JPL_2nd_RFI-QandA-3.12.18.pdf

JPL RFI No.: LVM-18-2661-4976 https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1

JPL Software / Systems Engineering, Operations, Data Management / Distribution, and Support Services

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Dated: March 12, 2018

UPDATES TO THIS FAQ DOCUMENT ARE IN THE HIGHLIGHTED YELLOW SECTIONS

This document serves as a list of frequently asked questions that have been received since the RFI was released. Supplier Information and Statement of Capabilities Questions are numbered in this document in order of the question on the Worksheet (e.g.: Question #3 is not the third question received but rather Question #3 in the Excel file).

If you have any other questions prior to RFI due date (March 15, 2018, 3:00 PDT), please submit them via email to lara.v.meikle@jpl.nasa.gov.

All meeting requests with JPL will be held the week of Industry Day, which is tentatively scheduled for early September 2018.

GENERAL

Question: Are Respondents only required to complete the attached Excel for the RFI or can

Respondents also include a word document in additional to that addresses each of the seven (7) areas under Scope?

Answer: Yes, please provide responses on the spreadsheet. Back-up information may be provided in a Word or PDF document.

Question: Is it a requirement for the Respondents to provide computing equipment, tools, office facilities, and infrastructure along with the labor?

Answer: Yes. The Subcontractor must fully equip its employees for them to complete the work.

Question: Does the Respondent need to have an office in California?

Answer: The Respondent does not have to have office space currently in the local area but will need to propose a location in the management volume of the RFP consistent with the location and connectivity requirements stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP). This will become part of the evaluation criteria and scored. Respondents will need to show the capability to fulfill all contract requirements and a serious intent to successfully perform.

Question: Will this Subcontract award be a Time & Material (T&M) opportunity?

Answer: No. JPL is anticipating this effort to be a Cost-Plus Fixed-Fee (CPFF) Subcontract.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1 mailto:lara.v.meikle@jpl.nasa.gov https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1

Question: Is it acceptable for a Respondent, who is planning to team with a small business, to respond to the questions together as one response?

Answer: If the Respondent intends to partner, then answer the questions separately in the

"Prime" and "Partner" columns and do not integrate your responses. It is acceptable to add columns for more than one "Partner", if necessary.

SUPPLIER INFORMATION WORKSHEET

Question #1: Please clarify the meaning of the term "DIRECT," which is used in multiple places in this

RFI. Does “DIRECT” mean any person who receives their compensation and benefits (i.e.

vacation pay, insurance, pension plan, etc.) from an employer and the employer withholds income taxes, social security, Medicare taxes, and pays unemployment tax on wages paid to the employee? Is this the correct interpretation?

Answer #1: Yes, that is a correct interpretation.

Question #2: Does the government anticipate this contract requiring a facility clearance, and if so, what level?

Answer: #2: No, this effort is not requiring a facility clearance.

Question #3: Please clarify the meaning of "technically led" in the context of this question. Our interpretation of this phrase is that the Respondent is a Prime contractor leading a contract that requires technical skills similar to those specified in Exhibit 1. Is this the correct interpretation?

Answer #3: Yes, that is a correct interpretation.

Question #6: In the context of this question, does PARTNER refer to a business relationship, which could be either a Prime or Subcontract role? And if a Respondent does not have Prime contracts with partners, how should they answer?

Answer #6: Yes, Partner could be either Prime or Subcontract-role in this context. Respondents who do not have Prime contracts with partners should provide three (3) references of Primes to which they were a subcontractor.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1 https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1

Question #6: What does the term “Partner References” mean? Is JPL looking for information on former teammate / subcontractor companies that Respondents have worked with on previous contracts? Or are these to be references from companies that Respondents are planning to partner with on this opportunity if we are the successful offeror?

Answer #6: JPL is looking for references on former teammate / subcontractor companies that

Respondents have worked with on previous contracts.

STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES WORKSHEET

Question #3: What is JPL's definition of a “manager”? For example, does this mean employees who have direct reports, the term manager in their job title, or those who have managed people who fall into the roles listed in Exhibit 1?

Answer #3: In this context, a manager is a person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff, and is regarded in terms of their skill. JPL is looking for the number of direct managers who currently manage employees who perform tasks in the discipline areas / roles listed in Exhibit I.

Question #3: Respondents are required to fill in the data that aligns with the roles in Exhibit 1. Is it acceptable for Respondents to add rows or columns to the spreadsheet to provide additional detail?

Answer #3: Respondents can add additional lines as necessary. Supporting or back-up information should be provided in a Word or PDF document.

Question #4: Should respondents reply to this question from the perspective of a prime role or a subcontractor role?

Answer #4: Respondents should answer the question for both Prime and Subcontract roles.

Question #4: What is the definition of "task type" contracts as used in the RFI? Does this mean

Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity, Task Order contracts? For Labor-Hour contracts, are we to follow the FAR 16.602 definition? Should Time-and-Material type contracts also to be included?

Answer #4: The definition of a “task type” Subcontract as used in this RFI is when a Subcontractor is responsible for delivery of work. The definition of a “labor type” Subcontract as used in this RFI is when a Subcontractor is responsible for delivery of labor hours. Do not follow https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1 https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1 the FAR 16.602 definition. Responses should be limited to only Task type and Labor type.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=31152adb2df338a798981b8ed4c5274f&tab=core&_cview=1