PACTS_II_RFP_-_HSHQDC-14-R-00009_AMNDMNT_000004-QandA-02JULY2014.pdf

Question # Page No. Section Paragraph Question/ Comment Government Response

1 2 B.2 B.2 Paragraph states term of the IDIQ contract is a two (2) year base period and three (3) option periods with a period of performance of one (1) year each. For pricing purposes, what is the assumed contract start date?

For proposal preparation purposes Offerors should utilize October 1, 2014 as the contract start date.

2 2-3/120 B.3.1 B.3.1

Paragraph B.3.1 states: "The ceiling labor rates in B.4 reflect the maximum fully-burdened labor rates for each labor category that may be proposed or utilized in TOs issued under PACTS II." and "Under no circumstances shall the Contractor propose or provide invoices for hourly labor rates above the ceiling labor rates set forth in Section B.4, Ceiling Labor Category Rate Table." (emphasis added) Paragraph B.3.1(a) states: "For Wage Determination applicable labor categories, if overtime is required at the TO level, overtime will be compensated in accordance with the Service Contract Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act and prescribed in the Code Of Federal Regulations (-CFR) Title 29: Labor §778—OVERTIME COMPENSATION. The general overtime pay standard requires that overtime must be compensated at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which the employee is actually employed. The regular rate of pay at which the employee is employed may in no event be less than the statutory minimum." The combination of these statements in the final RFP appears to instruct that bidders should provide ceiling rates that INCLUDE the premium necessary to make overtime payments when required. In other words, the implication of the current wording is that invoiced overtime rates, including the statutorily required premiums, must be equal to or less than the ceiling rate for SCA covered positions in the vendor's PACTS II IDIQ contract. Please confirm that ceiling rates for SCA covered positions should be calculated and proposed to include at least 1.5X the anticipated/estimated normal/regular hourly wage (some states require premiums more than the federal 1.5X and some state laws require premium payments for hours/day versus hours/week so the risk of contractors having to pay the premium is higher given the all CONUS place of performance for PACTS II and the increased use of alternate work week schedules at federal worksites). Please note this will result in ceiling rates being inflated to reduce contractor risk and could result in increased cost to DHS for ALL hours for SCA covered labor categories. This cost risk for DHS could be eliminated by allowing bidders to provide both regular and OT ceiling rates for SCA covered labor categories.

The ceiling rates for SCA covered positions should NOT be calculated and proposed to include at least 1.5X the anticipated/estimated normal/regular hourly wage. RFP Sections B.3.1;

B.3.1(a); L.19(2); and Attachment J-4 Instructions Part II is amended for clarity.

3 2-3/120 B.3.1 B.3.1 Does DHS intend for bidders to include statutorily required premium overtime costs in the ceiling rates for SCA covered positions?

The ceiling rates for SCA covered positions should NOT be calculated and proposed to include premium overtime pay. RFP Sections B.3.1; B.3.1(a); L.19(2); and Attachment J-4 Instructions Part II is amended for clarity.

4 3 to 4 B.3.1 B.3.1

Para B.3.1 states: "The ceiling labor rates in B.4 reflect the maximum fully-burdened labor rates for each labor category that may be proposed or utilized in TOs issued under PACTS II." and "Under no circumstances shall the Contractor propose or provide invoices for hourly labor rates above the ceiling labor rates set forth in Section B.4, Ceiling Labor Category Rate Table." Para B.3.1(a) states for Wage Determined labor categories, if overtime is required it will be compensated in accordance with the Service Contract Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act and prescribed in the Code Of Federal Regulations (-CFR) Title 29: Labor §778—OVERTIME COMPENSATION. Overtime pay standard requires that overtime is compensated at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate. It is understood that overtime must be paid to the SCA-covered employee so can Government clarify how overtime is proposed in a TO response and invoiced if "Under no circumstances shall the Contractor propose or provide invoices for hourly labor rates above the ceiling labor rates set forth in Section B.4, Ceiling Labor Category Rate Table."

RFP sections B.3.1; B.3.1(a); L.19(2); and Attachment J-4 Instructions Part II are amended for clarity. The exception to the ceiling labor rates in B.4 are those that require upward rate adjustments based on SCA Wage Determination Indices changes. Specific guidance on how overtime for SCA covered wages is proposed and invoiced in a TO response will be specified by the TOCO at the Task Order level.

5 3 B.3.1 B.3.1.a

The section states …. When responding to TORFPs "…. the Contractor shall identify both Prime and Team Member (i.e., Subcontractor) labor using the PACTS II Labor Categories that apply." Does that mean the response will have multiple rates for the prime and any performing subcontractor or is this just validating that the rates provided cover prime and subcontractor?

The rates that are provided cover both the prime and team member (subcontractor).

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

6 3 of 120 B.3.1 4 B.3.1 Time-and-Materials/Labor-Hour/Fixed-Price Rates/(2) Contractor Site Rates. What is the approximate LOE/percentage of work currently being performed at contractor sites for FC 1 and FC 2?

There is no approximate LOE/percentage of work to be performed at contractor sites for FC1 and FC2. The Offeror shall provide rates for the services at both Government Sites (GS) and Contractor Sites (CS)

7 3 of 120 B.3.1(a) Time-and-Materials/Labor-

Hour/Fixed-Price Rates (Labor)

In the event the SCA wage determination rate is proposed, and that rate be adjusted upward during the performance of the contract will the Ceiling Labor Category Rate Table be adjusted upward accordingly?

No, the CLIN Rate Table will remain with the fully-burdened ceiling hourly rates. If a SCA Wage Determination is determined at the TO Level, the standard requires that overtime must be compensated as a rate not less than one and one-half time the regular rate (fully-burdened ceiling hourly rates) at which the employee is actually employed. Specific guidance on how overtime for SCA covered wages is proposed and invoiced in a TO response will be specified by the TOCO at the Task Order level.

8 3 B.3.1 c Please clarify that the Project Management (TO-level) support costs cover the Senior, Intermediate, and Junior level.

Project Management (TO-level) support costs cover labor against individual TOs for direct support of the effort performed under those TOs.The level of Project Management will be determined at the TO Level.

9 5 of 120 B.4 CLIN Rate Table

The RFP states “These escalation percentages / ceiling labor rates will not be revised over the life of the contract.” Will this also be the case a new SCA wage determination becomes applicable in that contract year which exceeds the rate proposed the escalation factor or will the Contractor be allowed to adjust the rate according to the latest prevailing WD?

The CLIN Rate Table will not be changed through the life of the contract. The escalation in the quoted sentence is in relation to the mark-up percentages for Materials. The sentence is amended. For the Wage Determination applicable labor categories, if overtime is required at the TO level, overtime will be compensated in accordance with the Service Contract Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act and prescribed in the Code Of Federal Regulations (-CFR) Title 29:

Labor §778—OVERTIME COMPENSATION. If a new SCA Wage Determination becomes applicable the TO Contracting Officer will follow the regulations. Specific guidance on how overtime for SCA covered wages is proposed and invoiced in a TO response will be specified by the TOCO at the Task Order level.

10 5 of 120 B.4 CLIN Rate Table

The RFP states “CLINs XXX5 and XXX6 are reserved for Materials - Travel, Subcontracts (for supplies and incidental services for which there is not a labor category specified in the contract), and Other Direct Costs to be inserted upon Task Order award.” Is the Offeror allowed to add SubCLINs in the event it needs to differentiate a different Indirect Rate for Subcontracts, Direct Materials, etc.?

No it shall remain as stated.

11 6 C.1.2 C.1.2 Paragraph states services provided will support DHS on a nation-wide basis. In order to accurately estimate required state taxes, such as NM gross receipts tax, can you provide historical data on the task order value by state?

The data is not available to provide historical data on the task order value by state.

12 6 C.1.2 1 What are the necessary materials the Contractor will need to provide at the Government site? This will be determined at the TO Level.

13 6 C.1.2 2 What travel will be necessary to fulfill TO requirements? This will be determined at the TO Level.

14 6 of 120 C.1.2 Scope

The RFP states “While the SOW identifies two (2) Functional Categories, the suites of resulting contracts are intended to satisfy a full range of related requirements, although they will not preclude the use of other vehicles and contracts to meet specific needs.” What are the other vehicles providing similar support to this agency which will be ongoing during this contract's p.o.p.? Is there a possibility that as these other vehicles end the work will migrate to this contract?

PACTS II will be “mandatory for use with limited exceptions”, in accordance with Management Directive 060-01, to ordering activities to fulfill DHS requirements for program management, administrative, operations, and technical support services. If the TO CO determines another vehicle is more suitable to meet a requirement, he/she has an opportunity to submit a request for a waiver to not solicit under PACTS II. Specific requirements/needs will be further identified and defined at the TO level. It will be up to the TO CO to determine if the mission needs fit what is offered in the Functional Categories of PACTS II.

15 6 of 120 C.1.2 Scope The table found in this section references a size standard of $14M for NAICs 541611. Will this be amended to $15M as a result of the new size standard that is to go into effect on 07/14/14?

No, the NAICS code size standard will remain as stated

16 6 of 120 C.1.2 Scope The table found in this section references a size standard of $7M for NAICs 561110. Will this be amended to $7.5M as a result of the new size standard that is to go into effect on 07/14/14?

No, the NAICS code size standard will remain as stated

17 7 C.2.1 C.2.1

In the paragraph which leads with Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services, Is the offeror being asked to provide operating advice and assistance services in the form of consulting services? Or is the offeror being asked to provide advice, assistance services in the form of full-up Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics services?

Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

18 7 C.2.1 C.2.1

In the paragraph which leads with Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services, the elements of services requested are very broad. In regards to the distribution network, should the offeror be prepared to provide operating advice and assistance for Sea, Air, Land, Rail operations in CONUS and OCONUS?

The scope of work on the PACTSII IDIQ level is intentionally broad in nature. PACTS II will not be used for OCONUS. Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

19 7 C.2.1 2.1

In the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services section, "The Contractor shall provide support services on administrative management issues, such as…site selection…" Please provide more detail on what "site selection" means or what types of sites need selection.

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

20 7 C.2.1 1 Functional Category 1, Administrative and General Management Consulting Services, In order to provide the correct experience, please explain what entails the contractor for selection support?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

21 7 C.2.1 2 Functional Category 1, Process, Physical and Logistics Support. In order to provide the correct experience, please explain what entails warehouse use?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

22 7 C.2.1 2 Functional Category 1, Process, Physical and Logistics Support. Will the offeror be expecting the contractor manage a warehouse?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

23 7 & 18 C.2 &F.9 1 & Table

The SOW states the contractor shall furnish the full range of solutions and non-IT services (program Management, Technical, Operations (Clerical), and Administrative) necessary to meet the scope of the requirements of this contract and individual TOs issued under it. And the deliverables (F.9) state in item number 4 & 5 that an IT Security Plan is required ten calendar days after award and IT Security Accreditation is required six months after contract award. Will there be some IT related services required for FC2 to meet the requirements stated in F.9 Deliverables?

The IT Security Plan and IT Security Accreditation is required in accordance with HSAR 3052.204-70 Security Requirements for Unclassified Information Technology Recourses. This clause is to ensure the Offeror is responsible for IT security for all systems when connected to the DHS network. This clause applies to all or any part of the contract that includes information technology resources or services for which the Contractor must have physical or electronic access to sensitive information contained in DHS unclassified systems that directly support the agency’s mission.

24 7 C.2.1 3 What is the tool currently being used for asset management? There are other DHS contracts with scope for these services. This is publicly available information at http://www.usaspending.gov.

25 7 C.2.1 3 What is the tool currently being used for records management? There is no information on a tool currently being used for records management.

26 7 C.2.1 4

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 7 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide operating advice and assistance services in areas such as process, physical distribution and logistics; productivity improvement; quality assurance and quality control; inventory management; distribution networks;

warehouse use, operations, and utilization; transportation and shipment of goods and materials; and materials management and handling." Will the Government confirm that this subarea of FC1 falls within the general scope of NAICS code 541614 "Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services"?

The NAICS codes identified in the RFP represent the dominant services for their respective Functional Category. Other services within the FC may fall under other NAICS but they are not dominant. The stated NAICS (either 541611 or 561110) for the applicable FC will be associated with the respective subsequent contract(s) and no other NAICS will be identified.

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

27 7 C.2.1 4

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 7 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide operating advice and assistance services in areas such as process, physical distribution and logistics; productivity improvement; quality assurance and quality control; inventory management; distribution networks;

warehouse use, operations, and utilization; transportation and shipment of goods and materials; and materials management and handling." Will the Government confirm that corporate experience and past performance for Government contracts which wholly fall within NAICS code 541614 "Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services" may be considered to be "relevant" (from a relevancy, scope, complexity, size perspective) to FC1 depending on the specifics of that given corporate experience, and that submitting a 541614-related corporate experience would not be automatically considered to be irregular/irrelevant?

Corporate experience and past performance for Government contracts which fall in FC1 "Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services" may be considered to be "relevant" to FC1 depending on the specifics of that given corporate experience. A judgment on relevancy will not be provided until during proposal evaluations. The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the parameters of the RFP. Refer to RFP section M.4.1 Factor 1: Experience. This evaluation will focus on the breadth and complexity of the efforts, and the degree of relevance to the proposed Functional Category.

28 7 C.2.1 4

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 7 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide operating advice and assistance services in areas such as process, physical distribution and logistics; productivity improvement; quality assurance and quality control; inventory management; distribution networks;

warehouse use, operations, and utilization; transportation and shipment of goods and materials; and materials management and handling." Will the Government confirm the PACTS II FC1 tasks that fall within this subarea include tasks which would be execution of such process, physical distribution, and logistics consulting activities falling in this subarea, and not only the "program management" and/or "administrative management/general management consulting" of those activities? (That is, please confirm that "doing" the work itself is also within scope of FC1, and not only the "managing", "administering", or "supervising" of such process, physical distribution, and logistics consulting work.)

The Contractor shall furnish the full range of solutions and services necessary to meet the scope of the requirement of this contract and individual TOs issued under it. The Offeror shall describe its Experience and detail its specific experience conducting work of the same and/or similar nature to that described (for the applicable FC) in RFP Section C, Statement of Work.

29 7 C.2.1 5

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 7 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Engineering Services. The Contractor shall provide services in the support of physical laws and principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems. The assignments undertaken may involve any of the following activities: provision of advice, preparation of feasibility studies, preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, inspection and evaluation of engineering projects and related services." Will the Government confirm that this subarea of FC1 falls within the general scope of NAICS code 541330 "Engineering Services"?

The NAICS codes identified in the RFP represent the dominant services for their respective Functional Category. Other services within the FC may fall under other NAICS but they are not dominant. A judgment on relevancy will not be provided until during proposal evaluations. The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the parameters of the RFP. Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

30 7 C.2.1 5

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 7 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Engineering Services. The Contractor shall provide services in the support of physical laws and principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems. The assignments undertaken may involve any of the following activities: provision of advice, preparation of feasibility studies, preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, inspection and evaluation of engineering projects and related services." Will the Government confirm that corporate experience and past performance for Government contracts which wholly fall within NAICS code 541330 "Engineering Services" may be considered to be "relevant" (from a relevancy, scope, complexity, size perspective) to FC1 depending on the specifics of that given corporate experience, and that submitting a 541330-related corporate experience would not be automatically considered to be irregular?

see previous answer

31 7 C.2.1 5

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 7 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Engineering Services. The Contractor shall provide services in the support of physical laws and principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems. The assignments undertaken may involve any of the following activities: provision of advice, preparation of feasibility studies, preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, inspection and evaluation of engineering projects and related services." Will the Government confirm the PACTS II FC1 tasks that fall within this subarea include tasks which would be execution of such engineering services activities falling in this subarea, and not only the "program management" and/or "administrative management/general management consulting" of those activities? (That is, please confirm that "doing" the work itself is also within scope of FC1, and not only the "managing", "administering", or "supervising" of such engineering services work.)

see previous answer

32 7 C.2.1 2 In the paragraph which leads with Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services, Is the offeror being asked to provide operating advice and assistance services in the form of consulting services?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

33 7 C.2.1 2 In the paragraph which leads with Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services, Is the offeror being asked to provide advice, assistance services in the form of full-up Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics services?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

34 7 C.2.1 2

In the paragraph which leads with Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services, the elements of services requested are very broad. In regards to the distribution network, should the offeror be prepared to provide operating advice and assistance for Sea, Air, Land, Rail operations in CONUS and OCONUS?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

35 7 C.2.1 3

In the paragraph which leads with Engineering Consulting Services in support of physical laws and principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems. Is the offeror being asked to provide engineering operations advice and assistance services in the form of consulting services?

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

36 7 C.2.1 3

In the paragraph which leads with Engineering Consulting Services in support of physical laws and principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems. Is the offeror being asked to provide advice, assistance services in the form of full-up Engineering Design, Development, Production Operation services with the utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems IAW all standards and ISO certification with the delivery of a finished end product? If this is the case, please provide 3 case scenarios to ensure the offeror understand the requirement?

Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

37 7 C.2.1 3

In the paragraph which leads with provision of advice, preparation of feasibility studies, preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, inspection and evaluation of engineering projects and related services. Is the offeror being asked to provide engineering, construction, project operations advice and assistance services in the form of consulting services?

This RFP does not cover FAR Part 36 construction or A-E services. Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

38 7 C.2.1 3

In the paragraph which leads with provision of advice, preparation of feasibility studies, preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, inspection and evaluation of engineering projects and related services. Is the offeror being asked to provide advice, assistance services in the form of full-up Project Engineering and Construction Operations services consisting of full, blown requirements definition, analysis, and validation; concept exploration, definition, and validation; to prototype design and development; to full-up project operations launch, maintenance, and disposal IAW all standards and ISO certification with the delivery of a finished end product? If this is the case, please provide 3 case scenarios to ensure the offeror understand the requirement?

The NAICS codes identified in the RFP represent the dominant services for their respective Functional Category. Other services within the FC may fall under other NAICS but they are not dominant. A judgment on relevancy will not be provided until during proposal evaluations. The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the parameters of the RFP.

39 7 C.2.1 1 Functional Category 1, Administrative and General Management Consulting Services, In order to provide the correct experience, please explain and provide examples of equity management.

Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

40 8 C.2.1 1

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 8 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide support services to DHS components and HQ offices on environmental, scientific and technical issues.

Construction services are not procured under PACTS II. The Contractor shall provide assistance in such areas as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials, identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous material), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. The Contractor shall provide expertise support in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Also, the Contractor shall provide sanitation or site remediation consulting services." Will the Government confirm that the general scope of NAICS code 541330 "Engineering Services" (which includes "Environmental Engineering Services"), falls within the scope of this subarea of FC1?

The NAICS codes identified in the RFP represent the dominant services for their respective Functional Category. Other services within the FC may fall under other NAICS but they are not dominant. A judgment on relevancy will not be provided until during proposal evaluations. The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the parameters of the RFP.

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

41 8 C.2.1 1

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 8 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide support services to DHS components and HQ offices on environmental, scientific and technical issues.

Construction services are not procured under PACTS II. The Contractor shall provide assistance in such areas as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials, identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous material), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. The Contractor shall provide expertise support in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Also, the Contractor shall provide sanitation or site remediation consulting services." Although the title of the subarea includes "Technical and Other Scientific Consulting" services, every element of the description that follows that are elements found entirely within NAICS codes 541620 "Environmental Consulting Services", 562910 "Remediation Services", and 541330 "Engineering Services" (which includes "Environmental Engineering Services"). Are there "technical and other scientific consulting services" that could be sought under FC1 which are not included in 541620, 562910, or 541330, and if so, can the Government give examples types of "technical and other scientific consulting" work within FC1 which do not fall within these three specific NAICS codes? (Offerors wish to construct the best teams---one would not bring an applied physics company onto a team if they would never be needed.)

see previous answer

42 8 C.2.1 1

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 8 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide support services to DHS components and HQ offices on environmental, scientific and technical issues.

Construction services are not procured under PACTS II. The Contractor shall provide assistance in such areas as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials, identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous material), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. The Contractor shall provide expertise support in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Also, the Contractor shall provide sanitation or site remediation consulting services." Will the Government confirm that corporate experience and past performance for Government contracts which fall within NAICS codes 541620 "Environmental Consulting Services", 562910 "Remediation Services", and 541330 "Engineering Services", may be considered to be "relevant" (from a relevancy, scope, complexity, size perspective) to FC1 depending on the specifics of that given corporate experience, and that submitting a 541620-related, 562910-related, or 541330 (specifically environmental engineering)-related corporate experience would not be automatically considered to be irregular/irrelevant?

A judgment on relevancy will not be provided until during proposal evaluations. The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

43 8 C.2.1 1

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 8 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide support services to DHS components and HQ offices on environmental, scientific and technical issues.

Construction services are not procured under PACTS II. The Contractor shall provide assistance in such areas as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials, identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous material), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. The Contractor shall provide expertise support in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Also, the Contractor shall provide sanitation or site remediation consulting services." Will the Government confirm the PACTS II FC1 tasks that fall within this subarea include tasks which would be execution of such environmental, technical, and other scientific consulting activities falling in this subarea, and not only the "program management" and/or "administrative management/general management consulting" of those activities?

(That is, please confirm that "doing" the work itself is also within scope of FC1, and not only the "managing", "administering", or "supervising" of such environmental, technical, and other scientific work.)

The Contractor shall furnish the full range of solutions and services necessary to meet the scope of the requirement of this contract and individual TOs issued under it. The Offeror shall describe its Experience and detail its specific experience conducting work of the same and/or similar nature to that described (for the applicable FC) in RFP Section C, Statement of Work.

44 8 of 120 C.2.1 Engineering Services

The Environment, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services paragraph states "Construction services are not procured under PACTS II." How does the Government distinguish between construction services and "provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase" as described in paragraph 3, Engineering Services?

Construction services are applicable to FAR PART 36 requirements and will not be procured under PACTS II. The requirement covers management and consultant type services. Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

45 8 C.2.1 4

Functional Category 1, Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services In order to provide the correct experience, please explain what control of contamination from pollutants, toxic substances and hazardous material? Will the Offeror be expecting the contractor to provide services to clean up these areas or provide only technical and legal advice?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

46 8 C.2.1 4 Will the offeror be expecting the contractor to provide services to clean up these areas or provide only technical and legal advice?

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

47 8 C.2.1 Last

There is scope for “Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services” under the description for "Technical Services". This description is very broad regarding "Environmental" services required under the SOW to include sanitation, air, water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Can the government specify what level of services will be required at the TO level, i.e. management, consulting, functional, etc.?

The scope of work on the PACTSII IDIQ level is intentionally broad in nature.

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level. Services not covered are those that would fall under FAR part 36.

48 8 C.2.1 1

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 8 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide support services to DHS components and HQ offices on environmental, scientific and technical issues.

Construction services are not procured under PACTS II. The Contractor shall provide assistance in such areas as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials, identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous material), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. The Contractor shall provide expertise support in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Also, the Contractor shall provide sanitation or site remediation consulting services." Will the Government confirm that the general scope of NAICS code 541620 "Environmental Consulting Services", falls within the scope of this subarea of

FC1?

The NAICS codes identified in the RFP represent the dominant services for their respective Functional Category. Other services within the FC may fall under other NAICS but they are not dominant. A judgment on relevancy will not be provided until during proposal evaluations. The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

49 8 C.2.1 1

Section C.1.2 (p. 6 of the RFP) states that the FC1 description is "Program Management and Technical Services" with a primary NAICS code of 541611, which is "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services". Section C.2.1 (p. 8 of the RFP) states that FC1 contains, "Environmental, Technical & Other Scientific Consulting Services. The Contractor shall also provide support services to DHS components and HQ offices on environmental, scientific and technical issues.

Construction services are not procured under PACTS II. The Contractor shall provide assistance in such areas as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials, identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous material), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. The Contractor shall provide expertise support in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, and environmental law. Also, the Contractor shall provide sanitation or site remediation consulting services." Will the Government confirm that the general scope of NAICS code 562910 "Remediation Services", falls within the scope of this subarea of FC1?

see previous answer

50 8 C.2.2 2.2.3

The RFP illustrates "Court Reporting and Stenotype Services" as one of the two main functional areas of FC2. How does DHS define the "address bar coding services, bar coding imprinting services, and mail presorting services" as functions of "Court Reporting and Stenotype Services"? Should these services be considered separately as "Other Business Services" as they relate to file and/or records management?

The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the parameters of the RFP. Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

51 8 of 120 C.2.2 Functional Category 2

Please confirm that the Stenotype Services requirement includes Machine Reporters (sometimes classified as Stenotype Reporters) , who utilize a machine shorthand on a stenotype machine to identify speakers, write down the words being spoken as well as punctuating the transcript as they go, and have graduated from a recognized court reporting school.

The Offeror must use its business judgment on determining the information to provide based on the parameters of the RFP.

52 8 C.2.2 3 What types of court reporting and transcription services are being required under this solicitation? Are these services depositions, hearings, grievances or courtroom reporting, et cetera?

Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

53 8 C.2.2 3 There was no breakout of court reporting or transcription services in the pricing spreadsheet. How does the government want the pricing for these services to be submitted?

Please utilize the Government Labor Categories for mapping your Contractor Labor Category.

54 8 C.2.2 2.2

In Section C.2.2, Functional Category 2 of the solicitation, the government requires Court Reporting and Stenotype Services. The below functional areas are standard industry practices regarding pricing for the required services. Would the government consider including these functional support areas as part of the price submission or will these functional categories be billed as an ODC via individual task order?

Standard court reporting charges:

• Transcript per page rate

• Expedited Transcript per page rate (assumes a one-day response)

• Court Reporter Appearance Fees

• Rough ASCii page rate

• Videography hourly rates

• Videoconferencing hourly rates

• Exhibit scanning and copying page rates

• Real-time reporting page rate

• Non-Appearance fees

• Affidavit of non-appearance fees

• Deposition Cancellation fees

• Deposition CD—includes e-transcript, PDF, scanned exhibits and video

These specific requirements/functional areas will be identified and defined at the individual TO level. If determined at the TO level, these functional areas could be billed as ODCs.

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

55 8 of 120 C.2.2 C.2.2

Per Section C.2.2 it states “Court Reporting and Stenotype Services. The Contractor shall also provide verbatim reporting and stenotype recording of live legal proceedings, and transcribe subsequent recorded materials and any other business support services, for example address bar coding services, bar code imprinting services, and mail presorting services.” Can the Government confirm that this requirement is for Stenotype reporters: Also known as machine reporters, who utilize a machine shorthand on a stenotype machine to identify speakers, write down the words being spoken as well as punctuating the transcript as they go, and have graduated from a recognized court reporting school (typically 4 years) and can pass the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), and/or the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) writing speed tests of up to 225 words a minute on their machine? Reason for this question above, is that there are additional types of reporters that are called court reporters but cannot provide verbatim and stenotype reporting, such as:

- Direct record/electronic recording – people come in and record the proceedings and give it to someone else to type up, typically outsourced to a country such as India. There is no licensing or schooling required for these types of reporters.

- Masked reporters: Also known as voice reporters. Many do have some training; some have two years.

There are schools for it. Most in the DC area do not have any school training, but have just been trained by one of the reporting firms. So they may have two weeks to a month of training. What they do is put a recording “mask” over their face and repeat everything that is said, including identification of the speaker. Oftentimes they are putting in punctuation, too. Most times masked reporters are responsible for producing the final transcript, but not always.

Masked reporters and direct recorders have to type their transcript from scratch from a recording.

Machine/ Stenotype reporters have already created a rough transcript, throughout the day, so they only have to go back and edit the transcript and then proofread the transcript. Stenotype reporters are also necessary for daily copy (next business day or same day) if required.

The scope of work on the PACTSII IDIQ level is intentionally broad in nature.

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

56 8 of 120 C.2.2 C.2.2

Per Section C.2.2 it states “Court Reporting and Stenotype Services. The Contractor shall also provide verbatim reporting and stenotype recording of live legal proceedings, and transcribe subsequent recorded materials and any other business support services, for example address bar coding services, bar code imprinting services, and mail presorting services.” Can the Government provide clarification as to the type of court reporting services that may be required by the various DHS organizations? Does the Government expect that a Court Reporting Task Order would be for a staff of full time (FTE) court reporter(s) working daily (1920 hours) such as at a federal courthouse, or more of an on-call, as-needed service, such as supporting the various Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) offices within DHS? Based on our experience, most Government Court Reporting requirements fall in the on-call category, which only require a court reporter during the actual recording of testimony or proceeding, and are paid per page vice on an hourly rate. This is due to the time it takes to not only provide verbatim reporting and stenotype recording, but the time to create the final transcripts/documents from the machine shorthand, rough ASCII, from the stenotype machine.

Definitive/specific requirements within the scope of PACTS II will be identified and defined at the TO level.

57 8 C.2.2 C.2.2 Since court reporting and steno-type services are new requirements for PACTS, are there other DHS contracts currently requiring these services? If so, please provide contract information.

There are other DHS contracts with scope for these services. This is publicly available information at http://www.usaspending.gov.

58 15 C.2.2 4 Private Mail Center support was referenced in the Sources Sought Notification, but it is not present in the PWS. Does this remain a potential requirement, and if so, would the Government consider adding Private Mail Centers to the FC2 requirement ?

The Government's requirement is as stated in the RFP.

PACTS II

RFP HSHQDC-14-R-00009

Amendment 000004 Vendor Question/Comment Form

59 8 of 120 C.2.2 Functional Category 2

Per Section C.2.2 it states “Court Reporting and Stenotype Services. The Contractor shall also provide verbatim reporting and stenotype recording of live legal proceedings, and transcribe subsequent recorded materials and any other business support services, for example address bar coding services, bar code imprinting services, and mail presorting services.” Can the Government confirm that this requirement is for Stenotype reporters: Also known as machine reporters, who utilize a machine shorthand on a stenotype machine to identify speakers, write down the words being spoken as well as punctuating the transcript as they go, and have graduated from a recognized court reporting school (typically 4 years) and can pass the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), and/or the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) writing speed tests of up to 225 words a minute on their machine?

The Government's requirement is as stated in the RFP. Specific requirements will be identified and defined at the TO level.

60 8 of 120 C.2.2 Functional Category 2

Reason for this question above, is that there are additional types of reporters that are called court reporters but cannot provide verbatim and stenotype reporting, such as:

Direct record/electronic recording – people come in and record the proceedings and give it to someone else to type up, typically outsourced to a country such as India. They are No licensing, no schooling at all required for these types of reporters.

Masked reporters: Also known as voice reporters.