Attachment 6 - Questions and Answers.pdf

PPQ:

1. Most of the information requested on the PPQ refers to IT positions and is not relevant to this particular solicitation. Will the government be revising the PPQ and extending the due date for PPQ’s to be submitted?

This is a standard form. Any items you do not feel apply should be listed as non-applicable. There is no intent to extend the due date.

From the Solicitation:

2. P. 67- 4.1.2- Submission of Proposal in GBP. We respectfully respect the Government consider permitting invoices to be submitted in US$ rather than GBP? From our experience of submitting invoices in GBP and the government paying in US$ into a US bank account, this causes challenges for both the Government and the Contractor due to the fluctuating exchange rates.

To ensure all responses are evaluated on equal terms, we will be using GBP.

3. P. 71- 4.1.3 (iii) - Relocating and working from home. Does this section need to be addressed in our proposal? Cooks typically do not have the option of working from home.

This is standard verbiage from DFARS 252.237-7024 pertaining to the Mission Essential Plan. You are correct it is not typical for them to work from home but could be required to relocate to an alternate facility.

4. In which volume of our proposal should we include the solicitation fill-ins?

Fill-in should be completed on combined synopsis/solicitation in the appropriate spaces.

5. Please clarify the past performance volume requirements. The instructions to offerors on page 66 of 75 Section 3.2 state the volume shall be no more than 20 pages and that the information should be presented by "completing Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 3), one for each contract".

However, Attachment 3 directs the reference to return the form directly to the Government. Please clarify if the Govt is expecting a written narrative from the Offeror in addition to the Past Performance Questionnaire returned directly to the Govt.

Part III – 3.2 requires you to provide contract details for any contracts/projects performed similar to this requirement. A PPQ should be completed for each of these contracts in which referenced. Usually the PPQ would be sent to the Government by whoever is completing it such as a POC on the previous contract.

From the SOW:

6. P. 3- 1.3- Cleaning, mess duties, cashiering included in job responsibilities. Will there be an additional CLIN for mess attendant duties or are cooks expected to fulfill these duties as well?

The cooks’ main job is cooking and cleaning their areas. They also be required to assist with other mess duties alongside other workers (Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Local National Direct Hire (LNDH), such as cleaning, mess duties, and cashiering.

7. P. 6- 4.1.3- Mess Attendant Uniforms- If cooks are expected to perform mess attendant duties, will they be expected to change from cook uniforms to mess attendant uniforms in order to fulfill these duties?

No, our contracted cooks wear their issued uniforms all the time. No change of uniform is necessary.

8. P. 7- 5.1.1.1- Work Hours. According to the SOW, the number of cooks required can change every five days. This could create a high staff turnover and therefore lack of continuity for the DFAC due to the very temporary nature of the positions. Was this the intention of the government?

This option is necessary because our military manpower does have a high rate of turnover due to deployments, exercises, and leave. Therefore, the flexibility to request more cooks (or less if necessary) helps us maintain the right amount of manpower for any given situation. Military members can deploy with 24-hours’ notice, so this flexibility is necessary.

9. P. 7- 5.1.4- Will the government provide the biometric system for clocking in and out?

The Government will not provide a biometric system for clocking in and out under this requirement.

10. p. 9 – 5.4.2 – will the government allow years of experience (minimum of 3 years) in a similar environment to be substituted for NVQ/City and Guilds certifications for any of the positions?

The Governments minimum needs are stated in PWS Para 5.4.2

11. P. 11-12- 5.9- Bioenvironmental Engineering- Is the government expecting the contractor to provide materials such as cleaning products?

The Government shall provide all cleaning materials and products.

12. P. 15- 6.5.3 and 6.6- Dishwashing and Currency Handling- Are the cooks expected to handle these responsibilities as well as their normal cooking duties and mess attendant duties?

Although dishwashing and currency handling are unlikely to be the cooks main responsibilities, the Government requires the flexibility to have cooks undertake these responsibilities should the need arise.

FROM THE SITE VISIT

13. You mentioned in Mildenhall about events, we would just like to check how much notice is given beforehand for these events?

Groups can schedule to use the DFAC conference room or DV area for meetings. This is handled on a first-come first serve basis. There are some groups that consistently schedule their meetings in those rooms. For example, one group will usually meet in the conference room every Wednesday. In addition to these meetings, the DFAC holds special events and DV visits. Usually at least one (1) months notice is given in advance and are generally conducted within normal duty hours.

14. How much notice is given for box-meals?

Per DFAC regulation, 2-hour notice is required for flight meals. This is to ensure time to ensure proper food handling and safety.

15. Do you have any type of projective rota per week, or a list of hours that Chefs have been currently working, just so that we can base our prices on this?

The government guarantees the contractor a minimum of 300 units (600 hours) of Level 1 and Level 2 cooks per quarter/task order and 1000 units (2000 hours) of Level 1 and Level 2 cooks per fiscal year that services are rendered. The COR or Dining Facility manager shall determine the number of hours required each week and shall notify the contractor with the intended schedule no later than five (5) working days, but no less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the designated work session (see Appendix A for typical schedules). See clause FAR 52.216-19 “Order Limitations” for additional limitations on task orders.

The issuance of task order’s (TO’s) and associated number of hours for level I & II cooks are dependent upon deployment of government personnel. Historical data is provided (see Appendix C) for reference, but does not guarantee the number of associated hours under the resultant, new contract.

16. Are there any Front of House staff required, or do the Level 1 cooks cover this role?

The Government requires the flexibility to place contracted personnel in these areas if needed; having stated that, our front of house operations (bussing tables, cash register, re-stocking items in grab-n-go areas) is typically manned by either MOD or LNDH.