W5J9JE18R0012-0004_Solicitation.pdf

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until 03:00 PM local t ime 07 Jul 2018

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115 - 132 X H 133 - 137

RATING PAGE OF PAGES

7. ISSUED BY

(Date)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

Previous Edition is Unusable 33-134 STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

1 137

(If other than Item 7)

15A. NAME 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO

AND

ADDRESS SIGN OFFER (Type or print)

OF

OFFEROR

AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15B. TELEPHONE NO (Include area code) 17. SIGNATURE15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

18. OFFER DATE

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NO.

W5J9JE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

See Item 7

9. Sealed offers in original and 1 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME (NO COLLECT CALLS)

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOLICITATION/ CONTRACT FORM

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/ COSTS

1 - 21 22 - 27

X I CONTRACT CLAUSES

DESCRIPTION/ SPECS./ WORK STATEMENT X

PACKAGING AND MARKING

28 - 55 J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE X K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 56 X

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) 57 - 85 X M

L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments

AMENDMENT NO. DATE

to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

FACILITY

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

X

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

EMAIL:TEL: (Signature of Contracting Officer)

CODE CODE

B. TELEPHONE (Include area code) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( ) (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

PART IV - REPRESENTATIO NS AND INSTRUCTIO NS

PART III - LIST O F DO CUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND O THER ATTACHMENTS

86 - 92

PART II - CO NTRACT CLAUSES

TRANSATLANTIC AFGHANISTAN ENGINEER - TAA

DISTRICT (TAA), US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

CETAA-CT, BAGRAM AE 09354

540-662-5665

540-665-2758FAX:

TEL:

FAX:

TEL:

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

93 - 102

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NO.5. DATE ISSUED

19 Jun 2018

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

[ X ]

3. SOLICITATION NO.

W5J9JE18R0012

Section A - Solicitation/Contract Form

NOTES TO OFFERORS

NOTES TO OFFERORS

IMPORTANT:

1. IAW AFARS 5132..702(a)(ii)(B), “Funds are not presently available for this acquisition. No contract award will be made until appropriated funds are made available.”

2. The Contractor cannot promote or switch personnel to replace employees who have left or are leaving the contract to avoid the 45 day penalty as outlined in TE1.

3. Offerors must have an active and updated account registered in System for Award

Management (SAM). www.sam.gov/

4. Offerors must have a valid AISA/MoCI License http://www.moci.gov.af

DUE DATE FOR PROPOSALS IS EXTENDED TO 10 JULY 2018. PROPOSALS

MUST BE SENT VIA AMRDEC TO NIKISHA.W.COOK@USACE.ARMY.MIL and

ERICA.J.TAYLOR@USACE.ARMY.MIL

Contractor Questions

QUESTION ANSWER

1 Is this a new requirement or is there another company already providing IT support?

This is an existing requirement, being performed by SAIC.

Is this opportunity available for Afghan companies or will the contract require a US company? Can Afghans work on-site at the USACE locations?

This is a Full and Open requirement, which means anyone can submit a proposal that meets all PWS requirements.

Could you please clarify what sort of clearance is necessary and what are the procedure for securing the necessary clearance?

Contractor personnel are required to have a minimum of a FINAL US SECRET security clearance, as issued by the U.S.

Department of Defense, PRIOR to arriving in-country to support this contract. Failure to obtain and maintain a US SECRET will be cause for the employee to be removed from supporting this contract. All contractor personnel are also required to have a NATO Secret before beginning work on USACE/AED systems. See PWS Section http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:NIKISHA.W.COOK@USACE.ARMY.MIL mailto:ERICA.J.TAYLOR@USACE.ARMY.MIL

C.1.3.2 SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS

Reference to the requirement specified in section C.1.3.2. of PWS, as of your knowledge Afghan companies doesn’t meet the security clearance requirement, thereof will still those Afghan companies suffice technical & financial requirement be considered for the solicitation.

Offerors must meet all requirements as outlined in the

PWS.

5 Is the contractor responsible for the travel charges?

See PWS Section C.4.

Contractor-Furnished Property.

See Also C.5. Mobilization and Demobilization

6 Is the contractor responsible for the accommodation?

See PWS Section C.2 Government-Furnished Property

(GFP)

7 Is the contractor responsible for the food stuff?

Meals are provided at no cost to the Contractor. See PWS Section C.2. Government-Furnished Property (GFP)

8 Is the contractor responsible to provide the computers and laptops, etc.?

Computers and Laptops are provided by the Government

9 Is the contractor responsible for the visa?

The Contractor is responsible for the visas, if required. See PWS Section C.4 Contractor- Furnished Property

10 What if the contractor is an Indian company and not registered with US ARMY? Or else please advise.

Contractor has to be registered in SAM and have a valid AISA license

11 Will the customer allow past performance from the past 5 years?

See Past Performance Submission Requirements.

We have reviewed the pre-solicitation PWS (C.1.3.2) and believe that, because of the ongoing policy to comply with the DOD DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF), the final solicitation might benefit from a directly stated security provision such as:

“An offeror shall identify in its proposal, quote, bid or any resulting contract, their strategy for ensuring policy compliance with the May 11, 2017 Executive Order 13800, Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.

The compliance strategy shall conform to cybersecurity risk management best practices set forth in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs). The methods and processes shall be documented in the System Security Plan and updated as necessary to ensure continuing compliance throughout the period of performance.”

Our experience indicates that much of the overarching policy alludes to, but doesn’t directly address compliance requirements

See PWS Section C.6.3 Cybersecurity C.6.3.3. The contractor shall execute the USACE Cybersecurity program IAW all applicable DoD standards/regulations, USACE higher headquarters, TAD, TAM, AED and local policies, guidance, and procedures. It is the contractor’s responsibility to keep abreast of updates or changes to all applicable Cybersecurity standards, regulations, local policies, guidance and procedures.

and that adding such a provision to the PWS, or Section H, would clarify the importance of security compliance at the contract level. The accelerating security challenges impacting agency networks require a disciplined approach to maintaining currency.

Our suggestion is intended to level this mandate of service providers and to preclude excessive submissions of changes (i.e., FAR 43) related to security changes, as well as to stave off Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REAs). Thank you for your consideration.

Please reference CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001. There period of performance (PoP) identified differs that the period of performance provided in PWS section C.1.3.6.1. Would the government please clarify the base period and subsequent option years?

Revised SF33 Section B – Supplies or Services and Price

Please reference Section G (page 39 of 116) Clause 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. Part C lists the maximum duration as 4 years and 7. With the period of performance outlined in C.1.3.6.1 being 10 months for the base period, would the government consider updating this duration to 4 years and 10 months?

Revised to match the PWS, Four years and 7 Months

The RFP contains over a dozen references to ELINs in the RFP. Please confirm the Exhibit Line Item (ELIN) price schedule released via FBO on 24 MAY still applies.

Additionally, please confirm offerors should be utilizing the base period performance of 9 months for 11 contractor positions and 10 months for 4 contractor positions as outlined in section C.1.3.6.1 of the PWS.

The ELIN price schedule released via FBO on 24 May still applies. The Base Period of Performance will be 6 months for 11 contractor positions and 7 months for 4 contractor positions as outlined in the Revised section C.1.3.6.1 of the

PWS.

Please reference PWS section C.1.3.6.3 – This section requires that contractor employees are expected to work no more than 64 hours per week. This limitation increases risk by reducing a contractor’s ability to respond to various surge requirements such as shifting mission priorities, environmental changes, trigger events, technological changes, incident response, emergency leave, after hours events, or other unforeseen events.

Additionally, the vast majority (standard) of similar efforts in Afghanistan allow for 84-hour employee work weeks (exceptions if an award is made under a contract vehicle where the master contract limits weekly hours). Will the government consider removing this weekly hour requirement, or modifying it to an 84 (standard) or even 70-hour work week?

The district is currently operating at these hours of operation. The Contractor will be required to manage the hours of operation across their work force to ensure service hours are covered to include maintenance windows and after hour emergency support. The government does not consider the additional hours necessary to support the mission

Please reference PWS Section C.1.3.9. stating {paraphrased} the contractor’s proposal includes a resume of each individual for a contracted position.; The RFP instructions require the submission for 4 key personnel resumes, not all individuals for contracted positions. Will the government confirm this section only applies to the 4 key personnel resumes, and the government has the right to review resumes for all other contractor positions prior to supporting this effort?

See Section SubFactor2 – Key Personnel

The offeror shall provide detailed information, such as experience, education, qualification, skillset, security clearance and certification (as applicable), with dates, in a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume in the Adobe

Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf), for the individual that the offeror is proposing for each Key Personnel role listed below:

Lead Network Administrator Lead System Administrator Lead Helpdesk Technician Project Manager

PWS C.5.3 States “Mobilization costs incurred specifically for the replacement of contract personnel already in theater are the responsibility of the contractor”. Does this apply only to replacement personnel due to lack of retention/turn over? Or is it extended to temporary personnel who are required to be deployed to replace key personnel outlined in PWS C.1.4?

The cost is the responsibility of the contractor in both mentioned cases

PWS Section C.4.3 requires temporary replacement employees at remote (non-BAF) locations. What ELIN/Contractor Positions are currently permanently assigned to non-BAF locations? Which are located at Kabul Area Offices vs Kandahar?

Currently a single Help Desk Technician is permanently assigned at both Kandahar and NKC (supporting Kabul Base Cluster).

20 What service ticket software is the Government using? BMC Track-IT! Version 11.2

Please reference Technical Exhibit 4 (page 36 of 116). The minimum qualification for the Project Manager (IT Project Management) does not list the minimum required certification as required DoD Directive 8140 (previously 8570). Will the government please provide the current required level 8140/8570 required IT I, IT II, or IT III certification (i.e. IAT L2)?

Minimum of IAT level II

Please reference Technical Exhibit 4 (page 36 of 116). The minimum qualification for the IT Asset Manager does not list the minimum required certification as required DoD Directive 8140 (previously 8570). Will the government please provide the current required level 8140/8570 required IT I, IT II, or IT III certification (i.e. IAT L2)?

No 8140/8570 requirement applies to the IT Asset Manager unless the contractor utilizes the position in a capacity which requires elevated privileges. In the case of elevated privileges the position requires at a minimum IAT level I.

Please reference Technical Exhibit 4 (page 36 of 116). The minimum qualification for the Systems Administrator does not list the minimum required certification as required DoD Directive 8140 (previously 8570). Will the government please provide the current required level 8140/8570 required IT I, IT II, or IT III certification (i.e. IAT L2)?

Minimum of IAT level II

Please reference Technical Exhibit 4 (page 36 of 116). The minimum qualification for the Network Administrator does not list the minimum required certification as required DoD Directive 8140 (previously 8570). Will the government please provide the current required level 8140/8570 required IT I, IT II, or IT III certification (i.e. IAT L2)?

Minimum of IAT level II

Please reference Technical Exhibit 4 (page 36 of 116). The minimum qualification for the Help Desk Technician does not list the minimum required certification as required DoD Directive 8140 (previously 8570). Will the government please provide the current required level 8140/8570 required IT I, IT II, or IT III certification (i.e. IAT L2)?

Minimum of IAT level II

Contractor should submit their proposal soft copy or hard copy?

As it is stated in Paragraph (e) of page 95 of 116 of the solicitation, it says that (all proposals must be submitted via email or AMRDEC Safe to nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil and no other forms of submission will be accepted by the Government. And also in SF 33 Solicitation Block no (9). It is stated that sealed offers in original and 1 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the schedule will be received at the place specified in item 8,.

All proposals will be submitted via email or AMRDEC Safe to nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil and erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil No hard copies are required or will be accepted.

27 If the offeror is a Sole Proprietor will not submit Attachment B with the proposal, will be considered for award? Yes/No

Section A, should be filled out and submitted with the proposal.

The Offeror must submit Personnel CV’s for the total 15 employees, or only for the 1. Lead Network Administrator. 2.

Lead System Administrator. 3. Lead Helpdesk Technician. 4.

Project Manager?

See Section SubFactor2 – Key Personnel

The offeror shall provide detailed information, such as experience, education, qualification, skillset, security clearance and certification (as applicable), with dates, in a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume in the Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf), for the individual that the offeror is proposing for each Key Personnel role listed below:

Lead Network Administrator Lead System Administrator Lead Helpdesk Technician Project Manager

Reference: Section B Item No 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, and 4002 Pages 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10

The ODC CLINs list the following to be paid under the ODC CLINs for each contract year: (1) airfare from origin to El Paso, Texas to attend a one-week pre-deployment training and in-processing at CRC (CONUS Replacement Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-deployment from Afghanistan; (3) round-trip airfare from Afghanistan for one 30-day R&R per contract performance period.

Question A: Are the items listed for each ODC CLIN considered “mobilization and demobilization travel costs and R&R costs”?

Yes

Question B: If yes, what CLIN will the following ODC items listed in Factor 4 – Price be paid under: Visa per employee;

hazardous/danger pay?

VISA – Included in ODCs cost Hazardous/danger pay – included in Direct Cost

31 Question C: Is DBA Insurance a billable item? If so, which CLINs should the DBA costs be billed to? Yes ODCs

Reference: Section C Technical Exhibit 1 Pages 32 and 33 of Performance Summary Requirements The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential

PWS Revised mailto:nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil mailto:nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil mailto:erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Question: Will the Government provide relief for the 100% on the first day of the second month if the incumbents do not transfer?

Performance Summary Requirements The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Question A: Will the Government provide relief for the 6.2.2 System Administration Support requirements for uptime if a power outage occurs and the downtime was due to events beyond the contractor’s control or not due to any fault of the contractor?

The Government will not hold the Contractor responsible for outages outside their control.

34 Question B: What is the 6.2.2 System Administration Support uptime percentages on the current contract? Uptime Average of 99.54%

Performance Summary Requirements The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Question A: Will the Government provide relief for the 6.2.3 Network (Communications) Administration Support requirements for uptime if a power or satellite outage was due to events beyond the contractor’s control or not due to any fault of the contractor?

The Government will not hold the Contractor responsible for network outages that are a result of third party service providers.

Question B: What is the 6.2.3 Network (Communications) Administration Support uptime percentages on the current contract?

Uptime Average 99.64%

Performance Summary Requirements Technical Exhibit 1 Performance Table SLAs seem to be unachievable and not executable due to issues outside the control of the contractor.

Question: Are these SLA’s achieved on the current contract?

Yes

Reference: Section L Page 94 of 116 Page 97 of 116

The RFP states “The offeror’s proposal shall be in an Adobe Acrobat portable document format (PDF). A Table of Contents shall be included and shall identify major areas within the proposal by Technical Evaluation Factor, Subfactors, Subject Title and Page Number.”

The RFP also states under Factor 4 – Price “The offeror’s Price Proposal shall be in a volume that is separate from the Technical Proposal.”

Question: Should offerors submit their response in two volumes along with standalone files as follows?

Technical Volume consisting of a Title Page, Table of Contents,

d) Required Submittals for Factor 1 – Experience; e) Required

Revised under PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS, CONTENT,

AND FORMAT

Submittals for Factor 2 – Past Performance: and f) Required Submittals for Factor 3 – Management.

Price Volume consisting a Title Page, Table of Contents, b) Completed SF 33 Section B. g) Completed Price Schedule Attachment of Exhibit Line Item Numbers (ELINs); and h) Cost/Price Breakdown spreadsheet in .pdf format.

The a) Signed SF 33; c) Completed Section K Representations and Certifications; i) Completed Financial Standing Questionnaire Attachment A; and j) Completed Certificate of Offeror Authority Attachment B as standalone documents along with the two volumes.

39 Section L General: Are there any requirements for font size/type and page margins or is it contract format?

Revised under PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS, CONTENT,

AND FORMAT

Section L General: Are Title Pages, Table of Content, and Acronym List excluded from allowed page count for Factors 1, 2, 3, and 4?

Title Pages, Table of Content, and Acronym List, will not count against your page count for Factors 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Section L 2. Submittal Requirements Factor 4 – Price, Paragraph 2 on Page 97 0f 116. Are the “Price Schedule Attachment” and the “CLIN Price Schedule” documents synonymous?

Factor 4 Price Revised.

Section L 2. Submittal Requirements Factor 4 – Price, Paragraph 2 on Page 97 0f 116. Should the “offeror’s cost/price breakdown spreadsheet” be in the contractor’s format?

Revised under PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS, CONTENT,

AND FORMAT

Section L Proposal Adequacy Checklist Pages 106 – 111 of 116.

FAR 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist states “The offeror shall complete the following checklist, providing location of requested information, or an explanation of why the requested information is not provided.

Question: Should offerors return the completed Proposal Adequacy Checklist along with their proposal?

Required, if asked for Certified Cost and Pricing Data

CLIN_Price_Schedule_24May2018 Note 3 on Page 5 of 5

Question: ELIN Totals (Base thru OY4 and 6-month Option) will include ODCs (item #16 of each year within ELIN Table);

how can the totals in the ELIN Table match Section B CLIN totals when Section B has separate CLINs for Labor (xxx1) and ODCs (xxx2)?

Note 3 Deleted

45 Is the incumbent (SAIC), eligible to bid on this effort?

Yes

46 Would the government provide the contract number for the incumbent effort?

This was a task order under the Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) Contract.

Evaluation Criteria document (page 7) lists 4 key personnel (KP) positions, however, the PWS (C.1.4) states that “the following personnel are considered Key Personnel by the Government:

Project Manager (PM), Lead System Administrator (Lead SA)

PWS has been Revised to reflect all 4 Key Personnel positions.

and Lead Network Administrator (Lead NA).” The PWS does not include the Lead Helpdesk Technician as a KP. Please confirm which positions are considered KP.

C.1.4 states that “the contractor’s Logistician and Intranet/SharePoint Administrator/Programmer are integral to the AED IM/IT mission.” However the CLIN Price Schedule (13 and 14 CLIN series) labels them as Optional Items. Can the Government explain why these items are labeled optional on the CLIN sheet?

These positions may or may not be exercised as part of the Contract.

PWS C.1.3.6.4 provides guidance on on-call emergency support services after normal duty hours. Does the government have estimates on how often these services are required based on historical data?

No more than four hours a week.

The Contractor PM normally uses flex time to ensure the 64 hour work week is not exceeded.

The offeror shall submit a completed (a) SF 33 Section B; (b) Price Schedule Attachment of Exhibit Line Item Numbers (ELINs); and, (c) Cost/Price Breakdown spreadsheet in .pdf format. Can you provide the attachments described at (b) and (c)?

Revised under PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS, CONTENT,

AND FORMAT

Similar to Question #1 - The following must be included in the offeror’s proposal:

g) Completed Price Schedule Attachment, which lists each individual base & option year Exhibit Line Items (ELINs), with the Grand Total Amount matching Section B’s CLIN Totals h) Cost/Price Breakdown to support base & option ELIN prices.

Can you please provide the attachment described at g) and h)?

Attachment Added to Section J.

According to paragraph C.2.2., Contractor(s) will receive a housing based on the terms of their contract, but according to paragraph 5152.225-5908, only the NONE box is checked. What services are included to the contractor staff? Billeting, DFAC, CAC, MWR, Transportation (intra-theater)?

Clause Updated

We respectfully request a 2-week extension to the proposal due date given the short proposal period of 18 days (17 with delivery due at Bagram local time). An extension will allow bidders the additional time necessary to review and understand the requirements, ask questions and receive clarifications, identify fully qualified/deployable personnel and commit them to work in a contingency environment (sign LoCs), and provide USACE with complete and competitive pricing.

Proposal due date extend to 10 July 2018.

Reference: Note to Offerors Item 2 Item 2 of Note to Offerors states “The Contractor cannot promote or switch personnel to replace employees who have left or are leaving the contract.”

Question: Upward mobility and movement within a contract is very important for employees and may be required to hire and retain the talent to support the mission in a war zone. Employees get additional certification and training that may position them for a higher labor category when a position opens up.

Revised per Technical Exhibit 1, PWS Section 5.6

Would the Government consider removing this requirement to help the successful offeror in hiring and retaining the technical talent required?

Reference Question 10: AISA License

Question: Would the Government:

Confirm that the prime contractor is required to hold and provide proof of AISA license

If a joint venture each company must have valid SAM and AISA license

Clarify the section of the response where the proof of AISA license needs to be provided

Volume II

Reference: Section B (Page 5 of 116) and Factor 4: Price (Page 115 of 116) Question: Factor 4: Price (Page 115 of 116) allows for hazardous/danger pay to be part of the Other Direct Costs (ODCs).

CLIN 002 of Section B (Page 5 of 116) allows only certain types of ODCs and has no reference to hazardous/danger pay.

Would the Government revise CLIN X002 nomenclature to reflect the types of ODCs that will allowed under this contract and not limit it to the few categories mentioned in CLINs X002.?

Revised CLINs X002

Reference: Section B (Page 5 of 116) CLIN 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002 and 4002 Question: CLIN 0002 allows for bonuses to be part of the ODC CLIN. However, CLINs 1002, 2002, 3002 and 4002 do not include any reference to bonuses.

Would the Government revise CLIN X002 nomenclature to reflect the types of ODCs that will allowed under this contract and not limit it to the few categories mentioned in CLINs X002.?

Only the Base Period will include a Bonus. Revised CLINs X002

Reference: Section B CLINs 1001, 2001, 3001 and 4001 Question: CLINs X001 in the out years has a total period of performance from September 1 through March 31 for a total of 7 months.

Would the Government confirm our assumption that all 15 FTEs are required for the whole year and revise Section B accordingly?

The Base Period is 7 months for the Key Personnel and 6 months for the remaining positions. The Option Periods should be 12 months for all Positions.

Reference: Section C.1.2 (Page 12 of 116)

Section C.1.2 states that “Changes may result from rescheduling of existing USACE customer requirements; new requirements of the USACE customers in Afghanistan and the CENTCOM AOR;

increases/decreases in numbers of employees deployed to USACE’s AOR; and reorganization and/or relocation of personnel as directed by TAD. The scope of the IM/IT contract and the contract PWS must accommodate these and other similar changes to AED Information Management/ Information Technology (IM/IT) Office (J6) mission requirements as directed by the AED Commander or higher headquarters and communicated through the COR or KO.”

Question: Would the Government confirm our assumption that any new/revised requirements being added to the contract will result in

Yes the contractor being allowed to propose a revised price to take into account the new/revised requirements?

Reference: C.1.3.5. CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

Question: Would the Government confirm our assumption that all certifications specified for contractor personnel in Technical Exhibit 4 are required to be obtained at the time of proposal submission?

Reference: C1.3.6.6 and C.1.4

Section C.1.3.6.6 states “Any contractor employee who is not supporting this contract, in theater, for more than 5 days total of scheduled absences, must have an equally certified and qualified replacement who is not otherwise supporting the contract in theater.”.

Section C.1.4 states “The contractor is responsible to ensure continuity of support services, including and especially when any of the aforementioned personnel is on leave. The contractor shall provide a current PMP-certified replacement for the PM during the PM’s prolonged absences (e.g., R&R). The PM replacement will be someone who is not currently supporting the contract in Afghanistan. The contractor shall ensure an equivalently trained, qualified and certified replacement is officially assigned when the Lead SA and Lead NA are gone for absences beyond five (5) days.”

Question: Would the Government confirm our assumption that Qualified replacement personnel for personnel not in country for more than 5 days is applicable only to Key Personnel?

Revised C.1.3.6.6. This applies to all employees

Reference: C.1.4. CONTRACTOR KEY PERSONNEL

Question: Section C.1.4 states “The following personnel are considered Key Personnel by the Government: Project Manager (PM), Lead System Administrator (Lead SA) and Lead Network Administrator (Lead NA).”

Would the Government confirm our assumption that the following three positions are considered Key?

• Project Manager (PM)

• Lead System Administrator (SA),

• Lead Network Administrator (NA)

PWS revised to add the Lead Helpdesk Technician

Reference: C.4.3.

Section C.4.3 states “The contractor shall provide a temporary replacement employee at a remote (non-BAF) location, whenever its full-time IT support employee permanently assigned to that remote (non-BAF) location, is away from that worksite for more than five (5) days. That means that, during any 30-day period, onsite IT support at remote locations covered under this task order, must be provided no less than 25 days. Arrangements shall be pre-

The Contractor should consider having potential replacement employees acquire an RS badge soon after entering Theater.

coordinated with and approved by the contractor’s Project Manager and COR.”

Question: Personnel are required to have RS badges to gain access to Non BAF locations. The issuance of RS badges from the Government may take time and cause delays in getting the replacement personnel to those remote locations. This combined with the logistics of getting replacement personnel to these remote locations make it very difficult for contractors to deploy a replacement within 5 days. Would the Government remove the requirement of 25 days of support per month at the remote locations?

Reference: Section H Clauses 52.211-11 LIQUIDATED

DAMAGES--SUPPLIES, SERVICES, OR RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT

Question: The daily amount of $9,000 is a very high liquidated damage for a contract that provides 15 people. The disincentives specified in Technical Exhibit 1 are very specific and will help offerors evaluate the financial risk of not meeting those performance objectives. The Liquidated damages clause is not very clear on the circumstances that may lead to the Government exercising the liquidated damages. It is not clear how would the Government measure contractor’s failure to “deliver the supplies or perform the services within the time specified” on a services contract.In addition, the inclusion of very high liquidated damages and disincentives are unduly burdensome for contractors.

Would the Government consider removing 52.211-11 in its entirety?

Clause Deleted

Reference: Section H Clauses 52.211-11 LIQUIDATED

DAMAGES--SUPPLIES, SERVICES, OR RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT

Item (a) states “If the Contractor fails to deliver the supplies or perform the services within the time specified in this contract, the Contractor shall, in place of actual damages, pay to the Government liquidated damages of $9,000.00 per calendar day of delay.”

Question: The daily amount of $9,000 is a very high daily liquidated damage for a contract that provides 15 people. Would the Government clarify:

The circumstances under which the liquidated damages clause will be applied? How will the Government measure the contractor’s failure to “deliver the supplies or perform the services within the time specified “? That any delay in when personnel leave the contract or are on scheduled absence would only result in penalties and not liquidated damages? If the Government will contemplate putting in a total maximum liquidated damage (Not to exceed a certain dollar amount) threshold?

Clause Deleted

67 Reference: Section H 5152.225-5908 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED CONTRACTOR SUPPORT (JUN 2015) Revised

Question: Section C.2.2 states “Contractor(s) will receive a housing based on the terms of their contract. In order to qualify for billeting, Contractor(s) must submit an official Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Contracting Officer (KO) who will provide it to the base’s Billeting Office.”

Would the Government revise Section H 5152.225-5908 to reflect the billeting/CAC/Transportation/Meals and any other support that will be provided to US Citizens?

Reference: Section I clauses

Question: Would the Government remove clause 52.204-14 since Service contract does not apply to OCONUS?

Removed

Question: Would the Government remove clause 52.222-44 since FLSA does not apply to OCONUS?

Removed

Question: Would the Government remove clause 52.210-10 since this is a Full and Open procurement and the Government may receive adequate price competition.

The Clause is 52.215-10. The contracting officer shall, when contracting by negotiation, insert the clause at 52.215-10, Price Reduction for Defective Certified Cost or Pricing Data, in solicitations and contracts when it is contemplated that certified cost or pricing data will be required from the contractor or any subcontractor (see 15.403-4). The Government is not asking for certified cost and price data at proposal submission. The clause states when it is contemplated.

Reference: Section I clauses 52.210-10

Question: Per the FAR, Certified Cost and Pricing data is prohibited when adequate price competition is expected. Since this is a Full and Open procurement that may result in adequate price competition, would the Government remove the pricing requirement of Table 15-2 and allow offerors to provide pricing in their own format?

The Clause is 52.215-10. The Government may accept a format other than that shown in Table 15-2.

Reference: FACTOR 2 – PAST PERFORMANCE (Page 95 of 116)

Question: Would the Government please specify the page count for this Factor?

This factor submittal should not exceed 3 pages.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/52_215.htm#P182_26658 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/15.htm#P412_74643

AMENDMENT 0002 Q&A

Submitted 25 June -2 July

QUESTION ANSWER

73 The page numbering in this entire file is incorrect and confusing (i.e., the first 8 pages of the PWS is numbered as page 1). Can the government kindly correct the numbering scheme in this file?

The PWS will be renumbered.

74 The ODC CLIN (0002) lists the following items to be paid under this CLIN: (1) airfare from origin to El Paso, Texas to attend a one-week pre-deployment training and in-processing at CRC (CONUS Replacement Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-deployment from Afghanistan; (3) round-trip airfare from Afghanistan for one 30-day R&R per contract performance period; (4) bonus no more than $5000;

(5) PPE. Can the government please confirm that hotel accommodations, ground transportation and labor hours (wages) for the staff attending CRC will also be paid under the ODC CLIN?

Base Billets, DFAC and transportation are included, so they should not be cost included under ODC or anywhere else in the offerors price proposal.

75 In section C.1.5. QUALITY CONTROL it states that an initial, overview Quality Control Plan (QCP) shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal for the contract. However, there is no requirement or page count referenced in Section L for this requirement. Can the government please clarify whether this draft QC plan is required at the time of the proposal submission and the requirement for the page count?

Draft QC plan is required at the time of proposal submission, no page limit.

Can the government please clarify which set of instructions to use for the proposal submission, RFP Section L starting on page 94 of 116 or the second file titled W5J9JE18R0012_Evaluation_Criteria_Rev19Jun?

Evaluation Criteria Rev19Jun is not the latest File. Section L of the RFP should be used. You are to follow the latest Files posted to FBO.gov. The latest file is Amendment 0001. The Entire Solicitation, capturing amendment 0001, has been posted today to assist you.

77 As it pertains to mobilization, can the contractor propose personnel who are currently in theatre and have already gone through CRC or would the contractor personnel be required to go through CRC again for this contract?

Yes, you can propose personnel who are currently in theatre and have already gone through CRC.

There is no requirement to complete CRC again.

78 In section C.1.4 CONTRACTOR KEY PERSONNEL it states the contractor shall ensure an equivalently trained, qualified and certified replacement is officially assigned when the Lead SA and Lead NA are gone for absences beyond five

(5) days. The 5 day timeline for personnel replacement is unrealistic and unreasonable against the liquidated damages and ELIN Unit Price deductions requirements. In no event would the contractor or its personnel would know in advance of how long they would be sick, ill or even worst, if they have to leave due to family emergencies. We kindly request that the government either remove

This requirement is for scheduled absences (e.g.

R&R, training) not unscheduled (sick, ill or even worst). It also doesn't require the contractor to bring someone in to cover, If they have a suitable replacement on contract that person can be used.

the 5 day requirement or extend the timeline to something that is more reasonable.

79 Item 1.e on page 77 states “Undeliverable emails due to an offeror’s proposal size is not the responsibility of the Government” Would the Government specify the email attachment maximum size limitation that your email server would accept?

20M

80 Item 1.e on page 77 states “All proposals must be submitted via email or AMRDEC Safe to nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil and mary.j.harding@usace.army.mil.”

Notes to Offerors Page 2 of 86 states “DUE DATE

FOR PROPOSALS IS EXTENDED TO 10 JULY

2018. PROPOSALS MUST BE SENT VIA

AMRDEC TO

NIKISHA.W.COOK@USACE.ARMY.MIL and

ERICA.J.TAYLOR@USACE.ARMY.MIL”

Would the Government confirm that email submissions are acceptable and list the email addresses of the recipients?

Email submissions are acceptable as well as

AMRDEC

https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/Default.aspx

Recipients: nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil mary.j.harding@usace.army.mil erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil and DLL-CETAA- Contracting@usace.army.mil

81 Question: Item 1.a on page 76 states “The offeror’s proposal shall be in an Adobe Acrobat portable document format (PDF), (A4 or letter size), using at a minimum a 12-pitch font, front and back equal two pages”

a. Would the Government specify the font type

(Times New Roman and or Arial)?

b. Would the Government specify the minimum font type and size for graphics and tables?

c. Would the Government specify the minimum margin requirements for the pages?

a. Times New Roman and or Arial are acceptable

b. Standard

c. Standard

82 Note 5 states “The price of this 6-month option shall be 50% of the offeror’s Option Year 4 price of CLIN 4001 if all 6 months are exercised at the end of Option Year 4”.

Would the Government confirm our assumption that Note 5 should state “The price of this 6-month option shall be 50% of the offeror’s Option Year 4 price for CLINs 4001 through 4016 if all 6 months are exercised at the end of Option Year 4?”

Correct, The price of this 6-month option shall be 50% of the offeror’s Option Year 4 price for CLINs 4001 through 4016 if all 6 months are exercised at the end of Option Year 4

83 Would the Government confirm our assumption:

a. BASE PERIOD + 4 OPTION YEARS TOTAL is for Labor CLINs only?

b. 6 MONTHS OF SERVICE AS AN OPTION

PURSUANT TO FAR 52.217-8 (CLIN 0004)

a. Correct, Labor CLINS only

b. Correct, 6 months of service as an Option

Pursuant to FAR 52.217-8 (CLIN 0004) https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/Default.aspx mailto:nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil mailto:mary.j.harding@usace.army.mil mailto:erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil mailto:DLL-CETAA-Contracting@usace.army.mil mailto:DLL-CETAA-Contracting@usace.army.mil shall be computed at 50% of CLINs 4001 through 4016?

shall be computed at 50% of CLINs 40001 through 4016.

84 ODCs will be paid under this CLIN: (1) airfare from origin to El Paso, Texas to attend a one-week pre-deployment training and in-processing at CRC (CONUS Replacement Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-deployment from Afghanistan; (3) round-trip airfare from Afghanistan for one 30-day R&R per contract performance period; (4) bonus no more than $5000; (5) PPE(6) In addition to other ODCs:

1. Is airfare from CRC to theater provided by CRC via Milair with the ETP exception letter signed by the contracting officer?

2. CRC is authorized to provide PPE to contractors, is this an option or is the contractor required to arrive at CRC with all the listed PPE? CRC site does not list the required PPE to arrive with.

3. Is the R&R airfare to be assumed to be commercial airfare?

4. If a person is departing theater and returning to CRC for out processing, is this flight via Milair or commercial?

1. MilAir from CRC to Afghanistan.

2. PPE is provided by CRC. All Gear Including Chemical. This is not an option

3. Yes

4. MilAir

85 The minimum qualifications listed in Technical Exhibit 4 for the PM, Lead NA, Lead SA, and Lead Help Desk Technician differs from the qualifications listed in section L, page 96. Can the government please clarify which descriptions should be used to qualify the key personnel?

Correct, Technical Exhibit 4 for the PM, Lead NA, Lead SA and Lead Help Desk Technician are Performance requirements under the Solicitation.

The information listed under Sub Factor 2 – Key Personnel is what we are evaluating.

86 Technical Exhibit 4 lists minimum training requirements for Inside/Outside Plant but there is no ECLIN in attachment C to provide pricing for this position. Can the government provide additional clarification if this is positions to be filled and priced or should it be omitted?

The Inside/Outside Plant experience is not a separate FT position. The experience should be met with one or more of the other positions (eg:

Network Admin).

87 In response to question # 43, the government states that the Section L Proposal Adequacy Checklist Pages 106 – 111 of 116. FAR 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist states is "Required, if asked for Certified Cost and Pricing Data".

However, in response to question # 70, the government states "The Clause is 52.215-10. The contracting officer shall, when contracting by negotiation, insert the clause at 52.215-10, Price Reduction for Defective Certified Cost or Pricing Data, in solicitations and contracts when it is contemplated that certified cost or pricing data will be required from the contractor or any subcontractor (see 15.403-4). The Government is not asking for certified cost and price data at proposal submission.

The clause states when it is contemplated." Are the contractors required to complete and submit the

No

FAR 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist as part of its proposal submission? Yes or no please.

88 In response to our question, "Can the government please clarify which set of instructions to use for the proposal submission, RFP Section L starting on page 94 of 116 or the second file titled W5J9JE18R0012_Evaluation_Criteria_Rev19Jun?"

the government stated that "The latest file is Amendment 0001, which includes the updated Evaluation Criteria. The Entire Solicitation, capturing amendment 0001, has been posted today to assist you." However, Amendment 0001 does not contain section M, Evaluation Criteria. Can the government please update the RFP to include section M?

Full Solicitation attached with amendment changes. NOTE: If we did not update a section it does not come up in the amendment.

Amendments only track changes made to a section.

89 In response to Question # 10, the government states that "Contractor has to be registered in SAM and have a valid AISA license." Will the cost of the AISA license fall under the ODC CLIN?

AISA Requirement will be deleted from this requirement in the next amendment.

90 In response to question # 43, the government states that the Section L Proposal Adequacy Checklist Pages 106 – 111 of 116. FAR 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist states is "Required, if asked for Certified Cost and Pricing Data".

However, in response to question # 70, the government states "The Clause is 52.215-10. The contracting officer shall, when contracting by negotiation, insert the clause at 52.215-10, Price Reduction for Defective Certified Cost or Pricing Data, in solicitations and contracts when it is contemplated that certified cost or pricing data will be required from the contractor or any subcontractor (see 15.403-4). The Government is not asking for certified cost and price data at proposal submission.

The clause states when it is contemplated." Are the contractors required to complete and submit the FAR 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist as part of its proposal submission? Yes or no please.

No

91 In solicitation section C.1.5, it states “An initial, overview Quality Control Plan (QCP) shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal for the contract.” Can the Government clarify if Offerors should provide an initial QCP with our proposal submission? If so, in what section should it be included and is there a page limit?

See Response for Question 3 above.

92 We appreciate the proposal deadline extension to 1800 HRS, Local Kabul Time, on 10 July 2018 that was provided with Amendment 0001. Given the Independence Day federal holiday and extensive personnel travel at this time of year, would the Government consider a two week extension to July 24, 2018?

The Government proposal due date will not be extended beyond 10 July 2018, 1800 HRS, local Kabul time.

93 In some locations the solicitation states that submissions should go to Nikisha Cook and Mary Harding and others state Nikisha Cook and Erica

See Response for Question 8 above.

Taylor. Please confirm the correct points-of-contact for submission via AMRDEC.

94 Can the Government clarify if there are any restrictions on margin size? Normally Offerors use 1 inch margins but can place information in the headers and footers.

1 inch margins are acceptable.

95 Can the Government clarify if Offerors can use a reduced font size (i.e. 10 point font) for graphics and tables?

The Government will accept the reduce font sizes for graphics, tables, factor submission etc.

96 In solicitation Section L within Submittal Requirements for Factor 1, (f) requests an “organization chart of company principals with their job titles.” Can the Government clarify if this should just be executive leadership of the company rather than any project personnel?

This should just be executive leadership of the Company only.

97 In solicitation Section L within Submittal Requirements for Factor 1, (g) requests an “history and background, qualifications, list of clients and experience information of the partner company, if offeror is a Joint Venture team.” Can the Government clarify if this information should only be provided if the Offeror is a Joint Venture?

This information is only for a Joint Venture.

98 Per the response to Question 43, can the Government confirm that the Proposal Adequacy Checklist should be included within Volume II Price?

No Proposal Adequacy Checklist is due at the time of Proposal Submission.

99 Can the government clarify if resumes should be submitted as separate documents in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, per Section L.2 Submittal Requirements, or if individual resumes are to be included in the Key Personnel section in a comprehensive Technical Volume?

Resumes should be included…