Q A_160302_HSHQWA-16-R-00001.pdf

Questions & Answers

RFP HSHQWA‐16‐R‐00001

PSO Services for Southwest Washington (Tacoma) POSTED: 03/02/2016 with Amendment P0003

# Question Answer 1 Who is the current incumbent and how much is the award amount?

The current incumbent is Xcel Protective Services, Inc. The contract was awarded with a ceiling amount of $8,509,780.39, which included the base plus four option years.

2 The RFP has language concerning classified information. Is there a DD254 associated with this effort?

No. Post Exhibit shows there are no additional security requirements aside from DHS Suitability; therefore, there currently is not a DD254 Form requirement. Please refer to the Post Exhibit, Exhibit 13, page 198 of 417 of the RFP package, column labeled ‘Security Clearance’.

3 In terms of uniforms, is there any option for using 5.11 polo’s (both long sleeve and short sleeve) vice the button down dress shirts?

No; please see Exhibit 10, ‘Contractor Provided Equipment’ for Uniform requirements.

4 The current CBA reflects a significant growth of wages over the past two years and is now approaching $5/hr greater than the DOL wage determinations. DOL wage determinations for the past three years have remained flat with modest increases in H&W. Does the govt expect the current CBA wage rate to be the baseline for the new contract starting point or, as good stewards of taxes, will the govt seek to bring the CBA wage rate in line with the DOL wage determinations?

The Government does not get involved in negotiations between the Contractor and the Union; therefore, the Government will not be involved in the process of establishing Collective Bargaining Agreement wage rates for this contract effort.

5 p. 12, 4.2.1 – The SOW details the requirement for Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (SPII) Training for all employees at the time of hire and then annually thereafter.

Are incumbent personnel currently trained under this requirement?

No.

6 p.12, 4.2.1 – The SOW details the training requirement for individuals accessing FPS information to receive Information Security and Records Management Training annually via Government provided CD. Are incumbent personnel currently trained under this requirement?

No.

7 p. 17, 5.2.2 – Will medical and physical examinations performed No; please note that some of the standards have changed so prior by the predecessor contractor be recognized in order to meet the requirement for a pre‐employment medical and physical examination for incumbent personnel?

examinations performed by the predecessor contractor will not be considered.

8 p. 17, 5.2.2 – Typically on FPS contracts nationally, after personnel complete the pre‐employment medical and physical examination the Government requires that PSOs be retested every three years. That standard seems to be missing from this SOW. If recertification is required, what is the frequency?

After successful completion of the pre‐employment medical and physical examination, certification is valid for the duration of the contract. Please also refer to Section 5.2.1.5, page 67 of 417 of the RFP package.

9 p. 25‐34, 6 – The SOW requires that PSOs be trained and certified in the following areas: Initial Basic Training, First Aid/CPR/AED, Firearms Training and Qualification, Intermediate Weapons (OC and Baton) Training, NWDTP (for applicable personnel performing at x‐ray and non x‐ray screening posts), and Government Provided Orientation Training. Are all incumbent PSOs current on these subject areas?

Incumbent personnel meet all requirements under the current contract.

The RFP requirements differ from the current contract requirements.

All PSOs are required to complete all of the required training that is set forth in this RFP, which may vary from the type and quantity of training required under the expiring contract, prior to standing post.

10 p. 25‐34, 6 – Please provide a list of training subjects that are new for incumbent PSOs and will be required training during contract transition?

Follow all training requirements as listed on the Statement of Work (SOW), specifically, see Section 6 – Training, beginning on page 75 of 417 of the RFP.

11 p.32, 6.7.4.1.9.2 – Please provide the locations of the Government facilities for contractor provided NWDTP training for pricing purposes.

Federal Center South 4735 E. Marginal Way Seattle, WA 98134

12 p.33, 6.8.2 – Please provide the locations for the Government provided orientation and the administration of the basic training written examination for pricing purposes.

The contractor’s local office or a mutually agreed upon Government site in vicinity of contract performance.

13 p. 55, 13.5 – Please provide the locations for the Government provided PIV issuing locations throughout the contract for pricing purposes.

SeaTac, WA Tukwila, WA Please note, PIV issuing locations are subject to change; however, they will be in the local commuting area.

14 p.56, 13.6 – Two Hand‐Held Metal Detectors are specified as Government Furnished Equipment to each contract NWDTP

Yes.

Instructor. Will an X‐Ray Machine also be provided at the Government provided NWDTP Training location(s)?

15 p.99, Exhibit 10 – The Contractor Provided Equipment Exhibit indicates that the contractor must provide a .40 caliber S&W firearm. For accuracy in pricing purposes, what make and model is used by PSOs on the current contract?

Glock, Mdl. 22, .40 cal

16 Is Guard Mount required for this contract? If guard mount is required, will the government provide space for guard mount?

Guard mount is not required on this contract.

17 Is there storage space for weapons and ammo provided on site? If so, is the storage space Government or Contractor provided?

No. The Government does not provide storage space for weapons.

Further, no weapons may be stored on site.

18 Will the Government issue a Letter of Authorization to the contractor for Use of Force and Escalation of Force requirements to carry out security needs defined in the SOW?

No.

19 Pricing.

a. Historically, how many “overtime” hours have been calculated annually for all security services (Basic Services, TAS, and emergency/contingency)?

b. Basic Services: is the 94.5% calculated directly from 45,500 or 42,998.50?

c. Temporary Additional Services: is the 5.5% calculated directly from the 45,500 or 2,502.50 to equal 45,500 for Basic/TAS services?

a. Overtime hours are not required on this contract; they are performed at the discretion of the Contractor.

b. 45,500.

c. 45,500.

20 The government lists Local 234 and its Collective Bargaining Agreement as a current bargaining unit.

a. Attachment 10 The Seniority List of 25 officers with the last three listed under “Probation” from May 2015.

Section 7.02 states that a Probation Period is 90‐days.

Have these three employees been removed from Probation and are considered part of the bargaining

a. Yes.

b. There are currently no ‘probation guards’.

c. Please see updated Seniority List dated 02/17/2016. Attached to Amendment 0003 identified as Attachment 10 – PSO Seniority List.

d. This is an issue between the Contractor and the Union; the Government does not get involved in that relationship.

unit?

b. Are all probation guards paid the same labor rates as the Full or Part Time guards?

c. May the government provide an updated and/or corrected Seniority List?

d. Are pensions currently set up to transfer?

e. CBA 25.01A. Are there any employees currently enlisted with the US Armed Forces or with a Reserve unit? Please identify the number of employees enlisted with the US Armed Forces and Estimated Time of Return. Please identify the current number of employees enlisted in a Reserve unit.

f. CBA 25.01 B. Are there currently females employed as armed guards on this contract?

g. CBA with Amendments for Local 234 illustrates a labor rate of $27.43 (1 Oct 16) plus a SCA rate of $4.27 plus a Retirement fund of $.35 for a total of $32.05 per straight labor hour as of 1 Oct 2016?

h. Appendix A to this CBA Retirement: is the $.35 per hour effective 1 April 2015 in addition to the H&W of $3.91 (1 April 14) and $4.27 (1 April 16)? Therefore, after 1 April 2016 the H&W and Retirement payments to each employee would be $4.62 in addition to $27.43 (1 Oct

16) per straight hour worked up to 2080 annual hours?

e. This is not information the Government maintains.

f. Yes.

g. Please refer to Attachment 5, pages 333‐361 of 417 of the RFP

Package. In addition, Appendix A on page 360/417 of the RFP Package includes the most recently negotiated rates in relation to wages and H&W.

h. Please see response in ‘g.’ above.

21 Post Coverage Exhibit 13. Post Coverage Exhibits and are provided for informational purposes only.

a. Will the government identify the required Field Level Supervisor posts by specific location?

b. Exhibit 13, Post 10‐G‐63 at Bldg WA7587. Please define the meaning, “As Needed.” Does this include Overtime

a. No, the Supervision of this contract is at the Contractor’s discretion; the number, placement, and mix of supervisors shall be demonstrated in the Contractor’s Management Approach.

b. ‘As Needed’ refers to PSO services requested in support of special events at this location. These hours are typically defined as Temporary Additional Services (TAS). Overtime hours are not hours? Is this vehicle traffic access to parking? Does this require security access checks for a delivery to the building? Does this include Escort Duties within the building?

c. Exhibit 13, TAS and Emergency Services. Historically, how many annual Productive Work Year Equivalent hours or Overtime hours have been used in the past three to five years on average supporting TAS and Emergency Service requirements for this contract?

required on this contract and are performed at the discretion of the Contractor. No vehicle is required for this post. This post does not require deliveries to the building. No, this post does not include Escort Duties within the building.

c. TAS Hours, historically, have ranged from 266.40 – 2,665.98, annually; with an overall average of 1,863.47 hours annually.

Please note, this answer is provided on past historical information and is not a representation of the amount of TAS hours that will be ordered under the solicited effort. ESS Hours are much more minimal, only 115 hours of ESS have been used on this contract to date. Overtime hours are not required on this contract and are performed at the discretion of the Contractor.

22 Will the government provide classrooms for Basic Training and annual Refresher training at each location? If there is not a classroom at each location, historically, which specific locations are these classrooms located?

The Government will not provide training rooms. Historically, the contractor conducts trainings at their own facilities.

23 Contractor must provide a Standard Radio carrying case. What is the specific nomenclature of the government provided hand‐ held radio so we may price the appropriate carrying case?

Motorola XTS 5000. The radios are issued by the Government on a temporary basis and are not Government provided equipment.

24 Is a State Guard License requirement applicable since jurisdiction is limited to Federal property?

Yes. Federal contractors are required to follow all applicable state and local laws and ordinances where they provide services. Please see Section 4 – Authority and Jurisdiction; Licenses and Permits; and Adherence to Laws, page 62 of 417 of the RFP.

25 If the State Guard License is required, will the DHS certify the contractors Basic Training courses of instruction for a guard to receive a State Guard License upon Basic Training graduation

(IAW WAC 308‐18‐300)?

No. Federal contractors are required to follow all applicable state and local laws and ordinances where they provide services, please see Section 4 – Authority and Jurisdiction; Licenses and Permits; and Adherence to Laws, page 62 of 417 of the RFP.

26 To graduate from PSO Basic Training a candidate must pass the required 50 multiple‐choice question examination. Is there a

No.

required examination for refresher training every three years?

27 SOW 9.7.2, and Exhibit 13 Post Exhibit Please identify the post where the current Control Center Operations are performed.

This contract does not contain a post identified as Control Center Operations.

28 Is annual and triennial training performed within the anniversary month of the employee?

It is conducted within the anniversary of the completion of the basic training.

29 The SOW has a check mark that identifies the S&W 40 over the three other suggested duty weapons. What is the current weapons platform used by the guards?

Please see answer to Question #15.

30 Will the government extend the page limitation for Package One Technical Approach?

No.

31 Is the incumbent able to respond competitively to this Request for Proposal?

All eligible Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business are eligible to respond competitively to this Request for Proposal.

32 Exhibit 13 Post Exhibit, Building Number WA7587, Post 10‐G‐ 26, we understand this is the night shift and 26c has the weekend covered. However, 26a and 26b start at 0700 and ends 1700. Can the government explain who secures the building access between the hours of 0600‐ and 0700 and in the evening between 1700 and 1800?

The post identified as 26c is a 24/7 post; that is the only post on duty during the hours of 0600‐0700 and 1700‐1800.

33 Pricing Schedule, page 3 of 417 Option Period 3 CLIN 3003 states 20,048. Should it read 20,000?

No. The additional 48 hours accounts for two (2) ‐ 24/7 posts that will fall on February 29, 2020.

34 If we are currently registered with and have our Reps and Certs there in SAM, are we still required to submit our Reps and Certs with our proposal? Or may we direct DHS to our SAM account?

Yes you are required to submit your Reps and Certs with your proposal, please see Proposal Submission Requirements Summary on page 385 of 417 of the RFP package.

35 We currently do not have anyone on our staff who is a registered Felon. Are we still required to submit Attachment 7 Award Approval Request?

No, please see paragraph one (1) on Attachment 7, page 379 of 417 of the RFP Package, “This award approval request shall be completed only if an offeror represents under Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) clause 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, that IS a business concerned owned, controlled or operated by an individual convicted of a felony.”

36 What caliber weapon(s) and brands are currently being used for this contract?

Please see answer to Question #15.

37 How many supervisors, area supervisors, & roving guards are currently assigned to this contract?

The number and mix of the supervisors are at the discretion of the Contractor and should support their Management Approach.

38 Are management & supervisor positions subject to the requirements of FAR clause 52.222‐17, Non‐displacement of Qualified Workers as incorporated into this RFP?

Please see FAR 52.222‐17(a), “any person engaged in the performance of a service contract other than any person employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity, as those terms are defined in 29 CFR part 541.”

39 What has been the historical number of annual hours used under the optional CLIN?

The Optional CLIN has been included for a potential future need, not one that has been historically used on this contract.

40 Can we have more than one (1) NWDTP trainer and if so how many are we allowed to send, and what are the costs other than room, board, travel? Where will the training be conducted?

Yes, the Contractor may have more than one (1) NWDTP trainer. The training is located at FLETC in Brunswick, GA. The number of trainers and the associated expenses for the NWDTP trainer(s) are based on the contractor’s discretion. Please see section 6.7.3, page 81 of 417 of the RFP Package.

41 Will FPS provide the initial transition period NWDTP Operator training until such time as the Government can certify contractor NWDTP Instructors in the program?

No. This is the Contractor’s responsibility.

42 RFP Reference: 4.2.1 – The SOW details the requirement for Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (SPII) Training for all employees at the time of hire and then annually thereafter.

Are incumbent personnel currently trained under this requirement?

Please see answer to Question #5.

43 Will medical and physical examinations performed by the predecessor contractor be recognized in order to meet the requirement for a pre‐employment medical and physical examination for incumbent personnel?

Please see answer to Question #7.

44 Typically on FPS contracts nationally, after personnel complete Please see answer to Question #8.

the pre‐employment medical and physical examination the Government requires that PSOs be retested every three years.

That standard seems to be missing from this SOW. If recertification is required, what is the frequency?

45 Please provide the locations for the Government provided orientation and the administration of the basic training written examination for pricing purposes.

Please see answer to Question #12.

46 Please provide the locations for the Government provided PIV issuing locations throughout the contract for pricing purposes.

Please see answer to Question #13.

47 Does the incumbent staff currently possess PIV cards? Yes; however, during the transition period, the issued PIV cards will need to be updated as the PIV cards are linked to a specific contract.

48 RFP Reference: 5.2 Medical and Physical Qualifications. Do all incumbents meet the standards listed in 5.2?

Please see answer to Question #7.

49 What percentage of incumbent PSO’s are trained and certified to the new National Weapons Detection Training Program (NWDTP) Standards?

0%.

50 Are shotguns required on this contract? No.

51 Does the incumbent force require all new medical certifications?

Yes.

52 Does the incumbent force meet the training requirements of this contract? If not, what training requirements do the incumbents not possess?

Please see answer to Question #9.

53 Is it permissible for the Contract Manager to simultaneously manage/oversee other similar Government and/or commercial contracts while serving as the Contract Manager on the PSO Services in Southwest Washington contract, or is the Contract Manager a dedicated, full‐time, position exclusively for this contract?

The SOW does not specifically state that this is a dedicated position;

however, the Government strongly recommends that you direct your attention to Section 11.2 ‐ Contract Manager, to ensure all requirements of this position are met when developing your Management Approach.

54 Is Guard Mount required for this contract? If guard mount is required, will the government provide space for guard mount?

Please see the answer to Question #16.

55 Are PIV cards currently in use on this contract? Yes.

56 What is the location for PIV issuance? Please see the answer to Question #13.

57 Please confirm that the revised Pat exhibit represents a new requirement for this contract and that the incumbent officers do not currently meet this requirement.

Please refer to section 5.2 Medical and Physical Qualifications on page 67 of 417 of the RFP package for current qualifications. All incumbent PSOs currently performing on the contract are in full compliance with all Physical Abilities Testing for the incumbent contract.

58 What is the level of historical use for ESS services for this particular service area?

Please see the answer to Question #21.