RFP Q A's pdf.pdf

RFP Question and Answer

21 September 2009

Question

Regarding the Safety and Quality plan, it is over 100 pages, not including the 65 checklists that accompany it, any suggestions on how to incorporate that into a document that is only allowed 75 pages?

Answer

The Quality and Safety plan need only address the elements described in Subfactor 2 of section M.

Consider removing any information that does not directly address those elements specifically, as it will not be considered in the technical evaluation and is therefore not needed.

Since some of our customers may not have the ability to scan-and-email the document after filling it out by hand, is it possible for them to fill out the questionnaire electronically and email it to the Source Selection Team?

Any form of the completed questionnaire will be acceptable.

May we hand deliver proposals to you?

Proposals can be delivered in person to building 1289 downstairs. Enter through the north doors where you will find a phone from which you can call one of us. Please let us know in advance when you are coming so that we can have someone available to meet you.

What time are the proposals due by?

The date set for receipt of proposals can be found on the front page of the RFP in block 8 and is 4:00pm on 5 October

The RFP states that the Past Performance volume shall be turned in at least 14 days prior to date set for receipt of proposals. If I interpret this correctly, that would mean that our Past Performance volume is due on Monday, September 23. Please confirm if this is the correct delivery date for Past Performance.

Per section L paragraph 13.2.1.1, past performance volumes are "requested" "at least 14 days prior to the date set for receipt of proposals.". Please note that early receipt of past performance volumes is simply a request and thus you have all the way up to the deadline to submit all volumes including past performance.

Is there any expectation of pushing the Past Performance deadline back? We would like to have an understanding of any possible amendments or changes to the RFP, especially the deadlines and scope of work.

Answer

At this time we do not foresee any changes to schedule or requirement. Amendments are driven by changes to the solicitation and at this point we have not identified any issues that would require such.

However, if an amendment is released it will likely cause the RFP closing date to be extended. Please continue to watch FedBizOpps for changes to this requirement

Is it correct to assume that contractors DO NOT need to populate values (NET AMT/ESTIMATED PRICE/CEILING PRICE) for items 0001 – 0003, since there are no hours allocated to individual labor categories in the solicitation?

Answer

Yes, as stated in Section M paragraph 3.2 “The Government will compute a Total Evaluated Price.”

Should contractors escalate Base Labor Rates and NTE composite labor rates for years 2 thru 6 in-accordance-with their DCMA-approved Forward Pricing Rate Escalation Factor? Would this violate FAR 52-22-43(b)?

Answer

FAR 52.222-43 states that the prices do not include and allowance for any “contingency,” meaning that there shall be no additional pricing to cover things that are uncertain. So long as adjustments to your rates are in accordance with FAR 52.222-43(d) and you have not allowed for contingency costs, your escalation will not be in violation of FAR 52.222-43(b)

Will Subfactor 3, CSOW be evaluated for Past Performance? Will the government provide more guidance on what is expected in the CSOW?

Yes the CSOW will be evaluated for past performance. The CSOW must address all requirements in the PWS in accordance with Paragraph 2.3 of section M. Only the critical elements identified in paragraph

4.3 will be evaluated for past performance. Pages 5 and 6 in the past performance questionnaire also address the critical elements of the CSOW and may help you better understand how they will be evaluated for past performance.

Is a revision allowed on the percentage for Team Rolls and Responsibilities after submitting the past performance portion of the contract?

The Team Rolls and Responsibilities list can be changed up until the final date. However, because you need to submit past performance information on your subs it is advised that you not submit your past performance volume until you are sure of your teaming arrangement

The pricing is from 2009-2015 and the contract is for 6 years total. Is this because the date is so late in 2009 that the figures may not be used? If so, do we need to include that in our pricing?

The contract is for five years, but because we are unsure of the exact award date we have to ensure that we have pricing for partial years at the beginning and at the end of the contract. You need to populate the Equipment Rates TEP worksheet for all years per section L paragraph 12.3.

There are 3 CLINs in the contract but I don’t understand what they are for. If we need to put an hourly rate in do we put it for only the first year, and if not, is it just an example of what we will be using for each TO?

The CLINs on the contract identify how the services will be provided at the task order level. For evaluation purposes you need to populate the Equipment Rates TEP worksheet for all years per section L paragraph 12.3. You do not need to do anything with the CLINs at this point.

Is the past performance due on Monday September 21, or is it optional to turn it in with the bid?

Past performance volumes are requested early but are not required to be submitted until the closing date of the RFP.

Can you explain the meaning of composite labor rates in Section M 3.2?

Composite Labor Rates are defined in section L paragraph 12.3.1.2. as follows:

“Not To Exceed Composite Labor Rates. The Not to Exceed (NTE) Composite Labor Rate proposed is the fully burdened maximum hourly rate for each labor category/skill level identified for the applicable period of performance. The NTE Composite Labor Rates shall include all applicable Base Labor Rates, Direct and Indirect costs (overhead, general and administrative, etc.), and Profit.”

Should the quality and safety plans be one or two documents, and will the 75 page limit include submission of quality and safety plans?

Answer

The page limitation includes the quality and safety plan which should be one document that includes only the elements identified in paragraph 2.2 of section M dated 6 July 2009.