A01-Misc_Communication-draft_RFP_Industry_Qs_&_Gov_Answers.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 22 KB Posted
- Attached to
- CECOM Software Engineering Center Headquarters (SEC HQ) Engineering and Operations Support
- Solicitation number
- W56JSR-18-R-0002
About this file
This document contains a draft request for proposal (RFP) and related questions and answers. The draft RFP is for software engineering and administrative operations services in support of the Communication Electronic Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC). Services required include program management, media production support, operations support, purchasing support, quality assurance, and security. The total contract value is estimated at $35 million over 5 years as a cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract. The solicitation will be issued as a competitive set-aside for Historically Underutilized Business Zone small businesses under North American Industry Classification System code 541611. The Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground intends to release a draft RFP for industry review in October 2017 and issue a formal solicitation in December 2017, with an anticipated award date of April 2018. The incumbent contractor is NextGen Federal Systems under contract W56JSR-17-C-0004.
Government answers and responses to Industry questions and suggestions for the first draft RFP.
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| File | Type | Posted |
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| A07-Solicitation_(draft)-W56JSR_18_R_0002-14Mar2018.pdf |
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Q & A
| Source | POC | Date | Question/Feedback | Government Response |
| Question 1: Is the Facility Security Clearance required at time of proposal? | The assigned Facility Security Clearance is required at the onset of performance. Offerors must affirm the ability to obtain the required Facility Security Clearance for performance. | |||
| Question 2: Can the prime use the past performance of subcontractors? | Subcontractor past performance will not be permitted as part of the Offeror proposal. Offerors are reminded that this solicitation will be on a LPTA basis, so the past performance evaluation cannot be used to "trade-off" for higher cost, and a 'Neutral' rating for no past performance history is still technically acceptable. | |||
| Question 3: Do bidders need to have a DCAA audited/approved accounting system in order to submit a proposal, or will the Government accept a 3rd party audit/accounting firm verifying the system? | The Contracting Officer (KO) determines whether there is an adequate accounting system for a cost reimbursement contract. However, the KO often does not have the expertise or on-site locality to examine the accounting system, and so typically defers to the expertise and ability of DCMA/DCAA. If DCMA/DCAA can review the system, or will vouch that the 3rd party reviewer is a trustworthy company in the audit industry, then the KO will likely accept the accounting system as adequate. | |||
| Question 4: Does the Government intend that contractor propose a single labor rate per labor category and time period? | Yes, the Government intends that Offerors shall propose a single labor rate per each labor category, time period, and location. | |||
| Question 5: In a Joint Venture (JV), if one contractor partner does not have a DCMA approved accounting system, but the other partner contractor does, can the JV receive award of a CPFF contract? | ||||
| In a JV, the JV is a new legal entity separate of the contributing partners. If under the JV an approved accounting system is available and will be used, regardless of which partner contributes it, then the JV is covered for this requirement. | ||||
| Question 6: There is an "overbearing presence of MD and VA participants" in the interested parties list (assumably on FBO). Is the Government barring contractors from other states? | There is no restriction on the corporate location of Offerors. There are location restrictions per Offerors qualifying as a HUBZone, and location restrictions regarding the place of performance for the services. | |||
| Question 7: Are Letters Of Intent (LOI) required to be submitted with resumes, or only in connotation with the Cost/Price proposal as supporting documentation? | LOIs are not required to accompany resumes, as resumes are not required. | |||
| Question 8: Are there any requirements for Facility Security Clearance, or individual security clearances? For small businesses and HUBZones this is very difficult to meet. | See RFP Section J, Attachment 0001 "Contract Security Classiciation Specification (DD Form 254)", with the detailed TOP SECRET facility security clearance requirement, and the labor category qualifications for individual employees in RFP Section C, PWS Appendix A. | |||
| Question 9: Do bidders need to have the required Facility Security Clearance in order to bid? | The assigned Facility Security Clearance is required at the onset of performance. Offerors must affirm the ability to obtain the required Facility Security Clearance for performance. | |||
| Question 10: In a Joint Venture (JV), if one contractor partner does not have the required facility security clearance, but the other partner contractor does, can the JV receive award of the contract? | In a JV, the JV is a new legal entity separate of the contributing partners. If under the JV an facility of properly certified security clearance is available and will be used, regardless of which partner contributes it, then the JV is covered for this requirement. The Defense Security Service certifies facility security clearance status, so the JV's facility clearance status needs to be recognized by the DSS in order to perform the requirement | |||
| Question 11: Why should proposals detail 'features that lessen risk', if such features would increase cost, and would not be considered in LPTA? | The cost factors in Offeror Proposals are for providing personnel in specified labor categories, not for proposing the LOE to complete a technical approach. The technical approach detailed in a proposal demonstrates the Offeror's understanding of the requirement, and ability to provide an effective technical approach. The technical approach proposed should not affect the cost proposal. | |||
| Question 12: Will the Government allow contractors to propose labor category qualifications? | The Government will not permit Offerors to propose labor category qualifications. | |||
| Question 13: Will this be a multiple award IDIQ? | The W56JSR-18-R-0002 requirement will be awarded as a Single-Award IDIQ contract. |
See RFP Section M, subsection M-1.1 "One (1) contract will be awarded to the offeror whose proposal is evaluated to be the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA)."
| Question 14: Does the Government want contractors to submit proposals with resumes? | The Government will not be requiring resumes as part of Offeror proposals. Per PWS section 3.1.6, the Contracting Officer's Representative may require submission of resumes following contract award to verify that minimum labor category qualifications are being met. |
| Question 15: Is there an incumbent, and if so, please identify the incumbent and contract number. | The incumbent contractor is NextGen Federal Systems Inc. under contract W56JSR-17-C-0004. |
| Question 16: Does the Government want contractors to submit proposals through FBO? | Yes, questions and proposals in response to the finalized solicitation will be sumitted through FBO |
| Question 17: Will the Government allow PDF documents instead of DOCX documents? | See RFP Section L, subsection L-2.2, for acceptable document formats |
| Question 18: We are confused on whether this is LPTA or TradeOff, please clarify. | The W56JSR-18-R-0002 requirement will be awarded on a LPTA source selection basis. |
See RFP Section M, subsection M-1.1 "One (1) contract will be awarded to the offeror whose proposal is evaluated to be the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA)."
| Question 19: Are all positions to be full-time, or will some be part-time? | See RFP Section B, subsection "3. Ordering Quantities"; "Task Orders may order quantities of labor hours , per labor category, in units of 40 hours. 40 hours represents the standard number of labor hours performed by a full time employee in one week." |
| Question 20: Please detail how many FTEs in which categories the Government plans to order | Due to changing requirements and budgetary uncertainty, the Government cannot forecast the exact numbers of FTEs to be ordered, hence the IDIQ contract for flexible ordering. In section M-1.2.3.2 (bottom of page 75) of the draft RFP is the Government customer activity's estimate of the minimum annual level of FTEs to be ordered. |
| Question 21: Are there any Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) issues with the incumbent? | The status and contents of any Offeror's proposal, including any OCI issues, will not be discussed with any other Offeror. |
| Request 1: Please allow subcontractor's past performance in combination with prime contractor. | Subcontractor past performance will not be permitted as part of the Offeror proposal. Offerors are reminded that this solicitation will be on a LPTA basis, so the past performance evaluation cannot be used to "trade-off" for higher cost, and a 'Neutral' rating for no past performance history is still technically acceptable. |
| Request 2: Please increase the Technical proposal page count. | See RFP Section L, subsection L2.2 The page limit of the Technical proposal has been increased to 25 pages. The page limit includes any title pages, table of contents, and/or cover pages. |
| Request 3: Please provide documentation of current contract W56JSR-17-C-0004. | The Level Of Effort (LOE) and labor category qualification are on the following worksheet tabs "Current LOE" and "Current LCAT Quals". Offerors are cautioned that current/incumbent LOEs and LCAT qualifications are no guarantee of future requirements. |
| Request 4: Please utilize TradeOff instead of LPTA | The Government has considered this request, but cannot identify performance factors for which it would trade off increased performance quality for higher price. Therefore, W56JSR-18-R-0002 will be evaluated and awarded on a LPTA basis. |
| Request 5: Request for meetings to discuss requirement | Given the expectation that this requirement will receive multiple proposals for competition, private meetings will not take place to avoid the impression of information provided to a singular Offeror. Submitted questions will be answered for all parties to view. If a requirement discussion meeting is necessary, it will be on a teleconference line with any and all interested parties invited, and discussion topics/information posted to FBO. |
| Request 6: Do not set pricing per labor category. This puts too much risk on the contractor. | Offerors must find a balance between the risk of proposing an unrealistically low price and going into a cost overrun, and proposing too high a price to guard against cost overruns but lose contract award on account of uncompetitive prices. This is the same risk present when proposing straightforward CPFF contracts. |
The per labor category pricing at the IDIQ contract level is used for efficiently setting the total estimated cost and Fixed Fee amount of task orders. However, the task orders themselves will be Cost Plus Fixed Fee.
Request 7: Please allow past performance from civilian agencies and commercial industry, not just DoD past performance See RFP Section L, Subsection L-2.2.2 "The past performance references may be from civilian agencies and commercial industry as well as Department of Defense (DoD) contracts."
| Request 8: Please do not count title pages, table of contents, and cover page towards the Technical proposal page count | See RFP Section L, subsection L2.2 The page limit of the Technical proposal has been increased to 25 pages. The page limit includes any title pages, table of contents, and/or cover pages. |
| Request 9: Provide more detail on how to invoice for costs. Invoice for quantity of [Qty 40] units, for actual costs like with CPFF, or other? | Task Orders under the intended IDIQ contract will be treated in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) manner, with the contractor invoicing for actual expenses incurred. See also Solicitation Section G "Contract Administration Data" subsection "4. Invoicing Instructions". |
| Request 10: Since the PWS says work may be required outside normal working hours, please allow contractors to have separate pay rates for day shifts versus night/weekend shifts. | See RFP Section C, PWS section 3.1.7 [Work Hours] "Hours worked by professional (non-Service Contract Act) labor categories in excess of 40 hours per week, or outside of prime shift, will be compensated at the same pay rate as the initial 40 hours. Premium pay rates are not permitted for professional labor categories. Premium pay rates for SCA labor categories will be reimbursable in accordance with the SCA and Department of Labor regulations." |
| Request 11: We do not have a facility security clearance. Please sponsor us until a facility security clearance is issued. | See RFP Section L, Subsection L-2.2.4.1 "The Government cannot "sponsor" Offerors by waiving the Facility Security Clearance requirement." |
| Request 12: Please increase Technical proposal page limit from 20 pages to >25 pages. | See RFP Section L, subsection L2.2 The page limit of the Technical proposal has been increased to 25 pages. The page limit includes any title pages, table of contents, and/or cover pages. |
| Request 13: Please schedule a meeting with us to discuss the requirement. | Given the expectation that this requirement will receive multiple proposals for competition, private meetings will not take place to avoid the impression of information provided to a singular Offeror. Submitted questions will be answered for all parties to view. If a requirement discussion meeting is necessary, it will be on a teleconference line with any and all interested parties invited. |
| Request 14: Please waive the facility security clearance requirement. | See RFP Section L, Subsection L-2.2.4.1 "The Government cannot "sponsor" Offerors by waiving the Facility Security Clearance requirement." |
| Suggestion 1: To use TradeOff instead of LPTA, set minimum labor category qualifications for technical acceptability, and trade up to higher labor category qualifications. | The Government has considered this request, but cannot identify labor category qualifications for which it would trade off higher qualification standards for higher prices. Therefore, W56JSR-18-R-0002 will be evaluated and awarded on a LPTA basis. |
| Suggestion 2: Proposals should require resumes | The Government will not be requiring resumes as part of Offeror proposals. Per PWS section 3.1.6, the Contracting Officer's Representative may require submission of resumes following contract award to verify that minimum labor category qualifications are being met. |
| Suggestion 3: Proposals should map past performance to PWS requirements to show validity | See RFP Section L, subsection L-2.2.2, wherein Offerors shall include in past performance proposals the "Description of the specific tasks or activities performed by the offeror itself under the (past performance) contract, and to which PWS paragraph |
task under W56JSR-18-R-0002 the past performance would be associated.
| Suggestion 4: Subcontractor past performance should not be allowed for evaluation | Subcontractor past performance will not be permitted as part of the Offeror proposal. Offerors are reminded that this solicitation will be on a LPTA basis, so the past performance evaluation cannot be used to "trade-off" for higher cost, and a 'Neutral' rating for no past performance history is still technically acceptable. |
| Suggestion 5: Change the NAICS code from 541513 ($27.5M) to 541611 ($15.0M) | See RFP Section L, subsection L-1-1.02 "This RFP is competitive set-aside for Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses, per the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition of a small business under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting". |
The Government has considered this request, and technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the requirement determined that the description for NAICS code 541611 was a significantly closer match to the requirement than the description for NAICS code 541513.
Suggestion 6: Require 2 examples of relevent past performance experience The Government will not be requiring 2 examples of relevent past performance experience for Technical Acceptability.
Incumbent LOE
| Labor Category | Location | FTE's |
| Program Manager | APG | 1.0 |
| Assistant Media Editor - Journeyman | APG | 1.0 |
| Media Coorespondent - Intermediate | APG | 2.0 |
| Media Layout Editor | APG | 1.0 |
| Operations Specialist - Intermediate | APG | 2.0 |
| Operations Specialist - Journeyman | APG | 5.0 |
| Operations Specialist - Senior/Lead | APG | 6.0 |
| Purchasing Agent - Journeyman | APG | 5.0 |
| Quality Assurance Analyst - Senior/Lead | APG | 4.0 |
| Security Specialist - Journeyman | APG | 1.0 |
| Security Specialist - Journeyman | VA | 2.0 |
| Security Specialist - Journeyman | AZ | 2.0 |
| Security Specialist - Senior/Lead | APG | 4.0 |
| Security Specialist - Senior/Lead | NJ | 1.0 |
| Web Developer - Journeyman | APG | 1.0 |
| 38.0 |
Incumbent LCAT Quals
| Labor Categories | Minimum Qualifications |
| Program Manager | Bachelor’s Degree is required in Management, Business Administration, Computer Science, Systems Engineering or other Engineering discipline and 10 Years of experience working on computer systems engineering and/or software development and Secret Security Clearance. |
| Assistant Media Editor - Journeyman | A Bachelor's Degree is required in mass communications, journalism, or a related field. |
( 6 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement).
8 years of applicable experience in researching, writing, and reporting news stories for newspaper, website, or social media reporting venues. Must be capable of supervising, training, and leading a media reporting team. Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of people, from childen to senior military leaders. Must be able to write and report accurately, and meet weekly deadlines. Must be familiar with the use of Microsoft Office Suite and NewsGate software (or similar newspaper production softeware), taking and editing photos with a digital camera, and producing media content in Associated Press (AP) Stylebook standards.
Media Correspondent - Intermediate A Bachelor's Degree is required. A degree in mass communications, journalism, or a related field is highly desirable.
(2 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement).
1 years of applicable experience in researching, writing, and reporting news stories for newspaper, website, or social media reporting venues. Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of people, from childen to senior military leaders. Must be able to write and report accurately, and meet weekly deadlines. Must be familiar with the use of Microsoft Office Suite and NewsGate software (or similar newspaper production software), taking and editing photos with a digital camera, and producing media content in Associated Press (AP) Stylebook standards.
Media Layout Editor - Intermediate A Bachelor's Degree is required. A degree in mass communications, journalism, English, or a related field is highly desirable.
( 2 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement).
Must be capable of using NewsGate software (or similar newspaper production software) to organize new stories, photographs, and advertisements to design newspaper pages. Must be capable of oordinating the newspaper design with Editors to produce elegant, energetic and error-free print pages while meeting weekly deadlines.
| Operations Specialist - Intermediate | A Bachelor’s Degree is required in Computer Science, or other Engineering or Technical discipline and Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience in conducting analysis and developing solutions and in the application of information technology. Produces and reviews technical documentation reflecting detailed knowledge of specific technical area. Recommends measures to improve methods, performance, and quality of product or service, and suggests changes to increase efficiency. Industry certification is desirable and Secret security clearance. 4 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
| Operations Specialist - Journeyman | A Bachelor's Degree is required in Computer Science, Mathematics, or other Engineering or Technical discipline and |
Minimum 3 years of demonstrated experience in conducting analysis and developing solutions and in the application of information technology. Produces and reviews technical documentation reflecting detailed knowledge of specific technical area. Recommends measures to improve methods, performance, and quality of product or service, and suggests changes to increase efficiency. Industry certification is desirable and Secret security clearance. 4 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
Operations Specialist - Senior/Lead A Bachelor’s Degree is required in Computer Science, Mathmatics, or other Engineering or Technical discipline and Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in Serves as a technical expert in areas relevant to the project. Must be capable of demonstrating experience in conducting analysis and developing solutions and in the application of information technology. Produces and reviews technical documentation reflecting detailed knowledge of specific technical area. Recommends measures to improve methods, performance, and quality of product or service, and suggests changes to increase efficiency. Industry certification is desirable.
and Secret security clearance. 4 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
| Purchasing Agent-Journeyman | Bachelor's Degree is desired, but not required and Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in performing work to acquire supplies, services, and construction by purchase, rental, or lease through (a) delivery orders and/or (b) small purchase procedures. The work requires knowledge of policies and procedures for delivery orders and small purchases. This work also requires knowledge of commercial supply sources and common business practices related to sales, prices, discounts, units of measurement, deliveries, stocks, and shipments. Solicit quotes, rather than proposals, orally or through written requests for quotations (RFQ), RFP's for small purchases when a firm offer is required or when technical factors, rather than price, are the primary consideration. Purchasing agents generally use unilateral instruments to establish contracts, i.e., purchase orders, calls against blanket purchase agreements, and credit card purchases. Some purchasing agents use bilateral purchase orders to make purchases within small purchase dollar limitations. Purchasing agents also issue delivery orders (that may exceed the small purchase threshold) against established contracts or with certain Government sources of supply and Secret security clearance. |
| Quality Assurance Analyst-Senior/Lead | A Bachelor’s Degree and Minimum of 2 years of demonstrated experience in technical surveillance to determine the adequacy of the software engineering program to achieve design and development objectives. Performs technical surveillance of systems and software controls and processes through in depth review and commenting of software products and Secret security clearance. 6 years of direct relevant QA experience may be substituted for education. |
| Security Specialist - Journeyman | Bachelor's Degree is desired, but not required and Minimum 5 years of directly applicable experience developing and administering industrial security procedures for classified or proprietary materials, documentation, and equipment. Must be capable of studying and implementing federal security regulations that apply to company operations. Must be able to prepare manuals, outlining regulations and establish procedures for handling, storing, and keeping records and grant personnel and visitors access to restricted records and materials. Must be able to conduct security education classes. Must be experienced in investigating security violations and preparing reports specifying preventive actions to be taken. Military experience is highly desirable and Top Secret security clearance. 7 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
| Security Specialist - Journeyman | Bachelor's Degree is desired, but not required and Minimum 5 years of directly applicable experience developing and administering industrial security procedures for classified or proprietary materials, documentation, and equipment. Must be capable of studying and implementing federal security regulations that apply to company operations. Must be able to prepare manuals, outlining regulations and establish procedures for handling, storing, and keeping records and grant personnel and visitors access to restricted records and materials. Must be able to conduct security education classes. Must be experienced in investigating security violations and preparing reports specifying preventive actions to be taken. Military experience is highly desirable and Secret security clearance. 7 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
| Security Specialist - Journeyman | Bachelor's Degree is desired, but not required and Minimum 5 years of directly applicable experience developing and administering industrial security procedures for classified or proprietary materials, documentation, and equipment. Must be capable of studying and implementing federal security regulations that apply to company operations. Must be able to prepare manuals, outlining regulations and establish procedures for handling, storing, and keeping records and grant personnel and visitors access to restricted records and materials. Must be able to conduct security education classes. Must be experienced in investigating security violations and preparing reports specifying preventive actions to be taken. Military experience is highly desirable and Top Secret security clearance. 7 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
| Security Specialist - Senior / Lead | Bachelor's Degree is desired, but not required and Minimum 7 years of directly applicable experience in developing and administering industrial security procedures for classified or proprietary materials, documentation, and equipment. Must be capable of studying and implementing federal security regulations that apply to company operations. Must be able to prepare manuals, outlining regulations and establish procedures for handling, storing, and keeping records and grant personnel and visitors access to restricted records and materials. Must be able to conduct security education classes. Must be experienced in investigating security violations and preparing reports specifying preventive actions to be taken. Military experience is highly desirable and Top Secret security clearance; 10 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
| Security Specialist - Senior / Lead | Bachelor's Degree is desired, but not required and Minimum 7 years of directly applicable experience in developing and administering industrial security procedures for classified or proprietary materials, documentation, and equipment. Must be capable of studying and implementing federal security regulations that apply to company operations. Must be able to prepare manuals, outlining regulations and establish procedures for handling, storing, and keeping records and grant personnel and visitors access to restricted records and materials. Must be able to conduct security education classes. Must be experienced in investigating security violations and preparing reports specifying preventive actions to be taken. Military experience is highly desirable and Top Secret security clearance. 10 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
| Web Developer - Journeyman | A Bachelor’s Degree is required in Info Technology and Minimum 7 years of demonstrated experience in designing, developing, debugging web sites and web based applications utilizing various technologies. Skill to design, develop and manage application databases. Create and maintain all documents during lifecycle of project and Secret security clearance. 3 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. |
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