HSHQDC-15-R-00041_Q A.pdf

HSHQDC-15-R-00041 Q&A

Q1. Reference solicitation Section L.5.2 (page 55): Are offerors expected to provide one resume for each labor category (i.e., 3 resumes total) or a resume for each full-time-equivalent (FTE) (i.e., 7 resumes total)?

A1. Provide at least one resume for each FTE. Offerors may also choose to perform one or more FTEs with multiple personnel. If so, provide a resume for each individual. See the solicitation amendment. Do not provide multiple resumes for a particular labor category intending for the government to select the individual it believes is the strongest (a menu of personnel from which to select). Each individual for whom a resume is provided will be expected to perform work.

Q2. Reference SOW Section VII Personnel (pages 15-18): For each given FTE in a labor category could several individuals be proposed to jointly fill that role? For example, under Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert where the RFP states that the level of effort should be four FTEs, if more than four individuals are proposed to jointly fill those four FTEs, would all of those proposed individuals be evaluated under Factor I for that labor category?

A2. Yes, multiple individuals may be proposed to split an FTE. See A1 and solicitation amendment.

Q3. Reference solicitation Section L.6.2 (page 58): If offerors include contract information for contracts that do not have past performance information available in government past performance databases, where should this information be provided in our proposal response? Is this information subject to a page limitation?

A3. This information is only necessary if offeror does not have any past performance information available in government past performance databases. If that is the case, provide this information in a volume separate from the technical and cost volumes. See solicitation amendment. There is no page limitation. Please be reasonable with length to answer the four questions asked.

Q4. Reference solicitation Section L.5.2 (page 55): May offerors use smaller than 12-point font in figures and tables?

A4. There is no restriction. Please be reasonable and make it readable.

Q5. Reference solicitation Section L.5.2 (page 55): May offerors use smaller than 12-point font in headers and footers?

A5. There is no restriction. Please be reasonable and make it readable.

Q6. Reference solicitation Sections L.5.4.5 and L.5.4.6 (page 58): Is it acceptable for offerors to provide subcontract information and the total compensation plan as separate appendices to the cost volume, in PDF format?

A6. Regardless of anything else the offeror submits, the completed Attachment J.2 Cost Submission Template must be submitted in its original Excel format. Explanatory pages about subcontracts may be submitted in PDF format. If the offeror proposes subcontracts that are cost-plus-fixed-fee type, the offeror must alter Attachment J.2 to include the same information for its subcontractor(s)’ costs that is already required for its own costs. The total compensation plan should be provided in PDF format. All of this information must be contained in the cost volume, whether as appendices or sections or otherwise.

Q7. Reference solicitation Section L.5.2(2) (page 56): Is the government looking for past performance/experience examples and not proposed solutions/approaches in the three narratives?

Are offerors expected to address the SOW tasks through our past performance/experience examples provided in these three narratives? Are offerors limited to one contract/project per narrative?

A7. The narratives are meant to demonstrate the offeror’s capabilities based on previous accomplishments. The narratives are not meant to convey what the offeror’s specific approach to performing the current work will be. The narratives must include demonstrated examples of performing each of the following: a) developing prototypes, b) conducting test and evaluation, and c) transitioning or commercializing the R&D. These three areas of work broadly summarize the SOW tasks. The offeror is not expected to address each of the SOW tasks more specifically in its narratives. Individual narratives can pertain to one contract/project or multiple.

Q8. Reference solicitation Section L.5.4.1 (page 57): Will the government confirm that it is not requesting documentation normally required in a cost-type proposal including salary bulletins, contingent offer letters, or survey information for direct labor?

A8. Salary bulletins, contingent offer letters, and survey information are not requested.

Q9. Reference solicitation Section L.5.4.3 (page 57): Will the government confirm that it is not requesting documentation normally required in a cost-type proposal including copies of forward rate agreements, negotiated indirect cost rate agreements, or provisional rates submissions to support indirect costs?

A9. Provide the relevant DCMA/DCAA letters recommending or agreeing to such rates. See solicitation amendment.

Q10. Reference solicitation Section L.5.4.4 (page 57): Will the government confirm that it is not requesting documentation normally required in a cost-type proposal including a written narrative justifying the proposed fee?

A10. A narrative justifying proposed fee is not requested.

Q11. Reference solicitation Section L.5.4.5 (page 58): Will the government allow subcontractors to submit their indirect cost information directly to the government, or in a sealed package to the prime offeror?

A11. Yes, this is acceptable if the prime offeror and its subcontractor(s) wish to do so. See solicitation amendment.

Q12. Reference SOW Section VII, Personnel (page 15): For the Cyber Security Research Program Manager labor category, will the government accept a J.D. in lieu of the master’s degree in STEM field or business? If a proposed individual has a master’s degree or higher, is he/she still required to meet the education requirements for the bachelor’s degree (i.e., degree in cyber security, computer science, IT, electrical engineering)?

A12. A J.D. is acceptable education for the Cyber Security Research Program Manager. The SOW has been amended. If an individual holds a master’s degree in cyber security, computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, the individual satisfies the labor category’s education regardless of the field of study of his or her bachelor’s degree.

Q13. Reference solicitation Section L.6.2 (page 58): If past performance information is available in a government database, may offerors still submit a description of the contract in our proposal in order to describe relevant/pertinent information that may not be listed in the database?

A13. No, the government intends to consider only the past performance information in the database. If necessary information is missing, the government will contact the rating agency, or potentially the offeror, to obtain clarification.