Additional QA.pdf

HSCG23-08-R-MMZ339 Questions & Answers

ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ARE PENDING:

PWS, 1.2 Background: How many of the 66,000 applications received from May 2006 to April 2007 were declined due to issues or concerns found in the PQE or SSE?

Prior to 07 Sep 06 the NMC organization as it is now was not established, however the average denials for SSEB is fairly consistent at 2%; and PQEB has an average of 28% of the applications received going to an Awaiting Information state because the mariner is missing some requirement/s.

PWS, 1.2 Background: Regarding the REC reorganization schedule; has the reorganization taken place as planned and on schedule? What are the issues, if any, that have been experienced as a result of the reorganization effort to date?

Yes, and with little to no issues that affect the evaluator.

PWS, 5.1, Professional Qualification Evaluation: Is the contractor able to contact the subject directly to obtain missing information?

Yes, in official correspondence (CG NMC Memo/Letter), as well as phone and email.

PWS, 5.2, Security, Safety, and Suitability Evaluation: Is the contractor expected to conduct background checks, collect information from various databases, and contact courts, probation officers and other sources to verify identities? Is this required in the processing of every application?

The contractor does a background check on every applicant and does the other checks only when required.

Ref Att.3 pg 6 para 5.2.1.1. Referenced paragraph states that the offeror will issue and grade examinations. It is our understanding that this task is currently performed at the Regional exam centers, can the government please clarify this requirement? Will personnel under this IDIQ also perform this task? If so, is there an estimated work load for this or are there specific situations where this task would arise?

The only exams that will be "issued" and graded at the NMC are the take-home renewal tests for mariners renewing a license without recent sea service. These exams are mailed to the mariner and returned to NMC. All other exams are taken at an REC and the REC will continue to administer and grade the exam. NMC-2 and NMC-5 can provide training in how to determine which exams are appropriate for a specific mariner, how to obtain the specific exam, and how to grade it.

Regarding Attachment 1, Page 6, PWS 1.15.1 Cycle Time, and SF 1449 CLIN 0001B1E:

a. How will the Government track and report cycle time on an evaluation?

b. How will the Government measure cumulative time during the process as evaluations move from waiting information, medical review, for review, etc. back to the evaluator for either further work or corrections?

Data is able to be tracked and reported from the different application states, in increments of time, within the current Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation software application.