QUESTIONS and ANSWERS 1232SA26Q0891 final.pdf

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Solicitation 1232SA26Q0891

1. Is this contract only for minority own business? Can this contract be sub-contracted to a minority own business?

a. The solicitation is set aside for small businesses. Any category of small business is acceptable.

2. Could you please provide the square footage of the building?

a. Not relevant, these buildings contain many spaces that are not part of the janitorial contract, square footage in the solicitation

3. What is the total square footage of Buildings 1301, 1302, and 374?

a. Not relevant, these buildings contain many spaces that are not part of the janitorial contract, square footage in the solicitation

4. Which specific areas are included in the required cleaning services (offices, laboratories, restrooms, hallways, common areas, etc.)?

a. 1301 - offices, laboratories, restrooms (4, 2 with showers), hallways, common areas, stairwells.

b. 1302 – Hallway

c. 374 - laboratories, locker rooms (4, with interconnecting showers), hallways

– this is within our plant pathogen containment facility

5. Is there a floor plan or detailed cleaning schedule available for each building?

a. For security reasons we do not give out floor plans.

b. Current scheduling consists of 2 days at the 1301/1302 building and 1 day at the 374 building. These are negotiable.

6. Can you please confirm when responses to submitted questions are expected to be provided, and where offerors should check for the official responses or Q&A posting?

a. All questions and answers received will be posted to the solicitation.

7. Can the Government could provide photographs of the facilities, including Buildings

1301, 1302, and 374, to assist offerors in developing accurate and competitive proposals?

a. For security reasons we do not give out floor plans or photos.

8. Daily vs. Weekly Tasks: Section 5.1 (Task 1) identifies services for Buildings 1301 and

1302 as "Twice Weekly," while Section 5.2 identifies services as "Once Weekly."

Given that these facilities contain laboratories and break rooms, can the Government confirm whether any daily services (such as trash removal or high-touch surface disinfection) are required but omitted from the Performance Work Statement, or are these facilities only serviced at the stated weekly frequencies?

a. these facilities only serviced at the stated weekly frequencies

9. Trash Removal: Section 5.2.3 states that trash shall be removed weekly, preferably at the end of the week. Can the Government confirm that trash, including food waste generated in break rooms and restrooms, may remain for several days between scheduled service visits?

a. the Government confirms that trash, including food waste generated in break rooms and restrooms, may remain for several days between scheduled service visits

10. Greenhouse Spaces: Section 1.2 references greenhouse spaces; however, Section 5 does not identify any cleaning requirements specific to these areas. Are there any greenhouse-specific cleaning tasks, such as algae removal, drainage cleaning, or other specialized services?

a. No

11. Building 374 Cleaning Frequency: Task 3 (Section 5.3) specifies once-weekly cleaning for Building 374. Given that this is a high-containment facility, can the Government confirm that this frequency is sufficient to meet the objective of maintaining the facility free from pathogens as described in Section 1.3?

a. the Government confirms that this frequency is sufficient to meet the objective of maintaining the facility free from pathogens as described in Section 1.3

12. Changing and Showering Requirements: Section 1.2 requires contractor personnel to change into Government-provided garments and shower upon exiting the containment area. Should contractors include the time required for changing and showering in their labor estimates? If so, approximately how much time should be allocated per employee for each visit?

a. Yes, we require a minimum of 3 minutes in shower to wash person and hair. I would allocate 15 minutes per person for the changing and showering requirement.

13. Escort Availability: Section 2.1 states that Government escorts will be provided as needed. If an escort is delayed or unavailable, will the Contractor be granted additional time to complete the scheduled work without penalty, or is there an established wait-time procedure?

a. If an escort is delayed or unavailable the Contractor will be granted additional time to complete the scheduled work without penalty.

Communication between contractor(s) and escort are essential.

14. Government-Furnished Garments: The Performance Work Statement indicates that the Government will provide garments for work within the containment area. Will the Government also be responsible for laundering or disposing of these garments, or is that responsibility assigned to the Contractor?

a. the Government is responsible for laundering or disposing of these garments

15. Cleaning Supplies: Section 2.5 states that the Government will provide paper products, soaps, disinfectants, and germicidal detergents. However, Section 4.0 allows the Contractor to provide its own supplies if desired. To ensure all offerors prepare comparable proposals, can the Government confirm whether use of Government-furnished cleaning chemicals is mandatory or optional?

a. Government-furnished cleaning chemicals is mandatory.

16. Equipment Maintenance: Section 2.4 states that the Government will provide vacuum cleaners, floor buffers, and scrubbers. Who is responsible for maintenance and repair of this Government-furnished equipment during normal contract performance?

a. The Government is responsible for maintenance and repair of Government-furnished equipment during normal, proper contract performance.

17. Janitorial Closets: Are janitorial closets in Buildings 1301, 1302, and 374 equipped with mop sinks and floor drains?

a. 1301 – yes

b. 1302 – yes

c. 374 – no specific janitorial closet, but mop sink and floor drains are present

18. Personnel Clearance Timeline: Section 1.6.3 requires a favorable preliminary determination before contract performance may begin. Approximately how long does this process typically take?

a. 60-90 days after properly filled out forms are accepted on average.

19. Contract Manager Availability: Section 1.6.6 requires the Contract Manager or

Alternate to be available from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Does this require physical presence at Fort Detrick during those hours, or is availability by telephone and email acceptable?

a. No, phone and email is acceptable, provided that a qualified on-site supervisor manages daily operational cleaning staff

20. Continuous Vetting Costs: Will the Contractor be responsible for any costs associated with initial trust determinations or Continuous Vetting, or will those costs be borne by the Government?

a. Initial trust determinations or Continuous Vetting costs will be borne by the Government, except for required fingerprinting

21. Flooring Types: Section 3.3.3 references approximately 5,500 square feet of flooring requiring annual stripping and waxing. Can the Government provide a breakdown of the flooring materials (e.g., VCT, epoxy, polished concrete, ceramic tile, etc.)?

a. VCT and concrete flooring

22. Building 374 Safety Considerations: Are there any specific foreign plant pathogens, chemical sensitivities, or unique safety hazards that would require specialized cleaning procedures or personal protective equipment beyond what is furnished by the Government?

a. No.

23. Annual Floor Stripping and Waxing: May the annual floor stripping and waxing be performed during weekends or outside normal operating hours to allow adequate drying and curing time without disrupting Government operations?

a. Yes, scheduled with government escort.

24. Option Year Clarification: Section 1.5 references "Option Year VI," while the text states there are four (4) 12-month option years. Can the Government clarify the intended contract structure (Base Year + 4 Option Years, or another configuration)?

a. Base Year + 4 Option Years with an optional 6 month extension if needed per, FAR 52.217-8

25. Could you please identify the incumbent contractor, the incumbent contract number, and, if applicable, whether the current services are being performed under a bridge contract or other interim contracting vehicle?

a. Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

26. Quote submission. The solicitation gives an email for questions but does not state how to submit the quote. Please confirm the exact email address or portal for quote submission, the required file format, and any page or format limits. Is the quote sent to this same email address?

a. Quote submission information can be found in the solicitation documents.

All submissions should be emailed to shalunda.mix@usda.gov.

27. Limitations on Subcontracting. FAR 52.219-14 is not marked in the clause list. For this Total Small Business Set-Aside, please confirm whether 52.219-14 applies and, if so, the required self-performance percentage.

For a total small business set-aside, FAR 52.219-14 applies, and the prime contractor must self-perform at least 50% of the contract value for services (except construction) to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.

28. Personnel eligibility. PWS 1.6.3 describes a trust determination and suitability process for base access. Please confirm whether U.S. citizenship is required for all contractor personnel, or whether lawful permanent residents or other work-authorized workers are allowed.

a. We are able to employ non-US citizens (Foreign Nationals and/or Lawful Permanent Residents), if approved. The process does take longer.

29. Access timeline. Performance starts September 27, 2026. Please confirm the expected time to complete the trust determination for each worker, who starts and pays for the background check, and whether interim base access is granted so approved staff can begin on the start date while final adjudication is pending.

a. 60-90days after properly filled out forms are accepted on average.

b. Initial trust determinations or Continuous Vetting costs will be borne by the Government, except for required fingerprinting.

c. Start date is only granted once contractor has received a favorable preliminary adjudication, allowing the staff to begin work on site (escorted, as appropriate).

30. Site visit and building data. Because this work is on a secured installation, please confirm whether a site visit will be offered, and if so the date and access steps. If no site visit is planned, please confirm the total cleanable square footage and the access hours for each building (1301, 1302, 374).

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

b. square footage in the solicitation

c. Access hours in the solicitation

31. Wage determination. Please confirm the Service Contract Act wage determination number that applies, and that the current revision is included with the solicitation.

a. Please see attached wage determination posted with the solicitation.

32. Will a site visit be available for prospective offerors?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

33. Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing these services? If so, would the Government provide the incumbent contract number and current annual contract value? Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

34. Approximately how many janitorial personnel are currently assigned to this contract?

a. Contract minimum is 2, current contracts have 2 people assigned.

35. Are laboratory benches, scientific equipment, and research instruments excluded from the contractor's cleaning responsibilities?

a. Yes, laboratory benches, scientific equipment, and research instruments excluded from the contractor's cleaning responsibilities.

36. Can the Government provide an inventory or approximate quantities for:

Restrooms, Toilets Urinals, Handwashing sinks 1301 – 4 restrooms, 8 toilets, 2 urinals, 4 shower stalls, 8 hand washing sinks 374 – 4 locker rooms, 4 toilets, 2 urinals, 4 shower stalls, 4 hand washing sinks 1302 - none

37. Can the Government provide approximate square footage by flooring type (carpet, VCT, ceramic tile, concrete, etc.)?

a. 1301

i. VCT - 14050

ii. Carpet - 3870

iii. Tile - 170

iv. Concrete – 475

b. 1302

i. VTC - 790

c. 374

i. VCT - 55

ii. Carpet - 75

iii. Epoxy - 4450

iv. Concrete – 700

38. Is the contractor responsible only for transporting interior waste to designated collection points, or does the scope include servicing exterior dumpsters?

a. Municipal trash is expected to be put into exterior dumpsters.

39. May routine janitorial services be performed outside normal business hours, or must all work be completed between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.?

a. All routine janitorial services must be completed between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

40. Will the Government provide templates or preferred formats for the required Annual Schedule, Quarterly Schedule, and Quality Control reports?

a. No

41. Will there be a transition period with the incumbent contractor prior to contract commencement?

a. There is not a transition period with the incumbent.

42. For emergency or non-routine cleaning requests outside the PWS, should those services be quoted separately or handled under the fixed-price contract?

a. In the case of emergency or non-routine cleaning requests outside the PWS, services should be quoted separately when requested by CO/POC.

43. Will there be a scheduled site visit for the above project? Can we request one?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

44. Request an expedited public record of the last winning bid for the janitorial services contract. Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

45. We respectfully request an escorted site visit to view the facilities (Buildings 1301, 1302, and 374) in accordance with FAR 52.237-1. Could you please let us know if either of these windows can be accommodated for an escorted walk-through, or if there is an alternative time that works best for the FDWSRU facility staff?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

46. Could you provide the price from the current or previous contractor?

Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

47. The hours allotted for cleaning is between 7am through 4:30pm, are cleaners expected to clean for 9 1/2 hours or when all daily tasks are completed, the cleaners are clear to leave?

a. the cleanings take place at an agreed upon time between those hours and may leave when all tasks are completed.

48. Is it possible to view the buildings prior to submitting the proposal?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

49. Could you provide the price from the current or previous contractor?

Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

50. The hours allotted for cleaning is between 7am through 4:30pm, are cleaners expected to clean for 9 1/2 hours or when all daily tasks are completed, the cleaners are clear to leave?

a. the cleanings take place at an agreed upon time between those hours and may leave when all tasks are completed.

51. Is it possible to view the buildings prior to submitting the proposal?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

52. Is there any contractor currently performing this service?

Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

53. If yes, would you kindly provide us with the Contract number?

54. Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

55. If no, would you kindly provide us with the latest Contract number that has performed this service or similar?

Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

56. Site Visit: Is a site visit being offered or required for this procurement? If so, please provide the date, time, RSVP process, and point of contact. If none is planned, may prospective offerors request an individual site walkthrough of Buildings 1301, 1302, and 374, including the Building 374 high-containment area?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000, visit included non-containment side of

57. Incumbent Contractor/Pricing History: Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing this work, and if so, can historical pricing or staffing levels be shared to support realistic proposal development?

a. Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

b. Contract minimum is 2, current contracts have 2 people assigned.

58. Staffing Levels: Can the Government provide the current or anticipated number of FTEs/labor hours historically used to perform this scope, given the twice-weekly, weekly, quarterly, and annual task frequencies described in the PWS?

a. Contract minimum is 2, current contracts have 2 people assigned.

b. Labor hours between the 2 contracts average 16, new contract has a few new tasks that are not currently accounted for.

59. Security/Suitability Timeline: What is the typical timeline for contractor personnel to complete the trust determination/suitability process required under Section 1.6.3, and can work begin before all personnel are fully cleared?

a. 60-90days after properly filled out forms are accepted on average.

60. High-Containment Facility Access: How many escorted entries per week/month into the Building 374 containment area should we anticipate, and are there limits on the number of personnel requiring containment-area access/training?

a. No limit on number of personnel

b. Minimum of 1x per week, Government does not anticipate needing janitorial services more than 1x per week for Building 374

61. Government-Furnished Equipment Condition: What is the age/condition of the

Government-furnished floor equipment (buffers, scrubbers) referenced in Section 2.4, and is preventive maintenance the contractor's or Government's responsibility?

a. Age: various, average 10+ years

b. Preventative Maintenance is the Government’s responsibility, under normal, proper contract performance.

c. Government requests that contractor inform government POC if there are any issues or PM needs as soon as the issue as been identified.

62. Option Year 1 Delivery Date: The continuation sheet (SF-1449, Page 2) lists a delivery date of 06/01/2026 for Option Year 1, which appears to predate the Base Year period of performance (09/27/2026–09/26/2027) described in the PWS. Please confirm which date governs.

a. Base Year period of performance is (09/27/2026–09/26/2027).

63. Transition Period: Is there an expected transition-in period before the 09/27/2026 start date, and if so, what activities (badging, training, QC Plan approval) must be completed during that window?

Start date is only granted once contractor has received a favorable preliminary adjudication, allowing the staff to begin work on site (escorted, as appropriate). There is not a transition period with the incumbent.

64. FAR 52.237-1 Site Visits is listed in the solicitation provisions.

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

65. Is a site visit available or required for this RFQ? If yes, please provide the date/time, registration procedure, access requirements, and whether attendance is mandatory.

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

66. For Building 374/high-containment areas, should quoters assume Government escorts will be available for all required contractor access, or should contractor personnel obtain any additional clearances/training before performance starts?

a. Government escorts will be available for all required contractor access

67. Does the Government expect contractor personnel to perform any cleaning inside active research laboratories, or are active lab sinks/basins and restricted lab areas excluded as stated/indicated in the PWS?

a. The laboratory floors included in the PWS are considered active areas. No laboratory sinks are included in the contract. Only restricted area contracted for janitorial services is within bldg. 374, only floors, no sinks.

68. Please confirm whether Government-furnished supplies/equipment listed in PWS Section 2.4-2.5 will be available for all base and option periods.

a. Confirmed.

69. Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing the recurring janitorial scope, and if so, can the Government provide incumbent staffing or workload information that is releasable to all quoters?

a. Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

b. Contract minimum is 2, current contracts have 2 people assigned.

70. Is it possible to have a walk through?

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

71. Will the Government host a site visit or walk-through of Buildings 1301, 1302, and 374? If so, please provide the date, time, and access instructions.

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

72. Regarding Building 374, is the required biosafety/containment training provided by the Government at no cost to the contractor? Additionally, how many hours of training and shower-in/out time should be factored into each service visit?

a. Training is at no cost to contractor.

b. Training hour is approximately 1 hour.

c. We require a minimum of 3 minutes in shower to wash person and hair. I would allocate 15 minutes per person for the changing and showering requirement.

73. What is the typical timeline for the trust-determination and credentialing process for contractor staff? Can vetting begin prior to the award to ensure the September 27, 2026, start date is met?

a. 60-90 days after properly filled out forms are accepted on average.

b. Vetting can start as soon as contract is accepted, prior to performance start date is preferred.

74. Does FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) apply to this small-business set-aside? If so, how will the 50% self-performance requirement be measured for this services contract?

For a total small business set-aside, FAR 52.219-14 applies, and the prime contractor must self-perform at least 50% of the contract value for services (except construction) to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.

75. Can the Government provide the incumbent contract number, the name of the contractor, and the current annual price or estimated level of effort (labor hours) to support fair and reasonable pricing?

a. Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

b. Labor hours between the 2 contracts average 16, new contract has a few new tasks that are not currently accounted for.

76. To accurately size the recurring and annual strip-and-wax effort, could you provide the approximate number of restrooms and a breakdown of floor types (VCT, carpet, ceramic/quarry tile, concrete) across the three buildings?

a. Only 1301 and 1302 will have annual strip and wax effort on VTC floors

i. 4 restrooms-2 concrete, 1 tile. 1 VTC flooring

77. Are there minimum staffing levels and required on-site hours, or is performance judged solely on PWS quality standards?

a. Contract minimum is 2 people

b. Performance is judged on PWS quality standards.

78. For this requirements contract, is there a guaranteed minimum? Additionally, how will payment deductions for Government facility closures (PWS §10.3) be documented and reconciled? This will be a firm fixed price contract.

79. Will the Government furnish the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and any applicable collective bargaining agreements prior to the quote due date?

a. No.

80. Incumbent Contractor Information: Could the Government please identify the incumbent contractor currently performing these services (or who previously performed them)? If there is an active or recently expired contract, could you please provide the previous Contract/Purchase Order number and the total contract value?

Past contracts can be researched at www.sam.gov.

81. Post-Award Submittals and Timelines: SOW/PWS documents identify certain post-award deliverables, such as the electronic Quality Control (QC) Plan within 14 days of award (PWS 6.3) and electronic Annual and Quarterly Schedules due 10 days prior to contract start (PWS 10.1). Are there any other post-award submittals, phase-in/transition plans, or security rosters that we should be aware of? If so, could you please provide the relevant deadlines and information? Identified employees for contract should begin security process within 14 days of award.

82. Key Personnel Location Requirements: PWS 1.6.6 states that the Contract Manager or Alternate must be available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Can the Government please clarify if the Contract Manager is required to be physically present on-site at Fort Detrick, or if remote availability (via phone and email) is acceptable, provided that a qualified on-site supervisor manages daily operational cleaning staff? Phone and email are acceptable, provided that a qualified on-site supervisor manages daily operational cleaning staff.

83. Actual Damages Liability Cap: PWS 9.4.2 states that the contractor shall be liable for "all personnel and material cost of the portion of the experiment or research program that failed" due to performance issues. Given that experimental research programs at FDWSRU can involve years of development and exceptionally high material values, will the Government consider placing a reasonable dollar-value cap on actual and consequential damages (such as equivalent to the annual contract value) to make this risk commercially insurable?

The government will not be providing dollar-value cap on actual and consequential damages.

84. Building 374 Paid Transit/Showering Time: SOW Part 1.2 requires all personnel entering Building 374 to strip-change into government-furnished garments upon entry and shower out of the facility upon exit. Could the Government please clarify if the time spent by personnel during these mandatory entry, exit, and biosecurity procedures is considered fully billable hours under the contract? Mandatory entry, exit, and biosecurity procedures are considered fully billable hours.

85. Building 374 Routine Frequency: SOW Task 3 specifies "Once Weekly Requirements" for Building 374. However, certain restroom cleaning requirements (PWS 5.3.1 and 5.3.2) http://www.sam.gov/ contain language identical to Building 1301's twice-weekly restroom services. Can the Government confirm if all janitorial services in Building 374 are strictly performed once per week? Janitorial services in Building 374 are strictly performed once per week.

86. Floor Surface Area Breakdown: PWS 5.5.2 states that approximately 5,500 sq. ft. of uncarpeted floors and three stairwells are included in the annual stripping and waxing service. To support accurate labor modeling, could the Government provide the estimated square footage of uncarpeted vinyl composition tile (VCT) vs. carpeted areas for each of the three buildings (1301, 1302, and 374)?

The requirement is only for “common area (hallways, bathrooms, lunchroom, conference room annex, stairwells)” uncarpeted floors in building 1301. These encompass the 5500 sqft. The labs and some offices, which are also uncarpeted floors are not part of the requirement.

87. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) Maintenance: PWS Part 2 states the Government will provide various cleaning tools and power-driven equipment, including orbital buffers, mini scrubbers, and stand-on floor scrubbers. Will the Government be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of these GFE items if they experience mechanical wear or component failure during normal, proper contract use?

Yes, if they experience mechanical wear or component failure during normal, proper contract use.

88. Please let us know if there are any special instructions or any information you require from us to schedule an appointment for this site visit.

a. Site Visit: 07/17/2026, 0900-1000

b. See the weblink for information on vetting process and identification requirements:

i. https://home.army.mil/detrick/my-fort/visitors

89. Kindly confirm who will escort the visitors on the site

a. Government employees

90. Any Special Instructions for the attendees? See solicitation description for site visit information.

91. Potential new requirement or is there an incumbent contract currently performing these services? If there are incumbent vendor(s), would you be able to provide the contract details (such as: Vendor Name, Contract Number, Award and end dates, total contract value)? This is a new requirement. A ceiling value is not available to be shared.

92. The documents states that the cleaning should take place between the hours of 7:00am through 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Does the USDA have an expectation https://home.army.mil/detrick/my-fort/visitors of the janitors to be onsite for 9.5 hours? Or should the cleanings take place at a agreed upon time between those hours?

The cleanings take place at an agreed upon time between those hours.

93. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Past contract information can be researched at www.sam.gov.

94. In Attachment 1, the provision/clause matrix lists 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2025), with an UNCHECKED box, while 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside, is checked. Please confirm whether the limitations on subcontracting apply to this acquisition, and whether the janitorial labor may be performed by a subcontractor to the prime. We want to structure our quote correctly and are not relying on the unchecked box as a permission.

For a total small business set-aside, FAR 52.219-14 applies, and the prime contractor must self-perform at least 50% of the contract value for services (except construction) to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.

95. Wage Determination 2015-4269, Rev. 32 (5/13/2026) lists Health & Welfare at $5.55/hr and, separately, an EO 13706 rate of $5.09/hr. Please confirm which H&W rate the Government expects offerors to price for this contract.

Please price based on the provided wage determination.

96. To ensure quotes are evaluated on a common basis, can the Government release the estimated staffing level and labor hours per week required to meet the PWS (or the level the current contractor uses)? If not releasable, can the Government provide any estimate of hours per cleaning visit for Buildings 1301/1302 and Building 374?

a. Labor hours between the 2 contracts average 16, new contract has a few new tasks that are not currently accounted for.

97. PWS 1.2 states that entry to Building 374 requires changing into Government-provided garments and that exit requires showering out. Approximately how much time per visit should offerors price for the gown-in / shower-out cycle, and is that time in addition to the cleaning time? Also, is a Government escort required for the entire duration of cleaning in the containment area, and does escort availability constrain the cleaning window?

a. We require a minimum of 3 minutes in shower to wash person and hair. I would allocate 15 minutes per person for the changing and showering requirement.

b. Mandatory entry, exit, and biosecurity procedures is considered fully billable hours.

c. Escort is required for containment side of bldg. 374. If an escort is delayed or unavailable the Contractor will be granted additional time to complete the scheduled work without penalty. Communication between contractor(s) and escort are essential.

98. PWS 1.6.3 requires all contractor personnel to undergo a trust determination (credentialing and suitability/fitness) prior to performance. Given a period of performance beginning 09/27/2026:

a. What is the typical processing time for the investigation and favorable preliminary determination?

a. 60-90days after properly filled out forms are accepted on average.

b. Are contractor personnel required to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents? Yes

c. At what point after award should the contractor submit personnel for vetting, and does the Government expect the awardee to have named personnel at time of quote? Submission of personnel for vetting should happen as soon as possible once the contract has been awarded. Government does not expect the vendors to have named personnel at time of quote.

99. PWS 2.4 and 2.5 state the Government provides all cleaning equipment (including floor machines) and all consumable supplies (paper, soaps, chemicals). Please confirm that the contractor is responsible for labor, transportation, supervision, and quality control only, and is not expected to furnish any equipment or consumables.

a. Government confirms that the contractor is responsible for labor, transportation, supervision, and quality control only, and is not expected to furnish any equipment or consumables.

100. QUOTE SUBMISSION

a. What is the required format and method of submission (email address, page limits, file format)?

Quote submission information can be found in the solicitation documents.

All submissions should be emailed to shalunda.mix@usda.gov.

b. Beyond the price schedule and the technical narrative described under Technical Acceptability, is any other documentation required with the quote

— for example, a Quality Control Plan, past performance references, or a completed SF-1449? Quote submission information can be found in the solicitation documents.

c. Please confirm the quote due date is Friday, July 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. We note the SF-1449 Block 8 shows 07/15/2026, which appears superseded by the SAM.gov posting. Quote due date has been extended to Friday, July 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET

101. How many labor hours per day did the previous contractor work across all three buildings? Labor hours between the 2 contracts average 16, new contract has a few new tasks that are not currently accounted for.

102. How many workers did they deploy? Contract minimum is 2 people

103. Is Building 374 cleaned the same day as 1301 and 1302, or does it require a separate trip?

Scheduling of janitorial services is negotiable. All services may be conducted on a minimum of 2 days.

104. What background check level is required: Public Trust, Moderate Risk, or National Security? T2

105. Does Building 374 require a higher clearance than the other two buildings?

Facility wide clearance level.

106. Can workers leave the installation between buildings, or do they need to stay on base?

If workers have access to installation without government escort, workers may leave installation at any time.

107. Will badges be issued on the contract start date, or is there a waiting period after clearance?

Badges will be issued as soon as possible after vetting has been approved.

108. Who is the current incumbent contractor performing these janitorial services?

Please provide the incumbent’s name, current contract number, and annual contract value, if available. Past contracts can be researched at www.sam.gov.

109. Are contractor employees required to be U.S. citizens, or may individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States perform the work, provided they successfully complete all required credentialing, background, suitability, and facility-access requirements?

Yes, individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States perform the , provided they successfully complete all required credentialing, background, suitability, and facility-access requirements.

http://www.sam.gov/