ESS Questions and Answers.pdf

ESS Questions and Answers

1. Section 2.1.1.2, (b), Page 3: The SOW indicates that the proposed solution must be compatible with the "...existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda..." and then in section 2.5.2, Page 9, it indicates that the proposed solution must be listed on the GSA FIPS 201 Approved Products List (APL). What is the existing ESS manufacturer at Alameda?

Answer: The specific make, model, and technical details of the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda are not provided in the solicitation documents. This information may be addressed during the pre-proposal site visit, but final verification is a required component of the Task One site survey.

2. Can any PACS listed on the GSA APL be proposed?

Answer: While any proposed PACS solution must be listed on the GSA FIPS 201 Approved Products List (APL) to be considered, the proposed solution must also be compatible with the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda for future integration, as required by the Statement of Work.

3. This requirement looks to be part of a requirement that was released in November of last year for an Enterprise PACS solution across all of the USCG facilities out of DCMS-34. Is this related to Request for Information (RFI) Enterprise Physical Access Control System (PACS) RFI Number: 70Z02326IPACS00001?

Answer: This requirement is not connected or aƯiliated with the action posted to SAM.gov in November 2025.

4. The NAICS code is 561621 for the referenced solicitation. We are requesting that a next go change we made to 541519 which is more appropriate for security.

Answer: The NAICS code selected is the government’s best determination of the principle purpose of the requirement. Contractors are not limited by the NAICS; however, their submitted quote must demonstrate an acceptable oƯer that demonstrates the capability to perform the required work.

5. Provide clarification as to whether the Government anticipates providing a pre-bid site visit at Sector Humboldt Bay, McKinleyville, California, prior to proposal submission.

Answer: Yes. The Government anticipates hosting a single, coordinated pre-proposal site visit at Sector Humboldt Bay for all interested oƯerors.

6. The solicitation, Statement of Work, and BPA Terms and Conditions do not appear to specify insurance requirements or minimum coverage limits for the awardee(s).

Could you please confirm whether specific insurance requirements apply to this BPA, and if so, point us to the applicable clause or documentation?

Answer: Insurance requirements shall be added to the BPA Terms and Conditions in accordance with FAR part 28.

7. Can you provide any location maps so we can see the full scope of the project for number of cameras etc.?

Answer: Due to the legacy nature of the existing systems, current floor plans, system drawings, and exact camera location maps are unavailable.

8. Can we schedule a physical site survey in order to quote this job?

9. Can you provide any drawings or floor plans that show the CCTV and access control systems?

Answer: Due to the legacy nature of the existing systems, current floor plans, system drawings, and exact camera location maps are unavailable.

10. Would it be possible to schedule a site visit for our subcontractor to walk the facility?

11. Please provide any information regarding the Coast Guard's site access requirements and procedures for arranging a site visit.

Answer: Access to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay is controlled. A single, escorted pre-proposal site visit will be held for all interested oƯerors.

The specific date, time, and instructions for submitting visitor information for security vetting will be published by the Contracting OƯicer.

12. Please confirm the exact response deadline and applicable time zone.

Answer: OƯers are due July 30, 2026 by 5:00 PM EDT

13. Please confirm that facility-specific locations, building sizes, device quantities, and existing-system information will be provided at the individual order level and are not required to be priced as part of the initial BPA response.

Answer: Confirmed. The exact facility-specific locations, building sizes, device quantities, and existing system conditions will be provided at the individual order level.

14. Are there any details regarding site plans, building sizes, device quantities, and existing system information that can be accessed now?

Answer: No. There are no site plans, building drawings, device quantities, or existing system schematics available for release at this time.

15. Is there a page limit for the proposal submission?

Answer: OƯers are limited by file size and not by page count. Emailed oƯers shall not contain a cumulative file size of 9mb.

16. Does the Government intend to make one BPA award or multiple BPA awards?

Answer: The government anticipates awarding up to three BPAs. This number is an estimate; there may be more or less BPAs awarded at the discretion of the government.

17. The proposal requirements in the SOW lists out responding to Task #1: without a site visit nor qualifications for the site current requirements standard for all respondents, what is the USCG anticipating for an actual response for the Task 1 pricing and design?

Answer: As noted in previous responses, a pre-proposal site visit will be conducted. For Task 1, oƯerors are expected to propose a firm-fixed price based on the estimated labor eƯort required to conduct the site survey and develop the deliverables outlined in SOW Section 2.1, along with their technical methodology.

18. Will a site visit be oƯered for the Sector Humboldt Bay ESS Security Plan pricing exercise?

19. Will the Government provide existing drawings, equipment lists, current ESS information, site maps, photos, or other documentation for Sector Humboldt Bay?

Answer: No, due to the legacy nature of the existing system, this documentation is unavailable. OƯerors should base their proposal on the requirements detailed in the Statement of Work and the information gathered during the pre-proposal site visit.

20. Should Task One pricing assume an on-site survey at Sector Humboldt Bay, or may contractors’ price the ESS Security Plan based on Government-provided documentation?

Answer: Confirmed. Task One pricing must include all costs for the oƯeror to conduct their own comprehensive on-site survey as required by the Statement of Work, as the Government will not provide detailed documentation for pricing this task.

21. Since the sample project is limited to the ESS Security Plan, what should be included under the required “materials” and “equipment” price categories?

Answer: No costs for hardware, equipment, or installation materials should be included for the Task One proposal. The firm-fixed-price for this task should only encompass the labor and any associated travel required to perform the site survey and develop the ESS Security Plan.

22. Are there preferred or currently installed VSS/PACS platforms at Sector Humboldt Bay or across the Southwest District that contractors should assume for compatibility?

Answer: The Government does not have a mandated VSS or PACS platform for new installations; however, any proposed solution must be compatible with the existing ESS currently operational at Coast Guard Base Alameda for future integration. Additionally, all proposed PACS components must be listed on the GSA FIPS 201 Approved Products List (APL) under a valid, unexpired certification as required by SOW Section 2.5.2.

23. How long should contractors assume for Tier 2 and Tier 4 background investigations, and will escorted access be permitted while investigations are pending?

Answer: Since investigation timelines are controlled by DCSA, the Coast Guard cannot guarantee processing times; the local CSO will determine if escorted access is permissible pending adjudication on a case-by-case basis.

24. Are ACRs/VPATs required with the initial BPA response, or only before procurement under future call orders?

Answer: ACRs/VPATs are not required with the initial BPA response, as no specific ICT products are being procured. Per SOW Deliverable #17, they will be required as part of the proposal for any future task order that includes the procurement of hardware or software.

25. Is the intent of the proposal TASK 1 response to only provide templates or actual BOM, Pricing, drawings and the draft Plans?

Answer: The solicitation requires an oƯeror to provide pricing for execution of Task One listed in the Statement of Work. This pricing shall be used for price evaluation purposes and shall contribute to oƯer evaluation.

26. Will site access for the Sector Humboldt Bay survey be available within the 30-calendar-day Task One performance period, and are there escort or access restrictions?

Answer: Yes, the Government will facilitate site access to Sector Humboldt Bay within the 30-calendar-day performance period. All contractor personnel must be pre-vetted and escorted by Coast Guard personnel.

27. Will existing as-builts, floor plans, network diagrams, or existing ESS documentation be provided as Government Furnished Information for the ESS Security Plan?

Answer: No, due to the legacy nature of the existing system, this documentation is unavailable. The selected contractor is responsible for gathering all necessary site and system information during the Task One site survey.

28. Please identify the existing ESS/PACS/VSS platforms or integration constraints at Coast Guard Base Alameda that the Sector Humboldt Bay design must remain compatible with.

Answer: The specific make and model of the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda are not provided in the solicitation documents. This information may be addressed during the pre-proposal site visit, but final verification is a required component of the Task One site survey.

29. Please identify the applicable primary ESS product line(s), compatible product requirements, and any GSA Approved Products List references the Government expects contractors to use for this eƯort.

Answer: The Government does not mandate a primary ESS product line;

however, oƯerors must propose a solution that is compatible with the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda. Per SOW Section 2.5.2, it is the contractor's responsibility to ensure all proposed PACS components are listed on the GSA FIPS 201 Approved Products List (APL).

30. What ESS/PACS/VSS system is currently installed at Coast Guard Base Alameda?

Answer: The specific make and model of the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda are not provided in the solicitation documents. This information may be addressed during the pre-proposal site visit, but final verification is a required component of the Task One site survey.

31. Please provide any site-specific information, existing system documentation, drawings, inventories, or other technical details available for the Sector Humboldt Bay location.

Answer: No, due to the legacy nature of the existing system, this documentation is unavailable. OƯerors should base their proposal on the requirements detailed in the Statement of Work and the information gathered during the pre-proposal site visit.

32. Please confirm whether oƯerors are expected to price and propose the initial ESS Security Plan eƯort based on the solicitation information provided, with the Humboldt Bay site survey performed after task order award as part of the 30-calendar-day performance period.

Answer: Pricing shall be submitted for the project identified in the solicitation.

The 30-day performance period is provided to show how much time will be allocated to executing the project.

33. For future task orders involving Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE), where will GFE be made available for inventory and functional testing, and is testing expected to occur at the Government facility or another designated location?

Answer: For any future task order involving GFE, the equipment will be made available for inventory and testing at the Government facility specified in that order. Per SOW Section 2.2.3.2, the Government must be given the opportunity to witness all testing, which is expected to occur on-site.

34. Please clarify the meaning of “receiving GFE” for deliverables tied to GFE receipt.

Does receipt occur when equipment is made available for joint inventory/testing, or only after formal transfer of custody?

Answer: "Receiving GFE" is defined as the moment the Government makes the equipment physically available to the contractor for the joint inventory and testing process to begin. The signing of the Chain of Custody document then formalizes the transfer that has occurred.

35. Please identify what constitutes “government-approved cybersecurity awareness training” under Section 4.1.4 and whether agency-specific training will be provided or recognized by the Government.

Answer: Contractor personnel without a CAC/PIV card can complete the public version of the training directly at https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/trn/online/disa-cac-2025/launch.html. Upon completion, they must save the generated PDF certificate and submit it to the COR for compliance verification.

36. Please clarify the expected scope and level of detail for the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), including whether the requirement applies only to contractor-installed software or also to OEM firmware and embedded software components.

Answer: Per SOW Section 4.1.6.1, the SBOM requirement is comprehensive and applies to all software, firmware, and operating systems deployed under this contract. This includes contractor-installed software as well as all OEM firmware and embedded software on devices like cameras and controllers, and the submission must align with NTIA minimum elements.

37. Please identify the existing VSS and PACS platforms currently operating at Coast Guard Base Alameda, including, if available, head-end software manufacturer and version; PACS controller manufacturer and models; card-reader technology; Video Management System platform; and any manufacturer-specific authorization, certification, or integration requirements.

Answer: The specific make, model, and technical details of the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda are not provided in the solicitation documents. This information may be addressed during the pre-proposal site visit, but final verification is a required component of the Task One site survey.

38. Must each BPA holder be capable of accepting and performing orders throughout the entire Coast Guard District Southwest Area of Operations, or may a BPA holder decline or elect not to submit pricing for an individual order that falls outside its geographic service area?

Answer: Orders shall be competed between BPA holders. If a BPA holder consistently fails to submit oƯers for projects, their BPA may not be considered for renewal at the annual review.

39. What documents and information must a prospective contractor submit to be considered for BPA award?

Answer: OƯer submission instructions and evaluation criteria are listed in the contract opportunity Description text.

40. Are contractors required to submit a technical capability narrative addressing each section of the SOW, or will a corporate capability statement be suƯicient?

Answer: OƯer submission instructions are listed in the contract opportunity Description text.

41. Should contractors submit résumés and certifications for the Project Manager, Alternate Project Manager, and Lead Certified Technician identified in Section 3.3 of the SOW?

Answer: OƯer submission instructions are listed in the contract opportunity Description text. Information submitted that is not requested may not be evaluated.

42. How many past-performance references are required, and is there a prescribed format or relevancy period?

Answer: Past performance submission requirements are listed in the contract opportunity Description text. There is no preferred format for references provided.

43. Although the BPA is unpriced, does the Government require any labor-category rates, ceiling rates, catalog discounts, material markups, travel assumptions, or other pricing information at the BPA establishment stage?

Answer: Pricing shall be submitted for the project identified in the solicitation.

A breakdown of pricing (i.e., identification of labor, materials, equipment, overhead) may be requested after receipt of oƯers. Orders issued under the contemplated BPAs shall be firm fixed price and contain a single price for each project.

44. Will individual BPA orders be competed among multiple BPA holders, and will each order identify its own submission instructions and evaluation criteria? Is the Government anticipating multiple BPA awards or a single BPA award?

Answer: Orders shall be competed between BPA holders. Terms and conditions of the BPA shall apply to orders. However, amplifying instructions may be included in solicitations for orders as well as within issued orders as required.

45. Are there any page limitations, formatting requirements, file-naming conventions, or electronic submission requirements?

Answer: OƯers are limited by file size and not by page count. Emailed oƯers shall not contain a cumulative file size of 9mb. OƯerors shall submit documents using Microsoft or Adobe products.

46. Is acknowledgment or acceptance of the BPA Terms and Conditions required as part of the initial response?

Answer: Any Blanket Purchase Agreements awarded shall be distributed with instructions for acknowledgement of the BPA, Statement of Work, and Terms and Conditions.

47. Will the Government issue an amendment containing formal proposal instructions and evaluation criteria?

Answer: OƯer submission instructions and evaluation criteria are listed in the contract opportunity Description text.

48. SAM.gov identifies the Task 1 project location as Humboldt Bay, McKinleyville, CA, while the attached Statement of Work lists Coast Guard Base Alameda, CA. Could you please clarify which project location is correct?

Answer: The location for the Task 1 project is correct; however, the COR for the contemplated agreements shall be located at Base Alameda on Coast Guard Island.

49. For this BPA solicitation, is the USCG only requesting pricing for Task 1, along with the required Technical and Past Performance proposal volumes?

Answer: Please refer to the contract opportunity description text field for information required to be submitted as part of an oƯer.

50. Section 3.3 of the Statement of Work, "Key Personnel – Lead Certified Technician," references minimum certification requirements for the primary ESS product lines.

Could you please identify which ESS product lines are being referenced so we can verify that our Lead Certified Technician holds the appropriate certifications?

Answer: The Government does not mandate a primary ESS product line;

however, oƯerors must propose a solution that is compatible with the existing ESS at Coast Guard Base Alameda. Per SOW Section 2.5.2, it is the contractor's responsibility to ensure all proposed PACS components are listed on the GSA FIPS 201 Approved Products List (APL).