Training and Education Command (TECOM) Human Performance (HPB) Branch

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential offerors regarding the solicitation M00264-26-R-0009 and the Government's responses.

• Set-Aside Designation: The solicitation is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.
• Incumbent Contractor: The incumbent contractor is II Corps Consultants, Inc., under contract GS02F055AA/M00264-21-F-0154.
• Work Location: The primary work location will be contractor-provided space with Government space provided on an as-needed basis. Routine on-site support at MCB Quantico is not expected, with meetings and working groups primarily conducted in person or on TEAMS.
• Staffing and Labor: Offerors are responsible for proposing their own labor mix, hours, and FTEs. Resumes are not required for all labor categories, only for the Program Manager (key personnel).
• Technology and Licenses: Access to Government AI sites will be provided. Contractors are responsible for obtaining and funding any additional sites or licenses they prefer to use, which must be consistent with applicable law and MCEN requirements.
• Data Access: Selected historical data and resources will be provided to the contract team. The Government will provide raw data or by specific custom requests. Access to required datasets, dashboards, and repositories within MCEN will be provided on an as-needed basis, with 15-30 days to meet PWS timelines.
• Evaluation: The Government will employ a Tradeoff analysis of cost or price and non-price factors. Technical factors 1 and 2 combined are significantly more important than price.
• Travel: No travel is expected for this contract; all meetings and working groups will be aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.
• Personnel: All proposed personnel must be CAC eligible at the time of award. CITI training will be required by the contractor if human subject research is conducted.

These clarifications address key aspects of the solicitation, including set-aside status, work location, staffing, technology usage, data access, evaluation criteria, and personnel requirements, providing crucial information for offerors to develop their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation M00264-26-R-0009 serves two primary purposes:

1. Answers to Questions: It incorporates answers to vendor questions received in response to the original solicitation, provided in Attachment 1.
2. CLIN Revisions: It revises CLINs X001 and X002 (Base and Option Years 1-4) to align with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

The following CLINs/SLINs/ELINs have been modified:

• CLIN 0001: The description for "Analysis & Assessment" support has been updated to reference PWS para 6.1 (6.1.1 - 6.1.8) instead of para 9.1-9.1.7.
• CLIN 0002: The description for "Policy & Doctrine" support has been updated to reference PWS para 6.2 (6.2.1 - 6.2.10) instead of para 9.1.8, 9.2.7-9.2.9.
• CLIN 1001: Similar to CLIN 0001, the "Analysis & Assessment" description now references PWS para 6.1 (6.1.1 - 6.1.8).
• CLIN 1002: Similar to CLIN 0002, the "Policy & Doctrine" description now references PWS para 6.2 (6.2.1 - 6.2.10).
• CLIN 2001: The "Analysis & Assessment" description is updated to reference PWS para 6.1 (6.1.1 - 6.1.8).
• CLIN 2002: The "Policy & Doctrine" description is updated to reference PWS para 6.2 (6.2.1 - 6.2.10).
• CLIN 3001: The "Analysis & Assessment" description is updated to reference PWS para 6.1 (6.1.1 - 6.1.8).
• CLIN 3002: The "Policy & Doctrine" description is updated to reference PWS para 6.2 (6.2.1 - 6.2.10).
• CLIN 4001: The "Analysis & Assessment" description is updated to reference PWS para 6.1 (6.1.1 - 6.1.8).
• CLIN 4002: The "Policy & Doctrine" description is updated to reference PWS para 6.2 (6.2.1 - 6.2.10).

Bidders should review the revised CLIN descriptions and ensure their proposals reflect these changes. The addition of "Amend 0001 Attachment 1" provides clarification on specific questions, which may impact proposal content. All other terms and conditions of the original solicitation remain in effect.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for Training and Education Command (TECOM) Human Performance Branch (HPB) Support Services. The government intends to award a single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for a 7-month base period and four 12-month option periods, with a potential for a 6-month extension under FAR clause 52.217-8.

The core services involve providing support in the development, modification, validation, and analysis of physical fitness programs and readiness. Additionally, services include support in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Power BI, and Power Automation to create interactive visualizations in reports and dashboards. These services are detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: 7-month base period, four 12-month option periods, and a potential 6-month extension.

• Offer Due Date: April 30, 2026, 10:00 AM EST.

• Questions Due Date: April 7, 2026, 10:00 AM EST, submitted via email.

• Proposals must be submitted via email and adhere to specific formatting requirements (e.g., paper size, font, margins, page numbering).

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach (most important), Past Performance (significant importance), and Price.

• A tradeoff analysis will be employed, meaning the lowest priced offer may not be selected if a higher-rated proposal offers better overall value.

• NAICS Code: 541611 (Management Consulting Services)

• Size Standard: USD 24,500,000.00

• The solicitation is set aside for "UNRESTRICTED" but also indicates "100 % FOR: NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION STANDARD (NAICS): 541611". Further clarification on set-aside status may be needed.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including those related to safeguarding covered defense information and cyber incident reporting (DFARS 252.204-7012).

• Specific instructions for offer format, content, and submission are detailed in the addendum to FAR 52.212-1.

• Attachments include a Past Performance Questionnaire, Assessor Past Performance Questionnaire, Pricing Sheet, and the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 4, a pricing template for the solicitation M00264-26-R-0009. It is intended for offerors to complete all unfilled CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) for all periods of performance.

• CLINs: Includes CLIN descriptions such as 'Analysis & Assessment' and 'Policy & Doctrine'.
• CLIN Type: Specifies 'FFP' (Firm-Fixed-Price).
• Quantity and Unit: Details quantities and units (e.g., Months) for each CLIN.
• Periods of Performance: Provides columns for Base Period Price, Option Period One Price, Option Period Two Price, Option Period Three Price, and Option Period Four Price.
• FAR 52.217-8: A column is included for this FAR clause.
• Offeror Information: A space is provided for the 'Insert Offeror's Name'.
• Auto-populated Fields: Indicates that '*Performance Period Total:' and '*TOTAL EVALUATED PRICE:' are auto-populated.

Bidders must use this template to provide their pricing for all CLINs across all contract periods. The template requires the offeror to fill in pricing details for the base period and four option periods. The total evaluated price will be calculated based on the information provided in this sheet.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide technical, analytical, and administrative support to the Training and Education Command (TECOM) Human Performance Branch (HPB) for the development, revision, analysis, and validation of physical readiness testing, policies, doctrine, publications, and training standards for the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Programs (MCPFP) and the Marine Corps Total Fitness (MCTF) strategy.

• Support the development, modification, validation, and analysis of physical fitness programs and readiness tests (e.g., MOS Specific Physical Standards, Physical Fitness/Combat Fitness Tests, Initial Strength Assessment, MOS Classification Standards).

• Prepare and provide data analysis findings, including trend analysis reporting.

• Develop methodologies and tools to validate current requirements and assist in developing new ones.

• Support the development of executive briefs, information papers, and policy documents.

• Monitor various physical readiness programs (PFT/CFT, Water Survival, Martial Arts, Force Fitness Instructor, Sports Medicine, Body Composition, Resiliency).

• Support the development and review of physical fitness policies, doctrine, and publications (manuals, guidebooks, tactical and reference publications).

• Support communication strategy initiatives, including the HPB website and social media.

• Utilize AI, Power BI, and Power Automation for data analysis and visualization.

• Contractor will provide a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) within 14 business days of award, with quarterly updates and an annual recap.

• Monthly reports detailing work accomplished, deliverables, concerns, and financial milestones are required.

• Deliverables are generally due within 14 business days of receipt, with a 10-day turnaround for revisions.

• Performance will be evaluated based on accuracy (95% target) and timeliness.

• Base period of seven months, plus four 12-month option periods. Services may be extended up to an additional 6 months.

• Primary work location is contractor-provided space; government space available as needed.

• Contractor personnel require Common Access Cards (CACs) and must meet eligibility criteria.

• Contractor personnel are prohibited from forwarding their .mil email accounts.

• All information must remain on the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) unless approved otherwise.

• This is a non-personal services contract; the government will not supervise contractor employees.

• Contractor personnel must be U.S. owned and operated; subcontractors must also be U.S. owned and operated.

• Contractor personnel must have documented professional knowledge of Marine Corps leadership, culture, fitness standards, human subjects research, data analysis, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and nutrition principles.

• Government retains unlimited rights to all data, materials, and works developed under this contract.

• Contractor must comply with DFARS clauses related to intellectual property and data rights.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 2, a Past Performance Questionnaire. It is designed to be filled out for each past performance reference provided by a potential bidder. The questionnaire collects detailed information about the bidder's performance on previous contracts.

• Referenced Contract Data: Requires details such as Contractor Name, Contract Number, Client/Agency, Type of Contract, Total Dollar Value, Period of Performance, and Program Title.
• Contractor Role: Specifies whether the bidder was a PRIME or SUBCONTRACTOR.
• CPARS Reference: Indicates if the contract is referenced in official CPARS.
• Termination History: Notes any terminations for Convenience or Default.
• Requirement Description: Asks for a description of work performed, responsibilities, deliverables, performance measures, and any issues encountered.
• Relevance to Current Requirement: Prompts for descriptions of how the scope, size, and complexity of the past work are similar to the current opportunity.
• Subcontractor Scope: Details the specific aspects of the solicitation the subcontractor is proposed to perform.
• Contact Information: Requires contact details for the reference or assessor.
• Role and Period of Involvement: Asks to identify the role and period of involvement for key personnel such as PCO, COR, Technical Project Lead, etc.

This questionnaire is crucial for bidders to document and present their past performance effectively. It guides them on the specific information the government requires to evaluate their experience and capability. Completing this accurately and thoroughly will be essential for proposal preparation and evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Assessor Past Performance Questionnaire Template" provided as an attachment to the solicitation. It is designed to collect feedback from government personnel who have experience with an Offeror/Major Subcontractor on a previous relevant contract. The questionnaire is used to verify and document the Offeror's past performance.

• Sections I & II: To be completed by the Offeror/Major Subcontractor and provided to the assessor. Section II requires validation by the assessor.
• Sections III-VII: To be completed in their entirety by the assessor, including Assessor Information, Evaluation Definitions, Performance Evaluation (Quality, Schedule, Management), Overall Rating, and General Comments.
• Evaluation Definitions: Provides clear definitions for performance ratings ranging from Exceptional to Unsatisfactory.
• Performance Evaluation: Detailed sections for assessing Quality of Performance, Schedule Performance, and Management Performance, with specific sub-elements and rating scales.
• Submission Instructions: Offerors must submit Sections I and II of all completed questionnaires with their quotation by the solicitation closing date. Assessors are instructed to email completed questionnaires to specific USMC email addresses.

This questionnaire is critical for bidders as it outlines the specific criteria and rating scales the government will use to evaluate their past performance. Understanding these requirements will help bidders prepare their submissions and ensure they provide relevant information to their assessors. The document also specifies the process for submitting this information as part of the overall quotation.