August32017_Answers.pdf

Question Number

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

1 Attachment 2, Additional Instruction to Offerors

Page 37, para 4

Should we submit one document that includes all the sections (1 through 5 sections)?

As long as the requirements are met for a complete proposal the government does not have a preference.

2 Attachment 5 Page 1 How many total numbers of FTEs does the current incumbent have?

3a Attachment 5 Page 1 Why such a small window from release of RFP to submission? a. Most of the time when the window is small, it has a feel of a direct award type scenario to the incumbent or a team of the incumbent, is that the case?

The government believes this is a non complex service requirement for manpower and should not require a long turn around time for proposal submission.

3b Attachment 5 Page 1 If not, can you extend the due date of the RFP?

The government has extended the response date to 8/14/17.

3c Attachment 5 Page 1 Who is on the source selection committee? Committee will include the technical people from the program office supported by the contracting office.

4 Attachment 2 Can the Entire Proposal response be submitted in 1 volume .... OR do all the 5 Part responses (Reps n Certs, Cover Letter, Technical, Past Performance, Pricing Information) need to be on separate Volumes.

See Question 1 response.

5 Attachment 2 Given that minimum of 3 Past Performance are required, we suggest that the page limitation for this Part be increased from 2 pages to 3 pages.

Terms and Conditions revised to allow for 3 pages total.

6 Attachment 2 Please specify, Font, Margin, Spacing, etc.

limitation for the Proposal Response.

Additional Instructions to offers have been revised to address this.

7 Attachment 2 Will the government accept Past Performance of our Proposed Team Member/Subcontractor?

If so, how many can be from Subcontractor and how many have to be at a minimum from Prime Offeror?

Additional language added to clarify the Prime experience only.

8 Are signed Subcontractor/Teaming Member Consent Letter required to be submitted with the Proposal response?

Not required.

9 Attachment 2 since this is LPTA Evaluation under FAR 52.212- 2, would Offerors who provide less than 3 Past Performance or NO Past Performance be evaluated as Neutral (that is, ACCEPTABLE).

Please confirm.

As stated: A Neutral rating will not advantage or disadvantage an Offeror.

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

10 The requirement of 10 years management experience seems excessive for a team lead position. Will the Government consider revising this requirement to make the experience commensurate with the position?

No.

11 Attachment 2 How would you like for me to respond?

Capability statement and resume of the proposed candidates for the positions? Specific number of pages or font size?

See Question 1 response and Question 6 response.

12 Was there a prior pre-solicitation with this info that I can refer to?

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation;

there was not a pre-solicitation.

13 Attachment 1, Section 8.2

Pages 11-

Can you clarify the meaning of the subject RFP requirement for the Management Plan Attachment 1, Section 8.2 pages 11,12, in bold font?

Customer Service and Public Engagement Directorate (CSPED) 12

• Identification of the contractor’s management structure and how contract employees will be supervised;

• The functions of the team leads when a supervisor is needed between team leads and site managers;

• The Final Revised Program Management Plan will be due within five (5) business days

The PWS has been revised.

14 Attachment 1, Section 8.1

Page 11, para 4

Although the government has removed the requirement to house historic data on the Contractor's system, can the government please clarify whether there is a need to use the Contractor's systems in any capacity? If so, d th C t t d A th it t

No need to use contractor systems in any capacity.

15 Attachment 1, Section 8.1

Page 11, para 7

The government requests a transition plan that addresses the transfer of all necessary business and/or technical documentation. Is the documentation supposed to be housed on USCIS systems or the Contractors systems?

This is a deliverable to be submitted to the government.

16 The due date for questions is August 3, 2017;

we are wondering if this late submission of additional Q&A will also most likely push back the Response date?

The government has extended the response date to 8/14/17.

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

17 Attachment 1, Section 7

Page 10, para 1

The PWS states. Additionally, the contractor will designate a Contractor team lead who will serve as the primary point of contact for face-to-face communication between the government and the contractor regarding performance and operational concerns…" Should this individual be a viewed as a separate Program Manager, h i t it d t i d FTE ?

The PWS has been revised.

18 Attachment 1, Section 7

Page 10, para 2

The PWS states "The contractor will ensure that the team lead’s additional duties will not detract from the performance of the services or tasks of the contract" Does this mean that the d bl f l f

The PWS has been revised.

19 Attachment 2 Page 37, pp page limit

Is it possible to allow 1 (one) page per pp reference?

The Terms and Conditions have been revised to allow for 3 pages total.

20 Attachment 5 Pricing To use 1840 hrs. for the Full-Time Professional FTE's, will we be assuming 160 hrs. of Paid- Time Off (PTO)?

1840 is less holiday hours, paid leave, and sick leave .

21 Attachment 5 Pricing Should the Non-Professional Hrs be adjusted to incorporate Executive Order (EO) 13706?

Should the normal 1920 hrs be reduced by 56 hrs to 1864?

Correction made - See pricing schedule

22 Attachment 5 Page 1 Please indicate the current number of FTEs for each of the follwing Labor Categories:

a. DC On-Site Team Lead

b. DC Executive Administrative Assistant

c. DC Special Assistant

d. DC Analyst e.CA Administrative Assistant

f. DC Administrative Assistant

g. NY Administrative Assistant

h. DC Technical Writer II

There are two new Administrative Assistants & two new Special Assistants, all for the DC locations; the rest are current.

23 Attachment 2, Additional Instruction to Offerors

Page 37, para 2

Can you please extend the proposal submission due date ?

The government has extended the response date to 8/14/17.

24 Attachment 2, Additional Instruction to Offerors

Page 37, para 8

Please clarify if the maximum of 2 pages is for each Past Performance?

Terms and Conditions have been revised to allow for 3 pages total.

25 Attachment 2, Additional Instruction to Offerors

Page 37, para 7

Can you please let us know the number of days required for Transition -in phase?

30-90 days.

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

26 Attachment1, Section 8.2

Page 12, first bullet

"The functions of the team leads when a supervisor is needed between team leads and site managers;"

a. Can you please clarify who provides supervisor and site managers, as these two positions are not included in the "Attachment_5._Contractor_Pricing_Schedule" document?

b. The "Attachment_5._Contractor_Pricing_Schedule" document shows 1 FTE for DC On-Site Team Lead, however the PWS mentions team leads (more than 1). Can you please clarify the number of FTEs for DC On-Site Team Lead position?

1 Team Lead - Please see revised PWS.

27 July_28_Answe rs

Question:

Is the On-site Team Lead supervision a mandatory requirement?

Yes.

28 Attachment 5 Pricing As this is LPTA, is the government allowing flexibility in the labor categories proposed, either Professiona and/ or non-professional?

I.e is there a need for 14 Administrative Assistants?

No.

29 Attachment 5 Please explain assumptions or requirements behind the hours for exempt positions at 1,840

vs. 1,960 for the non-professional positions.

Correction made - See pricing schedule.

30 Attachment 5 For nonprofessioal positions, should the hours be adjusted in light of Executive Order (EO) 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors?

Correction made - See pricing schedule.

31 Attachment 5 Please provide the Occupational Codes and corresponding tiles for each of non-professional positions

Please review the Wage Determinations for the corresponding codes.

32 Attachment 5 In response to a previous question, Government said there are four additional positions added in this RFP compared to the incumbent's contract. What are the locations of four additional positions listed ( two General Administrative Assistants and two Special Assistants)?

All four will be located in DC.

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

33 Attachment 2.

Section 52.212- 1 Instructions to Offerors

Page 24, paragraph

(a) and Additional Instruction s to Offerors

Please clarify if the government wants two volumes 1. Technical Acceptability/Past Performance and 2. Price with the Cover Letter and Certifications and Representations included in one of the two volumes; or if the government prefers 5 separate documents 1.

Cover Letter, 2. Technical, 3. Past Peformance,

4. Pricing, and 5. Certifications and Representations.

As long as the requirements are met for a complete proposal the government does not have a preference.

34 Attachment 2.

Section 52.212- 1 Instructions to Offerors

Additional Instruction s to Offerors

Are there any specific formatting instructions that the government would like followed, i.e., type of font, font size, margin size, guttering, etc.?

See Question 6 response.

35 Attachment 2.

Section 52.212- 1 Instructions to Offerors

Paragraph 4 Past Performan ce

Is Past Performance limited to 2 pages for the entire section or is the 2 page limitation per project?

Revised to reflect page total.

36 Attachment 2.

Section 52.212- 1 Instructions to Offerors

Page 37, paragraph 3.

Is the government requesting the submittal of a sample resume for the Team Lead position?

The offeror needs to submit a document that addresses the Key Personnel Team Lead qualifications.

37 Attachment 1 Page 4, Section 5.2.12.4

Will the government allow experience as equivalent for a Bachelor's degree for the Executive Administrative Assistant positions?

No

38 Will this contract be issued as a FFP contract? FFP provided all positions are filled.

39 Attachment 1, Attachment 5

PWS Page 3, Para

5.1.19 and Attachmen t 5, Other Direct Costs

Regarding events and trade show participation, can the Government estimate how many such events per year Contractor can expect to support, where they will take place, and when?

What Contractor personnel are expected to attend? Is the purpose of the Other Direct Costs CLINs in Attachment 5 to support such participation or is the Task Lead expected to visit the other (Los Angeles, New York) locations periodically each year?

Travel events are rare. Periodic travel to LA & NY will be approved in a coordination with the COR .

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

40 Attachment 5 Would the Government consider changing the productive hours for non-exempt personnel to 1864? Our rationale for requesting this change stems from Executive Order 13706. The calculation for 1864 includes: 2080 annual hours per FTE less holiday hours (80), paid leave (80), and sick leave (56).

Correction made - See pricing schedule

41 Attachment 2 52.222-42

STATEMENT OF

EQUIVALENT

RATES FOR

FEDERAL HIRES

Page 7 Are offerors to map labor categories to the labor categories/rates provided in the table? Or are offerors to map to WD labor categories at their discrestion?

Categories shall be in compliance with the wage determination.

42 Attachment 2

ADDITIONAL

INSTRUCTIONS

TO OFFERORS

Page 37- 38, Paragraph

1. What font/font size is acceptable for text?

Graphics and/or tables?

2. Are we to provide all information in one Volume/Part (Technical Acceptability/Past Peformance and Price, or two separate parts/volumes (1-Technical Acceptabilitiy/Past Performance and 2-Price)?

3. In what format should proposals be submitted - MS Word, PDF?

See Question 6 response.

43 Can a Table of Content be excluded from the page count?

Table of content is not required but if included it shall fit into the page limits identified.

44 Re 1) Offeror shall review FAR Provision 52.212- 3 and complete paragraph (b) or (c) through (r) -please clarify, are we to complete paragraph (b) only, if applicable; and if not applicalbe, complete (c) - (r)? Please confirm we are not to complete (b), AND (c)-(r) and that this is a separate page.

As stated complete paragraph (b) - or -

(c) through (r).

Can a Title Page be excluded from the page count?

Title page is not required but if included it shall fit into the page limits identified.

Attachment Number Section Number

Page Number

Paragraph Questions and Comments Answers

August 3, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Customer Service and Public Engagement Center (CSPED)

HSSCCG-17-R-00033

Answers to Questions Received

46 Attachment 2 HSAR Class Deviation 15-01

SAFEGUARDING

OF SENSITIVE

INFORMATION

Page 15, (e) Authority to Operate.

Are offerors required to have an ATO/complete the Security Authorization process?

No.

Sheet1