Q&A_Number_3__N32205-18-R-2004.docx

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N32205-18-R-2004

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q&A Number 3

The following are answers to questions received from potential offerors. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the solicitation.

a) What is the required submission format for proposals: hard copy format, as electronic files on electronic media or in both formats?

The submission requirement is unclear based on the following language on Page 2 of 8 in Amendment 0001 to the solicitation, "Amendment_0001_N32205-18-R-2004", posted at FBO.gov on 31Jan18:

No electronic means of submission, used in whole or in combination with E-mail is permitted.

Proposals shall be in either Adobe or Microsoft Word format, with the exception of the signed 1449 and any amendments, which must be included in a proposal as scanned .pdf files, and the price proposal, which may be submitted in Excel format. Offerors are advised that the Government is unable to receive any types of electronic files. To be timely, a proposal must be received in its entirety to the designated representative by the due date and time for proposal submission.

Answer: Amendment 0001 block 14 states the purpose of Amendment 0001 is to clarify 52.212-1 and delete receipt of proposal via email.

General Instruction I. Paragraph 6 clearly states: Proposals must be only hand delivered or mailed directly to Efrem Mason, the sole designated representative. No electronic means of submission, used in whole or in combination with E-mail is permitted.

General Instruction I. Paragraph 8 clearly states: Hand delivered and mailed proposals shall be sent to the following location and must be received there prior to the due date and time for proposal submission:

b) Based on the information provided in Questions 3, 4 and 5 in the "Q&A_Number_2_Doc.docx" file posted at FBO.gov on 05Feb18, what is the reason and justification for requiring 3rd party security guard services?

This requirement will not serve the best interests of the government as it will add cost to the proposal that may not be necessary when a bidder has certified and qualified internal staff that can perform those security functions.

Answer: This is to ensure the safety and security of CIVMARS, is consistent with established MSC policy and practice, and consistent with understandings between MSC and CIVMARS representatives.

c) How does Military Sealift Command justify withholding from non-incumbent bidders critical and available information related to the costing of transportation for the proposal?

Since the number of rooms per night each month has been provided (Question 9 in "Questions_and_Answers.doc" posted at FBO.gov on 19Jan18 and Question 2 in "Q&A_Number_2_Doc") and since the number of days that the lodging requirement has exceeded 150 room nights has also been provided (answer to Question # 14 in "Questions_and_Answers.doc"), Military Sealift Command has the data to provide explicit details on the number of rooms per night across those months and should provide that information so that non-incumbent bidders can develop their proposal pricing based on the same information that the incumbent bidder holds. Transportation is a critical component of the proposal on this solicitation and the cost of transportation is directly related to the explicit number of guests per night and not the monthly averages that have been provided. If discrete historical data is not available or will not be provided, Military Sealift Command should set a standard for use by all bidders. This will ensure that Military Sealift Command receives proposals that can be evaluated and compared on the same basis.

Answer: Vendors should base their price on the minimum and maximum numbers referenced in the solicitation, 120-250 rooms per day. There is no set pattern of peaks or low periods. The above lodging and transportation CIVMAR number are an estimate only as past CIVMAR number cannot guarantee future CIVMAR numbers. MSC is constantly commissioning and decommissioning ships and CIVMARS are constantly transferring in and out of Norfolk Virginia.

d) What is the reason and justification for eliminating e-mail submission of proposals? Amendment 001 to the solicitation ("Amendment_0001_N32205-18-R-2004") established that "[p]roposals must be only hand delivered or mailed".

Answer: Eliminating email submission of proposals will ensure all sensitive documents and proposals are received and properly accounted.

e) Is there a way to bid on the transportation opportunity directly?

Answer: No. This is for both lodging and transportation.