Q_A.pdf

1. With regards to Facility Management Escort Support (FA481420TF104), is there an existing contract supporting this requirement or is this a new requirement?

a. There is an existing contract supporting this requirement.

2. If existing, how many personnel and what is the tenure of these personnel?

a. Current contract has five people with tenure ranging from 1 month to 4-1/2 years.

3. To ensure a smooth transition and no issues with the DOL, what is the current WD Labor Category being used by the incumbent to perform this work?

a. Please refer to the PWS. The job description of the escort personnel required for this contract does not fit cleanly into any one job title listed in WD 15 4572 Rev 12. Offerors must select the labor category they feel will best meet the requirement. The Govt. will evaluate labor category selected to ensure consistency with the knowledge, experience, and skills to perform as required in the PWS.

4. Please explain how the following is applicable to Escort Services:

Sub-Factor 1.2, Technical Experience:

The Government may supplement the experience information provided with information concerning your performance from any other reliable source including its own experience with your company. The technical discriminators are as follows:

1. Demonstrates technical experience providing a similar mix of personnel with the education, skills/qualifications and experience necessary to perform tasks described in the PWS.

2. Demonstrates technical experience supporting various data and information systems required to be reviewed, maintained and managed as part of the overall SA/SC security cooperation mission.

3. Demonstrates technical experience directing and performing top-level system analysis, performing trade studies, performing technical optimizations, and developing high level designs.

a. Technical discriminator “3” will be removed from sub-factor 1.2.*

5. Please clarify if the company must have a Top Secret FCL at the time of bid submission or can the FCL be applied for after contract award?

a. Since the contractor’s personnel working at the SOCOM HQ’s will require SCI access, the company will require a TOP SECRET FCL at the time of award.

6. The solicitation included 39 pages of Clauses, many of which require certification responses. In which Volume are these Certifications and Representations to be included?

a. Page Limit have been removed from Cover Letter. All Certifications and representations shall be included with the cover page.*

7. Must to Offeror possess a Top Secret Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the time of submission of their proposal or can the offeror process the application after award?

a. Since the contractor’s personnel working at the SOCOM HQ’s will require SCI access, the

8. What Occupation Code is most appropriate for identification of skills titles and the corresponding wage rates?

must select the labor category they feel will best meet the requirement. The Govt. will

9. How many FTE's are there in regarding this Solicitation?

a. Current contract has five people on first shift.

10. What are the Labor categories regarding this Solicitation? Are the Labor categories SCA Labor

Categories?

must select the labor category they feel will best meet the requirement. The Govt. will

11. Is there an On-site Program manager? If so is the position billable?

a. One of the onsite personnel currently acts as the contractor lead and doubles as the fifth FTE. He/she coordinates with the “home office” and the COR or designated government rep to the other four. This is not a separately billable position and should be included in offerors price.

12. Are there any Key personnel? If so are resumes/letter of intent required?

a. During the initial stages the telework/stay at home order, two of the five personnel were still required to report to work. The other three people remained on call. At this time all five FTE’s are back to work. There are no key personnel and resumes and/or letters of intent are not required.

13. Is the new contractor going to be required to hire new Employees for a second shift or stagger the hours of the original staff?

a. For short term second shift requirements, we would ask to flex first shift personnel, which has worked for the current contract. For extended requirements, additional personnel would likely be required. This has only occurred once for a four month period during the original five year contract.

b. There is a current second shift surge requirement for four FTE’s just started in July in a non-SCIF area and WILL HAVE TO CARRY OVER into the next contract through the end of October 2020 at the SECRET clearance level. This surge should be included and priced under CLIN 0001.

14. Also is there enough notification time find TS cleared personnel, that will only work 1 month a year?

a. As much advanced notice will be given as possible. This is will likely only be required for construction projects. There will probably be a month or more notice given for the escort surge requirement during the solicitation and award period of the associated construction project.

15. Will the government pay for overtime? If so will rates be negotiated on a case by case bases?

a. No. Pricing should include up to 16 hours/month or 192 hrs/year of overtime.

16. If the option is extended how much time will be given to the new contractor to staff up with Top

Secret-SCI cleared personnel.

a. Assuming this question is about the second shift “option”, and TS-SCI is required for work in a SCIF, they will need to arrive with a TS-SCI. The second shift surges would only be required for possible construction projects. If they are in SCIF’s there is no time to wait for clearances. Approximately 40% of the HQ’s is SCIF’d. Approximately one month’s notice would be provided.

17. What is the time period to have a new employee cleared to the TS-SCI level?

a. For the base contract at least three personnel must arrive with TS-SCI clearances. The other two must be attainable within two months. At any time during the life of the contract following the initial two months, a minimum of four personnel should always maintain an SCI clearance while any new/replacement personnel should obtain that clearance within one month of arrival.

18. Please provide Staffing, numbers and classifications that correspond with the provided, Attachment 4 WD 15 4572 Rev 12 must select the labor category they feel will best meet the requirement. The Govt. will

19. Will Phase-In begin 30 days prior to the Contract start date or after month 1 of the contract?

a. The PWS has been amended to allow for a 14 days phased in period. Awardee is required to have at least three personnel with TS-SCI clearances in place and full support of the current 2nd shift surge by 28 September 2020.

20. Will the Government pay the contractor during the Phase-In, if Phase-In occurs prior to the contract start date?

a. Any phase-in costs (if applicable) should be included in CLIN 0001.

21. Is there an incumbent? If so please provide the name of the incumbent, contract amount and, contract number

a. Yes. Culpepper & Associates Security Services, $1,573,399.66, FA481415P0102

22. What clearance will be required for surge requirements?

a. Assuming this is the second shift “option”, and the working (construction) location is in a SCIF, a TS-SCI would be required. But if the surge requirement is in a non SCIF area, only a SECRET clearance would be required. Any second shift surge would only be required for possible construction projects. If they are in SCIF’s there is no time to wait for clearances. Approximately 40% of the HQ’s is SCIF’d.

b. This requirement has only occurred once in the past five years for a five month period.

However this requirement just started in July in a non-SCIF area and WILL HAVE TO CARRY OVER into the next contract through the end of October 2020 at the SECRET clearance level.

23. Will the new contractor be required to store documents at their location, even if it out-side of the Florida site.

a. No government documents will be required to be stored at the Florida site.

24. Is a TS Facility required for the new contractor or just for employees that will work at Mac Dill AFB Tampa, FL?

a. Since the contractors personnel working at the SOCOM HQ’s will require SCI access the

25. If a TS Facility clearance is required for the new contractor’s will the Government sponsor the new Contractor?

a. Since the contractors personnel working at the SOCOM HQ’s will require SCI access the company will require a TOP SECRET FCL at the time of award. Government will not sponsor.

26. Please provide an approximate Contract Start date.

a. 28 September 2020

27. How many full-time and/or part-time employees are required for this contract?

a. Current contract has five full timers to meet PWS requirements. Less than 5 FTE’s may reflect a lack of understanding.

28. Is this a new solicitation or an existing contract?

a. This is a recompete of an existing contract.

29. If this is an existing contract, can you provide us with the contract award number?

a. FA481415P0102

30. What is the incumbent company’s name currently providing service for this solicitation?

a. Culpepper & Associates Security Services

31. Has this contract changed since the previous award; if so, what are the changes?

a. Original contract was modified to surge for a temporary second shift requirement.

32. What was the value for this previous contract’s award?

a. $1,573,399.66

33. What are the hours required for shift 1 and shift 2?

a. First shift is generally 0700-1530. This may flex +/- an hour depending on the escorting requirement. Second shift, if necessary, may flex any time from possibly 1000-1830 to most likely 1500-2330 with prior notice. Second shift would be consistent whatever the time. The second shift escort surge requirement which will carry over in to October is currently working 1200-2030.

34. How many personnel are providing service requested on this current contract? If so, can the awardee retain those FTE’s?

reflect a lack of understanding. It is unknown if the awardee can retain those FTE’s.

35. What is the current hourly/annual pay range/rate paid for the current employees for this solicitation?

a. The current contract total over the past 5 years is $1,573,399.66. No other pricing information will be released.

36. Will additional consideration, based on the lowest priced evaluation, be reflected in the final price decision; based on the cost of doing business during and beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic?

a. Award will be made in accordance with the procedures specified in the SAPR, to the Offeror whose proposal results in the best value to the Government. A contract may be awarded to the offeror who is deemed responsible IAW FAR 9.1, as supplemented, whose proposal conforms to the SAPR’s requirements (to include all stated terms, conditions, representations, certifications, and all other information required by the SAPR instructions) and is judged, based on a comparative analysis to represent the best value to the Government.

37. What is the most recent monthly charge paid for employees on this current contract? If this is not available, can you provide us with the annual charge for the employees on the monthly contract?

a. The current contract total over the past 5 years is $1,573,399.66. No other pricing information will be released.

38. Can the government please confirm the due date of the solicitation. Is it the 14th or the 21st?

a. Due date has been extended to 18 August 2020.

39. What is the current FTE LOE and associated Labor Categories ?

a. There are current five first shift FTE’s and 4 for 2nd shift. LOE categories unknown. This is primarily a security oriented requirement with some facilities support as a secondary requirement.

40. Please confirm that the minimum staffing is 5 FTE’s reflect a lack of understanding.

41. Please confirm that (a) and onsite contract manager is required (b) the is onsite site Contract

Manager is included in 5 FTEs (c) the on-site contract manager is an SCA position

a. One of the onsite personnel acts as the contractor’s lead and doubles as the fifth FTE.

He/she coordinates with the “home office” and passes on assignments from the COR or designated government rep to the other four.

b. On-site manager is a SCA position.

42. Can the government please explain the relevance of point 3 (see language below) of Sub- Factor 1.2, Technical Experience to the PWS…Demonstrates technical experience directing and performing top-level system analysis, performing trade studies, performing technical optimizations, and developing high level designs.

a. Technical discriminator “3” will be removed from sub-factor 1.2.*

43. Can the government clarify what it is specifically seeking as additional pricing information to support the completeness and reasonableness of their proposed prices provided as part of Attachment #3. The pricing information submitted should fully support the PWS requirements for each major functional element specified in the PWS. Information shall be segregated by the performance periods.

a. Pricing should be supplemented but there is no mandate on what to provide.

44. The cover letter states proposals are due 14 August, however Attachment #2 states proposals are due 21 August. Please confirm the actual due date. If the due date is 14 August will an extension be considered.

45. Coronavirus Disease – will the government provide PPE needed, i.e., face masks/cleaning supplies needed to sanitize the work areas? If not, can PPE be reimbursed as an ODC?

a. Sanitizer and cleaning supplies are provided. Masks are not provided to any personnel, government or contractor, at the HQ’s. However all personnel are REQUIRED to wear personally supplied masks in all common areas.

46. The instructions state that “Cover Letter shall include Offerors’ contract number”. Please clarify what “contract number” you are referring to.

a. Not Applicable*

47. Technical Experience, the third technical discriminator listed does not seem relevant to the PWS: “Demonstrates technical experience directing and performing top-level system analysis, performing trade studies, performing technical optimizations, and developing high level designs.” Please explain how this requirement relates to the Escort duties.

a. Technical discriminator “3” will be removed from sub-factor 1.2.

48. The PWS states that “An option shall exist to surge a second shift of three to five escorts for a period of an additional one to eleven months each contract year with two months advanced notice.” There is no line item for “Surge” support in the pricing template. Must this surge support be included in the pricing template as a separate line item? If so, on what basis would you like the cost to reflect, i.e., monthly, hourly and please provide the number of FTE and/or hours to be priced.

a. There is a current second shift surge requirement for four FTE’s just started in July in a non-SCIF area and WILL HAVE TO CARRY OVER into the next contract through the end of October 2020 at the SECRET clearance level. This surge should be included and priced under CLIN 0001.

b. Second shift surge requirements other than the existing one described above shall be separately negotiated and funded when and if applicable.

49. The PWS states” Up to four man weeks a year may be scheduled incrementally by man-days as second shift hours with one weeks’ advanced notice. Second shift standard work days may start at any time after 1000 and work as late as 2300”. Must this incremental work be included in the pricing template as a separate line item? If so, on what basis would you like the cost to reflect, i.e., hourly and please provide the number of FTE and/or hours to be priced.

a. Reference answer to question #48.

50. Attachment #5, Provisions and Clauses, has requirements for completion. Is this Attachment to be included as part of the Technical proposal?

a. Page Limit have been removed from Cover Letter. All Certifications and representations shall be included with the cover page.*

51. Are security escorts required to wear a uniform? If so, please provide the description and photo (if possible) of the uniform. If uniforms are required will the uniform cost be a reimbursable ODC for the uniforms?

a. No “security uniform,” no security badges. A company polo type shirt with company emblem is currently used but not required. Contract escorts will be required to wear a visible SOCOM ID badge, the same as all other government and contractor personnel at the HQ’s.

52. Use of government vehicles - will the government provide insurance coverage for contractor security escorts? If not, please provide the types/amounts of insurance required.

a. Government assumes the risk for drivers WITH VALID DIVER’S LICENCES.

53. Use of government vehicles – will it be necessary to acquire other than a standard driver’s license in order to use/drive the government vehicles?

a. No.

54. The PWS states that "Normal work day hours will be scheduled any time between 0600 and 1800." Will the contractors also be required to perform on weekends during the standard working hours or is this requirement only for standard weekdays?

a. It’s hard to predict future requirements with a 24/7 operation. But for the past five years all weekend requirements have been first shift hours. Pricing should include up to 16 hours/month or 192 hrs/year of overtime/weekend work.

55. This section references an "on-site contract manager". Can the Government confirm if there is a requirement for a contract manager to be onsite for the performance of this contract? If an on-site contract manager is required, we request additional information about the requirements, duties, and qualifications for this individual.

a. One of the onsite personnel acts as the contractor lead and can double as the fifth FTE.

He/she coordinates with the “home office” and passes on assignments from the COR or designated government rep to the other four. Under the current contract, the contract lead spends the majority of his time acting as an escort.

56. This section states that one of the technical discriminators is, "Demonstrates technical experience directing and performing top-level system analysis, performing trade studies, performing technical optimizations, and developing high level designs." This requirement does not seem to align with any areas within the PWS. Can the Government confirm that this is an accurate technical discriminator?

a. Technical discriminator “3” will be removed from sub-factor 1.2.

57. Is this work currently being performed by a contractor? If so, what is the name of the incumbent company?

a. Yes, Culpepper & Associates Security Services.

58. The cover letter states the proposal is due on 14 August 2020 and the ITO states the proposal is due on 21 Aug 2020. Please clarify

59. "Pricing information shall be submitted in MS Excel format. (Pricing Worksheet, Attachment 3)."

Attachment 3 is pdf file. Please provide Attachment 3 as an Excel file.

a. Requirement for MS Excel Format has been removed.*

60. "Additionally, the offeror shall submit pricing information to support the completeness and reasonableness of their proposed prices provided as part of Attachment #3. The pricing information submitted should fully support the PWS requirements for each major functional element specified in the PWS. Information shall be segregated by the performance periods."

These statements imply a detailed price narrative is required. Please clarify what informations is required? Is the informaiton to be included in the worksheet or in an adidtional Word document?

a. All pricing information should be included as part of Volume 2. Supporting pricing information should support proposed staffing plan.

61. Is this Escort service a new effort at the USSOCOM or is there an incumbent workforce?

a. There is an incumbent workforce.

62. If there is an incumbent, what is the incumbent contractors name, contract number, and contract value?

a. Culpepper & Associates Security Services, FA481415P0102, $1,573,399.66.

63. What day is the proposal due? The announcement lists 8/14/2020 @ 10:00 am, and the ITO lists 8/21/2020 @ 2:00 pm. Please clarify?

a. Due Date has been extended to 18 August 2020 at 10:00 am.

64. Will the contractor personnel receive on the job training or will any pre-employment duty specific training be required?

a. There is an INDOC course and several computer based training requirements. All initial requirements can be completed in a day or two. CAC cards will be required to accomplish computer based training. The government sponsors the CAC cards for the FTE’s.

65. Is the request for Five FTE contractor personnel to cover a 24/7 requirement? Is the request for

Five contractor personnel daily on each shift? Historically what is the average number of hours worked per week for the Escorts? What is the expected maximum number of Escorts required to work per shift?

a. There are currently five FTE’s that cover normal first shift weekday requirements.

Escorts are expected to work normal 40 hour weeks. Less than 5 FTE’s may be evaluated to reflect a lack of understanding.

66. Under section 1.1.3 of the PWS, will the contractor personnel be required to operate Government vehicles and or ride in them in performance of their duties?

a. Contractor may be required on occasion to utilize the standard government pickup truck to drive to the base gate to escort uncleared contractors from the gate to the HQ’s compound. Contractor may possibly be directed on a less frequent basis to pick up supplies or personnel or deliver items as required on MacDill AFB. But the primary purpose of the FTE’s is to act as escorts, not delivery personnel.

67. Duties described reflect Personnel Security positions. Will the Escort personnel also function as

PERSEC contracted employees?

a. No. This requirement is to escort/observe uncleared personnel in performance of their tasks for example, delivery, construction repairs, etc...

68. There will be instances where contractors are requested by the government to stay past a normal eight hours due to unforeseen circumstances or in support of emergent construction or emergency maintenance requirements; these circumstances can be expected to happen once a month; for up to 16 hours per occurrence/month.

How will the contractor bill the Gov’t for additional hours worked beyond the normal work schedule? Will the contractor be able to bill an hourly rate for additional hours requested by the Gov’t? Attachment 3 Pricing Worksheet only allows for a FFP monthly amount. Can the Pricing Worksheet also include an hourly rate CLIN for Temporary Additional Servicers (TAS) request?

a. This is a firm fixed price contract that should account for up to 16 hours per month or 192 per year of overtime/weekend work. Any future second shift requirements will be negotiated at that time for a firm fixed price surge contract mod.

1. With regards to Facility Management Escort Support (FA481420TF104), is there an existing contract supporting this requirement or is this a new requirement?