QUESTIONS ANSWERS.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/PACARCTIC RE-COMPETE – 19AQMM25N0100

1. Would the agency be willing to sponsor an eligible company for the FCL?

No

2. I am writing to clarify a requirement for subject RFI.

The listing on SAM states that the Government is seeking responses from ANC 8(a)s only. Given the scope of the requirement, I understand why the Government would seek an entity-owned 8(a), which may receive non-protestable direct awards above the competitive threshold without justification. However, it is unclear to me why tribally owned and NHOs would be excluded from consideration. It occurs to me that perhaps this was not the Government's intent.

Will the Government consider responses from qualified tribally owned and NHO-owned 8(a) firms?

This requirement is being set-aside for all 8(a) companies.

3. Would the government open this notice to include Hawaiian Native Organizations for these future requirements?

See response to questions #2.

4. On the SAM.gov website, there are conflicting due date times listed. Please confirm what time the RFI 19AQMM25N0100 is due, either 4:00PM EST, or 4:00AM EST.

The due date for the responses shall read November 15, 2024, at 4:00PM EST. New date for submission of responses has been extended to November 20, 2024, at 12:00PM EST.

5. Is this a new requirement or a follow-on to an existing contract?

If this is a follow-on requirement, what is the current contract number?

No this is not a new requirement, and the current contract number is 19AQMM20D0061.

6. Could you please advise if this is a new requirement or is there a current vendor providing these services and if so, could you please identify the vendor and current contract #?

No this is not a new requirement, and the current contractor is Pacarctic, LLC under contract number 19AQMM20D0061.

8. Would the government be opposed to including Native American Tribal 8a as well? The FAR treats them the same except that the Tribal 8a is presumptively HUBZone as well. If no, can you share the government’s justification for limiting this request to ANC’s?

9. Is DOS only interested in responses from Alaska Native 8(a) Corporations? Will responses be reviewed from other 8(a) companies if submitted.

Is there an estimated date of release of the RFP?

See response to question #2.

10. I noticed that within the sam.gov posting that you are only asking for ANC capabilities – I was curious if you meant “native” only firms – to include Native Hawaiian firms, or if you are only looking for Alaskan Natives?

See response to question #2.

11. I was wondering if there is a contractor that fulfilled the same or similar efforts. If yes, could you please provide the incumbent contract ID and the Contractor's name for the effort?

See response to question #6.

12. I am reaching out from SBA’s Portland District Office regarding the subject Sources Sought published in SAM. I see the sources sought is restricting responses to ANC 8(a) Participants only and I was hoping you could provide clarification. To provide some context for my question, the 8(a) Program draws a distinction between entity-owned and individually owned 8(a) Participants. Entity-owned Participants include ANCs, Tribally Owned, Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs), and Community Development Corporations (CDCs.). All entity-owned 8(a) Participants are eligible to receive 8(a) direct awards above the competitive thresholds.

With this in mind, I was wondering if State Department is intending to exclude Tribally Owned and NHO 8(a) Participants from consideration for this RFI?

See response to question #2.

13. Is there a reason why the government is limiting the responses to this sources sought notice to ANC firms with 8(a) certifications?

See response to question #2.

14. I would like to request a clarification regarding the SAM.gov notice ID 19AQMM25N0100 for 541611 for 8(a) Set-Aside. Ma’am I see in the RFI is for 8a - Alaska Native Corporations. We are an SBA 8(a), can we submit our bid? Is there any chance for us to perform part of the work of this RFI?

See response to question #2.

15. We have strong past performance in professional support services to the Federal Government, we are still small in NAICS 541611, and as a Native Hawaiian Organization-owned (NHO) 8(a) we have similar sole-source capabilities as an Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC). Will you consider expanding the acquisition strategy to include NHO 8(a) companies and not just ANCs?

Can you provide the incumbent contract number?

See response to question #2.

See response to question #6.

16. Could you please advise if this is a new requirement or is there a current vendor providing these services and if so, could you please identify the vendor and current contract #?

See response to question #6.

17. I noticed this requirement stated it was only open to Alaskan Native Corporations – is that correct?

See response to question #2.

1. Provide a detailed capability statement; focusing on your firm's proven ability to provide the requirement and not exceed 12 (twelve) pages including cover pages, table of contents etc.

1. Provide company and contact information

1. Sale brochures, videos, and other marketing information materials are not solicited and will not be reviewed.

1. Identification of the available contract vehicles, such as: GSA Federal Supply Schedules (schedule/contract number and appropriate Special Item Numbers) or other GWAC vehicles by agency and contract number.

1. Interested companies shall submit an electronic copy of their response (along with supporting documentation) via email to Barbra Postell at postellbj@state.gov. The new date and time for submission of responses is 12:OOPM EST November 20, 2024.