Questions and Answers for the Conventional Weapons Destruction Solicitation 05052011.doc

Questions for the Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Solicitation

1. The definition of Small Business in the Synopsis for the Solicitation is a size standard of $14.0 million. The Solicitation document does not define the Small Business size requirements. Is the Small Business definition in the Synopsis correct?

ANSWER: YES because no environmental remediation services are expected under this requirement. The small business size standard for this NAICS that does not involve environmental remediation services is $14 million.

2. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 562910. The small business size standard is $14 million. However, NAICS code 562910 has an employee size standard of 500 and not a revenue size standard. Will this be adjusted accordingly?

ANSWER: NO because environmental remediation services are not expected under this requirement. The small business size standard for this NAICS that does not involve environmental remediation services is $14 million.

3. We understand that the above referenced solicitation is limited to Small Businesses (SBs) who qualify under NAICS code 562910 with the size standard of $14M. It has been our experience in performing these services for more than 10 years that a certain amount of environmental remediation goes along with the removal and disposal of weapons, munitions, mines, and IEDs since the areas surrounding them are typically full of lead, heavy metals, materials potentially presenting explosive hazards (MPPEH), munitions debris (MD), and actual explosive residue which can harm human health and the environment. We are, therefore, respectfully requesting that this scope be re-evaluated and revised to include this incidental environmental remediation making the size standard 500 employees rather than $14M.

ANSWER: The Government does not anticipate any environmental remediation required under this contract.

4. It is our understanding that this Solicitation is for a follow on contract. Can you provide the name of the prime contractor(s) and the contract number(s) for the current contract?

ANSWER:

DynCorp International - SAQMPD05D1108

RONCO - SAQMPD05D1106

Armor Group - SAQMPD05D1107

5. The contract ceiling stated in paragraph B.2 is $250,000,000 for the five year duration of the contract. This seems to be a very big contract for a Small Business. Is this ceiling correct? What percentage of the work will the Small Business have to perform? What is the annual spending on the current contract over its duration?

ANSWER: Yes, the maximum ceiling is $250,000,000. Small business must perform 51% of the work. The annual spending on the current contract has ranged from $30 million- $40 million per year. Annual task order awards will depend on the requirements which may change. In the synopsis DOS PM/WRA encouraged teaming, but does not require it.

6. Attachment 2010.12.22 Attachment K Performance measures is a XML file which we cannot open. Do you have this attachment in a different format like the other attachments?

ANSWER: Attached is a word document formatted version of Attachment K.

7. Is this a single award or multiple award IDIQ?

ANSWER: It is anticipated that only one award will be made under this solicitation, however, DoS reserves the right to make multiple awards.

8. The FedBizOpps.gov site very clearly calls this solicitation out to be a Total Small Business Set Aside, and yet there is nothing in the solicitation documents themselves to indicate so. Question: Is this a Small Business Set Aside?

ANSWER: Yes, this is a Small Business Set Aside.

9. The RFP is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. Would that preclude us from Sub-contracting the K-9 portion of the bid based on the fact MSA is not considered a small business?

ANSWER: Market research indicated there were adequate small businesses capable of performing the anticipated contract and it was accordingly set aside for small business. Only qualified small businesses will be considered for award. Under a small business set aside, the small business must perform 51% for the work. While not required, teaming, which includes sub-contracting, is encouraged.

10. This is a large, multifaceted RFP requiring offerors to submit various volumes and collect a substantial amount of information. Given the complexity of the required response, and due to our limited corporate resources as a small business to prepare this proposal, we kindly request at least a week extension to the proposal submission date.

ANSWER: The response date for this solicitation has been extended. Proposals are now due on May 18, 2011 at 2:00PM EST.

11. In Section C.3, 17; Section L.5, 66; Section M.5, 75; the phrase “equipment drops” is cited throughout the RFP. Please further define this phrase and the requirements associated with it.

ANSWER: Support for some countries is limited to supplying supplies rather than services. As such, the provision of these supplies is called an “Equipment Drop”. The contractor is responsible for procurement, transportation, maintenance and delivery of supplies until acceptance in country. Some training services may be required.

12. Section H-007, 29; Section H-007 requires the contractor to provide Aircraft Public and Passenger Liability insurance and Vessel Liability insurance. As a small business we have never had to provide these types of liability insurances. The cost associated with a new contractor purchasing these types of liability insurances will be extremely high. Can these costs be billed back to the Government as a cost reimbursable type of expense?

ANSWER: This clause has been removed from the solicitation.

13. Section H-016 on pages 29 to 30 of the RFP identifies ten (10) key personnel. The Government only identifies the Program Manager as key in Section L of the RFP on page 58. Are offerors required to submit resumes for each of the positions identified in Attachment D – Responsibilities and Qualifications of Key Personnel?

ANSWER: Under Section L, page 58 of the RFP, the Program Manager is the only mandatory Key Personnel. It is up to the Offeror to propose who he considers as other Key Personnel as discussed under that part which states in part: “Key Personnel shall be identified by the Contractor. These are the individuals who ultimately will contribute to the contract’s overall success. They are responsible for planning, organizing, leading, implementing or otherwise provide functions leading to successful performance under this contract. Therefore, each Offeror shall submit resumes for individuals it assigns to positions it has designated as key to fulfilling the objectives of the associated SOO. Each resume of key personnel shall clearly describe the individual’s relevant experience and qualifications for the position. See Attachment D for a summary of required qualifications.”

Clause H-016 has been corrected with respect to Key Personnel and U.S. Citizenship requirements and modified as follows:

Clause H-016 Key Personnel 11/01/2008

(1) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

LABOR CATEGORY NAME

Program Manager (mandatory)*

Listed below is a sample of the types of Key Personnel that may be identified by each Offeror in response to this solicitation. Other Key Personnel similar to those listed below are at the discretion of the Offeror

Task Order Leader*

Business Manager

Senior Logistics Manager

Host Country Technical Advisor*

Senior HMA Operations Manager*

Senior Destruction Operations Manager*

Senior Mine Detection Dog Handler

Senior Emergency Medical Technician

Security Manager

* US Citizenship required. Must be able to obtain Secret clearance.

Attachment D – Responsibilities and Qualifications for Key Personnel.

This list is a sample of the types of Key Personnel that may be identified by each Offeror in response to this solicitation. Offerors are required to identify those individuals they consider Key Personnel. Attachment D is correct with regard to U.S. Citizenship requirements.

14. Section H-016 on pages 29 to 30 of the RFP identifies ten (10) key personnel. All are required to be U.S. Citizens who must be able to obtain Secret clearance. However, Attachment D only identifies five of these ten key personnel as required to be U.S. Citizens. Please confirm that all ten key personnel are required to be U.S. Citizens who must be able to obtain Secret clearance.

ANSWER: Not confirmed. Attachment D is correct with regard to U.S. Citizenship requirements. Clause H-016 Key Personnel has been corrected with respect to Key Personnel and Citizenship requirements. See Answer to Question 13 above for a more comprehensive answer.

15. Section H-016 on page 30 of the RFP states, “[Names to be inserted by Offeror at time of proposal submission.]” Are offerors required to submit names of the key personnel identified in Section H-016?

ANSWER: Clause H-016 Key Personnel has been corrected with respect to Key Personnel and Citizenship requirements. Names of the Offeror proposed Key Personnel should be submitted.

16. Section H-016 on page 30 of the RFP states, “The Contractor agrees that a partial basis for award of this contract is the list of key personnel proposed. Accordingly, the Contractor agrees to assign to this contract those key persons whose resumes were submitted with the proposal necessary to fulfill the requirements of the contract.” The Government has only identified the Program Manager as a key person in Section L.5. Please clarify what resumes are to be submitted with the offeror’s proposal for the IDIQ contract? This offeror understands the Government’s intent for offerors to identify their own key personnel, but a better understanding of the Government’s expectations (i.e. number of resumes) would be appreciated.

ANSWER: The Program Manager is the only mandatory Key Personnel. It is up to the offeror to propose who he considers as other Key Personnel to fulfill the requirements of the contract.

17. Section H-016 on page 30 of the RFP states, “The Contractor agrees that a partial basis for award of this contract is the list of key personnel proposed. Accordingly, the Contractor agrees to assign to this contract those key persons whose resumes were submitted with the proposal necessary to fulfill the requirements of the contract.” Will the Government require the contractor to hire all ten positions upon award of the IDIQ contract? If so, can the cost of these key personnel be billed back to the Government as a cost reimbursable type of expense? We are a small business and cannot afford to hire full-time personnel who are not 100% directly billable to the Government.

ANSWER: The Government does not require the contractor to hire ten Key Personnel upon award of the contract.

18. 652.228-70(a) Defense Base Act – Covered Contractor Employees (JUN 2006) requires bidders/offerors to indicate the number of United States citizens or residents, and local nationals and third country nationals who will be employed on the resultant contract. How should bidders/offerors determine the number of employees to be employed on the resultant contract given the indefinite nature of this contract?

ANSWER: This clause will apply and flow down to the Task Order Request for Proposals (TORP) for services in Afghanistan, and all subsequent TORP’s.

19. 652.228-70(d) Defense Base Act – Covered Contractor Employees (JUN 2006) requires bidder/offeror to “compute Defense Base Act insurance costs covering those employees pursuant to the terms of the contract between the Department of State and the Department’s Defense Base Act insurance carrier at the rates specified in DOSAR 652.228-74, Defense Base Act Insurance Rates – Limitation.” Again, given the indefinite nature of this contract are bidders/offerors required to compute DBA insurance costs?

ANSWER: This clause will apply and flow down to the Task Order Request for Proposals (TORP) for services in Afghanistan, and all subsequent TORP’s.

20. Section L.2 on page 47 of the RFP states, “Volume 4 – Past Performance shall contain Past Performance Information to include Section 1 – Information on Past Performance References (completed by the Offeror), Section 2 – Similarity of Work and Section 3 – Degree of Customer Satisfaction (both completed by the Reference). The entire Questionnaire (Sections 1-3) shall be returned directly to the Contracting Officer by the Reference and responses shall become part of the evaluation process. The Government is interested in obtaining CWD type services and supplies from an Offeror who has a history of providing high quality services coupled with high customer satisfaction. (Note: the Offeror shall attach a copy of each Section 1 sent to References in Volume 4 – Past Performance Proposal.” Based on this paragraph it appears offerors are only required to submit Section 1 – Information on Past Performance References as their Volume 4 – Past Performance. May offerors also submit further information including written narratives, letters of commendation, photos, etc. as part of their Volume 4 – Past Performance?

ANSWER: Offeror shall submit section 1 – Information on Past Performance references as Volume 4 – Past Performance. The Government does not want any other information or submittals.

21. Section L.2 on page 50 of the RFP states, “Each 8.5 x 11 surface of a foldout shall be counted as a separate page.” Please confirm that a single 11 x 17 foldout shall count as two pages.

ANSWER: Confirmed, a single 11 x 17 foldout shall count as two pages.

22. Section L.2 on pages 50-51 of the RFP states, “Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, Employee Incentive/Compensation Plan or other similar submittals, three copies each, shall be submitted separately bound and clearly labeled with the Title of the Document, copy number and the Offeror.” May offerors submit all separately bound submittals together in a separate three-ring loose-leaf binder?

ANSWER: No, Offeror shall submit copies separately bound and clearly labeled.

23. May offerors hand deliver their proposal to the courier address provided on page 51 of the RFP?

ANSWER: Yes, Offeror may hand deliver their proposal.

24. The Estimating System paragraph on page 52 of the RFP states, “Offeror shall indicate if they have a Government-determined adequate estimating system. If the Offeror has such a system, it shall submit evidence to support the adequacy determination.” Please specify the evidence required to support the adequacy determination, i.e. is this a letter from a contracting officer, DCAA, or some other organization?

ANSWER: A statement or letter, including date of determination, government point of contact and all contact information from the cognizant government agency or DCAA, would be acceptable. Any evidence shall be written documentation from the offeror’s cognizant auditor, qualified 3rd party auditor, or cognizant Federal agency official. Such documentation may be an official audit report, letter, or e-mail, and it must contain the date of adequacy determination and the determiner’s full contact information.

25. The Billing System paragraph on page 52 of the RFP states, “Offeror shall indicate if they have a Government-determined adequate billing system. If the Offeror has such a system, it shall submit evidence to support the adequacy determination.” Please specify the evidence required to support the adequacy determination, i.e. is this a letter from a contracting officer, DCAA, or some other organization?

ANSWER: A statement or letter, including date of determination, government point of contact and all contact information from the cognizant government agency or DCAA, would be acceptable. Any evidence shall be written documentation from the offeror’s cognizant auditor, qualified 3rd party auditor, or cognizant Federal agency official. Such documentation may be an official audit report, letter, or e-mail, and it must contain the date of adequacy determination and the determiner’s full contact information.

26. The Purchasing System paragraph on page 52 of the RFP states, “Offerors shall indicate if they have a Government-approved purchasing system. If the Offeror has such a system, it shall submit evidence to support the approval.” Please specify the evidence required to support the adequacy determination, i.e. is this a letter from a contracting officer, DCAA, or some other organization?

ANSWER: A statement or letter, including date of determination, government point of contact and all contact information from the cognizant government agency or DCAA, would be acceptable. Any evidence shall be written documentation from the offeror’s cognizant Federal agency official (CFAO). Such documentation may be an official report, letter, or e-mail, and it must contain the date of approval and the CFAO’s full contact information.

27. The Joint Venture paragraph on page 53 of the RFP states, “If two or more parties have formed a partnership or joint venture (see FAR Subpart 9.6) for the purposes of submitting a proposal under this solicitation and, if selected, would perform the contract as a single entity, they must submit the Corporate Charter, By-Laws, or Joint Venture or Partnership Agreement. In addition, the teaming arrangements must be identified, company relationships must be fully disclosed and respective responsibilities and method of work must be expressly stipulated.” Please confirm that no documentation (teaming agreements) is required to be submitted with the proposal for prime-subcontractor relationships.

ANSWER: Teaming agreements are required to be submitted. See Section L, page 60 of the RFP which reads in part: “The Offeror shall describe its corporate structure, including substantiating evidence of any legal arrangements between itself and any planned team members (i.e., subcontractors and/or consultants), including the reason for entering such arrangements, and all corporate policies that will influence the operation of the contract.”

28. Section L.4.2. Price Proposal Instructions does not clearly specify if the Attachment B8. NTE Fully-Loaded Hourly Labor Rates should include post hardship differential and danger pay, premiums, bonus, other incentives, etc. Should the offeror include these incentives in their NTE pricing considering that these rates are ceiling rates (NTE) and will apply to different worldwide locations? If not, should the offeror assume that these costs will be priced separately as an ODC at the task order level based on Section B.4.1.?

ANSWER: RFP Section L.4.2(16) reads in part, “In Pricing Table 4, each proposed NTE fully-loaded hourly labor rate shall consist of a proposed unloaded hourly rate, fringe benefits (if not part of applicable indirect costs), applicable indirect costs, and profit. It shall not consist of any other costs. [Any other costs that are part of the Contractor’s established compensation plan and consistent with FAR Part 31 may be proposed as a material or other direct cost (ODC) at the task order level…]”

29. Paragraph (32) on page 56 of the RFP states, “In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 4), offeror shall show for each performance year the build-up of each NTE fully-loaded hourly labor rate proposed in Table 4 (see exception under item 50 below). There is no item 50 provided in Section L.4.2. Please provide the exception details.

ANSWER: The second parenthetical area in RFP Section L.4.2(32) now reads, “(see exception under item 47 below).”

L.4.2(14) is changed from “item 39” to “item 36.”

30. The Individual’s Signature paragraph on page 59 of the RFP states, “The Government requires that each individual sign her/his resume within 30 days of date for submission of proposals certifying that the data is current, accurate, and complete.” Please confirm that offerors are not required to submit signed resumes with their proposals. Also please confirm that offerors are not expected and/or required to submit letters of commitment for their key personnel.

ANSWER: Signed resumes are required. Section L page 59 of the RFP states in part: “For individuals not presently employed, include copies of employment agreements.”

31. The Individual’s Signature paragraph on page 59 of the RFP states, “For individuals not presently employed, include copies of employment agreements.” Are these copies to be fully executed employment agreements or can these be draft employment agreements? If drafts are allowable, may the offeror submit a standard employment agreement for all individuals not presently employed?

ANSWER: Fully executed employment agreements are required.

32. The Government on page 60 of the RFP states, “The Offeror shall describe the autonomy of the Offeror’s senior program manager in terms of overall decision-making including the authority to contractually commit the company.” Please confirm this “senior program manager” is the Program Manager identified as key on page 58 of the RFP.

ANSWER: Confirmed, this is the Program Manager.

33. The first paragraph under Safety, Security and Medical Support states, “Each team member who provides 25% or more work under this category shall submit a copy of his safety record over the past three years with his response to Attachment E, List of Experience.” Slide 5, “Safety and Security Experience” from Attachment E is identical to the preceding slides. Slide 5 is structured for the presentation of individual projects, and not a safety record. Please provide an alternate format that allows offerors to provide information of their “safety record.”

ANSWER: Attachment E – List of Experience, Slide 5 has annotated at the bottom of the slide the following: “Note: Each Team Member providing 25% or more work under this contract should attach a copy of their safety record for the past three years.” Offeror may provide their safety record in whatever format they desire.

34. Section L.6 on page 67 of the RFP states, “Each member of the team responsible for providing 25% or more of the services shall be responsible for a Past Performance Questionnaire (see Attachment J), for three (3) projects that are similar in size based on a comparison of the estimated dollar value of the contract), scope (comparable statement of objectives, or set of requirements), and complexity to the work required by the Project.” May offerors submit more than three Past Performance Questionnaires per team member?

ANSWER: Attachment J – Past Performance Questionnaire states in part: “The Offeror shall complete Section 1 and then send the entire questionnaire (Sections 1, 2, and 3) to at least three references in accordance with the instruction of Section L. Offeror may submit more than three Past Performance Questionnaires.

35. Section L.6 on page 67 of the RFP states, “Each member of the team responsible for providing 25% or more of the services shall be responsible for a Past Performance Questionnaire (see Attachment J), for three (3) projects that are similar in size based on a comparison of the estimated dollar value of the contract), scope (comparable statement of objectives, or set of requirements), and complexity to the work required by the Project.” Given the IDIQ nature of the resultant contract how shall offerors define an acceptable size ($$$) for their past projects keeping in mind that PM/WRA has determined the small business size standard to be $14 million.

ANSWER: Offerors shall select the most appropriate Past Performance information to be submitted.

36. The Government identifies four Non-Price Factors that it will evaluate including Factor 1: Operational Capability, Factor 2: Personnel, Management, and Corporate Experience, Factor 3: Past Performance, and Factor 4: Overarching Requirements. The proposal includes the submission of four volumes. These four factors relate to two of the “non-price factors” volumes, Volume II: Technical Proposal and Volume: IV: Past Performance. It appears that Volume I: Business Proposal will not be evaluated by the Government. Please confirm that Volume I: Business Proposal will not be evaluated for the basis of award.

ANSWER: The Business Proposal will be used to assess contractor responsibility.. See Section M, page 70 of the RFP, paragraph M.4 Evaluation Factors for Award - Eligibility for Award.

37. Section M.12.1 on page 78 of the RFP states, “The Government will not evaluate the proposed prices in Pricing Table 8 (Afghanistan task order) as part of its selection process for contract award; it will evaluate these proposed prices as part of its selection process for the Afghanistan task order award.” This statement appears to contradict the Government’s intent to “award one contract resulting from this solicitation.” (Section M.1, 69) If the Government plans to make a single award resulting from this contract then the proposed prices in Pricing Table 8 should be evaluated as part of its selection process for contract award.

ANSWER: The government only intends on making one award; however, it reserves the right to make multiple awards if determined necessary by the government. The government will not evaluate the task order proposal independently of the IDIQ contract proposal. Both proposals must meet the specified criteria to be eligible for award. Proposed pricing of the Afghanistan task order will not determine eligibility of award of the IDIQ contract.

38. The Program Manager position in Attachment D requires the Program Manager to have an undergraduate degree. Will PM/WRA consider waiving this requirement if the Program Manager candidate has 15 years of specialized experience in CWD?

ANSWER: Under Attachment D, Program Manager Qualifications, Restate the first bullet as follows:

· Undergraduate degree required, Masters degree desirable. Education requirements may be met with 15 or more years of specialized CWD experience.

See corrected Attachment D.

39. Will the Government provide LOAs and/or CAC cards for contractor personnel working on this task order in Afghanistan?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for full performance under this contract. The Task Order will determine appropriate security and personnel requirements. All US Citizens performing contract work in Afghanistan must have a letter of authorization (LOA) which is requested by the company representative after the appropriate security paperwork has been submitted and approved. The CAC is issued if access to the Embassy is required.

40. Will the Government provide any of the following services to contractor personnel working on this task order in Afghanistan:

APO/FPO/MPO/Postal Services;

Authorized Weapon;

Billeting;

Controlled Access Card (CAC)/ID Card;

Commissary;

DFAC;

Fuel Authorized;

Military Banking;

Military Exchange;

MILAIR;

MWR;

Resuscitative Care; and/or

Transportation.

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for full performance under this contract. The contractor must request an LOA for US citizens performing contract work in Afghanistan and request access to appropriate services based on the contract requirements.

41. Will the contractor be required to price all air movements within Afghanistan or will all contractor personnel be provided with MILAIR?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for full performance under this contract and should price the requirement accordingly. While the government is not required to provide assistance, where possible it may provide assistance on a case by case basis.

42. Does GFE include all shipping charges? If not, where should the contractor assume the GFE is to be shipped from and to?

ANSWER: GFE, if any, will be specified in any resultant Task Order and will be made available to the Awardee as part of the transition process.

43. Will the Government provide full life support for all contractor personnel? If not, is the contractor required to price the construction and operation of man camps at each of the eight existing locations: Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, Herat, Kabul, Ghazni, Helmand, and Panjshir Province?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for full performance under this contract including full life support and should price the requirement accordingly. If there is GFE available from previous contracts, these will be made available to the new contractor as part of the transition process.

44. Section L on page 17 of the Afghanistan RFP states, “Each volume shall be submitted in a separate file and sent to the Contracting Officer. (See Section L-2, Table I for further instructions.)” There is no mention of the Afghanistan RFP in Section L-2, Table I from the IDIQ RFP. Please specify the number of paper copies and electronic copies to be submitted. Additionally, shall the Afghanistan task order proposal be submitted in a separately bound, three-ring, loose-leaf binder?

ANSWER: With regards to the questions about the number of copies, PM/WRA requests 8 copies of the Afghanistan proposal, separately labeled, bound and submitted in a three ring, loose-leaf binder.

45. Section L on page 17 of the Afghanistan RFP states, “Due Date: 12:00 noon EDT on Same as Solicitation SAQMMA11R0085 due date for proposal volumes 1 through 4.” However, this is not the same time. The time cited on the IDIQ RFP is 2:00PM EST and not 12:00 noon EDT. This appears to be typographical error and the offeror assumes that Afghanistan RFP response may be submitted by 2:00PM on May 9, 2011 along with its proposal for the IDIQ RFP. Please confirm.

ANSWER: See the question/answer #10 above.

46. Section L on page 17 of the Afghanistan RFP states, “(Note: Resumes are required but SOPs, etc if already submitted need not be resubmitted unless significantly changed.)” Are additional resumes beyond those submitted in response to the IDIQ RFP required for submission in response to the Afghanistan RFP? If so, please provide a list of the positions and number of resumes required in response to the Afghanistan RFP.

ANSWER: Additional resumes are not required and are at the discretion of the Offeror.

47. Attachment G, page 4, paragraph C.7 states that, “All Contractor supplied personnel require SECRET level clearance.” Section H-016 of the RFP goes on to state that key personnel must be U.S. Citizens and able to obtain a Secret clearance. This section identifies the key personnel positions, and includes: Business Manager, Senior Logistics Manager, Senior Mine Detection Dog Handler, Senior HMA Operations Manager, Senior Emergency Medical Technician, and Security Manager. However, Attachment D (Responsibilities and Qualifications of Key Personnel) identifies the same key personnel as Section H-016 above; however, the table indicates that US Citizenship is not required of the following positions: Business Manager, Senior Logistics Manager, Senior Mine Detection Dog Handler, Senior Emergency Medical Technician, and Security Manager. Can the Government clarify which positions require U.S. Citizenship and a SECRET level clearance?

ANSWER: Attachment D is correct with regard to U.S. Citizenship requirements. Clause H-016 Key Personnel has been corrected with respect to Key Personnel and Citizenship requirements. All Key Personnel who are identified as being required to be U.S. Citizens are required to be able to obtain Secret Clearances. See Answer to Question 13 above for a more comprehensive answer.

Attachment G – Afghanistan RFP has been corrected to read as follows:

Page 4, Item 7 “All contractor supplied EOD Technical Advisors require Secret level clearance.”

48. Has the Government considered that disqualifying non-U.S. Citizens from positions, such as Program Manager, Senior Mine Detection Dog Handler and Senior HMA Operations Manager, dramatically reduces the pool of available, qualified personnel to fill these positions? Historically, these positions have been filled in both commercial and non-governmental organizations involved in demining by non-U.S. Citizens who have accumulated significantly more experience in HMA activities than U.S. Citizens.

ANSWER: Attachment D is correct with regard to U.S. Citizenship requirements. Clause H-016 Key Personnel has been corrected with respect to Key Personnel and Citizenship requirements. See Answer to Question 13 above for a more comprehensive answer. The U.S. Citizenship requirements as corrected are required in the performance of this contract.

49. The final page of the bidder 254 indicates that personnel traveling in excess of 60 days must possess a final TOP SECRET clearance. As all work performed on this contract is OCONUS this would apply to all personnel performing services under this contract outside of home office personnel. Is it the intent of PMWRA that all task order personnel OCONUS will require a TOP SECRET clearance? If so will PMWRA sponsor the winning contractor for a TOP SECRET facility clearance?

ANSWER: This paragraph of the DD254 is specifically speaking about travel to HUMINT Threat posts. Personnel with SECRET clearances traveling to HUMINT Threat posts would need to be monitored so as not to exceed 60 dyas within a calendar year.

50. Attachment D qualifications requires degrees for the following personnel; Program Manager, Task Order Lead, Business Manager, Sr. Logistics Manager and Security Manager. Will the government consider adjusting the degree requirement to allow for employees to substitute work experience for educational achievements?

ANSWER: Under Attachment D, Business Manager, Senior Logistics Manager and Security Manager Qualifications, Restate the first bullet as follows:

· Associates degree required, Undergraduate degree desirable. Education requirements may be met with 2 additional years of specialized experience.

51. The industry (both government and commercial) uses the 500 employee size standard under NAICS Code 562910 for Conventional Weapons Destruction based on Note 14 in the Small Business Size Standard Table since more than one NAICS code applies to the effort cited in the solicitation and none constitute more than 50% of the work. In addition, the government must consider that an entity performing at or below the $14M level would not have the financial and human capital resources to adequately support a level of effort and still meet the minimum requirement to self-perform more than 51% of the work, especially in an OCONUS environment. Will the government revise the stated size from $14M to 500 employees?

ANSWER: NO because environmental remediation services are not expected under this requirement. The small business size standard for this NAICS that does not involve environmental remediation services is $14 million.

52. Please note that the originally posted Attachment K is not in a format that can be downloaded nor is functionable. Will you please post again?

ANSWER: Attached is a word document formatted version of Attachment K.