Sources Sought Catholic Priest Fort Benning 20200602.docx

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS

THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The U.S. Government desires to procure the Catholic Priest Services on a small business set-aside basis, provided two or more qualified small businesses respond to this sources sought synopsis with information sufficient to support a set-aside. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. We encourage all small business concerns, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), to identify their capabilities in meeting the requirement at a fair market price.

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or IFB or RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government wide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Government wide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The anticipated NAICS code(s) is/are: 813110 (Chaplain Services, size standard $8M.

A continuing need is anticipated for the Catholic Priest Services which is currently being fulfilled through current contract # W911SF-18-P-0081 and was a 100% small business set-aside. Attached is the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Key tasks required to complete this contract:

In response to this sources sought, please provide:

1. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code. Does the company have a GSA Schedule contract? If so, provide the GSA Schedule contract number.

2. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any.

3. Identify what percentage of work will be performed by the small business prime contractor and all similarly situated entity subcontractors. Note: In accordance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (DEVIATION 2020-O0008) “Similarly situated entity” means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award and that is considered small for the NAICS code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will perform. An example of a similarly situated entity is a first-tier subcontractor that is a HUBZone small business concern for a HUBZone set-aside.

4. Identify type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) of the proposed subcontractors.

5. Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination.

6. Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition by and among small business concerns.

7. Recommendations to improve the approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS to acquiring the identified items/services.

8. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition. Please contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at scott.d.kukes.civ@mail.mil or 210-466-2269, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the FedBizOpps notice. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.

ERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST RELIGIOUS SUPPORT PROGRAM FORT BENNING, GA

1.0 OBJECTIVE:

1.1 The contracted priest shall provide Roman Catholic religious support on weekdays and weekends for Soldiers and Family members in Fort Benning Chapels or designated worship facilities. The contract will augment weekly services provided by Fort Benning Catholic Chaplains and provide Catholic Coverage during their absence.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK:

2.1 Conduct Saturday/Sunday/Holy Day liturgies, not to exceed 18 per month or 175 per year. Liturgies are approximately one hour in length. Up to 60 of these services will be conducted in Spanish.

2.2 Conduct Daily Masses; Sacramental Rites (to include baptism, reconciliation, marriage, anointing of sick, and funerals) and pre-sacramental instruction, not to exceed 40 per month or 265 per year. These various services are generally 30 minutes – one hour in length and are not defined by the number of attendees.

2.3 Conduct bi-weekly obligatory liturgies at Camp Darby, not to exceed 3 per month or 20 per year. These liturgies are approximately one hour in length.

2.4 The Contracting Officer’s Representative, with the advisement of the Senior Roman Catholic Priest, will provide the Contractor with a monthly list of required services. Additional services may be required with less notice depending on mission requirements and availability of FBGA Roman Catholic Chaplains. The Senior Roman Catholic Priest will provide the Contracting Officer’s Representative with a validation of services rendered by the contractor and feedback on the quality of services rendered. In the absence of a Senior Roman Catholic Priest, the Deputy Garrison Chaplain for Religious Support will serve in this capacity.

2.4.1 The contractor shall have capability to provide simultaneous services at up to two locations at a time. This may be required one to two Sundays each month.

2.5 Security, AT, and OPSEC:

2.5.1 AT Level 1 Training. All contractor employees, to include sub-contractor employees, requiring access to Army installations, facilities and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level 1 Awareness Training within 30 calendar days after contract start date or effective date of incorporation of this requirement into the contract, whichever is applicable. The contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected contractor employee and subcontractor employee, to the COR or to the contracting officer, if a COR is not assigned, within 30 calendar days after completion of training by all employees and sub-contractor personnel. AT Level 1 awareness training is available at the following website: https://jkodirect.iten.mil.

2.5.2

2.5.3 Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures. Contractor and all associated sub-contractor employees shall comply with applicable installation, facility, and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by government representative). The contractor shall also provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency Services or Security Office. Contractor workforce must comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DOD, HQDA and/or local policy. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may require changes in contractor security matters or processes.

2.5.4 For contractors that do not require CAC, but require access to a DoD facility or installation. Contractor and all associated sub-contractors employees shall comply with adjudication standards and procedures using the National Crime Information Center Information Center Interstate Identification Index (NCIC-III) and Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) (Army Directive 2014-05/AR 190-13), applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access OCONUS locations, in accordance with status of forces agreements and other theater regulations.

2.5.5 iWATCH Training. The Contractor and all associated sub-contractors shall brief all employees on the local iWATCH program in coordination with information provided by the COR. This local developed training shall be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract award and within 30 calendar days of new employees commencing performance with the results reported to the COR NLT 30 calendar days after contract award.

2.5.6 OPSEC Standing Operating Procedure/Plan. The contractor shall adhere to the Government's Operations Security (OPSEC) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)/Plan during the entire period of performance.

2.5.7 Operation Security (OPSEC) training. In accordance with AR 530-1, all personnel shall complete Level I Operations Security (OPSEC) training which is composed of both initial and continual awareness training (annually). All newly assigned personnel, within the first 30 days of arrival in the organization, shall receive initial training to include a briefing on the organizations critical information. The end state of initial and continual awareness training is that each individual should have the requisite knowledge to safeguard critical information.

2.5.8 Physical Security. The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

2.5.9 Contractor Employees Who Require Access to Government Information Systems. All contractor employees, and associated subcontractor employees, with access to a government information system must be registered in the ATCTS (Army Training Certification Tracking 2.5.10 System) at commencement of services and must successfully complete the DoD Cyber Awareness Challenge training prior to access to the information system and then annually thereafter.

2.5.11 Information Assurance (IA)/Information Technology (IT) Certification. Per DoD 8570.01- M, DFARS 252.239.7001, and AR 25-2, contractor employees and associated subcontractor employees supporting IA/IT functions shall be appropriately certified for each category and level upon contract award. The baseline and computing environment certifications are stipulated in DoD 8570.01-M must be completed upon contract award. Upon request by the Government, the Contractor shall provide documentation supporting the IA certification status of personnel performing IA functions. Contractor personnel who do not have proper and current certifications shall be denied access to DoD information systems for the purpose of performing IA functions.

2.5.12 Post-award conference or periodic progress meetings. The contractor agrees to attend any post-award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office. These procedures are identified in FAR Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer, COR, and other government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor’s performance. At these meetings, the Contracting Officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor’s performance, and the contractor shall apprise the government of any problems experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

2.5.13 Contract Manager. The contractor shall manage the contract or shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor during absences shall be designated in writing and provided to the Contracting Officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

2.5.14 Identification of Contractor Employees. All contract personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties shall be required to identify themselves as contractors to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are government officials. They shall also ensure all documents or reports produced by the contractor are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

2.5.15 Telephone Usage. Contractor employees shall not use Government telephones at the work site for personal reasons or make any toll or long distance calls.

2.5.16 Conservation of Utilities. The contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities which includes turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish the necessary cleaning.

3.0 Contractor Manpower Reporting (CMR):

3.1 The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the contractor will report ALL contractor 3.2 manpower (including sub-contractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. The contractor is required to completely fill in all the information in the format using the following web address “ https://contractormanpower.army.pentagon.mil”. The required information includes:

· Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative;

· Contract number, including task and delivery order number;

· Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period;

· Contractor name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of contractor employee entering data;

· Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-contractors);

· Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-contractors);

· Total payments (including sub-contractors);

· Predominant Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by contractor (and separate predominant FSC for each sub-contractor if different);

· Estimated data collection cost;

· Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the Army Requiring Activity (the Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the contractor with its UIC for the purpose of reporting this information);

· Locations where contractor and sub-contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest city, country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on website);

· Presence of deployment or contingency contract language; and

· Number of contractor and sub-contractor employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country). As part of its submission, the contractor will also provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement.

3.3 Reporting period will be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year. Contractors may use a direct XML data transfer to the database server or fill in the fields on the website. The XML direct transfer is a format for transferring files from a contractor’s systems to the secure web site without the need for separate data entries for each required data element at the web site. The specific formats for the XML direct transfer may be downloaded from the web site.”

4.0 PERSONNEL SKILL QUALIFICATION AND BACKGROUND CHECKS:

4.1 All priests providing services under this contract shall be “in good standing” with his diocese or religious order and provide this documentation to the COR prior to rendering services. Furthermore, each will provide documentation that he has completed “Virtus” training mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, prior to ministering to children. All priests must possess bona fide faculties with their diocesan bishop and religious superior and meet the final approval with the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA. The Contractor Project Manager will assign the members according to the needs and areas of expertise required. All Contractor personnel assigned to this effort shall have the appropriate skills prior to commencing the tasks as described in this Performance Work Statement. In addition, the contractor must be fluent, able to preach, conduct masses, and other religious activities in the Spanish language.

4.2

4.3 Background Checks: All contractor personnel who provide services on FBGA will comply with all IMCOM and local command required background check policies. This will include a background investigation by the Ft. Benning Military Police, Provost Marshall, Army Substance Abuse Program, Army Central Registry, CID, Army Community Services, NACI, Behavioral Health, Social Work Services and State of Residence Checks. Local checks will be completed prior to providing any service under this contract. NACI must be complete before the contractor works with children without line of sight supervision.

5.0 CONTRACT PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

5.1 Relative to the term and termination of this contract, the term of this Contract, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, will be from:

Base year: 13 SEP 2021 through 12 SEP 2022 Option year one: 13 SEP 2022 through 12 SEP 2023 Option year two: 13 SEP 2023 through 12 SEP 2024

5.2 The government reserves the right to extend the term of this contract at the prices set forth in the contract line item structure in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in FAR clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract.

6.0 POINT OF CONTACT / CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE:

6.1 The Fort Benning point of contact for this Performance Work Statement is: Chaplain (MAJ) Thomas Gorrell 7030 Lincoln Ave, Bldg. 974, Fort Benning, GA 31905 Phone: (706) 545-4960

6.2 The COR for this contract will be a representative from the Garrison Chaplain’s Office. The COR shall monitor all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure the contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, monitor contractor’s performance and notify both the Contracting Officer and contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government-furnished property; and provide site-entry for contractor personnel. A letter of designation will be issued to the COR, a copy of which will be sent to the contractor detailing the responsibilities and limitations of the COR. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the contract.

7.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

7.1 Fort Benning will provide all necessary ecclesiastical supplies necessary for conducting Mass and other liturgies. Also, appropriate office space/rooms to conduct reconciliation within the Chapel will be provided (as needed.)

7.2 INVOICES:

The contractor shall invoice the Government for services performed each month. The contractor shall ensure that the Senior Catholic Chaplain validates all invoices. A statement on the invoice shall state, “I certify that the contractor performed the following services during the month of .” All invoices shall be turn into the COR by 5th of every month. The contractor shall input a WAWF invoice by the 15th of every month for previous month services performed. The

COR or Contracting Officer will verify the Unit of Service or Schedule of Payments before approving any invoices in WAWF. The contractor shall follow invoicing instructions as indicated in DFARS clause 252.232-7003.

8.0 BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS: Contractor/Sub-Contractor employees providing services under contracts are subject to the following process:

8.1 Each employee (direct employee and sub-contractor employee) working under this contract who has contact with children under 18 years of age, shall be screened with the appropriate background checks as governed by the Army Directive 2014-23 “Conduct of Screening and Background Checks For Individuals Who Have Regular Contact With Children in Army Programs”, dated 10 September 2014. A copy of the Army Directive can be found at http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/ad2014_23.pdf. The background check requirements for Contractors can be found in Enclosure 3 – Screening and background checks for appropriated and nonappropriated fund personnel, military personnel, foreign national employees overseas, and contractors.

8.2 Background checks will be initiated and paid for by the Government. The cost for the pre- employment screening is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Commander Designated Entity (CDE) at the Installation supports IMCOM by coordinating, submitting, tracking child related background checks, and reviewing and compiling the results to identify whether they contain derogatory information to be passed on for a suitability determination. The CDE will advise and assist CONTRACTOR and sub- CONTRACTOR employees completing all required documents required for the background check process. CDE contact information will be provided upon contract award. This is included in the firm fixed price.

8.3 The following is a list of the required screenings per the Army Directive 2014-23.

8.3 (a) R EGULAR/RECURRING contact with children:

Definition: Contact with children more than an average of one (1) day a week for three (3) or more months OR daily for a period of one (1) month or longer.

Required screening:

i) Pre-employment screening: 1) Application, 2) Interview, 3) Reference check, 4) Statement of Previous Arrest or Charge, 5) Assessment of individual’s eligibility, qualifications, temperament and suitability for work with children, 6) Tentative offer of employment (Proponent: Contractor is responsible organization);

ii) Preliminary investigation: 1) Installation Record Check (if applicable), 2) FBI Fingerprint check, and 3) Local Civilian Law Enforcement Check (Proponent: Government/Commander Designated Entity is responsible organization);

iii)

iv) CNACI – Child Care National Agency Check and Inquiries (Proponent: Government/Commander Designated Entity is responsible organization).

The CNACI will be initiated after successful completion of the preliminary investigation (1.3(a)(ii)). If deemed appropriate by the local Garrison Commander, a contractor can start working under Line Of Sight Supervision (LOSS) after successfully completing the preliminary investigation (1.3(a)(ii). If LOSS is not feasible, favorable CNACI (1.3(a)(iii) results are required BEFORE the contractor can start working under this contract.

8.3 (b) SHORTTERM/OCCASIONAL contact with children: Definition: Contact with children that does not fall under the definition of Regular/Recurring contact.

Required screening:

i) Pre-employment screening: 1) Application, 2) Interview, 3) Reference check, 4) Statement of Previous Arrest or Charge, 5) Assessment of individual’s eligibility, qualifications, temperament and suitability for work with children, 6) Tentative offer of employment (Proponent: Contractor is responsible organization);

ii) Preliminary investigation: 1) Installation Record Check (if applicable), 2) FBI Fingerprint check, and 3) Local Civilian Law Enforcement Check (Proponent: Government/Commander Designated Entity is responsible organization); An employee must successfully complete the required screening (1.3(b)(i) and (ii) BEFORE working under this contract

8.4 No person, regardless of circumstances, will be approved to provide child care services if the individual has been convicted of a sexual offense, a drug felony, a violent crime or a criminal offense involving a child. If the background check investigation reveals any other derogatory information a suitability determination has to be made by the Army. The adjudication of derogatory information is processed through an Army Program Review Board (PRB). Further details about the adjudication process can be found in Enclosure 6 of the AD 2014-23. At any time a Contractor can decide not to proceed with the PRB process.

8.5 Additional information on the background check process can be found at:

http://www.opm.gov/investigations/background-investigations.

8.6 Re-verification (IRC and FBI fingerprint check) is required every 5 years.