Questions and Answers for Solicitation HSHQEC12R00005.doc

SF 30 Continuation Sheet.

Question 1:

Can you provide the threat level designation for each building?

Answer 1:

VA0883 – Level#2, VA-0007- Level#3, VA0888-Level#4, VA0401-Level#1.

Question 2:

In exhibit 8D, does the N-95 mask have to be fitted for each officer?

Answer 2:

Yes Question 3:

In exhibit 8E, no radios are listed. Do the 14 cellular telephones and chargers complete the communications requirement?

Answer 3:

Yes Question 4:

Are MMPI II psychological evaluations required?

Answer 4:

No.

Question 5:

In reference to firearms magazines, is there a minimum capacity for the magazines?

Answer 5:

Yes, a minimum of 10 rounds. See Statement of Work Exhibit 8C page 87.

Question 6:

Is there a minimum number of pre-qualification rounds each officer has to fire prior to receiving FPS observed firearms qualification?

Answer 6:

No. See Statement of Work 6.6.2.1 page 31.

Question 7:

Is there a dedicated office for the contract manager at the Dunn Loring (VA0888) location? At any of the other locations?

Answer 7:

No.

Question 8:

Is the Government providing office space for the Contract Manager? If so, where will this office be located?

Answer 8:

No.

Question 9:

Is the Government providing any office or computer equipment for the Contract Manager?

Answer 9:

No.

Question 10:

Please clarify if the weapons platform required for this contract is different from the current contract. Please provide the current weapons platform. Please provide the required weapons platform for this contract.

Answer 10:

Yes, the weapons platform is different from the current contracts. In the instant solicitation, it is mandatory that all officers carry .9mm semi-automatics. The service to the sites covered under this solicitation is provided by different contractors. Therefore different weapon models may be in use at each site depending upon which weapon the vendor selected from the SOW list of recommended firearms. However, the requirements for this contract are different. Under this SOW the officers are required to carry the same weapon that they used to qualify with at the range. The weapon is to be identified by serial number.

Question 11:

Are respirators required?

Answer 11:

No, See Exhibit 8D for contractor-provided requirements.

Question 12:

Please clarify the required hours for semi-annual weapons qualification. Is this in addition to the 4 hours of annual baton and 4 hours of annual OC spray?

Answer 12:

Yes it is an addition, See Statement of Work (SOW) section 6.6.3.

Question 13 During the pre proposal briefing Mr. Byrne mentioned that if you are teaming or subcontracting, you are required to submit a one page addendum discussing the specific roles of each partner. We are under the DHS Mentor Protégé Program and are responding to this under that arrangement with our Mentor. Does this apply to this type of arrangement as well?

Answer 13:

No.

Question 14:

With respect to the CBAs that were attached:

CBA 2009-2768 Rev2:

In the Duration clause, it says this CBA expired July 2011. In the wage provision (Section 7.1), it provides a wage rate in effect from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012. Is there a current updated CBA with updated wage and benefit package different or do we rely on the wage determination that was issued notwithstanding that the duration clause states “…expired July 2011”?

Answer 14:

The rates set forth on CBA 2009-2768 will govern for the base year of the anticipated contract.

Question 15:

As of June 1, 2011, H&W contribution calls for $1.50 to the employee and $3.10, which “may be used by employees to pay premiums and/or contributions to health insurance, severance, disability and retirement/pension plans offered by the Union as selected or directed by the employees.” It is unclear what this means, other than the employee simply tells us where he or she wants us to put (presumably) after tax dollars on the employee’s behalf. (Section 11.1(A)-(B)) Answer 15:

The Government is not a party to the CBA and will not respond to questions regarding interpretation of CBA provisions.

Question 16:

Section 11.3 calls for an employer contribution to a retirement benefit plan offered by the Union. Does this require contributions to a union-affiliated defined benefit pension plan?

Answer 16:

The Government is not a party to the CBA and will not respond to questions regarding interpretation of CBA provisions.

Question 17:

In CBA 2011-4137

In the recognition clause in the CBA (Section 1.2), it says that supervisors are not part of the bargaining unit or covered by the CBA. But in the Addendum to the CBA dated January 13, 2010, it says that employees include all full time and part time security officers AND SUPERVISORS. We need clarification on what categories of supervisors are covered by the CBA, based on that language. Generally speaking, an employer cannot be required to put “supervisors” under a CBA, but an employer can voluntarily agree to do so. There are higher wage rates in the Addendum for “Supervisor I Armed” and “Supervisor II Armed.” In the RFP there is no mention of any distinction between Supervisor I Armed and Supervisor II Armed. Do you have a requirement for one over the other at any of the sites?

Answer 17:

The Government is not a party to the CBA and will not respond to questions regarding interpretation of CBA provisions. Consult section 11.3 of the SOW for supervisor requirements.

Question 18:

On the Seniority list that was supplied, it does not differentiate between PSO’s and Supervisors. Can you please advise which if any on that list are Supervisors?

Answer 18:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 19:

Does the Government require/desire a formal guard mount for 24/7 posts?

Answer 19:

No.

Question 20:

Can the Government provide the current bill rates and/or the current value of the contract?

Answer 20:

The contractor can forward their request to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Send your request to NPPDFOIA@dhs.gov.

Question 21:

Is the Contract Manager considered a salaried position and therefore exempt from overtime?

Answer 21:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 22:

Are the Supervisors that are not part of any CBA considered a salaried position and therefore exempt from overtime?

Answer 22:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 23:

Is the Training Instructor considered a salaried position and therefore exempt from overtime?

Answer 23:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 24:

Is the Contract Manager required to be replaced in the event of paid leave (i.e. vacation)?

Answer 24:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 25:

Is the Training Instructor required to be replaced in the event of paid leave (i.e. vacation)?

Answer 25:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 26:

Please describe what the Government will require regarding payment of accrued benefits such as vacation, sick and personal time to incumbent personnel selected to continue duty but now employed with a new service provider.

Answer 26:

Offerors are to comply with applicable Collecting Bargaining Agreements (CBA’s ) and Wage Determination’s (WD).

Question 27:

The CBA does not indicate whether H&W allowance is paid in cash or if insurance plan is provided? Is this at the contractor's discretion?

Answer 27:

The Government is not a party to the CBA and will not respond to questions regarding interpretation of CBA provisions.

Question 28:

Please provide the cost associated with obtaining and renewing the suitability for each affected contract employee.

Answer 28:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 29:

Please clarify the position of Corporate Security Officer. Is this a dedicated position for the contract?

Answer 29:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 30 Can the Government provide the current ratio of Supervisors to productive SPOs.

Answer 30:

It is not the Government’s intention to inform potential offerors how to propose under this Request for Proposals. Offerors are expected to propose the supervision-to-manpower ratio based on how they plan to perform and staff the contract.

Question 31:

How many training instructors will be required for this contract as Key Personnel? Are these individuals dedicated to this contract or will they be allowed to instruct on other contracts? How many training instructors are provided on the current contract? Are these individuals allowed to perform the function of a productive PSO? Are training instructors’ uniformed personnel?

Answer 31:

See section 11.4 of the Statement of Work (SOW). With regard to the current contract, it is not the Government’s intent to inform offerors how to propose under this Request for Proposals. Offerors are expected to propose based upon how they plan to perform and staff the contract.

Question 32:

We note that in the SOW on page 49 under section 12.1.2 Breaks and specifically in 12.1.2.1 “Contractor shall provide breaks and/or meal periods…Exhibit 1 specifies which posts require a PSO relief provision”. However Exhibit 1 is absent data. To that end, we have the following questions regarding information not provided in Exhibit 1:

a) Will the Government identify those posts in Exhibit 1 that require relief?

b) Do the productive hours in Exhibit 1 include relief hours or is this in addition to the provided productive hours.

c) Are there posts that have been or could be designated as “relief posts” where guards can rotate to take their lunch but still maintain the post? If so, can the Government identify these posts? Please clarify if supervisors and rovers able to provide relief to the guard force?

d) Can guards take their lunch breaks on post?

Answer 32:

Exhibit I (the Post Exhibit sent after receipt of the Non Disclosure Forms) clearly indicates which posts require relief and which do not. Posts requiring relief cannot be “self-relieving.” See Paragraph 11.3.2 of the Statement of Work (SOW) regarding supervisors performing productive hours. Protective Service Officer’s (PSO’s) cannot stand post while on a lunch break.

Question 33:

Please provide any associated cost with obtaining a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card.

Answer 33:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 34:

Do the productive hours in Exhibit 1 include Supervisor hours? If yes, please identify Answer 34:

The hours shown on Exhibit 1 (Post Exhibit) are productive hours only.

Question 35:

With reference to Attachment 9 of Exhibit “Field Level Supervision”, is the Area Supervisor the same as the Contract Manager? Or are you looking for an Area supervisor as well as a CM?

Answer 35:

See Amendment 00004 dated 2/3/2012.

Question 36:

Wage Determination 2009-2768 cover Page*. It states in the second paragraph that the CBA on which it is based is effective 6/1/2009 *through 5/31/2012.* Unless an extension is negotiated, this CBA will expire

5/31/2012 and the WD will also expire. In that case the new contract, with prices based on the said WD, will start in October of this year, several months after the CBA expiration, with some rates that will possibly be no longer supported by a CBA or a WD. It is noted that the Wage rate for a Guard II under the CBA is $26.00 compared with that in the current WD of $20.57. Are there any provisions for actualizing prices before the awarded Contract start with stale prices?

Answer 36:

The rates set forth on Collecting Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will govern for the base year of the anticipated contract.

Question 37:

Wage Determination CBA 2011-4137*, while it has a wage rate valid through

03/31/2013, has no negotiated H&W rate for the period 4/01/2012 through

03/31/2013 which is within the period for the new contract start and, according to the CBA, it should be negotiated for that period. Is there a new rate?

Answer 37:

No. The rate set forth on the Collecting Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2011-4137 will govern for the base year of the anticipated contract.

Question 38:

On the Post Exhibit row 8 and 22 are missing. Is there anything hidden in these rows that is required for staffing?

Answer 38:

Originally data in Row 22 of the Post Exhibit was hidden. All offerors have subsequently been provided with a corrected copy of the Post Exhibit.

Question 39:

The standard FPS costing spreadsheet must be submitted with/as our pricing or can we submit in a similar format?

Answer 39:

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) prefers that all offerors complete Attachment six ( 6 ).

Question 40:

We did not see a dollar size which is usually $18.5M for NAICS code 561612; therefore, is this solicitation a full and open for small businesses with the only size criteria being no more than 500 employees? Or did you mean for this solicitation to be a small business set aside at a full and open competition with both the dollar and employee size criteria included Answer 40:

See Amendment 000003 dated 2-01-2012.

Question 41:

Will the government please clarify the Facility Security Clearance level requirement for this contract? The SOW states, “not applicable” in the drop down menu in section 5.4.1.2. Does this mean that there is no Facility Security Clearance requirement?

Answer 41:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 42:

What CBA is building VA0401 as it isn’t listed on the CBA?

Answer 42:

VA0401 is covered by Wage Determination 2005-2103 Revision 11.

Question 43:

Are all buildings requiring onsite supervision and at all times?

Answer 43:

See Amendment 000004 dated 2-03-2012 and Paragraph 1.1.2 of the Statement of Work.

Question 44:

Is a Past Performance by a manager or key personnel needing the same requirement for submittal: i.e. within the past 3 years?

Answer 44:

The solicitation is clear on its face.

Question 45:

Site VA 0888 belongs to NASPSO, SPFPA is claiming the entire state, however we received the SCA Wage Determination which leads me to believe one of the remaining three sites is not covered by a CBA, is that correct?

Answer 45:

Both sites VA 0883 and VA 0007 are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreement CBA-2009-2768 Revision 2.

VA 0888 is covered by Collective Bargaining Agreement CBA 2011-4137.

VA0401 is covered by Prevailing Wage Determination 2005-2103 Rev 11.