B09(b_1)_-_Amend_02_-_Questions_and_Answers_0002.pdf

140P2125R0026 Amendment 02

Questions and Answers

1. Section(s) C.11, C.16.5 mentions cellular phones, but we would like clarification on whether the Government expects or requires two-way radio/handheld communications devices (e.g., walkie-talkies) for on-duty security guards. If so, does the Government provide them, or is the Contractor responsible?

Answer: IAW the base SOW at C.16.5 the awardee shall provide at least one (1) cellular telephone for each Security Post / Screening Site to be used for communications with USPP. The Contractor shall provide cellular telephones to any additional Security Posts / Screening Sites that are staffed by contract Security Officers in the future. The Government has no expectation for the awardee to utilize two-way radio/hand held communication devices for the guards.

2. Section C.3.1 indicates the Contractor must hold valid private security business licenses in D.C. and Virginia. Are both the prime contractor and subcontractor required to hold these licenses?

Answer: A Sub-Contractor is not required for this acquisition. FAR 52.219-14 is applicable and included in the solicitation in full text.

3. Section C.3.1 requires both a DC and VA private security business license and states that all unarmed guards must hold the correct unarmed officer certifications for each jurisdiction in which they work. If a single guard works across both DC and VA, they need both certifications. Could you confirm whether the Government anticipates some guards will be dual-jurisdiction, or can we staff DC- and VA-specific guards only?

Answer: The Government will not direct the awardee how to assign staff.

4. Because these services will occur on federal property, do individual unarmed security officers need to hold local (DC/VA) unarmed guard certifications, or is there a federal credential that substitutes? The SOW (C.3.1) strongly suggests DC/VA licenses are mandatory, but we want to confirm whether working on federal grounds complicates that requirement.

Answer: IAW the base SOW, section C.3.1 unarmed security guards must have valid certification for the assigned site. “If the Contractor’s unarmed security guard is assigned to a Security Post / Screening Site in DC, that employee must possess a valid certification from the proper DC authority(s). If the Contractor’s unarmed security guard is assigned to a Security Post / Screening Site in Virginia, that employee must possess a valid certification from the proper Virginia authority(s). If the Contractor’s unarmed security guard works at Security Posts / Screening Sites within both DC and Virginia, such as the Contractor’s Operations Supervisor, then that employee must have valid certification from both the proper DC and Virginia authority(s).”

5. Similarly, is there any purely federal security business license requirement, or does the Government simply require compliance with DC/VA private security licensure?

Answer: There is no known purely Federal security business license requirement. The awardee is responsible for receiving, and maintaining all such permits and licenses throughout the course of the Contract and issued Task Orders, including any and all option periods the Government exercises.

6. The solicitation describes the required proposal volumes (technical and price) and factors (e.g., experience, key personnel, past performance). Would the Government permit a short, ~5-page executive summary that introduces our company and our subcontractor relationship, as well as a brief summary of our intended transition/continuity approach and our emergency activities approach?

Answer: Offerors may provide any documentation that they wish, however only the required documents as outlined in the solicitation will be reviewed for evaluation purposes.

7. Please advise which volume the following documents should be included in our submittal:

-Signed amendments -Exhibit A - Completed Indian Affairs Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form -Completed Provisions

Answer: These documents may be submitted as separate attachments.

8. In B08(b), Section 6.1.2, the RFP states “Government will request a price breakdown of the Contract Line items in Excel format.” Would the government please provide this worksheet so that offerors can begin to prepare their pricing in this manner.

Answer: B08(b), section 6.1.2 states “If deemed necessary”. An offeror will be notified if supplemental price breakdown IAW B08(b), section 6.1.2 is necessary.

9. While we can provide resumes, is it the government’s intention to retain qualified incumbent staff in the positions of PM and OS?

Answer: The Government will not direct the offeror who to retain. It is the Government’s expectation that the awardee will hire qualified personnel to fulfil the tasks as outlined in the SOW.

10. Are there any specific improvements the government is seeking through this solicitation?

Answer: It is the Government’s expectation for the awardee to perform the work as outlined in the SOW.

11. Are all incumbent staff qualified to meet the solicitation requirements, or are there new requirements?

Answer: The Government recommends the offerors review the base and supplemental SOW’s to focus on the requirements for this solicitation, not on past projects. The incumbent staff meet the requirements of the current contract.

12. How many pages are allotted for personnel narratives?

Answer: Personnel narrative shall not exceed (1) one page.

13. Please provide a seniority roster.

Answer: Refer to FAR 52.222-41(n). This information will be provided to the awardee during the transition period.

14. Is there any emergency security services and/or temporary additional staffing requirements for this contract? How many hours have been expended annually?

Answer: The Government cannot predict future emergencies. If emergency services are required, a request for proposal will be sent to the awardee.

15. What are the training requirements for the contract? How many hours are associated with each requirement?

Answer: Refer to C.14 of the base SOW.

16. What communication system is used between officers? Radios? Are they provided by the government or contractor?

Answer: IAW the base SOW at C.16.5 the awardee shall provide at least one (1) cellular telephone for each Security Post / Screening Site to be used for communications with USPP. The Contractor shall provide cellular telephones to any additional Security Posts / Screening Sites that are staffed by contract Security Officers in the future. The Government has no expectation for the awardee to utilize two-way radio/hand held communication devices for the guards.

17. Will the government provide office space for project manager?

Answer: The awardee is responsible for providing office space for the project manager.

18. What are the specifications for the ID cards to be provided by the contractor?

Answer: Refer to the base SOW, section C.16.1

19. Please provide licensing and permit requirements.

Answer: Refer to the base SOW, section C.3

20. Is there a mandatory requirement to provide meal and rest breaks?

Answer: Refer to the Department of Labor for specifics. Further research may be required by the offeror other than what is provided at this link:

https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/breaks#:~:text=Makes%20the%20distincti on%20between%20rest,Fair%20Labor%20Standards%20Act%20(FLSA)

21. Are there any vehicle requirements?

Answer: IAW the base SOW at section C.9.21 the awardee shall enforce USPP approved methods of screening for all personnel and motor vehicles, if applicable, entering the area to ensure proper access control to these sites.

22. Is the incumbent workforce fully qualified to work on the contract?

Answer: The incumbent workforce is fully qualified to work on the current contract.

23. Are the security officers required to have a license or permit to work as security officers in the respective locations (i.e., Wash, DC and VA)?

Answer: Refer to the base SOW, section C.1.3.

24. Please clarify whether officers can self-relieve during breaks/lunch, or if relief officers are required to provide constant post coverage?

Answer: Refer to base SOW, section C.5.4, C.5.5 and C.13.

25. Can the Government provide a list of attendees from the site visit.

Answer: Refer to Attachment 09 – Site Visit Roster in lieu of interested vendor list provided by sam.gov. This attachment is being provided as the interested vendor tab is not displaying on sam.gov

26. Given the well-documented staffing, turnover, and performance issues that have plagued guard contracts throughout the National Capital Region, the absence of a Management Approach evaluation criterion is a significant oversight. Without assessing how offerors plan to staff, retain, and manage personnel, especially in this competitive labor market, the Government risks awarding to a vendor unprepared to meet operational demands.

https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/breaks#:%7E:text=Makes%20the%20distinction%20between%20rest,Fair%20Labor%20Standards%20Act%20(FLSA) https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/breaks#:%7E:text=Makes%20the%20distinction%20between%20rest,Fair%20Labor%20Standards%20Act%20(FLSA)

Will the Government revise the evaluation criteria to include a Management Approach factor that allows for the assessment of each offeror’s readiness to perform and ability to sustain reliable security operations?

Answer: The requested evaluation factor will not be added to the solicitation.

27. Bo8(b) Attachment 1 Addendum 5.1.1 states “The offeror shall submit information for up to three (3) projects* that best demonstrates the offeror’s experience with security guard services that are similar in size, scope, and complexity to this project as described in the solicitation’s statement of work and demonstrated familiarity with applicable codes and local conditions. Note: To be considered, the project must have been completed by the offeror, i.e., not the offeror’s subcontractor.” Given that the solicitation requires the offeror to submit past performance information for projects completed by the offeror themselves, would the National Park Service (NPS) consider accepting past performance from a subcontractor, particularly in cases where the subcontractor is mentoring the prime contractor? This would be especially relevant in situations where the prime contractor, an ISBEE (Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise), may not yet have contracts of equivalent size and scope but plans to rely on the experience and expertise of the subcontractor to fulfill the requirements of this solicitation.

Without consideration, a small ISBEE looking to support this contract is hindered to participate. Would NPS take this under consideration?

Answer: Refer to Amendment 01 which removed this language.

28. As this contract will be awarded as best value, can NPS clarify or confirm that SCA Rates are the minimum that a potential employee will be paid as a will not “go below” the SCA rate.

Answer: Refer to FAR 52.222-55 Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 Deviation (October 2023); specifically (b)(9). IAW FAR 22.1002- 3 successor contractors performing on contracts in excess of $2,500 for substantially the same services performed in the same locality must pay wages and fringe benefits (including accrued wages and benefits and prospective increases) at least equal to those contained in any bona fide collective bargaining agreement entered into under the predecessor contract. The applicable wage determinations and collective bargaining agreement applicable to this solicitation is found at attachments 4(a), 4(b) and 5.

29. Based on the time requirement for the question, the team is still reviewing the solicitation packet, as a result, is the contractor required to hire union personnel based on the included COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. Can NPS provide a point of contact to INTERNATIONAL UNION, SECURITY, POLICE AND FIRE PROFESSIONALS OF AMERICA (SPFPA) AND Point of contact for LOCAL 444

Answer: https://spfpa.org/contact-us https://spfpa.org/contact-us

30. Since you never want to take an individual's job as a contractor without giving that individual and as the incumbent has personnel supporting this contract. As part of the Transition Phase and as part of the proposal requirement, will the new contract awardee be given an opportunity to provide current incumbent staff, first right of refusal in support of the follow on award.

Answer: This information will be provided to the awardee during period of performance of the transition task order.

31. Document Addendum 1, pages 2 and 3, section 5.1.1: Please clarify if each project submitted for Factor 1 is limited to 1 page or 3 pages.

Answer: As notated on page 3, the project description submitted for each project shall not exceed one (1) page per project.

32. Document Addendum 1, page 3, section 5.1.1: Will the Government consider allowing offerors to submit active projects that demonstrate 12 months or more of performance on a contract?

Answer: Addendum has been clarified and “well under way” removed; and “substantially complete” has been added.

33. Document Addendum 1, page 6, section 5.5: Please confirm that the CPARS submitted in Factor 3, are CPARS for the projects submitted in Factor 1.

Answer: Yes. Submit relevant CPARS. If there is not a completed CPARS, follow the instructions and submit a Past Performance Questionnaire.

34. Document Addendum 1, page 8, section 5.2.2: The criteria under this section states " following:

• The extent to which the submitted project involved producing mockups

• The extent to which the submitted project demonstrates experience manufacturing benches IAW mockup patterns.

• The extent to which the submitted project involved casting up to 800 benches over an extended period of time similar to that listed in the SOW" Will the Government clarify the relevancy determination?

Answer: The addendum has been revised to reflect the relevancy determinations of each submitted project.

35. Must four guards be maintained during breaks and lunch?

Answer: Refer to base SOW at C.5.4, C.5.5 and C.13.

36. Does the contracted firm need to provide the Operations Supervisor with a vehicle?

Answer: The SOW does not require the awardee to provide the Operations Supervisor with a vehicle. However, the Operations Supervisor must be capable of performing all the duties identified in C.5.2 and C.6.5 such as “The Operations Supervisor (OS) shall provide adequate roving supervision of Contract employees at all time during the term of this Contract and all subsequent Task Orders.”

37. During today’s site visit, it was mentioned that the contracted firm will provide transportation for guards. We would like some clarification on the specific requirements and expectations.

Answer: It is the awardees business decision if they would like to have a vehicle and drop employees off at the sites to perform the duties as outlined in the SOW. Otherwise, it is the expectation of the Government that contractor employees will provide their own transportation to their worksite just as a regular worksite.

38. Could you provide an estimate on the amount of transportation that will be required for guards?

Answer: It is the awardees business decision to determine the amount of transportation that is necessary to perform the duties as outlined in the SOW. The Government will not direct the awardee where and how to schedule employees.

39. Is there a breakdown of the number of security officers and lead security officers for the incumbent contractor, as well as a breakdown of their seniority?

Answer: The current orders from the incumbent encompass the following:

Ford’s Theater – 1 Security Officer Lincoln Memorial – 2 Security Guards Operations Supervisor – 1 Washington Monument – 3 Security Officers, 1 Post Supervisor White House Visitor’s Center – 3 Security Officers, 1 Post Supervisor Wolf Trap – 1 Security Officer Refer to FAR 52.222-41(n). This information will be provided to the awardee during the transition period.

40. Per Attachment 1 Addendum 5.1.1 of the RFP PWS : Would the National Park Service (NPS) consider accepting Past Performance from a subcontractor in the case of a Mentor/ Protégé Relationship?

Answer: A Mentor/ Protégé relationship is a Joint-Venture agreement and is generally not considered a subcontractor, but a joint venture. The Protégé is working under the joint venture agreement, not as a subcontractor to the mentor. The Protégé or lead small business member of a joint venture can demonstrate some level of past performance or experience. The addendum has been amended to reflect the acceptance of Mentor/Protégé relationships.

41. Is snow removal/clearing off for certain areas required? Salt?

Answer: This is not a requirement for snow removal. Refer to the tasks as outlined in the base and supplemental SOWs.

42. Do they require intermediate weapons, ballistic vests, traffic cones, radios, or patrol vehicles?

Answer: Refer to the base SOW section C.15 for Government Furnished Items and section C.16 for Contractor Furnished Equipment.

43. Is there adequate parking and where do they park?

Answer: There are no designated Government parking spaces.

44. What is considered “utility equipment?” Only the flashlight and batteries?

Answer: Those items that are identified in the base SOW section C.16.3.

45. Does the government provide computers, printers, or other office equipment needed?

Answer: No.

46. Is there an office at the locations?

47. Will any guard houses be needed?

48. Can they recommend a dosimeter?

Answer: The Government has not conducted research to recommend a dosimeter. It is incumbent upon the interested vendor to conduct appropriate research for the safety of their employees.

49. If no office, are there places for guards to put lunches, change of clothes, complete reports, etc?

Answer: The Government will not provide lockers or offices.

50. Is there adequate parking and where do they park?

51. A Sub must have the same small business status. Does that mean they must be Native American owned as well? FAR 52.219-14

Answer: IAW DIAR 1452.280-3 Indian Economic Enterprise subcontracting limitations, a contractor shall not subcontract more than the subcontract limitations specified under FAR 52.219-14 to other than responsible Indian Economic Enterprises when receiving and award under the Buy Indian Act.

52. Is there a maximum limit to subcontractor hours?

Answer: Refer to FAR 52.219-14 (e)(1) and for a joint venture, (g)(1).

53. Do we add tax in the proposal or no? 52.229-2 Am I correct that Materials taxes, shown separately, can be factored in? It says no but then says list them separately. So, include taxes but listed separate?

Answer: FAR 52.229-2 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

54. Is financing at 15% of total in advance in effect here? (52.232-14 through 20)

Answer: FAR 52.232-14 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

FAR 52.232-15 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

FAR 52.232-16 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation. Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) (February 2021) has been updated to clarify invoice submission. May invoice monthly, however no more than bi-monthly to reduce administrative burden.

FAR 52.232-17 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

FAR 52.232-18 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

FAR 52.232-19 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

FAR 52.232-20 is not applicable and is not included in this solicitation.

55. On average, how many call out or unscheduled hours are occurring per year?

Answer: The Government cannot anticipate unscheduled hours or emergencies. There have been no unscheduled hours over the past two years.

56. When the term belt is used, are you referring to the outside duty belt (basketweave) or the underneath belt referred to as a “Sam Brown” belt?

Answer: The Government is not requiring a police duty belt (basketweave). A black belt shall suffice. The black belt should be the same for all personnel.

57. Attachment 1, Addendum 1, Section 4, page 2: Our understanding of Vol 1 submission requirements are resumes, resume narratives, past performance discussion; and either CPARs or PPQs. These address Factors 2 and 3.

Does the Gov't. expect any additional submission to address Factor 1 Security Guard Services Experience, such as a capability discussion?

Answer: No. It is anticipated that the Security Guard Services Experience will demonstrate capabilities.

58. Attachment 1, Addendum 1, Section 5.1.1, page 3: The Gov't. provided 8 SOW files totaling 72 pages. In order to demonstrate relevancy in past performance, would the Gov't. please increase the page limit for each past performance reference to 3, for a total of 9 pages?

Answer: Addendum has been amended to increase the page total to 3 pages for each project, a total of 9 pages.

59. Attachment 1, Addendum 1, Section 5.2.3, page 4: Please allow an additional three pages to allow for narrative of experience of a parent, sister, predecessor or other affiliated company; and or to demonstrate what resources of the parent, sister, predecessor or other affiliated company will be provided or relied upon; and/or to demonstrate the existence of a contractual or meaningful relationship with the parent, sister, predecessor or other affiliated company.

Answer: Addendum has been amended to include an additional three pages for narrative experience of a parent, sister, predecessor or other affiliated company.

60. Attachment 1, Addendum 1, Section 5.2.2, page 8: This is not applicable to this RFP.

Answer: The addendum has been revised to reflect the relevancy determinations of each submitted project.

61. Is parking provided at the work locations during management / supervisor visits?

62. Attachment 2a SOW, Section c.13, page 13: Prior to commencement of work under this Contract, and except where precluded by local law or ordinance, the Contractor shall make and complete all arrangements with the appropriate officials in the state or local jurisdiction in which the services are to be performed to obtain all licenses and permits required for each individual unarmed security officer and supervisor to serve as an unarmed security officer. For the purposes of accurately costing wage and benefits estimates, would the Govt'. please provide incumbent seniority lists?

Answer: Refer to FAR 52.222-41(n). This information will be provided to the awardee during the transition period.

63. Attachment 2a SOW, section c14.2, page 38: Contract Unarmed Security Officers who worked under the predecessor Contract and who maintain valid certification credentials will not be required to take the Basic Training and On-Site Orientation until their suitability adjudication expires. Prior to the expiration of their suitability adjudication, those Security Officers must complete the required training. To minimize transition risk and ensure price reasonableness, would the Gov't. please provide a list of dates when incumbent suitability and local guard training expire?

Answer: This information will be provided to the awardee during the transition period.

64. Attachment 2a SOW, section c14.2, page 38: Contract Unarmed Security Officers who worked under the predecessor Contract and who maintain valid certification credentials will not be required to take the Basic Training and On-Site Orientation until their suitability adjudication expires. Prior to the expiration of their suitability adjudication, those Security Officers must complete the required training. Are all of the incumbent staff currently certified to all local jurisdiction (DC and VA) training requirements?

Answer: The incumbent staff are currently certified to perform the work as outlined in the contract of the current contract.

65. I am a black/minority own business, can anyone bid on this solicitation, or do you have to be of Indian Economic?

Answer: This solicitation has been designated as a set aside for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE).

66. Who is the incumbent?

Answer: Inter-Con Security Systems, INC.; 140P3020A0001