Attachment_3_Solicitation_Questions-and-Responses_A00001.pdf

HSTS05-15-R-SPP047 SPP IDIQ Attachment 3 - Solicitation Questions and Responses

Question

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

1 C.2.7 19

COOP and

Private

Contractor

Screeners

The section states that the Contractor shall submit a COOP Plan with each Task Order, but that Table in F.4, page 72, states that

Deliverable A009, COOP Plan, is due 15 days after Task Order award. Can you please clarify the requirement for Task Order submission?

The Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan (A009) is an anticipated Task Order deliverable, not a Task Order

Proposal requirement.

Section F.4, Deliverables Schedule, Table F.4(b) revised to clarify that the Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan

(A009) is an Anticipated Task Order Deliverable.

2 C.2.8 20

Handling

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

The section states that the Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan shall be submitted with the IDIQ, and that it must include "an analysis of airport respective state tort law."

The analysis of airport respective state tort law would seem to require at least on page per State. The IDIQ pricing attachment includes areas covering all 50 states. Does the TSA want an analysis of tort law in all 50 States submitted with the IDIQ, or can the analysis of each specific state be submitted as a Task

Order specific addendum? If the TSA wants an analysis of state tort law for all 50 States with the IDIQ, shouldn't the Claims

Management Plan be excluded from the respective Factor's page count.

An "analysis of airport respective state tort law" is not required for the submission of the Passenger and

Baggage Claims Management Plan (A007) with the IDIQ

Proposal.

Section C.2.8 Handle Passenger and Baggage Claims revised as follows:

Removed Bullet point - "• an analysis of airport-respective state tort law..."

Added "Task Order Requirement:

For each Task Order the Contractor shall perform and supplement its Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan with an analysis of airport-respective state tort law including, at the minimum, statute of limitations, notice requirements (if any), elements of negligence, status and applicability of res ipsa loquitur with respect to checked baggage claims, comparative vs.

contributory negligence standards, applicable defenses, measure of damages, not necessarily in the foregoing order."

3 C.2.8 20

Handling

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

The section states that the Claims Status Report shall be bi-weekly, but the Table in F.4, page 73, states that the A016 Claims

Status Report is due 10 days after the end of each Government quarter. Could you please clarify?

The delivery due date and frequency for Claims Status

Reports will be determined at the Task Order level.

Section C.2.8 Handle Passenger and Baggage Claims, page 21, 6th paragraph revised to the following:

"The Contractor shall provide a Bi-Weekly Claims

Status Report that includes: airport name, Contractor name, claim dates, all approvals, denials, settlements and amounts, and the number of pending claims and amounts that require further adjudication. Reports submitted to the

COR by email shall use the following format in the subject line: [Airport code] / [Contractor] / [Reporting

Period] (e.g. SFB / J. Doe Security / FY14Q4). Upon request of the COR, the Contractor shall provide full details of each claim. The Contractor shall submit the report on a template if one is provided by TSA and shall be included in the monthly Program Management

Reviews. Claims information shall be held by the

Contractor for a minimum of two years."

No.

RFP

Paragraph

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Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

4 C.3.1 23 Transition Plan

Please clarify that the Contractor is responsible for assuming full screening services after the completion of the Transition Period, but before the completion of the Transition Period, that the TSA

(or existing contractor) is responsible for screening activities and is liable for any incidents.

The incoming Contractor will be responsible for assuming full screening services after the completion of the Transition Period. The incumbent service provider, whether TSA or a contractor, is responsible for screening activities and is liable for any incidents until fully transitioned.

Section C.3.1 Transition Plan, 1st paragraph revised to the following:

"The Contractor shall execute an expeditious and successful transition, for each task order, while maintaining security, minimizing any impact on security and customer service, and providing a considerate and well-managed transition for the affected workforce.

Contractors shall complete all transition activities and begin providing security screening services within the time specified for the Transition period of performance in

Section B (CLINs) of the task orders. The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for screening services upon completion of the transition period and all transition activities..."

5 C.3.2 24 Transition

Please clarify that TSA is using the term "Transition" to signify the milestone for when Transition is completed, not when

Transition is initiated.

The term 'Transition' represents the period from the beginning of a new Task Order through completion of all activities required for new Contractor to assume full operational responsibility.

Not Applicable

6 C.4.1.1 26 IDIQ Program

Manager

Please clarify why the IDIQ Program Manager needs to be proficient in Microsoft Project (as opposed to the Offeror having staff that is proficient in Microsoft Project).

As stated is section C.4.1.1, the proposed IDIQ Program

Manager must be proficient is Microsoft Project (or similar software) "to set program/project baseline, measure progress against it, and communicate status to stakeholders."

Not Applicable

7 C.4.1.1 26 IDIQ Program

Manager

A search of the IDIQ document and the initial Task Orders indicates that a "program/project baseline" is never cited or referenced. With the possible exception of some of the elements in transition, the contract seems to be an ongoing service contract that has no basis for calculating earned value. The concept of establishing a baseline seems inconsistent with the technical requirements of either the IDIQ or a Task Order. Please explain why this is an essential criterion for the IDIQ.

There are elements of the contract which warrant base lining for effective management, as determined by the

Government and as acknowledged in the question asked.

Not Applicable

8 C.4.1.2 28

Task Order

Project

Manager

Please clarify why the Task Order Program Manager needs to be proficient in Microsoft Project (as opposed to the Offeror having staff that is proficient in Microsoft Project).

As stated is section C.4.1.2, the proposed Task Order

Project Manager must be proficient is Microsoft Project

(or similar software) "to set program/project baseline, measure progress against it, and communicate status to stakeholders."

Not Applicable

No.

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Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

9 C.4.1.2 28

Task Order

Project

Manager

Please clarify why the Task Order Program Manager needs to have formal certification in program/project management. The

IDIQ SOW and the respective Task Orders do not meet the

Project Management Institute's definition of a "project" and the

Task Orders are classified by TSA as "561 Administrative and

Support Services" and "561612 Security Guards and Patrol

Services" NAICS Codes, which are Industry Codes that do not seem to relate to any program or project management activities.

Task Order Project Manager requirements revised to incorporate relevant experience as substitute for formal certification.

Section C.4.1.2, Task Order Project Manager required skills and experience revised to the following:

"1. Any one of the following:

- Formal certification in program/project management issued by the Federal Government (such as FAC-PM, DAWIA, or U.S. DHS) or certification issued by a non-government organization like the PMP® credential issued by the Project Management Institute; or

- at least 5 years of management experience in aviation security, airport operations, or personnel security services

(demonstrated experience in supervising personnel in a

Federal government environment is highly desired).

2. At least 7 years of general management experience or

3 years as a certified Supervisory TSO (STSO) or higher position.

3. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Project (or similar commercially available software) to set a program/project baseline, measure progress against it, and communicate status to stakeholders.

4. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in an effective, efficient, and professional manner."

10 C.4.1.2 28

Task Order

Project

Manager

For the program management certification requirement, would

AAAE's Certification in Airport Security (ACE) suffice as an alternative qualification?

See response to Questions No. 9 See solicitation revision based on response to Questions

No. 9

No.

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Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

11 C.4.1.2 28

Task Order

Security

Instructor

The minimum skills and qualifications on page 28 do not state that a STI needs to have ATSA screener certifications, but the description on pg. 140, Section J.5.3 states that "a STI much have completed screener training and an initial certification training course provided by the government to become qualified." Please clarify what the requirements for a Task Order Security Instructor need to be.

In addition to the STI minimum experience requirements listed in section C.4.1.2, STIs must meet the requirements outlined in section J.5.3.

Section C.4.1.2, Task Order Security Training Instructor

(STI), page 28, revised to the following:

"The required minimum skills and experience for this

Key Personnel are presented below.

In addition to the STI requirements outlined in

Attachment J.5, section J.5.3, at least one of the following experience requirements must be met:

1. Minimum of 2 years adult-learning classroom instruction experience; or

2. Instructor certification from a recognized instructor-training program (e.g., ASTD, CTTI); or

3. Formal instructor training from a recognized source

(e.g., U.S. military, Federal training program, college/university or trade school, or private corporation)."

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Uniform Mgt

& Appearance

Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that, "if applicable, airport specific chapters or addendums shall be delivered 15 business days after task order award," but the SFO TO states it has to be updated with TO Proposal. Please clarify which requirement is correct for proposal preparation purposes.

The Uniform Management & Appearance Plan (CDRL

A002) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal. If applicable, the contractor will develop an Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A002:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: If applicable, submitted as deliverable after Task Order award"

F.4 Contract

Plans Table 70 Hiring Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that, "if applicable, airport specific chapters or addendums shall be delivered 15 business days after task order award," but the SFO TO states it has to be updated with TO Proposal. Please clarify which requirement is correct for proposal preparation purposes.

The Hiring Plan (CDRL A003) shall be submitted with

IDIQ proposal. The contractor shall develop an Airport specific addendum to submit with each Task Order

Proposal.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A003:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: Submitted with each Task Order

Proposals"

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Quality

Control Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that, "if applicable, airport specific chapters or addendums shall be delivered 15 business days after task order award," but the SFO TO states it has to be updated with TO Proposal. Please clarify which requirement is correct for proposal preparation purposes.

The Quality Control Plan (CDRL A004) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal. The contractor will develop an Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A004:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: Submitted as deliverable after Task

Order award"

No.

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Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

F.4 Contract

Plans Table 71 Training Plan

There is no discussion of the Training Plan in Section L. In which Factor should the Training Plan be included? Is the

Training Plan part of that Factor's page count?

Training requirements shall be addressed under Factor 2, Program Management and Team Organizational

Approach. The Training Plan is part of Factor's 2 page count.

Section L.5.1.2, Factor 2, revised to incorporate the following:

"C. Training – The Offeror shall submit a Training Plan to articulate how it intends to meet training requirements for all private contract screeners as outlined by TSA

Management Directive 1900.8 Transportation Security

Officer Training and Initial Certification Programs, and the TSA National Training Plan (NTP)."

F.4 Contract

Plans Table 71 Training Plan

There is no mention of the Training Plan in Section M. Please clarify whether the Training Plan is part of the evaluation criterion?

Training approach will be evaluated under Factor 2, Program Management and Team Organizational

Approach.

Section M.3.2, Factor 2, revised to the following:

"The Government will evaluate the adequacy and completeness of the Offeror’s proposed Program

Management Plan, Quality Control Plan, Training Plan, corporate program management structure, and screening operations oversight approach..."

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Program

Management

Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that, "if applicable, airport specific chapters or addendums shall be delivered 15 business days after task order award," but the SFO TO states it has to be updated with TO Proposal. Please clarify which requirement is correct for proposal preparation purposes.

The Program Management Plan (CDRL A006) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal. The contractor will develop an Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A006:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: Submitted as deliverable after Task

Order award"

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

Management

Plan

This section requires that Offeror's submit a Passenger/Baggage

Claims Mgt. Plan with the IDIQ Proposal, but Section L.7 does not address where in the Volume 1 Technical Proposal the Plan should be included and addressed. Please provide clarification where and under what Factor the Plan should be included.

Passenger and Baggage Claims Management requirements shall be addressed under Factor 3, Logistics

Management Approach. The Passenger and Baggage

Claims Management Plan is part of Factor 3's page count.

Section L.5.1.3, Factor 3, revised to incorporate the following:

"C. Passenger and Baggage Claims – The Offeror shall submit a Passenger and Baggage Claims Management

Plan to address how it intends to resolve passenger claims related to security screening and baggage handling."

Section L.3, Table L.3, Factor 3 page limit revised to reflect an increase from 35 to 40 pages.

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

Management

Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that, "if applicable, airport specific chapters or addendums shall be delivered 15 business days after task order award," but the SFO TO states it has to be updated with TO Proposal. Please clarify which requirement is correct for proposal preparation purposes.

The Passenger and Baggage Claims Management Plan

(CDRL A007) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal.

The contractor will develop an Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A007:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: Submitted as deliverable after Task

Order award"

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

Management

Plan

There is no discussion of the Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan in Section L. In which Factor should the

Passenger and Baggage Claims Management Plan be included?

Is the Passenger and Baggage Claims Management Plan part of that Factor's page count?

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

Management

Plan

There is no mention of the Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan in Section M. Please clarify whether the

Passenger and Baggage Claims Management Plan is part of the evaluation criterion?

Passenger and Baggage Claims Management approach will be evaluated under Factor 3, Logistics Management

Approach.

Section M.3.3, Factor 3, revised to the following:

"The Government will evaluate the adequacy and completeness of the Offeror’s proposed approach to obtain and manage consumables, Uniform Management and Appearance plan, Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan, Sensitive Security Information (SSI)

Management Plan, and IT Security Plan."

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

SSI

Management

Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that, "if applicable, airport specific chapters or addendums shall be delivered 15 business days after task order award," but the SFO TO states it has to be updated with TO Proposal. Please clarify which requirement is correct for proposal preparation purposes.

The SSI Management Plan (CDRL A008) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal. The contractor will develop an Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A008:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: Submitted as deliverable after Task

Order award"

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

IT Security

Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that any A024 Plan updates are due

15 days after task order award, but Section F.3 of the SFO Task

Order RFP states that any plan updates are due with the TO proposal. Please provide clarification on where Offeror's should include any plan changes and under which factor.

The IT Security Plan (CDRL A024) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal. The contractor will develop an

Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

The IT Security Plan shall be addressed under Factor 3, Logistics Management Approach.

Section F.4, Table F.4(a) Contract Plans, revised to reflect the following for CDRL A024:

"Plan: Submitted with IDIQ proposal

Airport Addendum: Submitted as deliverable after Task

Order award"

F.4 Contract

Plans Table

IT Security

Plan

There is no discussion of the IT Security Plan in Section M.

Please clarify whether the IT Security Plan is part of the evaluation criterion.

The IT Security Plan will be evaluated under Factor 3, Logistics Management Approach.

Section M.3.3, Factor 3, revised to the following:

"The Government will evaluate the adequacy and completeness of the Offeror’s proposed approach to obtain and manage consumables, Uniform Management and Appearance plan, Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan, Sensitive Security Information (SSI)

Management Plan, and IT Security Plan."

See response to Question No. 18

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

F.4 Contract

Plans Table 72 COOP Plan

IDIQ RFP Section F.4 says that any A009 Plan updates are due

15 days after task order award, but Section F.3 of the SFO Task

Order RFP states that any plan updates are due with the TO proposal. Please provide clarification on where Offeror's should include any plan changes and under which factor.

26 H.5 (a) 83 ATSA

In the statement that "screening companies are required to provide compensation (wages and other benefits)...," in order for us to ensure compliance, can you please spell out exactly what cost factors TSA considers to be "other benefits" in TSA's interpretation of what is required by ATSA?

The 'other benefits' component of TSA Minimum Labor

Rates include: FICA, Medicare, Health Insurance, Life

Insurance, Retirement Benefits/Contributions, Cost of

Living Allowances, and Paid Leave/Personal Time Off.

Not Applicable

27 H.5 (a) 83 ATSA

Our understanding is that TSA's interpretation is that a Contractor must pay no less than the TSA's equivalent wages and benefits for each covered labor category, but that Contractors are not required to offer exactly what TSA's benefit package is or what TSA's wages are, so as long as the monetary value of a Contractors wages and benefits is no less than the monetary value of the

TSA's wages and benefits. Is this understanding correct?

Correct, contractors are required to provide direct hourly wages and other benefits that when combined the monetary value (expressed as an hourly rate) is equal to or higher than the corresponding TSA Minimum Labor

Rates.

Not Applicable

28 H.5 (a) 83 ATSA

Our understanding is that TSA's interpretation of ATSA is that all a Contractor must pay are wages and benefits equal to those paid by the TSA at lowest rate in the TSA's pay bands, regardless of the actual or average wages the TSA is paying at a specific SPP airport. Is this understanding correct?

Incorrect, while there is a correlation between the lower ends of TSA's Pay Bands and the TSA Minimum Labor

Rates, it is the latter that is used to determine compliance with the Aviation and Transportation Security Act

(ATSA). That said, contractors are required to provide direct hourly wages and other benefits that when combined are equal to or higher than the corresponding

TSA Minimum Labor Rates regardless of actual or average wages as any specific airport.

Not Applicable

29 H.5 (a) 84

Six Screening

Operational

Labor

Categories

The section states that "TSA validates pre-award compliance with

TSA Minimum Labor Rates during proposal evaluations." Is

TSA referring to the IDIQ proposal evaluation or the individual

Task Order evaluation?

As stated in section H.5, the Compensation and Other

Benefits clause is applicable to the Task Orders. TSA will validate compliance during Task Order proposal evaluation.

Not Applicable

30 H.5 (a) 84

Six Screening

Operational

Labor

Categories

The section states that "TSA validates pre-award compliance with

TSA Minimum Labor Rates during proposal evaluations." If the

TSA is referring to the IDIQ proposal evaluation, then how can a proposer assess weather they are compliant with the TSA

Minimum Labor rates at the IDIQ solicitation level for all 34

OPM areas included in Attachment 1 when the Minimum Labor

Rates aren't being provided until the Task Order solicitations?

See response to Questions No. 1

See response to Question No. 29

No.

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31 H.5 (a) 84

Six Screening

Operational

Labor

Categories

The section states that "TSA validates pre-award compliance with

TSA Minimum Labor Rates during proposal evaluations." If the

TSA is referring to an individual Task Order proposal evaluation, and the Task Order labor rates cannot exceed the IDIQ labor rates, then what happens if the Minimum Labor Rates promulgated by the TSA in a future Task Order solicitation are higher than the labor rates that a Contractor includes in their

IDIQ pricing?

Should there be an unexpected increase in TSA

Minimum Labor Rates, not due to customary annual increases in federal pay, TSA will consider adjusting

IDIQ Labor Rates.

Not Applicable

32 84

Changes to

TSA's

Minimum

Labor Rates

The section states that the Contractor "warrants that the prices in its task order proposal(s) do not include any allowance for any contingency to cover increased costs for which adjustment is provided under this clause," but the pricing instructions in

Section L ask the proposer to escalate the same six labor categories (TSO, LTSO, STSO, BDO, LBDO, and SBDO) over the 10 years of the IDIQ. Please clarify.

Offerors are expected to exercise sound business judgment when developing proposed IDIQ Labor Rates, and accordingly, may account for the projected escalation of Labor Rates for future years in the IDIQ ordering period.

The quoted H.5 excerpt highlights the fact that adjustments under the H.5 clause are limited to wages and fringe benefits, and corresponding changes to social security, unemployment taxes and workers' compensation insurance expenses, but shall not otherwise include any amount for G&A, Overhead, or Profit. It does not conflict with the inclusion of escalation in the Offeror's proposed pricing at either the IDIQ or Task Order level..

Not Applicable

33 H.5 (a) 84

Changes to

TSA's

Minimum

Labor Rates

If TSA expects proposers to fill in estimated escalation over the ten year IDIQ period not withstanding that H.5 states that prices in its task order proposal(s) should not include any allowance for any contingency to cover increased costs for which adjustment is provided under this clause." Please clarify.

34 H.5 (a) 84

Changes to

TSA's

Minimum

Labor Rates

The CBA attached to the SFO Task Order has agreed-to wage escalation for 2016, 2107, and 2018. What will the protocol be for changing the TSA's Minimum Labor Rates when a CBA exists?

The TSA Minimum Labor Rates and the direct hourly wages and fringe benefits established by a DOL Wage

Determination, CBA-based or otherwise, are independent of each other. Therefore, TSA Minimum Labor Rates are not influenced by the requirements of the Service

Contract Labor Standards, including the presence of a

CBA.

Not Applicable

See response to Question No. 32

No.

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Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

35 H.5 (a) 84

Changes to

TSA's

Minimum

Labor Rates

Based on the description of how the TSA will approach changes to the TSA's minimum labor rates, if a proposer chooses to offer labor rates higher than the TSA's minimums (which themselves are set at the TSA's starting wage in each pay band) in order to meet the current actual range of wages that the TSA is paying at

Federally screened airports, then wouldn't it be true that the proposer would not be eligible for an allowable price adjustment

(even if it means that TSA screeners making the same wages as the proposer's screeners would be given a wage increase). Is this interpretation correct? If not, please clarify the TSA's approach in such a scenario.

The stated interpretation is correct. As stated in section

H.5.(a)(b), "The contract price, contract unit price labor rates, or fixed hourly labor rates will be adjusted to reflect the Contractor’s actual increase or decrease in applicable wages and fringe benefits to the extent that the increase is made to comply with or the decrease is voluntarily made by the Contractor as a result of:

i. The Minimum Labor Rates may change from the previous year. For example, the prior year Minimum

Labor Rates required a minimum compensation rate of

$4.00 per hour. The Contractor chose to pay $4.10. The new Minimum Labor Rates increases to $4.50 per hour.

Even if the Contractor voluntarily increases the rate to

$4.75 per hour, the allowable price adjustment is $.40 per hour;

ii. An increased or decreased Minimum Labor Rate otherwise applied to the contract.

Not Applicable

HSAR

Clauses

Incorporated in Full Text

3052.204-70

Security

Requirements for

Unclassified

Information technology

Resources

Clause 3052.204-70 states that a contractor shall submit for approval its IT Security Plan within 30 days after contract award.

Is this referring to the IDIQ award or a Task Order Award? This information seems to conflict with the IT Security Plan

Deliverable discussed in F.4, Deliverable A024. Please clarify.

The IT Security Plan (CDRL A024) shall be submitted with IDIQ proposal. The contractor will develop an

Airport specific addendum to submit as a deliverable after Task Order award.

The submission and approval requirement under Clause

3052.204-70 is applicable at the Task Order level.

Not Applicable

Paragraph

C.

Factor 3

Logistics Mgt.

Should Offeror's include their IT Security Plan under Paragraph

C (SSI Mgt. Plan) or under a separately labeled Paragraph D.

The IT Security requirements shall be addressed under

Factor 3, Logistics Management Approach.

Section L.5.1.3, Factor 3, revised to state the following:

"E. IT Security – The Offeror shall submit an IT Security

Plan that describes the processes and procedures that will be followed to ensure appropriate security of IT resources that are developed, processed, or used under this contract."

Paragraph

C.

Factor 3

Logistics Mgt.

Please verify that the Offerors IT Security Plan is a separate and distinct plan from the Sensitive Security Information

Management Plan as they are presented in Section F.4.

The SSI Management Plan (CDRL A008) and the IT

Security Plan (CDRL A024) are separate and distinct

IDIQ plans.

Not Applicable

Required

Proposal

Compliance

Information

Acknowledge ment of Issued

Amendments

Please confirm if Offeror's are required to acknowledge issued amendments by including both a signed and dated SF33 and a

SF30 for each RFP amendment. If a signed and dated SF33 acknowledging each RFP amendment is acceptable please confirm this.

Offerors are required to submit a completed and signed

SF30 for each solicitation amendment.

Section L.5.2.1, Required Proposal Compliance

Information, revised to incorporate the following:

"2. Completed and Signed SF30 for each solicitation amendment"

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Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

Factor 5:

Price/Cost 170 Attachment 1

The columns in Attachment one are laid out as Direct Labor

Rates, Fringe, Overhead, G&A and Profit, but there is no column for the derived Direct Labor Rate the Contractor is proposing

(i.e., the sum of direct wages and other benefits). Shouldn't such a Contractor Minimum Labor Rate column be provided to verify compliance?

As stated in section L.5.2.2, Factor 5:

"NOTE: TSA Minimum Compensation Rate compliance will be determined at the task order level based on the specific location..."

At this time, a column for "derived Direct Labor Rate" is not considered necessary. If needed, TSA will calculate the sum for Direct Labor Rates and Fringe Benefits Rate separately.

Not Applicable

Factor 5:

Price/Cost 170 Attachment 1

The columns in Attachment one are laid out as Direct Labor

Rates, Fringe, Overhead, G&A and Profit. Is the TSA now considering Overhead, G&A and Profit to be "other benefits" as discussed in Section H.5, pg. 83 (i.e., direct wages and other benefits).

Overhead, G&A and Profit are not considered "other benefits" as discussed in Section H.5.

Not Applicable

Factor 5:

Price/Cost

TSA pay band information

The "Note" talks to offerors required to "propose direct rates in accordance with the instructions below, by using the TSA pay band information…provided in Attachment 1." We see no pay band information included in Attachment 1. Please advise.

TSA pay band information provided in Attachment 1, Worksheet "TSA Pay Bands" Not Applicable

Factor 5:

Price/Cost

IDIQ Labor

Rates

The instructions state that "All labor rates, whether prime or subcontractor, proposed in response to any task order solicitation shall not exceed the IDIQ labor rates." But the TSA Minimum

Labor Rates aren't being provided with the IDIQ solicitation, only the Task Order solicitations. How can a proposer know how to submit ATSA compliant Labor Rates for all 34 OPM areas in in

Attachment 1 of the IDIQ before the issuance of Task Orders other than the two for STS and SFO?

The only variable used by TSA to calculate TSA

Minimum Labor Rates that differs by location is the

OPM established locality rate. Attachment 1 automatically applies the corresponding locality rate for all 34 OPM identified locations.

Not Applicable

Factor 5:

Price/Cost

IDIQ Labor

Rates

The Attachment 1 pricing template instructions #4, is a

"Escalation Rate - Proposed by Offeror," yet Section H.5(a) on page 84 states that the contractor must certify that the prices in the Task Order do not include any allowance for any contingency to cover increased costs for which adjustment is provided under this clause. Please clarify.

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Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

Factor 5:

Price/Cost

IDIQ Labor

Rates

If the Proposed Escalation is not enough to cover the Changes to the TSA Minimum Labor rate as discussed in Section H.5, pg.

84, please confirm that the contractor's allowable price adjustment will be based on Section H.5 regardless of the pricing escalation included in Attachment 1 for those positions subject to the Section H.5 Changes to the TSA Minimum Labor Rate. that the contractor must certify that the prices in the Task Order do not include any allowance for any contingency to cover increased costs for which adjustment is provided under this clause. Please clarify.

As stated in section H.5.(a)(b), "The contract price, contract unit price labor rates, or fixed hourly labor rates will be adjusted to reflect the Contractor’s actual increase or decrease in applicable wages and fringe benefits to the extent that the increase is made to comply with or the decrease is voluntarily made by the

Contractor as a result of:

i. The Minimum Labor Rates may change from the previous year ...

ii. An increased or decreased Minimum Labor Rate otherwise applied to the contract" [emphasis added].

Not Applicable

Factor 5:

Price/Cost

IDIQ Labor

Rates

If a contractor is envisioning providing pay bands to accommodate rewarding extraordinary performance and longevity recognition (in the same manner that the TSA does by use of their pay bands), how would a contractor represent the use of such pay bands in Attachment 1?

Offerors shall utilize Attachment 1 as part of their Price

Proposal, and therefore, are limited to propose one IDIQ

Labor Rate per Labor Category. However, this does not preclude Offerors from establishing a more granular compensation structure. That being said, the IDIQ Labor

Rates should reflect the highest level of compensation, within reason, that an offeror anticipates to provide its employees.

Not Applicable

47 pg. 15

San Jose-San

Francisco -

Oakland CA

Table

The SFO CBA attached to the SFO TO has different pay rates for different seniority for the Screening Operations Labor Categories.

How do we represent this on the San Jose-San Francisco -

Oakland CA Pricing Table

As stated in section L.5.2.2, Factor 5, IDIQ Labor Rates:

"IDIQ Labor Rates proposed in Attachment 1 will be incorporated into the resulting IDIQ Contract. All labor rates, whether prime or Subcontractor, proposed in response to any task order solicitation shall not exceed the IDIQ Labor Rates." Therefore, IDIQ Labor Rates should account for the highest level of compensation, within reason, that an offeror anticipates to provide its employees.

Not Applicable

48 pg. 1 - 17 All 34 OPM

Area Tables

Given that the Contractor is to propose wages for 10 years that can be no less than TSA's Minimum Labor Rates, could the TSA please provide their wage escalation factors and estimated fringe rate factors for years 1 through 10?

This information is not available at this time.

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

Paragraph

A.

Factor 3

Logistics Mgt.

Factor A states that the Offeror "shall submit a Logistics

Management Plan ," but there is no Logistics Management Plan listed in the Section F.4 Deliverables table. Please clarify.

The Offeror shall submit a Logistics Management

Approach that addresses all items listed in section

L.5.1.3, Factor 3.

Section L.5.1.3, (A) revised to read as follows:

"A. Consumables – The Offeror shall describe its approach for obtaining and managing consumables related to screening operations. The approach shall contain the following as a minimum:

• Approach or method(s) for acquisition of consumables;

• Inventory control practices;

• Source of consumables, to include vendor(s) name, website and telephone number;

• Provisioning of consumables for screening operations;

and

• COR or TM coordination for identifying potential purchase adjustments based on operations."

50 L.9 172 Task Order

Solicitations

A review of the two posted TO solicitations indicates that STS is being set aside for small business. So that large businesses can better understand what Task Order solicitations they will be allowed to participate with, can you please indicate which

Airports CATs the TSA will set aside for small businesses under the IDIQ (i.e..., only CAT III and IV, CAT II, III and IV)?

Whether a Task Order is set-aside for small businesses will depend on federal small business policies and goals, and on several factors unique to the subject airport.

At this time TSA does not intend to establish a pre-determined acquisition approach based on Airport

Category/Size.

Not Applicable

51 F.4, L.7 68-72, 164-

Deliverables and Proposal

Submission

Instructions

CDRL A001-A004, A006, A008 and A024. Since these are formal plans and will significantly impact page limitations stated in Section L, will TSA consider a summary of approach in the main technical proposal and allowing these formal CDRL plans as addendums to the IDIQ proposal and not subject to page count limitations so they are easily updated with the task order proposal(s)?

Proposal page limits established in Table L.3 account for the inclusion of IDIQ Plans (CDRLs A001-A008, A024).

Not Applicable

C.5.1, F.4, L.7, M.3, M.4

68-72, 164-

167, 175-

Screener

Training, Deliverables and Proposal

Submission

Instructions

CDRL A005-Training Plan. Section C.5.1 and F.4 requires this plan to be submitted with the IDIQ proposal however, Section

L/M does not require this content in any of the factors, allow for page count for this or shows how it will be evaluated. Please clarify where this is required in the proposal and what factor it applies to. If required in the proposal, will TSA consider this plan as an addendum and not subject to page count limitations?

See responses to Questions No. 15 and 16

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

C.2.8, F.4, L.7, M.3, M.4

20, 68-72, 164-167, 175-177

Handle

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims, Deliverables and Proposal

Submission

Instructions

CDRL A007-Passenger and Baggage Claims Management Plan.

Section C.2.8 and F.4 requires this plan to be submitted with the

IDIQ proposal however, Section L, M does not require this content in any of the factors, allow for page count or shows how it will be evaluated. Please clarify where this is required in the proposal and what factor it applies to. If required in the proposal, will TSA consider this plan as an addendum and not subject to page count limitations?

54 L.5 162

General

Proposal

Instructions, Volume I

Volume I instructions state that offerors shall include a table of contents for each factor. Since all technical factors are in the same volume, does TSA want a master table of contents as well as an individual table of contents for each factor or a master table of contents for the entire volume? Please clarify.

Offerors shall include a Table of Contents for each

Factor.

Not Applicable

55 F.4 68

Deliverables

Schedule:

CDRLs A001-

8, A024, A026

Cited paragraphs and CDRLS require 10 specific plans to be submitted with the IDIQ proposal. These differ from the requirements of Section L, Paragraph L7, page 164. Given the page limitations, which one of these requirements do offerors follow?

CDRLs A001-A008 and A024 shall be submitted with

IDIQ proposal. This Plans are now correctly addressed in sections L.5.1.1, L.5.1.2, and L.5.1.3.

Sections L.5.1.1, Factor 1, L.5.1.2, Factor 2, and L.5.1.3, Factor3, revised to incorporate corresponding IDIQ

Plans.

56 C.4.1.1 26 IDIQ Program

Manager

Requirement reads that all listed minimum criteria must be met.

To what extent may direct, recent, and relevant professional experience substitute for the educational requirement?

Relevant professional experience may substitute education requirements for the IDIQ Program Manager as outlined in section 4.1.1.

Section 4.1.1, Program Manager (IDIQ PM) revised to the following:

"1. Any of the following:

a. College degree at the level of Bachelors or higher from an accredited educational institution; or

b. Certification by an industry, recognized aviation or personnel security association; or

c. At least 10 years of experience in any of the following fields: aviation security, airport operations personnel security services, or contract management (these years may be concurrent with the management / TSA experience under #2)..."

See responses to Questions No. 18 and 21

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

57 C.5.1 41 Screener

Training

IDIQ RFP reads "The Contractor shall conduct screener training as outlined by TSA Management Directive 1900.8 and the TSA

National Training Plan (NTP)." Further, "A Training Plan shall be submitted with the IDIQ proposal and updated with all Task

Order Proposals," making it clear that IET is the Contractor's responsibility. Given the TSA HQ action to centralize ALL initial entry training at FLETC, Glynco, GA, what are the effects of that action on this section of the RFP as well as the effects on the other tasks in the RFP that derive from Contractor responsibility for IET?

Offerors shall propose according to all TSA training requirements in the solicitation, including the anticipated requirement to conduct the Transportation Security

Officer Basic (TSOB) Screening Checkpoint course at the TSA Academy in Glynco, GA.

Section C.5.1, Screener Training, revised to incorporate the following:

"Anticipated Training Requirement:

Effective January 1, 2016, the Transportation Security

Officer Basic (TSOB) Screening Checkpoint course will only be offered at the TSA Academy in Glynco, GA. All new hire candidates (including SPP Contractor candidates) must successfully complete this training and associated testing at the TSA Academy.

Attendance for this training will be scheduled via the local TSA training manager a minimum of 35 days prior to the start of the next class."

58 4.7 33 GFE

If the government does not provide office/training space in a Task

Order, will the contractor be able to charge these costs in developing Task Order Pricing?

When developing Task Order pricing, it is incumbent upon the Offeror to account for any office/training space costs deemed necessary to support its screening operation.

Not Applicable

59 4.7 33 GFE

Is the contractor to provide IDIQ pricing for any equipment, such as desks, chairs, office machines, computers (equipment related to Task Order Project Manager, Training Officer, Admin

Assistant duties)?

The IDIQ Price proposal shall be developed in accordance with section L.5.2.1, Factor 5: Price/Cost.

Not Applicable

60 4.7 33 GFE Would the above costs be allowable for a Task Order?

The items listed in question 59 may be accounted for as

'Other Direct Costs' in Task Order price proposals.

Not Applicable

61 4.7 33 GFE

Are any overhead cost items, other than uniforms, required to be included in the IDIQ pricing tab for “overhead”?

As stated in section L.5.2.1, Factor 5: Price/Cost, Indirect

Rates and Profit: "Offerors shall propose indirect rates according to their most current DCAA/DCMA approved forward pricing rate recommendations and/or indirect rates agreements, if available. If an Offeror does not have

DCAA/DCMA forward pricing rate recommendations and/or indirect rate agreements, Offerors should provide indirect rates generated from their Accounting System, which must be in compliance with Generally Accepted

Accounting Principles (GAAP)."

A definitions for Indirect Costs can be found in:

http://www.dcaa.mil/DCAAM_7641.90.pdf

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

62 4.7 33 GFE If so, what would the allowable items in addition to uniforms be? http://www.dcaa.mil/DCAAM_7641.90.pdf Not Applicable

63 4.8 34 Equipment

Maint

Is the time spent performing equipment maintenance considered regular shift time or is this in addition to shift time?

Federal screeners generally include maintenance within a

"standard shift", however, the scheduling of screening services is a matter of Offeror discretion.

Not Applicable

64 4.13 36

TSA

Assessment

Requirement

How much does the testing center charge for the tests?

Testing Center costs are absorbed by the Government.

However, Contractor scheduling beyond bona fide need and excessive failure to make appointments will result in

Government action to mitigate waste and abuse.

Not Applicable

65 Factor 5 171 Indirect Costs Are we to use the current Federal Wage Determination H&W

Rate of $4.27 in computing Fringe Benefit % for Attachment 1?

66 Factor 5 171 Indirect Costs

Federal Wage Determinations vary with respect to the number of hours of vacation earned at various service dates, such as 80 hours after 1 year, 120 after 5 years, etc. Is the contractor to propose the minimum hours vacation in computing its Fringe or some “average” number?

67 Factor 5 171 Indirect Costs Can the number proposed in the IDIQ be changed to match the specific wage determination applicable to a Task Order?

As stated in section L.5.2.2, Factor 5, IDIQ Labor Rates:

"IDIQ Labor Rates proposed in Attachment 1 will be incorporated into the resulting IDIQ Contract. All labor rates, whether prime or Subcontractor, proposed in response to any task order solicitation shall not exceed the IDIQ Labor Rates." While IDIQ Labor Rates may not be exceeded, Offerors may chose reduce their labor rates at the Task Order level.

Not Applicable

68 Factor 5 171 Indirect Costs

Presuming “Overhead” applies on an individual basis (such uniforms for one individual), training costs, recruiting costs, other equipment); what items for IDIQ purposes should be included in overhead (direct cost)?

69 1 161 Font Size

Restrictions

The government states "Information submitted for the factors shall be formatted on 8 ½” x 11” size paper / electronic layout, in any font no smaller than 11 point font." Will the government allow tables, charts and graphical representations to be at font no smaller than 10 point font to allow for consistency within the

IDIQ nd Task Order proposals since many of the same plans will exist in both.

Proposal volumes shall be formatted on 8 ½” x 11” size paper / electronic layout, in Times New Roman 11-point font or larger for text and 10-point font or larger for tables and graphics.

Section L.3, General Proposal Preparation Instructions, B revised to read as follows:

"B. Volumes must be provided in separate notebooks, binders, electronic files, etc. Information submitted for the factors shall be formatted on 8 ½” x 11” size paper / electronic layout, in Times New Roman 11-point font or larger for text and 10-point font or larger for tables and graphics. The pages shall be numbered; each side of an 8

½” x 11” sheet of paper shall constitute one (1) page."

See responses to Questions No. 61 and 62

See responses to Questions No. 61 and 62

See responses to Questions No. 61 and 62 http://www.dcaa.mil/DCAAM_7641.90.pdf

No.

RFP

Paragraph

RFP Page

Number RFP Topic RFP Question Responses Solicitation Revision (If Applicable)

70 2 28

TO Project

Manager criteria

Will a certificate from a college Project Management Program meet the criteria for the requirement for "Formal certification in program/project management issued by the Federal Government

(such as FAC-PM, DAWIA, or U.S. DHS) or certification issued by a non-government organization like the PMP® credential issued by the Project Management Institute"?

71 2 28

TO Project

Manager criteria

Will the government allow years of experience in program/project management in a security environment in lieu of the requirement of formal certification?

72 A and C 165 and 166

Program vs.

Corporate

Program

Management

Team

Please clarify the difference between the offeror's program management team referenced in L.7, Factor 2, A and corporate program management team referenced in the same L.7,Factor 2, C.

'Corporate Program Management Team' renamed

'Corporate/Executive Team' for clarification.

Section L.5.1.2, Factor 2, D, revised to read as follows:

"D. Corporate Structure – The Offeror shall describe the structure of its Corporate/Executive team and its proposed relationship with the Government that will enable it to effectively manage the contract and communicate effectively with the Government. The

Offeror shall provide an organizational chart which illustrates the proposed arrangement."

9 on the page

Requirement

Matrix

The government states "The matrix shall cross reference the evaluation criteria to the page and paragraph number in the proposal." Will the government accept a matrix that coss references to the page and section numbers instead of the paragraph number so that all paragraphs do not need to have a specific consecutive number associated with them.

The Requirement Matrix shall reference the evaluation criteria to the page and paragraph and/or section number in the Offeror's proposal.

Section L.3, General Proposal Preparation Instructions, J, Requirement Matrix revised to read as follows:

"Offerors shall provide a matrix in each volume to assist the Government in identifying where in an Offeror’s proposal volume the evaluation factors are addressed.

The matrix shall cross reference the evaluation criteria to the page and paragraph and/or section number in the proposal. "

74 1 and 4 25 and 26

Contract

Program

Manager

The government refers to a Contract Program Manager in the first paragraph but later refers to the IDIQ Program Manager. Please clarify that this is meant to be the same position?

Contract Program Manager and IDIQ Program Manager refer to the same position.

Not Applicable

75 2 and table 20 and 71

Passenger and

Baggage

Claims

Management

Plan

The Government states "A Passenger and Baggage Claims

Management Plan pertaining to this requirement shall be submitted with the IDIQ proposal" in Sections C and F but doesn't instruct in section L where it should be placed.