Questions_for_FedBizOps_Nov_20_2012.pdf

Q: Will the contractor be responsible for supply chain security, and if so the anticipated volumes/frequency of movement? Alternatively, will responsibility for security of logistics fall to either a WPS task order, or a new task order under SSS-I?

A: The Contractor will be responsible for security within its supply chain. The receiving of quality product and the quantity ordered, and meeting all appropriate specifications for sanitation, packaging, standards and etc., will be the burden of the Contractor.

The two major commodities for BLISS are Food and Fuel. Establishing a network of vendors to provide both commodities that meet the quality requirements of the contract, and accurately reflect the quantity, and are delivered in such a way that maximizes storage capability while reducing impact (traffic jams) at the receiving points will be a requirement on the contractor.

Q: Is it acceptable for the Top Secret Facilities Clearance to be held by the Prime Contractor, with subcontractors not holding this clearance?

A: Yes. The Prime contractor is required to possess a minimum of a Secret Facility Clearance for contract award. A subcontractor would have to possess a Secret Facility Clearance if their personnel are filling positions requiring a personnel security clearance. If the subcontractor does not have personnel filling positions requiring a personnel security clearance, then that subcontractor does not require a Facility Clearance. All contractors performing on the contract will be required to be vetted. Contractor personnel will have either a personnel security clearance (US personnel filling a position requiring a clearance), Moderate Risk Public Trust certification (US or Third Country National personnel and Local National personnel will be vetted by the Regional Security Office. All personnel performing on this contract must favourably meet one of these requirements prior to contract performance.

Q: (Multiple) Can I still submit a request to attend the Site Survey?

A: No. Requests to attend the Site Survey were due into this office Friday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m.

local time, as per the instructions posted in FedBizOpps. However, attendance at the Site Survey is not mandatory, and a company may make an offer in response to the solicitation without having attended the Site Survey.

Q: (Multiple) Is it still the Department of State plan to post the RFP on December 3?

A: Yes. However, the posting date may be delayed. We will advise via FedBizOpps if the posting is delayed, and provide a new target date.

Q: Is an American-owned company with an Active Secret Facility Clearance prohibited from forming a Joint Venture relationship with a foreign-owned company without a facility clearance?

A: Yes, in this instance. Both entities require the appropriate minimum facility clearance to have an offer for this solicitation considered. However, an American-owned company with the appropriate clearances may subcontract work that does not require a clearance to a foreign-owned company.

Q: (Multiple) We are an Iraqi Company planning to attend the event of the site survey which will be held in Baghdad in ( 9-15 DEC 20112 ). I just wanted to get clear pictures about the below points:

Security Clearance, what does this mean exactly? Is this for Iraqi companies? And the statement that the company is U.S.-based and possesses a Secret Facilities Clearance or higher as per the DD254 in the solicitation, what does this mean?

A: There are two interpretations of a Security Clearance—

An individual employee may require a security clearance at the appropriate level (e.g. Secret) in order to perform work or based upon a job description. This is limited to U.S. citizens.

A company may be required to possess a Facility Clearance based-upon the nature of the work being done. Only a U.S. –based company can obtain such a clearance.

This contract requires contractor personnel to have access to or be in areas where access to classified information cannot be precluded the contractor employee is required to possess the appropriate security clearance.

Prior to a contractor employee being granted a security clearance the company for which that person works must possess a Facility Clearance equal to or higher than the level required by the contract. Once the Facility Clearance requirement is met then personnel from the company could be submitted for a Personnel Security Clearance. This is where the Key Management personnel of the company are processed for a Personnel Security Clearance and once they have been processed for and are favorably granted a clearance then the company is granted a Facility Clearance. This is conducted in accordance with the NISP (National Industrial Security Program) and in accordance with the NISPOM (National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual)

The best source for information on Facility Clearance procedures is the Defense Security Service website. In particular, the following link provides overall information/FAQs on the topic:

http://www.dss.mil/isp/fac_clear/per_sec_clear_proc_faqs.html

So, an Iraqi company cannot obtain the necessary clearances to either be the Prime offeror on BLISS nor to work in a classified area. This does not mean that U.S. companies cannot hire Iraqi Nationals, nor does it mean that qualified U.S. companies cannot subcontract to Iraqi companies as long as those subcontractor personnel are not working in positions that require a personnel security clearance for contract performance . We are strongly encouraging such business directions so as to encourage, mentor and train Iraqi citizens, contribute to the local economy, and reduce operational costs.

Q: Would you elaborate on the FN vetting process?

A: Local Nationals (LNs) will be vetted in accordance with the Regional Security Officer (RSO) requirements and will complete forms provided by RSO Baghdad.

Third Country National (TCN) applicants will be processed for Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) determinations and will be required to submit the Standard Form (SF) 85P, SF 85PS, two FD 258 fingerprint cards, a family bio sketch and supporting documentation to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

http://www.dss.mil/isp/fac_clear/per_sec_clear_proc_faqs.html

The successful offeror will be provided with specific training in the D.C. area regarding the submission of TCN packages. LNs and TCNs cannot begin work on the contract until they are approved for contract performance either by the RSO shop (for LNs) or the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (for TCNs).

Q: (Multiple) Will the Department of State sponsor my company for a Facilities Clearance?

A: No. Due to the time constraints on awarding this contract and getting it underway, there is not sufficient time for this process to be completed. The qualification is that only offers from companies who currently possess the appropriate Facility Clearance will be considered by the Department of State.

Q: Request USG to provide standards for local food procurement. Will they be similar to DOD standards? Will there be any regulation?

A: The requirement for food will be Codex Alimentarius. The Codex Alimentarius ("Book of Food") is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production, and food safety. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as an international reference point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.

The Iraqi Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC) is an independent government agency that was established by law no. 54 in 1979 and acts as a consultant on quality control and standardization issues for government ministries and state owned enterprises. It maintains relationships with international standard setting organizations.

The organization is presided over by a president and a deputy minister. It consists of three directorates headed by a general director who reports to the president. The Republic of Kurdistan (KRG) has reached an agreement with their counterparts in Baghdad, on adopting the same standardization and quality control standards issued by COSQC.

The COSQC has established industry-standard Labeling and Shelf-life criteria.

We anticipate each offeror will propose a set of standards and associated reports and metrics to ensure the health and safety of the government and contractor employees using the cafeterias.

There will be more on this with the RFP.

Q: Will existing fuel, food and LSS contracts still be valid?

A: Fuel: Currently a mix of support from DLA contractors and Basic Ordering Agreements(BOAs). There will be some overlap between the award of BLISS and the assumption of duties by the contractor. An interim contractor is setting up contracts to provide fuel from local and regional sources, to assist USMI in managing fuel ordering. This contract will end in 2013.

Food: DLA currently provides all food to the LOGCAP IV contractor. There may be a drawdown period where we disestablish the supply chain for DLA, currently planned at 180 days.

Water: Bottled water is purchased locally via BOAs.

LSS: (Life Support Services?) The current LOCGAP IV contract ends December, 2013.

Q: Will the IDIQ be awarded by Tech Acceptable low bid or Best value?

A: Best value.

Q: During the Industry Day, you mentioned OSC-I would be supported by the Government of Iraq through the Foreign Military Sales program. What is the probability of OSC-I requirements coming back to BLISS?

A: There are no plans at this time for BLISS to provide services to the OSC-I sites. However, this will be “optional” in the BLISS contract.

Q: Is security provided by the prime contractor?

A: There is no requirement for security services in the BLISS Request for Proposals.