QandA_DRAFT SOLICITATION N0002423R4304_08212023.docx

Questions and Answers – DRAFT Solicitation N00024-23-R-4304 (Sections B and C)

Because subcontracted labor has previously been considered an Other Direct Cost (ODC) (the previous solicitation stated, “For purpose of establishing appropriate fee limitation, labor provided via a subcontract is considered Other Direct Costs…”) and not Direct Labor, we recommend changing the Cost Volume S-6 Attachment scenarios as detailed below to facilitate comparison of labor and ODC costs from differing organizational structures (e.g., single contractor, joint venture, prime/sub agreement).

Proposed action/change: Change “DIRECT LABOR” throughout the L001-L006 Tabs to “DIRECT and SUBCONTRACT LABOR” with instructions to specify that SUBCONTRACT LABOR refers to labor positions in Attachment J-1 that are filled by a subcontractor (that is, an embedded subcontractor).

A1

This question is specific to the previous solicitation. Please see the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

A2

Please see the revised minimum task order amount ($5,000) in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

A3

The prime contractor’s proposed indirect rate (ceilings) would be applied to the non-scheduled costs as indicated in the Section B tables. Please see the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

A4

The base award fee is zero and serves as the minimum fee. The base fee is fixed.

A5

Please see paragraph (h) of the clause in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

A6

Please see the J-1 attachment in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

1. Will the government recognize the need to diversify the talent requirements for some positions in order to make the personnel commercially valuable to outsource. Will commercial experience (less DOD experience) and relevant education be given greater weight in the evaluation of key exempt personnel to provide both some innovative thinking in how ESSM is managed but also provide for opportunities to potentially utilize these personnel outside of ESSM if not needed. E.G. A highly qualified program manager that meets or exceeds the technical skills required to manage ESSM but has little relevant DOD DFAR experience. E.G. A highly qualified commercial IT manager who could support the contractors base business as well as ESSM requirements but does not have all of the relevant DOD training yet.

1. How will the government handle the release of scheduled labor - advance notice, length of release, any recall requirements, and what happens if these requirements prevent the outsourcing of those personnel. As full time employees both parties wish to retain for continuity does ESSM cover their wage requirements if outsourced work cannot be found or does contractor have a mechanism for pricing this risk in the contract if we are expected to bear the burden of it.

A7

The Government intends to consider all candidates meeting the minimum qualifications as specified in attachment J-2, to include those with commercial and/or DoD/ESSM experience. All DoD specific requirements shall be met, as applicable. Candidates with relevant DoD experience may be evaluated more favorably.

The scheduled labor requirements/ adjustments will be set semi-annually in the QPR for the six-month period following that quarter. Numbers would not be expected to change drastically but these positions are not contractually guaranteed. If a position is not required, the Government will not cover its wage requirements if outsourced work cannot be found. However, the Government understands the desire to retain skilled workforce so reductions to the workforce would not be made indiscriminately.

Please see the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Question(s): Different definitions for CEWM. Is it Contractor ESSM Warehouse Management or Contracted ESSM Workforce Management?

A8

Contractor ESSM Warehouse Management. Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

A9

The Government will not provide guidance or minimum escalation factors to be applied to the exempt or non-exempt labor rates proposed.

A10

Semi-annually. Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Proposed action/change: For the ESSM platform we recommend changing the requirement to a “as needed” basis vs. 4 Maintenance Releases (MR)and 8 Hot Fixes (HF) each fiscal year.

For various 3rd party applications like Microsoft Windows and Windows Server Versions recommend MR and HF performed as prompted by the specific software manufacturer.

A11

Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Proposed action/change: Specify the Standard to use and specifically all controls. Include the reference to NIST 800-171.

A12

Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Proposed action/change: Suggest use of controlled access policies vs. STIGs. Applying STIG updates would require a lengthy documentation process due to endpoints constantly changing, and potentially jeopardize mission critical data.

A13

Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Proposed action/change: In addition to the locations listed include the Washington NAVY YARD ESSM Extended Network Systems (EENS)

A14

Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Proposed action/change: Along with commercially available products, also allow for Navy owned and SUPSALV approved custom developed inventory management tools

A15

The inventory system should be a commercially available product. Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Proposed action/change: Recommend including the following: Hyperconverged Virtual Environment; Hyper converged Infrastructure; Hyper converged Disaster preparedness; WAN Technology or Protocols; Smart Card Authentication; Domain Certificate Authorities; Redundant Failover; Encryption of Drives for Mobile Devices; Centralized Encryption Management

A16

Please see the revision in the final solicitation N00024-23-R-4304.

Question(s): Would this requirement apply to a contractor who has an Approved Purchasing System?

Proposed action/change: The Government should reconsider the applicability of this clause and the feasibility of intrinsic value determination of the spares or equipment. Recommend this requirement to be applicable only for those contractors who do not have an Approved Purchasing System or consider removing this clause altogether.

A17

The inclusion of this clause is in the best interest of the Government until it is known who the successful offeror will be and whether that offeror has an approved purchasing system.

Proposed action/change: The Government to provide escalation percentages applicable to exempt positions for the all operating periods.

A18

The Government will not provide guidance or minimum escalation factors to be applied to the exempt or non-exempt labor rates proposed.