FinalQandABI.doc

Note to potential offerors: Attached is the final question and answer posting; questions posed after the deadline of 1pm local time 28 JAN 2008 shall not be answered. Offerors are encouraged to provide a quotation based on the knowledge they have to date, in accordance with the solicitation, statement of work, respective amendment, and this question and answer posting.

1. Is this a new requirement, or is there an incumbent? If so, could you please provide the name of the incumbent, the contract number, the contract value, and the date of expiration?

CCI Services, Inc., had the last contract, number SECHQ1-05-P-0464. The total value of the contract was $10,000.00 for a 12 month period of performance; the contract expired SEP of 2006.

2. Is the $1,250.00 the ceiling limit as described in the body of the solicitation and if to be exceeded we will need prior approval?

$1,250.00 is a not to exceed value for CLIN 0002. Amendment 1 has been published to clarify.

3. How many cases does SEC estimate will be required each year?

Should the government require screening services, approximately 2 prospective candidates will need to be screened per vacancy. It is expected that there may be zero (in the case of a reappointment) to two vacancies per year.

4. Can you send me information regarding the website that we can obtain an application for RFQ, SECHQ1-08-Q-0044 for Background Investigation Services?

The RFQ is published at www.fedbizopps.gov. You may call fedbizopps at 877-472-3779 for assistance.

5. Will you send me a copy of the RFQ with the assigned project number SECHQ1-08-Q-0044?

The RFQ is published at www.fedbizopps.gov. You may call fedbizopps at 877-472-3779 for assistance.

6. We are interested in the background investigation RFP—can you please provide the documents related to this bid?

The RFQ is published at www.fedbizopps.gov. You may call fedbizopps at 877-472-3779 for assistance.

Do you have a pool of SB investigation companies that you reach out to for employee investigations on a consistent, as needed, basis?

No.

It appears we would be screening applicants for the Public Accounting Oversight Board, is that correct?

Yes, that is correct.

Due to verification of Medical, Military, foreign travel, in-depth interviews, etc, is there a mandated time requirement for completion of all investigations types per applicant, Turn Around Time

Please refer to Section F (Deliveries or Performance) of the RFQ regarding deliverables and deadlines.

What is the ‘modified’ SF – 86 requirements, is there a link I can get to source and review what is being referenced specifically?

The modified SF-86 is an extensive questionnaire (e.g., education, job history, personal background) that is filled out by each prospective applicant. The modified SF-86 asks questions that are comparable to those asked of prospective high government officials. The modified SF-86 is to be used by the vendor in confirming and comparing information during the completion of the background check. A copy of the modified SF-86 will be provided to the Contractor at the time of contract award.

Would any travel required by each background investigation constitute unscheduled travel?

Local travel would be considered an expense of the Contractor. Travel required outside of the local area to meet with prospective candidates would be subject to Federal Travel Regulations limitations (please refer to

Section H.2 of the RFQ).

Would any and all interviews need to be made in person or may telephone interviews constitute as a completed interview?

It is preferred that interviews with potential candidates be in person, however, if there are scheduling conflicts then a telephone interview would be acceptable. Interviews of sources or leads may be conducted over the phone or through means other than in-person so long as the information obtained is readily verifiable and reliably based.

Do you have any similar awarded bids from the recent past that can be viewed in detail as a guide and review under the freedom of information act that can be referenced?

A request should be directed to the SEC’s FOIA Office.

Is there any pertinent information you would like to share with me to assist in placing a total value on this 1 year contract? See response to Question 1.

Does SEC require "in person" interviews/contacts on all leads? See response to Question 12.

Would SEC allow electronic, telephonic or facsimile accomplishment of some categories of leads, such as education verification, professional certifications verification or similar leads?

Electronic, telephonic, or facsimile confirmations would be acceptable as long as the information is readily verifiable and reliably based.

Would SEC allow criminal records and civil records or other leads to be checked electronically? See response to Question 16.

Regarding CLIN 0102 (et al) and H.2

-------------Does the SEC require any of the requirements to be done on-site? (For instance, C.1.4.22). We are concerned that there may be considerable travel involved due to an individuals past residences, references, etc that would exceed the allocated amount. See response to Question 12 and other pertinent responses above.

------------Is the allocated Unscheduled Travel amount stated the total for each contract period, or for each Background Check during the period (up to a possible 2).

It is the total per contract period.

As with any investigation you can do it by phone with proper release signature to the person being interviewed or can it be accomplished in person? What are the government’s expectations in this area? See response to Question 12 and other pertinent responses above.

20. Do the Non-Disclosure Agreements (contractor and employee/s) have to be signed PRIOR to submitting my Offer and the awarding of the contract? If so, how may I add employee agreements in the event additional employees are required at a later time?

No they do not.

21. If my company, ACE Interpretations, LLC, is certified and registered on the ORCA, are we to submit ALL of the pages included in the Solicitation, or just SF-1449 front and back, Section B, with CLIN numbers and prices?

The prospective offeror shall follow 52.212-3(k) regarding the ORCA portion of the question. The prospective offeror shall follow the instructions on the fedbizopps notice regarding the contents of a complete offer.

22. Frequency of investigations: I understand the initial background investigation will answer the needs of the Commission, however, as the subjects of the investigations are required to comply with statutory criteria during their time as board members (C.2 Scope of Work), will regular periodic updated investigations be required under the terms of the contract? I personally believe that frequent and regular updated investigations should be performed and my narrative will reflect this.

No.

23. How does our response need to be returned? (i.e. email, mail, facsimile...etc)

The prospective offeror shall follow the instructions on the fedbizopps notice regarding the contents of a complete offer.

24. I am trying to register through the ORCA website. Our company has a DUNS #, I created a MPIN Id, but the website does not allow me access.

The prospective offeror is directed to the following website https://orca.bpn.gov/login.aspx. The offeror may also fill out the 52.212-3 provision manually and attach it to their quotation.

25. In addition, where can I obtain a form or application to submit our RFQ?

See the attachment to the fedbizopps notice.

26. Where would we find a description of what kind of Background Investigations are included?

See the attachment to the fedbizopps notice, Section C; statement of work.

27. May we include additional elements or go beyond the specific services requested in the RFQ if we believe it would increase the quality of the investigation or does the SEC want the investigation to only include the elements listed in C.4.1.15 exactly as they are listed? Based upon our experience, we feel that there are certain additional elements that investigations like these should include, but these elements were not specifically mentioned in the RFQ.

You may do so in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(e), however, you must provide an offer in response to the solicitation as originally published.

28. It appears that each unit requested is for a total price for a background investigation for one SEC candidate. Is that correct?

Correct.

29. It appears that you are requesting two of such background investigations per period. Is that correct?

This is a maximum per year; there is no minimum guarantee.

What is the anticipated value of the 1 year contract? See response to Question 1.

31. It appears you are looking for a price per search / investigation type to be itemized out, not package pricing per applicant, correct?

The SEC requires a fully burdened rate per investigation in accordance with the statement of work. You may provide multiple offers in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(e), however, you must provide an offer in response to the solicitation as originally published.

In regard to the employee base, I was wondering if you are required to submit your SEC employee investigations for suitability/security purposes to OPM?

The investigations for this Solicitation would serve as a screening mechanism for prospective Board members on the PCAOB, which is a private-sector, non-profit corporation and not subject to OPM oversight or regulations.

33. Do you have a pool of SB investigation companies that you reach out to for employee investigations on consistent, as needed, basis?

No.

It appears we would be screening applicants for the Public Accounting Oversight Board, is that correct?

Yes, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

How many applicants are you expecting to have screened?

Should the government require screening services, approximately 2 prospective candidates will need to be screened per vacancy It is expected that there may be zero (in the case of a reappointment) to two vacancies per year.

How many different positions are being hired for?

The positions that will need to be screened, if the need arises, are Board member or Chairman on the PCAOB. Typically, four members and a Chairman serve on the PCAOB.

It appears all applicants will be receiving the same investigation processes, correct? Generally yes, however, certain screening requirements may be waived in the case of PCAOB incumbents seeking reappointment and high government officials who have already gone through extensive screening prior to being appointed to a high level government position.

38. Regarding the elements listed in C.4.1.15, the specific elements of the background investigation are listed quantitatively (i.e. 3 criminal checks). To get accurate, comprehensive, and real-time criminal information in the USA the investigator much search at the court of record in the different locations where the applicant has lived. Typically, criminal/civil investigations are done based upon a period of time, such as investigating the last 10 yrs of an applicant’s history or the last 20 years. The problem with listing these things quantitatively is that for some applicants the investigation would only go back 3 years, in others 10 years, or in others 20 years. Thus, in conjunction with question #1, we are wondering if the SEC would allow us to instead just investigate for the lifetime of the applicant or the last 20 years or the last 7 years? A background investigation of this type does warrant a lifetime investigation, at the very least for the criminal aspects. We would charge a flat fee for all locations lived in the scope of the investigation, so this method would still comply with the pricing specifications.

The background investigation shall consist of a lifetime investigation.

39. On page 9 it says that the contractor is responsible for engaging in an initial conference with the appropriate SEC officials to finalize the investigation requirements. We assume this is after the award is made?

Yes, after award.

40. C.4.1.25 of Solicitation states that Contractor is to be "available" for frequent discussion with Commission staff during investigation. Does "available" mean in person or via phone and email for frequent discussions?

A Contractor can make itself available by means other than in-person, however, when necessary, the SEC would expect the Contractor to be available for in-person meetings.