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W900KK-18-R-0015 NTCMS
Draft Solicitation Industry Questions and Government Provided Answers
| Reference |
| Question |
| Answer |
| 1 |
| FBO Posting 24 Oct 2017 |
| With this posting, the government provided copies of four Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reflecting elements of the Operations Group mission support effort. Will the government be posting the CBAs for the balance of the NTCMS effort? |
| The Government will post all (5) CBAs and Wage Determinations with the Solicitation. |
| 2 |
| Solicitation Section B |
| For the purpose of the Schedule B pricing for the Unscheduled Training Event Option CLINs, on what should we base our cost/pricing? |
| Updated CLIN description = Not to exceed the hours / cost of one full training rotation. PWS section 1.3 The additional training will not exceed the length of a normal Armor BCT training event. |
| 3 |
| Solicitation Section I |
| How does the Government intend to process the numerous changes that will occur under the NTCMS contract? Given the evolving needs of the NTC and the Army, to facilitate timely processing of changes to the awarded contract, we recommend the Government consider incorporating DFAR clause 252.217-7028 - Over and Above Work Requirements. |
| The NTCMS contract PWS contains all required service categories to execute the mission. There are no systems, vehicles, buildings that would require additional work. All work will be performed on the assigned CLINs. If additional service categories are required to execute the 10 training rotations a bilateral modification will be negotiated. |
| 4 |
| Solicitation L.2.5 |
| Request the Government confirm that teaming agreements and all documents required for verification in all volumes may be submitted as PDF files. |
| Teaming Agreements can be submitted as PDF files. Ensure they are compliant to: |
L.2.5 Submit PDF documents using only Adobe Acrobat 9.0 or later. Submit a PDF version of all electronic documents produced and also submit a native format as a control copy. Do NOT submit any documents in PDF format that are copied as “images.”
L.2.6 When creating PDF and Microsoft Office files, always create to enable textual search and copy functions.
| 5 |
| Solicitation L.3.1 |
| Section L.3.1 states, “Legible tables, charts, graphs and figures shall be used wherever practical to depict organizations, systems and layout, implementation schedules, plans, etc.,” but limits pages to 8.5x11. Request the Government allows 11x17 pages for large organizations, systems, layouts, and implementation schedule-type graphics and tables. |
| Section L.3.1 was updated to include the use of 11x17 pages for large organizations, systems, layouts, and implementation schedule-type graphics and tables. |
| 6 |
| Solicitation L.3.8.3 |
| Request the Government confirm that teaming agreements (and other documents mentioned in L.3.8.3) are required to be submitted as attachments to Vol II Staffing Approach, outside of the page limits, or only in Vol V and can be cross-referenced in Vol II? |
| Updated L.2.7 to read " ** Organizational Charts, Teaming Agreement or similar documents are excluded from the page count." |
| 7 |
| Solicitation L.3.8.4 |
| Section L.3.8.4 states, “Discuss back-up rationale and provide calculations showing the staffing build-up that clearly identifies the methodology used to arrive at the labor categories designated for each service category listed in PWS section 3.1 through 3.17.” Request the Government define rationale to include the basis, estimating methodology and historical data used to derive the proposed labor estimates to support the proposed costs for the work identified in the offeror's approach? Given the amount of data for each PWS item, request the Government exclude estimate rationale from the page count? |
| Rational documentation may be added to the Organizational Charts if needed. An updated example of an Org-Chart will be included in the Solicitation. Each Contractor will have different back-up rational. The clarity and level of level of understanding the PWS requirement will be the basis of the information. The approach used should be grounded in conjunction to the CBAs, Wage Determination, PWS and Service Contract Labor Standards. The calculation should reference the hours, billets and categories identified in the PWS sections, Attachment 10 Government Recommended Labor, CBAs and the Wage Determination from the Dept. of Labor. FPRA and other official agreements can be utilized as well. The Government is not restricting a Contractor from providing an innovative response but it shall be based on the PWS. The Contractor can gain efficiencies within the PWS and those must be identified, such as using the same labor across service categories. |
| 8 |
| Solicitation L.3.8.4 |
| The Staffing Plan Template did not provide much guidance on what back-up rationale and calculations were to be included, only a table that requested job descriptions, PWS Sections, Full or Part-Time, and whether the position was CBA, WD, or exempt. Please clarify what back-up rationale and type of calculations the government is looking for, with respect to the staffing build-up? Please provide an example in the template to ensure there is no misunderstanding on the level detail requested. |
| An Example Organizational Chart was added to the Staffing Approach Template. |
| 9 |
| Solicitation L.3.9 |
| For the purpose of the Small Business Participation Plan, what should we assume for total contract value (L.3.9.b)? |
| The Total Contractor proposed cost. That included the all Target Costs as well as the total of all FFP CLINs. Does not include travel. |
| 10 |
| Solicitation L.3.10 |
| Will the government provide a standard format (Cost/Price Worksheet) to report direct/indirect labor rates? |
| No, Sec L.3.10.7 is updated. |
| 11 |
| Solicitation L.3.10.6 |
| Would the Government consider making the phase-in (i.e. transition costs) a plug number as this would facilitate full and open competition and not overly favor a long seated incumbent? |
| Material CLINs were added to cover material transition costs and all system material costs. Estimate amounts were included in the Material and Travel CLINs. |
| 12 |
| Solicitation L.3.10.7 |
| L.3.10.7 states, “The same detailed support data shall be furnished for all major subcontractors.” Based on the level of detail in the requirements for subcontractor cost proposals, will the Government accept sealed packages from subcontractors |
| L.3.10.7 was changed to allow sealed packages from subcontractors. |
| 13 |
| Solicitation L.3.10.9 |
| RFP reference: L.3.10.9 “The labor hour delineation must be directly traceable to the same information proposed in the Technical Volume.” Please confirm that “Technical Volume” in this paragraph means Volume II Staffing Approach. |
| Section L.3.10.9 was changed to reflect " Staffing Approach Factor" |
| 14 |
| Solicitation Attachment 6 Technical Experience Project Worksheet |
| Would an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Contract (with its associated task orders) be an acceptable Project as per selection 2 (Collection of Contracts and/or Task Orders) for Question 3 (Vehicle Type)? |
| Yes, all are acceptable. Any compilation of contracts ( Task Orders, Delivery Orders) |
| 15 |
| Solicitation Attachment 10 |
| In Attachment 10, the Government provides the minimum numbers of staff required at peak levels. Section M.3.3 states, “The Government will evaluate the ability to provide the required knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications to fulfill the PWS 3.1-3.17.” Section L.3.8.1 asks the contractor to provide qualifications. To level the playing field, request the Government define the required qualifications for the minimum numbers of staff to be provided, to allow the Government to make a direct comparison of contractor staffing. |
| The Government must use a performance based requirement criteria. The Government only identified the requirements - qualification necessary for the effort. The list of references and documents provide the level of certification / qualifications identified in the PWS. The Government is allowing Industry to provide a solution to the proposed services and is not limiting the potential solutions by imposing qualification / certification that have no bearing to the requirement. The proposal must provide a solution that is in accordance with the PWS and the associated reference documentation. |
| 16 |
| Solicitation Attachment 10 |
| What is the meaning of the asterisk on the quantity of PROCOB Support Services? |
| The * refers to the note in the text, (average). |
| 17 |
| Solicitation Attachment 10 |
| Do any of the shift quantities provided for the DTOC & TAFF Operations, HUMINT, Inter Agency, etc., include Department of the Army Civilians? |
| The PWS does not pertain to Department of the Army Civilians only to Contractor service providers. |
| 18 |
| PWS – Multiple References |
| The draft PWS makes multiple references to specific systems such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux v5.3, JCATS, Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2), Blue Force Tracker, Remotely-Monitored Battlefield Sensor System X3 (REMBASS (X3)), etc., etc. Recommend that the paragraphs be written to indicate that the contractor must use and maintain currency on the various systems of record instead of specific legacy systems and platforms that may not be in use by rotational units. |
| The PWS will be modified to add the terms "or current fielded version" wherever a specific version or system is identified. The Government’s intent was to identify what a contractor will be required to use after contract transition. |
| 19 |
| PWS 1.3 Scope |
| PWS 1.3 states the NTCMS effort will provide the mission support services for an estimated (10) ten rotational BCTs, and up to (5) five smaller training exercises at the NTC facility annually. Will the government define the contractor support requirements of “smaller training exercises”? |
| PWS 1.3 and every reference will reflect the change and removal of the up to 5 smaller training events. |
| 20 |
| PWS 1.3 Scope |
| PWS 1.3 states the offeror shall bid to up to 10 rotational BCTs and five smaller training exercises per year. PWS Appendix C provides an annual training schedule with nine (9) major rotations. Request the Government level the playing field and direct the exact number of rotations and exercises to which the offeror should bid per CLIN. |
| The reason for the COST type CLIN structure is that the Army requires flexibility for the varying duration / quantity of training events. FAR 16.301(a). The 5 smaller events have been removed. The Saudi events have been clarified as belonging to the "Unscheduled Training Events" |
| 21 |
| PWS 2.2.2 Hours of Work |
| Based on cost impacts to CBA staffing, we request that the Government clarifies the definition of “late shift change” in PWS Section 2.2.2, and when the contractor would be responsible for the expense? Does this include shift impacts driven by Government-induced changes? |
| The Contractor will not liable for a Government-induced change / delay / miscommunication / lack of notification / withheld information. Clarification will be added to PWS. |
| 22 |
| PWS 3.2.1.3 & 3.2.1.5 AAR/THP |
| PWS 3.2.1.3 states “The Contractor shall receive live production feeds from (4) Military Operations on Urban Environment Terrain (MOUT) facilities,” while PWS 3.2.1.5 identifies “(3) Audio/Visual Instruction (AVI) sites.” Will the Government please clarify the discrepancy between the four MOUT sites listed in 3.2.1.3 and three AVI sites in 3.2.1.5? |
| The PWS was adjusted to the discrepency in PWS section 3.2.1.3 "and further clarified it in 3.2.1.5. |
| 23 |
| PWS 3.3 LVC |
| When will the NTC be fielded JLCCTC Multi-Resolution Federation (MRF) 8.1? |
| NTC is currently scheduled to be fielded JLCCTC 8.1 in December 2018. |
| 24 |
| PWS 3.3.1 LVC |
| What is the current version of OneSAF the NTC is using? |
| NTC is currently using OneSAF Version 8.5. |
| 25 |
| PWS 3.3.2.3 LVC |
| Will the Government please provide a list of MCS for which the contractor will be required to verify that the simulated MCS tracks are populating correctly? |
| NTC replicates a Division Headquarters while the RTU acts as a subordinate Brigade. The requirement is to stimulate tracks on all associated mission command systems found in those units. A list of systems commonly found in those units includes but is not limited to: ADSI, TAIS, AMDWS, FAADC2, AFATDS, JADOCS, JCR, DCGS-A, GCCS-A, and CPOF |
| 26 |
| PWS 3.3.3 LVC |
| PWS section 3.3.3 states: “Virtual Simulation Operations: The Contractor is responsible for operating the JLCCTC federations and facilitate distributed training events in support of the rotational unit, to include coordination, connection, and planning with other Mission Training Centers and Simulation Centers.” |
a) How many times per year will the contractor be responsible for distributing training events in support of rotational units?
b) Will the Government please explain what is meant by connection in the sentence “to include coordination, connection, and planning with other Mission Training Centers and Simulation Centers”?
a) up to 10
b) Connection refers to the establishment of a network path capable of reliably transmitting digital data between two or more locations. Those locations are not restricted by distance. The type of data could include simulation or mission command data. The establishment of the connection should include the conduct of an end to end test and be maintained through the completion of the exercise.
| 27 |
| PWS 3.3.3.4 LVC |
| How many JLCCTC federations will the contractor be expected to run at a time? |
| The planning factor should be two. |
| 28 |
| PWS 3.3.4.2.2 LVC |
| What components of the JLCCTC-ERF will the contractor be expected to operate? |
| The contractor will be expected to operate all fielded components of JLCCTC-ERF. |
| 29 |
| PWS 3.3.5.1 LVC |
| Is there a requirement to provide JCATS training for soldiers that act as “Pucksters” for the training event(s)? |
| When constructive simulations are used in a competitive environment, there is a requirement to provide operator training to response cells. When constructive simulations are used as wrap units, the contract is required to provide personnel to operate the constructive simulation systems. |
| 30 |
| PWS 3.4 & 3.8 all Transportation / logistics |
| The PWS states Fire Markers and Battlefield Effects service providers will utilize Government provided vehicles to perform services in a field environment. There are other PWS tasking areas that require services performed in a field environment (e.g., PWS 3.4 PROCOB and 3.8 Mission Command Information System Support / Network Operations). Will the Government provide vehicles/transport when field service performance is required or is the contractor expected to provide vehicle/transport? If the latter, will the government provide guidance on the minimum number of contractor provided vehicles required for planning purposes? |
| The PWS was modified to identify that unless specifically identified in the PWS all transportation and vehicles will be the Contractors responsibility. The Government will not provide vehicles as GFP. All GFP Clauses and reference will be removed from the solicitation. CLIN 001 Program Management and all Program Management Option CLINs were adjusted to reflect "all logistics and transportation". |
| 31 |
| PWS 3.5.1.1 & 3.5.1.2 |
| PWS Section 3.5.1.1.1 states, “Fire Markers will employ Family of Scatterable Mines (FASCAMs), these are simulated by small blocks.” PWS 3.5.1.1.2 states, “The Contractor shall deploy and remove all Government provided devices.” Will the Government clarify the requirement for the deployment of small blocks, as this work was previously performed by uniformed soldiers and could present liability issues with a civilian workforce? |
| PWS section 3.5 was adjusted to provide more guidance and clarify the issue. Multiple changes were made to the section. |
| 32 |
| PWS 3.6 DTOC & TAFF |
| Section 3.6 states, “The senior (Federal employee or Active Duty military member) military training specialist or a designated Government military personnel will be responsible for providing TAFF operations guidance to both parties (Government and Contract employees) throughout each training rotation cycle to ensure mission continuity. The Contractor shall support Platoon through Brigade live fires. The DTOC and TAFF requirement currently needs the below configuration at a “minimum” for successful operations.” Does the configuration include Federal employees or Active Duty military members? |
| The PWS only identifies Contractor provided support and does not include Federal or Military members in any estimate or requirement. |
| 33 |
| PWS 3.12 BFT |
| 3.12 The Contractor is responsible for completing, submitting, tracking the DD 2404 Parts Request and basic maintenance. Must the contractor use and be certified to use GCSS-Army to enter this data? |
| The Contractor will use and be certified to use GCSS-Army to enter this data. |
| 34 |
| PWS 3.15.10 LTP |
| Paragraph 3.15.10s intent on pages 87 and 88 is unclear. Please verify that the government expects the contractor to provide training to the coaches on the various systems that make up the Army Battle Command System and provide this training to the rotational units? It is our understanding that rotational units deploy with ABCS field service representatives for that purpose. |
| The Government accepts a high level of understanding of current mission command systems utilized by the BDE and below to assist in troubleshooting shortfalls. Rotational units can deploy FSRs and there is permanent support that is currently provided by NTC. |
| 35 |
| PWS 3.15.11.2 LTP |
| This section states, “Coach responsibilities include: Supports units in simulation or gaming exercises…” Please define “gaming” as used here as it relates to an NTC rotation versus simulation exercises that are currently used during a rotation. |
| Simulation and Gaming refers to the current system of record, JCATS. JCATS are the system provided by the Government will drive the planning and be used as a tool to identify planning gaps that are covered in the AARs. |
| 36 |
| PWS 3.15.11.9 LTP |
| Recommend that the title be changed to read Sustainment Brigade Coach to be consistent with current brigade combat team organization and the requirement established by the National Training Center Operations Group in 2013. |
| Name will be changed to: Brigade Sustainment Coach. Keep the flexibility for the coach to be able to coach additional warfighting functions or a different Maneuver BN, if necessary. |
| 37 |
| PWS 3.15.11.14 LTP |
| This section states, "The Contractor shall provide and executes classes and training given to brigade and battalion level command sergeants major and first sergeants during a (2) day home station seminar." Is it the government’s intent to have the contractor provide and execute classes and training given to brigade and battalion level command sergeants major and first sergeants only during a (2) day home station seminar or is the 2-day home station seminar in addition to the training provided during the unit’s rotation? If home station is not required recommend "The Contractor shall provide and execute classes and training given to brigade and battalion level command sergeants major during Leader Training Program evolutions at the National Training Center." |
| The CSM program is solely conducted at Fort Irwin, CA and conducted concurrently with the first 5 days of program execution. The Contractor is expected to conduct classes to BDE and BN level CSMs specifically to build, sustain, and re-deploy combat power in preparation of conducting the physical rotation. PWS was adjusted to remove the 2 day home station reference. |
| 38 |
| PWS 3.17.3 MIS |
| Given MIS requirements are found throughout the PWS, will the Government please consolidate the multiple requirements for the MIS that are referenced throughout the PWS into one section? |
| The PWS was modified to compile the MIS requirement to one section. |
- What “on-demand” reports does the government anticipate via the MIS?
- Given that contractor employees will need to input data into the MIS, is there commercial internet access at the various work locations on Ft. Irwin?
PWS adjusted to correct the on-demand reference. The MIS requirement was clarified. Commercial internet will be available for the Contractors at their expense. These fixed costs should be included in the Program Management CLIN unless they are specifically utilized for a Service Category. The Government will provide NIPR / SIPR access to the service categories as required / requested.
| Given the level of activity involved in successful contract transition, we respectfully request the MIS classroom training occur 3 months after contract award. Note: The contractor and government personnel will need time to coordinate appropriate levels of access for designated government personnel and allow time for the contractor to tailor classroom training consistent with these roles. |
| PWS adjusted: Classes will be required within the first calendar month after the PAC. |
Question: Given that some elements of the MIS data (i.e., Contractor Cost Data, PWS. 3.17.5.2.3) could be company proprietary, is it the intent to transition all MIS data at the end of the contract?
Question: Will a new contractor be required to transition-in existing MIS data? If so, what data and in what format(s)?
- The Government intends that the MIS data will be restricted to Government personnel with a "need to know". - MIS Data will not be transitioned to another Contractor. No prior MIS data will be transitioned on this contract. - MIS data is for Government Use only and will not be released outside the Government.
| 42 |
| PWS 3.17 Program Management |
| Will the Government identify GFP and facilities for use on NTC MS? |
| The Government Provided Facilities are listed in PWS Appendices A and B. Facilities for Program Management use will be available for use at Contract Award. There is no GFP at award. GFP will be requested / added if required during transition. GFP should not be used in a proposal. All GFP references are removed from the solicitation. |
