AMEND_0011_-_IRS_QA_follow-up.pdf

RFP NO. TIRMS-13-R-00002

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

#1 REFERENCE: Amendment 8, answers to submitted question #148. Regarding the Austin – At site visit we were told the hours are 0600x2200 for the Command Center.

However the PWS states 24/7.

IRS ANSWER: There are two officers assigned to the security control center from 0600-2200 during normal work days. There will be a minimum of one officer in the security control center at all times.

CLARIFICATION QUESTION: Are the “normal work days” referred to in the IRS response above Monday through Friday? Does the statement “at all times” in the IRS response above means during the period 0600-2200?

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: The CSCC will have one officer assigned 24/7 or at all times and will have one additional officer from 0600 -2200 during Monday to Fridays excluding holidays.

#2 REFERENCE: Amendment 8, answers to submitted questions # 4 Will the government provide a seniority roster for the incumbent workforce to accurately determine vacation time, etc.

IRS ANSWER: The contractor will be allowed a 30 day transition period after award, to obtain the requested information.

CLARIFICATION QUESTION: Given that the cost of vacation is a significant factor in producing an offers price quote, an item that affects cost realism for the government, offerors submitting proposals would be “guessing at this cost” without the current seniority list’s. Will the IRS entertain an equitable adjustment after award to capture the increased cost as a result of not having the seniority lists?

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: No.

#3 REFERENCE: Amendment 8, answers to submitted questions #98, SOW paragraph

6.5.1.3 Medical Physical Requirements, medical examinations are valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. Are the incumbent guard’s medical examinations current and compliant with the standards of this solicitation? If the answer to the above question is yes, will they be required to have a new physical?

IRS ANSWER: Yes, all perspective contract employees must undergo a pre-employment medical/physical examination. Please refer to paragraph 6.5.1.2.

CLARIFICATION QUESTION: If your response is to be interpreted correctly, the government is stating the incumbents that have medical/physical examinations that are less than three years old, that have been accepted by the IRS under the current contract, are no longer acceptable to the IRS and prior to assignment to this contract all perspective contract employees (incumbent as well as new hires) must re-accomplish their Physical/Medical examinations and the results submitted to the COR, is that correct?

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: Yes, the medical requirements of this solicitation are under different standards and are not accomplished by the current medical / physical examinations. All medical and physical examinations must be submitted by using the optional form 178 found in Exhibit #13.

#4 REFERENCE: Amendment 8, answers to submitted questions, #115 we assume that the “no facial hair policy” at Section 3.15.2 at RFP page 35 is subject to legally required exceptions for medical and religious reasons. Please confirm this is correct.

IRS ANSWER: See reference RFP Section 3.15.2 FACIAL HAIR – Beards are not permissible.

The face shall be kept clean of facial hair except for a mustache, if desired. The mustache shall not extend past the corners or the mouth, and must be trimmed as to not obscure the outline of the mouth and lip.

CLARIFICATION QUESTION: Is it the governments intent by the response above to mandate that any employee on the contract who develops “pseudofolliculitis barbae” (persistent irritation caused by shaving for which the remedy is to allow the hair to grow), that the contractor remove them from the contract?

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: Upon submission of a medical certificate from a licensed physician stating that a skin disorder exist and the individual cannot shave, he may wear a beard provided the beard hairs are trimmed symmetrically and do not protrude more than one fourth of a inch from the skins surface. The permission to be unshaven is granted only for the duration of the skin disorder. Therefore, the physician’s certificate must be updated every 120 days, unless the physician’s initial certificate stipulates the disorder may exceed beyond 120 days. Please reference FPS/ SGIM section 2.4: Basic Appearance Standards.

#5 REFERENCE: Amendment 8, answers to submitted questions #129, Page 11of 157;

requirement state that there will be a 30 day transition period. Given the magnitude of required licensing and permits, equipment and training requirements for the security staff, would the Government consider extending the transition or allowing vendors to propose transition timelines in their proposal to the government.

IRS ANSWER: No

CLARIFICATION QUESTION: Weapons transition training and qualification alone will consume the majority of the hours available in a 30 day transition, given the restrictions being placed on the accomplishment of the training by the IRS (i.e., no training will be conducted on weekends and evenings, all training will be witnessed by the IRS COR or designated official and Qualifications that are not witnessed by an IRS employee will not be deemed acceptable for the purpose of this contract, (SOW 1.6.19.8); all firearms qualification and Government training/testing will be scheduled during Monday through Friday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. (SOW 1.6.27)

Add to that the overarching requirement that all incumbent officers and supervisors must redo there initial training and testing under this contract (Sow 1.6.14.1) and wait for the government to schedule and conduct the test during that same 30 day period, as well as recertify their state and local firearms licensing due to the firearms platform change, the 30 day period is not realistic, setting the offerors up for failure before the contract performance actually starts.

Will government reconsider extending the transition time to 60 days?

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: Yes, we have extended the transition period to 60 days after the contract is award, per this amendment.

#6 REFERENCE: 152. Weapons- the specs call for 9mm and to carry home. In D.C. this is not allowed. Are we allowed to store the weapons at 1111 Constitution? 4.3.3.5; 4.3.3.6;

4.3.3.7 and 4.3.3.8 of the SOW. per 4.3.3.4 a 9 mm is specified, however, D.C. laws state no 9mm allowed, only 38 revolvers.

IRS ANSWER: You are permit to transport a weapon in DC as required under the contract. You are not allow to store.

CLARIFICATION QUESTION: In the state of Maryland under Title 18, Section 926A, of the United States Code, a person who is not prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment. In the case the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked compartment other than the glove compartment or console. IAW SOW 4.3.3.5, 4.3.3.6 storage, loading, and unloading are not allowed in or near the federal property. Particular since there is no office space available adjacent to the NCFB officers would be required to transport the weapon loaded or immediately load in some parking space away from the facilities. This poises a significant risk or increases the risk of Accidental Discharge, loading/unloading a weapon in an unsecured area. Even if it is conducted elsewhere to comply with SOW 3.15.8 Maryland law must be enforced and would restrict the ability of guards to transport weapons fully loaded, with one round seated in the chamber. Please confirm that the IRS has the authority and requires the contractor to disregard state law in the transportation of firearms to comply with the request for no weapons loading/unloading on federal property. It is clear the IRS has taken similar position to the question of disregarding of municipal regulation regarding the use of semi-automatics in DC.

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: Security Officers under this contract will be held to the stated requirements in the solicitation regarding the handling of firearms. The Vendor shall ensure that it meets all the Federal, State and local law pertaining to the carriage of firearms by an armed Security Officer / Guard. No, officer will not be permitted to load or unload firearms on Federal Property; moreover no Officer shall unholster their firearm on Federal Property unless engaging a threat. The code cited in your question above is not applicable to the circumstances of an Armed Security Officer / Guard who meets all license and permit requirements of the jurisdiction in which they work. While the District of Columbia has an exemption under the law for Officers serving on a contract to the United States Government, not every jurisdiction will have the same exception therefore license and firearm permits may need be acquired to meet the requirements under this solicitation / contract.

FROM Maryland State Police Website:

Armed Security Guards; Documentation of Weapon Information Required.

A. If a security guard agency employs armed security guards, the agency shall maintain a list for each armed security guard of:

(1) The weapon type;

(2) The weapon's serial number; and

(3) Whether the weapon is agency owned or personally owned.

B. The personnel file for each armed employee shall contain a photocopy of the handgun permit for each security guard who is armed.

C. An armed security guard may only use a weapon for which the guard has been qualified to shoot and for which the guard has submitted documentation identifying the weapon and the qualifying score to the Licensing Division Handgun Permit Section before carrying that weapon, in accordance with Public Safety Article, Title 5, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. Security guards may not be armed unless they possess a valid handgun permit.

The authority for Security Guard License and Firearms Permits in the State of Maryland is the Maryland State Police. The following links may assist you with gathering the needed information for the application process and associated fees /costs. You may address your FAQs regarding the license / permit requirements in the State of Maryland, to the Maryland State Police.

http://www.mdsp.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=GwfGW-6srGs%3D&t http://www.mdsp.org/Organization/SupportServicesBureau/LicensingDivision.aspx http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/SubtitleSearch.aspx?search=29.04.01.*

# 7 REFERENCE: Question 25, 26, 45, 94, 95 site the requirement of submitting key personnel resumes with the submission. We understand this requirement and will abide by the deliverables – we are wondering if the Key personnel resumes count against the page count.

With at least 8 resumes, that subtracts out at minimum of 8 page of necessary technical response.

FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE: No.

NOTE TO OFFERORS: The Government will make every effort, but cannot guarantee that all follow-up questions will be answered before the RFP closing date.

http://www.mdsp.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=GwfGW-6srGs%3D&t http://www.mdsp.org/Organization/SupportServicesBureau/LicensingDivision.aspx http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/SubtitleSearch.aspx?search=29.04.01.*