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Answers to RTES Industry Day Questions.pdf
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RTES Industry Day Response to Questions
1. Reference Slide 12, Goals of the RTES Contract, states the winning Small
Business contractor to be prepared for$142M/year in costs and cash flow ability
even in unexpected events What kind of information would be very
convincing in order to demonstrate being prepared for $142M/year in costs and
cash flow ability to support the contract? How are you going to evaluate this
requirement and what kind of information would be necessary to substantiate
that a company can do this.
The purpose of this contract goal in the Industry Day slides is to ensure the
Prime contractor has evaluated their companys ability to execute a contract of
this magnitude. The source selection criteria is under development. However,
offerors may be requested to demonstrate past performance and experience
with similar size contracts or otherwise demonstrate that they have adequate
resources available to execute a contract of this magnitude.
2. Reference Slide 12, Goals of the RTES Contract, which states Government
interface with only the Prime for the contract. Would the government clarify if
this refers to contractual direction vice work activities? During execution, does
the government expect the prime to be involved in every discussion between
contractor and customer for every technical activity on the contract?
The prime contractor is responsible for all aspects of contract performance, to
include management of its subcontractors. The Government is seeking to
avoid having to manage multiple contractors and subcontractors under this
award. The Government expects that all decision-making and significant
communication regarding performance, schedule, and cost impacts will be
between the Government and the prime contractor.
3. Reference Slide 12, Goals of the RTES Contract, which the government
indicates winning small business should be prepared for an average of 60
person/year turnover. Is this the current turnover rate for RWESS? Is this an
acceptable metric that the winning small business will be measured against,
and if not, then what is an acceptable performance standard/AQL for annual
turnover?
The estimated 60 people is not based upon the current turnover rate under
RWESS. It is based upon an RTC estimated 8% loss of personnel per year on
the contract plus an increases in yearly contract totals of approximately 9
people/year. The statement is in the Industry Day slides to give potential
respondents an idea of the size and complexity of the future contract.
4. Reference Slide 14: Anticipated RTES Acquisition Approach, indicates the
NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 Research and Development in the
Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and
Biotechnology) Except Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts (Small
Business size standard 1500 employees). We recommend utilizing GSA
OASIS Pool 4 (under 1000 employees) which is comprised of qualified
companies that have already proven their ability to perform services supporting
NAICS Code 541715.
The RTES contract vehicle has been chosen after significant investigation of
contracting alternatives and it is not expected to change to the GSA OASIS
vehicle.
5. Slide #15, 3rd bullet states Subcontractors shall not charge the contract for
management. This seems to imply there will be specific Management CLIN(s)
the prime will use exclusively. Question/Comment: Is it safe to assume there
will be prime specific Management CLIN(s)?
There have been no decisions about the potential CLINs on the contract at this
time. It would be conceivable that a separate CLIN for the Prime Management
could be set up. The intent of this bullet is to confirm that the prime shall be
responsible for the overall contract management under this award.
6. Slide #15, 3rd bullet states Subcontractors shall not charge the contract for
management. Question/Comment: Please define management in this
context for example, are on-site supervisors considered management?
The intent of this bullet is to confirm that the prime shall be responsible for the
overall contract management under this award. Therefore there is no need for
the sub-contractors to charge for management time on the contract. In the
example above, on-site supervisors would be management from the prime.
7. Slide #15, 5th bullet states Subcontractors should not be organized along
directorate boundaries. It is highly unusual for the Government to mandate /
direct how the prime contractor is to create their organizations. This is especially
critical when many subcontractors may be small with highly specialized and
niche expertise that is suited to only one Division or Section within a directorate.
a. Question/Comment (a): Will the Government provide additional
information/rationale for requiring subcontractors not organize along
directorate boundaries?
RTC, as an organization, resulted from BRAC consolidating two test
centers into one. Each of the directorates of the previous centers had
their own contracts and were in essence independent. The RWESS
consolidated the contracts into a test center or command wide contract
that supports all directorates together and allows movement of personnel
to where the test work has the greatest need regardless of directorate.
This also prevents the government from having to manage separate
subcontractors for each directorate.
b. Question/Comment (b): Will there be evaluation penalties assigned for
failure to use subcontractors in this manner?
The evaluation criteria addresses the Governments requirements and
expectations. Contractors will be evaluated in accordance with the
criteria and ratings specified. The evaluation criteria will be provided with
the Draft RFP.
8. Reference Slide 15, RTES Contract Specifics, which states that
Subcontractors should not be organized along directorate boundaries.
Would the Government please clarify?
Please see the response above.
9. Slide #15, 5th bullet states Subcontractors should not be organized along
directorate boundaries.
a. Question/Comment (a): What specific directorates are supported under
the contract?
The directorates primarily supported by the RTES are Aviation Flight Test
Directorate, Missiles and Sensors Directorate, Environmental and
Component Test Directorate and the Test Program Integration Directorate.
b. Question/Comment (b): What is the estimated number of contractor
FTEs per directorate?
This number changes constantly as the test mission changes. The major
directorates that utilize the contractor support are the Aviation Flight Test
Directorate, Missiles and Sensors Directorate and Environmental and
Component Test Directorate.
10. Slide #15, 7th bullet states Subcontractors should not charge for purchasing
labor on RTES. It is unclear what is meant by purchasing labor.
Question/Comment: Please clarify what the Government means by
Subcontractors should not charge for purchasing labor?
The intent is for all purchases to be accomplished by the prime. As such there is
no need for sub-contractors to have purchasing personnel on the contract. No
ordering clerks, contracts specialists, or purchasers should be required by the
sub-contractors.
11. Can the Government please clarify what is meant by the statement
Subcontractors should not charge for purchasing labor on RTES?
The intent is for all purchases to be accomplished by the prime. As such there is
no need for sub-contractors to have purchasing personnel on the contract. No
ordering clerks, contracts specialists, or purchasers should be required by the
sub-contractors.
12. Reference Slide 15, RTES Contract Specifics, which states that All Contract
Management provided by the Prime. Would the government clarify if this refers
to contractual direction vice work activities? During execution, does the
government expect the prime to be involved in every discussion between
contractor and customer for every technical activity on the contract?
The prime contractor is responsible for all aspects of contract performance, to
include management of its subcontractors. The Government is seeking to
avoid having to manage multiple contractors and subcontractors under this
award. The Government expects that all decision-making and significant
communication regarding performance, schedule, and cost impacts will be
between the Government and the prime contractor.
13. Will SBA approved Mentor Protg based JVs be allowed to submit a proposal
as a Prime?
The Government is looking into this request and awaiting Small Business
Office input.
14. Reference Slide 15, RTES Contract Specifics, states the Prime must have a
DCMA approved purchasing system. A DCMA approved purchasing system
would appear to be a tall hurdle for most small businesses, and would limit
competition due to the lack of having this credential. Has the government
performed market analysis to determine how many small business in the NAICS
code for this procurement actually have a DCMA approved purchasing system?
Is there any other acceptable manner for handling purchases, without having a
DCMA approved purchasing system at the outset of the contract? The prime
contractor must have a DCMA approved purchasing system at time of proposal
submission. Market research indicates this requirement can be met by
interested and capable Small Businesses.
15. Given that COVID-19 may slow the DCMA Purchasing System Audit Process, is
a DCMA Approved Purchasing System required at time of proposal submission
or can it be accomplished post-award? The prime contractor must have a
DCMA approved purchasing system at time of proposal submission.
16. RTES industry day slides (chart 15) requires the Prime to possess a
DCMA/DCAA
1. Reference Slide 12, Goals of the RTES Contract, states the winning Small
Business contractor to be prepared for$142M/year in costs and cash flow ability
even in unexpected events What kind of information would be very
convincing in order to demonstrate being prepared for $142M/year in costs and
cash flow ability to support the contract? How are you going to evaluate this
requirement and what kind of information would be necessary to substantiate
that a company can do this.
The purpose of this contract goal in the Industry Day slides is to ensure the
Prime contractor has evaluated their companys ability to execute a contract of
this magnitude. The source selection criteria is under development. However,
offerors may be requested to demonstrate past performance and experience
with similar size contracts or otherwise demonstrate that they have adequate
resources available to execute a contract of this magnitude.
2. Reference Slide 12, Goals of the RTES Contract, which states Government
interface with only the Prime for the contract. Would the government clarify if
this refers to contractual direction vice work activities? During execution, does
the government expect the prime to be involved in every discussion between
contractor and customer for every technical activity on the contract?
The prime contractor is responsible for all aspects of contract performance, to
include management of its subcontractors. The Government is seeking to
avoid having to manage multiple contractors and subcontractors under this
award. The Government expects that all decision-making and significant
communication regarding performance, schedule, and cost impacts will be
between the Government and the prime contractor.
3. Reference Slide 12, Goals of the RTES Contract, which the government
indicates winning small business should be prepared for an average of 60
person/year turnover. Is this the current turnover rate for RWESS? Is this an
acceptable metric that the winning small business will be measured against,
and if not, then what is an acceptable performance standard/AQL for annual
turnover?
The estimated 60 people is not based upon the current turnover rate under
RWESS. It is based upon an RTC estimated 8% loss of personnel per year on
the contract plus an increases in yearly contract totals of approximately 9
people/year. The statement is in the Industry Day slides to give potential
respondents an idea of the size and complexity of the future contract.
4. Reference Slide 14: Anticipated RTES Acquisition Approach, indicates the
NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 Research and Development in the
Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and
Biotechnology) Except Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts (Small
Business size standard 1500 employees). We recommend utilizing GSA
OASIS Pool 4 (under 1000 employees) which is comprised of qualified
companies that have already proven their ability to perform services supporting
NAICS Code 541715.
The RTES contract vehicle has been chosen after significant investigation of
contracting alternatives and it is not expected to change to the GSA OASIS
vehicle.
5. Slide #15, 3rd bullet states Subcontractors shall not charge the contract for
management. This seems to imply there will be specific Management CLIN(s)
the prime will use exclusively. Question/Comment: Is it safe to assume there
will be prime specific Management CLIN(s)?
There have been no decisions about the potential CLINs on the contract at this
time. It would be conceivable that a separate CLIN for the Prime Management
could be set up. The intent of this bullet is to confirm that the prime shall be
responsible for the overall contract management under this award.
6. Slide #15, 3rd bullet states Subcontractors shall not charge the contract for
management. Question/Comment: Please define management in this
context for example, are on-site supervisors considered management?
The intent of this bullet is to confirm that the prime shall be responsible for the
overall contract management under this award. Therefore there is no need for
the sub-contractors to charge for management time on the contract. In the
example above, on-site supervisors would be management from the prime.
7. Slide #15, 5th bullet states Subcontractors should not be organized along
directorate boundaries. It is highly unusual for the Government to mandate /
direct how the prime contractor is to create their organizations. This is especially
critical when many subcontractors may be small with highly specialized and
niche expertise that is suited to only one Division or Section within a directorate.
a. Question/Comment (a): Will the Government provide additional
information/rationale for requiring subcontractors not organize along
directorate boundaries?
RTC, as an organization, resulted from BRAC consolidating two test
centers into one. Each of the directorates of the previous centers had
their own contracts and were in essence independent. The RWESS
consolidated the contracts into a test center or command wide contract
that supports all directorates together and allows movement of personnel
to where the test work has the greatest need regardless of directorate.
This also prevents the government from having to manage separate
subcontractors for each directorate.
b. Question/Comment (b): Will there be evaluation penalties assigned for
failure to use subcontractors in this manner?
The evaluation criteria addresses the Governments requirements and
expectations. Contractors will be evaluated in accordance with the
criteria and ratings specified. The evaluation criteria will be provided with
the Draft RFP.
8. Reference Slide 15, RTES Contract Specifics, which states that
Subcontractors should not be organized along directorate boundaries.
Would the Government please clarify?
Please see the response above.
9. Slide #15, 5th bullet states Subcontractors should not be organized along
directorate boundaries.
a. Question/Comment (a): What specific directorates are supported under
the contract?
The directorates primarily supported by the RTES are Aviation Flight Test
Directorate, Missiles and Sensors Directorate, Environmental and
Component Test Directorate and the Test Program Integration Directorate.
b. Question/Comment (b): What is the estimated number of contractor
FTEs per directorate?
This number changes constantly as the test mission changes. The major
directorates that utilize the contractor support are the Aviation Flight Test
Directorate, Missiles and Sensors Directorate and Environmental and
Component Test Directorate.
10. Slide #15, 7th bullet states Subcontractors should not charge for purchasing
labor on RTES. It is unclear what is meant by purchasing labor.
Question/Comment: Please clarify what the Government means by
Subcontractors should not charge for purchasing labor?
The intent is for all purchases to be accomplished by the prime. As such there is
no need for sub-contractors to have purchasing personnel on the contract. No
ordering clerks, contracts specialists, or purchasers should be required by the
sub-contractors.
11. Can the Government please clarify what is meant by the statement
Subcontractors should not charge for purchasing labor on RTES?
The intent is for all purchases to be accomplished by the prime. As such there is
no need for sub-contractors to have purchasing personnel on the contract. No
ordering clerks, contracts specialists, or purchasers should be required by the
sub-contractors.
12. Reference Slide 15, RTES Contract Specifics, which states that All Contract
Management provided by the Prime. Would the government clarify if this refers
to contractual direction vice work activities? During execution, does the
government expect the prime to be involved in every discussion between
contractor and customer for every technical activity on the contract?
The prime contractor is responsible for all aspects of contract performance, to
include management of its subcontractors. The Government is seeking to
avoid having to manage multiple contractors and subcontractors under this
award. The Government expects that all decision-making and significant
communication regarding performance, schedule, and cost impacts will be
between the Government and the prime contractor.
13. Will SBA approved Mentor Protg based JVs be allowed to submit a proposal
as a Prime?
The Government is looking into this request and awaiting Small Business
Office input.
14. Reference Slide 15, RTES Contract Specifics, states the Prime must have a
DCMA approved purchasing system. A DCMA approved purchasing system
would appear to be a tall hurdle for most small businesses, and would limit
competition due to the lack of having this credential. Has the government
performed market analysis to determine how many small business in the NAICS
code for this procurement actually have a DCMA approved purchasing system?
Is there any other acceptable manner for handling purchases, without having a
DCMA approved purchasing system at the outset of the contract? The prime
contractor must have a DCMA approved purchasing system at time of proposal
submission. Market research indicates this requirement can be met by
interested and capable Small Businesses.
15. Given that COVID-19 may slow the DCMA Purchasing System Audit Process, is
a DCMA Approved Purchasing System required at time of proposal submission
or can it be accomplished post-award? The prime contractor must have a
DCMA approved purchasing system at time of proposal submission.
16. RTES industry day slides (chart 15) requires the Prime to possess a
DCMA/DCAA
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