ACTS II Presolicitation QA 23AUG2024.pdf

Question # Document/Page Number/Section Number Question/Recommendation Government Response

1 VA CO2 Scrubbers SOW/Pg. 3/Section 1.1

In the VA CO2 Scrubber SOW, Section 1.1 paragraph 4 states students spend roughly 5 hours in the virtual lab completing maintenance and operation tasks on a MRTS 3-D solution. It also mentions "Classroom lessons use a mix of level 2 and level 3 interactivity and include use of an Instructor Guide, Trainee Guide, and PowerPoint files with a mix of 2D images and text." Will the government provide the MRTS 3-D VA Diesel Application software containing the CO2 Scrubber models, Instructor Guide, Trainee Guide and Power Point files to better estimate the scope of the task.

The DO contract defines the GFI that will be provided. It is composed of documentation and includes the MRTS 3D VA diesel application. The DO requires the CO2 Scrubber model to be developed and integrated into the application IAW the specification document

2 VA CO2 Scrubbers PRF/Pg. 17/Section 5 Appendix A Please provide the Appendix A document "VA CO2 Scrubber Model List.docx" to assist in estimating the scope of the VA CO2 Scrubber task.

Yes, it is planned to be provided at RFP

3 VA CO2 Scrubbers PRF/Pg. 18/Section 6 Appendix B Please provide the Appendix B "VA CO2 Scrubber Functionality List.docx" to assist in estimating the scope of the VA CO2 Scrubber task.

Yes, it is planned to be provided at RFP

4 VA CO2 Scrubbers SOW/Pg. 3/Section 1.1 The paragraph states students spend roughly 5 hours in the virtual lab completing maintenance and operation tasks on a MRTS 3-D solution. Does the MRTS 3-D solution contain CO2 Scrubber functionality?

The referenced statement is related to Front End Analysis CLIN and it is meant to provide background information required. There is currently no tasking to include AN/BLQ-10 application to MRTS. Updated RFP clarifies the intent

5 VA CO2 Scrubbers PRF/Pg. 4/Section 2.2.1 Will the Government please provide the documents identified in section 2.2.1 Yes, the entire set will be provided within 45 days of contract award. A subset will be provided with the RFP.

6 VA CO2 Scrubbers PRF/Pg. 5/Section 2.2.2 Will the Government please provide the documents identified in section 2.2.2 Section 2.2.2 defines hardware to be used for hardware and software integration. There is no documentation listed in this section. The hardware will be provided within 45 days after contract award

7 SOW / Pg 13 / Section 1.3 Table of Roles includes Lifecycle Support for both Hardware and Software. Can the Government provide clarification to offerors, shall offerors include maintenace plans for 5 or 10 years for any classroom environments? If so, please indicate how this will be priced?

No. These are roles that will be executed within a DO. For example, a DO may include scope for a tech refresh that falls under the lifecycle support provider.

These tasks are not to be pre-priced. The DO specifies required roles and associated tasks that are to be priced for the initial DO

8 SOW / Pg. 22 / Section 2.3 Can the Government verify that the 2nd Paragraph has a typo: "GFI and GFS", should that be "GFI and GFP"?

Updated RFP clarifies the intent

9 General When does the Government anticipate releasing draft sections L & M? Draft sections L&M are attached to this posting.

The current draft RFP does not contain Section L, nor Section M, which presents a significant number of unknowns to the overall proposal requirements. This missing information makes initial planning and teaming decisions difficult and may limit competition. Recommend/request the Government release the Draft Sections L & M prior to the final RFP release.

Draft sections L&M are attached to this posting.

The current draft RFP, Section J refers to "Attachment L9. ACTS-II Resource Allocation Matrix (RAM)" and "Attachment L10. ACTS-II Curriculum Pricing Sheet", but these attachments were not included in the posted draft solicitation documents. Without Section L and M requirements and no insight into the pricing requirements, strategic planning decisions are delayed and may result in limited competition. Recommend/request the Government release the pricing evaluation requirements and draft pricing templates to the final RFP release.

Draft sections L&M, along with its draft attachments, are attached to this posting.

The document “SYSTEM SPECIFICATION FOR MULTIPURPOSE RECONFIGURABLE TRAINING SYSTEM 3D® (MRTS 3D®) VIRGINIA CLASS (VA) CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) SCRUBBERS” file contains embedded MS Word documents titled "VA CO2 Scrubber Model List" and "VA CO2 Scrubber Functionality List" that do not contain the actual documents. Recommend the Government consider releasing these documents for review prior to release of the final RFP release.

The documents will be provided with the draft RFP and the final RFP

Competition is essential for the customer to have their technical requirements met at the most advantageous price, but by moving the ACTS II procurement to an extremely limited pool of WOSBs, the government has significantly reduced the number of eligible Small Business competitors and is likely driving up the overall cost that the taxpayers are paying.

In accordance with FAR 19.203, a contracting officer should consider an acquisition for small business socioeconomic procedures before considering a small business set-aside. Based on the market research performed for this effort, sufficient competition exists for a small business set-aside under the WOSB Program.

Small businesses spend a lot of money and redirect significant resources to opportunities before the final RFP is released. Late changes in acquisition strategy cost us money, limit other opportunities we could have been pursuing, and ultimately are not good for the Small Business community. Early decisions on acquisition strategy and sticking with those decisions helps competition by allowing us to pick the right team and giving the government the most competitive proposals possible.

Acquisition planning is fluid and based on a number of variables. The acquisition strategy for this procurement was performed in alignment with FAR Part 7.

15 DO 01 SOW Section B Could you please clarify what the unit of measure represents in each CLIN? Specifically, does it refer to hours?

The unit of measure represents the ceiling dollar amounts associated with that

CLIN.

ACTS II PRESOLICITATION INDUSTRY QUESTIONS AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

16 DO 01 SOW Section J Could you provide Attachment L10, the ACTS-II Curriculum Pricing Sheet?

Draft sections L&M, along with its draft attachments, are attached to this posting.

17 DO 01 SOW Section L & M To accurately assess our company’s position for prime contracting on this effort, we require a draft of Section L or M. Will the updated RFP include these sections?

Draft sections L&M, along with its draft attachments, are attached to this posting.

18 DO 01 SOW Section J Could you provide Attachment L9, the ACTS-II Resource Allocation Matrix (RAM)?

Draft sections L&M, along with its draft attachments, are attached to this posting.

19 DO 01 SOW Section 5 Regarding PRF 240039 Appendix A, could you publish the document titled "VA CO2 Scrubber Model List.docx"?

Yes, it is planned to be provided at RFP

20 DO 01 SOW Section 5 Regarding PRF 240039 Appendix A, could you publish the document titled "VA CO2 Scrubber Functionality List.docx"?

Yes, it is planned to be provided at RFP

21 DO 01 SOW 2.4.2

For SOW 240036 Section 2.4.2, will a rack be provided as Government-Furnished Property (GFP), or is the contractor responsible for supplying the rack to install the server and switch? If the latter, please provide the model number fo the rack.

No rack is required. IOS is a mid-tower configuration for this setup.

22 DO 01 SOW 4.2.1.2 For SOW 240036 Section 4.2.1.2, are there any anticipated DRMO activities at NSS Groton, CT?

No, this is a new install and there is no equipment removel. Government will normally handle disposal of the equipment unless otherwise specified in the

DO

23 DO 01 SOW 4.2.1.2.6

For SOW 240036 Section 4.2.1.2.6, could the government provide a copy of the Government-approved Front End Analysis (FEA) documents and any Government-provided baseline training materials? This will help in identifying lessons that require modifications and any new lessons that need development.

FOE is a requirement of the DO for AN/BLQ-10 tech insertion 20. There are currently no approved FOE that will be provided as GFI

24 DO 01 SOW4.2.3.1

For SOW 2400036, Section 4.2.3.1, how frequently should updates be applied, and are there specific timelines or schedules for implementing these changes? What are the requirements for reporting compliance and documenting the update process?

Updates are required prior to test events and cyber scans; however, this can be done more frequently to mitage risks and vulnerabilities if needed based on IPT discussions. The Government will verify compliance when cyber scan results are generated which occur during test events.

25 DO 01 SOW 4.2.4 / IDIQ SOW 4.1.1

For the Cyber Security requirements to include ATO support, where does the government expect the corresponding price to be included, CLIN 0001 or in one of the other option CLINs?

CLIN 0001 requires the Software ATO. CLIN 0002 requies the hardware/training system ATO. CLIN 0003 does not include cyber security tasks. Support for CLIN 0001 Software ATO needs to be part of CLIN 0001. Support for Hardware/training system ATO needs to be included in CLIN 0003.

26 DO 01 SOW 4.2.6.5 / IDIQ SOW 4.2.10.13.4.2.1 & 4.2.10.13.4.2.1.1 For the Preliminary Drawing Configuration Audit (PDCA) requirements, where does the government expect the corresponding price to be included?

This is a task associated with CLIN 0002

27 CDRL List/SOW: paragraph 4.2.2.2, and 4.2.2.2.1 through 4.2.2.2.4

The CDRL list provided includes only the A- and B- type CDRLs for Administrative, Program and General use. No CDRLs required in the SOW for Courseware Analysis, Design, Development and Evaluation are contained in the CDRL list. Recommend adding information for the G-type CDRLs to the CDRL list.

Updated RFP clarifies the intent

28 RFP Section H, Clause H-2 Issuance of Orders

Under the sub-heading COST, it states "The Contractor will provide certified cost or pricing data for those orders exceeeding the the simplified acquisition threshold . . ." Recommend replacing the words "simplified acquisition" with the word "dollar". Certified cost/price data is required at $2M per FAR 15.403-4(a)(1) vs. the simplified acquistion threshold of $250k defined in FAR 2.101.

This will be corrected in future releases of the draft and final RFP.

29 DO 01 SOW Section 4.2.1

This section states there are "five (5) Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type CLINs". Under Section 4.2.1.4 of the SOW, the Travel CLIN is listed as FFP. In Section B of the IDIQ, the Travel CLIN is listed as Cost. Please clarify which is correct.

Under Section 4.2.1.5 of the SOW, CLIN 9001 MRTS 3D VA CO2 Scrubbers Proposal Preparation is listed. CLIN 9001 is not included in Section B of the IDIQ. Should CLIN 9001 be included in Section B of the IDIQ or will CLIN 9001 only be listed in Section B of the delivery order?

Travel CLINs will be COST. Proposal preparation CLINs will be included at the Delivery Order level.

30 DO 01 Table A-1 CDRL List Required CDRLs for this delivery order are listed. Request that the delivery order DD1423s are provided with the final RFP.

Draft DD1423s are planned to be released with the final RFP.

31 ACTS II SOW 4.1.3.3, item f.

f. ensure all contractor personnel maintain security clearance eligibility commensurate with the level of classification of the work performed as annotated in the Contract's DD-254, Contract Security Classification Specification Form. Contractor personnel shall require access to classified information in performance of this contract up to and including secret facility level, with a safeguarding level of secret, with potential for Top Secret; What does "with potential for Top Secret" mean? Recommend the government define the requirement for "potential for top secret clearance level".

There is a possibility of future work at the TS level that would require a TS clearence level. If it occurrs, it will be defined within the DO. The Government will work with the contractor to assess possible impact if that occurs

32 ACTS_II_SOW_DRAFT 2.3.2 / 22

Will the Contractor be allowed to use standalone AIM LOM for development or will AIM Citrix be used?

Content shall be developed in a standalone instance of AIM or within Citrix as specified by the DO. The initial DO does not require neither for the Front End Analysis.

33 ACTS_II_SOW_DRAFT 4.1.3.3 / 34 What is the highest security classification level for this ID/IQ? Secret with the potential of TS

34 ACTS_II_SOW_DRAFT 4.2.2.4 / 55

Will Content Conversion effort (Task 3) involve making updates to the curriculum content (i.e., changing content) or will it strictly be to transfer the legacy content from its current media type into a new media type?

Both

35 ACTS_II_SOW_DRAFT 4.2.5.5 / 69 Bullet d is incomplete. Fixed in Final RFP 36 ACTS_II_SOW_DRAFT 4.2.5.7.1.2 / 70 Will Content Review Meetings replace formal 20-day reviews of content CDRLs by USG? No

37 SOW 2.3.2.a.

Is the trainer hardware available only onsite NAWCTSD, or will hardware be shipped to the Contractor for use during development?

When trainer hardware is available as GFP, it will be available for the contractor to use at their site for development. Shipping to/from CTR site will be determined at the DO level. The list in paragraph 2.2.2 is all potential GFP and will be dependant on the DO.

38 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_Draft 3.2.2 Will NAWC fund Contractor travel from home offices to conduct acceptance testing at the DeFlorez building?

Depending on the DO, Acceptance testing will occur at either the CTR facility, usually using the GFP lab provided, or at the training site. CTR should include all required travel in their proposal. There is no plan to conduct testing at the DeFlorez

39 SOW Table 3 Does NAWC intend to issue DOs for changes or revisions to the already-designed curriculum listed in Table 3?

There is currently no immediate requirement to make changes or revisions of the already-designed curriculum. Future DOs may require changes or revisions.

40 SOW Para 1.0 For a given course, does NAWC intend to issue separate DOs for task areas 1, 2, 3 to different Contractors?

No, the ACTS-II ID/IQ contract will be a single award contract.

41 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT 4.2.2.2 Will the contractor be required to use the NTP process to conduct FEA/ TSD/ etc…? The requirement will be defined in the DO

42 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Section 1.0

ACTS II SOW_DRAFT, pg 11, Section 1.0 states: “The ACTS-II ID/IQ contract includes task orders for the design, software development, curriculum development, systems integration, test and evaluation, delivery, modification, documentation, and life cycle support of training systems for NAWCTSD and Department of Defense (DoD) customers. The MRTS 3D effort consists primarily of end item deliverables including: media, test and evaluation products, technical documentation, life cycle support products, workstation simulation products, and MRTS 3D software products consisting of re-used and expanded code, libraries, and data.”

▪ Does the Government anticipate issue of Delivery orders (DOs) for Contractor support and delivery of products outside of the MRTS 3D effort?

All the DO's are planned to include MRTS3D related products; however, additional products may be required as part of the DO. The Government does not anticipate issuing contractor support and delivery of products that do not include MRTS 3D effort.

43 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Section 1.1

ACTS II SOW_DRAFT, pg 13, Section 1.1 states: “MELD LMS: MELD LMS provides authorized users with web access to ADL learning content developed within MELD or other COTS tools.”

▪ With mention of MELD LMS capabilities to access content developed in other COTS tools, is this authorizing the Contractor to use a tool such as Articulate 360 to develop courseware or is use of MELD required?

The use of tools such as Articulate 360 to develop courseware will be dependant on the DO. Use of MELD is an "as required by the DO." and will depend on the program sponsor's requirements.

ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Section 1.1 Section 4.2.2.2

ACTS II SOW_DRAFT, pg 13, Section 1.1 discuses MELD LMS. Advanced Computer-Based Training Systems (ACTS) II Industry Conference Industry Questions and Government Responses Question 13 mentions xAPI data being stored in Seaware LMS/LRS.

▪ Will the Contractor access or interact with Seaware LMS and are there instances of use of the Seaware LMS outside of xAPI data or will this be used in conjunction with MELD LMS?

Specific tasking and interactions with the Seaware LMS will be defined at the DO level.

However, the Seaware LMS/LRS is currently used only in conjuction with some MRTS3D applications, and currently there is no requirement to tie in courseware into it.

45 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Section 4.1.1.1.a Is the Contractor authorized use of Autodesk Maya and Adobe Premiere Pro for creating new models or the modification of existing models?

The Government does not dictate the use of these tools. Yes, the contractor may use the mentioned tools.

46 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg.8 Para 4.2.1 CLIN 0003 is for FEA and Gap Analysis. CLIN 0001 and CLIN 002 are for Software Development and Hardware Procurement. Analysis should be first, completed prior to SW Dev and HW Procurement can be conducted. Pspec provides high level guidance but not the specifics needed to bid on this task.

The updated RFP will clarify the intent. The DO covers 3 CLINs. CLIN 0001 and 0002 are focused on the CO2 Scrubbers. CLIN 0003 focuses on the Front End Analysis of the AN/BLQ-10. CLINs 0001 and 0002 are not related nor required to execute CLIN 0003.

47 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg. 9 Para 4.2.1.3.1 thru 4.2.1.3.6 CDRLS G003-G009 are not in the DD1423 Will be included in final RFP 48 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg.10 Para 4.2.1.5 CLIN 9001 Cannot be performed without the resultant data from the noted missing CDRLs RFP clarifies the intent 49 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT pg. 10 Para 4.2.2.1 Requirements Analysis CDRL A00M is not in the DD1423 Will be included in final RFP 50 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg. 11 Para 4.2.4 Cybersecurity CDRLs A00K and A00L are not in the DD1423 Will be included in final RFP 51 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg. 11 Para 4.2.5.1.1 IMS CDRL B005 is not in the DD1423 Will be included in final RFP 52 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg. 13 Para 4.2.5.4.1 CDR Entrance Criteria CDRLs A00A, A00C, A00K, and A006 are not in the DD1423 Will be included in final RFP

53 VA_CO2_Scrubbers_Phase_I_SOW_DRAFT Pg. 15 Para 4.2.6.3.1 TRR-1 Entrance Criteria CDRLs A006, A00A, A00C, A00D, A00F, A00K, A00L, C003, and F001 are not in the DD1423

Will be included in final RFP

54 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Pg. 48, Para 4.2.2.2.1 Training Analysis CDRLs G001 thru G009 are not in the DD1423 1423's associated with the BASE IDIQ and initial DO will be provided. All other 1423's may be required and priced in future DOs

55 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT pg. 50, Para 4.2.2.2.2 Courseware Design Requirements CDRLs G00A thru G00F are not in the DD1423 1423's associated with the BASE IDIQ and initial DO will be provided. All other 1423's may be required and priced in future DOs

56 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Pg. 52, Para 4.2.2.2.3 Courseware Development Requirements CDRLs G00G thru G00N are not in the DD1423 1423's associated with the BASE IDIQ and initial DO will be provided. All other 1423's may be required and priced in future DOs

57 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Pg. 53/54, Para 4.2.2.4 Courseware Evaluation Requirements CDRL G00P thru G00R are not in the DD1423 1423's associated with the BASE IDIQ and initial DO will be provided. All other 1423's may be required and priced in future DOs

58 ACTS II SOW_DRAFT Pg. 55, Para 4.2.2.3 Which entity determines the LOE for courseware update and maintenance? NAWC TSD via the Resource Sponsor as defiend in a given DO.

59 ACTS II B-J_DRAFT Pg. 31, FAR 52.215-17 Request confirmation this clause applies only if Contractor does not include Facilities Capital Cost of Money costs within their proposal.

This clause is only applicable if the prospective contractor does not propose facilities capital cost of money in its offer.

60 SOW Section 1.1 Page 13 States MELD may be required for curriculum development, will this be determined on a per DO basis? Will other tools such as Learninglogics or Articulate be allowed to be used instead of MELD?

On a per DO basis. Will depend on the needs of the Resource Sponsor and/or Schoolhouse.

61 SOW 4.2.2.2.2.1 Will any of the Courseware DO's Curriculum Style Guide requirements deviate from the most current release of the NETC style guide?

Yes, on a per DO basis. Will depend on the needs of the Resource Sponsor and/or Schoolhouse.

62 ACTS II SOW_Draft.pdf 1.0 Para 4 Is the Gov't transitioning to the use of SEAWARE vice MELD?

The use of Seaware vs. MELD is a community-based requirement.

Requirements for data collection and reporting via a training management system, learning management system (LMS), content management system, or third-party reporting systems may also be required. When required by the DO, the contractor shall use the implementation conventions defined

63 1.0 Para 1 Can the Gov't provide additional information on Task Area 3 e.g., potential 'new' formats? STILL

AIM?

Potential new formats shall include but is not limited to converting content in existing Microsoft PowerPoint slides over to a new slide template and converting existing courseware into MELD.

64 4.2.2.1.3.d Will the Gov't define the time of award as the IDIQ time of award or time of DO time of award for the xAPI profile standards freeze?

DO Time of award.

The contractor shall adhere to the xAPI profile standards that is current at the time of the DO.

65 VA_Cos_Scrubbers_Phase_1_SOW_DRAFT.pdf 2.4.1 Does the Gov't plan to include additional GFI e.g., all the current and existing training documentation (MTL, JDTA, Training Situation Document, IPRD, IMRD, Course documents, IGs, TGs, operation and maintenance manuals

The contract defines the GFI that will be provided at RFP and after contract award.

66 ACTS II B-J_DRAFT

For CLINS 1-3, can the Govt share the rationale behind using firm fixed price contracting? Are these just for the licenses and COTS hardware infrastructure, with the actual labor to be funded on individual delivery orders?

Fixed price orders will be issued because the scope of the efforts are sufficiently defined to allow technical and cost risks to be predicated with reasonable certainty.

67 ACTS II B-J_DRAFT Will Section L and M be released in draft form before the RFP?

Draft sections L&M, along with its draft attachments, are attached to this posting.

68 N/A Can a version of the VISIT 3D Developers Guide & the VISIT 3D SDK and libraries be released as GFI before the formal RFP release? If not, can a list of content and tool titles and SDDs be released?

VISIT3D documents will be released when there is a DO task to develop a VISIT3D product. However, we can provide a list of documents that currently exist. RFP was updated to remove VISIT 3D SDK as this was an oversight

69 N/A Will samples of existing curriculum material or style guides be released as part of GFI? Yes, when pertinent to the DO.

70 ACTS II SOW_Draft.pdf Is a PPIP (SOW 4.1.3.16) required at award of specific DOs that include CPI or is it required at IDIQ award?

Required for specific DOs that contain CPI. Not required at contract award

71 ACTS II SOW_Draft.pdf Does the language of the current draft SOW allow for the use of CAMEO (SysML) and various digital twin/digital thread toolsets as needed?

Yes, as long as the requirements of the SOW and deliverables are met.

72 N/A Is there an existing help desk/fleet support team/ISEA in place for the ACTS II s/w, hardware, and curriculum portfolio of products with which the ACTS II contractor should coordinate?

IPT's will be dependant on the funding sponsor and will be defined at the DO level.

The two appendices at the end of the document “VA_C02_Scrubbers_Phase_I_Spec_DRAFT” posted on sam.gov include embedded Word files for Appendix A (VA CO2 Scrubber Model List) and Appendix B (VA CO2 Functionality List). These were likely intended to provide direct access to the documents.

However, clicking on the icons does not open any hyperlinks.

Will the Government please update the document to include the hyperlinks to these Appendices, or upload the Appendices as separate documents on sam.gov?

Yes, these attachments will be provided embedded and as GFI

Will the Government please consider providing a data library for bidders that includes the following information/documents:

a.MRTS 3D GUI Style Guide Specifica on referenced in VA CO2 Phase 1 Specifica on b.MRTS 3D Middleware and So ware Development Kit (MSDK) specifica ons (MRTS 3D SDK V2.X) c.The grading rubric required for this effort – as described in the VA CO2 Scrubber Specifica on, section 3.1.3.3.1 d.Current version of the So ware Version Descrip on (CDRL A00G under N6134020D0008) e.So ware Design Descrip on (CDRL A00B under N6134020D0008) for the MERTS 3D, Vista 3D and

MRTS 3D VA Diesel Software solutions.

f.MRTS 3D Classroom Laboratory System/So ware Requirements Specifica on g.MRTS specifica on documents listed in VA CO2 Scrubber Phase 1 Specifica on sec on 2.2.1 with the exception of the source code described in #7 in the table.

h.Government documents, drawings, and publica ons listed in VA CO2 Scrubber Phase 1

Specification section 2.2.2.

i.The last three submi als of the Integrated Program Management Report (CDRL B005 under

N6134020D0008)

Yes. RFP will define the documents that will be provided at RFP. Most of these will be included in the final RFP

The industry day slides state, “the RAM will be used for pricing of the Software role over the five years of the ID/IQ”. (1) Will the Government please confirm that the price for each labor category will not be adjusted up/down even if a contractor or subcontractor’s indirect rates change in the option years? (2) Will the contractor be allowed to add or change labor categories related fully burden labor rates in support of future DO’s? (3) If a new subcontractor is added in support of a future DO, will the RAM be used as a ceiling price for each labor category?

Pricing per labor category will not be adjusted during the IDIQ ordering period.

There will be no changes to labor categories during the IDIQ ordering period.

RAM pricing will be applicable to the Prime contractor as well as any subcontractors supporting ACTS II.

The Government responded to Question 22 of the ACTS Industry Day Q&A with “There are currently no DO's scheduled that require the handling of classified data.” However, the draft SOW states, “…shall require access to classified information in performance of this contract up to and including secret facility level, with a safeguarding level of secret, with potential for Top Secret”. Will the Government please confirm what current software is classified and if the prime and/or subcontractor must have SECRET with safeguarding at contract award, or will this be a DO-specific requirement?

No software is currently classified. The initial DO is not classified; however there is a high likelihood that a near term DO includes classified data. The prime contractor is required to have a cleared SECRET facility for use at time of award, whether the facility belongs to the prime or the sub.

77 SOW

If SECRET safeguarding is required at contract award, we ask that the SOW be updated to specify that the prime contractor and all subcontractors must have a minimum of SECRET Facility Clearance at the time of contract award. Additionally, the SOW should clarify that either the prime contractor or a subcontractor must have SECRET safeguarding at the time of contract award. This would allow the prime contractor to utilize the subcontractors’ facility for SECRET safeguarding requirements.

Refer to DD254

78 DD254

If SECRET safeguarding is required at contract award, we request the Government consider issuing a DD Form 254 to offerors during the acquisition phase. This would provide all offerors with the opportunity to initiate the process of upgrading their facility clearance to include SECRET safeguarding in preparation for a potential future contract award. By starting this process early, we aim to ensure that all necessary approvals and infrastructure are in place by the time the contract is awarded.

DD 254 will be provided only at or after contract award to the winning bidder.

79 DD254

If SECRET safeguarding is required at contract award, we request that the DD Form 254 issued at contract award include the following information:

•Block 1b should indicate SECRET.

•The offeror's informa on should be listed in blocks 6a-6c.

•The subcontractor's informa on, which currently holds SECRET safeguarding approval, should be detailed in blocks 7a-7c and 8a-8c, with block 8 also capturing any additional performance locations, such as USG locations.

RFP will include the draft attachment that will be used

80 Draft Sample Task 4.2.1.3 Will the government require a Basis of Estimate and assocaited Ingerated Master Schedule in this CLIN 3 STO in order to esnure that industry proposes the most efficient and cost effective FEA process methodology for this STO?

No, the Government is not planning to evaluate BOEs or IMS as part of the initial award. Please refer to sections L&M for evaluation criteria and proposal requirements

81 Draft Sample Task 4.2.1.3 In order to prevent a high risk & low price approach to the CLIN 3 in the D/STO, will the government require a FEA process flow VISO?

No, FEA process flow is not required. Refer to RFP documents for requirements

82 Draft Sample Task 4.2.1.3 Will the government provide guidance on acceptable labor category percentage mix for FEA execution.

No