Questions and Answers 08132024.pdf

Question Answer Sections L and M of the PWS contradict the ECP RFP Proposal Preparation Instructions. Which instructions should we follow?

Please see amended PWS.

Evaluation of pricing on this RFP is for Labor which is probably in the $8 - 10M per year range with Materials/ODCs as plug numbers. Can you adjust your past performance magnitue numbers to reflect the level of the required evaluation of price for Labor?

Please see RFP amendment.

The RFP references a magnitude of at least $41M/year, which does not meet the small business threshold of 541519 NAICS code ($34M). Can you adjust your levels of magnitude? Is the Government providing a higher relevance rating for contracts that would far exceed the expected contract size? Why is the Government using such a wide range of tiers of annual contract values? Is the government expecting any single year to meet $41M?

Please see RFP amendment.

the RFP states, “The offeror shall submit a minimum of three (3) but no more than a total of five (5) Specific Relevant Contract References identifying active or completed contracts, either Government or commercial.” Please confirm the term 'offeror' in this context includes the entire proposed team and not just the bidding prime.

Please see RFP amendment.

Will the government consider expanding the page count listed for VOL I, Technical Approach - Knowledge Management based scenarios to allow for graphics and other supporting data in answering the three scenarios?

Please see RFP amendment.

Will Government provide an "As-Is" information that includes a systems architecture graphic, the type of hardware and software used, current and/or future cloud service provider and the ECPs involvement with the TRADOC or CAC G6/CIO offices.

This is not an IT based service. As such, it is not possible to provide this information.

Please clarify the definition and meaning of RAD in context of Scenario 1 technical refresh/updates to ensure all offerors are operating off the same definition and usage - much like the EDP in PWS 5.15.11?

This is the "concept design" used to clarify requirements with the school POCs. RAD= Requirements Analysis Design.

Microsoft Excel 2007 is outdated, please confirm that Offerors can submit in current Excel versions.

Please see amended RFP.

Please confirm the minimum education requirement for the Senior Systems Engineer/Analyst is a Bachelors degree in a recognized scientific, technical, business, or other related discipline.

Bachelor of Science with 5 years of experience.

Please confirm it is the Government's intent that all on-site sustainment personnel be certified as "intermediate touchscreen programmers".

No it is not. No requirement for this type of programmer.

Will Government provide endstate target as IL2, IL5, or other cloud?

This is not an IT based service. As such, it is not possible to provide this information.

Please confirm that the maximum pages allowed for Past Performance equals 30 pages, in line with the table on page 56-57 of the RFP Sec. L VOL III Past Performance.

Please see amended RFP.

Please clarify that pricing will be done at the task order level, and no amount should be included for IDIQ submission.

Please see amended RFP.

Please provide a CLIN for a Phase-In Period. Please see amended RFP.

Please clarify the period of performance is three years. As noted in the RFP CLINs, the Period of Performance is one base year and two option years.

If IDIQ rates are to be established for work done in all locations, how can the price be determined as the lowest in the evaluation criteria? Would the Government consider making the price evaluation criteria “Fair and Reasonable?”

Price will be evaluated as stated in Paragraph C.5 of Addendum 52.212-2.

To ensure accurate pricing, would the Government consider incorporating the Wage Determination(s) (WDs) for the locations where work is expected to take place or the national WD and allowing equitable adjustments at the task order level for the location of work being done?

Please see amended RFP.

Please clarify that the SF 1449 should be included in Volumes IV and V.

Please see amended RFP.

RFP Page 33, section (k) tells the CO to select box (k)(1) or (k)(2). If neither box is checked & no WD's were attached to the RFP then section (i)(ii) requires contractors to notify the CO as required in paragraph (k)(3)(i) of the clause or the CO may not make an award. Can the Governmnt issue WD's or complete section K as required?

Please see amended RFP.

For services contracts (e.g. labor only) will the Government weigh relevancy of contract criteria such as similarity in mission and requirements; complexity such as multiple task orders, multiple locations, etc.;

and diversity of tasks over cost of the contract per the definition of magnitude as stated in the RFP.

Price will be evaluated as stated in Paragraph C.4 of Addendum 52.212-2.

For clarification, if a past performance contract does not meet or exceed $8.2 million per year, then the rating is automatically "Not Relevant" regardless of mission, requirements and complexity of the contract.

Relevency is determined by a combination of magnitude and scope as stated in Paragraph C.4 of Addendum 52.212-2.

On p. 56-57 of the RFP, Volume III states the volume shall contain (list in table) and be within the specified page constraints. The table references several sections that have no page limits, and those that provide limits total the 30 pages that the volume is constrained to. Will the Government clarify if the intent is for Offerors to provide the non-page limited material in an Appendix that is separately numbered from the constrained sections?

Please see addendums to FAR 52.212-1 and FAR 52.212-2.

On p. 55 of the RFP, The Scenario 2 PWS element references 5.14.30, however, 5.14 only has two subelements. Will the Government please clarify whether this is a typo and it should be 5.14, or provide additional information if needed?

Please see amended RFP.

Attachment 1 PWS, p. 15, Section 5.15.6 IPR coordination with the COR has two different times in it; twenty-four (72). Will the Government please confirm which time is correct?

Please see amended PWS.

Solicitation W911S0-24-R-0005 ECP RFP, p. 55, Section (2) references TE 7.6. Will the Government please confirm this reference should be Exhibits section 7.6 TE6?

7 Attachment 7/ Weekly synchronization report, which is not included in the document. Will the Government please amend the PWS to include h

Please see amended PWS.

Is it the Government’s intent that the Program Manager III is one (1) CFTE and the Program Manager I is 2.5 CFTE? Also, will the Government please confirm Program Manager III is intended to be a key personnel? **

Please see amended PWS.

The table on page 56 lays out the volume requirements for Past Performance. However, the numbered list of requirements (1-6) below this table do not align with the table. Can the government clarify the requirements for Volume 3?

Please see RFP amendment.

The table indicates on Pg 40 that there would be a need for fulltime (1920+ hours) for Electrical Engineer (senior/master) but they are not accounted for in the LOE on pg 49, which the government indicates we are to use for LOE. Please confirm our understanding that this position is fulltime and should be priced as such?

Please see RFP amendment.

The PWS states that Vol 1 and Vol 2 will be submitted by DVD, this is not in the RFP. Can the government clarify submission requirements?

Please see amended PWS.

The government states that Recency is 3 years for PP.

Due to the extended amount of time it took for the RFP to be released this could have adversely affected some potential SB bidders from supplying valid Past performance due to the latency. Would the government consider increasing the recency to 4 years?

Please see amended RFP

Please confirm our understanding that there is a separate bill of materials for each room type and this will be provided by government.

There is a separate design for each room technology package that will be provided by the government.

Based on room size and capabilities, the LOM will differ from project to project.

Please confirm that the awarded vendor will be responsible for new hardware purchases to for all classroom AV.

Please revised PWS.

For Video Conferencing, can you please provide the preferred platform? Webex, MS Teams, SIP, etc?

MS Teams and Blackboard

RFP page 54 says “All price information shall be addressed ONLY in the Price Volume.” However, Volume V requires a completed SF1449 that contains price data. Can the government clarify which volume(s) should contain pricing data.

Please see amended RFP

RFP Page 60 says “Submissions. Offerors are discouraged from providing points of contact with another contractors’ facility, i.e., in case an offeror (or one of his/her team members) is in a subcontract with another contractor who has submitted a proposal on the same requirement. Offerors shall provide and submit the prime contract number and all Governmental agency POCs in lieu of subcontract numbers or prime contract POCs in situations as described above.” Can the government provide more clarification on what is meant by this statement?

Government POCs are often not permitted to provide PPQ evaluations for Subcontractors as the work performed on the contract is done under the Prime contract awardee.

Please see amended RFP

“Provide a complete description and electronic spreadsheets for all prices proposed for the performance of all work.” Please clarify what is meant by "complete description." The requirement above appears to reference multiple electronic spreadsheets; please clarify what spreadsheet(s) are required.

The offeror shall provide a complete Pricing Matrix for all prices proposed for the performance of all work. The Pricing Matrix shall not contain hidden tabs, spreadsheets, or hidden cells

What is the anticipated end date for the incumbent contract?

Please refer to FPDSNG for any information on the incumbent contract.

Can the government provide transparency to all offerors on what criteria will be used to establish a competitive range, if used?

Please see the amended RFP.

In Section B of the of RFP, should CLIN X003's be stated as TBD at proposal submission?

Please see amended RFP.

Clause 252.219-7010, section (a)(3) provides the SBA Richmond District Office as the relevant district "If the competition is to be limited to 8(a) concerns within one or more specific SBA regions or districts." Will the government confirm that this data does not apply as this procurement is set-aside for 8(a) concerns serviced by any SBA region or district?

This procurement is not set-aside for 8(a) concerns serviced by a specific SBA region or district, but is open to all 8(a) concerns.

Will the government please clarify what is defined by "key terms." The requirement asks for both list of key terms with their definitions and list of acronyms and abbreviations. Can this list be combined?

Please see amended RFP

Will the government please confirm that the one-year integrated warranty service can be charged to the government?

Warranty should be included in the overal pricing of classroom.

May the contractor be allowed to add a formula to link the Labor amounts to the "Labor Hours" tab?

Please see amended Pricing Worksheet.

Should the Material / ODC's CLIN not be blacked out to match the solicitation Section B? Would the government please clarify that the PLUG number in Section G of the PWS plus indirects be used for pricing evaluation?

Please see amended RFP.

PWS Section "b" requests supporting data to include "Material list and cost, travel charges, and "other direct costs" used in developing the cost breakdown…". However, a NTE plug number was provided in Attachment 3 - Pricing Worksheet and PWS. Therefore, can this requirement be removed?

Please see amended RFP

The travel amounts in Section "g" of the PWS and the Pricing Worksheet appear not to match. Please advise as to which amount should be used to load the costs with indirects in the cost proposal.

Please see amended PWS.

Paragraph (b) under the Staffing Approach instructions identifies the following labor categories for the Resumes for Key Personnel: Program Manager(s), Project Manager(s), Engineer(s), and Programmer(s) (Repository). However, PWS 1.6.11 identifies the Key Personnel labor categories as: Program Manager I, System Programmer I, Senior Systems Engineer/Analyst, and Management Analyst. Will the Government confirm that resumes should be submitted for the Key Personnel labor categories identified in PWS 1.6.11?

Resumes should be submitted for all Program Manager(s), Project Manager(s), Engineer(s), and Programmer(s).

On the Resume Contents under paragraph (c) of the Staffing Approach, Prior Experience is listed as up to the last 10 years. Will the Government please increase the Prior Experience to up to the last 20 years? Personnel may have gaps in employment history due to legitimate reasons (e.g., career transitions, family responsibilities) and 10 years does not allow for this.

Does the Government want Letters of Commitment for Key Personnel proposed as contingent hires?

Please see RFP amendment 0001.

Block 13 of Attachment 4 is identified as Negative Performance Documentation. As the Evaluation Approach for Quality Assessment as identified on page 71 of 74 is based on documented results from Past Performance Questionnaires, interviews, CPARS, and other sources, will the Government please remove Block 13 from Attachment 4? If Block 13 is not removed, will the Government please add an additional page to the Page Limitation for the Specific Relevant Contract Sheets?

Please see amended RFP.

To enable offerors to fully address the relevancy of the contract references to the proposed effort as relates to Attachment 1 PWS, will the Government please increase the page limitation for each Specific Relevant Contract Reference Sheets to 7 pages?

Please see RFP amendment 0001.

Fax numbers are identified as a requirement in the Contract Descriptions in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).

As fax machines are no longer readily used or available, will the Government please remove the requirement to include fax numbers?

Please see RFP amendment 0001.

To enable offerors to fully address the PWS references for each Scenario, will the Government please increase the page limitation for Volume I to 20 pages?

The page count will not be increased and will remain at 15 pages for Volume I.

The last paragraph on page 52 states “Each volume shall be clearly labeled with its title and a copy number (e.g. copy 1 of 5).” Since this is an electronic submission, will the Government confirm that the copy number is not required?

Please see RFP amendment 0001.

Will the Government confirm that the contractor shall coordinate the specific time and location of IPRS with the COR at least 72 hours before the IPR is scheduled?

Please see amended PWS.

PWS states ODCs are reimbursable under cost reimbursement firm fixed price CLINS. RFP W911S024R0005 document states CLINS for travel are on cost reimbursable CLINs. Will the government please advise on the CLIN structure and contract type for travel and ODCs?

These are Cost Reimbursable CLINs. However, due to the design of the Government's contract writing system, they are listed as FFP. The description will indicate that they are to be treated as a Cost Reimbursable CLIN.

The PWS and Labor Hours tab (Pricing Worksheet) contains Labor Categories of a Program Manager I and Program Manager III but the LCAT & Description Tab (Pricing Worksheet) does not provide these labor categories or description. Will the government please provide the labor category descriptions for the Program Manager I and Program Manager III?

Please see amended RFP.

The PWS and the LCAT and Description tab (Pricing Worksheet) contains an AV Programmer however the Labor Hours tab (Pricing Worksheet) does not. Will the government please advise if a AV Programmer needs to be priced?

Please see amended RFP.

Considering this is a non-personal services contract to provide turnkey classroom technology classroom Sustainment and Technology services, will the government please remove FAR clause 52.222-42, Service Contract Labor Standards requirement? If not, please provide an applicable Wage Determination schedule.

Please see amended RFP

Will the government accept years of experience for substitution of Bachelors or Associates degree requirement?

Please see amended PWS.

The certifications identified in 1.6.8.1 for the CAD Specialist are more typical for an Engineering position and not for CAD Specialists. Will the Government please remove the certification requirements for Certified Technology Specialist - Designer (CTS-D), Certified Technology Specialist - Installer (CTS-I), Digital Media Certified - Designer (DMC-D), and Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association

(AVIXA)?

No

Will the government please advise what data is to be added under "Unit Price" for CLINS 0001, 1001, 2001?

Please see amended RFP

Please clarify if all FTEs listed on the pricing worksheet are onsite. If so, please provide the breakdown of locations. If not, please specify which positions are onsite full time and where.

FTE's listed will not necessarily be at all worksites, that will be worked out at TO level.

Is the Alternate PM an additional duty for one of the listed positions or a separate position?

We have the requirement for an alternate PM. The government cannot direct how it is staffed.

Is there any flexibility on the qualifications such as obtaining them within 6 months?

No

Are any of the following certifications a requirement for the Prime contract holder? CMMI For Services ML 3 v2.0, CMMI for Development, ISO 9001:2015 (QMS), ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 – SMS, ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 –

ISMS, ISO 28001:2007 - SCSMS

We are not an IT based service so this question does not apply to our PWS.

A minimum of four resumes are required for key personnel. Will submitting additional resumes be evaluated higher than submitting the required four resumes?

Resumes for key personnel will be evaluated as stated in fhe RFP. Additional resumes will not necessarily result in a higher evaluation than the minimum number.

Please confirm that the estimated labor hours in the Pricing Workbook are based on historical data for this program.

Please see amended RFP.

'This section includes "Provide a complete description and electronic spreadsheets for all prices propsoed for the performance of all work." Would the government please clarify if this statement is requiring the pricing details that make up the bill rates proposed on the "Labor Hours" tab of Attachment 3?

The Government requires contractors to provide rates where indicated.

This tab includes LCAT description for one LCAT that is not on the "Labor Hours" tab - AV Programmer. Will the Government please clarify if this position is considered the same as the System Programmer I. If not, will the Labor Hours tab be amended to include this labor category?

Please see amended RFP.

This tab is missing two labor categories shown on the "Labor Hours" tab - Program Manager III and Program Manager I. Will the LCAT descriptions be added to the "LCAT & Description" tab for both of these labor categories?

Please see amended RFP

Can the Government please clarify which level of Program Manager (III or I) is to be provided as the IDIQ Program Manager.

Please see amended RFP

Can the government clarify the level of clearance required and if a DD254 will be issued for this order?

As it's clear that personnel may require security clearances it seems either a Secret or Top Secret facility clearance may be required at the IDIQ level ;

however, no DD254 has been included.

ECP does no work that requires a security clearance.

Does the Government expect Technology Services Support Desk to be maintained at the government site or the contractor site?

Contractor site

How will the ECP classroom Repository be accessed?

Will remote access be authorized, or will the system need to be accessed locally?

Remote access.

Will the selected contractor be responsible for designing each class space and providing a BOM specific to that room or is this required before winning the contract?

Contractor will be responsible for designing each class space and providing a BOM specific to that room.

Is the selected contractor responsible for providing all new AV equipment based on their own design?

Yes, within the limits of the Government Approved Materials list.

How has the bid pricing been selected when a design has not been completed and without a BOM. Previous projects?

Please complete pricing sheet IAW instructions provided and recognize that it is for evaluation purposes only.

Are there any provisions to allow the selected contractor to visit the Bases or facilities prior to commencing Design & Engineering

Yes in some case a site visit is required as part of the design and engineering process.

Are these projects brand agnostic or is there certain brands that are required such as Crestron, Bi-Amp, Polycom?

The Government determines the required capability and the contracted vendor applies brands and model. The only overarching requirement is that all components must be TAA compliant.

Has there been a GUI or interface that the selected contractor must adhere to or can we implement our own interface?

In order to maintain standardization across the Enterprise, the manufacturer's standard GUI/interface will be utilized for all software.

There is talk about remote capabilities for service, is this up to the contractor to select this solution or has this been previously determined.

Please refer to PWS for Contractor work location information. See for example PWS 5.15.29.3

Does this contract require that the selected contractor hold stock parts or items at all times?

Yes, but selective parts and minimal quantities. For example; projection bulbs, projector filters, and power supplies.

How are we bidding material at this time? The Government has provided a plug number for materials in the pricing worksheet.

Is there a Polycom or VTZ, cameras, lectern requirements?

Yes, as determined by the project requirement.

Are they wanting projectors, TVs, what size projection screens and TVs if so?

There is a requirement for either drop screens or digital displays (TVs) in accordance with the sight lines designed by the contracted vendor.

For the required certifications listed in this section, does the government require each individual on the on-site sustainment team to have the certification listed (ISO 17024), or does the government desire the team possess at a minimum the certifications listed across the team.

For the purposes of the on-site sustainment team certifications it is sufficient for them to be held across the team.

Is the expectation for the contractor to create a new service portal or utilize a customer provided service portal? What IL or compliance requirements are there if any?

This does not apply to what ECP does.

Does the government allow for remote awareness/monitoring of classroom equipment?

No

Is the contractor responsible for providing LCAT/CFTEs to support Technical Factor 3 (Designated IA roles such as ISSM/IAM-III) or are those being provided by the government or other contractors?

LCAT/CFTEs to support Technical Factor 3 wil not be provided by the government.

Does the government have a preferred tracking system, such as Integrated Log Management System (ILMS) Distribution Management System (DMS)?

The preferred tracking system is the ECP data repository.

The contract mentions CACs for individuals requiring access to base or network systems. Our work proposal may include personnel working remotely that would also need access to the ECP Repository; would they need Government Furnished Laptops or can they access resources via contractor laptops with CAC readers?

Individuals may access the ECP Repository with contractor laptops with CAC readers.

Will the government require bidders to certify they are currently 8(a) and eligible for 8a awards as well as they meet the size standard at time of submission?

It's expected that Contractors will provide their CAGE and UEI with their proposal. Awardees will be required to meet the set-aside requirements as set out by the SBA.

Is there any current Government- or Contractor- Owned Equipment in possession of the Incumbent that will need to be transferred/accounted for by the new contract awardee?

No.

In the event that it is determined an outage is due to a network issue outside the contractor control, is the government or contractor responsible for inputting a ticket into AESD?

Both depending on the circumstances and where the outage occurs. The Contractor would also contact either the government rep on site and or

ECP.

How does the contractor receive tickets/work orders from customers? Does the ECP helpdesk receive tickets from TRADOC customers using an internal ticketing systems or utilize the AESD ticketing

Internal using the ECP data repository.

Does the government utilize the Eustis RNEC for network service?

ECP does not interact with RNEC.

Does any of the contractor support require privileged system access? If so, can the government provide what certifications and training are required?

No

This section states that Contract shall purchase the equipment. Can offerors assume the equipment shall be contract acquired property (CAP), which means that the contractor will procure but the government will hold title to?

Yes. Anything procured by the contractor using Government funds becomes the property of the Government upon completion of installation and or repair, replacement, and the equipment is signed over to the school.

Please see amended PWS.

Will an annual property report be required? No.

This section states that a LOM will be required prior to installation but that we will provide a DD250. Will contractors turn assets back over to the government at the end of installation or will we need to track the assets at each classroom/site past installation?

The repository is used to track all installed components upon completion of the project and beyond.

Please see amended PWS.

Please confirm which NAICS code is applicable. In Box 16 of the SF-1449 (pg. 1 of solicitation document) the NAICS is identified as 541512. In 52.212-1, (a) on (sol.

Pg. 17) the NAICS is identified as 541519.

541512

Please clarify if there is a limit to the number of contracts that can be listed in Section #1 – Contract Details and Section #5 – Past Performance Questionnaires.

Responses in this section are not included in the page count.

Please confirm a maximum of five (5) Specific Relevant Contract Reference Sheets (SRCRS) will be accepted for Section 4 – SRCRS.

Please review the addendums to FAR 52.212-1 and

FAR 52.212-2.

Please confirm Government confirm the “Section 6 – Submissions” does not require it’s only itemized section within Volume III, and is only meant as instruction to list prime contract information regardless of prime/sub performance of contractor.

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