EPCARTS_RFP_Q&A_SET_2_12_Jan_17.pdf

QUESTIONS ANSWERS

Q&A #1 Please clarify Korea and Japan work. The scope indicates Kwajalein, Alaska, and Guam. But the solicitation (RFP Pages 44, 52, and 62 of 122) specifically identifies Japan and Korea for contingency conditions. Are Korea and Japan included within the scope of this solicitation?

The scope of work for this acquistion includes possible work at USASMDC/ARSTRAT locations worldwide, including Japan and Korea.

Q&A #2 In order to ease the burden on clients who receive frequent and numerous requests to complete Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs), will the Government please allow submission of previous PPQs or completed CPARS, in lieu of requesting new PPQs from our clients (RFP Page 100 of 122)?

The offeror may NOT sumbit previous completed PPQs as other PPQs may ask different questions and the PPQs must come straight from the Government POC and not the offeror. CPARS cannot be submitted in lieu of PPQs but the Government will be pulling available CPARS reports as part of the past performance evaluation.

Q&A #3 For ease of use and in order to be in compliance with all formatting instructions detailed in the RFP, will the Government allow bidders to convert the Attachment 10, Corporate Experience PDF form to Microsoft Word, provided that the structure and content of the document remain the same?

Yes, you can convert the form to Microsoft Word, provided that the structure and content of the document remain the same and the file is converted back into a PDF for submittal.

Q&A #4 Does the Government want a three‐year base with two one‐year options or a price for each contract year? Please clarify.

The Government is requesting pricing for each contract year. The resulting contract will have a three year base ordering period and two one‐year option ordering periods but pricing at the task order level will be based on contract year rates submitted.

Q&A #5 Considering that this submittal process falls during two major holidays, will the Government please extend this deadline to January 31, 2016?

The Government is extending the proposal due date to 30 January 2017. The proposal due date was updated in Amendment 2 of the solicitation (W9113M‐ 17‐R‐0001‐0002)

Q&A #6 On Page 92 of 122 under b. Format Requirements, Item (2), you request that each volume/appendix be appropriately “cross‐referenced.” Can this be included as part of our Table of Contents per each volume/appendix?

Yes if the volume can sufficiently be cross referenced.

Q&A #7 On Page 19 of 122 under 7.0 Operations Security (OPSEC)/Security, Item 7.1 OPSEC, you state “Personnel and facility clearances through SECRET level are required.” For purposes of this submittal/ response, do all of our proposed key personnel require current SECRET level clearances? Or can this be obtained after contract award, since sponsorship is required to obtain a security clearance?

The personnel and facility security clearances can be obtained after contract award.

Q&A #8 For Vol. II, Subsection 3 – Labor Category Crosswalk (Page 95 of 122), does “offeror’s internal labor categories” mean our internal firm‐wide labor categories or are you asking for internal labor categories for our proposed key personnel and staff associated with this response only?

It is asking for internal labor categories proposed for response to this RFP only.

Q&A SET #2 for Soliciation W9113M‐17‐R‐0001 EPCARTS jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text "Note that the RFP is the governing document and offerors must rely upon the RFP for proposal purposes ‐ these Questions and Answers are informational only."

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Q&A #9 References: page 108 and 109 – Section 9 Travel, Materials, and ODCs (Prime Offeror Only) Question/RFI: (a) The solicitation has stated that no profit/fee will be authorized for either Travel, Materials, or ODCs. Per FAR 15.404.4(2), recognizing the projected costs of Travel, Materials, and ODCs on this contract are greater than 30% of the anticipated contract value, and in accordance with FAR 15.404‐4 it is in the best interest of the Government to stimulate efficient contract performance through reasonable profit allowance, would the government consider allowing profit/fee on these costs? (b) Is this restriction on the allowability of fee on Travel, Materials, and ODCs applicable for only Cost Reimbursable work?

Travel, Materials, and ODCs will be non fee bearing on all Cost Reimursable task orders. Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) task orders will be proposed on a FFP basis including profit and will be proposed at the task order level. The Government estimates that the majority of the task orders under EPCARTs will be cost reimbursable.

Q&A #10 References: page 35 of 122; Section H, Special Contract Requirements, subsection F(3) “The contractor shall propose Government Site rates and Contractor Site rates in accordance with the Government’s anticipated allocation of performance set forth in individual TORPs. Temporary or intermittent performance (i.e., generally less than 20% of labor hours) in Government facilities shall be priced with Contractor‐Site rates.” Page 104 of 122, Volume 4(A)(Xii) ‐For the purposes of this solicitation, Government Site and Contractor Site is defined as follows. Government site labor is work performed at locations where the offeror does not pay any facilities cost related to the solicitation’s labor categories. This includes facilities provided by: (1) Government at no cost to contractors and/or lower‐tier subcontractors, and (2) higher‐tier contractor at no cost to lower‐tier subcontractors. Contractor site labor is work performed at locations where the offeror pays facilities cost related to the solicitation’s labor categories.

Question/RFI:

(a) To provide the best value to the government and ensure our burdening is correct for the contract cost volume, can the government provide details on where they expect to require government site labor (i.e., Huntsville, USAKA, Fort Greely), and at what typical category the site labor would be expected to perform (i.e., field technician vs Task Order Manager)?

Kwajalein and Fort Greely are the only currently known restoration sites at which Government Site Rates would be applicable. Compliance and Planning (including NEPA) and other future restoration projects could occur at any site with SMDC activities or SMDC customer activities. Work labor categories could be any of the categories required to complete the effort on‐site. SMDC primarily sees site labor for this contract to be for support of restoration field activities. Compliance and Planning Activities will generally be restricted to site visits and not a long‐term government site presence.

jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text "Note that the RFP is the governing document and offerors must rely upon the RFP for proposal purposes ‐ these Questions and Answers are informational only."

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Q&A #11 References: Section H – Special Contract Requirements ‐ 252.232‐7006 Wide Area Workflow Payment Instructions (May 2013), Task Order Procedures f. (1)

(c) (page 35 of 122) includes the following statement: “For OTHER LABOR, the contractor shall apply indirect rates that do not exceed the indirect rate ceilings as set forth in Attachment 5 of this contract,” and item (5) of the same section (page 35 of 122) states “The applied burden rates shall not exceed the rates set forth in the Indirect Rate Ceiling Tables at Attachment 05 of this contract.” Section J – List of Attachments, Exhibit/Attachment 05 – Indirect Rate Ceiling Tables Please confirm the indirect rates proposed by the Prime Offeror and Major Subcontractors are to be Rate Ceilings, and the ceilings proposed by each Prime Offeror’s team member (Prime Offeror, Major Subcontractor(s), JV Members (for unpopulated JVs)) will be applicable to their work.

The indirect rates proposed by the Prime Offeror and Major Subcontractors are to be Rate Ceilings, and the ceilings proposed by each Prime Offeror’s team member (Prime Offeror, Major Subcontractor(s), JV Members (for unpopulated JVs)) will be applicable to their work.

Q&A #12 Please confirm there are no Direct Labor Rate Ceilings. The fully burdened labor rates proposed by the Prime in Section 11 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 3 of the resulting contract and the Fully Burdened Subcontractor Rates with Prime Add‐ons proposed in Section 12 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 4 of the resulting contract. The rates in the resulting Attachment 3 & 4 will be the Direct Labor Rate Ceilings.

Amendment 3 of the solicitation (W9113M‐17‐R‐0001‐0003) was issued to address this confusion with Attachment 3 and 4.

Q&A #13 Question/RFI:Please provide a list or definition of what compromises “ODCs” for the purposes of markup.

See the Other Direct Cost clause in Section H of the solicitation

Q&A #14 Reference:Pages 34, 35, and 85 include references to Attachments 3 & 4.

Question/RFI:

Page 85 references Attachments 3 and 4. We assume these are a subcomponent of Attachment 7. Is that correct? If not, please advise as to what should be submitted for Attachments 3 and 4.

The fully burdened labor rates proposed by the Prime in Section 11 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 3 of the resulting contract and the Fully Burdened Subcontractor Rates with Prime Add‐ons proposed in Section 12 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 4 of the resulting contract.

Amendment 3 of the solicitation (W9113M‐17‐R‐0001‐0003) was issued to address this confusion with Attachment 3 and 4.

Q&A # 15 Reference; Page 107 of 122, (a)”….. Label the Excel spreadsheet(s) “Indirect Rates” and ensure each page of the Excel spreadsheet includes the prime contractor and subcontractor’s name, if applicable. (Note: A template for this spreadsheet is NOT provided by the Government. Contractor is to create their own). Question/RFI:

Is the reference in this section referring to Attachment 5? And is this a subcomponent of Attachment 7?

The indirect rates proposed in this spreadsheet(s) will become Attachment 5 of the resulting contract. The prime and subcontractors will use these indirect rates when they burden the labor rates in Section 11 and 12 of their cost proposal. The prime will take their fully burdened labor rates and Sub‐ contractor fully burdened labor rates with prime add‐ons and input them into Attachment 7. Amendment 3 of the solicitation (W9113M‐17‐R‐0001‐0003) was issued to address this confusion with Attachment 5..

Q&A #16 Question/RFI: Based on the need to incorporate responses to questions, would the government consider allowing a 2‐week extension, extending the due date to 30 January 2017?

The Government is extending the proposal due date to 30 January 2017. The proposal due date was updated in Amendment 2 of the solicitation (W9113M‐ 17‐R‐0001‐0002) jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ

"Note that the RFP is the governing document and offerors must rely upon the RFP for proposal purposes ‐ these Questions and Answers are informational only."

Q&A #17 Reference;

Section A, Executive Summary, e. States: “…*The preference will be for FFP task orders; however, the Government anticipates the predominant task order type will be CPFF.” Question/RFI:

Can the government provide an anticipated percentage breakdown of FFP vs.

CPFF Task Order values?

The Government cannot provide a precentage breakdown of FFP vs CPFF task order values but the Government currently estimates that the task orders will predominantly be CPFF.

Q&A #18 Section H: Page 34 of 122 f. (1)The RFP states, “In no event shall proposed labor rates for CPFF TORPs deviate from the estimated cost, fixed fee, or total estimated CPFF rates set forth in the Labor Category Rate Tables in Attachment 3 and Attachment 4, except as set forth below:”

Our Question: Are these Attachments 3 and 4 required? If so, please provide

The fully burdened labor rates proposed by the Prime in Section 11 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 3 of the resulting contract and the Fully Burdened Subcontractor Rates with Prime Add‐ons proposed in Section 12 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 4 of the resulting contract.

Amendment 3 of the solicitation (W9113M‐17‐R‐0001‐0003) was issued to address this confusion with Attachment 3 and 4.

Q&A #19 Section H: Page 35 of 122 f.(1)(d)(2) The RFP states, “In responding to Firm Fixed Price TORPs, the contractor may propose labor rates in accordance with the Labor Category Rate Tables at Attachment 3 and 4 or may propose rates that deviate from the rate tables.”

Our Question: Are these Attachments 3 and 4 required? If so, please provide.

The fully burdened labor rates proposed by the Prime in Section 11 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 3 of the resulting contract and the Fully Burdened Subcontractor Rates with Prime Add‐ons proposed in Section 12 of the Cost Volume will become Attachment 4 of the resulting contract.

Amendment 3 of the solicitation (W9113M‐17‐R‐0001‐0003) was issued to address this confusion with Attachment 3 and 4.

Q&A #20 Section H: Page 35 of 122 f.(1)(d)(f) The RFP states, “The applied burden rates shall not exceed the rates set forth in the Indirect Rate Ceiling Tables at Attachment 05 of this contract.

Our Question: Is this Attachment 5 required? If so, please provide

The indirect rates proposed by the prime and subcontractors in Section 6 of the cost volume will become Attachment 5 of the resulting contract. Amendment 3 of the solicitation (W9113M‐17‐R‐0001‐0003) was issued to address this confusion with Attachment 5.

Q&A #21 Section L: Page 92 of 122‐ L.2 b(2) The RFP states, “All paragraphs, tables, schematics, etc. of each volume/appendix shall be appropriately labeled, numbered, and cross referenced in the applicable proposal narrative”.

Our Question: Does the Government have a preferred format for labeling and numbering each individual text paragraph?

The Government does not have a preferred format.

Q&A #22 Section L: Page 94 of 122 Volume II This sections states, “Subsection 5 ‐ Key Personnel: (Not Included in Page Limit)” Our Question: Recommend that this section be moved to the end of Volume II as to not interfere with the continuing 50‐page limit of the remaining sections of Volume II.

The Key Personnel section will not be moved as it needs to stay a subsection of Section 1 ‐ Technical.

Q&A #23 Section L – Page 96 of 122: B.Section 2 (ii) For each project, the offeror shall fill out Attachment 10 “Corporate Experience in Relevant Projects Form.”

Our Question: Recommend these pages not be included in the page count for Volume II.

The offerors completed Corporate Experience in Relevant Projects Forms will be included in the page count for Volume II.

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"Note that the RFP is the governing document and offerors must rely upon the RFP for proposal purposes ‐ these Questions and Answers are informational only."

Q&A #24 Section L – Page 96 of 122: B.Section 2 (ii) The RFP Attachment 10 states, “Do not modify this form”. Our Question: Is it permissible for us to convert the form to a word file so that we can input all information into the appropriate sections? The word file will be converted back into a pdf for submittal. This would also eliminate the need for a continuation page(s) after page 2 of the Attachment 10.

Yes, you can convert the form to Microsoft Word, provided that the structure and content of the document remain the same and the file is converted back into a PDF for submittal.

Q&A #25 Section L – Page 98 of 122: C. Section 3 (iv) Subsection 4‐ Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) The RFP states, “Identify any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest, as contemplated by the OCI provisions located in Section H of this solicitation for the prime offeror and any proposed subcontractor.”

Our Question: It is not clear in Section H on page 34 of 122, which item applies to OCI provisions. Please clarify the OCI provisions located in Section H of this solicitation.

The provisions of Section H for OCI define the terms "Organizational Conflict of Interest", "Contractor", and "Contract" for the purpose of that clause and the proposed contract and list what the contractor responsibilities for OCI would

be. Section L.2 c (2) C (iv) Subsection 4‐ Organizational Conflict of Interest prescribes that the proposal should include the identification of "any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest, as contemplated by the OCI provisions located in Section H of this solicitation for the prime offeror and any proposed subcontractor" under the terms defined in Section H. It also prescribes that the offeror should "Provide a plan for mitigating or eliminating the risks associated with the identified conflicts. If the prime offeror and its subcontractors/team members have no conflicts, a participation/clearance letter is not required and the offeror shall clearly state in the proposal that no actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest exists for the prime offeror and all subcontractors. Further address how the offeror team will identify and avoid potential conflicts during performance of the resultant contract and subsequent task orders."

Q&A #26 Attachment 7 is weighting the rates by contractor “Usage”.

Our Questions: Will these “composite” rates be the contract rates, or are they only for evaluation purposes?

They are only for evaluation purposes.

Q&A #27 1. Page 39 of the solicitation presents four “Key Personnel Categories” and also notes that “Prior to replacing any key personnel, the contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer not less than thirty (30) days advance notice and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the program. No replacement shall be made by the contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.”

Question: May the offeror designate specific personnel (i.e., Program Manager, Task Order Manager(s), Senior Principal Investigator(s), and Engineer/Scientist IV(s)) as “Key Personnel” subject to the replacement restrictions, versus all of the personnel identified in the proposal (some of whom may not be “key” but may be important contributors ‐‐ for example a senior risk assessor)?

The Government understands the question as asking if the proposal should include resumes for significant contributors. All personnel for which the Offeror submits resumes as Key Personnel or significant contributors, and for which the Offeror wants to have the Government consider in the Technical/Managment portion of the award process, are subject to the Key Personnel replacement provisions.

jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text "Note that the RFP is the governing document and offerors must rely upon the RFP for proposal purposes ‐ these Questions and Answers are informational only."

Q&A #28 2. Reference: Page 100 of the solicitation, Section L.2 Volume III (Past Performance) A4. Since the proposal preparation duration coincides with the Christmas and New Year Holidays, and many of our client staff that would be preparing and completing the Past Performance Questionnaire are away during this time, and may not be able to complete and return the PPQs on time. Therefore, we respectfully request that the due date for submittal of the proposal be extended for one more week to January 24, 2017. This time extension will allow additional time for our past performance references to complete the PPQ forms and submit to you following their return from the holidays.

The Government is extending the proposal due date to 30 January 2017. The proposal due date was updated in Amendment 2 of the solicitation (W9113M‐ 17‐R‐0001‐0002)

Q&A #29

Are there unclassified task orders that can be bid on which do not require a company to have an FCL/PCLs?

The resulting contract for this acquistion will be a Single Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract, therefore the awardee must be able to perform all the task orders issued (classified or unclassified). The FCL/PCLs may be obtained after award but the awardee must be able to obtain them.

Q&A #30

Is an e‐FCL required for a company to bid on this work?

Contract award may be made prior to the issuance of an FCL. In those cases, the contractor will be processed for an FCL at the appropriate level and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Q&A #31

Does this work require a company to have National Security System?

The Government assumes this question is asking whether or not a Automated Information System (AIS) will be required. Classified Automated information Systems (AIS) processing systems may be required level at the SECRET level.

Q&A #32 Are there classification by compilation concerns regarding GIS requirements/IT requirements? Please refer to the following: DoDM 5200.01 V1

Q&A #33

Does this proposal require a facility to be a possessing facility clearance per section 7.2 of the SOW?

Contract award may be made prior to the issuance of an FCL. In those cases, the contractor will be processed for an FCL at the appropriate level and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Q&A #34 Can the contractor undergo the facility and personnel clearance process post award? Yes

Q&A #35 Is the lack of FCLs/PCLs grounds for disqualification for the technical evaluation proposal?

No, the awardee will not be required to obtain FCLs/PCLs until after contract award but if the awardee is not able to obtain the required FCLs/PCLs, their contract may need to be terminated.

Q&A #36 We would appreciate if you would provide a copy of the DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification?

The DD Form 254 may be mailed, faxed, or sent to a .mil address upon request to the Contracting Officer at jessica.n.ely3.civ@mail.mil

Q&A #37 In reference to Section 7.2: Does this contract require SECRET level safeguarding prior to the award or this requirement can be addressed post award or only for specific task orders?

The FCLs/PCLs may be obtained after contract award.

jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text jessica.n.ely3.civ Typewritten Text "Note that the RFP is the governing document and offerors must rely upon the RFP for proposal purposes ‐ these Questions and Answers are informational only."

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