Attachment C Question and Answers Final.pdf

Attachment C Question and Answers Final 1605C1-24-R-0004

Question Title Section Number Question Detail Government Response

NAICS Section 1.4

The Solicitation Document referenced manufacturing North American Industry Classification System Code is 337127 (NAICS) and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Section 1.4 Scope, page 12, lists multiple large furniture manufacturers that contractors have to provide products from. However, this NAICS Code is not represented on the Small Business Administration (SBA) Non-manufacturer rule class waiver list. Therefore, will the government be providing to contractor a waiver as required to any Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.219-33 Non- Manufacturer Rule so offerors can provide products from large furniture manufacturers as necessary?

The NAICS code has been amended to 541410 - Interior Design Services

Pricing/GSA Schedule Section B.10

The Solicitation Document states within Section B.10 IDIQ Pricing Table, pg. 10, that Contractor has authority to place orders under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule program as an alternate source. Will the government be providing a Letter of Authorization to offerors as required?

Letter of Authorization for utilizing GSA supplies can be provided during Contract award.

Labor Categories Section B.6

The Solicitation Document Section B.6, pg. 9 states that in response to RFQs issued under this IDIQ contract, the vendor shall use only those labor categories, service categories, and/or supplies listed in schedule B.

However, below Pricing Tabe on pg. 10 states Vendor can propose alternate labor categories for this IDIQ based on the RFP requirements.

Can the government please confirm when alternate labor categories can be proposed?

Alternate labor categories can be proposed by Contractors as necessary in their proposals. The conformance of Wage Determination labor categories requirements is the sole responsibility of the contractor.

OCI Section B.6

The Solicitation Document Section B.6, pg. 9 states responding to a RFQ for a subsequent order, the vendor must address whether an organizational conflict of interest (OCI) may or may not exist and should the vendor determine that an OCI may exist, it must identify the potential conflict and how it will mitigate or avoid that conflict during performance of the order or decline to submit a quote. Can the government please provide an example of any perceived of actual OCI’s that may be presented to contractors that would be contained within an order?

The Task Orders resulting from the IDIQ award are not subject to Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)

Pricing Section B.10

The Solicitation Document B.10 IDIQ Pricing Table pg. 10 – “(2) Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) will be priced at the order level and must represent the best rates available and cannot exceed the GSA price (if applicable). However, for certain ancillary or other uncommon furniture item order requests may be at the best available commercial price. Therefore, can the government please clarify this item?

Item depends on task order level requirements.

DOL Furniture and Relocation Services

Objectives Section 1.3

The Solicitation Document 1.3 Objectives Page 12 states for vendor to ensure that all sensitive documents are handled, distributed, archived and destroyed according to established project procedures. Will the government please provide to offerors the “established project procedures” or a direct reference as to the handling of sensitive documents?

To be provided at task order level.

Objectives Section 1.3

The Solicitation Document 1.3 Objectives Page 12 states for vendor to comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, technical manuals, manufacturer’s guidelines, DOL policy and directives and DOL COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, Executive Order 13991: Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask- Wearing, Frances Perkins Building Contractor Staff Vaccination Status, and any other applicable guidance in effect or issued during the performance of this contract.. Can the government provide direct links to the listing of documents within this section and any other “applicable guidance in effect” to offerors in advance reference purposes?

The offeror must comply with all Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Department Of Labor Acquisition Regulations (DOLAR) terms and regulations listed in the Solicitation and resulting award. The Regulations can be found at https://www.acquisition.gov/

Objectives Section 1.3

Is the DOL COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, Executive Order 13991:

Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing and Frances Perkins Building Contractor Staff Vaccination Status currently in effect?

Currently no COVID (wearing masks) is required or providing vaccination status; DOL will provide future guidance when needed upon

IDIQ award.

Scope Section 1.4

The Solicitation Document 1.4 Scope, Page 12 states that FF&E may include lease or purchase options but is not limited to office furniture, systems furniture, conference room furniture, mailroom furniture, lounge furniture and other ancillary furniture (Break, Touchdown and Wellness Rooms), as well as audio visual equipment, signage, delivery, installation and removal of all FF&E. Can the government please detail to offerors as to what a lease option request may consist of?

To be provided at task order level.

Scope Section 1.4

The Solicitation Document 1.4 Scope, Page 12, Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) The Contractor shall have the ability to provide furniture from multiple vendors and manufacturers such as Allsteel, Knoll Miller, Haworth, Steelcase, Teknion, etc. to meet DOL’s requirements. Can the government please confirm this listing is all inclusive of the manufacturers that are anticipated to be used in support for this IDIQ/orders?

This list is not all inclusive but represented in majority of DOL's current furniture inventory; to be determined at task order level.

Scope Section 1.4

The Solicitation Document 1.4 Scope, Page 12, Additionally, this Contractor provide services include data gathering and analysis, space planning and design, policy recommendations. Can the government please provide an example to offerors of policy recommendations?

Workplace design and concept for furniture recommendations

Scope Section 1.4 The Solicitation Document 1.4 Scope, Page 12, states the contractor shall accomplish all tasks to the standards in this contract and all applicable building codes and regulations. Can the government please confirm and provide the applicable building codes and regulations to offerors?

The contractor will verify applicable building codes during the solicitation phase at each Task Order level.

QA Surveillance Plan Section 1.6.2 Can the government please provide their Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan as referenced in Para 1.6.2 Quality Assurance?

QASP has been provided under the Solicitation Attachment E

Hours of Operation Section 1.6.5

The Solicitation Document 1.6.5 Hours of Operation, Page 13-14, states work will be performed mainly during business hours; however, the Contractor may be required at times to work outside these hours. If contractor is to work outside normal business hours, can the government please confirm this will be detailed and priced by contractor at the order level?

To be provided at task order level.

Security Requirements Section 1.6.8

The Solicitation Document 1.6.8 Security Requirements, Page14 states the level of security required shall be identified in the detailed task orders, if applicable, Section 4.2 Clearance, refers to a required level of clearance. Can the government please clarify to offerors the “level of security” and “clearance” requirements that are required?

To be provided at task order level.

Special Qualification 1.6.9

The Solicitation Document 1.6.9 Special Qualifications, Page 15 states the Contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees possess all required licenses in the execution of this contract action. Can the government please clarify the licensing requirements to offerors?

Vary by task order. (i.e. Driver license with class rating for truck driver)

Organizational Conflict of Interest

1.6.14

The Solicitation Document 1.6.14 Organizational Conflict of Interest, Page 19 : Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract action may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI), as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. Can the government please clarify if contractor will have access to source selection information and if so will this limit Contractor on bidding on any future procurements for any agency as will present a perceived or actual OCI?

The contractor will not have access to source selection information

Phase In / Phase Out 1.6.15

The Solicitation Document 1.6.15 Phase In/Phase Out Period, Page 19:

To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the contractor shall have personnel on board during the (30) day phase in/phase out periods. Can the government please clarify if this is a new or existing requirement, and if existing provide to offerors the existing contractor name and number?

This is an existing requierement. Detailes will be provided upon award.

Misc./ Asbestos 1.6.17 The Solicitation Document refers to Asbestos Containing Materials, Page 21: Can the government please clarify if any asbestos abatement is required and will be priced by contractor at the IDIQ order level?

Will be determine at the task order level.

Specific Tasks - FF&E 5.1.1

The Solicitation Document Section 5.1.1 Task 1- Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E), pg. 25: states the responsible Agency and the DOL Interior Designer may reach out to the IDIQ Contractor to conduct market research utilizing various furniture manufacturers and/or vendors in the development of project scopes and estimates at pre-award with all required effort by the Contractor's ID described above, from validation, finalize the products to preparation of the Final FF&E submittal, must be included in the Base contract, for the procurement and installation of the FF&E. Can the government please clarify that this market research request would occur after award yet appears these costs which are unknown at this time are to be included in the Base contract?

The Solicitation Document Section 5.1.1 Task 1- Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E), pg. 25 refers to the market research at the Task

Order level.

Standards Program General Does the DOL have a standards furniture program that it currently uses?

If so, can the DOL identify the manufacturer(s) that make up a large part of its install base nationally?

See section 1.4 Scope of the Solicitation

Design General Is the Government needing stamped architectural drawings as part of this contract or are they seeking consultative direction on code compliance.

Generally, there are no requirements for stamped architectural drawings;

however, architectural/ interior design drawings must be code compliance.

NAICs Code 337127 Solicitation Std.

Form 1449

It is our understanding the Non-Manufacturer rule applies to NAICs 337127 (a manufacturing/supply NAICs), preventing large business office furniture manufacturers on those small business set aside contracts. These large office furniture manufacturers are listed on Pg.

12 of the Performance Work Statement as a requirement of DOL - Miller Knoll, Haworth, Steelcase, Teknion, etc. Might Government consider NAICs 541614 which is more comprehensive and includes the many services listed in the requirement and would also support utlizing the large office furniture manufacturers listed on Pg. 12 of the requirement?

The NAICS code has been amended to Service NAICS 541410 - Interior Design Services. A Non-Manufacturer rule will not apply.

Service Contract Act Attachment D

If the requirement remains NAICs 337127, essentially a Products/Supply NAICs, it is our understanding the SCA doesn't apply to apply to Product/Supply NAICs codes, that it applies to Services contracts such as 541614.

The NAICS code has been amended to Service NAICS 541410 - Interior Design Services. A Service Contract Act will apply.

Time Extension

Given the amount of documentation required from new responders, as opposed to past/current providers to DOL, might the CO consider a one week time extension in which to receive responses?

Refer to Amendment 0001 of the Solicitation.

Project Management Fee

As the 8(a) Small Business will be managing many different products and services throughout the term of the contract, will DOL allow a reasonable Project Management Fee on both the products and services?

Refer to section 5.1 of the Solicitation

NAICS Code SF1449

Contractors will not be able to comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting under NAICS 337127 without supplying 50% of the furniture from small business manufacturers, as the NMR class waiver for that NAICS was terminated on 06/08/2022 under 87 Fed. Reg. 34921.

Did the Gov't obtain a nonmanufacturer rule waiver from the SBA for this contract?

The NAICS code has been amended to Service NAICS 541410 - Interior Design Services. A Non-Manufacturer rule will not apply.

Incumbent General Is there an incumbent contractor, and if so who is it? There is no incumbent contractor

After-Hours / Weekend Labor Rates

PWS; 1.6.5 Are we to provide after-hours / weekend labor rates, or are those negotiated at the task order level as needed?

To be determined at task order level

Phase In/ Phase Out Hours PWS; 1.6.15 How are hours billed during the Phase In/ Phase Out Period? No billable services are expected during the Phase in/ Phase-out period

Past Performance Questionnaires

PWS; Instructions to Offerors

In an effort to reduce workload requests on Gov't employees, will the Gov't accept recently completed CPARS and/or NAVFAC/USACE Standard Form PPQ-0 instead of the DOL "Attachment B Past Performance Questionnaire"?

It is the Department of Labor’s intent to collect complete performance evaluations for each offeror. The requiring office will assess the Contractor’s performance in areas such as quality, quantity and timeliness. Such ratings may have bearing on the contractor’s likelihood to receive future contracts. The past performance questionnaire in Section J of the solicitation will be used for this purpose. Additionally, evaluators may retrieve any available past performance reports electronically at Contractors Past Performance Retrieval System (CPARS) located at www.cpars.gov.

PPQ Notification Deadline PWS; Instructions to Offerors

Past Performance Questionnaire. Will the Gov't extend the deadline for email notification to the Contract Specialist the list of POC's that were sent the questionnaire? Tracking down Gov't POC's from previous job is challengings due to new assigments, attrition, etc.

No time extension for Past Perfromance submission

Due Date PWS; Instructions to Offerors Will the Government extend the due date to 17 May?

Refer to Amendment 0001 of the Solicitation.

Past Performance Questionnaires

PWS; Instructions to Offerors

In an effort to reduce workload requests on Gov't employees, will the Gov't accept recently completed CPARS and/or NAVFAC/USACE Standard Form PPQ-0 instead of the DOL "Attachment B Past Performance Questionnaire"?

It is the Department of Labor’s intent to collect complete performance evaluations for each offeror. The requiring office will assess the Contractor’s performance in areas such as quality, quantity and timeliness. Such ratings may have bearing on the contractor’s likelihood to receive future contracts. The past performance questionnaire in Section J of the solicitation will be used for this purpose. Additionally, evaluators may retrieve any available past performance reports electronically at Contractors Past Performance Retrieval System (CPARS) located at www.cpars.gov.

Past performance Vol II PP

Will the government consider teaming agreements. If so, can the past performance be of the teaming partner or are they required to be of only the prime?

The government may consider teaming agreements. It is the Department of Labor’s intent to collect complete performance evaluations for each prime offeror.

Building Labor 1.6.6 Can the government confirm if any of the DOL buildings listed require union labor?

Union requirement will depend on a location

Proposal extension L.4

Given the extent of the requirement and the questions deadline being May 6; would the government consider extending the due date for the proposal response?

Refer to Amendment 0001 of the Solicitation.

Can the government provide the value of previous contract? The information about previous aquisitions can be found at FPDS.gov

Travel outside of dmv 1.6.6 Can the government provide a percentage of travel away from the DC office for work performed?

Travel reimbursment is not provided and should be included within the task order price.

1.6.6 Is it anticipated that when not on travel the key personnel work from the DC office daily?

This is not a requirement

Scope of Work/Descriptions

ATTACHMENT A -

IDIQ Pricing Sheet

Will the Government please provide the anticipated Scope of Work for the following: Cost Estimator; Senior Planning Lead; Process/Design Facilitor; and Analyst?

Cost Estimators - Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, or services to aid management in developing cost estimate, bidding on or determining price of product or service.

Senior Planning Lead - Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the contract scopes. Participate in the programming and planning development of project(s) and oversee organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized fields, such as movers, or designers.

Process/ Design Facilitator- Plan, direct, or coordinate activities concerned with the process and design. Participate in the conceptual development of all projects and ensure all design/ planning to meet project requirements including but not limited to functional needs, existing conditions, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation.

Analyst- Conduct meetings to gather organizational requirements and evaluations, design, and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures of projects efficiently and effectively.

Key Personnel Resumes and Letters of Commitment

1.6.12 Key

Personnel

Will the Government allow for the Key Personnel Resumes and Letters of Commitment to not be included in page count?

The government will accept the Key Personnel Resumes and Letters of Commitment in addition to the maximum page count.