Notice_to_Offerors_HSHQEC-16-R-00010.docx

RFP HSHQEC-16-R-00010; PSO Services for locations in Suitland, MD

Notice to Offerors

A. All proposals are due by 1:00pm EST, on 16 November 2016. All proposals shall be comprised if TWO (2) separate sealed envelopes. The first envelop shall contain five (5) copies of the technical (non-price) submission. The second envelope shall contain the original and one copy of the pricing submission, including a CD with the price element breakdown in Excel format, and all other documents required by the solicitation (e.g. SF1449, Pricing Schedule, Price Element Breakdown, Disclosures, Representation & Certifications, etc.). Both of these envelopes should then be sealed in a third envelope that clearly identifies the RFP for which it is being submitted and mailed to the below address:

B. All questions regarding this solicitation are due by 1:00 p.m. EST, on October 20, 2016. Submit all questions in writing to Chantay Lynch via email chantay.lynch@hq.dhs.gov.

C. This acquisition is a 100% Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set Aside. This procurement does not require a facility clearance only DHS Suitability.

D. A copy of the post-exhibit and PSO seniority list (Attachment 10) will be provided upon receipt of request and a completed non-disclosure form (11000-6, SOW Exhibit 3). Submit the form to Chantay Lynch via email chantay.lynch@hq.dhs.gov.

E. There are multiple CBAs and a DOL area Wage Determination covering the Protective Security Officers (PSO). Please refer to the attached CBAs/Wage Determination which corresponds to the different locations.

-Prospective Offerors-

In support of the referenced Request for Proposal, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Protective Service (FPS) is conducting a PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE which will be held as follows:

Date & Time – October 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. EST Prospective contractors should congregate in the lobby and will be escorted to the meeting room. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to continue for approximately one (1) hour.

Location - Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market Street, Suite 3200 Philadelphia, PA 19106. There are 2 side entrances to our building, one on 7th and one on 8th. Once you enter from either entrance, walk directly to the center of the building by the atrium. You will see the entrance to the office spaces there (do not be alarmed that you will not see Federal Protective Service displayed on the Marquee). Enter and go to the guard desk.

Notice to Offerors

Security-Employees will need to go through security once you get into the building. Photo ID will be required to gain access into the building. Please plan to arrive at the building at least thirty minutes before the conference to allow for the security process.

Purpose- The purpose of the pre-proposal conferences is to provide a briefing on the contracting concept, the scope of the work and the exhibits, so that offerors can ascertain the general conditions that could materially affect the proposal price. We consider attendance at these conferences vital to the preparation of a competitive and cost effective proposal and to understand the total result desired by the Government. Therefore, attendance at the pre-proposal conference is strongly recommended for all Contractors.

Contractors are required to notify Chantay Lynch via email at chantay.lynch@hq.dhs.gov, telephone (215) 521-2272, with the names of the individuals who will attend the conference. Notification must be sent prior to 2:00 pm EST on 10/13/2016. If you can not physically attend the pre-proposal conference a conference call in phone number will be provided, please email chantay.lynch@hq.dhs.gov for the conference call in number.

The following information is provided for informational purposes only:

The following information is provided for informational purposes only:

1. Before asking any questions, please read the solicitation completely and carefully.

1. Questions will only be considered from interested parties (i.e. NAICS 561612).

1. Services are currently being performed by Master Security Company, LLC.

1. With regard to the Post Exhibit, all posts are armed. Further, “M-F” posts exclude federal holidays while “7 days” posts include federal holidays.

1. Offerors (including any proposed partners or subcontractors) must possess DHS Suitability at time solicitation close. All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that the offeror possesses this clearance. If an offeror does not possess the required clearance, their proposal will be deemed non-conforming to the solicitation’s requirements.

1. Incumbent Protective Security Officers (PSOs) are currently armed with the following 9mm handguns: Glock Model 17. If an offeror does not utilize the aforementioned weapons, they would be required to provide 3 hours of transitional weapon training. Please note that all PSOs (including supervisory PSOs) are required to qualify at least semi-annually with the 9mm handgun. PSOs cannot share firearms and each PSO shall be assigned their own firearm. Please note that there is no requirement for shotguns under this solicitation.

1. Please refer to the applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations and Code of Federal Regulations as they relate to the Service Contract Act. Service Contract Act price adjustments pursuant to FAR 52.222-43 will be conducted on the anniversary date of the contract

1. Offerors shall note that relief, patrol (rover) and supervisory PSOs shall not be used to provide breaks/relief while simultaneously performing the rover or the supervisory function.

1. With regards to questions concerning relevant past performance, The RFP states, “A Past Performance Questionnaires (Attachment 4) shall be submitted for each referenced contract unless a CPARS for the most recently completed performance period is resident in Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) for the reference contract.”

1. With regards to questions concerning random monthly drug screening, the Statement of Work (SOW) section 5.2.3.5 states, “The contractor shall perform random monthly drug screenings of 10% of all PSOs assigned to this contract.”

1. With regards to questions concerning how many employees have DHS HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Cards, 97% of the current workforce has PIV cards.

1. With regards to questions concerning the facilities location where PIV cards issued, the most up-to-date PIV Card issuance locations and their scheduling information can be found at: https://dhs.authentx.com/dhs/appointments/frm-centerlist.html .

1. With regards to questions concerning hand delivering proposal, a proposal can be hand delivered as long as the proposal is delivered before proposal submission due date and time

1. With regards to questions concerning classrooms for Basic Training and annual Refresher training, Basic Training classes are provided by FPS at 6315 Bren Mar Drive Alexandria, Virginia. Refresher training is provided by the security vendor at their specified location.

1. With regard to questions concerning potential site visits, site visits will not be provided to potential offerors.

1. With regard to questions concerning GSA Schedules, the following applies: This RFP is not a GSA Schedule acquisition conducted in accordance with FAR 8.4; therefore, offerors are not required to have a GSA Contract and the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) does not apply.

1. With regard to NWDTP, the following is provided for informational purposes only:

· With regards to questions concerning x-ray screening post and non-x-ray screening, Per Section 6.7.4.1.1 of the SOW, PSOs performing x-ray screening post duties shall complete a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of initial training while PSOs performing non x-ray screening post duties shall complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of initial training.

· With regards to questions concerning to non-x-ray screener posts, PSOs with current 8-hour NWDTP non-screener training (walk through metal detector /hand wand) would not need to attend an 8-hour certification class if their current training has not expired. Per Section 6.7.4.1.1.1, PSOs previously certified by a FPS NWDTP Training Instructor or FPS certified contractor NWDTP Training Instructor are not required to repeat the NWDTP initial training. Government provided screener training other than NWDTP does not count towards meeting the NWDTP training requirements.

· With regards to questions concerning annual/refresher training required for the NWDTP x-ray and non-x-ray training, Per Section 6.7.2.1.2 of the SOW, NWDTP Instructors shall conduct a minimum of two (2) hours of on-the-job training (OJT) every 60 days, per PSO conducting screening operations. This satisfies the annual refresher training requirement as long as the OJT is completed as written.

· With regards to questions concerning a PSO who mans an x-ray screening station and a non-x-ray screening station be required to take the initial training for both (a total of 24 hours), the PSO won’t have to go through the 16 and 8 hour program. However, in order to work on an x-ray screening post, the PSO must successfully pass the 16 hour program. Per Section 6.7.4.1.1 of the SOW, as long as the PSO has successfully completed the 16 hour NWDTP, he/she can work an x-ray post and non-x-ray post.

· With regards to questions concerning supervisors required to have NWDTP training, In accordance with SOW 6.7.4.1.1, only supervisors that provide oversight and supervision for x-ray and non-x-ray screening posts are required to be NWDTP certified. Supervisors that oversee non-screening posts are not required to be NWDTP certified.

· With regards to questions concerning how much and how long is the NWDTP TTT course at FLETC, In accordance with SOW 6.7.3.1.1.2, the Contractor is responsible for travel and per diem costs for all NWDTP Instructor Certification activities. NWDTP course is 40 hours (8 hours each day, Monday – Friday).

· With regards to questions concerning anticipated training locations and dates so that accurate travel costs can be factored into the proposal, training for the NWDTP Training Instructors is conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Brunswick, GA. SOW 6.7.3.1.1.1 states the contractor shall coordinate immediately after contract award with the COR for the 40 hours classroom NWDTP Instructor certification. FPS will need a minimum of 60 days to schedule the NWDTP Instructor course. Under SOW 6.7.3.1.1.2 the contractor is responsible for travel and per diem costs for all NWDTP Instructor certification activities at FLETC

· With regards to questions concerning if there is a limit to the NWDTP trainers, the government does not require a minimum number of NWDTP instructors nor limit to the number of NWDTP Training Instructors that are permitted to attend the NWDTP Instructor training at FLETC. It is incumbent upon the contractor to propose an adequate number of NWDTP Instructors to meet the requirements of Section 6.7, National Weapons Detection Training Program (NWDTP) using the Train-the-Trainer methods, of the SOW. SOW 6.7.3.1.1.2 details applicable expenses.

· With regards to questions concerning NWDTP Instructor maintaining certification, the Instructor does not have to follow the minimum 8 hours on an x-ray machine every 60 days. He/she must recertify yearly by co-teaching an NWDTP class with a FPS NWDTP Instructor per Section 6.7.3.2 of the SOW.

· With regards to question concerning NWDTP Instructors, the transition period is 90 days; the Government will allow a deferment period of up to 120 days after contract award to get their Instructors trained and certified at FLETC and to train their PSOs on the screening equipment.

· With regards to questions concerning pricing NWDTP training, the Contractor provides the training and should be priced accordingly,

· With regards to questions concerning the availability of space at FLETC to NWDTP certify contractor trainers, space will be made available at FLETC to certify contractor trainers.