QandA 7.10.24.pdf

N0017324RBR05

Questions and Answers Date: 06/27/2024

Question 1: We are in receipt of RFP N0017324RBR05. However, it would appear that the actual RFP files is missing. Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 appear to be identical. Can you please clarify how we can find the full RFP files that would include Sections L & M.

Answer 1: The actual Solicitation has been posted to SAM.gov. The SOW IDIQ and SOW Task Order are substantively the same.

Question 2: Could you provide clarification on the inclusion of the PPQ in the Volume as directed in the RFP or if you would like them electronically submitted by the CORs to the Contract Specialists?

Answer 2: The questionnaire shall be provided to the customer POC with instructions to complete and submit it directly to the Contract Specialist on or before the proposal due date. Electronic submission is the only acceptable method.

Question3: The RFP indicates a budget of $155,364.50 for travel. Can the government provide an estimated number of trips and trip locations?

Answer 3:

Travel estimates are shown below. Please note that these are estimates for planning purposes only.

Actual travel may vary.

Year 1

ORIGIN/DESTINATION # of People # of Days

# Trips

MRY/Washington, DC 1 5 10

MRY/Norfolk, VA 1 3 2

MRY/Jacksonville, FL 1 5 4

MRY/Honolulu, HI 1 5 2

MRY/OCONUS (e.g. Paris, FR) 1 5 5

MRY/Unknown Travel 1 5 15

Year 2

ORIGIN/DESTINATION # of People # of Days

# Trips

MRY/Washington, DC 1 5 10

MRY/Norfolk, VA 1 3 2

MRY/Jacksonville, FL 1 5 4

Question 4: Can the government confirm that this is an 18-month contract with 1 year base and a 6 month option period?

Answer 4: This is a single award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year ordering period utilizing FAR Part 15. Task orders are expected to be issued on a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (completion and/or term) basis. The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options, shall not exceed 5 years and 6 months. The initial task order has a one year base period plus a 6 month option period.

Question 5: Section: 3.4.3 Procurements to support R&D, states that a "$200,000 annual cap on purchasing of equipment or supplies." However, the ODC clause in the RFP is limited to $3,000. Can you please clarify this?

Answer 5: Section 3.4.3 was written to provide the “option” to purchase equipment/materials up to $200K under special circumstances (e.g., in support of a field program). The $3,000 amount is only an estimate and was envisioned as “routine” equipment/materials (e.g., laptop).

Question 6: The Task Order Level of Effort table in section L page 58 of Amendment 1 states that the Research Scientist, Senior is a key position for 5880 hours of year 1. Is the government looking for resumes of 1, 2 or 3 persons?

Answer 6: The government is looking for three resumes for three key personnel positions for Sr. Research Scientist.

Question 7: Given that Management Capability is directly addressed in Section L-8-2 “Factor 2 – Management Capability”, when the RFP states in Section L-8-1 Factor 1, “address each of the task areas of the SoW”, does that exclude section 3.5 “Program Management” from the Factor 1 discussion?

Answer 7: For evaluation purposes, “Technical Capability” under Factor 1 is different from “Management Capability” under Factor 2.

Question 8: When the RFP states “each of the task areas of the SoW,” does that mean each numbered section and subsection found in Sections 3.1 – 3.4 to include the set 3.1.x, 3.2.x, 3.3.x, and 3.4.x of “Attachment 1 -SOW IDIQ.pdf”

Answer 8: The offeror should attempt to provide at least some general knowledge/expertise on the subsections found in Sections 3.1 – 3.4 to include the set 3.1.x, 3.2.x, 3.3.x, and 3.4.x.

Question 9: Since evaluation Factor 4 is “PAST PERFORMANCE” is addressed separately in RFP Section M-4-2, would it be correct to interpret that RFP Section M-4-1 only address Factors 1 through 3?

Answer 9: RFP Section M-4-1 only addresses Factors 1 through 3.

Question 10: Is it correct that evaluation Factor 4 is NOT considered a Technical Factor?

Answer 10: Evaluation Factor 4 – Past Performance is NOT considered a Technical Factor

Question 11: A sentence in the section states, “The Offeror's past performance volume shall contain electronic copies of the first page of the Customer's Questionnaire and the transmittal letters.” Given that earlier in the same section the section L instruction states, “Offerors shall provide Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) (Attachment 6 - Past Performance Questionnaire) and/or CPARS Reports ....” should the first sentence referenced be changed to read, “The Offeror's past performance volume shall contain electronic copies of the first page of the Customer's Questionnaire or CPARS Reports and the transmittal letters ?

Answer 11: It should be re-read as follows: “The Offeror's past performance volume shall contain electronic copies of the first page of the Customer's Questionnaire and/or CPARS Reports and the transmittal letters.”

Question 12: For the Key Personnel position of Program Manager listed on Page 54 of Section L-8-3 is it compliant to propose this role be filled remotely? Can this position be filled remotely?

The table listing labor categories and key personnel lists the Program Manager position as “GOV” in the “Site” column.

Answer 12: The program manager is not required to be on-site. The site listing of Program Manager as GOV is preferred, but not required.

Question 13: For the Key Personnel position of Research Scientist, Senior listed on Page 54 of Section L-8-3 is it acceptable and compliant to propose this role be filled remotely? Can this position be filled remotely?

The table listing labor categories and key personnel lists the Research Scientist, Senior position as “GOV” in the “Site” column.

Answer 13: The position of Senior Research Scientist is preferred to be onsite. However, the onsite/remote status will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based upon justification.

Question 14: The table listing labor categories and key personnel lists some position as “GOV” in the “Site” column. Can the government site be government sites other than NRL-MRY?

Answer 14: It is preferred that the site be NRL-MRY but will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and could include government sites other than NRL-MRY, if justified and warranted.

Question 15: For the Key Personnel position of Application Development Engineer, Senior listed on Page 54 of Section L-8-3 is it compliant to propose this role be filled remotely? Can this position be filled remotely?

The table listing labor categories and key personnel lists the Application Development Engineer, Senior position as “GOV” in the “Site” column.

Answer 15: Application Development Engineer, Senior is preferred to be onsite. However, the onsite/remote status will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based upon justification.

Question 16: Which of the roles are located in Hawaii?

Answer 16: No roles are located in Hawaii. Travel is possibly anticipated to Hawaii.

Question 17: Considering the depth and breadth of the requirements in the SOW, would the government consider allowing 4 past performances instead of 3?

Answer 17: The Governments requirement of a maximum of 3 relevant efforts for the Past Performance Questionnaires and/or CPARS Reports for the subcontractor, teaming partner, etc, remains unchanged.

Question 18: Section I – Contract Clauses includes DFARS 252.244-7001 Contractor Purchasing System Administration. Please confirm the applicability of this clause for small businesses and if Contractor Purchasing System Administration—Alternate I (May 2014) is also applicable to this Task Order.

Answer 18: DFARS clause is applicable to small businesses 252.244-7001. The Alternate I is not applicable as this requirement. FAR Clause 52.244-2 Subcontracts (Jun 2020) is added to Section I.

Question 19: Considering that July 5th is a holiday weekend, we respectfully request a 7 day, due date extension.

Answer 19: The Government will extend the solicitation closing date to July 12.

Question 20: The solicitation states "The Offeror shall propose cost for the first Task Order. “ "The Offeror shall submit a cost proposal for the Task Order using the format provided at Attachment 7

- Cost Proposal Format, Task Order, respectively. The spreadsheet shall be submitted as an Excel workbook, complete with working functions/formulas."

Section M- FACTOR 6 - COST/PRICE The Solicitation states "The overall evaluated price, inclusive of base and all options, shall be evaluated to ensure that it is fair and reasonable."

In Section M- FACTOR 6 - COST/PRICE page 67 where it states "the evaluated price inclusive of base and all options…" Is that referring to the cost of the first task order only, as described in Section L on pages 57-59?

Answer 20: Yes, it is referring to the first task order only.

Question 21: “All proposals shall be submitted in accordance with FAR 52.215-1- Instructions to Offerors - Competitive Acquisition, Alternate 1.” States “(c) Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals. (1) Unless other methods (e.g., electronic commerce or facsimile) are permitted in the solicitation, 2) The first page of the proposal must show–(i) The solicitation number;(ii) The name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the offeror (and electronic address if available): (iii) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item;(iv) Names, titles, and telephone and facsimile numbers (and electronic addresses if available) of persons authorized to negotiate on the offeror’s behalf with the Government in connection with this solicitation; and(v) Name, title, and signature of person authorized to sign the proposal.”

“Because submission is electronic via email, does this requirement still apply to the electronic proposal cover page?”

Answer 21: Yes. The requirements outlined in FAR 52.215-1, particularly in subsection (c)(2), specify the necessary information that must be included on the first page of a proposal, such as the solicitation number, offeror's contact details, a statement of agreement with the solicitation terms, authorized negotiators' contact information, and the authorized signer's details. These requirements apply to all proposals, regardless of the submission method, whether it be paper or electronic. Subsection (c)(1) addresses the method of submission and allows for electronic submissions if permitted by the solicitation, but it does not alter the mandatory information required on the proposal's first page as specified in subsection (c)(2).

Question 22: May offerors propose Key Personnel with an inactive Top Secret clearance with the understanding that their clearance will be activated upon contract award?

Answer 22: As stated in Section L-1 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS “…at the time of proposal submission and, at a minimum, key personnel available with final DoD granted personnel security clearances required for performance of the contract.”

Therefore, all security requirements will be applicable at time of proposal submission.

Key personnel must have at least a SECRET clearance and at least one personnel with a TOP SECRET when required.

Attachment 3 - Personnel Qualifications is updated to reflect security requirements.

Question 23: Attachment 10 - Small Business Commitment Document is required for Volume III per Solicitation page 56. The instruction states that small business participation goals and dollar values should be provided by period of performance of the contract (separately for the base and each option period), however, the Attachment 10 template does not include separate tables for Year 1 and Year 2 of this Task Order. In alignment with the provided Attachment 10 template, should the Offeror provide only the total Task Order percentages and dollar values in the Attachment 10 tables?

Answer 23: The attachment includes a column for “Time Frame” in section 4’s table. The offeror can denote the POP there.

Question 24: Based on the latest Attachment+3+-+Personnel+Qualifications+6-27-24.pdf that added the clearance qualification, “Clearance Secret and at least one at TS” and based on the Section L-11-1 that allocates the key personnel for Application Development Engineer, Senior at 0.6 FTE/year… For Key Personnel: Application Development Engineer Senior – Does this person (at 0.6 FTE) require a TS clearance?

Answer 24: The government provided an estimate of hours, not a number of personnel. Companies are free to propose as many or as few employees as they wish. As stated at least one needs to have a TS clearance.

Question 25: In “Solicitation - N0017324RBR05.pdf”, “Section L-8-3 FACTOR 3 – PERSONNEL” in listing items that the offeror shall address, item (e) states, “Staffing Plan (First Task Order) - Offerors shall use Attachment 3 - Personnel Qualifications to summarize proposed personnel and current resources to address the needs for the first task order.”

In the supplied RFP materials, there is an “Attachment 8 - Task Order Staffing Plan.xlsx”. This document is listed in the “Solicitation - N0017324RBR05.pdf”, in “Section J – List of Attachments” table with a description of “Proposal”.

Should “Attachment 8 - Task Order Staffing Plan.xlsx”, be used to address “Section L-8-3 FACTOR 3 – PERSONNEL”, item “(e) Staffing Plan (First Task Order)”?

Answer 25: As stated in L-8-3 FACTOR 3 – PERSONNEL (e) Staffing Plan (First Task Order) - Offerors shall use Attachment 3 - Personnel Qualifications to summarize proposed personnel and current resources to address the needs for the first task order.

L-8-3 FACTOR 3 – PERSONNEL (e) provides directions to use the information in Attachment 3 in your technical write-up as it outlines the requirements, I.E. educational, clearance, experience, and etc.

Attachment 8 - Task Order Staffing Plan is an outline of your proposed staffing plan for the first task order.

Attachment 3 provides the Government requirements as related to this requirement and is used to complete your proposal as a whole.

Question 26: In the supplied RFP materials, there is an “Attachment 8 - Task Order Staffing Plan.xlsx”. When the file is opened, it has a header that reads “Attachment 10”. Should this be updated to read, “Attachment 8” in the header?

Answer 26: The file name is what should be followed.