GATA_II_compiled_Q&As_A003.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- SAQMMA17R0163
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| Question Number | Page Number | Paragraph Number | Current Solicitation Language | Vendor question | Contractual or Technical | Answer |
| 1 | Amendment 1, 4-5 | I, K | Amendment 1 has deleted the Defense Base Act clauses from the RFP. Should the contractor include the cost of DBA insurance in our pricing? If the answer is 'No': |
a. Will DBA insurance costs be reimbursable for this contract?
| b. Will the government provide updated pricing workbooks or should the contractor just leave the DBA input as 0%? | Contractual | Amendment 1 did not delete all of the DBA clauses. DBA will be handled in the methods described in the solicitation. | |||||
| 2 | SF 33 | N/A | Due date 4/12/17 | We would like to request a due date extension of 30 days from when the questions and answers are posted. | Contractual | The proposal due date has been extended to April 24, 2017. | |
| 3 | 6 | B.2 CONTRACT TYPE | The Task Orders (TO) will be awarded for six (6) geographic regions and the worldwide Special Program Embassy Augmentation Response (SPEAR) program. | Please address if the Government will be awarding the 6 TOs at the time it awards the IDIQs or if the 6 TOs will be competitively bid by the prime contractors after the bid. | Contractual | The TOs will have their own evaluation process immediately following the award of the IDIQ contracts. | |
| 4 | 6 | B.2 CONTRACT TYPE | The Task Orders (TO) will be awarded for six (6) geographic regions and the worldwide Special Program Embassy Augmentation Response (SPEAR) program. | Since there are 7 TOs and seven awards, does the government intent to award one TO per contractor or can a contractor win more than one TO? | Contractual | In accordance with FAR 16.505 each IDIQ holder will be provided a fair opportunity to compete for and win TOs under this contract. Task Orders will be awarded in accordance with Section G, L and M. | |
| 5 | 6 | B.2 | Paragraph B.2 Contract Type states, “The Task Orders (TO) will be awarded for six (6) geographic regions and the worldwide Special Program Embassy Augmentation Response (SPEAR) program.” | Please provide a further definition of the SPEAR Program as it is not defined within the solicitation or any of the associated attachments. | Technical | The SPEAR (Special Programs Embassy Augmentation Response) Program is a capacity building program for foreign law enforcement and the implementation of the program is no different than the other regional programs. The only difference from the regional programs is how it is funded by the State Department | |
| 6 | 6, 7, 14 | B.2, B.5, C.4 | The contract will be comprised of sixty-nine (69) Firm Fixed Price (FFP) training course prices… |
The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. In order to ensure compliance the Contractor will be subject to random or routine payroll reviews.
Therefore the individual position descriptions include an equivalent GS pay grade that is commensurate with the position requirements and shall be used as a basis for compensation. In order to ensure compliance the Contractor will be subject to random or routine payroll reviews. The GATA II contract will award task orders with FFP training course prices. By awarding as FFP, the responsibility is fully on the prime contractor to deliver services regardless of cost. This arrangement is in conflict with the stated intent of payroll review and audit to ensure compliance with USG dictated compensation structure.
16.202-1 Description.
A firm-fixed-price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience in performing the contract. Contractual This is not a question.
However, review of payroll records for compliance with contract terms and conditions does not constitute a conflict with 16.202-1. It is no different than a review of any other records allowed under the solicitation/contract to confirm compliance with terms and conditions.
7 7 B.5, C.4 The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. Is the Government directing Contractors to pay instructors the exact daily rate outlined in Att 3 ?
If 'yes', how can the Government maintain the integrity of FAR 15.101-1 ('best value-tradeoff source selection process') when the instructor daily base rates are already set? By this method, the Government has severely restricted the Contractor's ability to provide competitive pricing. This looks more like a cost-plus-fixed-fee model than firm-fixed-price. Contractual See question 10
The Government has met the requirements of FAR 15.101-1 Tradeoff Process. In accordance with 15.101-1 Section M contains the required statements of evaluation factors and their weighting of importance.
As stated in Section B.2 Contract Type the resultant contract will have both FFP components and Cost Reimbursable components.
| 8 | 7 | B.5 | Attachments 3, 4, and 6 are referenced in this section; however, they are not available on fbo.gov. | Will the Government provide the missing attachments? | Contractual | Attachments 3, 4 and 6 will be extracted from Attachment 22 - Price Worksheet.xls and be incorporated as standalone documents at contract award. |
| 9 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. | Some courses are 8 hours; some are 10 hours, etc. Is the Government taking the GS salary and computing an hourly rate based on an 8-hour day and then that hourly rate is adapted to courses longer than 8 hours by computing the appropriate number of overtime hours; if not, how is the rate calculated? | Contractual | The level of effort for each course is set at 8 or 10 hours per day. This was factored into the Daily Instructor Wage (Hourly rate X 8 OR hourly rate X 10) to ascertain the minimum that an instructor will be paid for each course. |
| 10 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. | To confirm, the Daily Instructor Wage for each course is the minimum rate? | Contractual | Yes, this is intended to be a minimum. |
| 11 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. | In cases where a course may require fewer or more hours than the standard, should contractors pay instructors less or more as applicable and adjust the daily rate to the Government? | Contractual | See Question 9 |
| 12 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. | Does the GS grade and step equivalency include any allocation for benefits? | Contractual | No, the GS equivalent wage is intended to be a gross wage. |
| 13 | 7 | B.5 | In order to ensure compliance the Contractor will be subject to random or routine payroll reviews. (see also C.4, page 15) | How will the Government review payment compliance in cases where instructors are performing as vendors? | Contractual | In accordance with 52.215-2 Audit and Records - Negotiation, all records related to the performance of this contact can be reviewed by the Government. |
| 14 | 7 | Para #5 (B.5) | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. | Would the Government please confirm whether they intend for the wages provided within Attachment 22 – Price Proposal Worksheet, Daily Instructor Wages tab (Attachment 3) to be directly equivalent and equal to the basis for wages to be compensated to independent subcontractors? Please note that the compensation provided to a GS Federal Civilian staff member would be equivalent to the compensation for a W-2 status full-time employee with benefits. The compensation provided to an independent subcontractor (1099) does not include the burden of fringe benefits and is not pre-taxed by the employer, and therefore would be different. | Contractual | See Question 10 and 12 |
| 15 | 7 | Para #1 (B.5) | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. | Upon review, the wages provided appear to be DC locality rates. Does the Government plan for the contractor to compensate instructors these wages, regardless of the actual location of the work being performed, or the location of the employees’ permanent residence? | Contractual | See Question 10 and 12. The basis for the wage was the DC locality and will apply regardless of location of services performed. |
| 16 | 7 | B.5 CONTRACT PRICING | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. In order to ensure compliance the Contractor will be subject to random or routine payroll reviews. | Can the Government please address how the GS equivalent rates were chosen for the different instructor categories? | Contractual | A review was conducted for like-functions within the US Government for instructor services (DS Training Center, FLETC, USA Jobs, Etc.). |
| 17 | 7 | B.5 | The Instructor’s Position Descriptions (PD) for each course, including an equivalent GS grade and step commensurate with the required knowledge, skills and abilities is included as Attachment 2. | Attachment 2 is not included as a stand-alone file. Please advise. | Contractual | All the position descriptions have been provided in a standalone PDF document titled Attachment 2 - Positions Descriptions.pdf. Please note the files in FBO are not listed in numerical order. |
| 18 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Labor Rates for each course (i.e., fully burdened daily instructor wages multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be used for the alteration of standard FFP courses and/or the development of non-standard course is included as Attachment 4. | Attachment 4 is not included as a stand-alone file. Please advise. | Contractual | Attachment 4 will be extracted from Attachment 22 - Price Worksheet.xls and be incorporated as a standalone document at contract award. |
| 19 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. In order to ensure compliance the Contractor will be subject to random or routine payroll reviews. | The government is dictating wages for the resources that are to deliver training courses under GATA II. The pool of available resources is controlled by ATA approval and inclusion on the vetted list. If the instructors will not work for the wages dictated by USG in the solicitation, will the contractor be able to submit a modification to recover the additional labor cost? | Contractual | The wages provided in Attachment 3 are meant to be a minimum. It is the decision of the contractor to determine fi they will propose above these daily wages. |
| 20 | 7 | B.5 | Under B.5 of the RFP, it states that “The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3.” | Will the Government confirm that contractors cannot deviate (increase or decrease) from those salaries? | Contractual | See question 10 |
| 21 | 7 | B.5 | “The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3.” |
“The Daily Instructor Labor Rates for each course (i.e., fully burdened daily instructor wages multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be used for the alteration of standard FFP courses and/or the development of non-standard course is included as Attachment 4.”
| “The Course Prices are incorporated as Attachment 6.” | The current solicitation language references attachments 3, 4, and 6; however, these referenced attachments are not presently included in the solicitation package. Will the USG please advise on whether these attachments will be provided? | Technical | See question 8 | ||||
| 22 | 7 | B.5 | The Daily Instructor Wages for each course (i.e., equivalent GS grade and step multiplied by the respective course days) that shall be paid by the Contractor as a basis for instructor compensation is included as Attachment 3. In order to ensure compliance the Contractor will be subject to random or routine payroll reviews. | Please confirm that Contractors are being directed to bid the Daily Instructor Wages provided in Attachment 3 as the direct labor basis for daily rates within the Pricing Detail Worksheets of Attachments 22 and 25 – 31. | Contractual | See question 10 | |
| 23 | 7 | B.5 | The Regions (i.e., AF-Africa; EAP-East Asia Pacific; EUR-Europe; NEA-Near East Asia; SCA-South Central Asia; WHA-Western Hemisphere and SPEAR) and countries within each Region as well as the allowable and billable travel day’s by-country are included as Attachment 5. | Will the Government please indicate the CLIN(s) in which labor costs associated with allowable and billable travel days will be included? | Contractual | Travel labor costs should be included in CLIN X003 Daily Instructor Labor Rate. | |
| 24 | 8 | B.5.5.1 | Payment of Post Hardship Differential Pay is not authorized until an eligible employee has served 42 consecutive calendar days at one or more differential posts or places designated for non-foreign area differential by the Office of Personnel Management in Part 591 of Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Payment will commence on day 43, and will not be retroactive for days 1 through 42. | Will retroactive Post Hardship Pay for all dates in country including the first 42 days be applicable for Afghanistan and Iraq per https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/footnote.asp?Footnote=y? | Contractual | The Government will comply with the DSSR and it's application of both Hardship and Danger Pay. |
An employee who serves for a period of 42 consecutive calendar days or more on detail (Section 511c) in Afghanistan (effective 12/16/01) or Iraq (effective 3/23/03), may be granted the post differential at the prescribed rate for the number of days served, beginning with the first day of detail.
| 25 | 8 | B.5.4 | Travel must be directly related to and be required for performance of this contract, and authorized in advance in writing by the contracting officer. | Is this the bid approval or approval from the TDC? | Technical | This authorization to travel refers to approval by the CO with the issuance of the Task Order funding. Approval from the TDC is referenced in C.7.3 under Provide Travel Itineraries and correlates to the specific itinerary. |
| 26 | 8 | B.5.4 | Car rentals require advance written approval by the contracting officer and will be authorized only when consistent with good business practice and shall not exceed the actual cost of renting a compact automobile (maximum of one automobile for five contractor personnel), unless extenuating circumstances (e.g., excess baggage) require other arrangements and subsequent contracting officer approval is obtained. | Is this for domestic or also international? Although compact cars say 5 persons, really only 4 persons practically fit. It is possible for 5 very small persons to fit in a vehicle which is why 5 are listed in rental car sites. | Technical | This would apply to both Domestic and International. |
| 27 | 9 | B.5.6 | CLIN 0006, 1006, 2006, 3006 and 4006 - The Government will reimburse the Contractor at the DBA Insurance rates negotiated in the Contractor’s DBA Insurance policy established with the Department of Labor (DOL) DBA Insurance carrier. | Will the government include DBA as an evaluated price since there can be a significant variance between Contractor DBA premiums? This variance could be upward of $40 per $100 of instructor pay, which could be a material impact to overall cost of course delivery for the Government. | Contractual | No, Given that the regional task orders will differ in the application of DBA and it is unknown who will win each TO it is not prudent to include DBA as part of the evaluated price. |
| 28 | 9 | B.6 | CONTRACT LINE ITEMS | Please confirm bidders are required to specify values only for the Standard Course line items (0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001) - All others are plug numbers provided by the Government? | Contractual | The offeror is required to complete the Pricing Worksheets which will populate the values for Standard Courses, CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001 and 4001. All other CLINs in Section B are plug numbers. |
| 29 | 9 | B.5.6 Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance | Offerors shall include in their proposals a statement as to whether or not local nationals or third country nationals will be employed on the resultant contract. | Please advise on where is the proposal this response should be included. | Contractual | Any technical aspects shall be included in your Technical Proposal and any pricing aspects shall be in your Price Proposal. At a minimum Section K 652.228-70 shall be completed. |
| 30 | 9 | B.5.5.1 | Payment of Post Hardship Differential Pay is not authorized until an eligible employee has served 42 consecutive calendar days at one or more differential posts or places designated for non-foreign area differential by the Office of Personnel Management in Part 591 of Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Payment will commence on day 43, and will not be retroactive for days 1 through 42. | There are locations specified by DOS Allowances that have retroactive Post Differential. Will the GATA II contract allow payment of retroactive Post for locations as allowed by current DOS schedule? |
| https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/location.asp?menu_id=95 | Contractual | See question 24 | |||||
| 31 | 9 | B.5.5.1 | Payment of Danger Pay for an eligible employee will commence on the day of arrival in the place of performance and conclude on the day of departure from the place of performance, unless such departure is to another Danger Pay area. | There are instances where the day of arrival and the day of departure are not eligible for Danger pay per DSSR (less than 4 hours in location). Is the intent of USG to abide by the DSSR rules? If so, will the solicitation wording be amended? | Contractual | See question 24 | |
| 32 | 12 | B.7 Indirect Cost Table | The following indirect rate pools shall be utilized by the Contractor in responding to task order requests or the generation of any price proposals in response to an ATA requirement…. | Table B7 and the Price Proposal Worksheets fix the indirect rates that the prime contractor can apply to reimbursable lines. The steep subcontracting goals will drive primes to use subcontractors to meet goals. Please confirm that subcontractor G&A will be an allowable cost at the course level. | Contractual | The solicited indirect cost rates apply to the prime offeror only. Government payment to the prime contractor of subcontract costs will be inline with the task order type, applicable FAR payment clause, and any other applicable term(s) in the contract and/or task order. | |
| 33 | 13 | B.7 | The following indirect rate pools shall be utilized by the Contractor in responding to task order requests or the generation of any price proposals in response to an ATA requirement. | Are the indirect rate pools that the Contractor must provide within the Indirect Cost Table intended to establish ceiling indirect rates for all future tasks and delivery requirements, regardless of CLIN type (FFP, Cost Reimbursable)? | Contractual | No, these are not intended to be ceilings. In accordance with standard contract close out procedures, audited final indirect rates will be applied to the cost reimbursable amounts and actual indirect costs paid will be adjusted on the final invoice. | |
| 34 | 14 | C.4 | The instructors have historically operated independently through subcontracts with the prime contractor. | Is it the Government’s intent that prime contractors use independent contractors or employees for this work? | Technical | It is up to the contractors on how they structure their use of instructors. The government is noting the historical method. | |
| 35 | 14 | Para #1 (C.4) | The ATA program is currently facilitated through a network of almost 1,000 professional instructors and subject matter experts. | Would the Government please confirm whether the successful awardees will be granted access to the “network of almost 1,000 professional instructors and subject matter experts”? | Technical | Confirmed. All awarded vendors will receive the list of known instructors. | |
| 36 | 14 | Para #1 (C.4) | The ATA program is currently facilitated through a network of almost 1,000 professional instructors and subject matter experts. | Would the Government please share how professional instructor and/or subject matter expert information (e.g., profile, status, history of engagement, etc.) is currently being shared by the Government from its “network of almost 1,000 professional instructors and subject matter experts” with the incumbent contractors? | Technical | Currently, the list is sent to the vendors in Excel. | |
| 37 | 14 | C.4 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | In addition to program development, facilitation, providing distinguished speakers and subject matter experts, the Contractor may be required to provide all local ground transportation, lodging, conference facilities, meeting facilities and evening events. ATA may request the Contractor to provide facilities for conducting classroom and tactical training for specialized law enforcement, small unit police tactical training and for executive seminars. | Is this for domestic and overseas courses? | Technical | This would apply to both Domestic and International, as ATA requests. | |
| 38 | 14 | C.4 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | In addition to program development, facilitation, providing distinguished speakers and subject matter experts, the Contractor may be required to provide all local ground transportation, lodging, conference facilities, meeting facilities and evening events. ATA may request the Contractor to provide facilities for conducting classroom and tactical training for specialized law enforcement, small unit police tactical training and for executive seminars. | Are these the same services as identified in Section C.7.2.3 Logistic Services? | Technical | Yes | |
| 39 | 14 | C.4 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | In addition to program development, facilitation, providing distinguished speakers and subject matter experts, the Contractor may be required to provide all local ground transportation, lodging, conference facilities, meeting facilities and evening events. ATA may request the Contractor to provide facilities for conducting classroom and tactical training for specialized law enforcement, small unit police tactical training and for executive seminars. | Can the Government please provide the percentage of courses conducted each year that require these additional services? | Technical | Under the current contract the majority of these services are being provided by the current GATA contractors. Under the new contract these services will predominantly be provided by a different contract, Should these services be required they will be negotiated and reimbursed under CLIN X005 Other Direct Costs. | |
| 40 | 14 | C.4 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | In addition to program development, facilitation, providing distinguished speakers and subject matter experts, the Contractor may be required to provide all local ground transportation, lodging, conference facilities, meeting facilities and evening events. ATA may request the Contractor to provide facilities for conducting classroom and tactical training for specialized law enforcement, small unit police tactical training and for executive seminars. | Are there specific types of courses that require these services? | Technical | Potentially all courses could require these services. | |
| 41 | 14 | C.4 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | ATA may request the Contractor to provide facilities for conducting classroom and tactical training for specialized law enforcement, small unit police tactical training and for executive seminars. | How do these services differ from the required services identified in Section C.9 Domestic Training? | Technical | They do not differ, C.9 is an expanded description of the potential services required. | |
| 42 | 15 | C.5.2.6 | May be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearms proficiency to DS standards and drive standard or armored vehicles in a high threat environment overseas. | Will the Government provide any necessary firearms and supporting equipment, such as ammunition, sites, etc.? | Technical | There will be no firearm related requirements in this contract. The solicitation has been amended to delete the cited bullet from the list included under C.5.2.6 | |
| 43 | 15 | C.5.2.6 | May be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearms proficiency to DS standards and drive standard or armored vehicles in a high threat environment overseas. | Will the Government provide weapons transportation and storage and reimburse the contractor’s costs? | Technical | See question 42. | |
| 44 | 15 | C.5.2.6 | May be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearms proficiency to DS standards and drive standard or armored vehicles in a high threat environment overseas. | Will the contractor certify firearms proficiency, or will attendance at a DOS course be required? | Technical | See question 42. | |
| 45 | 15 | C.5.2.6 | May be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearms proficiency to DS standards and drive standard or armored vehicles in a high threat environment overseas. | When required, will the costs, including instructor time, to maintain these proficiencies be reimbursable? | Technical | See question 42. | |
| 46 | 16 | C.5.2.2 | Mandatory Qualifications |
• Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors.
• Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors.
| • Additional mandatory qualifications are specified for each Position Description in Attachment 2. | Will background, medical, psych screening, and drug tests be a cost reimbursable item back to the Government? | Technical | They will be cost reimbursable under CLIN X005 of the contract, in accordance with the schedule indicated (annual, once, etc.). | |
| 47 | 16 | C.5.2.2 | Mandatory Qualifications |
• Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors.
• Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors.
| • Additional mandatory qualifications are specified for each Position Description in Attachment 2. | Since instructors, mentors, etc will work for multiple ATA Primes throughout the course of the contract, how will the USG deconflict and track which instructors have completed the required background/screening checks? Potentially, Primes could do the same checks on the same individual within the same year, which ultimately costs the Government more rather it's cost reimbursable item or baked into PMO costs. | Technical | ATA will track all this information. Per C.6 Suitability and Certifications, contractors should check with ATA before services are scheduled. Additionally, the instructor should be able to provide their latest screening receipts as evidence of current screenings to a vendor if requested. | |
| 48 | 16 | C.5.2.2 | C.5.2.2 Mandatory Qualifications |
• Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors.
• Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors.
| • Additional mandatory qualifications are specified for each Position Description in Attachment 2. | Are these screenings cost-reimbursable? | Technical | See question 46 | |
| 49 | 16 | C.5.2.2 | C.5.2.2 Mandatory Qualifications |
• Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors.
• Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors.
| • Additional mandatory qualifications are specified for each Position Description in Attachment 2. | In the case of multiple awards, how will the Government ensure that the labor required to set up such screenings is equitable among the awardees (i.e., not one contractor is continually setting up these screenings)? | Technical | The screenings required will be handled on an as-needed basis. Example, a vendor is to provide four instructors for a course. Three of the instructors are already screened and vetted and one is not. The vendor would submit the instructor package on the one instructor. | ||||
| 50 | 16 | C.5.2.2 | Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors | Can the Government please clarify if the instructors in the existing instructor pool have undergone psychological screening to meet this requirements? | Technical | No, they have not. This is a new requirement. | |
| 51 | 16 | C.5.1 | The Contractor shall have each employee read and sign the Code of Conduct. | This section seems to indicate contractor employees (instructors are not employees), however Code itself indicates subcontractors. Can the Government please clarify if it is asking the contractors read and sign a Code of Conduct? In reality then, an instructor could sign seven different Code of Conduct documents. | Technical | Each vendor will need to maintain a Code of Conduct and each employee (including instructors) will sign that vendor's code of conduct. | |
| 52 | 16 | C.5.2.1 | All ATA instructors must be proficient in Microsoft products. | What is the desired level of proficiency and on which products? | Technical | Basic Microsoft Suite applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and the instructor will be proficient in basic functionality (navigation, input, saving, etc.) | |
| 53 | 16 | C.5.1 | The Contractor shall develop a formalized Code-of-Conduct with corresponding disciplinary actions for adherence failures. See Attachment 7 for mandatory items to be included in the Code of Conduct. The Contractor shall have each employee read and sign the Code of Conduct. The signed certification shall be maintained in the individual’s personnel file. Contractor personnel curtailed for failure to comply with the Code of Conduct are unsuitable for future work under this contract and shall be removed. | Please confirm that if one Contractor removes an instructor for violating their Code of Conduct they are not to be used by any of the other prime contractors? | Technical | ATA will not use instructors that violate the mandatory items in Attachment 7. | |
| 54 | 16 | C.5.1 | The Contractor shall develop a formalized Code-of-Conduct with corresponding disciplinary actions for adherence failures. See Attachment 7 for mandatory items to be included in the Code of Conduct. The Contractor shall have each employee read and sign the Code of Conduct. The signed certification shall be maintained in the individual’s personnel file. Contractor personnel curtailed for failure to comply with the Code of Conduct are unsuitable for future work under this contract and shall be removed. | Will instructors formerly removed for conduct issues be given a “clean slate” under GATA II and the addition of this new Code of Conduct requirement? |
| If yes, will contractors be required to use those instructors regardless of former past performance issues? | Technical | Instructors that were previously removed may be proposed, by a contractor, under the new requirements but it is not guaranteed that they will be included on the new approval list.. | |||
| 55 | 16 | C.5.2.2 Mandatory Qualifications | • Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors. | ||
| • Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors | Since these are new requirements under GATA II, will all currently vetted instructors be required to undergo the examinations and screenings? | Technical | All instructors will need to meet the requirements under GATA II before individual deployment. | ||
| 56 | 16 | C.5.2.2 Mandatory Qualifications | • Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors. | ||
| • Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors | “As defined by the Contractor” is very vague and enables the instructors to be screened and examined against 7 different sets of criteria. Can the Government address how it will handle differing screening criteria for the shared pool of instructor staff? | Technical | Each company shall use their own criteria that is in accordance with industry standards. It is not an issue if each company's criteria vary. | ||
| 57 | 16 | C.5.1, Att 7 | The Contractor shall develop a formalized Code-of-Conduct with corresponding disciplinary actions for adherence failures. See Attachment 7 for mandatory items to be included in the Code of Conduct. The Contractor shall have each employee read and sign the Code of Conduct. The signed certification shall be maintained in the individual’s personnel file. Contractor personnel curtailed for failure to comply with the Code of Conduct are unsuitable for future work under this contract and shall be removed. | The items to be included in the Code of Conduct cover personal choice and habits, subjective interpretation of behavior as well as conduct during a training course. |
The code of conduct, as defined by the GATA II contract is a contractor product. As such, the repercussions of violation would be defined by the contractor. The solicitation seemingly mandates consequences the contractor should implement for violation of a contractor policy. Under the locus of government control, the allowability of staffing an instructor would be held through the approved vetted list of instructors. Technical This appears to be a request for clarification and not a question.
To clarify, the solicitation requires the contractor to have a Code of Conduct, Attachment 7 provides minimum requirements to be included in that Code of Conduct to meet the terms and conditions of the contract. The contractor is responsible to ensure the instructors perform to the levels required by the Code of Conduct.
| 58 | 16 | C.5.2.1 | All instructors must successfully complete the ATA instructor’s skills course available online. | Please confirm that instructors will be compensated for the level of effort needed to complete this requirement. | Technical | The instructor's time, which will be minimal, is considered part of the course prep. There is no additional cost to the instructor for this course. |
| 59 | 16 | C.5.2.2 | Mandatory Qualifications |
• Successful annual medical and illegal drug screening as defined by the Contractor for all instructors.
• Successful initial psychological screening as defined by the Contractor upon employment for all instructors.
| • Additional mandatory qualifications are specified for each Position Description in Attachment 2. | Please confirm that the cost for USG mandatory screening and testing is an allowable direct cost to the course/task order under which an instructor is staffed. | Technical/ Contractual | Yes. The mandatory screening and testing is an allowable direct cost to be included in CLIN X005 Other Direct Costs with supporting documentation in conjunction with course deliveries. | |
| 60 | 16, 22 | C.5.2.4 & C.7.2.2 | Team Lead is responsible for verifying that only Leahy Vetted approved participants are receiving ATA instruction prior to the beginning of the training. |
Lead course instructor must ensure that each participant is on the list of the vetted Leahy Human Rights participant. How is the Team Lead or Lead Course Instructor supposed to be verify if Leahy Vetting was conducted?
| Contractors neither have the authority nor the capability to do Leahy Vetting; therefore, it is a Government responsibility. As Contractors, all we can do is get confirmation from the ATA Program Office that vetting has occurred. Putting that burden on the Contractor seems backwards. | Technical | The team lead or lead course instructor will be provided a participant vetted list and is expected to take attendance (roll call) before modules are presented to check that those on the list are in the class. | |||||
| 61 | 18 | C.5.3 para 2 | For outdoor tactical training, Contractor shall provide tactical dress uniforms (See H.3). ATA will furnish logo shirts to Contractor for use during training. | Section H.3 is entitled “Safeguarding of Information.” Will the Government please define the requirements for “tactical dress uniforms” for instructors? | Technical | The solicitation has been amended to include a description in H.8.1 of the tactical dress uniforms that contractor will provide for the instructors | |
| 62 | 19 | C.6 | ATA does not want to duplicate the efforts of this section for instructors that will work for multiple Contractors. ATA shall maintain a roster of all instructors that have undergone all of the screenings and checks described in this section. When hiring an instructor or determining if annual updates have been started or completed, the Contractor must contact ATA’s Training Execution Division to determine if that instructor has or is undergoing these screenings and checks. | Because these screening and checks will potentially benefit all contractors, will they be reimbursable items to the contractor that conducts the screening or check action? | Technical | See question 46 | |
| 63 | 19 | C.6.1 Qualification Screening | C.6.1 Qualification Screening | ||||
| A biography (bio) is akin to a resume and it is used to document the qualifications of an instructor. If the instructor claims to have taught ATA training for DS/T/ATA and does not have an approved bio from ATA stating s/he is authorized to teach in a thematic area of training (see C.8 for description of thematic training area), then the instructor should be directed to ATA to have their bio approved. | Will instructors on the current ATA vetted list be required to submit bios prior to performing on a TO or is this new requirement only for newly identified instructors that have not conducted a course before? | Technical | This will pertain to all instructors. | ||||
| 64 | 19 | C.6 SUITABILITY AND CERTIFICATIONS | ATA shall maintain a roster of all instructors that have undergone all of the screenings and checks described in this section. When hiring an instructor or determining if annual updates have been started or completed, the Contractor must contact ATA’s Training Execution Division to determine if that instructor has or is undergoing these screenings and checks. First the Contractor will contact ATA to confirm the status of the various screening requirements. If the instructor is currently cleared by ATA the Contractor may deploy the instructor | How will the costs for conducting the screening be recouped by the Contractors? As it unknown how many courses or task orders will be awarded to each prime, it is impossible to include the costs in our overhead. | Technical | See question 46 | |
| 65 | 19 | C.6.1 Qualification Screening | After a Contractor has determined that an instructor is likely qualified to teach the prospective ATA curriculum, the Contractor will submit the prospective instructor’s bio to the ATA Training Execution Division for adjudication…. |
| The Contractor will not be authorized to deploy an instructor unless the bio of the instructor is approved to teach that specific thematic area of training. | For PMO staffing level purposes, can the Government please identify on average how many new instructors are presented to ATA for approval each year? | Technical | This is not data that the Government tracks. | |
| 66 | 19 | C.6.1 Qualification Screening | After a Contractor has determined that an instructor is likely qualified to teach the prospective ATA curriculum, the Contractor will submit the prospective instructor’s bio to the ATA Training Execution Division for adjudication…. |
| The Contractor will not be authorized to deploy an instructor unless the bio of the instructor is approved to teach that specific thematic area of training. | For PMO staffing level purposes, can the Government please identify on average what percentage of new instructors presented to ATA for approval are denied? | Technical | See question 65 | |
| 67 | 19 | C.6.1 Qualification Screening | After a Contractor has determined that an instructor is likely qualified to teach the prospective ATA curriculum, the Contractor will submit the prospective instructor’s bio to the ATA Training Execution Division for adjudication…. |
| The Contractor will not be authorized to deploy an instructor unless the bio of the instructor is approved to teach that specific thematic area of training. | Who will be approving the new candidates? Is it at the TDC level? | Technical | A new position with in ATA, Vetting Specialist, is being created in the Training Execution Division to handle the processing of instructor screening packages. Varied sources will be used in determining the validity of the candidate. | ||||
| 68 | 19 | C.6.2 Background and Suitability Screening | Upon completion of all required screening, the Contractor will submit an Instructor Screening Completion Form (Attachment 20) to the COR, at which time the instructor may be proposed as a course instructor. | Please confirm the approval of each new candidate is made by the COR? Is this after an initial approval by the TDCs? | Technical | The COR will provide final approval after validity of the candidate is determined through varied sources. | |
| 69 | 19 | C.6 | “ATA shall maintain a roster of all instructors that have undergone all of the screenings and checks described in this section.” | Will the USG include the scheduling availability of each instructor within the provided roster? | Technical | No. | |
| 70 | 19 | C.6 | C.6 States “ATA does not want to duplicate the efforts of this section for instructors that will work for multiple Contractors. ATA shall maintain a roster of all instructors that have undergone all of the screenings and checks described in this section. When hiring an instructor or determining if annual updates have been started or completed, the Contractor must contact ATA’s Training Execution Division to determine if that instructor has or is undergoing these screenings and checks.” | Vendor Question(s): |
Will the list of current ATA approved and vetted instructors be “rolled” into this new contract or will these individuals need to be re-vetted and approved by ATA and be required to complete the requirements outlined in C.6 (C.6.1, C.6.2, C.6.3, C.6.4, and C.6.5) prior to immediate engagement as potentially subcontracted labor for GATA course deliveries?
| Will the current list of ATA vetted and approved instructors be provided to the potential offerors? | Technical | See question 35 and 55. | ||
| 71 | 20 | C.6.2 | ATA requires that the Contractor formally refer to the COR the complete instructor background and suitability check package on prospective new hire or periodic re-checks, when the results of a background and suitability inquiry indicate potential issues of credit worthiness, criminal history, law enforcement’s potential interest in the subject related to possible criminal activity, or criminal warrants issued against the individual. ATA will convene an internal review panel that will discuss the information in relation to the instructor’s background and suitability to serve as an ATA instructor. ATA will make a final determination whether to allow the individual to serve on the GATA II contract. Whenever the internal review panel determines that the individual is not authorized to serve on the GATA II contract, the COR will advise the Contractor accordingly and the Contractor will then permanently withdraw the nomination of the instructor. |
| Upon completion of all required screening, the Contractor will submit an Instructor Screening Completion Form (Attachment 20) to the COR, at which time the instructor may be proposed as a course instructor. The CO or the COR may request to the review of the entire background and suitability packages at any time. | The required information includes information that is generally considered Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and will be viewed by multiple Government personnel and transmitted via unspecified means. Will the Government be providing a protected means of submitting this information via fax or secure portal? | Technical | Delivery of the required information, as needed, is the responsibility of the vendor. Any further determinations of protection of the PII transmittal is also the responsibility of the vendor. PII should be labeled accordingly and will be handled appropriately by the government. | |
| 72 | 20 | C.6.2 | ATA requires that the Contractor formally refer to the COR the complete instructor background and suitability check package on prospective new hire or periodic re-checks, when the results of a background and suitability inquiry indicate potential issues of credit worthiness, criminal history, law enforcement’s potential interest in the subject related to possible criminal activity, or criminal warrants issued against the individual. ATA will convene an internal review panel that will discuss the information in relation to the instructor’s background and suitability to serve as an ATA instructor. ATA will make a final determination whether to allow the individual to serve on the GATA II contract. Whenever the internal review panel determines that the individual is not authorized to serve on the GATA II contract, the COR will advise the Contractor accordingly and the Contractor will then permanently withdraw the nomination of the instructor. |
| Upon completion of all required screening, the Contractor will submit an Instructor Screening Completion Form (Attachment 20) to the COR, at which time the instructor may be proposed as a course instructor. The CO or the COR may request to the review of the entire background and suitability packages at any time. | Will the Government provide a Release Form that contractors’ may provide to instructors that identifies the uses of the information by the Government (e.g., similar to what is provided for security clearance investigations)? (Due to cyber security breach problems, many personnel are concerned with the use and protection of their identifying data, especially as they will be traveling overseas in hazardous areas.) | Technical | No. | ||||
| 73 | 21 | C.6.5 | The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all US Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization vaccinations and inoculations are administered to instructors prior to deploying to the location country. | Are the required vaccinations and inoculations reimbursable? | Technical | All Department of State required, not recommended, vaccinations and inoculations are reimbursable. Any recommended, not required, vaccinations and inoculations will be at the cost of the contractor and not reimbursable. | |
| 74 | 21 | C.7.1 | Prior to deployment ATA will provide the Contractor with the course curriculum, instructor guide and standard operating procedures for training delivery. | Would ATA also provide ITAR classification and (if applicable) AECA 38(b)(2) exemption letter? | Technical | ATA will provide ITAR exemptions as required. | |
| 75 | 21 | C.6.4 Employment Reinstatement | As a condition of restoring Contractor personnel who were occasioned by injury or personal health reasons the Contractor shall obtain a medical screening and re-submit a medical clearance certification to ATA. Prior ATA approval and authorization is required prior to the individual filling any labor category and re-deploying. These circumstances supersede the normal annual medical examination. | Since these are a shared pool of instructors, which contractor is responsible? The contractor at time of injury or the contractor at time of redeployment? | Technical | The contractor who intends to bring this person on will be the one to ensure they are fully qualified to be on-boarded. | |
| 76 | 22 | C.7.2.1 | The Contractor instructors shall complete an ATA furnished online instructor skills and response to active shooter course(s) prior to deployment. | How frequently must they complete this? | Technical | The ATA furnished online instructor skills and response to active shooter course(s) will be completed prior to initial deployment and will be required bi-annually thereafter. | |
| 77 | 22 | C.7.2.1 | The Contractor instructors shall complete an ATA furnished online instructor skills and response to active shooter course(s) prior to deployment. | Is the instructor’s time to complete and cost of course reimbursable? | Technical | The instructor's time, which will be minimal, is considered part of the course prep. There is no cost to the instructor for this course. | |
| 78 | 22 | C.7.2.1 | The Contractor instructors shall complete an ATA furnished online instructor skills and response to active shooter course(s) prior to deployment. | Can the Government please clarify if this requirement required prior to each deployment, annually, or one time only? | Technical | See question 76 | |
| 79 | 22 | C.7.2.1 Instructor Development Training | The Contractor instructors shall complete an ATA furnished online instructor skills and response to active shooter course(s) prior to deployment | Is this to be completed prior to every deployment or annually? | Technical | See question 76 |
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