Attachment 7- Questions and Answers -Final.pdf

Reference Question Answer

Task length Is the Task Length number of calendar days or working days? For example 15 days for task starting May 1 ends on

May 15 (15 calendar days) or May 21 (3 weeks of training 5 days per week)?

See the answer to Question 5.

Training days per week -trainees/soldiers

What days of the week are Uganda soldiers available to train? (example, many Islamic countries do not work on

Fridays and Saturdays).

See the answer to Question 5.

Training Hours per day -trainees/soldiers

How many hours per day should the training last? Are there any required breaks during the day?

See the answer to Question 5.

Training hour restrictions Are sessions only held part of the day to avoid training in the hottest parts of the day?

No, not normally.

19AQMM24R0174 - GPOI Assistance in Malawi Q&A's

Working day - contractor How many hours per day are the contractors expected to work? How many hours are trainees being trained?

If trainers are training 8 hours per day, to set up and close out training days, they will be working 10 hours on site. If trainees are trained for 6 hour days, trainers will be working on site for 8 hours per day

Eight (8) hour training days is the overall expectation (Monday through

Friday), but the government recognizes that some days may go later and some days may end earlier based on the partner requests, holidays, the optempo of training, and other environment factors that may be outside of the contractors control. The government also recognizes that in these circumstances, the contractor will coordinate directly with the MDF to ensure all training is completed and that all performance objectives are achieved, even if that means scheduling make up days on the weekends or extended training days. Offerors are reminded that several tasks have minimum planning hours assigned to them. Offerors may choose to propose additional planning hours to account for addtional time they think they need to bill the government to perform on the contract. However, Offerors who choose to propose additional adminisitive hours (billed as planning hours) should expect the government to direct an oversight process to ensure that every hour proposed is being properly accounted for.

In other words, those offers who insist that 8 hours is an insufficiently compensated work day should be prepared or may be directed to provide detailed evidence of start/stop times for every person performing on the contract.

There are approximately 12 national holidays in Malawi. A list of holidays is available on-line.

Work week - contractors How many days per week are the contractors expected to work?

See the answer to Question 5.

Holidays What are Zambia holidays/ training holidays expected to fall within the contract period?

Offerors can search the internet for this answer and coordinate directly with the MDF after contract award.

Office space Will there be office space available for the trainers?

Likely, but the contractor should also prepare for a modular/field training approach for their training teams each day at the POTC. While the MDF will likely provide the space, the contractor should plan for a more temporary/transient arrangement -- not the kind of office TL will hang out all day behind his or her labtop or start hanging artwork. MDF-provided office space shall be coordinated directly by the contractor after award, and the MDF have a long history of support GPOI trainers with varoius resources

(including office space) while they are performing at the POTC.

Secure storage facility Is there secure storage areas/ containers for sensitive items or will contractor have to provide their own secure storage facility?

GPOI has been training in Malawi for many years. Secure storage has never been an issue and should be available. See also the answer to Question 8.

Classroom Equipment Standards Do current ZDF lecture halls accommodate US/UN military training

A/V resource requirements: overhead projectors, computers, printers, air conditioning?

Some

Student Supplies Does the ZDF provide learning resources for students, e.g. writing instruments, notetaking pads, etc. or are contractors expected to provide these items?

Sometimes.

Student CLII Rations Will students have access to a dining facility for lunch, if not, who is responsible for providing?

Will contractors have access to dining facility for lunch?

Yes, the host nation provides for its personnel.

The contractor is expected to provide for itself.

Student Coffee/Tea/Water Does the ZDF provide coffee/tea/water training support on a daily basis?

No

Planning hours Can planning hours be performed

CONUS?

Planning hours may be conducted CONUS or OCONUS. Planning hours should be charged against the task for which they are planning. Planning hours are in addition to the task hours.

General Miscellaneous - Team Lead as

STT

If the Team Lead has the requisite qualifications, can he/she also serve as an STT for some tasks - either scheduled and/or in an emergency situation?

If yes, where should the hours be mapped - to TL or to STT?

The Team Leader shall not be used for any other personnel positions on this contract, including as a substitute for an STT; only a qualified SST can replace that position. However, the Team Lead may choose to assist his or her SSTs to in the conduct of their training, particularly as the team Leader is responsbile for achieving all performance objectives for tasks conducted at the place of performance in Malawi.

SOW 2.2 Required Tasks (SOW p. 2) Will there be any breaks between Tasks?

If yes, how long can we anticipate that break to be?

This will impact travel costs as Trainers will return home if there are breaks.

The training schedule will be coordinated with the MDF during the TPPE.

However, the offers should plan on breaks between Tasks A, B, C, D, E, and

F.

As far as Task D & E Subtasks, it is very possible that subtasks may be performed concurrently with other subtasks. Again the schedule will be coordinated with the MDF during the TPPE.

SOW 2.3 Training / Lesson Plans/ POI

(SOW p. 2)

Will contractor have access to existing training materials prior to execution of the contract? Prior to the start of TPPE?

Or is the contractor expected to create all new training materials from APAN and UN Peacekeeping Hub?

Yes.

SOW 4.1.1 TPPE "The TPPE may be conducted in one or more trips (up to three trips..." (p. 8)

SOW 6.2 "… Contractor shall not invoice more than four authorized travel days per person for the duration of each task, even if the person travels to and from the place of performance more than once during the performance of that task"

(p. 31)

Since TPPE can be performed over 3 trips, will the customer pay for multiple trips for Contractors participating in

TPPE? For example, the Team Leader makes 3 trips during the course of Task

A TPPE, will the Team Leader's 2nd or

3rd trip be covered? SOW 6.2 suggests it would not.

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

SOW 4.2.5, 4.4.7, 4.6.6, 4.7.8 Planning

Hours (Tasks B, D, E, F) (p. 11, 13, 27, 29) The SOW says that the contractor "will conduct a minimum of 40 hours of planning prior to the start of the task ."

Does that mean the contractor can spend and be compensated for more than 40 hours? The required Registry of planning hours must be maintained and would identify these hours spent.

Yes. The contractor may choose to propose and price more than the minimum planning hours stated in the SOW. See other answers on pricing additional hours, including government's intent to ensure a rigorous surveilance plan is in place to account for the work done during these hours.

SOW 4.2.5, 4.4.7, 4.6.6, 4.7.8 Planning

Hours (Tasks B, D, E, F) (p. 11, 13, 27, 29) Are planning hours are in addition to hours allocated for the task?

Yes.

SOW 4.2.5, 4.4.7, 4.6.6, 4.7.8 Planning

Hours (Tasks B, D, E, F) (p. 11, 13, 27, 29) Can planning hours be performed

CONUS?

Planning hours may be conducted CONUS or OCONUS. Planning hours should be charged against the task for which they are planning. Planning hours are in addition to the task hours.

SOW 4.2.6 "hours for this task will not exceed 800 hours … or the equivalent to four (4) full-time personnel conducting twenty (20) days of task performance along with the Team Lead and planning hours." (p. 11)

Should this be 840 hours instead of 800 hours?

4 personnel * 8 hours/day * 20 days =

640 hours

Team Leader * 8 hours/day * 20 days =

160 hours

Per SOW 4.2.5 Total Planning Hours = 40 hours

640+160+40 = 840

Yes.

SOW Change.

Section 4.2.6. has been revised to: "The total labor hours for this task shall not exceed 840 hours, not including travel, or the equivalent to four (4) full-time personnel conducting twenty (20) days of task performance along with the Team Lead and planning hours."

SOW 4.3 Task C (pp. 11-12) Items under Task C are labeled as 4.4.X instead if 4.3.X.

SOW Updated

SOW 4.4.1 (4.3.1) The LLW will take place

"over three (3) working days…." (p. 11)

SOW 2.2 Task C - 5 days (p. 2)

SOW 4.4.6 (4.3.6) "Total Labor hours for this task shall not exceed 80 hours .. Five

Are there 3 or 5 days allocated for this task?

The LLW is three (3) working days (one day for preparation and two days for the workshop). With a strong technical proposal, offerors may choose to propose more than 3 days for both timely pre-workshop and post-workshop engagement which may help to better achieve LLW performance objectives.

SOW 4.4.4 (4.3.4) "Contractor shall provide … coffee and refreshments ..

and lunch" (p.12)

What types of facilities are nearby for

Contractor to buy refreshments and lunch for the workshop? Does the

MAFCO have services the contractor can leverage? If so, how much does providing these services (estimate) for the 5 days?

Normally, contractors hire a caterer to provide the services for the 2 days of the workshop. $4-5K is estimated to cover the cost of the caterer. The TL can also ask for recommendations from MAFCO.

SOW 4.4.3 "Sub tasks may be conducted or sequentially" (p. 12)

Does the Contractor have the discretion to order/reorder tasks in a manner that seems logical to them?

The winning contractor will coordinate the schedule with the MDF during the TPPE.

SOW 4.5.15.5 "…provide all logistics support for international instructors."

(p. 24)

How many people would this be for? 6 instructors

SOW 4.5.15.5 "…provide all logistics support for international instructors."

(p. 24)

Where is this captured on the Pricing

Worksheet? Other ODC X010 Other or

X010 Lodging/ M&IE/Transport?

The price for the international instructors' travel, lodging and per diem should be included in the bid chart CLIN 007 airfare and transit costs.

SOW 4.5.15.5 "…provide all logistics support for international instructors … per diem rates" (p. 24)

SOW 7.5.3 "…approved visitors are

Does the requirement for 4.5.15.5 overrode requirement 7.5.3? 7.5.3 states that international visitor are resonsible for they own compensation and support.

Yes. 4.5.15.5 applies specifically for the international instructors supporting jungle operations training

SOW 4.5.15.5 "…provide all logistics support for international instructors … per diem rates" (p. 24)

Where do we price this in the pricing volume? What CLIN(s) do we use? What assumptions do we price this with if we are pending DCAA audit? How many international instuctors do we use as the basis of pricing? Which location do we assume they perform their duties upon arrival? What is the duration of their duties in county.

1. See the answer to Question 28.

2. Please refer to the CLIN descriptions in Section B to determine the appropriate allocation of costs.

3. Will be evaluated on the submitted compiled financials and other financial documents.

4. 6

5. Salima for first 40 days. Then move to Mzuzu for remainder (However, Final training location is determined by the MDF)

6. The offerors should plan for the instructors to be in country approximately 11 weeks for PDT tasks

SOW 4.5.16.4 and 4.6.6 "…propose a list of consumable/administrative items ..." (p. 25, 27)

Are these items in addition to items listed in Appendix 1?

Should these be listed under Task D, Task G, or Task H on the pricing worksheet?

These costs may be be included in the CLIN B-007.4 - TRAINING SUPPORT

EQUIPMENT.

SOW 4.6.3 "weeks at Salima, Mzuzu or

Chitkala Hills" (p. 26)

SOW 5.5 Task E. Salima (Equipment)

Where is the place of performance for this task? If over the 3 locations, what per diem rates should be used?

All training will occur at Salima and Mzuzu. Generally the first 40 days take place at Salima although locations are subject to change. The remainder of the training takes place in Mzuzu

See the answer to Question 30.

Per diem will be based on where the trainers spend the night (sleep).

SOW 4.8.1 "Equipment shall support all performance objectives required in

Tasks B through F." (p. 29)

When does this equipment have to be delivered - just before the task? For example equipment for Task D anytime before start of the task. Or does everything have to be there before the start of Task B?

Per the updated SOW.

SOW 5 Place of Performance (p. 30)

SOW 4.4.3 Task D Place of

Performance (p. 13)

RFP F-003 Place of Performance (p. 9)

Places of Performance for identified

Tasks do not agree. Please clarify the

Place of Performance.

SOW Updated

SOW 5 Place of Performance (p. 30)

RFP F-003 Place of Performance (p. 9)

What is the Place of Performance for

Tasks F, G, and H?

Task G and H are the equipment. See SOW for specific instructions. Place of performance for Task F is Salima

SOW 5 Place of Performance (p. 30) How will contractor travel between places of performance? Is transportation provided by the customer? Does contractor have to arrange there own transportation>

Yes, the contractor is responsible for its own transportation.

SOW 5 Place of Performance (p. 30) Is lodging for contractors available at the Place of Performance, e.g., at Mzuzu training area? If so, what is the payment arrangement?

The contractor is responsible for its own lodging. There are hotels in Mzuzu

SOW 5 Place of Performance (p. 30) Could an individual task takes place in more than one Place of Performance how is travel between places accounted for? Is it subtracted from task hours?

Can it be reimbursed/invoiced?

1. No, it is not subtracted from task hours.

2. Yes.

SOW 6.2 Authorized Direct Costs, "Contractor should include two (2) full days of labor and M&IE before and after…" (p. 31)

Should airfare and transport associated with mobilization, demobilization, and rotating in/out (if there is a break between tasks) be charged to XLIN X007

Airfare & Transit Costs?

Travel days should be included as a billable day. M&IE associated with mobilization travel should be captured in the CLIN X010.

SOW 6.2 Authorized Direct Costs, "Contractor should include two (2) full days of labor and M&IE before and after…" (p. 31)

Should M&IE with mobilization and demobilization be charged to XLIN X007

Airfare & Transit Costs?

See answer Q39

SOW 6.3. Travel Outside Place of

Performance (p. 31)

"The Contractor may be required to travel outside of Senegal to perform work in support of contract objectives.

Such requirements shall be considered

Travel Outside Place of Performance.

This type of travel is defined as

Contractor air and ground transportation (including fuel/miles reimbursement), lodging, and meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) incurred away from the Contract’s place of performance. Lodging under this contract is defined as Contractor expenses for overnight sleeping facilities while on travel outside place of performance."

Will locations outside of the Place of

Performance require armored vehicle transportation?

Should this be included in pricing?

1. No.

2. No.

SOW 7.5.1 Planning hours "are intended for the personnel…prepare for each task." (p. 33)

Please confirm planning hours are not included in the task days and are they in addition to task hours.

1. Confirmed, they are not included.

2. Yes, they are in addition.

SOW Appendix 1: Equipment List for

Training (Task D, E) (p. 37)

Should the prices and items listed in the

Table be included in the Task D and E tabs or Task H? X009 on Tasks D and E are shaded out.

See the amended bid chart-A001.

SOW Appendix 2, 2.4 Senior Specialty

Trainer. CMD/IEDD Tasks

"Minimum certification as

International Mine Action Service

(IMAS) EOD Level 3 or other internationally recognized equivalent.

[EOD certification and competency standards are spelled out in IMAS

9.30.]"

The IMAS certification is a civilian certification and in many cases civilian/ humanitarian workers are taught these skills by military master trainers in US

IED / Ordinance schools. It is not a certification retiring US military EOD experts hold (While they may have taught civilians to receive the certification) Would the customer consider including "Master EOD

Technician/ Specialist" in the US military in lieu of IMAS certification?

Yes.

SOW Appendix 2. 2.2 Contract Project

Manager, "Minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated experience conducting foreign security force

(military or police) capacity building at the tactical and/or operational level and below.…"

As the PM is a dedicated PM who is not billable on this contract and mainly responsible for Program management , would the government consider amending this requirement to

"Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience conducting foreign security force (military or police) capacity building. And Minimum of ten years demonstrated experience as

Project Manager of US Federal Programs

/ Projects"

Yes.

SOW Changes:

Appendix 2, Section 2.2, Minimum Qualifications. Has been changed to:

"Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience conducting foreign security force (military or police) capacity building at the tactical and/or operational level and below."

"Minimum of ten (10) years of increasing responsibility as a program or project manager or a team leader in the field of security force capacity building or in a directly related area."

SOW Appendix 2. 2.5 Senior Technical

Trainer (COR Approved Personnel) of ten (10) years U.S. or foreign military experience, including service after September 11, 2001.

CIMIC area is relatively "new and small" field in the military. Would the government consider Minimum of seven

(7) years US or Foreign military experience?

Yes.

SOW Change:

Appendix 2, Section 2.5, Minimum Qualifications. Has been changed to:

"Minimum of seven (7) years U.S. or foreign military experience, including service after September 11, 2001."

SOW Appendix 2. 2.5 Senior Technical

Trainer (COR Approved Personnel)

Engagement/ CIMIC Staff.

CIMIC STT is listed in Appendix 2 as a

COR approved personnel. However, none of the tasks lists CIMIC/ engagment platoon training course. Is this an accidental ommision of CIMIC/ engagement platoon training within task

D? If not, what task should CIMIC Senior

Technical Trainer be applied to?

Yes, there is no requirement for a CIMIC SST or a specific Engagement Task.

However, there is still the requirement for the staff to "Understand and integrate Civil-Military Cooperation and Public Information Operations into multi-echelon planning."

SOW Appendix 4 & Attachment 6

Proposed Schedule & Staffing

Footprint

Should the Team Leader be included in the Total Personnel count? If no, should they be included when they are required to perform on a task, i.e., Task C Lessons

Learned Workshop?

Should the hours associated for the

Team Leader be included in overall contractor hours?

Yes.

RFP Pricing Table (p. 2-5) Does a table similar to that on pages 2-5 of RFP need to be provided or is this replaced by the Pricing Proposal excel workbook?

If a table similar to that on pages 2-5 is required is the Total Cost for each CLIN for all the Tasks? Should quantity remain as 1?

The Section B Price Schedule will be updated with the pricing of the awardee.

RFP B-006, B008-B016, D-001-003, E-

001, E-003 and others are missing (pp.

6, 7, 8, and multiple pages)

Please confirm that these missing items are intentional and that we are not missing some requirement.

Yes.

RFP B-007, General (p. 6) What CLIN would emergency medical services and evacuation insurance for our employees this be listed under?

Pricing structure is the decision of the offeror.

RFP B-007.4 Training and Support

Equipment "CLINs 0009, 1009, 2009, and 3009 … shall consist of all costs necessary .. Denoted in Appendix 1 and 2 in the Statement of Work" (p. 7)

There is only one Appendix in SOW

(Appendix 1: Equipment List for Training -

Task D, E) (SOW pp. 37-41)

If CLINs 0009 ... shall consist of" means include the equipment on the individual task sheets in section CLIN X009, you cannot enter information for CLIN X009 on these sheets. It is shaded out.

See the amended bid chart.

RFP B-007.5,

ODCs - "lodging, meals, incidentals"

(p. 7)

What per diem rate should be used for tasks where there are multiple Places of

Performance? For example Task E takes place in 3 locations (according to SOW

4.6.3). Locations are Salima, Mzuzu, and

Chitkala Hills. Salima would use the

Salima per diem rate and Mzuzu and

Chitkala Hills would use the Other

Malawi rate.

Task A is another example.

Task A & E are only two examples. This question may arise for other tasks. We won't know until the Place of

Performance is clarified for other tasks where the SOW differs from the RFP

(see differences where SOW varies from

RFP in SOW 4.6.3, SOW 5, and RFP B-F-

003 and when Place of Performance is identified for Tasks F, G, and H).

See the answer to Question 34 however Task A is TPPE and could take place in multiple locations but Salima would be primary location.

RFP B-017 Advanced Understanding

(p. 7)

Is the number order a typo? B-017 is in the middle of B-007.

All content is correct for B-007, B-007.1-B-007.5 and B-017.

RFP F-003 Place of Performance (p. 9) Should Masta be Mzuzu? Yes.

RFP L-016 9 "For each line item inserted under the Equipment column in Attachment 2 - Malawi Bid Chart, Tabs A through E, offerors shall insert the applicable delivery date in the table below." (p. 38)

What sheet is the Equipment column in?

If Equipment column above refers to sheets in Tabs A through F you cannot enter information for CLIN X009 on these sheets. It is shaded out.

In " shall insert applicable delivery date in table below." What table is this referring to? To clarify you want the addition of one row for every piece of equipment? Concern is the table will be very long.

See the amended bid chart-A001.

RFP L-019.3 Responsibility

Determination

"The Offeror shall submit one copy of audited financial statement … for the past fiscal year…" (p.41)

As an audit for 2023 has not yet been completed will the customer accept copies of audited statements from previous years and unaudited statements from 2023?

a. Yes

b. The contractor will be evaluated on the submitted compiled financials and other financial documents.

Attachment 2 Malawi Bid Chart -

Summary Sheet

Are the Task titles on the Summary sheet correct?

Task H is missing from the sheet.

See the amended bid chart-A001.

Attachment 2 Malawi Bid Chart -individual Task tab/sheets

What is CLIN X009 Task Training

Equipment used for?

Is all equipment supposed to go in Task

H even if it specific to be provided for a particular task (SOW 4.8.1)?

See the amended bid chart-A001.

Attachment 2 Malawi Bid Chart -

Equipment Detail

Is there a specific format for the equipment detail list? Any required pieces of information?

See the amended bid chart-A001.

SOW 2.3.6. pg 3 & SOW 2.6.3.(2) pg

Q1. Can the USG provide any summary of how much training material is currently on hand or available? or Q2.

Can the USG establish a "baseline" planning figure to assist the contractor in determining level of effort to estimate course development hours?

1. No, after contract award, the COR shall provide the contractor with additional references and previous examples of quality training materials which they may incorporate into their updated training materials prior to task performance. This material will be mostly PowerPoint presentations, approximately 1 gig of material.

2. No, however, it is expected that the contractor will take the existing material and produce all the materials to perform the training, including instructor notes for each slide.

SOW 3.2. pg 7 Can key personnel, COR-Approved

Personnel or Required personnel be

"dual hatted"?

Yes, as long as the trainer is qualified and not training on a Tasks/Subtasks that occur simultaneously.

SOW 3.2. pg 7 Should the contractor submit resumes for

Senior Technical Trainer and Senior

Specialty Trainer for each

Yes.

SOW 4.2.3. pg 11 Can the USG provide insight or clarify what "pricing information" is expected?

The TAR has a block for the: TASK, FISCAL YEAR FUNDS USED, and TOTAL

COST OF TRAINING.

SOW 4.4.3. pg 13

As Salima, Mzuzu or Chikala Hills are each unique locations with varied lifesupport and infrastructure available, can the USG establish one location as a

"planning factor" to assist the contractor in pricing their solution?

The winning contractor will coordinate training locations during the TPPE.

However, It is highly probable that the first 40 days will be conducted at

Salima and remainder of time at Mzuzu. MDF may choose to use Chikala

Hills at a later date but SOW is updated to reflect Salima and Mzuzu only for planning purposes. Chikala Hills is 262 km from Salima and 652 km from

Mzuzu.

SOW 4.5.15.5. (6) pg 24 Can the USG provide a planning number of international instructors to assist the contractor in pricing logistics support for them?

Six (6)

SOW 4.6. pg 25 Can the USG confirm that Task E will be conducted under the same standards as provided under Task D (SOW 4.5)?

Yes.

SOW 4.7.9. pg 29

Can the USG clarify that the minimum of four (4), including a minimum of two (2)

Senior Technical Trainers. Can the Site

Lead be dual hatted if he/she has the skills and experience necessary to achieve the task’s performance objectives?

1. Yes.

2. No. The Team Lead shall not be used for any other personnel positions on this contract, including as a substitute for an STT; only a qualified SST can replace that position. However, the Team Lead may choose to assist his or her SSTs to in the conduct of their training, particularly as the Team Lead is responsbile for achieving all performance objectives for tasks conducted at the place of performance in Malawi.

SOW Appendix 2 Para 2.5

(Engagement/CIMIC) Can the USG clarify if a Senior

Technical Trainer (Engagement/CIMIC) is required as there are no specified

Engagement/CIMIC instructional blocks identified in the SOW

See the answer to Question 47.

SOW Appendix 4 pg 50 Should the contractor assume that any of the tasks will overlap or will run consecutive to each other for labor planning purposes.

The training schedule will be coordinated with the MDF during the TPPE.

However, the offers should plan on breaks between Tasks A, B, C, D, E, and

F.

As far as Task D and E Subtasks, it is very possible that subtasks may be performed concurrently with other Subtasks. Again the schedule will be coordinated with the MDF during the TPPE.

RFP H-016 - Key Personnel, L-017 -

Technical Proposal Format Factor 2 and SOW SOW Appendix 2 Para 2.5

Can the USG clarify if only Key

Personnel resumes must be submitted in the contractors proposal or if COR approved personnel must also be submitted in the contractors proposal?

Yes, they are required for all Key and COR Approved personnel.

SOW Section 1, page 1 Is the contractor required to obtain any business licensure in order to complete the work directed in the SOW?

It is the responsibility of the offeror to determine the business authorization requirements of the host nation.

SOW Section 1.3, p. 2 Can the USG please elaborate on what coordination/planning is required between the contractor and

BPST/Brazilian government personnel?

GPOI will conduct initail coordination with both the BPST and the Brazilian points of contact (POCs). After contract award, GPOI will put the winning contractor in touch with the POCs so that detailed coordination can be continued.

SOW Section 2.3.6, p.3 Is the contractor required to develop any

POIs at this time for purposes of proposal submission?

No.

SOW Table 2.6, Bullet #9, p. 5 As all training is to be conducted in

English, can the USG confirm that any interpreters required are solely to support the Contractor and will be hired at the sole discretion of the Contractor?

Yes.

SOW Section 3.6, p. 8 What specific prophylactics and vaccinations are billable to the

Government under CLIN X008?

All necessary to travel to Malawi and conduct the training.

SOW Section 3.6, p. 8

Can the Government please elaborate on the medical support that is required to be provided by the Contractor to its personnel under this SOW section?

Medical support to training teams is required by the contractor. Offerers may choose to have a trainined medical person assigned to the team at all times or choose to coordinate with the MDF to medical support after contract award.

Offerers may also choose to coordinate directly with nearby hospitals for various levels of forward and contingency support. Most emergency medical support is covered by the requirement for DBA insurance for all personnel performaing on the contract.

SOW Section 3.7, p. 8 As Contractor personnel are to attend routine teleconference/video meetings with USG, is the time spent participating in these activities billable to the

Government?

All performane on this contract is billable. However, see question 5 and other answers on what contractors should expect should they propose to bill for hours beyond those minimum in the contract. . See also requirement for program management support coming from overhead.

SOW Sections 4.1.4, 4.2.5, 4.4.7, 4.5.7, and 4.7.8 (Various pages)

What constitutes "evidence and documentation" for purposes of billing in these sections? Is an electronic timesheet sufficient or is more required?

An electronic timesheet is once example of evidence, but there are others.

Any request for evidence shall include the the appropriate artificat or document being requested. Further, the government assumes the contractor has various internal management controls in place to account for their personnel working on the contract. Some of this documentation may be requested. The government also may choose not to request any of this evidence or documentation at all.

SOW Section 4.3, page 11 Given that Task C (Lessons Learned

Workshop) relies upon lessons "ideally" learned from the most recently redeployed DRC battalion, will the

Government provide the Contractor with this legacy information?

The winning contractor can request this information after contract award.

SOW Section 4.4.4, p. 12 Are there any other requirements other than electricity (implied), projector, easels, and writing supplies required for the workshop site?

As per the SOW, however, these are the major items required for the LLW.

Exact llocation will be coordinated with the MDF.

SOW Section 4.4.5, p. 12 Can the Senior Technical Trainer or

Team Leader serve as the note taker for this event or must this activity be accomplished by additional personnel than the two required?

Yes.

See the answer to Question 68.

SOW Section 4.6.3, p. 26 Section 4.6.3 alludes to planning time

"after the task" yet section 4.6.7 (p. 27) only allows for a minimum 40 hours planning prior to this task." Can the

Government please identify the minimum number of planning hours to be utilized after this task?

40 hours.

However, the contractor may choose to propose and price more than the minimum planning hours stated in the SOW.

SOW Section 6.2, p. 31

In the event that delays to the training schedule that are not the fault of the contractor (ie, pandemic, utilization for

MDF for purposes other than training, etc.) can the Contractor bill for (Direct and ODC) lag time in country encountered by deployed personnel?

Offerors should review the complete contract for information on excusable delays. Questions on allowable costs during excusable delays will be addresed on a case by case basis according to the terms of the contract.

This question is otherwise too theoretical and hypothethical to formally answer.

SOW Section 7.4, page 32 Can the USG confirm that the Partner

Nation is responsible for supplying all fuel, petroleum products, potable water and electricity needed to complete the training envisioned in this SOW? If not, can the Government please identify which items are the responsibility of the

Contractor and for which Tasks?

Yes.

SOW Section 7.5.5, page 33

Please detail what is required of the contractor to comply with the Leahy vetting described here and in SOW section 7.3.4.

Leahy vetting is not a Contractor responsibility. Leahy vetting is a requirement (by the Embassy and Department) already memorialized in a legally binding agreement between the US and Malawi. The MDF Training

Center Commandant and all members of the MDF trainer cadre must be vetted. The MDF will provide a list of all personnel to be vetted. The government will formally advise the contractor when this Leahy vetting is completed.

SOW Section 7.5.6, p. 33 What documentation, provided by whom, is the Contractor to use to ensure that all trainees are 18 years of age or older prior to training?

It is not expected that the contractor will audit and check the identification documents of all soldiers. However, if an individual is observed that obviously looks underage, ask the MDF to confirm the individual's age.

SOW Appendix 1, Equipment List for

Training (Task D, E), p. 37 As the items in this list must be purchased by the contractor many months prior to the actual completion of

Tasks D and E, will USG allow the contractor to bill for these items upon satisfactory completion of the bilat upon arrival in Malawi?

In accordance with SectionL-016 #9 offerors shall insert the applicable delivery date and follow invoicing instructions in sections G-01INVA -

Expanded Invoice Instructions; and G-009 - Payment Schedule.

SOW Appendix 1, CLS Bags, p.37

Saline IV bags are required for each CLS bag and TCCC kit. As these are sometimes categorized as pharmaceutical items requiring a doctor's signature for receipt. Will USG or Partner Nation provide a medical doctor or other personnel for this purpose? Should the

IV bags be shipped separately from each

CLS bag/TCCC kit or enclosed within?

Yes, this should not be an issue.

It is up to the offeror to propose a delivery method and can coordinate with host nation for doctors signature if needed. Can be discussed/coordinated during TPPE

SOW Appendix 1, CLS Bags, p.37 Can the contents of the CLS bag be shipped separately or should each CLS bag be complete with all items prior to shipment? If separate, will the Partner

Nation provide personnel to build the bags upon arrival in Malawi?

It is up to the offeror to propose a delivery method.

The contractor is required to provide complete CLS bags.

However, if the contents of the bags are shipped separately, after award during the TPPE, the winning contractor may ask the MDF if they can provide assistance.

SOW Appendix EHAT Materials, p.

Can USG please further identify or describe the item "Washer, 3 Cycle

Timer, 1-Speed, 115V/50HZ"?

Offerors should consult their in-house EOD experts or research this online.

SOW Appendix EHAT Materials, p.

Can USG please further identify or describe the item "Buzzer, Electric, 1.5V"?

Offerors should consult their in-house EOD experts or research this online.

SOW Appendix 2 section 2.2, p.42 Is min 10 years of experience conducting foreign security force capacity building at the tactical and operations level and 5 years of PM experience in the field of security force capacity building the standard across all GPOI SOWs for

Contract Project Manager?

See the answer to Question 45.

SOW Appendix 2 section 2.3, p.43 Will grade O3 and higher will be considered as qualified for In-Country

Team Lead as it was on GPOI Togo?

No, remains per the SOW.

SOW Appendix 2 section 2.5, p.44 Is min of 10 years of experience U.S. or foreign military experience, including service after September 11 2001 the standard across all GPOI Engagement

/CIMIC Sr Technical Trainer? In

Zambia,the requirement is 7 years.

See the answer to Question 46.

SOW Appendix 2 section 2.5, p. 46 Can the USG client confirm Unit Tactis falls under Sr Technical Trainer and not

Sr Specialty Trainer as it was on GPOI

Togo?

Propose personnel as per the SOW.

SOW Appendix 2 section 2.5, p. 45

Will grade O3 and higher will be considered as qualified for Staff Trainer-

Operations Sr Technical Trainer as it was on GPOI Togo? Under Togo, this position was under Sr Specialty Trainer

Propose personnel as per the SOW.

he solicitation does not require firms to have active Facility Clearance and does not indicate that this is a cleared contract. Can the

Government please clarify the requirement for the Project Manager to possess active secret clearance in this case?

Required in case any classified situations/information must be communicated to/from the Project Manager.

SOW - page 42 (section 2.2)

As the Contract PM is mainly responsible for program management, would the government consider amending this requirement to "Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience conducting foreign security force (military or police) capacity building? And

“minimum of ten years demonstrated experience as Project Manager of

US Federal Programs / Projects"?

See the answer to Question 45.

SOW - page 43 (section 2.4)

Would the Government consider training with an EOD Level 3 certification and 7 years of experience?

If the requirements stays at 10 years, Would the Government consider 10 years EOD experience as a combination of military and private experience (for example, clearing mines in Ukraine or Azerbaijan -

Nagorno-Karabakh)?

Would the Government consider

AUKUS experience (along with US and NATO)?

1. Yes. See updated SOW

2. Yes.

3. Yes.

SOW - pg 44 (section 2.5)

Since CIMIC is largely a new field, would the government consider a minimum of seven years experience?

See the answer to Question 46.

SOW - page 45 - (section 2.5) Would the Government consider

AUKUS experience (along with US and NATO)?

Yes.

RFP - page 37 (#5) Are we correct in assuming that the government does not require proof of degrees and certifications (copies of the documents) to be submitted with the proposal?

Yes.