Final RFP Questions and Answers 11-15-2021.pdf

# Section/Page Questions Answers

1 What has been the total spend on the incumbent MAC contract? The task orders initiated under the current PSMI MAC has utilized approximately $186M of the overall ceiling value of $249M.

How many task orders were procured under the incumbent MAC contract.

A total of 17 task orders has been issued under the current PSMI

MAC.

3 Please provided incumbent Task order numbers, the TO award amounts and the TO award dates.

As requested, the task orders numbers are provided, however, the task order amounts and dates of award can be retrieved from the task orders provided.

N0042117F0551; N0042118F0030; N0042118F0207;

N0042118F04A5; N0042118F0756; N0042118F0805;

N0042118F0849; N0042118F1189; N0042119F0025;

N0042119F0353; N0042119F0361; N0042120F1107;

N0042120F0023; N0042120F0897; N0042120F0939;

N0042121F0034; N0042121F0246

4 Para 3.1.2.1 - What are the anticipated Government sites where work will be performed?

The anticipated Government sites will be determined at the Task Order level.

CONUS: Anticipate 95% of the work will be performed at the Pax River. The remaining 5% of the work will be performed at the following 8 NAVAIR Sites: Cherry Point, NC; Jacksonville, FL., Orlando, FL.; Lakehurst, NJ.; China Lake, CA.; Point Magu, CA.;

San Diego, CA.; and OCONUS Atsugi, Japan.

5 Para 3.1.2.2 - What is the anticipated quantity of persons for whom support to conduct meetings will need to be provided?

The anticipated quantity of persons to support meetings will be determined at the task order level. For example, a PMR would require PM, IPT Membership, and contracts.

PSMI Final RFP N0042121R0115: Questions & Answers

6 Section L 1.6, Page 95

The solicitation states “If proposing as a JV, Offerors shall provide copies of any approved JV agreements or JV agreement submissions not yet approved.” Should JV agreements be included in a specific Volume or Annex?

The RFP will be amended to add Annex B with no page limit for JV arrangements to table 1 in Section L, Part A, Paragraph 3.3.

7 Section L 2.1, Page 99

Part B, Vol 2 Sample Task Outline #4 Quality states “Provide a detailed approach and process for ensuring quality of services. Include any requirements verification, material handling, integration, and testing that are applicable for each selected sample task.” Will the Government please clarify if “quality of services” is referring to the Customer’s services or the Offeror’s services? Can the Government clarify, for the purpose of the sample tasking's, if this is or is not considered a Performance Based Contract?

This contract is predominantly a non-performance based contract.

The Government is looking for the Offerors to propose an approach that would provide quality of services to Government customers.

The RFP will be amended to reflect this language.

8 Section L 2.1, Page 99

Part B, Vol 2 Sample Task Outline #6 Milestone Chart states “Provide a detailed schedule of events and briefly describe each activity with its inputs and outputs and the interrelationships and interdependencies among the activities. The Milestone Chart should be written to a level that clearly demonstrates understanding of the scope of work and interrelations on each sample task. The Offeror shall “follow the outline in DD Form 1692” (Engineering Change Proposal) for providing the Milestone Chart via Attachment P1”. Will the Government accept an alternate format, such as a Gantt chart, to depict the Milestone Chart? Also, is there an expectation to submit a populated DD Form 1692 with the RFP submission beyond following the outline?

Contractor format is acceptable. The Offeror shall follow the outline in Attachment P1 - DD Form 1692.

9 Section L 2.2.1, Page

Part B, Vol 2 Sample Task 1 Task Statements do not include the applicable SOW Tasks numbers as have been included in Sample Tasks 2 and 3. Will the Government be adding the applicable SOW Tasks to Sample Task 1 Task Statements for Product Support Management, PSE/Test Equipment, and IT Systems Continuous Support?

The Government shall add SOW paragraphs as follow: - Product Support Management - SOW paragraphs: 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.12 and 3.20.

- PSE/Test Equipment - SOW paragraphs: 3.17 and 3.27.

- IT Systems Continuous Support - SOW paragraphs: 3.5, 3.12,

3.21 and 3.30

10 Section L, Part A, 3.3;

Section L, Part B, 1.0

Offerors are allowed a maximum of ten (10) pages for Volume 1: Executive Summary to address items (a)-(g), however, with Section K containing eight

(8) pages, this does not allow enough room for the SF-33, signed amendments, summary, etc. Would the government please consider extending the page count to 15 pages?

The Government will increase the page count in Volume 1 Executive Summary from 10 to 15 pages.

11 Section L, Part A, 3.5

Section L, Part A, 3.5 requires the Offeror to “submit a Cross Reference Matrix (CRM) for the Technical Volume to help ensure that all solicitation requirements are addressed and to facilitate the evaluators’ review of the Offeror’s proposal.” Would the government please explain their definition of “all?” Or does “all” apply to Section L requirements and any Section C areas addressed in the sample tasks?

The Government's definition of "all" refers to all sections of the

RFP.

12 Overall: Period of Performance

Reference: The contract will have a five (5) year base ordering period and one (1) three-year option. Each task order issued as a result of this PSMI MAC will have its own Period of Performance Typically, IDIQs are 10-year Periods of Performance, would the government consider extending to a 5-year base and 5-year option? This is most typical and applied to help lower costs to acquire professional services which remains an overall federal government objective.

The Period of Performance (POP) was vetted and approval was granted as stipulated in the RFP. As such, the POP will remain as written.

Instructions; Abstract Part B Volume 1:

Executive Summary

(a) A concise abstract of the Offeror’s strategy for each of the evaluation criteria contained in the Solicitation.

Can the government provide clear Section L instructions on the organization of this section? For example, is the government looking to see a Format like the following which maps to the Evaluation Criteria? • 1.0 Technical Abstract o 1.1 o 1.2 o 1.3 o 1.4 • 2.0 Understanding of the Work Abstract •

3.0 Management Approach Abstract.

The Offerors format will be acceptable. The Government is not looking for a specific format.

Instructions; Abstract Part B Volume 1:

Executive Summary

(a) A concise abstract of the Offeror’s strategy for each of the evaluation criteria contained in the Solicitation.

Can the government expound upon what a concise abstract comprises of? Is it 1-page, 1-2 paragraphs, etc…? Being that compliance is so critical for this RFP, this will ensure proposers provide enough detail to meet intent for this section.

The concise abstract content lies with the Offeror. However, the Government will increase the page count in Volume 1 Executive Summary from 10 to 15 for the Offeror responses.

6.3 (c) Personnel Experience and Years of Experience Page 35, Qualification Substitution

DRFP Question #32 “The Patuxent River environment is a bountiful segment of workforce where subject matter experts coming out of the enlisted community (i.e., Master, Senior and Chief Petty Officers) have spent significant years at sea and have not had the opportunity to complete a formal education degree. The table on page 40 does not accommodate High School equivalency with added experience to meet the position requirements. Will the government entertain including H.S. diploma plus experience as a substitution for a Bachelor and/or Master degree?” In Final RFP Section 6.3.(c) The government’s answer was; “Unless otherwise noted in the labor category education requirements in Section C, Paragraph 7.4, substitutions pursuant to Section C, Paragraph 7.3(c) will be allowed.”

For the purpose of clarification: IS PSMI MAC going to eliminate the use of; for example; a 30-year Navy Master Chief, with a sea-duty intense career as an operator, from participating in this effort, if they have not completed the minimum academic achievement of at least a Bachelor’s degree?

Unless otherwise noted in the labor category education requirements in Section C, Paragraph 6.4, (7.4 on Draft RFP) substitutions pursuant to Section C, Paragraph 6.3(c) (7.3 ( c) Draft RFP) will be allowed.

16 Sample Task Outline, #4, Page 99

Part B, Vol 2 Sample Task Outline Item #4 (Quality) states “Provide a detailed approach and process for ensuring quality of services. Include any requirements verification, material handling, integration, and testing that are applicable for each selected sample task. Will the Government please expand on the concept of “quality of services”? Does this refer to the Customer’s services or the Industry services?

The Government is looking for the Offerors to propose an approach that would provide quality of services to Government customers.

The RFP is referring to the customer's service. The RFP will be amended to reflect this language.

17 Sample Task Outline, #6, Page 99

Part B, Vol 2 Sample Task Outline, Item #6 (Milestone Chart) states “Provide a detailed schedule of events and briefly describe each activity with its inputs and outputs and the interrelationships and interdependencies among the activities. The Milestone Chart should be written to a level that clearly demonstrates understanding of the scope of work and interrelations on each sample task. The Offeror shall “follow the outline in DD Form 1692” (Engineering Change Proposal) for providing the Milestone Chart via Attachment P1”. Can Excel; Project; Gantt Chart be used to illustrate the requirement? Also, is there an expectation to submit a populated DD Form 1692 with the RFP submission beyond following the outline?

Contractor format is acceptable. The Offeror shall follow the outline in Attachment P1 - DD Form 1692.

18 Sample Task Outline, #6, Page 99

Is it the government's expectation that offerors will have to submit a fully populated DD Form 1692 with the RFP submission?

The Government does not expect a fully populated DD Form 1692 with RFP submissions. However, Offerors shall follow the milestone chart outline provided in Attachment P1.

19 Sample Task #1 "Task Statements" Page 100

Referenced section does not include the applicable SOW Tasks numbers as have been included in Sample Tasks 2 and 3. Are we to assume that the 4 SOW sections highlighted in "Assumption(a) are the applicable sections for the "Tasks" as illustrated on ST's 2&3? "Will the Government please clarify if this is the case, and if not then, will the applicable SOW Tasks be added to Sample Task 1 Task Statements?

The Government shall add SOW paragraphs as follow: - Product Support Management - SOW paragraphs: 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,3.7,3.12, and 3.20.

- PSE/Test Equipment - SOW paragraphs: 3.17 and 3.27.

- IT Systems Continuous Support - SOW paragraphs: 3.5, 3.12,

3.21 and 3.30

Demilitarization Plan Support, 3.11.6, The contractor shall scan designated demilitarization documents or digitally convert electronic documents into a PDF format. The contractor shall make each scanned document a searchable document by utilizing Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The contractor shall finalize each PDF OCR converted document to a PDF/A-1b document as required by the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA). Does NAVAIR have a deployed OCR solution or will the Vendor be required to develop this solution, achieve ATO [If required] and deploy?

Yes, NAVAIR has a deployed OCR solution. This will take place at the TO level.

PBL

Planning/Plans3.13.5, The contractor’s draft performance-based Product Support Strategy documents and recommendations shall employ effective PBL Product Support planning, development, implementation and management principles. Strategies should leverage a mix of public (organic) and private (contractor) capabilities in terms of providing optimized readiness, reliability and affordability, as well as a best blend of performance-based and traditional transaction-based strategies. The contractor shall develop associated metrics to quantify strategy achievement/shortfall and recommend changes. Does NAVAIR have a PBL process currently in place [Contract Requirements] and a methodology to assess performance data from the suppliers or will this program require full setup internally and with the primary suppliers?

Yes, NAVAIR has a PBL business process that is currently in place.

Yes, NAVAIR has a methodology to access performance data from suppliers.

No, there is no requirement for the program to set up internal procedures with primary suppliers.

22 3.24.2, Page 28

The contractor shall assist the Government in Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) to identify, assess, and mitigate threats, vulnerabilities and disruptions to the DOD supply chain from beginning to end to ensure mission effectiveness and warfighter capability. At what Tier [Prime / I / II / III…] does NAVAIR anticipate the SCRM analysis to occur?

This determination will be made at TO Level. NAVAIR wants increased visibility into Supply Chain/Subcontractor Risk Management, it would be wise for prime Offerors to be prepared to provide SCRM support at the component/piece part level depending on BOM requirements.

23 6.4, Page 35

In the labor category descriptions the RFP provides the SOC Code for each category, although this can provide a 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% PayScale. Will the government consider providing direct labor ranges (min/max) being consistent with the most recent NAVAIR Contracts

The Government will consider providing direct labor ranges at the TO Level.

6.3 (c) Personnel Experience and Years of Experience Page 35, Qualification Substitution

The final RFP shows a substitution for a Bachelor's degree as 6 years additional experience or an Associate degree plus 4 years additional experience. The Master degree substitution only shows a Bachelor's degree plus 4 years additional experience. Will the government consider allowing a substitute for a Master's degree as High School plus 10 years additional experience?

Unless otherwise noted in the labor category education requirements in Section C, Paragraph 6.4, substitutions pursuant to Section C, Paragraph 6.3(c) will be allowed.

25 Section L, Page 96, Para. 3.3

The page limit for Volume 1, Executive Summary, is 10 pages and encompasses the seven items listed on page 98. Section K alone exhausts 8 pages. Would the Government consider excluding items (b) and (c) on page 98 from the 10-page limit for this volume?

The page count for Volume 1 Executive Summary will be increased from 10 to 15 pages.

26 Section L, Page 98, Para. 1.0, Item (f)

Offerors are instructed to provide written consent from principal subcontractors and team members that allows the Government to coordinate potential issues with the Offeror. There is no definition for principal subcontractor or team member in the RFP, nor is there a requirement for them to provide any information for a Prime Offeror’s proposal, would the Government consider removing item (f) from Volume 1?

A principal subcontractor is defined as performing at least 20% of the work. This definition will be included in the amendment 0001, Section L, Part A, Paragraph 1.6.1.

27 Section L, Page 97, Para. 3.4

States that each volume shall contain a cover and title page. Since this is an electronic submission, is it acceptable to not submit a cover and only provide the title page?

The Government concurs with providing a title page only.

28 Page 98 of 109

Part B Specific Instructions 1.0 Volume 1: Executive Summary Paragraph F requires “Written consent from principal subcontractors and team members that will allow the Government to coordinate potential issues with the Offeror is to be included as part of the executive summary.” We note, however that this solicitation is for a Multiple Award IDIQ-type Contract, where subcontractors are not required until Task Orders are competed. We further note the solicitation contains no definition of a “principal contractor.” As such, would the Government kindly remove the requirement to provide “written consent for principal subcontractors and team members?”

If the Prime plans to incorporate known principal subcontractors and team members at the MAC level, then Section L, Part B Paragraph

1.0 (f) applies, therefore, the requirement will remains as written.

Subcontractors that are not included on the IDIQ MAC level, will be evaluated at the task order level.

The definition for principle subcontractors is subcontractor who provides at least 20% of the proposed work performance. Section L, Part A, Paragraph 1.6.1 will be added to include the definition via amendment 0001.

29 Ref: Section L Paragraph 2.1

Ref: Section L Paragraph 2.1 sub paragraph 6 Milestone Chart – Can the milestone chart be developed in Excel or PowerPoint, understanding that we need to provide a brief description of each activity with its inputs, outputs, interrelationships and interdependencies which exceeds the capacity of the DD Form 1692? - We recommend that Offerors either provide the Milestone Chart in an embedded table and/or graphic format, as noted above, to include a narrative addressing key elements required in a DD Form 1692, or that the Government provide both formats (tabular/Excel and DD Form 1692), with a clearer explanation of proposal expectations, such that Offerors may be compliant with proposal requirements.

Contractor format is acceptable. The Offeror shall follow the outline in Attachment P1 - DD Form 1692.

XX company requests that the due date for this RFP be extended for one week in light of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Government will extend the proposal due date to no later than 06 December 2021.

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