C05_ATTCH 6 Q and A 127EAY27Q0002 McCloud Ranger District Janitorial.pdf

McCloud Ranger District Janitorial Questions and Answers 127EAY27Q0002

Q1. Site visit: we are a prime contractor that subcontracts performance to small-business subcontractors. May a representative of our proposed subcontractor attend the October 13 site visit in our place or in addition to our representative?

A1. Subcontractors may attend the site visit.

Q2. Previous award: is there an incumbent or previous contract for this requirement?

If so, could you share the previous award amount, awardee, period of performance, and contract number? This helps us benchmark our pricing.

A2. There is no recent incumbent for this solicitation.

Q3. 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) is included in the clause list. We plan to subcontract performance to small-business subcontractors that are similarly situated entities under FAR 52.219-14, with our company performing contract management and quality control. Is this arrangement acceptable under this solicitation?

A3. If subcontracting, as long as the subs qualify as Small Business under NAICS 561720, the arrangement is acceptable.

Q4. Per Section H.7, the contractor must request CO approval before entering any subcontract arrangement. For quotation purposes, is it sufficient to identify the proposed subcontractor team in our technical approach now, with formal H.7 notification at or after award?

A4. Yes, however, Prime’s must ensure any subcontractor qualifies as a Small Business under NAICS 561720.

Q5. The Schedule of Items shows the base period covering locations 1 and 2 only, with day-use site services beginning in Option Year 1. Can you confirm no day-use (Location 3) services are required during the base period?

A5. Correct. Day-use services are only performed during the months of May – October of each year. Thus, they will not be performed during the first period of performance.

Q6. Are there estimated or recommended labor hours per visit for the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station, McCloud Ranger Station, and each outdoor recreation site?

A6. No. The offeror must come up with those estimates.

Q7. For the two ranger stations, should routine cleaning be completed in a single visit by one cleaner, or may multiple cleaners be assigned?

A7. The number of employees per visit is up to the offeror to decide. However, both stations must be cleaned each visit.

Q8. For quarterly cleaning and annual deep cleaning, are there specific task lists or estimated labor hours beyond those stated in the PWS?

A8. There are no specific task lists or recommended labor hours.

Q9. Are there any required minimum staffing levels or restrictions on assigning the same personnel to multiple locations?

A9. No

Q10. Could you please provide the official map or route information showing all ten outdoor recreation sites included in the contract?

A10. The map is provided as Attachment 5 via Amendment 01.

Q11. Is there a required service sequence for the outdoor sites, or may the contractor determine the most efficient route?

A11. No. The contractor may determine the most efficient route

Q12. Should travel time between outdoor sites be included in the contractor’s proposed service hours and pricing?

A12. That is up to the offeror.

Q13. Are there any known seasonal road closures, access restrictions, or weather-related conditions that could affect service at these locations?

A13. No seasonal road closures. State and local routes outside of the USFS are determined by county and state officials.

Q14. For sites with vault toilets, trash receptacles, and minor biohazard cleanup, are there specific service standards or estimated completion times available for each location?

A14. No

Q15. The PWS indicates that the Government provides certain outdoor supplies and safety items. Could you confirm the complete list of Government-furnished supplies, equipment, PPE, and disposal materials?

A15. All items are listed in section C.7-4 of the PWS.

Q16. For the ranger station buildings, should the contractor provide all cleaning chemicals, paper products, restroom consumables, tools, and equipment?

A16. Please see PWS section C.6-1.

Q17. Are there designated waste disposal locations for trash collected at the outdoor recreation sites, and are there any disposal fees or special procedures the contractor must account for?

A17. Outside dumpsters are located at the Mt Shasta and McCloud Day Use Sites as stated in PWS section C.7-4.

Q18. Will the Government provide keys, access codes, or other access arrangements for after-hours cleaning at the ranger stations?

A18. Yes

Q19. Are the stated service windows strict requirements, or may the contractor coordinate alternative service times with the Contracting Officer or designated representative when necessary?

A19. If alternate days are required to make up service days due to inclement weather, holidays, or missed service days, those shall be coordinated with the COR.

Q20. Is there any additional information available regarding the number of restrooms, fixtures, trash receptacles, and other high-labor areas at each facility?

A20. All restrooms specifically delineate the number of sinks, and toilets in the Description areas on pages 3 & 4 of the PWS.

Q21. Could you confirm the applicable Service Contract Labor Standards wage classifications for the indoor janitorial duties and outdoor recreation-site cleaning duties under this solicitation?

A21. There is only one Janitor labor wage classification (11150) on the Wage Determination.

Q22. Please confirm whether Executive Order 13706 paid sick leave requirements apply to this contract.

A22. Yes, EO 13706 applies.

Q23. Are there any additional reporting, inspection, or quality-control requirements beyond those specified in the PWS that offerors should account for when preparing their quotations?

A23. Please ensure you read all applicable clauses and provisions for any additional reporting (example: 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans)

Q24. The Technical Acceptability criteria (Solicitation p. 15) ask offerors to address "the requirements of section 4 of the PWS," but the PWS has no section 4. Should the technical approach address C.4 (Time & Days), C.7 (Technical Requirements), or all of Section C?

A24. Offerors Technical Approach should address section C.7. Solicitation has been amended to read “section C.7”.

Q25. PWS C.2 states that the contractor will be provided a map of the day-use sites.

Could the map be shared before quotes are due? Also, where should trash collected at the day-use sites be disposed of?

A25. The map is provided as Attachment 5 via Amendment 01.

Q26. FAR 52.204-9 and AGAR 452.204-71 are incorporated. What background check or PIV process will janitorial staff need to complete, and approximately how long does it take? We want to plan staffing for the 11/1/2026 start.

A26. The Offeror is responsible for performing background checks on its prospective employees. No one with a criminal background shall be allowed to work on a Government installation. Additionally, individual identity verification and ability/authorization to perform work for the U.S. Government shall be completed.

Q27. Is there an incumbent contractor on this requirement? If so, could you share the prior contract number and award price?

A27. There is no incumbent.

Q28. PWS C.2 describes each building as carpeted and linoleum. To price the quarterly and annual carpet cleaning, could you provide the approximate carpeted square footage in each building?

A28. The square footage listed is approximately 90% carpeted with 10% or less linoleum.

Q29. Approximately how many staff work at each ranger station? This will help us estimate paper product and soap usage.

A29. 60 during the winter and 90 during the summer

Q30. Could you please provide the prior statement of work and pricing schedule for contract AG9AC7C170012? Please also confirm whether that contract included the recreation-site sanitation services listed in the current PWS.

If a newer contract covered this requirement, please provide its contract number, incumbent name, and annual award amount, if available.

A30. AG9AC7C170012 is a janitorial contract in the Mendocino National Forest and has nothing to do with this solicitation. There is no recent incumbent for this solicitation.

Q31. In relation to below solicitation can you provide the previous contract number or awarded amount?

A31. There is no recent incumbent.

Q32. Section H.7 of the PWS permits subcontracting with prior Contracting Officer approval, while Section C.4 states that only individuals employed by the Contractor may be on the premises. May AGS, as prime contractor, use approved employees of a first-tier janitorial subcontractor to perform the cleaning services? Would the approval be obtained before award or after award and before execution of the subcontract?

A32. If an offeror uses a subcontractor to perform work, the employees of the subcontractor are considered “employed” by the Prime. Only subcontractors that qualify as Small Business under NAICS 561720 shall be used. Additionally, subcontractor Past Performance information SHALL be submitted along with the Prime’s Past Performance information with the submission.

Q33. May the prime propose separate qualified subcontractors for (a) administrative office cleaning and (b) seasonal recreation-site sanitation, provided the prime retains full responsibility and complies with FAR 52.219-14? Would either arrangement require additional approval beyond Section H.7?

A33. The prime may propose separate subcontractors if the subs qualify as small business under NAICS 561720 and past performance information for any sub proposed is submitted with the prime’s past performance information.

Q34. Would an employee or owner of a proposed local subcontractor be permitted to attend the optional October 13, 2026 site visit on AGS’s behalf? If so, is advance registration or any specific information required? We will provide our representative’s details promptly if we identify an attendee.

A34. Yes.

Q35. The PWS indicates that maps will be provided for the 10 day-use recreation sites.

Could you please provide the site maps, access/route details, and any information on where bagged trash must be delivered or disposed of? These are important for accurate transportation and labor pricing.

A35. The map is provided as Attachment 5 via Amendment 01. Bagged trash will be disposed of in the dumpsters at the Day Use sites.

Q36. For a critical subcontractor expected to perform at least 20% of the effort, can its five requested past-performance references include relevant commercial customers?

Also, if the subcontractor has fewer than five completed contracts in the past three years, should it submit all available references with an explanation?

A36. Any janitorial past performance can be submitted. Submit what they have.

Q37. PWS Section C.4 states, "Only individuals employed by Contractor shall be on the premises. Only authorized employees of Contractor shall perform work." Section H.7 provides for subcontracting with Contracting Officer approval. If a subcontract is approved under H.7, may the approved subcontractor's employees perform the on-site work?

Q37. Subcontractor personnel are considered employees of the Prime when performing services.

Q38. The Technical Acceptability instructions ask offerors to "address how they will meet the requirements of section 4 of the PWS." The PWS we have (dated 2026-10-05) is organized as Sections C.1 through C.7, E, F, G and H, with no Section 4. Should the technical approach address Section C.7, Technical Requirements?

A38. Offerors Technical Approach should address section C.7. Solicitation has been amended to read “section C.7”.

Q39. Should recreation sites be serviced four days per week, Friday through Monday, or daily as indicated in the service table?

A38. Recreation sites shall be serviced Friday – Monday. The Service Table “Daily” means that task shall occur each “day” of service.

Q40. May recreation cleaning occur between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and federal holidays, despite the general restrictions on daytime and holiday work?

A40. According to PWS “For Location #3” on page 4, Day Use Sites Service may be accomplished between the hours of 0600 AM and 9 PM PDT. No work shall be accomplished on Federal Holidays. If a Federal Holiday falls on a service day, the service shall be accomplished on the next business day. For Monday holidays, that would mean the service shall be accomplished on Tuesday.

Q41. May employees of an approved subcontractor perform cleaning under this contract? The PWS allows approved subcontracting but also states that only contractor employees are authorized.

A42. The employees of a subcontractor are considered employees of the Prime when providing services under this contract.

Q42. When annual deep cleaning includes tasks also required quarterly, does the annual service satisfy that quarter’s requirement, or must both services be performed separately?

A42. The services must be performed separately.

Q43. Is there an estimated dollar range for this requirement?

A43. No.

Q44. Is a site visit available, and is attending it required to quote?

A44. The site visit was listed both in the description and on the last page of the solicitation.

It was not mandatory.

Q45. Is this a new requirement, or is there a previous award we can reference?

A45. This is a new requirement.

Q46. Will award go to the lowest priced acceptable quote, or is it a best value decision?

A46. This is a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable evaluation which is a part of the Best Value Continuum.

Q47. Are there any attachments or amendments beyond what is posted on SAM.gov?

A47. There may always be additional attachments as questions are answered. This Question-and-Answer sheet is an example. Please check SAM.gov for amendments until the quote due date.

Q48. May the authorized employees of an approved subcontractor perform the cleaning under this arrangement, notwithstanding PWS C.4's wording that only individuals employed by the Contractor may be on the premises and perform work?

A48. Employees of a subcontractor are considered employees of the Prime when performing these services.

Q49. For subcontractors that meet the applicable definition of similarly situated entities, is there any separate requirement for Montclair's own employees to perform a minimum amount of physical cleaning beyond the incorporated FAR 52.219-14 requirements?

A49. This is the only stipulation for FAR 52.219-14: (1) Services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract;

Q50. Should the H.7 approval request and its listed information accompany the quotation, or be submitted after award but before entering into the subcontract? Since H.7 requires prior approval yet asks for the date the subcontract was entered into, may the request instead give the proposed effective date and duration pending approval?

A50. Subcontractor past performance information shall be submitted with Prime past performance information upon submission of quote. If you are awarded the contract, then the subcontractor has been vetted.

Q51. We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services.

A51. This is a new requirement.

Q52. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

A52. This is a new requirement.

Q53. Under PWS H.7, may an offeror include a proposed subcontractor in its quotation and seek written CO approval of the subcontract arrangement after award but before signing it? Is there any required preliminary approval with the quotation?

A53. Subcontractor past performance information shall be submitted with Prime past performance information upon submission of quote. If you are awarded the contract, then the subcontractor has been vetted.

Q54. As this is a Total Small Business set-aside, please confirm that a subcontractor meeting the applicable NAICS 561720 small-business size standard may be treated as similarly situated for FAR 52.219-14, regardless of SDVOSB certification.

A54. Correct.

Q55. Does the Forest Service provide a detailed map/route access information for the ten seasonal recreation sites, including any waste-disposal requirements beyond the

PWS?

A55. The map is provided as Attachment 5 via Amendment 01. Trash will be disposed of in dumpsters at the Day Use sites.

Q56. Could you confirm that base-period line items 0001–0006 cover only the two ranger-station campuses, with the recreation-site services first priced in Option Year 1?

A56. Correct. The Recreation Sites only run from May – October; therefore, they start in at Option Year One.

Q57. Who is the current contractor?

A57. There isn’t one.

Q58. What is the current monthly contract amount?

A58. There isn’t one.

Q59. What are the start and end dates of the current contract?

A59. There isn’t one.

Q60. Have any service locations or scope of work requirements been added or changed compared to the current contract? If yes, please specify.

A60. There is no current contract.

Q61. As I read in the solicitation, if we only have general liability insurance can we use our subcontractors workers compensation insurance?

A61. If your subcontractor is the only one employing the janitorial staff, their workers’ compensation insurance will suffice. However; if any of your employees are performing duties, you must carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Q62. Vault-toilet pumping scope. The solicitation's CLIN structure and performance work statement describe vault-toilet cleaning, restocking, trash removal, and litter policing, but no line items or instructions for periodic vault-toilet pumping. Please confirm that periodic vault-toilet pumping is excluded from this solicitation's scope (handled under a separate USFS arrangement), and that offerors should price only the cleaning, restocking, trash removal, and litter policing described in the CLIN structure.

A62. The vault pumping is excluded from this contract.

Q63. Day-use frequency: PWS C.4 (page 4) and Schedule of Items 1007/2007/3007/4007 specify four visits per week, Friday through Monday, May 1 through October 31. The day-use task table in C.7 (page 6) instead says "Daily." Please confirm the required routine frequency and whether "Daily" means each scheduled service day.

A63. Recreation sites shall be serviced Friday – Monday. The Service Table “Daily” means that task shall occur each “day” of service.

Q64. Service hours and holidays: C.4 permits day-use service between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., while C.5 (page 5) restricts work from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on normal federal workdays and lists federal holidays as restricted days. Do the C.5 weekday-hour and holiday restrictions apply only to the offices, or also to the day-use sites? For each location, how should a scheduled visit that falls on a federal holiday be handled while maintaining the required frequency?

A64. According to PWS “For Location #3” on page 4 Day Use Sites Service may be accomplished between the hours of 0600 AM and 9 PM PDT. No work shall be accomplished on Federal Holidays. If a Federal Holiday fall on a service day, the service shall be accomplished on the next business day. For Monday holidays, that would mean the service shall be accomplished on Tuesday. The PWS section C.5 has been amended to clarify.

Q65. Day-use map and service logistics: Please provide the recreation-site map referenced in C.2, which I could not find among the posted attachments. For the government-furnished items in C.7-4 (page 8), please identify the supply pickup/restocking location and hours and the designated trash-disposal locations.

Where can cleaning water be obtained, or must the contractor bring it? Please also identify any vehicle or gate-access restrictions that affect the service route.

A65. The map is provided as Attachment 5 via Amendment 01. Trash at Day Use sites will be placed in the dumpsters at the site. Fowlers, Lower Falls and Cattle Camp C.G. have potable water as do the offices. . The supplies for the outdoor site cleaning/restocking will be on site at the Mount Shasta ranger station, and the supplies for cleaning/restocking will be onsite for both the McCloud and Mount Shasta offices. The PWS has been updated with this information.

Q66. Office supplies: Please confirm that for the Mt. Shasta and McCloud Ranger Station offices the contractor furnishes toilet paper, paper towels, seat covers, hygiene bags, and interior trash bags per PWS C.6-1, and that the Government-furnished items listed in C.7-4 (trash bags, toilet paper, disinfectants, etc.) apply only to the day-use sites.

A66. That is correct.

Q67. Carpet cleaning method: Is a specific carpet cleaning method required (e.g., hot water extraction), or is the method at the contractor's discretion provided the required results are met?

A67. At the contractor’s discretion to meet results, a shampooing/water extraction method will occur annually around early summertime. Employees will be instructed to pick up items from the floor before this happens so the carpet cleaning will be the exposed carpet. No furniture moving is required of the contractor except chairs and other small items.

Q68. Annual vs. quarterly cleaning: Does the annual deep cleaning replace one of the quarterly carpet and window cleanings in that period, or is it performed in addition to the four quarterly cleanings?

A68. Separate

Q69. Furniture during carpet cleaning: The PWS does not say whether furniture is to be moved for quarterly and annual carpet cleaning. Should we clean around desks, cabinets and other large furniture and move only chairs and small items? Or does the Forest Service expect large furniture to be moved, and if so, will staff clear desktops and disconnect equipment beforehand? Given the restriction on disturbing papers on desks, we would plan to leave loaded desks in place unless directed otherwise.

A69. Carpet and floor areas will be cleaned around large furniture, cabinets, and desks.

Only chairs and small items will need to be moved.

Q70. Refrigerators: Is cleaning of refrigerator interiors and exteriors in the kitchens and breakrooms part of the contractor's duties, either during routine service or as part of the annual deep clean?

A70. The interior of the refrigerator is NOT part of the service. The exterior of the refrigerator should be wiped clean each service.

Q71. On-site storage: Will the contractor be permitted to store cleaning supplies, restocking supplies, and/or equipment on-site at either or both ranger stations? If so, is a designated storage area available?

A71. Yes and yes.

Q72. Day-use site trash disposal: Where should trash collected at the day-use sites be disposed of? May the contractor use the Government dumpsters at the ranger stations, or must it be hauled to a transfer station? If a transfer station is required, will disposal be billed to a Forest Service account, or should disposal fees be included in the contractor's price?

A72. Per PWS section C.7-4 Government Furnished Items, Commercial trash disposal bins (Outside Dumpster) will be provided.

Q73. McCloud barracks: The barracks buildings at the McCloud Ranger Station are not listed in the PWS. Please confirm they are excluded from this contract. If the Government anticipates adding carpet cleaning or other services for the barracks during the contract period, can that work be identified now so it can be priced?

A73. McCloud barracks are not included in this solicitation.

Q74. Workers’ compensation (PWS C.6): Our cleaning partner will carry workers’ compensation coverage for her employees, and our carpet cleaning subcontractor carries his own coverage. Gold Brook has no employees. I plan to do part of the carpet cleaning myself as an owner, not as an employee. Would certificates of coverage from our partner and subcontractor, plus a statement that I am an owner working without employees, satisfy C.6? If not, what documentation do you need?

A74. The scenario you stated will work.

Q75. Litter policing at sites with no trash-receptacle service — The PWS lists Lakin Dam, Cattle Camp Swimming Hole, and Algoma as locations where "no trash-receptacle service is required." The daily task table for the day-use sites includes litter policing to maintain appearance. Please confirm whether litter policing is still required at these three locations.

A75 Yes. It will consist of picking up loose litter that is unsightly and a sanitation issue to the public. If it is a large amount (dumping of trash), we ask the contractors to notify the

COR.

Q76. Day-use services during the base period — The schedule of items carries the day-use site CLINs (1007, 2007, 3007, 4007) only in the option years, with no day-use CLINs in the base period (11/01/2026–04/30/2027). Please confirm that no day-use site services are required during the base period.

A76. Correct. Day Use periods are 1 May through 31 October and are therefore not included in the base period.

Q77. Adverse-weather suspensions — Section C.5 states work will be suspended when the Contracting Officer determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

Since the office services run year-round (Wednesdays and Fridays), please advise how such suspensions will be communicated to the contractor, and whether missed visits must be made up or are simply skipped.

A77. The COR or Technical Point of Contact will call the contractor to advise of adverse weather conditions/office closures. The service will be made up the next day, or if weather persists, will be skipped and the monthly invoice will be prorated.

Q78. Past performance consent letters — We intend to perform this contract as prime with no subcontractors or teaming partners. Please confirm that a statement to that effect in our quote is sufficient, and that no consent letters are required under the critical-subcontractor provision.

A78. Consent letters are only required if using a subcontractor.

Q79. Who is the incumbent for this contract and what is the dollar value?

A79. There is no incumbent.