Solicitation Term and Condition Amendment_Questions and Answers_071708.doc

Solicitation SAQMMA08R0237 Amendment 01

The following clauses are hereby revised and take precedence over clause originally specified in Solicitation SAQMMA08R0237.

1. Clause L.4 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMATTING

This section will specify the contents and formatting for the Offeror to use when preparing and submitting their proposal. The entire proposal shall consist of three (3) separate volumes as follows:

Name/Title

Volume No.

Copies Technical Proposal (No Pricing Data) I

1 Original, 3 Copies & 2 CDs

Price and Section K (Reps and Certs)

II

1 Original, 3 Copies & 2 CDs

Small Business Subcontracting Plan

III

1 Original, 1 Copy & 1 CD

General Instructions:

Each paper volume shall be submitted in a separate three ring binder. Proposal certification letter, table of contents, divider pages and other standard forms will not count against page limitations. The technical proposal (Volume I) shall consist of four (4) parts and the four parts must be separated by a divider page with a corresponding divider tab; each of the four divider tabs shall be marked to identify what part is contained in that particular section. The entire technical proposal shall not exceed three hundred (300) single-side pages (140 pages of which are limited to technical proposals in response to Task Order Request for Proposals. The price and representations and certifications (Volume II) shall also be separated by a divider page and corresponding tabs, and shall not exceed one hundred (100) pages.

Paper copies of the proposal shall be printed on white, 8.5” x 11” paper and printed using 12 point, Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins, and pages shall be numbered consecutively.

Electronic versions (CD) of the proposal shall be prepared using Microsoft Office 2000 or a compatible format; Adobe PDF formats are also acceptable. Price proposals shall be prepared in Microsoft Excel, and all formulas shall be displayed in all applicable data cells.

The proposal shall include agreements and/or terms and conditions for Joint Venture partnerships and/or all subcontractors, if applicable.

The Government will not reimburse offeror for any cost associated with proposal preparation for this solicitation.

The proposal must include a signature page/certification page, with an original signature. If an offeror should provide statements of exceptions to any term and/or condition of this solicitation; the offeror shall clearly identify the exception(s) with clarification and/or rationale language.

2. Clause L.5 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

L.5 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (Volume I):

Offerors' proposals must include, at a minimum, a description of the technical approach, methodology, technique, or plan to accomplish the contract including:

· A description of the Offeror’s corporate experience in providing services similar or identical to those required by this solicitation within the past 5 years.

· A description of the Offeror’s ability to effectively perform each activity area and meet all performance standards.

· A description of the policies and procedures to be used in performing all support services under the contract.

· A description of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for provision of all support services under the contact.

· Technical proposals in response to Task Order Requests for Proposals (see Section J – List of Attachments).

· A work breakdown structure (WBS) that addresses all support services under the contract. The WBS shall depict to Level 2. The awardees shall deliver a full WBS to Level 4 NLT 15 days after award. The WBS may be attached to Volume I as an appendix therefore not counting toward the page limitation.

See the “Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the work to be performed” technical capability factor (TC1) contained in Section M.5.

A staffing plan that describes the experience of proposed key personnel and how the project will be staffed and trained to meet the performance standards contained in the PWS including:

· Resumes of proposed key management staff and key personnel who will be performing support functions under this contract. Resumes shall not exceed 3 pages in length and shall only specify no more than the past 10 years of experience. Resumes may be attached to Volume I as an appendix therefore not counting toward the page limitation.

· Strategies for recruiting and retaining key staff and replacing them (if necessary).

See the “Experience of key personnel and adequacy of staffing/training plan” technical capability factor (TC2) contained in Section M.5.

A proposed management plan for the contract that describes:

· Processes for responding to Task Order Requests in a timely manner.

· Monitoring and reporting performance against all performance standards contained in the basic contract as well as individual task orders.

· Handling anticipated changes in workload volume (including examples of how the offeror has successfully done this on other projects).

· Addressing problem areas quickly.

· Managing performance of subcontractors.

· Major contract risks and a detailed strategy for managing them.

· The Offeror’s approach to apply cost-effective quality assurance standards to the work required as well as any awards, certification, or recognition the offeror has earned for its quality assurance processes.

· Communication protocols between the contractor and DOS staff.

See the “Adequacy of management plan” technical capability factor (TC3) contained in Section M.5.

Past Performance Information

The DOS is seeking to determine whether the Offeror consistently provides high quality training services and support in a timely manner. This factor will be evaluated based on relevant and current past performance achieved during the last three (3) years, on contracts similar in scope and complexity to those stipulated in this solicitation.

Each Offeror may use a variety of sources for reporting their past performance; to include Federal, State, local government agencies, and privately owned corporations. Along with their submittals, Offerors are also encouraged to submit information on any challenges encountered on the past performance information they submit, and any corrective or innovative action(s) taken to resolve the challenge.

Accordingly, Past Performance Information (PPI) shall clearly and concisely demonstrate the Offerors’ experience and ability to successfully deliver quality supplies, equipment, and support services identified in the SOW. Each Offeror shall provide, at minimum 3-5 references of contracts, task/delivery orders, etc., for similar work performed in the last three (3) years. Each PPI reference shall at a minimum consist of the following information; past performance information shall be submitted on Attachment C, DS-1771 Contractor Past Performance Evaluation form:

i.

Name of Government Agency and/or Corporation name, reporting on;

ii.

Contract/Order number, date of award, and total dollar value (including options);

iii. Full name and title, phone number and e-mail address of the reference (please ensure POC information is current and accurate);

iv. Description of requirement, comprised of a detailed explanation of how work identified in the referenced contract/order is similar to the requirements identified in this SOW; and

v. Brief description of contract work, scope, and responsibilities

See the “Past Performance” evaluation factor (TC4) contained in Section M5.

3. Clause L.7 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

L.7

DOSAR 652.219-70 DEPARTMENT OF STATE SUBCONTRACTING GOALS

(APR 2004) (VOLUME III)

(a) The Offeror shall provide a Small, Small Disadvantaged, Small Woman-Owned, HUBZone Small, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Enterprise Subcontracting Plan that details its approach to selecting and using Small, Small Disadvantaged, Small Woman-Owned, HUBZone Small, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprises.

(b) For the fiscal year 2008, the Department's subcontracting goals are as follows:

(c) The above goals represent the percentage of subcontracted dollars not the percentage of the Offeror’s overall proposed price/cost. Volume III, shall utilize the above small business goals as a reference in their development of their individual subcontracting plan, if applicable. This volume has no page limitations, but page submission should be reasonable.

2. Clause M.1 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following.

M.1

BASIS FOR AWARD

Four or more awards will be made under this solicitation to the responsible and technically acceptable offerors whose proposals provide the greatest overall value to the Government, price and other non-price factors considered. The Government reserves the right to make more or fewer awards. One of the awards shall be set-aside for an eligible service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. For this solicitation, technical merit is significantly more important than cost or price, the Government is more concerned with obtaining quality training and advisory services, equipment procurement, logistical support services, and construction services than with making an award at the lowest overall cost to the Government. However, DOS will not make an award at a significantly higher overall price to the Government to achieve slightly higher quality deliverables. Specifically, as technical merit becomes more equal, cost/price becomes more important. The Contracting Officer shall determine what trade-offs between technical merit and cost/price offers the greatest overall value to the Government, cost or price and other non-price related factors considered.

All remaining terms and conditions of the solicitation remains unchanged.

Q1. Would the State Department consider making the small business subcontracting goals a significant part of the evaluation and linking the subsequent performance of the contractor’s small business subcontracting directly to the award fee earned?

A1: No, Would require a change to the Source Selection Plan which is not permitted once the RFP has been released.

Q2. Contractor would like to send a team to conduct a site survey of the Duar, Sudan construction site so that we can provide the best possible response to the sample TORP. This trip would be entirely funded by Contractor. I am assuming that we would need State approval to visit the site and perhaps also PAE approval. Is that correct?

A2: No, DOS will not sponsor a site survey.

Q3. Please clarify the following conflicting directions: Section L6, Paragraph A: “Important: please note that Offerors are not to submit price/cost proposals for the Sample Task Orders for AMISOM Somalia and DUAR Construction with their proposals. Only Technical and Management criteria are to be addressed in the submissions for those Sample Task Orders.”

A3: Cost and Pricing data is not required in response to Sample Task Order 2 AMISOM and Sample Task Order 6 Duar

Q4. Please clarify the Government’s requirements for a cost volume for Sample Task Order Request for Proposal 2 (Operations and Maintenance Support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Sample Task Order #2 (AMISOM Somalia) reads as follows in the Proposal Submission Requirements Section: “Volume Two-Price Proposal (not to exceed 5 pages): This volume must provide a detailed breakdown of all proposed costs and fee. This is the only volume in which cost information may appear. In preparing your cost proposal, you should:

· Identify all estimated costs (direct and indirect) for the base and each option period;

· As a separate line item, clearly indicate your proposed total fixed fee for the base period and each option period;

· Provide supporting rational showing how your costs and fee were calculated; and any other information that you feel materially supports your cost proposal

· Each of the above volumes shall be labeled as a response to Task Order Request for Proposal 4 and submitted as corresponding parts of the technical and cost proposals in response to the RFP.

A4: Cost and Pricing data is not required in response to Sample Task Order 2 AMISOM

Q5. Please clarify the Government’s requirements for a cost volume for Sample Task Order Request for Proposal 6 (Construction in Duar, Sudan):

Section L6, Paragraph A states as follows: “Important: please note that Offerors are not to submit price/cost proposals for the Sample Task Orders for AMISOM Somalia and DUAR Construction with their proposals. Only Technical and Management criteria are to be addressed in the submissions for those Sample Task Orders.”

Sample Task Order Request for Proposal 6 (Construction) in Duar, Sudan reads as follows in the proposal Submission Requirements (section 28): Volume Two-Price Proposal: This volume must provide a detailed breakdown of all proposed costs and fee. This is the only volume in which cost information may appear. In preparing your cost proposal, you should:

· Identify all estimated costs (direct and indirect) for the base and each option period;

· As a separate line item, clearly indicate your proposed total fixed fee for the base period and each option period;

· Provide supporting rational showing how your costs and fee were calculated; and any other information that you feel materially supports your cost proposal

Each of the above volumes shall be labeled as a response to Task Order Request for Proposal 5 and submitted as corresponding parts of the technical and cost proposals in response to the RFP.

A5: Cost and Pricing data is not required in response to Sample Task Order 6 Construction, Duar.

Q6. Please clarify the following conflicting directions for the subject Solicitation: In Task Order Request for Proposals (TORP) 5, Basic Staff Skills Training in Juba, Sudan, Attachment H, Pages 13 through 20 are actually Attachment E of TORP 4, Operations and Maintenance Support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Since these two TORPS do not appear to be related in any way, it appears that TORP 4 may have erroneously been included as an attachment to TORP 5. Please clarify the Government’s intent with regard to the inclusion of TORP 4 as an attachment to TORP 5.

A6: Attachment E is hereby deleted as a part of TORP 5.

Q7. Please clarify the page count limitations for the TORPs, and for the remaining portion of technical volume. The Solicitation states, “L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMATTING, General Instructions, Paragraph 1, pg. 48, The entire technical proposal shall not exceed three hundred (300) single-side pages (200 pages of which are limited to technical proposals in response to Task Order Request for Proposals.) Section L states a 300-page total page count with 200 pages allocated to TORP responses. The combined page limitation for all attached TORP scenarios is 140 based on the individual TORP form direction.

A7: Revised Technical Instructions "The entire technical proposal shall not exceed three hundred (300) single-side pages (140 pages of which are limited to technical proposals in response to Task Order Request for Proposals.)

Q8. Please clarify the form or format to be used. Solicitation Section L.5 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (Volume I), Past Performance Information, Paragraph 3, pgs. 50-51 state, “Each PPI reference shall at a minimum consist of the following information; past performance information shall be submitted on Attachment C, DS-1771 Contractor Past Performance Evaluation form:

· Name of Government Agency and/or Corporation name, reporting on;

· Contract/Order number, date of award, and total dollar value, including options

· Full name and title, phone number and e-mail address of the reference (please ensure POC information is current and accurate);

· Description of requirement, comprised of a detailed explanation of how work identified in the referenced contract/order is similar to the requirements identified in this SOW; and

· Brief description of contract work, scope, and responsibilities

Attachment C, DS-1771 does not match the requested information in the text. The attachment seems to be an internal Department of State evaluation form.

A8: Section L.5 provides the minimum information required for PPI. All respondents shall utilize Attachment C and at a minimum, in accordance with L.5, Contract Information and Reviews shall be completed.

Q9. Please clarify whether a SDVOSB may bid both as a Prime for the SDVOSB set-aside contract as well as subcontract to a company that is bidding the full and open competition.

A9: Yes, SDVOSB may bid as a prime and subcontractor.

Q10. Please clarify how many buildings and the correct breakdown for each type of quarters. According to Section 2.8.1.4, Task 1 Activity 1(C) - the Barracks, officers and support unit quarters should consist of 15 buildings. The requirements specify 3 junior officer's buildings, 10 enlisted buildings, 2 support unit buildings and 2 commander buildings for a total of 17 buildings.

A10: The required buildings are revised to 17 buildings.

Q11. Should contractors provide pricing (Vol II) for Sample TORPs?

A11: Cost and Pricing data is not required in response to Sample Task Order 2 AMISOM and Sample Task Order 6 Duar ONLY

Q12. Are subcontractors used under the current AFRICAP Contract? May they be used under the re-competed contract? If so, what percentage of performance is completed (or allowed to be completed) by subcontractors?

A12: (1) Offerors should submit the best proposal to fulfill the requirements. (2) Current subcontract information is proprietary to the incumbent contractors.

Q13. If possible, could you name any significant subcontractors used by either PAE or DynCorp under the current contract? Do you know what activities they were hired to perform?

A13: No, this information is proprietary.

Q14. Task Order 5, Training Task 2, Paragraph A-1 requires the contractor to conduct Basic Skills training in conjunction with the Memorandum issues by the Director for Training for the SPLA. The referenced Memorandum is not available in the RFP. Will the Government provide the referenced memorandum?

A14: The reference to the "Memorandum" is hereby removed.

Q15. Task Order 1, Page 2, “Provision of sustainment items such as food, fuel, and lubricants, as outlined in the and Nigerian requirement (Attachment 1), and the Burundi requirements (Attachment 2)” There appears to be a word or words missing between “as outlined in the” and “and Nigerian requirement.”

A15: Offerors should disregard the word "and".

Q16. In Task Order 2, Proposal Submission Requirements “Each of the above volumes shall be labeled as a response to Task Order 4 and submitted as corresponding parts of the technical and cost proposals in response to the RFP.” The response in question is for Task Order 2, not Task Order 4. Please confirm that the response in question is for Task Order 2, not Task Order 4.

A16: The response should read "Response to Sample Task Order Request For Proposal 2"

Q17. In Task Order 3, Page 2, Task 2, Tasks noted include items such as Provide technical direction to the contractor's technical manage, verify the contractor's invoices/vouchers for reasonableness and availability of funds. Assist the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, and the Government of DRC (GDRC) and the DRC military (FARDC) with respect to the Department’s contracts in DRC. These tasks appear to be inherently Governmental in nature. Please confirm that the Government’s intent is for Contractor to accomplish those tasks currently listed in Task 2.

A17: The intent is to have Program Management oversight of the on-site contractor Technical Manager to provide SOW technical direction and Contractual Terms and Conditions requirement oversight.

Q18. In Task Order 5, Pages 2 and 3, Training Tasks 2, 3 and 4 “shall consist of 2 class cycles (8 weeks for the junior officers) (8 weeks for senior military leadership)”. The requirement does not indicate whether these courses are to be scheduled concurrently or sequentially. Please clarify the requirement.

A18: The courses are independent therefore can be run concurrently.

Q19. In Task Order 6, page 2, multiple PWS lines (5.4 through 5.8 Inclusive) are indicated as being (issued as an attached document) (Exhibit B).There is no Exhibit B. Please provide Exhibit B.

A19: Revised reference: Should state Attachment C (A)

Q20. TORP #4, Para 5.2 states: “All vehicles and parts (included with vehicles) will be provided as detailed in Attachment 1.There is no Attachment 1. Will the government provide this attachment?

A20: Attachment 1 is provided in Amendment 1 to the solicitation.

Q21. Contractor would like to request the following regarding Task 6: In accordance with Section 14, (Examination of Site) DI would like to send a three man team to conduct a site survey of the Duar, Sudan construction site so that we can provide the best possible response to the sample TORP. This trip would be entirely funded by Contractor.

A21: This is a sample task, the State Department will not sponsor a site visit.

Q22. Contractor would like to request the following regarding Task 6: Additionally in accordance with Section 17, (Deliverables) DI would like to request a listing of Government Property on site and the current condition status of the equipment being managed under the current task order to ensure that we can adequately identify the scope and level of effort required to manage this property.

A22: This is a sample task, assume no Government Property on-site.

Q23. Contractor would like to request the following regarding Task 6: Given the timing of the RFP response and the requirement to utilize the above information in that response, DI would like to request an immediate approval for the site visit with delivery of the balance of the information requested within the next week to ensure that this information can be adequately analyzed and the information utilized in our sample task proposal response.

A23: This is a sample task, the State Department will not sponsor a site visit.

Q24. Reference Section L.4, RFP page 49: No font size is stipulated for use in graphics and tables. Will the Government consider allowing 10 point Arial Narrow (or equivalent) font in tables/graphics, as long as they remain legible?

A24: The contractor may utilize the most effective and LEGIBLE font. All information must be readable without any assistance of additional tools or resizing.

Q25. Reference Section L.4, RFP page 49: The RFP states “the entire technical proposal shall not exceed single-sided pages (200 pages of which are limited to technical proposals in response to Task Order Requests for Proposals).” Should offerors NOT use the total of 200 allowed for TO responses, may the balance of those pages be used towards the remainder of the technical proposal, provided the volume total does not exceed 300 pages?

A25: Revised Technical Instructions "The entire technical proposal shall not exceed three hundred (300) single-side pages (140 pages of which are limited to technical proposals in response to Task Order Request for Proposals.)

Q26. Reference Section L.4, RFP page 50: The RFP requires offerors to include copies of agreements and/or terms and conditions for JV partnerships and/or all subcontractors, but does not specifically exclude those from page counts. Such agreements can run for scores of pages. Will the Government allow offerors to attach such agreements to the proposal as appendices outside the page count?

A26: Yes

Q27. Reference Section L.4, RFP page 49: The list of acronyms that habitually is included at the beginning of a proposal, to aid the Government’s evaluation of proposals, is not specifically excluded from the page count. Will the Government consider excluding the list of acronyms/glossary from the page count?

A27: Yes, Not to exceed three (3) pages

Q28. Reference Section L.4, RFP page 50: With regard to the version of Microsoft Office used, will the Government consider Microsoft Office 2003 to be a compatible format?

A28: Yes

Q29. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 50: A detailed contract WBS can typically run to dozens of pages. Will the Government consider removing the WBS from the page count?

A29: Yes, The WBS shall depict to Level 2. The awardee shall deliver a full WBS to Level 4 NLT 15 days after award.

Q30. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 50: The third and fourth bullets on page 50 of the RFP require offerors to provide a description of “policies and procedures….and Standard Operating Procedures…” respectfully. Please clarify how the “procedures” mentioned in the third bullet differ from the SOPs mentioned in the fourth bullet.

A30: Policies and Procedures usually contain more regulatory requirements. Standard Operating Procedures are usually more information "How To" instructions. If the contractor utilizes one of the two please indicate which is not applicable based upon corporate policies.

Q31. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 50: The RFP requires offerors to provide resumes for key personnel. Will the Government consider allowing offerors to provide resumes in an appendix, outside the main page count?

A31: Yes, Resumes shall not exceed 3 pages in length and shall only specify the past 10 years of experience.

Q32. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 51: Past Performance Information (PPI) forms are not excluded from the page count. Since each reference can run to several pages, will the Government consider excluding PPI forms (Appendix C to the RFP) from the proposal page count?

A32: No, Offeror is limited to information requested on the on page Attachment C.

Q33. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 51, Attachment C: The PPI instructions do not describe how the reference will complete and submit the evaluation form in Attachment C. The Contractor Past Performance Evaluation form in Attachment C requires an evaluation and signature from a referenced individual. What procedure must offerors follow to provide these completed references to the Government? If the form is to be submitted directly by the referenced individual, does the Government want the information described on page 51 to be provided as text in the body of the proposal?

A33: Contractor shall submit original form with proposal.

Q34. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 51: The RFP requires offerors to provide “at a minimum 3–5 references…” Is the Government’s intention to stipulate a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 PPI references? Since some of the offeror teams may have several team-mates, it would be beneficial to the Government to allow more than 5 PPI forms, so as to be able to develop a full picture of the whole team’s past performance. Please clarify if there is a maximum limit on the number of PPI references that may be submitted with the proposal. Also, please clarify PPI requirements from subcontractors/team mates.

A34: Minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5.

Q35. Reference Section L.5, RFP page 51: RFP Section L.5 requires offerors to provide PPI in the format laid out in Attachment C (DS 1771). Attachment C appears to be an internal Government form that would be filled out by a Government customer, not by the contractor as part of the past performance submission. Please clarify the PPI requirements. Should offerors provide PPI information using the format laid out at the bottom of page 51/52, i-v and ask our customers to complete the Attachment C past performance evaluation forms?

A35: Offerors shall provide the form to their customers for completion.

Q36. Reference Section L.6, RFP page 52: Clarification of TORP pricing instructions. Which of the 6 TORPs require cost/price proposals?

A36: All TORPS with exception to TORP 2 and TORP 6 require cost/price proposals.

Q37. Reference Section M.2, RFP page 59: This section states, “DOS anticipates awarding all of task orders to successful offerors who receive IDIQ awards. Will the Government please clarify this sentence?

A37: DOS anticipates, but does not guarantee, that each IDIQ Awardee will receive at least 1 Task Order.

Q38. Reference Section M.5, RFP page 61-62: It is unclear whether the Attachment C form will be the entire basis for the scoring of past performance or whether the Government will consider the text in the proposal. What will be the basis for the Government’s determination of Past Performance ratings? Will the score depend exclusively on the Evaluation forms completed by the references? If the Government intends to consider material provided by the offeror in the proposal itself, what proportion of the score will be based on that material?

A38: Utilize Attachment C to submit Past Performance Information.

Q39. Reference Section L.4, L.6, RFP page 61-62: These sections require Joint Venture/Teaming arrangement information to be provided in the Technical and Pricing Volumes respectively. Since this could have significant impact on page allocations in the technical proposal, will the Government please clarify the volume in which they require this information to be submitted?

A39: Should be an attachment to the Technical Volume as an appendix. This appendix will not count toward the Technical Volume page count.

Q40. Reference Attachment D-1: Section L states in bold that Task Orders 2 and 6 are not to be priced, but the TO Instructions in Attachments E and I respectively indicate clearly that pricing is required and give page counts and price proposal instructions. Please clarify the pricing requirements for TORPs 2 and 6.

A40: Cost and Pricing data is not required in response to Sample Task Order 2 AMISOM and Sample Task Order 6 Duar.

Q41. Reference Attachment H: All the TORP packages, with the exception of Attachment H, indicate whether or not the Government intends to award the TO with the IDIQ contract. That information is missing from the preamble to Attachment H. Will the Government indicate whether or not it intends to award TO 5 after award of the IDIQ contract?

A41: Attachment H is a Sample Task Order, Chad. Reference first paragraph of Attachment H.

Q42. Reference Attachment H: Following Exhibit C to Attachment H (Task Order 5), information relating to Task Order 4 suddenly appears, apparently in error. Will the Government provide an amended attachment?

A42: Language should read "Response to Sample Task Order 5".

Q43. Reference Section L.4, Attachment D-1: Section L limits the TORP response to a total of 200 pages in the technical volume. The page allocations in each of the 6 Attachments (D through I) only add up to 170. Please clarify the page allocations for the TORP responses? If 170 pages is indeed the page limit, would the Government consider allowing the balance of 30 pages to be used for the remainder of the technical volume, for an overall total of 300?

A43: Revised Technical Instructions "The entire technical proposal shall not exceed three hundred (300) single-side pages (140 pages of which are limited to technical proposals in response to Task Order Request for Proposals.)

Q44. Reference Section L.4, Attachment D-1: Page count for the Pricing Volumes of the TORP responses. Do the page limitations for the price proposals in the TORP responses count toward the 200 page limit? Please also clarify whether the TORP responses in Volume I (in which no pricing data is usually allowed) or as part of Volume II (Cost/Pricing)?

A44: Cost and Pricing Volume has a separate and distinct page limitation. Reference L.6 Paragraph 1.

Q45. Reference Section L.10, Pages 56-57: This section gives little detail on the requirements for a subcontracting plan. Please give more details regarding what is required for the Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Also, will a standard FAR Part 19-compliant SB Plan suffice?

A45: Reference FAR 19.7 for Plan guidelines.

Q46. Reference Section L.5, Pages 50 & 51: This section requires offerors to demonstrate capability under TC1 over the past FIVE years, whereas under TC4, the past performance threshold is THREE years. Please clarify the time limits for past performance/capability discussions.

A46: Page 50 references the Technical approach and requires offerors to provide a description of CORPORATE experience within the past 5 years. Page 51 requires the offeror to provide PPI references specifying same or similar work to the requirements.

Q47. Reference Section C.4, Activity 2, Page 9 states “Mobilization and Transition Plan is due no later than one week from date of TO Award. How many business days are in this reference to one week? Five business days or a calendar week?

A47: 5 Business days.

Q48. Reference Section C.2.3, Page 10: The RFP states that offerors are to provide full preventive and corrective maintenance and testing to include operator level maintenance for operational communications equipment (regardless of donor). Will the Government please identify the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for all communications and non-communications equipment likely to be used under the contract?

A48: Reference the SOW. This requirement is for after award. The initial task will be to inventory the equipment therefore OEM information will be obtained at that time.

Q49. Reference Section C.2.4, Page 10 regarding Procurement of Operational Equipment including: Sensitive Items & Commercial Items. What is their definition of sensitive items? Is it weapons, sights, encryption equipment, ground radar, compass, etc.?

A49: Sensitive Items will be defined at the time of award and updated as required throughout the period of performance. Useful examples are weapons, night visions goggles, chemical equipment, encryption devices etc.

Q50. Reference Section D.1 (b), Page 19: Classified reports, data, and documents. Are there examples of current classified information categories and is there any indication of volume?

A50: No

Q51. Reference Section H.2, Page 26: The RFP states that failure of the Contractor to fulfill any such commitment shall render the Contractor liable for liquidation or other damages due to the Government under the terms of this contract. Does this relate strictly to liquidated damages for non-functioning of equipment/material?

A51: Reference H.2, Definition of "Written commitments".

Q52. Reference Section H.14 (d), H.14 (i), Pages 32-34: The RFP states that “the Contractor shall comply with and shall ensure that its personnel…are familiar with and comply with all applicable US host country and third country national laws…” In the event of delays in Host Nation processing of weapons and other permits, will the Contractor be penalized for any resulting schedule delays?

A52: The contractor will not be penalized for potential schedule delays that are communicated in advance to the COR. The contractor will be penalized for delays that are NOT communicated to COR.

Q53. Reference TORPs: There appears to be a need to source non-US/non-NATO repair parts. It is understood that certain types of funding can only be used for purchasing of US/NATO equipment/parts. Please clarify that the source of funding being used for this program is conducive to purchasing non-US/NATO equipment/parts.

A53: DOS will ensure prior to authorization of any awardee purchasing any equipment that the appropriate type of funding will be available.

Q54. Reference Task Order #1, Attachment 1: The TORP requirements list some “sensitive items” such as GPS, night vision equipment. If this is to be turned over to the host nation forces/individuals, there are significant ITAR/Export Control issues at stake. Will the Government confirm who is to be the ultimate consignee of any sensitive equipment that is procured from the US?

A54: Reference Section 7 of the TORP. "All items procured under this order on a cost-reimbursable basis are the property of the USG."

Q55. TORP 3, Attachment F to Section J, Para 9: The job descriptions for the TO key personnel list military ranks held as requirements for the position. Will equivalent (or better) experience be sufficient, even if the individuals did not hold the required military rank?

A55: The RFP states the qualifications are "Preferable".

Q56. Beginning on page 13 of Attachment H, there is a section labeled "attachment E" that pertains to Somalia. Is this attachment intended to be included within Attachment H or is it possible misplaced?

A56: Attachment E is hereby deleted from Task Order 5, Attachment H.

Q57. Reference TORP 1, will the contractor be required to price and procure all items listed in Attachment D? If not, which items will be provided as GFE or provided by other sources (ie. UN, AU, donor nations, etc) for the nations of Burundi, Uganda and Nigeria?

A57: The attachments are provided to provide offerors with an idea of potential requirements. In accordance with Section 7.0, the awardee will not procure any item without the authorization of the CO.