Attachment 0009 - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SUBMISSION 2.pdf

Attachment 0009 – W15QKN-20-R-0079 Q&A SUBMISSIONS

1. Question: L.3 – Format for Proposal Regarding page count for Volume I – Technical, which specific item(s) are excluded from page count (i.e., Quality Management/Program Management Plan, Resumes, Sample Task Order proposal, WBS(s), other)?

RESEPONSE: Subfactors 1-3 shall be included within the maximum page count of 30 for Volume I. Resumes and WBS are excluded from this page count.

2. Question: Do resumes count against technical Volume I page count?

RESPONSE: Resumes are excluded from the Technical Vol I page count.

3. Question: Regarding format for Volume I – Technical, given that information requested under L.4.1 is complex and non-linear, does the contractor have flexibility in presenting a logical order of information, or does the government have a specific outline in which they want information presented?

RESPONSE: The Government expects the instructions in Section L to be followed. Please review Section L carefully to understand each area that needs to be addressed. Section M, shows potential offerors how each section within L will be evaluated.

4. Question: L.4 – Specific Proposal Instructions PWS Section L.4.1.1(b) states that the Proposal shall “identify essential HQDA/DUSA management, process and support systems changes you would identify or improvement in near-term and beyond.” If the Tasks of PWS Section 4 (i.e., Management Analyses, Identifying Organizational Alignment Issues, Defining Performance Measurements, and conducting other analytical and transformation support services) have not yet been completed by the contractor, what specifically is the government looking for in this proposal requirement?

RESPONSE: M 2.1 Details the specifics that will be evaluated for this solicitation.

5. Question: L.4 – Specific Proposal Instructions and Regarding the Sample Task Order, please clarify that the Sample Task Proposal is to be included in Volume I – Technical, and not a separate volume.

RESPONSE: Yes, Sample Task Order shall be submitted within Volume I, Subfactor II.

6. Question: Regarding the Sample Task Order, what is the government’s estimated level of effort (in terms of FTE) for the Sample Task Order?

RESPONSE: Each offeror must determine how best to meet the requirement.

7. Question: Can the government specify the exact number of resumes required for this response?

There are four labor categories but up to 50 FTEs required (per the estimated number of hours). Is a representative resume for each LCAT sufficient?

RESPONSE: It is up to each offeror to respond with sufficient detail to reflect how they would accomplish the requirement. There is no set number of FTEs required.

8. Question: PWS Section L.4.1.1(b) states that the Proposal must “Include a broad outline of the change management plan associated with (a)”. First, please clarify what the referral to “(a)” means as it seems to point back to the “The unique skills, capabilities and tools” the contractor brings to meet PWS requirements. Second, since the contractor has not yet engaged in supporting the transformation effort for the DUSA, to what change management plan is the government referring?

RESPONSE: It does refer back to “(a) unique skills….”, Please review Sections C, L&M to understand what is to be submitted and how it will be evaluated (See Amendment 0003 Conformed RFP).

9. Question: Is there a limit on the number of Past Performance references the Government will evaluate? For example, are offerors limited to submitting 5 Past Performance references?

RESPONSE: No limit.

10. Question: We have reached out to our Contracting Office and we have been unable to identify a Pre-Award Monitor, is it acceptable to leave this contact information blank?

RESPONSE: All relevant Past Performance will be considered and verified by the evaluation team.

11. Question: Reference L.4.2.1: What does the Government mean by “plant capability?” Does that refer to the Offeror’s facility?

RESPONSE: Yes, the offerors facilities.

12. Question: C.1.6.21.2, Please clarify what is expected for the WBS requirement. Does it need to be task or deliverable focused? Does it need to include staffing mixes?

RESPONSE: Sections L and M detail what is needed to be considered for this solicitation award.

13. Question: Per Attachment 3, Section 6.1.1.: Will the government consider alternative advanced certifications (i.e. Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt), advanced degrees, and additional 5+ years of experience managing other government and DoD IDIQ’s of similar size and scope as a substitute for a PMP certification?

RESPONSE: This section within the Sample Task PWS, clearly indicates a PMP Certificate is required.

14. Question: Section L.3.1 limits the Technical Volume to 30 pages. Since Amendment 0003 deleted Volume V, this volume now addresses Subfactors 1-3 in their entirety. The requirements currently call for a complete WBS for the ID/IQ level and the Sample Task, two change management plans, two management/quality plans, and complete discussions of our processes for both the ID/IQ PWS tasks and the Sample TO PWS tasks. We respectfully request an additional 30 pages to permit Offerors to adequately address all the subfactors in Volume I.

RESPONSE: Volume 1 (Technical) requires only 30 pages total (See Q1 on this Amendment). It is requested that you be as brief as possible.

15. Question: Sections L.2.3.1(a) and L.4.5 both state that the Offeror must complete all Representations and Certifications, submitting these as part of Volume IV via DoD SAFE.

Section L.2.3.1(c) states that the Offeror’s records in SAM nullify the requirement to submit Reps/Certs and we must provide a PDF copy of our SAM file via SAFE. Does the Government want Offeror’s to submit two copies of our Reps/Certs – one copy of the RFP Section K reps/certs and one copy of our SAM record?

RESPONSE: Please respond to Section K and all fill-ins required per that section as it pertains to your organization.

16. Question: Section L.4, Specific Proposal Instructions, states that: “All information and data provided shall be specific to the Professional Support Services DUSA Solicitation, except for the area of Past Performance. Please clarify your intent for “except for the area of Past Performance”.

RESPONSE: Please carefully review Volume II Section L.4.2

17. Question: Section L.4.1.1 Subfactor 1: Understanding the Requirement/Methods for Completion, states that Offerors must address “Identification of essential HQDA/DUSA management, process and support systems changes you would identify or improvement in near-term and beyond.”

Subfactor 1 addresses the Offerors response at the ID/IQ level and not at that the Task Order Level. As a result, the Offeror has no way to scope the management, processes, and support systems that require change. This type of response appears to be relevant to the Sample Task, and not the ID/IQ. Please clarify the Government’s requirements for the Offeror’s response to Subfactor 1.

RESPONSE: Please carefully review Section M.2.1

18. Question: Section L.4.1.1 Subfactor 1: Understanding the Requirement/Methods for Completion, states that Offerors must address “Identification of essential HQDA/DUSA management, process and support systems changes you would identify or improvement in near-term and beyond.”

However, the evaluation criteria for subfactor 1 (Section M.2.1.1) does not include this as an evaluation criteria. Does the Government intend to evaluate Offerors on this requirement?

RESPONSE: Section M.2.1 indicates, The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s Plans and Methods for realism and supportability.

19. Question: Amendment 001 of the solicitation created Volume V and modified the response requirement from “A broad outline of the change management plan associated with (a) and The Offeror shall provide how to details that demonstrate ability to accomplish PWS Section 5 tasks.

Include at a minimum:” to: The Offeror shall provide how to details that demonstrate ability to accomplish PWS Section 5 tasks.” Amendment 003 deleted Volume V, along with the modifications to the requirement for the Task Order response. Please verify that the Government wants Offerors to provide a change management plan instead of details that demonstrate our ability to accomplish PWS Section 5 tasks.

RESPONSE: Volume V is completely void and no longer applicable IAW Amendment 0003 under Executive Summary.

20. Question: Amendment 001 of the solicitation created Volume V and modified the response requirement. Amendment 003 deleted Volume V, along with the modifications to the requirement for the Task Order response. Please verify that the Government does not require Offerors to provide a staffing plan and resumes demonstrating pertinent expertise at senior levels of HQDA/C-Suites of large/global public organizations.

RESPONSE: Please review Attachment 0003 – Sample Task PWS Sections 5.4 & 5.5.

21. Question: Section L.4.1.2 Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal, addresses our response in the Technical Volume of the proposal. This section states that: “The Offeror will submit a Sample Task proposal (Attachment 0005) in accordance with the Sample Task PWS (Attachment 0003) in Section J. Pricing and scheduling must be included in this proposal following the format of the Base Contract proposal.” Please confirm that the Government wants pricing for the Sample Task included in the Technical Volume.

RESPONSE: Please enter pricing into Attachments 0005 pricing matrix.

22. Question: L.4.1.2 Subfactor 2: Sample Task Proposal, does not provide instructions to Offerors for the technical response content of the Sample Task Proposal. Please clarify the Government’s expectations for the content of Subfactor 2.

RESPONSE: Please read carefully Section L.4.1.2.

23. Question: Section M.2.2, states that “The proposed staffing resources and hours will be evaluated for reasonableness in supporting the Sample Task.” However, Section L does not require a staffing plan for the Sample Task. Please clarify the requirements for our response to the Sample Task.

RESPONSE: The offeror will submit a Sample Task Proposal IAW the Sample Task PWS (see attachment 0003).

24. Question: Section M.2.1.1 states that Subfactor 1 will be evaluated on “a. The depth and breadth of advisory assistance that will enable Army’s senior leadership to engage at the right time and frequency across the scope of the PWS.” However, Section L of the RFP does not address staffing. Please clarify the text in section L that will support this evaluation criteria.

RESPONSE: The depth and breadth relates to the technical capabilities that the offeror can provide.

25. Question: Section M.2.2, states that “Management and Quality plans included in the Sample Task proposal will be evaluated for completeness and supportability.” Please clarify the requirements for our response to the Sample Task align with the Management/Quality plan described in Section L.4.2.1 (Subfactor 1).

RESPONSE: The offeror will submit a Sample Task Proposal IAW the Sample Task PWS (see attachment 0003).

26. Question: Section L.4.5.1 requires each offeror to complete (fill-in and signatures) the solicitation sections indicated below using the file (without modification to the file) provided with the solicitation. The following list includes the entire proposal (Sections A through M), as well a second reference to Sections A, G, J, and K. Please confirm that the Government requires duplicate copies of the Sections A, G, J, and K in Volume IV.

RESPONSE: The Government requires one copy where fill-ins are required (Section G has been removed in Amendment 0003).

27. Question: Section L.4.5.1 requires each offeror to complete (fill-in and signatures) the solicitation sections using the file (without modification to the file) provided with the solicitation.

Please confirm that Offerors may modify the file to add headers and footers are required by the solicitation in Section L.3.2.

RESPONSE: Please use the instructions provided for Section L.3.2

28. Question: General: Given the lack of clarity and consistency in Sections L and M of the RFP, respectfully request a 2 week extension to the proposal due date. This extension will allow Offeror’s to develop a compliant response to the Government’s clarification of Amendment 3.

RESPONSE: An extension has already been given to the proposal date. At this time, there will be no further extensions.

29. Question: Are we still correct in assuming that per the Q&A, "The WBSs and QC/QM plans are excluded from the page count...", correct?

RESPONSE: It is part of the Technical proposal but not counting the pages against them.

30. Question: Section L.4.5.1 it states that each offeror shall complete (fill-in and signatures) the solicitation sections indicated below…

Section A through M Fill-ins as required

Section A SF 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award

Section J CDRL…

Section K Completed Reps., Certifications and other Statements of Offeror

A. Are you looking just for A, J CDRL , and K?, excluding B supplies and services?

B. For section K-5 (b) (1) if paragraph (d) applies, and we include our electronically updated SAM registry entity information in this volume, would that suffice in place of the several pages in section K of the pdf?

RESPONSE: Every fill-in (blank) must be provided where applicable for each section.

31. Question: Reference paragraph L.4.2.2(5), requires a Past Performance Questionnaire, while Section L.4.2.2 states that the Government plans to rely on existing documentation from Federal databases to the maximum extent practicable. Sources of existing information available to the Government include, but are not limited to, Past Performance Information and Retrieval System (PPIRS). Several of our contracting officers have stated that they will not complete past performance questionnaires because they provide complete evaluations in CPARS and PPIRS as required by FAR 42.1500 et. seq. In order to allow for a fair past performance evaluation, will the Government allow CPARS evaluations to be used in place of PPQs?

RESPONSE: Please provide all applicable information on your Past Performance.