Atch 3 Questions and Answers 3.9.22.pdf

W81K04-22-R-0005

ATTACHMENT 3

QUESTION AND ANSWER (3.9.22)

Neurocognitive Assessment Testing and Support Services

Page and Paragraph Offeror's Questions Government Response

1. Pg. 67, 1 Has the level of effort changed from the previous contract?

No

2. Pg. 69, 1.7 Are the positions currently filled?

Yes

3. Pg. 69, 1.7 What positions are new? None

4. Pg. 69, 1.7 What positions are not filled currently?

IT Manager

5. P. 69, 1.7.1 What certification program does "NCAT certification" refer to?

Proctor and Systems training certification

6. P. 69, 1.7.1 Can we receive documentation of the NCAT certification program?

The NCAT does not have a certification. The individuals who provide the testing are required to be certified as stated above.

7. P. 69, 1.7.1.1 What specific type of "direct health care" is required for the NCAT testers? Please define.

NCAT testers must have experience in direct health care related to neurocognitive testing. The PWS has been updated to reflect this change.

8. Pg. 82, 5.5.1 Can the government provide historical data on travel?

The average travel completed in CY20 was 7 trips per month, CY 21 was 6 trips per month and in CY22 is averaging 7 trips per month.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the numbers are slightly skewed.

9. Pg. 83, 5.6 Will government vehicles be available for he contractors use when travelling to other dedicated NCAT sites?

No

10. Pg. 83, 5.6.4 Mobile Team traveling OCONUS, will the team be authorized to stay on the military installation, or will the contractor have to stay off site? Will contractors be authorized to fly Mil-Air for

OCONUS

visits?

The contractor will stay off site. Contractors are not authorized to fly Mil Air for OCONUS visits.

11. P. 97 PP. 7" h. Questions, Clarifications, or Discrepancies.

Address a II questions, clarifications, or concerns regarding this full proposal submission ... Attachment 3,"Question and Answer Template".

When can those that respond to questions anticipate responses prior to the proposal due date?

In accordance with the solicitation W81K04-22-R- 0005, page 97 paragraph 1 h.

“Questions may be submitted up to14 calendar days prior to full proposal submission date located in block 8 of the SF 1449”

12. P. 102 PP 10 "Recent and relevant past performance information for this solicitation is past for a total of 24 months of the previous 36 months (from the date established for submission of proposals) similar to Neurocognitive Assessment Testing and Support Services similar in scope and complexity this solicitation requires."

Is the past performance requirement requesting that each past performance within 24 months of the contract and could not have started less than 6 months prior?

For recency and relevancy it states of “total 24 months of the previous 36 months (from the date established for the submission of proposals).

Proposal due date is 18 March 2022 so six months prior to this due date and not more than 36 months of this date.

13. P. 104 PP. 2 "Volume IV shall include pricing information that will be used to evaluate and offeror's total price...CLINS 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001"

Will this contract provide a pricing sheet prior to the solicitation due date or is it expected that each contractor create their own pricing worksheet?

Please refer to page 104 d.

Volume IV – Cost/Price Proposal paragraphs 1) for the SF 1449 Continuation Sheet and 2) for the submission of the pricing narrative requirements.

14. P. 123, C. Evaluation Approach

Is the proposal rewarded for adding improved service delivery? For example, improvements in efficiency and/or effectiveness of the call center?

The proposal will be evaluated in accordance with what is stated in paragraph C.

Evaluation Approach.

15. P. 123, C. Evaluation Approach

Is the proposal rewarded in adding the evaluation of their service delivery to the service branch medical providers; and improvements in performance based on those improvements?

The proposal will be evaluated in accordance with what is stated in C. Evaluation Approach.

16. Exhibit C and D Can the Government identify which position (roles, designation) are at each site?

See attachment 2 for historical FTEs by location

17. Attachment 2, Historical FTEs by location.

Should staffing align with the historical information in attachment 2 or sufficient to perform to the PWS?

See page 123 paragraph 2 for the evaluation factors.

18. Pg. 103, para 4 (b) and 4 (c)

Para 4(b) states… “The Offeror shall provide a list of all points of contact (POC) to whom Performance Assessment Questionnaires (PAQ) were provided to by the Contractor for evaluation”, but Para 4 (c ) states…. “DO NOT

SEND LETTERS OR

QUESTIONNAIRES TO

RESPONDENTS, the Government will execute this action.”

Should the Offer send the PAQ Cover Letter and PAQ to the Evaluator or the Solicitation’s Contracting Office?

The Letters and PAQ’s should be sent to the Solicitation’s Contracting Office.

Attachment 8 has been updated with the information of the point of contact the PAQs are to be emailed to.

19. Same as above If it is the Solicitation Contract Office, should it be submitted prior to the Proposal submission date? Please provide the name and email address of the Contracting Office POC to send these documents to

They should be submitted by 16 March 2022 as indicated in the updated Attachment 8.

Attachment 8 also has the point of contact and the individuals email address.

20. Same as above If it is supposed to go to the KO, when is it due and how do we submit it?

Attachment 8 has been updated with 16 March 2022 date for the PAQs to be submitted by..

21. Attachment 8, para 3 states”

“Upon completion, please forward the questionnaire directly to Ms. Tracy Blake, via email; her contact information is listed on the questionnaire.

DO NOT RETURN THE

COMPLETED

QUESTIONNAIRE TO US. The information provided by you regarding our performance is considered sensitive and cannot be released to us or submitted to HRCO by us.”

The wording of Attachment 8 implies the offeror sends the “Cover Letter” directly to the Past Performance evaluator government office along with the Attachment 9 PAQ. Is this correct?

Yes, that is correct.

Update/attachment 7 will not be required.

22. Solicitation page 103 of 144, para 4 (c ) states… “The offeror shall provide a list of all past performance customer reference points of contact (POCs). This list will include the POCs name, phone numbers, email addresses and the organizations name with its Performance Risk Proposal, a copy of the PAQ Cover Letter (Attachment 8) and a copy of the PAQ (Attachment 9) with only the following sections filled out:

Evaluated Contractor's Information, Respondent Information, Full Time Equivalents (FTE's) provided, and contract information. Do not send PAQ's to references.

For Government contracts, a reference is defined as a government person”

Should the offeror include in its Proposal Submission Volume III a copy of the PAQ Cover Letter(s) (Attachment 8) and a copy of the PAQ(s) (Attachment 9) intended to be used as Past Performance contracts in its Proposal Submission?

Yes, you can include copies of the PAQ Cover Letter(s) and PAQ(s)

23. Solicitation, Page 69, Section 1.7.1 Qualifications for NCAT Testers

The Solicitation states: The contractor shall provide NCAT testers. The testers shall have adequate experience to present in a professional manner and be familiar with both engaging in and documenting encounters with military and DOD civilian personnel. The Contractor shall ensure testers are highly proficient as users of office automation equipment, and be able to collect and upload data from NCAT computer systems as required.

Request: Please provide historical and projected numbers of assessments, pre-deployment, post-deployment, clinical, and other, to be conducted by location

For the past 6 months:

The average number of assessments Pre-Deployment is 17,011 Post-Deployment is 98 Clinical is 171 Research is 5

Total numbers projected is 20,000 assessments per month

24. Attachment 2, Historical FTEs by Location

Attachment 2 Historical FTEs by Location indicates 12 FTEs at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX (Army Program Office).

Request: Please identify the 12 LCATs for Fort Sam Houston.

The list of the labor categories are historical.

Project Mgr.

Operations Mgr.

Training Coordinator Data Management Help Desk Mgr.

Help Desk Tech.

2 ANAM Testers Logistics Spec.

IT Spec.

System Administrator.

Information Systems Security Mgr.

25. Solicitation, Pages, Section

5.3 Technical Support.

The Solicitation states: The contractor shall be required to document the personnel tested via MEDPROS or other Service-specific database.

Question: Please provide the list of the other Service-specific databases.

Aeromedical Services Information Management System (ASIMS)

26. Solicitation, Page 83, Section 5.6.3 Conclusion of the NCAT testing process

The Solicitation states: Upon conclusion of the NCAT testing process, the mobile team shall repack equipment and prepare it for shipping. It is the responsibility of the contractor to arrange for shipping (at Government expense) of equipment to and from the testing site.

Question: Should the shipping be counted as an ODC CLIN?

Yes, they are ODC CLINs, the shipping cost of equipment is included on CLINs 0002, 0003, 1002, 1003, 2002, 2003, 3002, 3003, 4002, and 4003

27. Solicitation, Page 121, Section 252.237-7024 NOTICE

OF CONTINUATION OF

ESSENTIAL CONTRACTOR

SERVICES (OCT 2010)

The Solicitation states: (b) The offeror shall provide with its offer a written plan describing how it will continue to perform the essential contractor services listed in attachment --, Mission Essential Contractor Services, dated --------, during periods of crisis. The offeror shall-- …during a crisis.

Question: Is this plan excluded from page count?

This requirement does not have mission essential contractor services, DFARS Clauses 252.237-7023 and 252.237-7024 have been deleted from the solicitation in Amendment 3.

28. Solicitation, Page 121, Section 252.237-7024 NOTICE

OF CONTINUATION OF

ESSENTIAL CONTRACTOR

SERVICES (OCT 2010)

The Solicitation states: (b) The offeror shall provide with its offer a written plan describing how it will continue to perform the essential contractor services listed in attachment --, Mission Essential Contractor Services, dated --------, during periods of crisis. The offeror shall-- ……during a crisis.

Question: Please identify which volume this written plan should be submitted.

This requirement does not have mission essential contractor services, DFARS Clauses 252.237-7023 and 252.237-7024 have been deleted from the solicitation in Amendment 3.

29. Solicitation, Page 84, Sections 5.7.5.2.1 Equipment Status and 5.7.5.4 Summary Counts

The Solicitation goes from Section 5.7.5.2.1. Equipment Status to Section 5.7.5.4 Summary Counts.

Question: Has Section 5.7.5.3 been removed? If so, please update the Solicitation to include the section.

Administrative error in the numbering of the paragraphs, there is no paragraph 5.7.5.3

30. Attachment Exhibit F, Service Contract Labor Standards

Attachment Exhibit F, Service Contract Labor Standards states: The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage Determinations which are applicable for this requirement are listed in the following chart.

Question: Will the Government identify specifically, the labor categories that are applicable to the Service Contract Act

(SCA)?

See FAR Clause 52.222-42 in the Solicitation.

31. Attachments Exhibit C, Army Sites, Exhibit D, Navy and Marine Corps Sites, Exhibit E, Air Force Sites

The Attachments Exhibit C, Army Sites, Exhibit D, Navy and Marine Corps Sites, Exhibit E, Air Force Sites list varying OCONUS sites.

Question: Will the Government identify the historical and anticipated frequency and duration of OCONUS travel?

Historically the frequency of OCONUS travel is once per year and that is to Europe and Hawaii. The duration is about a week. Possibly two weeks in Europe.

32. General Question: What systems are interoperable with the NCAT data repository?

None

33. Solicitation, Page 82, Performance Work Statement - Section 5.3.1 Software Updates

The Solicitation states: ...The contractor shall follow guidelines for data management in accordance with the DOD NCAT Program Office Data Management Standard Operating Procedures.

Request: Please provide the DOD NCAT Program Office Data Management Standard Operating Procedures?

The DOD NCAT Program Office Data Management Standard Operating Procedures has been deleted from this section.

34. Solicitation, Page 68, Section 1.4.2.1 Technical Support/Customer Service

The Solicitation states: The Technical Support/Customer Service shall operate from a Government facility at Fort Sam Houston/San Antonio, TX. Technical Support/Customer Service operations must be available 24/7, with a 1 hour or less average turnaround time for filling NCAT report requests.

Question: Does the current ANAM NCAT team have a Help Desk Ticket System? If so, please provide the name of the system

No

35. Solicitation, p. 71, 1.11.2 How often should the Government’s SPs be evaluated and will the Government ensure availability to all GSPs?

Does SP stand for Software Programs? If it does:

Whenever there is a change to the SPs.

The Government will ensure availability.

36. General Question Can the Government please validate no security clearances are required for any member of the NCAT team?

NACI clearances are required for all positions

37. General Question Can the Government verify there are no special insurances required for potential loss/breach of HIPAA/PII/PHI data?

The Contractor shall, at no cost to the government, bear any costs associated with a breach of PII/PHI that the Contractor has caused or is otherwise responsible for addressing.

38. ATTACHMENT 2

Historical FTEs by Location

Can the Government verify the square footage requirement for the contractor provided facility in the NCR?

A cubicle will be provided at DHHQ for the contractor.

39. General Question Is there a requirement for Cyber Liability Insurance?

What are those limits?

No

40. General Question Will the government confirm that all protected information is collected, transmitted, and stored on government owned/controlled systems?

Yes

41. Solicitation p. 98, Table 1.k; p. 102

The Volume Cross-Reference Matrix is identified in table k.I on page 98 as #5 under volume II. On page 102 under volume II it lists #5 as the Glossary of Acronyms. Can the Government clarify what #5 identifies in volume II for submission purposes?

Page 98 Table l.k. Volume II Technical Quality Proposal Item 5. Cross Reference Matrix, has been deleted. The table has been updated.

42. Solicitation p. 99, m. Page Size and Format

Will the Government allow graphic and table font sizes to be no less than 10 point Times New Roman and not condensed?

No, as stated in the Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph 1. m. (2) “The text shall be Times New Roman, shall be no less than font size 12, and shall not be condensed.”

43. p. 103, 4) Performance Assessment Submission (PAS)

Does the mandated table count towards this page limitation?

Yes, as stated in the Addendum to 52.212-1 Table l.k. Volume III, this Volume is limited to 50 pages and also as stated in paragraph 1. l. Page Limitations. “Pages in excess of the above limitations will be removed and disregarded during the evaluation. When both sides of a sheet display printed material, it shall be counted as two pages.”

44. Exhibit A, Solicitation, Performance Work Statement

Are any tests conducted within the contractor-provided facility?

On occasion

45. Solicitation, p. 104. Based on Section L, d. Volume IV – Cost/Price Proposal (Factor 3)

Is it the Government’s intent for the offeror’s price proposal to consist of the FFP price, broken down by CLIN, by Labor Category, by fully burdened labor rate through profit and by applicable hours?

If not, will the Government please provide the level of detail the offeror is to provide in its cost narrative response?

Provide information as stated in Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph 2. d. 2).

46. Solicitation, p. 13. Per the solicitation Section B for Shipping and Travel CLINS

Will the government be providing a plug number for these CLINS as it also states in Solicitation that offer shall only provide total amounts for the Labor CLINS?

The below are the plug in amounts for the Travel/Shipping Cost CLINS shall not exceed ceiling amounts 0002 $90,125 0003 $270,375 1002 $92,828.75 1003 $278,468.25 2002 $95,613.50 2003 $286,840.50 3002 $98,482 3003 $295,446 4002 $101,436.50 4003 $304,309.50

47. Per Solicitation Volume IV

2) Pricing Narrative.

The methodology used to determine the number of personnel utilized to execute the required services will be contained in the technical volume of the offerors proposal. This information will cause information from the price volume to be in the Technical volume as well. Is this the Government’s intent?

In accordance with Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph 2. b.

Volume II Factor 1 – Technical Quality Proposal.

“The technical proposal shall not contain cost/pricing, past performance, or incumbency information”

48. Government’s Response to Q&A, answers to Q#18 and Q#21. Page 102 of 143 para 4

(c) of the Amendment0001 Solicitation.

The government’s answers to Q#18 and Q#21 contradict each other and create a concern for offeror’s compliance. In Answer #18 the Government affirmed that the government’s instruction is that offeror does NOT to send the PAQ to the evaluator. In Answer #21 the Government states the offeror DOES send the PAQ to the evaluator.

Attachment 8 is clear that the offeror sends the PAQ to the reference evaluators.

Please revise Page 102 of 143 para 4( c) to delete “Do not send PAQ's to references.”

and delete “DO NOT SEND

LETTERS OR

QUESTIONNAIRES TO

RESPONDENTS, the Government will execute this action.”

Please delete or strike through answer #18

In accordance with Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph 2. c. 4)

b) has been deleted along with Attachment 7 in Amendment 3.

See updated language in paragraph 2. c. 4) c) of Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph for submission of PAQ Cover Letter Attachment 8 and PAQ Attachment 9

49. Government’s Response to Q&A, answers to Q#18 and Q#21. Page 102 of 143 para 4

(c) of the Amendment0001 Solicitation.

Will the offeror’s Proposal be evaluated as “noncompliant” if the offeror sends the Cover Letter Attachment 8 and PAQ Attachment 9 to its evaluators it has listed in Attachment 7.

In accordance with Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph 2. c. 4)

b) has been deleted along with Attachment 7 in Amendment 3.

See updated language in paragraph 2. c. 4) c) of Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph for submission of PAQ Cover Letter Attachment 8 and PAQ Attachment 9

50. Page 102 of 143 para 4 (c For the PAS can you submit multiple reference customers for the same contract performance. Each customer will be submitted on a separate PAS/PAQ. If so, will this be weighed negatively

In accordance with Addendum to 52.212-1 paragraph 2 c. 4) “The Offeror shall submit no more than three performance assessments on their current or past Government or commercial contracts.”