Attachment 1- Amendment 2-Question and Answers -RFQ FA301623Q0005.pdf

Attachment 1 Solicitation: FA301623Q0005

Administrative and Clerical Support Services Questions and Responses

15 December 2022

TITLE: Response to Questions to solicitation # FA301623Q0005–Administrative and Clerical Support Services. All changes due to question and answers listed below will be updated on appropriate documents and posted with questions and answers.

1. Contractor Question: Is there an incumbent, if so, how long have they been performing?

Government Response: There are Five (5) incumbents and they have been performing for Five (5) years.

2. Contractor Question: Is there an incumbent performing these services, or is this a new requirement? If there's an incumbent, can you please provide me with the award information, including name of incumbent and value and duration of award?

Government Response: This is not a new requirement. Yes, Incumbents are available

– Incumbent information will be provided to the selected Awardee.

3. Contractor Question: Are resumes for the 5 support personnel required to be submitted with the proposal? Who are the Key Personnel for which resumes are required? Is that the Company Quality Control Team personnel?

Government Response: No. Per the RFQ, Resumes are required for vendor quality control key personnel.

4. Contractor Question: Is there a specific WD occupation code or title required to be used for this solicitation?

Government Response: Please refer to RFQ FAR Clause 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. Note: This Statement is for Information Only: It is not a Wage Determination.

5. Contractor Question: Is there an incumbent for this contract? If so, please provide the company name and contract number. (General)

Government Response: Please refer to Question one (1) and Incumbent information will be provided to the selected Awardee.

6. Contractor Question: Are the 5 FTEs considered Key Personnel for this effort (p. 62 of 67, Quality Control Plan)

Government Response: No

7. Contractor Question: Is the government requiring the use of a specific labor category from the provided wage determination?

Government Response: Please refer to Question four (4) above.

8. Contractor Question: Is this a new or a follow on for an existing contract? If it is an existing contract, are the incumbent employees available to work for a new contractor?

Government Response: This is a follow on for an existing contract. Incumbent information will be provided to the selected Awardee for consideration.

9. Contractor Question: Reference #1: Pg #67, Note: Resumes are required for key personnel. Question #1: Please confirm who the Key are personnel Question #2: How many resumes are required ? Question #3: What are the qualifications of the candidates?

Government Response: Per the RFQ, Resumes are required for vendor quality control key personnel. One resume per each team key quality control member. Please refer to the PWS quality control program requirements.

10. Contractor Question: Reference #2: Pg # 1-(PWS: 1.1 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. The contractor shall provide Five (5) qualified and experienced full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel for direct programmatic support to perform a variety of day-to-day functions of the METC Operations (OPS) Division)? Question #1: What are the Labor categories for 5 FTE ? Question #2: Please provide the excel with Labor categories and their rates.

11. Contractor Question: Can you please provide the awardee's name, address, award amount, and contract number?

Government Response: Incumbent information will be provided to the selected Awardee for consideration.

12. Contractor Question: Does the Government have any proposed LCATs for each of the 5 FTEs that are specified in the WD?

13. Contractor Question: Is this a new contract? Is there an incumbent?

Government Response: This is a follow on for an existing contract. Incumbent information will be provided to the selected Awardee for consideration.

14. Contractor Question: The solicitation refers to "key personnel" under instructions>quality control (see Amendment, p. 4). Is the key personnel referred to, a member of the contractor's Quality Management/Control team, and not a part of the 5 FTEs?

Government Response: Please refer to Question nine (9) above.

15. Contractor Question: Is there currently an incumbent company or previous incumbent, who completed a similar contract performing these services? If so - are they eligible to bid on this project and can you please provide the incumbent contract number, dollar value, and period of performance?

Awardee.

16. Contractor Question: The Solicitation states that “Resumes are required for key personnel.” Who are the Key personnel? How many resumes are required for each position?

Do we need to include resumes of the 5 FTEs for Administrative and Clerical?

17. Contractor Question: What are the titles of the Administrative and Clerical Support positions?

Government Response: Administrative Clerks

18. Contractor Question: Is there currently an incumbent company, who has a similar contract performing these services?

Government Response: Please refer to Question one (1) above

19. Contractor Question: If so - can you please provide incumbent name, contract number, dollar value and period of performance?

Are you satisfied with incumbent performance?

Government Response: Please refer to Question one (1) above and the Incumbent Contractor has been performing Satisfactory.

20. Contractor Question: If there is a contract in place, can you please provide the person’s name and contact detail of the individual who is actually performing these services?

21. Contractor Question: Can you please confirm, since how many years incumbent candidate has been working with this requirement?

22. Contractor Question: Does this contract fall under service contract Act. (SCA) guideline?

If so, what occupation code is utilized for this requirement per applicable DOL wage determination?

What labor category on the Wage Determination will this be categorized as?

Government Response: Yes, please refer to Question four (4) above.

23. Contractor Question: Is this contract covered by the EO 13706?

Government Response: Yes.

24. Contractor Question: Can you please confirm whether the fringe ($4.41 / $4.80) is applicable to this requirement or not?

Government Response: Please refer to Question Four (4) above.

25. Contractor Question: What is the Occupation Code from the Wage Determination document applicable to this requirement?

26. Contractor Question: What is the H&W from the Wage Determination application to this requirement?

27. Contractor Question: Are any executive orders applicable?

Government Response: Please refer to Question 23 above.

28. Contractor Question: What is the longevity of the current staff? This is important for SCA labor categories pricing. Otherwise, the offeror is not compliant with

Government Response: Please refer to Question One (1) above.

29. Contractor Question: For the Government to evaluate fair and reasonable pricing from all the bidders and to avoid some bidders from submitting non-responsive pricing, can the Government require all the offers to submit cost building?

Government Response: The Contracting Officer (CO) reserves the right to conduct a price realism analysis and to reject a Quote if the price proposed is unrealistically low.

The Contracting Officer (CO) has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. Upon examination of the initial quotes, the CO will review the quotes and if, in the CO's opinion, adequate price competition exists no additional cost information will be requested. However, if at any time during this competition the CO determines that adequate price competition no longer exists, quoters may be required to submit other than certified cost or pricing data to the extent necessary for the CO to determine the reasonableness of the price.

30. Contractor Question: Are currently all the positions on-site or working hybrid/remotely?

Government Response: On site.

31. Contractor Question: Is the level of effort for the new contract the same as the level of effort for the old contract?

32. Contractor Question: We would suggest to the Government that the contractor bidding on this requirement should hold Secret Clearance, CMMI L2 or higher for Services, and ISO 9001 to ensure high-quality delivery.

Government Response: Not required.

33. Contractor Question: Who is the current contract holder?

34. Contractor Question: What was the previous contract number and total cost?

35. Contractor Question: How many FTEs on previous contract and for how many years?

36. Contractor Question: Under WAGE DETERMINATIONS, what Labor Category are the FTEs classified as?

37. Contractor Question: Are resumes required for proposal?

38. Contractor Question: Is there an anticipated budget for this contract?

Government Response: This is a competitive acquisition therefore vendors are encouraged to provide the Government their best pricing to fulfill the requirement of the PWS.

39. Contractor Question: Is there an incumbent? If yes, what is the incumbent's name, contract number, award amount and duration?

40. Contractor Question: We see that Wage Determination 2015-5253 was included--what Labor Category do you anticipate on using for this position? 01020 - Administrative Assistant, 01113 - General Clerk I,II or III ? or another Labor Category.

41. Contractor Question: Kindly confirm the total man year hours for each of the 5 vacant positions. - Pg 11 of the PWS indicates 9,360 hours total broken out by 8 tasks. However, when dividing this total number by 5 (Vacant positions) total hours indicate 1872. Please confirm the exact hours for each position. 1920 or ???

Government Response: 1872 hours per FTE.

42. Contractor Question: Per Appendix D, EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND/OR

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS. Pg 14 #2, Are replacements needed if the contractor is unable to come to work? If so, what is the maximum number of days can they be out before a backfill is required.

Government Response: 15 days.

43. Contractor Question: Will the Government allow for tables to be embedded in MS

Word documents for narrative submission of our proposal?

44. Contractor Question: Considering the requirements for tables to be in excel, does the Government prefer that Volume I Administrative be in an Excel table format, with PDF attachments for Reps and Certs and SF 1449 and any SF30s issued?

Government Response: No.

45. Contractor Question: Does the Government prefer Volume III to be submitted as a

Word Doc or PDF, as a narrative file?

Government Response: PDF

46. Contractor Question: While the Government requests resumes for key personnel in the Instructions for the Quality Control Plan, the evaluation criteria omit how the resumes will be evaluated. Can the Government clarify how they will evaluate the resumes of key personnel?

Government Response: No evaluation – resumes will be reviewed only to ensure the Contractor has assigned a quality control team.

47. Contractor Question: Is this a new requirement? If not, who is the incumbent?

48. Contractor Question: Is the incumbent eligible to recompete as WOSB?

49. Contractor Question: Will the contract employees receive separate base access credentials and CAC?

50. Contractor Question: Can the government please clarify what security validation system we will be utilizing since JPAS is no longer active.

Government Response: DoD’s Defense Information System for Security (DISS).

51. Contractor Question: In the instructions for Vol III it mentions "key personnel".

Can the government clarify which positions are considered "key"?

52. Contractor Question: Does the government intend to offer a transition period for the new contract start to ensure onboarding with staff, security crossover, and establishment of accounts does not interfere with mission success?

Government Response: No transition period offered.

53. Contractor Question: 1 - Who is the incumbent contractor and contract number?

2 - What is the previous award amount?

3 - What is the previous contract period of performance?

5 - What is the employment anniversary date of all incumbent staff members?

54. Contractor Question: Please provide the Occupation Code and Labor Category for each Incumbent staff member.

55. Contractor Question: Per Appendix C, there are 10 facilities. The requirement is for

5 FTE to cover access points. Could the government please verify the number of access points per facility and clarify the scheduled hours of coverage for each?

Government Response: 1 access point per facility. The workspaces to be occupied by 5 FTEs are located in Bldg 895, 899, 1393, 1356 & 1364.

56. Contractor Question: Can the government please specify which tools, equipment and supplies the offeror needs to provide as outlined on page 1 of the PWS? We are asking because on page 9, section 3.1, the government lists that all resources will be provided.

Government Response: The offeror will be responsible for any tools, equipment and supplies not listed in PWS Section 3.

57. Contractor Question: Can the government please clarify which labor category from the wage determination is to be used for the administrative and clerical support positions for this offer? For example, does the government require a “general clerk” I, II, or III or an “Administration Assistant”?

58. Contractor Question: Can the government please clarify if the proposed administrative and clerical staff will be assigned to specific buildings on their regular workday as listed on the maps in the PWS or would the staff be required to travel to other buildings, as needed, each workday, without a regular building assignment? Can the government clarify if there is a golf cart provided for the administrative and clerical staff to use to travel the required 8- percent within the stated 1.5 million sq. feet?

Government Response: There are 5 workspaces to be occupied by the FTEs – one per location – Bldg 895, 899, 1393, 1356 & 1364. No golf cart required to perform daily tasks.

59. Contractor Question: Can the government clarify if the resumes of all of the proposed administrative and clerical candidates’ need to be submitted with the offer or just the resumes of the quality assurance team?

60. Contractor Question: Incumbent Contractor & Incumbent Staff: Can the government please provide the current incumbent contractor for this solicitation, the amount of the contract award and the length of the contract? Can the government please clarify if the incumbent's staff have the first right of refusal? How many incumbent staff are currently working on this contract? How many incumbent staff have been there for 5 years and over? The length of employment for the incumbent staff is needed to ensure the cost for vacation accrual is accurate and included with the offer.

61. Contractor Question: Paragraph 1.3, Quality Control states Contractor shall define in their Quality Control Plan (QCP) internal procedures to cover fluctuations in staffing, vacancies, and/or employee absences.

Will the government clarify their intent when it states, “cover fluctuations”? What amount of time is considered to be a fluctuation? For example, if an employee calls in sick or goes on vacation for 3 days? Is that considered fluctuation and would require the contractor to fill that position during the employee’s absence?

Government Response: Contractor responsible to fill any position expected to be vacant for more than 15 days.

62. Contractor Question: We understand that work will take place in multiple buildings throughout the center, are we able to cross utilize our personnel to assist other clerks if their workload demands or if that individual happens to be out sick or on leave?

Government Response: The contractor is responsible to cover down if their personnel are out sick or on leave; no cross utilization of other personnel available.

63. Contractor Question: Is a Project Manager required for this contract?

64. Contractor Question: Who is the current contractor, contract number and contract value?

65. Contractor Question: The solicitation does not clarify if this is a wage determination contract and neither box is checked to enforce other sections of the solicitation stating “If paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this clause applies- “May the government please make the proper selection in section (k) to determine applicability?

(k) Certificates regarding exemptions from the application of the Service Contract Labor Standards (Certification by the offeror as to its compliance with respect to the contract also constitutes its certification as to compliance by its subcontractor if it subcontracts out the exempt services.) [The contracting officer is to check a box to indicate if paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) applies].

66. Contractor Question: What is the name of the incumbent and the contract number?

67. Contractor Question: Which positions are considered key personnel?

68. Contractor Question: How are the admin/clerical duties assigned to individual personnel? Does the Government believe all individuals are interchangeable across all tasks or are there distinct positions?

Government Response: No distinct positions – interchangeable across all tasks.

69. Contractor Question: Is this a new opportunity? Is there currently an incumbent? If so, what is the contract number?

70. Contractor Question: What software packages will the personnel be required to work with (e.g., Windows Office, Visio, MS Project, etc.)? Statistical software if any?

Government Response: Microsoft Office Software; to include Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

71. Contractor Question: Are there any specialized skill sets/ certifications the

Government requires and/or desires?

72. Contractor Question: Has the Dept. of Labor ever conducted a wage and hour review on the current contract? We understand that the current contract utilizes 01112

- General Clerk II as the required SCA labor category. The new solicitation indicates 01113 - General Clerk III in the Statement of Equivalent Federal Hires (FAR 52.222- 42). Please clarify the required SCA Labor Category for this requirement.

Government Response: No. Please refer to RFQ FAR Clause 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. Note: This Statement is for Information Only:

It is not a Wage Determination.

73. Contractor Question: Can the government provide longevity/seniority dates for the current contract employees?

74. Contractor Question: Are offerors required to provide holiday pay for all employees for the eleven federal holidays in accordance with Service Contract Act requirements?

75. Contractor Question: Are offerors required to provide sick leave pay for all employees in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 13706 and Service Contract Act requirements?

76. Contractor Question: Are offerors required to provide vacation pay for all employees in accordance with Service Contract Act requirements?

77. Contractor Question: Please clarify if Appendix A – Estimated Workload Data includes any hours related to holiday, Vacation or Sick Leave.

Government Response: Estimated Workload Data equates to 5 FTEs providing 1872 hours annually – Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave not included.

78. Contractor Question: A reverse analysis of the current contract and basic mathematics clearly indicates that the contract value is significantly understated when factoring in the mandatory wage, health & welfare, paid holiday, paid vacation and paid sick leave requirements associated with the SCA wage determination (all of which are mandatory regardless of employee status as full-time, part-time, or temporary) and the statutory Federal and State tax and insurance requirements.

Further, we compared the current contract value to the previous contract (FA8053-12- D-0001 TO# SM09) and noted that the current contract was awarded at a price that was 16.5% lower than the predecessor contract with the exact same scope. This is a major red flag that the price proposed under the current contract was/is NOT current, complete, and accurate. What process will the government use to ensure that all offerors have complied with all solicitation requirements, SCA requirements, all State and Federal tax and insurance requirements when evaluating proposals?

Government Response: Please refer to Question 29 above.

79. Contractor Question: Paragraph 1 of Addendum to FAR 52.212-1(b), Submission of

Quotes (page 60 of the solicitation) states, in part, “The Quoter shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the solicitation. A Quote that is sufficiently documented to support technical capability and price in a complete, orderly, and specific detailed manner will enable the Government to perform a thorough and fair evaluation.”

We request the government amend the proposal submission requirements to require submission of a detailed price breakdown from offerors which will “enable the Government to perform a thorough and fair evaluation” and ensure that all offerors are “compliant with the requirements as stated in the solicitation” including mandated SCA pay, H&W, paid time off requirements and statutory Federal and State taxes and insurance.

Government Response: Please refer to Question 29 above.

80. Contractor Question: Appendix C of the PWS lists 10 separate workspace locations.

In which of these facilities do the five (5) contractor personnel work?

Government Response: There are 5 workspaces to be occupied – one per location – Bldg 895, 899, 1393, 1356 & 1364.

81. Contractor Question: Paragraph 3.8, Section III.2.a. “Quality Control Plan” of the Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters (Solicitation pg. 62) requires offerors to provide “Names, Contact Information and Experience of Company Quality Control Team”. It further states “Resumes are required for key personnel”.

a. Given the size of this project, it seems that a dedicated onsite “QC Team” would be overkill. Is this requirement related to the corporate Quality Control Team?

b. If a resume is required for an onsite QC person, is this requirement covered by one of the five full time administrative staff or are offerors required to include a QC representative in their project staffing plan and cost? If QC is performed by one of the five admin personnel, and there are incumbent employees, only the incumbent contractor would have access to those employees to obtain a resume. Please clarify.

Government Response: A dedicated onsite QC team is not a requirement.

82. Contractor Question: Reference — Performance Work Statement Section 1.1.

Description of Services: The last sentence in the paragraph states that contractor (assuming this means clerical and administrative staff provided) shall “…gather, organize, and analyze data, develop information, and consider available solution or alternative methods of proceeding that minimizes risk to METC personnel and facilities to the greatest extent possible. Conduct operational accountability and effectiveness review of assigned facilities to ensure benchmarks are being implemented and maintained as required.”

Concern: While clerical employees (with high school diplomas or GED certificates per PWS Appendix D) can identify ways to improve service efficiency, is it reasonable to expect them to “…gather, organize, and analyze data, develop information, and consider available solution or alternative methods of proceeding that minimizes risk to METC personnel and facilities to the greatest extent possible.

Conduct operational accountability and effectiveness review of assigned facilities to ensure benchmarks are being implemented and maintained as required.”

The italicized requirements would appear to be the responsibilities of higher-level job classifications.

Question: Will the government please clarify the extent of the expectations for clerical and administrative personnel?

Government Response: Expectation is for the clerical and administrative personnel to perform tasks as outlined in PWS and to work in close coordination with the METC OPS Division Managers.

83. Contractor Question: Appendix A of the PWS (page 11) outlines 8 tasks, most with less than 1920 hours. Will these tasks be shared among the 5 FTE or separated by

FTE?

Government Response: Tasks to be evenly shared among the 5 FTEs not separated by FTE. Estimated Workload Data equates to 1872 hours annually per FTE.

84. Contractor Question: Section 1.3.2 of the PWS (page 4) states that uninterrupted performance must be maintained at all times. Is the expectation that other FTE’s will help cover in the event of unplanned absences/sick days, or will a temporary FTE need to fill in?

Government Response: Expectation is that other FTE’s will cover down in the event of unplanned absences/sick days – temporary FTE not required unless vacancy is expected to be greater than 15 days.

85. Contractor Question: What SCA wage code is applicable for this solicitation?

86. Contractor Question: Will incumbent contact information be provided to the awardee?

87. Contractor Question: In the submission instructions section 3.8 (page 61), do the 3 volumes need to be submitted as separate files or combined into one large PDF with volume page dividers?

Government Response: Please submit as three (3) separate files.

88. Contractor Question: Under the Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or

Quoters, subsection 3.8, item “Quality Control Plan” (page. 62), there is a note that says, “Resumes are required for key personnel.” However, no key personnel are identified in the RFQ or PWS. Will the government clarify what resumes we should include in our quote?

89. Contractor Question: What is the specific clerical or administrative LCATs to use?

90. Contractor Question: What are the total hours to use for each of the 5 labor categories? 1920? Appendix A if PWS page 11 lists the workload data but not the hours per LCAT.

Government Response: Estimated Workload Data equates to 1872 hours annually per

FTE.

91. Contractor Question: What is the total contract spend for 2022?

Government Response: This is a competitive acquisition therefore vendors are encouraged to provide the Government their best pricing to fulfill the requirement of the PWS.

92. Contractor Question: Is there an incumbent currently providing the required support or is this a new opportunity? If there is an incumbent, please provide the contract number and contract value if possible.

93. Contractor Question: Does the government expect replacements to backfill absences and should that assumption be factored into the pricing?

Government Response: Expectation is that other FTE’s will cover down in the event

94. Contractor Question: There are ten (10) workspace locations listed on page 13 of the PWS. Will the 5 employees cover/work at all 10 locations or are they assigned to specific locations?

Government Response: Assigned to specific locations. There are 5 workspaces to be occupied – one per location – Bldg 895, 899, 1393, 1356 & 1364.

95. Contractor Question: Will we have access and be able to keep the incumbents?

96. Contractor Question: The instructions to Offerors in the RFP state, “Resumes are required for key personnel.” In this solicitation, who is considered key personnel?

97. Contractor Question: In the RFP, there are three (3) volumes listed for response in the proposal, (1) Administration, (2) Schedule of Services/Pricing, and (3) Technical Quote. There is no Past Performance Volume. Where should we include Past Performance information?

98. Contractor Question: Are there incumbents or is this a new contract requirement? If there is a current contract, what is the contract number and contract amount?

99. Contractor Question: If this is a current contract, will the awardee have the opportunity to offer a position to the incumbents?

100. Contractor Question: Can the Government clarify which positions are considered key personnel for this effort and require resumes for submission?

101. Contractor Question: Could the government please advise if the five support personnel are considered key personnel and confirm that resumes are required in the RFP response?

Government Response: No. Per the RFQ, Resumes are required for vendor quality control key personnel. One resume per each team key quality control member.

Please refer to the PWS quality control program requirements.

102. Contractor Question: Page 60; The Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

(LPTA) evaluation procedures will be utilized. Page 61; The Contracting Officer (CO) reserves the right to conduct a price realism analysis and to reject a Quote if the price proposed is unrealistically low. Considering the above, and to maintain realistic pricing, can the government please advise the longest length of service of an incumbent on this contract?

Government Response: There are Five (5) incumbents and they have been performing for Five (5) years.

103. Contractor Question: Are all five positions currently filled with personnel?

104. Contractor Question: Will there be a METC Operations manual that encompasses the day-to-day functions for the position?

105. Contractor Question: Will there be a METC Manual or reference material that informs/educates/guides personnel with these tasks?

106. Contractor Question: Will there be any tenured/senior-ed staff providing training or guidance for the position?

107. Contractor Question: What are the biggest challenges personnel encounter in this position in reference to their day-to-day functions?

Government Response: Being able to multi-task.

108. Contractor Question: What software or management system is utilized to set events? Google calendar? Microsoft Calendar? Outlook?

Government Response: Microsoft Outlook.

109. Contractor Question: What type of database software will be utilized to retrieve data? What type of software will be utilized to gather, analyze, and report data?

Government Response: Microsoft Office Software; to include Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

110. Contractor Question: Is there a minimum WPM typing speed requirement?

Government Response: There’s no specific minimum WPM requirement. However, expectation is at least 30 wpm.

111. Contractor Question: Will the government please provide a list of all the various information technology systems that are utilized for these positions?

Government Response: METC operates on an internal local area network. Personnel will not have access to any other information technology systems.

112. Contractor Question: Will the employee have access to historical templates for tasks such as reporting, charts, daily logs, etc. or will the employee need to create?

Government Response: Yes, employees will have access to historical templates and employees will not need to create new templates.

113. Contractor Question: Which visitor management system is being utilized at

METC?

Government Response: Local MS Excel Worksheet.

114. Contractor Question: Do these positions require switchboard telephone system experience? If so, what switchboard system is being utilized? How many phone lines will the employee be responsible for?

Government Response: No. Each workspace is equipped with one telephone.

115. Contractor Question: Will the employee need to be bilingual in any other language besides English?

116. Contractor Question: What system will be utilized to complete and track work orders?

Government Response: Local MS Excel Worksheet.

117. Contractor Question: Can the government please provide a list of the type of equipment that will fall under install, relocate, remove, and update?

Government Response: Standard office equipment.

118. Contractor Question: Will the employee need a certain level of equipment installation and troubleshoot experience?

119. Contractor Question: Will the employee have a minimum amount of weight they need to be able to lift without assistance with reference to relocating equipment?

Government Response: Expectation is 10-15 pounds.

120. Contractor Question: Will the employee be given an orientation about the program and facility for safety, readiness, and training purposes?

121. Contractor Question: Is there a template for the SIR reporting? What system is utilized to prepare, maintain, and submit an SIR?

Government Response: Yes, a local automated form.

122. Contractor Question: What is the attire policy? Business casual?

Government Response: Business casual.

123. Contractor Question: Due to the physical demands of the position, is there any unacceptable attire and shoes? (i.e. open toe shoes, sleeveless tops, etc.)

Government Response: Yes, no open toe shoes.

124. Contractor Question: Is there a particular type of badge the contractor needs to provide their personnel that is acceptable to METC standards?

Government Response: No specific type.

125. Contractor Question: Do these positions require any secret clearance due to the accessibility of data?

Government Response: No secret clearance required.

126. Contractor Question: Is this contract subject to the SCA? If so, what labor category is associated with the 5 FTEs?

Government Response: Yes; Please refer to Question four (4) above.

127. Contractor Question: Ref 1.1.9 and 1.3 and 2.5 – Resolution of Customer

Complaints It states under 1.1.9 “Administrative clerks shall resolve all substantiated customer complaints within five (5) business days after notice of complaints”. However,

1.3 states that contractor’s Quality Control Plan is to address complaints received from the government and resolve issues within five (5) days after notice. This statement is also included in 2.5 Service Summary. Please clarify who will have responsibility…administrative clerk or contractor? In our opinion, contractor should address any customer complaints both for QC and personnel purposes.

Furthermore, what constitutes “substantiated” customer complaints? Contractor should be given the opportunity to verify and validate complaint(s).

Government Response: Administrative clerks can confer with Company if deemed necessary. The Company will be given the opportunity to verify and validate complaint(s).

128. Contractor Question: Ref 1.3 Quality Control, pg. 4 It states contractor will include in their Quality Control Plan (QCP) internal procedures to cover fluctuations in staffing, vacancies, and/or employee absences. While internal procedures can be provided, it must be taken into consideration that absences such as illness, unforeseen emergencies, etc. cannot be immediately fulfilled due to security requirements. Is the government requesting coverage for employee absences such as incidences noted herein?

Government Response: Expectation is that other FTE’s will cover down in the event

129. Contractor Question: Ref 1.3.2.1 Routine or Situational Telework, pg. 4 Is telework applicable especially since job functions necessitate onsite presence.

Government Response: Only on an approved case-by-case basis as dictated by the METC mission.

130. Contractor Question: Ref 2. Service Summary – Performance Objective, pg. 9

Under item # 1, it states contractor will maintain an adequate workforce for uninterrupted administrative support services of all tasks/services defined in the PWS with a 95% compliance. Due to security requirements using government systems, unplanned absences due to illness, unforeseen situations, emergencies, etc. cannot be immediately backfilled. Thus, such a measurement would be unattainable in providing uninterrupted services.

Government Response: Measurement is still attainable since expectation is that other FTE’s will cover down in the event of unplanned absences/sick days – temporary FTE not required unless vacancy is expected to be greater than 15 days.

131. Contractor Question: Ref Appendix A – Estimated Workload Data, pg. 11

Estimated quantity is shown as 9,360 total hours; however, one (1) FTE is calculated using 2080 hours per year. Total of 9,360 hours equals 4.5 FTE’s versus 5 as noted in PWS 1.1. Please confirm total annual hours should be 10,400.

Government Response: Government Response: Estimated Workload Data equates to 5 FTEs providing 1872 hours annually – Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave not included.

132. Contractor Question: Ref Appendix D – Education, Experience, and Special

Qualifications, pg. 11 There is an incumbent workforce. It is understood a replacement individual must meet the requirements stated in this section. Through an Executive Order (E.O.) signed by President Biden on November 18, 2021, when a service contract transitions from one contractor to another, the new contractor will be required to offer jobs to incumbent employees. Please confirm this will be applicable to the current employees.

Government Response: Please refer to Question 23 above. EO 13706 applies to this requirement.

NOTE: No further questions will be accepted for this solicitation.