Responses_to_RFI_Questions_19_Nov_14.docx

Response to RFI Questions:

1. Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation under solicitation number W912DR-15-R-0010 contain requirements similar to a current contract? If possible, please provide the current contract number. Or, is this a new requirement for the Government?

A: There is no current contract in place; this is a new requirement.

2. Will the prime be able to submit the qualifications of sub-contractors, to meet the sub-contracting requirements, of firms that only have a facility clearance of “secret”, with the anticipation of the firms’ clearances will be given the opportunity to upgrade to “top secret” at time of award if the prime is successful? Similarly, will sub-contractor personnel with only secret clearance be able to be submitted within the proposal with the anticipation, the personnel will be given the opportunity to upgrade to “top secret”, upon award?

A: An active Top Secret Facility Site Clearance (TSFSC) is only required for the prime contractors, so sub-consultants may be submitted that do not possess the TSFSC. The key personnel that require the Top Secret Clearance must have that level to be counted as meeting the requirements per the synopsis. Others may be submitted in addition to the key personnel that do not possess them.

3. As the Prime (entity identified submitting the SF330), multiple branch office and subcontractor resources will be utilized to support this contract. Please confirm that the Prime’s branch office, responsible for managing the contract, is the only office required to have an active Top Secret Facility Clearance and not each branch office or subcontractor supporting the contract listed in Block C of the Part I SF330.

A: Confirmed.

6. Please define the roles of a Third Party and Fourth Party Agent.

A: The Third Party Agents are hired by the construction contractor as an independent agent for commissioning. The Fourth Party is hired by the Government to provide commissioning services outside of the AE or the construction contract and may provide enhanced commissioning services as requested by the Government (Owner) before, during or after design and before, during or after construction.

7. Please confirm that the total estimated effort refers to the total estimated amount subcontracted by the prime as opposed to the total awarded contracted amount ($25M).

A: “Total estimated effort” refers to the total amount of the contract, or $25. The Small Business Participation Plan includes all tiers of subcontracting, as opposed to the Subcontracting Plan, which only considers first tier subcontractors. Additionally, The Small Business Participation Plan considers all awarded dollars, as opposed to the Small Business Plan, which only considers the amount subcontracted out.

8. The solicitation indicates that Volume of DOD Work will be evaluated under E. Special Qualifications and in H. Equitable Distribution of DOD Contracts which is in conflict with it being a tie-breaker (being listed in primary and secondary factors. Please confirm that the Volume of DOD work should only be addressed and exhibited under H. Equitable Distribution of DOD Contracts.

A: Section E, allows the offeror to provide work and experience across the Intelligence Community as well as the DOD to demonstrate the breathe and depth of their work. Section H allows the Government to make decisions based on that work to allow the Government to affect the equitable distribution of AE work amongst qualified firms. Submission for Section H may be considered optional as the Government can determine this information from Section E and other Governmental databases.

9. Please confirm that the Small Business Participation Plan should be submitted with the SF330 Part I and not as a separate file.

A: Please submit as part of the SF330.

10. Please confirm that award of the CX contract would not preclude a firm from being awarded the upcoming AE IDIQ or Design Build contracts. Can one firm hold both the CX and one or more of the other contracts

A: The award of this contract would not preclude that firm from being awarded the upcoming AE IDIQs. So, yes, one firm can hold both the CX and one of the AE IDIQs. However, the likelihood of an Organizational Conflict of Interest between one firm holding both of these contracts is great and will be determined at the time of the instant procurement. This means that the Government would most likely not award an AE task order to the AE firm if enhanced commissioning services will be required for that project and they held this enhanced commissioning contract.

11. Would RSFO consider a two week extension to the December 3 due date given the 100 pages of content required?

A: No.

12. How does RSFO define 4th Party?

A: See answer to Question 6.

13. The scope includes both traditional commissioning provider services as well as commissioning oversight. Do we assume tasks could include performing the actual building commissioning as well as supervising commissioning performed by others, i.e. more of a technical audit.

A: No. This contract will not be performing actual building commissioning nor will they be supervising commissioning. They may be witnessing commissioning it however.