QA_(REV_3)_DEERS_Support_Services_10_May_2019.pdf

DEERS CAC Support Services Solicitation: W91247-19-R-9006

Q&A

1. The DD254 attached to the solicitation includes a requirement for Secret Holding/Safeguarding (Box 1B).

This appears to be in error due to all work being done at the customer site. Please confirm that there is NO holding requirement.

Answer: DD254 Box 1b was checked in error. This requirement will be removed.

2. Please complete box 10 on the DD 254 (TE 6) to further clarify the security requirements for the anticipated contract. For example, will the awardee be responsible for control of CUI (block 10j)?

Answer: CUI (Block 10j) is required. See DD254 Amendment 1 for updated copy.

3. Please complete box 11 on the DD 254 (TE 6) to further clarify the security requirements for the anticipated contract. For example, will the awardee only access classified data at the government site (block 11a)? It appears from the PWS that there are OPSEC requirements that should be described on the DD 254 (block 11j).

Answer: OPSEC (Block 11j) is required. See DD254 Amendment 1 for updated copy.

4. With reference to the text in block 13 of the DD 254 (TE 6) which says: "DEERS RAPIDS operator working at Site Identification 620416 located at 4710 Knox Street (BLDG 8-1808, Room 3906), Fort Bragg, NC 28310- 5010 must be able to obtain at a minimum, a Secret Security Clearance." Is the operator at Ft. Bragg the only operator who will require a Secret clearance? If yes, please update the security-related sections of the PWS to reflect only that operator requires a Secret.

Answer: Yes, the Fort Bragg operators which will be the Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager shall be the only two (2) employees requiring a secret clearance.

5. The referenced (Attachement_1_-_PWS,_DEERS_CAC_Services,_28Mar2019, 1.9.4. Place of Performance) section states: "The work to be performed under this contract will be performed in the Continental United States (CONUS) and Puerto Rico at thirty (30) USARC CAC Office Locations (reference Technical Exhibit #3)." which implies NO work will be performed at the customer site. Therefore, no classified information will be stored (AKA "safeguarded" at the contractor's facility. However, the provided DD 254 states a requirement for "Secret" safeguarding (block 1B). Please confirm there is no requirement for the contractor to store classified information at their site(s). If there is no requirement for storing classified information at the contractor site, please provide an updated DD 254. If there IS a requirement for "safeguarding"/storing classified information at the contractor's site, please update paragraph 1.9.4 to include the contractor site as a place of performance and all security related paragraphs to include the "safeguarding" requirement and add a detailed description of the work to be performed at contractor site that requires the use of Secret classified documents/materials.

Answer: DD254 Box 1b was checked in error. See DD254 Amendment 1 for updated copy.

6. The referenced (Attachement_1_-_PWS,_DEERS_CAC_Services,_28Mar2019, 1.11. Security Requirements) section states: "The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding information of a confidential or sensitive nature." (emphasis added). The DD 254 states a requirement for safeguarding information classified as "Secret" no confidential or sensitive (but unclassified (SBU)). Please clarify the "safeguarding" requirement for this contract.

Answer: The secret clerance is being requested for the PM and APM because they will be working from a secured and controlled facility in Fort Bragg but all personnel will be handling confidential and sensitive information under this contract. DD254 has been revised.

7. The reference (Attachement_1_-_PWS,_DEERS_CAC_Services,_28Mar2019, 1.11. Security Requirements and 1.16.6.2: System Operators) section states: "Contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall have a “Secret” Clearance prior to work commencement and must maintain the level of security required for the life of the contract." However, PWS paragraph 1.16.6.2 states: "Have, at minimum, an initiated National Agency Check with Inquires (NACI) and a favorable completion of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check, or a eDoD-determined equivalent investigation. Continued employment under the awarded Contract is contingent on all contractor employees eventually obtaining and maintaining a favorable NACI and FBI Fingerprint check." which is a "Secret eligible" level clearance, not a Secret clearance. Is the requirement for all contract staff to have active Secret clearances or for all staff to have the "Secret eligible" clearances required to be issued a CAC? If the requirement is for an active Secret, can staff begin work with "Secret eligible?"

Answer: Only the PM and APM require an active secret clearance. All other personnel must have the NACI initiated and FBI fingerprint check completed before they can begin work.

8. PWS, 1.11.2.1. CAC Registration Process and 1.11.2.4 states: "No later than (3) three business days after contract award and within three business days of employee replacement under this contract, the Contractor shall submit applicable CAC registration documentation to the COR for all personnel requiring a CAC." 1.11.2.4 states "Contractor personnel shall be required to obtain a CAC at least ten (10) working days prior to the end of the phase-in period." The contractor could meet the metric stated in 1.11.2.1 but not meet the requirement in

1.11.2.4 depending on how long the government process takes for issuing new CAC cards. Additionally, the awarded contractor will not be able to achieve the 1.11.2.1 metric without violating 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Employees which requires a successor contractor to give covered in incumbent employees no less than 10 days to accept bona fide employment offers. Please revise the metric to "the Contractor shall submit applicable CAC registration documentation to the COR for all qualified incumbent staff within 24 hours of offer acceptance and within 3 business days for all new hires."

Answer: The solicitation has been amended to read, “Contractor personnel shall be required to obtain a CAC prior to the end of the phase-in period, thus deleting the “10 days” prior to the end of phase-in.

9. PWS 1.16.8. Contractor Travel: To ensure "apples to apples" travel cost estimates from all bidders, please clarify if this requirement as stated in the referenced section means a visit is required to each location in the initial 11 month and each of the subsequent 12 month option periods or a visit is required to each location only once during the entire period of performance: "However, the Government requires that the PM and/or APM shall conduct Site Visits at least once to each of the thirty (30) designated locations listed in Technical Exhibit 3."

Answer: PWS 1.16.8. has been amended to read, “The contractor is responsible for the delivery of quality services to the Government as stated above in PWS Section 1.6. It is up to the Contractor to determine how many site visits are necessary to ensure quality performance of all the requirements in the contract such as the PWS, attachments, and exhibits. All Travel Costs associated with the management of this contract, to include site visits and any other travel deemed appropriate by the contractor to deliver quality services shall be incorporated into the contractor’s total Firm Fixed Price proposal for DEERS/RAPIDS Support Services. The Offerors shall submit a management plan that demonstrates how it intends to adequately oversee all of USARC’s 30 locations listed in Technical Exhibit #3.”

10. (W91247-19-R-9006,_USARC_DEERS_Support_Services,_29MAR2019, Section L, 4. Proposal Preparation Instructions, paragraph e) Please clarify this instruction in the referenced paragraph: "Page Limit does not include the labor category descriptions, technical experience submission." There are no other references to a requirement to submit "labor category descriptions" or a "technical experience submission."

Please clarify what is required for each and in which volume the information is to be included.

Answer: Labor category descriptions, and technical experience do count in the page count. Please see solicitation for this revision.

11. (W91247-19-R-9006,_USARC_DEERS_Support_Services,_29MAR2019, Section L, Volume II – Technical Capability General, TAB D2: Subfactor 2: Management Plan, paragraph I and Section M, Subfactor 2: Management Plan, paragraph ii) Please answer this question as soon as possible as potential bidders will be eliminated based on the government's answer to this question. 52.222-17 Non-Displacement of Qualified Workers is an included clause in this solicitation. That clause requires the successor contractor to make a bona fide offer of employment to all qualified incumbent contract staff. Therefore, the vast majority of the "System Operator" positions will be filled by incumbent staff who are only known to the current incumbent contractor.

This requirement, if properly understood by the potential bidder, in the referenced paragraph gives an insurmountable advantage to the current incumbent and effectively eliminates competition for this solicitation:

"and a proposed list of DEERS/RAPID Operators to staff all CAC Office Locations identified in PWS Technical Exhibit 3." Please confirm this requirement does not require a bidder to provide a name for each position listed in TE 3. If that was the government's original intent, please eliminate that requirement to allow for adequate competition.

Answer: The information contained in the technical proposal submitted will be used to determine technical acceptability. The person’s actual name (i.e., John Smith), resumes, or commitment letters are not required. The government is requesting the name/description of the labor category. Please see solicitation for this revision.

12. (W91247-19-R-9006,_USARC_DEERS_Support_Services,_29MAR2019, Section L, TAB D3: Subfactor

3. Staffing Plan, paragraph ii and Section M, Subfactor 3: Staffing Plan, paragraphs i and ii) Please answer this question as soon as possible as potential bidders will be eliminated based on the government's answer to this question. 52.222-17 Non-Displacement of Qualified Workers is an included clause in this solicitation. That clause requires the successor contractor to make a bona fide offer of employment to all qualified incumbent contract staff. Therefore, the vast majority of the "System Operator" positions will be filled by incumbent staff who are only known to the current incumbent contractor. This requirement, if properly understood by the potential bidder, in the referenced paragraph gives an insurmountable advantage to the current incumbent and effectively eliminates competition for this solicitation: "The staffing plan shall also detailed the experience each employee’s has in operating the DEERS/RAPID system, issuing DoD CAC cards, maintaining required Security Clearances and any other information that can help demonstrate how the offeror’s proposed personal can successfully perform the tasks detailed in the PWS and Solicitation." Please confirm this requirement does not require a bidder to provide a name and individual experience/education for each position listed in TE 3. If that was the government's original intent, please eliminate that requirement to allow for adequate competition.

Answer: The information contained in the technical proposal submitted will be used to determine technical acceptability. The person’s actual name (i.e., John Smith), resumes, or commitment letters are not required. However, the experience and education of personnel proposed shall meet PWS 1.16.6..

Please see solicitation for this revision.

13. Please extend the due date for proposals to no less than 3 calendar weeks following the publication of answers to all vendor questions or the final solicitation, whichever is later.

Answer: Proposals due date has been extended to 24 May 2019. See Amendment 2.

14. Solicitation, page 17, paragraph 6, What SCA rate is being used on the current contract?

Answer: We cannot provide the SCA rate being used on the current contract. The SCA rate determination is contingent on the offerors’ proposed staffing solution. Please see revised FAR Clause 52.222-43 under 52.212-5 which provides Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires.

15. PWS, page 2 / paragraph 1.5, page 13 /paragraph 1.16.5, and page 16 / paragraph 1.21.1. The phase in is stated to be 21 calendar days from 10 May 2019 to 31 May 2019 which conflicts with 30 days. Which statement is correct?

Answer: Phase-in is 21 Calendar Days. Has been corrected on PWS 1.16.5.

16. PWS, page 5, paragraph 1.11, Is an interim Secret clearance sufficient?

Answer: NO, a secret clearance is required.

17. PWS, page 6, paragraph 11.11.1.1, Is there a web site link where the TARP training is provided? Will government provide a CI agent or other trainer to provide the TARP training?

Answer: Training will be completed online. PWS has been revised to include site link.

18. PWS, page 7, paragraph 1.11.2.4, Can the 10 day requirement be relaxed as this is not possible for all new contract personnel. Based on a 21 calendar day transition, this translates to 16 working days. Standard industry guidelines are a 10 calendar day (two week) notification on leaving a job. If a new recruit puts in a two week notice at an old job, there isn’t enough time to meet this 10 day requirement. However, it is plenty of time for incumbents that are hired on to the new contract.

Answer: CAC is required prior to the end of phase-in period. Please see PWS for this revision.

19. PWS, page 9, paragraph 1.11.5, This paragraph states that an AIE visitor card can be provided for installation access. We understand that a CAC’s will be provided to all contract employees supporting the contract as it is a requirement for mission performance. With CACs providing installation access, will an AIE be necessary?

Answer: AIE is not necessary once employees obtain a CAC to access the government installation.

20. PWS, page 13, paragraph 1.16.6.1, We understand that government facilities will be provided in the field for all agents. Will an office be provided at the headquarters for the PM and APM?

Answer: Yes, both the PM and APM will have a workspace in Fort Bragg, NC location.

21. PWS, page 23, paragraph 5.1.1, Is the 15 minute time from when the customer sits down in the office / arrives, or when the customer sits down at the desk with the agent and starts the appointment?

Answer: When the customer sits down at the desk with the agent and starts the appointment. Please see PWS for this revision.

22. PWS, page 24, paragraph 5.3, Will the existing Customer Service Hand Outs be provided / transitioned in electronic format?

Answer: Offeror shall develop their own standard customer service hand out per the PWS, which will be subject to approval by the COR.

23. PWS, page 24, paragraph 5.5, Who are the Verifying Officers, ID Card Section Chiefs, and Contract Installation Managers? Are these government personnel?

Answer: The PWS only requires VOs. Some VOs will further have to be designated as the PM, APM, and SSM. PWS has been revised to remove the other personnel titles.

24. PWS, page 25, paragraph 5.9.3, Will the existing Site Management Manual and Standard Operating Procedure be provided / transitioned electronic in format so that it can be maintained in accordance with the

PWS?

Answer: YES. The Site Management Manual and Standard Operating Procedure are Government documents thus will be provided.

25. PWS, page 25, paragraph 5.9.3, Will all existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be provided / transitioned in electronic format so that they can be maintained?

Answer: YES. SOP will be provided by the Government.

26. PWS, page 25, paragraph 5.10, Is the required RAPIDS training all available from DMDC on line? What training is available from the DMDC mobile training team?

Answer: Offerors are responsible for training their personnel. All RAPIDS training is to be completed online. TE 4 has been revised and now includes training website with course enrollment instructions.

26. Technical Exhibit 1, page 2, Will the existing Site Roster of Key POCs be transitioned / provided in electronic format so that it can be maintained in accordance with the PWS?

Answer: Site roster shall be developed by contractor per PWS 5.5.

28. Technical Exhibit 1, page 2, Will the existing Site Management Manual be transitioned / provided in electronic format so that it can be maintained in accordance with the PWS?

Answer: YES. Site Management Manual will be provided by Government.

29. Technical Exhibit 1, page 2, Will a sample weekly report be transitioned / provided in electronic format?

Answer: Weekly reporting template is provided in Technical Exhibit 5.

30. Technical Exhibit 2, page 1, Will a sample Monthly Status Report, Process Improvement Tracker (PIT) be transitioned / provided in electronic format?

Answer: Monthly Status Report is not required. PWS and TE 2 have been revised to remove this requirement.

31. Solicitation, page 42, paragraph 1, With the number of questions that we have and the short suspense for proposals, could the submission deadline be extended for 10 days?

Answer: Proposals due date has been extended to 24 May 2019. See Amendment 2.

32. Solicitation, page N/A, paragraph N/A, Who is the incumbent? When was the current contract awarded?

What were the date ranges and final awarded amount for the existing contract?

Answer: The incumbent is Onvoi LLC and the current contract was awarded Febuary 2016 with a 12 month base and 2 option years. The contract is currently utilizing the 52.217-8 Extension to continue performance. The total contract value thus far is $4,344,234.

33. Solicitation, page N/A, paragraph N/A, How many FTEs are supporting the existing contract?

Answer: Please see Technical Exhibit 7 – Historical Worload for FTEs.

34. Solicitation, page N/A, paragraph N/A, What is the current turnover rate?

Answer: Proprietary information cannot be provided.

35. Solicitation, page 17, paragraph 6, Will equitable adjustments to the contract CLINs be allowed for changes in the SCA rates to allow for employee pay raises?

Answer: Please see FAR Clause 52.222-43.

36. Who is the incumbent?

Answer: Onvoi LLC

37. What is the contract number?

Answer: W9124J-16-P-0041

38.What SCA Labor Category performs System Operator (PWS 1.16.6.2) functions?

Answer: See answer to Question 14.

39. Please provide SCA minimum labor category to fill the CAC functions at each location?

Answer: See answer to Question 14.

40. Is the Program Manager located at the contractor’s location, or at Fort Bragg?

Answer: The PM and APM shall both be located in Fort Bragg.

41. Is the Program Manager part of the bid package, or contractor provided?

Answer: IAW PWS 1.16.5., a program manager (PM) and Alternate PM shall be provided by the contractor.

42. With the number of WDs involved with this effort, will the Government consider a one (1) week extension for the submission?

Answer: Proposals due date has been extended to 24 May 2019. See Amendment 2.

43. Attachment 2 Wage Determinations has 2 facilities that are not identified in TE 3, and 1 location in TE 3 that is not identified in Attachment 2.

Attachment 2 mentions:

(21) ID Card Facility, 75th TSD TX 157224 Harris Wage Determination No.: 2015-5233 Revision No.: 11 Date Of Revision: 12/26/2018

(22) ID Card Facility, 416th ENCOM IL 156247 DuPage Wage Determination No.: 2015-5017 Revision No.:

11 Date Of Revision: 12/26/2018

These sites are not annotated on TE 3, TE 3 mentions:

(21) ID Card Facility, 75th TSD, (Ellington Field) Houston, TX 14555 Scholl Street (Ellington Fld) Houston

TX 620017/177865 0800-1600 M-F

But the location is not mentioned in Attachment 2

Answer: TE 3 and Wage Determination have been revised to be consistent.

44. (PWS 1.15.2.2.2 / Basis of award – ii) As this is a SCA applicable contract with incumbent staff and the FAR and Executive Order 13495 requirements state that on SCA contracts incumbent staff have right of first refusal on follow on contract awards, any winner bidder will have to first offer qualified incumbent staff (System Operators) the available positions on the follow on contract. Does the Government expect bidders to provide incumbent personnel information as we are legally unable to offer anyone else as a substitute due to the Executive Order. If so, will the Government provide contact info for those employees so that ALL bidders may have the same opportunity that the incumbent company has? Or, is it the Governments requirement that bidders only provide a qualifications for their bid Program Manager?

Answer: Please see answers to questions 11 and 12.

45. (PRICING) As this is a SCA applicable contract within incumbent staff, can the government please provide the Anniversary Dates (hire dates) for all System Operator incumbent personnel? This information is needed so ALL bidders have the same information to price based upon the number of vacation hours allocated to the incumbent SCA employees based DOL requirements.

Answer: IAW FAR 52.222-17 the certified service employee list (with names and anniversary dates) shall be provided to the successor contractor but not before contract award.

46. Solicitation Section I, Page 21, Ref. Clauses Incorporated by Full Text FAR 52.222-42. This clause has not been incorporated into the solicitation. However, this FAR clause states, “In compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor (29 CFR part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C.5341 or 5 332.” FAR 52.222-41 and 52.222-43 have been incorporated into the solicitation. In compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute, please provide the Employee Class (Service Contract Act labor category) and Fringe Benefits for service class employees of this solicitation.

Answer: Please see answer to question 14.

47. Solicitation Section L, Page 45, Section 5.a. Ref. TAB C Reps and Certs. Offerors are instructed to ensure all identified certs and reps clauses are submitted thoroughly completed. For Section K will the government accept only a completed paragraph 52.212-3(b)(2) provided the Offeror’s SAM registration is current?

Answer: Yes, please see 52.212-3 in solicitation.

48. Solicitation Section L, Page 46, Section 5.c.TAB D2 i. Ref. Proposed list of DEERS/RAPID Operators.

Offerors are instructed to provide “a proposed list of DEERS/RAPID Operators to staff all CAC Office Locations….The offeror must identify all members of their team compliment, including all key personnel and any utilization of subcontractors.” Is it the government’s expectations of this requirement for Offerors to provide a complete list of all the names DEERS/RAPID Operators at the time of proposal submission? Since the government has incorporated FAR 52.222-17 into the solicitation, this provides the incumbent contractor with an unfair advantage since they have the names of those qualified workers who must be provided the right of first refusal of employment. Additionally, if this is the expectation of the government, it is unduly restrictive to competition.

Answer: Please see answer to questions 11 and 12.

49. Solicitation Section L, Page 47, Section 5.c.TAB D3 ii. Ref. Employee Experience. Offerors are instructed to provide a staffing plan that details “the experience each employee’s has in operating the DEERS/RAPID system, issuing DoD CAC cards…” Is it the government’s expectations of this requirement for Offerors to provide the specific experience of every DEERS/RAPID Operator proposed for staffing locations at the time of proposal submission?

Answer: Please see PWS 1.16.6., for qualifications of personnel and evaluation of Subfactor 3, ii which states the staffing plan shall include an un-priced labor matrix that identifies all members of their team by labor category (SCA labor codes and titles) and identify any SCA-exempt labor positions.

50. Solicitation Section L, Page 47, Section 5.e.ii. Ref. Travel Cost. Offerors are to include all prescheduled travel cost for Program Manager’s Site Visit to each of the 30 locations designated DEERS/RAPIDS locations.

For the previous solicitation the government provided a reference not to exceed amount of $10,000 annually for travel cost under CLINs 0003, 1003 and 2003? Why has the government taken the unusual action of not providing travel CLINs when travel is a requirement of the contract? As the incumbent knows the actual cost for travel requirements and associated cost, this provides them with an unfair advantage.

Answer: Please see answer to question 9.

51. Solicitation Section L, Page 47, Section 5.e.ii. Ref. Travel Cost. Offerors are to include all prescheduled travel cost for Program Manager’s Site Visit to each of the 30 locations designated DEERS/RAPIDS locations.

The word “prescheduled” implies that all travel is scheduled well in advance of the actual site visit. Is the government involved with any aspect of scheduling site visits made by the Program Manager and/or Alternate Site Manager?

Answer: Please see answer to question 9.

52. PWS, Page 13, Paragraph 1.16.5, Ref. Key Personnel. Please confirm the name of the Program Manager and Alternative Program Manager are to be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer at the Post Award Conference and not at the time of proposal submission.

Answer: Correct, the name of the PM, and an Alternate PM (APM) shall be designated in writing to the KO at the post award conference and are not required at the time of proposal submission.

53. PWS, Page 13, Paragraph 1.16.5, Ref. Phase-In Period. The paragraph states, “Key Personnel shall be on board during the entire thirty (30) day phase-in period.” PWS Paragraph 1.21.1 references a phase-in period of 21 days. Please clarify which is correct.

Answer: PWS 1.16.5 has been correct to 21 days phase in period.

54. PWS, Page 13, Paragraph 1.16.6.1, Ref. Program Manager (PM)/Alternate Program Manager (APM).

There is no mention in the PWS as to where the PM and/or APM must be located. Is there specific location the PM must be located in the performance of this contract. Is there specific location the APM must be located in the performance of this contract.

Answer: Yes, The PM and APM shall both be located in Fort Bragg.

55. PWS, Page 13, Paragraph 1.16.6.1, Page 13, Ref. Alternative Program Manager. Are the minimum qualification of the Alternative Program Manager the same as the Program Manager?

Answer: Yes, IAW PWS 1.16.6.1.

56. PWS, Page 23, Paragraph 5, Ref. Specific Tasks. The requirement of the contract is to provide administrative support services to the US Army Reserve Command necessary to operate CAC work stations and issue CACs. When providing these services, should the contractor expect “customers” to make appointments in advance for required services or all services provided to “customers” on a walk-up basis.

Answer: Customers are seen at a walk-in basis, no scheduled appointments are required. PWS has been revised.

57. Technical Exhibit #3: CAC Office Locations and Hours. The technical exhibit provides the hours of operation for each CAC Site. There are no hours of operation listed for Saturday or Sunday. Also, there is no mention in the PWS and solicitation of weekend hours of operation. Please confirm the contractor will not be required to work on Saturday or Sunday in the performance of this contract.

Answer: Saturday or Sunday hours of operation are not required.

58. Technical Exhibit #7. Ref. Number of Contractor FTEs Per Location. Please confirm that the historical workload number of FTEs per location are actually full-time employees and none are part-time employees.

Will the government permit the employment of part-time personnel as long as all work is performed in accordance with PWS 1.3.1, 5.1.1 and 5.1.5?

Answer: It is up to Offerors to propose an acceptable labor mix consisting of full-time equivalents and part-time, if any, to successfully perform all of the tasks in the PWS, solicitation, and attached documents. See also evaluation criteria.

59. Solicitation Section L, Page 42, Sections 1 and 2, Ref. Proposal Submission Instructions. Proposal must be submitted electronically via email by 12 April 2019, 11:00 PM EST. The deadline for questions is 3 April 2019, 11:00 PM EST. Will an extension to the proposal due date be provided so that Offerors can have sufficient time to consider all responses provided by the government to questions submitted and enable Offerors ample time to make any necessary adjustments to proposals in order to be technically acceptable and compliant with the solicitation Instructions to Offerors?

Answer: Proposals due date has been extended to 24 May 2019. See Amendment 2.

Reference: W91247-19-R-9006 USARC DEERS Support Services 29MAR2019 Page 47, Section c, part D.3.ii, Section c, part D.3.ii of the instructions state that, "The staffing plan shall also detailed the experience each employee’s has in operating the DEERS/RAPID system, issuing DoD CAC cards, maintaining required Security Clearances and any other information that can help demonstrate how the offeror’s proposed personal can successfully perform the tasks detailed in the PWS and Solicitation." We have two (2) questions pertaining to this section:

60. We understand that SCA requires us to offer first right of refusal to all SCA incumbent personnel. Will the government provide a list of all SCA incumbent personnel with contact information?

Answer: Per FAR 52.222-17 the certified service employee list (with names and anniversary dates) shall be provided to the successor contractor but not before contract award. Please see answers to questions 45 & 46 for further details.

61. Is it the government's intention for us to list names of proposed employees for each position, along with their qualifications and experience?

Answer: Please see answers to questions 11 and 12.

62. (Technical Exhibit 3-CAC Office Locations and Hours) Under the hours of operation column of this sheet, does M-T mean Monday through Thursday, or Monday and Tuesday?

Answer: Please see TE 3 for revision.

63. There is currently no Alternate Program Manager (APM) associated with this contract. Is the government requesting an additional person be added to this contract or use one of the existing employees? How many hours per year is the APM responsible for working? Does the APM need to have Secret Clearance?

Answer: Yes, an additional person needs to be provided as the APM with Secret Clearance.

64. The System Operator Occupation Code does not exist on the Wage Determination. What Occupation Code off the Wage Determination is the government requiring us to use to ensure Price Reasonableness during Price Analysis?

Answer: Please see answer to Question 14.

65. Is the government requesting that we use a set number of hours to determine vacation costs (IE-80 Hours, etc.), or is the government providing Anniversary Dates to all bidders to ensure a fair and level playing field?

Answer: Please see answer to Question 45.

66. The RFQ indicates that there will be 30 Site Visits? Is this per year? How Many Days at each site? What is the purpose of the visits (Training, Oversight, etc)?

Answer: Please see answer to question 9.

67. Question: I cannot locate anywhere on the RFP, (IAW PWS 1.15.2.2.1.) of the proposed Program Manager and each of the DEER/RAPID System Operators (IAW PWS 1.15.2.2.2) at each CAC Office Location detailed in PWS Technical Exhibit #3? Please inform where it can be located?

Reference: Under Proposal Content of solicitation W91247-19-R-9006 DEERS CAC Card Support Services: C.

Technical Capability Format Volume TAB D3: Sub-factor #3. Staffing Plan. (i). The staffing plan shall include a detailed breakdown of the minimum qualifications (IAW PWS 1.15.2.2.1.) of the proposed Program Manager and each of the DEER/RAPID System Operators (IAW PWS 1.15.2.2.2) at each CAC Office Location detailed in PWS Technical Exhibit #3.

Answer: The correct PWS sections for program manager qualifications is PWS 1.16.6.1. and for the system operators is PWS 1.16.6.2. Solicitation has been revised to be consisent with PWS.

68. Reference: Solicitation, General. Due Date Extension.

Due to the number of questions and timeline to get questions answered and potential impacts, we request a two-week extension for the proposal due date to Friday April 26.

Answer: Proposals due date has been extended to 24 May 2019. See Amendment 2.

69. Reference: PWS Section 1.16.8. Contractor Travel, Page 14.

From the PWS, "The contractor is responsible for the delivery of quality services to the Government as stated above in PWS Section 1.6 and will determine the number of PM/APM site visits in order to do so. However, the Government requires that the PM and/or APM shall conduct Site Visits at least once to each of the thirty (30) designated locations listed in Technical Exhibit 3. " Question: The frequency period of the visits is not listed. Is the minimum requirement for the Program Manager to travel to each site once annually?

Answer: Please see answer to question 9.

70. Reference: PWS Section 3. Government Furnished Items and Services, Page 21.

Question: No contractor computer workstations are listed in the government furnished items. Please clarify if the government provides computer systems to be used by the contractor staff or if the contractor must provide computers or if they are not required.

Answer: Computers have been included under PWS Section 3.

71. Reference: Instructions to Offerors, TAB D2: Subfactor 2: Management Plan, Page 46 and also Section M, Evaluation Factors, Subfactor 2: Management Plan, Page 50.

Per the Instructions: “iii. The Offeror shall provide a detailed narrative that demonstrates the Offeror's understanding of this requirement and their methodology for proposing the staff for each functional area of the PWS and why the proposed staffing is sufficient to meet the requirement.

Per the Evaluation: “ii. The management plan described every DEERS/RAPID Operators at each CAC Office Locations identified in PWS Technical Exhibit 3 clearly demonstrating the proposed team’s ability to accomplish all of the identified tasks in PWS Part 5, and all of the required Deliverables IAW PWS Technical Exhibit 2.

Per the Evaluation: “iii. The management plan’s narrative illustrated a clear understanding of this requirement and a methodology that addressed all functional areas of the PWS and demonstrated how the proposed staffing plan meets the requirement.”

Question: There is a disconnect between the Instructions to Offerors and the Evaluation Criteria for a portion of the Management Plan. The instructions note to provide a narrative for the “methodology for proposing the staff for each functional area of the PWS” while the evaluation requires the bidder to provide a “methodology that addressed all functional areas of the PWS”. Instructions require methodology related to providing staff while evaluation also includes how the PWS is performed. Please clarify if our response should include an approach to performing the PWS tasks of Part 5 of the PWS.

Answer: Solicitation has been revised to help clarify and simplify this request by the Government.

72. Reference: W9124719R9006 Solicitation, Instructions, TAB D2: Subfactor 2: Management Plan, item (i), Page 46.

"The Offeror shall provide an organizational chart which identifies the management structure of the proposed Team. A description of the roles and responsibilities of the proposed Program Manager (and the offeror’s proposed Alternate Program Manager) and a proposed list of DEERS/RAPID Operators to staff all CAC Office Locations identified in PWS Technical Exhibit 3."

Question: This requirement states "proposed list of DEERS/RAPID Operators". Please clarify if the government is asking for names for every DEERS/RAPID Operator bid. Given that no resumes are required this would unevenly favor an incumbent bidder. Furthermore, as these positions are covered by the Department of Labor (DOL) Service Contract Act (SCA), our team will be required to offer right of first refusal to all incumbent staff in all cases which negates this requirement for a full staff list at time of bid.

Answer: Please see the answer to Questions 11 and 12.

73. Reference: W9124719R9006 Solicitation, Instructions, TAB D2: Subfactor 2: Management Plan, Page 46.

Question: We note that no resume is required for the Program Manager but that the Program Manager is designated as Key Personnel. Please clarify if a resume is required for the Program Manager and if the resume is outside of the volume page count limitations. We suggest a two-page resume length limitation.

Answer: No resume is required, only the qualifications and experience IAW Solicitation Instructions.

74. Reference: W9124719R9006 Solicitation, CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT, 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards, Page 21.

Question: In SCA solicitations the government typically is required to identify which positions are SCA in order for bidders to conform with Department of Labor (DOL) requirements for such positions. Otherwise the government client runs the risk of bidders not aligning their level of effort bid positions to existing DOL SCA positions and running afoul of DOL mandates for both the government and contractor firm. We request that the government publish an exact list of incumbent positions in Technical Exhibit 7 that are SCA Wage Rate and the SCA Labor Category utilized for each. This will clarify the situation and adhere to DOL guidelines.

Answer: Please see answer to question 14.

75. Reference: Two Technical Exhibits on Workload.

Technical_Exhibit_3__CAC_Office_Locations_and_Hours-converted Technical_Exhibit_7_-_Historical_Workload_Data-converted (1)

Question: Given the two technical exhibits, it is not apparent if staff (the FTEs) are full time or in some cases just part-time. For example, Fort Devens MA only requires 35 hours a week of coverage and Fort Snelling only requires 19 hours a week of coverage. Also for example, a location that is showing 2 FTEs in historical workload may actually have the coverage of the site split evenly between the 2 FTEs and not both FTEs working simultaneously. To properly bid the requirements, please provide the level of effort for weekly contractor hours by location.

Answer: Please see answer to question 58.

76. Is the requirement for cleared personnel to work with classified information on this contract limited ONLY to the Program Manager and Assistant Program Manager? (Reference: PWS - Page 13 - Para 1.16.6.1)

Answer: Please see answer to question 4.

77. The DD Form 254 included with the Solicitation notes that the ONLY location for classified work on this contract will be limited to USARC HQ Fort Bragg NC. Will the Government confirm that the ONLY geographical location for classified work will be at Fort Bragg NC? (Reference: DD Form 254 included with the Solicitation)

Answer: The secret clerance is being requested for the PM and APM because they will be working from a secured and controlled facility in Fort Bragg but all personnel will be handling confidential and sensitive information under this contract. DD Form 254 has been revised

78. Is it the intent of the Government that the Program Manager and Assistant Program Manager be geographically located at Fort Bragg NC? If not, then why does the DD Form 254 limit the working with classified information ONLY to Fort Bragg NC? (Reference: DD Form 254 included with the Solicitation)

Answer: Yes, the PM and APM will be working in Fort Bragg. The secret clerance is being requested for the PM and APM because they will be working from a secured and controlled facility.

References:

Section L, (5)e.i. requires SF1449, Section B Section L, (5)e.ii. requires Pricing of Prescheduled Travel Section L, (5)e.iii. indicates that “if” the pricing requires a narrative, it should be in PDF or Word format.

79. Question: If the offeror puts all three of these (e.i, e.ii & e.iii) into a single PDF or Word document, does this fulfill the requirement? Does the Government require a pricing worksheet in MS Excel to support Section B?

Answer: Pricing worksheet (Attachment 3) is required in MS Excel. Please see Volume III – Price for this revision.

Reference: Technical Exhibit 3, hours of operation.

80. Question: Does “T” represent Tuesday or Thursday?

Answer: TE 3 has been revised to clarify what T represents.

References:

On page 46 of the solicitation document under Tab D2, i. It states "the offeror must identify all members of their team complement, including all key personnel and any utilization of subcontractors".

On page 47 under Tab D3, I and ii., it states "the staffing plan shall also detail the experience each employee has an operating the DEERS/RAPIDS system,…, And any other information that can help demonstrate how the offeror's proposed personnel can successfully perform the tasks detailed in the PWS and solicitation".

81. Question: Does the government require offerors to submit a by name list of all proposed staff for this contract?

Answer: Please see the answer to Questions 11 and 12.

Reference: In paragraph 5.5 it further spells out requirements for the contractor to develop and maintain an installation/site roster of site security managers, verifying officers, ID card section chiefs, and contract installation managers.

82. Question: Are these verifying officers etc. contractor employees, or other government personnel at each location?

Answer: The PWS only requires VOs. Some VOs will further be designated as the PM, APM, and SSM.

PWS has been revised to remove the other personnel titles.

References:

PWS paragraph 1.11 states "contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall have a secret clearance prior to work commencement and must maintain the level of security required for the life of the contract". Paragraph 1.11.1 states the security requirements are in accordance with the attached DD 254. In paragraph 1.16.6.2 there seems to be conflicting requirements. The third sub bullet states that system operators must have at a minimum an initiated National Agency Check and a favorable completion of FBI fingerprint check. According to the DD 254 the system operator at Fort Bragg must be able to obtain a secret security clearance. There is no mention of any other work location in the DD 254.

83. Question: Will the government please clarify is all positions on this contract require a Secret clearance?

Answer: Only the PM and APM require secret clearance.

Reference: PWS paragraph 1.16.5, related to the Program Manager and the Alternate Program Manager as key personnel states "the contractor shall provide a Program Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work under this contract. The name of this person, and an Alternate Program Manager, who shall act for the contractor when the Program Manager is absent, shall be designated in writing to the KO at the post award conference".

84. Question: Is there a requirement to name the Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager in the Offeror’s proposal?

Answer: The PM/APM names are NOT required in the Proposal. The names of the PM and APM shall be designated in writing to the KO at the post award conference IAW PWS 1.16.5.

85. Question: Is there an incumbent currently performing these requirements?

Answer: Yes, Onvoi LLC.

# Solicitation Reference

Observation Question

86 Tech Exhibit #3 The exhibit provides the hours of operations for each site, but does not indicate whether or not CAC operations close/break for a lunch period.

a) Do any/all facilities close for a lunch period?

Answer: All facilities are open during lunch hours.

b) If “yes,” for how long?

c) Does the Government expect operations to continue uninterrupted during the entire period of “HOURS OF OPERATION?” Answer: Yes.

87 Tech Exhibit #3 In the “HOURS OF OPERATION” column, the Government uses the letter “T” to indicate a day of the week, but does not delineate whether it represents Tuesday or Thursday.

Will the Government clarify the days of the week represented by the letter “T?”

Answer: Please see TE 3 for revision.

88 Tech Exhibit #3 The Government provides Site IDs, but does not indicate whether or not the sites have deployable RAPIDS workstations or desktop RAPIDS workstations.

What type of RAPIDS workstations are at each site?

Answer: The Site IDs that start with 620 have deployable workstations, all other workstations are desktops.

89 Tech Exhibit #3 The Government provides Site IDs, but does not indicate how many RAPIDS workstations are to be manned by contractor personnel at each site?

How many RAPIDS workstations are to be manned by contractor personnel at each site? Answer: Per Historical Data (TE 7), a minimum of One (1) employee is operating one (1) workstation for all locations EXCEPT for the CAC Site 5/Marysville location where the employee is required to operate two (2) workstations. However, see answer to question 58 and 149.

90 Tech Exhibit #4 The RAPIDS Certification Training Matrix indicates that

a) Will the Government specify the types of ID Card policy that a VO is trained in for course DMDC-

VOs must receive approximately 2.5 hours of training on DoD ID Card Policy (DMDC-US1397- RPD), but does not specify the types of ID Card policy information contained within?

US1397-RPD? Answer: ID Card Policy is AFI 36-3026_IPV1. Has been added under PWS Part 6.

b) Is there a test administered for this course?

Answer: All RAPIDS training will be completed on-line. TE 4 has been revised to include training webiste and course enrollement instructions.

c) If “yes,” what is the testing standard for passing?

91 Tech Exhibit #4 The RAPIDS Certification Training Matrix indicates that VOs must undergo approximately six (6) hours of coursework as a part of their training, but does not contain website information for contractors to review the testing content.

a) Will the Government provide the website where vendors can access/research the training?

Answer: All RAPIDS training will be completed on-line. TE 4 has been revised to include training webiste and course enrollement instructions.

92 PWS, 1.16.5-

1.16.6.1

The Government indicates that a Program Manager (PM) and an Alternate Program Manager (APM) are key personnel and shall be available between the hours of 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, M-F.

a) Does the Government expect the PM to be available at the USARC HQs or a remote location?

Answer: PM and APM shall be in Fort Bragg, NC location.

b) If “yes,” does the Government expect the APM to be available at the USARC HQs or a remote location in the absence of the PM?

Answer: The APM will be on the Fort Bragg location.

93 PWS, 1.16.5-

1.16.6.1

PWS 1.16.6.1 indicates the qualifications for the PM, but does not specify the qualifications for the APM.

Does the Government expect the APM to have the same minimum qualifications as the PM, to include the DoD SECRET security clearance? Answer:

YES.

94 PWS 5.3 The PWS states, “Contractor shall develop a standard customer service hand out at all identified USARC CAC issuance locations within five (5) working days of Contract Award.” Five (5) working days after contract award does not provide adequate time for the contractor to complete phase-in activities, which

Will the Government consider changing the requirement from “within five (5) working days of contract award” to within five (5) days of contract start?

Answer: PWS and TE2 have been revised to “within five (5) working days of full contractor performance. Full performance begins after phase-in ends.”

includes hiring staff for all locations. Additionally, incumbent staff at the various locations will still be employed by the incumbent contractor and have no obligation to assist in completing this task.

95 PWS, 5.2 The PWS states, “Contractor shall maintain all required information and records in the DEERS/RAPIDS system.”

Does the Government classify Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) as a personnel record system? Answer: YES

96 PWS, 6.1.7 The Government lists the RAPIDS User Guide as a reference, but it does not list the most recent publication date.

a) What is the most updated version of the RAPIDS User Guide and date of publication? Answer:

Rapids User Guide has been provided as TE 8.

See Amendment 2.

b) Will the Government provide the web address for the most recent publication? Answer: User Guide has been provided as TE 8.See Amendment 2.

97 PWS, 6.1.1 AFI 36-3026(I) indicates that VO may have to “terminate DEERS eligibility for dependents no longer eligible for benefits and privileges.”

Does the Government expect contractor personnel (SSMs and VOs) to understand and make benefit eligibility decisions? Answer: VOs will make recommenations on eligibility decisions to Governemnt personnel

98 Evaluation Factors, Factor 1 Technical Capability, Subfactor 3:

Staffing Plan, i

The solicitation states, “…staffing plan was complete and detailed which demonstrated how all proposed personal met the minimum qualifications of PWS

1.15.2.2.1 and PWS 1.15.2.2.2.” The PWS does not contain paragraphs

1.15.2.2.1 and 1.15.2.2.2.

Will the Government clarify this evaluation criteria?

Answer: Personnel Qualifications are in PWS

1.16.6. Solicitation has been revised.

99 Evaluation Factors, Factor 1 Technical Capability, Subfactor 2:

Management Plan, i

The solicitation states, “The management plan…provided a list of DEERS/RAPID Operators (broken down by labor classifications, FTEs, Labor Categories and Cross Utilization) to staff all CAC Office Locations identified in PWS Technical Exhibit 3.”

a) For Technical Subfactor 2, does the Government intend to evaluate the appropriateness of both the labor categories and labor classification for the work being performed to ensure adequate…