Attachment 0008 - Questions and Answers Amendment 0001.pdf

W15QKN-20-R-0079 Q&A SUBMISSIONS RFP AMEND 1

Questions and Responses for RFP W15QKN-20-R-0079

Q1: Is this a new requirement? If not, can you identify the incumbent and/or contract number?

Response: This is a brand new requirement and no incumbents.

Q2: Will all task orders be Firm Fixed Price? In the Sources Sought Announcement, the

Government estimated the contract type for these commercial services are anticipated to be Firm

Fixed Price (85%) or Time and Materials (15%).

Response: This Request for Proposal (RFP) is Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

Q3: What is the DOD SAFE Request Code for this proposal?

Response: All proposals should be sent to:

mark.t.bobitka.civ@mail.mil

Q4: a. With place of performance dependent on each individual task order, can the Government estimate whether the majority of the work will be performed at a Contractor’s facility?

Supplemental:

Place of Performance: The principal places for the work to be performed under this contract will be the contractor facility and National Capital Region. Additional applicable information will be provided with each task order as appropriate. Sample PWS states: 1.6.5 The Government shall provide up to four workspaces and equipment for contractor personnel at OCPA HQ as detailed in PWS Section 3 below. 3.1.2 GFF: The Government will provide furnished facilities and incidental office equipment for no more than four 4 work spaces at the Government location. The

Government will provide cubicle spaces, desktop computers, appropriate software, telephones, copiers, printers and building access to the Pentagon building.

Response: The purpose of this IDIQ is to procure contractor support for DUSA procurement actions in support of Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) requirements. As identified at 1.6.1 of the RFP, the majority of work will be performed at the Contractor’s Facility in the

National Capital Region. This is consistent with the DUSA’s mission and the large majority of prior experience. The SAMPLE Task PWS is a good example of typical requirements, especially at 1.6.4 regarding place of performance.

Q5: Page 50; Section L. 4.1.1: The fourth paragraph from the bottom of the page starts with, "A broad outline of the change management plan…". To what does the term "(a)" in this paragraph refer?

Response: Para. 4.1.1 Formatting has been updated (See Amendment 0001 Section A Narrative)

Q6: Page 50; Section L. 4.1.1: The fourth paragraph from the bottom of the page starts with, "A broad outline of the change management plan…". To what does the term "Section 5" in this paragraph refer? Should this read "4.0 BASIC SERVICES"?

mailto:mark.t.bobitka.civ@mail.mil

Response: See Section A narrative in Amendment 0001

Q7: Page 51; L.4.1.2 Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal: Please confirm that the government does not want pricing information for the Sample Task order to be included in the Volume 1, Subfactor 2 response, and that all pricing information should be in a separate attachment per

Attachment 0005?

Response: Do not include Pricing information within Volume 1. All pricing information should be included in Attachment 0005.

Q8: Page 58; M.2.1.2.a: Should the reference to "PWS Section 5 (Specific Tasks)" actually read, ""4.0 BASIC SERVICES"?

Response: RFP is Section 4 and updated.

Q9: Attachment 0006 - DD 254: Instead of rendering when selected, this attachment sends us to a page that says, "Please Wait…", and never resolves. Will the government please repost the DD

Form 254?

Response: Will send directly and also re-attach under Amendment 1 to RFP W15QKN-20-R-

0079.

Q10: Page 34, SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS: Attachment J of the refers to a

"Exhibit B EXHIBIT B SAMPLE TASK PROPOSAL CDRLS ", but we do not see this document included in the solicitation. Would the government please post this document, or point us to it?

Response: Will resend to Beta SAM to make sure that document is accessible.

Q11: Page 2: The solicitation states that "The maximum for all contracts will be

$38,756,039.04." Does the government mean that this is the total ceiling amount for the IDIQ, and that all TOs awarded across all possible vendors will not exceed this ceiling? Or is this the ceiling amount per each awardee, meaning that there could possibly be $155,024,156.16 worth of awards on the IDIQ?

Response: The total ceiling amount for all potential awardees (regardless of how many) will not exceed $38,756,039.04

Q12: For Past Performance, are we authorized to submit Task Orders on GSA Schedules, GWACS, and large multi-award IDIQS as past performance?

Response: This is acceptable for Past Performance.

Q13: Section L.4.1.2, and L.4.3.2.4: Please elaborate on the instructions for Sample Task

Proposal. What specific criteria does the Gov’t require for submission in this section? It seems as if the Sample Task Proposal is simply a pricing effort based on the requirements of the PWS and no written response is needed?

Response: The Sample task in not just a pricing task, but the Sample Task PWS (under

Attachment 0003)requires an understanding and methods of completion for the proposal. This follows the format of the “Base” contract proposal and RFP has been updated to clearly state the

Sample Tasked (See updated Amendment 0001to the RFP).

Q14: Section L.4.1.1: The instructions/paragraph under Bullet #2 seem to be missing word(s) from the instructions. Please revise to make the instructions clearer.

Also, this paragraph instructs the offeror to demonstrate the ability to accomplish PWS Section 5 tasks, but Section 5 of the IDIQ solicitation is “Applicable Documents.” Section 1.4 is the Scope but is a bulleted list of tasks with no further descriptions. Please confirm what section of tasks

Offerors should demonstrate their ability to accomplish.

Response: See Amendment 0001 for updates to this section.

Q15: Section L.4.1.1, Bullet 3: Bullet 3 says “a broad level 3 description of necessary actions.”

What is a “broad level 3 description?” Please clarify or elaborate this instruction.

Response: This refers to Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) levels. The DUSA expects all significant work elements are achievable in WBS Levels 1 thru 3. Lower WBS levels of detail are at the Offeror’s discretion if they believe it addresses an often encountered issue/problem.

Q16: Section L.4.1.1, Bullet 4: Bullet 4 states “applicable to the BS element.” Please clarify what is a BS element.

Response: The RFP dropped the letter “W” from what should read “WBS”.

Q17: 1.6.21.2 Key Personnel: The 3rd paragraph identifies the Contract Manager as a Key

Personnel. Is this person considered the KP for the IDIQ?

Do offerors need to identify this person by name in the proposal response?

Is a resume required for the Contract Manager?

Response: All necessary labor categories should be included per each contractor (three categories are listed, but if you have other labor categories, please add) – whomever your Key personnel is, please list. There is no requirement for one single “Key Personnel” labor category/individual. At a minimum, Contract Manager and Program Manager are examples of labor categories that shall be covered by the Key Personnel provision.

Q18: Section 3.2: Do offerors need to submit a DD254 form with their proposal response? If so, should we include this as a stand-alone document or within a volume? If within a volume, which one?

Response: No contractor DD254 requirement is required for proposal purposes.

Q19: Section L.3.3: Please confirm if Offerors can use a smaller, but legible font size than 10 pt on graphics/illustrations/tables/etc.

Response: Size 10 font is recommended but understand graphs need a smaller font. As long as it is legible, it should be fine.

Q20: Attachment 3: Section 1.6.3: Please confirm the “*” is Columbus Day.

Response: Yes, page 3 of Attachment 0003, should be “Columbus Day” for the blank *.

Q21: Attachment 3, Section 1.6.9: The PWS states: “Contractor personnel performing work under this task order must have at least an interim Secret clearance by proposal submission.”

Does this Government require all personnel to be named for this sample task at the time of submission?

Response: The “sample task” is a real requirement that will be potentially awarded concurrent with the IDIQ. Since this task has been identified at Security Clearance level of “Secret” all personnel proposed for this task are required to have an interim Secret clearance at time of this proposal submission.

Q22: Attachment 3, Section 6.1.1.: The PWS states “The Contractor Program Manager or

Alternative shall have Project Manager Professional (PMP) certification in Business, Financial, Engineering, Computer Science, Information System, or related field...” Specified subject certifications for PMP do not exist per the PMI website

Will the Government clarify this requirement?

Response: The Contract Program Manager and Alternative shall have PMP certification.

Q23: Section 1.6.21.1: The Government lists 4 labor categories within Attachment 0001, two of which match those listed on page 14 of the RFP as Analyst and Senior Analyst. However, can the Government confirm if ‘Executive Consultant’ and ‘Program manager’ listed in Att 0001 are represented by ‘Senior Consultant’ and ‘Project/Contract Manager’ in RFP page 14? If so, can this be corrected to ensure the same naming is used. If there are additional LCATs to be added, please provide their descriptions/adjust Attachment 0001.

Response: For evaluation purposes, please use the Labor categories listed per section 4.3.2 of the

RFP.

Q24: L.4.1.1 Demonstrate ability to accomplish PWS Section 5 tasks:

a. PWS section 5 is “Applicable Documents.”

b. Do you mean Section 4-“Basic Services and Specific Tasks?”

Response: See updated Amendment 0001 to the RFP.

Q25: L.4.1.2 Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal; include att. 0005 in section J:

a. Do we include att.0005 in BOTH Subfactor 2 and Factor 3: Price? Or just

b. L.4.3.1- (Vol.III Factor 3: Price) submit price matrix att.0001 and sample task proposal att.0005?

Response: Attachment 0005 should be submitted in the Pricing Volume.

Q26: L.4.1.2-Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal:

a. Do you want resumes and NDAs?

Response: See Section 1.6.21.2 (Key Personnel for requirement submissions), but yes, Resumes should be provided. NDA’s are not listed in the RFP nor Attachment 0003 – Sample Task PWS.

Q27: L.4.1.3-Subfactor 3-Quality Control/Management plan “IAW PWS 1.6.20 (Quality

Control)”:

a. PWS 1.6.20 is “Quality Assurance”

b. Do you mean 1.6.21 “Quality Control?”

Response: Section L.4.1.3 has been updated.

Q28: Do you want resumes for base proposal FTE positions?

Response: Yes, please provide resumes for Full-time equivalent (FTE) or for any and all labor categories.

Q29: Is there an incumbent currently performing the Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal-

“Strategic Communications Modernization” at OCPA? If so, what are the incumbent and contract information?

Response: There is no incumbent contractor.

Q30: Section L.4.5.1 states that each Offeror must complete Section G as a part of its Volume

IV - Representations and Certifications, but the Table of Contents on SF33 states that this solicitation does not include Section G. Can you please confirm whether Section G is required to be a part of Volume IV.

Response: Section G is not required – RFP is updated in Amendment 0001!

Q31: Reference Section L.3 FORMAT FOR PROPOSALS. The Technical volume is limited to

30 pages at a large font size. To adequately respond to all three factors requires two WBSs to the third level, two complete Quality Control/Management plans, and two complete descriptions of processes for nine task areas. Respectfully request the Government increase the page count for

Volume I to 75 pages to provide adequate page count to address all three subfactors.

Response: The WBSs and QC/QM plans are excluded from the page count, which remains 30 pages.

Q32: Reference Section L.3 FORMAT FOR PROPOSALS. The Technical volume is limited to

30 pages at a large font size. Respectfully request the Government reduce the required font size to 11 point font to enhance our capability to address all three subfactors within page count.

Response: See response to Q31. There should be no necessity to reduce page count.

Q33: Reference Section L.4.1.2 Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal. The referenced section provides direction for the contents of the technical volume. The RFP states: Pricing and scheduling must be included in this proposal following the format of the Base Contract proposal.

Does the Government want pricing for the sample task included in the Technical Volume as well as Volume III, Price?

Response: See Updated Amendment 0001.

Q34: Reference Section L.4.2.2 (5): Past Performance Questionnaire. Will the Government accept CPARS in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires if available?

Response: The Government prefers direct Past Performance. However, CPARS data can be included.

Q35: 1.6.21.2, is the PM considered a key person for the base contract or only the contract manager?

Response: Response: All necessary labor categories should be included per each contractor

(three categories are listed, but if you have other labor categories, please add) – whomever your

Key personnel is, please list. There is no requirement for one single “Key Personnel” labor category/individual. At a minimum, Contract Manager and Program Manager are examples of labor categories that shall be covered by the Key Personnel provision.

Q36: Given 1.3, 1.4, and 4.0 experience, scope and services, is the Army’s goal to leverage industry relevant expertise and analytical services?

Response: The Army’s goal is clearly articulated as requiring thorough understanding of

HQDA’s mission, practices and procedures in order to offer relevant solutions including those based upon relevant prior experience.

Q37: Given M.3.5 and the scope and services covered in 1.4 and 4.0, will the Army consider commercial contracts similar in scope and magnitude?

Response: Yes, if they are relevant to Army mission, practices, procedures and their improvement. Specific non-commercial experience may similarly be beneficial

Q38: Respectfully request a two week extension to give offerors time to provide a comprehensive response to the RFP.

Response: At this time no extensions are granted.