Responses to Questions-Readiness Exercise-23Q0009-Jun23-Revised.pdf

Readiness Exercise Planners Responses to Questions

1. Q1. Para 1.1 states, "…will run continuously for 12 months with the provision for three options of this contract for an additional 12-month period with each option used." Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs identify a base year and four option years in the solicitation. Will the Government please clarify if there are three or four option years?

There is one (1) base year plus four (4) 12-month option years for this requirement.

2. Q2. Para 1.1 states, "…Performance period for this contract will be no more than 15 days from the date of award…" This transition period only allows for the incumbent employees to transition so quickly. Offerors may have fully qualified candidates currently working other jobs and should give a two-week notice to their current employer. They may have to move to the area as well. Will the Government consider a 30-day transition period?

A 30-day transition/phase-in-period is not necessary for this requirement and will remain unchanged.

3. Q3. Para 2.8 states, "…Personnel may require a safety vest, protective gloves, cold weather gear, wet weather gear, and safety glasses on occasion in the performance of their duties." Will the Government clarify if this is Contractor Furnished Equipment (CFE)? If so, will the Government provide specifications (e.g., color, grade, ballistic capability, water resistivity)? The paragraph also states that "personnel may require..." Are offerors required to provide this and include the price in the labor price? Also, para 1 states, "The contractor shall provide all management, tools, supplies, equipment, and labor necessary for a Full Spectrum Readiness Training & Exercise Planner." Will the Government provide a list of CFE required for a Full Spectrum Readiness Training & Exercise Planner?

Yes, this equipment is CFE. There are no specific government requirements for specifications for these safety items. The offeror would only be required to provide these items if needed for an exercise. The offeror would be advised in advance to the event requiring these items.

4. Q5. Para 2.1 HOURS OF OPERATION states, "Contractor Personnel shall be readily available 7 days a week at the site from 0600-2000." What are the normal work hours?

Normal (non-exercise, non-training, non-contingency) work hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal duty hours.

5. Q6. The CLINs require two FTEs for combined hours 3,840, or 1,920 hours per FTE. In general, the Federal Government mandates eleven holidays (88 hours). This limits paid time off to nine days (72 hours) and is well below competitive industry standards (80 hours). Maryland also requires that employers provide paid sick leave accrued at one hour for every thirty hours an employee works. This requirement could be up to 64 hours per year. Will the Government reconsider the FTE hours to 1,880 hours per FTE?

The Government is unable to decrease FTE hours due to the high demands and ops tempo of the positions.

6. Q7. Para 1.2.1 states, "The events must be planned and executed to the standard of Homeland Security Exercises and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) …" and para 2.9.1.7 states, "HSEEP Certified."

Is it the Government's intent that the offeror's candidates be HSEEP certified upon award? Or will the Government provide training and certification after the award?

The Government intends for the candidates to have completed the HSEEP course at the time of contract award. The offeror’s candidates may complete the HSEEP course after contract award provided it is within 30 days of contract award. The offeror will be solely responsible for coordinating the candidate’s training and certification costs at no additional cost to the Government.

7. Reference PWS 1.2.6: how many training and exercise events are held per year?

On average, there are 12 training and exercise events each year.

8. Is all work performed at Andrews AFB?

There may be exercises that occur off installation (Joint Base Andrews, MD); however, under normal conditions, work will be performed on Joint Base Andrews, MD.

9. Reference PWS 2.9, Special Qualifications, 2.9.17 - HSEEP Certified. According to FEMA, there is no such thing as HSEEP certified. Individuals may take the HSEEP course (L/K - 046) and receive a certification of completion. Is that what you are referring to with regard to HSEEP Certified?

and can the individuals take this within 90 days of beginning on the contract?

The Government intends for the candidates to have completed the HSEEP course at the time of contract award. The offeror’s candidates may complete the HSEEP course after contract award provided it is within 30 days of contract award. The offeror will be solely responsible for coordinating the candidate’s training and certification costs (no additional cost to the Government.)

10. Can the government please clarify if there are page limits for Part I (Price) and II (Technical)?

*** Please see the response to this question in Item #11 of this document. ***

11. Can the government please clarify if there is a required font type and size for Part I and II?

The page limitation is 20 pages maximum; page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches, single-spaced, and no less than 11 point with at least 1" margins on top and bottom margins 2and 3/4 side margins.

12. PWS, para 2.9.1.7 Can the government please clarify if experience and education can substitute for HSEEP certification?

The Government intends for the candidates to have completed the HSEEP course at the time of contract award. The offeror’s candidates may complete the HSEEP course after contract award provided it is within 30 days of contract award. The offeror will be solely responsible for

13. PWS, para 2.9.1.7 Can the government please clarify if experience and education can substitute for HSEEP certification with a requirement to complete the aforementioned certifications within a specific timeframe?

The Government intends for the candidates to have completed the HSEEP course at the time of contract award. The offeror’s candidates may complete the HSEEP course after contract award provided it is within 30 days of contract award. The offeror will be solely responsible for

14. If questions are due on 5 June 2023, will the government consider an extension based on Q&A response time?

The corresponding solicitation has been extended to 16 June 2023 at 1200 EST under Amendment 01.

15. PWS 2.1/ page 4.

Hours of Operation: Contractor Personnel shall be readily available 7 days a week at the site from 0600-2000.

As this operational tempo would far exceed the 1,920 hours and surge for each FTE (14 hours times 7 days is 98 hours per week and would exhaust the man-year in 21 weeks) , will the government clarify if this availability is demonstrated by both planners being physically present at the place of performance during hours of operation? If not, will the government clarify what is expected with regards to availability, (i.e.., one person on/one person off, both planners on a recall string of "X" number of hours or some other arrangement different than both planners at the place of performance 7 days per week, 14 hours per day?)

p.m. Monday – Friday. The availability from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 7 days per week is primarily intended for real-world contingency response events. Contractors would work normal hours unless training, exercise, or contingency events are occurring. On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal duty hours. In-person or virtual response requirements of one or both contractors depends upon the nature of the contingency. Additionally, Federal Holidays are typically considered non-workdays;

however, response to real-world mission/contingency demands is expected.

16. PWS 2.8/ page 4 Develop and provide at the start of the orientation period or the start of the first operational performance period (if there is no orientation period) a safety plan for the protection of government facilities and property and to provide a safe work environment for contractor personnel.”

Will the government clarify if there is an Air Force or Department of Defense manual that vendors should use as reference when crafting the safety plan?

The vendors would use the Wing’s Continuity of Operations Plan to develop the safety plan. This document will be provided to the contracted personnel.

17. Can the government confirm that a 30 day 'transition in' period is acceptable?

A 30-day transition/phase-in period is not necessary for this requirement and will remain unchanged.

18. Can the government confirm that if all contractor representations and certifications are current in System for Award Management there is nothing else expected for the contractor to include with the quote regarding reps and certs?

There must be proof of representations and certifications prior to contract award. The must be included with your quote. They will not count against your page limit.

19. PWS 2.1 Hours of Operation

The PWS states that contractor personnel shall be available 7 days a week from 0600-2000 Hours. Schedule B only allows for 48 hours per year for a total of 24 hours for each contractor.

Will there be additional overtime/weekend hours that we need to plan for?

Normal (non-exercise, non-training, non-contingency) work hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. The availability from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days per week is primarily intended for real-world contingency response events. On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal duty hours.

Overtime/weekend hours typically coincide with contingency/emergency response events.

20. PWS 2.9.1.7 HSEEP Certified The PWS states that our contractor personnel must be HSEEP Certified.

IAW FEMA delivery of the course can be done virtually, in person classroom locally, or in person classroom at the EMI in the Emergency Management Professional Program Basic Academy. Does the Government have a requirement for the type of delivery for training?

There is no requirement for the type of delivery for training.

21. PWS 2.9.1.7 HSEEP Certified The PWS states that our contractor personnel must be HSEEP Certified.

Must the contractor have attended the HSEEP course prior to start of work or can the contractor attend after start of work?

The Government intends for the candidates to have completed the HSEEP or REAPER course at the time of contract award. The offeror’s candidates may complete the HSEEP or REAPER course after contract award provided it is within 30 days of contract award. The offeror will be solely responsible for coordinating the candidate’s training and certification costs (no additional cost to the Government.)

22. Solicitation (Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs) CLIN 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 have 3840 hours assigned. Does the Government acknowledge that there are 11 Federal Holidays, which would make the total hours 3824 for both contractors. Is this a correct assumption?

While there are Federal holidays, the ops tempo of the organization is considerable. Exercises, training, and/or real-world contingency responses will be time demanding. Federal Holidays are typically considered non-workdays; however, response to real-world mission demands is expected.

23. Are there current incumbent contractor employees?

Yes

24. Can you provide the names and contact information for current incumbent contractor employees?

No, this information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and FAR 24.202, Freedom of Information, Prohibitions.

25. Who is the current incumbent contractor company if any?

Innovative International Intelligence and Integration LLC

26. What is the current contract number if any?

FA286018C0016

27. PWS paragraph 1.1 states the PoP is no more than 15 days from award for a continuous 12 months. Does that mean the PoP begins 15 days after the dually signed award and runs for 12 months?

The Period of Performance will begin no earlier than 1 August 2023 after the expiration date of the current contract period of performance.

28. PWS paragraph 2.1 states contractor employees must be available 0600-2000 hours 7 days a week. Are these times during the minimum of 3 exercises and 6 training events mentioned in PWS paragraph 3?

p.m. Monday – Friday. The availability from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days per week is primarily intended for real-world contingency response events. On occasion, services may be required to

29. PWS paragraph 2.1 states contractor employees must be available 0600-2000 hours 7 days a week. Please explain the hours of operations considering it appears as written that contractor employees would need to be on site for 14 hours a day, 7 days a week as the Solicitation page 8 of 49, Deliveries or Performance, Line Item 0001 and 0002, Quantity lists 3840 hours total which indicates 1920 hours per FTE with an additional 24 hours per FTE for any work performed beyond a normal hour week .

p.m. Monday – Friday. The availability from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days per week is primarily intended for real-world contingency response events. On occasion, services may be required to

30. What are the normal duty hours / core hours for the contractor employees?

Normal (non-exercise, non-training, non-contingency) work hours are from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal duty hours.

31. SF 1449; PWS Section 2.1; PWS Section 1.2.6; FAR 52.212-4 sub para (i)A and (i)B

1) SF 1449 CLIN structure pricing is based on 3,840 hours annually for two personnel, and 48 hours overtime when approved for two personnel at FFP. 2) This seems to conflict with PWS para 2.1 which states " Contractor Personnel shall be readily available 7 days a week at the site from 0600-2000" which far exceeds the authorized hour 3) It also conflicts with PWS para 1.2.6 which states "contractor must provide planners capable of working longer hours during training and exercise events" yet those events are not defined. 4) FAR Clause 52.212-4 sub para (i) (A) and (B) on page 17 of solicitation states payments states that payments will be based on direct labor hours performed. This implies a T&M contract.

Can the government clarify if this is a FFP/LH/or Time and Materials requirement? Can the government clarify the number of anticipated labor hours and reconcile what appears to be contradictory language in the solicitation?

This contract is a firm fixed-price contract (FFP). Normal (non-exercise, non-training, non-contingency) work hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. The availability from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days per week is primarily intended for real-world contingency response events. On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal duty hours.