All_Questions_and_Answers_Document_1-21.docx

Questions and Answers

FEMA RFP HSFE90-13-R-0013

1. Can you please clarify how you would like us to respond to the scenario? There seems to be a word missing in the Technical Evaluation, Factor 1- Technical Approach section.

Demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of the through their response to the Scenario, which will be weighed against the government’s approach to the Scenario The statement should read as follows: Demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of their response to the Scenario, which will be weighed against the government’s approach to the Scenario (omitted – “the through”) Program Office Question

2. Does holding a contract with a state to provide motor coach evacuation services preclude us from responding to this tender?

No

3. Please clarify the contractor’s role in providing security at the operational sites.

The contractor may be tasked with providing security to a staging and operational area in the event of a no-notice, life threatening event that requires the contractor’s immediate or rapid deployment and in the event where the normal federal/state staging area have not yet deployed and set-up. While the scenario described above may be unlikely and have yet to unfold under the history of this contract, the Government wishes to ensure that all reasonable scenarios are addressed to mitigate a catastrophic life threatening event.

Program Office Question

4. Page 4, Section B.1: Specifies that this is a “Hybrid IDIQ with Time and Materials and possible Firm Fixed Price Task Orders.” In this context, what is the difference between a Hybrid IDIQ and an IDIQ?

“Hybrid” refers to the two types of task orders that may be issued from this IDIQ, Time and Material or Firm Fixed Price.

5. Page 4, Section B.3 and page 7, Section G.2: Do we include Other Direct Costs (ODCs) in the Attachment A (pricing spreadsheet) with the submission of this RFP, or will the ODCs be specifically priced in the individual Task Order Price Quote?

ODCs will be at the task order level and will be reimbursed based on actuals

6. Page 10, Section H.1: Does the Small Business Subcontracting Plan need to be provided with the bid or is this to be submitted after contract award?

The Small Business Subcontracting plan shall be submitted with the Proposal.

7. Page 37, Section K.2 (a): Do small businesses which meet the threshold (i.e. under $7MM in revenue and 500 employees) automatically qualify for credit (as subcontractors on our small business subcontracting plan) or must they possess certifications from a particular entity?

See FAR 52.219-9 (d) (5) Small Business Subcontracting Plan

8. Page 50, Section L.8:

a) In reference to the submittal of the electronic copies, is the Technical Proposal and the Business Proposal to be submitted as two separate electronic documents, and should the submission be via e-mail, CD, or other electronic format?

The proposals shall be submitted in two different documents but may be in one email.

b) Can all the hard copy content of Volume 1 (Technical Proposal) and Volume 2 (Business Proposal) be submitted as one package, or do they each need to be submitted in separate envelopes (each as a separate package)?

Either submission method is acceptable.

c) Can all the content of Volume 1 (Technical Proposal) and Volume 2 (Business Proposal) for the electronic copies be submitted as one package, or do they each need to be turned in as two separate electronic submissions (e.g., should we submit one e-mail with two separate attachments or two separate e-mails each with its own attachment)?

Answered in above in question 8a

9. Page 51, Section L.9: May we submit the mailed copies of the Technical Proposal and Business Proposal via either FedEx or UPS?

Yes, but the proposals must be postmarked by the submission date and time.

10. Page 51 and 52, Section L.12: This section stipulates the content for the Technical Proposal (i.e. Section 1 Technical, Section 2, Company Experience/Key Personnel, Section 3 Management Approach, and Section 4 Past Performance). Are we allowed to insert a short Executive Summary at the front of this section as long as the content that follows is structured according to the four required sections?

Yes, but the technical proposal must not go over the limit of 50 pages.

11. Page 52, Volume II (c.): Under Past Performance Questionnaires, it states “The Government will also consider past performance reports available on other past performance databases, such as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), in the evaluation.”

a) Is there a limit to the number of CPARS a bidder may submit in lieu of submitting a Past Performance Survey?

No Submission is necessary as CPARS information is available through PPIRS.

b) Can CPARS be submitted directly by the bidder or do CPARS need to be emailed directly by the client who performed the CPARS?

See answer above 11a.

Attachment A - Excel Spreadsheet for Labor Categories and Hours

12. When we submit specific proposed Labor Categories for each CLIN specified in the Pricing section of this attachment, which are listed in the GSA Schedule, may we add other proposed Labor Categories with pricing that is not currently on our GSA Schedule? If so, we will add all the proposed Labor Categories during this selection process. These proposed additional Labor Categories will provide cost savings to the government.

Yes, as this is not an acquisition off of a GSA Schedule the restriction to those labor categories is not present.

Attachment B - Performance Work Statement (PWS)

13. Page 1: The PWS references the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 2006 (PKEMRA). Is it anticipated that the contract will include work related to hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions that house individuals with special needs?

Special needs related to individuals requiring medical attention and/or support (to include patients in hospitals and nursing homes) will not be consider Critical Transpiration Need (CTN) individuals that will be included under this contract. The CTNs for this contract will include ambulatory individuals who don’t have a mode of transportation to evacuate.

Program Office Question

14. Page 4: Is there any provision for a Market Survey to be requested by FEMA during Disaster Specific, Crisis Action Planning? If so, will this Task Order be issued as Task 1-A-4?

Yes all Market Surveys will be issued under the CLIN 0002 Task 1-A-4Program Office Question

15. Page 4, paragraph 2: The Contractor shall also ensure adequate facility support related to security and safety of personnel in the OPLAN. Is the contractor required to provide security at any locations?

As referenced in response # 1, the contractor will only be tasked with securing a related motor coach location for a no-notice, life threatening event that requires the contractor’s immediate or rapid deployment and in the event where the normal federal/state staging area have not yet deployed and set-up. Normally and historically, the provision of space and facilities (including security) at federally designated pick-up and drop-off points is the responsibility of Federal or State/local authorities.

Program Office Question

16. Page 8, Recurring Training and/or Exercises (1-D): Given that the contractor may/will be issued a Task Order to conduct Annual Readiness Manager Staff Training/Exercise, and this may be conducted simultaneously with another such readiness exercise, how will we give a price quote in Attachment A? There is no such Task and Sub Task specified.

This is not a tasking that will be reimbursed by the Government. Any contractor staff training cost associated with this training should be funded under the State Annual Training & Exercise CLIN (0004A).

Program Office Question

17. Throughout Attachment B, there are specified CLINS (i.e., 1-A1 through 1-A5, 1-B, 1-C, 1-C-1, etc.). These do not match the CLINS in Attachment A – Excel Spreadsheet for Labor Categories and Hours. Which CLINs are correct-- those stated in the PSW or those stated in Attachment A?

Attachment A is correct, Attachment B - PWS has been updated.

Other

18. Is it FEMA's intent only to issue task orders in direct support of state-specific planning or is it feasible that FEMA could task the contractor with evacuation planning support to FEMA Regions and FEMA Headquarters?

Task orders will only be issued for state specific evacuation planningProgram Office Question