SimLabs_III_Q A_Set_2_-_11_22_2016.pdf

Technical Services for Aerospace Modeling and Simulation (SimLabs) III

NNA17568278R

Question & Answer Set 2

November 22, 2016

Questions and answers posted after issuance of the draft RFP and prior to issuance of the final RFP are for guidance only. The final RFP will supersede and replace the draft RFP and all related documentation, including industry day communications and these questions and answers.

NAICS

1. Why was the NAICS changed?

The NAICS was not changed; it remains 541330, Engineering Services. The size standard (the largest size that a business may be to remain classified as a small business for purposes of the small business set‐aside) was updated from $15M to $38.5M to reflect the specialized purpose of the SimLabs.

2. Will NASA have another Industry Day as a result of the Last minute NAICS Code change?

Will NASA make One‐on‐One Meetings available for those businesses that now qualify under the new NAICS Code?

A communications “blackout” will be invoked following issuance of Final RFP and will continue until contract award. Until that time, any organization desiring a one‐on‐one meeting and/or facility tours may contact the Contracting Officer at bethany.a.mcclave@nasa.gov and we will do our best to accommodate the request.

3. Has NASA considered using NAICS Code 541690?

NAICS 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, applies to establishments primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on scientific and technical issues, and does not describe the primary purpose of this contract.

SMALL BUSINESS SET‐ASIDE

4. Was the Small Business set‐side a result of market research?

Yes. Market research indicated there were two or more capable small businesses.

5. What are the concerns going from a large business to a small business?

The Government’s principal interest is to ensure efficient continuity of operations, regardless of the contractor’s size status.

CONTRACT TYPE

6. Will the Government consider making the contract Time & Materials?

Q&A Set 2

November 22, 2016

No. A time‐and‐materials contract provides no positive profit incentive to the contractor for cost control or labor efficiency.

7. Has the Government considered making the Core Firm Fixed Price (FFP)?

Yes, the Government did consider making the Core FFP.

IDIQ TASK ORDERS

8. Will the Core and task order be awarded at time of award?

The Core will begin at contract award. We anticipate awarding the first task order(s) within the phase‐in period.

9. When IDIQ task orders are issued how long do Contractors have to respond?

This contract is single award, meaning that only one contractor will be awarded a contract and any subsequent task orders. In accordance with the Draft RFP Section H.2, the

Contractor will have 10 Calendar days after receipt of the Contracting Officer’s request to submit its task plan.

10. Does a new customer require a new task order?

Not necessarily. Typically, task orders are negotiated annually, cover a group of related tasks, and are not specific to a particular customer or project. A work assignment may be issued under an existing task order to cover the requirements of a new experiment. Work assignments are defined in the SOW.

TEAMING

11. Are there any restrictions on teaming?

We have not placed any restrictions beyond those set forth in the Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) or NASA FAR Supplement (NFS). Each offeror must comply with any such requirements including, for example, FAR clause 52.219‐14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

12. Is there a preference for a Joint Venture versus a Prime and Subcontractor relationship?

No.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

13. DRFP Section L.6(a) – Page count limitation for Written section addressing Outreach and

Subject Matter Expertise Recruitment = 2 pages. Will the Government increase the page count to 4 pages, allowing the Offeror more pages to address these important topics?

We believe 2 pages is sufficient to communicate the essential points.

14. Will oral presentations be conducted after offers are submitted?

Yes.

15. Can we go as a team to the oral presentation?

Yes. Each offeror will select from amongst its team (prime and any subcontractors) who will participate in the oral presentation.

16. Would the Government consider allowing other than Key Personnel to attend the oral presentation (e.g. upper management)?

Yes. Upper management directly responsible for performance of this contract may attend as long as the Site/Program Manager and other key personnel are present. The final RFP will address attendance and presentation requirements.

17. Does the past performance of a major subcontractor matter?

Yes. Any and all relevant past performance that is available to the SEB will be evaluated and will be a component in the Government’s assessment of the Offeror’s ability to perform the solicitation requirements.

18. Will a Joint Venture partnership be allowed up to 3 past performance references per member company?

Yes.

19. Is Past Performance restricted to support services?

No. Any relevant past performance similar in size, content, and complexity to the requirements of the current acquisition may be submitted in the Past Performance volume.

20. Can Offerors combine contracts to meet the past performance threshold?

Each individual contract submitted in the Past Performance volume must meet the dollar value and period of performance threshold.

21. The DRFP Section L.8(b)(1) states in part for inclusion in the Past Performance Volume: “A list of not more than three (3) relevant contracts (government and/or industry contracts), EACH in excess of $1,000,000 total contract value, for the Prime AND for EACH of the

Major Subcontractors, completed no more than 5 years ago, or currently on‐going at least one year, similar in size, content, and complexity to the requirements of the current acquisition.” Will the “5 years ago” refer to five years from the date of the final RFP release?

Yes.

22. When will the cost template be posted?

We anticipate posting the cost template in early December and will welcome additional questions/feedback at that time.

EVALUATION

23. Do you expect more than two offerors?

We have no way of telling.

24. In what areas are you looking for innovative solutions? How do you quantify innovation?

The Government welcomes innovative approaches that enhance performance. Section M identifies areas where innovation is particularly welcome. Any proposed innovation will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria in Section M.

25. How will NASA score Outreach?

In accordance with the Draft RFP Section M.2, the Government will evaluate the technical merit, comprehensiveness, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Offeror’s approach to accomplishing the work identified in Section 4.3.8 (Outreach) of the SOW. Outreach is one component of the Technical Approach score within Mission Suitability.

STAFFING

26. Does "Site Manager" refer to "Program Manager" and will that position be added to the list of contract labor categories?

Site Manager or Program Manager refers to the senior manager resident at SimLabs. The contract labor categories are provided as a guide for technical/non‐management positions only.

27. Are Key positions up to the Offeror?

Yes.

28. Do you plan to release the number of people per Task Order?

No. For purposes of this RFP, the Government has provided an IDIQ Labor Estimate that is not broken out by task order.

29. Is NASA expecting the incoming Contractor to keep a certain number of incumbent staff?

The Government’s principal interest is to ensure efficient continuity of operations. The

Offeror’s staffing approach should focus on this priority.

SOW

30. How would you characterize this work?

The work is described in detail in the SOW.

31. Does contractor maintain all equipment and purchase spare parts?

Yes. The contractor is responsible for ensuring all equipment on the equipment list is maintained and for mechanical maintenance in accordance with SOW Section 4.3.5. The contractor also purchases spare parts as necessary to accomplish this function.

32. What maintenance is not included?

“Brick and mortar” maintenance (e.g. HVAC, electrical, building structural) is not included.

33. Where does Government supervision start?

The Government manages SimLabs and performs inherently governmental functions. The majority of the technical work is accomplished by contractor staff.

34. Are desk computers provided under the contract?

No. Desk computers are provided by the Agency Consolidated End User Services (ACES) contract. The SimLabs contractor provides specialized IT.

FACILITIES

35. How many outside customers does SimLabs have?

It varies from year to year.

36. Does SimLabs charge for use of its facilities? What is the cost to experimenters?

Yes, SimLabs charges for use of its facilities. The facilities are flexible to support a wide variety of experiments and cost is based on the particular requirements.

37. What is the division of labor among the facilities?

It varies. The contract provides flexible staff that can be assigned based on need.

38. What is demand like in each of the facilities?

It varies depending on NASA and external programs and priorities. Currently, the 210 ATC

Lab, DSRL, FFC, and VMS are most heavily utilized.

39. How many total source lines of code (SLOC) does SimLabs have?

This is not a statistic we maintain.

40. What are plans for IT refresh of the facilities?

We refresh based on the availability of funding.

41. How do you pay for upkeep and upgrades if customer funded/funding not guaranteed?

We upkeep and upgrade based on the availability of funding.