RFP_Questions_and_Govt_Answers_ID04180070_as_of_12_Jun_2018.docx

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Southeast Sunbelt Region Atlanta, Georgia

Questions and Answers Submitted in accordance with the REQUEST FOR QUOTE: ID04180070 Joint Cyber Planning Services

ISSUE DATE: 06/12/2018

The following set of new questions (1-20) has been received and answered:

This Questions and Answers Notice is merely informative and is not incorporated in the RFP. Only an amendment to the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and/ or the Instructions to Offerors (ITO) will change this Request for Quote (RFP).

______________________________________________________________________________ General Question Q1.REFERENCE: C.2.1, page 8, section M, page 120 QUESTION: Separate from the required PM/TL, can the government clarify PWS reference for additional key personnel "shall include three Program Area Leads who are senior-level." Are Program Area Leads inclusive of 3 additional seniors for PWS C.2.1.1? Whereas Section M cites "proposal will be evaluated to ensure all tasks have qualified key personnel identified and assigned," thus eluding that key personnel for all tasks areas listed under C.2.1.

GSA A1: The program area leads can be senior level. The intent is to have senior level personnel who can provide leadership/mentorship to the lower level members, provide review and feedback of tasks prior to delivery, etc. The intent is to avoid direct supervision from the government so we would like to have senior SMEs who can also provide some of the daily supervision of the workforce.

PWS

Q2. REFERENCE: C.2.1.1, pages 8-10 QUESTION: The RFP provides a single set of duties for the Senior Strategy Plans and Program Analysts and the Strategy Plans and Policy Analysts. No criteria are provided to distinguish between senior analysts and the others. To improve the fidelity of pricing the appropriate skill levels, would the government consider providing a specific additional job qualifications and experience expected of the Senior Analysts?

GSA A2: The expectation laid out in C.2.1.a is that at least four analysts will have 10+ years of experience and the remainder can have less experience. Tasking are the same to meet PWS requirements. Since this is a performance based effort, the offeror is responsible for determining the appropriate labor categories and skill levels. See paragraph C.2 on page 7 as well to determine requirements.

Q3. REFERENCE: M.3. (2) P. 119

QUESTION: The government evaluation of the offeror's organization plan mentions a "mid level analyst" and suggests that the job responsibilities outlined in Section 3 (apart from Senior Analysts) might be filled with a variety of experience levels within the same LCAT, and particularly within the job duties for Strategy Plans and Policy Analyst and CyberSecurity Operations Analyst. Does the government intend for the offeror's staffing plan to include multiple skill levels, and if so, may the offeror adjust the pricing template to allow for skill levels within each labor category?

GSA A3: This is a performance based effort. The offeror is responsible for determining skill levels and labor rates to meet the minimum requirements described in the PWS. The Pricing spreadsheet does not dictate what skills or labor categories are required other than for OT support in CLIN X02 which is an T & M estimate because we are unable to determine what level of effort is required for this support.

Q4. REFERENCE: F.2 and F.2.1 pp 23, 24 QUESTION: Per the solicitation, the contract begins 9/26/2018 when the incoming contractor "will become fully responsible…" but goes on to state that the contractor must accomplish transition activities beginning 8/26/2018 "at no cost to the government." To ensure that contractors are not in violation of any federal law, can the government clarify the transition period and specifically what is at no cost to the government?

GSA A4: There will be a 30 day transition period from 8/26/2018 to 09/26/2018. During this period, the incumbent will still be responsible for performance. The transition period will be used to fulfill the requirements of F.2.1 at no cost meaning the contractor cannot invoice cost for any performance during that period of time. As stated in para F.2.1 the contractor will (1) conduct transition meetings with the Client and the outgoing contractor, (2) take actions necessary to employ all required personnel with appropriate security clearances in time to be fully functional per the contract, (3) take necessary actions to obtain/produce CAC cards, TS/SCI Clearances, CENTCOM access badges and other documentation necessary to meet contractual requirements, ______________________________________________________________________________

Q5: REFERENCE: H.4.1 p.37 and attachment 4, offeror spreadsheet QUESTION: The RFP notes that infrequent travel throughout the CENTCOM AOR is a possibility in the contract, including into war zones. Hardship and danger pay in accordance with the Department of State Table of Allowances can be significant when applicable. The government notes in the pricing sheet that DBAI is chargeable to CLIN X003, but is silent regarding other applicable uplifts. Does the government intend for offerors to price potential hardship and danger pay into CLIN X001 or CLIN X003? If uplifts apart from DBAI are chargeable to CLIN X001, would the government consider providing a specific estimate of travel by Labor Category, Location, Length of time and Frequency so that all offerors are estimating on a level playing field?

GSA A5: Yes, CLIN 003. If the contractor is required to travel OCONUS and hardship and danger paid is allowable, it will be paid as part of travel. All travel will be cost reimbursable no fee per CLIN 0003. Estimated travel cost has been established to support this requirement and is included in the pricing spreadsheet. The Government will not provide travel by labor category because that is not known at this time.

Q6: REFERENCE: C2.1.1(n) QUESTION: Section C requires this labor category to "Have a proficiency in clandestine capability development and interagency activities and DoD support vehicles". Q: What is meant by "DoD support vehicles"?

GSA A6: Understanding of the DoD acquisition process for clandestine support such as Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statements and Joint Emergent Operational Needs Statements

Q7: REFERENCE: C2.1.1(o) QUESTION: Section C requires this labor category to "Have experience in planning non-lethal operations to include cyberspace and special activities, to include operation research and quantitative analysis". ORSAs normally are the product of formal education and a structured career path. Q: Is the requirement that each person in this labor category be an ORSA? If not, would the govt revise the wording to relieve the requirement that each person have ORSA experience?

GSA A7: No, the intent is for analysts to be able to develop measures of performance and measures of effectiveness in accordance with Joint Doctrine.

Q8: REFERENCE: E4, Objective 1, page 18 QUESTION: Objective 1 requires that the contractor provide "Level 4" planning expertise. Q: Can the govt define what is meant by "Level 4"?

GSA A8: The offeror should have an understanding of what “Level 4” means if they are proposing on this contract.

Q9: REFERENCE: M.3 para B (1) Technical Capability page 117 QUESTION: Section M states, "The Offer shall provide 2-3 examples of previous project to demonstrate the below capabilities and explain in the Technical proposal any qualifications not support by experience." Q: Is this in addition to the 3 past performance examples required? Can we address this in the Past Performance volume which is dedicated to describing such experience, rather than in the Technical Volume?

GSA A9: The 2-3 projects are separate from the Past performance. The projects will be evaluated as part of the technical evaluations to determine the depth and breathe of experience the vendor has to meet the requirements of the PWS. The Past performance evaluates how well you performed on previous efforts of similar size and scope of the current effort.

Q10: REFERENCE: M. 3 Para B, (2) Organizational Structure/Staffing/Mgt Plan, p. 118 QUESTION: Section M states at the bottom of page 118, "The offeror shall provide education, qualifications, and experience levels for key personnel". Q: Leaving this to the offeror may incentive them to prescribe minimal education requirements/experience in order to reduce labor costs which will be the central cost driver for this requirement. If the govt values higher education and increased experience in this technical area, there are corresponding cost increases, however, the evaluation criteria does not place a higher value on more education or experience. Would the govt consider revising the Section M evaluation criteria to give greater consideration for increased formal education, additional experience, and training certifications that are related to Joint Cyber Services?

GSA A10: No. The Government has included the minimum requirements to meet the PWS tasks. The Government will evaluate the contractor’s technical proposal and give strengths/ weaknesses based on the criteria established in the technical factor including evaluating qualifications

Q11: REFERENCE: L.6.B, page 113 QUESTION: What is the preferred line spacing for the written proposal? What is the minimum size font for graphics and tables/charts? Are fold-outs allowable? If so, do they count as one page or two?

GSA A11: Smaller font (10) can be used for graphics but not fold outs are allowable. Otherwise documents must be 12 font IAW L.6.B

Q12: REFERENCE: L.6.B, page 113 QUESTION: The RFP states that “The written proposal shall be submitted …with 12-point font.” What font is preferred? TNR? Arial? Also to allow more efficient use of limited page space, will the Government consider allowing a reduced font size (e.g. 10 point) for tables and figures?

GSA A12: Time New Roman

Q13: REFERENCE: L.6.B page 115, Volume III Attachment 6 QUESTION: The RFP states, “NOTE: OFFERORS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER ATTACHMENT 6 IS ACCURATE AND CURRENT.” This is the only mention of Attachment 6 in the RFP. Please clarify – where in the proposal is Attachment 6 to be provided?

GSA A13: Attachment 6 is part of the past performance volume. It is the contractor listing of contracts.

Q14: REFERENCE: M.3.B.2.1, Page 119 QUESTION: This section requires offerors to discuss the “skill level (or skill series/name)” of proposed personnel, but does not define what “skill series” means. Please clarify.

GSA A14: This is a performance based effort. It is up to the offeror to determine skill levels/labor categories as long as they meet the minimum requirements described in C2, Pages 7-8 and C.2.1.a

Q15: REFERENCE: C.2.1, page 8. On-Site Program Manager and three Program Area Leads (these personnel will come out of the existing labor pool). The key personnel shall be identified in the Contractor’s proposal and shall also identify requisite years of experience, certifications, and credentials IAW Section M, Organizational Structure/Staffing/Management Plan.

QUESTION: Can the government please clarify the statement "…(these personnel will come out of the existing labor pool)." - Is the government insisting that the new contractor MUST hire incumbent personnel (this seems to give the incumbent an unfair advantage) OR is the government saying that the Key Personnel MUST be currently employed by the contractor (in other words, they cannot be contingent hires?). It is unclear why the government is limiting the contractor's ability to find and recommend the best and most qualified candidate for the position.

GSA A15: The existing labor pool means those personnel assigned as part of your total personnel being tasked to complete this effort. It is not referencing incumbent personnel.

Q16: REFERENCE: M.3 (B) (2), page 119. Organizational Structure/ Staffing / Management Plan: 3. Identify key personnel, by position title, and skill level, which will be assigned to this task and their specific duties and responsibilities. The offeror shall provide education, qualifications, and experience levels for key personnel QUESTION: Please confirm that the government wants contractors to submit one (1) resume for On-Site Program Manager and three (3) resumes for Program Area Leads? If yes, please confirm that resumes should be included in Volume I Technical Approach and will be outside the 40 page limit.

GSA A16: Resumes are not required. However, the contractor must provide a detailed description of how they will meet the PWS requirements in their proposal. If Resumes are utilized they will not be a part of the page count.

Q17: REFERENCE: L.6.8, age 113. The total page count of the Offeror’s responses for Proposal Volume I: Technical Approach shall not exceed 40 pages. Any pages submitted beyond that will not be evaluated. A cover page, table of contents, index, and/or resumes are not required but, if included, do not count toward the page total.

QUESTION: a) if resumes for key personnel are required (yes/no?). b) resumes should be included in Volume I Technical Approach and will not be included in the 40-page limit. c) resumes will be evaluated (yes/no?)

GSA A17: Resumes are not required. If resumes are not utilized they will not be part of the page count. Resumes will not be evaluated.

Q18: REFERENCE:

QUESTION: What time is the proposal is due on 25 June 2018?

GSA A18: The proposals are due at 1300 on 25 Jun 2018. This includes delivery of the hard copies by the close time

Q19: REFERENCE:

QUESTION: How many pages may we submit for each Past Performance? We would request 5 pages per Past Performance GSA A19: There is no page count on past performance Q20.REFERENCE: Pricing template, Travel and ODC.

QUESTION: What is the deadline for physical delivery of the hard-copies? Is it also 13:00 on 25 June? Or can hard copies just be postmarked by then and can be received by you after 13:00 on 25 June? And if hard copies are needed by 13:00 on 25 June can we do a physical hand delivery instead of mailing or FEDEX'ing it?

GSA A20: The deadline for hard copies is 1300 on 25 Jun 2018. Physical delivery is acceptable but must be coordinated prior to 1300 and must be in sufficient time to meet the deadline. Any delivery after 1300 EST is considered late. Call Keith Echols 478-297-7583 to discuss a location to meet for delivery.