HSCG23-12-R-QW6650_QA1.pdf

HSCG23-12-R-QW6650

Solicitation Questions

1. Could you identify if this is a previously existing or ongoing requirement?

• This is a recompete of an existing requirement.

2. Could you let me know if there is an incumbent for the subject solicitation?

• Yes, the incumbent is Emergency Management Services International, Inc.

3. In order to properly provide a Unit and Extended Cost for each CLIN we must be able to examine the course requirements, student notebook construction and contents, Instructors notebook and contents, and student and course supplies needed for each course. We therefore request CDs copies of each course listed in the RFP to permit us to examine and properly cost the items required by the government.

• At this time, the Government does not anticipate providing CDs of course material.

However, staff meeting or exceeding the qualifications set forth in the PWS will be able to meet the requirements under the resultant contract.

4. Para 1.3.1.3 – Clarify “…shall respond within (4) four hours of notification…” Does this mean to appear in person, or simply to be available, via phone or email to discuss and act upon an issue?

• Please see Amendment 00002.

5. Para 1.9 - What is the process for approving, invoicing, and paying for travel?

• Please see PWS Section 1.9. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining COR approval prior to travel and travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost IAW FAR 31.205-46.

6. Para 1.10 – Will the government pay for travel expenses to attend the kick-off meeting?

• The Government does not anticipate reimbursing travel costs to attend the kick-off meeting. The kick-off meeting may be held via teleconference. Please see Amendment 00002.

7. Para 1.12 states that status reports be submitted within 10 business days after the conclusion of each course. Para 5.3.4 states completion reports be submitted within 15 days of the end of each class. Which is correct?

8. Para 5.2 states that training course may be held concurrently. Given the impact on manning and equipment requirements, how far in advance can we expect to be notified of the government’s schedule for course execution?

• The USCG anticipates providing the Contractor with 30 days notice. However, the USCG cannot guarantee this timeframe due to changing or unexpected needs.

9. Is there a requirement for any government specific software other than Microsoft Office? For example, the exercises mentioned for several of the courses, are these computer simulations requiring additional training or qualification?

• The exercises are not computer simulations and therefore do not require additional training or qualification for software use.

10. Are there existing course materials that the USCG wishes to be incorporated into the training?

• Yes, the existing course materials will be used to complete the required training.

11. Once the bis has been awarded, can the USCG provide the existing courses for review?

• IAW PWS Section 3.2, the Government shall provide CD’s containing all current course curricula and exercises.

12. Is there a minimum number of instructors that the USCG for all team and Section Chief courses?

• IAW PWS Section 5.2, each course has a minimum number of instructors and/or exercise leaders.

13. What is the maximum student to instructor ratio?

• IAW PWS Section 5.2, each course has a minimum number of instructors and a maximum number of students. Course ratios are specific to each course and based on the minimum and maximum values identified.

14. Will the USCG do the printing of course manuals?

• IAW PWS Section 4.0, the Contractor is responsible for providing course materials.

15. Are FEMA certified instructors permissible or will the USCG require all instructors to be ICS 449 qualified?

• FEMA certified instructors are permissible as long as they can show subject matter expertise in the courses being taught. Please see the response to question 18 below.

16. This bid is a small business set aside. Our 2011 revenue was $6.6 million dollars, but our 3 year average is $7.5 million per year per CCR. Are we qualified to bid as a small business?

• The NAICS code for this requirement has a $7.0 million size standard. Size standards will be evaluated IAW FAR 19.101.

17. Page #7, “SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS” Offers shall be limited to 45 pages all inclusive with page numbers in sequential order. The page limits exclude 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. Offers shall be sectioned into three volumes and each volume shall be a separate electronic file attachment:

Volume One: Technical Proposal Volume Two: Relevant Past Performance Volume Three: Price Volume One Contents: The Offeror shall provide the following in its Volume One in order to be considered complete: (1) a document entitled “Technical and Management Approach” that contains sufficiently detailed information that demonstrates the Offeror’s ability to perform the requirements of the PWS and provide management necessary to perform the requirements of the PWS; (2) resumes for all instructors are required and letters of intent for all proposed personnel are desirable;…

Question – Under “Evaluation Criteria” the Government will evaluate “…each offeror’s Technical Approach to determine their capacity to perform the instructional requirements…” We propose offering a cadre in excess of 20 for this endeavor to demonstrate capacity to provide the requested services. How would you like for us to provide all of those multi-page resumes in light of the 45 page all inclusive limitation?

18. Page 5 of 19, “PERFORMANCEWORK STATEMENT”

1.3.2.2.11 Lead Instructor Qualifications for all other Courses

1.3.2.2.11.1 Must meet NIMS ICS Instructor Guidelines for Lead Instructors as described in the Five-Year NIMS Training Plan.

1.3.2.2.11.2 Successfully obtained certification as a NIMS or NIIMS Type 1 Incident Commander.

Question – What is the rationale for the requirement for NIMS or NIIMS Type 1 Incident Commander in addition to being type 1 or 2 certified in their area of specialty they are going to instruct? This is an extremely restrictive requirement far higher than any other agency or any NIMS or NIIMS instructor requirement. For instance for Logistics Section Chief, to the best of our knowledge, only two persons meets the NIMS requirement of being both a type 1 Incident Commander and Logistics Section Chief and one of those persons currently works for the incumbent contractor. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge there are no Type 1 Incident Commanders that are fully qualified as Type 1 or 2 Finance Section Chief.

• The USCG requires, besides knowledge of the course material, instructors to be Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the courses they teach. NIMS instructor guidelines do not show adequate SME experience, so the requirement has been written to require this. The intent for position requirements is to have either Type 1 qualification in the position or Type 1 Incident Commander. Please see Amendment 00002.

19. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

Must meet NIMS ICS Instructor Guidelines for Unit Instructors Question – Where are these NIMS ICS Instructor Guidelines for Unit Instructors found? They are not in the obsolete Five-Year NIMS Training Plan as referenced or the NIMS Training Program that superseded it nor are they to be found on the FEMA website.

• The new document is “NIMS Training Program, September 2011” which can be found on the NIMS website at:

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/NIMSTrainingCourses.shtm.

20. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

Must meet NIMS ICS Instructor Guidelines for Lead Instructors Question – Where are these NIMS ICS Instructor Guidelines for Lead Instructors found? They are mentioned but not defined in the NIMS Training Program and not mentioned in the obsolete Five- Year NIMS Training Plan nor are they to be found on the FEMA website.

• Please see the response to Question 19 above.

21. Page 5 of 19, “PERFORMANCEWORK STATEMENT”

1.3.2.2.11.4 Successfully conducted over 20 advanced ICS training at the NIMS or NIIMS Type 1 level in the role as the lead instructor.

Question – What is the definition of “advanced” in this context? NIMS and NIIMS do not provide Type 1 training with the exception of the NWCG/NIIMS S-520 Course or the CIMC Course, neither of which provide Type 1 Position Specific Training. Type 1 certification is achieved through completion of a Position Task Book. The USCG is the only agency offering “advanced” position specific training aside from the EMI Advanced Public Information Officers Course, E282.

22. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

The requirements for instructor’s 1.3.2.1 et seq., continually reference the “Five Year NIMS Training Plan” which is obsolete and was superseded in September 2011 by the NIMS Training Program. (Reference NIMS website http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/NIMSTrainingCourses.shtm and NIMS Training Program) Question - What is the correct reference offerors should use?

23. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

The requirements for instructor’s 1.3.2.1 et seq., continually references “certification as a NIMS or NIIMS Type 1 or 2…” The NIMS qualification standards for Type 1, Type 2 or Type3 have not yet been developed, vetted, or accepted by DHS and do not appear in the 6.0 “References.”

24. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

1.3.2.1.4.2, 1.3.2.2.3.1, and 1.3.2.2.3.2 describe a “Type 1 Liaison Officer,” but that position does not exist in the NIMS or NIMS qualifications system.

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/NIMSTrainingCourses.shtm

25. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

1.3.2.2.12 “Exercise Leader Qualification” does not mention any Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program requirements (HSEEP) although the individual will “design and conduct” course exercises.

Question - Please confirm that the USCG will not be using HSEEP developed exercises in their courses.

• Correct, the USCG will not be using HSEEP developed exercises in the courses.

26. “PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT”

5.2.4, 5.2.6, 5.2.9 and 5.2.10 each require “The course shall meet the training requirements of the Type 1/Type…” for which ever Command and General Staff position is described.

Question – Which “training requirements” are requested in these sections? The course descriptions provided in these sections do not correspond to NIIMS or NIMS. The NIIMS training requirements are no longer valid for NIMS qualification and the NIMS Training Plan is specific when it describes NIMS curriculum:

Federal, State, tribal, and local and private sector stakeholders’ responsibilities include:

• Identifying appropriate personnel to take NIMS training

• Ensuring all course delivery meets the standard contained within the NIMS Training

Program and other training guidance provided by the NIC (underlining added for clarity)

• Credentialing emergency/incident management personnel (NIMS Training Program, September 2011, page 4)

…further…

• The NIMS Training Program achieves the following strategic objectives:

Defines a national curriculum for NIMS and provides information on NIMS courses in the core curriculum, applicable to all levels of government, the private sector, and NGOs by promoting comprehensive NIMS-related training beyond Incident Command System (ICS) training. (underlining added for clarity) (NIMS Training Program, September 2011, page 4)

…and…

• Courses must be taught using instructors that meet the recommended instructor qualification criteria and follow the timelines stated in the instructor guide. While instructors are encouraged to ― localize courses, they cannot shorten courses or otherwise change course design. (underlining added for clarity) (NIMS Training Program, September 2011, page 60)

27. Page 5 of 19, “PERFORMANCEWORK STATEMENT”

1.3.2.2.15. Proficient in using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and computer Ensure ability to work with or employ joint service curriculum.

Question – What is the definition of “joint service curriculum”?

28. Will the Government confirm the proposal is due at 1400 EST, February 3, 2012?

Proposal submission information is subject to change. Please monitor the solicitation on FedBizOpps for the most current information.

29. Will the Project Manager be physically located at the USCG Headquarters in Washington, D.C.?

• No, the Project Manager is not expected to be physically located at the USCG

Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

30. Will contractor personnel be required to have a public trust level of security or higher? If higher, what level and for which Labor Categories?

• No, the Contractor must be able to obtain clearance for Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) materials.

31. Will the Government confirm that equivalency may be accepted for instructors with USCG experience and ICS experience and knowledge?

32. Will the Government confirm Volume 1, item #4 “A projection level of the level of effort for each labor category to complete each course” is to be defined as the time spent delivering the course? If not, what additional time should be factored into the projection?

• The projected level of effort should include all labor hours anticipated to meet all requirements for completing each course.

33. When is the date of the first class delivery after contract award notification?

• A task order for the contract minimum will be issued concurrently with the contract award.

34. May vendors have access to current curriculum? If so, can materials be made available during the proposal timeline to increase preparedness prior to contract award notification?

• Please see responses to Questions 3 and 11 above.

35. Is there a listing of courses or topics anticipated to be developed during the first six months after contract aware notification?

• The USCG currently has no such planned development.

36. Which courses have been identified for revision?

• No courses have been identified for revision at this time.

37. Does the USCG use an LMS to manage training delivery schedules and registrations? If not, what current approach or system is in place?

• No, courses will be requested via Task Order. Please see References 6.16 through 6.25 for the USCG systems requirements for training and curriculum.

38. Will the Government confirm that Volume III is not included in the 45 page maximum page limitation?

• All volumes are included in the page count limitation. Please see Amendment 00002 for revised page count.

39. Will the Government confirm that resumes and letters of intent are not included in the page count?

• Resumes and letters of intent are included in the page count limitation. Please see Amendment 00002 for revised page count.

40. Will the Government confirm if the incumbent has developed and / or delivered a transition plan?

If so, what is the planned timeline for the transition phase? If not, does the Government plan to have this in place prior to contract award notification?

• No, the incumbent has not developed a transition plan. The USCG does not plan to have this in place prior to contract award notification.

41. Form 1449, block 17a has no instructions and the GSA web site has no instructions for this form.

Are we to show our company name, address and telephone number? There are two other blocks in 17a for Code and Facility Code and we do not know what codes are being referenced.

• Please provide Company name, address, phone number, and DUNS. The Code and Facility Code boxes may be left blank.

42. Are we to answer FAR 52.222-22 items a and b? (Page 23)

• Yes, all provisions and clauses requiring offeror input must be completed.

43. Are we to answer 3052.209-70 item f? (page 25)

44. Are we to answer FAR 52.209-7 item b? (page 27)

45. To be able to provide a complete unit price for each of the fifteen courses listed on the SF 1449, we will need the number of pages associated with each course Instructor Guide, Student Guide, Handouts, Appendixes, and Exercises for printing estimates. We have requested the courses in the past from the USCG for clients such as LA City but have been told that they are not available.

Would you please provide the number of pages associated with each of the courses listed in this Solicitation?

46. If the ICS Job Aids to be used as Handouts are not the all hazard Job Aids and are Job Aids developed by the USCG, we will need the number of pages for that item also.

47. A letter of intent for all proposed personnel is requested on page 7, section FAR 52.212-1 Volume One Contents. What is to be contained in a "letter of Intent" from each of the personnel associated with this offer? Since multiple letters would count towards the 45 page limit,may one letter be used with all the involved personnel listed?

• IAW Section I, Solicitation Provisions and Clauses, letters of intent for all proposed personnel are desirable, but not mandatory. There is no designated format for the letters, however, each letter may only serve for one individual and should be signed by applicable parties.

48. Attachment I, item 3.4 for items 3.4.1 through 3.4.9 states that three Coast Guard facilitators will be provided for each course listed. The ICS-320 and ICS-420 courses are not listed. Is it correct that USCG facilitators will not be provided for these two courses?

• IAW PWS 3.5, USCG will provide four (4) Coast Guard facilitators and four (4) exercise simulation staff for the ICS-420 Advanced Incident Management Team course. USCG will not provide additional facilitators for the ICS-320 Intermediate Incident Management Team Training course.

49. After reviewing the RFP for HSCG23-12-R-QW6650 - ICS Training, It is apparent that most of the courses are directly from:

Emergency Management Services International, Inc.

26454 Raccoon Ford Road Culpeper, Virginia 22701 Phone: 540-423-9004 Fax: 540-423-9008 info@emsi-ics-services.com

Additionally, the courses identified in the RFP are not DHS NIMS approved curricula, which we would assume that the USCG, which falls under DHS, would require current approved DHS NIMS ICS Position Specific Course curriculum.

Is this RFP specifically written for Emergency Management Services International, Inc. ?

mailto:info@emsi-ics-services.com

• IAW PWS 3.0, the course materials are USCG owned and USCG will provide all course curricula and materials to the awardee. As addressed in Question 3 above, contractor staff meeting or exceeding the qualifications set forth in the PWS will be able to meet the requirements under the resultant contract.

50. If the ICS training stated in the solicitation curricula is proprietary, will the USCG release the curricula to the selected vender to deliver the training?

• Please see the response to Question 11 above.

51. Will the USCG solicitation follow:

NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Training Program September 2011

If so, there are many requested courses that are not recognized with in the NIMS Training Program, September 2011.

• The USCG courses are tailored to meet specific USCG needs. All USCG courses meet or exceed NIMS training requirements as outlined in the “NIMS Training Program, September 2011.” Please see Amendment 00002.