22R0008 Solicitation Questions Final 20220327.docx

Question & Answers from Site Visit W90VN-22-R-0008

Question 1: We notice several military BMETs in Gimhae, will they be performing maintenance instead of the contractors.

Answer: The Active Duty BMETs at Gimhae do perform maintenance but their overall task will be to provide oversight over the entire program at Daegu, Gwangju and Gimhae to ensure BMET contractors are performing IAW terms and conditions of the contract.

Question 2: The forklift in Gwangju has been out of service for over a year. Will this be in-service prior to the award?

Answer: There have been acquisition delays with the new forklift, the broken forklift at Gwangju will not be in-service at the time of award. 607 MMS is able to assist with forklift requirements at Gwangju. In addition, if they are not able to assist we are able to submit a request to 607 MMS at Daegu for the use of WRM forklifts.

Question 3: Can we get a 15-day extension of the Medical WRM submission.

Answer: No. This no grace time because the award packet must be forwarded to ROK MMD for approval; as a result, that would cause potential lapse in service.

Question 4: PWS 1.6.11.1.4 – Biomedical Equipment Technician. Finding a BMET with “generators and environmental control units” experience will be very difficult, and even active-duty military BMETs typically do not possess such experience. Would the Government consider adding an “Equipment Maintenance Technician” or similar requirement dedicated to repairing generators, environmental control units, and equipment typically not repairable by a BMET?

Answer: No, Active Duty BMETs are able to test, evaluate and repair all equipment present at the facilities, however if repairs are beyond the scope of what BMET can provide, they will coordinate with external sources for services.

Question 5: PWS 5.3 thru 5.4 (all-inclusive) – DMLSS. One location had piles of inbound medical shipments yet to be processed as receipts within DMLSS. Some of the backlog work goes back to Nov 2021, and when asked why the incumbent employees said they were having trouble obtaining access to NIPR. What is the reason for having trouble obtaining NIPR access? What is the expected timeframe for a new employee to gain NIPR access from start to finish? Would the Government personnel provide temporary DMLSS support until NIPR access is granted?

Answer: We have streamlined the process to gain NIPR access and it is the contractor’s responsibility to follow the steps provided. The process will take approximately 3 weeks from start to finish. The active duty personnel will assist if there is a deficiency outside of the contractor’s scope of responsibility or action. Until the contractor gains access, the government will not issue any unsatisfactory rating when it is no fault of the contractor.

Question 6: PWS Appendix 3 – Government Furnished Property by Location. The appendix lists each site having a forklift provided, but the Gwangju site’s forklift has been inoperable since 19 June 2020 (as indicated by a big sign on the forklift). Will the Government replace that forklift by contract start? If not, should bidders propose a 4k or 6k forklift?

Answer: There is an approve acquisition for several forklifts for each location, however there has been unanticipated delays pushing back the delivery timeframe. It is unlikely that new forklifts will be delivered by the time the contract begins. Bidders should not propose the procurement of a forklift. 607 MMS is able to assist with forklift requirements at Gwangju. In addition, if they are not able to assist we are able to submit a request to 607 MMS at Daegu for the use of WRM forklifts.

Question 7: There is no Corporate Experience listed. Does the prime contractor need to provide a time of logistics activities and inventory management or War Reserve Materiel Maintenance services?

Answer: Instruction to offerors has been updated to reflect a minimum of 2 years of experience within the last 8 years as a prime contractor.

Question 8: There is no requirement statement on the provision of the resumes for the key personnel such as Contract Manager, Site Manager, Medical Logistician, and BMET except for a potential new hire resumes on Para 1.6.11.3. Does the prime contractor need to provide the resumes of the key personnel for Technical Capability proposal?

Answer: No. The intent is for the contractor to hire qualified personnel per the PWS.

Question 9. The PWS 1.6.11 states, key personnel are the Contract Manager (CM), Alternate Contract Manager (ACM) and Site Managers (SM). The Qualifications for all key personnel are which listed below do not have ACM qualifications.

-What are the ACM qualifications?

Answer: The ACM qualifications are the same as the Contract Manager and PWS has been updated.

Question 10. The PWS 1.6.11.1 Contractor qualifications includes Medical Logistician and Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET).

-Are the Medical Logistician and BMET considered key personnel?

Answer: No

Question 11. The PWS 1.6.11.1.1 states the CM shall have 10 years of experience within the last 8 years and requires an undergraduate college diploma in business or administration. The pre-solicitation required much less experience and academic requirements. For example, the CM will have 3 years of experience in the last 8 years. Minimum academic requirements include undergrad degree or high school diploma with 5 years’ experience.

- How can they have 10 years of experience in the last 8 years? Removed. Please see revised PWS.

Answer:

Question 12. The PWS 1.6.11.1.2 states the SM requires a bachelor’s degree or higher and a minimum of 8 years’ experience within the last 6 years.

-How can they have 8 years of experience in the last 6 years?

Answer: Requirement removed; must just have experience.

-Can the academic requirement for SM be substituted with experience?

Answer: Please see updated PWS.

Question 13: The PWS 1.6.11.6 states the contractor shall score a 70% or higher on the test of English as a foreign language.

-Which test shall be taken? Which part of the test requires 70% (reading, writing, comprehension)?

Answer: Removed. Please see revised PWS.

Question 14: Compliance with local labor laws is included under Clauses Incorporated by Reference.

Question 15: Are all Korean labor laws included in this requirement? More specifically, are succession of employment laws included in this requirement?

Answer: LCS funded; therefore; contractor would have to apply with Korean labor laws. This is not a decision that can be made by U.S. government officials.

Question 16: Will the government honor the experience of current employees? If not, how long does the new contractor have to evaluate and replace unqualified personnel? Will the base year (6 months) be an acceptable amount of time to acquire the qualified personnel?

Answer: The government expects the contractor to hire and maintain employees with the experience levels that are defined in PWS. The government plans to enforce contractor performance monitoring after the “phase in” period. Please see revised PWS.

Question 17: Is the Korean National Contract Law in effect?

Answer: Yes. See clause 5152.232-4030 (local clause).

Question 18: PWS 1.6.4 – Hours of Operation. Several incumbent employees have expressed they are only being paid part-time to work 7-hours a day between 0730-1630 (2-hours off). The previous RFP W91QVN-16-R-0125 estimated hours per employee at 2,080 per year. Is this a breach of contract agreement? If not, can bidders propose 8-hour days to include full-time benefits but only pay employees part-time to exclude full-time benefits?

Answer: This is a performance based contract; the government does not tell the contractor how to accomplish the job. The government evaluates outcome based on standards outlined in PWS. The information provided was for workload estimates only and an estimate. Labor disputes are handled by the contractor and the Korean Minister of Labor (not contracting officer).

Question 19: PWS 1.6.11.1.1 – Contract Manager. The incumbent Contract Manager is listed as CM on the current Medical WRM contract and another contract. Can an individual work on multiple contracts as a full-time Contract Manager for each contract?

Answer: That is not a determination made by the contracting officer. We are concerned about the performance of the contract.

Question 20: PWS 1.6.11.1.1 – Contract Manager. Is the Contract Manager required to work at a specific location? Please see revised PWS.

Answer: The Contract Manager is not required to work at a specific location. However, there is a monthly meeting requirement when can be accomplished by telephone, face-to-face is preferred with the potential COR at Gimhae.

Question 21: PWS 1.6.11.1.1 – Contract Manager. What is the correct number of years of experience required?

Answer: Please see updated PWS.

Question 22: PWS 1.6.11.1.2 – Site Manager. What is the correct number of years of experience required?

Answer: Please see updated PWS.

Question 23: PWS 1.6.11.1.3 – Medical Logistician. What is the correct number of years of experience required?

Answer: Please see updated PWS.

Question 24: PWS 1.6.11.1.4 – Biomedical Equipment Technician. What is the correct number of years of experience required?

Answer: Please see updated PWS.

Question 25: PWS 1.6.11.1.4 – Biomedical Equipment Technician. Finding a BMET with “generators and environmental control units” experience will be very difficult, and even active-duty military BMETs typically do not possess such experience. Would the Government consider adding an “Equipment Maintenance Technician” or similar requirement dedicated to repairing generators, environmental control units, and equipment typically not repairable by a BMET?

Answer: Please see Question & Answer #4.

Question #26: PWS 5.3 thru 5.4 (all-inclusive) – DMLSS. One location had piles of inbound medical shipments yet to be processed as receipts within DMLSS. Some of the backlog work goes back to Nov 2021, and when asked why the incumbent employees said they were having trouble obtaining access to NIPR. What is the reason for having trouble obtaining NIPR access? What is the expected timeframe for a new employee to gain NIPR access from start to finish? Would the Government personnel provide temporary DMLSS support until NIPR access is granted?

Answer: Please see response to Question and Answer #5.

Question #27: PWS Appendix 1 – Listing of Medical WRM Assemblage Items at Each Location. The appendix estimates that one full-time position equals 2,080 hours, with a total of 49,920 estimated hours that equals 24 full-time positions required for all locations. The current incumbent is known to have 21 employees now versus the 26 listed in Appendix 4 of RFP W91QVN-16-0125. Can bidders propose less than 24 full-time positions?

Answer: This is a performance based contract; the government is only concerned with the desired outcomes. Please take note of the supply and equipment amounts, the estimate work hours is based on trained, knowledgeable staff that knows how to accomplish the task. Tent inventories can take 2-3 days with several people and we have 114 tent boxes that have to be inventoried every 2 years.

Question 28: PWS Appendix 3 – Government Furnished Property by Location. The appendix lists each site having a forklift provided, but the Gwangju site’s forklift has been inoperable since 19 June 2020 (as indicated by a big sign on the forklift). Will the Government replace that forklift by contract start? If not, should bidders propose a 4k or 6k forklift?

Answer: See response Question and Answer #6.

Question 29: DFAR 252.216-7003 – Economic Price Adjustment: Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government. Is this DFAR clause applicable to this procurement?

Answer: Removed.

Question 30: Appendix 1 Listing of M WRM assemblage items at each location likely suggest a fixed number of personnel by position title and estimated total workhours per year.

à Wondering if an offeror offering less man-power that Appendix 1 Listing, will be excluded from Award? How much less offer in manpower will not be accepted for the award?

Answer: See Question and Answer #18.

Question 31: Appendix 4 suggests 5 year historic workload increase by location.

Wondering how much will it increased for next 5 years coming?

Answer: There are no estimates for an increase or decrease, it would depend on the political climate and our mission.

Question 32: Shall any offeror imposed QDRs by the government be excluded from the competitive range?

Answer: The contracting officer’s intent is to make an award without discussions IAW 52.212-1

Question 33: We notice there were no Contract Officer present and no publicizing contract actions given, thus allowing for hinder prescribes policies, procedures, contract opportunities and award information of this contract. Will there be a publicizing contract actions given prior to the contract award?

Answer: Contract action will be publicized when approved by ROK MND.

Question 34: Wondering if offerors/contractors under FAR possibly entertain the government official/representative to get favor for coming bids? What repercussion shall be imposed to the offeror/bidder attempting favor of the government officials. What if the offeror/bidder be found by witness?

Answer: Please see the following. 5152.232-4030 – Payments of ROK MND Funded Contracts

PAYMENTS OF ROK MND FUNDED CONTRACTS

(a) Responsibility for Payment: The ROK Government shall make payment directly to the contractor for performance rendered and accepted under any contract part, or delivery or service order identified as “MOA contract – funded by ROK MND.” Payments shall be made at the prices specified in the contract.

(b) Performance Certification and Contract Administration: The U.S. Government has sole authority to administer this contract. The U.S. Government, through its designated USFK official(s), has sole authority to inspect and accept goods and services and to determine the Contractor’s entitlement to payment under this contract. The administering U.S. Government Contracting Officer will resolve all disputes, claims, and appeals before certifying invoices for payment. Neither ROK MND nor ROK Defense Logistics Agency will pay any invoice or claim under this contract without prior U.S. Government certification.

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