue cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders under this procurement.

Question 13: Reference Sections (a) 52.215-20 and Alt IV: Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information Other Than Cost or Pricing Data at L.1(b) 52.215-12: Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data at L.1.(I): Since 52.215-20 Alt IV states that Submission of Cost or Pricing Data is not required, we request that 52.215-12 requiring Subcontractors to submit certified cost and pricing data be modified to state that Subcontractor Cost or Pricing will only have to be certified for Modifications to awarded Task Order Subcontracts and not to the original proposal for the Contract or for Task Orders 1 and 2.

Answer 13: FAR Clause 52.215-12 does not apply to Task Order 1 and Task Order 2 because an exception exists at FAR 15.403-1(b)(1), adequate price competition. However, subsequent task orders and any modification to Task Order 1 and Task order 2 may require cost or pricing data. Please refer to Section L.8 “Since adequate price competition is anticipated in response to this solicitation, certified cost or pricing data is not required.”

Question 14: Section C.2.1, page 14; G.2.3, page 32; H.19.1, page 45: Is the “Senior Lead Program Manager” the same as the “Senior Management Principal”? If not, please explain the difference.

Answer 14: Yes, they are the same.

Question 15: Section C.2.2, page 15 and E.4, page 24: Implies that authorization is required to work over the normal 40 hours per week – is this appropriate for the type of Task Orders currently identified in the IDIQ contract (Firm Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursement)?

Answer 15: Authorization is appropriate for all task orders except FFP. Task Order 1 and 2 are CPAF and authorization is appropriate.

Question 16: Section C.2.2, page 15 and Attachment 14, paragraph 2.6, page 7: Refers to a “Requirements Document and Management Plan”. Is this a different plan than “Requirements Development and Management Plan”? If so, is there a reference that describes what this plan is?

Answer 16: The plans are the same document. The text in section C.2.2 of the RFP and Attachment 14, section 2.6 should read “Requirements Development and Management Plan.”

Question 17: Section H.21, page 47: Please provide specifics on other contractual relationships separate from PMOSS. What are the links and interfaces the PMOSS awardee must deal with?

Answer 17: The Program Office will provide direction to the contractor after contract award. Some other contractual relationships are identified in the RFP.

Question 18: Section I.13, pages 71 - 72: As the government will be providing work stations for support personnel, it is not clear how the scope of work to be performed will involve connecting to the DHS network, thus invoking the need for an IT Security Plan and IT Security accreditation. Would the Government identify the work in Task Orders 1 & 2 that would require an IT Security Plan and accreditation, if any?

Answer 18: The IT Security Plan should describe how the contractor plans to secure and protect Government information; given that the contractor will be connected to the CBP network.

Question 19: Section L.5 and M.4.5 124: In comparing the total cost proposed by each competitor, those companies without cleared staff available at contract award will have a cost advantage proportional to the number of un-cleared personnel. For example, costs will not be incurred during the period of time it takes to clear the personnel, thus reducing the proposed total cost. Conversely, proposals from companies with cleared staff available at contract award will have a cost disadvantage, because there will be no cost avoidance while awaiting clearances. Will the government have a mechanism for adjusting for these types of advantages / disadvantages so that companies do not unfairly benefit merely as a result of the government’s clearance process.

Answer 19: The Government doesn’t see this as an advantage or disadvantage to either incumbents or non-incumbents. This is “Best Value” procurement. At Section M.4 it states, “All technical (non-cost) evaluation factors, when combined, are more important than cost.” The Government contends that this is sufficient enough to level the playing field for both incumbents and non-incumbents.

Question 20: Section L.7.1: Please clarify what is meant by risks reported from a “technical” perspective.

Answer 20: The contractor will be working on technical tasks with SBI project managers, and should identify and mitigate risks from more than just a contract perspective.

Question 21: Section M.4.1 (f): Is it the government’s intent to evaluate merely whether the offeror completes the Program Staffing Plan table? To what degree will there be an evaluation of the content of the Program Staffing Plan table itself and the degree to which the content addresses the government’s interests?

Answer 21: The Government will not just evaluate whether or not the Staffing Plan table is completed. The Government will evaluate the contents of the Plan.

Question 22: M.5: Will the Government clarify whether the risk assessment will be applied to the offeror’s proposal in general or to a specific Part (Part I or Part II) only?

Answer 22: The Government will assess “Risk” in general, as risk pertains to Parts I and II.

Question 23: Attachment 14: Are there elements in Section C not included in the Task Order? If so, what are they?

Answer 23: There may be tasks, unknown at this time but reasonably within scope, the Government will direct the contractor to perform.

Question 24: Attachment 14 and Attachment 16: Does the scope of Task Order #1 include support to the Acquisition Office? If so, shouldn’t the Acquisition Office and numbers be reflected in Attachment 16?

Answer 24: No, not primarily, the AO has its own support contract. However, there are three people that provide program and administrative support to the AO; and this relationship may continue.

Question 25: Section B.4.4 Cost Reimbursement Rates: As stated in the “draft RFP, “The fee will be negotiated consistent with statutory limitations. Our question is in two parts: The Fixed Fee noted in Section B-1 for Task Orders 01 and 02, “the offeror shall propose a combination of base fee and award fee. Base fee shall not exceed 3% of the estimated cost.” Please describe how the designated fixed fee of 3% was determined as it relates to “statutory limitations.” Is there an Award Fee Pool percentage to be applied or is that percentage to be determined by the offeror?

Answer 25: The base or fixed fee (3%) for Task Order 1 and 2 are not related to a statutory requirement. It is the maximum base or fixed fee the Government will entertain on a Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) contract type. The Government believes fee should substantially be earned based on actual performance. Therefore, the Government is not limiting the award fee (%) that an offeror can propose. However, award fee is subject to negotiations. The statutory limits only relate to future task orders that will be on a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) basis.

Question 26: Section B.5 Labor Rate Table: Will the Government confirm that the Labor Rate Table for Firm-Fixed Price Labor Rates is to include Contractor fee?

Answer 26: The Labor Rate Table for Firm-Fixed Price Labor Rates shall include profit, not fee. Fee is applicable to cost reimbursement contract types.

Question 27: Section F.7 Subcontracting Plan Reports: Is the Small Business Subcontracting plan based on the percentage of subcontracted dollars to Small Businesses or of contracted dollars to Small Businesses?

Answer 27: It is based on both. FAR 19.704(a) (1) requires separate dollar and percentage goals for using small business concerns.

Question 28: Section C.1.4.2: Program Governance: How is access to the Bidder's Library obtained?

Answer 28: There will not be a Bidder’s Library. All information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and the RFP.

Question 29: The Lead Senior Management Principal shall have at least 8 years experience in a major acquisition program, and shall possess at least a B.A. or B.S. degree, and preferably a Master’s degree, in Project Management, Business Administration, Engineering or an area related to the position of Senior Management Principal. The Lead Senior Management Principal and Deputy PM shall be certified as DoD or DHS Level III PMs. Can you provide further information on the requirements for these certifications? Is this meant to be DoD Acquisition Policy and SEI CMM Level 3?

Answer 29: Please see embedded DHS Management Directive 0782. Also, please see Government response to questions number 7 and 8.

Question 30: H.4, Purchasing System, RFP page 39 (cross-reference L.8.f, page 119): According to this company’s cognizant DCAA auditor, DCAA does not approve purchasing systems. Accordingly, a clarification is warranted. Is it DHS’s intent that contractors have been determined by DCAA to have adequate accounting systems for accumulating and billing costs under cost reimbursement contracts, which would include any purchasing undertaken by the contractor for the contract? If it is DHS’s intent for contractors to have an approved purchasing system, the requirement would appear to be at odds with other provisions requiring advance approval by the CO for purchases and the requirement to use Government sources of supply (H.5). Also, given that the SBI PMOSS solicitation calls for program management and related services, this requirement is unnecessarily restrictive and may limit the competitive landscape for this solicitation.

Answer 30: True, DCAA does not approve purchasing systems or accounting systems. The cognizant ACO approves and determine the adequacy of contractor’s systems (See revisions to RFP Section H.4 and L.8(f)). To receive a cost reimbursable contract, an offeror’s accounting system must be adequate for determining costs applicable to a prospective contract in accordance with FAR 16.301-3(a)(1).

Question 31: H.16, Subcontracting, RFP page 44: Please clarify how CBP’s 47% subcontracting goal is broken down by socio-economic / business designation. The information provided totals 16%. Does CBP have a small business goal for this procurement?

Answer 31: The CBP small business goal is 47% in total. Included in the 47% is the breakdown by socio-economic business designation, 3% for HubZone, 5% for SD, 5% for WOSB and 3% for SDVOB. The socio-economic designation totals 16%. The balance (31%) is small businesses other than socio-economic designated ones.

Question 32: H.19.2(a), Key Personnel #1: Senior Management Principal, RFP page 45: The certification requirements for the Senior Management Principal and the Deputy are unduly restrictive in that they refer to qualifications that can only be attained through government service. We respectfully suggest that CBP revise the requirement to DHS Level II and provide for equivalency using a combination of experience and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications. This change would more closely align the Senior Management Principal’s qualifications with the objective to consolidate program management support services with a single contractor. In addition, the change would make the requirement commensurate with the responsibilities required, in conformance with DHS Management Directive 0782.

Answer 32: Please see Government responses to questions 7, 8, and 29.

Question 33: Section H.19.2(a), second paragraph, RFP page 46: Please clarify the roles identified in the first sentence: “The Contractor may identify one or more Deputy PMs…for other organizational elements….The other PM may serve as the Contractor’s Deputy PM, in which case the PM would be an important point of contact…”

Answer 33: The contractor may appoint more than one Deputy PMs (e.g., one for System Engineering one for Deployment). All Deputy PMs are considered important POCs for contractor to Government communications.

Question 34: H.25, Section 508 Compliance Requirements, RFP page 49: Please indicate where in the proposal the Government wishes to see this statement.

Answer 34: Part 1.

Question 35: H.26 (c), Organizational Conflict of Interest, RFP page 50: Please clarify where in the proposal the Government wishes to see the OCI representation.

Answer 35: Part 1.

Question 36: H.28 (c), Performance-Based Services Contracting, RFP page 51: When is the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) due to the Government?

Answer 36: The Government is not requiring a QASP from the contractor; the Government has developed it own QASP.

Question 37: H.30, Security Procedures, RFP page 53 (cross-reference Section I.22, Classified Work Requirement Statement, page 80): Please confirm that all Key Personnel are required to have TS clearances, while non-key personnel must either have a favorable Background Investigation (BI) or be able to pass the BI. Are DoD TS clearances acceptable?

Answer 37: All Key Personnel are not required to have a TS clearance, only people working with TS information. All personnel are required to have a favorable BI.

Question 38: Section L.7, Written Technical Proposal, Part I, RFP page 116: Please provide clarification with regard to the specified tab numbering scheme. For example, L.7.1 is Factor 1, aligned with Part I, Tab A. However, the numbering scheme appears to drop off at Factor 3, Past Performance. Is this intentional or simply a typographical error?

Answer 38: This is intentional because Past Performance Surveys are not provided by the offeror; the surveys are provided by references.

Question 39: Section L.7, Written Technical Proposal, Part I, RFP page 116: Will the Government consider increasing the page limit to 50 pages, so that contractors may adequately address all of the requirements presented in Section C, Performance Work Statement?

Answer 39: The page limitation is 40. Section L.7 has been revised to exclude the Program Staffing Plan and Key Personnel Qualification Matrix from the page limitation.

Question 40: Section L.7, Written Technical Proposal, Part I, RFP page 116: We respectfully suggest that the Government permit separate responses to TO 1 and TO 2, outside the page limit. The current page limitations restrict offerors’ ability to fully respond to the requirements outlined in the RFP to a level of detail that will allow the type of thorough evaluation mandated by this critical program.

Answer 40: The page limitation is 40. Section L.7 has been revised to exclude the Program Staffing Plan and Key Personnel Qualification Matrix from the page limitation.

Question 41: Can the Government explain the strategy behind limiting the term of the SBI PMOSS contract to a base, one year period and two one year option periods? Does the Government anticipate a requirement for continued contractor support after three years?

Answer 41: The Government determined that one base year and two-one year option periods was in its best interest. This decision was based on the Government’s present needs. The Government will re-assess its needs after the end of the second option period.

Question 42: On 21 January 2009 the Government issued the SBI High Level Model RFI (Solicitation No. HSBP010930). Does the Government anticipate releasing a future Task Order on the SBI PMOSS IDIQ contract for the SBI High Level Model work? If not, does the Government anticipate an OCI between SBI PMOSS (RFP No. HSBP1209R2270) and this RFI?

Answer 42: Modeling work not anticipated on PMOSS. The Government recognizes a possible OCI between the PMOSS effort and the High Level Model solicitation.

Question 43: In the Draft RFP Section C.1.4.2 - Program Governance the Government references the “SBI Program Management Plan (PMP) and program documents contained in the Bidder’s Library”. Where is the Bidder’s Library located and how can it be accessed?

Answer 43: There will not be a Bidder’s Library. All information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and the RFP. The PMP was released through FedBizOpps.gov on April 8, 2009.

Question 44: In the Draft RFP Section H.30 – Security Procedures the Government states that “a contractor employee shall not begin working under the contract until the entire background investigation (BI) is completed with approval from CBP and the estimated completion of the investigation is approximately ninety (90) to one-hundred twenty (120) days from the date the completed forms are received in the Security Programs Division”. Is the ability to provide personnel with completed background investigations on the date of contract award considered a significant factor in the Risk Assessment as outlined in Section M.5? If so, this provides a competitive advantage to incumbent contractor teams and may reduce the number of offerors. Would the Government consider granting a favorable entry on duty (EOD) decision based on preliminary suitability checks and enable contract employees waiting on an EOD decision to begin work provided they do not access sensitive Government information?

Answer 44: The ability to provide personnel with completed background investigations on the date of contract award is not considered a significant factor in the Risk Assessment. However, Key Personnel are to be available on date of award; and the ability to provide Key Personnel on date of award is a risk factor. Also, the Government would consider granting a favorable entry on duty (EOD) decision based on preliminary suitability checks and enable contract employees waiting on an EOD decision to begin work provided they do not access sensitive Government information.

Question 45: In the Draft RFP Section H.19.2 - Specialized Disciplines the Government states that the Senior Systems Engineer “shall have at least 10 years experience in systems engineering” while in TO#1 Section 7.13.2 Specialized Disciplines the Government states that the Senior Systems Engineer “shall have at least 8 years experience in systems engineering”. Is this difference in years of experience intentional? If not, can the Government clarify the years of experience required for the Key Senior Systems Engineer?

Answer 45: The years of experience for the Senior Systems Engineer are eight years. RFP Section H.19.2 is revised to reflect this change.

Question 46: In the draft RFP released on March 20th, it is stated:

The roles and responsibilities of the SBI support divisions are described in the SBI Program Management Plan (PMP) and program documents contained in the Bidder’s Library. Can you tell us where the Bidder’s Library is and how access to it can be gained?

Answer 46: There will not be a Bidder’s Library. All information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and the RFP. The PMP was released through FedBizOpps.gov on April 8, 2009. The page limitation is 40. Section L.7 has been revised to exclude the Program Staffing Plan and Key Personnel Qualification Matrix from the page limitation.

Question 47: In the draft RFP released on March 20th, it is stated: The offeror shall provide five (5) copies and one (1) electronic copy containing all required sections of Part I. The offeror shall limit Part I to 40 pages; this does not include the Contracting Teaming Agreements, the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Resumes or the Past Performance Surveys. Does this 40 pages include each Key Personnel Qualification Matrix?

Answer 47: No.

Question 48: In the draft RFP released on March 20th, it is stated: The offeror shall provide five (5) copies and one (1) electronic copy containing all required sections of Part I. The offeror shall limit Part I to 40 pages; this does not include the Contracting Teaming Agreements, the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Resumes or the Past Performance Surveys. Does this 40 pages include any past performances qualifications (not the past performance surveys), cover letter, table of contents, and executive summary?

Answer 48: No.

Question 49: Are there any page-size or font-size limitations? Can we use fold-outs?

Answer 49: Yes. Page size limitation is 8 ½” x 11” and the font size should be no smaller than 12 point for text. Printed pages and illustrations shall be no larger than 11” x 17” foldouts. Please see RFP Section L.6 for further instructions.

Question 50: H.2. Minimum Contract Limitation states "the maximum cumulative dollar ceiling value of all TO's in this multiple-award procurement will be $98.8 million" – yet there are indications throughout the RFP that there will be a single contractor award. Which is correct?

Answer 50: Yes this in fact a single award, IDIQ procurement. Section H.2 has been changed to reflect a single award.

Question 51: H. 30. Security Procedures states "A Contractor shall not begin working under the contract until the entire background investigation (BI) is completed with approval from CBP." Will the Government only accept DHS BI final investigation, or will the Government accept final DoD SSBI investigations (active within the last year/current within 5 years) for reciprocity? The requirement raises concerns that contractors currently performing work within CBP will have an unfair competitive advantage of possessing current DHS BI clearances.

Answer 51: Full reciprocity, as long as the standard is BI or higher and within the last 5 years, and the investigation was conducted by Federal Government approved entities.

Question 52: L.5. General Information – Fifth paragraph indicates the Task Order 01 staffing plan is NTE 120 FTE. Sixth paragraph indicates Task Order 02 is estimated at 18 FTE; H.19 identifies 3 (or 4, if a Deputy PM is proposed) Key Personnel for the IDIQ contract; M 4.5 Cost/Price Proposal Evaluation states “any proposal that is above the notional 120 FTEs cited in section L.5 shall include an explanation.” Does section M 4.5 only apply to Task Order 01 staffing?

Answer 52: Yes, “any proposal that is above the notional 120 FTEs cited in section L.5 shall include an explanation” applies only to Task Order 1 staffing.

Question 53: Is there an FTE NTE amount for the entire IDIQ contract plus Task Orders?

Answer 53: Yes, the total FTEs for Task Order 1 and Task Order 2 should not exceed 138 FTEs.

Question 54:

L.7. General Information states “The offeror shall limit Part I to 40 pages; this does not include the Contracting Teaming Agreements, the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Resumes or the Past Performance Surveys.” Do the Key Personnel Qualification Matrix as well as the Past Performance References count toward the 40-page limit, or are these also excluded from the 40-page limit?

Answer 54: The page limitation is 40. Section L.7 has been revised to exclude the Program Staffing Plan and Key Personnel Qualification Matrix from the page limitation. Also, please see answers to questions number 48 and 49.

Question 55: L.7.1 (d) Instructions, Factor 1 Management and Staffing Approach (Part I, Tab A) states "For each Key Person, the offeror shall submit a Key Personnel Qualification Matrix similar to Section J, Attachment 5, and submit a resume for each key person proposed relating the specialized experience identified in Section H.19 and the qualifications of the person being proposed for that position." The sample KPQM in Attachment 5 refers to requirements from both "C.X.X" and "H.X.X." Can you clarify what requirements from Section C need to be cited and documented in the KPQM for each individual identified as Key Personnel? Also, should Key Personnel requirements listed in Section 7.13 of both Task Order 01 and Task Order 02 be cited in lieu of the requirements in H.X.X for the Key Personnel for the IDIQ contract?

Answer 55: The Key Personnel Qualification Matrix (KPQM) is a sample. In general, the KPQM should identify areas where the Key Person has strong skills or experience. For example, if the key person is a senior systems engineer, then there should be a correlation between that person’s qualifications and Section C.2.3. The requirements for key personnel sited in Section H represent what the Government believes should be key personnel for the overall contract. However, that does not discount the possibility that contractor personnel for the IDIQ contract are also used, in the same capacity, for Task Order #1, since TO #1 is the major task order for the SBI PMO.

Question 56: L.7.1(g) Instructions, Factor 1 Management and Staffing Approach – Small Business Utilization Goal: Should this be in L.7.4 Small Business Utilization and SB Subcontracting Data (Tab C)?

Answer 56: Yes. Section L.7.1(g) has been deleted because it is also covered under Section L.7.4 and cover under evaluation criteria under Section M.4.4.

Question 57: L.7.3. (a), 4th sentence (page 118), states “Subcontractors shall submit past performance information for at least 3 relevant contracts.” (emphasis added). Is it the Government's intention to collect three (3) past performance references from the Prime contractor and all subcontractors, or should the first word in that sentence be "Contractors" vice "Subcontractors"?

Answer 57: Offerors are not required to submit past performance surveys for their subcontractors. Section L.7.3 has been revised to remove the requirement for subcontractor past performance surveys.

Question 58: L.8.(d) Written Cost / Price Proposal (Part II) (d) Subcontractor Supporting Documentation (Part II, Tab D)states "Subcontractors should submit proprietary data directly to the Contracting Officer in a separate, sealed envelope." Can we collect the sealed packages and submit them along with our proposal?

Answer 58: Yes.

Question 59: M.4.4(a) Factor 4: Small Business Utilization and SB Plan Are the calculations for CBP organizational subcontracting goals of 47% for small business based on total contract dollars or on subcontracted dollars? Similarly, are the set-a-side goals for HUBZone, SDB, WOSB, and SDVOSB in addition to the 47% goal, or are they contained within the overall SB subcontracting goal?

Answer 59: The 47% organizational subcontracting goals for small business is based on total subcontracted dollars. The CBP small business goal is 47% in total. Included in the 47% is the breakdown by socio-economic business designation, 3% for HubZone, 5% for SD, 5% for WOSB and 3% for SDVOB. The socio-economic designation totals 16%. The balance (31%) is small businesses other than socio-economic designated ones.

Question 60: Att. 7 Labor Category Descriptions There are two labor category descriptions for the Communications Specialist listed in Attachment 7, but only one Communications Specialist category is listed in Attachment 8. Which definition in Attachment 7 applies?

Answer 60: The definition for IT Communications Specialist is the correct definition, and has been labeled “IT Communication Specialist” in Attachments 7 and 8. The other [Business] Communications Specialist has been removed from Attachment 7.

Question 61: Given there are numerous individuals in Industry who left Government service before DAWIA certifications were institutionalized, would the Government accept equivalent years of relevant experience in lieu of the Key Personnel DoD/DHS Level III certification requirement?

Answer 61: Please see Government responses to questions 7, 8, 29, and 32.

Question 62: H. 30. Security Procedures states "A Contractor shall not begin working under the contract until the entire background investigation (BI) is completed with approval from CBP." Will the Government allow responders to the RFP to submit employees for DHS BI background investigations after proposal submission but prior to contract award?

Answer 62: No.

Question 63: Discrepancies exist between Labor Categories described in Attachment 7 and Labor Categories cited in Attachments 8 and 12, specifically the Functional Expert I and II categories that are separately identified in Attachment 12 but not listed in Attachment 8. Does the Government expect offerors to separately price Functional Expert I and II as indicated on Attachment 12?

Answer 63: Subject Matter Experts and Functional Experts are identical labor categories. Attachment 12 has been adjusted to remove this division.

Question 64: The draft RFP No. for the SBI Program Management Office Support Services is listed as HSBP1209R340. Can you please confirm that this is the same program as solicitation number HSBP1209R2270?

Answer 64: Yes, they are one and the same. The RFP No. for the SBI Program Management Office Support Services is now HSBP1209R340.

Question 65: Do individuals need to pre-register for the conference?

Answer 65: No.

Question 66: Please specify font size requirements. Are double-sided and fold-out pages permitted – how they are counted? Please specify if the Table of Contents, glossary, acronym list, and compliance/contingency chart are included in the 40-page limit.

Answer 66: Please see answer to question number 157. Also, the page limitation is 40. Section L.7 has been revised to exclude the Program Staffing Plan and Key Personnel Qualification Matrix from the page limitation. Also, please see answers to questions number 48 and 49. Also see RFP Section L.6 for further instructions.

Question 67: Required Attachment 4 & Attachment 5 consume a lot of space – can they be excluded from the Part I 40-page limit?

Answer 67: See answer to question 66.

Question 68: Has the Government determined how many days it will recommend for a transition onto the new contract?

Answer 68: The Government continues to evaluate several factors in determining a transition period. The Government believes a 30 day transition period is reasonable for planning purposes at this time.

Question 69: Will the limitation of visitor status be lifted?

Answer 69: No.

Question 70: Will back-ground clearances be expedited to ease transition onto the contract?

Answer 70: The SBI program office is working with the appropriate Agency offices to expedite the anticipated case load for the additional BIs. Also see Government answers to questions number 136 and 137.

Question 71: What documentation and information will be supplied in the Bidders’ Library?

Answer 71: There will not be a Bidder’s Library. All information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and the RFP.

Question 72: When will the Bidders’ Library be available?

Answer 72: See answer number 71.

Question 73: PWS states the Contractor shall provide support in all aspects of planning, developing, revising, coordinating, managing and implementing program and project management processes, tools and procedures. What software tools are currently being used for (a) internal SBI support and for (b) development efforts by the Prime?

Answer 73: The PMO uses the Microsoft suite.

Question 74: With regard to the Secure Border Coordination Council (SBCC) and the Executive Steering Committee (ESC), are there charters and governance documentation that describe their processes and procedures? If so, will SBI make them available for review?

Answer 74: Information pertaining to the SBCC and ESC is for background purposes. The Government does not anticipate the contractor supporting these committees.

Question 75: (1) Does each SBI organization or entity shown in Figure 2 have separate tailored management and technical processes, or (2) does SBI PEO provide single, overarching policy and process guidance, where applicable, to all sub-elements of the organization? (3) Are copies of the management and technical processes available?

Answer 75: (1) Process and procedures are being developed, implemented or refined; and each entity is at a different level of maturity. (2) Yes, the SBI Exec. Director and PMO is the single authority for policy and process guidance. (3) Any written processes will be provided after contract award.

Question 76: Will the Bidders’ Library include other support contractors and organizations supplying support (e.g. FFRDC/IV&V) information and what their duties are?

Answer 76: There will not be a Bidder’s Library. All information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and the RFP.

Question 77: PWS states the PMOSS contractor will interface/work with a “full lifecycle Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services” contractor. What are their roles and responsibilities versus the PMOSS contractor’s roles and responsibilities, when it comes to System Engineering Management Support activities associated with testing?

Answer 77: The PMOSS contractor’s role and responsibility is to provide advice and assistance to SBI managers.

Question 78: Given work-load, reviews, and deliverables will be impacted – how many contractors are under the prime? And, how many different independent programs do they have?

Answer 78: The Government is not sure whether this question is asking how many individuals the prime has employed or how many subcontractors the prime has. Neither of which should have an impact on PMOSS since neither all of the prime’s employees nor all of their subcontractors will be interacting with the PMOSS contractor. The prime, Boeing, has hundreds of independent programs. However, the team supporting SBI is solely working SBI.

Question 79: The PWS references the use of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs). Please provide a list of the IPTs (and their associated charters) with whom the PMOSS contractor will participate.

Answer 79: As a general rule, each of our 4 task orders has an IPT and each of our five deployment projects has an IPT. Additionally there are functional IPTs, such as ILS and engineering, and IPTs for other projects. The PMOSS contractor may or may not be required to participate on all projects or IPTs depending on the government staffing available. Offerors do not need IPT Charters to develop proposals.

Question 80: Please make available reference documents that are being used for governing planning, developing, revising, coordinating, managing, and implementing program and project management processes, tools, and procedures.

Answer 80: The government is providing through FedBizOpps.gov sufficient documentation to describe the Program’s foundational plans, schedules, management policies, and key program management processes. The government will refrain from issuing further documentation because either (1) the information does not yet exist, or (2) the specific processes and practices are subject to change based on the successful offeror’s proposed approach. All information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and the RFP.

Question 81: Are there documented quality processes and performance metrics in place for SBI and the prime? Are they available? If so, where can obtain them?

Answer 81: In terms of organization effectiveness and efficiency, the SBI program office does not have this information available. For the Prime, effectiveness and efficiency is largely measured through the technical performance measures and the earned value reporting on the contract.

Question 82: Does the Program Management Plan exist? Is it available? Can we obtain a copy?

Answer 82: Yes, the Program Management Plan exists and was released via FedBizOpps.gov on April 8, 2009. Release of this document as well as all information, files and attachments will be conveyed through FedBizOpps.gov and/or the RFP.

Question 83: Does the Risk Management Plan exits? Is it available? Can we obtain a copy?

Answer 83: A SBInet Risk Management Plan exists and is modeled after the PMI PMBOK, 3rd edition, v1.3, CMMI version 1.2 and Risk Management Guide for DOD Acquisition, 5th edition, v2.0. A copy was provided via FedBizOpps.gov on

April 8, 2009.

Question 84: Does the Requirements Development and Management Plan exist? Is it available? Can we obtain a copy?

Answer 84: The SBInet System Engineering Plan was released on FedBizOpps.gov on April 1, 2009. This document provides appropriate insight into the nature of SBI operational requirements management, and the joint Prime-Government detailed requirements (e.g., allocated performance specifications) development and management approach.

Question 85: Does the Systems Engineering Management Plan exist? Is it available? Can we obtain a copy?

Answer 85: Systems Engineering Plan was released on FedBizOpps.gov on April 1, 2009.

Question 86: Is the DHS and CBP enterprise architecture technical reference model referenced in the PWS available for review? How is this model controlled, managed, and updated? How many technology review boards are there?

Answer 86: No, this information is not available for review. There is an existing DHS-level board, processes, and procedures that govern the enterprise architecture management.

Question 87: Is the CM library of all systems, interfaces, items, detailed and material specifications, and processes developed by the System Prime available for review? What IT product(s) are used for this purpose?

Answer 87: No. This information is not available for review by the public.

Question 88: What is meant by “off-site” trade studies?

Answer 88: Off-site market research and product demonstrations.

Question 89: Is there an existing site deployment and installation schedule? Can you make it available?

Answer 89: Road Map information was released via FedBizOpps.gov on April 1, 2009.

Question 90: Does a quality management plan currently exist? And, is it available?

Answer 90: The program office is drafting a quality management plan, and no, this plan is not yet available.

Question 91: Does “Ensure that supply sources must be accessible…” mean the PMOSS contractor is to provide oversight of supply activities for the Prime and/or CBP maintenance?

Answer 91: The PMOSS contractor shall support the PMO and assist in ensuring source are accessible; the contractor will not provide direct oversight of the System Prime.

Question 92: What are the existing and planned support and integration sites referred to in the PWS?

Answer 92: Road Map information was released via FedBizOpps.gov on April 1, 2009.

Question 93: How many field offices or support sites exist and require full-time onsite support?

Answer 93: Currently there is one Field Office on the Southwest Border in Tucson, AZ. There is still internal discussion on the need for a field office on the northern border.

Question 94: Please define “field offices,” “support offices,” and “integration offices.”

Answer 94: Currently there is one “field office” on the Southwest Border that acts as an extension of the program office and interacts with the prime contractor, Border Patrol, Office of Field Operations, state and local authorities and land owners. Integration sites are those areas within the nine active sectors that we support with deployments and other activities but the primary support emanates from Washington DC.

Question 95: What is the time-line for expanding onsite field office support beyond Tucson?

Answer 95: Currently there are no plans to expand the onsite Field Office support beyond Tucson within the PMOSS period of performance.

Question 96: How many support and integration offices are there?

Answer 96: The text reads support and integration sites; they are not offices.

Question 97: Could you describe logistics tracking and warehouse facilities for Infrastructure Support and Integration that fall under this PWS?

Answer 97: For tactical infrastructure support, logistics tracking and supply support is being completed through interim logistics support contracts via the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). FM&E TI is presently putting in place a five work stream approach including fence, grates & drainage, roads & bridges, lighting & electrical, and vegetation & debris removal and conducting the planning and assessment to prepare for award of a Consolidated Tactical Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair (CTIMR) contract. The PMOSS contractor will be responsible for assisting with the planning and program management to award and execute this contract where both failure and maintenance data will be collected and tracked and the appropriate facilities and supply support put in place to support the O&M life cycle phase of FM&E TI projects.

Question 98: Is there an ILSP currently in use by SBInet? Is it available for review? And, where can be obtain it?

Answer 98: There is a program ILSP. The document is “For Official use Only” and will be made available to the winning contractor.

Question 99: What software product(s) are currently used to support Mission Support activities, e.g. property management, training, etc.

Answer 99: A majority of Mission Support functions are supported by Microsoft Office software suite. In some cases, there are department-wide standard systems in place for purchasing (iPRO), financial execution (SAP), and other domains.

Question 100: The SOW refers to collaboration environments such as Sharepoint. What are the other collaboration environments and what software products are in use to support these environments?

Answer 100: There are no other collaboration environments in place at this time or envisioned at the time of award.

Question 101: Last sentence in paragraph G.2.3: What waiver may be issued by the CO as it relates to the senior management principal? How is such a waiver requested?

Answer 101: Waivers may be requested for all program-wide technical, staffing or delivery issues. Waivers may be requested in writing to the CO.

Question 102: Ordering procedures are different than noted in a previous section. Clarification needed on which procedures apply.

Answer 102: The Government doesn’t see a contradiction between G.4.1- Task Order Process and H.29 Ordering Procedures-Services (OCT 2007). G.4.1- Task Order Process simply provides more specificity to this process.

Question 103: Is the “Executive Program Office” the same entity as the “SBI Program Office”?

Answer 103: Yes, the term should be SBI Program Management Office. RFP Section G.5 has been changed from “Executive Program Office” to the “SBI Program Office.”

Question 104: Is the “PMO” inclusive of the SBINet program, or specifically the Executive Director’s office?

Answer 104: Yes, the PMO is inclusive of the SBInet. The PMO has overall management responsibility of the SBI.

Question 105: What is the résumé total count for key personnel plus non-key functional leads?