**FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS**

**(As of June 5, 2008)**

1\. In the Limitation of Future Contracting (1552.209.74) clause of the
draft RFP, EPA has included a base clause and 6 alternate clauses, some
of which are in conflict. We believe that Alternate V is the most
applicable clause since the resulting contract is a Headquarters Support
contract and does not warrant ineligibility to perform work that
supports EPA's Superfund Headquarters policy work (e.g., Superfund
Management and Analytical Support and Superfund Technical and Analytical
Support contracts). Also, it

our understanding from discussions with a EPA CO when bidding on the ORD
SES3

BPA that conflicts between the two contracts would be determined on a
Task Order basis.

Please confirm that Alternate V will be LOFC clause included in the
final RFP.

A: Confirmed Limitation of Future Contracting Alternate V will be the
LOFC Clause included in the Final Request for Quote. Yes, determination
of LOFC and COI will be addressed at task order level. But, Please note,
that the vendor community has been warned that the vendor's from
Software Engineering and Specialized Scientist Support Services (SES3),
potential vendors for this procurement, and potential vendors for the
pending Mission Critical IT Infrastructure Support acquisition could be
restricted from competition or exclusion of source at task order level,
depending on the nature of the task and its relationship with the Other
BPA's/SES3 or pending FY 07 135 Mission Critical IT Infrastructure
Support.

2\. In Section L.1, The Acquisition Schedule, EPA states that it
anticipates the release of the RFP on May 12 and a due date of June 2.
However, in L.4 an issue date of May 2 and due of May 28 is noted and in
the cover letter a due date of May 25 is noted. What is your current
anticipated release date and due date?

A: With the Release of the Final Request for Quote, hopefully, all dates
inputted for cover letter, Section L and M are consistent with Full RFQ
and attachments.

3\. A draft RFQ for this opportunity was posted on the website on May
2nd.

A: The Website was created November 28, 2007 and draft documents have
been available to the vendor community since then.

4\. Could you please let us know if EPA is expecting a response/comments
for this draft RFQ?

A: With the Final RFQ released on June 4, 2008 Questions and/or comments
are due no later than June 17, 2008 @ 12:00 EDT via email to Kami Nolte
@ nolte.kami@epa.gov -- NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

5\. Per the acquisition schedule (L. 4) in the document, there seems to
be a due date of May 28 on this draft RFQ.

A: Thanks for the observation, but remember the status was still
"DRAFT". The Final Request for Quote (RFQ) release date is June 4, 2008.

6\. Will there be a bidders conference? Any thoughts on the schedule of
events greatly appreciated.

A: No a pre-solicitation/bidder conference and/or industry day will not
be scheduled. All inquires, questions or comments are due June 17, 2008
-- 12:00 EDT via email to Kami Nolte at nolte.kami@epa.gov.

NO PHONE CALLS Will be accepted.

7\. Are large businesses eligible to compete for the BPA?

A: EPA is following FAR Part 8.4 for this procurement. This is not a
small business setaside, All vendors awarded the Mission Oriented
Business Integrated Services (MOBIS) Schedule, category 874-1,
Consulting Services are eligible to compete.

8\. Since XX size under NAICS 541611 is considered large but we are a
designated small disadvantaged, 8(a), Native American owned company
would we still qualify for Factor 3: Socio-Economic Status -- 15% under
the draft evaluation factors for award?

EPA is conducting the procurement via FAR Part 8.4 to The company's
socio economic status score will be tied to their GSA MOBIS SIN 874 -1
contract.

9\. Section M.3 and M.5: The Socio economic factor provides incentives
for small business primes. What value will be assigned to large
businesses who subcontract significant tasks to small businesses?

A: Since we are utilizing GSA MOBIS and FAR Part 8.4, we are not allowed
to set-aside to small business. But see attachment 6 and 7, we are
allowed to include as an evaluation factor socio-economic status via GSA
Letter. ORD has not met the HubZone and Service Disable Veteran Owned
Small Business that is why these categories are weighed higher. We hope
companies will team via Prime/Sub relationship.

10\. The cover page of the draft solicitation suggests 5/25/08 as the
response due date. Later in the document, 5/28/08 is mentioned and
further still 6/2/08. Please clarify?

A: With the Final Request for Quote released, all dates should indicate
the RFQ released of 06/04/08.

11\. The draft mentions a sample scenario will be provided. No scenario
is included in the draft.

A: Please review Section J and Attachments, the scenario is included
with the final Request for Quote.

12\. The cover letter encourages small business teaming arrangements.
Are you suggesting Contractor Teaming Arrangements (CTAs) and how will
such an arrangement qualify for small business incentives?

A: While GSA allows the procurement office's the flexibility to include
for teaming either via CTA or Prime/Sub relationships; this procurement
EPA will only allow Prime/Sub Teamings

13\. The draft mentions \"a BPA\" and \"BPAs\". Will this become a
multiple award BPA? How many awardees to you anticipate?

A: A minimum of one BPA. EPA reserves the right, to award more than one.

14\. Part II - Contract Clauses, 1552.209-74 Limitation of future
contracting. Please clarify that support performed relates to ORD
procurements and not the entire EPA procurement arena, i.e., Section ©
\"The Contractor, during the life of this task order, will be ineligible
to enter into contract and or subcontractor on any contract with EPA to
perform systems design/development/implementation services...\", etc.

A: Yes, Specifically there is a limitation of future contracting tied
with SES3 and pending FY 07-135 Mission Critical IT Infrastructure
Support. Also, with creation of Statement of Work (SOW) and
specification, design, IV&V, and independent audits.