Amendment 0001_sf30.doc

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

COMMANDER (fcp-3)

MAINTENANCE AND LOGISTICS COMMAND ATLANTIC

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

15 April 2009

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE:

FACILITY CODE:

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

XX The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers ( is extended, XX is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; of (c) By separate letter of telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

IN ITEM 10A.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor ( is not, ( is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DECRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

RFP – HSCG84-09-R-AAS156

SEE ATTACHED PAGES 2-13

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

WANDA T. CORTESINI, CONTRACTING OFFICER

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

STANDARD FROM 30 (REV. 10-83)

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

Prescribed by GSA

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Replace RFQ issued on 15 April 2009 with RFQ Amendment 0001, Dated 25 April 2009 (Attached 1 to Amendment 0001). Changes include:

a. The addition of travel, Per Diem/Subsistence, Material, and Subcontracting CLINS (Pages 5-7 of 40).

b. The increase of each year’s “Estimated Ceiling” and the “Contract Ceiling” (Pages 4-7 of 40).

c. On Page 4 of 40, last paragraph change the sentence that reads “Identify proposed labor/task categories, the commercial rate, the government rate proposed and the applicable discount applied. ” TO “Identify proposed labor/task categories, and the unit/labor rate”.

d. Page 20, chart, Volume 1, Part II , Management/Corporate Experience/Quality of Performance/Customer Relations changed to Management/Corporate Experience. Volume 1, Part I, Related Experience change to Related Experience/quality of Performance/Customer Relations. Related changes were made on Page 21, Part I, Past Performance and page 22, Part II , Management/Corporate Experience.

2. Provide answers to contractor questions associate with RFQ Number HSCG84-09-R-AAS156. Contractor Question and answers are provided on attached page 2 through ?? of ??.

3. Change the date and hour specified for receipt of proposal from 4:30 P.M., 29 April 2009 EST to 4:30 P.M. 1 May 2009.

HSCG84-09-R-AAS156

QUESTIONS RECEIVED AND ANSWERS

U. S. Coast Guard Higher Education Marketing and Communication Services

QUESTION 1

We were wondering if there was an incumbent for the opportunity in the USCG under solicitation number HSCG84-09-R-AAS156? If so could you please provide the contract number, awardee name, date signed and amount? Or is this a new requirement?

ANSWER: HSCG84-09-R-AAS156 is a follow-on/re-procurement. HSCG84-04-D-AA0120 was awarded to Paskill Stapleton & Lord, Springfield, MA, For a Base and 4 Option Years, 25 June 2004, for a Not to Exceed amount of $1,250,000 over 5 Years.

QUESTION 2

We are a small business eager to offer our services, but the solicitation mentions a 7.0 million dollar Size Standard...I am not quite sure what that means, so I am not sure if that rules us out of contention.

ANSWER: Information received from the Small Business Administration states that in order to propose on this solicitation a company can't have made over $7.0 million in average (three most recently completed fiscal years) annual receipts <http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=623dcdbef23da6e5e32d9f8c074279ca&rgn=div5&view=text&node=13:1.0.1.1.16&idno=13#13:1.0.1.1.16.1.263.4> , including those of the company's affiliates <http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=623dcdbef23da6e5e32d9f8c074279ca&rgn=div5&view=text&node=13:1.0.1.1.16&idno=13#13:1.0.1.1.16.1.263.3> , if any.

If you have questions about your company size in relationship to the above you should probably contact your small business administration for determination and further guidance.

QUESTION 3

Before we get started. Does "total small business " mean that none of the team members can be other than a small business?

ANSWER

FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, is used in SB set-asides, IAW FAR 19.508(e). It requires employees of the concern to perform at least 50% of the work in contracts for supplies or services, and 15% or 25% for construction contracts (please read the clause for the exact requirements). Subcontracting to another small business does NOT satisfy this requirement of the 50%, 15% or 25%. This clause also applies to 8(a) contracts, IAW FAR 19.811-3(e).

QUESTION 4

"Developing a design and style guidelines to be used within the Ektron Content Management system" from Attachment 1 Marketing SOW 13 Apr 09, page 9.

Is it mandatory to use Ektron? Open source tools like Drupal are much more flexible, secure and extendable. To reach your target market, we feel we would be severely limited in our ability to build a website that would engage your audience.

ANSWER:

EKTRON is the Content Management Tool that is currently in use by the Academy and there are not discussions taking place to replace it with another content management tool. However, there may be opportunities to combine the use of EKTRON with an open source tool in the future.

QUESTION 5

Site visits will be required. Is our distance from the Academy, and the associated travel costs, going to put us at a competitive disadvantage? The hottest ad agency in the country now works primarily out of Boulder CO although they aren't close to any of their clients (Microsoft, VW). With your limited budget, will travel costs be considered?

ANSWER: Distance from the Academy is not an evaluation factor under this solicitation.

QUESTION 6

Although this project is of an ideal size for a small to medium sized agency- some skills such as national media buying, would probably push most out of contention. Is it ok to partner with larger firms to bring these skill sets to the table as long as their percentage of the work does not exceed 49% of the total contract (although, I'd hope it would be lower).

ANSWER: Yes, please refer to FAR 52.219-14, which states that in the case of "Services (except construction). At lease 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employee of the concern."

QUESTION 7

If direct mail is needed, will the mailing be handled by the GPO?

ANSWER: The Government Printing Office does not participate in direct mail. They will print our print materials and ship them to the location stipulated by the Admissions Division.

QUESTION 8

If so, will postage be managed by the GPO as well?

ANSWER: Postage costs are not managed by GPO since they do not participate in the mailing of our print materials. Since the Academy is part the Coast Guard, we have a special permit that is used for all Admissions mailings and the funding for the mailings comes from the Coast Guard.

QUESTION 9

If signage is required at, for example, events, will the GPO print and ship to the event?

ANSWER: The Academy usually does not create signage for a particular event. However, all print jobs must be done through GPO unless the Academy is given a waiver for a special circumstance.

QUESTION 10

The ‘Base Year Estimated Ceiling’ included within the RFQ indicates $350,000. Is this the maximum or is it a guide?

ANSWER: This is the estimated contract ceiling for the year. Under this Amendment the Estimated ceilings has been increased.

QUESTION 11

Why was the RFP reissued? Was there a major change in scope?

ANSWER: The RFP was issued because the current Base and 4 Option Year Contract ends on 24 June. The Scope of Work is modified slightly from the prior year contract. The Academy main objective is to still recruit the best students possible for the United States Coast Guard. Many of the requirements of the contract are repetitive in nature from one year to the next but each year lessons learned should make the process better. That is not to say task orders won't be issued for totally new requirements as the goals of the Academy are constantly evolving.

QUESTION 12

Records show there is no existing contract? Paskill, Stapleton and Lord appear to be currently the contract holder.

ANSWER: Page 4 of 40 States and this is a follow-on acquisition to one awarded to Paskill, Stapleton and Lord on 25 June 2004

QUESTION 13

It's not on all sites, but there appears to be a 2Million scope. Is this 2M per year with four additional option years?

ANSWER: The solicitation states that the Estimate Ceiling for the Base Year is $350,000.00, Option Years 1-4 $300,000.00 each year. This totals $1,550,000.00. The total contract ceiling will be set at $2,000,000.00. (Amendment 0001 has raised the estimate ceiling on base and option years and the Contract Ceiling)

QUESTION 14

As an IDIQ can you add to this base amount?

ANSWER: With Justification the ceiling may be raised but we don't anticipate this will be necessary.

QUESTION 15

Solicitation Page: Attachment II

Solicitation Clause Number: Past Performance Questionnaire

Paragraph Number: N/A

Question: In regard to Attachment II, please confirm the number of completed Past Performance Questionnaires that each potential contractor needs to provide for evaluation by April 29?

ANSWER: Page 21 0f 40 states Offers should submit information on up to 5 contracts and/or subcontracts that are in process or have been completed during the past three years…..

QUESTION 16

Solicitation Page: p.6 and -. 8 of Attachment 1

Solicitation Clause Number: G.1.3 & H.1.5

Paragraph Number: Bullet 4 under G.1.3 & all of H.1.5

Question: In reading G.1.3, it appears that the gov’t will furnish a 2009 Academy Web Site Assessment, however H.1.5 appears to include such an assessment in its deliverables can you provide any information on how these two assessments will differ from one another.

ANSWER: Although USCGA will provide a web site assessment, we would like the contractor to assess the work that has been done and set a plan to execute the suggestions that came for the 2009 Web site assessment and or provide additional suggestions for best practices to the Academy is working to have a web site that will meet the customer's needs and to support the Academy's strategic enrollment goals.

QUESTION 17

Solicitation Page: p. 1 of 40

Solicitation Clause Number: N/A

Paragraph Number: N/A

Question: Can you please clarify the address to which the proposal package should be delivered? Should it be sent to your attention in Norfolk, VA?

ANSWER: The proposal package is to be submitted to the following address: Commander (fcp-3), Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic, 300 Each Main Street, Suite 965, Attn: Wendy Culbreth, Norfolk, VA 23510-9113

QUESTION 18

Solicitation Page: p. 21 of 40

Solicitation Clause Number: (1) Proposal Format

Paragraph Number: Bullet (i)

Question: How may copies of the original proposal would you like?

ANSWER: Page 20 of 40 "Contractors shall submit 1 Original + 2 Copies + 1 CD ROM of their Proposal

QUESTION 19

Solicitation Page: p. 21 of 40 Solicitation Clause Number: (1) Proposal Format

Paragraph Number: Bullets (i) and (ii) Question: Is it acceptable to submit the proposal in a wire-bound booklet or does the proposal need to be in a binder? Are the tabs required or is a table of contents acceptable.

ANSWER: Page 20 and 21 of Solicitation. Proposals should be submitted in binders. Tabs are required to identify between Volume I and II if the Proposal is submitted in a single binder.

QUESTION 20

Solicitation Page: p. 5 of 40 Solicitation Clause Number: Schedule

Paragraph Number: N/A Question: Is it acceptable to submit costs in a unit other than hours? For instance could we supply a per page rate for publications? Additionally, will any flat-fee costs be acceptable or does everything need to be broken down into unit costs?

ANSWER: Page 4 of 20 Paragraph 7. It is not anticipated that any other unit than hours would be needed to price Labor/Task Categories.

QUESTION 21

Solicitation Page: p. 4 of 40

Solicitation Clause Number: N/A

Paragraph Number 8

Question: The instructions for completing the Labor/Task category chart state that we should “identify proposed labor/task categories, the commercial rate, the government rate proposed and the applicable discount applied” But the example only includes CLIN, Labor/Task Category, Per Unit, and Unit/Labor Rate. Should we reformat the chart to comply with the instructions?

ANSWER: No, Sorry for the error, I change the schedule and missed the wording. Follow the schedule sample (CLIN, Labor/Task Category, Per Unit, and Unit/Labor Rate). This Amendment will address a wording change on page 4 of 40.

QUESTION 22

Solicitation Page: p. 1 of 40

Solicitation Clause Number: Standard Form 1449

Paragraph Number: Section 24

Question: Is the amount supposed to represent the total amount for the five year project?

ANSWER: With multi year proposal’s can leave Section 21,22,23,24 blank and attach your schedule behind the SF 1449. You may also say see attached schedule.

QUESTION 23

Solicitation Page: p. 1 of 40

Solicitation Clause Number: Standard Form 1449

Paragraph Number: Section 23

Question: How should we determine the UNIT PRICE without specific quantities/items?

ANSWER: As with the previous question you can leave this section blank and attach your schedule behind the SF 1449. You may also say see attached schedule.

QUESTION 24

Are the services listed in the Statement of Work currently being provided by another firm?

ANSWER: Services are currently being provided by Paskill Stapleton & Lord, Springfield, MA.

QUESTION 25

Is the U.S. Coast Guard Academy satisfied by the current provided?

ANSWER: We expect Paskill Stapleton & Lord will submit a proposal for our consideration but we are also looking forward to seeing what other firms have to offer.

QUESTION 26

Approximately how many firms are expected to participate in the RFQ?

ANSWER: You can view on FedBizOpps vendors that have signed up but it is not a requirement to sign up, nor is it a fact that all those signed up as interest vendors will submit proposals.

QUESTION 27

Who do you foresee being the USCG lead for the program?

ANSWER: Wendy Culbreth (Contracting Specialist) and Wanda Cortesini (Contracting Officer) will be the POC's from the Contracting Division. Upon Award a Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) will be appointed at the Academy. Myself and that COTR will the Awarded Contractor's main POC for all aspects of the Awarded Contract and its resulting Task Orders.

QUESTION 28

How many suppliers do you anticipate bidding on this project?

ANSWER: We really have no idea who or how many contractors will propose on this Request for Proposal.

QUESTION 29

Will the chosen supplies be required to place any full time staff at your corporate office for management of the programs?

ANSWER: No, full time employees will be needed at CG offices.

QUESTION 30

What marketing & communications agencies have your partnered with in the past?

ANSWER: Paskill, Stapleton and Lord is the incumbent contractor.

QUESTION 31

Solicitation Page: 22-23

Solicitation Clause Number: FAR 52.212-1

Paragraph Number: (b)(2)(i)(C)

Question: In the event that oral presentations are determined to be necessary, will the offerors determined to be in the competitive range be limited to the PowerPoint slides submitted with their original proposal, or will they be allowed to supplement the presentation with additional slides?

ANSWER: The oral presentation will be made from the PowerPoint slides presented with the original proposal. Modifications to the slides will not be permitted.

QUESTION 32

Solicitation Page: 22

Solicitation Clause Number: FAR 52.212-1

Paragraph Number: (b)(2)(i)(A)

Question: Is there a fax # where past performance questionnaire can be sent, rather than just an email address?

ANSWER: Past Performance Questionnaire should be e-mailed to wendy.j.culbreth@uscg.mil. If e-mail is not possible please contract Wendy Culbreth at 757-628-4824 to discuss.

QUESTION 33

Solicitation Page: SOW pg. 7

Solicitation Clause Number: Statement of Work

Paragraph Number: SOW Section H 1.2

Question: Can the government provide a more defined time period for the “periodic on-campus presence”? Would these trips be a few days or weeks in succession?

ANSWER: Lengthy time on campus is not anticipated. A day or two periodically should be expected.

QUESTION 34

Solicitation Page: 23

Solicitation Clause Number: FAR 52.212-1

Paragraph Number: (b)(2)(i)(C)

Question: Would the government be willing to re-consider submitting Oral Presentation slides prior to notification of being downselected to only require firms downselected to have to prepare slides for the oral presentation?

ANSWER: PowerPoint Presentation will be part of the review process and must be submitted with the proposal. Hard copies of the Presentation will be reviewed during the initial review process.

QUESTION 35

Solicitation Page: 22

Solicitation Clause Number: FAR 52.212-1

Paragraph Number: (b)(2)(i)(B)

Question: This section and the chart on page 20 outline that Factor 2 includes Technical Understanding; Management, Corporate Experience, Quality of Performance, Customer Relations; Personnel Resumes; and Financial Capability. This information contradicts the subfactors found on page 27 in which Factor 1 includes, related experience; quality of performance; customer relations; and customer satisfaction. Please clarify in which factor (1 or 2) quality of performance and customer relations should be included.

ANSWER: Quality of Performance is Factor 1. Amendment 0001 when issued will reflect this.

QUESTION 36

Solicitation Page: 20

Solicitation Clause Number: FAR 52.212-1

Paragraph Number: (b)

Question: The page limit for financial stability is 3 pages. Should this include documents from banks and creditors or financial statements?

ANSWER: It is not specifically stated how a company is to show Financial Stability because there are many ways for them to do so. The Government is looking for documentation that will show that the company is financially stabile to perform a Base and Four Option Year Contract with a 3 Million dollar ceiling. (Amendment 0001 raises the ceiling).

QUESTION 37

Solicitation Page: 21 and 22 Solicitation Clause Number: Past Performance

Customer Satisfaction: The offeror shall request each of their customers identified above to complete and provide the questionnaire included as Attachment II on or before the due date of the RFP as follows: The questionnaire must be completed by one of the points of contact listed for the Contract or Subcontract.

The completed Questionnaire must be submitted directly via email from the customer point of contact to wendy.j.culbreth@uscg.mil by the RFP due date. The "Subject" line in the submission email shall clearly indicate: "USCG Higher Education Marketing and Communication Services Past Performance Questionnaire Submission for (insert your company name)". The message shall originate from the Evaluator's company email system.

Question: We have past performance contacts, but The Coast Guard Past

Performance request is lengthy and our customers are asking for at least two weeks time to respond. This is also a very busy time at the colleges with admissions deadline and graduations looming. Can there be an extension of the deadline in order for our customers to meet this request?

ANSWER: If needed Submission of Past Performance Questionnaire only is extended until

18 May 2009.

OPTIONAL FORM 336A (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110