Part_1_Questions_and_Answers_SAQMMA-13-0485_8(a).pdf

Questions and Answers, SAQMMA-13-R0485 Page 1 of 3

Worldwide Forced-Entry/Ballistic-Resistant (FEBR)

Design-Build, Repair and Replacement IDIQ SAQMMA-13-R0485

8 (a) Set aside

Questions and Answers (Part 1)

1. Is the project a competitive 8(a) or a Hub Zone 8(A) project? I have seen two versions of the solicitation posted on FedBizOps.

Answer: There are two different solicitation numbers: SAQMMA-13-R0485 (8a Set aside) and SAQMMA-13-R0502 (Hub Zone Set aside). The pdf document posted on

FBO for SAQMMA-13-R0502 (Hub Zone Set aside) tells bidders to refer to SAQMMA-

13-R0485 for the 8(a) Set aside, and vice versa. The government is cross referencing these solicitation numbers in order to make bidders aware that more than one set-aside is being used to award contracts to support the FEBR program. Multiple awards to qualified

Hub Zone bidders only, will result from SAQMMA-13-R0502. Multiple awards to qualified 8 (a) bidders only, will result from SAQMMA-13-R0485.

2. My company has a Final Secret clearance. However, the projects we have been awarded to date have not required Safeguarding. The RFP did not include a DD

Form 254. Can a DD Form 254 be issued with the RFP so we could be cleared for

Secret Safeguarding before the submission deadline of October 15, 2013?

Answer: For this solicitation safeguarding will not be a requirement until after contract award. Lack of safeguarding will not affect prospective offerors pre-qualification.

However, safeguarding capabilities will be required for contract performance. If an offeror without safeguarding is selected for contract award, the offeror will be directed to obtain DSS approval of a container for storage of up to Secret. Failure to meet this requirement within a reasonable period after award may result in termination of the contract.

3. Please confirm that the only requirements for Phase I (Pre-Qualification of

Offerors) are possession of a security clearance as described in section 4.B and the completion of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 pamphlet as described in section 4.A. If not, when do you anticipate releasing the rest of the Phase I requirements?

Answer: All of the requirements for Phase I (Pre-Qualification) are listed on the FBO announcement (refer to announcement sections 4.A. Omnibus Diplomatic Security and

Antiterrorism Act of 1986 and 4.B Security Clearance Requirement). In addition to security clearance requirements, prospective offerors must complete the Omnibus

Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 pamphlet, and submissions must demonstrate compliance with the qualification criteria of Section 402 of Public Law 99-

399.

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4. When do you anticipate issuing the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for Phase II

(Requests for Proposals from Pre-Qualified Offerors)?

Answer: The RFP (Phase II) would be released in the future, after the list of prequalified offerors is publicly available.

5. Please clarify what you need us to attach in "Tab B, See Certification #7.

Answer: The information required for Certification #7 (TAB B) consists of, but it is not limited to, financial statements (for the past 2-3 years), Independent Auditors Reports, overview of technical resources (documentation demonstrating adequate staffing levels, resumes, etc.), financial resource letters, and any other information demonstrating your company is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 402 of the Omnibus

Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-399). Please refer to the definition of “Technical and Financial Resources” on the pamphlet.

6. We are trying to understand the requested pre-qualification criteria: Page 1 of 4, #2.

Project Solicitation, under Phase I - Pre-Qualification, you refer to ".. criteria set forth below", but when we see below is Phase II and we are not sure what document we need to complete for phase I- in order to be pre-qualified. Please clarify.

Answer: All of the requirements for Phase I (Pre-Qualification) are listed on the FBO announcement. Please refer to announcement sections 4.A. Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 and 4.B Security Clearance Requirement (pages 2 and 3) and the Omnibus pamphlet. In addition, prospective offerors must submit their appropriate Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code with the pre-qualification documentation. Submissions must be tabbed and formatted as required per the announcement.

7. Page 1 of 4, 2 nd Paragraph, “This is an 8(a) set-aside”: The previous solicitation

(SAQMM12-R-0275) which ended up being cancelled was a Small Business set-aside, not

8(a). By further restricting this solicitation to 8(a), the field of potential proposers is even further lessened. Would Department of State consider converting this solicitation to Small

Business in lieu of 8(a)?

Answer: No. At this time, the Department has no intention to change the set aside designation for this requirement, which was established under the direction of the Small

Business Administration (SBA).

8. Page 1 of 4, 2 nd

Paragraph, “This is an 8(a) set-aside”: The previous solicitation

(SAQMM12-R-0275) was a Small Business set-aside. By further restricting this solicitation to 8(a), the field of potential proposers is even further lessened. If Department of State does not convert this solicitation to Small Business in lieu of 8(a), would a Small Business set-aside be considered in addition to the current 8(a) and Hubzone set-asides?

Answer: No. At this time, the Department has no intention to change the set aside designation for this requirement, which was established under the direction of the Small

Business Administration (SBA).

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9. Do you anticipate having proposals due for Phase II prior to the end of calendar year 2013?

Answer: The proposal due date for Phase II is unknown at this time.

10. With Phase I submissions being due October 15 th

, what is the deadline for questions?

Answer: All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted by 3:00 pm EST on

September 27, 2013.

11. Do we need to include a letter of our surety regarding bondability in our submittals?

Answer: For Phase I (Pre Qualification) surety letters are not required. Bonding capabilities of pre-qualified offerors would be evaluated during Phase II. The bidder may include surety letters in the Phase I submission if in the offerors opinion such letters are necessary as supporting documentation for the requirements relevant to Public Law 99-

399.