Attachment 8 - Questions and Answers

HT0011-11-R-0003

Attachment 8 – Questions and Answers (9/15/11)

Vendor #1

1. Re: Solicitation, page 28 and 44; on page 28, the following is stated, “The Government contemplates award of a single or multiple Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, and Cost) contract(s) resulting from this solicitation.” On page 44, in section M.I.1, the following is stated, “The Government intends to award as many Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts that are deemed necessary and acceptable for the successful execution of the project.” These two statements seem contradictory, in that the first sentence indicates it could be just one IDIQ award, while the second sentence indicates multiple awards. Can this be clarified?

Answer:

As stated, the Government intends to award as many IDIQ contracts as deemed necessary and acceptable for the successful completion of the project

2. Re: Solicitation, page 20 and 49; on page 20, regarding “Key Personnel”, it is stated that this is “to be determined upon award.” However, in the Management Approach, on page 49, the following is stated, “1.

Set forth the proposed key personnel and the percentage of time each of the Key Personnel will dedicate to the contract.” Can you confirm that for the response to this IDIQ, it is expected that resumes for Key Personnel will be included?

Answer:

Each Task Order under the IDIQ will identify those Key Personnel for that order. The number of key personnel identified for the task order depends on the vendor’s management and technical approach for that particular task order. However, by current acceptable proposals, there will always be a Program Manager associated with each project/task order.

Attachment 6 “Labor Categories and Descriptions” details 5 key positions:

1. Program Manager

2. Quality Assurance Manager

3. Software Engineer

4. Subject Matter Expert (SME) (Functional) – MHS Experience and healthcare background preferred

5. Systems Engineer

Yes. For this IDIQ, Key personnel resumes are expected to be included for the prime and all subcontractors forming the team.

3. Re: Solicitation, page 52: for section L VIL6 (“Sample Task Order Technical Approach”), is there a specific Table of Contents that must be followed when responding to the two (2) sample task orders?

Answer:

The Table of Contents for the Sample Task Order Technical Approach should follow the same format for VOL I for applicable sections:

1. Management Approach

2. Technical Approach (including schedule for task completion and ability to provide products and reports; additionally technical approach risk would be included)

3. Small Business Participation Plan

Sample Task Order Cost/Price Proposal are included as part of Volume II and kept separate from VOL II. No cost / price data are to be anywhere in the proposals other than Volume II.

4. Re: Statement of Objectives, page 13: for “Training Support”, where the contractor may be required to conduct system training, is this training expected to be at Pacific JITC or on-site at the end-user’s location away from Hawaii? Could the training be required in theater as well? Or, all of these locations?

Answer:

“Training Support” is a task deliverable under the IDIQ that is not limited to Pacific JITC or Hawaii. The place of performance for this training support is task order dependent. It could be all of these locations.

5. Re: Sample Task #1: As part of the sample task, the Government has a requirement for a stand-alone, secure web medical application to document all Operating Room Management Activities in Theater settings and insertion of this information into the chronological electronic health record into the EHR system of record. However, one of the assumptions for this sample task states “Individual patient information will not be available on this system.” Is this accurate? It seems to contradict both what is stated above and the specific minimal functional capabilities required in this application delineated in the sample task.

Answer:

Individual “identified” patient information will not be available for the research design and testing of this system. However, individual patient information would be available for this system if it was selected for acquisition and implementation.

6. Re: Sample Task #1: It appears to read as if the government wants the research, design, development, testing, on-site training and evaluation all done in 12 months. Is that correct?

Answer:

Yes

7. Re: Sample Task #1: c.

Define what is meant by “EHR System of Record” given the current state of MHS Systems of Record. We understand not wanting to use a current application or data store/repository to ensure that the developed solution is not tied to a particular application/system but should we assume this solution can accommodate whatever the MHS designates as the EHR System of Record in the future)? (TMDS? CDR?)

Answer:

Yes

8. Re: General: for vendors doing existing work at the TRICARE Management Activity (TMA), are there any anticipated organization conflicts of interest (OCI) by doing work for Pacific JITC?

Answer:

The Offeror is responsible for identifying potential organizational conflicts of interest and providing a mitigation plan as part of its proposal.

9. Re: Solicitation, page 60, M.IV.1.6, Evaluation Factor #6 - PRICE: it states that the prices will not be incorporated into the final award, is this referring to just the pricing for the Sample Task Orders or all prices provided in Attachment 2?

Answer:

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) labor rates will be incorporated into the contract award as ceiling rates. Reference revised M.IV.1.6 Evaluation Factor 6 – Price.

10. Re: Solicitation, page 60, M.IV.1.6, Evaluation Factor #6 - PRICE: it references the evaluation of Sample Tasks in Attachment 8, but Attachment 2 only seems to have inputs for the 2 Sample Tasks identified in Attachment 7. Is there an Attachment 8 and can it be provided? If so, will a new Attachment 2 be provided with tabs for these Sample Tasks?

Answer:

Attachment numbering corrected.

11. Re: Solicitation, page 60, M.IV.1.6, Evaluation Factor #6 - PRICE: the evaluation is stated to be based upon Samples Tasks in Attachments 7 and 8. It goes further to state that the Offeror’s price proposal will be evaluated, for award purposes, based upon the total price (base period and all options). Since the pricing in Attachment 2 for the Sample Tasks is only for 1 year, can the Government please clarify how options will be evaluated?

Answer:

M.IV.1.6 Evaluation Factor 6 – Price has been clarified in the amendment.

12. Re: Solicitation, page 14, F-5, Place of Performance & Solicitation, page 19, H-1, Classified Work: Since the place of performance is at the contractor’s facility and the task orders may require up to a Secret Clearance with COMSEC requirements will we be required to have a cleared facility at the time of award? Will onsite storage be required?

Answer:

The contractor must have a facility clearance of SECRET. Onsite storage will not be required. The ITEC Lab will be used for performing classified work. Positions that need cleared employees will be Task Order specific.

Vendor #2

Reference: Attachment 2 - Pricing Spreadsheet.

1) Is the Government looking for a single set of rates to be used for CPFF and FFP tasks?

Answer:

Please see Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2.

2) Will the fixed fee for CPFF rates be negotiated after contract award or should the contractor list the fixed fee with the G&A, Overhead and FCCOM?

Answer:

The fixed fee for CPFF task orders will be negotiated per task order. Please see Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2.

3) How should the contractor show the proposed FFP rates?

Answer:

Please see Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2.

4) Is there a labor model which reflects the anticipated labor mix and if so, can the Government provide?

Answer:

Please see Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2 and Attachment 6 – Labor Categories and Descriptions.

Vendor #3

F-5 Place of Performance requires that the “Contractors must have an office in Hawaii. Please clarify whether the Contractor must have an existing office in Hawaii or whether it can be established immediately following upon contract award.

Answer:

The office can be established immediately (no later than 30 days) following task order award. If awarded a task order before the office space is established, the contractor must make arrangements for temporary work space in Hawaii to initiate the work.

H-1 Classified Work requires that the Contractor be capable of performing tasks ranging from Unclassified to SECRET. Please clarify if the Contractor’s office in Hawaii (reference Para. F-5) must be cleared for performance of up to SECRET tasks or can those tasks be performed in another Contractor facility located elsewhere.

L II.2 Small Business Participation requires that “businesses must have an office with key personnel located within 300 miles of the Pacific JITIC ITEC lab in Kihei, Maui, HI.” Can the Government please clarify which of the Hawaiian Islands are deemed to meet this requirement?

Answer:

The Contractor shall establish an office within 300 miles of the Pacific JTIC ITEC lab in Kihei, Maui, HI. The Contractor should determine if its proposed office space meets the requirement.

L IV.2 Proposal Format. Can the Government please clarify if “Lists of Tables and Drawings” are also excluded from the proposal page limits (like “Tables of Content” and “Glossaries” are excluded)?

Answer:

Lists of Tables and Drawings, Table of Contents, Glossaries are excluded from the proposal page limits.

L VII Proposal Preparation – Specific Instructions requires that the Contractor “use [the] template provided” for the Cost/Price Proposal. Can the Government clarify if the “using the template” is referring merely to including the Pricing Spreadsheet (Attachment 2)? If not, is there some other “template”, which doesn’t appear to have provided with the solicitation?

Answer:

The template refers to Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2 L VII Proposal Preparation – Specific Instructions requires that the Contractor submits two Volumes, Technical and Price Volumes. According to LVII9, it shows that there is a third volume, VIII Solicitation Documentation. Can the Government please clarify if how many volumes should be submitted or if the Solicitation Documentation goes under the Contract Information section of the Price Volume?

Answer:

Two volumes shall be submitted. The solicitation documentation and items under LVII9 shall be submitted as part of Volume II – Cost / Price Proposal.

L VII.3.2 Management Approach requires the Contractor to provide resumes for all proposed Key Personnel in accordance with RFP Attachment 6 Labor Categories and Descriptions. Attachment 6 in turn identifies five (5) “Job Titles” as being “Key Positions.” Can the Government please clarify if there is a minimum number (i.e. more than just one) of Key Personnel resumes that must be submitted for each of the five (5) key Job Titles?

Answer:

No, there is no minimum number.

L VII.5.4 Past Performance Information. Can the Government please clarify if the limitation on submitting a total of four (4) contract references applies to the entire Contractor team or to each individual entity that is part of the proposed team?

Answer:

Section L, Past Performance Information has been revised to require 4 references each for the prime, teaming partners, and major subcontractors.

L. VII.9 VIII – Solicitation Information subpara. 2.g requires the Contractor in its Transmittal Letter to “demonstrate that they can comply with the Contract Security Classification Specification, DD Form 254, provided as RFP Attachment 3.” However, Attachment 3 is “Reserved.” Can the Government please provide a completed DD254 or otherwise clarify the minimum security requirements that must be demonstrated.

Answer:

Each Task Order under the IDIQ will identify those Key Personnel for that order. The number of key personnel identified for the task order depends on the vendor’s management and technical approach for that particular task order. However, by current acceptable proposals, there will always be a Program Manager associated with each project/task order.

Attachment 6 “Labor Categories and Descriptions” details 5 key positions:

6. Program Manager

7. Quality Assurance Manager

8. Software Engineer

9. Subject Matter Expert (SME) (Functional) – MHS Experience and healthcare background preferred

10. Systems Engineer

Yes. For this IDIQ, Key personnel resumes are expected to be included for the prime and all subcontractors forming the team.

L. VII.9 VIII – Solicitation Information subpara. 2.g requires the Contractor to submit “facility and personnel security clearances” with its proposal. Absent a completed DD254, can the Government please clarify the specific Job Title(s)/Key Positions for which it expects the Contractor to provide cleared employees?

Answer:

The contractor must have a facility clearance of SECRET. Onsite storage will not be required. The ITEC Lab will be used for performing classified work. Positions that need cleared employees will be Task Order specific.

M.IV.1.6 Evaluation Factor #6: Price makes reference to an RFP Attachment 8, which was not provided. Is that reference correct?

Answer:

Attachment numbering corrected. Please reference RFP Attachment 7.

Attachment 1 – Statement of Objectives (SOO) Page 6. Can the Government please clarify if the SOO should include a Para. 1.6 Acquisition Functions Closely Related with Inherently Governmental Functions, which is cited in the Table of Contents on page 2?

Answer:

No. That section was deleted.

Para. 2.1.2 Monthly Progress Report (MPR) – Deliverable 2 requires that an MPR be submitted for each individual task order. In addition, Para 4.5 Deliverable/Delivery Schedule requires the MPR to be delivered “NLT 45 DACA.” Can the Government please clarify that for the MPR deliveries “DACA” actually means “days after task order award”?

Answer:

Yes. It is Days After Contract Task Order Award.

Para 2.1.3 Subcontractor Expenditures Report – Deliverable 3. Can the Government please clarify if this deliverable relates to the entire ID/IQ contract, or is there a requirement to submit Deliverable 3 on each individual task order?

Answer:

It is the Government’s requirement the vendor submits Deliverable 3 with each individual task order. In addition, the government requests that the Subcontractor Expenditures report be delivered monthly with the Monthly Progress Report.

Para 2.1.4 Contract Work Breakdown Structure – Deliverable 4/Deliverable 5. Can the Government please clarify that for the Deliverables 4 and 5 delivery schedules listed in Para 4.5 “DACA” actually means “days after task order award?”

Answer:

Yes. It is Days After Contract Task Order Award

Page 6. There does not appear to be any SOO tasking that defines the requirements for Deliverable 6 Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), which is listed in Para 4.5. Can the Government please clarify the requirement, if any, for Deliverable 6? If there is a requirement, can the Government please provide the associated SOO tasking.

Answer:

IMS is not required for the IDIQ. This will be a requirement for the Task Orders when awarded.

Para 2.1.8 Quality Control Plan (QCP) – Deliverable 11 requires that the QCP be “initially submitted with the vendor’s proposal” whereas Para. 4.5 requires the initial submission “NLT 30 DACA). Can the Government please clarify which initial delivery requirement for the QCP is correct?

Answer:

The Offeror shall submit a draft Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal. The final QCP is due NLT 30 DACA.

Attachment 3 – DD254 (Reserved)

N/A (see questions related to lack of a completed DD254)

Attachment 4 – Past Performance Cover Letter and Questionnaire

The Cover Letter provided (to be completed by the Contractor) does not provide specific information identifying the contract for which a past performance evaluation is being sought. Can the Government please clarify if the Contractor is expected to also complete the information contained on the second page of the attachment (which provides contract identification information) prior to sending out the request?

Answer:

Yes. The Contractor shall complete the basic information.

Attachment 7 – Sample Task Orders

Sample Task Order 1

Can the Government please if the Assumption that “individual patient information will not be available on this system”? For example, that Assumption appears to be inconsistent with the requirements for providing patient appointment functionality and interfacing with the beneficiary enrollment and eligibility system.

Vendor #4

1. RFP Section F-5 (Place of Performance) states the Contractor shall perform “primary activity at the Contractor facility in Hawaii.” For pricing purposes, the FedBizOpps lists various places in Hawaii, Washington, DC, and San Antonio as places of performance. Would the Government clarify what “primary activity” refers to in the context of this RFP?

2. RFP Section L II.4 (Minimum Order and Period of Performance) states proposed prices should be entered for all labor category CLINs indicated in Attachment 2. Column E of the Sample Task 1 and 2 tabs calls for entry of FTE hours. Does the Government want the Offeror to enter 1920 hours (specified as a FTE in Section L VII.6. 1.d) throughout Column E cells? If so, does the Government also expect Column D (Number of People) within said tabs to contain whole and/or fraction values to properly reflect level of effort and price?

Answer:

Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2 has been incorporated into the solicitation. The revised attachment clarifies the pricing format for sample tasks.

3. RFP Section L II.4 (Minimum Order and Period of Performance) states proposed prices should be entered for all labor category CLINs indicated in Attachment 2. Does the “Fully-Burdened Hourly Rate” column within Attachment 2 include fee?

The Contractor shall provide fully burdened rates for FFP inclusive of fee. The rates for CPFF shall not include fee. Fee for CPFF will be negotiated at the task order level. See Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2.

4. RFP Section L VII. (Proposal Preparation – Specific Instructions) states the Sample Task Order Technical Approach is limited to 20 pages. Does each Sample Task Order have a 20 page limit, or does the limit cover both?

Answer:

The 20 page limit covers both sample task orders. Proposal instructions have been revised.

5. RFP Section L VII.5 (4. Past Performance Information) subparagraph e. states Performance information Sheets (RFP Attachment 5) shall be submitted on contracts of the prime and major subcontractors. Are the Performance Information Sheets intended to provide a summary of the four required past performances, and do the Performance Information Sheets count against the 20 page limit on the Past Performance section?

Answer: Attachment 5 deleted

6. SOO Section 2.1.8 (Quality Control Plan – Deliverable 11) states the QCP shall be submitted with the proposal, yet SOO Section 4.5 (Deliverable/Delivery Schedule) states the QCP is initially due NLT 30 DACA. The Proposal Instructions in Section L and the Evaluation Criteria in Section M are silent on the QCP. Does the Government require the draft QCP with the proposal or is it due NLT 30 DACA?

Answer:

The Offeror shall submit a draft Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal. The final QCP is due NLT 30 DACA.

7. RFP Section M.IV.1.6 (Evaluation Factor #6: Price), second paragraph states “Offerors will be evaluated for price reasonableness on the Sample Task Orders,” yet subparagraph 2 states the “Offeror’s price proposal will be evaluated, for award purposes, based upon the total price (base period and all options).” Is it the Government’s intent to award the Sample Task Orders to a selected vendor(s), or are the Sample Task Orders merely representative of the bidders approach and used for evaluations purposes only?

Answer:

The sample task orders are representative of the bidders approach and used for evaluation purposes only.

8. May the base period and option year sections of the pricing template be modified to add rows for different rates where a function may be performed by either the prime or by a subcontractor to the prime?

Answer:

The Offeror may add pages for proposed subcontractors.

9. Does the Government have a preference in technologies for the work under the IDIQ (.Net, Java, database, etc.)?

Answer:

No

Vendor #5

F-5 Place of Performance /P 14

In the second paragraph of this section, can the Government please clarify what is meant by, “All or a portion of the work will need to be completed in Hawaii”? What amount of work is required to be performed in Hawaii?

Answer:

Reference revised Solicitation Section F-5.

G-1 Invoices, Fixed Price Contracts/P 15

The Government indicates, “Back up documentation (such as timesheets, etc.) can be included and attached to WAWF documents as requested by the responsible COR”. Is it the Governments intent to request backup documentation such as timesheets on Fixed Price Task Orders?

Answer:

Yes

L-II.2 Small Business Participation

This section states that, “Consequently businesses must have an office with key personnel located within 300 miles of the Pacific JITC ITEC lab in Kihei, Maui, HI. “

Answer:

Confirmed

SOO 2.1.8 Quality Control Plan Deliverable 11

The SOO requires that the QCP be delivered as part of the proposal and that the final be delivered 30 DACA. However, Section L does not provide specific instructions to offers of where this plan should be included as part of the proposal submission. Can the Government please identify what section to include this plan and if it is considered part of the page counts identified in section L?

Answer:

The Offeror shall submit a draft Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal. The final QCP is due NLT 30 DACA.

Att. 5 Past Performance Information

What information is sought for the field, “Report Type:”?

Answer:

Attachment 5 deleted

Att. 5 Past Performance Information

What information is sought for the field, “DoD Business Sector and Sub-Sector:”?

Answer:

Attachment 5 deleted

Att. 5 Past Performance Information

What does phase of acquisition refer to in the field “Program Title and Phase of Acquisition”?

Answer:

Attachment 5 deleted

Att. 5 Past Performance Information

What is the distinction between “Reviewing Official” and “Assessing Official”?

Answer:

Attachment 5 deleted

Vendor #6

1.

How many Multiple Awards are contemplated?

Answer:

Per Section M, as many as deemed necessary.

2.

SF33, Item 12, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period indicates that pricing must be good for 60 days after proposal submission. However, Section L. IV, Instructions for Proposal Preparation, Subsection L IV.1, General Instructions, Item 5, (page 47 of 61) indicates price/proposal must be good for 120 days after proposal submission. Please clarify.

Answer:

The Offeror shall provide fill-in information to specify 120 days after proposal submission.

3.

Section L II.2, Small Business Participation – typically small business participation is measured as a percentage of the subcontracted dollars rather than the total price. Would TMA consider revising this requirement to be aligned with small business reporting as a percentage of subcontracted dollars?

Answer:

The small business participation is a percentage of subcontracted dollars, not of the total price.

Vendor #7

RFP REFERENCE: L IV.2 (Proposal Format), Item 2.

QUESTION: Item 2 states that “pages shall be numbered sequentially by section. We ask the Government to confirm that each individual section is to be separately page numbered, with the page numbers for each section starting at Page 1, contrary to a full 1-to-N page numbering for all of Volume 1.

Answer:

Confirmed. The Offeror shall number the pages by section.

RFP REFERENCE: L IV.2 (Proposal Format), Item 1.

QUESTION: Item 1 states that the font type shall either be Times New Roman or Arial, no smaller than 11-point, and no less than single-spaced. Will the Government allow a smaller font for tables and graphics, such as 8 or 9-point font?

Answer:

Smaller font size is acceptable for tables and graphs. Please see revised Section L.

RFP REFERENCE: L IV.2 (Proposal Format), Paragraph 2. L VI (Submission of Proposal (Due Date/Time)).

QUESTION: Paragraph 2 of section L IV.2 states that “The Offeror shall submit its proposal in electronic format….” Section L VI states, “Eight (8) hard copies of the proposal and one (1) softcopy CD-ROM disk shall be delivered….” We ask the Government to confirm that the instruction L VI requirement for hardcopy and CD-ROM submission, and that the Government does not want electronic e-mail delivery.

Answer:

Confirmed. The Government will not accept email delivery.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.3 (2. Management Approach), Item 3(a). L VII.4 (3. Technical Approach), Item 6(a), page 50. L VII.5 (4. Past Performance Information), Item 6(a).

QUESTION: The instructions to offers stipulates a Table of Contents for Volume 1 and Volume 2, but the instructions also stipulate that a separate Table of Contents is required for the Management Approach, Technical Approach and Past Performance sections of Volume 1, but not for the other sections within Volume 1. We ask that the Government consider just a single Table of Contents for all of Volume 1, or confirm that a Tables of Contents is actually required for the Management Approach, Technical Approach and Past Performance sections, in addition to the full table of contents required for Volume 1 (L IV.2, Item 5, page 47).

Answer:

Section L has been revised to require one table of contents for Volume I – Technical Proposal.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.3 (2. Management Approach), Item 3(a).

QUESTION: The instructions to offers stipulates a List of Tables and Drawings is required for the Management Approach and Technical Approach sections, but not for the other sections within Volume 1. We ask that the Government consider a single List of Tables and Drawings for all of Volume 1.

Answer:

Section L has been revised to require one list of tables and drawings for Volume I – Technical Proposal.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.3 (2. Management Approach), Item 3(a). L VII.4 (3. Technical Approach), Item 6(a), page 50. L VII.5 (4. Past Performance Information), Item 6(a).

QUESTION: The instructions to offers stipulates a Glossary is required, but the instructions also stipulate that a separate Glossary is required for the Management Approach section of Volume 1, but not for the other sections within Volume 1. We ask that the Government consider a single Glossary for all of Volume 1.

Answer:

Section L has been revised to require glossary for Volume I – Technical Proposal.

RFP REFERENCE: L IV.2 (Proposal Format), Item 5.

QUESTION: Item 5 states that tab indexing shall be used to identify sections. Is the Government referring to the use of physical tab indexing to identify sections in the hard copy delivery?

Answer:

Yes

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.5 (Past Performance Information), Item 1(a, b).

QUESTION: Item 1(a) states that Past Performance information is required for the Offeror and for all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners who are proposed to perform a major portion of the proposed effort. Item 1(b) states that information shall be submitted on a total of four (4) contracts.

Is our understanding correct that we should submit information for only four (4) contracts for our entire team? Or does the Government require four (4) reference contracts for the prime and each of its subcontractor teaming partners?

Answer:

Section L, Past Performance Information has been revised to require 4 references each for the prime, teaming partners, and major subcontractors.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.5 (Past Performance Information), Item 1(e).

QUESTION: Item 1(e) states that the Offer shall submit a Past Performance Information Sheet for each prime, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner…and each major subcontractor.

We ask the Government to confirm that we should submit one Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment 5) for each of the four (4) reference contracts. We also ask the Government to confirm that we should submit one Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 4) for each of the four (4) reference contracts?

Answer:

Attachment 5 has been deleted

RFP REFERENCE: L VI (Proposal Preparation Instructions).

QUESTION: The proposal preparation instructions regarding volume and section page count limitations indicate a 20-page limit for “Sample Task Order Technical Approach.” Since there are two Sample Task Orders, we ask the Government to confirm that the total page count to address both Sample Task Orders is 20 pages, or to clarify if the Government allows 20 pages for each Sample Task Order response.

Answer:

The proposal preparation instructions in Section L have been revised to clarify the page limit for sample task orders is 20 pages each.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.6 (5. Sample Task Order Technical Approach).

QUESTION: Item 1(b) indicates “the Government will not consider Other Direct Costs (ODCs) during evaluation….” We ask the Government to confirm that the intent of this instruction is to stipulate that an Offeror need not provide cost estimates for commercial hardware, software licenses, hosting costs or other non-labor costs in the price estimate for the Sample Tasks.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.8 (Price Proposal).

QUESTION: The instructions ask the Offeror to submit proposed unit prices, in a format compliant with Attachment 2. This attachment allows the prime contractor to indicate unburdened hourly rate, burdened hourly rate, and indirect rates. But neither the attachment nor the RFP Instructions to Offerors provide any instructions for providing indirect rates for subcontractors. From our experience, to accommodate CPFF task orders, the Government will require burden factors for subcontractor teammates, and these are typically provided to the Government in a sealed fashion, separate from the prime contractors pricing information. Alternatively, does the Government wish the prime to consider subcontractor labor rates as ODCs, and then apply the prime contractor’s G&A to subcontract labor rates to achieve a fully burdened rate?

We ask the Government to provide more detailed instructions for provision of rates for subcontract partners.

Answer:

The Offeror may add additional sheets to Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2 for subcontractor rates.

RFP REFERENCE: L VII.8 (Price Proposal).

QUESTION: We understand that professional services labor ordered within or delivered within the State of Hawaii are subject to significant state taxes, and may be due and payable for services labor delivered for Federal Government contracts. We ask the Government to confirm or refute this understanding, and indicate whether applicable state taxes will be included as a separate line item for individual task order price quotes and when invoicing for each task order.

Answer:

The Government is tax exempt and there are no applicable state taxes.

RFP REFERENCE: Attachment 5 (Past Performance Information).

QUESTION: Attachment 5 requirements contact information for the Contracting Officer and Contracting Representative. We ask the Government to confirm that the “Contracting Representative” identification is for the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).

Answer:

Attachment 5 has been deleted

RFP REFERENCE: Attachment 5 (Past Performance Information).

QUESTION: Attachment 5 requirements contact information for the Contracting Officer and Contracting Representative, but also requests contact information for an “Assessing Official” and a “Reviewing Official.” We are uncertain of the Government’s intention and meaning for these roles. We ask the Government to provide some information to describe what is meant by these roles, particularly as they related to contract or project reference information.

Answer:

Attachment 5 has been deleted

RFP REFERENCE: Attachment 1, Section 2.1.8 (Statement of Objectives, Quality Control Plan).

QUESTION: Attachment 1 requires the Offeror to submit a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the proposal. But the proposal instructions make no mention of a QCP. We ask the Government to confirm that a QCP is to be delivered with an Offeror’s proposal. We also ask the Government to confirm that this QCP is to be provided as a separate document and is not included in the page count limitations for the Technical Volume. The Government’s evaluation criteria in Section A(2) of Table M.1 refers to a Quality Assurance Plan. We ask the Government to confirm that this Quality Assurance Plan is the same as the QCP mentioned in the Statement of Objectives.

Answer:

The Offeror shall submit a draft Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal. The final QCP is due NLT 30 DACA.

Vendor #8

Solicitation

RFP Page Question

1.

Section B CLIN Pricing: Does the Government require that we complete and return Section B? If so, is there a level of effort that we should assume to arrive at the CLIN prices?

Answer:

The Offeror shall use Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2 in lieu of Section B.

2.

Place of Performance: Paragraph F-5 says that all or a portion of the work must be performed in Hawaii. Please clarify. If only a portion of the work needs to be performed in Hawaii, what percentage is considered acceptable?

Answer:

Solicitation Section F-5 has been revised.

3.

Page Limitation for Sample Task Order Technical Approach: Please clarify whether the 20-page limit is for each Sample Task, or for the two Sample Tasks together?

Answer:

The proposal preparation instructions in Section L have been revised to clarify the page limit for sample task orders is 20 pages each.

4.

Number of Past Performance references: Paragraph 1.a requires past performance information for the prime and all subs who will perform a major portion of the proposed effort or who are critical to the overall success of the program. Paragraph 1.b says 4 past performance references shall be required. The requirement is ambiguous as to how many past performance references are required for the prime and how many for each major sub. Please clarify.

Answer:

Section L, Past Performance Information has been revised to require 4 references each for the prime, teaming partners, and major subcontractors.

5.

Performance Information Sheet: Paragraph e requires a Performance Information Sheet that is to be completed for each team member. Is this in addition to the Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment 5), which is specific to an individual past performance reference? What information is required for the Performance Information Sheet?

Answer:

Attachment 5 has been deleted.

6.

Page Limitation for Small Business Participation Plan: Large businesses must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan as required by FAR 52.219-9. These plans include much mandatory material and are usually much longer than 5 pages. We suggest that the Small Business Participation Plan be 5 pages, and the FAR Small Business Subcontracting Plan be an addendum with no page limit.

Answer:

The page limitation has been increased from 5 pages to no page limit.

7.

Price Proposal Instructions: Reference is made to supporting documentation but no information is give as to what data is required. FAR 15.403-5 lists a number of options for the Contracting Officer to decide among. Given that adequate price competition is expected, what additional pricing information is required?

Answer:

The Offeror shall submit Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2. The Government will use DCMA/DCAA to verify the CPFF labor rates. Adequate price competition will be present to determine the reasonableness of the FFP rates.

8.

Subcontract Pricing: There is no reference made in the solicitation as to how pricing for our subcontractors is to be presented. Do we need to show separate rates for them? What supporting information is needed?

Answer:

The Offeror may add additional sheets to Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2 for subcontractor rates.

# RFP Page Question

9.

Native Hawaiian Organization Participation: Section M.IV.1.5 states that Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHO) shall perform at least 30% of the work on each Task Order awarded. We interpret this to mean that a team’s NHO participants will be required to perform 30% of the overall small business requirement for each Task Order. The DoD requirement for small business participation in large IDIQ’s is normally in the range of 25% to 30%. Ourinterpretation makes sense to us as most of the NHO’s are new and have limited technical capability as well as financial constraints. To require most NHO’s to do 30% of the work on any Task Order puts both the Government and the Prime Contractor at risk. Please clarify the requirement for NHO participation.

Answer:

The small business participation is a percentage of subcontracted dollars, not of the total price.

10.

Security Clearances: Paragraph g requires that security clearances be submitted with the proposal. What is required? Is a listing sufficient? Also, is it satisfactory to include security clearance information of just the key personnel?

Answer:

The contractor must have a facility clearance of SECRET. Onsite storage will not be required. The ITEC Lab will be used for performing classified work. Positions that need cleared employees will be Task Order specific. The proposal should list the key personnel and security clearance information.

11.

Quality Assurance Plan: Section M references the QA Plan, but we don’t see in Section L where it is to be submitted. Should it be an addendum to the Technical volume? What page limitation should apply?

Answer:

The Offeror shall submit a draft Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal. The final QCP is due NLT 30 DACA.

12.

Sample Task Orders: There is a reference to an Attachment 8, but no Attachment 8 was provided with the solicitation. Is this an error? Should the reference be to the Sample Task pricing tabs on Attachment 2?

Answer:

Attachment numbering corrected.

13.

Technical Insertion Proposals: Reference is made to a Technical Insertion proposal in Section M but there is no mention anywhere else. Please clarify.

Answer:

This is an error. Attachment 7 is the Sample Task Orders. Yes. The reference should be to Attachment 2 tabs relating to Sample Task Orders 1 & 2 on the Pricing Worksheet.

Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet 14.

Pricing of ODC’s: There is a line for ODC’s on the base and option-year rate tables. However, there is no reference to ODC’s in the pricing instructions, except to say that ODC’s will not be evaluated as part of the Sample Task pricing. What ODC’s are to be priced in the base and option year rate tables?

The ODC lines have been deleted. Please see Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2.

15.

Labor Rates: Since the Solicitation contemplates both fixed-price and CPFF Task Orders, should we submit a separate set of labor rates for each contract type?

Answer:

Yes. Please see Attachment 2 – Pricing Spreadsheet, Version 2.

Attachment 7 – Sample Task

16.

Sample Task 1 identifies the requirement for a standalone, secure web medical application that must be capable of pulling information from the beneficiary enrollment and eligibility system. The DISA Application and Development STIG states that “Standalone applications are applications that do not provide, use, or otherwise interact with the network or application services.” For purposes of the Sample Task, does the term “standalone” actually mean a separate component or module? Or does this requirement truly refer to a standalone desktop application with the ability to import data/flat files from the beneficiary enrollment and eligibility system?

It means a separate, standalone, secure web medical application that must be capable of pulling information from the beneficiary enrollment and eligibility system.

Vendor #9

Reference: RFP/SOO Section M.IV.1.6, Paragraph(s) 2

Page(s) 60. States “Offerors will be evaluated for price reasonableness on the Sample Task Orders found in RFP Attachment 7.”

Question: “Is the price submission for the sample task orders to be evaluated as being representative of the level of effort based on the general information provided on the sample task order, or does the government reserve the right to award these task orders as part of the base IDIQ utilizing the submitted pricing?

Answer:

The sample task orders are representative of the bidders approach and used for evaluation purposes only.