Clarifications-Corrections f Questions and Answers_W9124D20R0016 dtd041420.pdf

Information herein are clarifications/corrections to prior posting of Questions and Answers

Section: Section L, Paragraph: 3.b Page: 104

Question 1: All of the proposal files shall be compressed (zipped) into one file entitled proposal zip using WinZip version 6.2 or later, or as separate uploads in their native format, i.e. doc, xls, ppt, etc., and provided on a CD or DVD. Zip disks are not permitted. Files shall be in read-only format, using PDF files. All price breakdown information to aide in the cost/price evaluation shall be submitted in Microsoft Office Excel Read/Write format and viewable in Microsoft Excel 2007.

The first sentence states files shall be in their native format. The third sentence states files shall be in read-only format, using PDF files [with the exception of the Cost/Price].

Please clarify that PDF files [with exception of Cost/Price excel files] are the required format.

Answer 1: Contractors shall submit proposal electronically using the DOD Safe Website (https://safe.apps.mil/). Email copies WILL NOT be accepted. PDF, Word and Excel files zip files] as instructed within the RFP.

a) Self extracting .exe files or .zip files are NOT acceptable. The use of hyperlinks in proposals is prohibited.

b) Document copies that are not searchable will not be accepted and the proposal will be rejected as non-responsive.

c) Offeror shall format its proposals attachment as follows: I.

Technical Capability, II. Cost/Price, III. Past Performance and IV Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents and Certification/Representations.

Reference: Technical Exhibit 9 TAP Pre-Transition Questionnaire Survey Monkey; Technical Exhibit 9A TAP Exit-Transition Questionnaire Survey Monkey;

Technical Exhibit 9B TAP Post-Transition Questionnaire Survey Monkey, Section:

Entire Survey, Paragraph: All, Page: All

Question 7: Is Survey Monkey a required mechanism or can the contractor propose an alternative application?

Answer 7: Contractor cannot propose an alternative application. Survey Monkey is the current system that the Government is providing.

Reference: Request_for_Proposal_W9124D20R0016_SFL_TAP_dtd022820, Section: M (Past Performance Factor), Paragraph: 8, Page: 113 https://safe.apps.mil/

Question 8: How will a past performance of an SDVOSB be evaluated if past contracts do not reflect equivalent contract value as that of this RFP?

Answer 8: The past performance factor considers each offeror’s demonstrated recent and relevant record of performance in supplying products and services that meet the contract requirements. The following criteria will be used to establish what is relevant which shall include similarity of service/support, complexity, dollar value, contract type, and degree of subcontract/teaming.

Section: 1, Paragraph: 1.1.1, Page: 13, Question 12: Will the contract include any software development services or will all virtual services be provided by the existing TAP Virtual Center? Such as the virtual video conferencing capability?

Answer 12: All virtual services will be provided using Government provided software. Software development by the contractor is not required for this requirement.

Section: 1, Paragraph: 1.5.5.1, Page: 15

Question 13: Will work be performed on any day that the President designates as a federal holiday, e.g. the day proceeding or following Christmas?

Answer 13: The President does not designate holidays. Federal Holidays are designated by the Department of Labor or the Office of Personnel Management.

Executive Orders issued by the President for closure of the federal government are directed to executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government and specifically excuses their employees from duty. Thus the Executive Order is applicable to federal employees but not to contractor employees.

Section: 1, Paragraph: 1.5.24.9, Page: 21

Question 19: Will contractor personnel have access to a site to complete the DoD Cyber Awareness Challenge Training? The current site is blocked to those outside the .mil domain (https://ia.signal.army.mil/DoDIAA/default.asp). Would training through JKO be permissible?

Answer 19: Yes, once a CAC card has been issued. Each installation has their IT processes for access. Training through JKO is not permissible.

Section: 1, Paragraph: 1.5.24.10, Page: 21

Question 20: How many hours of Enterprise-directed and Local Installation Government-Mandated Training is required during the contract period?

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Answer 20: It varies as each installation’s training requirements are different.

Section: 1, Paragraph: 1.5.43.2, Page: 24

Question 21: Are the requirements listed in 1.5.16 and 1.5.19 included in the 60 day phase-in period?

Answer 21: Paragraph 1.5.16 is included in the phase-in period.

Paragraph 1.5.19 is applicable to persons going TDY and are not involved in phase-in.

Section: General

Question 28: Is the incumbent currently arming its deployed personnel?

Answer 28: No. Neither the Government nor Contractor personnel on this contract are in a deployed status.

Section: General

Question 31: Has any potential offeror provided the government with a capabilities briefing for this solicitation?

Answer 31:

As a general practice, contractors routinely contact contracting personnel by phone or email with capability statements or introductions of their firms. This practice does not provide an advantage or disadvantage to a contractor.

Section: 5.23.3, Paragraph: 1, Page: 54-55

Question 46: The solicitation is for a FFP contract for labor, yet the Government is requiring a man hour report by locations and labor categories, number of employees and total hours worked under the contract every month in addition to a detailed staffing roster every two weeks, and a Monthly Status Report containing a cumulative staffing roster with fill rate, and by site counselor turnover rate. This seems excessive given the reporting requirements for vacancies and the staffing vacancy disincentives, plus adds to the administrative workload. Will the Government consider consolidating these reports into 1 monthly requirement?

Answer 46: No. All three reports are used for different purposes.

Section L, Paragraph 3.c(i)1.d, Page 105

Question 73: Would the Government please confirm key personnel Letters of Commitment (LOCs) are considered outside of page count?

Answer 73: Letters of Commitment will not be included in page count.

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. Letters of Commitment and Letters of Consent will not be included in the page count. 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.

Section TE 3 and C, Paragraph 5.30.2, Page 48

Question 78g1: Is the TE 3 position Systems Design (IT LNO), Fort Knox, KY, the same position as C.5.30.2, IT Liaison TAP Program Office Fort Knox, KY? Would the Government clarify this in the solicitation?

Answer 78g1: Yes, the TE 3 position Systems Design (IT LNO), Fort Knox, KY is the same position as C.5.30.2, IT Liaison TAP Program Office Fort Knox, KY

Section TE 3, TE 3A, Paragraph all, Page

Question 78i: TE 3 A does not provide a “Position Description and Qualifications” for all positions. For bid continuity, please provide a “Position Description and Qualifications” for: Marketing Specialist/Strategic Planner, Fort Knox, KY.

Answer 78i: The Government will not dictate your positions descriptions.

Based on past experience, the Government will identify qualification for certain positions as articulated in Technical Exhibit 3A. If a position is not listed, the contractor shall articulate the needed qualifications based on what is stated in Section 5.3 of the PWS.

PWS Para 1.5.8

Question 91A: The RFP states “Contractor shall staff all sites so as to cover an absence when contractor personnel’s absence will exceed 40 hour.” Does this mean substitutions are required?

Answer 91A: No, the contractor is responsible for ensuring that coverage is provided and services continue during the absence of its employee (at no additional cost to the Government).

Question 91B: The RFP states “Contractor shall staff all sites so as to cover an absence when contractor personnel’s absence will exceed 40 hour.” Is the 40 hours per individual or per site, per week please clarify?

Answer 91B: Per individual.

Question 95B: Amendment 0001 has confirmed the following labor categories to a DOL Wage Determination: Career Counselor, Financial Counselor and Installation Liaison. Given that the Education Counselor and CSP Coordinator labor categories are also tasked with equivalent responsibilities and have equivalent qualification requirements, can the government consider conforming these labor categories as well to the same DOL Wage Determination?

Answer 95B: The Government does not have a wage determination for the positions of Career Counselor, Financial Counselor and Installation Liaison. The 2018 wage rates listed in the amendment 0001 were conformed by DOL and if offerors choose to index these approved rates using the current wage determinations listed in the solicitation, they will not need DOL approval and will be in compliance. See Amendment 0002 for wage determination for Education Counselors.

RFQ Section L, iii. Past Performance

Question 96A: Please clarify the language expected for a major subcontractor’s commitment letter.

Answer 96A: Letter of commitment is required for major subcontractors

Question 119: Who maintains the web sites and social media presence for the SFL-TAP program and the individual sites and would the Government please enumerate all sites the Contractor is expected to maintain?

Answer 119: Based on the approved Strategic Communication (STRATCOM) plan. Determination made per each installation

Question 125: Para. 1.5.35 & 36 – Are G&A costs allowable on ODCs?

Answer 125: G&A costs are allowable for travel only.

Question 126: Para. 4.1 – Is the government stating that Contractor-provided cell phones are required for all contractor personnel? If they yes, is this cost considered an ODC?

Answer 126: No, cell phones are not required. The cellphones referenced in 4.1 are only an example, not a requirement.

Question 136: Are all 640 FTE on the current contract or are positions being moved from other contracts onto SFL-TAP?

Answer 136: No. Positions are being moved from multiple contract actions into this requirement.

Reference: RFP Section C, Paragraph 1.5.44.1, Page 25.

Question 190: This sections states, “The Contractor shall ensure their employees pass a drug screening prior to employment”. Are incumbent contractor personnel who currently meet contract security requirements required to pass a drug screening prior to transitioning to employment under the new contract?

Answer 190: The Contractor shall ensure new employees pass a drug screening prior to employment; transitioning employees are not required drug screening at this time. However, compliance with FAR 52.223-6, Drug-Free Workplace is required of contractor and all contractor personnel at all times.

Reference: RFP Part 5, Paragraph 5.4.1, Page 38.

Question 196: This paragraph indicates that the contractor is granted 14 calendar days (CONUS) and 21 calendar days (OCONUS) grace period to fill a vacancy. For OCONUS positions in which contractor personnel have to obtain individual SOFA accreditation prior to arrival, will the government consider the vacancy to be filled once the applicant has entered the accreditation process?

Answer 196: Yes, once the application has been submitted and accepted (to include CAC request paperwork and all other required documentation).

Ref: TAP Center Management 5.4.1 Position Vacancy Notifications/Deduction

Question 216: Please clarify Position Vacancy Deduction “may be assessed”.

Please confirm that the benchmark for deductions will be based on alternative staffing numbers, if an alternate staffing model is proposed.

Answer 216: It will be based on the staffing plan which the contractor and the government agree upon. Thus if the offeror offers an alternate staffing plan and the government accepts said staffing plan then any deduction will be based on the alternate staff plan.

Question 224: May an additional CLIN be proposed to cover expenses for software or hardware as part of an alternative staffing model? Assuming this is acceptable, please articulate how such a CLIN would be evaluated as part of the Technical Capability Factor.

Answer 224: Not acceptable. Offeror shall not provide software or hardware as part of an alternative staffing model.

Ref: Technical Exhibit 3 – Staffing Plan

Question 232: Please confirm the number of positions currently filled on the project out of the 639 FTEs listed in Technical Exhibit 3.

Answer 232: No. As this information may be misleading due to revisions and the new requirement containing additional requirements.

Section C 1.5.10 Optimal Staffing Pg17

Question 245: This paragraph states “Contractor shall maintain a sufficient workforce to deliver uninterrupted performance of all tasks, service walk-in clients, and offer the choice-based services prescribed by AR 600-81 and this PWS at all times.”

Since the Government is specifying the staffing, must the contractor maintain those exact staffing levels to maintain a sufficient workforce or is there an acceptable deviation?

Answer 245: No. The contractor must maintain the staffing level it proposes and the government incorporates into the awarded contract, whether the contractor proposed the government staffing plan or an alternate staffing plan, the contractor will be required to maintain the levels proposed

Section C 5.16.2 Quality Resume Pg42

Question 265: What are the certification requirements and what is the incumbent’s historical costs to become National Resume Writers Association certified?

Answer 265: Contractor must research this information. PWS updated to reflect Trainer/Facilitator position in order to train the trainer. See new technical exhibit 21 for Rubik.

Section C 5.31.3 Administrative Specialist Pg54

Question 270: Paragraph states the AS works directly for the CIM and LNO;

however, an employer can only have one direct supervisor. Who is the AS’s direct supervisor?

Answer 270: Contractor will determine the contractor employee that will serve as the AS’s direct supervisor.

Section L 3.c(i)(1) Staffing Plan Pg104

Question 283: The Government’s instructions are unclear. Please explain/clarify which items of Tab A – Staffing Plan are required when proposing the Government’s staffing plan and which items of Tab A are required when proposing an alternative staffing plan.

Answer 283:

If Offerors propose the Governments provided baseline Staffing Plan, there is no need to address how such staffing will be accomplished. For additional information see Subfactor 1 Staffing Plan.

Section L 3.c(i)(1) Staffing Plan Pg104

Question 284: Requirement states “All cross utilization, if applicable, of personnel shall be clearly explained and depicted.” What (if any) cross utilization is used in the Government’s Technical Exhibit 3 staffing?

Answer 284: There is no cross utilization used in TE 3.

Section L 3.c(i)(2) Management Approach Pg105

Question 286: Requirement states “The offeror shall provide an organization chart that clearly depicts the functional alignment of the proposed organization…” Why does the Government require this information when it has provided a prescribed staffing plan?

Answer 286: To understand the structure and procedures the offeror has in place to successfully manage a project of this scope and complexity.

Section M Ratings Pg112

Question 292: Paragraph states; “Each Technical Subfactor will receive one of the adjectival ratings…” Which adjectival rating will an offeror receive for Subfactor 1 Staffing Plan when it proposes the Government staffing plan as listed in TE 3?

Answer 292: As subfactor 1 requires more than the submission of a staffing plan, adjectival ratings will be assigned by the Source Selection Evaluation Board based on all of the information provided in response to subfactor 1.

Technical Exhibit 5 Places of Performance 1

Question 325: Note 15 is unclear as the terminology is neither listed in the PWS nor Technical Exhibit 3. What is the meaning of MFGI?

Answer 325: It is the same as a DEMOB site. (Mobilization Force Generation Installations)

L.3 c.(i)(1) Pg104

Question 343: Are offerors required to discuss cross-utilization of personnel if they propose the Government's baseline Staffing Plan?

Answer 343:

No. The contractor is not required to discuss cross-utilization of personnel if they propose the Government's baseline Staffing Plan.

Offerors+Proposed+Alternate+Staffing+Plan+W9124D20R0016 All Tabs Cells A90 & B90

Question 367: Can the Regional Manager/Quality Control positions be located outside of Ft. Knox in order to better manage their populations in other time zones?

Answer 367: The optimal staffing plan has the positions at Fort Knox.

Contractor has the option to propose changes as part of their alternate staffing plan in their proposal.

Technical Exhibit 3A, Qualification

Question 370: How long will Financial Counselors from the incumbent have to obtain certification?

Answer 370: The contractor shall ensure that all personnel meet the qualification identified for their position prior to reporting for duty. Any position that is filled with a person without the appropriate qualifications/certifications will be considered vacant.

PWS, Section 1.5.35, page 23

Question 379: The RFP states: 1.5.35 Other Direct Costs (ODCs) – Training and Marketing Materials. The Government will reimburse the contractor for approved ODCs such as marketing and questionnaire materials; shipping, and distribution of materials; and preprinted. Mass printing is not a permissible ODC.

How does the Government define mass printing? How are mass printing jobs accomplished?

Answer 379: Any marketing materials, such as brochures and flyers that are for mass distribution shall be provided by the Government. The printing of these items is not authorized under paragraph 5.3. Mass production must be coordinated through the Government Printing Office. The Government processes printing request.

RFP, Section L, Proposal Instructions, Volume II Cost/Price, page 105

Question 385: The RFP States: Offerors are only required to price the base and four options. Offerors shall not submit a price for the potential six-month extension of services period.

How is the government calculating the price for the 6-month extension?

Answer 385: IAW FAR clause 52.217-8, for evaluation purposes, the extension is calculated by dividing the last option year by ½.

RFP, Technical Proposal, Volume I, Tab A, page 104

Question 393: The RFP states: (1) Offerors may propose the Government provided baseline Staffing Plan without the need to address how such staffing will accomplish the requirements as described in the PWS, or propose an alternate Staffing Plan. If an alternate Staffing Plan is proposed, the offeror’s proposal shall submit their alternate staffing plan in the format found at TE 3 and address the following as a minimum:

Following that statement, there are three paragraphs of requirements. Based on the paragraph structure, it is unclear what information does not need to be included should the offeror decide to use the Government’s staffing plan. Is the offeror still required to respond to the following requirements?

• “All cross utilization, if applicable, of personnel shall be clearly explained and depicted.”

• “Offerors shall include plans to minimize their turn-over rates.”

• “The plan shall include the offerors mitigation and backfill plans to minimize vacancy time especially in the hard to fill overseas locations.”

• “Key Personnel shall include …”

Answer 393: A contractor proposing government’s staffing baseline plan shall include all the above except cross utilization. A contractor proposing an alternate staffing plan shall include all of the above.

RFP; Section 3.C.1; p105

Question 397: Please confirm Letters of Commitment are only required for personnel not currently employed by an Offeror

Answer 397: For each person proposed, the offeror shall provide a letter of commitment/intent to accept the position if the offeror is awarded the contract.

RFP Page 38, 5.4.1; Page 106, ii. (5)

Question 401: 5.4.1…the position is vacant in the corresponding month of each vacancy times eight (hours), times the DOL conformed hourly wage rate plus burdens for that position.

Offerors shall submit proposed loaded labor rates for all positions which are not covered by the US Department of Labor Wage Determinations, such as exempt employees and OCONUS position employees. The proposal shall include position titles, and the fully loaded labor rates, which includes the hourly rate and all applicable burden rates. These rates will be incorporated into the resulting contract and will be used solely for contract administration purposes including the Position Vacancy Notification/Deduction described in Paragraph 5.4.1. These rates will not be evaluated by the Government during the source selection.

Can the government further elaborate on how this is done for SCA employees, as it appears bidders do not appear to be required to provide the data points required for Exempt and OCONUS non-exempt in their bids?

Answer 401: SCA employee rates are included per attached DOL Wage Determination so offeror is not required to provide these rates.

Amendment 1, Pages 2 & 3, D

Question 405: 29 CFR 4.6(b)(2)(iv)(B) In the case…where a contractor succeeds a contract under which the classification in question was previously conformed pursuant to this section, a new conformed wage rate and fringe benefits may be assigned to such conformed classification by indexing (i.e., adjusting) the previous conformed rate and fringe benefits by an amount equal to the average (mean) percentage increase (or decrease, where appropriate) between the wages and fringe benefits specified for all classifications to be used on the contract which are listed in the current wage determination, and those specified for the corresponding classifications in the previously applicable wage determination.

While wage rates are relatively straight-forward, how does the government intend bidders to incorporate fringe benefits? Is this separate from setting H&W rates?

Answer 405: H &W rates are determined by the current wage determination. The Government wants the H&W rate listed separately so we can determine if the correct rate was applied. Fringe Benefits are normally included with the total burdened cost and include FICA, Workers Comp, FUTA, and SUTA.

Question 408: Many Government agencies track past performance at the Prime level and not the subcontract level and because many subcontractors do not have privity of contract with the Government. If an offeror provides proof that its referenced subcontract is with another contractor that has NOT submitted a proposal on the same requirement, can the offeror then provide points of contact of the prime contractor instead of the Government in the past performance volume?

Answer 408: Yes an offeror can provide points of contact of the prime contractor instead of the Government but it is discouraged.

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors, para Proposal Submission requirements, pg.

Question 411: How many past performance references is the offeror required to submit?

Answer 411: There is no set number of past performance references but there is a page limit of 25 plus five pages for each major subcontractor.

52.212-2 B. Factors and Subfactors to be Evaluated proposal requirements, pages 110 and 112

Question 424: Page 110, the solicitation states, “All subfactors are determined to be critical. All subfactors are of equal importance for evaluation purposes” and then Page 112, Ratings, states, “…there will be an overall roll-up adjectival rating at the Technical Factor level.” If the subfactors are of equal importance, please clarify how the Government will acquire the “overall roll-up adjectival rating.”

Answer 424: The process is explained clearly in the RFP. Hence the question has already been answered. During evaluations of each proposal, based on all of the information provided in response to the subfactor criteria, the Source Selection Team will assign each subfactor an adjectival rating and write a narrative evaluation reflecting the identified findings. As all subfactors are determined to be critical, all subfactors are of equal importance for evaluation purposes and the overall roll-up adjectival rating at the Technical Factor level, all of which is assigned by the Source Selection Team. Thus each subfactor is given equal consideration when determining the overall adjectival Technical Factor rating. But because all subfactors are determined to be critical, an unacceptable rating in any subfactor will automatically carry forward to the Technical Factor rating and result in an Unacceptable Technical Factor rating.

Question 437: The last sentence in the first paragraph states that if an alternative staffing plan is proposed that it should address the following as a minimum with “the following” being a paragraph. Can the government confirm that an offeror only needs to provide the information requested in the entire second paragraph only if they are submitting an alternative staffing plan?

Answer 437: Yes, the second paragraph only pertains to those submitting an alternative staffing plan. An offeror does NOT need to provide the information requested in the second paragraph if they are NOT submitting an alternative staffing plan

Section J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments WD's Pg90

Question 440: In the draft RFP, the government included language addressing how the Financial Counselor, TAP Counselor and LNO positions had all been conformed. However, there is no conformance language in the final RFP and no Conformed WDs included in Attachment J. Can the Government please clarify if the positions have been conformed and if so, provide the appropriate WD for those labor categories.

Answer 440: The rates posted in Amendment 0001 were approved by DOL in 2018, but DOL has not completed a special WD for those positions. The Government included language addressing how the Financial Counselor, Career Counselor and Liaison positions had all been conformed in the draft RFP, and the government received numerous questions from potential offerors showing that language was confusing. The Government believes indexing the 2018 rates is the easiest way to update rates for these positions.

RFP, (iii) Volume III – Past Performance (iii).1. g Pg107

Question 458: Is the Government considering excluding the Subcontractor Teaming Agreements and Letters of Intent for Volume III Past Performance in the page count?

Answer 458: Assuming the Subcontractor Teaming Agreements and Letters of Intent are the equivalent to the Letters of Commitment and Letter of Consent required by the RFP, then they would be excluded from page count. See the answer to Question #73.

Section L, Paragraph 2.iii, Pg 106

Question 481: The solicitation allocates 25 pages for the Prime contractor for Past Performance information plus five pages for each major subcontractor.

Can past performance information for minor subcontractors be included within the 25 pages allocated to the Prime contractor?

Answer 481: Yes. Offeror may use its major subcontractor’s past performance within its 25 page limitation for Past Performance if Offeror so chooses. If past performance for a major subcontractors is used, consent and a letter of commitment must also be included for the major subcontractor’s past performance to be considered. Past performance for minor subcontractors may not be included.

Section 5, Paragraph 522.1.14, page 44:

Question 487: Does positions that fall under being SCA Labor Category positions, for example, Admin Specialist do we need to follow Executive Order 13706 (Contractors Sick Leave)?

Answer 487: Yes, Contractor shall adhere to Executive Order 13706 for employee’s cited under this contract

Question 495: Question: Travel and ODCs are cost reimbursable CLINs. Please confirm the set indirect rates applies to the prime only.

Answer 495: Only one G & A rate can be proposed for the contract.