Attachment 1 Questions and Answers from RFI.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FROM RFI

Question #1: The number of personnel (including FTE, PTE, and contractors) working within the scope of the ISO 14001 EMS must be provided. The scope of the EMS most likely applies to tenant activities and GOCO operations on the Depot. This quantity must reflect all such personnel. The quantity is a determining factor in determining audit duration and affects both the Technical and Price Proposals.

Government Answer #1: Approximately 3,200.

Question #2: The term “registrar” is no longer used in our industry. ISO 17021 governs certification activities, and all accredited Certification Bodies (CB) are accredited to this standard. Since some CBs use the word “registrar” in their company name, it is prejudicial to use this outdated term in the PWS and stifles fair and open competition. The term must be revised.

Government Answer #2: Term revised in PWS.

Question #3: A second significant factor in determining audit duration is the EMS complexity and risk factors. The PWS must state this complexity and risk category clearly. EMS personnel can obtain this information from the incumbent CB and/or can use the attached IAF MD 5 document which is a mandatory document used by all accredited CBs to determine audit duration (see pages 24-28 of the attachment).

Government Answer #3: I do not see any additional information that needs to be added to the PWS to allow a CB to determine risk and complexity based on the attached IAF MD 5. It is the CBs responsibility to determine risk and complexity for an external audit.

Question #4: Section 1.6.6 of the PWS contains imprecise requirements related to Offerors. The correct language that will ensure accredited CBs with a scope of accreditation that includes ISO 14001 will be bidding on this opportunity is as follows: “The Offeror shall be a Certification Body (CB) accredited to ISO 17021 with a scope of accreditation that includes ISO 14001. The CB shall be accredited by an Accreditation Body (AB) that is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) with a scope of membership that includes management system certification.”

Government Answer #4: Certification requirements revised in PWS.

Question #5: The PWS must state whether TYAD has been issued any nonconformances during the previous 3-year period which have been classified as MAJOR. If yes, then the PWS should state how many were issued.

Government Answer #5: Added to PWS under Background.

Question #6: The PWS must state whether TYAD has in its possession the previous 3 years of audit reports.

Government Answer #6: Added to PWS under Background.

Question #7: The PWS must state whether TYAD has in its possession the previous 3 years of corrective actions issued by the incumbent CB.

Government Answer #7: Added to PWS under Background.

Question #8: The PWS must state whether TYAD has in its possession all previously issued ISO 14001 certificates.

Government Answer #8: Added to PWS under Background.

Question #9: The current ISO 14001 certificate must be provided as an attachment to the PWS. This certificate is a public document and not subject to FOIA. All offerors must verify the authenticity of the certificate at the time of bidding.

Government Answer #9: Certificate Available

Question #10: The PWS indicates that the current certificate expires in March 2024. A recertification audit should occur in January 2024 to ensure that there is no lapse in certification. Subsequent surveillance audits must be conducted once per calendar year. It is unclear why the dates for the POP truncate when these audits should occur. In addition, it is unclear whether the incumbent or the Offeror shall conduct the 2023 surveillance audit.

Government Answer #10:

- The incumbent CB has performed a surveillance audit prior to March 2023.

- The offeror must complete recertification audit with ample time to complete the audit and allow for the government to address any non-conformances. It its up to the Offeror to determine this schedule within the POP.

Question #11: TYAD should consider revising the requirements stated for auditors. Auditors who are competent are “certified” by either Exemplar Global or the International Registry of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) for ISO 14001:2015. Without this requirement, TYAD risks having auditors who are not competent. Previous auditing experience along is not sufficient to ensure competence.

Government Answer #11: Revision made in PWS.

Question #12: Does the bidding company need to be registered and operating in the State?

Government Answer #12: The bidder needs to meet the following criteria: The Offeror shall be a Certification Body (CB) accredited to ISO 17021 with a scope of accreditation that includes ISO 14001.

The CB shall be accredited by an Accreditation Body (AB) that is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) with a scope of membership that includes management system certification.