Industry_Questions_ _Answers_Part_II.pdf

Industry Questions RFP # N00421-15-R-0052

Part II

1. Section L, Part A, General Instructions, Paragraph 3.0, Proposal Content and Volumes, page 102. The table for Volume 2, Technical, imposes a 20 page limit for the Management Plan. Using 12 fonts, this limitation does not provide sufficient space to allow the Offeror to adequately describe an effective management approach for a contract of this magnitude. Additionally, since this contract is transitioning from a Large Business to a Small Business, an in-depth Transition Plan is required. To allow for a fully compliant response, would the Government revise page 102 to reflect a maximum of 25 pages for the Management Plan and an additional 5 pages for the Transition Plan?

Section L, Part A Para 3.0 Proposal Content and Volumes is accurate. The Government does not intend to increase page number for Management Plan.

2. Clause 5252.211-9503, Level of Effort (Cost Reimbursement) (NAVAIR) (Dec 2012), page 10 – The hours listed stipulate a total level of effort “ceiling” for the “basic contract.” However, Clause 5252.232-9510, Payment of Fixed Fee (NAVAIR) (OCT 2005) paragraph (d) on page 62 specifically states that application of fee should occur on a delivery/task order basis. There are several other clauses that also indicate that funding and fee should be applied at the task order level, including:

Clause 52.232-20, Limitation of Cost on page 10; Clause 52.232-22, Limitation of Funds on page 10; Clause 5252.232-9524 on pages 62-63; Clause 5252.216-9534(e) on page 70; and Clause 5252.232-9516 on page 74. Applying hours to “the overall contract” is contradictory to all other related clauses that establish funding and fee by “delivery/task order”. Therefore, it is respectfully requested that Clause 5252.211-9503 be revised to be read “To be determined by Task Order” for consistency with all other funding/fee related contract clauses.

The total labor hours for the 5 year ordering period will be included at the Basic IDIQ level. In addition, clause 5252.211-9503 will be included in each task order award to identify the Labor mix and hours.

3. Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award (Services) (MAR 2013), Part B, Specific Information, Paragraph 1.0, Technical, Paragraph 1.0 on page 122 – Given the highly complex technical requirements, it is very reasonable the Government would require 34 key resumes to provide assurance that the Offeror has the ability to provide qualified personnel for an effort of this magnitude. In doing so, the Offeror will be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate the quality of service necessary to ensure the successful accomplishment of overall program objectives. Further, submission and evaluation of key personnel resumes appears to be consistent with the “best value” acquisition guidance and will allow the evaluator to determine the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement. This approach also seems to align with the instruction in paragraph 15.1.1 on page 44 encouraging contractors to strive for technical excellence in personnel.

However, there appears to be a significant inconsistency with the “best value” approach by citing Workforce as the third element of importance in the technical evaluation criteria. Moreover, there is even a greater risk with the statement on page 122 that “the Government does not anticipate finding any benefit to the Government from exceeding a requirement with respect to the Workforce subfactor, and therefore does not anticipate finding strengths for that subfactor.”

Consistent with the “best value” approach, it is respectfully requested the technical criteria be revised to reflect the order of importance as: “Understanding of the Work; Workforce; and Management Plan” to allow a technical evaluation that will provide an assurance of successful accomplishment of the solicitation requirements.

Additionally, it is requested the statement on page 122 stating the Government “…does not anticipate finding strengths” in the Workforce Subfactor be deleted.

The Solicitation requirement is accurately written.

4. Clause 5252.247-9521, Place of Performance (NAVAIR) (OCT 2005), on page 58 – The place of performance is specified as Patuxent River, MD and contractor facilities.

Since this is a National support contract, should this clause be revised to also allow for work to occur at other locations as defined at the TO level?

The place of performance as describe in clause 5252.247-9521 is accurate.

5. Clause 5252.228-9501(d), Aircraft public and passenger liability, page 73 – Since the SOW for this contract does not involve flying, will the contractor be required to carry Aircraft public and passenger liability insurance?

NAVAIR 5252.228-9501(d) will be revised via amendment.

6. Section I, Contract Clauses, FAR 52.217-9, OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000), page 85 – The clause for Option to Extend the Term of the contract will be addressed at a task order level. However, 5252.211 (Level of Effort Cost Reimbursement) is written as if the contract is not a Task Order based contract. Since this will be a Task Order-based, IDIQ contract, and government needs will determine the use of labor category hours within the contract, will the Government adjust 5252.211 to reflect a Task Order basis to be consistent with Clause 52.217-9?

The total labor hours for the 5 year ordering period will be included at the Basic IDIQ level. In addition, clause 5252.211-9503 will be included in each task order award to identify the Labor mix and hours.

7. Section L2, Government Furnished Information, Paragraph 1.0, ODCs, page 114 –

The amounts specified for material of $9,317.60 per contract year appear to be very low. Please confirm that these estimated amounts are correctly stated.

Section L2 Government Furnished Information para 1.0 ODCs material amount is accurate.

8. In PART B: SPECIFIC INFORMATION, 2.0 PAST PERFORMANCE, one of the elements to be reviewed is “Magnitude: contract dollar value (approximately $40M-$120M) and contract length (approximately five years)”. Does the stated evaluation criteria mean: (1) that contracts that are less than $40M will be considered to be not relevant, or (2) that they will receive a lower performance confidence rating? Either may create a disadvantage to many small businesses even though they can demonstrate delivery of high quality services meeting technical (understanding of work and staffing), management, price/cost, and schedule requirements for services deemed relevant to the solicitation requirements. Additionally, if an Offeror has 3 five year contracts meeting a $40M threshold, they would likely exceed the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition. Would the Government consider lowering the approximate contract dollar value to reasonably establish relevancy and endorse small business competition?

The Solicitation requirement is accurately written.

C.3.14.

30 of 128 Technical Assistance Agreements

SOW requirement states that the contractor will participate in meetings with FMS customers. Will the contractor be required to obtain Technical Assistance Agreements with each FMS customer in order to comply with ITAR requirements?

Yes, that is correct.

C.3.1 4.23

30 of 128 Technical Assistance Agreements SOW requirement states that the contractor will participate in meetings with industry representatives. Will these industry representatives include foreign nationals?

Yes, that is correct.

C.15.

1.4.9

45 OF 128 Personnel Qualifications SOW requirement states completion of specific U.S Navy schools. Will completion of a similar U.S. Army or Air Force school be acceptable?

Yes, but must be specifically designated as “equivalent.”

C.FAR

5252.2 45.950

76/77 of

Government Furnished Property

The note on page 77 states that the GFP will be filled out for each task order. Is there any GFP that will be furnished at the start of the contract applicable to all task orders such as office space/furniture on base?

The Goverment does not consider office space/funiture on base as GFP.

L, Part B, 2.1

103 and 106 of

PROPOSAL CONTENT AND

VOLUMES;

Understanding of the Work;

Sample Task 1—Maintenance Task Analysis (MTA)

The sample tasks do not appear to direct correlate to the SOW. How do we address those SOW elements that do not relate to the Sample Tasks?

Does Sample Task 1 link up with one of the SOW areas?

If so, which one?

The sample tasks were examples that would demonstrate the most complete knowledge and skills required. Sample task may relate to multiple SOW paragraph.

L, Part B, 2.3

108 of

Transition Plan How long will the transition period be? Will access to incumbent personnel and access to info on ongoing tasks be provided?

The Government anticipated having 30 days transition period.

Attachment

01 DD254;

1.a. and b.

FACILITY CLEARANCE

REQUIRED; LEVEL OF

SAFEGUARDING REQUIRED

Where is classified information stored for safeguarding?

Classified material storage must be compliant with Naval instruction OPNAVINST

5510.1 (series).