**Frequently Asked Questions**

**ON**

**MOBIS Proposal Submissions uPDATED aPRIL 2006**

**GETTING STARTED**

[I'd like to be a MOBIS contractor, where do I start?](#FAQ_1)

[How and why should I register with the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR)?](#FAQ_2)

[Where do I get my DUNS number?](#FAQ_3)

[52.212-1 Instructions To Offerors---Commercial Items (OCT
2003)(Tailored) paragraph (j) states that the DUNS Number applies to
offers exceeding \$25K. If we do not expect our contract to exceed this,
do we need to provide a DUNS number with the Proposal?](#FAQ_4)

**GENERAL**

[I've reviewed the Schedule of Items, is it a comprehensive listing of
what is within the scope of the MOBIS
Solicitation?](#question-ive-reviewed-the-schedule-of-items-is-it-a-comprehensive-listing-of-what-is-within-the-scope-of-the-mobis-solicitation)

[Can you outline how to submit my offer?](#FAQ_7)

**SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE**

[Standard Form 1449, Box 12, Discount Terms, Is this discount related to
our proposed labor rates?](#FAQ_9)

[Who must file a VETS-100 Report?](#FAQ_11)

[Clause G-FSS-913 in the Administrative Proposal includes a
certification. It relates to having dealers participate in the
performance of the contract. I won\'t have any dealers on my contract,
should I sign the Certification, or just mark it N/A?](#FAQ_12)

[Clause I-FSS-600 in the Administrative Proposal refers to Federal
Supply Schedule Price Lists. How does this relate to Section
III/Pricing, where I\'m providing labor rates?](#FAQ_13)

[The MOBIS solicitation indicates that the Maximum Order Threshold is
\$1M, what does this mean?](#FAQ_15)

**SECTION 2: EXPERIENCE**

[Do you have samples of what is considered to be an acceptable Executive
Summary?](#FAQ_16)

[What information does the solicitation require regarding compensation
plans for professional employees and our uncompensated overtime (OT)
policy?](#FAQ_18)

[Can my past performance information include both government and
non-governmental contracts?](#FAQ_19)

[Can my past performance information include contracts that have not yet
been completed?](#FAQ_20)

[If a company is new, is staff experience acceptable in lieu of two
years corporate experience?](#FAQ_50)

[What is the page limit for Corporate Experience?](#FAQ_51)

**SECTION 3: PRICING**

[What labor categories should I offer? Are there standard
categories?](#FAQ_22)

[Can I offer the same Labor Category under multiple Special Item Numbers
(SINs)?](#FAQ_23)

[Can I propose regular and overtime rates for professional labor
categories?](#FAQ_24)

[What's the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF)?](#FAQ_25)

[Should I create a commercial price list for MOBIS?](#FAQ_26)

[Should I include proposed pricing for travel and per diem costs in my
offer?](#FAQ_27)

[Can I charge customers for administrative costs related to leading a
Contractor Teaming Arrangement?](#FAQ_28)

[The solicitation mentions Other Direct Costs, but I'm still not sure
how to address them in my offer. I understand support products should be
included in SIN \# 874-5 Support Products but they vary quite a
bit.](#FAQ_29)

[I'd like to offer off the shelf and customized training classes under
my MOBIS contract, what information is required?](#FAQ_30)

[How does the price reduction clause work?](#FAQ_31)

[Please explain the economic price adjustment process.](#FAQ_32)

[Is Option Year pricing mandatory when submitting a table of proposed
labor categories and rates? Is it acceptable to offer Base Year prices
with a request that future EPAs be based on the DOL Employment Cost
Index for civilian workers?](#FAQ_33)

[Why and how do I complete Attachment 1, the Commercial Sales Practice
Format (CSP)?](#FAQ_34)

[Does my company need to submit the Small Business Subcontracting Plan
Outline (MODEL)?](#FAQ_35)

[Why do I need to provide information regarding my accounting/payroll
systems? Am I required to provide timesheets?](#FAQ_36)

**PROCESSING OFFERS**

[Can you review our draft proposal before we submit it?](#FAQ_37)

[How long does it take to become a MOBIS Schedule contractor?](#FAQ_38)

[Can I cancel my MOBIS contract?](#FAQ_39)

**GETTING STARTED:**

**Question: I'd like to be a MOBIS contractor, where do I start?**

[]{#FAQ_1 .anchor}

Answer: Go to [www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/) and
download a copy of the current MOBIS Solicitation TFTP-MC-000874-B. Your
first task is to read the solicitation in its entirety. You will find
that the solicitation includes instructions for submitting your
administrative information, management consulting experience, proposed
MOBIS pricing, general information about the Schedules program &
ordering procedures, solicitation terms and conditions,
representations/certifications and post award instructions.

Helpful hint: Do not insert N/A when completing the administrative
portion of the solicitation. This may delay the processing of your
offer.

Once you submit your proposal, a contracting officer will review your
offer and negotiate pricing. If a contract is awarded, your company will
be added to the list of MOBIS Schedule contractors and your company will
post contract information in GSA Advantage! Information posted in GSA
Advantage! is accessible to the general public. Please refer to clause
I-FSS-597, GSA *ADVANTAGE!*™ (SEP 2000) for additional information.

For assistance with preparing your proposal, contact your local
Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the following website:

[http://aptac-us.org](http://aptac-us.org/)

[]{#FAQ_2 .anchor}**Question: How and why should I register with the
Central Contractor Registration (CCR)?**

Answer: As of October 1, 2003, you must have a valid CCR registration to
transact business with the Federal government. Your registration in the
CCR allows the government to process electronic payments more
efficiently. Go to http://[www.ccr.gov](http://www.ccr.gov/) and click
on "Start New Registration". We recommend that you complete your
application as soon as possible, so that the evaluation of your offer is
not unnecessarily delayed.

[]{#FAQ_3 .anchor}**Question: Where do I get my DUNS number?**

Answer: Please contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 or go to
<https://www.dnb.com/us/> and complete the application. There is no
charge to obtain a DUNS number. Please note: Offerors located outside
the United States must contact the local Dun & Bradstreet office for a
DUNS number.

[]{#FAQ_4 .anchor}**Question: 52.212-1 Instructions To
Offerors---Commercial Items (OCT 2003)(Tailored) paragraph (j) states
that the DUNS Number applies to offers exceeding \$25K. If we do not
expect our contract to exceed this, do we need to provide a DUNS number
with the Proposal?**

Answer: You must provide a DUNS number on Standard Form 1449 and the
Cover Page to Offer (Attachment 4) for offers exceeding \$25,000 and
offers of \$25,000 or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor
to be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database.

Keep in mind that as a GSA contractor, you must show sales of \$25,000
or more for the first two years of the contract period and \$25,000 or
more per year thereafter. Failure to meet this sales requirement may
result in termination of your contract before or at the end of the
five-year base period. (Reference clause I-FSS-639, Contract Sales
Criteria.)

**Question: Why does GSA assign a NAICS code to MOBIS?**

Answer: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
for MOBIS is 541611. This NAIC best captures the management consulting
services that fall within the scope of the MOBIS Schedule.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) conducts industry surveys to
assign size standards to each NAICS code. These size standards determine
whether a business is eligible for Government programs and preferences
reserved for small business concerns. The size standard assigned to NAIC
541611 is \$6M or less in **average annual receipts**.

The SBA and Far 19.101 define annual receipts as follows:

Gross receipts are averaged over a firm\'s latest 3 completed fiscal
years to determine its average annual receipts.  "Receipts" means the
firm\'s gross or total income, plus cost of goods sold, as defined by or
reported on the firm\'s Federal Income Tax return.  The term does not
include, however, net capital gains or losses, nor taxes collected for
and remitted to a taxing authority if included in gross or total
income.  The firm may not deduct income taxes, property taxes, cost of
materials or funds paid to subcontractors.  Travel, real estate and
advertising agents, providers of conference management services, freight
forwarders and customs brokers may deduct amounts they collect on behalf
of another.  If a firm has not been in business for 3 years, the average
weekly revenue for the number of weeks the firm has been in business is
multiplied by 52 to determine its average annual receipts.

If you determine that you are a small business under the MOBIS NAIC:

1.  Federal agencies can receive credit for their socio-economic goals
    by awarding MOBIS task orders to your company.

2.  You are [not]{.underline} required to submit a Subcontracting Plan

For additional information on NAICS, please go to the following website:
<http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/size/>.

**GENERAL**

## Question: I've reviewed the Schedule of Items, is it a comprehensive listing of what is within the scope of the MOBIS Solicitation?

Answer: The Schedule of Items includes lists of common tasks that fall
within the various Special Item Numbers (SINs). They can be used to
assist your company in determining which SINs are most appropriate for
your company to pursue. You can provide services under a particular SIN
that cover all of the sample tasks, some portion of those tasks, an
individual task or a task that is similar but not specifically
mentioned. The purpose of the task listing is to clarify; we do not mean
to exclude appropriate management consulting service offerings. (Please
also refer to the Addendum to Clause 52.212-4, Background and Scope of
Work sections on page 7 of the solicitation.)

[]{#FAQ_7 .anchor}**Question: Can you outline how to submit my offer?**

Answer. 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (OCT
2003) (Tailored) (starting on Page 47-49) and L-FSS-10FT-502, Proposal
Instructions (starting on Page 50-53) provides instructions on how to
format your Request for Proposal (RFP). In addition, you will need to
review and use the Offeror\'s Checksheet, which is the second page of
Attachment 4. This check sheet provides a list of items that must be
completed prior to submitting your RFP.

**Submission Options:**

Offers may be submitted either in writing or electronically. Electronic
offers (eOffers) are now accepted under this solicitation. Offerors have
the choice to submit an electronic proposal by using GSA's eOffer
system, or to submit a hard copy of the proposal to the bid custodian
identified in Block 9 of the Standard Form (SF) 1449. Electronic
proposals may be submitted using eOffer by visiting
[http://eoffer.gsa.gov](http://eoffer.gsa.gov/). Offerors electing eh
eOffer method should follow the directions provided on the eOffer site.
**No other forms of electronic submission will be accepted**.

Hard copy submissions -- send two (original plus one) along with one
electronic copy (via email, CD or diskette) of your pricing (Attachment
5) to the address identified in Block 9 of Standard Form 1449.

**SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE**

[]{#FAQ_9 .anchor}**Question: Standard Form 1449, Box 12, Discount
Terms, Is this discount related to our proposed labor rates?**

Answer: This discount is not related to the labor rates you propose.
This block reflects Prompt Payment discount terms offered.

[]{#FAQ_11 .anchor}**Question: Who must file a VETS-100 Report?**

Answer: Any contractor who receives a contract(s) from the Federal
Government in the amount of \$25,000 or more, or any subcontractor who
receives a contract(s) from such a covered contractor in the amount of
\$25,000 or more, must file a VETS-100 Report on an annual basis.
Additional questions? Go to
<http://www.dol.gov/vets/contractor/main.htm#B_1>.

[]{#FAQ_12 .anchor}**Question: Clause G-FSS-913 in the Administrative
Proposal includes a certification. It relates to having dealers
participate in the performance of the contract. I won\'t have any
dealers on my contract, should I sign the Certification, or just mark it
N/A?**

Answer: If not applicable, leave blank.

[]{#FAQ_13 .anchor}**Question: Clause I-FSS-600 in the Administrative
Proposal refers to Federal Supply Schedule Price Lists. How does this
relate to Section III/Pricing, where I\'m providing labor rates?**

Answer: If your company is awarded a MOBIS contract, you are required to
generate a price list, per the instructions of clause I-FSS-600. The
price list will synopsize the terms of your contract and should be made
available to Federal agencies.

[]{#FAQ_15 .anchor}**Question: The MOBIS solicitation indicates that the
Maximum Order Threshold is \$1M, what does this mean?**

Answer: GSA asserts that labor hour pricing up to this threshold is fair
and reasonable. However, when the estimated value of a task order
exceeds the maximum order threshold, agencies are encouraged to pursue
additional price discounts based on the volume of the order. The
threshold is not meant to be a GSA enforced limit on the value of a task
order. (See I-FSS-125, Requirements Exceeding The Maximum Order
(SEP 1999)).

**SECTION 2: EXPERIENCE**

[]{#FAQ_16 .anchor}**Question: Do you have samples of what is considered
to be an acceptable Executive Summary?**

Answer: No, we do not maintain a sample library. Please refer to Clause
L-FSS-10FT-502, Proposal Instructions for details on what should be
included in your Executive Summary.

[]{#FAQ_18 .anchor}**Question: What information does the solicitation
require regarding compensation plans for professional employees and our
uncompensated overtime (OT) policy?**

Relevant clause is 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional
Employees - Describe your compensation plan for professional employees
(fringe benefits) with a brief narrative statement. Your narrative
should address such items as: health, life and disability insurance
plans offered, 401K plans, employee leave policies, OT policies, Comp
Time policies, business expense reimbursements, per diem allowances,
special fringe benefits and holidays given. This will ensure that the CO
can make a determination that your employees are fairly and reasonably
compensated in comparison with the rest of the industry. This is in the
government\'s best interest as they are placed at risk for untimely
employee departures. For example, a key support person leaves midway
through a project because of a better job offer.

Relevant clause is 52.237.10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime
(Oct 1997). As relates to uncompensated OT, a narrative statement will
suffice as to the existence (please describe) or non-existence
(accompanied by an explanation) of a policy in this area.

[]{#FAQ_19 .anchor}**Question: Can my past performance information
include both government and non-governmental contracts?**

Answer: Yes

[]{#FAQ_20 .anchor}**Question: Can my past performance information
include contracts that have not yet been completed?**

Answer: No. At least two of the three examples shall have been completed
in the last two years and all three examples must have been completed in
the last three years.

[]{#FAQ_50 .anchor}**Question: If a company is new, is staff experience
acceptable in lieu of two years**

**Corporate Experience?**

Answer: Corporate experience is used to determine financial
responsibility. In that regard, we "expect" two years Corporate
Experience. However, it may be possible that we will consider other
financial support when determining financial responsibility but we would
like to have the two years to establish a track record. Individual or
staff experience may be applicable to the past experiences required to
justify capabilities to accomplish tasks under specific SINs.

[]{#FAQ_51 .anchor}**Question: What is the page limit for Corporate
Experience?**

Answer: In Refresh 10, the page limit for Corporate Experience was
inadvertently omitted. Offerors may provide a single response covering
more than one SIN, if the information disclosed is the same for all
services under each offered SIN, Page Limit -- 3 pages per offered SIN
identified. *For each Project, outline how the work performed is similar
in scope and complexity related to the MOBIS SIN proposed and annotate
the SIN. Include a description of the work and the results achieved.*

**SECTION 3: PRICING**

[]{#FAQ_22 .anchor}**Question: What labor categories should I offer? Are
there standard categories?**

Answer: The MOBIS solicitation does not require that you propose
specific labor categories. Your proposed prices should support the
performance of MOBIS work requirements. Be sure to include minimum
training, certifications, education and experience requirements.

[]{#FAQ_23 .anchor}**Question: Can I offer the same Labor Category under
multiple Special Item Numbers (SINs)?**

Answer: Yes

[]{#FAQ_24 .anchor}**Question: Can I propose regular and overtime rates
for professional labor categories?**

Answer: No

[]{#FAQ_25 .anchor}**Question: What's the Industrial Funding Fee
(IFF)?**

Answer: The IFF reimburses GSA for the costs of operating the Federal
Supply Schedules program. It is remitted to GSA on a quarterly basis.
(You will receive additional instructions upon award of your MOBIS
contract.) Please also refer to clause 552.238-74, Industrial Funding
Fee and Sales Reporting.

[]{#FAQ_26 .anchor}**Question: Should I create a commercial price list
for MOBIS?**

Answer: No, please submit MOBIS pricing that is structured per your
normal pricing practices. You will be asked to justify your pricing and
if you create a commercial price list, it will be difficult for you to
provide invoices that reflect that pricing. As you progress through your
contract and want to increase your pricing, you will run into difficulty
if you can't justify the price increase with a revised commercial price
list and invoices reflecting the new rates.

[]{#FAQ_27 .anchor}**Question: Should I include proposed pricing for
travel and per diem costs in my offer?**

Answer: No, these costs are a direct reimbursement at the task order
level according to Public Law 99-234, FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs and the
contractor's cost accounting system. Note: MOBIS task orders should
include a Not to Exceed estimate for these costs. The Industrial Funding
Fee does not apply to travel.

[]{#FAQ_28 .anchor}**Question: Can I charge customers for administrative
costs related to leading a Contractor Teaming Arrangement?**

Answer: Yes, you may choose to reflect those costs as an ODC at the task
order level or negotiate them upfront so that these costs are visible on
your Authorized Price List. You may also consider including them in your
overhead rate. Select your approach and make it apparent to your
Contracting Officer. For additional information on Contractor Teaming
Arrangements, please visit [www.gsa.gov](http://www.gsa.gov/) and do a
search on "CTA".

[]{#FAQ_29 .anchor}**Question: The solicitation mentions Other Direct
Costs (ODC), but I'm still not sure how to address them in my offer. I
understand support products should be included in SIN \# 874-5 Support
Products but they vary quite a bit.**

Answer: You should identify and offer Other Direct Costs to the maximum
extent practicable under SIN 874-5, Support Products. When ODC can't be
negotiated up front, they will need to be competed by the Federal agency
before awarding the MOBIS task order. These items should be listed as a
separate line item on the MOBIS task order.

[]{#FAQ_30 .anchor}**Question: I'd like to offer off the shelf and
customized training classes under my MOBIS contract, what information is
required?**

Answer: Propose off the shelf training classes under SIN 874-4, Training
Services. Your price proposal should list the course title; description,
class size limitations and fees related to the training you would like
to make available to Federal agencies using the MOBIS contract vehicle.
Please refer to Attachment 5, Format 6 for a suggested pricing format.
Any new training programs you develop subsequent to an award of a MOBIS
contract may be added to your contract by submitting a request for
modification. Please refer to Clause 552.243-72, Modifications (Multiple
Award Schedule) (JUL 2000).

Customized training classes are typically offered under SIN 874-1 by
proposing labor categories essential to developing training courses.
This ensures that when you receive a customized training request, you
will have the appropriate labor categories on schedule to develop the
required course.

[]{#FAQ_31 .anchor}**Question: How does the price reduction clause
work?**

Answer: The price reduction clause, 552.238-75 requires the contractor
to reduce its MOBIS pricing when it reduces prices to the commercial
customer who was the basis for award.

The Price Reduction clause also enables Schedule contractors to be more
competitive by offering higher discounts for individual MOBIS task
orders without offering the same discounts to other agencies using
MOBIS. See also clause I-FSS-125, Requirements Exceeding the Maximum
Order (SEP 1999)

[]{#FAQ_32 .anchor}**Question: Please explain the economic price
adjustment process.**

Answer: There are three ways that your MOBIS pricing can
increase/decrease, the exact process is up to you.

1.  You may choose to submit MOBIS pricing discounted from a commercial
    price list, this means that your pricing will change as your
    commercial price list changes. (Subject to a 4% cap.) If your
    commercial price list decreases you'll need to decrease your MOBIS
    price list as well. You must submit a modification request to update
    your MOBIS price list. Refer to Clause 552.216-70, Economic Price
    Adjustment---FSS Multiple Award Schedule Contracts (SEP 1999)
    (Alternate I---SEP 1999)

2.  You may elect to increase/decrease your authorized prices based on a
    relevant index. In this case, the GSA Contracting Officer will
    evaluate your fully burdened labor rates and the proposed index. You
    will need to submit a modification request to update your MOBIS
    labor rates as index prices change. Refer to I-FSS-969, Economic
    Price Adjustment -- FSS Multiple Award Schedule (JAN 2002).

3.  A third, but less preferred method would be to submit multi-year
    pricing based on fully burdened labor rates. If you use this pricing
    methodology, you will submit 20 years of pricing based on a proposed
    escalation rate(s). The GSA Contracting Officer will evaluate your
    fully burdened labor rates and the proposed escalation rate.
    (Escalation rates are subject to a 4% cap.) As prices are
    established at time of award, a modification request is unnecessary.
    Refer to I-FSS-969, Economic Price Adjustment -- FSS Multiple Award
    Schedule (JAN 2002).

[]{#FAQ_33 .anchor}**Question: Is Option Year pricing mandatory when
submitting a table of proposed labor categories and rates? Is it
acceptable to offer Base Year prices with a request that future EPAs be
based on the Employment Cost Index for civilian workers, not seasonally
adjusted?**

Answer: You referenced that you would be basing your pricing on an
index. Please refer to the Economic Price Adjustment clause, I-FSS-969
(b) (2).

[]{#FAQ_34 .anchor}**Question: Why and how do I complete Attachment 1,
the Commercial Sales Practice Format (CSP)?**

Answer: Detailed directions can be found in Figure 515.4-2 --
Instructions for Commercial Sales Practice Format.

[]{#FAQ_35 .anchor}**Question: Does my company need to submit the Small
Business Subcontracting Plan Outline (MODEL)?**

Answer: Subcontracting Plans do not apply to small business concerns.
The MOBIS Solicitation includes a Small Business Subcontracting Plan
Outline (MODEL) that must be completed by large businesses and
non-profit firms when they are awarded contracts with an estimated value
exceeding \$500K. Please refer to clause 552.219-71, Notice to Offerors
of Subcontracting Plan Requirements (Sep 1999) (Tailored).

The Small Business Subcontracting Program does not apply to contracts
that will be performed entirely outside of any State, territory, or
possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) 19.702 (b)(3). The application of the Subcontracting Program is
governed by where the service is performed, and not the location of the
contractor.

[]{#FAQ_36 .anchor}**Question: Why do I need to provide information
regarding my accounting/payroll systems? Am I required to provide
timesheets?**

Answer: Orders placed under MOBIS contracts can be firm-fixed-price or
labor-hour type. Labor-hour task orders are placed when the specific
amount of time required to perform a task cannot be determined, so the
order is priced \"Not to Exceed \" a specified dollar amount. In this
case, the contractor must be able to show the labor categories used and
the number of hours expended while performing a specific task. The
contractor must have an accounting system in place that can track the
labor categories and the number of hours used for the task. There are
several computer accounting programs that allow for tracking expenses;
the Government does not specify which one to use nor do we endorse one
over the other. We do not require that you design a timesheet; we only
mention a timesheet as an option because timesheets are often used to
track labor hours expended against specific tasks.

Please note: If you do not have an auditable mechanism to process labor
hour rates in performance of a task order, then you must state this in
your RFP. You should further state that you are capable of accepting
fixed-price task orders only.

**PROCESSING OFFERS**

[]{#FAQ_37 .anchor}**Question: Can you review our draft proposal before
we submit it?**

Answer: GSA does not have the resources available to offer this service.
If you have questions regarding the MOBIS solicitation, please email
them to <mobis@gsa.gov> and we will do our best to clarify the intent of
the solicitation. General interest questions will be added to our list
of FAQs.

[]{#FAQ_38 .anchor}**Question: How long does it take to become a MOBIS
Schedule contractor?**

Answer: After we receive your offer, you will receive an e-mail
indicating the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of the
contracting officer assigned to evaluate your offer. The contracting
officers review solicitation packages as quickly as possible.

[]{#FAQ_39 .anchor}**Question: Can I cancel my MOBIS contract?**

Answer: Yes, please refer to cancellation clause 552.238-73, which
states that either party may cancel this contract in whole or in part by
providing written notice.