Attachment S - FRAL W5168W-27-R-A014 Response to Questions.xlsx
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- Attached to
- Fort Rucker, AL Full Food Service
- Solicitation number
- W5168W27RA014
- Issued by
-
Department of the Army
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) document addressing 65 clarifications submitted by industry regarding solicitation W5168W27RA014 for Full Food Service (FFS) at Fort Rucker, AL.
The procurement is for dining facility management services including food receiving and storage, preparation, serving, remote site feeding, and facility sanitation at Fort Rucker. The contract structure consists of three 12-month ordering periods (15 December 2026 – 14 December 2029) plus a six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8, with performance beginning 15 December 2026. Pricing includes Contract Line Item (CLIN) 0001 (Phase-In for 1 month), CLIN 0002 (Program Management and Admin Functions), CLINs 0003-0004 (Operations and labor), and CLIN 0005 (Other Direct Costs—Consumables and Cleaning Supplies invoiced at actual cost with no indirect costs added). The government will provide all subsistence products and pay for them directly; the contractor is responsible for requisitioning, receiving, storage, and inventory management. Labor shall be billed only for actual hours worked up to established ceilings, with paid leave (vacation, holiday, sick leave) and mandatory training excluded from billable productive hours. All indirect costs, material handling, overhead, G&A, and profit for consumables are included in CLIN 0002. The incumbent contractor remains responsible for operations through 14 January 2027; the incoming contractor will only be reimbursed for Phase-In costs during the 30-day transition. Wages are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Attachment L, La, and Lb) with a health and welfare rate of $5.56 per hour for CBA-covered classifications, and Locality Wage Determination 2015-4631 for non-CBA classifications. A third dining facility (building TBD) is identified for future development and will be added via contract modification upon completion. The Randolph-Sheppard Act priority for State Licensing Agencies has been reinstated; if an SLA proposal is technically acceptable, falls within the competitive range, and is offered at a fair and reasonable price meeting quality standards, award shall be made to the SLA. The evaluation method is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Amendment 001 updated submission deadlines (Technical Questions due 23 October 2026; proposals due 5 November 2026 at 12:00 PM CT) and added past performance attachments; Amendment 002 added Q&A responses and updated CBA documentation. Offerors must use the correct solicitation number W5168W27RA014 on all submissions, comply with PIEE file-naming restrictions (underscores only, no spaces or special characters), and submit SF 1449 signed for both the initial solicitation and all amendments.
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Q and A
| Number | Exact Location of Problem | Question | Clarification Question | Response |
| 1 | Solicitation___W5168W27RA014.pdf: Section A, Solicitation/Contract Form, p. 2; and Section L, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, A.1, p. 47. | The solicitation identifies the procurement as W5168W27RA014 in Section A but identifies it as W5168W-26-R-A028 in the PIEE submission instructions. | Please confirm the correct solicitation number to be used on all proposal volumes, the SF 1449, pricing submission, email subject lines, and PIEE submission. | Government Response: The correct solicitation number is W5168W27RA014. The reference to W5168W-26-R-A028 in the PIEE instructions was an administrative drafting artifact resulting from the procurement's transition from Fiscal Year 2026 into Fiscal Year 2027. Offerors shall use W5168W27RA014 on all proposal volumes, the SF 1449, pricing submissions, email subject lines, and within PIEE. The PIEE submission instructions will be updated accordingly via Amendment with the Q&A responses. |
| 2 | Solicitation___W5168W27RA014.pdf: Section G, Additional Invoice Instructions, 5(2), p. 27. | The invoice instructions repeatedly reference “CLIN 000X,” which does not identify an actual CLIN under which offerors should price or invoice reimbursable supplies. | Please identify the CLIN/SubCLIN number, funding ceiling, ordering/approval process, and pricing basis for reimbursable consumables and cleaning supplies currently referenced as “CLIN 000X.” | The reference to “CLIN 000X” is an administrative placeholder. The correct Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) for reimbursable consumables and cleaning supplies is CLIN 0005: Other Direct Cost (ODC) – Consumables Usage & Cleaning Supplies. The solicitation text and invoice instructions will be updated via Amendment to formally replace all references to “CLIN 000X” with CLIN 0005. Offerors shall proposal-price, account for, and invoice all reimbursable consumables and cleaning supplies under CLIN 0005 in accordance with the updated schedule and instructions. |
| 3 | Solicitation___W5168W27RA014.pdf: Section L, Volume I—Solicitation Documents, Tab G, p. 55. | The proposal table lists a subcontracting plan as required unless waived, while Tab G specifically states that small-business concerns are not required to submit one and only an SLA must submit one. A definitive instruction will prevent an avoidable compliance risk. | Please confirm that small-business offerors are exempt from submitting a subcontracting plan and clarify whether a State Licensing Agency is the only offeror required to submit one. | In accordance with Tab G (Subcontracting Plan), small business concerns are exempt from the requirement to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan. |
Pursuant to Tab G, the requirement to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan applies specifically to State Licensing Agencies (SLAs) for this requirement. To clarify this requirement and eliminate ambiguity, Section L (Proposal Preparation Instructions) Proposal Submission Table will be updated via Amendment to explicitly insert "(For SLA Only)" next to the Subcontracting Plan line item, confirming that small business offerors are not required to submit one 4 Solicitation___W5168W27RA014.pdf: Section L, Volume IV pricing instructions, (2), p. 60; Attachment_L___FRAL_Collective_Bargaining_Agreement.pdf: Addendum A—Local Wage Addendum, p. 1. The solicitation makes the CBA and/or wage determination applicable; however, the supplied CBA wage addendum expires before the anticipated performance period. Please provide the successor collective bargaining agreement, negotiated wage/fringe escalation guidance, or other direction applicable to performance beginning after December 14, 2026. Offerors shall base their proposals strictly on the Wage Determination and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) documentation currently incorporated into the solicitation, utilizing the established CBA rates:
CBA Documentation: Please reference the fully executed CBA (Attachment L), Attachment La (FRAL Collective Bargaining Agreement Language Modification), and Attachment Lb (Addendum FRAL Collective Bargaining Agreement) for newly negotiated CBA rates.
Applicability & Health & Welfare (H&W): For labor classifications covered under the CBA (Attachment L), the CBA Health & Welfare rate of $5.56 per hour applies in accordance with Section 4(c) of the Service Contract Act (SCA) and FAR 22.1008-2.
Non-CBA Classifications: Locality Wage Determination 2015-4631 rates apply exclusively to non-CBA covered labor classifications.
| 5 | Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: Appendix A—Ft. Rucker Dining Facilities, Scope, p. 41. | The PWS establishes the sequence of construction, renovation, and closure events but provides no operational dates, phasing schedule, or interim facility configuration. | Please define the planned DFAC operating configuration from contract start through completion of the new DFAC, including the expected operating schedule for Buildings 5914 and 6204, the anticipated commissioning date for DFAC TBD, and the renovation duration for Building 6204. | All operational schedules, headcount assumptions, service hours, and the facility transition sequence requested by the offeror are already addressed in Appendix A and Attachment B. No additional Government-furnished dates or phasing milestones beyond what is published are available at this time. |
| 6 | Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: Appendix A, A.1.2.2.1, p. 41; Appendix A, Scope, p. 41. | The requirement for DFAC TBD to be the only seven-day operation should be reconciled with the PWS statement that up to two DFACs may operate simultaneously. | Please clarify whether “DFAC TBD will be the only DFAC operating seven days per week” means that no other DFAC will operate after DFAC TBD is commissioned, or whether another DFAC may remain in operation on a limited schedule during the Building 6204 renovation period. | DFAC TBD will be the only DFAC operating seven days per week once open; the other DFAC will remain operational on a limited schedule in accordance with Attachment B and the renovation sequence. |
| 7 | Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: 2.8.1, p. 18; 4.3–4.3.1, p. 23; Appendix A, Scope, p. 41. | The PWS requires joint inventories and condition checks but does not define the handoff and acceptance process for the under-construction facility or the transfer responsibilities during facility changes. | Please identify responsibility and compensation procedures for cleaning, initial equipment acceptance, commissioning support, inventory, subsistence transfer, durable-property transfer, and operational start-up associated with DFAC TBD and the closure/renovation of existing facilities. | Responsibilities and compensation for cleaning, equipment acceptance, commissioning support, inventory, and all transfer/start‑up actions associated with DFAC TBD and facility closures follow the standard procedures outlined in the PWS. The contractor performs these tasks per PWS requirements and is compensated through normal contract labor hours; no separate procedures or payment structures apply. Should any new tasks arise stemming from the opening or closing of DFACs that are not covered within the existing PWS scope, they will be addressed by the Contracting Officer through formal contract administration procedures at that time. |
| 8 | Attachment_B___FRAL_Workload_Data_Capabilities.xlsx: Historical Remote Site Feeding worksheet, Row 29, p. 7; Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: Appendix A, A.4.5.3, p. 42. | DFAC TBD will assume all remote-site feeding requirements, but no historical workload data are provided for that facility. | Please provide an estimated remote-site-feeding workload forecast for DFAC TBD, including annual event frequency, meal types, forecasted headcount ranges, lead times, packaging requirements, and delivery versus unit-pickup responsibilities. | No historical remote‑site‑feeding data exists for DFAC TBD. Once operational, DFAC TBD will support all remote‑site‑feeding requirements IAW the PWS and as outlined in Attachment B. The Government will continue to provide projected requirements in advance, and the contractor will execute remote‑site feeding in accordance with existing standards. |
| 9 | Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: 4.3–4.3.1, p. 23; Appendix A, Scope, p. 41; A.4.5.3, p. 42. | The PWS allows the KO to direct a facility opening or closure with 72 hours’ notice but does not establish the adjustment mechanism for material changes to facility configuration, workload, or staffing requirements. | Please clarify whether the Government will issue a contract modification or other equitable pricing/staffing adjustment when remote-site feeding transfers to DFAC TBD and when DFAC facilities open, close, renovate, or permanently cease operations. | The KO may direct DFAC openings or closures with 72 hours’ notice per the PWS. When such actions result in material changes to configuration, workload, staffing, or when remote‑site feeding transitions to DFAC TBD, the Government will issue a contract modification or other equitable adjustment as appropriate under standard contract administration procedures. |
| 10 | Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: 2.6, p. 17; 4.4.2, p. 23. | The PWS assigns operator-level maintenance, minor repairs, and calibration responsibilities to the Contractor but does not establish a measurable threshold or decision process for maintenance outside that scope. | Please define the distinction between contractor-responsible operator-level maintenance, minor repairs, and calibrations and Government-responsible major maintenance, including approval authority, repair-cost thresholds, parts responsibility, emergency repair procedures, and allowable equipment downtime. | Operator‑level maintenance is outlined in equipment operator's manuals and PWS Section 2.6. The contractor will notify the COR when issues exceed operator‑level scope. Approval authority, repair‑cost thresholds, parts responsibility, emergency repairs, and allowable downtime all follow standard installation work‑order and GFP procedures defined in the PWS (Sections 2.1–2.7) and installation SOPs. |
| 11 | Attachment_B___FRAL_Workload_Data_Capabilities.xlsx: Contractor Hours of Operation worksheet, Rows 2–8, p. 3; Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: Appendix A, A.1.2.2.1, p. 41. | Attachment B permits alternate hours with supporting rationale, while the PWS directs contractor hours to align with Government-established DFAC service hours. The approval and evaluation treatment for deviations is not stated. | Please clarify whether the Government will accept alternate contractor operating hours for all facilities and identify whether any deviation requires pre-award approval or will be evaluated solely through the technical staffing narrative. | Contractors may propose alternate operating hours with supporting rationale; however, all DFAC service hours must align with Government‑established serving hours to ensure mission requirements are met. Any proposed deviations will be evaluated as part of the offeror’s technical staffing narrative and must demonstrate how contract requirements will still be fully supported. |
| 12 | Solicitation___W5168W27RA014.pdf: Section L, Volume II—Technical, Staffing Plan instructions, p. 57; Section M, Factor 1—Technical Capability evaluation, p. 65. | Attachment O governs the baseline minimum staffing determination, and a deviation without an adequate narrative may render the proposal Unacceptable. Offerors need complete direction on how those minimums are to be applied. | Please confirm whether Attachment O establishes minimum staffing only for Building Operations CLINs and provide any missing facility-by-facility, labor-category, shift, or workload assumptions necessary to apply the minimum-staffing standard. | Attachment O – Government’s Estimated Staffing reflects the Government’s baseline staffing expectations based on facility equipment, anticipated headcount, and established serving hours. The Government believes all labor categories required to meet the mission are included within this estimate. |
| 13 | Attachment_A___FFS_PWS_19_AUG_26__6_.pdf: 2.8.1, p. 18; Appendix A, Scope, p. 41; 4.3.1, p. 23. | The initial inventory is due within 30 days of contract effectiveness, but DFAC TBD is still under construction and is expected to become available later. The PWS does not state how the inventory requirement applies to subsequently furnished property and equipment. | Please clarify the timing and scope of the initial joint GFP inventory for property associated with DFAC TBD, including whether a separate inventory and condition assessment will be required upon completion and turnover of the new facility. | The initial joint GFP inventory is required within 30 days of contract effective date for all GFP provided at contract award. Since DFAC TBD is still under construction. its GFP will be inventoried separately upon Government turnover of that facility. At that time, the contractor and Government will conduct a joint inventory IAW the PWS and installation SOP procedures. This separate inventory will serve as the initial GFP baseline for DFAC TBD. |
| 14 | Solicitation - Section M - (5) Negates statutory priority for SLA proposals | Section M, Paragraph 5 is updated via Amendment to reinstate statutory priority for the State Licensing Agency (SLA). Pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. § 107 et seq.), 34 CFR § 395.33, and Army Regulation 210-25, priority for award will be afforded to the SLA. If the SLA's proposal is evaluated as technically acceptable and falls within the competitive range under the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation factors, award will be made to the SLA, provided the Government determines the offer is offered at a fair and reasonable price and meets high quality standards. | ||
| 15 | Form 1449 - Box 8 Lists Offer Due Date as 31 Aug 2026 | Please see Amendment with updated due date | ||
| 16 | Solicitation - Section L States all technical questions are due NLT 16-Sept 2026 | Please see Amendment with updated due date | ||
| 17 | CLIN carrying ODC handling costs. Reference: Section H para 5(c)(i); Section B; Section L para C.3.b(4)a | Section H para 5(c)(i) states that handling, overhead, G&A, profit and other indirect costs associated with consumables and cleaning supplies are included in "CLIN 0001, Program Management and Admin Functions." Section B identifies CLIN 0001 as Phase-In and CLIN 0002 as Program Manager and Admin Functions, and Section L para C.3.b(4)a refers to "CLIN 0002 (Program Management and Admin Functions)." | (a) Please confirm that these costs are to be included in CLIN 0002 (and its counterpart CLIN in each ordering period), not in the Phase-In CLIN | Confirmed. Indirect costs, material handling, G&A, overhead, and profit associated with consumables and cleaning supplies are to be included in CLIN 0002 (Program Management and Admin Functions) and its counterpart CLINs in each subsequent performance period. |
The pricing structure for these items is clarified as follows:
| • | CLIN 0005 (ODC – Consumables & Cleaning Supplies): Invoiced strictly at the "Actual Price" paid by the Contractor, which includes sales tax paid (if applicable) minus any credits, discounts, or rebates accrued or realized. CLIN 0005 shall not include material handling charges, overhead, G&A, profit, or any other indirect costs. |
| • | CLIN 0002 (and Option Period Counterparts): Includes all burden, overhead, G&A, material handling, and profit associated with acquiring and managing consumables and cleaning supplies. |
Section H, paragraph 5(c)(i) will be updated via Amendment to replace "CLIN 0001" with CLIN 0002.
| 18 | Dining Facility Manager SubCLINs in Attachment G Reference: Section B, SubCLINs 0003LA and 0004LA; Attachment G, Instructions 5 and 6 | Section B prices the Dining Facility Manager SubCLINs by the month. Attachment G Instruction 5 places Transition-In and PMO costs on the Firm Fixed Price tab; Instruction 6 places all other labor on the Labor tab, which records estimated hours and a fixed fully burdened hourly rate. | (a) Should offerors enter SubCLINs 0003LA and 0004LA (and their counterparts in each ordering period) on the Firm Fixed Price tab as monthly prices, or on the Labor tab as hours and an hourly rate? | |
| (b) If the Labor tab, what annual hours per Dining Facility Manager should offerors use? | The solicitation and Attachment G- Pricing Matrix template will be updated by amendment. The Dining Facility Manager/Assistant Dining Facility Manager labor will be entered on the Firm‑Fixed‑Price tab. |
| 19 | Government-furnished office space | ||
| Reference: PWS paras 2.10 and A.2.10; Attachment D4 (Building 1015) | PWS para 2.10 states that office space will be provided "if available." PWS para A.2.10, in the section for the future dining facility, states that the Government will provide office and storage space for the Contractor in Building 1015, and Attachment D4 lists Project Manager office equipment in Building 1015. | (a) Will office and storage space in Building 1015 be provided to the Contractor from the start of phase-in? | |
| (b) If so, will the Government provide utilities, telephone and network connectivity in that space? | Office space in Building 1015 will be made available to the contractor at the conclusion of phase‑in.The Government will provide utilities, phone, and network connectivity required to perform contract‑related functions, including access to Government systems. Any additional or separate network services needed for other contractor operations must be contractor‑provided. | ||
| 20 | File names for PIEE upload | ||
| Reference: Section L paras A.1 and C.2.a | Section L para A.1 states that the PIEE Solicitation Module will not accept file names containing spaces or special characters (example: OfferorName_Vol_I_TAB_A_SF1449). Section L para C.2.a requires file names of the form "Company Name - Initial." | (a) Please confirm the file-name convention for PIEE uploads, for example WaypointLLC_Vol_II_Technical_Initial. | To prevent technical submission failures within the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) Solicitation Module, offerors must strictly adhere to the technical file-naming restriction in Section L, paragraph A.1. File names shall not contain any spaces or special characters (such as hyphens, dashes, slashes, or symbols). |
Underscores (_) are the only approved separator. Offerors shall follow the format demonstrated in your example: OfferorName_Vol_II_Technical_Initial (or OfferorName_Vol_I_TAB_A_SF1449).
| 21 | Volume III page limit | ||
| Reference: Section L para C.2.a, Table 1; Section L para C.3.c | Table 1 states no page limit for Volume III. Section L para C.3.c limits each reference to 10 pages | (a) Please confirm that Volume III has no overall page limit and that each reference is limited to 10 pages. | Confirmed. There is no overall cumulative page limit for Volume III (Past Performance). However, in accordance with Section L, paragraph C.3.c and Attachment P (Specific Relevant Contracts Format), each individual past performance reference submission is strictly limited to a maximum of 10 pages. |
Pages exceeding the 10-page limit per reference will not be evaluated. Section L Table 1 and Section L, paragraph C.3.c remain aligned and will be affirmed via Amendment
| 22 | Randolph-Sheppard Act priority. Reference: Section L para B.3; Section M para A.5 | Section M para A.5 states that the Randolph-Sheppard priority will not be applied to this procurement "pursuant to the limitation issued by the Secretary of Education in December 2026." The Secretary's limitation for Army dining facilities was published on 23 December 2025 (90 FR 60078, FR Doc. 2025-23761). On 31 July 2026 the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland vacated that determination in Taylor v. U.S. Department of Education, No. 1:26-cv-00402-GLR. | (a) | Please state the current legal basis on which the Government will not apply the Randolph-Sheppard priority to this procurement. | |
| (b) | Does the Government intend to amend Section L para B.3 or Section M para A.5? If the priority will be applied, please state how it will be applied in this LPTA source selection. | ||||
| (c) | Please correct the date of the limitation cited in Section M para A.5. | Section M, Paragraph 5 is updated via Amendment to reinstate statutory priority for the State Licensing Agency (SLA). Pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. § 107 et seq.), 34 CFR § 395.33, and Army Regulation 210-25, priority for award will be afforded to the SLA. If the SLA's proposal is evaluated as technically acceptable and falls within the competitive range under the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation factors, award will be made to the SLA, provided the Government determines the offer is offered at a fair and reasonable price and meets high quality standards. See updates in the Amendment. | |||
| 23 | Due dates and solicitation identifiers | ||||
| Reference: SF 1449 block 8; Section L paras A.1 and C.3.c | SF 1449 block 8 shows an offer due date of 31 Aug 2026, 12:00 PM. The SAM.gov notice shows 2 Nov 2026, 1300 ET. Section L para A.1 shows a questions deadline of 16 Sep 2026, 12:01 CST, and gives the PIEE solicitation number as W5168W-26-R-A028 | (a) | Please confirm by amendment the offer due date, time and time zone. | ||
| (b) | Please confirm the deadline for questions. |
| (c) | Please confirm the solicitation number to enter in the PIEE Solicitation Module. | ||
| (d) | Section L para C.3.c directs references to send questionnaires to david.w.fedison.civ@mail.mil; SF 1449 and Section L para A.1 use david.w.fedison.civ@army.mil. Please confirm the address. | Please see Amendment with updated due dates and the correct email is david.w.fedison.civ@army.mil | |
| 24 | Documents referenced but not posted | ||
| Reference: SF 1449 block 27a; Section J; Attachment L | Three documents referenced in the solicitation are not in the posted package. | (a) | SF 1449 block 27a states that FAR 52.212-5 is attached. Please provide 52.212-5 with the applicable paragraphs checked, and confirm whether 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards, Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts), apply. |
| (b) | Section J lists Attachment P (Past Performance Reference Sheet), Attachment Q (Past Performance Consent Letter) and Attachment R (Past Performance Questionnaire). Please post them. | ||
| (c) | Attachment L is a one-page local wage addendum. Please post the full collective bargaining agreement, or confirm that the addendum is the complete document applicable to this requirement. | 1. | SF 1449 & FAR Clause Modernization: SF 1449 Block 27a is updated via Amendment. Under the FAR Overhaul, FAR 52.212-3 and FAR 52.212-5 are [Reserved]; representations are verified via SAM.gov, and statutory terms are populated dynamically as discrete clauses in Section I. FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) and FAR 52.222-43 (SCLS Price Adjustment) are confirmed as applicable standalone contract clauses. |
| 2. | Section J Attachments: Attachment P (Past Performance Reference Sheet), Attachment Q (Consent Letter), and Attachment R (Questionnaire) are officially added to the solicitation package. | ||
| 3. | Please see updated Attahment L/La/Lb | ||
| 25 | Ordering period and priced periods | ||
| Reference: Section B; Section H para 5; Attachment G; Section M para (4) | Section B describes a three-year ordering period, performance through 14 Jan 2030, and 35 months on CLIN 0002AA. Section H para 5 states a 60-month ordering period plus six months under FAR 52.217-8. Attachment G is structured for Ordering Periods 1 through 5 plus an Extension. Section M para (4)(a) describes a base period and four option periods. | (a) | Please confirm the length of the ordering period. |
| (b) | Please confirm which ordering periods offerors are to price in Attachment G and how the total evaluated price will be computed. | The contract structure consists of three (3) 12-month ordering periods and one six-month extension period under FAR 52.217-8. Attachment G – Cost Element Summary utilizes a standard template. Offerors shall only enter proposed costs for the three (3) 12-month ordering periods and the 6-month extension period. Offerors are instructed to strictly follow the Ordering Instructions outlined in Section H (Special Contract Requirements) of the solicitation when completing Attachment G. Here is the itemized breakdown of the contract structure across each (3) 12-month ordering period and the six-month extension: |
Ordering Period 1 (15 December 2026 – 14 December 2027)
| • | Duration: 12 Months |
| • | CLIN 0001 (Phase-In): 1 Month |
| • | CLIN 0002 (Program Management & Admin Functions): 11 Months |
| • | CLINs 0003, 0004, and 0005 (Operations, ODCs/Consumables): 11 Months |
Ordering Period 2 (15 December 2027– 14 December 2028)
| • | Duration: 12 Months |
| • | CLIN 0001 (Phase-In): N/A (No Phase-In) |
| • | CLIN 0002 (Program Management & Admin Functions): 12 Months |
| • | CLINs 0003, 0004, and 0005: 12 Months |
Ordering Period 3 (15 December 2028– 14 December 2029)
| • | Duration: 12 Months |
| • | CLIN 0001 (Phase-In): N/A (No Phase-In) |
| • | CLIN 0002 (Program Management & Admin Functions): 12 Months |
| • | CLINs 0003, 0004, and 0005: 12 Months |
Option to Extend Services (FAR 52.217-8)
| • | Duration: 6 Months | ||
| 26 | Collective bargaining agreement term and health and welfare | ||
| Reference: Attachments L and M; Section L para C.3.d(2) | Attachment L shows rates effective 15 Dec 2025 for a term ending 14 Dec 2026, one month before the 15 Jan 2027 phase-in. | (a) | Has the Government received notice of a successor agreement or of negotiations? If so, will the Government incorporate a revised agreement or wage determination by amendment before the closing date? |
| (b) | Attachment L provides health and welfare of $5.56 per hour; Wage Determination 2015-4631, Revision 34, provides $5.92 per hour. Please confirm which rate applies to the classifications covered by Attachment L. | Fully executed CBA added to Amendment 002, (a) The CBA included in the solicitation reflects the active agreement currently in effect. The successor CBA is actively under negotiation between the incumbent contractor and the labor union. |
Prior to Award: If the negotiated successor CBA is finalized and provided to the Contracting Officer prior to contract award, an amendment will be issued incorporating the updated wage and fringe benefit rates.
Post-Award: If the successor CBA is not finalized prior to award, the contract will be awarded using the current CBA/Wage Determination baseline. Any subsequent wage and fringe adjustments resulting from the finalized successor CBA will be incorporated post-award via an equitable price adjustment pursuant to FAR 52.222-43 (Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts)).
Offerors shall base their current proposals strictly on the documentation presently incorporated into the solicitation and use the current CBA rates.
(b) For classifications covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Attachment L), the CBA Health & Welfare rate ($5.56/hr) applies in accordance with Section 4(c) of the Service Contract Act and FAR 22.1008-2. Locality Wage Determination 2015-4631 rates apply only to non-CBA covered classifications
| 27 | Labor hours basis and the third dining facility | ||
| Reference: Section B; Attachments B, D2, D3, E and O | The Section B SubCLIN quantities do not equal the Attachment O annual hours for the 35-month period. For example, CLIN 0003AA (First Cook, Building 5914) shows 16,222.5 hours; Attachment O shows 5,067 hours a year. | (a) | For Attachment G and the total evaluated price, should offerors use the Section B quantities or the Attachment O annual hours for each ordering period? |
| (b) | Attachments B, D2, D3 and E include a third dining facility (the new AIT DFAC, building number not yet assigned). Please confirm that it is not to be priced and would be added by modification. | The Section B SubCLIN quantities represent the combined hours for the base ordering period as well as ordering periods 2 and 3. For Attachment G, offerors should propose annual hours for each individual ordering period. The third DFAC referenced in Attachments B, D2, and D3 is provided for informational awareness only, to reflect the planned dining facility configuration on the installation. It is not to be priced at this time. | |
| 28 | CLIN treatment of contractor-furnished items | ||
| Reference: PWS paras 2.4, 3.1.1 and 3.2; Attachment E; CLINs 0002 and 0005 | The PWS requires several contractor-furnished items without stating the CLIN that carries them. | (a) | Single-use dinnerware and take-out packaging (PWS 3.2 and 3.2.1): reimbursable under the ODC CLIN 0005, or included in the FFP CLIN 0002? |
| (b) | Replacement of durable property (PWS 2.4): which CLIN? | ||
| (c) | Uniforms: PWS 3.1.1 places them in the FFP CLIN 0002; Attachment E lists them with reimbursable consumables. Please confirm the CLIN. | The Attachment E – Sample Materials List is an aggregate, illustrative listing of typical supplies furnished by the Contractor that includes both reimbursable consumable examples and non‑reimbursable items, such as uniforms and vacuums. This list is not all‑inclusive, nor is it intended to specifically identify items associated with ODC CLIN 0005. Only those contractor‑furnished supplies that require continuous replacement or replenishment to sustain DFAC operations and that are either non‑repairable or consumed through normal use should be charged to ODC CLIN 0005 | |
| 29 | Contract minimum and maximum | ||
| Reference: FAR 52.216-22; FAR 52.216-19 | FAR 52.216-22(b) refers to the minimum and maximum quantities designated in the Schedule. The Schedule does not state either. | Please state the contract minimum (guaranteed) amount and the contract maximum. | |
| We request that the answers be published to all offerors by amendment. | The contract minimum and maximum quantities are established in general terms within the solicitation under FAR 52.216-19 (Order Limitations), as follows: | ||
| • | Contract Minimum (Guaranteed Amount): The guaranteed minimum order quantity/value for the contract will be established upon award and is satisfied by the initial issuance of Task Order 1 (Phase-In / Core Operations). | ||
| • | Maximum Order Limitations: In accordance with FAR 52.216-19(b), the Contractor is not obligated to honor: | ||
| 1. | Any order for a single item in excess of the total estimated value of the contract; or | ||
| 2. | Any order for a combination of items in excess of the total estimated value of the contract. |
The specific numerical dollar figures for the minimum guaranteed amount and maximum contract ceiling will be inserted into FAR 52.216-19(a)–(c) and FAR 52.216-22(b) upon selection of the awardee and completion of final contract negotiations prior to award. This clarification is published to all offerors via Amendment.
| 30 | Will the Government guarantee a minimum number of meals, or will meal counts be based strictly on actual participation? If meal counts fall significantly below the projected numbers, how will the Government address the contractor's fixed labor and operational costs? | The contractor should staff based on historical meals and class size projection from the Food Program Office/COR. It is the contractor's responsibility based on these factors to properly staff the building. Contractors are paid based on labor provided. |
| 31 | Can the Government confirm whether all food and subsistence products will be Government-furnished and paid for directly by the Government? We understand the contractor is responsible for food requisitioning, receiving, storage, and inventory management under the PWS. However, we would like clarification on whether the contractor is financially responsible for purchasing any food products or whether our pricing should exclude the cost of subsistence. | All subsistence is ordered by the contractor but paid by the government. The contractor is not financially responsible for paying for subsistence. |
| 32 | Can the Government provide the incumbent contractor's current staffing information, including labor categories and approximate employee counts? Additionally, will the contractor have access to employee seniority information through the Union to properly account for vacation accrual, wages, and other benefits when developing pricing? | The Government does not provide the incumbent contractor's current staffing information or employee counts. Offerors shall determine their proposed staffing levels and labor mix based on the requirements set forth in the solicitation, the Performance Work Statement (PWS), the proposal instructions, and the estimated labor categories provided in the solicitation attachments. |
Regarding seniority data, employee seniority information will be available through the Union to assist offerors in calculating vacation accruals, wages, and applicable benefits under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
| 33 | With the new DFAC expected to open in spring 2028 and the existing facilities scheduled for renovation or closure, how does the Government anticipate adjusting staffing requirements, labor hours, and pricing during these transitions? Will these changes be addressed through task orders or contract modifications? | The service in the exsisting building will be reduced based on the movement of headcount to the new building. A Task Order or Modification will be utilized to alert the contractor to the opening and need to staff the new building based on the opening timeline. It will be the contractors responsibility to properly staff based on the diner requirement provided | |
| 34 | The solicitation identifies estimated productive labor hours and states that only actual hours worked are billable, up to the not-to-exceed amount. Can the Government clarify how contractors should account for paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, required training, benefits, and supervisory coverage when developing hourly rates? Additionally, if operational requirements exceed the estimated labor hours, how will the Government address the additional staffing and associated costs? | Holidays, vacation, sick leave, benefits, etc. should be billable through indirect rates, not productive labor hours. If operational requirements exceed the estimated labor hours, the contractor must communicate this to the government, and the government will determine if an increase to the cap is required to cover associated costs. | |
| 35 | Are there any other costs that should be accounted for regarding CLIN 0003 and all associated sub-CLINs for Building 5914, aside from the hourly loaded rates? | No, only fully burdened labor should be accounted for on the building/labor CLINs/sub-CLINs. | |
| 36 | 1449 Form | Is Contractor to sign and include the 1449 Form for both the initial Solicitation W5168W27R014 AND W5168W27RA140001 and submit with Volume I.? | Yes, please sign 1449 and all amendments |
| 37 | Solicitation B | There are numerous references to contract having a 3 year ordering period and we believe that is the USG's intention to issue a 3 year contract, however, page 30, section 5 states a task order period of 60 to 66 months? Attachment G Materials ODC has CLINS 0005 through 5005, indicating 66 months. Please confirm which is period is correct and if the CLINs for the POP are to be 35 months as listed in the Solicitation or 36 months if the POP is a 3 year period. | The contract structure consists of three (3) 12-month ordering periods and one six-month extension period under FAR 52.217-8. Attachment G – Cost Element Summary utilizes a standard template. Offerors shall only enter proposed costs for the three (3) 12-month ordering periods and the 6-month extension period. Offerors are instructed to strictly follow the Ordering Instructions outlined in Section H (Special Contract Requirements) of the solicitation when completing Attachment G. Here is the itemized breakdown of the contract structure across each (3) 12-month ordering period and the six-month extension: |
Ordering Period 1 (15 December 2026 – 14 December 2027)
| • | Duration: 12 Months |
| • | CLIN 0001 (Phase-In): 1 Month |
| • | CLIN 0002 (Program Management & Admin Functions): 11 Months |
| • | CLINs 0003, 0004, and 0005 (Operations, ODCs/Consumables): 11 Months |
Ordering Period 2 (15 December 2027– 14 December 2028)
| • | Duration: 12 Months |
| • | CLIN 0001 (Phase-In): N/A (No Phase-In) |
| • | CLIN 0002 (Program Management & Admin Functions): 12 Months |
| • | CLINs 0003, 0004, and 0005: 12 Months |
Ordering Period 3 (15 December 2028– 14 December 2029)
| • | Duration: 12 Months |
| • | CLIN 0001 (Phase-In): N/A (No Phase-In) |
| • | CLIN 0002 (Program Management & Admin Functions): 12 Months |
| • | CLINs 0003, 0004, and 0005: 12 Months |
Option to Extend Services (FAR 52.217-8)
| • | Duration: 6 Months | |||
| 38 | Solicitation B | CLIN Position descriptions do not all match the narrative associated with them. For example, 0003AE - Position - Headcount Clerk - the narrative refers to Storekeeper / Rations productive labor hours of 18,926.25. Please confirm for each CLIN whether the Position or narrative is correct. If CAP hours or other hours in Attachment O were used to formulate the 18,926.25 hours, please explain which hours were used to create the 18,926.25 hours and how this was calculated. | The CLIN descriptions have been updated in Amendment 0001 to address the discrepancies between the positions and associated narratives. Offerors are advised to review Amendment 0001 for the corrected descriptions. |
Regarding the hour calculations, the Capacity (CAP) hours are calculated based on the number of estimated hours required to staff each position for the entirety of the performance period. Please refer to the deviation instructions provided in the solicitation if your proposed hours differ.
39 Solicitation B Please explain if the hours used in the CLIN positions are intended to match with any of the hours in the CAP or other hours in the other attachments. We have been unable to tie them to other figures in the attachments. If possible, please explain what figures were used to formulate them. The Government is unable to determine which specific figures from other attachments offerors are referencing or why they would not align.
Regarding the hour calculations, Capacity (CAP) hours are calculated based on the estimated number of hours required to staff each position for the entirety of the performance period. Offerors should refer to the deviation instructions provided in the solicitation if their proposed hours differ from the government estimates.
| 40 | PWS 1.6.3 | Holiday decorations are to be porvided and paid for by the contractor, however holiday table cloths are the exception and will be provided by the Government, is this correct? | The Contractor will provide holiday decorations IAW PWS paragraph 1.6.3 and the Government will provide tablecloths for holidays and special events IAW PWS paragraph 4.1.5.4. |
| 41 | PWS / Solicitation 1.8.2 | #2. States an organizational chart which provides for QC personnel to have direct accountability to Contractor's top management personnel. The PWS also states that the Project Manager is responsible for site quality control and that the QCP needs an organizational chart to include QC personnel. Does the USG require a separate, dedicated Quality Control Inspector position for this contract, or is part-time management oversight acceptable? If a dedicated QC is required, should contractor price this position into PMO CLIN? | Offerors should propose their staffing in accordance with the requirements outlined in the solicitation. The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that all services delivered meet the required quality standards. Offerors may propose a separate, dedicated Quality Control position if they determine that is necessary to fulfill all quality requirements. Whether that position is full‑time or part‑time is at the discretion of the contractor. Pricing of proposed staffing should align with the Offeror’s technical approach and the structure of the CLINs in the solicitation. |
| 42 | General | If there are shipping costs or delievery fees associated with purchasing ODC's from a supplier, how can the contractor be reimbursed for those costs? | The entire cost of the item, to include shipping/delivery fees, should be reimbursed to the contractor through the ODC Consumables CLIN. |
| 43 | General | How will the Government handle equitable adjustments or modifications for labor staffing, mobilization, and facility support of overhead during the phased transition to the new DFAC? | The solicitation includes all currently available information regarding service hours, building plans, and Performance Work Statement (PWS) requirements for the new building. Upon completion of construction, a formal contract modification will be issued to incorporate the finalized operational requirements. |
Offerors are expected to fully account for their phased mobilization, labor staffing, and overhead costs in their baseline proposals in accordance with the transition requirements set forth in the solicitation. Any subsequent Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) or contract modifications resulting from Government-directed changes to labor staffing, mobilization, or facility support overhead will be evaluated and administered in strict accordance with the applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contract clauses (e.g., FAR 52.243-1 / FAR 52.243-2) incorporated into the contract.
| 44 | General | With compostable packaging and cleaning supplies set as reimbursable ODCs under funding caps, what’s the process for getting those caps raised if supply chain spikes make U.S.-made compliant items way more expensive? Also, if any rebates are issued, sometimes they may be issued monthly or annually for example and may not be included in the invoices in the current task order period. Is there a process the USC can instruct the contractor to follow, or will these need to be handled on a one off basis TBD? | The ODC CLIN does not have a funding cap. The ODC CLIN is a cost reimbursable CLIN and the contractors will be reimbursed for all consumable costs incurred. | |
| 45 | PWS 1.3.5 | For the monthly Certified Labor-Hour Summary required in paragraph 1.3.5, is there a specific format we are to use like listing every employee's hours by CLIN or is a typical system generated payroll report likely acceptable? | There is no specific format required for the monthly Certified Labor‑Hour Summary. The data provided must be derived directly from the contractor’s payroll records and must not be manipulated to match or support information contained in the invoice tracker. Offerors should use a format that clearly reflects actual certified labor hours taken from their payroll system. | |
| 46 | PWS / Solicitation | In-depth cleaning, openings/closures, and extended hours. Please confirm whether these hours are within or in addition to the estimated hours, and how overtime premiums and specialized equipment are recovered. Is there a CLIN for extended hours, open / close, periodic in depth? | The labor hours associated with in‑depth cleaning, openings/closures, and extended hours are included within the total estimated hours for each labor category. Contractors should propose how they will meet these requirements within their technical and staffing approach. There are no separate CLINs for extended hours, openings/closures, or periodic in‑depth cleaning; these efforts are to be covered within the existing CLIN structure. | |
| 47 | Solicitation | 0003AD -Position states Ration Clerk and the description states productive labor hours, however it does not say Ration again and lists 16,222.5 Hours. 0003AE - Position states Headcount Clerk, however provides a description of Storekeeper / Rations productive labor hours and they are listed as 18,926.25. Please clarify. | See updated 1149 | |
| 48 | Solicitation | CLIN 0002AA describes Program Manager and Admin Functions and reads that Contractor shall furnish all labor, personnel, supplies, materials, supervision and any other items necessary to provide Management and Administrative services for Full Food Services at FRAL IAW PWS dated 19 October 2026. POP 15 Jan 2027 TO 14 Jan 2030. This contract has a three (3) year odering period. PSD:M1FD, NAICS 722310, Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price and has a Quantity of 35 and Unit of Monthly. Then CLIN 0003AL Lists Dining Facility Managers IAW PWS and goes on to state that "only actual hours worked will be billable up to the not to exceed amount. This same "only actual hours" narrative is associated with 0004AL - Dining Facility Manager | Does the Government intend for these to be Hourly Positions? If hourly and not salaried, will the USG be providing at NTE amount of hours for each of the DFM/ADFM positions for each CLIN? Furthermore, the PWS requires that an ADFM be on duty in the absence of a DFM. Should the ADFM's be priced into CLIN's 0003AL and 0004AL and are they intended to be salaried or hourly positions? | "only actual hours" shouldn't apply to salary positions. |
DFM/ADFM are fixed monthly prices, not hourly positions.
| 49 | Attachment G | Attachment G - Tab "MUST READ FIRST -Instructions #5 reads as follows: Offerors shall input Transition-In, Program Management Office (PMO), and Dining Facility Manager (DFM)/Assistant Dining Facility Manager (ADFM) proposed costs on the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) tab. HOWEVER - SLIN 0003AL and SLIN 0004AL are not options in Column F - dropdowns, alhtough there are SLINs for 0003LA and 0004LA. It seems in many cases that the SLIN's in Column F do not match the SLIN's in the Solicitation Section B "Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs" Item Column. Section B reads SLIN 0003AB however in Column F the option is SLIN 0003BA. | See updated Attachemnt G (29 Oct 2026) |
| 50 | Attachment G | Attachment G - Field Dictionary Tab - Column E is titled "Mandatory" and each Row is either Marked No or Yes. Please define whether or not Yes means the contractor is required to enter data into that field in the pricing tabs, and if NO means that the contractor is not required to enter data into that field in the pricing tabs. Some fields marked NO, Rows 77, 79 Quantity and Unit Price seem to be necessary in order to calculate the Estimated Total Value. | All visible fields on the Attachment G are mandatory. The Field Dictionary tab column E is in reference to the system upload requirements and does not relate to contractor input. |
| 51 | Will the funding for all CLIN's be included in the Transition Period of 15 DEC 2026 to 14 JAN 2027? If not, how will the operational CLIN's for that period be funded? | Operational CLINs will not be funded under the incoming contractor's contract during the 30-day Phase-In / Transition Period (15 DEC 2026 to 14 JAN 2027). |
The incumbent contractor remains fully responsible for performance and will be paid under the operational CLINs of their existing contract through the end of their period of performance on 14 JAN 2027. The incoming contractor will only be reimbursed for the Phase-In Transition CLIN (if applicable) during this period in accordance with the solicitation terms.
52 Solicitation Section B describes SubCLIN hours as “productive labor hours,” and H.5 states that the contractor shall invoice “only actual hours worked.” Are these terms intended to have the same meaning? No, the terms are not intended to have the exact same meaning, though they work in conjunction for contract execution and billing.
"Productive labor hours" (as referenced in Section B) refer to the estimated labor hours required to perform and complete all food services and operational requirements delineated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).
"Actual hours worked" (as referenced in Section H.5) governs contract invoicing and billing. The contractor shall only invoice for the actual direct labor hours performed on-site/in performance of the contract requirements..
| 53 | Are paid hours for mandatory training required by PWS 1.5 billable as hours worked under the labor SubCLINs? | Paid hours for mandatory training required under PWS 1.5 are treated the same as other paid, non‑productive hours. The Government’s estimated productive hours do not include paid training hours. Contractors should follow their normal labor accounting practices, but paid training hours are not part of the productive labor hours reflected in the Government’s estimates for the labor SubCLINs. | |
| 54 | Are paid leave hours (vacation, holiday, and sick leave) excluded from billable hours under the labor SubCLINs? | Yes. Paid leave hours (vacation, holiday, and sick leave) are excluded from billable hours under the labor SubCLINs. The Government’s estimated productive hours do not include any paid leave, and those hours should not be billed as productive labor. | |
| 55 | Section L requires offerors to show the basic hourly rate for each labor category. Should the unit price for each labor SubCLIN in Attachment G be a fully burdened rate that includes all labor-related costs (e.g., paid leave, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits), indirect costs, and profit? | The column titled Fully Burdened Labor Rate on the Labor tab should include all labor-related costs, such as leave, indirect rates, profit, etc. The Hourly Rates tab should list base labor rates. | |
| 56 | Are overtime hours billable at the established hourly rate for the applicable labor category? | Yes | |
| 57 | Will the Government separately reimburse overtime premium pay? If so, under which CLIN or SubCLIN and with what approval process? | All hours should be paid through the established subCLINs at the established fixed fully burdened labor rate. | |
| 58 | If overtime premium pay will not be separately reimbursed, should Offerors include overtime premium costs in their proposed hourly unit prices, given the requirements for extended service hours on four hours’ notice (PWS 1.6.1.1) and facility reopenings on 72 hours’ notice (PWS 4.3)? | Yes | |
| 59 | If Government-directed extended hours cause actual hours to exceed the estimated hours for a SubCLIN, will the Government increase the SubCLIN ceiling by task order modification? | Yes |
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