Solicitation_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Solicitation Questions and Answers

1. Can you tell me if these services are currently being performed by a contractor? If so, could you please provide the incumbent name as well as the contract number?

1A. There is no incumbent. This is a new requirement.

2. Page 1 of the PWS and the SF 1449 Continuation Sheet portray a Base Year and Two Option Years.

However, RFP Page 53, FACTOR 3 – Price, para 2, next to last sentence states a pricing requirement for a “…base and four one-year Options.” Presume the SF 1449 is correct?

2A. It is a base and two option years.

3. SF1449 Continuation sheet, CLINS X001 portrays a Quantity of “1” and a Unit of “Job.” This is a FFP project, and Technical Exhibits 1 & 2 (PRS & Deliverables) appear to cover the entire years’ activities.

a. Will the actual contract be billed per month over the PoP for each CLIN? or

b. Since the effort in the Base Year is heavily front loaded, would you consider a CLIN structure that allows individual CLINS for “Job” billing for each PWS 5.1, 5.2 & 5.3 after delivery (base year only), and then a CLIN for ongoing O&M to include PWS 5.4 on a monthly billing rate across each PoP?

3A. You will have the ability to invoice monthly for the services/items provided.

4. PWS 1.4.12 Contract Travel and PWS 1.4.4 Place of Performance; describe the travel that may be required to “various” locations to include those listed. While there is a Base Yr. CLIN for Travel and Shipping expenses (CLINS 0003 & 0004), there does not appears to be a way to bill for the hours required to perform the PWS elements for which the travel is mandated nor the time required for travel.

These PWS element do not appear to be limited in scope or duration. Recommend CLIN 0003 be expanded to include the reimbursement for the hours required for travel and performance of the related PWS elements; or, the travel scope and duration must be limited so it can be properly built up in the cost proposal.

4A. Travel is only expected in the first year. It will be a cost CLIN reimbursed in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation.

5. RFP page 53 requires pricing for 1 base year and 4 option years. PWS Section 1.3 references 1 base year and 2 option years. RFP Section 52.217-9(c) states that total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 3 years 6 months. Will TXARNG please clarify?

5A. It is a base and two option years. The additional six months is an additional option that can cover a need to extend services if nothing else is put in place. See clause 52.217-8. The base and four option years in the PWS is a mistake and will be corrected.

6. Can you please identify the military installations involved to include the approximate number of soldiers to receive training and the frequency/duration of such training?

6A. The TXARNG will distribute training sessions in the following locations:

Fort Hood TXARNG Bldg 10006, 423 27th St, Fort Hood, Texas 76544

El Paso Armed Force Reserve Center, 11701 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79936

Weslaco Armory, 1100 Vo Tech Dr, Weslaco, TX 78596

Westheimer Armory, 15150 Westheimer Parkway, Houston, TX 77082

Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Center. 599 Camden Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75051

TXARNG will solicit recommendations from vendors on appropriate Instructor to student ratio and will allow multiple training sessions to occur in order to facilitate training of up to 500 individuals from any location. An estimated total of 1700 Soldiers will be trained from all locations to initiate the train the trainer concept.

7. Question: Will the TX Guard consider CACs for key personnel (e.g. Contract Manager, Site Leaders) with the appropriate background checks and IA/IT training (PWS 1.4.5.7)?

7A. CACs will not be provided to non-military personnel. An escort will be provided upon entry of any military installation.

8. Request the Guard either refine the key personnel and trainer criteria by labor category, requisite training and/or education, years of experience, and certifications, or require the offeror to present such detail as part of their proposal?

8A. The offeror needs to present such detail as part of their proposal.

9. Can the Guard please specify the Key Personnel for this effort and whether resumes are desired or required for evaluation?

9A. Resumes are required for evaluation.

10. Must a CM, or designated representative, or Site Leader (as above) be on-site when services are being provided?

10A. Yes, those with certification need to be on site for supervision.

11. Will the Government offer any office space at Fort Hood or other TXARNG installations? If not, is there potential for a laydown or parking location for a portable office (Conex box or trailer)?

11A. Permanent space will not be provided, but temporary space can be provided.

12. Please confirm ‘The TXARNG will provide the necessary gym equipment for consultants and trainers to utilize during training sessions.’ means the TXARNG will provide all of the equipment to train towards and accomplish the ACFT as outlined in the Army’s IOC Testing, ACFT Equipment List (1 X Lane Requirement), V1.1 dated 4 Sep 2018?

12A. Yes we are providing equipment for ACFT.

12. Question: Is it possible we could face increased staffing requirements or multiple training sessions in serving a particular location (e.g. instruct varied fitness levels and/or ability levels the same day/time?

12A. Yes, multiple training sessions may be required depending on possible throughput.

13. Question: Please clarify that the Guard intends to review and accept the mobile application prior to deployment, and will allow at least 30 days for the contractor to effect any changes or modifications as a result of the Guard’s review?

13A. Yes.

14.Will the Guard accept variations of 24/7 support with flexible and rapid response options such as peak hour human support combined with FAQ; supporting ‘ticket’ system, etc., with the contractor clearly obliged to deliver the PRS as written?

14A. Yes best offer will be chosen.

15. Please clarify if the intent of this application capability is for the user to log-on, select a training session, exercise, then log out thereby completing the session?

15A. Yes to capture progression data.

20.What is the anticipated average class-size and what is the desired instructor ratio?

20A. Negotiable

21. What is the expected course duration or are there any time limitations? (e.g. 1-Day course?)

21A. Not to exceed 2 days.

22. What degree virtual meetings are acceptable?

22A. Virtual meetings not desired.

23. Can the Guard please clarify PWS task 5.3.8 and specify the associated requirements?

23A. Refer to # 5 for required certifications. National Strength and Conditioning Association or National Academy of Sports Medicine

24. Can the Guard please clarify the ‘by Soldier’ reporting requirement in PWS 5.4.2?

24A. By each registered account.

25. If every Soldier in the program is to be individually accounted for, by what means does the Guard expect Soldiers to be identified (e.g. SSAN, Last-First Name, Username, and unique enumeration)?

25A. UIC, last name, first name (we will provide a list of UIC for units for application).

27. Question: Does the 35 page count include Sub-factor 4 - QUALITY CONTROL DISCUSSION? Or is this separate?

27A. Yes

33. When and how are the Train-the-trainer courses approved?

33A.Prior to app roll out and any changes to course material by master fitness instructors.

34. Is it the government’s intention that the vendor would conduct train-the-trainer course for all 1700 Soldiers?

34A. Yes

35. PWS para 5.2, last sentence, requires the mobile device application to be delivered 45 days after contract award. Since the program described in PWS 5.1 won’t have been approved yet, this doesn’t appear to be synchronized. Additionally, the video demonstrations noted in 5.2.1.3 should not be created until after the 52 week program has been approved, Should this last sentence in 5.2 be changed to read “Delivery to mobile devices NLT 45 days after Government Acceptance of the 52 week – Physical Training Program”?

35A. The overall goal is to have the app live by 45 days after contract award then we would also be held to a deadline in approving a 52 week program to meet that suspense. That will not have an effect on the videos as they specifically correlate to correct performance of the exercise. The programing only deals with placement of exercises and building upon precision and progression.

36. PWS 5.2.1.3 Instructional Video Movement Demonstrations: The Army has many of these videos available on their current mobile PRT App. Will the government make available all of those videos, or are we expected to recreate all that are required?

36A. Cannot verify since these belong to Active Army. Plan on them not being available.

37. At what point in the contract will the initial training sessions at Fort Hood take place?

37A. TBD

38. We assume this can only happen once the final version of the fitness program has been accepted by the government, correct?

38A. Yes

39. Will all 1,700 trainees be available for one, mass training session or will there be multiple events?

39A. No, multiple training sessions will be required.

The Contractor shall provide a Monthly Athlete Report which summarizes the compliance and benchmark improvements of Soldiers. This report shall summarize by Soldier. The Monthly Report shall contain the following: physical training program adherence rates by soldier; and benchmark progress by Soldier over time.

40. Will these benchmarks be provided, or will they be developed as part of the fitness program?

40A. Developed as a part of the fitness program.

41. Is there an existing schedule by which Soldiers are testing against benchmarks, or must that be built into the 52-week plan?

41A. Built into the 52 week program.

Reference: The grading remains to be determined, but there will be a minimum baseline standard, which aligns with the general physical fitness required for a Soldier to perform high physical demand, common Soldier tasks. Grading by MOS or by unit type are questions that will best be answered after the Field Test has gathered more data. Any policy decisions will be made after field testing results and scientific analysis are presented to senior leaders.

42. How will the ACFT be graded?

42A. Grading criteria is already developed and will be provided.

43. Are there tiers based on military occupational specialty? If so which one do you want to do at 1,700 Soldier pilot?

43A. Yes, all soldiers will be tested at their individual occupational specialty.

44. In order to speedup account creation for 20,000 soldiers, will an electronic list of TXARNG of Soldiers’ names, emails information and/or cell phone information be provided? If we have an open enrollment at a public website, we will not be able to restrict who can sign up, causing unnecessary possible security issues. An authoritative user list with contact information will greatly speed up account creation and soldier adoption.

44A. If we provide Soldiers with a one-time activation code it limits the amount of users. Only users with .mil accounts will receive these codes IOT to self-enroll.

Reference: 5.3.2 states that draft curriculums shall be provided to the COR for review and approval to ensure that training materials and lessons conform to Army fitness standards and Program of Instruction changes.

45. What specific Program of Instruction is being referred to?

45A. Program of instruction refers to the TRADOC approved material currently being taught by master fitness trainers. There are many different methods and programs used to train athletes, the Army has developed a program devised to prevent injury and progress over time.

46. What restrictions, if any, should contractors consider when capturing and producing video content for the use in the Enhanced Fitness Program? For example, are there restrictions on the branding of the demonstrators attire or the facilities or equipment being used?

46A. Although we don’t want to limit the effectiveness of the video’s we also do not want Soldiers to feel the need to purchase specific equipment. The goal of the videos is to provide Soldiers detailed instruction to perform exercises with limited to no equipment at their disposal.

47. What is a master fitness training course? Who are the master fitness trainers? Where are they located? What is there level of training? How accessible are they and what span of control do they have in terms of personnel under them? How many soldiers is one master trainer responsible for?

47A. The master fitness training course provides select Soldiers within the Army and its components entry level training and experience in performance nutrition, anatomy, kinesiology, exercise science, and injury prevention. They are located at FT Hood. Masters Fitness Trainers (MFT’s) are required to have CPR/AED, Tactical Strength and Conditioning- Facilitator certification (TSAC-F) or similar National

Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certifications. Once trained MFT’s are advisors to the commander on physical fitness training and implementation for their organization. They can be responsible for as many as 100-150 Soldiers depending on unit size.

48. How does the Gov’t anticipate the administration of a program tailored to 20,000 Soldiers being specific to an individual of group of individuals “More than an estimated 35% of TXARNG Soldiers are on a non- deployable or profile status that will exacerbate our state’s ability to prepare for this training requirement.” that are essentially already on a status that is deemed non deployable? The relationship between PII, injuries, and performance is critical for readiness. Who is responsible from TXARNG at the unit level to create compliance if a daily expectation is the goal or mandated?

48A. We expect there to be scaled versions of every exercise to accommodate the various levels of fitness across our organization. Soldiers with profiles understand they have specific limitations and it’s their responsibility to abide by those limitations until either removed from those limitations or placed on a permanent profile.

49. What happens if a soldier injured in any phase of a 52 week block program?

49A. It is that Soldier’s responsibility to seek medical attention and obtain the proper paperwork to be placed on limited physical limitations. The program will also be reviewed regularly by the COR for compliance and to reduce the potential of injuries.

50. Who are the “trainers” in the train the trainer’s equation? What credentials do they have in the specific field of Strength & Conditioning? Can the Government specifically define and separate the word/role of “trainer”? The athletic role of specific strength and conditioning training or website/mobile application training/trainer?

50A. “Trainers” refer to Soldiers, not necessarily MFT’s, selected to be trained on proper technique and use of the application. They in turn will return to their units and train their Soldiers.

51. Is the contractor to assume that 1700 soldiers who are also master fitness trainers will be in one location at one time to learn a tailored 52 week strength and conditioning program in one session and is that hands on?

51A. No, not all 1700 Soldiers will be MFT’s. No the training will be conducted at various locations as described in 1.4.4.

52. The PWS (5.3.4) states the initial training course is 1700 soldiers. Does this mean the first train-the-trainer course includes 1700 trainers to be trained, or the first actual Master Fitness Training course using the curriculum will have 1700 soldiers?

52A. The intent is to train 1700 Soldiers in app use and proper technique of exercises to be performed in the app and then return to their organizations and train their Soldiers. The 1700 Soldiers will not be all at once.

53. How many trainers would be expected to be in each train-the-trainers course, and how many train-the-trainers courses are anticipated?

53A. This is dependent on the amount of personnel present from your organization to train a specific amount of soldiers which will also effect the number of course required to teach all 1700.

54. Is it correct that the full 52-week physical training program (5.1.1.1, 5.3.2) and the mobile app (5.2) are both due 45 days after contract award? This is a significantly shorter time for a curriculum development program of this magnitude than we have seen on past efforts.

54A. Yes that is correct.

55. PWS 5.3.6 says the contractor shall “coordinate scheduling of facilities for Government approved courses, training, and classes as applicable.” Does this mean Government facilities?

55A. Yes, this can be coordinating with organization receiving the training.

56. PWS 5.3.8 requires the contractor to “provide recommended and approved instruction and guidance to Soldiers on physical strength and conditioning and injury prevention.” This is an open-ended requirement that could potentially require individualized instruction to each of 20,000 soldiers. Can the Government please clarify this requirement?

56A. This is for the masses not a “one on one” basis.

57. Will the government be providing the training movement videos, or is the contractor responsible for producing these?

58A. Contractor is responsible.