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- HSHQWA-17-R-00001
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Questions and Answers RFP No HSHQWA-17-R-00001
1. On page 393, Item 1 references a requirement to “possess a Top Secret Facility Clearance by the time and date established for submission of offers. Offerors shall provide a certified statement of current secret or top secret facility clearance which will be verified prior to awards”. This Secret or Top Secret clearance letter is noted as being required in the Submittals in Package Two.
At the same time, 5.8.4 States that the government may sponsor the facility for clearance.
Finally, the FBO announcements says “A Top Secret Clearance is required prior to the date and time established for PSO's to begin standing posts.”
Can you please clarify what is required and when? It’s not clear if Top Secret is required at submission or either Secret or Top Secret at award or upon contract start and/or if the government will sponsor.
Answer: A TOP Secret Clearance (Facility Clearance) is required on the day that the Protective Security Officer (PSO) starts work (performance start date). The Government will sponsor the awarded contractor for the Facility Clearance. If you already have an existing Facility Clearance, please provide a copy as stated on Page 393 of 429, Proposal Submission Requirements, paragraph 1. (See Amendment 0002)
2. (SF1449 (page 2 of 429) Addendum to FAR 52.212-4, Item 07 (page 17 of 429)) Will the Government confirm that the Performance Start date is 6/1/17 meaning the full performance period for the base year is 12 full months and transition period would take place prior to 6/1/17?
Answer: The actual performance start date will be adjusted to allow for a 120 day transition period based on the award date of the contract. The base year will be a full 12 months. (See Amendment 0002)
3. (SF1449 (page 2 of 429) Addendum to FAR 52.212-4, Item 07 (page 17 of 429)) Will the Government confirm the estimated POP for this effort?
Answer: See response to question 2 above.
4. (Attachment 1 – SOW Section 5.2.2.1) 1) Is the incumbent workforce qualified to the medical standards for this new effort? 2) Is the incumbent workforce required to complete a new medical examination even if they have been medically cleared to work on the existing contract?
3) Does the medical examination need to be completed at any time throughout the employee’s term of employment (i.e. every 3 years)?
Answer: Response to question 1): No. Response to question 2) Yes. All PSOs shall be required to complete a new medical examination and shall meet all contractual requirements to perform on the resultant contract. See SOW Section 5.2.2, sub section
5.2.2.1. Response to question 3) Every PSO is required to complete a medical screening once per contract, prior to start of the contract performance. The medical examination covers the entire period of the resultant contract.
5. (Attachment 1 – SOW Section 5.2.3.1) Will the Government confirm that all incumbent employees must undergo a new drug screening prior to working on the newly awarded contract even if they have passed the appropriate drug screenings on their existing contract?
Answer: See SOW, page 67 of 429, paragraph 5.2.3, Drug Screening, subparagraph
5.2.3.1 in part, ” PSOs shall submit to a urine drug screening as part of initial pre-employment process regardless of PSO’s past employment with a different vendor, random and Government-requested urine screenings throughout the contract period…”
6. (Exhibit 8, Section 3) Q1. What Weapon is the incumbent workforce carrying? Q2. Will the incumbent workforce be required to complete 3 hours of transitional weapons training or 8 hours of weapon platform training?
Answer: Q1, Glock 22, .40 caliber; Q2, The incumbent workforce will be required to complete 3 hours of transitional weapons training See SOW sections 6.6.4 Transitional Weapon Training and Qualifications, Page 77 of 429..
7. (Exhibit 8, Section 4) Is the incumbent workforce NWDTP qualified to the certifications listed in this solicitation?
Answer: No, this is a new requirement.
8. (Exhibit 10) 1. Are shotguns required under this solicitation? 2. If yes, which locations require shotguns?
Answer: There are NO requirements for shotguns on this contract.
9. (Attachment 1, SOW Section 12.2.4) Will the Government confirm that any TAS hours would be invoiced at the same rate as PSO services under the PSO CLIN?
Answer: Yes. CLIN 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001 are for PSO services. PSO services are described on Page 15 of 429 under paragraph C, Definitions, subparagraph 1, PSO Services, which states “A single hourly unit price shall be included for PSO Services in accordance with the CLIN schedule identified in the solicitation/contract. Subparagraphs 1.a, Basic Services and 1.b, Temporary Additional Services are listed under PSO Services with a description of these services.
10. (Exhibit 10) Will the Government clarify which sites/posts require the communication equipment listed in Exhibit 10?
Answer: In accordance with Exhibit 10, Contractor-Provided Equipment, paragraph 4, Communications Equipment Requirement, The Contractor shall furnish the communications equipment to each security officer on post.
11. (Exhibit 10) Will the Government clarify the need for radio cases if no radios are required?
Answer: See response to question 10 above. Radios are part of the post, radio cases are contractor furnished to each security officer on post.
12. (Attachment 5 - CBA) Will the Government confirm the current wage and H&W rates are the same as those listed for the period 6/1/15-5/31/16?
Answer: Yes, unless it is replaced by an amendment to the solicitation. See page 400 of 429 paragraph 4, which states in part:
“…For purposes of proposal preparation, where a predecessor contractor’s CBA applies, the minimum wages and fringe benefits of the predecessor contractor’s CBA corresponding to the initial period of performance of this contract shall be regarded as applicable to all additional period of performance under this contract…”
13. (Attachment 5 - CBA) Will the Government confirm the current Retirement Contribution rate is the same as that listed for the period 6/1/14-5/31/15?
Answer: As listed in the CBA, also see response to question 12 above.
14. (Proposal Submission Requirements) Must offeror’s use the SF1449 as the cover page for the Technical Proposal or is this a requirement for the Price Proposal only?
Answer: No, See Attachment 9, Proposal Checklist for Offerors, on page 388 of 429, Proposal Submission Requirements Summary, Package Two - All Non-Technical Documents, Price Proposal, 1. SF 1449.
15. (Proposal Submission Requirements) If offeror chooses to include a Table of Contents, List of Acronyms, List of Figures and Tables and Compliance Matrix, are these excluded from the page limitations?
Answer: No, see Proposal Submission Requirements on page 394 of 429, Subpargaph 4, Page Limitation, states “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. Pages in excess of this limitation will not be evaluated.”
16. (Proposal Submission Requirements) Please clarify how many copies of past performance are required to be delivered in Envelope 1.
Answer: One (1) copy of each of the items listed in the Proposal Submission Requirements Summary Package One – Technical Proposal, found on page 387 of 429.
17. (Proposal Submission Requirements) Based on our understanding of this paragraph please verify this is what the Government is expecting in Envelope 1:
3 copies of Technical Proposal - Management Approach (Redacted) 2 Copies of Technical Proposal - Management Approach (not redacted) 5 copies of Technical Proposal - Past Performance (not redacted)
Answer: Please see page 393 of 429, paragraph titled Proposal Submission Requirements, subparagraph 3, Proposal Preparation Instructions, which in parts says:
“A complete proposal shall consist of two (2) separate sections, Technical Proposal, and Price Proposal, and shall be comprised of THREE (3) separate sealed envelopes. The first envelope shall contain five (5) copies of the technical (non-price) submission. Please note that three (3) of the five (5) copies of the technical submission (specifically the Management Approach) shall be redacted to remove any reference to the company name, logo, key personnel, etc. This includes pages, covers, headers, footers, pictures, etc. of the technical submission. Past Performance shall be provided under a separate cover and should not be redacted…”
18. (FAR Part 52.224-3 Privacy Training and Alternate 1 of 52.224-3) Is there a need to flow down Alternate 1 given that it appears there is no such intent for Alternate 1 to apply as that language was not included in Section 1 of the RFP? Please clarify.
Answer: No.
19. Reference Solicitation Number: HSHQWA-17-R-00001, Protective Security Officer (PSO) services in Oregon and Washington are Joint Ventures eligible to participate in the Solicitation.
Answer: Yes, see Technical Proposal, Subparagraph 1, Relevant Past Performance, Page 395 of 429, under Notes for Relevant Past Performance, paragraph 2, states in part “Where a teaming arrangement is proposed, a narrative and/or the actual Teaming Agreement if one exists, shall be submitted as part of the proposal by the managing partner of the joint venture or the prime contractor...”
20. RFP Reference: Pricing Schedule pages 2 and 3 of 429 and SOW, Section 2 Contract Transition, page 58 of 429. Question: Taking the 120 day transition into consideration, will the government please clarify what the start date and period of performance is, for each contract year?
Answer: See response to question 2 above.
21. RFP Reference: Statement of Work, Subsection 5.2 Medical and Physical Qualifications and
5.3 Fitness Determination, pages 67-70 of 429.
Question 1: Would the government please clarify whether or not the current/incumbent contract has the same medical and physical requirements as those stated in the RFP?
Question 2: If so, would the government please clarify if all incumbent staff are currently medically and physically qualified to the RFP requirements?
Question 3: If the answer to the above question is “no,” would the government please confirm that all incumbent staff will be required to pass all medical, physical and fitness requirements presented in this RFP prior to the start of the new contract?
Answer: Q1, No, it does not; Q2, No, new requirements; Q3, Yes, inaccordance with the Statement of Work, paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, pages 67-70 of 429.
22. RFP Reference: SOW, Section 6 .6.4 Transitional Weapon Training and Qualifications and
6.6.5 Weapons Platform Training and Qualifications, pages 77 and 78 of 429 of the RFP.
6.6.4.1 “The Contractor shall complete Transitional Weapons training and qualification whenever there is a change in the model or caliber of the duty firearm with like platforms;
i.e.; revolver to revolver or semi-automatic to semi-automatic.”
6.6.5.1 “The Contractor shall complete Platform Weapons training and qualification whenever there is a change in the type of the duty firearm with unlike platforms; i.e.;
revolver to semi-automatic.”
Question 1: Would the Government please specify what weapon(s) incumbent staff are currently qualified with?
Answer: See response to question 6.
Question 2: If there is not a change to the weapons platform for the new contract, would the Government please clarify if three hours of transitional weapons training is required?
Answer: See response question 6.
23. Reference: SOW page 43 Paragraph 9.5 Post Tracking System, page 91 of 429
Question 1: Would the government please clarify what type of electronic system will be used?
Question 2: Will the government be responsible for purchasing the system and upgrades to include hardware and software?
Question 3: If the answer to the above question is no, would the government please specify the Post Tracking System requirements for contractor installation, licensure and maintenance?
Answer: Q1, This is a future requirement and the contractor is being put on notice that use of the FPS-provided PTS will be required upon implementation. Q2 & Q3, This is an unknown requirement at this time.
24. Reference: SOW pages 101 and 102 of 429, Paragraph 11.3 Training Instructors
Question: Will the Government please clarify that Training Instructors are required to be on-site, contract-dedicated instructors?
Answer: No. How the contractor fulfills this requirement is their decision as long as they can fulfill the requirements of the awarded contract.
25. RFP Reference: Statement of Work, Subsection 13.5 DHS HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Cards, Pages 105-106 of 429, and Exhibit 11, Subsection 1. DHS HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card Application Process.
Question 1: Would the government please confirm that the total processing time of 20 minutes includes all of the following processing activities:
“The Contractor Employee shall complete each form and return to the Contractor.
a. DHS Form 11000-14
i. Complete Section I and Section II and sign/date the USER Agreement
ii. Email Address: Required only for logical access to (.gov) IT systems
b. DHS Form 11000-27
i. Complete Section I”
Question 2: Can the government specify the PIV cards processing locations?
Question 3: Would the government please confirm that employee’s travel time to the PIV processing stations are not included in the 20 min processing time?
Question 4: Has the current contractor staff been issued PIV cards?
Question 5: Will PIV cards be transferable to the new contractor?
Question 6: If any answers to above questions 4 and 5 are “yes,” will the PSO be required to travel in the future to PIV locations for the PIV cards to be re-issued?
Answer: Q1, the time required is for the time on site for the PIV enrollment station after all required forms have been submitted and approved; Q2, There are currently three locations in Portland (TSA, CIS, ICE) and one location in Medford (TSA); Q3, the time does not include the travel time; Q4, Yes, all the current PSO’s have PIV cards; Q5, Yes, they will be transferred from one contract to the next; Q6, Yes, when their existing PIV card expires they will be required to obtain a new PIV card at one of the PIV processing stations.
26. RFP Reference: SF 1449 and Pricing Schedule pages 2 through 4 of 429
Question 1: Would the Government please specify if bidders are to submit one rate for both Washington and Oregon?
Question 2: There are no TAS hours presented in the Pricing Schedule. Would the Government please confirm that TAS hours are included in the PSO Guard Services annual hours?
Answer: Q1, one rate for all contract locations, per the pricing schedule; Q2, In accordance with Paragraph C, Definitions Subparagraph 1(b) on page 11 of 429, of the RFP, Temporary Additional Services are included in the definition of PSO services. The Government anticipates that approximately 3% of the maximum hours solicited under this requirement will be for temporary additional services (TAS).
27. RFP Reference: FPS OR_SW WA CBA.
The CBA wages and benefits rates provided in the CBA have been negotiated with the current contractor until May 31, 2016.
Question: The CBAs Union wages and benefits expire before the start of the period of performance. Can the government provide the new negotiated CBAs?
Answer: See response to question 12 above.
28. RFP Reference: Exhibit 11 Government Provided Equipment
Question: Will the government provide gun safes for the weapons and ammunition to be stored on site?
Answer: No.
29. General Questions
Question 1: Will the government please specify if guard mount/gear up-gear down is required?
Question 2: If answer to question 1 above is “yes,” can the government please specify the number of minutes?
Question 3: Will the government provide locker rooms/break rooms for gear-up/gear down?
Answer: Q1, Not required; Q2, N/A, Q3, No.
30. RFP Reference: Post Exhibit pages 199 to 201 of 429
In the “Additional Requirements Column,” in the post exhibit, several posts are showing “Post has secondary X-Ray Screening duties.”
Question 1: Can the government please provide explanations/additional information?
Question 2: Can the government please specify if additional training for such duties is required?
Question 3: If answer to question 2 above is yes, will the government please provide the training requirements for these secondary X-Ray screening duties?
Answer: Q1, Each of the posts that indicate “Post has secondary X-Ray Screening duties” are not presently standing a post that requires X-Ray screening; however, the PSO’s that stand these posts have to be X-Ray certified as the may be called upon to perform the duties of an X-Ray screening post. Q2&3, PSO’s manning these stations must be in compliance with paragraph 6.7.4.1 of the SOW.
31. RFP Reference: Post Exhibit pages 199 to 201 of 429
The following posts are showing “as needed” for weekly hours and most of them are X-Ray screening posts:
10G-115 ODAR R10 3501 Excel Drive Medford, OR 10G-162 OR0023 620 SW Main St Portland, OR 97205 10G-183 ODAR R10 3661 Broadway North Bend, OR 10G-185 ODAR R10 254 W. Franklin Ave. Bend, OR 10G-186 ODAR R10 1750 McGilchrist St S.E. Salem, OR 10G-663 ODAR R10 211 E 7Th Ave Eugene, OR 10G-665 ODAR R10 333 SW First Ave Portland, OR
In order to properly calculate the number of Full Time Equivalent/Staff, X-Ray and Non- X- Ray training hours, and all related cost bidders need annual estimated number of post hours for these posts.
Question 1: Will the government please provide the annual estimated number of hours for these post?
Answer: See page 15 of 429 for a definition of TAS under paragraph C.1.b, Temporary Additional Services, last sentence states approximately 3% of the maximum hours solicited under this requirement is for temporary additional services
32. RFP Reference: Statement of Work Paragraph 6.7.3. NWDTP Instructor Training and Certification Requirements.
6.7.3.1.1 “Forty (40) of the seventy-two (72) hours shall be conducted at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Brunswick, GA; unless otherwise noted.”
6.7.3.1.1.1 “The Contractor shall coordinate immediately after contract award with the COR for the forty (40) Hour Classroom NWDTP Instructor Certification. FPS will need a minimum of sixty (60) days to schedule the NWDTP Instructor Course. FPS can extend the minimum to one-hundred twenty (120) days due to special circumstances.”
Question 1: Based on information, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA, is backlogged for 6 months to 1 year. Considering this is a circumstance outside contractor’s control can the government confirm the extension period is in line with the FLETC Training Center in Brunswick, GA?
Question 2: If the answer to question above is “no” can the government provide additional information/locations for any additional training locations?
Question 3: Will the contractor be allowed to cover X-Ray/Non X-Ray posts during the waiting time?
Question 4: What is the maximum number of instructors the contractor can send to Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA?
Answer: (Q1), Contractor provided NWDTP Trainers will be scheduled for training within the transition period to attend FLETC after contract award and prior to start of performance, If a delay is needed due to circumstances refer to SOW paragraph 8, Waivers and Deferments on page 88 of 429; (Q2), See response to Q1 above; (Q3), All PSO’s standing these post must be certified in accordance to the contract requirements;
(Q4), There is NO set number of trainers, it is up to each offeror to propose and certify the number of trainers needed based on their operational plan for fulfilling the requirements of the contract.
33. RFP Reference: Statement of Work, pages 100-101 of 429 paragraph 11.2 Contract Manager
Question 1: Will the government please specify where the Contract Manager is required to reside, which state?
Question 2: Will the government please specify if office space will be provided for the Contract Manager?
Question 3: Can the government please specify if internet connection and phone system (hard line) will be provided?
Answer: Q1, Location is the contractor’s choice; Q2, No, The Government will NOT provide office space; Q3, The contractor shall provide internet and phone systems as needed to fulfill the requirements of this contract.
34. RFP Reference: Statement of Work, pages 78-79 of 429 paragraph 6.7 National Weapons Detection Training Program (NWDTP) using Train the-Trainer Method
Question 1: Is this a requirement under the current contract?
Question 2: For pricing purposes can the government please provide the incumbent training record?
Question 3: Are there NWDTP Trainers currently on the contract, is yes, how many?
Answer: Q1, No, This is a new requirement under this contract. Q2, N/A. Q3, N/A.
35. RFP Reference: RFP, Pricing schedule pages 3-4 of 429 and Attachment 6 - Dec 2016 - Price Element Breakdown/ Model for Price Realism
Question 1: Considering that in the Pricing Schedule, one rate is required for both states, can the government please confirm that only one Model for Price Realism is required and not one for each state?
Answer: How a contractor builds its pricing model is the company’s decision.
36. What make, model and caliber pistol are incumbent PSOs using?
Answer: See response to question 6 above.
37. Shot guns are discussed in the training and CPE docs. Question/Request for Clarification Are shot guns required for this effort? If yes, how many?
Answer: See response to question 8 above.
38. (Exhibit 10.4) This document requires a radio case and a cell phone. Question/Request for Clarification Please confirm that this is one phone per post. a) Re the radio case. We see no indication of CP or GP radios. Please confirm whether 1 case per post is still required.
Answer: Yes, one phone per post. See response to questions 10 and 11 above.
39. The Recognition article states, "The Company hereby recognizes the Union as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative for all of its security guard as defined in the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, employed by the Employer under the DHS/FPS contract HSHQWA- 12-00002 for Oregon and SW Washington." AND "the term 'employees' shall mean all armed and unarmed security officers employed by Applied Integrated Technologies, Inc. performing guard duties as defined by Section 9(b)(3) of the National Labor Relations Act in the State of Oregon." Question/Request for Clarification Please clarify whether the Washington sites are covered by the CBA or their local SCA wage determinations.
Answer: See page 342 of 429, Article 1: Recognition, Section 1.1, Recognition of Union.
The Company hereby recognizes the Union as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative for all of its security guard as defined in the national Labor Relations Act, as amended, employed by the Employer under the DHS/FPS contract HSHQWA-12- 00002 for Oregon and SW Washington. The wage determination is based on the CBA for this area.
40. (Pricing Schedule) The Pricing Schedule shows the period of performance begins June 1, 2017. With the 120 day transition period, transition would have started Feb. 1 2017.
Question/Request for Clarification Can the Government state what the actual dates will be for the PoP?
Answer: See response to #2 above.
41. Are all incumbent PSOs trained, certified, medically cleared and licensed IAW the new RFP? If no, what is required before standing post on the new contract?
Answer: No, see Statement of Work, paragraph 6.4, Training Requirements on Page 75 of 429.
42. Will the Government be issuing the traditional FPS Attachment 10-Seniority List that includes everyone’s training, suitability and cert dates?
Answer: Current PSO personnel records shall be provided by the incumbent contractor.
See Statement of Work, page 58 of 429, paragraph 2.2, Phase - Out of Contract and Continuity of Services, subparagraph 2.2.1. The predecessor contract has similar language. See Amendment 2 for an updated Attachment 10.
43. Are there any NWDTP certified trainers currently on the incumbent PSO Force? If yes, how many?
44. Are there any certified trainers in other disciplines currently on the incumbent PSO Force?
a) If yes, please cite how many for each discipline.
Answer: Yes, Numbers and discipline are unique to each contractor’s operation and is proprietary information. See Statement of Work, Page 101 of 429, paragraph 11.3, Training Instructors.
45. Please identify the firearm currently used by the incumbent contractor(s)’ PSOs by make & model?
Answer: See response to question 6 above.
46. The CBA attached to the solicitation appears to have expired. Is this the correct wage determination to be used in preparing responsive pricing?
Answer: See response to question 12 above.
47. Please identify the date that the seniority list attached to the CBA was prepared and whether it was certified by the incumbent contractor(s).
Answer: See Amendment 0002
48. Please identify whether the incumbent PSOs have successfully completed NWTDP training and certification.
49. Please clarify whether the incumbent contractor(s) currently staffs all TS cleared posts with fully qualified personnel.
Answer: This information is not necessary to submit a proposal in response to the subject RFP.
50. On page 80, para 6.7.3 it references NWDTP Training Instructor certifications Requirements. Q1, Are there currently NWDTP trainers certified under the TTT program on this contract? Q2, If not, will the Government obtain the FLETC class dates for our instructors? Q3, If there are currently no certified instructors, will the Government provide the NWDTP training until personnel can receive the required training? Q4, Are there designated locations for NWDTP training or can we use any facility that has the equipment for training purposes?
Answer: Q1, No, this is a new requirement; Q2, Upon award of contract, arraignments will be made with the awarded contractor for scheduled dates; Q3, Yes; Q4, Any facility that have a X-Ray screening posts are available with coordination/scheduling with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and that it does not interfere with daily operations.
51. On page 89, para 9.3.1 it references Time and Attendance. Is the system referenced the PTS system or is this a separate requirement from the PTS system?
Answer: This is a contractor provided system and is a separate requirement than the Post Tracking System (PTS) that is listed on page 91 of 429.
52. The CBA provided expired on 5/31/2016. Is there a more current version?
Answer: See the response to question 12 above.
53. The Seniority list provided only has 68 dates (officers). Is there a more current seniority list?
Answer: See Amendment 0002.
54. On the post exhibit (Exhibit 13) there are 2 posts that require TS clearances (#10G-190 & 10G-191) Do PSO’s currently working these posts have TS clearances?
Answer: Yes, per the requirements on the predecessor’s contract.
56. On the post exhibit (Exhibit 13), there are several posts (10G-115, 10G-162, 10G-183, 10G- 185, 10G-186, 10G-663 and 10G-665) listed as, “as needed”. We assume these posts are the “normal” TAS requirements. Is this correct? Are there other occasional TAS posts that will require PSO services?
Answer: Yes, the posts listed above are not routine, recurring posts, but do not encompass all the TAS posts that may be required on this contract.
57. FAR 52.212-3, paragraph s is a representation regarding compliance with labor laws (Executive Order 13673). At the end of this paragraph, there is a note that states by a court order issued on October 24, 2016, this paragraph is enjoined indefinitely and will become effective immediately if the court terminates the injunction. Further, it is our understanding that earlier this month the Senate voted to disapprove this order and it is in the final step to have President Trump sign off on the disapproval resolution.
Will the Government confirm that paragraph s of clause 52.212-3 is not applicable to this effort and should not be completed as part of the reps and certs?
Answer: No, it is still applicable to this solicitation.
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