STMS Industry Questions 19 Feb 2025.pdf

# Document Section Reference Page Question from Industry The Government's Answer

1 General General N/A Could you kindly confirm whether this initiative represents a new undertaking, or is there an incumbent currently delivering these services? If an incumbent exists, may we request the relevant details of their contract, including the contract number?

This is a new requirement.

2 Solicitation

Section L.1:

Proposal

Submission Requirements

56 Based on the requirements of the solicitation, we are requesting a 30 calendar day extension to April 18, 2025. No extension will be granted.

3 Solicitation Section L.2.d:

Subfactor 4 - SMC Facility

58 In order to perform Tier 1 and Tier 2 functions within the Government timeline, is it the Government's intent for the contractor to work within the incumbent's facility during transition?

It is up to the Offeror to propose how this requirement will be met.

4 Solicitation Section L Volume III Cost/Price #12 46

There appears to be a conflict between the Solicitation and the A03-Labor Category Appendix dtd 27 March, 2024.

In the Labor Category Appendix, Column E, it stipulates that the Contractor shall provide “Resume(s) and Letter(s) of Commitment are required for the proposed personnel which will indicate their equivalent labor category. Resumes of proposed personnel will be reviewed against the Labor Qualifications.”

In the Solicitation, Section L Volume III Cost/Price #12 it states that the Contractor may use any of the following documentation to support their Proposed Direct Labor Rates (Forward Pricing Rate Agreements or Recommendations, Letter(s) of Intent, Payroll records, Salary survey data).

We would like to confirm that the Government’s intent is to follow the guidance in the Solicitation vs. the Labor Category Appendix.

Attachment A03-Labor Category Appendix has been revised via

Amendment. Column E has been updated to state that Resume(s) and

Letter(s) of Commitment are not to be submitted with the proposal.

5 Solicitation Attachment 0004:

Labor Category

Appendix N/A

Column E indicates that resumes and Letters of Commitment are required for each Labor Category included in Attachment 0004. However, there are not requirements for resumes or Letters of Commitment in Section L or Section M in the Technical Volume. Are offerors required to submit resumes and Letters of Commitment with their proposals or will this be a post-award requirement?

See answer to Q4.

6 Solicitation Subfactor 3 Transition Plan 46

In the Solicitation Subfactor 3 “Transition Plan”, the Offeror is required to staff the Tier I Help Desk within 10 calendars days of contract award. This requirement poses a significant challenge to anyone but the incumbent contractor in that it would require pre-coordination with the incumbent to ensure access and resources are available to any non-incumbent contractor employee prior to and immediately after contract award (particularly if the kick off meeting is not on the day of award).

Recommend the Government revise the requirement to state that a transition period will occur X number of days after the contract kick-off meeting. Recommend the Government update the Tier I and Tier II requirements to state X number of days after kick-off meeting. This would ensure the USG identifies and directs the incumbent (if not selected) to coordinate with the selected offeror for assuming Tier Help Desk support IAW operational requirements.

It is up to the Offeror to propose how this requirement will be met. The Solicitation language will not be revised.

7 Solicitation Subfactor 3 Transition Plan 46

In the solicitation subfactor "Transition Plan", the Offeror is required to transition to full operational capability within 30 calendar days from contract award. Contractor requests a 90 calendar day minimum transition period to ensure time is allocated for NIPRnet, SIPRnet and SECRET accredidation activities including approvals which are unlikely to occur in the 30 day after award timeframe. These activities in particular require the offeror to work with the Government once the DD254 has been jointly signed which may not occur on the day of award.

The Solicitation will not be revised.

Solicitation W15P7T-25-R-0016 Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Terminals Maintenance Support (STMS)

8 Performance Work Statement (PWS) 2.6 Security 4

In the PWS, it states that the “Contractor is required to have a Government approved SECRET facility clearance and personnel able to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance in accordance with (IAW) the DD Form 254 in this contract. The Contractor shall be required to have a Final SECRET facility clearance with SECRET safeguarding capability at the time of bid submission. In performing this effort, the Contractor shall have access to classified information at Government facilities only. Operations Security (OPSEC) requirements will be provided by the Government IAW Army Regulations (AR) 530-1 for this Performance Work Statement (PWS).”

Is it the Government’s intent that the contractor location is capable of processing & storing SECRET material after a negotiated period upon official receipt of the contract DD-254?

No; however, the Government acknowledges that approval of the contract DD254 is contingent upon processing & storing SECRET material for this specific contract.

9 DD254 Pre Award Section 13 4 Please provide DD Form 254 - Item 14 Continuation Sheet referenced The DD Form 254 - Item 14

Continuation Sheet has been provided via Amendment 01.

10 Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 3.2 6

The Performance Work Statement identifies a minimum of 6,000 square feet of outdoor, security fenced area. Is this required to be continuous or can it be segmented into reasonably sized sections that equate to 6,000 square feet or greater.

Recommend the Government specify if fencing is required to be continuous.

The Government will allow the outdoor, security fenced area to be segmented; however, the segments are limited to two (2) sections no less than

3,000 square feet.

11 Performance Work Statement (PWS) 2.6 Security 4

The solicitation mandates the Contractor to have a Final SECRET facility clearance with SECRET safeguarding capability at the time of bid submission, along with personnel eligible for a Secret clearance.

At this time, this company does not have an active SECRET facility clearance. However, they are exploring the possibility of partnering with a subcontractor or a Joint Venture (JV) partner that does possess an active clearance.

They would appreciate guidance on whether a subcontractor or JV partner with the required clearance would satisfy the solicitation requirements.

The prime offeror may utilize a subcontractor or teaming partner to meet the SECRET facility requirement, so long as the proposal discusses the plan and meets the requirements outlined in the

Soliciation and PWS.