Questions and Answers - HSHQW8-11-R-00001 11-28-11.pdf

HSHQW8-11-R-00001

Questions & Answers

PSO SERVICES FOR STATES OF MONTANA/NORTH DAKOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION ANSWER

1 Attachment 8 provides a “Seniority List” with employee seniority dates. Also, (3) applicable Wage

Determinations provide varying vacation benefit levels for employees.

Question: Please indicate on the Seniority List the applicable Wage Determination for each seniority date listed.

The MT employees are on the CBA.

In ND, the employees are on the Wage Determination provided.

In SD, Three employees are located in Rapid City. The seniority dates are:

11/17/2005 8/19/2009 4/9/2010

The remaining SD employees are on the Wage Determination.

2 Exhibit 4C, Contractor Provided Initial and Transitional/Platform Firearms and Less-Than-Lethal Weapons Training and Qualification includes shotgun qualification requirements on pages 36 and 37 of

102. Also, a “Shotgun Qualification Course” is included on pages 41-42 of 102 although shotguns are not identified in Exhibit 8C: Contractor-Provided Firearms and Ammunition.

Question: Does this contract require every PSO to qualify with a shotgun?

Also, the Shotgun Qualification Course provides the following Note: “A specific post requirement must exist for PSOs to be armed with a shotgun.”

Question: Does this contract require that shotguns be made available to specific posts? If so, which posts would require shotguns and where will they be stored (please provide the facility address and method of storage)?

No posts require shotguns at this time.

3 Section 14.5.3 of the Statement of Work on page 55 of 62 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: Is the requirement for employee respirator fit testing in this RFP different from the employee respirator fit testing requirement in the current contract?

Question: 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?

This is a new requirement.

For this RFP, all PSOs are required to complete the required respiratory fit testing in accordance with the SOW 14.5.3 and must meet all contractual requirements to perform on the resultant contract.

4 Section 14.3.1 of the Statement of Work on page 54 of 62 provides “Contractor shall obtain all applicable permits, titles, inspections, and registrations in accordance with applicable Federal, state and local laws for the operation of vehicles.”

Exhibit 8F, Contractor Provided Vehicles, on page 92 of 102 provides in relevant part, “The Contractor shall furnish a vehicle or vehicles, as indicated below, for patrol at the facility, to transport supervisors, in the course of supervision duties, and emergency response, as may be necessary.” The Exhibit section titled “3. Vehicle Requirements” displays a blank table.

Question: Please confirm that no vehicles are required to be provided by the contractor for productive

Vehicles are not

PSOs patrols.

required

5 Section 12.1.2.1 of the Statement of Work on page 49 of 62 provides “Contractor shall provide breaks and/or meal periods in accordance with minimum state requirements and/or applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Exhibit 1 specifies which posts require a PSO relief provision.”

Question: Will a break/lunch room and lockers be provided for contractor employee use?

No, break rooms and lockers will not be provided.

6 Section 6.8.1 of the Statement of Work on page 33 of 62 provides “PSOs must maintain a valid/current certification for First Aid/CPR/AED, from American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA).” Our question below presumes that the government has determined the specific needs so that it can properly evaluate Offerors management approach and price.

Question: Do incumbent personnel possess current First Aid/CPR/AED certification that meets the requirements of the RFP?

The current contract personnel meet all requirements under the current contract.

Note that the RFP requirements differ from the current contract requirements. For this RFP, all PSO personnel must meet all contractual requirements to perform on the resultant contract.

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring all PSOs are in compliance with the requirements.

7 Section 6.1.1 of the Statement of Work on page 28 of 62 provides, “COTR has discretion to accept or deny proposed exemptions for previous training and/or certifications obtained under another FPS contract. Previous training and certification documentation and/or credentials must be valid and meet requirements of this contract to be considered.”

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

Question: The Pre-Proposal Conference slides identified significant differences between this SOW and the incumbent contract specific to screener training and semi-annual firearms qualifications; is the current security force trained to each of the remaining training specifications identified in Exhibits 4B through 4F of this procurement? If not, please specify which exhibits incumbents must receive training on during the transition.

Question: Which buildings have personnel utilizing X-ray/Magnetometer equipment?

Current PSOs are required to perform under current requirements. FPS cannot comment on the state of training based on hire dates.

See question 9.

All PSOs must be trained to use X-ray/Magnatometer equipment.

8 Are there any current collective bargaining agreements for the solicitations in Montana, Dakotas?

The applicable CBA and Wage Determinations are included in the

RFP.

Reference: 6.4 Training Requirements by Position Question: Does the incumbent guard force currently meet all of the training requirements outlined in this section as well as in the exhibits?

No the training has changed. See table below.

Training Frequency Exhibit

New Solicitation

Requirement

Current Contract Requirement

Applicable to Incumbment

PSOs

Supervisory Training *One Time Only

N/A 9

AED ARC/AHA

Requirements N/A

ARC/AHA

Requirements Yes

Contractor Provided Basic Training

*One Time Only 4B 64 64 No

CPR ARC/AHA

Requirements N/A ARC/AHA

Requirements No

Contractor-Provided Annual Weapons Refresher

Training

1. Baton

2. OC Spray

3. Weapons Qualification

4D

Semi-Annual

N/A

Annual

Yes

First Aid ARC/AHA Requirements N/A ARC/AHA

Requirements Yes

Contractor-Provided Initial Weapons Training and

Qualification

1. Use of OC Spray

2. Use of Baton

3. Firearms Maintenance, Safety, and Handling

4. Initial Firearms Familiarization Fire

5. Transitional Weapon Training and Qualification (Transitional Weapon: revolver to revolver; semi-automatic to semi-automatic)

6. Weapon Platform Change Training and Qualification (weapon platform change:

revolver to semi-automatic pistol)

*One Time Only 4C

Yes

No

Government Provided Orientation Training

1. Orientation

2. X-ray magnatometer

*One Time Only 4F

Contractor Provided Refresher Training Every 3 Years 4E 40 40 Yes

Government Provided Screener Training Annual 4G 8 N/A Yes

10 Reference: 6.6.4 Transitional Weapon/Weapon Platform Change

Question: What weapon platform is the current guard force using?

What weapon are the incumbent PSOs currently carrying?

The PSOs are using semi automatic 9mm pistols.

11 Reference: 12.1.2 Breaks Question: Are supervisors and rovers authorized to provide relief/breaks?

Supervisors may not provide relief while acting in a supervisory capacity. In order for a supervisor to provide relief, he must clock out as a supervisor and clock back in as a productive PSO.

Reference: 14.4.6 For those contracts storing weapons on site, Contractor shall store and secure additional ammunition on-site, periodically rotating old duty ammunition with new ammunition.

Questions: Will the contractor be authorized to store weapons and ammunition on-site at any of the locations listed in the post exhibits?

If so, which locations and how much additional ammunition is the Contractor required to store at each location?

No weapons shall be stored in government facilities.

Reference: Exhibit 7: PSO Medical Questionnaire and Physical Abilities Test Manual Question: Does the incumbent guard force currently meet the standards outlined in this exhibit?

The requirements of Exhibit 7 differ from the requirements in the current contract.

Reference: Exhibit 8E Contractor-Provided Communication Equipment Question: The quantity listed on this exhibit is for one (1) cellular telephone. Is the contractor required to only provide one (1) cell phone per building or one (1) cell phone per post?

All posts require a cell phone.

Reference: Exhibit 1, Post Exhibits Question: Can the government confirm that the total annual hours listed on the post exhibit are correct?

Example: Facility # MT5356, Post location 401 is listed as a start time of 8:45 and end time of 16:45 which would be 8 hours a day. Total days are listed at 250 for a total of 2024 hours a year. However, 8 hours a day for 250 days equals 2,000 hours.

The hours listed are correct. There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

16 What is the current billing and guard rate? Contractors should propose to the current solicitation requirements and wage determinations provided. The current billing rate has no bearing on the requirements of the new procurement.

17 May we submit a proposal if the licenses for Security/Patrol Services for the above states are in process? The contractor shall have a valid license upon award of contract.

18 If subcontracting, what is the minimum percentage of work that the small business must complete? Reference FAR

Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

Will partnering or being registered on the DHS Mentor-Protégé Program be an advantage?

(http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/opnbiz/OSDBU_MentorProtegeDetails.pdf)

FPS does not advise on proposal strategies..

20 Is there a preference or advantage for being veteran owned business? This acquisition is a Small Business Set- Aside.

21 Is there a Proposal (Bid) Bond requirement? If so, what is the amount? No.

22 Is there a Performance Bond requirement? If so, what is the amount? No.

23 Is there a Fidelity Bond/Crime Insurance Requirement? If so, what is the amount? No.

Offerer shall submit three past performance, not to go back further than 5 years. Would a past contract that we held from 2005 thru 2008 fall within the 5 years? Will you use the start date or the ending date of the contract?

Yes; the ending date is within the 5 year period.

25 Are all PSOs who have been recently hired by the incumbent(s) required to qualify under the current contract requirements, i.e. (medical, firearms, etc), or are newly hired PSOs required to qualify under the new standards presented in these solicitations? Recently hired to mean from 10/25/11 – award of contract(s).

Current PSOs are required to perform under current requirements. FPS cannot comment on the state of training based on hire dates.

26 In regards to FPS specific training, i.e. weapons detection training (x-ray, magnetometer, etc), SGIM testing, Firearms qualification, are FPS inspectors available to all post locations, or does FPS only provide inspectors to specific post locations? For instance will the FPS inspector qualify PSO firearms certification only in major cities where FPS offices are located? Please provide listing of FPS offices within the states of Montana, North & South Dakota, from which these inspectors would be deployed.

MT- Billings ND- Fargo SD- Rapid City

27 Is FPS aware of any post locations that prohibit the use of the 9 mm weapons and only allow use of revolvers? (For instance Region 6 contract required semi-automatic weapons on all posts except St.

Louis, MO where city law prohibit such use)

The contractor is responsible for complying with all state and local laws.

28 Are all current PSOs qualified to stand post? Current PSOs meet the requirements of the current contract.

29 What number of PSO’s on these contracts currently maintain a final adjudication versus preliminary adjudication?

17 PSOs have preliminary adjudications; all others have final adjudications.

30 Will the Government provide the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBAs_ currently in place for the armed guard services?

The applicable CBA is located at Attachment 5.

31 Are any telephones (hard wire) available at any of the guard post(s) outlined in the RFP that the officers can use to call into an automated timekeeping company timekeeping system?

The successful offereor will provide cell phones at each post or station. Those phones can be used for company business.

32 Will the Government provide any office space for this contract? If so, where are the space(s) located and the specs?

Will the government provide any office space, furniture, or office equipment any contract management and administration of these contracts? If so at which specific post locations?

Office space will not be provided.

33 Does the Government require any vehicles for this RFP? If so, are there any requirements for the vehicle(s)?

Vehicles are not required.

34 The COTR for this order is to be determined upon award of contract. Does the government have an idea what city or state that the COTR will be located in?

The possible locations are Denver, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Billings, MT; Fargo ND;

Cheyenne, WY

It should be noted that the CBA in the RFP expires 3/31/12 (1 day before performance starts); if a new CBA is negotiated during transition, will the contractor be able to submit an REA if a subject Wage Determination is incorporated into the contract after award but prior to the contract start date?

New wage determinations and resulting price adjustments will be addressed in accordance with the Service Contract Act as implemented by the FAR.

Section B, CLIN 0002C, Emergency Support Services (ESS) in North Dakota (ND), Page 3 CLIN 0002C for ESS in ND only lists quantity of 80 but does not have a unit of measure.

Will the government please clarify the unit for this CLIN?

The unit of measure is by the hour.

Section B, CLIN 2004, COOP/Other Direct Costs, Page 5 CLIN 2004 has quantity and unit as 1 HR but has a Not to Exceed value.

Will the government please clarify if the quantity and unit should be 1 NT?

It should be 1 NT

SOW, Section 6.5, Page 29-30, Written Examination This section states that “Contractor must schedule Government-administered written examination upon completion of basic training and favorable pre-employment suitability of a PSO”.

Will the government please provide the length of time for the written examination?

The PSO has 1 hour to complete the exam

39 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5383, Post #316

Post location 316 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 316 at facility MT5383?

The solicitation is correct.

There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

40 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5383, Post #317 Post location 317 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,125 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 317 at facility MT5383?

The hours should be 8:00-16:30; an amendment will be posted to correct.

41 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5395, Post #344 Post location 344 lists post hours of 7:00 to 17:15 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation,

10.25 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,562.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,586.50 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 344 at facility MT5395?

The solicitation is correct..

There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

42 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5513, Post #353

Post location 353 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 353 at facility MT5513?

The solicitation is correct.

There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

43 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5385, Post #361 Post location 361 lists post hours of 8:00 to 17:00 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 9 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,250 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,000 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 361 at facility MT5385?

The solicitation is correct.

There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

44 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5578, Post #371 Post location 371 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 371 at facility MT5578?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

45 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5361, Post #381 Post location 381 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 381 at facility MT5361?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

46 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5584, Post #391 Post location 391 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 391 at facility MT5584?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

47 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5356, Post #401 Post location 401 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:45 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 401 at facility MT5356?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

48 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5563, Post #411 Post location 411 lists post hours of 9:00 to 15:00 Monday through Thursday, and total days of 198 days per year. Base on our calculation, 6 hours a day times 198 days should arrive a total of 1,188 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,014 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 411 at facility MT5563?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

49 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, MT5359, Post #421 Post location 421 lists post hours of 9:00 to 17:00 Monday through Thursday, and total days of 198 days per year. Base on our calculation, 6 hours a day times 198 days should arrive a total of 1,188 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,212 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 421 at facility MT5359?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

50 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND1247, Post #504 Post location 504 lists post hours of 9:00 to 16:15 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 7.25 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 1,812.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,836.50 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 504 at facility ND1247?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24

51 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND1349, Post #505

Post location 505 lists post hours of 8:00 to 16:00 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 7.25 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 1,812.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,836.50 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 505 at facility ND1349?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

52 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND1340, Post #506 Post location 506 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:00 Monday through Thursday, and total days of 198 days per year. Base on our calculation,

7.25 hours a day times 198 days should arrive a total of 1,435.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,459.50 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 506 at facility ND1340?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

53 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND1251, Post #507 Post location 507 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:00 Monday through Thursday, and total days of 198 days per year. Base on our calculation,

7.25 hours a day times 198 days should arrive a total of 1,435.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,459.50 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 507 at facility ND1251?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

54 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND1259, Post #509 Post location 509 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:00 Tuesday through Thursday, and total days of 152 days per year. Base on our calculation,

7.25 hours a day times 152 days should arrive a total of 1,102 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,126 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 509 at facility ND1259?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

55 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND0046, Post #511 Post location 511 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 7.75 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 1,937.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 511 at facility ND0046?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

56 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND1262, Post #513 Post location 513 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 7.75 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 1,937.50 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,250 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 513 at facility ND1262?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

57 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, ND0014, Post #514 Post location 514 lists post hours of 8:30 to 17:00 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8.5 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,125 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,149 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 514 at facility ND0014?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

58 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD1287, Post #701 Post location 701 lists post hours of 8:00 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8.5 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,125 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,149 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 701 at facility SD1287?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24

59 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD1312, Post #704

Post location 704 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 704 at facility SD1312?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

60 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD0038, Post #707 Post location 701 lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 707 at facility SD0038?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

61 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD1331, Post #708 Post location 708 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:15 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 7.5 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 1,875 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,899 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 708 at facility SD1331?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

62 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD1299, Post #709 Post location 709 lists post hours of 8:00 to 16:00 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 709 at facility SD1299?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

63 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD0034, Post #713 Post location 713 lists post hours of 8:45 to 16:15 Tuesday through Thursday, and total days of 152 days per year. Base on our calculation,

7.5 hours a day times 152 days should arrive a total of 1,140 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 1,316 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 713 at facility SD0034?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

64 Exhibit 1, Post Exhibit, SD0040, Post #705C Post location 705C lists post hours of 8:30 to 16:30 Monday through Friday, and total days of 250 days per year. Base on our calculation, 8 hours a day times 250 days should arrive a total of 2,000 hours. However, the total hours listed on the exhibit is 2,024 hours.

Will the government please clarify the total hours per year for post location 705C at facility SD0040?

The solicitation is correct There is an additional 24 hours for As Needed services

65 Exhibit 4 – Training Exhibit 4 does not list any required training for supervisors. In our past experience with FPS contracts, the supervisors must be trained to the same standards as each security officer. In addition to this training, they were required to complete a 9 hour supervisory training course.

Will the government please clarify the training requirements for supervisors?

Supervisors are to meet the training requirements of the PSO. Specific supervisor training has been removed.

66 Exhibit 9E – Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card Exhibit 9E provides the application process for PIV card; however, it does not provide the locations for the enrollment offices.

Will the government please provide the PIV card enrollment office locations in each state?

What are the locations where PIV cards are produced and issued?

Presently the locations are Fargo, ND, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD, Billings and Helena, MT. Additional locations may be added a later date.

67 Attachment 5 – Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Local 237 & 239 The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Security Consultants Group, Inc. and International Union of United Government Security Officers of Am Local 227 and 239 appears to be expired on March 31, 2012.

Will the government please clarify if offeror should still utilize the CBA wages and fringe benefits for the State of Montana? If not, will the government please provide the appropriate Wage Determination (WD) for Montana?

Offerors should propose using the wage determinations incorporated into the solicitation.

68 Attachment 5 – Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Western MT Addendum, Article 27, Section 3, Page 3 Section 3 of Article 27 in the Western Montana Addendum states that “Parking spaces will be provided for employees assigned to Missoula (3 total) and to Helena (2 total)”.

Will the government please clarify if there is a cost associated with these parking spaces? If so, will the government please provide the cost for each parking space?

FPS is not a party to the

CBA.

69 Attachment 8 – Seniority List The seniority list shows a total of 19 employees in the State of South Dakota.

Since a different Wage Determination (WD) is utilized for Rapid City SD, will the government please provide the number of employees and their anniversary dates for the post locations in Rapid City SD?

Three employees:

11/17/2005 8/19/2009 4/9/2010

70 Attachment 8 – Seniority List

The seniority list shows the total number of employees for each state.

Will the government please confirm if the post exhibit for this solicitation remains the same for the current contract?

Yes

71 Supervisor, SOW Section 11.3.2, Page 48 This section states “Under no circumstances shall Supervisors perform productive hours while working in supervisory capacity.”

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?

See question 11

72 Representations and Certifications in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, Page 69 Proper submission of Representations and Certifications Please confirm this is to be included with the Price Proposal submission.

Include in the price proposal.

73 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters in accordance with FAR 52.209-5, Page 82

Proper submission of Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters Please confirm this is to be included with the Price Proposal submission.

74 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters in accordance with FAR 52.209-7 Proper submission of Information Regarding Responsibility Matters Please confirm this is to be included with the Price Proposal submission.

75 HSAR 3052.209-76(f), Page 43-44 Proper submission of HSAR 3052.209-76(f) Please confirm these items are to be included with the Price Proposal submission.

76 RFP, Section E – Proposal Submission Requirements 2, Page 58 Instructions state that offerors are to submit one (1) complete electronic copy on CD of both the pricing and technical proposal.

Will the government please clarify if PDF files are permitted for the electronic copy?

Per page 57 of 85, offers may be submitted in PDF, Word, and Excel electronic formats.

It is requested that pricing information be submitted in Excel or similar format.

77 RFP, Section E – Instructions to Offerors Proposal Submission Requirements 1, Page 58 This section states “… the Contractor must use the Standard Form 1449 as a cover page to the proposal.”

Will the government please clarify if SF1449 should be the cover page for both price and technical volumes of the proposal? If it is required for the technical proposal submission, does the Government prefer the cost data be redacted from the SF1449?

For the Price Proposal only, complete SF1449 and Continuation Pages

78 Exhibits 4B – 4G, Training Differences between current contract training standards and SOW training Exhibits

A. Will the government please advise if the weapon on the current contract is a 9mm?

B. Will the government please advise if the current contract requires baton & OC training?

See Answer 10 See Answer 9

79 Exhibit 7 - Medical Questionnaire/Physical Abilities Test

Differences between current contract medical standards and SOW Exhibit 7 medical standards Will the government please advise if the current contract requires medical/physical standards per Exhibit 7?

See Answer 13

80 Section B - Pricing Schedule There appears to be an increase to the Maximum Hours from Base period to each option period on the Pricing Schedule.

Will the government please confirm that the maximum hours presented in the Pricing Schedule to create contract “ceiling amount” are accurate? If so, does the government anticipate a 5% increase to the maximum hours each option year as indicated in the hours increase on the Pricing Schedule?

The amounts listed in the schedule are government estimates to which Offerors must propose.

81 Exhibit 9D - Government Provided Communications Equipment Handheld radio is listed as government provided communications equipment.

Will the government please advise if radio holders will be provided by the government? If not, will the government please confirm if radio holders are to be provided by the contractor since it was not listed in exhibit 8E?

No they will not be provided by the government.

82 Section E – Proposal Submission Requirements, Page 58 Paragraph 3 states “Page Limitation – Excluding the cover page and past performance forms and questionnaires, the technical proposal is limited to twenty (20) pages in at least 11pt. font and 1” margins”.

Will the government please advise if the Table of Content and Acronym list be excluded from the 20 page limitation for the technical proposal?

See Proposal Submission Requirements #3 on

83 Exhibit 1 – Post Exhibit Based on the working days per week, all posts listed on exhibit 1 appear to be closed on Holidays.

Will the government please confirm if all the posts will be closed during the holidays? If not, will the government please list the buildings that will be opened during holidays?

MT 301, 302 and 314 work on holidays

84 Para 6.1.1 states: “COTR has discretion to accept or deny proposed exemptions for previous training and/or certifications obtained under another FPS contract. Previous training and certification documentation and/or credentials must be valid and meet requirements of this contract to be considered.”

a. Under what circumstances would the COTR “not accept” evidence of training completion by an incumbent employee transitioning to the new contract if the training requirement of the previous contract and the new contract were the same?

Basic training is a one time requirement. It will be accepted for the new contract.

b. For example, presuming the training syllabus for Basic Training for the current contract is the same as the basic training syllabus for the new contract; would there be “any reason” why the COTR would not accept and grandfather the course completion record to the new contract?

c. Are there any differences between the Basic Training Course completed by the incumbent guard force under the current contract and the Basic Training Course required for the new contract?

d. Is there any difference between the Initial Weapons Training and Qualification Course in the current contract and the Initial Weapons Training Course in the new contract?

e. Is there any difference in the Government Provided Orientation Training in the current contract and the Government Provided Orientation Training required in the new contract?

f. Is there any difference in the written exam between the current contract and the new contract?

There may be reasons not to accept previos training/ certifications. For example, if it came to light the training wasn’t conducted properly then the personnel would have to be trained properly.

Yes. The hours devoted to the various topics has changed.

Yes, there is a new course of fire that is no further than 15 yrds.

No, the topics remain the same.

The exam is subject to change to keep the exam fresh, and it is based on the

2006 SGIM.

85 Para 6.4.1.2 states: Required training includes both, recurring and “one-time only” courses. If completed successfully, one-time only courses are not required to be repeated during contract period. Onetime only courses are:

_ Contractor-Provided Basic Training (Exhibit 4B) _ Contractor-Provided Initial Weapon Training and Qualifications (Exhibit 4C) _ Government-Provided Orientation Training (Exhibit 4G) _ Government-Administered Written Exam (Section 6.5)+

Is this paragraph properly interpreted to mean that “if” an employee completes the one time training requirements “within the new contract period”, the employee will not be required to repeat the course?

Or, does this mean that these courses are “grandfathered” into a new contract period for incumbents transitioning to the new contractor?

When contract employees transfer from one contractor to another and the training files are transferred and are documented with the “one time training” then the course does not have to be repeated.

If there is NO documentation of the training then the employee must re-take the training.

86 Para 6.7.2.1 states that all PSOs must attend FPS Orientation prior to standing post; was this a requirement of the current contract as well? Will the incumbent PSOs have to re-attend FPS Orientation under the new contract?

See response to question 85.

87 Do the incumbent PSOs currently possess PIV cards? No.

88 What are the locations for PIV card enrollment? (This is necessary to determine travel/time costs for PSOs)

See Answer 66.

89 The location specified for receipt of offers is a P.O. Box. Major courier services (i.e. FedEx, UPS, etc.)

will not deliver to P.O. boxes. Can the Government please provide an alternate address that does not include a P.O. box?

The Denver Federal Center does not have a street address; address is identified in Instructions to Offerors and as long as Bldg 44 is stated it will get to us.

90 Are any “patrol” vehicles required?

See question 33.

91 Where (physically) do the officers inspect their weapons prior to assuming their post?

PSO’s may not do so on Federal Property.

92 Is formal guard mount for the purpose of pass down, gear‐up/down required at any location on these contracts?

There is NO guard mount time.

93 Are there any site‐specific OJT requirements that are not contained in the exhibits or the RFP? If so, will FPS please provide these training details?

PSOs should be familiar with post orders prior to assuming a post.

94 Are non‐CBA posts designated as requiring relief considered compensable time?

Exhibit 1 states all posts that require relief.

95 Is relief required for latrine breaks or can the officers self relieve for these particular instances?

Self relief unless Exhibit 1 states post requires relief.

96 1. Section C, Part II Addendum to FAR 52.212-4, Section 04, Prices, subsection B.3 on page 24 of

85 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 positions at a 5 year average instead of escalating wages each period?

This is at the discretion of the Offeror.

97 Part VI. Contract Administrative Data, Section 03, Adjusting Payments for Contractor Performance, A.1 on page 30 of 85 provides in relevant part, “To compute labor-hour deductions the Contracting Officer’s Representative will compare the man-hours reported by the Contractor through the Post Tracking System

(PTS)….”

Section 9.21.1 of the Statement of Work on page 42 of 62 provides in relevant part “FPS utilizes a Post Tracking System (PTS) as an electronic validation of post staffing.”

Exhibit 6, PTS Instructions, on page 56 of 102 is blank and only serves as a placeholder. Question: Is the PTS operational at this time? Question: If not, when does the government anticipate that the PTS will be operational?

PTS is not operational at this time. The Contractor will be notified when PTS is implemented.

98 HSAR 3052.209-76, Prohibition on Federal Protective Service Guard Services Contracts with Business Concerns Owned, Controlled or Operated by an Individual Convicted of a Felony is provided on pages 39-44 of 85. Question: In which section of the proposal should Offerors provide this disclosure – Technical or Price?

See Answer 75.

99 Section E, Part II Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, Proposal Submission

Requirements, Subpart 1 on page 58 of 85 provides in relevant part, “Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items – When responding to this RFP the Contractor must use the Standard Form 1449 as a cover page to the proposal.” Question: Does the government require that Offerors fill in boxes 21 through 24, unit prices and amount, of Standard Form 1449, or will a completed Pricing Schedule suffice?

Complete SF1449 Continuation Pages

– Pricing Schedule.

100 Section E, Part II Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, Proposal Submission Requirements, Subpart 2 on page 58 of 85 provides in relevant part, “Proposals shall be comprised of TWO (2) separate sealed envelopes, the first containing two (2) copies of the pricing submission and the second containing five (5) copies of the technical submission. Offerors shall also submit one (1) complete electronic copy on CD of both the price and technical proposal.”

Question: Does the Government require two (2) copies and one (1) original or one (1) copy and one (1) original of the pricing submission? Similarly, does the Government require five (5) copies and one (1) original or four (4) copies and (1) original of the technical submission?

Question: In which proposal section (Technical or Price) should Offerors place the CD?

Provide one original and one copy of the pricing submission and one original and four copies of the technical submission.

101 Section E, Part II Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, Proposal Submission Requirements, Subpart 3 on page 58 of 85 provides in relevant part, “Page Limitation - Excluding the cover page and past performance forms and questionnaires, the technical proposal (covering all non-price factors) is limited to twenty (20) pages in at least 11pt. font and 1” margins.”

Question: Will a smaller font size be allowed for graphics and tables?

Question: Please confirm whether the Offeror can include headers and/or footers with essential information, such as RFP Section Name, RFP Solicitation Number, page number, and disclosure statement, within the margin limitations as long as the 11 pt. font size is adhered to?

Question: Will the inclusion of a Table of Contents count against the 20-page limit?

102 Section E, Part II Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, Technical Proposal (Non-price factors), Section 2.A.1.b. on page 62 of 85 provides “(NOTE - The Government defines a Lead PSO as a single point of communication at a facility, identified by post orders, for the purpose of communicating operational and facility specific info to the security force at a facility. In addition, the government’s review and acceptance of an offeror’s proposed supervisory ratio, will not alleviate the vendor from modifying (i.e., increasing) the amount of supervision after contract award should the Government’s or contractor’s oversight and inspections reveal systemic problems with performance. If at any time the vendor determines that additional supervision beyond what was initially proposed is needed to address performance issues, such additional supervision will be provided at no additional cost to the Government.)”

Question: Please indicate on the post exhibit if any post requires a Lead PSO.

Placement of Lead PSOs is a contractor determined issue.

Single points of communication are identified in the individual post orders.

103 Section E, Part II Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors, Price Proposal, Section 4.A.(1) on page 65 of 85 provides in relevant part, “Elements in the proposed unit prices that are associated with the level of supervision, staffing, quality control, transition, relief, COOP and other advantageous aspects proposed under the Management Approach factor.”

FAR 52.212-4, Section 04 Prices, C.4, Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Implementation on page 26 of 85 provides in relevant part, “All other direct costs (ODCs) associated with implementation of the COOP, including but not limited to: overtime, travel and per diem, PPE replenishment, changes to IT/communication systems or devices, and training and certification of additional personnel etc. shall be reimbursed under the Optional COOP Implementation CLIN contained in the Schedule of Supplies/Services and Prices. Since COOP implementation costs cannot be pre-determined at this time, the Government has provided estimates and established Not-to-Exceed Amounts in the Schedule of Supplies/Services and Prices.”

The Addendum to FAR 52-212-1 Instructions to Offerors , Price Proposal, Section 6 on page 66 of 85 provides in relevant part “The Government has estimated other direct costs in support of COOP implementation as follows:

Other Direct Costs in Support of COOP Implementation

Base Year $100,000 Option I $100,000 Option II $100,000 Option III $100,000 Option IV $100,000”

Exhibit 8D: Contractor Provide Personal Protective Equipment on page 90 of 102 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.

The cost shall be included in the hourly rate as it will not be separately reimbursed.

104 Section E, Part IV. FAR 52.212-3 beginning on page 69 of 85.

Question: In which proposal section (Technical or Price) should the Offerors place the representations and certifications?

Question: Should FAR52.212-3 be included in the Technical Proposal, would the Government exclude it from the 20-page limit?

See Answer 72

Section E, Part IV. FAR 52.209-5 beginning on page 82 of 85.

Question: In which proposal section (Technical or Price) should the Offerors place the certification regarding responsibility matters?

Question: Should certification regarding responsibility matters be included in the Technical Proposal, would the Government exclude it from the 20-page limit?

See Answer 73

105 Section 1.1.1 of the Statement of Work on page 6 of 62 provides in relevant part, “Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers PSO positions as First Responders Awareness Level (CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i)).”

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

See 12.2 of the knowledge of hazardous materials, is any additional training required for uniformed contract employees to qualify as first responders at the awareness level?

SOW.

106 Section 5.1.2.5 of the Statement of Work on page 16 of 62 provides in relevant part “Government may require PSOs to possess proficiency in a specific language for certain posts and will indicate this requirement in Post Exhibit (Exhibit 1).” Question: As no language proficiency requirements have been indicated in Exhibit 1, please confirm that the Government does not require any specific language proficiency besides…