Inquiries_and_Responses_-_P-3_AoA.pdf

Inquiry Response

Section C Paragraph 2.0 "Scope", "Goals of the AoA Study" - Goals 5 and 6 both refer to “in situ” and “remotely sensed” observations, please confirm that these terms refer to the following for the purposes of this AoA:

(a) In-Situ refers to parameters measured directly by the aircraft’s fuselage mounted sensors (Temp/Pressure/RH/Wind/Dew Point), as well as data obtained from expendables deployed from the aircraft (dropsondes/UAS)

(b) Remotely sensed refers to parameters measured from a considerable distance, such as surface wind measurements remotely observed by aircraft mounted radiometers and scatterometers.

(c) If these terms mean something else please define them

"In-Situ" refers to parameters measured directly by the aircraft’s fuselage mounted sensors, as well as data obtained from expendables deployed from the aircraft.

"Remotely sensed" refers to parameters measured from a considerable distance, such as surface wind measurements remotely observed by aircraft mounted radiometers and scatterometers. Remotely sensed parameters also include solar/infrared radiation, cloud particles, cloud composition and include sensors like LIDAR, radar, scatterometers, hyperspectral scanners, radiometers, imagers, photometers, photography, and videography.

Section C Paragraph 2.0 "Scope", "Goals of the AoA Study" - Goals 7 and 9 both refer to “current and future developments.” Please clarify the meaning of these terms as they relate to the AoA.

(a) Does “Current” refer to:

1. Sensor technology currently in use and/or nearly through the R&D process, nearly ready for operational employment whether in use by NOAA or not;

2. Sensor technology currently in use and/or nearly through the R&D process, nearly ready for operational employment use by NOAA;

3. Something else. If something else please define.

(b) Does “Future” refer to:

1. Sensor technology in the infant stage of the R&D process;

2. Sensor technology that has yet to be conceived; or

3. Something else. If something else please define.

"Current" refers to Sensor technology currently in use and/or nearly through the R&D process, nearly ready for operational employment whether in use by NOAA or not.

"Future" refers to sensor technology in the infant stage of the R&D process, though a potential technology that has not yet entered into the R&D process could also be included.

Section C Paragraph 3.0 "Delivery Requirements" - Reports 5 and 6 refer to the “need for airborne measurements.” Request clarification of the use of “need”:

Does “need” refer to the requirement to justify and substantiate NOAA’s airborne observing program by describing how current airborne observations are critical towards advancing NOAA’s current TC research and forecasting and that the measurements must continue to be made while airborne in the future? If “need” refers to something else please provide the definition.

“Need” refers to the justification and substantiation of using an airborne platform to advance NOAA missions and data requirements, although that airborne platform could range from a manned aircraft, to an Unmanned Aircraft System, or some combination. The report would identify the need of an airborne platform in addition to ground, sea and space based platforms.

Section C Paragraph 3.0 "Delivery Requirements" - Reports 7 and 8 they refer to “current and future needs for.” Request clarification of the use of "needs":

Does “needs” refer to the requirement to justify and substantiate NOAA’s situ and remotely sensed airborne observations by describing how current airborne observations are critical towards advancing NOAA’s current TC research and that the measurements must be continue to be made while airborne in the future? Or;

Does “needs” refer to the requirements for the systems that are airborne make the measurements?

If “needs” refers to something else please provide the definition.

"Needs” refers to the requirement to justify and substantiate the requirement in the future to have an airborne platform to execute NOAA missions and collect data, although that airborne platform could range from a manned aircraft, to a, Unmanned Aircraft System, or some combination. The report would identify the requirement in the future of an airborne platform in addition to ground, sea and space based platforms.

Section C Paragraph 3.0 “Delivery Requirements” - Items 1 and 9 are reports of the state of technological evolution in airborne scientific instrumentation, sensors, instrumentation packages, and platforms. Can we assume this report should be limited to only technological evolution in United States government and commercial entities identified in collaboration with the COR, and exclusive of classified programs?

NOAA will not require analysis of any classified programs in the performance of this contract.

Section C Paragraph 2.0 "Scope", "Goals of the AoA Study" - In reference to #18 regarding economic simulation studies to determine the CBA: what is the desired scope and is the simulation process the choice of the contractor?

Intent of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) should be to analyze the identified platforms and relate their costs to any economic “savings” they generate. This could include greater hurricane forecast accuracy leading to decrease in emergency services required, to improving satellite models thus reducing requirements from other land or sea based assets, to improving air quality reports thereby increasing tourism in certain locations. The simulation process would be the choice of the contractor but expected to follow best practices of a similar CBA analysis.

Section L, Volume I, Business Proposal, (ii) (A) (4) Subcontractors, page 43 and Volume 2, Technical Proposal, (iii) (B) Evaluation Factor 2, page 45. Please clarify that a Teaming Agreement may fulfill the requirement for a Subcontracting Agreement in using a subcontractor’s previous experience. If not, please describe the terms that should be included in such agreement so that it complies with this requirement.

Please refer to Amendment A0001. 1352.215-70 Proposal Preparation, (c)(1)(ii)(A)(4) and (c)(2)(iii)(B) have been revised. The term “Subcontractor Agreement” has been replaced with “Teaming Agreement.”

Section L, Volume I, Business Proposal, (ii) (A) (4) Subcontractors, page 43 and Volume 2, Technical Proposal, (iii) (B) Evaluation Factor 2, page 45. Please confirm that Subcontracting Agreements (including letters of commitment to use subcontractors) do NOT need to be submitted if an offeror is NOT using relevant experience and past performance from any of its subcontractors.

Offerors are required to submit a Teaming Agreement only if the offeror is relying on the experience of a subcontractor for Evaluation Factor 2. A letter of commitment to utilize a particular subcontractor is required only if a Teaming Agreement is included with the offer.

Section L.10, Proposal Preparation, (a) General Instructions, page 43. The solicitation states, “To aid in evaluation, the proposal shall be…indexed (cross-indexed as appropriate)…” Please indicate whether an index is required, and if so, where such index should be included in the offeror’s proposal, and whether such index counts against the page count.

Please refer to Amendment A0001. 1352.215-70 Proposal Preparation, paragraph (a) has been revised.

An index is not a required element of an offeror’s proposal, but may be included if, in the opinion of the offeror, its use would aid in the evaluation. Past performance information submitted for Evaluation Factor 3 is the only exclusion from the page limitation.

Section L, Volume II, Technical Proposal, (i) General, (C), page 44. Please confirm that graphics, tables, and other non-narrative aspects of the technical proposal may be presented in a smaller, legible format less than 12 pitch type.

Please refer to Amendment A0001. 1352.215-70 Proposal Preparation, (c)(2)(i)(C) has been revised.

Charts, graphs, tables, figures, diagrams, and schematics may use a font size smaller than 12 pitch;

however, all text shall be legible and easily read.

Section L, Volume II, Technical Proposal, (iii) (B) Evaluation Factor 2 – Previous Experience, page 45. The solicitation states, “Provide at least three (3) and not more than five (5) examples of projects that demonstrate the offeror’s and its proposed team members’ (Subcontractor or Joint Venture member) experience in performance of work similar to that described in Section C of the solicitation.” Please confirm that an offeror is NOT required to provide an example of previous experience and past performance for each or any of its subcontractors.

Please refer to Amendment A0001. 1352.215-70 Proposal Preparation, (c)(2)(iii)(B) has been revised.

Offerors are instructed to provide projects that “demonstrate the offeror’s and/or its proposed team members’ (Subcontractor or Joint Venture member) experience.” Offerors are permitted, but not required to demonstrate the experience and past performance of its subcontractors.

Section G, Contract Administration Data, G.3 Key Personnel, (a), page 18. The solicitation states, “The contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel…” Please clarify whether an offeror shall identify a Study Director in its proposal. If so, we recommend deletion of the “TBD at Award” phrase in the section.

Please refer to 1352.215-70(c)(2)(iii)(A)(5). Offerors are required to provide the name and background of the Study Director in their proposal for Evaluation Factor 1. At the time of award, the Government will insert the name of the successful offeror’s Study Director into the clause 1352.237-75 Key Personnel.

Section L.10 (c) (1) (ii) (A) (4) requires an offeror that is relying on subcontractor experience or qualification to submit a fully executed Subcontracting Agreement. RFP Section M.1 (c) (2) states that the Contracting officer will engage in discussions and request a final proposal revision. Given that agreement on final performance and pricing between the prime and subcontractor will not be concluded until after proposal submission, please confirm that it is acceptable to submit an executed Teaming Agreement outlining the subcontractor’s workshare in lieu of a subcontract.

Please refer to Amendment A0001. 1352.215-70 Proposal Preparation, (c)(1)(ii)(A)(4) has been revised.

The term “Subcontractor Agreement” has been replaced with “Teaming Agreement.”

Section L.10 (c) (ii) (A) (4) states, “If an offeror is relying on subcontractor experience or qualifications, a copy of the fully executed subcontracting agreement shall be included…” Please confirm that if an offeror is not including past performance references from its subcontractors, then an executed subcontract need not be included in Volume I.

Offerors are not required to submit copies of their subcontracts in their proposal. Offerors are required to submit a Teaming Agreement only if the offeror is relying on the experience of a subcontractor for Evaluation Factor 2.

Section L.10 (3) (ii) addresses payments for partial deliveries. Please confirm that proposing a payment schedule wherein an offeror invoices for 1/12 of the price with delivery of each monthly report is acceptable to the Government.

Payment for partial deliveries will be permitted only if the contractor provided, with its offer, a complete list of items to be delivered with unit prices for each item.

The contract does not appear to include a requirement for a Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Are large business offerors required to submit a Subcontracting Plan? If so, please explain how the Subcontracting Plan will be evaluated.

Please refer to Amendment A0001. The clause at FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, has been added. Offerors are not required to submit a Subcontracting Plan with their initial proposal;

however, the Contracting Officer may require offerors to submit a Subcontracting Plan prior to contract award.

SF Form 33, Schedule. Will the award include a CLIN for cost-reimbursable travel and ODC expenses? If not, does the Government want those costs priced into CLIN 0001?

The Government contemplates award of a Firm Fixed-Price contract resulting from this solicitation. The offeror’s price for Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 0001 shall be its firm fixed-price to complete the work described in Section C and is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience.

(FSP), due within 30 days of contract award, will, once approved, be incorporated into the contract. In addition, this section specifies that the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) indentured list and dictionary will be “part of the FSP.” Similarly, Paragraph 5.2 tasks the Contractor to “prepare and provide as part of the FSP a master schedule” at the Level 3 WBS detail. However, SOW Paragraph 5.2 also tasks the contractor to “maintain and update the master schedule,” and the Updated Master Schedule is listed as a mandatory

Please refer to Amendment A0001. Section C – Statement of Work, paragraph 5.1 has been revised. The Final Study Plan will not be incorporated into the contract.

Section C, SOW Paragraph 4.0. Will the Contractor be required to provide space/equipment for the “representative witness” referenced in SOW para 4.0?

Please refer to Amendment A0001. Section C – Statement of Work, paragraph 4.0 has been revised.

NOAA anticipates that the representative witness will travel to the Contractor’s location once every two months for a one-week period. The Contractor shall provide a workspace (small cubicle or desk) for the representative witness, as well as access to a telephone, internet, and printer during these intermittent visits throughout period of performance.

Section C, SOW Paragraph 6.2. Will the Government provide facilities to conduct the Quarterly SMRs? Will the Government provide any administrative support or will it be necessary for the contractor to conduct all planning arrangements for these reviews?

Please refer to Amendment A0001. Section C – Statement of Work, paragraph 6.2 has been revised. The Government will provide the meeting space and telephone access for the Quarterly SMRs. The Contractor shall coordinate the Quarterly SMR participant list, internet access for up to 15 participants, and all Quarterly SMR documents.

Section L, Page 47, paragraphs (ii) and (iii). If the offeror submits a price proposal based on a “published price list or catalog,” as specified in paragraph (ii), is there also a requirement to submit the “cost breakdown” information referenced in paragraph (iii)?

Offerors are not required to submit any of the information described in 1352.215-70(c)(3)(iii) with its initial proposal. These are merely examples of information that the Contracting Officer may request, if needed.

Section L, Page 47, paragraph (iii) states the Government “reserves the right to request that the offeror provide cost breakdowns…” Does this mean the offeror should submit the cost breakdown data with the original price proposal or be prepared to respond to a Government request as needed?

Offerors are not required to submit any of the information described in 1352.215-70(c)(3)(iii) with its initial proposal. These are merely examples of information that the Contracting Officer may request, if needed.

Section L, Page 47, paragraph (iii). What specific “salary/wage information with associated payroll expenses” data are required? Will the Government provide a pricing template for submitting these data to ensure all elements are addressed?

Offerors are not required to submit any of the information described in 1352.215-70(c)(3)(iii) with its initial proposal. These are merely examples of information that the Contracting Officer may request, if needed.

Section C, SOW Paragraph 5.2. The requirement states “Per best practices in the OAS AoA Handbook, the master schedule should be at the Level 3 WBS detail.” Does the WBS referred to in SOW para 5.2 refer to:

a. The decomposition of the tasks required to carry out the study OR

b. The hierarchical decomposition of cost elements referred to in para 5.5.1 of the OAS AoA Handbook (10 June 2013 edition)? OR

c. Both a task breakdown and cost element breakdown?

Please refer to Amendment A0001 – Statement of Work, paragraph 5.2 has been revised. The requirement for the master schedule to be prepared at the Level 3 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) detail has been removed.

Section C Paragraph 2.0 "Scope", "Goals of the AoA Study" - clarification is requested with respect to goals 14 and 15:

Goals 14 and 15 refer to identifying future “optimal instrumentation suites and airborne platforms needed to…” Since these goals appear sequentially before the goals of cost and risk please clarify what the instrumentation suites are being optimized for. Are they being optimized for:

(a) Effectiveness. i.e., data gathering and meeting mission requirements;

(b) The combination of effectiveness and cost:

(c) The combination of effectiveness, cost, and risk;

(d) The combination of effectiveness, cost, risk, and schedule; or

(e) Something else, if so please define?

The instrumentation suites are being optimized for the following objectives, listed in descending order of importance: effectiveness, cost, risk, and schedule.

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