AFS_Feedback_Q&A_Compilation_UPDATED.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- W91CRB-18-R-0050
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| AFS_Feedback_Q&A_Compilation_UPDATED.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| AFS_Feedback_Q&A_Compilation_UPDATED.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Solicitation_W91CRB-18-R-0050_02.pdf | ||
| AFS_Feedback_Q&A_Compilation_UPDATED.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| J4_AFS_Cost_Model_Updated.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| AFS_Feedback_Q&A_Compilation.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| AFS_Solicitation_W91CRB18R0050_01.pdf | ||
| J4_AFS_Cost_Model.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| J1_AFS_CDRL_7.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_2.pdf | ||
| J2_AFS_DD254.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_4.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_6.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_1.pdf | ||
| AFS_Solicitation_W91CRB18R0050.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_8.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_3.pdf | ||
| J6_AFS_Feedback_Template.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| J5_AFS_Performance_Risk_Questionnaire.pdf | ||
| J1_AFS_CDRL_5.pdf | ||
| J3_AFS_Quality_Assurance_Surveillance_Plan.pdf |
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Sheet1 On behalf of the Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7, ACC-APG thanks you for your questions. Q&A’s included in this document are not considered part of the RFP. Offerors shall abide by the instructions and terms of the RFP. This document does not alter the terms of the RFP.
All answers to prior Q&A’s are superseded.
| Question No. | Reference | Offeror’s Question | Government Response | |
| 1 | J1 AFS CDRL # 1 through #8 | CDRLs contains price fields for groups and estimated pricing. Please confirm vendors are not required to provide separate price estimates broken out by each individual CDRL with pricing submissions. | CDRLs are Not Seperately Priced. | |
| 2 | PWS page 3 of 71, Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices | Would the Government please confirm all Quantity amounts are included for all Contract Line Item Numbers (CLIN)? If all amounts are not included, would the Government please update Section B? | The Government will update Section B as applicable. | |
| 3 | PWS page 3 of 71, Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices | The Transition Labor CLIN is identified; however, the Transition ODC CLIN is not. Would the Government please update? If no, please explain how and where should the 10K NTE be captured? | A CLIN is added for travel during the transition. Travel will be required during the transition if the positions proposed are not local. The required positions will have to travel to the NCR during the transition period. | |
| 4 | PWS page 4 of 71, Item number 0004, Contractor Manpower Reporting | Contract line item for Manpower reporting includes Firm-Fixed Price (FFP). The instructions state, “not Priced Separately.” Please confirm whether the Government will not require manpower reporting estimates with price submissions. | The Contractor Manpower Reporting is not seperately priced. The CLINs are no longer labeled FFP. | |
| 5 | PWS page 12 of 71, 1.6.5 Hours of operations/Place of Performance | Please confirm the Government will provide work space in a Government facility with computer and printer, telephone access, and other items necessary to maintain an office environment for the four (4) contractor personnel working daily at DFAS-Indianapolis, the two (2) contractor personnel working daily at DFAS-Columbus, and the six (6) contractor personnel working daily at the Polk Building in Arlington, VA. | Yes, the government will provide workspace for contractor personel at the numbers designated in the PWS for the three locations. | |
| 6 | PWS page 13 of 71, Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, PWS, 1.6.6 Security Requirements | Page 13 states all personnel shall be eligible for award of a Secret security clearance and, upon award of contract, shall immediately begin processing for an interim secret security; however, page 19 states the contractor’s employees performing work in support of this contract shall have been granted a Secret security clearance from the appropriate Federal Government agency. Would the Government please confirm that only an Interim Secret clearance is required to perform work under this contract? | The SMEs for GF and AWCF are required to have a Secret Clearance on award, the rest of the staff must be eligble for an Interim Secret and have that process started. | |
| 7 | PWS page 13 of 71, Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, PWS, 1.6.6 Security Requirements | This section states that new employees must complete the iWATCH training within 2013 days of assignment. Would the Government please confirm or correct this timeframe? | Revised to 20 days | |
| 8 | PWS page 15 of 71, Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, Section 1.6.8.1 and 1.6.8.2 | Would the Government please provide a crosswalk with the Sections 1.6.8.1-2 labor categories and the labor categories provided in the Attachment J4 - Cost Model LABOR-COST DETAIL Tab to ensure descriptions per labor category are properly and accurately referenced? | The Cost model correlates to the key personnel and supporting staff identified in Section 1.6.8 of the PWS. For supervisory or lead positions in the PWS, the offeror may propose Senior Accountants or Supervisory Seniors. | |
| 9 | PWS page 15 of 71, Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, Section 1.6.8.1 and 1.6.8.2 | Is LABOR-COST DETAIL labor category “Supervisory Senior/Experienced Senior” the same as RFP Section 1.6.8.1 labor category “Forensic Accountant (Senior Accountant/Analyst)”? If not, would the Government please provide a complete list of requirements (i.e., total years of experience, education minimum, and a brief description) for all individual labor categories listed in the Attachment J4 - Cost Model LABOR-COST DETAIL Tab and in Section 1.6.8.1 and 1.6.8.1? A complete list of descriptions for all labor categories would promote the requested fluid labor category cross-walk of the offeror’s General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule labor categories. | PWS sections 1.6.8 thru 1.6.8.2 provides the years of experience and education requirements. Offerors should cross walk any different labor categories they select from the GSA Schedule to the Key personnel and supporting staff positions in Section 1.6.8, 1.6.8.1, and 1.6.8.2. | |
| 10 | PWS page X of 71, 1.6.17 Phase In/Phase Out Period | Does the Government anticipate the incumbent contractor will be available during the phase-in/phase-out period? If so, how many days during the 45-day phase-in/phase-out period will the incumbent contractor be available? | The government anticpates the incumbent will be available for up to 30 days. | |
| 11 | PWS page 21 of 71, Section C, 5.3.7.2 | Would the Government please confirm no sections are missing and the numbering for this section is a typo and should instead read “5.3.6.1.”? | The Section is renumbered. | |
| 12 | PWS page 30 of 71, Section I - Contract Clauses | Would the Government please provide the fill in value in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-10 Incentive Subcontracting Program? | Clause has been deleted. | |
| 13 | PWS page 30 of 71, Section I, Clause 52.212-1 | This section states Clause 52.212-1 is incorporated by reference; however, the SF 1449 does not have a checkmark next to “SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1. 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3. 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED.” Would the Government please clarify whether this clause is required to be addressed in our proposal? | All clauses in the soliciation are applicable. | . |
| 14 | PWS page 34–54 of 71, Section K | Is the offeror required to include a completed copy of our representations and certifications? If so, what volume/section should this information be included? | The Representations and Certifications will be in Volume 1. Instructions have been added to section L. | |
| 15 | PWS page 55 of 71, Section L - Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, Proposal Submission, 5. | Since the resulting award will be a hybrid FFP and Time and Materials (T&M) contract for commercial services based on GSA Schedule pricing (which is inherently fair and reasonable), and the award will be made to an offeror whose price has been determined to be fair and reasonable, would the Government please remove the requirement to include annual salary on personnel letters of intent since it is neither applicable nor relevant? | No | |
| 16 | PWS page 55 of 71, Section L, 7., Paragraph 1 | Please confirm there are no specific font size or formatting requirements other than for résumés. | No fonts shall be smaller than 10 point, margins no less than 1 inch. | |
| 17 | PWS page 56 of 71, Section L, 7., Table (Volume 3) | For Volume 3, the table lists both a one-page “Corporate Experience Project Summary Table” and a non-page-limited “Corporate Experience POC Matrix;” however, these items are not described later in Section L, 7. for Volume 3. Would the Government please (1) confirm these items are required and (2) clarify what specifically the offeror is to provide to meet the requirements? | The Corporate Project Summary Page will serve as a one page look at those projects the offeror performed which support their experience for the work required for this effort. The POC information for each project submitted can be added as part each project summary or added as a separate summary page of POCs to allow Government verification if needed. | |
| 18 | PWS page 56 of 71, Section L, 7., Table (Volume 4) | A page limitation is not provided for the Transition Plan (Volume 4). Would the Government please confirm there is no page limitation for this requirement? | The Transition Plan is limited to two (2) pages. | |
| 19 | PWS page 56 of 71, Section L, 7., Table (Volume 5) | For Volume 5, the table lists both a one-page “Past performance Summary Table;” however, these items are not described later in Section L, 7. for Volume 3. Would the Government please (1) confirm this item is required and (2) clarify what is required to provide in order to meet this requirement. | The requirements for Past Perfromance is described in Volume 5 of section L. Volume 3 is for corporate experience not past performance. | |
| 20 | PWS page 56 of 71, Table, Vol #4, Factor I Technical - Sub Factor 3 - Management Plan | The Government has listed (2) pages per résumé and five pages for plan; however, it has also listed the Management Plan as limited to 10 pages. Please confirm the Management Plan is 10 pages. | The solicitation states the limitation of pages for the management plan. | |
| 21 | PWS pages 56 of 71, Volume 4, Factor 1, Subfactor 3. page 67, Factors to be evaluated, and page 69, Section M, Factor 1, Subfactor 3. Management Plan, | On page 56, the Management Plan is listed as tradeoff. However, on page 67, paragraph A, Management Plan and page 69, subfactor 3, Management plan, evaluation criteria is not included for tradeoff. Would the Government please update the evaluation criteria to reflect tradeoff for the Management Plan? | The evaluation criteria has been updated. | |
| 22 | PWS page 56 of 71, Table (Volume 4), Factor I Technical - Sub Factor 3 - Management Plan | Page 56 labels Sub Factor 3 - Management Plan as evaluated as a tradeoff, but on page 67, Section M, A. Factors to be Evaluated, Subfactor 3 is labeled to be evaluated as Acceptable/Unacceptable. Would the Government please confirm the Key Personnel résumés will be evaluated as tradeoff? | Key personnel are NOT trade off. | |
| 23 | PWS page 57 of 71, Section L, 7., Proposal Compliance Matrix | Would the Government please confirm (1) the offeror is only required to provide a mapping to Section L and (2) what specific information the offeror is to provide a mapping for (e.g., the numbering 1. - 7. or another system as not every requirement is individually labeled)? | Offeror is to provide a matrix using the section number of the PWS as the mappring reference. | |
| 24 | PWS page 57 of 71, Table, Vol #4, Factor I Technical - Sub Factor 3 - Management Plan | Would the Government please provide the page limitation for the Transition Plan? | The transition Plan should not exceed 2 pages. | |
| 25 | PWS page 60 of 71, Key Personnel and Staffing | Please confirm the Government requires letters of intent in situations where a proposed individual is not a current employee of the offeror or the offeror’s subcontractor teaming partners. | Yes, the Government requires letters of intent in situations where a proposed individual is not a current employee of the offeror or the offeror’s subcontractor teaming partners. | |
| 26 | PWS page 60 of 71, Key Personnel and Staffing | Please confirm the Government requires six key personnel résumés for the position listed at sub-paragraph-1. | The Government requires five key personnel résumés for the position listed at sub-paragraph-1. | |
| 27 | PWS page 60 of 71, Section L, 7., Volume 4 – Factor 1 Technical Subfactor 3 – Management Plan, 1., a. i., Resumes | This section states résumés are not to exceed three pages; however, the table at the beginning of Section L, 7. indicates résumés are limited to “2 pages per resume, 5 pages for plan.” Would the Government please clarify the page limitations for each Key Personnel résumé? | Resumes for key personnel shall not exceed 3 pages, and have no less than a 10 point font. The table in Section L will be revised to show the 3 page limitation. | |
| 28 | PWS page 60 of 71, Volume 4 – Factor 1 Technical Subfactor 3 – Management Plan, Key Personnel and Staffing | Section 1.6.8.1 there are five (5) key positions; however, on page 60, six (6) positions are listed. Would the Government please confirm that the Technical Writer position is not key and that the five (5) key personnel are: |
• Project Manager
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for General Fund
• SME for Working Capital Fund
• Forensic Accountant
| • SAP Expert. | There are only five key personnel . The solicitation has been updated.. | ||||
| 29 | PWS page 61 of 71, Key personnel, paragragh 1.a.ii | Letters of Intent must include intended salary amounts. Please confirm subcontractors can be bid as key and subcontractors key personnel letters of intent can be submitted with salary info under separate cover from the prime’s bid? | Subcontractors can be bid as key, but they must be employed by the prime or subcontractor at time of award. | ||
| 30 | PWS page 61 of 71, Transition Plan | Please confirm the Government requires all proposed employees, including those designated non-key, TBD, or faction-time commitment to begin performance no later than the 30th day of the transition-in period. | Yes all non-key supporting staff must start by the 30th day of the transition period. The only exception to the 30th day start would be the technical writer and Publisher whose work streams do not start before September. | ||
| 31 | PWS page 61 of 71, Transition Plan | The PWS states the transition-in plan shall occur prior to the end of the incumbent contract period. Would the Government please provide the date of when the incumbent's contrct ends and confirm whether the incumbent personnel will be available during the transition period? | Incumbent contract ends June 30, 2019. The Government anticipates the incumbent's key personnel will be available for up to 30 days during the transition period. | ||
| 32 | PWS page 62 of 71 Volume 5 - Factor 2 - Pasts Performance | Bullet-13 cites the General Fund Audit Infrastructure Contract. Please confirm the Government requires the offeror to cite the Army Audited Financial Statements Compilation and Publications contract. | Yes, the bullet should cite the Army Audited Financial Statements Compilation and Publications contract NOT the General Fund Audit Infrastructure Contract. The solicitation is revised. | ||
| 33 | PWS page 62 of 71, Section L, 7., Volume 5 – Factor 2 – Past Performance, Paragraph 1 | This section states, “The offeror shall provide narrative descriptions of up to six (6) recent, relevant contracts performed by the offeror as a prime contractor, and up to (2) recent, relevant contracts performed by each major subcontractor or team member. The contracts submitted for past performance must be the (3) contracts also submitted for the Corporate Experience subfactor.” Please confirm: (1) The offeror must include the same number of projects for past performance as were submitted for corporate experience (i.e., if four contracts were submitted corporate experience, the same four must be submitted for past performance) (2) Major subcontractor/team member references are provided in addition to the contracts provided in (1). | Past performance has to be 3 of the projects also submitted for Corporate experience. | ||
| 34 | PWS page 62 of 71, Transition Plan | For the transition schedule and staffing plan, does the Government require offerors to disclose the actual number of personnel the offeror plans to onboard during the transition period in a manner that enables the Government to ensure the offeror is capable of fully onboarding required personnel during the transition period? | Yes | ||
| 35 | PWS page 62 of 71, Volume 5 - Factor 2 - Past Performance | Please clarify whether the Government is asking for the proposed prime contractor to provide up to six (6) past performances and an additional two (2) from major subcontractors for a total of eight (8) or if six (6) TOTAL are required from both the prime and major subcontractor. | The offeror is allowed up to 8 past performances --- 6 from the prime and 2 from subcontractors. | ||
| 36 | PWS page 62 of 71, Volume 5 - Factor 2 - Past Performance | The PWS states “The contracts submitted for past performance must be the (3) contracts also submitted for the Corporate Experience subfactor.” Please confirm that the government will accept ANY (3) of the Past Performances to be the representative contracts in the Corporate Experience subfactor. | Yes, the Government will accept any 3 the offeror chooses as long as they are the same three submitted for the Corporate Experience Subfactor. | ||
| 37 | PWS page 64 of 71, Section L, 7., Volume 6 – Factor 3 – Small Business Utilization, Small Business Participation Plan, Paragraph 1 | This section requires evidence of “enforceable commitments in place between itself and the participating small businesses.” As this documentation is provided in Volume 1, are offerors permitted to refer to Volume 1? If not, will the offeror be permitted to include a Teaming Agreement or Subcontract as an appendix to this volume (i.e., excluded from page count)? | Yes either option is acceptable. | ||
| 38 | PWS page 64 of 71, Section L, Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume, (a) and (o) | The price volume (Section a.) requires disclosure of indirect, but also requires pricing to be based on GSA Schedule rates (Section o.) If an offeror’s proposal is based on its GSA schedule rates, would the Government please confirm that Offerors do not have to provide indirect cost information? | The Government reserves the right to request other than certified cost and pricing data to support cost/price reasonableness. | ||
| 39 | PWS page 64 of 71, Section L, Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume, a. | The price volume requires disclosure of indirect “as identified in Attachment B;” however, Attachment B does not include fields for indirect costs (except for Other Direct Costs [ODC]). Would the Government please confirm that the indirect fields for ODCs are all the Government requires and that the Government is NOT requiring offerors to provide a cost build for labor? | That is correct, the Government is not requiring a cost build up for labor. | ||
| 40 | PWS page 64 of 71, Small Business Participation Plan | Would the Government please confirm it requires an explanation where the offeror’s subcontracting plan contains small business participation goals that are below the Government’s minimum requirements only? | Yes, please provide an explanation if your subcontracting plan has small business participation goals below the Government's minimum requirements. | ||
| 41 | PWS page 65 of 71, paragraph d. | The Government anticipates competition in response to this solicitation. Please confirm data other than certified cost or pricing data is “not” currently required. | Correct, data other than certified cost or pricing data is not required. | ||
| 42 | PWS page 65 of 71, Section L, 7., Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price | This section jumps from section h. to section l. Please confirm this is a typo and sections i., j., and k. are not missing. | The typo has been fixed. | ||
| 43 | PWS page 65 of 71, Section L - Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, Section Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price:,d | Would the Government please whether this section should read “Competition is anticipated in response to this solicitation, therefore data other than certified cost or pricing data is NOT currently required...”? | In accordance with FAR 15.403-3(a)(1)(ii) the Government will require submission of data other than certified cost and pricing data to determine a fair and reasonable price. | ||
| 44 | PWS page 65 of 71, RFP Section L - Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, Section Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price:,f | If “ODCs are an estimated amount that may or may not occur, no fixed fee will be proposed or accepted,” would the Government please explain why Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices page 3, lists ODCs & Travel as FFP? | These are FFP, because the work requiring ODCs (mainly printing the annual financial reports is estimable, as is travel for quarterly joint reviews to DFAS to prepare the financial statements. | ||
| 45 | PWS page 66 of 71, Section L, 7., Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price | This section goes from section o. to section 3. Please confirm this is a typo and section 3 should be p. | The typo has been fixed. | ||
| 46 | PWS page 66 of 71, Section L, Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume, (o) | Per FAR 52.219-9(i), “A contract may have no more than one subcontracting plan.” If this is a GSA procurement, would the Government please remove the subcontracting plan requirement as this is already included as part of offeror’s GSA Schedule? To require otherwise would be in derogation of the FAR. | This is not a GSA procurement. This is an unrestricted requirement. Small business participation goals must still be met. | ||
| 47 | PWS page 66 of 71, Section L., Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume, (o) | Based on our understanding of this section, as well as the fact that this proposal will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 8.404(d), would the Government please confirm that this is a GSA Schedule procurement? | The cost section has been revised | ||
| 48 | PWS page 66 of 71, Section L., Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume, n. | Would the Government please remove the requirement for subcontractor price volumes if the offeror’s pricing is based on rates already determined fair and reasonable for commercial services, and the subcontractor’s pricing fits within the prime offeror’s quote? | The requirement for subcontractor price volumes has been removed. Be advised that adequate documentation should still be provided to support the price reasonableness of any subcontracted labor. | ||
| 49 | PWS page 67 of 71, Section M, Evaluation Criteria | Section M states that a tradeoff analysis will be used for Factor I, Subfactors 1 and 2 but on page 56, Table, Vol #4, subfactor 3 is listed as a tradeoff. Please clarify whether subfactor 3 will be a tradeoff. | This has been revised. Subfactor III is not trade-off. | ||
| 50 | PWS page 68 of 71Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award, Sub Factor One - Technical Approach | Evaluation criteria indicates that the Government plans to evaluate an offeror’s technical approach for “compiling and submitting the quarterly statements and in publishing the annual fiscal year-end financial statements of a Federal reporting entity (preferable a DOD component).” These criteria appear incompatible with the solicitation’s technical requirements, which require offerors to provide a technical approach for the compilation, submission, and publication of the Army’s General Fund (GF), Working Capital Fund (WCF), and Civil Works quarterly and annual financial statements. Would the Government please change the criteria to indicate that the offeror’s technical approach will be evaluated to determine how well the offeror provides specific details describing their approach for compiling and submitting the Army’s quarterly statements, as well as publishing the Army’s annual fiscal year-end financial statements? | Offeror must provide a technical approach for the Government to evaluate its understanding of the requirements. Providing the details of the approach is critical to proving that understanding. | ||
| 51 | PWS page 69 of 71, Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award, Factor 2 - Past Performance | The size, scope, and complexity criteria appear incompatible with the solicitation’s requirements. Would the Government please change these criteria to better align with the solicitation’s requirements for compiling and submitting the Army’s quarterly statements and publishing the Army’s annual fiscal year-end financial statements? | There will be no change. | ||
| 52 | PWS page 66 of 71, Section L., Volume 7 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume, n. | Would the Government please remove the requirement for subcontractor price volumes if the offeror’s pricing is based on rates already determined fair and reasonable for commercial services, and the subcontractor’s pricing fits within the prime offeror’s quote? | The requirement for subcontractor price volumes has been removed. Be advised that adequate documentation should still be provided to support the price reasonableness of any subcontracted labor. | ||
| 53 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model | Instructions in note-1 of the labor cost detail spreadsheet direct offerors to “enter a P in Col C if the effort is to be performed by the prime contractor, and an S if performed by another division or subcontractor. Enter the name of the division or contractor in Col D.” These instructions are not aligned to the column headings in the spreadsheet. In the spreadsheet, column C is labeled “FTE,” column E requires the entry of P or S, and column F identifies name of subcontractor. Note-1 also indicates “Col I shall total to the number of hours provided by the Govt for the respective labor category,” while the spreadsheet contains a blank label for column I. Total hours identified by the Government are in column D. Would the Government please align column labels and note-1 instructions to ensure clarity and understanding to all offerors? | The cost model is revised. | ||
| 54 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model | The cost model appears to require pricing for two Forensic Accountants. Would the Government please confirm offerors are required to propose two forensic accountants and associated pricing? | Offerors are to propose pricing for one (1) Forensic Accountant. | ||
| 55 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model | The cost model’s position titles do not align to those provided at PWS 1.6.8.1 and 1.6.8.2. For example, it is unclear where to align the Forensic Accountant (Senior Accountant) in price model. Would the Government please align the cost model’s position title to those provided at PWS 1.6.8.1 and 1.6.8.2? | The Forensic accountant is shown with the Senior Accountants in the Cost Model | ||
| 56 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, LABOR-COST DETAIL Tab | Can offerors deviate from the hours by labor category provided by the Government? | No | ||
| 57 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, LABOR-COST DETAIL Tab | Can offerors propose additional labor categories from its GSA Schedule? | No | ||
| 58 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, LABOR-COST DETAIL Tab | Would the Government please consider updating the LABOR-COST tab to provide Level of Effortr (LOE)/Hours by only the labor categories listed in PWS Section C 1.6.8.1 and 1.6.8.2 for the effort of clarity? | LOE Spreadsheet has been updated. | ||
| 59 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, ODC - Cost Detail Tab | Is the Transition In 10K NTE under Travel or ODCs? | Travel may be needed for incumbent to bring SMEs to Polk location. No other ODCs should be needed. | ||
| 60 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, ODC - Cost Detail Tab | Should cell A15 read “YR 3 ODC”? | The model has been updated | ||
| 61 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, Section B Tab | The information on rows 393 to 397 appears to be a mistake. Would the Government please allow offerors to delete these rows? | The model has been updated | ||
| 62 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, Section B Tab | Transition Labor CLIN is identified; however, the Transition ODC CLIN is not. Would the Government please update these CLINs? If not, would the Government please explain how the 10K NTE should be captured? | All offerors should propose the normalized amount of 10k. | ||
| 63 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, Section B Tab | Would the Government please add/identify CLIN Numbers in Column A? | The model has been updated | ||
| 64 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model, Section B Tab | Would the Government please provide a rational for the FFP and T&M contract types referenced on the same row for the effort of clarity? Is Labor to be FFP or T&M? | The model has been updated | ||
| 65 | Attachment J4 - Cost Model | Please confirm that, although labor hours within labor categories/position titles may be allocated between proposed prime and subcontractor personnel, the total hours identified within each labor category/position title are fixed and cannot be adjusted by the offeror. | The position shall not be adjusted by the offeror | ||
| 66 | Part 1 - Specific Tasks 1.1, 1.2 | ||||
| Part 5 - Specific Tasks 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3 and 5.1.4.12 | Under sections 1.1 and 1.2, the description of services/introduction states that, “The contractor shall…. prepare and publish the Army’s…. quarterly and annual Financial Statements as defined in this Performance Work Statement ….”. Additionally, in section 5.1.2, it states that the “contractor shall…prepare, compile, and publish the Army General Fund (GF) and Army Working Capital Fund (AWCF) AFR’s.” Whereas, in section 5.1.4.12, it only states that the contractor will ‘print and bind….250 copies of the financial statements; one book for the Army General Fund and Army Working capital fund, and one book for Civil Works Fund” on an annual basis, and in section 5.1.3, it only states the contractor shall “jointly compile….and submit the quarterly financial statements and footnotes” on a quarterly basis. Can you please clarify between sections 1.1 and 1.2 and 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3 and 5.1.4.12 what the difference in intent is between when the word “publish” is used and when it is not? Please additionally clarify the difference in intent between the use of the word “submit” versus the use of the word “publish”? Is there a difference in expectation between the quarterly package and the annual package to be prepared?” | Each quarter the contractor will "jointly" work with Army and DFAS to compile the statements and submit them to OSD and OMB. At the end of the fiscal year, the joint work also culminates in publishing the annual financial statements, MDA, Footnotes, IPA's opinion and other required items in the physical bound books, known as the Army Annual Financial Report. Publish means to make the book (at the end of the year) and send it to OSD and OMB. Submit means to send the quarterly statements to OSD and/or OMB | |||
| 67 | Part 1 - Specific Tasks - 1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6.5 | ||||
| Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.4.3 | As the Government has used the term "compile" and "compilation" in multiple locations within the RFP, we want to confirm and ensure the Government is aware that no assurance can be provided related to financial statements and notes under AICPA standards. Any positive assurance would require the performance of an attest engagement and would require the contractor to be independent of the Army. Inherently performing any true "compilation" activities, as is defined by the AICPA, prevents a contractor from being independent. Could the Government clarify in its response that this is not a true compilation but rather assistance in putting together the report with no expectation of positive assurance. Additionally, if the Government agrees they are not requesting a 'Compilation,' could the Government consider replacing the words "compile" and "compilation" through out the document and replace with "assist with the preparation" In addition, can the Government consider removing the wording "compile and publish" in section 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 and clarifying in its response that the service being provided is truly "assisting management with the preparation and publication." | ||||
| Compile and compilation used here are strictly meant to mean, put together the statements. Obtain and submit all needed trial balances, add all manual inputs, and adjustments to arrive at the balances for each line and footnote of each financial statement. There is no expectation of assurance. Since we are using the term explicitly stating it is for putting together the financial statements, we do not see a need to change the wording. | |||||
| 68 | Part 1- Specific Task- 1.6.8 | Does the requirement for 'all contractor personnel (key and supporting staff) have a bachelors degree in accounting or business related degree' apply to the Technical Writer? | The technical writer can have a degree in technical writing. 1.6.8.2 says "The technical writer shall have at least 2 years’ experience in writing professional quality financial statements and documents and can have a degree in Technical Writing." | ||
| 69 | Part 1- Specific Task- 1.6.8.1 | Would the government consider 'related experience within the last three years with DOD audit readiness OR DOD financial statement preparation' in order to broaden the experiences and best practices to apply to this project? | No. this project is focused on financial statement preparation. Substituting the "and" for and "or" could affect our ability to prepare the statements as the knowledge/experience with the accounting portion will not be there. | ||
| 70 | Part 1- Specific Task- 1.6.8.1 | Given the limited number of DoD agencies that produce financial statements, would the government consider other Executive Branch financial statement preparation experience as qualifying experience? | We can accept Federal Gov financial statement preparation for all positions except the key personnel SME leads for General Fund and Working Capital Fund. Those must have financial statement experience in DOD. | ||
| 71 | Part 1- Specific Task- 1.6.8.1 | Does the government expect the SAP Expert to be able to write custom code to produce reports, or use the reporting capabilities that already exist within the FI/FM module? | Use the existing capability to run queries, pull reports, research general ledger activity, etc. | ||
| 72 | Part 1- Specific Task- 1.6.8.1 | Would the government consider OSD Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) experience as a qualifier for the Army Working Capital Fund Lead in order to broaden the experiences and best practices to apply to this project? | No. This work is too vital to making the establish audit opinion milestones. Having the working capital accounting, budget experience are critical here. | ||
| 73 | Part 1 - Specific Tasks - 1.6.6.1 | Attachment J2, DD 254 was not included in the draft for review. Can the Government provide? | The DD 254 was provided as an attachment. | ||
| 74 | Part 1 - Specific Tasks - 1.6.8.2 | Could the Government clarify what it means by "professional publisher?" | A firm or individual with the ability to produce a professional OMB Circular A-136 compliant publication. The publication has high quality printing, Army approved photos, graphics added to the Army provided required statements and other narratives to make a cohesive publication submitted not only to OSD and OMB, but to auditors, Congress, Army leadership, and others as requested. Please see the Army Annual Report for fiscal year 2018 on the Army or OSD (Comptroller) intranet pages. | ||
| 75 | Part 1 - Specific Tasks - 1.6.8.2 | Given that the Government would benefit from a person with a broad range of technical writing experience beyond solely 'technical financial statements and documents,' would the Government consider removing this requirement? | The technical writer is only on the project at year end to review and revise the draft MDA document (prepared by Army personnel and support contractors) to be published in the Annual Financial Report. | ||
| 76 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5 | Could the Government provide a summary list of all deliverables to ensure it is consistent with expectations of what is listed in Part 5 of the RFP. | The CDRLs were provided as attachments. | ||
| 77 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks 5.1.1, 5.1.3, 5.1.4 | The RFP states that the contractor shall "Prepare, compile, and publish the Army's Civil Works Fund Annual Financial Report." The RFP also states that the contractor shall "Jointly compile (with DFAS and stakeholders) and submit the quarterly Financial Statements, and footnotes." Finally, the RFP states, "Army GF and AWCF Financial Statements: The contractor will accomplish the following task which will be identified with an "A" for the annual financial statements prepared 30 September each year and "Q" for the quarterly financial statement prepared at the end of the remaining 3 calendar quarters..." Could the Government please confirm in the paragraphs 5.1.4 through 5.1.4.12 that the only task applicable to the Civil Works Fund, are those where the Civil Works Fund is specified. | Publishing the Annual Financial Report at year end (A) in 5.1.1 is the only expectation for Civil Works. No quarterly compiling and joint preparation of financial statement is required on this contract. The technical writer may need to read through and suggest edits to their MDA, but the work is publishing. | ||
| 78 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.1 | Does the government have a specific format or medium in mind for the preparation of the electronic milestone plan referenced? For example, MS Project, Excel, etc.…? | No. As long as the plan includes all required actions and an associated estimated completion date | ||
| 79 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.1 | Will the workplan also include audit PBC's? | Yes, it will include those PBCs related to producing the Annual Financial Report. | ||
| 80 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.2, 5.3.1, and 5.3.2 | Will the government facilitate access and approval to DDRS-AFS, DDRS-B, DCM, and any ERP systems for its contractors? Additionally, will the government provide training on proper usage of these systems and is the government willing to accept the risks that information might be incorrect if improper parameters are used within these systems due to a lack of training or oversight by government personnel? Further, can the government confirm that a government employee will review, approve, and provide final signature on any data call memorandums? | Yes, the government will facilitate the access. The government will provide access to training, job aids, and other instructing materials for the systems. As with all documents that may be prepared by contractor support, a government employee will approve the documents before signing or submitting for higher leader signature. | ||
| 81 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.6, 5.1.4.9, 5.1.4.10, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.3.5, 5.3.7.2 | The term “review” is used throughout the document; should it be clarified to say “assist with review” and that this “review” does not imply “limited assurance”? As the Government has used the term "review" in multiple locations within the RFP, we want to confirm and ensure the Government is aware that no assurance can be provided related to financial statements and notes under AICPA standards. Per AICPA (SSARS No. 21 AR Section 90 Review of Financial Statements), the objective of a review is to obtain limited assurance that there are no material modifications that should be made to the financial statements in order for the statements to be in conformity with the applicable financial reporting framework. Since the service being asked to be provide is not a Review Service per the AICPA, could the Government consider replacing the word "review” throughout the document and replace with "assist with the review of". | This is a financial statement preparation effort, not an audit readiness effort. So uses of words like review, compile, compilation are strictly the normal verb uses of those words not related to or meant to imply audit services or the provision of any assurances. Assist means the contractor staff will work the items with staff. Some items they will review what others have prepared, for some items they will work with government staff to create the document. | ||
| 82 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.6 | Does the government understand that the contractor can only provide guidance and input into whether the legal representation and management representation letters meet form and content requirements and cannot provide legal perspective on the content of the legal representation letter or make the final decision on any assertions provided by management during its review of these documents? | The review requirement is to look at both documents to make sure they contain required narrative and disclosures for financial statement/annual financial report. The required narrative and disclosure may be driven by OMB A-136, SFFAS 15, OUSD guidance, or IPA recommendation. | ||
| 83 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.12 | What is the method of delivery of draft copies? Can draft be electronic versions? | The "draft" copies are assumed to be the printer's proof. It can be provided electronically to the government for final review before preparing the 30 spiral bound copies. The government acknowledges there could be changes after the spiral bound versions are made. | ||
| 84 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.12 | Does the Government expect any draft copies to be in color? Are the 'color copies' only to be used for year end? How many versions of draft copies. | The draft printer's proof must be in color but can be provided electronically. Color is necessary to ensure all tables and graphs display correctly. Spiral bound versions provide are to be in color. | ||
| 85 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.1.4.12 | Please provide clarity regarding the "250 copies of financial statements; one book for Army General Fund and Army Working Capital Fund, and one book for Civil Works Fund." Does this mean that there will be a total of 500 bound, high quality paper, color copies produced (250 for each entity producing the AFR, according to 5.1.1 and 5.1.2)? What does "one book" refer to? the AFR? | Book means AFR. This effort requires two AFRS: (1) One containing General Fund and Working Capital Fund and (2) One containing the Civil Works Fund. There will be 250 copies provided for each AFR, so yes 500 copies total. In addition, the contractor will provide 30 spiral bound versions of the GF/ WCF AFR provided on about Novemebr 15th. | ||
| 86 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks - 5.3 | In the first sentence, does the government mean source systems (versus the stated "source documents")? | Source documents is meant to cover those accounting items not in a system, but may come from manual spreadsheets. | ||
| 87 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks 5.3 | The RFP states, "The contactor shall assist ASA (FM&C), DFAS, | |||
| involved Army staff, and other stakeholders monthly, to analyze the Army General Fund and Army Working Capital Fund accounting data from source documents, feeder systems, and transmit that data into the respective accounting systems and DoD consolidating financial statement system for the affected reporting period." Could the Government clarify if in Part/sections 5.3 through 5.3.7.2 only assumed to address Army General Fund and Army Working Capital fund. | Yes, Part/sections 5.3 through 5.3.7.2 relate to Army General Fund and Army Working Capital Fund. | ||||
| 88 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks 5.3 | The RFP states that the "contractor will assist in identifying and analyzing the accounting aspects of business events, accounting fluctuations, and account adjustments, …. (including SBA)…” Did the government mean to include the SBA? | The phrase in parentheses regarding the SBA should be removed. | ||
| 89 | Part 5 - Specific Tasks 5.3.2 | Could the Government provide how many JVs will need to be reviewed for each Army General Fund and Army Working Capital Fund on average for monthly and quarterly reporting? Does this task include the Army's Civil Works Fund? | The Army Financial Reporting team reviews/approves JVs at $500M or more in DDRS for Army General Fund and Army Working Capital Fund. The numbers of JVs vary, but has not been more than 50 per reporting period (monthly for DDRS-B, quarterly for DDRS-AFS). There is no JV work on this effort for Civil Works. | ||
| 90 | Section L, Page 55, Item 7 | Please confirm format requirement for proposal font, pitch, margins etc. | No font shall be smaller than 10 point; margins at no less than 1 inch. | ||
| 91 | Section L, Page 57 Page Limitation Table | Please clarify page count requirements for Volume 4 - Transition Plan. | The Transition plan shall not exceed 2 pages. | ||
| 92 | Section L Page 59 and Page 62 | Please clarify the difference between Corporate Experience and Past Performance. These appear to be duplicate sections, and it is even stated that we may use "The Projects Submitted for Corporate Experience must be the same projects submitted for Past Performance". | Corporate Experience is what you have done in the past and Past performance is how well you performed. | ||
| 93 | Section L Page 66 Subcontract Pricing | If an offeror and its subcontractors are submitting a commercial item bid and are able to successfully map their rates and the rates of its subcontractors to their respective GSA schedules to show rates are fair and reasonable, please confirm separate sealed packages from individual subcontractors are not needed in this situation. | Separte sealed packages are required. References to GSA have been removed. | ||
| 94 | J4 Cost Model | Will the Government provide the years of experience required for all the position titles listed in the J4 Cost model attachment? | Section 1.6.8 through 1.6.8.2 provides the years of experience required for key personnel and supporting staff | ||
| 95 | AFS Solicitation W91CRB18R0050, Section C - Descriptions and Specifications, 1. GENERAL: "This is a non-personnel services contract to provide Army Audit Financial Statements Compilation and Publication Services." | The government is requiring the contractor to be an Independent Public Accountant firm. Does the Government intend for the Financial Statements Compilation to be conducted under Standards for Review and Accounting Services promulgated by the AICPA? | This is compilation meaning compile or put together, not compilation as it relates to audit type engagements | ||
| 96 | J4-AFS-Cost Model, Section B - Supplies or Services & Prices | Given that the Government has a CLIN in place for Firm Fixed Price Deliverables to support Army Financial Statements Compilation, would the Government consider allowing price submissions to align effort to produce certain task deliverables to the FFP CLIN, rather than to the labor hours CLIN to increase the value to the Government while shifting the risk of performance from Army to the service provider. | The ODC Publication CLINs will have normalized Not to Exceed amounts placed on them. Offerors may propose up to the NTE value for annual publication expenses. | ||
| 97 | PWS page 70 of 71, Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award, Factor 4 - Cost/Price, page 70 | Since the Government clearly discourages uncompensated overtime, and requires offerors relying on uncompensated overtime to disclose its impact to pricing, how does the use of uncompensated overtime factor into the Government’s overall evaluation of an offeror’s proposal? | FAR 37.115 outlines the policy regarding uncompensated overtime. The use of uncompensated overtime is discouraged, as it could have negative effects on quality of service and retention of workforce. |
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