Response to Questions.pdf

Questions

Updated 3/19/20

1. Reference: Solicitation document for W911S8-20-R-0004 , 52.212-1 ADDENDUM, B. Preparation Instructions,

b. Volume II – Technical, Tab A: Staffing Approach and Tab B: Management Approach, page 76.

Question: The descriptions for the each Tab includes 2 identical requirements. Can the Government please clarify whether this was their intent?

Answer: Adjustment was made please see Amendment.

2. Reference: Solicitation document for W911S8-20-R-0004 , 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires, page 46.

Question: The Hourly Rate for the Supply Technician and Engineering Technician positions seem to be lower than the actual SCA rates for those positions? Can the Government clarify how the provided rates are required to align with SCA rates?

Answer: These are GS equivalent titles and pay rates for informational purposes only

3. I have a question regarding the IT Support Services RFP. I am working with an 8(a) firm that is interested in pursuing this, however they do not have a facility clearance. They have a subsidiary firm that is not an 8(a), but holds a secret facility clearance.

Question: Can the parent 8(a) firm use the facility clearance of the subsidiary?

Answer: The prime contractor must have the clearance.

4. 1.6.7.11 Prime Contractor Company to obtain a Facility Clearance and individual clearances at the appropriate level:

The Prime Contractor Company must have a Facility Clearance (FCL) at the appropriate level (IAW the NISPOM DOD 5220.22-M and AR 380-49) prior to the start of the contract awarded period of performance. Contractor personnel performing work under this contract must have the required security clearance, per AR 380-67, at the appropriate level at the start of the period of performance. Security Clearances and FCL requirements are required to be maintained for the life of the contract IAW the DD Form 254 attached to the contract. If no FCL, the supporting Government Contracting Activity will sponsor the prime contract company in obtaining the FCL.

Our company, Wyandotte Technologies, holds a DOE Q Clearance. A Q level investigation is the DOE version of an SSBI. I know that the DoD does have reciprocity with DOE under Public Law 108-458 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) – 17 December 2004 which, in short, statesTitle III of IRTPA established statutory guidelines for reciprocity of security clearances. This act provides congressional direction that all legitimate government clearances are to be accepted and transferable between and among government agencies.

Documentation of this clearance will be furnished upon request.

Question: My question is, is the above mentioned clearance acceptable in lieu of a DoD Secret Clearance?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Answer: DOE Q clearance is acceptable.

5. Question: Are all the positions on this contract SCA? If so, can the government provide the WD occupation codes and titles?

Answer: It is up to the Offeror to determine positions and appropriate WD occupation codes as it relates to their proposal.

6. Has the scope of the requirement changed from the current contract?

Answer: The scope of requirement has not changed

7. Question: I wish to know if there is an incumbent on this contract and who might that be if i may ask. Thanks very much.

Answer: The incumbent is POWTEC.

8. Question: Is there in incumbent? If so, please provide the company name and current contract number.

Answer: POWTEC W911S8-17-D-0004

9. Question: If a clearance is required, and the contractor holds a clearance lower than what is required, will they be allowed to obtain the higher clearance upon award?

Answer: The Prime Contractor Company Facility Clearance is addressed in PWS paragraph 1.6.7.11. The company must have this at the correct level at the time the company's proposal is submitted.

10. Question: Can the Government provide the incumbent contract information:

a) Contract number: W911S8-17-D-0004

b) Period of performance: 1 January 2017 – 30 April 2020

c) Prime Contractor: POWTEC

d) Historic Level of Effort: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment

e) Historic travel and training costs: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment

f) Total contract value: $7,539,176.78

11. Question: Can the Government provide a 5-year historic user level and if they anticipate the user levels to remain, increase, or decrease over the next 5 years?

Answer: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment. Future changes cannot be predicted.

12. Question: Can the Government provide a 5-year historic equipment list/inventory of devices supported on this effort? This will be necessary for bidders to develop an accurate level of effort.

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

13. Question: Will the Government allow the use of a sub-contractor's SECRET FCL to begin work after award while the prime obtains it's SECRET FCL?

Answer: No

14. Question: (PWS Section 1.4 Scope) Can the Government please provide an inventory of the physical and virtual systems that are to be managed by the vendor? If this is not possible, could you please provide a summary of the quantity of physical and virtual systems that are to be supported? This will allow bidders to provide the Government with a more accurate staffing approach, in support of the daily operations.

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

15. Question: (Solicitation Evaluation Criteria) Are the staffing levels for the current contract meeting the Government’s requirements? Can you please provide a listing of those staffing levels?

Answer: Listing of staffing levels is proprietary information.

16. Question: (PWS Section 1.6.5 Place of Performance) Will fieldwork that is performed outside of the primary work locations be cost reimbursable, for items such as mileage?

17. Question: (Solicitation Instructions to Offerors, B. Preparation Instructions para 6b. Volume II – Technical, Tab A and Tab B and Evaluation Factors, Factor 1 Technical Capability). In the Instructions to Offers Sub paragraphs i and ii for the Staffing Plan (Tab A) are identical to sub paragraphs I and ii of the Management Plan (Tab B). The guidance for the Technical Capability in the Instructions to Offers do not match the Evaluation Factors criteria for the Technical Capability. Do offerors follow the instructions provided in the Evaluation Factors section?

18. Question: (SF 1449 Section 8. Offeror Due Date/Local Time). The due date shown is 12:00 AM 02 MAR 2020.

Is the due date/time midnight, the beginning of 02 Mar 2020 (0000 hours); noon 02 Mar (1200 hours); or midnight 0000 the end of 02 Mar 2020?

Answer:

19. Question: Should the Offeror follow the requirements on page 20 or on page 76 of the solicitation when providing a response for Volume II Technical Capability? The requirements on page 76 for Tab A: Staffing Approach (i) and (ii) are almost the same as those in Tab B: Management Approach (i) and (ii). The instructions on page 20 are different for those two tabs/subfactors.

20. Question: Should the sections for Volume II Technical Capability be labeled Tab A: Staffing Approach and Tab B: Management Approach or Sub-factor 1: Staffing Approach and Sub-factor 2: Management Approach?

21. Question: Please clarify if resumes and names of personnel are required to be submitted with the proposal.

22. Question: Is the Offeror allowed to use 10 point Arial for graphics and tables?

23. Question: Please clarify the requirements for Volume I General. In the table on page 74 – Tab A, Tab B and Tab C are all labeled “SF 1449”.

24. Question: Pease clarify the contents of Volume I and Volume III. Page 75 indicates that the contents of Volume I should be TAB A, Exceptions/Assumptions; TAB B, Solicitation, Amendments; and TAB C, Section B (Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs). Pages 76 indicates that the contents of Volume III- Price should be Schedule of Pricing, Exceptions/Assumptions.

Answer: Adjustment was made please see amendment.

25. Question: Per PWS Section 1.6.13, please clarify if the travel and training is reimbursable by government or contractor furnished. If contractor furnished, please provide the necessary details (i.e. how many individuals and/or who is required to attend) industry needs to price the requirement of travel and training from JBLM to YTC/YTC to

JBLM.

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS paragraph 1.6.13 please see amendment.

26. Question: Per PWS Section 1.6.13.1, “shall be responsible to ensure that necessary certifications are kept up to date in all relevant areas”, please confirm if this statement only pertains to certifications required in PWS Section

1.6.8 and 1.6.11. If not, please state the additional certifications required in all relevant areas.

Answer: Requirement is relevant to all certifications referenced in the PWS.

27. Volume II – Technical Capability Subfactor 1 States:

Reference FAR 52.212-2: “Sub-factor 1: Staffing Approach. The contractor shall submit a scheduling plan that identifies the proposed staff required to fulfill tasks outlined in this requirement. The Staffing Approach must demonstrate a complete understanding of the solicitation requirements.”

This is the only reference to a “scheduling plan” in the RFP. Please confirm this reference was intended to state Staffing Approach or please provide further instruction on the desired contents of a scheduling plan, if that is indeed a separate requirement.

28. Reference FAR 52.212-1 ADDENDUM B.6.b.2: Both Tab A (Staffing Approach) and Tab B (Management Approach) require the following: “An organizational chart identifying the management structure of key personnel with a description of roles and responsibilities required to fulfill the tasks outlines in this requirement.”

Reference FAR 52.212-2(1) Evaluation Factor 1, Subfactor 2 Management Approach, only requires this within the Management Approach. Please confirm which Tab this requirement should be placed within the proposal response.

29. Reference FAR 52.212-1 ADDENDUM B.6.b.2(ii): Both Tab A (Staffing Approach) and Tab B (Management Approach) require the following: “A narrative fully describing the management control system that will be used to effectively accomplish task simultaneously.”

Reference FAR 52.212-2(1) Evaluation Factor 1, Subfactor 2 Management Approach, only requires this within the Management Approach. Please confirm which Tab this requirement should be placed within the proposal response.

Please confirm which Tab this requirement should be placed within the proposal response.

30. Solicitation, Pg. 74, Section B, Page Limitations Chart. It states that Volume II will have a TAB-A and a TAB- B. However, on page 75, Section B, paragraph 2, it states that the “Volume shall … be prepared in a form consistent with the PWS and …”. Can the Government confirm that there are no “Tabs” required for Volume II and that this volume should follow the appropriate format to completely outline our procedures for accomplishing the identified sub-factors1 and 2?

31. Solicitation, Pg. 76, b. Volume II, Para 2, Tab A and Tab B. It states the exact same requirements (i and ii) for both sections. Can the Government confirm that items i and ii under Tab A should be under Tab B (Subfactor 2- Management Approach) only as they deal primarily with Management structure and Management control systems?

And can the government verify if there are any additional requirements for Subfactor 1 - Staffing Approach?

32. Solicitation, Pg. 74, Para 3. It states that all referenced documents for this website at http://www.fedbizzopps.gov. This website is not valid. FedBizOps (www.fbo.gov) is now available at https://fbohome.sam.gov/

Answer: https://beta.sam.gov http://www.fedbizzopps.gov/ https://fbohome.sam.gov/ https://beta.sam.gov/

33. Question: (PWS Section 1.4 Scope) Can the government confirm that all equipment that is to be managed, will be provided by the Government? Additionally, can the Government confirm that any equipment that would be requested to be provided by the vendor would be above and beyond this firm fixed price contract?

Answer: The contractor is not required to provide or purchase equipment/hardware/software.

34. Question: Is the offeror required to use Attachment 2 Wage Determination schedule for pricing?

Answer: Reference FAR Clause 52.222.43

35. Questions: In 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, the Preparation Instructions (section B) indicate Price Volume III is submitted as PDF, Word, or Excel. Is the offer to submit their own pricing Excel sheet, or is the only requirement to fill out the CLINS/Section B?

36. Pricing – Does “Section B” refer to the CLINS starting on page 3 of the solicitation?

Answer: Yes

37. Questions: How many FTEs are currently performing on contract?

Answer: Proprietary information

38. If we are to use the wage determination schedule, does this indicate that the contract is SCA?

Answer: Reference Clause 52.222.43

39. Question: Can you provide incumbent contract info?

Answer: Reference question 10.

40. Question: The PWS states that the following 4 personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Help Desk Senior System Administrator, Senior Specific Product Specialist (ESRI GIS), Senior Internet/Intranet Webmaster, Mid-Level Database Administrator. Can you confirm for pricing this requirement do you require 1 full time employee for each labor position?

Answer: Reference PWS paragraph 1.6.4

41. Question: In submitting our pricing structure for SF1449, can you clarify what labor positions map to CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0002?

Answer: It is up to the contractor to determine which labor positions map to CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0002.

42. Question: For the VOLUME III price, do you want us to submit both the pricing on the SF1449 along with pricing breakdown via excel?

Answer: No - Adjustment was made please see Amendment.

43. Question: Can you provide the SCA labor categories under the wage determinations that maps to each labor position required under this contract?

Answer: This is the contractor’s responsibility

44. Question: Will all 4 key personnel positions be required to work 100% onsite in Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA 98433

45. Question: What is the anticipated start date?

Answer: 1 July 2020

46. Question: PWS states “Contractor training/travel required each year: Microsoft Ignite (5 days, 2 attendees), Microsoft Build (5 days, 1 attendee), GFEBS or SAP training (5 days, 1 attendee), ESRI conference (5 days, 1 attendee, registration provided by the Government). Additional contractor travel is required from JBLM to YTC or from YTC to JBLM for the contractor to provide training to DPW civilian employees or work with DPW GFEBS personnel. This local travel requiring an overnight stay is expected two times per year (TDY & transportation only).” Can you confirm that this required training/ travel for staff should be included in our pricing on SF1449?

Answer: Required training and travel should be included in SF1449.

47. Question: We are very interested in providing a bid for this opportunity and would like to know if the stated DD254 security requirement is necessary prior to bidding or can this be obtained post award?

Answer: Post Award

48. Section L Instructions for Technical Subfactor 1 is at odds with Section M Evaluation Criteria for Technical Subfactor 1. Will the Government change Section L instructions for Subfactor 1 to reflect the corresponding evaluation criteria?

49. Question: Regarding work requirements in PWS Section 5, will the Government provide historical workload data (service requests, number and dates placed in service of computer hardware and equipment, etc.) so that Offerors can accurately determine necessary Labor Categories, qualifications and FTEs necessary to meet performance standards? This information is critical in developing staffing plans and pricing, especially considering Firm Fixed Price where price is the determining factor.

Answer: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment

50. Question: The CLIN structure implies there is a base period of 8 months and four Option Years, and section (a) in Factor II of the Evaluation Criteria agrees with this however section (b) implies there are only two Option Years. Please clarify the total number of planned Option Years.

Answer: Adjustment was made please see Amendment.

51. The Government will evaluate the pricing proposed for each CLIN and the total price proposed. The Government will evaluate the price for award purposes by adding the price of the four option periods and comparing that total price for balance and against all of the proposals found to be technically acceptable. Price will not be evaluated on those proposals found to be Technically Unacceptable. (b) Options. As part of price evaluation, the government will evaluate its option to extend services (see FAR Clause 52.217-8) by adding one-half of the offeror's second option year to the offeror's total price. Thus, the offeror's total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the base year and two option years, and 1/2 of the second option year. Offerors are not required to enter a price for the six-month period.

Answer: There will be four option periods.

52. Question: RFP Attachment 2 is the Wage Determination for Pierce County WA. Section 1.6.5 of the PWS implies that a majority of the work will be performed at YTS which is Yakima County WA. Do you intend to provide the WD for Yakima County?

Answer: Yes please Amendment.

53. Question: Section 1.6.4 of the PWS states that some after-hours work will be required. Since the contract is subject to SCA rules, these employees will most likely be eligible for over-time pay for after-hours work. Can you quantify the amount of after-hours work we should assume in order to ensure an accurate price estimate?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.4 please see Amendment.

54. Question: The DD 254 attachment states the required FCL is Secret. Section 1.6.7.11 states that the contractor must have the required FCL prior to start of the contract and that “If no FCL, the supporting Government Contracting Activity will sponsor the prime contract company in obtaining the FCL.” In order to ensure meeting the requirement for the appropriate FCL prior to contract award (01 May 2020), do you intend to begin the sponsorship process once a proposal is found to be technically acceptable?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.7.11 please see Amendment.

55. Question: Section 1.6.13 provides the frequency and duration of required travel for training but not the locations. As travel is to be included in the FFP CLIN 0001, and subsequent option year CLINs, can you provide the location for these training events?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.13 and Technical Exhibit 5 has been added please see Amendment.

56. Question: Section 3.1 and 4.1 of the PWS states that there is no GFP and no CFP. Will contractor employees working on-site be provided all computer equipment and software required to perform their duties, including CAD stations and CAD applications?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.5 please see Amendment.

57. The RFP (Sec 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (Oct 2014) Subfactor 1: Staffing Approach, sub paragraph i.) states “A detailed list of the labor categories, number of personnel proposed for each labor category, and associated labor hours deemed necessary to perform the requirement relative to each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN).” This requirement provides a clear competitive advantage to the incumbent.

Question: Will the government provide the number of personnel/hours by labor category that is performing the work today? Or, is the government looking for an alternative staffing solution?

Answer: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment. It is up to the Offeror to propose a staffing solution.

58. The RFP states that the Government will utilize an LPTA evaluation method and it’s apparent that the intent is to award to the contractor who can meet the minimum technical requirements at the lowest “reasonable” price. The PWS provides considerable insight into the work to be performed. However, given the LPTA evaluation criteria, the fact that the contract will be FFP, and the lack of historical data regarding the actual level of effort or the exact mix of skill sets required, it is highly likely that the Government will receive a wide range of labor hour and cost estimates and that it will be extremely difficult to perform a proper evaluation. In order to mitigate these risks and ensure an “apples to apples” cost evaluation, will you consider providing the number of personnel/hours by labor category on the current contract?

Answer: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added please Amendment.

59. Question: Can the Government please confirm the position listing in the table on page 46 of the solicitation is representative of the staff headcount for this requirement, as there are some position titles listed twice, seemingly indicating multiple FTEs for those positions on contract. Are there 12 FTEs required, as listed in the table on page 46?

Answer: The list on page 46 is for informational purposes only

60. Question: Because the solicitation does not include enough workload data to otherwise allow Offerors to develop a staffing solution, can the Government please either, Require all Offerors to bid the same number of FTEs, as to level the playing field for this LPTA competition and not unduly favor the incumbent, and encourage fair opportunity? OR

Release enough workload data for each functional area on contract to allow Offerors to develop their own independent staffing solution

Answer: Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) was added please Amendment.

61. Question: Can the Government please confirm whether there are currently incumbent staff occupying all positions on contract?

62. Question: Can the Government please confirm whether the incumbent employees meet the minimum personnel requirements (security clearances, 8570 certifications, etc.) of this solicitation?

63. Question: Is the incumbent eligible for the recompete?

Answer: Yes.

64. Question: Has the requirement changed in size, scope of complexity from the incumbent’s contract?

65. Question: Is the SCA applicable to all contracts or specific labor categories?

Answer: The SCA is applicable to all Service contracts.

66. Question: Can the Government identify specific labor categories that are applicable with the WD codes

Answer: This is a contractor/offeror responsibility.

67. Question: On page 11, the RFP shows the CLINs for the base ‘year’ as 8 months (POP 01-MAY-2020 TO 31- DEC-2020) plus 3 option years. Then on page 21 of 77 under the price evaluation criteria – section B, it states “the offeror's total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the base year and two option years, and 1/2 of the second option year. Offerors are not required to enter a price for the six-month period.” Why aren’t proposal prices compared using the submitted price for each CLIN (including the third option year) instead of using the price for 1⁄2 of the second year and not including the third year?

68. Question: The proposal instructions for Volume II, TAB A and TAB B have exactly the same instructions for paragraphs “i – ii.” Will the Government please add verbiage which could guide us in distinguishing between the response requirements for these two TABs?

69. Question: Solicitation page 76, TABs A and B, items i and ii are almost identical under both TABS. Please clarify the Volume II outline and instructions.

70. Question: (RFP doc 76) Tab A #i and ii are requesting the same information in Tab B # i and ii. Was this the intent of the Government to request the same content in both Tab A and Tab B?

If the Government is looking for different content, can the Government please clarify the request/requirements?

71. Question: Tab A #i and ii are requesting the same information in Tab B # i and ii. Was this the intent of the Government to request the same content in both Tab A and Tab B?

72. Will the Government consider additional page count to provide this information in 2 sections? we would like to request a page count increase of 10 pages.

Answer: This was considered but will not be adjusted.

72. Question: Can the government provide information on the size of the JBLM DPW IT infrastructure the contractor will be required to support? i.e. number of desktop computers, number of notebooks, number of scanners, number of smartphones? (PWS 1.4)

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

73. Question: Can the Government clarify whether the work will be performed at Joint Base Lewis McCord near Tacoma or at the DPW facility in Yakima? (PWS1.6.5)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.5 please see Amendment

74. Question: Can the Government provide the list of non-key-personnel that are required for this contract? (1.6.11)

Answer: No. This is a contractor/Offeror responsibility.

75. Question: Can the Government provide the historical labor categories that have been used to perform this work?

(PWS 1.6.11)

Answer: No as this is Proprietary Information

76. Question: Can the Government provide the historical number of FTEs supporting each task area? (PWS 1.6.11)

Answer: No as this is Proprietary Information

77. Question: Does the Government require a Project Manager in addition to the Contract Manager? (PWS 1.6.11)

78. Question: Can the Government confirm the Contract Manager can be a Part-time role and sit at contractor site?

Or does the Government want the Contract Manager to sit at DPW Headquarters? (PWS 1.6.11)

Answer: Reference PWS 1.6.11

79. Question: Can the Government confirm the total number of users to be supported under this contract across all the scope areas is 580 users? (PWS 5)

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

80. Question: Can the Government provide metrics on the current Help Desk, i.e. how many requests come in through phone call, vs email vs walk-up requests? (PWS 5.2.5)

Answer: No historical data available

81. Question: Can the Government please advise how many user support requests, user issues are received daily?

Weekly? Monthly? (PWS5.2.5)

82. Question: How often does the User Support resource have to go offsite from Bldg 2012 per week? Per month?

(PWS 5.2.5)

83. Question: Does the Government require a resource to always man the Help Desk? i.e. if a user support request comes in for the resource to go offsite, does the Government expect another resource to be 'manning' the Help Desk?

(PWS 5.2.5)

Answer: Reference PWS paragraph 1.6.4

84. Question: Can the Government advise the type (make/model) of the desktops, notebook and tablets team would be required to provide hw support for? (PWS 5.2.1)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.2.1 please see Amendment.

85. Question: Can the Government provide a number of approximation of the number of desktop computers, notebooks and scanners which are to be supported as part of this contract? (PWS 5.2.1)

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

86. Question: Can the Government confirm any hardware support requirements which would require product/hardware purchase or software/license purchase would be purchased and paid for outside of this contract

(PWS5.2.1)

Answer: Contractor will not purchase hardware or software

87. Question: Can the Government describe the tasks which will be required as part of the network troubleshooting support requirement under this contract? (PWS 5.2.4)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.2.4 please see Amendment.

88. Question: How many user accounts are to be maintained under this contract? (PWS 5.2.4)

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

89. Question: Please confirm the IT maintenance and support required for the Industrial Controls Systems Support is in support of the Windows (HW/SW) configuration only, and not the application functionality and application configuration level? (PWS 5.2.4)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.2.4 please see Amendment.

90. Question: If a user issue or user request is not solved by our contractor team, then who does the issue/request get routed to? (PWS 5.2.5)

Answer: It is the contractor’s responsibility to solve user issues.

91. Question: Ref PWS 1.6.11 Key Personnel. Please confirm that these are the key positions - Help Desk Senior System Administrator, Senior Specific Product Specialist (ESRI GIS), Senior Internet/Intranet Webmaster, Mid- Level Database Administrator.

92. Question: Ref PWS 1.6.11 Key Personnel. Should the names and resumes of the contract manager and alternate contract manager be included in the proposal?

Answer: Please reference Addendum 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors) under Staffing Approach

93. Question: Who is the incumbent contractor and their contract number, contract amount and period of performance (base and options)?

Answer: Reference question 10

94. Question: Is the incumbent eligible to participate?

95. Question: Ref PWS 1.6.7.11. If a Contractor is in the process of receiving its facility clearance and is successful in being awarded the contract, will the Government take over the process and sponsor the clearance, or wait until the process is completed?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.7.11 please see Amendment

96. Question: Is there an incumbent for this procurement? If so, which vendor and what is their award amount?

97. Question: LPTA or Best Value Acquisition Strategy?

Answer: LPTA

98. Question: Is Joint Venture permitted to bid on the solicitation as a single prime offeror? If so, does the 8 (a) JV agreement need to be approved at the time of offer submission or prior to contract award?

Answer: Evidence must be provided at the time of offer submission that the process has been started with SBA.

99. Question: The special qualifications section states System Administrators shall have and maintain a SECRET clearance. Can you please confirm that these are the only personnel that require a Secret Clearance? (PWS 1.6.8)

Answer: Confirmed

100. Question: The instructions for Tab A Staffing Approach, i and ii are copies of the instructions for Tab B Management Approach i and ii and they do not agree with the evaluation criteria shown on page 20 for Staffing Approach. Will the Government please clarify the instructions listed under FAR 52.212-1 Addendum for the Staffing Approach? (RFP Page 76, 52.212-1 ADDENDUM, Tab A Staffing Approach, paragraph i and ii)

101. Question: The RFP states, “(b) Options. As part of price evaluation, the government will evaluate its option to extend services (seeFAR Clause 52.217-8) by adding one-half of the offeror's second option year to the offeror's total price. Thus, the offeror's total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the base year and two option years, and 1/2 of the second option year. Offerors are not required to enter a price for the six-month period.” The Section B of this RFP indicates this is a base of 8-months with 4 12-month option periods, will the Government please correct the Price evaluation language to correspond with Section B? (RFP page 21, 52.212-2 EVALUATION –COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014), Factor II: Price, paragraph (b).

102. Question: The Government is requesting Exemptions and Assumptions to be included in two different volumes.

Can the Government please confirm that Exceptions/Assumptions is only required in Volume I General and not in Volume III Price? (RFP page 76, paragraph C. Volume III Price (a), i Exceptions/Assumptions)

103. Question: Are all tasks required to be covered by at least one person 0700 to 1600? (PWS, Section 1.6.4 page 2)

Answer: Contractor is responsible for conducting business 0700-1600 Monday thru Friday reference PWS, Paragraph 1.6.4

104. Question: Will the government provide workspaces and GFE computers and phones, etc for the contractor to perform their work or is this contractor site? (PWS, Part 3 and Part 4 page 12 and 13)

105. Question: What is the historical workload for user requests per day? (PWS, Section 5.2.6 page 14)

106. Question: What is the breakdown of phone / email / walk in user requests? (PWS, Section 5.2.6 page 14)

107. Question: How many items are managed by contractor Asset Management. (PWS, Section 5.2.9 page 15)

Answer: Estimated Inventory of Equipment Assets and Users (Technical Exhibit 6) has been added see Amendment

108. Question: Is the tracking of assets simply via hand receipt or is the contractor required to track physical location? (PWS, Section 5.2.9 page 15)

Answer: Hand receipt and location

109. Question: Will the government provide the historical workload for the database administration task to include ticket counts? (PWS, Section 5.5 page 17)

110. Question: Will the government provide workload data for the number of data entries required per day/week/month? (PWS, Section 5.9 page 18)

111. For the job titles provided on pg. 46 of the solicitation, will the government provide a list of job titles that are subject to SCA wage determination?

Answer: This is a Contractor/Offeror responsibility.

112. Question: Is there a CBA in place for the contractor employees?

Answer: There is no CBA currently in place.

113. Question: Will prospective respondents have the opportunity to talk to incumbent contractor personnel prior to the due date for bid response?

Answer: There will be no opportunity to talk to incumbent personnel.

114. Question: Per page 19 of the solicitation, this opportunity will utilize a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable ("LPTA") evaluation method for this requirement. Upon reviewing the additional Evaluation Factors detailed on pg.

20+, we feel that there is some ambiguity regarding the evaluation methods and utilizing this methodology will put some companies at an unfair advantage and also pose additional risk for the client. In the draft solicitation, it was indicated that this contract would be evaluated using the “Best Value” methodology and it also included details regarding historic staffing data. We feel that utilizing a “Best Value” methodology, with an increased weighted value on the technical and management approaches will give the DPW and JBLM higher quality of services and offer a lower risk option for these IT-related services. Would the government consider switching the evaluation method back to “Best Value”?

Answer: It was considered but decided that LPTA will be utilized.

115. Question: In the draft, PWS a Technical Exhibit 3 was provided that highlighted the Estimated Workload. Does the data contained in the draft exhibit still apply to the Final PWS dated 31 January 2020 or will a new Estimated Workload be provided?

116. Question: In the SF1449 CLIN breakout it is indicated that we are to includes costs for all Travel and Training Fees. Can you please provide additional information regarding travel (LCATs, Location(s) to/from, and Frequency)?

Also, what type of training and frequency will be required by which LCATs. Would the government provide a Not to Exceed (NTE) amount as a Travel/Training CLIN or change the CLIN to a Cost Reimbursable item?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.13 and Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment

117. Question: In order to properly staff and price this contract, can the government provide additional Labor

Category definitions/requirements for the additional non-key personnel that will be required for this contract?

Answer: This is the Contractor/Offeror’s responsibility.

118. What SCA Labor categories are currently being used on the current contract? Can you please provide the anticipated labor categories that will fall under SCA on the new contract? Can you also provide the anniversary dates of all current and projected SCA employees on contract?

Answer: This is the Contractor/Offeror’s responsibility. Anniversary dates will be provided after the contract is awarded. If a determination is made to provide the anniversary dates.

119. Question: Sections 1.6.11.1 – 1.6.11.4 - Do all listed key personnel require a clearance? If so, do they all require the same level of clearance? Please clarify.

Answer: Reference question 99

120. Question: Are sub contractor’s required also have a Facility Clearance (FCL)?

Answer: Subcontractors must have an FCL if they employ personnel who require a Secret Clearance.

121. Question: Section 5.2.12 – Performance Standard – Please clarify what would be a “typical user and system issues.”

Answer: Issues which are recurring problems with known solutions.

122. Question: Section 5.5.4 - User Training and User Assistance – What advance notice will the COR provide the contractor in regards to on site classroom trainings & locations?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.5.4 please see Amendment.

123. Question: When is the government anticipating on making an award?

Answer: I July 2020

124. Question: Will the scope of work increase due to this requirement moving from an 8(a) set aside, to a Small Business set aside.

Answer: No work increase

125. Question:."It shall contain the offeror's prices for the established CLINS" - this is also required in Volume III - Price, is the government asking for pricing in General, Tab C, Section B per CLIN as stated?

126. Page 76, b. Volume II - Technical, 1. "Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience" - the RFP calls for a Facilities Clearance - is this where the government wishes the offeror to indicate their facility clearance status?

Answer: (Needs to be stated in the proposal that they have a clearance – Where do they state this)

127. Page 76, Tab A: Staffing Approach, i. "An organizational chart identifying the management structure of key personnel with a description of roles and responsibilities..." and Tab B: Management Approach, i. "An organizational chart identifying the management structure of key personnel with a description of roles and responsibilities..." - there are 25 pages for Volume II and an organizational chart can absorb valuable space - is the government requesting two organizational charts representing the same data as is stated within pages of one another?

128. Page 76, Tab A: Staffing Approach, ii. "A narrative fully describing the management control system that will be used to effectively accomplish task simultaneously" - is the government requesting a task order management plan herein but calling it a management control system?

129. Page 76, Tab A: Staffing Approach, iii. "Job qualifications/certifications associated with each labor category that demonstrates the skills considered necessary for each labor category proposed." - the government has cited specific qualifications/certifications - is the government asking for these to be recited back to the government?

Answer: Offerors shall provide for each labor category proposed the associated Job qualifications/certifications.

130. Page 76, C. Volume III-Price - a. Schedule of Pricing - can an offeror present multiple cost models, such as a preferred labor to cost matrix and secondary outlay of manpower to cost for government's consideration?

Answer: No, the Government does not want multiple cost models.

131. Question: Objectives: are all four centers to be manned from 0700 to 1600 hours Monday through Friday? And, is the government requesting a work breakdown structure for each center to manpower? (PWS, page 1, 1.3)

Answer: Contractor is responsible for conducting business 0700-1600 Monday thru Friday. Government is not requesting a work breakdown structure.

132. Question: PWS, page 3, 1.6.7 Security Requirements - the PWS speaks to "Secret" clearance allocation of "one" key role; however, the connotations of clearance is plural routinely throughout the RFP and PWS. Can the government provide us with clearances required per labor category so that we can meet requirement. Does the contract PM need to have a SECRET clearance. (PWS, page 3, 1.6.7)

Answer: Reference paragraph 1.6.8 in PWS. PM does not require a secret clearance.

133. Question: Key Control, does the government have an existing standard operating procedure (SOP) for key control that can be made available to offerors for implementation? (PWS, page 6, 1.6.7.21,)

Answer: This is a Contractor/offeror responsibility.

134. Question: Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: Is the offeror responsible for the meeting planning and plenary breakouts with amenities? If so, what is the volume of participation classically engaged at the conferences and progress meetings? Are there requirements for hotels, food, photocopying, distribution of materials, invitations, etc. for these meetings? (PWS, page 6, 1.6.9,)

Answer: Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings – are scheduled by the Government at a Government location on JBLM and typically last for about an hour.

135. Question: Task Orders - the help desk feature of support speaks to one-on-one, mobile, and hardware services support - is the government seeking a typical Remedy solution with a tiered process of escalation for trouble tickets in the implementation of these solutions? (PWS, page 14,)

Answer: The contractor is not required to provide a ticket tracking system.

136. Question: User Training and User Assistance, at 0 to 6 per day this averages approximately 756 training sessions a year and another 144 students in 12 monthly training sessions per annum, with another 24 to 36 private sessions per annum, is the government in agreement with these approximations or does the government have higher or lower numbers from past performance? If so, can the government share the actuals relative to each? (PWS, page 17,)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.5.4 please see Amendment and Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment

137. Question: User Training and User Assistance, in the classroom training sessions - is the government requiring training materials for students? If so, does the contractor sponsor the training materials? If so, are there any citations regarding the volume of materials required? (PWS, page 17)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.5.4 please see Amendment.

138. Question: User Training and User Assistance, in the classroom sessions, is the offeror responsible for training amenities such as breakout meals, etc. (PWS, page 17)

Answer: Contractor will not provide training amenities

139. Question: Will the Government expect contractor to include costs for Microsoft Ignite,GFEBS/SAP, ESRI trainings etc. in the FFP estimate.? (PWS, Section 1.16.13)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 1.6.13 please see Amendment.

140. Question: CLIN 0001 indicates 8 FTEs for IT and Support Services. Can the government provide break down of FTE requirement per labor category to address PWS areas 5.1 through 5:10 except 5.9 (Solicitation, page 3)

Answer: CLIN 0001indicates 8 months, not FTE’s. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to determine labor categories.

141. Question: CLIN 0002 indicates 8 FTEs for Utility Data Entry and Proc Support. Can the government provide break down of FTE requirement per labor category to address PWS areas 5.9.1 and 5.9.2 (Solicitation, page 3)

Answer: CLIN 0002 indicates 8 months, not FTE’s. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to determine labor categories.

142. Can the government provide historical FTEs break down per labor category, given that Year 1 requires 16 FTEs and Years 2 through 5 require 24? Based on CLINS provided in Solicitation. Can the government provide details / reasons for the surge in Year 2?

Answer: Reference question 140 and 141

143. Question: Can the government provide historical estimates for FTE annual workload.?

144. Question: How are tasks communicated from the Government to contractor?

Answer: Reference paragraph 5.2.6 of the PWS

145. Question: Can the Government provide the estimated workload associated with each of the functional areas?

146. Question: Does user request processing require Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 support?

Answer: Requires all 3 levels of support

147. Question: What ticketing system is currently being utilized to process user requests?

Answer: Local ticketing system

148. Question: How are users currently submitting requests?

Answer: Reference PWS paragraph 5.2.6

149. Question: Is the contract currently fully staffed?

Answer: Staffing levels is proprietary information.

150. Question: What is the current contract value?

151. Question: Tab A(i) and (ii) are duplicates of Tab B (i) and (ii). Can the Government provide the correct Tab A

(i) and (ii) requirements? (52.212-1, B.b.Tab A(i), (ii))

152. Question: Can the Government clarify the use of Tabs as this is an electronic submission? (52.212-1, B.1.)

Answer: Please use Tabs in your proposal response.

153. Question: Section M - Factor I - Technical Capability states the proposal must demonstrate a practical/functional approach that meets the requirements of the PWS. Can the Government clarify where we should address the PWS task areas in the technical volume, TAB A or TAB B? (52.212-2)

154. Question: Can the Government please provide the historical staffing levels by labor category?

Answer: Listing of staffing levels is proprietary information.

155. Question: Can the Government please provide the number/volume of service incidents or matrix's for each PWS task area?

156. Performance Work Statements and solicitations for structured IT support services normally specify an SLA shaped to provide the sense of immediacy (response and resolution) for various levels of support issues and supported clients. On Page 14 of the PWS, (5.2.6) it states, "Requests shall be prioritized in accordance with the Computer Help Desk Response Prioritization Matrix (to be provided upon contract award), which set requirements for notification, response time and completion time."

Question: Does DPW have a SLA in place and can it be shared? Or can the Computer Help Desk Prioritization Matrix be shared? (5.2.6)

Answer: Reference paragraph 5.2.6

157. On page 73 of the Solicitation, ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERRORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS, Item 1 indicates that the solicitation is to be submitted via email to the contacts listed.

Then, on page 75, item “a. Volume I” TAB B it states “The offeror is cautioned that the SF 1449 must contain an original signature in block 30a of the form.”

Answer: Pen and ink signature and then scan and submit.

158. Question: Does this mean that you want a “pen and ink” signed copied mailed to you or is a digital signature sufficient?

Answer: Pen and ink signature and then scanned and submitted.

159. Question: Does DPW have a standard hardware baseline with common manufacturers and models? (5.2.2)

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.2.2.2 please see Amendment and Estimated Workload (Technical Exhibit 5) has been added see Amendment

160. Question: Does the Army provide a basic Windows image for desktop and server systems that can be used to develop DPW’s baseline image deployed to the hosts? (5.2.1)

Answer: Yes, NEC provides a baseline image.

162. Question: Does the Network Enterprise Center handle cable plant and network engineering functions or would those functions be in scope for this contract?

Answer: NEC does cable plant and network engineering functions on the Army network. Contractor will perform some basic maintenance and troubleshooting on the Industrial Controls System networks.

163. Question: Are government owned vehicles (GOV) used for daily desk side support calls for remote customers or is mileage reimbursed at GSA mileage rates?

Answer: Reference PWS Paragraph 5.2.5 this is a contractor responsibility.

164. Question: Is there an expectation that the contractor will serve as ‘asset custodian’ (or “hand receipt holder”) for servers and/or desktop systems?

Answer: Contractor will not serve as “asset custodian/hand receipt holder”.

165. Question: Is Public Affairs involved with approvals for public facing web content? (5.7)

Answer: Yes, public affairs is involved.

166. The requirement says “the contractor completed regular data entry tasks during the same business week that data is supplied to the contractor.” (5.9.2)

Question: Can it be assumed that data provided on a Friday may not permit sufficient time to meet this requirement and may be deferred until the following work week?

Answer: Adjustment was made to PWS Paragraph 5.9.2 please see Amendment.

167. Question: Factor II Price (b) Options states, “…. By adding one-half of the offeror’s second option year to the offeror’s total price. Thus the offeror’s total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the base year and two option years, and ½ of the second option year.” (Solicitation (Page 21)

Answer: There will be four option periods.

169. According to the Schedule B CLINS and the Delivery Information the period of performance is an 8 month Base period with four 12 month options.

Answer: There is a four- month base period with four 12 month (one-year) option periods.

170. Can you please correct the evaluation of total price to include the base and 4 option years with the addition of one-half of the offeror’s fourth year to the total price?

Answer: Adjustment was made please see amendment.

171. Solicitation (page 75) a. Volume I General Tab C, Section B – “Section B shall be submitted fully….It shall contain the offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Items Numbers (CLINS).

Answer: Adjustment was made please see amendment.

172. Solicitation (page 76) C. Volume III Price – The offeror shall complete section B.

Answer: The offeror is required to complete Section B, the Prices Schedule, in Volume III of the proposal.

173. Please clarify which section the Schedule B should…