Questions-Answers from Industry day for HBCU MI_FinalVE 12-12-19.pdf

Questions (presentation portion)

1. Proposal submission date:

Answer: The Government anticipate releasing the final version of the solicitation on 20 December 2019. Contractor’s proposal submission shall be submitted NLT 1600 Est. 30 January 2020.

2. Will there be any sample tasks or defined tasks that will be included in the solicitation?

Answer: The government will establish performance requirements (tasks) within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for the first (1) Task Order Request that will be incorporated into the solicitation and evaluated in accordance with the evaluation requirements for Factor 2, Technical Approach, in Section M.

3. Do we have to include past performance for subcontractors as well?

Answer: The government will evaluate proposals based on the Offeror’s methods and approach to satisfy the requirements specified in the RFP. To adequately determine the feasibility of the approach, the contractor should provide relevant past performance history from all team members proposed. This information will be used to determine the extent to which the proposed approach is workable and the end results achievable.

4. Is there incumbent for any percentage of work? Answer: Yes, Technology Management Training Group.

5. For labor cost proposal what geographic location should be used? (Suggestion: one location for proposal).

Answer: The contractor shall propose prevailing direct labor rates based on the geographical region current located and current staff/ personnel resides. If the government has a specified requirement that the contractor shall have a physical office in a specific region then that requirement will be denoted in the solicitation and specific instruction will be provided.

6. How many pages maximum the proposal should include per volume?

Answer: The page count for each volume shall be provided in Section L of the solicitation.

7. Is this going to be SCA contract?

Answer: The majority of the tasks contemplated in the Performance Work Statement are considered service related, all applicable regulations and laws shall be adhered to.

8. Can this contract go beyond 5 years?

Answer: The current Program requirement for this project is five years, which consist of a twelve (12) months based period and 4, twelve (12) months option periods.

9. Is this project part of SMART program?

Answer: No, SMART is a separate and distinctly different program.

10. Will there be any financial or funding constraints for paying stipends?

11. Is there a breakout of students per region?

Answer: Students will be selected annually on a competitive basis so it is anticipated that there will be an annual regional variance.

12. Will this contract include the panel review for eligibility to apply?

Answer: All submissions will be screened to ensure Offerors have met the solicitation eligibility requirements.

Will there be a portion that contractor needs to provide any assistance in this?

Answer: It is recommended that all potential Offerors adhere to the guidance specified in the solicitation.

13. How much of the management approach should be addressed in proposal for K-12?

Answer: It is recommended that the Offeror’s main focus be centered around Higher Education with a minor emphasis on K-12.

14. Should scalability or ability to accommodate growth should be addressed in the proposal?

Answer: YES, it is anticipated that this suite of initiatives will grow over time.

15. What is the anticipated award date?

Answer: The Government anticipates a mid-to-late June 2020 award of a Single Award IDIQ contract.

16. Does this overlap any other program from RDECOM or ARO?

Answer: NO, currently the programs are OSD and ARL.

17. Will there be minimum FCL level to be eligible?

Answer: Yes, SECRET

TO INCLUDE IN SOLICITATION:

• Internship information (Table that shows how much for Stipends, Travel, ODCs).

Information will be provided in the final version of the solicitation.

• Advance payment language for Small Business (Alternate COR information to sign the invoice)

• Clearances for Students – Answer: Preliminary NACI required with potential elevation to SECRET for students/faculty on long term appointments.

• Include clause for Limitation on Subcontracting 52.219-14. Small Business Office

Questions from the One on One sessions

1) Can you provide examples of sample reports so Offerors can get an idea of the format for the deliverables requested? The Program Office is currently developing the technical requirements for task order request 0001, which will be provided in the final version of the solicitation.

2) Is this requirement primarily centered on HBCU/MIs or will it address other institutions?

Answer: The initial efforts are regarding the minority academic community but will expand to include all academic institutions.

3) Can you provide a table that shows how much the stipends are based on for the 100 students to include travel and any other ODC costs?

Answer: All undergraduate students are compensated at flat rate of $8000 and graduate students are compensated at flat rate of $9000.

4) How are the stipends determined?

Answer: The estimated budget amount for stipends for undergraduate students is $8,000.00 and $9,000.00 for graduate students.

5) Is the internship program just 10 weeks or could it be longer?

Answer: 10 weeks but can be extended by laboratory. Is housing required for the students? Answer: Yes, housing is required for all non-local students. Are they working in the Government labs? Answer: Yes, students will be assigned to DoD laboratories or agencies.

6) What is the criteria for admission into the internship program?

Answer: Admission criteria will be described in the solicitation.

7) Are you going to include ISO 9000 as a requirement?

Answer: A sound Quality Control/Quality Assurance is required.

8) How is the Government handling the requirement for a DCAA Approved Accounting system? This is problematic for Small Businesses. Some Offerors recommended issuing a Pre-Award survey.

Answer: In accordance with the requirements denoted on DCAA website, contractors considering submitting a proposal in support of this requirement shall complete the “Pre-award Survey checklist, https://www.dcaa.mil/Content/Documents/Preaward_Survey_of_Prospective_Contrac tor_Accounting_System_Checklist.pdf. to document how their accounting system is designed to meet the SF 1408 criteria. The completed checklist and SF-1408 shall be submitted to the local DCAA Branch Office before proposal submission. In addition, the contractor shall be in compliance with DFARS 252.215-7009 - Proposal Adequacy Checklist.

9) Is the Government requesting resumes and letters of commitment for this requirement?

Answer: Yes. Detail instructions of the number of acceptable pages per resume and types of LOC will be provided in the solicitation.

https://www.dcaa.mil/Content/Documents/Preaward_Survey_of_Prospective_Contractor_Accounting_System_Checklist.pdf https://www.dcaa.mil/Content/Documents/Preaward_Survey_of_Prospective_Contractor_Accounting_System_Checklist.pdf http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/html/current/252215.htm#252.215-7009 http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/html/current/252215.htm#252.215-7009

10) Will the Government request the Offerors have a specific cash flow or line of credit?

Answer: No. There are financial requirements denoted in the PWS that the contractor shall be able to perform in order to successfully satisfy the government’s requirement.

Failure to meet the requirements and comply with the financial responsibilities/ determination in FAR Part 9.1, may impact or increase the risk associated with the contractor’s ability to complete the tasks.

11) Will the database become the property of the Government?

Answer: Database content will be the property of the government. The data format must be compatible with government systems. Provide more specifics on what is required from the Offeror. Does the Government want the Offeror’s database or just the data from it? Answer: NOTE response above. Is there a database in place now?

Answer: No database currently exists

12) What is the requirement for the Facility Clearance?

Answer: Secret

13) Will the Government provide a list of Key Personnel along with the Level of Effort required for this requirement?

Answer: Yes, a list of key personnel will be described in the solicitation.

14) Will there be a sample task or a defined task order included in the Solicitation?

Answer: Yes

15) Will the Government consider requiring Past Performance from up to 5 references?

Answer: The number of past performance references has not been finalized.

16) How does the Government plan to deal with delays in processing WAWF payments?

Answer: Implement process, training, within the process to ensure the required actions to process a payment are completed within the stated time periods.

17) What is required from the Marketing Strategy?

Answer: The overarching marketing strategy should be designed to broaden, deepen and diversify the pool of STEM talent in support of our Defense Industry Base. The marketing strategy should promote Outreach programs included in this effort as a coordinated and cohesive suite of initiatives offering students, teachers and faculty educational and research opportunities, increase awareness of DoD STEM career fields, increase participation in STEM of under-represented groups and foster collaboration opportunities.

18) Will there be an Outreach plan required?

Answer: Yes, this component will be developed as a future requirement. If so what does it entail?

19) Clarify what is meant by no fee on stipends and ODCs?

Answer: Specific instructions pertaining to which cost elements the contractor is not allow to apply fee to will be provided in the solicitation.

20) Are the students partnered with a mentor or an advisor for the Intern Program?

Answer: Yes, the government will select mentors for students.

21) Are the reports required based on the Government’s fiscal year or calendar year?

Answer: Government Fiscal year

22) Will proposals be accepted electronically?

Answer: Yes. Specific instructions for proposal submissions will be provided in Section L of the solicitation.

23) Is this requirement more Outreach or Programmatic Support?

Answer: Both, there are significant Outreach and programmatic components to this initiative.

24) Clarify the number of 100 students for the Intern Program. Do you see this number growing or staying about the same for out years?

Answer: The estimated number of 100 interns represent the number that will be supported during the summer of 2020. This number is an estimate and may increase or shrink and is subject to the availability of funds.

25) What is the Offeror’s role in the clearance process?

Answer: It is expected that the Offeror initiate paperwork and obtain NACI or clearances for interns and faculty.

26) Recommend placing in the Solicitation how will the Offeror address Spillage? Has there been any incidents to date for this program?

Answer: No.

27) Is there an Incumbent for this requirement?

Answer: There is an incumbent for a portion of the requirement. This solicitation is establishing new requirements and processes.

28) What part is TMT currently performing are they the Incumbent?

Answer: TMT is currently facilitating OSD student internships and faculty fellowship programs.