RFP_Questions_&_Answers_(W56JSR170005)_25_May_2017.pdf

RFP Questions (W56JSR-17-0005) Platform Mission Equipment Software Branch (PMESB)

Question

Number

Section

Reference Question Answer

1 L.15 Vol. IV

Solicitation Documentation, Section 1, Proposal

Synopsis

“The offeror shall utilize this section of the to summarize pertinent information contained in all volumes of the proposal. The offeror is free to submit this section of the executive Summary in any format required….”

Question: Reference is made to an Executive Summary but it is unclear where the Executive Summary should appear. Is the Executive Summary the same as Section

1, Proposal Synopsis?

Question: The first sentence is not complete – can the

Government please revise?

Answer: The first sentence of this section includes an error. The sentence should state “The offeror shall utilize this section of their proposal to summarize pertinent information contained in all volumes of the proposal.”

Answer: Additionally, it was the Government’s intent to remove all reference to “Executive Summary” and replace with “Proposal

Synopsis.” Thus, “Executive Summary & “Proposal Synopsis” are synonyms, in this instance.

2 L.15 Vol. I

Technical Proposal, Section 1 Domain Knowledge

“The Government recommends 35 of 50 technical proposal pages dedicated to Section 1. The Domain

Knowledge portion of the proposal shall address the following as a minimum:

Key Point 1 Domain Knowledge: A description of the

Offerors experiences as it relates to engineering knowledge and experience related to Aviation and

Avionics Systems, Air Traffic Control; Command and

Section

Reference Question Answer

Control (C2); and aircraft/LRU maintenance.

Consequently, the Aviation and Avionics System experience shall relate to data bus network/interface

MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, RS-232, RS-422, RS-423,

and Ethernet.”

Question: This portion of Section L, as well as the corresponding portion of Section M provide NO requirement for offeror’s to address any part of either the

IDIQ PWS or the Task Order 0001 PWS. The

Government recommends offeror’s expend 70% of the total page count of our Technical Proposal Volume addressing the above statement.

Key Point 2 under Section 2 Management Plan is where it appears the Government is soliciting a technical response to the IDIQ PWS and Task Order 0001 PWS – but this in a section that has other requirements and is recommended to be 10-pages (20% of the total) in length. Curiously – the Key Point 2, Technical

Capability reflected upon the PWS’s comes under the

“Management Plan” portion of the Volume. It would seem more logical for “Key Point 2, Technical

Capability” to appear under Section 1, Domain

Knowledge.

Answer: The domain knowledge shall include a description of the

Offerors experiences as it relates to engineering knowledge and experience related to Aviation and Avionics Systems, Air Traffic

Control; Command and Control (C2); and aircraft/LRU maintenance. Consequently, the Aviation and Avionics System experience shall relate to data bus network/interface MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, RS-232, RS-422, RS-423, and Ethernet.”

Section

Reference Question Answer

Question: Can the Government confirm that:

1. Key Point 1 is not intended to solicit offeror’s response as specifically related to either the

IDIQ or Task Order 0001 PWS?

2. Offerors Technical Capabilities relevant to the

IDIQ and Task Order 0001 PWS’s should be included in Section 2, Management Plan, consistent with Government recommendations of consuming less than 10-20% of the total page count for the volume.

Answer: Yes the Government confirms key point 1 is not intended to solicit offeror’s response as specifically related to either the IDIQ or

Task Order 0001 PWS.

Answer: The offerors technical capabilities should correlate with all

Technical subfactors as appropriate. Whereas, the Domain

Knowledge, Management Plan, and Retention Plan are part of offerors overarching Technical Proposal, Volume I. Consequently, the Government expects offerors to determine which technical capabilities are depicted in each subfactor section.

3 L.15 Vol. I

Technical Proposal, Section 2 Management Plan

“Key Point 1 Processes and Procedures: The Offerors proposed management processes and procedures to ensure successful accomplishment of the tasks described in the base IDIQ PWS sections 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, and Task Order 0001 PWS sections 3.2.1 through and including 3.2.3.9. This includes the Offerors proposed lines of responsibility, authority, and communication through which the tasks will be executed.”

Question: Is it the Government Intent for the offeror to discuss our Management processes and procedures and approach in detail for each element of PWS Sections

3.2.1 thru 3.2.4?

Answer: Yes, it is the Government desire to attain proposal responses which address Offeror’s management process and procedures for

IDIQ PWS sections 3.2.1 through 3.2.4 in addition to, Task Order

0001 PWS sections 3.21 through 3.2.3.9.

Section

Reference i.e.:

3.2.1 (Management processes and procedures and approach in detail of) Contract Management Approach

3.2.2 (Management processes and procedures and approach in detail of) Systems of Systems Engineer

Support Management Approach

3.2.3 (Management processes and procedures and approach in detail of) Software Engineer Support

Management Approach

3.2.4 (Management processes and procedures and approach in detail of) PPSS/PDSS Support Services

Management Approach

OR…

Just the offeror’s “Contract / Program Management

Approach for the entire IDIQ and TO?”

4 L.15 Vol. I

Technical Proposal, Section 3 Retention Plan

“Key Point 1 Staffing Approach: A detailed description of the Offerors staffing approach for recruiting, hiring, and retaining a sufficient and qualified workforce for performance of the requirements in accordance with

(IAW) IDIQ PWS sections 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, and

Task Order 0001 PWS sections 3.2.1 through and

Section

Reference Question Answer including all subsections 3.2.3.9. The Offeror shall employ personnel who meet the minimum qualifications located in the base IDIQ PWS section 3.1.6.

Consequently, offerors shall identify and correlate fringe benefits associated with individual labor categories.”

Question: Is it the Government Intent for the offeror to discuss our detailed Staffing approach for each of the

PWS Sections mentioned in the same order?

i.e.:

3.2.1 (Staffing approach of) Contract Management

Staffing Approach

3.2.2 (Staffing approach of) Systems of Systems

Engineer Support Staffing Approach

3.2.3 (Staffing approach of) Software Engineer Support

Staffing Approach

3.2.4 (Staffing approach of) PPSS. PDSS Support

Services Staffing Approach

…OR

Just our Staffing Approach for the entire IDIQ and TO?

Answer: It is the Government’s desire to attain a staffing approach detailing Offerors approach for recruiting, hiring, and retaining a sufficient and qualified workforce for performance of the requirements noted in IDIQ PWS sections 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, and Task Order 0001 PWS sections 3.2.1 through and including all subsections 3.2.3.9. Additionally, offeror’s shall employ personnel who meet the minimum qualifications located in the base IDIQ PWS section 3.1.6, and identify/correlate fringe benefits associated with individual labor categories.

Section

Reference

5 L.15 Vol. II

Past Performance Questionnaire

“For all contracts identified in Section 1, Contract

Descriptions, a Past Performance Questionnaire shall be completed and submitted. The offeror shall complete

Part I of the Past Performance Questionnaire and e-mail the questionnaire to both the Government contracting activity and technical representative responsible for the past/current contract.”

Question: Will the Government Accept CPAR Reports in lieu of PPQs?

Answer: No, the Government has access to CPAR reports.

6 L.15 Vol I

Technical Proposal, Section 2 Management Plan, Key

Point 2 Technical Capabilities, second paragraph

“The Offerors core capabilities, how they map/relate to

Government PWS requirements, and how they shall be utilized in addressing the performance requirements, including specific references and documents.”

Question: Will the Government please provide clarification or examples of what it expects in the form of specific references and documents?

Answer: Generally, specific references and documents may be items which substantiate offerors technical capabilities. For example, a professional certification would be a document that substantiates an offerors technical capabilities.

Section

Reference Question Answer

7 L.15 Vol. II

Past Performance Proposal, Section 3 Subcontracts:

“…. This section will further include written consent of major subcontractors to allow the disclosure of their subcontractors past performance information to the

Offeror. Also, letters of commitment shall be included for all major subcontractors.”

Question: What is the difference between these letters and can they be combined? What is the specific format and information-content required for compliance?

Answer: The difference is one is a consent to allow disclosure of subcontractors past performance information, and the other is a commitment by all the main subcontractors, whereas a business relationship if forged to accommodate the requirements outlined throughout this RFP for the duration of contract performance. Yes, the documents may be combined, and the Offeror’s format is acceptable.

8 L-15

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Question: Are the offeror’s subcontractors to deliver their unsanitized Cost/Price proposals via FBO as well?

Answer: Subcontractors may submit unsanitized Cost/Price proposal via FBO or directly to the Government. Subcontracts should have unrestricted access to FBO, but if desired may send

Cost/Price proposal directly to the Government at michael.g.sherick.civ@mail.mil mailto:michael.g.sherick.civ@mail.mil

Section

Reference Question Answer

Section C PWS

3.1.6

RFP Section C (PWS), 3.1.6, Minimal personnel

Qualifications. The Government does not list the minimum personnel requirements for Software Engineer, (Senior/Lead) as listed in the

A01_Attachment_0012_Cost_Element_Workbook.xlxs file.

Question: Will the Government please provide these requirements?

Answer: Please see Amendment 01 for the inclusion of Software

Engineer Senior/Lead minimal qualifications in IDIQ PWS section

3.1.6.

Software Engineer Senior/Lead Minimal Qualifications

“Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering or other Engineering or Technical discipline and 9 years of work experience. Must be able to provide functional and empirical analysis related to the design, development, and implementation of software systems, including, but not limited to application software, utility software, development software, and diagnostic software. Must be able to participate in the development of test strategies, devices, and systems. Must be able to solve engineering problems (or managing the solution of engineering problems) in the functional area to which assigned.”

Section

Reference Question Answer

10 L-15

Question: If the offeror is proposing subcontractors, does the USG want a SEALED PACKET via FBO? Or will USG accept/provide an email submission for subcontractors?

Will the Government need to grant access to FBO for all parties on an effort? How will Prime and Subcontractor differentiate submission so as to know they are part of same team when submitting?

Answer: Subcontractor proposals may be submitted through FBO or sent directly to the Government. Subcontracts should have unrestricted access to FBO, but if desires, subcontractors may send proposals directly to the Government at michael.g.sherick.civ@mail.mil

11 I.33

The solicitation contains FAR clause 52.219-8

“Utilization of Small Business Concerns”.

Question: Given that this procurement is a Small

Business Set Aside type procurement, does the

Government require a “Utilization of Small Business

Concerns” IAW 52.219-8? If the answer to the prior question is “Yes” - for Large Business Subcontractor(s) how shall the offeror submit the Utilization of Small

Business Concerns IAW FAR 52.219-8? (e.g.; should it part of the subcontractor’s sealed bid?)

Answer: Yes, the Government requires utilization of small business concerns. 52.219-8 is incorporated into the RFP and is in full force and effect. The prime contractor is responsible for adhering to 52.219-

8. However, 52.219-8 does not require the submission of anything but rather outlines the policy for awarding subcontracts.

mailto:michael.g.sherick.civ@mail.mil

Section

Reference Question Answer

L-15

Volume II

Past Performance Volume II: PASTPERFORMANCE

QUESTIONNAIRE- Reference: The POC List

Question: It is understood that the offeror is required to provide this list to the Government NLT the proposal due date. It is not clear if the offeror is required to provide the POC list with Volume II Past Performance

Proposal. Can the Government please clarify?

Answer: Offerors shall provide the POC list with their Volume II past performance submissions.

13 L-15 Volume I

Reference: Section 2 Management Plan- Key Point 2

Technical Capability

Question: The Government recommends 10 pages to cover Technical Approach and Key Point 1. The offeror suggests increasing this page count so offeror able to adequately respond. Also based on the requirements

Key Point 2 Technical Capability is a better fit in

Section 1 Domain Knowledge. Will the Government consider moving the requirement to Section 1?

Answer: The 10-page notation is a Government recommendation, whereas the Government recommends 10 of 50 technical proposal pages are dedicated to Section 2 of offeror’s technical proposal.

Offerors may deviate from the 10-page recommendation but shall not exceed 50 pages for the entire technical proposal submission.

Additionally, the Government recognizes the request to increase page counts but shall not make any changes at this time. The total technical proposal page count limit shall stay the same at 50 pages.

Section

Reference Question Answer

14 Section B Tabs

Both the SECTION B and The Task Order 0001 Section

B tabs have a statement in row 3, “(The format below is a sample…), yet the tabs are protected and cannot be altered.

Question: Is it the Government’s intent that these tabs stay protected with no edits made by the offeror (except as required for the cost of CLIN 0015 FFP Phase-in)?

Answer: Yes, it is the Government’s intent that tabs stay protected with no edits made by the offeror, except CLIN 0015. The purpose of the sample sentence is to express the fact that the workbook is just a tool for evaluating cost. All agreed upon cost shall be captured in contract CLINs, outlined in Section B of the contract. Consequently, the CLIN arrangement may be reorganized, but no changes shall be made to the overall supplies/services required.

Labor-Cost

Detail tab

The Government’s Labor-Cost Detail tab does not provide the ability to incorporate two separate OH rates:

one for Off-Site and one for On-Site services.

Question: Will the Government allow the offeror to alter this tab to incorporate multiple OH rates?

Answer: “If the offeror's accounting system applies fringe and overhead separately, then include separate columns for the application of fringe and overhead as appropriate for the offeror's accounting/estimating system,” Note 4 of instructions.

Section

Reference Question Answer

Labor-Cost

Detail tab

The Government’s Labor-Cost Detail tab does not provide the ability to incorporate a two-tier fee structure on labor (one for prime labor and one for subcontractor labor).

Question: Will the Government allow the offeror to alter this tab to incorporate a two-tier fee structure for labor?

Answer: “If the particular individual category is to be performed by more than one entity, the offeror will be required to insert additional row(s) under the labor category and to allocate the Col e hours for the individual category among the Col e cells in the original and inserted rows to reflect the proposed performance during the contract.,” Note 1.

Indirect Rate

Summary tab

Reference the Indirect rate Summary tab of the Cost

Element Workbook:

Question: If the Prime’s subcontractors are going to submit their own proprietary Cost Element Workbook directly to the Government, should not the Year 1 and

Year 2 entries for Subcontractor Indirects remain 0% for the Prime’s submission?

Answer: The prime contractor shall account for all cost to provide support for the entire ordering period, including subcontractor cost.

The Government expects prime offerors to provide fully burdened subcontractor costs. Proprietary cost submissions are a means of providing information for evaluating proposed cost elements, but should not affect a prime contractor’s overall cost proposal.

Section

Reference Question Answer

Sample Fringe-

OH Worksheet tab

Reference the Sample Fringe-OH Worksheet tab of the

Cost Element Workbook:

Question: Does the Government want to see the last 1 year of Actual Fringe/OH costs/rates and the projected costs/rates for the next 5 years of the period of performance of this contract?

Answer: Yes the Government is requesting cost/rates for all five years. The intent of the workbook fringe-OH tab is only to provide a sample. Offerors should follow the instructions embedded in the instructions tab. Please provide a similar schedule for fringe and overhead for each FY for the offeror and each division or subcontractor.

Sample G&A

Worksheet tab

Reference the Sample G&A Worksheet tab of the Cost

Element Workbook:

Question: Does the Government want to see the last 1 year of Actual G&A costs/rates and the projected costs/rates for the next 5 years of the period of performance of this contract?

Answer: Yes the Government is requesting cost/rates for all five years. The intent of the workbook G&A tab is only to provide a sample. Offerors should follow the instructions embedded in the instructions tab. Consequently, IAW the instructions, please provide a similar schedule for G&A for each FY for the offeror and each division or subcontractor.

Section J

Attachments

Question: Can the government provided Attachment

0005 PPQ in a Microsoft word document?

Answer: Yes, see attachment.

Section

Reference Question Answer

Volume II Past

Performance

Proposal, (7)

Small Business

Participation

Past

Performance

All Offerors shall submit information substantiating the

Offerors past performance in complying with FAR

52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business, maximizing opportunities for U.S. small business subcontractors.

Offerors shall also provide a statement indicating whether any negative information has been reported in the past six years concerning the Offerors past compliance with FAR 52.219-8. If any such negative information has been reported, the Offeror may submit explanations or comments responding to such negative information. Offerors with no prior contracts containing

FAR 52.219-8 shall certify the same.

Question: Is the information provided substantiating an

Offers PP complying with FAR 52.219-8 considered part of the 15 page limitation for the Past Performance

Volume?

Follow on question: Will the government accept an

Offeror’s Prime Past Performance as substantiating complying with FAR52.219-8?

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes

Section

Reference Question Answer

Attachment

0001 Task

Order 0001

PWS 3.2.2.4

The PWS states “The Contractor shall plan, execute, evaluate, and report the systems to be transitioned to the

ME for PPSS/PDSSS responsibilities."

Question: Question: Can the Government please clarify the meaning of the acronym "ME"?

Answer: “ME” is a mistake which should have been PMESB for

Platform Mission Equipment Software Branch.

RFP Section L

General

Instructions

Requirement: Section L states, "For pricing purposes, assumptions are allowed within the Basis of Estimate

(BOE). The BOE assumptions shall be listed in a cover sheet that references the WBS it aligns to. This BOE cover sheet should be sanitized of all cost/price information."

Question: Does the Government want Offerors to submit a complete BOE and Work Breakdown Structure

(WBS) with our proposal? If so, can the Government instruct Offerors on where to provide the complete BOE and WBS in our proposal and provide the specific requirements/instructions for the BOE and WBS submission?

Answer: This is an inadvertent BOE reference, which is removed in its entirety with solicitation amendment 01.

Section

Reference Question Answer

Section L Vol 1

Section 3 Key

Point 1

Requirement: Section L states, "Consequently, offerors shall identify and correlate fringe benefits associated with Individual labor categories."

Question: Fringe benefits are typically administered equally across personnel. What specific fringe benefit(s) is the Government evaluating by LCAT? Can the

Government please provide examples of the types of benefits and how they could vary?

Answer: The weighting and administration of fringe benefits are entirely up to contractor’s, which may differ among companies. The

Government does not depict which fringe benefits a contract must provide, rather evaluates all cost elements associated with proposals.

For example, contractor's may offer senior employees more vacation time than junior employees.

25 Section L Vol II

Requirement: Section L states, "Offerors shall provide information on previous United States Government

Agency contracts that are relevant to the effort required by this solicitation, to include major subcontractors defined as any subcontractor that is performing integration work or any subcontractor that is performing more than 20% of the total contract value."

Question: Does the Government intend for Offerors to identify a subcontractor who is performing less than

20% of the total contract value, but performs some integration work, to be considered a Major

Subcontractor? Would this include a subcontractor with only one FTE performing integration work? Can the

Government please clarify this requirement by clearly defining the requirements to be considered a Major

Subcontractor?

Answer: Yes, if a subcontractor is performing integration work the prime contractor shall identify the subcontractor.

Major subcontractors are defined as any subcontractor that is performing integration work or any subcontract that is performing more than 20% of the total contract value, (Volume II Past

Performance, 1st paragraph, pg. 92).

Section

Reference Question Answer

Section L Vol II

Section 3

Requirement: Section L states, "This includes all subcontractors who will be providing critical hardware/services or whose subcontract is for more than

10% of the total proposed cost/price."

Question: On page 92 under Vol II, it identifies Major

Subcontractor to be "any subcontractor that is performing integration work or any subcontractor that is performing more than 20% of the total contract value.”

On page 93 in Vol II Section 3 the Government is requiring an outline of the effort assigned across subcontractors "who will be providing critical hardware/software services or whose subcontract is for more than 10% of the total proposed cost/price". These requirements conflict each other. How should Offerors identify subcontractors who perform less than 10% of the total proposed cost/price, but perform some integration work? Please clarify both the definition of a

Major Subcontractor and what defines critical HW/SW services.

Answer: Major subcontractors are defined as any subcontractor that is performing integration work or any subcontract that is performing more than 20% of the total contract value, (Volume II Past

Performance, 1st paragraph, pg. 92).

Critical HW/SW services are all services associated with the critical labor categories identified in PWS Section 3.1.6, which are Senior

Lead Engineering Supervisor, Senior Lead Software Developer;

Journeyman System Administrator, and Senior Lead System

Engineer, RFP pg. 50)

Section

Reference Question Answer

Section L Vol

III Section 1

Requirement: Section L states, "The estimated Period of

Performance for Task Order 0001 is 07 December 2017 to 06 December 2018. Offerors shall provide a Firm-

Fixed-Price for the Phase-In Plan, CLIN 0015. The

Phase-In period of performance shall be for a period of

60 days."

Question: Does the Phase-In period begin on 07 DEC

2017, or does Phase-In begin approximately 60 prior to

07 DEC 2017? Please confirm whether the actual contract start date is 07 DEC 2017.

Answer: The Phase-in period is estimated (emphasis added) to start

07 DEC 2017 with a 60 day phase-in period there forward. For example, if the contract effective date is 07 DEC 2017 the phase-in period would start 07 December 2017 and end 05 February 2018.

Section

Reference Question Answer

Section L Vol

III Section 2

Requirement: Section L states, "The Offeror is required to propose to the total level of effort provided to meet the work described in the PWS per CLIN. The Offeror shall provide their labor categories and hours IAW the provided Attachment 0012 Cost Element Workbook", and Attachment 0012 Cost Element Workbook will import data proposed under the Labor-Cost Spreadsheet to calculate the per unit cost for ALL CLINs. Note:

Proposed unit costs are binding for the successful offeror and shall represent the maximum per unit cost ceiling and fee amount throughout the ordering Years 1-5 of the resultant contract."

Question: Please provide an understanding as to how the statement "Proposed unit costs are binding, . . ." can apply to a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract? This would appear to conflict with our experience in managing multiple CPFF contracts.

Answer: Each CLIN structure is a combination of individual support service categories that when combined equal support service labor pools. Each CLIN service pool is broken down into one unit of measure. One unit equals 40 hours of level of effort. The per unit costs for each CLIN support service pool is binding, but the level of effort may change depending on individual needs expressed in individual task order awards. The number of units of each service pool ordered will correlate to the total level of effort required for the task order.