Contractor Questions and answers _ 70Z03926QCGA00038.docx

1). Who is the current background screening provider? Per the FAR, cannot be answered.

2). What challenges or pain points is the Academy experiencing with the current provider? Per the FAR, cannot be answered.

3). What specific improvements are being sought in a new provider (e.g., customer support responsiveness, turnaround time, platform functionality)? Per the FAR, cannot be answered.

4). Are there plans to integrate with an HRIS system? If so, which one? No there isn’t.

5). Could the current pricing schedule/rate table be shared? A company can go on the GSA Schedule and find the rates.

6). What is the anticipated budget for this RFQ? Per the FAR, cannot be answered.

7). Beyond the overall 72-hour turnaround, are there preferred turnaround times for each specific type of check (e.g., SSN validation, criminal file search, sex offender registry)? 72-hour turnaround is the only requirement.

8). When does the Government expect to award this contract? 9/22/2026 9). Is annual price escalation permitted under this contract? If so, is there a cap on the allowable increase? Yes, 3% 10). Are pass-through fees (court, state, DMV, verification fees) to be billed separately from the service fee, or should pricing be presented as fully all-inclusive? Third party fees are required to be included.

Question Number: 1 Section: Scope / Estimated Background Check Volumes Are the estimated annual background investigation quantities provided in the PWS planning estimates only, or does the Government anticipate establishing minimum and/or maximum quantities for each contract period? These are maximum quantities for each contract period

Question Number: 2 Section: Scope / Background Check Volumes If actual background investigation quantities materially exceed the estimates provided in the PWS during the Base Period or any Option Period, how does the Government intend for the additional volume to be handled under the Firm-Fixed-Price contract structure?

The COR will maintain a running number of investigations completed during the performance period so not to exceed the quantities.

Question Number: 3 Section: Security Does the Government require the Contractor's background screening system or any third-party screening platform utilized in contract performance to possess a Federal Authority to Operate (ATO), FedRAMP authorization, or other specific Federal security authorization or certification? If so, please identify the required authorization or certification.

The Government does not currently require the Contractor's background screening system, or any third-party platform utilized in contract performance, to possess a Federal Authority to Operate (ATO), FedRAMP authorization, or any other specific Federal security authorization or certification. However, the Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all systems used in performance of this contract provide appropriate safeguards to protect personally identifiable information (PII) and comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and contract requirements relating to information security, privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

Question Number: 4 Section: Background Check Records / Archiving Please specify the required retention period for archived background investigation records. Archived background investigation records will be retained by the contractor for six (6) months after the investigation is complete.

Question Number: 5 Section: Background Check Turnaround PWS Section 2.8 states that background checks must be completed and returned within 72 hours of the request.

Please clarify what event constitutes a “request” and starts the 72-hour performance period. Does the 72-hour period begin when the Government refers an individual to the Contractor, when the Contractor sends the individual an invitation to complete the required background screening information, or when the individual has submitted all required information and authorizations necessary for the Contractor to initiate the background investigation?

The 72-hour period begins when the individual has submitted all required information and authorizations necessary for the Contractor to initiate the background investigation.

Question Number: 6 Section: Instructions to Offerors / Submission Requirements The solicitation references a required cover sheet to be included with Volume I; however, the solicitation does not otherwise identify the required proposal volume structure, contents of each volume, or applicable page limitations.

Please clarify the required quote/proposal volume structure, the required contents for each volume, and whether any page limitations apply to the technical or pricing submission. Mr. Manuel, I'm guessing this is a "boiler plate" terminology for the solicitation, but I'm not sure how you want to answer this.

1. Estimated Screening Quantities / Firm-Fixed Pricing The PWS identifies approximately 450 prospective cadet screenings annually, approximately 1,200 additional first-year Admissions Partner-related screenings, approximately 100 sponsor-family screenings annually, and up to 50 additional campus-related screenings annually.

Please confirm whether these quantities are estimates for pricing purposes and whether each annual CLIN is intended to be quoted as a single Firm-Fixed Price covering all screenings requested during the applicable performance period. Yes, the quantities are estimates for pricing purposes, and please quote each CLIN.

2. First-Year Admissions Partner Screening Please confirm whether the approximately 1,200 initial Admissions Partner screenings are anticipated only during the first contract year, with approximately 150 new Admissions Partner screenings annually thereafter. Yes, This is only for Year One (1).

3. Third-Party Record/Court Fees Please confirm whether county, state, federal, courthouse, registry, or other third-party record-access fees are required to be included within the annual Firm-Fixed Price, or whether any such charges may be separately reimbursable. Third party fees are required to be included.

4. Commercial Screening Platform/Subcontractor Please confirm that the prime contractor may utilize a commercial background-screening/credential-verification platform or subcontractor to perform database searches and provide the secure applicant/reporting portal, provided the prime contractor remains responsible for compliance with all PWS and contract requirements. Prime contractor shall not utilize subcontractors for this work.

5. Government User Accounts PWS Section 2.8 requires three independent username/password accounts. Please confirm that three Government user accounts represent the total number of Government portal accounts required under the contract. Yes, three accounts needed for each program.

6. Cybersecurity and Data Requirements In addition to the requirements contained in PWS Section 3.0 and the incorporated solicitation clauses, please advise whether the Government requires any specific cybersecurity certification, system authorization, data-residency requirement, data-retention/destruction standard, or breach-notification procedure applicable to the contractor's background-screening platform. Not at this time.