Questions_and_Answers.pdf

# Reference Question Answer

1. N/A Is there an incumbent currently providing support for this effort?

No. This is a new effort for the National Guard Bureau. Any previous requirements from other agencies are not applicable to this RFP.

2. 1.4.5.8.

Pg. 8 of 107

Last sentence states, “Level 1 OPSEC training is available at

Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.” What is the correct

URL for the OPSEC training?

The URL has been updated in the PWS.

3. 02 Series

CLINs

Pg. 3-9 of 107

What is the Not-to-Exceed Ceiling for these CLINs? The NTE amount for the referenced CLINs are $10,000 as listed in

Attachment J-3 – Price Model.

4. 1.2.

Pg. 12 of 107

Technical Exhibit III is referenced. Where is this Exhibit in the RFP documents?

There is no Technical Exhibit III. The reference has been removed.

5. 1.4.3.

Pg. 13 of 107

What is the work policy for personnel for Inauguration Day in 2021 in Option Year 3)? Is this considered a federal holiday in OPM?

Please refer to 1.4.4. “…when the Government facility/installation is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government-directed facility/installation closings”.

6. 1.4.14. and

1.4.17.

Pg. 19 of 107

1.4.14 states, "the contractor shall have personnel on board during the ten (10) days PIPO period; 1.4.17 states, the contractor shall fill all positions within 30 days of contract award.

Q1. Please clarify number of required staff during PIPO period

Due to the nature of this RFP with FFP with CR Travel CLINs it is up to the Offerors to determine staffing.

7. 1.4.18.2.

Pg. 20 of 107

It appears that a total of four functional areas are listed –

CPIC, Cyber security, IT Strategic Planning and

JCCC/JISCC. How many FTEs are required for each functional area, and therefore how many total FTEs?

The functional areas are as follows: IT Strategic Planning support, Program Management (PM) support, Capital Planning Investment

Control/Portfolio Management (CPIC/PfM), Information

Management/Knowledge Management (IM/KM), and Cybersecurity. This is a firm fixed price (FFP) requirement with cost reimbursable (CR) travel

CLINs. FTEs will not be provided.

8. 1.4.18.2.

Pg. 20 of 107

Qualifications are listed for personnel in the areas of

JCCC/JISCC; however, JCCC and JISCC are not listed as functional areas in Paragraph 1.2.1. Are these additional functional areas, or does the Government seek support in these particular organizations?

No. Section 1.4.18.2 does not establish additional functional areas.

9. 5.5.

Pg. 27 of 107

Will the Government distinguish between “major” and

“minor” deliverable(s)?

There is no difference in major and minor deliverables. Reference has been removed.

10. 5.10.

Pg. 28 of 107

To appropriately and accurately complete the CMRA, will the Government define “Command” and “FSC”?

This will be given at time of award.

11. 5.11.3.

Pg. 28 of 107

Will the Government consider an update to 5.11.3 to make the deliverable due within 30 days of receipt from the

Government and remove the reference to NTE 90 days of contract award?

The NTE 90 days of contract award has been removed.

12. 5.11.9.

Pg. 29 of 107

Will the Government provide a contact list for all personnel associated with this task including NG JS directorate and external mission partners?

This will be given at time of award.

13. 5.13.4.

Pg. 30 of 107

PWS references line "5.13.4.4," confirm it should read:

"5.13.4"

Correct; reference has been revised.

14. L.5.2.7.1.

Pg. 90 of 107

Section L.5.2.7.1 Security Clearance states that "No award will be made to any offeror, which does not possess a facility security clearance...at the Secret level". Does this mean that an offeror must have a Secret facility security clearance in place at the time of submission or will the Government sponsor the appropriate facility security clearance after award?

Yes. This requirement is stated at RFP Section 1.4.5.10 implementing the requirements for security clearance listed at PWS paragraph 4.0.

15. 4.0.

Pg. 26 of 107

L.5.3.2.

Pg. 93 of 107

Section 4.0, “Secret Facility Clearance”, states that a security clearance of SECRET is required for all Contractor

Employees. But in sub-factor of section L.5.3.2, the proposed key personnel…must have current clearances (OR be eligible to receive such a clearance). Which clause is the authority on this matter?

The Secret Facility Clearance must be held by the prime contractor in accordance with the DD254. If subcontractors are proposed, the subcontractor must have a Secret Facility Clearance in accordance with the

DD254 as well.

16. L.5.2.7.1.

Pg. 90 of 107

Are offeror's subcontractor teaming partners required to have a facility clearance as well? Does this apply to independent consultants used in the performance of this work?

See previous response.

17. L.3.6.

Pg. 86 of 107

L.3.6. There are three acceptable methods to deliver the proposal. Offerors shall mail or hand deliver and submit their proposals digitally via email. Offerors shall submit proposals in a sealed package and shall clearly mark the outer portion of the sealed package with the address specified below:

Is a compliant submission of a hand-delivered proposal dependent on an additional email submission or is the digital submission an additional option available to the offeror and it is not necessary to submit a hand-delivered proposal?

No. Offerors may submit proposals via three separate mean not dependent upon one another. Submissions may be received by mail, hand delivered or transmitted digitally via email.

18. L.3.6.1.

Pg. 86 of 107

L.4.2.1.

Pg. 87 of 107

In L.3.6.1:

“Should the government want to print the volumes of the proposal”: Margins: 1”; Font: Arial; 12 point; Format:

Adobe PDF (except price model)

All references have been changed to Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1” margins.

But, in L.4.2.1:

“The offeror’s hardcopy version of the proposals […] the font shall be Times New Roman; no less than 11 point, and

¾ inch side margins.

What is the correct font, side margins, and point size OR does this mean that a softcopy should be in the Arial font and if one were to offer a hardcopy the hardcopy should be in Times New Roman?

19. L.5.2.9.1.

Pg. 91 of 107

L.4.2.5.

Pg. 87 of 107

In L.5.2.9.1:

What is meant that a price model, produced in Excel, cannot be a print image? Does that mean that a price model spreadsheet must be submitted digitally, regardless of the method used to submit the other components of the proposal?

In L.4.2.5:

“In the event hardcopy and softcopy content conflict, the hardcopy version will take precedence over softcopy version.”

This seems to imply that the Offeror would submit both a hardcopy and a softcopy.

NGB requests the digital copy of the price model be received in excel and not PDF. If an offeror submits electronically only, NGB shall receive an excel version. If an offeror submits via hardcopy a CD is required with all volumes.

20. L.4.2.4.

Pg. 87 of 107

L.3.6.1.

Pg. 86 of 107

In L.4.2.4:

“Softcopies shall be in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat compatible formats only”. This appears to be in conflict with

L.3.6.1 Which one is correct?

Microsoft Excel is under the Microsoft Suite of products so there is not a conflict between acceptable versions.

21. L.4.2.4.1.

Pg. 87 of 107

L.5.2.9.1.

Pg. 91 of 107

In L.4.2.4.1:

“Digital Microsoft (MS) Word Files and MS Excel files shall be compatible with MS Office 2013.”

But, in L.5.2.9.1:

“The offeror shall submit its price model…in Microsoft

Excel format, utilizing any of the following versions:

Microsoft Office 2000, 2007, or Office XP.” MS Office

2013 is not listed here. Which version of MS is the most appropriate version?

Microsoft Office 2013 is acceptable although it was not listed in L.5.2.9.1.

22. RFP Block 8

L.3.7.

Pg. 86 of 107

The due date for the solicitation, listed in L.3.7, is Monday, 10 Feb. 10 Feb is a Friday. Does the 10th properly correspond to the date in block 8 and not the day (Monday)?

The Offer Due Date is 10 February 2017 at 12:00 noon per Block 8. L.3.7.

featured a typographical error listing Monday as opposed to Friday.

23. Subfactor 2

Pg. 93 of 107

Will contact of references be conducted post award? In the event references are contacted, any attempts to do so will be made prior to award.

24. L.5.4.4.

Pg. 97 of 107

If a current CPARS report is available, can the report be submitted in the Past Performance Volume in lieu of a Past

Performance Questionnaire?

Yes.

25. Subfactor 2

Pg. 93-94 of

States that key personnel candidates shall sign a letter of commitment indicating, “…they shall remain in their position beginning on the effective date of the contract through the first two years of the contract term.” From past experience, award could be delayed due to funding, changing requirements, protest actions, etc. With that, it is difficult to secure a commitment for such a non-specific term. Would the Government consider eliminating the term requirement?

No.

26. Subfactor 2

Pg. 94 of 107

Second sentence reads, “The Offeror shall also demonstrate that all key personnel (prime or subcontractor employees)”

Is there more text that goes with this sentence?

The referenced section has been removed.

27. L.4.5.

Pg. 88 of 107

Refers to a QC Plan, does the Gov’t want this delivered with the proposal or 60 days after?

The Initial QC Plan is required within 60 days after award.

28. L.5.4.

Pg. 96 of 107

Are subcontract consent letter and subcontractor letters commitment excluded from the page count in the Past

Performance Volume?

Yes.

29. L.5.3.2 -

L.5.3.3

Pg. 93-95 of

Volume II References Tab A and Tab C, it appears Tab B is omitted

Tab C has been updated to read as Tab B.

30. Subfactor 2

Pg. 94 of 107

States "the subfactor 2 portion of the proposal shall address the following… demonstrated experience planning, directing and managing tasks…

Q1 For the three bullets in this subfactor, are these response expected as from a Corporate perspective, or based on the proposed resource individual resume/experience?

Responses shall be based on the proposed resource individual resume/experience, not a Corporate Perspective.

31. 1.4.18.1

L.5.3.2. Sub 2

M.4.1.2-

M.4.1.2.1

The person(s) assigned by the Contractor to provide services in the following labor categories are considered key personnel: Program Manager.

Typically, the Alternate Program Manager serves a different role and acts in the Program Manager’s stead if an absence, etc. occurs. However, Due to the nature of this RFP with FFP with CR Travel CLINs it is up to the

Offerors to determine staffing.

Pg. 19, 93, At a minimum, the Government defines Key Personnel as the Program Manager and the Alternate Program manager.

Sub-factor 2: Key Personnel

The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s proposed key personnel listed below:

M.4.1.2.1 Program Manager

Does the government consider the Alternate Program

Manager a Full Time Equivalent billable resource?

32. L.5.2.3

Pg. 89 of 107

References a Section K, however, there is no

Section K in the solicitation. Can you please clarify what additional information under this section is required to be submitted?

A response to Section K is required in accordance with FAR 15.204-1

(Uniform Contract Format) including Representations, certifications, and other statements of offerors or respondents. By completing your Official

Representations and Certifications (FAR & DFAR Report) via sam.gov the step is typically completed.

33. L.5.2.9.2.

Pg. 91 of 107

What is meant by "not directly price or pay"? This requirement is unclear. What criteria is the government using to determine what constitutes payment vs. non-payment for phase-in/phase-out periods?

Phase In Phase Out will not be directly broken out and priced via separate

Contract Line Items (CLINs) in this requirement.

34. L.5.3.2.

Pg. 95 of 107

Requires submission of a Letter of Commitment for each person designated as Key. However, the LOC notes the Key

Person's "intention to accept employment." If the proposed

Key Person is already an employee of the company (Prime or Sub), is an LOC still required? Also, as the LOC contains total compensation information (which is proprietary to the offeror - Prime or Sub), should the LOC be provided directly to the government (with appropriate reference in the staffing section of the appendix to Vol II)

No. All Letters of Commitment shall be directly sent with the Offeror’s proposal to the Government POC listed in the RFP.

35. L.5.3.2.

Pg. 95 of 107

Salary and benefits information is being provided as part of the Pricing Volume, why is the government requesting this information as part of the Technical Volume (e.g., letter of commitment)?

The salary/benefits information being provided in the letters of commitment are not being explicitly priced as part of an offeror’s proposal. This is verification of potential employment in the event of contract award.

36. M.4.1.1.3.

Pg. 100 of 107

No sample task was identified in the government provided documentation. Is it the intent of the government issue a sample task?

No. Reference has been revised.

37. M.4.1.1.4.

Pg. 100 of 107

States that the Technical knowledgeability section include a

"proposed plan to provide staffing." Is it sufficient for the elements of information of this plan to be included in the

Management and Staffing section of the proposal, with cross references to that section provided in the Technical

Knowledgeability section?

Yes.

38. L.5.2.9.1.

Attachment 1

Does the government require names of proposed personnel in Attachment J-3 Price Model spreadsheet?

All proposed personnel with LOC’s should be crosswalked with their

Labor category on the Price Model Spreadsheet

39. L.5.2.9.1.

Attachment 1

Option Year 4 omitted from the summary tab 1a.1, please revise to include a price line tem for option year 4.

Tab I.a.1 – Final Pricing has been updated to reflect all performance periods.

40. L.5.2.9.1.

Attachment 1

Why are there columns for “Rate”, “Hour” and “Price” for

CMRA? Per Tab I.a.1, CMRA is NSP.

CMRA is not separately priced (NSP). The pricing model has been revised.

41. L.5.2.9.1.

Attachment 1

As this is a FFP contract the subcontractor cost are included in our cost build up, will the government consider removing the requirement for subcontractor cost build up?

The requirement has been removed. However, offerors must fully comply with sections L.5.2.1.3.

42. 1.4.18.1.

Pg. 19 of 107

Does the Government require the PM to come from a specific functional area or is it a separate position? If the

Govt. wants the PM to come from a specific functional area, which one is it?

The PM has the overall responsibility of overseeing work being performed under this contract and could also serve in one of the functional areas. The alternates/team leads are required in each division (3).

43. 1.4.5.9.

Pg. 16 of 107

What position does the Level II OPSEC Coordinator need to be aligned with?

The Level II OPSEC Coordinator is not a position; it is an additional duty.

44. 1.4.4

Pg. 13 of 107

Place and Performance of Services (page 13) names only

Headquarters, National Guard Bureau, Arlington as place of performance. Is there a place of performance at the Pentagon also?

The Place and Performance of Services as stated in the PWS is the primary duty location.

45. DD-254,

Block 1a

Lists the requirement for a SECRET facility clearance. However, in Block k, there’s a requirement for the Cybersecurity personnel to have a TOP SECRET clearance. Should block 1a be changed to read “TOP

SECRET”?

The security level for the bulk of the personnel is at a SECRET level

(required for all NGB employees). While the Cybersecurity personnel are required to have a TOP SECRET level clearance due to the nature of the work being performed, block 10(k) will remain yes and block 11(k) will be changed from ‘No’ to ‘Yes’ as there is a potential chance the TS personnel may need to carry TS documents to/from meetings.

46. 4.0.

Pg. 26 of 107

States that “contractor employees working in the

Cybersecurity functional area must have been granted a TOP

SECRET security clearance from the Defense Industrial

Security Clearance Office.” M.4.1.2.2 (page 101) states that

“personnel working in the functional area of Cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework (RMF) should have a

TOP SECRET clearance.” Would the government please clarify which employees must have a TS clearance, i.e., only

Cybersecurity (per PWS) or both Cybersecurity and RMF

(per Sec M)?

Top Secret clearance level per the PWS is required for Cybersecurity personnel only.

47. 1.4.6.1.3

Pg. 17 of 107

To whom should the Contractor send the list of employees that require building badges?

The list of contractors required to have security badges should be provided to the COR.

48. TE 2, 5.13.4.

Pg. 30 of 107

FISMA Compliance Report is shown as being submitted annually, but the PWS shows it as quarterly. Would the

Government please clarify?

Per the PWS, FISMA Compliance Report shall be submitted quarterly.

49. 1.2.14.

Pg. 19 of 107

States “the Contractor shall have personnel on board during the ten (10) day PIPO. Question. When does the phase-in start, and what percentage of employees need to be on board at the end of the 10 day phase in?

Per page 19 of 107, the Phase-In period is to commence on the effective date of the contract. To minimize and decrease in productivity or negative impact on additional services; it is ideal that 100% of employees are on board at the end of PIPO, however, 1.4.17 states, the contractor shall fill all positions within 30 days of contract award.

50. 7.0.

Pg. 32 of 107

The length of time for the transition will be determined at contract award.

Does the government have an estimate of this timeline so an adequate plan can be developed?

There will be approximately 12 days from the start of the contract for the

Vendor to provide a transition plan.

51. 1.4.14.

Pg. 19 of 107

Does “Phase In” begin May 1, 2017 or will it occur prior to the end of the Incumbent’s period of performance. (Note:

previous work was under an Assisted Acquisition with

Department of Commerce, NTIS-Project Plan 2319.)

See Question 49

52. 1.4.14.

Pg. 44 of 107

Phase In/Phase Out Report

Could the government please provide format or content description for this report?

TBD.

53. 5.14.4-6. &

13.

Pg. 40-42 of

Could the government explain the relationship between

JCCSE and JIEE contracts?

There is no relationship between the JCCSE and JIEE contracts.

54. 5.12 (CPIC)

and (PfM) through IT investment analysis.

Pg. 29 of 107

Does the NG expect the contractor to adopt and implement

CPIC process that is in alignment with DOD CPIC process?

No, the Government does not expect the Vendor to adopt and implement

CPIC process. The Government expects the Vendor to recommend improvements and identify gaps to the current process.

55. 5.12 (CPIC)

and (PfM) through IT investment analysis.

Pg. 29 of 107

As part of the CPIC process does NGB expect the contract to develop/revisit business cases to collect information about

Program and Regional Systems using interviews with

System Owners and Program Managers? The Team reviewed relevant Budget justification materials (such as

OMB Exhibit 300s, OMB Exhibit 53s)?

As part of the CPIC process, under the direction of the Government, the

Vendor may be requested to revisit business cases in order to collect information about Program and Regional Systems using interviews.

The Government is not understanding the relevance of the second part of the question.

56. 6.1.2.

Pg. 31 of 107

Are the JCCSE component programs system compliance currently at 100% certification and meeting all certification requirements?

The JCCSE compliance and certification requirements will be provided to the Vendor during transition period.

57. 6.1.2.

Pg. 31 of 107

Will the Government clarify what is meant by ensure 100% of system certification?

It is the Government’s intent to insure all JCCSE systems are 100% compliant IAW DoD cyber security implementation plan (refer to page 49-

107).

58. 6.1.2.

Pg. 31 of 107

Are 100% of system certification and information assurance requirements compliant with IAW DoD and NGB Policies currently?

The compliance of certification and IA requirements will be provided to the Vendor during transition period.

59. 6.1.2.

Pg. 31 of 107

Is the contractor responsible for identifying the policies and architecture components for the JCCSE component programs?

The Vendor shall not identify policies or architectural components;

however, the Vendor shall develop architecture views as identified by the

Government.

60. 6.1.2.

Pg. 31 of 107

Will the contractor be responsible for the implementation of the RMF security controls for all JCCSE component programs?

No, the Vendor shall not be responsible for the implementation of the

RMF security controls. The Vendor shall assist the agency with the transition from DIACAP to RMF.

61. 1.4.18.1.

Pg. 19 of 107

States, “…provide an alternate Program Manager from both the areas of CIO and C4, one from each area…” Implies there will be two Alternate PMs. Is there a requirement for two (2) Alternate PMs in this contract?

See Question 42

62. 1.4.18.1.

Pg. 19 of 107

States PM as being Key Personnel, along with the Alternate

PM. Further, it mentions the need for Alternate PMs for the areas of CIO & C4. These areas are not listed as the key functional areas in Paragraph 1.2.1. Are “CIO and C4” the correct references?

CIO and C4 are divisions within the Organization not functions. Key functions can be found in Section 1.2.1.

63. 1.4.11.1

Pg. 18 of 107

To meet the travel requirements and submit a sufficient working Travel Plan, is there any additional information that can be provided (i.e., frequency and location)?

There is currently no further information that can be provided as it relates to travel requirements.

64. 3.1

Pg. 26 of 107

Will laptops be provided by the government since travel is required? If so, would laptops be considered Government

Furnished Equipment or Contractor Furnished Equipment?

Laptops will be provided on an as-needed basis and therefore would be considered Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). But, there will be times when GFE is not available and the use of Contractor Furnished

Equipment can be used.

65. 5.4, 5.9, 5.11.1, 5.11.2, 5.11.3, 5.11.4, 5.11.5, 5.11.6, 5.11.7, 5.11.8

Government or Contractor template? Mix of both.

Pg. 27-28 of

66. 1.4.18.1.

Pg. 19 of 107

Can you clarify the requirement for the Program Manager position and alternate for CIO and C4? Is the requirement that the Contractor provide a Program Manager for the overall contract in addition to Alternate Program Managers for each of the Task Areas or is the requirement that the

Contractor provide a Program Manager for the overall program in addition to a Program Manager and Alternate for each of the Task Areas?

See Question 42

67. 1.4.18.2.

Pg. 20 of 107

Is the Joint Communications Coordination Center (JCCC) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC) position being converted from the IM/KM position?

The Government feels this question has no relevance to the services being requested by the Vendor.

68. 5.7.

Pg. 28 of 107

In order to provide sufficient input, what is the intent of the staffing packets? What do they consist of?

Staffing packets are task dependent; therefore the content varies.