WC_Questions_and_Answers_.pdf

May 17, 2013

Canberra Australia

Minutes From Pre-Proposal Conference of May 9, 2013

Introduction

The Contracting Officer welcomed all attendees, introduced Alison Brandon, Sean O'Connor and Betty Wilson.

Discussion of the Solicitation Package

The following sections of the solicitation were highlighted:

Section I; A-F; Section 2 Pricing, Section 2 A& B Performance Work Statement.

Questions:

The attached questions were asked during the conference or prior to the conference:

Conclusion

The conference concluded and attendees were thanked for their presence and expression of interest in serving the U.S. Government. The meeting was adjourned.

Enclosure:

Questions and Answers

ACT and WA Workers' Compensation Question and Answers:

The answers provided in response to the questions submitted, are provided for informational purposes and under no circumstances shall they be construed to change any terms or conditions or requirements within the solicitation.

Therefore, it is each offeror's decision on whether to use or not to use this information. However, under no circumstances shall the U.S. Government be liable for this data and it cannot be used as the basis for any type of contractor claim.

1. Please Provide detailed claims experience which itemizes each actual claim, from all insurers within the past 5 years? Detailed Information not releasable due to privacy concerns.

2. Full suite of business activities? Diplomatic Relations.

3. 5 years wages history?

Please find the previous three years wage history for review.

Perth 30/6/2009 - 30/06/2010 - $1,081,724.80 30/06/2010 -30/06/2011 $1,220629.76 30/06/2011-30/06/2012 $1,208,448

Canberra 30/06/2009 - 30/0/2010 $7,548,966.13 30/06/2010 - 30/06/2011 $8,352,253 30/06/2011 - 30/06/2012 $8,765,630

4. Wages split by occupation? Administrative 59.06%, Security 4.58%, Trades 36.36% of total wages.

5. Information on claims greater than $15,000 incurred including:

a) How the injury occurred

b) Nature of the injury

c) Return to work procedures Detailed information not releasable due to privacy concerns.

6. Detailed information on any workers involved in motor vehicle accidents, whether the worker was at fault or not?

Detailed information not releasable due to privacy concerns.

Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) - All Jurisdictions

1. Is the Embassy accredited to any formal OH&S qualifications?

Not according to Australian Standards but to US standards.

2. Has a designated officer been given responsibility for monitoring OH&S?

Yes, there is a Safety and Health Environmental Management (SHEM) Officer on site.

3. How are new employees inducted to OH&S? On the job training per SHEM guidelines.

4. How are existing employees OH&S standards and training maintained? All OH&S courses are highest priority for training.

5. Have OH&S competency standards been developed for all roles? Yes. General competency standards are in place.

6. Are workstation ergonomic assessments conducted? Workstation ergonomic assessments conducted on a case for case basis.

Employees - All Jurisdictions

1. How many volunteers are engaged? No volunteers, however we do have a Local Internship program with Australian universities. Maximum of 10 interns at the Embassy and a maximum of 10 interns at each Consulate.

2. What type of work do volunteers undertake? The Embassy does not have volunteers however local interns perform administrative work.

3. Demographic of workforce? Average age 44 years old, 46% females, 54% male (per AMP data as of January 2013).

4. Are contractors required to maintain a current Workers Compensation policy?

Yes.

5. If yes, are contractors required to supply a current Certificate of Currency?

Yes.

Travel - All Jurisdictions

1. Are there any workers who conduct travel in association to their employment?

Yes.

2. If yes please advise:

a.) Where? Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Training centers in Bangkok, Thailand and the US. Temporary duty locations such as Papua New Guinea, Baghdad, Iraq and Kabul, Afghanistan, East Asia Pacific region.

b.) How long? Within Australia, Papua New Guinea and the East Asia Pacific usually a week or two, training centers two to three weeks, Iraq and Afghanistan approximately six months.

c.) Frequency? For some positions no travel at all, most positions very infrequently.

3. What precautions are arranged for workers who travel to volatile countries?

Post may have 1-3 employees each year in volatile countries. For deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq employees are required to attend two weeks of training in the U.S. which includes:

• Counter-surveillance

• Weapons and explosives training

• Driver training

• Cultural and language familiarization

• Advanced first aid

For travel to volatile countries Diplomatic Security measures are in place to ensure the safety of USG employees.