Q_As - W91CRB-21-R-0008 Force Development 11 August 2021.pdf

Q&As as of: 8/11/2021

Comment, Recommendation, or Question No.

Reference Contractor’s Questions Government Response

Solicitation, Section B. General Content of Proposal, Volume 5 - Factor 4 - Past Performance (page 111-112)

The list of required information for the narrative includes "Government Agency or commercial client supported" The following Past Performance POC Matrix requires "Government Points of Contact (POCs)(either KO, KO's Representative or Technical Manager)" who can provide information on the Offeror's contract performance" The second reference does not include a non-government POC for a commercial client. Request that this section be revised to state "Government Points of Contact (POCs)(either KO, KO's Representative or Technical Manager) or commercial client Corporate Official who can provide information on the Offeror's contract performance" in order to accommodate commercial clients.

Yes, section L, "Volume 5-Factor 4 - Past Performance" (solicitation page

112) has been updated to include the option of a commercial client corporate official as an option for past performance feedback.

Solicitation, Instructions to Offerors, B.2, Format (page 106) Could the government please specify the font and font size requirements for the response? No, this will not be changed. Paragraph B.2 of the solicitation specifies the format requirements.

Solicitation, Section 2.2 (page 21) The number of key personnel required in the draft RFP appears to be excessive. Placing such a large number of key personnel on the solicitation causes non-incumbent contractors to commit to personnel not currently on the contract. In the event that a non-incumbent contractor wins the award, all letters of commitment would have to be honored for the key personnel which places incumbent personnel at risk. This approach favors the incumbent contractor. Could the government limit key personnel to the minimum number possible?

No, the number of key billets has already been reduced from ~44.5 to 24.5 (32% of billets).

Attachment J.5 Cost Model FD Support Contract Much of the requested information needed to fill out the spreadsheet is proprietary in nature and it would be inappropriate for a Prime to validate. Could the government change the submission requirements to allow sealed bids by subcontractors; and provide details to fill out and submit the sealed bid?

Yes, see paragraph "h" under "Other Requirements, Terms, and Conditions of the Cost Volume" located in Section L of the solicitation (solicitation page 114). Subcontractors must submit sealed cost volumes directly to Jan Scott via email jan.a.scott.civ@mail.mil with a courtesy copy to alexander.s.obriwin.civ@mail.mil. The subcontractor must identify in their email which prime they are proposing under.

SAM solicitation notice, reference Role Request for access to controlled documents. At the bottom of the SAM.gov solicitation notice it states "Please Request Role: This opportunity has controlled attachments. You need a role to access them." Question: Will this solicitation have controlled documents?

No, the solicitation will not have controlled documents.

PWS para 2.2 Key Personnel, page 21 of 118. PWS Para 2.2 states there are 24.5 Key Personnel followed by a general summation of the key positions. However when reading paragraphs 3.5 and

3.6; and their subparagraphs there are not 24.5 FTEs identified. Question: Would the Government provide a Workload attachment, clearly identifying the Key Positions?

Yes, the workload data spreadsheet is being provided as an additional Section J attachment labeled "J.6 Workload Data FD Support Contract."

PWS para 2.2, page 21 of 118 and Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet

PWS Para 2.2 states key positions are identified on Attachment J.4 Cost Model FD Support Contract. The Cost Model provided is Attachment J.5 not Attachment J.4. Additionally, the J.5 Cost Model FD Support Contract does not identify which positions are Key. Question: Would the Government identify the Key Positions on Attachment J.5 Cost Model FD Support Contract?

Yes, the workload data spreadsheet is being provided as an additional Section J attachment labeled "J.6 Workload Data FD Support Contract."

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Fringe Rate Worksheet tab

The Fringe Rate Worksheet columns B, C, and D require 2016, 2017, and 2018 Actuals be provided. Question: Should columns B, C, and D be 2019, 2020, and 2021 (to end of Jun 21) Actuals? The Fringe Rate Worksheet columns E, F, G, H, and I require Year 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 Estimates.

Question: Since this is solicitation is for a three year contract (Base plus 2 option years), shouldn't Offerors provide Year 1, 2, and 3 Estimates?

Yes. The sample sheets have been updated. Note, the sheets are only samples for vendors who need help calculating their indirect rates. Prime indirect rates shall be manually input into the Indirect rate summary sheet and will be applied to the applicable labor years.

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Overhead Rate Worksheet tab

The Overhead Rate Worksheet columns B, C, and D require 2016, 2017, and 2018 Actuals be provided. Question: Should columns B, C, and D be 2019, 2020, and 2021 (to end of Jun 21) Actuals? The Overhead Rate Worksheet columns E, F, G, H, and I require Year 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 Estimates.

Question: Since this is solicitation is for a three year contract (Base plus 2 option years), shouldn't Offerors provide Year 1, 2, and 3 Estimates?

Yes. The sample sheets have been updated. Note, the sheets are only samples for vendors who need help calculating their indirect rates. Prime indirect rates shall be manually input into the Indirect rate summary sheet and will be applied to the applicable labor years.

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, G&A Rate Worksheet tab

The G&A Rate Worksheet columns B, C, and D require 2016, 2017, and 2018 Actuals be provided. Question: Should columns B, C, and D be 2019, 2020, and 2021 (to end of Jun 21) Actuals? The G&A Rate Worksheet columns E, F, G, H, and I require Year 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 Estimates.

Question: Since this is solicitation is for a three year contract (Base plus 2 option years), shouldn't Offerors provide Year 1, 2, and 3 Estimates?

Yes. The sample sheets have been updated. Note, the sheets are only samples for vendors who need help calculating their indirect rates. Prime indirect rates shall be manually input into the Indirect rate summary sheet and will be applied to the applicable labor years.

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Transition Worksheet tab

The Transition worksheet only has 17 FTEs reflected. While there are section headers for FD and OCAR, there are none for CBDP or Surge.

Question: Is it the government's intention that we modify this worksheet to match the Base year entries in the Labor-FD, Labor-OCAR, and Labor- CBDP? Should we add a Labor-Surge entries as well, or is there no intent to require any Surge entries during the Transition period?

Yes. Surge labor will be utilized and assigned to the applicable directorate as needed. Note: There are 17 FTEs for the Transition period with the following breakout: FD (16), OCAR (1), CBDP (0) and Surge Support (0).

Yes, please add Surge entries as well.

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Fringe Rate Worksheet tab

Question: If one or more of the listed Fringe Expenses does not apply, can it be deleted? Yes. The sample worksheets may be edited as needed.

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, G&A Rate Worksheet Tab

Question: If one or more of the listed G&A Expenses does not apply, can it be deleted? Yes. The sample worksheets may be edited as needed.

Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Fringe Benefits Worksheet tab

In Column E, we are to provide a percentage, the note states "**What % of the fringe benefit category contributes to the overall fringe benefit rate?"

Question: What data are we to use in determining the fringe benefit category percentages, i.e. the most recent actuals (FY21), Estimated Year 1, or some other year or averages of years?

Yes. Utilize most recent actuals.

Performance Work Statement para 1.18.4 Facilities, page 19 of 118 and Attachment J.5+Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Labor FD, Labor OCAR, Labor CBDP worksheets.

PWS para 1.18.4 Facilities states the ManYears requirement is 70.5 whereas totalling the J.5 Cost Model spreadsheet's worksheet Labor FD, Labor OCAR, and Labor CBDP it is 75.5 FTE. Question: What is the total FTE requirement? Question: Would the Government provide a Workload document, clearly identifying the the total FTE requirement?

The Performance Work Statement, paragraph 1.18.4 (solicitation page 19), has been updated to reflect the maximum amount of 141,000 work hours which is approximately 75.0 man years. The total number of FTEs per the cost model is 75.5 (includes the PM (0.5 FTEs) who works offsite in Contractor provided facilities and is not included in the approximately 141,000 manhours. Yes, The workload attachment has been supplied. It is labeled "J.6 Workload Data FD Support Contract."

PWS para 3.5.1.3, page 26 of 118 Chemical Biological Defense Program (CBDP) and Attachment J.5 +Cost+Model+FD+Support+Contract spreadsheet, Labor CBDP worksheet.

On the PWS para 3.5.1.3, the CBDP requirements show under the DOM FDB Division, however, the CBDP positions are shown as a separate requirement rather than under the Labor FD worksheet on the J.5 Cost Model spreadsheet. Question: Are the CBDP positions considered a separate FD Division or should the CBDP positions be part of the Labor FD worksheet? Question: Are any of the CBDP positions Key positions?

No, the CBDP positions are not considered a separate FD Division and none are identified as key positions. The 4 CBDP positions are in a separate paragraph under FDB (who provides CBDP mission guidance as the CBDP Executive Agent) in the PWS. The CBDP Labor is intentionally listed as a separate CLIN in the Solicitation and in the Cost Model for funding purposes. No, none of the CBDP positions are Key positions.

Performance Work Statement para 3.5.1.3, page 26 of 118 Chemical Biological Defense Program (CBDP).

Question: Are the CBDP new positions or are they currently under a different contract? Question: If the CBDP positions are on an existing contract, who is the incumbent, what is the contract number, and what is the contract value?

No, the CBDP positions are not entirely new. Three of the CBDP positions are under a different contract and one is new. The existing contract Incumbent is Battelle; the contract number is FA8075-14-D-0015, Delivery Order 0004; and the contract value is $26.8M.

***Questions shall be referenced by: (1) number (2) Solicitation Document Title (3) Document Attachment Number ("JX") Section, Page(s) and Paragraph(s). Additional rows can be added to the table, as applicable. ***

W91CRB-21-R-0008

Question Template for Solicitation Force Development

Comment, Recommendation, or Question No.

Reference Contractor’s Questions Government Response

Performance Work Statement, pages 76/77 of 118, Section L, Instruction to Offerors, Paragraph B General Content of Proposals, subparagraph 5 and pages 80/81 of 87 Volume 3 - Factor 2 - Personnel Qualifications; reference Letters of Committment.

Section L paragraph B, subparagraph 5 implies candidate labor labor rates are to be included in Letters of Commitment, however Volume 3 - Factor 2 Personnel Qualifications doesn't identify a requirement to include labor rates on the Letters of Committment. Question: Are Offerors to include labor rates on the Letters of Committment?

Yes, IAW solicitation page 106, labor rates are required (vs. implied) in the letters of commitment.

Candidate labor rates are an important part of the letters of commitment assessment and need to be included. The labor rate information informs if the candidate is a viable candidate and helps to ensure realistic labor rates for any resulting contract award.

Performance Work Statement, page 106 of 118, Section L, Instruction to Offerors, Paragraph B.2 Format, second paragraph and page 107 of 118 Page Limitations table.

The second paragraph of B.2. Format states each volume shall include a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms, however the page limitations table only requires a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms for Volume 1, the Introductory Volume. Question: Can Offerors provide a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms in just Volume 1, rather than in each volume?

No. The solicitation guidance as written on page 106, paragraph b.2 requires a glossary of abbreviations used in each volume: "Each volume in the proposal shall include a copy of the cover letter (letter of transmittal), title page, table of contents, and glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used.

Each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its content may be evaluated without cross-referencing to other volumes of the proposal."

Note: Each volume can't be a stand alone document without the glossary of abbreviations for that volume.

Soliciation, 1.18.4, pg 19, Paragraph 4, Facilities and J.5 _Cost_Model_FD_Support_Contract

Section 1.18.4 specifies that the government will furnish workspace n NCR for approximately 70.5 man years. The tabs for labor – FD, Labor – OCAR, and Labor – CBDP show FTEs for each tab that add up to 75.5 FTEs. The only off site position is the PM at .5 FTE. Does the government expect to furnish workspace for 5 FTE;s at government locations outside the NCR?

Yes, as per the changes made to the solicitation in section 1.18.4 of the PWS (solicitation page 19), the Government will furnish the necessary workspace for a maximum of 141,000 work hours which is approximately

75.0 man years within the NCR consisting of the Pentagon, Crystal City and Fort Belvoir. Note: the 3 OCAR requirements are at Fort Belvoir, VA and the remaining positions including the CBDP requirements are currently in the Pentagon.

Solicitation, 2.2, pg 21, Paragraph 2, Key Personnel The paragraph states that position identified as Key are noted in the cost model attachment (Attachment J.4 Cost Model FD support contract). There is no J.4 attachment. Will the government provide attachment J.4 at a later date?

Yes, a workload data attachment is supplied and labeled as "J.6 Workload Data FD Support Contract." Attachment J.4 is "DD254 FD Support Contract Continuation Pages.

Performance Work Statement Section L, B. General Content of Proposals, Volume 3 - Factor 2 - Personnel Qualifications, para b. Key Personnel Resumes and Letters of Intent, i. Resumes line 4 and para b.ii Letters of Intent, pages 110 and 111 of 118.

Line 4 of para b. ii states, Identify if a current employee (if not a current employee, provide completed Letter of Intent); however, para b. ii. states, A Letter of Intent to employ each proposed key individual in the specific proposed position must be completed, signed by both the Offeror and the employee. Question: For clarification, is it correct that if the individual is a current employee, a Letter of Intent is not required to be submitted with the proposal?

Yes. Letters of commitment are not required for current employees of the Offeror company.