R17PS00246_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

General Questions:

Question Answers

1 Will you please consider eliminating the subcontracting past performance requirement of subcontracting to SD, WOSB, SDVOSB and Hubzone?

Subcontracting requirements are required.

2 Is it the governments intent to require small businesses to demonstrate prime past performance utilizing SD, WOSB, SDVOSB and Hubzone? No.

3 If a small business does not meet this past performance requirement, are they precluded from bidding? No.

4 Historically what has been the LOE for this requirement?

Please refer to FBO.gov. It states this requirement is for a new IDIQ. Therefore there is no historical data to provide.

5 Which contractor(s) previously performed this work?

Please refer to FBO.gov. It states this requirement is for a new IDIQ. Therefore there is no incumbent.

6 How many key personnel are required?

The contractor is responsible for providing a proposal for the level of effort.

7 How many small business awards do you plan to make? There is no specific set-aside for small business awards.

8 What is the ceiling value?

Please see MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM

CONTRACT AMOUNTS INDEFINITE

QUANTITY. Of the terms and conditions.

9 How many FTEs do you anticipate will be needed to complete this work?

The contractor is responsible for providing a proposal for the level of effort.

10 Historically, how many FTEs have performed this work?

Please refer to FBO.gov. It states this requirement is for a new IDIQ. Therefore there is no historical data to provide.

11 When are responses due? The post says 1/18/17 but I see the solicitation was just posted on 11/2/17. Please refer to SF 1449 Box 8

12 Is this post a solicitation or a sources sought notice? It appears to be sources sought, but I see the solicitation docs were posted on 11/2. This is a solicitation.

13 Will the government provide the level of effort anticipated for the Task Orders (TOs) – (How many FTE’s or hours historically)?

Please refer to FBO.gov. It states this requirement is for a new IDIQ. The contractor is responsible for providing a proposal for the level of effort.

14 What are the page limitations for the TO technical volumes? 25 pages

15 Is the Key Personnel page limit of 5 pages per individual or total for all personnel?

Please refer to the instruction, conditions and notices to offerors Attachment B or Attachment C.

Paragraph 3(a)(iii) states to limit Key personnel experience to 5 pages each.

16 Will the contractor employees be working in government spaces and if so will desks, phones, computers, etc. be provided?

Yes, GFE will be provided if listed in the task order.

17 Are the subcontracting plans for individual TOs or the entire IDIQ over the life of the contract? The subcontracting plan is for the IDIQ.

18 Is there an estimated funding amount for the entire IDIQ by Fiscal Year and for each topic area? There is no estimated funding amounts.

19 How much time is allowed for replacement of contractor staff? 45 days

20 What travel is estimated for each task order? If travel is required it will be listed in the task order.

The SF1449 states that the procurement is unrestricted, but on page 8, in the terms and conditions, it states: “[X] (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).” Is this an unrestricted or a total small business set aside?

This is unrestricted. Changes to the SF 1449 have been made.

22 Are we required to include resumes for personnel to be assigned to task orders 1 and 2 at time of proposal submission?

Please refer to the instruction, conditions and notices to offerors Attachment B or Attachment C.

Paragraph 3(a)(iii) states to limit Key personnel experience to 5 pages each.

23 What is the clearance requirement for proposed staff? Parts of the solicitation make reference to a Public Trust and Secret clearance in different areas.

All positions will be designated as at least a Moderate Risk Public Trust. Only in rare conditions will an actual clearance be required.

Are key Personnel or Staffing a separate volume (e.g., Staffing Plan)? Also, does the government require resume (primary and alternative) for all personnel or just those designated as Key?

All personnel are considered "key personnel". Please refer to page 25 of 48 in the SF 1449.

25 Can the government provide guidance on which personnel are considered Key (e.g., PM, ISSO SME and FISMA SME)?

All personnel are considered "key personnel".

26 Does the government require a flash drive for each volume (8 total drives) or 1 drive that holds all 8 volumes?

There should be (1) One drive containing all Sections.

Regarding Subcontracting Plan as a Small Business, If a company has only been a subcontractor to this point and has yet to subcontract, but is proposing to subcontract for this task how will the company’s subcontracting plan be evaluated?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

The Volume instructions for Volume II – Technical Proposal makes reference to additional instructions found in provision 1452.215-82. The only reference to the Technical Approach in the instructions is the Management Plan. Is Volume II basically the Management Plan?

1452.215-82 has been removed.

29 Please confirm that Volume I does not have page limitations. This is correct. This section is limited to Reps and Certs.

30 Please confirm that Volume II – Technical Proposal is only addressing the IDIQ contract requirements.

That is correct. Section II refers to the

IDIQ.

31 How many unrestricted and small-business set-aside IDIQ contracts does the Government plan to award?

This is at the discretion of the government.

The term “technical proposal” is referenced in Addendum 52.212-1 (2), however, three of the proposal volumes required for submission use this term in their titles. Please provide clarification regarding the specific Proposal Volume to which this RFP requirement applies.

Section II refers to the IDIQ. Section III Refers to task order I and Section IV refers to task order 2. Please refer to page 25 or 48 of the SF 1449.

Each of the “Hard Copies Required” fields in the table within WBR 1452.215-81 (b) specify “1 Original + X copies,” where “X” indicates the number of copies required, depending on the specific volume. This differs from Addendum 52.212-1 (2) (5), which designates that all five of the hard copy submissions are “Originals.” Please provide clarification regarding the markings offerors should use when preparing the proposal covers.

Please see changes made to Addendum 52.212-1 (2)(5) stating 1 Original and 4 copies.

Since three PWS documents were included with the RFP, request that the Government provided clarification regarding the PWS that the offeror should use when preparing the Technical Approach.

The offeror shall provide a technical approach for the IDIQ and also any task order in which they are proposing on.

35 Is the selection of award based on IDIQ pricing or the discounted Task Order pricing? All information provided will be evaluated.

The Subcontracting Plan direct meeting or exceeding the following goals: SB 44.50%, SD 5%, WOSB 5%, SDVOSB 3%, HUBZone 3%. Please confirm the smaller percentages are subsets of the overall SB goal of 44.50%

Yes.

Is there a requirement for personnel to hold or possess the ability to obtain a Secret clearance based on a successfully adjudicated a National Agency Check with written Inquiries (NACI) and/or National Agency Check with written Inquiries and Credit

(NACIC)?

Please see question #23.

38 Please confirm that there are no restrictions to font type and size for tables, drawings, charts, and header and footer text in the volumes.

All submissions must in Arial, Calibri, or Times new Roman Font 11 or larger.

39 Please confirm that there are no page limitations for the individual proposal volumes. Please see Attachment B and/or Attachment C for page limitations.

The table in section (b) immediately following the reference statement lists ten (10) required volumes. Please confirm which volumes listed in the table are required as part of the proposal submission.

Section I, II, VII, VIII OR IX, and X are required. Sections III, IV, V, and VI are required if offeror is proposing services for those task orders.

41 Please confirm that only volume II is required to utilize the format described in 2 (1)-(6).

Page 28 of 48 of the SF 1449 Factor 1 Technical refers to the IDIQ. Each task order identifies the format to use for that specific task order.

How does the Government intend to score a small business, or former small business, whose previous Government prime contracts did not require the submission of, or reporting against, a subcontracting Plan?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

43 Is it possible to do a site walk of the Denver location? A site walk is not necessary.

44 Is there a requirement to bid on every TO? No. Only the task order(s) in which you would like to be considered for award.

45 Please provide correct applicable "Reclamation and DOI security standards"

a. DOI security control standards mimic the NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 security controls

b. Reclamation security control standards are in alignment the above with some additional guidance and procedural information.

Based upon the answers to these questions, we will likely require additional time to develop our strategy and proposal. Will the government provide an extension past the holidays in order to respond appropriately?

No.

47 Will the Government allow for another round of questions after the initial set of answers are published? No.

48 What is the anticipated date of award for the IDIQ? Please refer to the period of performance box 20 of the SF 1449.

49 What is the anticipated date of award for the FISMA Services Task Order? Please refer to the period of performance box 20 of the SF 1449.

50 What is the anticipated date of award for the ISSO Services Task Order? Please refer to the period of performance box 20 of the SF 1449.

Section #20 of the SF1449 identifies the period of performance as 04/01/2018 – 03/31/2023. Page 2 identifies the period of performance as 10/01/2017 to 09/30/2022.

What is the period of performance?

04/01/2018 through 03/31/2023.

Far Clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JAN 2017) is selected as being incorporated in this contract by reference. This clause does not apply to small business concerns as stated in the FAR. Request the Government confirm that a small business plan is not required if the offeror is a small business.

Attachment H is required. Please refer to

WBR 1452.215-81 GENERAL PROPOSAL

INSTRUCTIONS BUREAU OF

RECLAMATION (JAN 1998)

53 Request the Government confirm the applicability of the Service Contract Act will be identified at the task order level.

This requirement is considered professional services.

54 Are Offerors required to have a facility clearance? If yes, what level of facility clearance is required?

It is unclear what is meant by “facility clearance.” Background investigation level information was provided in question #23.

55 If a facility clearance is required will a DD254 be issued at the IDIQ level and/or at the task order level? See question #54.

The solicitation states, “The proposal shall consist of eight (8) physically separated volumes, individually entitled as stated below.” The table identifies ten (10) volumes.

Request the Government clarify the number of volumes required to be submitted with each offer.

Contractors need only submit the applicable Section Viii or Section IX and Section X will be sent directly from reviewer.

The solicitation states in the table provided “Electronic Copy Required (1 Flash Drive for all Volumes)”. Request the Government confirm that all Volumes, including price information, is to be submitted on the same Flash Drive.

Yes. All information.

58 Will the Government allow for contractors to telework or perform work remotely? Please refer to Attachment B or Attachment C for location requirements.

The Government indicates '(Not to exceed 25 pages)' for the Technical section. Does this only include Volume II? Or is this a combination of several Volumes? Can the Government please clarify?

This is for Section II.

60 Does the Government require representative samples of resumes for each of the SME's listed in section 4.1.2? No.

Does offeror currently have to possess a facility clearance to bid on Task Orders that require personnel secret clearance? And will the Government assist in processing an interim facility clearance upon successful award of a Task Order?

See question #54.

Would the Government confirm that only the attachments D, E and F are to be used for the pricing volumes, and that no word document narrative is expected? Text reference:

Page #30

Factor 4: Price refers to attachments D, E and F. However offerors must submit labor category descriptions from Attachment D in their technical proposal.

63 Is it the Government’s intention that all task orders issued under the IDIQ will be firm-fixed price? If not, what other contract types of task orders might be awarded? Firm fixed price or Labor hour.

64 If a small business plans to perform all the work itself, does it need to provide a subcontracting plan?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

If a small business intends to subcontract some portion of the work in the future, but not on the immediate task orders (TO) in the RFP, does it need to provide a subcontracting plan at proposal submission or can one be provided with a TO proposal whenever subcontracting is anticipated?

A subcontracting plan is applicable to the IDIQ not just the task orders.

Do any of the scenarios below have either a competitive advantage or disadvantage versus the others? a. A small business with other socio-economic statuses that proposes to do all the work itself b. A small business with no other socio-economic statuses that proposes to do all the work itself c. A small business that proposes to subcontract per the goals stated in the RFP d. A large business that proposes to subcontract to the goals stated in the RFP

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

Since the FAR does not require small businesses to have subcontracting plans, will the Liquidated Damages clause apply to a small business’s subcontracting plan under this

IDIQ?

FAR 52.219-16 Is applicable to those who submit small business subcontracting plans.

68 What does the Government consider a “firm commitment”, how does it anticipate this will be demonstrated, and in which volume would it appear? (subcontracting)

An offeror can show a firm commitment by any form of documentation.

a.Which volumes will contain information relative to Factor 3: Subcontracting?

b.Is there a page limit for information provided for Factor 3?

c.Outside of the Subcontracting Plan, what else does the Government expect to see relative to Factor 3?

d.Are we to demonstrate our past performance utilizing other small businesses? If so, via what format, and in which volume?

a. Section VIII or IX.

b. Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors Factor 3.

c. Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

d. Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors Factor 2.

There is not consistent use of the terms VOSB and SDVOSB. For instance, under the “Exceptional” rating criteria, SDVOSB is not mentioned, and under the goals, VOSB is not listed. Please clarify the Government’s expectations.

This has been corrected to read SDVOSB.

VOSB is a VA term.

71 What does BOR estimate as the approximate number of task orders issued annually under the IDIQ? This is unknown.

72 Can the Government describe the level of the maturity of the security program under this contract?

The Risk Management Services Group has been in place for several years and systems have been through several iterations of NIST SP 800-53.

73 Can the Government provide a description of the operating systems utilized in the overall environment (e.g. Windows, Linux/Unix/ RHEL, etc.)

A variety of well-known and standardized operating systems are in use across the environment to include Windows and Linux.

Can the Government confirm that all tables of content, enclosures, and addition requests are not included in page count for Technical Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV are 25 pages each covering only technical response?

None of these will count towards the pages count limits.

This section indicates that Volume V through Volume X must be emailed to the CO email address.

Can the Government change the request to include Volume I through Volume X to be emailed to the CO instead of mailing the Hard copy requirement, or at least extend the due date for submittal?

Alternatively, could the government accept the Time stamp for the due date or earlier on envelop delivered containing all hard copies and flash drive for electronic copies?

Please see changes made to the terms and conditions. The submission date is extended.

The Mailing address in this section stated as :

Denver Federal Center United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation- Christina Mohamed 6th and Kipling Bldg 56, Rm 1040 Denver, CO 80225-0007 The Mailing Address for CO on FBO indicates the Same address but mentions a different Building. Can the Government Confirms that the address above is the right address to ship all proposal documents and volumes?

Please use the address in the solicitation.

77 Can the Government provide a list of the tools currently used for vulnerability scans for the 30 systems mentioned in the RFP?

A variety of well-known and standard vulnerability scanning tools are utilized across the environment.

78 Can the Government provide a list of risk issues they are currently facing though out the program?

Risk issues are considered sensitive information and will not be provided.

79 Can the Government clarify which individuals are considered Key Personnel and the minimum requirements for the Key Personnel?

All personnel are considered key personnel.

80 How Many Task Orders are expected to be released under this RMS IDIQ annually? This is unknown.

81 Does the govt expect multiple awards or just one award to one prime contractor team Please refer to page 27 of the terms and conditions Addendum 52.212-1 paragraph 1.

82 How many Past Performance examples are required from the Prime? How many from each sub-contractor will be allowed

Three (3) Past performance examples for the IDIQ are required from the prime.

Past performance examples under the task order level are based on who is providing the services to the government. Three (3) past performance examples are required for each task order. It is the discretion of the contractor as to if they are from the primes or the sub-contractor.

This acquisition is requiring a subcontracting plan from all small business offerors. This will be a part of the evaluation as factor 3. While we believe having this plan and subsequent goals for subcontracting to the socio-economic business groups is not prohibited by the FAR, the regulations do exempt small businesses from this requirement which is dominantly the case in most acquisitions. As a result of this exemption, it is highly unlikely that your small business offerors will have received any “…widely recognized awards for achievement in support of small business” that can be provided in support of this evaluation factor. However, your large business offerors, having this requirement always levied on them, will have substantial historical data to pull from in support of their proposal submittals. This will provide them with an unfair competitive advantage. We would request that this requirement be modified in such a way as to not favor the large business offerors responding to this solicitation

The examples listed are not all inclusive.

Small businesses can also reach an exceptional rating if they plan to perform all of the work themselves or if they subcontract to other small businesses. Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors Factor 3.

84 Should files be submitted in MS Word or .pdf files for the electronic copy submission? This is the discretion of the offeror.

The required number of copies for Volume X Past Performance Questionnaires is 1 Original + 4 copies. However, the instruction for Volume X states that the respective attachment G shall be filled in directly and mailed to the respective contracting officer.

Can you please confirm the PPQs are to be included in Volume X as well as mailed to the contracting officer?

Past performance questionnaires must come from the reviewer and be e-mailed to cmohamed@usbr.gov. No documents are required from the contractor proposing on this requirement.

Item (6) under Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors states the technical approach shall contain the following: Factor 1: Technical; Factor 2:

Past Performance; Factor 3: Subcontracting and Factor 4: Price. Are offerors required to discuss all the factors listed in the Technical Volume or are the factors referring to 4 separate volumes?

These factors refer to to the Section.

87 Please confirm the 25 page limit only applies to the technical volume. Correct.

Item (b) states "the Past Performance shall include a list of three (3) references of projects to this requirement..." How many total past performances are to be submitted?

Three past performances are required per task order.

Attachment B&C. Item 2.c. states that all vendors are required to submit separate documents for Technical Approach, Key Personnel, Past Performance and Price.

However, the instructions do not include Key Personnel as one of the 8 volumes for submission. Please confirm that key personnel is not an additional volume.

Technical approach, Key personnel, past performance are documents to be included in Section III or IV depending upon the task order.

Item 2.c. states that all vendors are required to submit separate documents for Technical Approach, Key Personnel, Past Performance and Price. However, item 3.c.

Content includes Past Performance. Please confirm Past Performance is not to be included in the technical volume.

Technical approach, Key personnel, past performance are documents to be included in Section III or IV depending upon the task order. Price is a separate Section V or VI depending on the task order.

91 For the ICS/SCADA task area, will PLC programming be required or is the requirement for ICS/SCADA security?

PLC programming will not be required. Any task orders would be focused on ICS/SCADA security.

92 What network security technologies are currently implemented independent of CDM?

A variety of well-known and standard network security technologies are utilized across the environment.

93 What VM Tools are being used currently?

A variety of well-known and standard vulnerability scanning tools are utilized across the environment

94 What CDM Tools are in place currently?

A variety of well-known and standardized CDM systems are in use across the environment.

95 Is the ISSLOB being used currently?

Yes. The ISSLOB is currently leveraged for independent security control assessments.

96 How many GSS, Major App, and MinApp are in place? Does each have an independent

ISSO?

The bureau has approximately thirty authorized information systems, including one cloud system, and most have low or moderate security categorizations. Some of those security boundaries may include several minor applications.

Can the government confirm that the two task orders, “Attachment_B_FISMA_Services_Task_Order_PWS” and “Attachment_C_ISSO_Services_Task_Order_PWS” attached to the RFP will be awarded, i.e., these are not sample task orders strictly for evaluation?

These task orders are not samples.

1. In “R17PS00246_Terms_and_Condiitions, page 12,” FAR 52.237-11 is included which requires the ability to accept and dispense $1 coins. Can the Government elaborate on the anticipated types of requirements that may be issued which would require these transactions?

This clause has been removed.

99 Can the government provide the invoicing requirements for the IDIQ contract?

The IDIQ does not include any work.

Work is only associated with task orders therefore, no invoicing on the IDIQ is required.

For Volumes I (Technical Proposal), II (Task Order 1 Technical Proposal: FISMA), and III (Task order 2 Technical Proposal: ISSO) can the government confirm that 1 inch margins will be used and whether there is a preference for double or single sided documentation?

One inch margins are acceptable. The preference in double sided.

101 Can the same individuals (key and additional) be bid to the both task orders or must the staffing be different, i.e., they could support both tasks in execution?

No, the same individuals cannot support both tasks.

102 For security assessments, does the government expect all systems to be handled in parallel or will there be a roll-out schedule over a designated number of years?

Security assessments would be scheduled according to a roll-out schedule.

Has prior work been done to complete mandated security assessments? Are the existing system security, COOP, DR, and emergency incident plans in place or do these all need to be created? If they have been created, what is the frequency of the updates and maintenance required for each document?

Yes, existing systems have already completed several past security assessments and the required documentation is in place.

Are there any plans already in place to acquire IT security tools (i.e., GRC, CDM, IAM)?

Yes, and a multi-year project is already underway in accordance with the OMB/DHS CDM requirements.

105 Does the Government currently have funding for this IDIQ? Funding will be available on the task orders issued off of the IDIQ.

106 Please clarify: Are Key Personnel and Past Performance required to be submitted within the IDIQ, FISMA and ISSO Technical Volumes?

Please refer to the Terms and Conditions Addendum to 52.212-1 for IDIQ Instructions. Please refer to Attachments B and C for task order instructions.

Is the offeror required to meet each subcontracting goal listed? Will one team mate that meets all of the subcontractor categories suffice? If so, would the percentage requirement for that one subcontractor total 44.5% or 60.5% (the total sum of each)?

Credit will be given for all small business categories applicable to the small business sub-contractor.

Are separate past performance questionnaires required for each volume?

No, questionnaires are only required for section X.

The government has not advertised this requirement “Subject to Availability of Funds”.

Does this mean that funding is secured for this new requirement and it is not subject to cancellation due to failure to pass a final federal budget for fiscal year 2018?

Funding will be provided on the task order level. Task order(s) will be issued at the time of IDIQ award.

We understand that an awardee under this solicitation is guaranteed a “minimum” of $75,000. Please provide the “maximum” amount as required in accordance with FAR 16.504(a)(4)(ii).

Please refer to MINIMUM AND

MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS

INDEFINITE QUANTITY page 3.

In the areas where the government is requesting completion of Past Performance Questionnaires, would the government consider submittal of CPAR evaluations in lieu of the PPQs to streamline and accelerate the process? To additionally assist the government, we could provide point-of-contact information for each CPAR identifying the appropriate Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative.

No.

112 Can the government please clarify how a tradeoff between an offeror’s TO total price is used to evaluate in comparison to other competitors?

Please see ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors.

Will Task Orders under this IDIQ have the flexibility of Option Years? If yes, how long may any Task Order’s period of performance extend after the full five-year ordering period of the IDIQ?

Option years are not included at the task order level.

114 The PWS mentions a SharePoint site used for providing required reporting and documentation. Will this SharePoint site be furnished by USBR or the Contractor?

Any SharePoint site would be furnished by USBR.

There are currently two Task Orders issued on FedBizOpps.gov, ISSO and FISMA services. Does USBR anticipate the release of additional Task Orders to cover the other functional areas mentioned in the Synopsis? (i.e. CDM, ICS, Privacy, Network security, Vulnerability Management, System Administration)

Task orders will be issued on an as needed basis.

116 Can USBR provide the name of the vendor for the CSAM system, so that the contractor may validate experience with the specific COTS product if applicable.

CSAM is not a COTS product, the system was developed by the Department of Justice.

This past performance requirement presupposes that the small business offeror has prime contracts and also has contracts sizable enough to allow for subcontracting across those designations. Will the government consider removing the requirement for small businesses to demonstrate past performance subcontracting work to other small businesses.

No the government will not consider removing the requirement.

The evaluation states that the Total Evaluated Price will be calculated by summing the total for Attachment D and E. Does the government intend to award both Task Orders to one offeror?

Multiple awards may be made from this RFP. Attachment D and Attachment E will be evaluated separately.

Is the evaluation of the IDIQ completely independent of the evaluation of the Task Orders? Attach B and C have separate evaluation criteria for Technical, Key Personnel, and Experience.

The Technical approach is an evaluation of Volume 2, and the evaluation of Price includes an evaluation of Volumes 5 and 6. It is not clear if Volumes 3 and 4 evaluated as part of the technical approach. Please clarify the evaluation criteria for Volumes 3 and 4.

The evaluation of the IDIQ is Separate from the evaluation of each task order.

Section (b) indicates that the proposal shall consist of eight (8) physically separated volumes; however, the table in the instructions identifies ten (10) volumes. Can the Government please verify the correct number of Volumes for proposal submission?

Does the Government intend to have Volume II, Volume III, and Volume IV combined into one document?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors.

Section (e) “Additional information on preparing the Technical Proposal can be found in provision 1452.215-82 Technical Proposal Instructions—Bureau of Reclamation below.”

Provision 1452.215-82 does not appear in the RFP. Can the Government please verify what section the additional information on preparing the technical proposal can be found.

Please see updates to page 26 Terms and conditions.

122 Section (m) appears to be a duplication of text from Section (l). Can the Government please indicate instructions for Volume X.

Please see updates to page 27 Terms and conditions.

Section (1-4) indicates a Table of Contents, Index, Enclosures, and Executive Summary shall be included as part of the technical proposal. Can the Government confirm these components are excluded from the 25-page count?

These components are excluded from the 25 page count.

Factor 2 Past Performance states that offeror “shall initiate Past Performance Questionnaires located in Section J—Attachment 6 of the solicitation.” Will the Government accept the Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) in lieu of the Past Performance Questionnaire if available in the Contractor Performance Assessment System (CPARS)?

No, CPARS are always reviewed by the government. Past performance is still required.

We believe that the RFP title for this acquisition is “Risk Management Services-IDIQ.” If “Risk Management Services-IDIQ” is not the title of this procurement, request that Government provide the correct title that offerors should reference in the proposal response.

FBO states the title as Risk Management Services IDIQ.

Please confirm that offerors are only required to submit one of these two volumes (Volume VIII or IX) with the applicable attachment (Attachment H or I) depending upon the offeror’s size standard.

That is correct.

The RFP appears to contain conflicting guidance regarding where offers should address the subcontracting plan. Request that the Government provide clarification regarding the response requirements for the subcontracting plan.

This is not a question.

128 Please confirm that the SD, WOSB, SDVOSB and HUBZone goals are subsets of the SB goal or if not, please provide clarification regarding the goals breakout. Yes.

Addendum to 52.212-1 (2) (6) Factor 4: Price references “Section J, Attachments D, E, and F” but the RFP does not contain a Section J. Please provide Section J, Attachments D, E, and F.

Please refer to FBO.gov for Attachments D,E, and F.

The RFP does not appear to contain Volume specific evaluation criteria. Request that the Government provide the criteria that are being used to evaluate each volume and the proposal submission as a whole.

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Items as well as the PWS for each individual task order explain the evaluation criteria.

131 The RFP does not contain a Section J. Please provide Section J. Section J has been removed.

132 Please confirm that the Past Performance Questionnaires should match the past performance projects included in volumes III and IV.

Past performance questionnaires are separate from the task order requirements.

The arrangement of the proposal states delivery of Volume X, Past Performance Questionnaires; however, Attachment G1 Past Performance instructs client responders to send responses to Christina Mohamed. How should this volume be addressed given this instruction?

Attachment G should be sent from the reviewer to Christina Mohamed at cmohamed@usbr.gov.

134 FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL references a page limit of 25 pages – to what is this referring?

Specifically, does this apply to Volume II?

This refers to Section II. Please see updated page counts.

135 FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL viii) - Are the labor category descriptions for the 88 labor categories included within the 25 page limit? Please see updated page counts.

FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL – Is the idea to respond to the technical requirements of Attachment A PWS as well as develop a Management Plan (I – viii) for Volume II Technical Proposal all within the 25 page limit?

Please see ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors Factor 1.

137 Reference to Attachment F, IDIQ pricing CLINS 0010 through 88. Attachment F indicates CLIN 1-88. Please confirm CLIN Range Please see updated SF 1449.

Paragraph b of Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors states that Past Performance references are required; however, the T&Cs state that CPARS will be the reporting system utilized to comply with this regulation (FAR42.1502). Are CPARS still going to be acceptable references for TO Past performance? Please clarify.

CPARS are always reviewed by the government. Past performance is still required.

139 First paragraph references an Instructions to Offerors document. Please clarify what document this is referring to.

Addendum 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors.

Table indicates flash drive for the electronic copy. Does the government have marking preferences for contractor and proposal identification for the external portions of the flash drive?

No marking preference.

141 Required markings on Flash drive may be problematic. Will the government consider a Compact Disk for delivery of electronic versions?

Please provide a flash drive as instructed.

Instructions add a requirement to email copies vs just including them on the flash drive per the table on page 25. Please clarify the electronic copy delivery and submission requirements.

Please see changes made to the terms and conditions.

Volume VII - IDIQ Pricing Proposal. The Pricing Proposals shall be submitted as Volume VII and filled in directly from Attachment F: Section B Provided in Excel Format. Can the government please identify what the Section B reference refers to?

Section B has been removed.

144 If we are a Large Business prime, please confirm we are only required to provide Vol IX versus Vol VIII and Vol IX?

Large businesses are not required to submit section VIII

145 The description listed conflicts with maximum contract award identified on Page 4.

please clarify?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offeror

FAR 52.212-2 is referenced for proposal preparation instructions and evaluation factors that we have to cross reference to via an index in our proposal. Please clarify what specific items the government wants indexed in our response as 52.212-2 provides guidance to contracting officers on items that can be included in evaluation of commercial items.

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

Section 6 indicates: " discussion of the technical approach shall contain the following:"

- No text follows that appears to be part of the section. The top of page 28 begins an evaluation factor discussion to each factor, for just the technical approach. Please provide the intended technical approach discussion guidance.

This refers to Factor 1: Technical.

148 We believe there is an Evaluation Introduction section that is missing. Can the government confirm the absence of an introduction section? There is no introduction missing.

TECHNICAL states: “Technical evaluation will be conducted to determine how well each vendors proposal meets or exceeds the requirements delineated in the performance work statement and other relevant sections of the RFP. (Not to exceed 25 pages)” However, only Management Plan evaluation is stated as the required response. How does USBR expect offerors to provide a proposal to meet or exceed the technical requirements of the PWS and other relevant sections of the RFP in just a Management Plan evaluation section that does not request technical approach?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

Sub paragraph includes a requirement to have "an established pool of fully qualified employed personnel". The requirement for vendors to have pool of "qualified and employed" personnel greatly favors an incumbent as most firms do not have employees on the bench waiting for new work to come in and support. Will the government consider updating this requirement to be specific to key personnel with requirements that Key personnel be existing employees or have signed letters of intent?

No, specific personnel are not required on the IDIQ level but will be required on the task order level.

PAST PERFORMANCE states that there is no page limit for PPQs, and each task order requires 3 Past performance examples within the last 3 years. Is the 6 total PPQs required by the Task Orders all that USBR requires, or should others be provided that cover the remaining areas of the PWS?

Each task orders requires the offeror to submit past performance.

152 Should the Factors listed on page 28-30 be listed under 52.212-2 Evaluation instead of under 52.212.1? No.

For and exception rating the government is looking for firms who have "received widely recognized awards for achievement in support of small business" Will the government please provide examples of awards that will meet their criteria and where that information should be addressed in our proposal?

This should be addressed under Factor 3.

Subcontracting

Text requires vendors to submit labor category descriptions for each level of each labor category. Attachment A (IDIQ PWS) indicates in paragraph 2.4 that associated minimum requirements for each position title are included in Attachment F of the IDIQ.

Attachment F currently does not appear to have these minimum requirements. Will the government please clarify if the minimum requirements will be provided, and if not, how a price reasonableness comparison can be completed if each vendor defines the 4 levels for each labor category differently.

Please refer to page 30 of the terms and conditions. Attachment A section 2.4 has also been updated.

In Attachment A (IDIQ PWS) paragraph 4.1.2 there is a requirement for SME level support with expert knowledge. Does the government expect each of the four proposed levels of our labor categories to have at least expert level knowledge and experience?

No. As stated in 4.1.2 subject matter expertise and experience for specialized tasks may include the expert requirement.

Reclamation offices encompasses 17 different states. Task orders may be issued requiring full time equivalents within these 17 states. Please confirm that our rates listed in Attachment F must be reflective of placing FTE's in anyone of these states?

Correct.

Section states: “A contract may be awarded to one or more contractors based on the evaluations of the proposals resulting in the most beneficial and advantageous arrangement for the government. Portions of this PWS may be awarded separately to different contractors. The same portions of this PWS may be awarded to multiple contractors. Awards may not be made to all satisfactory proposals.” Does this mean that Task orders may be awarded after contract award without a competition for individual Task orders?

This refers to the IDIQ award. This IDIQ may be awarded to multiple vendors.

The paragraph includes a statement about a written notice of withdrawal being received before award. Is this paragraph applicable to the entire IDIQ or is it also applicable to the individual task orders? If applicable to the individual task orders, do vendors have the ability to not bid on or withdrawal form a task order award consideration?

Vendors may propose on which task order they would like to be considered for.

159 Will the government allow vendors to bid both government site and contractor site rates at the IDIQ level? No

The Government does not specify the number of Past Performance Questionnaires that offerors need to submit, other than the requirement for listing three (3) past performances for each of the task orders. Can the Government clarify this requirement?

Changes have been made to Factor 2:

Past performance of the terms and conditions.

Can we use the excel files (Attachment D, Attachment E, and Attachment F) and label it as the appropriate volumes or shall we extract the tables from excel and include as a word document?

Please use excel files.

162 Does the Government have a preference for electronic documents (i.e., Word/Excel or PDF?) Excel for pricing.

163 How many hard copies of Volume I are required? WBR 1452.215-81 (b) states 1 original and 1 electronic.

We assume our hard copy proposal should be composed of 8 physical volumes, titled and numbered as follows:

1. I – Representations and Certifications

2. II – Technical

3. III – Task Order 1 – Tech – FISMA

4. IV – Task Order 2 – Tech – ISSO

5. V – Task Order 1 – Price – FISMA

6. VI – Task Order 2 – Price – ISSO

7. VII – IDIQ Pricing

8. VIII OR IX – Small Business Subcontracting Plan Is this correct?

Yes, if the offeror intends to be considered for both task orders. Each offeror must also submit the stated amount of copies as well.

Is it the Government’s intent that Offerors send copies of the completed Attachments to C Mohamed via email and ALSO provide physical and electronic copies of these completed Attachments as part of our proposal volumes package?

No, Please see the updates made.

Offerors shall send a copy of all documents to the address provided and include an electronic copy via a flash drive.

Is it the Government’s intent that our end customers email copies of the completed Attachment G1 to C Mohamed AS WELL AS sending them to us, the Offeror, so we may provide physical and electronic copies of these completed PPQs as part of our proposal volumes package?

Does the Government want printed, hard copies of the completed Past Performance Questionnaires in our proposal package?

Does the Government want electronic copies of the completed Past Performance Questionnaires on the flash drive in our proposal package?

Past Performance questionnaires can be sent directly to Christina Mohamed a cmohamed@usbr.gov

167 Will the Government please provide a complete and accurate copy of this provision? This provision has been removed.

168 Is this a typo? Yes. This has been fixed.

169 Are there page limits for Volumes I, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX? Page limits are indicated if they are required.

170 Will the Government allow the Index in each volume to be excluded from any page count requirements?

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

Does the Government require an Executive Summary at the beginning of all volumes? If not, where should the Executive Summary be provided? Will it be excluded from the page count limitations?

Please refer to ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors

172 Are these assumptions correct? Correct.

173 We assume this fill in belongs in Volume I, section 3 – Additional Information. Is that correct? It would be included in Section I.

174 Could the Government confirm that the elements identified under Factor 1: Technical are required in Volume II Technical Proposal? Correct.

This section states: “(2) A fully executed Solicitation/Contract form required by the SF 1449 of this solicitation. It shall be used as the cover sheet (or first page) of each copy of Volume I;”

Question: Could the Government confirm that only Form SF 1449 is required for the cover sheet?

Yes, only one is required.

176 Question: Could the Government clarify if the Table of Contents, Index, Enclosures, and Executive Summary instructions apply only to Volumes II, III and IV?

Table of contents should be the cover page to the Sections containing all the sections. Table of contents page(s) will not count towards the page count.

177 Question: Could the Government confirm that the Cover Sheet, Table of Contents, Index, Enclosures, and Executive Summary are excluded from the page count limits?

None of these will count towards the pages count limits.

Attachment A

Questions Answers

Does the Government wish for the Contractor to provide Resumes for Approval prior to review? Current PWS reflects that the Government “may” review resumes.

The government will not review Resumes for the IDIQ. However, resumes will be reviewed for task orders.

Scope: Risk Management support services performed under this professional services IDIQ contract includes technical and professional services to support execution of Reclamation's mission. Services will support the following functional areas: Continuous Diagnostics & Mitigation (CDM); Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance; Industrial Control System (ICS) Security; Information System Security Officer (ISSO) Services; and Privacy Act Compliance. The identified subject areas are not clearly identified within the Performance Work Statement to determine what Technical Approach to provide. Can the Government clearly define the work associated with these functional areas?

The work would be defined in any specific task orders related to the

IDIQ.

Please confirm that cybersecurity specialist cybersecurity architect is two separate labor categories and requires a comma in between each? Yes, confirmed.

Industrial Control System (ICS) Security is listed as a service in 2.1; no PWS or PWS Pricing options are provided specific to ICS. Does BOR have specific services to be anticipated through this IDIQ such as repairs, updates, system configurations? No professional service specifically listed - Assume Functional Subject Matter Expert?

ICS support will be managed out of the existing pool of 88 labor categories. There will be no updates or repairs in scope.

National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST): Knowledge of and experience with relevant NIST guidance. Task orders may require expert level knowledge and experience with one or more of the following NIST publications. Given that Factor 4 pricing requires 4 levels of Expertise, please confirm that the government requires more than just Expert level Knowledge and Experience within task orders? No.

Specialized Subject Matter Experts (SME). If the government is calling out SME level expertise, please confirm the need for non-SME labor levels (Levels I-III)?

The need for specific SMEs will be identified in specific task orders.

Reference to a "detailed PWS for the IDIQ". Please clarify what additional PWS is being referred to for the IDIQ that contains SME and experience details.

This reference has been removed from Attachment A.

Industrial Control Systems do not appear to have associated labor category titles included as part of Attachment F, or listed in paragraph 2.2. Will the government add ICS specific labor categories, or will any ICS support be managed out of the existing pool of 88 labor categories?

ICS support will be managed out of the existing pool of 88 labor categories.

The detailed PWS for each Task Order may include certification requirements for individuals to perform the tasks. Provide personnel with the required education or certifications for each detailed PWS. Can the government identify the types of certifications required for specific labor categories or reference a standard like DoD instruction 8570?

No, we are not subject to DOD instruction 8570. We will only require specific certifications when necessary, and when the certification is typical for the industry and absolutely required for task completion.

The Sample TO's do not satisfy this criteria. i.e. Period of Performance is not defined;

tasks do not contain enough quantitative information to identify the magnitude of effort for estimating resource requirements

Period of performance is one year per task order. Updates were made to attachment B and Attachment C.

The detailed PWS may require individual(s) providing the services to be physically located at the offices/sites requiring the services or at…