Qs and As SFOP0009306.pdf

Announcement Type: Open Competition Cooperative Agreement Funding Opportunity Title: N. AF Border Management Academy Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0009306 NOFO Qs & As

Q1. This requirement is consistent with the scope that can be ordered from the ISN/ECC Services Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) vehicles, reference contract #SAQMMA17D0112. The ordering period remains valid through November 23, 2023, and a resultant task order period of performance would still be manageable within the ID/IQ. Can the Government explain the derived benefit for departing from that contract vehicle?

A1. Given the scope, size, duration, and complexity of the proposed Academy, the US Government has chosen a grant mechanism process instead of contractual approach. This is consistent with other ISN/ECC programs that are funded via grant, such as our SSTMA Academy. Additionally, depending on availability of funds, this grant is intended to run for multiple years, which does not concord with our IDIQ structure.

Q2. Is there a comparable event scheduled for 2023? If so, can the Government disclose who is managing it and the intended location?

A2. The current grant is being managed by University of Georgia (UGA) and PNNL.

The 2023 event will be held at UGA and PNNL’s training facility, HAMMER.

Q3. Can the Government provide any previously developed products and/or documents from the referenced 2022 ISN/ECC N. African Border Security Management Academy (e.g. agenda, location, curricula, presentations, coursework, exercises, etc.) as Government Furnished Information (GFI) prior to the submission deadline?

A3. No. Given that the grant is active and that those materials were developed by the current grant holder, the Government does not deem this request valid.

Q4. Is there a preference for the Border Security Management Academy to be held at the same location each year or at a different location from year-to-year?

A4. The same location, ideally.

Q5. Is there a preference for event content to be repeatable year-to-year? With some adaptation when taking into account lessons learned from the first year?

A5. Yes, ideally the event content would repeatable, though we also anticipate tweaks and changes, both due to changing world events and participant feedback.

Q6. Does the Government expect the foreign participants to be the same from year-to-year?

A6. No, the government anticipates that participants will change, though there may some slight overlap.

Q7. Can the Government clarify interpretation requirements in language pairings? French-English, Arabic-English, Arabic-French; for Arabic, is there a specific dialect?

A7. Participants will speak French and Arabic; instructors will speak English.

Interpreters will need to perform:

French-English and English-French

Arabic-English and English-Arabic

Arabic-French and French-Arabic

No specific Arabic dialect is required; MSA is best.

Q8. Are there any restrictions on presentations from business/corporations and private entities that provide equipment and/or technology for passenger screening or cargo targeting? This includes companies that produce items and/or technology directly related to the detection of WMD or CBRNE.

A8. No specific restrictions, though sales pitches would not be welcome.

Q9. Reference the inclusion of indicators that can be used to monitor project progress and measure actual results, will the Government share any after-action reports and/or recommendations from the 2022 ISN/ECC N. African Border

Security Management Academy, as well as the envisioned successes and project outcomes that can be used to measure towards?

A9. Yes, the Government will share that information with the grantee.

Q10. Reference the Offeror’s responsibility to arranging travel for participants:

o Will the Offeror be responsible for getting participants to/from the airport in their country of origin?

o Will the Offeror be responsible for U.S. entry requirements (e.g., visa, immunizations, COVID testing)

A10.

- Offeror/grantee will be responsible for procuring flights, ground transportation, etc., for all participants, to/from the airport in their country of origin

- Yes, Offeror will be responsible for U.S. entry requirements, though the Government may assist on an as-need basis.

Q11. Section D.2.f, Risk Assessment: Please confirm this is separate from the 12-page project narrative; and if so, is there a page limitation?

A11. The risk assessment is a separate document from the proposal and should not be included in the 12-page proposal narrative.