Contract_Question_and_Answer_Form-11192015.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 29 KB Posted
- Attached to
- NOAA Office of Education Support Services
- Solicitation number
- ST-1330-16-RP-0170
About this file
Contract and Questions and Answers - November 19 2015
View the file
Other files
Show all 18
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1
| Office of Education Support Services |
| RFP ST-1330-16-RP-0170 |
| Interested Parties Question/Comment Form |
| Page No. | Section | Paragraph | Question | Comment | Answers |
| Good Afternoon, I will like to know if a small business does not have any past performance should they bid on this contract? Do you know how you can apply as a subcontractor for this RFP. Thanks | Yes, you can still submit a proposal if you do not have any relevant past performance. See Section M for how no past performance is rated. The government does not contract directly with subcontractors. | ||||
| Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past? |
If available, please provide the incumbent contract number.
If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this
| is a new requirement for the government? | Yes, Several vendors have performed this requirement in the past. Current incumbent contractors are Federal Working Group(GS35F0083L/DG-1330-12-NC-1684), Brilliant Corporation (EA133R-11-BU-0039/TO001), and Tech Global (DG133C-12-CQ-0031) | ||||
| 11 | 6.1 through 6.15 | The positions listed don't correspond to Department of Labor's wage determination. Can you share the comparable SCA labor categories with us? | These are Professional Services and are not covered by SCA labor categories. | ||
| 6 | Addendum Section B | There are three pricing Matrix documents provided. Which Pricing Matrix document should be used for submittal? | Please use the file labled "Updated Pricing Matrix (2)" | ||
| 25 | I | I.5(a) | Please specify the labor categories covered by Service Contract Act (SCA) and the applicable WD? | These are Professional Services and are not covered by SCA labor categories. | |
| 38 | L | 5 | Can we submit all the electronic files in PDF format? What format for electronic submission is required? | PDF is acceptable. | |
| 38 | L | 4 | Should we submit one electronic file for Volume 1 with sections for tabs A-F or should we submit 6 separate electronic files - one for each of the tabs A-F. | Please submit a separate file for each Tab. | |
| 39 | L | Page Limitation | What are the requirements for the font size and page margins? | No smaller than 10 pt font, Times New Roman (for figures and tables as well). No wider than .5 inch margins (all around). | |
| 39 | L | Page Limitation | Is the 25 page limitation for Technical and Management Plan combined or is it 25 pages for Technical and 25 pages for Management Plan? | 25 pages for the Technical and Management Plan combined. | |
| 40 | L | Tab B | Please specify for what positions foreign nationals are expected to be deployed? Where will they be deployed? | There are no requirements for deployments. | |
| 40 | L | Tab B | Is the contractor expected to apply for the visa/work permits of the foreign nationals if they are deployed in USA? | There are no requirements for deployments. | |
| 40 | L | Tab B | Will the Government reimburse the expenses associated with legal, USCIS application and visa fees? | No. | |
| 42 | L | Tab F | What are the certifications required in the task orders? | See FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations, Certifications - Commercial per the RFP. | |
| 38 | L | 2 | We request that the RFP response submittal date be extended. | Not at this time. | |
| 39 | L | 6 | Please confirm if the following page limits is correct: |
Cover Letter - 2 pages Technical Approach: 25 pages Management Approach: 25 pages Past performance: no page limit Representations - no page limit
| Transition Plan - no page limit | The Cover Letter shall be 2 pages and the Technical and Management Approach together shall be no longer than 25 pages. The other Past Performance, Reps and Transition Plans have no page limits. | |||||
| 39 | L | 6 | It is stated that past performance should be submitted under separate cover. Do you want us to submit in a separate email or send it as a separate file along with the other files of Volume 1? | Please submit it as a separate file/tab with the other files of Volume 1. | ||
| How many positions in staffing matrix are filled now? | All of them. | |||||
| 27 | I.5.c.1 | n/a | How many Service Contract Labor Standards service employees are there who would fall under the Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers provisions of this solicitation? | There are no SCA employees under this contract. | ||
| 42 | L.1. | Tab F | What evaluation criteria apply to the transition plan? | It is being evaluated under the Management Approach: "The effectiveness and realism of the offeror’s approach to managing cost, schedule and recruitment and retention of highly qualified personnel, and the transition turnover at the conclusion of the period of performance of an existing Contract." | ||
| 39 | L.1. | Technical Submission | May we include Past Performance information in Volume I? | The requirement that past performance 'must be submitted under separate cover' contradicts the inclusion of Past Performance in Volume I as prescribed on page 38 item 4. | Past Performance shall be submitted in a separate file (Tab D) which is included in Volume One. | |
| n/a | L.1. | Are Past Performance Questionnaires required? | There are no instructions detailed for Past Performance Questionnaires requirements. | Yes, Past Performance Questionnaires are required. | ||
| n/a | What do the references to 'WFMO HR SUPPORT SERVICES' in the Past Performance Questionnaires refer to? How is 'WFMO HR' applicable to the OED Support Services procurement? | The reference to WFMO HR has been updated to OED Support Services on the Past Perfromance Questionnaire. | ||||
| 22 | F | 1 | Are there no option periods on this contract? | No, there is a five year ordeirng period. Options will be considered at the Task Order level. | ||
| 42 | L | Vol II Price Proposal | Are two separate pricing tables to be submitted: one for on-site (Gov site) rates and one for off-site (Contractor site) labor rates? | No. | ||
| 42 | L | Vol II Price Proposal | Please provide labor category position descriptions/requirments. | See SOW Section 6. | ||
| 40 | L | Tab C: Mgt Plan | Are resumes required for all positions or only those designated as Program Manager and other proposed key personnel"? | The RFP does not require resumes. The RFP specifies the requirement to demonstate qualifications of the PM and other key personnel. | ||
| 6 | B | 1 | Would the Government consider changing the single award designation to multiple award? | No. | ||
| Tab A: Executive Letter / Cover Letter | L | 3 | The page limit states "25 total double-sided". Given we are providing the proposal via email, does that simply imply 25 pages total? Also, are figures and tables included in this page limit? Lastly, Tab A: Executive Letter / Cover Letter has a 2 page limit. Are those 2 pages included in the over 25 page limit? | Yes, 25 pages total, including figures and tables. | ||
| 40 | L | 2 | The proposal requests that a Quality Control Plan be included. Will the government clarify if the offeror's Quality Control Plan is included in the 25 page count for the Technical Volume? | Yes, the Quality Control Plan is included in the 25 page limit within the Technical Approach. | ||
| 40 | L | 4 | Does the government anticipate that the selected vendor will employee Foreign Nationals for this support? If yes, can additional information be provided as to the nature of work the Foreign Nationals will assist with. | The government does not make any assumptions for offerors hiring practices. | ||
| 42 | L | 1 | Should the offeror expect that all 12 positions start on contract award along with an awarded Task Order or will the positions be phased in throughout the year ? | Each task order will have specific requirements, and positions will be phased in as required. | ||
| 48 | M | 2 | Will the offeror be allowed to use relevant subcontractor's past performance towards the 5 required for this evaluation factor? | Section L states offerors may submit past peformance for contracts, subcontracts, task and purchase orders. Those past performances submitted will be evaluated in accordance with Section M. | ||
| 40 | L | Management Plan | Is the Contract Manager a full time position? | The offeror shall propose each position base on your approach. | ||
| Labor Category question | Pricing Matrix Spreadsheet | The RFP refers to the vendor's Program Manager however the pricing matrix does not have a Program or Project Manager labor category. Would the government consider adding these labor categories and potentially a Program Anaylst for management support as part of the IDIQ? | A Program Manager position will be added to the Pricing Matrix. | |||
| 39 | Technical Submission | 2 | "25 total double sided" pages; since this is an e-submission it won't be double sided. Does this mean 50 single sided pages? Please clarify the page limitation. | The page limit for the Technical and Managerment Approach is 25 pages. | ||
| 39 | Page Limitation | 2nd | Are you referring to the questionnaires that are excluded from the page count? | In this section you state that Past Performance is excluded from the page limit and must be submitted under separate cover. | The Government is referring to the Past Performance that is to be submitted under separate cover as Tab D. Past Performance questionnaires will be submitted seperately directly to the Contract Specialist from POCs completing the questionnaires. | |
| 39 | Page Limitation | 2nd | Please clarify what is included and what is not included in the page count | In this section you state what is excluded, but in the next section the listing of team members is stated as not included in the page count. The transition plan is also later stated that it is not included in the page count. | Refer to the RFP Section L and M for what is included in the page count. | |
| 40 | Technical Approach | 2nd para on page | "Describe the deliverables to be produced". There was not a list of deliverables within the SOW; does NOAA/OED have required deliverables? | Deliverables will be specified at the task order level. | ||
| 40 | Technical Approach | last para in section | "Offerors shall demonstrate understanding of the challenges, and describe their approach and internal processes for employing foreign nationals". Does NOAA/OED have a requirement to employ foreign nationals? | No | ||
| 40 | Management Approach | Last para on page | Are there page limitations for the resumes of Key Personnel? |
| Offerors are to provide the qualifications of any key personnel proposed in the Management Approach. | |||||
| 40 | Management Approach | Last para on page | The PM is mentioned in this section. Other than the PM, does NOAA/OED have a specific criteria for Key Personnel? Are there maximum number of Key Personnel resumes to include? | The RFP requires proposing a PM. | |
| 41 | Tab D - Past Performance | Are the summaries of the past performances included in the page count? | See comment on line 7 | No. | |
| 41 | Tab D - Past Performance | Are the 5 past performances inclusive of subcontractors/teaming partners? | Yes. | ||
| 42 | Volume II - Price Proposal | What do you mean by locations? See comment. | The cost/price submission shall include costs broken down by labor categories, locations, and time periods. | The Places of Perforamance. The Goverenment will update the pricing matrix accordingly. | |
| 22 | F.1 | (b) | What are the Start and End Dates of the Option Periods? | This IDIQ Contract will have a five year ordering period. Options do not apply. | |
| 39 | L.1 | Technical Submission | Will the Government consider excluding Front Matter from the Page Count? (i.e) List of Figures and Tables, Compliance Matrix? | The RFP states the page count required. | |
| 39 | L.1 | Technical Submission | Please define what "Other Size/Status Information" includes? | Other Socio-econmic catergories your company qualifies. | |
| 49 | M.2 | Under Factor 4 - Price: "...Price Evaluation will examine the following: |
• Total price of the Pricing Matrix
• Proposed rates per the labor category descriptions stated in the SOW.
• Completeness of the Pricing Matrix
• Reasonableness of prices based on the aforementioned labor category
| descriptions." | The solicitation references labor category descriptions stated in the SOW. There is a PWS but no SOW. We were unable to find labor category descriptions in the PWS or anywhere in the solicitation. Will the Government release labor category descriptions or are offerors to propose our own labor category descriptions? | The reference to the SOW will be corrected in the amendment to read PWS. The pricing matrix is aligned with the PWS sections / labor category descriptions / levels of effort. | ||||
| 35/41 | E | 1 | If the offeror has full reps and certs in SAM.gov must they be included or are pages 35 and 36 all that are reuired to be submitted? | The offerors shall complete the reps and certs in accordance with the RFP clause requirement. | ||
| 41 | E | 1 | "…county name in which the company is located and work is to be performed." Since work will be performed at government sites in DC and Silver Spring, what is the government looking for here? | Section C specifies the places of performance are Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC. | ||
| 41 | E | 3 | "SAM registration verifying NAICS 541990" - Does the government simply want the contractor to confirm it has this? What shall the contractor submit? | The NAICS needs to be in your SAM profile at time of award. | ||
| 11 | 6.1 | Please clarify whether references to the Program Manager refer to the contractors PM or the Governemnt's PM | The Contractor's PM. | |||
| 27 | Contract Clauses | (53) Non-displacement of qualified workers | Can the government please provide the applicable wage determination (s)? | These are Professional Services and are not covered by SCA labor categories. | ||
| 41 | D | 1 | This section requests past performances within the past 3 years, however the past performance questionaire attachment specifiec last 5 years. Please clarify the number of years in which a project may hve been completed | This has been addressed with an updated PPQ form. The PPQ has been updated to 3 years. | ||
| Past Performance questionaire | The heading of part 1 reads " PART I: WFMO HR SUPPORT SERVICES OFFEROR INFORMATION" Please clarify that this questionare is to be used for the OED Support Services Solicitation | This has been addressed with an updated PPQ form. | ||||
| General | How many task orders have been issued under the existing contract and what is the total dollar value? | This is a consolidated requirment that has a history of multiple contracts. | ||||
| 42 | L | Tab F: Transition Plan | Is there a page limit for the Transition plan? | No. | ||
| 39 | L | Instructions, 6 | Is Times New Roman 11 point for text and 9 point for tables acceptable? | No. RFP specifies font size. | ||
| 39 | Section L Page 39 | 1 | Please confirm that the submission is only via email and will not require delivering a printed double-sided proposal. | Yes, it is only to be submitted via email. | ||
| 39 | L | Technical Submission, first Paragraph | "Past Performance is excluded from the page limit and must be submitted under separate cover. " Please confirm that the government wants the electronic submission to consist of three separate files: Volume I, Volume II, and Past Performance. | Past Performance shall be submitted as Tab D which is to be submitted within Volume I. | ||
| 40, 41, 48 | L and M | Tab C: Management Plan | ||||
| Factor 2 - Management Approach | Key personnel are discussed in several areas, but the RFP does not indicate which positions are key. Is it the government's intention that we propose the labor categories that we determine are key? | The RFP requires proposing a PM. Other key personnel are determined by the offeror. | ||||
| 40 | L | Tab C: Management Plan | ||||
| Factor 2 - Management Approach | A quality control plan is required for the IDIQ, is it also required at the task level? Confirm that this plan is within page count. There are not any instructions regarding this plan. Please describe how the plan will be evaluated. | The quality control plan is required to be submitted within Management Plan which is to be incorporated into Tab C. | ||||
| 40 | L | Tab C: Management Plan | ||||
| Factor 2 - Management Approach | Please list the specific deliverables to be quality controlled in the various PWS areas. | Deliverables will be specified at the task order level. | ||||
| 42 | L and M | Tab F: Transition Plan | The Transition Plan is not listed in the Evaluation Criteria in Section M. Please describe how the Transition Plan will be evaluated and its relative weighting. | As specified in the RFP, it will be evaluated as an element within the Management Approach. | ||
| 42 | L and M | Tab F: Transition Plan | Is the contractor allowed to transition in less than 90 days? | As specified in the RFP, transition planning will be evaluated as an element within the Management Approach. | ||
| 42 | L and M | Tab F: Transition Plan | Is there a difference between a startup plan and a transition plan? | As specified in the RFP, transition planning will be evaluated as an element within the Management Approach. | ||
| 42 | L and M | Tab F: Transition Plan | Are there single or multiple contracts from which the incumbent staff may transition onto the new contractor's staff? | Multiple. | ||
| 6, 42 | Cover Letter, Pricing Matrix | Pricing Matrix | Other Direct Costs (ODCs) are cited in various areas, but there does not appear to be guidance on how to address them in the pricing matrix from Amendment 1. Please provide guidance on how to address them in the pricing matrix. | ODCs will be evaluated at the task order level. | ||
| 42 | L | Price Proposal | Could you provide the locations currently supported and which labor categories support the various locations in the the pricing matrix? | The price proposal indicates that we are to break down by price, labor categories, locations and time periods. | The RFP will be amended to remove locations from Section L , Price Proposal instructions. | |
| Pricing Matrix | Can the offeror propose additional labor categories that they deem appropriate? | In our experience, given the broad scope of the PWS contractor may need more than the 12 labor categories listed. | No. | |||
| 38 | L | 4 | Please confirm that the Government wants to see the anticipated level of effort by labor category and proposed subcontractors for each task area in the technical proposal? | Resource data such as labor categories, hours, materials and subcontract shall be contained in technical proposal. | Please response in accordance with the RFP instructions. | |
| 40 | Section L, Tab C | 3 | Bullet 2 under Tab C discusses key personnel. Outside of the Contractor Program Manager, which labor categories does the Government view as key? | The pricing matrix will be updated to include a Program Manager. | ||
| 40 | Section L, Tab C | 3 | Bullet 2 under Tab C discusses the Contractor Program Manager. Will this position be on Government or Contactor site, and is it billable to the Government? | The offeror shall propose each position based on your approach. | ||
| 41 | Section L, Tab D | 1 | Are interested parties required to submit a minimum of 5 past performance references, or is it up to 5? | A maximum of five (5). | ||
| Past Performance Questionnaire | If a contractor has references in CPARS, would a questionnaire still be required, or could we submit our CPARS rating as an alternative? | PPQ are still required. | ||||
| COVER | 8 | What is the proposal due date | Page | 3-Dec-15 | ||
| 6 | 3 | What is the actual period of performance? | Shows a past due date, but page 22 shows a different date. | The POP is anticipated from March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2021 | ||
| Is this a new solicitation or a consolidated type solicitation where older and or current contracts are grouped into one? | This is a follow on contract to existing work. | |||||
| Will this be a single or multiple award? | Single award is anticipated. | |||||
| 46 | 52.212-2 | Evaluation - Commercial Items | Why is this section included as there are no commercial items included in the solicitation? | Commercial Services are included in Commerical Items. | ||
| 16-Feb | evaluation criteria | 4-factor weight | What is the weight for selection of each of the four factors listed? | See page 39 of the RFP for factor weighting. | ||
| Set Aside? | Is this solicitation set aside for Small Business? | Yes. | ||||
| If this solicitation is set aside for small business, are you planning to enforce the NAICS code of 54190 and associated size of $15 M? | NAICS code applies for size standard. |
| 41 | L.1 | Tab D Past Performance | Would the Government provide instructions for submission of Past Performance Questionnaires? | Past Performance instructions provide only directions for five recent project descriptions. | The attached PPQ provides additional instructions for the Past Performance submission. |
| 42 | L.1 | VOLUME II Price Proposal | Would the Government please clarify how they want the offeror to break down costs by " locations and time periods" on the Pricing Matrix? | The Goverenment will update the pricing matrix accordingly to remove "locations." | |
| 42 | L.1 | VOLUME II Price Proposal | Would the Government please clarify if there any instructions for filling in or submitting the cost Schedule (Section B)? | The pricing matrix is provided. | |
| Is there an incumbent? If so, who and are they eligible to bid? | Yes, the incumbants are eligible to bid. | ||||
| Does the Government intend to make more than one award for this opportunity? | No. | ||||
| Within the Technical Approach, could the Government confirm that only Tab F is excluded from the 25 page limit? | Yes, Tabs A, D, E, and F are excluded from the 25 page limit. | ||||
| 18 | 6.12 | All | Does it require the contractor to obtain any licenses for this or any other data base tools in the OED office? | No. | |
| 29 | I.6 | 11(ii) | What is the nature and extent of the pricing evaluation preference for HubZones? | The government will apply FAR requirements in the price evaluation. | |
| 38 | L | 3 | Please confirm the page count is 25 pages total. As it is written, it appears that it is 50 pages of text @25 pages double sided. Double sided indicates that perhaps you intended a hard copy submission. Please confirm that this is to be an electronic submission only. | The page count is 25 for the Technical and Management Approach. This is to be electronic submission only. | |
| Recommendation | all | all | We recommend an ODC plug number rather than requiring the offerors to speculate. The ODC requirement unfairly benefits the incumbent who may be the only one who could price the ODCs on this effort. | ODCs will be evaluated at the task order level. | |
| Evaluation criteria | Is it possible for you to assign a point value to the evaluation sections rather than a prioritize list? | Evaluation criteria to be used is specified in the RFP. | |||
| 38 | 3 | Given that the period of performance is March 2016, could you consider granting a one-week extension for the submission of the proposal ? This would give our employees to fully enjoy the Tanksgiving holiday. Thank you | No. | ||
| 41 | D | past performance | As a small business set aside contract, would you accept a small portion of the work to be performed by a sub contractor, and as such accept small portion of the past performance references from a sub contractor? | Offerors shall propose how they will accomplish all work required in the PWS, including the use of subcontractors as required. |
Sheet2
Sheet3
Sheet4
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .