QUESTION AND ANSWER SHEET.pdf

Crane Operator, Rigger, and Forklift Train-the-Trainer Courses for USCG Base Charleston

Solicitation #70Z03626Q0024-2

Questions and Answers Published: May 20, 2026

Question 1: Please confirm the anticipated experience levels of the personnel attending the training courses (beginner, intermediate, experienced, recertification, etc.).

Answer: Personnel attending the Forklift Train-the-Trainer course are experienced forklift operators. The Rigger course will include both beginner and experienced personnel.

Similarly, the Crane Operator course will have a mix of beginner and experienced attendees.

Question 2: For the Forklift Train-the-Trainer requirement, please identify the types of forklifts currently utilized onsite, including whether they include:

• Sit-down forklifts

• Stand-up forklifts

• Telehandlers

• Walkie/rider pallet jacks

• Other specialized equipment Answer: All forklifts currently utilized onsite are sit-down models. The specific types include Doosan D90S-7, Tailift PFD35, Toyota 8FGU15, Toyota 8FGU25, Toyota BFD70U, and Tailift FD40 2623T. We do not use stand-up forklifts, telehandlers, walkie/rider pallet jacks, or other specialized equipment for this training requirement.

Question 3: Will the Government provide all equipment required for the practical portions of training and evaluation, including the Grove RT765E-2 crane and applicable forklift equipment?

Answer: Yes, the Government will provide all equipment required for the practical portions of training and evaluation, including the Grove RT765E-2 crane and all applicable forklift equipment.

Question 4: Please confirm whether the Government requires nationally accredited NCCCO certification specifically, or whether equivalent nationally recognized crane operator certifications are acceptable.

Answer: A nationally recognized crane operator certification is acceptable; NCCCO certification is not specifically required, as long as the certification meets national accreditation standards.

Question 5: For the rigging portion, is the Government requiring only OSHA-compliant qualification training, or formal third-party certification as well?

Answer: OSHA-compliant qualification training is suƯicient for this requirement. The Coast Guard has recently released a Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) for rigging, which will be used to assess training outcomes. As long as the training meets OSHA standards and covers the objectives and performance criteria outlined in the Coast Guard PQS (see attached), formal third-party certification is not required.

Question 6: Are there any base access requirements, badging requirements, or advance security procedures instructors should anticipate prior to onsite training?

Answer: Yes, instructors will be required to provide personal information in advance to obtain base access. This may include submitting identification details for background checks and obtaining temporary visitor badges. Additional security procedures or requirements may apply, and detailed instructions will be provided to the selected contractor prior to the start of training.

Question 7: Is there a preferred schedule or performance window for delivery of the training courses?

Answer: There is no required order for the delivery of the training courses. The only requirements are that all three courses must be completed within the July to September timeframe, and none of the courses may overlap. Specific training dates will be coordinated with the selected contractor after contract award.

Question 8: Please confirm whether all written and practical examination fees should be included in the contractor’s pricing submission.

Answer: Yes, all fees associated with the written and practical examinations should be included in the contractor’s pricing submission.

Question 9: Crane operator course — equipment scope. The SOW specifies the Grove RT765E-2 crane. Will the Government provide access to the actual Grove RT765E-2 unit at Base Charleston for the practical portion of the course, including all necessary site safety and lift-area access during the training window? Or does the contractor need to mobilize a comparable crane?

Answer: The Government will provide access to the Grove RT765E-2 crane at Base Charleston for the practical portion of the course. All necessary site safety and lift-area access will also be arranged during the training window. The contractor does not need to mobilize a comparable crane.

Question 10: NCCCO certification deliverable. The SOW references "administering examinations for certification" for the crane operator course. To confirm: Is the Government requiring the contractor to administer a formal NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator certification exam (written + practical exams) with NCCCO-issued credentials, or is an in-house certificate of completion against OSHA 1926.1400/1427 sufficient?

Answer: A formal NCCCO certification exam is not required. A nationally recognized crane operator certification, which meets OSHA 1926.1400/1427 standards, is acceptable.

Question 11: Forklift Train-the-Trainer — operator class scope. For the forklift T-t-T course, will the four trainees be expected to operate forklifts during the practical portion, or is the practical limited to instructional methods (no hands-on equipment operation by the trainees)?

Answer: Trainees in the Forklift Train-the-Trainer course will be expected to participate in hands-on forklift operation during the practical portion of the course, in addition to classroom instruction. The course will include both instructional methods and practical, hands-on training, as well as a practical test, in accordance with Section 2.2.1 of the SOW.

Question 12: Forklift equipment. For the forklift T-t-T practical, will the Government provide one or more forklifts (and lift-area access) at Base Charleston, including specific make/model and capacity, so the contractor can ensure trainer curriculum aligns with the actual equipment?

Answer: For the Forklift Train-the-Trainer practical, the Government will provide access to the following forklifts at Base Charleston: Doosan (19,000 lbs) and Tailift (7,260 lbs). These will be the primary units used for training. Additionally, Toyota forklifts (8,515 lbs and 5,710 lbs) are available as emergency backups if the Doosan or Tailift units are unavailable. Lift-area access will also be provided.

Question 13: Rigger course — credentialing standard. The rigger course states a class size of up to 15 personnel for a 2-day course. To confirm: Is the Government expecting trainees to be evaluated against a specific standard (e.g., NCCCO Rigger Level I, ASME B30.9 Qualified Rigger) with that credential issued at completion, or is a course-completion certificate suƯicient?

Answer: A course completion certificate is suƯicient for the rigger course. The Coast Guard’s Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) for rigging will be used to assess training outcomes, so a formal third-party credential (such as NCCCO Rigger Level I or ASME B30.9 Qualified Rigger) is not required.

Question 14: Rigging equipment and load test environment. For the rigger practical exercises, will the Government provide a designated rigging area at Base Charleston, along with available rigging gear (slings, shackles, test loads, signaling devices), or is the contractor expected to provide rigging gear and load-test setup?

Answer: The Government will provide a designated rigging area at Base Charleston, as well as all necessary rigging gear for the practical exercises, including slings, shackles, test loads, and signaling devices. The contractor is not expected to provide rigging gear or a load-test setup.

Question 15: Course scheduling within the period of performance (PoP). The PoP window is July 6 – September 30, 2026, with courses on weekdays 0800–1600 EST. Will the Government assign fixed course dates after award, or is the contractor expected to propose dates? If the contractor proposes, what is the minimum lead time the Government requires between proposal of dates and course start?

Answer: After contract award, the Government will coordinate directly with the selected contractor to determine the specific training dates and the order of courses within the period of performance. The contractor is not required to propose dates in their submission;

scheduling will be finalized collaboratively after award.

Question 16: Sequencing flexibility. May the three courses be delivered non-contiguously across the July 6 – September 30 window (e.g., Crane in July, Forklift in August, Rigger in September), or does the Government require them to run consecutively or in any specified order?

Answer: There is no required order or sequencing for the courses. The three courses may be delivered non-contiguously at any time within the July 6 – September 30 window. For example, it is acceptable to conduct one course each month. Training dates and sequencing will be coordinated with the contractor after contract award.

Question 17: Base access and badging. What is the badging and base access procedure for contractor instructors entering USCG Base Charleston, and what is the typical lead time from contractor-submitted instructor credentials to badge approval?

Answer: Contractor instructors must provide their names to the COR in advance and present a Real ID to obtain base access. For training sessions lasting more than five days, a contractor badge is required, and instructor names must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to the course start date. For training sessions of five days or less, a visitor badge is suƯicient, and instructor names must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance.

Question 18: CAC/REAL ID and background check requirements. Beyond REAL ID, do instructors require any DHS/USCG background checks, CAC issuance, or additional clearances for short-duration on-base instruction?

Answer: CAC issuance is not required. No additional DHS or USCG background checks, CAC issuance, or clearances are required for short-duration on-base instruction.

Instructors must present a REAL ID and have an approved visitor access request. Please note that individuals with a criminal record under active investigation will be denied access.

Question 19: Past performance threshold. Under Lowest Price Technically Acceptable evaluation, what minimum past-performance references (number of prior similar courses, prior federal training contracts, etc.) must the contractor demonstrate to be deemed technically acceptable?

Answer: The solicitation does not specify a minimum number of past performance references. Vendors are required to provide information that demonstrates their ability to meet the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work. This may include descriptions of prior similar courses, prior federal or commercial training contracts, or other relevant experience. Additionally, vendors must include a technical approach with their quote detailing how they intend to fulfill the SOW requirements. The evaluation will focus on whether the information provided, both past performance and technical approach, is suƯicient to establish technical acceptability in accordance with the SOW.

Question 20: Subcontractor disclosure and approval. If the contractor is using a subcontractor to deliver one or more courses, does the Government require advance disclosure or approval of the subcontractor, and must the subcontractor's instructor credentials and NCCCO/OSHA certifications be submitted with the quote?

Answer: If a contractor intends to use a subcontractor to deliver one or more courses, the subcontractor must be disclosed in the quote at the time of submission. The Government reserves the right to approve subcontractors prior to contract award. Subcontractor instructor credentials and relevant certifications (such as OSHA compliance and industry-recognized credentials) must be included with the quote to demonstrate technical acceptability. All instructors, whether employed by the prime contractor or a subcontractor, must meet the qualifications outlined in the Statement of Work.

Question 21: SCA Wage Determination application. The solicitation cites Service Contract Act Wage Determination #2015-4427 Rev 33. Does this apply to the prime contractor's instructor labor only, or to subcontractor instructor labor as well? Which SCA occupational categories does the Government consider mapped to crane instructor, rigger instructor, and forklift-trainer instructor labor?

Answer: The Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination #2015-4427 Rev 33 applies to both the prime contractor’s and any subcontractor’s instructor labor. All subcontractors must comply with the SCA wage determination. It is the contractor’s responsibility to review the applicable SCA wage determination and the Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations, and to map their labor categories, such as crane instructor, rigger instructor, and forklift-trainer instructor, to the most appropriate SCA occupational categories based on the duties performed.

Question 22: Materials and consumables. For all three courses, is the contractor expected to provide trainee materials (course manuals, handouts, exam materials, certificates, etc.)

at no additional cost, or are these quoted as line items Answer: For all three courses, the contractor is expected to provide all trainee materials, including course manuals, handouts, exam materials, certificates, and any other consumables, at no additional cost. These costs should be incorporated into the price quoted for each course. The Government intends to award three line-items (one for each course), so all material and consumable costs should be included in the respective line-item price.

Question 23: Substitution of equivalent crane. If the Grove RT765E-2 is not available at Base Charleston during the assigned course window, will the Government accept training on a comparable rough terrain crane (e.g., Grove RT9130E, Tadano GR-700XL, Manitowoc GMK rough terrain) of equivalent capacity and configuration?

Answer: The Grove RT765E-2 crane will be available for training. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the crane is not available during the assigned course window, the training will be rescheduled to a time when the Grove RT765E-2 is available. The Government will not substitute a diƯerent crane.