Amendment ForQuestions and Answers.doc

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following items are applicable to this modification:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question:

1. Would the US Army Special Operations Command consider alternate proposals that provide a solution other than the "multi-purpose" canine and training requirement specified in the statement of work if it is in the best interest to the mission success of the warfighter? Specifically, it is an established expert opinion that canines can not be successfully trained to perform dual roles as specified in the SOW and can only be trained to perform 1) on and off leash forensic Explosive Ordinance Detection (EOD) for area, route/road, vehicle and building clearance, Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE), OR 2) pursuit, tracking/trailing, patrol/bite-work, close quarter combat apprehension, and bite and hold capability to restrain fleeing subjects by using less lethal means - but not both.

Answer:

No. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERS, Page 45, states no alternate proposals are authorized.

Question:

2. On page 50, Paragraph (3) the solicitation states: Offerors proposing a teaming arrangement (or subcontracting plan) shall provide documentation of the arrangement with their proposal as described below in the "Other Information" section.

Neither of the paragraphs under the "Other Information" section (Page 50, Paras A and B) describes the procedure to submit Teaming Arrangements/Partnering Agreements?

Answer:

Paragraph (3) has been deleted.

Question:

3. In reference to PWS paragraph 2(e), does the government have a timeline for submission, review, and approval of the Contractor developed Program of Instructions (POIs)?

Answer:

In accordance with the 52.212-2 Evaluation (a)(1)E, a Program of Instructions shall be submitted with proposal.

Question:

4. In reference to PWS paragraph 2(e), does the government currently possess POIs that are not proprietary to the incumbent that can be provided as GFI?

Answer:

No.

Question:

5. Who is the Incumbent Contractor, the contract number, and the expiration date?

Answer:

Vohne Liche Kennels Inc., H92239-10-P-0073, 31 December 2010.

Question:

6. In reference to PWS paragraph 2(e)(8), will the government specify if “combat equipment” called for in the last sentence of the paragraph applies to the canine also and if so, what combat gear would be required for the canine?

Answer:

Government will furnish all Combat Equipment to student and canine: However, basic equipment called for in the CLINS are to be supplied by the contractor.

Question:

7. In reference to PWS paragraph 3(b), will the government require live fire of the ammunition described in items (3) 9mm Ball and (4) 5.56mm Ball? If yes, please specify the nature of the use of live ammunition and any range requirements? Additionally, please specify if the students will be conducting the live fire or will the contractor’s personnel be required to conduct live fire?

Answer:

No live fire will be required, dry fire only, and blank ammunition.

Question:

8. In reference to PWS paragraph 9(d), will the government require the contractor to provide explosions in addition to gunfire as distractions? If yes, will the government provide the explosive devices as GFM?

Answer:

(1) Yes

(2) No Question:

9. In reference to PWS paragraph 9(f), will the government provide an explanation as to why an Agitation Table would be required?

Answer:

No.

Question:

10. In reference to PWS paragraph 13, will the Government define the following:

Who determines that a behavior has developed that is uncorrectable or was undiscovered previously? Since the canine has at this point been accepted by the government and the contractor has no control over the events that may occur after acceptance, these might be the causation of such an uncorrectable behavior.

Answer:

This is under the workability guarantee required.

Question:

11. In reference to PWS paragraph 14(a)(2), will the government please clarify “…maintaining medicine and healthy care of the canines?”

Answer:

Dogs and facilities will meet and maintain, throughout the course, standard veterinarian standards

Question:

12. In reference to PWS paragraph 14(a)(5), will the Government provide guidance and access to the sited rules/regulations and practices pertaining to search and seizure, bomb threats, detection, and related emergencies? Assuming these canines and handlers will be operating overseas and potentially in High Threat War Zones, the contractor would not have access to the specified rules, regulations, and procedures applicable to these areas of operations. Will the government provide this information as GFI?

Answer:

No. These are current industry procedures.

Question:

13. In reference to PWS paragraph 14(b)(1), should the canine develop a general health issue that is not related to a pre-existing condition, such as the canine is exposed to extensive combat action and develops a disorder of fright, timidity, etc., does the government expect the contractor to be responsible for the replacement of the canine?

Answer:

Workability Guarantee of the dog for one year, dog should be of sound nerve and character. Attempts to correct the dog will be made.

Question:

14. In reference to PWS paragraph 14(b)(2), does the government agree that in order to maintain an acceptable proficiency level and keep training current, the canine and handler must continue proficiency training in accordance with government and industry standards or the contractor cannot guarantee an acceptable level of proficiency?

Answer:

Yes, the government has a standards/certification mintenance program.

Question:

15. In reference to PWS paragraph 15, as the government is keenly aware, past performance is a primary evaluation factor for most government procurement. Will the contractor be able to provide the contract number and contracting officer as a reference as to whether or not the work on this contract was satisfactory or not? Please provide further guidance as to this requirement.

Answer:

See 52.212-2 EVALUATIONS (2) Past Performance on Relevant Projects.

Question:

16. In reference to PWS paragraph 15, is the incumbent contractor be able to reference the incumbent contract as past performance?

Answer:

PWS paragraph 15 is Security Requirements.

Question:

17. Under Clauses Incorporated by Reference in the solicitation page 22 of 50 there is no reference to the Service Contract Act.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/web/SCA_FAQ.htm However, there is reference under Certs and Reps page 38 of 50 to SCA 52.222-41. There also is no reference to SCA in Clauses incorporated by full Text. The contract awarded as a result of this solicitation would seem to certainly fall under the McNamara – O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA). Will the government provide the applicable Wage Determinations to the offerors?

Answer:

Service Contract Act does not apply to this requirement.

Question:

18. In reference to PWS paragraph 2(e)(4), will the government elaborate on the statement “The dogs must effectively engage dead prey as well?” If this is referring to Cadaver detection, then there is another major requirement for training aids and a national certification requirement to purchase and handle cadaver material, which affects the offeror’s technical approach, POI and Cost.

Answer:

Cadaver detecion is not a requirement. Dead Prey is a common term in the canine training industry.

Question:

19. Will the contractor be responsible for providing transportation of the students to and from their lodging? If yes, will these costs be billable under Other Direct Costs or should they be included in the FFP pricing for the CLINS?

Answer:

Students will have their own transportation to and from lodging and contractor facility. Canine transportation will be furnished by contractor. All other, including canine, transportation will be furnished by contractor and included in the offerors Firm Fixed Price per the applicable CLINS.

Question:

20. Under numerous parts of the solicitation PWS, the government requires a wide variety of vehicles to be utilized in training including operational vehicles for specific transportation of the students along with the dogs to and from training areas. Does the government require these vehicles to be military vehicles? If yes, will they be provided as GFE? If not, will commercially available vehicles similar to size and utility be acceptable?

Answer:

(1) No

(2) Yes

Question:

21. Has the government provided military vehicles to the incumbent contractor as GFE?

Answer:

No.

Question:

22. Will the government allow electronic submission of the proposal via email or upload?

Answer:

No

Question:

23. In reference to page 49, Volume I (5) Proof of Registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Will the government provide the format for the proof of registration?

Answer:

No. Offerors can provide a printed CCR page certification page.

Question:

24. Will the contractor be providing canine handler training to members of the Special Forces (SF) or other soldiers who serve in a support role for the SF?

Answer:

The requirement is for Multi-Purpose Canines and Canine Handler Training.

Question:

25. Page 3, 1(b), states, "Tracking up to 200M"; while Page (e)1, states, "The distances will increase up to four kilometers on a two to four hour old track...". Can you confirm the distances and times canines will be required to "Track/Trail"; as this will greatly influence the length and time of a training program as well as the type of canines needed to meet these specifications.

Answer:

Canines will be pre-trained and must track at 200M at the beginning of class, The distance will be increased by graduation.

Question:

26. Page 13 of the solicitation states, "PURCHASE REQUEST NUMBER: W911PK20010001A". Does this purchase request number provide access to the expected costs under the "Full Package" option? If so, could you please provide a link that directs the reader to this area?

Answer:

No.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

The following have been modified:

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

OFFEROR’S PROPOSAL: The following instructions provide guidance to the offeror in preparing the proposal in response to this solicitation. To be considered for selection, an offeror shall submit a complete response to the RFP using the sequence and format provided herein. All offerors shall submit its proposal and any amendments to the issuing office not later than the time and date identified in block 8 of the SF1449. Any offer received at the Government office designated in the RFP will be deemed “late” and will be considered only in accordance with the provisions set forth under FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items, paragraph (f). When evaluating an offeror’s capability to perform the prospective contract, the Government will consider an offeror’s noncompliance with the instructions to be indicative of the type of conduct that may be expected from the offeror during contract performance.

Each offeror shall (1) submit an offer, identified as Volume I – Offer, and (2) submit a written proposal, identified as Volume II – Technical Proposal, that pertains to its capability and understanding of the government's requirements. Mere acknowledgement or restatement of a requirement or task is not acceptable.

OFFERS (Proposals). Acceptability and Compliance.

(A) Acceptability: The Government will determine the acceptability of each offer on a pass or fail basis. An offer is acceptable when the offer demonstrates his/her agreement to the terms and conditions of the request for proposal without exception, including technical exhibits. If an offeror takes exception to any of the terms and conditions of the RFP, the Government will consider its offer to be unacceptable. The Government reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the RFP by amendment at any time prior to source selection decision. The government reserves the right to communicate with the contractor regarding these areas if it is apparent that clarifications could result in the contractor being determined acceptable. The Government reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the RFP by amendment at any time prior to source selection decision.

(B) Compliance: The completion and submission to the Government of the below items will constitute an offer (proposal) and will indicate the offeror's unconditional assent to the terms and conditions in this RFP and any technical exhibits hereto. No alternate proposals with respect to specific terms or conditions are authorized. Any objection to any of the terms and conditions of this RFP will constitute a deficiency, which will make the offer unacceptable. An offeror may correct a deficiency only through discussions. Proposing alternate manning will not be deemed an alternate proposal. To be determined ACCEPTABLE, Offers must include the following:

Offers must include the following:

Volume I: Offer

(1) Standard Form 1449, "Solicitation/Contract Order for Commercial Items” with blocks 12,17,23,24, and 30) completed by the offeror and acknowledgment of all amendments.

(2) Pricing Schedule. "Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs,” with the offeror's proposed contract line item prices inserted in the appropriate spaces. It is expected that price reasonableness will be determined using price analysis techniques, therefore, offerors are not required to submit cost or pricing data.

However, the Government reserves the right to request other than cost and pricing information should it be necessary to determine the prices fair and reasonable.

(3) "Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of

Offerors," completed by the offeror.

(4) Period of acceptance for offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the specified for receipt of offerors (see block 8 of the SF1449.

(5) Proof of Registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR).

Volume II: Technical Proposals - Technical capability is the accuracy and extent to which the proposal demonstrates a complete understanding of the requirements of the PWS and conveys the offeror’s methodologies, techniques, and a detailed technical approach that enhances the likelihood of satisfactory performance and performance quality.

The offeror shall provide sufficient proposal detail to meet the solicitation requirements. The offeror shall submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the written technical proposal not exceeding 50 pages in length. In addition to the information requested below, the offeror shall provide whatever narrative or supporting materials considered necessary for the Government to fully understand the proposal. The additional information must be within the established page limitation. The written proposal shall reflect the offeror's understanding of the Government’s requirements and shall address the following:

(1) Technical Capabilities

a. Ability to meet or exceed the required objectives

b. Documented corporate technical experience

c. Suitability of Training Facility

d. Approach to obtaining suitable Canines

e. Program of Instruction (POI)

f. Quality Assurance Plan

(2) Past Performance on Relevant Projects.

OTHER INFORMATION.

(A) The Government intends to award a contract without discussions. Therefore, offerors are cautioned to consult with the Contracting Officer before submitting an offer that takes exception to any term or condition of this RFP. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions and to permit offerors to revise their proposals.

(B) ADVISORY NOTICE. The offeror is advised that the page limitations will be enforced – Title pages and resumes will not be counted. If proposal information is added to the Title page(s), the Government will either count the page or not use the information during evaluation. The method the Government will use to eliminate the overage will be to remove the pages from the end of the proposal section that exceed the 50 page limitation. Title pages, tables of contents, resumes, divider tabs and past performance information is not included in the page count.

(End of Summary of Changes)