SAQMMA10R0005QA.5.11.2010.doc

SAQMMA10R0005– Response to Questions

Section A – SF-33 Section B - Supplies or services and prices/costs Section C - Description/specifications/statement of work Section D - Packaging and marking

Section E - Inspection and acceptance

Section F - Deliveries or performance

Section G - Contract administration data

Section H - Special contract requirements Section I - Contract clauses Section J - List of attachments Section K - Representations, certifications, and other statements of offerors or respondents Section L - Instructions, conditions, and notices to offerors or respondents Section M - Evaluation factors for award Attachment 01 – Task Order 01 RFP - LPMO Attachment 02 - Task Order 01 SOW – LPMO Attachment 03 – Task Order 02 RFP - Jerusalem Attachment 04 – Task Order 02 SOW - Jerusalem Attachment 05 – Task Order 02 SOP – Jerusalem

Attachment 06 – Task Order 02 Inventory – Israel Attachment 07 – Task Order 02 SPE Inventory – Israel

Attachment 08 – Task Order 03 RFP - BESF Attachment 09 - Task Order 03 SOW - BESF Attachment 09A - Task Order 03 – Exhibit A Attachment 10 – Task Order 03 Invoice Generic Sample Template – BESF Attachment 11 – Task Order 03 Inventory – BESF

Attachment 12 – Task Order 04 RFP – KESF Attachment 13 – Task Order 04 SOW – KESF Attachment 13A – Task Order 04 KESF – Exhibit A Attachment 14 – Task Order 04 Invoice Template – Generic Sample – KESF Attachment 15 – Task Order 04 Inventory – KESF

Exhibit A – General Information Exhibit B – Sample SOP and Orders Exhibit C – Personnel Responsibilities & Qualifications Exhibit D - Canines Exhibit E – Contractor Furnished Training Unrestricted Exhibit F – Firearms Training, Qualifications, and Maintenance Unrestricted Exhibit G – Resume Format Exhibit H – Daily Movement Detail Exhibit I – Standard Equipment Exhibit J – Camp Standards Pricing Tables General Questions

Section A

QUESTION: The SF33 states that: “9. Sealed offers in original and 5 copies…” Section L.9 [pg. 10] states: ‘Offerors shall provide 5 printed copies and one electronic file version of all volumes” Question: Did the government intend for Offerors to submit 1 hard copy original, 5 hard copies and 1 electronic version?

ANSWER: Offerors shall provide one original and four additional printed copies of their proposals and one electronic version. DoS will amend the SF 33 and Section L.9 accordingly.

Section B

QUESTION: What do you mean when you say that aspects of the contract are cost-reimbursement?

ANSWER: Resulting task orders under the basic contract may contain one or more contract types, including one under the cost-reimbursement family (e.g., cost), as described in FAR Subpart 16.3. An entire task order, a contract line item number (CLIN) or numbers (CLINs), or line item not assigned a discrete CLIN may be ascribed one of the cost-reimbursement contract types or another contract type. The Government will identify contract type(s) for a contemplated task order in the task order request.

QUESTION: Section B.3 GENERAL PRICING INFORMATION states: The contract contains, for non-cost-reimbursement arrangements, negotiated not-to-exceed (NTE) fully-loaded daily labor rates for United States citizens for specified Management and PS labor categories (see Section B.8). The contract also contains, for non-cost-reimbursement arrangements, negotiated NTE fully-loaded hourly labor rates for United States citizens for specified SGS labor categories (see Section B.9). Daily/Hourly labor rates for local nationals and third-country nationals (for all contract types) will be proposed and negotiated at the task order level. However, Pricing Tables 1-10, Worksheet 4 requests NTE rates for positions that would be filled by local nationals and third-country nationals.

Will the government please clarify this apparent inconsistency?

ANSWER: In Table 4 (Worksheet 4) (NTE Rates for Static Guard Services), offerors shall propose not-to-exceed (NTE) fully-loaded hourly labor rates for United States citizens. If, at the task order level, the Contractor wishes to propose a local national or third-country national to perform one or more of these labor categories, then the Contractor shall propose in its task order proposal a labor rate(s) for a local national or third-country national. DoS will provide space for TCN / LN CLINS as appropriate in the forthcoming solicitation amendment.

QUESTION: RFP Section B.3 Paragraph 11, Pricing Tables 1-10 (Tab 7. BESF and Tab 8. KESF), and Section L.12.1.4. Section B.3 states Danger Pay and Post Hardship Differential are allowable, however, the Pricing Tables for the BESF and KESF Task Orders do not list a CLIN for either of the costs. Section L.12.1.4 Paragraph 2 states that “Offerors shall not add labor categories or other cost elements in Tables 1 through 10.”

Please provide an updated Pricing Tables 1-10 (Tabs 7 and 8) to allow contractors to price Danger Pay and Post Hardship Differential for the BESF and KESF Task Orders.

ANSWER:

The pricing tables will be revised to include CLINs for Danger Pay and Post Differential Pay.

QUESTION: Section B, GENERAL PRICING INFORMATION states: to account for the Contractor’s availability on day 7, the negotiated NTE fully-loaded daily labor rate is based on a 74-hour total workweek. The Government shall not pay beyond six days per week per required position per CLIN.

Please provide clarification regarding the relationship of the required 6 day, 72-hour mandated work week and the 74-hour total mentioned in Section B.

ANSWER: Contractor day-rate personnel shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at no additional cost to the government. However, for all labor categories except CONUS Management, the Contractor’s normal workweek shall consist of 72 hours (12 hours per day x 6 days per week — 313 days per year [312 + 1 floater]). To account for the Contractor’s availability beyond 12 hours per day during the normal workweek and on day 7, the negotiated NTE fully-loaded daily labor rate for non-CONUS Management, Support, and PS labor categories is based on a 74-hour total workweek (i.e., the negotiated NTE fully-loaded daily labor rate includes a Government-compensated factor of 2 additional weekly hours). The Government shall not pay beyond six days per week and 313 days per year per required position per CLIN under the non-CONUS Management, Support and PSS labor categories under day-rate CLINS.

While DoS expects hourly-rate Static Guard personnel to be physically available to respond to emergencies beyond the 72 hour workweek, DoS will compensate the contractor for all additional authorized hours.

QUESTION: Section B, GENERAL PRICING INFORMATION states: The Government shall not pay beyond six days per week per required position per CLIN.

Please reconcile this requirement with the requirement for Additional or Emergency Services (A&E) as shown in Attachment 10 and 14.

ANSWER: The 24/7 availability at no additional cost requirement applies only to day-rate personnel and CONUS management personnel. The government will pay the contractor at the applicable Additional and Emergency Services (A & E) rate for A & E Static Guard services when authorized. DoS will revise the solicitation to clarify this area in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: Section B, GENERAL PRICING INFORMATION states: to account for the Contractor’s availability on day 6 and 7, the negotiated NTE fully-loaded daily labor rate is based on a 44-hour total workweek. The Government shall not pay beyond five days per week per required position per CLIN.

Please provide clarification regarding the relationship of the required 5 day, 40-hour mandated work week and the 44-hour total mentioned in Section B.

ANSWER: CONUS Management contractor personnel shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. However, for CONUS Management labor categories, the Contractor’s normal workweek shall consist of 40 hours (8 hours per day x 5 days per week). To account for the Contractor’s availability beyond 8 hours per day during the normal workweek and on days 6 and 7, the negotiated NTE fully-loaded daily labor rate for CONUS Management labor categories is based on a 44-hour total workweek (i.e., the negotiated NTE fully-loaded daily labor rate includes a Government-compensated factor of 4 additional weekly hours). The Government shall not pay beyond five days per week per required position per CLIN under the CONUS Management labor categories.

QUESTION: Section B, GENERAL PRICING INFORMATION states: if paying overseas allowances (e.g., Danger Pay and Post Hardship Differential Pay) is part of the Contractor’s established compensation plan or policy and if such payment is otherwise consistent with FAR Part 31, the Contractor may be paid for or recover such costs, but only if such payment/recovery is: 1) at percentages that do not exceed the percentages listed in the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR); and 2) for Contractor employees who are United States citizens and whose normal workplace is not in the place of performance. The Contractor shall be paid for/recover any such costs at the task order level.

a) Please confirm that overseas allowances (e.g., Danger Pay and Post Hardship Differential Pay) will not be reimbursable for Expatriate or Third Country National employees on this contract.

b) If question a) provides confirmation, please provide rationale for not providing overseas allowances to Expatriate or Third Country National employees who are working outside of their home country on this contract.

ANSWER: a) The Contractor may be paid for or recover allowable overseas allowances’ costs for Contractor employees whose country of citizenship is not in the country of performance. The Government will revise Section B.

b) See “a)” immediately above.

Section C

QUESTION: Can a guard conduct training, etc. in excess of the 12 hours he works on a normal duty day?

ANSWER: No. The contractor shall arrange for all training to occur within the guards 12 hour work day / 72 hour work week limitations.

QUESTION: [C.4.1.5] If all other screening criteria are met, will DSS accept WPS candidates who possess a current DOD TS or Secret clearance? If so, how will the transfer of this clearance from DOD to DOS be accomplished?

· Are current active personnel clearances (SSB, NACLAC [Single Scope Backgrounds, National Agency Checks with Local Agency Check and Credit]) adjudicated by another US Government agency acceptable to DOS for this contract?)

ANSWER:

DoS shall make suitability determinations on those applicants requiring personnel security clearances on this effort. The contractor shall submit the required documentation, as outlined in the RFP, so a suitability determination can be rendered. Based on reciprocity guidelines, DoS will accept personnel security clearances issued by DoD. The DoS clearance will not be issued, though, until a favorable suitability determination has been rendered.

QUESTION: [C.4.1.6 and Attachment 04] To what extent will DOS provide diplomatic passports to all US personnel assigned under this task order?

Please clarify under what arrangement are US citizens legally authorized to carry weapons within Israel and areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority?

ANSWER: DoS may provide Diplomatic passports to U.S. citizen personnel performing under the Jerusalem Task Order.

The Contractor shall obtain all licenses, permits, and other approvals / documentation necessary to operate as an armed private security contractor in the place of performance. Additionally the contractor shall comply with all applicable Chief of Mission / RSO directives regarding the conduct of armed personal (use of force, etc.).

QUESTION: [C.4.1.8] On page 11 of C.4.1.8, contractor shall ensure personnel are and will remain properly licensed in accordance with local law. It appears there is not a specific requirement for the prime to be licensed. Please confirm that the Government has a requirement regarding licenses in the applicable countries.

ANSWER: The prime Contractor shall obtain all licenses, permits, and other approvals / documentation necessary to operate as an armed private security contractor in the place of performance. Additionally the contractor shall comply with all applicable Chief of Mission / RSO directives regarding the conduct of armed personal (use of force, etc.).

QUESTION: [C.4.1.8] Also with regard to page 11 of C.4.1.8, if bidders are using a joint venture or teaming consortium, will the Government accept that one of the teaming consortium partners has a license to operate?

ANSWER: The prime Contractor shall obtain all licenses, permits, and other approvals / documentation necessary to operate as an armed private security contractor in the place of performance. Additionally the contractor shall comply with all applicable Chief of Mission / RSO directives regarding the conduct of armed personal (use of force, etc.).

DoS may accept the license to operate of one member of a joint-venture. The offeror shall describe the nature of its joint venture in its proposal. DoS will review the joint venture arrangement in order to determine its suitability with regard to licensing and other elements related to contract performance. DoS does not consider a subcontractor’s license to operate as sufficient for this program.

QUESTION: [4.3.9] There is no dedicated information technology position identified in the Exhibit C. With the intense Information Technology requirements of this proposal will DoS add a pricing CLIN for Information Technology Specialist?

ANSWER: DoS will not add a CLIN for an IT Specialist.

QUESTION: [4.3.7.2] Section C, SOW for the Base Contract, has a mis-numbering error. Section C.4.3.7.3 is not present. The numbering goes from 4.3.7.2 to 4.3.7.4.

Will the government please provide a corrected Section C.4.3.7?

ANSWER: DoS will make the necessary revisions to Section C in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: Section C.4.3.8.4 Task Order Management Plans and Exhibit A- Section C.4.3.8.4 Task Order Management Plans states, “If the Contractor is going to subcontract any portion of work to another company, the Contractor must submit the Sub-Contractor’s TOMP for the subcontracted portion of the work, as an integrated section of the overall TOMP submitted by the prime Contractor. The Sub-Contractor’s TOMP shall meet the TOMP requirements in Exhibit A.”

Exhibit A contains seven Task Order Management Plan Requirements with various sub-requirements. Not all of these requirements are applicable for subcontracted work. May offerors submit Sub-Contractor’s TOMPs that respond to only the relevant Task Order Management Plan Requirements from Exhibit A?

ANSWER: The subcontractors’ TOMPs may respond to only the relevant TOMP requirements that are pertinent to their aspect of the effort, but the Offeror’s TOMP must identify and explain which portion of the work it will perform directly and which portions they will provide via a subcontractor. The offeror (prospective prime-contractor) retains the ultimate responsibility to ensure quality of services regardless of whether the offeror provides services directly or through a subcontractor. Consequently, the offeror shall articulate how it intends to ensure quality control of services provided through a subcontractor.

QUESTION: [4.3.4.2] C.4.3.4.2, page 15, paragraph 6 (end) states “Provide transportation, en-route destruction capability, and personal protective services to protect couriers.

Does this mean that intelligence analysts will be acting as non-pro couriers of National Security Information outside of the Embassy or Consulate?

ANSWER: DoS does not intend for Intelligence analysts to act as non-professional couriers of classified information under this contract. DoS intends to revise this sub-section in the forthcoming amendment.

Section D

Section E

Section F

Section G

Section H

QUESTION: Special Contract Requirements questions:

· Article H.6: What bonds or licenses must the medical subcontractor obtain, if any?

· Article H.7: What permits must the medical subcontractor obtain, if any?

· Article H.24: Will this article be a flow down to the medical subcontractor’s subcontract?

· Article H.24-2: Will this article be a flow down to the medical subcontractor’s subcontract? If yes, what is the deduction penalty that will be assessed against the medical subcontractor? Under “Emergency Replacement,” what is the rotation schedule/standards for the medical subcontractor?

ANSWER:

H.6: The contractor shall obtain all licenses and bonds necessary to comply with local laws in addition to those required by the contract.

H.7: The contractor shall obtain all permits necessary to comply with local requirements.

H.24: Unless required by the prime contract, it is the prime contractor’s decision as to which clauses will flow down to its subcontractors. However, the prime contractor bears the ultimate responsibility to ensure that services provided comply with all contract requirements.

H.24-2: Unless required by the prime contract, it is the prime contractor’s decision as to which clauses will flow down to its subcontractors. Deductions for failure to perform, whether by the prime contractor’s employees or a subcontractor’s employees, will be taken from the prime contractor.

Section I

Section J

QUESTION: Section J Attachments 1, 3, 8, and 12- Under the Task Order Management Plan within these Attachments, it states, “Contractor shall list three past performance references… Contractor shall provide the names and contact information to include telephone number and email address of contracting officer and technical monitor/COR for each reference.”

Offeror assumes that the past performance references shall be submitted in Volume 4 Past Performance with cross-references to Volume 4 in the four Task Orders. Is this assumption correct?

ANSWER: Offerors shall provide past performance references for both the base contract and task order proposals. Offerors should provide references that are relevant to the base contract and to each Task Order.

Section K

Section L

QUESTION: [DOSAR 652.219-70] Section L page 5 DOSAR subcontracting goals state only 2010 percentages.

a. What are the Government’s evaluation criteria and how will it evaluate and rate offerors’ submissions against these goals?

b. What is the weighting of this requirement in the Government’s evaluation?

c. Does the Government require offerors to provide subcontracting goals past fiscal year 2010?

d. If so, please indicate the anticipated Government’s subcontracting goals for subsequent years under the period of performance for this contract and how the Government will evaluate and rate offerors’ submissions against these goals.

ANSWER: Offerors, other than small businesses, are required to submit a small business subcontracting plan. Further information concerning the plan requirements can be found in the FAR clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, which is incorporated into this solicitation by reference. The Department’s goals for small business subcontracting are stated in Section L in the DOSAR provision 652.219-70, Department of State Subcontracting Goals. The subcontracting plan must address the basic contract and each option year (see FAR 52.219-(c)). The subcontracting goals applicable when the contract is awarded are the goals to be used for the life of the contract. Therefore, offerors should base their small business subcontracting plans on the 2010 goals listed in Section L. Plans will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-9 and with regard to the goals of the Department in comparison to the goals proposed. Plans that do not demonstrate a good faith effort to promote small business subcontracting may be considered ineligible for award.

DoS intends to provide an optional Small Business Subcontracting Plan template with the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: [DOSAR 652.219-70] Section L page 5 DOSAR 652.219-7 requires SB plan submission. However, the placement of this plan into a specific volume is not given. Will DOS consider allowing the SB plan as part of volume 6?

ANSWER: DoS intends that Offerors include their small business subcontracting plans in the Business / Socioeconomic Information volume. DoS will revise section L to clarify this inconsistency in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: You mentioned that the 54% subcontractor requirement is not for the total contract, but only a percentage of the total subcontracting portion selected by the prime. Can you explain further?

ANSWER: As stated in FAR 52.219-9(d), the offeror’s subcontracting plan goals shall be expressed in terms of percentages of total planned subcontracting dollars.

QUESTION: Section L.11 General states “Submit all required documentation on sequentially numbered 8-1/2” by 11”.

May Offerors submit portions of their proposals using 11” x 17” sized paper for specific foldout diagrams, graphics, and/or tables?

ANSWER: Offerors may submit portions of their proposals using 11”x17” paper for specific foldout diagrams, graphics and/or tables, but each such foldout will be counted as two pages with regard to the proposal page limitations.

QUESTION: Section L.1 page 6 denotes DBA rates. To fairly evaluate offerors’ prices, please confirm whether the Government considers LPMO personnel OCONUS to be Services or Security. Please confirm for the purposes of pricing that CONUS LPMO will not include factors for DBA, since they would be covered under US workers’ compensation laws.

ANSWER: LPMO personnel should be CONUS employees covered by U.S. workers’ compensation laws.

QUESTION: [DOSAR 652.228-74] Section L page 6 places security contractor DBA insurance at $9.45, but $18 for “Aviation Exposure”. Please clarify the criteria for aviation exposure, i.e., how many hours per month, fixed-wing or rotary, etc?

ANSWER: DoS has no aviation requirements under this contract. DoS will acquire these services though a separate arrangement with the Bureau of INL.

QUESTION: The beginning of Section L.12 Refers to the Cost / Price Proposal as Volume 5. Section L.12.1.4 refers to the Cost / price Proposal as volume 4. Please clarify if the Cost / Price volume number is 4 or 5?

ANSWER: Section L.12 will be revised by amendment to correct the volume designations.

QUESTION: [L.1: 52.222-46] Which labor categories are considered “professional employees” with regard to the Section L provision, “Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees”?

ANSWER: The Offeror shall consider all directly charged employees as “professional employees.”

QUESTION: [L.1: 52.222-46] Will the Government disclose predecessor contractor (incumbent) rates prior to proposal submission? If not, how can Offerors be certain that their proposal costs meet the requirements of 52.222-46 (b) to avoid “lack of sound management judgment and lack of understanding?”

ANSWER: DoS does not anticipate releasing the incumbent contractors’ rates. Offerors should use market surveys, local wage determinations (if any), and interviews with potential employees when establishing rates of compensation for potential employees.

QUESTION: [L.4.a] How do we know what material is considered to be “sensitive” as described in Section L.4.a?

ANSWER: The Department will identify sensitive information by appropriate markings. One example would be the training information provided to potential offerors following their execution of a non-disclosure statement.

QUESTION: Section L.6.1 indicates a maximum of three representatives of Offeror. Synopsis on FBO.gov indicates three representatives per bidder, including subcontractors. Given the global nature of bids of this type, not all Interested Parties may have finalized prime-sub arrangements prior to the pre-proposal conference. Please confirm that possible future potential consortium partners that did not attend will not disqualify the bid.

ANSWER: As long as one member of the offeror’s joint venture/partnership/consortium attended the pre-proposal conference, the Department will consider that offeror’s proposal.

QUESTION: Section L.9 states “…provide 5 printed copies and one electronic file version of all volumes.” Please confirm

a. Whether the Government requires only 1 CD total which contains all volumes on that CD, or 1 separate CD for each volume (7 total CDs)?

b. If offerors submit by the electronic file by email instead of CD, is a CD still required with the printed copies?

c. What is the maximum email size the Government can accept?

d. How does the Government prefer receipt of the electronic file version by email? As 1 email with several attachments representing each volume? Or as several emails with individual volumes due to the Government’s maximum file size?

e. Will the Government accept email with compressed files? If so, what file types (e.g. .zip)?

f. Will the 24 hour submission rule apply to emailed submissions?

ANSWER: DoS will accept electronic submissions in CD or DVD format. DoS prefers that the offeror use as few discs as possible to deliver their proposal (i.e.: 1 disc with all volumes). DoS will amend the solicitation to remove email as an acceptable form of electronic submission.

QUESTION: Section L.10 states Volumes 1 (Base Technical), 2 (Task Orders), and 3 shall not contain any financial data, including cost or price. In contrast, Section L.3 page 3 referencing FAR 52.222.46 bottom of page requires offerors to submit their total compensation plan in Volume 1. Because a Compensation Plan will naturally disclose cost information and will thus be in conflict with Section L.10’s requirements, will the Government consider requiring the Compensation Plan as part of Volume 7 (Business / Socioeconomic Information) or Volume 5 (Cost/Price Proposals)?

ANSWER: The offeror shall ensure that the Compensation Plan does not contain fully loaded rates. Figures concerning salary and other compensation are unobjectionable. The intent is to segregate the offeror’s fully loaded rates, and other information that would reflect final costs / prices subject to evaluation, from the technical proposal.

QUESTION: [L.10] Volumes one, two and three shall not contain any reference to any financial data, including cost or price information.

[L.12.1.1.b] Offerors shall demonstrate their approach to providing acceptable compensation for personnel who are often deployed to austere and hostile environments. Also include an explanation of how the compensation plan was derived. The Offeror shall provide a spreadsheet detailing wages, fringe benefits, overhead, and fee must be submitted for the base contract and for each task order request.

These two Sections are contradicting. Should the offeror not include any financial data and disregard the required spreadsheet detailing wages, fringe benefits, overhead, and fee must be submitted for the base contract and for each task order request?

ANSWER: The offeror shall ensure that the Compensation Plan does not contain fully loaded rates. Figures concerning salary and other compensation are unobjectionable. The intent is to segregate the offeror’s fully loaded rates, and other information that would reflect final costs / prices subject to evaluation, from the technical proposal.

QUESTION: Section L.11 General states “All submittals must use type of at least 12 points, Times New Roman (10 point Times New Roman text in graphics).” May Offerors also use 10 point Times New Roman text in tables?

ANSWER: Offerors may use 10 point Times New Roman text in tables and graphics.

QUESTION: Section L.11 General states “All submittals must use type of at least 12 points, Times New Roman (10 point Times New Roman text in graphics).” May Offerors use Arial font and font of less than 10 point in graphics?

ANSWER: Offerors may use 10 point Times New Roman text in tables and graphics.

QUESTION: Section L.11 states written portion of all volumes 1,2,3, and 6 shall not exceed a total of 120; yet Section L.12 indicates Volume 2 (Operational Task Order Technical Proposals) must not exceed 150 pages (50 per task order). Please confirm Section L.12 150 pages is the Government’s requirement for this volume.

ANSWER:

DoS will revise the solicitation to address this inconsistency.

QUESTION: [L.11] Section L.11 says Volumes 1,2,3 and 6 page count cannot exceed 120 pages (and contractors need to use both sides of a page. L.12 says volume 1 is 75 pages, volume 2 is 150 pages, volume 3 is 10 pages, volume 4 is 20 pages, and volumes 5-7 are unlimited.

ANSWER:

DoS will revise the solicitation to address this inconsistency.

QUESTION: Section L paragraph 11 states that the “written portion of all volumes 1, 2, 3, and 6 shall not exceed 120 pages. Section L paragraph 12 depicts page limits that total 305 pages for volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4, with no page limit for volume 6.

Will the government please address the discrepancy between paragraphs L.11 and L.12 and clarify the page limit by volume?

ANSWER: DoS will revise the solicitation to address this inconsistency.

QUESTION: Section L paragraph 11 requires submittal on sequentially number 8-1/2” by 11” pages.

Will the government allow the use of 11” by 17” paper for large time lines, matrices and spreadsheets?

ANSWER: DoS will allow the use of 11” by 17” paper. DoS will count each 11” by 17” sheet as two pages for page count purposes.

QUESTION: Section L paragraph 11 does not stipulate a minimum margin size. Can the offeror assume that 1” margin top, bottom, left and right is required?

ANSWER: Margins shall be a minimum of 1 inch on each side, top and bottom.

QUESTION: Section L paragraph 11 states that “contractors shall use both sides of each page”, however, in each RFP for LPMO, Jerusalem, BESF, and KESF in the section labeled Task Order Management Plan requires single sided submission.

Will the government please clarify which requirement takes precedence?

· Task Order RFPs require contents submitted under Volume II to be provided single sided. This contradicts the general instructions in the contract solicitation’s section L.11.

Question(s):

(a) Will the government reconsider the requirement for proposals to be printed on both sides of a sheet of paper?

(b) Or for continuity, will the Government revise the Task Order RFPs and allows for the TOMPs in Volume II to be printed on both sides of a sheet of paper as well?

ANSWER:

DoS intends for offerors to use both sides of the page for all volumes. DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

QUESTION: Section L.11 [pg.11] states that: “The written portion of all volumes 1, 2, 3, and 6 shall not exceed a total of 120 pages.”

Section L.12 [pg. 13] states that: “Each offer must consist of the following physically separate volumes:

DESCRIPTION

# OF PAGES

Base Contract Technical Proposal

75 (Maximum) (Vol. 1)

Operational Task Order Technical Proposals

150 (Maximum) (Vol. 2)

(Jerusalem, BESF, KESF)

50 per Task Order

Local Program Management Office Technical Proposal 10 (Maximum) (Vol. 3)

Past Performance

20 (Maximum) (Vol. 4)

Cost / Price Proposals

No Limit (Vol. 5)

Standard Form 33 and Section K

(Vol. 6)

Business / Socioeconomic Information

(Vol. 7)

According to Section L.12 above, Volumes 1, 2, and 3 total 235 pages which exceeds 120 pages before Volume 6 is even considered. Given that Volume 6, which has an unlimited page count, includes substantial corporate financial data (i.e. balance sheet, income statements, cash-flow statements) it is highly unlikely that Offerors will be able to respond to Volumes 1, 2, and 3 should Volume 6 be included in a page limitation.

Question: Did the government intend for Section L.11 to read as follows? “The written portion of all volumes 1, 2, and 3 shall not exceed a total of 235 pages.”

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

QUESTION: Section L.11.1 General Proposal Preparation Guidance, Section H.15 Key Personnel, and Exhibit C - Section L.11.1 General Proposal Preparation Guidance states “The Offeror shall submit resumes (in accordance with the format in Exhibit I) for Key Personnel that it reasonably expects to perform on the contract and shall notify the Contracting Officer as soon as possible if a proposed individual is no longer available.”

Section H.15 Key Personnel states “Key personnel are identified within the Labor Category Descriptions contained in Exhibit C.”

Exhibit C identifies the following personnel as key personnel with this statement “This position is a key position and is staffed in accordance with the requirements described below”: Local Program Manager (LPM) (CONUS), Program Manager (PM) (OCONUS), Deputy Project Manager Operations (P) (DPMO) (OCONUS), Deputy Project Manager Facilities and Support (DPMFS) (S) (OCONUS), Administrative and Logistics Security Support Specialist (ALSSL) (CONUS) (LPMO), Detail Leader (DL) (PSS) (P) (OCONUS), Unit Support Coordinator (USC), and Guard Force Commander (GFC) (OCONUS).”

The following positions are not prefaced with the statement “This position is a key position and is staffed in accordance with the requirements described below”: Detail Leader/Guard Force Commander (DLGFC), Deputy Detail Leader/Guard Supervisor (DDLSG), PSS/Senior Guard Shift Supervisor (PSS/SGSS) PSS/Senior Guard Supervisor (PSS/SGS), and PSS/Senior Guard (PSS/SG). However, each of these positions includes this statement, “The DLGFC shall be designated as Key Personnel and as a Guard (G) in reference to the Section H, Deduct Clause” (position acronym changed accordingly per each position).

It remains unclear which positions are considered to be key positions and require offerors to include resumes for these positions. Are the key personnel requiring resumes only those designated in the Task Orders?

ANSWER: Offerors shall submit resumes for all key personnel at time of proposal. Contractors will have to submit biographical information for most positions (key and non-key) during Task Order performance as part of the suitability review process.

DoS will clarify which the inconsistency regarding which positions are designated as Key Personnel in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: In Section L in L.12 the volume composition is as follows (below). However, L.12.1.3 lists Volume 3: Past Performance (below). Please clarify volume numbers

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to address this inconsistency.

QUESTION: [12] Section L paragraph 12 describes the requirement for 7 volumes to be submitted (Volumes 1 through 7). Section L paragraphs 12.1.1 through 12.1.6 describes the requirements for just 6 volumes.

Will the government please address the discrepancy between Paragraph L.12 and Paragraphs L12.1.1 through 12.1.6?

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to address this inconsistency.

QUESTION: Section L.12 states Volume 2 should be Operational Task Order Proposals and Volume 3 should be LPMO Task Order Proposal. Yet Section L.12.1.2 states Volume 2 should be “Task Order Proposals” and L.12.1.3 states Volume 3 should be Past Performance. Please confirm there are 7 volumes required as stated in Section L.12 page 13 and that subsequent subsections should be renumbered with volume headings coinciding.

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to address this inconsistency..

QUESTION: Section L.12 [pg. 13] states: “Each offer must consist of the following physically separate volumes:

DESCRIPTION

# OF PAGES

Base Contract Technical Proposal

75 (Maximum) (Vol. 1)

Operational Task Order Technical Proposals

150 (Maximum) (Vol. 2)

(Jerusalem, BESF, KESF)

50 per Task Order

Local Program Management Office Technical Proposal 10 (Maximum) (Vol. 3)

Past Performance

20 (Maximum) (Vol. 4)

Cost / Price Proposals

(Vol. 5)

Standard Form 33 and Section K

(Vol. 6)

Business / Socioeconomic Information

(Vol. 7)

However, Section L.12.1.3 provides detailed volume instructions for Volume 3: Past Performance, Section L.12.1.4 provides instructions for Volume 4: Cost/Price Proposals, Volume 5; Standard Form 33 & Section K, and Section L.12.1.5 provides instructions for Volume 6: Business/Socioeconomic Proposals. Further, Section L provides no instructions for the above listed Volume 3: Local Program Management Office. These instructions appear to be in conflict as the Volume numbers and contents of each volume in the chart do not match the Volume numbers and contents of each volume listed in the detailed volume instructions.

Question: Does the government intend for Offerors to include the Local Program Management Office Technical Proposal in Volume 2 with the other Task Order Technical Proposals with a 10 page limit for this Task Order response as opposed the 50 page limit for the other Task Order Responses?

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to address this inconsistency.

QUESTION: [12.1.1] Section L.12.1.1, “Personnel Staffing, Recruitment, Screening/Vetting, Retention”, sub item b, page 14 states, “The Offeror shall provide a spreadsheet detailing wages, fringe benefits, overhead, and fee must be submitted for the base contract and for each task order request.”

This requirement is called for in the instructions to offerors pertaining to the contents of Volume I – Technical Proposal. The requested information contradicts instructions on the proposal format listed in section L.10, which states, “Volumes one, two and three shall not contain any reference to any financial data including cost or price information.”

Questions:

(a) Please confirm that this cost data is permitted in the Technical Volume per the instructions

(b) Would the Government please consider allowing the Compensation Plan to be included in the Cost Volume?

(c) The spreadsheet can be provided in the electronic submittal to the Government; however, does the Government have a specific format and version to save the file as (i.e. Microsoft Excel 2007, etc)?

Can the same data be displayed in a table format for the hard copy version?

ANSWER:

(a) The offeror shall ensure that the Compensation Plan does not contain fully loaded rates. Figures concerning salary and other compensation are unobjectionable. The intent is to segregate the offeror’s fully loaded rates, and other information that would reflect final costs / prices subject to evaluation, from the technical proposal..

(b) DoS will address the location of the Compensation Plan in the forthcoming amendment.

(c) DoS requires spreadsheets in MS Excel or a fully compatible format.

QUESTION: [L.12.1(b)] Section L.12.1.1(b) [pg. 14], which provides the detailed volume instructions for Volume 1, states: “Offerors shall demonstrate their approach to providing acceptable compensation for personnel who are often deployed to austere and hostile environments. Also include an explanation of how the compensation plan was derived. The Offeror shall provide a spreadsheet detailing wages, fringe benefits, overhead, and fee must be submitted for the base contract and for each task order request.”

Section L.10 (pg. 11) states: “Volumes one, two and three shall not contain any reference to any financial data, including cost or price information.”

Question: Did the government intend for the offeror to provide all information relevant to the above section including the spreadsheet detailing wages, fringe benefits, overhead, and fee in Volume 4: Pricing/Cost Volume and not in Volume 1: Base Contract Technical Proposal?

(a) ANSWER: The offeror shall ensure that the Compensation Plan does not contain fully loaded rates. Figures concerning salary and other compensation are unobjectionable. The intent is to segregate the offeror’s fully loaded rates, and other information that would reflect final costs / prices subject to evaluation, from the technical proposal.

QUESTION: [L.12 and L.12.1.2-L.12.1.5] Section L.12 lists the following:

· Operational Task Order Proposals (Jerusalem, BESF, KESF) – Volume 2

· LPMO Technical Proposal – Volume 3

· Past Performance – Volume 4

· Cost/Price Proposal – Volume 5.

L.12.1.2 is titled – Volume 2: Task Order Proposals;

L.12.1.3 is titled – Volume 3: Past Performance;

L.12.1.4 is titled – Volume 4: Cost / Price Proposals; and

L.12.1.5 is titled – Volume 5: Standard Form 33 and Section K

Please clarify the correct Volume numbers for the Task Order Proposals, LPMO Technical Proposal, Past Performance, and Cost/Price Proposal.

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

QUESTION: [L.12.1.2] RFP reference: Section L12.1.2 Volume 2; Task Order Proposals

Paragraph L12.1.2 indicates there are four Task Orders (Jerusalem, BESF, KESF and LPMO. Paragraph L.12 indicates the LPMO TO is Volume 4. Paragraph L.12.1.4 is called Volume 4: Cost/Price Proposal. Please clarify.

The last sentence of Section L12.1.2 says the Task Order Management Plan (TOMP) referenced in Section C.4.3.8.4 (further described in Exhibit A) of the SOW shall address the elements listed below. There is nothing listed below. Please clarify.

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

QUESTION: [12.1.2] Section L.12.1.2, “Volume 2. Task Order Proposals”, page 17 states, “The Task Order Management Plan (TOMP) Referenced in Section C.4.3.8.4 (further described in Exhibit A) of the SOW shall address the elements listed below.”

Question:

Can the Government revise this section and please list the elements to be addressed per this section?

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

DATES:

SOLICITATION CHANGED? FORMCHECKBOX

Yes

No

QUESTION: [L.12.1.3] Can we use the same references in the base and for the task orders or do they all have to have their own separate references?

ANSWER: The same references may be used for the base contract award and the task orders, but each reference should be pertinent with regard to the scope, size and complexity of the effort for which it is being submitted.

QUESTION: Section L.12.1.3 states “[For the base contract and each Task Order request, the Offeror must list separate contracts (a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5) performed within the last 3 years….]”

a. Please clarify this means:

i. 15-25 total, equaling 3-5 for each of 1 Base and 4 Task Orders (i.e. 3-5 for TO 1, 3-5 for TO 2, 3-5 for TO 3, 3-5 for LPMO TO 4, 3-5 for Base Contract).

ii. Or 3-5 Total, covering similar scope, size and complexity of the solicitation.

b. If i. above, would the Government’s consider changing Section L.12 from the number of maximum pages for this volume from 20 to 30? Given the types of information the Government requires, 15-25 references would not adequately be addressed in 20 pages to fairly evaluate offerors.

ANSWER: DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

DATES:

SOLICITATION CHANGED? FORMCHECKBOX

No

QUESTION: [L.12.1.4] In the last sentence of the 3rd paragraph of L.12.1.4 there is a reference to labor category descriptions being contained in Exhibit E.

Please clarify if the correct reference is Exhibit C?

ANSWER: Exhibit C contains labor category descriptions. DoS will amend the solicitation as necessary to resolve this inconsistency.

QUESTION: Section L.12.1.6 requires that Volume 7 Business/Socioeconomic addresses the “...approach to promoting small/disadvantaged business participation…” However, Section M contains no evaluation criteria for this volume.

a. What are the Government’s evaluation criteria for this volume?

b. How does the Government evaluate and rate offerors’ submissions against these goals?

c. What is the weighting of this requirement in the Government’s evaluation?

d. Under which heading in Section M will the volume’s evaluation criteria be included?

ANSWER: Offerors, other than small businesses, are required to submit a small business subcontracting plan. Further information concerning the plan requirements can be found in the FAR clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, which is incorporated into this solicitation by reference. The Department’s goals for small business subcontracting are stated in Section L in the DOSAR provision 652.219-70, Department of State Subcontracting Goals. The subcontracting plan must address the basic contract and each option year (see FAR 52.219-(c)). The subcontracting goals applicable when the contract is awarded are the goals to be used for the life of the contract. Therefore, offerors should base their small business subcontracting plans on the 2010 goals listed in Section L. Plans will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-9 and with regard to the goals of the Department in comparison to the goals proposed. Plans that do not demonstrate a good faith effort to promote small business subcontracting may be considered ineligible for award.

DATES:

SOLICITATION CHANGED? FORMCHECKBOX

No

Section M

QUESTION: How will proposed subcontracting plans be evaluated and what effect will they have on the award decision?

ANSWER: Offerors, other than small businesses, are required to submit a small business subcontracting plan. Further information concerning the plan requirements can be found in the FAR clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, which is incorporated into this solicitation by reference. The Department’s goals for small business subcontracting are stated in Section L in the DOSAR provision 652.219-70, Department of State Subcontracting Goals. The subcontracting plan must address the basic contract and each option year (see FAR 52.219-(c)). The subcontracting goals applicable when the contract is awarded are the goals to be used for the life of the contract. Therefore, offerors should base their small business subcontracting plans on the 2010 goals listed in Section L. Plans will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-9 and with regard to the goals of the Department in comparison to the goals proposed. Plans that do not demonstrate a good faith effort to promote small business subcontracting may be considered ineligible for award.

QUESTION: Mandatory Minimum Experience differs in the Pre-Solicitation posting and Synopsis versus Section M.1.4.

Pre-Solicitation posting and Synopsis includes six items a) through f). Section M.1.4 of the solicitation, however, states only five items a) through e).

Synopsis includes requirement for a valid Final Secret Facility Clearance at the time of proposal submission. Section M.1.4 does not.

(a) Please clarify and reiterate the Government’s requirement as to how many and specifically which items are required.

(b) If a valid Final Secret Facility Security Clearance at the time of proposal submission is no longer a requirement, please confirm the Government will sponsor that firm for the Top Secret Facility Clearance.

ANSWER:

DoS requires offerors to hold a valid Final Secret Facility Clearance at the time of proposal submission. DoS will address this inconsistency in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: Mandatory Minimum Experience differs in the Pre-Solicitation posting and Synopsis versus Section M.1.4.

Pre-Solicitation posting and Synopsis state Mandatory Minimum Experience includes “C. Personal protective, static guard, and emergency response security programs must have a total annual value of at least 15 million dollars;”.

Section M.1.4 Mandatory Minimum Experience, however, states “b. Personal protective, static guard, and emergency response security contracts must have a total annual value of at least 15 million dollars each;”

a.) Please clarify and reiterate the Government’s requirement as to whether it is total annual program value of at least 15 million dollars or whether it is contracts of at least 15 million dollars each are required.

b.) If the latter, the language infers bidders having any contracts valued less than 15 million dollars will not be considered eligible for award (disqualified).

ANSWER: DOS will clarify this requirement in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: Mandatory Minimum Experience differs in the Pre-Solicitation posting and Synopsis versus Section M.1.4.

Pre-Solicitation posting and Synopsis state Mandatory Minimum Experience as, “D. Programs must include at least two projects that include managing and operating guard forces with at least 100 positions (posts) at each location, in multiple locations (different facilities, cities, states, regions, etc.);…”

Yet Section M.1.4 states, “C. Programs must include at least two contracts that include managing and operating guard forces with at least 50 positions in multiple locations (i.e. different facilities, cities, etc.)” with no reference to quantity at each location.

Please clarify the Government’s requirement – whether it is projects or contracts, positions or posts, at each location or across locations

ANSWER: DOS will clarify this requirement in the forthcoming amendment.

QUESTION: Section M.2.1. Technical Approach - Section M.2.1. Technical Approach states, “For the purpose of determining base contract award, the Government will consider the information received in the Task Order proposals as reference material.”

Will Task Order proposals be considered by the Source Selection Evaluation Board for award of RFP SAQMMA10R0005? If so, will the evaluation criteria found in Section M.2.1. Technical Approach be applied to each Task Order proposal?

ANSWER: During the base contract evaluation, DoS will survey the offeror’s Task Order proposals received concurrently with the base contract proposal without conducting evaluations. The survey of the Task Order proposals does not constitute an evaluation as the evaluators will only perform a brief review to verify the capabilities claimed by the offeror’s base contract proposal. DoS will conduct evaluations of Task Order proposals during the Task Order evaluation process after the award of the base contract. DoS will revise the solicitation to reflect this clarification.

QUESTION: [M.2.1.d] Section M.2.1.d. states that “[f]or the purpose of…