Amendment_W91249-18-R-0019-00001_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

0011126915

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Post the Questions and Answ ers.

2. Update the PWS and attachments as needed.

3. The offer due date is extended to 26 July 2018, 4:00 P.M EST.

See SUMMARY OF CHANGES for further details.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 42

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 12-Jul-2018

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X W9124918R0019

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

22-Jun-2018

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer X is extended, is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN

REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

12-Jul-2018

CODE

MICC - FORT GORDON

271 HERITAGE PARK LANE

BLDG. 35200

FT GORDON GA 30905

W91249 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W9124918R0019

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following have been added by full text:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions and Answers

1. Part 4, section 4.2 indicates that the contractor shall possess and maintain a Secret facility clearance. Will there be a time allowed for a contractor that doesn’t currently hold a facility clearance to obtain the clearance? Or do all contractors responding to the solicitation need to already hold a facility clearance?

Government Response: All contractors responding to the solicitation need to already have a facility clearance.

2. Is there an incumbent? If so, what is the current contract number?

Government Response: This is a new requirement

3. p.11; Sect. 1.6.7.1: Indicates instructors to attend training within 3-months (90-days) of award; however, page 13 Section 1.6.7.4 indicates 60-calendar days from award to obtain training. Please clarify.

Government Response: 60 calendar days

4. p.14; Sect. 1.6.15: Indicates phase-in of 25 instructors on award and next 25 within 90-days; however, page

72; SubFactor 1B – Management Approach and Staffing Approach requires names of ALL personnel performing work under this contract as a part of the technical response. Please clarify what is required at submission, contract award and phase-in.

Government Response: Contractor shall have at least twenty five (25) instructors by contract start date. The remaining twenty five (25) instructors as follows; twelve (12) instructors within ninety (90) days after the contract starts and the remaining within six (6) months after contract start..

5. p.24 – Attachment 2 – DD254 and continuation page. DD-254 is missing.

Government Response: DD254 is not missing it is attached to the files on Fedbizzopps.

6. p.72: Please confirm resumes and letters of intent are only required for the Key personnel.

Government Response: Key Personnel only

7. p.73: Refers to submission of Past Performance by the scheduled date; page 74, refers to a Past

Performance Question – Attachment#2, there was no past performance questionnaire provided. Please clarify.

Government Response: Past Performance questionnaire see attachment 4

8. p.73: Attachment 4 is listed as a sample consent letter. Can the government provide Attachment#4.

Government Response: sample consent letter see attachment 5

9. p.74: Specific relevant contracts format – in accordance with Attachment#1. Can the government provide us with this attachment?

Government Response: Specific relevant contracts format see attachment 6

10. p.74: ODCs CLIN; are there ODCs included in this contract?

Government Response: There are no ODC CLIN

11. p.74 (a)(1) Please clarify if this a LPTA?

Government Response: It will be evaluated based on the LPTA methodology

12. What are the government equivalent hires for these roles?

Government Response: See 52.222-42 Statement of equivalent rates for federal hires

13. Page 72 of 77, SUBFACTOR 1B: Management Approach & Staffing Approach. The requirements for submission request the following “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.”

However, clauses incorporated by reference include 52.222-41, 52.222-43, 52.222-44, and 52.222-62, as well as a

Wage Determination. This points to the significant number of personnel subject to the provisions of the service contract act. The work contained under this solicitation is for existing POIs, with the requirement for same / similar work, which would further be subject to DOL regulations for non-displacement of qualified workers under the

Service Contract Act. As such, the referenced requirement to 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 is in conflict with DOL rules regarding first right of refusal for incumbent personnel. As the staff for which we would be required to provide resumes and qualifications, certifications, etc. must be provided a job offer before offering the job to a new hire (assuming they are qualified), this proposal submission requirement for technical acceptability is unnecessary and serves to restrict competition as only the current provider would be able to meet it.

Government Response: The requirement will remain as currently written.

14. Page 72 states" 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." Clarify if the government is asking for "all" names their certifications, security clearances and other qualifications (25 personnel) in the proposal or just for the key personnel (in this case the program manager).

Government Response: Key Personnel only

15. Please clarify that the certification of administering exams to students per their appropriate course is to be held by the instructor.

Government Response: Yes

16. Is the expectation of the COR to provide examinations immediately after the course completion?

17. Does the Army Signal School have an established class schedule for the first contract year? If so, can it be provided to the contractors pre-rfp submittal?

Government Response: No

18. Deliverable requests a pass rate of 80%. This is typically related to student IT related background. Can you provide the background of the students that will be attending the training courses, to aide in proposing accurate levels of student support?

Government Response: The students passing rate is 70%

19. Is there existing software/learning management system for the following requirements & deliverables? Is

GoArmyed being utilized?:

* Maintain and report student attendance, records, and statistics to the Signal School leadership

IAW Fort Gordon Regulation 350-5 and Signal School SOPs.

* Provide students with assessment and evaluation forms; administer and enforce test control standards; conduct assessments and testing in subjects taught; grade exams; evaluate results; record exam results;

conduct AARs; and, administer student course critiques. Develop tests associated with the new curriculum. Tests shall be performance-based and/or criterion-referenced. Tests are controlled and sensitive materials and may not be shared outside of approved channels that follow regulatory guidance and Signal School policies.

* Academic Reports: Maintain and provide academic report upon request to COR

* Review of Academic Report by COR

* Contractor's performance documented on monthly reports"

20. How many exams will be needed per module? Will they need re-takes?

ANS: Yes they will have 2 additional chances

Government Response: 5 modules 5 exams

21. Is there a testing center on-site?

Government Response: Yes the classroom assigned

22. What is the visibility of the awarded contractor to obtain a report on up-to-date pass/fail rates? Will the government track training through GoArmyed?

Government Response: No, Blackboard

23. Is the government requesting the resume of key personnel (i.e. program manager) with the proposal response, and to receive remaining personnel resumes and letters of intent within 60 days of proposal submission?

Government Response: Yes, Key personnel with the proposal response and to receive remaining personnel resumes and letters of intent within 60 calendar days of proposal submission.

24. Ref. Page 13, section 1.6.7.4 Required qualifications, certifications, and/or training certificates shall be presented to the COR upon hire. Contractors will be given 60 calendars from the start of this contract to obtain required certificate(s) of training and certification. Also Ref. Page 72, Subfactor 1B. 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.

a. Since this is new work and there are no incumbents, there will be a challenge to get all resumes, proof of certifications, clearances and qualifications for the proposal submission. Will the government consider requiring this proof for the designated key personnel at proposal submission, and for the instructor personnel prior to the start of the period of performance and then upon hire for later hires?

Government Response: Yes, Key personnel with the proposal response and to receive remaining personnel resumes and letters of intent within 60 calendar days of proposal submission.

25. Please clarify if the Net+ Instructor should be Network+ Instructor? - we do not see any such Net+ certifications offered anywhere and believe it should be Network+.

Government Response: Network Instructor do not have to be N PLUS certified

26. What mixture of the 25 series instructors are needed upon contract award? Ref 1.6.15, P. 14 - personnel phase in indicated at least 25 instructors on award; however, TE#4, p. 30 has 4 groups of personnel all from the 25B, 25N, 2 P, 25Q, 25S and 25U MOS series of instructors see p. 6, Section 1.2, so we need to know how many of each of these 25 series MOS instructors are needed upon contract award

Government Response: The government is looking for qualified/experienced Instructors the series is not as important.

27. Will all instructors be in the same building?

28. Is it acceptable if candidates are in progress with the required .Net+, A+, Security+ or CCNA certifications as long as they received these certs by award? We have some candidates who are enrolled in the required certifications and wanted to know if these candidates will be deemed acceptable for the bid purpose or do they have to have the certification upon bid submission?

29. Ref. Page 6, section 1.6.1 The initial QCP shall be delivered with the contractor’s proposal.

Question: The format submittal instructions on page 68 – 74 do not list what volume or format the QCP should be submitted. Is this a separate appendix to a volume? What is the page count, if any, for this submission? A QCP is not listed in TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2 DELIVERABLES but stated as a deliverable in that paragraph on page 6. Please clarify.

Government Response: There is no formal format for the QCP and Technical Exhibit 2 is updated with Quality Control Plan.

30. Ref. Page 68, section A.2. 2. Electronic submission via facsimile will not be accepted. Offers shall be submitted via electronic email or shall be hand carried or mailed through a commercial/Government carrier.

(Bottom of page 69) In addition to submitting hard copies of the proposals, electronic copies shall be provided via email.

Question: Please clarify offerors who submit via email DO NOT need to submit hard copies.

Government Response: In addition to submitting hard copies of the proposals, electronic copies shall be provided via email.

31. 1.6.1.1 Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. Question: A QASP has not been provided in the RFP. Will the government provide the QASP at contract award?

Government’s Response: QASP will not be share with the contractor nor incorporated into the contract. Quality Control Plan as a minimum shall address:

• Continuous process improvement

• Procedures for scheduling, conducting and documentation of inspection

• Discrepancy identification and correction

• Corrective action procedures to include procedures for addressing Government discovered non-conformances

• Procedures for root cause analysis to identify the root cause

• Root cause corrective action to prevent re-occurrence of discrepancies

• Procedures for trend analysis

• Procedures for collecting and addressing customer feedback/complaints

The Performance Requirement Summary (PRS) is provided which list the required services, the method of surveillance and disincentive the government will use to evaluate the contractor’s performance.

32. Ref page 71, Volume 1, TAB A, Exceptions/Assumptions (if required) - Identification and explanation of any exceptions or deviations. Additionally, any assumptions used in the proposal preparation must be identified. Volume 2, The volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

1.

-Table of Contents

-List of Table and Drawings

-Cross Reference Matrix

-Exceptions/Assumptions (Identification and explanation of any exceptions or deviations).

Additionally, identify any assumptions used in preparing the proposal.

Question: Can the government clarify if Exceptions need to be listed in Volumes I & 2?

Government Response: Volume 1

33. Ref page 69. Section C, 2.c Table 1 - Solicitation Exceptions.

Question: Following on question 5. Please clarify if the referenced table needs to be in Volumes 1 and

2.

Government Response: Volume 1

34. Ref p. 71 Volume 1. SF 1449 and Reps and Certs Questions: Volume I requests the SF1449 and Volume IV

Price also requests the SF 1449.

(a) Please clarify if the government wishes the SF 1449 to be in both volumes.

Government Response: Both volumes

(b) For offerors who have updated SAM profile, may we use the following statement in lieu of providing copy of Reps & Certs:

(c) Ref p. 71 The offeror is cautioned that the SF 1449 must contain an original signature in block

30A of the form. Question: May the offeror provide an electronic signature?

35. 1.4. Scope: The contractor shall provide instructional support and training development for the Signal

School IAW the POI and Master Training Schedule (MTS) and 5.2 Provide Foundational Instructor/Writer services: Instructor/Writers shall assist in developing government owned training, provide classroom instruction, and participate in operational tests.

Question: Are you saying some of the instructor/writer will be developers?

36. 1.6.7.1. All personnel providing services for the contract shall maintain a SECRET security clearance.

Question:

(a) Will you accept Interim Clearances?

(b) And Graduated the Support Cadre Training Course (SCTC) and either the Army Basic Instructor Course

(ABIC) or the Foundation Instructor Facilitator Course (FIFC Question: If ABICS certification is compliance with the PWS, will instructor need Foundational Training certification still?

Government Response: There is no foundational Certifications Certificate. Just training.

37. SUBFACTOR 1B: Proof of their certifications: Question: If candidate cannot find ABICS or SCTC certification certificate, will the government accept their DD214 for proof of certification?

Question: What certifications do you need proof of?

Government Response: Any training that they have

38. For Solicitation W91249-18-R-0019, Foundational Training Instructors, would the Government allow submission under the Similarly Situated Entities Clause?

Government Response: No. This proposed action has yet be effective within the FAR for usage for small businesses. The current clause 52.219-14 is still in effect.

39. PWS Para 1.6.1 states the initial QCP shall be delivered with the contractor’s proposal.

Question: Would the Government allow the QCP to be delivered within 5 days of contract award?

40. PWS Para 1.6.3 states personnel may be required for early/late/weekend school retraining of students or needed for classroom observation and gives the anticipated hours. The anticipated hours are identified as an additional eight hours per each of the three shifts, and five hours on Saturday. This paragraph also states that overtime will not be authorized. Question: With this large amount of “extra” hours added to the eight hour days, would the Government please identify the frequency of the retraining and number of Instructors anticipated in regards to this requirement?

Government Response: The government do not anticipate these overtime hours at this time, however there will be a need to have two shifts at times. The hours are as follows 0800 to 1630 days and 1600 to 1200 hours swings

41. PWS Para 1.6.4 states contract will be performed in various Signal School areas of operation at Fort

Gordon. Question: Will the Government provide the locations the Foundational Training be performed?

Government Response: Dixon Hall, TNG’s across from Dixon Hall, Brandt Hall, Vincent Hall

42. PWS Para 1.6.6 states at contract start date all personnel performing on this contract shall have a Secret

Security Clearance. Question: With the large number of personnel required for this work, would the

Government consider allowing personnel with Interim Secret Security clearances be acceptable for the start of this work?

43. PWS Para 1.6.7.1 states individuals without ABIC or FIFC must attend and graduate within 3 months of award of the contract. Based on previous contract work at the Signal Center, it has been difficult obtaining seats in these classes with a backlog of up to 6 months at times. Question: How many seats in these classes can the winning contractor expect for individuals without this training? Less than 5? 10-12?

Government Response: We will allow up 120 Days and we anticipate 5 to 7 seats

44. PWS Para 1.6.7.2.2 states each instructor will be required to instruct all of the 160 hours of the

Foundational Training modules in the POI. Question: Since the vast majority of the Foundational Training

POI is based on the Network + and to a lesser degree the A+ curriculum, why is the Government also requiring Security + and CCNA certified Instructor personnel for this work?

Government Response: We are requiring either or

45. PWS Para 1.6.15 states the contactor shall have at least 25 Instructors by contract start date and next 25

Instructors within 90 days after contract starts. With this large number of qualified and certified Instructor staff required in the Augusta Georgia area, it is highly unlikely any contractor can meet this requirement.

Question: Would the Government consider extending the second set of 25 Instructors until 6 months? Or 12

Instructors within 3 months and the remaining within 6 months?

Government Response: Contractor shall have at least twenty five (25) instructors by contract start date. The remaining twenty five (25) instructors as follows; twelve (12) instructors within ninety (90) days after the contract starts and the remaining within six (6) months after contract start.

46. Technical Exhibit 1 in the PRS chart disincentive for the requirement of Passing Final Week Four Examine is Final Week Four Exam. Question: Would the Government please clarify or provide the disincentive for

Passing Final Week Four Examine?

Government Response: The students must pass the week four exam or they will be recycled

47. Section C. Proposal Preparation Instructions does not give instructions on how the Government wants the

QCP delivered as mandated in the PWS Para 1.6.4. Question: Does the Government want the QCP delivered electronically and “hard copy” with multiple (5) copies? Would the Government please provide additional instructions on QCP delivery?

Government Response: One (1) electronic copy and one (1) hard copy

48. Section C. Proposal Preparation Instructions states printing shall be easily readable 12-pitch type of 10 point proportional. Question: Would the Government allow 10 pitch for charts, graphics, diagrams, and tables?

49. Section C. Proposal Preparation Instructions, Subfactor 1B, requests proof of certifications, security clearances and other qualifications. Question: Would the Government please indicate or confirm that these items are not included in the 20 page limit for the Technical Volume?

Government Response: Proof of certifications, security clearances and other qualifications are not included in the 20 page limit for the Technical Volume.

50. RFP Sections 1.6.6 and 1.6.7.1 state that a SECRET security clearance is required by all personnel on this contract. Section 1.6.6.2 also states that access to the SIPRNET and JWICS is not required for this contract.

The provided DD254 form and Continuation Sheet (Attachment 1; 2 files) indicate both UNCLASS (top of the DD254 form) and SECRET (within the DD254 form and in the continuation sheets).

Government Response: DD254 is modified with Secret (top of the DD254 form)

51. May the contractor be given a proposed FY19 course start date schedule for each class listed [531-25B10

(CP), 260-25N10 (CP), 101-25P10, 102-25Q10 (CP), 102-25S10, 101-25U10 (CP)] in Technical Exhibit 3?

52. With only 155 of 160 hours allocated by the listed topics, what does the Government intend/expect for the remaining 5 hours? Is there a missing topic subject area?

Government Response: This time is for reviews and retesting

53. Please clarify if there is a difference in the PWS 1.6.4 place of performance... Signal School area of operation at Fort Gordon, Georgia versus PWS paragraph 1.2 BACKGROUND: second sentence, "Training will be conducted at training centers, Army service schools, and when directed by U.S. Strategic

Army force units"?

Government Response: All of the training for the foundational training will be conducted in the following facilities: Dixon Hall, Brandt Hall, TNG’s 15/A/B, 16A/B, 17A/B, 18A/B, 19B

54. Is PWS 1.6.7 Technical Exhibit 7.2 the correct reference to propose and deploy the correct labor types, mix, number and hours required to satisfactorily and professionally meet all PWS requirements?

Government Response: Technical Exhibit 4 Estimated staffing matrix is an estimate of the

Government. It is still the Contractor responsibility to propose and deploy the correct labor, mix, number and hours required to satisfactorily and professionally meet all PWS requirements.

55. PWS Paragraph 1.6.7.2.2 Foundational Instructor/Writer Requirements, last sentence requires clarification, "Each instructors will be required to instruct all of the 160 hours of the Foundational Training modules in the POI". Even though the Government specifies the four different instructor qualifications/skills in

1.6.7.2.3 - 1.6.7.2.6, and the number of each qualified instructor in TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 4

ESTIMATED STAFFING MATRIX, PWS page 30 of 77, does the Government expect each instructor that starts a class to instruct across all 160 hour/four areas of qualification even though he/she may not be necessarily qualified?

Government Response: No, the government expects the instructor to know all of the 160 hours so they can teach any part of the training.

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The required response date/time has changed from 23-Jul-2018 04:00 PM to 26-Jul-2018 04:00 PM.

The following have been modified:

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1

A. Proposal Submittal and Inquiries.

1. Proposals shall be submitted prior to the closing date and time identified on SF 1449, to the following address:

Mission and Installation Contracting Command – Fort Gordon

Attn: Sherrilyn Rice

271 Heritage Park Lane

BLDG. 35200 Room #135

Fort Gordon, GA 30905 or by email to sherrilyn.u.rice.civ@mail.mil

2. Electronic submission via facsimile will not be accepted. Offers shall be submitted by hand carried or mailed through a commercial/Government carrier. In addition to submitting hard copies of the proposals, electronic copies shall be provided via email.

3. The point of contact responsible for supplying additional information and answering all inquiries is the

Contracting Officer via the Contract Specialist. All questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted in writing via email no later than 06 July 2018. Address all questions or concerns the offeror may have to the Contract

Specialist and Contracting Officer, Sherrilyn Rice sherrilyn.u.rice.civ@mail.mil and Jason King at jason.l.king1.civ@mail.mil.

4. Site Visit. N/A

B. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

1. The selection of a source for award purposes will be conducted utilizing source selection (negotiated) procedures as delineated in FAR Part 15.3. Offers will be evaluated using the criteria under Addendum 52.212-2, Evaluation Factors for Award Noncompliance with the Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements may hamper the

Government's ability to properly evaluate the proposal and may result in elimination of the proposal from further consideration for contract award.

2. The Offer. The submission of the documentation specified below will constitute the offeror's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the RFP, concurrence with the Performance Work Statement, and contract type.

3. It is the Government’s intention to award without discussions. Offerors are encouraged to present their best technical proposal and prices in their initial proposal submission. However, in accordance with (IAW) FAR Part

15.306, should discussions become necessary, the Government reserves the right to hold them. If this occurs, a competitive range will be determined and offerors notified. The competitive range may be limited for purposes of efficiency IAW FAR Part 15.306 (c)(2).

4. Instructions outlined in paragraph C below, prescribe the format for the proposal and describe the approach for the development and presentation of proposal data. These instructions are designed to ensure the submission of necessary information to provide for the understanding and comprehensive evaluation of proposals.

mailto:sherrilyn.u.rice.civ@mail.mil

5. If an offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, an ambiguity, omission, or are otherwise deemed unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer (KO) in writing with supporting rationale. The offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussion.

6. In accordance with FAR Subpart 4.8 (Government Contract Files), the Government will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. Unless the offeror requests otherwise, the Government will destroy extra copies of such unsuccessful proposals.

7. Debriefings. The KO will promptly notify offerors of any decision to exclude them from the competitive range, whereupon they may request and receive a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505. The KO will notify offerors who were in the competitive range but were not selected for award in accordance with FAR 15.503(b).

Upon such notification, unsuccessful offerors may request and receive a debriefing in accordance with the requirements of FAR 15.506.

C. Proposal Preparation Instructions

1. Offerer’s proposal shall consist of four (4) volumes: (1) General, (2) Technical, (3) Past Performance, and (4)

Price.

2. Proposal Format

(a) Offerors shall submit an original and five (5) copies of each volume as noted in Table 2 of paragraph (c) below of their proposal.

(b) Offerors shall submit an original copy of e-mailed proposals, which includes the four (4) volumes: (1)

General, (2) Technical, (3) Past Performance, and (4) Price.

(c) Exceptions. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, such as terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors and subfactors. Failure to meet a requirement may result in an offer being ineligible for award. If the offeror finds it necessary to take exception to any of the requirements specified in this solicitation, the offeror shall clearly identify the applicable Volume and exceptions with a complete explanation of why the exception was taken, what benefit accrues to the Government (if any), and its impact, if any, on the performance, schedule, cost, and specific requirements of the solicitation. Each exception shall be specifically related to each paragraph and/or specific part of the solicitation to which the exception is taken. Offerors are cautioned that taking an exception may render the offer ineligible for award. This information shall be provided in the format below.

Table 1 - Solicitation Exceptions

Solicitation

Document

Page/

Paragraph

Requirement/

Portion

Rationale &

Impact

Section B, PWS/SOO/

SOW, Section L&M, etc.

Applicable

Page and

Paragraph

Numbers

Identify the requirement or portion to which exception is taken

Describe

The rationale and impact of the exception

(c) The proposals shall be organized into 4 volumes. Each volume of the proposal should be separately bound in a coil-bound or spiral-bound binder. A cover sheet should be bound in each book, clearly marked as to volume number, title, copy number, solicitation identification and the offeror's name. All text shall be single spaced and printed black on white paper (Black and white requirement does not apply to graphics, photos, etc., Company stationary and logos are acceptable). Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type or 10 point proportional spacing.) Cross-references should be utilized to preclude unnecessary duplication of data between sections. In addition to submitting hard copies of the proposals, electronic copies shall be provided via email. The file name shall be “Company Name – Initial” for the first submission. The file name of later submissions (if necessary), shall be “Company Name – Revision X’ with X indicating the number of the revision. Page limitations are as follows:

Table 2

VOLUME TITLE

NO. HARD COPIES

(Applies to Hand Carry and Mail Offer)

NO. of

Emailed

Copies

PAGE LIMITS

I General

1 Original and 5 Copies 1 No Limitations

II Technical 1 Original and 5 Copies 1 (20)

III

Past

Performance 1 Original and 5 Copies 1

3 pages per reference

IV Price 1 Original and 5 Copies 1 N/A

(d) Proposal Limitation. The proposal shall not exceed the limits stated above. If the page limits are exceeded, the pages in excess of the limit shall be removed and returned, unread, to the offeror. The Government will not accept any changes to the contractor’s proposal after the closing date of the solicitation (See FAR 15.208 for further information regarding late proposals). If discussions become necessary, page limitations may be placed on responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs). The specified page limits for EN responses will be identified in the letters forwarding the ENs to the offerors.

(e) Page Limit Includes: All appendices, charts, graphs, diagrams, tables, photographs, drawings, etc.

(f) Page Limit does not include covers for volumes, tables of contents, glossary of abbreviations and acronyms, indices, title pages, cross reference indices, and section dividers/tables if they are inserted solely to provide ease to the reader in locating parts/sections of the proposal. Pages will be counted if they contain any other information, i.e., diagrams, extraneous data, etc. Pages marked “This page intentionally left blank” will not be counted.

(g) What Counts As A Page? A page shall be an 8 ½ X 11” sheet of paper. When both sides of a sheet display printed material, it shall be counted as two pages. Letter size and spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs will be counted as the appropriate number of pages based on an 8 ½” X 11” sheet of paper. Margins shall be at least 1 inch on the top and bottom and 3/4 inch on the side. The Contractor shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event contractor creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages. In the event contractor creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

(h) Indexing. Each volume shall contain a more detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume. Tab indexing shall be used to identify sections.

(i) Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms. Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, with a definition for each.

3. Proposal Content

(a) Volume I – General. Offerors are required to submit a completed SF 1449 (including acknowledgment of Amendments), SF 1449 – Continuation Sheets (Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, and 52.213-3 Alt I, Offeror

Representations and Certifications. All final monetary extensions shall be in whole dollars only. Failure to follow the below Contract Proposal preparation instructions may cause your proposal to be deemed unacceptable by the

Government. The General Volume shall be organized as follows and contain the identified information.

TAB A, Exceptions/Assumptions (if required) - Identification and explanation of any exceptions or deviations. Additionally, any assumptions used in the proposal preparation must be identified.

TAB B, Solicitation, Offer and Award – The SF 1449 shall be submitted fully completed. The offeror is cautioned that the SF 1449 must contain an original signature in block 30A of the form. The contractor shall acknowledge any amendments to the Request for Proposal (RFP) in accordance with the instructions on the SF 1449 and with Addendum 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition. The offeror shall provide the name, title and telephone number of the company/division point of contact regarding decisions made with respect to your proposal and who can obligate your company contractually. Also, identify those individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government.

TAB C, SF1449 – Continuation Sheets -- Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs – This section shall be submitted fully completed and error free. It shall contain the offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Items

Numbers (CLINS).

TAB D, 52.213-3 Alt I, Offeror Representations and Certifications – The offeror shall ensure this section is submitted thoroughly completed with all blocks in each certification/representation completed truthfully and completely.

(b) Volume II – Technical Volume

(1) The Technical Volume shall be clear, concise, and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims in the Offeror’s proposal. Legibility, clarity and coherence are very important. Your responses will be evaluated against the Technical factors defined in Addendum

52.212-2, Evaluation Factors for Award. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government's requirements, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Statements that the offeror understands, can, or will comply with the PWS (including referenced publications, technical data, etc.); statements paraphrasing the PWS or parts thereof (including applicable publications, technical data, etc.); and phrases such as “standard procedures will be employed” or “well known techniques will be used,” etc., will be considered unacceptable. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror's proposal. Elaborate brochures or documentation, binding, detailed art work, or other embellishments are unnecessary and are not desired.

(2) The Technical Volume shall, at a minimum, be prepared in a form consistent with the

Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the evaluation criteria for award set forth in Addendum 52.212-2 of this solicitation. The section shall be prepared in an orderly format and in sufficient detail to enable the Government to make a thorough evaluation of the contractor’s technical competence and ability to comply with the contract task requirements specified in the PWS. The offeror shall address as specifically as possible the actual methodology you would use for accomplishing the PWS tasks. The volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

-Table of Contents

-List of Table and Drawings

-Cross Reference Matrix

Factor 1: Technical Capability consists of two Subfactors:

Subfactor 1A: Technical Ability

Subfactor 1B: Management Approach & Staffing Approach

SUBFACTOR 1A: Technical Ability

The Offeror’s overall technical approach shall demonstrate its knowledge and understanding of the magnitude and complexity of this requirement and its capability to perform all tasks in the Performance Work Statement. The

Offeror’s technical approach shall also concisely and clearly address the Offeror’s approach to plan, organize, control and perform the major performance objectives below:

Develop and update course curriculum.

Conduct classroom/lab instruction and administer of examinations.

Develop and employ advanced distributed learning.

Provide software package/images used to perform labs or practical exams.

Provide Classroom Instruction for Network+ A+ and Security+

Possess the following certifications to instruct course curriculum:

Network+

A+

Security+

CCNA or higher

SUBFACTOR 1B: Management Approach & Staffing Approach.

The Offeror’s management approach shall describe the extent to which subcontractors and/or teaming partners

(hereafter referred to as “personnel”) shall be used to perform this requirement by task and by percentage of the costs of service performed. The Offeror’s management approach shall address its procedures to monitor and manage performance by all personnel, across numerous geographic locations, to ensure timely quality work and to control costs. The Offeror’s staffing approach shall identify its proposed staffing (by number of personnel, by labor categories and by location) and any plans to cross-utilize or rely on reach-back, part-time or temporary personnel to perform this requirement. The Offeror’s staffing plan shall describe its plans for recruiting and retaining personnel with all of the qualifications necessary to perform this requirement. The Offeror shall provide the names of 25 instructors by the start date and 90 days for the remaing instructors 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 key personnel. Resumes and Letters of Commitment are not included in the page count. Résumés must conform to the following format:

(1) Name

(2) Education (Degree/discipline/year attained, educational institution)

(3) Certifications (certification member ID; expiration date)

(4) Security Clearance (List clearance(s) currently held)

(5) Proposed Labor Category

(6) Experience

(7) Present Position

a. Company and title of position

b. Dates of employment (month/year to month/year or to “present”)

c. Brief description of duties and responsibilities, including supervisory experience

d. Number and type of personnel supervised

(c) Volume III - Past Performance. Offeror shall identify and submit recent and relevant performance/experience information from at least three (3) but no more than five (5) Federal, State, or Local

Government task orders or contracts that the Offeror has performed. Recent is defined as within the past three (3) calendar years from the closing date of this RFP. Relevant is defined as work performed that is similar to that anticipated by the PWS. Each narrative shall also include contract number and amount: the name, telephone number, and email address of the Government representative who can verify past performance. The Past

Performance evaluation will be accomplished by reviewing aspects of an Offeror's recent and relevant Past

Performance, focusing on and targeting performance which is relevant to the effort as it directly relates to the work being procured under this solicitation and as defined in Addendum 52.212-2.

Past Performance information described herein is required on the offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners proposed to perform 51% of the proposed effort based on the total proposed price. The offeror shall submit, along with the information required in this paragraph, a consent letter, executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing release of adverse past performance information to the offeror so the offeror can respond to such information. For each identified effort for a commercial customer, the offeror shall also submit a client authorization letter, authorizing release to the

Government of requested information on the offeror's performance.

1. The offeror is requested to submit the Past Performance by the scheduled due date, to the Contracting Officer at the address specified in Addendum 52.212-1.

2. The offeror shall include documentation regarding their relevant past performance as it directly relates to the work being procured under this solicitation. The offeror SHALL NOT go back any farther than 3 years for services for the submitted data. The past performance data shall document a successful history of past contract performance.

3. In conducting the Past Performance evaluation, the Government reserves the right to use both the information provided in the offeror’s Past Performance Volume and information obtained from other sources, such as the Past

Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) or similar systems, Defense Contract Management Agency

(DCMA) and commercial sources. Offerors are reminded that both independent data and data provided by offerors in their proposals may be used by the Government to evaluate offeror past performance. However, the burden of providing thorough, complete, and current past performance information as requested in this paragraph remains with the offerors. Proposals that do not contain the information requested by this paragraph risk rejection or a less than acceptable performance rating by the Government. All past performance comments received will be taken into account and could affect the overall rating. The overall past performance evaluation is a subjective decision based on the whole of all data received. In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance (see FAR

15.305 (a)(2)(iv)). Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown past performance. In the context of acceptability/unacceptability, “unknown” shall be considered “acceptable.”

4. Submission Requirements. The offeror shall submit a Past Performance Volume containing the following:

Table of Contents

Summary Page describing the role of the offeror and each subcontractor, teaming partner, and /or joint venture partner that the offeror is required to provide Past Performance Specific Relevant Contract

Reference Sheets for the past performance experience in accordance with Attachment 6.

Consent Letters executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing the release of past performance information so the offeror can respond to such information. A sample consent letter is attached as Attachment 5.

Client Authorization Letters for each identified effort for a commercial customer authorizing release to the

Government of requested information on the offeror’s performance.

Organization Structure Change History— Organizational Structure Change History. Many companies have acquired, been acquired by, or otherwise merged with other companies, and/or reorganized their divisions, business groups, subsidiary companies, etc. In many cases, these changes have taken place during the time of performance of relevant present or past efforts or between conclusion of recent past efforts and this source selection. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to determine what past performance is relevant to this acquisition. To facilitate this relevancy determination, include in this proposal volume a "roadmap" describing all such changes in the organization of your company. As part of this explanation, show how these changes impact the relevance of any efforts you identify for past performance evaluation/performance confidence assessment. Since the Government intends to consider present and past performance information provided by other sources as well as that provided by the offeror(s), your "roadmap" should be both specifically applicable to the efforts you identify and general enough to apply to efforts on which the

Government receives information from other sources.

Specific Relevant Contracts Format - Sheets in accordance with Attachment 6 and are limited to 3 pages per reference. The offeror shall provide documentation outlining the offeror’s past performance with contracts, as a prime or major subcontractor, which is the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the services being procured under this Solicitation. The submittal shall include rationale supporting your assertion of relevance and how it was determined that the work performed previously was the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the work specified by this solicitation. Offerors are required to explain what aspects of the contracts are deemed relevant to the proposed effort, and to what aspects of the proposed effort they relate.

Past Performance Questionnaire - See Attachment 4, Past Performance Questionnaire. For the contracts identified on each Specific Relevant Contract Reference, the offeror shall forward a copy of the Past Performance

Questionnaire to the points of contact responsible for monitoring performance under such contracts. The points of contact shall return the questionnaires directly to Sherrilyn Rice at sherrilyn.u.rice.civ@mail.mil prior to the closing of the RFP. Any questionnaires not returned directly to the Contract Specialist will not be reviewed and evaluated.

The information contained in the questionnaires will be used to evaluate the offeror’s past performance. New entities that have no past customers shall annotate on the Summary Page that they have had no previous clients and that the minimum number of questionnaires cannot be provided.

(d) Volume IV- Price – The offeror shall complete SF1449 – Continuation Sheets -- Supplies or Services and

Prices/Costs section of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to require the submission of Other Than

Certified Cost or Pricing Data as is deemed necessary to arrive at a fair and reasonable price.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

United States Army Signal School Foundational Instructors

U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, Fort Gordon, Georgia

Part 1

General Information:

1. General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide Instructional and Content Development Support at the U.S. Army Signal School, Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), Fort Gordon, Georgia. This effort will support the Foundational Training instruction for the Army’s Advanced Individual Training (AIT).