C06_Q_A_on_solicitiation_0001.pdf

HOOVER DAM – HD K9 Services (Base + 2OY)

Solicitation No: 140R3026Q0096

1. Certification Equivalency

The PWS identifies North American Police Work Dog Association, NAPWDA, Certification or Drug Beat Certification for Explosives Detection as the required certification.

Our proposed teams are single-purpose explosive detection K9 teams. Our handlers and canines currently maintain California POST, Peace Officer Standards and Training, explosive detection certification and Department of Defense explosive detection validations. Our DOD validations are conducted under applicable Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force Military Working Dog standards, including DAFI 31-121, as applicable.

Would California POST explosive detection certification, together with Department of Defense explosive detection validation, be considered acceptable to satisfy this requirement, or does the Government require one of the specifically listed certifications?

If additional documentation would assist in making that determination, we would be pleased to provide it.

A: All certifications will be subject to thorough review; however, this site operates outside the jurisdiction of Department of Defense (DOD) guidelines. Compliance is instead mandated by the standards and requirements established by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the Department of the Interior (DOI).

2. Technical Documentation

Beyond copies of certification documents, are there any additional technical documents the Government would like included with the quotation, such as validation records, evaluator information, testing standards, or training records, to demonstrate compliance with the PWS?

A: Additional records pertaining to training, testing, and evaluation would greatly assist in the assessment of technical acceptance.

3. Staffing Requirements

Does the Government anticipate utilizing a single explosive detection K9 team during normal operations, or should offerors anticipate occasions requiring multiple K9 teams simultaneously?

A: The standard operational model anticipates staffing by a single team.

Nevertheless, it is expected that the contractor possesses the capacity to provide additional personnel in response to surge requirements, should such circumstances arise. Any surge deployment will be subject to prior approval and will be billed accordingly.

4. Emergency Call-Outs

The PWS requires contractors to respond within 90 minutes and guarantees a minimum of two hours for emergency call-outs.

For pricing purposes, should emergency call-outs be billed using the same hourly rate as scheduled services, or does the Government anticipate a separate emergency-response rate?

A: The price schedule is built with the anticipation that emergency call-out rates may be different than the scheduled service rates. How you choose to complete your proposal for these rates is not determined by the Government.

5. State Licensing

Please confirm whether any Nevada or Arizona private security licensing requirements apply to contractor personnel performing work under this contract, or whether federal credentialing and PIV approval satisfy the Government’s requirements.

A: Please refer to Attachment 01- PWS Section 3.0 Personnel Qualification for requirements on this RFQ.

6. Wage Determination

Because Hoover Dam operates along the Nevada-Arizona border, please confirm which Service Contract Labor Standards wage determination and labor classification the Government expects offerors to use when preparing pricing.

A: Hoover Dam is located in both Nevada and Arizona and both wage determinations will be used are provided in Attachment 03 – Wage Determination.

7. Deliverables

Will the Government provide standardized K9 deployment reports, incident reports, search reports, and invoice templates, or should offerors submit their own proposed reporting formats for Government approval?

A: The contractor is required to submit their preferred forms for approval. Once approved, these forms will be incorporated into the submittal reports submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR).

1. Can the Government provide historical usage from the current or prior contract, including total annual hours worked and average monthly hours?

A: Historically, we have been fortunate that the contracted amount has consistently met our operational requirements. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we proactively plan for unforeseen circumstances.

2. Can the Government provide the expected normal schedule for K9 services, including expected days of the week, shift lengths, weekends, holidays, and typical start/end times?

A: Estimated work schedule will be 8 hours days Sunday – Wednesday for a total of 32 hours a week. This could be subject to change on both days and hours per day instead of an 8-hour day we could ask for 10 or 12 due to special events occurring or other needs.

3. During normal operations, how many K9 teams does the Government anticipate needing on site at the same time?

A: The standard operational model anticipates staffing by a single team.

Nevertheless, it is expected that the contractor possesses the capacity to provide additional personnel in response to surge requirements, should such circumstances arise. Any surge deployment will be subject to prior approval and will be billed accordingly.

4. If the Government schedules more than one K9 team at a time, will additional parking spaces be provided for the additional teams?

A: Parking availability is limited; however, every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of the dogs while also considering the impact on mission operations.

5. Is the intent to have a K9 team assigned on site daily, or will K9 services be strictly scheduled as needed by Reclamation supervisors?

A: A predetermined number of hours is required; however, flexibility may be granted to accommodate training and other services as necessary.

6. How many emergency callouts were requested over the past 12 months, and about how long did those callouts typically last?

A: Unknown

7. Are there any known special events, high-traffic periods, construction projects, VIP visits, or other operational needs where additional K9 teams or extended hours may be needed?

A: Although numerous tours are conducted, any request for K-9 support would be submitted in advance and those hours would count against normal allotment of hours. If a last-minute request arises, it is expected that the contractor will make every reasonable effort to fulfill the requirement.

8. Are there any guaranteed minimum hours under this contract, either weekly or monthly, or should vendors price this with the understanding that hours may change based on Government need?

A: There is no guaranteed minimum hours under this contract, it is estimated work schedule will be 8 hours days Sunday – Wednesday for a total of 32 hours a week.

This could be subject to change on both days and hours per day instead of an 8-hour day we could ask for 10 or 12 due to special events occurring or other needs.

9. Are incident reports and other onsite reports completed by hand, or can they be submitted digitally?

A: Preferred they be electronic but handwritten is acceptable.