A0001_Q and_A.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 46 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Multi - AOR Armed Guard Transportation Services
- Solicitation number
- 70CDCR26R00000018_S
- Issued by
-
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document addressing clarifications on a multi-Area of Responsibility (AOR) armed guard transportation services solicitation for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Q&A resolves 104 inquiries spanning service bond requirements, key personnel qualifications, vehicle equipment and specifications, staffing levels, operational procedures, pricing structures, and compliance standards. Critical clarifications include confirmation that service bonds must total $300 million (non-construction performance bonds via Treasury-listed sureties), with commitment letters acceptable at Phase I proposal submission and full bonds due 60 days post-award. The contract requires a single Project Manager across all five AORs with additional mandatory key personnel including Transportation Coordinator, Corporate Security Officer, and Site Manager. Designated states for coverage include Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia across Baltimore, Boston, Newark, New York City, and Washington AORs.
Operational requirements mandate 24/7 detainee transportation and guard services with 95% minimum monthly staffing levels (adjusted to 90-day vacancy periods to accommodate PSD clearance delays). Vehicles must include 13-15 passenger vans, 40-56 passenger buses with onboard restrooms, and minimum one ADA-compliant vehicle per AOR; all equipped with two-way radios, GPS tracking, and video recording systems capturing detainee compartments and road-facing views. Key personnel cannot commence duties without favorable preliminary fitness determinations from Personnel Security Division. Processing services are required at multiple ICE field offices with 24/7 coverage in Baltimore, Boston, Newark, and New York locations. The contract covers a 60-month ordering period at the IDIQ level with pricing templates provided for transportation CLINs (frequent/infrequent routes, outside primary routes, surge operations), transition costs (120-day transition-in period), and processing/stationary guard staffing. Contractors must obtain all required state permits, multi-state enhanced carry permits, and maintain non-construction service bonds covering full contract value; all firearms must be 9mm standard police service-type semi-automatics capable of firing 147-grain hollow-point ammunition.
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Sheet1
| Question No. | Reference (RFP Section and Page #) | Questions | Answers |
| 1 | RFP Section M, Factor 1, p. 67; PWS (Attachment 1), Service Bond, p. 14 | Section M, Factor 1 (page 67) states the bond covers all designated states "up to $300M," while PWS page 14 requires the bond "in an amount not less than $250,000.000." Please confirm: is the required bond limit $300 million? Please state the required amount in both words and figures, confirm which document governs, and confirm whether the amount is fixed for the IDIQ or scales with task order value. | Confirming bonds should be no less than $300M and after award shall be changed to cover the total amount of contract value at the IDIQ level. |
| 2 | RFP Section L, Factor 1, p. 60; RFP Section M, p. 67 | Is the required bond to be furnished on a specific form, such as Standard Form 1418 (Performance Bond, Other Than Construction Contracts) or Standard Form 25 (Performance Bond), or is a bond or commitment issued on the Treasury-listed surety's own form acceptable? No bond form is included in the solicitation attachments. | The SF1418 & Department of the Treasury Circular 570 is to be used. A bond commitment is acceptable. |
| 3 | RFP Section L, Factor 1, p. 60; RFP Section M, p. 67; Phase I due July 24, 2026 | Factor 1 requires "evidence of a valid non-construction service bond" with the Phase I proposal, which is due July 24, 2026. Executing a bond of this magnitude is a considerable financial commitment. Please confirm that a letter of commitment from a Treasury-listed surety is sufficient at Phase I. | A letter of commitment (or "consent of surety") from the U.S. Treasury's is sufficient for Phase I. The required bond will be due 60 days after contract award. |
| 4 | PWS (Attachment 1), Service Bond, p. 14; RFP Section B, p. 7 (60-month ordering period) | PWS page 14 requires the bond to "cover all operations within the designated states for the full contract period." Given the 60-month ordering period, please confirm whether a single bond instrument written for the full 60-month term is required, or whether an annually renewable bond maintained through surety continuation certificates for the duration of the contract is acceptable. Please also confirm whether bonding is required at the IDIQ level or at the individual task order level, and how the bond amount relates to task order value. | Confirming bond will be at the IDIQ level and is at the discretion of the contractor regarding a single 60-month term bond or an annual renewable bond. |
| 5 | PWS (Attachment 1), Service Bond, p. 14 | PWS page 14 describes the instrument as a "non-construction service bond (performance bond)." Please confirm whether the Government requires a performance bond under FAR Part 28, a state service or license bond, or both. We note that no FAR Part 28 bond clause is incorporated in the solicitation. | Confirming State License and Service Bonds. |
| 6 | RFP Section B.1; PWS (Attachment 1), pp. 4 and 14 | The bond must cover "all designated states," but the designated states are not enumerated in the solicitation. RFP Section B.1 describes coverage as far south as "the Carolinas and Georgia," while the PWS geographic description names only North Carolina. Please enumerate the designated states. | BOS AOR: VT, ME, NH, MA, CT, RI |
a.) BOS AOR transverses NYC/Newark at times.
WAS AOR: MD, PA
NYC AOR: PA, NY, NJ, VA, MA & MD
NEW AOR: NJ, PA
BAL AOR: MD, PA, GA, NC, SC, OH, MA
| 7 | RFP Section G.1.2, p. 13; PWS (Attachment 1), Section 2.1.3, p. 29 | RFP Section G.1.2 lists the minimum key personnel as Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, and Fleet Manager / Training Coordinator. PWS Section 2.1.3 lists Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, Corporate Security Officer, and Site Manager. Please confirm the required key personnel roster, the duty scope for any role not detailed in the PWS, and whether a single Project Manager across all five AORs is acceptable. | The Key Personnel is as follows: Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, Corporate Security Officer, Site Manager, and any additional positions proposed by the Contractor. A single Project Manager can be utilized across all five AORs. | |
| 8 | RFP Section L, Factor 2, p. 60 | Factor 2 states that a joint venture "must have its own GSA MAS schedule." As this solicitation is an open-market commercial acquisition requiring an active SAM.gov registration, please confirm that no GSA Schedules are required of a prime offeror or its subcontractors or teaming partners. | Confirming that GSA MAS schedule is NOT required of prime offeror, subcontractors or teaming partners. | |
| 9 | PWS (Attachment 1), Sections 1.9 and 1.19, pp. 15 and 20; Transition-Out, p. 32 | PWS Sections 1.9 and 1.19 reference Government furnished vehicles, and the Transition-Out provision requires transfer of "any GFE" back to the Government. Will the Government furnish any vehicles under this contract? If so, please state how many and in which AORs, and define the GFE contemplated by the Transition-Out provision. | The government will not furnish any vehicles under this contract. | |
| 10 | PWS (Attachment 1), Office Space and Hubs, p. 14 | The PWS states Government space will be provided for the NYC AOR at four listed locations, while the Contractor shall obtain hub locations in the BAL (at least 2), NEW (at least 2), BOS (at least 6), and WAS (at least 2) AORs. Please confirm that no Government-furnished office space will be provided in any AOR other than NYC, and that all hub facilities in the other four AORs are to be acquired and maintained at the Contractor's expense and priced accordingly. | Confirming that no government-furnished office space will be provided in any AOR other than NYC. Per the PWS, 'A hub in NYC AOR is at the contractor’s discretion'. | |
| 11 | RFP Section L, Factor 3, p. 60 | The Factor 3 scenario requires deploying an additional 15 to 30 armed guard personnel per AOR "within a weeks' time," while the first stated challenge requires personnel to be "ready for duty within a month of being cleared." Are the one-week deployments required to come from a pool of previously cleared guards, with newly recruited personnel following within one month of being cleared? | RFP, Factor 3 has been revised to state within a month of being cleared. It is up to the contractor to decide how to best meet the government requirements. | |
| 12 | RFP Section L, Factor 3, p. 60; PWS (Attachment 1), pp. 11 and 12 | The Factor 3 scenario requires that all drivers meet Department, state, and federal standards "along with possessing valid CDL licenses." Are all cleared guard personnel required to hold valid CDLs, including personnel operating vehicles for which a CDL is not required by federal or state statute (for example, passenger vans designed for 15 or fewer including the driver)? Or does the CDL requirement apply only to personnel operating commercial motor vehicles as defined by FMCSA? | CDL requirement only applies to drivers that will be operating commercial motor vehicles as defined by FMCSA. | |
| 13 | PWS (Attachment 1), Firearms, p. 46 | The PWS requires firearms to be 9mm standard police service-type semi-automatics capable of firing 147-grain hollow-point ammunition. Beyond this specification, does the Government require all officers on the contract to carry a single common weapon platform (make and model), or may the Contractor select and standardize any compliant 9mm platform, including different platforms by AOR? | All firearms shall be 9mm standard police service-type semi-automatics capable of firing 147-grain hollow-point ammunition. | |
| 14 | RFP Section L, Factor 3, p. 60; PWS (Attachment 1), pp. 14 and 15 | The Factor 3 scenario requires cross-functional training of surge personnel as both Transportation Officers and Detention Officers. Please describe the distinction between a Transportation Officer and a Detention Officer under this contract. | PWS (Attachment 1), p.25, 1.23 Definitions states Detention/Transport Officer (DO/TO) - Contractor uniformed employees responsible for the security, care, and supervision of detainees being transported while detained or under ICE proceedings. This position is also designated as Transportation Officer. | |
| 15 | RFP Section L, Factor 3, p. 60; PWS (Attachment 1), pp. 14 and 15 | Are there any differences in qualification, training, licensing, and armed status for cross-functional needs? | PWS (Attachment 1), p.44, 4.3 On the Job Traning refers to ICE 2026 NDS for qualifications for each position listed. | |
| 16 | RFP Section L, Factor 3, p. 60; PWS (Attachment 1), pp. 14 and 15 | Do individual officers need to be dual-qualified to serve as both transportation officers and detention officers? | Yes individuals need to be dual-qualified to serve as both transportation officers and detention officers. | |
| 17 | PWS (Attachment 1), Section 1.14, p. 20 | PWS Section 1.14 requires vehicle surveillance cameras with the ability to monitor and record, with recordings stored at least 6 months and produced within 24 hours of request. Please confirm whether camera coverage must include the detainee compartment, exterior or road-facing views, or both, and whether live remote monitoring capability is required or whether record-and-produce capability is sufficient. | Live remote capability is not required. Recording must contain detainee compartment and road-facing views. Record and produce is sufficient. | |
| 18 | PWS (Attachment 1), p. 11 (Dispatch/Tracking System) | The required Schedule/Dispatch/Tracking and Reporting System must display real time status of ongoing missions, but the PWS does not state a GPS or automatic vehicle location requirement for vehicles. Please confirm whether real time GPS tracking is required on all contract vehicles to support the dispatch system. | PWS has been revised to include that real-time/live GPS tracking and recording is required on all vehicles. | |
| 19 | RFP Section L, Table 11, p. 57; RFP Section L, Factor 2, p. 60 | Table 11 assigns Factors 2 and 3 a combined 15-page limit, while the Factor 2 instructions indicate up to 15 pages may be used for contract references. Please confirm the page limits applicable to Factor 2. Please confirm the page limits applicable to Factor 3. | Confirming Factors 2 & 3 shall not exceed a total of 15 pages. No more than 12 pages combined for Factor 2 and no more than 3 pages combined for Factor 3. RFP has been revised. | |
| 20 | RFP Section L.4, p. 58; RFP Section J, Attachment 8 | Section L.4 directs that questions be submitted using the "Questionnaire" template (Attachment 8) in Microsoft Excel; however, Attachment 8 as posted is the Past Performance Questionnaire. Please confirm the intended template for submitting questions, and whether the Table 12 format used herein is acceptable for this and any subsequent question rounds. | Questionnaire template for questions was not included in solicitation. Questions received in any type of format was acceptable as long as it was submitted by the deadline. While the 'Questionnaire template' was not submitted with the solicitation, the Past Performance Questionnaire Section was included and shall be utilized as a part of the proposal submission. | |
| 21 | RFP Section L, Factor 1, p. 60; PWS (Attachment 1), Service Bond, p. 14 | What is the mechanism to provide evidence of the bond for Phase I? | Reference question 1 and 3. | |
| 22 | PWS (Attachment 1), Section 3.10 Permits and Licenses, p. 40; Firearms, pp. 46 to 47 | Do officers who will work in multiple states need multiple state licenses, or is there a federal exemption? | Officer's/Company will need to provide their own muliple state permits to travel and operate in different state to include state & federal buildings. These are also known as Enhanced Permits for carry in Federal and State Buildings. | |
| 23 | RFP: Factor 6: Price Proposal (Page 64) | RFP states, “Pricing Template: The offeror shall complete the pricing template Attachment 6a-6e –Pricing Template and provide it in Volume IV.” In the attached pricing templates, DRAFT-Attachment 5e -WAS Pricing Template_05.20.2026 (1). Will the USG rename this attachment to reflect 6e and not 5e? | Please ensure correct attachments are being used. Only the draft solicitation included "DRAFT" in the title. | |
| 24 | RFP: Factor 2: Demonstrated Experience (Page 59) | The RFP states that at least two of the three references provided must be for work performed by the prime. Please confirm our understanding that this refers to the prime offeror for the solicitation and not necessarily performance as the prime on the referenced experience contract. | The Government requires three references of work performed by the Prime. | |
| 25 | RFP: Factor 2: Demonstrated Experience (Page 60) | The RFP states that responses should limit each contract reference to no more than four pages. We request that offerors be allowed to incorporate the format of Factor 1 contract references in an MS Word document for submission. | Factor 1 is not requiring contract references. | |
| 26 | RFP: Factors 2 and 3 (Page 57) | The RFP states that the page limit for these factors is 15. Since these involve significant narrative responses, we request that the page limit be increased to 20. | Confirming Factors 2 & 3 shall not exceed over 15 pages. No more than 12 pages combined for Factor 2 and no more than 3 pages combined for Factor 3. RFP has been updated. | |
| 27 | RFP: Factor 2: Demonstrated Experience (Page 60) | The RFP states that experience examples from a parent company, affiliate, subcontractor should include information demonstrating how the resources from these will be used during performance of this requirement. Will this information be exempt from page limitations? | No, this information will not be exempt from page limitations. | |
| 28 | RFP: Staffing Plan (Page 62) | The RFP asks for an explanation of retention strategies that demonstrate the offeror’s ability to ensure staffing levels are 95% or higher. Based on our current experience with Personnel Security Division approvals, ensuring staffing levels at this percentage is unrealistic without government intervention, modification of the approval process. We ask that this been considered when defining the requirement. | The government will take into account all government delays, however the contractor shall do everything possible to meet their 95% or highter staffing levels. | |
| 29 | RFP: Factor 5: Past Performance (Page 63) | The RFP states offerors should complete Attachment 13 – Past Performance Questionnaire for each reference. We request that offerors be allowed to submit current CPARS evaluations when CPARS are available in place of PPQs. | Please ensure correct attachments are being used. There is no Attachment 13 in the Solicitation. | |
| 30 | RFP: Factor 2: Demonstrated Experience and RFP: (Page 60 & 63) | As these requirements are highly similar, would the government consider either consolidating these into one factor for submission/evaluation or altering the requirements to focus on more varied aspects of previous contract experience? | No the government will not consider consolidating these into one factor. | |
| 31 | PWS (Page 13) | The PWS says contractor shall have non-perishable snacks in vehicles to sustain all passengers for three hours. This has not been allowed in the past, with the government’s explanation that the contractor is not advised on passenger food allergies. We ask for this to be considered with the new requirement. | The PWS has been revised. | |
| 32 | PWS (Page 53 & 54) | The PWS lists several items to be carried in vans. Vans do not have adequate space for all of the items listed, and some would require a hazmat container. Buses would have adequate space. We ask for this to be considered with the requirement. | PWS has been revised to state 'Vehicles to transport detainees may include the following and is AOR specific…'; Items to be stored in vehicles will to be determined at the Task Order level' | |
| 33 | Contract | What is the total value of this contract? | This information is not known as this contract has not been awarded. | |
| 34 | Contract | Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past. | This is a recompete of an existing contract (70CDCR23D00000001), however this recompete includes a new AOR (Area of Responsibiilty). | |
| 35 | Contract | 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? | This is a recompete of an existing contract (70CDCR23D00000001), however this recompete includes a new AOR (Area of Responsibiilty). | |||
| 36 | General | Will ICE please identify the current incumbent vendor for this contract? | Paragon Professional Solutions LLC. | |
| 37 | General | The solicitation documents refer to NDS 2025. DHS recently issued NDS 2026 with updated standards. Will ICE confirm that NDS 2026 is the correct citation? | Documents will be updated to reflect 2026 language. | |
| 38 | RFP Section G.1.2 Minimum Contractor Key Personnel, page 13 and Attachment 1- PWS Section 2.1.3 Key Personnel, page 29 | RFP Section G.1.2 identifies the Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, and Fleet Manager/Training Coordinator as the minimum contractor key personnel. However, PWS Section 2.1.3 identifies Key Personnel as including the Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, Corporate Security Officer, Site Manager, and any additional positions proposed by the Contractor. |
| Question: Will ICE please clarify the positions that are mandatory Key Personnel for this requirement? | Will update the PWS to reflect: Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, Fleet Manager, Corporate Security Officer, Site Manager, and any additional positions proposed by the Contractor. | ||
| 39 | RFP Section H Special Contracting Requirements, Section H.2 GENERAL PURPOSE OFFICE EQUIPMENT (GPOE) AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT), page 14 | Section H.2 states "The cost of acquisition of General-Purpose Office Equipment (GPOE) and IT shall not be allowable as direct charges to this contract" |
| Question: Section H.2 appears to limit the bidders ability to price direct costs related to obtaining equipment necessary to perform services under this requirement. Please confirm that all direct costs allowable under FAR can and should be included in our proposed pricing? | Per the RFP, Section H.2 as stated in this contract applies. | ||
| 40 | RFP Section H Special Contracting Requirements, Section H.1 TRAINING, page 14 | Section H.1 states "The government will not allow costs, nor reimburse costs associated with the contractor training employees in an effort to attain and/or maintain minimum personnel qualification requirements of this contract. Attendance at workshops or a symposium is considered training for purposes of this clause." |
| Question: There are several items that appear to limit the providers ability to include certain direct costs attributable to the performace of services under this requirement. This appears to limit the bidders ability to price direct costs related to obtaining and mataining requires staff credentials. It is common practice for the employer to cover costs for these items. Please confirm that all direct costs allowable under FAR can and should be included in our proposed pricing? | Per the RFP, Section H.1 as stated in this contract applies. | ||
| 41 | RFP Section H Special Contracting Requirements, Section H.6 OBSERVANCE OF LEGAL HOLIDAYS AND EXCUSED ABSENCE page 15 | Section H.6.c states "It is understood and agreed between the government and the contractor that observance of such days by government personnel shall not otherwise be a reason for an additional period of performance, or entitlement of compensation except as set forth within the contract. In the event the contractor’s personnel work during the holiday, they may be reimbursed by the contractor; however, no form of holiday or other premium compensation will be reimbursed either as a direct or indirect cost, other than their normal compensation for the time worked." |
| Question: This section (H.6.c) appears to impose limits on the reimbursement of direct labor expenses for full time employees who work on holidays who would receive compensation for the holiday in addition to hours worked. Does this mean that we need to include these costs in our proposed rates and we can not change a specific preimum for holidays worked? | Per the RFP, Section H.6.c, "It is understood and agreed between the government and the contractor that observance of such days by government personnel shall not otherwise be a reason for an additional period of performance, or entitlement of compensation except as set forth within the contract. In the event the contractor’s personnel work during the holiday, they may be reimbursed by the contractor; however, no form of holiday or other premium compensation will be reimbursed either as a direct or indirect cost, other than their normal compensation for the time worked." | |||
| 42 | Attachments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e | Question: There is no line item in the pricing sheet for reimbursement of travel costs. Will contractors be reimbursed if additional travel costs associated with the performance of services under the contract are incurred, when approved by the COR? | Per Attachment 6a-e- CLIN X007: All travel shall occur in accordance with the Federal Travel regulation (FTR) and be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or will not be reimbursed. | |
| 43 | Attachment 1- 1.4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT PWS- Page 5 | Section 1.4 states "Contractor shall establish a fully operational communication system that has direct and immediate contact with all transportation vehicles, post assignments, and ICE officials." |
| Question: May contractors continue to use company issued cellphones and office phones for operational communication? | Contractors may utililze company issued cell phones and office phones as well as any type of communication that will support the operational communication. | ||
| 44 | Attachment 1- 1.5 TRANSITION-IN PLAN PWS Page 6 | Section 1.5 states "In addition, the transition will be completed within 120 days from contract effective date, and the Contractor will coordinate and integrate the transportation service contract transition-in tasks with the current Contractor’s transition-out tasks." |
Question: In some instances, background clearances are taking more than 120 days. Will ICE allow staff with interim clearances to perform work on this contract? No employee of the contractor shall be allowed to enter on duty and/or access sensitive information or systems without a favorable preliminary Fitness determination by PSD.
No employee of the contractor shall be allowed unescorted access to a Government facility without a favorable preliminary Fitness determination by PSD.
45 Attachment 1- 1.5 TRANSITION-IN PLAN PWS Page 6; Attachment 6a BAL Pricing Sheet Section 1.5 states "In addition, the transition will be completed within 120 days from contract effective date..."
| Question: The PWS provides 120 days as the transition-in period, while the Attachment 6a BAL Pricing Template shows 90 days for the transition CLIN. Will the government please clarify the transition in period? | Confirming transition will be 120 days. | ||
| 46 | Attachment 1- 1.5 TRANSITION-IN PLAN PWS Page 6 | Section 1.5 states "The Contractor shall not bill for any ramp-up costs until direct employees are fully investigated, cleared, and given notice to proceed by the CO after the COR confirms that the Contractor is ready." |
Question: Will ICE confirm that interim clearances are sufficient to allow billing for ramp up costs? No employee of the contractor shall be allowed to enter on duty and/or access sensitive information or systems without a favorable preliminary Fitness determination by PSD.
No employee of the contractor shall be allowed unescorted access to a Government facility without a favorable preliminary Fitness determination by PSD.
47 Attachment 1- 1.6 DETENTION/TRANSPORTION OFFICER PERFORMANCE PWS Page 7 Section 1.6 states "Billable mileage begins at the detainee pick-up location and ends at the detainee drop-off point. Mileage to and from the vendor’s depot will not be invoiced or reportable."
Question: Does this mean contractors cannot bill for time spent preparing for the runs, Pre-Trip, Post Trip and time spent loading and unloading?
| Question: Will ICE allow contractors to bill for the time spent conducting required DOT pre/post trip inspections of commercial vehicles? | Per the PWS, Billable mileage begins at the detainee pick-up location and ends at the detainee drop-off point. Mileage to and from the vendor’s depot shall not be invoiced or reportable. | ||
| 48 | Attachment 1- 1.7 TRANSPORTATION PWS Page 14 | Section 1.7 states "Contractor shall have in the vehicle potable water and non-perishable snacks: Pack enough for all passengers to sustain all passengers for 3 hours." |
| Question: Please confirm the responsibility for purchasing, supplying, and maintaining an adequate inventory of potable water and non-perishable snacks for all missions resides with the originating and/or receiving facility (pickup and drop-off locations). If contractors are responsible, please provide any applicable requirements regarding quantities, approved items, replenishment expectations, and reimbursement provisions. | The PWS has been revised to reflect 6hrs. According to 2026 NDS, p. 13 M. Meals; Water, meals, and snacks shall be provided during any trip that exceeds six hours in duration. Consideration shall be given as to when detainees last ate before serving meals and snacks. | ||
| 49 | Attachment 1- 1.7 TRANSPORTATION PWS Page 15 | Section 1.7 states "Processing duties such as case processing and administrative support will be stationed at designated ICE ERO Field Offices. Officers handling processing duties will assist ICE officers with various tasks such as case processing, docket management, data entry and records management, detainee communication, as well as pre and post removal management." |
Question: How many ICE ERO Field offices require Processing Services? What are the hours of operation for Processing Specialists? What are the busiest processing locations? What is the average processing per day/shift? BAL AOR: Will require processing services. 2-4 hours to process a case. Daily coverage would be 6am - 2 pm and 2 pm - 10 pm for processing. The locations are as follows: 31 Hopkins Plaza and 119 W. Naylor Mill Road. We also have a proposed new office site located at 6522 Meadowridge Road. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week ( 24/7) coverage including weekends and holidays.
BOS AOR: The locations are as follows: 1. 1000 District Ave Burlington, MA. 2. Ribicoff Federal Building 450 Main Street, Room 501, 3. Hartford, CT, 275 Chestnut Street Manchester, NH, 4. 443 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI 02886, 5. 40 Manson Libby Road Suite 101 Scarborough, 6. ME, 64 Gricebrook Road St. Albans, VT. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week ( 24/7) coverage including weekends and holidays.
NEW AOR: NEW AOR will require case processing services at 620 Frelinghuysen Ave Newark NJ. A new processing office may open in the future. The requirement is full coverage (24/7) with a minumum of 20 officers on staff.
NYC AOR: 26 Federal Plaza and 201 Varick street: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (24/7) coverage. Long Island : Daily coverage from 6am to 10pm, including weekends. Newburgh : Daily coverage from 8am to 6pm, including weekends.
WAS AOR: is in the process of adding 6 Case Processing workers to the Caroline Detention Facility, two processing workers at our RCH office, 8 processing workers at our Winton facility and possibly more at our other FO's within the AOR. Hours have not been finalized.
50 Attachment 1- 1.19 TRANSPORTATION OF FEMALES, AND MINORS - PWS Page 23 Section 1.19 states "Minors shall be always separated from unrelated adults during transport and seated in an area near officers and under their close supervision."
| Question: Will ICE provide advance notice when transportation for minors is required? Will ICE please provide the average number of minors transported per trip? Is there a designated location where minors are housed? | Yes ICE will provide advance notice when transporting minors; Unknown but not often; | ||
| 51 | Attachment 1- 1.22 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST PWS - page 24 | Section 1.22 states "In the event of a conflict between two or more laws or standards, the more stringent standard shall apply unless the Contracting Officer specifically directs otherwise in writing. If the Contractor is unable to determine which law or standard is more stringent, the Contractor should consult the CO, who will make a determination." |
Question: Will ICE consider revising the language to read as follows:
| If any conflicts between federal, state, or local laws or rules arise, the federal rules shall be followed. Nothing in this performance work statement is intended to, or shall be construed to be, a waiver of federal supremacy or the immunity of the Government or its support-service provider, the contractor. Otherwise, applicable or more stringent state or local laws or regulations shall not apply to the performance under this contract when they would directly or indirectly regulate, dictate, or control the contractor’s performance under these standards." | No the government will not consider revising the language. | |||
| 52 | Attachment 1- 1.23 Definitions PWS - page 25 | Question: Will ICE consider providing a definition for "Government"? | ICE will not be providing a definition for the Government | |
| 53 | Attachment 1- 2.1 STAFFING PLAN AND KEY PERSONNEL PWS Page 30 | Section 2.1 states "The Contractor shall have key personnel performing the services in this contract before the end of the transition period. Key Personnel includes the Project Manager, Transportation Coordinator, Corporate Security Officer, Site Manager, and any others identified by the Contractor in their proposal." |
Question: Will key personnel be permitted to provisionally provide services on site if they are pending the ICE clearance longer than the transition period? No employee of the contractor shall be allowed to enter on duty and/or access sensitive information or systems without a favorable preliminary Fitness determination by PSD.
No employee of the contractor shall be allowed unescorted access to a Government facility without a favorable preliminary Fitness determination by PSD. with approval of COR 54 Attachment 1- 2.1 STAFFING PLAN AND KEY PERSONNEL PWS Page 30 Section 2.1 states "The approved staffing levels for detention/transportation officers must not fall below a monthly average of 95%. Each month, the Contractor will submit to the COR the current average monthly vacancy rate and indicate any individual positions that have been vacant more than 30 days on the monthly COR report. Failure to fill any individual position within 30 days of the vacancy may result in a deduction by the COR from the monthly invoice if the vacancy in combination with other vacancies regardless of duration brings staffing levels below 95%. The deduction will be based on the daily salary and benefits of the vacant position."
| Question: The ICE clearance process can take significantly longer than 30 days. Will ICE consider revising the vacancy period to 90 days? Will ICE confirm that candidates who are in the PSD process count as a filled vacancy? | Vacancy period will be changed to 90 days in the PWS. | ||
| 55 | Attachment 1- 3.10 PERMITS AND LICENSES PWS Page 41 | Section 3.10 states "The Contractor shall obtain all required permits and licenses before performing under the contract. The Contractor shall (depending on the state’s requirements) be licensed as a qualified security service company in accordance with the requirements of the District, Municipality, County, and State in which the ICE work site(s) is/are located. Throughout the term of this contract, the Contractor shall maintain current permits/business licenses and make copies available for government inspection. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and all applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards." |
Question: Will ICE consider revising the language to read as follows:
| Throughout the term of this contract, the Contractor shall maintain current permits/business licenses and make copies available for Government inspection. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. | The government will not revise the language. | ||
| 56 | Attachment 1- 7.1 CONTRACTOR’S ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FURNISHED BY THE CONTRACTOR PWS Page 53-54 Vehicle Equipment | Section 7.1 states "Vehicles to transport detainees. The Contractor must have available: • At least two Two-Way radios • Cellular phone (backup communication system) • Portable CB radio (for emergency use only); • Each Contractor vehicle shall contain in the least, the following: Box #1: large bolt cutters, fuses, fan belts, jack, small hand tools, flashlight, lantern, rags, disposable trash bags, broom, ground cloth, two sets of coveralls, and work gloves (fleet officer/shop supervisor maintains inventory; checks written inventory quarterly). Box #2: transmission fluid, water for radiator, oil, toilet disinfectant, extra fire extinguisher(s), road flares, and reflectors (transporting officers record amount and date used and by whom on inventory sheets kept in Box 2, likewise maintaining Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) as necessary). Other equipment may be added as necessary (transporting officers shall provide supervisors with written notification of inventory needs, including items that need replenishing or replacing). • First-aid equipment bag (disaster kit), auxiliary to the first-aid kit in the driver’s compartment (officers shall document each emergency requiring first-aid treatment, RFP # Attachment 4 - PWS 54 including whether and how quickly the injured received proper medical care); Ensure the following: Emergency blankets equal to the rated capacity of the vehicle; Boarding bag containing extra forms, camera that produces instant photographs, film, batteries, emergency phone numbers: ICE/ERO offices, ICE offices, local police, State police, etc.; Spare tire and snow chains (if applicable); All restraining equipment must be of high quality and needs to be maintained in good operating condition and kept in the forward baggage compartment with the other supplies." |
| Question: The solicitation states that NDS 2025 applies. However, the equipment list on pp. 53-54 reflect PBNDS requirements. Will ICE clarify that the requirements on pp. 53-54 apply despite not being included in NDS 2026? | NDS 2026 standards will apply. See question and answer #32 | ||
| 57 | ATTACHMENT 2 – QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) Appendix A Performance Requirements Summary | Appendix A lists ACA standards from the ALDF 4th Edition in the column outlining NDS references. The ALDF 5th edition was released in March of 2023 and standard numbers have changed. |
1) Security: Weapons Control 4-ALDF-2B-04 is now 5-ALDF-2B-08 and 4-ALDF-7B-14 is now 5-ALDF-7B-15; Sexual Assault 4-ALDF-22-8 is now 5-ALDF-4D-29; Permanent Logs 4-ALDF-2A-11 is now 5-ALDF-2A-10. Order: 4-ALDF-6A-08 and 4-ALDF-7B-10 do not apply; applicable standards would be 5-ALDF-3A-01, 5-ALDF-3A-02, and 5-ALDF-6C-01 through 5-ALDF-6C-19.
2) Workforce integrity: Background Checks 4-ALDF-7B-03 is now 5-ALDF-7B-03; Staff Misconduct 4-ALDF-7B-01 is now 5-ALDF-7E-04; Staffing Pattern 4-ALDF-2A-14 is now 5-ALDF-2A-13; Staff Training, Licensing, and Credentialing: 4-ALDF-4D-05 is now 5-ALDF-4D-05, 4-ALDF-7B-05 is now 5-ALDF-7B-05, 4-ALDF-7B-08 is now 5-ALDF-7B-08.
3) Inmate Rights: Detainee Discrimination 4-ALDF-6B-02 is now 5-ALDF-6B-02 and 4-ALDF-6B-03 is now 5-ALDF-6B-03
| Question: Would ICE consider updating the standard numbers to reflect the expected practice? | ICE will not update the standards | ||
| 58 | ATTACHMENT 2 – QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) Appendix A Performance Requirements Summary | The Government may withhold or deduct monthly invoiced amount for failure to meet the Transition Plan as follows: Number of Working Days after the date in the Mobilization Plan the Contractor was to assume full performance. Amount Withheld or Deducted from the monthly invoice. 1 to 10 Working Days Up to 20% withhold or deducted* 11 to 20 Working Days Up to 30% withhold or deducted* 21 to 30 Working Days Up to 40% withhold or deducted* 31 to 40 Working Days and beyond Up to 50% withhold or deducted* 41 Working Days and beyond Up to 75% withhold or deducted** The Government may deduct amounts from the invoice if it determines the Contractor is failing to make substantial progress in meeting the schedule. The decision to withhold or deduct invoice amounts is solely at the discretion of the Government. Deducted amounts are not recoverable by the Contractor. |
| Question: If the Contractor's ability to assume full performance is delayed due to Government-controlled security clearance, suitability, background investigation, credentialing, or approval processes, will the Contractor be excused from the QASP transition timeline and associated invoice withholds/deductions for those Government-caused delays? | If the delay is caused by the government then withholding or deductions will not occur. | ||
| 59 | Attachment 4 ASSET PROTECTION NJ ICE CBA | The Collective Bargaining Agreement provided is attributed to Asset Protection & Security Services for Newark. |
| Question: Given the broad geographic scope of this contract, will ICE please confirm there are no other CBAs applicable to the areas covered by this procurement? | Government confirms there are no other CBA's. | ||
| 60 | Attachment 4 - ASSET PROTECTION NJ ICE CBA | The Newark CBA does not contain wage rates for the covered employees. |
| Question: Will ICE please provide a listing of current wage rates with the number of employees at each rate? | No ICE will not provide those rates. The awardee will have a chance to submit an REA after award if applicable. | |||
| 61 | Factor 1: Carrier Compliance - Volume I, Page No. 67 and Attachment 4 PWS, Page No. 14 | The solicitation appears to contain conflicting service bond requirements. Specifically, the RFP, Factor 1: Carrier Compliance section (page 67) states: "Evidence of a valid non-construction service bond covering operations within all designated states up to $300M." However, the Performance Work Statement (Page 14) states: "The Offeror shall provide evidence of a valid non-construction service bond (performance bond) issued by a Treasury-listed surety company in an amount not less than $250,000.000." To ensure compliance, would the Government please clarify the Service Bond amount? Can you be more specific on the type of bond required, is this a performance bond or a fidelity bond? | Confirming bonds should be no less than $300M and after award shall be changed to cover the total amount of contract value at the IDIQ level. The bond shall be a NCP (Non-construction Performance) Bonds. A letter of commitment (or "consent of surety") from the U.S. Treasury's is sufficient for Phase I. RFP/PWS will be revised | |
| 62 | Factor 1: Carrier Compliance - Volume I, Page No. 67 | States: "FMCSA rating/score for all operating entities proposed for this requirement must have a 50 or lower rating/score." We understand that the FMCSA generally assigns safety ratings of Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory, rather than a numerical rating or score. Could you please clarify whether the solicitation is requiring a specific numerical FMCSA score of 50 or lower, and, if so, identify the FMCSA system or source from which that score should be obtained? Alternatively, would an FMCSA safety rating of Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory satisfy this requirement? | Satisfactory rating or a 50 or above. RFP will be revised. | |
| 63 | PWS Processing Duties, Page No. 7 | Tier 1 requires contractor to conduct initial screening, a thorough search, fill out detainee intake forms, take photos, collect/store property, ask about health issues and complete the detention folder. Tier 2 requires the contractor to distribute food and conduct 15 minute checks of all ICE hold rooms and be responsible for detainee movement throughout the field office rooms and detention/processing areas. Does this mean we must have staff assigned to field offices, detention centers and our hubs? Are the field offices inside of existing detention centers? | Staff may be assigned to field offices, detention centers or hubs | |
| 64 | RFP Section L | Is the bond requirement only for the states for the field offices in Baltimore, Boston, Newark, New York, and Washington? Or does the contractor need non-construction bonds for all the other states listed in the first paragraph under Section B.1 on page 2 of the RFP? | Bond must cover all states. Please refer to Question & Answer for #6 | |
| 65 | RFP Section H.6 | Under the Legal Holidays listed under Section H.6 there are eleven listed holidays. Upon reviewing the Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (WD) for the State of New Jersey and the County of Essex which in the county for Newark, there are 12 listed Federal Holidays. Should the contractor follow the 11 listed holidays in the RFP or the 12 holidays listed in the SCA? | Contractor shall follow the 11 listed holidays in the RFP. | |
| 66 | Transition | Is the transition period 120 days or 90 days? On page 63 in the RFP document under Transition In it states 120 days but the pricing workbook has it listed at 90 days. | Transition will be 120 days. | |
| 67 | PPQ | If an offeror doesn’t submit a Past Performance Questionnaire, will they be disqualified from submission or just given a neutral rating? | Offerors shall not submit Past Performance Questionnaires, per the RFP and Attachment 8 Questionairres shall be sent to the each referenced contract. | |
| 68 | General | Is the current contractor operating all AORs currently? | The current contractor is not operating all AOR's currently. WAS AOR is not being worked by the current contractor. | |
| 69 | General | Is the current contractor staffed 100% under their current requirements? | This question has no bearings on this solicitation and will not be answered. | |
| 70 | General | On page 6 of the PWS in the last paragraph under Section 1.5 it states, " Transition costs shall not be included for the incumbent as well". Will this give the incumbent contractor an unfair price advantage knowing they won't have transition costs and a new contractor will have those costs? | No. Transistion cost are evaluated independantly. | |
| 71 | Carrier Compliance | In how much detail will the Carrier Compliance be evaluated? If a company's Carrier Compliance is only trucks and trailers and not buses or motorcoaches will the company that only has trucks and trailers not be recommended to move onto the next phase since they don't have any carrier compliance experience with vehicles needed for this operation? | This contract is for the provision of armed guard transportation services. | |
| 72 | Section 1.19 in PWS page 23 | Have minors been transported on the current contract? | There were times where minors were transported under this contract. | |
| 73 | Key Personnel | Can the Government confirm which Key Personnel positions will be required upon submission of Phase II proposals? | Please refer to Question #7 | |
| 74 | Contractor Owned Vehicles | Is there a make or model the Government prefers for two-way radios? Will these radio's need to be ICE encrypted? | Any two-way radio is compliant. | |
| 75 | Contractor Owned Vehicles | Is there any age requirement on how old the Contractor Owned Vehicles must be? | There is not age requirement. Contractor is responsible for the safety and well-being of detainees being transported. | |
| 76 | 3.15 | Are time keeping systems like time clocks sufficient to replace the GSA 139s? | PWS p.42 3.15 Recording Presence allows for other commercial off the shelf accounting systems. They would need to be provided with invoicing. | |
| 77 | 3.15 | If time keeping systems are allowed, does the specific system need to be approved by the government? | The contractor may have it's own time keeping system. The contractor will be required to provide documention with invoicing. | |
| 78 | 7.1 | Is the contractor required to install this equipment in ICE offices, or is this section referencing the contractor hubs? | If not already provided, yes. | |
| 79 | General | Is there currently enough parking for contractor staff or does offsite parking need to be provided in locations that do not require a contractor hub? | BAL AOR: BAL does not have parking available at the field offices; storage of vehiles will need to be at the contractor hubs. |
BOS AOR: BOS has available parking at each location for short term and long term staging contractors can stage at their contractor HUB as well.
NEW AOR: NEW does not have parking available at field office locations; storage of vehicles will need to be at contractor hubs NYC AOR: NYC does not have parking available at the field offices; storage of vehicles will need to be offsite. We maybe able to assist with parking in both Newburgh and Long Island.
WAS AOR: does not have parking available at the field offices; storage of vehicles will need to be at the contractor hubs.
| 80 | General | Can a seniority list be provided? | Yes seniority list will be provided. |
| 81 | Office Space and Hubs | Is an offeror allowed to locate office space that can service multiple sub-offices or does the contract have to have the exact amount of office space and hubs listed on page 14 of the PWS? | The PWS list the requirements set by ICE. Specific locations are listed. The other requirement is to have hubs in the area's within the AOR to support those locations. The contractor would determine the best location for those hubs. |
| 82 | Price/Mileage | Is the mileage listed in all the pricing templates guaranteed? If the mileage is not guaranteed, can historical data be provided? | Historical data will not be provided. Mileage listed in all pricing templates are not guarenteed accept for CLIN 0002. |
| 83 | Price/Stationary Guards | Can historical data be provided for stationary guard hours on the previous contract? | Historical data will not be provided. |
| 84 | Contractor Owned Vehicles | What is the total passenger capacity the government would like the contractors to use for its vans? | 13-15 pax |
| 85 | Contractor Owned Vehicles | What is the total passenger capacity the government would like the contractors to use for its buses? Should the bus have a restroom in it? | Buses do require a restroom on board. It would be recommended to have a 40-56 passenger buses. |
| 86 | Contractor Owned Vehicles | There are no ADA/Wheelchair compliant vehicles listed. Does the government want any ADA or wheelchair capable vehicles for this contract? If so, how many per AOR? | It would be recommended that at a minimum of 1 ADA/Wheelchair capable vehicle be furnished. This would need to be determined by the contractor what would be needed to support the AOR based of size and location of such vehicle in order to respond to a location in a timely manner. |
BAL AOR: Yes; 1
BOS AOR: 1
NEW AOR: 2
NYC AOR: 1
WAS AOR: 1
| 87 | Wage Determination | What occupation code - title should be used for this requirement? 27040 - Detention officer or 27101 - Guard 1? | 27040 Detention Officer shall be used. |
| 88 | CBA | The NJ CBA expires in the middle of this new requirement. For the remaining option years of the contract should offerors used the last known CBA rate or revert back to the WD for the option years of the contract not covered by the CBA? | Offerors shall revert back to the WD for the option years of the contract not covered by the CBA. |
| 89 | General | Because there is a leap year in 2028, should contractors bid in the extra day? | Yes. |
| 90 | General | Will the contractor be required to provide restraints for all seats in the vehicles per PBNDS or will the contractor be able to utilize the governments restraints? | The contractor will be required to provide restraints for all seats in the vehicles. PWS p.55, 7.1 All restraining equipment must be of high quality and needs to be maintained in good operating condition and kept in the forward baggage compartment with the other supplies. |
| 91 | Section L.7, Page 60 | For Factor 2, offerors are asked to fill in information for Attachment 9. As each contract reference is limited to four pages, please advise whether offerors may delete the footnotes at the bottom of Attachment 9’s first page. | Offerers may delete footnotes at the bottome of Attachment 9. |
| 92 | Section L.7, Page 60 | For Factor 2, offerors are asked to fill in information for Attachment 9. As each contract reference is limited to four pages, please advise whether offerors may submit answers to questions by number in an MS Word table without including the text from the Government’s question. As the seven questions are highly detailed, this would allow more complete responses within a four-page limit. | Offerers may submit answers to questions by numbers without including the text from the governments question. |
| 93 | Section L.7, Page 62 | Within the Staffing Plan requirement, the RFP states offerors shall submit a policies and procedures manual. As such a manual by itself can be greater than the 25-page limit for Volume II, we request revision, clarification of this submission requirement. | Revision is not granted. Manual shall have all pertinent information requested. |
| 94 | Section 1.7, Page 14 | What ICE Field Office(s) will require 24/7 staffing for processing and/or guard posts? | BAL AOR: Yes, requires 24/7; 31 Hopkins Plaza, 119 W. Naylor Mill Road, 6522 Meadowridge Road |
BOS AOR: Yes, 1. 1000 District Ave Burlington, MA. 2. Ribicoff Federal Building 450 Main Street, Room 501, 3. Hartford, CT, 275 Chestnut Street Manchester, NH, 4. 443 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI 02886, 5. 40 Manson Libby Road Suite 101 Scarborough, 6. ME, 64 Gricebrook Road St. Albans, VT.
NEW AOR: Yes, 24/7 is required. 620 Frelinghuysen Ave Newark NJ NYC AOR: 26 Federal Plaza NY, NY, 201 Varick Street, Long Island & Newburgh WAS AOR: Currently none of the locations will need guards posted at the facilities.
95 CLIN…
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