Attachment_0010_Combined_Q&A_(Amend_0004).pdf

Q1. It appears the Government is focusing on certain requirements for past performance and public affairs is not one of them. Is this an accurate interpretation?

A1. Per Section L.7 of the solicitation, the offeror is to submit past performance for all recent and relevant Government contracts. Per Section M.11, “The Government will focus its inquiries on the Offeror’s (and major subcontractor’s/Joint Venture members’/new entities with parent companies) record of performance as it relates to all solicitation requirements.” Additionally, per Section M.11.2.2, Relevancy includes efforts related to the “scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.” As stated in the cited sections, past performance is evaluated for the full efforts of the requirements of this solicitation.

Q2. The RFP states that there will be 0 FTE's for PAO in the base year. Is it still accurate that PAO support will not be utilized in the base year of the contract?

A2. No, that is no longer accurate. Since the contract will not be awarded until fiscal year (FY)

18, PAO will require support in the base year (FY18) of the contract. PWS Section 5.4.8 has been updated to reflect this change.

Q3. PWS Paragraph 5.1.11 states "Government anticipates approximately 2.0 to 2.5 FTEs being needed to accomplish the tasks outlined in the paragraphs of 5.1." This number of FTEs does not appear to be sufficient to implement the EVMS requirements outlined in the solicitation paragraphs I-140 and L-9. Was it the intent of PWS Paragraph 5.1.11 to include FTEs to cover

EVMS? If not, under what Task should the offeror show these labor hours?

A3. The EVMS Clauses 252.234-7002 and 252.234-7001 are removed from the solicitation.

Q4. Solicitation Paragraph M.12.2 defines the Small Business goals of 32% for the contract. These goals are very aggressive given the EVMS requirements outlined in the solicitation paragraphs I-

140 and L-9. Will the Government consider waiving the EVMS requirement for small businesses or reducing the Small Business goals?

A4. The EVMS Clauses 252.234-7002 and 252.234-7001 are removed from the solicitation.

Q5. Solicitation Paragraph L.7.1 Subfactor 1 - Personnel Management requests key resumes in the proposal and in the next paragraph the solicitation states, "Upon the completion of the

Competitive Range determination, if applicable, the PCO may request Offerors to submit a by name resume for each key position within five days of notice." It is unclear whether the Government wants the resumes for the key positions in the proposal or to submit them upon request.

A5. The Government wants the resumes for the key positions included in the proposal. Section

L.7.1 has been updated to reflect this change.

Q6. PWS Paragraph 5.1.1 Contract Management Plan (MP) requires a draft MP to be submitted with the proposal, IAW CDRL A001. Section L of the proposal does not indicate where the MP should be included. Also CDRL A001 states that the draft MP should be submitted 30 days after contract award. Please clarify whether the MP is be to included in the proposal and if so which Volume it should be included in.

A6. The MP is not required as part of the proposal. PWS paragraph 5.1.1 has been edited to align with 5.5.3.5.1 and CDRL A001: "The Contract MP shall include, at a minimum: planned activities, financial information, schedules, and quality control. The contractor shall deliver the planned approach for performance of this task IAW CDRL A001. The contractor shall develop a planned approach within 30 CDAC start date. The Government will respond with comments or approval within

14 calendar days after receipt of the draft plan. The contractor shall submit the final plan within 30 days of approval by the Government. The final planned approach shall be included."

Q7. SF33 p.46 L-9 EVMS requirement. DFARS Par 234, which prescribes the EVMS requirement, applies to Major Systems Acquisition. As this acquisition is not for systems, not does it entail a significant development component, will the government consider removed of this requirement as it is restrictive of competition, especially for small business concerns?

A7. The EVMS Clauses 252.234-7002 and 252.234-7001 are removed from the solicitation.

Q8. Please confirm the required Small Business Subcontracting Plan is considered as an "Other items indicated for each Volume" and excluded from the 25-page restriction of Volume V?

A8. The Small Business Subcontracting Plan is excluded from the page limit in Volume V. Section

A.9 was updated to reflect this change.

Q9. Please confirm the required three ISRs are considered as "Other items indicated for each

Volume" and excluded from the 25-page restriction of Volume V?

A9. The ISRs are excluded from the page limit in Volume V. Section L.10.3.2 was updated to reflect this change.

Q10. Please confirm the required OCI Plan is considered as an “Other items as indicated for each

Volume” and excluded from the 25-page restriction of Volume II? Please also confirm that the following statement is valid: “Any previous submission of OCI plans will not be considered by the

Government and shall be updated as desired and submitted with the proposal.”

A10. The OCI Plan is excluded from the page limit in Volume II. Section L.7.2, Organizational

Conflict of Interest, was updated to reflect this change. Also, the statement mentioned in the question is valid.

Q11. Per the instruction of L.9.1., the prime offeror is to submit “past performance information on up to five recent and relevant Government and/or commercial contracts.” If the prime offeror consists of JV, would the JV submit a total of five past performances or would each team member of the JV submit up to five past performances?

A11. The total past performance information inputs for the offeror is five and each major subcontractor is three. In the case of a joint venture, the total number of performance inputs provided is limited to five inputs plus three for each teaming partner (as if they were a subcontractor), with no individual contractor providing more than five. For example, if the offeror is a joint venture of two team members, one contractor may submit up to five past performance information inputs and the other may submit up to three, or each contractor may submit up to a total of four each. If the offeror is a joint venture of three members, one team member may submit up to five and the other two team members up to three each, or two team members may submit up to four each and the other up to three. If a joint venture also had subcontractors, each subcontractor would be limited to three past performance information inputs.

Q12. Please clarify the period of performance. Is the period of performance as stated in Section

A: “…a base year and nine one-year option periods” or in Section M: “…base year and nine one-year option periods, and a six-month extension period”?

A12. The period of performance is as stated in Section A, a base year and nine one-year option periods. The “six-month extension period” is removed from Section M.13.

Q13. Per the RFP instruction, the offer is to complete and sign “…copy of the solicitation including Sections A–K….” Please confirm if a signature at the end of a completed section is sufficient to meet the signature requirement?

A13. Provide a signed copy of the solicitation and any amendments.

Q14. Per the instruction, resumes “…shall identify the minimum qualifications the offeror will employ over the life of the contract for all key personnel.” For the submission due on August

4th, please clarify if we are to provide ‘named resumes’ for specific individuals who meet the listed job title/function in the PWS or to define the minimum qualifications (e.g., minimum education, type of degree, licenses/registration, type of experience, year of experience, etc.)

for the required title/function over the life of the contract in the PWS?

A14. Potential bidders are to provide by-name resumes for specific individuals who meet the listed job titles/functions in the PWS. Section L.7.1 has been updated to reflect this change.

Q15. Please indicate in which volume of the offeror’s submittal should the required L-9 information (i.e., Notice of Earned Value Management System) be presented? In addition, will this information be considered as “Other items as indicated for each Volume” and be excluded from page count limitation?

A15. The EVMS Clauses 252.234-7002 and 252.234-7001 are removed from the solicitation.

Q16. May we use Arial Narrow, 10-point font for tables and graphics?

A16. Per Section L.3.3. of the solicitation, the Offeror shall use Arial, not Arial Narrow, font.

10-point font may be utilized for tables and graphic displays.

Q17. If we are to submit the proposal prior to the August 4th due date, do we schedule an appointment with the PCO to receive our submission and to obtain proof of receipt from the PCO?

A17. Do not need to schedule an appointment with the PCO if submitting prior to due date.

Submittal for proposals shall be as stated in L.5.

Q18. Is the stated delivery address the same for postal mail, UPS/FedEx and courier? Are there any special instructions based on the mode of delivery?

A18. The delivery address is the same for all mail deliveries.

Q19. Section L.3.1 states, “The electronic copies shall be submitted using Microsoft Office (MS)

Word, MS Excel (for the Cost/Price Volume only) and Adobe Acrobat software (SF33 signature page and any other RFP pages, as required.) All copies of an individual volume shall be identical.”

Please confirm that bidders can submit all proposal volumes in PDF format, excluding Attachment

003 Cost-Price Matrix, which should be submitted in MS Excel.

A19. You can submit proposal volumes in PDF except Attachment 0003 which will be submitted as an

MS Excel document.

Q20. The EVMS requirements in Solicitation Paragraphs I-140 and L-9 will require a significant investment and a resultant financial burden/hardship. It is our understanding that DFARS Part

234, requires EVMS compliance on Major Systems Acquisition. As this contract is not for systems, and does not entail a significant development component, will the Government consider removal of this requirement as it restricts competition, especially for small business concerns?

A20. The EVMS Clauses 252.234-7002 and 252.234-7001 are removed from the solicitation.

Q21. Will the Government please clarify if it is correct to associate the newsletter delivery with CDRL A024 and the Quarterly Briefing with A025?

A21. The Quarterly Brief is no longer required. Changes have been made to the CDRLs and PWS. CDRL

A025 has been removed and CDRL A024 has been change to A025 and the PWS Section 5.2.4.6 has been updated to reflect this change.

Q22. Will the Government please clarify if the Environmental Permitting and Compliance Support listed in paragraph 5.8.9 of the PWS will be priced separately as an option and will the

Government provide an updated pricing template to account for this option?

A22. The option in paragraph 5.8.9 would be exercised by the PCO in the event that this support is needed by the Government. The option should be priced separately from the rest of the proposal, for all years of the contract. Sub-CLIN 0001AM has been added to the price matrix at

Attachment 0003.

Q23. Will the Government please clarify if the OCI Mitigation Plan is included in the page count or is it in the page count exclusion?

A23. A change was made in Amendment 0001 posted to FBO on 5 July 2017 that addressed this question.

Q24. Will the Government please clarify the delivery requirements for the CMP?

A24. A change was made in Amendment 0001 posted to FBO on 5 July 2017 that addressed this question.

Q25. Will the Government please clarify the differences between L.7.1 paragraph 4 and Paragraph

5, and if the key personnel resumes are to be submitted with the proposal as indicated in paragraph 4 or upon Government request as indicated in paragraph 5?

A25. A change was made in Amendment 0001 posted to FBO on 5 July 2017 that addressed this question.

Q26. Will the Government please provide the frequency and first submission date for CDRL 46?

A26. The Government will request QRA studies based on emerging issues during the course of the program. This task will require the contractor to respond to these emerging issues and generate

QRA reports as needed. CDRL A046 has been edited to include frequency and first submission date information.

Q27. Will the Government please provide the frequency and first submission date for CDRL 47?

A27. The Government will request QRA studies based on emerging issues during the course of the program. This task will require the contractor to respond to these emerging issues and generate

CSEPP reports as needed. CDRL A047 has been edited to include frequency and first submission date information.

Q28. Will the government please clarify if the disclosure statement is needed from both existing employees and contingent hires, and if the “Statement” language should be part of the two-page limit per resume?

A28. Yes, the disclosure statement is needed from both existing employees and contingent hires.

The statement and signature may be placed on a separate page from the resume and will not count toward the two-page limit. Section L.7.1. has been updated to reflect this change.

Q29. M.13. Factor 5 Price on page 52 makes reference to an evaluated cost for a six-month extension period. This six-month extension period is not shown in attachment 0003. Will the government please clarify if the offerors should add a new column to attachment 0003 to reflect pricing for the six-month extension?

A29. A change was made in Amendment 0001 posted to FBO on 5 July 2017 that addressed this question.

Q30. Will the Government please clarify the start date of the OY1 in regards to PAO support?

A30. A change was made in Amendment 0001 posted to FBO on 5 July 2017 that addressed this question.

Q31. Will the Government please confirm for paragraph 5.5.4.14 for option years 4 thru 9, that the FTE count is 4.0 per year versus 4.0 total?

A31. The FTE count is 4.0 per option year.

Q32. Will the government please clarify if it is their intention to communicate that positions highlighted in paragraphs 5.7.15.1.1 thru 5.7.15.1.13 are considered Key Personnel?

A32. The government considers key personnel as those filling positions specifically identified in the PWS. These positions are listed in paragraphs 5.1.11, 5.7.15.1.1 - 5.7.15.1.13, 5.8.13.1.1 -

5.8.13.1.13, and 5.9.9.1.1 - 5.9.9.1.4.

Q33. Will the government please clarify if it is the intention of the government to communicate that positions highlighted in paragraphs 5.8.13.1.1 thru 5.8.13.1.13 are considered Key

Personnel?

A33. The government considers key personnel as those filling positions specifically identified in the PWS. These positions are listed in paragraphs 5.1.11, 5.7.15.1.1 - 5.7.15.1.13, 5.8.13.1.1 -

5.8.13.1.13, and 5.9.9.1.1 - 5.9.9.1.4.

Q34. Will the government please clarify the frequency for estimation purposes CDRL A054 has a frequency of QRTLY?

A34. It is updated twice per year per site. CDRL A054 has been amended to reflect this change.

Q35. Can the government please clarify if we are allowed adjustments to the current cost template as necessary to ensure a compliance?

A35. The overall format of the attachment should not be adjusted. If there is a concern with compliance please submit questions that address those concerns and the Government may make adjustments to the format of the attachment as necessary.

Q36. Will the government please clarify if it is their intention to require EVMS implementation for the overall contract performance in addition with the application of potential ANSI standards based on potential contract value per FAR Clause 252.234-7002?

A36. A change was made in Amendment 0001 posted to FBO on 5 July 2017 that addressed this question.

Q37. Would the Government consider increasing the maximum Page Count in the Management Volume II

(for example from 25 pages to 45 pages) and the Technical Volume III (for example from 50 pages to 90 pages) to accommodate addressing the complexities involved in the management of the ACWA

SOCS contract and the many areas of support required in the PWS?

A37. Volume II - Management can be increased to 35 maximum pages and Volume III - Technical can be increased to 75 maximum pages. Section L.3 has been revised to reflect this change.

Q38. Would the Government consider extending the due date for Proposals from 4 August 2017 to 25

August 2017 to allow for incorporation of Government Responses to bidder questions into our

Proposal?

A38. The Offeror would need to provide additional rationale stating why more time is needed to complete their proposal. As of now, the due date for proposals remains unchanged. Proposals will be due on 4 August 2017.

Q39. Will the Government please clarify if it is their intention to add a FTE to BGCAPP for the

Environmental Engineer?

A39. This position is an option as described in Paragraph 5.8.9. The option in Para 5.8.9 would be exercised in the event that this support is needed by the Government. The option should be priced separately from the rest of the proposal, for all years of the contract. Paragraph Para

5.8.13.1.8 is the education requirements for this position. Table 5.8 has been updated to show the number of FTEs anticipated should this option be exercised.

Q40. Will the Government please clarify if it is their intention to add a FTE to BGCAPP for the

Project Controls Analyst position?

A40. The Dashboard and Metric Analyst identified in the FTE Table is analogous to Project Control

Analyst. The education requirements provided in Section 5.8.13.1.11 should be applied to the

Dashboard and Metric Analyst. Table 5.8 and the title for paragraph 5.8.13.11 have been updated to Project Controls/Dashboard & Metric Analyst for clarity. For additional clarification, the

“Scheduler” identified in the FTE Table performs schedule analysis duties (refer to Section

5.8.4). Education requirements for the scheduler shall be in accordance with Paragraph

5.8.13.1.12.

Q41. The government has provided surrogate numbers for travel within attachment 0003, cost template. We assume this covers all costs associated with the specific travel requirements highlighted throughout the current PWS and in paragraph 6.0 of the PWS. Is this assumption correct? Specific example includes: Para. 5.6.2.2.6, "The contractor shall assume travel of two weeks to PCAPP and two weeks to BGCAPP for all team members (which is anticipated to be two team members, including the lead contractor assessor) per year."

A41. Table 6.1 only includes travel required for tasks in support of the three field offices.

Travel for other tasks is found throughout the PWS. The estimated values in the Cost/Price Matrix include travel requirements for all tasks in the PWS. The travel estimates for all the option years have been amended in Attachment 0003 Cost/Price Matrix to correct an error in the estimated costs.

Q42. In paragraph 5.3.1.2 (pg 11) PWS, the government notes that site visits may be required, as follows; 2 persons traveling twice per year to each of the HQ, PCAPP, and BGCAPP. Is this estimate included in the travel surrogate number provided in attachment 0003?

A42. The estimated values in the Cost/Price Matrix include travel requirements for all tasks in the PWS. The travel estimates for all the option years have been amended in Attachment 0003

Cost/Price Matrix to correct an error in the estimated costs.

Q43. The government has provided surrogate numbers for ODCs, materials and equipment within attachment 003, cost template. We assume this covers all costs associated with the specific

ODCs, materials and equipment highlighted throughout the current PWS. Is this assumption correct? Specific example includes: In para. 5.9.10.3, the government notes that all telecommunications equipment will be supplied by the contractor.

A43. The surrogate numbers related to ODCs, materials and equipment provided in attachment 003, cost template is based on both specific items referenced in the PWS and the government's estimate of other administrative support throughout the PWS.

Q44. Is it the Government's intent to submit a separate monthly progress and status report to support to the Risk Management (RM) Directorate or is this effort inclusive of the similar monthly effort within the Contract Management Support para. 5.1.4.1?

A44. This information shall be provided as part of the Contract Management Support task which accounts for all tasks within the contract. The reports on individual tasks will supplement the reports for the entire contract and will be submitted with the reports referenced in 5.1.4.1

Q45. To date, two amendments have been posted to the RFP. We noted that the date of the PWS went from 06/14/17 to 5/24/17. Please verify amendment has been made to the correct PWS.

A45. The PWS has been corrected to correspond with the updates made in Amendments 0001 and 0002.

It will also include the any updates made to the PWS in this amendment (Amendment 0003).

Q46. Request an extension for the preparation of a fully compliant proposal due to changes in the solicitation.

A46. The due date for proposals has been extended to 18 August 2017. This date is 44 calendar days after the posting of Amendment 0001 and provides ample time for the offerors to revise their proposal and strategies based on the changes made to the solicitation, specifically the removal of EVMS. Other changes to the PWS have been clarifications that should not influence the offerors’ capability to provide a fully compliant proposal.

Q47. Per Attachment_0010_Combined_Q&A, A37, “…Volume III – Technical can be increased to 75 maximum pages” and in Amendment 0002, Section L (L.3 on page 7 of 23) Volume III has been increased to 75 pages; however, on page 3 of 23 (E, 1e), the page limit for Volume III is 70 pages. Please clarify that the page limitation for Volume III is at 75 pages maximum.

A47. For clarification purposes, the page limit for Volume III Technical is 75 pages maximum.

Q48. Based on the instruction in Section L, It would appear the subcontractors will have to submit their indirect/unburdened rate and Service Contract Act documentation. It is stated that subcontractors can submit their information directly to the government. Please let us know if subcontractors can submit this information electronically. Also, please advise if this applies to T&M proposals.

A48. Yes, it does apply to T&M proposals as well and the proposals can be submitted electronically.

Q49. There appears to be a version control issue with the PWS that was released with Amendment

002. The date on the cover page of the Attachment_0001_SOCS_PWS_ (Amend_0002).pdf is dated 24 May

2017. The PWS released with the Solicitation and the Amendment 001 were dated 14 June 2017. In addition, the changes made to the PWS in Amendment 001 have been removed. For example, PWS paragraph 5.1.1 has been reverted back to requesting a Contract Management Plan as part of the proposal. Also, there are changes not documented in the questions and answers. For example, PWS

Amendment 002 removes the following text in paragraph 5.7.15.1, "Generally, for PCAPP, 5 years' experience may be presented in lieu of a 4-year degree." Please confirm that this is the correct

PWS attachment for Amendment 0002.

A49. The PWS has been corrected to correspond with the updates made in Amendments 0001 and 0002.

It will also include the any updates made to the PWS in this amendment (Amendment 0003).

Q50. In accordance with L.5, for proposals that will be hand delivered to the POC Mr. Decker, provide guidance as to installation access, specific location (building and office), and POC availability [time(s)] for receipt.

A50. Hand delivered proposals will not be accepted. Please follow the guidance in L.5 Proposal

Submittal identifying proposals be sent to the Army address provided.

Q51. Would the Government clarify if the requirement on page 76, para. 5.8.13.1.13, Information

Systems Support, is for both IT positions or just one? It is our understanding that the second IT position at site is more a junior role supporting SharePoint activities.

A51. The government will expect the following requirements for the 2nd IT position: Certified

Comp TIA A+ or higher, two years’ experience supporting operational network to include procurement, implementation, configuration, and maintenance of computer, network, and telecommunications equipment. Essentially, there is no requirement for DIACAP or RMF experience.

Q52. Can the Contracting Office please provide the electronic submittal guidance for subcontractors to provide sealed packages in accordance with the answer to Question 48?

A52. Subcontractors can submit the information electronically to usarmy.ria.acc.list.socs@mail.mil. Subcontractors are also welcome to provide the required information through the mail as outlined in section L.5. of the solicitation.

mailto:usarmy.ria.acc.list.socs@mail.mil