Questions and Answers.docx

FA330026Q00150001

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Protestant Religious Education Coordinator 12 August 2026

1. QUESTION: Is this a follow-on/recompete requirement? If so, please provide the current incumbent contractor and contract number.

ANSWER: This is a recompete requirement. The previous contract is no longer in place, and the requirement is being recompeted. There is no incumbent contractor, as the position is currently vacant.

2. QUESTION: If there is no incumbent contractor, are these services currently being performed by Government personnel or volunteers?

ANSWER: The services are currently being performed by a combination of Government personnel and volunteers.

3. QUESTION: If a contractor or volunteer is currently providing these services, does the Government wish to continue with that individual?

ANSWER: The Government will consider any qualified individual who meets the requirements of the solicitation.

4. QUESTION: Will there be a transition period with the incumbent contractor or current volunteers following contract award?

ANSWER: There is no incumbent in place.

5. QUESTION: SOW paragraph 5.2 requires the candidate to adhere to the presiding Lead Protestant Chaplain's ecclesiastical endorsing organization's requirements. Which denomination/endorsing body is the current Lead Protestant Chaplain affiliated with?

ANSWER: The current Lead Protestant Chaplain is non-denominational and is endorsed by InFaith. Other Protestant chaplains who may serve in the Lead Protestant Chaplain role are endorsed by the Assemblies of God and the National Association of Evangelicals. See updated SOW para. 5.2.

6. QUESTION: The RFQ's résumé requirements reference a "two-year degree...or equivalent experiences/certifications for Catholic Religious Education" and tracking a "CRE" calendar, though this solicitation is for a Protestant Religious Education Coordinator. Can the Government confirm the evaluation standard is Protestant Religious Education and clarify what "equivalent" credentials will be accepted?

ANSWER: The references to "Catholic" Religious Education and "CRE" have been changed to "Protestant" Religious Education and "PRE," as applicable; please see the updated SOW. Equivalent qualifications include a degree focused on Protestant Religious Education or comparable experience serving in a church, leading children's ministry, teaching Bible studies, or similar Protestant religious education programs. See the updated RFQ.

7. QUESTION: SOW paragraph 4 states remaining weekly hours should normally be spent in the Protestant Office. Can any portion of that time be performed off-site, or must it all be spent in the Chapel office?

ANSWER: The contractor will have a designated office located in the Protestant Religious Education area of Faith Chapel. Some work may be performed off-site, as approved by the Lead Protestant Chaplain. The specific schedule and work location will be coordinated between the contractor and the Lead Protestant Chaplain based on mission requirements. See updated SOW para. 4.

8. QUESTION: Approximately how many additional hours are typically required during high-demand seasons such as Vacation Bible School (VBS), Easter, Christmas, and retreats?

ANSWER: No additional contract hours are anticipated. During periods of increased activity, such as VBS, Easter, Christmas, and retreats, the contractor is expected to utilize a flexible work schedule within the authorized contract hours. For example, VBS typically operates from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with additional preparation before each day and cleanup afterward. Those additional hours are offset by reduced office hours at other times during the pay period.

9. QUESTION: Can the Government provide average attendance figures for Children's Church, Sunday School, youth programs, adult Bible studies, VBS, and holiday programs?

ANSWER:

· Sunday School: No current program.

· Youth Program: No current program.

· Men's Bible Study: Approximately 10–15 participants.

· Women's Bible Study: Approximately 10–15 participants.

· Vacation Bible School: Approximately 60 children and 30 volunteers.

· Holiday Programs (e.g., Easter and Christmas children's choirs): Approximately 20 children per program.

· Children's Church: Approximately 20 children each week.

10. QUESTION: Approximately how many active Protestant Religious Education volunteers currently support the program?

ANSWER: The Protestant Religious Education program currently has approximately two volunteers who regularly support Children's Church on Sundays. During Vacation Bible School, approximately 25–30 volunteers participate.

11. QUESTION: If volunteer staffing is insufficient at contract start, does the Government expect the contractor to immediately assume all teaching responsibilities until volunteers are recruited?

ANSWER: Yes. The contractor is expected to maintain teaching responsibilities as necessary while simultaneously recruiting and developing additional volunteers. The Government does not anticipate any interruption in Children's Church or other scheduled Protestant Religious Education programming. See SOW para. 6.2.

12. QUESTION: Is there an existing approved curriculum and electronic library that will transition to the incoming contractor, or is the contractor expected to build the program from the beginning?

ANSWER: An existing curriculum library and teaching resources are available and will transition to the incoming contractor. The contractor may also recommend or purchase alternative curriculum, in consultation with and subject to approval by the Lead Protestant Chaplain, using available program funding. See updated SOW para. 6.7.1.

13. QUESTION: Will the contractor be provided with a dedicated office, computer, printer, telephone, and internet access at the Chapel?

ANSWER: Yes. The contractor will be provided a dedicated office, computer, printer, telephone, and internet access within the Protestant Religious Education office located in the basement of Faith Chapel. See updated SOW para. 4.

14. QUESTION: The Schedule of Supplies/Services shows a quantity of "12 months" for the base year but leaves the Quantity column blank for option-year CLINs 1001–4001. Should each option year also be quoted on a 12-month basis?

ANSWER: Yes, each option year covers a 12-month period. See the updated RFQ.

15. QUESTION: The RFQ requires “a minimum of two (2) years' experience leading a Religious Education program at a military installation and/or three (3) years' experience as a volunteer leader in a Religious Education program at a military installation." Would the Government consider equivalent experience gained through civilian Protestant churches, Christian schools, or other faith-based organizations if the candidate possesses comparable responsibilities and qualifications?

ANSWER: Yes, this is also acceptable. See the updated RFQ.

16. QUESTION: Could the Government clarify whether the Letter of Good Standing must be from a military chaplain only, or would a letter from a civilian Protestant pastor or denominational authority satisfy this requirement?

ANSWER: A letter from a denominational or pastoral authority would suffice. See the updated RFQ.

17. QUESTION: The Statement of Work states that candidates must adhere to the presiding chaplain's endorsing religious organization's requirements. Does the candidate need be a practicing Protestant, or is demonstrated experience supporting Protestant Religious Education programs sufficient?

ANSWER: The candidate must be a practicing Protestant. See updated SOW para. 5.2.

18. QUESTION: Should offerors submit the resume of the proposed individual with the quotation, or is the Government allowing the successful contractor to recruit and hire a qualified individual after contract award, provided all qualifications are met before performance begins?

ANSWER: Please submit the candidate’s resume with your quotation.

19. QUESTION: The Statement of Work references several software applications, including Microsoft Office, Canva, Planning Center, Eventbrite, and Proclaim. Will the Government provide licenses for these applications where required, or is the contractor expected to furnish all software licenses necessary to perform the contract?

ANSWER: Yes, the Government will supply all software required for the job. See updated SOW para. 6.6.

20. QUESTION: Could the Government please identify the appropriate Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) labor classification that should be used for pricing this requirement?

ANSWER: This position falls under the US Office of Personnel Management code GS-0060-09, Chaplain Services.