AIR-5.1.12_IWTED_Government_Responses_to_Industry_Questions_(Draft_SOW).xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- N00421-18-R-0040
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This document contains industry questions and responses regarding a draft Statement of Work for the Integrated Warfare Test and Evaluation Support Services solicitation issued by the Naval Air Systems Command Naval Air Warfare Center. Key details include that the estimated level of effort is 830,400 man-hours over 86.5 FTEs, most positions require Secret clearance with some requiring TS/SCI, and the work will be performed at locations including Patuxent River, China Lake, and Point Mugu. Technical areas of work involve cybersecurity, interoperability testing, and autonomous systems testing. The deadline for industry to submit questions on the draft SOW was August 11, 2018.
Draft SOW Responses to Questions
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Sheet1 Special Notice for AIR-5.1.12 Integrated Warfare Test and Evaluation Support Services Solicitation Number: N00421-18-R-0040
| Item # | Draft SOW Reference | Industry Questions/Comments | Government Responses |
| 1 | 2.7 | Is NAVAIRINST 13034.1D the intended document? | Yes, NAVAIRINST 13034.1D is the intended document. Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 2 | 3.1.1 | It is clear from item 3.1.2.2 Meeting and conference room support – that the contractor shall have the capability to locate and secure conference room facilities for conducting meetings at classification levels up to SECRET. Does the Government anticipate a requirement for SECRET safeguarding at the contractor facility? Will the contractor (and sub-contractors see Statement of Work item 3.1.6) be required to establish a secure facility with IT infrastructure certified to handle, store, and period process materials classified at the Top Secret/SCI (SI/TK) level? | The Government anticipates a requirement for SECRET safeguarding at the Contractor facility. The Contractor (and sub-contractors) will not be required to establish a secure facility with IT infrastructure certified to handle, store, and period process materials classified at the Top Secret/SCI (SI/TK) level. |
| 3 | 3.1.2.1 | Which tasks does the Government anticipate being performed at Government sites outside of Patuxent River, MD as listed in 3.1.2.1? At which locations does the Government anticipate the above tasking? | The Government anticipates the tasks as listed in 3.1.2.1 to be performed at China Lake, CA and Pt. Mugu, CA. |
| 4 | 3.2 | In execution of the current contract there has been demand registered for Special Access Program support; particularly in Cyber T&E. Does the Government anticipate the need for Special Access? | The Government does not anticipate an immediate need for Special Access. Will need SCI at contract award. |
| 5 | 3.2 | There appear to be an increasing number of Cooperative Partnership Programs requiring contractors to maintain active export licenses, export programs and execute Technical Assistance Agreements with partner countries. Does the government anticipate a requirement for Technical Assistance Agreement(s) in the course of the current contract? | Yes, the Government anticipates a requirement for Technical Assistance Agreement(s) in the course of the current contract. |
| 6 | 3.3.6 | Does the Government envision consolidating all Cyber Security T&E support in AIR-5.1 under this contract? Will specific Cyber Security T&E LCATs such as Computer Scientist or Information Assurance Analyst be considered for addition to the SOW? | Most AIR-5.1 Cyber Security T&E support will be consolidated under this contract; but some may remain on existing contracts. |
| 7 | 3.3.7 | Tasks listed under Sect 3.3.7 are consistent with the current IWED SOW, and adds the title adds “Autonomous Systems Test”. Is this section intended to support a specific 5.1.12 branch, and if so are there unique “autonomous systems” T&E tasks? | No specific 5.1.12 branch covers autonomy test. Research is being done in this area, so there is a possibility of these tasks. |
| 8 | 3.4.1.1 | The Sources Sought released March 27, 2018 indicated an estimated level of effort of approximately 840,400 man hours. The FTE table provided in the Statement of Work released with the above Sources Sought indicated an estimated level of effort of 571,200 man hours. The FTE table provided in the Special Notice released August 1st, 2018 indicates 427,200 man hours (44.5 FTE). | The estimated level of effort is 830,400 man-hours (86.5 FTEs). Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 9 | 3.4.1.1 | Full Time Equivalent (FTE) identifies two (2) Senior Systems Analysts and three (3) of those being Key Positions. The draft statement of work provided with the Sources Sought identified five (5) FTE. Should the number of full time equivalents be five (5)? | The total estimated number of FTEs is 86.5. Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 10 | 3.4.1.1 | The ability to support internships through the contract provides a flexible avenue for the government to identify talent in support of future workforce. Does the government envision utilizing this contract to support internships or fulfill any junior positions among the LCATS listed? | Yes, the Government envisions utilizing this contract to support internships or fulfill any junior positions among the LCATS listed. |
| 11 | 3.4.1.1 | Several task areas call out requirement for TS/SCI clearance level. Is there an estimate for the number of TS / SCI billets that the contractor will need to provide? | The Government estimates that the contractor will need to provide 12 TS/SCI billets. |
| 12 | 3.4.2.4 | This section refers to "Degrees in the Professional Engineering functional area specified below..." and includes five (5) Majors. Section 3.4.3 provides a broader definition of Engineering and Engineering discipline and includes twelve (12) Majors. The labor category descriptions in Sect 3.4.4 for Senior Program Manager, Senior Engineer, Journeyman Engineer, and Senior Analyst seem to align to the broader definition provided in Sect 3.4.3. Does Sect 3.4.2.4 apply to or limit the qualifying Majors for any of the labor categories? If so, we recommend adding key engineering and science degrees into this section, such as Industrial, Mechanical, and Computer Science Engineering and Physics, Statistics, Human Factors, and Mathematics degrees. | The Government will consider this recommendation. Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 13 | 3.4.2.5 | It is understood that all contractor personnel must be capable of obtaining a SECRET clearance. Is it the Government’s intent that the contractor pursues TS clearances and SCI billets and access for all on site personnel and Key Personnel on contract? | No, it is not the Government's intent that the contractor pursue TS clearances and SCI billets and access for all on-site personnel and key personnel on contract; only where required by the specific tasking. |
| 14 | NAICS code | There is precedent within NAWCAD for using the exception “A” for companies with 1,500 or less employees. Exclusion of exception “A” qualifying companies would unnecessarily limit competition. For additional information please see attached 'Discussion of NAICS Code For IWTED.doc'. Recommend the change of NAICS to include using exception “A” which would provide access to additional, robust, small businesses in this category. | The Government concurs with using exception "A" (Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts) under NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)). |
| 15 | 3.1.2.2 | VTC capability is antiquated and Skype or other video and voice capabilities now are more industry norms. Does the Government want VTC specifically or will voice (and video if needed) meeting capability be satisfactory? Recommend removal of "VTC" in 3.1.2.2 and replace with "colabrative on-line meeting" or simular . | The Government concurs with the recommended change. Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 16 | 3.1.5.1 | Is there any foreseeable need for contractors to ride in or operate Government vehicles? If this possibility exists recommend wording included in the contract to support. | The Government will consider adding language if this possibility exists. |
| 17 | 3.1.8 | While Section 3.1.8 addresses transition it only covers transition out. Will there be a transition in period specified (30 days, 60 days, etc) from contract award announcement to contract start? Recommend inclusion of a transition period. | The Government intends a transition period before contract tasking starts. This information will be released with the solicitation. |
| 18 | 3.2.2 | The restriction against performance on the contract without meeting security clearance requirements may be too restrictive. To allow for program progress in an environment where security clearance investigations are extremely delayed, allowances for waivers or case-by-case approvals will add flexibility in areas where the individual’s lack of access to classified information has limited impact on the overall performance of assigned tasks. Recommend removal or rewording of the statement "In such cases, the Contractor employee may not perform on the contract." | The Government concurs with the use of waivers or some other flexible method. Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 19 | 3.3.1.6, 3.3.2.5, 3.3.3.7, 3.3.4.7, 3.3.6.6, 3.4.1.1, and 3.4.2.5 | The Section 3.3 Detailed Support Requirements identify numerous requirements for TS/SCI access; however, the Personnel Clearance requirements are all at the Secret Level. Will some small number of positions require TS/SCI ? Provide clarification on which positions will require TS/SCI and the quantities by LCAT of TS/SCI positions. | Most, but not all, cyber, interoperability, and electronic warfare positions may require TS/SCI. |
| 20 | 3.4.1.1 and 3.4.4 | 15.5 of a total 44.5 FTE’s are listed as Key Personnel. This is a large percentage of the workforce and will heavily favor the incumbent contractor and minimize competition. Suggest reviewing and reduction of the Key Personnel requirements. | There are 17.5 key personnel out of a total of 86.5 FTEs. This is approximately 20%, which is standard. Updates will be made prior to release of solicitation. |
| 21 | 3.4.1.1 and 3.4.4 | Program Manager is listed as Key but only ½ man year requested. Given the importance of this position, suggest consideration be given to making this person full time directly supporting the Program. | 1/2 man-year is reasonable for the Program Manager position. |
| 22 | 3.4.1.1 and 3.4.4 | In the table the Senior Systems Analyst is 2 FTE's and yet states there is also a requirment for 3 Key Senior Systems Analaysts in both the table and minimum personnel quals. Suggest reviewing the Key Personnel requirements. | The table is correct. The total FTEs for each labor category is the sum of the key plus the non-key. |
| 23 | 3.4.2.5 | All on site personnel (~90% of the workforce per 3.1.2.1) must be TS/SCI eligibile. This is a high number of TS/SCI personnel which will increase overall costs and also favor the incumbent workforce and limit competition. Provide clarification on which positions will require TS/SCI and the quantities by LCAT of TS/SCI positions. | Most, but not all, cyber, interoperability, and electronic warfare positions may require TS/SCI. |
| 24 | 3.4.2.7 | Section 3.4.2.7 provides a substitution for a Master’s degree and PhD. Please provide a substitution for a Bachelor’s degree. | A Bachelor's Degree may be substituted for 6 years additional work experience in the field or Associate’s Degree plus 4 years additional work experience in the field. |
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