N00173-14-R-RV01_Q A_VOL_3.pdf

N00173-14-R-RV01

Solicitation

Questions and Answers

Volume 3.

Reference: Q&A Volume 2, Question # 2

Q1. “A2., from Questions and Answers Volume 2 states, “An Offeror is allowed 5 pages for each of the research topics for which a proposal is submitted so yes; if you respond to “3 sample research field topics, you will receive 15 pages in addition to the 25 pages for the research field response.” The table in L-11, page 82, states, “No more than 30 pages per Research Field (Subfactor A).” Will the table be updated to reflect the answer provided?”

A1. No, the provided “A2” answer from Questions and Answers Volume 2 was incorrect. The table in L-

11, page 82 is hereby revised in Amendment 4 to show that the total number of pages allowed for the

Offeror’s response to a Research Field is 30 pages.

Reference: Q&A Volume 2, Question # 2

Q2. Q&A #2 has revised the page limitation on each research field to 25 pages, with five pages allowed for each sample research topic bid. Is it the Government’s intent that the table on page 82 be revised to reflect these changes so the RFP is not in conflict with the answers provided?

A2. No, the provided “A2” answer from Questions and Answers Volume 2 was incorrect. . The table in

L-11, page 82 is hereby revised in Amendment 4 to show that the total number of pages allowed for the

Offeror’s response to a Research Field is 30 pages.

Reference: Q&A Volume 2, Question # 3

Q3. “A3, from Questions and Answers Volume 2 states, “Yes, The Government only requires non-major subcontractors/team members to submit their billing rates in accordance with Attachment 6.” Please define the terms “non-major” and “major subcontractors”. Additionally, are “major subcontractors” required to provide a labor build-up including their pricing methodology and their labor and burden estimating practice and all Tabs completed in RFP Attachment 6? Are “non major subcontractors” only required to submit Attachment 6, less the indirect rate tab (such that they aren’t required to provide a labor build-up or discuss their pricing methodology and their labor and burden estimating practices, meaning a sealed package is not required)?”

A3. For purposes of the cost evaluation, major subcontractor means a subcontractor that is expected to accomplish 10% or more of the dollar value of the work required by the solicitation.

Q3. Are Major Subcontractors required to provide a labor build-up including their pricing methodology and their labor and burden estimating practice and all Tabs completed in RFP Attachment 6?

A3. Yes, Major Subcontractors are required to provide a complete labor build-up including their pricing methodology and their labor and burden estimating practice and all Tabs completed in RFP Attachment

6. Major Subcontractors may submit proprietary information directly to the Government.

Additionally, the prime contractor’s cost proposal shall provide an evaluation of fair and reasonableness of the subcontractor’s pricing IAW FAR 15.404-3(b).

Q3. Are “non major subcontractors” only required to submit Attachment 6, less the indirect rate tab

(such that they aren’t required to provide a labor build-up or discuss their pricing methodology and their labor and burden estimating practices, meaning a sealed package is not required)?

A3. Yes, Non-Major Subcontractors are only required to submit Attachment 6, less the indirect rate tab.

A sealed package is not required.

Reference: Q&A Volume 2, Question # 5

Q4. “Pass-through charges refer to the sum of the Prime’s indirect costs plus profit/fee.” In the

Government’s response to Q5, reference Q&A Volume 2, regarding applying indirect costs plus profit/fee, we assume you meant that the offeror should follow their established accounting principles and those found in FAR 31.203/31.204, and that they should apply their applicable burdens to the subcontractor’s labor costs. Any other indirect costs and/or fee may not exceed 5%. Please confirm.

A4. Correct. Per paragraph H-14(b) & (g), the maximum profit/fee that a Prime contractor may apply on subcontracted work is 5%. This applies only to profit/fee, not indirect costs such as those listed in FAR

31.203 & 31.204.

Reference: Q&A Volume 2, Question # 24 / L-16(d)(2)

Q5. Attachments 9 and 10, For the purposes of proposing cost/price information on the sample research topics, how should the offeror determine which attachment to use (9 or 10)?

A5. Offerors are free to choose the type of contract to utilize for its response to the sample research topic.

Attachment 9 should be completed if the Offeror responds to a sample research topic using a cost reimbursement type contract. Attachment 10 should be completed if the Offeror responds to a sample research topic using a fixed price type contract.

Reference: Section G-8(g)(1)(i), Page 27

Q6. On page 27 of Amendment 3, section G-8(g)(1)(i), it states that The Contractor shall not exceed the direct labor rate ceilings rates provided in Attachment 6, for the respective ordering period, to build its cost proposal.” Question 3 of Volume 2 Q&A’s states that “The Government only requires non-major subcontractors/team members to submit their billing rates in accordance with Attachment 6.” Please confirm that for non-major subcontractors Attachment 6 should reflect fully burdened ceiling rates for

CPFF and FFP.

A6. Correct, non-major subcontractors should reflect fully burdened ceiling rates for CPFF and FFP in

Attachment 6.

Reference: Section J, Page 66

Q7. Section J, on page 66, incorporates Attachments 4 and 5 from Contractor’s proposal. On page 78, L-

6, DFARS 252.227-7017, requires completion by Contractor. In which Volume shall we include this certification. DFARS 252.227-7015 certification doesn’t require any Contractor input. Please specify the expected response for this clause, if any.

A7. DFARS 252.227-7017 certification is to be included in Volume VI – Contract Documentation. The

Government intended to use “DFARS 252.227-7028” instead of “DFARS 252.227-7015”. Section J

LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS, Attachment 5 on page 66 is hereby revised in Amendment 4 to state “252.227-7028 Technical Data or Computer Software Previously

Delivered to the Government”. DFARS 252.227-7028 is to be included in Volume VI – Contract

Documentation.

Reference: Section L-11(b)(2), Page 82

Q8. Is it the Government’s intent that Attachment 8, Staffing Plan, is to be considered outside of the five page limit for each sample research topic response?

A8. Yes. Section L-11(b)(2) is hereby revised in Amendment 4 to show that Attachment 8 is not considered part of the page count limitations.

Reference: L-13(b)(3)(i)(C), Page 85

Q9. “The Offeror shall complete and include in its proposal Attachment 8 for each response to a Sample

Research Topic.” What electronic format does the Government require for Attachment 8? Should it be submitted as an Excel file or embedded in the PDF technical volume?

A9. The Offeror shall submit Attachment 8 as a separate Excel file using Microsoft Office Excel 2010 or a compatible format.

Reference: L-13(b)(3)(i)(C), Page 85

Q10. The Offeror shall complete and include in its proposal Attachment 8 for each response to a Sample

Research Topic. Please confirm that Attachment 8 is excluded from the Technical Volume page count limit and will be inserted as an attachment to Volume II-Technical.

A10. Yes. Section L-11(b)(2) is hereby revised in Amendment 4 to show that Attachment 8 is not considered part of the page count limitations.

Reference: L-16(d)(1), Page 89

Q11. The Offeror shall complete and include as part of its proposal the pricing tables found in

Attachments 6 to reflect the Offeror’s ceiling rates to be applied to the DO/TO during each year of the contract. Can the offeror alter the first tab of Attachment 6 to account for all cost pools that may not be listed in the spreadsheet?

A11. Yes. Per FAR 31.203(a), the Offeror is responsible for developing its cost pools.

Reference: Section L-16 (d)(1), Page 89

Q12. Page number 85 section L(1)(d)(1) Pricing Table states the following:

The Offeror shall complete and include as part of its proposal the pricing tables found in Attachments 6 to reflect the Offeror’s ceiling rates to be applied to the DO/TO during each year of the contract. Note:

Prime Offerors are required to propose on all labor categories. Subcontractors shall only propose on the labor categories for which they will be performing as a subcontractor. Can you please confirm that it is acceptable to have two sets of Pricing Tables; 1) one table with ceiling rates for all labor categories from the prime, and 2) a second table with Subcontractor ceiling rates for only the labor categories in which the subcontractor intends to participate? Does the government require a separate pricing approach for the

Subcontractor’s rate table?

A12. Yes, it is acceptable to have a separate Pricing Tables for the Prime and Subcontractor. No, the subcontractor need not have a separate pricing approach for its rate table.

Reference: L-16(d)(2), Page 89

Q13. Reference: L-16(d)(2), Page 89 of Amendment 3, section L-16(d)(2) , it states that “The Offeror shall complete and include as part of its proposal Attachments 9 or 10 for each response to a Sample

Research Topic.” Will the Government please confirm that actual rates for current employees (provided in attachment 8) shall be used in pricing the Sample Research Topics? Please confirm that ceiling rates shall be used for representative employees.

A13. Per G-8(f)(1)(i) & (g)(1)(i), Labor prices proposed for individual DO/TOs may be less and should be in accordance with the Offeror’s disclosed estimating system practices.

Q14. On page 89 of Amendment 3, section L-16(d)(2), it states that “The Offeror shall complete and include as part of its proposal Attachments 9 or 10 for each response to a Sample Research Topic.”

Attachment L-4 lists the Sample Research Topics. Neither defines the contract type and period of performance. Please confirm that the sample research topics will be priced as CPFF for the first year.

A14. Offerors shall propose the contract type.

Q15. On page 89 of Amendment 3, section L-16(d)(2), it states that “The Offeror shall complete and include as part of its proposal Attachments 9 or 10 for each response to a Sample Research Topic.”

Attachment L-4 lists the Sample Research Topics. Will the government please explain how the government intends to fairly evaluate an Offeror’s Sample Research Topics proposal for cost realism and technical risk?

A15. The Government will analyze the Offeror’s proposed solution along with Attachments 9 or 10;

compared with the rate ceilings listed in Attachment 6; and the staffing plan in Attachment 8; to arrive at a realistic cost.

Reference M-2(a)(1)(ii)(A), Page 97 and L-13(b)(3)(i(C), Page 85

Q16. On page 97 of Amendment 3, section M-2(a)(1)(ii)(A) states that “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.” Section L-13(b)(3)(i)(C) states “The Offeror shall complete and include in its proposal Attachment 8 for each response to a Sample Research Topic.” This attachment asks for considerably more information than is evaluated, including the name, employer, position, SOW task area, % of total time dedicated to the task order, years of experience, and degree information.

Furthermore, the table is in landscape format and, because of font size restrictions, will require the use of landscape format to respond in accordance with Section L instructions, filling added space within in the limited 5-page response to the Sample Research Topic.

To accommodate the government’s request for Attachment 8 please allow Attachment 8 to be excluded from the page limits for each sample research topic.

A16. Section L-11(b)(2) is hereby revised in Amendment 4 to show that Attachment 8 is not considered part of the page count limitations.

Reference: M-2(d)(2), Page 99

Q17. On Page 99 of Amendment 3, section M-2(d)(2), it states that “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.” Question 3 of Volume 2 Q&A’s against the final RFP states that “The Government only requires non-major subcontractors/team members to submit their billing rates in accordance with Attachment

6. Please confirm that major subcontractors are defined as subcontractors with 25% or more of the contract value. Also please confirm that non-major subcontractors are not required to submit a sealed package to the government and that the prime will include this information in Attachment 6 with its proposal.

A17. For purposes of the cost evaluation, major subcontractor means a subcontractor that is expected to accomplish 10% or more of the dollar value of the work required by the solicitation.

Major Subcontractors are required to provide a complete labor build-up including their pricing methodology and their labor and burden estimating practice and all Tabs completed in RFP Attachment 6.

Major Subcontractors may submit proprietary information directly to the Government.

Additionally, the prime contractor’s cost proposal shall provide an evaluation of fair and reasonableness of the subcontractor’s pricing IAW FAR 15.404-3(b).

Non-Major Subcontractors are only required to submit Attachment 6, less the indirect rate tab. A sealed package is not required.