RASS_IDIQ_Solicitation_Question_Answers.docx

Solicitation Questions and Answers to Initial Issue of RFP/Solicitation W81XWH-16-R-0024

As of 28 July 2016

Q: Question and A: Answer

Notice: The Government provides the best answer to those Questions asked. Offeror’s proposals shall be based on the amended Solicitation.

Q1. PWS 1.3 Scope specifies that there are 20 support areas. However, the subsequent sections of the PWs detail 21 support areas. Please confirm there are 21 support areas.

A1: See revised PWS Section 1.3 that confirms there are 21 support areas.

Q2. PWS 2.3.1.1.b and PWS 5.1 specify that an initial Management Plan is required with the proposal submittal. Is this part of Volume II or should this be provided as a separate document? If part of Volume II, can the Management Plan be excluded from the 60 page limit for that volume?

A2: See revised PWS Sections 2.3.1.1.b, 5.1 and revised Section (l) from 52.212-1. Additionally, the page limit is increased to 65 for Volume II.

Q3. Section C.5. Deliverables, Table 2: Base IDIQ Deliverables, Deliverable #3, Page 70

Per the referenced sections, the Contractor shall submit an initial Management Plan with the proposal.

Is the Management Plan excluded from the 60 page limit for Volume II?

If so, can offerors submit the Management Plan as an attachment to Volume II?

A3: See Answer #2 above

Q4. N.3.2 specifies that Solicitation Compliance Matrix does not count towards the page limit. This is the only place that a compliance matrix is referenced. Please confirm that there is no requirement to provide a Compliance Matrix.

A4: Confirmed, there is no requirement to provide a Compliance Matrix.

Q5. N.4.1 makes several references to “copy one” and “signed originals.” Please confirm that in accordance with N.2.6 no hard copies are required and we are only to provide 1 electronic copy of each volume to the Contract Specialist.

A5: Confirmed, no hard copies are required just provide one (1) electronic copy of each volume to the Contract Specialist.

Q6. RFP Section N.4.1., Pg. 253, RFP Section N.2.6., Pg. 253.

Section N.4.1 states, “Copy one of Volume I shall contain the signed original of all documents requiring signature by the Offeror, i.e. Signed SF 1449, Signed Amendments. Use of reproductions of single originals is authorized in all other copies of the proposal.” However, Section N.2.6 states that 1 electronic copy is required for submittal. Can the Government please confirm that only 1 electronic copy of Volume I is required and it should be submitted via email IAW instructions?

A6: See the response to Question 5 above.

Q7. N.4.2.3 Experience – This section asks for the offeror to demonstrate their experience. The last bullet in this section asks specifically about subcontractors’ corporate experience. Is it the intent of the Government that the first 3 bullets in this section be addressed in reference to the experience of the Offeror and only the fourth bullet be addressed regarding subcontractors or can experience of the entire team be discussed in response to all items in this section?

A7: Yes, it is the intent of the Government that the first 3 bullets in this section be addressed in reference to the experience of the Offeror and only the fourth bullet be addressed regarding subcontractors.

Q8. N.4.3 Volume III – Past Performance – Please confirm that the Offeror may use an IDIQ or BPA contract as one of its three past performance references.

A8: Confirmed, the offeror may use an IDIQ or BPA contract as one of its three past performances.

Q9. N.4.4.2 Price Proposal specifies that “The Contractor shall provide their loaded labor rates and unloaded labor rates for the Government to evaluate…” This section then goes on to specify that submitting an altered version of the Exhibit 1 Pricing Sheet may be considered reason to be removed from the competition. Exhibit 1 only contains tables designated for Loaded labor rates. Where in the proposal and/or Exhibit 1 should the Offeror present our unloaded labor rates?

A9: See Revised N.4.4.2 Price Proposal

Q10. Section C.1.3. Scope, Pages 16-23, Section C.3 Performance Requirements, 32-59, Section J, Attachment 7, Pages 180-214

The Government has provided three sections that correlate to the technical approach: the PWS (core competencies and scope areas), Performance Objectives, Key Tasks, and Surveillance Matrix are all repetitive. Given the page constraints offerors will not be able to respond to all three elements (PWS, Objectives/Key Tasks and Surveillance Matrix).

We understand that the Government is not looking for a 1:1 response narrative for each of these elements, e.g., PWS (core competencies and scope areas), Performance Objectives, Key Tasks, and Surveillance Matrix in a 1:1 technical response; however, if the Government could elaborate further and weight these elements, it would be helpful to vendors providing a compliant technical approach that meets the Government’s expectations.

For example, Section 3 of the PWS labeled Performance Requirements (Objectives and Key Tasks) has a greater weight than the Section 1.3 Scope, which is higher level overview of services to be provided.

A10: The Government will not assume that Offeror possesses any capability or knowledge unless it is specified in the proposal. The Offeror is expected to submit its technical proposal as stated in the Solicitation Section L and FAR 52.212-1(n) N.4.2.2. Technical Approach.

Q11. Section C.3 Performance Requirements, Pages 32-59

Under each of the Objectives listed in the RFP there are performance standards and deliverables both of which will be specified at the task order level. Are offerors to include their response to each objective in the technical approach or should these be addressed at the task order level?

A11: See the response to Question #10 above. Performance standard and deliverables will be defined at the task order level which will be specified in the Task Order Performance Work Statement.

Q12. Section L, N.4.2.4. Management Capabilities, Page 254 Section C, 5. Table 3: TASK ORDER Deliverables Table, Deliverable # 3, Page 71

The RFP instruction N.4.2.4.1. states, “The Offeror should submit a proposal that demonstrates: the Offeror's proposed quality control plan, quality standards and processes for evaluating overall contract performance.” However, Section 5 Deliverables states, “Deliverable 3, Quality Control Plan should initially be submitted IAW individual TASK ORDER.”

Would the government please clarify whether offerors should submit a full Quality Control Plan with Volume II?

If so, is the QCP excluded from excluded from the 60 page limit for Volume II?

If excluded from page, can offerors submit the Quality Control Plan as an attachment to Volume II?

A12: The Government expects to receive Offeror’s proposal IAW RFP/Solicitation Section L and FAR 52.212-1, evaluate proposal(s) IAW Section M and award multiple CONTRACTS. Factor 3 Management Capabilities will be evaluated as stated.

No Task Order Request for Proposal (TOPR) has been issued, and no Task Order will be awarded. Therefore, the Government does not expect to receive any deliverables from Section C PWS 5.2 Task Orders.

Q13. Section J, Attachment 4, page 130; Section J, Attachment 5, Page 168

There is a total number of 17 key tasks associated with Security Office Support for USAMRICD S2 Office and only one labor category (admin/clerical) was identified or listed as item #1, page 169, Attachment 5.

Will the Government clarify the Labor Category and Estimated Government Utilization to provide security office support to the USAMRICD S2 Office?

A13: The Government estimate is in place for Offerors to ascertain the approximate labor utilization for this RFP. However, this is not to be construed as either mandatory or necessarily the best technical approach; it is only in place as a reference to allow Offerors to better understand the general scope of this effort from the Government’s perspective. The Government is seeking the best labor category or labor mix the Offeror has determined is right to accomplish the mission contained in this PWS. See RFP/Solicitation Section C PWS and Section J -Attachment 4 and 5.

Q14. Section J, Attachment 4, Pages 131 - 134

The labor category description and tasks for the Animal Caretaker 1, 2, and 3 are almost identical to the Animal Husbandry Technician 1, 2 and 3. Can the Government please provide additional detail to differentiate these labor categories for pricing purposes?

A14: See Revised Section J – Attachment 4 for the revisions to the Animal Husbandry Technician 1, 2 and 3 for additional details to differentiate those labor categories. The main difference between the Animal Caretaker 1, 2 and 3 and the Animal Husbandry Technician 1, 2, and 3 can be found in the solicitation under the required experience. An ALAT Certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science is required for the Animal Caretaker 1 and 2; and a LAT Certification from AALAS is required for an Animal Caretaker 3. The Animal Husbandry Technicians do not require such experience.

Q15. Section J, Attachment 4, Pages 136-137

The labor category description and tasks for the Budget Analyst II and IV are very similar with very little difference between the required experiences. Can the Government please provide additional detail to differentiate these labor categories for pricing purposes?

A15: See Revised Section J - Attachment 4 for the revisions to the experience requirements for the Budget Analyst II and IV labor categories. Additionally, the Budget Analyst IV requires a higher level of financial understanding. This position requires knowledge and execution of Business Case Analysis, Work Breakdown Structure element analysis as well as understanding and knowledge to provide financial and budgetary recommendations in support of strategic program and research plans.

Q16. RFP Section N.5, Pg. 259

What are the acceptable file types/versions for each volume for email submission?

A16: See revised Section L, 52.212-1 (n) N.5.1.2

Q17. SF 1449 Section B, Pg. 07

CLIN 1003 for the Option Period Transition Out Services states, “The Base Ordering Period is for 5 years.” Should this statement refer to the option period?

A17: See Revised CLIN 1003 for change in the language to reference Option Ordering Period.

Q18. RFP Section B.3.1, Pg. 9

Section B.3.1 states that the Limitation on Subcontracting clause is applicable at the task order level. Can the Government confirm that the 50% performance requirement for the concern will be measured on each individual Task Order level, and not across the entire IDIQ?

A18: See RFP/Solicitation Section B.3.1

Q19. RFP Section 1.2.2. Pg. 12

Section 1.2.2 refers to a ‘Table 1’ which lists the competitive contracts that this IDIQ is replacing. However, there does not appear to be a table provided that lists this information within the RFP. Can the Government please provide a copy of Table 1?

A19: See revised Solicitation - Section C PWS 1.2.2

Q20. RFP N.4.5., Pg. 258-259

Section N.4.5 states, “Volume V is required when the Offeror determines the criteria in FAR 52.212-1 addendum, Section L.4.5.4 applies.” If offeror determines there is no OCI or the appearance of an OCI per N.4.5.4, should a Volume V be created to contain the completed Attachment 1? If not, please identify what volume to place the completed Attachment 1, or if it can be provided as a separate attachment?

A20: If Offerors determine that there is no OCI or the appearance of OCI, please just provide a note as part of your proposal under Volume V that says, “there is no OCI or the appearance of an OCI, please refer to the OCI Attachment”. Please provide the completed Attachment 1 as a separate attachment.

Q21. RFP Section 5.1, Pg. 70 In Table 2, Section 5.1 Base IDIQ, the OCI Mitigation Plan refers to Section 1.3.6.1. However, Section 1.3.6.1 refers to Area 6, USAMRICD Safety Office. Can the Government please confirm which Section should be referenced for the OCI Mitigation Plan?

A21: See revised Section 5.1 that refers the OCI Mitigation Plan to Section 1.4.2.

Q22. RFP Section 5.1, Pg. 70 Section 5.1 states that, “The Contractor shall provide deliverables as described in Table 3 for the Base IDIQ.” However, Table 3 refers to ‘TASK ORDER Deliverables’. Should this refer to Table 2, ‘Base IDIQ Deliverables’?

A22: See revised Section 5.1 of the PWS that refers to the correct table, Table 2 ‘Base IDIQ Deliverables’. Also see A12.

Q23. RFP Section 5.1, Pg. 70

In Table 2, Section 5.1 Base IDIQ, the Management Plan lists that it requires 1 electronic and 1 hardcopy submission. However, as this is an electronic proposal submission, can the Government confirm that only 1 electronic copy is required for the response?

A23: See revised Section 5.1 that removes all mentioning of hardcopy.

Q24. RFP Section 5.2, Pg. 70

Section 5.2 states that “The Contractor shall provide deliverables as described in Table 4 for all TASK ORDERS issued under the contract.” However, there does not appear to be a Table 4 provided. Should this refer to Table 3, ‘TASK ORDER Deliverables?’

A24: See revised Section 5.1 of the PWS that refers to the correct table, Table 3 ‘Task Order Deliverables’

Q25. RFP Section H.6.2.2(b), Pg. 92

Should the Prime Offer include signed Attachment 1- OCI Certification forms for all proposed subcontractors on this effort?

A25: Yes there should be signed OCI forms for all proposed subcontractors.

Q26. RFP Section I, Pg. 118

DFARS clause 252.219-7009, Section 8(a) Direct Award is cited for this IDIQ. Can the Government confirm if there is any intent to issue Direct Awards to successful contractors at the task order level?

A26: See Section RFP/Solicitation Section H.3.

Q27. RFP Section N.2.2, Pg.252

Section N.2.states, “As all proposals shall be submitted electronically to the designated point of contact as stated in Section L.5.” However, there does not appear to be a Section L.5 listed in the proposal. Can the Government confirm if this section should reference N.5, Additional Proposal Submittal Information?

A27: See revised Solicitation Section N.2.2 that refers to Section N.5.

Q28. RFP Section N.3.2, Pg. 253

Section N.3.2 states, “The Table of Contents, Solicitation Compliance Matrix, and Tabs will not be counted toward the page limit.” As this is an electronic submission, can the Government please confirm that tabs will not be required for this response? Also, can the Government please confirm that the cover/title page of each volume will not count toward the page limit?

A28: Tabs will not be required for this response. Also, Cover/Title Page will not count toward the page limit.

Q29. RFP Section M, Pg. 263

Each of the sections for Section M begin with ‘A’. For the purpose of accurate referencing, should these sections begin with ‘M’?

A29: No, the reason Section M starts with the letter ‘a’ is because as this is an addendum to 52.212-2, the letter ‘a’ refers to Section (a) of 52.212-2 and follows the flowdown for the letter ‘a’.

Q30. RFP Section A.1.2, Pg. 263

Section A.1.2 states, “The Government intends to award multiple CONTRACTS to the Offerors offering the best-value.” Can the Government confirm how many contract awards are anticipated?

A30: See Section M, 52.212-2 A.1.2.

Q31. RFP Section I, Pg. 119

Will each subcontractor need to complete a copy of 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions, or will 1 copy that encompasses both of the Prime and subcontractors be sufficient?

A31: One (1) copy of the 252.227-7017 that encompasses both of the Prime and Subcontractors should be sufficient, but please identify who is the Prime and who is the Subcontractor.

Q32. RFP Section 2.6.1.2, Pg. 30

“Other locations: TASK ORDERS issued under this CONTRACT will include various CONUS and locations.” Can the Government confirm that the intent was to include “OCONUS” before the word “locations” to indicate the place of performance is both CONUS and OCONUS?

A32: See revised Section 2.6.1.2

Q33. Reference: Attachment 01, OCI Certification

Question: The RFP requires that contractors submit an OCI analysis (Attachment 01) at the IDIQ level as well as part of each Task Order proposal during performance of the contract.

For purposes of the proposal required for the IDIQ, does the Government require an OCI analysis of the listed IDIQ Objectives and Key Tasks given that no actual work is currently requested?

A33: Yes, please provide an OCI analysis at the IDIQ level for the listed IDIQ Objectives and Key Tasks.

Q34: Ref Paragraph 52.222-42, page 112: The statement of equivalent rates for federal hires can be for potential hiring, experience, and salaries but in several categories, they provide such a wide a gap that they are not helpful; i.e. Line 36 Facilities Management Specialist from GS 5-10 or line 85 Scientist 2 from GS 11 through 14. Given this substantial difference, it does not allow for a single price point but rather a range. Is this the intent?

A34: The Government provides the Statement of Equivalent Rate for Federal Hires for information only. It is not a Wage Determination.

Q35: Ref Attachment 4: There are several positions in Attachment 4’s job descriptions that have neither education nor experience requirements. When considering placement of folks as well as salaries/bill rates, these two pieces of information are extremely important. Would the government consider providing some judgment to enhance competition?

A35: The Government is seeking the best labor category or labor mix the Offeror has determined is right to accomplish the mission contained in this PWS. The Offeror is not bound to propose these labor categories, rather the Offeror is expected to provide the best solution citing the labor mix or labor category personnel required to accomplish the general scope of the RFP requirements in each support area. If the Offeror has determined the Government estimated labor categories provided are not the best technical solution, the Offeror shall submit a cross-walk labor categories and description for any substitution and list any additional labor categories consistent with all of the offeror’s price and non-price proposals. For more details, please see Attachment 4 and 5. In accordance with Department of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy memo subject Education Requirements for Service Contractors dated 28 Jan 2003 and local Contracting Office policy, the Government will state required level of education and/or number of years in experience for specific labor category description in service solicitations only when it has been determined as absolutely necessary and in the Government’s best interests.

Q36: Ref Attachment 5: there are several labor categories that are used in different locations which will have a significant impact on salaries and hence pricing. Does the government want us to price by location, since salaries in San Antonio are significantly different than Maryland?

A36: This is a competitive acquisition. The Offerors should read the solicitation/RFP entirely and propose competitive pricing and using their business judgment when preparing the price proposal. The Government will evaluate and establish maximum fully loaded ceiling rates per labor category for the base IDIQ Contract. See PWS Section 2.6, Attachment 4, 5, 6 and 9.

Q37: The IDIQ contract is awarded as a best value trade-off, but there is no announcement as to how the actual task orders will be awarded except as FFP. Is the intent to award the TOs as best value as well? And if so will price stay consistent as the least important factor in those follow-on TOs?

A37: The Task Order’s Basis for Award will be stated in the Task Order Request for Proposal. The Government will determine the source selection process and techniques suitable for the specific circumstances of the Task Order scope of work and performance requirement.

Q38: Please clarify:

H.6.1 Composite direct labor charges from two or more Contractors to form a single burdened or loaded labor rate are not allowable.

N.4.4.2 Fully loaded labor rates may be derived from blending the labor rates of two or more separate Contractors, subcontractors, or teaming partners.

Are these statements only applicable to Task Orders? If the Prime Contractor and Subcontractor are proposed in the same labor category, how should it be proposed?

A38: See answer to question #9 and see revised Solicitation Section H.6.1.

Q39: ATTACHMENT 4. Is the offeror to assume, in the case of certification requirements, that if it reads:

“Required Certification - Not Applicable to this Labor Category”, no certifications are required?

Is the offer to assume concerning education requirements that if “Required Education - Not Applicable to this Labor Category”, 0 years of education is required?

Is the offer to assume concerning experience requirements that if “Required Experience - Not Applicable to this Labor Category”, 0 years of experience is required?

Is the offer to assume concerning Security Clearance requirements that if “Required Security Clearance - Not Applicable to this Labor Category”, no clearances even NAC-LC’s are not required for performance?

A39: The Government does not have specific required education and/or required experience for the labor categories where “Not Applicable” is stated. However as this is a competitive acquisition, offeror is expected to provide the best solution citing the labor mix and labor personnel to meet the RFP requirements in each support area. Offeror should refer to FAR 52.222-42 titled Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. In regard to the Required Security Clearance, see revised Section C – PWS 4.1.7 and revised Section J – Attachment 4.

Q40: ATTACHMENT 9. The Government has included a wage determination. Is the Government implying that the personnel performing in the Labor Categories listed in the solicitation are not predominantly performing at an executive, administrative, or professional level? Please clarify in light of 29 CFR 4.6 (k)(1) below?

(k)(1) As used in these clauses, the term service employee means any person engaged in the performance of this contract other than any person employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity, as those terms are defined in part 541 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as of July 30, 1976, and any subsequent revision of those regulations. The term service employee includes all such persons regardless of any contractual relationship that may be alleged to exist between a contractor or subcontractor and such persons.

If the Government finds that the work is to be predominantly performed by service employees, please list the labor categories that are applicable to the wage determination.

A40: The offeror should refer to FAR 52.222-41 titled “Service Contract Labor Standards”, Section J – Attachments 4, 5, 6, and 9 prior to response to this competitive acquisition. Offerors should provide their best solution. If the Offeror proposes a labor mix or labor cost that meets the definition of “service” employee IAW 52.222-41, it is the Offeror’s responsibility to pay each service employee not less than the minimum monetary wage and shall be furnished fringe benefits IAW wages and fringe benefits determined by the Secretary of Labor. See Revised – Section J - Attachment 9.

Q41: N.4.4.2. The Government requests pricing for on-site and off-site locations but does not provide the location of the performance, please clarify?

A41: See Revised – Section J- Attachment 5 which will identify all possible locations for possible positions as well as the answer to Question #36.

Q42: N.4.4.2. The Government has requested a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) proposal but requests standard cost build up data. Please clarify in light of the this being a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, award and the expectation (N.4.4.8) is there will be adequate price competition.

A42: This is a competitive acquisition with a possible 10 year long period of performance. The Government is interested to know the offeror’s standard cost build up data to support each fully loaded maximum labor rate ceiling per labor category although this is a competitive commercial item service acquisition.

Q43: N.4.4.4 Please clarify: The loaded rates shall be used for Firm-Fixed Price Contract Line Item (CLIN). Is the Firm Fixed Price to be awarded an Hourly Rate or CLIN or both?

A43: Please see Solicitation/RFP Section B.1.2, B.3 and B.5. The Firm-Fixed-Price Performance-based Task Order will be awarded as a job CLIN. Contractors are given freedom to determine how to meet the Government’s Task Order performance objectives and that appropriate performance quality levels are achieved. Task Orders issued under resultant contract will not be awarded an Hourly Rate because this is not a Labor Hour Solicitation/RFP.

Q44: N.4.4.7: How is the offer to address the costs of ODC’s for something other than travel?

A44: Offeror can choose to disclose costs of ODCs associated with the total cost of proposed fully loaded labor rates; however, only travel cost is authorized for the ODC CLIN awarded in Task Orders.

Q45: N.5.1.1 Will the Government be incorporating the Offer’s proposal in the contract?

A45: As stated in Solicitation/RFP Section L, FAR 52.212-1(n), N.5.1.1.

Q46: 52.217-5 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS (JUL 1990). Given there are no hours in the Exhibit 1, how will the government evaluate the total price?

A46: The Government will evaluate price IAW Section M – Factor 5 and FAR Provision 52.217-5.

Q47: Attachment 4, Attachment 5, and exhibit 1 - Question: The historical labor utilization provided excludes some subcategorization of labor categories such as Budget Analyst III (II and IV are provided). If the government intends to use those categories in the future, will they be added at a later date, or can they be amended into the attachments?

A47: See Revised Section J – Attachment 4, Attachment 5 and Attachment 6 Q48: B.4 Contract Minimum/Maximum Quantity and Contract Value. Page 9 Question: Please define what the Maximum Quantity of 500 refers to?

A48: See revised Section B for the Maximum Quantity as it has been changed from 500 to 1000. The maximum quantity refers to the maximum number of possible jobs that could be issued under the resultant IDIQ CONTRACT.

Q49: General Requirements Page 23-24 (2) Question: Please clarify as to where the locations, facilities, sites for work at EACE will be located?

A49: The current identified locations for EACE are as follows:

- Military Advanced Training Center located at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, MD

- Medical Command Headquarters located at Joint Base San Antonio in Fort Sam Houston, TX

- Center for the Intrepid located at the San Antonio Military Medical Center

- Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD)

- Defense Health HQ located in Falls Church, VA

- Joint-Base Lewis McChord located in Tacoma, WA These are all referenced in the Revised Section J – Attachment 6 Q50: General Question: Please confirm that the services provided by medical professional labor categories will be non-personal in nature, thus confirm that medical malpractice insurance is not required.

A50: Confirmed, labor categories will be non-personal in nature.

Q51: H.16 Off-Ramping page 95 Question: At which point during the Period of Performance would the government consider off ramping?

A51: As stated in Section H.16 “Off-Ramping Procedures may be performed at any given time during the life of the Contract.”

Q52: H.5. Labor Page 91 Question: What has the current trend for overtime and temporary labor been in the past?

A52: It depends. Each Offeror or incumbent prime Contractor has different cost accounting practices and methods used to estimate, accumulate and report uncompensated overtime hours. If offeror identifies and estimates an equivalent then we want the proposal to identify the adjusted fully loaded labor ceiling labor hourly rate that considers unpaid overtime.

Q53: N.2. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS Page 252 Question: There are sections of the solicitation instructions that allude to a hard copy submission ('tabs' 'original signature' 'reproductions' 'foldouts'). Please confirm this is an electronic submission only.

A53: Confirmed, the submissions for this solicitation will be an electronic submission only. Any mentioning of hard copy submissions has been removed.

Q54: N.3.2 page 253 and N.4.2 page 254 Question: Please confirm that the Table of contents and compliance matrix are not included in the 60 page limit for volume II.

A54: As stated in Section N.3.2, “The Table of Contents and Solicitation Compliance Matrix will not be counted toward the page limit”.

Q55: N.4.1 page 253 Question: Please confirm that electronic signatures are acceptable for all documents requiring signature.

A55: Yes electronic signatures are acceptable for all documents requiring signature.

Q56: N.4.4.3 Wage determination Question: In order to allow for balanced price proposals across bidders, will the government please identify which labor categories will fall under SCA?

A56: See Answer 40 Q57: N.4.4.5 & N.4.4.6 Page 257 Question: Could we get clarification which the locations, facilities, sites are to be considered (“ON-SITE”) OR (“OFF-SITE”)?

A57: See Solicitation/RFP FAR 52.212-1(n), N.4.4.5 and N.4.4.6.

Q58: N.4.4.7 Page 258 Question: Is the ODC amount for the Base Period of $1,600,000.00 a total amount for all 5 years of the Base Period? Also, is the ODC amount for the Option Period of $1,600,000.00 a total amount for all 5 years of the Option Period? Or, is the ODC amount of $1,600,00.00 to be used in each year? (Note: Exhibit 1 Pricing Workbook has a space to enter an ODC amount for each of the 10 years.

A58: See revised ODC amount in Section B. The ODC amount is a total estimate for the entire RASS program service requirement or for the entire duration life of the service CONTRACT.

Q59-1: PWS 1.2.2 page 12 Question: Can the government give any indication of the expected PoP (Base + x# options) for task orders under this contract?

A59-1: It depends on a few factors. Generally, the base period of performance and number of option periods are driven by the validation of Government’s service needs, availability of funding, market conditions, fair opportunity environment, timing of Task Order target award date, unique circumstances of the service performance requirement, the remaining quantity, ceiling amount, remaining delivery months and years of the Base IDIQ CONTRACT.

Q59-2: Can the government give any indication on the anticipated performance end date for current contracts that will be re-competed under this RASS IDIQ?

A59-2: As there are a wide range of performance end date for various contracts, purchase orders and Task Orders, it’s difficult to anticipate which expiring contract or which new service requirement and when funds would be available to issue Task Order Request for Proposal(s) under the resultant RASS IDIQ CONTRACT. Some current contracts may be ended before we finish award the RASS IDIQ CONTRACT. Some follow-on requirements and new requirements may be awarded during FY17 and FY18. The earliest estimated Task Order award date would be either in late 4th Quarter FY17 or early in 2nd Quarter FY18.

Q59-3: Regarding the total contract value of awards to date as $249 million, what is the period of performance for the existing contracts?

A59-3: POP for each existing contract varies depending on fund availability and the decision to exercise options on any existing contracts. Length of period of performance varies from 6 to 12-month base period plus one or up to four 12-month option periods.

Q59-4: Is the Base period total contract value estimated as $240 M for RASS, or is that total inclusive of the option period?

A59-4: The Total Contract Value estimated at $249 million is over the 10 years of the RASS IDIQ.

Q60: PWS 1.3 Page 16 Question: Can the government give any indication on the expected number of task orders to be released under this contract in any given year?

A60: Historically about 40 Task Orders have been awarded to an IDIQ contract holder over the five 12-month periods of an IDIQ. However, there are many new requirements incorporated under the RASS IDIQ scope of work to support four primary customers as stated in the Solicitation/RFP. The Government anticipates the minimum guarantee as stated in Section B of the solicitation.

Q61: PWS 1.4.2 Page 23 Question: OCI Certification - Contractor assumes the OCI comparative analysis would consist of all current and previous contractor performed under all facilities under RASS (USAISR, USAMRICD, APHC, and EACE), not just USAISR. Please confirm this assumption is correct.

A61: Confirmed, the Contractor assumes the OCI comparative analysis would consist of all current and previous contracts performed under all facilities under RASS.

Q62: PWS 2. Page 23 and 2.6.1.2 Page 30 and 2.7.3 page 31, H.7. FOREIGN TAXES Question: For OCONUS locations, would DBA be applicable, and if so, would it be included as a cost-reimbursable ODC on the task order? Supplemental Question- Please provide potential locations for travel and/or TDY to OCONUS locations if other than Landsthul, Germany.

A62: See Revised PWS Section 2 and 2.6.1.2 as well as Section J – Attachment 6, no OCONUS performance locations will be required at this time.

Q63: PWS 2.3.3. Page 27 Question: "Personnel Administration/Training: ""The Contractor shall maintain the currency of their employee’s skills/training by providing initial and refresher training as required to meet the PWS requirements. The Contractor shall make necessary travel arrangements for employees.""

A63: Contractors are required to have the skills necessary to perform their duties as required by the Government contract. When a contract/Task Order is awarded, it’s expected the contractor is providing the right mix of skills and labor to perform as identified in the solicitation, contractor proposal and subsequent contract/Task Order award. If during the course of a contract/Task Order there are changes in technical requirements that were not identified at the onset of the contract award, the Government will make an assessment whether or not to provide the training or absorb the cost.

Q64: PWS 2.4 Page 29 Subcontract Management Question: PWS references "Contractors may add subs to their team IAW (Section to be included in the solicitation)" - Please confirm this is referring to Section H.6.2?

A64: Confirmed, see revised PWS Section 2.4 that updates the language to refer to Section H.6.2.

Q65: PWS 2.6.1 Page 30 Question: Please identify which labor categories would be required to work full time OCONUS?

A65: No Labor Categories would be required to work full time OCONUS. See Revised Section J – Attachment 6.

Q66: PWS 2.6.2 Page 30 Question: Does APHC or EACE provide core duty hours, if so please define?

A66: See Revised PWS Section 2.6.2 which adds the APHC and EACE core duty hours.

Q67: PWS 3.11 page 35 Question: Objective 11. This appears highly administrative in nature, but the historical labor categories Include Scientist Research Investigators 5/8. Are there additional tasks required that are not identified in this PWS? Please explain.

A67: The Solicitation Section C PWS Objectives and Tasks are generally High Level Performance Requirements. When Task Order Request for Proposals are issued, more specific descriptions of Task Order performance objectives and key tasks will be more refined to meet specific needs of the requiring activities. Some Task Order scopes of work may be highly administrative to support a study, biosurveillance, or a research project while others may require the contractor to provide support services related to research, development, test and evaluation activities.

Q68: PWS 3.13.3 page 48 Question: Key Task 3. For this task, the only Labor Category identified is an administrative position, but this is a more specialized task. Please clarify which labor categories are historically associated with this task.

A68: For 3.13.3, please refer to Attachment 5 – Government Estimated Labor Utilization description and instructions.

Q69: PWS 3.6.5 Page 38 Question: Key Task 5 - Are contractors going to be handling radioactive waste materials, or responsible for the physical management of such? If so, please explain in what capacity.

A69: USAISR, USAMRICD, APHC (Prov) and EACE have all stated that there will be no handling of radioactive waste materials or responsibility for the physical management of such.

Q70: Section I page 98 Question: Are there any FAR insurance requirements as part of this solicitation.

A70: There are no FAR insurance requirements as part of this solicitation Q71: Solicitation Section B Page 3 and 7 Question: Option Period Transition Out Services. Assume there is no pricing requirement for this CLIN until such a time as it is issued on a TO?

A71: This is correct. As stated on each of the CLINS, “This is an Option Service to be issued at the TASK ORDER level. The Contractor shall perform Transition-Out Services in accordance with (IAW) the Performance Work Statement.