06. RFP QA - 27R0001_AMEND 01.pdf

Questions & Answers - Amendment 01

This Amendment 01 provides Government responses to questions received regarding Solicitation W912LP-27-R-0001. Unless otherwise stated, all other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged.

Meal Quantities Q01: Our calculation of the meal requirements in Attachment 03 totals roughly 950 more meals than the

CLIN quantities priced in Attachment 01. Which document governs the quantity the contractor must be prepared to deliver, and will one be amended to reconcile the two?

A01: The Government has reconciled the meal quantities and revised the applicable attachment(s) by amendment. The revised quantities are reflected in both of the attachments in Amendment 01.

Attachment 03 establishes the planned meal schedule and headcounts. Attachment 01 establishes the CLIN pricing structure—both attachments now reflect the same estimates of headcount.

Offerors shall use the revised attachments issued with Amendment 01 when preparing their proposals.

Q02: Does the contractor invoice for meals ordered, or meals served?

A02: The contractor shall invoice for meals delivered and supported by verified headcount documentation. The AFMIS Closing Report, reflecting the total Soldiers fed per meal, will serve as supporting documentation for the WAWF invoice and receiving report. If the actual headcount is lower than the quantity ordered, the contractor shall allow seconds until food is consumed, up to the contracted number of meals. Reference: Attachment 02

Q03: Are the quantities in Attachment 01 guaranteed, or estimates only? What minimum notice will the Government give for headcount changes or cancellations, and how is the contractor compensated if a meal is cancelled after food is procured?

A03: The quantities in Attachment 01 are estimated quantities for proposal pricing and are not guaranteed minimum quantities. The actual quantity of meals required will be coordinated between the Government point of contact and the contractor for each meal delivery. The contractor may, at his or her own expense, stay to conduct their own headcount. If necessary, the Contracting Officer will investigate any discrepancies between the number of meals provided and the number of meals requested. The solicitation does not establish a minimum notice period. The Government will provide notice as soon as practicable. All changes will need to go through the Contracting Officer and if a contractor felt they were not provided with ample notice, the Contracting Officer would work to find a solution that mitigates the contractor’s loss. Reference: Attachment 02, 9 and 10.

Q04: Attachment 02 references occasional boxed meals for field delivery, but no CLIN or estimated quantity is provided. Please provide the estimated annual volume, minimum notice, packaging requirements, and confirm whether boxed meals are billed at the corresponding CLIN unit price

A04: The Government may occasionally require individual boxed meals. The solicitation does not establish a minimum notice period or separate cancellation reimbursement and will provide notice as soon as practicable. No separate boxed-meal CLIN or estimated annual quantity is established.

Boxed meals shall be priced and billed under the applicable breakfast, lunch, or dinner CLIN unit price. RTI personnel will deliver the prepared boxed meals to the field. Reference: Attachment 02, §§ 4, 5.1, 7, 8, Subcontracting Limitations Q05: This is a Total Small Business set-aside. If the prime subcontracts all meal preparation and delivery, does that comply with the limitations on subcontracting under FAR 52.219-14?

A05: FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, is not applicable to this acquisition. The prime contractor remains responsible for successful performance of all contract requirements. In accordance with FAR 19.104(c)(3), the clause is not required for this total small business set-aside because the anticipated contract amount does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000.00. If the award amount exceeds $350,000.00, this clause would be applicable.

Q06: The solicitation contemplates use of a proposed subcontractor and permits evaluation of subcontractor past performance. May the prime contractor subcontract all meal preparation, delivery, and serving-line set up to its proposed food-service subcontractor while retaining overall responsibility for contract administration and performance?

A06: Yes. The prime contractor may subcontract meal preparation, delivery, serving-line setup, and related food-service functions to a proposed subcontractor. The prime contractor remains responsible for successful performance of all contract requirements.

Q07: FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, does not appear in Attachment 04. Please confirm whether any minimum self-performance percentage or other limitation on subcontracting applies to this acquisition.

A07: FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, is not applicable to this acquisition and will not be added to Attachment 04. In accordance with FAR 19.104(c)(3), the clause is not required because the anticipated value of this total small business set-aside does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000.00. No minimum self-performance percentage or other limitation under FAR 52.219-14 is anticipated to apply to this acquisition. However, if the award amount is $350,000.00 or above, it would apply to this acquisition.

Technical Capability Proposal Q08: What should the Technical Capability volume contain? Please provide any page limit and what would distinguish an "Exceeds" rating.

A08: No page limit is established for the Technical Capability submission. A rating of “Exceeds” means that the proposal exceeds the minimum technical requirements of the solicitation. A rating of “Meets” means that the proposal meets the minimum technical requirements. A rating of “Does Not Meet” means that the proposal does not meet the minimum technical requirements. In the past, exceeds ratings have been based on contractor flexibilities in proposals. The Government will evaluate the degree to which the proposal demonstrates a low risk of unsuccessful performance.

Reference: Attachment 04b, 1.2.1 and Table 4

Q09: Attachment 04b states that Technical Capability will evaluate the contractor’s performance plan, including subcontractor information, but Attachment 04a does not specify the required format or content for that performance plan. Please clarify what documentation the Government expects offerors to submit for the Technical Capability factor.

A09: Offerors shall identify all proposed subcontractors and submit a performance plan describing their proposed approach and understanding of the requirements, including applicable subcontractor information. The performance plan should provide sufficient details for the Government to evaluate the offeror’s proposed approach and associated performance risk. Reference: Attachment 04b, 1.2.1;

Attachment 04a, 3.1.

Past Performance Deadline & Requirements Q10: Attachment 04a and Attachment 05 state different requirements for how many Past Performance

Questionnaires must be received for a proposal to be considered compliant. Please confirm whether a proposal is non-compliant if fewer than three questionnaires are returned by the deadline, and whether CPARS records would be accepted in place of a non-responding reference.

A10: Offerors shall submit information for three to five recent and relevant past-performance references and shall request that each reference submit a completed Past Performance Questionnaire directly to the Government. Reference: Attachment 04a, 4.1–4.4.5; Attachment 04b, 1.1.8 The Government will evaluate any of those 3-5 returned questionnaires, if they are returned by the deadline.

Q11: Please confirm the deadline for Past Performance Questionnaires. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation and Attachment 05 state September 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central, while Attachment 04a states September 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central.

A11: The deadline for completed Past Performance Questionnaires is 28 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Central Daylight Time. This date and time supersede conflicting instructions elsewhere in the solicitation. Reference: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, p. 2; Attachment 05, para. 4

Food Safety / Production Facility Q12: Must the contractor's production facility be listed as a sanitarily approved source under TB MED

530, and is a pre-performance inspection required? If so, what is the expected lead time?

A12: The contractor shall comply with all applicable food-safety, sanitation, and food-service requirements identified in the solicitation, including TB MED 530/Tri-Service Food Code, the FDA Food Code, Iowa Code Chapter 137F, and AR 30-22. Additionally, the contractor is responsible for ensuring that its food-production, storage, transportation, and delivery operations meet all applicable requirements. The Government will coordinate any required pre-performance inspection or verification with the successful offeror after award. Reference: Attachment 02, 6.1 and 7

CDJMTC Access Q13: What are the access requirements for Camp Dodge JMTC — badging, background check, and vehicle inspection — and how much lead time should the contractor expect for approval?

A13: The performance location as Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center, Building M-7 / 5515, Johnston, Iowa. The successful contractor shall comply with all Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center installation-access requirements applicable at the time of performance. The Government will provide access-coordination instructions after award. Reference: Attachment 02, 5.1

Basis for Award Q14: Is the award based on quality or lowest price?

A14: Award will be made on a best-value basis to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The evaluation factors are Past Performance, Technical Capability, and Price. Past Performance and Technical Capability, when combined, are more important than Price. Reference: Attachment 04b, 1.0 and 2.1