A21_RFP_Q&A_18R0010.pdf

Solicitation W912HQ18R0010 Questions & Answers

Q1. Section 2.2 of the Live Task Order does not include a sub-section on "Represent Program Office at Technical Conferences." This sub-section is included in the IDIQ PWS as Section 5.2.4.

Was this omission from the Live Task Order intentional?

Answer: There is no omission. Refer to Section 2.5.6, Conference Support of the Live Task Order PWS.

Q2. The RFP states that files should be “in their native version,” but then also states “files shall be in read-only format, using PDF files.”

Would the government please confirm whether they would like native files only, PDF files only, or both?

Additionally, please confirm that MS Office 2010 and later file extensions (.docx, .xslx, etc.) are acceptable.

Answer: The Request for Proposals (RFP) has been amended to remove the reference to read-only PDF format. Native files are allowed. MS Office 2010 and later file extensions are acceptable.

Q3. The RFP states in (i) Volume I – Factors 1-3, under (2) Tab B – Factor 1, Technical – Subfactor B, Technical Understanding and Approach Factor, “Offerors shall submit a written narrative proposal which describes and demonstrates the Offeror’s technical understanding and approach to satisfy the support needs of SERDP/ESTCP as outlined in the PWS. Additionally, Offerors shall provide detailed information as to their approach to effectively manage the work specified in the PWS. Offerors shall provide enough information to demonstrate a thorough understanding of time and personnel requirements, information on how the Offeror will meet programmatic deadlines, and information on how the Offeror will maintain the functions outlined in the PWS."

Additional services are required in Sections C, 4.0 General Requirements and 5.0 Performance Requirements.

Should the Offeror respond to both sections of the PWS in their response?

Answer: Responding to Section 4.0 is optional as the information provided in that section is contractual administrative information. Responding to Section 5.0 is required, see Proposal Submission Requirements listed in Section L of the RFP, specifically the information required in Volume 1, Tab B.

Q4. The RFP requires offerors to “submit a subcontracting plan . . . utilizing the template included as Attachment 5.”

If offerors have a DCMA approved Master Subcontracting Plan, they would typically submit an Individual Subcontracting Plan that references the Master Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-

9. If so, the Individual Subcontracting Plan may not follow the template included as Attachment 5.

Can the Government clarify that replacing Attachment 5 template with an approved Master Plan is acceptable in this situation?

Answer: A master subcontracting plan may be submitted; however, the offeror must complete the individual plan in order to comply with FAR 52.219-9 ALT II dated January 2017.

Q5. The RFP states “No pricing information should be included with Volume I. Only include pricing information i[n] Volume II.”

Volume I, however, includes both the Small Business Participation Plan and the Small Business Subcontracting Plan (both under Factor 3). Both plans include pricing information.

Can the Government please clarify?

Answer: Section L of the RFP has been amended to move the Small Business Participation Plan and the Small Business Subcontracting Plan to Volume II.

Q6. PWS states (page 12) that “All personnel shall be qualified by education and experience appropriate to perform their assigned tasks. The following key personnel are essential to management and oversight and shall meet the minimum specific qualifications outlined.” But later in the PWS, Appendix A – Labor Categories (page 25-26), the labor categories do not list education or years of experience.

Does the education and years of experience requirement only apply to “key” and not “all” personnel?

Answer: Education and years of experience are required for key personnel which include the Project Manager, Information Technology Specialist, and the Technical Reviewers.

Q7. Proposal Submission Requirement’s for Personnel (page 50, para 3.c.i.1.) requires detail for only Key Personnel listed in PWS Sections 3 and 5.3. However, under Basis for Award (page 57, para B.1), Subfactor A – Personnel Experience reads, “This subfactor evaluates the Offeror’s proposed level of personnel experience and the level of education and certifications held by the proposed personnel for the basic contract period and all option years” which can be interpreted to mean all proposed staff (not just Key Personnel) will be evaluated as basis for award.

Please clarify the level of staffing detail and the basis of evaluation for Technical Subfactor A, Personnel Experience.

Answer: This factor applies to key personnel: the Project Manager, Information Technology Specialist, and the Technical Reviewers. The education and level of experience requirements for each is listed in Section 3 of the PWS.

Q8. Proposal Submission Requirement’s for Personnel “Tab A – Factor 1, Technical – Subfactor A, Personnel Experience (page 50) states: “Offerors shall propose Key Personnel for this requirement and submit resumes demonstrating appropriate education (including certifications) and experience of the personnel proposed (see Sections 3 and 5.3 of the base

PWS).”

Please confirm whether resumes are required for proposed personnel who are not Key Personnel, such as Technical Reviewers.

Answer: Resumes are only required for the Key Personnel: the Project Manager, Information Technology Specialist, and the Technical Reviewers. The PWS has been revised to make it clearer that Technical Reviewers are Key Personnel.

Q9. The minimum qualifications required of the Information Technology Specialist position on page 12 of the PWS includes experience in “…acceptance and management of electronic proposals”.

Does the specific experience need to include “proposals” or can other similar work substitute, e.g. acceptance and management of electronic data, reports, products, etc.?

Answer: Similar work substitutes are acceptable.

Q10. Regarding requirements for the SERDP-ESTCP website, PWS Section 5.5.1 (page 20) states: “The contractor shall maintain and host the SERDP and ESTCP joint web site, keep content current, draft news stories and blogs, update and draft content for web pages, and produce pages for new start and complete projects. The contractor shall update the web site as needed, to include transfer to a new operating platform and an update of the content structure”.

Section 5.1.1 (page 14) also refers to an on-line reporting and management system.

Can the government please identify the specific software the SERDP/ESTCP databases, on-line reporting and management systems, and electronic proposal acceptance and management systems utilizes and on which IT platforms they are based?

What is the content management system/software used for the current SERDP and ESTCP joint web site?

If necessary, will the incumbent be required to provide all website/software code to the incoming team as part of the transition?

Answer: Specific details concerning operating platforms and content management systems will be provided at contract award. All relevant software code will be provided to the contractor at that time as required.

Q11. Section L, Section 3 (c) (ii) states offerors are required to provide Tab H (Labor Rates Pricing Schedule) and I (Pricing – Live Task Order), which require population of Attachment 1.

To be consistent with this pricing submission requirement, we believe Section M includes language which is not applicable. To be consistent, can the government please confirm the removal of language in Section M as follows:

On RFP, in Section M (A) (page 56/59). Options.: Delete sentence “The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.” AND

On RFP, in Section M (B) (4) Price (page 59/59): Delete two sentences “For evaluation purposes only, the estimated quantity of labor hours will be used to determine the total evaluated price for the Labor CLINs. The Government will evaluate price proposals based upon a Total Evaluated Price (TEP) for the base year and all option years combined.”

Answer: Both statements have been deleted.

Q12. The proposal submission requirements for “Volume II – Price and Administrative Documentation” includes a requirement for “Tab G – Total Compensation Plan” (Section G, page 54).

Does the total compensation plan requirement apply to only the Prime Contractor, or does it also apply to all subcontractors (not including individuals under contract as (subject matter experts, independent consultants, 1099 employees, etc.)?

Answer: The requirements of FAR 52.222-46 apply to all professional service employees who work under the contract, including those employee by subcontractors.

Q13. Please confirm the Period of Performance for PWS Volume II pricing requirements.

Answer: It is estimated that Task Order #1 will be issued with a period of performance beginning approximately January 1, 2019. The task order will have a six month period of performance.

Q14. Proposal Submission Requirement’s for File Packaging (subsection b, page 49) states: “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 CDs or DVDs. 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 2010 or higher.”

Given the apparent discrepant language indicating that electronically submitted files on CD/DVD can be included in their native format (i.e., doc, xls, ppt, etc.), subsequent sentence indicating that only read-only pdfs shall be submitted, and later a stipulation that pricing must be in an excel format; can you please confirm file format, e.g. PDF or native (doc, xls, ppt, etc.)?

Answer: The Request for Proposals (RFP) has been amended to remove the reference to read-only PDF format. Native files are allowed.

Q15. Please confirm that both resumes of proposed personnel and completed past performance questionnaires count towards the page limitation (250 pages) for Volume 1, Factors 1-3 (page 48).

Answer: Yes, resumes and completed past performance questionnaire count towards the page limit.

Q16. Given that box 9 on the Form 33 of the PWS is blank, please confirm offers are due to the government by 4:00PM EDT on 8/30/2018.

Answer: The due date remains 4:00PM EST on 8/30/2018.