FBO_Questions_BLISS_12_20.pdf

Basic Contract

Reference

Question/Comment Response

RFP L.16.4.1

Department of State

Subcontracting

Goals, page 145; and

RFP M.10.1.7 Small

Business

Subcontracting Plan, Please clarify in the RFP that the 55% small business goals apply to work only within the continental US. Recommend that L.16.4.1 be revised to state that DOSAR 652.219-70 applies only to CONUS operations and not to

OCONUS operations. Also recommend that

M.10.1.7 be revised to state that the small business utilization goals apply only to

CONUS operations.

In accordance with H.53, the small business base in which the 55% is calculated will be established based on the remaining available subcontract dollar value where subcontract requirements cannot be fulfilled by the local Iraqi Nationals. This language will be reflected in

M.10.1.7 . Please note the evaluation of the small business subcontracting plan will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis and not part of the non-price factors adjectival rating area provided under M.2.

RFP L.16.1.8 Sample

Program

Management Plan -

"Describe the program and project management structure, and roles…” and

M.10.1.2.2 Sample

Program

Management Plan -management structure, Roles…"

Recommend that L.16.1.8.be revised to specify "program management structure" so that evaluation criteria in M.10.1.2.2 matches the writing requirement specified in L.16.1.8 which appears to be consistently about the PMO and IDIQ program management.

The language in both sections is being modified to be in synch.

L.16.1.3.1 Sample

Staffing Plan; and

M.10.1.1.1 Sample

Staffing Plan

(multiple) Please clarify that the

Government intends for a Recruitment Plan to be part of the Sample Staffing Plan.

Section L.16.1.3.1 does not discuss a specific

Recruitment Plan; however M.10.1.1.1 does reference a distinct Recruitment Plan.

Recommend the Government clarify its requirement for a Recruitment Plan that is a part of the Sample Staffing Plan by revising

L.16.1.3.1 so it matches the evaluation objective in M.10.1.1.1.

L.16.1.3.1 now states "If the Offeror proposes the use of Third Country

Nationals as part of the proposed Staffing, a Recruitment Plan and

Housing Plan are required as per Section H.70. There is no page count for the these Plans and they are not counted as part of the 20 page limit.

However, these Plans will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis in the CO’s determination of offerors responsibility in accordance with FAR Subpart

9.1 (Responsible Prospective Contractors)"

L.16.1.1 Executive

Summary

(multiple) Please clarify the requirements of the Executive Summary. Recommend that the Government state if the Executive

Summary and brief history is part of the cover letter or is an attachment to the letter. Furthermore, recommend that a page count be allocated.

The Executive Summary and history is limited to 5 pages and will be an attachment to the cover letter

L.16.1 Volume 1, Technical Proposal

(120 Pages)

Would the Government please clarify the page count? Recommend the Government reconcile or clarify the difference between the 120 page limit and the total of all subparagraphs which is 190.

As per L.15--"The Technical Proposal shall not exceed 120 pages. The page count excludes table of contents/list of figures, sample plans such as staffing plan, housing plan, preliminary transition plan, past performance information, resumes, other required sample plans and contingency offer letters. Sample plans required in this RFP shall be limited.

L.15 General

Proposal

Instructions

Would the Government reconsider the prescription for double-sided pages and allow single sided? We recommend that the

Government allow single-sided. Double-sided pages create much more time and planning and potential reprints for correction to get pagination and section

"breaks" correct, especially when changes occur late in the proposal process due to corrections or amendments. This reduces or exceeds any benefit of saving paper on this style document and requirement. Change

Pages created by evaluation notices and discussions sometimes create an unruly document when double-sided is used.

The Government is considering your proposal. The response will be in the RFP.

L.15 General

Proposal

Instructions

It is not specified what format is preferred for Volumes 1, 3 and 4. Please specify

Microsoft Word or PDF.

Provision L.15 will specify the use of Microsoft Word.

C.1.A; Department of State Logistical

Network Enabler

J&A, 5 July 2012;

Government comments during

Site Survey

Please clarify the timing and objectives of the Logistical Enabler Network Bridge

Contract as the BLISS contractor transitions food/fuel purchase responsibility from the

DLA prime vendor. The Justification and

Authorization (J&A) of July 5, 2012 summarized the two-year bridge contract sole source award to prime contractor

Olgoonik and subcontractor SOSi to replace

DLA food and fuel procurement and distribution. Olgoonik and SOSi stated their intent to bid independently as prime contractors and each attended the Site

Survey.

Contract SAQMMA12D0166 held by Olgoonik Specialty Contractors, LLC, is a bridge contract to ensure continuity of operations during the transition from the state of contingeny operations to normalcy during such time as the BLISS contract would be competed under full and open competition.

C.1.A; Department of State Logistical

Network Enabler

J&A, 5 July 2012;

Government comments during

Site Survey

a. Please explain why the Government is tasking the BLISS contractor to transition responsibility from DLA if the Olgoonik/SOSi contract is taking on this role. During the site survey the Government noted the first fuel delivery under the Olgoonik/SOSi contract will take place in early 2013, before the BLISS proposals are submitted.

Contract SAQMMA12D0166 with a base period of 12 months ensures the government can maintain continuity of operations during the full and open competition of the BLISS contract. Whether the government chooses to exercise additional task orders will be based on the

Contracting Officer's discretion and immediate needs of the agency.

C.1.A; Department of State Logistical

Network Enabler

J&A, 5 July 2012;

Government comments during

Site Survey

b. Per the J&A, the food option is to be exercised “well into the (two-year) contract.” This appears to match the late

2013/early 2014 time period that the

Government Site Survey representatives said the transition from DLA food supply to the BLISS contractor food supply would take place. Why is the Government tasking the

BLISS contractor to assume responsibility from DLA when the Olgoonik/SOSi contract is to assume this role? Is the BLISS contractor to assume the fuel/food provision role from either DLA or

Olgoonik/SOSi?

Contract SAQMMA12D0166 is a bridge contract to ensure continuity of operations during the transition from the state of contingeny operations to normalcy. Currently, the government has not tasked the contractor to provide food services at any site in Iraq.

C.1.A; Department of State Logistical

Network Enabler

J&A, 5 July 2012;

Government comments during

Site Survey

c. While other BLISS contractors are developing their fuel/food solution as part of their proposal, the two offerors Olgoonik and SOSi are developing an approach on behalf of the Government that in all likelihood will serve as the basis of their

BLISS solution in their respective proposals.

What safeguards are in place to assure that the Government’s proposal evaluation team is not biased toward giving greater credibility to the perceived “official” DLA replacement solution than that offered by the other bidders? What safeguards are in place to assure that the Government’s proposal evaluation team is not biased in favor of the Olgoonik and/or SOSi solution based on an assumption that the two firms will already be managing the Government’s preferred solution?

The two responses above address the current status of this contract.

L.16.1.3.1 Sample

Staffing Plan (20

PAGES), Page 124

"The training methodology the Offeror will utilize to maintain and update employees’ knowledge in the latest systems/ equipment specifications, best practices in O&M techniques including commercial techniques and program and project management skills for applicable personnel."

Questions: We do not have O&M requirements in this RFP – why is this paragraph included?

L.16.1.3.1 Now reads "The Offeror shall provide a notional description of the organizational structure, management, and qualified staff required to provide onsite BLISS services for Sample Task Orders. The Offeror shall describe: The organizational structure and number of personnel proposed to provide direct services under this contract. The training methodology the Offeror will utilize to maintain and update employees’ knowledge, best practices in BLiSS techniques including commercial techniques and program and project management skills for applicable personnel. The training methodology the Offeror will utilize to maintain employee proficiency in the use of software programs that may be employed during the contracts performance; The training methodology the Offeror will utilize to provide robust program and project management to plan, schedule and manage the overall workload requirements and deliverables of this project; The training methodology the Offeror will utilize to recruit, develop and maintain a Local National

(LN) workforce for direct hire and subcontracted positions; Any awards or incentive plans designed to promote high quality performance and reduce personnel turnover for this contract; If the Offeror proposes the use of Third Country Nationals as part of the Staffing Plan, a Recruitment

Plan is required as per Section H.70. There is no page count for the

Recruitment Plan and it is not counted as part of the 20 page limit.

However, the Recruitment Plan will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis in the CO’s determination of offerors responsibility in accordance with FAR

Subpart 9.1 (Responsible Prospective Contractors). Organizational and functional chart reflecting line of management responsibility, including corporate management (including name and telephone number) above the level managing this contract." or words to that effect.

L.16.1.5.1 Key

Personnel, Page 127

Country Manager (PMO Task Order) - The contract manager shall have the authority to commit the Contractor’s financial resources, and act as the single point of contact with the Government, as required to meet the overall requirements of the Contract.

Question: Should this read as “Country” not

“contract” manager?

The section now reads "Country Manager (PMO Task Order) - The country manager shall have the authority to commit the Contractor’s financial resources, and act as the single point of contact with the

Government, as required to meet the overall requirements of the

Contract. The country manager shall have a minimum of 15 years experience in related life support services, with a minimum of 5 years experience in large facilities.

L.16.1.5.1 Key

Personnel, Page 127

What are your limitations for bidder/ corporate-identified key staff? Can a bidder propose additional key staff?

Key Personnel are those that the Agency feels are the minimum necessary to perform this contract. They are named personnel, requiring resumes and minimum commitments. The replacement process of such personnel is described in provision H.62. Offerors may propose additional key staff for the Government to consider.

L.16.2.1 Price

Proposal

Information, Page

In pricing table ____TBD, for evaluation purposes only, the government provided for each contract year, as representatives of the

"BLISS Supplies" section, an estimated direct cost of $_____for Fuel, $______ for Food, and $_______ for Travel.

Question: Does the Government intend to allow for periodic (14 Day) economic adjustments for the commodities of Food and Fuel?

L.16.2.1 now reads: "1) Offerors shall submit a compliant price proposal pursuant to the instructions in Section L.16.2.2 (Price Proposal

Instructions), and pricing instructions in Exhibit A and Exhibit B. Offerors which fail to submit a compliant price proposal may be excluded from award consideration. A compliant price proposal satisfies all instructions in Section L.16.2.

2) (Price Proposal Instructions), and all pricing instructions in Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

3) Pricing Table ___ (TBD) is a compliance checklist. It contains: a) the price proposal instructions in Section L.16.2.2, Exhibit A, and Exhibit B; b) offeror’s indication of its compliance; and c) offeror’s identification of where in the price proposal the instruction was satisfied. This table is intended to assist the offeror in ensuring a compliant price proposal and the Government evaluator in reviewing the proposal.

4) RESERVED.

5) In Pricing Table ____(TBD), for evaluation purposes only, the

Government provided for each contract year, as representatives of the

“BLISS Supplies” section, an estimated direct cost of $________ for

Equipment, and $_________ for Travel.

6) The Contracting Officer will fill in the blanks in Sections B.7, B.11, and B.12 at contract award.

7) Certified cost or pricing data, as described in FAR Subpart 15.4, are not required and relied upon for award of the contract because the

Government anticipates adequate price competition. Instead, where applicable, the Government will require and rely upon data other than certified cost or pricing data"...Or words to that effect.

It appears that the Government plans to provide a plug number for food and fuel for the source selection to level the playing field. However, the Government needs to describe how it plans to handle pricing for highly volatile commodities such as food and fuel. The approach greatly impacts contractor staffing, pricing and contract execution.

It is the Offeror's responsibility to propose its approach for providing and pricing food and fuel commodities. The government does not "handle" pricing for fuel and food commosities within the U.S. or other countries where it has embassies and will not do so for DOS in Iraq. International and national commerce relies upon sophisticated supply chains for both food and fuel and must be flexible when dealing with fluxation in price and supply.

Question: How will the Government share the risk of the cost of food and fuel on this contract?

It is the Offeror's responsibility to propose its approach for providing and pricing food and fuel commodities which mitigates risk to both the contractor and government.

BLISS Site Survey Are there any planning constraints on

Embassy Air availability in support of transition? If so, what are they? (Rationale:

Offerors must understand limitations on personnel movements in order to effectively plan transition schedule.)

Generally, Contractors will not be allowed use of Embassy Air, except in cases where it is in the best interests of the Government.

BLISS Site Survey Who manages HAZMAT storage areas? HAZMAT storage will be managed under the OMSS contract.

BLISS Site Survey Do you only need one BLiSS contract personnel per site for postal operations?

DPO augmentees are needed at BEC, Basrah and BDSC, one per site.

BLISS Site Survey Do the bidders need to price the DOS-provided bed space into their proposals?

Will you give us your price for bed space?

No. All offerors should allow for using the maximum beds allowed in their proposal. The absence of the need to house those employees should be reflected in the labor rates. The Contractor will not be charged for bed space.

BLISS Site Survey Can we have a very early shift for our cafeterias? Do the operating hours of the site affect our ability to do so? Do our vetted and badged workers have restrictions on the times they can enter the BEC, other sites?

The Contractor may propose a solution that works to the advantage of all parties. Operating hours may impact schedules, particularly in those two sites that have limited access through checkpoints (Basrah 0700-1900;

BDSC 0800-2200). There are no restrictions on entering the IZ (BEC) or

EDSC at this time.

BLISS Site Survey Will the BLiSS contractors be responsible for medical/bio waste removal and incineration?

Yes.

BLISS Site Survey Your RFP reads Security is not necessary”

Why is security not required for contractors when you require it for your own movements?

The Contractor will be responsible for its own security needs. The

Government will not provide security services to the contractor with the exception of security while working or living at a DOS site.

BLISS Site Survey Will the BLiSS contractor be responsible for

IT set up and functions for badging systems links?

No, these systems are maintained by the USG employee Information

Resource Management (IRM) staff at the Embassy or Consulate.

BLISS Site Survey Who will perform audit functions for the contract, DCAA, DCMA or GAO?

The Government will use DCAA for audit functions as appropriate, and will introduce an IV&V contractor in support of COR and Program

Management functions.

BLISS Site Survey Will DOS assist contractor with Dip Note for food coming by air/ground (i.e., pork products, etc.)?

The Government does not anticipate a need for Diplomatic Notes in support of food supply and shipment. The Contractor will be responsible for all negotiations and arrangements regarding supply chain.

BLISS Site Survey Regarding your headcount forecasts: what is the breakout of contractors vs. direct hire

USG personnel?

Headcount will be a plug figure, provided in the RFP. It will be close to estimated numbers for the time of award.

BLISS Site Survey Re: transition: Please specify how the phase-in contractor will work alongside the phase-out contract? Will there be a right-seat ride period?

This will be decided on a case-by-case basis, and will be discussed during the kick-off and initial scheduling. However, each offeror should propose the approach to transition.

BLISS Site Survey Can you talk to the catering and special events service area in the matrix?

The government expects each offeror to propose an approach in the

Food Management Plan.

BLISS Site Survey Will there be conferences for which food needs to be brought in?

There will be special events that food and services must be provided for.

The contractor will provide separate pricing for catering such events.

BLISS Site Survey After transition, are you requiring a certain amount of food on hand?

Yes, the contractor will be expected to maintain a 30 day supply for each cafeteria. Also there will be a requirement to plan for the possibility of reduced operations, should there be security issues and staff and goods are not allowed access.

BLISS Site Survey Are MREs suitable substitute for food operations during reduced operations?

No.

BLISS Site Survey Are there limitations on the size of trucks that can enter your site?

No.

BLISS Site Survey Do we want/need/expect Emergency

Medical Technician services under fire protection?

No. All fire department personnel should meet standards required for first response in accordance with the referenced directives.

BLISS Site Survey Will Prosperity become just a working day site?

Yes, there will be only limited food and security services. The customers for the critical services at Prosperity include refugee Program, Vetting/Badging and vehicle maintenance.

BLISS Site Survey Will the government keep the DLA food portion of the BLiSS contract type beyond award and the 180 day transition period?

The 180 days is the DLA ramp down to meet the terms of its current contract providing support to Iraq. This period is separate from the Food

Services Task Order transition period. It is not the agency's intent to maintain the DLA source of supply unless the successful offeror makes a cogent and compelling case for continuing to have DLA supply certain items that are very expensive or hard to obtain otherwise.

Section B.11.c, Provisional Billing

Indirect Cost Rates,

pg. 11, and Section

B.12, Ceiling Indirect

Cost Rates, pg. 12

The first cited reference states: "The

Contractor may recover, if consistent with

Far part 31 and the Contractor's disclosed cost accounting practices, all allowable indirect costs." The second cited reference limits the recovery of allowable indirect costs to the negotiated celings. Please clarify.

B.11 established provisional rates are allowable for contractor to recover cost consistent to FAR Part 31. B.12 established ceiling indirect cost rates limit the recovery of such indirect costs to the negotiated ceiling rates appliable to task orders issued under this contract. This B.12 negotiated ceiling rate will be established based on proposed rates submitted by offerors. The negotiated ceiling indirect cost rates will be compared to the respective established final indirect cost rates and the

Gov't will pay the lesser of the negotiated ceiling indirect cost rates and the respective established final indirect cost rates.

Section L.16.4

Volume 4: Small

Business

Subcontracting Plan,

pg. 144-145

The government indicated during the

Industry Day Conference that the small business goal of 55% is based on total subcontracted dollars vice total contract value. Additionally, the

Government clarified that the base for the computation would include only subcontracts to "large business" US companies. We understand this to mean that subcontracts to small or large business

Iraqi companies would be excluded from being counted toward the goal or the base for the calculation. To the extent that this interpretation is correct, we can find nothing in the solicitation to confirm our understanding. It is requested that the government clarify their intent on this matter.

The information provided during Industry Day has been updated. In accordance with H.53, the small business base in which the 55% is calculated will be established based on the remaining available subcontract dollar value where subcontract requirements cannot be fulfilled by the local Iraqi Nationals. This language will be reflected in

M.10.1.7 . Please note the evaluation of the small business subcontracting plan will be a pass/fail basis and not part of the non-price factors adjectival rating area provided under M.2.

L.16.1.14, Oral

Technical Proposal

Presentation

Constraints, pg. 132

Would the Government consider allowing more than 5 members of the offeror's team to participate in orals?

No.

Section L.15, General Proposal

Instructions, pg. 122;

and Section

L.16.1.14, Oral

Technical Proposal

Presentation

Constraints, pg. 132

Please clarify if the time limit for Oral

Presentations is 120 min. as indicated in the table in Section L.15 or 90 min. as indicated in Section L.16.1.14.

The time limit for the presentation is 90 minutes. The following question and answer period is 90 minutes.

General In terms of the scope of the food services would the maximum and minimum number of people being served at each location be available?

The RFP provides the headcount estimated to be used at time of award for each cafeteria. This number is a "plug" to allow for price evaluation and planning (staffing, approach, etc).