JBER AE MATOC Questions and Answers-23 APR 2026.pdf

AI Disclosure--Ask Sage AI Prompt used: can you use the files and create a clean transcript of questions and answers? The Teams transcript and recording files were used with this prompt.

JBER Industry Day - Questions & Answers Transcript*

*Items in red are answered at the bottom as they were not generated via AI.

Question from Dean Hartman (Michael Baker): We submitted some RFIs (Requests for Information) prior to this meeting. Will you be able to address those?

[2] Answer: Yes, we have received those questions from Michael Baker. [2]

Question from S. Ingram (AECOM): Must key personnel already possess a secret clearance before the contract is awarded? [2] Answer: We will have to get back to you on that. We will take all questions and provide official answers on sam.gov. [2]

Question: Can you clarify the difference between CMMC Level 2 and a Secret clearance? [2] Answer: They are two different things. "Secret" is a security classification for information. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a certification for the entity proposing on the contract. For this procurement, handling information classified as Secret would equate to a CMMC Level 2 security requirement. [2]

Question: Will firms be allowed to submit on more than one team? [2] Answer: Yes, we do see instances where different firms are part of different teams. [2]

Question: What is the time frame being considered for past experience projects? [2] Answer: It is 10 years. [2] This answer was given in error it is 7 years and will be added to synopsis.

Question: With the secret requirement, will all subcontractors also need to be able to handle secret material? [2] Answer: This will be determined on a task order basis.

If any CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) or secret information is passed down to a subcontractor, they would need to be CMMC Level 2 certified before they can receive that information. The responsibility is on the prime contractor to gather proof of the subcontractor's CMMC certification. [2]

Question from Dean Hartman: For an unpopulated Joint Venture (JV), will the individual JV partners' CMMC Level 2 registration be validated, rather than the unpopulated JV itself? [2] Answer: Yes. If you have an unpopulated JV, both partner entities of the joint venture would need to meet the CMMC certification requirement.

The JV as an entity would not need to be CMMC certified. [2]

Question from Dean Hartman: Will the government have facilities available at JBER to execute classified work? Is there a procedure for the compliant transmission of classified materials between the government and A-E firms? [2] Answer: Yes, there will be space available on JBER if it is required to have discussions or other interactions at a secret level. And yes, there is a procedure for the compliant transmission of classified materials, which can be made available. [2]

Question: Would you consider not requiring the geotechnical discipline to have an individual that possesses and maintains a secret clearance? [2] Answer: That is a reasonable request. The intent is for anyone who has a requirement to access and use classified materials to have the appropriate clearances. If the geotechnical discipline does not require access or have a need to know, they would not be required to have that level of clearance. [2]

Question from Travis (WSP): Is the government considering more projects than the ten listed on the slide? [2] Answer: Yes. [2]

Question from Dean Hartman: Can you provide a further definition and any additional qualifications for the "facilitator" and "explosives safety specialist" required disciplines? [2] Answer: That is something we can provide later. We understand that having framing criteria for these less common disciplines is helpful. [2]

Question from Dean Hartman: Are the specialized experience and technical competence factors (1 through 9) ordered to reflect their weighting or relative order of importance? Also, can you clarify the definition of "cold regions" from the selection criteria? [2] Answer: The factors are not in a specific order of importance, but it is something we can discuss if necessary. For cold regions, we would consider that to be ASHRAE climate zone 7 or 8. We would not specifically exclude climate zone 8 experience. [2]

Question from S. Ingram (AECOM): Can the government clarify the age or time frame of potential projects and whether design projects must be construction-complete or design-complete to qualify for the specialized experience criteria? [2] Answer: That is something we can follow up on and specify. [2]

Question from Roberto Amador (AARC Global Services): Given the requirement for cold regions design experience, how will firms without direct Arctic experience be evaluated if they demonstrate strong technical capability in similar environments? [2]

Answer: Cold region experience is a requirement. There are different avenues that contractors can pursue to represent that experience, such as joining up with other partners. [2]

Question from Louis Fisk (CRW): We understand CMMC Level 2 has two sub-levels:

self-certified and third-party (C3PAO) certified. Could you clarify how these will be incorporated, and if a third-party certification would be considered more advantageous? [2] Answer: We anticipate a Level 2 self-certification as a requirement for the base contract. The CMMC requirement could vary by task order, so you will want to look at the solicitation when it comes out. [2]

Question from Leah Boltz: Does the government still intend to conduct virtual interviews with the most qualified firms? [2] Answer: Yes. [2]

Question from David Parmelee (Black & Veach): If submitting as an unpopulated JV, will the JV itself have to hold a Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the secret level, or will both JV partners' individual FCLs satisfy the requirement? [2] Answer: For an unpopulated JV, both owning entities of the JV need to have the certification. The JV itself, as an entity, does not require the certification if both parties to the JV have it.

[2]

Question from George Chan: Would work in international regions that are similar to ASHRAE Zone 7 be accepted? [2] Answer: Yes, if it is international work on DoD installations. [2]

Question from Susan Dalton: Do all submitted projects for experience need to be in ASHRAE Zone 7, or is the requirement met as long as we demonstrate some Zone 7 experience? [2] Answer: All the projects for this contract will be in Zone 7. For evaluating experience, it is a relevancy question. A mix of projects weighted towards Zone 7 is a much better mix than one not weighted towards Zone 7. [2]

Question from Travis Petal (WSP): Can you share the district's small business (SB) goals for this contract, and are those goals tied to the entire contract capacity? [2] Answer: The goals are listed in the draft synopsis and are a percentage of the total contract value, which is $$600 million. The goals are: 10% for small business, 5% for small disadvantaged business (SDB), 3% for HUBZone, 2% for women-owned small business, 2% for veteran-owned small business, and 1% for service-disabled veteran-owned small business. [1, 2]

Question: Will any portion of this contract be a small business set-aside? [1] Answer:

No, this is an unrestricted procurement. [1]

Question from JJ Tang: Alaska is in USDA-defined cold region zones, while other states are in different zones. Please clarify your cold region definition. [1] Answer:

We are specifically using the ASHRAE-defined climate zones 7 and 8. We are not utilizing any USDA definitions for cold regions. JBER is located in ASHRAE Climate Zone 7. [1]

Question from Joey Ball: Do you anticipate many master planning requirements to be awarded to this contract? [1] Answer: We are not certain. The answer is to be determined as project requirements are more clearly defined in the future, but it is possible that master planning services would be a task order awarded as part of this contract. [1]

Question from Joyce Fries Brew: Will all JBER projects be awarded through this contract? [1] Answer: No, not necessarily. [1]

Question from Jack Shivers: Regarding the ability to process secret material, can you clarify if an ability to process material at TS/SCI is acceptable, or is the capability for secret-level specifically? [1] Answer: Our intent is for this to only be at the secret collateral level. There is no expectation that any information would be shared or processed at a TS or TS/SCI level. Just to be clear, the level of classification will not rise above a secret collateral level for this contract. [1]

Question from Leah Boltz: We had heard that other bases in Alaska would be able to access this contract if needed. Is this true, or is it all JBER work? [1] Answer: It is all JBER work. [1]

Question from David Parmalee (Black & Veach): Requiring all small business subcontractors to be CMMC Level 2 certified severely limits the available pool of small business partners due to the cost burden. [1] Answer: The CMMC certification is required if the information you are handling is classified as CUI or higher.

Potentially, you could have a subcontractor where you pass along only non-CUI information; then only Level 1 CMMC certification would be required for that sub. But it is true that if you are passing along any CUI information, that sub has to be Level 2 CMMC self-certified. [1]

Question from Dean Hartman: You indicated a $$600 million contract ceiling. Is there the potential for that ceiling to be increased for work at another Alaska installation, for example, Fort Wainwright? [1] Answer: No, we do not anticipate revising the amount that we have on this contract or including other locations throughout Alaska. It's just for JBER. [1]

Question from JJ sev: So projects in ASHRAE Zone 7 regions like Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, etc., will be considered relevant? [1] Answer: Yes, if the project location was located within the boundaries of ASHRAE Zone 7, then we will consider it relevant. It does not have to be Alaska-specific. [1]

Question from David Porter (Black & Veach): Is there a chance that USACE or the Air Force will declassify this IDIQ before the RFP is released? [1] Answer: No, not at this time. [1]

References

[1] IndustrydaytranscriptdownloadExtra_dde1deff.docx [2] JBERIndustryDaytranscript1_7103e665.docx

Questions Missing/TBD from listed after review of transcript and recording: Not generated from AI.

Tim Hickman: How many Prime AE contracts are planned to be awarded? Answer:

7 total base contracts will be awarded for this contract vehicle.

S. Ingram: What does DB, AE mean under execution strategy? Answer: That means design build, all of the expectations for anything on that list from the scope and draft synopsis. Again, don’t take that as like a gospel list of things that will be happening. But it is more a representative list of things that will be happening and in that specific instance, Steve, you would refer to a design build RFP.

S. Ingram: Can the government clarify whether key personnel must already possess an company-sponsored secret clearance or just be eligible to obtain one for the contract? Or can this be obtained by contract award? Answer: Required if it is needed for the Task Order. Two of the key personnel - at the principal or project manager level - must have secret clearance at the time of proposal. It is acceptable for other personnel to be eligible for secret clearance and obtain when needed for a specific task order.

Dean Hartman: Can you provide further definition and any additional qualifications for the facilitator and explosives safety specialist required disciplines? Answer: The facilitator must be trained and certified by S.A.V.E. International (SAVE) as a Certified Value Specialist (CVS). The facilitator must have demonstrated experience facilitating charrettes, VE workshops, and similar meetings. Experience with VE workshops facilitated in accordance with Engineering Regulation ER 11-1-321 Value Engineering, Change 1, SAVE Value Standard, and the SAVE eight-step process is strongly preferred.

Explosives Safety Specialist: Must have a minimum of 5 years of specialized experience with the Defense Explosive Safety Regulation (DESR) 6055.09, designing structures to resist accidental explosions, siting structures per Explosives Safety Quantity-Distance (ESQD) separation, Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) approval process. Familiar with UFC 3-340-02 Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions

Hunter Goguen, PE AK Built: Does this contract also include construction management/construction support services? Or is that included in a separate IDIQ contract. Answer: This contract will include Design During Construction; answering RFIs; reviewing design, materials, and equipment submittals; engineering-related site inspections; and similar engineering functions. "Construction management and support services" are generally handled by the Alaska District and a separate IDIQ contract.

S. Ingram, AECOM: Can the government clarify the age or timeframe of potential projects and whether design projects must be construction complete or design complete to qualify for the specialized experience criteria? Answer: Projects must be Design Complete less than 7 years ago. Higher weight will be given to more recent projects. 10 years was stated during the virtual industry day by mistake. This information will be added to the Synopsis.

Matt Edge, CRW: CRW interprets that storing SECRET material in a GSA-approved container and limiting access to only individuals with SECRET clearance would satisfy the contract requirements. Can you confirm that our interpretation is correct? Answer: 32 CFR 117.15 - DoD contractors storing Secret documents must use GSA-approved security containers (cabinets/safes), vaults built to Federal Standard 832 or approved open storage areas. Facilities require a Facility Security Clearance (FCL), a CAGE code, and approval from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) per the NISPOM, ensuring 24/7 security or intrusion detection systems. Additional information can be found in the FAR-Subpart 4.4 Safeguarding Classified Information Within Industry.

Matt Edge, CRW: If additional facilities/security measures are necessary, can you please provide the specific requirements that will satisfy the solicitation requirements? Answer: Offerors must comply with the specific safeguards that are required by 32 CFR Part 2002 for CUI, and any other applicable ISOO or other agency requirements.

Matt Edge, CRW: Alternatively, we would appreciate if USACE would consider one or more of the following measures:

1. Issuing one or more of the contracts without the requirements sited in previous question above (#35-36) Answer: No

2. Modifying the statement to require the ability to obtain SECRET security clearance after contract award but before an applicable TORN can be issued. A similar approach was used in previous IDIQ in 2025. Answer: Feasible, as not all task orders would require the need for SECRET clearance.

3. Creating a two-tiered contracting approach for SECRET and Non-SECRET work.

Based on similar past projects, we would expect that CMMC Level 2 Certification would be sufficient for most of the work under this contract. Answer: No

List of personnel attending Industry Day from USACE AK District:

Theresa Afrank, Contracting Officer

LTC Raven Donelson, Contract Specialist

Niel Murray, Project Manager

CPT Taylor Jacobs, Project Manager

Mike Dominick, Chief of Army Project Section

Pamela Warren, Scheduler

Clara Sullivan, Business Oversight Branch

Ryan Zachry, Small Business Professional for Alaska District

Josh Biggers, Pacific Ocean District (POD) Senior Program Manager

Robert Sullivan, Business Oversight Branch

Erik Vokt, Senior Contracting Official POD