FA485521R0002 - Q and A V1_20 Jan 21.pdf

Melrose Air Force Range (MAFR) Operations, Maintenance and Support (OM&S)

FA485521R0002

Questions and Answers V1

20 January 2021

1. Reference: Attachment 18 – Paragraph 12: In order to submit an offer on a solicitation, each business concern in a teaming agreement must be a small business under the designated NAICS size standard.

Question: As currently stated, this would eliminate the teaming with “other than small” entities and severely limit competition. SBA’s Mentor/Protégé program is largely made up of Large/Small business participants and all would be eliminated from competition as currently stated.

Answer: FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(JUN 2020) ADDENDUM (Attachment 18), section I.A., paragraph 12, has been amended as follows: Proposals may only be submitted by Small Business firms. At the time of initial contract offer and at time of award, each business must be a Small

Business under the designated NAICS size standard. For Small Business firms submitting an offer with a Small Business Teaming Arrangement, as defined in the Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101, each business concern must be a Small Business under the designated NAICS code. If a Small Business firm is not submitting an offer with a Small Business Teaming Arrangement, the Prime contractor must be a Small

Business under the designated NAICS code and comply with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.

2. Reference: Attachment 18 – Section F – Paragraph 2.1.3: The description of the subcontracted work these proposed firms are to perform. The tasks that are required to be reserved for 8(a) subcontractors are as follows: 2.1.3.1. Facility management (see PWS section 3.2), 2.1.3.2.

Wildland Fire Management Services (see PWS section 3.7), 2.1.3.3. Paramedic Services (see

PWS section 3.9).

Question: How does the requirement to subcontract an estimated 40% of a Total Small

Business requirement support the growth of the Small business prime contractor? It is highly unusual for the Government to REQUIRE a SB prime to subcontract ~40% of the effort to an 8(a) firm. Furthermore, it’s even more unusual for the Government to direct exactly what work must be subcontracted to the 8(a). In this case, two major areas, the

Wildland Fire Management and Paramedic services, are niche capabilities that are not typically performed by 8(a) firms. Please verify that these potential competition limiting requirements are accurate and your intent for the procurement. If so, we strongly believe that keeping these requirements would highly favor the incumbent and would severely limit the amount of competition you receive.

Answer: The Government verifies that in accordance with FAR 52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2020) ADDENDUM

(Attachment 18), Section II. F, paragraph 2.1.3., Facility management, Wildland Fire

Management Services, and Paramedic Services are required to be reserved for 8(a) subcontractors. This is a firm requirement.

Offerors may choose to take exception to this firm requirement, if desired. However, offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale in accordance with FAR 52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2020) ADDENDUM

(Attachment 18), section II.G, paragraph 1.6. Further, in accordance with FAR 52.212-2

EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014) ADDENDUM (Attachment 19), Section I.A, paragraph 4, by submission of its proposal, the offeror thereby acknowledges and accepts all solicitation requirements, including the terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, as well as those identified as evaluation factors or subfactors. Failure to meet a requirement may result in a proposal being determined unawardable. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions in Volume V, Contract Documentation, and provide complete accompanying rationale.

//End Q&A V1 – 20 Jan 21//