Revision_1_Responses_to_TF_SAFE_Questions_W912DY-18-R-XXX1.docx

1. Attachment 1 Task Table: Since there isn’t a CLIN for key personnel, would USACE expect contractors to spread these costs across all required CLINs or all required plus optional CLINs?

Answer: Costs for key personnel should be included in the base tasks.

2. The RFP lists secret security clearances for all key personnel. Can contractors conclude that a secret facility clearance is also required for the prime contractor and all subcontractors performing work where individual clearances are required?

Answer: Yes.

3. Should contractors price in Dept of State Uplifts for Hazard and Hardship for Kuwait and/or Iraq when the duty location is known?

Answer: Yes.

4. Page 3 of the RFP lists the pricing structure as Attachment 2. Is this the same file titled, “Attachment_1_Task_Table_16Jan.xlxs” Answer: Yes, The RFP should state Attachment 1. The RFP has been corrected.

5. Page 3 states, “Price proposal shall include the fully burdened labor rate for all personnel listed in PWS paragraph 2.” Is this the monthly rate listed on Attachment 1 or a fully burdened hourly rate?

Answer: Hourly rates.

6. PWS 5.2. Is CLIN 5B strictly for inter-theater travel (no mob/de-mob travel)?

Answer: Correct.

7. Data Management is a critical aspect of the PWS yet there is no CLIN established for data collection, storage, and reporting. Should contractors include data management costs as part of the monthly rates for electrical inspections?

Answer: This is a business decision on your part. Do not capture these costs under Task 5.

8. PWS section 1.1 states phase in is from the time of award not to exceed 9 April 2018. Can USACE clarify that phase in tasks must be complete by 9 April 2018? What is the total expected mobilization and phase in duration?

Answer: The intent is to allow a 45-day phase in period, but this cannot be guaranteed.

9. PWS section 1.1.4: Which DOD deployment center should contractors use for this contract (Ft. Bliss)?

Answer: Yes, Ft. Bliss.

10. PWS section 1.2 Work Plan. Please confirm the Work Plan must be complete by 9 April 2018.

Answer: Yes, the Work Plan must be accepted by the Contracting Officer NLT 9 April 2018.

11. How should contractors account for country specific cost requirements such as the 17% Iraqi Social Security tax cost for all work done in Iraq by American/British workers? Same question but 15% corporate tax on Iraq generated revenue?

Answer: In the Iraq specific tasks.

12. Do contractors need to be registered to perform work in Iraq and comply with all tax laws?

Answer: Yes they do.

13. How should contractors price hazard/hardship uplifts for teams in undefined locations such as Yemen, KSA, Qatar? The current table only allows pricing for Kuwait, Iraq, and Unknown.

Answer: No. Uplifts for unforeseen locations will be captured via Modification.

14. PWS section Option Subtask 2J lists Iraq as the location but Attachment 1 does not. Please confirm 2J is for Iraq.

Answer: Correct. Task 2J is for Iraq.

15. PWS Section 2.2. Is there a required list of workman’s tools and inspection equipment or should the contractor propose the bare minimum?

Answer: The contractor shall propose what they need to complete the job outlined in the PWS. Workman’s tools are the sole responsibility of the contractor to provide and will not be purchased under Task 5 nor via change order.

16. Will workman’s tools and inspection equipment from the incumbent contractor be available for transfer to the winning contractor?

Answer: No. There is no significant amount of workman’s tools available for transfer.

17. For pricing fairness, should all contractors propose new tools and equipment including the incumbent?

Answer: This is a business decision on your part, the Government will not dictate that.

18. Will the cost of tools and equipment be accounted for by the ODC CLIN and not a part of CLIN 002?

Answer: They will not. They must be accounted for as part of the Firm Fixed Price for teams.

19. Please confirm there needs to be one Quality Control Manager (Key position) for every 9 teams so if there are 27 teams, there needs to be 3 Quality Managers. Also please confirm all Quality Managers will require Security Clearances.

Answer: Yes, due to the amount of reviews and reporting required for this effort, a QCM for every 9 teams fielded is a requirement. Since several of the bases in this area of operation are utilizing British electrical systems, the QCM does not have to be a US citizen. The QCM may receive a Limited Access Authorization in lieu of a Secret clearance if they are not US citizens; otherwise, a security clearance is required.

20. PWS page 6 of 26. What “other property personnel” are required?

Answer: Whatever the contractor believes they need to perform the job of managing the property yard.

21. PWS section 2.4 states a minimum of 18 Master electricians or 1 per team. These quantities conflict. Please clarify if it is 18 total or 1 per team? There are 12 required teams and 26 optional teams so the minimum master electricians would need to be 12 required and 26 optional totaling 38.

Answer: One per team. The PWS will be revised to reflect this.

22. PWS Section 2.7. Is the contractor responsible for providing computer equipment for US Government personnel as well or just contractor personnel? If so, how much?

Answer: No, only for contractor personnel. The contractor shall provide connectivity and phone (VOIP and/or Local Cell) service for up to three Government personnel.

23. Can USACE extend the RFP due date by two weeks because of the amount of questions?

Answer: This request is denied due to operational requirements and due to the fact that the PWS was made public months ago.

24. Section 3 lists the requirement for a Fire Safety Assessment/Brigade Training Manager but this position isn’t listed anywhere else. Please confirm it is required, the QTY is 1, and the work location is Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Answer: A contractor able to perform those functions as part of the base package is required.

25. Please confirm there are seven (not six) key personnel: PM, QCM, Property Manager, Safety Manager, Electrical Engineer, Fire Safety Assessment/Brigade Training Manager, Fire Protection Engineer. If the Fire Safety Assessment/Brigade Training Manager is also key, this brings the total to eight.

Answer: No. Total of 7 Key Personnel.

26. PWS section 4. Please provide the number of locations internet service is required. The PWS only lists one regional operations center (Camp Arifjan) but 4.1 mentions several other locations.

Answer: The total number of locations are unknown. The main hub will be Camp Arifjan. Other locations can piggy back off of government assets or the contractor can elect to provide their own service via hotspots, etc.

27. Are the mobilization and demobilization CLINs only for costs associated with required positions or are they for all the optional positions as well?

Answer: Moblization and demobilization for optional tasks should be captured within the optional tasks themselves.

28. PWS Section 8.6. Will the costs for vehicles described in section 8.6 be captured in CLIN 5A, ODCs or will these vehicles be provided to the contractor out of the base vehicle fleet at no cost to the contractor?

Answer: Yes, rental vehicles will be captured under Task 5; but the contractor may use base vehicles if they are available. They will not have priority over other entities.

29. PWS Section 8.13.1 references Attachment A but it isn’t a part of the RFP. Can USACE provide Attachment A?

Answer: Attachment A is the materials listing and is attached for reference. It should be understood that this list fluctuates as materials are issued and/or replacements are received. It will be the contractor’s sole responsibility to maintain the staff to manage the fluctuation of materials.

30. PWS Section 8.13.17.8 requires a Materials Control Supervisor. Is this position a Key Personnel?

Answer: No, but that position is required.

31. PWS Section 8.5 Please confirm the key personnel in Kuwait will be living off base on the local economy and their lodging costs should be captured within CLIN 5 and not part of the rates in CLINs 2-3.

Answer: Key personnel and/or personnel approved by the Contractor’s Project Manager are authorized to live off post. These costs should be captured under Task 2 and or 3 respectively; and be actual costs not to exceed the lodging rate outlined in the Joint Travel Regulation. The contractor will NOT be authorized per diem for meals and incidentals and will eat their meals on Camp Arifjan. If this becomes an issue with personnel on site then they will be moved into Government quarters on post and the Government will recoup costs associated with housing from within the team pricing.

32. PWS Section 5.2. Please confirm that costs such as obtaining entry/work visas for the various countries and sponsorship/residency should be captured within the travel CLIN 5B and not a part of the rates in CLINs 2-3.

Answer: Costs for entry/work visas etc. for personnel should be captured under their respective tasks, not under Task 5.

33. Does the US Government intend for the contractor to continue using the Active Ink software to prepare inspection reports or should the contractor prepare its own system?

Answer: Either is acceptable to the Government as long as the quality of work is not reduced.

34. The Combined Synopsis / Solicitation Notice identifies 6 positions as Key Personnel while the PWS appears to identify up to 9 (5+4) positions as Key Personnel, Please clarify and provide a definitive list of all Key Personnel positions (i.e. resumes required for proposal).

Answer: Refer to question 25.

SOLICITATION CLARIFICATION / CORRECTION OF KEY PERSONNEL PARAGRAPH:

Key Personnel consists of:

1. Project Manager

2. Quality Control Manager

3. Property Control Manager

4. Fire Protection Engineer

5. Site Safety and Health Officer

6. Fire Safety Assessment/Brigade Training Manager

7. Electrical Engineer.

Your proposal must include resumes or signed letters of commitment of each key personnel. Resumes shall include a brief narrative of the person and the experience that person has had performing similar work. Resumes will not count against the proposal page limit.

Resumes must include the following information and not exceed one (1) page:

0. Name and title

0. Current project assignment

0. Name of firm with which associated

0. Years of experience with this firm and with other firms

0. Education, degree(s), year, and specialization, if applicable

0. Active professional registration, year first registered, if applicable

0. Other experience and qualifications relevant to same/similar work required under this contract

35. To ensure a comprehensive technical approach, would the Government please exclude the key personnel resumes and letters of commitment from the overall page count?

Answer: This is acceptable.

36. Please confirm the restriction of 20 pages is for Volume 1 only.

Answer: This is correct.

37. Will the Government extend the submission deadline to 9 February at noon Central Time?

Answer: Refer to question 23.

38. Page 4 states, “Proposals shall be submitted in electronic form using Microsoft Office Suites programs.” However, page 5 states, “Ensure your proposal is submitted in PDF format. Spreadsheets shall be submitted in Excel format.” Please confirm Volumes 1 and 3 shall be submitted as PDF files, and Volume 2 shall be submitted in Excel format.

Answer: This is acceptable.

39. The PWS mentions Attachments A and C, but neither is provided in the solicitation package. Can the Government please provide the documentation?

Answer: References to Attachment C, a Fire Brigade/Fire Warden Training Outline was inadvertently left in the PWS. The contractor will be responsible for providing their own outline for this effort. Attachment A is attached.

40. The Quality Control Manager is named as one of the Key Personnel.

The PWS states that “Contractor shall propose one QC manager per nine (9) fielded electrical inspection teams.”

Based on the initial number of electrical assessment teams required, more than one QC manager would be required. Are resumes and letters of commitment to be included in the proposal for each QC manager designated for this contract?

Answer: Resume for a QCM is only for the base task at this time.

41. Is in the intent that 18 Master Electricians are required even if no options are used (i.e. a base core of 12 electrical teams would need to include 18 master electricians)?

Answer: No, 1 master electrician per team, for a total of 12 in the base task.

42. If the contractor support is required in a country within the CENTCOM AOR with additional uplifts, those uplifts will be accounted for under Task 5A. Does this include uplifts for Kuwait deployment – currently 10% post diff.?

Answer: Refer to question 13. Task 5 will be used if possible, if not then additional funding will be added. Any uplifts for Kuwait should be captured in the team price.

43. What is the minimum number of personnel envisioned to comprise a “team” for fire assessment or training?

Answer: This is a business decision for the Contractor.

44. It has been our experience that the fire systems inspection/testing/maintenance position is always a licensed position. However, the Performance Work Statement does not call for a licensed technician. As it is our intent to provide the best-value solution, we request clarification as to the USG’s intent in requiring relevant licensing.

Answer: The Government will not require licensing of personnel but do require personnel with the proven ability to perform the work.

45. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) does not specify qualifications for team members on the fire inspection teams. Typically, we would anticipate team members to be qualified to Fire Inspector I or Fire Inspector II (IFSAC or ProBoard) requirements.

46. Answer: The Government will not require licensing of personnel but do require personnel with the proven ability to perform the work.

47. The PWS does not specify licensing requirements for technicians that would be involved in the detection/suppression systems in buildings. It has been our experience that these positions would typically require state licensing, therefore, we request clarification as to the USG’s intent in requiring relevant licensing for these positions.

Answer: The Government will not require licensing of personnel but do require personnel with the proven ability to perform the work.

48. In reference to Performance Work Statement (PWS) Item 1.1.5, where is the location of the Deployment Center to be used for this contract? Is MILAIR available to the contractor for deployment of personnel to the CENTCOM AOR Locations?

Answer: Fort Bliss is the deployment center location. And yes, MILAIR is available.

49. It is our understanding that the operations center is Camp Arifjan, Kuwait and that housing and other services (food, laundry, communications etc.) will be provided by the government while key personnel and Task 2 and Task 3 teams are in Kuwait. Are we correct in understanding that housing and other services will be provided by the government throughout the AOR?

Answer: Correct.

50. Is the Task 1 Phase-in and Mobilization Fixed Price to include travel for the base subtasks (i.e., 2A and 3A) as well as the optional subtasks?

Answer: For the base tasks only. Mob/Demob for optional tasks should be captured within those optional tasks.

51. Is travel associated with R&R included in Task 5B?

Answer: It is not.

52. The PWS indicates the contractor is to provide all necessary labor, workman’s tools, and inspection, update and repair equipment necessary to perform Task 2- Electrical Assessment, Update and Repair. Will the government provide all lifting equipment, i.e. forklifts, cranes, chain falls etc. as required by location? If the contractor is to provide this type of equipment, is the cost included in Task 5A?

Answer: Equipment of that manner will be provided via Task 5.

53. Is the contractor required to be registered in each of the countries where the work will be performed?

Answer: Correct.

54. Are non-US nationals acceptable as team members?

Answer: If they meet the certification requirements then yes.

55. Are we correct in assuming that only Government Property (GP) specifically associated with this contract, either existing GP or that property acquired during contract execution, is to be managed by the contractor and that no other GP fall within this requirement?

Answer: Correct.

56. In Factor 1, Technical Approach, it is stated that “Your proposal must include resumes or signed letters of commitment of each key personnel.” Are we correct in understanding that resumes need not be provided if a letter of commitment is submitted? Or, are resumes required for all Key Personnel?

Answer: Resumes are required for key personnel.

57. With regard to Past Performance, must relevant projects be completed within a specific period of time; e.g., within past five or ten years?

Answer: Within the past 10 years.

58. We believe that there may be a conflict between the statement in1.1.5 and the statements in 5.1.3 and Task 5B? Beyond ODCs associated with travel within the AOR, does actual labor cost need to priced? I.e. is 1.1.5 only to get personnel to Kuwait. Once in Kuwait, all transportation will covered in the travel budget 5B and 5.1.3 helps define who manages the transportation and the types? Labor will be priced in the other tasks?

Answer: Labor cost to facilitate logistics should not be covered under task 5B. 1.1.5 is to get personnel to Kuwait. Once in Kuwait transportation may be covered by task 5B if approved by the COR and/or KO; or personnel may be required to take MILAIR. Labor for the personnel traveling will be covered by the task they are performing under.

59. In accordance with FAR Part 5.230(c), agencies must allow at least 30 days response time from the issuance date of the RFP. We respectfully request an extension to the proposal deadline, through February 19, to provide for adequate time to prepare our response.

Answer: FAR 5.203(b) states: the contracting officer must establish a solicitation response time that will afford potential offerors a reasonable opportunity to respond to each proposed contract action… for the acquisition of commercial items in an amount estimated to be greater than $25,000.

The definition for Commercial Item is found under FAR 2.101 Commercial Item: 5 (ii): The source of such services provides similar services contemporaneously to the general public under terms and conditions similar to those offered to the Federal Government.

A Sources Sought accompanied by the PWS was posted on FBO on October 19, 2017.

A Pre-Solicitation Notice and PWS was posted on FBO on December 22, 2017 The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation was posted on FBO January 19, 2018.

The PWS has been available since October 19, therefore a proposal due date extension is not granted.

60. Does this require contractor to provide two Fire Protection Engineers in Kuwait?

Answer: No, one FPE meets the intent.

61. There is a discrepancy between the Pricing Spreadsheet and PWS regarding the the # electrical inspection teams. Is it 12 teams or 18 teams?

Answer: Base task for electrical teams is 12 teams.

62. In order to price Tasks 2 and 3 for Iraq and Non-Iraq personnel, the # of personnel assigned to each Task is required to calculate the Fixed Price CLINS and sub CLINS. Please provide estimates for each assignment to Iraq vs Non-Iraq.

Answer: Tasks 2B, 2C and 2J are for Iraq specific teams.