N0018922R0002 QAs Final.docx

N0018922R0002 USNA Mess Attendant- Q&As:

1. Current due date Saturday 01/08/2022, can the due date be made for Monday, 01/10/22?

A: Yes, the response date will be amended to 01/13/2022.

2. Is there a union?

A: Yes, the Industrial, Technical, and Professional Employees (ITPE) Union.

3. If there is a union, will a CBA be provided?

A: The CBA is provided in the attachments of the solicitation

4. May we email our proposal submission?

A: Yes, reference page 53 of the solicitation. 52.212-1 Instructions.

Email proposals to Arianna Williams at arianna.m.williams2.civ@us.navy.mil and Caitlin King at caitlin.d.king2.civ@us.navy.mil

5. Can you provide the start and end of each year for this solicitation?

A: Reference page 44. The current contract ends 03/28/2022. With the need for a 30 day transition, this transition would start 02/28/2022 for full performance to begin on 03/28/2022. This contract is for a base year and for option years.

6. Can you provide historical headcount feeding?

A: This depends on yard events and varies by day plus service style requested: (small break down already in the contract of service styles) Breakfast Mando 4550 to 3,500 (closer to 3,500) Breakfast Buffet during week 1,000 to 3,000 Breakfast Servery weekend with no event or Mando 1,000-2,500 Breakfast rolling tray 1,000 to 3,500 Lunch Mando Mon-Fri 4,450-4,550 Lunch rolling tray 4,500-TBD on what is going on Lunch weekend/bunch 500-3,000 unless no liberty or holiday (less possible) Dinner Mando (Some on Sunday but could be asked for at anytime) 3,500- 4,550 Dinner rolling tray 1,000-4,550 (not typically all) Dinner Servery weekend 1,000 to 3,000 (or less)

All meal styles are subject to change at any time….

7. Does charts, diagrams also must be in 12 pitch, font Times New Roman?

A : No, as long as charts are legible.

8. If we cannot electronically submit our proposal, how many copies are required for both Volumes?

A: Offerors are only to provide electronic submissions as stated in the instructions to offerors section which begins on page 53.

9. Page 13 – Safety & Security Plan states, “which adheres to references (d), €, and (f)”. Please clarify where those references can be found.

A: The attachments have been added. Reference last page of the updated SOW.

0. Page 13 – Medical Record Maintenance Plan. Please clarify if the only documentation contained in the Medical Record Maintenance are the results of the Physical Examinations described on Page 14?

A: The contractor will need the 4 hour sanitation course held by medical on the yard which is provided to comply with Servsafe requirements and training.

0. Page 15 – Training Plan. Please provide the list of training topics and electronic material that must be covered over a long-range schedule so we would be able to draft a training plan.

A: Contractor management provides their own training plan for their employees. After a Contractor is selected for the award, they will correspond with the COR for any further information needed. OJT (On the Job Training) processes, handwashing, time temperature of refrigerators on the floor with log, Dishwashing/pot & pan operations plus temperatures, sanitation processes, serving process, plated service training and inventory procedures of mess gear/supplies. Government will assist in offing four-hour sanitation from once a year in the spring. (Contractor/Managers will have to provide available time for all employees to attend) Training started with the basics on day one but will have time to develop a more tailored training after understand the operation better with in month seems fair.

0. Page 17 – Government Provided Items & Services. Please clarify if “disposable supplies such as paper products” includes carry out containers/supplies and/or single use items necessary for the delivery and consumption of food (e.g., disposable bags, disposable utensils, straws, cups, lids, single use food containers, etc.).

A: Yes, Please reference attached supply list spreadsheet.

0. Page 17 – Government Provided Equipment. Please clarify if Government Provided Equipment is listed on TE7. Also, please clarify how many Sink, Soaking (with heaters), Sink, Wash, 3 Compartment (with heaters), and Cart, Hot Holding will need to be repaired and/or maintained by the contractor.

A: Government already has the equipment in place but contractor maintains it. TE-7 has the list of Government Provided Equipment.

sink, soaking with heaters - 1 sink, wash, 3 compartments with heaters- 4 cart, hot holding- 60

0. Page 17 – Government Provided Equipment. Please provide the manufacturer and model for the Dishwashers and Hot Holding Carts, so we can accurately account for potential disposable supplies such as paper products” includes carry out containers/supplies and/or single use items necessary for the delivery and consumption of food maintenance costs.

A: The scullery dishwashers are Hobarts, models and the pot and pan dishwasher is Alvey, model. The hot holding carts are government property and maintained by the government. (60 Cart plus carts/Carter-huffman, However they are four scullery lines (Hobart), three pot and pan locations (galley/miko catering kitchen/Meiko, and bakeshop/Meiko)

0. Page 17 – Government Provided Equipment. In general, if there is an equipment failure, is there a designated threshold for repairs (i.e., emergency 24 hours, urgent 3 days, etc.)?

A: The contractor is responsible for the machine repairs. If the emergency is due to steam, water or electrical issues the government is responsible for those repairs. 24 hours would be the standard for emergency repairs if parts are available. Standard repairs can take up to 30 days.

0. Page 23 – Main Staff Table. Please describe the type, size, and frequency which centerpieces are necessary for the main staff table (e.g., fresh flowers, fake flowers, other decorations, etc.).

A:The main staff table is generally used for dining events on an average of three to four times a month. We have not required the provider to provide decorations, such as flowers.

0. Page 24 – Alcohol Restrictions. Please provide any historical date or an estimate for the number of events when contracts would serve alcohol.

A: The contractors under this contract will not be required to serve alcohol. The PWS has been updated. There are a few events where alcohol is served in King Hall or event location. The staff is not responsible for placing alcohol on the tables or bartending at outside events. The midshipmen over 21 take care. There events in Dahlgren Hall where alcohol is served by the club staff and MWF (Morale & Welfare for the MIDs Navy calls it MWR) take care of the details.

0. During the summer months, when plebes aren’t on campus what is the feeding style used?

A:Buffet for MIDNs and Buffet for summer camps (200 to 500/TBD)

0. How many plebes are typically feed during summer months when students are on vacation?

A: 1,200 plebes, Other MIDS summer programs 300 to 1,500

0. During the many stages of COVID and the different service levels that may be offered we understand contractors must be flexible. Based on some of the signage we saw during the site visit we understood some requirements were altered to ensure health and safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid. Would you please describe some of the temporary changes that were made in light of Covid measures (e.g., carry out only, etc.)?

A:Meal service changes due to COVID 19 have been grab n go meals, self service buffet, seating 6 midshipmen per table vice 12, enforcing 6 feet distance between each midshipmen and having midshipmen clean tables by removing their trash and placing dirty plates, cups and silverware in the center of tables. Disposable items have been used too.

21. Attachment 1 – Supply List and Pricing Spreadsheet – The current format of the Excel spreadsheet does not provide a column(s) for unit and total price. Please provide revised spreadsheet and/or information on where to provide costs for each and all items.

A: Columns have been added for unit price and annual price. The Government is also requesting total annual pricing for the supplies listed on the spreadsheet.

22. Please confirm that weekly and yearly product amounts are all in cases.

A: Cases are used for the estimated product amounts used.

23. For the products marked “Could be less/as needed” are all respondents to use the item amounts as stated in the supply list?

A: Yes, the could be less/as needed depending on the feeding style due to changes in the COVID 19 issues.

24. Solicitation page 39 of 97 – Schedule of Supplies and Services – CLIN 0001 Transition. Please identify what operational costs, in addition to transition period of management and labor, the incoming contractor is responsible for?

A: Uniforms, health, safety and sanitation training.

25. CLIN 0002 for Mess Attendant Services is for 11 months (after the transition period) while CLIN 0003 Supplies is for 12 months. Does this include the Transition Period? Please clarify?

A: CLIN 0003 is for the supplies required under the contract. The contractor will not need to provide the supplies during the transition period. The CLIN will be updated to reflect 11 months.

26. Solicitation page 10 of 97 – Food Service Worker position description – These paragraphs include understood duties for general cleaning in all King Hall related spaces, but also include “galley, bake shop, cook/chill production area…”. Please described any contractor personnel work requirements and schedule frequencies in these areas? Also provide contractor responsibilities for “making coffee, preparing fruits and vegetables…”, etc. All other cleaning responsibilities are understood.

A: The contractor personnel are not responsible for any work requirements in the “galley spaces except for the pot and pan dishwasher area, bake shop, cook/chill…. The contractor is not responsible for making coffee, preparing fruits and vegetables….They are responsible for moving the fruits, protein carts, bread and dessert carts to the respective area of the dining room for service. They are responsible for setting up all food bars in KH and servery. Example Salad bars, fruit bars, oatmeal bars, Protein bars, buffet lines, Bread bars, and dessert bars. Food prepared by kitchen staff for the bars and contractor places on line, cleans and discards leftovers.

Responsibilities include:

Maintaining general cleanliness and sanitation of walls, floors, countertops and associated equipment in all food service spaces of King Hall, to include the Chesapeake/Severn rooms collecting and transporting trash to a designated area, washing cooking and baking gear in the galley, Banquet Kitchen, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation of all mess gear cleaning equipment including mops, buckets, brooms, etc., transporting and loading hot carts with prepared food items, assisting in setting up individual servings of breads, condiments, desserts, etc., maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of the pulper, garbage and trash containers, maintaining fueling stations, loading and unloading consumable supplies for the food service facility, operating food pulper machinery, and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

27. Copy of TE – 2 – MFSD 2021 Events (MFSD 2021 Memos) – Other than Pre-meet meals scheduled in the Wardroom and other listed large Special Events, what contractor labor is required for Snacks, Box Meals, Refreshments and support for Tailgates?

A: None

28. Solicitation pages 27 – 29 Trash Removal and Disposal area - Please clarify contractor responsibilities for Galley related trash and garbage (wet/dry) transportation to the disposal area and pulper room from the Galley and then disposal into the containers?

A: The contractor is responsible for the placing of all trash and cardboard in the respective trash compactors and or pulper from King Hall and the Chesapeake/Severn rooms. The galley staff is responsible for taking trash carts to the trash room for the contractor to place in the respective compactors and cleaning of trash carts and the trash room area and trash dock. Food Left in warmers that have made it to the floor contractor discards food items. If the food carts are not needed for the floor the galley staff discards.

29. Solicitation page 24 – Please provide “Fueling Station” days and hours of operation. Are contractor personnel the only supervision and labor required? Are food and/or beverage products issued from a Galley location. When will the new McDonough Hall location and potential others be opened?

A: The contractor is responsible for stocking the fueling stations and being available during open hours. The government is responsible for the supervision and delivery of items to the fueling stations. Hours will vary depending on the mission and location but generally will be open from 1130-1900, Monday thru Friday. The opening of McDonough and other areas are still to be determined as they are undergoing renovation at this time.

30. Solicitation page 13 and 14 – Employment Background Check (DBIDS) and Rapid Gate – Will current contractor employees that are hired by the incoming contractor be required to pass another check through Rapid Gate? Will current employees that are hired be required to have another physical exam when a current physical exam is already in their medical records file?

A: The contractor personnel will have to pass another check through the current procedures for access to the yard as the passes are based on the contract period. Yes, the employees will require another physical exam even though already in their medical records

31. Fueling stations. Please indicate days and times that service will be required.

A: The fueling stations are open Monday through Friday from 1130-1900 unless changed due to the mission requirements (restocking required as well).

32. Please indicate the style of service in King Hall that will be required outside of the academic year.

A: The type of services outside of the pandemic is family style, buffet and servery depending on the meal and day.

33. Rapid Gate. Is Rapid Gate going to be the new pass provider?

A: The contractor will follow the current security procedure which is currently DBIDS.

34. Will all government furnished equipment be in safe and mechanically sound condition when it is turned over to the contractor?

A: Yes

35. Please indicate the location of storage areas that will be designated for storage of contractor provided supplies.

A: The ice room in King hall and a bit of space in the MFSD warehouse area. We would expect the contractor to utilize just in time delivery methods to reduce the amount of items on hand due to limited storage space.

36. Will the government be providing a dumpster for each type of recyclable?

Yes, there is a compactor for the trash, cardboard and pulper.

37. Dining-In. The solicitation states that “the contractor shall be prepared to provide service for one dining-in per academic year to each company of midshipmen.” Please elaborate on what this requirement entails.

A: Generally, depending on what the company requires. It can be a buffet service or a plated service.

38. The solicitation states “the contractor shall remove all garbage and trash cans from all areas in the dining facility….” Does this requirement include the galley?

A: No, the galley staff will remove trash from the galley and take it to the trash dock for the contractor to place in the respective compactors.

39. Will the contractor be required to collect grease from the galley and maintain the grease dumpster cleanliness?

A: No, they are not.

40. The solicitation states “the Food Service Worker may be assigned to the galley, bake shop, cook/chill production area….” Will contractor personnel have duties in any of these areas?

A: No, other than the pot and pan wash area in the galley.

41. The solicitation states that Food Service Workers’ responsibilities include “making coffee, preparing fruits and vegetables by washing and peeling and/or trimming, …loading hot carts….” Will contractor personnel have any of these duties?

A: No. The SOW has been updated.

Food Service Worker.

The Food Service Worker may be assigned to any of the various sections of the Midshipmen Food Service Division which include the: Chesapeake and Severn Rooms, galley pot and pan wash area, trash room or servery. Work in each of these sections is unique to the functions accomplished. Detailing to any of these areas will be made with regard to manpower needs

42. Football Dinners for 25 August through 9 December are identified as a special event. Will these dinners be served in the Chesapeake Room and how many days each week?

A:Yes, they will be served in the Chesapeake room, 7 days a week for the football 2-a-day program. If the football team requires feeding throughout the fall in the Chesapeake room after the football 2-a-day program then it is from Monday through Thursday night. The dates will change from year to year depending on the football schedule and bowl games.

43. At what level would emergency paper usage be considered outside the scope of work? More than three days a year?

A: Within the course of normal business such as if dishwasher goes down, emergency paper products would be required. Supply list has been updated to increase the quantities of the ToGo Boxes and cutlery kits

Outside of the contractor’s control such as natural disasters, power outages, steam outages then USNA will provide the paper supplies.

44. Period of Acceptance. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items (Sep 2021) says the offer acceptance period is 30 days. However, page 54 of the RFP regarding the “Cover Letter” instructions says 180 days. Which is correct?

A: 52.212-1 states that the standard is 30 days unless another date is specified in the addendum. The addendum states that the proposal validity period is for 180 days from the solicitation closing. 180 days is the proposal validity period.

45. Cover Letter. Is a cover letter required for both the Volume I and Volume II proposals?

A: A cover page is required for both volumes. The cover page should include the elements as detailed on page 54, Section 2 Requirements for Proposal Content. Volume I cover page should clearly state that it is Volume I. Volume II should also be clearly identified.

46. Proposal Format. Page 55 of the RFP “Page Limits” says the Volume I proposal must be in MS Word format. However, the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 on RFP page 53 says the Volume I proposal must be in .PDF format. Please which is correct?

A: Page 53 of the solicitation states “all electronic files and versions of offerors proposals shall be compatible with the current release of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite version 2010 (Excel).” Page 55 of the solicitation states that the required format for Volume I is Microsoft Office Word. Volume I should be submitted in Microsoft Office Word. Volume II should be submitted in Microsoft Excel.

47. Attachment 1 – Pricing Spreadsheet. The form appears to be missing a 1) “Unit Price” column and 2) Options pricing. Can the Government clarify?

A: Updated spreadsheet is provided

48. Incumbent Contractor. What is the name and DUNS number of the incumbent USNA contractor?

A: Rice Services Inc. 118236921

49. Incumbent Contract. What is the contract number and value of the current USNA service provider?

A: N00189CZ021. $23,685,236.80

50. Electronic Proposals. Is there a size limit of the electronic document size of the proposal volumes to be submitted, e.g., 10 megabytes?

A: No.

51. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Will the Government provide PPE e.g., face masks, gloves, etc. to contractor employees?

A:No, the contractor will need to provide.

52. Price Assumptions. Can offerors list any price assumptions in the Attachment 1 (spreadsheet) proposal and not have the Government determine this as qualifying their offer with a resulting determination of the offer is non-responsive?

A: The Government cannot provide a preliminary evaluation of a hypothetical price proposal.

53. Contingencies. Given the on-going disruption caused by COVID Pandemic and COVID Variants, what vehicle is available to contractors to accomplish potential increases in manpower requirements.\ A:The PWS and supporting documentation details the instant requirement. Should any performance elements change during the life of the contract due to COVID, they will be provided to the contractor in writing and dealt with during post-award administration

54. TE – 8.. On Page 17 of the RFP the government referenced GFE described on TE-8, the exhibit reference events not GFE. Do you mean TE – 1 and/ or TE-7, please clarify.

A:TE-1 details the facilities. TE-7 is the equipment that the Government will allow the contractor to use. The TE-7 is titled Kitchen Equipment. Page 17 refers to TE-7

55. TE-7. Since the government holds the contractor responsible for the condition of the GFE during the period of performance; offerors need information to calculate this potential risk area. Accordingly, we request you populate the attached sheet to reflect this risk in our price quotes. Or as an option; will the government consider adding a new CLN to fund equipment repair/replacement based on its knowledge of equipment condition/annual spending and monitoring of equipment repairs and maintenance.

A.The contractor is responsible for maintenance and repair of the dishwashers. The contractor is responsible for any malicious damages or improper use of the machine and be held liable to pay to replace said machines. The government will replace machines per the life cycle of the machines and or when it is no longer serviceable.

56. Property Plan (RFP page 13) Requests the government add the following statement.

A: The government shall replace any USNA GFE/GPE (owned or leased) that fails to meet PWS performance requirement, safety and/or sanitation requirements provided the contractor can show they have taken every step possible to repair and maintain the property. – See update in Equipment section of PWS

57. Management-Special Events Manager (page 10) Please clarify if the Special Events Manager is a separate dedicated full time position on the contract?

A: It is up to the offeror’s discretion to propose a technical solution to meet the needs to detailed in the requirements document. The contractor can propose a solution including how many people they believe will satisfy the requirement. The exact number of FTEs is not specified but a range has been provided. The PWS states that they will employ a special events manager. If the contractor wishes to make this a full time employee or only bring in when needed that is up to the contractor.

This contract requirement has historically been satisfied using different approaches ranging from 80 FTEs to 100 FTEs. Below shows some historical level of effort details:

The following positions are required : Project Manager, Operations Manager, Special Events Manager, and Food Service Workers. The technical approach and exact labor mix beyond the four general labor categories is up to the offeror's discretion as long as the approach is feasible to satisfy all areas of the Performance Work Statement

Historical Level of Effort: ( Included but not limited to the below FTEs)

Day, night and weekend

East, west, south wing plus pot and pan/trash

58. SOW Employee Background Checks (page 13) Please clarify if incumbent personnel need to complete a new Rapid Gate/DBIDS check or are they grandfathered?

A. DBIDS is based on the contract period and the contractor so they will have to do new paperwork.

59. SOW Employee Background Checks. Additional reports may be requested during the course of employment as well. (Page 13) Due to a cost factor for providing additional background checks, what frequency historically has other checks been required? Annually, Bi-annually, etc.

A. There will be an initial background check for employment. Then a potential need for additional information from the employees but this should not have an associated cost. The security requirement is to have access to the yard and building. The Contractor will have to provide information for background check to be administered for those that are employed on the yard. IE currently using DBIDs with a valid contract to work on the yard. Instruction NAVSUPPACTANNAPOLISINT 5530.1F is attached.

60. SOW Employee Background Checks. Registration information can be obtained online at www.eidpassport.com. (page 13) Please confirm this is the correct website address. Another site is listed under that address. Also please confirm the price for background checks through Rapid Gate.

A. Rapid gate is no longer used. DBIDS is now the current process. There is no fee under the DBIDS program. The PWS has been updated to reflect DBIDS as the current process.

61. SOW Vehicle Operation (Page 14) Please advise what are the fees to obtain a parking pass?

A. No fees required.

62. SOW Government Provided Items and Services. *The Contractor shall provide all cleaning supplies necessary, including items such as dishwashing/cleaning chemicals and soaps, as well as disposable supplies such as paper products. (Page 17) Can the Gov’t. provide an annual historical usage for the Contractor provided supplies? Are there specific brands that are acceptable to the Gov’t. for chemicals and soaps?

A. An estimated usage was provided. No the government does not have a specific brand that we require to be used. As long as the dishes, cutlery, glasses, tables, floors are cleaned and sanitized the contractor can use what they wish.

63. Customer Service Representative. The contractor shall assign a designated employee at each meal to be the point of contact for all customer questions or complaints. (Page 23) Please clarify if the Customer Service Representative and the Customer Service Manager listed under Operations Manager the same position?

A. They can be.

64. Factor II: Past Performance. In addition to the information requested above, offerors shall contact their past performance references and request that each reference complete the Past Performance Report Form attached to the solicitation (Page 58) Can Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) be provided in lieu of PPQs? Many Gov’t personnel are on leave during this holiday season and are unable to complete the PPQs by the due date.

A: In accordance with the solicitation instructions and as acknowledged in the question, offerors shall contact their past performance references and request that each reference complete the Past Performance Report Form.

CPARS may be used by the Government to evaluate past performance, but use of CPARS by the Government does not replace the instructions to offerors regarding the past performance report form.

65. Attachment 7 CBA - Please provide a Seniority list for those members covered by the Union CBA so that the offerors can properly calculate and price the vacation benefits.

A: This information is not public or releasable.

66. Is the contractor responsible to do a weekly or monthly inventory, and on what items?

A: Yes, they are on government provided items such as the plates, cups, bowls, flatware, water pitchers, etc…

67. Is the contractor responsible to purchase all soaps for hand sinks and sanitizer stations? Soaps for General cleaning and maintenance? Paper towel dispensers ETC… A: Yes

68. Is the contractor responsible to clean and maintain any outdoor areas?

A: Yes, Smoke park or other areas when a service is provided to the midshipmen.

69. Is the contractor responsible to plow or shovel any areas during a snowstorm?

A: No

70.Are any vehicles needed? If yes does the academy supply the vehicle or the contractor?

A: No vehicle is required for the contractor.

71. Are there any union members employed that would report to the contractor management team?

A: The current contractor workforce is unionized and has a collective bargaining agreement with the contractor, which is provided in the solicitation attachments. The Government cannot speculate as to what the terms of any future agreements, if negotiated, would be

72. Are midshipmen allowed to work for the employer?

A: No

73. Can you please share the class schedules?

Open as usual, normal operations.

Open as usual, normal operations.

Open two hours late.

First period begins at 0930.

Open four hours late.

Morning classes are canceled.

Fifth period begins at 1430.

Closed.

All classes are canceled.

74. Is it possible to provide a breakdown of the different types of services that will be required? What are the quantities/percentage of Servery Service, Rolling Tray, Buffet Style, etc.).

A: See question number 6.