HSHQDC-09-R-00045

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528

June 22,2009

RE: Solicitation No. HSHQDC-09-R-00045

The following questions were received through FedConnect on or before the deadline for submission of questions on June 11, 2009, 5:00 PM, Eastern Time. The questions are stated verbatim as they were posted at www.fedconnect.net . The responses to the questions received by the datehime specified in the solicitation are provided herein.

As stated in the Solicitation No. HSHQDC-09-R-00045, Section L.5 and Amendment No. 000002, the deadline for receipt of questions was June 11, 2009,5:00 PM, Eastern Time through FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net . Questions received after that dateltime and questions submitted through any other mechanism, as stated in the solicitation, will not be addressed.

The responses to the below questions does not in any way amend or change the solicitation. If any changes are made to the solicitation, an amendment will be issued.

1. Section F.2, Page 2 1 - What is the government's anticipated start date for this program?

Response: Depending on the length of the evaluation process, the anticipated start date for this program is August 2009.

2. Section L.12.3, Page 64 Past Performance - Is there a due date for the Offeror's reference to provide the completed Questionnaire to the Contracting Officer - same as proposal due date or other?

Response: The Past Performance Questionnaire specified in Section L.12.3 is a part of the solicitation requirement and the offeror's response. All solicitation requirements are due by the proposal submission due date on June 26,2009,12:00 noon, Eastern Time as specified in Section L.7.1.

3. Section C.8, page 16 - In relation to Government Test Support, C.8, will the Government provide pre-coordination of test schedule with the test site such as ECBC and Dugway ("in the "test plans and a detailed schedule.. .") or is this expected of the contractor?

Response: The Government will coordinate scheduling with the test sites.

4. Section L. 12.1, Tab D, paragraph 3 , page 62 For the Biodetection Systems Demonstration (July 7), is the Government expecting a single system?

Response: The Government expects the demonstration of a single system as described in the RFP for each proposal.

5. Section C.5, para 4, page 8 In regards to field testing the RFP states that there will be an independent testing organization-will the government be addressing that cost and arrangements?

Response: The Government will separately contract with the independent testing organization.

6. Section C.6.3.2, page 13 C.6.3.2 for RAM-T states that it will be in Washington, DC but in F.4 it states that it will be in Chicago-can this be clarified?

Response: RAM-T and IT V&V testing will be conducted in Chicago, Illinois. See Amendment No. 000003.

7. Section L.7, L.7.2, page 58 Proposal submission - L.7 and L.7.2. The RFP appears to indicate that proposal submittal via delivery services (UPS. FEDEX) is acceptable, but in L.7.2 using express delivery services other than USPS would be considered the same as hand delivery which is not acceptable. Please confirm that industry can submit hard copy via UPS, FEDEX, etc.

Response: The language stated in Section L.7.2 is correct as written. See Amendment 000003.

8. Section L. 12.4, page 65, L.12.4 - states that the CostIPrice Volume should be submitted in a single documentffile, but section L. 11, pg 59 says the CostIPrice proposals shall be submitted in "pdf' except for pricing tables which should be MS Excel, this would result in 2 documentslfiles.

Response: The language stated in Section L.ll and L.12.4 is correct as written. The pricing tables shall be submitted in M S Excel format specified in Section 5.6. Any information other than the pricing tables that an offeror wishes to submit as a part of the CostIPrice Volume shall be submitted in "pdf' format.

9. Attachment 5.3 - Please clarify the apparent inconsistency between the Test Support column for Aerosol Test which states 5 weeks and Section C.6.2.1.1 which states 1 month.

Response: The duration of the test is five weeks. See Amendment No. 000003.

10. General, if there is an inconsistency between the final RFP requirements and the documents in the offeror's library, does the RFP take precedence?

Response: The RFP to include any amendments takes precedence.

11. Attachment 5.3 - Please confirm the location of the Assay Validation test - RFP states LANL which is different from library documents.

Response: The Assay Validation Test will take place a t LANL in Los Alamos, NM as specified in Attachment 5.3 of the solicitation.

12. Section L.7.1, page 58 For the July 718'~ demo, what aerosol will be used and how long will the test be run to show operations for "continuously and autonomously"?

Response: The demonstration will be run with ambient air for a duration of one complete detection cycle (including sample collection, analysis, and results reporting) that is to be observed by the Government.

1 3. Section 6.3.1.1, Page 12 - A question regarding jurisdictional training and coordination: Can the government clarify specifics on what is expected for the jurisdictional training and coordination activity with a duration of 75 days? Is the training for the signal receipt equipment or the overall biodetection system?

Response: The Government expects the Offeror to propose the amount of training required to meet the stated objective; the objective is to ensure that local public health personnel are able to use the signal receipt equipment and interpret the results provided by the proposed system.

14. In order to ensure accurate proposals, how many test replicates will be performed under the Assay Validation and Analytics testing task?

Response: The technical library provided the Test and Evaluation Master Plan and the Assay Evaluation Test Plan Overview. Excerpts from these documents follow:

Assay Validation:

o Specificity Test: 5000 challenges [I] o Sensitivity Test: 4000 challenges a Phase 2 - Analytical Subsvstem Test: Limit of Detection: Each system analysis subsystem will be challenged with a variety of spiked liquid samples in a blind format (i.e., the system operator does not know the contents of the spiked sample) with four BioWatch threat agents in order to characterize the relationship between analytical subsystem readings and agent concentration. Five different spiked liquid concentrations will be used, starting at 10' cfulml and increasing logarithmically to 10" cfulml. All testing will be repeated at least five times.

a Phase 3 - Analvtical Subsystem Test: Probabilitv of Detection: DPG will challenge each system's analysis subsystem with four BioWatch threat agents (all BioWatch threat agents except Variola major), in a blind format, in order to determine probability of detection at specific agent concentration(s). Two different spiked liquid concentrations will be used, starting with the target concentration determined during Phase 2 testing.

The second concentration will be a high concentration and will be determined based upon Task 1 testing analysis. Twenty (20) trials will be conducted for each concentration. In addition, at least twenty (20) blank trials will be conducted.

[I.] Within the scope of the BioWatch Gen-3 Assay Test, a challenge refers to an individual trial in which the candidate assay is "challenged" with a strain, or strains, from the inclusivity, exclusivity, and environmental panels resulting in a detection or non-detection.

15. Will the contractor be allowed to enter the BSL 213 laboratories to effect repairs and other corrective maintenance on the systems under test, or does the Gov't expect the contractor to train the DPG personnel to the level of a fully qualified instrument technician?

Response: Prospective offerors will be able to enter the BSL2 laboratory. Prospective offerors will not be able to enter the BSL3 laboratory. The Government requires that DPG personnel be trainedlcertified by the Contractor to effect repairs and other corrective maintenance for the systems under test in cases where the Contractor's personnel will not have direct access to the system; Contractor's may communicate with DPG personnel in real time during maintenance procedures.

16. The location of the RAM-T 1 IT TV&V testing is noted as Washington, DC in section C.6.3.2, but is noted as Chicago elsewhere in the RFP. Which location should be assumed?

Response: See response to Question 6 above.

17. The RFP describes the three Milestones as serial, whereby the respective testing associated with each is completed prior to the start of subsequent activities. However, the schedule provided (attachment 5.7) indicates the majority of Task Order 2 occurring prior to Milestone #2 (a prerequisite). Does the Gov't intend the tasks within Task Order 2 to begin prior to Milestone #2?

Response: The Government expects tasks within Task Order 2 to begin prior to Milestone #2. See Amendment No. 000003, Attachment 5.7.

18. What is the DHS definition of "local" travel (mile radius)?

Response: For this solicitation and any resultant contract(s), local travel is travel within a 50 mile radius of Washington, DC.

19. The current DD-254 is blank. Will an updated one be provided to indicate what level of security is required for this program, as referenced in paragraph H.9. l ?

Pertaining to SCI access, will access be required? How many billets would be granted if required?

Will the contractor require a SCIF to meet the security requirements of this contract? What storage requirements are necessary?

Response: As specified in Section H.9 of Solicitation No. HSHQDC-09-R-00045, paragraph 3, page 32, "Work under this contract may be classified at up to Top Secret. OHA will provide specific security compliance guidance via DD Form 254." If work is classified up to Top Secret that work would occur at the task order level a t which time the DD Form 254 would be applicable.

The Contractor(s) shall hold and maintain a facility clearance at the Top Secret level. Only the key personnel will require a Top Secret clearance as specified in Section H.8 of the solicitation. All others will require clearance at the Secret level. SCI access will not be required. A SCIF will not be required. Contractors will be required to have a storage capability at the Secret level.

20. Does the Government intend to include FAR 52.245-1, "Government Property" since task Orders 1 and 2 will be awarded as CPFF?

Response: FAR 52.245-1 has been added (see Amendment 000003). However, the Government does not anticipate providing any Government property.

21. As this contract has elements of development work (see Phase 1 and C.6.3.3, and 6.4 in particular), inclusion of Alt. I to FAR 52.227-1 might be appropriate. Would the Government consider that?

Response: FAR 52.227-1 would not impact the advanced development activities of the anticipated contract.

22. In the Volume Proposal Tab table, what is meant by the "BioWatch Program Level Cross Reference Matrix" that is listed as part of Volume 1, Tab A?

Response: The Government requires offerors to submit a compliance matrix cross-referencing the RFP requirements to their proposal.

23. In the first sentence under Volume IV, Tab A, should this text be updated to state "Tab A" rather than "Tab B"?

Response: Yes. See Amendment No. 000003.

24. In Volume IV, Tab 1 (3), SmaII Business Subcontracting Plan, the RFP text states, "Tab B, the small business subcontracting plan shall be established as an attachment that is separate and detachable from Volume 1 ." Should this text be updated to state "Tab I" rather than "Tab B"?

Response: Section L.ll, page 60 the Small Business Participation/Small Business Subcontracting Plan is specified as Volume IVITab I. Section 12.4, page 68, Small Business Participation is specified as Volume IV, Tab I.

25. "Each proposal will be evaluated and receive factor ratings according to the Evaluation Rating System (Section M.4)." However, section M.4 only refers to "Technical Factor 1 ." Could the factor ratings for all evaluation criteria be provided?

Response: There are 4 evaluation factors numbered consequently in Section M.4 as follows:

Technical (Factor 1 with 3 subfactors); Management Approach (Factor 2); Past Performance (Factor 3); Business and CostPrice Evaluation (Factor 4). Section M.2, Basis for Award, specifies their order of importance.

26. There are conflicts between the "Duration 9work days)" column and the time listed between the "start month and "finish month". In addition, those durations to not match text support requirements stated in Attachment 5.3 Could these conflicts be clarified?

Response: The Table in Attachment 5.3 (Contractor Resource Requirements) has been revised. The table in Attachment 5.7 (Department of Homeland Security Schedule Objectives) has been revised. See Amendment No. 000003.

27. Can the standard operating procedures associated with the Contractor Logistics Support that are referenced in Paragraph 16 of Attachment J. 1 be provided?

Response: The standard operating procedures cannot be provided prior to the start of the Phase I activity.

28. Are contractors allowed to use GFE in the performance of the contract and the demonstration? If so, what procedure should be allowed to request GFE for the demonstration and during contract performance?

Response: The Government does not anticipate providing GFE in the performance of the contract.

29. Since the Government has already indicated it plans to include FAR 52.246-25, Limitation of Liability, services in any resultant contract and the contract appears to call for the delivery of end items (supplies) as well as services, would the Government be receptive to including FAR 52.246-23 Limitation of Liability and/or FAR 52.246-24 Limitation of Liability High Value Items in the RFP?

Response: No. Neither of those clauses are applicable to this requirement a t the contract level. It is possible that these clauses will be applicable at the task order level.

30. Given the inclusion of H. 12 SAFETY ACT in the RFP, which is the prerequisite to inclusion of 52.250-4 (Alt. 1 1), would the Government add FAR 52.254-4 (Alt. 11) to the RFP and FAR 52.250-5 to any resultant contract?

Response: No. FAR 52.254-4 (Alt. 11) and FAR 52.250-5 are not applicable to this requirement at the contract level. I t is possible that these clauses will be applicable at the task order level.

3 1. Has the condition for the applicability of this clause 52.222-39 (DEC 2004) (i.e., the publication by the Department of Labor of the required notice) been satisfied? (See Executive Order 13496.)

Response: Executive Order 13496, Section 2, Contract Clause, requires the inclusion of this clause in every government contract, except in contracts exempted pursuant to the Executive Order.

32. The language at section I. 12 of the solicitation does not match the language in FAR clause 52.227-23. The solicitation does not reference a FAR deviation. Why does the language of the solicitation not conform to the FAR and is this an approved deviation?

Response: Section 1.12 as stated on page 41 is not a clause deviation. The introductory statement to this clause was inadvertently omitted. See Amendment No. 000003.

33. Pre-Award Identification and Assertion of License Restrictions- Technical Data and Computer Software (c) (6) - Why is information on the cost of development being requested, given that the test in FAR 52.227-14 for a contractor to have the right to assert limited, restrictive, or government purpose rights is development at private expense and not the amount spent to accomplish the development?

Response: To assess the extent to which the Offeror's intellectual property rights are favorable to the Government, we need to know what the Offeror plans on privately funding and what they plan on funding with Government funds. By giving us the data on the development costs and who pays for what, the Government can determine, up front, what rights we will receive and evaluate those rights accordingly in making an award decision.

34. Pre-Award Identification and Assertion of License Restrictions- Technical Data and Computer Software (c) (4) (ii) - Where the contractor is asked to provide copies of all of its commercial licenses, noncommercial and commercial, does this apply to standard operating software such as Windows, Microsoft Office software, or just non-commercial software?

Response: General software licenses do not need to be provided; only those licenses that are for software specific to the proposed statement of work need be provided.

35. Are contractors allow to utilize GFI in the performance of the contract?

Response: The information in the offeror's library will be provided to the awardee or awardees. The Government does not anticipate providing any additional GFI in the performance of the anticipated contract.