15-R-0092_ANSWERS_TO_INDUSTRY_QUESTIONS_PART_I.docx

INDUSTRY QUESTIONS

When can we expect the Government to provide answers to the questions posed by industry? The answers to the questions are vital to the direction and approach that is taken to address the requirements. With Questions due three weeks prior to the proposal due date, and even with a one week turnaround by the Government to respond, this only gives industry a little over a week to incorporate all changes when postage time is factored in. Please consider providing an extension to the effort.

· The due date for the submission of proposals will be revised via amendment.

Based upon the magnitude and complexity of this solicitation, we respectfully request that the Government extend the due date an additional 15 days.

· The due date for the submission of proposals will be revised via amendment.

1. Section L, para 3.0, p. 97: Table of proposal content lists Sections 1.1 – 1.6 but on p. 100, para 1.0 the paragraphs are numbered i, ii, etc. Please clarify if these two sections are addressing the same requirements.

· Yes, Sections 1.1-1.6 of the Proposal Volume Table found on page 97, and Paragraph 1.0, I through ix address the same requirements. Section L will be amended accordingly.

2. Section L, para 3.0, p. 98: Table of proposal content section number for Sample Task does not match corresponding number on p. 201. Please clarify.

· Section L, Part B, 2.1 will be amended accordingly.

3. Section L, para 3.0, p. 98: Table of proposal content for Section 4.0 does not correspond to 4.0 on p. 105. Please clarify the requirements for Past Performance.

· The numbering sequence for Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volume, 4.0 Past Performance, and Section L, Part B, 4.0 will be amended accordingly.

4. Section L, para 4.0, p. 105: States “When possible, the Past Performance Matrix should include at least five of the most relevant contracts for the prime contractor, five of the most relevant contracts for each team member, and two of the most relevant contracts for each principal subcontractor.” Depending on the answer to the above, but as we interpret “team member” as all our subcontractors for this opportunity: if we have 10 subcontractors who are team members we would need to submit 55 past performance references. Of those 10 subcontractors, 3 are “principal” who would need to provide 2 each. That would be a total of 61 references. Please clarify the requirement for past performance references.

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

5. Section L, para 4.0 does not provide detail for Section 4.1.3 Past Performance Matrix as shown in para 3.0 Table of Proposal Content on page 98. Please clarify the requirements.

· Instructions for Attachment #3 will be updated in Section L, Part B, 4.2 via amendment.

6. The RFP allocates three pages to Past Performance Questionnaires. Since we send those off to the government POC and never see them again, will you please clarify what the government is looking for in Volume 4 with respect to the PPQs?

· Page Limit for Attachment #4 will be updated via amendment.

7. Question 2: Section L, Volume 4: Past Performance; referring to the Proposal Contents: With respect to 4.1 Past Performance Information requirement of 20 Pages, is this a separate narrative apart from the 4.1.3 Past Performance Matrix, Attachment #3?

· Yes, the Past Performance Information and instructions for Attachment #3 can be found in Section L, Part B, 4.2 and will be updated via amendment.

8. Is the page limit for Paragraph 4.1.3 Past Performance Matrix (4 Pages) in addition to the 20 page limit for Paragraph 4.1?

· Page Limit for Attachment #3 will be updated via amendment.

9. Attachment #3, Past Performance Matrix is limited to 4 Pages. Is this page limitation per Past Performance Reference, or are we limited to 4 pages to include all past performance references.

· Page Limit for Attachment #3 will be updated via amendment.

10. Does the Government want to have the blank Attachment #4 Past performance Questionnaire submitted as part of the Proposal Submission? If not, what is the intent of the page limit?

· Page Limit for Attachment #4 will be updated via amendment.

11. What is the Page limit for Paragraph 4.2 Past Performance Data Requirements (Page 106 of the Solicitation), and is this Table separate from the 20 Page limitation for Past Performance (4.1). Is it to be included as an Appendix to the Past Performance Information?

· The instructions for Attachment #3 can be found in Section L, Part B, 4.2 and Past Performance Information and will be updated via amendment.

12. Paragraph 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) on page 106 of the RFP requests past performance information on 1) meeting technical requirements, 2) meeting schedule requirements, 3) controlling contract cost, 4) managing contracted effort and 4.1(b) Systemic Improvement Information. The RFP provides no guidance on where to include this information and page limit, if any. Where is the information requested in paragraph 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) to be included in the proposal, what is the page limit for 4.1(a) and 4.1(b), and is subject page limit included in the 20 page limit for volume 4?

· The Numbering Sequence and page limits for Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volume, 4.0 Past Performance, and Section L, Part B, Volume 4.0 will be amended accordingly.

13. Section L, Volume 4: Past Performance. The Past Performance requires 5 Past Performance references for “team members” and 2 for “principal subcontractors”. RFP states the following:

“Throughout these instructions, a “principal subcontractor” is defined as a subcontractor who provides at least 10% of the proposed total price/cost (excluding the Offeror’s profit/fee), for the contract. “Team Member” is defined as those entities that make up a joint venture or any other partnership or teaming arrangement formed for the purpose of responding to this solicitation.”

Please clarify the last part “partnership or teaming arrangement formed for the purposes of responding…”

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

14. Are team member/subcontractors that are subject to a traditional teaming agreement which define the relationship as a prime/subcontractor relationship considered subcontractors and not team members for the purposes of this definition?

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

15. Please provide the definition of critical team member, principal subcontractor, subcontractor, JVSLE and team member as these terms have been utilized in a variety of places throughout the RFP and we want to ensure we understand the differences and the requirements for submitting data for each.

• The term “critical” was removed from the solicitation via amendment 0001. For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

16. RFP, Section L, Volume 4: Past Performance, page 105: Will the Government consider decreasing the required number of Past Performance references required for the Offeror from five references to three? Three references seem to be the norm in RFPs of this magnitude and are more manageable for small businesses.

· The quantity for Past Performance References is identified at Section L, Part B, 4.1.

17. RFP, Section L, Volume 1: Executive Summary and Volume 4: Past Performance: Please define what a “critical team member” is. It is mentioned within Volumes 1.0 (page 100) and 4.2 (page 106) of Section L but a definition of the term is not provided.

· This has been updated via amendment 0001 to N00421-15-R-0092.

18. Section L, para 1.0: States “a “principal subcontractor” is defined as a subcontractor who provides at least 10% of the proposed total price/cost (excluding the Offeror’s profit/fee), for the contract. “Team Member” is defined as those entities that make up a joint venture or any other partnership or teaming arrangement formed for the purpose of responding to this solicitation.“ Is a Team Member any subcontractor on our team or is it an entity of two or more companies making up some type of special “company” or partnership? Or is a Team Member those subcontractor who are not “principal”? The definition is not clear which leads to the following question.

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

19. Please define the difference, if any, between a team member and subcontractor.

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

20. RFP page 98, Section L, Proposal Content and Volumes: In Volume 4: Past Performance there are page limits listed for 4.1 Past Performance Information, 4.1.2 Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment #4), and 4.1.3 (Past Performance Matrix (Attachment #3). However, pages 105-106, Section L: Volume 4: Past Performance provides info on 4.1 General and 4.2 Past Performance Data Requirements. Please provide clarification on page limits for the Section L requirements listed as the section numbers do not align.

· The Numbering Sequence for Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volume, 4.0 Past Performance, and Section L, Part B, Volume 4.0 will be amended accordingly.

21. RFP, Section L, Pg. 105 Par 4.1 When possible, the Past Performance Matrix should include at least five of the most relevant contracts for the prime contractor, five of the most relevant contracts for each team member, and two of the most relevant contracts for each principal subcontractor. – Based on the definition of a “Team Member” would determine PP quals needed for this RFP response.

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

22. RFP, Section L, Pg. 105 Par 1.0: Throughout these instructions, a “principal subcontractor” is defined as a subcontractor who provides at least 10% of the proposed total price/cost (excluding the Offeror’s profit/fee), for the contract. “Team Member” is defined as those entities that make up a joint venture or any other partnership or teaming arrangement formed for the purpose of responding to this solicitation. – What is the proper definition of a Team Member? Per this paragraph it is any company who signs a teaming agreement onto a team.

· For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment.

23. Section L1, Part B, Specific Instructions, Volume 4, Past Performance, Paragraph 4.1, General, page 105 (first paragraph) – Is the intent for a prime to submit at least five references; each principal subcontractor, who provides at least 10% of “Sample Task” price, submit two references; and Sample Task #1 “critical” team members submit two references? Further, it appears a subcontractor that is not principal or critical for Sample Task #1 is not required to submit any past performance references. Please confirm.

· “Critical team member” had been updated via Amendment N00421-15-R-0092-0001. For the purposes of this solicitation, the “Team Member” definition in Section L, Part A, 1.0 will be updated via amendment. Instruction for submission of the most relevant contracts is provided in Section L, Part B, 4.0 Past Performance, 4.1 General.

24. Section L1, Part B, Specific Instructions, Volume 4, Past Performance, Paragraph 4.1, General, page 105 (third paragraph) – Section L requires that “CPARS Update Questionnaires (Attachment #5)” be submitted for contracts that have CPARS Reports that are more than six months old. However, Attachment #5, CPARS Update Questionnaire, indicates that if the last CPAR was completed more than 6 months prior to the receipt of the Update Questionnaire, the “Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment #4)” should be completed instead. Please confirm the instruction on page 105 stating that the CPAR Update Questionnaire should be submitted for any cited contract that has a CPARS Report which is more than 6 months old, whereas the Past Performance Questionnaire should only be used for contracts that have no CPARS.

· This has been updated via amendment 0001 to N00421-15-R-0092.

25. Section L1, Part B, Specific Instructions, Volume 4, Past Performance, page 105 (third paragraph) – For contracts that do not have CPARS Reports, a copy of the Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment #4) should be forwarded to the contract customer’s PCO, Administrative Contracting Officer, and Program Manager. However, the CPARS Update Questionnaire (Attachment #5) is sent to the contract customer’s Program Manager. If the past performance reference is a subcontract effort, the PCO or ACO may not have knowledge of the subcontractor’s performance, and it is more than likely they will not respond. Therefore, is it acceptable to only send Past Performance Questionnaires to the prime contractor or the Government PM/Technical POC, as applicable?

· This has been updated via amendment 0001 to N00421-15-R-0092.

26. Section L1, Paragraph 3.0, Proposal Content and Volumes, page 98 – The table for Volume 4 appears to be missing Section 4.2, Past Performance Data Requirements, as shown on page 106. Please insert this requirement and indicate if a page limit applies.

· The Numbering Sequence for Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volume, 4.0 Past Performance, will be amended accordingly.

27. Section L1, Paragraph 3.0, Proposal Content and Volumes, page 98 – The table for Volume 4, 4.1.2 Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment #4) has a 3 page limit. Since these are being sent to Government customers and are not being submitted as part of the Offeror’s written proposal, it is requested there be no restrictions on page count for Section 4.1.2. Please confirm.

• Page Limit for Attachment #4 will be updated via amendment.

28. Section L1, Paragraph 3.0, Proposal Content and Volumes, page 98 – The table for Volume 4 imposes a 4 page limit for the Past Performance Matrix (Attachment #3) section. However, this limitation does not provide sufficient pages to allow the Offeror to respond to the Prime, Principal Subcontractor, and Critical team member past performance reference requirements defined in paragraph 4.1 on page 105. Therefore, it is requested that the Government consider imposing a 25 page limit for Section 4.1.3 on page 98. Please advise.

· Page Limit for Attachment #3 will be updated via amendment.

29. Past Performance Matrix Instructions for Completion, Attachment 3 – Item (7) requires the Offeror to include the CPARS completion date and indicate if it is included on DOD PPAIS. Page 105 references the Past Performance Information Reporting System (PPIRS) instead of PPAIS. Regardless, contractors use the CPARS/FAPIIS (Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System) to process completed CPARS. Should we cite the date of the CPAR and assume if it is in CPARS/FAPIIS, then it would also be on DOD PPAIS/PPIRS?

· Attachment #3 Instructions for Completion will be amended from DOD PPAIS to PPIRS/FAPIIS Contractors may view only their own data in PPIRS. A contractor must be registered in the "System for Award Management" (SAM) system and must have created a Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN) in the SAM profile to access their PPIRS information. For CPARS, the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) program office may be contacted at (207) 438-1690.

30. Attachment 3, Past Performance Matrix – The “Work Description” column is extremely narrow and therefore causes the overall page count to increase. Is it acceptable to adjust the column widths within the overall table, but remain within the current table margins?

· Yes.

31. The RFP requires written consent from principal subcontractors and critical team members to allow the Government to coordinate past performance and cost/price issues with the Offeror. The RFP defines “principal subcontractor” and “team member,” but does not define “critical team member.” Please provide the definition for critical team member and clarify the Government’s intent with regard to requesting written consent from principal subs and critical team members vice all team members.

· This has been updated via amendment 0001 to N00421-15-R-0092.

32. The RFP requests, when possible, five (5) most relevant contracts for the prime contractor, five of the most relevant contracts for each team member, and two of the most relevant contracts for each principal subcontractor. Please verify the Government’s intent in requesting only 2 relevant contracts from principal subcontractors and 5 relevant contracts from team members.

· The Instructions in Section L, Part B, 4.1 General, are accurate.

33. The RFP requires written consent from principal subcontractors and critical team members to allow the Government to coordinate past performance and cost/price issues with the Offeror. The RFP defines “principal subcontractor” and “team member,” but does not define “critical team member.” Please provide the definition for critical team member and clarify the Government’s intent with regard to requesting written consent from principal subs and critical team members vice all team members.

· This has been updated via amendment 0001 to N00421-15-R-0092.

34. Past Performance Matrix is limited to 4 pages but 5 references are required and the amount of information required will exceed 4 pages

· Instructions for Attachment #3 will be updated via amendment.

35. Is the Past Performance Information in para 4(a) required to be put in the Past Performance Matrix (Attachment), or is this a separate section?

· Section L, Part B, 4.1 Past Performance Information will be updated via modification.

36. The information required in para 4.0(a) is that contained in the CPARS. Are we to provide the CPARS information or a description of our past performance?

· Section L, Part B, 4.1 Past Performance Information will be updated via modification.

37. If the offeror has not experienced any problems on the referenced contract, is the Systemic Improvement section still required? In other words, is this section only required to identify any problems?

· Section L, Part B, 4.1 will be updated via amendment to clarify the requirement.

38. The Past Performance Questionnaire is required to be provided to the PCO. In the recent past, PCOs have told us not to send it to them because they couldn’t answer the questionnaires and forward it to the COR. Can the Government delete this requirement?

· Section L, Part B, 4.0 Volume, 4.1 General was amended via Amendment 0001 to clarify instructions for Past Performance.

39. How can we know if our CPARS or Past Performance in on DOD PPAIS?

· Past Performance data collected is stored in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) and CPARS data is in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System. Contractors may view only their own data. A contractor must be registered in the "System for Award Management" (SAM) system and must have created a Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN) in the SAM profile to access their PPIRS information. For CPARS, the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) program office may be contacted at (207) 438-1690.

40. On page 105 of 4.0 Volume 4: Past Performance, Specific Instruction, 4.1 General states “For all contracts identified which do not have CPARS Reports, the Offeror will forward a copy of the Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment (#4)) to that contract customer’s PCO, Administrative Contracting Officer, and Program Manager. Attachment #3 and the table on page 106, 4.2 Past Performance Data Requirements indicate one point of contact. Could the government please clarify?

· Section L, Part B, 4.0 Volume, 4.1 General was amended via Amendment 0001 to clarify instructions for Past Performance.

41. The table in section 3.0: Proposal Content and Volumes, Pg. 98 of 121 in the RFP requires inclusion in the Past Performance Volume attachment #4, the Past Performance Questionnaire. The subject table also limits this section, 4.1.2, to 3 pages. Does the Government require copies of the 2 page Past Performance Questionnaire to be submitted with the Past Performance Volume? Is the Past Performance Questionnaire page count of 3, in addition to, or included in, the Past Performance Information page count of 20? Is the Past Performance Matrix page count of 4, in addition to, or included in the page count of 20 for Volume 4?

· Section L, Part B, 4.0 Volume, 4.1 General was amended via Amendment 0001 to clarify instructions for Past Performance. Page Limit for Attachment #4 and the numbering sequence for Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volume, 4.0 Past Performance will be updated via amendment.

42. The table in section 3.0: Proposal Content and Volumes, Pg. 98 of 121 in the RFP lists Volume 4 and Section 4.0 with sub-sections 4.1, 4.1.2, and 4.1.3 with appropriate page counts. The corresponding Section 4.0 Volume 4: Past Performance, also lists sub-section 4.2 Past Performance Data Requirements. This section requires the Offeror to “Provide all the information identified below separately for each contract.” The table lists all the data already required in attachment #3 Past Performance Matrix. Please clarify the requirement to submit this information in a separate table independent attachment #3. What is the page count for this data requirement and is it in addition to, or included in the page count of 20 for Volume 4?

· The numbering sequence for Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volume, 4.0 Past Performance, and Section L, Part B, Volume 4.0 will be amended accordingly.

43. What is the Page limit for Paragraph 4.2 Past Performance Data Requirements (Page 106 of the Solicitation), and is this Table separate from the 20 Page limitation for Past Performance (4.1). Is it to be included as an Appendix to the Past Performance Information?

· Section L, Part B, 4.1 and 4.2 will be updated via amendment.

44. RFP page 102, section 2.2.2.1.5: The detailed breakdown of travel and materials that would be required for this effort refers only to individual contract service support activities and does not include government or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)or subcontractor provide components, hardware, test equipment or facilities. Will this be addressed?

· The contractor should provide the cost for travel and material it requires to support its approach to answering the Sample Task.

45. RFP page 102, section 2.1.2.1: Sample Task # 1 timeframe accomplishment is 365 days. Please clarify if that is timeframe is 365 Calendar days/1 calendar year or 365 available workdays (not to include official government holidays and weekends) within NAVAIR work schedule policy which will be of longer duration than one calendar year.

· It is assumed the fleet is operational for 365 days over a calendar year for the purpose of the task order. The contractor should answer the task based on support provided to the government during that period of time factoring in normal work schedules during the 365 day period.

46. RFP, Section L, Volume 2: Technical, Understanding of the Work: If the sample task is on a specific T/M/S, is the Government expecting technical responses to include detailed insight into that PMA's specific RBA situation, cost and readiness degraders, COAs, and tools; as well as how our solution would apply to the current, real-world situation? If the sample task is on a specific T/M/S, we request that the Government provide baseline information so we can provide a complete and compliant response.

· The task is not based on a particular T/M/S.

47. RFP, Section L, Volume 2: Technical, Understanding of the Work: What if any are the CDRLs for the Sample Task? What is/are the "real" deliverable/s at the end of the 12 month PoP?

· The offeror should define those deliverables they would expect to provide based on the analysis required in the sample task, if any.

48. RFP, Section L, Volume 2: Technical, Understanding of the Work, Sample Task: Regarding the Sample Task, Is the intent to ID a concrete POA&M to define C/S/P and related activities to realize RBA and RFT improvements?

· No, the offeror should answer the taskings outlined in the sample task

49. RFP, Section L, Volume 2: Technical, Understanding of the Work, Sample Task: By definition a PPP (Commercial Services Agreement) doesn’t necessarily include a PBL. Conversely a PBL is a performance based agreement between the Gov't and the OEM. Are we to assume the Gov't wants a PPP with an incorporated PBL? For the purposes of Section 2.1.2.2, Item e, please clarify what the Gov't wants us to articulate.

· The government wants offerors to provide the alternatives they see that will successfully respond to the Sample Task for the multiple approaches described.

50. RFP page 102, section 2.1.2.2: Will the government provide the definition of Ready Based Aircraft (RBA) and Ready for Tasking (RFT) established by the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) to meet operational requirements? If so, how will the offerors gain access to this information to ensure that all bidders have access to the same information required to properly perform the task?

· RBA is defined as the number of aircraft in a maintenance status capable of assignment its basic mission. Ready for tasking is defined as the Mission Equipment in a maintenance status capable of assignment to perform its mission. No additional or specific information is needed to answer the Sample Task

51. RFP page 102, section 2.2.2: RBA and RFT imply a functional aircraft which is a system of systems. Please clarify that the requirement of the sample task limits the sample task subject to a single, fielded (post milestone C) T/M/S aircraft and all systems which are included in each category.

· Section L, Part B, 2.0 Technical, 2.1.1 Approach/Sample Task has been revised to provide clarification via amendment.

52. RFP page 102, section 2.1.2.2 (d): NAVAIR has a published data strategy (Sept 2015) and is currently conducting a data challenge. Will the offerors have access to current government initiatives so the offerors will not duplicate effort in formulating sustainment strategies encompassing analytical forecasting?

· The contractor should answer the Sample Task with the information they have based on their experience and corporate knowledge. No additional information is needed.

53. For the purposes of scoping and pricing the effort in the sample task, are we to assume this effort will be performed for one Program Office or at the enterprise level?

· Section L, Part B, 2.0 Technical, 2.1.1 Approach/Sample Task has been revised to provide clarification via amendment.

54. We understand that we are to provide our approach for accomplishing the Sample Task Order (Sample Task #1). However, it may be that all of the requirements in Section 3.0 (Requirements, RFP p. 23 - 39 of 121) may not necessarily be applicable to accomplishing Sample Task #1 (for example, 3.9 Demilitarization Plan Support). Is it correct to assume that Offerors are to address any requirements from Section 3.0 not addressed in their response to Sample Task #1 in their Understanding the Requirement section of Volume 2?

· The offeror should provide its approach to successfully complete the sample task.