Responses to questions

Responses (2) to questions asked regarding Solicitation HSCG38-12-R-410007 Warehouse Support Services:

1. The titles of the positions described in this solicitation are listed on several different pages (5, 13 & 53) of the solicitation. Each of these position titles appears on page 53 in a table that includes a GS number & a wage amount. The wage amount for each position in this table does not match the wage amount for each position as shown in SCA Wage Determination No. 2005-2543, revision 13, dated 06/13/2011 which is the appropriate Wage Determination for Elizabeth City & Pasquotank County, NC. Which wage rates ( GS or SCA Wage Determination) should be used in our cost calculations?

In accordance with FAR 52.222-42 -- Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989), rates are included in the solicitation that the position would be paid if the individual were Government workers. SCA Wage Determination No. 2005-2543, revision 13, dated 06/13/2011 is applicable to this solicitation.

2. Is there an incumbent contractor and if so, are the number of personnel, the job titles & shift assignments the same as those described in the solicitation and what are the current wage rates for incumbent personnel?

Yes there is an incumbent contractor. Some of the current position titles and number of personnel have changed. The Government is unable to provide current wage rates for incumbent personnel.

3. For the above referenced solicitation, does the 15 page count for the proposal as outlined on page 55 of the RFP include the following: The completed SF1449 Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, pricing for base and all option years, all required evaluation submittals, completed 52.213-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (APR 2012), any provisions within the solicitation that have fill-ins, plus the Technical and Past Performance information requested?

Please refer to amendment 1 of the solicitation #2.

4. The instructions to offerors state that the offeror is required to submit 1 original and 3 hard copies of the proposal. Can the government clarify if multiple volumes are required (i.e. Volume I – Technical Capability and Past Performance and Volume II – Price)? If multiple volumes are required, would the government please provide the page limitations for both volumes?

Multiple volumes are not required.

5. The schedule of supplies and services lists a CLIN for Travel/Training; however, the quantity for this line is listed as TBD. Will the government provide a not to exceed value for this CLIN or should the offeror indicate that the price for this CLIN is also TBD?

The price for the Travel/Training CLIN should be TBD. The contractor shall be reimbursed for travel costs on the basis of actual costs incurred based on receipts without additional overhead or profit.

6. Would the government please advise if there is a currently an incumbent performing the work covered by this solicitation?

Please refer to question #2.

7. Are Resumes for key personnel, staff accountants (4 FTE), required with the technical proposal?

Yes

8. Please clarify page count of 15. Does this page count apply to each separate volume: Technical, Past Performance and Price? Also, is the page count also inclusive of the cover page, signature page, and acronym list?

Please refer to amendment 1 of the solicitation #2. There is no requirement for separate volumes. Yes, the page count is inclusive of cover page, signature page, and acronym list.

9. Statement of Work paragraph 1.4.5 identifies positions will be required in multiple buildings to include 63, 77, 78, 79, 100, DRS Hangars 1 and 2 and other locations.

Can the government identify the labor categories that will be assigned to each of the locations?

The labor categories are assigned to multiple areas.

10. We are an 8(a) with limited past performance, can we use our teammates past performance in this area?

Information on subcontractors may be submitted.

11. You do not include a "Management Capability"section, do we include that within the "Technical Capability" section?

Management Capability is not an evaluation factor in this solicitation.

12. Section 2.2 states a Background Investigation (BI) must be completed in accordance with “DHS Sensitive Systems Policy Directive 4300A section 4.1.1.d and DHS Management Directive 11055”. This requirement is for an SF85 or SF86, but does not result in a clearance. Per NISPOM requirements, contractors can only submit investigations for clearances.

Per NISPOM requirements, contractors can only submit investigations for clearances. In such a case, is the government going to process these investigations for suitability?

The USCG only requires a letter documenting that a Background Investigation was completed and there were no negative findings. If there are negative findings, and a contractor believes that individual to be suitable for employment, then the Government will make a determination on whether or not the individual is suitable based on the submitted information.

13. Contractors are not authorized access to the BI’s, because we are not processing them, only the adjudication information. Please clarify the Coast Guard requirement in this regard.

Again, this is a Background Investigation conducted at the contractor’s expense. These Background Investigations do not result in a security clearance, but determine that the individual is suitable for employment aboard the facility.

14. Are there any unions incorporated in the current contract?

No.

15. What positions are considered Supply Support Labor Hours?

All non-administrative positions.

16. Are vehicles required for performing this contract?

If so, the Government will provide the vehicles.

17. If so, how many vehicles are required?

The Government will provide the vehicles

18. What is the contract-type for this solicitation (FFP, TM, etc.)?

Firm Fixed Price Hourly Rate/Labor Hour

19. For entities without the contract experience, what format is required to demonstrate experience for key personnel identified in the proposal?

Past performance information supplying personnel for Staff Account positions as well as resumes of Staff Accountants you are proposing.

20. Section 1.4.3, on page 9 of the solicitation, stated that all personnel shall have one year minimum experience engaged in direct support in a logistics and supply warehousing environment. Generally, accountants have office experience in accounting and finance. Are the Staff Accountants and Accounting Clerks required to have one year of logistics and supply warehousing experience?

These specific minimum experience levels may be waived at the discretion of the Government if comparable experience can be proven.

21. The solicitation requires four resumes for the Staff Accountant position be submitted with proposals. However, the Non Displacement of Qualified Workers section on page 37 clearly indicates that personnel currently working under the current contract(s) shall be given the right of first refusal for employment with the successful offeror. This section does make an exception for managerial and supervisory personnel. However, and the position description for the Staff Accountant on page 16 (para 3.9) is clearly neither managerial nor supervisory. It is assumed that there are personnel currently filling these four positions, thus making them subject to the same right of first refusal requirement. Based on this, this resume requirement for these four highly specialized positions is extremely preferential to the incumbent contractors and does not promote fair and open competition. Moreover, offerors are certainly capable of recruiting positions that may need to be filled post-award. Accordingly, request that the resume requirement be removed.

Potential offerors should comply with the solicitation as written with the best information they can provide for evaluation since it is unknown whether or not existing employees will accept or refuse. Therefore, the offeror is expected to submit resumes for Staff Accountants they intend to use if awarded the contract.

22. Is there an incumbent or would this be replacing Civil Servants?

Yes there is an incumbent.

23. Will the Coast Guard be providing the warehousing equipment (e.g., forklifts, etc.)

Yes.

24. The RFP provides a clause “Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers”. If the offerors are to consider hiring the qualified incumbents, why must we provide resumes for the Key Personnel if there are already qualified persons in these positions. Are the Staff Accountant positions presently vacant or are these positions a new requirement which would necessitate new hires and therefore resumes?

Please refer to the response to question 21. Some of the positions are vacant.

25. Section 2.1, Page 12 states, “All material coordinators, supply technicians, tool and parts attendants, and stock clerk /personnel shall have and maintain valid driver’s licenses, forklift, and electric utility vehicles licenses, i.e. pack mule.” Under the DOL SCA Directory of Occupations and the position descriptions listed in Section 3.0 of the solicitation, the labor categories of tool and parts attendants and stock clerk are not required to maintain forklift and electric utility vehicles licenses. If it is a requirement of the contract for tool and parts attendants and stock clerk positions to maintain these licenses under DOL regulations they will have to be reclassified to another labor category. Please confirm the positions of tool and parts attendants and stock clerk will be required to maintain forklift and electric utility vehicles licenses. If required please re-identify new labor categories.

All positions that work in a warehousing environment need these licenses because they may need to use forklifts or pack mule in order to perform their job duties.

26. Section 1.4.3, Page 9 states, “The contractor shall be fully proficient at the required services within 30 calendar days of contract award and shall maintain full proficiency for the life of the contract.” If during the life of the contract additional training is required by the government to ensure “full proficiency” of contractor personnel, will the government pay for the training?

The Government will pay for the training if it is requirement by the USCG and is necessary for the performance of the job.

27. Can smaller font sizes (below 12 point Times New Roman) be used for graphics, charts, and tables as long as the content remains legible?

Yes, as long as it is it is legible and within the page limits.

28. Is a comprehensive Safety Plan to be submitted as an attachment to the proposal or after contract award? If it is required with the proposal, is it to be excluded from the page count?

Submittal of a comprehensive safety plan is not required for this solicitation.

29. Does the address shown for proposal response submittal allow for both shipped and/or hand delivered proposals?

Yes.

30. Given that the Evaluation criteria is lowest price, technically acceptable, and given that the lack of any past performance will be assigned a neutral evaluation factor as stated on page 56, can the Government please confirm that a “neutral” assessment is “not acceptable” and thus will not meet the “technically acceptable” criteria?

A neutral assessment on past performance does not make the proposal “not acceptable”. Technically acceptable means meeting the requirements of the SOW and solicitation.

31. Page 37 (Non-displacement of Qualified Workers) paragraph 2 states that “the contractor and its subcontractors shall determine the number of employees necessary for efficient performance of this contract and may elect to employ fewer employees than the predecessor contractor employed in connection with performance of the work” will the government please clarify how a vendor can bid fewer hours in its response given the CLIN structure provided in the Schedule of Supplies/Services provides a set number of hours to respond to?

The Government has stated the estimated hours needed and the labor categories. This is not a firm fixed price contract. It is a firm fixed hourly rate labor hour contract.

32. Do you need 1 volume that contains Technical, Past Performance, and Cost all in one 3 ring binder, or each section in separate 3 ring binders?

One binder with all sections enclosed.

33. Do we include resumes for all proposed staff or just the key staff? If so any particular length requirements? (Plan to try to hire incumbents if possible first)

Just for the key staff.

34. Are the key staff 4 staff accountants? There are only 3 staff accountants listed in the labor category list.

The schedule of the solicitation lists 7840 hours, which equals 1 full time employee @ 1960 hours.

35. If we have to present a composite rate, please clarify how we should develop that composite rate (i.e., an average rate of all the labor categories/number of staff?)

A fully burdened rate should be used for each labor category.

36. I assume 1 inch margins are acceptable in our proposal response? When is award date expected, and when is expected start work date expected?

Yes 1 inch margins are acceptable. Expected award date is on or about July 20, 2012. Work commences August 1, 2012.

37. The Statement of Equivalent Rates on page 53 of the RFP did not include Staff Accountant GS Wages. Please provide this information.

The Staff Accountant position is not covered by Dept of Labor SCA Wage Determination so the Statement of Equivalent Rates is not applicable.

38. In Section B, page 5, 1 FTE is reflected as 1960 hrs, but employees will work 8 hour days, 40 hours/week. With 10 paid holidays, one would expect that a full-time employee would work 1980 hours/year. Can you explain what the remaining 20 unworked hours represents?

2080 hours minus 80 hours for 10 paid holidays and 40 hours for 1 week of vacation for eligible employees is how the 1960 was derived. Vacation hours vary with the length of employment.

39. PWS section 2.2 states that there should be no "negative financial situations" in an employee's background. Can you please be more specific? Would a certain credit score disqualify an individual?

Please refer to the response to question #12.

40. Page 37, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, are all 30 positions currently filled by incumbent employees?

No.

41. In Section B, page 5, there is no labor category for a Program Manager. An effort of this size typically requires a full time on-site program manager to oversee day-to-day operations. Request a labor category be added for Program Manager.

It is up to the company how they provide oversight to their employees. They can designate one of the requested labor categories to perform this duty if they so desire or can have an offsite supervisor who perhaps comes through the work area to provide administrative functions on occasion (i.e. ALC will not allow on-site supervision that includes government computer login nor office space). It is preferred the contractor perform this function off work hours in order to minimize disruption and allow full billable hours to the government. However if they do use one of the requested labor categories, the government will not pay for any hours this employee is performing a supervisory role.

42. Clause 1.4.3 states that the contractor shall be fully proficient at the required services within 30 calendar days of contract award. Does that mean there will be a 30 Transition Period after contract award before the new contractor assumes the duties of this contract?

No. The new contractor assumes all duties when the contract begins and all employees must be up to be trained, up to speed, and performing their jobs proficiently within 30 days of contract award.

43. Is there is an incumbent? If so, what is the name of the company and what was the contract award value?

Wright Solutions, Inc. $2,889,510.40 & DLS Engineering Associates, Inc. $3,836,325.00

44. Can a listing of the positions aligned with the different division be provided (i.e.SSR – 1 FTE, Accounting Clerk; 2 FTEs General Clerks, 1 FTE Staff Accountant; ALD – 1 Accounting Clerk, etc.)?

The solicitation states the labor category & estimated number of hours needed. Some labor categories are in different divisions.

45. Page 55, Instructions to Offerors, states “Proposals are limited to a total of 15 pages, inclusive of table of contents, graphs, charts, resumes, etc.” Are the SF1449 and Reps and Certs excluded from the 15 maximum page count?

Please refer to amendment 1.

46. Can resumes be excluded from the 15 page count limit and is there a maximum page count limit per resume?

Please refer to amendment 1.

47. Is there a requirement to submit resumes for all personnel or only the four Staff Accountants that are listed as key?

Please refer to question #33.

48. Is there a minimum or maximum number of past performance references required?

There is no set amount. The proposal needs to clearly demonstrate the company has performed contracts over the past three years that are relevant to this requirement in type of work, size and complexity.

49. The RFP requires that the successful offeror demonstrate the ability to fill all positions upon award. However, the successful offeror is also required to give right of first refusal to incumbent SCA personnel with a minimum of 10 days for incumbent SCA personnel to accept or reject the offer. Which requirement has primacy?

Both requirements are equally important. The company needs to be able to show they are you are able to fill the positions at time of award. Incumbents have right of first refusal.

50. How many personnel staff the two current contracts supporting this effort (e.g. 30 FTE’s as in the current RFP)?

This type of information is obtained only through a FOIA request.

51. How has the labor category mix changed from the incumbent contracts to the new RFP requirements?

Please refer to question # 2.

52. Please let us know if relevant subcontractor past performance can be included.

Yes

53. Please let us know if there is any required template for past performance.

No there is not a required template for past performance.

54. Are there incumbent personnel in the Staff Accountant positions? If so, how many?

Yes, One.

55. What is the approximate percentage of personnel that have been working at the government site for more than five years?

The Government is not allowed to provide this information.

56. On page 48, two of the contract terms/conditions that are related to “Economically Disadvantaged WOSB concerns” and “WOSB Concerns” are highlighted in yellow. Please clarify whether the requirement is/is not a setaside for Economically Disadvantaged WOSB concerns and/or WOSB Concerns.

The requirement is an 8a set-aside.