A07_-_Formal_Solicitation_QA_Responses_(Consolidated).xls
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- Administrative Support Services Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- W911QX-17-R-0003
About this file
This synopsis notice announces an upcoming solicitation for administrative support services in support of the Army Research Laboratory. The solicitation will be a competitive 8(a) multiple award indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract through which task orders will be issued for program management, administrative, technical, security, financial management, logistics, technical publications, technical library, and graphic/audiovisual support across multiple ARL installation sites. Responses to the synopsis notice are due by November 11, 2016. The point of contact is listed as Rebecca Patterson and Bryan Hoffman is listed as an alternate point of contact.
Formal Solicitation Q&A Responses
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SOLICITATION
| COMPANY QUESTION | GOVERNMENT ANSWER |
| Since the response to the Sample Task Order requires actual resumes and commitment letters for the candidates and not sample or representative resumes and Letters of Commitment, will the Government clarify if Sample Task Order and the First Task Order are one in the same? | Letters of Commitment and Resumes are only required for proposed Key Personnel in the Sample TO. The Sample TO is unawardable. |
| Per the Solicitation documentation it is not clear if Facility Clearance is required for the awardee at the time of award or proposal submission, or if the government will sponsor the Facility Clearance for awardees. Would the government advise? | Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Forthcoming amendment will provide this clarification. |
| Do you require a facility clearance for companies that are submitting proposals at the time of bid (2/7/16)? | Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Forthcoming amendment will provide this clarification. |
| If a company currently does not possess a "secret facilities" clearance, will or can the government sponsor? | Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Forthcoming amendment will provide this clarification. |
| Can the Government please confirm that it will sponsor a Secret facility clearance for an 8(a) offeror selected for award that does not otherwise currently have a facility clearance? | Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Forthcoming amendment will provide this clarification. |
| So the incumbent is not favored, will the government consider including reimbursable plug numbers for ODCS/Materials? | The forthcoming solicitation amendment will include plug numbers in Section L.iii.e. |
| Section 3 - The RFP defines major subcontractors as having 10% of the offerors value. Is this 10% of the value of TO 001?. | No, 10% of the value refers to the total anticipated work under the IDIQ. |
| Section B of the document provides space for "MAX COST FIXED FEE" and "TOTAL MAX COST + FEE" for various Items Nos. Is the offeror to complete these section for Items 0001 - 0003? Or will the government populate this upon IDIQ award? | No, the Contractor is not required to complete this section. This section will be populated upon award of the base contracts. |
| The government contemplates an award of Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Since the government anticipates to award task orders against IDIQ, furthermore the task order awards may be split between up to 4 awardees, how should the offeror inform of such Fixed Fee charged to the government? How will the government split Fixed Fee for partial awards? | The base awards will have a shared ceiling. Each Task Order will be competed amongst the awardees. Fixed fee will not be calculated on the base contract; that value represents the ceiling price inclusive of all cost/fixed fee at the TO levels. |
| Section B. Page 3 of 64 - Is the maximum amount the value of TO 001 or the ceiling rate of an awarded contract that could be entered after award? | In Section B. Page 3 of 64, the maximum amount pertains to the total contract value of the base contract, once it's been awarded. This section B will be populated upon award of the base contracts. |
| Do you require the companies submitting the proposals to have a DCAA reviewed accounting system at time of bid? | No, a DCAA reviewed accounting system is not required at time of bid. However, please reference Section L.iii.(Volume III - Cost) for more clarification. |
| Can the government confirm if Small Business Past Performance is required for this RFP with this being a competitive 8(a) opportunity? In the Q&A previously released for the draft solicitation, the government responded accordingly as noted below: |
Section L.3.ii.7: Small Business Participation Past Performance is not normally required for small business set-asides. Will this requirement be deleted in the final RFP? Yes, this will be deleted in the formal solicitation.
| However, the actual solicitation released still reflects in L3.ii.7 that "All Offerors shall submit information substantiating the Offerors’ past performance in complying with FAR 52.219-8, “Utilization of Small Business”, maximizing opportunities for U.S. small business subcontractors" | Upon further compliance and legal review of the Draft Solicitation, it was determined that FAR Clause 52.219-8 is required in all solicitations/contracts over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and applies to this requirement. | |
| Can the government provide an estimate of how many personnel could be required across the entire IDIQ, beyond the staffing required within the Basic PWS? Could the government provide historical staffing levels? | No historical staffing data is available at this time. | |
| Can the government provide an estimate of the staffing split between the two locations (APG and ALC)? What percentage of work associated with this contract is typically performed at both sites? | Requirements will be identified in individual task orders. Since this is a new requirement, the Government cannot provide an estimate at this time. | |
| Would the government advise the estimated value of Task Order 0001 | Task Order 0001 will be established after award. | |
| Would the government advise the basis of Task Order 0001 Award? Will a Task Order response request be provided to the IDIQ awardees post IDIQ award? | 1. For proposal purposes, please only reference the Sample Task Order PWS, which will be evaluated in accordance with Section M. 2. It is anticipated that a Task Order 0001 Request for Proposal (RFP) will sent to the base contract holders soon after award. | |
| Please clarify the requirement for small business requirements to provide information regarding small business participation. | Section L.ii(7) pertains to FAR Clause 52.219-8 and is required in all solicitations/contracts over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and applies to this requirement. | |
| For pricing purposes, please provide the place of performance for pricing and an estimated start date. | Please reference the Sample TO PWS, as locations for each labor category are provided. | |
| Will the government consider a two week extension to the due date? | A due date extension is forthcoming in the formal solicitation amendment. | |
| If subcontractors do not want to submit rate data directly to the prime, can the subcontractors submit directly to the government? If so, what is the submission method and instructions for subcontractors? | Yes, please reference Section L.iii Volume - Cost (d)(ii). | |
| Are the subcontractors only required to submit detailed back up for TO 001? What is the level of detail required for subcontractors as it relates to direct rates and indirect rates? | Yes, a full cost proposal is required for the Sample TO. Please reference Section L(iii) Volume - Cost. | |
| Will the Government please advise, do offerors need to propose a price for Section B since the pricing is based on the IDIQ rates and sample task order? If so, what will be the basis for CLIN 0001? | The maximum amount pertains to the total contract value of the base contract, once it's been awarded. The Section B ceiling amount will be populated upon award of the base contract(s). | |
| The following positions all require at least a BS/BA or equivalent experience, which is typically not associated with SCA: |
• RFP Records Management Tech
• RFP Librarian
• RFP Publications Development Technician
| Will the Government reconsider the mapping of those positions or take out them of SCA? | The Contractor shall select the appropriate labor standard for positions under this requirement and propose the necessary costs to perform the required services. The WDOL Map is simply an estimation provided by the Government. When a Task Order Request for Proposal is issued, SCA applicable labor categories will be identified. |
| The RFP states: “Offerors must be able to perform all areas of the Basic PWS to be eligible for a MA IDIQ CPFF contract award.” |
| Is this to interpreted that past performance contracts submitted, in total, must provide evidence of 100% experience of all work descriptions areas in the Basic and Sample TO PWS’s? Will offerors whose past performance experience misses a few LCAT descriptions but is strong in all other aspects be assessed as less than Technically Acceptable? | Please reference Section L, Volume II - Past Performance which details how past performance will be evaluated. | |
| Is the Government planning to award Task Order 1 on a "Sole Source" or Fair Opportunity Basis? | It is anticipated that TO 0001 will be competed amongst the IDIQ awardees, on a Fair Opportunity Basis. | |
| The Solicitation lists ten (10) days as legal holidays, observed by the Government. These include January 1st, 3rd Monday of January, 3rd Monday of February, last Monday of May, July 4th, 1st Monday of September, 2nd Monday of October, November 11th, 4th Thursday of November and December 25th. |
| a. Please advise on treatment of Inauguration Day as a recognized federal holiday for both ARL HQ and Aberdeen locations. | Installation specific closure, executive orders, etc. would be handled on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with facility operating procedures and contractor business practices. | |
| It is our understanding that TO 0001 no longer exists and the Sample Task Order replaced this requirement in the Final RFP. It also our understanding that the Sample Task is fictitious task, is only being proposed on for evaluation purposes and this task will not be awarded. | ||
| Question: Please clarify | Correct. The Final RFP includes a Sample Task Order that is not awardable. | |
| Section B, Item Number 0003: Can you please clarify what CLIN 0003 DATA represents? What data is required at the TO level and how should it be priced? | Please reference the DD1423 attachment in the Formal Solicitation that shows the contract deliverables for the requirement. Upon award of TO 0001, a DD1423 will be attached. | |
| Per the RFP, the list of POCs are due 20 days after RFP release. "The offeror shall e-mail to the Contracting Officer a list of all the POC’s who were sent a questionnaire. The Government must receive this list no later than 20 days after RFP release." |
Then per the PP questionnaires themselves, the questionnaires are due three working days "after receipt" by the contacts listed in the questionnaire.
| 1) Does 20 days means 20 working days 2) Will we have addition time if it is “20 days”, as offerors typically won’t want to release the questionnaires until the Q&A are posted (incase an amendment is issued). 3) Will we have additional time as “20 days” included two Federal holidays and only 11 working days (if my math is complete) and most of those days are traditional holidays for technical POCs. | It is anticipated that a Past Performance POC List due date extension is forthcoming in the formal solicitation. | |
| The RFP states that the list of past performance references is due 20 days before the due date. To lessen confusion and ensure the deadline is not missed, please provide the exact due date and time for this requirement. | It is anticipated that a Past Performance POC List due date extension is forthcoming in the formal solicitation. |
Section L
| COMPANY QUESTION | GOVERNMENT ANSWER |
| Section L, Page 6(ii) Volume II – Past Performance, end of Paragraph 1: In regards to past performance, we are required to submit: |
1. A written consent letter from a subcontractor
2. A letter of commitment from a subcontractor
| We understand the requirement of a written consent letter from the subcontractor regarding their Past Performance. What is the necessary content for the Letter of Commitment from the subcontractor regarding Past Performance? | Letters of Commitment and Resumes are only required for proposed Key Personnel in the Sample TO. | |
| In the Instructions to Offerors, section 3 (iii) III (b) (iv) states: “Overtime Premium: No overtime is to be proposed for the base effort.” However, section 3 (iii) III (b) (ii) includes overtime as a requirement for the proposal. Can the government confirm if the offeror is to propose overtime hours and/or an overtime rate? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will reflect revised language in this section to read: "As well as proposed overtime for Sample TO." | |
| Section L (page 1) 1.b, Set #2, ii. Volume II Past Performance – What does the Government require for the Sample Task Order past performance submission? Is it required that we submit the same contract twice if we are using it for past performance under Set #1, Volume II – Past Performance for the Basic PWS? Will one past performance questionnaire be sufficient per contract even if it is used for both Sets? | The Sample TO should focus on past performance that has not already been discussed, but is pertinent to the Sample TO. However, please adhere to the instructions set forth in Section L.ii Volume II - Past Performance for both the MA IDIQ and Sample TO proposal submissions. | |
| Are letters of commitment required for all labor categories listed in the basic PWS? | Letters of Commitment and Resumes are only required for proposed Key Personnel in the Sample TO. | |
| Page 6 of 13 states: This volume shall not exceed 10 pages plus five (5) pages for each major Subcontractor and Joint Venture Partner(s) excluding Past Performance Questionnaire Forms. Offerors shall submit the first page of Government and/or commercial contracts for the prime offeror and each major Subcontractor in performance or awarded during the past three (3) years, but no more than five (5) contracts, from the issue date of this RFP, that is the same as or similar to, the scope, magnitude, and complexity of the work described by this solicitation. |
| Will the Government please confirm, in regards to the Past Performance Volume, we are allowed an additional 5 pages per each major Subcontractor/ Joint Venture Partner? | Correct, to clarify five (5) pages per each Major Subcontractor/JV Partner. |
| The government identifies a limit of “no more than five (5) contracts...” |
Is this to be interpreted that the combined maximum number of prime and major subcontractor past performances is five (5)?
The government identifies 10 and 5 page limits respectively for prime offerors and for each major subcontractor not including PPQs and the first pages of contracts. No other guidance is provided with respect to the desired content or page limit for each of the past performance citations.
| Will the government please confirm that this is their intent and that offerors may describe their past performance in the manner they see fit? | Correct, "no more than five (5) contracts", shall be interpreted as five (5) total combined contracts for both the Prime and Major Subcontractors past performances. Offerors may describe past performance at their discretion and in accordance with the instructions set forth in Section L. ii Volume II - Past Performance. | |
| Will the Government please clarify if the total of no more than five contracts includes both the Prime offeror and subcontractor(s)? | "No more than five (5) contracts", shall be interpreted as five (5) total combined contracts for both the Prime and Major Subcontractors past performances. | |
| Will the Government allow a compliance matrix that is outside of page count? | Yes. | |
| The Government limited the number of pages in the MA IDIQ Basic PWS past performance volume to 10 pages, and limited the number of contracts to no more than 5. However, in the section L instructions, the Government states that the volume shall not exceed not exceed 10 pages, plus five (5) pages for each major subcontractor. |
Questions:
1) Please confirm that the offeror prime is allowed 10 pages and up to 5 contracts not including the first page of the contract, and each major subcontractor is allowed up to 5 additional pages, citing up to 5 contract past performance citations which again does not include the first page of the contract?
2) Please clarify if the five (5) contracts are to be the same contracts as those cited in the offeror and subcontractor’s past performance or if they may list up to five contracts that are not exclusive to those listed in the proposal?
Recommendations: 1) Recommend adding a note under the page count limits table on page 3 that clearly explains that the page count limitation on the IDIQ volume only apply to the offeror and that major subcontractors have up to additional 5 pages to support their contract citations which cannot exceed a total of 5 contracts.
| 2) Recommend deleting the requirement for a PP volume of the ST as the primes would have already met the requirement to substantiate their capability to perform all work as described in the Basic PWS. If the PP Volume is required for the ST proposal, recommend the page count remain the same as the Basic PWS and/or allow the offeror to state “see basic PWS PP volume” if the information is the same. | 1) The forthcoming solicitation amendment will clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV; 2) "No more than five (5) contracts", shall be interpreted as five (5) total combined contracts for both the Prime and Major Subcontractors past performances. | |
| Section L, 1.b.ii: Sample TO outline shows Volume II Past Performance, however, the Base IDIQ has all the Past Performance data. Is Past Performance volume required for the Sample TO? | The Sample TO should focus on past performance that has not already been discussed, but is pertinent to the Sample TO. However, please adhere to the instructions set forth in Section L.ii Volume II - Past Performance for both the MA IDIQ and Sample TO proposal submissions. | |
| How many minimum and maximum past performances do the prime and subcontractor need to submit? | Offerors shall submit the first page of Government and/or commercial contracts for the prime offeror and each major Subcontractor in performance or awarded during the past three (3) years, but no more than five (5) contracts TOTAL for BOTH the Prime and Subcontractor. No more than five (5) contracts, shall be interpreted as five (5) total combined contracts for both the Prime and Major Subcontractors past performances. | |
| Please state or confirm maximum number of past performance records allowed to be submitted for evaluation. How many total between the Basic PWS and Sample TO PWS? In the INSTRUCTIONS_TO_OFFERORS p.3 , section 2 (Submission Requirements) it states 10 pages allowed on past performance for Basic PWS and 5 pages allowed for Sample TO PWS. Is this a total of 5 maximum, or total of 10 maximum past performance records if they were all separate? | 1)Section L.2 in the forthcoming solicitation will be revised to clarify 10 pages for Prime and 5 Pages for each Subcontractor and JV (as it's currently stated in Section L.ii Volume II - Past Performance). 2) "No more than five (5) contracts", shall be interpreted as five (5) total combined contracts for both the Prime and Major Subcontractors past performances. | |
| Section L, 2: Please confirm that Resumes and Letters of Commitment are not required for the Sample Task Order since it is not awardable. | Letters of Commitment and Resumes are only required for proposed Key Personnel in the Sample TO. | |
| Is the facilities clearance required at time of submittal of proposal responses or at time of award? | ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Exective Summary language updated. Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. | |
| Is the prime offeror required to have facility clearance at the time of submittal or at the time of award? What if the prime offeror is in the process of obtaining facility clearance at the time of submittal? | Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Forthcoming amendment will provide this clarification. | |
| If the prime offeror is in the process of obtaining facility clearance for another contract and anticipates having it at time of the resultant ARL award, will that meet the requirement for clearance outlined in the RFP? | Offerors must hold an active facility clearance at time of award. If an awardee does not hold an active facility clearance at time of award, the Government is willing to sponsor the awardee after award. The awardee will not be eligible for any Task Order awards if their facility clearance is not approved by the time a Task Order Request is issued. If the subcontractor employees also require clearances, then the Subcontractor must also hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one. ARL will sponsor a vendor for a facility clearance once they are awarded a contract that includes the requirement for a facility clearance through the issuance of a DD Form 254. Forthcoming amendment will provide this clarification. | |
| Section L, 3.iii.b.ii and Section L, 3.iii.b.iv: The solicitation discusses the offerors proposed overtime (para ii); and then states "no overtime is to be proposed for the base effort" (para iv). Is overtime allowed? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will reflect revised language in this section to read: "As well as proposed overtime for Sample TO." | |
| Section L.3.ii.1.e.: Pre-Award Monitor is not a familiar title. Can the Government state another title for clarity (PCO, ACO, ACOR, etc)? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will reflect the removal of the requirement for including Pre-Award Monitor (Section L.ii.1). | |
| Given the focus and scope of this IDIQ contract is staffing quality personnel to meet the Government’s yet to be determined requirements at the TO level, does the Government require a CWBS be submitted with the proposal for the Basic PWS? For the Sample TO PWS? If a CWBS is required for the IDIQ level, where should be placed in the proposal as CWBS is not described in Section L. How/where will it be evaluated? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will reflect the removal of the CWBS reference from Solicitation. | |
| Is a contract work breakdown structure required from each Offeror? If so, how will it be evaluated and where should it be located in the proposal? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will reflect the removal of the CWBS reference from Solicitation. | |
| In the "Instructions to Offerors" file, Cost Volume Section L, under "Major Cost Element Information" the first and second paragraph talk about individual material quantities and consolidated bill of material. These are manufacturing items. Does this apply to this RFP? If so, in what regard? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to show plug numbers in section L (iii)(e) and the removal of the Section L. Major Cost Element Information (a) language. | |
| Section L, (ii) Past Performance, (1), (e): This sections asks that a Pre-Award Monitor be listed in the Contract Description. Q-A asked that the Government describe the position of this person and per the answer, this will be revised. Can the Government provide the position description since it was not described in the final Solicitation | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will reflect the removal of the requirement for including Pre-Award Monitor (Section L.ii.1). | |
| In the RFP, the submission organization is different in section 1a than it is in section i. Which proposal organization is correct? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will include Subfactor C in the Instructions to Offerors, Section 1.a. Offerors shall address Subfactor C. Please also adhere to the instructions outlined for Subfactor (c) in Section L and Section M. | |
| Will the government provide an NTE for travel or should the offeror estimate travel costs, if necessary? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to show plug numbers in section L (iii). | |
| Answer #4 (2) in the Q&A Responses Amendment 0001 states “Reference Section L Volume III e states "For proposal purposes, the Government's best estimate of material costs anticipated in performance of this effort is $22,000.00". However, this was not provided in the final RFP. Is the contractor to provide a full breakdown of ODCs or use the $22,000 plug for the proposal? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to show plug numbers in section L (iii). | |
| Vol II Past Performance. Ref: This volume shall not exceed 10 pages plus five (5) pages for each major Subcontractor and Joint Venture Partner(s) excluding Past Performance Questionnaire Forms. Question: Does that mean 10 pages for the Prime and 5 pages for each major Subcontract | Correct. The language in the forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised in Section L to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. | |
| Section L, 2. Proposal Submission Requirements table and (ii) VOLUME II – Past Performance. Question: what is the requirement for Sample TO Past Performance? Is the page count 5 as stated in the table on page 3 of 13 or 10 pages plus 5 for each major Subcontractor as stated in the instructions on page 6 of 13 which doesn’t differentiate between IDIQ and Sample TO requirement? | The language in the forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised in Section L to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. | |
| L 3.i.3 instructs offerors to include a proposal section for “Section 3 - Subfactor (c) - Understanding of Work to be Accomplished”. However, this section is not included or referenced in the volume organization instructions contained in Section L 1.a on page 1. |
| Request clarification on whether or not to include a separate proposal section for Subfactor 3 - Understanding of Work to be Accomplished. | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to include Subfactor C in the Instructions to Offerors, Section L, 1a. Offerors shall address Subfactor C. Please also adhere to the instructions outlined for Subfactor (c) in Section L and Section M. | |
| Section L, Page 2, Para 6: Since ASSIST2Industruy has been updated, could you clarify when the Prime contractor needs to establish the Subcontractor’s account? After the Prime has received the two emails from the Government establishing the ASSIST2Industry accounts or within the proposal and cover letter? | The Subcontractor's account shall be established in ASSIST, once the Prime's account is established in ASSIST. | |
| The outline of what to include in the MA IDIQ and Sample TO Technical Volumes in L.1.b.i does not include a location to address Subfactor C "Understanding of Work to be Accomplished". It only lists Management and Personnel and Recruitment and Retention, yet it is a factor that is evaluated in Section M for the MA IDIQ and Sample Task Order. Can the Government please clarify that Subfactor C is or is not to be addressed since it is not listed in L.1.b.i? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to include Subfactor C in the Instructions to Offerors, Section L, 1a. Offerors shall address Subfactor C. Please also adhere to the instructions outlined for Subfactor (c) in Section L and Section M. | |
| Is the total page limit of the past performance 10 pages inclusive of subcontractor past performance references? Section L indicates that the limit is 10 for the offeror (prime) and 5 additional pages for each subcontractor. | The language in the forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised in Section L to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. | |
| Are offerors required to include a response to ALL items listed in FAR 15.408, Table 15-2? Can the Government provide with the solicitation FAR 15.408 Table 15-2 or the sections of it we are required to respond to in our proposals? | As stated in FAR 15.408, the instructions in Table 15-2 is only for preparing contract pricing proposal when certified cost or pricing data is required. | |
| Within the Q&A, the gov’t states the PPQ is due on the RFP closing date or7 Feb 2017; however, within the Instructions, the gov’t states the PPQ is due 20 days after the RFP drops or12 Jan 2017. Can you please clarify? | It is anticipated that a Past Performance POC List due date extension is forthcoming in the formal solicitation. | |
| Section L, 1.a.i: For the Base IDIQ, the Volume I - Technical outline does not include Section 3, Subfactor c, Understanding the Work to be Accomplished. Is this Subfactor required to be addressed in the Technical Proposal or is it more guidance on how the entire proposal will be evaluated? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to include Subfactor C in the Instructions to Offerors, Section L, 1a. Offerors shall address Subfactor C. Please also adhere to the instructions outlined for Subfactor (c) in Section L and Section M. | |
| Section L, 1.b.i: For the Sample Task, the Volume I - Technical outline does not include Section 3, Subfactor c, Understanding the Work to be Accomplished. Is this Subfactor required to be addressed in the Technical Proposal or is it more guidance on how the entire proposal will be evaluated? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to include Subfactor C in the Instructions to Offerors, Section L, 1a. Offerors shall address Subfactor C. Please also adhere to the instructions outlined for Subfactor (c) in Section L and Section M. | |
| In Volume II – Past Performance, what all sections are included in 10 + 5 pages requirement if Subcontractors are to be used? Does it only include Contract Descriptions and Performances? | The language in the forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised in Section L to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. Please adhere to the instructions in Section L.ii, (1)-(7). | |
| Please confirm that Section 3 – Subcontracts and Joint Venture Partners is to be included in the Prime Offeror’s 10 page Past Performance narrative ONLY, and not required to be included in the subcontractors and joint venture partners 5-page Past Performance narrative. | The language in the forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised in Section L to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. Please adhere to the instructions in Section L.ii, (1)-(7). | |
| The Government’s response to industry’s question on the same subject was: Reference ODC/Travel plug numbers provided in section L.3.iii.e (ODCs). In the final RFP, there is no plug number nor detailed requirement or LOM for materials provided. The Government cut the previous DRFP language providing a plug number for materials, equipment and ODCs. |
Question:
| Can the Government provide guidance on how offerors are to provide pricing data IAW the pricing instructions for materials and equipment when no detailed LOM or plug number is provided in the RFP? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to show plug numbers in section L (iii). |
| The Government’s answer to industry’s question on the same subject was: Reference ODC/Travel plug numbers provided in section L.3.iii.e (ODCs). In the final RFP, there is no plug number nor detailed requirement for travel at the Basic or ST level and therefore no way for offeror to estimate travel for the IDIQ or ST requirements provided. The Government cut the previous DRFP language providing a plug number for ODCs travel. |
Question:
Can the Government provide guidance on how offerors are to provide pricing data IAW the pricing instructions for travel when no detailed requirement for travel or plug number is provided in the RFP?
| Recommendation: Recommend the Government include a plug number for the travel ODC which is only be for evaluation purposes and more importantly level the playing field in the area of the cost volume. | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to show plug numbers in section L (iii). |
| The Government appears to be dictating an escalation factor of 3% for option year pricing and evaluation purposes. If the offeror decides to substantiate higher wage rates and justifies a different escalation factor, those wage/escalation factors could be explained in the cost narrative vice developing 4 additional tabs in the workbook where the only difference would be fixed 3% escalation factor that is dictated by the RFP for evaluation purposes.. |
Questions:
1) Is the offeror required to provide a fully loaded labor rate which includes all indirects/fee and a pay band for each labor category in Appendix A?
| 2) If escalation factors are fixed at 3% for evaluation purposed, does the Government want a fully burdened rate and pay bands for each of the option years on a separate tab? If not, please confirm that the Government is only requiring year one rates and pay bands as a separate tab in the offerors work book? | The forthcoming formal solicitation language will reflect the removal of the 3% reference in Section M and align with the escalation language in Section L. | |
| In the Section L Cost Volume, we are required to supply our basis for any escalation, however, the evaluation approach states to use 3% per year. | The forthcoming formal solicitation language will reflect the removal of the 3% reference in Section M and align with the escalation language in Section L. | |
| Section L - Past Performance |
Question 1: Can the offeror and subcontractor provide the first page, such as signed SF33 by Offeror/Contractor and the Contracting Officer (CO) as demonstration of awarded contract?
Question 2: Is the past performance volume a total of ten (10) pages to include the subcontractor description?
| Question 3: Is it the Government’s expectation to have the past performance summary descriptions listed alphabetically by company name or contract title? | 1) Yes. 2) The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. 3) Government has no preference. | |
| In Volume II – Past Performance, what all sections are included in 10 + 5 pages requirement if Subcontractors are to be used? Does it only include Contract Descriptions and Performances? | The forthcoming formal solicitation amendment will be revised to clarify ten (10) pages for the Prime and five (5) pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. Please adhere to the instructions in Section L.ii, (1)-(7). | |
| Section L, Volume IV, Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents: Per Q_A this Volume consists of the PDF Sonication, signed and filled in. Can the Government confirm that since this is a fill in of the provided PDF Solicitation, this volume is not subject to 3. Proposal Files (a. Format), detailing headers and b. Content Requirement of a Table of Contents, Summary Section and Narrative? | Confirmed, this volume is not subject to the details set forth in Section L (3). | |
| Can the Army award a contract to a JV, when a Protégé does NOT have a facilities clearance, but the Mentor DOES have a facilities clearance? | For a JV, the JV must hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one by the Government. For a Mentor Protégé, the Protégé must hold an active facility clearance or otherwise request to be sponsored for one by the government. | |
| In the absence of clause 52.222-43 FLSA and SCA Labor Standards - Price adjustment, please clarify if you wish the offerors to show direct labor rate escalation for the non exempt labor categories as described in (g) above? | Yes, direct labor rate escalation shall be addressed for all labor categories. | |
| In Volume I - Technical Factor for Basic PWS, Section 3 – Subfactor (c) – Understanding of Work accomplished, is the government expecting how services mentioned in PWS C.3.1, C.3.2, C.3.3, C.3.4 and C.3.5, will be met by the offeror? | Correct. | |
| While Section (ii) lays out very specific guidelines for the page count of 10 and 5 pages respectively that seems to be in reference to (1) Section 1 Contract Descriptions and (2) Section 2 Performance. Sections 3 – 7 will also require narrative and page count therefore page count. Will the Government please confirm: |
1) If the responses to Sections 3-7 of Section (ii) Past Performance is required from the Prime Offeror only or the Offeror and each major subcontractor.
| 2) If the responses to Sections 3-7 are part of the 10 pages allowed to describe Past Performance. | To clarify, the Section L.ii Volume II - Past Performance volume shall not exceed 10 pages for the Prime and 5 pages for each Major Subcontractor and JV. | |
| In Volume I - Technical Factor for Basic PWS, Section 3 – Subfactor (c) – Understanding of Work accomplished, is the government expecting how services mentioned in PWS C.3.1, C.3.2, C.3.3, C.3.4 and C.3.5, will be met by the offeror? | Yes, the Government is expecting how services mentioned in the Basic PWS C.3.1, C.3.2, C.3.3, C.3.4 and C.3.5, will be met by the offeror. | |
| The Government has required offerors to provide a Past Performance Volume with both the MA CPFF IDIQ and the Sample TO Proposals. However, there are no identified differences between the Base and the Sample Task Order Proposal requirements for Past Performance and the page count is reduced. Please clarify the specific requirements for the Sample Task Past Performance Volume and the why the difference in page count between the Base and Sample Task proposal. | The Sample TO should focus on past performance that has not already been discussed, but is pertinent to the Sample TO. However, please adhere to the instructions set forth in Section L.ii Volume II - Past Performance for both the MA IDIQ and Sample TO proposal submissions. | |
| It is our understanding that offerors will create an account in ASSIST after proposals are submitted and this site will used for ENs. Therefore, it appears the Government did not intend for this site to be used for submission of subcontractor’s proposals. Given subcontractors will want to submit or upload their proprietary cost proposals separately from the offeror or in a sealed package through the prime or directly to the KO, it would make sense the that either the ASSIST2INDUSTRY or some other site or method be available to both the prime and designated subs prior to the solicitation closing date for this purpose. |
Question:
| Request the Government provide clear instructions on how subcontractors are to submit their proprietary cost files required in Section L and being evaluated in Section M? | Subcontractors may submit proposals electronically via the AMRDEC SAFE https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/SAFE/. Please reference Section L.iii Volume - Cost (d)(ii). |
| The pricing volume II -Cost requires highly sensitive and propriety cost data (e.g. indirect/overhead rates, G&A, etc.) subcontractors would prefer the option to submit their complete pricing breakout via a sealed bid. Since the proposal and all of its contents are required to be submitted using AMRDEC Safe Access File Exchange (SAFE), what is the process of submitting the sealed bid? |
Will the government accept the pricing breakout directly from the subcontractor as a separate SAFE submission from the Prime’s proposal? If so, what’s the Government’s preference as far as referencing the Prime contractor’s main proposal submission (unique ID, Prime company name, Prime POC name)?
| Conversely, does the Government prefer the sealed bids be mailed in hard copy format? | 1) Proposals are to be submitted using AMRDEC SAFE, as noted in the Section L Instructions. The Prime is responsible for establishing cost/price reasonableness of the Subcontractors (IAW FAR 15.404-3(b)). 2) Yes, the Government will accept the pricing breakout directly from the Subcontractor via AMRDEC SAFE and in accordance with the proposal submission instructions described in Section L. | |
| Section L, 3.ii.7: In the answers to the draft solicitation questions stated that "Small Business Participation Past Performance" was going to be deleted in the final RFP. Will the government be releasing an amendment 1 deleting this requirement? | Upon further compliance and legal review of the Draft Solicitation, it was determined that FAR Clause 52.219-8 is required in all solicitations/contracts over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and applies to this requirement. | |
| Section L, 3.ii.4: If a new corporate entity is using the personal past performance of one the principles of the organization, does that personal past performance still need to have a Section 1 and Section 2? | Offeror shall provide consistency. | |
| Section L, 3.ii.4: If a new corporate entity is using the personal past performance of one the principles of the organization, is a past performance questionnaire required? | Offeror shall provide consistency. | |
| Section L.3.iii.II: What is the average number of years employment/seniority at ARL of the incumbent workforce that hold the labor categories listed in Appendix A? | Information is not available at this time. | |
| Section L.3.iii.A: The Government references a Proposal Adequacy Checklist "Cost Elements" section for Materials (per the 15-2 table, section II, Paragraph A). Is the Government providing the mentioned checklist? | No, the Government is not providing this checklist. As stated in FAR 15.408, the instructions in Table 15-2 is only for preparing contract pricing proposal when certified cost or pricing data is required. | |
| Section L, 2: The Note Section states Contractor Work Breakdown Structure is not counted towards the page count; however, the Contractor WBS is not listed or detailed in any part of the RFP. Can you confirm a Contractor WBS is not required. | The Offeror may include in the proposal, but are NOT required. | |
| Section L, 2: The Note Section states Manpower Charts are not counted towards the page count; however, the Manpower Charts are not listed or detailed in any part of the RFP. Can you confirm Manpower Charts are not required. | The Offeror may include in the proposal, but are NOT required. | |
| Section L, 3.(ii) Volume II - Past Peformance: Sample TO outline shows Volume II Past Performance. There are no details in the Past Peformance section as to what past performance is required in 5 pages given for the Sample Task Order - they all apply to the Base IDIQ. What details do you require for the Sample TO Past Peformance Volume or can we simply reference the Past Peformance Volume of the base IDIQ? | The Sample TO should focus on past performance that has not already been discussed, but is pertinent to the Sample TO. However, please adhere to the instructions set forth in Section L.ii Volume II - Past Performance for both the MA IDIQ and Sample TO proposal submissions. | |
| Will the Government please confirm if the “first page of Government and/or commercial contracts” should be the same contracts provided for Section 1 Contract Descriptions or is the prime offeror and each major subcontractor allowed to provide any contract they choose so long as they meet the stated requirements for recency and relevancy? | The Offeror shall include the cover page and associated narrative for referenced contract on cover page. | |
| Instructions to offeror state that you need to submit Small Business Participation Past Performance as part of the Volume II PP. Since this is already an 8(a) SB Set-Aside, is this necessary? | Section L.ii(7) pertains to FAR Clause 52.219-8 is required in all solicitations/contracts over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and applies to this requirement. | |
| Section L – Proposal Files |
| Question: Can.pdf file extension be an acceptable proposal file? | Offerors shall adhere to the proposal submission instructions outlined in Section L(2). |
| Section L- Cost |
| Question: Will the Government provide a cost worksheet template for Industry to complete? | No template will be provided. | |
| The Cost Volume instructions state that the Contracting Officer will request an audit for a successful offeror that otherwise does not have a DCAA-approved accounting system. Can the Government please advise the anticipated timing of this audit? | Anticipated timing of accounting system audit request would occur prior to award, however, in order for an award to be issued, the Contractor Officer shall determine the Contractor's accounting system as adequate IAW Section L.iii.I of the solicitation. | |
| In the "Instructions to Offerors" file, Past Performance Section, section 2 - performance, paragraph B - Offerors are asked for information on all manufacturing warranty returns. As this contract does not involve manufacturing, what services are applicable under this text? | Information is not available at this time. | |
| In Volume II submission requirements, government has mentioned that “Offerors shall submit the first page of Government and/or commercial contracts”. Is the government expecting cover page from the signed contract or something else? Would this be in the appendix of Volume II? | The cover page with the Contract number will suffice. | |
| If a JV is the prime offeror, do both members of the JV need to have facility clearance or does only one JV member need to have the clearance? | Yes, each member of the JV is required to have the required facility clearance (see GAO court decision). | |
| If a JV is the prime offeror, does the JV entity itself have to have a facilities clearance? | Yes (see GAO court decision). | |
| In the pricing narrative, what information should the offeror provide? | The Offeror shall adhere to the Instructions described in Section L.iii.II. | |
| As the overarching Program Management approach broken down in the IDIQ set – Set 1 – cascades into an organization’s management of individual Task Orders, would the government please clarify what it means with cryptic messages like “. . . if different from Basic PWS approach. . .? (i.e., if NOT different, disregard this section and point to Set 1, etc. et al?) |
Please indicate what contents the government would like to see in Set #2 if/when, for example, the Management Structure and Approach, does not differ from the Management Structure and Approach Basic PWS?
| Should the content in Set #2 then be nothing more than a disclaimer or a pointer to the Set #1 Management Structure and Approach, or does the government want to see the complete Set #1 Management Structure and Approach re-inserted? | To clarify, the Offeror shall provide their overaching approach to management of the contract (all the possible positions) in set #1. Set #2 should further detail any specific management approaches necessary to fullfill the sample TO. |
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