Draft_Solicitation_Q A_(v1.0).pdf

N00173-14-R-RV01

Draft Solicitation

Questions and Answers

Volume 1.

Q1. Area - Past Performance: In a proposal covering a number of Functional Work areas, can

Teammate/Subcontractor Past Performance be cited/submitted in a Prime proposal (Lot 2) in cases where the teammate has the strongest reference in a given Functional Area or Field?

A1. Yes.

Q2. Will contractors be allowed to submit past performances at the U//FOUO level? Currently the draft reads “Proposals shall not contain classified information” (page 77). If allowable, could you please publish the procedures to submit U//FOUO past performance paperwork?

A2. No volume of any proposal shall contain any FOUO information.

Q3. Ref: p. 27, Section G-18 Notification of Adding or Removing of Subcontractors. The clause indicates that requests to add or remove a subcontractor are required to be submitted in writing for approval or disapproval to do so. Can the Government please provide criteria that will be considered for approval or disapproval for the requested action?

A3. See FAR 44.202-2 and DFARS 244.202.

Q4. Ref: Section L and M, multiple paragraphs. Technical Volume Approach; Contradictions on

Approach to Functional Areas and Research Fields. Section L and M appear to have contradictions between them as well as within them on the requested approach to responding to the Functional Areas and

Research Fields (RF). Is it the Government’s intent that Subfactor A will consist of 8 Functional Areas of

15 pages each, for a total of 120 pages, and each 15 page Functional Area write-up will address the

Offerors technical approach, capabilities, qualifications, and other examples of experience such as internal initiatives, certifications, etc. as they pertain to each applicable Research Field?

A4. Incorrect. It is the Government’s intent that Subfactor A will consist of up to 7 Research Fields. Each

Research Field proposed shall be no longer than 30 pages, for a total of 210 pages, if all 7 Fields are proposed.

Within each research field proposed, the prospective Offeror shall discuss, at a minimum, its technical approach, capabilities, qualifications, and other examples of experience such as internal initiatives, certifications, etc. as they relate to one or more of the 8 Functional Areas.

Q5. Ref: p.78. L-13(b)(ii). Corporate Overview Requirement. This paragraph states the technical proposal “shall consist of both a corporate overview and individual proposals for each functional area.” Is it the Government’s intent that the Corporate Overview covers all Functional Areas proposed as an overview, or is a corporate overview required for each Functional Area proposed?

A5. It is the Government’s intention that the Corporate Overview covers any Research Fields proposed as an overview. A separate corporate overview is not required for each Research Field proposed.

Q6. Ref: p 79 L-13 (b)(3)(i)(A). Research Fields. The first sentence requires Offeror to specify the

Research Fields(s) we propose to perform. Is it the Government’s intent that Offerors may propose to less than all the Research Fields identified and addressed by Functional Area?

A6. Yes, Offerors must propose on at least one Research Field, and up to 7 Research Fields.

Q7. Ref: p 79 L-13 (b)(3)(i)(A). Potential Typographical Error. The second sentence states “Offeror shall provide its depth and breadth of technical expertise in the functional areas as it relates to one or more of the eight Functional Areas…”. Is it the Government’s intent that this should read “…in the research fields as they relate to one or more of the eight Functional Areas?”

A7. The revised Section is as follows:

(A) The solicitation contains a single SOW. Offerors shall specify one or more of the Research Field(s)

(SOW Paragraphs C-2(b)(1) through (7)) that the Offeror proposes to perform. The Offeror shall provide its depth and breadth of technical expertise in the one or more Functional Areas as it relates to one or more of the seven Research Fields identified in the SOW (SOW Paragraphs C-2(c)(1) through (8)).

Q8. Ref: p 79 L-13 (b)(3)(i)(B) and p 89 M-2(a)(1)(ii). Technical Volume Organization. The first sentence of the Section L reference states “Offeror shall demonstrate …ability to perform in one or more of the functional areas, and…shall address each functional area separately.” The first sentence of the

Section M reference states “Offerors are required to demonstrate their ability to perform in one or more of the research fields identified in Section C…., and as such, shall address each research field separately.”

The second sentence implies organization of the volume by research field, rather than by functional area.

Is it the Government’s intent that this sentence should read, “Offerors are required to demonstrate their ability to perform in one or more of the functional areas identified in Section C and shall address proposed research fields by functional area. ”This revised text would then support the interpretation addressed in question #1.

A8. The revised Sections are as follows:

L-13(b)(3)(i)(B)

Subfactor A: Technical Understanding and Capability

The Offeror shall demonstrate its ability to perform in one or more of the Research Fields identified in

Section C, and as such, shall address each Functional Area separately. The Offeror’s shall address its capabilities to perform work in one or more Functional Areas within each Research Field(s) proposed.

This explanation shall include examples of experience and/or qualifications, such as internal initiatives, certifications, training programs, Government or private industry contracts, joint research projects, participation in industry organizations, and membership in Government councils or other applicable venture. Additionally, the prospective Offeror will be required to demonstrate its technical understanding of the Research Field by responding to one or more sample Research Field Topics within the given

Research Field. Each sample Research Field Topics proposal shall demonstrate the methodology and technical approach, including applicable references to the Contractor’s quality control process

M-2(a)(1)(ii)

Element (2) – Soundness and Feasibility of Research Topic Approach:

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s capability to produce feasible technical and management solutions to the Sample Research Topic(s) associated with each Research Field requirement. The evaluation will focus on the Offeror’s ability to analyze the research topic and present in clear, concise, and complete terms, a sound approach for accomplishing the technical objectives of the topic; a practical methodology for mitigating identified risks and managing special requirements; and effective management procedures for controlling all aspects of topic performance. The evaluation will also assess the appropriateness of the Offeror’s allocation of labor categories, labor hours and other resources, such as travel, materials/other direct costs, and government furnished property, in consideration of the offered technical and management approaches.

Q9. Ref: p 80, L-13 (b)(3)(i)(C) and Section L Table on p 76: Sample Task Order Page Allocation. The

Sample task orders are listed in this section, but no page allocation has been addressed in the Section L

Table. Is it the Government’s intent to provide a specific page allocation per task order and separate task order Section L instructions?

A9. No. It is the Government’s intent to limit each proposed Research Field to no more than 30 pages.

Q10. Ref: p 81 L-14(a)(1). Subcontractor 10% Participation. The Past Performance sections states

Offerors are to submit at least one PPQ for each proposed subcontractor effort valued at 10% of their total current offering or more. Does this apply only at the Task Order/Delivery Order level since the exact composition of an Offeror’s current IDIQ-level offering cannot be determined until task orders are released and proposed? Will the Government provide guidance and explain how Offerors are to estimate teammates’ participation levels at the IDIQ level?

A10. This requirement has been removed.

Q11. Ref: p 82 L-16(d)(1) Pricing Tables and Attachment 1, Position Descriptions . The last sentence of the first reference requires Offerors to propose on all labor categories. The introduction to the second reference states that the labor categories provided are the Government’s best estimate, neither mandatory nor exclusionary, but are there to assist Offeror in mapping our labor categories to those in the IDIQ. Can the Government confirm that that Labor Categories in Attachment 1 can be mapped to Labor Categories in our DCAA approved accounting system?

A11. Yes.

Q12. . Ref: p 82 L-16(d)(1) and p 62, Section J. Section L-16 references Attachment 7, but there is no

Attachment 7 listed in Section J on p 62. Will the Government provide an Attachment 7 in the final RFP?

A12. Attachments 6 and 7 were combined. Reference to Attachment 7 in the solicitation has been removed.

Q13. Ref: p 86 M-1(a)(1)(i) and (ii): Basis for Award. This paragraph states “The Government intends to conduct evaluations and make awards…by Functional Area…” The following paragraph indicates that awards will be made by research fields. Will the Government please clarify if awards are to be made by research fields within specific functional areas such that, for example, an Offeror might propose to four research fields within a functional area, but only be awarded for two research fields within that functional area?

A13. It is the Government’s intention that contract award will be made by Research Field.

Q14. . Ref: p 89 M-2(a)(1)(i). This sentence is incomplete.

A14. Sentence Removed.

Q15. Ref: p 89 M-2(a)(1)(ii). Potential Typographical Error. Should comma 5 th line down between

“process” and “and…” be a semicolon such that there are two phrases addressing evaluation in this sentence: 1) functional area methodology, approach, past experience, technical, etc.; and 2) responses to problems for each Sample Task Order?

A15. The paragraph has been revised as follows:

Element (2) – Soundness and Feasibility of Research Topic Approach:

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s capability to produce feasible technical and management solutions to the Sample Research Topic(s) associated with each Research Field requirement. The evaluation will focus on the Offeror’s ability to analyze the research topic and present in clear, concise, and complete terms, a sound approach for accomplishing the technical objectives of the topic; a practical methodology for mitigating identified risks and managing special requirements; and effective management procedures for controlling all aspects of topic performance. The evaluation will also assess the appropriateness of the offeror’s allocation of labor categories, labor hours and other resources, such as travel, materials/other direct costs, and government furnished property, in consideration of the offered technical and management approaches.

Q16. . Ref: p 89 M-2(a)(1)(iii). Evaluation of Internal Resources. The first sentence addresses evaluation of internal resources, which aligns better with Subfactor B. As such, should this sentence be moved to M-

2(a)(2)(i)?

A16. The paragraph has been revised as follows:

Element (3) – Research Topic Specific Qualifications and Experience:

The Government will assess the Offeror’s capability to provide sufficiently qualified team members and personnel to successfully execute the proposed solutions. The evaluation will focus on the depth and breadth of personnel qualifications (education, skills and experience) and recent corporate experience

(within the past three years) as it relates to the specific requirements of the sample research topic(s).

Q17. On page 35, H–14 MAXIMUM PROFIT / FEE RATE, subsection (g), the table states a maximum pass through on subcontracts of 5%. Can the government provide clarification if that fee is on costs or is that fee on top of the contract fee?

A17. It is the Government’s intention to restrict the fee on subcontractor costs to no more than 5%. This is the prime’s fixed fee for the subcontracted portion of the work. See Attachment 9, Cell C41, the fee listed in this cell shall not exceed 5%.

Q18. We did not notice an estimate for travel or materials. Will one be provided in the final RFP?

A18. No. There will not be an estimate provided for travel or materials on the base contract. Travel and material estimates, if provided, will be at the task order level

Q19. On page 90, (2) Subfactor (B) Resources (i) element (1) – Internal Resources: (A) in the next to last line it states “Offerors that propose Contract Administrators…”. There is not a labor specifically for

Contract Administrator. Will one be provided in the final RFP or a current labor category more designated for this role?

A19. It is the Government’s intention that the Project Control Specialist be designated for this role, if necessary.

Q20. At the Industry Day conference for this opportunity we believe the government stated NRL would release a Classified and an Unclassified RFP. We did not see a classification rating on the draft RFP nor for the labor categories identified. Is this draft for the classified or unclassified portion of the work?

A20. The unclassified work has been removed from this requirement.

Q21. Normally resumes are only required for Key Personnel and there is only one category called out in

H-4, Program Manager. However on page 76 under page limitations it states “Each resume shall not exceed 5 pages” which intimates more than one resume is required. Will you be defining which resumes are required in the final RFP?

A21. The paragraph has been revised as follows:

Note: Each Key Personnel resume shall not exceed 5 pages per resume.

Q22. On page 76 in the Proposal Organization Table, for Volume II, Technical, it states a 15 page limit per Functional Area. However in Section M it states we will be evaluated on the research field and sample task responses. Will you be providing a mapping of research fields and sample tasks to each functional area? If the intent is to have the contractor identify which research fields map to each functional area, how does the government intend to evaluate each responder’s potential unique mappings to another contractor’s mapping?

A22. The table has been revised as follows:

Proposal Organization

Volume Paragraph Volume Title Copies Page Limit

II L-13 Technical Original + 5 Copies

+ CD-R

3 page limit for corporate overview.

5 page limit per research topic. No more than 30 pages per Research Field

(Subfactor A).

25 pages for

Resources and

Management

(Subfactors B & C)

Q23. There is not a page limit provided for responses to the sample tasks. Is this to be included in the 15 page limit requirement for the functional area technical volumes or will the government provide a page limit?

A23. See A22.

Q24. On page24, G–8 TASK ORDER ISSUANCE PROCEDURES (J)(d) Award of Delivery

Orders/Task Orders on Lot I set-aside basis (2) it states “Assignment of materialized requirements to either LOT I or LOT II shall be determined after market research by the Contracting Officer. Failure of small businesses to respond to market research inquiries may result in assignment of materialized requirements to LOT II. “ Is it the government’s intent to issue a Request for Information (RFI) for each

DO/TO anticipated to be released? If not how is the market research intended to be performed to make the LOT I/II determination?

A24. The method(s) of market research will be determined at the time the task order is issued. The decision to issue an RFI’s will be left up to the Task Order PCO’s discretion.

Q25. There is a requirement for inclusion of Corporate Overview in the technical responses per functional area listed in L-13(a)(1)(ii). However, no guidance is provided on content, page length, or evaluation criteria. Will the government be providing this guidance in the final RFP?

A25. See A22.

Q26. Please clarify solicitation sections in which RESEARCH FIELDS AND FUNCTIONAL AREAS are discussed. Section B-3 indicates that contracts will be awarded in specific Research Fields. However, Section G-8 states that TO RFP’s will be released to Contractors whose award covers all of the relevant

Functional Areas.

A26. The revised paragraphs are as follows:

B-3(c)

Assignment of materialized requirements to Research Fields under LOT I or II is at the discretion of the

DO/TO Contracting Officer. The assignment will be based on the Contracting Officer’s determination whether there is a reasonable expectation that offers from two or more responsible small business concerns would be received and those offers would be competitive in terms of market prices, quality, and delivery. In cases where a requirement spans across multiple Research Fields (e.g. a requirement that includes Computing and Data Storage (Research Field 2) and Security (Research Field 7)) the determination will be limited to only those contract holders awarded the right to compete in either of the

Research Fields included in the requirement. In the example given, the determination would only include

Contractors awarded the right to compete in either Research Fields 2 or 7.

G-8(a)(1)(i)

When the Government requires work under the contract, the Government will initiate the Request for

Proposal (RFP) process. The RFP will normally be transmitted electronically by e-mail, but may be placed via mail, telephone, or other electronic means. The DO/TO RFP(s) transmission shall be issued to all applicable Lot and Research Field contract holders indicated in Section B–3 paragraph (d)

Q27. Please identify how the Government will identify each awardee’s ability to respond to a task order, based on the parameters of the contract.

A27. See Paragraph G-8.

Q28. Section L-11 also refers to Functional Areas within each Research Field, but it is not clear how these Functional Areas will be identified in the resultant contracts.

A28. Functional areas describe the types of work to be performed at the task order level. Functional areas will not be identified within the resultant contract.

Q29. Ref: C-4.a.1.i: “All full-time onsite Contractor personnel who require access to Secret material shall possess a final Secret clearance based on a favorably completed DoD investigation, and those who require access to TS/SCI material shall possess a final DoD-granted Top Secret security clearance with the eligibility of SCI at time of proposal submission.” Since access requirements to sensitive information are determined on a per-task basis, should this requirement be construed as applying to “time of [task order] proposal submission”, or must all potential contract staff be cleared at “time of [contract] proposal submission”? If the latter, how will an offeror know which personnel will require TS/SCI prior to release of a TO RFP?

A29. It is the Government’ s intention that all personnel working under this contract who require SCI access have a current final DOD adjudicated SSBI and be ICD 704 eligible at the time of task order proposal submission, except for key personnel who must meet this requirement at the time of contract proposal submission.

Q30. G-8, C3 States small companies must satisfy the requirement to perform at least 50% of the DO/TO.

We believe that this should be per entire contract vs. Task order. The reason being that companies pursuing multiple fields and teams with multiple skillsets are able to manage personnel requirements, capabilities and subcontracted tasks more effectively over the entire contract.

A30. The paragraph as been revised as follows:

G-8(d)(3)

Awardees of individual DO/TO awarded on a small business set-aside basis under LOT I are required to comply with the Section I clause 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. This requirement will be enforced on each awardee’s cumulative Lot I awards.

Q31. Can we expect sample task orders that will be used as actual tasking which will be awarded with the award of the initial contract vehicle?

A31. No. Sample task order will not be awarded. They are for proposal purposes only.

Q32. How soon will task orders be released after award of the contract vehicle?

A32. See paragraph G-8(a)(1)(i).

Q33. Will Task orders be released all at once or graduated to allow industry to respond in a timed released manner if they are pursuing more than one Task order?

A33. See paragraph G-8(a)(1)(i).

Q34. Will there be a fair opportunity notice and technical interchange meeting prior to task order release to allow industry to meet government and ask questions regarding each task order?

A34. Fair opportunity will be given in accordance with FAR 16.505, unless an exception under

16.505(b)(2) applies. Use of technical interchange meetings will be left to the Task Order PCO, as indicated in A24.

Q35. Ref: C–3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS section (b) NON-PERSONAL SERVICES paragraph (1)

The Government will neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the

Contractor performs the required tasks. Will activities be performed in accordance with NRL processes and procedures? Or will the contractor provide their own to be applied to the ITD work? If NRL processes and procedures will be used, please provide the list.

A35. No list of processes and procedures will be provided.

Q36. Will an escalation factor be provided in the final RFP?

A36. Each Offeror’s shall propose its own escalation factor.

Q37. For pricing, will subcontractors use the Prime offeror’s labor rates?

A37. It is the Government’s intention to allow Prime contractor’s the flexibility to manage its subcontractors.

Q38. Ref: Section L-16 Volume V COST/PRICE (d) Pricing Tables (1) Attachment 6. Since the loaded rates on this attachment will be ceiling rates used in pricing IDIQ task orders which will encompass varying requirements for clearances, years of experience, and skills, it would be to the Government’s advantage to have the Offeror provide rates that encompass the full range of skills and would be discounted for task orders requiring lesser skill levels and education requirements. However, the evaluation method for the Price Factor described in Section M of the draft RFP indicates that the scope of work for all task orders is already known and therefore expects the Offeror to bid the average of a labor category to avoid being unrealistically low or high. Offeror’s will be unable to bid task orders requiring the higher years of experience and top skills of the category using the rate tables and will need to add additional labor categories by contract modification (RFP Section H-6 Labor Categories) more frequently.

Would the Government consider a selection process which would determine if the Offeror’s rates are sufficient, but not excessive to encompass the highest level of work required under this contract and to determine if the Offeror’s indirect rate ceilings are competitive? Then after award have the offeror’s compete on the task orders by offering discounts to their ceiling loaded labor rates.

A38. It is the Government’s intention that the pricing listed in Attachment 6 be the maximum price for each position. The Government intends to negotiate discounts from this pricing, based on current market conditions, current FPRA/FPRRs/etc. at the time of task order award.

Q39. Ref: In Section M-2 (d) Price Factor (2) it states that “the Offeror’s proposed ceiling labor rates

(Attachment 5 of the solicitation) will be multiplied against a predetermined and undisclosed quantity of hours…”. Since Attachment 5 was not provided with the draft RFP nor was it mentioned in Section L-16

(d) Pricing, will the government please describe the anticipated contents of this worksheet?

A39. The paragraph has been revised as follows:

M-2(d)(2) Price Factor

(1) The Government shall conduct a cost realism analysis of each proposal to ascertain the cost risk associated with the Offerors’ understanding of the Statement of Work requirements and to determine the most probable cost of performance for each Offeror. The evaluation will focus on the realism of each

Offeror’s proposed costs, including that of the prime Offeror and proposed subcontractors/team members, for its ability to support task order requirements with sufficiently qualified personnel and the application of realistic costs to sample research topic solutions as well as the Government’s overall estimated resource mix, travel and other direct cost factors. The cost realism analysis shall include a review of the specific elements of proposed costs to determine whether the estimated cost elements are realistic for the work to be performed; reflect a clear understanding of the requirements; and are consistent with the proposed methods of performance described in the Offeror’s technical/management proposal.

(2) The procedures at FAR 15.404-1(c) and (d) will be utilized in the cost realism analysis of prime

Offeror and major subcontractor/team member estimated base labor cost rates and indirect cost rates applicable to labor, travel and other direct costs. The proposed rates, factors, and expenses shall be examined to substantiate utilization of consistent forward pricing procedures/rates, if applicable, or rates and factors ordinarily utilized by the Offeror in proposals if no negotiated or recommended forwarding pricing rates exists. The examination may include DCAA audit/review, DCMA review, internal analysis of Offerors’ current and/or historical cost data related to direct and indirect expenses, Offerors’ projected expenses and expense pools, or any other means determined appropriate by the Government. Prime

Offeror and major subcontractor/team member proposed cost rates and cost factors will be adjusted to reflect any increases or reductions in cost elements to realistic levels based on the results of the cost realism analysis. It is anticipated that the analysis of non-major subcontractor/team member cost proposals will be limited to a review of major cost elements to determine whether they are realistic and reasonable utilizing one or more of the price analysis techniques specified at FAR 15.404-1(b). However, the Government reserves the right to employ the detailed cost analysis procedures of FAR 15.404-1(c) and (d) in the evaluation of non-major subcontractor/team member cost proposals if deemed appropriate by the Contracting Officer.

(3) Realism and/or reasonableness concerns for which adjustments cannot be adequately quantified, or cost structures considered too low, too high, or unbalanced to support anticipated task order requirements with sufficiently qualified personnel may be determined to represent increased proposal risk.

(4) Prime Offeror pass-through charges on subcontractor/team member labor costs shall be assessed to ensure the proposed rate does not exceed the rates specified in Section H–15. An Offeror’s proposal containing rates exceeding those found in Section H–15 may be deemed unreasonable and may render the

Offeror ineligible for award.

(5) The Offeror’s overall rate structure shall be assessed to ensure the appropriate build up of labor category rate tables and the impacts of the realism analysis of individual cost elements.

Q40. Ref: In Section L-16 Volume V: COST/PRICE (d) Pricing Tables mention is made of pricing tables may be found in Attachments 6 and 7. Attachment 7 was not provided with the Draft RFP. What will be encompassed on that worksheet?

A40. See A12

Q41. Ref: The RFP states that this is a Multiple Award (10-25), IDIQ Contract with a value of $245M over 5 years. What is the total value of all current contracts being combined into ITD? What is the value of the Small Business set-aside in Lot I?

A41. This information can be found on www.usaspending.gov.

Q42. Ref: RFP, H-3 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT. There is a line for Direct Labor. “The Government will not issue a separate task order for overall Program Management. Program Management should be captured and charged under individual task orders”. The Contractor shall not assume that Program

Management will be budgeted for under each task order. The locations, quantities, and frequency of the work cannot be predetermined and may vary throughout the course of the work.” If the Contractor’s

Disclosure Statement indicates that all management costs are charged directly, how would the

Government propose these costs be charged if no allocation is budgeted on certain task orders?

A42. It is the Government’s intention to capture program management charges on a task order basis.

Q43. Ref: RFP, G-8 (f) Special Instructions for Firm-Fixed Price & Firm-Fixed Price Level of Effort

Task Orders states that “for each Firm-Fixed-Price & Firm Fived-Price Level-of Effort task order Request for Proposals (RFPS): The Contractor shall not exceed the fully burdened rate ceilings provided in

Attachment 5 for the respective ordering period to build its price proposal.” Does the Government intend to receive one price, inclusive of fee on the FFP section and fully burdened rates, (through fee), for the

FFP LOE task orders?

A43. See revised Attachment 6.

Q44. Ref: RFP, Attachment 6 Rate Schedule, INDIRECT CEILING RATE FORM; There is a line for

Direct Labor. Does the Government intend that Direct Labor have ceilings as well as indirect rates?

A44. See A43.

Q45. Ref: RFP, Attachment 6 Rate Schedule, INDIRECT CEILING RATE FORM; There is a line for

Direct Labor. The Contractor would need to modify the form to list all direct rates in the sheet, if the answer is yes to ceilings on direct labor. OCONUS Hardship is a single line.

A45. Incorrect. This is the escalation factor to be applied to any direct labor rate when hardship is applicable.

Q46. Ref: RFP, Attachment 6 Rate Schedule, INDIRECT CEILING RATE FORM; There is a line for

Direct Labor. Since this rate will necessarily vary contingent on Task Order duty location, will the

Government provide a flat rate for this element of cost or was it intended to be left blank and only utilized on specific Task Orders?

A46. Incorrect. This is the escalation factor to be applied to any direct labor rate.

Q47. What date should be assumed for the contract start date?

A47. At this time the Government cannot provide an expected start date.

Q48. Would NRL consider identifying the approximate value of work to be awarded to large companies?

The number of pages in a compliant proposal that addresses all the research fields and functional areas is quite large. Understanding the potential value of the task orders to be awarded to large companies will allow potential offerors to perform a business case assessment against the cost of producing a voluminous proposal.

A48. The Government cannot accurately predict the nature of the work under this contract due to the way that NRL is funded. Additionally, as the requirements are defined, whether or not they will be open to large businesses will be determined based on market research conducted by the Task Order PCO.

Q49. The SOW for the “High Assurance Information and Computer Network Systems, Solicitation

N00173-11-C-2045” is very similar to the ITD SOW? What criteria did NRL use to split out the acquisition? Is the N00173-11-C-2045 work an R&D support activity that cannot be included in the ITD scope of work?

A49. See A50

Q50. Please list the contracts being consolidated into ITD contract.

A50. The contracts being consolidated are as follows:

N00173-09-C-2023

N00173-09-C-2038

N00173-10-C-2021

N00173-11-C-2045

N00173-12-D-2023

Q51. Due to the breadth and depth of the research fields the ability to assemble a team of technology contractors and vendors that can fully address all the fields is extremely challenging. Will NRL allow a prime contractor awarded an IDIQ contract to bring new subcontractors on-board for task order proposals?

A51. Yes. However, Prime contractor’s must have obtained consent to subcontract prior to the inclusion of any subcontractor on a proposal.

Q52. Can NRL clarify the research field versus functional area award approach? For instance - Will a contractor awarded an IDIQ in all the functional areas be limited in which research areas to compete for task orders? Or does an offeror have to show in the proposal that they have the capability and qualifications to perform the functional area activities across all the research areas in order to receive a contract to respond to all task orders?

A52. It is the Government’s intention to issue task order RFPs to all Offeror’s within a given Lot &

Research Field.

Q53. Similar GWAC vehicles for GSA, such as the OAISIS contract, provided awardee information regarding which specific work areas were awarded to which offeror. Will the IDIQ contract awardees under ITD be informed as to the other awardee’s research fields and functional areas?

A53. Yes. This information will be provided as a part of the award synopsis.

Q54. What kind of R&D support activities does NRL intend to compete as fixed price task orders?

A54. The decision to compete a task order on a fixed price/cost reimbursement basis will be determined based on the nature of the requirement and the risks to both the Government and Contractor.

Q55. Reference: Attachment 1: Position Descriptions. The labor categories do not include information about number of years of experience or education level. Is it intended that Contractors propose their own qualifications for these categories?

A55. It is the Government’s intention to include detailed position requirement unique to the individual task order, at the time of task order issuance.

Q56. Ref: Sec M-1 (a, 1, i), page 86: This section calls out award by functional area for each LOT but

LOTs are segregated by Research Field. Please clarify if awards by Research Field or Functional Areas?

A56. Awards will be made based on by Lot and Research Field.

Q57. Ref: Sec G-8 ( c ) 1 Multiple Award Ordering Process. There seems to be a discrepancy between this section and page 7 LOT II where it seems that IDIQ awards will be executed by Research Fields not

Functional Areas. If contractors are awarded initial IDIQ awards by LOT/Research Fields, then this section (G-8(c)) may be in conflict with that approach because it references IDIQ holders of functional areas that will have ability to bid on tasks. Can you clarify?

A57. Task orders will be issued based on by Lot and Research Field.

Q58. Ref: Sec B-3, pages 6/7. Will the multiple awards be executed by research field, function or lot?

A58. Awards will be made based on by Lot and Research Field.

Q59. Ref: Section L-11(b)(1) ORGANIZATION/NUMBER OF COPIES/PAGE LIMITS in section

(i) it states that Volume II is limited to 15 pages per functional area (Subfactor A). 25 pages for Resources and Management (Subfactors B & C). In Section L-13(3)(i) Subfactor A is comprised of several sub-elements (A through D). Sub-element B indicates: “Additionally, the prospective Offeror will be required to demonstrate its technical understanding of the Research Field by responding to a sample task order.

The sample task order proposal shall demonstrate the methodology and technical approach to be applied under each Research Field including applicable reference to the Contractor’s quality control process.”

Does the 15 pages per functional area (Subfactor A) include responses to the sample task order? Or will sample task order responses be given their own page limitations? Will there be pricing spreadsheets required for the sample task orders?

A59. Yes. Attachments 9 and 10 shall be used to price the sample task orders.

Q60. Ref: Section L-11(b)(1) ORGANIZATION/NUMBER OF COPIES/PAGE LIMITS in section

(i) it states that Volume II is limited to 15 pages per functional area (Subfactor A). 25 pages for Resources and Management (Subfactors B & C). In Section L-13 (b)(3)(i) Subfactor A is comprised of several sub-elements (A through D). Sub-element A indicates: ”The Offeror shall provide its depth and breadth of technical expertise in the functional areas as it relates to one or more of the eight Functional Areas identified in the SOW (SOW Paragraphs C-2(c)(1) through (8)). “ Whereas sub-element B indicates: “...

The Offeror’s shall address its capabilities to perform work in one or more Functional Areas within the

Research Field(s) proposed.” Does the 15 pages per functional area include response to each functional area (sub-element A) as well as one or more functional areas for a given research field (sub-element B)?

A60. Yes.

Q61. Ref: Section L-11(b)(1) ORGANIZATION/NUMBER OF COPIES/PAGE LIMITS in section

(i) it states that Volume II is limited to 15 pages per functional area (Subfactor A). 25 pages for Resources and Management (Subfactors B & C). In Section L-11 (b) (2) PAGE LIMITATIONS (i) states that:

“Each resume shall not exceed 5 pages per resume.” Are the resume pages counted against the 25 pages for the combined Subfactors B & C)?

A61. No.

Q62. Will a Presolicitation Conference still be held?

A62. Yes. Please monitor this announcement for forthcoming details.

Q63. Is the RFP still due to be released on or about 15 August 2014?

A63. No. The Government anticipates the solicitation will be released in September/October.

Q64. Ref: Section C-1 (3) states, “The Contractor shall, in response to task orders issued under this contract by the Naval Research Laboratory, provide services that potentially span the entire spectrum of research, development, and technical services to NRL-ITD. Services to be provided under this contract are categorized into 8 functional areas….”. Does NRL require the Contractors to address each of the 8

Functional Areas for each Sample Task Order?

A64. No. For the research topic portion of the technical volume, the Offeror’s response shall be specific to the research topic.

Q65. Ref: Section L-9 (g) states, “The proposal shall be a complete response to the Statement of

Objectives and the requirements of this RFP,…”, yet L-13 (b) (1) (i) states, “In the Technical Volume for each functional area proposed, address your technical solution for meeting the Government’s requirements emphasizing each technical subfactor. Offerors may elect to submit a Technical Volume for a minimum one and a maximum eight of the eight functional areas listed in the SOW.” Will the

Government amend L-9 to be consistent with L-13?

A65. See revised draft solicitation.

Q66. Ref: Section L-12 (c) lists the fields in which the sample task orders will fall. Should we assume the task orders will not be issued until the final RFP is issued?

A66. Yes.

Q67. Ref: Section L-15 (b) states, “The Offeror shall submit letters of intent, teaming agreements or other evidence of commitment by Subcontractors to support the successful Offeror's team as part of

Volume IV.” Since Volume IV has a 20 page count limit and the teaming agreements alone may far exceed 20 pages, would the Government exclude teaming agreements from the Volume IV page count?

A67. See revised L-11(b)(2)(i).

Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read, and will not be considered and will not be included in the evaluation of the proposal. When both sides of a sheet display printed material, it shall be counted as two (2) pages. Each page shall be counted except for the following: cover pages, table of contents, cross reference tables, tabs, glossaries, acronym lists, subcontractor/teaming agreements and resumes.

Q68. Ref: Section M-2 (a) (i) states, ”For each Functional Area for which the Offeror proposes, the

Government will evaluate… Is there more to this sentence?

A68. See A8.

Q69. Ref: Section M-2 (a) (ii) states, “Offerors are required to demonstrate their ability to perform in one or more of the research fields identified in Section C paragraph C-2(b)(1) through (7), and as such, shall address each research field separately. The Government will evaluate the degree to which the

Offeror demonstrates relevant knowledge and experience in one or more of the functional areas identified in Section C paragraph C-2(c)(1) through (8) proposed including the Offeror’s proposed methodology, technical approach, past work experience, technical understanding, capabilities, and quality control process, and responses to the problems presented in the sample task order associated with each research field.” If an Offeror submits a proposal for two research fields (Communications and Networking, for example) and two functional areas within each of those fields (Operations and Technical

Support, for example) and the Government deems that the Offeror does not demonstrate its ability to perform in one research field (Communications, for example) or one functional area

(Operations, for example), will the Offeror be disqualified, or will the Offeror be qualified in the research field (Networking/Technical Support, for example) and functional areas for which it has demonstrated its ability?

A69. Offerors will be assessed at the Research Field level. Functional areas are used to demonstrate the types of work that will be issued within a given research field.

Q70. Ref: Section L-11 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (1) (i) there is a table showing the page count allotted to each volume. In Volume III, Technical, the last column says, “15 pages per functional area

(Subfactor A).” Section L-13 VOLUME II: TECHNICAL VOLUME (3) SUBFACTORS (i) (A) states, “…Offerors shall specify the Research Field(s) (SOW Paragraphs C-2(b)(1) through (7)) that the Offeror proposes to perform…. In the table in Section L-11 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (1) (i), did the

Government mean to allot 15 pages to each research field, not to each functional area?

A70. See A22.

Q71. Ref: Section “M-2 (a) (1) (ii) the Government states, “(ii) Offerors are required to demonstrate their ability to perform in one or more of the research fields identified in Section C paragraph C-2(b)(1) through (7), and as such, shall address each research field separately.” For Example from the

Communications Research Field – An Offeror demonstrates ability to perform high speed communications processing research, but has no expertise with combat communications. Can the Offeror qualify in C-2 (b) (1) (v) and not in other sections of C-2 (b) (1) Must the Offeror demonstrate its ability to perform in all aspects of a given research field in order to qualify for and award or may the Offeror qualify if it demonstrates its ability to perform only some of the aspects of that field?

A71. It is the Government’s intention to evaluate the degree to which the Offeror demonstrates relevant knowledge and experience in one or more of the Functional Areas identified in Section C paragraph C-

2(c)(1) through (8) proposed including the Offeror’s proposed methodology, technical approach, past work experience, technical understanding, capabilities, and quality control process. This will include an assessment of any risks associated with the Offeror in meeting the technical capabilities required by the

Research Field.