Vendor QandA 2.16.22.docx

Vendor Questions and Answers 17 February 2022

Question 1. Section C.4 indicates that the roles of SME are directly involved in Requirements 3 and Requirement 4 only. Section L.3.a indicates that the specific technical area that an SME will perform should be listed on their resume. However, Attachment 2 defines the roles of SME 1 and SME 2 similarly but does not specify required or preferred technical areas for each role but does list out speciaties (RCx, building controls, or cyber). Please clarify the specific requirements for submitting proposed SMEs. Should one SME specialize in Requirement 3 tasks (RCx/Controls systems) while the other should specialize in Cyber? Is there a preference for which specialty SME1 or SME2 should have (i.e. SME1 should be RCx/controls and SME2 should be cyber or vice-versa)?

Answer: See edits in Section C.4. and L.3.a.2 in RFP Amendment 1

Question 2. Regarding RFP paragraph L.3.c, could you please provide your Center’s small business goals?

Answer: Given that the ratings for the small business participation factor are only acceptable or unacceptable, we do not feel that it is necessary to provide the Center’s goals.

Question 3. Will the Government allow previously completed Government PPQs (different format) to be submitted for past performance? We are finding it increasingly difficult to impose on Government owners, to repeatedly fill out PPQs for the same project.

Answer: Previously submitted PPQs are acceptable, but they are still required to be submitted by the source, not by your office. See updated language in L.3.b. of RFP Amendment 1.

Question 4. Paragraph M.3.d Factor 4, Past Performance, section 1, Recency Assessment states: “To be recent, the effort must be ongoing or must have been performed during the past five (5) years from the date of issuance of this solicitation” conflicts with paragraph L.3.a.4 which states: “The offeror shall demonstrate their experience by describing completed projects with tasks and scope of a similar nature to that described in the solicitation.” Please clarify if relevant experience examples must be completed, or if they are allowed to be ongoing.

Answer: Completed or ongoing projects are acceptable. See updated language in L.3.a.4 of RFP Amendment 1.

Question 5. Paragraph L.3.a.2 states “If subcontractor or personnel employed by other than the offeror are proposed, qualifications will only be considered if a firm commitment is demonstrated with the firm by which they are employed or with the individuals identified. Commitment letters shall be provided with the offeror as appropriate.” Please clarify if commitment letters are to be a corporate commitment, or if they need to be personal commitments for each proposed resume.

Answer: See updated language in L.3.a.2 of RFP Amendment 1

Question 6. Regarding RFP paragraph L.3.d2 Please confirm whether or not the submission of subcontractor indirect cost rate information (Rate Component Tab in Attachment 1) is required or if it is optional.

Answer: It is optional.

Question 7. May existing CPARS be used in place of PPQs?

Answer: Section L.3.b. addresses the fact that the Government may use data provided in the offeror’s proposal and data obtained from other sources, which may potentially include CPARS.

Question 8. May PPQs submitted on prior Government proposals be submitted in place of new PPQs?

Answer: See answer to Question 3.

Question 9. Does the maximum of 12 PPQS include both Prime and Subcontractor experience?

Answer: Yes, both prime and subcontractor experience.

Question 10. Is there a minimum number of PPQs each subcontractor is required to submit?

Answer: No

Question 11. The majority of our projects span multiple Technical Areas. When combined with our Subcontractors’ Past Performance, there is the potential for our team to show more than 3 three projects in each Technical Area. Is this acceptable given the requirement to show Subcontractor Past Performance?

Answer: Yes, as long as there are at least 3 per area and no more than 12 total.

Question 12. Regarding Attachment 2 – “Subject Matter Expert 2,” should “15 years” read “5 years”?

Answer: Yes, it should be “5 years.” See edited Attachment 2 in RFP Amendment 1