N3220522R4024 Questions and Answers.pdf

N3220522R4024 Questions and Answers

Q1: The RFP and attachments provide the following guidance on recruiting mission targets the contractor will be required to meet:

PWS 5.5.1.2.10.1.1 The Contractor shall maintain for not less than 25 and up to 72 CIVMARs for up to 26 NEO offerings per year.

CDRL-19 MSC recruits/hires approximately 800 CIVMARs per year by attending and/or hosting approximately 200 events a year within the U.S. and its territories.

From the above, we assume the annual recruiting/hiring mission target is 800 CIVMAR per year. Is this assumption correct? If not, what is the annual recruiting mission target?

A1: No, the annual recruiting target could range between 900 - 1200 CIVMARs based upon the number of new ships delivered to or d decommissioned from MSC’s inventory. This drives how many CIVMARs are required to man the ships in the upcoming year. The range is also driven by

CIVMAR attrition/turnover rates.

Q2: Could the government provide more information/data on the specific recruiting mission, specifically:

Total mission target, all Rate/MOS/Job Title.

Mission targets by Rate/MOS/Job Title and Rank

A2: This information is available in Attachment 13 – Comprehensive Staff Management Plan

(CSMP).

Q3: Could the government provide education/certification/licensing requirements for each

Rate/MOS/Job Title by rank?

A3: All CIVMARs, regardless of Rate/MOS/Job Title/Rank must hold a US Passport, a

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and United States Coast Guard

Merchant Mariner’s Credential. There are no minimum education requirement for CIVMARs.

Any additional information can be found online via MSC’s public website at sealiftcommand.com.

Q4: Are there any seasonality requirements for the recruiting pipeline? i.e Will the Contractor be required to deliver a certain number of recruits/hires per month or quarter to facilitate smooth intake/onboarding and training pipeline limitations?

A4: No.

Q5: Does MSC have an annual budget outlined for this partnership? Or is MSC looking for budget recommendations?

A5: The Government is looking for a Firm-Fixed-Price to be proposed in response to the solicitation.

Q6: PWS 5.1 references a CDRL #5, but this CDRL is not in the attachment list in the Solicitation. Instead, there are two CDRL #6. Please advise. Is there an updated CSMP to reflect FY23 manning and goals?

A6: CDRL 5 refers to the CSMP and CDRL 6 should refer to Monthly and Annual Progress

Reports. Yes there is an updated CSMP that does reflect FY23 goals.

Q7: The PWS lists three key personnel. Are these the only contractor personnel for whom we need to identify the individuals and provide resumes?

A7: Yes.

Q8: For proposal purposes, is there an estimated/reference total dollar value of non-labor/CSC direct costs, including media placement, print placement, travel and others?

A8: The Government is looking for a Firm-Fixed-Price to be proposed in response to the solicitation. The government does not have cost estimates to provide.

Q9: Are direct costs for purchasing event promo items, including those purchased through IBVI, as well as Insignias, to be included in the RFP response? If so, please provide approximate quantities.

A9: No, the awardee will work with IBVI to obtain required promotional items. Those items will be GFE and paid for by the Government.

Q10: Is it necessary to use IBVI for promotional items exclusively, or can other AbilityOne providers be utilized, such as Opportunity Village? (from whom we have received better price quotes on several previous items than IBVI).

A10: IBVI shall be used exclusively for promotional items.

Q11: A PPQ document was provided by the government, but the Solicitation only mentions CPARS and

PPIs (to be completed by the Contractor) and not PPQs. Are PPQs for past performances required?

A11: Yes, the Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment #3) and Past Performance Data

Sheet (Attachment #4) are required.

Q12: If the PPQs are required from clients, can the government please allow a 1 week extension to the solicitation due date to allow time for our clients to complete and submit the PPQs?

A12: As of 22 November 2022, the solicitation close date has been extended by the

Government. Proposals are now due 11 January 2023.

Q13: From Instructions to Offerors, for Volume II – would the government prefer one document containing both sub-factors (Technical Approach and Staffing Plan), or two documents each containing one of the sub-factors?

A13: The technical approach and staffing plan should be included in VOL. II.

Q14: Section 5.3.2, should the Contractor include the price of advertising in its bid, or will the government purchase ads managed by the Contractor?

A14: The cost of advertising should be included in the Contractor’s proposal. The Contractor shall draft and then submit a finalized copy of all advertisements, tailored to the publication/forum in which they will appear, for approval by MSC PAO and the COR.

Q15: Attachment 1 has a key personnel list that doesn’t align with the PWS key personnel. Are resumes required for all key personnel listed in Attachment 1 “Historical Staff Positions” or just those in the PWS

(SPOCs)?

A15: Attachment 1 is the Historical Staffing Plan. Offerors are not required to submit resumes for positions other than for the three (3) individuals who will be the persons identified in Section

1.5.11.1 and 1.5.11.2. Resumes are required for the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for

Contractor and alternate, and the 24/7 CSC Call Center POC.

Q16: Which volume should contain resumes of key personnel and will resumes count against the page limits of that volume?

A16: The resumes for the Single POC for Contractor and alternate, and 24/7 CSC Call Center

SPOC shall be included in VOL. II and will count against the page limit.

Q17: PWS section 5.2.7, Is the Contractor responsible for the actual cost of printing or just for the administration of print jobs to be completed by either the government or another vendor?

A17: The Contractor is responsible for all printing expenses as well as administrative expenses associated with printing. The Contractor is not responsible for printing costs if utilizing

Government printers at Government locations.

Q18: Section 5.2.8 & 5.2.9, Can the Government please confirm that Recruiting fair and insignia material inventories are maintained by the Contractor, but the items are government furnished?

A18: Yes, the recruiting fair and insignia material inventories are Government Furnished

Equipment/Items and the Contractor does maintain these inventories. As provided for in Q17, all printed recruiting fair materials are produced by the Contractor with the exception of those materials printed at Government facilities. Promotional items, such as MSC branded water bottles, are produced under another contract and may be requested by the Contractor prior to upcoming events.

Q19: Section 5.4.5, Can the government please confirm that the Contractor is responsible for website content updates but not for applications development, security or hosting?

A19: Yes, the Contractor is responsible for website content, but not application development, security or hosting. The domain identified as “sealiftcommand.com”, its content and the applicable data rights to the domain are the Government’s property. Access to the domain and its content will be provided to the Contractor during the transition period from incumbent to awardee. The site is currently hosted on a commercial cloud-based web services provider with a secure socket layer (SSL). The Contractor will manage the site and will be responsible for associated costs. Transfer of source code is not envisioned, but if any applicable source code belongs to the Government it may be accessible to the Contractor.

Q20: Section 5.5.1.2.8.1.2, Can the government please confirm that the Contractor processes new hires for travel to appointments / NEO, but does not pay for the candidates’ travel?

A20: No, with the exception of limited circumstances, the Contractor does not process new hires for travel to appointments/ New Employee Orientation (NEO). CIVMARs make their own transportation arrangements to appointments and the New Employee Orientation. In some special cases, such as Fast Trackers, the prospective employee is issued invitational travel orders at the Government’s expense. These travel arrangements may be requested by the Contractor with COR approval, but the arrangements are made by the Government travel office. The

Contractor does not pay for any CIVMAR travel.

Q21: Section 5.5.1.2.10.1.3, Can the government please confirm that for NEO, the Contractor coordinates housing, venues, and/or speaker/trainer accommodations, but these expenses are paid for separately by the government?

A21: New Employee Orientation (NEO) classes are normally held in Government provided facilities. Prospective CIVMARs who do not reside in the local are provided Government contracted quarters at the Government’s expense. All speakers are generally MSC staff members. In instances where a different venue is required or an outside speaker is required, the logistics and associated costs would also be the responsibility of the Government.

Q22: Section 1.2: There is a reference to “Afloat recruiting.” Does this mean our recruiters must be on board ships during missions/transits to undertake recruiting efforts?

A22: No, there is no requirement for Contractor recruiters to be onboard/assigned to MSC ships. “Afloat recruiting” means the recruitment of CIVMARs for afloat positions. Ships tours and short duration transits onboard MSC ships for the Contractor may be arranged, but are not required.

Q23: Section 1.4: Is the CIVMAR Support Center (CSC) the same as the Call Center, or are these two different facilities?

A23: Yes, the CIVMAR Support Center (CSC) and the Call Center are the same facilities.

Additionally, Section 1.5.3 has been changed to clarify this, and to further specify that during normal working hours, the Call Center will be manned and operated from the CIVMAR Support

Center (CSC). At the discretion of the Contracting Officer (KO), the Call Center support operations may shift from the CSC to an alternate location after normal working hours as long as the same level of service is provided from the alternate location.

Q24: Section 1.4: Does the vendor need to run its call center process out of the CSC location in VA or can we have our call center wherever we want in CONUS?

A24: CIVMAR Support Center (CSC) and the Call Center are the same facilities. Section 1.5.3 has been changed to clarify this, and specify that during normal working hours, the Call Center will be manned and operated from the CIVMAR Support Center (CSC). At the discretion of the KO, the Call Center support operations may shift from the CSC to an alternate location after normal working hours so long as the same level of service is provided from the alternate location.

Q25: Section 1.5.1 Quality Assurance can we get a copy or see Technical Exhibit 3?

A25: Yes, a copy of Technical Exhibit Three has been added to the PWS.

Q26: 1.5.6.1: Do we need to identify the individuals with Secret Clearances in our proposal? What is the process for getting SECRET clearance, and does MSC cover the cost?

A26: No, the Contractor is not required to identify the individuals with a SECRET clearance in their proposals. However, all Contractors are required to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance. The Government is responsible for costs associated with obtaining the clearance.

The process for getting a SECRET clearance involves completing a Standard Form (SF-86) and fingerprints. Contractor may begin working once they are issued an interim-SECRET clearance by the Government.

Q27: 1.5.9. Post Award Conferences: Need more details on the Contractor Phase in 30 calendar days from what? Will these meetings be in person -if so, where- or by video conference?

A27: The Contractor Phase in period begins 30 days prior to the expiration of the current contract. Please see PWS section 1.5.17.1 for further clarification. The first Post-Award

Conference meeting will be in person. Subsequent meetings may be conducted in person, via

TEAMS or via another virtual capability, at the discretion of the KO or COR.

Q28: Section 1.1.1.1 Submission of deliverables would like to see Technical Exhibit 4?

A28: The PWS does not contain a Section 1.1.1.1. Technical Exhibit 4 (Deliverables), cited in

Section 1.5.17.3 is provided in Part 7 (Attachments and Technical Exhibits List) of the PWS.

Q29: 1.5.11.1: Do we need to supply resumes for any positions other than the individuals identified in

Section 1.5.11.1 and 11.5.11.2?

A29: Offerors are not required to supply resumes for positions other than those for the three (3) individuals who will be the persons identified in Section 1.5.11.1 and 1.5.11.2. Resumes are required for the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Contractor and alternate, and the 24/7 CSC

Call Center POC

Q30: 1.5.12.1: Guidance on Substitutions: Does the restriction on substitutions only apply to the Key

Personnel?

A30: Yes, restriction of substitutions applies to only the key personnel cited in 1.5.11.

Additionally, guidance on staff vacancies is provided in Section 1.5.13.4 of the PWS.

Q31: Section 3.2: Facilities: Are our recruiters and other related staff REQUIRED to work out of

Government Supplied facilities, or are the government-provided facilities available as needed by the

Contractor?

A31: Unless required to work at Norfolk Naval Station, Norfolk, VA, Contractor personnel may work outside Government supplied facilities. There are no Government-provided facilities for personnel located away from Naval Station Norfolk. Government-provided facilities are described in Facilities, Section 3.2 of the PWS.

Q32: 4.5.1: Instructional Material: Can MSC send a link to a location where we can review a sample of the instructional materials currently being used? Will the new Contractor be required to rewrite/create

NEW materials or just reprint the current ones? Also, can the Contractor use Government Printing

Facilities?

A32: MSC will not send a link; rather Attachments 24, 25 and 26 are representative of the instructional materials currently being used. Presentations for New Employee Orientation are typically in PowerPoint format, and produced in coordination with the respective Government presenters. Current instructional materials will be available upon award; however, the

Contractor will have the freedom to review the items utilized and continue their use or redesign as needed with the approval of the COR.

Q33: Section 4.6 Can MSC provide examples of other locations in the past to support off base locations for training etc.?

A33: During the COVID-19 pandemic, conference rooms in nearby hotels, where CIVMARs were residing, were used for training to ensure social distancing.

Q34: 4.6.1: Does CIVMAR recruiting/HR or PAO have a digital file of current photos or video shot within the last two years?

A34: Yes. The Government will make available digital photographs of ships and CIVMARs, but they may not have been taken within the last two years or of sufficient quality and number.

Availability of sufficient Government-provided photos and videos should not be depended upon by the Contractor. See The Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (www.dvidsnub.net) for samples.

Q35: 5.2.9: Insignia: Insignia Inventory, what does this mean? We need more detail about this so we can figure out the cost. Are we responsible for purchasing?

A35: Insignia inventory are stock items for CIVMAR uniforms such as collar devices, officers’ shoulder boards and pins. This inventory is similar but are different from the insignia worn by uniformed military personnel. The insignia is purchased by the Government. The items are issued to new CIVMAR employees and in conjunction with some job promotions. The

Contractor is not responsible for purchasing insignia items.

Q36: 5.4.3.2: Can MSC provide a list of mandatory events? Can the Contractor make its determination as to how many and which events to attend?

A36: MSC cannot provide a list, but Attachment 41 is representative of historical events held..

Attendance at specific job fairs and similar events may be directed by the COR, but are generally are at the discretion of the Contractor. Schedules should be closely coordinated with the COR to ensure appropriate representation.

Q37: 5.4.5: What platform is the MSC website on?

A37: The domain “sealiftcommand.com” is currently hosted on a commercial cloud-based web services provider with a secure socket layer (SSL). For more information, see question and answer 19.

http://www.dvidsnub.net/

Q38: 5.5 CIVMAR Support Center: Must Contractor call center staff work out of the CSC in Norfolk, or can we use our own facility in Los Angeles, CA? Are the 6500 projected call volume just recruitment-based calls? is there a call # projected for answering questions from the 5,000 CIVMAR team members?

A38: The Contractor shall work out of the CSC during normal working hours. After hours, at the discretion of the KO, the Call Center support operations may shift from the CSC to an alternate location as long as the same level of service is provided from the alternate location. PWS Section

1.5 has been amended. The projected volumes include calls from both prospective employees as well as current CIVMARs. MSC does not have a call # projected for answering questions from the CIVMARS.

Q39: 5.5: Traditionally, have Call Center operators been required to monitor calls from prospective

CIVMAR employees AND current CIVMARs, or have there been two different teams, one for each group?

A39: Traditionally, Call Center operators have fielded calls from both prospective employees and current CIVMARs.

Q40: 5.5.1.2.15.1: Cadets: Who is responsible for coving travel costs for Cadets Shipping?

A40: The Government is responsible for all travel costs and logistics related to Cadet Shipping.

Q41: Section 5.4.3.1: As of now, the recruiting number is 800, but what happens if that changes to a higher number year after year does the contract allow for adjustment in price due to hiring more people to cover the need?

A41: Section 5.4.3.1 has been modified to reflect that MSC historically recruits/hires approximately 800 – 1,000 CIVMARs per year. The Government anticipates hiring approximately 900-1200 annually. The contract is Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and the proposal shall be submitted in accordance with the estimate submitted in the RFP.

Q42: Are there penalties for not hitting goal of 800 contracts?

A42: The Government may take action if the Contractor fails to meet the requirements of the contract. The Contractor’s performance is graded annually utilizing the Contractor Performance

Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Nonconforming work shall be resolved in accordance with FAR 52.212-4.

Q43: Page 44: Volume 4 Price Factor 3: Can you provide a budget range for the provision of all services?

A43: No. The Government is looking for a Firm-Fixed-Price to be proposed in response to the solicitation.

Q44: Section 5.3.2: Media: What has been your annual media budget, NOT counting job posts on job boards.

A44: The budget will not be disclosed. The Government is looking for a Firm-Fixed-Price to be proposed in response to the solicitation.

Q45: What % of the crew members hired are ex-military?

A45: MSC’s current CIVMAR workforce consist of 20% prior military personnel.

Q46: What is the average length of employment?

A46: The average length of employment is seven to nine years.

Q47: Do crew members reside in a home port city, or do they tend to live anywhere?

A47: CIVMARs (crew members) may reside anywhere.

Q48: How is MSC currently nurturing leads that have come into the system?

A48: The Contractor is expected to remain in close contact with prospective employees and assist them with the employment process until they become CIVMARs.

Q49: Does MSC have any recruiters on staff?

A49: No; MSC does not have recruiters on staff. The Contractor is expected to provide the recruiters.

Q50: What are the MSC social media sites/channels?

A50: Please see below for examples of MSC’s social media sites/channels maintained by the MSC’s Public Affairs Office:

- US Navy’s Military Sealift Command on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MSCdelivers)

- Military Sealift Command on LinkedIn

- Military Sealift Command on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/MSCsealift)

Q51: Are CIVMAR crews allowed to post on social media about their jobs?

A51: Yes, within the confines of operational security (OPSEC) guidelines.

Q52: Is MSC hitting its current recruitment goals, and if not, what is the 2022 projected shortage?

A52: MSC has been challenged in meeting its recruiting goals by approximately 200 CIVMARS for CY 2022.

Q53: When will we receive answers to questions, and will they be posted in an addendum?

A53: The question and answer document will be posted once all questions have been compiled and answered. This will be posted as an amendment to the solicitation.

Q54: Can we obtain more detail regarding the level of service being sought for CIVMAR website management? Are you seeking a UX/UI Review? A tech update to increase speed? Do we need to create and post all content or just traffic and schedule content supplied by the CIVMAR Coms group?... etc.

A54: The domain “sealiftcommand.com”, content and data rights are the Government’s property. Access to the domain and content shall occur during the Phase In period. The site is currently hosted on a commercial cloud-based web services provider with a secure socket layer

(SSL). The Contractor will manage the site and be responsible for associated costs. Transfer of source code is not envisioned, but if any applicable source code belongs to the Government it may be accessible to the Contractor.

The Government is not specifically requiring formal User Interface (UI) / User Experience (UX) review for the CIVMAR website. However, UI/UX may help ensure the users have a positive experience when using the site, which may be important for marketing, recruiting and retention of CIVMARs. Similarly, a tech update to increase speed of the website is not specifically required, but the Contractor could conceivably use increased speed to improve the overall users’ experience. The Government may ask the Contractor to post specific content such as documents, and the Contractor is expected to perform modifications and upkeep that best serves the audiences.

Q55: Since we are most likely not going to receive answers after 11-1 can the due date be extended to

11-14?

A55: As of 22 November 2022, the solicitation close date has been extended by the

Government. Proposals are now due 11 January 2023.

Q56: What is the current Contractor’s contract end date in relation to the contract award date? How much time is there to prepare for the 30-day turnover period?

A56: As of 22 November, the current contract ends on 31 December 2022. The Government anticipates a contract extension given the extended timeframe for this solicitation. The incumbent Contractor and awardee Contractor will have a 30-day Phase In period once the new contract is awarded.

Q57: Why is the current Contractor not supporting this going forward?

A57: MSC cannot discuss or discern the current Contractor’s business decisions. The current contract is in its last option period, and thus must be re-competed in accordance with FAR

Subpart 6.2, Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources.

Q58: Can you share who is the current incumbent?

A58: The current contract number is N3220521P4241.

Q59: Additional question on 5.2.7 of the RFP when they say there is no cost for printing and administrative displays etc. what do they mean are they providing all the material as long as we’re on base at no charge? Would this be for printing the hand books brochures and anything else needed?

A59: The Contractor is responsible for all printing expenses as well as administrative expenses associated with printing. However, if Contractor personnel are located in Government spaces, they may use Government resources to print at no additional cost to the Contractor.

Q60: section 5.2.8 Event Inventory. Attachment 29 has a pretty significant list of items. Is this the expectation that they want us to have for events or are we deciding what to bring. I’m not even sure what some of these items are? Question is – Items listed on attachment 29 who is the vendor for those items and what is the cost?

A60: The list at Attachment 29 is extensive, but not meant to be used for all events. Rather, the

Contractor has the discretion to determine which items are appropriate for job fairs/events and will coordinate with the COR and Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. (IBVI), as referenced in section 5.2.10., to obtain the items.

Q61: 5.2.9 Insignia Inventory: 5.2.10 Inventories: will the Contractor be responsible for purchasing and replenishing Inventory?

A61: No, the Contractor is not responsible for purchasing or replenishing insignia items.

Q62: Attachment 1 - Key Personnel document lists that the Program Manager (preferred onsite). Do both the SPOC and alternate need to be onsite in Norfolk?

A62: Attachment 1 is a Historical Staffing Plan. The Key personnel required in Section 1.5.11.1 do not need to be onsite in Norfolk, VA. The 24/7 CSC Call Center POC should normally be onsite in Norfolk, VA during the 24/7 CSC Call Center normal working hours (08:00 to 16:30).

Q63: Block 8 Offeror Due Date - Given questions are due to MSC on 28 OCTOBER, when will Q&A be expected back to prospectful Contractors? Will an extension be granted to allow for integration of the answers into responses?

A63: As of 22 November 2022, the solicitation close date has been extended by the

Government. Proposals are now due 11 January 2023.

Q64: 1.4 Period of Performance - Given the complexity of the contract requirements, staffing and

SECRET clearance expectations, 31 days does not seem sufficient for transferring a program, website, data systems from the incumbent. Will the government be assisting with the transfer of cleared employees (CAC-ed) to the awarded Contractor (if not the incumbent?)

A64: The Government will assist with the process of transitioning personnel who already possess a SECRET clearance and CAC, as well as those who need a clearance and CAC.

Q65: 1.4 Period of Performance - Will the government allow for an interim Tier 1 contact center solution while proper credentialing is secured through the government sponsored clearance program? This can take 12-18 months. In order for a fair competition, it cannot be assumed all employees will have an active SECRET clearance at hire date.

A65: The Contractor is not required to identify the individuals with a SECRET clearance in their proposals. However, all Contractors are required to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.

The Government is responsible for costs associated with obtaining the clearance. The process for getting a SECRET clearance involve completing a Standard Form (SF-86) and fingerprints.

Contractor may begin working once they are issued an interim-SECRET clearance by the

Government.

Q66: 1.5.2 Recognized Holidays - To aid in the retention of employees and follow federal holiday procedures, this statement seems contradicted in 1.5.3 Hours of Operation stating 24/7/365 manning for all call center operations. Does the government shift to minimal manning during federal holidays?

A66: Section 1.5.2 Recognized Holiday has been revised to clarify this point. The Contractor is not required to work on federally recognized holidays, as defined on the Office of Personnel

Management (OPM) website; unless directed by the KO or otherwise, as expressly defined, in the contract. The Contractor is required to operate and provide 24/7 Call Center support on holidays.

Q67: 1.5.6.1 Personnel Security Requirements - As stated above, PII can be managed with a Tier 1 contact center staffing model, in partnership with government sponsorship, to be processed for a CAC that provides access and allows for management/handling of PII. Requiring (AT A MINIMUM) SECRET clearance cannot be accomplished with a 31 day transition. This requirement does not allow for a fair competition of all potential bidders.

A67: Contractor may begin working once they are issued an interim-SECRET clearance by the

Government.

Q68: 1.5.9 Post Award Conference/Meeting - If the Contractor is not required to be onsite (per Key

Personnel requirements), will any travel for meetings be covered under the contract. Or does this rule apply to all Contractor travel to meet with KO?

A68: All travel costs shall be included in the Firm-Fixed Price (FPP) proposal. Please refer to the revised PWS section 1.5.9.

Q69: 1.5.14 Contractor Travel - With most FFP, travel buckets are provided with the intent of cost reimbursable up to a certain amount. Given the fluid nature of the contract and request for meetings over the course of the PoP (base + options), will modifications be awarded if extenuating circumstances or requests from MSC increase above what's referenced in Technical Exhibit 7.

A69: All travel costs shall be included in the Firm-Fixed Price (FPP) proposal. Estimated workload data and historical travel data are included in Technical Exhibit 7 and miscellaneous attachments

(as shown in Part 7). Data is only provided for estimating purposes as locations and number may vary.

Q70: 1.5.15.1 Data Rights - Can MSC/the government confirm this includes www.sealiftcommand.com?

Our assumption is that in order for this to be a fair competition, all source code, website domain, and data will be transferred during the transition period from incumbent to the awarded Contractor?

A70: The domain “sealiftcommand.com”, content and data rights are the Government’s property and they will transfer to the awardee during the Phase in Period.

Q71: 1.5.15.1 Data Rights - It is our understanding that the incumbent owns the current www.militarysealift.com domain. Please see above. Can MSC confirm that no team will be rated higher based on the ownership of the domain (that per 1.5.15.1 ) should be in fact government owned property?

A71: The domain “sealiftcommand.com”, content and data rights are the Government’s property thus, avoiding any unfair competitive advantage.

Q72: 1.5.17.4 - The staffing issues speak to the support from MSC/COR/KO on staff transition and turnover. Can MSC speak to the process if turnover does not occur? Will MSC support the SECRET clearance applications to ensure 100% manning?

A72: The Government anticipates Phase In / Phase Out (turnover) consistent with section 1.5.17 of the PWS. The Government will support security clearance processing, but it is up to the

Contractor to ensure appropriate staffing levels are achieved. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to provide clearance eligible support staff.

Q73: 1.5.17.1 - Phase in and Phase out language in section 1.5.17.1 speaks to the staffing, reporting, performance but does not speak to the transfer of source code and government owned domains, designs. Does MSC plan to include this portion into the PWS?

A73: The awardee shall assume accountability and transfer of functions from the Outgoing

Contractor during the phase in period in accordance with Phase In, Section 1.5.17.1 of the PWS.

This includes the transfer of function related to the domain sealiftcommand.com, and related content and data. The domain “sealiftcommand.com” is currently hosted on a commercial cloud-based web services provider with a secure socket layer (SSL). For more information, see question and answer 19.

Q74: 5.2.6 - Can the government confirm that civmar.sealiftcommand.com (domain) will be transferred to the awardee? If the domain is not transferred, will the government provide additional time for the updated handbooks to be securely uploaded to the determined domain.

A74: The domain sealiftcommand.com, content and data rights are the Government’s property. Access to the domain and content shall occur during the transition period from incumbent Contractor to awardee.

Q75: 5.2.8 - Can the government confirm that during the 30-day transition window, the incumbent will transfer event inventory immediately to the awardee so that current inventory levels are known and can be ordered without any lapse in inventory levels.

A75: The event inventory is maintained under a separate contract and would be immediately available to the awardee.

Q76: 5.3.1.1 - Can the government confirm that the 30 days starts from time the transition ends and the base year begins? Additionally, can the plan speak to the segmentation and research recommendations but not incorporate into strategy, as they will not be complete within the 30-day window. No research

(if needing IRB, etc.) could be completed to support within the 30 day window.

A76: The Contractor Phase in period begins 30 days prior to the expiration of the current contract. Please see PWS section 1.5.17.1 for further clarification

Q77: 5.4 - Given the specifics required, and background research conducted on current recruiters, our assumption is that all recruiters are employed by the Contractor. Can MSC Confirm this?

A77: No; MSC does not have recruiters on staff. The Contractor is expected to provide the recruiters.

Q78: 5.4.3.1 - With FY planning and a contract award anticipated in March 2023, will events already be planned and funded for FY23 (through Q3) with an expectation all FY23 Q4 would be planned, budgeted for under the new award? Given registrations and booth space, its unlikely award could be made and

MSC could attend if quickly after the 30-day transition.

A78: Recruiting fairs and events are funded via the Advertising and Recruiting contract. The incumbent would only plan and fund activities during the active period of performance.

Q79: 5.4.5 - The government states that the Contractor will be responsible for maintaining the website and subsections. Can the government confirm the domain will be transferred?

A79: The domain sealiftcommand.com, content and data rights are the Government’s property.

Access to the domain and content shall occur during the transition period from incumbent to awardee.

Q80: 5.4.5.3 - Per government regulation, we could target via IP ranges, but not specific IP targeting.

A80: The awardee will be responsible for ensuring any IP (Internet Protocol) targeting performed conforms to all laws and applicable regulations.

Q81: Attachment 23 provides some Call Center data/statistics. Is there further data to show how incoming calls are distributed over a normal 24-hour period, i.e., the relative quantity of calls that come in at 10 am EST or 2 pm EST vs 3 am EST?

A81: No, as the Call Center has never been operational on a 24/7/365 basis. In the past, after-hour calls went to a Battle Watch Center or other Command Duty Officer. In FY22, the Call

Center fielded 24,637 inbound calls. The Government anticipates that most future in-bound calls will be between the hours of 0600 and 1800 Eastern, but because the CIVMARs live or work worldwide the volume of traffic may differ