W9124921R0011 A0002.pdf

0011494552

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. Amendment question 16.

2. All other terms and conditions remain the same.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 8

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

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 09-Mar-2021

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 W9124921R0011

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

19-Feb-2021

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 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 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

09-Mar-2021

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:

W9124921R0011

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following have been modified:

CONSOLIDATED QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

W9124921R0011 Cyber Common Core

1. Is there an incumbent on this effort? If so, could the Government provide the incumbent name and contract number?

Government Response: No. This is a new requirement

2. Is a facility clearance required at time of award or would the Government be willing to sponsor a facility clearance to the winning offeror?

Government Response: Facility Clearance is required at time of award.

3. If incumbent exist, will incumbent personnel have first right of refusal of employment?

Government Response: N/A

4. ADDENDUM 52.212-1 Instructions; C.3 (b).Factor 1, SubFactor 1B: Staffing, Recruitment, Retention, and Management Approach: This section states a requirement to provide resumes and LOI's for all proposed personnel. It is understood that the inclusion of key personnel for management and other key operational staff is advantageous to provide the government with some assurance of a consistent management team.

However, requiring resumes and LOI's for all personnel proposed seems overly restrictive and would restrict competition given the timeframe of this response.

Question: Would the government consider relaxing this requirement, and only requiring resumes and LOI's for management/lead personnel?

Government Response: Addendum 52.212-1 is updated to reflect resumes and letter of intent for key personnel only to be submitted with proposal. Non-key personnel resumes and letters of intent will be submitted one week prior to contract start date and prior to start of work of any new contractors performing on contract.

ADDENDUM 52.2121 Instructions; 1.2:

Question: Would the government consider removing the hard copy submittal requirement?

Government Response: Hard copy submittal is required.

5. Would the government consider a 2 week extension?

Government Response: Proposal is due 16 March 2021.

6. Reference Subfactor 1B and the Offeror's approach to Staffing, Recruitment, Retention and Management Approach.

Question: Can the government confirm that the requirement to provide names of all personnel performing under this contract and proof of their certifications, security clearances and other qualifications required for their designated positions is a post award requirement?

Government Response: Pre-Award. IAW PWS 1.6.8 it is the contractor’s responsibility to staff and deploy qualified contractor personnel to meet all of the PWS requirements. The intent is that all personnel be identified with the proposal. The Government want to verify certificates for all personnel who require them as well as security clearance verification. This ensures that a vendor can perform the mission adequately at the beginning of the Period of Performance.

Questions Solicitation Reference

Question

8. Addendum 52.212-1, Instructions

Addendum 52.212-2, Evaluation Factors

Factor 2 – Past Performance

Factor 2 - Past Performance evaluation criteria state, “Each offeror will receive a performance confidence assessment rating based on the offeror’s recent past performance, focusing on performance that is relevant to the Contract requirements.”

However, both the solicitation instructions and evaluation criteria for Factor 2 state, “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.”

Question: Does the Government intend rate companies with no past performance the same as companies that have a record of recent, relevant past performance versus assigning offerors with no past performance history a confidence rating of “neutral”?

Government Response: Addendum FAR 52.21- 1 and 52.212-2 is updated with the following verbiage: Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown past performance.

Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown / neutral past performance.

9. C. Proposal Preparation Instructions 2(c) - Font

The Government states that “All text shall be single spaced paragraphs, Times New Roman Font, Font Size 11 printed in black Color Font, on white paper, in a Word document. (Black and white requirement does not apply to graphics, photos, etc., Company stationary and logos, spreadsheets, are unacceptable). Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type or 10 point proportional spacing.)”

Can the Government please confirm the font size to be used for the proposal?

Government Response: Addendum FAR 52.212-1 Proposal Preparation Instructions 2(c) is updated.

10 C. Proposal Preparation Instructions 2(c) - Font

The Government states that “All text shall be single spaced paragraphs, Times New Roman Font, Font Size 11 printed in black Color Font, on white paper, in a Word document. (Black and white requirement does not apply to graphics, photos, etc., Company stationary and logos, spreadsheets, are unacceptable). Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type or 10 point proportional spacing.)”

Will the Government allow 8pt or 10pt font to be used for tables and graphics?

Government Response: Addendum FAR 52.212-1 Proposal Preparation Instructions 2(c) is updated. 10pt font is allowed for tables and graphics.

11 Attachment 2

– Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet

On page 1, the Government has put a paragraph with no descriptor under “7.

Government or commercial technical representative or COR.” On page 3 the section under “7. Government or commercial technical representative or COR” is listed as “Relevancy Description.”

Can the Government please clarify if on page one, the un-described paragraph refers to the “Relevancy Description” and should be listed as #8?

Government Response: On Attachment 2 “Relevancy Description” is number 11.

12. What are the labor hours for the base year for the 8 month PoP?

Government Response: Four Instructors for 8 months (1871/12=156 X 8 X 2 = 4989); Four (4) instructors for 7 months (1871/12= X 7 X 4= 4366); Four (4) instructors for 6 months (1871/12 X6 X4 = 3742); Three (3) Instructor for 4 months (1871/12 = X4 X 3 = 1871)

Approx. 14968

13. Is the Subcontractor required to submit their rate build-up to the government? If yes, how would you like that submitted?

Government Response: The subcontractor is not REQUIRED to submit their rate build-up directly to the Government. However, should the subcontractor feel it is proprietary information and chooses to do so, it shall include the Prime Contractor's name and solicitation number and must be submitted IAW the solicitation closing date and time.

14. PWS 1.16.17 does not address PHASE IN. Will there be a phase-in period to allow professional personnel to provide their current employer a two week notice upon announcement of contract award? If so, what is the Phase-In Period?

Government Response: PWS para. 1.6.17 is updated with phase in information.

15. In the pricing spreadsheet are we allowed to adjust the formula(s) to reflect our accounting practices?

Government Response: The formula can only be adjusted if there is an error. All information listed on the template needs to stay in the original format. The columns on the spreadsheet must remain and be completed. However, you can add a column(s) but can't take away.

16. Column M formula is calculating on 1920 hours. Are we allowed to make the correction to the spreadsheet to reflect the correct hours?

Government Response: The correct labor hours is 1871. Direct labor hours for a full-time position is 1871 which excludes Leave (Holidays – 80 hrs.; Annual – 80 hrs.; Sick – 56 hrs.) Please reference the answer to question 15.

17. Page 7, Section 1.6.1: The initial QCP shall be delivered with the contractor’s proposal.

Question: In which proposal volume should the QCP be included? Will it be included in the page limit of that volume? How will the QCP be evaluated as part of the proposal?

Government Response: The QCP shall be delivered within 30 days of contract start date

18. Page 86, 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. Question: Is the documentation to verify certifications, clearances, and other qualifications included in the 20 page lime for Volume II?

Government Response: No

19. Issue: Page 86, Subfactor 1B: The Offeror shall provide letters of intent (signed within 60 days of proposal submission) and resumes for all personnel. Concern: We are deeply concerned this requirement violates the statutory requirement of 10 USC 2304 to provide for full and open competition. We assert that the solicitation requirements to provide all names of personnel, resumes, and letters of intent represent a barrier to competition, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage to the incumbent service provider(s) or the companies they are teamed with. In compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, we request the government revise solicitation language and conditions to eliminate barriers to competition and allow for fair and open competition.

Government Response: Addendum 52.212-1 is updated to reflect resumes and letter of intent for key personnel only to be submitted with proposal. Non-key personnel resumes and letters of intent will be submitted one week prior to contract start date and prior to start of work of any new contractors performing on contract. IAW PWS 1.6.8 it is the contractor’s responsibility to staff and deploy qualified contractor personnel to meet all of the PWS requirements. The intent is that all personnel be identified with the proposal. The Government want to verify certificates for all personnel who require them as well as security clearance verification. That in itself does not restrict the ability to get fair and competitive proposals. This ensures that a vendor can actually perform the mission adequately at the beginning of the Period of Performance.

20. IAW PWS section 1.6.8.1, it is mentioned that instructors shall: "Possess a T5/Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with SCI eligibility and maintain the required security clearance throughout the life of the contract; possess a favorable T1/National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) at contract start date and maintain throughout the life of the contract." As the T1 is part of the SSBI/T5 clearance, would the government clarify whether candidate instructors would need either a T1 or a T5 clearance verification?

Government Response: a T5 clearance is required (formerly Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) this is the government-wide investigation required of those who need access to Top Secret classified national security information. This background investigation covers the past seven years of the subject’s activities (or to age 18, whichever is less). It includes verification of citizenship and date and place of birth, and well as national agency records checks on the subject‘s spouse or cohabitant, interviews with selected references and former spouses.

This type of investigations are for individuals who have Top Secret clearances).

21. Will the government clarify whether the curriculum to be facilitated is classified, unclassified, or a combination of the two?

Government Response: The curriculum is not classified, however, the instruction and the facility is classified.

22. Would the government reconsider the use of LPTA practices as-per the 2019 and 2021 NDAA decision and Far 15.101-2(d) which provides that, "contracting officers shall avoid, to the maximum extent practicable" the use of LPTA source selection procedures where a procurement is predominantly for the acquisition of:

1. Information technology services, cybersecurity services, systems engineering and technical assistance services, advanced electronic testing, audit or audit readiness services, health care services and records, telecommunications devices and services, or other knowledge-based professional services;

Under FAR 15.101-2(c), except for DoD, LPTA source selection procedures

"shall only be used when":

1. The agency can comprehensively and clearly describe the minimum requirements in terms of performance objectives, measures, and standards that will be used to determine the acceptability of offers;

2. The agency would realize no, or minimal, value from a proposal that exceeds the minimum technical or performance requirements;

3. The agency believes the technical proposals will require no, or minimal, subjective judgment by the source selection authority as to the desirability of one offeror's proposal versus a competing proposal;

4. The agency has a high degree of confidence that reviewing the technical proposals of all offerors would not result in the identification of characteristics that could provide value or benefit to the agency;

5. The agency determined that the lowest price reflects the total cost, including operation and support, of the product(s) or service(s) being acquired; and

6. The contracting officer documents the contract file describing the circumstances that justify the use of the lowest price technically acceptable source selection process.

Government Response: LPTA is used because the procurement is predominantly for instructional support. The solicitation comprehensively incorporates all the skills needed to perform the requirement. The minimum requirements for personnel are clearly stated in the Performance Work Statement. Therefore, additional advanced degrees or years of experience that the contractor must utilize would be inordinate. No additional innovation or future technological advantage will be realized by using a different source selection process.

(End of Summary of Changes)