Attachment 7_DCF Tour Services Questions and Answers RFP 2031ZA25R00034.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 20 KB Posted
- Attached to
- BEP DCF Tour and Visitor Center Services
- Solicitation number
- 2031ZA25R00034
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) document for a Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) solicitation for District Currency Facility (DCF) Tour and Visitor Center (TVC) Services. The solicitation is a total small business set-aside contract with a proposed performance period from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2031. The contract involves providing tour services, including tour guides, an ASL interpreter, project management, and visitor center operations. Key details include a proposal response date of October 10, 2025, virtual oral presentations expected in October, and an incumbent contract number of 2031ZA21C00020.
The Q&A document covers critical aspects of the solicitation, including clarifications on labor categories, uniform requirements, overtime, security clearance processes, and technical requirements. Notable points include confirmation that overtime for non-exempt staff is permitted, ASL interpreter services can be subcontracted, tour scheduling software will provide remote access, and the government will supply training and standard operating procedures. The contract will use labor hour pricing, with rates to be submitted for each labor category, and the total estimated hours across all labor categories are 33,104, covering year-round and seasonal tour guides.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 2031ZA25R00034_0001 Conformed Copy.pdf | ||
| Attachment 6_Price Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 2031ZA25R00034 0001 Amendment Summary of Changes.pdf | ||
| Attachment 2 Performance Work Statement 9 30 2025.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment 2 PWS 9 3 25.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment 5 Site Visit Information.docx | DOCX document | |
| 2031ZA25R00034.pdf | ||
| Attachment 3 Wage Determination 2015-4281 Rev 34 Dated 782025.pdf | ||
| Attachment 4 - Past Performance Questionnaire.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment 1 General NDA Nonpublic.docx | DOCX document |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Questions
| Question # | Reference | Question Category | Question | Responses |
| 1 | General Question | N/A | We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. |
| If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number? | There in an incumbent performing these services. 2031ZA21C00020 | |||||
| 2 | PWS Attachment 3 | Workload Estimates | Can the government clarify the exact SCA categories to be used for: | |||
| a. | Project Manager | |||||
| b. | Senior Lead Tour Guide | |||||
| c. | Lead Tour Guide | |||||
| d. | Tour Scheduler | |||||
| e. | Tour Guide | |||||
| f. | ASL Tour Guide | No. It is the contractor's responsibility to review the job descriptions and determine the appropriate classifications for its employees. | ||||
| 3 | PWS Page 18 | Section 5.2.17 Reports | Section: 5.2.17 Reports of the PWS describes required reporting, will this reporting data be stored/tracked on government provided software? | Yes. | ||
| 4 | Solicitation Section L & M | Oral Presentation | On what date is the oral presentation scheduled for? | Oral presentations are expected to be held during the 3rd or 4th week of October. Elgible offerors will receive notice in advance of the date/time for orals. This has been amended in the solicitation. See Volume/Factor 1 of Section L of the Solicitation. See Section M for elgibility. | ||
| 5 | General Question | N/A | Is there an existing contract (Incumbent)? If so, what is the contract #? | See Response to Question #1. | ||
| 6 | Solicitation Document, page 53 of 61 | Oral Presentation | Will the government allow the offeror to use a slideshow during the oral presentation? If so, will the offeror need to include a copy of the slideshow in the written proposal for Factor 1? | Yes, it is allowed. No, do not submit it with the written proposal. Slideshows should be provided 2 business days in advance of oral presentations to kevin.nance@bep.gov. This has been amended in the solicitation. See Volume/Factor 1 of Section L of the Solicitation. See Section M for elgibility | ||
| 7 | Solicitation Document, page 53 of 61 | Oral Presentation | When will orals take place, and how many days in advance will the offeror receive notice of the date and time for orals? | The 3rd or 4th week of October. Elgible offerors will receive notice in advance of the date/time for orals. This has been amended in the solicitation. See Volume/Factor 1 of Section L of the Solicitation. See Section M for elgibility | ||
| 8 | Solicitation Document, page 53 of 61 | Oral Presentation | Will orals be conducted virtually or in person? | Virtually on Microsoft Teams. Cameras must be turned on for the presentation. This has been amended in the solicitation. See Volume/Factor 1 of Section L of the Solicitation. | ||
| 9 | Solicitation Document, page 53 of 61 | Oral Presentation | Will the government allow other individuals, such as corporate executives, to participate in orals? | No. The the oral presentations are limited to proposed Key Personnel. See Volume/Factor 1 of Section L of the Soliciation. | ||
| 10 | Attachment 1 | Instructions | Is the offeror supposed to complete Attachment 1 and submit with the proposal? | Yes. | ||
| 11 | Solicitation Document, page 53 of 61 | Factor 2- Key Personnel Instructions | Will the government also require the Tour Scheduler’s resume and signed letter of commitment, as the Tour Scheduler is a Key Personnel position? | Yes. This has been udpated in Volume/Factor 2 of Section L of the Soliciation. | ||
| 12 | Past Performance Questionnaire | Instructions | The PPQ instructions indicate that offerors should send questionnaires to “at least three (3) references.” On the other hand, instructions for Volume/Factor 4 – Past Performance (page 54 of 61) in the Solicitation document indicates that offerors shall provide a list of “Up to three (3) of the most relevant contracts.” Would the government please confirm that instructions in the solicitation should change to “at least three (3) references” to conform to the PPQ instructions? | Yes. The instructions in the solicitation have been updated to “at least three (3) references” to conform to the PPQ instructions. | ||
| 13 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 16 of 26 | Section 5.2.7 - Uniforms | Based on the uniform requirements specified in the Performance Work Statement, we estimate that total uniform costs may exceed over $20K annually for purchase, drycleaning and upkeep. Should offerors include the cost as an overhead in their proposed fully burdened labor rates? | No, do not include that as a cost. The government does not incur any costs of uniform ordering or upkeep. That burden is on the Contractor. | ||
| 14 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 26 of 26 | PWS Attachment 3 – Workload Estimates | The estimated hours for the Tour Guide labor category appear to cover just the year-round tour guides. Would the government please also provide a separate line item for seasonal tour guides and provide the total estimated hours? | No. The line item covers year-round and seasonal tour guides. It is on the Contractor to staff accordingly. | ||
| 15 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 26 of 26 | PWS Attachment 3 – Workload Estimates | We have noted that the sum of the estimated hours for all labor categories equals 33,104 hours. However, the total hours for each CLIN under Section B of the RFP is 32,960. Would the government please clarify? | 144 hours for the ASL interpreter were inadvertly left off. The X001 CLINs in Section B have been updated to reflect 33,104 hours; consistent with PWS Attachment 3 Workload Estimates. Please note the pricing structure has changed in Section B and pricing will now reflect the unit as dollars. | ||
| 16 | Solicitation Document, page 4 of 61 | Section B – Supplies or Services | We understand that the government will award a labor hour contract and that based on Section L, proposal instructions for Factor 5 – Price (page 55 of 61), the government may evaluate price for cost realism, completeness and reasonableness. As such, would the government please provide a labor hour pricing schedule based on the labor categories indicated in Attachment 3 so the government can evaluate the labor rates in accordance with Section L and with FAR 15.403-1(c)(1))? | The contract will be awarded with all hours combined together in the X001 CLINs for normal operations, to include overtime, and in the X002 CLINs for special events; with a breakout of rates in the long description of the CLINs. Section L has also been updated to require the offeror to submit rates for each labor catergory as a subfactor of Volume/Factor 5 - Pricing within Attachment 6 Price Sheet. All Price Proposals shall be submitted in the Microsoft Excel format using the Price Sheet at Attachment 6. Please note the pricing structure has changed in Section B and pricing will now reflect the unit as dollars. | ||
| 17 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 6 of 26 | Section 1.6.11 – Key Personnel | Based on the position descriptions, would the government please confirm that the PM, SLT and LTG are exempt positions? | The Service Contract Act uses the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)'s definitions of bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees (EAP) to determine who is exempt. The exemption depends on whether the individual meets the FLSA exemption criteria for bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employees, which are defined by their duties and salary, and not their job title. Unfortunately, the government cannot confirm if specific roles are exempt for an offeror without knowing if the offeror will pay them on a salary basis. An exemption for professional employees depends on both the job duties and how the employee is paid. The offeror, not the government, is responsible for this determination. To determine if specific positions are exempt, it is highly recommended to analyze the duties, responsibilities, and salary of that role against the FLSA's EAP exemption tests. | ||
| 18 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 9 of 26 | Section 1.6.11.4 – Tour Scheduler | Based on the position description for the TS, we believe the position is non-exempt and should be mapped to the General Clerk III labor category on the Wage Rate Determination. Would the government please confirm? | This seems applicable. However, it is the contractor's responsibility to review the job descriptions and determine the appropriate classifications for its employees. | ||
| 19 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 15 of 26 | Section 5.0 – Specific Tasks | Based on the tasks specified in the PWS, we believe the Tour Guide position is non-exempt and should be mapped to the Park Attendant labor category on the Wage Rate Determination. Would the government please confirm? | This seems applicable. However, it is the contractor's responsibility to review the job descriptions and determine the appropriate classifications for its employees. | ||
| 20 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 4 of 26 | Section 1.6.7 – Security Requirements | It is our understanding that the process for a new hire to obtain the mandatory BEP clearance could take several months. Would the government please confirm? | As we do not have an exact timeframe, this can be a lengthy process. Therefore it is imperative for the awardee to submit paperwork for new hires as soon as possible and in accordance with the timeframes listed in PWS Section 1.6.7, after contract award. | ||
| 21 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 14 of 26 and page 15 of 26 | Section 3.4 – Equipment, and Sections 5.2.2 – 5.2.4; Attachment 1 – Performance Requirements Summary | PWS indicates that public tour wands and audio described tour wands, as well as a charging station, will be provided and that the contractor will be responsible for wand distribution, cleaning and inventory. However, during the site visit, we have noted that the wands were not used nor were they mentioned. Will the government please confirm if tour wands are used at the DCF TVC? | They were mentioned during the site-visit. They are not currently being utilized at the DCF TVC. However, BEP has a plan to implement tour wands in the near future. | ||
| 22 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 15 of 26 | Section 5.2.2 – Tour Wands, Handouts and Maps | PWS indicates that the contractor will distribute tour script handouts and maps. However, neither item was present nor mentioned during the site visit. Will the government please confirm if these items are available and distributed? | Tour Script handouts are available for accessibility needs at DCF TVC. Maps will be provided in the near future, once tour wands are implemented. | ||
| 23 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 16 of 26 | Section 5.2.7 - Uniforms | PWS indicates peak season uniform requirements of polo-style shirts in six tour branding colors. Would the government please confirm we need to provide each tour guide with at least one shirt of each color, or can we provide each tour guide three shirts of select color choices to be used in rotation? | Three shirts of select color choices is sufficient. Each tour guide does not need to have one shirt of each color. | ||
| 24 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 17 of 26 | Section 5.2.7 – Uniforms | PWS indicates that for Cold/Inclement Weather Apparel, Tour Guides “may” wear contractor provided apparel. Should this be updated to indicate that Tour Guides “must” wear contractor provided apparel to conform with dress code policies and to ensure that visitors can identify them as tour personnel? | Yes, this has been updated in the PWS. | ||
| 25 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 3 of 26 | Section 1.6.4 – Hours of Operations | It is our understanding that overtime is used in the current contract. Will the government also permit in the new contract the use of overtime for non-exempt staff? If so, would the government want offerors to provide overtime rates as a separate line item in the pricing proposal? | Yes, non-exempt staff shall receive over time pay. FLSA Mandates that non-exempt employees receive overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Yes, please provide overtime rates within Attachment 6 Price Sheet. | ||
| 26 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 9 of 26 | Section 1.6.11.6 – Contractor Personnel Requirements | PWS indicates that the contractor shall provide an ASL interpreter with the ability to interpret specialized vocabulary. We understand that the interpreter will then need to have the skill and ability to interpret technical jargons used in the explanation of the money printing process. As such, would the government please confirm that the ASL Interpreter is a position that is not covered under the wage rate determination? | In federal service contracts, a Sign Language Interpreter should be categorized under the labor category 30130, Interpreter (Sign Language). However WD #2015-4281, which covers occupations in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, does not currently list the 30130, Interpreter (Sign Language) category. Therefore, it is recommended that the offeror use a fair rate for ASL until this rate is added to the wage determination. | ||
| 27 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 9 of 26 | Section 1.6.11.6 – Contractor Personnel Requirements | It is our understanding based on PWS Section 5.2.8.2 that the ASL Interpreter will not give a tour but will interpret a tour given by a tour guide. As such, will the government please change the statement “tour employees will be available to conduct the tours” to “interpreters will be available to interpret tours”? | Yes, this has been updated in the PWS. | ||
| 28 | Attachment 2 – PWS, page 26 of 26 | PWS Attachment 3 – Workload Estimates | It is our understanding based on PWS Section 5.2.8.2 that the ASL Interpreter will not give a tour but will interpret a tour given by a tour guide. As such, will the government please change the labor category “ASL Tour Guide” to “ASL Interpreter”? | Yes, this has been updated in the PWS. | ||
| 29 | PWS Section 1.6.11 – Key Personnel | Contract Technical | Can the Government confirm whether resumes for all key personnel (PM, SLT, LTG, TS) are required at proposal submission, or only for the Project Manager? | Resumes for all key personnel listed in the PWS are required. See Volume/Factor 2 of Section L of the Soliciation. | ||
| 30 | PWS Section 5.2.8.2 – ASL Interpreter | Contract Technical | Should the Contractor directly provide certified ASL interpreters on staff, or is it acceptable to subcontract this service when needed? | Yes, it is acceptable to subcontract this service, as needed. | ||
| 31 | PWS Section 5.2.16 – Tour Scheduling | Contract Technical | Will the Government provide training and user manuals for the tour scheduling software, and is remote access available for teleworking contingencies? | Yes, staff will be able to login remotely during ad-hoc telework, per the PWS section 1.6.4.3. Additionally, standard operating procedures and training will be provided for tour scheduling software, in accordance with BEP IT regulations. | ||
| 32 | Solicitation Section L – Proposal Instructions | Contract Technical | Can the Government clarify the requirements for the oral presentation, including the anticipated timeframe and format (in-person or virtual), and confirm whether oral presentation materials (e.g., slides, handouts) must be submitted with the written proposal or provided separately upon request? | The format will be virtual. No, do not submit the slides with the written proposal. Oral presentations are expected to be held during the 3rd or 4th week of October. Only elgible offerors will receive notice in advance of the date/time for orals. Slideshows should be provided 2 business days in advance of oral presentations to kevin.nance@bep.gov. Presentations must not exceed one hour. This has been amended in the solicitation. See Volume/Factor 1 of Section L of the Solicitation. See Section M for elgibility. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .