Attach 14 Questions and Answers..pdf

Attach 14 – Questions and Answers

Q1. Page 1 of Attachment 1 PWS states “…in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Clause 52.222-17, Non-displacement of Qualified Workers.” The FAR was amended to remove this clause (see link below). Will the Government please remove the reference to FAR 52.222-17 in the PWS?

Federal Register :: Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revocation of Executive Order on Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers

A1. See PWS 1.0

Q2. Schedules o Bonneville Dam - 12-hour shifts (6am-6pm, 6pm-6am) at Bonneville Dam

• Gate Guard 24/7/365 (1 guard, armed) - 8760 HPY

• Roving Guard - 13140 HPY - This is more than one person based off hours and vehicle requirements, do you have any more details on this post? - See the John Day Dam schedule for example that shows separate rover schedule

• Security Office Admin - 2304 HPY - What is this schedule? It does not align with shifts based off hours.

• Additional guard - is this to cover for the holidays?

o Dalles Dam - At The Dalles Dam: Day (7am-3pm), Swing (3pm-11pm), Night (11pm-7am)

• PACS-Alarm Monitor/Gate Guard - 24/7/365 (1 guard, armed) - 8760 HPY

• Roving Guard - 24/7/365 (1 guard, armed) - 8760 HPY

• Additional guard - is this to cover for the holidays?

o John Day Dam - At John Day Dam: Day (6am-2pm), Swing (2pm-10pm), Night (10pm-6am), plus Roving officer Mon-Thu (6am-6pm)

• Gate Guard 24/7/365 (1 guard, armed) - 8760 HPY

• PACS-Alarm Monitor - 24/7/365 (1 guard, armed) - 8760 HPY

• Roving Guard - 2376 HPY - M-TH 6a-6p

• Additional guard - is this to cover for the holidays?

A2. See PWS 5.5

Q3. Holidays - Are all personnel required on these 11 federal holidays? Ex. Security Office Admin

A3. See PWS 5.0 and 5.4.4

Q4. Successfully complete required training and certifications - Is this the state mandated training for armed guards or an additional training required by client?

blockedhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/06/2020-07108/federal-acquisition-regulation-revocation-of-executive-order-on-nondisplacement-of-qualified-workers blockedhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/06/2020-07108/federal-acquisition-regulation-revocation-of-executive-order-on-nondisplacement-of-qualified-workers

A4. See PWS 6.0

Q5. The RFP's Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs schedule for base period list a 6-month period of performance but make no mention of the initial transition period. Does the initial transition period begin at the start of base period, or does it occur before the base period begins?

A5. The transition period is not a separately priced time frame, The intent of the transition period is to allow time for the awardee to complete items outlined in PWS 7.0 SUBMITTALS PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICES or other items needed prior to start of services on 1 July

Q6. The RFP's Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs schedule for base period list a 6-month period of performance but make no mention of the initial transition period. Since there are no separate CLINs for transition, should offerors include any transition costs in their base period pricing?

A6. The transition period is not a separately priced time frame, The intent of the transition period is to allow time for the awardee to complete items outlined in PWS 7.0 SUBMITTALS PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICES or other items needed prior to start of services on 1 July 2025.

Q7. The RFP's Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs schedule (p. 3-6) and the Deliveries or Performance table (p. 15-19) list the CLIN x004 Surge FPCON quantity as 7 days. PWS 5.5 lists the expected hours as a total of 384 hours per year (the equivalent of eight 24-hour days with 2 additional guards) and notes these hours as a not to exceed amount. Will the Government please explain if offerors are expected to bid seven days, eight days, or some other methodology?

A7. See PWS 5.5 and 5.7, Additional Surge CLINS added to RFP, also see answer 8 and 9

Q8. The RFP's Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs schedule (p. 3-6) and the Deliveries or Performance table (p. 15-19) list the CLIN x004 Surge FPCON quantity as 7 days. Will the Government please specify what is to be priced as a part of this 7-day requirement?

A8. Vendors are to price on a per day cost to fulfilled requirements outlined in PWS 5.7.1 and 5.7.2, new CLINs (0005, 1005, 2005, 3005, 4005 and 5005) for Surge, Periods of Increased Security. CLINS (0004, 1004, 2004, 3004, 4004 and 5004) Surge, FPCON Change updated language.

Q9. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(i) for the Work Plan volume requires offerors to discuss staffing. Does the phrase "discuss staffing" mean that all offerors list the number of hours for each labor category they are bidding for each performance location, plus the CSM?

A9. This is a FFP action, offerors are to provide unit pricing IAW RFP CLIN Structure.

Q10. The Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(i) Work Plan does not require offerors to bid the hours stated in the PWS 5.5 Position Performance Summation Table. How will the Government evaluate how many hours bid for each labor category at each performance location?

A10. This is a FFP action, offerors are to provide unit pricing IAW RFP CLIN Structure.

Q11. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(ii) for the cost/price volume makes no mention of the expected hours listed in PWS 5.5. Is it mandatory for all offerors to bid the PWS 5.5 expected hours specified for each performance in their pricing for CLINs x001-x004?

A11. This is a FFP action, offerors are to provide unit pricing IAW RFP CLIN Structure.

Q12. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii) is the outline number for both Volume III SDVOSB and Volume IV Past Performance/Experience, plus Volume V is listed as outline number FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iv). Will the Government please confirm the Addendum numbering for the last three volumes is FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii) Volume III SDVOSB, FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iv) Volume IV Past Performance/Experience, and FAR 52.212-1.2.c(v) Volume V Reps and Certs?

A12. RFP Addendum 52.212-1 updated to correct numbering

Q13. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(1) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of references. The section later goes on to state that the Government will attempt to contact up to the first three references. Is the requirement for three references a minimum or a maximum?

A13. See Addendum 52.212-1, Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience, (1) “Submit the PPEQ with as many as three contact/references with the initial proposal.”

Q14. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(1) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of references. The section later goes on to state that the Government will attempt to contact up to the first three references. Can offerors submit two (2) or more references from the same cited contract?

A14. See Addendum 52.212-1, Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience, “submit recent, relevant past performance, and experience information best suited for evaluation based on the

RFP.”

Q15. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(1) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of references and past performance information. The section later goes on to state that the Government will attempt to contact up to the first three references. For the avoidance of any doubt, must the references match the contracts cited for experience in FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(2)?

A15. See Addendum 52.212-1, Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience, “submit recent, relevant past performance, and experience information best suited for evaluation based on the

RFP.”

Q16. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(1) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of three references. It is noted that the Proposal Conclusion (p. 37) requires PPEQs to be submitted with the references and several sections of RFP Attachment 13 Performance Assessment Questionnaire are to be completed by the offeror. Will the Government confirm that in order to meet the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(1) requirement, the offeror is to complete the appropriate portions of three (3) Attachment 13 forms and include them in the proposal, and that these pages are exempt from the 10-page limit for Volume IV?

A16. Completed PPEQ’s will not be counted against the 10-page limit for Volume IV, Offerors to complete Part I of the PPEQ.

Q17. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(1) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of three references. It is unclear whether the offeror should send the Attachment 13 Performance Assessment Questionnaire for to the reference and track it to ensure completion, or if the Government will do that. Will the Government please clarify how Attachment 13 will be disseminated to customers?

A17. See Addendum 52.212-1, Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience, (1) “The vendor is responsible to notify these sources so they will respond timely.”

Q18. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(2) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of past performance experience information. Is there a minimum or a maximum number of contracts that the Government will evaluate for FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(2) Experience?

A18. See Addendum 52.212-1, 1. Proposal Submissions a. IV Past Performance/Experience Max pages 10.

Q19. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iii)(2) for Volume IV Past Performance/Experience requires submission of past performance experience information. Will offerors receive more credit in the evaluation for citing more than three contracts, or less credit in the evaluation for citing fewer than three contracts for Experience?

A19. See Addendum 52.212-1, Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience, “submit recent, relevant past performance, and experience information best suited for evaluation based on the

RFP.”

Q20. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.2.c(iv) for Volume V Representations and Certifications lists a Proposal Conclusion section but since this section talks about the entire proposal, it is unclear whether the SF 1449 and/or cover letter are part of Volume V or separate requirements. Where shall offerors place/locate their SF 1449 and/or cover letter in the proposal?

A20. The SF 1449 and/or Cover Letter will be the first page of your proposal.

Q21. Addendum 52.212-2(b) states that price is approximately equal weighted to non-price factors when all non-price factors are combined together. What is the relative weight of the Work Plan non price factor compared to the Past Performance/Experience non-price factor?

A21. The non-price factors are equal in value.

Q22. PWS paragraph 1.0 mentions the initial transition period. Will the Government please describe the anticipated dates or lengths of time for 1) contract award, 2) notice to proceed with transition, 3) transition period start, 4) transition period end, and beginning of full performance?

A22. The transition period is not a separately priced time frame, The intent of the transition period is to allow time for the awardee to complete items outlined in PWS 7.0 SUBMITTALS PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICES or other items needed prior to start of services on 1 July 2025.

Q23. PWS paragraph 4.2 lists "Firearm, fully loaded with reserve ammunition (Possibly GFP)." It is understandable that policy, budget, or other factors make this subject to change; however, the requirement is not definitive for proposal pricing purposes. For purposes of the pricing proposal, shall offerors consider firearms and ammunition are Government-furnished or Contractor-furnished?

A23. See PWS 4.2

Q24. PWS paragraphs 4.3.12 and 4.3.14 mention Army or Government-owned weapons;

however, PWS paragraph 3.0 does not list and Government-owned weapons and PWS paragraph 4.3 requires the contractor to provide weapons. What Army or Government-owned weapons is the Government referring to in PWS 4.3.12 and 4.3.14?

A24. See PWS, updated language for sections.4.3.12 through 4.3.16

Q25. PWS paragraph 4.3.15 requires CSGs to use Army or Government-issued ammunition;

however, PWS paragraph 3.0 does not list any Government-issued ammunition. Will the Government please explain any Government-issued duty ammunition, training ammunition, or any other types of ammunition to the contractor on this contract?

A25. See PWS, updated language for sections.4.3.12 through 4.3.16

Q26. PWS paragraph 4.10 discusses standards for tracking software. Is tracking software a mandatory requirement for this contract, and if so, what are the minimum software functions, standards, or specifications?

A26. No mandatory software required, but if any tracking software or electronic devices are to be used the vendor shall follow guidance in PWS 4.10 Software & Electronic Devices.

Q27. PWS paragraph 5.2 lists requirements for the CSM. Is it acceptable for one of the Site Leads to perform as CSM as an additional responsibility?

A27. No

Q28. PWS paragraph 5.4.4 Bonneville Security Office, Administrative Assistant (Armed Guard) requires staffing during the hours of 0630-1600 each day and PWS 5.5 requires 2,304 hours per year. It is noted that Attachment 5 requires a 30-minute off-duty break. Must the contractor provide a relief to ensure continuous coverage during meal breaks?

A28. PWS 5.4.4 Bonneville Security Office, Administrative Assistant (Armed Guard) requires 100% coverage for PWS hours.

Q29. PWS paragraph 5.4.4 Bonneville Security Office, Administrative Assistant (Armed Guard) requires staffing Mon-Fri during the hours of 0630-1600 (9.5 hours) each day except for the six listed holidays, which appears to be 256 days. PWS 5.5 requires 2,304 hours per year which appears to be 9-hours per day for 256 days. Will the Government please explain this potential inconsistency?

A29. PWS 5.4.4 Bonneville Security Office, Administrative Assistant (Armed Guard) requires 100% coverage for PWS hours.

Q30. PWS 5.5 Position Performance Summation Table lists expected hours for each labor category at each performance location. Are these post/shift hours to be covered or actual employee hours?

A30. See PWS 5.5

Q31. PWS 5.5 Position Performance Summation Table lists expected hours for each labor category at each performance location. Must all offerors bid/price these hours as a part of their proposal?

A31. This is a FFP action, offerors are to provide unit pricing IAW RFP CLIN Structure and See PWS 5.5 updates

Q32. PWS 5.5 Position Performance Summation Table lists expected hours for Roving Guard at Bonneville Dam as 13,140 hours per year, which is not equally divisible by 24 hours like the other Guard categories. Will the Government please explain the basis for the 13,140 hours (e.g., how many staff, days, and hours each)?

A32. See PWS 5.5

Q33. PWS 5.5 Position Performance Summation Table lists expected hours for each labor category at each performance location but does not list hours for the CSM. How many hours does the Government expect offerors to bid for the CSM?

A33. See PWS 5.5

Q34. Paragraph 7.1.A.1 requires an "Up to 30-day transition plan." Will the Government please define the length of the contract transition, and specify whether the transition is concurrent with or preceding the contract's base period?

A34. See PWS 7.1 updates and the transition period is not a separately priced time frame, The intent of the transition period is to allow time for the awardee to complete items outlined in PWS

7.0 SUBMITTALS PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICES or other items needed prior to start of services on 1 July 2025.

Q35. PWS paragraph 12.2 Safety and Health Officer requires the contractor to designate a SHO for this contract. Has USACE obtained a waiver from the EM 385-1-1 paragraph 01.A.17 requirement to have a full-time SSHO for every site or does the SHO only have to meet the training requirements of 01.A.17 but not the job responsibilities of 01.A.17?

A35. See PWS 7.5 and 12.2 along with other referenced to EM 385-1-1

Q36. PWS paragraph 12.2 Safety and Health Officer requires the contractor to designate a SHO for this contract. Can an armed security guard serve as SSHO as an ancillary duty?

A36. See PWS 7.5 and 12.2 along with other referenced to EM 385-1-1

Q37. AEPS CBA Article 14.6 states that employees assigned to AMS posts receive an additional $0.75 per hour in addition to regular hourly rate of pay. The terms AMS is neither defined in the CBA nor in the PWS. Will the Government please explain the acronym AMS, so offerors can accurately price this differential?

A37. AMS is Alarm Monitoring System

Q38. The AEPS CBA cover page shows an effective date through 31 Dec 2026; however, the Article 15 health and welfare (H&W) date is listed as 1 Jan 2024. Have there been any MOUs or other more recent agreements with the union that have changed H&W since the original CBA document was signed?

A.38. Attach 4 and 5 are the current versions of the CBA’s.

Q39. The Meritus CBA cover page shows an effective date through 31 Dec 2027; however, the Article XIV wages and Article XV H&W show TBD for 2026 and 2027. Have there been any MOUs or other more recent agreements with the union that have changed wages or H&W or otherwise definitized the "TBD" since the original CBA document was signed?

A39. Attach 4 and 5 are the current versions of the CBA’s.

Q40. At the Site Visit it was requested to have the site slides and sign in sheet provided.

A40. Site slides and sign in sheet are included as Attach 15 Site Visit Sign in and Slides.

Q41. I see there are two CBAs (Collective Bargaining Agreements) that are currently in place for both companies that currently hold the contract. Is this something that is required for the next company that gets awarded the contract? I’m just trying to find out if it’s mandatory or not as this will play a part as to our bid.

A41. See FAR 22.1002-3 Wage determinations based on collective bargaining agreements and FAR 22.1008-2 Successorship with incumbent contractor collective bargaining agreement

Q42. Are cover letters/standard forms excluded from the page limitations identified?

A42. The SF 1449/Cover Letter are excluded from any page limitations.

Q43. Are Past Performance/Experience Questionnaires excluded from the 10-page limit define for Volume IV?

A43. Completed PPEQ’s will not be counted against the 10-page limit for Volume IV

Q44. The proposal conclusion section states "Provide PPEQs with references."" Whereas the PPEQ Cover Letter requests the point of contact completing the questionnaire to send the completed document directly to the contract specialist. Please verify that PPEQs are to be sent directly back to the contract specialist and not included in Volume IV."

A44. The intent is for the PPEQ’s to be sent to the POC shown on the cover letter but can be sent with Volume IV

Q45. This section states "The CSGs assigned Army government owned weapons will not carry Army government owned weapons while off duty and are not authorized to store Army weapons at a private residence." Please verify all weapons are contractor furnished.

A45. See PWS, updated language for sections.4.3.12 through 4.3.16

Q46. Are the frequencies for the pagers government provided?

A46. See PWS 4.8

Q47. Will the Government consider providing offerors with a list of pager brands that integrate with the sites' message/transmitting and programming system for pricing and pre-planning purposes?

A47. See PWS 4.8

Q48. Can you provide recommended brands/models of radios that are acceptable for use and will integrate with the site’s transmission frequencies?

A48. We do not have a list of recommended brands/models, but updated PWS 4.7 to ensure compatible equipment.

Q49. Will the Government consider providing offerors with a list of pager brands that integrate with the sites' message/transmitting and programming system for pricing and pre-planning purposes?

A49. We do not have a list of recommended brands/models, but updated PWS 4.8 to ensure compatible equipment.

Q50. Is the CSM required to be on-site? If yes, which site is preferable to the Government?

A50. Yes, The CSM is required to be within a 2-hour radius of all sites, See PWS 5.2

Q51. Is the CSM required to be 100% dedicated to this subject contract?

A51. Yes, The CSM is required to be within a 2-hour radius of all sites, See PWS 5.2

Q52. Given the CSM is required to be fully licensed and trained as an armed guard, can the CSM stand post?

A52. Yes, see PWS 5.2

Q53. Are the hours included in the Summation Table the hours performed on the current contract? If yes, is the current contract staffed sufficiently to support this subject contract?

A53. PWS 5.5

Q54. 9mm is the handgun prescribed under this section. Can the Government please confirm if the 9mm is the handgun utilized on the current contract?

A54. The current handgun is 9mm

Q55. "Employees assigned as Badge and ID Officer shall receive $0.25 an hour in addition to his/her regular hourly rate of pay. Can the Government please confirm if the Badge and ID Officer is identified as the PACS-Alarm Monitor

A55. The Badge and ID Officer is not the PACS-Alarm Monitor. The position at PWS 5.4.4 is closer associated with the roles of a Badge and ID Officer.

Q56. Guard included in Section 5.5 - Position Performance Summation Table? If not, is this position included on this contract?"

A56. PWS 5.5

Q57. This section states 4-door SUV or truck type vehicles with all wheel drive or 4-wheel drive are recommended due to winter conditions. Are these the type of vehicles on the current contract and how many vehicles are required?

A57. These types of vehicles are not on the current contract and see PWS 4.5.3 and 4.5.4

Q58. Will the Government please consider providing an extension so offeror's can incorporate answers to questions in our proposal response?

A58. The RFP due date will be extended to 25 April 2025 @ 10 AM Pacific Standard Time

Q59. It was noted during the Q&A during the Site Visit that the incumbent contract security personnel are entitled to first right of first refusal under a new contract. For clarification, can you please identify the regulation, contract reference, or other document which states this?

A59. See PWS 1.0

Q60. Also asked during the site visit, would the new contractor be required to work with the union(s) under the Collaborative Bargaining Agreement(s) (CBAs)?

A60. See FAR 22.1002-3 Wage determinations based on collective bargaining agreements and FAR 22.1008-2 Successorship with incumbent contractor collective bargaining agreement.

Q61. Page 21-22, FAR52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. What is the impact of the 100% Set Aside for SDVOSB regarding subcontracting or joint ventures? (For example, can an SDVOSB subcontract another category, i.e., women-owned, company?)

A61. All offerors are required to comply with FAR 52.219-14(e)(1).

Q62. Can you provide the security service invoices for each site for the past 12 months?

A62. Invoicing for the current contract will not be provided without a FIOA request.

Q63. The questionnaire is 5 pages long exclusive of any Offeror input. Is the Performance Assessment Questionnaire (Attachment 13) included in the 10-page limit for Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience?

A63. Completed PPEQ’s will not be counted against the 10-page limit for Volume IV, Offerors to complete Part I of the PPEQ.

Q64. Is the Offeror required to send the Performance Assessment Questionnaire to our contract Point(s) of Contact – and ask that it be returned directly to the Govt?

A64. See Addendum 52.212-1, Volume IV – Past Performance/Experience, (1) “The vendor is responsible to notify these sources so they will respond timely.”

Q65.The CBA for the Bonneville Lock and Dam expired on March 14, 2024. Has there been a follow on or negotiated CBA that is in effect? If so, please provide it.

A65. Attach 4 and 5 are the current versions of the CBA’s.

Q66. To effectively price out the pagers for this contract, please provide the desired model number of pager.

A66. We do not have a list of recommended brands/models, but updated PWS 4.8 to ensure compatible equipment.

Q67. Are there any contractor costs associated with the contractor in using the Govt. badging system?

A67. See PWS 3.0

Q68. During the site visit, the transition time was identified as not being midnight on July 1, 2025. What is the desired Performance Start time?

A68. Contractor will do the physical transition of responsibility at midnight 1 July 2025

Q69. The American Eagle CBA states that AMS posts are paid an additional $0.75 per hour.

Which posts are designated as AMS?

A69. PACS-Alarm Monitoring Guards, See PWS 5.4.3

Q70. The Meritus CBA states that badge and ID officers are paid an additional $0.25 per hour.

Which positions are designated as badge and ID officers?

A70. The position at PWS 5.4.4 is the role of a Badge and ID Officer.

Q71. Does the Govt. anticipate a 30-day transition period?

A71. The transition period is not a separately priced time frame, The intent of the transition period is to allow time for the awardee to complete items outlined in PWS 7.0 SUBMITTALS PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICES or other items needed prior to start of services on 1 July 2025.