80AFRC26Q0005 Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers for AFRC OHS RFQ 80AFRC26Q0005

Question #1: Page-limit exclusions (Provision 1852.215-81(c)): The exclusions fill-in was left blank. Please confirm whether title/cover pages, tables of contents, section dividers, glossaries/acronym lists, and resumes are excluded from the 20-page Technical Volume limit, or whether all such material counts against the limit.

Answer #1: Title/cover pages, tables of contents, section dividers, glossaries/acronym lists, personnel resumes, and contingent offer letters are excluded from the 20-page Technical

Volume limit.

Question #2: Key Personnel resumes: The Technical Volume requires Key Personnel resumes and signed contingent offers of employment. Do resumes and contingent-offer letters count against the 20-page Technical Volume limit, or may they be submitted as a separate, non-page-limited appendix? Is there a per-resume page limit?

Answer #2: See Answer #1

Question #3: DRD 010 (Staffing Plan & Key Personnel) and DRD 011 (Staff Licenses and

Certifications) are both "due with proposal." Please confirm where these belong (Technical

Volume vs. separate submission) and whether their content counts against the Technical

Volume page limit.

Answer #3: DRD 010 and DRD 011 can be included in the Technical Volume and are excluded from the 20-page Technical Volume limit.

Question #4: Please confirm the required file format(s) (e.g., PDF, MS Word, MS Excel) for each volume, any file-size or email-attachment limits for electronic submission, and whether separate files per volume are required.

Answer #4: All volumes can be PDF; there are no additional limits for electronic submissions.

Question #5: Number of PPQs: The RFQ requires three (3) past performance references in the

Past Performance Narrative but does not state how many Past Performance Questionnaires

(Attachment 8) are required. Please confirm whether one PPQ is expected per submitted reference (i.e., up to three), and whether the PPQ references must correspond to the three contracts in the Past Performance Narrative.

Answer #5: Only one PPQ will be evaluated for each reference. Because the Government cannot advise potential offerors on how to structure their proposals, we cannot indicate whether the

PPQ references must match the three contracts included in the Past Performance Narrative.

Question #6: PPQ due date: The RFQ states the completed PPQ must be returned by the client no later than June 1, 2026, 12:00 p.m. EST, which predates Amendment 0002's extended proposal due date. Please confirm the current PPQ return deadline.

Answer #6: PPQs due date was extended in Amendment 3 to June 18, 2026, at 12:00pm EST

Question #7: If a client POC does not return a PPQ by the deadline despite the offeror's timely distribution, how will the Government treat that reference for evaluation purposes?

Answer #7: Please refer to E.5 FAR 52.212-2, EVALUATION -- COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (OCT 2025) (DEVIATION) for evaluation factors.

Question #8 Relative importance of factors: The RFQ states Technical Acceptability, Relevant

Experience/Past Performance, and Price are approximately equal, but also that Technical

Acceptability and Price combined are more important than Past Performance. Because Technical

Acceptability is evaluated on a pass/fail basis, please clarify how it contributes to the best-value tradeoff beyond a threshold determination — i.e., once an offer is rated "Acceptable," is the tradeoff effectively between Price and Past Performance?

Answer #8: In accordance with the revised Basis of Award, Technical Acceptability and Past

Performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The Past

Performance factor is individually more important than or is approximately equal in importance to the Price factor. Offers not deemed technically acceptable will be removed from further consideration of the contract award. An Offeror’s proposal will be deemed technically unacceptable if the Offeror’s proposal does not demonstrate that all of the requirements listed in this solicitation can be met in a satisfactory manner.

Question #9: Step 5 of the evaluation process stops once an offer earns a "Very High Level of

Confidence" rating, beginning with the lowest-priced offer. Please confirm that an offeror rated

"Neutral" (no relevant past performance record) is not eliminated and remains eligible for award, and clarify how a Neutral rating is positioned relative to the other confidence levels in the tradeoff.

Answer #9: An Offeor rated “neutral” will not be eliminated and remains eligible for award. In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

Question #10: Please confirm the "three years from May 22, 2026" relevancy window: should references have been active/performed within that window, and does a contract that began before but continued into the window qualify?

Answer #10: Reference period of performance end date shall be within three years from May

22, 2026.

Question #11: Phase-In pricing: Please confirm whether the up-to-30-day Phase-In (CLIN 0001) is to be priced as a fixed amount and how it is treated in the total evaluated price.

Answer #11: The total evaluated price will be determined by adding the extended price of the phase-in, base and all option periods to include the 52.217-8 “Option to Extend Services. See

RFQ Section E.5, Paragraph 2, PRICE EVALUATION.

Question #12: If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Answer #12: The previous AFRC OHS contract number is 80AFRC20C0014, the current bridge contract number is 80AFRC26P0002.

Question #13: Price Volume states the Base Period to be 24 months, followed by another 24-month option and a 12 months option, while the PWS states the base period to be 1 year, followed by 4 one-year option periods.

Answer #!3: The Phase-In Period is 30 days, the Base Period is to be 24 months, Option 1 is 24 months Option 2 is 12 months , Option 3 (52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES) is 6 months.

Question #14: RFQ requires similar contracts but does not define weighting across OM vs EH vs

Radiation - How will NASA evaluate relevance across clinical vs industrial hygiene vs radiation safety?

Answer #14: Consideration will be given to contract scope, size, value, type, length, role as prime or subcontractor, and customer as compared to the overall requirements of the RFQ. See

RFQ Section E.5, Paragraph 3, RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.

Question #15: “Technically acceptable” not explicitly defined - Please provide scoring criteria or minimum thresholds for technical acceptability.

Answer #15: Acceptable is defined as “Proposal clearly meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation.” Unacceptable is defined as “Proposal does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation.” See RFQ Section E.5, Paragraph 1, TECHNICAL ACCEPTABILITY

EVALUATION.

Question #16: Award based on lowest price but mentions unbalanced pricing risk - What constitutes “significantly unbalanced pricing?

Answer #16: In accordance with 15.404-6 (1) states “unbalanced pricing may increase performance risk and could result in payment of unreasonably high prices. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more line items is significantly over or understated as indicated by the application of cost or price analysis techniques.”

Question #17: Required at phase-in but scope undefined - Specify level of detail and system coverage required for IT Security Plan.

Answer #17: Refer to DRD 006 – Information Technology (IT) Security Management Plan for more details.

Question #18: Required but not provided in detail - Provide template or minimum required elements for SHEMP.

Answer #18: Refer to DRD 021 – Safety and Occupational Health and Environmental Plan

(SHEMP) for more details.

Question #19: The solicitation requires a minimum of two Licensed Medical Professionals

Monday–Thursday and specific coverage windows -Can NASA confirm whether Contractor staff may utilize telehealth support during unexpected absences, so long as minimum on-site coverage is maintained?

Answer #19: Telehealth may not be used for occupational medicine or flight examinations. It is acceptable for Qualifying Non-Crew Member and Documentation Technician support.

Question #20: Regarding Site Manager (SM) qualification requirements - May the Site Manager also serve as a Key Position (e.g., NP or IH Lead) if fully qualified?

Answer #20: Yes, the Site Manager may serve in a Key Position for interim coverage or during absences.

Question #21: The PWS requires staffing of Industrial Hygiene (IH) and Health Physics (HP) personnel with specific certifications, including RSO/LSO/RFSO within 3 months - Can NASA clarify whether provisional acceptance is allowed while waiting for external course availability if training schedules extend beyond 3 months?

Answer #21: Yes, provisional acceptance may be allowed if approved by the Contracting Officer

Representative.

Question #22: The contract requires the physician to be an FAA Senior Aviation Medical

Examiner and to provide multiple NASA-specific certifications -Are all Aviation Medical Exams

(NASA and FAA) expected to be performed onsite, or may some exams be conducted offsite if compliant with NASA and FAA guidance?

Answer #22: All Aviation Medical Exams must be performed onsite.

Question #23: For Qualified Non-Crew (QNC) medical reviews - Will the Government provide the QNC medical questionnaires and workflow templates during phase-in?

Answer #23: Yes, the Government will provide these during phase-in.

Question #24: The PWS requires contractor personnel to support Ionizing, RF, Laser, and UV radiation programs, including maintaining inventories and completing permits within 10 days -

Can NASA clarify approximately how many active radiation devices, laser systems, RF sources, and annual permits exist today to inform staffing estimates?

Answer #24: Currently the total number is approximately 70 devices. 7 Ionizing, 25 Lasers, and

40 Rf devices. This number does fluctuate a bit based on number of science missions during any given year.

Question #25: The contractor must perform extensive sampling, surveys, leak tests, IAQ, asbestos, lead, and ergonomic assessments - Can NASA provide historical volume (per year) of routine vs. urgent survey requests?

Answer #25: Yes: Urgent requests (accomplished withing 1 business day) have historically been related to IAQ issues, where an unanticipated odor complaint needs to be investigated while the odor is present. This happens about three (3) times a year. Other urgent requests have been some building material sampling for asbestos content analysis and shipped out the same day.

This may happen 0-2 times a year.

For routine requests (completed within 30 days), the window of when that sampling can be done will be based upon when Center missions use the chemical/material or equipment that needs to be sampled (e.g., noise). Sometimes planned sampling events are delayed due to unexpected project delays. It would be important to note that AFRC is a research facility and not a production line. Chemical products will vary in frequency of use from weekly to once every few months or years. There are about 115-135 routine requests for industrial hygiene and 110 for Health Physics per year.

Note: The Environmental Staff will need to be proactive and stay in frequent contact with groups they are trying to conduct surveys for to stay on top of routine requests. Sometimes project schedules move up a day instead of getting delayed as previously mentioned.

Question #26: The contractor must operate AED inspections and manage inventory - How many

AED units are currently deployed across AFRC?

Answer #26: There are currently approximately 60 AED units around AFRC.

Question #27: Regarding Fitness Center support requirements- Will NASA provide a current list of equipment that requires daily, weekly, and quarterly checks during phase-in?

Answe #27r: Yes

Question #28: Regarding NMIS entry requirements for medical incidents -Will NASA provide

NMIS access and training during the phase-in period?

Answer #28: Yes

Question #29: Phase-in is maximum 30 days (CLIN 0001) and requires full staffing at contract start - Will NASA provide incumbent workforce contact information to facilitate recruitment and minimize disruption?

Answer #29: In accordance with FAR 52-222-41 a list of the names of all service employees on the payroll during the last month of contract performance will be provided to the successor

Contractor during phase-in.

Question #30: PWS includes medical and EH support to flight simulations and landings, but level of effort is undefined - Please define expected frequency, duration, and staffing requirements for mission/test support activities.

Answer #30: The level of effort for these events is variable but typically limited, and the

Government does not anticipate any need to adjust staffing levels.

Question #31: PWS requires emergency response but does not define off-hours requirements -

Are contractors expected to provide after-hours or on-call emergency response coverage?

Answer #31: No

Question #32: Is there an allowable vacancy/leave coverage threshold before deductions apply?

Answer #32: The Government does not establish or direct an allowable vacancy or leave-coverage threshold before deductions apply.

Question #33: Will the Government evaluate staffing adequacy against the historical staffing model, or strictly against outcomes?

Answer #33: The RFQ stipulates that the Staffing Approach must clearly identify how the staffing levels required under the PWS will be maintained. Offerors are required to provide a detailed explanation of their Staffing Approach as it relates to the OHS PWS. Offerors may consider alternative staffing methodologies that best support their management strategy and the effective implementation of the PWS requirements. While the proposed Staffing Approach is at the discretion of the offeror, a comprehensive and detailed justification is required to demonstrate how the approach will meet or exceed the requirements set forth in the PWS.

Question #34: Physician can obtain CA license within 12 months - During the 12-month grace period, what restrictions if any apply to clinical practice or certification activities?

Answer #34: None. The physician may perform medical practice at AFRC during the 12-month licensure grace period with COR approval.

Question #35: Does the AFRC clinic maintain any controlled substances/narcotics?

Answer #35: No

Question #36: Do staff operating the MERV require ATLS/PHTLS certification?

Answer #36: No

Question #37: Will Industrial Hygiene and Health Physics sampling media, equipment calibration, and laboratory analytical costs be provided and funded by NASA?

Answer #37: Yes

Question #38: Please confirm the required minimum staffing per shift and how it aligns with performance thresholds.

Answer #38: The Government cannot direct the contractor on minimum staffing requirements.

Please refer to the RFQ for the historical staffing levels that are provided.

Question #39: EH scope includes extensive environmental oversight, but “Environmental

Management” is excluded - Please define the boundary between “Environmental Health” support and excluded “Environmental Management” functions.

Answer #39: Environmental Health is as it is described in section 2.2 of the PWS.

Environmental Management is a different department that works in the same building but is focused on hazardous material and waste management, National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA), natural resources, cultural resources, managing equipment air permits, wastewater discharge permits, aboveground storage tanks, spill prevention, restoration program, and sustainability.

Some programs overlap a little. Below are some of the more common examples.

*Asbestos program - Largely managed by Environmental Health, but Environmental

Management will verify waste manifests are filed out correctly and will sign the manifest.

*Hazardous Materials Management- Mostly managed by Environmental Management.The

Environmental Managment manages the Hazardous Material Management System (HMMS) database and conducts audits on the chemical pharmacies and around the center for expired chemicals. The HMMS is the SDS database for the Center. Environmental Health assists with completing the industrial hygiene tab for each new chemical request [PWS 4.3.9], provide

Global Harmonization System (GHS)-hazard communication training to AFRC staff [PWS

4.3.19.4]. There are also some additional functions listed in the NASA Procedural Requirements

(NPR) 1800.1E chapter 4 that the industrial hygienist will do with regards to chemical management.

*TSCA - Mostly managed by Environmental Management. Environmental Health is responsible for surveying and managing exposure limits to chemicals outlined in TSCA rulings.

*Permitted equipment - Environmental Health validates the equipment (e.g., local exhaust systems, paint booths, and hoods) to ensure they are functioning as designed to protect personnel. Environmental Management oversees the equipment's permit paperwork, equipment logs required by the local air district, and annual fees.

*Medical Sharps and Pharmaceutical waste disposal - This is managed by the Health Unit with the Environmental Health's asisstance. These are both managed with a mail-in container disposal program to a certified disposal facility to make it easily managable. Enviornmental

Management does not sign or manage these waste manifests.

*Water Quality - Environmental Health may conduct water testing occasionally and verify water sampling results meet the required standards when facilities or their representatives take water samples after maintenace is performed on a water line. There is no water treatment facility at

AFRC as we receive potable water from Edwards AFB.