ATTCH 4- Vendor Questions_Gov Answers 18Aug26REV1.pdf

18 August 2026 Rev1

FA860126Q0123 – Catholic Religious Education Coordinator

Vendor Question 1: Primary Service Provider / Subcontractor PWS Section 1.8 permits subcontracting with prior written approval from the Active Duty/GS Catholic Priest and Wing Chaplain and requires proposed subcontractors to meet all applicable PWS qualifications, installation access, child-safety, training, and conduct requirements. Please confirm whether the prime contractor may utilize a qualified independent subcontractor as the primary Catholic Religious Education Coordinator for the duration of the contract, rather than solely as temporary substitute coverage during an absence, provided the individual satisfies all PWS requirements.

Government Answer: The prime contractor may provide the required Catholic Religious Education Coordinator via an independent 1099 subcontractor, provided the individual meets all qualification standards in the PWS and is compensated in accordance with the applicable Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination.

Vendor Question 2: Service Contract Labor Standards / Wage Determination Applicability If the Government confirms that the primary Catholic Religious Education Coordinator may be engaged by the prime contractor as an independent subcontractor rather than a W-2 employee, please confirm whether Wage Determination 2015-4731, Revision 30, dated August 6, 2026, applies to compensation paid to that individual subcontractor. If the Wage Determination applies regardless of whether the individual is employed by the prime contractor or engaged as an independent subcontractor, please identify the applicable labor classification/occupation code and required minimum wage and fringe benefit rate for this requirement.

Government Answer: The SCA applies to compensation paid to the individual subcontractor. The applicable labor classification/occupation code is 15090 Technical Instructor.

Vendor Question 3: Education Requirement / Equivalent Experience PWS Section 2.5(b) requires a master’s degree in education, teaching, theology, religious education, pastoral ministry, or a related field and states that equivalent education and experience may be considered when an otherwise fully qualified applicant is not available.

Please clarify what combination of education, certifications, and/or relevant experience the Government would consider acceptable as an equivalent to the master’s degree requirement.

Government Answer: A master’s degree in education, teaching, theology, religious education, pastoral ministry, or a closely related field meets the education requirement.

The Government may consider an applicant without a qualifying master’s degree on a case-by-case basis when an otherwise fully qualified applicant is not available. In those cases, relevant education, catechetical certifications, and demonstrated Catholic religious education experience may be considered as equivalent experience. Any exception to the stated degree requirement is not automatic and must be reviewed and approved by the Archdiocese of Military Services authority.

Vendor Question 4: Government-Furnished Workspace, Equipment, and Systems Access PWS Section 2.1 requires the Catholic Religious Education Coordinator to provide at least 15 office hours per week during regular Chapel duty hours. Please confirm whether the Government will provide dedicated or shared workspace within the Chapel for the contractor to perform these required office hours. If so, please identify the Government-furnished resources that will be available, including, as applicable, a computer, printer/copier, telephone, internet/network access, Government email account, storage space, office supplies, and access to any systems or shared drives necessary to maintain Religious Education records and perform the administrative requirements of the PWS.

Government Answer: Yes. The Government will provide the contractor with shared workspace within the Chapel to perform the required office hours and administrative duties. Government-furnished resources will include a computer, internet and network access, a Government email account, and office supplies necessary to fulfil the performance requirements of the PWS. Access to applicable Government systems and network resources required to perform Religious Education administrative duties will be provided subject to applicable access, cybersecurity, and security requirements.

Vendor Question 5: Part 2 PWS Heading The PWS table of contents identifies Part 2 as “Protestant Music Director Services,” while the substantive requirements in Part 2 address the Catholic Religious Education Coordinator. Please confirm that this heading is an administrative error and that the requirements contained in Part 2 apply to the Catholic Religious Education Coordinator requirement.

Government Answer: This was a clerical error. This has been corrected to the PWS and the revised PWS has been uploaded as an attachment.

Vendor Question 6: Incumbent Contractor / Current Contract Information If this requirement is a recompete, please provide the name of the incumbent contractor and the current or most recent contract/order number, if releasable. Additionally, please confirm whether the current Catholic Religious Education Coordinator is eligible to continue providing services under a successor contractor.

Government Answer: This is a recompete contract. The current contract number is

FA860121P0141.

Vendor Question 7: Required Quote Documentation In addition to the completed Required Information Sheet, pricing, résumé, and two professional reference letters identified in the solicitation/PWS, please confirm whether the Government requires any additional technical narrative, past performance information, certifications, candidate documentation, or other materials with the initial quotation. The solicitation states that pricing-only quotations without a description/detail of the services to be provided will not be accepted.

Government Answer: Yes. In addition to the Required Information Sheet, pricing, résumé, and two professional reference letters, vendors should provide:

• Relevant past performance demonstrating experience with comparable religious education, faith formation, youth, or chapel support services.

• A brief technical narrative demonstrating the vendor’s understanding of the Catholic Religious Education Coordinator requirements and its approach to performing the duties identified in the PWS.

The technical narrative should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate how the vendor intends to meet the program, administrative, volunteer management, and child-safety requirements of the PWS. Additional certifications or candidate documentation are not required with the initial quotation unless specifically identified elsewhere in the solicitation.

Vendor Question 8: Evaluation Basis Please clarify the evaluation methodology that will be used to determine award, including the relative importance, if any, of technical qualifications, candidate experience, past performance, and price.

Government Answer: See RFO clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services

1. Technical Evaluation

2. Price

3. Past Performance

Vendor Question 9: Existing Religious Education Program and Transition Resources

Is this requirement a recompete of an existing Catholic Religious Education Coordinator contract or an otherwise established program? If so, will existing curriculum, lesson materials, student records, registration information, volunteer rosters, calendars, program supplies, sacramental preparation materials, and other Catholic Religious Education resources be available to the incoming contractor at the start of performance?

Government Answer: The requirement is a recompete of existing services for an established program.

Vendor Question 10: Duty Hours During Holidays and Program Recesses PWS Section 2.1 requires 25 hours of service per week, while Section 1.4 states that regular meetings will not be held during recognized holidays. Please confirm whether the contractor is expected to perform the full 25 hours of service during weeks containing recognized federal holidays, Chapel closures, or scheduled Religious Education program recesses.

Government Answer: Yes, they’ll have to make up the hours on another day to complete 25 hours during the week.

Vendor Question 11: Special Events and Hours Beyond the Weekly Requirement PWS Section 2.1 requires 25 hours of service per week, including office hours, Sunday and weekday programs, meetings, preparation, volunteer training, registration, special events, and administrative duties. Please confirm whether the 25-hour requirement is fixed for each individual week or whether hours may be redistributed within the same month based on program needs (for example, 30 hours in one week and 20 hours in another), provided all required services are performed. Additionally, please clarify the anticipated minimum advance notice the contractor will receive for Government-directed schedule changes, special events, or other requirements that may affect the contractor's established weekly schedule.

Government Answer: The 25-hour requirement is the standard weekly requirement. Based on program needs, hours may be redistributed between weeks within the same month, such as 30 hours one week and 20 hours another, when coordinated in advance with and approved by the COR and Catholic Priest. Any redistribution must still support all required services, scheduled programs, and office-hour requirements.

The PWS does not establish a specific minimum advance-notice period for schedule changes or special events. The Government will provide as much advance notice as practicable and will coordinate schedule changes with the contractor through the COR and Catholic Priest. The contractor should also maintain reasonable flexibility to support planned religious education activities and special events identified through the program calendar.

Vendor Question 12: Historical Program Workload To assist offerors in accurately assessing the workload and staffing requirements, please provide, if available, the approximate current or historical number of:

o Registered Religious Education students and families;

o PSR classes or grade-level groups;

o Catechists, classroom assistants, and other volunteers;

o First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacramental preparation candidates o Middle school and high school youth participants; and o Adult faith formation or OCIA participants.

Government Answer:

o Registered Religious Education students and families; 18 students / 7 families o PSR classes or grade-level groups; K-1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3-4th Grade, 5-6th grade, 7- 8th grade, and High School; 6 Classes o Catechists, classroom assistants, and other volunteers; 8 Catechist o First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacramental preparation candidates; 1 First Communion candidate, 3 Confirmation Candidates o Middle school and high school youth participants; and 16 participants o Adult faith formation or OCIA participants. 0

Vendor Question 13: May a small-business prime contractor provide the required Catholic Religious Education Coordinator as an employee or subcontracted key person, provided the proposed individual meets all PWS qualifications, or must the prime contractor's owner personally perform the coordinator duties?

Government Answer: Yes, the prime contractor may provide the required Coordinator via a W-2 employee or a subcontracted individual, as long as the proposed candidate meets all PWS qualifications. The business owner is not required to personally perform the duties.