Q A__4_(posted_8_April_2016).pdf

QUESTIONS ANSWERS

Ref: PWS, Page 145, Paragraph 3.4, Other Direct Costs (ODCs) Would the USG consider providing a plug-number (not to exceed) for pricing the ODCs under the appropriate CLINs?

The plug number for ODCs is reflected in Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix. This number is currently not reflected in Section B however, will be reflected upon contract award.

Ref: RFP, Section I The RFP does not include any text regarding the Services Contract Act; however, in Section I- Contract Clauses, the RFP includes FAR 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirement. Is the Service Contract Act applicable to this effort?

Services Contract Act is not applicable and FAR Clause 52.204-14 will be removed and reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: Management Please identify where the management Task 1 scope should be addressed in the Volumes.

Task 1 of the PWS should be addressed in Volume II - Technical Capability.

Ref: RFP, Page 66, Section I Did the Government intentionally omit the FAR Clause 52.245.- 1, 52.245.-2, and 52.245.-5?

No. Clauses have been incorporated in the RFP and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: RFP, Page 75, Section I, 52.222-52 FAR 52.222-52, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Certification, is included in the RFP. If an offeror is not able to make this certification, will FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards, and FAR 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts), be incorporated into a resultant contract? If so, would the Government please provide the applicable Wage Determinations?

FAR Provision 52.222-52 will be removed and reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: Section K, Page 73, 52.204-8 Section K under 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2016) on page 73 states that the small business size standard is $27.5M; will the Government please confirm that this is a Full and Open procurement?

This acquisition is Full and Open.

Ref: Section G-1(c), Page 61 This section states that the Fixed Fee will be paid at the time the costs associated with the fee are earned. Please confirm that fee will be billable at the time the cost is billed.

Revised statement in Section G, Paragraph G-1.c. and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: RFP, Page 96-97, Section L In the Small Business Participation Plan Template Table, please confirm that “Large Business ‘C’” should be “Large Business ‘B’” to align with the $ Value to be Performed column.

"Large Business 'C'" should be noted as "Large Business 'B'". The table is corrected and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICE MANAGEMENT (ITSM) ENTERPRISE SUPPORT

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS #4

SOLICITATION NO. HTC711-16-R-D001

Ref: RFP, Section L Instructions state: “The Offeror’s proposal demonstrates a logical approach, to include any new, unique or innovative aspects, in providing Service Support within each subtask under Task 3, to include tools, techniques, methodologies and frameworks.” Can the government please provide a detailed list of all tools, architectures, and software versions? Appendix F does not list versions of software, which can have significant impact on offerors ability to provide accurate innovative approaches. For example: There are various capabilities and limitations within various BMC Remedy software versions.

Solarwinds is also not listed in Appendix F. Architectures are critically important to determine integration and automation capabilities.

Unable to provide a complete list. Here are answers to your examples. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) v7.3.2, Network Performance Monitor (NPM) v11.5 (unlimited), User Device Tracker (UDT) v3.2.0 (unlimited); BMC Remedy ITSM Suite 8.1 migrating to 9.0. USTRANSCOM tries to keep current on tools listed. There is an instance of legacy Remedy 6.3 still being used today, but will sunset prior to start of contract .

Ref: RFP, Page 91, Section L-3.(b) "The RFP states “Any changes … clearly marked by a red vertical line in the right margin.”

Please note the vertical line in MS Word by default is “black” and cannot be changed. Will the Government revise this paragraph accordingly?

Section L-3.(b) of the RFP will be revised to reflect, "black vertical line in the left margin" and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix The pricing matrix does not allow contractors to propose additional hardware/software needed to implement solutions. Is it the government’s intention to use ODCs for purchase of HW/SW and contractors should only propose labor hours for price evaluation?

There may be instances where HW/SW needs to be purchased utilizing the ODC CLIN.

Ref: RFP, Page 93, Section L-4 Will USTRANSCOM provide on-site, web-accessible workspace on site at Scott AFB during the Base Period for the Transition Manager and incoming contractor while previous contractor is still on-site?

Yes.

Ref: RFP, Page 94, Section L-4(b) and Page 103 Section M- 2.4.1.1(3) RFP para L-4b, Volume III, Staffing Proposal item III-A states:

“Describe proposed staffing plan which identifies the team organization structure including key personnel roles and responsibilities…” and RFP para M-2.4.1.1 (3) states: “The Offeror’s proposal includes a staffing plan that identifies the personnel resources detailing roles and responsibilities, given the Offeror’s approach for performing the PWS requirements…” Is the Government expecting the roles and responsibilities for all personnel resources or only the key personnel to be included in the Staffing Volume III? If all personnel roles and responsibilities are to be included, can this be added as an appendix and not included in the 5 page limit for the volume as shown in RFP para L-4 , III-A?

Section M-2.4.1.1.(3) has been revised and reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix A number of subtasks do not have workload data associated, other than estimated hours. Given most of subtasks are fixed price CLINs how is the gov’t expecting contractors to bid hours for those CLINs.

The estimated workload table (Appendix F) has been modified to reflect additional workload data for a number of tasks and subtasks

Ref: RFP, Page 75

Solicitation Clauses The RFP Contains the following clauses:

• 52.222-48 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Certification and,

• 52.222-52 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Certification.

We cannot certify to the conditions in paragraph (a) of either clause and, in accordance with subsection (c)(2) of both clauses.

We request a copy of the applicable Service Contract Labor Standards wage determination.

FAR Clauses 52.222-48 and 52.222-52 are removed from the RFP and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix The offeror requests the Government to include material/professional services line item in the Pricing Matrix.

Currently the offeror is restricted to labor cost only.

Materials may be captured under ODCs. Professional services should be captured under respective labor categories. Pricing matrix remains unchanged.

Ref: RFP, Page 92, Section L-4 The DD254 allows for the contractor & subcontractor information in blocks 6&7. Typically, when a DD254 is issued, only one subcontractor’s information is included on the form.

Multiple copies are produced, each with a different subcontractor listed. Due to space constraints on the DD254, shall the offeror’s submit a form for each of their subcontractors if they are partnering with more than one company?

Offerors may submit either a continuation sheet to the DD254 for all subcontracted companies or separate DD254s identifying each subcontractor. Note that it is a requirement (per NISPOM), for the Prime to provide each subcontractor a copy of the DD254 upon award.

Ref: RFP, Page 95, Section L-4.b, Volume V-A V-A – Small Business Subcontracting Plan states that Offerors, other than small business concerns, shall submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 19.7, FAR 52.219-9, DFARS 219.7, and DFARS 252-219-7003 (See Attachment 6, Small Business Subcontracting Plan Template). We operate under an approved DCMA Master subcontracting Plan that defines our compliance to meeting the clauses of FAR 52.219-9 and Far 19.704. Our Master Subcontracting Plan does not state small business goals for individual contracts. We state our small business goals by submitting an Individual Subcontracting Plan.

We submit both documents to be compliant with FAR 52.219-8, FAR 52.219-9 and DFARS 252-19-7.

Will the government accept our DCMA approved Master Subcontracting Plan and an Individual Subcontracting Plan instead of the plan as outlined in Attachment 6?

Yes.

Ref: RFP, Volume VI: Cost/Price Proposal There is a narrative element under VI-A and a spreadsheet element under VI-B. Given that only Word and Excel formats are acceptable, can the electronic submission of this Volume be in two files, one Word and one Excel?

Yes. A narrative or brief summary may be included in word format with Volume VI: Cost/Price proposal, not to exceed 5 pages.

Section L-4., Volume VI-A of the RFP has been revised and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: RFP, Page 103, Section M-2.4.1.1 (3) The RFP states "The Offerer's proposal includes a staffing plan that identifies the personnel resources detailing roles and responsibilities,". Per this requirement, the Government indicates it will evaluate detailed roles and responsibilities for all personnel, not just key personnel, as part of the staffing plan. Section L requires roles and responsibilities only for key personnel.

Considering the RFP Attachment 7 that defines all personnel roles, we recommend modifying this Section M requirement to state "The Offerer's proposal includes a staffing plan that identifies the personnel resources detailing roles and responsibilities for key personnel,".

Section M-2.4.1.1.(3) has been revised and reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: RFP, Page 90, Section L-3.a (1) The RFP states "The proposal (offer), shall consist of RFP sections A through K, including all documents and attachments that are incorporated herein and made a part of the contract." Is it the Government's intent that bidders provide within their proposal a copy of the RFP and attachments? Or, would the Government consider allowing bidders to acknowledge and accept the RFP requirements within their Contract Forms and Certifications cover letter to save the Government having to evaluate redundant information?

No, Offerors are not required to submit a copy of the RFP and attachments. Section L-3.a.(1) has been revised and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: RFP, Section L-4., Page 95-97, Volume V The Small Business Participation Plan lists the goal as 40% of TCV. This goal is a bit more onerous in comparison to the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, which is 34.5% of TSV to small businesses. Did TRANSCOM intend for the Small Business Participation Plan to be 40% of TCV?

Yes, the minimum small business concern percentage goal, for the small business participation plan is 40%.

Ref: RFP, Amendment 0001 SF33 The FBO notification release Amendment 0001 on April 1 however the SF33 indicates Amendment 0002. Is the SF33 incorrect?

Yes, the SF33 is incorrect. The error is noted on FBO.

Amendment 1 was released on 1 April.

Ref: RFP, Amendment 0001, Summary of Changes Section A The required response date/time has changed from 11-Apr-2016 02:00 PM to 19-Apr-2016 09:00 AM.Is the 09:00AM Central or Eastern time.

Central time.

Ref: Questions & Answers #3, Question #11 This answer limits the Pricing Narrative to two pages (however this change is not included in the amended RFP, which still indicates no page limit). Please consider providing six additional pages (for a total of eight pages) for the Pricing Narrative to ensure offeror’s provide adequate information on how costs are estimated for the different types of CLINs required by this RFP.

The page limitations for the pricing narrative are increased to 5 pages and will be reflected via forthcoming amendment.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing/Staffing Matrix, Instruction #8 Offeror will input Fringe Benefit, Overhead, and G&A percentages on the Option Period 1 Onsite and Offsite Tasks- Lbr Hrs worksheets. We will be utilizing multiple overhead pools and fringe packages that are specific to various labor category for both onsite and offsite in accordance with our DCMA approved Disclosure Statement and Estimating System. The current structure of the prime tabs do not allow utilization of multiple overhead pools/fringe packages. Can we please have an unprotected attachment 8 that will allow us to add rows to include additional rates for overhead pools and fringe packages?

We understand the importance of maintaining integrity of the files and will ensure that all changes made to the file are highlighted.

The Government will not provide an unprotected pricing matrix.

Separate Overhead and Fringe percentages may be proposed on the onsite and offsite tabs. However, the price analysis will be performed utilizing the labor rates already burdended with Fringe, Overhead and G&A. A separate review of the Fringe, Overhead, G&A percentages proposed, will not be conducted.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing/Staffing Matrix Instruction #8 Offeror will input Fringe Benefit, Overhead, and G&A percentages on the Option Period 1 Onsite and Offsite Tasks- Lbr Hrs worksheets. The burdening formulas in Rows 9-13 do not comply with our DCMA approved disclosure statement and Estimating System. Can we please have an unprotected attachment 8 that will allow us to correct the formulas of applying indirect rates to comply with our DCMA approved disclosure statement and ?

The Government will not provide an unprotected pricing matrix.

Separate Overhead and Fringe percentages may be proposed on the onsite and offsite tabs. However, the price analysis will be performed utilizing the labor rates already burdended with Fringe, Overhead and G&A. A separate review of the Fringe, Overhead, G&A percentages proposed, will not be conducted.

Ref: Questions & Answers #2, Question #78 This answer clarifies that printed copies of the staffing matrix (orange tabs) are to be included in the Staffing Volume. When printed, this results in 65 11x17 pages.

Please confirm that offeror’s are to include 65 11x17 pages as an Appendix to the Staffing Volume.

The Offeror shall include a staffing matrix in the Staffing Volume.

The staffing matrix extracted from Attachment 8 (orange tabs), are exclusive of the page limitations for Volume III.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix Based on the initial release of Atch 8 – Pricing Matrix, composite Labor Rates were developed for our Team composed of the blend of Prime and Subcontractor Rates. These blended composite rates were then used on all Pricing Matrix worksheets.

Is this acceptable to the Government to continue with this initial approach and load blended rates into Prime worksheets ONLY, and not utilize the newly added Subcontractor worksheets?

It is acceptable for the Offeror to provide Prime/Subcontractor blended rates into the Prime worksheets only.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix_Amd1 Pricing Matrix_Amd 1 has only one Subcontractor Sheet, but our Team has multiple subcontractors with varying rates. If it is not acceptable to the Government to loadsingle blended rates into the Prime worksheets ONLY, will the Government alter the Pricing Matrix in Amendment 1 to add five (5) total Subcontractor worksheets?

Prime/Subcontractor blended rates provided under the Prime worksheets are acceptable. Or, subcontractor blended rates can be included in the subcontractor worksheet.

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix_Amd1 Pricing Matrix_Amd1 has Subcontractor Indirect (Fringe, Overhead, G&A) rates that are proprietary; and therefore, the Prime does not have the knowledge to add these Indirect rates into Subcontractor worksheets as the Pricing Matrix is currently set up. The Prime only has the ability to load a fully Burdened Subcontract Rate before the application of fee. Will the Government change the Subcontractor worksheets to correct this issue; or, can we load blended rates into the Prime worksheets ONLY, and not utilize the newly added Subcontractor worksheets?

It is acceptable for the Offeror to provide Prime/Subcontractor blended rates into the Prime worksheets. Or, the Offeror may submit the fully burdened rate on & off-site for the subcontractor sans Fringe, Overhead & G&A percentages on the Subcontractor tabs.

Ref: Attachment 4, Past Performance Information, #74 of Q&A#2 States that the font requirements remain unchanged for the Past Performance Information Sheet. Number 95 states that offerors should comply with font requirements specified in Section L-3 of the RFP. Will the Government please confirm that size 8 (minimum) Times New Roman is the correct font size for the Past Performance Information Sheets as they are tables?

The Past Performance Information Sheets are not considered tables, therfore Offerors should conform to the font size requirements indicated in Section L of the PWS.

Reference Q&A#2, Question #74

Ref: Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix “Reference the modified Attachment 8, Pricing Matrix, provided with Amendment 1, the government is now requesting labor category cost build-up information from all subcontractors as well as the prime contractor. Subcontractors will generally not disclose cost build-up information (Fringe, Overhead, G&A) to prime bidders as a matter of general business practice, and the government would normally make provisions for the separate/independent submission of subcontractor cost build-up information. Can the government make such a provision in this case such that the SUB tabs in the Pricing Matrix are completed separately and independently by subcontractors and submitted directly to the government?”

It is acceptable for the Offeror to provide subcontractor fully burdened rates under the subcontractor worksheets sans build-up information.

ITSM Q&A#4