Attachment_0006_-_Draft_RFP_Q As.pdf

W564KV‐17‐R‐0001

Attachment 0006

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

001 Att 0002, Draft

DD254

Will the Government please clarify DD254 as there are no checks next to the following:

Section 10:

b. RESTRICTED DATA

d. FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA

h. FOREIGN GOVT INFO

i. LIMITED DISSEMINATION INFO

Section 11:

b. RECEIVE CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS ONLY

c. RECEIVE AND GENERATE CLASSIFIED MATERIAL

d. FABRICATE, MODIFY, OR STORE CLASSIFIED HARDWARE

The Government foresees no instance where the Contractor will encounter Restricted or Formerly Restricted information. This will remain "NO."

The Government will update the DD254 to include Foreign Government Information as "YES," as there is a chance the Contractor will encounter such information.

According to ACCS, Limited Dissemination (LIMDIS) information "is no longer a valid program. New documents or contracts will not reflect this caveat. Until the DD Form 254 is revised, this block should be marked "NO.'"

002 Draft RFP, Section J, Attachment 0002, DD 254 (pg.

57 of 76)

It is anticipated that the contractor work force will produce classified documents. Recommend Block 11.c be checked yes to reflect that classified documents may be generated.

Block 11c refers to classified documents generated at a contractor facility, not a government facility. Since the Contractor will generate classified information only at a government facility (ref Block 11a as "YES"), Block 11c remains "NO."

003 Does the Government foresee any delays with obtaining Article 72 AS authorization for the task order?

This previously presented a significant challenge for AS contracts in theater but it appears that most of the issues with Article 72 have been resolved in recent months.

The 4‐month Phase‐In period, as recommend by DOCPER, should allow for sufficient time to obtain the necessary Article 72 ‐ Analytical Support authorization (Phase I & II); however, this estimate cannot be guaranteed.

004 Att 0001, DPWS 1.6.4

Meetings, Conferences, and Briefings. The PWS states that Contractor shall attend, participate in, and furnish input to scheduled and unscheduled meetings, conferences, and briefings that relate to the functions and services herein as required by the Government to provide effective communication and impart necessary information. Further it states that Period Meetings will include: but nothing follows that statement – will the government provide a tentative meeting schedule?

This was an introductory sentence for the following subparagraphs; it has been removed.

005 Att 0001, DPWS 1.6.12.1.

The Draft PWS states, “All personnel working under this PWS shall have final SECRET clearances, and in some cases final TOP SECRET clearances.” In light of the backlog associated with the Government agency granting clearances, request the Government consider allowing interim Secret clearances.

One additional mechanism available to the Government is to require the incumbent contractor(s) to keep clearances in force throughout their phase‐out period. How many TS/SCI positions are on this contract? The prior contract allowed six months for Final Secret clearances.

In USAREUR, the Contractor can only get access to SIPRNET when they have been read on to NATO. According to NATO rules, one can only get read on to NATO with a final SECRET security clearance, not an Interim clearance. Thus, the Contractor must ensure all personnel needing access to SIPRNET have final SECRET clearances.

It is up to the contractor to determine the number of TS/SCI positions necessary to fulfill the requirements of the PWS.

006 Att 0001, DPWS 1.6.15.2.1

Are non‐DoDDS schools allowed since DoDEA is space available? DoDEA enrollment requirements are listed at http://www.dodea.edu/aboutDoDEA/DoDDS.cfm Per paragraph 1.6.15.6, "...Government will not separately reimburse the Contractor for any costs associated with the education of dependents either in DoDEA or other educational institutions…"

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

NOTE: New RFP # ----->

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

007 Att 0001, DPWS 1.6.15.7.3.

The PWS states, the “Government is not responsible for death or injury costs of Contractor employees associated with exercises; the Contractor shall have proper insurance coverage.”

For mission requirements that entail Hazardous Duty Areas will the government establish a CLIN for proposing cost associated with these requirements that are above and beyond performance in nonhazardous TDY locations?

Hazardous Duty Pay and Post Differential Pay will be authorized, as applicable, under the Travel CLINs. DBA Insurance shall be proposed under the FFP CLINs.

008 Att 0001, DPWS 1.6.15.7.3.

The PWS states, the “Government is not responsible for death or injury costs of Contractor employees associated with exercises; the Contractor shall have proper insurance coverage.”

Will these costs be captured against the travel CLIN?

DBA Insurance shall be included in the FFP.

009 Att 0001, DPWS 5.5.6.5

The PWS states, “the Contractor shall support observations for AAR purposes in a scenario management tool”. What Scenario Management tool is JMSC currently using?

JEMM and JMSEL (JTIMS‐JMSEL‐Lite)

010 Att 0001, DPWS 5.5.8.

Observer Controller Trainer (OCT) Capability. “This capability shall support up to five major exercises annually.” “All deliverables shall comply with foreign disclosure guidance.” What level of exercise is considered “major”? How much time will the contractor have to comply with foreign disclosure guidance?

Major usually refers to the resourcing and level at which the exercise was directed to take place, rather than the specific echelon on the primary training audience. Typically, we would apply this to exercises on the JCS or EUCOM exercise program, executed by USAREUR. Often the USAREUR “regional” exercises fall into this category.

The amount of time to comply with disclosure guidance depends on the JELC for the event.

The Contractor will have a role in describing the products/ deliverables and will help inform the timelines established during planning and preparation.

011 Att 0001, DPWS 5.5.7.3, 5.5.9.1

1. Will the Government please clarify the scope and requirements of "Operate Simulation Clients."

2. Will the Government please expand the details of this requirement?

Will the contractor potentially be required to operate simulation models during ALL phases of events/exercises?

1. At JMRC: By exception, must maintain the ability to operate clients.

2. AT JMRC: Yes, required to operate simulation models during ALL phases of events/ exercises A‐ days through D‐Days Testing, E day through x‐days RTU Support. At JMRC Virtual UAS is operated by the contractor required E ‐X‐Days 24/7. JACAS requirements are seldom but do occur.

At JMSC: PWS Paragraph 5.5.9.1 states, "When required to avoid imminent mission failure at JMSC, the Contractor shall operate constructive simulation clients during the execution of an exercise (this period of time is measured in hours, not days)." Simulation Clients are those associated with primary federations listed in Fielded Systems and Federations in Use at JMSC (7.14, Attachment K). Annual requirement to do this is estimated at 200 hours.

012 Att 0001, DPWS Para 5.5.9

Operate Simulation Clients. Will the Government identify all Constructive Simulation clients that the contractor is required to operate?

The Government expects potential vendors to understand this requirement based on federations listed in 7.13 Attachment J.

013 Att 0001, DPWS, Para 5.5.10

Gaming. Will the Government identify all gaming products currently in use under this PWS? The current list of supported products is: Virtual BattleSpace 3 (VBS3), VBS2 FIRES, Video Creation Tool (VCT), ELITE, MIST, BioFor, ELECT BiLAT, UrbanSim, Disaster Sim and Operational Language & Culture Training. This list is subject to change.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

014 Att 0001, DPWS, para 5.5.14.3

Produce JMSC capability media. Request the Government provide the equipment currently in use to produce media products required by this paragraph. Is it GFE or CFE?

The Government will provide access to the following equipment and applications, which are incidental to the place of performance:

2x JVC Studio video cameras 2x Canon 7D still camera 1x set portable lights 5x Mounted studio lights 1 x teleprompter and ProPrompter software 2x Lavalier microphone sets 1x Studio Mounted Green screen 1x Portable green screen 1x Handheld microphone 2x Anton Bauer camera batteries 1x Anton Bauer battery charger 2x 1 TB Lacie external Hard drives 1x Sony DVcam video cassette player 2x Mac Laptops and 2x Mac Desktops Running:

Final cut Pro Adobe CS 5 Complete (Photoshop, Premier, After Effects, InDesign) Flip4Mac Live Type Motion Toast Color

015 PWS para 1.6.10 The Draft RFP/PWS states: Place of Performance includes Grafenwöhr (hub); and Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Vicenza, Italy (spokes). Therefore, will the Government Contracting Officer submit this award to TESA approval? What justification will be used?

The Government will submit the contract for Phase I SOFA accreditation through the DOCPER Contractor Online Processing System. The justification is in order to comply with the requirements of Article 72 and Article 73 of the Status of Forces Agreement with Germany and the Shell Agreement with Italy. Separate submissions are used for Germany and Italy

016 PWS Part 3, Pg. 30 The Draft RFP/PWS specifies Government Furnished Property, Equipment, and Services in Part 3. Will the Government confirm Offerors are not required to lease office space, warehouses, or vehicles in support of a resulting contract award?

Offers are not required to lease office space or warehouses. It is a business decision.

In regards to vehicles, PWS paragraph 5.5.12.3 states, "...The Government will not provide vehicles for movement within a hub, a spoke, or the JMRC in support of exercises."

017 PWS Part 3 ‐ Government Furnished Property, Equipment and Services (pg. 30 ‐ 31)

The GFE does not list audio visual equipment (cameras, editing suites, lighting, etc.) necessary to complete GNN tasks. Will the Government also provide the GFE audio visual equipment?

See response to Question #14.

Other equipment and software requirements will be developed ICW the Contractor and Government for Government purchase.

018 PWS Part 5 ‐ Specific Tasks, Section 5.5.14.1 (pg 43)

The contractor shall merge "stock footage". Is it the Government's intent to provide a subscription to a provider of stock footage or is it a contractor's responsibility to provide this under an ODC?

Contractor provides footage using free resources available under public domain (such as the Internet).

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

019 PWS Part 5 ‐ Specific Tasks, Section 5.5.1.2

(pg. 33)

As written, this requirement implies that the contractor will lead ‐ develop, assemble and deliver all exercise design products. The word lead suggests authority over Government and other contractors to direct them to get information from them so contractor can develop the products. In addition, as shown in Attachment F, many products are owned by various agencies and are developed by said agencies and will remain that way. This paragraph should be clarified to better define what lead entails, what specific products are required, at what standard, and by what timelines.

The words "take lead to" have been deleted from the first sentence; it now reads, "The Contractor shall assemble and deliver exercise design products IAW Government guidance and the Exercise Design Planning and Preparation Deliverable Product List excerpt from the JMSC exercise planning SOP, included with this PWS as Attachment G."

020 PWS Part 5 ‐ Specific Tasks, Section 5.5.1.2

(pg. 33)

As written, this paragraph implies that there will be varying time standards for when exercised products are due. This makes it difficult to properly prepare a fixed price bid (because the timelines are not fixed for each expected exercise). To properly develop a fixed price bid, there should be established timelines for when the Government will provide guidance and for when the Contractor will deliver products...

Request the Government identify the minimum acceptable milestones and timelines for exercise design products in the RFP...both for the Government requirements and for the Contractor response to those requirements... Further request that the Government identify the adjusted deliverables (or deliverable timelines) when Government milestones are missed. For example, if the Government is forced to make a significant change to a requirement (new rotation, new unit, new mission set) then the adjusted deliverables may be a reduced set of products, or an adjusted delivery date.

See response to Question #21. Per PWS 1.6.5.3 "Exercise and Events. The Contractor shall support short notice exercises and events."

021 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 1.6.5.3 (pg.

7)

Deliverables described elsewhere in the PWS are graded on multiple levels by government personnel. In the event of short notice exercises and events, some of these exercise products or deliverables may not be required or may be required in less detail. If this is true, will the Government provide the standards and deliverables for exercise products in support of short notice events?

Milestones and timelines for exercise products will vary. The Contractor will be involved, with the Government, in the JELC process and will assist the Government in identifying what products will best suit an event. Unforseen changes will be reviewed immediately and a new delivery date established through collaboration.

022 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.4.1 (pg.

35)

Request clarification of expected products and relevant timelines, to include Government direction / guidance/ changes and then appropriate contractor response times.

See response to Question #21.

023 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6 (pg.

35)

Request clarification of specific products ‐ there is a significant difference between the OPORDs and other products at one and two levels above a Brigade Combat Team. Request the Government identify the required products for each rotation as part of the Estimated Workflow matrix.

Defining required products for each event is misleading. “As appropriate to meet training objectives” is key. Sometimes products are intelligence products, sometimes it’s an OPORD, and sometimes it’s an exercise Email. Sometimes the training audience’s higher echelon produces a product, sometimes it’s real theater information and sometimes the HICON produces a product.

024 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.2 (pg.

35)

As written, this requirement seems to indicate that storylines may be required at variable times depending on the exercise or event. Request more specificity of this requirement to allow for adequate planning and staffing for this fixed price bid.

See response to Question #21.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

025 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.2.2 (pg 36)

As written, this requirement seems to indicate that data may be required at variable times depending on the timelines established during each JELC planning cycle. Request more specificity of this requirement to allow for adequate planning and staffing for this fixed price bid.

See response to Question #21.

026 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.6 (pg.

37)

For a fixed price bid, this broad requirement is difficult to properly compute an accurate basis of estimate.

Request the Government identify a specific acceptable echelon above the RTU for exercise products in order to allow the contractor to determine appropriate staffing and writing team levels.

Generally Division level. See also response to Qustion #27.

027 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.6 (pg.

37)

Request greater specificity of the Government's requirements and expectations. Additional exercise products require time and personnel to prepare, and should be included as part of the known exercise requirements in the Estimated Workflow matrix. Additionally, all products and deliverables should have a set of expectations based on timeliness of Government direction or guidance rather than subject to the timelines of each JELC cycle.

Paragraph 5.5.6.6 has been rewritten.

028 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.7 (pg.

37‐38)

Request clarification of responsibilities and timelines ‐ it appears that the Government will provide the scenario personality database, yet the Contractor is required to create and complete the database NLT 15 days before the LTP or rotation. Please confirm who creates the database and when it will be delivered to the Contractor (if not created by the contractor).

This paragraph has been renumbered to paragraph 5.5.6.9 and rewritten. Please refer to PWS for revised language.

029 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.8 (pg.

39)

Request the Government identify the expected size of this "core OCT capability" as part of its Estimated Workload Data. The Government has identified WfF expertise requirements (Maneuver, Intel, Mission Command, and Fires), but has not identified the echelon or amount of supported unit(s) to be coached / trained by the team.

Please see the Notes under Tables 6 & 7 of Tech Exhibit 3, JMSC Estimated Workload Data, which states, "OC/T capacity shall support up to five major exercises annually and, if available, other smaller exercises". This, in conjunction with the cited paragraph, is considered adequate to scope the issue; the size of this capability depends on the vendors technical approach as laid out in their proposal.

030 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.8.2 (pg.38)

Is it the Government's intention to establish a response cell for every rotation inclusive of higher adjacent lower supporting supported elements (HALSS)? If so, what size response cells does the government anticipate by rotation type?

This has been considered and would probably be limited to Brigade‐size exercises, with numbers off setting staff officers less than 10 each.

031 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.6.9 (pg.

38)

Will the Government provide an estimate of how often this task is required by the ESP? Role player support is shown in TE 3, Estimated Workload Data for different exercises/events. At JMRC this requirement is not currently used, however there may be interest in this as exercises evolve.

032 PWS Part 5 Specific Tasks Section 5.5.15 (pg.

44)

Request the Government provide additional clarity with respect to the expected timeliness and responsiveness for these personnel (SMEs, Role Players, and Response Cells) to allow contractors to adequately plan and staff for these requirements.

The Government's intent is to request PTOC support as far in advance as possible and at a minimum 34 to 80 days out. Times vary dependent on complexity of the request and tasking from levels above JMSC. Higher level activities will take longer (mentors, JCS role‐ players etc)

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

033 PWS Part 7 ‐ Attachment / Technical Exhibit Listing, Section 7.3

(pg. 50)

Recommend the Government provide additional information in this exhibit (especially with respect to the JMRC exercises) to also include the amount of exercise products required by type (i.e.. for one Brigade Rotation, provide 1 x Division level OPORD plus 6 Division level FRAGOs with all appendices as defined in Attachment H) .

JMSC: For the purposes of BCT level exercises, the product requirements will vary, but are estimated as follows:

‐ 1X Exercise Operations Order ‐ 2X FRAGOs ‐ Depending on the customer and training objectives, a higher echelon Deployment and Redeployment Order may also be required.

JMRC ‐ The number of exercises by type have been laid out in accordance with the USAREUR exercise model. Generally exercise products required will follow what is laid out in PWS 7.10 attachment G, however may vary depending on the training audience, and training objectives outlined by the Director of Training during the planning cycle.

034 PWS Part 7 Attachment / Technical Exhibits Section 7.11 Attachment H, JMRC OPORD /

FRADO Standards Assessment Methodology (pg.

81)

The grading requirement in Attachment H is set against US ORDER/FRAGO template and does not address how the process would be adjusted for NATO based orders. Will the Government provide additional details on how NATO based orders will be evaluated?

The Grading checklist has been removed.

035 PWS Part 7 Attachment / Technical Exhibits Section 7.11 Attachment H, JMRC OPORD /

FRADO Standards Assessment Methodology (pg.

81)

The grading checklist only includes point allocation for Annexes and not the Base OPORD. Does the Government intend to revise this exhibit to include a grading system for the Base Orders?

The Grading checklist has been removed.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

036 PWS Part 7 Attachment / Technical Exhibits Section 7.11 Attachment H, JMRC OPORD /

FRADO Standards Assessment Methodology (pg.

81)

The note at the bottom of the chart states the Mustangs will review prior the Draft ORDER/FRAGO being published to the other critter teams for their review. The implication is that there will now be two Draft Delivery Dates identified during the JELC/ESP process. Request a clear identification of timelines and deliverables for OPORD / FRAGO Development that describes:

1) Government timelines for guidance sufficient to prepare OPORDs/ FRAGOs

2) Contractor response timelines (1st Draft)

3) Government review timelines

4) repeat of the above if the Government intends for a review/response of a 2nd Draft

5) Contractor response timelines (Final)

The Grading checklist has been removed.

037 PWS Part 7 Attachment / Technical Exhibits Section 7.3 Estimated Workload Data

(pg. 64‐68)

Request the Government provide increased fidelity for this fixed price bid with regard to the amount of written exercise products to be prepared in support of JMRC per year. As currently written, Technical Exhibit 3 seems to imply that this is only required 10 times per year.

Part 7 is based off the USAREUR training model that is known at this time.

Referenced Technical Exhibit and specific pages imply 10 SETS of written requirements as the ESTIMATED requirement at JMRC. Written exercise products are detailed throughout paragraph 5.5 of the PWS.

038 PWS Part 7 Attachment / Technical Exhibits

Request the Government provide increased fidelity for this fixed price bid with regard to the timelines for written exercise products in support of both JMSC and JMRC.

Recognizing that no timeline is guaranteed, request the Government also provide an "accelerated" timeline for deliverables in the case when a planned suspense (for "normal" timelines) has been missed due to a change in Government priorities, task organization, or exercise objectives.

See response to Question #21.

039 PWS Part 7 Attachment / Technical Exhibits Section 7.4 ‐ 7.5

Request the Government provide actual CPX / Rotational Execution data for the past 3 years in support of both JMSC and JMRC in order to properly complete Basis of Estimate and Staffing.

Additionally, request the forecasted "patch chart" or planned exercise schedule for JMSC, Partnership for Peace, TSC Events, and JMRC Rotations for the upcoming 2 calendar years be published for additional information and proper staffing.

Reference CPX/Rotational data shown in charts in 7.4 Attachment A and 7.5 Attachment B, these charts are provided to show examples of the CPX generic planning model and to show an example of a surge situation, respectively. For estimates and staffing, workload data is provided in Technical Exhibit 3 for both JMSC and JMRC.

"Patch chart" will not be provided.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

040 Section B, CLINs 0001, 0010, and 0020 and follow‐ on CLINs, Page 2 of 76 and Page 4 of 76.

The Section B CLIN 0001 has a place to fill in Unit Price and Unit Price Amount and down below in same CLIN has a place to fill in Max Award Fee Total Amount and Net Amount. The max award fee total amount could be interpreted to be just the award fee for the specific CLIN or could be interpreted to be the sum of the unit price amount and the award fee amount with the Net Amount being then the same number.

Question: Would the Government clarify if the Max Award Fee Total Amount is Award Fee only?

The "Max Award Fee Total Amount" line in Section B is Award Fee only, and is 5% of the "Qty x Unit Price Amount" above. However, please use Attachment 0005 ‐ Cost/Price Matrix to fill in your proposed prices.

041 DRFP, Section B, Item 0014

JMSC Base Period Travel. Will the Government consider providing a “plug number” for all travel outside the hub and spoke since this is a cost reimbursable item? This would remove the gaming for this item.

Yes, please refer to Attachment 0005 ‐ Cost/Price Matrix for the travel plug numbers.

042 DRFP, Section B, Item 0024

JMRC Base Period Travel. Will the Government consider providing a “plug number” for all travel outside the hub and spoke since this is a cost reimbursable item? This would remove the gaming for this item.

Yes, please refer to Attachment 0005 ‐ Cost/Price Matrix for the travel plug numbers.

043 RFP p. 4/ Section B The Draft RFP states: ITEM 0020 is FPAF. However, Attachment 0005 designates it as FFP. Will the Government please clarify the contract type for Item 0020?

Attachment 0005 has been updated to reflect CLIN 0020 as FPAF to match the RFP.

044 RFP p. 52/Section I The Draft RFP states: “Work Shall/Shall Not be performed on local Host Nation* holidays occurring during the normal workweek.” Given this language, will the Government please clarify as to whether the work “shall” or “shall not” be performed on local Host Nation holidays.

This clause has been updated. Please refer to the RFP for revisions to clause 5152.204‐4000 ‐ U.S. and Host Nation Holidays.

045 L.1.2(c )(i) & L.1.2(m)

1) Paragraph L.1.2.c.i reads: “Electronic copy proposals: Proposals shall include a separate electronic file for each volume. A hyperlinked Table of Contents is required for each electronic volume. Additional guidance can be found under the “FBO Instructions” below. The proposal submittal method used for this solicitation in FBO is the electronic response via document upload method.” (emphasis added)

2) Paragraph L.1.2.m reads: “The use of hyperlinks is prohibited.”

The two paragraphs referenced above conflict. Will the Government please clarify if they want hyperlinks included and correct the instructions as necessary.

Paragraph L.1.2 has been updated to remove the language that hyperlinks are prohibited.

046 L.3.4.1 & Award Fee Plan – Attachment 1, Award Fee Evaluation Period, p 106

For FFP CLINs, the offeror shall propose a labor costs figure for all FFP Labor CLINs in Attachment 0005 Cost/Price Matrix for the Base Year and all option years. Per Table 1, Evaluation Periods, the maximum award fee is 5% of Total FFP/Period but normally award fee is not considered a cost.

Question: Would the Government please clarify if award fees for FFP CLINs are to be included in the Attachment 5 values for each CLIN FFP CLIN per period?

Attachment 0005 has been updated to show separate line items for Fixed Prices and Award Fee.

047 DRFP Section, L.3.4.1.b

Section L states that "A surrogate number has been provided for the cost‐reimbursable Travel CLIN to be used for evaluation purposes only." Attachment 0005 does not include the surrogate values. Will the government provide an estimate of the surrogate values?

See response to Question #41

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

048 DRFP, Section L 3.4.1.a

Section L.3.4 states “FFP CLINs: The offeror shall propose a labor costs figure for all FFP labor CLINs in Attachment 0005”. Should this CLIN also include all possible OCONUS costs not related to cost reimbursable travel?

Yes, the FPAF CLINs for JMSC & JMRC should include all costs not related to the Cost Reimbursable travel.

049 DRFP, Section L, L.3.2.1.1, L.3.3

L.3.2.2.1, Experience (Technical Part A), asks for the offeror’s recent and relevant contract experience with contract details. There are no limits given for number of contracts.

L.3.3 Past Performance asks offerors to provide everything they submitted in the Experience section (L.3.2.2.1‐Techncial Part A) in the Past Performance volume.L.3.3.2.1.1 plus past performance for teaming partners and proposed major subcontractors. L.3.3.2 Past Performance Questionnaires asks for five recent and relevant contract references and L.3.3.3 asks for contract Narratives for references provided under L.3.3.2.

Can some or all of the five contract references and questionnaires required in the Volume III Past Performance be the same as those submitted in Technical Part A, Experience (also submitted as part of Volume III Past Performance)?

Yes, the references can be the same. The references submitted under Technical Part A ‐ Experience shall also be provided under Volume III ‐ Past Performance. Additional references may be provided under Volume III ‐ Past Performance which were not provided in Technical Part A ‐ Experience.

050 DRFP, Section M.

M.1.

Evaluation Criteria. Is there a reason that the Evaluation Criteria does not comply with the DoD Source Selection DoD Source Selection Procedures ‐ http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/html/current/215_3.htm? In place of the Best Value Tradeoff Process, the new procedure identifies Value Adjusted Total Evaluated Price Tradeoff (VATEP) that quantifies the “value” placed on better performance. An offeror’s total proposed price may be adjusted based on the “value” placed on better performance or capabilities as identified in the solicitation to arrive at the Total Evaluated Price

The RFP does comply with the latest DoD Source Selection Procedures. This Source Selection will utilize a Subjective Tradeoff as discussed in DoD Source Selection Procedures, paragraph 1.3.1.3.

051 DRFP, Section M, 3.2.1.c, 3.2.3.1

Section M.3.2.1.c, states “The subfactors of the Technical Factor will be evaluated as detailed in M.3.2.3.1.”

Paragraph M.3.2.3.1, page 75, refers to evaluation of Volume IV, Price Proposal. Will the Government please clarify / provide the correct reference?

Paragraph M.3.2.1(c ) has been deleted.

052 Section L, L.1.2.e The column titled “Format” lists Adobe Reader 9 as the accepted format and then Adobe Reader XI as acceptable. Please confirm both references should be Adobe Reader XI.

The table in paragraph L.1.2( e) of the RFP has been updated to reflect that applicable documents should be compatible with Adobe Reader XI.

053 Section L, L.1.2.m. Item m. states use of hyperlinks are prohibited, however, page 60 L.1.2.c.i. requires a hyperlinked table of contents. Please confirm that hyperlinks are acceptable and required in the table of contents.

See response to Question #45.

054 L.1.2(e) The table on page 60 indicates a 100 page limit for Volume II‐ Technical, which includes Part A and Part B.

These two Parts encompass several requirements, with instructions to provide detailed responses. However, Part A requires less detail than Part B, therefore, we request a decrease in the page limit for Volume II, from a 100‐page limit to a 75‐page limit

The page limits will remain as‐is. Please note this is a maximum only and there is no minimum page count.

055 L.1.2(m) The Draft RFP states: “A hyperlinked Table of Contents is required for each electronic volume.” In subsequent paragraph “m.”, it is stated, “The use of hyperlinks is prohibited.” Will the Government please clarify if the hyperlink to the TOC is an exception to paragraph “m.”

See response to Question #45.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

056 RFP p. 63 & 71 L.3.2.2.1(a) & M.3.2.1.3

Section L requires offeror’s to provide “recent and relevant specialized experience providing simulation and mission command training support services with at least five (5) years of experience.”

Section M defines Relevant as “the business entity or subcontractor entity performing the services for no less than 2 years that are the same or similar in scope, magnitude, and complexity as this requirement.”

Please confirm that Section M is correct and recommend aligning Section L to read, “no less than 2 years,” to match Section M.

Paragraph L.3.2.1.1(a) has been updated to reflect 2 years of experience.

057 RFP p. 64 & 72 / L.3.2.2.1(a) & M

Section L stipulates “The offeror shall demonstrate the ability to fill the proposed positions under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Germany, the Shell Agreement with Italy through the DoD Contractor Personnel Office (DOCPER) and/or utilizing European business rules in the case of Ordinarily Resident (OR) employees. The offeror shall demonstrate a “clear knowledge” of all necessary documentation and timelines needed for Technical Expert (TE), Analytical Support (AS), and Technical Representative (TR) status accreditation applications as it applies to the offeror’s management approach and cost proposal, addresses the correct requirement.”

Section M evaluates “familiarity” with NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and DoD Contractor Personnel Office (DOCPER) accreditation processes.” Please clarify and modify to use consistent terminology to allow a response that clearly addresses the correct requirement.

Please refer to the RFP for revisions to paragraph M.3.2.1.1(a).

058 RFP p. 65 & 73 ‐ Volume II ‐ Execution Plan / L.3.2.2.1(h)

Within Sections L and M, the requirement for managing PTOC support is to include a “plan for maintaining an appropriate pool of personnel.” Will the Government please clarify what is meant by “appropriate pool of personnel.”

How does “appropriate pool” relate to the functional task areas in the PWS and is the pool limited to any of the PTOC CLINs or does the “appropriate pool” apply for all functions such as SME support, role players and response cell support?

Appropriate pool of PTOC personnel means a pool of personnel available to perform the part time on call tasks outlined in the PWS and a means of providing the services to JMSC/JMRC. CLINs included are Role Players, Response Cells, and Subject Matter Experts (SME) at both JMSC and JMRC locations.

059 L.3.2.2.2(c ) & M.3.2.1.2

Section L requires a Staffing Plan identifying “all positions” required to meet the tasks listed in the PWS. This documentation shall include proposed position descriptions, levels of expertise, experience levels, clearances associated with the position, and location of the personnel. However, Section M will evaluate the “proposed labor categories/types” to determine if personnel with the proper levels of expertise, experience, and clearances are assigned to the tasks and if the “proposed hours suffice to complete the tasks” at each of the various sites.

Also, Section M (a.)‐Recruitment, Retention, and Development, indicates an evaluation of this element will include a crosswalk to the Offeror’s proposed Compensation Plan. However, that requirement is not addressed in Section L.

Please revise the requirements in Section L and the evaluation criteria in Section M, to be consistent for all four items identified (recruit and retain; organizational management and structure; staffing plan; key personnel) and clarify if proposed hours are required for this section of the proposal.

Paragraphs L.3.2.2.2(a) and L.3.2.2.2(c) have been updated to clarify the language. Please refer to RFP for updated language.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

060 L.3.4.1(c ) Will the Government confirm that subcontractors are allowed to submit their proprietary proposal data, such as labor rate build‐ups, directly to the Government? Yes, subcontractors are allowed to submit their proprietary date directly to the

Government. Paragraph L.3.4.2 has been added to address this.

061 L.3.4.1(f) The Draft RFP/PWS states: The Government authorizes use of DoDEA schools IAW DoDEA policies; however, DoDEA costs must be included in the fixed price. Will the Government reimburse for home schooling costs?

See response to Question #6

062 Draft RFP, Section L, Section L.1.2.c.i

(pg. 60 of 76) & L.1.2.m (pg. 61 of 76)

L.1.2.c.i states that hyperlinks are required for the Table of Contents. However, L.1.2. m. states that hyperlinks are prohibited.

See response to Question #45

063 Draft RFP, Section L, Section L.1.2.c.i

(pg. 60 of 76) and L.1.2.m (pg. 61 of 76)

Paragraph L.1.2.c.i states, "A hyperlink Table of Contents is required for each electronic volume." Paragraph L.1.2.m states, "The use of hyperlinks is prohibited." Please clarify which guidance is correct.

See response to Question #45

064 Will the Government provide historical the Level of Effort at each support area as a reference? No. The government will not provide this information.

065 PWS 1.6.1.1 Section 1.6.1.2.1 details the contractor requirements to phase out, however, section 1.6.1.1 provides no clarily into what the incumbent is required to transfer to the awardee. Identify the manual/automated documentation/processes that the incumbent is required to transfer to the awardee.

Identify the manual/automated documentation/processes that the incumbent is required to transfer to the awardee.

Paragraph 1.6.1.2.1 identifies transition of media libraries, and hardware/software transition plus providing the documentation media library in a format usable to the Government.

066 PWS 1.6.15.5.1 Historically, the TESA contract approval process and PD/resume timeline varies by type of contract. TE contracts and TE PDs process quickly, while AS contracts and PDs can have significant delays

Recommend that government shape the acquisition to comply with a TE framework in order to alleviate the traditional German government delays associated with AS contract/PD reviews and approvals.

The MCTS contract is a Performance‐Based Service Acquisition. As such, the Government does not direct contractor position descriptions. The Government has a legitimate need for services which, IAW Article 72 of the NATO SOFA Supplementary Agreement between the United States and Germany, cannot be characterized as anything other than AS.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

067 PWS 1.6.15.7 The government states” The Contractor shall provide complete program management support that fully integrates, manages, controls, and documents all phases of the PWS requirements.” Does that government provide a management information system for government‐vendor information exchange and file archiving?

No, the Government will not provide a management information system for this.

068 PWS 5.3 The government states “Contractor shall provide part‐time‐on‐call services on an as‐needed basis” What is the historical demand by functional/mission area, frequency, and duration?

This information is provided via PWS Technical Exhibit 3 ‐ Estimated Workload Data.

069 PWS 5.5.1.1 The government states “The Contractor shall actively participate in all JELC events with representation in government‐designated planning syndicates.” What are the JMSC applications/tools that the MCST support team will use to coordinate, document, and host products that support JELC‐based event planning?

The Government generally uses Microsoft Office products (such as PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Visio) for applications/ tools. JMSC has an organizational SharePoint portal for exercise design products. Hosting for use outside the organization has been done with portals, maintaining "mothership" of documents, and working via updates sent by E‐mail, etc. Challenges with this coordination include classification, releasibility, multinational planning groups, non‐enduring networks, and separation from the training audience.

070 PWS 5.5.8.2 The government states “The Contractor shall develop, prepare, and conduct academic blocks of instruction for OCT augmentees” Does the government expect the vendor to develop and conduct gaming tools related to the named topic areas as part of academic blocks?

No.

071 PWS 5.5.12.1 The government states “The Contractor shall perform warehouse functions at Grafenwöhr supporting the hub and spoke concept.” What is the named warehousing system/application and type material handling equipment that requires licensing? Is licensing authority available through the government or must it be through a German/Italian source?

The warehousing accounting system is the Global Combat Support System‐Army (GCCS‐ Army). Training on this system is a must in order for the Contractor to perform the daily functions of property accountability. The material handling equipment used in the warehouse consists of two 4K forklifts and one 10K forklift (not rough terrain). The Contractor shall obtain a non‐government driver's license in order to be able to operate various types of material handling equipment (MHE) up to 10,000 pounds to lift, stack, and store material of standard and nonstandard sizes and dimensions.

072 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

para 1.6.10.4, page

BACKGROUND: Para 1.6.10.1 states JMSC is the “hub” for battle command training for platoons to CJTFs, using standalone simulations federations and gaming tools. Para 1.6.10.3 states that all models and simulations managed by JMSC are available to the Kaiserslautern Mission Training Complex (KMTC), to include Baumholder. Para 1.6.10.4 states the Vicenza (Italy) Mission Training Center (VMTC) also trains platoons through CJTFs but does not state that all the models and simulations managed by JMSC are available to the VMTC.

QUESTION: Please clarify if the Vicenza spoke MTC has the same capabilities available to it as the Kaiserslautern spoke site or if some limitations exist at the VMTC.

Both JMSC spoke sites, Kaiserslautern and Vicenza, have the same capabilities. Under the hub/spoke concept, the JMSC Hub pushes to spokes anything JMSC has which the spokes are short in order to meet exercise requirements.

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

073 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 12, para.

1.6.15.1.3

BACKGROUND: Para provides longevity requirements for contractor employees when the government provides commercial technical training.

QUESTION: Is the “Government Cost of Training” defined as the cost of the training only or the cost of the training plus the travel costs?

Government "cost of training" includes training and travel. The PWS has been updated to make a note of this.

074 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 12/91, para.

1.6.15.2/7.16

BACKGROUND: Para states Contractor employees who require system or network administration privileges must comply with the prescribed Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level training and certification requirements outlined in DoD 8570,01 and AR 25‐2. Attachment M is a table that portraits the systems responsibilities that apply to the MCTS contract. Specifically, develop databases and scenarios, deploy, operate, tear down systems.

QUESTION: Given the above, what MCTS position types/ labor categories would require such administrative access to systems that would trigger the DoD 8570.01 requirements?

This capability depends on the vendor's technical approach as laid out in their proposal.

Personnel who need an "elevated" or "super user" account must be DoDI 8570.01 compliant. If an MCTS contractor needs to do database development work or if they need to deploy some kind of information system (JTIMS/JMSEL as an example) then they might need a "privileged" account. As soon as that need is identified, then the Contractor must obtain a baseline certification and a "computing environment" training certificate in order to obtain 8570 compliance and be granted a privileged/admin/super user account.

Even if a computer doesn't connect to NIPR or SIPR, if a user has a need for administrative access then they must meet 8570 requirements, most likely as an IAT I.

075 MCTS DRAFT PWS

, page 14/15, para.

1.6.15.5.2.1 /1.6.15.6

BACKGROUND: Directly compensating employees for DoDEA tuition significantly adds to the individual’s tax burden. An external agent (other than the employee) making the DoDEA tuition payment does not add the tax burden of the individual employee QUESTION: Would the customer consider being the pay agent for DoDEA tuition if requisite documentation is prepared for and provided to the customer?

No.

076 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 34, para.

5.5.1.3

DISCUSSION: The para states that JMRC rotational products must conform with applicable doctrine. It refers the reader to “Section 6”.

QUESTION: Does “Section 6” refer to Part 6, Applicable Publications, found on PWS pages 46‐49?

"Section 6" has been changed to "Part 6" in the referenced PWS paragraph.

077 Ref

MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 38, para.

5.5.6.8

BACKGROUND: Within the subparagraphs of this section the requirement for the contractor to have operator knowledge of mission command systems is evident.

QUESTION: Will the contractor have access to JMSC Digital University POI’s or be able to observe classes in order to maintain currency on mission command systems software updates or new versions (similar to NET training)?

IAW PWS paragraph 1.6.15.1.1., there will be no initial training provided. If there is no NET provided for a major new fielding, the Government will work with the Contractor to gain familiarity with the new equipment/software.

078 MCTS DRAFT

PWS, page 38, para. 5.5.6.9

DISCUSSION: The para states the contractor will manage role player cell(s) and that role players will be both Government and contractor.

QUESTION: At JMRC is there a government entity that the contract role player manager will interact/partner with during exercise preparation and execution?

QUESTION: At JMSC is there a government entity that the contract role player manager will interact/partner during exercise preparation and execution?

JMRC: S‐3 Plans, Intel Plans, SIO, and Current Operations JMSC: Government Exercise lead/Scenario Manager

Question

RFP Reference QUESTION ANSWER

MCTS Draft RFP Questions

079 MCTS DRAFT PWS

, page 38, para.

5.5.6.9

BACKGROUND: The para states the contractor will have a core OCT capability as a standalone or to receive, train, and synchronize OCT augmentation at JMSC and JMRC. Furthr, that up to five major exercises will need to be supported annually. The reader is referred to Technical Exhibit 3,(page 59). That exhibit is:

‐‐‐ the JMSC Estimated Workload Data (Table 7; pages 59‐63) ‐‐‐ the JMRC Estimated Workload Data (Table 8, pages 64‐68) Table 7 (JMSC) states on pages 61 and 63 that the [contractor] “capability shall support up to five major exercises annually… “.

Table 8 (JMRC) has no such statement.

QUESTION: Can it be clarified which of the two, the base para or the tables, are correct? Will this capability be required to support only JMSC or JMSC and JMRC?

The OCT Support package will only be used in cases where a shortage of permanent party OCT cannot be augmented by the military.

For JMSC, see response to Question #29.

080 MCTS DRAFT

PWS, page 39/59, para.

5.5.8, TE 3

BACKGROUND: SAME AS ABOVE

QUESTION: Can the Government please define “major exercise” in terms of the categories used in the column headers of tables 7 and 8, i.e. the five exercises would fall in what category(ies)?

See response to Question #10

081 MCTS DRAFT

PWS, page 39, para.

5.5.8/5.5.8.2

BACKGROUND: The para states the contractor will develop, prepare, and conduct academic blocks of instruction for augmentee OCTs QUESTION: With a view to maintaining consistency and Standardization, will the contractor have access to established products/POIs when they are developing this program of instruction?

e g MDMP –JMSC Mission Command Division

When available, the Contractor will have access to established products/POIs when they are developing program of instruction pertaining to JMSC, Mission Command Division.

082 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 40, para.

5.5.9.1

BRIEFBACK:

At JMRC the contractor can operate simulation clients FOR the training audience. In other words, operate the clients instead of the training audience during the entire exercise if the rotational training unit (RTU) so requests.

At JMSC, the opposite will be the standard. The training audience (T/A) will be trained and operate the simulation clients during exercise execution. IF a situation arises that can result in the T/A failing to accomplish it’s mission within the simulation/scenario due to operator inexperience, the contractor can take over the operation of that cell’s simulation client. He will stop once the situation is resolved. This should not carry on past the next shift (i.e. be resolve within a few hours) .

QUESTION: Is this re‐characterization correct?

JMRC: At JMRC the Contractor almost always operates the virtual UAS and operates constructive simulation clients to replicate EW, ISR, and other air platforms. The Contractor always operates the virtual, constructive, or gaming clients to support JMRC Intel and CBI products. The Contractor usually trains and provides over the shoulder support for the training audience on constructive and gaming clients. The Contractor sometimes trains and provides over the shoulder support for the training audience on virtual clients. The Government will make decisions on need to provide these services, not the training audience.

JMSC: Yes See also responses to Questions #11 and #12

083 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 43, para.

5.5.14

BACKGROUND: The para states the contractor will provide a media capability to JMSC.

QUESTIONS:

1. Will there be a Government JMSC entity that the contractor Media personnel will interact/partner during exercise preparation, execution, and post execution activities?

2 Will the entity have Media Operations experience?

1. Yes, but the personnel will not be dedicated to only the media support tasks.

2. The Government personnel will likely not have formal experience.

084 MCTS DRAFT PWS,

page 44, para.

5.5.15.2

BACKGROUND: Para states the contractor will provide role players to replicate key actors.

QUESTION: In the past, role players that were not to be assigned key or critical roles were resourced by a different contract vehicle. Is this still the case?

No, all role players required in support of this contract will be sourced by this contract or by…