Questions and Answers 03 -N3220522R4039.pdf

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N3220522R4039 (SOLICITATION)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 03

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. TRAVEL FFP - We ask that you discuss on staff that Travel is still included as FFP.

ATT 14 added Travel on several line items, including all Options. QUESTION - If Travel is FFP, how will it be invoiced? If it is in equal monthly invoice amounts, during heavy travel expenditure months we will be essentially extending credit to the government. If the intent is to invoice as used, then this is essentially a reimbursable CLIN. Having spoken to legal counsel, they are in agreement that this should be a reimbursable CLIN, as was the case under the current, and previous multi-year contracts.

Points of discussion:

The items associated with travel are indeterministic given the significant number of variables, and is not suited to a fixed price as the spreadsheet has an “estimate” of trips for only part of the contract performance, with additional historic data that is not relevant due to pandemic influence.

Section 5.1.1.4 Travel states that the schedule provided is “tentative”, and that all travel will be scheduled by the government, and additionally cancelled travel will be at no-cost if done within 48 hours.

This section also states that the government is not responsible for non-refundable ticket travel costs. QUESTION – if travel is cancelled by the government, and it is part of a

FFP CLIN, how is this managed?

Additionally, 5.2.2.5.2.1.1 still has language that travel may require 12 hour days, 7-days a week for up to 31 days, excluding travel time. This is in direct conflict with the

“estimates” in the spreadsheet, yet is part of contract language that we will be held accountable to upon award.

Sections 5.1.1.4.2-5 provides language that covers a WIDE range of variables that provide the government with complete control over travel decisions at no risk under a

FFP structure. 5.1.1.4.5 states that “the government expects the numbers of exportable training events to significantly increase when COVID travel restrictions are reduced.”

This is additional evidence that travel is not a deterministic cost that can be accurately estimated under FFP.

Recommendation – as in current, previous and other similar contracts, the government should make a NTE ceiling for travel based on their estimated level of effort.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE:

Amendment 0002 shall be issued to add Time and Material (T&M) CLINs and clauses for travel, to include NTE ceiling. Actual travel costs shall be reimbursed under the applicable T&M travel CLIN.

2. ATT 14 corrected number of Labor personnel to 27 in the base year, but increases to 29 in the

Option years. Additionally, the XXXX section appears to summarize Phase-In Price, for the

INSTs, and Travel, however the Base Year CLIN 0001-0005 does not include a Travel line item.

Can you clarify?

Also, while not addressed in the PWS, nor ATT 16 (SIM Specs), the Base Year CLIN 0005 covers the PWS and ATT 16, 1004 is the license for maintenance of the SW, but CLIN 2005 states a Tech Refresh for Three systems, which is NOT specified in the PWS. Can the government clarify?

The correct number of personnel for the base year and all four option years is 27 personnel (see updated Pricing Worksheet Attachment 14): 1-Contract Site

Representative, 11-General Instructors, 2 - AMC Instructors, 3 - Operations Instructors, 1 - Communications Instructor, 2 - Exportable BMR Instructors, 2 - Exportable BRM IT

System Operators /Programmers, 1-Warehouse/Supply Technician, 2- Maintenance

Engineers, 1- Information Technology Technician, 1-Student/Schedules Coordinators.

Amendment 0002 shall be issued to add a T&M CLIN for travel.

Amendment 0002 shall be issued to delete CLIN 1004, “Exportable BRM Simulator

Maintenance Contract for three simulator systems;” maintenance shall require a contract modification.

Amendment 0002 shall be issued to delete the OY1 CLIN 2005, “Purchase Exportable

BRM Sim Tech Refresh for three systems.” Should the refresh for these systems be required in the future, a contract modification and funding will be executed when new technology is available and/or the training course objectives require a change in the simulators capabilities.

3. The ECDIS SW of the legacy system is out of production, we can get a quote for the follow-on version (which may take time) which is a change from the current baseline, but there is no current validation that the SW inputs are fully supported. If not, there may need to be some software development work from GDIT that would be above and beyond what is specified to make the systems communicate. As the current version of ECDIS is out of production, the government may need to request copies from Raytheon. Can the government provide an update on the requirement?

The requirement with respect to the ECDIS SW upgrade will be deleted from the solicitation.

4. Vship 9.2 is a new platform, and has customizable modules that are options and include enhanced mission capability (UNREP, Small boat launch and recovery, aviation launch and recovery). The UNREP module seems to make sense, but can the government provide guidance on the optional modules the want as part of the purchase and update?

The only customizable modules/enhanced mission capabilities required at this time are:

enter/exit ports, UNREP and Small boat launch and recovery.

5. ATT 14 CLIN 0005 for the BRM SIM covers the procurement for the new 3rd system, and update to SIM 1 & 2, but also lists “purchase repair parts, and computer” – this is not outlined in ATT 16 or the PWS. Can the government clarify what repair parts and additional computer is required?

The CLIN 0005 requirement will be deleted from the Solicitation.

6. ATT 14 CLIN 2005 states to “Purchase Exportable BRM Sim Tech Refresh for three systems.”

– this is not specified in the PWS anywhere. Can the government clarify what is required for the tech refresh?

The CLIN 0005 requirement will be deleted from the Solicitation.

7. ATT 14 CLIN 3005 states to “Purchase Exportable BRM Simulator Tech Refresh for remaining system not upgraded previous option year” – as above this is not specified in the PWS anywhere, and the previous option year CLIN covers all 3 systems. Can the government clarify what is required for the tech refresh?

The CLIN 3005 requirement is deleted from the Solicitation.

8. As the new PWS adds additional INSTs and staff, as workstations, computers and phones are

GFE, are there sufficient spaces for the new personnel?

Yes, the Government has sufficient space for personnel in Buildings Numbered 1558, 1562 and 3525 located on JEBLC.

9. Are there specific uniform or PPE requirements for Instructors? (MSC UNREP logo shirt and jackets, foul weather gear, gloves, boots etc…?)

The Government does not require any specific uniforms for this contract.

10. ATT 14. Normally in FFP for service contracts, the CLINS have a quantity related to invoicing periodicity, as in QTY 12, Unit Mo. As stated, the QTY is related to the number of stated FTEs, and there is no detail related to invoicing periodicity. Recommend that the QTY for labor be 12, and Unit be Months, then there is a Unit Price and Total Price – this establishes the invoicing for the FFP.

Amendment 0002 shall be issued to update Attachment 14 – Price Worksheet. The

Contractor shall submit an invoice monthly. The QTY for labor is 12.