Q and A HSHQC6-11-R-00001 Amd 4.docx

Questions and Answers for HSHQC6-11-R-00001 Page 1 of 89 Amendment 000004

Questions and Answers for HSHQC6-11-R-00001 Page 2 of 89 Amendment 000004

Question: Are 8 hours total “required” for baton/OC recerts and then S/A weapons quals as well, or is a total of 8 hours required for all three?

4 hours for baton 4 hours for OC Plus S/A weapons quals

a. Is any particular weapon mandatory?

b. May the contractor provide different weapons to different sites/states as long as all weapons at any one site are the same?

See Amendment 000004 with updated Exhibit 8C and SOW 6.6.7. Note only St. Louis allows .38 cal, all other locations require a .40 cal.

No

How many base stations are required to be provided?

See Amendment 000004 with updated Exhibit 8E

See Amendment 000004 with updated Exhibit 8E

Are there any vehicle mounted patrols in this contract?

See Amendment 000004 with updated Exhibit 8F

Page 15, para b(3) (RFP page 30 of 563) This paragraph addresses escalation of wages for non-CBA/non-Wage Det personnel such as supervisors;

If a contractor plans to request a Wage Conformance Action for supervisors, should this request be completed and forwarded with the Bid or can it be delayed until 90 days prior to beginning of Option 1?

Reference the Note on Page 30 of 563 of the RFP. Refer to the Department of Labor for guidance on Conformance actions and procedures.

The CBA for Local 214 IOWA expires on 9/30/2011 with no wage/H&W information for the base period which begins on 10/1/11. (page 34 of the solicitation and page 18 of the CBA); will FPS require the incumbent contractor to negotiate the wage rates for October 1, 2011 and forward them to FPS in sufficient time for contract incorporation and preparation of an REA by the incoming contractor prior to the start of the base year?

See Amendment 000001 -CBA for Local 214 merged with CBA Local 249

See Amendment 000001 and #13 above

Reference FAR 22.1007(b) and FAR 22.1012-1 (c)

SOW 2.1.1 (RFP page 117 of 563)

Qualifications

Note the training requirements in this RFP are different from the incumbent contract

Qualifications

Note the physical standards in this RFP are different from the incumbent contract

Column M (CLIN): What does the number in this column represent?

CLIN = Contract Line Item that will be represented on the resultant initial task order for basic services

and SOW 5.4.1.2 (RFP page 135 of 163) The Proposal Submission Requirements state that a Top Secret Facility clearance (TSFC) is required; however, the post exhibits indicate that only DHS clearances are required. Is the TSFC required?

(Para 5.4.1.2 indicates “none” insofar as Top Secret Information is concerned) Reference SOW Section 5.4, a TSFC is required prior to performance. Also, See post exhibits provided for specific locations where TS cleared PSO’s are required.

Clearing Barrels and Gun Safes

Clearing Barrels and Gun Safes

There is NO Government directed “formal” guard mount required

a. Are supervisors in the cities covered by this CBA included under the CBA, and thus not part of overhead?

b. If so, how many LT positions and SGT positions are included under this CBA?

c. The CBA also makes participation in group health insurance optional; with cash payments if employee opts not to participate. Without some idea of the participation rates for offices under this CBA, all bidders except the incumbent would have to bid this as a taxable item, which would add substantially to their price total. Can we be provided with the approximate number of officers under this CBA who have elected to participate in the insurance plan so as not to give unfair advantage to any bidder?

The Government is not a party of the CBA

Can the incumbent be requested to provide this information?

The Government is not a party of the CBA

See Amendment 000001 - CBA for Local 214 merged with CBA Local 249

No grandfathering

· 1222 Spruce, St. Louis, MO

· 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO

· 210 Walnut, Des Moines, IA

· 850 S Street, Lincoln, NE

· 1301 W. Highland Blvd, Lincoln, NE

· 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE

· 1500 E. Bannister Road, Kansas City, MO

· 1222 Spruce, St. Louis, MO

· 210 Walnut, Des Moines, IA

· 111 S. 18th Plaza, Omaha, NE

See Amendment 000004 with updated Exhibit 8C and SOW 6.6.7. Note only St. Louis allows .38 cal, all other locations require a .40 cal.

a. The contractor shall provide a list with the total number of employees and their names performing on the Contract with any applicable suitability and certification expiration dates when requested by the CO in preparation for a new solicitation for follow-on services. Prior to Contract expiration and after a follow-on contract is awarded, the Contractor shall exercise its best efforts and cooperation to effect an orderly and efficient transition to a successor contractor.

b. After a new Contract is awarded, the Contractor shall disclose necessary personnel records sufficient to allow the successor Contractor to conduct interviews for possible transition (if the Contractor is not awarded the successor Contract). These records shall be provided to the successor at least 45 days prior to date of Contract expiration. If any incumbent employees are selected by the successor and are agreeable to the change, the incumbent Contractor should cooperate to grant the employees release at a mutually agreed date.

c. As part of the closeout process, the Contractor shall, within 30 days of the final day of performance, turn over all incumbent officer training, medical, suitability and security records to the successor contractor as stated in paragraph 19A, 1 thru 17. Failure to do so shall result in a 10% withholding of final payment until this action is accomplished In accordance with the terms of the incumbent contract “After a new Contract is awarded, the Contractor shall disclose necessary personnel records sufficient to allow the successor Contractor to conduct interviews for possible transition (if the Contractor is not awarded the successor Contract). These records shall be provided to the successor at least 45 days prior to date of Contract expiration. If any incumbent employees are selected by the successor and are agreeable to the change, the incumbent Contractor should cooperate to grant the employees release at a mutually agreed date.

As part of the closeout process, the Contractor shall, within 30 days of the final day of performance, turn over all incumbent officer training, medical, suitability and security records to the successor contractor…”

a. If so, which ones? (If not, shall Offerors assume that all Supervision proposed must be in addition to the current productive post hours required in Exhibit 1?

b. Or can Offerors propose that certain posts be designated as Lead PSOs as part of their supervision plan?

Yes, some current post orders designate some posts as Lead PSO.

a. Below are the locations whose post order designate a lead PSO:

MO1867 – USDA, 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, MO

MO1861 – FAA, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO

MO1937 – IRS, 333 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO

KS1540 – EPA, 901 North 5th, Kansas City, KS

NE1380 – USCIS, 850 S Street, Lincoln, NE

NE1428 - USCIS, 1301 West Highland Boulevard, Lincoln, NE

b. Reference RFP page 72 and 73 and 162

Or will the JV considered one entity and limited to a total of three past performance references?

Yes

The post exhibit locations which indicate relief is required means that post requires continuous coverage. How an offeror proposes to manage the provision of the required continuous coverage is part of an offeror’s business decision

There will NOT be any clearing barrels at any post location under this contract.

See # 29 above

See SOW 5.3.1.1 which states in pertinent part:

After award of the contract and prior to permitting any contract employees to work under the contract, the Contractor is responsible for ensuring that at a minimum, the Contract Manager, Supervisors, Training Instructors, Quality Assurance personnel, PSOs, and all other company officers that visit the work sites, receive formal suitability adjudication by FPS.

a. If the contractor must wait for suitability determinations from the government, what standard amount of time will the government take to provide such suitability determinations?

b. Will the government reimburse the contractor for costs in excess of that standard timeframe?

a. There is no standard amount of time. However, Reference 5.3.1.2 once complete and accurate documentation is submitted properly through e-quip.

b. no reimbursement shall be provided

a. Are incumbent contractors required to complete the 40 hrs of training if they are already qualified on the weapon platform?

b. Please define/clarify further what is meant by 24 hours of “actual training/shooting time on a firing range/firing line exclusive of any waiting or down time spent off the firing lines”.

a. See SOW 6.6.1.1

b. The Solicitation is clear on its face.

An individual must spend a minimum of 24 hours of training, actual course(s) of fire (on range, taking commands, firing rounds at a target).

· For planning purposes, when can the Contractor schedule this training?

· What duration should the Contractor anticipate between date of schedule and date of training completion?

· Where is this training provided?

· How will the Contractor receive the results of this training?

· When will the Contractor receive certification that this training was completed successfully?

· Will the government reimburse the contractor for any costs incurred beyond the standard timeframe for receipt of training certification?

Computer-Based Training (CBT) is not active. This section is not applicable at this time.

For planning purposes, when can the Contractor schedule this training?

What duration should the Contractor anticipate between date of schedule and date of training completion?

Where is this training provided?

How will the Contractor receive the results of this training?

When will the Contractor receive certification that this training was completed successfully?

Will the government reimburse the contractor for any costs incurred beyond the standard timeframe for receipt of training certification?

Computer Based Training (CBT) is not currently active. Until such time as CBT becomes active, R6 will provide 8 hours of x-ray/magnetometer training.

See #42 above for current Government training locations.

Reference RFP price proposal section pages 78 & 79 of 563

For planning purposes, when can the Contractor schedule this training?

What duration should the Contractor anticipate between date of schedule and date of training completion?

Where is this training provided?

How will the Contractor receive the results of this training?

When will the Contractor receive certification that this training was completed successfully?

Will the government reimburse the contractor for any costs incurred beyond the standard timeframe for receipt of training certification?

The scheduling and completion of training shall be coordinated with the COTR after award.

See #42 above for current Government training locations

See SOW sections 6.1.7, 6.1.7.1, 6.1.7.2, 6.1.7.3, and 6.1.10 for factoring all training costs into the proposal

H.S. Transcripts – indicating PSO graduated?

College Transcripts – indicating PSO graduated H.S.?

College Diploma from an accredited institution?

DD-214 – that clearly indicates the PSO has received a H.S. Diploma or GED?

Letter from High School administrator indicating that the individual graduated from H.S.?

No, a High School diploma or GED is required. Also see # 99 below.

By what means should the Contractor provide this certification and testing information?

How long should the Contractor anticipate between the submission of this information and receiving the personnel identification numbers?

Will the government reimburse the contractor for any associated costs incurred beyond the standard timeframe for receipt of personnel identification numbers?

See #50 above

If the contractor is required to supply communication equipment, what are the government’s equipment specifications and requirements?

See Amendment 00003 and updated Exhibit 8E

a. Will the Contractor have access to government provided fax machines?

b. Which form of hour tracking will this contract require? (if the government were to switch from PTS to the 139 Form, the Contractor would be faced with a number of expenses, to include: fax machines / lines, or mileage / hours driving between posts to retrieve the necessary 139 logs.)

a. No

b. See #50 above

a. Where are the PIV card enrollment stations?

b. How long does the COTR determination take for granting government sponsorship?

c. Will the government reimburse the contractor for any associated costs incurred beyond the standard timeframe for communicating government sponsorship determination?

d. How soon after granting government sponsorship can the applicant go to an enrollment station?

a. Presently these are the PIV locations, subject to change.

· 1500 E. Bannister Road, Kansas City, MO

· 1222 Spruce, St. Louis, MO

· 210 Walnut, Des Moines, IA

· 111 S. 18th Plaza, Omaha, NE

b. No time frame is set

c. No

d. See SOW 13.5.1.2

See Amendment 000004

for the resultant contract will 60 months

Please clarify what is meant by “maintain” the duty book – what does this entail on the part of the contractor.

Does it require the contractor to replace binders for wear and tear?

Does it require the distribution of documents in hard copy to all sites on the contract? If so, how many times per/week is the distribution of notices/changes to those sites required on average?

Will the contractor be held to a specified timeline for such distribution?

See Amendment 000004

The licensing and permit requirements for PSOs as stated in Sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 do not specify any conditions/exceptions for emergency services or for other unforecasted personnel requirements in areas with traditionally low workforce populations. (for example, storm related damage in rural Kansas that might require 30 PSO’s for emergency service). Will the government provide coverage for these requirements until the contractor can obtain permits required in rural areas not normally worked by the contract in large numbers?

No

a. In jurisdictions where this may become an issue due to local laws or regulations (limiting issuance of such licenses/permits to one vendor) what remedy does the government propose to overcome a State/Municipal impediment to the SOW as stated?

b. If the local jurisdiction mandates that licenses be transferred in a manner that FPS disagrees with, please advise how the Contractor should handle this situation.

Also, please list any historically problematic jurisdictions?

a. The Solicitation is clear on its face.

b. There are no known problematic jurisdictions

Given that the contractor has no control over facilities where PSOs perform their duties, can the government provide an example of how a contractor might provide an accommodation under the ADA?

Has there ever been such an accommodation under this Region or any other Region or FPS contract of this type?

The solicitation is clear on its face. The contractor is responsible for determining that PSOs are capable and fully able to perform all required functions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. As the employer for the PSO, the contractor has the obligation to determine whether or not a PSO is capable to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

a. Please define “incapable” in this context and please clarify who has the authority to deem an individual incapable.

b. Can any FPO or Inspector remove an individual based on their observations and will those observations be detailed in writing prior to a removal?

a. The contractor is responsible for determining that PSOs are capable and fully able to perform all required functions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. As the employer for the PSO, the contractor has the obligation to determine whether or not a PSO is capable to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

b. PSOs are the employees of the contractor. Any removal request or decision on the part of FPS in not to be interpreted as an assumption of an employer role, but rather an action taken solely in the interest of safeguarding the United States. Any requests fro removal from the contract will be provided to the contractor by the Contracting Officer, along with any supporting documentation that is releasable at that time, with the expectation that the contractor will take appropriate action.

On posts where there is not 24 hour coverage (PSO to PSO key control), will the government provide a mechanism to conduct key exchanges/issue for PSOs reporting for duty and not relieving another guard? How does a PSO reporting for duty obtain the keys/key card for the shift?

The Government will not provide a mechanism to conduct key exchanges

Will the government provide guidelines for maintaining the Duty Book?

See Amendment 000004

Will the government provide the contractor periodic access to the PTS data (prior to billing)?

PTS is not active. This section does not apply at this time.

· How many breaks per shift based on the duration of the shift?

· What is the time duration of the break?

· Are these breaks for day shift only?

· What breaks are expected for a standalone 24-7 post?

· Who is billed to FPS, the PSO on post, or the breaker?

· Is the PSO on break unpaid?

· According to the Exhibit 1, there 214 posts requiring breaks?

See #27 above

Do any documents from a cleared incumbent employee (Someone previously cleared to work before some of the above documents were mandated) have to be sent to the COTR before those same PSO’s may work the new contract?

Yes

Does the government have a Standard Operating Procedure for how the range should be conducted? If so, can the government please provide it as part of a solicitation amendment?

Solicitation is clear on its face.

Standard Operating Procedures will not be provided with this RFP

The wording in these sections appear confusing. The contract’s intent is to grant each PSO two sessions in which to qualify. Each session consist of two (2) attempts to qualify. If the PSO fails to qualify in the first session (1st or 2nd qualification attempt) they receive 8 hours of remedial training and must qualify in the second session (3rd or 4th attempt to qualify). The above section 6.6.4.4 wording has the contractor providing an 8 hour block of remedial training after the second session (3rd and 4th failed attempt to qualify), not the first session. The words “session” and “attempt” interchanged between the paragraphs. A suggestion on how this paragraph should read, “After failing the first qualification session, the contractor must provide a minimum of eight (8) hours of remedial training prior to the second session (last two [2] attempts) at qualification by the employee”. Can this paragraph be reworded to provide better clarification as to when the remedial training is required?

The Solicitation is clear on its face. Reference Section 6.6.3.2 and 6.6.4.1

Will ARC cards reflecting current qualifications in CPR, AED and First Aid held by officers currently working this contract be valid for use on the new contract?

See Amendment 000004

American Red Cross standards for recertification of First Aid Training is every two years. Will the government administratively track First Aid training and certification on a three (3)-year cycle or modify the cycle to the current ARC standards?

See Amendment 000004

a. Please clarify who will conduct the required training associated with the specific equipment that is on each post?

b. How will that training be documented?

c. Will previously qualified PSO’s be grandfathered if a new documentation process is used?

a. The contractor

b. At Contractor’s discretion

c. No

Will all PSO’s receive additional training that will enable them to conduct such test on the security equipment located on their post?

How will that training be initially documented and the performance test periodically logged?

See #121 above