Attachment 4 - Q and A.pdf

Somalia Cultural Advisors - Q&A

1. For technical evaluation, does the Government require resumes for all three proposed primary Cultural/Political Advisors, or is a single example resume sufficient?

3 proposed resumes. One for each Cultural/Political Advisors.

2. Must all three proposed primary advisors possess an active TS/SCI clearance at the time of quote submission, at the time of award, or by the required start date of 26 September 2026?

The proposed primary advisors must possess an active TS/SCI clearance at the time of quote submission.

3. Is a current TOP SECRET Facility Security Clearance (FCL) required at quote submission, at award, or by the start of performance?

The current TOP SECRET Facility Security Clearance (FCL) is required at quote submission.

4. Does the Government require offerors to identify backup or alternate advisors in the quotation to demonstrate coverage for leave, illness, or other absences?

No, the offeror is not required to provide backup or alternate advisors in the event of leave, illness, or absences for their quotation.

5. If backup or alternate advisors are proposed, must they meet the same minimum qualifications as the primary advisors, including active TS/SCI clearance, at least three years of cultural advisor experience in Somalia, and ILR level 3 proficiency in English and Somali?

Backup and Alternate are not required to be a part of the quote but are required after award of the contract.

6. For past performance evaluation, will relevant subcontractor past performance be considered, provided it meets the recency and relevance requirements stated in the solicitation?

Yes, subcontracts past performance will be accepted. Provide additional context as to what functions your company specifically performed under the contract.

7. Could you please confirm if this requirement is a new effort or a recompete? If recompete, may you share the current contract number and incumbent?

This is a recompete with the current contract H9227624P0023. Contractor is Legal Interpreting Services Inc.; CAGE Code (471A6)

8. Will there be multiple awards for individuals that are qualified for this solicitation?

No, this will be a single award contract. The awardee shall fulfill the requirements in the PWS.

9. In block 6b there is a CAGE Code prepopulated (58LL9) and in block 6c it is completed with a miscellaneous CSO. Can the Government please provide an updated DD254 removing the information in Block 6b and 6c or may offerors update these blocks in the Draft DD254?

Offerors are allowed to adjust the information in Blocks 6a-c to reflect their information. The standing information are examples of information required.

10. Can the Government confirm the minimum number of past performance examples?

The solicitation was amended to reflect the correct amount of (1) one past performance.

11. Can the Government clarify this requirement? Should required resumes and past performance information be included within the technical documentation (and count toward the 20-page limit), or should they be submitted in separate volumes?

The resumes and past performance will be counted separately.

12. Can the Government specify the dates and durations for in processing and out processing?

Advisors requiring relocation from CONUS to theater will need two days of in-processing in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti to ensure all necessary read-ons are conducted.

13. Given that CORs are receiving a PPQ form that does not appear tailored to the Cultural/Political Advisor requirement, this may create a risk that responses default to “N/A” or generic answers rather than reflecting relevant performance. Can the Government please clarify whether tailoring occurs prior to COR submission?

The PPQ has been correct with updated question to match this requirement.

14. The PWS outlines in-theater performance and travel through Djibouti for in/out-processing; however, it does not specify any CONUS-based pre-deployment processing requirements. Can the Government please clarify whether contractor personnel are required to complete any CONUS-based processing (e.g., CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) or similar pre-deployment requirements) prior to deployment, or will all in-processing occur in theater?

No requirement for a CONUS-based CRC or in/out processing. All in-processing will occur in theater through Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, and follow on transport will be a JSOTF-SOM responsibility.

15. Will the government require resumes to be redacted for PII (names, etc)?

The government does not require redaction of PII information, but vendors are able to redact if as they please. Keep in mind, redaction of evaluation requirements may produce an unacceptable technical evaluation.

16. Please confirm whether the Technical content should consist ONLY of resume(s) in accordance with the Evaluation Factors for Award - Technical Criteria (pg. 13 of 15).

If additional technical content is desired, please confirm the requirements for any content beyond the required resume(s).

Resumes are not required to be in the technical documentation. If offerors choose to provide additional information such capability statements that is acceptable with the understanding that the resumes are the ONLY documentation being reviewed for technical acceptability.

17. Would the personnel be traveling from the US to Somalia and carrying the PPE with them, or will they be in-country and we would be shipping to them?

Personnel must have PPE on their person when traveling to and within Africa.

18. Do they need higher protection (Level IV, which would require Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) plates), or is Level IIIA acceptable?

Level IIIA is acceptable.

19. Will the government confirm the level of Safeguarding required in Draft DD 254?

The required level of Safeguarding is Top Secret as this will mitigate any operation security risk.

20. The CLIN structure list 12 months for three (3) advisors. Please clarify whether the unit price should represent the monthly price for all three (3) advisors combined or the monthly price per advisor.

CLIN structure has been restructured to 6-month options for three advisors. Unit price should represent the monthly price for all three advisors combined.

21. The PWS states normal work weeks consist of eight-hour days, seven days per week, for a total of 56 hours per week, and states overtime is not required. Please confirm that offerors should price all 56 hours per week per advisor within the FFP CLIN pricing and that no separate overtime CLIN will be provided.

Correct and there will not be a separate overtime CLIN.

22. PWS requires the contractor to provide PPE, including a combat helmet and soft armor plate carrier vest. Please clarify the minimum required PPE specifications, including armor level, plate requirements, how PPE is distributed and replacement responsibility.

A minimum of Armor Level IIIA vest, ballistic helmet, APEL approved eye protection, and leather gloves. PPE is contractor furnished and replacements will be the responsibility of the contractor. No CLIN will be provided for PPE.

23. Attachment 3 appears to be a dynamic PDF that may not display correctly in some PDF viewers. Will the Government provide a fillable/viewable version of the Draft DD254 with the quote or provide requested security information in another format?

A new DD254 has been uploaded. If there is still issue please contact Contracting Officer.

24. Can the government confirm the quality control plan after award?

Per PWS section 10.1, the quality control plan is a deliverable before services start.

This is required after award of contract.

25. Must Past Performance Questionnaires be returned directly to the Government by the offeror’s customer/reference by the quote due date?

Yes, PPQs need to be sent to the designated POC as described in the first page of Attachment 2.

26. PWS requires the contractor to furnish PPE, including ear and eye protection, gloves, combat helmet, and soft armor plate carrier vest. Would the government allow for another CLIN to account for PPE as another direct cost?

No, the government will not be incurring additional costs to provide PPE gear or provide a CLIN for such.

27. The PWS requires advisors to develop a thorough understanding of Title 10 USC Section 127e matters. Is prior experience with 127e activities required at quote submission, or is the requirement to develop this understanding during performance?

Prior experience with 127e activities is required at quote submission. Review the technical evaluation criteria for specifications.

28. On Page 3, Box 10 JSOTF-SOM indicates that the ceiling value of this award is $22,500,000.00 which seems high for the requested scope. Can you kindly confirm the ceiling value of the award?

This is not a ceiling value but the size standard for the associated NAICS for this solicitation.

29. Does JSOTF-SOM have a preferred template for budget and budget narrative submission, or shall offerors provide their own format?

There is no preferred templates for budget and budget narrative submission.

30. Does the government require a budget narrative explaining costs quoted under each CLIN, or is this unnecessary as the budget is firm fixed price?

A budget narrative is not required for this solicitation.

31. PWS 5.1 states that "Access to medical treatment may not be readily available while performing duties". Can JSOTF-SOM please clarify whether it is recommended that the Contractor budget for ISOS and related emergency medical support? Is there a minimum level of support required?

Non-Dept. of War or non-Dept. of State personnel would be provided immediate care pertaining to any risk to life, limb, or eyesight and JSOTF-SOM will be responsible for the care of personnel until they are stable. Any routine care would be on the contractor to fund. Evacuation locations would be mission dependent.

Dept. of War or Dept. of State personnel would be afforded the same level of care as a US Service Member (routine and lifesaving care).

32. PWS 6.5 states that all employees are entitled to 15 days leave per six-month contract period. Can JSOTF-SOM please confirm if this is separate from or inclusive of any R&R for which the employee would become eligible in the option years of this award?

15 Days of leave for each option is determined to be inclusive

33. PWS 8.1 can JSOTF-SOM clarify if the enumerated personal equipment will be provided by the government and all other equipment must be furnished by the contractor, or is the expectation that the Contractor furnish these particular items?

The equipment listed in Section 8.1 in the PWS, will be furnished by the contractor for the personnel. The government will furnish the equipment in section 7.1 of the

PWS.

34. PWS 9.2 can JSOTF-SOM please confirm whether the TS/SCI requirements extends to HQ operational support staff (i.e. Program Managers) under this agreement, or is it limited only to the three advisors?

Yes, they will require the same level of security to minimize any operational security risks.

35. Will the government accept the Contractor's preferred resume format, or does JSOTF-SOM have a specific template you would like us to use?

There is no format requirement. The resume is to be clear, concise, and must provide the necessary information for technical evaluation.

36. Is there a page limit and font requirement for resumes?

Please review page 15 of the solicitation package under section 4.

37. Will a subcontractor be evaluated at the same level/security requirements as the prime?

Yes, they will require the same level of security to minimize any operational security

38. Since our company is registered in the United States, Somalia, and Kenya, our cultural advisors/interpreters are not U.S. citizens and therefore may hold security clearance in those countries but not the United States. Can non-U.S. citizens be approved to serve in these roles?

No, members will need to hold U.S. security clearance due to the different levels of evaluations.

39. The place of performance will be at a designated U.S. facility in Somalia. As our offices (U.S. and abroad) will not handle or access any classified or confidential information, are facility clearance requirements still applicable?

Yes facility clearance is still required due to the potential information/operation

40. Would an interim Top-Secret Clearance and FCL with final adjudication imminent be acceptable at the time of this award?

See question 3 answer.

41. Will the Governemnt confirm that there will not be a CLIN for Cost Reimbursable ODCs such as Defense Based Act Insurance or Contractor Furnished Equipment?

There will be no Cost reimbursable CLIN so all pricing will need to be included under each CLIN.