RFI Log_22R0007_EST II_20220708.docx

RFI Log for W9124C22R0007 Engagement Skills Trainer II Services 8 Jul 22

1. Can you confirm the Government's anticipated award date? This paragraph references May 15, 2022.

Answer: Anticipated award date is 15 Aug 2022

2. Section 2.2.1 states that all pages shall have the company name but 3.2.5 states that the Technical Volume shall NOT contain Offeror's name or markings. Please confirm that all pages except for the Technical Volume shall have company name in header or footer and that Technical shall use DUNS in header or footer?

Answer: All pages except the technical volume shall have offers name. The technical volume shall only be identified with the offerors UEI. Paragraph L.2.2.1 has been updated to clarify.

3. If questions 2 is correct please clarify if the Government also wants offeror to use the DUNS in the narrative of the Technical or if we can use generic terms like "offeror" or "company" with DUNS in header/footer.

Answer: Offerors shall use only their UEI in the technical volume to identify themselves. Reference to DUNS number has been updated to reflect UEI.

4. According to the solicitation this is a SDVOSB Set a side. Therefor in accordance with FAR 52.219-14 [conractor] will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Please confirm that a small business participation plan is still required?

Answer: The requirement for the Small Business Participation Factor has been removed from the solicitation in its entirety. Both Sections L and M have been updated to remove reference to the factor and paragraph numbers have been updated accordingly.

5. Section L 3.3 says that other than certified cost and pricing data is necessary. L3.3.2 says that Other than certified cost or pricing data is not required. Please clarify.

Answer: L.3.3 states that OTHER than certified cost or pricing data is necessary as detailed in subsequent paragraphs. Paragraph L.3.3.2 states that CERTIFIED cost and pricing data is not required. Pricing data is required as detailed in the Solicitation; however, it is not required to be certified in accordance with the exception at FAR 15.403-1(b)(1).

6. States The pricing Schedule (see below chart) shall be submitted fully completed, can the Governent provide the chart?

Answer: The reference to a chart has been removed. Chart has been included.

7. States Place of Performance is Fort Jackson, South Carolina, can the Government provide specific Buildings on Fort Jackson?

Answer: EST II Complex - BLDGs 5578, 5579, 5580, 5581, 5582, 5583, 5583, 5584, 5585, 5586, 5589.

8. States the Contractor shall surge, will the Government authorize overtime in the event the flex week schedule cannot accommodate training requests?

Answer: The surge requirement has been removed. Overtime is not authorized in any event. Government will supplement coverage after normal operations times are met.

9. Section L 3.4.4This paragraph appears to be asking us to split the Past Performance contract data and narratives into separate sections. In other words Section 1 will hold only contract data for multiple past performance citations and Section 2 will hold only the narrative for multiple citations. Attach 5 lays out Contract data then narrative then next contract data and narrative. Please clarify if we should separate Contract data and narrative.

Answer: Section 1 of TAB D shall be a table or chart summarizing the contract references contained in the past performance volume. Attachment 5 shall be followed and used to complete Section 2 of TAB D.

10. Is a 10MB email file size limit appropriate? Therefore, we would not need a DOD SAFE drop off?

Answer: The limitation on file size for email is 10MB. If your proposal files are less than 10MB a DOD SAFE Drop box will not be required; however, if proposal files exceed this limitation you may request a DOD SAFE Drop Box for submission. IF a drop box is required, it is incumbent upon offerors to ensure they make the request for one in sufficient time for it to be created, documents uploaded, and then downloaded by the contracting officer PRIOR to solicitation closing date and time. Failure to do so will result in a late bid and proposals will be dispositioned as such.

11. There are no fill-ins for Section G. Are there any specific requirements the Government needs for us to include in Section G?

Answer: There is no fill-in information required for Section G. Paragraph L.3.1.3 has been removed and all other paragraph numbers have been updated accordingly for this volume.

12. There is no resume requirement listed in the RFP. Will the Government accept resumes and letters of commitment submitted for all positions?

Answer: No, resumes will not be accepted. Offerors shall not provide documentation that identifies employees. Offerors shall provide information as required in Section L.3.2.5 TAB E – Technical Proposal to the Technical Volume.

13. Does the Government agree that offerors shall submit qualified resumes and letters of commitment demonstrating recent experience within the past three (3) years?

Answer: Please see response to Question 12 above.

14. The M.3.4.1. evaluation references Attachment 5. Does the Government also intend for the Offeror to complete the separate RFP L.3.4.4 format in Volume I?

Answer: The evaluation of past performance shall utilize the Attachment 5 specific relevant contracts sheets which shall be included as TAB D Section 2 in your Past Performance Volume as detailed in Section L.3.4 and subsequent paragraphs.

15. Will the Government update the solicitation to reference Attachment 5 as the correct format for contract references?

Answer: Please see response to Question 9 above.

16. Will the Government incorporate the most current WD (2015-4429, Rev 20) into this solicitation?

Answer: Yes.

17. PWS 1.4 Scope: Fort Jackson requires contracted EST II system operators to man five (5) 15-lane and one (1) 10-lane systems. An Instructor/system operator is required for each of these six (6) EST II systems. The system also requires a Senior or Lead Training and Development Specialist to monitor contractor personnel.

May the monitoring Senior / Lead Training Development Specialist also operate one of the six required EST II systems? If not, is the monitoring Senior / Lead Training Development Specialist required during weekend surges?

Answer: The surge requirement has been removed. Monitor Senior/ Lead training development specialist is not an operator and is not required during the weekend flex work week.

18. PWS 1.4.2 The Instructor/System operator performance, as related to the requirements of the contract, is monitored by the Quality Assurance Representative (QAR). The Instructor/System operator operates the system in support of Drill Sergeants/cadre instructors as they conduct weapons instruction for IET Soldiers and Cadre.

Is the referenced QAR a Government position/person, or a contractor-provided individual?

Answer: QAR is the Government assigned COR for the contract.

19. PWS 1.6.5.2 Flex Work Week: A flex week is defined as moving the standard work week to Tuesday through Saturday or Wednesday through Sunday. A flex week is considered to be the same cost as a standard week. When directed, the Contractor shall ensure fifty percent of EST II Shelters are available for training on the weekends (0800-1700 Saturday through Sunday). When directed and given 48 hours prior notice, the Contractor shall surge and make all EST II shelters available for the entire weekend. This compensates for lost training time due to inclement weather or due to the need to conduct remedial training. The Government reserves the right to utilize a flex week to accommodate training requests.

· How many flex weeks have been required on the current and previous contracts?

Answer: Flex corresponds with major Training Holidays (Christmas and thanksgiving holidays)

· How many surges (as described in PWS 1.6.5.2) are typically required each year?

Answer: The surge requirement has been removed.

· Please confirm that a surge requires 2 additional days of lane operations without a compensatory reduction in lane operation elsewhere in the work week (i.e., the weekend is in addition to the work weeks before and after the weekend surge).

Answer: The surge requirement has been removed.

Does the frequency of surge weeks vary significantly (more than 20%) from one year to another?

Answer: The surge requirement has been removed.

· The solicitation's does not provide a CLIN relating to surge requirements or "surge weeks"; please consider providing a separate CLIN so that contractors are not compelled to factor in and charge the government for surges that it may not need.

Answer: The surge requirement has been removed.

20. We are to sanitize the Tech Volume of our company name and identifying information totally, other than our DUNS number. However, the DUNS is easily found online. Can the Government change this so proposals just say “Bidder Company Answer: Please see response to Question 3 above.

21. On April 4, 2022, the federal government stopped using the DUNS Number to uniquely identify entities and uses the Unique Entity ID (UEI). Should the UEI be used in place of the DUNS?

Answer: Please see response to Question 3 above.

22. Volume V, Small Business Participation Plan, since this procurement has been 100% Set-aside to Small Business, why is the Government requesting this volume? Recommend the Government remove this requirement.

Answer: Please see response to Question 4 above.

23. Should the SBPCD be submitted as a separate document or should this be the SB Participation Volume?

Answer: Please see response to Question 4 above.

24. Should "Attachment 5 - Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet" be used for this information and is it an attachment in the past performance volume or should the sheets be separate files submitted?

Answer: Please see response to Questions 9.

25. Pg 32-35, L.3.4.4.1, Section 1 , Contract Descriptions. Most of the information here is redundant in the data in the attachment 5 past performance sheet. Recommend to omit 1 of the redundant sections/sheet.

Answer: Please see response to Questions 9.

26. If CPARS is available, are PPQs needed? Recommend the government requires the CPARS only, if available.

Answer: Section L, paragraph L.3.4.4.5, states, “For all contracts identified in Section 1, Contract Descriptions, offerors shall provide Contract Performance Assessment Reports (CPAR), if available, for any contracts referenced in Attachment 5. In the event a CPAR is not available, offerors shall complete sections A & B of Attachment 6 (Past Performance Questionnaire)…” This paragraph has been updated to remove the conflicting information in the last two sentences. If available, only CPAR reports are required; if not, then PPQs.

27. For PPQs where the offeror was a subcontrator to the prime, the Government POCs would not have performance information regarding the offeror's performance on the reference. Please clarify that the POCs for past performance reference would be the prime contractor.

Answer: The point of contact for PPQs must be a Government person.

28. The PWS indicates invoice and DD250 be emailed to the OSCOR and COR while Section G indicated invoice should be sent via WAWF. Request the Government clarify.

Answer: Offerors shall submit invoice via WAWF and notify OSCOR/COR via email of submission for timely processing.

29. Is it acceptable to use a numbering system that aligns with Section L paragraph requirement and not identify TAB A - E?

Answer: Proposals shall be formatted as outlined in section L. Offerors may align paragraph numbers within the TABs as they determine appropriate so long as all required information is provided within the appropriate Volumes and Sections (TABs).

30. Pg 32, L.3.4.4.1, The current format is difficult to read. Recommend information to be provided in offeror format Answer: Please see response to Questions 9.

31. Pg. 31; L.3.3.3.6There was no table provided identifying the other information required. Please update the RFP and provide the table referenced.

Answer: Table reference has been removed.

32. For PPQs where the offeror was a subcontrator to the prime, the Government POCs would not have performance information regarding the offeror's performance on the reference. Please clarify that the POCs for past performance reference would be the prime contractor POCs.

Answer: Please see response to Question 27 above.

33. In cases where the offeror is submitting past performance as a subcontractor, the government information may not be known as primes do not always provide it. Also, in most cases contractors are not aware of activity's pre-award monitor. Recommend to provide prime POC information when submitting subcontractor past performance and to just include COR, contracting officer, and contracts specialist for prime contract contract information.

Answer: Please see response to Question 27 above.

34. Section G only contains information regarding Invoicing using the WAWF and there is no data/information required to entered by the offeror. Please provide specific instructions on what needs to be provided.

Answer: Please see response to Question 11 above.

35. Pg. 41; M.3.3.2.iv, Business Systems. We could not find a requirement in Section L requesting any information regarding business systems. Would the Government provide the reference in Section L for this requirement?

Answer: Evaluation of offeror’s business systems will be completed utilizing information available with SBA, DCAA, DCMA, or other Government agency as appropriate.

36. Pg. 24 L.1, The award date is in the past. Please update to anticipated award date.

Answer: Please see response to Question 1 above.

37. "Item 3.1 from the PWS states the government provides facilities as is. What facilities is the contractor responsible for providing?

Answer: none.

38. Item 3.1 also says the government provides office supplies. Can the government specify which items are contractor provided and which are provided by the government?"

Answer: Contractors will not have to provide any supplies to conduct daily operations. Anything that becomes a requirement will be purchased through the government.

39. "How much advanced notice will the Government provide for the contractor to accommodate a flex work week? We would recommend a 5 to 7 day notice to allow rescheduling of the employees.

Answer: Government will provide 5 days’ notice. See revised PWS.

40. For a surge event, this will be outside of the FFP bid since it will most likely cause an over 40 hour work week. To have all the shelters up, this would affect all the instructor/operators. Recommend the government to provide estimate for the number of surge events/year so offerors can price in overtime or have the surge events ouside of FFP bid.

Answer: PWS section 1.6.5.2 has been revised to remove surge requirement and state need.

41. Also, a 48 hour notice seem to be a very short period to coordinate. We would recommend a 5 to 7 day notice to allow rescheduling of the employees."

Answer: See response to Question 39 above.

42. To clarify the Phase-Out Period, "the contractor shall be responsible for full performance during the phase out period." This would be the incumbent contractor and not the new contractor. Correct?

Answer: Yes, we are stating once contract is awarded during the period of a follow on contract the current contractor will be responsible for the phase out period.

43. Request the Government provide a listing of the GFE to include training weapons, spares, material, and parts that will be used to be used on the program so that a more accurate pricing can be developed.

Answer: Contractors will not have to provide any training equipment or aids/ materials for the execution of the task.

44. Request the Government define TSS. It is not in 2.2 Acronyms.

Answer: Updated 5.1.6 to state, “The Contractor shall develop and Implement internal document control program and manage hardcopy documents IAW Contractor’s document control plan.”

45. The Contractor shall develop and maintain spreadsheets and database that permit tracking and analysis of user failure, pass, rates.

Request the Government provide additional details associated with this requirement. This could affect our staffing plan based on the complexity of the requirement.

Answer: There is no historical or estimated data to provide at this time.

46. The Contractor shall train EST II instructors on how to aggregate information from the database and print reports.

Request the Government provide additional details associated with this requirement. This could affect our staffing plan based on the complexity of the requirement.

Answer: The PWS has been revised to remove this requirement.

47. The Contractor shall provide tracking and analysis reports of pass, failure, retrain, to include remediation method used during retrain, certification, and recertification analysis for internal and external meetings, after each class or rotation Request the Government provide additional details associated with this requirement. This could affect our staffing plan based on the complexity of the requirement.

Answer: There is no historical or estimated data to provide at this time

48. Instructor Systems/Operators shall possess the training and skills necessary to operate, teach, develop, and deliver instructions for the most current versions of Engagement Skills Training II, to include its other associated and non-associated weapons training simulators (i.e. Laser Marksmanship Training Systems and Low Cost Advance Target Senior).

Request the Government provide detail regarding the Laser Marksmanship Training Systems and Low Cost Advance Target Senior.

Answer: There is no historical or estimated data to provide at this time.