Q_and_A_W91249-16-R-0006.docx

Questions and Answers for W91249-16-R-0006 (MCASP)

The response on the PMP Certification will be posted the beginning of next week.

Technical Exhibit 2 is a historical staffing matrix for the benefit of the offerors in preparing their proposals.( See answer to question 3) It is the contractor’s responsibility to propose and deploy the correct labor types, mix, number and hours required to satisfactorily and professionally meet all PWS requirements. The requirement for an Alternate PM has been removed from Paragraph 1.6.13

7. Reference Solicitation Page 18, Paragraph 1.6.18: Please explain why there are no Phase-In/Phase-Out Periods for the effort? This is another instance in which it appears the Government is trying to restrict competition to the incumbent contractor by making it so difficult for other companies to bid the effort that only the incumbent submits a bid. Also see FAR 52.222-17 which establishes specific time frames for the contracting officer to obtain and share incumbent employee information with a new contractor. Recommend the Government revise to add a 30 day Phase-In/Phase-Out period to ensure fair competition.

This requirement has not historically had a phase in period.

8. Reference Solicitation Page 54, 52.222-42: Please provide Monetary Wage and Fringe Benefit Information. It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine wage rates and fringes for their employees.

9. Reference Solicitation Page 62, 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, C2(a): Requires Offeror to submit an original proposal and “five (4) copies, which also contradicts Table 2 on Page 63, which requires an original and three (3) hard copies of each volume. Please clarify the requirement and make appropriate changes. Modified, will need 1 original and 4 copies.

10. Reference Solicitation Page 65, 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, C3(b), Subfactor 1B: Delete the last four (4) sentences beginning with “The Offeror shall provide the names of all personnel performing under this contract and proof of their certifications, security clearances and other qualifications required for their designated positions” and items 1 through 7. This information is only available to the incumbent contractor, is clearly competition restrictive, violates FAR 52.222-17, and the principles behind LPTA evaluations. Request the Government suspend the solicitation pending a complete review of the requirement documentation and removal of all competition restrictive language. See modified solicitation, Page 65, 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, C3(b), Subfactor 1B. Changed to ” names of all proposed key personnel performing under this contract….”

11. Reference General, Would the government consider extending this deadline for 2 weeks to allow adequate time for recruiting? The solicitation will be extended until 4 May 2016, 0900. See Amendment 0001

12. Reference Attachment 5- Wage Determination, Attachment 5 was included in the Solicitation Package but did not see the incorporation of the FAR Clause 52.222-41 incorporating the Service Contract Labor Standards. Is this procurement subject to the Service Contract Act?

Added under 52.212-5

13. Reference Page 62 C.2.(a) and Page 63 Table 2, Page 62 states an original and five (4) copies are required. Table 2 (Page 63) states 1 Original and 3 copies. Can the Government clarify the number of hard copies required for submission?

1 original and 4 copies

14. Reference Page 64, Tab D, States that 52.213-3 Alt I, Offeror Representations and Certifications is required. 52.213-3 is actually Notice To Supplier. Can the Government confirm this is a misprint and the clause number should be 52.212-3?

52.213-3 has been removed and 52.212-3 ALT 1 has been added.

15. Reference Page 16, 1.6.8.4 PM Criteria and Page 17, 1.6.13 Key Personnel, 1.6.8.4 states that a PMP certification is required for Program Management criteria. 1.6.13 Key Personnel – states “Qualifications for the PM or alternate are defined in this paragraph.” But there is no reference to PMP certification in the paragraph. Is a PMP Certification Required for the Program Manager? Is a PMP Certification required for the Alternate Program Manager?

See answers to questions 3 and 6. The statement ““Qualifications for the PM or alternate are defined in this paragraph.” has been removed.

16. Reference Page 66, 4. Submission Requirements, Bullet 2 and 6, : Bullet 2 Discusses a Summary Page. Is the Summary Page and the Past Performance Specific Relevant Contract Sheet the same thing or are the 2 separate requirements? If they are separate requirements, can the Government clarify the difference in the 2? Specific Relevant Contract Sheet is referenced as Attachment 1 which is the DD 254 – should this have been referred to as Attachment 3?

The Summary Page describes the roles of the offeror, example prime/sub, teaming partner, etc. Attachment 3 the Specific Relevant Contract Sheet is what the offeror will submit that should be able to be matched up with the PPQ’s that are submitted for past performance.

Changed 4. Submission requirements to reflect the correct Attachment numbers: Specific Relevant Contract Reference is Attachment 3, removed the example of the consent letter, and corrected the PPQ to be listed as Attachment 2.

17. Reference Page 62, C.2.(b) Exceptions, Table 1, Format for any Exceptions is provided in Table 1. Can the Government Confirm that Table 1 – Solicitation Exceptions - is only required in Volumes I, II and IV? Is Table 1 – counted in the page count? Exception will be listed in Volume 1. Table 1 shows what information is required. Volume 1 does not have any page limitations.

18. Reference Page 64, Tab A, Exceptions/ Assumptions, In Volume I – General Assumptions are required in Tab A section. Can the Government Confirm that Table 1 – Solicitation Exceptions - is only required in Volumes I, II and IV? Is Table 1 – counted in the page count? Exception will be listed in Volume 1. Table 1 shows what information is required. Volume 1 does not have any page limitations.

19. Reference Page 64, (b), (2), In Volume II – Technical – Exceptions/Assumptions are included after the Cross Reference Matrix. Can the Government Confirm that Table 1 – Solicitation Exceptions - is only required in Volumes I, II and IV? Is Table 1 – counted in the page count? Exception will be listed in Volume 1. Table 1 shows what information is required. Volume 1 does not have any page limitations.

20. Reference Page 70, (a) Price, (ii), In Volume IV Price – Exceptions/Assumptions are located in the Price Narrative Section. Can the Government Confirm that Table 1 – Solicitation Exceptions - is only required in Volumes I, II and IV? Is Table 1 – counted in the page count?

21. Exception will be listed in Volume 1. Table 1 shows what information is required. Volume 1 does not have any page limitations.

22. Reference 62, C.(c), Line 6 states that Printing shall be easily readable (12 -pitch or 10-point proportional spacing.) The Specific Relevant Contract Sheet was provided in a 10-Point font. Is a 10-point font acceptable on the Specific Relevant Contract Sheet? 10- Point font is acceptable.

23. Reference: Concerning the Facility Clearance Requirement, the RFP currently stipulates in Part 4 (page 22) of Solicitation number W91249-16-R-0006 the following:

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: The contractor shall possess and maintain a SECRET facility clearance from the Defense Security Service. The Contractor’s employees, performing work in support of this contract shall have been granted a SECRET security clearance from the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office. The DD 254 is provided as Attachment.

Question a: Would the government consider a company without a “current” secret facility clearance but whose personnel all possess personal clearances of secret and higher with current single scope background investigations? A current SECRET facility clearance is required upon award.

Question b: Would the government accept a DSS issued “temporary” secret facility clearance from a company competing for this solicitation; otherwise this stipulation may eliminate a majority of new small business competition under $11 million. A current SECRET facility clearance is required upon award.

24. Concerning the Section C.3(b)(2) of ADDENDUM (52.212-1) from the Solicitation number W91249-16-R-0006, it stipulates the following:

C.3(b)(2) The Offeror shall provide the names of all personnel performing under this contract and proof of their certifications, security clearances and other qualifications required for their designated positions. The Offeror shall provide letters of intent (signed within 60 days of proposal submission) and resumes for all personnel performing under this contract. Resumes and Letters of Commitment are not included in the page count.

Question a: Would the government accept a company only supplying the resumes and letters of commitment of key personnel who will perform work under this contract; if not the requirement may unfairly favor the current incumbent as the entire contractor workforce currently works for the incumbent? Offerors are required to provide resumes and letters of intent for Key personnel only with their proposal submission. Section C.3(b)(2) of ADDENDUM (52.212-1) has been modified

Question b: Would the government consider specifying exactly which key positions require resumes and letters of commitment; as this will reduce the possible threat to the current contractor workforce ability to respond to employment offers and possibly jeopardizing their standing with the incumbent company?

See revised PWS Paragraph 1.6.13

Questions c: Other than key personnel, would the government consider retracting the requirement to provide resumes and letters of commitment from entire contractor workforce, until “10 days” after contract award, when the current contractor workforce is more willing to discuss employment prospects with a new employer, otherwise this requirement unfairly favors the current incumbent Resumes and letters of intent are required only for Key Personnel with submission of an offeror’s proposal

**Note** The requirement for binding has been modified in 52.212-1.