W5J9JE18R0012_Amend_0001.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

W5J9JE-18-R-0012 USACE IM/IT Services in Afghanistan. The purpose of this modif ication is to update the PWS, Bid Schedule and Q&A. Due date for proposals is extended to 10 July 2018.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 86

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X W5J9JE18R0012

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

19-Jun-2018

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer X is extended, is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

24-Jun-2018

CODE

TRANSATLANTIC AFGHANISTAN ENGINEER - TAA

DISTRICT (TAA), US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

CETAA-CT, BAGRAM AE 09354

W5J9JE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The following have been modified:

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 http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:NIKISHA.W.COOK@USACE.ARMY.MIL mailto:ERICA.J.TAYLOR@USACE.ARMY.MIL 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

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

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

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 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.

the contractor’s responsibility to keep abreast of updates or changes to all applicable Cybersecurity standards, regulations, local policies, guidance and procedures.

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

Minimum of IAT level II

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)?

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 mailto:nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil mailto:nikisha.w.cook@usace.army.mil mailto:erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil

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 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?

PWS Revised

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

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

Revised under PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS, CONTENT,

AND FORMAT

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 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

Note 3 Deleted totals when Section B has separate CLINs for Labor (xxx1) and ODCs (xxx2)?

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

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) 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.

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

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

Proposal due date extend to 10 July 2018.

a contingency environment (sign LoCs), and provide USACE with complete and competitive pricing.

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.

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

Revised per Technical Exhibit 1, PWS Section 5.6

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 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), PWS revised to add the Lead Helpdesk Technician

• Lead Network Administrator (NA)

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-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?

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

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:

Clause Deleted

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?

Reference: Section H 5152.225-5908 GOVERNMENT

FURNISHED CONTRACTOR SUPPORT (JUN 2015)

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?

Revised

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

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

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 requirement of Table 15-2 and allow offerors to provide pricing in their own format?

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.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

Global Changes

CLIN 0001 -- CLIN 4002

The FSC code D321 has been added.

The PROG code S10 has been added.

The WSC Equipment code 000 has been added.

The MDAP/MAIS Code 000 has been added.

The NAICS code 541513 has been added.

CLIN 0001

The CLIN extended description has changed from:

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: 01 September 2018 - 31 March 2019 for four (4) positions and 01 October 2018 - 31 March 2019 for the remaining eleven (11) positions.

To:

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: 01 September 2018 - 31 March 2019 for four (4) positions and 01

CLIN 0002

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment 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

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment 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

CLIN 1001

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: 01 September 2018 - 31 March 2019 for four (4) positions and 01

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: April 1, 2019 through 31 March 2020, 12 Months

CLIN 1002

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-performance period.

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment 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) In addition to other ODCs

CLIN 2001

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: 01 September 2018 - 31 March 2019 for four (4) positions and 01

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: April 1, 2020 through 31 March 2021, 12 Months

CLIN 2002

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment 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) In addition to other ODCs

CLIN 3001

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: 01 September 2018 - 31 March 2019 for four (4) positions and 01

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein.Period of Performance: April 1, 2021 through 31 March 2022, 12 Months

CLIN 3002

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-

CLIN 4001

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: 01 September 2018 - 31 March 2019 for four (4) positions and 01

The contractor shall provide the services and requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) contained herein. Period of Performance: April 1, 2022 through 31 March 2023, 12 Months

CLIN 4002

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment Center) at Fort Bliss, Texas); (2) airfare back to origin from El Paso, Texas after re-

For each contractor employee deploying to Afghanistan, the following 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 Replacment 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

SECTION C - DESCRIPTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The following have been modified:

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

For

USACE Information Management and

Information Technology Services in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division

Afghanistan Engineering District (AED)

29 April, 2018

C. 1. INTRODUCTION

This non-personal services contract requires the contractor to provide all labor, management, supervision, quality control and expertise and any other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Information Management and Information Technology (IM/IT) Support Services as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS). The contractor shall perform to the standards and requirements set forth in this contract and in accordance with applicable and appropriate U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) IM/IT policy, regulations and law.

C. 1.1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through its Transatlantic Division (TAD) provides quality, responsive engineering and construction services to a variety of customers and end users in Afghanistan (AFG). Currently, TAD’s organizational structure includes two district offices: Transatlantic District – Middle East (TAM), headquartered in Winchester, Virginia and the Afghanistan Engineering District (AED) headquartered in Bagram, Afghanistan.

AED is currently headquartered on Bagram Air Field and also has offices at Kandahar, Kabul Cluster and Marmal.

AED will also support various Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) throughout AFG in support of its engineering mission. While the transition execution plan can change based on theater mission and command directives, USACE users in AFG will be redeploying back to the States in parallel to the transition efforts, keeping in mind that the provided numbers of users in this PWS are approximate.

AED will manage programs and projects that support a full spectrum of regional activities for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF); United States Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); and other organizations and commands operating in Afghanistan.

C.1.2. USACE MISSION AND ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

The scope of this contract is Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) in direct support of the USACE mission in AFG, and USACE units or elements deployed in AFG, such as the Field Engineering Support Team (FEST) and TAD or TAM supporting elements that require the use of the USACE UNCLASS network, as well as other IM/IT tasks as directed by the Contracting Officer (KO). This scope will also cover any changes based upon new theater requirements or mission changes as directed by the AED Commander and communicated through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or KO. 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.

C.1.3. GENERAL

This PWS includes all functions, services, support, and tasks associated with IM/IT, with the exception of printing and publications, library services, and research and development programs. The work to be performed under the firm fixed-price portion of this contract includes working on classified and unclassified systems performing installation, modification, coordination, engineering, development, configuration, reconfiguration, testing, integration, repairing, maintenance, upgrading, help desk support, IM/IT Management, Automation, Communications, Cybersecurity, SharePoint development, Visual Information and user training as required.

The contractor shall coordinate with internal, external, and other contract personnel to fulfill the requirements for services and support. The contractor shall provide employees support and services necessary to perform functions pertaining to current and future USACE mission, as defined by the AED Commander and communicated through the COR or KO, requirements within USACE support agencies’ facilities including but not limited to fixed buildings, temporary field structures, alternate work sites, and deployment locations or other sites as directed by the KO, these sites may be austere in nature. This will require unplanned travel by the contractor to those locations.

The contractor shall accept responsibility for the operational support, integration, access verification, and access to the USACE network, Automated Information Systems (AIS) including classified unclassified and commercial Internet systems. Transatlantic Middle East District (TAM) is the provider of the assessment and authorization of the CORPSNet system. USACE systems architecture, infrastructure, and IT support is dependent upon higher headquarters to include TAM, USACE Transatlantic Division (TAD), Army Corps of Engineers – Information Technology (ACE-IT) program management, and USACE HQ.

C.1.3.1. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES

All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious AED/USACE personnel and to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. Contractor personnel shall display appropriate badges as required by location or duty station. Contractor employees shall obtain an Army Knowledge Online (AKO) e-mail account and Department of Defense (DOD) Common Access Card (CAC). Contractor personnel must complete DD Form 1172-2, Application for Department of Defense Common Access Card – DEERS, May 2004, to obtain the CAC. CACs shall be acquired before deployment to AED. Contractor shall ensure its employees’ CACs are returned to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) upon termination of employment or completion of contract services.

C.1.3.2. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Contractor employees must meet security clearance requirements for performance and Government facility access.

Security clearance requirements are commensurate with the level of information processed by the system and/or network the contractor will be required to support.

All contractor positions will be classified as IT I, IT II, or IT III based on the most current DoD Directive 8570.01 or regulation which may replace DoD Directive 8570.01. AED networks and systems are classified as: Secret IP Data Network (formerly known as Secret Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNet - Secret)), Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS CX-I…