QA.docx

STRONG BOND

AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

JOINT BASE ANDREWS

Q&A

1. Q: Is it possible to extend this radius to within 40-50 minutes of JBA?

A: Yes, the radius has been extended to within 50 minutes of JBA. Please see the updated Retreat Scope of Work.

2. Q: We understand that the first call order will be the JBA Strong Bonds Retreat, but that this overall contract is for a 5-year period. Going forward, roughly how many events/retreats will be a part of the BPA per year?

A: Blanket Purchase Agreements are Indefinite Delivery Vehicles, so by the nature of this requirement, we are unable to predict the exact number of retreats to be planned in each year of the ordering period. Call Orders will be issued as and when retreats are required. However, the likely range is between 3-5 per year. The number of attendees and mix of singles, couples, and/or families will vary depending on the objective of each Call Order/Retreat.

3. Q: When you say there will be two BPAs awarded, would we be working in tandem with the second party, or will we be assigned two separate projects?

A: The two BPA holders will not work together in any capacity. In accordance with the BPA Ordering Guide attached to the solicitation, this is an unpriced BPA, meaning prices will be determined fair and reasonable at the time of each individual Call Order. Adequate price competition in the form of quotes received from two offerors will assist in the Contracting Officer’s (CO) determination of whether the price is fair and reasonable. Only one BPA holder will receive the award and that awardee will be responsible for planning the retreat in accordance with the BPA PWS and that particular retreat’s SOW. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation explains how we will evaluate quotes for award in 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items. 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, explains what each offeror must provide in order for the CO to evaluate each offer.

4. Q: We understand that this is a Firm Fixed Price contract, but also see that the final invoicing will be decided 5 days prior to the event based on final attendance. Just want to clarify that this means edits can be made to the budget at this point in time, or is the price submitted in the RFQ the firm final price?

A: A Firm Fixed Price is a price that does not adjust based on actual costs. However, because of the nature of the bookings required to plan a retreat, the CO can assure the resultant contractor awardee that the price will not adjust downward if there are fewer attendees than originally stated in the Retreat Scope of Work. This language is included in the rare event a last-minute addition of a couple attendees/rooms is added to accommodate a distinguished visitor(s). In the event the Call Order awardee (contractor) receives word five days prior to the event that a few rooms/attendees will be added, then the Government’s initial quoted price will not adjust for the original need outlined in the Retreat SOW, however, the Government will be responsible for the increase in the price pertaining only to those supplementary add-ons. This note has now been added within Strong Bond Retreat SOW, as well as the BPA Ordering Guide for future Call Orders/Retreats.

5. Q: In Attachment 2, Paragraph 2, it states that no children will be present at the retreat, and no childcare will be required. In attachment 1, Paragraph 6, it discusses childcare needs. It is our understanding that Attachment 1 is more of a sample of a typical BPA call order, while Attachment 2 is a specific call order for the JBA Strong Bonds Retreat and is what we should base our proposal off of - is this correct?

A: Attachment 1, BPA Performance Work Statement, is the guiding document for the resultant BPA holders to inform the contractors of all the services a retreat may encompass over the five-year ordering period. You are correct, Attachment 2 Strong Bond Retreat SOW, is the first retreat of many over the five-year ordering period and details specifics required for this retreat. However, since there may be a future requirement where Attachment 1, Para 6, applies and childcare is required, we will be evaluating offerors on their ability to meet the requirements of para 6. Please see the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, Instructions to Offerors, Section 5 on pg 2 where it states, “5.While the first Strong Bond Call Order does not include childcare services, future BPA Call Orders may. Please provide a separate narrative for demonstrating how the offeror will perform/provide the childcare services in accordance with paragraph 6 of the attached BPA Performance Work Statement.” This must be included in order for the Chaplain Corps to evaluate if the prospective contractor can support future Call Orders/Retreats that require childcare support.