QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_TO_W91CRB17R0023_V1_04252017.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO W91CRB-17-R-0023

USASAC IT MANAGEMENT SERVICES

QUESTION 1: Could you please provide the incumbent contractor currently performing these services?

ANSWER 1: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC.

QUESTION 2: Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past?

If available, please provide the incumbent contract number.

ANSWER 2: Yes, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC., W91CRB-15-C-0029

QUESTION 3: If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

ANSWER 3: This is a follow on effort.

QUESTION 4: Is this a new requirement? If not, can you please provide the name of the incumbent, the current contract number and eligibility criteria to re-compete?

ANSWER 4: No, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC., W91CRB-15-C-0029

QUESTION 5: When the contract for the current vendor is expiring?

ANSWER 5: 30 June 2017

QUESTION 6: How many vendors would be awarded contract as a part of this opportunity?

ANSWER 6: ONE, single awardee, per RFQ, Section M, and first paragraph, first sentence, page 40.

QUESTION 7: Please identify the contract and or order numbers for the current contract agreement(s) on which the historical level of effort (LOE) was based.

ANSWER 7: Proposals shall be based on the LOE listed in Exhibit 2.

QUESTION 8: Page 16, Paragraph 9. The solicitation identifies the PM as the sole key personnel in paragraph 9. Please confirm that the identification of a PM is the only key personnel required to ensure technical acceptability.

ANSWER 8: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9.

QUESTION 9: Page 29, Paragraph 4. Please confirm that an offeror need not have an active Secret clearance at the time of bid submission. In the alternate, please confirm that a DOE Q clearance would be considered acceptable.

ANSWER 9: The offeror shall have a Secret Clearance at time of proposal submission. Contractor shall have a Secret Clearance in the JPAS system for Government verification.

QUESTION 10: Page 31, Technical Exhibit 2, First Paragraph. “These hours do not project actual requirements for the new contract, nor does it reflect hours required of subcontractors.” In order to accurately determine a LOE, please identify any service hours (i.e., non-ODCs) performed by subcontractors.

ANSWER 10: Please see RFQ Amendment #1, Revised PWS, Exhibit 2 information. The hours listed are a projected hours needed for the new contract. Offerors determine service hours between prime and subcontractors.

QUESTION 11: Page 31, Technical Exhibit 2, and Section 2.2.The contractor community appreciates the geographic breakdown of services to be provided. Please clarify the labor categories allotted to each site (i.e., are only Computer Specialists assigned to locations beyond the Redstone Arsenal).

ANSWER 11: Exhibit 2 is revised to show locations and labor categories correlation. Please see RFQ Amendment #1, Revised PWS information.

QUESTION 12: Please confirm that the PM is the only resume required to be submitted with the proposal.

ANSWER 12: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9.

QUESTION 13: We are interested in bidding on this project and would like to know who the incumbent is on this project. Is that something you can share with me?

ANSWER 13: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC.

QUESTION 14: On page 34 of the RFP, the Government states that “ALL proposals shall be evaluated under the Lowest Price Technical Acceptable (LPTA) criteria”, and page 40, “Award shall be issued to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) responsible Offeror”.

According to the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, signed 23 December 2016, Section 813 (Use of lowest price technically acceptable source selection process) states, “To the maximum extent practicable, the use of lowest price technically acceptable source selection criteria shall be avoided in the case of a procurement that is predominantly for the acquisition of (1) information technology services, cyber security services, systems engineering and technical assistance services, advanced electronic testing, audit or audit readiness services, or other knowledge-based professional services.”

Will the government reconsider using LPTA as the basis for award, and instead utilize the Best Value approach to award?

ANSWER 14: No, LPTA will be used as basis for award.

QUESTION 15: I will appreciate if you will clear the confusion, so that appropriate details can be provided with the response. 5. SECURITY AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

5.7 The Contractor will be required to have a Secret facility clearance. The Contractor will require access to Foreign Government Information (FGI) and For Official Use Only (FOUO) information. Contractor performance is restricted to Government facility (ies). The Contractor personnel shall have and maintain a SECRET clearance in keeping with personnel policy requirements for a non-critical sensitive position to perform the tasks of this PWS. The contractor is authorized the use of the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) or other secondary distribution center. Contractor performance is limited to government activities only and will not require safeguarding capability. The highest security level that may be required by the Prime Contractor under this contract is Secret.

ANSWER 15: AMENDMENT 1 PWS is changed to clarify the Personnel vs Facilities Clearance. The offeror shall have all Personnel with a Secret Clearance at time of proposal submission. The Contractor shall have a Facility Clearance of Secret.

QUESTION 16: Is there an incumbent contractor workforce for this effort and if so will you provide the name of the incumbent contractor?

ANSWER 16: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC., W91CRB-15-C-0029

QUESTION 17: Is all the work required to be accomplished in a government facility and will the government provide office space and equipment? There are several areas where the solicitation contradicts itself.

-IT Management Solicitation Page 14, Para 5.7 states “contractor performance is restricted to government facilities.”

-Page 28, Para 3.2.1 states “government office space will be made available for performance of the contract at Redstone Arsenal (RSA) and New Cumberland, PA. The contractor shall provide office space at all other locations when required.”

-Pages 28-29, Para 3.2.2 states “office supplies and equipment, conference space, telephones at RSA, personal computers, access to copying machines, message and fax support and any other administrative or communications support required to perform the tasks specified –will be provided by the Government at Redstone Arsenal and New Cumberland locations only.”

ANSWER 17: AMENDMENT 1Please see revised PWS. Government provides equipment and facilities at all locations.

QUESTION 18: If government office space will not be made available for the positions at Fort Belvoir and Fort Bragg, please provide additional detail as to how the Government will incorporate those personnel.

ANSWER 18: Please see revised AMENDMENT 1 PWS. Government provides equipment and facilities at all locations.

QUESTION 19: Is the contractor required to provide Secret storage capability at their facilities? The solicitation and DD254 contradict each other. In Technical Exhibit 3, Estimate Work Load Data, it states that the contractor is responsible for proposing the appropriate hours and labor mix to perform the requirements of the PWS.

-IT Management Solicitation Page 15, Para 5.7 states “contractor performance is limited to government activities only and will not require safeguarding capability.”

-DD254, Block 1b requires Secret safeguarding capability.

ANSWER 19: Please see revised AMENDMENT 1 PWS. Contractor shall have a Facilities Clearance of Secret. PWS paragraph, “5.11. The contractor shall comply with all security directives and regulations when performing work in support of this contract.”

QUESTION 20: Will the government indicate if specific labor categories are required by location, i.e. must have a senior computer systems/network engineer at the New Cumberland location?

ANSWER 20: Exhibit 2 is revised to show locations and labor categories correlation. Please see RFQ Amendment #1, Revised PWS information.

QUESTION 21: The RFP is a little vague about which positions are Key. In section 6 - it clearly calls out the PM and an Alternate as Key, but further in the PWS, in section 2.1.6 and on page 41 Sub factor 1b Staffing ii, the wording leads the rider to think that all personnel are key.

ANSWER 21: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9.

QUESTION 22: What is the current contract value?

ANSWER 22: $3,730,411.60.

QUESTION 23: What issues are you currently having related to business and strategic operational planning, and project support?

ANSWER 23: No issues are expected at time of award.

QUESTION 24: What is the current contract number?

ANSWER 24: W91CRB-15-C-0029

QUESTION 25: Will the Government please clarify key personnel submitted with proposal need to have security clearance at the time of proposal submission or contract award?

ANSWER 25: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9. And the offeror shall have a Secret Clearance at time of proposal submission.

QUESTION 26: Will the Government please clarify what type of proof of security clearance for certified personnel that we need to provide with proposal submission?

ANSWER 26: The Government will be able to see the Personnel with Secret Clearances listed in the JPAS system.

QUESTION 27: Will the Government please clarify which positions are key?

ANSWER 27: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9.

QUESTION 28: Is the Government considering the following positions key: PM, Senior Computer Systems/Network Engineer, Senior Engineer, Computer Specialist, Junior Computer Specialist, Computer Graphics Illustrator, Junior Systems Administrator?

ANSWER 28: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9.

QUESTION 29: Are letters of commitment required?

ANSWER 29: Amendment 1 RFP, Section L, Vol I-Tech & Resumes, Sub-factor 1b: Staffing is adjusted to add “vii. A copy of a signed and dated letter of intent for the Program Manager who has agreed to work in the capacity proposed - should the contract be awarded to the Offeror.”

QUESTION 30: Can you give us the distribution of the resources and the location?

ANSWER 30: Exhibit 2 is revised to show locations and labor categories correlation. Please see RFQ Amendment #1, Revised PWS information.

QUESTION 31: Should 35 page technical response limit include the resumes for 6 key personnel?

ANSWER 31: Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9. Sub-factor 1b: Staffing, ii. states resumes are needed for key personnel only.

QUESTION 32: Are the commercial past performances acceptable?

ANSWER 32: RFQ, Section L, Volume II-Past Performance, first paragraph, last sentence states, and “Offerors without Federal, State, or Local Government contracts (prime or major subcontracts) shall submit information showing experience using the software packages required in the solicitation If the offeror has relevant past performance it will be considered.

QUESTION 33: Section L of the RFP states under Volume I, Section 1.b.ii, "Minimum qualifications for Key Personnel are identified in PWS. Resumes shall describe the key individual's specific experience as it relates to the requirements of the PWS." PWS Section 13, Labor Categories, identifies the qualifications for six different labor categories. However, Section 9, Key Personnel, only indicates a PM as key personnel. Can you please clarify the following?:

ANSWER 33: I. Key Personnel are identified now. Please see Amendment #1 for revised PWS information. Key Personnel are now listed in PWS para 9. Sub-factor 1b: Staffing, ii, states resumes are needed for key personnel only.

QUESTION 34: Are resumes only required for the designated PM and alternate PM or are resumes required for each proposed candidate in every labor category (possibly 13 or more)?

ANSWER 34:

QUESTION 35: Do resumes (4 page max) count against the Volume I page count maximum of 35 pages?

ANSWER 35:

QUESTION 36: Volume I Factor II pg. 37 Sub-factor 1b: Staffing – vi. Proof of security clearance for certified personnel performing the work who has agreed to work in the capacity proposed – should the contract be awarded to the Offeror.

ANSWER 36:

QUESTION 37: What would satisfy the proof of security requirement? Is proof of security requirement required for each individual proposed as part of the final submittal?

ANSWER 37:

QUESTION 38: Will submittal of Exhibits J3 and J4 by the three companies identified in response to Section M pg 41 Past Performance Evaluation Approach satisfy Factor II?

ANSWER 38:

QUESTION 39: If two companies have a teaming arrangement, will USASAC accept three past performances from one of the companies only?

ANSWER 39:

QUESTION 40: Will USASAC change the proposal response due date from May 3, 2017 to May 10, 2017, an additional seven days will allow vendors to incorporate changes to RFP requirements resulting from USASAC answers to questions on April 20, 2017?

ANSWER 40:

QUESTION 41: Technical Exhibit 1, PRS#1 states: “The contractor shall provide Information Technology Support Services.” PWS Paragraph 14. There is no Paragraph 14 listed in the PWS. Please clarify.

ANSWER 41:

QUESTION 42: Volume I – Technical and Resume (Factor 1) Sub-factor 1b: Staffing, bullet ii. The government states: “Provide resumes of the key personnel and the number of hours proposed for each key person (by name). The Offeror shall submit resumes for all key personnel with their proposal. Minimum qualifications for Key Personnel are identified in PWS. Resumes shall describe the key individual’s specific experience as it relates to the requirements of the PWS. This shall include the identification, specific responsibilities, accomplishments, and dates of involvement for each project supported. The resume shall also identify all formal education (e.g. college, training courses, military, etc.), the dates attended, and degrees or certifications earned. The Offeror shall also affirm that the proposed personnel have the current level of security clearance required for each position as detailed in the PWS and DD254. Resumes have a page limit of 4 pages per resume submitted.”

Is the resume page limit 4 or 5 pages?

ANSWER 42:

QUESTION 43: Paragraph 4.1 indicates that the contractor must always maintain an adequate workforce to ensure uninterrupted performance of all tasks. However, contractor employee’s normal duty hours for coverage is listed as 8 hours per day Monday – Friday. What is the requirement for on-call and/or weekend coverage/support?

ANSWER 43:

QUESTION 44: Paragraph 5.11 states that all personnel shall possess and maintain an active Secret clearance. However, if new employees are required at the beginning of the new contract award – will the Government allow an employee to start work with an interim-secret clearance pending receipt of a final Secret clearance?

ANSWER 44:

QUESTION 45: Paragraph 14.6.3 Qualifications for Jr. Systems Administrator indicates incumbent personnel must possess a computing environment certification. If new employee(s) are required for this labor category at the beginning of the new contract award who meet the IAT I or IAT II IA certification, will the Government allow up to 6 months for that employee(s) to complete and meet the relevant Computing Industry certification?

ANSWER 45:

QUESTION 46: Paragraph 3.1 Services indicates that the Government requires Web and Programing Services Support. However, paragraph 1.3 Objectives states that the objective of this contract is to provide troubleshooting and problem resolution, and support for applications in use. Please clarify?

ANSWER 46:

QUESTION 47: What are the Network Monitoring tools currently in use to support USASAC?

ANSWER 47:

QUESTION 48: How extensive are Blackberry devices currently being used and what software version is currently in use?

ANSWER 48:

QUESTION 49: How many physical servers are currently maintained and what percentage of the server environment has been virtualized?

ANSWER 49:

QUESTION 50: What is the ticketing system currently being used by the Help Desk?

ANSWER 50:

QUESTION 51: Paragraph 3.0 Ordering Period / Place of Performance – paragraph 3.2 indicates the primary places of performance as Redstone Arsenal, AL; New Cumberland, PA; Fort Belvoir, VA; and FT. Bragg, NC. Paragraph 3.2.1 states that Performance will also occur at other CONUS locations. What are the additional OCONUS locations where performance will occur, and will the contractor be required to provide office space at these locations?

ANSWER 51:

QUESTION 52: Part 3 Government Furnished Property, Equipment and Services -- Paragraph 3.2.1 states that the Government will provide office space for performance at Redstone Arsenal, AL and New Cumberland, PA and further states that the Contractor will provide office space at all other locations when required. Considering paragraph 3.2 under Ordering Period / Place of Performance indicates Fort Belvoir, VA; and FT. Bragg, NC are also primary places of performance:

a. Will the Government provide office space at these locations also? That is, will personnel performing work at these primary locations work on-site at a Government Facility?

b. Additionally, how often does the Government anticipate that the contractor will be required to provide office space at all other locations?

ANSWER 52:

QUESTION 53: Please confirm that the Cover page, Table of Contents and Executive Summary does not count against the page count?

ANSWER 53:

QUESTION 54: Proposal Submission (Section L) paragraph 3 – content requirements indicate that Offerors shall propose ALL ITEMS included in Section B of the RFP. Please clarify and/or provide Section B?

ANSWER 54:

QUESTION 55: What positions on the current contract are governed by the Service Contract Act?

ANSWER 55:

QUESTION 56: Section 3.1 states: “The ordering period of performance shall be twelve (12) months from date of award, with four, one-year options periods.”

VOLUME III – PRICE (Factor III), first bullet list:

0001 Labor (Basic Year) 1001 Labor (Option Year 1) 2001 Labor (Option Year 2) 3001 Labor (Option Year 3) Will the government please clarify if the period of performance for the Information Technology Help Desk Services contact, Solicitation # W91CRB-17-R-0023?

ANSWER 56:

QUESTION 57: Volume II - Factor 2 - Past Performance: Section L does not specify the number of past performance references required. However, Past Performance Evaluation Approach (page 41/55) mentions three references. Please clarify the required number of references for evaluation.

ANSWER 57:

QUESTION 58: PWS paragraph 14.3.1 -In this paragraph, the sub-paragraphs a-f provides a description of the major duties to be performed by a Computer Specialist. However, sub-paragraphs k-z describes additional contractor tasks, which makes it difficult to identify the major duties, and additional scope areas. Please provide a clarification of the major duties to be performed by a Computer Specialist. And please clarify if subparagraphs k-z should be separated as a scope task.

ANSWER 58:

QUESTION 59: Technical Exhibit 1, PRS#1 makes reference to PWS Paragraph 14, however there is no paragraph 14. Please provide a description of PWS paragraph 14.

ANSWER 59:

QUESTION 60: Technical Exhibit 1, PRS#2, makes references to paragraphs 14.3 and 14.4 for performing IT support services. However, PWS 14.3 and 14.4 are descriptions for a Computer Specialist and Junior Computer Specialist.

ANSWER 60:

QUESTION 61: PWS 13.1 is stated for Senior Computer Systems/Network Engineer. However, the major duties for this position starts at 14.1.1. Please provide the missing paragraph from 13.1 - 14.1.1.

ANSWER 61:

QUESTION 62: Section L, Subfactor 1b-Staffing, ii - states to provide Minimum qualifications for Key Personnel are identified in PWS. PWS Section 9.0 - Key Personnel does not provide minimum qualifications for key personnel. This section also eludes that perhaps the labor categories provided in PWS 13.0 should be considered key personnel. Please clarify the number/titles of key personnel required for this contract and the minimum qualifications required.

ANSWER 62:

QUESTION 63: PWS 13.0 - Labor categories - please confirm if the offeror is expected to provide resumes for these labor categories, as well as the proof of their clearances.

ANSWER 63:

QUESTION 64: Subfactor 1b-Staffing, ii - Please confirm if resumes are included in the 35 page count for Volume I.

ANSWER 64:

QUESTION 65: Subfactor 1a- Technical capability, i - Please provide a detailed scope that describes the tasks required for troubleshooting and problem resolution, including information on the number of printers, PC, scanners, blackberry devices, laptop/notebooks, digital senders, copiers, VTC solutions, LAN drops, and the total number of users.

ANSWER 65:

QUESTION 66: Subfactor 1a- Technical capability, i- Please provide a detailed scope that describes the task required for Graphic Illustration Support services.

ANSWER 66:

QUESTION 67: Subfactor 1a- Technical capability, ii - Please provide a detailed scope that describes the tasks required for network design/and administration, computer system engineering, and IT infrastructure management.

ANSWER 67:

QUESTION 68: Subfactor 1a- Technical capability, iii - Please provide information on some examples of tasks that is considered to be difficult and complex engineering assignments for important segments of project involving research, design, development, and modification of existing systems and subsystems.

ANSWER 68:

QUESTION 69: Subfactor 1a - Technical capability, v - Please provide a detailed scope that describes the work required for technical creation of artistic, complex and highly detailed graphics for charts, publications and hardcopies.

ANSWER 69:

QUESTION 70: Subfactor 1a- Technical capability, vi - Please provide a detailed scope that describes the work required for consulting services on programming problems in connection with the application of electronic computers and their associated equipment to a variety of scientific systems and commercial projects.

ANSWER 70:

QUESTION 71: Subfactor 1a- technical capability, vii - Please provide a detailed scope that describes the work required for system configuration, management and analysis, information assurance planning, and network operations in support of ICAN.

ANSWER 71:

QUESTION 72: Subfactor 1a- Technical capability, viii- Please provide a PWS scope paragraph that describes the work required for test, install, configure, maintain server infrastructures, including hardware and software (inclusive of Microsoft server and client operating systems and both COTS and GOTS software) that permit the sharing and transmission of information

ANSWER 72:

QUESTION 73: PWS paragraph 13 -Labor: states that the contractor shall provide qualified contracting personnel to support Help Desk Services, however, there is no description provided in the scope that details the work required for Help Desk Services.

ANSWER 73:

QUESTION 74: Key Personnel states, “The contractor shall provide a designee to serve as the PM for this contract.”

i. Question: Does PM refer to Project Manager or Program Manager?

ii. Question: Is the PM to be one of the 13 FTEs identified in 13. Labor Categories, or is the PM a separate individual from those 13 FTEs?

iii. Question: Is the PM a billable position?

iv. Question: If the PM is billable, how many hours are to be billed?

ANSWER 74:

QUESTION 75: This is in regards to the solicitation number “W91CRB-17-R-0023” as per the RFP section 5.7 it states no safeguarding capability is needed, while going to the DD 254,, it is asking for the details about the safeguarding. I will appreciate if you will clear the confusion, so that appropriate details can be provided with the response.

ANSWER 75:

QUESTION 76: In PWS Section 13, Labor Categories, the Senior Computer Systems/Network Engineer is listed under 13.1, but that position’s Major Duties are subsequently listed under 14.1.1. Is this a typo?

ANSWER 76:

QUESTION 77: Section L states under Volume I, Section 1.b.ii, “Minimum qualifications for Key Personnel are identified in PWS. Resumes shall describe the key individual’s specific experience as it relates to the requirements of the PWS.” PWS Section 13, Labor Categories, identifies the qualifications for six different labor categories. However, Section 9, Key Personnel, only indicates a PM as key personnel, and there are no requirements listed for the PM in the RFP.

Question: Are any of the six labor categories in Section 13 considered key personnel, or is the PM the only key personnel?

Question: Is one of the six labor categories intended to also fulfill the PM role?

Question: Can you please provide the qualifications required for the PM?

ANSWER 77:

QUESTION 78: Can you please confirm that the 50 page limit for the Past Performance volume is accurate?

ANSWER 78:

QUESTION 79: In the absence of holding a prime contract with the government, is a past performance questionnaire completed by the prime contractor acceptable?

ANSWER 79:

QUESTION 80: Is there an incumbent for this opportunity?

ANSWER 80:

QUESTION 81: Technical Exhibit 2, Estimated Workload Data, provides a table with estimates for the number of FTEs at each location. Question: Is the Government able to estimate the number of FTES in each location by labor category?

ANSWER 81:

QUESTION 82: 3.2.1 states “Government office space will be made available for performance of the contract at Redstone Arsenal (RSA) and New Cumberland, PA. The contractor shall provide office space at all other locations when required.” Question: Please verify if the Government will provide office space at TDY locations, including OCONUS.

ANSWER 82:

QUESTION 83: 3.2.2 states “Office supplies and equipment, conference space, telephones at RSA, personal computers, access to copying machines, message and fax support and any other administrative or W91CRB-17-R-0023 communications support required to perform the tasks specified – will be provided by the Government at Redstone Arsenal and New Cumberland locations only. Question: Please very if the Government will provide requirements at TDY locations, including OCONUS.

ANSWER 83:

QUESTION 84: Section M under Technical Evaluation Approach on page 41 states “When assessing past performance, the Government will focus its inquiry on the past performance of the offeror and/or proposed major subcontractors as it relates to all solicitation requirements.” Question: How is the Government defining a major subcontractor?

ANSWER 84:

QUESTION 85: In PWS 13. Labor Categories, the qualifications for the Junior Systems Administrator do not mention the required number of years of experience. Can you please provide that information?

ANSWER 85:

QUESTION 86: Is this a re-compete contract with an existing incumbent contractor already providing these services? Please confirm and please identify the incumbent.

ANSWER 86:

QUESTION 87: PWS section 1 item 15 provides a list of data deliverables. This list does not seem to correspond to the performance thresholds provided in Technical Exhibit 1, nor does it seem to accurately reflect the type of work to be performed under this contract. Will the Government please provide a revised list of deliverables and performance thresholds?

ANSWER 87:

QUESTION 88: Section 1 of the PWS mentions that Saudi Arabia is the one of the locations from which USASAC operates. Section 3.2.1 indicates that performance will occur at other CONUS and OCONUS TDY locations. Other than the four CONUS locations listed in 3.2 and Saudi Arabia, what additional CONUS and OCONUS locations might performance occur?

ANSWER 88:

QUESTION 89: With regard to Saudi Arabia and any other OCONUS location, will the Government provide office space for the contractor employees deployed to those locations?

ANSWER 89:

QUESTION 90: Does the Government intend for the contractor to provide office space at Fort Bragg & Washington? The RFP states several times they will only provide space at RSA and PA locations. Please clarify.

ANSWER 90:

QUESTION 91: If the Government's intent is for contractors to provide office space at CONUS/OCONUS locations, what are the requirements for these spaces?

ANSWER 91:

QUESTION 92: PWS Section 9: Key Personnel. The PWS states: "The PM or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The PM or alternate shall be available between, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30p.m, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons." No additional qualification requirements have been provided for the PM. Please provide clarification as to the minimum qualifications for the PM

ANSWER 92:

QUESTION 93: In the PWS Section 10.1, Contractor Travel: “Contractor is required to travel CONUS and within the NCR during the performance of the contract to attend on-site development, meetings, conferences, training. Estimated trips is 20. However, In Technical Exhibit 2 Workload Data, it indicates 5 trips/year. Please clarify this inconsistency.

ANSWER 93:

QUESTION 94: In the Performance Requirement Summary PRS#1 it references PWS Paragraph 14. There is no paragraph 14, the PWS jumps from 13 to 14.1.1.

ANSWER 94:

QUESTION 95: The Estimated Workload Data does not provide an estimated quantity of hours for the Program Manager. Can the Government please provide this information?

ANSWER 95:

QUESTION 96: The allocation of FTEs by location (Chart in Section 2.2 of the Exhibit) does not explain which LCATS are assigned to which locations. Please provide this information.

ANSWER 96:

QUESTION 97: On page 34, section L states that a Table of Contents should be included for each volume. In addition, Section L makes reference to a cover page. However, on page 35, strict page limits are put in place for each volume. Please confirm that the cover pages and Tables of Contents are not included in the page count.

ANSWER 97:

QUESTION 98: May we include reference materials for the benefit of the Government evaluator (e.g. glossaries of acronyms) in the volumes without them counting against the volume page limit? If so, should these be placed at the start or at the end of the volume?

ANSWER 98:

QUESTION 99: Page 35 imposes a very tight 35 page limit on the technical volume. Resumes are also required in this volume, and are specifically limited to 4 pages each. Please confirm that resumes do NOT count against the 35 page limit for the volume as a whole.

ANSWER 99:

QUESTION 100: Page limits are given for each volume. Technical receives 35 pages and Past Performance receives 50. 35 pages provides very little space to adequately address all required Technical items, while 50 pages seems excessive for only past performance narratives. Will the Government consider changing these page limits to better accommodate the required material?

ANSWER 100:

QUESTION 101: Section L.2 states that "Offerors shall submit a list of all Federal, State and Local Government contracts (prime or major subcontracts) in current performance, and/or contract awards for the last three (3) years which are relevant to the scope of the IT Help Desk Services requirements included in this solicitation," and that "Offerors shall provide a specific narrative explanation of each contract listed." However, Section M states that only three past performance citations shall be included. Please advise - is the Government's intent to limit past performance to three citations?

ANSWER 101:

QUESTION 102: The Instructions require that we provide "Information Technology Support Services to include installation, monitoring and support of LAN/WAN system components including site preparation, installation of hardware and software components, demonstration and training and troubleshooting of components such as: printers, PC, scanners, blackberry devices, laptops/notebooks, digital senders, copiers, VTC solutions, LAN drops, and Graphic Illustration support services." Will the Government be providing the various hardware, software, and other devices?

ANSWER 102:

QUESTION 103: The request for resumes regarding Key Personnel seems to suggest the Government is expecting multiple LCATS to be considered key; however, Section 9 of the PWS indicates that the Program Manager and Alternate are the only designated Key Personnel. Also, the PWS does not provide a LCAT description for the Program Manager. Please clarify.

ANSWER 103:

QUESTION 104: In this Section the Government is requesting that we complete and return the DD254. 1.) Should this be part of the Technical Volume? Does it count against the page limitations? 2.) A DD254 is typically completed by the Government and signed after award, is it necessary for us to submit an uncompleted form with the proposal?

ANSWER 104:

QUESTION 105: Section L, Subfactor 1b, Paragraph vi. Section L asks for "proof of security clearance for certified personnel performing the work who has agreed to work in the capacity proposed - should the contract be awarded to the Offeror." This language in Section L seems to suggest that the Government wishes to see all personnel named in the proposal. Please confirm that the Government only requires this information for the Key Personnel. In addition, please specify what type of "proof of security clearance" the Government requires.

ANSWER 105:

QUESTION 106: The Government requires "proposal should include a price for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN)", however, Attachment A01 J5 - Price Proposal Template omits all -003 and -004 items. Additionally, Section 3.1 of the PWS indicates that the PoP "shall be twelve (12) months from date of award, with four, one-year options periods." If this is true, Section B and the Price Template are missing an additional set of CLINS. Please clarify

ANSWER 106:

QUESTION 107: The Instructions require: "Each labor CLIN should include a breakout of labor rates, labor hours, and labor categories for each task and sub-task in the PWS." The PWS does not define a set of tasks and sub-tasks. Given this is an LPTA award, we request the Government enhance the Price Template to include the Price Breakdown items they are seeking to ensure an "apples to apples" price comparison. Also, the Government needs to define the task and subtasks that they would life for us to price in the breakdown.

ANSWER 107:

QUESTION 108: In reference to the question above: if the Government intends to modify the PPQ to move away from the focus on VTC, will the Government extended the PPQ deadline?

ANSWER 108:

QUESTION 109: The PPQ contains several questions with respect to VTC equipment, services, and maintenance; however the PWS mentions VTC among a very long list of equipment and technologies. Why does the PPQ have such a large focus on VTC? If VTC is a large focus of this contract, will the Government provide additional information in the PWS with regarding to what VTC tasks are required in this contract?

ANSWER 109:

QUESTION 110: The Estimated Workload Data does not provide an estimated quantity of hours for the Program Manager. Can the Government please provide this information?

ANSWER 110:

QUESTION 111: The allocation of FTEs by location (Chart in Section 2.2 of the Exhibit) does not explain which LCATS are assigned to which locations. Please provide this information.

ANSWER 111:

QUESTION 112: What company is the current incumbent?

ANSWER 112:

QUESTION 113: Does travel need to be priced/included in the Price Proposal other than the Not To Exceed (NTE) provided in the solicitation?

ANSWER 113:

QUESTION 114: Does the Graphic Specialist need a Secret Clearance?

ANSWER 114:

QUESTION 115: Can you provide the Labor Categories needed at each location?

ANSWER 115:

QUESTION 116: Could you confirm that the maximum page limit for Past Performance Volume II is 50 pages, as opposed to 5 pages?

ANSWER 116:

QUESTION 117: Should Program Manager be included in the Labor Category breakdown, as it is listed as a Key Personnel?

ANSWER 117:

QUESTION 118: Since our government customers are not permitted to provide written recommendations, can we provide their contact information for verbal recommendations as opposed to the Past and Present Performance Questionnaire?

ANSWER 118:

QUESTION 119: The instructions for Contract Manpower Reporting are said to be available at https://cmra.army.mil in the text for CLIN 003 in the CLIN table. This like does not work. Could you confirm that https://armycmra.dmdc.osd.mil is the correct link?

ANSWER 119:

QUESTION 120: Do employees need to have fully adjudicated clearances prior to starting work, or can they perform on the contract with interim clearances?

ANSWER 120:

QUESTION 121: The estimated five trips per year – is that 5 trips total or per FTE?

ANSWER 122:

QUESTION 123: Is there any indication of what level of effort will be required in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia or other OCONUS locations?

ANSWER 123:

QUESTION 124: In section 3.2 of Part 3 of the solicitation it states that government furnished equipment and facilities will be provided at Redstone Arsenal and New Cumberland. May the contractor request and be granted facility usage at the Washington Field Office location and Fort Bragg (1 FTE at each)?

ANSWER 124:

QUESTION 125: On the DD254 box 10e includes both SCI and non-SCI. Is it the case that the contractor will require access to SCI?

ANSWER 125:

QUESTION 126: On the DD254 box 1b is marked “Secret”, should this be listed as “None”?

ANSWER 126:

QUESTION 127: Are there requirements for travel outside of normal business hours (e.g. travel on Sunday for a Monday-Friday work week)?

ANSWER 127:

QUESTION 128: Which LCAT and in which Location would be potentially required to travel to Riyadh?

ANSWER 128:

QUESTION 129: Can the Government please clarify in which location should the Project Manager be allocated or physically located?

ANSWER 129:

QUESTION 130: - If there is a requirement to increase the capability of the current Help Desk Solution during the award period will the government provide resources for the upgrade? What are the current applications that support personnel at expected to be proficient with? Will the operation hours of the help desk need to include hours to support operations in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia?

ANSWER 130:

QUESTION 131: On Page 38 of 55 of the RFP, the Government refers to the “Offeror” with respect to past performance requirements. Does “Offeror” refer to just the prime responding to this proposal, or does that include subcontractors the prime has added to its team?

ANSWER 131:

QUESTION 132: is are there existing contractors on this contract and can we get access to them or to the current rates.

ANSWER 132:

QUESTION 133: In PROPOSAL SUBMISSION (Section L), within the requirements for VOLUME I - TECHNICAL AND RESUMES, does the criteria iv. "Identify specific certifications for the following technology [...]" refer to certifications for the individual personnel or for the vendor itself?

ANSWER 133:

QUESTION 134: Refer to Part 3 GFP- Will the Offeror be required to supply office space at Fort Bragg and the Washington Field Office locations?

ANSWER 134:

QUESTION 135: Refer to Section 9, Key Personnel – Does the Government consider the PM position a full time position for this effort?

ANSWER 135:

QUESTION 136: Will the Government consider adding the PM position to the labor categories listed for this effort in order to be priced separately?

ANSWER 135:

QUESTION 137: Refer to Technical Exhibit 1, Performance Requirements Summary – The performance objectives listed in the table don’t have correct reference in the PWS. For example, there is no PWS, Paragraph 14. This apply to both PRS #1 and PRS #2. Are these relevant?

ANSWER 137:

QUESTION 138: There are numbering discrepancies in the Labor Categories section of the PWS. Specifically, the numbering jumps from 13.1 Senior Computer Systems/Network Engineer to 14.1.1 Major Duties. Please clarify the correct numbering.

ANSWER 138:

QUESTION 139: There are numbering discrepancies in the Data Deliverables section of the PWS. The numbering under Section 15 begins with 15.6. Is information missing from this section?

ANSWER 139:

QUESTION 140:

Do title pages, table of contents, compliance matrices, and resumes count towards total proposal page limits?

ANSWER 140:

QUESTION 141: Please clarify if the period of performance is base plus 4 years, or base plus 3 years. The CDRLs are only listed out to 3 option years; however, PWS 3.1 indicates the PoP to be Base Plus 4 Years.

ANSWER 141:

QUESTION 142: The “Utilization of Government OPSEC SOP/Plan” training information is listed twice; was there information omitted or was this merely an error?

ANSWER 142:

QUESTION 143: For the Prior/Current Contract descriptions, are we expected to use only the 3 contracts for which we submitted past performance questionnaires, or may we include additional contracts if they are relevant in size and scope?

ANSWER 143:

QUESTION 144: Reference Section L Proposal Submission pg 35 of 55 Proposal Page limits for Volume II Price Proposal is currently 5 pages maximum. Request limit be raised to 10 pages maximum because the 5 pages will be met with the 5 pages which are required to be submitted. Specifically completed Attachments J5 Price Proposal Template, J6 CDRL A001 Technical Status, J7 CDRL A002 Progress Report, J8 CDRL A003 Transition Plan, and J9 CDRL A004 Financial Status. Request additional pages to include Volume cover, table of contents and three pages to provide a detailed breakout of the price for CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001 and 4001 in accordance with the RFP.

ANSWER 144:

QUESTON 145: Section 13 Labor Categories pg 22 Computer Graphics Illustrator Para 14.5.1 a. Qualifications: Education: Professional training and certifications.

Understand the Qualification requirement for this position is detailed in para 14.5.2.

Question – Will USASAC provide additional detail regarding Education requirements and Professional training and certifications for this position?

ANSWER 145:

QUESTION 146: Reference Exhibit J4 Past and Present Performance Questionnaire Question - Exhibit J4 Please clarify if item D. Performance Information should be item C. or is there an item C which is missing?

ANSWER 146:

QUESTION 147: Page 19, paragraph 14.1.1.e - Is there an expectation to develop a change management plan/process or use what is in place?

ANSWER 147:

QUESTION 148: Page 19, paragraph 14.1.1.f - How is tasking assigned? Is there a Help Desk ticketing system that personnel will need to be proficient as users and/or administrators?

ANSWER 148:

QUESTION 149: Page 19, paragraph 14.1.1.f - Is there a SLA with the user community regarding completion of assigned tasking?

ANSWER 149:

QUESTION 150: Page 19, paragraph 14.1.3 - Regarding DoD 8570.01-M, are all labor category personnel expected to have a certification for each major piece of computing equipment and operating system being used? Previous experience tells us that any labor category position with IA responsibilities will need an 8570 baseline and computing environment certification.

Blackberry device management Juniper VPN Cisco ASA, routers, firewalls, switches, Cisco IOS.

Microsoft Windows Server 2008, 2016; Windows 7, 10 pro, Microsoft AD, SQL, Exchange, file/print, SharePoint Any database flavor being used; MSSql, MySql, Oracle, etc?

Storage arrays; EMC, HP, Dell Server hardware; HP, Dell, Sun Laptop/desktop hardware; HP, dell, Mac, etc.

VMware Web servers: IIS, Apache, etc.

ANSWER 150:

QUESTION 151: Page 20, paragraph 14.3.1.b - Can you clarify what is meant by “third and fourth generation/state of the art hardware and software systems”? Does this refer to contemporary Operating Systems and common software?

ANSWER 151:

QUESTION 152: Page 20, paragraph 14.3.1.f - What type of “customers” are being referred to in the statement “Working closely with customers, individual may have a definite impact on future business from these customers.”

ANSWER 152:

QUESTION 153: Page 20, paragraph 14.3.1.i - What type of formal and informal training is expected of the Computer Specialist? Is the formal training already developed or would that be provided by the contractor? What are the expected class sizes for formal training?

What is the expected frequency and length of “formal training”?

ANSWER 153:

QUESTION 154: Page 21, paragraph 14.3.1.k - What type of graphics illustration software is used?

ANSWER 154:

QUESTION 155: Page 21, paragraph 14.3.1.y - What is the expected frequency of delivery of the “news release” to promote and market USASAC?

ANSWER 155:

QUESTION 156: Page 21, paragraph 14.3.1.ae - Can the responsibilities of “Coordinates public affairs functions” be elaborated upon to include the substance and frequency of such public affairs functions?

ANSWER 156:

QUESTION 157: Page 22, paragraph 14.6.1.b - Is there an expectation to develop a change management plan/process or use what is in place?

ANSWER 157:

QUESTION 158: Page 22, paragraph 14.6.1.b - Is SCCM being used to deploy patches?

ANSWER 158:

QUESTION 159: Page 28, paragraph 3.1 - What type of Web site platform and application is being used/supported?

ANSWER 159:

QUESTION 160: Page 28, paragraph 3.1 - What type of programming is being performed?

ANSWER 160:

QUESTION 161: Page 29, paragraph 5.1 - Will the contractor be expected to develop a set of policies and procedures to govern the contract personnel and tasking or do these already exist?

ANSWER 161:

QUESTION 162: Page 29, paragraph 5.1 - Is the incoming contractor required to update policies and procedures based on the PWS/SOW?

ANSWER 162:

QUESTION 163: Page 31, paragraph 2.2 - The paragraph states that the contractor shall be located in two primary locations: Redstone Arsenal and New Cumberland. Page 13, paragraph 3.2 lists Redstone, New Cumberland, Fort Belvoir, and Fort Bragg as primary places of performance. There are also references to the Washington Field House and Saudi Arabia in the document. Please confirm that Fort Bragg, Fort Belvoir, the Washington Field House, and Saudi Arabia are not primary locations and will be supported remotely or TDY. If they require full-time, on-site support, would a contract modification be executed (per paragraph 2.2) and would the government provide office space (reference page 28, paragraph 3.2.1)?

ANSWER 163:

QUESTION 164: General Question - Will any accreditation/reaccreditation efforts take place during the period of performance that would require the contractors to engage in internal assessment activities, Information Assurance, SCAP scans, additional hardening, CON and/or RMF package preparation?

ANSWER 164:

QUESTION 165: The attached DD Form 254 show that Secret Safeguarding is required. Paragraph 5.7 of the PWS states The Contractor will be required to have a Secret facility clearance. The Contractor will require access to Foreign Government Information (FGI) and For Official Use Only (FOUO) information. Contractor performance is restricted to Government facility (ies). The Contractor personnel shall have and maintain a SECRET clearance in keeping with personnel policy requirements for a non-critical sensitive position to perform the tasks of this PWS. The contractor is authorized the use of the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) or other secondary distribution center. Contractor performance is limited to government activities only and will not require safeguarding capability. Question: Can the Government confirm Secret Safeguarding is not required for this contract? If it is not required will the Government be issuing a new DD Form 254 to complete and submit with our proposal response?

ANSWER 165:

QUESTION 166: Proposal instructions in Subfactor 1b Staffing require offerors to submit resumes of Key Personnel and number of hours proposed for each key person (by name). Offerors are to submit resumes for all key personnel with the proposal. After reviewing the PWS, only one key person is identified, which is the PM. Question: Is the PM the only Key Personnel position for which a resume must be supplied?

ANSWER 166:

QUESTION 167: Page 31, paragraph 2.2 – The Table shows FTEs associated with each location, but does not specify which labor category is in each location. Question: will contracting provide a breakdown of labor categories by location?

ANSWER 167: