Section L Attachment 6 - Question and Answer Log for CoMSupCen RFP - W9133L24R3801.pdf

Section L Attachment 6 – Question and Answer Log for CoMSupCen RFP – W9133L24R3801 as Issued via Solicitation Amendment 0002

Amendment 0001

Question

Document (e.g., PWS, Solicitation, Attachment, etc.)

Section/ Paragraph Reference

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1 Solicitation Section L /Volume IV – Past Performance

146 Given this solicitation is an 8(a) Competitive Small Disadvantaged Business set-aside, if an 8(a) prime offeror submits an affiliate past performance as one of their prime citations, in Section 1 and Section II, will it be evaluated and credited as experience for the submitting entity and be scored as such, provided that the meaningful involvement of the affiliate is properly established?

This would be consistent with the new 2024 NDAA language Section 865 in full provides “not later than July1, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall amend section 215.305 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement (or any successor regulation) to require that when small business concerns bid on Department of Defense contracts, the past performance evaluation and source selection processes shall consider, if relevant, the past performance of affiliate companies of the small business concerns.”

See the answer to question 8, and refer to the updated instructions in the solicitation (L 2(c)(iv)).

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2 PWS 1.4.3 20 Reference: PWS 1.4.3 Quality Control indicates “The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective QC Plan (QCP) to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS.” The PWS Attachment 13 Section 12. QUALITY CONTROL (QCO) indicates “CoMSupCen has developed a quality control program (QCP), including a quality control policy that outlines the contractor's goals, objective and standards.”

Question: Would the Government clarify whether the contractor will operate under the CoMSupCen QCP and quality policies or be required to develop the QCP for the awarded contract? If the former, would the Government provide the CoMSupCen QCP and a copy of the quality policies currently in force on the incumbent contract?

The contractor must develop their own QCP for the awarded contract.

3 PWS 1.4.4 20 Reference: PWS and SOG reference the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (PWS 1.4.4).

Question: Would Government provide the QASP to the bidders library?

The Government will not provide the QASP. The QASP is not a solicitation or a contract attachment. The QASP is a Government developed document used by Government personnel to assess contractor performance.

Notwithstanding, the applicable portions of the QASP that will be used by Government personnel to assess contract performance are included in the standards and AQLs of Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary in the

PWS.

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4 PWS 1.4.5.1 and 4.3

Reference: PWS 1.4.5.1 states "Requests for security clearance will be validated by the COR".

PWS 4.3 Contractor security clearance states “Reserved.”

Question: Please clarify if a facilities clearance is needed, if required, at what security level, and please define the scope of work that requires a security clearance as expected under this contract.

A facility clearance is not required at this time.

The PWS 1.4.5.1 reference to security clearances has been updated to reference Common Access Cards (CACs).

5 PWS 1.4.5.1.1

1.4.5.1.2

Reference: RFP states in 1.4.5.1.1 "The COR will review the form for completeness and accuracy and forward it to the NGB Personnel Security manager who will initiate the investigation process via the PSIP." Then states in 1.4.5.1.2 " A CAC cannot be issued without evidence that the FSO has submitted a National Agency Check with Written Inquires (NACI) and it has been returned as approved."

Question: Is the investigation referred to in

1.4.5.1.1 the NACI investigation?

The investigation referred to in PWS paragraph

1.4.5.1.1 is the Tier 1 investigation (formerly NACI investigation) referred to in PWS paragraph 1.4.5.1.

Please also refer to the revised PWS paragraph 1.4.5.1.2.

6 PWS 1.4.5.1.1

1.4.5.1.2

Reference: RFP states in 1.4.5.1.1 "The COR will review the form for completeness and accuracy and forward it to the NGB Personnel Security manager who will initiate the investigation process via the PSIP." Then states in 1.4.5.1.2 " A CAC cannot be issued without evidence that the FSO has submitted a National Agency Check with Written Inquires (NACI) and it has been returned as approved."

Question: Is the process defined in 1.4.5.1.1 the way that the Contractor FSO submits an NACI investigation?

The background investigation requirements contained in PWS paragraph 1.4.5.1.1 describes the process for an employee requiring an initial background investigation. PWS paragraph 1.4.5.1 defines the initial background investigation required, which is a favorably adjudicated Tier 1 (formerly NACI investigation) or an equivalent or higher investigation.

Please also refer to the revised PWS paragraph 1.4.5.1.2.

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7 Solicitation Section L 2 c (v)(5)

150 Reference: Section L discusses indirect rates:

“Offerors are advised that the Government will incorporate the successful offeror’s GAAP indirect cost rates that it proposes for the COST ONLY CLINs, and that the successful offeror’s failure to adhere to the proposed GAAP indirect cost rates during any year of the contract may constitute a material breach of the contract.”

Question: Is the intent to restrict Offers into using only the indirect rates in place at the award or will those rates be allowed to adjust provided the rates are GAAP compliant?

The indirect rates may not be unilaterally changed by the contractor. The Government intends to limit the offeror’s indirect rates in place at the time of award unless the offeror can provide documentation that their rates have been updated as a result of GAAP compliance.

Example 1: An offeror proposes their indirect rate of 5 percent with their proposal. At year 3 of contract performance the contractor requests an increase in their indirect rate to 6 percent. In this case, provided the contractor provides sufficient detail to justify their rate increase in accordance with GAAP, an increase in the indirect rate may be accepted by the Contracting Officer and incorporated via bilateral written modification to the contract.

Example 2: An offeror proposes their indirect rate of 5 percent with their proposal. At year 3 of contract performance the contractor’s indirect rate has decreased to 4 percent. In this case, the contractor shall identify to the Contracting Officer that, in accordance with GAAP, their indirect rate has decreased. The decreased rate may be accepted by the Contracting Officer and incorporated via written modification to the contract.

The bottom line is the Government’s intent is to ensure that a reasonable evaluation can be conducted of unknown future cost items.

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8 Solicitation Section L 2.c.iv(3)

148 Reference: Per Section 3 – Past Performance of Individuals, Predecessor Corporations or Corporate Parent/Affiliates and Joint Ventures the RFP states:

“…the Government will consider past performance of a parent or affiliate where the offeror clearly demonstrates that the resources of the parent or affiliate were meaningfully involved in the past performance contract and the offeror includes an express commitment that the resources of the parent or affiliate will be available to and meaningfully involved in performance under this Contract.”

Question: Please confirm that affiliate past performance “Contract or Order Descriptions” should appear in Section 1; affiliate past performance “Performance” narrative should appear in Section 2; and “meaningful involvement” narrative for the affiliate should appear in Section 3.

Affiliate past performance “Contract or Order Descriptions” should appear in Section 1.

Affiliate past performance “Performance” narrative should appear in Section 2.

“Meaningful involvement” for the affiliate should appear in Section 1.

Please refer to the updated instructions in the solicitation.

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9 Solicitation Section L 2.c.iv(3)

148 Question: Given this solicitation is an 8(a) Competitive Small Disadvantaged Business set-aside, please confirm that in accordance with Section 3 on page 148, if an 8(a) prime offeror submits past performance contracts performed by a corporate affiliate in Sections 1 and 2 of Volume IV, these affiliate contracts will be evaluated and credited as experience for the prime offeror, provided that the meaningful involvement of the affiliate is properly demonstrated and accompanied by an express commitment of resources consistent with Section 3.

This would be consistent with the new 2024 NDAA language Section 865 in full provides “not later than July1, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall amend section 215.305 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement (or any successor regulation) to require that when small business concerns bid on Department of Defense contracts, the past performance evaluation and source selection processes shall consider, if relevant, the past performance of affiliate companies of the small business concerns.”

See the answer to question 8.

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10 Solicitation Section L 2.c.iv(3)

148 Questions: Where does the Offeror place the CPARS in the Volume IV Past Performance and will they be excluded from the page count?

Please be advised, the offeror is not required to submit CPARS. The Government will retrieve CPARS information for efforts identified by the offeror.

Moreover, as provided in the solicitation, “The Government may use data provided by the offeror in its proposal and data obtained from other sources, including data in Government files or data obtained through interviews with personnel familiar with the contractor and their current and past performance under Federal, State or Local government or commercial contracts for same or similar services. The Government has no duty to search for additional data to cure problems the Government finds in the information provided by the offeror.”

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11 Solicitation Section L 2.c.iv(3)

148 Given that the Government indicated in the Industry Day the turnaround time for this submission would be 45-days, and to allow our Federal customers adequate time to complete and submit PPQs, considering the Federal President’s Day holiday on Feb 19, would the government consider extending the due day of submissions to March 25, therefore extending the submission date for the PP Volume and PPQs to March 11.

Reference: 1) The Government indicated in the Industry Day the turnaround time for this submission would be 45-days and the RFP released on March 9 provided Offerors only a 35-day turnaround. 2) The RFP requires Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) to be provided for contracts without CPARs. February 19th is a Federal holiday.

Question: To allow our Federal customers adequate time to complete and submit PPQs and Offerors adequate time to provide a quality proposal addressing all requirements of an RFP of this complexity, would the Govt consider extending the due date of the proposal submission to March 25, therefore extending the submission date for the PPQs and Volume IV — Past Performance to March 11?

Past Performance Questionnaires were requested 2 weeks prior to the end of the solicitation on 15 MAR 24. This would make the due date for Past Performance 01 Mar 2024.

However, due to the updates in the amended solicitation, the Government has revised the submission due date for Volume IV - Past Performance to be the same as all other volumes.

It should be noted that it was provided at Industry day the documentation presented was in draft format and subject to change. Moreover, while at Industry day the Government was provided feedback that 45 days would not be required with the posting of the draft and 2 separate Q&A sessions.

12 PWS 5.2.4 and 5.2.5

54 Question: Please provide historical workload that supports the vehicle modification and equipment fabrication requirements. Attachment 07 fails to provide any information that would allow offerors to estimate staffing needed to perform the vehicle modifications or equipment modification functions.

Please be advised that the level of fidelity requested is not tracked in the maintenance database. Vehicle modification and equipment fabrication requirements are included in the work order totals incorporated in PWS Attachment 7 – Historical Workload.

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13 PWS 5.2.6 54 Question: Please provide historical workload that supports system engineering requirements.

Attachment 07 fails to provide any information that would allow offerors to estimate staffing needed to perform the systems engineering function.

Systems engineering requests of this nature are not tracked as such in the current management information system. However, system engineering requests, in general, are realized via modifications, which are part of the work order totals (see answer to question 12).

14 PWS 5.2.8 55 Question: Please provide historical workload that supports kit assembly requirements.

Attachment 07 fails to provide any information that would allow offerors to estimate staffing needed to perform the kitting function.

Kit assembly requirements are contingent upon:

(1) the type of equipment, (2) the type of unit, and

(3) the location of the unit. To that end, even if the Government could provide historical workload on the requirement, the historical data would not be relevant to predict future requirements.

15 PWS 5.3.2 55 Question: Please provide historical workload that provides data as to the average number of equipment items tracked by the warranty management requirement. Is warranty management tracked in the Maximo CMMS?

Warranty management is tracked in the Maximo

CMMS.

The level of fidelity requested for the average number of equipment items is not tracked in the warranty management system.

16 Solicitation Section L 1.b.ix

138 Question: RFP states: “All lines of text shall be continuously numbered within each Volume.” Will the government allow the line numbers to appear inside the margin?

Yes, the location for line numbering is inside the left margin.

17 Solicitation Section L 2.c.iv.(3)

148 Reference: RFP states: “…Government will consider past performance of a parent or affiliate where the offeror clearly demonstrates that the resources of the parent or affiliate were meaningfully involved in the past performance contract and the offeror includes an express commitment that the resources of the parent or affiliate will be available to and meaningfully involved in performance under this Contract.”

Question: Please clarify what constitutes an “express commitment” (i.e., signed letter vs.

statement in the narrative), where it should appear in our proposal submission and confirm they are outside of page count.

For past performance of a parent or affiliate, the express commitment of resources shall be provided for in a signed letter from an official with the authority to commit the resources of the parent or affiliate company and who is authorized to enter into contracts with the Government. The express commitment of resources shall be submitted on the parent or affiliate company’s letterhead.

The express commitment shall be submitted with Section 1 of Volume IV - Past Performance. The express commitment will not count against page limits.

Please be advised that the solicitation has been updated to reflect these changes.

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18 Solicitation Section L 2.c.iv

147 Reference: RFP states: “…The offeror shall also submit the written consent of any major subcontractor whose performance is being submitted to allow the disclosure of its subcontractor’s past performance information to the offeror. In addition, letters of commitment shall be included for all major subcontractors whose past performance is proposed in this section.”

Question: Please confirm where in the proposal Subcontractor letters of commitment should appear and that they are outside of page count.

Subcontractor letters of commitment shall be provided in Section 1, Volume IV – Past Performance.

Subcontractor letters of commitment are not included in the page count.

Table 2 and Section 1, Volume IV – Past Performance have been updated, 19 Solicitation Section L 2.c.ii.c

143 Reference: RFP states: “ The Government will evaluate the Organizational Experience of a parent or affiliate as a prime contractor to a Federal entity within the past 5 years where the Offeror demonstrates that the resources of the parent or affiliate were meaningfully involved in the Organizational Experience reference, and the Offeror includes an express commitment that the resources of the parent or affiliate will be available to, and meaningfully involved in, performance under a contract awarded pursuant to this solicitation.

Question: Please clarify what constitutes an “express commitment” (i.e., signed letter vs.

statement in the narrative), where it should appear in our proposal submission and confirm they are outside of page count.

For organizational experience, the express commitment of resources shall be provided for in a signed letter from an official with the authority to commit the resources of the parent or affiliate company and who is authorized to enter into contracts with the Government. The express commitment of resources shall be submitted on the parent or affiliate company’s letterhead.

The express commitment shall be submitted with Volume II – Go/No-Go Criteria.

The are no page limits established for Volume II – Go/No-Go Criteria.

Please be advised that the solicitation has been updated to reflect these changes.

20 PWS 5.5.4 61 Question: Does the contractor physically staff a visitor control desk or monitor a single-entry control point during normal business hours 0700

– 1730 Monday Through Friday, except on recognized US holidays or when the Government facility is closed?

Yes. The duty days/hours of the facility are 0700 – 1730 Monday through Friday, except on recognized US holidays or when the Government facility/installation is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government-directed facility/installation closings.

The visitor control desk shall be manned by the contractor for a total of 8 hours during the day.

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21 PWS 1.4.9.4.6 33 Reference: PWS paragraph 1.4.9.4.6 says in part: “supplies/equipment will be maintained and accounted for in the Air Force Medical System - Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS) – for accountability, not in the contractor’s inventory database. The duties will include customer service in medical and non-medical material management for CBRN Response Enterprise medical assemblages, forward logistics, receiving, stocking, selecting, and storing medical supply items, supply turn-in, and performing requisition functions for medical supplies and equipment, and receiving, safeguarding, and accounting for supplies and equipment.” The government has not provided a listing of equipment (PWS Attachment) accounted for in the Air Force Medical System identified above.

Question: Please provide a listing of supplies or equipment accounted for in the Air Force Medical System – DMLSS so offerors can determine the magnitude of the assets accounted for in the Air Force system.

A listing of the supplies or equipment accounted for in the Air Force Medical System – DMLSS is not required for the contractor to demonstrate its ability to meet PWS paragraph 1.4.9.4.6. The DMLSS items are included in the overall number of items managed within the CoMSupCen warehouse.

22 Attachment 07 #16 3 Reference: Work Orders (Total) references 3,260 maintenance requests processed.

Question: What types of work orders are covered by this historical data?

All equipment maintenance (i.e., vehicles, analytical equipment, etc.) is covered by the historical data.

23 Attachment 07 #16 3 Reference: Work Orders (Total) references 3,260 maintenance requests processed.

Question: Are these work orders in addition to the equipment maintenance operations and repairs listed in other areas of Attachment 07?

No. Please refer to PWS Attachment 7 - Historical Workload, which has been updated to correct an administrative error in the total and average for number 16.

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24 PWS 1.4.9.4.4,

and 5.1.4.1 and

Question: How many Maximo seat licenses are provided to the contractor?

The Government is currently providing the following Maximo licenses to the incumbent contractor: (13) IBM Maximo Asset Management Authorized User Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal; (25) IBM Maximo Asset Management Express Use Authorized User Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal; (39) IBM Maximo Asset Management Limited Use Authorized User Annual SW Subscription & Support Renewal.

However, the Government will be providing the Maximo licenses for contractor use and may, at its absolute and sole discretion, update the quantities as needed during contract performance.

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25 Solicitation Section M C. 151 Reference: In the instructions for Volume 1 General, the RFP states: …”Volume shall identify and explain any exceptions or deviations that the offeror is taking with any of the solicitation terms. Additionally, any assumptions used in the proposal preparation must be also identified and explained.

In the Evaluation approach the RFP mentions Exceptions and Deviations as it relates to the Volume II: Go/No-Go Criteria as such “…and materially comply with ALL requirements of the solicitation and the “Go/No- Go” criteria identified in Volume II – Go/No-Go Criteria requirements regarding: OCIs; Exceptions Deviations, or Requests for Waivers; Organizational Experience; Financial Responsibility; and Cost Accounting System” however there are no instructions as to where they should appear in Volume II.

Question: Please confirm the government intends for Exceptions/Deviations to appear in Volume I — General, only.

Yes, the Government intends for Exceptions, Deviations, and Requests for Waiver to be addressed in volume 1.

Volume II – Go/No-Go Criteria has been updated.

Section M of the solicitation has been updated.

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26 PWS 1.4.3 20 Reference: 1.4.3 Quality Control (QC): The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective QC Plan (QCP) to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure nonrecurrence of defective services. The contractor’s QCP is the means by which it assures itself that its work complies with the requirements of the contract. At a minimum, the contractor shall develop QC procedures that address the areas identified in Technical Exhibit 1, Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). A final QCP shall be submitted to the COR Not Later Than (NLT) 10 days after contract award. After acceptance of the QCP, the contractor shall obtain the Contracting Officer’s (KO’s) acceptance in writing of any proposed changes to its QCP.

Question: Please confirm no QCP is required with submission.

A QCP is not required to be submitted with an offeror’s proposal. However, please also see the answer to Question 2.

27 Solicitation Section L 2.c.(i)

139 Reference: RFP states: “Certifications and Representations – Each offeror shall complete (fill-in and signatures) the solicitation sections indicated below using the file (without modification to the file) provided with the RFP.

An authorized official of the firm shall sign the SF 33, which includes all the Sections (Sections B through K) of its offer, all certifications requiring original signature and any solicitation amendments, which shall constitute the original copy of the offeror’s proposal. An Acrobat PDF file shall be created to capture the signatures for submission.”

Question: Please confirm if the Acrobat PDF file should be submitted as a standalone file or incorporated into Volume I — General.

Please see the revised solicitation. The SF 33 and its required sections (i.e., Section A, B, G, and K) are one of four requirements to be included in Volume I.

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28 Solicitation 145 Within Section 2 – Staffing Approach, paragraph

e. mentions the PWS Cross Reference Table.

Please confirm that this reference to a requirement from the draft RFP is not a requirement for the final RFP and that submission of similar information using the government’s Attachment 2 is sufficient.

The reference to PWS cross reference table is an administrative error.

The referenced section of the solicitation has been updated to replace “PWS Cross Reference Table” with “Specific PWS paragraphs Labor category will be working.”

The Government’s intent is to provide offerors with the ability to insert nuance into what otherwise would just be a list of PWS paragraph numbers.

29 Solicitation Section L, 2.c.i

140 The solicitation states that an authorized official shall sign the SF 33, which includes all the sections (B through K). Below this are listed Sections A, B, G and K. Please confirm our understanding that from the RFP, only Sections A, B, G and K are submitted in Volume I.

With regard to the SF-33 document sections, only Sections A, B, G and K must be submitted.

However, please be advised, Volume I also requires other information that must be submitted (e.g., VETS 4212 Pre-Award Clearance Information, PIEA, etc.) to constitute a compliant proposal submission.

30 Solicitation Section L, 2.b.ii

136 Instructions for submission state that DoD SAFE will be used. As DoD SAFE requires a request code to drop off submissions, we are assuming a code should be requested from the contracting specialist. Please advise regarding the timing for submitting this request and any related instructions for DoD SAFE submission.

Please see updated instructions in the solicitation regarding DoD SAFE procedures.

31 Solicitation Section L, 2.b.x

138 On Indexing, the RFP states each volume submitted shall have a table of contents.

However, the table on Page 139 shows that TOCs are not required for Volume I and Volume V. Please clarify.

Please see updated instructions in the solicitation regarding proposal formatting and content requirements.

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32 Solicitation CLIN 0005 4 “Actual unburdened cost (excluding shipping expense) of specialized equipment repairs not already included in any previous contract line item.”

Can the USG confirm that this CLIN should include allowable indirect costs?

The Section B Cost type CLINs have been updated to reflect the sum of the Gov’t Plug Numbers (i.e., Not to Exceed (NTE)) for the respective ordering period reflected in Section F of the solicitation.

Offerors are not required to provide their pricing for Cost type CLINs in Section B. Only, FFP type CLINs require a submission by the offeror.

Volume 1, Section B has been updated to reflect this.

The Cost type CLINs, when awarded, will allow for allowable costs (i.e., direct plus indirect cost) up to the amount within the CLIN.

For the purpose of price evaluation, The Government is requesting offerors to "burden" the Gov’t Plug number with indirect rates for all Cost types CLINs so the Government can comparatively and fairly evaluate offerors’ indirect costs given the significance of the Cost type CLINs to the overall value of the effort.

33 Solicitation CLIN 0006 5 “Actual unburdened cost for shipping of inventory, equipment, and repairs.”

Can the USG confirm that this CLIN should include allowable indirect costs?

See the answer to question 32

34 Solicitation CLIN 2005 10 “Actual unburdened cost (excluding shipping expense) of specialized equipment repairs not already included in any previous contract line item.”

Can the USG confirm that this CLIN should include allowable indirect costs?

See the answer to question 32

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35 Solicitation CLIN 2006 11 “Actual unburdened cost for shipping of inventory, equipment, and repairs.”

Can the USG confirm that this CLIN should include allowable indirect costs?

See the answer to question 32

36 Solicitation Section L

(iv) Volume IV - Past Performance

146 Reference: Offerors may utilize the past performance of a major subcontractor for one (1) of the 3 past performance examples.

Question: If prime contractor has multiple major subcontractors, with signed letter of commitment, will the Government accept one (1) of three (3) Past Performance example from 2 major subcontractors for a maximum of two (2) of three

(3) examples?

No, the offeror may only utilize the past performance of a major subcontractor for one (1) of its 3 past performance examples.

37 Solicitation Section L paragraph (6)

150 Reference: Paragraph states "Prices shall be rounded to the nearest dollar in calculation."

Question: Gov't plug numbers for COST CLINs are not all rounded to whole dollars.

Per the updated solicitation, the Section B Cost type CLINs have been updated to reflect the sum of the Gov’t Plug Numbers (i.e., Not to Exceed (NTE)) for the respective ordering period reflected in Section F of the solicitation.

Prices submitted for cost CLINs in Volume V – Price shall be rounded to the nearest dollar in calculation.

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38 Solicitation Section L paragraph (4)

149 Reference: Paragraph states "1st Tab: The Offeror shall provide a summary tab providing the Overall Total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs, as well as a sum of the total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs. This sum (once mathematically reviewed by the Government) will be utilized as the Government's Total Evaluated Price for each Offeror for evaluation purposes only."

Question: Should the first sentence relate to the COST CLINs for the Base Ordering Period and the second sentence relate to the COST CLINs for the Option Ordering Period? Please provide the CLIN numbers for clarity.

The Government provided additional clarity in Section L, paragraph 2.c(v)(4).

39 Solicitation Section L paragraph (4)

149 Reference: Paragraph states "1st Tab: The Offeror shall provide a summary tab providing the Overall Total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs, as well as a sum of the total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs. This sum (once mathematically reviewed by the Government) will be utilized as the Government's Total Evaluated Price for each Offeror for evaluation purposes only."

Question: Which LABOR CLINs does this relate to? COST CLINs Surge Labor only or FFP Core LABOR CLINS too? Please provide the CLIN numbers for clarity.

See revised Section L, paragraph 2.c(v)(2) and Section L, paragraph 2.c(v)(3).

Furthermore, see the answer to question 38.

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40 Solicitation Section L paragraph (4)

149 Reference: Paragraph states "1st Tab: The Offeror shall provide a summary tab providing the Overall Total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs, as well as a sum of the total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs. This sum (once mathematically reviewed by the Government) will be utilized as the Government's Total Evaluated Price for each Offeror for evaluation purposes only."

Question: Are the FFP Labor CLINs excluded from the workbook? If not, where should the FFP Labor CLIN pricing be added? Are they a part of the TEP evaluation?

See revised Section L, paragraph 2.c(v)(2).

Furthermore, see the answer to question 38.

41 Solicitation Section B Reference: CLINs 0008, 2008 Service Contract Reporting (SCR).These CLINS show "FFP" in Section B Supplies/Service however the last sentence in each paragraph states "This item is an "informational" line item and is not separately price (NSP)."

Question: Are these CLINs NSP, which do not require any pricing entries?

Correct, these CLINs do not require offerors to provide pricing. Section B has been updated.

42 Solicitation Section L paragraph (5)

150 Reference: Last sentence in paragraph states "…the Labor CLIN prices proposed will be used as a starting point for the expected task order negotiations between the Government and successful Offeror."

Question: To which Labor CLINs does this statement refer? COST CLINs (Surge Labor)?

FFP CLINs (Core Labor)? Please provide the CLIN numbers for clarity.

The firm fixed price labor CLINs: 0001, 1001 – 1004, 2001, 3001 – 3004.

Also, please see question 7.

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43 Solicitation Section J Reference: "PWS Attachment 10 - Service Contract Act Wage Determination Incorporated* *Attachment will be included in resultant award"

Question: Can the government provide the applicable labor categories and SCA WD job codes for estimating purposes?

No. This is a performance-based requirement.

Labor categories and job codes are determined by each offeror.

44 Solicitation Section M b.2

Reference: "The Government will evaluate the sum of the Overall Total for Labor and all 10 Overall Totals of Annual Burdened COST ONLY CLINs as the Total Evaluated Price for each Offeror."

Question: Does the Overall Total Labor include both COST (Surge Labor) and FFP Labor (Core) CLINs? Please include the CLIN numbers for clarity.

See revised Section L, paragraph 2.c(v)(2).

45 PWS / Solicitation Section B

PWS 1.4.15,

1.4.15.1

36, Reference: “Phase In/Phase Out Periods.’ New contractor shall have personnel on board during the 30-day phase in and 60-day phase-out periods.” , “The transition is expected to take approximately 30 calendar days.”, “Phase-in must include at a minimum establishing the contractor’s project management, recruiting, and hiring necessary personnel, obtaining all required certifications and security clearances, participating in joint inventories, and signing for GFE, developing and submitting required contract deliverables, and accomplishing necessary training to support the functions listed in the PWS.”

Question: There is no Transition-In CLIN in Section B. Where are those costs to be included? Are these costs included in the TEP evaluation?

Transition costs are to be included in the offeror’s FFP labor CLIN (i.e., CLIN 0001).

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46 General Reference: 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates For Federal Hires (MAY 2014)

Question: Can the government provide this information to include the labor categories, exempt status, job codes, and equivalent hourly rate?

This is a performance-based requirement. Labor categories and job codes are determined by each offeror. To that end, the offerors should review their proposed labor categories, exempt status, and job codes to ensure compliance with the Service Contract Act.

47 Solicitation Section L Volume III – Technical ii (1)

144 Reference: “…Section L Attachment 2 – Staffing Table. The offeror shall use not less than 1,880 hours for a Full Time Equivalent.”

Question: With the inclusion of Juneteenth into the required paid holidays (11 days), the FTE should be 1,872 for non-SCA employees. For SCA employees who also receive paid sick leave, paid time off, and holidays, the FTE would be approximately 1,856. Please clarify.

The solicitation has been updated to reflect that offerors shall use not less than 1,872 hours for a non-SCA covered Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employee and not less than 1.856 hours for an SCA covered FTE within their proposal.

48 Solicitation L.1.c.(iv)(3) 148 Reference: “Section 3 – Past Performance of Individuals, Predecessor Corporations or Corporate Parent/Affiliates and Joint Ventures”

Question: Will the Government please clarify if the entirety of an affiliate’s past performance should be included in Section 3 (including information that would have normally appeared in Sections 1 and 2)? Or, should offerors simply note the meaningful relationship language in Section 3 that corresponds to any affiliate information already provided in Sections 1 and 2?

See the answers to questions 8 and 17.

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49 Solicitation L.1.c.(iv) 147 Reference: “The offeror shall also submit the written consent of any major subcontractor whose performance is being submitted to allow the disclosure of its subcontractor’s past performance information to the offeror. In addition, letters of commitment shall be included for all major subcontractors whose past performance is proposed in this section.”

Question: Does the Government intend to provide attachments for use as wording for these consent and commitment letters?

No.

50 Solicitation L.1.c.(iii)(3)d 146 Reference: “Offeror’s shall address their ability to meet all of the Stock Inventory requirements delineated in paragraph in 5.1.8 and all subordinate PWS paragraphs thereunder;”

Question: Will the Government please clarify whether PWS 5.1.9 and 5.1.10 should be included as part of meeting requirements for Stock Inventory?

No, these requirements (PWS 5.1.9 and 5.1.10) are separate and distinct from the requirements delineated in PWS paragraph 5.1.8.

51 Solicitation L.1.c.(iii)(3)f 146 Reference: “Offerors shall address their ability to meet all of the Shipping of Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) Repairable Items requirements delineated in paragraph in 5.1.12;”

Question: Will the Government please clarify whether PWS 5.1.3 should be included as part of meeting requirements for Shipping OEM Repairable Items?

No, this requirement (PWS 5.1.3) is separate and distinct from the requirements delineated in PWS paragraph 5.1.12.

52 Solicitation L.2.v.1 148 Reference: RFP Page 148 of 157 - (1) Electronic Copy. The offeror shall provide Pricing in an Excel file that will consist of 12 tabs.

Question: Can the Government update the Att 04 Excel File to reflect the twelve (12) tabs referenced in RFP Page 148 of 157?

No. Section L Attachment 4 – Pricing Information is for offerors to use when constructing their pricing in an Excel file consisting of 12 tabs in accordance with the solicitation’s updated instructions.

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53 PWS 1.4.1 18 Reference: The contractor must arrange the work schedules of its employees to cover the hours of the normal daily period of operation. The working hours cover responsibilities to teams inside and outside of the continental US (e.g., Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam).

Question: Do the core hours provided cover the working hours mentioned regarding OCONUS teams?

The contractor shall provide services between the hours of 0700-1730 local time Lexington, KY, Monday through Friday, except on recognized US holidays or when the Government facility/installation is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government-directed facility/installation closings.

The contractor shall be available to respond to critical mission requirements should they occur.

Said requirements may occur outside of the duty days/hours (0700-1730 local time Lexington, KY, Monday through Friday).

Please be advised that critical mission requirements that occur outside of the duty days/hours includes the requirements for on call, after-hours support, including for the DSO in PWS paragraph 5.1.5, and the Technical Maintenance Help Desk Support referred to in PWS paragraphs

5.2.1.1 and 5.10 (Operate a help desk (technical)).

However, due to the infrequent nature of critical mission support (inclusive of the DSO in paragraph 5.1.5 and Technical Maintenance Help Desk Support in PWS 5.2.1.1 and 5.10), said support shall be funded/procured annually under a cost type CLIN, and not included in any Firm Fixed Price Labor.

54 PWS 1.2.1.2 18 Reference: with the capability to support contingency operations (i.e., major exercises and national security events) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when ordered

Question: Is there an estimate or an average number of exercises annually?

In a given year, approximately 40-45 planned exercises take place that are supported by the CoMSupCen.

Please be advised this figure does not include a support for a yet to be determined number of National Special Security Events (NSSE).

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55 PWS 1.4.9.4.4 49 Reference: Section 1.4.9.4.4 mentions maintaining a microsoft-based website. Section

5.1.4 states "The contractor shall manage NGB's web-based MIS" and also states "Contractor shall establish a website to support the CoMSupCen".

Question: Can the government please clarify how many databases that the contractor is to manage and create. Are there any that must be newly created? And if so, does the government provide the infrastructure that is already authorized on the network?

The contractor is responsible for managing four major databases for Maximo and the CoMSupCen website (two production databases and two test databases – i.e., one for each environment).

However, there are smaller databases also managed by the contractor.

There are no known new major databases requiring creation at this time.

Yes, the Government provides the infrastructure that is already authorized on the network.

56 PWS 5.1.5 49 Reference: Section 5.1.5 states that the contractor will track all requests on a website, as well as help desk tickets in Maximo or the website.

Question: Would the government clarify which database the requests are tracked in? Is this an existing database? Are there two databases for help desk tickets or just Maximo?

Currently, the help desk tickets for Direct Support Operations Team (DSO) referenced in PWS paragraph 5.1.5 are logged and tracked in the website. The reference to Maximo is reserved for future use, should the Government elect to use Maximo to track these help desk tickets.

The website database is an existing database.

Please see Question 55 regarding the number of databases.

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57 Attachment 9 – Equipment Certifications

We understand that the items listed below from Attachment 9 are not part of the current work requirements, therefore we are anticipating that these are items and training required for the contract to be awarded. Please confirm.

• Analytical Laboratory System (ALS) Operators Course

• Shimadzu GC/MS

• Hogen

• IlluminatiR 2.0

• GermFree GloveBox

• JBAIDS

• HazMatID 360

• ThermoFisher TruDefender

• Raid-M

• GasID

• Microscope

• SASS 3100

• IBAC

The referenced items are in the process of being phased out. Notwithstanding, there is still one unit that uses the referenced equipment.

Amendment 0002

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1 Amendment 1 /

RFP

(1) Section 1 – Staffing Plan: The offeror shall use not less than 1,872 hours for a non-SCA covered Full Time Equivalent

(FTE)

employee and not less than 1,856 hours for an SCA covered FTE within their proposal.

91 Attachment 10 states that SCA covered employees are entitled to up to 56 hours of paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays (88 hours), and 3 weeks of vacation (120 hours) after 5 years. Will the USG confirm that using 1816 productive hours (2080 – 56 – 88 – 120) for an SCA covered employee is acceptable?

No. Offerors submitting with their proposal anything less than 1,872 hours for non-SCA covered employees or 1,856 for SCA covered employees with their Section L Attachment 2 – Staffing Table is not acceptable.

The Government recognizes the distinction in the wage determination with respect to SCA-covered employees with tenures (i.e., length of service greater than 5 or 15 years) that provide for additional vacation hours. Absent providing a roster to all offerors with the tenures for all SCA-covered employees under the predecessor contract who, consistent with Executive Order 14055 are offered the “right of first refusal” to continue on the successor contract, the Government has determined that setting a baseline for SCA and non-SCA covered employees strikes a pragmatic balance between not disclosing the incumbent’s personnel roster to all offerors with the need to provide sufficient information to enable all offerors to compete intelligently and on an equal basis.

2 Amendment 1 /

RFP

Pages 138, In revisions, the express commitment of resources for Volume IV is included among items excluded from page count in Table 2. However, in instructions for its inclusion in the volume it states that it shall be part of Section 1 and that it should appear on company letterhead. As Section 1 is not among items to be excluded from page count, we intend to provide a reference to the express commitment of resources on company letterhead in Section 1, noting that the statement on company letterhead is included after information from Sections 1 and 2 in the volume. Please confirm this is acceptable.

This is not acceptable. The express commitment of resources for past performance shall be submitted with Volume IV, Section 1 as instructed.

Please be advised consistent with Section L, Table – 2, the express commitment(s) of resources in support of Section L, paragraph 2.c

(iv) is excluded from page limitations.

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3 Amendment 1 / Past Performance Questionnaire

All As the revisions to the past performance questionnaire change when it should be submitted and not the content to be submitted, please confirm that submission of the PPQ released with the solicitation 9 Feb. 2024 is acceptable.

For PPQs, the Government will accept either the PPQ included with the original solicitation or the PPQ included with Amendment 0001.

4 Solicitation Section B – Supplies or Services and prices

Section L Volume V- Price

2-16

150-

In Amendment 0001, the Government combined Section B COST TYPE CLINs (CLIN 0002 – CLIN 0007) into Base period group of CLINS and Option period group of CLINs but did not revise the instructions to offerors in Section L.

Please clarify what is required in the pricing excel file since the Cost CLINs have been grouped into two ordering periods and the section L instructions still identify the requirement is to complete 10 tabs.

Section L.2.c(v)(1) of the solicitation states that the offeror shall provide Pricing in an Excel file that will consist of 12 tabs.

Section L.2.c(v)(2) provides detailed instructions on how to complete the 2nd tab of the aforementioned “Pricing in an Excel file.”

Section L.2.c(v)(3) provides detailed instructions on how to complete Tabs 3-12 of the aforementioned “Pricing in an Excel file.”

Section L.2.c(v)(4) instructs offerors on how to complete the 1st Tab of the “Pricing in an Excel file.”

Section M.C.5.b.2, states “The Government will evaluate the sum of the Overall Total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Prices of Annual Burdened COST ONLY CLINs as the Total Evaluated Price for each offeror.”

Referring back to Section L.2.c(v)(4), the1st tab of the “Pricing in an Excel file” includes 1) the Overall Total for Labor, and 2) all 10 Overall Total Price of Burdened COST ONLY CLINs.

Section L.2.c(v)(4) further instructs offerors to provide a cell that sums 1 and 2. The cell that sums 1 and 2 is the sum that the Government will evaluate as provided for in Section M.C.5.b.2.

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5 Solicitation Section B – Supplies or Services and prices

Section M

– Factor 4

– Price Factor

2-16

Section M identifies evaluation will be on all 10 individual periods for COST Plus CLINS but COST PLUS CLINs were combined into a base period and an option period in Section B, Can the Government please clarify how the Total evaluated price will evaluated?

Section L.2.c(v)(1) of the solicitation states that the offeror shall provide Pricing in an Excel file that will consist of 12 tabs.

Section L.2.c(v)(2) provides detailed instructions on how to complete the 2nd tab of the aforementioned “Pricing in an Excel file.”

Section L.2.c(v)(3) provides detailed instructions on how to complete Tabs 3-12 of the aforementioned “Pricing in an Excel file.”

Section L.2.c(v)(4) instructs offerors on how to complete the 1st Tab of the “Pricing in an Excel file.”

Section M.C.5.b.2, states “The Government will evaluate the sum of the Overall Total for Labor and all 10 Overall Total Prices of Annual Burdened COST ONLY CLINs as the Total Evaluated Price for…