Q&As_on_ProTech-Weather_Final_RFP_(ST-1330-18-RP-0041).pdf

ProTech-Weather Final RFP (ST-1330-18-RP-0041) Industry Questions and Answers

Question #

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

1 C C.2 OBJECTIVES

This also applies to C.3.1 and C3.3. RFP states that “The Contractor shall provide scientific support services to include, but not limited to, the following”, followed by each element. To what extent are offerers required to address the list of services within each element? For example, element 3.1.1 lists eight unique services areas and several sub-areas. Are we required to address at least one area or all areas?

While offerors are not required to provide capability for every element in the SOW, offerors must respond to the entirety of an element that they are proposing on.

2 C C.3.1 Scientific Services

This also applies to C.3.2 and C3.3. RFP states that “The Contractor shall provide scientific support services to include, but not limited to, the following”, followed by each element. To what extent are offerers required to address the list of services within each element? For example, element 3.1.1 lists eight unique services areas and several sub-areas. Are we required to address at least one area or all areas?

While offerors are not required to provide capability for every element in the SOW, offerors must respond to the entirety of an element that they are proposing on.

3 C C.3.1 Scientific Services

Most of the elements begin with “Develop and support perform or operate”. In similar solicitations is indicative of the Government eliciting a response proposing a technical approach or solution (and how you will successfully accomplish this and where have you done this previously) to each element.

What is the Government seeking with regard to valid responses from the Offerors and how will these be evaluated without a proposed technical approach or solution from each Offeror?

The Government cannot provide input on proposal strategy beyond the criteria outlined in Sections L and M of the RFP.

4 C C.3.1 Scientific Services

If an Offeror addresses only part of the focus areas but with the full capability, if the response be deemed non-compliant? Specifically, section C 3.1.1, meteorology, hydrology, climatology, weather, space and atmospheric sciences are very different scientific areas.

If an Offeror addresses the expertise of one or several of the areas, but not all, will that response be deemed technically unacceptable?

While offerors are not required to provide capability for every element in the SOW, offerors must respond to the entirety of an element that they are proposing on.

5 C C.3.2 Program and Project Management, Consulting, and Training

Can the government please confirm that AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) is considered an "operational weather and climate systems"?

Yes, "operational weather and climate systems" includes, but is not limited to, AWIPS.

6 F F.3 DELIVERY

Please provide the period of performance for the Base Period and three Option Periods.

See Section B.2 for the duration of each performance period.

See also Section L.11: "NOAA’s intent is to make awards for this solicitation in the 4th Quarter FY19. This information is provided for use as a basis for schedules and labor rate calculations. For pricing purposes in response to Section L.

12.5, assume a start date of August 1, 2019."

7 H H.15

NOTICE OF PARTICIPATION OF

NON-GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

CACI is not listed as an outside contractor and/or consultant in Sec.

H.15; however, CACI is listed as such in Sec. L.10. Please clarify.

CACI is not listed in Section H.15 because the contractor will not be involved in the administration of the IDIQ contracts.

8 I I.1

FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(FEB 1998)

FAR 52.215-12 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing is included.

Is this clause appropriate for this solicitation considering subcontractor price/cost data are not being submitted? The DRFP had included a statement saying the offeror is not required to certify rates and pricing information. Please clarify whether offerors must certify rates and pricing information and whether subcontractor pricing data are to be submitted. The clause may be applicable at the task order level.

9 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions Please provide Att. J-1 Ceiling Hourly Rate Table by Labor Category.

Attachment J-1 will be completed prior to award for each successful Offeror to reflect the agreed to ceiling rates for that Offeror and included in each individual contract. See Section J List of Attachments for this notation.

10 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions

The government’s description of the Labor Category Qualifications for Outreach & Education Specialist appears to be identical to the description under the Meteorologist Labor Category. Can we confirm this is accurate or are there other qualifications to address?

The Outreach & Education Specialist I-IV labor category descriptions have been updated in Attachment J-2 Labor Category Descriptions.

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

11 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions

It appears Levels I - 4 allow education to be substituted for years of experience called out the LCAT descriptions. The pricing template has only four rows for Levels 1 - 4, with none of these associated to a Labor Category. In contrast, each Labor Category is designated at the levels of Level I, Level II, Level III and Level IV. What should the Offeror price for the four rows designated Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 shown in each grouping of Labor Categories?

See Section L.12.5: "There are six general service Categories (Scientific, Engineering, Analytical, Program Operations, Scientific Information, and Social Science), each with subcategories to denote the range of education and experience required. Additionally, each Category includes one or more core labor categories with defined qualifications that are essential to supporting the NWS mission. Offerors shall provide labor rates for all subcategories and core labor categories under each of the six service Categories."

12 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions

The description for the Outreach & Education Specialist Levels I-IV is identical to the Meteorologist Levels I-IV. Please advise of the job functions for the Outreach & Education Specialist.

The Outreach & Education Specialist I-IV labor category descriptions have been updated in Attachment J-2 Labor Category Descriptions.

13 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions

Page 19: The Outreach & Education Specialist LCAT has the same description as the Meteorologist LCAT. Will you provide an updated LCAT for the Outreach & Education Specialist?

The Outreach & Education Specialist I-IV labor category descriptions have been updated in Attachment J-2 Labor Category Descriptions.

14 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions

Attachment J-2, LC Descriptions, page 31, and Attachment J-6, Pricing Template: For Category 6 – Social Sciences there are only three “standard” levels indicated, while all other Labor Categories have four. Is this intentional or should a fourth level be priced for this Labor Category?

Attachment J-2 Labor Category Descriptions and Attachment J-6 Cost_Price Template have been updated to add a Level 4 for Cateogry 6 - Social Science Services.

15 J J-2 Labor Category Descriptions

Attachment J-2 page 22, Program Manager Labor Category Description Attachment J-2 page 23, Project Manager Labor Category DescriptionThe Education requirement for Program Manager III and Program Manager IV is BA/BS/MS/PhD, but Project Manager III and Project Manager IV, is MS/MA only. Should Project Manager III and Project Manager IV also allow BA/BS?

The education requirements for the Project Manager III and IV labor categories have been updated to BA/BS/MA/MS in Attachment J-2 Labor Category Descriptions.

16 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates

Should Offerors map to a schedule they hold (e.g., GSA Schedule IT-70, etc.) or are Offerors merely to submit Labor Rates? If mapping is required, may Offerors modify the pricing template to show such?

See Section L.12.5: "To support proposed rates are comparable to rates from existing contracts or rate agreements, Offerors shall identify the specific contract/agreement, labor category(s), labor rate(s), and explain how they are equivalent or justify the proposed rate."

Also see Section L.11.2: "Use of tables is not permitted with exception of the Volume II – Section I Capability Matrix, Volume IV – Section I Capability Matrix, Volume IV – Section II Contract Description(s), and Volume V Cost/Price."

Offerors may not modify the Attachment J-6 Cost_Price Template.

17 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates

Would the government please confirm or change the Category # in the pricing template for Scientific Information Services and Social Science Services. They are both currently listed as Category #5. Attachment J-6 Cost_Price Template has been corrected.

18 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates

In the Weather tab, under each labor category there is level I-IV for each subcategory. Could the government please verify the difference between the Standard Levels and the Subcategory Levels.

The Core Labor Categories (e.g., Meteorologist) are essential but do not reflect all potential labor categories needed to support requirements at the task order level. Requirements for degrees, credentials, and experience will be specified at the task order level. Pricing for the Standard Level categories should cover any combination of relevant experience or degrees, up to the number of years cited. See also the response to Question #28.

19 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates Attachment J-6, Pricing Template: The sixth labor category, Social Science Services, is mis-numbered as number 5. Attachment J-6 Cost_Price Template has been corrected.

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

20 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates

If the Offeror chooses to substitute advanced degrees for experience, should the Offeror provide rates for the six general labor categories or for each of the core labor categories?

See Section L.12.5: "Offerors shall provide labor rates for all subcategories and core labor categories under each of the six service Categories."

21 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates

Each labor category on the spreadsheet contains 4 levels per LCAT, however, at the top of each section there appears 4 rows (i.

e. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4). What does the Government anticipate Offerors to enter here?

Per the instructions in Attachment J-6, Offerors shall enter fully loaded hourly ceiling rates. The Core Labor Categories (e.g., Meteorologist) are essential but do not reflect all potential labor categories needed to support requirements at the task order level. The Standard Level categories require the stated number of years of experience (with substitution of degrees) relevant to the six general service categories. See also the response to Question #28.

22 J J-6 Cost/Price Template for Ceiling Rates

Must we provide rates for all labor categories listed in Attachment J-6? What do we do if we do not have staff for all labor categories or offer those services? For example, if we do not provide engineering services, then we will not have engineering labor categories or rates.

Yes. See L.12.5: "Failure to offer ceiling hourly rates for all labor categories and all contract periods may result in the Offeror being ineligible for award. Offerors are required to propose rates for all labor categories even if they are not proposing on all elements in the SOW."

23 L L.11 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS For graphics will the government consider allowing 9pt font? No.

24 L L.11 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS Will the government consider allowing graphics to be in Arial font? No.

25 L L.11 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Offeror proposal submissions shall address all requirements identified in Section L and the evaluation factors set forth in Section M of the solicitation.

Those don't appear to be the correct sections. Should it be Section C and Section M? No. The references to Sections L and M are correct.

26 L L.11 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

The assumed contract start date listed in this section has already passed and appears to have not been updated from the Draft RFP.

For pricing purposes, when should offerors assume the contract will begin?

See Section L.11: "NOAA’s intent is to make awards for this solicitation in the 4th Quarter FY19. This information is provided for use as a basis for schedules and labor rate calculations. For pricing purposes in response to Section L.

12.5, assume a start date of August 1, 2019."

27 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

The orientation of the proposal pages are to be “Portrait, except as specified below.” There is no further specification for page orientation. Is our assumption correct the specified tables may be in landscape orientation?

The assumption is not correct; offerors shall use portrait orientation for tables. Section L.11.2 has been updated to remove "except as specified below".

28 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

Request the Government permit Vol. II Sec. II to be presented in table format. Considering the number of specific SOW elements and the amount of relevant experience a team needs to present, a table format will provide the most information in the limited page allocation, as well as present a more easily-read collection of data. The Government is not considering this.

29 L L.11.2 Format Instructions Are 11x17 pages allowed and if so, will the government consider counting a 11x17 page as one page. No. 11x17 size pages are not allowed.

30 L L.11.2 Format Instructions Are the font type and size for headers/footers, captions, and call out/focus boxes exempt from the text 12pt TNR requirement?

No. Times New Roman 12-point font is the standard unless otherwise indicated.

31 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

The RFP limits the SB Sub Plan to 10 pages. Our Master Plan and addendum for contract specific goals will be between 20 – 22 pages. To allow for bidders to meet the requirement, the USG would need to republish the FAR clause to ask for less information.

Also, we would not be able to use the Master Plan since any revision to it, would have to be approved by the ACO. Q: Per the above statement, will the Government consider excluding the SB Subcontracting Plan altogether from page count?

The Government is not considering this. Please note, a Master Subcontracting Plan is not required.

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

32 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

When following the referenced instructions for font size, paragraph spacing, and page margins, offerors are unable to create the required Capability Matrices for Volumes II and IV that fit within the required page limits. We respectfully request that the page limits for Volume II, Section I and Volume IV, Section I be increased from one page to at least three pages so as to allow offerors to adequately communicate their capabilities. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

33 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

The restrictions on the use of tables significant limits the ability of offerors to concisely communicate large amounts of information within the required page limits. We respectfully request that the Format Instructions be modified to allow the use of tables as long as all tables conform to requirements for font size, spacing, and page margins. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

34 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

For Section II (Contract Description(s)) of the Past Performance Volume (Volume IV), can tables be utilized in this section as the information required is repetitive for each past performance reference? The RFP requirements regarding tables are unchanged.

35 L L.11.2 Format Instructions Will the government consider the use of tables for the "List of Acronyms" as that page is not included in page count? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

36 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

A) Would the Government consider also permitting the use of tables in Volume II, Section II – Corporate Experience and Commitment? This would allow for clearer organization of the responses to the SOW elements.

B) In the tables that are permitted, is 10-point font permissible?

C) Would the Government please increase or remove the 2-page limit on Vol IV Sec II – Contract Descriptions? Fitting all the required contract data for 8 contracts into two pages is difficult

No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

37 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

In order to provide a more comprehensive past performance reference, and to demonstrate a wide variety of relevance to the SOW, will the government consider allowing tables in Volume IV- Contract Performance?

Will the government allow 10 point font in tables?

No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

38 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

The SOW task areas and elements are very broad in nature and can require a lot text to demonstrate capability. Will the government consider a TNR 11pt font for Volume II in order to show best technical capability for the Government? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

39 L L.11.2 Format Instructions

Will the Government consider allowing for tables in Volume I - Administrative if the vendor is required to address the CAR/FAR clauses in this volume? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

40 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

If an offeror does not address every element of the SOW, can its response still use all 30 pages in Volume II? In other words, if an offeror responds to two SOW areas, does that mean that they have 20 pages, or can all 30 pages still be used in the response?

Offerors have up to the 30 page limit to respond to Section II - Corporate Experience and Commitment regardless of how many SOW elements they choose to propose on.

41 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Under Volume II-Corporate Experience and Commitment, for Section I- Capability Matrix- Can government change the page limit from 1 page to 3 pages? No. The page limit remains unchanged.

42 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Under Volume IV- Past Performance, Section I- Capability Matrix- Can government change the page limit from 1 page to 3 pages? No. The page limit remains unchanged.

43 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Under Volume IV- Past Performance, Section II- Contract Descriptions- Can government change the page limit from 2 page to 3 pages? No. The page limit remains unchanged.

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

44 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Under Volume III - Management Approach, for Section I- Organization Plan and Management Approach for Management of Resources, can government increase the page limit to 25 pages? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

45 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

The 30 page limit for Volume II, Section II severely limits the ability of offerors to adequately explain technical capabilities and experience across a wide array of SOW requirements. We respectfully request that the page limit be increased from 30 pages to 50. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

46 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Can the government please confirm if the Admin volume (Volume I) is where an offeror should place their acceptance of the relevant CAR/FAR clauses? Or should this go in the Cost/Price Volume (Volume V)?

See L.12.1, Volume I, Section I: "a) Statement of Compliance.

Each offer shall include a statement indicating complete compliance with the solicitation in the Administrative volume, or detailed analysis of any objections, exceptions, contingencies, or additions. Any objection, exception, contingency, or addition shall be cross-referenced to the applicable solicitation paragraph(s)."

47 L L.12

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

When following the instructions for font size, spacing, and page margins, offerors are unable to create the Contract Description tables for Volume IV that fit within the required page limits. We respectfully request that the page limits for Volume IV, Section II be increased from two pages to at least four pages so as to allow offeror’s to adequately communicate required contract information. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

48 L L.12.1 Volume I - Administrative If an Offeror does not plan to bid on any cost type Task Orders, will an audit of their accounting system be necessary? Any required audits will be specified at the task order level.

49 L L.12.1 Volume I - Administrative

L.12.1, Section VI, Item 3 refers to 13 CFR 125.8., which states: "A joint venture of two or more business concerns may submit an offer as a small business for a Federal procurement, subcontract or sale so long as each concern is small under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract" All members of a JV, therefore, must meet the size standard of the proposal. Correct?

As indicated in 13 CFR 125.8, each concern must be small under the applicable NAICS size standard or qualify as small under one of the exceptions to affiliation set forth in § 121.103 (h)(3). See 13 CFR 121.103(h)(3) for exceptions (e.g.,mentor and protégé).

50 L L.12.1 Volume I - Administrative Please confirm we need to update our reps and certs in SAM.gov to include the NAICS code and our business size?

Yes. See Section L.12.1, Volume I, Section IV: "The Offeror’s representations and certifications shall list the NAICS code for this procurement (541330 – Engineering Services) and their firm’s business size."

51 L L.12.2 Volume II - Corporate Experience and Commitment (Factor I)

“… where within Volume II, the Offeror’s approach for completing that specific work is addressed.” Sec. L instructions do not include direction to describe an offeror’s approach to specific SOW elements. Please clarify whether the Government is requiring approaches for each element and where the approaches should be placed. The allotted 30 pages will be filled with the team’s experience and demonstration of commitment – the larger the team, the more experience.

The sentence in L.12.2, Section I - Capability Matrix, is changed to read: "The Offeror shall submit a Capability Matrix detailing which element(s) of the SOW the Offeror (including proposed subcontrator(s)) proposes to perform, and where within Volume II, the Offeror's experience/commitment for completing that specific work is addressed."

52 L L.12.2 Volume II - Corporate Experience and Commitment (Factor I)

Can the Government please clarify what is meant by a Capability Matrix (included in Section I of Volume II, Corporate Experience and Commitment)? Is this a Requirements Traceability Matrix, where an offeror can describe which company (Prime or Sub) will be performing the work described in the SOW?

The sentence in L.12.2, Section I - Capability Matrix, is changed to read: "The Offeror shall submit a Capability Matrix detailing which element(s) of the SOW the Offeror (including proposed subcontrator(s)) proposes to perform, and where within Volume II, the Offeror's experience/commitment for completing that specific work is addressed."

53 L L.12.2 Volume II - Corporate Experience and Commitment (Factor I)

The RFP instructions state that the Capability Matrix should include “and where within Volume II, the Offeror’s approach for completing that specific work is addressed.” However, the remainder of Volume II is focused on the Offeror’s capabilities, experiences, and qualifications and not an approach. Please clarify.

The sentence is changed to read: "The Offeror shall submit a Capability Matrix detailing which element(s) of the SOW the Offeror (including proposed subcontrator(s)) proposes to perform, and where within Volume II, the Offeror's experience/commitment for completing that specific work is addressed.

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

54 L L.12.2 Volume II - Corporate Experience and Commitment (Factor I)

Given the number of subtask areas which must be reported against in this capability matrix, would the government consider relaxing the font size restriction for tables from Times New Roman 12 pt. to Times New Roman 10 pt? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

55 L L.12.2 Volume II - Corporate Experience and Commitment (Factor I)

Could the government clarify whether the use of tables is permitted in Volume 2, Section II to illustrate the depth of qualifications and experience across individual SOW requirements?

No. The use of tables is permitted in the limited instances as stated in L.11.2.

56 L L.12.2 Volume II - Corporate Experience and Commitment (Factor I)

Most of these elements are currently being performed by Government civilians within the National Weather Services.

Past performance citations or experiences for most of these elements will be largely non-existent or very spotty and limited. This is particularly applicable for small businesses attempting to qualify for this effort. Noted.

57 L L.12.3 Volume III - Management Approach (Factor II)

Section II - Volume III - Small Business Subcontracting Plan: It states In accordance with FAR 52.219-9, Offerors other than small businesses shall submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

If a vendor is a certified Woman Owned Small Business does the Government still expect a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, although under the solicitation for NAICS 541330, they do not meet the small businesses size standard of $15 million”?

Firms that do not meet the small business size standard of $15 million for NAICS 541330 are considered other than small and required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

58 L L.12.3 Volume III - Management Approach (Factor II)

1.For Section II – Small Business Subcontracting Plan and associated attachment J-4, is there a template that the Government will provide??

No, a template will not be provided. At award, Attachment J-4 will reflect the accepted Small Business Subcontracting Plan from the awardee.

59 L L.12.3 Volume III - Management Approach (Factor II)

Can the Government please clarify what is meant by “The Offeror may include a Master Subcontracting Plan specific to this requirement.”? Does this mean that goals are not required to be stated in the master subcontracting plan?

Offerors may include a Master Subcontracting Plan in addition to an Individual Subcontracting Plan.

60 L L.12.3 Volume III - Management Approach (Factor II)

If the contractor decides to submit a master subcontracting plan, then is a separate subcontracting plan also required with specific goals? Yes, an Individual Subcontracting Plan with goals is required.

61 L L.12.3 Volume III - Management Approach (Factor II)

Is it acceptable if a company has never had to submit eSRS report in the past, and if there is no prior information available on the company on www.esrs.gov ?

Yes, it is possible and acceptable that a firm has no prior or current contracts that required Small Business Subcontracting Plans that would be reported in eSRS.

62 L L.12.3 Volume III - Management Approach (Factor II)

Section L.12.3.3 – states that, as part of the Management Approach, “The Offeror shall provide the resume of the proposed Program Manager (identified as Key Personnel in accordance with Section H.14).” However, Section H.14 states that Program Manager name is to be “included at time of award”. Please clarify.

If the proposed Program Manager is accepted, the award will include the name of that person in H.14.

63 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

“Offerors may not submit references from team members in a prime/subcontractor … arrangement.” Please confirm the prime/subcontractor arrangement only refers to the specific past performance contract, not the ProTech opportunity.

The restriction refers to prime/subcontractor and JV arrangements that are proposing on the ProTech-Weather RFP. The Government will not accept references (e.g., past performance questionnaires) received from team members evaluating another team member's work.

64 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

If we have a CPAR for a given contract reference, do we still need to submit PPQs? Please clarify

Yes. Note the questionnaires are to be submitted by the references.

65 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

Given that we are permitted to use tables for Volume IV - Section II Contract Description(s) we respectfully request permission to use landscape orientation and a 3-page limit to best present the data. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

66 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

For Volume IV - Section II Contract Description(s) we respectfully request permission to use 10-point Times New Roman font. The data contained within this section isn't extensive but takes a great deal of space to fit 12-point font within a two-page table. Otherwise we request a 3-page limit. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

67 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

As the PPQs will be completed by our customers and submitted directly to ProTech.Weather@noaa.gov, please confirm contractor proposals will not include a Section IV (PPQ) in the Past Performance Volume IV.

Correct. The questionnaire is submitted directly by the customer and should not be included in the proposal.

68 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

Given the number of subtask areas which must be reported against in this capability matrix, would the government consider relaxing the font size restriction for tables from Times New Roman 12 pt. to Times New Roman 10 pt? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

69 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

Due to the amount of information required to be listed for each of the eight contracts in Section II: Contract Descriptions, we ask that

1) the page limit for this section be relaxed from 2 pages to 4 pages, and 2) the font restrictions for tables be relaxed from Times New Roman 12 pt. to Times New Roman 10 pt. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

70 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

The Government requires Contract Descriptions on up to eight (8) Past Performance references, which need to include eight (8) distinct data points for each contract reference. Question: Will the Government consider adding more pages to the total page limit for Past Performance Contract Descriptions, Section II, or to change the page limit to None, because providing all required information on eight contract references at the required font size is difficult in the current two-page limit. No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

71 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

Will the Government accept using efforts as a past performance reference where the offeror (or one of its subcontractors) performed as a subcontractor? Yes.

72 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

L.12.4, Volume IV, Past Performance, Section II, Contract Description requests offerors to provide "for each contract reference" a CAGE Code and DUNS Number. Please clarify.

Should offerors list their own company CAGE Code and DUNS Number? Yes.

73 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

The RFP states that “previous CPAR ratings and/or questionnaires may be used in the proposal evaluation.”

If the offeror submits a previous CPAR, would the government please confirm that it can be included in Volume IV, Section IV as an attachment?

Can the government also confirm that the CPAR will not be counted against the page count?

Offerors are not requested or required to submit their CPARS reports.

74 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

Would the Government please allow the Capability Matrix in Volume IV to be two pages given the number of sub elements in the Statement of Work? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

75 L L.12.4 Volume IV - Past Performance (Factor III)

Would the Government please allow up to three pages for Section II – Contract Descriptions in Volume IV given the font restrictions in tables? No. The requirements included in the RFP remain unchanged.

76 L L.12.5 Volume V - Cost/Price (Factor IV) If an Offeror does not plan to bid on any cost type Task Orders, will cost or pricing data be required pre- or post-award?

Any cost or pricing data for cost reimbursement task orders will be specified at the task order level.

77 L L.12.5 Volume V - Cost/Price (Factor IV)

If a requirement has a need for a specialized Labor Category and/or rate that is not contained within the prescribed labor categories (for example, Auditor, Scheduler, Technician, etc.), can the government describe the process they will use to add those labor categories and rates? Will there be an opportunity to provide new ceiling rates for any additional LCATs added at the TO level?”

See Section B.4: "Some task orders may require services that do not correspond to the labor categories included in ProTech- Weather. Accordingly, if permitted by the task order solicitation, the contractor may propose appropriate labor categories and labor rates necessary to meet the requirements of the solicitation despite their not being included in ProTech- Weather as awarded."

RFP

Section #

RFP Sub- Section # RFP Sub-Section Title Question / Comment Government Response

78 L L.12.5 Volume V - Cost/Price (Factor IV)

In addition to justifying that ceiling labor rates are fair and reasonable using accepted IDIQ contract rates on other procurements, please confirm that offerors may also use 1- labor market survey data, 2- fair and reasonable subcontractor labor rate quotes with a nominal handling fee markup, and/or 3- accepted labor rates from contracts other than an IDIQ contract to justify proposed celing labor rates.

Reference Section L.12.5. Offerors shall refer to any comparable rates from existing IDIQ contracts with federal Government organizations. Offeror may reference other information considered relevant so long as the Offeror provides information on how the rates were developed and why the Offeror considers them to be reasonable.

79 L L.12.5 Volume V - Cost/Price (Factor IV)

Please confirm that ceiling labor rates may be based on work performed in the states of Alaska and Hawaii, since these OCONUS locations are part of the United States. Confirmed.

80 M M.1

FAR 52.217-5 EVALUATION OF

OPTIONS (JUL 1990)

Will the government be awarding to ALL qualified offerors with Fair and Reasonable pricing? or does the government intend to award to the top NNN number or X% Percentage of offerors? If the government intends to limit the number of awardees by a threshold, please quantify that threshold (NNN or %)?”

See Section M.2: "The Government intends to make multiple contract awards to responsive and responsible offerors under this solicitation. A manageable number of awards will be made to ensure adequate competition at the task order level and to allow for the small business reserves outlined above."

81 M M.1

FAR 52.217-5 EVALUATION OF

OPTIONS (JUL 1990)

Please clarify the number of awards intended for both Large Businesses and Small Businesses. What is the TOTAL number of awards expected?

There is not a pre-determined number of awards that will be made.

82 M M.2 BASIS FOR AWARD

There is no evaluation rating indicated in the RFP. In order to ensure fair competition, please clarify the Government’s intent and process on how you will review and score proposal submission.

The Basis for Award is described in M.2. NOAA will review the proposals to determine the HIghest Technically Rated Offerors based on three non-price factors detailed in the RFP. Further an Offeror who proposed prices are determined not to be fair and reasonable will not be awarded a contract. There is no requirement to provide the rating method that NOAA will use to evaluate proposals (reference FAR 15.304(d)).

83 M M.3.2 Factor II - Management Approach

How will NOAA evaluate for adequacy the Small Business Subcontracting Plan for purposes of award? The solicitation does not include any small business socieconomic goals for subcontracting participation. Must offerorors meet any specific NOAA agency goals for participation on this procurement or will adequacy strictly be evaluated in terms of compliance with FAR

19.704 requirements? Is small business participation at any level by an other than small business offeror a requirement for award? There are no pre-established goals that must be met.

However, the goals must be realistic. Further, the Plan will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 19.704.

84 M M.3.2 Factor II - Management Approach

If a large business offeror does not propose to use any subcontractors, it would appear that the small business subcontracting plan requirement would not need to be evaluated for adequacy. Must the Small Business Subcontracting Plan be submitted for evaluation if an offeror does not propose to use any small business subcontractors?

Yes. Firms that do not meet the small business size standard of $15 million for NAICS 541330 are considered other than small and required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

85 None

Request the Government respond to offerors’ questions as soon as responses are available, rather than waiting until all questions are submitted (i.e., 08-17-18). The Government is not considering this.

86 None

Is it the intention of the Government to release BPA Task Orders with a scope of work for a single function - such as Program and Project Management, Consulting, and Training as the singular scope of work for a Task Order?

No. IDIQ Task Orders will be issued as needs arise for specific requirements.

87 None

Att. J6 Cost Price Template/LC Descriptions Protech Weather:

Each of 6 categories in Price template start w/ series of LCs marked “Level X” (e.g., rows 9-12, Scientific Services, Levels 1-4).

There is no LC description associated. The LC Descriptions document only says these levels are way to substitute education for experience. Without an LC and description, it is not possible to price these lines. What do these “Levels” mean? Please provide sufficient information to allow accurate pricing.

The Standard Level categories require the stated number of years of experience (with substitution for degrees), relevant to the six general service categories.