Draft_Solicitation_Q A_(v2.0).pdf

N00173-14-R-RV01

Draft Solicitation Questions and Answers Volume 2.

Reference: Attachment 1: Position Descriptions. The list of labor categories does not include a specific category for researchers or scientists. In order to support future R&D task orders we recommend NRL to consider adding researcher and/or scientist labor categories.

Q1. Will the Government consider adding researcher and/or scientist labor categories?

A1. The Government believes that the position descriptions currently contained within Attachment 1 provide for enough flexibility to cover future R&D tasks.

Reference: Attachment 1: Position Descriptions. Labor category description, page 9 of 19 Q2. Please provide a labor category description for the Mathematician (Series BK).

A2. See revised Attachment 1.

Reference: Attachment 1: Position Descriptions. Labor category description – A significant number of labor categories only have a single description without separate levels identified. Most of industry will have labor category levels based on years of experience and/or education level.

Q3. Would the government consider identifying multiple levels for each labor category?

A3. See revised Attachment 1.

Reference: Attachment 1 – Position Descriptions, Page 9 of 18. Mathematician. The Mathematician description is missing (Series BK) on page 9. A header is present, but no description text.

Q4. Would the government please provide a description for the Mathematician position?

A4. See revised Attachment 1.

Reference: Contract Paragraph C-4 (a) (1) (i) states, “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.”

Q5. Since rates are partially based on clearance level, will the TOs specify which positions require which clearances?

A5. Each task order will specify the required clearance levels for the task order. The ceiling rates in Attachment 5 should reflect the maximum rate per position, per year, for each labor category.

Reference: L-14 (a) (1) states, “The contracts identified should demonstrate in-depth knowledge and successful implementation of contracts of similar scope and complexity to this solicitation. Similar scope and complexity means having performed most of the types of support efforts identified in the Statement of Objectives for this solicitation or having provided at least 5,000 annual man-hours under a support services contract..

Q6. Is the Statement of Objectives synonymous with the Statement of Work?

A6. Yes. However, the reference to a SOO has been corrected to an SOW in the final RFP.

Reference: In the answer to Question 38 in Q&A (V1.0), the government stated, “A38. It is the Government’s intention that the pricing listed in Attachment 6 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.

Q7. Since the Offeror is asked to submit maximum rates and the Labor Categories do not specify degrees or number of years’ experience how will the Government will fairly evaluate rates between Offerors?

A7. The Government intends to use the proposal analysis techniques outlined in FAR 15.404-1 to evaluate the maximum rate ceilings per position.

Reference: In the Questions and Answers Volume 1, 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.

Q8. Will the Government reconsider the prohibition of U/FOUO past performance citations for the ITD procurement as limiting past performance to the unclassified level severely limits the ability potential Offerors to demonstrate capabilities and past performance related to NRL.

A8. Section L-11, paragraph (b)(5) has been revised accordingly to include the following verbiage “Proposals shall not contain classified information. For Official Use Only (FOUO) Information shall be handled, controlled, marked and sent in accordance with DoDM 5200.01-V4, February 24, 2012 and

SECNAVINST 5720.42F”

Reference: RFP Page 6, 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.

Q9. Would the Government please confirm that a company must be certified and have received an award in all Research Fields within a task order to bid on a task order that includes multiple Research Fields, as in the example provided which includes Computing and Security?

A9. This is incorrect. Per paragraph B-3 (c), 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. In the case of a task order which spans multiple Research Fields, an Offeror must have been awarded the right to compete in at least one of the Research Fields the requirement spans.

Reference: RFP Page 27, G-8(c)(1) Multiple Award Ordering Process paragraph (c)(1) All IDIQ holders included in all of the Functional Area(s) where work is required under the RFP will receive a Letter of Intent for a task to be performed within the Functional Area, which includes the Statement of Work (SOW), the period of performance and the proposal due date.

Q10. Did the government intend to use “Research Field” instead of “Functional Area(s)” to describe where work will be required to conform with the requirement on Page 6 Section (B) (d) the right to be able to compete based on Research Fields?

A10. Correct. The final RFP has been corrected to reflect this.

Reference: Page 84, L-11(b)(1)(i) Volume II, Technical, Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits Table Q11. Is the 5 page limit identified in addition to the 30 pages per Research Field?

A11. No. Each response to a research topic shall not exceed 5 pages. Each field shall contain no more than 30 pages of responses to the research topics within the Research Field.

Reference: Page 7, B-3(e) Note: The Contractor shall indicate in the table above the Research Field(s) in which they wish to be considered for award as DO/TO requirements materialize. This table will be replaced with the successful Offerors’ information upon award of the basic IDIQs.

Q12. In our proposal Submission, in which Volume and Section shall we insert this table?

A12. This table should be included in Volume VI, Contract Documentation.

Reference: Page 88, Section L-13(b)(3)(i)(B) and Page 99, Section M-2(a)(1)(ii)(A) and (iii)(A). Page 88

- (B) 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.

Page 99 - (ii) Element (2) – Soundness and Feasibility of Research Topic Approach:

(A) 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.

Page 100 - (A) 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).

Q13. Would the Government please consider clarifying that the phrases “sample research field topic” and “sample DO/TO” are synonymous?

A13. Correct.

Reference: Attachment 1 – Position Descriptions, Page 11 of 18. Establish and maintain technical and financial reports to show progress of projects to management and customers, organize and assign responsibilities to subordinates, oversee the successful completion of all assigned tasks, and assume the initiative and provide support to marketing personnel in identifying and acquiring potential business.

Q14. The PM has business development requirement which may introduce an OCI issue. Would the government please clarify/identify the marketing personnel?

A14. This reference has been removed.

Reference: Attachment 1 - Position Descriptions, Page 12 of 18. Provide high level expertise in applicable public health disciplines to collect, abstract, code, analyze, or interpret scientific data contained within information systems and databases related to public health.

Q15. Would the government please clarify the public health requirement for the Scientific Data analyst?

A15. This requirement has been removed.

Reference: Attachment 1 – Position Descriptions, all pages Q16. Would the government please confirm that Electrical Engineer, Electronic Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Optical Scientist, and Physicists are missing from Attachment 1?

A16. These positions have been removed and realigned into the current positions described in Attachment 1.

Reference: Attachment 1 – Position Descriptions, Page 13 or 18. All Subject Matter Experts. It is unclear if these are 3 separate levels or if they are all on the same experience levels. The descriptions sound as if they are on the same level; however, the descriptions are written to indicate a possible hierarchy.

Q17. Would the government please clarify?

A17. There are three separate levels of SMEs.

Reference: Section B-5 Material Purchases Q18. Will the USG consider increasing the $3,000.00 and $25,000 purchase order threshold for Contractor’s with an approved purchasing system?

A18. No.

Reference: Paragraph C-3(d)(iii)(A). The Contractor shall respond to Government requests for contractual actions within five (5) work days Q19. Please define “contractual actions”?

A19. A “Contractual Action” is defined as any request from the Contracting Officer.

Reference: Paragraph H-2(a). Bid and proposal costs are not allowable and will not be paid under this solicitation, contract, or any associated DO/TOs.

Q20. Will the USG reimburse B&P costs associated with new or change in scope on an awarded TO/DO?

A20. No.

Reference: Paragraph H-5(b). No changes in Key personnel during first 90 days. Contracting Officer requires 30 days notice before termination, 60 days notice if Key Personnel has a security clearance.

Q21. The Contractor may not always have control of personnel changes. For example, if an employee resigns, the Contractor is likely to be provided a 2 week notice. On the other hand, if an employee violates a corporate policy or security breach of contract, the Contractor may be required to terminate this individual’s employment. In these types of situations, a set timeframe for notification may not be reasonable. Can language be revised to require CO notification within X days of Contractor’s knowledge of termination?

A21. Paragraph H-5(b) has been revised as follows “The Contractor understands that during the first ninety (90) days of the DO/TO performance period, no personnel substitutions will be permitted unless these substitutions are unavoidable because of the incumbent's sudden illness, death or termination of employment. In any of these events, the Contractor shall promptly notify the DO/TO Contracting Officer and provide the information described in paragraph (c) below. After the initial ninety (90) day period the Contractor must submit to the DO/TO Contracting Officer all proposed substitutions, in writing, at least thirty (30) days in advance (sixty (60) days if security clearance must be obtained) of any proposed substitution and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below unless these substitutions are unavoidable because of the incumbent's sudden illness, death or termination of employment.”

Reference: Paragraph H-11 Off Ramp Procedures.

Q22. Are there a certain percentage of DO/TOs that a Contractor is required to bid/win in order to stay on as a Prime Contractor?

A22. No.

Reference: Paragraph H-12(b). NRL-ITD prime Contractors who proposal teaming arrangements on an exclusive basis for a DO/TO competition will be evaluated to determine whether such teaming agreements inhibit competition. In order for the Government to evaluate whether the proposed agreements inhibit competition, NRL-ITD prime Contractors are required to (1) provide a copy of all teaming arrangements, and (2) explain why the teaming arrangements do not inhibit competition Q23. Can the Contractor provide a letter certifying that TA and Subcontract Agreements are in place with explanation of why the agreements do not inhibit competition; instead of providing the full copy of the agreement?

A23. No.

Reference: Paragraph L-11 General Instructions Q24. Is the Small Business Subcontracting Plan required at the IDIQ or DO/TO level?

A24. The Subcontracting Plan is required at the IDIQ contract level.

Reference: Paragraph M-2(a)(1)(ii)(A). 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… Q25. Upon review of the Research fields identified in C-2, only one research field has Research Topic identified, (4) Man-Machine Interfaces (iv). Will the government be providing additional research topics in the other fields? Additionally since the evaluation criteria state Offerors will be evaluated on the soundness and personnel qualification as reflected in our research topic response, will the government be providing the personnel qualifications for the research topics?

A25. The Government will provide multiple sample research topics. No personnel qualifications will be provided as part of these topics.

Reference: Paragraph M-2(d)(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… Q26. Would the USG clarify what constitutes as a “major subcontractor/team member”?

A26. A major subcontractor/team member is an entity proposed to do more than 10% of the work in a given task order.

Reference: Paragraph M-2(d)(2).

Q27. In relation to this same section, no guidance has been given on how the government would like the subcontractor/team member Rate Schedules submitted. Is it the government’s intent to have the prime submit an Attachment 6 for each subcontractor to establish the ceiling rates for their direct and indirect labor?

A27. Paragraph L-16(a)(2) has been added to the final RFP which states “Subcontractors may submit their information directly to the Government per the instructions listed in paragraph L-9, Instructions to Offerors. Subcontractors shall place the appropriate restrictive legend on their data and identify the Company name, address, point of contact and solicitation number. Subcontractors are required to provide information for their cognizant DCMA & DCAA branch offices with the name and phone number of a DCMA& DCAA point of contacts who are familiar with the company.

Reference: Section L-13(b)(3)(i)(B) and Section M-2(a)(1)(i)(B) Q28. Will the Government please clarify whether the example listings of experience or qualifications pertain to the Functional Areas or the Research Fields? Section L-13(b)(3)(i)(B) states “The Offeror’s (sic) 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, etc.” RFP Section M-2(a)(1)(i)(B) states “Offeror that provide specific examples of experience and/or qualifications that address specific field requirements, such as internal initiatives, certifications, training programs, etc.” Given our response is to provide depth and breadth of technical expertise in the Functional Areas as it relates to the Research Fields we are proposing, is it the Government’s intent that we address internal initiatives, certifications, training programs, etc., relative to each Functional Area, and as such, the wording in Section M should be modified to read Functional Area vs. field requirements?

A28. It is the Government’s intention that a prospective Offeror describe its depth and breadth of understanding within any applicable Functional Area(s) within the proposed Research Field(s). This demonstration should include a description of its relevant internal initiatives, certifications, training programs, etc.

Reference: Ref RFP Section L-14 (a) (2) Past Performance p 90.

Q29. Is it the Government’s intent that copies of the first page of the Customer’s Questionnaire and the transmittal letters be outside the 50 page total page count for the past performance volume?

A29. It is the Government’s intention that the transmittal letter and the 1st page of Attachment L-1 are included in the page count limitations.

Reference: Section L-13, page 89.

Q30. . It appears there is an omission in the numbering sequence within L-13(b)(3). The paragraph entitled “Subfactor B: Resources” does not have a numerical designation. It appears that it should be L- 13(b)(3)(ii) since L-13(b)(3)(i) is Subfactor A. With that, the paragraph that is currently marked para L- 13(b)(3)(ii), Subfactor C, should probably be marked as L-13(b)(3) (iii). Will the Government please confirm that this is the intended numbering sequence for these sections?

A30. This reference has been corrected.

Reference: Ref L-13(b)(3)(ii), Subfactor C: Program Management on p 89.

Q31. Is it the Government’s intent that key personnel resumes, and an associated letters of commitment be excluded from the page count of 25 pages for Technical Subfactor s B & C as indicated in Section L- 11(b)(1)(i) on p 84?

A31. Yes.

Reference: RFP Section L-14(b)(1)(ii), Previous Contracting Effort Narratives.

Q32. Is it the Government’s intent that in cases where a previous contracting narrative is submitted by a subcontractor (reference Q&A #1) that the requirement for “description of the Subcontractor deliverables to the prime and payment tracking; points of contact; and, the sole bearer of ultimate responsibility for performance” be deleted? This information, in this case about a subcontractor’s subcontractors, appears irrelevant to this effort.

A32. In this case the Government would agree.

Reference: RFP Section L-13, Subfactor B: Resources on page 89, paragraph (E).

Q33. This section requires us to address our strategy to recruit, train, and retain “a high-quality IT workforce.” Given the predominant S&T/Research nature of this contract, wouldn’t the Government also be interested in ability to recruit, train, and retain those skills as well?

A33. This reference has been corrected

Reference: RFP Section l-19(e), Q34. Potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest p 94 and RFP Section J, List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments, p 68. Is it the Government’s intent that our OCI Disclosure Statement be included in the Management Section, and as such, constitutes Item #3 in the Section J list of attachments on p 68?

A34. Yes.