Attachment 7_Answers to Industrys Questions AMENDMENT 1_4 March.pdf

Amendment 1, Answers to Industry's Questions W911S020R0007, OE CORE

# Source Page # Para/ Sec.# Questions/Comment Govt Responses/Notes

1 RFP

PWS

Section F

52.217-9

1.4.1

a. Reference a details a 60 month POP.

b. Reference b details a POP “shall not exceed 66 months.”

c. Reference c prescribes a “11 month base-period with a 30-day Phase-

In...will include four one-year options” - a 60-month POP

Will the Government please provide an understanding of the purpose for the differences in the 60 month and 66 month POP references.

The 60-month referenced in the PWS and Section F is in regards to the base and four option years. The 66-month referenced in the clause allows an additional 6-months of performance if the

Government elects to exercise up to a 6-month extension under

FAR clause 52.217-8.

2 RFP 43 L.1.2 The maximum size of any file attachment shall not exceed 20 megabytes.

Is this the maximum file size for any one attachment? Or is it the total size of all attachments included in the email?

The size restriction is applicable to the email. An amendment will revise RFP paragraph L.1.2.

3 RFP 45

Table L.2

L.4.1

Table L.2 contains a total of 7 tabs (A-G) for Volume I. Section L.4.1 contains only 6 tabs (A-F). Please clarify which list should be included in

Volume I.

An amendment will revise RFP paragraphs under L.4.1 to accurately reflect Table L.2.

4 RFP 45 L.3.2 Is the past performance volume page count 25 pages total? Or is it 25 for the references and all the other elements (Tabs A-D) are not included in that count?

All page exclusions are listed in RFP paragraph L.3.9.2. An amendment will revise RFP paragraph L.3.9.2 regarding the Past

Performance Reference Matrix.

5 RFP 49

L.4.2.2.3, TAB F

Factor 3

M.3.5.3, Factor 3

a. Reference a in Section L opens with a narrative describing how

“Enterprise innovation and digital enablers provide TRADOC G-2 technical capabilities across the OEE and provide effective support to external customers and improve design, development, implementation and sustainment of Intelligence capabilities.” This statement provides clear import to the support to external customers and intelligence capability development. The next sentence prescribes the vendor requirement to

“...provide its approach to integrating decision support tools, enterprise-wide digital solutions, and cloud enablement.” The last sentence in the section requires vendors to provide our “ ... approach to quality assurance.

Proposals shall demonstrate its ability for real-time situational awareness...”

b. Reference b in Section M has no mention to support to external customers and appears to focus on internal contract administrative contract support requirements to “...enable real-time situational awareness of activities of the OEE (such as planned and completed tasks, time-and-materials requirements, travel requests, travel reports), methodologies to provide visibility of QA processes, and approach to execute a cross-function evaluation of performance.”

Will the Government please confirm that the focus of the Section M evaluation criteria is on the administrative contract support requirements characterized by the examples provided in M.3.5.3 and not a focus on the external customers and intelligence capability development identified in

The focus of Section M evaluation criteria is not on the administrative contract support requirements. The evaluation criteria in Section M encompasses support of the entire OEE as defined in the PWS, not just administrative contract support.

6 RFP 49 L.4.3.1.1 TAB B The requirement is for the Offeror to "? provide Consent Letters authorizing the release of past performance information executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner." It goes on to say, "?a consent form shall be completed for each reference identified in your proposal."

Please clarify if the consent letters are required only for subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners or for each reference regardless of prime or subcontractor status.

RFP paragraph L.4.3.1.1 is being revised to delete the second to last sentence. A prime is not an issue because the Government can discuss directly with the Prime if derogatory past performance information is discovered. The consent letter allows the

Government to convey derogatory past performance information on a subcontractor, teaming partner, or joint venture partner to the

Prime to address the matter.

7 RFP 49 L.4.3.1.2 TAB C Question: The requirement is for the Offeror to "?provide, for each identified past performance reference, a Commercial Client Authorization

Letter authorizing the Government to request information from the

Commercial Client regarding the Offeror's and/or or Teaming Partner's performance."

Please clarify if the consent letters are required for each identified past performance reference or only those from a commercial client.

RFP paragraph L.4.3.1.2 has been updated.

8 RFP 49 L.4.3.1.3 TAB D Is the Organizational Structure Change History excluded from the 25 pages allotted the past performance volume?

No.

9 RFP 51 L.4.3.1.5 TAB F Is the Past Performance Reference Matrix excluded from the 25 pages allotted to the past performance volume?

An amendment will revise RFP paragraph L.3.9.2 to update content to exclude the Past Performance Reference Matrix from the page count.

10 RFP 51 L.4.3.1.4.5 L.4.3.1.4.5. The Offeror shall submit information substantiating the

Offeror’s past performance in complying with FAR 52.219-8 and/or FAR

52.219-9 Subcontracting requirements.

Is this a separate requirement or just the heading for the questions below

(sections L.4.3.1.4.5.1.-3.)? If it is a separate requirement, is a write up detailing how we have complied in the past acceptable, or do we need to provided additional supporting documentation

This is a heading for the questions following the referenced RFP paragraph. This is the proposal content to demonstrate past compliance with FAR 52.219-8 and/or FAR 52.219-9 subcontracting requirements and it would be included in proposal

Volume III, Tab E.

11 RFP 54 L.4.5 Subcontractors may submit their proprietary pricing (spreadsheet and narrative).

Is it the government's intention to have subcontractor pricing support only required for the T&M support task/CLIN?

No. Subcontractor pricing support is required for all pricing, not just the T&M support task/CLIN.

12 PWS 21 C-4 Costs for all Contractor-furnished vehicles, simulated weapons and equipment to replicate threats in support of the Threat Emulation Force

(TEFOR) task 5.3.9 will be billed to the Government as ODC rental charges.

Will the government please confirm the rental costs for contractor-furnished vehicles, simulated weapons and equipment necessary to replicate the OE is covered in the ODC plug amount listed in the pricing workbook?

The PWS has been updated to clarify where the TEFOR rental changes shall be billed.

13 PWS 21-22 C-4 The Government provides an equipment list that includes, but is not limited to, the items listed in Section C-4

Are any contractor furnished TEFOR equipment items required to support exercises during the phase-in period (10 July to 9 August 2020) or within the first month of the period of performance? If yes, can the government please provide details to support planning for these exercises? Will the

Government share the exercise schedule?

No. At this time, there is only one event currently scheduled and it does not occur until September. Reference PWS para 1.4.1.1 for additional phase-in information.

14 PWS 64 5.3.4.1.17 The Government states that the Contractor shall "develop and sustain a citizen data science training program."

Will the Government please provide program requirements associated with the citizen data science training program?

Training program should include training at the entry level/basic level (~200 users at that level that will require training), intermediate level (~50) and Advanced level (~20). Training shall include instruction and hands-on practice. Skill sets include

General Data Science principles, Data Science team management, Data curation, model development and training (in R or Python), Data Science notebook use, and data visualization. This information has been updated in PWS para 5.3.4.1.17.

15 RFP Attachment 4 Indicate Prime or Sub (by name) on 'T&M Labor Rates' tab

Will the government allow the Prime to add an additional row for each labor category for prime and subcontractor ceiling rates?

Yes. This is addressed in Attachment 4, Core Pricing Workbook under Worksheet "Instructions" "General 2".

16 RFP Attachment 4 Rates requested on 'T&M Labor Rates' tab

Will the government please confirm that the performance location for the

T&M ceiling rates are to be government site performance location rates?

Performance location for the T&M labor categories will be at various government locations as stated in PWS paras 4.0 and

5.3.9.5.

17 RFP Attachment 4 Rates requested on 'T&M Labor Rates' tab

Will the government confirm geographic performance location(s) for the

T&M rates, will performance also be at Eustis and Leavenworth?

The anticipated primary TEFOR work locations are: Fort Benning, GA; Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Bliss, TX; White Missile Range, NM;

Carlisle Barracks, PA; Fort Leavenworth, KS; Fort Eustis, VA;

and Schofield Barracks, HI. Reference PWS paras 4.0 and 5.3.9.5.

18 RFP Attachment 4 Breakdown - FFP Only

The Breakdown - FFP only tab does not include a section for the transition.

Should Offerors modify the tab to accommodate including the transition, or does the transition CLIN require no additional support besides inserting a

FFP value in the Section B tab?

The phase-in/transition period is located in cell B6 of the

Breakdown - FFP Only tab. This area shall be modified as necessary in order to price the phase-in/transition period.

19 RFP Attachment 4 Sample Compensation Plan

Is the sample compensation plan only a requirement for prime Offerors?

No. The Sample Compensation Plan requirement is driven by labor category. If a labor category is deemed a 'Professional

Employee' a Compensation Plan is required regardless of Prime or

Sub arrangement.

20 RFP Attachment 5 Other formats may be acceptable, including commercial or master subcontracting plans; however, failure to include the essential information exemplified in this individual plan template may be cause for delay in acceptance or rejection of a bid/offer.

Our own subcontracting plan is neither a commercial or master plan. Does this mean that it is not an acceptable format? Do we absolutely have to use the template that was provided?

As stated, the essential information in the individual plan template shall be provided. It’s a business decision left to an Offeror to determine if a firm's subcontracting plan provides the essential information in the individual plan template that the Government has called out under Section L.

21 RFP Attachment 4 Worksheet Section B, CLIN#0007 – ODCs (NTE) $10,000. Is $10k is the most to be spent per year on the equipment rental described in PWS, pg

22? If, “yes”, this work is not feasible without a mechanism to pay for substantial fixed costs, transportation and consumables on top of rental

ODC.

The PWS paragraph at 4.0 has been updated as rental equipment shall be billed under the T&M contract line item, not ODCs line item.

22 PWS 147 TEFOR PD – UAS Operator, “…in support of the Commercial UAS group conducting services and training operations.” What is the “Commercial

UAS group”?

The PWS paragraph has been adjusted to remove "…group conducting services and…" from Enclosure H - Labor Categories for T&M Support.

23 RFP Factor 6 What structure may our proposal use to cover fixed costs of the T&M work/equipment?

See FAR clause 52.216-29 (b).

24 PWS 21 “Vehicles, simulated weapons and equipment must arrive on-site at each event in CONUS at least one day before the start of each event.” How many business days prior to the event will the Government identify the site location and date? How are transportation costs billed?

Event start dates and locations are known about 2 months in advance. Transportation costs will be billed as T&M on the contract. PWS para 4.0 has been updated with this information.

25 PWS 22 Threat emulation systems in general throughout this page. What level of threat simulation does the Government require? For example, is the requirement for silhouettes, non-functioning realistic models, color-coded models, realistic weapon acoustics and muzzle flash, sim-munition (a.k.a.

dye marking cartridge), comet with report for RPG/MANPAD/AAA type threats, etc.? If the answer varies according to the type of sim-weapon, please specify; for example, “side-arms—blue plastic”, “shoulder-fired and crew weapons—realistic acoustic and muzzle flash”, etc.

The requirement is for two types of threat simulations: 1) Threat depicted in actual virtual simulations (i.e. WARSIM) must be realistic and accurate. 2) Threat Simulations for live events. The requirement for these events is a threat system that is realistic, acoustically accurate, and maintains the physical presence one would expect the threat forces to posses. For example, Simulated

AK-47's that are real in appearance and modified to fire only blanks. Providing the realism, both physically and acoustically to allow the training unit to face a realistic threat. This information has been added to PWS para 4.0.

26 PWS 22 SUAS. The models listed are obsolete. Can the government specify sUAS capabilities required, specifically the number UAV required to be in use at one time, range, loiter time, payload, sensor specs, and max operating altitudes?

The sUAS models listed are still used today. The requirement is for a low-cost UAS system that can be used to tactically represent the threat that provides a video collection capability and that we can expect the enemy to be using currently on the battlefield. This information has been added to PWS para 4.0.

27 PWS 22 reference to sUAS, “They must include a video downlink provided at the proper frequencies and power settings.” Does the Government have any required specification for “proper frequencies and power settings”, other than as needed to provide video to the OEM controller and video repeater provided by the Contractor?

sUAS operations will comply with all Federal, State, and Local regulations and requirements. There is no specific mandate requirements for the frequencies and power settings than required above.

28 How may the Contractor bill for consumables associated with threat emulation, such as fuel, smoke generators, sim-grenades, flash-bangs, blanks and other acoustic-producing munitions, pyrotechnics, etc.? If the government wants this cost included in the rental ODC for related equipment, please specify the munition loads required for each exercise.

All T&M related expenses for TEFOR shall use CLIN 0003 and corresponding option year T&M CLINs.

29 PWS 22 “The rental costs for contractor-furnished vehicles, simulated weapons and equipment necessary to replicate the OE in support of TEFOR must be included in the contractor’s quoted proposal.” Where in the Attach

4_CORE_Pricing workbook would you like rental prices?

This sentence has been deleted from the PWS. All T&M related expenses for TEFOR shall use CLIN 0003 and corresponding option year T&M CLINs.

30 PWS 45 5.2.3.2.1 “Anticipate 4-6 requests for threat support to experiments per year from

Army Futures Command…” Is this frequency of support to AFC in addition to the estimated frequencies on page 22, presumably for

TRADOC? (The frequencies on pg 22 are: “technical vehicles per event, 2-

3 times per year”, sUAS 1-2 events per year.)

All requests for threat support will be in support of Army Futures

Command and the Futures and Concepts Center. Anticipate approximately 4-6 events per year for Threat Technical vehicle support. This information has been updated in PWS para 4.0.

31 PWS 26 5.1.1.3.11 “Edit and proofread all web content and coordinate with TRADOC G2 leadership to ensure new content is approved and vetted before entry into the appropriate portal.” Approximately how much web content currently exists and how much new content is developed on an annual basis?

Web content hosted in portals includes more than 1,000 documents/articles. Approximately 100 documents/articles are created annually.

32 PWS 62 5.3.4.1 “The Data Science capability shall provide the ability to rapidly acquire

OEE produced content, relevant open source information, operational data, and previously used exercise data sets to enrich scenarios with the complexity, volume, and depth of current and future OEs for all replicated

OE demands, including each training domain (operational, institutional, and self-development) and across each training/experimentation environment (live, virtual, constructive, and gaming).” Is the intent to have near real-time data analytics of current exercise data sets as well as previous exercise data sets or just to use previously used exercise data sets?

Intent is to acquire OEE Content relevant to exercises, current and historical. There is no intent for near real-time data analytics.

33 RFP Attachment 4 Will the Government confirm that subcontractors may leave Section B blank in their pricing spreadsheets, given this tab is for the total price rollup provided by the Prime Offeror?

Yes, subcontractors may leave Section B blank in their pricing spreadsheets.

34 PWS

RFP

50 5.2.5.4

Attachment 4

Per the Attachment 4 CORE Pricing workbook, there is a PWS Section

5.2.5.4 “Joint/Multinational Training Threat Systems Integrator” reference on row 56. In Attachment 1 PWS for CORE recompete, Section 5.2.5.4 is

“Clearance, Work Location, and Travel requirements”. Will the

Government please clarify and/or include the missing Joint/Multinational

Training Threat Systems Integrator” PWS section to ensure it can be adequately priced in Attachment 4?

PWS reference 5.2.5.4 has been removed from Attachment 4, as

5.2.5.4 provides the “Clearance, Work Location, and Travel requirements” in the PWS.

35 PWS

RFP

73 5.3.6.5

Attachment 4

Per the Attachment 4 CORE Pricing workbook, there is a PWS Section

5.3.6.5 “Opposing Forces (OPFOR) Program Management support” reference on row 110. In Attachment 1 PWS for CORE recompete, Section

5.3.6.5 is “Clearance, Work Location, and Travel requirements”. Will the

Government please clarify and/or include the missing Opposing Forces

(OPFOR) Program Management support” PWS section to ensure it can be adequately priced in Attachment 4?

PWS reference 5.3.6.5 has been removed from Attachment 4, as

5.3.6.5 provides the “Clearance, Work Location, and Travel requirements” in the PWS.

36 RFP Attachment 4

(Sample

Compensation

Tab)

Since the Sample Compensation plan is provided as a sample only, and”

(A) most companies estimate fringe benefits expense based upon a pool of costs for all fringe benefits expenses (not individual expenses) and

(B) FAR 52.222-46 does not include an assessment of non-wage and benefits expenses as a part of the evaluation (administrative costs and profit), will the Government conform that the following is a compliant compensation plan:

(1) Wages/salaries and corresponding hourly rate proposed by category for only the T&M Labor Categories

(2) Supporting information includes data, such as recognized national and regional compensation surveys and studies of professional, public and private organizations, used in establishing the total compensation structure

(3) A description of the benefits provided to employees and included in the fringe expense indirect rate

(4) The Total Fringe Benefit Rate (%) proposed that covers all offered expenses (rather than $ amounts by individual benefits)

(5) Excludes any discussion of indirect expenses (administrative expenses, OH, G&A, etc) and profit which are not required by FAR 52.222-46 to assess compensation for professional employees.

#(1). No. An Offeror determines whether a FFP or T&M labor category is professional employee. The Government will evaluate professional employees accordingly. #(2) Yes and can also include historical salary and fringe rates paid to professional employees for the same level of work at the same performance location or geographical region. #(3)&(#4) Yes as fringe benefits are paid directly to the professional employee. Note the sample plan provided is what is evaluate, and #(5) Yes not necessary to provide non salary and fringe benefit data.

37 RFP Attachment 4 The instructions in Att 4 Pricing Workbook state that "Professional

Compensation Packages, T&M labor categories, and T&M rates shall not be provided in this tab." as the description of the FFP Breakdown worksheet. Will the Government please confirm that the Professional

Compensation Package is NOT applicable to the FFP proposal and is required only for the Government defined T&M Labor Categories? This is consistent with the FFP contract type being solicited whereby the

Contractor is responsible for establishing the level of effort, skill mix, direct labor expense, indirect expenses and profit and is then bound to perform the services for that FFP.

No. An Offeror determines whether a FFP or T&M labor category is professional employee. The Government will evaluate accordingly.

38 RFP Attachment 4

(Sample

Compensation

Tab)

Will the Government please define “CME” fringe cost line item listed under Fringe Benefits on the Sample Compensation PDF?

The CME fringe cost line has been deleted.

39 RFP Attachment 4

(Breakdown -

T&M Labor Rates

Tab)

Will the Government confirm that the Labor Rates included on the T&M

Labor Rates tab will be evaluated for reasonableness (only) and are not a factor in the Total Evaluated price since Schedule B includes mandatory values to be proposed by all Offerors for T&M Line Items?

The TEP sum for T&M is set by the Government ceiling that’s already reflected in Section B. Any T&M or FFP labor category identified by an Offeror as a professional employee will be evaluated under FAR Clause 52.222-46. See Section M, M.3.8.2 states, "The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed prices to determine if it is fair and reasonable using price analysis techniques at FAR 15.404-1, Proposal analysis techniques. The government will determine whether prices are fair, reasonable, balanced and complete.)" The TEP will include all CLIN pricing and add six (6) months of the Offeror’s final period price from Attachment 4, Pricing Workbook (Section M.

Para M.3.8.4.)

40 RFP Attachment 4

(Section B)

Will the Government confirm that Transition CLIN 0001 does not include

CLINs 0004, 0005, and 0006 (i.e. Optional, 5.2.5.2 NE, 5.2.5.3 NDT, 5.3.10)?

Correct, CLIN 0001 does not include CLIN 0004, 0005, and 0006 because at this time these services are optional because they are known potential requirements that may or may not be exercised during the base year.

41 RFP Attachment 4 Will the Government clarify the location to be used for pricing the T&M labor categories?

See answers to questions #16 and #17.

42 RFP 54 L.4.5.1. L.4.5.1 states, “Subcontractors may submit their proprietary pricing

(spreadsheet and narrative) directly to the POCs cited in L.1.3.” Will the

Government confirm that subcontractor rate buildups (i.e. proprietary pricing - spreadsheet and narrative) are required only for T&M labor categories and not for the FFP CLINs?

No, subcontractor buildups are required for all subcontractor pricing.

43 RFP 55 L.4.5.4.5 The RFP states, “This Sample Plan, or a similar Plan providing the same content, shall be provided for each labor category deemed a ‘Professional

Employee’ by the Offeror.” Will the Government confirm that a compensation plan applies only to the T&M CLIN and not the FFP CLINs?

See answer to question #19.

44 RFP 55 L.4.5.4.5 The RFP states, “This Sample Plan, or a similar Plan providing the same content, shall be provided for each labor category deemed a ‘Professional

Employee’ by the Offeror.” Will the Government confirm whether a

Compensation Plan is required only from the Prime Offeror and not

Subcontractors?

See answer to question #19.

45 RFP 52 L.4.4.2 The RFP states, “SB firms will participate in greater than 38% of TCV.”

Will the Government confirm that TCV in the context of Small Business

Participation is defined as total labor services value only, that is, not including other direct costs and travel costs?

RFP paragraph L.4.4.2 has been updated to clarify the definition of TCV for the purposes of Factor 5, Small Business Participation only.

46 RFP 47 L.4.1.4 Tab C, Section K

The RFP states, “The Offeror shall ensure that Section K is submitted thoroughly completed with all blocks in each certification/representation completed truthfully and completely.” Will the Government confirm that

‘Offeror’ in this context applies only to the Prime Offeror and not to

Subcontractors?

Correct, this applies to the Prime Offeror and not individual subcontractors.

47 RFP 61 M.3.6.4.2 Second

Para

The RFP states, “Magnitude will be evaluated on the dollar amount of work actually performed on the recent past performance references.” Then it states, ”A past performance reference with a total contract value greater than $7M will be considered to have essentially the same magnitude.” Will the Government clarify whether total contract value or the dollar amount of work actually performed is required?

It’s the actual work performed. For example, if an Offeror or its subcontractor holds a 5-year contract valued at $8M a year and is in year 3 of performance actual work performed is $24M.

48 RFP Attachment 3, Part

Will the Government confirm that the first 2 lines of “A. Contract

Identification” (Contractor/Company Name/Division and Address) refer to the Prime Offeror, that is, the company submitting the proposal, and that the “Prime Contractor Name” on line 6 is the name of the Prime contractor on the cited contract, which may be the Prime Offeror or a teammate?

No its for the Prime or the Subcontractor submitting the request.

The subcontractor will enter the Prime information under Prime

Contractor Name. This form is structured this way because many subcontractors have performance history as subcontractors.

49 RFP Attachment 3, Part

Will the Government confirm that the Offeror’s Company Representative in “B. Identification of Offeror’s Company Representative” is the Prime

Offeror in all cases, regardless of whether the cited contract is from the

Prime Offeror or a teammate?

Can be either the Prime or subcontractor

50 RFP 49 L.4.3.1.1 “In Volume III, Tab B of its Proposal, the Offeror shall provide Consent

Letters authorizing the release of past performance information executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner.”

Please confirm that Consent Letters are only required for subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners for whom Offeror is submitting past performance citations in the Volume III (Past

Performance).

Correct.

51 RFP 49 L.4.3.1.3 “In Volume III, Tab D of its Proposal, the Offeror shall provide information regarding the organization structure change history of the

Offeror and its Teaming Partners.”

Please confirm that, besides the Offeror, organization structure change history is only required for subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or venture partners for whom Offeror is submitting past performance citations in the

Volume III (Past Performance).

Correct.

52 RFP 55 L.4.5.4.5 “This sample Plan, or a similar Plan providing the same content, shall be provided for each labor category deemed a 'Professional Employee' by the

Offeror. Completed Plans shall be provided in the Workbook or in the

Pricing Narrative.”

Are subcontractors, teaming partners and/or venture partners also required to complete and submit Compensation Plan information?

See answer to question #19.

53 PWS

RFP

5.3.3.2

Attachment 4 (FFP

Only Tab)

The PWS specifies the work location of 5.3.3.2 as Fort Leavenworth, KS but Attachment 4 has the work location as Ft. Eustis, VA.

Please clarify the correct work location for PWS 5.3.3.2.

Task 5.3.3 is broken into two parts (5.3.3.1 with a work location at

Fort Eustis, VA and 5.3.3.2 with at work location of Fort

Leavenworth, KS). Attachment 4 will be amended to reflect as such.

54 PWS

RFP

5.2.5.4

Attachment 4 (FFP

Only Tab)

Attachment 4 includes a line for 5.2.5.4 Joint/Multinational Training

Threat Systems Integrator but the PWS does not have this requirement.

5.2.5.4 in the PWS is titled “Clearance, Work Location, and Travel

Requirements”

Should attachment 4 still include a line item for Offerors to price for

5.2.5.4 since it appears that PWS 5.2.5.4 does not describe a requirement for any actual work?

See answer to question #34.

55 PWS

RFP

5.3.6.5

Attachment 4 (FFP

Only Tab)

Attachment 4 includes a line for 5.3.6.5 Opposing Forces (OPFOR)

Program Management support but the PWS does not have this requirement.

5.3.6.5 in the PWS is titled “Clearance, Work Location, and Travel

Requirements”

Should attachment 4 still include a line item for Offerors to price for

5.3.6.5 since it appears that PWS 5.3.6.5 does not describe a requirement for any actual work?

See answer to question #35.

56 RFP 45/47 L.2/L.4.1 Table L 2 States Volume I Tab B should be “Exceptions/Assumptions”.

L.4.1.1 states Volume I General, Tab A should be

“Exceptions/Assumptions/Deviations (if required)”. This is inconsistent with the other volumes, all of which label Tab A as “Table of

Contents/Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms”.

Will the Government please confirm the correct outline for Volume I

General should be:

Tab A – Table of Contents/Glossary of Abbreviations and

Acronyms

Tab B – Exceptions/Assumptions (if applicable)

Tab C – Completed SF 33 Cover page

Tab D – Section K, Representations, Certifications, and other

Statements of Offerors

Tab E – Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest

Tab F – Subcontractor Information

Tab G – Compliance with DD Form 254

See answer to question #3.

57 RFP 49 L.4.3.1.1 Tab B Past performance instruction in L.4.3.1.1 Tab B Consent Letters states, “In volume III, Tab B… the Offeror shall provide Consent Letters authorizing the release of past performance information executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner.

Later in this same paragraph it states, “a consent form shall be completed for each reference identified in your proposal.”

Will the Government please clarify if consent forms must be submitted for all team members, or just those submitting past performance references?

See answer to question #6.

58 RFP 59 M.3.5.3 Proposals will be evaluated for its processes, capabilities enabling, and use of decision support tools for TRADOC G-2 to manage the OEE and enable real-time situational awareness of activities of the OEE (such as planned and completed tasks, time-and-materials requirements, travel requests, travel reports), methodologies to provide visibility of QA processes, and approach to execute a cross-function evaluation of performance.

Does the Government have a preferred methodology (e.g. – Agile) to execute cross functional evaluation and management of performance?

The offeror shall determine the proposed methodology to meet the requirements. The offeror's proposal will be evaluated as prescribed in Section M.

59 PWS 64 5.3.4.1.17 Develop and sustain a citizen data science training program.

Does the Government have an estimate for the total number of citizen data scientists that require training, by location?

See answer to question #14.

60 PWS 64 5.3.4.1.17 Develop and sustain a citizen data science training program.

Can the Government define the user level (e.g. entry level, beginner, advanced, master) and type (e.g. - NLP, machine learning, statistics, deep learning, computer vision etc.) of data science skills required within the training program?

See answer to question #14.

61 PWS 63 5.3.4.1.2 Conduct data mining to acquire data and information from various sources to provide relevant content to replicate the OE.

Can the Government be more specific with regards to the type and number of data sources expected? (e.g. – Social media scraping, # of DoD Systems, etc.)

Type of data sources include (number) current social media (5-

10), DoD Systems (10-20), Publically available sites (75-100).

62 PWS 64 5.3.4.2.1 Maintain the existing TRADOC G2 developed OEE Ontology as the foundation ontology in order to account for changes.

Does the Government have a preferred open toolset for managing the OEE

Ontology? (e.g. - Protégé, NeOn, etc.)

The OEE Ontology is managed on GitHub. Protégé is the primary tool used for maintaining the Ontology. This information has been updated in PWS para 5.3.4.2.1.

63 PWS 63 5.3.4.1.12 Use Open Source software whenever and wherever possible. Apache

Foundation Software will be a preferred source.

Does the Government have a preferred vendor/host for the other components of the BDP? (e.g. – AWS, Azure, etc.)

There is no preferred vendor/host for other supporting big data components.

64 PWS 63 5.3.4.1.11 Design, develop and maintain the OE Data Science Capability on the Big

Data Platform (BDP), or equivalent as determined by government sponsor, as hosted on the TRADOC G-6 Cloud environment.

Does the Government anticipate the BDP to be a purely cloud-based solution, or are hybrid/on-site configurations also expected? (i.e. deploying to multiple Kubernetes and Hyper-V clusters hosted in AWS, Azure, and

DoD Gov datacenters)

BDP capabilities will be cloud based.

65 PWS 64 5.3.4.1.14 Perform enterprise-level administration and management of the Data

Science Capability.

Can the Government elaborate on the specific administrative/management tasks expected of the contractor? For example, does management include

DevSecOps and Cyber assurance activities? If not, does the Government require DevSecOps and Cyber capabilities to be provided by the contractor in support of DSMS?

Enterprise-level administration and management of Data Science does include DevSecOps and cyber assurance.

66 RFP 51 L.4.3.1.4.5.2 For Other than Small Business Offerors, include SF 294 information for references cited in this volume and SF 295 (or Individual Subcontracting and Summary Subcontracting Reports in eSRS) information for DOD

Government contracts with these reporting requirements for the last five (5) years.

Are Contractors allowed to provide these reports for Government contracts for agency's other than DOD?

Yes. RFP para L.4.3.1.4.5.2 has been updated to allow DOD or other agency Government contracts.

67 RFP 47 L.4.1.1.2

L.4.1.2

"L.4.1.1.2 Assumption Definition: Offeror's facts used to address solicitation requirements. Offerors shall provide the solicitation document, page number, paragraph number, and narrative that describes why Offeror considers the facts used to make assumptions were necessary to develop its proposal.

L.4.1.2 The Offeror shall contact the Contracting Officer immediately and prior to receipt proposal when an Offeror identifies a solicitation area that may result in an exception, assumption, or deviation. Upon notification of an exception, assumption, or deviation the Contracting Officer will gather facts and if facts warrant solicitation revision, then an amendment may be issued."

The solicitation includes FAR 52.232-1. Does a proposed payment schedule meet the definition of an assumption?

Attachment 4, Section B tab is amended to add the quantity and unit of measure as indicated in Section B of the RFP.