Questions Responses FINAL.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 20 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Cooperative Biological Engagement Support (CBES) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- W911SR20RBESC
About this file
This document contains questions and responses related to a solicitation for cooperative biological engagement support services. The Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center seeks a contractor to address global health security threats by working with partner nations to improve biosafety, biosecurity, and disease surveillance. Required services include supporting the development of threat reduction networks, research, and data collection. The solicitation was set aside for certified HUBZone small businesses and responses were due by September 18, 2020. The document provides clarification around labor categories, past performance criteria, international relationships, travel requirements, and methods for managing fluctuations in workload.
View the file
Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Soliciation Amendment 0003.pdf | ||
| Amendment 0002.pdf | ||
| Amendment 0001 SolicitationW911SR-20-R-BESC.pdf | ||
| Amendment 0001 SolicitationW911SR-20-R-CBES.pdf | ||
| A07 - Solicitation Questions Template.XLSX | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| A02 - FINAL CDRLs 27 July.docx | DOCX document | |
| Performance Assessment Questionnaire.docx | DOCX document | |
| A03 - QASP 2020.doc | DOC document | |
| A03 - DD254 25 March 2020.pdf | ||
| Solicitation W911SR-20-R-BESC.pdf | ||
| Cost Template - CBES 20-R-BESC.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
Show all 11
On GovTribe
Work with this file on GovTribe
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Questions
| Column4 | Column5 | Column1 | Column32 |
| Reference | Industry Question | Government Response | Action Taken, if applicable |
| General | Are there any perceived conflicts of interests using a subcontractor that is a DTRA CTRIC III prime contractor? | The Government cannot make a determination at this time. Please refer to paragraph L.3.2.3.7.3, which details the information required pertaining to subcontracts. If the Offeror anticipates that the Government may perceive any conflicts of interest to arise during the evaluation of an Offer's proposal in reference to subcontracting, it is the Offeror's responsibility to provide mitigation efforts if that should occur. | |
| General | Given the complexity of this proposal response and the need to receive the answers to a number of questions to build a competitive proposal, would the Government extend the due date two weeks to Friday October 2nd? | The Government will not extend the Solicitation; the closing date for response to this Request for Proposal will remain at 18 September 2020 2:00PM EDT. | |
| C.1.1 Background | States, "The contractor shall have knowledge about, experience working in, and maintain/possess previously established international relationships within the following partner countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Kenya, and Switzerland." If the contractor has knowledge and experience in some but not all of the countries, is that acceptable? | The Government requests the Offeror refer to and review Section M, titled "Evaluation factors for award" of the solicitation, specifically paragraphs M.2.1.1, M.4.2.2, M.5, M.5.2.1.2 and M.5.2.1.3, which details how the Government will evaluate the criteria that is requested in Section L, titled "Instructions, Conditions and Notices to bidders, specifically paragraphs L.3.2.1.3, L.3.2.1.4 and L.3.2.1.5. | |
| C.2.2 Business Relations | States, "The Contractor shall provide a Program Manager (PM) who shall be available during normal duty hours (0800 to 1700)…." Are there restrictions on the PM's physical place of duty? Does 0800 to 1700 refer to a specific time zone? If so, which one? | The solicitation will be amended under paragraph 2.3 "Key Personnel" in the PWS to indicate "Normal Duty hours are 0800 to 1700 Eastern Standard Time (EST) when travel is not occurring . The specific time zone and the restrictions on the Program Managers physical place of duty will depend on the anticipated travel proposed by the Offeror as instructed under paragraph L.3.2.1.6 located within the solicitation. | Solicitation Amended 03 September 2020 |
| C.2.3.1 Key Personnel | Is one resume required for each labor category given? | In accordance with paragraph 2.3 of the PWS titled "Key Personnel" , the Contractor shall staff the total number of key personnel or other supervisory, management and/or administrative personnel they deem necessary to successfully manage the proposed level of effort for this requirement. Qualifications of key personnel shall meet or exceed the resumes submitted as part of the proposal and qualifications will be evaluated in accordance with paragraph M.5.2.1.4 of the Solicitation. | |
| C.3.2 Threat Reduction Networks | What was the criteria was for the selection of the listed specific pathogens? There are many pathogens not on the list, and the selection seems arbitrary. Is the connection through tick-born diseases? | The Government's list of pathogens is based on the current work anticipated for the duration of this contract and within the current countries support is required for. | |
| C.3.2 Threat Reduction Networks | Each Threat Reduction Network is going to be at a very different level of readiness and organization. Is there a correlation between their readiness level and the different number of visits to each country on the travel table in Section 5.4? | No distinct correlation exists. Travel will be based on funding available and current required support within a given timeframe. | |
| C.5.4 Travel | Would the Government state the purposes of the trips to each of these countries? | Please refer to Section 1.0 "Scope" of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), which details the requirements for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center (CCDC CBC) and it's purpose. Specifically, the scope states "CCDC CBC, through management of CBES, provides support by directly addressing global health security threats by working with partner nations to improve biosafety, biosecurity, and disease surveillance for traditional select agents (weapons-usable biological material) and emerging pathogens that may cause public health emergencies of international concern". | |
| C.5.4 Travel | Would the Government state which people it expects to attend each of these trips since the Government gave a specific number of people for each trip? | The Government's response to the stated question above will be based on the Offeror's approach in accordance with the instructions located in paragraph L.3.2.1.6 and evaluated in accordance with Section M.5.2.1.1 and M.5.2.1.4 of the Solicitation. | |
| L.2.3 Content Requirements | Is a 50-page Program Management Approach correct? A 50-page management approach with another 50 pages of "supporting data" seems to be an exceptionally large management approach for a contract of this size. | 50 Pages are the maximum pages allowed. The solicitation states no requirement that the Offeror must provide 50 pages for the management approach. | |
| L.2.3 Content Requirements | Is a 50-page Technical Approach correct? A 50-page technical approach with another 50 pages of "supporting data" seems to be an exceptionally large technical approach for a contract of this size. | 50 Pages are the maximum pages allowed. The solicitation states no requirement that the Offeror must provide 50 pages for the Technical approach. | |
| L.2.7.1 Technical Approach | Section states, "The supporting data shall be limited to 50 pages." What kinds of information are considered "supporting data"? We are unsure whether information we submit will be counted under the separate 50-page limits for the core data or "supporting data" respectively. | Please refer to Section L, paragraph L.2.7.1 , which states "Technical Approach. Refer to paragraph L.3.2.1 below", this includes details of specific information to be included in the technical volume included in TABLE L-1. Supporting data is data that will substantiate the Offeror's proposed information that shall be provided in accordance with the instructions in Section L.3.2.1. | |
| L.2.7.2 Program Management Approach | Section states, "The supporting data shall be limited to 50 pages." What kinds of information are considered "supporting data"? We are unsure whether information we submit will be counted under the separate 50-page limits for the core data or "supporting data" respectively. | Please refer to Section L, paragraph L.2.7.2, which states "Program Management Approach. Refer to paragraph L.3.2.2 below", this includes details of specific information to be included in the Program Management volume included in TABLE L-1. Supporting data is data that will substantiate the Offeror's proposed information that shall be provided in accordance with the instructions in Section L.3.2.2. | |
| L.3.2.1.4 | States, "provide a list of critical key points of contacts (POC’s) in each partner country mentioned above…." Isn't establishing these relationships a key part of the execution of this contract? How can a non-incumbent contractor reasonably be expected to provide these? | In order to achieve mission requirements a collaborative international network must exist and to execute the PWS requirements under paragraph 3.0 from an international capacity, filled with political and social unbalance, the Offeror must possess the ability to navigate. Specific instructions are specified in Section L and will be evaluated in accordance with Section M of the solicitation. | |
| L.3.2.1.6 Travel | The Government gives a travel table in Section 5.4 Travel. How do the requirements of Section L.3.2.1.6 differ from what is stated in 5.4 Travel? | Please refer to "Travel Requirement - Table 2" located in paragraph 5.4 of the PWS. This paragraph states "Travel locations for this effort are listed in the table below and are based on program history; however, exact locations are dependent upon worldwide events". Section L.3.2.1.6 is located under paragraph L.3.2.1 titled "Volume I - Technical Approach", which include the specific instructions of what information is to be included in the Offeror's technical approach as specified in that particular Volume. | |
| L.3.2.2.3 Schedule Risk Management | States, "the Offeror shall discuss method(s) of managing workload fluctuation periods, including anticipated Government surge and emergency requirements…." Would the Government describe what kinds of fluctuations, surge, and emergency requirements may be encountered? | Please refer to paragraph 3.5 of the PWS, which states "The contractor shall be required to respond to emergent trends based on real-world events". Also, please refer to Section A1 of the "Executive Summary" located in the solicitation, which states "The Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center (CCDC CBC) through management of the Cooperative Biological Engagement Support (CBES) effort, provides support by directly addressing global health security threats by working with partner nations to improve biosafety, biosecurity, and disease surveillance for traditional select agents (weapons-usable biological material) and emerging pathogens that may cause public health emergencies of international concern". An emerging pathogen that may cause a public health emergency of international concern may result in managing workload requirements. | |
| L.3.2.2.3 Schedule Risk Management | States, "The Offeror shall cite specific examples of previously satisfactorily completed work to demonstrate relevant experience." We are unclear what this statement means regarding schedule risk management. Would the Government elaborate on what it is looking for? | In accordance with the statement "The Offeror shall cite specific examples of previously satisfactorily completed work to demonstrate relevant experience" located in paragraph L.3.2.2.3 of the PWS, the Government is requesting specific examples of previously satisfactorily completed work to demonstrate an understanding of their approach as it relates to Schedule Risk Management, which will be evaluated in accordance with paragraph M.5.3.1.2 located in Section M of the solicitation. | |
| L.3.2.3.4 | States that each past performance needs to provide, "total number of warranty returns, number of Could Not Duplicate (CND), number of failures…" Please explain the relevance of this section to this contract. This section seems to be product related. | Please refer to paragraph L.3.2.3.4 of the PWS, which states "Offerors shall submit all relevant Government and/or commercial contracts for the prime Offeror and each major subcontractor in performance or awarded during the past three years from the issue date of this RFP". In accordance with paragraph L.3.2.3.4 of the PWS, relevant efforts are defined as "efforts that are the same or similar to the effort as compared to the North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) code 541715 required by the RFP". | |
| L.3.2.3.7.2.2 | States that each past performance needs to provide, "total number of warranty returns, number of Could Not Duplicate (CND), number of failures…" Please explain the relevance of this section to this contract. This section seems to be product related. | The solicitation will be amended to remove paragraph L.3.2.3.7.2.2 located in Section L. | Solicitation Amended 03 September 2020 |
| L.3.2.3.7.5 Past Performance Questionnaire | Please clarify that the "Past Performance Questionnaire" is the same as the "Performance Assessment Questionnaire" document in the solicitation package. | The Government confirms that the Past Performance Questionnaire is the same document as the Performance Assessment Questionnaire. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .