Questions and Answers N3220521Q2078.pdf

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N32205-21-Q-2078

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The following are answers to questions received from potential offerors. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the solicitation.

1. (page 2, PWS Section 3) Referencing the “CSRS and FERS Preretirement Seminars OCONUS” CLINs (0002, 0004, 1001, 1004, 2001, 2004, 3001, 3002, 3004, 4002, 4004) in the “Pricing+Spreadsheet+N3220521Q2078.xlsx” file, what are the number of training seminars at each location (Bahrain, Jebel Ali, Sasebo, Guam, Italy, Singapore, Philippines) for the Base Period and each Option Period? Since MSC has requested an all-inclusive price that includes travel expenses, with the training seminar location information contractors can provide the most competitive pricing proposal for

MSC.

ANSWER:

Guam – once during base period and once each option period.

Sasebo, Singapore and Philippines – once during base period and once each option period (one of the locations).

Bahrain, Jebel Ali and Italy – once during base period and once each option period (one of the locations).

For a total of three (3) OCONUS seminars per base period and each option period.

2. (page 2, PWS Section 4.1.2) Please answer each of the following regarding virtual training:

a) How and where will students be located for virtual training?

ANSWER: Students located CONUS will be at MSC contracted hotel or at local residence/home with internet connectivity. Students located OCONUS will be either on the ship (depending on connectivity capability) or ashore with internet connectivity.

b) If the intent is to provide virtual training to attending CIVMARs in a group, how will MSC facilitate the virtual training with the group aboard ship?

ANSWER: Expectation is that vendor will utilize their own virtual platform to conduct the training and will obtain required information from MSC to establish individual logins for up to 25 personnel.

c) If the intent is to allow CIVMARs to attend virtual training individually, how will MSC ensure that CIVMARs have the hardware (computers, laptops, tablets or phones) to ensure a meaningful training experience?

ANSWER: MSC will vet/screen each individual to determine availability of hardware (i.e. computer, laptops, tablets, etc.).

d) How will MSC ensure that adequate bandwidth is available for either a group virtual session or simultaneous individual virtual training sessions while aboard ship? Bandwidth necessary for those scenarios is generally not available on MSC ships while in port and can be even more difficult when ships are at sea. Additionally, cell phone service can be extremely limited on military installations.

ANSWER: MSC will vet/screen students to ensure they have connectivity prior to enrollment.

3. (page 2, PWS Section 4.1.2) Please answer each of the following regarding the timing of virtual training for MSC CIVMARS in international locations:

a) In what time zones does MSC expect virtual training to be delivered? There are locations where the standard MSC working hours (7:30 AM to 4:30 PM local time) would be prohibitive for a Qualified Instructor (QI) in another time zone.

ANSWER: Eastern, Pacific, GMT+1, GMT+3, GMT+4, GMT+8, and GMT+9Times zones.

b) What are MSC expectations for QIs to deliver virtual training outside of normal working hours in their local time zone?

ANSWER: QIs will be required to conduct training during normal business hours in accordance with the local time zone in which the CIVMARs are located.

c) What hours outside of standard MSC working hours (7:30 AM to 4:30 PM local time) would

MSC consider scheduling virtual training to accommodate instructors in other time zones?

ANSWER: QIs will be required to conduct training during normal business hours in accordance with the local time zone in which the CIVMARs are located.

d) What considerations will MSC provide for contractors and their QIs if virtual training is requested outside of normal working hours in the local time zone of the QI?

ANSWER: MSC will address these situations on a case by case basis should these situations arise.

4. (page 2, PWS Section 4.1.2) How would MSC change their strategy for face-to-face and virtual training if all of the contractor QIs were vaccinated for Covid-19? Face-to-face training will likely provide the best value to the MSC CIVMAR.

ANSWER: Our QMS procedures have not been updated to reflect changes in any COVID-19 mitigation strategies with respect to vaccinations so vaccinations of QIs would likewise not change our COVID-19 procedures.

5. (page 3, PWS Section 4.2) Since the requirement is to “conduct a minimum thirty (30) minute one-on-one interview with each attendee,” please describe the impact on each of the following should some attendees choose not to attend a one-on-one interview making it impossible for the contractor to achieve 100% of the required interviews:

a) Impact on contractor evaluations by the government; and,

b) Impact on contractor payments from the government.

ANSWER: With respect to attendee’s declination of one-on-one interviews, the Contractor must have the student/attendee(s) sign documentation – acknowledging declination to participate and provide copy to COR for consideration in reference to evaluations and contractor payment determination.

6. (page 3, PWS Section 4.3) What will be the contractual considerations or modifications in situations where MSC notice of “…at least thirty (30) days in advance of the start of the next seminar” does not conform to actual ship schedules? Scheduling QIs and making cost-effective travel arrangements is a critical component of a fixed cost contract, however, since MSC ship schedules are fluid and constantly changing we believe that it may be impossible to provide the type of notice indicated in the solicitation

ANSWER: MSC will address these situations on a case by case basis should these situations arise.

7. (page 3, PWS Section 4.4) Please respond to each of the following:

a) Where does MSC require contractors to provide “the pre-negotiated daily underway rate” with their solicitation proposal submissions? There is not currently a CLIN for this item in the “Pricing+Spreadsheet+N3220521Q2078.xlsx” file.

ANSWER: An info only CLIN has been added to the Pricing Spreadsheet for the pre-negotiated daily underway rate.

b) How will MSC compensate the contractor for the additional and unexpected travel expenses if “…unforeseen circumstances” require the QI to remain aboard and travel with the ship?

These costs are separate and distinct from “the pre-negotiated daily underway rate” related to QI time.

ANSWER: MSC will address these unexpected circumstances on a case by case basis as they arise.

8. (page 3, PWS Section 4.5) Please respond with the details for each of the following regarding the “on shore classroom or aboard ship accommodations” to be provided by MSC:

a) The technology and support available from MSC for connecting a QI laptop to a display (TV, projection screen, etc.) for viewing by the students.

ANSWER: MSC classroom ashore or aboard ship will be provided accommodations for laptop display connection and projection screen.

b) The audio amplification available for presenting to students in large spaces or noisy environments.

ANSWER: MSC will secure space conducive to student learning environment (to accommodate 25 students).

c) The nature of accommodations for both in-person and virtual one-on-one sessions. Whether in-person or virtual, one-on-one sessions should be conducted in spaces that provide privacy for the CIVMAR and QI; they should not be held in common spaces that might be frequented by other individuals.

ANSWER: For in person training, MSC will provide space that allows privacy for one-on-one session. In reference to virtual one-on-one sessions, this would be incumbent on the CIVMAR to ensure their individual privacy - since the CIVMR would likely be in their own home or lodging or similarly situated circumstances.

9. (page 5, PWS Section 10) Since there will be no Task Orders and this contract will be awarded on a Firm- Fixed Price (FFP) basis, please respond to each of the following:

a) What periodic invoicing options will be allowed? We would propose monthly invoicing for one-twelfth of the total annual contract amount for each CLIN during each 12-month Period (Base and all Options) and one- sixth for the Six-month Extension Period.

ANSWER: There will be no periodic invoicing options for this contract.

b) If periodic invoicing is not possible, what will be the invoicing periodicity and process?

ANSWER: At the conclusion of each seminar, the Contractor shall submit their invoice(s) upon the Government receipt of deliverable(s) in accordance with section 9 of the Performance Work Statement.

10. (page 8, Section 9) Given that the award for this solicitation “shall be made to the lowest priced technically acceptable offeror”, what will be the MSC evaluation process for the submitted proposals? We would like to understand if and how MSC will read and evaluate contractor proposals that are priced higher than the lowest price technically acceptable proposal.

ANSWER: MSC will evaluate all contractor proposals submitted by the due date for technical acceptability. Contract award will be made in accordance with FAR part 52.212-2 stated in section 9 of the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

11. (referencing the “Pricing+Spreadsheet+N3220521Q2078.xlsx” file) Would MSC take the travel cost out of the listed CLINS and add a Reimbursable Travel CLIN to the solicitation? The cost of travel over such a long period (the five year period of performance of this contract) is impossible to forecast and participating contractors have no control over those costs. Also, market and economic conditions could cause travel cost fluctuations that could potentially lead to a circumstance where the contractor can no longer provide the training due to the increased cost of travel. Conversely, if travel costs declined significantly, MSC would end up paying more than necessary for the travel associated with the training.

ANSWER: No, a Reimbursable Travel CLIN will not be added. All travel needs to be considered and built into quote to be considered for award of firm fixed priced contract.

12. (Section 9 on page 8 of “COMBINED+SYNOPSIS+SOLICITATION+N32205-21-Q-2078+Pre-retirement.pdf”) Would MSC add an oral evaluation to the solicitation for contractors to illustrate their methodology for conducting one-on-one sessions?

ANSWER: No MSC will not add an oral evaluation to the solicitation