W564KV-23-Q-0082_ACS Community Info Spec_Questions and Answers.pdf

QUESTION ANSWER

Q1.

The synopsis/solicitation states that the contractor must have, at a minimum, level C1 German Language skills (pg. 3, 8.a) but the PWS states that the contractor must have German language knowledge at the C2 level (PWS 1.10.a). Can the Government please confirm which qualification is correct?

The Contractor must possess German language knowledge at the C2 level.

Q2. If quoting in Euros, what is the conversation rate the Government will use? For FY 23, the Government use a fixed rate of 0.9381.

Q3.

Given the recent rapid changes in the Euro/Dollar exchange rate, when and how often will the government adjust the conversion rate?

Please see answer above.

Q4. Quality Control Plan Q1. Does the Government want a management structure physically located in Europe?

From a customer's stand point, it would be preferred, but not required.

Q5.

Quality Control Plan Q2. Does the Government want a contractor representative that shall be available by telephone or email from 0800 hours to 1700 hours Central European Time?

From a customer's stand point, it would be preferred, but not required. However, not having a contractor representative available during our opening hours will hinder communication when we need a quick answer on coverage. Such as when a contractor is absent and a backfill must be provided for example at 0800. If we have to wait until the afternoon to contact the contractor representive, we will not get a backfill for that day and this could cause serious hardship on us.

Q6.

Who are authorized to bid on this opportunity? Is this applicable for vendors whose companies are registered in Germany only? Or this is also applicable to vendors outside Germany?

Any interested parties with an active SAM registration are eligible to participate.

Q7.

Is this is a follow-on requirement or a new contract? If it is a follow on contract, could you please provide the incumbent contract number and the awarded price?

This is a follow-on requirement. The current contract number is W564KV20P0144. We will not disclose awarded price.

Q8. How many people are currently working under this contract? One person plus backfills when contractor is absent.

How many FTE's are required to perform under this contract?

One person. A backfill will have to be provided every time the full-time person is absent due to illness or vacation.

Q9. Please confirm if this requirement is a full-time or part-time position? This is a full-time requirement

Q10.

In the document under Part 4. Contractor Furnished Property and Services, paragraph 4.3 Materials:, states:4.3 Materials: Automated data processing equipment (ADPE) such as a personal computer, laptop or tablet with WiFi and internet capabilities. This equipment is necessary when utilizing a backfill to perform this contract with no CAC access.

This equipment may also be required as described in part 8 should ACS not be able to provide a laptop or tablet.

A laptop or tablet must be provided by the Contractor when the primary Contractor is absent and a backfill without a CAC renders services in her/his place. A CAC is needed to access our network via Government issued computers. However, a backfill without a CAC can render services as long as she/he can log on to our WIFI. A computer provided by the Contractor will allow access to some of the websites the Contractor needs to access to fulfill the PWS via WIFI without a CAC. This can be done through a temorary waiver for access to our client database. Once the backfill(s) has(ve) a CAC, this requirement no longer exists.

Q11.

Part 8 Contingency Operations, paragraph 8.2.1.3 Change to Place of Performance paragraph 1.5.6 Place of performance, states: 8.2.1.3 Change to Place of Performance paragraph 1.5.6 Place of performance: During contingency operations, Contractor will be allowed to telework as directed. Contractor will have to complete Telework Fundamentals Training on line and sign all required forms and memoranda required by USAG-RP and ACS. Whenever possible, the Contractor will be issued a laptop or tablet in order to connect via WiFi at his/her place of residence exclusively. WiFi connections are not authorized in public settings/places. The Contractor will sign a temporary hand receipt before any equipment leaves Government buildings and will be fully responsible for the return of the equipment once contingency operations cease.

Contractor can be held liable for loss of equipment and can be fined for the value of the equipment should it be damaged or lost. Should ACS not be able to issue a laptop or tablet, the Contractor will provide computer equipment as mentioned in part 4.3 of this PWS.

ACS will provide IT equipment under contingency operation, if available. Should ACS not have sufficient equipment to provide a laptop under contingency operations, the Contractor will have to provide such equipment during the duration of the contingency. The only serious contingency plan put in place recently was during the onset of COVID.

ACS staff were teleworking. The Contractor filling this requirement had to work from the office due to lack of laptop, hence the addition of this requirement.

ACS COMMUNITY INFORMATION SPECIALIST #W564KV23-Q-0082

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q12.

In the document under Part 4. Contractor Furnished Property and Services, paragraph 4.5 Background Checks, states: 4.5 Background Checks): The Contractor shall provide Background Checks in accordance with this PWS and as determined by the Government.

Lack of background checks is often the factor which prevents Contractors from obtaining a CAC in a reasonable time. This means that they will not be able to fullfill 100% of the PWS until a CAC is obtained. Full access to our network cannot be granted without a CAC. We need background checks to be completed as soon as possible. Prior to award would be optimal. However, for US citizens Companies must process the background check through the secutiy portal used by our security personnel i.e. the Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence. Our security personnel can access background checks results with the person's name and SSN to verify that backgournd checks were completed and that no derogatory information was found. For Local National personnel, the company would have to provide a LNSP.

Background checks can be completed by us as well.

However, as stated above Contractors with alreardy completed backgournd checks would help us speed up the CAC process.

Q13.

In the document paragraph 5.1.1 to 5.2.3.1 there are words saying (No Change) like stated below: 5.1.1 No Change, 5.1.2.

No Change, 5.1.3. No Change

Part 8 of the PWS is the contingency plan. It lists which duties would be executed in the same manner i.e. same -nothing changes and the ones which will have to be modified due to the circumstances. Possible needed changes to be executed by the Contractor are spelled out when the tasks which would remain unchanged are not since one would refer to part 5 for those.

Q14.

Paragraph 1.10 Key Personnel letter a states the qualifications for the ACS Community Leverage Technician Section 8. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS letter b. Section II - Technical, states the qualifications for the ACS Community Leverage Technician

-However qualifica on requirements did not match from 1.10 Key Personnel le er a to Sec on 8. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS letter b. Section II - Technical -Please confirm what are the qualifica on requirements for the ACS Community Leverage Technician?

-Please confirm if level C1 German language skills is required?

-Does the ACS contractor employee needs to be a US Ci zen?

-Does the ACS contractor employee needs to be a German Ci zen?

Qualifications in para 1.10 of the PWS are correct. The contractor will NOT be expected to speak German at the C1 level and Will NOT teach ESL. Please only pay attention to special qualifications in the PWS.

Q15. Qualifications

Qualifications in para 1.10 of the PWS are correct. The contractor will NOT be expected to speak German at the C1 level and Will NOT teach ESL. Please only pay attention to special qualifications in the PWS.

Q16. Will the government provide SOFA or Logistical support for this role? No.

Q17.

Paragraph 1.13 Contractor Travel: 1.13 Contractor Travel: Contractor shall provide their own transportation to their primary duty location. Army Community Service provides an office location and classroom space for all required classes.

The Contractor shall be required to travel within the local community during the performance of this contract to attend strategic and programming planning meetings, conferences, training and working group as necessary. Transportation may be provided by ACS staff in Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) at no expense to the contractor on a space available basis.

There will be no travel outside of the region. ACS has to satelite sites i.e. Baumholder and Landstuhl that the Contractor may have to go occasionally for training or meetings. These are within Rheinland-Pfalz's footprint and no more than 45 minutes away. Should the Contractor have to travel to one of these locations with no space available in a Goverment vehicle, the Contractor would have to drive her/his car at her/his expense. If this happens at all, it would not be more than twice per year.

Q18.

Paragraph 1.5.6 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the ACS offices located on Kleber Barracks, building 3210, or at any other location within the USAG Rheinland-Pflaz footprint that ACS may move to during the life of this contract.

Should ACS move to a different location during the life of this contract, it would be within one of posts within the Kaiserslautern area. It would be no more than 30 minutes away from its current location. This factors in traffic which is sometimes heavy.