Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can use the contract?
   Any U.S federal agency can use the ANSWER contract, even agencies with operations outside of the United States.
   
2. How does a client agency get access to the contract?
   Through GSA or as Direct Order Direct Bill (DODB) with approved Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA).
   
3. What type of work can be performed under the contract?
   IT technology solutions including requirements and design research; analysis and development; software maintenance; and large-scale systems integration, and includes, but is not limited to, the following general technical areas:
• Homeland Security
• Telecommunications
• Information Security
• Modeling and Simulation
• Facilities Management
• TeleMedicine/TeleRadiology
• Systems Development and Integration
• Technology Insertion
• Software Engineering
• Database Development
• Data Mining and Warehousing
• Business Process Reengineering
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Electronic Commerce
• Virtual Private Networks
• Web Development
• Internet/Intranet/Extranet
• Network Design and Support
• Computer-Based Training
• Integrated Logistics Support
4. Are skill levels and rates specified for the contract?
   ANSWER offers a broad spectrum of established labor categories, with rates tailored by region and are discountable to specific market conditions. Furthermore, additional labor categories can be defined, if needed. Rates through December, 2013 are published on the GSA ANSWER Website.
   
5. Can equipment and software be acquired under this contract?
   Yes, in conjunction with the labor component of the task order. ANSWER is a solutions-based contract that allows the contractor to purchase hardware, software, and related supplies critical and related to the services being acquired.
   
6. Is there a prescribed limit to the amount of equipment or software that can be acquired under the contract?
   No. However, materials/equipment are considered incidental to the primary task requirements which are services.
   
7. What is the ceiling for individual task orders?
   There is no ceiling value for individual task orders. The ceiling for the contract is $25 billion over 10 years.
   
8. Does GSA support multi-year task orders under this contract?
   Yes.
   
9. Does the ANSWER contract support classified work?
   Yes. Classification requirements are determined by the end user client and incorporated into the task order by a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification. Task orders have been initiated for classified work up to Top Secret/SCI.
   
10. Does the customer receive small disadvantaged business (SDB), 8-A, and woman owned business credit?
    Yes.
    
11. Is competition required for each task order?
    Yes. Competition is limited to the other nine ANSWER contract holders. Each ANSWER contract holder has an opportunity to submit a proposal unless it falls under one of the following four Exceptions to Fair Opportunity: urgency, only one contractor is capable of performing the service, sole-source, or satisfaction of a minimum guarantee.
    
12. What is the timeline for an RFP response for an ANSWER task order?
    ANSWER proposals typically are submitted no later than five working days after the issue date of the task request, or by date indicated in the RFQ.
    
13. What type of contract is awarded?
    Contracts may be Time and Materials (T&M) and Fixed Price (FP). Fixed Price Incentive (FPI), Fixed Price Award Fee (FPAF), Fixed Price (FPLOE), and labor hour tasks can also be awarded.
    
14. What is the fee structure for the contract?
    SAIC pays the GSA a Contract Access Fee (CAF) of .75 percent of total invoice amount.
    
15. Does SAIC have a specified team of subcontractors?
    No. We form a subcontractor team based on the requirements of each task order request.
    
16. Does the contract have small business subcontracting goals?
    Per section J-8 of the ANSWER contract and in accordance with FAR 19.702(c)), the minimum percentage of subcontracted dollars are as follows:
    • Small Business: 20% of total subcontracted dollars
    • The Small Business portion is distributed as follows:
    • Non-Disadvantaged: 10% of total subcontracted dollars
    • Disadvantaged: 5% of total subcontracted dollars
    • Women-Owned: 5% of total subcontracted dollars
    • Veteran-Owned: 3% of total subcontracted dollars
    • Small Service Disabled Veteran-Owned: 3% of total subcontracted dollars
    • HUBZone: 1% of total subcontracted dollars
17. Are ANSWER task orders protestable?
    The COs selection decision on each task order is not subject to the protest or disputes provisions of the ANSWER contract, except for a protest that the task order increases the scope, period, or maximum value of the contract. Disputes related to other matters affecting the task order award may be directed to the Ombudsman designated for the contract pursuant to the requirements set forth in FAR 16.505(b)(5).