Solicitation Amendment - N0018926QW0680005.pdf

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

9. ISSUED BY

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

CODE

15. DELIVER TO 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

TELEPHONE NUMBER

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK

BELOW IS CHECKED

REQUEST

FOR QUOTE

(RFQ)

INVITATION

FOR BID

(IFB)

REQUEST

FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NUMBER

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH

AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND

ON ANY ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SPECIFIED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE OFFER

DATED . . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR

NORTH AMERICAN

INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION

STANDARD (NAICS):

SIZE STANDARD:

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

THE DEFENSE PRIORITIES

AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

SET ASIDE: % FOR:

11. DELIVERY FOR FREE ON

BOARD (FOB) DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

8(A)

ECONOMICALLY

DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESS

NOTE: OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, AND 30.

Solicitation/Contract Form Continuation

Advanced Management Program (AMP) Services

N0018926QW0680005

Continuation of Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

Additional Information/Notes

Item Supplies/Service Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Instructor services to develop and teach Advanced Management Program (AMP) in accordance with the incorporated Performance Work Statement (PWS).

5-year ordering period. Individual courses will be funded at the task order level in accordance with the pricing exhibit.

Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price

1 Job

FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Up to Six Months Individual classes will be priced at the task order level in accordance with the pricing exhibit.

Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price

1 Job

Continuation of Description Solicitation N0018926QW068 Questions and Answers

Question 1: Is there an incumbent contractor performing these requirements? If so, could you please provide the incumbent contract #?

Answer 1: Yes; the contract number is N0018921DG002.

Question 2: The Volume I instructions state the Government "will not consider experience before May 1, 2023," while the Addendum to Evaluation states the cutoff is "May 11, 2023." Please confirm which date is controlling for purposes of the Factor I experience window.

Answer 2: The solicitation has been amended to change the date to May 11, 2023, in Volume I: Factor I instructions.

Question 3: The solicitation requires the quoter to represent and demonstrate "substantial experience providing executive-level leader development."

Please provide a working definition of "executive-level leader development" for evaluation purposes. Specifically: (a) does military Professional Military Education (PME) delivery for senior officers (O-5 and above) and civilian equivalents (GS-13 and above) qualify, and (b) does leadership development delivered under a DoD or federal agency contract qualify, or is this limited to programs modeled on commercial executive education programs such as those offered by business schools?

Answer 3: Yes to both (a) and (b). Experience is not limited to commercial executive education models. The solicitation has been amended to add the following sentence after the first sentence under Factor I in the 52.212-1 Addendum: For the purposes of this evaluation factor, "executive-level leader development" is defined as structured training and educational programs designed to enhance the strategic leadership, decision-making, and management capabilities of senior personnel. The solicitation has been amended to add the following sentence after the first sentence under Factor I in the 52.212-2 Addendum: For the purposes of this evaluation, "executive-level leader development" is defined as structured training and educational programs designed to enhance the strategic leadership, decision-making, and management capabilities of senior personnel.

Question 4: The solicitation requires each past performance reference to demonstrate "at least one (1) year of completed performance by the closing date" of May 26, 2026. For contracts that are currently active and ongoing, does "completed performance" mean that 12 continuous months of performance must have elapsed prior to May 26, 2026, or does it mean at least one year of the stated period of performance must have passed regardless of whether the contract has concluded?

Answer 4: For contracts that are currently active and ongoing, the contractor must have continuously performed services under the contract since May 27, 2025, or earlier.

Question 5: The Past Performance Information Form (Attachment 03) requires dollar value broken into annual increments. For Indefinite Delivery /Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, the form requests both the "annual estimated contract amount" and the "amount of orders actually performed."

Please confirm whether the "magnitude" relevancy evaluation will be based on: (a) the total value of the IDIQ vehicle, (b) the annual estimated value of task orders, or (c) the actual annual dollar value of work performed under task orders.

Answer 5: The solicitation has been amended to replace the Past Performance Information Form with a revised Past Performance Information Form.

The revised form does not request information for IDIQ contracts. Additionally, instructions for Volume II: Factor II - Past Performance, say that "quoters shall not submit an IDIQ contract, BPA or FSS contract as a reference".

Question 6: For a past performance reference in which the quoter or proposed subcontractor performed as a subcontractor to a prime, may the quoter submit a CPARS evaluation issued to the prime as supplementary quality evidence for that reference, alongside a clear narrative distinguishing the subcontractor's scope and dollar contribution?

Answer 6: Yes; a quoter may include CPARS reports in Volume II, and they will not count against its page limit. The solicitation has been amended to add the following sentence after the sentence about submitting substantiating documentation: A quoter may include CPARS reports in Volume II, and they will not count against its page limit.

Question 7: For a teaming arrangement in which the WOSB prime and a subcontractor both contribute past performance references, will the Government evaluate the subcontractor's past performance "as highly as" the prime's past performance if the subcontractor is proposed to perform a major or critical aspect of the AMP requirement? Please confirm what percentage of work constitutes a "major or critical" aspect for this purpose.

Answer 7: Under Volume II: Factor II - Past Performance, "the past performance of proposed subcontractors that will be performing major or critical aspects of the solicitation will be considered as highly as the quoter's past performance."

Question 8: The solicitation permits submission of a combination of up to three task orders, delivery orders, or technical direction letters under a single IDIQ as one past performance reference. If such a combination is submitted, must all three individual orders each independently demonstrate one year of completed performance, or does the combination need to collectively represent one year of completed performance in the aggregate?

Answer 8: Under Volume II: Factor II - Past Performance, "Quoters may submit a maximum of three (3) DOs, TOs, TDLs, and/or TATs issued under an IDIQ contract, BPA, or FSS contract as one of the examples of past performance. Such a combination must also meet the requirements stated above: each individual example in the combination must have been performed within five (5) years of the solicitation closing date and demonstrate at least one (1) year of completed performance by the solicitation closing date."

Question 9: The pricing spreadsheet does not distinguish between delivery locations (Newport, RI; Mechanicsburg, PA; Philadelphia, PA). Should quoters price a single blended per-convene unit price applicable to all three locations, or provide location-specific pricing? If a single blended price is required, what is the anticipated distribution of convenes across the three locations per ordering period?

Answer 9: The second question is still being considered, and the pricing spreadsheet may be amended. NSCS anticipates approximately 1-2 courses per year in Newport, one in Philadelphia, and one in Mechanicsburg.

Revised answer: The solicitation has been amended and the Pricing Spreadsheet (Attachment 02) has been changed to request prices for each course location. NSCS anticipates approximately 1-2 courses per year in Newport, one in Philadelphia, and one in Mechanicsburg.

Question 10: The Pricing Spreadsheet (Attachment 02) contains a single line item structure: one unit price per ordering period, with an estimated four units (course convenes) per ordering period (three for the FAR 52.217-8 extension period). Please confirm: (a) is the "Unit Price" intended to represent the all-inclusive per-convene price encompassing instructor labor, course materials, binder production, welcome reception arrangements, and travel; and (b) should travel be embedded in the unit price or priced as a separate not-to-exceed line item, as referenced in PWS Section 18.2?

Answer 10: Unit price must include everything. The solicitation has been amended to delete "not to exceed (NTE) the stated amounts prescribed in the contract line items" from PWS section 18.2. See also the answer to question 37.

Question 11: PWS Section 18.2 states that travel costs are included in the firm fixed price as a "not to exceed" amount "prescribed in the contract line items," but the pricing spreadsheet does not include a separate travel line item. Please confirm whether quoters should embed travel in the per-convene unit price or whether a separate travel NTE will be negotiated at award, and provide any applicable government travel NTE benchmarks or per diem guidance quoters should use in their pricing.

Answer 11: All travel expenses must be included in the per-convene unit price. The first sentence in PWS Section 18.2 has been amended to say, "The course is Firm Fixed Price, and the unit price for each class shall include all the Contractor's travel expenses.

Question 12: The solicitation references Wage Determination 2015-4090 for Naval Station Newport, RI. Please confirm: (a) whether this wage determination also covers performance at the Mechanicsburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA locations, or whether separate wage determinations apply to those sites; and (b) if separate determinations apply, please provide the applicable WD numbers so that quoters may price those locations compliantly.

Answer 12: The WD reflects where the majority of the classes are held.

Question 13: For purposes of price reasonableness evaluation, will the Government use an Independent Government Estimate (IGE) as the primary benchmark? If so, please provide the IGE or confirm the estimated annual contract value so that quoters may self-assess the competitiveness of their pricing approach.

Answer 13: The Government has various ways to evaluate price, not necessarily using the IGE.

Question 14: PWS Section 12.2(b)(2) requires instructors holding a Master's degree to demonstrate "a minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated senior-level experience in leadership, management, or a specialized topic area directly related to the course content." Please confirm whether senior military service (e.g., a retired officer at the O-6 or General/Flag Officer level) qualifies as "senior-level experience" in leadership, and whether service in DoD advisory, training, or education roles is considered directly related to AMP course content.

Answer 14: Senior military service (e.g., a retired officer at the O-6 or General/Flag Officer level) qualifies as "senior-level experience" in leadership, and service in DoD advisory, training, or education roles is considered directly related to AMP course content.

Question 15: PWS Section 12.2(c) requires five years of experience "teaching subject matter comparable to the master's level in a school of business administration or an Executive Education program." Please confirm whether the following environments qualify: (a) military war colleges and senior service colleges delivering curriculum at the master's or graduate level, (b) professional military education programs at the intermediate and senior level (e.g., Command and General Staff College, National Defense University), and (c) DoD or federal agency leadership development programs that are accredited or credit-bearing through the American Council on Education (ACE).

Answer 15: Yes; senior military service (e.g., O-6 or General/Flag Officer level) and service in DoD advisory, training, or education roles qualify as senior-level experience, provided the individuals can demonstrate proficiency in and speak to the key curricula topics required in the PWS.

Question 16: PWS Section 12.2(d) requires that instructors have "taught within the past five years in a college, university, or Executive Education program in classes comprised, on average, of fifteen (15) or more students." For adjunct or guest faculty who teach on a per-course or per-module basis rather than as full-time faculty, does each engagement count toward the five-year teaching requirement, and does the 15-student average apply per course or per engagement?

Answer 16: Yes; each of the listed environments (a, b, and c) qualifies as applicable experience teaching subject matter comparable to the master's level.

Question 17: PWS Section 12.3 states that no more than 20% of instruction may be presented by Assistant Instructors. Please confirm how this percentage is measured: by total instructional hours across a course convene, by number of discrete topics or modules, or by some other metric.

Additionally, please confirm whether the primary Contractor Instructor must be physically present in the classroom (not available by video) while an Assistant Instructor presents.

Answer 17: Measured by total instructional hours; physical presence of the primary Contractor Instructor is required.

Aspect Requirement Measurement Metric The 20% limit is measured by total instructional hours across a course convene (e.g., in a 10-day course, no more than 2 total days of instruction may be led by Assistant Instructors).

Physical Presence The primary Contractor Instructor must be physically present in the classroom while an Assistant Instructor presents.

Rationale Presence is required to manage administrative matters and resolve any issues, allowing the Assistant Instructor to remain focused on curriculum delivery.

Question 18: PWS Section 6.11 requires the contractor to provide onsite administrative support beginning at 0800 on the Friday before each course convenes. Please confirm whether this requirement applies uniformly to all three delivery locations (Newport, Mechanicsburg, and Philadelphia) or solely to Newport as the primary site designated in the solicitation.

Answer 18: The requirement for onsite administrative support applies to Newport, Mechanicsburg, and Philadelphia to ensure all course materials (such as binders and name tags) are on-site and in place prior to the course commencing on Monday. This support period is also required to ensure that all classroom facilities are properly set up and ready for instruction.

Question 19: PWS Section 10.1(a) requires the contractor to "arrange a welcome reception on the first night of each course that will be held on-site" and specifies that attendees will pay for food and beverages. Please clarify the contractor's financial responsibility with respect to the reception: is the contractor responsible for venue coordination only (since it must be on-site), or is the contractor expected to absorb any base facility fees, room setup costs, or logistical expenses associated with arranging the reception?

Answer 19: The contractor is responsible for venue coordination and logistical setup only; attendees are responsible for their own food and beverage costs.

Question 20: PWS Section 6.11 states that the course "shall be presented in two consecutive weeks" with each training day including 7.5 instructional hours. Please confirm the total instructional hours expected per convene: 10 training days at 7.5 hours equals 75 instructional hours per convene. Is this the correct basis for pricing instructor labor?

Answer 20: Yes; this is correct.

Question 21: PWS Section 6.4 specifies that courses are presented "in-person." Please confirm whether any hybrid or virtual delivery modality is permissible for any portion of the curriculum (e.g., guest speakers via VTC as referenced in PWS Section 6.13), and whether COR approval is required before any VTC-based instruction is incorporated into the course schedule.

Answer 21: Yes, on a very limited basis and subject to prior COR approval. Hybrid or virtual delivery will be considered only on a very limited basis, such as for a guest speaker session where in-person travel is not cost-effective. This option is reserved for specific topics that cannot be adequately covered by an in-person instructor or Subject Matter Expert already on-site. Any proposed hybrid or virtual instruction must be formally approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) prior to scheduling or conducting the session.

Question 22: The Deliverable Schedule (PWS Section 15.0) requires the Initial Draft 60 days before the first course start date and the Final Draft 30 days before. Given a contract start date of 1 July 2026, please provide the anticipated date of the first course convene for Ordering Period 1. If the first convene is scheduled within 90 days of award, please confirm whether the COR and contractor will negotiate an amended deliverable schedule per PWS Section 5.7.

Answer 22: The anticipated start date for the first course convene in Ordering Period 1 is still being finalized among the various delivery locations. If the scheduled date for the first convene falls within 90 days of the date on which the first order is placed under the contract , the Government confirms that the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will work with the contractor to negotiate an amended, mutually agreeable deliverable schedule in accordance with PWS Section 5.7.

Question 23: PWS Section 16.1 references a Quality Control Plan (QCP) due 314 days after contract award (approximately 10 May 2027). Please confirm: (a) whether QCP guidance, format requirements, or a Government-provided template will be furnished at contract award; and (b) whether the QCP is a standalone contractual deliverable subject to formal acceptance/rejection, or an administrative document for COR reference.

Answer 23: PWS Section 16.1 has been amended to change "314" to "14." The contractor must use their own format for the QCP, and the document is a formal deliverable subject to Government approval. The Government will not provide a specific template or format for the Quality Control Plan; the contractor is expected to provide the QCP in their own format, ensuring it addresses all requirements outlined in the PWS. The QCP is a standalone contractual deliverable and is subject to formal review and acceptance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the contracting officer.

Question 24: PWS Section 6.11 requires the contractor to provide "completed binders to each student containing the course materials" seven calendar days prior to course execution. For convenes at Mechanicsburg and Philadelphia, please confirm whether the contractor is responsible for shipping binders to those locations or whether NSCS will coordinate receipt at alternate sites.

Answer 24: Binders do not need to be physically shipped to alternate sites seven days prior, as COR verification can be conducted virtually. The requirement to have materials ready seven days in advance is to facilitate COR review and allow for any necessary reprints or modifications. This verification may be performed virtually; therefore, physical binders do not need to be shipped to alternate sites for inspection. However, the contractor remains responsible for ensuring the final, verified binders are on-site by the start of the course. If the contractor chooses to ship materials to Mechanicsburg or Philadelphia rather than having a facilitator hand-carry them, NSCS will coordinate with those specific sites to facilitate the receipt of the shipment.

Question 25: The solicitation requires each past performance reference to include "relevant contract documentation, such as the contract and the PWS, substantiating the work performed," noting this documentation will not count against the page limit. Please confirm: (a) whether a complete contract and all modifications must be submitted or whether the base contract, relevant task order, and PWS are sufficient; and (b) whether a CPARS printout qualifies as substantiating documentation in lieu of or in addition to contract documents.

Answer 25: Submit sufficient contract documentation to substantiate the work performed. Submit contracts, task orders, PWSs, and modifications. A CPARS report may be submitted but alone will be insufficient to substantiate the work performed.

Question 26: The solicitation states that submissions must use a 12-point font or larger. Please confirm whether footnotes, figure captions, and table cell text within the page-limited volumes are also required to meet the 12-point minimum, or whether those elements may use a smaller font size consistent with normal document standards.

Answer 26: Graphics (including tables) in the quote must use a font with 12-point size type or larger.

Question 27: Is there existing approved curriculum or will we have to provide curriculum for the course?

Answer 27: The contractor is responsible for providing the curriculum. The Government will not provide an existing approved curriculum. The contractor will be responsible for developing and providing all curriculum and associated materials for the course in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Question 28: Will courses run consecutively, or concurrently?

Answer 28: Courses will run consecutively, not concurrently. There will typically be a minimum of a few weeks, or longer, between each course convene.

Question 29: Please confirm the clearance reference in section 17.2 is for base access clearance, and not a higher tier clearance.

Answer 29: Confirmed; the requirement is for base access only. A higher-tier security clearance (e.g., Secret or Top Secret) is not required. The clearance requirement referenced in Section 17.2 is strictly to ensure that all instructors and facilitators are properly vetted and can obtain physical access to the respective military installations.

Question 30: Will all courses be taught at the Newport, RI location or will instructor support be required at the Mechanicsburg, PA and/or Philadelphia, PA locations?

Answer 30: Courses will be taught at all three locations. Instructor support will be required at all three delivery sites: Newport, RI; Mechanicsburg, PA; and Philadelphia, PA. While Newport serves as the primary location, the Government anticipates conducting approximately one course per year at each of the Mechanicsburg and Philadelphia locations.

Question 31: If we provide the curriculum, does it become Navy-owned upon approval?

Answer 31: This question is still being considered.

Revised answer: The PWS has been amended to replace Section 22.5 with a new Section 22.5.

Question 32: PWS 4.0 lists three performance locations: NSCS Newport RI, NAVSUP HQ Mechanicsburg PA, and NAVSUP WSS Philadelphia PA.

SF-1449 Block 15 and the inspection/ acceptance blocks list only NSCS Newport. Section L (Vol. III(f)) instructs that all labor rates be proposed at NAVSTA Newport, RI under Wage Determination 2015-4090. Are the Mechanicsburg and Philadelphia locations expected to be used during the ordering period? If so, will they be added at the task order level with potentially different wage determinations and travel implications?

Answer: Yes, the Mechanicsburg and Philadelphia locations are expected to be used during the ordering period (anticipated at one course per location, per year). The solicitation has been amended to delete item f, which says, "For the purposes of the quote, all labor rates should be proposed at the Government site (NAVSTA Newport, RI) covered by Wage Determination 2015-4090" from instructions for Volume III in the 52.212-1 Addendum.

Question 33: PWS 6.1-6.3 and 5.7 require the Contractor to develop a comprehensive AMP curriculum, deliver an Initial Draft sixty days after award, and conduct an in-person Presentation of Course Materials no later than sixty days prior to the first course. Attachment 02 does not include a separate CLIN for course development or the Presentation. Is initial course development treated as part of the per-class FFP unit price (amortized across all classes), or will the Government issue a separate task order for initial development? If amortized, may quoters describe the allocation in the Volume III narrative?

Answer: This question is still being considered.

Revised Answer: The Pricing Spreadsheet (Attachment 02) has been changed to request a price for curriculum development, course materials development, and the in-person presentation of the course materials.

Question 34: Can the Government please clarify or expand on the level of effort anticipated for course development? How many rounds of revisions will the Government require? Will course development be conducted through a formal walk through and validation process during those 120 days?

Who on the customer side has input into course development and how many levels of leadership must sign off on the final course design before it can be delivered? Finally, while we understand that continuous improvement is a PWS requirement, how often is the course anticipated to undergo significant review and revision - annually or other interval?

Answer: The initial draft is based on vendor expertise and PWS requirements, with final sign-off by NSCS leadership. Significant revisions are anticipated annually at most, with only minor updates expected between courses. The contractor is expected to provide an initial course draft based on their professional expertise and the requirements outlined in the PWS. Input and final approval for the course design will be provided by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS) leadership. The specific number of revision rounds during the development phase will depend on the initial draft's alignment with the PWS, culminating in the required Presentation of Course Materials. Regarding continuous improvement, the Government anticipates that the course will only undergo significant review and revision on an annual basis, if required.

Between individual course convenes, the Government expects only minor changes to maintain relevance based on student feedback, stakeholder input, and evolving military or business conditions.

Question 35: PWS 10.1(a) requires the Contractor to arrange a welcome reception on the first night of each course on-site, with attendees paying for their own food and beverages. What costs is the Contractor expected to bear for the reception (venue hire/setup, materials, coordination time), and are such costs to be included in the per-class FFP unit price?

Answer: The contractor is responsible for coordination and logistical setup; these costs must be included in the per-class FFP unit price. The contractor's financial responsibility for the welcome reception is limited to the labor and logistical effort required for venue coordination and setup.

The contractor is not expected to bear costs for venue rental, reservation fees, or base facility fees. Off-site venues may be used if they do not require a rental or reservation fee. All costs associated with the coordination and management of these events must be incorporated into the firm-fixed-price (FFP) unit price per course. Attendees will be responsible for the individual purchase of their own food and beverages.

Question 36: PWS 12.1 requires that resumes and biographies of Contractor Instructors and Assistant Instructors be provided to the COR. Should named instructor resumes be submitted with the quote, and if so, do they count against the ten-page Factor I limit, or are they only required post-award?

Answer: Named instructor resumes are not required with the quote and are only required post-award. Quoters must not submit named instructor resumes in their quote. Specific resumes and biographies for the personnel assigned to the contract will be required for COR review and approval following the contract award.

Question 37: PWS 18.2 states the unit price for each class shall include the Contractor's travel expense "not to exceed (NTE) the stated amounts prescribed in the contract line items." Attachment 02 shows only a single Unit Price column, with no separate travel NTE line, no materials line, and no Other Direct Cost line. Should travel be embedded in the FFP class unit price or proposed as a separate NTE element? If embedded, how does the NTE provision operate against a fully fixed unit price? Are course materials, printing, and ODCs similarly embedded?

Answer: The solicitation has been amended to delete "not to exceed (NTE) the stated amounts prescribed in the contract line items" from PWS section

18.2. All travel, course materials, printing, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) must be completely embedded within the firm-fixed-price (FFP) course unit price. Quoters must include all anticipated travel, material, administrative, and logistical costs within the single FFP unit price per course on Attachment 02. There will be no separate line items or separate billable elements for travel, materials, or ODCs in the contract or task orders. The FFP amount quoted will be the total, maximum amount the Government will pay per class convene if the quoter is awarded the contract.

Question 38: PWS 17.4 states that all information promulgated, generated, or discussed within and in support of course execution shall be unclassified. The solicitation incorporates DFARS 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information) and DFARS 252.240-7997 (NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements), both of which exist to protect Controlled Unclassified Information. Please clarify: (a) whether the Government anticipates the Contractor will handle CUI in performance of this contract; (b) if so, what CUI categories are involved (e.g., student PII, NAVSUP strategic planning, export-controlled technical data); and (c) what CMMC level, if any, is required for award and performance, or whether a current SPRS NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment score is sufficient.

Answer: The contractor will handle CUI. The CUI will primarily consist of student Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as names and contact details, which will be provided to the contractor solely to establish communication with students before and during the course. All formal course registration and processing will be handled by Government personnel. A current SPRS NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment score is sufficient to meet the requirements of the incorporated DFARS clauses. A CMMC level is not required for award or performance of the contract at this time.

Question 39: The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-4 Alternate I (Feb 2026) (Deviation 2026-O0038), which contains time-and-materials and labor-hour terms including hourly rate definitions, materials reimbursement on actual cost, ceiling-price obligations, and audit access language.

CLINs 0001 and 0002 state "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price." Please confirm in writing that the contract is FFP, that the Alternate I T&M and labor-hour provisions are not operative, and that the standard 52.212-4 inspection, acceptance, and invoicing terms govern.

Answer: The contract is firm-fixed-price. The solicitation has been amended to delete FAR 52.212-4 Alternate I (Feb 2026) (Deviation 2026-O0038).

Question 40: Factor I requires "adequate supporting documentation of that experience, as determined solely by the Government." Please indicate the forms of documentation the Government considers adequate -- for example, contract numbers, course brochures, student rosters by grade, customer letters, internal training records, or other categories of evidence.

Answer: If claimed experience providing executive-level leader development was gained performing contracts (includes task orders), then submit the contracts (including task orders and the PWSs) and modifications to the contracts. Redact personally identifiable information (PII) in submitted documentation. Do not submit course attendee/student rosters or any PII of course attendees/students. The solicitation has been amended to add the following sentence after the sentence "The quoter must ... solely by the Government" in instructions for Volume I in the 52.212-1 Addendum: The Government may request a quoter to provide additional documentation to support claimed experience providing executive-level leader development since May 11, 2023.

Question 41: For purposes of evaluating relevance and magnitude under the Past Performance factor, can the Government provide the estimated annual ordering value and/or estimated number of task orders anticipated under the resulting IDIQ contract?

Answer: The Government anticipates up to four task orders per year. The Government will not provide its estimated annual ordering value.

Question 42: To confirm, course registration will be handled solely by the Contractor, including electronic registration, registration portals, etc. with no government systems/processes involved?

Answer: No, the Government will entirely handle course registration. The Government (NSCS, NAVSUP, DLA, etc.) will be solely responsible for all formal course registration processes and managing student enrollments. The contractor is not required to provide electronic registration portals or manage the registration process. The Government will provide the finalized student enrollment information to the contractor before the course convene. The contractor will then use this information solely to facilitate necessary pre-course communication, such as sending welcome letters and distributing any required pre-course materials.

Question 43: Can the Government clarify whether the Contractor is expected to provide and manage all registration systems, portals, and electronic registration processes, or whether Government-furnished registration systems/processes will be utilized?

Answer: The Government will manage all registration systems and processes; however, the contractor is responsible for verifying student attendance and course completion. The Government is solely responsible for the course registration process and will utilize its own internal systems. The contractor is not expected to provide or manage electronic registration portals. However, once the Government provides the finalized enrollment roster, the contractor is expected to track attendance and help ensure that all enrolled students actively attend and complete the course requirements as scheduled.

Question 44: What is the difference between course speakers and course instructors?

Answer: Instructors are the primary personnel responsible for delivering the core curriculum and must meet strict PWS qualifications; guest speakers provide brief, specialized insights to supplement the course. Course Instructors (and Assistant Instructors) are the primary personnel responsible for executing the comprehensive AMP curriculum, managing the classroom, and ensuring all educational objectives are met. They must strictly meet the academic, teaching, and experience requirements outlined in PWS Section 12. Course speakers (or guest speakers) are Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) brought in for a limited duration (e.g., a one-hour session) to present on highly specific or specialized topics. While speakers enhance the overall learning experience, they serve to supplement the primary instruction and do not carry the overarching instructional or administrative responsibilities of the Course Instructors.

Question 45: What is meant by "credentialed?"

Answer: "Credentialed" means possessing formal, documented recognition of expertise--such as relevant degrees, professional certifications, or licenses--from a recognized professional or academic body. For the purposes of this solicitation, "credentialed" indicates that a proposed speaker holds formal documentation validating their subject matter expertise in the specific topic they are assigned to present. This may include relevant academic degrees, industry-standard professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CPA, SHRM, etc.), occupational licenses, or specialized formal training certificates. The contractor must provide this evidence (typically via the speaker's biography) to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for review and approval before the speaker's participation in the course.

Question 46: Does "affiliation" specifically mean membership?

Answer: No. For the purposes of this solicitation, "affiliation" is broader than formal membership alone. An affiliation is a formal, demonstrable, and verifiable relationship with a nationally recognized professional association. While active membership is a clear form of affiliation, other examples include, but are not limited to:

Holding a current, valid professional certification or accreditation issued by the association.

Serving as a board member, fellow, or in another officially recognized leadership or advisory capacity for the association.

Being a regularly featured or keynote speaker at the association's official events and conferences.

The contractor must be prepared to provide documentation that validates this professional connection and demonstrates the individual's recognized standing within that association's subject area of expertise.

Question 47: If an instructor has expertise in multiple topics, must they demonstrate credentials and professional association affiliations for each topic?

Answer: No, a relevant overarching professional affiliation in their primary field of expertise is generally sufficient, provided their resume demonstrates capability in all assigned topics. Instructors are not required to hold separate, distinct credentials and professional affiliations for every individual module or topic they teach. An overarching affiliation with a recognized professional association in their primary field (such as business, management, leadership, or public administration) is acceptable to meet the affiliation requirement. However, the instructor's resume and documented experience must clearly demonstrate their capability, background, and expertise to effectively teach each specific topic they are assigned.

Question 48: Will the government clarify the requirements for Contractor personnel readiness?

Answer: Contractor personnel readiness is the demonstrated ability to provide fully qualified, approved, and logistically prepared staff to ensure 100% performance for all scheduled course requirements without interruption. For the purposes of this contract, personnel readiness is a comprehensive standard that includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS):

Staffing and Availability (PWS 11.1): The contractor must maintain a workforce of sufficient size to ensure 100% staffing for all courses, including the ability to provide qualified replacements in the event of unforeseen personnel absences without impacting the course schedule.

Qualifications (PWS 12.2 & 12.3): All personnel assigned to instructional roles must meet the specific minimum qualification standards for either a Contractor Instructor or Assistant Instructor as defined in the PWS.

Government Approval (PWS 12.1 & 12.5): All instructors and assistant instructors are subject to review and approval by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) before performing on the contract. Readiness requires having submitted the necessary resumes and biographies to the COR in a timely manner to secure this approval post-award.

Security and Base Access (PWS 17.2): Personnel must be ready to access all required government facilities. This requires the contractor to complete and submit all necessary base access forms and documentation to the COR no later than three weeks before requiring access.

Logistical and Administrative Preparedness (PWS 6.11 & 8.0): Instructors must be fully prepared for course execution. This includes being present at their scheduled presentation times and having all necessary daily instructor materials (handouts, graphs, etc.) ready for distribution before the start of each class.

Question 49: Can the Government clarify whether Volume I submissions are expected to include proposed instructor resumes, biographies, curriculum vitae (CVs), or credential summaries demonstrating compliance with these requirements and executive-level instructional capability?

Answer: Volume I submissions must not include proposed instructor resumes, biographies, curriculum vitae (CVs), or credential summaries. See also the answer to question 36.

Requirements Instructor services to teach Advanced Management Program (AMP) in accordance with the incorporated Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Continuation of Packaging and Marking

Continuation of Inspection and Acceptance

Overall Contract Inspection/Acceptance Locations

Authorized Accepting Official

Acceptance Destination Instructions: See Performance Work Statement (PWS) for Acceptance/inspection criteria.

DoDAAC: N3476B CountryCode: USA

CENTER FOR SERVICE SUPPORT

1183 CUSHING RD, NAVAL STATION NEWPORT

NEWPORT, RI 02841-1210

UNITED STATES

Blake Fountain, COR Email: blake.a.fountain2.civ@us.navy.mil Telephone: 401-841-4847

Authorized Accepting Official

Acceptance Destination Instructions: See Performance Work Statement (PWS) for Acceptance/inspection criteria.

DoDAAC: N3476B CountryCode: USA

CENTER FOR SERVICE SUPPORT

1183 CUSHING RD, NAVAL STATION NEWPORT

NEWPORT, RI 02841-1210

UNITED STATES

Blake Fountain, COR Email: blake.a.fountain2.civ@us.navy.mil Telephone: 401-841-4847

Continuation of Deliveries or Performance

Overall Contract Delivery Period

Period of Performance From 01 Sep 2026 to 29 Feb 2032

The ordering period above may include unexercised options

Contractor Destination

Line Item Delivery Schedule Quantity Address and POC

Period of Performance From 01 Sep 2026 To 31 Aug 2031

1 Job Place of Performance DoDAAC: N3476B CountryCode: USA

CENTER FOR SERVICE SUPPORT

1183 CUSHING RD, NAVAL STATION NEWPORT

NEWPORT, RI 02841-1210

UNITED STATES

Blake Fountain, COR Email: blake.a.fountain2.civ@us.navy.mil Telephone: 401-841-4847

Period of Performance From 01 Sep 2031 To 29 Feb 2032

1 Job Place of Performance DoDAAC: N3476B CountryCode: USA

CENTER FOR SERVICE SUPPORT

1183 CUSHING RD, NAVAL STATION NEWPORT

NEWPORT, RI 02841-1210

UNITED STATES

Blake Fountain, COR Email: blake.a.fountain2.civ@us.navy.mil Telephone: 401-841-4847

Continuation of Accounting and Appropriation Data

Contract Clauses

FAR Clauses Incorporated by Reference

Number Title Effective Date

Alternate/ Deviation

Variation Effective Date

52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026

52.219-30 Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program. (Deviation 2026- O0038)

Feb 2026

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026

52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts). (Deviation 2026-O0038)

Feb 2026

52.222-55 Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026. (Deviation 2026- O0038)

Feb 2026

52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving. May 2024 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management. Oct 2018 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. Mar 2023 52.233-3 Protest after Award. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.203-3 Gratuities. Apr 1984 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.204-13 System for Award Management-Maintenance. (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government. (Alternate I) Jun 2020 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements. Jan 2017

52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters. (Deviation 2026-O0038)

Feb 2026

52.229-12 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements. Feb 2021

DFARS Clauses Incorporated by Reference

Number Title Effective Date

Alternate/ Deviation

Variation Effective Date

252.203-7000 Requirements Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials. Sep 2011 252.203-7002 Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights. Dec 2022 252.204-7015 Notice of Authorized Disclosure of Information for Litigation Support. Jan 2023

252.204-7018 Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services.

Jan 2023

252.204-7022 Expediting Contract Closeout. May 2021

252.209-7004 Subcontracting with Firms that are Owned or Controlled by the Government of a Country that is a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

May 2019

252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports. Dec 2018 252.232-7010 Levies on Contract Payments. Dec 2006 252.243-7002 Requests for Equitable Adjustment. Dec 2022 252.247-7023 Transportation of Supplies by Sea. Oct 2024

252.204-7012 Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting.

(DEVIATION 2024-O0013 REVISION 1)

May 2024

252.226-7001 Utilization of Indian Organizations, Indian-Owned Economic Enterprises, and Native Hawaiian Small Business Concerns.

Jan 2023

252.225-7052 Restriction on the Acquisition of Certain Magnets, Tantalum, and Tungsten. May 2024 252.225-7056 Prohibition Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime. Jan 2023 252.225-7060 Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Jun 2023

252.225-7967 Prohibition Regarding Russian Fossil Fuel Business Operations (Deviation 2024-O0006, Revision 1)

Feb 2024

FAR Clauses Incorporated by Full Text

52.219-28 Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation. (Deviation 2026-O0038) (Feb 2026)

POSTAWARD SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REREPRESENTATION (FEB 2026) (DEVIATION 2026-O0038)

(a) . As used in this clause-Definitions

Long-term contract means a contract of more than five years in duration, including options. However, the term does not include contracts that exceed five years in duration because the period of performance has been extended for a cumulative period not to exceed six months under the clause at 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, or other appropriate authority.

Small business concern-

(1) Means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field of operation, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR part 121 and the size standard in paragraph (c) of this clause.

(2) , as used in this definition, means business concerns, one of whom directly or indirectly controls or has the power to control the others, Affiliates or a third party or parties control or have the power to control the others. In determining whether affiliation exists, consideration is given to all appropriate factors including common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. SBA determines affiliation based on the factors set forth at 13 CFR 121.103.

(b) If the Contractor represented that it was a small business concern, a small disadvantaged business concern, or a joint venture that was any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3) prior to award of this contract, the Contractor shall rerepresent…