Questions_-_CVC-2_Response2.docx

Answers to questions for Solicitation HSCG23-13-R-PBM002 – Vessel Inspection Training

1. Is there a date that the bid will be decided and announced?

Answer: The award will be announced on FedBizOps.

2. How soon after the selection is made will the training be held?

Answer: At the time of award a task order will be issued. Courses may be scheduled at that time.

3. Would the Government consider that this opportunity be sole-sourced to a small business?

Answer: No, the Government will not consider that at this time.

4. Please clarify within PWS Section 3.0 Government Furnished Resources whether the Government will be providing the Liquefied Gas Course curriculum; the Crude Oil Wash/Inert Gas Course curriculum; and the Chemical Tanker Safety Course curriculum?

Answer: The government will provide resources in accordance with PWS 3.0. Please see Amendment 00002.

5. PWS 1.3.1.3 Consultation Services of Program Subject Specialists states:

Upon written or verbal request, CG-CVC will arrange for consultation with Program subject matter specialists during the development or revision of the course material for any of the three courses in this PWS.

If travel is required post award, would it be cost reimbursable to the successful offeror if not at the contractor’s facility?

Answer: Travel is not required for consultations.

6. The following PWS paragraphs appear to be redundantly numbered:

1.3.2.1 Technical

1.3.2.2 Instructor

1.3.2.1 The Contractor shall provide Key Personnel with education and work experience specified in PWS 1.4.

1.3.2.2 Conflict of Interest.

Should they be:

1.3.2.3 Instructor

1.3.2.4 The Contractor shall provide Key Personnel with education and work experience specified in PWS 1.4.

1.3.2.2 Conflict of Interest

Answer:

Please see amendment 00002.

7. Are there certification tests or student assessments during the course?

Answer: Yes, assessments are required. Please see PWS 5.1.3 Assessment (Liquefied Gas Carrier Course); PWS 5.2.5 Assessment (Crude Oil Wash / Inert Gas Course); PWS 5.3.5 Assessment (Chemical Tanker Safety Course).

8. Does the USCG require Pre-tests?

Answer: No, the USCG does not require pre-tests.

9. PWS 3.1.1 states: The government will provide copies of the relevant references cited in PWS 9.0 at the Kick-Off meeting. Please clarify since there is no PWS 9.0.

Answer: Please see Amendment 00002.

10. PWS 6.0 provides a listing of references. Would the Government provide these references either in an amendment or access to an Electronic Reading Room? These are the references provided:

10.1 Certificate of Compliance

10.2 Foreign Gas Carrier Examiner Performance Qualification Standard (PQS) Workbook

10.3 Foreign Gas Carrier Examiner Job Aid (CG-840)

10.4 Foreign Tank Vessel Examiner Performance Qualification Standard (PQS) Workbook

10.5 Foreign Tank Vessel Examiner Job Aid (CG-840)6.6

10.6 Foreign Chemical Tank Vessel Examiner Performance Qualification Standard (PQS) Workbook

10.7 Foreign Chemical Tank Vessel Examiner Job ID (CG-840)

Answer: Please see Amendment 00002.

11. Assessments (Sections 5.1.3, 5.2.5, 5.3.5) Given the requirements for the assessments and the need to integrate the skills needed of a Marine inspector will the USCG provide a Subject Matter Expert to assist in developing the assessment scenarios so that realistic scenarios and valid assessments are included Assessments (Section 5.1.3, 5.2.5 and 5.3.5)

Answer: Please see Amendment 00002.

12. Section 5.1.3- “The Contractor shall prepare 4 assessment scenarios (1 each for objectives 5.1.6.1 to 5.1.6.4)” There does not appear to be a section 5.1.6.1 to 5.1.6.4 included in the solicitation.

Answer: Please see Amendment 00002.

13. Section 5.2.5- COW/IG course assessment appears to reference Liquid Gas objectives and makes no reference to COW/ IG assessment requirements. Is this correct?

Answer: Please see Amendment 00002.

14. Must the Liquefied Gas Carrier and Chemical Tanker courses be US Coast Guard approved? If not, is there an expected minimum/maximum class duration expected or preferred to meet the content in the solicitation?

Answer: The courses do not need to be Coast Guard approved. A 5 day course is expected. The course could be shorter if all the objectives are met, but it cannot exceed 5 days.

15. For COW/IG, as there is no USCG approved course, should this training meet any regulatory requirements, specifically 33CFR 157? Is there a minimum / maximum class duration expected or preferred to meet the content in the solicitation?

Answer: The course needs to be designed to meet the objectives in 5.2.2.1 to 5.2.2.5. One of the objectives is international and domestic crude oil wash system design and construction requirements in accordance with the International Conventions for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and 33 CFR 157. A 5 day course is expected. The course could be shorter if all the objectives are met, but it cannot exceed 5 days.

16. Is there a minimum number of candidates that would be sent to each class?

Answer: There is no set minimum in the Performance Work Statement, but the Coast Guard expects to have at least 15 students in each course.

17. Is there a maximum number of candidates that would be sent to each class?

Answer: Yes, there is a maximum of 25 candidates that will be sent to each class. See PWS 5.1.1 Objectives; PWS 5.2.2 Objectives; PWS 5.3.1 Requirements.

18. Is there a maximum number of students anticipated for training each year?

Answer: Please see PWS 1.2 – Background.

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