ATTACHMENT 9 Answers to RFP Questions.pdf

Combined Questions for Military Skills Enhancement Solicitation W91151-24-R-0001

Q1. Section SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET, ITEM NO (CLIN) 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003 Travel (FFP): As price is a part of the evaluation criteria, could you please offer an estimated dollar amount for travel for the base and each option year? That amount is a variable and workload data doesn't appear to provide enough information for a reasonable estimate.

ANS: The government estimates up to 15 travel events per ordering period. Each event is firm fixed price. Travel is routinely to Fort Bliss TX, Fort Carson CO, or Fort Riley KS but may be to other locations in the United States. See PWS paragraphs 1.16 and 5.12.

Q2. Section SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET, ITEM NO (CLIN) 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003 Travel (FFP): If you cannot provide an estimated dollar amount for each of the 15 travel events, please provide the listing of which 15 classes will required to be delivered each year and at what specific Reserve and National Guard location(s) for the base year training will be conducted?

ANS: Training conducted on travel shall be identified prior to execution of the travel or training event.

Q3. Instructions to Offerors, B. 4., Page 84. Please describe your requirements for a "State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) Certificate," according to Texas Workforce Commission Tax Department the only form they provide is the IRS Certificate also mentioned in that section?

ANS: The requirement to provide a SUTA Certificate and a Worker’s Compensation Certificate shall be removed.

Q4. Part 1, General Information. 1.35, College Credit (Pg. 43). Please describe how academic credit needs to be awarded (or transcribed)?

ANS: The governing body for the college or university is the agency that does the assessment, evaluation, or decision on specific courses taught under the Troop School program that qualify for college credit.

Q5. Part 1, General Information. 1.35, College Credit (Pg. 43). Please describe "selected courses" that require college course credit?

ANS: All courses with a duration of 40 hours or more under this contract shall be considered for college credit.

Q6. Part 1, General Information. 1.35, College Credit (Pg. 43). Have the "selected courses" that require college course credit been previously evaluated, and by whom?

ANS: Yes. Courses that received college credit were previously evaluated by Central Texas College.

Q7. Part 1, General Information. 1.35, College Credit (Pg. 43). Will the government or the student pay for transcription services?

ANS: No. Soldier must pay for a transcript for classes taught.

Q8. Part 1, General Information. 1.35, College Credit (Pg. 43). Is a DA Form 87 Certificate of Training a sufficient form in which to award academic credit on?

ANS: No. Contractors shall develop and provide a separate evaluation record for academic college credit.

Q9. Will you consider extending the due date of the proposal in order for a timely response to questions?

ANS: The closing date for the solicitation shall be changed.

Q10. Part 1, General Information. Section 1.23.2.1 (Pg. 39). The SOW states "The Contractor shall provide a minimum of three Technical Instructors, two Course Developers and a Senior Instructor each with an active Secret security clearances." Are vendors who perform this work required to hold a facility clearance (FCL), and if so, at what level?

ANS: Contractors performing certain tasks under the contract require a security clearance to have access to the class material need for the course. Clearance is at the Secret level.

Q11. Part 1, General Information. Section 1.23.2.1 (Pg. 39). The SOW states "The Contractor shall provide a minimum of three Technical Instructors, two Course Developers and a Senior Instructor each with an active Secret security clearances." If vendor and their staff must possess a security clearance, will you provide a DD Form 254?

ANS: Yes.

Q12. Part 5, Specific Tasks. 5.4. Scheduling. (Pg. 49). The SOW states "The Contractor shall provide course instruction for MSE instruction within five (5) business days after receipt of the task order." Will one or multiple task orders be presented to the contractor under a firm fixed price?

ANS: Multiple task orders may be issued during the ordering periods listed on the contract.

Q13. Will you consider extending the due date of the proposal in order for a timely response to questions?

ANS: The closing date for the solicitation shall be changed.

Q14. Since the location, duration, and personnel required for travel for the Mobile Training Teams are unknown, will the government provide a Not To Exceed (NTE) amount for the CLINS 0003, 0004, 1003, 1004, 2003, 2004, 3003, 3004, 4003, & 4004 (Travel & MTT)?

ANS: The government estimates up to 15 travel events per ordering period. Each event is firm fixed price. The primary training location is Fort Cavazos TX. Travel is routinely to Fort Bliss TX, Fort Carson CO, or Fort Riley KS but may be to other locations in the United States. See PWS paragraphs 1.16 and 5.12.

Q15. Please clarify on Attachment 1- Estimated Workload Data if sessions listed equal instruction hours. If not, what is the estimated instruction hours per course?

ANS: Course duration varies. The contractor is paid for each hour of instruction provided. Schedules for training shall be provided to the contractor prior to execution of training.

Q16. Will the government be conducting a site visit for this solicitation?

ANS: No. A site visit will not be conducted.

Q17. What SCA code does the government anticipate on being utilized?

ANS: The most current Wage Determination issued by the Department of Labor shall be incorporated into the contract. The most current version is 2015-5237 Revision 22 dated July 17, 2023.

Q18. How many FTEs are currently performing on this contract?

ANS: Approximately 29 contractor personnel.

Q19. Will the government provide the yearly/quarterly training schedule for FY23?

ANS: The government shall provide annual training guidance and schedules. Schedules are subject to change due to changes in mission.

Q20. Instructor to student ratios is listed as 1:20. Will the government provide seats allocated per class?

Q21. Does the submission have to include every position listed in the Performance Work Statement? The previous RFP also listed a clerk and secretary but only specified program manager and the instructors as key personnel.

Q22. Presently Volume II – Personnel Qualifications Factor, implies that all personnel would be hired at the time of submission as it reads, “Offeror must identify personnel by position and include required information in their proposal show how those persons meet the required standards for IT certifications and security clearance, as required in the Performance Work Statement.” Is it the expectation of the Government that all personnel to this solicitation should be hired with all clearances by the submission date of the proposal?

ANS: Offerors must identify in their proposal personnel by position as described in the solicitation. The awardee must be prepared for execution of all tasks at the conclusion of the phase-in period.

Q23. Will the Government allow for the entity awarded the contract time to hire for the newly designated positions within the Performance Work Statement, or is the awardee expected to have those new positions such as the System Administrator II hired and in place prior to submission of the proposal and or award?

ANS: The awardee must be prepared for execution of all tasks at the conclusion of the phase-in period.

Q24. It is understanding that a DD-254 (Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification) has to be provided, for an entity to establish its industrial security clearance. Will the Government provide a DD-254 now, or does it intend to provide this form at award?

ANS: A DD-254 shall be provided.

Q25. Per the regulation DoD 5220.22-M dated February 2006, w/c 2, who is designated as the Cognizant Security Agency to assist us and secure a Facility Security Clearance?

ANS: The COR will process all security background checks and security clearance request material that is required for the contract through the III Armored Corps Security Manager. The contractor must have the appropriate Facilities Clearance to perform on the contract.

Q26. If the contractors are required to complete security checks in TASS (Tactical Automated Security System-Form 2875) and they have common access cards (CAC) is a Facility Security Clearance still required?

ANS: A Facilities Clearance is required.

Q27. Is a Cognizant Security Officer required if the Contracting Officer’s Representative currently sponsors the contractors for their CAC and TASS security clearances?

ANS: The COR will process all security background checks and security clearance request material that is required for the contract through the III Armored Corps Security Manager.

Q28. In regards to the Senior Quality Control Inspector, does the awardee need to hire for this position, can it designate a current employee to handle these responsibilities? For example:

Appointing the Executive Dean as the Senior Control Inspector.

ANS: Offerors must identify in their proposal personnel by position as described in the solicitation.