Amendment_000005.pdf

(x)

HSHQE3-15-R-00001

x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

Philadelphia PA 19106 Attn: Beth Arnold-Messick

OPO/FPS/EAST CCG/R3

701 Market Street, Suite 3200 Ofc of Procurement Operations - FPS U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security NPPD/FPS/East CCG/Region 3

Philadelphia PA 19106 701 Market Street, Suite 3200

OPO/FPS/EAST CCG/R3

Office of Procurement Operations Federal Protective Service U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security NPPD/FPS/East CCG/Region 3

03/17/2015000005

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

02/05/2015

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Administrative Support Services for Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD and Woodlawn, MD

1. Subject amendment to HSHQE3-15-R-00001 for clarification, to incorporate revised attachments and to incorporate vendor questions and answers.

2. THE DATE AND TIME FOR THE RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS IS NOT EXTENDED. IT REMAINS 3/31/2015 AT

14:00 ED (EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME).

COR: Stacey Carter, 215-521-2142

CS: Beth Arnold-Messick, 215-521-2277

CO: Todd Wanner, 215-521-2251

DO/DPAS Rating: NONE

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Todd M. Wanner

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

HSHQE3-15-R-00001

AMENDMENT 000005

SECTION I: CLARIFICATIONS

1. Attachment I- Statement of Work (SOW) is hereby replaced by a revised SOW. Changes are in bold type and double underlined. The main change to the SOW is the change from category

Clerk II to Secretary II.

2. Attachment II, Wage Determination (WD) 2005-2247, REV 15, is hereby replaced by WD 2005-

2247 REV 16.

3. Attachment III, WD 2005-2449 REV 14 is hereby replaced with WD 2005-2449 REV 15.

4. Attachments IV and V, Past Project Form and Past Performance Questionnaire are provided in

Word format.

5. Attachment VI, Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet is hereby replaced by a revised version. Note that although modification of the worksheet should not be necessary, it is not locked; therefore cells may be altered as long as a narrative explanation is provided regarding any revisions to the embedded formulas.

6. Vendors shall submit the RFP to the attention of Beth Arnold-Messick to the following location:

DHS/NPPD/FPS

Mellon Independence Center

701 Market Street, Suite 3002

Philadelphia, PA 19106

7. Limitations on proposal size:

a. Number of pages: not to exceed 5 excluding Past Performance Questionnaires, Past

Project Forms and Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet.

b. Font size: 11 points or larger.

c. Line spacing: 1 ½ or double-spaced.

8. Contractors shall not interview, recruit, schedule interviews or conduct discussions with current contract employees while they are on duty.

9. For purposes of pricing vacation times, the following dates represent the start dates of the incumbent workers:

Part Time Equivalent: 1/25/2005

Full Time Equivalents: 3/26/2006, 8/1/2008, 7/1/2009, 7/22/2013, 12/2/2013

10. All references to labor hours are hereby deleted.

11. Requirements for submitting a proposal:

A. Technical Proposal-

1. Submit up to three (3) Past Performance forms. If you are proposing a teaming arrangement, submit up to an additional three (3) for your teaming partner and include a narrative describing the work done by each partner and the percentage of the work done by each.

2. Have completed Past Performance Questionnaires for the three (3) project referenced above sent from customers to beth.arnold-messick@hq.dhs.gov.

B. Price Proposal-

1. Submit a signed, dated copy of the first page of the SF1449 with the following information:

company name, address, phone number, and point of contact with phone number and email address.

2. Submit Attachment VI- Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet- fill out each page except the summary which will calculate the total price.

3. Submit Attachment VIII- Revised Schedule of Services- Insert monthly prices, yearly prices and the grand total price.

4. Submit signed, dated copies of all Amendments.

C. CD in searchable format.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

mailto:beth.arnold-messick@hq.dhs.gov

SECTION II: Vendor Questions and Answers

Questions Answers

1. Can the government clarify the size standard $7.5M? Are the annual receipts based on time of submission of the proposal, or based on time of award?

It is based on the time of submission.

2. The additional 600 optional hours at the beginning of each option year are not tied to a specific geographic location. There are however 3 separate CLINs of 200 hours each and 3 geographic locations requiring support on this contract. Are we to assume that each of these CLINs corresponds to one of the geographic locations? Based on the Department of Labor Wage Determinations, the minimum rate for these positions changes with the geographic locations, thus the need for clarity.

The Options have changed. See revised Statement of Work (SOW).

Optional hours CLINS are not tied to any specific location as FPS cannot determine at this time where additional hours might be needed. However, they will be either in Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD or Woodlawn MD at the same locations as the other personnel.

The vendor is responsible for compliance with Government requirements.

3. There seems to be a discrepancy between the Optional Hours for each option period as defined within the Statement of Work and SF1449 (600 hours total, 200 per CLIN) and the Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet – Attachment VI (5,760 hours). Please clarify the total amount of optional hours and to what geographic location they will be executed

See revised Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet, Also note that on each page of the spreadsheet (except the summary) it states: Although modification of the worksheet should not be necessary, it is not locked, therefore cells may be altered as long as a narrative explanation is provided regarding any revisions to the embedded formulas.

4. A. Please clarify that the only requirement in the Technical Proposal is for Past Performance, and that this Past Performance must be submitted within Attachment IV. Please clarify the Government is not requiring at this time a management approach, technical approach to tasks, QC, Recruitment, or any other write-up describing the proposing contractor’s management and operational approaches. This assumption is in accordance with the requirements defined in the statement of work. However, within the Provisions Document – Attachment VII under clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items, there are additional requirements to include a “technical description of the items being offered.”

No management approach, technical approach to tasks, QC plan or resumes are required. See revised SOW section 14.1.

SECTION II: Vendor Questions and Answers

5. Are completed Representations and Certifications required if the

Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM)?

As stated in Clause 52.213-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items DEC 2014, “The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website accessed through http://www.acquisition.gov.” Only if the offeror has not completed the annual reps and certs does it have to complete sections (c) through (p).

6. A. Please confirm the address to send proposals is the one found on the front of the SF 1449:

Federal Protective Services, Office of Procurement Operations, 701 Market Street, Suite 3200, Philadelphia PA 19106. Should proposals be sent Attn: Beth Arnold-Messick?

B. Please confirm proposals can be mailed and do not require hand delivery.

A. See subject amendment for location and person to whom to send proposals.

B. Proposals are not required to be hand delivered.

7. Given that the proposal must be printed and mailed, and that questions will be answered through 12 February, please indicate whether the Government intends on providing an extension to the proposal due date. Please note that in order to meet a deadline of proposal delivery by the 16 th through the mail, production of the proposal will need to occur on the 12 th . If an amendment is posted that day, the current due date will be exceedingly difficult and costly to comply with.

The current closing date is 3/31/2015.

8. Should the SF1449 be included in the Price Proposal? The first page of the SF1449 shall be returned with your proposal.

Then, please enter fixed monthly prices on Attachment VII- Revised Schedule of Prices. See Amendment 000005, item 11B.

9. After reviewing the Solicitation HSHQE3-15-R-00001- Administrative Services for DHS/NPPD/FPS Region 3, this vendor is unable to identify a Section L & M of the Solicitation. Is the Government able to review the FBO solicitation that has been

There is no Section L & M. All information necessary to complete the RFP is contained in the SF-1449, Statement of Work, Clauses, and Attachments. See FAR Clause 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (October 2014) in Attachment VII Provisions.

http://www.acquisition.gov/ made available and confirm where potential bidders can find Section L & M for Solicitation HSHQE3-15-R-00001?

10. Is my assumption correct that the Technical Proposal only constitutes the following;

A Past Project Form (Attachment IV) for each reference contract submitted.

A Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment V for each reference contract unless a CPARS for the most recently completed performance period is resident in PPIRS for the reference contract. If a recent CPARS has been completed, so indicate in your proposal.

A narrative describing the teaming arrangement or the actual Teaming Agreement (if one exists), if a teaming arrangement is being proposed. (See Notes #1 and 2 below).

Yes. See revised SOW section 14.1.

11. Should/can we submit an Executive Summary and a Corporate Overview? If so, is there a page limit?

Neither an Executive Summary nor a Corporate Overview is required.

12. To clarify, please state whether this effort requires the prime to already have any certain facility security clearance level and also if this effort does require the prime to have say a secret facility security level, could a prime submit that will have a interim facility security certificate by the date of award? There was some reference to sensitive information and a security officer within one of the attachments but we did not see any reference to a company having to have any certain facility security certificate to bid this.

Clearances are not needed for this requirement. See SOW section 12.0.

13. Can you disclose whether the incumbent’s contract contains the identical requirements of number of personnel (5 FTE and 1 PTE) and number of clerical hours (10,500)?

Each Solicitation stands alone .The requested information is not necessary and as such is not needed or prerequisite for submission of Technical and Pricing Proposals.

14. SF 1449: last line: "including optional additional hours"? Is this Yes. See revised Statement of Work and Attachment VIII- Revised correct? If so should we include pricing for max possible additional hours?

Schedule of Services.

15. Was the current contractor / contract awarded to perform under the same scope of this contract? 5.6 FTEs?

Each Solicitation stands alone .The requested information is not

16. Is there any known reason the incumbent cannot quote on this project? or may not quote on the project?

Each Solicitation stands alone .The requested information is not

17. Are all positions currently filled to client’s satisfaction? Have there been any Contract Deficiency Reports (CDRs)?

18. Is there any known reason current staff would not stay in place for this new contract?

See Clause 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualifies Workers(MAY 2014) which is incorporated by reference on page 14 of the Clauses.

19. Will the government provide all office space, equipment, supplies and system access necessary to perform work IAW SOW?

Yes, see revised SOW section 8.1.

20. Do you have instructions regarding the structural formatting of the technical proposal?

See subject Amendment.

21. Do you have a preferred outline or content requirements for the technical proposal?

No, but see subject Amendment for limitations.

22. Is this the same scope of work as previously used in funding of this contract?

See response to question 13.

23 Is there an incumbent company? Is this a re-compete? Solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW Section 2.4.

24 Will offerors have an opportunity to interview incumbent employees?

Contractors shall not interview, recruit, schedule interviews or conduct discussions with current contract employees while they are on duty.

25. According to 14.1 Relevant Past Performance: Reference

Contracts: “The Contractor shall submit up to a maximum of three

(3) contracts for evaluation.” I would like to just be clear that there is not a minimum number of relevant contracts needed for evaluation?

The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 14.1.

Relevant Past Performance.

26. Please let me know if resumes are required with proposal submissions for Solicitation HSHQE3-15-R-00001.

See response to question 4.

27. Is there an incumbent and what is the Contract number? The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 2.4.

28. If there is an incumbent are there contractors currently working those positions?

The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 2.4.

29. Does the Technical aspect of the proposal only include the Past Performance info per pages 13-14 of the SOW?

The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 14.1.

30. Are there any Proposal Preparation instructions for volumes to be submitted or does the government only want contractors to fill out the required forms and submit those?

See revised SOW section 14.1.

31. Can we upload the files into FBO or is the hardcopy submittal the only acceptable method?

Neither files uploaded into FBO nor emailed copies are acceptable.

Hard copies and a Compact Disc (CD) are required. See revised SOW section 14.0. Proposal Submittal.

32. The SOW specifies that the Incumbent Contractor is Longview- Fedconsulting, JV, LLC. and states that the total value of the contract at award was $359,643.20. How many hours did the $359,643.20 support.

The total value of the contract at award is corrected to $919,435.08 to include the base and option periods. Each procurement stands on its own and the number of hours under the incumbent contract is not necessary for proposal submission.

33. Are there presently five (5) Full-Time Equivalent personnel assigned to the locations that require support (Philadelphia, PA.;

Baltimore, MD.; Woodlawn, MD.)?

of Technical and Pricing Proposals

34. Will you provide the following documents in a Word format: SF 1449; Past Performance Form, Attachment IV; Past Performance Questionnaire, Attachment V, and Administrative Services

SF1449?

The SF1449 is computer generated and cannot be provided as a Word Document. The other documents are provided in a Word format attached to subject Amendment.

35. Optional Period Additional Labor for General Clerk II –What is the place of performance for the additional labor?

See response to question 2.

36 Is the Incumbent qualified to bid on the follow on contract?

Yes.

37. Is $359,643.20 the award value for one (1) year or multiple years?

38. How many FTEs and PTEs were used to fulfill the awarded

39. Section 3.4 Option Periods – States “three contract line items (CLIN) have been added at 200 hours for each period of performance after the base year”. However, on Copy 8.

Breakdown Spreadsheet – Attachment VI the additional hours can be added to spreadsheets labeled Rate Breakdown Option III and Rate Breakdown Option IV only. This accounts for 400 additional labor hours. On which Rate Breakdown Option spreadsheet does the Offeror allocate the additional 200 labor hours?

The options have been revised. A revised Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet is attached to subject Amendment.

40. Is it permissible for the Offeror to modify the Rate Breakdown Spreadsheet to add an “Overtime Premium (if applicable)” column.

It is not anticipated that the administrative personnel will work overtime. See revised SOW section 11.4. However, it is each vendor’s prerogative should they choose to price overtime amounts into their fully burdened pricing.

41. Section 6.0 and Subsections 6.1 thru 6.3 – Are current employees available for hire by a new contractor as required in FAR 52.222.17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers?

See response to question 18.

42 A. Section 9.3 Fixed Indirect Burden Rate – Can the Offeror provide the associated table in a 2010 Compatible Excel Spreadsheet?

B. Does the Government want to see the actual percentage of G&A or Overhead or both specified in the Table?

A. Vendor may use an Excel spreadsheet to provide this information and indicate on the chart in the SOW, Section 9.3, that an attached spreadsheet contains the information.

B. Enter the indirect rate that is going to be applied to travel. See SOW section 9.3 Fixed Indirect Burden Rate.

43 Section 12.2 Background Investigations Last sentence page 9 – Will the awardee have enough time to comply with “no less than 35 days before the starting date of the contract or 35 days prior to the expected entry on duty of any employees, whether a replacement, addition, subcontractor employee, or vendor”?

This is a typo and has been revised to read 45 days. See SOW section 12.2 Background Investigations. In response to the question, the vendor is responsible for compliance with government requirements.

44. Reference Contracts – Is it acceptable to indicate the contract Name and Contract Number on line 4 of the Past Project Form in lieu of supplying copies of contract(s)?

Do not send copies of contracts. Use the Past Project Form to provide information for each contract you are using for Past Performance.

45. Federal Holidays Page 15 – Is the Offeror required to account for Inauguration Day as an additional Federal Holiday in the 6 Month Extension?

Inauguration Day is not a holiday for Federal workers in Philadelphia and Maryland. Contractor personnel will be required to work.

46. Is the incumbent eligible to reapply? Yes.

47. What is required in the technical proposal and is there a specific page limitation?

See response to question 4 and subject Amendment.

48. SF 1449 indicates 19 Feb 15 as a due date. Is that accurate?

49. The solicitation indicates that 3 copies of both the technical proposal and the price proposal are due along with a CD containing both…..who is the POC receiving the information and what will be the physical address?

See subject Amendment.

50 Upon reviewing RFP HSHQE3-15-R-00001 we noticed that the designated labor categories are specified as General Clerk II. Based upon the Statement of Work and the current amount of time that the individuals spend conducting analysis, the current PACTS labor categories are Exempt Technical Analyst. Could the Government please review that the General Clerk II labor category is appropriate?

It has been determined that the labor category more closely fits with the description of Secretary II. See revised SOW.

51. Will this be a multiple award IDIQ?

No.

52. Attachment 1 Para 5 states that the vendor must submit a fixed monthly price for services yet Section 13 paragraph 13.1. (a) states that the government will pay for the number of labor hours actually worked. Can the government clarify whether this contract is FFP or

FFP/LOE?

The options have been revised. Language regarding labor hours has been removed. Contract will be an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type with fixed monthly rates. See revised SOW section 3.0.

53. In order to accurately calculate PTO cost, can the government provide the length of service for all incumbent personnel?

54. In there an incumbent currently performing work?

The solicitation is clear on its face.

55. Will incumbent staff have first right of refusal for positions on new

Yes. See Clause 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014)

56 There are no section L or M.

See response to question 9.

57 Can you clarify if a technical response is required and if so, what are the instructions to offer as far as the volume format/content.

See response to question 4.

58 The RFP states teaming agreements are required in the Technical/Past Performance Volume and that teaming agreements will not count against the size limits or page count; however, no

No, the page limit is for additional information that the vendor may wish to add. See subject Amendment.

required page count is provided in the RFP Attachment 1 instructions, nor is a page limit/requirement provided in the Government’s Past Project Form. Is a page limit required for the Technical/Past Performance volume?

59 Does the current value of contract #HSHQE3-12-J-00018 amount of $359,643.10 include the additional hours?

60 Is the Past Performance information all that is required within the technical proposal?

See response to question 4.

61 Was there an increase or decrease in the number of Full Time Equivalents and Part Time Equivalents from the current contract to this one?

Each Solicitation stands alone .The requested information is not

62 Statement of Work, Page 16, Paragraph B. states: To ensure the submission of an adequate price element breakdown for purposes of this RFP… complete the attached worksheet, “Fixed Price Breakdown” (Attachment VII)…

This is a typo. The spreadsheet is Attachment VI.

63 Statement of Work, Page 2, Paragraph 3.4 states: During the option periods of this contract the amount of administrative/clerical work may require additional hours of administrative/clerical support services. In order to account for this possibility, three contract line items (CLIN) have been added at 200 hours each for each period of performance after the base year. Would these additional hours be considered overtime hours?

The options and SOW have been revised.

64 SF1449, Under Schedule of Supplies/Services, Paragraph 5 states: At the beginning of any option period, additional hours may be ordered up to 600 hours as the need for clerical services increases. (See CLINS 1003, 1004, 1005, 2003, 2004, 2005, etc.). In attachment VI Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet under Option Period I-IV NTE Hours 5,760 has been input already and under 6

The options and SOW have been revised.

Month Extension NTE Hours 2,880 has been input already. Shouldn’t that be 600 hours under each?

65. Regarding the Fixed Indirect Burden Rate. It is not our practice to apply Indirect Burden Rates to Other Direct Costs, such as travel. Travel costs have always been a straight pass through and we have always only invoiced the government for just the travel cost. Is it acceptable to use 0%?

Yes.

66. Will the Government provide the original start dates for the current employees without releasing any of their contact or personal information?

67 Rate Breakdown Period – 6 Month Extension – The heading title is named BASE PERIOD - ADDITIONAL LABOR - FIXED LABOR

HOUR RATES FOR SECRETARY I AND GENERAL CLERK III,

however, the Table list General Clerk II. All pricing is based on the SCA General Clerk II category. Is this correct?

See response to question 50.

68 Summary of Prices Additional Labor Spreadsheet -- the Offeror is to insert the total of the additional labor obtained from Rate Breakdown Option I through Rate Breakdown 6 Month Extension. Is this correct?

The summary page draws from the other pages and no entries should have to be made to the summary page. However, if changes are necessary, none of the formulas in the spreadsheet are locked and cells may be altered as long as a narrative explanation is provided.

69. What address are we to submit our proposal in response to the Solicitation referenced in the above subject line? Also, it is due by 2PM February 19 th , 2015. Is that 2:00PM EST?

The closing date has been extended to 3/31/2015. Yes, 1400 is

2:00 PM.

70. For this RFP, is the government going to impose restrictions on a vendor teaming with multiple companies all of whom have intensions on submitting separate proposals?

See SOW section 14.1 Relevant Past Performance.

71. The part-time equivalent (PTE) is specified with working hours from 0630 to 1830 M-F for approximately 5 hours per day. What are the

Normal Government hours are 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. See SOW section 11.0.

normal hours required for this employee or expected reporting time ranges (e.g. 0700-Noon, 1300-18--, etc.)?

72. As this is designated as an IDIQ type contract, is it the government’s intent that other DHS-based requirements (similar in nature) can be ordered against this contract, or is the sole customer intended to be NPPD/FPS Region 3 requirements?

No, this requirement is only for the three locations identified in the

SOW.

73. The SOW indicates that proposed employees may serve as Payroll POC, however the qualifications as stated do not require any accounting or financial background. Request the government identify and clarify expected requirements for the Payroll POC role expected for proposed staff.

There will be web-based on-the-job training for the FPS payroll system. No accounting degree or experience is required. See SOW section 5.4.

74. The SOW states the incumbent (i.e. Longview) will prepare requests for services. Is this a role that the incumbent contractor will continue to maintain via separate contractual roles?

This is a typo and has been corrected to remove the word “incumbent” and replace it with “awardee.”

75. As part of the monthly deliverable (i.e. monthly report), item 7.1.5 of the SOW indicates key personnel changes. Which positions in this solicitation are designated as key roles?

All of the contract personnel working on site at a Government location are considered key personnel. See revised SOW section 3.2.

76. The PTE supporting the 7500 Security Blvd. location in Woodlawn is shown to support 5 hours per day between 0630 -1830 M-F;

what are the specific time frames expected for support during those days?

See response to question 71.

77. What is the proscribed method for sign in/ sign out for this contract.

The SOW has been revised to remove reference to a sign in/sign out sheet. There will be no sign in/sign out sheet.

78. Please provide the address/POC for shipment of proposal materials, as well as any site-unique requirements for confirmation of receipt.

See subject Amendment. There are no requirements for confirmation of receipt.

79. For the CD part of the proposal package, are there specific requirements on the CD type (i.e. CD-R, CD-RW, etc.)?

The only requirement is that it be in a format that is searchable. See SOW section 14.0. Proposal Submittal.

80. What is the page limitations/format for each specified volume of the proposal?

See subject Amendment item #7.

81. Contractor employees performing services under this order will be controlled directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Will contractor's management be allowed unrestricted on-site access in order to perform this requirement?

Will contractor's management be the one to give the day to day instructions on the work that needs to be accomplished? SOW

11.7 says that the contractor does the day-to-day supervision and direct control over the work. Does that mean that the government/other office workers cannot task that individual?

Contractor employees will be supervised remotely by the contractor’s management personnel and the day to day work assignments will be assigned by the onsite Government Managers or COR. See revised SOW section 11.7.

82. Business casual dress has a wide range of interpretation to each individual. Is there a more specific definition, such as no flip-flops, no jeans, no shorts, no sweatshirts...?

It is the responsibility of the contractor to determine and enforce the dress code. See SOW section 6.5.

83. Who are the key personnel on this contract?

See revised SOW section 3.2.

84. The core hours given for the Part time is huge. Is there a smaller window that the contractor's employee will be expected to cover? For example, if employee arrived at 6:30, said employee would be leaving at 11:30

See response to question 71.

85. A minimum of ten paid 10 Federal Holidays a year shall be paid to contractor’s staff under this contract. Does this apply to the part time worker as well?

See applicable Department of Labor Wage Determinations which are Attachments II and III to the RFP. It is the vendor’s responsibility to submit technical and pricing propoals in compliance with the terms of the solicitation.

86. SOW pg 20, para 17.0 A. Payment is due on the 30th calendar No, this sentence means that the contractor will be paid 30 days day... Does this mean the government will be paying? It doesn't make sense to be based on how this paragraph is phrased, as it alludes to the contractor paying the government with the statement 'payment is due...' from when a correct invoice is submitted.

87. Is the incumbent, Longview-Fed Consulting JV, LLC eligible to bid on this re-compete?

88 When was the current contract awarded, and what is the length of service for each incumbent employee supporting the contract?

The incumbent contract was awarded on 7/25/2012. See subject Amendment for anniversary dates for employees.

89 Please confirm the duty location for the part-time position. The Statement of Work states the work location is Woodlawn, MD but the Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet shows the duty location as Baltimore, MD.

The duty location for the part time employee is Woodlawn, MD. See revised SOW section 11.0 Locations and Hours.

90 Can you please share insight/rationale as to why this requirement is not being awarded under an existing PACTS or similar contract?

91 The type of posting read Solicitation but there was no response date. The SF1449 solicitation has a response date of 2/19/2015 by 1400. Can you confirm that is the current response date?

92 We respectfully request the contact information of the incumbent contract staff. If the Government is not able to provide the contact information, we request the contract anniversary dates of the staff to determine SCA related fringe benefits.

93. Since the Government is requiring a Technical Proposal but will first consider offerors with the most competitive prices and then those with the highest possible technical rating will the Government provide instructions for the Technical Proposal as well as provide the Government's evaluation methodology for the Technical

The Government will evaluate the proposals in strict accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in section 14.2 Price Proposal of the SOW and will use an evaluation methodology that is consistent with those criteria. While there is a requirement to disclose all evaluation factors, there is no requirement for an agency to disclose

Proposal?

its specific scoring or evaluation rating methodology provided it is consistent with the evaluation criteria. See DN American, Inc., B- 292557, Sept. 25, 2003, 2003 CPD.

94 Will the Government accept price proposals; Contract Performance Assessment Reports or past performance questionnaires; and past project forms in lieu of the Technical Proposal?

The Technical Proposal consists of Past Project Forms submitted by the vendor, Past Performance Questionnaires submitted by the vendor’s previous customers and any other information not to exceed 5 pages that the vendor wishes to supply. The Price Proposal is separate. See SOW section 14.0. Proposal Submittal.

95 Is there going to be a set of Instructions to Offerors published?

96 Is there a page count limitation for the technical proposal, pricing volume and Past Performances? Is there a standard page format (margins/fonts) for the proposal format?

97 In regards to Section 12.2 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS.

“For planning and hiring purposes, what level of security clearance and / or background investigation does DHS expect for these positions? It would be helpful to have a benchmark or reference point screening and selection.” Can you elaborate?

No security clearances are required. Only a background check is required. See SOW section 12.0. Security.

98 Is the current incumbent eligible to recompete for this work?

99. What is the evaluation criteria priorities – Past Performance or Price?

The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 14.4.

100. On Paragraph 4 on Page 15 of the PWS directs you to see Attachment VII to compute Unit Prices and Monthly Fixed Rates, but did you mean Attachment VI?

Yes, see revised SOW section 4.0.

101. Will equivalent Federal Service employment suffice for meeting the It is the vendor’s responsibility to submit technical and pricing

DHS federal experience?

proposals in compliance with the terms of the solicitation.

102. Are there incumbent employees? Does the government intend for the incumbent employees to transition over to the successor?

See response to question 18.

103. What are the anniversary dates of incumbent employees?

104 Is the government requiring a separate technical response beyond past performance? Is there a page limitation?

See section 14.0 Proposal Submittal of the SOW for technical requirements and subject Amendment for page limits.

105 The 1449 and FBO description say they may order up to an additional 600 hours per option period, but the pricing sheet shows 5,760 additional hours for full option years. Should this number be 600 for full years and 300 for the final 6 month option, or is it correct as stated?

The SF1449, the SOW and the Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet have been revised.

106 Does the government anticipate the additional hours will be overtime hours to address surge where needed, are these hours intended for the part time FTE, or does the government anticipate the need for additional concurrent capacity (i.e. temporary support of one or more additional personnel for surge work)?

No, the solicitation is clear on its face. See revised SOW section 11.4.

107 Exec Order 134905, later incorporated into SCA and the FAR, requires right of first refusal job offerings to incumbents. SCA mandates benefits begin at start date with the project, not start date with the company. Therefore, long-term incumbents must receive more PTO than short-term incumbents. To meet the pricing requirements, will the government provide the number of years each incumbent has been with the project?

108 The Solicitation HSHQE3-15-R-0001 was released as a Request for Proposal (RFP). Since this is an RFP and not an RFQ does the government require any technical capabilities (e.g. Management Plan/QA Plan)? Please confirm that only Pricing/ Past

Performance Forms (Attachment IV) and Past Performance Questionnaires (Attachment V- to be sent directly from Government Customer) are due to Ms. Arnold-Messick by 2/19/2015 at 1400?

109 According to section 14.0-Notes for Relevant Past Performance #2 (Pg. 14) of the Statement of Work (Attachment I); “This narrative and/or Teaming Agreement will not count against the stated page size limitation.” Is there a page limitation for the “technical section” and the “pricing section”?

110 Would the Government consider the option of submission of the proposal electronically, via email transmission with receipt?

No, both hard copies and a CD are required. See SOW section

14.0. Proposal Submittal.

111 According to Section 14.0 of the statement of work (Attachment I), the contractor should submit 3 hard copies of the Technical Proposal and 3 hard copies of the Pricing Proposal as well as a Compact Disk. If the requirement is to send hard copies, to what physical mailing address should this be sent? To Ms. Arnold- Messick’s attention referencing the Solicitation No. HSHQE3-15-R- 00001? Would you prefer using a specific carrier (i.e- UPS, FEDEX, USPS)? Would the government consider hand delivery if that is an option for the contractor?

See subject Amendment for location and point of contact. It is the responsibility of the contractor to determine which carrier to use.

Hand delivery is acceptable although not required. See Amendment 000005 item 11C.

112 For pricing the additional Labor Hours the Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet states (All Locations). As the labor rate is different for Pennsylvania and Maryland, which labor rate should we use?

It is the vendor’s responsibility to submit technical and pricing proposals in compliance with the terms of the solicitation.

113 On the Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet, Option years 3 and 4 have a column for calculating an Overtime Premium. This column does not appear in the base year or other option years. Is it anticipated there will be overtime on option years 3 and 4 or is this column not intended to be included or populated?

References to overtime have been deleted.

114 On the Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet - Attachment VI, option III The overtime column has been removed from the Cost Breakdown.

tab, there is a column for "Overtime Premium (if applicable)". We do not see any reference to overtime in the RFP. Should we ignore this column?

115 The solicitation identifies the incumbent contractor and the original contract value ($359K). Is this contract value for the same number of FTE's and period of performance? If not what period does it cover and for how many FTEs?

116 Are there incumbent personnel on the contract and if so can you tell us how long they have been in these positions.

117 On Page 14 of the SOW, under Note 2 for Past Performance, it states, “Where a teaming arrangement (as defined at FAR Subpart 9.6) is proposed, an additional maximum of up to three (3) projects for partner(s)/subcontractor(s) shall be submitted. Thus a maximum of no more than six (6) projects (3 for the prime and 3 for the subs or other partners) shall be submitted in total. Because this requirement states “no more than six (6) projects (3 for the prime and 3 for the subs or other partners) shall be submitted”, can the Government please clarify whether the Prime is required to submit a total of 3 past performance references for themselves “in addition” to up to 3 for potential subcontractors? Or, can the Prime submit less than 3 references?

The prime may submit less than 3 references.

118 Cost Breakdown Excel spreadsheet. Was this spreadsheet designed to include the use of sub-contractors? Does the Government want to see this cost break out for the sub-contractor as well or just the prime?

No, FPS does not need to see the cost break out for sub-contractors.

119 While I was filling out the Cost Spreadsheet, I realized on the

Worksheets for Option III and Option IV there is a column E which is labeled Overtime Premium (if applicable). I searched through the SF1449 and the Statement of Work and do not find any reference regarding overtime. Should I leave this column blank?

See response to question 114.

120 Attachment VI - Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet tab ‘Summary – Price’ has a few anomalies in cells B18, B19, and B30. Can you clarify the formulas for these cells or perhaps provide an updated template?

See revised Cost Breakdown Spreadsheet and response to question 3.

121 Can a 1-page executive summary be provided with the response?

See response to question 11.

122 How many years has the current staff been supporting this effort?

We ask to ensure a level playing field when pricing our proposal in the event incumbent staff are picked up by the winning vendor.

123 Are any of the employees performing work subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?

This contract is subject to Wage Determinations not a CBA. See Attachments II and III.

124 Will the contract be awarded best value or LPTA?

The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 14.4.

125 Is there an incumbent currently performing this work and, if so, are they eligible for re-compete of this work?

126 Are there any issues or concerns with the performance of the current incumbent?

127 If this was a re-compete, what was the contract value of the previous work?

Will the Government provide the Past Project Form in Word format for ease of completion, or is it acceptable for offerors to recreate the form in Word?

What was the Period of Performance for the Incumbent Contract?

The original period of performance was 8/1/2012 to 1/31/2015. It has been extended through 4/30/2015.

Statement of Work (Pg 15 0f 20) 14.2 Price Proposal, Section 4:

“See Attachment VII for spreadsheet that shall be used to compute unit prices and monthly fixed rates.” Attachment VII is Provisions, and Attachment VI is the Excel Pricing sheet. Please amend.

See revised SOW.

131 With regard to the additional hours required to be priced in the option years, are those hours considered overtime or straight-time?

See revised Schedule of Services, revised SOW and response to question 40.

132 Could you please provide further detail as to the format and content required for the technical volume? Are we required to provide a complete technical narrative or only the past performance documents listed?

See responses to questions 4 and 11.

133 Was the Service Contract Labor Regulations (SCLR – previously the Service Contract Act (SCA)) applicable to the incumbent PACTS task order? If yes, to what Wage Determination Occupation Code (for example, 01312 Secretary III or 01112 General Clerk II, not PACTS labor category like Administrative/ Clerk II) were the positions conformed to under that task order?

134 Is the current contract subject to SCA?

135 Is this [the incumbent] contract subject to Executive Order (EO) 13495, “Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts”?

Yes

136 Section 9.0 Other Direct Costs – How are ‘supplies necessary to any activity under this task” To be priced? What are the typical supplies purchased? Quantity?

It is the vendor’s responsibility to submit technical and pricing proposals in compliance with the terms of the solicitation

137 Section 11.6 – is a replacement required for absences less than two (2) weeks?

No see SOW sections 11.5 and 11.6.

138 Will Telecommuting be approved for inclement weather or other occasions when the Federal government is open with option for teleworking or liberal/unscheduled leave?

Telecommuting is not authorized under any circumstance.

139 Please confirm that a Project Manager is not a billable position?

Confirmed, but vendors are reminded to build any such costs into their overall pricing.

140 Section 12.5 Security Management – please confirm that a Secret and/or Facility clearance is not required and the appointed corporate security officer is for interface with the OPR-PSU through the COR on all security matters, to include physical, personnel, and protection of all Government information and data accessed by the Contractor only.

Confirmed except that OPR-PSU has been changed to

HQPersonnelSecurity@hq.dhs.gov. See revised SOW 12.5.

Security Management.

141 Section 13.0 Adjusting Payments for contractor Performance;

13.1(a) – What is the ‘contract prescribed sign-in/sign-out method’ referenced? Can you please provide a copy?

See response to question 77.

142 What is to be submitted/included/addressed as the Technical Proposal? Please confirm only Past Performance is required to be submitted for the Technical Proposal.

See responses to questions 4 and 11.

143 Are resumes required?

See responses to question 4 and 11.

144 “Notes for Relevant Past Performance” #2 – “This narrative and/or Teaming Agreement will not count against the stated page size limitations” – What are the page limitations and where can they be mailto:HQPersonnelSecurity@hq.dhs.gov found?

145 Contractors shall submit three (3) hard copies of the Technical Proposal…” What/where are the instructions for the Technical Proposal?

146 Is this new work? If not could you please provide the incumbent contract number?

The solicitation is clear on its face. See SOW section 2.4.

147 If this is not new work could you please provide the anniversary dates for the current incumbent employees?

148 I did not see the anniversary or hire dates for the incumbent employees in the RFP. Could you please provide those so we can accurately calculate leave balances according to the wage determination page 8?

149 Please confirm the reference in paragraph #2 to "Clerk II category" means Occupation Code 01112 General Clerk II on the applicable Wage Determinations. Paragraph 3.1 of the SOW seems to indicate that is the referenced Occupation Code.

See revised SOW section 3.0 Scope.

150 Please clarify the Period of Performance referenced at the top of page 4: 02/01/15 - 07/31/2020. All CLINs appear to reference a May 1 start date and paragraph 15.0 of the SOW (pg 18/20) indicates a total POP of 05/01/15 - 10/31/20.

All dates are estimated. See SOW section 15.0.

151 Are the "Additional Administrative Support" hours (total of 600 per option period) in CLINs 1003-1005, 2003-2005, 3003-3005, 4003- 4005 and 5003-5005 additional hours for the existing staff (meaning "overtime" hours - hours in excess of 40 in a given work week) or hours for additional staff members (in addition to the 5.5 FTEs represented in the other CLINs). It is critical to bidders to understand how these hours will be used because if they represent

See subject Amendment as the options have changed.

"overtime" hours for existing staff, vendors are required by the Service Contract Labor Regulations (SCLR - previously Service Contract Act) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to pay premium (1.5X normal wage rate) amounts for those hours and that additional cost will be included in pricing. If they are additional FTEs who will work 40 hours/week or less, the proposed cost would not include the premium.

152 Please clarify the apparent discrepancy between the Monetary Wage stated in 52.222-42 ($40,494 or the equivalent of $19.47/hour) and the conformance of the position to the 01112 General Clerk II Occupation Code with hourly rates of $16.24 and $14.68 on the provided Wage Determinations.

Clause 52.222-42 clearly states that it is for information only.

153 Please clarify the total value of the contract at award as stated in paragraph 2.4.3. was only the first year value. According to FPDS the total value was $919,435.08 and the value stated was for the first year value.

154 Request the Government modify the solicitation to reflect conformance to the Secretary III Occupation Code (01312).

01312 equates to the Secretary II occupation code. See response to question 50.

155 The included Wage Determinations (WD) are not the most current WDs. The most current WDs are 2005-2247, Revision 16, dated 12/22/14 and 2005-2449, Revision 15, dated 12/22/14. Request that the solicitation be revised to include the most current WDs.

See subject Amendment which includes revised Wage Determinations

156 Request that the Government provide Attachments IV Past Performance Form and V Past Performance Questionnaire in Word format.

These are included in subject Amendment.

157 Please clarify the reference to qualifications for the

"Administrative/Clerk II" position in paragraph 6.0.

Administrative/Clerk II was a labor category under the PACTS FC 2 contract under which this work was previously performed. That labor category doesn't not correlate to the General Clerk II position on the Wage Determination referred to elsewhere in the solicitation.

See response to question 50 and revised Wage Determinations in subject Amendment.

158 Please confirm that the government does not anticipate the requirement for work in excess of 40 hours in any single work week under this contract.

Confirmed. See SOW section 11.4.

159 Please…