Q-As - 26Q0124 Quantio-Culpeper.docx

Questions and Answers - 36C78626Q0124

1. Q: Is the V1 sample granite? Please confirm that the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation reference to a marble V1 sample should be disregarded.

A: The V1 sample is granite. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation has been revised to reflect this.

2. Q: What is the required L5 letter height for the A1 sample and production work: 7/16 inch as shown in the drawings, or 3/4 inch as stated on the Sample Review Form?

A: The required letter height for L5 is 7/16 inch. The Sample Review Form has been revised to reflect this.

3. Q: Does the A1 memorial wall marker sample require lithochrome? Please confirm whether the Sample Review Form lithochrome criterion applies to A1.

A: No. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation states that all samples except memorial wall markers shall have lithochrome. The A1 sample is a memorial wall marker and therefore shall not receive lithochrome. The Sample Review Form has been revised to reflect this.

4. Q: Please provide the artwork for Emblem #83 (Charismatic Messianic Evangelistic), which is required for the U1, V1, and W1 reverse samples, or identify the correct emblem number if #83 is incorrect.

A: The required emblem for the U1, V1, and W1 reverse samples has been changed to Emblem #82 (Rose). The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation has been revised accordingly.

5. Q: Will the Government provide the actual lettering font or usable vectorized alphabet files for the required inscriptions?

A: The Government will not provide a digital typeface or vectorized alphabet. Quoters shall meet the inscription dimensions, style, spacing, and other requirements shown in the technical drawings using their own production methods.

6. Q: Will the Government provide vector artwork for the five emblems required for the samples? Will the awardee receive the complete emblem set in vector form for production?

A: The Government will not provide separate vector artwork. Quoters shall use the Emblem of Belief drawings provided with the solicitation to meet the applicable inscription requirements.

7. Q: For each sample category, please identify the applicable stone grade/trade designation, color/classification, quarry/source if specified, and required surface finish of the inscribed face.

A: This information is not applicable to the on-site inscription requirement because the monuments to be inscribed are Government furnished. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation has been revised to remove the inapplicable sample material requirements.

8. Q: What "test results" must accompany the samples?

A: No test results are required for the on-site inscription samples. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation has been revised to remove this requirement.

9. Q: May each 24 x 13 x 3/4 inch U1, V1, and W1 upright sample be a plain rectangular coupon, or must the sample reproduce the production monument's arched top and edge radius?

A: The U1, V1, and W1 samples shall be plain rectangular samples using the dimensions and applicable material specified in the solicitation. The samples are not required to reproduce the production monument’s arched top or edge radius.

10. Q: Please confirm that the I1 sample and A1 sample will be accepted at the listed dimensions and are not prohibited by the full-size samples statement.

A: Confirmed. The I1 and A1 samples shall be submitted at the dimensions specifically stated in the sample submission requirements. Those express dimensions control for sample submission purposes and will not be rejected solely because they correspond to production dimensions.

11. Q: Please provide missing Drawing A-V1-2 for the V1 reverse (R2) inscription. Also confirm whether the W1 reverse inscription is controlled by Drawing A-V1-2 or Drawing A-W1-2.

A: Drawing A-V1-2 is provided with the revised Attachment F – Drawings. Drawing A-W1-2 controls the W1 reverse inscription layout.

12. Q: Do Quantico and Culpeper each require a separate complete on-site inscription facility? If not, who is responsible for transportation, the vehicle, and lifting equipment?

A: No. A separate on-site inscription facility at Culpeper is not authorized. The on-site inscription facility at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico serves both cemeteries. The Government is responsible for transportation of monuments between Culpeper and Quantico.

13.Q: For each cemetery, please identify the contractor work area, building availability, structure size limits, and drainage/wastewater provisions.

A: The on-site inscription facility is located at Quantico and serves both cemeteries. Contractor establishment or operation of a separate inscription facility at Culpeper is not authorized. The general work area at Quantico is identified in Appendix A. Building, structure, utility, and other site requirements are addressed in SOW Section 10.0. Quoters are responsible for assessing site conditions and requirements and may conduct an unofficial site visit in accordance with the solicitation.

14. Q: Regarding initial setup: will the Government permit a phased start; does the 25-day setup period run from award or contract start; how are utility and approval-chain delays treated?

A: The 25-calendar day initial setup period begins on the date of award. A phased start is not authorized. Initial setup requirements, timelines, and any setup challenges shall be addressed in accordance with SOW Sections 4.0 and 4.1. All other requirements remain unchanged.

15. Q: May base-period unit prices be higher than option-period prices to reflect one-time startup costs, without being considered materially unbalanced? May a supporting cost breakdown be submitted?

A: Pricing will be evaluated for reasonableness, completeness, and balance in accordance with the evaluation criteria already stated in the solicitation. No advance determination will be made as to whether any particular pricing structure is or is not materially unbalanced. A supporting cost breakdown or explanatory narrative is not required and should not be submitted with Volume D. Quoters shall complete Attachment A as instructed.

16. Q: If startup/removal costs must be in unit prices and the first option is not exercised, is any recovery mechanism available? Is non-exercise different from a termination for convenience?

A: No separate mechanism for recovery of startup or removal costs is provided beyond payment of the applicable all-inclusive unit prices for quantities actually ordered. Exercise of an option is at the Government's discretion and is not guaranteed. Non-exercise of an option is not, by itself, a termination for convenience.

17. Q: For the Nov–Apr gravesite period: (a) does "all inscription services" include all monument types; (b) who performs the work now and under what arrangement; (c) historical gravesite quantities; (d) equipment/turf/proximity restrictions; (e) GPS coordinates?

A: (a) The November through April gravesite inscription requirement applies to upright headstones that are preset for engraving. (b) The services are currently performed under contract. (c) No additional historical quantity data will be provided. Quoters shall use the estimated quantities in Attachment A for quote preparation. (d) The requirements and restrictions in the SOW regarding equipment, turf conditions, and cemetery operations remain applicable. (e) GPS coordinates will not be provided. Gravesites are identified by section and grave number. The Contractor shall coordinate with cemetery personnel in accordance with SOW Section 11.1.

18. Q: Please confirm the 1,000-unit minimum applies to the entire contract, with no separate minimum per period.

A: Confirmed. The IDIQ minimum applies to the contract as a whole, not separately to each performance period. There is no separate guaranteed minimum for the base period or an individual option period. Estimated quantities are estimates and do not constitute guaranteed purchases.

19. Q: What is the basis for the estimated quantities, and why does V1 drop from 100 units in the base period to 1 unit in each option year?

A: The quantities in Attachment A are Government estimates based on anticipated ordering needs and are not guaranteed quantities. The V1 quantity of 1 EA in each option year is included to establish option year pricing should the Government’s ordering needs change.

20. Q: Which labor classification under Wage Determination 2015-4281 applies to inscription labor? What wage determination applies to Culpeper?

A: The wage determination provided with the solicitation applies, as the on-site work location is Quantico. There is no separate on-site physical work location at Culpeper. Applicable labor classifications are governed by Department of Labor requirements.

21. Q: Will the Government amend the solicitation to permit an off-site inscription facility for the shop portion of the work?

A: No. This is a requirement for on-site inscription services, performed at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico. No off-site facility, for any portion of the work, will be permitted. Quoters shall submit quotations based on the on-site requirement as solicited.

22. Q: Please clarify the blank inspection and transfer process, including setup requirements, batch size, equipment, and the point responsibility transfers to the Contractor.

A: The transfer and inspection process is covered by SOW Section 16.0 and the Appendix B transfer form.

23. Q: When does the 10-business-day performance period begin — when the order is sent, or when a blank is transferred?

A: The ten-business-day performance period starts the day following the date the order is sent to the Contractor, per SOW 4.3 and 15.2.

24. Q: How must finished monuments be prepared for cemetery pickup — wrapped, padded, crated, palletized, or unpackaged?

A: The solicitation does not prescribe a specific packaging method. The Contractor is responsible for the care and protection of Government property while in its custody. The Quoter’s proposed handling and protective measures shall be addressed as part of its Work Plan/Staffing Plan in Volume B in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

25. Q: For capacity planning, how many accelerated casualty-of-war orders were issued in each of the last three years?

A: Historical accelerated casualty-of-war order data is not available and would not be indicative of future requirements. Quoters shall comply with the accelerated delivery requirements of SOW Section 15.3.

26. Q: What file format will actual inscription orders use? Can the Government provide a sample order?

A: Inscription orders are provided electronically in text and Word document formats.

27. Q: How will compliance with the 60 dBA/500-foot noise requirement be measured?

A: The requirement in SOW Section 10.0 is a performance standard. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring its operations comply with the requirement of less than 60 dBA within 500 feet of the sandblasting facility. Applicable OSHA standards and guidelines apply. The solicitation does not prescribe a specific instrument or measurement methodology.

28. Q: How is a reverse inscription on a granite headstone priced? Which CLIN covers it? Is it ordered at Culpeper? Where is it performed?

A: R2 inscriptions are performed at Quantico. The R2 CLIN applies when a reverse inscription is ordered separately on an existing upright headstone with a previously completed front inscription. When the front and reverse inscriptions are ordered together, the applicable upright headstone unit price is all-inclusive and includes both inscriptions.

29. Q: Will the Government provide the questions and answers and any amendments issued under cancelled Solicitation 36C78626Q0060?

A: No. Quoters shall rely on the current solicitation and its amendments when preparing their quotations.

30. Q: Is this requirement a recompete or a new requirement? If it is a recompete, please provide the current or previous contract number.

A: This requirement is a recompete. Information regarding prior awards is publicly available on SAM.gov. Quoters shall prepare quotations based on the requirements of the current solicitation.

31.Q: Please identify the applicable limitations on subcontracting and Prime Contractor self-performance requirements, including how performance by a similarly situated small-business subcontractor would be treated and documented.

A: Quoters are responsible for reviewing and complying with all applicable limitations on subcontracting and Prime Contractor performance requirements, including, but not limited to, FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and SOW Section 19.0.

32. Q: May samples submitted under previous solicitations be used to satisfy the sample requirements for the current open solicitations if those samples were previously approved by MPS?

A: No. Samples submitted under previous solicitations do not apply to the current solicitations, and there is no provision to carry forward prior sample approvals. New samples shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the current solicitations.

33. Q: The solicitation permits use of a subcontractor’s past performance with a teaming agreement but also requires the Prime Contractor’s own past performance relating to the required service. May a Prime Contractor without prior on-site inscription contracts submit an acceptable quote using a qualified inscription subcontractor’s relevant experience, references, key personnel, and samples under a teaming agreement? If so, what past performance information must the Prime Contractor provide?

A: The Government will not make a prospective determination regarding the acceptability of a proposed teaming arrangement or quote. Quoters may use a subcontractor’s past performance only if a teaming agreement is provided with the quote. However, the Prime Contractor must provide its own past performance information as required by Factor 2. A subcontractor’s experience, past performance, key personnel, or samples do not relieve the Prime Contractor of any requirements applicable to the Prime Contractor under Factors 1 and 2 or the SOW, including, but not limited to, SOW Section 19.0. Quotes will be evaluated in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria.