Questions and answers to 12-1NTS-21-R-0005.pdf

1. In the Proposal Instructions, it is required that proposal is limited to ten pages. Please advise if this also concerns attachments (eg. CVs)?

a. Yes, the ten-page limit does pertain to other attachments.

2. Do we can consider FAR 52.222-42 as identifying the classes of service employees expected to be employed under this contract?

a. Yes, however, it is only a reference as if those personnel were hired by the government and not a wage determination.

3. Is there an additional wage determination for the possible places of performance?

a. The rates aren’t a wage determination, but to give an estimation if personnel was hired by the government. The rate may change based on the location of performance. Locality rates can be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2021/general-schedule/.

4. Is there an incumbent for this opportunity?

a. Yes, there is a current incumbent for these services. Additional details can be found in number 11.

5. Is there a forecast for each port/loading area that will help the contract forecast the number of observers each day?

a. Due to fluctuating program needs and appropriations, the future estimates cannot be determined at this time. Historical amounts are available in section 1.2 “Place of Performance” of the solicitation that gives previous totals and locations, however that is not a guarantee of future needs or expectations.

6. What is the estimated number of hours each container loading will require?

a. The number of hours depends on the location of performance and cannot be determined at this time.

7. Will observers need TWIC certifications to access the loading events?

a. Yes, observers will need TWIC certifications to access the loading.

8. Are there any restrictions on hiring former employees of the shipping companies?

a. No, there are no restrictions on hiring former employees of shipping companies.

9. Who will provide the contractor with certified loading hours of each container so that observer is the mis-lead and misses a loading event?

a. Loading rates by container will be determined by metric ton, not by an hourly rate.

10. Who will make the final decision to award this contract?

a. The source selection authority as determined by the contracting officer will make the final decision to award the contract.

11. If there is an incumbent contractor, can the Government please provide contract details (e.g., contractor name, contract number, award date, value)?

a. The current incumbent is Intertek USA Inc. Their office can be contacted at

Intertek USA, Inc.

2045 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 545

New Orleans, LA 70122

Attn: Kenneth Cote

Phone: 504.662.1439

The previous contract was awarded April 1, 2017. For further information, a FOIA request should be submitted to the appropriate USDA contact found at https://www.dm.usda.gov/foia/poc.htm https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2021/general-schedule/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2021/general-schedule/ https://www.dm.usda.gov/foia/poc.htm

12. Are the cover page, cover letter, table of contents, and key personnel resumes included in the page count?

a. All information pertaining to the technical proposal is included in the ten-page limit.

Personnel resumes are included in the page count.

13. Is only one (1) KC-44 required from the Contractor as a whole or one per observer?

a. KC-44 form is per commodity purchase order number and can involve multiple observers or multiple days.

14. Is Contractor provided with a total count of containers, railcars, barges, and ship holds prior to onsite so as to have the correct number required per visit?

a. The contractor should receive this information from the loading location terminals at least 24 hours in advance of performance.

15. Is the Letter of Protest a standard letter that can be copied, carried, and filled out while onsite to provide to the ocean carrier, freight forwarder, and the Project Officer? If so, can you please provide a copy of the Letter of Protest template?

a. While there isn’t a standardized government letter of protest form, we do have a template we can provide that the contractor may use. The contractor may also create and use their own standardized form.

16. If the items listed are not already on a form, can Contractor create a form to list this information as opposed to listing it in the email?

a. The items are listed on a form. Some of them will be listed on the KC-44 and others will be listed on the invoice submitted. The KC-44 will be provided to the contractor.

17. What methods of commodity/product sampling will be prescribed by the Project Officer?

a. While we cannot predict what specific sampling will be required in the future, in the past moisture content has been prescribed along with fit for human consumption testing.

18. What lab analysis may be required?

a. Lab analysis that may be required include, but not limited to, fit for human consumption and moisture content. Additional analysis may be needed including chemical and microbiological testing to assess for contamination from water, paint, grease, oil, paint, animal contamination, or other foreign substances.

19. “The contractor must also demonstrate that it has personnel with appropriate experience, education, training, and self-development as it relates to the SOW.” Does the Government have any specific requirements with respect to appropriate experience, education, training, and self-development as it relates to the SOW?

a. The government does not have specific requirements for the personnel under the contract. It is the responsibility of the contractor to employ enough and adequately experienced personnel to perform the work described under the contract.

20. “The Offeror shall document their ability to commence work immediately upon award and deliver results in requested time frames of task orders against this contract" When does the Government plan on awarding the contract?

a. An award date has not been determined at this time, however the contract will be awarded prior to the contract start date of April 1, 2021.

21. The Government asks for resumes of key personnel but does not provide titles. Could you please provide the title(s) and experience requirements for all key personnel?

a. The contract does not require specific titles or experience for key personnel. The contractor is responsible to provide adequately trained and the number of personnel to perform the work described under the contract.

22. The Price rate sheet requires Lab Analysis pricing. Can you please provide the specific analys(es) that will be required?

a. At this time we cannot provide a specific analysis services we will require. Please provide available laboratory analysis services and their rates.

23. Is the lab analysis needed for chemical analysis? Is the lab analysis needed for microbiological analysis? Is the lab analysis needed for both chemical and microbiological analysis?

a. Yes, both chemical and microbiological analysis may be needed. Please provide rates for both or any lab analysis in the manner which the contractor will perform the analysis.

For example, lab analysis that has been performed previously have been fit for human consumption and moisture content testing.

24. The Price rate sheet requires Black Lighting (per hour/daily). Is it correct that the Government would like both an hourly and a daily rate? The Price rate sheet requires Black Lighting (per hour/daily). If both rates are not required, which time unit would the Government prefer?

a. Please provide black lighting services on a per hour rate.

An amendment to the solicitation is executed clarifying these questions in the solicitation. Please see the amendment and SF30 for specific changes.