HSHQDC-08-R-00092 Final RFIs

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DHS NPPD CPIMD IP

HSHQDC-08-R-00092

1. Given the nature of the services to be provided, we request that FAR 52.227-3 be deleted from the RFP.

Answer: due to the nature of the services and contract type the clause is applicable and shall not be removed.

2. The clauses found at FAR 52.216-29 and I.2.5 (FAR 52.216-30) seem to be inconsistent with each other. Please clarify.

Answer: FAR 52.216-30 shall be removed, because we are anticipating adequate price competition.

3. Are offerors to propose the surge hours, required in each sample task order, in labor categories of their own choosing, or will the Government specify?

Answer: Offerors are to propose a labor mix consistent with its understanding of the surge requirements.

4. Reference: Page 40 of 157, section H.18; The Key Personnel listing includes both a Program and Project Manager; however, reference in the Sample Tasks is to only a Project Manager and Section J, Part III Government Labor Category Overview lists the position as a Program/Project Manager. Our assumption is that the two positions are interchangeable and we should provide and resume for either a Program or Project Manager. Is this a correct assumption and if not can you please clarify your requirement?

Answer: We are asking for a Project Manager. References to Program Manager in the solicitation will be deleted.

5. Reference: page 71 of 157, Section J, Attachment J.5 Task Order One: Paragraph 5.1 states the level of effort for the Project Manager is NTE 120 hours for each quarterly period of performance; however, paragraph 5.6 states the Project Manager NTE is 20 hours per month (i.e. 60 hrs/qtr). Please clarify your expected NTE for the Project Manager against Task Order One.

Answer: The Project Manager NTE is 20 hours per month (i.e. 60 hrs/qtr)

6. Reference pages 154-155 of 157, Section M, Evaluation Factor Four, Five and Six – Task Orders, The RFP states that the technical proposal shall include resumes for each of the key personnel listed in the task order. Is it the Government’s intent to have duplicate Key personnel resumes provided both in Section One Personnel as well as in Sections Four Five and Six, Task Orders? If so, will the resumes count against the 30 page limit allotted for each Task Order response?

Answer: Each task order will be evaluated separately. If you are proposing some of the same key personnel from section one for the task orders key personnel it is ok to do so. The resumes submitted for each task order will not count against the 30 page limit, but must follow the same format as resumes submitted in section one, evaluation factor one – Personnel.

7. Reference page 147, Section L, paragraph g, Past performance: The RFP requests offerors to provide a copy of their FY07 SF294 and SF295; however, Section M, Evaluation Factor Seven, Past Performance, requires a copy of the FY08 SF294 and SF295. Please clarify.

Answer: This is an error. It should be FY 08 SF294 or SF295

8. RFP paragraph B.5 states “The Contractor shall propose additional labor categories or labor categories that are equivalent to the Government’s to fulfill the requirements of the IDIQ.” The use of the word “shall” in this sentence suggests that contractors are required to propose additional or equivalent categories. Is this a correct interpretation?

Answer: The word should be “may”

9. If contractors propose additional or equivalent labor categories as described in RFP clause B.5, how will the Government normalize these various and multiple categories in the evaluation process?

Answer: These labor categories must be equivalent to the government’s labor category. They will be evaluated the same as its equivalency. The chart, Government Labor Category Overview and the education table, in attachment J.10 may be used to determine the equivalency of proposed labor categories to the government’s labor categories.

10. In order to provide the team that offers the best value to the Government and to avoid independence issues, would the Government accept the use of GSA schedule contractor team arrangements (CTAs) in which one contractor would be designated as a prime or team lead and the other contractor would act as a “team member”, but would be able to independently invoice the Government for its services?

Answer: This acquisition is being conducted using full and open competitive procedures and GSA schedule contractor team arrangements are not applicable.

11. In addition to our previous submittal, we have identified the following ADDITIONAL question: Section C.4.5, page 22, states "The IP Incident Management Training Plan includes the IP Incident Management Certification Program…” Question: Is the IP Incident Management Certification Program a learning certification program available for public release/review?

Answer: No

12. Paragraph 7, Surge, of Attachment J.6 – Task Order Two, defines a quantity of 600 surge hours for the Base Period, but the corresponding Labor Category Table on RFP page 122 specifies 1200 surge hours. Please clarify.

Answer: On page 87 under task order two, attachment J.6, Section 7. Surge, the hours are 1200 hours for each period of performance and also on page 122, it is a NTE of 1200 hours for surge in the table.

13. Section B.1, Page 11, Last Note on page, states “The cost of general-purpose items required for the conduct of the Contractor’s normal business operations will not be considered an allowable ODC …” Section C. 10, Page 24, Item 10, first bullet, state “ODCs may include, but are not limited to postage, copying, faxing, long distance phone usage, materials and supplies, subcontractor (other than labor), publication costs/documentation/dissemination and subject matter expertise consulting services.” Please clarify the apparent discrepancy between these two clauses.

Answer: There is no discrepancy. The authorized ODC’s must be approved by the COTR and are not considered normal business operations, for example postage ODC may be for FEDEX of training materials to an out of state training location.

14. Section G.3.b), Page 31, states “The contractor shall withhold five percent of the amounts due…” Is it reasonable to assume this clause should read “The Government shall withhold five percent of the amounts due…” ?

Answer: Per FAR 52.232-7 the contractor will be required to withhold five percent of the amounts due under time-and-material or labor-hour type task orders.

15. Section H.11, Page 36, Would the Government consider revising clause H.11 to address three issues;

a. Placing a time limitation on the confidentiality requirements.

b. Specify that any information subject to these provisions be clearly and conspicuously marked as “Confidential,” “Proprietary,” or the equivalent.

c. Specify that any confidential information conveyed verbally be reduced to writing within five (5) working days and marked as described above.

Answer: No, but in H.11a vendors are reminded that FAR 52.227-14 (Alt 4) governs.

16. Section H.18, Page 41, Lists Key Personnel under this Contract. We can identify other sections of the RFP that contain further details on the requirements/qualifications for all listed Key Personnel except “Program Manager.” Is it reasonable to assume that the requirements/qualifications for “Program Manager” are equivalent to “Project Manager?”

Answer: Yes. References to Program Manager will be deleted in the solicitation.

17. Section I, Pages 42 through 44. Will the government consider adding FAR 52.215-16 (allowing Facilities Capital Cost of Money per government approved disclosed accounting practices) to the list of incorporated references?

Answer: The contract place of performance says: The place of performance shall be within the National Capital Region (NCR) and various Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) locations. Therefore, the clause is not necessary.

18. Section I, Pages 42 through 44. For Firm-Fixed-Priced task orders, will the government consider adding FAR 52.232-16 and 52.232-32 to the list of incorporated references? These clauses provide additional flexibility to the government and the contractor in the structuring of specific task order work plans.

Answer: FAR clause 52.232-16 will be incorporated. FAR clause 52.232-32 is not applicable to this requirement.

19. Section I.3.4, Page 56, Section (a), third sentence states “…involved in providing advice or professional services to the Government under a Government contract or task order to…” Is it reasonable to assume that this clause does not apply to current or future/contingent contractor employees (as described by the paragraph L.4.I.a, page 143) that are former federal government employees?

Answer: The OCI clause does not apply to prior government employees. These conflicts would be personal conflicts of interest (PCI), not an OCI. There are statutes that cover former government employees who now work with contractors on matters that they worked on as a government employee. 18 U.S.C. 207- Post-employment restrictions are on matters the former employee worked on in the government.

20. Attachment J.5, Page 72, last sentence states “…2 IP Incident Management preparatory exercises utilizing an iterative HSEEP building block approach for exercises shall be conducted during the period of performance of this effort.” On Page 73, 1st paragraph, last sentence says “ For each Tier I and Tier II exercise IP will conduct at a minimum 2 operational level preparatory HSEEP building block events.” Since it is anticipated that IP will participate in one Tier I and three Tier II exercises on an annual basis, we would like to clarify the two statements above. Should we assume that there will be a total of eight preparatory exercises based on the HSEEP building block approach annually [versus the two indicated in the first item]? Or did the word “events” have a different meaning?

Answer: assumption is correct there will be a total of eight preparatory exercises based on the HSEEP building block approach annually

21. Attachment J.6, Section 1, Page 81, first paragraph. The RFP describes the “…the IP Continuity program…” Can the government provide additional information regarding the scope and size of this program? For example, contract number and type, scope of work, current contract holder, etc.

Answer: Additional information is not available at this time.

22. Attachment J.6, Section 2, Page 81, 1st paragraph, 2nd sentence, contains the clause “…website and database maintenance.” However, these terms are not defined/developed further in the subsequent more detailed discussion of task order objectives, deliverables, and support areas. Can the government clarify the tasks for “…website and database maintenance”?

Answer: Updates and maintenance of the COOP database and website. The COOP database is a ACCESS driven software program which catalogs, updates, sorts and compartments Emergency Response Group; Advanced Relocation Team and Human Resource data for these programs. In order to fulfill this deliverable, the person selected must be cognizant in ACCESS programming and manipulation in order to produce graphs, lists and data sheets, as well as graphics.

23. Attachment J.10, Government Labor Category Overview Table, Page 111, Rows 1, 2 and 3 include the requirement “…must be project manager certified.” This equivalent requirement is also listed in the Task Order description sections of the RFP.

(a) Our company has developed and implemented an internal program that is certified by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Completion of our certification program awards the graduate with three (3) continuing education units, and is a pre-requisite requirement to being assigned as a project manager for our company. Comparison of our program to the Project Management Institutes’ “Project Management Professional (PMP)” certification (detailed comparison available upon request) indicates the robustness of our program exceeds that of the PMP. Does an employee that has been certified under our project management certification program meet the RFP requirements cited above?

Answer: Yes as long as it is equal to the industry standard PMP certification.

(b) Does a current employee, who was a federal employee at which time he/she performed as a government project manager responsible for at least one project equal to or greater than $5 million in total approved program cost, meet the RFP requirements cited above?

Answer: No unless they were program/project manager certified by their agency.

24. Attachment J.10a, tables/forms on pages 119 through 127 and Section B.1.2, page 6, second sentence, states “The use of CLINs will be limited to task orders only and structured as set forth below.” Our interpretation is the rows in the referenced J.10a tables containing the label “ Task ( ) “ are the CLIN series numbers 1001 – 1012 up to 4001 – 4012 as applicable to each Task Order. Please confirm this is the proper formatting for the J.10a templates.

Answer: No. The table in B.1.2 are the tasks that will be procured under the IDIQ contract. The table in J.10a are for the task areas (tasks ()) in the task orders SOW.

25. Section L.4.3.I.a, page 143, Resumes for “key personnel” are limited to two pages in length. Is it acceptable and/or desirable to have introductory/summary material at the front of Factor 1 for the following resumes of key personnel? Is it reasonable for this introductory/summary material not to exceed 3 pages in length?

Answer: If submitted it will be counted towards the total page count.

26. Section L.4.3.I.a, page 143, third paragraph, first sentence states “For personnel that are not current employees, there shall be a signed commitment letter…” Sections L.4.3.I.d, e, and f, Pages 144 through 146, have a common requirement “The technical proposal shall include resumes for each of the key personnel listed below and letters of commitment from each individual…” For the later referenced RFP sections, specifically d, e and f, are letters of commitment from each individual required only if they are not current employees? Are the letters of commitment exempt from section page count limits?

Answer: Letters of commitment are required for proposed personnel that are not current employees. Letters of commitment will not be counted towards the page count limits.

27. Section L.4.3.I.g., page 146, Past performance information is to be submitted in the format set forth in Attachment J.9. Is there a page limit on Part III – Contract Description and Accomplishments?

Answer: No

28. Section L.4.3.I.g, Page 146, Attachment J.9.a “Questionnaire for Past Performance Reverences” is to be sent to each reference, requesting that they forward their responses to the contract specialist no later than 12:00pm on “TBD”. Please clarify TBD.

Answer: The due date/time for past performance references is the same as the due date/time for proposals.

29. Page 143 and 152 Section L.I - Volume I: Technical and Past Performance

b) Section Two. Evaluation Factor 2: Technical Understanding and Capabilities and Section M.5 “Identify any technical barriers that would conceivably be encountered in pursuing the required work, and provide specific proposals/actions that demonstrate how these barriers will be overcome” We need further clarification from the Government about the meaning of this proposal instruction AND evaluation criteria related to our Technical Understanding and Capability. Could the Government provide additional clarification about the meaning of this requirement (and amend the RFP to reflect this clarification)? Could the Government clarify the intent of the word ‘pursuing’? Does this mean ‘performing’ the work? Does it mean proposing or writing a proposal to do the work since this is an IDIQ proposal? What does the Government consider to be technical barriers? Are these risks, issues and/or challenges?

Answer: Yes it does mean performing the work and yes technical barriers are risks, issues and/or challenges they may occur during performance.

30. Volume I: Technical and Past Performance Section Seven. Evaluation Factor Seven: Past Performance As instructed in Attachment J.9, the Offeror should separately forward to each reference the Attachment J.9a “Questionnaire for Past Performance References” and notify them to forward their responses to the contract specialist, Tisha Blue, via email: Tisha.Blue@dhs.gov or fax: (202) 447-5725 no later than 12:00pm eastern standard time on TBD. The Government has specified TBD for the date the Questionnaires for Past Performance References are due. This contractor assumes the due date to be the same as the due date for delivery of proposals. Please confirm that this is correct?

Answer: The due date/time for past performance references is the same as the due date/time for proposals.

31. Page 13, B.5 Fixed Labor Rates Tables, “The definition of each labor category is listed in attachment J.8 IDIQ Cost/Price Template.” According to Page 100, attachment J.8 is “Attachment J.8 – Format for Task Orders”. Will this be corrected to J.10?

Answer: The correct attachment is J.10.

32. Page 14-17, B.5 – Table 1 and Table 2, These tables require rates for a total of 50 labor categories; however, in Section J (pages 111-117) levels (i.e., I, II, III) are identified for each labor category which equates to 127 total labor categories. Will government please clarify which # of labor categories should be proposed?

Answer: Please provide fully loaded rates for all levels required for each labor category. B.5 labor rates table will be modified to reflect the levels.

33. Pages 76/ 89/ 96/ 111, Attachment J.5 - Task Order 1, Attachment J.6 - Task Order 2, Attachment J.7 - Task Order 3, Government Labor Category Overview, Para. 5.6 Task Manager (or equivalent), Additionally a minimum of 5+ years of experience planning and executing HSEEP Compliant or Department of Defense comparable exercises. It is this contractor's understanding that HSEEP has only been in existence for 4+ years. Will the Government revise the requirement to 2+ years versus 5+ years? This is a more realistic experience threshold to meet given the short time that HSEEP has existed.

Answer: No. Experience planning and executing Department of Defense comparable exercises is also considered acceptable experience.

34. Pages 78, 91, and 99, Section J - Attachment J.5 Task Order One, Section J – Attachment J.6 Task Order Two, Section J – Attachment J.7 Task Order Three, Other Direct Costs, ODCs may include, but are not limited to postage, copying, faxing, long distance phone usage, materials and supplies, subcontractor (other than labor), publication costs/documentation/dissemination and subject matter expertise consulting services. Will the Government consider deleting the requirement for using subject matter expertise consulting services as an ODC as they can be mapped directly to existing labor categories in B.5?

Answer: Subject matter expertise that can be provided by labor categories contained within the contract will not be eligible for reimbursement as ODCs. Subject matter expertise that cannot be provided by labor categories contained within the contract may be eligible for reimbursement as ODCs.

35. Pages 110-117, Section J – Part III Experience and Education: Each labor category provided includes a description as well as Education/Experience levels. In many cases the education and experience found in the description requirements are less than the lowest level requirements as defined in the Part III Experience and Education Tables (Page 110). As an example, the descriptor for Graphics Specialist 1 (Page 112) calls for a High School degree and 2 years experience. The education/experience levels include I and II. The education/experience for a Level I category is a High School and 4 years experience (Page 110). Please clarify which education and experience the contractor should follow when establishing rate. Should we use the education and experience found in the descriptor of the education and experience for each level?

Answer: Please use page 110 chart Experience and education tables to propose accurate labor rates for each labor category. The labor category descriptions have been modified to reflect the correct experience and education.

36. Page 111, Attachment J.10 – ID/IQ Cost/Price Template, Part III – Experience and Education Table Task Manager (or equivalent), Additionally a minimum of 5 years experience planning and executing HSEEP Compliant or Department of Defense comparable exercises, Because the scope of work under Task Areas 1,2,3,4, does not relate to HSEEP Exercises, it is requested that the government delete this additional requirement for key personnel for these Task Areas. Will the Government consider adding a separate Task Manager Labor Category 2A for Task Areas 1,2,3,4 as this will ensure that highly qualified individuals who have the right expertise in these task areas can be utilized for this IDIQ contract and provide the best quality support to the government?

Answer: HSEEP exercise statement will be removed from the Task Manager description on page 111 but will remain in Task Orders as required.

37. Page 112, Section J – Part III Experience and Education Tables and Government Labor Category Overview, Category No. 8 and 12, Junior Media Specialist, The labor category name for #8 and #12 is the same. However, the descriptors, as well as, the Education/Experience levels are different. It is the contractors understanding that #8 is the correct category. Would the Government please clarify?

Answer: Delete Category No. 12

38. Page 112 and 115, Section J –Government Labor Category Overview, Cat 9 – Audio Visual Technician III – H6; Cat 10 – Audio Visual Technician II – H4; Cat 11 – Audio Visual Technician I – H2; Cat 13 – Graphic Specialist 3 - H6; Cat 14 – Graphic Specialist 2 – H4; Cat 15 – Graphic Specialist 1 – H2; Cat 34 - Requirements Analyst I – M8; Cat 35 – Requirements Analyst II – B8; Cat 36 – Requirements Analyst III – B5; Cat 37 – Requirements Analyst IV – B2; Cat 38 – Requirements Analyst V – B0

Clarification Request:

For consistency purposes was it the government’s intent to use the same numbering and edu/exp scheme for all labor categories that had multiple levels? For example, Audio Visual Technician III requires a High School degree and 6 years of experience and an Audio Visual Technician I requires a High School degree and 2 years experience. Whereas, a Requirements Analyst III requires a Bachelor degree and 5 years experience and a Requirements Analyst requires a Masters degree and 8 years experience.

Answer: Pages 111-117 will be corrected to reflect the correct experience and education for each labor category level.

39. Page 119-121 Section J - Attachment J.5 Task Order One, Section J – Attachment J.6 Task - period. Will the Government consider requiring that the total hours be priced separately by labor category to show how the total estimate was determined in order to fairly evaluate the basis of the surge hours?* Answer: Yes This request as been depicted in attachment J.10a

40. Page 139 L.3 – Notice to Offerors, Delivery of Proposals, No deliveries will be accepted at any other DHS location, and no electronic or hand-carried submission will be accepted, Since no hand-carried deliveries will be accepted, can the Government explain the process by which proposals will be accepted at the CRDS, and how the Offeror's will know that their proposals are delivered prior to the deadline?

Answer: All proposals will be submitted to CRDS and must be delivered on or before time specified in the RFP. CRDS logs in all packages time of delivery. There is a process that all packages must go through before final delivery destination.

41. Page 139, L.3 – Notice to Offerors, Delivery of Proposals, This is the DHS Consolidated Remote Delivery Site (CRDS). Offerors are advised to allow sufficient transit and security processing time to ensure a timely deliver. To ensure timely receipt, can the Government provide the estimated security processing times at the CRDS facility?

Answer: Offerors will be responsible for scheduling delivery to allow sufficient time for timely receipt of proposals.

42. Page 139, L.3 – Notice to Offerors, Delivery of Proposals, If Offerors ship more than one set of proposals via different methods to ensure delivery, will the Government consider the first proposal received as the official accepted submittal and destroy other sets?

Answer: The Government plans to regard the first proposal received as the official submission.

43. Page 147, 148. Evaluation Factor Seven and Eight: Small Business Participation, g) 5th para. and (1) Subcontracting Plan, 2nd para. Is this the same requirement or does the government want both Fiscal Years submitted? If it is a different requirement, can the contractor provide additional contracts beyond the Reports for the four past performances included in the Past Performance section?

Answer: This is the same requirement and FY08 should be submitted.

44. Page 148 (Volume II) Evaluation Factor Eight: Small Business Participation, (3) Small Disadvantaged Business Participation, “The Offeror shall identify the SDB...; and provide their past performance in complying with subcontracting goals for SDB concerns and monetary targets for SDB participation.” Can the government please clarify what past performance they want us to submit beyond what we intend to submit under the 4 past performances we are allowed to submit in accordance with the RFP.

Answer: If you subcontracted to any of the Small Business Administration’s certified small disadvantaged businesses (SDB) during FY2008, provide the following past performance information:

· Name of the SDB (8(a), HUBZone 8(a), SDVOSB, etc.) that participated in the acquisition and the type of work they performed under the contract; and

· The total dollar values and percentages subcontracted to the SDBs

45. Page 148/156, Evaluation Factor Seven: Past Performance, pg. 148, para. (1) 2nd para

pg. 156 1 para.C at the top of the page, “Offerors shall provide a record of previous performance in complying with SDB goals by including a copy of FY 2008 SF294 and SF295 subcontracting reports with their offer.” RFP para. C , 1, pg 156 Indicates both Reports will be required and evaluated, by saying “and” SF294 and SF295, however instructions to the Offeror on pg. 148, para. (1) 2nd para. Says “or” which allows the contractor to submit one or the other. Can the government please clarify if they want both reports or just one of our choosing?

Answer: Both reports shall be submitted.

46. Page 72/73, Attachment J.5 - Task Order One/ IP Exercise Planning/ IP Exercise Development and Execution. 3rd para. Under IP Exercise Planning 1st para. Under IP Exercise Development and Execution, “It is anticipated that IP will participate on an annual basis in one (1) Tier I level exercises and three (3) Tier II exercises. “

“It is anticipated that IP will participate on an annual basis in one (1) Tier I level exercises and three (3) Tier II exercises and four (4) Tier III Level exercises.” Requests that the government release clarify which number and type of exercises it intends to conduct on an annual basis ? If the government intends to develop and execute (4) Tier III level exercises then it would seem appropriate to also Plan for (4) Tier III level exercises.

Answer: Exercise planning will be required for all events.

47. Page 72, Attachment J.5 - Task Order One/ IP Exercise Development and Execution. Para.5.3 IP Exercise Planning, Coordination, Development and Execution, 5th para. The contractor shall develop and conduct exercise preparation to include developing seminars, workshops, tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises to prepare IP participants for internal and external team events. For pricing purposes it is essential that the government provide how many of each type of exercise (seminar #, workshop#, tabletop#, functional #, and full-scale #) the government requires?

Answer: The type of exercises required for each tiered event are based on the unique objectives for each exercise the government is unable to provide which will be required only that two events will occur prior to each Tier I and II event.

48. Page 73, Attachment J.5 - Task Order One IP Hosted Tier II Exercise Development and Execution, Paragraph One, The contractor shall develop and conduct exercise preparation to include developing seminars, workshops, tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises to prepare IP participants for internal and external team events. For pricing purposes it is essential that the government provide how many of each type of exercise (seminar #, workshop#, tabletop#, functional #, and full-scale #) the government requires?

Answer: For each Tier II event IP will plan, develop, and execute two building block events.

49. Page 74, Attachment J.5 - Task Order One/ IP Exercise Evaluations. Paragraph One, The contractor shall also conduct two CIKR Private Sector conferences (e.g., San Diego and Boston) as a means to report and communicate the results/lessons learned from various exercises supported under this effort with the 18 Sector Specific Agencies. For pricing purposes it is requested and essential that the government provide an estimated number of attendees for each conference? Is the contractor responsible for conference facility coordination and the cost of renting a facility or are these provided by the government and not to be included in our pricing?

Answer: Less than 100. The contractor will not be responsible for renting facilities.

50. Page 74, Attachment J.5 - Task Order One/IP Exercise Working Group Support, Paragraph One, The contractor shall provide management assistance to the IP Exercise Working Group (EWG); a group established to ensure interoffice collaboration, cooperation, and coordination for HSEEP exercises. For pricing purposes it is requested and essential that the government provide the frequency (# times per year) that the IP Exercise Working Group meets?

Answer: The group meets monthly

51. Page 13 of the RFP indicates that the contractor may add IDIQ labor categories; may the contractor add labor categories during execution?

Answer: The contractor may not add labor categories during the execution of a Task Order.

52. On Page 19, C, 4.0 Task Areas: states that Task Area #1 (4.1) is Policy, Strategic Analysis & Contingency Planning but in 4.1.2 (page 20), it is referred to as Strategic Planning. Does the government intend to focus this area on strategic analysis or strategic planning?

Answer: The government intends to focus this area on both strategic analysis and strategic planning.

53. On Page 22, C 4.5, Exercise Support: the government states that “the IP Incident Management Training Plan includes the IP Incident Management Certification Program (IMCP) which mandates the use of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) principles, specifically the use of clearly stated Learning Objectives supported by concise and specific tasks and standards, as well as core documents that will provide the foundation for all formal coursework.” Since this is a key item in developing the offerors response for the government, will a copy of the IP Incident Management Training Plan be made available by the government?

Answer: No, the IP Incident Management Training Plan will not be made available.

54. On page 40 – H.17 – Incorporation of Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Contractor requests that the Small Business Subcontracting Plan be submitted at the Contract level vice at the task order level.

Answer: Individual subcontracting plans will be submitted at the task order level.

55. On Page 65 – Can you confirm that the Funding Summary information on the Monthly Status Report is for T&M or Labor Hour Task Orders and the reimbursable travel and ODCs portion on Firm Fixed Price Orders?

Answer: The monthly status reports are for all T&M, FFP contracts. Travel and ODCs will be on a reimbursable cost basis on all task orders.

56. On Page 70, J.5, Section 3 states that the principle place of performance will be in the NCR and various coop sites. However on Page 77, Section 7 states that no government furnished equipment will be provided. Please clarify that DHS will provide GFE/GFI for staff working at DHS sites?

Answer: Government furnished workspace is not considered GFE/GFI. The Government will provide office space, furniture, and office equipment.

57. On Page 71, J.5, 5.1 Project Management: the language reads that the level of effort for this support is not to exceed 120 hours for each quarterly period of performance (or 40 hours per month). However, on Page 75, Section 5.6 – Key Personnel, under Project Manager, it stays “not to exceed 20 labor hours per monthly invoice.” Is the Project Manager allowed to charge 40 hours per month or 20 hours per month?

Answer: See Question #5

58. On page 88, J.6, 9.1 Key Personnel – Project Manager: Please provide the not to exceed number of labor hours per monthly invoice that the contractor can submit for Project Manager

Answer: See Question # 5

59. On Page 137 – FAR Clause 52.222-46 requires Contractor to submit Compensation Plan for Professional Employees. Is this plan supposed to be included in Volume II – Business and Cost/Price under Tab D?

Answer: Yes

60. On Page 137 – FAR Clause 52-237-10©(f) – Identification of Uncompensated Overtime. Is this plan to be included in Volume II – Business and Cost/Price under Tab D?

Answer: Yes

61. On Page 140 under Small Business Classification, the NAICS code listed is 541618 at $6.5M. Should the dollar threshold be $7.0M instead of $6.5M?

Answer: Yes it should be $7M.

62. On page 143, L.4, 3a) Evaluation Factor One: Personnel states “Section One of the Technical Volume corresponds to Evaluation Factor One, Personnel. Section one shall consist of resumes of personnel which the Offeror can propose as “key personnel” either under the resultant contract or task orders. However, on Page 152, M.5, Evaluation Factor One – Personnel: The Government will assess the Offeror’s capabilities and experience with respect to the qualifications of proposed personnel for all positions and positions subject to being designated as “key” in the resultant contract or task orders by evaluating resumes submitted in accordance with Section L. Part of this evaluation will include an assessment of the depth, breadth and relevance of the proposed individuals’ qualifications and experience. Should Section One contain resumes of all personnel submitted against this proposal or for key personnel only? Is there a limit on the number of resumes which can be submitted?

Answer: Section one states, it shall consist of resumes of personnel which the Offeror can propose as key personnel. Please submit all personnel resumes including the key personnel stated in each task order. There is no limit on how many resumes can be submitted, but the resumes are limited to 2 pages.

63. On Page 146, L.4, 3g), Section Seven. Past Performance. Are past performance submissions for Prime only or can subcontractor’s past performances be submitted?

Answer: Past Performance will be evaluated on the prime and subcontractor levels See Section M, page 155, evaluation factor seven – past performance.

64. On Page 146, L.4, 3g) Evaluation Factors Seven: Past Performance states that offeror shall submit Questionnaire for Past Performance References to the government directly. The government provided a method, contact person and time but the date is listed as To Be Determined. Please clarify when the government requires the questionnaires to be submitted.

Answer: See question#30

65. On Page 147 – Under subpara g) – Evaluation Factor Seven – Past Performance and Page 148 – Under subpara (1) – Small Business Participation. Please clarify the discrepancy about whether FY07 or FY08 SF 294 or SF 295 subcontracting reports should be submitted? Due to large volume of Contractor’s SF 294 and SF 295s, would the Government consider a maximum of 5 separate contract FY08 SF 294 and SF 295 reports be submitted instead of providing all of their FY07 or FY08 SF 294 and SF 295 subcontracting reports?

Answer: FY 08 SF294 or SF 295. Yes you may submit a maximum of five separate contracts SF 294. To clarify the SF295 is an annual report that shows all subcontracting with the federal government for the year.

66. The rate tables contained in section B.5 have one row per labor category, while the labor category overview in attachment J.10 has multiple education/experience levels for many of the labor categories. Is it acceptable to modify the rate tables to include rates for a given labor category at each education/experience level specified by the government? i.e., so there is only one row for Team Lead; may the table include rates for Team Lead II and Team Lead III?

Answer: No. This has been addressed and modified in the RFP.

67. Can the contractor identify additional key personnel at the task order level if needed?

Answer: Yes and encouraged

68. Should each Task Order be proposed on a T&M basis or FFP basis?

Answer: the task orders in the RFP shall be proposed on a T&M basis and ODCs and Travel on a not-to-exceed basis.

69. Section L.2 FAR 52.215-20 – The language contained in this section includes the full text and not alternate IV identified in the heading. Will the Government please confirm that Alternate IV is the applicable provision and not the text provided?

Answer: Alternate I is the applicable provision. RFP has been modified.

70. Supplies and Services Being Acquired. In Section B “Supplies or Services and

Prices/Costs”, 1 (1), p. 6 it states that “The Contractor shall provide those services and supplies necessary to support the Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) Planning and

Readiness Programs effort,” whereas the SOW, Section C, 1.0 (1.1), p.18 seems to indicate that the work is primarily for the Contingency Planning and Incident

Management Division (CPIMD). Is the intended IDIQ for work only for CPIMD or is intended for all of IP?

Answer: The IDIQ is intended for all of IP

71. Place of Performance. Section 8.0 of the SOW p. 24 specifies the National Capital

Region (NCR) and various Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) locations, but does not refer to possible locations where surge (emergency/critical support) in Task

Area 6 could be performed (all 55 states and jurisdictions). Does the contract require vendors to support in all 55 states and jurisdictions? Is support outside NCR and COOP areas limited only to those conditions specific in Task Area 6 “Emergency Support”?

Answer: Primary locations are NCR and COOP locations. It is possible surge may be required at locations outside of NCR.

72. Representative Task Order Costs. Section M “Evaluation Factors for Award, Cost/Price” p. 157 indicates that the “cost/price proposals will be evaluated for the reasonableness of the overall cost/price and the individual cost/price element estimates.”

Additionally for Task Orders, “Costs/Price will be proposed on a time-and-materials basis.” Currently, there are no estimates of hours provided in the Task Orders. Does the Government intend to provide an estimated number of hours required for performing the tasks in the Task Orders? If not, how does the government intend to determine reasonableness of cost/price?

Answer: An estimated level of effort will be provided for each task order. RFP has been revised to reflect this change.

73. Resumes. On pages 144-146 of the RFP, under Evaluation Factors for the three

Task Orders, the RFP states that "the technical proposal shall include resumes for each of the key personnel listed below and letters of commitment from each individual selected for key personnel roles." Are resumes and commitment letters to be counted as part of the 30-page limit for the Task Order responses, or is it permissible for resumes and commitment letters to be added as an attachment to the 30-page Task Order response limit?

Answer: Resumes and commitment letters will not be counted towards the 30 page limit.

74. Past Performance. Section L “Instructions for Submission of Proposals,” p. 88 indicates that “Section Four shall consist of information provided by the Offeror related to the contracts (up to four (4)) identified by the Offeror in the format set forth in Attachment L.4.” It does not currently mention anything about page count or whether offerors are to include past performances of our subcontractors. Is there a page limit on past performance? If yes, does it count against the technical volume? Will the government evaluate past performance citations from our sub contractors? If yes, will they be included in the four or in addition to the four?

Answer: Please refer to page 155 Section M evaluation factor seven – past performance. Past Performance will be evaluated at the prime and subcontractor level. There is no page limit. The past performance questionnaire is provided for this factor. So there is no page limit. Please fill out this form . Provide two past performance for the subcontractorSection L has been modified accordingly.

75. Format Instructions. Section L “Format Instructions,” pg. 86 indicates that “Individual file sizes shall not exceed 5MB. In order to be compatible with current DHS desktop applications, all electronic submission shall be in Microsoft Office 2003 file formats.” In order to stay within the desired file size, will PDFs of each individual section be acceptable for delivery?

Answer: Yes

76. Labor Categories. In Section B.5 Fixed Labor Rates Tables (p.13), the RFP states that, “The Fixed Labor Rates Tables below provides labor category descriptions, fixed hourly rates for performance of the requirements as specified in individual task orders.”

The RFP also includes the ID/IQ Cost/Price Template in Attachment J.10 (p.108) and

Task Orders Cost/Price Template in Attachment J.10a (p.118), with additional information on labor category titles, experience, rates, etc. For the purposes of the Basic IDIQ Contract, is the government requesting that offerors propose Fixed Labor Rates for all labor categories specified in Section B.5 Tables 1 & 2 (p.13)?

Answer: Yes

77. In attachment J.10a – ID/IQ Cost/Price Template - Part I (p.118), the government has indicated that the offeror should list all labor category titles relevant to performing the contract tasks that correspond to the government labor categories. Since there is no data field for this information in the Section B.5

Tables 1 & 2 (p.14-17), is it acceptable to only include the labor category mapping in the Part II – Breakdown?

Answer: You shall input these labor categories in the task order tables starting on page 119-127.

78. In the government’s Labor Category Overview table in attachment J.10 (p.111-

117), there are multiple Levels of the Education / Experience Levels that do not map directly to the Experience / Education in the Government Labor Category

Descriptions. Could the government please clarify which Experience Level or

Description should be used in determining the proposed rates for that position?

Answer: Please use the descriptions on pages 111-117.

79. The Cost Breakdown Format for the task orders only contains a Base Period

Rate. Can these templates be modified to include Option Years 1 and 2 pricing to be consistent with the Task Order SOW requirements?

Answer: Yes

80. Evaluation Factors for Task Orders Issued After Award of the IDIQ. The RFP does not indicate what evaluation factors the Government will use for award of Task

Orders issued after award of the IDIQ. What evaluation factors will apply to subsequent task orders? Will the government utilize the same evaluation process for task orders issued after contract award?

Answer: The Government anticipates employing the same or similar factors.

81. Total Number of Resumes to be Submitted, the RFP requires submission of resumes for individuals bid as key in the three Task Orders but does not specify whether additional resumes will be considered. Will the Government consider resumes in addition to the key personnel listed in the Task Orders and, if so, what is the total number that will be considered?* Answer: Resumes shall be provided for all personnel (key and non-key) proposed at the contract and task order level.

82. The scope of the three task orders is in many areas broadly defined. In order to create a level competitive environment and to best enable the government’s comparison of proposals, will the government provide level of effort estimates for the three Task Orders?

Answer: (reference question 72).

83. The requirements for the Task Manager labor category (page 111) include “Additionally a minimum of 5 years experience planning and executing HSEEP Compliant or Department of Defense comparable exercises.” Is this requirement intended for any and all staff in a Task Manager position, or only for those involved in training and exercises?

Answer: Only those involved in training and exercise.

84. Task Order 1, Key Staff Section (page 76) indicated three senior Team Leads. To support exercise activities across the country, may one or more Team Lead be located outside the National Capital Region?

Answer: Please note primary work locations which it states that team leads shall primarily be located at the government’s facility within the NCR and various COOP locations.

85. Pages 144-5 indicated a 30 page limit for the Task Order proposals. Are key resumes and commitment letters for the task orders included in the 30 page limit?

Answer: See question #26

86. Each Task Order in Attachment J includes in Key Personnel a Project Manager with a limited number of hours per month. In our experience the overall contractor Program Manager would best serve this task oversight role. May we use the Program Manager for the Task Order Project Manager requirement?

Answer: No

87. Regarding the requirement for Past Performance References (Section J.9a, page 104), if a client has completed a reference in the government’s Past Performance Information Retrieval System (http://www.ppirs.gov ), may we list that reference rather than requesting that the client complete the form on page 104?

Answer: No

88. Will the government share the questions submitted for the Draft RFP and the associated answers?

Answer: No, the questions for the final RFP supersedes the Draft RFP questions.

89. Section H.18, pages 40-41, specifies key personnel labor categories. May additional key personnel be included from other labor categories?

Answer: Yes

90. To facilitate delivery of proposal by third party delivery services, may the proposals be due at 5pm on December 12 rather than 12 noon?

Answer: No

91. Section B.5, “The Contractor shall propose additional labor categories or labor categories that are equivalent to the Government’s to fulfill the requirements for the IDIQ.”

Is it permissible to use the RFP provided labor categories as a single set of labor categories with no corresponding contractor labor categories?

Answer: Yes. You do not have to propose any additional labor categories.

92. Attachment J.10, “Offeror Hourly Rates - Rates must reflect "fully burdened" hourly rates, including all indirect costs and fee/profit. Subcontractor or consulting personnel categories must be separately identified (state any separate indirect loadings for subcontractors or consultants in Part II).” Is it the Government intention to request a fixed labor rate table (B.5 Table 1) for each team member (prime and subcontractors)? In other words, is the Government looking for multiple rates for each labor category or a single rate that could be provided by either the prime or its subcontractors?

Answer: The government is requesting fixed rates for the labor categories in B.5, and request that subcontractor or consulting personnel categories rates be separately identified as stated above in the question.

93. The RFP requires Executive Summaries and Cover Letters for both Cost and Technical proposals—are these expected to be the same summary and cover letter?

Answer: No.

94. Section L.4 Instructions for Submission of Proposals, I. Technical and Past Performance, d) Section Four. Evaluation Factor Four: Task Order One, Page 144-145, The first paragraph of this section requires each offeror to submit a Task Management Plan (TMP). The second paragraph states that the technical proposal shall include resumes. Is the TMP referenced in the first paragraph the same as the technical proposal referenced in the second paragraph? Are we correct in assuming that resumes are excluded from the 30-page limit?

Answer: Yes

95. Section L.4 Instructions for Submission of Proposals, I. Technical and Past Performance, g) Section Seven. Evaluation Factor Seven. Past Performance. Page 146, Volume I, Section Seven. Evaluation Factor Seven: Past Performance (p. 146): Please note that the deadline for receipt of past performance questionnaires from references is incomplete. Please see paragraph immediately following the bulleted list, “As instructed in Attachment J.9…and notify them to forward their responses to the contract specialist, Tisha Blue, via email: Tisha.Blue@dhs.gov or fax: (202) 447-5725 no later than 12:00 p.m. eastern standard time on TBD.” What is the deadline for forwarding past performance questionnaires to Tisha Blue?

Answer: See Question #30 Changed in RFP

96. Section B.5 – Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs – Fixed Labor Rates Tables, Page 14-15, The staffing tables (B.5 Table 1 and B.5 Table 2) list the Project Manager and Program Manager as key personnel. Throughout the remainder of the solicitation, the Program Manager position is not addressed except in the Government Labor Category Overview table which lists the Program / Project Manager as having the same qualifications. Is it the Government’s intent to require both a Program Manager and Project Manager(s) as key personnel assigned to this contract?

Answer: No just the Project Manager.

97. Tab F of Volume II – Small Business Participation, Page 147 and 148, Tab F (Small Business…