1202SC21Q0001 Type 2 - Round 1 Q and A.pdf

1202SC21Q0001 - Type 2 Crew Q&A #1

***Note these questions and answers are for clarification only and do not constitute a change. Any change to the requirement/solicitation will be addressed in amendment 1 and the conformed solicitation.

1. Question: I’m looking at the type 2 crew BPA and I’m wondering where we would roster our

Modules? We do not configure as a “crew” simply because the need for modules are similar and it’s much easier for us to mobilize. For the 2021 season and into the future what are your suggestions for rostering modules under similar BPAs for regional/national wildfire support?

Answer: The Type 2 Firefighter Crew BPA does not have a module component. The BPA is for 20-person Type 2 Firefighter Crews and modules will not be considered.

2. Question: Is it a correct assumption on my part that the only optional item for T2 crews is a leaf blower? I see no mention of chainsaws or other equipment e.g. drip torches etc.

Answer: See amendment 1, optional items are no longer part of this requirement.

3. Question: In reference to B.3 Will the total number of crews per HUCC be determined and published prior to 2/24? Is Government waiting after bid submission due date to decide crews per HUCC?

Answer: The Government does not intend to limit the number of crews per HUCC.

However, as stated in E.3(b)(1) The number of BPAs awarded will be determined based upon historical usage and other relevant data such as predictive services information, available personnel to administer agreements, etc.

4. Question: In reference to B.5.1

Is Government expecting a singular hourly rate for all crews offered? I would like the flexibility to bid DPL specific rates because we have different operating costs at each DPL.

Answer: The Government is not asking for the same price at every location. However, if you are offering crews at different locations with different prices then B.5 will need to be submitted for each crew. Note: You must provide an identifier to delineate between your company’s different crews, i.e. XYZ – Crew 1, XYZ – Crew 2 etc.

5. Question: In reference to C9. (B)

I am confused by what 90 days of performance means. Is a "performance day" equivalent to "a day on incident"? Does this 90-day moratorium on overhead personnel shift reset every contract year?

Answer: The 90 days of performance starts when the contractor is given a Notice to Proceed. The 90-day period is from notice to proceed and will not apply each year.

However, you will be required to comply with the requirements of the clause at Section C.9 Key Personnel throughout the life of the BPA. Subparagraph (b) of that section states that after the initial 90-day period the contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) prior to making any permanent substitutions.

6. This question is regarding section c.9 Key Personnel. Our question is this, section (b) of c.9 states that there shall be no substitutions of key personnel. If crew 1 & 2 are stationed at a dispatch and a squad boss from crew 1 is not able to go , a squad boss from crew 2 would not be able to replace for the first 90 days, correct? The first 90 days of performance would commence the first day the crew is called out to assignment or upon approval of contract?

Answer: Key personnel are not interchangeable between contracts or line items. NOTE:

see Solicitation 1202SC21Q0001 Amendment 1 Conformed 2-3-21 as FFT1/Squad Bosses are no longer defined as key personnel. The Crew Boss on the Type 2 Crew BPA is the only identified Key Personnel requirement.

7. Question:

Section E.2 ii technical instructions (ii) Organizational experience (page 100) reads in part:

(2) Furnish a list, by year, of all fire suppression, All-Hazard incidents and Project Work assignments on which you had crews during the last five years (2015-2019).

The specified time period seems to be in conflict (written vs numerical). I assume it should be 2016-2020 instead of 2015-2019 - can you verify?

Answer: This will be removed in amendment 1.

8. Question:

Section E.3 (2) Price (page 106) reads in part:

Rates must be determined fair and reasonable to be considered for an agreement.

Does the USFS have a determined range of rates that it will consider fair or reasonable or a matrix for determining their fairness and reasonableness? If so, can you share this information?

Answer: There is not a determined range of rates or a matrix used for determining fair and reasonableness. Section E.3(a)(2) has been updated in Amendment 1 to read as follows:

Price. An analysis will be conducted on the unit price proposed to determine the demonstrated understanding of the level of effort and equipment needed to successfully perform these services. Fair and Reasonableness will be determined by comparing current competition, historical data, and the Government Estimate. Rates must be determined fair and reasonable to be considered for an agreement.

9. Question:

Section E.3 (b) basis for award (page 106) states in part:

(1) The Government will award enough BPAs anticipated to meet incident resource needs resulting from this solicitation to responsible quoters whose quotes conforming to the solicitation will be advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

Has the USFS determined the number of resources that it will need to meet anticipated incident resource needs? If so, how many type 2 crews does it anticipate needing?

Answer: The Government has not set a limit on the numbers of BPA’s that will be awarded. However, as stated in E.2(b) of the solicitation the number of BPAs awarded will be determined based upon historical usage and other relevant data such as predictive services information, available personnel to administer agreements, etc.

10. Are newly formed Organizations going to be considered or excluded?

The Firm’s experience is the Owner of the firm and is the Key Personnel (Crew Boss with experience with T2-IA Crews since 2003). I can provide more than enough key personnel but no experience as an organization, although I run several other businesses. Is this sufficient to satisfy the Organizational Experience requirement?

Answer: See Solicitation 1202SC21Q0001 Amendment 1 Conformed. The Government will no longer be evaluating organizational experience for the Type 2 Crew BPA, this factor has been updated to Key Personnel:

E.3(a)(1)(ii) now states:

Key Personnel. The Government will evaluate your ability to furnish the required minimum qualified Key Personnel identified in Section C.9. Quotes not providing sufficient Key Personnel will receive a no go rating for this subfactor.

11. In the Type 2 Agreement it is Page 57 Under Additional Requirement (1).

The question is why there is a different standard for these two when the VIPR agreement refer you back to the agency and we were told that if topics are covered a minimum of 4 hours is acceptable. Also, BIA and BLM as well as ODF requirements for RT 130 are minimum of 4. The issue is that if you train to BIA/BLM/ODF standard and then that person is hired or utilized under the USFS Type 2 or Type 2 IA do they have to go back and do two additional hours even if all topics were covered.

The PMS 901-1 refers you to the Red Book for minimum hours and there is no reference into the minimum hours required.

So, while this is not a new requirement in the Type 2 IA it raises issue with different standards for different federal agencies and even different forms of contracting within the USFS. We want to be able to tell our instructors what they should train to so vendors are complying, but with the very vague reference that makes it hard to do. If someone could show us the reference for the 6-hour requirement it would be helpful. Also, what standard does the agency train to?

Thank you for assistance in this matter and helping clarify what the minimum standards or if it is intentional to have higher standards in these particular contracts/agreements.

Answer: The minimum requirement for RT-130 is required to cover the core topics as outlined in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations. This has been updated in amendment 1:

Forest Service Fireline Safety Refresher Training Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training (RT-

130) is required for all positions as identified in FSFAQG and the Wildland Fire Qualifications System Guide (NWCG 310-1). Forest Service has extended this requirement to 13 months.

Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training is provided in order to recognize hazards and mitigate risk, maintain safe practices and to reduce accidents and near misses. The intent of the annual fireline safety refresher training is to focus suppression and prescribed fire personnel on operations and decision-making issues related to incident safety. Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training must include the following core topics: Core Topics Examples Avoiding Entrapments Use training and reference materials to study the risk management process as identified in the Incident Response Pocket Guide as appropriate to the participants, e.g., LCES, Standard Firefighting Orders, Eighteen Watch Out Situations, Wildfire Decision Support System (WFDSS) direction, Fire Management Plan priorities, etc. Current Issues Review and discuss identified “hot topics” as found on the current Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) website. Review forecasts and assessments for the upcoming fire season and discuss implications for firefighter safety. Fire Shelter Review and discuss last resort survival including escape and shelter deployment site selection. Conduct “hands-on” fire shelter inspections.

Practice shelter deployments in applicable crew/module 18 configurations. Other Hazards and Safety Issues Choose additional hazard and safety subjects, which may include SAFENET, current safety alerts, site/unit specific safety issues and hazards. These core topics must be sufficiently covered to ensure that personnel are aware of safety concerns and procedures and can demonstrate proficiency in fire shelter deployment. The Forest Service has No minimum refresher training hour requirements. Core topics shown above should reflect the quality of the material used and not the quantity. Further guidance can be found in the most current version of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations located on the Forest Service Fire & Aviation Management Publications website:

http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/publications/index.html Additional information can be found on the Wildland Fire Safety Training (WFSTAR) website: http://www.nifc.gov/wfstar/index.html

12. B.5 Schedule of items states in part:

Offerors are required to completely fill out a copy of this form for each CLIN/T2C offered. A single crew can only be offered at one HUCC. Offeror limits their offer to a maximum award of no more than ________ Type 2 Crews.

Question: In a scenario where a firm is offering multiple crews at multiple HUCCs, should the line item that reads “Offeror limits their offer to a maximum award of no more than ________ Type 2 Crews” be filled out by specifying the maximum number of crew awards that the firm is willing to accept for each individual HUCC/DDP or the total number of contract awards that the firm is willing to accept (all CLINs/DDPs combined)?

Answer: Offerors should specify maximum per HUCC/DDP and total.

http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/publications/index.html http://www.nifc.gov/wfstar/index.html

13. Can a firm offer the same crew(s) for multiple CLINS, and have the government decide where to award the crew(s) or can a crew only be offered at one CLIN (HUCC)?

Answer: Each crew shall be identified in the offer specifically and may only be offered at one HUCC. The offeror must choose the specific location it wishes to be considered for.

14. If an Offeror is offering three crews (per say) from a single DDP (and for the same HUCC/CLIN), does the offer need to include three separate identical forms B.5 Schedule of items (one for each crew being offered) or can a single form be provided covering the three crews at the same

DDP/CLIN?

Answer: If the pricing is the same only one B.5 needs to be submitted. However, you must specifically identify the crews being offered.

15. The schedule of items (B.5.1) asks for the DDP address, but it does not request a CLIN/HUCC for the offer. Can the offeror specify what HUCC/CLIN it would like its crews to be considered for, or will this be determined exclusively by the USFS?

Answer: You must specify the DDP address that is relative for the CLIN/HUCC being offered. The Government will not choose a location for you. You must specify where you want your crew considered.

16. There are locations that are within the specified radius for award of multiple HUCCs, can a firm that has multiple crews at a DDP in this situation offer crews to different HUCCs from the same location? If so, how would the HUCC selection be identified by the Offeror on his/her offer?

Answer: A specific DDP could host multiple crews for different CLIN/HUCC(s) if the distance requirements are met. As stated previously you will need to identify your crews and specify which CLIN/HUCC you want that specific crew considered for.

17. Section B.3 reads in part: the maximum distance is based on the physical address of the HUCC as the starting point to the physical address of each DDP and shall be within the specified air miles listed for each contract line item. Can you share the physical address for each of the HUCCs so we can assess distance from our DDPs?

Answer: The physical address for each HUCC is the dispatch center address.

18. Section C.9 reads in part: During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions. Is the restriction for key personnel substitutions crew specific or company specific? In other words, can key personnel listed under a company be deployed on different crews awarded to that company? Or are key personnel tied to a singular crew or DDP?

Answer: The Key Personnel are specific to the Crew being offered and the CLIN awarded. The Government is evaluating each offer to determine their capability (capacity) to provide the services.

19. Section C.9 specifies procedures for permanent substitutions. Are there any requirements for temporary substitutions?

Answer: All key personnel must be approved for use and will be listed in the crew summary for the CLIN.

20. Exhibit D.9 states in part: RX/Wildland Fire Experience: Provide official experience records &

Education/Required Training: Provide official training documentation. The exhibit has two spreadsheets to fill in the requested information. Would filling in the provided blank spaces be considered as meeting the requirement of providing official experience records and official training documentation or do copies of CTRs/Crew Performance Ratings and copies of training certificates need to be submitted with each Resume?

Answer: The information requested is required for verifications of key personnel. The Employee Wildland Fire Experience lists all the experience for individuals fire assignments, not just the experience needed for this contract. This form along with the template provides the information needed for validation. The training certificates (or certified list), Task book Initiation page, Certification page and Evaluation pages are also required. The forms provided in the Exhibits are to facilitate the verification of Key Personnel. If your firm has a form that provides at least the same information requested in the Exhibit it may be used in substitution.

21. Section E.2 reads in part: (i) Format: All submittals shall be in Adobe Acrobat (pdf).

Our firm is planning on offering crews that number in the dozens – this presents a particular challenge in terms of file size. The quote is to be submitted via email which limits the file size.

Drafting resumes for each of the key personnel on each crew and the large number of crew performance evaluations to be submitted as part of the technical proposal required items poses a real risk that the scanned file size will not be small enough to fit in a single email – will the USFS accept bids broken down into multiple emails or accept compressed zip files?

Answer: Offers can be submitted in separate emails but documents must be listed as parts (i.e. 1 of XX, 2 of XX, etc). Zip files are also acceptable as long as the file naming convention is followed.

22. Section E.9 requests the offeror’s certification regarding the use of H2B workers. Can the answer to this section be changed after award? If a firm is currently not an H2B visa employer but becomes one within the term of the contract it would be helpful to be able to modify this response to be able to employ those workers on wildland firefighting as well.

Answer: No. This certification is required at time of award and applies to the life of the

BPA.

23. Does this section (E.9) need to be filled out and submitted with quote?

Answer: Yes. As required by E.2(b)(iii)

24. Are MSPA certificates of registration required with quote or can they be provided after bid closing date/time?

Answer: A valid certificate will need be submitted if it applies, and the proper certification in Section E.9 of the solicitation.

25. Section E.4 For bidders that have completed their annual representations and certifications through SAM, does any portion of Section E.4 need to be submitted with quote?

Answer: Yes. All of E.4 shall be submitted. However, the first paragraph of E.4 provides direction for what parts must be filled out if the offeror has or has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in the system for award management.

26. The solicitation states that the same crew(s) can be offered for both the Type 2 Fire Crew and

Type 2IA Fire crew contracts, but that the crew can only be awarded a contract under one solicitation. The solicitations also allow for extra (alternate) personnel (1 CRWB & 1FFT1/ICT5 per crew). Can personnel that is needed to meet minimum crew standards under the Type 2 Firefighting crew Agreements be also listed as alternate personnel on the Type 2IA Firefighting Crew contract.

Answer: No. Key personnel are not interchangeable.

27. How will USFS handle situations where the same key personnel are listed on multiple company quotes? Will the personnel be allowed to be listed on multiple companies’ rosters and considered for award for the multiple companies listing them? If not, how will the issue be resolved?

Answer: No. Key personnel are not interchangeable. If the situation were to occur the Government would seek a letter of commitment from the individual in question.

28. Question: Chainsaw kits are critical to all fire crews. Not requiring a contractor to have four saws compromises the crew's safety and other firefighters working with that crew. We are asking the government to require chainsaws similar to the Type 2IA.

Answer: See amendment 1 changing the saw requirements for Type 2 Crews.

29. Question: Do we need to resubmit qualification and training information on each FFT1 & CRWB on the previous contract and MODS for the key personnel on this contract?

Answer: Yes. This solicitation stands on its own. The Type 2 Crew requirement is new to USDA Forest Service. The required information is utilized to determine acceptability.

Without sufficient documentation the qualification/training/experience of your key personnel cannot be determined. Furthermore, amendment 1 removes FFT1 from the key personnel requirement. However, they are still required for performance but will not be verified or evaluated.

30. Question: Can we submit the training documents pertinent to advancement from their previous position only?

Answer: See answer to question 29 above.

31. Question: Regarding RX training, for documentation, are we able to submit Fire Histories?

Answer: This question is not clear as RX training does not apply to this solicitation. If one were to assume you meant RX/Wildland Fire Experience instead then the answer is: Fire history may be used to represent fire experience as long as the same information is provided as listed on the Exhibit D.9 Key Personnel Resume Template.

32. Question: Is the requested information only pertinent to the supervisory position qualification?

e.g., all required Rx/Wildfire prerequisites and training used for position advancement?

33. Question: Do we need to include all certifications for names submitted?

Answer: Only certification relative to the requirements of this solicitation will be considered.

34. Question: Are these only records reviewed for leadership advancement, e.g., CRWB, FFT1?

Answer: Key personnel requirements are only needed for initial proposal and any substitution in accordance with the key personnel clause. This agreement does not provide for leadership advancement unless a substitution is required.

35. Question: What is the period time you are requesting, 3, 5, 7 years back?

36. Question: In the first column, "job code," what is the required input on the form?

Answer: this column is optional.

37. Question: Are public agencies such as fire districts and other municipalities available to bid within the confines of this solicitation?

Answer: This requirement is set-aside for small businesses. Public entities will not be considered for award under this agreement. Public agencies are typically handled through the cooperative fire agreement.

38. Question: Is there going to be a price cap. We need to know if we need to come in under the type 2 IA national rate.

Answer: There are no price caps associated with this requirement. A price analysis will be conducted (in accordance with Section E.3 (2)) on the unit price proposed to determine the demonstrated understanding of the level of effort and equipment needed to successfully perform these services. Fair and Reasonableness will be determined by comparing current competition, historical data, and the Government Estimate. Rates must be determined fair and reasonable to be considered for an agreement.

39. Question: Do our crews dispatch 100 “air” miles from host unit coordination center? Will this be similar to the VIPER distance from HUCC?

Answer: In accordance with section B.3 of the solicitation “For purposes of establishing the Designated Dispatch Point (DDP), the maximum distance is based on the physical address of the HUCC as the starting point to the physical address of each DDP and shall be within the specified air miles listed for each contract line item”.

40. Question: Do we have to have a physical DDL address?

Answer: I am not sure what a DDL address is. However, as specified in Section D.1.9 of the solicitation the Designated Dispatch Point (DDP) is the physical address provided by the contractor where the T2C personnel and equipment must be located to be available for dispatch.

41. Question: Do we need to provide key person resume’s for only one HUCC?

Answer: Sufficient documentation shall be submitted to provide the Government to determine an offerors ability to meet the stated minimum requirements of the solicitation. If you are proposing more that one crew, then you will need to submit sufficient documentation to represent your ability to fulfill any number of crews you wish to be considered for, regardless of HUCC.

42. Question: In table D1, required hand tools, it does not list chainsaws, are the type 2 crews unable to carry and use powered chainsaws?

Answer: See answer to Question 28.

43. Question: Will position on the dispatch priority list be based on past performance and experience or will it be based solely on price?

Answer: The dispatch priority list will be created in accordance with Section C.24 (b)(2).

44. Question: In the T2 crew Solicitation there is no requirement to have chainsaws, Chainsaws are a vital part of firefighting. We provide a better value to the government by coming equipped with power saws.

The questions are:

Can we get language put in the solicitation to either require or allow us to bring and use powers saws? Or get saws added to the optional items list? In our opinion requirement is the better option for the industry due to the fact that the standard was already in place(for many years) for contract crews to show up with saws.

Answer: See answer to Question 28.

45. Question: Do we need a physical address at the time of quote submittal or do we have a time limit to establish an address after award…? pre-crew availability?

Answer: An approved DDP address will need to be provided before the crew can be statused as available.

46. Question: What is your contractual stance on Self-sufficiency? Can the government or Incident request/order the crew come or /be self-sufficient? Self-sufficiency is not called out in the T2C BPA ...Again the ability to be self-sufficient: equals a better value to the government and has been an industry standard and expectation for many years.

Answer: It is not the Governments intent to require self-sufficiency from contracted resources. Crews awarded under this agreement will be required to provide food and drink for the first date of dispatch, and the Crew boss will need to have the ability to pay for lodging and meals if not provided by the Government. Reimbursement to the contactor will be in accordance with Section C.25 if allowable.

47. Question: The Central Oregon Dispatch Center (Prineville HUCC) Moved to the Redmond Air

Center in May of 2017 which potentially changes the 100-air mile circle.

Answer: This has been updated to Redmond, OR in Amendment 1.

48. Pertains to both Type 2 and Type 2 IA Solicitations Hypothetical We quote Joe Smith CRWB as Key personal as NCC Type 2 IA---- Redmond, Ore. and you award us this National T2IA Crew. At the same time, because we don’t know if we are going to be awarded the T2IA Redmond Crew, We use Joe Smith CRWB as T2C Key personnel, we cannot replace nor change any Key personnel for the first 90 days.

Joe Smith cannot perform on two contracts at the same time.

Will you allow us to re-adjust after awarded if any Type 2 IA?

Answer: See answer to question 29.

49. Question: Page 1 #23 Unit Price #24 Amount – Is this supposed to be a list for each crew proposed?

Answer: Items 19-24 on page 1 are covered by Section B of the solicitation.

50. Question: Page 3 and 4 Reference the Host Unit Coordination Centers. However, no physical address for each Center was provided.

Answer: See answer to question 17.

51. Question: Page 5 – Where do we indicate, on this form, which HUCC we are offering each crew for? What if a DDP is within 100 miles of multiple HUCCs?

Answer: You will submit a form for each HUCC identifying specifically (with a unique identifier for your company i.e. XYZ Company Crew 1) for which you wish to be considered. If your pricing is different then you will need to submit separate forms for each crew at each HUCC.

52. Question: Page 5 5.3 Unsure of the “identifiers i.e. crew-xx”, to fill in this area, please offer a more specific example.

Answer: See answer to question 52.

53. Question: Page 6 5.4 In regards to the listing of key personnel for each crew proposed, is there a limit of squad bosses and crew bosses that can be listed? (As this is not a National 2 Type IA agreement, underlining no guarantee, this limits the ability to send out crews, on the basis of i.e.

family emergencies.

Answer: See answer to question 6.

54. Question: You ask the WCFT and Refresher Training to be listed; however some workers were waived with a signed form for training due to COVID-19. How are these workers to be listed?

List the waiver date or refresher 2019 dates?

Answer: Any worker having a requirement waived for training due to Covid-19 will receive consideration for award. However, all valid training must be submitted prior to performance. There is no waiver for calendar year 2021.

55. Question: ODF and Washington DNR, are they able to utilize these crews on their fires as well?

Answer: Please refer to Section C.24(a) for agencies authorized to order.

56. Question: Page 21 Where did the wage determinations for Crew Boss, FFT-1 and FFT-2 come from? They are not listed on D.8 .

Answer: The statement in C.3 is for information only. You must refer to Section D.8 to find the minimum requirements to be compliant with the service contact act. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure they are compliant with the service contract act.

57. Question: Page 24 C.9 (b) (90) clarification and / or definition of “days of performance” No substitutions, is that counted 90 days post-award or 90 days under hire?

Answer: See the answer to question 5.

58. Question: Page 24 C.11 (a) In regards to allowing Contractors to add additional crews to their agreement, does this include adding additional locations?

Answer: See answer to question 3. The evaluation will be the same as the initial

59. Question: How are personnel elevated from one position to another, if there is no file inspection? Is a new key personnel form (B.5.4) submitted, if yes to the latter, by whom?

Answer: See answer to question 34.

60. Question: Who do we notify of our WFCT? Is there a form to complete?

Answer: Notification of training is not required. However, all training must meet the requirement outlined in Section D.1.5(d)(5) of the solicitation and resultant agreement.

61. Question: Page 52 D.1.1 “Power saws are utilized to clear brush and fall trees that would otherwise provide a canopy of fuel over the fireline…fuels with power saws are typical activities associated with mop-up”. Why are saws not required in this National Type 2 agreement when the listed jobs are performed by type 2 crews?

Answer: See answer to question 28.

62. Question: Page 54 Table D.2 “At least 20% of the crew must have one or more season of experience.” So other than the crew boss and 3 squad bosses, the entire crew can have no experience/is new also known as yellow dot crew members?

Answer: The 20% is the NWCG requirement for Type 2 Crews.

63. Question: Page 62 D.1.9 In regards to the physical address of the DDP, how do we indicate which HUCC this address will be assigned to?

Answer: See answer to question 15.

64. Question: Page 95 Exhibit D.9 Under qualifications: are we to list all of their qualified positions (EX: A Crew Boss: FFT2, FFT1, CRWB)? With Fire Experience, is ALL of their experience required to be listed, since becoming a firefighter? In every position? Or only their current position?

Would additional, (Exhibit D.9) forms be attached? Or only fill in the lines provided? Is Education “Subject” for the course name?

Answer: See answer to question 20.

65. Question: Per B.5.1, A single crew can only be offered at each HUCC. Q. If contractor is bidding one-single crew and qualifies for multiple HUCCs, could leadership personnel of the one-single crew be interchangeable between each qualified HUCC?

66. Question: Per B.5.1, A single crew can only be offered at each HUCC. Q. If contractor is bidding multiple crews at one HUCC, could leadership personnel be interchangeable between the multiple crews?

67. Question: Per C.24 Ordering, (b), (5), when a Resources Order (RO) cannot be filled within the jurisdictional HUCC, neighboring HUCCs will be contacted.Q-1. Will the neighboring HUCC be the first closest neighboring HUCC or multiple beyond? Q-2. Up to how many HUCCs could be contacted before the RO is sent back to GACC?

Answer: Neighboring HUCC is a one within proximity (where boundaries touch). The number of Neighboring HUCC’s differ and cannot be specified at any given time. Once orders received at the GACC or NICC the number of fire orders in process and actual fire conditions at the time of dispatch will determine which HUCC is available to fill the order.

68. Question: Per E.3, Evaluation – Commercial Items, (a), (2), (b), Basis of Award, (1). Q-1. Do you have an approximate number of BPA T-2 crew awards?

Answer: See answer to question 3.

69. Question: Per section E.3, Evaluation, (a), (2), Price, (b) Basis of Award, (2), BPAs will be awarded only to quoters with, (i), an overall go rating, and (ii), rates that are determined fair and reasonable. Q-1. If Crew pricing exceeds government’s cap will the Contracting Officer offer or consider negotiations with Contractor before declining award to Contractor? Q-2. Will government disclose price cap, if negotiation is offered?

Answer: See answer to question 38. Quoters are encouraged to submit their best terms up front as the Government may award without further consideration.

70. Question: Per section E.1, General Information, (g): Solicitation states that Air Miles will be measured by DDP/DPL physical address to HUCC physical address. Q. Will HUCCs physical addresses be provided to bidding Contractors before Bid Due Date?

Answer: See answer to question 45.

71. Question: Per section E.1, General Information, (a), effective period of resultant BPA(s) will be from date of award through 31 December 2025 with annual reviews happening around December of every year. Q-1. Will the BPA effective and expiration date be measured the same as BPA Period of Performance?

Answer: The effective period of the BPA is from date of award thru 31 December 2025 with annual reviews happening around December of every year. The period of performance would be relative to the BPA Call/Order not the base BPA.

72. Question: Per section E.1, General Information – Type 2 Firefighter Crews, (g), The Designated

Dispatch Point (DDP) for each crew will be the contractually proved physical location for crew during the BPA period of performance. Q-1. Clarification to “contractually approved” DDL physical location? Q-2. Will there be a requirement for future DDL Inspections similar to past

ODF IFCA?

Answer: See answer to question 45. Please see Section D.1.22 in regard to pre-use inspections. Any requirement related to the ODF IFCA agreement not stated in this solicitation or resultant agreement does not apply.

73. Question: Per C.9 Key Personnel: During first 90-days of Performance, no substitutions of Key

Personnel are allowed.

Q-1. How does government measure the first 90-days?

Answer: See answer to question 5.

Q-2. Will Contractor be allowed to add qualified leadership personnel to Table of qualified leadership personnel, following BPA award and during Period of Performance for 2021 Fire Season?

Answer: Only 1 primary CRWB and 1 alternate CRWB will be listed for each crew awarded. Any substitution or replacements must meet the requirements outlined in section C.9.

74. Question: Per C.24, (7), (d) Timeliness. Q-1. Will the same timeframe per C.24, (7), ( c ), (1) apply? i.e., 1-hour confirmation of availability and 2-hours maximum to begin travel following confirmation of availability.

Answer: Yes.

75. Question: In the past, ODF PCSU monitored qualifications of hand crew personnel, number of personnel for crew strength, and training dates via Company Manifest submittal by a specified due date. Q-1. Will BPA/CO require submittal of Company Manifest in the same manner as ODF PCSU under the IFCA?

Answer: The manifest is required to be submitted to the HUCC, Finance Section and Planning Section per the solicitation and resultant agreement, if the CO requires a copy it will be requested separately.

76. Question: Per Exhibit D.9, Key Personnel Resume Template of solicitation. Q-1. Will VIPR IBPA

Training and Experience Sheets suffice for Exhibit D.9 form of T2 Solicitation?

Answer: If the experience is relative to the position requirements it will be considered.

77. Question: If we have more than one crew out of the same HUCC can we use the same overhead between the crews? Say one crew gets called for IA at 5 am on a Sunday and two squadboss’s don’t answer their phones, but other are available and willing to fill the position that are listed on another crew out of the same HUCC - can we use this overhead to fill in? Also, if a crew is out but needs an FFT1 substitution to stay out- can we substitute overhead from another crew out of the same HUCC?

78. Question: Can we have additional overhead on crews? We are only allotted one extra crewboss and one extra squadboss per crew - often we’ve had additional overhead in the past.

Answer: See answer to question 74.

79. Question: Will invoices still be closed out at incidents? Or will we be expected to submit invoices for all fires in the future?

Answer: yes

80. Question: Can we get clarification on the fringe? Is it $4.54 or do we fit under the EO 13706 at

$4.22 an hour.

Answer: The EO applies to any solicitation or contract/agreement issued or awarded after January 1, 2017. Therefore, the EO applies to this requirement.

81. Question: If we do not house migrant workers, do we still need that endorsement on our MSPA license? It has not been required in past IFCA contracts.

Answer: If you are not housing MSPA or H-2B workers then the endorsement is not required.

82. Question: Who will inspect files for overhead sign offs? Can it be done by any qualified coach/instructor or does it have to be a USFS representative?

Answer: Any key personnel substitution/replacement must be submitted to the contracting officer in accordance with section C.9 of the solicitation/resultant agreement.

83. Question: On C. 24 © 1. Will all dispatches be immediate? Often we’ve gotten dispatches for the next day in the past.

Answer: The date and time needed of the dispatch will be determined at time of request of the resource.

84. Question: Travel time calculated at 1.10 seems unreasonable for 20 people in 4 vehicles. Gas stops and bathroom stops take more time than a 10% buffer. Is it possible to get an increase in the travel time calculation? I think 1.25 is a lot more reasonable for that many people/vehicles.

Answer: The Government has determined this as the most reasonable and effective way to calculate travel time on this requirement. Google maps takes into consideration bathroom breaks, fuel stops, and road/traffic conditions. Furthermore, you can specify the date and time the travel will begin. The additional 10% is provided due to there being more than one vehicle. This calculation is used to determine the amount of compensation received for travel time being paid at a fully burdened suppression rate.

The calculation will remain 110%.

85. Question: In C.25 (d), can the verbage be changed to “The Contractor shall be given 24 hours or time frame…”? California is notoriously hard on inspections, especially for equipment.

That is a long way to drive for us if they aren’t going to give us 24 hours to fix small issues.

Answer: It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that they are always compliant with the requirements of their contract/agreement. This language will not be changed from its current written form.

86. Question: Is the CONUS rate of $96 for lodging on page 43 is for single occupancy, correct?

Answer: This rate is correct for single occupancy. The rate may double if rooms are occupied at double occupancy.

87. Question: C.24 (b): Will you consider that there should be a company rotation of up to the top 5 lowest price/best value contractors when establishing the host dispatch priority list?

This will help to keep companies in business even during the slow years.

Answer: No. See answer to question 43 on how DPL’s will be created.

88. Question: C.29 h 2 (a): Will the CONUS rate for different areas apply? Can this section state to use the CONUS rate for whatever location you are in? This section lists the standard CONUS rate and does not say anything about following the CONUS rate in a location if it is higher than the standard CONUS rate. The standard CONUS rate for lodging and meals would not be enough in many locations. Example: tourist locations in California.

Answer: This requirement remains unchanged from the previous contract cycle. The Standard Conus Per Diem rates have always been used on this contract. The terms and conditions allow for hotels to go up to double occupancy rate when the rooms are occupied by two individuals. Locality rates will not be used for Per Diem on this contract.

89. Question: C.25.3 Transport of crew vehicles: Can this be changed both on the Type 2 and

Type 2IA “not to exceed 5”, with the rules for Covid-19 many of us are using 5 vehicles?

Answer: The requirement is to remain unchanged.

90. Question: D.1.4, D.1.24 (a): Can 18 crew members be accepted as the Type 2 crew by the Host Unit and Fire Command at the time of dispatch without the intent of bringing crew up to 20 within 24 hours if so, can this language be changed to support that a Type 2 crew can be dispatched and accepted for the duration at 18 – 20 persons without repercussion. This is important for us to be able to get our crews out timely!

Answer: The requirement is for 20 Person crews. Any exception not stated in the solicitation and resultant agreement will not be considered and may be determined non-conforming to the requirements.

91. Question: E.2 (i) Instructions: Would you clarify the requirement “all submittals shall be in Adobe Acrobat pdf” for example if our technical proposal is written in word and excel would a scan copy as a pdf file meet this requirement?

Answer: Scanned documents in pdf format are allowable. However, it is the submitters responsibility to ensure that the document is readable. Zip files are also allowable as long as the file naming convention is followed. See amendment 1.

92. Question: Is it the Governments intent that resource pricing be noted on the resource order by the ordering agency?

Answer: No. That information is contained in the awarded BPA.

93. Question: Will the contracting officer increase the annual rate as wage determinations increase?

Answer: No. Any new wage determinations will be incorporated during the annual review process. At this time the contractor may adjust pricing, and if found to be fair and reasonable the agreement will continue.

94. Question: Will contractor have 24 hours to backfill behind a failed vehicle inspection? Even rental vehicles have issues.

Answer: The contractor may be given 24 hour to bring noncompliant resource into compliance if its within the Governments best interest.

95. Question: Will small business concerns have an advantage over small business?

Answer: The Government will not give further consideration beyond the small business set-aside.

96. Question: Who will confirm training qualifications?

Answer: See answer to question 29.

97. Question: If we are ordered to rest in camp, can we get 8 hours per day?

Answer: If the requirements for ordered rest are met then the minimum daily guarantee in Section C.25.1 (c) would apply.

98. Question: Can we use Supervision between multiple companies?

Answer: No.

99. Question: Which payment center will oversee payments, since this year there were a lot of confusions as to who the assigned payment center is?

Answer: The payment office will be the jurisdictional agency for the incident.

100. Question: Can we provide photos of our list of equipment/vehicles?

Answer: Photos are not required.

101. Question: Section B.3, HUCC/B.5.3, Offeror Capability- If we only have 1 type 2 hand crew, can that crew be offered at more than 1 HUCC if they are within the maximum air milage radius of each? If so, how do we request that?

Answer: No. A specific crew can only be awarded to one HUCC.

102. Question: Simplified acquisitions, would like a verified amount for simplified acquisitions. Our understanding is that it is for $250K, and we are concerned that a long run might run over that amount.

Answer: The Commercial Item Threshold for this requirement is $7.5M.

103. Question: Can you please clarify. If you promote someone from FFT1 to CRWB can you then swap them in to your primary CRWB position on your existing crew, or do you have to wait until December of 2021?

Answer: IAW Section C.9 Key personnel substitution or replacements must meet the requirements listed in paragraphs b and c of that clause. So unless one of those circumstances necessitate a substitution or replacement then it would not be allowed.

104. Question: If maximum crew capacity is capped (meaning more crews bid than can be administratively handled or needed and Government decides some crews will not receive awards) and crews need to be cut off, how would that look? Would it be a HUCC by HUCC basis?

Would crews be cut based solely off of price, or will experience/past performance be considered in addition to price considerations?

Answer: Again, the Government does not intend to limit awards. However, if the situation would arise then the only determining factor allowable per the evaluation criteria would be price.

105. Question: My firm's experience is with ODF IFCA, and because of that the T2Cs I have ran have used the ICS WF 224 evaluation form (see attached) instead of the federal evaluation form. There are 27 line items that can receive a rating, and the 27 line items are stratified into 5 general categories. Would the Government like to see ratings for all 27 line items for the last 3 years? I was planning on providing an average score for each of the 5 general categories, and then reporting any Needs Improvement line item so that a Needs Improvement rating is not lost in the summarization.

Answer: Please see Section E.2 (b)(ii)(1)(iii) for the requirements to submit past performance information.

106. Question: Will we receive confirmation of bid submission receipt through a manual response from procurement staff or automated reply from the e-mail? Can we call you (Bryce Pitchford) to confirm it has been received?

Answer: It is the offerors responsibility to ensure their offer is submitted with adequate time to make it through the email process. Late deliveries will not be considered.

Offerors may request a confirmation from the CO by email only (bryce.pitchford@usda.gov ) prior to the closing date and time to confirm receipt. This request must specify all parts of the offer submitted i.e. 1 of 5, 2 of 5 etc. if more than one email/document is submitted.

107. Question: On grandfathered files that do not have the incident #, fire size, or fire type.

Do we just omit it or how do we go about it?

Answer: There will be no grandfather exception for this requirement. Please refer to the answer to question 29.

108. Question: From what I understand we do not need to list the name of our alternate CB.

That person or persons can alternate as CB from one crew to our other if bidding two or crews.

The main/key personnel CB has to be a stationary person. Is this correct? So the only documentation I need to include for the key personnel is for my CB’s

Answer: If you wish to list an alternate CRWB then you must submit sufficient documentation for the Government to verify that individual meets the minimum stated requirements. The CRWB position is a key personnel requirement, no individual not listed on the crew summary (primary or alternate) can perform in that position. If you have one alternate CRWB you would submit all information for that individual and state which crew(s) you want that individual to be listed as an alternate. There is not an opportunity to have a pool of alternates, alternates must be assigned to a crew and listed on the crew summary in that manner.

For example if John Smith is listed as an alternate CRWB on XYZ Company – Crew 1, and Dave Jones is listed as an alternate CRWB on XYZ Company – Crew 2, then Dave Jones can only perform on XYZ Company Crew 2 he cannot perform on XYZ Company Crew 1.

However, if John Smith is listed as an alternate CRWB on XYZ Company – Crew 1 and on XYZ Company – Crew 2 then John Smith could perform on either XYZ Company – Crew 1 or XYZ Company - Crew 2.

109. Question: Do we need to only send in the company MSPA card?

Answer: See Section E.9 for the required certification and documentation relative to Employment of Eligible Workers and Workforce Certification.

As stated in the first paragraph of that section contractors are required to provide certification under this solicitation in compliance with MSPA and FLC certificate of registration requirements describing the workforce they will utilize to fulfill the contract requirement under this solicitation and any resulting contract. If the Contractor will mailto:bryce.pitchford@usda.gov supply workers under the H-2B Program, the Contractor is required to provide a copy of the Temporary Employment Certificate issued by DOL.

Furthermore, contractors must check the boxes in section E.9 that are applicable to their certification.

H-2B Workers:

Contractors would either certify they will use H-2B workers or they won’t. Contractors certifying, they will use H-2B workers are required to submit a copy of the Temporary Employment Certificate for those workers.

MSPA Workers:

Contractors would certify they will not use MSPA workers if they do not plan to use them. If they plan to use MSPA workers, then they would certify that they have a valid FLC certificate and would provide a copy of that current certification with the applicable authorizations.

NOTE: If a contractor doesn’t have a current certificate but has applied for one then they would check the corresponding box and provide the date they submitted. Offerors not having a certificate but having applied for one will be considered for award but will not be awarded an agreement unless the certificate is provided prior to award.

110. Question: Is it possible I can still submit my contract even though I am currently waiting for the (WHD530)(FLC) (as a new applicants) Certificate of Registration to get back to me? I have called many times and was told due to COVID-19 it will take time but I wanted to know if I could still submit my contract bid. I have copies of my misa from when I sent them if that will help my process.

Answer: See answer…