b._Vendor_Questions_and_Answers_W912CM-17-T-0022_8JUN17.pdf

Vendor Questions and Answers Solicitation W912CM-17-T-0022

1. Can you please tell me if this is a new requirement?

Government’s Response: This is not a new requirement. This is a consolidation of two (2) previous requirements.

2. If not, who is the incumbent, and what is the contract number?

Government’s Response: The Previous contract numbers are: W912CM-16-P-0045 awarded to B. French Consulting; and W912CM-14-P-0045 awarded to Heritage Services Corporation.

3. Is there a wage determination or local wage requirement for the class of services required herein? And is there a General Schedule or equivalent wage grade of the incumbent that can be provided?

Government’s Response: The Service Contract Labor Standards apply to service employees other than those employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity. In accordance with this PWS, this requirement is for administrative services, and the Service Contract Labor Standards therefore do not apply.

4. The estimated workload on pg. 24 totals 581 hours. This relates to approx. 4 employees, plus the Project Manager. Is this calculation correct or does the work effort require additional employees?

Government’s Response: In Technical Exhibit 3, Estimated Workload Data, the total estimated per month is 340 hours. The hours under the 340 are broken down by description of the type of work. For example, of the 340 hours, 100 hours is dedicated to Telephonic Customer Assistance.

5. Under required training on pg. 24, how many hours of training for each subject are required?

Government’s Response: All of the required training at PWS paragraph 6.2 is available online, except Child and Spouse Abuse. They are each approximately one (1) hour long, but it varies based on the individual.

6. Reference Executive Order 13495, is there an incumbent performing the requirements of the solicitation? If so, is the incumbent a local national or an American citizen?

Government’s Response: See the Government’s response to Question #2.

7. We do not have any experience providing similar services in OCONUS. Will it make any difference to the award? The agency is looking to hire USA citizens who are willing to relocate to Germany. Is our assumption correct?

Government’s Response: The Solicitation does not specifically require U.S. citizens who are willing to relocate to Germany. See FAR 52.212-1 and 52.212-2 in the Solicitation for a detailed explanation of what is required to meet the Government’s requirement.

8. Who will take care of the Travelling, lodging and relocating expenses?

Government’s Response: All travel, lodging and relocation expenses will not be authorized or paid by the Government.

9. Does the Government require the contractor to be registered in Germany?

Government’s Response: Contractors performing services in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) shall comply with German law. The Contractor shall determine whether performance requires registration with German authorities or authorization to do business in Germany and, if so, shall comply with all requirements. Whether or not registration or authorization to do business is required, the Contractor shall determine what documents or authorization its employees and any subcontractor employees must possess to work in Germany. The Contractor shall ensure affirmatively that its employees and subcontractor employees possess such documents or authorizations.

Contractor employees who: (a) are not nationals of Germany or other European Union countries;

(b) are not members of the force, the civilian component or their dependents; or c) do not have assimilated status under Articles 71, 72, or 73 of the Supplementary Agreement to the NATO SOFA shall possess work and residence permits.

By acceptance of and performance under this contract, the Contractor affirms that it has complied with the requirements above. Compliance with this requirement and German law is a material contract requirement. Noncompliance by the Contractor or subcontractor at any tier shall be grounds for issuing a negative past performance evaluation and terminating this contract.

10. Will the Government assist the contractor in obtaining all the necessary permits including visas for contractor personnel?

Government’s Response: No.

11. Page 10: section 1.6.2: can the Government clarify if the contractor is expected to provide one (1) Front desk support personnel and one (1) program manager?

Government’s Response: The Government does not determine how many Contractor employees are required to accomplish the tasks stated in the PWS. The Government states what is needed in the PWS, and the Contractor must determine how to meet those needs.

12. What is the man/year under this contract?

Government’s Response: This question is unclear. If the question meant is “What is the number of Contractor employees required per year under this contract?”, see the Government’s response to Question #11.

13. Do contractor personnel need to have security clearances? If so, what level? What's the level of security clearance required for installations and controlled areas?

Government’s Response: A security clearance is not required for this solicitation and the resulting contract.

14. Is the Government looking for a local vendor or US-based vendor to support this contract?

Government’s Response: See the Government’s response to Question #7.

15. Will there be any travel? If so, can the Government provide a plug number?

Government’s Response: Travel will be limited to in and around the Wiesbaden area of responsibility.

16. Is there a manpower report for this contract?

Government’s response: Yes. See PWS 5.3 and Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) 7500- 7504 for Contractor Manpower Reporting.

17. Will the contractor be responsible for background check fees? If so how much and is it reimbursable?

Government’s Response: The Offeror will be solely responsible for any background checks fees.

18. The PWS references assistance to the ACS Relocation Lending Closet but does not list the duties and responsibilities typically found with this requirement. Please clarify the duties as well as the work load associated with this task.

Government’s Response: There is no requirement for ACS Relocation Lending Closet. PWS paragraphs 1.0 and 1.3 have been revised.

19. Paragraph 1.0. and Paragraph 1.3. state that these services include, “…responding to customers' questions and concerns in both English and German languages.” Paragraph 1.6.18, however, does not have any special qualification requirement for the individual to be fluent in

German. Is there a requirement for the individual to be bilingual (German and English) and if so, what is the level of fluency required?

Government’s Response: German SLP 2110

20. Paragraph 1.6.15.3. iWATCH/iSALUTE Training: the paragraph in the new PWS lists the requirement for completion of training as both “within 30 days” and “within 15 days”. What is the actual requirement to complete iWATCH/iSALUTE training?

Government’s Response: These are two separate training requirements. iWATCH must be completed within 15 days, and iSALUTE must be completed within 30 days.

21. Paragraph 1.6.18 changes the previous education requirement to an Associate’s Degree in business, human resources, education or social science. Due to the requirement for an individual to also possibly be fluent in German and English, would this allow for a Host Nation/Local National to apply and be acceptable for the position? If so, is the German Abitur an acceptable level of education for this position?

Government’s Response: Yes, the German Abitur is an acceptable equivalent. PWS 1.6.18 specifies Associate’s Degree (or equivalent to a minimum of two-year secondary education with certificate or degree).

22. Paragraph 5.1 Basic Services specifies the “Contractor shall assist with ACS special events."

Many ACS special events are conducted after duty hours. If the contractor is required to participate in a special event, will they be provided overtime or given compensatory time as recompense?

Government’s Response: The solicitation will result in a Firm Fixed Price Contract. Offerors should consider and calculate any projected cost at the time of offer. The requirement for services to be performed outside of regular duty hours is minimal.

23. Paragraph 5.2.1. stipulates: "The Contractor shall complete a military installation background investigation within the first (10) days after contract award and obtain a CAC in order to access ACS computers." Based on our past experience regarding time required to obtain background check and receive a CAC card, often a lengthy requirement (60+ days) outside of the contractor’s jurisdiction, may the verbiage be changed to read that the contractor shall submit packets within the first 10 days?

Government’s Response: The requirement is 10 days, as otherwise the contractor cannot perform a significant portion of the PWS tasks. This is not a clearance check. If the Contractor complies with requirements, 10 days is adequate time.