WDTC Site Visit and Pre-Sol Conference QandA_partial_posted 14Feb2025.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 26 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) West Desert Test Center (WDTC) Mission Support Services (MSS)
- Solicitation number
- W51EW725RA001
- Issued by
-
Department of the Army
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document from a site visit and pre-solicitation conference held on February 4-5, 2025 for the Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) West Desert Test Center (WDTC) Mission Support Services (MSS) contract. The document contains 61 questions covering various aspects of the contract requirements, with some responses still pending.
Key details revealed include: the solicitation release is targeted for March 11, 2025; contract award is targeted for October 23, 2025; current contract expires December 22, 2025 with a 60-day phase-in period planned; the facility conducts approximately 134 test events annually with 25% being DT/OT; chemical testing accounts for 25-30% of reimbursable funds; training requirements have remained stable at 80 events and 120 weeks of execution annually over the past decade; the contract covers support for hazardous waste handling, test setup, data collection, airfield operations, range operations, and various technical support functions; and contractors must maintain certain certifications including HAZMAT, CDL, and equipment operator certifications where applicable. The government rejected industry requests to provide fixed FTE counts for pricing but will include scenarios in the final RFP for cost proposal evaluation.
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MSS Site Visit 04-05Feb2025 Q&A
| No. | Briefing / Tour | Industry Question | Government Response |
| 1 | Command Brief | Is there an End of Life (EOL) for the chambers? | Yes. It is a concern and testing has been delayed previously due to arising issues. Test fixture/chambers are upgraded or redesigned to accommodate the test program. DPG receives funding for test fixture and test capability upgrades. |
| 2 | Command Brief | Is the hazardous material test facility part of the scope? | Yes Hazardous waste generation is part of every test programs. The processing and turning of hazardous waste is also part of each test program. Once the hazardous waste is turned over to the hazardous waste contractor, the waste is controlled and processed for removal. The Hazardous waste facility nor there personnel are part of this contract. |
| 3 | Command Brief | What software is developed under OADMS? | TINA backbone |
| 4 | Command Brief | How many test events does MSS hold annually? Of those how many are classified as DTOT? | For FY24, there were 134 events held annually. 25% are DT/OT |
| 5 | Command Brief | Is Dugway primarily focused on pre-milestone testing? | DPG supports various phases of testing, R&D/Method Development, DT/OT and vendor risk reduction testing. |
| 6 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 7 | Command Brief | Can Dugway personnel visit contractor facilities? | DPG will not visit contractor facilities as part of this solicitation. |
| 8 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 9 | RM | How do you attract for 810 standards? How do you account for overflow? | Dugway is the only site with chambers for chem testing. Dugway will support testing for other sites when the sites cannot support the workload (e.g., detector testing). MSS contractor may be asked to supplement workforce for testing (to include overflow testing and not standard testing). |
| 10 | RM | Excluding guards, what is the split of reimbursable funding between chem testing and running the range at Dugway ? | Chem testing accounts for approximately 25-30% of reimbursable funds, with range support being the majority. |
| 11 | RM | Does the MSS contractor support RM with personnel? | No. The contractor will "support" RM with requiring financial data/reporting (CDRLs) and coordination with the COR. |
| 12 | RM | Is there a special program for reporting hours/labor? | SIMS is used (Government-side) |
| 13 | Data Services | With Mr. Harris stating the future of Dugway being to reduce lab testing, is this branch (within Data Sciences Division) incorporating use of synthetic data and other sources? | We’re reducing testing on certain instrumentation. The goal is to reduce testing through modeling/simulation, however not all lab testing can be reduced since CWA are needed to determine response or degradation (decon testing). |
| 14 | Data Services | Is OADMS primarily at Dugway or will contractors have access? | Dugway only, and not anticipated Contractors will have access for data management. Contractors may be needed to help instrumentation with hardware build. |
| 15 | Data Services | How is the data collected in OADMS? | Data is uploaded into tye Data servers located in the Kuddes building managed by Data Science Division. |
| 16 | SPD | It would be helpful to industry to understand the future testing workload in order to properly account for manning. It was asked during the DRFP, but will ask again if future requirements are projected to out-years? | No, there is no data available beyond a year out as the requirements and schedule is volatile. Training, however, doesn't have much of a variance year-to-year over the last ten years (80 events, 120 weeks of execution annually) |
| 17 | SPD | My understanding is that all tests involving MSS contractor support would include the contract assisting with test set-up, procuring materials for testing, and retrofitting or adapting test materials. | Correct. |
| 18 | Special Programs | How are the targets built for testing? | MSS subcontracted the requirement SPD will create a Contract Work Order (CWO) for target or test support. Each program will vary depending on the test or training program. |
| 19 | Special Programs | Does MSS help setup the framework, setup sensors, procuring material, etc.? | It depends on the specific test or training event. SPD will submit a CWO for specific requirements. |
| 20 | Special Programs | Is the missile warning system handled at Dugway? | It is set up but maintaining or operating the system is usually the customer responsibility. There is a possibility that SPD could task the support contractor to operate the system via a CWO. |
| 21 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 22 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 23 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 24 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 25 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 26 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 27 | Operations | How many FTEs support ITAMS? | ITAMS support varies based on funding. |
| 28 | Operations | Are there endangered species to be aware of? | Eagles, burrowing Owls or any species that the DPG environmental office deems as endangered. environmental staff addresses mitigations during mating season, especially. |
| 29 | Operations | Do you/Operations own safety? | DPG Safety is under Garrison (Government personnel), but aviation safety, yes. |
| 30 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 31 | Operations | Are there other contractor tasks applicable that weren't already mentioned? | .5 FTE for GIS - provides map support, test/training and surveying |
| 32 | Operations | UTTR. Is it the same as out at Hill? The same operation? | Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) is part of the UTTR managed out of Hill AFB.It's different in how they manage their footprint, has own range control to interface with Dugway range control (who manages 5 miles within MAAF), but in short, they all communicate. |
| 33 | Operations | Who is maintaining all your assets? | DLA contract for maintenance, but MSS contractor has checklist to address maintenance issues. Fuel truck is responsibility of Operations. |
| 34 | Operations | Are there special certifications for Airfield Operations? | HAZMAT qualified. Advisory Services are not required to be Air Traffic Controllers, but that is "nice to have" to reduce training and certification timelines. Equipment operators require those applicable certifications. |
| 35 | Operations | Is there another fuel asset? | Yes, borrowed from the Air Force. Michael Army Air Field has a fuel track which is currently in maintenance. |
| 36 | Operations | What about APUs? | They are not owned. Air Force Asset |
| 37 | Test Support | How many cranes do you have? | DPG owns three (3). |
| 38 | Test Support | Why does Dugway do climatic testing vs other sites? | In doing so, we can condition and move right into Chem testing. DPG is the only MRTFB that can move test items from environmental conditions into CWA testing. This is not possible at other MRTFB locations. |
| 39 | Test Support | What type of certifications are required? | Heavy equipment operators maintain a CDL certification. Also, small forklift and crane operators require certification |
| 40 | Chem/Test | Does everyone participate in CPRP? Is there an admin requirement to the MSS contractor? | Not all contractors are on CPRP. Only contractors that handle CWA are on CPRP. The division does have administrative support to track CTD contractor records, training and contractor support. |
| 41 | Chem/Test | How are the summer test programs identified as surge, supported? | TO generates a Work Assignment Order for individual test programs. |
| 42 | Chem/Test | What type of lead times are typical for surge? | A six-month timeframe is targeted, but it's sometimes three months, and sometimes twelve. It depends, but they work to meet the six-month target. |
| 43 | Chem/Test | Does the Chem Lab have 3D printers? | No, all 3D printing is now support by Test Support Division, Metal shop. |
| 44 | Chem/Test | Will the lab remodel be complete prior to MSS follow-on contract award? | Completion is projected in 2027, so no. MSS follow-on award will be in place prior (target award is Oct 2025). |
| 45 | Chem/Test | Who runs the minicams and how are they monitored (i.e., alarms)? | Currently all air sampling (safety and test) are performed by contractors. Contractors are required to monitor safety minicam for audio alarms. |
| 46 | Life Sciences | Does Life Sciences have DNA sequencing technology? | Yes. Min Ion DNA sequencing |
| 47 | Life Sciences | Are infromatics / Bio inframatics done in house? | Yes. |
| 48 | Life Sciences | Are there current task orders for Scientific support personnel? | No. Scientific personnel was moved to Government-only at this time. |
| 49 | Life Sciences | Who furnishes the protection equipment? | All PPE are provided by the divisions. If there are specific PPE that required due to a specific test, the test program will buy the PPE. General safety PPE such as ear plugs or safety glasses/goggles can be provided by contractor for their personnel |
| 50 | Life Sciences | Does Life Sciences task MSS? | Yes. For field testing, CWO for setup and road people |
| 51 | Life Sciences | Is it sustained or surge support? | Currently two contractors and surge support as needed especially during summer field testing. |
| 52 | Contracts | What is the timeframe for solicitation | Solicitation is targeted for release on 11 Mar 2025, but currently under internal reviews and subject to change as a result of feedback received, to include the site visit and pre-solicitation conference inputs. |
| 53 | Contracts | When does the current contract end? What is the timeframe for follow-on MSS award? | The current contract expires 22 Dec 2025. Award for the follow-on MSS is targeted for 23 Oct 2025 to account for 60-day Phase-in/Transition. |
| 54 | Contracts | DRFP Section L.3.2.2 - Offerors shall submit up to five (5) Government contracts for the prime offeror (including past performance of individual JV partners) and up to three (3) from major subcontractors and / or teaming partners in performance or awarded during the past three years, from the issue date of this RFP, which are relevant to the efforts required by this solicitation. JV offerors may consist of 1 or more large businesses or they may represent a Mentor Protégé arrangement. If the individual large business partner(s) are allowed to submit up to 4 performance citations as part of the JV, it will create a significant unfair advantage over traditional small business offerors. Further, this minimum requirement is important to demonstrate the capability to manage this contract. Therefore, would the Government consider requiring a minimum of 2 past performance citations from the JV managing partner? | The Government concurs with the recommended change. L.3.2.2 will note a "minimum of 2 past performance citations from the managing partner of a JV prime). |
Potential Offerors shall note, however, criteria at M.5.3.2.1, that indicates the Government will consider the scope of work being performed on the MSS effort in determining relevancy for individual contracts proposed for review and evaluation.
| 55 | Contracts | Recommend the government establish a base set of hours, by labor category for each offeror to bid for pricing evaluation purposes. This would allow for a consistent comparable cost for equitable evaluation. This would also be more consistent with proposal evaluation weighting by truly ensuring the technical, management merits, initiatives and innovations are more heavily considered as desired by the government. | Hours and labor categories will not be provided, however, the final RFP will include scenarios for Offerors to propose within the Program Management subfactor and Cost proposals, to be a part of the Total Evaluated Probably Cost/Price calculation. |
| 56 | Contracts | Volume 1 Subfactor 2 - The incumbent has a significant advantage in addressing program management requirements. Would the Government consider providing MSS historical 5yr contract hours by each individual division and by corresponding labor category? | No, this information will not be provided, however, scenarios apply to the final RFP, as identified at response 55 above. |
| 57 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending | ||
| 58 | PWS | Upon reviewing the PWS for the current contract, we noticed the requirements for the PM only required a bachelor’s degree. The draft PWS does not allow for a bachelor’s degree and additional years of experience in lieu of a master’s degree. With Mr. Harris emphasizing the challenge of recruiting and retaining employees at the West Desert Test Center, the omission of a bachelor’s degree and years’ experience criteria makes recruiting and retaining even more difficult. Would the government consider adding the bachelor’s degree requirement back into the PWS? If not, can the government provide an explanation on how the roles and responsibilities of the PM have changed to warrant a more challenging requirement? | The education requirements for the PM are unchanged from the existing contract: Master's Degree required. |
| 59 | Contracts | The current pricing proposal and evaluation approach outlined in the WDTC draft RFP, specifically in L.3.3.4.1.1, presents significant challenges for offerors to provide realistic and competitive pricing. The direction to utilize historical data from Technical Attachment A5, combined with the information provided during the WDTC Industry Day, highlights several variables and unknowns that complicate accurate price forecasting. |
Key factors contributing to this challenge include:
1. The Government's limited ability to forecast beyond six to twelve months.
2. The potential for Task Order awards to subcontractors for specialized services (not accounted for in the historical data).
3. The three-year historical data provided in Technical Attachment A5, which may not accurately reflect future requirements.
To address these concerns and ensure a fair, competitive procurement process that yields the best value for the Government, we suggest the following revision to the pricing proposal and evaluation approach:
Recommendation: Establish a fixed number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for all contractors to bid against, supplemented by plug numbers to account for unforecasted surge, Contract Work Orders, and other variable costs.
Benefits of this approach:
1. Enables accurate evaluation based on Wrap Rate, Fringe, and other costs.
2. Prevents unrealistically low bids that may compromise service quality.
3. Ensures the Government receives the required industry-leading Test & Evaluation and Range Support.
4. Provides a level playing field for all offerors, focusing competition on efficiency and value rather than speculative staffing estimates.
5. Aligns with the dynamic nature of WDTC requirements and the potential for task order-based specialized services.
We recommend the Government consider this approach to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of the WDTC procurement process, and prevent unrealistically low bids. This method balances the need for competitive pricing with the reality of fluctuating requirements, ultimately serving the best interests of both the Government and industry partners. The Government understands the challenges identified by industry, however, adopting the recommended approach limits flexibility in proposed approaches and creates it's own challenges tied to unbalanced or unrealistically low prices should an offeror elect to adjust the government's figures.
Accordingly, the final RFP will include a scenario-based cost/price proposal action for address within the Program Management subfactor AND the Cost proposal. This provides a level of specificity for all Offerors to price on solicited scenarios, but still provides the flexibility for an Offeror to propose a solution based on their unique approach to supporting MSS, a performance based requirement.
| 60 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending |
| 61 | Placeholder - Government Response Pending |
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