ATTACHMENT 7_UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT W912L7-24-R-0005_07March2024.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR RFP W912L7-24-R-0005

DATE: 03/07/2024

Question: Do we have to provide all services for this performance work statement or could we just provide the meals?

Answer: In order for an Offeror to be considered for award, the proposal must receive an “Acceptable” rating in each of the non-price sub-factors identified in the 52.212-1 and 52.212-2 Addendums located in the Solicitation Document.

Question: Is this a brand new contract OR is there (was) an incumbent performing these services? If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Answer: This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent. Information regarding any and all contracts awarded by this office can be found at https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?s=FPDS.GOV&templateName=1.5.3&indexName=awardfull&q=.

Question: Is there a QA timeline?

Answer: Questions shall be furnished electronically to the Contracting Officer (KO), Randal Halbrooks, randal.d.halbrooks.mil@army.mil and to the Contract Specialist (CS) , Justin McQueen, justin.t.mcqueen.mil@army.mil. Questions shall be submitted by no later than February 27th, 2024, at 10:00 AM CDT.

Question: Are we to provide the fuel or will the government provide fuel and we just manage the handling?

Answer: The Government will not be providing any fuel. The contractor shall provide fuel in accordance with section 5.0 of the Performance Work Statement. The Requirements section of the PWS, section 5.0, annotates the Government’s fuel and re-fueling requirements in the relevant and applicable requirement paragraphs.

Question: On the price sheet, are we to provide pricing for evaluation only as the amounts required on the price sheet do not match the quantities in the PWS?

Answer: Offerors shall complete the pricing spreadsheet titled “W912L724R0005 Pricing Sheet” and provide the total price for each CLIN in the solicitation that is all inclusive of the cost elements associated with each CLIN, (see extended descriptions in the schedule section of the solicitation). The evaluation quantities are for evaluation purposes only and are not indicative of any future task and/or delivery orders. As an example, see CLIN 0002 Light Sets on the Pricing Sheet. For CLIN 0002 the Government is requiring pricing for an evaluation quantity of 120 Weeks for Light Sets which equates to a quantity of 30 Light Sets for 4 weeks given the unit price includes one light set for one week. Please note the personnel quantities annotated in the PWS refer to a range of known minimum and maximum numbers of personnel, meaning the Government anticipates there may be no less than 3,230 personnel and knows definitively there will be no more than 3,600 personnel participating in the exercise. The exact number of personnel participating in the exercise and requiring life support services will not be known until closer to the exercise start date.

Question: On the price sheet, the volumes for daily and weekly rates do not correlate, is this a concern?

Answer: This is not a concern as evaluation quantities are for evaluation purposes only with the daily evaluation quantities being sufficient for the Government to evaluate daily pricing for a given line item in a given proposal. Evaluation quantities are not indicative of any task and/or delivery orders.

Question: Can we provide a total fixed firm price for each line item?

Answer: Yes as the Government will order all services under this contract via issuance of firm, fixed-price indefinite quantity indefinite delivery task orders (TOs) in accordance with (IAW) FAR subpart 16.5 Indefinite Delivery Contracts as implemented by DFARS 216.505, Indefinite Delivery Contracts. Please reference the Solicitation Document for more details.

Question: Are we to provide the food or will the government provide the food via UGRs?

Answer: Please reference section 5.15 of the PWS which annotates the two periods of performance for contractor provided meals. The Government will self-feed during periods where contractor provided meals are not required.

Question: The meals to be picked up, are those mermites?

Answer: Please reference section 5.15.2 of the PWS that outlines the Government’s Packaged Meals for Field Consumption requirements.

Question: If we provide the kitchen and wrap around services, can we cook on site?

Answer: The contractor has the option to cook on site or off site. If the contractor elects to cook on site the contractor is responsible for obtaining any required permits or permissions from Fort Cavazos. The POC for Fort Cavazos site specific questions is Ms. Darlene Smith who can be reached via email at Darlene.r.smith4.civ@army.mil and via phone at (254)-288-2393.

Question: Can we use pole tents if they are engineered and rated at 85 mph winds?

Answer: All sleeping tents shall be clear span, pole or other technically acceptable alternative and shall be able to withstand wind gusts of 75mph. Please reference section 5.8 of the PWS for more details.

Question: Could you please explain the methodology employed for the Unit of Issue to the Evaluation of quantities? It appears that there is a lack of correlation between the various amounts and the referenced term.

Answer: The evaluation quantities are for evaluation purposes only and are not indicative of any future task and/or delivery orders. As an example, see CLIN 0002 Light Sets on the Pricing Sheet. For CLIN 0002 the Government is requiring pricing for an evaluation quantity of 120 Weeks for Light Sets which equates to a quantity of 30 Light Sets for 4 weeks given the price includes one light set for one week.

Question: Will digging be required for gray/black water disposal?

Answer: No.

Question: Are there any specific issues with black water that we need to be aware of? Meter/disposal onsite/disposal offsite, permits?

Answer: Fort Cavazos provides gray and black water disposal locations. Please reference section 5.11 of the PWS for more details regarding the Government’s gray and black water removal requirements.

Question: Does the OPSEC Coordinator have to be onsite 24/7? If no, what are the expected timeframes they would be expected to be onsite?

Answer: There is no specified amount of time the OPSEC Coordinator will need to be onsite. However, the OPSEC Coordinator shall be identified and an OPSEC SOP shall be developed, submitted and approved in accordance with paragraph 1.4.5.7.1 of the PWS.

Question: Section 5.6 (page 14) of the PWS- Can you explain how you arrived at the number 4,230?

Answer: The contractor shall provide portable chemical latrines (portalets) capable of supporting up to 4,230 personnel given the required 1:10, one portalet per 10 persons ratio. Though the number of personnel will not exceed 3,600, the increased portalet support capacity requirement due to several factors the Government has taken into account to include but not limited to the geographical distances across training areas and the unpredictable movements of personnel as they conduct various training exercises across different locations.

Question: Is the contractor required to supply laundry soap?

Answer: No.

Question: Is the Contractor expected to drive the reefer trucks for deliveries or is that the responsibility of the Government?

Answer: The Government will provide reefer truck drivers for the duration of the period of performance. The contractor is not required to drive the reefer trucks for ice pick-up and deliveries. Please reference section 5.5 of the PWS for more details regarding this requirement.

Question: Will Government provide information on reefer truck drivers for insurance purposes? Will trucks leave base? Will Government assume liability for vehicles driven by Government employees that are supplied by the contractor?

Answer: Driver information will be provided. The trucks will not leave base and the Government will provide driver information. The Government will assume liability of contractor provided vehicles during the Government’s operation of said vehicles.

Question: Are any ADA latrines, shower, laundry trailers needed?

Answer: No

Question: Are any ADA ramps needed for sleeping, office or food service tents?

Answer: No.

Question: For all tents, will raised Bil-Jax steel frame, plywood flooring be acceptable? Meets or exceeds all IBC and UBC code requirements and fire resistant.

Answer: Yes, raised Bil-Jax steel frame, plywood flooring is acceptable. The PWS has been revised to reflect the change in tent flooring requirements.

Question: What are the dimensions of each of the pad sites so that tent dimensions can be determined?

Answer: The dimensions of each PAD are slightly different. However, the size of each PAD is approximately nine (9) acres and 32,371 square yards.

Question: Will pad sites be afforded to the contractor to house personnel?

Answer: The Tennessee National Guard has no objections with contractor personnel being housed on-site. It is the contractor’s responsibility to obtain permission and any required permits from Fort Cavazos. The Government will allocate space to the contractor to house personnel on-site. Exact location will be provided upon award.

Question: If allowed to house personnel on base, what form of housing will be allowed? Tents? Hard sided RSUs, RVs?

Answer: Contractor personnel can be housed in tents or RV’s.

Question: Will the Government provide access to a laydown yard and/or storage yard where vehicles and equipment can be kept?

Answer: Yes, the Government will provide motorpool space for the storage of contractor vehicles and equipment.

Question: Are there restrictions on which gates can accept heavy equipment and oversized loads?

Answer: North Fort Cavazos can accept heavy equipment and oversized loads. Contractor will need to present proper identification at the gate.

Question: Do all of the latrine trailers need exactly 8 toilets and three sinks, or can that be the minimum so long as the ratios are met?

Answer: Each latrine trailer shall come with a minimum of eight (8) toilets and three (3) sinks. A latrine trailer can have more than 8 toilets and 3 sinks but each trailer shall come with a minimum of 8 toilets and 3 sinks.

Question: Your RFP has 6 sleep tents required. Can you tell me in which configuration you need them in (i.e. small, med or large)?

Answer: The solicitation and incorporated attachments does not call for a required number of sleep tents. The quantities referenced in Attachment 4, “Requirements by Location, Periods of Performance and Estimated Quantities” are estimated quantities only. The quantity of each tent size the Government will require is unknown at this time. A small sized tent shall be capable of supporting up to 50 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person. A medium sized tent shall be capable of supporting up to 150 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person. A large sized tent shall be capable of supporting up to 300 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person.

Question: Is 1:15 Ratio for showers to personnel acceptable as there was no ratio specified in the PWS?

Answer: Contractor shall be capable of supplying enough shower trailers capable of supporting up to 3,600 personnel regardless of ratio.

Question: Will a larger forklift suffice in place of a 36K forklift?

Answer: A forklift larger than 36k is acceptable as long as it meets all of the minimum characteristics described in paragraph 5.12 of the PWS.

Question: Which standard is the minimum a generator may be placed near a tent, 30 or 50 feet?

Answer: 50 feet.

Question: If restroom trailers are utilized instead of portalets will the installed sinks, in each restroom, satisfy this requirement?

Answer: The PWS requires both portalets and latrine trailers.

Question: Will reefer trailers or reefer containers be acceptable in place of reefer trucks?

Answer: The vehicles need to be self-powered; the Government will periodically move these units. For a trailer to be acceptable it must also have a prime mover. The Government does not have the means to transport contractor provided trailers or containers for periodic resupply. Therefore, if a trailer or container is provided then a vehicle to move the trailer or container must also be provided.

Question: Is 1:30 Ratio for laundry units to personnel acceptable as there is a conflicting or unclear ratio in the PWS?

Answer: Contractor shall deliver, set up and ensure operation, to include fueling (if needed) and maintenance of a sufficient quantity of self-service laundry trailers capable of supporting up to 3,600 personnel given a wash cycle of one load per person per week.

Laundry trailers shall be equipped with a utility sink, rubber non-skid flooring and operational lighting. Laundry trailers shall be capable of maintaining a combined minimum load capacity of 64 loads per hour per day.

Question: How will the government monitor the potable water supply during the POP to ensure the 8 gallons per person is adhered to?

Answer: The water operates the showers, latrines, handwashing stations and laundry facilities. Contractor will be allowed to pick up water any time they need to. Water usage will be monitored by exception if the water doesn’t run out there will be no need to monitor usage.

Question: Are contractor personnel allowed to stay on-site during the POP?

Answer: The Tennessee National Guard has no objections with contractor personnel being housed on-site. It is the contractor’s responsibility to obtain permission and any required permits from Fort Cavazos. The Government will allocate space to the contractor to house personnel on-site. Exact location will be provided upon award.

Question: Does the Government need each of the tent sizes listed in the RFP, or are they just prescriptive? If so, how many of each are required?

Answer: The exact requirement will be identified in task orders once the base contract is awarded. The solicitation and incorporated attachments does not call for a required number of each particular sleep tent size. However, the contractor shall be able to provide tentage, ranging in size from small, medium to large, capable of supporting up to 3600 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person. The quantities referenced in Attachment 4, “Requirements by Location, Periods of Performance and Estimated Quantities” are estimated quantities only. The quantity of each tent size the Government will require is unknown at this time. A small sized tent shall be capable of supporting up to 50 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person. A medium sized tent shall be capable of supporting up to 150 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person. A large sized tent shall be capable of supporting up to 300 personnel allowing for 50 square feet of space per person. Offerors shall describe, in detail, how the tentage they propose to provide meets all requirements in accordance with the PWS. Offerors shall provide detailed descriptions, technical specifications, illustrations and personnel support capacities of the three individual size categories of small, medium and large. Specifications and illustrations of each tent size category shall demonstrate the individual tent’s capability of meeting its described support capacity given the required allotment of 50 square feet per person. To be technically acceptable, offeror provided specifications, descriptions and illustrations must clearly demonstrate the proposed tents are capable of meeting all minimum requirements in accordance with the PWS.

Question: Can you confirm the location of the black water dump site?

Answer: The black water and gray water dump sites are located within approximately one mile of the LSA where the base camp will be located. Due to OPSEC concerns, exact grid coordinates will not be published within the solicitation or any incorporated attachments. Exact locations of the black and gray water dump sites will be provided upon award.

Question: Can you confirm if the training areas have access to lift stations for black water disposal?

Answer: To the best of the Tennessee Army National Guard’s knowledge, the training areas do not have access to lift stations for black water disposal. However, nothing precludes an interested offeror from reaching out to Fort Cavazos to seek more clarification. Also, the contractor will have access to gray and black water disposal sites located in North Fort Cavazos near where the LSA/Base Camp will be located.

Question: Can you confirm if the eight gallons per person per day potable water requirement is inclusive of laundry trailers and handwashing stations?

Answer: Potable water will be used to support Latrine, Shower and Laundry Trailers as well as handwashing stations. Amount shall be adequate to support a MINIMUM usage of eight (8) gallons per person per day.

Question: Can you confirm the location of bulk water distribution points and associated connections?

Answer: Four Ft. Cavazos, TX bulk water points can be accessed at the following locations: North Fort Cavazos on Park Street between 20th and 21st Street at Building 56560 (Grid PV23807090); on Turkey Run west of Clear Creek Rd in Building 44017 (Grid PV13404780); at Range Control on Black Gap Road at Buildings 56008 and 56099 (Grid PV21604685). The water point connection types and sizes are not known by the Tennessee Army National Guard at this point. However, nothing precludes an interested offeror from reaching out to Fort Cavazos directly to seek more clarification.

Question: With regards to contractor provided storage equipment, can you confirm who will be testing the water and maintaining the results in accordance with TB MED 577?

Answer: The contractor shall be responsible for ensuring potable water is safe for human consumption and that contractor provided storage equipment meet all federal and local laws, regulations and safety standards.

Question: Can you clarify the quantity of items per week and the quantity of items per day?

Answer: The evaluation quantities are for evaluation purposes only and are not indicative of any future task and/or delivery orders with the daily evaluation quantities being sufficient enough for the Government to evaluate daily pricing for a given line item in a given proposal. As an example, see CLIN 0002 Light Sets on the Pricing Sheet. For CLIN 0002 the Government is requiring pricing for an evaluation quantity of 120 Weeks for Light Sets which equates to a quantity of 30 Light Sets for 4 weeks given the price includes one light set for one week.

Question: Can you confirm if mobilization and de-mobilization pricing should be inclusive to services rendered in each CLIN?

Answer: The solicitation has been amended to add two additional CLINS to the schedule and the Pricing Sheet. Offerors shall provide pricing for those CLINS in accordance with all instructions provided within the solicitation.

Question: Can the Government accommodate a site visit?

Answer: The Government cannot accommodate a site visit. However, nothing precludes potential offerors from contacting North Fort Cavazos to address any site specific questions they may have.

Question: Regarding Sub-factor 1: Mobilization Schedule, what is meant by the phrasing, “spanning no more than three weeks?”

Answer: Offerors shall provide a detailed mobilization schedule demonstrating the offeror’s capabilities to have all required equipment, manpower and support services in place and fully operational within three (3) weeks after receipt of order and by the beginning of the period of performance in accordance with the PWS.

Question: Considering the meals will be prepared off-site. Is there a need for HWS and/or ancillary water points ISO DFAC operations?

Answer: The contractor has the option to cook on-site or off-site. However, regardless if meals are cooked on-site or off-site, the Government may require the contractor to place handwashing stations near the feeding tent. Exact locations for the placement of handwashing stations will be provided prior to the beginning of the period of performance.

Question: Is the eight (8) gallons per person per day potable water requirement limited to just potable water?

Answer: Personal drinking water for Government personnel will be provided by the Government. The eight (8) gallons per day supports operations such as showers, laundry and latrine trailers as well as handwashing stations.

Question: Is the potable water needed to supply the latrine trailers?

Answer: Yes

Question: Please confirm that this solicitation must adhere to DFAR 225.7002-1 Berry Amendment. If not, is there an exception on file by the HCA?

Answer: DFARS Clause 252.225-7012 is incorporated by reference in accordance with DFARS 225.7002-1.

Question: Are non-US citizens allowed access to North Fort Cavazos to execute workload?

Answer: With regards to installation access as a whole, all contractor employees shall be vetted by local and/or state law enforcement agencies in order to be granted access badges to the installation; in the event a contractor employee is found to have any outstanding warrants, that individual may be detained by law enforcement and subsequentially denied access to the installation. The contractor shall coordinate with North Fort Cavazos to initiate the contractor employee vetting process. The vetting process can take a minimum of two full week days to complete. The contractor will be required to provide information on each contractor employee to include but not limited to employee government issued identification. All contractor employees shall successfully complete the vetting process in order to obtain access badges to the installation. The point of contact for contractor employee vetting is Ms. Darlene Smith who can be reached via email at Darlene.r.smith4.civ@army.mil and via phone at (254)-288-2393. Paragraph 1.4.1.4 has been added to the PWS to address this matter.

Question: In the PWS 5.15 the menu guidelines state we need a minimum of Three (3) Breakfast and Five (5) Dinner Menus. It also then says contractor must submit Five (5) menu options for both breakfast and dinner. Can you clarify how many menu options should be submitted for breakfast meals and how many should be submitted for dinner meals?

Answer: The contractor must submit at least three (3) menu options for breakfast and five (5) menu options for dinner. The PWS has been revised to reflect this change.

Question: Can the toilet and shower trailers have 6 stalls instead of the requested 8 if the total needed stalls are met?

Answer: Each latrine trailer shall come with a minimum of eight (8) toilets and three (3) sinks and be self- contained. Each Shower trailer shall have a minimum of eight (8) shower heads and two (2) sinks.

Question: Can the shower trailers be container style units?

Answer: Yes, container style is acceptable as long as all other minimum characteristics are met in accordance with the PWS.

Question: Are offerors required to provide pricing for both daily and weekly rates? Is there a minimum period of performance?

Answer: Pricing for both daily and weekly evaluation quantities is required in accordance with the solicitation instructions. The period of performance is annotated in the solicitation and the PWS.

Question: Is the evaluation QTY on the pricing sheet the number of the descripted units. For example, Chemical Latrines for a week is 1500, is that the number of portable toilets?

Answer: No, the price is inclusive of the rental and services required IAW the PWS of one (1) portable chemical latrine for one (1) week. The price should reflect the rental and required services of 300 portalets for five (5) weeks or 1500 weeks. The evaluation quantities are for evaluation purposes only and are not indicative of any task and/or delivery orders.

Question: Will each CLIN on the pricing sheet be awarded separately or will you award by like items? Example, all showers, all tents, all food service be awarded to the same contractor?

Answer: The Government intends to award a single award Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract against which individual Task Orders will be placed for specific services. In order for an Offeror to be considered for award, the proposal must receive an “Acceptable” rating in each of the non-price sub-factors identified in the 52.212-1 and 52.212-2 Addendums.

Question: Can you confirm if laundry loads are limited to duty uniforms and will not include individual protective equipment and bags?

Answer: Laundry loads will be limited to duty uniforms and personal clothing items. Contractor provided laundry equipment will not be used to wash protective equipment and bags.

Question: What size Mobile Reefer units are needed? Would 53ft Reefer Semi Trailers suffice or do they need to be able to drive like a refrigerated box trucks?

Answer: Contractor shall provide a sufficient quantity of self-powered, mobile reefer trucks capable of providing simultaneous daily cold storage capacity at 13 separate locations. All reefer trucks will be used to store 20-pound bags of cubed ice with the ice provided by the Government. The contractor shall provide a sufficient quantity of reefer trucks to ensure each of the 13 locations has a minimum cold storage capacity of eight (8) pallets of 20-pound bags of cubed ice. The vehicles need to be self-powered; the Government will periodically move these units. For a trailer to be acceptable it must also have a prime mover. The Government does not have the means to transport contractor provided trailers or containers for periodic resupply. Therefore, if a trailer or container is provided then a vehicle to move the trailer or container must also be provided.

Question: Do we need to provide Latrine trailers, shower trailers, and laundry units for 1200 personnel or 3600 personnel?

Answer: See sections 5.2, 5.13 and 5.14 of the PWS.

Question: Please confirm if pricing on the pricing sheet should be calculated by indicating the unit price per day and unit price per week and then multiplying those rates by the Evaluation Quantity provided for an Evaluation Total.

Answer: Example, for daily rental of light sets the unit price includes the rental of one light set for one day in accordance with the extended CLIN description annotated in the Schedule section of the Solicitation. Given the evaluation quantity of 40 and an example daily unit price for one light set of $100 then the evaluation total should equal $4,000.

Question: With regards to Government provided forklift operators, will the government allow the contractor to view the GCSS-A Licenses prior to operating the equipment?

Answer: Yes. Operator licenses can be provided upon request.

Question: Can the government clarify where Motorpool 27 (MP-27) is located?

Answer: Motorpool 27 is located within approximately one mile from the LSA across the street from Motorpool 21.

Question: Minimum type size shall be 12-point Times New Roman…" The Government does not provide a font type and size for graphics, tables, charts. Will the Government please allow offerors to use a 9-point Arial or similar font?

Answer: 9-point Arial font is acceptable for graphics, tables and charts.

Question: The Government requires a detailed mobilization and proposed approach to delivering and supporting Sub-factors 1 - 5. Will the Government please remove the schedule from page count?

Answer: The page count limit for technical proposals is 25 pages.

Question: The Government intends to use past performance as evaluation factor; however, there is no requirement in the instructions to provide past performance for evaluation? Will the Government please remove this from the evaluation criteria or include instructions on how it should be defined and where it should be placed within the submittal?

Answer: Past Performance. Within 3 years past performances. The Government will use FAPIIS/CPARS for Past Performance evaluations. No Past Performance will be judged as neutral. The Government will utilize the offeror’s required submission of a CAGE code and UEI to access FAPIIS and CPARS.

Question: Can the Government please provide the approximate size of the area that will be provided for the contractor's use?

Answer: The Government cannot provide the exact dimensions of the space/s that will be allocated to the contractor. However, adequate space for the storage of contractor vehicles and equipment will be provided.

Question: On the MOB/DEMOB CLINS for the Tents and Shower/Restroom/Laundry Trailers. Is the unit price provided supposed to be the price per trailer/tent or do you want the total amount for all the tents/trailers? I’m assuming you’re wanting the price per tent and per trailer and multiplied out by the QTY 40.

Answer: For CLINs 0034 and 0035, the unit price is inclusive of the cost to mobilize/demobilize one single (1) tent, regardless of size or type, by the beginning/end of the period of performance. For CLINs 0036 and 0037, the unit price is inclusive of the cost to mobilize/demobilize one single laundry, shower or latrine trailer by the beginning/end of the period of performance. The total price is calculated by multiplying the unit price, the price to mobilize a single tent or trailer, by the evaluation quantity of 40.