Q and A for Solicitation 0002.pdf

Iran Litigation Follow-On Questions and Answers

1. Question: Is there a list of interested parties or industry day planned for this solicitation where we could connect with prospective prime contractors?

Answer: No. There is no list of potential vendors available, and there is no industry day planned for this solicitation.

2. Question: The June 12, 2026, delivery of the Step 1 Plan requires verification of the company’s FCL. This information is CUI. Please provide instructions on how to deliver this information.

Answer: We have created an amendment to provide clearer instructions surrounding this. Please see amendment 0001.

3. Question: The requirement for an operational Department of State fiber optics cable connection at the contractor's facility by the performance start date appears to present a significant barrier to non-incumbent contractors, as:

(1) establishing DOS-approved fiber connectivity requires coordination with the Department of State which involves a multi-party approval and installation process with extended lead times. (2) the incumbent contractor presumably already has this connectivity established at their current facility; and (3) non-incumbent offerors cannot rely on post-award Government coordination for installation without being deemed "unacceptable." yet, contractors cannot unilaterally order/install a new Department of State approved fiber connection into a new contractor facility without a valid requirement (e.g. Navy sponsorship via contract award).

Considering the above, how does the Government intend to ensure fair and open competition for offerors who do not currently possess DOS fiber connectivity but are otherwise technically capable of performing this requirement?

We respectfully request an extension of the deadline to submit Phase 1 Connectivity Plans until government can clarify the above question. We find, without a clear answer to the question, the current solicitation unduly favors the incumbent contractor.

Answer: The requirement for an operational Department of State fiber optics cable connection by the performance start date represents the Government’s actual minimum need. With major legal milestones upcoming, the Navy requires sustained and uninterrupted contractor support. Furthermore, the Navy has no authority to authorize alternative access methods.

Historical data indicates that the multi-party approval and installation process for a new DoS MPLS circuit likely involves a significant lead time. Given the October 01, 2026 performance start date and the critical upcoming milestones, the Navy cannot accept the programmatic risk of a work stoppage while a new circuit is installed post-award.

While the Government acknowledges the technical complexities of DoS network access, the fiber optics cable connection by the performance start date represents the Government’s minimum need. The Step One evaluation allows interested sources the flexibility to propose any compliant solution to meet the day-one requirement.

As such, the requirement for an operational Department of State fiber optics cable connection by the performance start date remains unchanged. However, to allow interested sources sufficient time to respond after release of these clarifications, the Government is extending the Step One submission deadline to 3:00 PM EST on 17 June 2026.

4. Question: As a DOS fiber optic connectivity will require DOS agreements and installation protocols with likely extensive lead times, would the Navy consider contractor personnel use of the Government's current spaces and equipment, with DOS-connectivity, as an alternative option until such time as a contractor's proposed facility achieves operational DOS connectivity?

Answer: The Government does not have any current space and equipment available that can be used by contractor personnel in this manner. As such, PWS section 4.4 (‘Location and Hours of Work’) remains unchanged.

5. Question: The solicitation establishes a Step-One Plan submission deadline of June 12, 2026, while the deadline for offeror questions is June 19, 2026. This timeline requires contractors to submit their Step-One Fiber Optic Cable Connection Plans prior to receiving Government responses to questions and clarifications regarding the solicitation requirements.

We respectfully request the Government extend the Step-One Plan submission deadline for a reasonable timeframe after all questions have been responded to. This will allow interested sources to prepare their Step-One Plans with a full understanding of the Government's expectations for the connectivity requirement?

Answer: The Government will extend the Step One submission deadline to 3:00 PM EST on 17 June 2026.

6. Question: Are subcontractors performing FMS analytical and reconciliation support required to hold a Top-Secret Facility Clearance (FCL), or is a Secret personnel clearance sufficient for subcontractor personnel performing analytical support roles?

Answer: Per solicitation Section A, interested sources must possess an active Facility Clearance (FCL) at the Top-Secret level to be considered a Viable Competitor in Step One.

PWS Section 4.6 requires all personnel performing work under this contract, including subcontractor personnel, to possess a SECRET security clearance at a minimum. Additionally, PWS Section 4.6 requires the Program Manager and/or at least one other personnel resource to have a TOP SECRET clearance to perform work on the Iranian Counterclaim issues.

The prime contractor is responsible for incorporating all applicable security requirements into its subcontracts. A subcontractor must possess an FCL commensurate with the classification of the work they will be performing.

7. Question: Per the Q&A, there is a reference that the instructions for CUI submission are provided;

however, in the actual Amendment 001, no further instructions were provided. May we please provide any CUI submission in accordance with CMMC's requirements for password protected email?

Answer: Amendment 0001 updated Section A language regarding verification of interested source’s FCL / CUI concerns in response to question #2. The updated language was as follows:

“Additionally, interested sources shall provide, as part of their Step-One submission, an attestation that they possess an active Facility Clearance (FCL) at the Top-Secret level. Interested sources shall provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code for verification of current clearance status. An interested source that does not have a Top-Secret FCL at the time of Step-One submission will be determined to be a Non-Viable Competitor and will not have their Step-One Plan further assessed.

An attestation and CAGE code do not constitute CUI.