Vendor Questions Final RFP - Amendment 2.docx

Vendor Questions Final RFP

L.9.2 Tab D (d) (paragraph 1, page 103) states “The Offeror shall identify the indirect rates, for both the Offeror and the subcontractor(s), used in the proposal.” This is typically proprietary information. Is it acceptable that this information be contained within each subcontractor’s sealed bid?

The requirement in Section L, page 103, paragraph (d) states: “The Offeror shall identify the indirect rates, for both the Offeror and the subcontractor(s), used in the proposal.” Indirect rates are not normally provided by subcontractors to prime contractors, which means that sealed packages containing the indirect rate information will be provided directly to the Government by the subcontractor. Given the proposal submission is electronic, and given that the submitted files need to be win-zipped and password protected, does the Government have a preferred way of receiving these electronic files directly from subcontractors so that these submissions are readily associated with the Prime?

L.9.2 Volume II-Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal; Tab D; page 103; Missing Information/Typo; Question: Paragraph (d) is missing a period. Can you please confirm if this is a typo or if there is missing information? If there is missing information, will the government please provide it?

L.9.2 Volume II-Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal; Tab E; page 103;

Missing Information/Typo; Question: Paragraph (1) is missing a period. Can you please confirm if this is a typo or if there is missing information? If there is missing information, will the government please provide it?

Reference: RFP Section L.9.2, Tab D(b)(3)(d) – Financial Statements, Page(s) 103 Under this Section, there is a requirement to “…identify the indirect rates, for both the Offeror and the subcontractor(s), used in the proposal.” Could you please clarify whether or not the Government is asking for indirect rates for all proposed subcontractors and for that information to be included with the prime contractor’s response? Or is the government requesting the indirect rate(s), if any, that the prime contractor will be applying to subcontractors costs as a “pass-through” or “handling” cost/fee?

Given that most companies consider their indirect rates to be extremely confidential and proprietary in nature, if the Government is requesting indirect rates for all team members, would it be willing to accept this information directly from the team subcontractor(s) rather than having them incorporated into the prime’s response? And procedurally, how would a subcontractor handle the direct submission to the Government of their indirect rates)?

L.9.2 Tab D (a) (paragraph 5, page 102) requests “A description of the method that will be used by the Prime contractor and each subcontractor proposed to record and bill for hours under task orders.” This data is typically proprietary. Does the government want, within the proposal, a single explanation from the prime which incorporates all of the subcontractors methods, or does the government want each subcontractor’s individual methods submitted within their sealed bid?

L.9.2, Page 100, Volume II, TAB C- "Small Business Participation" states that this Factor (which includes 3 elements) is not applicable to Small Businesses.

It appears that Factors 1-5 have "adjectival ratings," which means that it is possible for a Large Business to earn an "extra" "Outstanding" rating in this Factor as opposed to a Small Business which could have the same Ratings for Factors 1-4 and an equivalent price, but which is not eligible for the extra "outstanding." Since this is not a partial Small Business Set-aside (nor are any awards "reserved" for Small Business), Small Businesses will be competing with Large Businesses "head to head." So, since Large Businesses will be evaluated on all 6 Factors (including Price) and Small Businesses will be evaluated on only 5 Factors (including Price), how will the evaluation take into consideration the disparity between the two?

L.9.2, Page 100, Volume II, TAB C- "Small Business Participation" states that this Factor is not applicable to Small Businesses. Is there any way for a Small Business which plans on subcontracting to other Small Businesses to provide that information or to get any credit for its subcontracting? (Previous solicitations have provided for "Small Business Participation Plans" which are completed by both Large and Small Businesses; and for "Small Business Subcontracting Plans" which are completed by Large Businesses only. The DHS SETA solicitation seems to be calling this Factor "Small Business Participation" but addressing only the FAR's "Small Business Subcontracting Plan" requirements.)

3. Reference: RFP Section L.9.2, Paragraph Tab C – Small Business Participation, Page 100.

Comment: The Government references attachment of the Subcontracting Plan in Tab C-1, however, it states that offeror is to submit the Subcontracting Plan as an attachment in Tab D. Please confirm which section of Volume II the Subcontracting Plan shall be provided in.

1. Reference: RFP Section L.9.2 Volume II – Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal, Tab C – Small Business Participation (1) Tab C-1: Subcontracting Plan, paragraph 2, page 100.

The Government states that “The subcontracting plan will be submitted as an attachment to Tab D.” Would the Government please clarify if the subcontracting plan should be submitted as an attachment to Tab C?

Tab C-2 Section M; DHS Mentor-Protégé Program; This solicitation contains a source selection subfactor regarding participation in the DHS Mentor-Protégé Program (See Section I.13). In order to receive credit under the source selection subfactor, the Offeror shall provide a signed mentor-protégé agreement from the DHS OSDBU or a justification addressing why the company lacks the agreement. Agreements approved by other agencies are not acceptable.

As informed by Ms. Faye Jones at the opportunity industry day, please confirm that that a completed and accepted submission of a Mentor/Protégé application to DHS OSDBU would be considered compliant.

4. Reference: RFP Section L.9.1, Tab C(1), Paragraph 2, page 99, states:

(1) Tab C-1: Subcontracting Plan. “The subcontracting plan shall be submitted as an attachment to Tab D.”

Question: Considering that all of the information with regard to small business subcontracting/participation is being provided under Tab C, is the subcontracting plan instead to be included as an attachment to Tab C vs. Tab D?

2. Attachment L-1, pricing template. Can DHS please provide an unlocked version of the template? We acknowledge that the completed and locked version must be submitted, but it would save offerors time and effort if we had the ability to cut and paste data from the pricing template into our own cost models.

Section B-Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, B.5 Contract Pricing ; B.5.1; page 9;

Government Site Vs. Contractor Site; Question: To ensure that we provide the most accurate labor category rates, can the government please provide the planned percentage of work at the government site vs. contractor site?

3. Section L, Tab D, general. Does DHS want the prime offeror to provide a cost build-up showing the derivation of its composite labor rates, including direct and indirect costs and fee? Similarly, does DHS want the prime offeror to provide a cost build-up showing the derivation of the proposed composite labor rates, including prime and subcontractor labor rates?

L.8.2 General Format Instructions Proposal organization table (Proposal Organization Table, pages 94-95), allows for multiple files to be submitted in PDF format. Exceptions include: Past Performance, Table of Contents and Exceptions, Deviations and Assumptions. Will the government consider allowing contractors to submit these files in PDF format?

1. Reference: RFP Section L.8.2 General Format Instructions, Proposal Organization Table, page 94.

The formats specified for the following sections do not include PDF. Is it possible for these sections to also include the option of PDF format?

· Volume I, Past Performance, Tab F

· Volume II, Table of Contents, Tab A

· Volume II, Exceptions, Deviations and Assumptions, Tab B

L.8.2, page 97-98; Microsoft Word 2003;

QUESTION: The format for the following sections is listed as Word 2003: Volume I, Tab F, Past Peformance; Volume II, Tab A, Table of Contents; Volume II, Tab B, Exceptions, Deviations, and Assumptions. Is PDF format also acceptable for these sections.

L.8.2 General Format Instructions; page 95; Proposal File Submission;

Question: Within the Volume I Proposal Organization Table, it states that Tab F can only be provided in MS Office Word 2003. Given that all other Tabs in Volume I can be provided in PDF, is PDF acceptable for Tab F as well?

Reference: RFP Proposal Organization Table, Volume 1, Technical/Management, Past Performance, Page 95 Chart states MS Office Word 2003. All other sections say “or PDF”.

Should this also read “MS Office Word 2003 or PDF”?

Reference: RFP Proposal Organization Table, Volume II, Cost Volume, Page 95 Table of Contents and Exceptions, Deviations and Assumptions states MS Office Word 2003. All other sections say “or PDF”.

Should this also read “MS Office Word 2003 or PDF”?

L.9.1, Page 98, Volume 1, TAB F- "Past Performance" is limited to 5 pages excluding the Past Performance Questionnaires. Is that applicable to all 5 difference examples of corporate experience from TAB E, or is each example limited to 5 pages for a total of no more than 25 pages?

RFP Sections L.8.2 General Instructions (Proposal Organization Table, page 95) and L.9.1 Tab F Past Performance (paragraph 1, page 98) indicates that the Past Performance section has a 5 page limit excluding Past Performance questionnaires. Please provide an explanation of what the government would like contained within this proposal section.

Section L.9.1, Volume I – Technical/Management Proposal, regarding Tab F –Past Performance The solicitation indicates that Tab F Past Performance is estimated to comprise five (5) pages excluding the Past Performance Questionnaires. Additionally, the instructions for Tab F Past Performance skip from sub-paragraph (a) to sub-paragraph (c). Was a sub-paragraph (b) intended? There is no other instruction on what the Government would like discussed in the 5 page Tab F, that is not discussed in Tab E Corporate Experience.. Please clarify.

5. Reference: RFP Section L.9.1, Paragraph Tab F(a), Past Performance, Page(s) 98-99.

Comment: Tab F Format and Instructions in L.9.1 and the Proposal Organization Table in L.8.2 state Past Performance is to be "5 pages, excluding Past Performance e Questionnaires". Was any guidance intended (e.g. in the missing Tab F subparagraph (b)) for this Tab F? Or, are these 5 pages to be used to address the evaluation factor under Section M.3.4 Factor 4: Past Performance?

6. Reference: RFP Section L.9.1, Tab F (a) Past Performance, Page 99

Comment: The L.9.1 Tab F (a) first sentence "A completed Past Performance Questionnaire submitted by each of the references cited in the corporate experience tab." is contradicted by "The completed Questionnaire shall not be submitted with the Offeror's proposal submission. The completed Questionnaire shall be submitted directly via email from the customer reference to the email box listed in Section L.4.3" which follows. Does the Government desire any form of the Past Performance Questionnaires to be included in Tab F of the proposal?

8. Reference: RFP Attachment L-2, Past Performance Evaluation Questionnaire, Section A, Part II: Past Performance Information.

Comment: Is there any limit intended or desired on the amount of information that may be included in Section A Part II of the Past Performance Questionnaire under "GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TYPE OF SERVICES/PRODUCTS REQUIRED UNDER THE CONTRACT: " or "DESCRIBE COMPLEXITY OF WORK: "?

3. Reference: RFP Section L.9.1, Tab F(a), Page 98, sentences state:

“The completed Questionnaire shall not be submitted with the Offeror’s proposal submission. The completed Questionnaire shall be submitted directly via email from the customer reference to the email box listed in Section L.4.3. by the due date established for receipt of offers.”

Question: Is any content required in Tab F? Since Questionnaires shall be submitted directly to the contact listed in Section L.4.3, is there additional information that is required or that will be evaluated as part of this section?

L.9.1 Volume I-Technical/Management Proposal, Tab F; page 98-99; Past Performance Instructions; Question: The instructions for Tab F-Past Performance include subset (a), (c ), and (d). Is subset (b) missing and if so, can the government please provide it?

Reference: RFP Section L.9.1, Tab E and Tab F, Page(s) 98 The instructions for Tab E (a) look like they describe the 5 formatted Past Performance pages the belong in Tab F. Is this the case? If so, is tab E then available for narrative?

Reference: SOW Section C, Statement of Work, Paragraph 3.2.7, Page 20 There is reference to managing funding and budget activities.

Question: Are there specific Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) or Firewall statements required for employees supporting this task, or is the contractor expected to use their proprietary OCI and/or Firewall document?

1. Reference: RFP Section L.8.2 General Format Instructions, Paragraph 1, Page 94.

Comment: Volume I (Technical/Management Proposal) will contain copies/images of our teaming agreements with subcontractors and hence its file size is expected to increase beyond 5 MB. Volume II (Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal) file size is also expected to be larger than 5 MB. Can we split the volumes into multiple files, each file not exceeding 5 MB requirements?

Comment: Can the subcontractor teaming agreements which constitute a larger part of the file size be excluded from the 5 MB restriction and be submitted as a separate second pdf document?

4. Section L.8.2 General Format Instructions. In this paragraph, the Government states that "The file sizes shall not exceed 5 MB." Can the Government please clarify if 5 MB is the file size limit for the entire proposal submission or if this is the size limit for each file submitted.

7. Reference: RFP Section L.9.2, Tab D Paragraph (b-1 and b-2), Page 102; RFP Attachment L-1 Pricing Template

Comment: Would the Government provide further clarification on the requirements for subcontractor fully burdened rates and how these are to be proposed and used in Attachment L-1 Pricing Template. In particular, if subcontractor rates are to be included in the Attachment L-1 Pricing Template, would the Government consider unlocking the file so that it can be adjusted to add Subcontractor’s rates?

5. Section B.5.1 (p. 10), G.3.3 (D)(1)(ii) (p.41), and L.9.2 Tab D (pp. 103-104). These sections all reference “FAR 52.216-29 (modified)” to be used as the basis for proposing hourly rates. This provision offers 3 choices in section (c); DHS has selected the first option which states “The offeror must establish fixed hourly rates using—(1) Separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor and for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, and for each category of labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control.”

However, the Solicitation seems clear that DHS desires one single pair of composite billing rates for each classification (on and off-site), not separate rates for each subcontractor or division. Accordingly, it would seem more appropriate to include 52.216-29(c)(2), which states:

“The offeror must establish fixed hourly rates using—(2) Blended rates for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, including labor transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control, and all subcontractors.”

Please explain DHS’ intent or otherwise clarify the meaning of this provision.

1. Reference: RFP Section L.9.2 Volume II – Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal, Tab D – Cost/Price Proposal, paragraphs (1) and (2), page 102.

The Government states: “In accordance with FAR 52.216-29 (modified), offerors proposing a subcontractor to provide some labor categories shall establish fixed hourly rates using separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor and for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror”.

To be consistent with the government’s Industry Day Presentation (page 20), which stated “We are expecting you to propose fully burdened blended ceiling labor rates for ALL labor categories in the RFP”, is it possible for the offeror to use FAR 52.216-29 (c)(2) instead of (c)(1) to establish fixed hourly rates?

FAR 52.216-29 (c)(2) states: “Blended rates for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, including labor transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control, and all subcontractors;”

1. Reference: RFP Section L.9.2 Volume II – Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal, Tab D – Cost/Price Proposal, paragraphs (1) and (2), page 102.

If the Government will still require separate rates for subcontractors, the pricing worksheet (Attachment L-1) allows for entry of only one rate per labor category. Will the Government please provide an updated pricing worksheet to enable inclusion of multiple rates for each labor category?

The requirement in Section L, page 102, (1) Attachment L-1 Pricing Templates, Labor Rates – GS Worksheet states: “… offerors proposing a subcontractor to provide some labor categories shall establish fixed hourly rates using separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor and for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, and for each category of labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control.” Please clarify the number of rates requested per labor category. It appears that the Government is requesting two (2) rates per labor category: Government-site and Contractor-site. Please confirm that the Government does not further require a separate rate for each subcontractor. It is our interpretation that just two (2) rates are being requested for each labor category, regardless of the number of subcontractors on an offeror’s team. In other words, only the Prime should complete Attachment L-1 Pricing Template.

6. Reference: RFP Section B.5 Contract Pricing, Page 9, Subsection B.5.1 Time and Materials, Labor Hour/Firm Fixed Price Pricing, Fourth paragraph, Sentences reading:

“In accordance with FAR 52.216-29, Time and Materials/Labor Hour Proposal Requirements, the prime contractor shall establish fixed hourly rates using separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor and for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, and for each category of labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control. The labor rates set forth in the table reflect fully-burdened rates for performance at a Government site and for performance at a Contractor site.”

In conjunction with Sixth paragraph of this same subsection, Page 10, sentences reading:

“IDIQ Program Management Support Costs. IDIQ Contract-level program management support costs include contract-level management, reporting requirements (See Section F, Deliveries or Performance) and related travel and meeting attendance costs associated with the Contractor’s program management staff. This relates to overall management of the RDT&E SETA Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. As a result, these program management support costs shall be included within each fully burdened labor category rate, and shall not be proposed as separate labor categories.”

Question: In reading the above RFP paragraphs together with FAR 52.216-29 (c )(2) and in the context of a Contractor Team where multiple team members could be simultaneously performing using the same labor categories, are we to interpret that the correct information to enter into RFP Pricing Template Attachment L-1 is to be an hourly blended rate (inclusive of prime, subcontractors, and IDIQ Program Management Support Costs) for each labor category? Are we also to assume then that these rates will therefore become the contract ceiling prices for each labor category, independent of which company on the Team (prime and/or subcontractors) will actually perform in Task Orders/TO proposals?

Please confirm that is the correct interpretation of the RFP pricing information requested in this RFP Section B.5.1.

If that is not a correct interpretation, please provide an example of a compliant RFP Pricing Template Attachment L-1, that accommodates all the above requirements, including a distribution of hours, for a Team consisting of the Prime contractor with a large number of subcontractors, or specify the Contractor Team is to develop their own format based on the number of companies involved.

L.9.2; Tab D; page 101; In the Industry Day Vendor Questions document released by S&T on 27 June 2012, question #5 asked “You mentioned you will require fixed, blended, fully burdened rates. Does that mean 2 rates for each labor category (i.e. on-site and off-site),” to which the government replied “yes.” However, the final RFP still asks for a fixed rate for each labor category for the prime and each subcontractor (as appropriate).

We respectfully request that the government revise the requirement of the final RFP to reflect two blended rate for the prime and its subcontractors for each labor category for on-site and off-site.

B.5.1, page 10; G.3.3, page 41; L.9.2, pages 103- 104; In accordance with FAR 52.216-29, Time and Materials/Labor Hour Proposal Requirements, the prime contractor shall establish fixed hourly rates using separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor and for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, and for each category of labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control. The labor rates set forth in the table reflect fully-burdened rates for performance at a Government site and for performance at a Contractor site.

QUESTION: Section B.5.1, G.3.3, and L.9.2 state that "the prime contractor shall establish fixed hourly rates using separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor and for each category of labor to be performed by the offeror, and for each category of labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control."

Further, Section L.9.2 also states “The offeror shall propose the fully burdened ceiling labor rates for ALL labor categories inclusive of all contract periods….” and the pricing template and evaluation model included with the RFP ("Pricing_Template_Attachment_L-1_(protected).xlsx") allow for the proposal of only one rate per category per year.

Is the offeror to submit one rate chart consisting of the ceiling labor rate per each labor category, and if so, does the “ceiling labor rate” represent the highest rate from its pool of subcontractor and prime rates for each category of labor (with the understanding that lower rates may be bid in subsequent Task Order proposals)?

Or is the offeror to submit separate (multiple) rate charts, one each for the offeror, each subcontractor and each labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control? If multiple rate charts are required, please provide revised pricing templates (to accommodate multiple rate charts) and instructions for how the offeror should allocate the Government’s evaluation hours per labor category across the multiple labor rates for each labor category.

Reference: RFP Section L.O.2, Tab D(b)(1)-(2) – Cost/Price Proposal, Page(s) 101-102:

The RFP states that “…the offeror must establish fixed hourly rates using separate rates for each category of labor to be performed by each subcontractor for each category of labor to be performed by each offeror, for each category of labor to be transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliate of the offeror under a common control.”

Please clarify – is the Government requesting for one labor rate per category (that will be used for all hours billed under that labor category under the resultant contract) or should the response instead include rates under each labor category for each team member (i.e., under Program Manager, $20/hour for Prime A, $25 for Sub B, $15 for Sub C, etc.)?

6. Section L.9.2 Tab E item (1) (p. 105). This section states: “The Prime Offeror shall include its two most recently audited annual financial statements.” It includes an exception only for small businesses. Privately-held companies of all sizes may not have audited financial statements since there is no legal requirement for this. Accordingly, will DHS accept reviewed financial statements for privately-held non-small businesses?

L.9.2 Volume II-Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal; Tab E; page 103;

Pricing/Financial Statements; Question: The RFP states that the "Prime Offeror shall provide evidence for both that the Prime offeror and subcontractor have an approved accounting system or explanation regarding the accounting system". Given the government has requested one set of team rates that will be administered by the prime, and the large percentage of involvement required by small business, is evidence necessary for subcontractors? This requirement may discourage some small businesses from participating.

Reference: RFP Sections L.9.2, Tab E – Financial Statements, Page(s) 103-104 Under this Section, there is a requirement for accounting system data not only from the Prime Contractor, but also from Subcontractors on an Offeror’s team. Please confirm that the only item required from team subcontractors under this section is limited to “evidence… (of) an approved accounting system or explanation regarding the accounting system.”, and that all other requirements are applicable only to the Prime Contractor submitting the proposal.

1. L.9.1, Page 97, Volume I, "Technical/Management Proposal," TAB D states that "Teaming is not required...If the Offeror is proposing subcontractors,... ." However, in section L.9.2, Page 100, Volume II, "Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal," TAB C states that "As part of an Offeror's Subcontracting Plan, a minimum of three (3) small businesses shall be named in the plan... ." If it is mandatory to include a minimum of 3 subcontractors, what is meant by the statement that "teaming is not required"?

L.9.1, Page 98, Volume 1, TAB E - "Corporate Experience" requires 5 different examples of corporate experience information. Is the limitation of 6 pages applicable to all 5 examples, or is each example limited to 6 pages for a total of no more than 30 pages?

1) RFP Section G.3.3(B) (paragraph 2, page 39) states “Contractors will be provided an adequate time to prepare and submit responses based on the estimated dollar value and complexity of the proposed TO.” Can you please provide industry with an estimation of the nominal amount of time contractors will be given to prepare TO responses for a simple task order and the nominal amount of time contractors will be given to prepare TO responses for a complex task order.

L.9.1 Tab B– Staffing and Recruiting (paragraph 1, page 96) states that resumes are included in the 11 pages allotted for the Staffing and Recruiting section. Are letters of commitment included in that page count as well, or can industry provide letters of commitment as an attachment to Tab B?

C.3.1.4 (paragraph 2, page 18) states "The contractor shall ensure the availability of technically qualified personnel for performance of tasks assigned under each delivery order in the following areas...etc."

Tab C (3) Tab C-3 Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program – Targets (paragraph 1, page 101) states "…with its offer, targets expressed as percentages of potential contract value for SDB participation." Previous Government answers to contractor submitted questions stated that they were to be expressed as percentages of subcontracted value; please deconflict and clarify.

L.9.1 Tab B– Staffing and Recruiting (paragraph 1, page 97) shows “…human factors; behavioral sciences;…” show as two separate areas. Previously this was listed as “human factors and behavioral sciences.” Please clarify if these items should be addressed as separate items or combined?

Section C contains numerous references to various technical areas; the references do not align exactly (see below examples from the RFP). Please clarify which technical areas contractors must maintain expertise in.

(See C.2 , C.3.1.4, C.3.2.1, C.3.2.2)

Please clarify whether contractor developed and submitted Compliance Matrices will be included in page counts.

2. Reference: RFP Section L.8.2, Proposal Organization Table, Page 95; RFP Section L.9.2, Volume II – Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal, Page 99.

Comment: Please confirm if the title of Volume II should be classified as, “Volume II – Cost Volume” or “Volume II – Contract, Small Business Participation, Cost/Price Proposal”.

4. Reference: RFP Section L.9.1, Paragraph Tab D – Subcontractor Teaming Agreements, Page 97

Comment: RFP requires that teaming agreements and/or letters of commitment state that they are valid and in effect for a period of not less than five (5) years from the submission of the offer. Per RFP requirements, the Offeror’s proposal validity period is through January 31, 2013. If the award is made to the Offeror and teaming member is issued a result subcontract agreement, would this suffice as satisfying the five year requirement?

7. Section K.1 includes clause 52.204-8, which permits ORCA reps and certs to be completed through ORCA. However, ORCA is no longer functional and the replacement system SAM is not yet online. Please clarify how offerors should comply with this provision.

8. Section C.3.1.4 of the RFP (page 17; Specialized Technical Program Support) articulates the requirements that “the Contractor must ensure availability of technically qualified personnel required for performance of tasks assigned under each delivery order in the following areas: biological, chemical, explosive detection and countermeasures, radiation/nuclear; borders and maritime security; critical infrastructure protection; emergency response; standards development and testing; threat vulnerability testing and assessment, public health support; planning and exercise development, etc.” However, the deletion of several important labor categories (e.g., Lead Homeland Security Expert, Senior Homeland Security Specialist, Senior Emergency Response Liaison, among others) manifested within the final RFP deletes most of the labor categories that are directly responsive to these skills areas and thereby reduces the benefits to the Government by significantly limiting the provision of requisite subject matter experts essential in meeting the requirements embodied in section C.3.1.4. Will the Government consider restoration of these labor categories or allow the addition of supplemental labor categories to support the operational, functional and tactical skill sets inherent in the functional requirements cited from the RFP?

1. Reference: RFP Labor Category Descriptions Attachment, #6 Junior Project Manager and #20 Junior Operations/Research Analyst.

The Education and General Experience required for these labor categories as listed seem to be inadequate for the Specialized Experience and Duties to be performed. Will the government consider increasing the Education Requirements to a B.S. or B.A. degree and the General Experience to at least 3 to 4 years?

1. Reference: RFP Section K.1 Annual Representations and Certifications, paragraph (a)(2), page 86.

The Government states the small business size standard is $7 million. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611, specifies the new size standard is $14M. Will the RFP be updated to reflect this new standard?

1. Reference: Attachment: Labor Category Descriptions.

Will the government consider inclusion of equivalency language for the labor categories to enable consideration of a broader pool of highly qualified and skilled staff to provide ‘best value’ support to the full breadth of the Government’s requirements. For example:

1. Reference: L.8.2 General Format Instructions, Proposal Organization Table, page 94

Comment: Please confirm that the list of acronyms is considered a part of the table of contents and therefore excluded from page limitations.

Large business is required to comply with small business participation requirements.