Questions and Responses - Solicitation W912D027QA002.pdf

Historian staffing and availability: The SOW requires one 0.5 FTE Command Historian.

Does the government anticipate approximately 20 hours per week, and are there minimum onsite hours or specific daily availability requirements? How should the contractor accommodate events requiring support during normal business hours?

The Government anticipates a weekly average of 20 hours of effort, equivalent to approximately 1,040 hours per year based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Daily hours will vary according to mission requirements and current workload. No fixed core hours have been established. The Contractor shall accommodate events requiring support during normal business hours as directed by the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR). Limited research and writing may be performed off-site with prior

COR approval; however, the primary duty location is Building 1, Joint Base Elmendorf-

Richardson.

Workload and archival inventory: Can the government provide an estimate of the number of boxes, artifacts, and documents to be cataloged, along with the anticipated volume of new records received during the base period?

An estimate is not available at this time. This is a newly established position, and the volume of existing holdings and incoming records will be determined after contract award.

Cataloging and digitization standards: Does the government require digitization of the source documents and artifacts, or is a digital inventory sufficient? Are there required metadata standards, cataloging systems, storage platforms, or approved exhibit methods?

Metadata: All digital files shall contain mandatory metadata elements, including but not limited to title, date, creator, description, unique identifier, and other elements consistent with NARA and DoD records management standards.

Cataloging: Records shall be cataloged using an approved records management system that enables efficient retrieval and tracking in accordance with federal records management requirements.

Storage: Digital records shall be maintained on approved, secure Government information systems that comply with 36 CFR Part 1236 and applicable DoD cybersecurity and records management policies.

Authenticity and Quality Control: The Contractor shall maintain documentation demonstrating that digitized copies are accurate, complete, and trustworthy, including quality-control records and chain-of-custody information as required.

Service Contract Labor Standards: The solicitation includes Wage Determination 2015- 5681, Revision 29, and identifies a Command Historian equivalent rate of $40.19 under FAR 52.222-42. Which wage determination classification and fringe benefit requirements does the government consider applicable to this position? If no listed classification applies, should offerors anticipate a conformance action?

The contractor may utilize the "Command Historian" equivalent rate as the baseline hourly wage for pricing.

Travel and surge support: What travel outside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is anticipated, including Fort Wainwright and the Northern Warfare Training Area? Should all travel and related expenses be included in the firm-fixed price?

Travel outside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will be determined by mission requirements. Travel costs will be reimbursed only when specifically directed by the Government with sufficient prior notice. Offerors shall not include travel costs in the firm-fixed monthly price.

Security clearance: Must the proposed historian possess an active Secret clearance at the time of award, or may the contractor initiate the clearance process after award? What duties may be performed while clearance processing is underway?

Security Clearance. Contractor will need to have or be able to obtain a Secret security clearance within 60 days of contract implementation.

Unclassified work, including research and writing that does not require access to classified information, networks, or spaces, may be performed while the clearance is being processed, subject to COR approval.

MOA workload: Please clarify the expected schedule and scope of the MOA reviews, including the 32 annexes, and identify any reviews, summits, or deliverables already scheduled during the base period.

There are currently no Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) under review. Additional details regarding the 32 annexes and any scheduled reviews or deliverables will be provided by the COR after award, if applicable.

Past performance and regional expertise: Will the government consider relevant military historian, archival, digitization, exhibit, and records-management projects as qualifying past performance when the work is comparable in scope and complexity but was performed outside Alaska?

The Government will consider relevant experience of the type described, including work performed outside Alaska, the proposed historian’s individual experience, and a subcontractor’s past performance, provided the work is comparable in scope and complexity. Such experience will be evaluated as part of the past-performance factor but will not be the sole basis for the Government’s determination.

Option pricing: Please confirm that the quotation should include monthly and extended firm-fixed prices for the 12-month base period and 12-month option period, with the six-month FAR 52.217-8 extension included in the evaluated price as specified in the solicitation.

The quotation shall include:

Monthly firm-fixed price and total firm-fixed price for the 12-month base period;

Monthly firm-fixed price and total firm-fixed price for the 12-month option period.

The six-month extension authorized by FAR 52.217-8 will be included in the Government’s evaluated price, as specified in the solicitation.

Security clearance: The SOW states the "Contractor will need to have or be able to obtain a Secret security clearance within 60 days of contract implementation." The solicitation does not include a DD-254 or FAR 52.204-2.

a. Will a DD-254 be issued at award?

b. Will the Government sponsor the historian's clearance, or must the proposed historian hold an active Secret clearance at award?

c. Must the prime contractor hold a Facility Clearance?

Yes. A DD Form 254 is expected to be issued at the time of contract award.

b. The Government will sponsor the proposed historian for a Secret security clearance. The individual is not required to possess an active Secret clearance at the time of award but must be able to obtain one within 60 days of contract implementation.

c. Yes. Because the contract requires access to Secret-level information, the prime contractor must possess or be eligible to obtain a Secret-level Facility Clearance

(FCL).

Unclassified work, including research and writing that does not require access to

Travel: The SOW's area of interest includes Fort Wainwright and the Northern Warfare Training Area. Is travel anticipated, and if so, should it be included in the firm-fixed monthly price?

Travel outside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will be determined by mission requirements. Travel costs will be reimbursed only when specifically directed by the

Government with sufficient prior notice. Offerors shall not include travel costs in the firm-fixed monthly price.

Page limit: Do resumes, past performance references, and the business information section count toward the 10-page technical narrative limit?

General Information, Technical Capability, and Past Performance may be submitted as separate documents with the Technical Capability not exceeding 10 pages.

Start date: With performance beginning November 2, 2026, what is the anticipated award date and onboarding timeline (CAC, network access)?

The anticipated award date will be on or about November 2, 2026. On-boarding timeline with network access can take approximately 10 business days.

Subcontracting: May a small-business prime contractor propose qualified subcontracted historian personnel while retaining responsibility for contract administration, performance oversight, and deliverable management, subject to applicable limitations on subcontracting?

See FAR clause 52.219-6.

Period of Performance: What is the anticipated base contract duration, and are additional option periods contemplated?

This will be a base plus one-option year contract with the base year period of performance anticipated to be 02NOV26-01NOV27. Option year one, if exercised, will be from 02NOV27-01NOV28. FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, is also included.

Evaluation Criteria: Will quotations be evaluated based on technical qualifications, relevant past performance, price, or a combination of these factors? Are there minimum experience thresholds that would make an offeror technically unacceptable?

See addendum to FAR 52.212-2 in the Solicitation.

Quotation Submission: Please confirm the required submission documents, pricing format, and whether resumes, a staffing plan, and a capability statement should accompany the quotation.

See addendum to FAR 52.212-1 in the Solicitation.

The required quotation contents, page limits, past-performance examples, and whether proposed employee or subcontractor experience may be considered.

See addendum to FAR 52.212-1 in the Solicitation.

Whether limitations on subcontracting apply.

See FAR clause 52.219-6.

Whether the November 2, 2026 start date remains applicable and whether complete quotes should be emailed to both of you.

The anticipated award date will be on or about November 2, 2026. See addendum to FAR 52.212-1 for submission instructions.

The solicitation lists the Statement of Work as the revised version dated 2 October 2026.

The file posted on SAM.gov is headed April 2026. Please confirm which version governs, or post the 2 October 2026 revision.

The posted Statement of Work is the current version.

Materials (SOW 3.1, Task 1): Will the Government furnish materials needed to establish artifact displays and archives (e.g., display cases, archival storage supplies, scanning equipment), or should offerors include these costs in their pricing? –

Yes the government will furnish materials for approved projects/storage supplies, and scanning equipment

Wage Determination: The Historian position is not a listed labor category in WD 2015-5681 Rev. 29. Does the Government consider this position exempt from the Service Contract Act as a bona fide professional, or should offerors conform the position to a listed classification for pricing purposes?

The Government does not consider the Command Historian position to be exempt from the Service Contract Act (SCA) for this requirement

Due Date: Please confirm quotes are due October 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM Alaska Daylight Time.

That is correct.

Are there any activities in Tasks 1–4 that the Government considers close to inherently governmental, requiring special handling or limitations?

No.

Will the contractor have authority to request records, artifacts, or interviews from subordinate units, or must all requests be routed through the COR/CoS?

Request should be routed through COR & DCoS

Is there a preferred format, classification level, or review process for the monthly historical vignette slides?

Classification level should be at CUI unless directed otherwise. Slide review will be completed by COR and DCoS before presentation

Is there an existing cataloging system, database, or Army standard (e.g., CMH guidelines) that the contractor must use?

AR 870-20, Army Museums, Historical Artifacts, and Art — This is the primary regulation establishing the framework for managing Army historical property.

AR 870-5, Military History: Responsibilities, Policies, and Procedures — This outlines broader responsibilities under the Army Historical Program.

Contractors supporting Army historical, museum, or artifact-related work (such as cataloging, inventory, or museum enterprise projects) are required to use these CMH-prescribed standards, procedures, and database systems to ensure consistency, accountability, and proper integration with Army records.

Does the Government require a specific software platform for the digital archive (SharePoint, SQL, Access, Army-approved cloud)?

Contractors supporting Army historical, museum, or artifact-related work (such as cataloging, inventory, or museum enterprise projects) are required to use these

CMH-prescribed standards, procedures, and database systems to ensure consistency, accountability, and proper integration with Army records.

Is there a required template, classification level, or submission format for the annual Unit History Report?

Annual unit history report should be at CUI level unless otherwise directed

Will the contractor be responsible for drafting changes directly in the MOA annex documents, or only providing recommendations to staff?

Standard Division of Responsibilities

• Contractor Role:

o Conduct research, analysis, and coordination.

o Draft proposed changes, revisions, or new annex language (usually provided in a separate Word document, redline version, or comment matrix).

o Deliver recommendations with supporting justification, historical context, or compliance rationale.

o Submit these drafts/recommendations to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), or CMH History and Museum Directorate staff for review.

• Government Staff Role:

o Make all official changes directly in the master MOA or annex documents.

o Maintain version control and official records.

o Obtain required approvals and signatures from Army stakeholders and any external parties to the MOA.

If the contractor cannot obtain a Secret clearance within 60 days, will the Government allow interim access or adjust the timeline?

Security Clearance. Contractor will need to have or be able to obtain a Secret security clearance within 60 days of contract implementation.

Unclassified work, including research and writing that does not require access to

Will the contractor be granted access to Army shared drives, historical repositories, or SIPR systems?

Army shared drives (e.g., NIPRNET SharePoint sites, CMH network folders, or museum enterprise shared drives): Yes

Historical repositories (physical or digital collections managed by CMH, Army museums, or the Army Artifact Collection): Yes

SIPR systems (Secret Internet Protocol Router Network): No. Historical artifacts, museum records, and most CMH work are handled on the unclassified side.

Will the contractor have unrestricted access to the basement storage area in Building 1, or must access be scheduled?

Contractor will be issued an access badge. They will have access to where their badge permits.

Does the Government expect the contractor to use the “Command Historian” equivalent rate ($40.19/hr) or another SCA labor category?

The contractor may utilize the "Command Historian" equivalent rate as the baseline hourly wage for pricing.

Should the contractor assume identical workload for Option Year 1, or does the Government anticipate changes?

The contractor understands that the level of effort identified in the PWS for the base period is an estimate for proposal purposes only. The Government does not guarantee the same level of effort will be required during Option Year 1. The contractor is prepared to provide full performance within the ceilings established in the contract and will work with the COR and Contracting Officer to adjust staffing and tasking as requirements evolve.

Will the Government consider academic historical research, museum archival work, or military history publications as relevant past performance?

Yes, the Government will likely consider academic historical research, museum archival work, and military history publications as relevant past performance.

Section B lists CLIN 0001 (Base) and CLIN 1001 (Option Year 1) but has no separate line for the FAR 52.217-8 six-month extension. Please confirm (a) that quoters should price only CLINs 0001 and 1001, with the Government calculating the 52.217-8 amount as one-half of the option-year price; and (b) whether prices should be entered in Section B or on a separate price schedule, given that SF-1449 Blocks 19–24 state "See Schedule."

a. Correct, quoters should only price CLINs 0001 & 1001.

b. Prices can be entered in Section B.

Please confirm whether the following count toward the 10-page limit: cover page, table of contents, resumes of proposed personnel, and the Item 1 General Information. Please also confirm the required page size and margins, and whether a smaller font is acceptable in tables, graphics, and captions.

General Information, Technical Capability, and Past Performance may be submitted as separate documents with the Technical Capability not exceeding 10 pages.

Smaller font is acceptable in tables, graphics, captions but not for the main body of the document.

Will the Government evaluate Subfactors 1.1–1.3 based on the qualifications of the individual proposed to serve as Command Historian, the offering firm, or both? Should quoters include a resume for the proposed Command Historian, and if so, will the resume count toward the 10-page technical limit?

The Government will evaluate the technical capability of both the offering firm and the proposed individual. Quoters may submit a resume for the proposed Command Historian to verify they meet the minimum qualification standards. The resume will count toward the overall 10-page technical limit.

Please provide the anticipated duration of JPMRC Rotation 27-02 and the location(s) where JVB support will be performed (JBER, Fort Wainwright, Donnelly Training Area, or elsewhere). Does the Government expect support during the rotation to exceed the 0.5 FTE level of effort?

2-3 week period of time at Fort Wainwright & day trip to Donnelly Training Area.

Rotation frequently exceeds 0.5 FTE

Please identify the "other Division headquarters" (location and number) where displays are required. Will the Government furnish display cases, mounts, signage, and archival supplies (acid-free boxes, folders, sleeves), or should these materials be included in the firm-fixed price? If the contractor is to furnish them, please provide an estimated budget or quantity.

Fort Wainwright Division Headquarters (Bldg 1555)

Yes Government will furnish all supplies needed.

Please provide the approximate volume of the collection (number of boxes, linear feet, or item count) so quoters can assess the 90-day inventory timeline. Is a specific cataloguing system or database required (for example, an Army Museum Enterprise or Center of Military History system), or will the contractor use Government-furnished software?

Unknown at this time. Presently still gathering all known historical records.

The SOW measures deadlines from both "contract award" and "contract implementation."

Please confirm the start date for all deliverable timelines (e.g., the 02 Nov 2026 period-of-performance start date), and whether timelines will be adjusted if installation access, CAC issuance, or network access is delayed.

Start date for deliverable timelines:

All deliverable timelines in the Statement of Work (SOW) will be measured from the contract implementation / Period of Performance (PoP) anticipated start date of 02 November 2026, not the contract award date. The phrase “contract implementation” was intended to mean the PoP start date. The 90-day inventory requirement and all other scheduled deliverables will begin on approximately 2 November 2026.

Adjustment of timelines for delays in access:

Yes. The Government will consider adjustments to affected timelines if the contractor is unable to begin performance due to delays in installation access, CAC issuance, or network access that are beyond the contractor’s control. Any such delay must be promptly documented and reported to the Contracting Officer and COR. Adjustments will be handled in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Please confirm that the primary place of performance is Building 1 (Perez Hall), and that the Building 804 address in Sections E and F is used only for inspection, acceptance, and administrative purposes.

Primary place of work is Bldg 1, Bldg 804 is the primary storage of current files/record and will only be utilized for inspection, acceptance, and administrative purposes.

Given the contract size (dollar value), SCA nature of the pricing, and contract duration, its not realistic to request 3 past performance references from offerors. Will the Government remove the PP requirements? If not, will the Government permit offerors who don't have relevant past performance to be rated neutral?

The requirement to submit at least three (3) examples of relevant past performance, as detailed in the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, will not be removed. A quoter that does not have a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on the Past Performance factor. These quoters will receive a "Neutral" rating for this factor, which means the lack of past performance will not be considered a weakness.