W81XWH-16-R-0021_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

W81XWH-16-R-0021 Questions and Answers

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Question

Reference Question/Comment

1 Section B Please confirm we do not have to complete Section B since RFP does not provide the level of effort (LOE). The cost proposal will consists of Excel spreadsheets containing hourly rates only.

Answer: If an Offeror intends to charge separately for Contractor Manpower Reporting (CLIN 0004), that must be indicated in Section B. Each Offeror shall use a plug number of $500,000 for Other Direct Costs (CLIN 0003). Otherwise, the cost proposal will consist of the proposed hourly rates in Exhibit 1 and Volume IV.

2 Section C Section C of the RFP lists Key Personnel as ‘Contractor

Program Manager’ but this is not listed in Attachment 2 or

3. Can the government please specify which labor category in Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 corresponds to this Program Manager position? If the CPM position does not correspond to any labor category in Attachments 2 and 3, please provide a labor category description in Attachment 2, estimated labor utilization in Attachment 3 and Exhibit 1.

Answer: The Contractor Program Manager does not correspond to any of the labor categories in Attachments 2 or 3 and shall not be billed as a direct cost to this contract or task orders. Contractor Program Manager Services are described in Section 1.10 of the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1).

3 L.1 “The Government intends to award a Single Award

Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite Quantity (SA-IDIQ) contract to the Offeror that represents the best value as determined by the Government. This SA-IDIQ CONTRACT will utilize firm-fixed-price (FFP) and cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) task orders based on whether the services provided are commercial (FFP) or non-commercial services (FFP or CPFF) as defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Additionally, a cost reimbursable CLIN is reserved for Other Direct Costs (ODCs) which is designated for travel and purchases of materials as needed.”

Please confirm how offerors are to determine which labor categories and/or cost items are considered commercial vs.

non-commercial items.

Answer: The Government will make commerciality determinations at the task order level.

4 L.1 “The use of contractor teaming arrangements (as defined in

FAR 9.601(1)) and subcontractor relationships is acceptable. Any subcontracting/teaming arrangements contemplated by the Offeror must be presented in detail.

The Offeror shall include evidence (e.g., statement of intent to enter into a teaming agreement) of all subcontractor relationships (with both large and small businesses) in the

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Administrative Volume.”

Please confirm that the Administrative Volume is Volume I Executed Solicitation Documents and, thus, the teaming agreements are not page counted.

Answer: Evidence of subcontractor and teaming arrangements shall be submitted in Volume 1, which has no page limit. However, only information presented in Volume II (e.g., narrative descriptions of subcontractor and teaming arrangements) will be considered when evaluating Management Capabilities, Experience, and/or Technical Approach.

The RFP has been revised to clarify this matter.

5 L.1 and L.2.4 In the last sentence of para 3 on page 70 offerors are told to include material in the Administrative Volume. The instructions in para L.2.4 on page 72 makes no reference to an Administrative Volume. Is Volume I the same as the Administrative Volume?

Answer: See Answer to Question 4.

6 L.1 and

L.4.2.2.1 The 1st reference does not require the inclusion of teaming agreements but only “statements of intent” while the 2nd reference refers to teaming agreements. Which must offerors submit, statements of intent or copies of teaming agreements?

Answer: L.1 lists a statement of intent as an example of evidence of a subcontractor relationship or teaming agreement. L.4.2.2.1 specifies that Offerors should address several items pertaining to Management Capabilities, including teaming agreements.

For the purposes of evidence of teaming agreements, either statements of intent or copies of teaming agreements would be sufficient.

Also see Answer to Question 4.

7 L.2.1 What version of Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. must be used for the files on the compact disc?

Answer: Word files must be submitted in .doc or .docx format. Excel files must be submitted in .xls or .xlsx format. Offerors shall submit all files in a format that can be opened and edited using Microsoft Office Professional Pro 2010.

8 L.4.2 and

L.4.3 “Proposals shall be typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font. Graphics, tables and matrices are exempt from the 12-point font requirement; however, any materials not legible to the evaluators will be disregarded.”

Please confirm Offerors are allowed to use a different font style (other than Times New Roman) for graphics, tables, and matrices as long as they are clear and legible.

Answer: Graphics, tables, and matrices are exempt from the Times New Roman font requirement; however, any materials not legible to the evaluators will be disregarded.

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9 L.4.2.3 and M.2.2

The instructions to offerors and evaluation criteria for the evaluation factor “Experience” are written very specifically to the scope of work for AFMES. The only offeror that is able to demonstrate experience that is, defined by the evaluation criteria, equivalent to the AFMES mission and performance tasks is the incumbent. To increase the competitiveness of this acquisition and open up possibilities of best-value offers for the Government, will the Government generalize the experience areas as defined in the instructions to offerors and evaluation criteria so offerors with experience in the broader medical and scientific communities may leverage applicable experience in these areas?

Answer: The instructions to offerors and evaluation criteria state that proposals will be evaluated for the degree to which the Offeror’s proposal reflects experience identical to, similar to, or related to performing services contained within the PWS.

10 L.4.2.3.3 Does a signed letter of intent count against the page totals for Volume II?

Answer: Provided there is no other information on that page, a signed letter of intent will not count toward the page limit in Volume II.

11 L.4.2.4 The transition-in plan specifies that it must meet and comply with the PWS 7.13 Transition Plan. The RFP is specific to the IDIQ only and not any subsequent task orders. Please confirm that the Transition Plan shall focus only on the transition of the IDIQ contract.

Answer: The transition-in plan to be submitted in response to this RFP should address the transition to the IDIQ contract. If transition-in plans are required for any subsequent task orders, they will be requested with the task order proposal(s).

12 L.4.2.4 We assume that the Transition In Plan is not included within the 50 page limit for Volume II. Please confirm.

Answer: The transition-in plan will not count toward the page limit in Volume II.

13 L.4.3.1 and

M.2.4 Due to the delay in the release of the solicitation for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, would the Government consider extending the past performance time constraint from 3 years prior to the due date for the submission of the Offeror’s proposal to 5 years?

Answer: Contracts submitted as past performance references may be past or current as long as the recent performance did not end more than three (3) years prior to the due date for the submission of the Offeror’s proposal.

14 L.4.3.1.3 The 1st sentence in reference seems to be missing one or more words. Please confirm the intent is that if the Offeror proposes to use a subcontractor for 30% or more of the work then the proposal must contain one past performance reference for that subcontractor that responds to all of the criteria in RFP para L.4.3.1.2 (1) through (10)?

Answer: If the Offeror proposes to use subcontractors/teaming arrangements to perform

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30 percent or more of the scope and objectives of this requirement, the Offeror shall address Items 1 through 10 in Paragraph L.4.3.1.2 for each of the proposed subcontractors/teaming arrangements.

15 L.4.3.1.3 The last sentence in reference requires information on “the

Offeror’s plan and approach to meet key performance requirements.” Can you clarify the plan and approach related to past performance requirements?

Answer: This sentence has been deleted from the RFP.

16 L.4.4.2 For subcontractor pricing, there does not appear to be a mechanism for providing sanitized pricing since blended rates are not accepted per L.4.4.2. Please clarify.

Answer: Only the prime contractors’ rates will be evaluated.

17 L.4.4.3 “To be determined responsible, a prospective Contractor must have adequate financial resources to perform the contract or the ability to obtain them. Offerors shall submit either reviewed or audited financial statements to include an Independent Accountants’ Review Report, Independent Auditor’s Report or compiled financial statements signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 certifying (a) The signing officers have reviewed the financial statements; (b) The financial statements do not contain any material untrue statements or material omission or be considered misleading; (c) The financial statements and related information fairly present the financial condition and the results in all material respects; (d) The signing officers are responsible for internal controls and have evaluated these internal controls within the previous ninety days and have reported on their findings; (e) A list of all deficiencies in the internal controls and information on any fraud that involves employees who are involved with internal activities; and (f) Any significant changes in internal controls or related factors that could have a negative impact on the internal controls.”

Do the compiled financial statements referenced here have to be Audited, Compiled, or Reviewed (levels of assurance) by an external audit firm or will compiled financial statements, signed and certified by Executive Management be accepted.

Answer: Compiled financial statements signed and certified by Executive Management will be accepted.

18 Attachment 1

3.4.1.4 Quality Management (QM): What labor category(ies) have historically provided quality management?

Answer: Forensic Scientists 2-5

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19 Attachment 1 5.1.2

IM/IT (S6) What labor category(ies) have historically provided this service?

Answer: Forensic Scientist 5. Specific requirements will be identified at the task order level.

20 Attachment 1

5.4.5 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Technical Services:

What labor category(ies) have historically provided this service?

Answer: Analytical Toxicologists 3-5 21 Attachment 1

5.6.2 Continuing education. Can conference rooms in the AFMES Dover facility be used at no charge to fulfill CEU training?

Answer: Yes. However, be advised that there is a maximum capacity of approximately 150 in a theater-style configuration and approximately 60 with tables. Historically, this has not been large enough to accommodate CEU training.

22 Attachment 1

5.6.3 Because this section refers to training above and beyond the training outlined in 5.6.2 and the scope is undefined, can costs for this training be reimbursed?

Answer: Costs of additional mission-specific training required and approved by the Government will be considered for reimbursement.

23 Attachment 2 and Exhibit 1 Attachment 2 and Exhibit 1 include an Administrative Assistant 1 labor category; however, this category is not included in Attachment 3. Please clarify whether this contract includes Administrative Assistant 1 as a labor category. Is this a new position? What tasks does the Administrative Assistant 1 perform?

Answer: Historically, there has not been a requirement for Administrative Assistant 1.

Including this labor category in the IDIQ contract will allow for additional flexibility in the future. An Administrative Assistant 1 would perform the types of tasks described in Attachment 2.

24 Attachment 2 and Exhibit 1 Attachment 2 and Exhibit 1 include a Quality Control Technician labor category; however, this category is not included in Attachment 3. Please clarify whether this contract includes Quality Control Technician is included in this contract. What tasks does the Quality Control Technician perform? How does this labor category map to Attachment 3? Please clarify the corresponding supported functional area and the number of historical positions.

Answer: The Quality Control Technician category is not specifically broken out in Attachment 3; however, it is a requirement for this contract. The typical tasks performed by this category are described in Attachment 2. Historically, two (2) FTEs have been used to support the Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for Identification of Remains (AFRSSIR).

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25 Attachment 1 8.6.2

This paragraph indicates that there are personnel designated as cleared on this contract. Can the Government please clarify which labor categories are designated as cleared?

Answer: Some – not all – Forensic Scientists 3-5 and Analytical Toxicologists 3-5.

Clearance requirements will be specified at the task order level.

26 Attachment 3 Specifically for Labor Categories Forensic Scientist 2-5 and

Analytical Toxicologist 2-5, for each of these Labor Categories, what is the average number of year’s experience?

Answer: This information is proprietary to the incumbent contractor.

27 Attachment 3 Is the labor category description for The Forensic Scientist

5 (Information Technology) listed on Attachment 2 the same as the Forensic Scientist 5 (Science and Technology)? If not, please explain the difference.

Answer: The Forensic Scientist 5 (Information Technology) is a bioinformatics position which also requires IM/IT certifications to be specified at the task order level. The Forensic Scientist 5 (Science and Technology) performs strictly scientific / laboratory tasks.

28 Attachment 3 Attachment 3 lists one FTE under the information technology functional area however, the PWS tasks described in Attachment 1 page 13 section 5.1.2. allude to multiple FTEs supporting the information technology functional area. Can the government please clarify the estimated number of FTEs supporting the information technology functional area under this contract?

Answer: Historically, 1 FTE has been used to support the information technology functional area. Future requirements may vary.

29 Attachment

Do Offerors need to provide the completed OCI statement as part of the proposal submittal or is this only required after award?

Answer: The completed OCI statement must be submitted with each Offeror’s proposal.

This item shall be included in Volume I.

30 General Who is the incumbent contractor?

Answer: The incumbent contractor is the American Registry of Pathology (CAGE 2U804; DUNS 114400633), 9210 Corporate Blvd. Suite 120, Rockville, MD 20850.

31 General What is the anticipated number of task orders to be issued under the IDIQ in year 1? Please explain sequence of events from award of IDIQ to initiation of work under task orders.

Answer: The Government anticipates issuing four (4) task orders in the first year.

However, the actual number may be higher or lower. After the IDIQ contract is awarded, a Task Order Proposal Request will be sent to the contractor with a copy of the PWS for that task order. The Government and contractor will negotiate cost and/or price subject to the ceiling rates in the base contract.

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32 General For the current contract, please provide a summary of existing task orders. Specifically would like to know number of positions for each task order and whether FFP or CPFF.

Answer: The current contract is not an IDIQ contract; thus, there are no existing task orders. The current contract type is Cost No Fee.

33 General Please confirm that all certifications (e.g. ASCLD/LAB, ISO, ABFT, CLIA, etc) are property of government and not incumbent.

Answer: All certifications are property of the Government.

34 General Is the Quality Manual associated with each accreditation the property of the government or the incumbent? If determined to be property of the incumbent, will this be made available to the selected Offeror?

Answer: The Quality Manual associated with each accreditation is property of the Government.

35 General Is there any IP, equipment or software that is the property of, or owned by, the incumbent? If so, please describe in detail.

Answer: All IP, equipment, and software required for this contract are property of the Government.

36 General Are the procedures, processes, protocols, logistics and administrative systems and infrastructure the property of the government or the incumbent? If any are owned, in whole or in part, by the incumbent, please describe in detail.

Answer: All procedures, processes, protocols, logistics and administrative systems and infrastructure are property of the Government.

37 General Can the Government please provide estimated levels of throughput for samples?

Answer: There are too many variables to allow for a reliable answer to this question.

38 General Will contractor personnel be required to support offsite investigations? And if so, which labor categories would be required to travel?

Answer: Yes, contractor personnel will be required to support offsite investigations. All labor categories have the potential to travel.

39 General Have all of the labor categories been address in this PWS?

For example, we noticed that there is no request for forensic photographers and forensic dentists?

Answer: All labor categories have been addressed in the RFP and attachments.

40 General Will the government please provide the level and types of fringe benefits currently offered to exempt and non-exempt contract employees (e.g.: minimum health, pension requirements)?

Answer: This information is proprietary to the incumbent contractor.

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41 General Will the Government please provide the Industry Day attendee list?

Answer: This list will be posted as a separate attachment.