Amendment 0001_Questions and Answers for W912C325Q022A.pdf

Amendment 001-Questions and Answers

Question 1: Do I need a capability statement for an RFQ?

Answer: A capability statement is not a formal requirement for responding to a Request for Quotation (RFQ). However, vendors are encouraged to include relevant information that demonstrates their ability to meet the Government’s requirements. Also, ensure you adhere to the technical compliance found on page two of the RFQ.

Question 2: The option for government to exercise 6 additional months – stated somewhere not to add fees for those 6 months, is that to be discussed/determined/agreed upon later as far as the cost?

Answer: If the Government determines it is in its best interest to exercise the six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8, it will be executed at the rates established in the most recent option year. No additional fees or rate increases will be applied, as the clause requires continued performance at the existing contract rates.

Question 3: 52.222-51 & 52.204-9 – would this refer to the badges required for access to the site? Or how does it apply? FAR 52.204-9 refers to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12).

Answer: It is a Government-wide standard for a secure and reliable form of identification issued by the Federal government to its employees and employees of Federal contractors for access to Federally controlled facilities and Government information systems.

Question 4: 52.222-53 – please explain how this applies.

Answer: Contractors are responsible for determining whether they meet these criteria. If the exemption does not apply, the full labor standards, including applicable wage determinations, will remain in effect.

Question 5: 52.224-3 ---- there are only 3 trainings outlined that are required, but this is in the required flow down section, does PII training need to be added and do I have to pay for this?

Answer: Under this requirement, the Catholic Priest will collect, maintain, and transmit personal identifiable information (PII) in support of official religious duties, including sacraments and pastoral care for military members, civilians, and family members. While the priest will not directly access DoD systems, the handling of PII on behalf of the Government triggers the applicability of FAR 52.224-3. Appropriate language training will be added in PWS.

Question 6: 52.203-13 – Am I required to come up with a contractor code of business ethics and conducts or would I use that of the priest? If I have no experience and not limiting the type of contracts I bid on, how do I come up with this if I am required to make my own? It is required.

Answer: The Government will delete this clause as it does not meet the threshold. While the formal clause is not required in this case, we continue to expect all prospective contractors to adhere to high standards of ethical business conduct and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

Question 7: 52.204-10 – I don’t have any experience to report. Also, this would be one person performing services, how would this apply to this contract opp?

Answer: In this case, although only one person is performing the services and you may not have any executive compensation or subcontract awards to report, the clause still applies.

If there is nothing to report, you are not required to submit data—but the clause remains in the contract to ensure compliance if reporting becomes necessary later.

Question 8: 252.204-7020 – (NIST) what would be considered CUI with this opportunity?

Answer: Under this contract, the Catholic priest will handle personally identifiable information (PII) of military members, civilians, and family members involved in the Catholic congregation. The priest’s official duties—such as administering sacraments (e.g., baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, anointing of the sick), performing funerals, and making hospital visits—require collecting and using PII like names, birthdates, addresses, contact information, and class rosters. Although the priest does not access government databases or contractor systems, this information is locally stored and processed and is considered Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under DoD policy.

Question 9: 1.5.4.3.1 Contractor Work Plan: RESERVED – if details of work plan are reserved how can I find a sub and fairly provide all details of the scope of work OR how is this different than scope of work?

Answer: Sections that have the word “RESERVED”, are not applicable to this requirement.

Question 10:1.14 DATA RIGHTS – all documents/software/materials are gov owned and property of the government ---- are they asking for access to things like my laptop/phone etc…? what does this include?

Answer:

“1. Ownership of Materials (e.g., Sermons, Liturgical Work Plans):

Yes, the Government retains unlimited rights to all documents and materials produced under the contract. This includes sermons, liturgical work plans, religious education outlines, bulletins, and any related documentation or materials that are specifically created as deliverables under the contract.

These rights are not intended to interfere with the contractor’s ecclesiastical rights or theological content but exist to ensure continuity of religious support and administrative compliance across PCS transitions, audits, and command reviews.

2. Personal Equipment (e.g., Laptop, Phone):

No, the Government does not require access to the contractor’s personal laptop, phone, or devices. The clause pertains strictly to the ownership of the final products created under the contract, not the means or tools used to produce them. There is no intent or authority for the Government to access or inspect personal devices unless those devices are used to store, transmit, or process Government-owned data, and even then, access would be coordinated through official channels and limited in scope. If any specific sermons or documents are reused from prior non-contractual ministry, those elements may not fall under Government ownership unless they were developed or adapted as part of contract performance.”

Question 11: 52.204-10 ---- two part question: 1 – this states its applicable to awards 30 million plus….. Clause 52.204-10 is required for Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards, in all solicitations and contracts of $30,000 or more. 2 – I may have misunderstood “THIS ACQUISITION IS PROCURED AS FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION UNDER NAICS code 813110, size standard is $13,000,000---what is the 13M referencing?

Answer: See answer to Question 7.

A NAICS code size standard is a threshold, either in number of employees or annual revenue, that determines whether a business is considered "small" for purposes of federal contracting and other programs. The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets these standards for each NAICS code, reflecting the typical size of businesses within that industry. Full and open competition applies regardless of size.

Question 11: 52.209-6 – would this be determined in the required screenings? Or where/how would I determine if the Pries is debarred or suspended?

Answer: To ensure compliance, the Government conducts responsibility screenings using the System for Award Management (SAM) database at SAM.gov, specifically the Exclusions section. Before the award, the Contracting Officer verifies the offeror’s status, as well as any identified subcontractors, through this system.

Question 12: 52.219-14 – is checked but this is NOT a set aside, correct?

Answer: The Government will remove it from the solicitation, as this does not apply to this requirement.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=17464399d8dea453&cs=0&q=Small+Business+Administration+%28SBA%29&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHrbC7sJeOAxVHFlkFHedIG5AQxccNegQIBBAB&mstk=AUtExfCYbGOMNsY-ZkB3vUhWYfdxhwzDQFmco9qJ0u3VAyZZy8XD5d2_Wq3dygKkGm-qMKLkzokrqonXC0pPt8Fxh6mh9PlhQD89izFWkzLD2u4faBs5G6GGUUasnVGbVKtIukw&csui=3

Question 13: 252.219-7012 – should this be added to flowdowns and please advise on “submitting a subcontracting plan”.

Answer: This clause does not apply to this requirement. Accordingly, the Government will remove it from the solicitation.

Question 14: 52.204-8 – this section describes guidelines for set asides but this has no set asides???

Answer: FAR 52.204-8 is a standard provision included in solicitations to outline offeror representations and certifications, including those pertaining to set-asides. However, this provision is not applicable to this requirement, as the estimated value is below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. Accordingly, the Government will remove it from the solicitation.

Question 15: Kindly request an official clarification on the purpose/breakdown/intention of the 104 hours allocated for this line item.

Answer: There are 52 hours for the Catholic Service. An additional hour is added to each service (52) to provide time to prepare for/post Mass.

Question: 16: Is there an incumbent?

Answer: Yes, there is an incumbent for this requirement.