W912CM-20-Q-0007_Attachment_7_RFQ_Question_and_Answers.pdf

RFQ W912CM-20-Q-0007

Attachment 7

Solicitation Questions and Answers

# Question Government Response 1 Reference FAR 52.228-3 Workers’ Compensation Insurance – DBA (pg 18): Is this a reimbursable cost under an ODC CLIN or should the cost of this insurance be included in the firm fixed price?

The cost of this insurance must be included in the proposed firm fixed price - there will be no ODC CLINs included in this contract.

2 PWS para 1.3 Scope (pg 25): Given current COVID-19 restrictions –

a. Are these services considered mission essential? No, these services are not considered to be "mission essential."

b. At which HPCON level will contractor staff be requested to work from an alternate location? A specific HPCON level cannot be provided in response to this question since Garrison access may vary depending on the situation at hand. In general, as long as the Contractor's access to the place of performance is not otherwise restricted, the Contractor is required to be present for duty at the locations outlined in the PWS.

c. Will the Contractor be provided access to necessary systems if working from home? This issue would need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. In general, the Government only provides the Government Property and Services listed in Part 3 of the PWS when the contractor is performing work at the Government site.

3 PWS para 1.6.4.3 Contractor Support Hours (pg 27):

a. Are qualified replacement personnel required if the primary contractor is unavailable due to scheduled leave? If so, at what point are they required? Please refer to PWS 1.6.4.3 which states "The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential. If current Contractor personnel become unavailable the Contractor shall provide fully qualified replacement personnel that meet all qualifications listed in paragraph 1.11 within three (3) calendar days."

b. Is there a designated lunch break period or is it at the discretion of the contractor given this is a non-personal services contract? Since this is a non-personal services contract the employee(s) lunch break is at the discretion of the Contractor.

c. We understand that in the past, there have been special USAG events held after normal duty hours and on weekends requiring support. Will the contractor be authorized to take compensatory time in return for supporting such events or will the contractor be able to request equitable adjustment for this support?

Either method is a contractually viable solution. In the case of compensatory time to support these events, this approach would need to be pre-planned and agreed-to by the Government and Contractor ahead of time.

4 PWS para 1.9 & 1.9.1 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings (pg 29) – Will any meeting attendance be required to be in person? No, these PWS requirements do not preclude attendance via VTC, telephone, or other electronic means. Although the general preference for such meetings may be in-person attendance, given the current COVID-19 situation the Government will determine method of attendance on a case-by-case basis while keeping in mind the need to appropriately socially distance.

5 PWS para 1.11 Key Personnel (pg 29) – Given the availability requirements (0800-1700 Central European Time (CET) Monday through Friday except U.S.

Holidays), is the Government requiring either the Contract Manager or the Alternate Contract Manager be local?

The PWS does not require the Contract Manager or Alternate be local. It is the responsibility of the offeror to determine an appropriate staffing approach which will meet the availability requirements of the PWS.

6 PWS para 1.23 Authorization to Perform Services in Germany (pg 33): How does the Government ensure compliance with this provision? Is there specific documentation required to be provided by the contractor other than acceptance of and performance under the contract?

There is no specific documentation requirement regarding PWS 1.23 and its subparagraphs above acceptance and performance of the contract.

7 PWS para 1.23.2 (pg 33): Is the contractor and the contract employees under part c. required to pay German employment related taxes? It is the Contractor's responsibility to determine the applicability and payment of German taxes in order to be fully compliant with German law in accordance with PWS 1.23.1.

8 PWS para 3.4 Equipment (pg 38): Will the Government provide a laptop computer and necessary access to systems if the contract employee is required to work from an alternate location due to base closure/restricted access?

Please reference the answer to Question #2c.

9 Reference Instructions for Written Submittals para 4.4.2a.i. (pg 50). Is a CV required for the Alternate Contract Manager? Yes.

10 Paragraph 4.5 Background Checks states, “The Contractor shall provide Background Checks on respective contractor personnel in accordance with this PWS and as determined by the Government.” Request clarification from the government that the background check is conducted by the appropriate security office on post and that the employee must only agree and provide appropriate documents/information.

The background check is initiated by the Garrison-operated security office.

The contractor employee must agree and provide all requested documents/information and two personal email addresses for communication.

11 Please confirm if this opportunity is for local businesses. This solicitation is seeking full and open competition and is not limited to businesses in the immediate local area in Germany 12 Can the Government pay the awarded contractor in U.S. dollars? Yes, payment in U.S. dollars can be arranged.