QA resonse - PDF.pdf

Questions

• Please provide the anticipated start date for the 12-month base period and, if available, the anticipated dates for each option period.

It is expected to be awarded in September 2026, the starting date will be from that date.

• Please confirm whether offerors are required to identify and submit the resume and supporting qualifications of a specific proposed employee with the quotation, or whether the successful contractor may recruit and submit a qualified employee after award.

Offerors are required to submit the proposed candidate's resume and qualifications with their quotation. Technical acceptability IAW PWS Section 7 will be evaluated prior to award. Quotes submitted without a qualified candidate's resume will not be considered.

• PWS Section 7.3 requires a certificate confirming English proficiency and identifies TOEIC, TOEFL, and ALCPT as examples. Please confirm whether other documentation or certifications demonstrating English proficiency are acceptable and, if so, identify acceptable alternatives.

Yes, alternative documentation is acceptable. In addition to standard language proficiency tests (e.g., TOEIC, TOEFL, ALCPT), documentation demonstrating completion of a High School Diploma, GED, or higher education degree from an accredited U.S. institution (or an institution where English is the primary language of instruction) will be accepted to substantiate English proficiency IAW PWS Section 7.3.

• PWS Section 7.4 references Military & Family Readiness Center experience "or similar services." Please clarify what types of professional experience the Government will consider acceptable as similar services.

Acceptable 'similar services' includes professional experience in human services, social services, community support programs, front-desk reception, or customer support environments within military, federal, state or corporate/commercial settings involving client intake, records management, and Microsoft Office applications.

• PWS Section 8.1.1 states that contracted personnel applying for a Common Access Card (CAC) must be a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number. Please confirm whether U.S. citizenship is a mandatory qualification for the individual proposed to perform this requirement.

Yes, U.S. citizenship is a requirement IAW PWS Section 8.1.1 to satisfy the security, background investigation, and CAC issuance requirements.

• Please confirm whether the proposed contractor employee must possess a completed favorable NACI or equivalent investigation at the time of quotation/award, or whether the required investigation and credentialing process may be initiated following contract award.

IAW with PWS 8.1.1 and 8.2.1, the credentialing process and background will be initiated following contract award.

• Please clarify the status requirements applicable to contractor personnel performing this requirement in Okinawa, including whether the successful contractor's employee will be eligible for SOFA status and whether the Government will sponsor or provide documentation necessary to establish the appropriate status for performance in Japan.

No. This contract does not include government SOFA sponsorship or logistical support, and vendor must provide personnel who already have the legal right to work in Japan.

• Is this requirement currently being performed under an existing contract? If so, please provide the incumbent contractor's name, contract number, period of performance, and current contract value, if releasable.

There is no current contract under this requirement.

• Please confirm whether the contractor may invoice the full firm-fixed monthly amount during months containing Federal holidays, installation down days, Government-directed closures, or other excused absences identified in the PWS.

Yes, the contractor will be able to invoice the full amount.

• Please confirm whether Defense Base Act (DBA) workers' compensation insurance is required for the contractor employee performing this requirement in Okinawa and whether offerors should include the full cost of such coverage in their firm-fixed pricing.

No, not required.

• Please confirm that offerors should provide a monthly unit price and 12-month extended amount for the Base Period and each of the four Option Periods, and that the Government's total evaluated price will include the Base Period plus all four Option Periods.

Yes, the total evaluated price will include the Base Year, all four Option Periods, and the six-month extension of services.

• Please confirm whether offerors are required to submit corporate past performance information with their quotations. If past performance information is required, please identify the required number of references, format, and applicable recency period.

Past performance is not required for the evaluation.

• FAR 52.212-2 identifies Price as the evaluation factor. Please confirm whether corporate past performance will be evaluated as a separate award factor or whether past performance information, if reviewed, will be considered as part of the Government's responsibility determination.

Past performance is not required for the evaluation.

• If past performance information is required, will the Government consider relevant performance where the offeror performed the applicable services as a subcontractor and therefore does not have a CPARS evaluation issued directly to the offeror for that effort?

Past performance is not required.

• If relevant subcontractor performance is acceptable, please confirm whether the Government will accept alternative documentation such as prime contractor references, Government/customer points of contact, subcontract information, performance evaluations, or other documentation demonstrating successful performance.

Corporate past performance (prime or subcontractor) is not an evaluation factor for this solicitation. Evaluation of technical acceptability will be based strictly on the proposed candidate's résumé, which must clearly demonstrate and substantiate that the individual meets all eligibility and qualification requirements outlined in PWS Section 7.

• If past performance is required, will the Government consider relevant current or recently performed prime contracts for which a CPARS evaluation has not been issued? If so, may an offeror provide contract information and customer points of contact for Government verification?

• If past performance will be evaluated, please specify the period the Government will use to determine recency and whether otherwise relevant contracts completed more than three years ago may be submitted for consideration.

• Please confirm whether the experience and qualifications of the proposed employee required by PWS Section 7 will be evaluated separately from the offeror's corporate past performance.

• If past performance will be evaluated, please clarify how the Government will evaluate an otherwise responsible offeror that possesses relevant experience but does not have a recent CPARS evaluation.

• PWS Section 10 addresses automobile insurance requirements. Please confirm whether the contractor is required to provide a vehicle for the employee to perform the contract or whether the provision applies only if a contractor-owned or privately owned vehicle is used in connection with contract performance.

The contractor is not required to provide a vehicle. The auto insurance requirement under PWS Section 10 applies only if a contractor-owned, leased, or privately owned vehicle is operated on the installation in connection with contract performance.

• Please confirm whether all relocation, airfare, lodging, local transportation, and other costs associated with positioning and maintaining contractor personnel in Okinawa are the contractor's responsibility and should therefore be incorporated into the offered firm-fixed price.

Yes, all relocation, airfare, lodging, local transportation, and other costs associated with positioning and maintaining contractor personnel in Okinawa are the contractor's responsibility and should therefore be incorporated into the offered firm-fixed price.

• Please confirm the documents required to constitute a complete quotation, including whether the Government requires the proposed employee's resume, education documentation, English proficiency certification, past performance information, completed Price Exhibit, representations/certifications, and any other technical documentation at the time of submission.

A complete quotation package shall include the following in accordance with the solicitation instructions:

1. Completed Pricing / Price Exhibit (Pricing for Base and all Option Years).

2. Candidate Technical Qualifications Package (Proposed employee’s resume, proof of U.S. citizenship, education/transcripts, and English proficiency documentation IAW PWS Section 7 & 8).

3. Completed Provisions / Representations and Certifications

• How many people are currently working (Worked) under this contract?

There is no current contract.

• How many FTE's are required to perform under this contract?

One.

• Does the contractor employee(s) need to travel to attend training/seminar overseas?

If so, who will cover the cost(s)? How many days the training will be (e.g. how many days in a year)?

No travel is required overseas to attend training or seminars.

• PWS paragraph 1.2 states:1.2 Duties shall be performed at Bldg. 200, Douglas Blvd, Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan, or any location the M&FRC conducts services, or alternate locations when necessary. Please confirm where is the other location/s (aside from Kadena AB, Okinawa) that the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Data Entry / Front Desk Clerk should conduct the services?

Duties would be primarily performed at the M&FRC in Building 220 and the M&FRC TAP Annex in Building 59, both on Kadena AB. May occasionally support M&FRC events held in other facilities on Kadena AB, including, but not limited to, The Schilling Community Center, The Rocker Club, and Jack’s Place.

• How many times in a week/month that the contractor employee should conduct services in any M&FRC location/alternate location mentioned in Paragraph 1.2.

Estimated 2 day monthly conducting services outside of M&FRC primary locations in Building 220 and the M&FRC TAP Annex in Building 59, both on Kadena AB.

• English Proficiency Certificate: The solicitation requires offerors to “Provide certificate to confirm English proficiency level (e.g., TOEIC, TOEFL, or ALCPT).”

Please confirm whether an English proficiency certificate is required for a proposed candidate whose native language is English, including a U.S.-born candidate educated in the United States, or whether documentation of U.S. education/native English proficiency satisfies this requirement.

No. A certificate is not required. In addition to standard language proficiency tests (e.g., TOEIC, TOEFL, ALCPT), documentation demonstrating completion of a High School Diploma, GED, or higher education degree from an accredited U.S.

institution (or an institution where English is the primary language of instruction) will be accepted to substantiate English proficiency IAW PWS Section 7.3.

• Technical Proposal Format: Please confirm whether there is a prescribed page limit or required format for the technical submission beyond providing sufficient information to demonstrate compliance with the solicitation requirements, and whether a résumé for the proposed Data Entry/Front Desk Clerk should be submitted with the quotation.

There is no page limit prescribed in the PWS. However, as previously addressed, offerors are required to submit the proposed candidate’s résumé and qualification documentation with their quotation to demonstrate compliance with PWS Section 7.

• Could you please confirm whether the Service Contract Labor Standards apply to this requirement and whether there is an applicable Wage Determination or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?

No, it will not apply.

• May the contractor fill this position with a qualified U.S. citizen who is already residing in Japan, including a military spouse or dependent, provided the individual otherwise meets all solicitation, installation-access, and employment eligibility requirements?

Yes. The contractor may fill this position with a qualified U.S. citizen already residing in Japan (including a military spouse or dependent), provided the individual meets all solicitation, installation-access, and employment eligibility requirements.

• Please confirm DFARS 252.225-7976, Contractor Personnel Performing in Japan, applies to this requirement.

Yes, this is required.

• If there is no preceding contract for these services, how are these services being performed (by a government employee dedicated to this work, is the work spread among multiple employees, etc.)?

This is a new requirement with no preceding contract. These duties are currently performed by internal Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) personnel.

• If SCA Wage Determination applies to this contract, will the government provide the appropriate Wage Determination document for the contractors to use?

This does not apply.

• IF SCA Wage Determination applies to this contract, does Executive Order 13706 apply to this contract?

• IF SCA Wage Determination applies to this contract, will the government specify the Occupation Code and Title that offerors need to utilize?

• Can the Government confirm the annual labor-hour assumption that offerors should use when developing firm-fixed-price proposals (e.g., 2,080 hours or another Government estimate)?

Please follow the provided Price Index instructions. If you need to add any additional costs to the index, please list them and specify the purpose of the cost in the item description for that corresponding year.

• What is the anticipated award date, and will the Government allow an onboarding period prior to the start of performance to accommodate background checks, base access, and personnel readiness? If so, how much time will be provided between the award and the contract start?

With the award expected in September 2026, the Government will allow an onboarding period prior to the start of performance to accommodate background checks, base access, and personnel readiness. The specific duration of this preparation period will be negotiated post-award.

• Is there a U.S. Home Base associated with Kadena AB in Okinawa?

No. There is no U.S. home base associated with this requirement. In accordance with PWS Section 1.2, all duties must be physically performed at M&FRC locations (Bldg 220, Bldg 59) or at designated on-base event locations on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

• Is the Contractor required to be an authorized employer in Japan?

No.

• Is the Contractor required to be a registered commercial entity in Japan?

No, however the contractor must be registered on SAM.gov.

• Does the contractor's employee require work authorization from any local or national government of Japan?

U.S. citizens who hold valid Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status (e.g., military dependents/spouses) do not require separate work authorization from the Government of Japan to perform work on the installation. If the contractor proposes a non-SOFA U.S. citizen residing in Japan, the contractor is solely responsible for ensuring the individual holds the appropriate Japanese visa and legal authorization to work in Japan.

• The "Pricing Exhibit" Excel file only contains one line to enter pricing which has a quantity of 12 months. We assume that this is for the Base Period; however, the "Price Section" point (b) on Page 12 of 18 of the Solicitation states, "The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement." If the Price Exhibit is required to be completed by the bidders and submitted, will the government issue an updated Pricing Exhibit to include lines for the Option Periods?

Option Years’s line items are already in the Price Exhibit. If you need to add any additional costs to the index, please list them and specify the purpose of the cost in the item description.

• Is the "Pricing Exhibit" Excel file required to be completed by the bidders and submitted with their proposal response?

Option Year line items are already included in the Price Exhibit. If you need to add any additional costs to the index, please list them and specify the purpose of the cost in the item description

• Point (b) states, "Offers maybe submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation". Can the government confirm if the signed and completed SF 1449 is required for submission?

Yes, it is required.

• If the "Pricing Exhibit" Excel file is not required, can the government confirm that submitting a signed SF 1449 completed, including pricing, fulfills all requirements for submission of pricing?

Price Exhibit is required.

• We did not see any requirements for the TAP Clerk to drive or operate a motor vehicle. Can the government please clarify how PWS Section 9 applies to this position and this contract?

There is no duty requirement to drive or operate a motor vehicle in performance of this contract. PWS Section 9 applies only if the contractor employee operates a personal or company vehicle on the installation (e.g., commuting to/from M&FRC facilities).

• Can the government please specify or confirm - do these two requirements apply to the Contractor's employee's personal/private vehicle used solely for commuting purposes?

Yes. PWS Sections 9 and 10 apply to any personal, private, or company vehicle operated on the installation, including vehicles used solely for commuting purposes, in accordance with installation access and Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) regulations.

• Are there requirements for any specific Proposal Volumes, such as a Technical Volume, Past Performance Volume, or separate Price Volume?

Submission of the Price Exhibit and all supporting documents required by the PWS Qualifications section is mandatory. Please ensure you follow all other instructions and requirements.

• If there are requirements for any specific Proposal Volumes, are there any formatting requirements, such as font type and size, margins, etc.?

There are no formatting requirements.

• If there are requirements for any specific Proposal Volumes, are there any page limit requirements and, if so, what are the page limits for any/all of the specific volumes?

There are no page limits requirements.

• If there are requirements for any specific Proposal Volumes, are a Cover Page, Cover Letter, and Table of Contents excluded from any of the page limits?

• If candidate resumes are required, is there a minimum and maximum number of resumes required?

Offerors shall submit one (1) résumé representing the single proposed candidate for this requirement. There is no requirement to submit multiple résumés or candidate pools.

• If candidate resumes are required, is there a page limit for each resume?

There is no page limit prescribed in the PWS. However, as previously addressed, offerors are required to submit the proposed candidate’s résumé and qualification documentation with their quotation to demonstrate compliance with PWS Section

• If candidate resumes are required, are they excluded from any of the page limits?

There are no page limits prescribed for any portion of the technical submission or the résumé. Offerors are simply required to submit sufficient documentation with the proposed candidate's résumé to demonstrate full compliance with PWS Section

• If past performance contract examples are required, is there a page limit for each contract example?

• If past performance contract examples are required, are they excluded from any of the page limits?

• Are product samples required by this solicitation?

Product samples are not required.

• Is the government requesting multiple offers "presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items...or alternative commercial products or commercial services"?

• Please confirm whether the Government-provided Excel Price Exhibit must be submitted in Excel format, or whether a completed PDF version is also acceptable.

Either way is acceptable.