70B03C20Q00000088 - AMENDMENT THREE - Q_A.pdf

70B03C20Q00000088 – SWB Detainee Meals Multi-Award BPA

AMENDMENT THREE

Questions and Answers Document

1. Q: What is the Government’s intent for Period of Performance for each order placed against the BPA?

ANSWER: The ordering period for the BPA will be five (5) years in duration, with a planned effective date of July 13, 2020 through July 12, 2025. During that period of performance, individual Orders can be placed based on bona fide need for any duration, in accordance with federal government contracting principles and guidelines, to the maximum order limitation of $250,000.00 per order.

2. Q: Can the Government provide the process for placing a call against the established BPA? (i.e. is there a Request for Quote sent to applicable contractors for availability and competition?)

ANSWER: Please see the BPA Ordering Guide for full details.

3. Q: How many discrete meals need to be provided for each age group and each specialty menu? (Reference SOW Section 4.1, Page 5)

ANSWER: There is no specific number of discrete type of meals required for each age group and each specialty menu, however each category shall be accommodated. All meals in each category must meet the specific USDA/FDA requirements as indicated for those categories in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the SOW. Variety is encouraged in order to allow for the availability of as many discrete types as possible, to meet the ongoing requirements at each location to be provided meals.

4. Q: Could the Government provide more information regarding the vetting requirements for the delivery personnel? (Reference SOW Section 10, Page 10).

How long will this process take upon acceptance of an order? Can this be done before an order is placed to prevent any delays?

ANSWER: The Government is not required to place any order against any BPA, therefore the vetting requirements cannot begin until an actual award is made. At that time, the process for vetting consists of the following:

1) Order is placed in accordance with the BPA Ordering Guide.

2) Awarded Vendor provides names and identifying information for each potential delivery driver.

3) Driver(s) are vetted by the local agency through a criminal background National Agency Check of nationwide databases.

4) National Agency Check results are provided on the same day, most within hours of provision of the names and information on the drivers.

5) Drivers who cannot clear the local agency check will not be able to deliver meals.

5. Q: The Statement of Work states the contractor is required to provide certifications at submission and subcontractor certifications upon award. Is this correct? (Reference SOW Sections 2.b, Page 4 and 4.3, Page 7)

ANSWER: No and thank you for requesting clarification. Prospective bidders shall submit certifications for both prime and subcontractor entities with submission of bid. Updates to the certifications shall be required annually as needed and based on the length of the BPA.

6. Q: We recognize there is no minimum order size, is there a minimum order duration? Can orders be placed for individual meals or would they be per day, week, etc.?

ANSWER: There is no minimum order duration, but historically detainees are held for anywhere from 2 days to a week or longer depending on the situation.

Individual meal order placement is allowable. Otherwise, orders can be placed based on bona fide need and for any duration, in accordance with federal government contracting principles and guidelines, to the maximum order limitation of $250,000.00 per order.

7. Q: If awarded a BPA, is the contractor required to provide a quote for all individual calls or are they able to accept or turn down requests on a case by case basis?

ANSWER: An awarded BPA Holder is not required to quote on all individual calls, but is encouraged to do so, or risk potentially losing the Agreement. For example, if a BPA holder is the only vendor providing meals to a location, and continually turns down orders, the location may request discontinuation of that BPA to the CO, at the next anniversary of the BPA award, due to non-participation. The same for competitive orders amongst BPA holders for that location. If one BPA holder continues to non-bid for orders, they may be subject to termination of their BPA. The Government reserves the right to terminate any Agreement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Agency guidelines.

8. Q: With regard to the solicitation I’m wondering if we could send down mobile kitchens to the respective sites and prepare the meals from the mobile kitchens.

Would that be acceptable?

ANSWER: The actual logistics of each order for meal delivery shall be determined by the Ordering CO and the location(s) requiring the meals.