Solicitations Questions and Answers.pdf

1. Incumbent Contract Information

1. Please confirm whether this requirement is a new requirement or a follow-on contract.

Answer: This requirement is a follow-on contract.

2. If this is a follow-on effort:

o Who is the current incumbent contractor?

Answer: The incumbent contractor is Strategic Security Corp.

o What is the incumbent contract number?

Answer: The incumbent contract number is 70FBR425C00000015.

o What is the current total contract value (base and options, if applicable)?

Answer: CO will not share pricing information in order to safeguard proprietary information.

Answer See:

https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70FBR425C00000015_

7022_-NONE-_-NONE-

o Is the re-competition due solely to contract expiration, or were there changes in scope or performance considerations?

Answer: The re-competition is due solely to contract expiration.

2. Geographic Scope and Duty Locations

1. While the solicitation references performance “within the State of North

Carolina,” can FEMA confirm whether guard services may be required:

o Statewide across North Carolina, and/or o At specific FEMA-designated locations that may change during performance?

o

Answer: This can be anywhere if a disaster is declared within the State of North Carolina. At this time, the known locations are:

o FEMA NC Branch Office Durham, 5411 Page Rd Durham, NC 27703-8204 https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70FBR425C00000015_7022_-NONE-_-NONE-https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70FBR425C00000015_7022_-NONE-_-NONE-o FEMA NC Staging Yard Fuel Depot Hickory Airport, 2018 Clement Blvd NW suite 101, Hickory, NC 28601 o FEMA NC DHIT Hickory, 2018 Clement Blvd NW, Hickory, NC 28601-3457 o FEMA NC Rover, 2111 Ashville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28791 o FEMA NC JFO Asheville, 1 Volvo Dr, Asheville, NC 28803

2. Are offerors expected to price assuming variable locations and hours, or will task orders provide sufficient notice and stability for staffing?

Answer: The CLIN Structure is set up to cover the whole State of North Carolina. The PWS at 1.2 specifically states: The vendor shall have (25) Level II Armed Protective Security Officers available at the start of the contract.

3. Security Guard Roster Requirements (Critical Clarification)

1. For Proposal Attachment 2 – Security Guard Roster & Weapons, please clarify whether FEMA requires:

o The actual names of specific Security Guard officers at the time of proposal submission, or o A roster of positions with representative personnel, certifications, and qualifications demonstrating capability to staff the requirement.

Answer: Factor 5 - Submit a weapons roster of the 25 owned company weapons and are within the State of North Carolina and 25 x Security Guard “Roster” with the minimum qualifications of the employees certified within the State of North Carolina.

FEMA is looking for a company that has 25 Security Guards. The Security Company must own the firearms. The Security Guard that the company is putting forward must have the documents submitted on the employee, and the weapon that they will be caring, the Security guard must be qualified on.

2. If actual guard names are required:

o Must all listed guards already be fully vetted and certified at time of proposal submission?

Answer: no, they do not have to be fully vetted/certified by FEMA at the time of proposal submission. However, the guard must be certified within the State of North Carolina.

o Will substitutions be permitted prior to award or during transition?

Answer: Yes, substitution is authorized.

3. Please confirm whether certifications (e.g., armed guard license, firearms qualification) must be:

o Submitted for each named individual, or o Representatively demonstrated with a plan to finalize personnel post-award.

Answer: The Armed Guard License, and firearms qualification must be submitted for each named individual.

4. Lease / Facility Requirement (Proposal Attachment 1 – Factor 4)

1. For the requirement to provide a “Lease or Owned Facility within the State of North Carolina”, will FEMA accept a Government-Ready-to-Occupy (G-RTO) lease that is:

o Fully executed, o Located within North Carolina, and o Effective prior to, or immediately upon, contract award?

Answer: Yes, that is acceptable.

2. Will FEMA accept separate leased facilities within North Carolina for:

o Administrative/business operations, and o Secure weapons and equipment storage, provided both are under exclusive contractor control and properly documented?

Answer: Yes, FEMA will accept this.

5. Staffing, Supervision, and Billability

1. Please confirm whether Supervisor and/or Project Manager positions required under the PWS are:

o Billable labor categories, or o Considered indirect/overhead positions.

Answer: Considered Indirect/overhead positions.

2. Does FEMA anticipate the addition of new posts, shifts, or staffing quantities during the period of performance beyond the initial requirement?

Answer: It is unknown at this time. When a disaster occurs. FEMA intended on using this contract for more PSO/Security Guards.

6. Training and Onboarding

1. Are required pre-assignment training hours (e.g., orientation, FEMA-specific training, Use of Force refreshers):

o Billable to the contract?

Answer: The following training shall be completed before standing post.

State Security Officer Certification

CPR

First Aid AED Certification Card Firearms License &/Or Certification Current firearms training and qualification Current baton or OC certification

Answer: The certificate of completion to the FEMA Contracting Officer Representative no later than 30 calendar days after Contract. New employees entering the contract must receive the briefing within ten (10) business days of joining the contract:

OPSEC Training Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified or Unclassified Information training Privacy Training Rules of Behavior Insider Threat

2. Must all training be completed prior to guards standing post, or may training occur concurrently during the transition/start-up period?

Answer: See above

7. Background Investigations and Conditional Work

1. Please confirm the expected timeline for background investigation adjudication once suitability packages are submitted.

Answer: This can take a few days to a few weeks. The Security Guard will receive two emails. If they fail to respond. They will be removed from post, and denied resubmitting their packet.

2. May Security Guard officers begin work conditionally after submission of required documentation but prior to final adjudication?

Answer: The Security Guard may begin work once the packet is submitted/approved by the COR.

3. Does FEMA allow reciprocity for guards with existing favorable federal background investigations?

Answer: If the guard is joining the company, a new federal background investigation must be completed.

8. Vehicles and Patrol Requirements

1. Does this contract require the use of patrol vehicles?

2. If so:

o What type of vehicle is required?

o Is there an estimated annual mileage for pricing purposes?

Answer: No, not at this time.

9. Transition and Workforce Continuity

1. What is the process for requesting incumbent workforce information to support transition planning?

Answer: FEMA will request that in accordance too the Statement of Work:

2. Will the incumbent contractor be required to cooperate in the transition of personnel, consistent with FAR continuity requirements? The incumbent will be participating in the transition.

Answer: Currently there is not transaction plan in the current contract but the CO will try to coordinate a transition period.

10. Award and Debriefing

1. Does FEMA anticipate making a single award or multiple awards under this solicitation?

Answer: FEMA anticipates making a single award under this solicitation.

2. What is the anticipated award date?

Answer: The Government anticipates receiving final approval and making award by the end of March.

3. Will post-award debriefings be provided upon request in accordance with FAR Part 15?

Answer: This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 13. Upon request, the Government may provide unsuccessful offerors with information regarding the basis for award in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(d).

Questions in the table are below in a text only format.

RFP;

PWS;

Attachment 1;

Attachment

L.3.1 3.1.1

11-

The section L requirement states offeror shall include "Security guard roster demonstrating minimum qualifications and state certification." Neither Attachment 1 nor Attachment 2 provide a location to demonstrate Security Guards meet the "minimum qualifications" per the PWS. How would the government prefer offerors provide this information?

RFP;

Attachment

L.4 43 Section L states "Offerors shall complete and submit Proposal Attachment 4 - Past Performance Questionnaire." Instructions in Proposal Attachment 4 - Past Performance Questionnaire indicate offerors shall send this document to the reference POCs for completion and and submission directly to FEMA. How does the government prefer offerors submit past performance information since Attachment 4 is to be filled out by references, not the offeror?

RFP L.4 43 Section L states "Only prime contractor past performance shall be submitted." Does this mean only the prime offeror shall submit past performance? Or does it mean that only performance as a prime contractor shall be submitted?

RFP L.4 43 If an Offeror does not possess relevant past performance as a prime contractor for contracts under similar scope, size, and complexity, but otherwise demonstrates full technical compliance and operational capability, will the Government evaluate the Offeror's past performance as Neutral IAW FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv)?

RFP M.2 46 In the event an Offeror is evaluated as Neutral, will the Government consider demonstrated technical capability and staffing readiness in the overall best-value determination?

1. References: RFP; PWS; Attachment 1; Attachment 2. Section/Paragraph: L.3.1;

3.1.1. Page(s): 42; 11–12. Question: The section L requirement states offeror shall include "Security guard roster demonstrating minimum qualifications and state certification." Neither Attachment 1 nor Attachment 2 provide a location to demonstrate Security Guards meet the "minimum qualifications" per the PWS. How would the government prefer offerors provide this information?

Answer: The company/offeror shall include "Security guard roster demonstrating minimum qualifications and state certification." In the PWS see

3.1 Minimum Qualifications:

3.1.1. All Level II Armed Protective Security Officers and Armed Protective Security Supervisors performing under the resulting contract/orders must meet the following minimum qualifications:

o U.S. Citizenship o Proficiency in English (written and spoken) o High school diploma, GED certificate, college transcripts military records or POST training completion o Current or prior military and/or security experience o Active Federal, State and Local Firearms permit(s) as applicable o Have all state/local licenses, permits, registrations, or certifications as required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

o State Security Officer Certification (as required) o Local permits and renewals(as required) o CPR, First Aid, and AED certification card.

o Firearm licenses and certifications required by state and local requirements o Current firearms training and qualification o Current baton or OC certification o Must be at least 21 years of age.

2. References: RFP; Attachment 4. Section/Paragraph: L.4. Page(s): 43. Question:

Section L states "Offerors shall complete and submit Proposal Attachment 4 - Past Performance Questionnaire." Instructions in Proposal Attachment 4 - Past Performance Questionnaire indicate offerors shall send this document to the reference POCs for completion and and submission directly to FEMA. How does the government prefer offerors submit past performance information since Attachment 4 is to be filled out by references, not the offeror?

Answer: FEMA would like the offerors’ reference to submit the document to FEMA directly.

3. References: RFP. Section/Paragraph: L.4. Page(s): 43. Question: Section L states "Only prime contractor past performance shall be submitted." Does this mean only the prime offeror shall submit past performance? Or does it mean that only performance as a prime contractor shall be submitted?

Answer: FEMA only wants prime contractor past performance and will evaluation prime contractor past performance.

4. References: RFP. Section/Paragraph: L.4. Page(s): 43. Question: If an Offeror does not possess relevant past performance as a prime contractor for contracts under similar scope, size, and complexity, but otherwise demonstrates full technical compliance and operational capability, will the Government evaluate the Offeror's past performance as Neutral IAW FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv)?

Answer: On page 43 will be changed to Neutral if the offeror does not provide past performance. Yes, the company will be rated as Neutral. The following will be removed: Failure to submit a completed Past Performance Questionnaire may result in the Offeror being determined ineligible for award.

5. References: RFP. Section/Paragraph: M.2. Page(s): 46. Question: In the event an Offeror is evaluated as Neutral, will the Government consider demonstrated technical capability and staffing readiness in the overall best-value determination?

Answer:

The current solicitation is:

o Evaluation Factors for Award: Award will be made to the responsive, responsible contractor who provides the best value to the Government.

In performing the best value trade-off analysis, the Technical and Past Performance, when combined are significantly more important than price.

o Being replaced as follows:

o Evaluation Factors for Award: Award will be made to the responsive, responsible contractor who provides the best value to the Government.

FEMA will utilize the pass/fail and add Comparative Evaluation of Quotations IAW with FAR Subpart 12.203(c)(2) Quotations.