Q A 1-54 9 Sept 10.pdf

RFI / QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

W912JB-10-R-4014- PASS – Schedule I

31 AUGUST 2010- Pre-Proposal Conference, Questions and Answers

Q1: Ice Breaker – Will the Lions win more than 5 games?

A: Of course they will! Eventually…

Q2: Is DCAA Compliance mandatory?

A: No. Solicitation paragraph L6.2.1.2 indicates that the proposal should include audit information from the offeror’s cognizant DCAA office information, if an audit has been done.

A DCAA audit is not required for this solicitation.

Q3: Who is the SBA representative for PASS?

A: “PASS” doesn’t have a representative. The contracting office will deal with the SBA office that represents the awardee.

Q4: Do we have to send the Pdf ORCA certs with our proposal?

A: No, only return the Reps & Certs contained in section K of the solicitation, all other Reps & Certs are required to be completed in ORCA (Section L 6.2.3).

Q5: What is the number of locations where work is performed?

A: See Exhibit 1A for available historical data.

Q6: How many FTE’s in each location?

A: See Exhibit 1A for available historical data.

Q7: Must the Contract Manager be available to meet in person within 45 minutes?

A: Contract Manager or Alternate shall be available during normal operating hours within 45 minutes of notification to meet by phone to discuss problem areas. (See Solicitation C 6.2.1).

Q8: Where are security clearances required?

A: Solicitation section C 7.12 details security requirements. Each Task Order and installation will have their own requirements.

Q9: What prompted the decision to rebid this contract early instead of allocating more funds to extend to Spring of 2011?

A: We could only add a limited amount of capacity before it is considered a cardinal change to the contract.

Q10: What is the basis for different Tier Levels on pricing?

A: This allows the contractor to pay their employees more or less, depending on the location in which they work due to differing cost of labor.

Q11: What is the 5% on the Travel Handling Rate formula?

A: This percentage is simply a multiplier we use to calculate a TEP if you propose a travel handling fee. See Solicitation M 3.4.5.3 for explanation.

Q12: On Page 149 of the Solicitation, Sect 6.2.1.5 regarding EEO Clearance – Do small businesses need to show this?

A: If you don’t already have an EEO Clearance, the Contracting Office will obtain one if you are the awardee.

Q13: Who will decide which company is awarded PASS?

A: The Source Selection Authority (SSA). We do not disclose their name.

Q14: Is it likely for contracted personnel to be deployed or stationed in OCONUS areas?

A: No. Employees will only be working in the United States and Territories.

Q15: On the Bid Sheet under Group A, Instructor/Facilitator II and IIA – They are shown as GS-13, and one is shown as GS-14. Is this correct? Are both positions GS-13?

A: It is correct. GS-14 (IIA) is intended to be at Guard Bureau level.

Q16: Why are the price schedules seemingly based on GS Grade Scales?

A: They come loosely from SCA and the need to identify the government equivalent rates. FAR Clause 52.222-42.

Q17: Can a contractor without DCAA audited rates propose and potentially be successful, or is this a requirement?

A: A DCAA Audit is not required, but if you have one, please provide the date of the last audit. See L 6.2.12.

Q18: Can a large company be a subcontractor on this Solicitation? Are there limits on the amount they can perform as subcontractors?

A: A large company can be a subcontractor. See you SBA Representative for details about the portion a subcontractor can perform. The prime contractor must perform at least 50% of the work.

Q19: Why was the NAICS Code 541330 (Engineering Services) selected for this contract instead of the NAICS Code 561320 (Temporary Help Services)?

A: The NAICS code was chosen based on the historical data from the current contract.

Q20: Will a Joint Venture be viewed as a positive, negative or neutral?

A: A Joint Venture will not be penalized or given an advantage over other companies.

Q21: How many Past Performance Questionnaires do you need for Part 3? Is there a minimum and maximum number?

A: See Section L6.4.7

Q22: Will the Attendee List be posted on FBO?

A: Yes.

Q23: The evaluation criteria for Part II appears to be “Pass/Fail.” Are there any additional subjective criteria used for Part II?

A: No.

Q24: What is the name of the incumbent and their address?

A: J.M. Waller Associates, Inc., Atlanta Office 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Ste 610 Atlanta, GA 30354

POC is Jim Trimble, Senior Vice President

(404) 443-2777

Q25: How many employees are on the present contract?

A: See Historical Data, Exhibit 1A.

Q26: How do you verify SDVO Status?

A: This status is done through self-certification. If someone wishes to challenge, they should follow the procedures in FAR.

Q27: Is it likely for a position posting, multiple candidate’s resumes will need to be provided to the government for them to interview prior to placing them? (I think you mean… After a position is posted, is it likely that multiple candidates’ resumes will need to be provided to the government for them to interview prior to placing them?)

A: The government does NOT interview candidates. If the contractor wishes to offer the Government a chance to review the resumes they may do that; but the hiring decision is the sole responsibility of the contractor.

Q28: Are there any points offered in the evaluation based on certain certifications that bidders submit? Is there a point system based on sections of the response?

A: There are NO POINTS in the evaluation method.

Q29: Was the previous contract SDVOSB?

A: Yes.

Q30: In our experience with other Contracts similar to this one, the government has provided specifications of what is considered Level I, II and III Personnel in terms of work experience, education and professional certifications. The additional information will help us with our pricing effort.

A: See Attachment 2A for labor category descriptions (for professionals).

Q31 Can you describe the typical time between when the Contractor receives an approved Task Order and when the support person must report to the duty location? Do you expect the personnel to arrive within days or weeks?

A: That depends – usually two – three weeks. Sometimes support staff will be requested to report in days; but this is usually only if there is an incumbent employee or recommended candidate.

Q32: We are interested in the magnitude of the number of assignments that will likely occur at any one time. If $80 Million over 5 years, this would translate to over 100 individuals supporting the contract at one time. Is that “volume” your intent?

A: The use of the PASS Contract depends on the ever changing requirements of the National Guard. Our only way to predict volume/usage is from the historical data.

See Exhibit 1A for available historical data.

Q33: If a Joint Venture partnership is registered in CCR, do you still want ORCA Certifications included on all Joint Venture partners?

A: ANSWER TO BE POSTED AT A LATER DATE. STILL INVESTIGATING THIS

QUESTION.

Q34: What if a previous Customer will not complete PP Questionnaires, referring only to CPAR’s? (Ex. HQ’s ACC)

A: We cannot require a previous customer to complete a Past Performance Questionnaire. The Government does utilize other tools besides the Questionnaires to gain past performance information (see L 6.4.8).

Q35: If Technical is Acceptable/Not Acceptable, what is the “Best Value” decision criteria?

A: The evaluation criteria is detailed in section M of the RFP.

Q36: Who is the 127 MSC (Selfridge ANG Base) Small Business Advocate?

A: Ms Elizabeth Westerburg (Elizabeth.westerburg@ngb.mil) in the Office of Small

Business Programs is the NGB SADBU

Q37: Are you happy with the existing Contractor?

A: Yes.

Q38: Is the Past Performance of the Sub/Teaming partner going to be weighted the same?

mailto:Elizabeth.westerburg@ngb.mil

A: The past performance of the Subcontractor(s) and/or Teaming partners will be

“evaluated” the same as the Prime Contractor.

Q39: What is the criteria for a “major critical subcontractor?” (first sentence on Page 154 of

RFP)

A: subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement (L 6.4.3 & FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii).

Q40: What is the delivery address for proposals using FedEx/UPS?

A: Address the proposals to the address in Block 7 of the SF 33;

127 MSC

43200 Maple Street, Bldg. 105, Room 16

Selfridge ANGB, MI 48045-5213

Q41: Are you interested in or expecting to keep the incumbent employees?

A: The Contracting Officer can recommend an incumbent employee on the task order request for quote if they are interested in retaining them.

Q42: What are three reasons that you are ecstatic with J.M. Waller and Assoc., Inc.?

A: I guess I should have chosen a different vernacular. We are pleased with the incumbent contractor’s performance as they are satisfactorily meeting the Governments requirements (see question 37) .

Q43: Does the incumbent still qualify as SDVOB?

A: I do not know. (1ZB07) J M Waller Associates, Inc. is not registered as a small business under NAICS 541330 in CCR

Q44: We are curious about the labor category called, “Instructor/Facilitator.” Can you describe this in more detail? What sort of classes do you envision for the Instructor?

A: The Instructor/Facilitator labor category typically provides instruction on engineering related topics.

Q45: Only civil and electrical engineers have been referenced in the Solicitation document.

Is there a need for other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, structural and environmental?

A: Yes, the professional labor category titled “Engineer” may include mechanical, structural, and environmental engineers. The type of engineer requested will be specified in the task order request for quote.

Q46: Regarding Past Performance – Relative Experience – Similar Magnitude. How can a small business at less than $4.5 Million per year have similar $80 Million experience?

A: Pass performance will be evaluated in accordance with section M 3.3 of the solicitation.

Q47: Reference M 1.9. SBA has indicated that they have a requirement to review and approve JV’s of (8)a. They have no requirement to review JV’s involving SDVOSB’s, and indicate they will not accept a SDVOSB’s JV for review, let alone approval. Will you strike M1.9 requirement for SDVOSB JV – SBA approval?

A: ANSWER TO BE POSTED AT A LATER DATE. STILL INVESTIGATING THIS

QUESTION.

Q48: Give example of a typical Engineering Design assignment and Instruction assignment.

A: See exhibit 2A and 2B for available sample task order performance work statements

(Project Manager, Drafter II).

Q50: Is there a strong emphasis on LEED experience?

A: The amount of an employee’s LEED experience needed will be stated in the task order request for quote. There does not appear to be a strong emphasis on LEED experience.

9 September 2010, RFI’s

Q51. We understand that Times New Roman 12 pt is the font requested for use, however, would it be acceptable to use a different, perhaps smaller, font for tables only? (Arial

Narrow 11pt would be workable)

A. I/A/W paragraph L 5.5.1 states that all proposals shall be in Times New Roman font size (12pt minimum).

Q52. Past Performances: We understand that you do not want any Past Performances older than 3 years. However, we have a few contracts that started over 3 years ago and are either still going or just finished. Is this acceptable, or are those projects to be discarded due to starting prior to 3 years ago? If so, as a workaround, could we only include the actual tasks/work done in the past 3 years?

A. Past Performance includes current on-going (present) performance. The past performance assessment will assess the confidence in the offeror’s ability to successfully accomplish the proposed effort based on the offeror’s demonstrated present and past performance record; under existing and prior contracts over the past three years (M 3.3.1). If a contract was awarded over 3 years ago but has had performance during the past 3 years, performance may be considered.

Q53. Does each Part require a cover sheet outlining company and solicitation info. like requested for the Executive Summary on p.148 - 6.2.1. of the RFP?

A. The Executive Summary is required for Tab 1 of Part I only; however, all Proposal Parts must conform to the requirements outlined in Section L5, Proposal

Submission/Format.

Q54. In the synopsis that states: "The Government intends to award one indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract and issue task orders as Labor Hour, Firm Fixed Price or Cost Reimbursable for an ordering period of up to 1 year, with 4 option periods (for a total of 5 years); anticipated maximum ordering value is $80M". It states only 1 award will be made with a maximum ordering value of $80 million. Does this mean only 1 company will be awarded or will multiple companies be awarded the IDIQ?

A. Only one company will be awarded the IDIQ contract.