Attach_5_-_Technical_Questions_&_Answers_for_Amend_0001_(19R-2002).pdf

Attachment 5: Consolidated list of Technical Questions

HE1254–19-R-2002-0001

1.) Question: In the event that a bus is delayed or cancelled, how long must a BSA wait for the bus in order for the Contractor to be paid for a successful run?

USG Response: The USG COR (or ACOR) will make every effort to contact the Contrator’s PM/POC as soon as possible (ASAP) to reschedule, release, or reassign a BSA(s) should a bus assigned be delayed or cancelled; the resonable period of time a BSA should stand-by (i.e., wait) for a delayed bus to arrive - and still receive credit for a successful run – is one (1) hour after the bus is scheduled to depart its run.

2.) In Attachment 3, PWS, Annex C, Paragraph C-2.d, the Government states that “the Contractor shall formulate and administer a written test in the host nation language” and goes on to state that “the Contractor shall also submit individual’s end-of-course written test and standard that reflects the minimum passing grade upon request of the COR. All documents submitted (to) the USG shall be in English”. Question: Does the Government require a translation of the test and the individual’s answers to the test upon request?

USG Response: The Government requires a translation of the test and the individual’s answers to the test to be in English (upon request). All documents submitted (to) the USG shall be in English.

3.) Attachment 3, PWS, Annex B, Paragraph B-5.d requires the primary and alternate Contract Manager to attend a Government-sponsored Safety and Security Training Session. Question: can the Government provide the location and duration of the training to allow offerors to estimate the cost for this training?

USG Response: USS sponsored training may be conducted through site visits or telephone conference calls at the discretion of the Regional Force Protection Officer. Telephone conference calls are set by the Regional Force Protection Officer, but normally held in July or August. There is NO safety training.

4.) Attachment 3, PWS, Paragraph 2.3, page 6, describes the performance standard of providing “no less than (3) instructional hours of refresher training”. Attachment 3, PWS, Annex B, Par. B-7 states “(a)nnual refresher training shall be no less than 4 instructional hours in length”. Question: For pricing purposes, we assume that the requirement is for a minimum of (4) hours of refresher instruction. Is this correct?

USG Response: The minimum requirmeent for the refresher training is four (4) instructional hours annually. The ‘(3)’ in Attachment 3 (para. 2.3) of the solicitation package was an administrative typo, and this amendment (Amendment 0001) formally corrects that error.

5.) Solicitation section 6.ii, page 40, states that prices shall be submitted in United States Dollars, and that vendors will receive payment in local currency at the exchange rate at the time of award. This places a significant amount of risk on the offeror, especially considering the significant fluctuation in the currency exchange rates in recent years, to the point that the risk may unfairly exclude offerors based in the Eurozone currency region from participating in the solicitation. Alternate exchange rate calculation methods, such as using an annual average from the previous year, or using the current exchange rate at the time of award as a basis for the award, but allowing payment at a current exchange rate, or, preferably, allowing pricing for the solicitation in the local currency, would alleviate this risk to offerors. Question: Is the Government willing to consider an alternate method of determining the value of payments in relationship to currency exchange rates?

USG Response: Yes. The USG will only accept and evaluate priced proposals in USD per the instructions contained within the solicition; however, utlimate award of contract can be made in any (local or otherwise) currency, and the USG is willing to consider alternative currencies at award, based on the current bank exchange rate on daye/time of the solitiation closing period, as prescribed at www.xe.com.

6.) Question: With regard to the response for Volume 1 Technical Proposal limit of 40 pages. Does the 40 page limit apply to each of the 3 districts detailed i.e. Germany, Belgium & Netherlands, UK; or does it apply to all submissions whether the bid is for one district or 3 districts?

USG Response: It's 40pp total for the Technical Proposal (excluding attachments as referenced in the ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1), whether that Tech proposal addresses one or more of the districts. It's not 40pp per district. Interested offers are NOT restricted to making just one (1) proposal, however, be advised that each subsequent (or new) proposal prooffered must stand-alone according the instructions at 52.212-1, and contain all the voumes prescribed therein.

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