SPA10016Q0014_-_PRISON_GUARD-TrainingQsAs.pdf

PRISON GUARD & POLICE OFFICER TRAINING

SOLICITATION: S-PA100-16-Q-0014 - ASUNCION, PARAGUAY

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Q: Just for clarification in the RFQ - the embassy will be providing the canine (K-9) units with handlers for the prison guard training - correct?

And, if so, we should provide an instructor who is experienced in the use of K-9s in a prison environment? Please confirm.

A: The vendor will be working with existing K-9 units, including the dogs and their handlers. The vendor should provide an instructor who is experienced in the use of K-9s in a prison environment.

2. Q: Is it mandatory to have our company registered in Paraguay? If so, can the Embassy provide guidance on the procedures to be followed?

A: it will depend upon how your company intends to operate under this contract.

a) If your company will perform the work directly then your company must be registered and obtain the licenses for work as required by Local Law.

b) If your company intent to Subcontract a Local Company or Partner (Joint venture) to perform all required work under the contract, then the subcontracted company shall comply with all local laws.

3. Q: Please clarify if the NAICS Code required for this solicitation is #561612 as is listed on the RFQ document, or is it the code listed on FBO.gov #611430?

A: The NAICS applying to this solicitation is 611430 Professional and Management Development Training

4. Q: Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past? If available, please provide the incumbent contract number.

A: No

5. Q: If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

A: This is the first time that the US Embassy Asunción has posted this solicitation for the training of Paraguayan government employees.

6. Q: If you have a training material in mind or shall we provide P.O.S.T.

Certified training material A: There is no specified curriculum that must be followed, as long as the desired topics are covered.

7. Q: Can you tell me how many corrections officers and how many police officers will attend each training event? I need to know how many instructors we will need for this based on the size of the classes.

A: We do not have a set number of corrections officers or police officers who will attend each training. Based on the bids we receive, we will decide how many persons will participate in each training. If you wish to submit tiered bids (i.e. training 20 people will cost XX, training 50 will cost XX), that would be acceptable as well. Or if you want to state something like X number of instructors will be needed for every XX number of students, you could do that as well.

8. Q: Our firm recently completed (50) courses in Mexico as a Subcontractor.

It appears the curriculum requested is more designed for a two-three week course. Would the gov't consider this? Is there an incumbent contractor for your Region?

A: Unfortunately, our budget will not support a two-three week course.

There is not an incumbent contractor in the region.

9. Q: Section 1, Performance Work Statement, Pricing- “*As the police training would take place the week after the prison guard training, separate airfare costs should not be included in the bid for the police training.”: Can the Prison Guard training and the Police Officer training take place simultaneously since they are different groups of trainees?

A: Yes, we would consider this option.

10. Q: Attachment A, PWS, Prison Guard Training topics must include: Are participants expected to go through role play situations and actual use of equipment such as breaching equipment, chemical agents, use of restraints (hand cuffs and related equipment)?

A: Yes. The government will provide the equipment (breaching equipment, handcuffs, etc.)

11. Q: Continuation to SF-1449, 1. Description/Specifications/Work Statement:

What systems of counseling or support are offered to law enforcement personnel to avoid burnout or psychological deterioration?

A: We are not aware of any such support/counseling available to Paraguayan law enforcement officials.

12. Q: Section 1, Continuation to SF-1449, 1. Performance Work Statement, A.:

Is class make up (new, seasoned, detectives, canine officers, etc.)

available to be provided now, or will it only be provided to the winning bidder prior to training?

A: The exact breakdown of the class participants will be provided prior to training following consultation with the winning bidder and the Paraguayan counterparts.

13. Q: Attachment A, PWS, Prison Guard Training topics must include: Can you advise on what the canine make up is within the police force, numbers of canine, and ease of use?

A: The police canine units include canines trained in the detection of narcotics, explosives, and human tracking. The training will only be for a limited number of canine handlers. Generally the canines are not readily available without advance coordination.

14. Q: Block 10 of the associated 1449 indicates “unrestricted,” however under the section labeled Proposal Requirements it states "100% Set-Aside for Small Businesses solicited through GSA. Veteran owned preferred. “In FBO, the announcement for this requirement indicates this is set aside for “SDVOB.” However Section 2 does not indicate 52.219-27 is applicable. Please confirm what is the set aside category, if any, for this requirement?

A: We’ll do an amendment to the RFQ to correct the “unrestricted” mark in the SF-1449 and to mark clause 52.219-27 as applicable.

15. Q: Is the cost of DBA reimbursable? If yes, where should that cost be indicated since there is not a line on the cost estimate page for DBA (as well as other allowable ODCs)?

A: See answer provided for question #31.

16. Q: Please identify whether participants or the USG will provide training equipment? For example one of the training topics indicates arrest/handcuff techniques but no mention is made of type of personal equipment currently in use by target audience or whether the contractor is expected to provide any, or all training equipment associated with this program? If the contractor is expected to provide the training equipment, will the government obtain customs clearance if necessary?

A: The government will provide the equipment (breaching equipment, handcuffs, etc.). The contractor does not need to provide this.

17. Q: Will the government provide the training venue and does the training venue have the associated features to conduct the training i.e. a cell for relevant portions of training, a vehicle(s) to simulate vehicle stops, training mats...?

A: Yes

18. Q: Is AV support available at the training venue such as computer, projector screen etc…or is the contractor expected to provide this equipment?

A: Yes AV support is available. Contractor does not need to provide this.

19. Q: Please provide the estimated length of time to travel from embassy lodging to the training site.

A: Approximately 20-30 minutes

20. Q: Can the equipment and associated training materials be shipped to the US Embassy in advance of the training? If training equipment is reimbursable, is the cost of transporting that equipment, reimbursable.

A: Yes, training materials can be shipped to the embassy and can be listed as a reimbursable expense.

21. Q: Please identify what ODCs are permissible e.g. visa application fee, and where should ODCs be indicated?

A: Visa fees can be listed as a reimbursable expense, as an additional line item. Vendor is welcome to propose additional costs though we make no guarantee that we will agree those costs are reimbursable.

22. Q: Are curriculum materials such as student manuals, graphics, required to be in Spanish? If yes, how much lead time is anticipated between contract award and date of training?

A: Yes, training materials must be in Spanish. We hope to award the contract within two weeks after the closing date for submissions. We hope that the training will take place 4-6 weeks after that.

23. Q: This RFQ does not appear to meet the threshold for SCR requirements as indicated in FAR Subpart 4.17 yet FAR provisions 52.504-10, 14 and 15 are marked in Section 2. Please confirm that FAR provisions 52.504-10, 14 and 15 are applicable to this requirement.

A: As per instructions provided from the Office of the Contracting Executive, these clauses would apply to this solicitation.

24. Q: Please provide the anticipated contract award date.

A: We hope to award the contract within two weeks after the closing date for submissions.

25. Q: Will training take place Monday through Friday? If not, please identify days of the week anticipated for training.

A: Yes, Monday through Friday.

26. Q: Please identify the number of hours available per day for training, as well as the normal length of time allowed for lunch periods.

A: It is anticipated that the training day will include 8 hours of training and one hour for lunch, for a total of nine hour days.

27. Q: Is the contractor required to provide any support or logistics for the participants other than directly associated with training such as lunch, or refreshments? If yes, please describe what type of logistics the contractor is required to provide, as well as whether logistics are reimbursable.

A: No. The contractor does not need to provide logistics or lunch. The government will do this.

28. Q: If interpreters are used in the training, are the costs associated with interpreters reimbursable?

A: Yes, interpretation services can be listed as an additional separate expense.

29. Q: In order to ensure sufficient quantities of training materials, whether manuals or other participant equipment is available, can the government please provide an estimated number of participants (max and min) per session?

A: We do not have a set number of corrections officers or police officers who will attend each training. Based on the bids we receive, we will decide how many persons will participate in each training. If you wish to submit tiered bids (i.e. training 20 people will cost XX, training 50 will cost XX), that would be acceptable as well. Or if you want to state something like X number of instructors will be needed for every XX number of students, you could do that as well.

30. Q: Can you confirm if the submission should be electronic, paper, CD or other?

A: Submissions can be submitted electronically via e-mail.

31. Q: g)(1) Section 16 of the State Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2680a), as amended, provides that the Defense Base Act shall not apply with respect to such contracts as the Secretary of State determines are contracts with persons employed to perform work for the Department of State on an intermittent basis for not more than 90 days in a calendar year. “Persons” includes individuals hired by companies under contract with the Department. The Procurement Executive has the authority to issue the waivers for Contractor employees who work on an intermittent or short-term basis;

Ques. According to the statement above, will we still need to obtain a “DBA” insurance clause if an instructor is only employed for this specific solicitation?

A: 1) Even for short a trip abroad, DBA applies to all covered employees;

however, Section 16 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2680a), as amended, provides that the Defense Base Act shall not apply with respect to such contracts as the Secretary of State determines are contracts with persons employed to perform work for the Department of State on an intermittent basis for not more than 90 days in a calendar year. Please note that 90 days is cumulative in a year and does not reset for each trip overseas. Only the Procurement Executive has the authority to issue a waiver for contractor employees under this waiver authority. This waiver only applies to U.S.

citizens and U.S. residents. The contractor must demonstrate insurance coverage for covered employees under a domestic worker’s compensation policy. Submit all waiver requests to the Procurement Executive in accordance with DoSAR 652.228‐71 (g).

Contractor Responsibilities:

• Must request a waiver in writing. The request must demonstrate evidence of domestic worker's compensation that covers workers on short‐term foreign assignments.

2) The Contractor shall submit waiver requests to the contracting officer.

The request shall contain the following information:

(i) Contract number;

(ii) Name of Contractor;

(iii) Brief description of the services to be provided under the contract and country of performance;

(iv) Name and position title of individual(s);

(v) Nationality of individual(s) (must be U.S. citizen or U.S. resident);

(vi) Dates (or timeframe) of performance at the overseas location; and,

(vii) Evidence of alternative worker’s compensation coverage for these employees (e.g., evidence that the State worker’s compensation program covers workers on short-term foreign assignments).

3) The contracting officer shall provide to the Contractor the original of the approved or disapproved document and maintain a copy in the contract file.

32. Q: AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE (AUG 1999) (a) The contractor warrants the following: (1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do business in the country or countries in which this contract will be performed; (2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits required to perform this contract; and, (3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor standards, and regulations of said country or countries during the performance of this contract. (b) If the party actually performing the work will be a subcontractor or joint venture partner, then such subcontractor or joint venture partner agrees to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this clause.

Ques. Not having a permanent training facility in Paraguay, nor the need to establish one other than to provide the requested services, I would not have the required licenses available to perform the services.

Would I need to obtain the license or permit prior to winning contract? if I were to win the contract I would immediately apply for the required licenses and permit, if necessary. Would you be able to provide guidance as to how I would go about getting licensed/permitted?

A: This clause does not apply to this contract.

33. Q: Ques. Will we be submitting the proposals via email? If so, will they be submitted to Mr. Farina at farinarj@state.gov?

A: Yes, you can submit your proposal to asuncioncontracting@state.gov.

mailto:asuncioncontracting@state.gov