RFQ_PC-18-Q-140_QUESTIONS_&_ANSWERS.pdf

RFQ PC-18-Q-140 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question 1

Will the government accept proposals from small businesses submitting resumes, and supporting documentation for prospective investigators who are current or future employees?

Answer: The government will accept quotes from all small businesses and also from individuals who have a current agreement with Peace Corps for background investigative services.

Question 2

If yes, will the government accept proposals containing multiple resumes for various locations within a region? Is it allowable to submit prospective investigators for multiple regions?

Answer: The government will accept quotes s containing multiple resumes for various locations within a region. It is allowable to submit prospective investigator for multiple regions.

Question 3

If the above are acceptable, could the Government please clarify whether the requirements for residence location and current security clearance, apply only to the investigators proposed in the bid, or is it required the company itself, and/or its principals must reside within the respective location for which investigative personnel are being proposed and hold a security clearance? Is a facility security clearance required?

Answer: For investigators quoted in response to this Request for Quote (RFQ) residence location and current security clearance are required. There is no mandate for principals of a company or company location, unless principals are also investigators. There is also no facility security clearance required.

Question 4

Is it the Government’s preference to direct contract with individual investigators?

Answer: The Government intends to make award to an individual or company who meets the requirements listed in Section 3 - Statement of Work of the RFQ.

Question 5

Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number PC18Q140 on FBO contain requirements similar to an existing contract or will this be a new requirement?

Answer: The requirements are similar to an existing Peace Corps agreement.

Question 6

If possible, please provide the current contract number.

Answer: The requirement is similar to the following current Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) numbers: PC- 14-9-015, PC-14-9-016, PC-14-9-017, PC-14-9-018, and PC-14-9-018

Question 7

After reviewing the solicitation instructions it is not clear what format you would like our responses in. When

I originally answered and was awarded the PC contract only a cover letter with resume attached was sent.

Is there a sample template you can provide?

Having part of my experience as a Private Investigator and a sole proprietor, do you want a Client as a

POC ?

Answer: There are no template for quote submissions. The format is listed in Section 12 on page 24 of the RFQ. The Factors and Sub factors listed in Section 13 page 25 shall be addressed in the respective volumes listed in Section 12.

Question 8

Interviews with references. Section 3.3 says interviews with references are required for investigations. Are these interviews expected to be in person or over the phone?

Answer: The investigator interviews with references are expected to be over the phone.

Question 9

Security clearance. Section 3.8 indicates the investigative firm must have a Top Secret security clearance. Is the Peace Corps willing to sponsor our firm to apply for and receive the TS clearance, pending final award under this RFQ?

Answer: Peace Corps does not sponsor to apply for and receive the Top Secret (TS) clearance.

Question 10

US investigations only, or also foreign investigations. Are the investigations to be conducted going to be limited to the US, or will international investigations be expected when pertinent?

Answer: The Government intends for all investigations to take places within the U.S., although occasional travel to Canada may be required.

Question 11

Federal Investigative Standards (FIS). Can you pls. confirm, under Section 3.5 (b),that if the investigative firm has obtained qualifications and capabilities matching those stipulated by the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS) through experience and other agencies / courses, can these count towards the requirements for a comprehensive Background Investigations course compliant with the FIS? We have years of experience in conducting hundreds of background investigations; we have pursued appropriate professional development programs and professional materials. Will this experience satisfy FIS requirements? If the prior experience and other compliance with FIS requirements is not sufficient, will it be possible to be certified, pending final award under this RFQ?

Answer: Offerors shall have successfully completed a Background Investigations course that is complaint with FIS. FIS establishes requirements for conducting background investigations to determine eligibility. Any training and experience of the vendors that demonstrates meeting the FIS requirements will be reviewed.

Question 12

Report formatting. Is there a preferred format for the Reports of Investigations (ROI)? Will a sample ROI be provided for reference? If no preferred format is available, can we submit more than one proposed format -one in a literary style and one in a data-driven style (with tables)?

Answer: The Government does not have a preferred format for the Reports of Investigations (ROI). The sample ROI will be used to determine the Offeror’s quality of ROIs and ability to communicate effectively with limited grammatical errors. Please see RFQ Section 13.2 Sub Factor 3 of the RFQ.

Question 13

Writing sample as attachment, or within 10-page submission limit. Does the writing sample, in the form of a redacted report, count towards the final 10-page page limit for Volume 1 (Technical Quote) of our quote or can the redacted report be a separate attachment?

Answer: The writing sample is not included as part of the 10 page limit and shall be submitted as a separate attachment.

Question 14

Consent / authorization forms. Will the Peace Corps candidates who are subjects of the proposed background investigations provide signed consent forms for use during the course of each investigation?

Peace Corps will provide signed consent forms from candidates who are subjects of the proposed background investigation for use during the course of investigation.

Question 15

Access to all questions submitted + responses to those questions. Will we have access to all questions submitted by other RFQ applicants, and all responses that you prepare to those questions?

Answer: Answers to the questions received in response to this RFQ will be posted as an amendment on FBO.

Question 16

What type of cases does the Peace Corps intend to order (e.g. T4, T5 etc)

Answer: Peace Corps intends to order T2, T3, T4, and T5 to include reinvestigations as needed.

Question 17

The RFQ, Paragraph 3.4 (b) indicates that the vendor must take on a minimum of four (4) investigative assignments per month. Can you confirm that this means four (4) complete cases per month?

Answer: Workload varies and subject’s work and residence locations drive the location of the investigative work. We cannot guarantee 4 investigations a month, but are asking that awardee be prepared to accept up to 4 a month based on work load. The vendor will complete all investigations assigned by the required due date received with case assignment which is typically within 30 calendar days.

Question 18

Paragraph 3.4 (c) identifies other investigative-related duties as needed. Do these services need to be specifically addressed in the technical volume and does the bid rate provided intended to cover these services as well?

Answer: Other investigative related duties identified in Section 3.4 (c) should be addressed in the technical volume and the offeror’s quoted hourly rate shall account for these services as well.

Question 19

What is the turnaround time on the investigations?

Answer: The turnaround time on the investigations is typically three (3) weeks to one (1) month

Question 20

Can a vendor be awarded a BPA for more than one region?

Answer: A vendor can be awarded a BPA for more than one region.

Question 21

Security clearances. Is it possible to obtain a security clearance for our firm, so that all individuals within our small business organization would be cleared to work on this project? We understand this can be accomplished for the firm as opposed to the individuals at our firm. In the event such a security clearance is granted to our firm, can an interim security clearance be granted to our firm, allowing an award of work under this project, while the interim security clearance process is completed?

Answer: No, it is not possible to obtain a security clearance for a firm. Clearances are tied to subjects.

Question 22

International travel. In Section 3.4 (c), travel throughout specific regions is mentioned as well as "occasional travel outside of the continental United States." Can you pls. advise any available details on processing the request for authorization, logistics (e.g., obtaining airfare, hotels, etc.) and costs (at-cost, per diem, etc.) for such regional travel or international travel in support of a specific background investigation?

Answer: All travel, to include any possible, although very infrequent, international travel is included in the cost estimate provided by Peace Corps at time of assignment of work. All travel must be approved in writing and in advance by the Peace Corps and will be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) Under FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs. See RFQ Section 3.9 Travel.

Question 23

Automobile insurance. Section 3.9 stipulates that a Vendor shall maintain automobile insurance, but also mentions that an investigator is typically required to use his / her own private vehicle. In this case, is the Vendor required to provide insurance for the vehicle used by an individual investigator even if it isn't a company car?

Answer: The vendor is required to use his/her own private vehicle for investigators for work. The vehicle must be insured either by the applicable investigator or the firm. Peace Corps is not be responsible for car insurance.

Question 24

Technical Quotes (Past Performance). In Section 12.1.2 for past performance, can you pls. confirm that we should provide only summaries / descriptions of the projects along with the names and contact details for Points of Contact? That is, can you pls. confirm that redacted reporting would not be required as to each project identified to support “Past Performance”?

Answer: The Government does not need redacted reports to demonstrate past performance. Please provide at least 3 projects (Projects, time of work, and contact information) of similar size, scope, and complexity within the last 3 years and a Point of Contact (POC) at the organization services for each project with phone number and email.

Question 25

We are Certified SDVOB investigative services firm with over 100 investigators and research analysts assigned to various contracts.

May we submit for the above-referenced opportunity to provide services to the Peace Corps, or is it limited to sole-proprietor investigators?

Answer: The RFQ is open to all small business vendors and it is not limited to individual investigators.