Amendment 0002 Answers to Questions.pdf

Instructions Proposal Submission Due to proposal files containing multiple images such as graphics, reps and certs, SF forms, these may push a single file over five (5) megabytes. Will the government please either 1) raise the limit of the email megabyte submission or 2) provide an alternative way to submit files larger than five (5) megabytes.

The proposal submission paragraph for the ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to

Offerors is changed from 5MB for e-mail correspondence to 10MB by this Amendment.

Please provide wage determinations for Sector Ohio Valley (Louisville, KY) and Sector

Upper Mississippi (St. Louis, MO).

SCA WD #2015-4717 and SCA WD #2015-5075 apply and are added in this amendment.

For Phase I: Technical Approach, the instructions state the Technical Approach section shall include “(3) licenses & certification plans…”

Please clarify what certifications are to be discussed in this plan aside from company and individual security licenses.

Verbiage is meant to be all inclusive. If certifications are not required by the individual states then likewise a certification should not be required.

The PWS states, “The Contractor shall provide all security guards complete uniforms and equipment items…”

Security uniforms vary greatly in appearance and style. For consistency purposes among offerors, please provide a list of uniform items, quantities, and types (color and style) preferred by the USCG, (i.e. BDU or typical police-style, or polo shirt, etc.)

Consistent with PWS Section F, it is not the government's desire to dictate uniform requirements beyond this section. The government assumes the offeror has a standard guard uniform for it's current employees that is professional and, as long as those uniforms meet the requirements of Section F, they should be sufficient.

PWS Page 7/21 Does USCG require Alarm Monitors to be State licensed? USCG follows local and state regulations as required.

PWS Page 11/21 USCG will provide a room for the contractor provided arms/ammunition safe. Will each room provided be secured by additional alarm or combination lock serving as the first line of defense?

The PWS E-2.3.2 States, "The Government will provide a location for an approved arms/ammunition storage safe on the installation." Such location will be consistent with CG

Physical Security requirements.

PWS Page 11/21 USCG will provide a room for the contractor provided arms/ammunition safe. Will each room have a space available to install a clearing barrel that is armored for clearing and manipulating long/short weapons at shift change?

Yes, space will be provided for a clearing barrel IAW CG policy.

PWS Page 11 & 12/21 USCG will provide UTV vehicles for contractor use. Contractor is required to provide operator training and State mandated safety gear. Can USCG provide the required UTV training outline needed prior to operating GFE UTVs?

UTV training outline can be provided post award.

PWS Page 13/21 USCG requires one Armed Guard per shift to carry a M4 Rifle if State approved. How many additional M4 magazines are required to be carried by the officer?

Per PWS E-3.4 WEAPONS, at least one full spare magazine in addition to the one loaded into the weapon.

PWS Page 13/21 USCG requires one Armed Guard per shift to carry a M4 Rifle if State approved. Shall this officer sling/carry the rifle while on foot patrol?

Yes.

PWS Page 13/21 USCG requires one Armed Guard per shift to carry a M4 Rifle if State approved. Shall this officer carry/secure the rifle while on mobile patrol?

Yes.

PWS Page 13/21 USCG will provide an Armory location designated by the local command. Will the USCG provide a clearing barrel and protected area to clear weapons?

At a minimum, CG will provide a space for a clearing barrel to be installed IAW CG policy.

Offeror should be prepared to provide a clearing barrel for installation.

PWS Page 14/21 USCG has defined the minimum requirements for vehicle equipment.

Does the USCG also require a 10lb ABC fire extinguisher in each vehicle?

No.

PWS Page 14/21 USCG has defined the minimum requirements for vehicle equipment.

Does the USCG require a lockable M4 rifle rack if carried in the patrol vehicle?

Rifles will be left unattended in the patrol vehicle.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 2.02 USCG requires the operation of metal detectors. Are these handheld or walk through detectors provided?

Offerors should plan to operate both types.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 2.02 USCG requires the operation of metal detectors. Will the USCG provide the training necessary for the operation of these units?

Yes.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 2.02 USCG requires the operation of metal detectors. Will the necessary training be OJT or additional training hours?

OJT.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 2.03 USCG requires vehicle inspections including under the vehicle. Will

USCG provide all equipment (wheeled mirror) and training necessary to inspect the underside of all vehicles that meet safety standards of vehicle inspection(s)?

CG will provide equipment and OJT.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 2.04 USCG requires frisks and pat down searches as needed. This is a law enforcement function. Armed Security Officer(s) are not a sworn law enforcement officer. Will the USCG provide the legal authority to perform this function while on

USCG facilities?

This is an installation security/force protection function. CG has the legal authority to perform these actions through contracted security guards.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 4.01 USCG requires patrol officers to secure classified containers if found unsecured. Will the USCG provide training on how to secure containers, vault type rooms and or materials found unsecured? Will this be OJT?

Yes, OJT.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 4.12, 13, 14 & 15 USCG requires basic First Aid and CPR training. Other than basic training and certification, does the USCG require any basic advanced training?

No.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 4.21 USCG requires pursuit of fleeing individuals. Does this pursuit require the Armed Security Officer to purse off site on foot or by vehicle? If so, what are the limits of pursuit?

Limits of the pursuit are the installation boundaries. Once a fleeing person leaves those boundaries, the guards duty is to observe and report.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 6.15 USCG requires officers to interact with non-English-speaking individuals. Does the USCG require all officers to be bilingual? If so, what language is required?

The government does not require officers to be bilingual.

Tech. Exhibit 2; 6.34 & 6.38 USCG requires officers to be proficient with intermediate force weapons and defensive tactics. State training requirements may fall short on these topics and therefore distort hours required to properly train officers on these time intensive topics. Can USCG provide a minimum number of hours for initial and ongoing annual training for these requirements?

Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards to include proficiency with intermediate force weapons and defensive tactics. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

Tech. Exhibit 4; Background Investigation Contract employees may be subject to further background investigation based on specific assignments at local installations.

Can the USCG provide current or forecast contractor employees that exceed current basic investigation requirements? Will USCG pay contractor for additional hours required to meet this requirement if support is outside of billable hours?

CG will not provide a list current employees and all costs should be planned to be part of overhead costs.

Tech. Exhibit 4; Health and Physical Fitness USCG has outlined health and physical fitness expectations. Will the USCG provide an applicable standard or will the contractor be required to meet the outlined USCG expectations?

Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards to include ensuring guards are physically capable performing to those standards. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

Gen. question Are all positions (PM, supervisors, etc.) required to be Armed and

Uniformed?

All onsite guards are required to be armed. Offsite, administrative/overhead positions are not required to be armed.

Gen. question Is Guard Mount (Gear up / Gear down) required? This subject to the local installation procedures which can be coordinated post award.

Gen. question Are paid breaks and meal relief required for non-roving posts? Yes.

Gen. question Are roving posts allowed to self-relieve? Yes, as long as they can maintain capabilities IAW the PWS at all times.

Gen. question What level retention holster is required for the pistol? Level III retention holsters are required.

Gen. question What make/model/caliber of handgun is required? The government outlines all considerations for handguns in the PWS. Any other considerations are subject to state law.

Gen. question Do any installations provide firearms range access to the contractor for firearms qualifications?

No

Gen. question Do all installations provide areas for non-firearms training? No

Tech. Exhibit 4; Background Investigation Is any employee testing required – background, medicals, drug screens, random drug testing? If yes, what is the requirements and frequency for each?

Tech Ex-4 defines frequency of drug testing and background investigations. Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

PWS Page 13/21 Which Armed Guard post(s) are required to carry the M4 Rifle on shift?

The mobile patrol.

PWS Page 13/21 If an installation has multiple Armed Guard posts that are the same type (Gate Guard, Rover, etc) how many posts are required to carry the rifle? E. G.:

Roving Post requires the rifle, if two Roving Posts, are you required to have two rifles?

Per the PWS, E-3.4.3 SHOULDER WEAPONS. Subject to state law, the Contractor shall provide one guard per shift to carry a semi-automatic M4 Rifle.

Attachment 1; schedule of prices and Tech Exhibit 3 Does the price schedule hours represent the current level of effort?

Tech Ex-3 page 1 reflects the current level of effort.

Attachment 1; schedule of prices and Tech Exhibit 3 Are 5 day a week posts staffed on

Federally recognized holidays?

Yes.

Tech. Exhibit 3 At USCG Exchange Borinquen, which day of the week is the 10 hour per day posts?

Sunday.

Tech. Exhibit 3 Are either of the Armed Mobile Rover posts (5 days a week, 2 days a week) at ALC Elizabeth City staffed on Federally recognized holidays?

Yes.

Attachment 1 schedule of prices and Enclosure 1 List of Installations Enclosure 1 indicates that Sector Sault Ste. Marie is located in MA. We could not locate a Ste. St

Marie in MA, only MI. If MA, please provide the WD that covers this Installation.

Sector Sault Ste. Marie is located in Michigan.

Attachment 1 schedule of prices and Enclosure 1 List of Installations The county for

Columbia River, OR could not be located. Which of the three Wage Determinations provided for OR cover this installation?

SCA WD #2015-5577 applies and is added in this amendment.

Attachment 1 schedule of prices and Enclosure 1 List of Installations The Wage

Determination (WD) for Sector Ohio Valley – Louisville KY could not be located. Would the government provide the correct WD?

SCA WD #2015-4717 applies and is added in this amendment.

Attachment 1 schedule of prices and Enclosure 1 List of Installations The Wage

Determination (WD) for Sector Upper Mississippi – St. Louis, MO could not be located.

Would the government provide the correct WD?

SCA WD #2015-5075 applies and is added in this amendment.

PWS, Page 13 How many spare magazines do the security guards carry? Paragraph E-

3.4 dictates a full magazine in the weapon and one full spare magazine. Paragraph E-

3.4.2 indicates a full magazine in the weapon and two full spare magazines.

Two spare magazines for handguns and one for rifles.

Will the government identify weapon currently used by security officers by make and model at each location?

Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards to include weapons types. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

Will the government verify in all incumbent officers are trained to state requirements per location?

No.

E-3.4 Weapons states, "Weapons provided to security guards shall be consistent in manufacturer, model, and caliber at each site." Would the Government please clarify what manufacturer, model, and caliber handgun contractors are required to provide?

No additional information is to be provided.

The Government states that “The Contractor shall provide Site Leads at each site who are responsible for security guard services for 24/7 hour supervision.”

When a Site Lead is off duty at their particular site, should the Contractor utilize a Shift

Supervisor to ensure supervision is provided during all working hours (i.e. Site Lead M-F day shift and Shift Supervisor M-F swing and mid shift)?

Offerors should propose how they will address the Site Lead functions.

PWS Section C-1.3.1

The Government states that “The Contractor shall provide Site Leads at each site who are responsible for security guard services for 24/7 hour supervision.”

When a Site Lead is off duty at their particular site, should the Contractor utilize a Shift

Supervisor to ensure supervision is provided during all working hours (i.e. Site Lead M-F day shift and Shift Supervisor M-F swing and mid shift)?

Offerors should propose how they will address the Site Lead functions.

PWS Section C-1.3

The PWS states: “Perform hourly interior and exterior roving security patrols throughout the facility /installation with the capability to respond to active shooter events.”

Active shooter training can be very extensive and costly, and varies greatly.

Will the government provide curriculum and/or standards for Active Shooter Training?

Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

PWS Section C-1.3

The PWS states: “Perform hourly interior and exterior roving security patrols throughout the facility /installation with the capability to respond to active shooter events.”

What level of response is required for an active shooter?

In the performance of their duties to protect the installation, personnel and assets, guards should be capable of meeting an active shooter threat that presents itself. Guards are not expected to participate in tactical sweeps, contact teams or "stacks".

Technical Exhibit 4

Under the ‘Health’ column it states: “Employees must be able to stand for prolonged periods in performance of their gate guard duty. They shall be free from any communicable disease. They shall possess binocular vision, correctable to 20/20

(Snellen) and shall not be colorblind. They shall be capable of hearing ordinary conversation at 20 feet without benefit of artificial hearing devices.”

What documentation is required in order to demonstrate the guards meet the Health requirements listed in TE-4?

Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards to include ensuring guards are physically capable performing to those standards. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

Will the new Federal holiday (19 June, or Juneteenth) be incorporated into this solicitation?

Juneteenth is considered the 11th federal holiday, and should be accounted as such.

Are there any Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) associated with/in place at any of the required service locations?

The WDOL wage determinations that will be used are provided in the solicitation on sam.gov, and are available to be reviewed on sam.gov as well.

Will the government allow for use of sister company or affiliated company performance when evaluating past performance contracts for phase II?

Offers will be arranged according to their SAM registration (DUNS & CAGE Codes). This is how we will confirm 8(a) status and issue/award any contracts. If the decision is made to have the affiliate propose individually, then they alone must use their corporate past performance, as only that company is being put forward. If intention is to use the parent company, then the parent company must submit to be considered. As stated in the pre-proposal conference, ensure that your best proposal is submitted that best represents your company, and that any team or partnership be clearly depicted in the proposal.

Should the site supervision be added to the price schedule or included in overhead?

Overhead.

Should equipment be added to the price schedule or included in the billable rate?

Equipment should be accounted for in administrative overhead.

Given the governments intent to conduct an advisory down select process using multiple phases, at what phase does the SF1449 which includes pricing be submitted.

The SF 1449 is part of the solicitation. Offerors should submit a signed SF1449 with each Phase submission of their proposal.

Will the Government make a transcript of the Question and Answer session that occurred during the Pre-proposal Conference available to the bidders?

Attendees were requested to submit questions in writing to either the Contract Specialist or the Contracting Officer. There was no question and Answer session during the pre-proposal conference.

In accordance with the existing contract, the incumbent must make available to the successor, the Security Officers active in this project.

Question?

In the current contract, there is a Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) for the Region

Number 7 Base and Installations on Puerto Rico.

The WDOL wage determinations that will be used are provided in the solicitation on sam.gov, and are available to be reviewed on sam.gov as well.

The surge staffing hours must be included as labor hours, for purposes of establishing the IDIQ price of the proposal in Form SC-1449.

Yes. The Armed Gate Guard and Armed Rover in the Schedule of Prices would be the labor categories to which surge hours would apply.

Are security guards working on or near piers or providing access control to just to the installation itself? Offerors should account for working on or near piers.

Is there any additional government training or testing required to stand this post, or is the contractor required to develop a training plan? Is it a standardized system at all installations? What is the system?

Vendors are required to attain designated performance standards. It is the responsibility of the vendor to identify how to attain these standards, and vendors are encouraged to depict these methods in their proposals.

Are they armed when performing alarm monitor duties? Yes.

Is it required to have a designated relief guard, or is patrol self-relieving and can rotate posts to accomplish required meal breaks or relief?

Post rotations and relief can be accomplished without a designated relief guard as long as posts are not left unattended at anytime.

Except as provided in this clause, Government property furnished under this contract shall be governed by the Government Property clause of this contract. (e) Government property provided under this clause: _See Technical Exhibit 3___________________.

Technical Exhibit is list of installations. Can the government provide list of furnished property? Does the government provide computers, and equipment to meet administrative tasks and communication with key personnel, other than standard office supplies? The government provides on-site computers, and equipment to meet administrative tasks and communication with key personnel

Are guards required to be qualified with a specific serial number firearm, or can firearms be shared among staff?

PWS E-3.4 states, The Contractor shall provide each individual assigned as an armed security guard with an appropriate weapon(s)...Additional weapons and ammunition needed by the

Contractor to support weapons training and surge requirements are the responsibility of the

Contractor.

Are any of the installations under a Collective Bargaining Agreement?

There are existing locations where contract guard are under a collective bargaining agreement.

Prospective offerors may be selected for more than one USCG Region spanning multiple sites, each requiring to be transitioned within 30 days. So that we can plan our transition management resources appropriately, please advise whether the

Government intends that all sites under the USCG contract will be stood up in the same

30-day 'window', or does the Government anticipate allowing staggered starts for site transitions over a pre-determined period, as long as each is no longer than 30 days in length.

The current contract expires on March 31, 2022. A 30-day transition period is stated in the solicitation. Prospective offerors should propose a transition plan based on the region, or regions, that are included in their proposal.

E-3.4 WEAPONS states, the following: Each security guard shall be issued sufficient ammunition for a full magazine in the weapon and one full spare magazines; however, E-

3.4.2 HANDGUNS states, while on duty, security guards shall carry the PDW on the strong arm side of the LE belt with a full magazine inserted, a round chambered and the safety on (if applicable) with two additional full magazines secured in their ammunition pouch. Please clarify what are the requirements.

Two spare magazines for handguns and one for rifles.

The PWS states the contractor shall provide a Site Lead at each site. The RFP states that the Site Leads are Key Positions. During the pre-proposal conference call, it was stated that bidders should identify/name their Site Lead for all installations in the Region that will be priced. It would be difficult to name individuals to a slot when there is no time for vetting of these personnel, and in order to provide a “name” for each site (no resume or verification required per the pre-proposal conference call), it would be necessary to 1; remove an incumbent, 2; replace an incumbent, 3; there is an inability to interview other personnel who may be working at a specific site who might otherwise be highly qualified. This approach may be considered inconsistent with FAR

52.222-46, 48 CFR 52.222-17 – NON-DISPLACEMENT OF QUALIFIED WORKERS. We respectfully ask that the USCG permit bidders to provide the name of the Site Lead for each site within 30 days of award to allow corporate staff to interview existing personnel at each site and determine whether or not a new management is necessary at the site. A resume for each Site Lead can be provided to the USCG post-award.

Every name is not required per location during proposal submission. The government is not requesting resumes of Site Leads or other personnel.