HSHQEC12R00011 AMEND 0001.pdf

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HSHQEC-12-R-00011

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1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

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Philadelphia PA 19106 Attn: Michelle Duffy

OPO/FPS/EACCG/R11/C

701 Market Street, Suite 3200 Ofc of Procurement Operations - FPS U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security NPPD/FPS/East CCG/Region 11/Group C

Philadelphia PA 19106 Attn: Michelle Duffy

OPO/FPS/EACCG/R11/C

701 Market Street, Suite 4200 Ofc. of Procurement Operations - FP U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security NPPD/FPS/East CCG/Region 11/Group C

06/07/2012000001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

05/09/2012

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

SEE PAGE 2 OF THIS AMENDMENT.

DO/DPAS Rating: NONE

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

HSHQEC-12-R-00011

AMENDMENT 0001

A. The period of performance for CLINS 5001 through 5009 is hereby changed from “12/01/2017 to 05/30/2018” to “12/01/2017 to 05/31/2018.”

B. Paragraph G on page 80 of the solicitation is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

“G. Where contractor teaming arrangements (as defined at FAR Subpart 9.6) are proposed, a narrative and/or the actual Teaming Agreement if one exists, shall be submitted as part of the proposal which clearly details the roles, responsibilities, and distribution of effort (by type and percentage) between the parties in performance of the Government’s requirement. This information should be provided by the managing partner of the joint venture or the prime contractor as a one (1) page supplement to its Past Project Forms (Attachment 3) and will not count against the 15-page size limitation on the proposal.”

C. The hour and date specified for receipt of offers is hereby extended to Monday, June 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

D. The Government does not anticipate answering any additional questions regarding this solicitation.

E. The following questions and answers are hereby provided for informational purposes only.

Note: Not all questions received were specifically answered in this amendment. If a question was deemed duplicative or if the solicitation was clear on its face and the question would be easily answered through a simple reading of the solicitation, then it is not specifically addressed in this amendment. For all questions submitted and not specifically answered by this amendment (either through an answer to your exact question or a similar or duplicative one), the Agency response is ‘The solicitation is clear on its face’ as to that question.

1. QUESTION: The Attachment 5c amendment has escalation built into the wage rates between 2012-2013 ($23.94) and 2013-2014 ($24.53). Should offerors build this escalation into our price proposal or use $23.36 for all years?

ANSWER: Per FAR 22.1002-3 – “Wage Determinations Based on Collective Bargaining Agreements” paragraph (a) –

“(a) Successor contractors performing on contracts in excess of $2,500 for substantially the same services performed in the same locality must pay wages and fringe benefits (including accrued wages and benefits and prospective increases) at least equal to those contained in any bona fide collective bargaining agreement entered into under the predecessor contract..”

Offerors should use the rates that would be in effect for the base period of the new contract. In this case, the rate in effect for GSA ROB would be $24.53. In addition, per the instructions of the solicitation, offerors should use this same wage rate for every year when proposing.

2. QUESTION: Can you please confirm the address for the GSA ROB?

ANSWER: It is 301 7th street. SW Washington, D.C. 20407.

3. QUESTION: The Post Exhibit does not annotate which posts require a guard on holidays. Please specify which posts must be filled on holidays ANSWER: All posts that are 24 hours, 7 days a week require a PSO on the holidays.

4. QUESTION: What weapon platform has the incumbent workforce trained on?

ANSWER: PSOs are currently using 9MM weapons.

5. QUESTION: Will the incumbent workforce require weapon platform training if/when a new contractor takes over the contract?

ANSWER: There will be no change in weapons platform between the current contracts and the instant requirement.

6. QUESTION: Exhibit 9A does not specify any contractor required uniforms. Please confirm that all uniforms are government provided.

ANSWER: Uniforms shall be provided by the Contractor and not by the Government.

Exhibit 8A to the Statement of Work clearly outlines “Contractor-Provided Uniform Items.”

7. Will the government provide all weapon platform specific uniform items (i.e. holster, magazine holder, etc.)?

ANSWER: Please refer to the response to Question #6.

8. QUESTION: Can the incumbent workforce use a Beretta 92fs in performance of this contract?

ANSWER: The recommended list of weapons is available in Exhibit 8C – “Contractor- Provided Firearms and Ammunition” under the paragraph entitled “1. Caliber 9mm.”

9. QUESTION: Can the incumbent workforce use FMJ ammunition for training purposes only (JHP for duty)?

ANSWER: Full Metal Jacket ammo can be used for training. The hollow-point bullets are required for on-duty carry.

10. QUESTION: Regarding Socio-Economic, Small Disadvantaged Businesses: Does the 5% current goal held by the Government mean that 5% of the total contract $ value of our submitted proposal needs to be subcontracted to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (for example companies that we buy our uniforms, badges, equipment from) or does it mean that 5% of the total $ amount that we contract out (uniforms, badges, etc) need to go to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (for example if we contract out/purchase $1000.00 of uniforms, 5% of that $1000.00 would need to go to the SDB)?

ANSWER: The solicitation is clear on its face.

11. QUESTION: Regarding the Seniority Lists, please indicate which labor categories correspond to the employees and whether any of them are non-CBA or temporary personnel.

ANSWER: The labor category is Guard II and all PSOs are covered by the respective CBAs.

12. QUESTION: Please provide copies of the Area Wage Determinations (AWDs) that apply to any of the personnel (i.e., Supervisors) who are not covered by a CBA, if applicable.

ANSWER: This is not applicable to this requirement.

13. QUESTION: Please provide the latest negotiated CBA terms for all provided CBAs, as it appears that some are outdated ANSWER: Current CBAs (with their amendments) have been posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website (reference Attachment #5).

14. QUESTION: The SecTek CBA only has 1/1/11 rates, and the Masters security CBA only has 12/1/11 rates. Which rates should be used for pricing each of the workforce wages and benefits?

ANSWER: For CBAs that do not contain current year wage rates, offerors shall submit pricing based on the latest economics specified in the CBAs.

15. QUESTION: Please confirm that the Government wants the offerors to price the contract with the CBA rates applicable in the Base Period for all Option Periods even though the CBAs might include rates for out years, as indicated in the solicitation.

ANSWER: See the response to Question #1.

16. QUESTION: Please confirm that the awardee will be allowed an REA to incorporate all CBA changes negotiated prior to award/start of contract performance, in accordance with FAR requirements.

ANSWER: Any CBA changes will be handled in accordance with the applicable FAR requirements as well as the Service Contract Act.

17. QUESTION: Is the government providing computers, printers, a copier/scanner/ fax machine, and office supplies (ink and paper for the printers) for the contractor’s use in performing on-site contract management work, such as for the Supervisors? If so, how many will be provided?

ANSWER: See paragraph 13 on page 6 of “Notice to Offerors.”

18. QUESTION: Will the government provide Internet access so that Supervisors can access timesheet and email systems? If not, are we allowed to provide our own Internet access?

ANSWER: Internet access will not be provided by the Government. However, the contractor may provide Internet to its Supervisors.

19. QUESTION: Will office space be provided for the Supervisors?

ANSWER: See paragraph 13 on page 6 of the solicitation under “Notice to Offerors.”

20. QUESTION: If the Government is not providing an AED unit at each building, please indicate what type/model is required if to be provided by the Contractor and the quantity.

ANSWER: AEDs are supplied by the building occupants.

21. QUESTION: Will lockers for the PSOs be provided by the Government?

ANSWER: FPS does not guarantee that locker room space will be provided.

22. QUESTION: Please clarify if the Post Tracking System (PST) or DHS Form 139 will be used.

RESPONSE: The DHS Form 139 will be used until PST is functional.

23. QUESTION: What model or type of N95 mask is required (as different types require different levels of training and medical exam)?

ANSWER: Any NIOSH-approved n-95 particulate filtering face-piece respirators can be used.

24. QUESTION: Is one microshield to be provided per person as a uniform element or is it considered PPE, since it is listed under both Exhibits 8A and 8D?

ANSWER: This can be considered in either category.

25. QUESTION: Will a locked file cabinet(s) be provided by the Government on-site to store the paper personnel files or should these files be kept at the Offeror’s local office/HQ?

ANSWER: See the response to Question #17.

26. QUESTION: Exhibit 8E indicates the contractor is to provide 30 radios. Please clarify whether that is 30 radios per building or for the entire contract.

ANSWER: The quantity cited is for the entire contract.

27. QUESTION: If there are posts that do not require training in 9 mm handguns, please indicate the post numbers that are unarmed.

ANSWER: There are no unarmed posts.

28. QUESTION: Please indicate which posts must be trained in shotgun use.

ANSWER: Shotguns are not required.

29. QUESTION: Does SOW 14.4.6 mean that the contractor must provide weapons safes at each site? If so, please indicate what type (model) FPS requires. Or does the clause mean that there is no room at the sites for the contractor to install a weapons storage safe?

ANSWER: All sites/ buildings are required to provide a weapon storage space area where the safe and security equipment can be maintained.

30. QUESTION: Which make and model firearm (e.g. Smith & Wesson, Glock, etc.) is currently in use at the sites?

ANSWER: PSOs at L’Enfant Promenade and GSA ROB are currently using Glock 17 9mm while PSOs at Liberty Loan Building and L’Enfant Plaza are using Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm.

31. QUESTION: SOW 4.3.3 states that PSOs are authorized to travel to and from duty stations armed, with assigned duty weapons, unless prohibited by law. If prohibited by law, will they have to disarm and arm up at each location with another weapon other than their assigned one?

ANSWER: Offerors are required to check the legal requirements within the District of Columbia and comply will all applicable laws.

32. QUESTION: The current statutory language for carrying firearms and less-than-lethal weapons by individuals(s) performing security duties is codified in the District of Columbia Official Code and Municipal Regulation 6A, which requires individual(s) to be licensed by the Chief of Police as either armed or unarmed Special Police Officers or Security Officers and gives licensed individuals the authority to make arrest. Please indicate whether all current PSO’s are licensed as SPOs. If not, please indentify the posts that do not require SPO designation.

ANSWER: Special Police Officers are not required for this requirement.

33. QUESTION: According to the District of Columbia Official Code and Municipal Regulation 6A Armed Special Police Officers can only be armed with the 38 caliber revolver. If PSO’s are required to be armed with 9 mm weapons will a waiver be granted by DHS to carry this weapon so that PSOs and Supervisors can carry the 9mm?

ANSWER: Please see the response to Question #32.

34. QUESTION: Contractor training instructors are required to transport weapons from individual sites in the District of Columbia to the range and Supervisors are required to carry their issued weapon while conducting site checks in the District of Columbia.

Under what authority/license are current Training Instructors and Supervisors transporting and carrying weapons off federal property?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for obtaining all licenses from the DC government and complying with all District of Columbia requirements pertaining to the transport of weapons from individual sites within the District of Columbia.

35. QUESTION: Please confirm that there is space provided for personnel to clear their weapons on site.

ANSWER: All sites/ buildings are required to provide a weapon storage space area where the safe and security equipment can be maintained.

36. QUESTION: SOW 4.2.1.3 and 14.4.1 state that the contractor must obtain required licenses and permits for all company personnel to be armed and have arrest authority.

Since DC SOMB will not grant them arrest authority, what jurisdictional authority is granting the authority to detain/arrest?

ANSWER: FPS provides the authority in GSA buildings for PSOs to detain only. PSOs do not have arrest authority.

37. QUESTION: Suitability packages for renewal must be submitted 45 to 60 days prior to the expiration date of current suitability. What is the average time for approval of renewal, barring mistakes on the paperwork? If the renewal process takes longer than 60 days will the government grant a waiver for the officer to remain working on site until approved by the government?

ANSWER: The renewal turnaround time for a preliminary suitability is generally within 30 days or less provided there are no issues. The Government does not give a waiver on suitability.

38. QUESTION: Please confirm that the Contract Manager position is not a full-time position required to be on-site during business hours, Monday through Friday.

a. If required to be on-site, will office space and office equipment be provided?

ANSWER: Equipment or office space is not guaranteed by FPS. The tenant agency may provide, but there is no requirement to do so.

b. If so, at which building?

ANSWER: Please see the answer above.

c. Is the Contract Manager required to be located at a particular site?

ANSWER: No. The Contract Manager is not required to be located at a particular site.

39. QUESTION: Please clarify whether Supervisors are considered Shift Supervisors or Site Supervisors.

ANSWER: Supervisors are uniformed personnel with supervisory authority. The function or term “shift” or “site” supervisor is up to the contractor.

40. QUESTION: SOW Section 5.3.1.13 requires use of local, state or Federal law enforcement sources to obtain fingerprinting. Will offerors be allowed to provide fingerprinting from in-house sources instead, particularly if they are a certified FBI fingerprint channeler?

ANSWER: Yes, however; the vendor must be certified by the FBI to perform fingerprints.

41. QUESTION: Please indicate how many incumbent contractor employees currently do not meet the solicitation certification and licensing requirements.

ANSWER: FPS changed many of the certification requirements. Many PSOs have not yet been qualified under the requirements and will have to be tested.

42 QUESTION: Please indicate the number of incumbent employees who do not meet all the personnel requirements (e.g., US citizenship, years of experience, suitability, clearances).

ANSWER: All incumbents were required to be US citizens. Some of the incumbents may not meet current suitability requirements. FPS upgraded the suitability requirements for new contracts. Previous contracts required NACI for background investigations. FPS no longer accepts NACI and now requires an MBI. Unless the officers worked other contracts that required an MBI, they may need to have their background investigations upgraded. Regardless of that, the FPS Suitability Section will still require the contractor to submit a Contractor Information Worksheet (CIW) for each employee and add the new company as the officer’s employer.

43. QUESTION: Please indicate how many incumbent personnel are not FPS certified.

ANSWER: PSOs cannot stand post without proper certification.

44. QUESTION: If a new employee has a current FPS certification prior to being assigned to this contract, will a copy of the FPS credentials be sufficient to meet the requirement of the contract?

ANSWER: Yes, if the PSO has a copy of all the valid FPS certification training requirements then that PSO is qualified to stand post.

45. QUESTION: Since suitability determinations and clearances are valid for 5 years, at the time of award will the Government provide a list of the incumbents and their suitability/clearance issue dates?

ANSWER: Yes. This information will be provided at time of award.

46. QUESTION: Is the Training Instructor a full-time position billable to the contract?

ANSWER: Information regarding the Training Instructor is available in the Statement of Work. The cost of the Instructor should be factored into the overall clin amounts outlined in the SF1449.

47. QUESTION: Please detail which of the medical standards are new to the contract so that we can factor in the appropriate level of screening for incumbents.

ANSWER: The medical standards are outlined in the exhibits to the Statement of Work.

The physical abilities testing manual is new as well as the PSO functions and tasks.

48. QUESTION: SF 1449 – Please confirm that the 5xxx CLIN series’ Period of Performance (POP) ends on 5/31/18, not 5/30/18.

ANSWER: The end of the period of performance is 05/31/2018.

49. QUESTION: Solicitation Document Section C-2 page 38, Paragraphs 03.b. & c., pages 40-42, Paragraphs 04. C.1, 2, and 3, pages 44 & 45, Paragraphs 10B.2 , 3, & 4, 10C.1.b & 2, and SOW Sections 9.21.5, .6, .7, and .8, 12.3.4 are written for a T&M/Labor Hour type contract.

a. Please confirm that:

i. This is a Monthly Firm Fixed Price type contract;

ANSWER: Yes, with the exception of TAS which are ordered as labor hours.

ii. The post exhibit’s hours are the hours that need to be priced and will be the hours required for performance;

ANSWER: The contractor will be required to perform services for the schedule outlined in the post exhibit.

iii. That any task order will reflect the Post Exhibit coverage requirements as provided by DHS with this RFP, unless a modification to the contract and the task order(s) is mutually agreed to and is incorporated in the contract;

ANSWER: Any changes to the contract will be handled in accordance with FAR requirements.

b. Since there are no Basic Service Hourly Rates, please clarify the procedure for ordering Temporary Additional Services (TAS):

i. When the Government provides more than 72 hours of notice, or

ii. When TAS is required with less than 72 hours of notice, but for more than 72 hours of performance, for the hours required after the first 72 hours of performance;

ANSWER: The solicitation is clear in its face; please refer to pages 40 and 41 of the RFP.

c. The payments section of the Solicitation Documents and the SOW PST sections addresses payment of hours in excess of authorized, for unmanned posts, and the need for invoices to match the PST/DHS Form 139 hours, but these sections need to be restated because billing is for monthly prices not hourly rates. Therefore, besides assessing hourly deductions for unmanned post hours at $50.00/unmanned hour, please state how any potential additional deductions/adjustments will be assessed by the Government for open posts given there are no hourly rates established for this effort;

ANSWER: Each month, the contractor will be required to provide staffing in accordance with the post exhibit and will be paid a monthly price for these services. If the contractor fails to provide all of the required services, they will be assessed deductions in accordance with pages 45 and 46 of the solicitation.

d. How will the Government order ESS for long-term, given there are no basic hourly rates?

ANSWER: ESS is not applicable to this solicitation.

50. QUESTION: On Page 65, Clause 52.203-15 is selected but it applies only to ARRA funded contracts, please confirm that this is not an ARRA Funded contract.

ANSWER: Although not anticipated at this point, the Government may use ARRA funds.

51. QUESTION: Pages 87 & 88 of the Solicitation.

a. Please confirm that we do not need to provide the requested data for the Base Period, Optional Ordering Periods 1, 2, 3, and 4 and for FAR 52.217-8, since these CLINS are not Cost Reimbursable and update this section accordingly.

ANSWER: Offerors shall provide the information as required by the solicitation.

b. Please confirm that the 6-month extension ends on 5/31/18 not 5/30/18.

ANSWER: The 6-month extension ends on 05/31/18.

52. QUESTION: Since one of the CBAs requires employers to pay for guard mount time, is there a minimum guard mount, gear-up and/or gear-down time for all the sites?

ANSWER: Any information applicable to Guard Mount (if applicable) is available in the CBA(s).

53. QUESTION: Does each site have a separate area for guardmount/roll call?

ANSWER: There may not be a separate area to hold a guardmount , however, the guardmount could be held in a training room, hallway or in the weapons storage area.

54. QUESTION: Please confirm that the Government request to submit a Pricing Schedule in the Price Volume per the Proposal Checklist is satisfied by submission of pages 2-8 of SF 1449. Otherwise clarify whether a separate spreadsheet restating the information in SF 1449 and providing subtotals should be provided.

ANSWER: The solicitation is clear on its face; please refer to pages 85 and 86 of the

55. QUESTION: Please confirm that the Government is exempt from the DC 6% Sales Tax on Security Services effective 10/1/2011, thereby the prime contractor is not required to collect the sales tax from the Government or pay them to the DC Government.

ANSWER: The exemption applies to sales to the U.S. Government.

56. QUESTION: Please confirm that any potential Subcontractor is exempt from, or a waiver for exemption will be provided from the Government, the DC 6% Sales Tax on Security Services effective 10/1/2011, thereby the Subcontractor is not required to collect the sales tax from the Prime, and in turn from the Government, or pay them to the DC Government.

ANSWER: It is the contractor’s responsibility to ascertain this information from the District of Columbia.

57. QUESTION: Please confirm the DC Sick and Safe Act of 2008, requiring payment of a minimum number of Sick/Family Leave days, is applicable.

ANSWER: The contractor is required to comply with all local laws effective in the District of Columbia.

58. QUESTION: Reference Section C, Sub-Section C-2, 04. Prices, A.3. This section states that only CBA wages and fringe benefits will be adjusted under the SCA FAR clause 52.222-43.

a. Does the Government consider uniform allowances as Fringe Benefits subject to adjustment?

ANSWER: No. The Government does not consider uniform allowances to be fringe benefits.

b. Please confirm that the following items constitute Bona Fide Fringe Benefits subject to adjustment:

i. Health & Welfare (H&W);

ii. Health Insurance;

iii. Life Insurance AD&D;

iv. Pension Plan;

v. 401K;

vi. Vacation;

vii. Holidays;

viii. Sick & Personal Leave;

ix. Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave;

x. Other Paid Leave;

xi. Other Paid Time not spent on post.

ANSWER: Refer to Code of Federal Regulation 29 CFR Chapter 4, Section 4.171.

c. Please confirm that the following items are considered costs affected by changes in wages subject to adjustment:

xii. Straight Time (ST) Spent on Post;

xiii. Overtime (OT) on Post/TAS;

xiv. ST & OT for paid Training;

xv. ST & OT for Guard Mount;

xvi. ST & OT for Paid Breaks and/or Meals;

xvii. ST & OT paid for Work performed on Holidays;

xviii. All other paid leave (Vacation, Holidays, Sick & Personal Leave, Jury Duty, Bereavement Leave, Other Paid Leave);

xix. All other time paid while not on post (i.e. physicals, court duty, stewards, etc.).

ANSWER: See previous response. NOTE: OT premium payments are not subject to adjustment under the SCA.

59. QUESTION: To ensure pay parity between Officers and Supervisors, please confirm that DHS will allow for contract price adjustments of Supervisors’ pay that is indexed to the CBA or DOL Wage Determination pay rates at the indexed level.

ANSWER: See previous response (parts “b” and “c”).

60. QUESTION: Please confirm that the cost for the Transition Period is to be included in the base period rates.

ANSWER: This is correct.

61. QUESTION: Can we assume that the 7 day/week posts include holidays, while the M-F posts exclude holidays?

ANSWER: Yes.

62. QUESTION: Are the Inauguration Days in the Base Period (it falls on a Sunday and the observed holiday is the same as MLKJ Day) and in Option 4 staffed as a regular workday or as a holiday?

ANSWER: Inauguration Day is not a recognized federal holiday

63. QUESTION: Can the pricing breakdown spreadsheet be modified to reflect the RFP requirements, CBA labor categories, contractor’s proposed approach, estimating system, and CAS disclosure statement policies?

ANSWER: The contractor can provide the breakdown in any format, however, the format provided is preferred.

64. QUESTION: Can the offeror provide its own price breakdown model in lieu of the provided attachment?

ANSWER: It is strongly suggested and preferred that the offeror use the provided price breakdown model.

65. QUESTION: SOW Section 6.1.7.2 indicates the contractor must pay “certified” contract PSOs for training and testing. However, this leaves a question about the point at which someone is considered “certified”. Could you please clarify.

ANSWER: Certification requirements are outlined in Section 6.4 of the SOW. The contractor will be required to pay employees in accordance with the contract and all applicable labor hours and regulations.

66. QUESTION: Page 77 of the RFP indicates a minimum font size of 11 pt. Will a smaller size be allowed for graphics and tables?

ANSWER: All text should be 11 pt. font, except for tables, spreadsheets. However, these must be legible.

67. QUESTION: Please confirm that font and margin limitations are not applicable to the price volume. The RFP (#2 on page 83) indicates bidders must include a detailed Relief Plan in the Staffing section of the Technical Proposal. Due to the severe page limitations, can this information be excluded from the page count as an attachment.

ANSWER: Offerors shall submit their proposal in accordance with the instructions outlined in the solicitation.

68. QUESTION: SOW 6.8.2 states that first aid, CPR, and AED training must include a full-course curriculum in accordance with ARC or AHA guidelines. Please confirm that the government requirement matches the standards set by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

69. QUESTION: Please confirm there is no on-the-job training required. If there is OJT, please indicate how many hours and the topics required.

ANSWER: Training requirements are specified in the SOW and Exhibits.

70. QUESTION: SOW 6.6.5.4 states “If PSO does not qualify during second qualification session, Contractor must provide a minimum of eight hours of remedial training prior to each session (two attempts) at qualification by PSO.” Please confirm the number of “sessions” a PSO may attend in an attempt to qualify, as this seems to indicate more than two sessions of two attempts each.

ANSWER: The contractor can send a PSO to qualify as often as it willing to do so.

71. QUESTION: SOW 6.6.3.2 states that each qualification “session” consists of no more than two attempts to qualify. Please confirm that a PSO gets two attempts at each of two sessions, for a total of four attempts to qualify with a weapon.

ANSWER: Yes, the statement is correct.

72. QUESTION: SOW 6.6.5.2 states that the Contractor “must provide a minimum of eight hours of remedial training, prior to second qualification session.” Please confirm that this refers to PSOs that do not qualify during their first session and not to the semi-annual qualification required of all PSOs.

ANSWER: If the PSO fails on the semi-annual qualification, he/she will be required to take the eight hour remedial training.

73 QUESTION: Exhibit 4D states that “contractor must present and certify up to four hours of annual baton and up to four hours of annual OC spray refresher training and semi-annual weapons qualification.” Please confirm whether semi-annual qualification is up to 4 hours total for both sessions or is 4 hours per session.

ANSWER: It is 4 hours per session.

74. QUESTION: Exhibit 4D states that “contractor must present and certify up to four hours of annual baton and up to four hours of annual OC spray refresher training and semi-annual weapons qualification.” Please confirm that the 4 hours of annual baton and up to 4 hours of annual OC spray refresher and semi-annual qualification are in addition to the 40 hours of refresher training over 3 years as outlined in Exhibit 4E?

ANSWER: Yes. It is in addition to the 40 hours of refresher training.

75. QUESTION: If the incumbents are not trained and certified in any of the training requirements of Section 6.4, will the incumbents be grandfathered in?

ANSWER: No. Incumbents will not be grandfathered in.

76. QUESTIONS: Are all incumbents trained to the required Less-than-Lethal weapons (baton and OC spray)?

ANSWER: Some PSOs may have OC spray, but it was not a requirement on the older contracts. Baton was a requirement, but the yearly certifications expire; therefore, many may require certification updates.

77. QUESTION: SOW, Section 1.1.1 states that OSHA considers PSOs as first responders (awareness level). SOW, Section 9.7.3 indicates that Roving Patrols are first responder (awareness level). Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 First Responder Awareness Level training required?

ANSWER: All required FPS training is listed in the SOW and offeror must comply with all applicable OSHA requirements and associated training requirements. Any such costs should be reflected in the offeror’s pricing.

78. QUESTION: During the transition period, can the incoming contractor “shadow” the incumbents to ensure continuity of operations?

ANSWER: No. The incoming contractor cannot “shadow” the incumbents to ensure continuity of operations.

79. QUESTION: Will a PSO’s suitability transfer from the incumbent to the new contractor or must the awarded contractor submit suitability applications for all incumbent employees during the contract transition period?

ANSWER: The incumbent PSOs are allowed to work during the start up; however; the new vendor must request a new suitability letter for each PSO under their company name.

80 QUESTION: The collective bargaining agreement provided for the SecTek sites expired 1 January 2012. Would FPS please provide guidance to offerors on handle wage and benefits for these sites for pricing?

ANSWER: Wages are still being paid at the 2011 rates.

81. Contract Clauses, Subsection E-2, Technical Proposal (Non-price factors), Socio Economic Factor presents a chart that requires the bidder to provide the overall price of the contract as bid.

QUESTION: Since this is a “technical” factor, how does the entry of the price data in the chart reconcile with the prohibition against placing price data in the technical proposal?

ANSWER: The table requested will be considered as part of the socio economic factor/technical proposal and not the price proposal. The socio-economic data will be incorporated into and become part of any resulting contract.

82. Contract Clauses, Subsection E-2, Proposal Submission Requirements, paragraph 4 Page Limitation provides in relevant part “Excluding the cover page and past performance forms and questionnaires, the technical proposal (covering all non-price factors) is limited to fifteen (15) pages…” QUESTION: Will the Government consider allowing a Table of Contents for the Technical Proposal that will be exempt from page limitation?

ANSWER: The Table of Contents will be exempt from page limitation.

83. Contract Clauses, Subsection E-2, Proposal Submission Requirements, paragraph 4 Page Limitation provides in relevant part “Excluding the cover page and past performance forms and questionnaires, the technical proposal (covering all non-price factors) is limited to fifteen (15) pages in at least 11pt font and 1” margins.

QUESTION: Will the Government consider a smaller font size for tables and graphics as long as it is legible?

ANSWER: Smaller font will be acceptable for graphics and tables as well as headers and footers, but the offeror is responsible to ensure the font is legible. The government is not responsible for any mistakes in evaluation due to an inability to read the provided text in the graphics/tables of the proposal.

84. QUESTION: Regarding Past Performance Questionnaires, please confirm that Past Performance Questionnaires are not required to be submitted as part of the proposal.

ANSWER: Information regarding performance questionnaires is available on page 79 of the solicitation.

85. Statement of Work, Paragraph 1.1.1 provides in relevant part, “Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consider PSO positions as First Responders Awareness Level.

OSHA defines First Responders Awareness Level:

First responders at the awareness level are individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release.

They would take no further action beyond notifying the authorities of the release.

First responders at the awareness level shall have sufficient training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas:

An understanding of what hazardous substances are, and the risks associated with them in an incident.

An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with an emergency created when hazardous substances are present.

The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency.

The ability to identify the hazardous substances, if possible.”

QUESTION: Given that OSHA’s definition of first responders at the awareness level requires an intimate knowledge of hazardous material, is any additional training required for uniformed contract employees to qualify as first responders at the awareness level?

ANSWER: The requirements are as stated in the SOW. The FPS mandated training is for the purpose of preparing officers to perform required post duties. As explained in the SOW Sections 3.5.3 and 5.2.1.3 it is the responsibility of the contractor to be in compliance with any OSHA regulations.

86. Statement of Work, Paragraph 5.2.4 Initial and Recurring Screening for Illegal Drugs, subparagraph 5.2.4.1 provides: “PSOs must submit to urine drug screening as part of initial pre-employment process and during recurring medical examination, every three years.” Subparagraph 5.2.4.2 provides: Drug screenings shall conform to current U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs.”

Section 3.4 of the SAMHSA “Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs” provides:

“Marijuana metabolites 50 ng/mL Cocaine metabolites 150 ng/mL Opiate metabolites

Codeine/Morphine

2000 ng/mL

6-Acetylmorphine 10 ng/mL

Phencyclidine 25 ng/mL Amphetamines 3

AMP/MAMP4 500 ng/mL MDMA6 500 ng/mL”

It has been our experience that on other FPS solicitations of similar scope, the drug standard limits have been the following:

“Substance Cutoff Level

(ng/mL)

Marijuana metabolites 50 Cocaine metabolites 300 Opiate metabolites 2,000 Phencyclidine 25 Amphetamines 3”

Our questions below presume that the government has determined the specific needs so that it can properly evaluate Offerors management approach and price.

QUESTION A: Are the drug screening standards in this RFP different from the drug screening standards currently applied to incumbent personnel?

RESPONSE: FPS updates SOW requirements as needed. The contractor is required to meet the testing standards regardless of past requirements. The requirements to meet U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs” is by Executive Order from the President. Contractors must meet the requirement as stated in the SOW. Also, the testing program is related to the medical screening program and the medical requirements are different from past versions.

QUESTION B: Will incumbent PSOs with drug screening records that meet the requirements of the current contract be required to undergo drug screening during transition because the drug testing standards have changed?

ANSWER: Yes. Also, per Executive Order, federal drug testing standards are set by DHHS. The SOW requires contractors to meet DHHS testing requirements.

87. Statement of Work, Paragraph 5.3.1 Suitability Requirements, subparagraph 5.3.1.15 provides “Contractor is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining and renewing suitability clearances for employee associated with this contract.”

QUESTION: Does this paragraph mean that contractors bear the administrative costs of requesting the suitability and the employee’s time spent completing the process online only and that the Government bears responsibility for the costs related to the suitability review? Generally this is our experience working under federal contracts.

ANSWER: The Government is responsible for the processing and review of suitability packages only. The contractor is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining and renewing suitability clearances for employees associated with this contract.

88. Statement of Work, Paragraph 5.3.2 Suitability Determination, subparagraph 5.3.2.2 provides “Any investigation conducted by or for another federal agency on an individual that is of same or higher type and scope as one required for position is sufficient to meet investigation requirements if investigation occurred within past five years.”

QUESTION A: Was the investigation conducted on incumbent personnel the same or higher type and scope as the one required for PSO positions under this RFP?

ANSWER: The investigation was the same.

QUESTION B: How many of the incumbent personnel meet the five year investigation requirement?

ANSWER: This information will be provided at the time of award.

89. Statement of Work, Paragraph 5.4.2 Security Clearance Requirements, subparagraph

5.4.2.6 provides “Contractor is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining and renewing security clearances for each contract employee.”

QUESTION: Does this paragraph mean that contractors bear the administrative costs of requesting the clearance and the employee’s time spent completing the process online only and that the Government bears responsibility for the costs related to the clearance process?

ANSWER: The Government is responsible for the processing and review of suitability packages only. The contractor is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining and renewing suitability clearances for employees associated with this contract.

90. Statement of Work, Paragraph 6.6.4 Transitional Weapon/Weapon Platform Change, subparagraph 6.6.4.1 states “Contractor shall complete Transitional Weapon and Weapon Platform Change training in accordance with Exhibit 4C.”

Also, Exhibit 8C Contractor Provided Firearms and Ammunition provides in relevant part “The contractor will provide all security officers, including part-time and reserve officers, with their own pistol. Select the firearm that will be used: 38 Special, 9mm, .40 S/W, .357 SIG.” The Exhibit specifies the 9mm as the type of firearm required for performance on this RFP.

QUESTION: Is the current weapons platform different from the weapon platform required under this contract? Is the 9mm considered a change from the current platform?

ANSWER: No. The 9mm is currently in use at all sites.

91. QUESTION: Please confirm that the 40 hour course identified in Exhibit 4C (4 hours Use of OC Spray, 4 hours Use of Baton, 8 hours Firearms Maintenance, Safety and Handling, and 24 hours Initial Firearms Familiarization Fire) is required for both incumbent and new employees.

ANSWER: No, the initial training is required for anyone who does not have documentation that the training was provided. If the officer cannot produce a certificate, then they will have to retake the course. Exhibit 4C is for the initial training. Exhibit 4D requires refresher training for the same course subjects. Exhibit 4D also requires the contractor “to present and certify up to four hours of annual baton and up to four hours of annual OC Spray refresher training and semi-annual weapons qualification using course of fire in Exhibit 4C of this contract. Contractor must coordinate with Contracting Officer for FPS to monitor course of fire.”

92. Statement of Work, Paragraph 11.3.2 provides in relevant part, “Under no circumstances shall Supervisors perform productive hours while working in supervisory capacity.”

QUESTION: Are supervisors permitted to work in a capacity other than a supervisory capacity? If yes, are supervisors working in non-supervisory capacity permitted to provide relief and/or stand post?

93. Statement of Work Paragraph 14.5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), subparagraph 14.5.3 provides, “Contractor shall follow OSHA standards for respiratory protection including Appendix D to 29 C.F.R. § 1910.134. FPS will require Contractor to medically evaluate and clear contract PSOs for the use of respirators, at least every three years, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134. Contractor is responsible for employee fit testing at such time a public health authority declares the use of respirators to be mandatory.”

QUESTION A: Is the requirement for employee respirator fit testing in this RFP different from the employee respirator fit testing requirement in the current contract?

ANSWER: Yes. This is a new requirement. Some of the contracts for the facilities under this contract did not have this requirement. It is the responsibility of the offeror to ensure each PSO meets the current requirements of the Statement of Work for this solicitation.

QUESTION B: Are incumbent PSOs with current respiratory protection clearances required to take a respiratory protection examination during transition because the respiratory protection standards have changed or are new?

ANSWER: The requirement is new and many of the officers may not have met the requirement. The respiratory protection requirements are set by OSHA and NIOSH. If they update the requirements, contractors may be required to comply with the changes. It is the responsibility of the offeror to ensure each PSO meets the current requirements of the Statement of Work for this solicitation.

94. Contract clauses, Section 4.B.3, provides "For cost/price factors that are subject to variation, but are not subject to adjustment under the provisions above, contractors may factor in contingency allowances.

"Note: Increases to Supervisor wages and benefits are not subject to contract price adjustment in the subsequent ordering period periods under FAR 52.222-43(d), unless the Supervisory position is expressly covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement or DOL Wage Determination. For Supervisor positions that are not subject to contract adjustment under FAR 52.222-43(d), the contractor is permitted to include a reasonable escalation in subsequent ordering periods (periods 1-4), based on the labor market in the geographical area that the effort will be performed."

QUESTION: Is it permissible to price Supervisory and overhead in positions at a 5 year average instead of escalating wages each period?

ANSWER: Whether to escalate supervision and overhead per year or average the same is at the offeror’s discretion. The offeror should clearly indicate which method is being used.

95. Exhibit 8D: Contractor Provide Personal Protective Equipment provides, “Contractor shall maintain a stock of the following personal protective equipment items for each officer, post, and location covered by this contract in quantities sufficient to furnish all productive and supervisory security officers performing on Contract with equipment for a two-week period. Contractor shall maintain all equipment in a ready and usable condition and replenish stock as necessary to ensure a two-week supply is available at all times.”

QUESTION: Please clarify whether the initial two week supply noted in Exhibit 8D PPE is included in unit hourly rates or if it will be reimbursed under the separate Not-to- Exceed CLIN.

ANSWER: Yes. The two-week supply noted in Exhibit 8D should be included in the offeror’s monthly/hourly rates proposed. Any additional costs would fall under the separate COOP CLIN in the event a COOP is needed to be implemented.

96. Contract Clauses, Subsection E-2, Price Proposal, paragraph 1 provides “Using the Pricing Schedule, the Contractor must submit unit prices and extended prices (i.e. Unit Price x Estimated Quantity) for every line item listed under each potential ordering period (including the 6 month option available under FAR 52.217-8).” Typically, the government provides a Pricing Schedule as an attachment in Microsoft Excel format.

QUESTION: Will the government provide a Pricing Schedule for Offerors to submit as part of their Price Proposal or will a completed SF 1449 suffice?

ANSWER: The SF1449 will suffice.

97. CBA between SPFPA and SecTek, Section 7.7 – Break Periods provides, “All productive security officers shall be provided breaks and lunch in accordance with the provisions of the government contract.”

QUESTION: What is the current relief scheme provided to officers working under this

CBA?

ANSWER: Relief accounts for ½ hour for every 8-hour shift worked.

98. CBA between NASPSO and Allied Barton Security, Article VII, Section 3: Breaks provides, “Through the duration of this Agreement, covered employees working shall receive paid breaks in accordance with any applicable and binding contract with the Government.

QUESTION: What is the current relief scheme provided to officers working under this

CBA?

ANSWER: See response to previous question.

99. CBA between NASPSO and Allied Barton Security, Addendum to Agreement, Article VII 7 Guard Mount provides, “Employees will be compensated for all guard mount time before and after each scheduled shift…While it is expected that such guard mount time will not exceed 15 minutes before and after each shift, employees will be compensated for all time worked.”

QUESTION A: Does the Government require any guard mount time as noted in the CBA at the 301 7th Street SE location? If so, how long does the Government require before and after each shift for guard mount at the 301 7th Street SE location?

QUESTION B: Does the Government require any guard mount time at the other three (3) locations under this RFP? If so, how long does the Government require before and after each shift for guard mount at each of the other 3 locations?

ANSWER: Any information applicable to Guard Mount is available in the CBAs.

100. Exhibit 8E, Contractor-Provided Communication Equipment indicates 30 radios.

QUESTION:…