S01 - FBO Questions and Answers updated 09142020.pdf

Questions and Answers

Mississippi Administrative Services

12FPC120MS0001

UPDATED 09/14/2020

Question #1:

Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent contractor?

Answer #1:

This service is currently being provided under contract 121A2318P0184 and the vendor is All- Pro Placement Service, Inc.

Question #2:

Is this intended for 8(a) vendors only?

Answer #2:

Yes, only SBA approved 8(a) vendors can provide quotes.

Question #3:

Is it permissible for Offerors' to price/ bill a Program Manager? If Yes, please confirm it is permissible to add this row to Attachment F.

Answer #3:

Yes. Per C.10.4 we ask that you have a project manager available. So, it is acceptable to price/bill for a project manager.

Question #4:

As this is a SCA contract, I did not see any first right of refusal for example in the solicitation. I would assume since it is an SCA contract, we do have to offer first right of refusal, correct?

Answer #4:

As for the first right of refusal, Executive Order 13495 was revoked in October 2019, which required that a successor in federal service contractors and subcontractors offer their predecessor’s employees who were employed under the previous contract, a right of first refusal to those employment positions for the new contract. In other words, federal service contractors commencing a new government contract are no longer required to offer employment to those working on the expiring contract. Therefore, it is not included in this solicitation.

Question #5:

Section L.5.1.2 states: Provide references for experience per C.6.2 to support past/present performance. Section C.6.2 states: Contractor shall have a minimum of one-year experience in providing this service or similar and provide references. Section M.3.3.1.2 states: The Government will also evaluate the offeror’s knowledge of the work.

Does this imply for the contractor to be technically acceptable the contractor has to have experience in the NRCS Farm Bill programs and related systems (Protracts, ArcGIS, etc.) or experience providing administrative support services to USDA and NRCS?

Answer #5:

No this does not mean they have to have experience in NRCS Farm Bill Programs. Would it be preferred yes, but not required. What the experience means is that you have experience in working with federal government agencies providing administrative support. USDA and NRCS experience are desirable but not required. Federal Government experience is a must.

Question #6:

Please explain basis for 2000 hours. Is the 2000 productive hours working at USDA? Per Service Contract Act, 2000 hours per year is not possible because employees are entitled to 2 weeks leave and 6 days of sick leave. Max productive hours would be 1860 when you add in 10 federal holidays. Please explain basis for 2000 hours per year.

Answer #6:

The max hours would typically be 1860 but we have factored in some extra time incase overtime is needed. So, 2000 is the max hours we would pay in a year but you are right they will most likely only work 1860.

Question #7:

Are all positions filled on current contract?

Answer #7:

All but one is currently filled on the current contract.

Question #8:

Which positions are vacant on current contract?

Answer #8:

One of the positions in Forrest County is currently vacant.

Question #9:

Does the 2000 hours per year reflect one full time person?

Answer #9:

Yes, the 2000 hours is one full-time person.

Question #10:

Please clarify submission date. The cover page in the solicitation states September 18, 2020 12 PM CST; however, in the instructions, L.3.1.8 it states that the due date is September 21, 2020, 12 PM CST. Please confirm correct due date.

Answer #10:

My apologies for the typo. The due date is September 18, 2020. I have posted the revised request for quotes correcting the date.

Question #11:

Attachment C Wage Determination only covers two counties: Tate and Tunica. Section J.1 lists over 30 different counties. The hourly wage rate for 01312 Secretary II varies from county to county. For example, in Tate and Tunica Counties it is $17.58. However, WD 2015-5161 Rev 15 22May20, which the Government did not provide, but which covers Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Grenada, Leflore, Montgomery, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Washington, and Yalobusha counties, lists the hourly wage rate for 01312 Secretary II of only $15.46. Will the government please provide the additional wage determinations needed to address all the counties listed in J.1?

Answer #11:

The wage determination document is 132 pages. There are 12 different wage determinations for this requirement. They are all attached. Please review all pages. The first pages only cover Tate and Tunica, but the other locations are covered further down in the document.