M00264-16-R-0032_Responses_to_Industry_Questions_FINAL.pdf

Question No.

Applicable Document

Question Response

1 RFP

Question pertaining to 52.219-14 (Limitations On Subcontracting, NOV 2011), as on May 31, SBA issued its final rule to implement provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, which pertains to the limitations on subcontracting (“LOS”) applicable to small business set-aside contracts, socioeconomic program set-aside contracts, and small business subcontracting. The rules take effect June 30.

First; Could the Government confirm as to whether the statement articulated on Page 226 - 2.5.1.8 Small Business Set Aside 51% Rule is still valid? As it's understood authorization of the use of similarly-situated subcontractors are permitted and the rule regarding the performance requirement applies collectively to the prime and the similarly-situated subcontractor; the rule does not appear to require the prime to do a certain amount of the work itself as long as the prime’s performance, combined with performance by similarly-situated subcontractors, complies with the LOS.

Secondly; When calculating compliance with the LOS, is compliance based on "personnel cost" or "total contract cost?"

The Government is aware of the Small Business Administration's final rule titled "Small Business Government Contracting and National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 Amendments" in the Federal Register at 81 Fed. Reg. 34243, which becomes effective on June 30, 3016. The government is currently in the process of determining how to reconcile that rule with the current FAR 52.219-14 (NOV 2011) clause. The government intends to further clarify its response to the question via another amendment prior to the due date for proposal submission.

2 PWS

For all EOD operations, Will the government provide all explosive/energetic materials (bulk explosives, initiators, PAN rounds, etc.) and non-energetic/non-explosive charge or tool components (charge containers, tamping medium, build materials, etc.) utilized by the EOD Section?

If not, can the government specify the category and quantities of all explosive/energetic materials and non-energetic /non-explosive charge or tool components required for training the EOD section?

EOD will provide required live ordnance items from USMC training ordnance allocations for training events requiring live ordnance.

3 PWS

Can the Government provide clarification regarding ‘data rights’ as it relates to the development of training materials and the use of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) X-Ray Tool Kit intellectual property and software?

CBIRF requires "data rights" for any contractor developed products developed expressly for CBIRF under this contract. For example, if the contractor develops a spreadsheet model to track CBIRF training progress against training and readiness standards, CBIRF would have full rights to the data and model.

Data and models used to develop scenarios for exercises would also be included. For a third party software tool used as part of the training as mentioned here, CBIRF does not require the data rights. We will not pay the contractor to develop their own intellectual property.

4 PWS

SNL developed the X-Ray Tool Kit for the Government, and though licensed to provide training on the subject matter and use SNL’s intellectual property, the offeror’s license does not include intellectual property rights (nor relinquishment of the same).

Same answer as above. CBIRF does not intend to use this contract to obtain intellectual property rights for third party software. CBIRF requires full intellectual property rights to any training curriculum or training aids developed under this contract. To the extent that the contractor serves as an instructor for courseware that they do not own, such as a FEMA course, they will provide CBIRF with copies of courseware to the extent allowable by the courseware owner.

5 PWS

Will the Government provide explosives/ammunition for breaching, energetic tools, disruption charges and associated non-explosive charge containers/materials?

CBIRF will provide required ordnance for training from USMC training ordnance allocations.

6 RFP

Pricing Template (TO 1 & TO 2 tabs). Why are Offerors being requested to price travel for both the Initial and Sample Task Orders, if travel is on a cost reimbursable basis?

The offeror needs to estimate travel based on their recommended technical approach and proposed training venues. Travel cost will be reimbursable, however, CBIRF must have an initial estimate for budget purposes. For exercises, the contractor will need to attend initial, mid, and final planning conferences as well as provide observer controllers for conduct of the exercise at CBIRF, higher headquarters, lower control, and any other location as determined by the contractors' and JTF exercise design. JTF-CS exercise planning meetings are held at Ft Eustis, Camp Atterbury, Ft Hood, Ft Stewart, and other locations depending on the rotational membership of the Defense CBRNE response force each year. Some contracted instructors under Objective 1 will need to travel to annual Initial Reponses Force exercises in New York City. For example, this year CBIRF has two 6 day exercises in New York City requiring observer controllers. For FY-17, JTF exercise planning meeting locations are unknown. CBIRF exercise venue locations are pending the results of this contract action. Contractor's technical approach should seek to minimize CBIRF's travel expenses. In general, CBIRF does not expect to pay for contractors to travel to Indian Head to conduct planning or conduct training but recognizes that contractors will have to travel from the Indian Head area to distant training venues or planning meetings for training events. For FY16, travel included trips to Camp Atterbury for an MPM, FPM and 2 MESL conferences, as well as observer controllers for exercise Vibrant Response, two trips to Georgia for decontamination training, two trips to New York, and a potentially another trip to Georgia.

The travel cost is reimbursable as a lesson learned from the previous contract. Determining who will need to travel for each event will be part of the exercise planning process.

7 PWS

If the Government is requesting Offerors to estimate travel for both the Initial and Sample Task Orders, will the Government please provide the destination city(ies), departure city(ies), venue(s), and number of travelers associated with their respective CLINs/SLINs?

The offeror needs to estimate travel based on their recommended technical approach and proposed training venues. Travel cost will be reimbursable, however, CBIRF must have an initial estimate for budget purposes. For exercises, the contractor will need to attend initial, mid, and final planning conferences as well as provide observer controllers for conduct of the exercise at CBIRF, higher headquarters, lower control, and any other location as determined by the contractors' and JTF exercise design. JTF-CS exercise planning meetings are held at Ft Eustis, Camp Atterbury, Ft Hood, Ft Stewart, and other locations depending on the rotational membership of the Defense CBRNE response force each year. Some contracted instructors under Objective 1 will need to travel to annual Initial Reponses Force exercises in New York City. For example, this year CBIRF has two 6 day exercises in New York City requiring observer controllers. For FY-17, JTF exercise planning meeting locations are unknown. CBIRF exercise venue locations are pending the results of this contract action. Contractor's technical approach should seek to minimize CBIRF's travel expenses. In general, CBIRF does not expect to pay for contractors to travel to Indian Head to conduct planning or conduct training but recognizes that contractors will have to travel from the Indian Head area to distant training venues or planning meetings for training events. For FY16, travel included trips to Camp Atterbury for an MPM, FPM and 2 MESL conferences, as well as observer controllers for exercise Vibrant Response, two trips to Georgia for decontamination training, two trips to New York, and a potentially another trip to Georgia.

The travel cost is reimbursable as a lesson learned from the previous contract. Determining who will need to travel for each event will be part of the exercise planning process.

8 RFP

Section B of the RFP does not reflect SLINs 0004AD, 0004AE, 0004AF, 0004AG, 0004AH nor 0004AI, whereas these SLINs are listed under the TO 02 tab of the pricing template. Is the Government requesting Offerors to provide three (3) separate venue estimates for each range?

Discrepancy under the CLIN structure will be addressed via solicitation amendment. The Government is requesting pricing for Initial Response Force (IRF) Training Venue and Other Training Venue. Each training venue is divided into Low, Medium and Long Range criteria. Pricing for these venues shall be included under the Deliverables Unit Price Matrix tab of the pricing template.

Contractor can add/remove SLIN reference under the pricing template task order 2 tab. SLIN references were placed as a guide/reference.

If needed, contractor is allowed to add rows to account for the price of each proposed venue (IRF and Other training Venues).

9 RFP

Pricing Template (Deliverables Unit Price Matrix, Rows 52-63). Request the Government to confirm how they would like Offerors to price Venues? This tab is requesting Offerors to provide four (4) separate venue estimates for each range per training event, however Section B of the RFP stipulates "The unit of issue "Each" refers to one day for one person at the venue" and is only requesting pricing for one (1) venue per range.

Changes to the solicitation pricing template includes training venue prices for Initial Response Force (IRF) Training Venue and Other Training Venue.

IRF Training Venue:

IRF Training Venue shall be capable of handling a census of approximately 200 personnel per event.

Other Training Venue:

Other Training Venue shall be capable of handling a census of no more than 30 individuals at the facility per day.

Pricing:

Pricing for the venues shall be on a a per day basis.

If needed, contractor is allowed to add rows to account for the price of each proposed venue (IRF and Other training Venues).

10 RFP

RFP, Page 158 - Section 1.8 (Period of Performance). Could the Government please validate the PoP commencement of 2 September 2016, as it's understood the current contract does not end till 29 September 2016?

Period of Performance of this effort starts 30 September 2016.

Solicitation amendment addresses this discrepancy.

11 PWS

All participants who complete a course shall be given a certificate of completion or equivalent NLT 10 days after completion. Parameters for provision of certificates need to be eliminated or extended. ProBoard testing, re-testing, and processing requires much longer than 10 days.

FEMA courses and Fire Academy courses requiring no evaluation can be provided in 10 days. Will the Government extend the time period for presenting certificate to within 60 days?

For courses requiring governing body testing, evaluation, and certification outside of the contractor's direct control, 60 days is an acceptable period for delivering certificates. For courses within the contractors full control, certificates will ideally be presented at the end of the course and no more than 10 days after completion.

12 PWS

Task 34 - Emergency Medical Technician Basic Course 03.T34.1. “The contractor to ensure the course provided is a state-approved course, meeting the requirements of National Registry or Emergency Medical Technicians and the State of Maryland’s Emergency Medical Systems."

The NREMT program is a national data base, will Marines be required to be tested and dual certified? In 2015, the program was administered in Virginia Beach (Tidewater Community College) with a 100% pass rate. Is Maryland testing and certification necessary?

CBIRF's intent is to conduct EMT training locally at CBIRF's Training Center in order to avoid the substantial expense of conducting at a distant location. Another local option could work. Presumably the course should comply with the state requirements in which it is conducted due to the requirement for ride along. If that is not the case, CBIRF is indifferent to the state certification as long as the program is NREMT certified.

Marines will not be required to be certified in two states.

13 PWS

Task 22 - Vehicle Rescue Level I and Task 23 - Vehicle Rescue Level II (03.T22.1; 03.T223.1). Who will be responsible for pricing, obtaining and removal of required vehicles and machinery for these classes?

Ideally, the contractor should provide and remove hardware (e.g., cars, etc) for this training. In the past CBIRF has done this but would prefer the contractor to provide the required support and outline in the technical approach what CBIRF needs to show up with for the training. The technical approach can propose either way, as long as it is specified, however CBIRF would prefer not to have to contract support for the contractor to deliver the training. In this case, the vehicles used for the training would remain the property of the contractor.

13 PWS

Task 26 - Structural Collapse Technician (03.T26.1) Who will be responsible for pricing and obtaining crane required for this training?

Contractor should provide crane support for this training. In the past CBIRF has done this but would prefer the contractor to provide the required support and outline in the technical approach what CBIRF needs to show up with for the training.

The technical approach can propose either way, as long as it is specified, however CBIRF would prefer not to have to contract support for the contractor to deliver the training.

14 RFP

We came across some discrepancies associated with the TO 02 tab of the Pricing Template.

* SLIN 0003AF - Deliberate & Crisis Action is missing

* SLIN 0003AG (Row 16) is currently labeled as Deliberate & Crisis Action, where it should be associated with FEMA ICS 300

* SLIN 0003AH (Row 17) is currently labeled as FEMA ICS 300, 400, where it should be associated with FEMA ICS 400

* SLIN 0003AI (Row 18) is not an actual SLIN

* SLIN 0003AJ through SLIN 0003BH (Rows 18-43) are misidentified

* SLIN 0003BJ - FEMA Technical Search Specialist is missing

* SLIN 0003BK - EMT Basic Course is missing

Solicitation amendment will address these discrepancies.