Attachment_5-_Questions___Answers_0001.pdf

Questions & Answers 140A2322R0005 March 11, 2022

1. Will there be any set asides for Indian-owned Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) businesses on this solicitation? If not, why?

Response:

• The solicitation is being competed under full and open opportunity. Based upon the market research conducted and in order to meet the goals of the acquisition (see RFP), full and open competition was determined to be the appropriate route. The Government encourages ISBEEs and SBs to submit proposals under this opportunity.

2. Why was there not a Sources Sought for this solicitation to determine if there were any qualified ISBEEs? Was any market research performed to determine if there were any qualified ISBEE businesses that could perform on this solicitation?

Response:

• A sources sought notice was posted under DOIAFBO210087. Market research, inclusive of the sources sought as well as other areas considered, indicated there were insufficient numbers of ISBEEs to meet the goals of this acquisition. The Government encourages ISBEEs and SBs to submit proposals under this opportunity.

3. If a vendor has different distribution centers, can multiple proposals be submitted for different geographical areas? And if the technical information would be the same, does an entire proposal have to be submitted for each geographical area?

Response:

• The Technical portion of the proposal can be submitted once and then send in Attachment 2

– Pricing Schedule and Attachment 3 – BOS School Locations for each distribution area. Be sure to mark the attachments clearly as to which ones are for which distribution area. If there are different DUNS, addresses, POCs for the distribution centers, this needs to be clearly indicated within the proposal.

4. Referencing Attachment 3 – BOS School Locations, what do the asterisk mean after a few of the school names?

Response:

• There is no significance of the asterisks.

5. How is small business inclusion/participation addressed? Is there a small business preference in awarding this solicitation?

Response:

• This opportunity is being solicited under full and open competition. The Government encourages ISBEEs and SBs to submit proposals under this opportunity.

6. How does the solicitation function with regards to existing BPAs in place?

• The Government will address existing BPAs that are in place on a case-by-case basis.

7. How will school participation be enforced by the contracting agency?

• The intent of these IDIQs is to streamline the acquisition process. As schools submit food and dairy requests in the future, the Government intends on issuing delivery orders, in accordance with the ordering section of the RFP, against these IDIQs in the maximum extent practicable.

8. Will multiple IDIQ awards be made for this solicitation?

• Yes, per the terms of the RFP, it is the government’s intent to award multiple IDIQ requirements contracts as a result of this solicitation.

9. Is this considered a “Master IDIQ” and each school site will order food products from approved IDIQ vendors?

Response:

• Each award under this opportunity will be considered a master IDIQ. Delivery orders will be issued against the master IDIQs established under this opportunity. See section 4, Ordering Procedures beginning on page 3 of the solicitation for ordering details.

10. Will the option years on existing BIA food and milk (722310 and 311511) contracts currently held by the ISBEE businesses which delivers to BIA/BIE schools be exercised, or will those contracts be terminated due to this solicitation?

Response:

• The Government does not anticipate terminating any existing contract as a result of this opportunity. Note, however, that not exercising an option year under an existing contract is not a termination. The Government will review existing orders on a case-by-case basis. The option exercise is a unilateral right by the Government to exercise or not exercise.

11. How is the pattern of cooperativeness and teamwork determined? For instance, PPIRS, FAPIIS or

CPARS. Is the pattern of cooperativeness determined by a school staff member or contracting officer?

Response:

• The Government will evaluate past performance in accordance with the terms of the RFP, and use sources outlined within 52.212-2 for evaluating.

12. For dairy items on Attachment 2, is it mandatory that all items on the list be quoted on or can an offeror/vendor place a bid on specific line items?

Response:

• Vendors are requested to quote all items on the applicable tab(s) they are proposing for. If the exact item cannot be met, vendors are asked to provide an alternative as indicated on the pricing schedule. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the terms of the RFP.

13. How often will an order be placed against the IDIQ contract? Once a month?

• Delivery orders are anticipated to be placed throughout the year, dependent upon the needs of the schools and Bureau.

14. Can two or more awardees be put onto the same dairy IDIQ for the same school?

• The Government anticipates awarding multiple IDIQ contracts to vendors who can provide food and dairy under this opportunity. It is the Government’s goal to have more than one vendor under contract covering each school, so that future competition under the IDIQs can be achieved at the order level. Future orders will be placed and competed in accordance with the terms of the RFP.

15. Why is this requirement unrestricted and not set aside for ISBEE vendors?

• See responses to questions 1 and 2 above. The Government encourages ISBEEs and SBs to submit proposals under this opportunity.

16. Why is food & dairy solicited as an IDIQ where each source was independently solicited prior to this announcement? What benefit is this to ISBEEs and small businesses?

• IDIQ contracts are intended to streamline the acquisition process. Establishing multiple award IDIQ contracts for this requirement will save the Government time, money, and resources in several areas of the procurement and administrative process. The Government encourages ISBEEs and SBs to submit proposals under this opportunity.

17. Will past performance be considered?

• Yes, see FAR 52.212-1 and 52.212-2 for information on past performance and how it will be evaluated.