N66001-17-R-0291 Questions & Answers.pdf

RFP N66001-17-R-0291

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Reference Q1 and A1. A1 states that RFP Attachment 2 – Rate Sheet was updated to correct labor categories as identified in Section L. However, the Attachment 2 doesn’t appear to have been updated. Can you please update Attachment 2 – Rate Sheet to reflect the correct categories?

Answer 1: This was caused by an error in SPAWAR E-Commerce. Attachment 2 – Rate Sheet has been updated and the correct spreadsheet is available on SPAWAR E-Commerce.

Question 2: Reference Section L, L-317, 2.1 General Instructions. The first sentence states that submission of Volume II fulfills the requirement for a compensation plan IAW clause 52.222-46. Please confirm that this statement is accurate and that no separate compensation plan is required as part of the proposal.

Answer 2: This statement is accurate and no separate compensation plan is required as part of the proposal. In accordance with L-317, Volume II, and 2.1 General Instructions – “Submission of Volume II in accordance with this provision fulfills the requirement for a total compensation plan discussed in provision 52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees. A separate total compensation plan is not required for either the prime contractor or any subcontractors. In preparing the cost proposal, it is required that the offeror breakout and identify separately for each year of the contract (with the first year period beginning on date of award) and on a cumulative basis for all five years, the following types of cost elements: Direct Labor, Fringe Benefits, Overhead, Subcontracts, Other (other direct costs, G&A, FCCOM, fee, etc.).

Question 3: On Attachment 4 – Past Performance Questionnaire, it states to complete the “survey form and email it by the proposal due date/time of 22 March 2017 to Christina.neto@navy.mil.” given the extended due date of the proposal, has this date also been extended?

Answer 3: This was caused by an error in SPAWAR E-Commerce. Attachment 4 – Past Performance Questionnaire has been updated and the correct date for submission is 26 April 2017. The corrected attachment is available on SPAWAR E-Commerce.

Question 4: L.2.1 (e) (6) p.102: (6) States that “the offeror and each subcontractor shall also complete and submit RFP Attachment 2, Rate Sheet….” QUESTION: Does the Government intend for the Subcontractor to submit their Rate Sheet as part of the Subcontractors direct submission to the Contracting Officer? Subcontractors will not want to disclose the information requested in Attachment 2 to any organization except directly to the Contracting Officer.

Answer 4: In accordance with L-317, Volume II and 2.1 General Instructions, “If subcontractors are proposed, submit the same detailed level of cost information as for the prime contractor. The subcontractor cost information can be submitted by the prime or the subcontractor may submit this information under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer via the SPAWAR E-Commerce web site; see provision L-349.” Subcontractors are authorized to submit their Rate Sheet under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer.

Question 5: L.2.7 p.105: 2.7 requests (a) “Copies of the most current Forward Pricing Rate Agreement (FPRA) and/or DCAA audit report for the offeror’s/subcontractor’s direct labor and indirect rates. (b) Accounting system adequacy documentation…..” QUESTION: Does the Government intend for the Subcontractor to submit their FPRA and /or DCAA audit report and Accounting system adequacy documentation as part of the Subcontractors direct submission to the Contracting Officer? Subcontractors will not want to disclose the information requested in 2.7 to any organization except directly to the Contracting Officer.

Answer 5: In accordance with L-317, Volume II and 2.1 General Instructions, “If subcontractors are proposed, submit the same detailed level of cost information as for the prime contractor. The subcontractor cost information can be submitted by the prime or the subcontractor may submit this information under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer via the SPAWAR E-Commerce web site; see provision L-349.” Subcontractors are authorized to submit their FPRA and/or DCAA audit report and accounting system adequacy documentation under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer.

Question 6: L.2.7 p.106: 2.7 (c) requests: “….offeror/subcontractor shall submit documentation substantiating the accuracy of their proposed direct labor rates for all labor categories. Acceptable documentation includes…” QUESTION: Does the Government intend for the Subcontractor to submit their Acceptable Documentation as part of the Subcontractors direct submission to the Contracting Officer? Subcontractors will not want to disclose the information requested in 2.7 (c) to any organization except directly to the Contracting Officer.

Answer 6: In accordance with L-317, Volume II and 2.1 General Instructions, “If subcontractors are proposed, submit the same detailed level of cost information as for the prime contractor. The subcontractor cost information can be submitted by the prime or the subcontractor may submit this information under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer via the SPAWAR E-Commerce web site; see provision L-349.” Subcontractors are authorized to submit the required documentation as part of the subcontractor’s submission under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer.

Question 7: Section L-349 states: “Under no circumstances shall cost and pricing type data be included elsewhere in the proposal.” However, RFP Attachment 5, Small Business Commitment Sheet requests both the dollar value and the percent of the total acquisition. From the information provided in Attachment 5, a reviewer will be able to determine the offeror’s cost. Will the offeror be penalized for providing cost and pricing data in another section other than the Cost Proposal Section?

Answer 7: In accordance with L-317, Volume III and Section 3.3 – Small Business Participation, Offerors shall “prepare and submit one copy of Attachment 5 “Small Business Commitment Sheet” to identify all small business concerns proposed for contract performance, whether as prime contractors or subcontractors. Offerors shall also identify in the matrix the extent to which each identified business will be participating, as a percentage of the total value of the acquisition.” This does not constitute “cost or pricing data” as defined in FAR 2.101. Offerors will not be penalized for providing the required information in Attachment 5 in Volume III.

Question 8: Section L-349 indicates that “Offerors shall submit their proposal electronically to SPAWAR under the instructions contained in this provision…” Do the submission instructions pertain to subcontractors or is there another method for subcontractor submission? If the subcontractors are to use SPAWAR E-Commerce Central, will the Government confirm that the SF33 is only required by the prime contractor?

Answer 8: In accordance with L-317, Volume II and 2.1 General Instructions, “If subcontractors are proposed, submit the same detailed level of cost information as for the prime contractor. The subcontractor cost information can be submitted by the prime or the subcontractor may submit this information under separate cover directly to the Contracting Officer via the SPAWAR E-Commerce web site; see provision L-349.” Submission of the signed SF33 is only required by the prime contractor.

Question 9: RFP Section M provides minimal information on how the Government will evaluate proposals. For example, Section M.1.2.1 Past Performance, “The Government will review this past performance information and determine the quality and usefulness as it applies to a performance confidence assessment as follows: Acceptable or Unacceptable.” And Section M.1.2.4 Technical Understanding, “Offerors that receive a Marginal or lower evaluation rating for the Technical Understanding factor will not be further considered for award.”

Will the Government provide definitions for the evaluation ratings?

Answer 9: RFP Provision M-307 provides the evaluation criteria and basis for award. “Proposals will be rated and ranked using a three-step methodology. Step One is an evaluation of: (a) acceptability of the offer; and (b) capability (including Past Performance, SDP, Small Business Participation, Technical Understanding and Organizational Experience). Step Two is an evaluation of the proposed cost. Step Three is a cost/technical trade-off analysis in order to determine the best value source selection decision.

The rating definitions are in accordance with the Department of Defense Source Selection Procedures dated 01 April 2016.

Question 10: Page 101, Volume II – Price/Cost Information, 2.1 General Instructions – Part d, # 1 states, “The offeror (Prime) shall provide a list of all subcontractors by name and shall specify the type of subcontract (e.g., CPFF, FFP or T&M). Subcontractors with an adequate accounting system for cost reimbursement type should be proposed CPFF. Subcontractors that do not have an adequate accounting system should be proposed as fixed price type (preferable) or T&M if the subcontractor requirements will not support fixed price. For each T&M subcontract proposed, the offeror shall explain in writing why no other contract type is appropriate.” If a Subcontractor does not have an approved accounting system or has not been recently audited by DCAA, would the Government prefer award of a Firm Fixed Price Level of Effort subcontract?

Answer 10: In accordance with L-317, the most preferred type of subcontract is CPFF. “Subcontractors that do not have an adequate accounting system should be proposed as fixed price type (referable) or T&M if the subcontractor requirements will not support fixed price.” A firm fixed price level of effort subcontract is not preferred over CPFF but is acceptable.

Question 11: Regarding Page 109, RFP 3.4 Section D, Item D item (2), “Prototype Development and Logistics Support,” is the domain of the question limited to software and software systems, or does it include hardware development? For instance, would the development of prototypes for the purposes of answering this question include things like prototype nanosatellite payloads and/or prototype sensors?

Answer 11: Provision L-317, Volume III, 3.4 Section D – Technical Understanding, Item (2) Prototype Development and Logistics Support has been updated to the following: “(2) Software Prototype Development and Logistics Support: (Limited to 3 single sided pages). Demonstrate a working knowledge of performing software and system design, development, requirements elicitation, derivation, and allocation; software system engineering analysis and design; software prototype development;

transition to system development; and fielding and operational support, including development and management processes for Integrated Logistics Support.”

Question 12: Regarding Page 109, RFP 3.4 Section D, Item (5), “Data Integrity Issues”, the contractor submits the following questions since the course(s) of action may vary depending on the answers to these questions.

a. In order to better understand the severity of the mislabeling, the contractor would like to know:

i. The erroneous and correct distribution statement for the mislabeled disks.

ii. The erroneous and correct classification for the mislabeled disks.

iii. The erroneous and correct title for the mislabeled disks.

b. The contractor would like to know how many sets of MIBS installation disks have this issue.

c. The contractor would like to know to whom and to where the mislabeled disks have been distributed. Have the installation disks only been delivered to the MIBS program office or have they been delivered to ships and/or shore installation sites?

Answer 12: The severity of the mislabeling is not in question. The problem has been identified as one (1) disk had a wrong distribution statement, four (4) disks have the wrong classification, and three (3) disks have the wrong title. In accordance with RFP Provision L-317, Volume III, Section 3.4, Item (5), offerors must “explain how you would resolve these issues. Include how you would work with Government Program Management, the steps you will take to identify the root cause(s) of these issues, and the steps you would take to resolve these issues.”

Question 13: In addition to the standard 8.5x11 paper size, will the Government allow the option for pages to be prepared on 11x17 foldouts? If so, what is the page limitation on this size?

Answer 13: In accordance with L-317, “proposals shall be prepared on standard 8 1/2” by 11” formatted pages with 1” minimum margins. Pages submitted on any other size will not be considered.

Question 14: In the Questions and Answers distributed by the Government, A5 in response to Q5 still conflicts with Attachment 3 received with the final RFP specifically as follows.

a. Program Manager position has been changed from Master’s to Bachelor’s degree and the Attachment 3 shows Master’s Degree. Does the Government intend to send out a revised Attachment 3?

b. Computer Scientist position has been changed to Bachelor’s Degree OR 10 years’ experience and attachment 3 already shows Bachelor’s Degree but does not include the “OR 10 years’ experience”. Was this change meant for the Sr. Computer Scientist instead of Computer Scientist? Is the Computer Scientist qualifications going to change and will the Government send out a revised Attachment 3?

c. The Tester has been changed to Associate Degree yet and Attachment 3 shows Bachelor’s Degree. Will the Government submit a revised Attachment 3?

Answer 14: This was caused by an error in SPAWAR E-Commerce and Attachment 3 – Desired Personnel Qualifications has been updated.

a. The correct description for the Program Manager position is a Bachelor’s degree. Attachment 3 – Desired Personnel Qualifications has been updated and the correct labor category descriptions are available on SPAWAR E-Commerce.

b. The correct description for the Computer Scientist position is a Bachelor’s degree OR 10 years of experience. Attachment 3 – Desired Personnel Qualifications has been updated and the correct labor category descriptions are available on SPAWAR E-Commerce.

c. The correct description for the Test position is Associates Degree OR 10 years of experience. Attachment 3 – Desired Personnel Qualifications has been updated and the correct labor category descriptions are available on SPAWAR E-Commerce.