Responses_to_Questions_FA4889-13-R-0005 2 .docx

Questions for FA4889-13-C-0005

1. Question: What is the historical volume of work at each location/persons supported?

Government’s Response: The current manpower is determined by populations served using one manpower position per 500 working 6 days a week for 12 hours shifts. The average weight of mail per person is 2.2 pounds.

2. Question: How many FTE are currently supporting the requirement per location?

Government’s Response: Kyrgyzstan - has 3 positions Kuwait - has 5 UAE - has 5

3. Question: Will we have a PM at Shaw AFB and Project Leads at respective sites? Or a PM at each site?

Government’s Response: This is for the contractor to determine. Currently each location has an appointed site lead per their organizational structure.

4. Question: Are there issues with employee turnover because it is overseas?

Government’s Response: No. We may see a member being replaced here and there but for the most part, operations are stable.

5. Question: The Table of Contents is numbered 1.0 through 29.0; however there is no information for 25.0 through 28.0 in the document.

Government’s Response: Please see updated PWS dated 26 March 2013 attached.

6. RFP Page 34 of 81: 5352.204-9000 NOTIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT SECURITY ACTIVITY AND VISITOR GROUP SECURITY AGREEMENTS (March 2012) makes reference to information on the DD 254.

Question: Will the government issue a DD 254?

Government’s Response: Yes. Please see updated DD 254 attached.

7. RFP Page 35 of 81: 5352.215-9000 Facility Clearance states, “The offeror must possess, or acquire prior to award of a contract, a facility clearance equal to the highest classification stated on the Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254) attached to this solicitation.

Question: Will the government issue a DD 254 with a stated facility clearance?

Government’s Response: Yes. Please see updated DD254 attached and complete blocks 6a, 6b and 6c of the Contract Security Classification Specification form.

8. PWS 15.6, states,” The contractor must possess or obtain a facility security clearance at the classification level of SECRET prior to performing contract work. However, RFP page 35 of 81, 5352.215-9000 Facility Clearance states, “The offeror must possess, or acquire prior to award of a contract.

Question: Would the Government please clarify?

Government’s Response: In accordance with 5352.215-9000, the offeror must possess a SECRET clearance prior to award. Once the DD 254 is returned along with the offerors proposal, the Government will work with the appropriate Government security office to ensure any potential offeror has the level the of clearance required to perform work under this contract prior to award.

Question: Will the Government consider changing the past performance evaluation ratings?

Government’s Response: No. The Government will not consider changing the past performance evaluation ratings. The ratings description and evaluation is in accordance with the DoD Source Selection Procedures.

10. PWS 2.9 states, The QCP requires government acceptance and shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal.

Question: Due to the size of a Quality Control Plan (QCP), would the Government exclude the QCP from the 20 page limit?

Government’s Response: Yes. The Government will exclude the QCP from the 20 page limit.

11. Question: We are in the process of preparing our response to the referenced solicitation. May we respectfully request the Government extend the closing date for proposals? Considering that questions are due by 1 April at 1200 hrs, and proposals are due by 4 April 1100 hours, we believe that there may well be insufficient time for small businesses to incorporate the implications of those answers into a responsive and compliant proposal.

Government’s Response: No. At this time, the Government will not consider extending the closing date for receipt of proposals.

12. Reference: Solicitation Instructions 2.c: “If a teaming arrangement is contemplated, provide complete c) information as to the arrangement, including any relevant and recent past/present performance information on previous teaming arrangement with same partner. If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past and present relevant contracts” [emphasis added] (p.54).

Question: Does the Government consider the term “joint effort” to be synonymous with “teaming arrangement,” or does “joint effort” refer to the technical contractual term “joint venture”?

Government’s Response: Yes. Joint effort is synonymous with teaming arrangement. A teaming agreement is an agreement which two or more companies form a partnership or Joint venture to act as a potential prime contractor or a potential price contractor agrees with one or more other companies to have them act as subcontractors under a specified government contract. See FAR 9.601

13. Reference: PWS 2.1: “The contractor shall provide performance based services at the following APOs: Transit Center Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, and Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE. The services include: Processing and Distribution (Operations Section) including Parcel Inspection, Accountable Mail, Postal Claims, Postal Supply, and Finance Operations” [emphasis added] (p. 3).

Question: Please confirm that this is a performance-based acquisition in accordance with FAR Subpart 37.6.

Government’s Response: Yes. This is a performance-based acquisition.

14. Reference 1: PWS 1.0: “All personnel employed by the contractor shall have a SECRET security clearance” [emphasis added here and elsewhere in this item] (p. 1).

Reference 2: PWS 5.19: “Anyone handling Registered mail must be a US Citizen and maintain a SECRET clearance” (p. 8).

Reference 3: PWS 9.2: “The contractor shall ensure the accountable mail SOP is on hand and utilized and ensure at all times that adequate personnel at each APO are qualified to operate the accountability mail section (and must possess a SECRET clearance for Registered mail)” (p. 12).

Reference 4: PWS 9.3: “The contractor shall ensure all postal personnel assigned as registry clerks are U.S. citizens and are eligible for a SECRET clearance” (p. 12).

Comments: We believe that these provisions of the Department of Defense Postal Manual (DoD 4525.6-M, 15 August 2002) apply to the current contract:

C5.3.2.6. Military personnel must be U.S. citizens and have a favorable Entrance National Agency Check (ENTNAC), or National Agency Check (NAC) on file if required to handle, process, or delivery registered mail. Civilian personnel must meet this requirement if they are required to handle official registered mail (p. 114).

C9.2.7. Personnel Requirements. Postal personnel assigned as registry clerks in AMTs, FMCs, or MPOs shall be U.S. citizens and eligible for a SECRET clearance. A favorable Entrance National Agency Check (ENTNAC) or National Agency Check (NAC) shall be on file (p. 206).

Question 1: Please resolve the discrepancies among the various references to security clearances by clarifying which personnel are required to hold which qualifications before beginning work on this contract.

Government’s Response: Both Department of Defense Postal Manual references apply. Please see updated Performance Work Statement dated 28 March 2013.

Question 2: If a SECRET clearance is required for any position, please explain why the security requirements for this contract exceed those specified in the DoD Postal Manual.

Government’s Response: Please see updated PWS dated 28 March 2013

15. Reference 1: Solicitation Instructions, A: The response shall consist of three (3) separate volumes:

Volume I – Technical Proposal Volume II – Pricing Volume III – Past Performance (p. 48) Reference 2: Solicitation Instructions, C.3: EACH PROPOSAL MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

Question: Please resolve the discrepancy between these two sets of directions by clarifying the required order and titles of the volumes.

Government’s Response: Clarified: Volume I – Technical Proposal

16. Reference 1: Solicitation Instructions, C.3: EACH PROPOSAL MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

Volume II – Past Performance – Factor 2: Past Performance Questionnaire: Will not be included in page count.

Question: Confirm agency submits a completed Past Performance Questionnaire via email to appropriate POCs listed on Attachment #2 (p. 51).

Government’s Response: Yes. Agency submits completed Past Performance Questionnaire via email to appropriate POCs listed on Attachment #2

17. Reference 2: Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Items (Feb 2012), Part II – Past Performance (a) through (e) (pp. 53-54).

Reference 3: ADDENDUM – 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, Volume II – Past Performance (p. 56).

Reference 4: Past Performance Questionnaire.

Question 1: Does the Government require only copies of Past Performance Questionnaire as Contractor provided to their customers (top portion completed, not rated) within Volume II – Past Performance (Factor 2: Past Performance Questionnaire)? Each customer will return completed PPQ directly to Government by response due date.

Government’s Response: Yes. Volume II-Past Performance Questionnaire should be completed (top portion only) and not rated.

Question 2: In addition to PPQ required information (evaluator POC, contract number, completion date, value, and brief description), does the Government expect additional write-ups from Contractor explaining Past Performance relevancy? If so, what is the page limitation for these write-ups, and should they be included in Volume I or Volume II?

Government’s Response: No.

18. Reference 1: Solicitation Instructions, C.3: Volume III – Price / One (1) page limit (p. 51) Reference 2: Solicitation Instructions, 3. PART III – PRICE PROPOSAL:

Complete blocks 12, 17a (including cage code), 30a, 30b, and 30c of the Standard Form (SF) 1449 ... Provide signed SF 1449 and signed SF 30/Amendments, if applicable. All solicitation amendments must be acknowledged.

(a) Insert proposed unit and extended prices in the Schedule of Supplies/Services for each Contract Line Item (CLIN) or Sub CLIN (SCLIN), including all option periods.

(b) Complete the necessary fill-ins and certifications and c) Representations and Certifications (FAR 52.212-3) in solicitation and return in their entirety. (pp. 54-55).

Comments: While the SF-1449 is one page, the CLIN structure runs to more than 15 pages (including the DBA CLINs added in Amendment 0001), and the entire Representations and Certifications section is more than 14 pages.

Question 1: Will the Government revise the page limit for Volume III – Price to “No Limit”?

Government’s Response: Yes.

Question 2: Is it acceptable to the Government for Offerors to complete only paragraph (b) of the provision if annual representations and certifications have been submitted electronically via https://www.acquisition.gov, as provided for in section 52.212-3 (p. 57)?

Government’s Response: In accordance, with FAR 52.212-3, an offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via https://www.acquistion.gov.

19. Reference 1: PWS Sections 1.0 through 12.0 (pp. 2-15).

Reference 2: Responses to Questions (25 March 2013), Q&A 2:

How many FTE are currently supporting the requirement per location?

Kyrgyzstan - has 3 positions Kuwait - has 5 UAE - has 5 Comments: Our experience in performing a similar postal contract (with a similar PWS) in the region suggests that performing the full scope of requirements detailed in the PWS will entail a significantly larger workforce than the current level of FTEs as reported above.

Question 1: Does the Government anticipate that the level of effort for the upcoming contract will grow substantially, and/or that the desired approach to performing, monitoring, documenting, and reporting the work will be different than the current approach?

Government’s Response: No.

Question 2: If not, does the Government anticipate revising the PWS in order to bring requirements into line with the current staffing levels?

Government’s Response: No. Current and future staffing levels are/will be determined by the offeror. Appendix D of the PWS is an estimate of staffing levels based on the base population.

20. References: PWS 3.0 (Site Leads), 5.0 (Finance Clerks), 6.0 (Parcel Inspectors), 7.0 (Claims Clerks), 8.0 (Operations Clerks), 9.0 (Registry/Accountability Clerks), 10.0 (Directory Service), 11 (Supply Clerks), 15.0 (Security Managers).

Comments: Considering the distinct functions outlined in the PWS, it seems likely that operations will require more personnel than indicated by the current FTE levels currently performing the work (3 to 5, depending on the location).

Question 1: Please clarify whether (a) some individuals will be expected to fulfill more than one function each, or (b) future staffing levels are expected to exceed current staffing levels.

Government’s Response: The offeror determines the appropriate management approach necessary to accomplish the work outlined in the Performance Work Statement.

Question 2: Please indicate the functions of the personnel currently working at each location (Finance Clerk? Supply Clerk? etc.).

Government’s Response: Please see answer above.

21. Reference 1: PWS Appendix 3 (p. 43) and Appendix D (p. 44).

Reference 2: Responses to Questions (25 March 2013), Q&A 1:

What is the historical volume of work at each location/persons supported?

Government’s Response: The current manpower is determined by populations served using one manpower position per 500 working 6 days a week for 12 hours shifts. The average weight of mail per person is 2.2 pounds.

Comments: We believe that this guidance is not detailed enough to assist Offerors in developing a compliant technical approach and proposing accurate pricing in the Government’s interest.

Question 1: Please provide an estimate of the current population on base and in theater at each of the three locations, including U.S. military, civilian support personnel, and international forces (if authorized).

Government’s Response: The Government cannot provide exact populations due to force protection. However, the current manpower is determined by populations served using one manpower position per 500 population.

Question 2: Please provide the current volume of mail processed per month at each of the three locations over the last year.

Government’s Response: The average mail volume is based on 2.2 pounds of mail per person.

22. Reference: PWS 2.2: “The following categories of mail should be processed: All prograde, retrograde, redirect and accountable mail IAW DoD 4525.6-M” (p. 3).

Question 1: Please provide a definition of prograde mail and retrograde mail. (Our experience demonstrates that these terms are understood differently by different customers.)

Government’s Response: Prograde is mail going “to” the theatre and Retrograde is mail returning “from” the theatre.

Question 2: Please provide the breakdown of volumes of prograde and retrograde mail processed at each location per month.

Government’s Response: Approximate Montly Volumes:

Al Dhafra 25500 Kg (Prograde) 11500Kg (Retrograde) Ali Al Salem 22000 Kg (Prograde) 6200 Kg (Retrograde) Manas 22600 Kg (Prograde) 12700 Kg (Retrograde)

23. Reference: Solicitation, Period of Performance: CLIN 0001 / Start Date 1-Jun-2013 / End Date 31 May 2014 / etc. (p. 18)

Question: Does the Government anticipate a transition/phase-in period? If so, of what duration?

Government’s Response: Yes. Please see updated Performance Work Statement dated 28 March 2013 paragraph 24.0

24. Reference 1: PWS 2.9: “The QCP is one of the standards with which the contractor shall comply and against which QA Personnel will measure contractor performance. The QCP requires government acceptance and shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal” (p. 4).

Question 1: Please provide the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) prior to proposal submission, so that Offerors may develop a more compliant and effective QCP.

Government’s Response: The Quality Control Surveillance Plan is an internal Government document. The offeror is responsible for performing and adhering to all terms and conditions of the entire contract and will be evaluated as such. It is up to the offeror to submit a Quality Control Plan to ensure performance is satisfactorily carried out. Please refer to Table 1.0 of the Performance Work Statement.

Question 2: Please explain how QA Personnel arrive at an assessment that a Contractor is functioning at or above the 80% level (as indicated in Table 1.0 SERVICES SUMMARY, pp. 4-5). For example: If the contractor processes 50,000 pounds of mail per month, an 80% success rate would be 40,000 processed. How will the government determine the 80% success rate? Will it be by number of pounds processed per month, number of days all mail was processed within the allotted period of time, or some other metric?

Government’s Response: For example, mail must be processed within 24 hours of arrival. If the mail is not processed within 24 hours, 15 days out of the month, a contractor would not meet the 80% threshold of acceptable service. Please refer to Table 1.0 of the PWS.

25. Question: Please provide the contract number for the current contract.

Government’s Response: FA4803-08-D-0001

26. Question: Please provide the total value of the current contract by year.

27. Government’s Response: The total contract value of the above award was $45,161,498.99. However, the current solicitation requirement has been drastically scaled back.

28. Question: Does the Continuity of Services Clause (FAR 52.237-3) apply to the current contract?

Government’s Response: The current contract does incorporate FAR 52.237-3, Continuity of Services Clause.

29. Reference: PWS 14.10: “Billeting and meals will not normally be provided by the Government. The Government will only provide lodging and meals to the contractor in cases where it is more convenient, advantageous to the Government or otherwise unavailable” (p. 16).

Question: In the absence of more definite guidance, does the Government expect the Offeror – in order to avoid undue risk – should assume that all billeting and meals (and their attendant costs) are the sole responsibility of the Contractor?

Government’s Response: Yes.

30. Reference 1: PWS 14.1: “The government will provide office space, furniture, telephone service, office supplies, containers for classified information, and equipment’s for Contractor personnel to perform required work in the Military Post Office” (p. 15).

Reference 2: PWS 15.1, 15.2: “The contractor shall be required, as a part of this PWS, to carry a cell phone or pager … The contractor is responsible to provide standard items (work gloves, safety shoes and safety glasses), if required” (p. 17).

Comments: While the section on Government Furnished Equipment implies that virtually all necessary equipment will be provided by the Government, the next section lists some notable exceptions.

Question: Please note any other required equipment that is not listed as either GFE or as Contractor Furnished Equipment.

Government’s Response: None. All equipment is furnished by the squadron and or by USPS.

31. Reference: Solicitation, Supplies or Services and Price/Costs, Line Item 0007 (p. 5), and corresponding CLINs for Option years.

Comments: In our experience, the amount for travel indicated for this CLIN ($30,000) would be inadequate to deploy personnel to all places of performance, even at the current staffing levels – not to mention demobilization.

Question 1: Please consider removing the NTE level for these CLINs, while retaining it as a cost-reimbursable item requiring accountability and invoicing in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations.

Government’s Response: The NTE was based on market research and shall remain.

Question 2: If not, what would be the Government’s course of action if a Contractor must exceed the NTE amount in order to accomplish the mission?

Government’s Response: Please refer to paragraph 19.0 of the updated Performance Work Statement dated 28 March 2013.

32. Reference: Solicitation, Supplies or Services and Price/Costs, Line Item 0004 (p. 4), and corresponding CLINs for other locations and Option years.

Question: Please specify the items that would be considered Other Direct Costs in connection with the performance of this contract – billeting, meals, transportation (e.g., rental vehicle to get employees to work location), etc.

Government’s Response: This is determined by the offeror and will be evaluated by the Government to determine if costs are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.

33. Reference: PWS 1.0: “Postal support shall consist of mail acceptance, delivery, receipt and dispatch” (p. 3).

Question 1: Please indicate who delivers the mail to the Contractor’s locations.

Government’s Response: Al Dhrafra and Ali Al Salem’s mail is brought to and from by truck on a daily basis. Manas’ mail is brought to/from via military air craft 2-3 times per week.

Question 2: Is the mail delivered to the same location(s) at which it is processed? If not, who delivers mail to the processing station(s)?

Government’s Response: Yes

Question 2: Please indicate the destinations to which Contractor will deliver the mail.

Government’s Response: Mail is delivered and processed within the APO. A unit mail room concept is utilized in the AFCENT/ CENTCOM theatre of operations. Assigned mail clerks will pick up their respective unit’s mail.

Question 3: Does the Contractor deliver registered mail to the designated individual, or does the individual or Unit Clerk receive such mail from the Contractor?

Government’s Response: The individual or Unit Clerk receives mail from the contractor.

34. Reference: PWS 15.2: “The contractor is responsible to provide standard items (work gloves, safety shoes and safety glasses), if required. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided during deployment training based on deployed location requirements” (p. 17).

Comments: Since the three specified locations are not considered hostile environments, it is not clear what additional equipment might be required.

Question 1: Please indicate what additional equipment, if any, might be required at these locations.

Government’s Response: No additional equipment is required.

Question 2: Is this material available to be acquired in theater?

Government’s Response: No additional equipment is required.

Question 3: Do these locations require any additional GFE not specified in the PWS? If so, what is it?

Government’s Response: No. All equipment is in place.

35. Reference: PWS 16.0 Reporting.

Comments: The tasks listed in this section seem to fall more under Logistics than Reporting. The PWS originally published included an entry in the Table of Contents called “Quarterly Reporting – though that section was not included in the document itself.

Question: Please clarify the nature, scope and frequency of reports required under this contract.

Government’s Response: Please see updated Performance Work Statement, dated 28 March 2013.

Comment: Given the limited resources of a small business, it will be virtually impossible for Offerors to analyze the Government’s responses to questions and to make the necessary revisions to technical approach and pricing that those responses are likely to require by 4 April – even if the Government publishes responses immediately after receipt of questions on 1 April.

Question: In the interests of enabling Offerors to prepare proposals that are fully compliant and provide the best value to the Government, please extend the closing date for this opportunity.

Government’s Response: The closing date for receipt of proposal has been extended to 7 April 2013 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

36. Reference: The schedule of supplies/services specifically states that no profit/fee is authorized on the Travel CLINs.

Question: Are the NTE travel CLINs inclusive of applicable indirect rates except fee?

Government’s Response: The Government’s NTE amounts are based on information obtained through market research.

Question: Are the NTE ODC CLINs inclusive of applicable indirect rates and fee?

Government’s Response: The Government’s NTE amounts are based on information obtained through market research.

37. Reference: The Schedule of Supplies/Services lists each of the locations as Non-hostile. According to the Department of State Website, there are various differentials that are authorized for these areas (i.e. COLAs

Question: Is the offeror required to pay any differentials listed on the Department of State Website for these locations?

Government’s Response: Yes.

38. Reference: The response to this questions states the Government will work with the appropriate Government security office to ensure any potential offeror has the level of clearance required to perform work under this contract prior to award.

Question: If the offeror does not currently have a Secret Facility Clearance, will the Government sponsor the offeror for this Clearance?

Government’s Response: No. The contract should be awarded in sufficient time to ensure that that appropriate clearances can be obtained prior to the start date of the contract.

39. Reference: Amendment 1 added CLINs for DBA Workers’ Compensation Insurance. According to the price schedule these are Not To Exceed CLINs; however, the government did not provide a NTE value.

Question: Will the government provide the NTE value for each of the DBA Workers’ Compensation CLINs?

Government’s Response: No. The Government will not provide NTE amounts for DBA Compensation CLINs. This amount will be provided by the offeror upon submission of its proposal and is based on quotes received by the insurance company of choice.

40. Question: What’s the current budget for the mailroom services for all five locations?

Government’s Response: There is no budget for mailroom services for the three locations.

41. Question: Does Contractor need to purchase or lease a delivery mail vehicle/van? At all locations, is there a dedicated vehicle that Contractor could acquire to perform services?

Government’s Response: Mail is delivered to each location a vehicle will not need to be leased for this purpose.

42. Question: Mailroom is this leased space, or paid in-kind with the terms of the 8(a) contract.

Government’s Response: The mail room is not leased it will be provided on a military installation.

43. Question: What do you like about the partnership with current 8(a) contractor?

Government’s Response: At this time the Government is unable to provide this information due to the sensitivity of its nature and because it has no effect on any offerors proposal. The Government is only interested in evaluating each offerors performance approach.

44. Question: What are some of your dislikes with the current 8(a) contractor?

Government’s Response: At this time the Government is unable to provide this information due to the sensitivity of its nature and because it has no effect on any offerors proposal. The Government is only interested in evaluating each offerors performance approach.

45. Question: What are some suggestions you would like to implement to make this a good transition?

Government’s Response: This is determined by the offeror.

46. Question: Are the employees of the current contractor subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”)? If so, could we please have a copy of that to see what the terms are?

Government’s Response: No.

47. Question: Would you require Contractor to become a party to the CBA upon assumption of this contract?

Government’s Response: Not applicable.

48. Question: If so, in the foreign locations, can title to the vehicle be held by a U.S. person?

Government’s Response: Not applicable.

49. Question: Is Top Secret Security clearance required for the contractor?

Government’s Response: Please refer to PWS paragraph 1.0

50. Question: Are there local unions/local CBA’s at the foreign locations?

Government’s Response: Refer to PWS paragraph 1.0

51. If Contractor assumes this contract, is there any limitation on Contractor ability to insert i) choice of law and venue (and forum); and ii) mediation/arbitration with regard to any dispute that might arise as to local employees in the foreign countries?

Government’s Response: This is determined by the offeror. The Government does not dictate verbiage included in private hiring agreements.

52. Question: Can you confirm that the foreign employees are paid in U.S. dollars?

Government’s Response: Refer to PWS paragraph 1.0

53. Question: Would you be willing to consider paying Contractor Net (15) days-biweekly? Or does this contract only pay monthly?

Government’s Response: No. CLINS will be paid on a monthly basis.

54. Question: Will there be significant travel expenses to manage foreign locations?

Government’s Response: Please refer to PWS paragraph 19.0

55. Question: Contractor must carry general liability insurance coverage for its U.S. locations. What are the expectations with regard to covering foreign liability exposure? If a policy must be purchased from Lloyds (or other international insurance carrier), does the budget have room for that expense?

Government’s Response: Refer to PWS paragraph 1.0

56. Question: Will contractor be required to establish a local business entity in each foreign jurisdiction for purposes of payroll withholding? Alternatively, is there any reason that foreign employees could not be put on Contractor existing U.S. payroll? This question is important because foreign jurisdictions may be lawfully entitled to tax Contractor employees working in that foreign jurisdiction.

Government’s Response: Refer to PWS paragraph 1.0

57. Question: Can these employees transition to Contractor? What benefit plans exist for foreign employees? Can these benefit plans be easily assumed by Contractor? Do they include pension/health insurance plans?

Government’s Response: Refer to PWS paragraph 1.0

58. Question: Are wage determinations applicable to this contract?

Government’s Response: No.

59. Question: Does the Government have any recommendations or suggestions on where an offeror can secure DBA insurance?

Government’s Response: No.

60. Question: Are the Incumbent’s employees currently covered by DOD health insurance and other benefits?

Government’s Response: Please refer to paragraph 18.0 of the PWS.

61. Question: If not, are they covered by Incumbent’s own employee benefits?

Government’s Response: Please refer to paragraph 18.0 of the PWS.

62. Question: If the Incumbent provides benefits, what benefits are currently provided?

Government’s Response: Please refer to paragraph 18.0 of the PWS.

63. Answer to Question 32 states ODCs are determined by the offeror and will be evaluated by the Government to determine if costs are reasonable, allowable, and allocable. Answer to Question 36 states the Governments NTE amounts are based on information obtained through market research. Since market research was conducted, the Government must have a list of standard items that it anticipates to be included or excluded in the NTE value.

Question 1: Are the following items considered ODCs included in the NTE value: sponsors for each country, meals and lodging, medical evaluations, general liability insurance?

Government’s Response: Yes.

Question 2: Are there any items specifically excluded from the NTE ODC CLINs?

Government’s Response: The Government will review each cost submitted to determine if costs are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.

Question 3: Is the Contractor authorized to apply indirect rates such as overhead or G&A to the ODC costs when billing?

Government’s Response: A contractor is responsible for accounting for costs appropriately and for maintaining records, including supporting documentation, adequate to demonstrate that costs claimed have been incurred and are allocable to the contract.

64. Reference: Responses to Questions (25 March 2013), Question 7. Government’s Response: “Please see updated DD254 attached and complete blocks 6a, 6b and 6c of the Contract Security Classification Specification form.”

Question: If the offeror is teaming with a subcontractor, should we complete blocks 71, 7b and 7c with the sub’s information?

Government’s Response: Yes. Complete blocks 2b, 7a, 7b, &7c

65. Reference: Solicitation, Deliveries and Performance, Period of Performance: CLIN 1003 / Start Date: 1-Jun-2013 / End Date: 31-May-2015.

Question: Should the Start Date be 1-Jun-2014?

Government’s Response: Yes. Please see updated amendment to solicitation attached.

66. Question: Could the Government provide a description of the facilities in which our personnel will be performing the work in support of this contract?

Government’s Response: All three are similar in set-up but may vary in sizes. Each location has an area for finance/customer service to include lobby, mail breakdown area for processing incoming and outgoing mail, shelving units to house mail, various offices (COPE, registry, storage).

67. Reference: Responses to Questions (29 March 2013): “The closing date for receipt of proposal has been extended to 7 April 2013 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.”

Comments: The actual Amendment 0002 (SF-30 dated 29 March 2013) indicates that the hour and date specified for receipt of offers is extended, but the date and time are not indicated on that form. The opportunity posting at FedBizOps does not reflect this change. The date indicated in Responses to Questions is a Sunday.

Question 1: Could the Government please clarify the exact date and time for submission of offers?

Government’s Response: The final due date for submission of offers is: Sunday, 7 April 2013 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Question 2: Would the Government consider extending the closing date further, in order to allow Offerors sufficient time to analyze the next set of Responses to Questions and prepare proposals that are complete, compliant, and in the best interests of the Government?

Government’s Response: No.

68. Reference: PWS 4.4: “Contractors will only utilize military volunteers for basic services i.e. breaking down mail, load/off load trucks not to be depended upon for any specific period of time in order to fulfill the mission.”

Question: Please explain the procedure the contractor must follow to secure military volunteers.

Government’s Response: Military volunteers will not count as part of your workforce. However, there are times when deployed personnel are looking for volunteer opportunities. Military volunteers must utilize the "sign-in log" maintained at each facility, sign the statement of understanding, and must be supervised at all times.

69. Reference: PWS 5.1. “The contractor shall ensure a Finance SOP is on hand and utilized, to include operating manually if Integrated Retail Terminal (IRTs) are not operational.”

Question: Who writes the Finance SOP?

Government’s Response: The contractor creates the finance SOP. There are currently SOPs on hand that will be provided upon turnover.

70. Reference: PWS 11.1. “The contractor shall ensure a postal supply SOP is on hand and utilized.”

Question: Who writes the Postal Supply SOP?

Government’s Response: The contractor creates the Postal Supply SOP.