B08_Amendment 01_Solicitation Questions_Consolidated Security Cooperation.docx

W91CRB-20-R-0010 Solicitation Questions Updated as of 6 March 2020

1. Section L states, “Dissemination of Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaires. The Offeror shall provide copies of the Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire provided by the Government in conjunction with this solicitation to the Government POCs identified by the Offeror in the Past Performance POCs Matrix.” Will the Government clarify if offerors are required to submit Past Performance Questionnaires to all individuals identified in the Past Performance POC Matrix (4 for each contract), or should offerors identify one Government POC per contract as the recipient of the Past Performance Questionnaire? In consideration of the existing workload of our Government Customer Contracting personnel, we believe it would be beneficial to our Government Customers to limit PPQ requests to one per contract, given the short response time for this proposal.

2. Page Count for Volume 2, Factor 1, Sub-factor 3 Key Personnel is listed as 15 pages. Does this page limit include the resumes and letters of commitment for the 12 Key Personnel?

Answer: Clarification. Key Personnel resumes (limited to two pages each) and letters of commitment are not included in the 15-page limit.

3. In light of the fact the number of key personnel required for proposal submission almost doubled from the release of the Draft RFP, will the Government consider a 2-week extension for proposal submission to allow ample time for non-incumbent teams to identify committed and qualified personnel for this work?

Answer: The Date Offers Due has been extended to March 16, 2020 at 12PM.

4. There appears to be a discrepancy between the CLIN structures in Section F of the RFP and the Cost Model breakout. Will the Government please verify the dates of the CLINs and align the Cost Model to the proper dates?

Answer: All CLIN dates have been changed as appropriate.

5. Tab “Labor Cost Detail – FMS” of the Cost Model has the Total Productive Hours for Info Functional Analyst 3 listed as 0 for all CLIN Periods. Will the Government verify the total productive hours listed for this position are accurate (considering this position is one of the 12 key personnel required)?

Answer: COST Model has been updated under Amendment 01.

6. Will the Government clarify the meaning of the following requirement within Volume 3 Past Performance: “Identify any other constraints similar to those expected to be encountered in performing the General Fund – Audit Infrastructure contract” Will the Government provide this contract or direct offerors to the applicable documentation in order to assess constraint similarity?

Answer: This bullet has been deleted: “Identify any other constraints similar to those expected to be encountered in performing the General Fund – Audit Infrastructure contract”

7. Attachment 5 – Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire lists “General Fund Audit Infrastructure acquisition, Solicitation #W91CRB-17-R-0018” as the associated RFP within the introduction and instructs responses to be submitted to “gwen.e.meadows.civ@mail.mil (KO) < Caution-mailto:gwen.e.meadows.civ@mail.mil%20(KO) > ” and “alexander.s.obriwin.civ@mail.mil (KS). < Caution-mailto:alexander.s.obriwin.civ@mail.mil%20(KS). > ” Will the Government verify this information is accurate?

Answer: This information has been updated.

8. Can the graphics be smaller than size 12?

Answer: As stated in the “Format” paragraph of Section L (General Instructions, Paragraph 7) graphics and tables are not subject to the font size requirement but must have text and spacing that is reasonably legible.

9. "B08 Solicitation, Pages 57-59, Section L, Sub-factor 3 Key Personnel Qualifications Sub-factor 3: Key Personnel Qualifications. For each of the positions designated as Key Personnel in the PWS, the offeror shall submit resumes addressing the education and experience requirements. Resumes may not exceed two (2) pages each, which may be single spaced. Award of a contract will constitute the Government’s acceptance of initial Key Personnel. While only twelve (12) resumes are required, all personnel must meet the PWS requirements. In addition to resumes, offerors shall also provide a Personnel Matrix to include all key personnel, and a plan detailing the availability of current personnel, its ability to recruit new employees and replace those who depart, its ability to provide replacements with equivalent qualifications and how quickly these replacements can be on-boarded." Request Government exclude resumes and Letters of Intent from page count.

Answer: Key Personnel resumes (limited to two pages each) and letters of commitment are not included in the 15-page limit.

10. "B08 Solicitation, pages 57-59, Section L, Volume 2, Sub-factor 3: Key Personnel Qualifications Section RFP states, “Resumes may not exceed two (2) pages each. Also required is a Personnel Matrix. Table Sub-factor 3: Key Personnel qualifications specifies 15-page limit for KP resumes." If the Government will not exclude resumes and Letters of Intent from the Sub-Factor 3 page count, given the requirement for 12 KP, will the USG increase Sub-factor 3: Key Personnel qualifications page count for resumes, Letters of Intent, and additional requirements? Recommend Sub-Factor 3 page count not-to-exceed 40 pages."

Answer: Key Personnel resumes (limited to two pages each) and letters of commitment are not included in the 15-page limit.

11. "B08 Solicitation, page 61, Section L, Volume 5 RFP states “Offerors shall include a copy of their published price list or market pricing along with their price proposal.” Would the Government clarify what type of price list or market pricing is being requested, and what is the intent?

Answer: Change. “Offerors shall include a copy of their published price list or market pricing along with their price proposal.” has been deleted.

12. "B08 Solicitation, page 61 and 62, Section L, Volume 5 Factor/Price RFP states ""Electronic spreadsheet files must be sent in Microsoft Excel 2007 format…"" while paragraph (e) states ""Therefore, each offeror is to submit a completed copy of this model in an Excel 2013-compatable, readable format..."" Please confirm that the correct version is Excel 2013 in accordance with paragraph (e)

Answer: This statement has been deleted. The Microsoft Excel format should be 2013.

13. B08 Solicitation, page 57, Section L - Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, General Instructions, Volume I Introductory Volume, Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Identification and Mitigation Risk. Please clarify that an OCI Mitigation plan is only required if offeror identifies a potential conflict of interest. If required to be submitted even in there is no OCI identified, does this requirement also apply to any major subcontractors even if they do not have an OCI?

Answer: The offeror must demonstrate that they have an OCI Identification Plan. As stated in the solicitation, if any potential OCI is identified, the offeror must provide a mitigation plan for those potential OCIs identified. The OCI requirements are also required for any major subcontractors.

14. B08 Solicitation, page 61, Section L Volume 5 – Factor 4 – Cost/Price, Other Requirements, Terms and Conditions of the Cost Volume: Paragraph A: The Government shall provide the required labor categories and hours within the cost volume for each of the three (3) contract performance periods (base + two options), and the contractor shall provide the direct and indirect costs associated with the given level of effort, in accordance with the provided cost model. No variance from these hours is permitted. The solicitation does not contain billing instructions. The CLINS listed in the solicitation are a ‘Jobs’ which is indicative of billing upon completion. Since the Government is defining the number of positions and number of hours to be provided, can the Government please clarify is this truly a Firm Fixed Price effort or is it the Governments intent that this be awarded as a FFP LOE under which the contractor can bill as hours/costs are incurred? Furthermore, if it is an FFP, will the Government provide a billing schedule such as 1/12th billings when the contract is awarded?

This contract is Firm Fixed Price (FFP). The Government anticipates the contractor will submit monthly invoices equal to 1/12th value of the period of performance.

15. B08 Solicitation, page 21, PART 1 General, Regarding Key Personnel, Paragraph 1.6.9.5. A Contract Manager is listed as a key personnel. Per qualifications of a key personnel, the contract requires an alternate to be designated when the contract manager is unavailable. Is a resume required to be submitted for both the Contract Manager (key), as well as the alternate, or just for the Contract Manager with the alternate POC identified separately?

Answer: A resume is required for both the Contract Manager and the Alternates.

16. B08 Solicitation, page 1, Standard Form (SF) 33. In what volume should the signed SF33 be incorporated?

Answer: Added to Section L, The Standard Form (SF) 33 should be included in Volume 1, Introductory Volume.

17. B08 Solicitation, page 60-61, Section L - Volume 4 - Factor 3 Subcontracting Plan. Will the government confirm that offerors submitting a DCMA approved comprehensive subcontracting plan (CSP) in accordance with 252.219-7004 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program), are absolved from submitting the level of specificity requested at Section L, Volume 4 - Factor 3, specifically:

• The offeror’s plan shall depict the percentage values of the option requirements separately. (CSP goals negotiated annually with DCMA and cannot be changed or predicted for future periods.)

• The name and DUNS number (or CAGE code) of each of the firm(s) included in the plan

• The NAICS code (appropriate to the planned subcontract) supporting each firm’s size status

• The estimated total dollar value (base and options) subcontracted to each firm

Answer: Offerors that are authorized by and approved under the DFARS 252.219-7004 Small Business Subcontracting Test Program are exempt from this requirement. However, offerors must provide documentation of compliance with all eligibility requirements.

18. B08 Solicitation, page 42, Section H - Special Contract Requirements. Paragraph at the top of p.42 states, “As required in Section L, the Offeror’s ethics and OCI plans…” Section L does not address submission for an Ethics Plan. Is an Ethics Plan required and if so, will the Government clarify the requirements for submission of an Ethics Plan?

Answer: There is no specific Ethics Plan, ethics should be discussed in the overall OCI plan.

19. "B08 Solicitation, page 55, Section L General Instructions paragraph 5 B. Page 55 paragraph 5 requests salary information, while the top of page 59 requests "the agreed to labor rate". Please clarify whether the Government wants the salary, or the agreed to labor rate, and how will this information be evaluated in accordance with Section M?

20. "B08 Solicitation, page 61, Section L Volume 5 – Factor 4 - Cost/Price c. states “The total evaluated price (TEP) to be used in the award determination will be the total of ALL CLINs with the exception of the Transition-In CLINs.” B08 Solicitation, page 66, Section M Factor 4 – Price: states “The total evaluated price (TEP) will be the sum of all CLINs in Section B.” Can the Government confirm the total evaluated price (TEP) will be the sum of all CLINs in Section B and the Transition-In CLIN is included in the total evaluated price (TEP)?

the award determination will be the sum of ALL CLINs in Section B except for Transition-In CLINs which will be based as fair and reasonable. A completed copy of COST MODEL_ SECURITY COOP.XLSX SHALL also be included with all offeror price proposals as discussed in paragraph e below. A proposal is presumed to represent the offeror's best effort to respond to the solicitation. Any inconsistency with other sections of the offeror's proposal (i.e. technical proposal), whether real or apparent shall be explained in the proposal.”

21. Att 2_COST Model. On the Indirect Rate Summary tab, the contract type is listed as CPFF, however the Section B of the solicitation states that this is a FFP contract type with Cost CLINS for ODCs. Will the Government confirm that the contract type should be FFP with Cost CLINS for ODCs? And if so, will the Government provide guidance on whether the Offeror should make the correction on the Indirect Rate Summary tab or will the Government be issuing and revised Cost Model?

Answer: Attachment 2, COST Model. The contract type is a FFP. A revised COST Model will be provided by the Government.

22. Att 2_COST Model. The Cost Model provides a Fringe Rate Worksheet, Fringe Benefit Worksheet, Overhead Rate Worksheet and G&A Rate Worksheet as samples. Will the Government confirm that completing these worksheets are at the Offeror’s discretion and they may choose to convey the elements and validity of their indirect rates through other means?

Answer: Offerors must complete all Worksheets on the revised COST Model. Samples provided are for clarification.

23. RFP Section A, E Page 2, 36. The Period of Performance on page 2 states March 17-2020 as the contract start while the delivery information section on page 36 states May 2-2020. Can the Government please clarify when the expected Contract Start date is?

Answer: The goal is to award the contract in April 2020. The contract base year is a 12-month period of performance (POP) which incorporates the 30-day Transition-In period (CLIN0007). CLIN 0007 POP 02-APR-2020 TO 01-MAY-2020 (1 month); CLINs 0001-0006 POP 02-MAY-2020 TO 01-APR-2021 (11 months). Each consecutive 12-month periods’ of performance dates will be 02-APR-20XX TO 01-APR-20XX.

24. RFP Section B Page 6 . Transition In (Item No 0007) references Section J, however there is nothing stated in Section J. In addition, transition in time period has not been stated. Can the Government please clarify how long the transition period is for the expected contract?

Answer: Transition-In Plan included in PWS under section 1.7-1.72.

25. RFP Section C, 1.6.9.1 Pages 20, 21 Can the Government please clarify that the Two (2) Alternate Program Manager key personnel are to be staffed and located in the program office and these positions to be included in our overall total price?

Answer: The two (2) Alternate Program Managers should be on-site and performing in another labor category, within this contract, as long as they meet the requirements to be a Senior Program Manager. The Alternative Program Managers will be included in the overall price.

26. RFP Section H Pages 42, 43 Can the Government please provide current contract historical turn-over rate.

Answer: Turnover rates are dependent on numerous variables and have not been consistent enough to establish a historical rate, therefore the contractor shall maintain a contract employee turnover rate of less than or equal to 5% per contract year.

27. RFP Section M, Past Performance Page 59 The Government states regarding Past Performance, ““Size” – Refers to the past performance contract value (annual amount) and the size of the Army’s annual operating budget (operation) for this requirement.” Can the Government please provide the dollar figure it will use to determine if each Offeror’s Past Performance Contracts are relevant in size?

Answer: The Solicitation states: “A “relevant” contract is a contract that is similar in size or scope to this solicitation’s requirement.” In addition, the Solicitation also states: “A “major subcontractor” is defined to be a subcontract that is proposed to provide a minimum of $2.5 million in effort in any single year during the period of performance.

28. RFP Section L Page 55 The Government states “With the exception of salary information contained in the Letters of Intent, no pricing information shall be included in the technical volume. Proposals received that fail to separate Non-price Volume data from Price Volume data may be determined non-responsive and may not be considered for award.” But on page 59 of the RFP the Government states “Finally, for each proposed key personnel, the offeror shall provide a signed letter of intent specifying the agreed to labor rate.” Can the Government clarify whether the contractor should state the salary or the labor rate in the Letter of Intent?

Answer: Section L, INSTRUCTIONS, GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS, Paragraph 5. Change. “With the exception of the labor rate information contained in the Letters of Intent, no pricing information shall be included in the technical volume. Proposals received that fail to separate Non-price Volume data from Price Volume data may be determined non-responsive and may not be considered for award.”