Q A.pdf

USEPA, Region 5, Information Technology Support Services

Preproposal Conference: Presolicitation SOL-R5-15-00007

November 10, 2015

Questions & Answers

DISCLAIMER- Although we are trying to be as transparent as possible and provide potential offerors with as much information about anticipated needs, the final acquisition strategy and final requirement is not complete; therefore, no solicitation exists at this time. Any remarks and explanations made by government personnel do not qualify any terms of future solicitations, only an issued written solicitation and amendments will be binding. Expenses or beginning to formulate an approach in preparation for the acquisition based on information presented is solely at the potential offerors risk.

Acquisition Questions (AQ) & Responses (AR)

AQ#1: What do you anticipate as the key personnel requirement?

AR#1: On-Site Manager

AQ#2: Is the On-site Manager the only required key personnel? Are resumes required?

AR#2: Yes. Only for the key personnel.

AQ#3: How many resumes? Which labor certs resumes required?

AR#3: The draft RFP states only for On-site management.

AQ#4: What is the current level-of-effort?

AR#4: 27 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

AQ#5: How many FTEs are on the current contract? Also can this be categorized by role? What labor categories and how many FTEs are for each category?

AR#5: 27 FTEs. We are not dictating technical approach.

AQ#6: What is the current staff size? Is the scope to remain the same?

AR#6: 27 FTE. The draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is different from the current PWS which is different from the last PWS. The PWS is revised to remove outdated technology requirements and to include new technology requirements.

AQ7: How has the LOE changed for all six functional areas over the course of the contract? 8(a) in 2011 through 2014

(GSA STARS) to 8(a)

AR#7: The LOE has changed based upon needs/approaches, fluctuating from 32 FTE, to 24FTE, to now 27FTE with an average of 26FTE.

AQ#8: Is the incumbent eligible to recompete?

AR#8: According to System for Award Management, they are no longer 8(a) certified.

AQ#9: Who is the current contractor? Are they able to bid again?

AR#9: Ensoftek, Inc., according to System for Award Management, they are no longer 8(a) certified.

AQ#10: What is the name of the current incumbent? Can they bid in the new contract?

AR#10: Ensoftek, Inc., according to System for Award Management, they are no longer 8(a) certified.

AQ#11: What is the current dollar value of the current contract?

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

AR#11: $2.8M

AQ#12: Who are current subcontracting companies?

AR#12: Phacil, Inc.

AQ#13: What is the acquisition vehicle?

AR#13: Anticipated as posted on fbo.gov, FAR 12 and FAR 15.

AQ#14: What acquisition strategy are you leaning towards for this requisition?

AR#14: Anticipated as posted on fbo.gov, FAR 12 and FAR 15.

AQ#15: Do you intend to use GWACs for this procurement?

AR#15: No.

AQ#16: Is 8(a) STARS II being considered?

AR#16: It was.

AQ#17: Has 8(a) STARS been ruled out?

AR#17: No.

AQ#18: When do anticipate when you will have the acquisition strategy defined, 8(a) competitive or GSA STARS?

AR#18: Anticipated 8(a) competitive.

AQ#19: Should you utilize GSA STARS, which constellation or functional area will you use?

AR#19: Functional Area 3, maybe constellation 1.

AQ#20: Do you anticipate releasing a request for additional capabilities prior to the RFP?

AR#20: No, we know two or more 8(a) small businesses can perform the work.

AQ#21: Will it have to be a single contractor?

AR#21: One award will be made. SBA determines 8(a) eligibility.

AQ#22: Do contractors have to be in Region 5?

AR#22: No, but support services do.

AQ#23: Will the government requires a $27.5M NAICS code?

AR#23: The NAICS for this requirement is 541513.

AQ#24: What is the current NAICS?

AR#24: The current NAICS is 541413.

AQ#25: Any updated schedule dates for RFP and award?

AR#25: The anticipated schedule is as posted on fbo.gov “The Agency anticipates making award in February 2016 with the period of performance commencing by April 2016.”

AQ#26: Will non-exempt positions be SCA?

AR#26: Service Contract Labor standards depends on labor strategy and technical approach.

AQ#27: For each of the six (6) task areas, are you asking industry to price each as follows: 1 base with 4 one year opt? or all six tasks areas all within the base year and the each opt year thereafter?

AR#27: The proposed period of performance is for three years not five years. Forecasting fixed price beyond three years where we anticipate technology changes is not realistic. The contract line item numbers should be priced by one monthly fixed price for each year, including all six tasks.

AQ#28: Do you anticipate any significant changes to evaluation criteria?

AR#28: No major changes are anticipated?

AQ#29: Evaluation criteria on page 14 of the draft RFP lists price as the highest importance but the details factor description lists technical excellence first and price as last. Which is correct?

AR#29: Price is the most important.

AQ#30: What is/can you clarify evaluation criteria? LPTA, Best Value.

AR#30: LPTA is a FAR Part 14 evaluation criteria. In addition to LPTA, FAR Part 15 permits best value trade-offs, where other factors when combined, based upon a continuum of more important, equal important, or less important to price. When other factors are less important than price, this does not necessarily mean award is based upon LPTA as tradeoffs occur. LPTA is based upon acceptability.

AQ#31: What will be more important: past performance, technical solutions, management approach?

AR#31: Most likely, technical.

AQ#32: Will the government accept commercial past performance?

AR#32: Yes.

AQ#33: What exactly is the EPAs 1552.215-75 Past Performance?

AR#33: Go to www.ecfr.gov, click on Title 48, then 1500 to 1599. Next click on 1552 to find 1552.215-75 to find

EPAs past performance information.

AQ#34: How many similar Past Performance projects will be required of prime?

AR#34: As indicated in EPA Acquisition Regulation 1552.215-75, no relevant past performance is treated neither favorably or unfavorably.

Program Questions (PQ) & Responses (PR)

PQ#1: What areas that require improvement have been identified?

PR#1: No specific areas, but we are always trying to improve response times. We need to educate our customers better.

PQ#2: Are you satisfied with the incumbents performance and, if not, what areas would you like to see improved?

PR#2: The performance is acceptable.

PQ#3: Is support 24X7? How many years of current staff? Is size staying the same?

PR#3: No, normal hours of operation are 6:45am to 5pm. Don’t know so can’t answer. Anticipated NAICs is staying same.

PQ#4: Is Top Secret Security Clearance Required? If so, will EPA sponsor post award?

PR#4: No, but back ground investigations are required. The level of investigation is based upon labor position.

System Administrators typically require a higher investigation.

PQ#5: Is the next contract about advising EPA on solutions?

PR#5: No, it is for support services but we are open to suggestions for improvement.

PQ#6: Are any tasks currently listed in the draft new tasks? Yes or No.

http://www.ecfr.gov/

PR#6: No but some tasks were consolidated.

PQ#7: Do you anticipate a move in the near future for EPA HQ to consolidate IT services across all or some regions into a single contract or to dictate all aspects become a managed service?

PR#7: Not aware of any activities at this time.

PQ#8: Under task (1), management VoIP, what is the hardware that would be supported? If just endpoints, what type?

PR#8: The management VoIP brand is Avaya, and R5 support includes endpoint moves, adds, and changes.

PQ#9: What are the communication to help desk phone, email text? Self helps offered?

PR#9: Phone and email. Not much.

PQ#10: What types of support do you want the contractor to provide Help Desk-Remove/install, Hard wipe repair-software maintenance? System configuration, yes/no other?

PR#10: Help Desk includes call support, in person and remote. Installation includes all IT, (i.e. monitor, desktop, laptops, personal printer, network routers/wires). Hardware imaging, repair. Software troubleshooting/updating.

Security compliance. Management print services.

PQ#11: Is your database Oracle or SQL or both? How many apps do you support?

PR#11: Both, the number of apps we support are increasing as we migrate to SharePoint.