Solicitation_Q&A_FBO_version.xlsx
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- The Japan F-35 Technology Security Support Team Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- N68335-19-R-0086
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Sheet1
| No. | Ref | Question | Answer |
| 1 | Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volumes | Table lays out Volume 4 as follows: Unnumbered, Offer Letter and Signed SF33, 4.0 Cost/Price Submission Narrative, 4.1 Completed Section B, 4.2, Cost Spreadsheets, 4.3, Other Cost Information, and 4.4 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees. The narrative instructions in 3.0 state that "Proposal information must be structured such that its Volume/paragraph number matches the Proposal Instructions Volume/paragraph number provided in section "Part B Specific Instructions" to which it is responding..." In the case of Volume 4, as structured, this is essentially impossible to comply with as the Part B instructions in 4.0 are widely misaligned from the table in Part A, 3.0. Part B 4.0 lays out the Price/Cost Volume (note that the order is also reversed from other references to this Volume, it is most commonly referred to as Cost/Price versus Price/Cost) as follows: 4.0 Volume 4" Price/Cost Proposal, 4.1, Volume Content, the SF33 with no reference to the offer letter is sub paragraph a. Sub paragraph b of 4.1 is the Section B submission. 4.2 is Ground Rules and Assumptions. 4.3 is Price/Cost Information, 4.4 is Other Costs, 4.5 is Other Direct Costs, and 4.6 is Labor Hours and Place of Performance. Will the Government provide clarity to the expected tracking of Volume 4 to the requirements by either modifying the Table in Part A or the Instructions in Part B so that offers may comply with the requirement to follow the correct order and paragraph numbering? | 1) Section L, Part A, Para.3.0 and table are being updated to state: "Proposal information must be structured such that its Volume/paragraph number matches the Volume/Section numbers provided in the table below to which it is responding. The Offeror may add lower tier subsection/subparagraphs." |
2) Section L, Part A, Para.3.0 table is being updated.
3) Section L, Part B, Para.4.3.j. is now Para.4.4. Total Compensation Plan. Subsequenced sections are being renumbered.
2 Section L, Part A, 3.0 Proposal Content and Volumes Paragraph 3.0 references the "offer letter." The 4.0 instructions in Part B don't refer to this letter. It is very common in Government proposals for the cost/price volume to begin with an offer letter so there is no issue with providing this. However, several common elements of such letters are included under Volume 1 Executive Summary in this RFP (e.g., Signed reps and certs, Affirmation of Exceptions, Deviations, etc., proposal validity, and teammate consent). The layout and expectations in this case are confusing. Will the Government clarify the contents of the Offer Letter and whether it should be in Volume 1 or Volume 4? 1) Title for Volume 1: Executive Summary is being renamed to "Executive Summary / Offer Letter." Offer Letter reference is being removed from Volume 4.
2) Section L, Part B, Para.1.0 Add item (g) to provide instruction for NAVAIR Provision 5252.209-9511. This provision is already in the solicitation.
3) Section L, Part A, Para.3.0 table is being updated. Volume 4 is being rearranged for clarity.
| 3 | Section L, Part B, Para.3.3 | Past Performance Questionnaires. The final sentence of this paragraph states, "The offeror shall only submit three (3) total CPARS and/or PPQs..." Paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 allow for up to five (5) contract references. Is it the Government's intent that paragraph 3.3 should align with 3.1 and 3.2? | Section L, Part B, Para.3.2 and Para.3.3 are being updated for consistency and clarification. |
| 4 | Attachment P1 | Past Performance Matrix, Instructions for Completion, (7). Item (7) requires CPARS to be "...not more than 12 months old..." to avoid the submission of a Past Performance Questionnaire. In the case of a contract that has been completed and is no longer active, but is within the five (5) years to be considered recent, what is the Government's direction regarding CPARS versus PPQs? Is a note confirming the status and date of the final CPARS and attachment of that CPARS adequate or is the Government requirement that a PPQ be processed for a completed contract more than 12 months old? | If the contract is was completed more than 12 months ago and no longer accessible in the CPARs system, but within the period of relevancy per Section L, the Offeror should fill out a PPQ for that effort. |
| 5 | Section M, Part A, Para.3.0 | This paragraph states that the Government will evaluate three past performance references. Is it the Government's intent to align this to the five references allowed by the Instructions sections, 3.1, 3.2? | Section M, Part A, Para.3.e is being update to be consistent with Section L. The evaluation will consider a minimum of three and maximum of five references. |
| 6 | Section L, Part B, Para.4.3(h) | Paragraph 4.3 (h) states “In addition, the Offeror shall provide a percentage breakdown of the Contractor indirect costs and burdens added to the Governments estimates for the cost Reimbursable CLINs…” However, paragraph 4.5 Other Direct Costs states “The NTE amounts shall be inclusive of the Offerors proposed indirect rates.” Question: Should the cost reimbursable NTE CLIN amounts (DSSR, Travel, & ODC) be inclusive of indirects or should the offeror add indirect costs which will ultimately increase the current NTE amounts listed? | The NTE amounts for DSSR, Travel and ODC/Material are inclusive of estimated indirect costs as stated in Para.4.5. The Offeror only need to propose DBA Insurance and applicable indirects. The followings areas are being update for clarification: |
1) Attachment P4 "Instruction" and "Base" tabs.
2) Section L, Part B, Para.4.3.h
3) Section L, Part B, Para.4.6 (previously Para.4.5)
| 7 | Section C, SOW, Para.3.5 | Work Schedule -This section states, "The contractor shall provide the required services and staffing coverage during normal working hours for a standard 40-hour work week. Core CONUS hours are a 0900-1500 EST, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. Contractors stationed in Japan shall adhere to local core-hours and may be required to work non-standard hours including weekends and/or holidays. Normal OCONUS work schedules shall consist of 40 hours per work week." Similar performance in OCONUS countries such as Japan, has shown that the work environment may easily extend beyond the normal standard 40-hour work week schedule. Can the Government please estimate the number of hours over 40 in a work week that each Specialist would be expected to work? Will the Government reimburse for Extended Work Week (EWW) over the standard local Japan core-hours? Additionally, and related to the .25 CONUS PM, will the PM be required to be available during the full 6-hour window of 0900-1500? If so, this may result in additional hours exceeding the .25 FTE LOE. Will the government reimburse for hours worked above the .25 FTE or is the contractor capped at .25 FTE? | The Government does not yet know what hours potentially might be required in Japan. The Government will reimburse for EWW over standard core hours on a case-by-case basis, as requested by the contractor with supporting documentation. If the Government requires the PM to work above the .25 FTE, it will be reimbursed, but on a case-by-case basis. The PM is required to be available for .25 FTE, not during the full core duty hours. The Government will be flexible in terms of PM duty hours. |
| 8 | Section C, SOW, Appendix A | Appendix A, Section B. Travel paragraph 1. - This paragraph states, "Travel refers only to in-country travel once personnel are stationed in Japan or if Temporary Duty (TDY) is requested for personnel based in the United States or Japan:..." And Appendix A, Section B. Travel paragraph 3 states, "The NTE for travel also includes in-country Japan travel." Finally, Appendix A, Section B. Travel, paragraphs 6 and 7 refer to rail/bus and public transportation to be used within Greater Tokyo and outside Greater Tokyo respectively. Does the referenced travel represent Contractor travel to and from the normal place of performance for this contract or are these official business trips in addition to normal commuting travel? If the former, will the government reimburse the Contractor for commuter travel? If the latter, how frequently does the government estimate these trips will be made by Contractor personnel, both within and outside of the Greater Tokyo area? What will be the average duration of these trips and how many Contractor personnel will be required to travel? If the referenced travel in the above cited sections and paragraphs is for both commuter travel and other official business travel, please indicate if the government will reimburse both kinds of travel. | |
| The Government does not yet know how many trips or the duration of trips outside of the duty location of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area will be required; hence the NTE. If travel is anticipated to exceed NTE, the ceiling will be raised for travel. The Government will reimburse for the commuter pass inside the greater Tokyo area, but the Contractor will only use the pass for business purposes. | |||
| 9 | Section C, SOW, Appendix A | Appendix A, Section D, paragraph 5 states, "COLA is currently calculated at 42% of spendable income". Would the government please define the term "spendable income" and explain how the COLA level of 42% is applied to the labor rates for the cost build up process? | Plug numbers for DSSR CLINs are inclusive of COLA based on 42% of estimated income. Offerors do not have calculate or propose this cost. |
| 10 | Section C, SOW, Appendix A | Appendix A, Section D. Please confirm that all of the government defined allowable cost elements related to paragraphs 1 - 10 should be included in the DSSR CLIN and not applied elsewhere. | Correct |
| 11 | Section C, SOW | Paragraph 5.1 Transition In/Onboarding (p. 32) states: “All base positions shall be filled with the incumbent reporting for duty within 60-calendar days of contract award. If the Government exercises one of the optional positions the contractor shall fill the positions within 60-calendar days of official notification from the CO, with the incumbent to report within the 60-calendar days. Prior to deployment to Japan, the Japan TSST Team Lead and/or Team Members to be stationed OCONUS shall report to a Government location in Arlington, VA for approximately one month to discuss standard operating procedures and US Government guidance and expectations. Exact timelines and location will be discussed at the Kick-Off Meeting.” Additionally, Section B, paragraph 2.2.3. states: “The start-up plan, in this instance, does not include taking over responsibilities from an incumbent, as this is a new requirement. The Offeror shall submit a written narrative delineating a transition in plan based on a 45-day onboarding period after award. The Offeror shall provide a schedule capturing the proposed timelines for starting performance 45-days after award.” Will the Government provide clarity to the 45- and 60-day requirement? Will the Government clarify if these timelines refer to the same period or not? Does one start after another? Is the 45-day requirement in paragraph 2.2.3 meant to be the same as the 60-day requirement in SOW 5.1 in the statement of work or vice versa? Will the government provide clarity if day 45 or 60 meets the reporting to duty requirement at the Government location in Arlington, VA or in Japan? | SOW, Section 5.0 Personnel Requirements is being updated to reflect 45 calendar days for base position to report for duty, and 60 calendar days for optional positions. |
| 12 | Exhibit B, CDRLs | In the Draft RFP package there was an Exhibit B, CDRLs. That document was not included in the final RFP. Will this document be included as part of the final RFP? | Yes, Exhibit B version from presolicitation remains unchanged. The Government is providing the Exhibit B again with this posting. |
| 13 | Section L, Part A, Para.3.0 | Part A, 3.0, Table, Part B, 2.2.2, b. Are key personnel resumes excluded from the allowed 5 pages for the Staffing Plan? | Correct, key personnel resume is not part of page limitation. |
| 14 | Section B (b through e), page 3. | Item (b) states that the use of the options does not provide an extension to the length of time of the period of performance; however, (d) states that the exercise of an option must take place no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the contract, and (e) states that the contractor must fill the position within 60 days. These statements in (d) and (e) appear to contradict with (b) that the exercise does not provide an extension if the extension can take place 30 days prior to expiration and we have 60 days to fill the position. Will the government please clarify? | Item (d) is being combined with Item (b) as follows: |
(b) The use of these options does not provide an extension to the length of time of the period of performance. The exercise of an optional Labor CLIN within the period of performance may be accomplished at anytime during contract performance.
| 15 | Section B, CLIN 0002, page 4. | NTE amount provided for DSSR allowances. Will the government please indicate if this amount is for estimating purposes only or if it can fluctuate based on actual cost proposed and again during execution? | NTE amounts may be fluctuated during execution. |
| 16 | Section B, CLIN 0004, page 4 | NTE amount provided for travel. Will the government please indicate if this amount is for estimating purposes only or if it can fluctuate based on actual cost proposed and again during execution? | NTE amounts may be fluctuated during execution. |
| 17 | Section B, CLIN 0005, page 5. | NTE amount provided for material. Will the government please indicate if this amount is for estimating purposes only or if it can fluctuate based on actual cost proposed and again during execution? | NTE amounts may be fluctuated during execution. |
| 18 | Section 2.0 Applicable Documents, page 18. | Are there any specific International Policies to leverage in addition to the policies listed on page 18 of the solicitation? | Unknown at this point besides those referenced in the solicitation |
| 19 | Section 3.5 Work Schedule, pages 19-20 | Will the government please confirm whether employees working on this contract are considered Mission Essential? | The employees are not considered mission essential. |
| 20 | Section 3.6 Travel and Material, page 20. | States that “Travel will be allowable only when it is essential to the performance of tasks detailed in each individual task order that may be issued under this contract”. It appears this may be referring to an IDIQ type situation with task orders being issued under the contract. Will the government consider revising this sentence to read something like “Travel will be allowable only when it is essential to the performance of tasks detailed in this contract”? | This section is being updated to remove task order references. |
| 21 | Section 3.6 Travel and Material, page 21, and APPENDIX A, Travel, page 38. | Section 3.8 states that “travel within a 50-mile driving distance of the Contractor’s regular worksite is considered the Contractor’s official station and therefore not subject to reimbursement.” In APPENDIX A on page 38, it states that the NTE travel line includes in-country Japan travel. It also states that Contractors shall obtain rail/bus passes for travel within the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area. These passes will be used for official business only; Contractors shall travel using public transportation outside of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area whenever possible; and F-35 JPO Government personnel will assist contractors with obtaining travel passes as necessary. Will the government please clarify what travel within Japan is reimbursable through the travel line item? | Travel within a 50-mile driving distance of the Contractor's regular workplace is considered the Contractor's official station and therefore not subject to reimbursement above a commuter pass to be used for official purposes only. Exception shall be coordinated with the COR. |
| 22 | 4.1.5 Subtask 1.5 Program Management Reviews, page 26. | Will the government please indicate where it prefers the PMRs (and Security Working Groups) be held? | PMRs and Security Working Groups can be either held CONUS or in Japan. The Government will determine where these are held on a case-by-case basis. |
| 23 | On page 56 of the RFP under Section H Special Contract Requirements | CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT, the Government states under 5252.227-9511 DISCLOSURE, USE AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (NAVAIR)(FEB 2009) that it may use an independent services contractor (ISC). Would the ISC be equivalent to a “Cultural Liaison Officer”? | An ISC may serve in any capacity deemed necessary by the Government per 5252.227-9511. |
| 24 | Section J | 11. Will the government please provide Exhibit B CDRLs and the attachment titled JVE Overview? They’re missing from the documents provided with the solicitation. Please see below for details: |
Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
DOCUMENT TYPE DESCRIPTION
Exhibit B CDRLs - MISSING Attachment 1 DD254 Attachment 2 Surveillance Activity Checklist Attachment 3 Travel Authorization Form Attachment 4 Consent to Purchase Request Attachment 5 JVE Overview – MISSING, Attachment 5 provided as Contractor Employee NDA Attachment 6 Contractor Employee NDA – Provided as Attachment 5; Attachment 6 provided as JSF Visitor Group Security Agreement Attachment 7 Visitor Group Security Agreement – Provided as Attachment 6; Attachment 7 provided as DoD Security Regulations Attachment 8 DoD Security Regulations – Provided as Attachment 7; Attachment 8 provided as JSF FOUO Information Policy Attachment 9 JSF FOUO Information Policy – Provided as Attachment 8; missing Attachment 9 Attachment P1 Past Performance Matrix Attachment P2 Past Performance Questionnaire Attachment P3 Subcontractor/Teaming Partner Consent Form Attachment P4 Cost Summary Spreadsheet
| CDRLs are being provided with this amendment. Section J, list of attachments is being updated to remove reference of "JVE Overview" document, and renumbered other attachments accordingly. | ||||
| 25 | Section L, Part B. Para. 2.2.2.b | "For Key Personnel, provide a resume of the work assignments, training, etc" | ||
| Does the government expect submission of resumes for optional key positions? | The Government expects resume submission at time the Government exercise the optional key position(s). | |||
| 26 | Section C, SOW, Para.3.2 | Place of Performance. Will government identify the primary location (for pricing purposes) for each FTE, including optional FTEs? | Specific locations for the three OCONUS positions are not known at this point. The Offerors are encourged to propose based on Hardy Barracks, Tokyo location. The Government anticipates that the locations of any optional positions will be know at time of exercise. | |
| 27 | General | What is the anticipated contract start date for this opportunity? | The anticipated award date is 11 Oct 2019. Any future udates will be done via clause 5252.215-9503. | |
| 28 | 2. Section L, Part A, 3.0, Proposal Table, and Section L, Part B, 3.0, Volume 3, Past Performance | Para 3.5 appears to require some additional narrative related to the contract references, or is it intended that the Past Performance Matrix include this information on relevance? | Attachment P1, Past Performance Matrix and Section L, Part B, Para 3.5 are being update for clarification. The Offeror shall provide description and relevancy of the contract references being submiited. |
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