QuestionsAnswers__N00421-16-R-0021_031617_(2).docx

Questions and Answers

RFP: N00421-16-R-0021

Question 1:

Amelex has two Prime Contracts on the OCI list provided as Attachment 3 to solicitation N00421-16-R-0021. We are unclear why are current incumbent contract - N00178-05-D-4174 M804 is listed. We have never seen an incumbent current contract listed in a re-compete solicitation on the OCI list, especially since that may only be an active contract during the transition period of the new contract award. Please confirm/advise as to why the government considers this an OCI in accordance with Clause 5252.209-9510.

Answer to Question 1:

The Government will amend the solicitation and update Attachment 3. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 2:

Amelex has two Prime Contracts on the OCI list provided as Attachment 3 to solicitation N00421-16-R-0021. Our Material Handling Prime contract - N00178-14-D-7603 M801 is also listed. On this contract we provide support in the following tasks in support of this effort: Data Entry, Material Receiving Functions, Delivery/Pickup of Equipment and Material, Ship Equipment/Material, Obtain Office Supplies and Paper and Operate Bulk Items Storage Area as necessary, and Provide Supply Services. In review of the Clause 5252.209-9510 (e) Contracting restrictions, we do not understand how this contract would create an OCI. Please confirm/advise as to why the government considers this an OCI in accordance with Clause 5252.209-9510.

Answer to Question 2:

Please see the Government’s answer to Question 1.

Question 3: Page 13 – Section B – CLIN 0032 Material in support of CLINs 0001 & 0009 – Funded by Private – Please confirm this should be a Cost type CLIN vs a FFP.

Answer to Question 3:

CLIN 0032 Material in support of CLINs 0001 & 0009 should be a cost CLIN. The Government will amend the solicitation. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 4: Page 77 – Clause 5252.228-9501 – Liability Insurance – (d) Aircraft public and passenger liability – please confirm that this insurance is needed, as this should be N/A unless aircraft are used in connection with performing the contract – See FAR 28.307-2.

Answer to Question 4:

The Government will amend the solicitation and change the dollar amounts in Clause 5252.228-9501 (Liability Insurance – (d)) to N/A. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 5: Page 107 – Volume 2 – Past Performance – Please confirm what form or is it contractor format acceptable for the narratives for the Past Performance Information provided when a current CPAR exists. Or are we to use the Attachment P3, Contractor Performance Assessment Questionnaire forms for all the Past Performance narratives?

Answer to Question 5:

The Offeror shall complete the Contractor Performance Assessment Questionnaire, Attachment P3, for each past performance reference performed within seven years of the solicitation release date. The Offeror shall submit no more than five Past Performance Information Forms as the Prime Contractor, no more than two forms for each principal subcontractor, and/or no more than two forms for each JV team member.

Question 6: Page 110 – (f) Cost Narrative – Escalation bullet – this states that all offerors are to address escalation for all Non-SCA labor categories, however page 2 (1) of the solicitation states that this is not a SCA contract. Shouldn’t escalation be addressed for all labor categories?

Answer to Question 6:

Offerors may address escalation for SCA labor categories, but are not required to do so since future SCA labor rates are subject to future Department of Labor rate determinations.

Question 7: There were several questions asked prior to the suspension of the original solicitation that were applicable to the current solicitation. Will the government be posting those questions and answers?

Answer to Question 7:

The government has addressed the questions that it felt necessitated a change, however there were broad changes made and the Government will consider any questions received as noted in Section L Part A 1.0. If you feel the earlier questions were not addressed feel free to re-submit and they will be reviewed.

Question 8: On the previously released and suspended Solicitation, the government responded to a question saying it was a “Performance Based Contract” even though the solicitation did not state that it was for a Performance Based Contract. Please clarify whether this Solicitation is for a Performance Based Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract?

Answer to Question 8:

Please review the forth coming solicitation amendment updating Section A. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 9: Section A, page 2 of 121 states “Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Completion, and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) task orders will be issued under this single award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.” According to FAR Part 16.501-2, IDIQ contracts are used to acquire supplies and/or services when the exact times and/or exact quantities of future deliveries are not known at the time of contract award. Section L, Part B, para 3.8.2 pg 112 of 121 states “It is expected that the Offeror will propose a mix of labor categories based on its understanding of the work being requested.” How can the government evaluate each offerors IDIQ ceiling cost based on their understanding of the work requested on a level playing field if each offeror proposes a labor different mix when the exact quantities of future services (level of effort) are not known, even by the government, at the time of award?

Answer to Question 9:

Offerors can propose a mix of labor categories based on their understanding of the work. The table at Section L, Part B, paragraph 3.8.2 provides the maximum estimate of hours that will be used to determine Section B ceiling. Please see Section M, Part A, paragraph 3.0 Evaluation Factors for Award.

Question 10: Reference Section L, para 1.3.4, states “All Offerors shall address their strategies for utilizing SB concerns in the performance of this contract, whether as a JV, teaming arrangement, or subcontractor. SB Offerors may meet this requirement using work they perform themselves. The Small Business Utilization Strategy shall demonstrate a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the total proposal value being performed by SB concerns.” Since this is a 100% small business set aside, is it still a requirement to include a strategy for utilizing small businesses in the Management Plan? Or should Prime Offerors show how they are meeting 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting in the Cost Volume?

Answer to Question 10:

Even though this is a small business set aside, there is still a requirement to include a strategy for utilizing small businesses in the Management Plan.

Question 11: Reference Section C, para 3.4 Information Technology (IT) Management and Administration in the second paragraph it is explained that contractor will have staff that meet the appropriate qualifications for the CSWF as defined by DOD 8570.1-M and NAVAIR 5252.204-9505. Several IT centric labor categories are provided but the baseline qualifications provided in Section C, para 8.0 lack the 8570.1-M requirement they must meet to be able to perform their tasking. 8570.01-M defines several categories of compliance. In our experience IAT-2 and IAT-3 are the most common designations and require a CompTIA Security+ CE or a CISSP certification respectively plus an additional certification in the platform or operating system supported. Will the government revise the labor category descriptions to provide the 8570.01-M level required for each IT centric position?

Answer to Question 11:

Section C paragraph 4.4 presents all the applicable information necessary to propose this requirement.

Question 12: The RFP does not define when a contractor staff member must be compliant with DoD 8570.01-M and NAVAIR 5252.204-9505. Per these instructions contractor staff must meet the criteria with no grace period. Will the government require 8570.01-M related certifications to be met at the time of proposal submission so that a proper technical evaluation of a proposed staff can performed?

Answer to Question 12:

Section C paragraph 4.4 presents all the applicable information necessary to propose this requirement.

Question 13: The RFP contains a number of IT, IA, and Cybersecurity labor categories which should in accordance with Appendix 10 of DoD 5200.2-R, Personnel Security Program be designated ADP-1 (IT Level Designation 1 on the SAAR-N Form) due to the privileged level of access required to perform their duties. ADP-I (AKA: IT-1) should minimally require a background investigation at the SSBI/SBPR/PPR level. The only available method for contractors to have a SSBI performed is to submit their staff for a TOP SECRET clearance. The current clearance level stated in the solicitation is not sufficient for these positions to perform their duties. Will the government amend the RFP and related DD-254 to provide for and require a contractor to submit staff in the IT, IA, and Cybersecurity related labor categories with TS clearances in order to demonstrate their completion of an SSBI?

Answer to Question 13:

The government will amend the DD-254 designation from Secret to Top Secret, at contract award. The government does not intend to identify the specific labor categories that do not require a TS clearance. The clearance requirement will be based upon the specific tasking as detailed in the PWS.

Question 14: Section L, Part B, para 3.8.2 states “It is expected that the Offeror will propose a mix of labor categories based on its understanding of the work being requested.” This appears written to favor the incumbent. For any offeror other than the incumbent to have a fair opportunity to provide a credible bid on this Indefinite Quantity contract, a base line for building ceiling must be established as has been done in the past. Will the government require all offerors to base their cost on the estimated hours per labor category provided in para 3.8.2 to build ceiling as the government did on similar solicitation N00421-15-R-0015, N00421-15-R-0016, N00421-15-R-0003 and N00421-15-R-0001; all of which are also Indefinite Quantity efforts?

Answer to Question 14:

Please see the Government’s answer to Question 9.

Question 15: How can the government evaluate cost (ceiling) on an IDIQ contract fairly and avoid a Protest in which offerors propose different labor mix and hours, when by using an IDIQ contract, the government itself is stating it does not know the level of effort it will require at contract award?

Answer to Question 15:

Please see the Government’s answer to Question 9.

Question 16: Section I incorporates FAR 52.216-22 which states “The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.” So each offeror is building ceiling off of an estimate. Since the labor category qualifications provided do not include IAT Level I, II or III requirements, an offeror can propose a person who meets the labor category at a much lower price and still be compliant. Will an offeror be held to the rates they used to build ceiling by proposing someone who didn’t have the IAT certification, if in execution they are required to provide people with them, as people with those certifications command a higher salary?

Answer to Question 16:

Section C paragraph 4.4 presents all the applicable information necessary to propose this requirement.

Question 17: Reference Attachment P1, Tab “Cost Summary Spreadsheet CPFF”, Columns B thru V and rows 55 through 60 reference FFP labor categories where Fixed Fee information should be. Is this correct?

Answer to Question 17:

Please review the forth coming solicitation amendment. The Government will update Attachment P1. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 18 A contractor is only allowed to request an interim and/or secret clearance after award of the contract and issuance of an official DD254. Based on this process, request the security requirements currently cited in Sections A and C be revised to state designated contract personnel be able to obtain an interim and/or secret clearance within 30 days after award of the contract.

Answer to Question 18:

The offeror should review the most current applicable directive and make a determination if a clearance is needed at time of award or could be obtained at a later date based on PWS tasking that personnel will be performing on the contract.

Question 19: Does the Government anticipate a transition period after notification of contract award?

Answer to Question 19:

Please see Section L, Part B, paragraph 1.3.5 which describes the planned 30 day transition plan after award and until issuance of the first task order.

Question 20: Section L, paragraph 3.0 require the contractor’s proposal to incorporate “signed Representations, Certifications and Acknowledges and/or Systems of Award Management (SAM)” yet the RFP does not include Section K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors or provide instructions as to what specific documents are to be signed and incorporated in Volume 3. Please clarify.

Answer to Question 20:

The Government will amend the solicitation to provide the necessary information in Section K. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 21: Section M, Tripwire state NAVAIR has established an annual tripwire of $300,000 for “each labor category”. Since offerors are allowed to propose a mix of labor categories that best meets their approach to performing the solicitation requirements which may increase the number of individuals for certain labor categories, will the Government consider revising the NAVAIR established annual tripwire dollar amount to read for “each individual” proposed and not for “each labor category” proposed?

Answer to Question 21:

The Government will amend the solicitation and update Section M, Part B, paragraph 3.0 PRICE/COST to reflect the tripwire language from the latest template. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 22: Section L, paragraph 1.2 Workforce, page 105 require offerors to incorporate all contingent letters (which contains the individual’s hourly or annual salary) for “key” personnel hires in Volume 1. Other areas of the solicitation state that all cost/price information should be included in Volume 3 only. Please clarify if contingent letters should be incorporated in Volume 1 or contingent letters should be incorporated in Volume 1 of the proposal.

Answer to Question 22:

The Government will amend the solicitation. Contingent hire letters should be incorporated in Volume 1. (Technical).

Question 23: Section L, page 111 refers to GFP information specified in Attachment 5 and Attachment 6. Since both attachments are blank, will the GFP information be provided in an upcoming amendment?

Answer to Question 23:

Government Furnished Property (GFP) information will be provided at award or at the task order level as needed.

Question 24: Attachment P1, Cost Summary CPFF Spreadsheet, Column B includes entries for FFP labor categories. Please clarify.

Answer to Question 24:

Please review the forth coming solicitation amendment. The Government will update Attachment P1. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 25: Section L, paragraph 3.1(b), page 108 requires Section B to be provided in MS Office 2010 Excel. Will the Government consider revising the requirement for Section B to allow for MS Office 2010 Excel compatible?

Answer to Question 25:

The Government will amend the solicitation to read “MS Office 2010 Excel compatible.”

Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 26: Can you clarify which 541330 size standard applies to N00421-16-R-0021 solicitation?

541330 Engineering Services $15.0 million Except, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons $38.5 million Except, Contracts and Subcontracts for Engineering Services Awarded Under the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 $38.5 million Except, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture $38.5 million

NAICS Code: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services/541330 -- Engineering Services

Answer to Question 26:

The Government will amend the solicitation to reflect a $38,500,000 size standard for the Military NAICS code 541330. Please monitor fbo.gov for updates.

Question 27: Please accept my question regarding the 8570 requirements not being clearly defined in the labor categories.

While your applicable document section includes DoD Directive 8570.01-M (Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program) as it should, your labor categories are extremely vague as to which IT related categories require IAT/IAM Levels 2 or 3. I believe that the government must specifically state which categories need IAT/IAM certification as well as the specific levels to ensure an even playing field between bidders. Based on the requirements of the 8570 instruction, and how NAVAIR is implementing 8570 everywhere else, all personnel proposed under the following labor categories require either a Security+ or CISSP certification, at a minimum: Principal Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Specialist, Information Assurance Analyst Senior, Systems Analyst Senior, Systems Analyst Junior, Information Management and Technology Analyst Senior, Information Management and Technology Analyst, Systems Administrator Senior, System Administrator Junior, Computer Programmer II. This means that maybe 30+ people will require either Security+ or CISSP. Those labor categories should be rewritten to clearly state the level of 8570 requirement needed, as the people working under those categories on a resultant contract would not be able to complete their tasking without these certifications. Without this clarification, it is not possible to have a fair competition between bidders, as various bidders will chose different approaches to complying with the clear requirements of 8570 and will price labor categories very differently.

Answer to Question 27:

Section C paragraph 4.4 presents all the applicable information necessary to propose this requirement.