N0017324RBZ02_QA_V.2.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 18 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- N0017324RBZ02
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research's solicitation N0017324RBZ02 for Center for High Performance Computing Research and Development, Engineering, Technical and Transition Support Services. The RFP provides details on page limits, formatting requirements, and instructions for submitting the technical, past performance, small business participation, and cost/price volumes. Key details include: no page limits for resumes, past performance questionnaire cover pages and transmittal letters not counting towards page limits, allowance for 11x17 inch pages, and requirements for providing actual incurred labor rates and indirect rates. The RFP also includes clarification on the labor categories, level of effort, and period of performance for the initial task order under the IDIQ contract. The document does not provide an overview of the performance work statement or key objectives, as it is focused on responding to questions about the RFP requirements.
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20 March
| - | Question | Reference | Government's Response |
| 1 | RFP Section L-6 (p.37) states “Each page shall be counted except for the following: cover pages, table of contents, cross reference tables, tabs, glossaries, acronym lists, subcontractor/teaming agreements, past performance questionnaires, CPARS reports, staffing plans, resumes and letter of commitments.” Please confirm that the required List of Tables and Drawings also does not count against the 50-page limit. While not explicitly required by the RFP, can we assume this statement allows for inclusion of a cross reference matrix that would not count towards total page count? | RFP Section L-6 | In accordance with RFP Section L-6 The required list of drawings and tables do not count against the 50 page limit, and the inclusion of a cross reference matrix will not be counted towards page limitations as well. |
| 2 | RFP Section L-6 (p.37) states “All of the proposal files may be compressed (zipped) into one file or may be submitted as separate uploads in their native format, i.e. doc, xls, ppt, etc.” Is PDF format acceptable for all volumes except the cost spreadsheet? | RFP, Section L-6 | In accordance with RFP Section L-6, PDF Format is acceptable format for all documents except for the breakout information to aid in the cost/price evaluation. |
| 3 | Section L-6, (p.37) of the RFP states that “resumes are not part of page limit” for the 50-page Technical Proposal Volume 1. Is there a page limit on resumes—individually or as a compilation? | RFP, Section L-6 | In accordance with RFP Section L-6, there are no page limitations on resumes. |
| 4 | RFP Section L-6 (p.37): Do past performance questionnaire first/cover pages and transmittal letters count toward the 20-page limit on Volume II, Past Performance? | RFP Section L-6 | In accordance with RFP Section L-6, past performance questionnaire cover pages and transmittal letters do not count towards page limitations in volume II. |
| 5 | RFP Section L-6(a) (p.37) states, “Legible tables, charts, graphs, and figures shall be used wherever practical to depict organizations, systems and layout, implementation schedules, plans, etc. These displays shall be uncomplicated, legible, and shall not exceed 11 X 17 inches in size.” Do 11x17 pages count as 1 page? | RFP Section L-6 | In accordance with RFP Section L-6, tables, charts, graphs, and figures (when used) are not excluded from Offerors page limitations. |
| 6 | Volume III and Volume V – what are the small business goals for this procurement? | RFP Section L-10, L-12, M-3 | In accordance with RFP Section L-10-1 Offerors should refer to DFARS 215.304(c )(i) for more information on Small Business Participation Plan. In accordance with RFP Section M-3, Factor 5, Offeror's must meet the evaluation criteria in paragraphs (a) - (e ) to be determined acceptable. The Government does not provide Offerors with small business goals. |
In accordance with RFP Section L-12, Offerors shall follow the guidance at FAR 52.219-9 when developing a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
7 RFP Section L-11-1 (p. 44) states, “IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT’S COST REALISM ANALYSIS, OFFERORS ARE INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THEIR ACTUAL INCURRED DIRECT AND INDIRECT LABOR RATES FOR THE PAST THREE CONTRACTOR FISCAL YEARS. SALARY DATA FOR PERSONNEL PROPOSED MAY BE SUBMITTED IN LIEU OF CORPORATE LABOR RATES IF CORPORATE LABOR STRUCTURE DOES NOT SUPPORT.” If corporate labor structure does not support incurred direct labor rates, is there guidance on how offerors should handle contingent hires with an approved/signed offer letter? RFP Section L-11-1 In accordance with RFP Section L-11-1, Offerors shall submit the following:
"SALARY DATA FOR PERSONNEL PROPOSED MAY BE SUBMITTED IN LIEU OF CORPORATE LABOR RATES IF CORPORATE LABOR STRUCTURE DOES NOT SUPPORT.”
| 8 | IDIQ SOW Attachment 1: Section 4.1.4.2 appears to be missing. Should bidders assume that the section labeled 4.1.4.3 is, in fact, 4.1.4.2 or a new 4.1.X-level section? | IDIQ Statement of Work Section 4.1.4 | The IDIQ Statement of Work paragraph numbering has been updated accordingly. |
| 9 | IDIQ SOW Attachment 1: The numbering of Section 4.8 (Area 8: Research Management) appears to be out of order and redundant. Please clarify. | Statement of Work Section 4.8 | Statement of Work Section 4.8 is not out of order or redundant. |
| 10 | Tables 1, 2, and 3 of Attachment 2 (Personnel Qualifications): Can offerors assume the equivalencies in Table 1 apply to the degree and years of experience requirements for all positions in Tables 2 and 3? | Attachment 2 Personnel Qualifications | The labor levels given to the labor categories in Tables 2 & 3 are based on the labor level equivalency matrix in table 1. |
| 11 | Key Personnel Table 2 of Attachment 2 (Personnel Qualifications): Would a degree in computational math or science be considered equivalent to a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or system engineering? | Attachment 2 Personnel Qualifications | A degree is computational math or computational science will be accepted, based on the experience outlined in the resume. |
| 12 | Key Personnel Table 2 of Attachment 2 and RFP Section L: Attachment 2’s Key Personnel table shows two (2) FTE for the High Performance Computing SME IV. The labor category table on p. 45 of the RFP shows only one (1) FTE (as the IT High Performance Computing SME IV). Please clarify. | Attachment 2 Personnel Qualifications, RFP Section L-11-1 | Please see the update to attachment 2 Personnel Qualifications. |
| 13 | Given the volume of questions and clarifications requested, would the Government consider providing an extension to the due date? | N/A | No, at this time the Government will not grant an extension to this request for proposal. |
1 April
| - | Question | Reference | Government's Response |
| 1 | The delivery dates listed for CLINS 0001-0004 are 28 Sep 2024 to 29 Sep 2029. Will the government confirm the end of the ordering period should be 27 Sep 2029? | RFP Pages 8,9 | Please see Amendment 0002 for the update to the PoP. |
| 2 | Attachment 9 is stated to be the Cost Proposal Format, Task Order. Page 44 makes two references to Attachment 8 - Cost Proposal Format, Task Order and page 46 makes one reference. |
| Given that Attachment 8 is the Task Order Statement of Work, will the Government update these references? | RFP pages 44, 46 | Please see Amendment 0002 for updates to attachment numbers in RFP Section L-11-1. | ||
| 3 | The LOE indicates 7,560 hours per year for the Computer Scientist IV Labor Category with Secret clearance. Given 1,920 hours equals 1 FTE, this is equal to 3.94 FTEs. Will the Government confirm if this is correct, or if this should indicate 7,680 hours (4 FTEs) or 5,760 hours (3 FTEs)? | RFP page 45 | The hours identified for the Computer Scientist IV are correct. | |
| 4 | Will the Government confirm that Fiscal Years on this tab are in reference to Contractor Fiscal Years and not Government Fiscal Years, as Government Fiscal Years could require conversions of indirect rates from Contractor Fiscal Year to Government Fiscal Year? Additionally, may Fiscal Years be updated to begin in FY 2024? | RFP Attachment 9 | Please See updates to Attachment 9. | |
| 5 | Given the three-year Period of Performance of this Task Order, as well as three-years of required indirect rate history for offerors without a Forward Pricing Rate Agreement, will the Government confirm only three of the template’s five columns must be completed? | RFP Attachment 9 | Please See updates to Attachment 9. | |
| 6 | The template instructs offerors to “Provide Historical Indirect Rate information if no Forward Pricing Rate Agreement available.” Is historical information required if offerors have a Forward Pricing Rate Recommendation (FPRR), rather than a Forward Pricing Rate Agreement? If it is not required with an FPRR in place, please confirm that is also the case for the “Indirect Rates” section of Volume IV – Cost/Price, listed on page 46 of the RFP. | RFP Attachment 9 | Offerors shall provide the historical indirect rate information in RFP attachment 9 in accordance with RFP Section L-11-1. |
The second part of this question is answered in response to the Offeror's question number 11.
| 7 | This tab appears to list escalation by Fiscal Year. Given that many offerors do not escalate at the start of their, or the Government’s, Fiscal Years, will the Government consider updating these labels from “Escalation FY22, Escalation FY23, etc.” to “Escalation Year 1, Escalation Year 2, and Escalation Year 3” to allow for more uniformity across proposals, and consistency with the labelling of the “SUMMARY TEMPLATE” tab? | RFP Attachment 9 | Please see Amendment 0002 for updates to Attachment 9. |
| 8 | Will the Government please confirm only three of the four provided escalation columns are required, given the Task Order’s three-year Period of Performance? | RFP Attachment 9 | Please See updates to Attachment 9. |
| 9 | The Attachment 9 template has columns for only two years of performance, and the Task Order has a Period of Performance is three years. |
| Will the Government provide an updated template to accommodate three years, or should offerors simply add Year 3 values for their submission? | RFP Attachment 9 | Please see Amendment 0002 for updates to Attachment 9. | ||
| 10 | The COST OR PRICING DATA REQUIREMENT on page 44 instructs offerors to provide their actual incurred direct and indirect labor rates for the past three contractor fiscal years. However, the Indirect Rates section on page 46 and in Attachment 9 state that historical indirect rate information must be provided only if an Offeror does not have an agreement with DCAA regarding forward pricing of provisional billing rates. Will the Government remove the requirement to provide historical fiscal year and actual incurred data on page 44, or make it the same as page 46 and Attachment 9 instructions? | RFP pages 44, 46 | Please see Amendment 0002 for updates to the language in RFP Section L-11-1. | |
| 11 | Per Section L-11-1 COST/PRICE Proposal, the government is instructing all subcontractors to provide information at the same level of detail as the prime contractor. Many subcontractors are small businesses that may not have the resources to produce and may not be able to meet the burden of documentation within the timeframe required to submit the proposal (three-year fiscal history, incurred direct, and direct labor costs, per page 44), especially as performers of Time and Material type of contracts. Will the Government remove the requirement for all subcontractors to provide historical actual incurred direct and indirect labor rates and salary data? | RFP pages 43, 44, 47 | Please see Amendment 0002 for updates to Section L-11-1. | |
| 12 | The requirement states that unless an Offeror has an agreement with DCAA on forward pricing or provisional rates, the Offeror shall provide projections and historical information. Forward pricing and provisional rate agreements are entered into with our DCMA ACO and not DCAA. Please clarify that this requirement should state DCMA, not DCAA. | RFP pages 46 | Please See Amendment 0002 for updates to this language in RFP Section L-11-1. | |
| 13 | Offerors with DCMA ACO approved forward pricing rates must use these rates for pricing purposes and must also provide their FPRA or FPRR as supporting documentation in accordance with the instructions at L-11.1. Will the Government, therefore, remove the requirement to provide actual incurred direct labor rates or salary data for the past three years for offerors with approved forward pricing rates? | RFP pages 43, 44 | No, The Government will not remove this requirement, as this requirement is necessary. | |
| 14 | The delivery dates listed for CLINS 0001-0004 are 28 Sep 2024 to 29 Sep 2029. This covers a 5-year PoP. Will the Government please confirm that bidders are not to populate any prices for these CLINs, since the Task Order PoP is three years long? | RFP pages 8, 9 | Delivery dates for CLINs 0001-0004 are for the IDIQ. In accordance with RFP Section L-11-1, "The Offeror shall propose cost for the first Task Order. The SoW for the first Task Order is set forth as Attachment 8 – Task Order Statement of Work , respectively." | |
| 15 | The Proposal Organization Instructions state that past performance questionnaires and CPARS reports are excluded from page counts. |
The instructions for Volume II require that past performance questionnaires and CPARS reports to be included between the introduction and the Previous Contracting Narratives, which are included in the page count.
| Will the Government allow Offerors to include past performance questionnaires and CPARS reports after Previous Contracting Narratives for ease of page numbering? | RFP L-6 and L-9-1, pages 37 and 41 | Yes, Offerors may include past performance questionnaires and CPARS reports after Previous Contracting Narratives for ease of page numbering. | ||
| 16 | The historical indirect rate information section of this tab has a row to insert historical fee. Given that fee can vary by contract and is generally not company-wide, will the Government remove this row? | Attachment 9 | Please see Amendment 0002 for the updates to Attachment 9. | |
| 17 | Will the Government please confirm that only Prime Offerors are required to provide verification of Accounting Systems? | RFP page 47 | The requirement for a DCAA or DCMA accounting system that has been audited and determined adequate for determining costs applicable to this contract is applicable to prime contractors | |
| 18 | Will the Government please confirm that only Prime Offerors are required to provide Financial Capability? | RFP page 47 | Only Prime Contractors are required to provide financial capability in accordance with RFP Section L-11-1. | |
| 19 | Will the Government please confirm that only Prime Offerors are required to provide Uncompensated Overtime information? | RFP page 47 | In accordance with FAR 52.237-10, "All proposed labor hours subject to the adjusted hourly rate (including uncompensated overtime) shall be identified as either regular or overtime hours, by labor categories, and described at the same level of detail. This is applicable to all proposals whether the labor hours are at the prime or subcontract level." | |
| 20 | 4.8 Area 8 – Research Management Support, the subheading 4.8.3 is included three times with different text, and 4.8.2 is included twice with different text. Will the Government please correct this misnumbering? | Attachment 1 & 8 | Please see amendment 0002 for updates to Attachment 8. | |
| 21 | The provided LOE for Offerors to Price does not include administrative support, such as Facility Security Officer .25 FTE and Program Financial Analysts .5 FTE. We request these two categories be added to the LOE labor chart with associated hours. | RFP Pages 44-45 | The Government does not concur with the addition of these two categories as direct labor associated to the initial Task Order. | |
| 22 | The RFP states, “The estimated level of effort for the Task Order is provided in the table below. The provided distribution shall be used by the Offeror in preparing the Task Order cost proposal.” |
Given this is a Research and Development contract and funding is usually supplied incrementally, please clarify if the awarded Task Order will be CPFF LOE, or the hours in the solicitation are for bidding purposes only. RFP Page 44 In accordance with RFP Section L-11-1 "Offerors are notified that the first task order and corresponding SOW represent real work and are not intended to represent a sample task order, ROM, or to satisfy a minimum guarantee. The Government intends to negotiate or award this task order based on initial proposal submissions."
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