W911S0-16-R-0007_ATTACHMENT_7_MCTP_Industry_Q A-Amendment_0001.pdf

Source Page Question Government Response

1. Solicitation Section B, Supplies or

Services and Prices

2. Attachment 1 Performance Work

Statement, paragraph 1.6.16.1, Invoices

2-10

Solicitation Section B provides NTE amounts for Travel, Shipment, and Relocations Costs “inclusive of the contractor's G&A/Handling Fee.” Referenced PWS paragraph 1.6.16.1 specifies: “Payment will be made for actual costs only; handling fees, G&A, and profit will not be allowed on ODCs.”

Question: Will the Government please delete “Payment will be made for actual costs only; handling fees, G&A, and profit will not be allowed on ODCs.” From PWS paragraph 1.6.16.1?

That line is deleted from para 1.16.6.1.

Section L -Instructions to Offerors

Proposal Preparation Instructions, paragraph L.c.2.(c)

Referenced solicitation paragraph specifies: “Digital copies submitted on CD-ROM Disks shall be provided in

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel …”

Question: Aside from the Cost/Price Proposal spreadsheets and Sample MCTP Exercise Cost Sheet (which will be submitted in Excel format), is it permissible for offerors to submit text-based proposal Volumes and Sections in

Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, in addition to Microsoft Word format?

Adobe PDF will be accepted for non-price volumes.

1. Section L -Instructions to Offerors

Proposal Preparation Instructions, paragraph L.c.2.(c)

2. Section L -Instructions to Offerors, paragraph L.c.3.(e)(5) Volume IV Past

Performance Submission

Requirements

Referenced solicitation paragraph #1 (table on page 39) limits the Past Performance Volume IV to 15 pages, excluding Past Performance Questionnaires. Referenced solicitation paragraph #2 Past Performance Submission

Requirements on page 46 requires many other elements aside from the actual reference contract information, specifically: Summary Page, Content Letters, Client Authorization Letters, and Organizational Structure Change

History. Unless excluded from the page count, above-referenced elements will consume much of the available page count, leaving no room for the Specific Relevant Contracts Format sheets, which form the basis for the past performance evaluation.

Question: Will the Government please exclude the Summary Page, Content Letters, Client Authorization Letters, and Organizational Structure Change History from the 15 page limit to allow the full 15 pages for Specific Relevant

Contracts Format sheet information?

The past performance volume page limit is increased to 25 pages and the Client Authorization letters are excluded from the page count.

Section L -Instructions to Offerors paragraph L.C.3.(a), Volume I –

General

Referenced solicitation paragraph specifies: “Offerors are required to submit a completed SF 33 (including acknowledgment of Amendments), Section B, and Section K. All final monetary extensions shall be in whole dollars only. Failure to follow the Contract Proposal preparation instructions may cause your proposal to be deemed unacceptable by the Government. The General Volume shall be organized as follows and contain the identified information.

TAB A, Exceptions/Assumptions (if required) …

TAB B, SF 33 …

TAB C, Section K (Representation, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors) …”

Question: Will the Government please confirm that Volume I-General should not contain a completed “Section B –

Supplies or Services and Prices”? Since this data is required in Volume II – Cost, we recommend removing this requirement from Volume I and updating paragraph L.C.3.(a) Volume I – General as follows (emphasis added):

“Offerors are required to submit a completed SF 33 (including acknowledgment of Amendments), Section B, and

Section K. All final monetary extensions shall be in whole dollars only. Failure to follow the Contract Proposal preparation instructions may cause your proposal to be deemed unacceptable by the Government. The General

Volume shall be organized as follows and contain the identified information."

Volume I shall contain a Schedule B in accordance with Section L.

SOLICITATION: W911S0-16-R-0007, Mission Command Training Program

Industry Questions & Answers - Amendment 0001

1. Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements paragraph L.c.3.(b)

Volume II-Cost

2. Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements paragraph L.c.3.(b)(5)

Pricing Schedule (Section B)

Referenced solicitation paragraph #1 instructs offerors to submit “TAB A, Section SF 33 – Continuation Sheets

(Supplies or Services and Prices) … offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Items (CLIN).”

Nowhere else in the Volume II Cost Section L instructions are offerors instructed to submit Cost Volume information using a “TAB” structure. Please clarify that referenced RFP paragraph #2 is duplicative of referenced

RFP paragraph #1 and specifies that offerors should submit the Section B Pricing Schedule as part of its Cost/Price

Proposal Section, with no reference to TAB A.

Question: Will the Government please delete the first paragraph of paragraph L.c.3.(b) (“TAB A, Section SF 33 –

Continuation Sheets (Supplies or Services and Prices) - The Continuation Sheets shall be submitted fully completed and error free. It shall contain the offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Items (CLIN).”)?

Section L updated for Schedule B.

Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements paragraph L.c.3.(b)(1)

Volume II-Cost

Referenced solicitation paragraph instructs offerors: “Electronic versions of the Cost Proposal shall be submitted in

MS Office Excel format ONLY.”

Question: Please confirm that the Government does not want ALL elements of Volume II Cost to be submitted in

Excel format; for example, Business System Status and Cost/Price Narrative Sections, which may be submitted in

Microsoft Word and/or Adobe Acrobat format.

Volume II - Cost, para (3) (c) language has be updated to clarify submission requirements.

Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements, paragraph

L.c.3(b)(6)I(c) and (d), Contract

Cost/Price Proposal, Cost/Price

Narrative Section

Questions:

(1) Are MCTP subcontractors required to submit a sealed package/bid?

(2) If a subcontractor does not have an approved accounting system, are they required to submit a sealed package?

(3) What documentation is required for a subcontractor who does not have an approved accounting system?

(4) Can the prime provide the subcontractors information in its submittal or does it have to be submitted separately?

1. not required, but may

2. not required, but may

3. same as for one that does have an approved accounting system - must have the capability to track cost to a particular project

4. it may be submitted with the prime.

1. Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements, paragraph L.c.3(b)(6)II

Contract Cost/Price Proposal, Cost/Price Proposal Section

2. Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements paragraph

L.c.3.(b)(6)III. Sample MCTP

Exercises Cost Estimate Sheet

(TE #39)

3. Section M Evaluation Factors for

Award, paragraph M.c.(8), Factor 6:

Cost/Price, page 55

Referenced solicitation paragraph #2, paragraph 5 specifies: “The evaluation process will include as part of the best value assessment the aggregate cost for all services required by the PWS for the phase-in period, probable cost for cost plus fixed fee CLINs in the base period, the probable cost for the Sample MCTP Exercises, and the probable cost plus fixed fee for all options.”

Question:

(1) Request the Government clarify the requirements for referenced paragraph #1 to ensure that all offerors are proposing to the same baseline. Is it the Government’s intent that the Cost/Price Proposal Section include the following elements:

1. Section B Pricing Schedule [L.c.3.(b)(5) “… offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Item Numbers

(CLINs) …”

2. Program Management and Sustainment Costs

3. Training Costs

4. Exercise Costs

(2) Does the Exercise Cost element in the Cost/Price Proposal Section include the exercises being priced for the

Sample MCTP Exercises Cost Estimate Sheet (TE #39) (referenced solicitation paragraph #2), or should offerers remove TE #39 exercise costs from the Exercise Cost element in the Cost/Price Proposal Section, so as not to duplicate the costs of the TE #39 exercises?

Sample Exercise costs are not part of the contract performance cost.

They are costs for the Government to determine the Offeror's understanding of pricing the sample exercises.

1. Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements paragraph

L.c.3.(b)(6)III. Sample MCTP

Exercises Cost Estimate Sheet

(TE #39)

2. L.c.3.(C)(4) Sample MCTP

Exercises

3. Section M Evaluation Factors for

Award, paragraph M.c.(6), Factor 3 –

Sample MCTP Exercises

Referenced solicitation paragraph #2 instructs offerors to “provide their proposed staffing and cost estimates for the sample MCTP Warfighter (WFX) and Brigade Warfighter (BWFX) Exercises …” (emphasis added). Referenced solicitation paragraph #3 specifies the same for evaluation of Factor 3 – Sample MCTP Exercises.

Question:

(1) Will the Government confirm that it desires cost estimates in Volume III Mission Capability/Risk Volume, and that its evaluation of Volume III, Factor 3 – Sample MCTP Exercises includes cost estimates?

(2) If the answer to Question (1) is No, will the Government remove the words “and cost estimates” from referenced solicitation paragraphs 1 and 2?

(3) If the answer to Question (1) is Yes, does the Government desire inclusion of the Sample MCTP Exercises Cost

Estimate Sheet (TE #39) in Volume III, Factor 3 [as well as in referenced solicitation paragraph #1 (Volume II

Cost)]?

(4) If the answer to Question (3) is No, what does the Government desire for the presentation of cost estimates in

Volume III, Factor 3?

(5) If the answer to Question (3) is Yes, should offerors present TE #39 information as part of its written response?

(6) If the answer to Question (5) is No, should offerors attach a separate TE #39 Excel spreadsheet to Volume III?

(7) If the answer to Question (6) is Yes, how will the Excel spreadsheet be counted against the 75-page limit for

Volume III? Will each of the eight (8) worksheets in TE #39 count as a page?

The cost estimate for the sample exercises shall be in the cost proposal volume only. Factor 3 language updated in Sections L & M.

1. Section L Solicitation/Proposal

Requirements paragraph

L.c.3.(b)(6)III. Sample MCTP

Exercises Cost Estimate Sheet

(TE #39)

2. Section M Evaluation Factors for

Award, paragraph M.c.(6), Factor 3 –

Sample MCTP Exercises

Referenced solicitation paragraph #1 instructs: “The offeror shall provide details regarding all applicable other direct costs including travel, shipping, relocation, along with basis of estimate and supporting documentation.”

Referenced solicitation paragraph #2 specifies that the evaluation of the Sample MCTP Exercises will be based on

“proposed staffing plan to complete the exercise requirements, including packing and shipping of equipment, setup, execution, breakdown, and return packaging and shipping” (emphasis added).

The Government provided NTE ODCs (including Travel, Shipment, and Relocation costs) in solicitation Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices. Given the fact that the large Sample MCTP Exercise is being held in Korea, ODCs for travel, shipping, and relocation may become a major differentiator among offerors, depending upon each offeror’s assumptions.

Question: To remove potential “gaming” of ODC costs from the Sample MCTP Exercise evaluation, will the

Government consider providing NTE ODC (Travel, Shipment, and Relocation) costs for the Sample MCTP

Exercises, and therefore clearly focus the cost evaluation of the Sample MCTP Exercises on proposed labor costs?

Alternatively, the Government could remove the language “details regarding all applicable other direct costs including travel, shipping, relocation” from referenced solicitation paragraph #1.

The Government will not be providing NTE costs for exercises. In accordance with Section L Offerors are to provide all costs for the sample exercises.

11 RFP 35

Comment: Page 35 of the solicitation indicates that the Offeror will determine whether to price or not separately price enterprise Contractor Manpower Reporting Application (eCMRA) requirements and that all costs associated with eCMRA shall be under CLIN(s) 0007, 1006, 2006, 3006, and 4006.

Question/Recommendation: Section B indicates the CLIN(s) associated with Contractor Manpower Reporting are

0006, 1005, 2005, 3005, and 4005. Please confirm.

The eCMRA clause is updated to match Schedule B.

12 SF33 (Block 9) 37

Comment: Block 9 of the SF33 requires delivery by 2PM local time on 16 November 2016. Similar recent Army

RFPs allowed for 60 days to prepare and submit proposals (JBLM, KBSC, JRTC) due to the complexity and time required to prepare a compliant proposal.

Question/Recommendation: Recommend the Government extend the proposal due date to 14 December 2016 to allow Offeror adequate time to prepare compliant submissions.

The proposal due date will not be extended.

13 --- 39, 46

Comment: Specified page limits in Volume IV, Past Performance (Factor 4) 15 (not including Past Performance

Questionnaires) is 15 pages, which is restrictive for non-incumbent Offerors given the complexity and size of the

MCTP effort - and the need to prove relevancy of the citations.

Question/Recommendation: Recommend the Government increase and revise Past Performance Volume page limits for Submission Requirements as follows: Summary Page (2 pages); Organizational Structure Change History

(2 pages); Specific Relevant Contracts: Allow each offeror submit up to three individual Relevant Contract citations;

and allow each individual citation a maximum of 5 pages.

The past performance volume page limit is increased to 25 pages and the Client Authorization letters are excluded from the page count.

Section M, 8, pg 55 & PWS 1.6.19, pg

See

Source

The evaluation process will include as part of the best value assessment the aggregate cost for all services required by the PWS for the phase-in period, probable cost for cost plus fixed fee CLINs in the base period, the probable cost for the Sample MCTP Exercises, and the probable cost plus fixed fee for all options.

Question: Evaluation of transition cost as part of the TEP gives an unfair advantage to the incumbent, as the incumbent doesn't have many elements of transition cost to propose. For example, PWS 1.6.19 states that transition shall include “observation of mission command training events, and other exercises…” which is a cost the incumbent contractor would incur under the predecessor contract. To ensure a fair evaluation of the TEP, recommend the removal of the transition cost from the TEP.

Transition cost will be part of the cost evaluation.

15 --- 45

Comment: Page 45 of the RFP states, "Offerors shall provide their proposed staffing and cost estimates for the sample MCTP Warfighter (WFX) and Brigade Warfighter (BWFX) Exercises based on TE 7B (PDF page 12). TE-

40 provides sample exercise manning templates. Offerors will be evaluated on their proposed staffing plan to complete the exercise requirements, including packing and shipping of equipment, setup, execution, breakdown, and return packaging and shipping." Shipping, Travel, and Relocation costs for the contract are fixed by Government

NTEs. NTEs are not provided for the two sample exercises. Exercise requirement is limited to a 'staffing plan' to accomplish all tasks associated with the exercises.

Question/Recommendation: Please confirm Offeror is to price labor costs only for the MCTP Sample exercises.

Such labor costs with be those associated with "boots on the ground". For example, a BWFX exercise is 17 days including 10 days set-up, 5 days MCT, 5 days CPX, and 2 days tear-down and Contractor would price all labor associated with the 17 day exercise.

The Sample MCTP costs shall follow the RFP Section L and include labor, travel, shipping, and relocation.

16 --- 45

Comment: The numbering in Section L.c.3 goes from L.c.3.c (Volume III) on page 43 to L.c.3.e (Volume IV) on page 45.

Question/Recommendation: Please confirm that the numbering sequence skips (d) and no text is missing from the

RFP.

There is no "d" section.

17 --- 2

Comment: ODC CLINs are provided for Travel, Shipments, and Relocation, but there is no CLIN provided for

Miscellaneous ODCs.

Question/Recommendation: Where should ODCs that fall outside if these categories be priced?

There are no ODCs outside of those items. Rarely exercises require

ODC purchases and are captured within the cost of the exercise.

18 SF33 1

Comment: Section D, Packaging and Marking is missing from the RFP. Block 11 of the SF33 is unchecked for

Sec. D, and it is missing from the RFP.

Question/Recommendation: Please provide RFP Section D.

Section D is not needed.

19 --- 14

Comment: The DRFP included several clauses in Section H that have been deleted in the final RFP including: OCI

Information, and 5152.204-4001 Key Personnel Requirements (MAR 2009) (Local Clause). Both of these clauses are applicable to the work outline in the final RFP, particularly the Key Personnel Requirements clause which requires submittal of resumes with Contractor proposal submission and during performance with any change to key personnel.

Question/Recommendation: Given the OCI and Key Personnel pertain to applicable and special contract requirement for the work to be performed under the contract, recommend inclusion of these clauses into the final

RFP. Also recommend that Key Personnel be submitted as an appendix to Volume III (excluded from the Volume

In accordance with policy, local clauses are no longer in use by MICC.

Attach 1 - PWS, 1.5

Section I 52.217-9

PWS: 28

RFP: 24

Comment: The Period of Performance (POP) of the contract is unclear. Section F of the RFP is missing. PWS 1.5 provides the following information:

Phase-In: 1 March 2017 – 31 May 2017

Base Year: 1 June 2017– 31 October 2017

First Option: 1 November 2017 – 31 October 2018

Second Option: 1 November 2018 – 31 October 2019

Third Option: 1 November 2019 – 31 October 2020

Fourth Option: 1 December 2020 – 31 October 2021 (missing November)

Assuming the Fourth Option should read 1 November 2020 – 31 October 2021, the full contract term would be 56 months (3 month phase in, 5 month base, and four 1-yr options). Section I, clause 52.217-9 states the total duration of the contract shall not exceed 66 months (which equates to a 60 month term plus a 6 month option to extend services per clause 52.217-8.

Question/Recommendation: Please clarify the POP of the contract, provide Section F, and correct PWS 1.5.

Recommend adding the # of months of performance to each Section B CLIN.

Section F has been added.

RFP Page 43, Section L -

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

SOLICITATION/PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS - c.3.(C)(3)

Volume III – Mission Capability/Risk

Volume.

Discussion: Section L instructions states: “The Mission Capability/Risk Volume shall, at a minimum, be prepared in a form consistent with the PWS and the evaluation criteria for award set forth in Section M of this solicitation .”

Question: Given that the evaluation criteria listed in Section M do not align with the PWS format offerors cannot organize their proposal to match both forms. Did the Government intend to have Offerors organize their proposals in a form consistent with the Instructions in Sections L and M and not the PWS?

Proposals shall respond to the evaluation criteria in Section M and the

Performance Work Statement. Offeror's proposal organization is not directed by the Government.

22 RFP, L.c.3(C)(4), M.c(6), TE-7B N/A

Discussion: Sections L and M both state “Offerors shall provide their proposed staffing and cost estimates for the sample MCTP Warfighter (WFX) and Brigade Warfighter (BWFX) Exercises based on TE 7B (PDF page 12). TE-

40 provides sample exercise manning templates. Offerors will be evaluated on their proposed staffing plan to complete the exercise requirements, including packing and shipping of equipment, setup, execution, breakdown, and return packaging and shipping.”

TE 7B, page 12 as directed above provides three circled exercises: Division, Brigade, and ASCC.

Question: In addition to the Division and Brigade exercises, is it the Government’s intent that Offerors include a proposed staffing and cost estimates for an ASCC exercise?

TE-7B is updated to only denote the 2 exercises.

23 RFP Section L.c(2)(b)(1) 40 of 56

Discussion: The instructions states “Information relating to the proposed costs must be included to extent practical in both hard copy and electronic format. Electronic versions of the Cost Proposal shall be submitted in MS Office

Excel format ONLY, and shall not be read only or password protected. All formulas, lookup tables, and links shall be intact, and no links shall exist to files not included with the submission. Spreadsheets shall not contain hidden worksheets. PDF or flat files will not be considered adequate. Failure to comply with these formatting requirements may result in rejection of your proposal. Offeror’s shall perform a virus check prior to proposal submittal.”

The table on Page 39 of 56 indicates 1 Hard Copy of Volume II Cost/Price (Factor 6)

Question: Please clarify that the electronic version of the Cost/Price Narrative Section is to be provided in MS

Word, and that only the Cost Price Proposal Section and Sample MCTP Exercise Cost Estimate Sheet are to be provided in Excel?

Volume II - Cost, para (3) (c) language has be updated to clarify submission requirements.

24 Section L, table 39

Discussion: Number of CDs is unclear. Under No. of Hard Copies, table specifies 1 for each volume. Under No. of

Digital Copies (CD ROM), table lists 1 for Volume I but for each other volume it says “See above.”

Question: Does “See above” refer to the 1 for Volume I or is there some other discussion before the table regarding the number of CDs required for each volume?

Offerors shall provide hard and digital copies in accordance with

Section L, para (c).

See above means offerors shall provide the same number of digital copies as Volume I denotes.

25 SF33, Section L table 39

Discussion: SF33 requires sealed offers in original and 1 copy. Section L table requires just one hard copy.

Question: Is there a requirement for one hard copy or an original plus one?

Offerors shall provide hard and digital copies in accordance with

Section L, para (c).

Offerors shall provide 1 hard and 1 digital copy.

26 Section L.c.2.(c) 39

Discussion: RFP states, “All text shall be single spaced and printed black on white paper (black and white requirement does not apply to graphics, photos, etc., Company stationary, and logos are acceptable).”

Question: Will colored fonts be acceptable for headings and figure captions, to make them more visible to the reader?

Color fonts for titles, headings, and figure captions is acceptable.

Section M, (c) Evaluation Factors for

Award

Discussion: M.c.(2) basically states all non-priced factors combined are approximately equal to cost. However, M.c.(8) Factor 6: Cost/Price states “the Cost/Price Factor will not be scored or rated.” These two statements appear to contradict each other.

Question: Will the Government please clarify?

The cost factor will not be rated. In accordance with the Best Value

Trade-off all non-priced factors when combined are approximately equal to cost.

28 Section L 35

Discussion: Clause 52.215-20, Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information Other Thank Certified Cost of

Pricing Data (OCT 2010). Per 15.403-1 (b)(1), where adequate price competition exists the Contracting Officer shall not require certified cost or pricing data.

Question: It appears there will be adequate competition for this solicitation. Please confirm this clause is not required.

The Government will notify offerors if certified cost or pricing data is required.

Instructions to Offerors

(e) Volume IV. Past Performance

+A65:A75

M. Evaluation

M.A.(c)(8)Factor 4 Past Performance

45-46

52-54

ITO: Past Performance information described herein is required on the offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners proposed to perform a significant portion of the proposed effort based on the total proposed price.

Evaluation: The evaluation will focus on the Offeror’s identified experience (to include that of any partner or subcontractor that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement)

Question: Are Offerors allowed to present past performance from BOTH:

a) Subcontractors proposed to perform significant / major portions of the work.

b) Subcontractors who will be performing critical aspects of the requirement regardless of the portion of the work they will be performing?

Yes, offerors may provide past performance for any subcontractor.

Section L is updated to define "significant portion" to 25% of contract value.

Instructions to Offerors

(e) Volume IV. Past Performance

Par 5 Submission Requirements, Specific Relevant Contracts Sheets.

Specific Relevant Contracts Sheets - in accordance with Attachment 5.

Question: Attachment 5 is formatted in Times New Roman 10. Is this the desired font size for input to Attachment

5 sheets and submission of these sheets as part of Volume IV?

Font size should be in accordance with Section L.

Instructions to offerors

L.c. (e), (f)

(e) Volume IV. Past Performance, Par

5 Submission Requirements, Consent

Letters, Client Authorization Letters

Page limit exclusions

15 page limit

Past Performance Submission Requirements

Question: Vol IV requires a Summary Page, plus Organizational Structure Change History, and Specific Relevant

Contracts Sheets from offeror and all subcontractors proposed to perform major portions of the work, and Consent

Letters/Client Authorization Letters from all subcontractors proposed to perform major portions of the work.

Would the government please exclude the consent letters and client authorization letters from the page limit? AND increase the page limit of the volume to 30 pages to allow enough space to adequately present past performance?

The past performance volume page limit is increased to 25 pages and the Client Authorization letters are excluded from the page count.

Section M.b.(8) Factor 4 Past

Performance 52-53

In each case, the prime contractor and proposed subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement will be assessed individually and the results will then be assessed in their totality to derive the Offeror’s

Past Performance Rating.

Question: If the Offeror submits past performance citations only for itself and not for any subcontractors, will each past performance citation be assessed individually and then the results of these individual assessments then be assessed in their totality to derive the Offeror’s Past Performance Rating?

Yes; however, in accordance with Section L, Volume IV states that "the

Government reserves the right to use both the information provided in the offeror's Past Performance Volume and information obtained from other sources such as the Past Performance Information Retrieval

System PPIRS..."

Instructions to Offerors

(e) Volume IV. Past Performance

Par 5 Submission Requirements, Consent Letters

Consent Letters executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing the release of past performance information so the offeror can respond to such information. A sample consent letter is attached as Attachment 1).

Question: Are consent letters only required from subcontractors whose past performance is being presented in

Offerors’ Volume IV; or are consent letters required from every subcontractor on our team, whether we are presenting past performance on their contracts or not? If the latter is required, can the consent letters be excluded from the page count?

Consent letters are required for all proposed subcontractors, teaming parters, and/or joint venture.

Section L (page 45) and Section M

(page 51) for Factor 2, Element 3

See

Source

Section L:

"The offerors shall provide an Opposing Force (OPFOR) with demonstrated knowledge, understanding and capability to apply Army Hybrid Threat Doctrine, previous demonstrated proficiency in planning and executing across the spectrum of military operations (strategic through tactical levels) and the ability to conduct analysis of unit training objectives and develop a suitable OPFOR plan to facilitate unit training outcomes"

Question: The text seems to be cut-off in Section L. It is much longer in section M. Is Section M the authoritative source?

There is no language missing. Section M is the Evaluation Factors for

Award.

Section L, Volume II - Cost, Cost/Price

Proposal Section, (a)

Training Costs – This segment should capture all costs associated with training of the contractor’s labor force as described in the PWS.

Question: Would the Government specify the PWS paragraphs for "Training" to ensure that there is a comparable basis between offerors?

Para 5.2.1 discusses training requirements for contractors.

Section L, Volume II - Cost, Cost/Price

Proposal Section, (a)

1. Program Management and Sustainment Costs – This segment should capture all costs associated with the Program

Management Office and all steady state labor as described in the PWS.

2. Training Costs – This segment should capture all costs associated with training of the contractor’s labor force as described in the PWS.

3. Exercise Costs – This segment should capture all costs attributed to the exercise schedule identified in TE -7B that are not captured in item 1 or 2 above.

Question: Please verify if exercise costs are only those that are incremental to the program management and sustainment cost associated with full time personnel covered in item 1?

Exercises costs are all costs associated with the exercises. Program management and sustainment costs are all steady state and PM costs.

Section L, Volume II - Cost, Cost/Price

Proposal Section, (b)

III. Sample MCTP Exercises Cost Estimate Sheet (TE #39).

(a.) Offerors shall prepare the cost estimate sheet for the two sample exercises using TE-39. Cost estimates should be in line with the narrative provided under Factor 3 in Volume III. TE-40 provides a sample manning reference.

The offeror shall provide details regarding all applicable other direct costs including travel, shipping, relocation, along with basis of estimate and supporting documentation.

Question: Should costs for the "Sample MCTP Exercises" include labor costs as well as travel, shipping and relocation costs?

The Sample MCTP costs shall follow the RFP Section L and include labor, travel, shipping, and relocation.

Section L, Volume II-Cost, Cost/Price

Narrative Section, (e) (i)

The offeror shall provide the information to cover all areas of the PWS. In order to evaluate completeness, all PWS paragraphs shall be annotated/addressed. If multiple PWS paragraphs are being performed by cross-utilized employees and the employees are being priced under just one of the PWS paragraphs, ensure that the non-priced

PWS paragraphs are identified by simply cross-referencing the priced PWS paragraph.

Question: Would the Government confirm that this requirement is only required of the prime and not of subcontractors?

This is only required of the prime contractor.

RFP Section L / pg 44 vs Section M / pg 51

See

Source

From Section M: The staffing plan shall be depicted to the third work breakdown level.

Question: Can the government clarify the conflicting guidance between Section L Element 2 Staffing Plan

Instructions and Section M’s Element 2 Staffing Plan Evaluation Criteria?

Due to page count constraints, please confirm Offerors Staffing Plans DO NOT need to be depicted at the third work breakdown level.

Staffing plans shall be depicted to the third work breakdown level.

RFP Section L, f. Small Business

Participation Proposal 46-47

In Draft RFP, the Government included a small business utilization goal of 20% for MCTP. In the Final RFP there is no specific goal.

Question: Did the government inadvertently omit their small business participation goal of 20%?

The subcontracting goal of 20% was deleted. Offerors shall propose their own subcontracting goals.

RFP Section M, Factor 1, Element 2

Staffing plan N/A

The staffing plan shall be depicted to the third work breakdown level. The plan shall identify the extent to which key personnel, functional personnel and technical staff meet or exceed the educational, professional credentials or experiential qualifications in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Question: In order for offerors to provide a comprehensive and detailed proposed staffing plan that meets all

Element 2 requirements, will the Government allow offerors to include as a MS-Word or MS-Excel attachment their comprehensive staffing plan for evaluation that is excluded from the page count limitations?

Offerors may provide 1 attachment of 1 tabloid size page (11x17) depicting the work breakdown structure. The one page is not part of the

75 page count.

RFP Section L, 52.216-1 Type of

Contract

The Government contemplates award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract resulting from this solicitation.

Question: Request confirmation that the Government intends to award a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Completion type contract resulting from this solicitation.

The Government will be awarding a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract.

Volume V – Small Business

Participation Proposal and FAR flow down 52.219-9

Volume 5 and FAR 52.219-9 requirements

Question: Please confirm that Large offerors are to include Small Business Subcontracting Plans in Volume 5.

In accordance with Sections L & M all offerors are required to submit a

Small Business Participation Proposal.

Section L, Volume II-Cost, Cost/Price

Narrative Section, (e) (i)

(i) The offeror shall provide the information to cover all areas of the PWS. In order to evaluate completeness, all

PWS paragraphs shall be annotated/addressed. If multiple PWS paragraphs are being performed by cross-utilized employees and the employees are being priced under just one of the PWS paragraphs, ensure that the non-priced

PWS paragraphs are identified by simply cross-referencing the priced PWS paragraph.

Question: Is it the Government's intention that offerors should provide a cross-walk from the staffing levels proposed in the Cost/Price proposal to each PWS element? If so, would the Government confirm that offerors should provide the cross based on a 12-month period?

Offerors should crosswalk based on the PWS paragraphs, based on each

POP.

Attachment 1 Performance Work

Statement, paragraph 1.6.11.2, Operations Group (OPSGRP) Team

Chiefs

Referenced PWS paragraph requires that Team Chiefs be former field grade officers.

Question: At what level of warrant officer does the Government consider a field grade officer (CW4 or CW5)?

Please reference the requirements in the performance work statement.

Operations Group (OPSGRP) Team Chiefs.

Attachment 1 Performance Work

Statement, paragraph 1.6.11.4;

Technology Team Lead

Referenced PWS paragraph requires the Technology Team Lead to be a MEL4 graduate.

Question: Will the Government accept equivalent military education level (MEL) for Non-Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers?

The Government will not accept equivalent military education level for this position.

Attachment 1 Performance Work

Statement, paragraph 1.6.13, Export and Import

Question: If Contractors are required to import/export defense articles, will the Government please provide a comprehensive list of such articles?

See TE #6 Governmant Furnished equipment reference. Some of these items on the list may be exported outside the coninenetal U.S. to a exercise location.

48 Attach 1 - PWS, 1.6.8.1 31

Comment: Military Analysts. Demonstrated tactical and technical proficiency with their WFF.

Question/Recommendation: We are aware of the following Warfighter Functions: Fires, Intelligence, Movement and Maneuver, Mission Command, Protection and Sustainment. Are there additional Warfighter Functions that should be included in this list? Also, please define what constitutes tactical and technical proficiency.

Refer to the current ADP 3.0 concerning Warfighting functions.

Technical and Tactical proficiency in terms of WFF is to be current and relevant in all changes to current doctrine.

49 Attach 1 - PWS, 1.6.11 36

Comment: Key Personnel. The Contractor shall identify key staff positions (including all positions that require certificates, training and/or experience).

Question/Recommendation: All positions descriptions specified in 1.6.8 Special Qualifications, include experience and/or training and education qualifications. Based on this requirement, does the Government expect all personnel filling these positions to be designated as Key Staff Positions? Critical staff or key staff?

Reference PWS paragraph titled Key personnel, 1.6.11. The personnel listed in these paragraphs are the key personnel.

50 Attach 1 - PWS, 5.2.10 56

Comment: The RFP states that, "The contractor shall present all AAR slides using AARS system and a laptop that will be provided by the government."

Question/Recommendation: Does the Government intend that the AARS system be used to present the actual

AAR information, or to instead provide the data for AAR slides that would be presented as part of a normal

PowerPoint presentation?

Presentation is up to the contractor. Currently it is a powerpoint slide presentation utilizing two or three screens. TE-42 is added to provide samples.

51 Attach 1 - PWS, 5.2.9 56 Question/Recommendation: Does the Government want the Digital Library to be structured as an on-line portal?

Are HW/SW to maintain the digital library GFE?

Yes, the platform for this will be the MCTP SharePoint.

52 Attach 1 - PWS 5.4.1.2 79

Comment: Page 79 of the PWS states, "Uniforms. The government will provide only appropriate personal protective equipment to the contracted SME as required for the proper and safe execution of duties. Contractor shall be required to dress appropriately for the role assigned to promote realistic training, at no expense to the government."

Question/Recommendation: Please confirm that if specific uniforms are required by role-players, outside what would be considered 'normal civilian dress attire', Government will provide such uniforms as GFP.

Per the PWS it states: Uniforms. The government will provide only appropriate personal protective equipment to the contracted SME as required for the proper and safe execution of duties. Contractor shall be required to dress appropriately for the role assigned to promote realistic training, at no expense to the government.

53 Attach 1 - PWS, 5.6.6 94

Comment: ARCHER and AARS systems have different capabilities for number of distributed clients under a common server. We anticipate that these differences will necessitate changes in equipment distribution and on-site exercise staffing.

Question/Recommendation: Please provide a Technical Exhibit (TE) with the expected distribution of AARS servers and work stations as part of an updated Simulation Control Plan to allow all Offerors to adequately assess staffing requirements.

The government wants the contrator to suggest courses of actions witihin their proposal on how they would support this effort. TE-42 is added to provide samples.

54 Attach 1 - PWS1.2.13.4 (b) 19, 20

Comment: The header on the paragraph reads "Maneuver Higher Command (HICOM) Response Cell", but the text is identical to the text in paragraph (d) Maneuver Control Cell (MCC).

Question/Recommendation: Is the PWS correct as written, or has the correct text for the HICON Response Cell been omitted and replaced with the MCC text? Please provide the corrected text.

The paragraph title was corrected.

55 Attach 1 - PWS 1.6.14 38, 39

Comment: While Section B of the RFP provides NTE amounts for travel to price the total contract, the RFP also appears to require Offeror to price travel 'bottoms-up' for the sample exercise. Only the incumbent contractor has the prerequisite information to estimate detailed travel since travel is unspecified regarding the number of people, place and duration in Section 1.6.14 of the PWS.

Question/Recommendation: Given that only the incumbent Contractor could provide a reasonable estimate as to the price of this effort to complete the Sample MCTP Exercise Pricing, recommend the Government provide and

NTE amount for travel for the MCTP Sample Exercises.

Offerors shall provide all cost estimates for the sample exercises.

Attach 1 - PWS, 1.6.16.1

Section I 52.217-9

RFP: 2

PWS: 40

Comment: The PWS states, "Payment will be made for actual costs only; handling fees, G&A, and profit will not be allowed on ODCs." However each "ODC" CLIN in Section B states, "The NTE amount shall be inclusive of the contractor's G&A/Handling Fee." Per Section B, Contractors G&A and/or handling fee is a standard and allowable cost to the contract.

Question/Recommendation: (1) Given Contractors G&A and/or handling fee is an allowable indirect cost applicable to contract performance, and in accordance with the notes provided in Section B, please adjust the language in PWS 1.6.16.1 to, "Payment will be made for actual costs (including associated G&A/handling fees) only; profit will not be allowed on ODCs." (2) Please confirm the NTE amount provided for each ODC CLIN is inclusive of G&A/handling fee.

That line is deleted from para 1.16.6.1.

57 PWS 2.1.6

Discussion: This section states, “Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.”

Question: Did the Government intend for Key Personnel resumes to be included in the Mission Capability/Risk

Volume? If so, would the Government consider including resumes as an attachment outside the 75 page total, with a restriction of 2 pages per resume, and evaluated as part of the Element 3: Staffing Plan?

Section L is updated for resume requirements.

PWS elements 1.1-1.3, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 contain requirements of a general nature. The responses would not bear on an ability to perform the scope of work. We want to provide the government with all information needed for evaluation, but want to use the limited page space to describe our approach to MCTP-specific requirements. The PWS is 97 pages but Volume III is limited to 75 pages.

N/A Question: Are offerors required to address PWS paragraphs outside of the requirements of PWS Sections 1.4

(Scope), 1.6 (General Information), and 5.0 (Specific Tasks)?

Offerors shall provide all information in accordance with the RFP.

PWS, Key Personnel, Technology

Team Lead

Technology Team Lead:

Intermediate Level Education (MEL4) graduate

Subject matter expert in models and simulations; former Army

FA 57 highly desirable:

Baseline certification for Information Assurance Management

Meet DOD 8570.01-M requirements

Question: Will the government accept equivalent experience running M&S and similar functions in lieu of the

MEL4 requirement?

The Government will not accept equivalent experience.

60 PWS 1.6.19 Phase In Plan (f): N/A

Transition activities shall include the following:

f. Providing training to Contractor personnel as specified in paragraph 1.6.8 and 1.6.11

Question: Paragraph 1.6.8 describes qualifications and 1.6.11 describes Key Personnel. Can the government please clarify what training they want addressed in the transition plan?

5.2.1 Training and Certifications: Contractor employees shall be trained, qualified and certified to perform for the requirements specified in the individual sections of the PWS prior to starting work. The Contractor shall make training records available to the COR upon request. The

Contractor shall design and administer a qualification training program in accordance with approved DoD instructions and policies that certifies all Contractor employees as qualified for each of their prospective positions. The qualification training shall consist of the following three phases: Phase I Initial Training, Phase II Sustainment Training, and

Phase III Exercise Specific Pre-Deployment Training. If employees are used in more than one position, they must be trained and certified for each position prior to starting work. The Contractor shall give the

Government thirty days advance notice of the dates and location of training sessions. The Government reserves the right to send up to fifteen (15) Government employees to each training session.

Government surveillance personnel may attend training sessions to ensure the Contractor instruction meets Government standards as prescribed in TRADOC PAM 350-70. The COR will approve all

Programs of Instruction (POI) IAW CDRL A-3.

PWS, 1.2.12.4 and TE-14 Exercise

SOP Revisions 13-14

After the conclusion of the MEP, MCTP planners combine all information available to complete the drafts of the four source documents

Question: Can the Government clarify the four source documents? The preceding paragraph states three (MOA, ESMDED and SCP), is the MOI no longer a source document?

The MOI is still a required document. A paragraph will be added to the

Performance work statement to address this topic of concern.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications / pg 31 vs

5.4.1.2/pg 73

See

Source

Question: Can the government clarify if the number and specified qualifications are recommended or required in

5.4.1.2? If required, why are the requirements/qualifications not listed in 1.6.8 Special Qualifications?

Para 1.6.8 is special qualifications for specific positions. Para 5.4.1.2 lays out special qualifications to the role player support. The government decided to seprerate these requirements to allow more of an explanation of the role player requirement and how detailed the support wil be to the exercise as a whole.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications / pg 31 vs

5.4.1.2/pg 73

See

Source

Question: Due to the specific nature of the qualifications would the government accept an equivalent qualifier ILO

MEL4?

Please refer to the requirements set fourth in the performance work statement.

64 PWS Section 1.5 28

1.5: Period of Performance:

Phase-In: 1 March 2017 – 31 May 2017

Base Year: 1 June 2017– 31 October 2017

First Option: 1 November 2017 – 31 October 2018

Second Option: 1 November 2018 – 31 October 2019

Third Option: 1 November 2019 – 31 October 2020

Fourth Option: 1 December 2020 – 31 October 2021

Question: PWS Section 1.5 states that the end of Option Year 3 is October 31, 2020. According to Section 1.5, Option Year 4 begins on December 1, 2020. Would the Government please adjust Option Year 4 to begin on

November 1, 2020? Or, would the Government please explain the 1-month gap in the period of performance?

The Performance Work Statement is updated to correct the Periods of

Performance.

PWS 1.5 Period of Performance –

Page 28; Exhibit TE7-B – Page 2

See

Source

PWS - Phase In 1 March 2017 – 31 May 2017 with Base year beginning 1 June, 2017; Exhibit TE7-B shows exercise WFX 17-5 beginning 6 June, 2017 which would require deployment of personnel during Phase In period by both incumbent and awardee.

Question: In the interest of minimizing execution risk to the Government for WFX 17-5 and to better align with the expected evaluation period, will the Government change the Phase In period to begin on 1 April, 2017 with Contract assumption on 1 July 2017?

The Government will not be changing the POP at this time.

66 PWS 35

Training/education in Video Production or a related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical certifications or training, or work experience.

Minimum of five years of related experience in support and troubleshooting of videoconferencing and audiovisual technology.

Question: Would the Government remove the requirement that all audio/visual technicians must have 5 years of experience and allow offerors to provide their own solutions?

The Government requirements are unchanged.

67 PWS, Section 1.6.13 38

If authorization is received by the Contractor, the Contractor may perform only in strict accordance with any limitations as may be included in the authorization.

Question: Please clarify what export authorization the Government is referencing.

This is a standard clause that is placed in all contracts that have shipping and travel requirements. The contractor will ship unclassified and classified defense articles, including technical data (loaded via hard drive, exercise equipment, etc.

Attachment 4 - Consent Letter

Template

Comment: Paragraph 3. (e) Volume IV - Past performance Consent Letter Requirement (page 45 of 56) and

Paragraph 3. (e) Volume IV - Past performance (5) Submission Requirements – Consent Letters (page 46 of 56) states:”… the Offeror shall also submit, along with the information required in this paragraph, a consent letter

(Attachment 1), executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing release of adverse past performance information so the Offeror can respond to such information.” Paragraph 3. (e) Volume IV

- Past performance (5) Submission Requirements – goes on to state that a sample consent letter is attached as

Attachment 4.

Question/Recommendation: Please confirm the consent letter (Attachment 1) in Paragraph 3. (e) Volume IV - Past

Performance (page 45 of 56) is a typo and should read consent letter (Attachment 4).

Section L should read Attachment 4 and has been updated.

Attach 5 - Specific Relevant Contracts

Sheet 1, 2

Comment: The numbered instructions on the first page of the Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet do not mirror the numbered items in the template format on the second page. Line items 2 and 5 appear to be duplicates.

Question/Recommendation: To aid in the ease of evaluation and ensure the template reflects the instructions on page 1, recommend the Government consider restructuring page 2 by removing item number 5 and renumbering the section as follows:

#5: Changed Dates

#6: Contact Information

#6a: PCO

#6b: ACO

#6c: Government Technical Representative or COR

#7: Relevancy Description

#8: Narrative Explanation

#9: Negative Performance Documentation

Attachment 5 is updated.

Attachment 5 - Specific Relevant

Contracts Sheet (Items 8, 9, 10)

Comment: Submission Requirements for Past Performance Questionnaire and Attachment 5 Specific Relevant

Contract Sheet.