QTA0016GBA0002_-_Questions_ _Responses__1.pdf

ALLIANT 2 SMALL BUSINESS GWAC

Questions & Responses

Release #1

Thank you for your interest in Alliant 2 Small Business.

In addressing questions it is the Government’s position that if the solicitation’s position is selfevident, the response to a question may simply be that the solicitation already addresses the matter in the manner the Government intended for it to be addressed, or

“The solicitation is clear”.

While the Government may include one or more specific solicitation passages in a response to a question, interested parties are reminded that section L.3 of the solicitation states, “Offerors are instructed to read the entire solicitation document, including all attachments in Section J, prior to submitting questions and/or preparing an offer. Omission of any information from the proposal submission requirements may result in rejection of the offer.”

Questions were not extensively edited for grammar, punctuation or spelling. Not every question is shown. Only those questions, or portions of questions, that were deemed frequently asked and/or those that were deemed to benefit the procurement process are shown.

Questions and responses are organized into topic areas shown below. Interested parties stand to benefit from reviewing all statements, questions, and responses.

General

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Volume 5

Volume 6

Volume 7

Post Award

Additional Question and Response Documents will be posted to FBO as appropriate. It is the responsibility of the offerors to periodically check the solicitation on FBO for more information.

As a reminder, Offerors shall address all questions via e-mail to the Alliant 2 Small

Business GWAC PCO at A2SB@gsa.gov. All questions must be submitted in the format identified in L.3.5 of the solicitation.

General

General

Q&R # Question Response

1.1 Does the small business have to have a

GSA Schedule to respond to this RFP?

No. The solicitation is simply a total small business set-aside

1.2 Can Prime Offerors and members of Joint

Ventures also be subcontractors on other A2SB proposals (Prime/Subcontractor

CTA)?

Yes. There are no restrictions concerning this.

1.3 With respect to teaming, can a prime offerer

also submit relevent experience projects as a subcontractor to another prime?

Yes. There are no restrictions concerning this.

1.4 Are Contractors required to complete and

return Attachment J-1 "DoD Required Provisions and Clauses" as part of their GWAC proposal submission, or rather is this attachment to be completed at the Task Order solicitation level, as applicable?

No

1.5 Is there a minimum point total that offerers

must achieve? If not, can the government establish one to allow small businesses to avoid large administrative costs?

No, there is no minimum point total and the government does not intend to establish one.

1.6 Will digital signatures (including CAC

Authenticated Electronic Signature) by Contracting Officers or CORs be accepted?

Yes

1.7 Will the government allow Offerors to

include a cover sheet/title page? Should it be included as a separate file or placed before the Table of Contents and included with that file?

The Offeror may provide information and a layout within the prescribed files shown on the Proposal Format table that will aid the Government evaluator to perform adequate Offeror determination. Cover sheets (title pages and/or table of contents) will not count toward total page numbers if used.

1.8 Not all Offerors will need to submit every

document defined in this table. How should Offerors indicate that a document has been omitted? Should we still create a file for that document but state within the file that it is not required for our submission?

No submission of a document is needed when a given element does not apply to the Offeror. An Offeror’s completed J.P-1 Document Verification and Self Scoring Worksheet will demonstrate that a given element does not apply to an Offeror’s proposal.

1.9 Does GSA have font sizing requirements to

assure readability? If necessary, may an Offeror modify headers and footers to assure readability?

A 10-point font and larger is acceptable for readability.

Volume 1

Volume 1

Q&R # Question Response

1.10 In a Prime/Sub CTA do the subcontractors

have to be a small business?

Yes. L.5.1.5.2 is clear on this matter.

1.11 Are proposed subcontractors required to be

"exclusive" to a single Prime Offeror or can the same subcontractor be presented in multiple Prime Proposals?

On Prime/Sub CTAs Subcontractors are not restricted to one team.

1.12 Will digital signatures (including CAC

Authenticated Electronic Signature) by Contracting Officers or CORs be accepted?

Yes

1.13 L.5 states that all experience and past

performance submitted must have been performed as a Prime Contractor. Does this mean that our proposed subcontractors' relevant experience will not be evaluated?

Can the past performance of our proposed subcontractors' be used to help us meet the relevant experience requirements indicated in the self-scoring evaluation sheet?

L.5 is clear that all relevant experience and past performance has to have been performed as a Prime Contractor. L.5.1.5.1 and L.5.1.5.2 is clear that members of a JV and subcontractors on a Prime/Sub CTA may use their relevant experience to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. However, as stated in L.5, that work had to be performed as the prime contractor.

1.14 Is it possible that an Offeror can have a

large business as its CTA ?

No

1.15 If subcontractors are proposed, are the

subcontractors referenced relevant experience projects, required to be in the role of a Prime contractor?

Yes

Volume 2

Volume 2

Q&R # Question Response

1.16 In the situation where the Contracting

Officer is unavailable to sign or be notified of J.P-2 or J.P-3 to verify PSC and LET and Project Descriptions, will the signature of the COR, COTR, or Program Manager be accepted by the Government?

L.5.2.2.1.1 and L.5.2.3.1.1 are clear concerning this issue. Signature of the COR is acceptable under certain conditions identified in the solicitation.

1.17 Will the government change the Relevant

Experience Projects to allow for work performed as a subcontractor?

No. All relevant experience projects cited must have been performed as a prime contractor.

This includes members of a JV and subcontractors in a Prime/Sub CTA.

1.18 Can task orders issued against a single

award IDIQ that list D399 on each be used?

Reference section L.5.2.2(3) which states that no PSC citation may be claimed more than once.

L.5.2.1 is clear concerning task orders against a single award IDIQ. L.5.2.2 is clear concerning citing a PSC other than the PSC in FPDS.

1.19 Do we need to provide project experience

for every PSC Group?

No. L.5.2.2 is clear that the offeror may submit up to the maximum of 7.

1.20 If FPDS shows the contract/task order as a

firm fixed price but the requirement included cost reimbursement elements (hybrid) that are verified by the SOW will credit be given.

No. L.5.2.2.4 is clear that FPDS is the only verification method. Cost reimbursement has to be the primary contract type.

1.21 Should PSC code of an award in FPDS

match exactly to the PSC Group? For instance, if an award is D302(SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT), but the project did include PSC code D322 (Internet) - can we list it under Group 2, with proper justification?

Yes. L.5.2.2 is clear on this matter.

1.22 In the event that an FPDS report is not

available, how can the contractor claim experience with multiple funding agencies?

L.5.2.2.3 is clear that FPDS is the only verification method.

1.23 The instructions say that if a PSC Group

project was performed for "an extended period of time" in a foreign location, additional credit will be added. Please define how much time must be spent to qualify for an "extended" period of time.

L.5.2.2.6 is clear that simple travel/TDY is not acceptable. Offerors should use their reasonable discretion in determining work was performed in a foreign location.

1.24 In order to receive points for a Relevant

Experience project, what verification documentation is required for a commercial project?

L.5.2.2.1 and L.5.2.3.1 are clear on this matter.

1.25 Would the Government please clarify for

ongoing projects if the Total Period of Performance end date noted on Section J.P-2 and J.P-3 should be the final expected end date, including all potential option periods, or if the Offeror should instead note the performance period for ongoing work as the original start date to "Present"?

For on-going work the correct response is Present. L.5.2.2 and L.5.2.3 states all relevant experience must have at least one year performance unless one on the three exceptions apply.

1.26 Please confirm that projects referenced

under L.5.2.2 PSC Group Relevant Experience, can also be referenced under section L.5.2.3 Leading Edge Technology Relevant Experience.

L.5.2.3 is clear on this matter.

1.27 Is GSA/FAS IT 70 considered an

acceptable "Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (MA/IDIQ) contract" for the purposes of additional scoring under L.5.2.2.5?

No. L.5.2.2.5 is clear that only a task order award resulting from a fair opportunity to be considered in accordance with FAR 16.505 is acceptable.

1.28 Does a subcontract to a commercial entity

(prime contractor) that is working on a federal government contract count as commercial work?

This would not be considered a prime contract.

It is work as a subcontractor and therefore would not count.

1.29 If we are performing support for a

commercial organization in a Leading Edge Technology area and the project is over the limiting value of $150,000.00, can we reference that experience as Leading Edge Technology experience and have a corporate official from the commercial organization sign off on the Relevant Experience LET Project Template?

1.30 Would the Government permit Orders

awarded under a Multiple Award BPA count towards the scoring of section L.5.2.2.5?

No. L.5.2.2.5 is clear on this matter. The order must have been a task order that provided for fair opportunity in accordance with FAR 16.505.

1.31 Please confirm that offerors can submit

Performance Work Statements (PWS) instead of a Statement of Work (SOW) where the contract only provides a PWS and not an SOW.

A PWS is acceptable in lieu of a SOW.

1.32 The PSC Code Table on Page 125 of the

Solicitation provides a one line heading for the Codes in Groups I, II and III. Will the Government provide description information for each PSC code to ensure the correct code is utilized?

As stated in L.5.2.2.7 definitions and further information on PSC Codes can be found in the “Federal Procurement Data System Product and Service Codes Manual” at this website:

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=node/3637

1.33 Please address acceptable CO and COR

verification in the event the CO and the COR are no longer available. For example, if CO (or COR) has retired and unavailable, would GSA accept the signature from someone else in the same contracting office?

Yes, If that contracting/acqusition office has cognizance over the task order or contract.

1.34 Can the Government please clarify whether

the Section J.P-2 Relevant Experience Project Template still needs to be signed by a Contracting Officer if the Offeror believes the information in the FPDS-NG reports is accurate?

L.5.2.2.1.1(1) is clear that if all elements are verified by FPDS-NG a signature is not required.

1.35 Item 2 states, "No project may be used

more than once." Does this mean a project can only be used once in a single group (1, 2, or 3) or can the project be used in additional groups (1, 2, and 3)?

L.5.2.2 is clear on this matter. A PSC project may be used no more than once across all three Groups. Said another way, if a PSC project is used in Group 1 it cannot be used again in Group 2 or Group 3.

1.36 Can Offerors include projects in Group II

under PSC codes R407, R409, R414 and R421? Also, will GSA please modify the RFP to include a brief statement indicating that if any of the PSC Group projects were assigned the predecessor codes of PSC codes such as R410 and R425, that those predecessor codes are also acceptable?

Any legacy PSC codes which have ended and have been officially merged into current PSC codes may be submitted and will be credited under the current PSC code. Examples from the 2011 merger of codes include the following:

PSC codes R407 and R409 were merged into R410, and R414 and R421 were merged into R425.

Volume 3

Volume 3

Q&R # Question Response

1.37 Will the J.P-5 signed by the Warranted

Contracting Officer or Corporate Officer be acceptable by the Government in lieu of an interim CPAR for ongoing projects that have currently being performed and less than one year into its period of performance for PSC Group Relevant Experience?

No. L.5.2.2 is clear that the period of performance must be one year or greater unless one of the three exceptions are met.

1.38 If the Government PP raters do not want to

share the rating with the offeror, can the Government PP rater submit the J.P-5 form directly to the GSA A2SB Contracting Officer via e-mail?

L.4 is clear on this matter. All documents must be included in the Offeror’s proposal.

1.39 The instruction states that “The Past

Performance Rating Form must be completed and signed by a Warranted Contracting Officer with cognizance over the submitted project.” Would GSA accept the COR’s signature, as long as proof that the COR had delegation authority by the CO is also provided?

No. L.5.3.2 is clear that when PPIRS is not available the Past Performance Template must be signed by a warranted Contracting Officer.

Volume 4

Volume 4

Q&R # Question Response

1.40 Can a company claim credit for

certifications/credentials, e.g., CMMI, Facility Clearance, etc., if they are currently in process and expect to have them soon?

No. The certification/credentials must exist at the time of proposal submission.

1.41 Concerning systems, certifications and

clearances can the credential be held by a subcontractor in a Prime/Sub CTA, or must the clearance by held by the Prime Contractor?

No. L.5.1.5.2 is clear on this matter.

1.42 Will GSA sponsor facility clearance

reviews/audits?

No. L.5.4.10 is clear on this matter

1.43 Will a completed SF1408 completed by a

licensed, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) acceptable verification for claiming points associated with audited/adequate cost accounting system?

No. L.5.4.1 is clear on this matter.

1.44 Does the Offeror have to have an approved

DCAA/DCMA Audited Accounting System to submit a proposal response for the Alliant 2 Small Business GWAC Master Award?

No. It is simply a scoring element.

1.45 Can the determination of accounting system

adequacy be determined by a third-party Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm.

No

Volume 5

Volume 5

Q&R # Question Response

1.46 Is an offeror proposing as a Prime (no

subcontractors) considered "an individual company" business arrangement and therefore eligible to receive the 7500 points for Volume 5

Yes. L.5.5.1 is clear on this issue.

1.47 Section L states that a business

arrangement is defined as 1) an individual company, 2) a joint venture, or 3) a prime with 1st tier subcontractors. Would the Government also add "partnerships" along with joint ventures to conform to the CTA definition on page 114 in L.5.1.5?

Yes. Partnerships are considered a business arrangement per L.5.1.5.1

1.48 Will the government consider a business

arrangement entered into after the solicitation release date (6/24/2016) acceptable verification of a previous business arrangement with a first tier subcontractor?

No. See Amendment 2 Section L.5.5.1

1.49 Is the requirement for "previously performed

in the same business arrangement as proposed" mean that the Prime offeror had to be the Prime contract holder in the previous relationship? Or does an offeror need to only show that there was a contractual relationship between the offeror and the subcontractor (either party could be prime or sub in previous relationship)?

L.5.5.1 is clear on this matter. The offering Prime Contractor must be the prime contractor in the contractual relationship between the offeror and the subcontractor.

1.50 Is Volume 5 asking for the same JV

agreement requested in Volume 1?

Yes. L.4 is clear on this matter.

1.51 Please confirm if an Offeror is an

established business entity, that no files need to be submitted to receive the points for Volume 5.

If the Offeror is an established business entity and is not a newly formed JV/CTA or Prime/Sub CTA, no file is needed for Volume 5 to receive the points

1.52 For a prime contractor showing an existing

working relationship with a proposed first-tier subcontractor does the proof have to be a project (subcontract) related to any of the PSCs listed in the table in RFP section L.5.2.2.7 or any of the LETs in RFP section L.5.2.3.3?

No. The "previously performed" requirements of L.5.5.1 are not tied to PSC or LET relevant experience projects.

1.53 If an offeror is proposing with multiple

subcontractors, does the offeror have to show proof of the team previously working together on a single contract, or can the offeror show separate working relationships with each subcontractor?

L.5.5.1 is clear on this matter. The subcontractor must have previously performed with the Offeror as a subcontractor individually, not as the entire team.

1.54 Please confirm this offeror's understanding

that an offferor's proposal may submit relevant experience projects and past peformance examples without a pre-existing relationship provided all of the steps in L.5.1.5.2 are addressed. Further confirm this offeror's understanding that it is only when a pre-existing relationship exists for a CTA and all of the required information requested in section L.5.5 is provided, does the offeror qualify for an additional 7500 points.

You are correct on both points. An offeror may propose as a CTA (JV, Partnership, Prime/Subcontractor) with no pre-existing relationship. However, they would not meet the conditions of L.5.5.1 to receive the additional points.

Volume 6

Volume 6

Q&R # Question Response

1.55 Is Federal Supply Schedule pricing to be

used as a ceiling for A2SB?

L.5.6.2 is clear concerning pricing for A2SB

1.56 Do we need to provide all the labor

positions listed in the price sheet?

Q&R # Question Response

1.57 Will the government allow subcontractors to

submit their completed Form 527 as a separate DVD? Can th DVD be paswword protected? Should the subcontractor submit their DVD directly to the Government?

L.4 is clear on this matter. Yes, the Government will accept password-protected documents as long as access instructions/passwords are provided within the proposal. The Offeror bears the risk that password-protected documents will not be accepted if the Government is unable to access the information contained therein.

Offerors are therefore cautioned to thoroughly test any password-protected documents for accessibility. All proposal documents shall be within the Offeror’s proposal.

1.58 Can subcontractor 527's be submitted

separately in sealed package

Yes, as long as the sealed package is contained in the Offeror’s proposal.

1.59 Items listed on GSA Form 527 are consider

proprietary information to companies. If the offeror is proposing as a subcontractor, can the subcontractor submit GSA Form 527 directly to the government?

No

Post Award

Q&R # Question Response

1.60 If a contractor re-represents as other than

small at the end of the base period, will they be vertically on-ramped to the unrestricted Alliant GWAC?

No. The contracts are two separate and distinct contracts.

1.61 Are Offerors limited to the subcontractors on

a Prime/Subcontractor CTA on future task orders.

No. The Prime/Subcontractor team is for evaluation purposes only. The Prime contractor is free to subcontract with whomever after award.