A23 Q_and_A.pdf

IDEX 2027 REQUIREMENT

RFQ # HQ003426Q0903

Q&A

1. May a small-business prime offeror rely on relevant past performance performed by proposed subcontractors, teaming partners, or proposed key personnel where those entities/personnel will perform substantial portions of the requirement? If so, what documentation should be provided to establish relevance?

a. ANSWER: Yes, a prime contractor can rely on past performance performed by proposed subs.

2. May the required Exhibit Designer and Exhibit Project Manager identified under PWS

1.6.11 be employees, consultants, or subcontractor personnel of a proposed teaming partner rather than direct employees of the prime contractor, provided the prime demonstrates a firm commitment of those personnel?

a. ANSWER: Yes, the Exhibit Designer and Exhibit Project Manager can be employees of subs.

3. Please clarify any limitations on subcontracting applicable to this requirement, including the treatment of foreign fabrication, installation, logistics, material, and venue-related costs when calculating any applicable self-performance requirement.

a. ANSWER: There are no limits on the subs for this contract; the booth is for use at IDEX, Abu Dhabi, UAE—if the booth is built by a sub in UAE, installed by another sub in UAE that’s fine. But there will need to be a US POC to work problems if they arise at any level from initial design to final booth build.

4. Please identify the CMMC level, if any, applicable to this procurement, and clarify whether WHS anticipates the contractor or subcontractors processing, storing, or transmitting FCI or CUI on contractor information systems.

a. ANSWER: There’s nothing classified about this project. Theres’s no CMMC standard for this build. The contractor will not handle Federal Contract Information or CUI.

5. Are there any limitations on subcontracting, minimum prime-contractor self-performance requirements, or Contracting Officer consent requirements applicable to this acquisition beyond the clauses presently identified in the solicitation?

a. No. There are no minimum prime contractor self-performance requirements, nor are there any limitations on subcontracting or formal Contracting Officer subcontract consent requirements applicable to this procurement beyond the terms and conditions identified in the solicitation. Subcontractors (including foreign entities located in the UAE) may perform fabrication, assembly, logistics, and on-site event services. However, the prime contractor remains fully responsible for contract performance and must designate a responsible U.S.-based Point of Contact (POC) to address and resolve any issues arising from initial design through final teardown.

6. Must the proposed Vendor maintain an active SAM.gov registration, UEI, and CAGE or NCAGE code, or does the active SAM registration requirement apply only to the prime offeror?

a. The requirement to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov (including an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and CAGE code) applies only to the prime contractor submitted for award (FAR 52.204-7). Subcontractors, second-tier fabricators, or local venue service providers are not required to maintain an active SAM.gov registration; however, the prime contractor is responsible for verifying that proposed subcontractors are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal contracting on SAM.gov (FAR 52.209-6).

7. If Prime provides Vendor only the minimum production information necessary to design and construct the exhibit, must Vendor independently maintain the specified CMMC status before subcontract award? Alternatively, may Vendor perform through a Prime-controlled compliant information environment without storing contract information on Vendor-owned systems? (Prime has already completed its CMMC Level 1 self-assessment.)

a. Neither the prime contractor nor any subcontractors/vendors are required to hold or maintain any Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) status for this procurement. This acquisition is an unclassified commercial service that does not involve the receipt, processing, storage, or transmission of Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). As a result, no specialized information environment or CMMC third-party assessment/self-assessment is required for contract performance.

8. Please confirm that the monitor must be installed BEHIND the reception desk (Para Specific Tasks 5.2, d, 1, f). In previous discussions with Mr. Anton Kemp, it was our understanding that the monitor behind the reception desk was NOT recommended due to the constant video voice/music sounds affecting the booth receptionists.

a. Desired location is in the reception area but NOT directly behind the reception desk.

9. Please confirm that the "snack" requirement is only for assorted hard candies to be given out at the reception desk. (Para Specific Tasks 5.2, c, v)

a. Yes. Any snacks (hard candies, chocolates, etc.) are permitted as long as they are

INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED.

10. Attachment 2 includes DFARS 252.204-7021, but the required CMMC level in paragraph (d)(1)(i) appears not to have been completed. Please confirm the CMMC level required for this acquisition.

a. Theres’s no CMMC standard for this build. The contractor will not handle Federal Contract Information or CUI.

11. Does the Government anticipate providing FCI or CUI to the contractor during performance? If so, please identify the anticipated category and required safeguarding level.

a. The contractor will not handle Federal Contract Information or CUI.

12. The PWS states that Defense Base Act insurance must cover prime and subcontractor employees. Please confirm whether a separate DBA policy maintained by Vendor for its covered employees, together with any applicable Prime coverage for Prime personnel, will satisfy this requirement

a. Yes, a DBA policy maintained by the contractor for its employees, together with coverage for sub personnel, will satisfy this requirement.

13. Please confirm whether any DBA waiver applies to UAE nationals or other locally hired personnel performing this requirement in Abu Dhabi.

a. The DBA insurance applies to all contractor and subcontractor employees building the booth

14. Are there any additional subcontractor representations, certifications, disclosures, or approvals that the Government expects Prime to submit with its quotation?

a. There are no other additional subcontractor representations, certifications, disclosures, or approvals required from the contractor for the bid proposal.

15. Regarding PWS Section 1.6.13.2, please confirm whether the United Arab Emirates is considered an “Allied country” for purposes of the stated medevac-coverage exception. If not, please confirm the required minimum medical evacuation coverage and acceptable proof of coverage.

a. The UAE is not considered a NATO or non-NATO Ally country—therefore the Contractor is responsible for covering costs for an employee with a medical emergency.