W91QEX-24-Q-0010_Questions and Answers.pdf

W91QEX-24-R-0010, Joint Information Operations Planning Support

*Note: If you don’t see your question represented, it was a duplicate of another Vendor’s question.

1 Attachment 1, PRS-Item #3:

Ensure Websites are operational during business hours PWS 5.7 {Page 120 of 189} The requirement states the “Website is operational 90% of the time during business hours.

This will be based on correct format and content, website available to the reader.”

Question:

Reliable internet must exist for the website to be available to the reader. Is the contractor responsible for internet connectivity or just the content and availability of the website?

Answer:

Contractor is not responsible for internet connectivity. The contractor is only responsible for content and availability of the website.

2 Volume 1 Technical, Subfactor 1 Experience, a. Recency {Page 182 of 189} The RFP states:

a. Recency – To be considered recent, the contract reference must have been awarded within the last five (5) years;

performance must have begun no less than five (5) years; and is still active or was active within the last five (5) years, at time of proposal submission.

Question:

To ensure maximum competition among 8(a) competitors, will the Government confirm that prime contracts, subcontracts, and contracts performed as a JV within the last 5 years meet this recency requirement?

Answer:

Yes

3 Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices-Base Year CLINs 0001-0014 {Pages 3-15 of 189} CLIN 0001, Phase-In is for 1 month and the remaining CLINs/SLINs are for 12 months.

Question:

Would the Government please confirm that CLINS 0002-0010 should be for 11 months to account for the Phase-In, CLIN 0001 and match the POP provided in Section F?

Yes, the base year is 11 month and the remaining CLINs/SLINs are 12 months. Period of Performance dates corrected in Section F of the solicitation.

4 PWS Section 1.6.4, Recognized Holidays {Page 69 of 189} PWS., Technical Exhibit 3 {Page 126 of 189} This section identifies 11 recognized holidays; however, Technical Exhibit 3 uses 1920 hours for the standard number of hours per FTE.

Question:

With 11 recognized holidays, should the number of standard hours per FTE be 1912?

Answer:

Note this is just a “Estimated” Workload Data.

Interested vendors should price in accordance with structure in Part B.

5 Paragraph 1.6.8.4, Personnel Security Clearance Requirements {Page 70 of 189} Paragraph 1.6.8.4 Personnel Security Clearance Requirements in RFP states: Contractor personnel performing work under this contract must maintain Top Secret Special Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) level of security required for the life of the contract. The draft RFP released with the sources sought notice states the Website Media Support positions were required to have Secret Security clearances.

Question:

Would the Government please confirm that all positions on this contract, including Website Media Support positions, require a fully adjudicated TS/SCI clearance or interim TS clearance?

Answer:

Correct, Secret Security level clearances are required for all positions under the Website Media Support. TS/SCI are required for all IO

(4) and MISO (4) planner positions.

6 Section L, b. Volume 2 / Factor 2

– Past Performance {Page 183 of 189} The RFP states:

The Offeror shall submit complete and accurate Past Performance Questionnaires for a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) contracts for which the Offeror was the prime contractor, subcontractor, or Joint Venture (JV) Partner. The Offeror must provide a complete and accurate Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ), which can be found with instructions as

Question:

Since PPQs are submitted to the Government customer and are not returned to the Offeror, what information must the Offeror provide in this volume for the proposal submission?

Answer:

Besides the PPQ there are no other submissions for Volume 2. Please follow specific directions as stated in solicitation.

Attachment 1 at the bottom of this document, for each submitted contract reference.

7 Section B CLIN 0008, SLIN 0008AA, SLIN 0008AB {Page 11 of 189} PWS Technical Exhibit C – Estimated Workload Data {Page 126 of 189} Surge Support Pricing List attachment to RFP

The RFP reflects a total of two

(2) Website Media Support Journalists in CLINs 0008, 0008AA, and 0008AB, and within Technical Exhibit C.

However, the RFP attachment Surge Support Pricing List reflects a total of three (3) Website Media Support Journalists under CLINS 0008, 0008AA, 0008AB and 0008AC.

Question:

Please confirm the total number of Website Media Support Journalists.

Answer:

The RFP correctly reflects the number of Website Media Journalist, two (2). The Surge Price Sheet was updated to remove the additional Website Media Support Journalists throughout the document.

8 Section B, item 00011 Travel {Page 14 of 189} The RFP and PWS do not provide sufficient information to enable Offerors to estimate travel costs.

Question:

Will the Government please provide a plug number for travel for each year to provide uniform, consistent pricing among offerors?

Answer:

The Travel, Surge and ODC line items were updated with plug in numbers.

9 Section B, item 00014, ODCs {Page 15 of 189} The RFP and PWS do not provide sufficient information to enable Offerors to estimate ODC costs.

Question:

Will the Government please provide a plug number for ODCs for each year to provide uniform, consistent pricing among offerors?

10 Section L, b. Volume 2 / Factor 2

– Past Performance {Page 183 of 189}

Question:

To maximize competition, will the Government confirm that the contracts used for Past Performance in Volume II are not required to be the same contracts used in Volume I for experience?

Correct.

11 Section F - Deliveries or Performance {Page 133 of 189} CLIN 0011, Travel and CLIN 0014, ODCs doesn’t include the start of the contract period as 30

OCT 2024.

Would the Government please include the Phase-In period (30-OCT-2024 TO 29-NOV- 2024) for Travel (CLIN 0011) and ODCs (CLIN 0014) in case funding is required during this period? The revised POP for CLIN 0011 and 0013 would be (30-OCT-2024 TO 29-OCT- 2025).

Answer:

No, the Government will not extend the phase-in period beyond 30 days. Please price your quote to include travel to SOUTHCOM and other areas of responsibility if travel is required during that period.

12 Section L, c. Volume 3 / Factor 3

– Price, i. Complete SF1449:

{Page 184 of 189} The Offeror shall submit a completed SF 1449 CLIN structure indicating a unit price and total proposed price for all Contract Line-Item Numbers

Question:

Would the Government please confirm that Section B Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINS) should be provided for the Base Period and all Option Years through CLIN 4014?

(CLINS) for the base period accordingly.

The contractor is expected to provide pricing for all the labor categories (CLIN/Sub-CLIN) identified in the solicitation in anticipation for Task Orders that may be issued based mission requirement and the needs of the customer.

13 Question:

Regarding Solicitation W91QEX24R0010, has this requirement been supported under any other contractor support services? If yes, would the government please provide the contractor’s name(S) and current contract number(s). If no, would the government confirm that this is a completely new requirement?

Answer:

This is a new requirement with different scope and new labor categories. However, a few of the labor categories on this IDIQ are currently supported under W91QEX-19-F-0062, FWG Solutions, Inc.

14 Key Personnel Resumes Question:

It is understood that we need to provide resumes for key personnel, however, should we submit 1 resume per labor category (2 resumes total) or are we to submit 4 resumes per each labor category (8 resumes total) based off the estimated workload data?

Answer:

There are two key positions identified in the solicitation. Each key position has four (4) labor categories each. The customer would like a resume for each labor category; eight in total.

15 Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices & Surge Support Pricing List Document

Would the Government confirm that the Theater MISO Planning Support requirement is the same as the Strategic Military Information Support Operations (MISO) Planning Support position that’s referred to as key personnel Section 1.6.11? Section B of the solicitation and Surge Support Pricing List document refers to it as

Theater MISO Planning Support, and the Government refers to it as Strategic Military Information Support Operations (MISO) Planning Support in the key personnel section.

Answer:

Theater MISO Planning Support is the correct title. Paragraph 1.6.11.3 of the Performance Work Statement, SECTION C and SECTION L, Addendum 52.212-2 corrected.

16 Paragraph 5.4 & 5.5 of the PWS. Question:

Would the Government clarify where the Theater IO Support and DODRP Liaison Officer positions are located?

Are these positions located at USSOUTHCOM HQ with TDYs, or are they fully deployed? If so, where?

Answer:

The Theater IO Support is in Colombia and the DODRP Liaison Officer is in Ecuador in accordance with the associated Line Item.

17 Paragraph 1.6.6 of the PWS. Question:

Would the Government clarify if locations at Bogotá, Colombia, and Quito, Ecuador, are deployed locations or TDY locations? If for deployed personnel, please provide requirements for life support, such as housing, transportation, and other requirements as necessary.

Answer:

The Theater IO support and DODRP LNO positions are currently filled by foreign nationals. However, there is not a contract requirement to hire local national, but these positions will not include any type of life support, such as housing and/or transportation nor the personnel will not be considered deployed or on TDY status.

18 Paragraph 5.4 & 5.5 of the PWS.

Would the Government provide the minimum qualifications for the Theater IO Support and DODRP Liaison Officer positions?

Answer:

Yes. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) in Section C of the solicitation was updated to reflect minimum qualifications for both positions.

19 Paragraph 1.6.21.2.1 of the PWS. Question:

Are business licenses/company registry in Colombia required to perform on this contract, and if so, would the Government allow proof of business licenses to be submitted after contract award?

Answer:

There is no requirement to have a business license for Columbia or Ecuador currently.

These positions are held by foreign nationals.

The contractor will go there to visit only.

20 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Bidders and Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award

Would the Government allow industry to submit similar size, scope, and complexity for Volume 1 Subfactor 1 – Experience not directly supporting Information Operations? Allowing past performance not directly supporting Information Operations will increase competition across qualified contractors that have supported other DoD and Intelligence Community contracts within the U.S. and overseas.

No, the requirement remain as is in this regard.

21 Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Bidders and Section M –

Evaluation Factors for Award – Volume 1 – Technical: i. Sub-factor 1 – Experience and Volume 2 / Factor 2 – Past Performance

To increase competition, would the Government allow the contract reference(s) for Volume 1/Sub Factor 1 – Experience and past performance reference(s) for Volume 2 to be from the team – a significant subcontractor with 20% workshare or more?

Answer:

The requirement will be awarded to an 8(a) vendor. It’s up to the vendor who they subcontract with.

22 Question:

What is the duration of TDYs, and does the Government want the contractors to estimate the cost, or will the Government provide a plug number?

Answer:

The Travel, Surge and ODC line items were updated with plug in numbers.

23 Question:

Would the Government provide an ODC line item for costs associated with host nation business costs, such as payroll, corporate taxes, social security tax, and other compliance costs as required by the host country?

Answer:

The Travel, Surge and ODC line items were updated with plug in numbers.

24 Question:

Would the Government provide a 45-day extension to allow industry to review and address the Government’s answers to questions and to determine Colombia and Ecuador business license requirements?

No, the requirement will remain as is.

25 Section B Could the Government please provide a plug number for Travel and ODCs to ensure fair and reasonable evaluation or provide the number of items and quantities and trip specifics to ensure pricing is in line with requirements?

Answer:

26 Section C, Para 1.5, Period of Performance

Question:

Could the Government please provide the anticipated award date and start of the performance period? This information aids in planning phase-in (transition) and price proposal development.

Answer:

Please reference Section F - Deliveries or Performance of the solicitation for the Period of Performance dates.

27 Section B CLIN 0002/0003 and Section C, Para 1.6.11 Key Personnel

Could the Government please clarify which positions are key and confirm how many resumes must be submitted with the proposal? Para 1.6.11 Key Personnel states that the Strategic IO Planning and Theater MISO Planning are Key Personnel. However, CLIN 0002 does not highlight this, while CLIN 0003 does highlight the LCAT as key.

Answer:

The Strategic IO Planning and Theater MISO Planning are both Key Personnel per paragraphs

1.6.11.2. and 1.6.11.3, identify the Key Personnel positions.

28 Section C, Para 1.6.11 Key Personnel

Question:

Based on key personnel position requirements and proposal submission requirements (copies of degrees, certifications, etc.), we request an extension to 30 September. Recruiting for senior positions with all the verification needed can take over 30 days when firm commitments are required.

Answer:

No, the requirement will remain as is in this regard.

29 Section M Question:

How will the price be evaluated? Section M appears only to provide instructions.

Answer:

SECTION L, Addendum 52.212-2 of the solicitation spells out how proposals will be evaluated.

30 Past Performance Questionnaire – Template

Question:

Could the Government please provide the necessary information for the sample cover letter to ensure proper return?

Based on this information not being included in the original solicitation and answers not anticipated to be provided until the end of the month, would the Government please consider extending the proposal due date?

September being a busy time for contract and acquisition folks, waiting for verification of contact information to send out PPQs would only give our customers ~ 12 calendar days to complete, which is not typically sufficient time to ensure timely request and completion.

The Past Performance Questionnaire are emailed to the Contract Specialist or Contracting Officer not sent as a letter. The Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) was included as an attachment when the solicitation was posted on 13 September 2024. As a result, an extension for additional time for customers to complete the PPQ is not warranted.

31 Question:

Past Performance Questionnaire – Template – May CPARS be accepted in place of completed PPQs and the PPQ reserved for contracts where no PPQs exist?

Answer:

Please see Volume 2 instructions “Other Sources of Past Performance Information”.

32 Section C (PWS), para 1.6.7; and SF 1449, Page 70.

Question:

Referenced section identifies the type of contract as an IDIQ. Will the Government confirm that all priced CLINs/Item Numbers on the SF 1449 are an awardable task order with the contract award? If not all the requirements transition immediately, will the Government identify which, if any, services commence upon award?

Answer:

This is for a single award IDIQ. Once Requiring Activity identify Tasks, then Task Orders will be written off the IDIQ contract.

33 Section C (PWS), para 1.6.11, Page 74.

Section C (PWS) Specific Tasks, Page 91.

Section C (PWS) Specific Tasks, Page 93.

Question:

The numerical sequencing goes from 1.6.11 to

1.6.11.2. Was 1.6.11.1 omitted?

The paragraph numbers go from 5.2.10 to

5.2.14. Can the Government confirm that

paragraphs 5.2.11, 5.2.12, and 5.2.13 were intentionally omitted?

Section C (PWS) Specific Tasks, Page 98.

Can the Government confirm that paragraph

5.2.30 was intentionally omitted?

Can the Government confirm that paragraph

5.3.12 was intentionally omitted?

Answer:

Yes, the paragraphs were intentionally omitted.

However, we will correct the PWS before award, but after the solicitation closes as to not confuse other vendors.

34 Section C (PWS) Specific Tasks, Page 107.

Question:

Paragraph 5.7.5 (Basic Services) requires "full spectrum Information Technology support".

Similarly, the requirements in paragraphs 5.7.6 through 5.7.8, and paragraphs 5.7.9.2 through

5.7.32 require a significant level of backend/offsite services for Website and App development, maintenance, 24/7 support, analytics, analysis and assessments; cyber-security monitoring, intrusion detection, countermeasures and other highly technical back-end support services. These highly technical elements, while conducted in collaboration with the personnel requirements in PWS paragraphs 5.7.1 through 5.7.4 seem beyond the scope and capabilities of the labor requirements identified in 5.7.1 through 5.7.4 and Technical Exhibit C, Estimated Workload Data.

In addition to labor CLINS 0007,0008, 0009, and 0010, will the Government create an additional FFP non-labor services CLIN for technical support services conducted at the contractor facility or elsewhere?

Answer:

No, the Government will not add an additional FFP non-labor services CLIN for technical support services.

35 Section L, ii subfactor 2 Staffing Plan and Resumes; 1. Key Personnel Resumes, Page 180.

Question:

The instructions reference paragraphs 1.6.11 through 1.6.11.6.1 as key personnel requirements. Did the instructions mean to read "1.6.11 through 1.6.11.3.1"?

Answer:

Yes, the instructions should go through 1.6.11.3 when referencing Key Personnel. Section L, ii subfactor 2 Staffing Plan and Resumes, corrected.

36 Section L (Instruction to Offerors), (d), Page 179.

Question:

The Government states, "With the exception of the first page, the Offeror shall ensure that the company name, logo, or other company identifying information does not appear within the Volume 1, Technical."

Can the government please clarify if this includes not calling out our company name during the corporate experience citations for Subfactor 1 and does this also include redacting the current company of employ for resumes?

Answer:

“Exception of the first page, the Offeror shall ensure that the company name, logo, or other company identifying information does not appear within the Volume 1, Technical."

Yes, this request applies to Volume 1, Technical and resumes that reference the company’s name.

Any reference to the company’s name or logo will be redacted before the evaluation process.

37 Section L, Volume I subfactor 1 Experience (relevancy and size), Page 180.

Question:

As this is an 8(a), set-aside opportunity, we have concerns pertaining to the relevancy and size parameters identified for subfactor 1, Experience. Based upon the scope of work and the pool of potential offerors, $4,000,000.00 minimum appears unduly restrictive. Will the government consider lowering this threshold?

Answer:

This requirement will remain as is written and gives fair opportunity to all 8(a) vendors.

38 Section L, Volume 1 subfactor 1 Experience (recency), Page 180.

Regarding “recency,” as that term has been defined in Section L, will the government consider slightly expanding recency definition to include any projects that have been active within the last 5 years regardless of the date of award?

The concern here is that the way in which the government has defined “recency” may be unduly restrictive on competition, especially since this is an 8(a), set-aside opportunity.

The requirement will remain as is written.

39 Question:

Will the Government confirm that Past Performance Questionnaires are to be submitted directly from the respondent to the 410th CSB RCO-Miami Contracting Officer/Contracting Specialist. Will the Government provide a preferred naming convention for respondent's email submission to the Contracting Officer?

Answer:

Yes, PPQ should be submitted to the 410th CSB RCO-Miami Contracting Officer/Contracting Specialist.

40 Section L (Instructions to Offerors-Price) and Section M

(Evaluation Factors-Price), 182 and 186.

Instructions to Offerors proposal submission instruction states "the Offeror shall submit a completed SF 1449 CLIN structure…. for the base year accordingly” Evaluation Factors for Volume 3 Price provides additional instructions to offerors and "Quote Submission Requirements" which states "the Offeror shall submit a completed SF 1449 CLIN structure….

for the base period and option periods". Can the Government clarify Price Volume submission requirements?

Answer:

The contractor is expected to provide pricing for all the labor categories (CLIN/Sub-CLIN) identified in Section B of the solicitation.

41 Section L (Instructions to Offerors-Price), Page 182.

Question:

Can the Government confirm that neither a pricing narrative nor un-sanitized pricing documents are required or desired as part of Volume 3?

Answer:

Vendors are required to follow the specific directions indicated in Volume 3.

42 Section L (Instructions to Offerors)

Question:

Will the Government allow a cover letter with the technical volume that is not included in the page limitation and does identify the offeror's name to address basic company administrative information, e.g. proposal validity period, UEI, CAGE code, etc.?

Answer:

The Government will not allow a cover letter with the Technical Volume. The Offer’s name, address and basic administrative information can be included on the first page of the Technical Volume.

43 Contract Security Classification

DD254

Question:

Will the Government clarify in which Volume the offeror is to submit the completed DD254?

Answer:

The DD Form 254 will be completed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and SOUTHCOM Security upon award.

44 Pg 179, Volume 1, Technical, subsection 2 a.(i)(1)

Question:

Requires that an offeror provide 3 years of experience in "solicitation requirements in the PWS in support of Information Operations for the U.S. Government." However, Technical Exhibit 3, Items 4 through 7, are PWS requirements (with corresponding tasks). Are these items 4 - 7 (i.e. website development and administrative support) considered "information operations for the U.S. government", or is the government looking for 3 years of experience in Items 1 to 3 only?

Answer:

Subfactor 1 relates to Experience with regards to contracts submitted with relevant experience (3) years prescribed in the solicitation. The Labor Categories are considered Information Operations as this is what this contract is for.

45 Pg 179, Volume 1, Technical, subsection 2 a.(i)(1)

Question:

Does the 3 years of experience have to cover all technical exhibit 3 items? For example, may an offeror have 3 years of experience in website support only, or must an offer have 3 years of experience in all the technical exhibit 3 items?

Answer:

The solicitation is firm on 3 years of experience in submitting contract references relative to

Information Operations and the requirements to adhere to.

46 Pg 179, Volume 1 - 2.a.

Technical, (i) (1)

Question:

Must offeror possess three years of "combined" experience or must each contract reference, standing alone, have a minimum of 3 years of experience?

See answer in question 45

47 Pg179-180, Volume 1 - 2.a.(1) Technical

Question:

Must the contract references provided be related in size, scope, and complexity to Information Operations (IO) support for the US Government, or size, scope, and complexity of any service support to the US Government?

Answer:

Yes.

47 Pg 74, 1.6.11.2.1 and 1.6.11.3.1, Key Personnel

Question:

Can a bachelor’s degree and experience substitute for a "Master of Arts/Master of Science MA/MS", if so, how many years of experience can be used in lieu of this requirement?

Answer:

Yes. Degree applicability to required skills and the type of experience are extremely variable.

Given that premise, Government will adjudicate on a case-by-case basis. Note that successful experience will usually carry more weight than a degree.