RFI_W9124C21R0007_USASSI Role players in support of Institutional Training_04Jan21.pdf

Questions and Answers- W9124C-21-R-0007- Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations

Advanced Individual Training and Role Player Support, Fort Jackson

Question # 1- Is there currently an incumbent contractor conducting this work on Ft Jackson?

Answer #1- This is a new requirement.

Question # 2- Are there any specified CRP requirements i.e., specific languages that will be needed?

Answer #2- Contract personnel shall be able to fluently speak, read, and write English.

Question # 3- Will Key personnel require a security clearance?

Answer #3- No

Question # 4- The Period between prop submission on 11 January 2021 and POP start of 1 February 2021 is less than 90 days? When can we reasonably expect an award announcement, and will there be a phase-in period?

Answer #4- Anticipating award announcement for this contract by 25 January 2021.

Question # 5- : Is there a current phase-out plan? If so when can the new contractor expect to receive a copy?

Answer #5- No

Question # 6- Can the government please clarify? Will there be a requirement for manning and training event/s more than three (3) days in duration? If so, which events will require four-day manning?

Answer # 6- Yes, there will be a requirement for manning and training event/s more than three

(3) days in duration. Please review 5.1.3 and 5.1.6 in the Performance Work Statement.

Question # 7- Any chance you are able to make this an SDVOSB or HUBZone setaside?

Answer # 7- This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).

Question # 8- What are the specific requirements for “adequately trained and experienced”?

Answer # 8- having experience with Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, or Special Operations Forces and able to reasonable portray a character based on the background and scenario information provided to the role player.

Question # 9- What source material will be provided to develop training materials from?

Answer # 9- The contractor will receive overall scenario information and specific background information for each role player. The Government will provide specific information on how the scenario should be driven prior to each encounter with students.

Question # 10- Please provide the detailed list of items required or provide attachment with scenario details?

Answer # 10- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting, but uniforms, materials, and equipment is generally limited to role-appropriate attire.

Question # 11- Will office space, training room and inventory room be provided?

Answer # 11- no.

Question # 12- What is the required cultural expertise?

Answer # 12- Able to reasonable portray a foreign character based on the background and scenario information provided to the role player.

Question # 13- Training events are often conducted simultaneously and therefore may not allow for support by the same personnel. Are all of these occurrences taken into account in the CA and PO tables in Technical Exhibit 5?

Answer # 13- Yes, all these occurrences are taken in account in the CA and PO tables in Technical Exhibit 5.

Question # 14- The contractor shall provide the flexibility to support minor changes in the training event schedule due to inclement weather delays or resource availability.” Please define “minor changes”?

Answer # 14- Dates services are required may shift within a period of 5-7 days from what is projected in the PWS due to final course schedules. Final dates will be determined more than 30 days prior to any date services are required. In cases of extreme weather, training may have to be shifted within set training days, potentially exceeding a 12 hour day to make up training time that had to be cancelled on a previous day due to extreme weather.

Question # 15- Under SCA contract employees would be required/entitled payment. With a “FFP” will the government reimburse cost due to changes or delays?

Answer # 15-No. This is FFP contract.

Question # 16- Please confirm student activities are scenario related, if no please describe the student activities the contractor shall observe. Are these situations different than what is described in section 1.3.6.2 “The contractor may observe trainees in some circumstances in which the cadre are absent”?

Answer # 16- All student activities are scenario related. Contractor is not providing oversight or supervision to students in any case, this statement alludes to the possibility that may arise where students are in the training area conducting a variety of scenario-related actions while the cadre member(s) are directly engaged in assessing one particular student or mission focus.

Question # 17- “Additionally, all contractors will attend the Installation Contractor Training Course or equivalent as available in compliance with TRADOC Regulation 350-6.” When and where will this course be conducted? Will contractor personnel be allowed to perform scenarios prior to receiving course?

Answer #17- This will be a briefing conducted by the senior cadre member prior to conducting training.

Question # 18- Will the USG provide a CLIN for training or cost reimbursement?

Answer # 18- No, this is FFP contract.

Question # 19- Give examples of suitable clothing, i.e., Culture, profession, environment? Will USG provide a detailed list of suitable clothing?

Answer # 19- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting.

Question # 20- Please describe sensitive items or equipment?

Answer # 20- Sensitive items are anything that be used by opposing forces or the enemy to counter attack, weaken forces, and gain information and so on. Examples of Sensitive items are weapon, communication equipment, handheld FM and HF Radios ect..

Question # 21- Is it the Government’s intention to give 30-day advance notice of change in scenario personnel requirements? With FFP will change order be MOD to the contract?

Answer #21- Yes.

Question # 22- Please provide details explaining the specifics for “cultural clothing, props, and individual equipment?

Answer # 22- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting.

Question # 23- Please provide the scenario briefs?

Answer # 23- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting.

Question # 24- Selected Cultural Role Players to conduct a one hour “cultural” AAR at training site to be coordinated with course managers at which time they highlight culturally/socially acceptable or unacceptable student actions.” Provide guidance for what is deemed acceptable or unacceptable. Also, are these hours accounted for in the estimated hours pre-exercise?

Answer # 24- This will be included in a briefing conducted by the senior cadre member prior to conducting training. It is accounted for in each exercise’s day 1 training hours.

Question # 25- Please describe what is meant by “Refine the role players biographies”. Please provide the scenario briefs.

Answer # 25- This includes feedback on the roles used throughout the exercise. Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting.

Question # 26- “The contractor will provide labor, uniforms, materials, and equipment required…” Please provide a detailed list of what is required.

Answer # 26- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting, but uniforms, materials, and equipment is generally limited to role-appropriate attire.

Question # 27- Will a permanent office be granted for use of the on-site manager/Contractor to maintain records?

Answer # 27- No.

Question # 28- The contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this contract except for those items specifically stated to be Government-furnished.” Please provide a comprehensive list the contractor is responsible to provide.

Answer # 28- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting, but this is generally limited to role-appropriate attire; other items are for the wellbeing and comfort of the contractor while in the training area, such as folding chairs, etc.

Question # 29- .” Will space be provided for the daily storage of GFP and GFE that meets the requirements under the DoD Physical Security Standards? Will proper storage devices be provided for “Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret” material? Will Classified material be issued to the Contractor? Will USG provide Contractor a DD214?

Answer # 29- Contractor will not retain any sensitive items past the end of each training day; no classified information will be utilized or provided in the execution of this contract.

Question # 30- The Pricing Schedule(s) shall be submitted fully completed. Is the Government referring to the Section B included in the RFP? If not, please provide the pricing schedule(s).

Currently there are only two documents posted on BetaSam.gov – the RFP and the PWS.

Answer # 30- Yes, the Government is referring to Section B included in the RFP.

Question # 31- There is only one CLIN for each of the Base and Option Periods for the role player in Section B. Is the UNIT Job in Section B refer to each scenario or the annual cost for all scenarios?

Answer # 31- Unit Job in Section B refers to the annual cost for all scenarios for the Base and each Option Periods.

Question # 32- Is the PM required to be on-site at any point throughout the contract? If so, does the PM work when no role player exercises are occurring? Can the PM be considered the Site Lead as well? Could the USG provide more job detail requirements for the PM position?

Answer # 32- PM can be a site lead and PM is not required on site except when role player exercises are occurring and participation (in person or telephonically) in pre-execution synchronization meeting.

Question # 33 How many meetings per-year? Will USG provide details on the meetings, how many hours are the meeting? Provide a price CLIN for meetings?

Answer # 33- Pre-execution synchronization meetings occur once per training exercise, are less than one hour in duration, and participation may be either in person or telephonic, so are not priced separately.

Question # 34- Can the USG provide the contract number for the prior contract mentioned in the

PWS?

Answer # 34- Contract number for the prior contract mentioned in the PWS is H92239-20-C- 0002.

Question # 35- Government will allow limited numbers of contract personnel to accompany already trained personnel in the conduct of their duties for a limited numbers of days. The contractor shall propose personnel, by function, to be trained and the period in which they will be trained. Could you define limited number of days?

Answer # 35- This is situation dependent and needs to be coordinated between the site lead and the COR to ensure it does not impact training.

Question # 36- Have a funding line to purchase/ provide cultural clothing, props, and individual equipment for role players and facilities to replicate realistic and challenging cultural conditions for training situations. When is the USG providing funding line CLIN?

Answer # 36- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting, but uniforms, materials, and equipment is generally limited to role-appropriate attire, which is not funded separately.

Question # 37- Estimated Workload Data. With “FFP” contract it’s hard for industry to price estimated workload. Will the USG update this document to reflect actual hours rather than projected/estimated?

Answer # 37- Actual hours will not exceed projected, but may be lower.

Question # 38- Is the contract basis for Contract Award best value or LPTA?

Answer # 38- The Government will utilize a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method for this requirement.

Question # 39- The wage and hour division hasn’t provided an Occupation Code for COB or role player to provided WD (2015-4430 Revision No: 15). Will the USG update the wage conformance to include role player and COB? Or is it’s the USGs intentions to submit a SF-308 application after award to DOL for conformance?

Answer # 39- ***are we sure these aren’t professional labor categories and therefore not subject to wage determinations? If not, we need to remove the WD. If they are subject to the WD, maybe the PWS needs clarification on qualifications/expected roles, so they can better associate a labor category from the WD.***

Question # 40- Section L for pricing volume: subparagraph (1) states "proposed unit price, and extended prices for the appropriate CLIN". Subparagraph (2) states "complete the monthly and total pricing within the extended description for the Labor CLIN". However Section B, has the labor CLIN (0001, 1001, and 2001) priced by the JOB. Please clarify if pricing is by labor category (roleplayer and lead), by the month, or by the annual JOB. If by month or annual JOB, please clarify that the estimated workload listed in Technical Exhibit 5 is what all Offerors should price.

Answer # 40- Unit Job in Section B refers to the annual cost for all scenarios for the Base and each Option Periods. Technical Exhibit 5 is PO AIT ROLE PLAYER REQUIRMENTS BY DATE and CA AIT ROLE PLAYER REQUIRMENTS BY DATE is what Offerors should price.

Question # 41- RFP/Solicitation document - Pg 16 of 96 - IMAGE Program. Is this a “requirement” or as stated, "desired"? Is this replacing E-Verify or supplementary to E-Verify?

Answer # 41- As stated it is “highly desired”. MICC-FJ cannot address intent of the program as it is related to replacement of supplementation of E-Verify or related at all.

Question # 42- RFP/Solicitation document - Pg 92 of 96 - Basis for Contract Award. It states, "This is a best value contract selection. The Government will utilize a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method for this requirement."

Answer # 42- Refer to response #38

Question # 43- Per the PWS - GFP Section & Technical Exhibit 4 – GFP. The documents are similar - Can the USG make them identical or remove one?

Answer # 43- The PWS states items of a type that could be included in GFP; Technical Exhibit 4 will be the actual GFP list of items provided as GFP.

Question # 44- How many radios will be provided? Is there a limit?

Answer # 44- Radios will be provided as needed and are mission and scenario dependent;

purpose is for the USG to communicate with site leads, not for internal contractor communication.

Question # 45- Is a lunch break to be provided as part of the 12 hour workday?

Answer # 45- There is time for breaks, but the break times are not standardized due to the flexible nature of the student scenario.

Question # 46- Will the USG provide Lodging for RPs?

Answer # 46- No, lodging will not be provided for Role Players.

Question # 47- Per the PWS - The Projected Dates for each Training Requirement are listed - if the schedule was to change in anyway, would that cause the other training dates to change? If not, does the USG anticipate conducting more than one exercise simultaneously? If so, what is the approximate distances between each of the 3 Training locations?

Answer # 47- See answer to question #14. All efforts will be made to ensure exercises are not simultaneous. All training locations are on Fort Jackson, SC, and within approximately 8 miles.

Question # 48- Please confirm the descriptions of the Training Modules in Part 5 Specific Tasks aligns with the Schedule as defined in Technical Exhibit 5. The total hours seems to be consistent but individual modules are not consistent with the descriptions. Please advise which is the preferred requirement to follow?

Answer # 48- TE 5 is the most accurate estimate of actual personnel, dates, and labor hours required.

Question # 49- Can the Site Manager also be a Role Player?

Answer # 49- No.

Question # 50- Please define "sufficient business insurance" Answer # 50- Offerors are required to carry insurance requirements for the business to cover contractor personnel in performance of the assigned duties in accordance with the requirement of the PWS.

Question # 51- Please define "good health". The PWS does not list any physical requirements of the personnel? Will the physical be a deliverable to the CO?

Answer # 51- Adequately healthy to be outdoors regardless of weather for several hours of each training day as necessitated by the student scenario.

Question # 52-Selected Cultural Role Players to conduct a one hour “cultural” AAR at training site to be coordinated with course managers at which time they highlight culturally/socially acceptable or unacceptable student actions. Is this one hour included in the hours provided in Exhibit 5?

Answer # 52- This will be included in a briefing conducted by the senior cadre member prior to conducting training. It is accounted for in each exercise’s day 1 training hours.

Question # 53- Define what specific clothing, props, and individual equipment is required.

Answer # 53- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting, but uniforms, materials, and equipment is generally limited to role-appropriate attire.

Question # 54- 1.8.1 Inspection - Time-and-Material and Labor-Hour clause. Will this language be removed since the CLINs are FFP?

Answer # 54- *** soooo, PWS includes 52.246-6 verbiage, perhaps not direct FAR quote for T&M LH Inspection clauses, in this case should reflect 52.246-4 Fixed Price verbiage. Also noted, the solicitation does not contain either of these clauses***

Question # 55- Will the government presume acceptance 30 days after the delivery date, if not accepted earlier?

Answer # 55- This is a performance based requirement with period of performance not delivery date; invoicing and payment shall be in accordance with Section G DFARS Clause 252.232-7006.

Question # 56- Have a funding line to purchase/ provide cultural clothing, props, and individual equipment for role players and facilities to replicate realistic and challenging cultural conditions for training situations. Will a separate CLIN be established to reimburse the purchases and will the government provide a NTE?

Answer # 56- Specifics will be provided 30 days pre-training event during synchronization meeting, but uniforms, materials, and equipment is generally limited to role-appropriate attire, which is not funded separately.

Question # 57- Samples of the iWatch brochure and posters are available on the Antiterrorism Enterprise Portal (ATEP) at https://army.deps.mil/army/sites/PMG/prog/ATEP/iWATCH%20Army/Forms/AllItems.aspx This link does not work?

Answer # 57- Please review the other website provided for brochure:

https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/287489.pdf

Question # 58- The classes, hours, and number of personnel provided in the Specific Tasks section of the PWS do not match the number of personnel and hours provided in Exhibit 5.

Which is correct?

Answer # 58- TE 5 is the most accurate estimate of actual personnel, dates, and labor hours required.

Question # 59- Will the Estimated Workload Data identified in Exhibit 5 change for CLINs 1001- 2002 or will they stay consistent for the Option Years?

Answer # 59- Will stay consistent for option years.

Question # 60- If the workload data identified in Exhibit 5 exceeds the requirements identified will the contractor be entitled to Equitable Adjustments under FAR 552.243-71?

Answer # 60- Yes, the contractor will be entitled to Equitable Adjustment under 252.243-7002 in the Solicitation.

Question # 61- Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors FAR 52.232-40, is incorporated by reference and the contractor assumes the contract will be awarded with Net 15 payment terms?

Answer # 61- The standard is Net 30.

Question # 62- Would MICC consider Past Performance within the previous (5) years that represent the Offeror’s work experience?

Answer # 62- Per ADDENDUM 52.212-1 Listing of not more than five (5) complete or ongoing contracts within the previous (3) years that represent the Offeror’s work experience required for this solicitation. Per 52.212-2- Evaluation will be based on the offeror’s five (5) projects submitted, which were performed within the last three (3) years or are currently being performed.

Question # 63- Contradicting language. Will this contract be awarded as (LPTA)?

Answer # 63- See response #38.

Question # 64- Will CPARS be utilized as opposed to PPIRS?

Answer # 64- Past Performance. In lieu of requesting past performance information, Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) and Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) will be utilized in reviewing past performance.

https://army.deps.mil/army/sites/PMG/prog/ATEP/iWATCH%20Army/Forms/AllItems.aspx https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/287489.pdf

Question # 65- Since there is no obvious relationship between the Role Player Labor Category and those listed within the Wage Determination, has a Conformance been conducted in the past? If so, please provide results.

Answer # 65- See response to Question 39 above.