QA as of 20240510.docx

Q&A for W9124224Q0101 SIK BPA

Combined Synopsis Solicitation Q1. On Page 1, CLIN 0001 states Breakfast: $9.50. CLIN 0002 states Breakfast: $14.50. CLIN 0003 states Breakfast: $14.50. Can the Government please update CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002, and CLIN 0003 with the correct MAX pricing?

A1. CLIN 0001 is for Breakfast, CLIN 0002 is for Lunch, CLIN 0003 is for Dinner. These have been updated in the synopsitation.

Q2. Can the Government provide the Qty for Each CLIN that will be used for evaluation purposes?

A2. The quantity for evaluation purposes is 1. The actual numbers are unknown until the requirement is submitted by the units. Usually 60-90 days prior to the feeding event.

Authorized Vendor List Q1. Are the vendors listed in the Authorized vendor list precluded from bidding on the BPA?

A1. No, the solicitation is open to any small business that is registered to do business with the Federal Government.

Q2. Has the Government negotiated predetermined rates for these vendors?

A2. No, these vendors meet the health and quality standards of the National Guard. Vendors can be added to the list by the State Culinary Manager. Negotiations shall take place between the BPA holder and the authorized vendors.

Q3. What is the Government’s expectation if none of these vendors are available to meet the Government’s catering requirement (date/time, capacities)?

A3. The BPA holder shall be responsible for ensuring that an authorized vendor is available to fulfill the requirement. The Government does not have privity with these vendors, they are essentially subcontractors. If there are additional vendors that a BPA holder wishes to utilize, they are responsible for requesting the State Culinary Manager inspect and authorize said vendor.

Q4. The Government has determined that all coordination/administrative overhead fees are included in the Max Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Rates. Considering that these rates are public knowledge and that all businesses desire to make some money, will the Government make any accommodations if the authorized vendors “best proposed rate” for meals request matches the Max Breakfast, Max Lunch and Max Dinner rates?

A4. The ceiling amount the Government can pay is the specified BDFA rates. It is the responsibility of the BPA holder to negotiate rates with the authorized vendors (subcontractors). The value added by the BPA holder is that the subcontractor is paid upfront and does not have the administrative burden of invoicing through WAWF and waiting for an EFT from DFAS.

Q5. Are all of these authorized vendors obligated to respond to all BPA calls?

A5. No, none of these vendors are obligated to do anything. They are the vendors the State Culinary Manager has authorized to feed NCARNG units. Typically, the Government sees participation from most or all of these vendors.

Q6. What happens if the Government’s authorized vendors do not respond BPA call?

A6. It is the responsibility of BPA holder to ensure at least one authorized vendor is available to fulfil the requirement.

Q7. Does the Government think there is a potential OCI issue if any of the vendors listed in the Authorized vendor list bid on this BPA?

A7. No, these vendors have been authorized for use by the NCARNG State Culinary Manager. These vendors have been verified to meet the health and quality standards on the National Guard.

Performance Work Statement Q1. Does the Government think there could be a potential OCI issue if any of the vendors listed in the Authorized vendor list bid on this BPA?

A1. No, these vendors have been authorized for use by the NCARNG State Culinary Manager. These vendors have been verified to meet the health and quality standards on the National Guard.