C02_Q and A_12444027Q0005.pdf

Janitorial Services, Homochitto Ranger District LA

Q&A

Solicitation 12444027Q0005 – the most current version will be posted and supersede the prior Q&A

Question 1 Fri 11/6/2026 02:29AM Q1: Hours of Operation & Permissible Working Window (PWS Para 4 vs. Para 14.B): PWS Paragraph 4 establishes normal business hours as Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT (requiring service outside these hours), whereas PWS Paragraph 14.B references normal business hours as 0730–1600. Could the Government confirm the exact permitted time window during which janitorial staff may access both facilities (Homochitto Ranger District Office and Bude Work Center) during weekday evenings and over weekends?

A1: pending COR response

Q2: Supply & Equipment On-Site Storage (PWS Para 11 vs. Para 14.A): PWS Paragraph 11 states that the Government will not provide space/storage for contractor materials or equipment. Conversely, PWS Paragraph 14.A specifies rules for keeping janitor closets clean and properly storing chemicals/combustibles. Please clarify whether secured janitor closets are available on-site at both locations for staging non-combustible cleaning tools and biobased products between weekly service visits, or if all equipment and supplies must be transported off-site after each cleaning.

A2: pending COR response

Q3: Background Clearance Processing & Performance Start Date (PWS Para 9 & 14.B): PWS Paragraph 9 notes that interim keys and entry codes will be issued during the period between starting work and receiving an adjudicated NACI background investigation / Lincpass credential. Please confirm whether contractor personnel may commence work on the December 1, 2026 performance start date under interim key authorization once initial identity proofing documentation is submitted, pending final NACI adjudication.

A3: pending COR response

Q4: Deficiency Rework Opportunities vs. Invoice Deductions (PWS Para 23.6, 24, & 26.1): PWS Paragraph 24 indicates that nonconforming work is generally not subject to re-performance and will result in direct price deductions. However, PWS Paragraphs

23.6 and 26.1 state that the COR may afford the contractor an opportunity to rework deficient areas within two days of notification.

Will contractors be granted a mandatory 24- to 48-hour cure/rework window to correct first-time non-recurring deficiencies prior to the assessment of daily rate deductions?

A4: pending COR response

Q5: Biobased Product Approval & Proposal Submission Requirements (PWS Para 5 & 20.4): PWS Paragraph 20.4 lists post-award submittal requirements, including a proposed biobased product list, SDS/MSDS sheets, and Product Use Guides. Please confirm whether these product submittals are required strictly post-award prior to work commencement, or if a preliminary chemical/SDS list must be included directly within the initial quotation package due on November 12, 2026.

A5: preliminary, submit with your offer

Q6: Past Performance Questionnaire Submission Protocol (Attachment C04_04): Regarding Attachment C04_04 (Experience Questionnaire), please clarify whether offerors should complete and submit the form directly within their offer package, or if reference evaluators must submit completed questionnaires directly to the Contracting Office via email prior to the closing deadline.

A6: submit with your offer

Q7: Incumbent Contractor: Could you please confirm whether there is a current incumbent for this contract? If so, we would appreciate it if you could share the associated Purchase Order number and the total contract value.

A7: this is a new requirement

Question 2 Fri 11/6/2026 04:13AM Q1: Offer submission: please confirm the exact email address(es) and any file-format limits for submitting the complete offer (SF- 1449, completed Schedule of Items, Past Performance Questionnaire, and dated quote with UEI).

A1: TO: richard.kandrach@usda.gov & CC: marilyn.etheridge@usda.gov & stephanie.laruffa@usda.gov submit in standard PDF

Q2: Due date: SF-1449 Block 8 and SAM.gov list 11/12/2026 0900 ET, but the Schedule of Items page appears to reference 11/05/2026 0900 ET. Please confirm the controlling due date and time zone.

A2: the correct due date is on the SF1449 11/12/2026 0900 AM ET mailto:richard.kandrach@usda.gov mailto:marilyn.etheridge@usda.gov mailto:stephanie.laruffa@usda.gov

Q3: Is there a questions cutoff earlier than the offer due date?

A3: Prior to deadline

Q4: May we schedule a brief walkthrough of the Homochitto Ranger District Office and the Bude Work Center before the due date?

If so, who should we contact?

A4: marilyn.etheridge@usda.gov 601-384-5876 ext 167

Q5: FAR 52.222-62 (EO 13706 Paid Sick Leave) appears unchecked. Please confirm whether it applies, and which Health & Welfare rate from WD 2015-5173 to use for pricing.

A5: yes it applies, this was not checked in error

Q6: Please confirm each year's COST cell on the Schedule of Items is a firm fixed price for all weekly services at both buildings for that period, and that all five periods must be priced.

A6: each cell on the Schedule of Items is a dollar value per year for both work locations at firm-fixed-price and yes they must be priced with a total at the bottom

Q7: Is interim access (key/code) available so performance can start around December 1, 2026 while NACI investigations are pending?

A7: pending COR response

Q8: Are there minimum insurance limits we should plan for at award (general liability, workers' compensation, auto)?

A8: adhere to federal, state, local laws and regulations

Question 3 Fri 11/6/2026 06:09AM Q1: Please confirm the email address(es) to which quotations should be submitted by November 12, 2026, 9:00 AM ET A1: TO: richard.kandrach@usda.gov & CC: marilyn.etheridge@usda.gov & stephanie.laruffa@usda.gov

Q2: FAR 52.219-14 appears with an unchecked box in the clause list. Please confirm no limitations-on-subcontracting clause or self-performance percentage applies to this acquisition. Relatedly, which health and welfare rate applies — $5.92, or the EO 13706 rate of $5.42?

A2: An unchecked box or unchecked status for FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) in a solicitation's clause checklist generally means that the clause does not apply to that specific contract or opportunity

Q3: May the Past Performance Experience Questionnaire include relevant projects performed by our proposed janitorial subcontractor, and will subcontractor past performance be considered in the evaluation?

A3: yes, include past performance

Question 4 Fri 11/6/2026 12:48PM

Q1: Is this prime/subcontractor performance arrangement permitted under this solicitation, including use of a subcontractor for most or all onsite cleaning tasks?

A1: yes it is

Q2: Does FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting), or any applicable deviation or other subcontracting restriction, apply? If so, how should we apply the requirement to this contract?

A2: can subcontract

Q3: If a limitation applies, may a similarly situated small-business subcontractor perform onsite cleaning, and what specific small-business status would make a subcontractor similarly situated for this set-aside?

A3: yes

Q4: Must the prime contractor provide its own onsite cleaning staff or onsite supervisor, or may the subcontractor supply these personnel under B Clean’s oversight?

A4: up to Small Business vendor that wins this award.

mailto:marilyn.etheridge@usda.gov mailto:richard.kandrach@usda.gov mailto:marilyn.etheridge@usda.gov mailto:stephanie.laruffa@usda.gov https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2F52.219-14&data=05%7C02%7CRichard.Kandrach%40usda.gov%7C2bcbe5d836b247e08a5508df3c2e6d2a%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C1%7C0%7C639295842235651892%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0OfSF1iVvhB9h1SaO%2FmtYV0ysVxHkDH0GDWsAjfXha0%3D&reserved=0