Phase I QA 2.docx

1. The IMPORTANT NOTE on page 6 of the above referenced document states in part the following:

“. . . .the Offeror should be structured as a formal JV or Prime/Subcontractor and the Offeror itself (formal JV or Prime) and must be registered in SAM.gov. Also, as identified below, the Offeror itself should possess a security clearance or be able to obtain one in accordance with the terms of the Solicitation.”

The Offeror intends to participate in this Solicitation under a Prime/Subcontractor structure where the Offeror is the Prime, and a firm having significant roofing and related experience and Past Performance projects with DOS is a Key Subcontractor, with a Letter of Commitment to be executed with the Key Subcontractor. Please confirm that Past Performance projects completed by the Key Subcontractor and submitted with our Phase II Technical Proposal will be evaluated by the Government.

DOS Response: The Government will not be addressing any questions related to the evaluation of proposals in Phase II, while the Phase I – MMR is still open. If the offeror is provided with a successful offeror notice notifying them that they are moving on to Phase II, the instructions on how proposals will be evaluated will be included in the Phase II RFP.

2. The IMPORTANT NOTE on page 6 of the above referenced document states in part the following:

“Also, as identified below, the Offeror itself should possess a security clearance or be able to obtain one in accordance with the terms of the Solicitation.”

The Offeror itself does possess a security clearance but its intended Key Subcontractor, a firm having significant roofing and related experience and Past Performance projects with DOS, does not possess a security clearance. It is the Offeror’s understanding that only the Offeror itself must possess a security clearance, that the Key Subcontractor does not require a security clearance and that escorts will be provided by the Government and/or the Offeror and/or other security measures will be set in place as required for roofing work to take place by non-cleared personnel. This arrangement has been used for many projects performed for DOS OBO by our intended Key Subcontractor that has significant roofing and related experience on DOS OBO projects. Please confirm that our understanding of the security requirements as discussed above is correct.

DOS Response: Yes, that is correct. The prime contractor is the only one required to possess an FCL. However, all the responsibility will fall on the prime contractor to provide escorts for the non-cleared personnel performing the roofing work. The Government will not be providing any escorts.

3. What is the timeline for release of the Phase II RFP? Will it be released immediately upon successful Phase I notifications, or is 120-day FCL sponsorship period the anticipated timeline between successful Phase I notifications and release of the Phase II solicitation?

DOS Response: Once and offeror has been considered eligible under Phase I – MMR, they will receive Phase II, and DOS will begin the sponsorship of that offeror.

4. How much time will offerors have between the release of the classified documents and the Phase II proposal due date?

DOS Response: The Government doesn’t anticipate any classified documents being released for Phase II. However, it is anticipated that classified documents will be issued during the task order request for proposal, so the awardee will not receive any classified information until they have an active FCL.

5. For offerors without an FCL but with appropriately cleared personnel, will the Government allow access to the classified Phase II materials through a Government-approved reading room (such as the NRO ARC in Chantilly, VA) during the 120-day sponsorship window?

DOS Response: See comment to RFI # 4

6. Would the Government consider releasing a draft or sanitized version of the classified Phase II documents (such as a Table of Contents or summary of requirements) to sponsored firms before their FCLs are issued, to help with early planning and proposal development?

DOS Response: See comment to RFI # 4