Welcome Center Solcitation Questions_Final.pdf

13 February 2025

SOLICITATION NO. FA441725R0009

Welcome Center Support

Questions & Answers

Question 1: Is this a new requirement? If not, can the government say who the current incumbent is and if they are eligible to bid?

Answer: The government cannot provide this information.

Question 2: Does the Government want Offerors to submit resumes of the Contractor’s proposed personnel?

Answer: No

Question 3: Attachment 5, Instructions to Offerors (Part F – Offer Submission Instructions, Part II – Technical Submission, #3) lists the following as required for the technical submission: Emergency Response Plan, Accident Prevention Plan, and Company Safety Plan. However, Attachment 6, Evaluation (#4 Technical Evaluation) references a staffing plan and a quality control plan as part of the evaluation criteria. Can the Government confirm which of these – Emergency Response, Accident Prevention, Company Safety Plans or the Staffing Plan and Quality Control Plan – are required for the technical submission?

Answer: The Emergency Response Plan, Accident Prevention Plan, and Company Safety Plan in Attachment 5 will not be evaluated and an amendment has been made to remove the section and now reflects the evaluation criteria in Attachment 6.

Question 4: Can the government provide the incumbent contract number

Question 5: Can the government confirm the number of FTEs that currently performs the work described in the PWS or Level of Effort?

Answer: Two (2)

Question 6: PWS: Paragraph 4.4 page 8. This paragraph directs to “refer to the DD Form 254 prepared for this requirement”. No DD254 has been provided in the solicitation. Will the Government provide the solicitation DD254?

Answer: Not required due, secret or higher clearance not needed. This has been removed and amended.

Question 7: Wage Determination: Paragraph: vacation Page: 8. Paid vacation depends on years of service. Incumbent hires (if qualified for new contract) minimize transition issues for the government and contractor. Are there currently incumbent personnel performing on a prior contract?

Answer: Yes

Question 8: Please clarify the solicitation number. The 1449 lists it as FA441725R00090002, but Attachment 5, Section F, references FA441725R009.

Answer: FA441725R00090002 is an amendment that was made to FA441725R0009.

Question 9: Could you also provide the current contract being executed number, FTE, and value?

Question 10: On Attachment 5 Instruction to Offerors under Part III – Past Performance Information you state under (k) which should be (j) actually: “Details as to what the predecessor companies, key personnel, or subcontractors’ participation was in the example past performance being provided.”

QUESTION: We often do not know who the predecessor company was on our current work, nor do we think it is relevant to our performance, which is what is being evaluated. We respectfully request this requirement be removed.

Answer: This section has been revised.

Question 11: In Attachment 6 Evaluation you provide an evaluation for Subfactor 1 - Program Management and Staffing Plan. This requirement is not located in Attachment 5 Instruction to Offerors. Is this Evaluation Criteria perhaps a holdover from another solicitation? Or, if it is a requirement, please add it to Attachment 5 Instructions and provide guidance on page count, etc.

Answer: Corrected

Question 12: Which labor category(ies) (LCATs) should we use from the Wage Determination (WD) for the two FTEs?

Answer: Not applicable – 43-6014 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Question 13: The PWS doesn't specify a particular LCAT and there are many, similar ones available.

Answer: 43-6014 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Question 14: Is there an incumbent?

Question 15: Are there any restrictions on remote support, or must all work be performed on-site?

Answer: All work must be performed on-site.

Question 16: What are the expected response times for handling visitor issues, security concerns, and IT problems?

Answer: 8 hrs

Question 17: Will the government provide hardware/software for IT support, or must the contractor bring their own tools?

Answer: Provided by Gov’t

Question 18: Are contractors expected to handle VIP/special event visitors, and if so, are there additional training requirements?

Answer: Yes, will not require as is normally just briefing their duties.

Question 19: Does the scope include biometric or badge access system management?

Question 20: What level of security clearance is required for personnel?

Answer: This contract does not require a “secret” clearance. The NACI (background check) is sufficient.

Question 21: Is the Contractor/Seller required to hold a FCL?

Answer: No required.

Question 22: Will the contractor be responsible for enforcing security protocols for visitor access, or will military personnel handle that?

Question 23: Are there special reporting requirements for security incidents or unusual visitor activity?

Answer: Yes, instruction posted at desk side

Question 24: What is the protocol for handling lost/stolen visitor passes?

Answer: No passes to track

Question 25: Will government personnel be available for security coordination, or is the contractor solely responsible?

Answer: Gov’t handles

Question 26: What are the minimum visitor service standards required in the contract?

Answer: There are no minimum visitor service standards required in the contract

Question 27: How frequently must performance reports be submitted, and in what format?

Answer: There are no performance reports to be submitted by contractor.

Question 28: Will there be periodic customer satisfaction surveys, and will the contractor be required to act on feedback?

Answer: Yes, will be surveys, Gov’t will act on feedback.

Question 30: What are the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for facility readiness and customer service?

Answer: Customer Service is addressed in PWS, not KPIs for facility readiness.

Question 31: Are there specific maintenance logs that must be maintained for government review?

Answer: No

Question 32: Can travel expenses be billed separately, or must they be included in the base contract pricing?

Answer: No travel will be included in this contract.

Question 33: Is the contractor responsible for purchasing consumables (badges, brochures, IT peripherals), or will the government provide them?

Answer: Provided by Gov/t

Question 34: Will there be an opportunity for contract modifications if the scope expands?

Answer: Contract modifications will be handled in accordance with regulations.

Question 35: Are overtime or emergency response rates included, or should they be negotiated separately?

Question 36: Will there be annual price adjustments based on inflation or cost-of-living increases?

Answer: Labor rates will be in accordance with the approved wage rates

Question 37: If subcontractors are used, what are the security clearance requirements for them?

Answer: This contract does not require a “secret” clearance. The NACI (background check) is sufficient.

Question 38: Can subcontractors handle specialized technical functions, such as IT or security, while the prime handles administration?

Answer: The scope of the requirement must be fulfilled in accordance with the PWS.

Question 39: Is there a required number of personnel on duty at any given time, or is staffing at the contractor’s discretion?

Answer: Two (2)

Question 40: What is the process for vetting and onboarding new employees for security clearance?

Answer: The NACI (background check)

Question 41: Will the contractor need to provide backup personnel in case of absenteeism or emergencies?

Answer: They back up each other

Question 42: On 07/22/2022, the Small Business Administration issued a final rule on Past Performance Ratings for Small Business Joint Venture Members and Small Business First-Tier Subcontractors (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/22/2022-15622/past-performance-ratings-for-small-business-joint-venture-members-and-small-business-first-tier). This rule creates a mechanism for small businesses to be able to utilize performance as a first-tier subcontractor in pursuit of Prime contracts. Additionally, The FAR (FAR 15.305(a)(2)(ii)) currently provides for consideration of Federal, State, and local government and private past performance – work as a first-tier subcontractor is simply private past performance. In light of this, will the government please revise its past performance requirements to allow for equal consideration of work of similar size and scope as a first-tier subcontractor?

Answer: This section has been updated in the solicitation

Question 43: Will the government please remove the reference to acreage in Attachment 5: Instructions to Offerors, as it is not relevant to this contract?

Answer: No reference to acreage in Attachment 5.

Question 44: The inclusion of Attachment 3: Financial Institution Reference Sheet is highly unusual for a contract of this size. Will the government please consider waiving this requirement?

Answer: We will require the Financial Institution Reference Sheet.

Question 45: Attachment 5: Instructions to Offerors states that “Each offeror shall send out Past Performance Information (PPI) (Attachment 4) to each of the offerors past performance references/to each of the Points of Contact identified in the contracts listed in the contractor's Part IV, Past Performance Information.” However, Attachment 4 does not include any fill-in sections for client evaluations. Can the government confirm whether Past Performance Questionnaires are a requirement for this solicitation, and, if so, provide a PPQ template?

Answer: Attachment has been added to the solicitation.

Question 46: If CPARS are available does Attachment 4 still need to be completed and submitted by the Contracting Officer?

Answer: Stated in Attachment 5: In lieu of a Past/Present Performance Questionnaire, if a project is currently available in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), the contractor should attach the evaluation to the questionnaire with the relevant solicitation number and submit directly to the 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron office before the official closing date and time.

Electronic submissions shall be sent to:

Question 47: Part III, Past Performance Information indicates that Past Performance Questionnaires should be sent to the POCs listed. Attachment 4 does not appear to be a questionnaire rather than information that could be completed by the contractor. Can you provide clarification or confirmation that Attachment 4 as https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/22/2022-15622/past-performance-ratings-for-small-business-joint-venture-members-and-small-business-first-tier https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/22/2022-15622/past-performance-ratings-for-small-business-joint-venture-members-and-small-business-first-tier it currently stands should be sent to past performance POCs or is there another questionnaire that should be included?

Answer: Attachment 4 shall be completed by current or previous Project Owners, as stated in the amended Attachment 5: Instructions to Offerors.

Question 48: Can the equivalent federal labor rates and/or labor categories be provided for this effort?

Answer: **Estimate amount is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages Table, Admin assistants Specialist May 2023 located at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#tab-5. And by adding a 3% increase for the options to account for the annual escalation rate for the year.

Question 49: What are the qualifications for the position (i.e. – education, experience, etc.)

Answer: No degree required

Question 50: Is there a DOL SCA labor category expected to be used?

Answer: Admin assistants Specialist

Question 51: Is there a preferred Occupation Code to be used?

Answer: 43-6014.00, 13110

Question 52: In Attachment V, Part II, reference is made to an emergency Response Plan, Accident Prevention Plan and Company Safety Plan, would the installation/facility's plans suffice?

Answer: The emergency Response Plan, Accident Prevention Plan and Company Safety Plan have been removed from the attachment.

Question 53: Past Performance Information -- Attachment 5, Part III references both a Past Performance Information (PPI) and a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ). With Attachment 4 we find the PPI template, however we are unable to locate what document/template to use for the PPQ. Our assumption is the PPI is to be submitted in our proposal and the PPQ is submitted to our past performance references.

Is our assumption noted in #1 above, correct? If so, can you clarify if a PPQ template will be provided or is it embedded somewhere within the solicitation documents that we have overlooked?

Answer: Please use Attachment 4, PPQ. It is the only document in the solicitation for Past Performance.

Question 54: Can the government advise if they would allow for a candidate to start with an interim secret clearance if a cleared incumbent is not available?

Answer: Secret clearance not required for the job.

Question 55: Where in the proposal response would the government like the completed Financial Institution Reference Sheets?

Answer: Financial Institution reference Sheets can be sent as an attachment in any order with the proposal.

Question 56: Are there specific health care requirements for the contractor employees?

Question 57: "Each offeror shall send out Past Performance Information (PPI) (Attachment 4) to each of the offerors past performance references/to each of the Points of Contact identified in the contracts listed in the contractor's Part IV, Past Performance Information. Any past performance questionnaires received more than the three references in the Past Performance Part IV for the prime will not be evaluated. The responsibility to send out Past Performance Questionnaires rests solely with each offeror." Part IV is referenced in the above statement, yet no Part IV exists in the ITO, did the government mean Part III?

There is also reference to Attachment 4 as a PPI and also as a PPQ, currently the Attachment 4 is a PPI. Is there an additional document to be used that is in a questionnaire format?

Answer: Section has been amended. Attachment 4, PPQ is to be returned to the government by the Project Owners.

Question 58: What factors are the government considering to determine price reasonableness?

Answer: Please reference attachments 5 and 6.

Question 59: Will the government consider technically acceptable submission, satisfactory confidence, and then total evaluated price? With the current market, LPTA has caused a much higher turn-over rate, making retention and continuity problematic for the program.

Answer: Please reference attachment 5 and 6.

Question 60: Shift required for assignment?

Question 61: Background checks required?

Answer: Yes

Question 62: Will you provide SharePoint training, or do you require experience with this software?