HSFEHQ-09-R-0411_QAs_03-12-2009.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Sources Sought Notice for HSFEHQ-09-R-0411

DUE DATE FOR SUBMITTING SF 330s

1. Question: Can you please clarify the due date for the SF 330 submittal, is it 3/18 or 3/20? The milestones and Sources Sought Notice conflict.

Response: The due date for the SF 330 has been revised. The due date and time for receipt of the Standard Form (SF) 330 is Monday, March 23, 2009, no later than 1:00 PM local time.

2. Question: Please confirm the due date and time. The solicitation indicates 3:00 PM, March 18.

The milestone document states March 20, and the posting on the Federal Business Opportunities website states 3:00 PM, March 20.

the SF 330 is Monday, March 23, 2009, no later than 1:00 PM local time.

3. Question: The response date on the General Information section of the FBO synopsis and milestones indicate a due date of 20 March 2009, however in the body of the Sources Sought Notice document, the date is 18 March. We believe neither of these dates allows for the required 30 day response time as required by the FAR based on the posting date of 19 February 2009.

4. Question: There are two dates listed as the due date for this solicitation, March 18th and March 20th. March 20th is listed twice and March 18th only once on Page 5 of 5. Which is the correct due date?

SUBCONTRACTING

1. Question: Does FEMA need the entire subcontractor teaming agreement or will the signature page suffice? Or can we provide a table of subcontractors with teaming agreement dates?

Response: Complete subcontractor teaming agreements must be submitted as part of the

SF 330.

2. Question: When is the subcontracting plan required?

Response: The subcontracting plan is required as part of the proposal submitted in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP).

3. Question: Neither the SOW, nor the Source Sought addresses any small business subcontracting goals. What are the goals, by category and what is the overall SB goal and is it by % of subcontracting or by % of total contract dollars? Are we to assume that DHS has one set that is published somewhere for all DHS Brooks Act solicitations?

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Response: DHS does not have one set of small business subcontracting goals for Brooks Act solicitations.

The DHS/FEMA Small Business Subcontracting goals, which are based on the percent of total subcontracting dollars, are as follows:

DHS/FEMA Small Business Subcontracting Goals

Category Goal

Small Business 40 percent

Small Disadvantaged Business 5 percent

Women-Owned Small Business 5 percent

Small Disadvantaged Veteran- Owned Small Business 3 percent

HUBZone 3 percent

4. Question: What are FEMA’s requirements for the use and approval of third tier subcontractors?

Response: DHS/FEMA neither encourages nor prohibits the use of third tier subcontractors.

Privity of contract shall apply should issues arise with the use of third tier subcontractors, and DHS/FEMA shall resolve those issues with the Prime Contractor.

SMALL BUSINESS GOALS

1. Question: The SOW makes reference to the use of Small Business. What are FEMA’s goals or requirements for Small Business participation?

Response: DHS/FEMA Small Business goals are different from DHS/FEMA Small Business Subcontracting goals. DHS/FEMA Small Business Goals are as follows:

DHS/FEMA Small Business Goals Category Goal

Small Business 31.9 percent

8(a) 4 percent

Non-8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business 4 percent

Service Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business 3 percent

HUBZone 3 percent

It is important to note that Small Business Prime Contractors must be able to meet the requirements of FAR 52.219-14(b)(1) LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING (DEC 1996) for this acquisition.

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SF 330 SUBMITTALS (PHASE I)

1. Question: Are you requesting that we supply 300 individual names? If so, the listing will take up several pages of the RFP. Can we make this an attachment and remove from the page count requirement?

Response: No, we are not requesting 300 individual names as part of a Request for Proposal (RFP). However, interested firms must complete Part II of the SF 330, which will supply the 300 individual names and general qualifications of the individuals. As stated in the Sources Sought Notice, the page limitation does not apply to Part II of the SF 330.

2. Question: This is listed as a Sources Sought Notice and the government is not requesting proposals at this time; however the body of the notice requires submission of the SF 330 with detailed requirements. Are we to consider this a request for proposal based on the fact that your notice indicates an intent to make contractor selections?

Response: DHS/FEMA has issued a Sources Sought Notice at this time, not a Request for Proposal. DHS/FEMA is asking for the completion and submittal of SF 330s pursuant to

FAR 36.6.

3. Question: If a firm is specialized in public assistance technical services, are they required to have, or to contract with, architects and engineers in order to qualify as an eligible vendor?

Response: DHS/FEMA requires architect-engineer services. Interested firms must submit a SF 330 that demonstrates architect-engineer qualifications.

4. Question: Are the Industry Day questions and answers considered part of this solicitation?

Response: No.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (PHASE II)

1. Question: Please clarify the due diligence process as it relates to preparing a Phase II submission.

Response: Due diligence is an opportunity for short-listed firms to meet with DHS/FEMA to ask questions and learn more about the Public Assistance Program, which may assist short-listed firms in preparing for oral presentations (i.e., Phase II). Due diligence is optional for short-listed firms.

2. Question: The sources sought states that there will be a submission for Phase II. Is this submission the oral presentation or is FEMA expecting another type of deliverable?

Response: Phase II is the oral presentation.

3. Question: The solicitation indicates that oral presentations will be required, but they are not listed as a milestone. Would you please provide a timeframe for the presentations?

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Response: Short-listed firms will be notified in writing of scheduled date and time of the oral presentations.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Question: Would a contractor be able to submit personnel fingerprints for adjudication prior to a deployment or task order?

Response: This question is addressed in Attachment A, Questions and Answers, of the Industry Day Follow-Up Special Notice that was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website on February 11, 2009.

2. Question: What are the requirements, processes and responsibilities for compliance with HSPD 12 background investigations and clearances?

Response: This question is addressed in Attachment A, Questions and Answers, of the Industry Day Follow-Up Special Notice that was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website on February 11, 2009.

INTERESTED VENDORS

1. Question: Can you tell me if there is an incumbent vendor that is already performing this work and if so can you tell me the name of the vendor?

Response: A listing of active contracts is posted on FEMA’s website. The link to the webpage is http://www.fema.gov/business/contractor.shtm. Please also note that DHS/FEMA has activated the Interested Vendor List on the Federal Opportunities website for HSFEHQ-09-R-0411.

http://www.fema.gov/business/contractor.shtm