Questions.docx

Questions/Answers for FA8601-10-R-1000

1. Q: Why the proposals are due so quickly (10 days)?

A: Due to the fact that this is a commercial service, the CO has authorized the 10 day turn-around per FAR 5.203(b) and FAR 12.205 (c).

5.203 -- Publicizing and Response Time.

(b) The contracting officer must establish a solicitation response time that will afford potential offerors a reasonable opportunity to respond to each proposed contract action, (including actions where the notice of proposed contract action and solicitation information is accessible through the GPE), in an amount estimated to be greater than $25,000, but not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold; or each contract action for the acquisition of commercial items in an amount estimated to be greater than $25,000. The contracting officer should consider the circumstances of the individual acquisition, such as the complexity, commerciality, availability, and urgency, when establishing the solicitation response time.

12.205 -- Offers.

(c) Consistent with the requirements at 5.203(b), the contracting officer may allow fewer than 30 days response time for receipt of offers for commercial items, unless the acquisition is covered by the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement or a Free Trade Agreement (see 5.203(h)).

2. Q: Can the proposal due date be pushed back?

A: Typically, unless there is a mistake or error found, the due date will not be pushed back. We have an urgency to get the new contract awarded. Due to the FAR clauses above, the CO decided to cut the days to 10. However, since there were a couple errors found in the bid schedule, the solicitation is being extended until the date of 4 Feb 10 at 2:00pm (EST).

3. Is this the correct due date?

A: Yes-Howerver, and amendment to the solicitation is being issued which will extend the date.

4. Do proposals need to be hard copy, mailed?

A: You can send the bid in electronically, however, the original plus 3 hardcopies should follow in the mail. Our office won’t support printing countless copies of bids from interested vendors. The idea here is if an interested vendor is not local, and the time constraint is so that they need as much time to prepare as possible, they can electronically send in the bid so that it does not surpass the deadline. However, the hard copies still need to be filed.

5. What are the opening hours of the IMAX theater?

A: The hours are based on the showtimes, which right now are 11am – 5pm.

6. Is there a schedule of special events that will require custodial services to provide cleaning before and after? If so, how soon is the contractor notified?

A: A calendar goes out every 3 months (current month plus the next two) that shows upcoming events. The schedule is emailed to the contractor and the schedule is updated weekly. The contractor is notified at least a week in advance on the upcoming events. It shows which events need pre cleaning by the contractor. Most do not require after event cleaning unless the service kitchen is open and they are serving food. The schedule reflects that also.

7. How much time will the current contractor be allowed to remove company equipment and exchange keys?

A: The current contractor will be required to remove company equipment and turn in keys once their contract expires.

8. Will there be a phase-in period for the new contractor?

A: There is a phase-in period allotted for the new contractor.

9. If the deadline for bids remains February 1, 2010 – How much time (in guestimation), will your contracting office need to award this contract after all of the bid proposals have been received?

A: The estimated start date will be 1 May 10.

10. In past experiences, I’ve noticed that service contracts that are awarded to contractors usually begin on the 1st of every month (depending on the date the contract award is signed). Will the awarded contractor begin work performance on the first day of the following month?

A: Please see answer to #9.

11. In your instructions for Volume II, it states that we should leave blank some of the CLINS for the SF1449, that have no quantities. Does this also include Exhibit “A” where we also have to fill in pricing?

A: Yes, that is correct. For the CLINS that do not have sf, please leave blank

12. Who is the current vendor?

A: The current vendor is Pro-Clean Services, Inc.

13. Are the Hanging planes supposed to be cleaned?

A: Per PWS paragraph 1.4.7.1, there is a list of aircraft, “and all aircraft suspended from ceiling” shall be cleaned by government personnel only. Certain aircraft shall only be dusted every 6 (six) months and the rest every 2 (two) weeks.

14. Is the Museum open 7 (seven) days a week?

A: Yes, the Museum is open 7 days a week.

15. Does the AF provide a ladder to clean the airplanes?

A: No, the contractor is not provided any Government Furnished Property (equipment) per PWS paragraph 3.2.

16. Are all of the beams around the rockets are to be cleaned?

A: PWS paragraph 1.2.7 (low dusting) states “…that up to 8’ above the floor surface or landing…not limited to chairs, desk, tables, file cabinets, ledges…”

17. Who is responsible for snow removal outside?

A: PWS para 1.4.4 discusses snow removal by the contractor.

18. How many employees are on the janitorial staff?

A: In a Performance-Based Service Contract, we can’t require you to have a set number of employees; we can only ask you to provide an end product. The number of employees you need in order to get to that end product is up to you.

19. Can we visit the current contractor area?

A: No.

20. Aren’t the proposals supposed to be due 10 days after the questions/answers are posted?

A: No. See answer to question 1.