Attachment_7_-_Answers_to_Questions.pdf

Attachment 7: Answers to Questions: 20 June 2016

Questions were due 17 June 2016, 12:00 PM EDT.

NOTE: All changes made to the solicitation have been highlighted in red.

1. Based on our review of the solicitation’s CLIN structure and PWS, we note that there is only very limited information provided regarding the personnel requirements of this procurement, such as the very generic “Special Qualifications” in paragraph 1.5.17 (e.g., the ability to research, verbally communicate, and use a computer). These basic skills are necessary for a wide variety of positions. However, the PWS provides no specific information about personnel requirements, including: position titles or descriptions, task-specific required personnel qualifications, key personnel, correlation of positions to tasks, number of baseline full-time equivalent positions, and organizational unit/context. This information is fully known to the incumbent and would be known by any proposal-submitting contracting team on which the incumbent would be a member. In the interests of fair and open competition, and because Staffing Approach and Proposed Personnel are major elements of the Technical Factor, we request that the above information be published and provided to all eligible bidders.

NGB Answer: This is a performance based services requirement in accordance with FAR 37.102 and 37.6. As such, it is the responsibility of the contractor, based on its own core competencies, to analyze the requirement and propose a solution which will represent the best possible value based on the stated evaluation criteria and basis of award. In the interest of being transparent, below is a list of historical hours per year utilized to perform contract requirements. PWS paragraphs 5.1.15, 5.1.16, 5.1.17, 5.1.18, 5.1.19, 5.1.20, 5.2.11, 5.3.9, and PWS Sections 5.4 and 5.5 are new requirements from which no historical data can be derived.

PWS Section 5.1 - 7,456 PWS Section 5.2 – 3,728 PWS Section 5.3 – 5,592 PWS Section 5.4 – NEW PWS Section 5.5 – NEW

2. We request that you consider a change to paragraph 3.1 of Section L that permits submission of past performance within five (5) years of the RFP closing date, rather than three (3) years. Many of the tasks listed in paragraph 5 of the PWS are longstanding intelligence analysis, reporting, and briefing activities, for which past performance within five years would be highly relevant.

NGB Answer: Since this requirement is a set-aside to SBA 8(a) Business Development Program participants only, the Government has taken into account that SBA 8(a) participants may have more variable performance history when providing these services. Please see the amended solicitation paragraphs Section L 3.1 and Section M 2.3 which has changed the submission of past performance to five (5) years instead of three (3) years.

3. Can you identify any new tasks in Part 5/Specific Tasks and Technical Exhibit I/Performance Requirements Summary of the PWS that are not being performed under the current contract?

NGB Answer: Please see the answer to question #1 of this question set.

4. Section L 1.11 references the PWS in an Attachment 1, however, the PWS is in section J of the RFP and an attachment 1 has not been provided. Please confirm the reference in Section L 1.11 should be Section J of the RFP instead of Attachment 1.

NGB Answer: The intention of the Government was to incorporate Attachment 1: Performance Work Statement within Section J, List of Attachments, because the PWS will eventually be a part of the resulting contract while the other solicitation attachments will not. To avoid confusion, the Government has amended the title of the PWS in Section J and has noted in Section L that Attachment 1: Performance Work Statement, can be found in Section J.

5. Submission of the proposal is required through the AMRDEC SAFE website. The following email options are available: “encrypt email message when possible” and “Require CAC for pick-up”. Does the submittal require these two email settings to be enabled?

NGB Answer: Neither of the two email options are required for the Government to receive submissions through AMRDEC SAFE.

6. Section L 1.16 lists the attachments to the RFP as attachments 1-6. However, on the FBO website, Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement has not been provided as indicated in this section. Will the Government provide an Attachment 1 or correct section L 1.16 to indicate there are only attachments 2-6 provided and that the PWS has been provided in Section J of the RFP?

NGB Answer: Please see the answer to question #4 of this question set.

7. Section L 2.1.3 requires a breakdown and discussion of all personnel proposed to support the requirements. The offeror shall include a Resume of all proposed personnel. Please clarify the labor positions that require a resume to be provided.

NGB Answer: A resume is required for personnel proposed by the offeror to directly support the fulfillment of the requirement. The Government is relying on the offeror’s core competencies to review the requirement and propose a solution regarding personnel and labor positions.

8. Section L 3.1 states that the past performance volume shall not exceed 10 pages, plus up to two (2) additional pages for each major subcontractor. Assuming an offeror consists of a prime and a subcontractor, does that mean that the total volume (with combined references) cannot exceed 12 pages, or is it explicit that the prime will be limited to ten pages, and the subcontractor is limited to two pages?

NGB Answer: The prime is limited to ten pages with each major subcontractor proposed limited to two pages.

9. PWS sections 1.5.6.10 through 1.5.6.16 list numerous security training requirements for personnel on this contract. Are all incumbent personnel trained at these levels? Will contractor personnel receive this training while at the Government facility?

NGB Answer: PWS paragraphs 1.5.6.10, 1.5.6.11, 1.5.6.14, 1.5.6.16 are all the trainings referenced in the questioned range, and all of these trainings are required by any personnel, government or contractor, who work on an Army installation and access Army Systems. PWS paragraphs 1.5.6.10, and 1.5.6.14 can be completed online, and the PWS has been edited to include the links to the training. PWS paragraphs 1.5.6.11 and 1.5.6.16 will be provided by the NG-J2 upon contractor personnel arrival at the place of performance.

10. In the requirements for the Staffing Approach, the Government states “the offeror shall also provide evidence of financial capability in order to ensure the offeror is responsible….” Financial capability is typically provided as part of the Cost/Price volume. Would the Government consider moving this requirement to Volume III, Cost/Price?

NGB Answer: The Government has reviewed this question, and the Government has moved the following language from Section L, paragraph 2.1.2 to Section L, paragraph 4.3.

“The offeror shall also provide evidence of financial capability in order to ensure the offeror is responsible in accordance with FAR 9.104.”

11. Will the Government exclude Cover Sheets, Tables of Contents, Lists of Figures, Glossaries, and Indexes from the page limitation?

NGB Answer: The exclusions of page limitations from Section L, paragraph 1.10 remain unchanged.

12. Will the Government please clarify the Past Performance page limitations with regard to L.3.1.1, L.3.1.2, and L.3.1.3?

NGB Answer: Please see the answer to question #8 of this question set.

13. PWS 1.5.17 Special Qualifications Proficiency in the use of computers and associate software.

Computer literacy includes demonstrated expertise in using Microsoft Office and various data bases. Will the Government please provide a list of a) required and b) desired data bases?

NGB Answer: Please see amended PWS paragraph 1.5.17, which the language “various data bases,” has been removed. The intent was not for required knowledge of a specific databases, but the ability to manage basic computer skills, such as the filing of documents within a local shared drive.

14. How many FTE's are supporting the current contract?

NGB Answer: The Government has provided historical hours in question #1 of this question set.

15. Please provide an anticipated Level of Effort for this RFP.

NGB Answer: The Government is relying on the offeror, based on their own core competencies, to review the requirements of the PWS and submit a proposed solution.

16. Would Past Performance Questionnaires be required if the Prime or Sub has current CPARS?

NGB Answer: The Government has amended Section L paragraph 3.1.4 of this solicitation. Please read the amended section in its entirety. The offeror is only required to provide Attachment 6, Past Performance Questionnaire for proposed past performance efforts where a Contract Performance Assessment Report is not available in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS).

In addition, Section L paragraph 3.1.4 was further amended to clarify that even though a Past Performance Questionnaire should be sent to either the cognizant contracting officer or the technical representative responsible for past/current contract, the Government POCs should only complete one version to speak on behalf of the organization. Should the solicitation contracting office receive multiple responses, only the first response will be reviewed. An amended Attachment six (6) is included.