Attachment VI QA N0018921Q0012.pdf

Q & A

The following questions were received in regards to solicitation N0018921Q0012. Answers to those questions are provided below.

Q1. In regards to the subject solicitation, is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent currently performing these services? If there is an incumbent, can you please provide the name of the company and the contract number that services are being provided under?

A1. The current contract is N00189-16-D-0004 with services provided by Prevailance, Inc.

Q2. Attachment 1 lists hours (7,520) for each 12 month period. If vendors wish to propose a solution that is different from these totals, are we at liberty to change the course listed in Column E of the attachment as long as final price within the Minimum and Maximum amounts, as listed on Page 28 of 84?

A2. The hours listed in Attachment I are based on a historical level of effort utilizing 1,880 hours per full time employee. As the contract type is firm, fixed-price, quoters may quote as they see fit. The estimated level of effort in Attachment I can be adjusted per the vendor’s quote.

Q3. Is all work required to be performed onsite?

A3. Language allowing for COR authorized telework has been added to the PWS in Amendment 0001 of the solicitation. Approximately 80% of the CONOPS tasking involves classified information that would require personnel to be onsite. In addition to the listed place of performance, there are occasions when embedding with staff at local commands for close coordination and collaboration is an option if the Command responsible for developing Fleet CONOPS document content can support computer network resources and office space.

Q4. Can reach back SME personnel support in addition to the onsite personnel?

A4. Yes, vendor may staff the requirement as they see fit.

Q5. What is the current operating status for USFF headquarters (Building NH-4N) in regards to COVID-19? Will contractors have access to the building daily?

A5. USFF workspaces are available to all personnel under current HPCON Charlie conditions. Body temperatures are checked at the building entrance and a series of questions relating to COVID-19 personal risk mitigation requirements must be answered satisfactorily prior to admittance. Masking is required when a 6ft distance cannot be maintained within a workspace, in all public areas, and when transiting passageways/stairways.

Conference rooms and bathrooms have maximum occupancy signs posted. Masking is required in those spaces.

Q6. What is the COVID-19 telework guidance for this support?

A6. COR authorized telework language has been added to the PWS in Amendment 0001 to the solicitation for unclassified tasks; however, approximately 80% of CONOPS tasks involve classified information that require personnel to be onsite.

Q7. How many onsite desks are provided?

A7. Currently there are three to five dedicated workstations assigned for this requirement. Required space can be reassessed based on quoted level of effort.

Q8. Are Government laptops provided?

A8. The Government will provide laptops to all personnel for unclassified (NIPR) use only.

Q9. The historical level of effort (LOE) for CONOPS task orders is approximately 4 full-time employees (FTEs). How many CONOPS are typically supported each year?

A9. An average of seven to ten CONOPS are expected annually.

Q10. Please clarify what “Suspense from Start” means. Is the final CONOPS deliverable due 33 weeks from the start date? Can the government provide an anticipated start date for each identified CONOPS?

A10. Each Fleet CONOPS production timeline is dependent upon the difficulty in developing content. The command assigned to develop the document submits a plan of action and milestones (POA&M) to USFF/CPF for approval. Naval messages are used to codify the task and schedule.

Q11. What is the duration of a typical CONOPS from beginning to end?

A11. Historically CONOPS task orders typically take 12 months to complete; however, due to changing real world conditions within Navy operations, task orders may require extensions up to 9 months.

Q12. This is an IDIQ contract. How will task orders be issued? Will each CONOPS be a separate task order? Will a task order RFQ be released for each CONOPS?

A12. Task orders may be issued for single or multiple CONOPS. Each task order will have its own separate Period of Performance. It is anticipated that a more detailed Performance Work Statement (PWS) will be provided with a request for input on task order pricing prior to issuance of a task order.

Q13. What is the government estimated level of effort for each CONOPS?

A13. Historical level of effort is typically one (1) dedicated FTE per task order, with assistance from other team members during certain points of production.

Q14. Will the government please consider an extension? A Two week turn around during a holiday week, is not adequate time to respond to the proposal requirements.

A14. Solicitation has been extended. See Amendment 0001 for amended time and date.

Q15. Para 2.0 states: The contractor shall provide subject matter experts (SME) for developing the draft word document with a collaborative team for up to seven (7) to ten (10) CONOPS in various stages of development. Is this the total number of CONOPS currently being developed? Is this the average annual number of CONOPS that will be developed? Is this the total number of CONOPS developed over the lifetime of the contract?

A15. An average of seven to ten CONOPS are expected annually.

Q16. Both subfactors in Volume II have a page count of 10 pages individually. Will the government accept a collective 20 pages between the two subfactors in Volume II?

A16. Quoters shall follow the page counts as stated within the solicitation. Page counts for factors and/or subfactors may not be combined.

Q17. At the time questions are due, there are only 4 business days until the submission date. Will the government consider an extension to allow for sufficient time to respond to questions/answers? Recommend an extension of at least 1 full week from the day answers to questions are provided from the government. Insufficient response time gives a competitive advantage to the incumbent contractor.

A17. Solicitation has been extended. See Amendment 0001 for amended time and date.

Q18. Para 4 Volume IV – Factor IV: Price states: Total price will be evaluated taking into account the total FFP for the base ordering period and the option period. To clarify, the base ordering period is a 5 year time period.

The option period is the “FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services” 6 month time period.

A18. The base period consists of one 5-year ordering period with an option for FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services.