QA_Responses_070715.pdf

EPA REGION 9, WATER DIVISION IDIQ SOLICITATION

AS OF: 7 July 2015 Page 1 of 3

QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

SOLICITATION NUMBER SOL-R9-15-00008

The intent of this section is to provide questions & comments received from interested parties on the above solicitation, and our responses to those questions and comments. It is possible that the information below does not reflect 100% of the questions and responses. The questions and comments do not necessarily represent questions received from any particular contractor.

Questions and responses are provided for information only and are not made part of the solicitation.

Changes to any previous responses in this document will be struck-through and new, updated responses will be provided as appropriate.

No. RFP Section Question Response

B-4

Section B-4. The labor categories in the Module 1 table do not include several commonly used categories for work outlined in the PWS. Will EPA allow the addition of labor categories to this table?

If so, does that need to be established now or will EPA allow flexibility on these in the submitted proposal?

The EPA will allow additional labor category submissions. However, no substitutions will be allowed.

2 B-4 Section B-4. Does EPA want a single set of labor category rates for the entire team or can we provide separate cost tables by team firm?

The EPA requires a single set of labor categories rates for the entire team.

3 L-11 Related to question 1, section L- 11(b)(1)(iii)(a) identifies resumes requested for Module 1. Would EPA be open to flexibility on the 8 resumes to be submitted? The current request aligns with the Module 1 cost table categories.

Instead, could we submit 8 resumes, but for staff/categories that more closely align with the PWS? In particular, could we substitute technical staff for the contract administrator, word processor, and clerical categories?

The EPA will not accept labor category substitutions. Your firm may propose additional labor categories. The EPA will not accept any more than eight (8) resumes.

4 N/A We responded to the Sources Sought for SOL-R9-14-00003 in October of 2014. Is that the same project as SOL-R9-15- 00008? If so, is it necessary to respond to this Solicitation SOL-R9-15-00008 at this time?

SOL-R9-14-00003 was a sources-sought posting, which is utilized as market research. SOL-R9- 15-00008 is the official Request For Proposal (RFP). If you wish to be considered for award under this project you must submit a proposal under SOL-R9-15-00008.

AS OF: 7 July 2015 Page 2 of 3

QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

SOLICITATION NUMBER SOL-R9-15-00008

5 PWS / L-11 The solicitation only calls for (5) technical labor categories and as the work specified in the PWS is very broad, a variety of technical disciplines and varying levels of expertise may be necessary to successfully provide support. Would EPA consider expanding the labor categories (e.g., adding additional labor categories such as Analyst) as well as expanding each technical labor category to include Junior, Mid-Level, Senior and Principal levels?

If EPA expands the labor categories, how should the offeror address the resume requirements in Section L.11 (b)(1) (iii).

Also, would EPA reconsider the need for submitting resumes for the Word Processor and Clerical labor categories?

EPA will allow additions to the labor categories, not substitutions. The eight (8) resume restriction will not be changed. Yes, the EPA will not require resumes for non-technical/administrative personnel.

6 PWS

The solicitation does not specify qualifications, “i.e., education and experience” by labor category. Would EPA consider defining minimum qualifications by labor category in order to provide equity among responses?

EPA cannot prescribe specific qualifications for labor categories, only general experience and education. However, your firm may propose labor categories based on your firm’s internal assumptions and personnel qualification requirements.

7 L-12 Should the COI plan be included in the technical or cost proposal? Will the COI plan be counted in the overall page count?

The COI (Conflict of Interest) plan shall be excluded from inclusion in the technical proposal.

It shall be exempt from the 30 page limit.

8 B-4

It appears that since hours are not provided by labor category that the offeror need only submit rates and not a bottom line price.

Correct, only fully burdened rates are required.

9 N/A

Can we submit a proposal for certain parts of a Module for which we are uniquely well qualified and have extensive relevant experience, or do we have to submit a proposal and compete on the basis of all Module tasks?

For award consideration purposes, you must submit a proposal that demonstrates full performance capability for the entire module(s).

AS OF: 7 July 2015 Page 3 of 3

QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

SOLICITATION NUMBER SOL-R9-15-00008

10 N/A Is this posting considered the pre-solicitation notice or is this a full solicitation?

This posting is the official “full” solicitation.

11 L-8 / L-11

We have a question related to the instructions for SOL-R9-15-00008 on the Past Performance requirement. In the RFP, section L-8(b)(1)(a-l) requests specific contract past performance information. However, the instructions in L-11 seem to have a different requirement. L-11 (b)(1)(iii) includes the following statement: “The requested list of past performance projects shall not to contain any information other than Name of Client, Contract Number, Contract Title, Contract Value, Type of Contract, and Period of Performance.”

Can you please clarify a couple things:

(1) is the information on Past Performance identified in L-8(b)(1)(a-l) part of the 30-page limit? (2) Is the information requested as part of L-11(b)(1)(iii) supposed to be different than L-8 and if so, should we assume on that information is part of the 30-pages?

1) The information requested in section L-8 is provided directly by you, the offeror, and is part of the technical proposal and shall adhere to the 30 page limit.

2) The information requested in L-11 pertains to the past performance questionnaire (attachment #6) and is to be initially provided by your client, per the questionnaire. The past performance questionnaire is also part of the technical proposal and shall adhere to the 30 page limit.

12 N/A Has the webinar schedule been determined yet?

The webinar has not yet been scheduled. Release of the schedule will be done via a subsequent amendment to this posting.