13_Jul_of_Current_Consolidated_Question_and_Answers.pdf

Strong Bonds Question/Answer Sheet

QUESTION

# Section Page /Paragraph QUESTION / COMMENT RESPONSE

1 General N/A When determing to set this soliciation aside as a SDVOSB based upon two responsible and qualified sources, did the the Government perform an Organizational Conflict of Interest asessment on interested parties?

The Government is not aware of any Organizational Conflict of Interest on interested parties.

Contractors are required to notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI per the PWS.

2 L 28 of 38 How many hard copies of each volume is required? Section L, will be changed to remove hard copies; however, 2 CD/DVD-ROMs will be required and organized into five separate volumes. We are unable to allow for electronic copies on this source selection. (This change will receive an amendment)

3 L 31 Staffing Approach/Key Personnel: The RFP makes no mention of resume submissions for the 2 key personnel. Does the MICC-FSH anticipate that offerors should demonstrate minimum experience/academic qualifications with resumes, and if so, do resumes count against the 50pg. limit?

Section L, Subfactor 2 (3) language added: Contractor must identify key personnel by name and provide accompanying resumes. Section M, Subfactor 2 (b), language added: A signed letter of commitment from the individuals named in the resumes. Yes, resumes count against 50 pg (This change will receive an amendment)

4 L.A.2 29 Would the MICC-FSH consider allowing Electronic Proposals as opposed to hard copies? see answer to question #2

5 L 32-33 Are there limitations on the number of past performance references that can be submitted with Volume IV?

Not more than three years for services from the date of issuance of the solicitation.

6 L.C.3.(e).c 34 of 38 Are indirect rates considered a fee or a material and handling rate by the Government?

Indirect rates are not considered a fee. Use of material handling all depends on how your accounting sytem is structured. Material handling / fee, is based on whether the contractor recovers this cost is contingent upon the indirect rate structure. If the contractor has an established material handling rate, it would apply its material handling rate to the material costs proposed. If the anticipated CLIN is to be cost-reimbursable, then the expectation would be that no "fee" would be recoverable.

7 L.C.3.(e).c 34 of 38 If a material and handling rate is proposed by Contractors, will that rate be calculated into the total price when determiningthe lowest price?

Yes

8 L.C.3.(e).c 34 of 38 If the Contractor proposes a material and handling fee, where in the proposal should it be placed (e.g. CLIN 0009)?

If the contractor proposes a material handling it should be disclose within the Cost/Price Volume

9 M.b.(1) 35 of 38 The Government states that the proposals will be evaluated under three (3) evaluation factors but lists four. Please advise.

Changed to read four (4) (This change will receive an amendment)

10 M.2.a 36 of 38 (Subfactor 1) The Government describes the volume of work in this section as 3,000 training events per year but 3,500 in the PWS. Please clarify.

Para 1-4 updated to reflect 3000 training events. (This change will receive an amendment)

11 M.2.a 36 of 38 (Subfactor 2) Recommend defining or removing "attained" as it pertains to having sufficient personnel.

The word "attanied" has been removed from Section M, Subfactor 2 (a). (This change will receive an amendment)

12 M.2.a 36 of 38 For costing puporses, please provide a recent history of the breakdown between A, B, C and D events. The level of effort for each event is different.

Per PWS, 750 local events (Alpha and Bravo are anticipated); 2250 overnight events (2245 Charlie and 5 Delta are anticipated)

13 M.2.b 36 of 38 The Government states that the two key personnel must have 5 years of experience in Logistics Support Services. Did the Government mean Logisitical Support Services or Conference and Event Planning?

Changed to read in accordance with the PWS requirements (This change will receive an amendment) 14 M.e.3.c. 38 “The government will evaluate its option to extend services by adding one-half of the offerors final price from year three to the offeror’s total price.” CLINs 0001/0002/0007/0008 include pricing as a lump sum for 34 months. As such, pricing is not broken out by years 1, 2, or 3 and pricing evaluation for the option to extend services would be indeterminable.

Section M, (e) (3) (c) has been changed to read: (c) As part of price evaluation, the government will evaluate its option to extend services (see FAR Clause 52.217-8) by adding one-half of the offeror's final price from year three to the offeror's total price. Thus, the offeror's total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the ordering period from (1st year ordering period (1-12 months), 2nd year ordering period (13-24 months) and 3rd year ordering period (25–36 months), and 1/2 of the 3rd ordering period. Offerors are not required to enter a price for the six-month period. (This change will receive an amendment)

15 PWS 5.1.2.1 16 of 25 How many of the 750 local events will be Alpha and how may Bravo? Estimating 400 Alpha events, 350 Bravo events 16 PWS 5.1.2.2 16 of 25 How many of the 2,250 overnight events will be Charlie and how may Delta? 2245 Charlie events, 5 Delta events

# Section Page /Paragraph QUESTION / COMMENT RESPONSE

17 PWS 5.2.1 16 of 25 Using recent history, what percentage of events will require childcare? Of these events what percentage utilize CYSS?

55-60% require childcare, 5% CYSS

18 PWS p.3 / para 1.4 Please clarify the quantity of world wide annual training events. The PWS scope identifies 3500 but on page 16 of the PWS paragraph(s) 5.1.2.1 and 5.1.2.2 identify 750 events and 2250 events respectively.

See #10

19 Solicitation / SF33 Section L

p. 34 / (e), Volume V, c Please provide clarification concerning the material handling fee noted on page

34, paragraph c.

“For Other Direct Cost (ODC) and Travel Cost CLINs, use the Government provided Estimated Cost amount. If a material handling rate will be applicable to the NTE CLINs, provide the rate with your proposal, which will then become part of the contract. Also note that fee will not be applicable to these Cost CLINs.”

1. If we are not allowed to apply the fee to the Cost CLINs, and the CLIN structures of 0003, 0004, 0005 and 0006 include the statement “Fee shall not be associated with this CLIN” and the solicitation includes Clause 52.216-11 Cost Contract – No Fee… how can we provide a material handling fee?

2. If the CLIN structure was changed to allow fee, are we allowed to include a G&A type rate to cover any administrative expenses associated with accounting practices not otherwise allocated to the direct labor, or include a fixed fee applied to each of the cost CLINS which would cover all anticipated G&A type costs specifically associated with these CLINs.

1. Use of material handling all depends on how your accounting sytem is structured.

Material handling / fee, is based on whether the contractor recovers this cost is contingent upon the indirect rate structure. If the contractor has an established material handling rate, it would apply its material handling rate to the material costs proposed. If the anticipated CLIN is to be cost-reimbursable, then the expectation would be that no "fee" would be recoverable. It is a cost-type CLIN.

2. The CLIN structure has not been changed.

20 Solicitation / SF33 Section M

p. 38 / (e), Volume V, (3)

(b)

Regarding Material Handling Fee. It is understood this fee should be proposed by offeror and not be associated with any particular CLIN; Is the government requesting:

(1) a proposed flat dollar amount for the entire duration of the contract?;

(2) a proposed annual flat dollar amount?;

(3) a proposed percentage of contract total value?;

(4) Other - Please explain.

If M&H is proposed, provide a narritive in the cost/price volume. Use of material and handling all depends on how your accounting sytem is structured.

# Section Page /Paragraph QUESTION / COMMENT RESPONSE

21 Solicitation / SF33 Section L &

Section M

p. 32 / para ( c) Volume III Financial Capability Analysis

(Factor 2) (3) and p. 36 / para

C Volume III Financial

Capability (Sub Factor 2)

Please clarify the use of the Z-Score in the evaluation of Financial Capability Analysis (Factor 2). The Solicitation states offeror must have a Z-Score above 2.6 to be considered acceptable, however, on page 32, paragraph (c)(3) “Any additional information provided in the offeror’s (including prime and/or major subcontractors) submission package will be considered. Examples of other information include: current part year financial statements, current open credit lines, and pro forma financial statements for future years. This information will be used to evaluate your firm’s financial capabilities.”

1. Since the solicitation requires the past 3 years’ financial statements (2015, 2014 and 2013), will they only consider the Z-Score from the immediate past year (2015), or will the Z Scores for 2013 & 2014 also be factored into the decision?

2. Will it be an average / 3-year Z-Score? Can offeror still be considered acceptable with a single year Z-Score that falls below 2.6 if the other two years score above a 2.6?

3. How will the additional financial information be used for the analysis of financial capability when only the Z-Score is used to determine acceptability and will this subjective analysis override any Z-Score less than 2.6?

4. Will the government consider other evaluation criteria than just the Z-Score since throughout fiscal years 2012-2015 budget cuts and policy changes impacted government contractors offering services under NAICS Code 561920 that potentially creates a negative impact on a current Z-Score. Compounding the

1. Each year 2013, 2014 & 2015 will receive a Z score. 2.

No, it is not an average score. Each year will be calculated to see the trend on how well the contractor has improved, but the most current year will be used. 3. The additonal information has been removed. (This change will receive an amendment)

4. Yes, the Government will also consider submission of the offeror Financial documents and Business Credit Report (see revised language in Section L & M, Subfactor 3: Financial Capability Analysis.

(This change will receive an amendment)

22 Solicitation /

SF33

p. 2 Solicitation states the solicitation is 100% set aside for a SDVOSB. Can the offeror self certify disabled status, or do they need to be certified by the VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE)?

1.FAR 19.1402(b) At the time that a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern submits its offer, it must represent to the contracting officer that it is a (1) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern; and (2) Small business conern under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to the procurement. 2. FAR 4.1201(a) Prospective contractors shall complete electronic annual representation certifications at SAM accessed via https://www.acquisition.gov as a part of required registration. 3. CFR 125.30 (a) In order to be identified as a SDVO SBC in the System for Award Management (SAM) database (or any successor thereto), a concern must certify its SDVO SBC status in connection with specific eligibility requirements at least annually. 4. For DoD contracts, there is no requirement to be certified by the VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE). That is a requirement when working with Department of Veteran Affairs.

23 Solicitation / SF33 Section I

Would the government consider inclusion of Clause 52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment? This clause alllows small businesses to invoice more often than twice monthly regarding cost re-imbursement items. As this contract requires large sums of money spent supporting weekly events, the ability to invoice more than once or twice monthly will improve the financial services provided.

FAR clause 52.216-7 has been added

# Section Page /Paragraph QUESTION / COMMENT RESPONSE

M© 36 of 38

The Government has proposed using an Altman Z-score to evaluate Financial Capability. We request that the Government consider alternate methods of evaluating a contractor's financial capability to support this scope of work.

Below is some language pulled from similar RFPs:

(1) The offeror shall indicate if it has the necessary financial capacity, working capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source. If not, indicate the amount required and the anticipated source.

(2) Responsibility Information. An affirmative responsibility determination must be made by the Contracting Officer before an award can be made. Offerors shall submit the following: (1) OFFEROR’s Representative. Name and telephone number of individual(s) who will represent the firm for the contract and their position title. (2) Explanation and amounts of any Federal or State tax delinquencies. (3) Letters of credit, if none, so state.

(3) Offerors shall demonstrate they have the necessary financial capacity to perform this contract without assistance from any outside sources.

Subfactor 3: Financial Capability Analysis has been revised:

The offeror shall submit either documentation to support the Altman Z-score or the offeror shall provide current Financial documents and Business Credit Report (see Section L & M, Subfactor 3:

Financial Capability Analysis) (This change will receive an amendment)

25 5.4 Page 17 In reference to Training Material/Approved Curriculum Coordination, the last sentence of the paragraph states as follows: Training material shall be shipped to the Government designated event point of contact at the training venue and arrive no later than two (2) business days prior to commencement of each event. Is there a central shipping origination point that the material is kept?

Shipment of curriculum is coordinated with specific vendors who ship materials directly to the training points of contact. Strong Bonds approved curriculum is not centrally stored.

26 1.6 Page 3 /1.6.1 In reference to Quality Control as it applies to Customer Feedback; does the Government have a preference to survey models and targeted metrics that compliment the AAR process?

Quality control should be focused on measuring capability to provide services / support as identified in the performance work statement in a timely manner to meet mission requirements.

27 1.4 Page 3 Will the Government provide statistics that pertains to the actual attendence data

vs. projected training attendence goals?

Specific number of participants for each event will be determined during the registration process. Unit points of contact will provide attendance rosters prior to each event.

28 Schedule B Page 3/SF 33 In reference to CLIN (s) invoicing, is the Government open to a Net 15 Day model?

Yes, the Government will alow a Net 15 Day

NA

CLINS

003, 004, 005

Task Orders: How many Task Orders are anticipated monthly? Approximately how many events are included on each Task Order?

One Task Order will be issued per year. Estimated at 3000 events per year

1.6.4.1 4

On Call Support: Does On call support need to be in the vicinity (local) to the event?

No, just need to be available to resolve issues

1.6.9 6

Post Award Conference: Does the Government anticipate the Post Award conference will be held before the transition period begins on Aug 30, 2016?

Yes, a post award conference will be conducted.

1.6.11 7

Key Personnel: Is there a desire/need to have either the Contract Manager or alternate in the Arlington, VA area?

It is not required but would be advantageous to have the Contract Manager in the Arlington, VA area.

5.0.2 15

Authorized Reimbursables: Are booking fees reimbursable? See PWS Section H, travel, lodging/meals and incidental expenses are limited to per diem rates, see FAR 31.205-46. If during performance the offeror does something other than what's required a waiver shall be requested.

34 5.1.1.1 16 Strong Bonds Instructor Training Course: Please give an approximation of the amount of printed material the Contractor will be responsible for producing (nametags, name tents, training certificates, program materials, etc)

Up to 150 copies of nametags, name tents, training certificates, training schedules, and end of course critique sheets.

35 5.1.1.2 16 Onsite Staffing: Does the Government desire/require the Contractor to be present (for attendee check in, etc.) at each Training Event (Local or Overnight?)

No attendance by the Contractor is required at local or overnight events.

# Section Page /Paragraph QUESTION / COMMENT RESPONSE

36 5.1.2.3 16 Training Locations: Please indicate the number of OCONUS events that are anticipated per year. How many OCONUS events have been held in the last 24 months? Specific locations/countries?

1. 375; 2. Europe (Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, UK), Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, 37 5.1.2.3 16 Force Protection: What are the additional Force Protection regulations for OCONUS events?

Force Protection is a command/unit responsibility and will be handled/communicated by the unit / command for each event.

38 5.1.2.3 16 Training Locations: Are any overseas Territories (USVI, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.) possible training locations for the National Guard portion of this program?

Yes, events are typically coordinated in 54 states / territories for the Army National Guard.

39 5.4 17 Training Material/Approved Curriculum: Please provide more clarity on the curriculum – is the Contractor responsible for any local reproduction requirements/costs?

Shipment of curriculum is coordinated with specific vendors who ship materials directly to the training points of contact. No reproduction of materials is required.

40 5.7 17 Travel: The SOW indicates that 4 Contractor Staff members be present for Strong Bonds Delta Training Events, expected 5 annually. What are the anticipated attendance numbers for Delta Events?

Anticipating up to 120 couples / families per Strong Bonds Delta event.

PSR 5.9 23

Reporting: After the data for a ROS is submitted, how will the contractor be notified that it was approved, so an invoice can be generated within the time constraints listed?

Signed ROS will be emailed to the contractor once approved by the unit.

42 Proposal Preparation Instructions, Volume I, Tab D 30 of 38

Proposal Preparation: If the prime contractor outsources its accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions to an accounting firm, and the accounting firm's systems have been reviewed by DCAA, what evidence must the prime contractor submit?

Prime contractors must have an accounting system that has been determined adequate by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) for accumulating and reporting incurred costs under cost type contracts.

43 Basis for Award Criteria, Subfactor Two

37 of 38 Basis for Award: The Altman Z method does not appear to recognize financing which includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable factoring, which is a financing vehicle used by many small businesses. Will the government accept letters of financial backing from the prime contractor's financing company as further evidence of financial capability?

See #24

44 Evaluation Factors

38 of 38 Cost/Price: Will the government please confirm the Best Value/Lowest Price technically acceptable source selection tradeoff process?

The Best Value Approach for this action will be: Lowest Price Technically Accetable. Tradeoff is not be premitted, per solicitaiton Section M, B (a) (2)

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