Attachment 27_RFP Questions - RESPONSES.docx

Attachment 27 70CDCR21R00000002 ICE Solicitation 70CDCR21R00000002 RFP Questions/Answers Instructions:

All questions or requests for clarification related to this solicitation shall be submitted using this Attachment 25 document. Questions submitted without using the proper template will not be given consideration. This form shall be submitted electronically to ICE-DMProposals@ice.dhs.gov no later than June 24, 2021 at 14:00 Eastern.

PLEASE NOTE: Offerors are instructed to enter only one (1) question per numbered table below and maintain the formatted numbering in the left (blue) cell when adding additional questions tables.

1.

Question: If the contract is awarded to the incumbent provider, the transition period identified in the solicitation, would overlap the current contract. Please clarify how the transition period will be implemented.

Are the services for CLINS 0001 & 0002 required to begin on 7/16/2021, or will services be required with the period of performance for sub-CLINS 0001A and 0002A beginning on 9/16/2021?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) If incumbent is awarded contract, services will begin 09/16/21.

2.

Question: Under CLINS 0004 - 4004, the Detainee Work Program stipend is reimbursed at the actual cost of $1.00 per day per detainee.

Does the agency have plans to increase the per day reimbursement rate for detainee compensation of $1.00?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Not unless 8 USCA 1555 and Public Law 95-431 is changed to reflect a different rate.

3.

Question: Under CLIN 0004 - 4004, the Detainee Work Program stipend is reimbursed at the actual cost of $1.00 per day per detainee.

Can the agency also provide instructions to the offeror regarding the maximum stipend a detainee may receive that is fully reimbursable by ICE?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Maximum stipend reimbursable with appropriated funds by law is $1.00.

4.

Question: Under CLIN 0004 - 4004, the Detainee Work Program stipend is reimbursed at the actual cost of $1.00 per day per detainee.

Will ICE accept and approve a request for equitable adjustment (REA) that reimburses the offeror for the actual amount paid to a detainee should the offeror need to exceed the $1.00 per detainee per day to successfully implement the voluntary work program?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) No, ICE will not accept/approve request for REA reimbursement over $1 unless laws are changed or pending litigation orders a change.

5.

Question: Will ICE consider allowing a pricing structure based on a Monthly “Facility Operations Charge” covering all costs of operating the facility and a reduced bed day rate to cover detainee population levels?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only)

6.

Question: This section requires desk space for two USCIS asylum officers.

Will USCIS actually be on site to conduct asylum interviews as they are typically telephonic? The same offices are also used for virtual attorney visitation.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) There is a possibility that they may conduct interviews on site when necessary so space needs to be available.

7.

Question: This section requires transportation personnel to wear the same uniforms as other contractor personnel in other areas of the contract.

Currently transportation officers and floor officers wear different uniforms. Can a waiver be given, or should different uniforms be required?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) ICE cannot grant waivers but ICE is not opposed if waiver is granted

8.

Question: This section lists training courses and hours of training to be provided.

Are the course hours listed for each topic required hours? The hours do not align with current hours for some courses and training hours can change over time based on lesson content. Will the Government revise the section to indicate the listed hours are recommended?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) The required training hours are based on PBNDS 2011 Rev 2016, changes would have to be approved by Custody Management Unit (CMU).

9.

Question: This section states “On-line training is specifically prohibited to meet these requirements, unless approved in writing by the COR.”

Please confirm this restriction only applies to new hire training, and not refresher or specialty training.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Would depend on the training course, CMU would have to comment.

10.

Question: This section indicates health services at the facility will be transferred to the ICE Health Service Corps in 2022.

If the offeror is transitioning medical to IHSC in September 2022, should offeror staffing closely follow the recommended IHSC staffing plan?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Yes, that could help facilitate the transition

11.

Question: This section describes the health assessment to be provided within the first 14 days of arrival.

Will the offeror be providing COVID testing for new intake detainees, or will testing go through state testing labs?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) The offeror will provide onsite testing for all intakes

12.

Question: This section states “The Contractor shall obtain Human Resources (HR) commercial-off- the-shelf (COTS) support as a subsystem under eHR in accordance with the requirements outlined below.”

Please clarify why offerors need to obtain an HR subsystem.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) This is not required.

13.

Question: This section states “The Contractor will be responsible to purchase and maintain an ONC-CCHIT commercial off- the-shelf (COTS) eHR that is compatible with ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) prior to obtaining a Notice to Proceed.”

Please clarify what is meant by “compatible with ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)”.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Due to the anticipated transition to IHSC in FY2022, it will not be necessary to seek compatibility; however eHR access for selected IHSC staff (Field Medical Coordinator, Quality Improvement staff, etc.) is required.

14.

Question: Item b of this section states “The Contractor will provide the full range of technical Health IT O&M services required to support and sustain the eHR system and the specialized medical applications that are mission critical to its operations.”

Does this mean IHSC will be using the eHR provided by the offeror?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) IHSC will need to have access to medical records in order to perform oversight functions.

15.

Question: This section states “The Contractor shall provide constant armed perimeter surveillance of the facility.”

The existing facility/contract does not currently require an armed perimeter. The PBNDS 2011 (Revised December 2016), Standard 2.15 Use of Force and Restraints, only allows the use of deadly force when an Officer has probable cause that the detainee poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person. Deadly force may not be used solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect.

We have successfully managed the perimeter security for years without a weapon. The Facility’s Transportation personnel are firearms trained and armed, and available if the need for armed security arises.

Will ICE consider removing the requirement for an armed perimeter patrol?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) This would have to be approved by CMU as I believe it’s required in the PBNDS.

16.

Question: Item 3 of this section states “Any new or enhanced telecommunications features must be integrated within the DTS service and can NOT be a separate system or software from the DTS service.”

May offerors propose to provide mobile phones to detainees to allow unlimited free phone calls using Wi-Fi within the facility?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) No, cell phones cannot be integrated with the DTS service. Also, cell phones are not needed as detainees have communication capabilities with current phone/tablet provider.

17.

Question: Please confirm that deliverables required to be included with the proposal submission identified in Section E of the RFP (i.e., staffing plan, organizational chart, key personnel resumes) do not count against the page limitations established in Section L for Volumes I and I.A.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Yes, they do not count against the page limitations in Section L for Volumes I and I.A

18.

Question: This section states "A Security Authorization of any infrastructure directly in support of DHS/ICE information system shall be performed as a general support system (GSS) prior to DHS/ICE occupancy to characterize the network, identify threats, identify vulnerabilities, analyze existing and planned security controls, determine likelihood of threat, analyze impact, determine risk, recommend controls, perform remediation on identified deficiencies, and document the results."

Does this requirement apply to offeror systems or only to the ICE network onsite?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) This is an OCIO question

19.

Question: This section states "At the beginning of the contract, and upon request thereafter (generally at the deployment of a new system or renewal of a System Authority to Operate), the Contractor/Cloud Service Provider (CSP) shall provide the results of an independent assessment and verification of security controls."

The section begins by combining Contractor/Cloud Service Provider (CSP), but later in the section, only the acronym CSP is used. Is the offeror considered to be the CSP?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) OCIO question: OAQ yes, intend to be.. pls confirm

20.

Question: Is the offeror required to be FedRAMP certified, or just required to follow FedRAMP standards (NIST 800.53)?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) OCIO question

21.

Question: This section states “The Volume IV Environmental proposal shall be submitted in softcopy format (including via email and CD-ROM).”

Are offerors required to submit by mail a CD-ROM containing the Volume IV Environmental Proposal? Please confirm the address for submission of the Volume IV Environmental Proposal.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) CD-ROM is not required. OAQ has updated the language from solicitation

22.

Question: This section states “Offerors shall submit a completed and signed subcontracting plan as well as the Representations and Certifications required by this solicitation see Section L.7.2.”

This section seems to require Section K to be submitted in Volume V in conflict with instructions at L.7.2, which require Section K to be submitted in Volume III. Please clarify the required items for Volumes III and V.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Section L.7.2 has been revised. Section K to be submitted in Volume V.

23.

Question: This section requires the submission of a completed and signed subcontracting plan in Volume V. This section also provides instructions for completing SF 33 and Section K, which are required as part of Volume III: Price/Cost Proposal.

Will ICE move the required Subcontracting Plan to become item 6 in Volume III, and remove the requirement for a separate Volume V?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Resolved. See response from Q. 22

24.

Question: This section outlines the requirements for submission of pricing documentation.

Will ICE be providing a “Contractor Cost/Pricing Summary” to be completed and submitted with offeror responses? In addition to CLIN details, past versions of this document include position and wage related “Enclosures”.

ICE Response

(For ICE use only)

25.

Question: This section outlines the requirements for submission of pricing documentation.

CLIN 0002a states that Transportation Services will include a monthly flat fixed fee which includes all staff, all vehicles and all vehicle maintenance.

Does the Government require that Medical Escort Officers (MEOs) also be included in this CLIN along with Transportation Officers, or should MEO’s be included in the Detention Services CLINs?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) OAQ has updated CLINs xxx2A includes transportation officer, all vehicles and maintenance.

Updated CLINs xxx3 to include Medical Escort Officers, this is a fixed labor hour rate.

26.

Question: How many Transgender detainees will be housed at the facility on average?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) The number of transgender detainees can range from 5 to 48. It will depend on arrests, apprehensions.

27.

Question: What is the expected length of stay for Transgenders housed at the center?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Length of Stay, minimum of 5 days, will depend on individual detainee case.

28.

Question: Will providers that come on-site for patient care be required to complete a full clearance?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) doctors would need to be cleared by providing valid government ID and proof of credentials.

29.

Question: If IHSC intends to take over the provision of Medical Services in September 2022, is it necessary for the Offeror to price the Medical CLINS beyond that period? If so, how will the government evaluate the total price considering the Medical CLINS beyond September 2022 will not apply?

ICE Response

(For ICE use only) Yes, it is necessary to price the medical CLINs beyond base period.

It will be evaluated in accordance with the Solicitation Section M 4.3 Volume III, Factor 6

*Copy and paste additional tables as necessary, and maintain the formatted numbering in the left (blue) cell when adding additional questions tables.