W9133L-16-R-0013_Admend_0001.docx

W9133L-16-R-0013

W9133L-16-R-0013

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

The following have been added by full text:

ANSWER TO QUESTIONS

1. PAST PERFORMANCE (Page 63-64). Please provide Attachments 1-3 referenced.

a. Added.

2. WAGE DETERMINATIONS (Page 98). Please confirm if any of these sites participate in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and if so, please provide a copy of the agreement.

a. Added

3. On page 60 of 137 in the RFP, the past performance volume states that there is a limit of two pages per reference. Page 64 of 137 states under the heading Specific Relevant Contracts Format, that the limit is 3 pages per reference. Which page limit is correct?

a. 3 pages.

4. Is there a limit on the number of past performance references that can be provided?

a. No.

5. Do the Key personnel resumes for Tab B of the technical proposal count towards the 25 page limit for that volume?

a. Yes, and the page limit has been changed to 30 pages.

6. Executive Order 13495 Non-displacement of Qualified Staff dictates that current staff must be offered the job first. Since resumes of the Weather Supervisors for each location are a requirement can you please provide contact phone numbers to each location so those resumes can be obtained?

a. The Government cannot give out this information.

7. Since per the Service Contract Act (SCA) vacation calculations for employees on the contract are determined by their contract anniversary date, will you provide the employment anniversary dates for the existing staff on the contract so every offeror can properly price vacation cost?

a. The Government cannot give out this information.

8. Section 1.10.2.1 states “The Contractor shall designate, in writing, a JET manager and alternate at each location to the QAE.” We are assuming this requirement is upon contract award. Given Executive Order 13495, Non-displacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts requires a new contractor to hire all qualified incumbent personnel. Is this a correct assumption? If not, please provide the names of the current JET managers and alternates?

a. The Government cannot give out this information.

9. Section 52.212-1 states that the NAICS size standard exception applicable to this solicitation is 500 employees for a small business concern proposing to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture. Please clarify the circumstances under which the non-manufacturer rule to the size standard may be applied.

a. It is as it appears in Block 10 (ten) of the solicitation.

10. Page 58 of the Solicitation indicates Volume II of the proposal shall be titled Technical/Management. However, the page limitations table on Page 59-60 designates Volume II as Mission Capability. In addition, the page limit for Volume II is listed as 25 pages. Please verify which title is correct and confirm 25 pages is the limit for Volume II.

a. Mission Capability was changed to Technical/ Management.

11. Current pricing of each line item that the current contractor is being paid.

a. The wage determination and CBA are attached.

12. Current Wage Determinations and or Conforming Classifications effective on the current contract. (DMS, Inc. knows that there are currently a conformance to the Wage Determination for the wages of General Forecaster and Supervisory Forecaster, through a FOIA request dated June 16, 2011, and appeal on July 19, 2012 (FOIA Appeal No. 120390).

a. The wage determination and CBA are attached.

13. Who is the current Contractor, and who are the companies involved in the Joint venture or business arrangement of the current contractor.

a. Skywatch Research LLC; SBA approve joint venture

14. Are there any sub-contractors currently being used in the performance of this contract.

a. There is no Subcontracting Plan on the current contract.

15. 1.4.1 OPERATING HOURS (Page 8). Three of four locations state that there will be one weather observer on duty at all times. Los Alamitos does not state this requirement. Is this an oversight or will there be occasions with multiple observers working simultaneously? And if so, approximately how often is this anticipated per year?

a. There will be one observer on duty during operating hours.

16. TECH EXHIBIT 4 (Government Furnished Equipment) (Page 44). There is no FMQ-19 or other automated weather system listed under Pease ANGB. Is this an oversight or do they not have an automated weather system?

a. Pease ANGB has an FMQ-19

17. Regards Contract Manager (CM) experience will you also accept experience for time spent as a Contract Manager on other DoD Weather Contracts as counting toward meeting the experience requirement for the CM?

a. Yes

18. Would you accept other types of experience for the Contract Manager (CM) position as equivalent to meet the experience requirement for the CM as for example: a mix of experience supervising a DoD weather office combined with multiple years experience supervising an FAA or NWS weather office?

a. Yes

19. In PWS Sections 1.4.1.1 – 1.4.1.4 Buckley and Pease state one observer will be on duty at all times, Selfridge states one Meteorological Technician will be on duty at all times, and Los Alamitos does not dictate manning requirements or whether the individual is a Technician or Observer.

a. The term “Meteorological Technician” was used more often when we included forecasting the weather as part of the tasks. However this contract no longer includes forecasting the weather. Everyone is a meteorological technician (or weather observer). Everyone performs the same job as a weather observer at each location. All locations will have one weather observer on duty at all times during operating hours.

20. Are we to assume the technical duties are different at Selfridge, requiring Technician vs an Observer?

a. Is the individual supporting Los Alamitos a Technical or an Observer?

b. Is the workload more robust at Los Alamitos where the Government is allowing for more than one person on shift?

i. Please refer to above answer #5. There will be one person on shift during operating hours.

21. Section 1.10.2.1 states “The Contractor shall designate, in writing, a JET manager and alternate at each location to the QAE.” We are assuming this requirement is upon contract award. Given Executive Order 13495, Non-displacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts requires a new contractor to hire all qualified incumbent personnel. Is this a correct assumption? If not, please provide the names of the current JET managers and alternates?

a. Cannot assume the current contractor’s personnel will continue with the follow-on contract.

22. PWS Section 1.10.3.1 states “full time shall be construed as at least 30 hours a week”. FLSA guidelines state full time status is at the discretion of the employer and the wage and determination guidelines embedded in the solicitation state full time as 40 hours a week. Please provide clarification as to “full time status”?

a. It depends on how the contractor manages the weather observers schedule but I believe full time can be 32 hours per week.

23. PWS Section 1.10.3.2.b states all observer resumes are to be approved by the Contracting officer or COR. Section 1.10 states the COR reserves the right to review all resumes prior to the Contractor's final commitment for assignment for key personnel. Are all resumes required to be approved by the COR prior to hire?

a. Yes

24. Section 3.2 Materials: Initial Materials Furnished states that the host base, through the incumbent Contractor, will furnish an initial inventory of materials (approximately a 30 day supply) listed in Section C-4. Technical Exhibit 4 lists the furnished equipment, but it does not provide the approximate 30-day supply of materials. Please provide a list of the initial materials furnished?

a. A box of computer paper and a box of pens should suffice.

25. Section 5.1.1.1.b Back-Up Calls: states that during FMQ-19 and/or JET outages the Contractor shall notify another unit not affected by the outage who will disseminate the surface weather observation into the AWN. Is the use of the Air Force Weather Web Services (AFW-WEBS) permissible for back-up dissemination into the AWN?

a. Yes

26. Is access to the AF Weather electronic Air Force Training Record (AFTR) available to contractors to document qualifications and certifications if awarded the contract?

a. No. Potential employee can provide you with a copy of their military training records.

27. Will Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) training be part of the phase-in transition period or required within a certain number of days of contract award or start?

a. This must be completed for personnel to have access to the system.

28. Will the contractor be required or subject to recall for severe weather on federal holidays at part-time sites? If so, what will be the mechanism for recall and reimbursement?

a. No. The sites that are on ALERT are 24 hour weather observing and will already be there. The base will receive weather warnings from the Operational Weather Squadrons (OWS’s) in the event of severe weather when the observer is not on duty.

29. Are there any Operational Weather Squadron back-up forecasting, flight weather briefing, staff briefings/support, Pilot Instrument Refresher Courses or extended weather outlooks required?

a. This contract does not do any forecasting or flight weather briefs. These are duties of the OWS’s and you would have to ask them what their back-up plan is.

30. What location(s), if any, have access to an OPUP or lightning detection/display systems?

a. None, but they can access weather radar on the internet.

31. AF Weather has moved away from using the term Observer (all AF Weather personnel are dual-certified) and use Technician. Are contract weather personnel required to be forecaster qualified?

a. No, not since the OWS’s took over forecasting years ago.

32. Are all locations using JET? If not, what system(s)/method(s) do the sites utilize to disseminate weather information?

a. Yes

33. Are all location airfields operating certified AN/FMQ-19’s? If not, what system(s) do the sites utilize?

a. Yes

34. Reference PWS 1.4.1.4. It is understood that Selfridge ANGB weather station duty hours may be flexible to support customer flying operations but will not exceed 16 hours per day. Question: Can the government provide historical data on how often this occurs on a monthly or yearly basis as this can have a direct correlation to pricing (i.e. WDG night pay requirements from 6pm to 6am).

a. The operating hours are now aligned with the flying hours and when the ATCT is open. The flexible hours have not been used but are there in the event of late night flying.

35. Under Section 1.10.1.1, Page 19 of 137 it states that the contract manager shall have weather observer and forecaster qualifications that meet or exceed those of the weather station supervisors. Because a forecaster is an entirely different qualification than a weather observer and this is in fact an observer contract as no forecasting is required what so ever, why is a forecaster being required for the contract manager? Under Section 5, page 31 of 137 there is not one "Requirements" in that section that would require certification other than a certified weather observer. A forecaster is an entirely different animal and there is nothing in this solicitation that would require the additional expense of a forecaster as a forecaster adds nothing to this contract except additional expense.

a. True but the contract manager must have extensive knowledge of military weather operations and this position should reflect someone who understands every aspect of weather station functions.. This person needs to have forecasting experience since this person may have interaction with the OWS’s who do the weather forecasting. They would need to have forecasting experience so they can have a decent and educated meteorological discussion in the event of disagreements, etc. Since this is a weather contract, the CM should have extensive weather knowledge.

CBA FOR PEASE

CBA for Pease is attached as a PDF file.

PAST PERFORMANCE ATTACH 1-3

ATTACHMENT 1

SUBCONTRACTOR/TEAMING PARTNER CONSENT FORM FOR THE RELEASE OF PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION TO THE PRIME CONTRACTOR

Past performance information concerning subcontractors and teaming partners cannot be disclosed to a private party without the subcontractor's or teaming partner's consent. Because a prime contractor is a private party, the Government will need that consent before disclosing subcontractor/teaming partner past and present performance information to the prime during exchanges. In an effort to assist the Government's Past Performance Evaluators in assessing your past performance relevancy and confidence, we request that the following consent form be completed by the major subcontractors/teaming partners identified in your proposal. The completed consent forms should be submitted as part of your Past Performance Volume III Proposal.

SAMPLE

Dear (Contracting Officer)

We are currently participating as a (subcontractor/teaming partner) with (prime contractor or name of entity providing proposal) in responding to the National Guard Bureau’s request for Proposal (solicitation number) for the (program title or description of effort).

We understand that the Government is placing increased emphasis on past performance in order to obtain best value in source selections. In order to facilitate the performance confidence assessment process we are signing this consent form to allow you to discuss our past performance information with the prime contractor during the source selection process.

(Signature and Title of individual who has the authority to sign for and legally bind the company)

Company Name:

Address:

Attachment 2

Specific Relevant Contracts Sheet

The offeror shall provide documentation outlining the offeror’s past performance with contracts, as a prime or major subcontractor, which is the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the services being procured under this Solicitation. The submittal shall include rationale supporting your assertion of relevance and how it was determined that the work performed previously was the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the work specified by this solicitation. Offerors are required to explain what aspects of the contracts are deemed relevant to the proposed effort, and to what aspects of the proposed effort they relate.

1. Contract Number, Award Date and Contract type.

2. Price/Cost – original awarded AND final (or projected final, if contract is current).

3. Delivery Schedule – original AND final (or projected final, if the contract is current).

4. Contact Information - Address and telephone number for the Government (or commercial) procuring contracting activity AND contract administrative activity (if applicable).

Name, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address for the following:

5. Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO)

6. Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)

7. Government or commercial technical representative or COR Identify in specific detail for each contract listed, why or how you consider that effort relevant or similar to the effort required by this solicitation. In determining relevancy, consideration should be given but not limited to such things as product/service similarity, product/service, size and complexity, contract type, contract environment, division of company proposing, and subcontractor interaction.

8. Narrative explanation on each contract listed describing the objectives achieved and the following data: any cost growth or schedule delays encountered. For any Government contracts which did not/do not meet original requirements with regard to cost, schedule, or technical performance, a brief explanation of the reason(s) for such shortcomings and any demonstrated corrective actions taken to avoid recurrence. Offerors may include a discussion of efforts accomplished by the offeror to resolve problems encountered on prior contracts as well as past efforts to identify and manage program risk. Merely having problems does not automatically equate to a Limited or a No Confidence rating, since the problems encountered may have been on a more complex program, or an offeror may have subsequently demonstrated the ability to overcome the problems encountered. The offeror is required to clearly demonstrate management actions employed in overcoming problems and the effects of those actions, in terms of improvements achieved or problems rectified. This may allow the offeror to be considered a Substantial Confidence or Satisfactory Confidence candidate.

9. Negative Performance Documentation. A copy of any cure notices, show cause letters or contract discrepancy reports received on each contract listed and a description of any corrective action by the offeror or proposed subcontractor.

10. Completion Date/Delivery Schedule. The contractor shall list each time the delivery schedule was revised and provide an explanation of why the revision was necessary.

ATTACHMENT 3

PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE FORM

Contractor:____________________ Contract No.:____________________________

Subcontract No. (if applicable):_________________________________

(Agency, Telephone No., E-mail Address & Fax Number)

The following questions pertain to the contractor’s record of past (within the past three years) and current performance. The information that you provide will be used in the awarding of a federal contract. Therefore, it is important that our information be as factual and accurate as possible. Please provide examples and/or explanations (use additional pages if necessary). The following adjectival ratings shall be used in your response.

Outstanding: Performance meets contractual requirements and exceeds many requirements that benefit the end user. Work was accomplished with few, if any, minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor were highly effective.

Good: Performance meets contractual requirements and exceeds some requirements that benefit the end user. Work was accomplished with some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor were effective.

Acceptable: Performance meets contractual requirements. Work was accomplished with some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor were satisfactory.

Marginal: Performance does not meet some contractual requirements. Serious problems with contractor performance were experienced for which the contractor has either not yet identified corrective actions or the corrective actions taken appear only marginally effective.

Unacceptable: Performance does not meet most contractual requirements. Serious problems with contractor performance were experienced for which the corrective actions were ineffective.

PART I. (To be completed by the Offeror)

A. CONTRACT IDENTIFICATION

Contractor/Company Name/Division:

Program Identification/Title:

Contract Number:

Contract Type:

Prime Contractor Name (if different from the contractor name cited above):

Contract Award Date:

Forecasted or Actual Contract Completion Date:

Nature of the Contractual Effort or Items Purchased:

B. IDENTIFICATION OF OFFEROR’S REPRESENTATIVE

Name:

Title:

Date:

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

PART II. EVALUATION (To be completed by Point of Contact – Respondent)

A. Compliance of Products, Services, Documents, and Related Deliverables to Specification Requirements and Standards of Good Workmanship

¨ Outstanding (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below) ¨ Good ¨ Acceptable ¨ Marginal (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below) ¨ Unsatisfactory (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below)

Comments:

B. Effectiveness of Project Management (to include use and control of subcontractors)

¨ Acceptable ¨ Marginal (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below)

C. Timeliness of Performance for Services and Product Deliverables.

¨ Acceptable ¨ Marginal (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below)

D. Effectiveness in Forecasting and Controlling Estimated Costs (Use this Question on Cost Reimbursement Type Contracts Only).

¨ Acceptable ¨ Marginal (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below)

E. Commitment to Customer Satisfaction and Business-like Concern for its Customers’ Interest

¨ Acceptable ¨ Marginal (Explanation must be provided in Comments field below)

F. General Comments. Provide any other relevant performance information.

G. Other Information Sources. Please provide the following information:

Are you aware of other relevant past efforts by this company?

If yes, please provide the name and telephone number of a point of contact:

H. Respondent Identification. Please provide the following information:

Organization:

Name:

Title:

Date:

Telephone Number

E-mail Address:

PART III. RETURN INFORMATION

Please return this completed Questionnaire via e-mail to TSgt Elizabeth R. Henderson, Elizabeth.r.henderson6.mil@mail.mil.

Thank you for your assistance.

Typed or Printed Name

1. Contract Number __________________________ Award Date________________________________ Contract type_______________________________

2. Completion Date/Delivery Schedule.

Original completion/delivery date ______________________________________________ Revised completion/delivery date ______________________________________________

3. Price/Cost – original awarded price__________________________________________

4. Modified Price/Cost - ____________________________________________________

5. Completion Date or Delivery Schedule – original AND final (or projected final, if the contract is current). _______________________________________________________

6. Changed Dates - ________________________________________________________

7. Contact Information - Address and telephone number for the Government (or commercial) procuring contracting activity AND contract administrative activity (if applicable). Name, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address for the following:

8. Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO).

Address: _____________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _______________________________________________________ Fax Number: _________________________________________________________ E-Mail Address: ______________________________________________________

9. Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO).

Address: _____________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _______________________________________________________ Fax Number: _________________________________________________________ E-Mail Address: ______________________________________________________

10. Government or commercial technical representative or COR.

Address: ____________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _______________________________________________________ Fax Number: _________________________________________________________ E-Mail Address: _______________________________________________________

11. Relevancy Description.__________________________________________________

12. Narrative explanation.__________________________________________________

13. Negative Performance Documentation.______________________________________

The following have been modified:

PWS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

FOR

Meteorological Observing Services at Air National Guard Bases (ANGB)

1. General

1.1 Scope of Work: The Contractor shall provide meteorological observing services at Buckley Air Force Base (AFB) Colorado (CO), Los Alamitos Army Air Field (AAF) California (CA), Pease ANGB New Hampshire (NH) and Selfridge ANGB Michigan (MI) as described in this PWS.

1.2 Background:

The Contractor shall provide weather reporting, augmentation, and dissemination of accurate weather conditions for the host bases listed in PWS paragraph 1.1. This is an Air Force requirement as stated in AFMAN 15-111, Chapter 3, Augmentation Procedures.

All weather technicians employed through this contract provide weather observing support services. Such service includes augmenting the FMQ-19/JET weather equipment, transmitting accurate weather observations, issuing observed weather advisories and warnings, transmitting PIREPS, providing climatological information and assisting the OWS’s as their “eyes forward” for area forecasts.

1.2.1 Buckley ANG, CO: The Buckley weather facility provides surface weather observing support services to the 460th Space Wing (460 SW), 140th Wing (ANG), Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF), the Aerospace Data Facility (ADF), and other active duty and reserve components both on and off base. Buckley weather station complies with base instruction 460SWI 15-101 and is the “eyes forward” for the 25th Operational Weather Squadron (OWS) regional weather forecast.

1.2.2 Los Alamitos AAF, CA: The Los Alamitos weather facility provides surface weather observing support services to the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB), 140TH Aviation Battalion, 40th Infantry Division, 6/52ND Army Reserve, and other Federal, State, and Local government agencies. Los Alamitos has a Memorandum of Agreement between the Los Alamitos Air Traffic Control and the weather station for reporting the weather. Los Alamitos is the “eyes forward” for the 25th OWS regional weather forecast.

1.2.2.1 Los Alamitos AAF uses Army IT servers and everyone with network access is required to complete annual Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) training. The training is a lengthy interactive module that covers COMSEC, OPSEC, handling classified materials, workplace security, phishing and other email activities, including restrictions on loading software on government computers, etc.

1.2.3 Pease ANGB, NH: The Pease weather facility provides surface weather observing support services to the 157th Air Refueling Wing (157 ARW) at Pease ANGB, NH using government provided facilities and instrumentation. There is an LOA in place between the weather station and the 157th Operations Group (OG). Pease is the “eyes forward” for the 15th OWS regional weather forecast.

1.2.4 Selfridge ANG, MI: The Selfridge weather facility provides surface weather observing support services to the 127th Wing (ANG), 127th Air Refueling Group (ANG), 171st Air Refueling Squadron (ANG), 107th Fighter Squadron (ANG), Aviation support Facility #2 (Army National Guard) , Department of Homeland Security Great Lakes Air and Marine Wing, Coast Guard Air Station – Detroit, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Naval Reserve Training Center- Detroit, Naval Operations Support Center, Marine Wing Support Group 47, and other active duty and reserve components on-base. Selfridge complies with base instruction SANGBI-15 and is the “eyes forward” for the 15th OWS regional area forecast.

1.3 Period of Performance (PoP). The Period of Performance shall be one (1) Base Year of 12-months beginning 1 April 2016 and four (4) 12-month option years.

1.4 Place of Performance.

a. Buckley ANG, CO: The contractor shall perform weather observing duties close to the flight line just outside of the Base Operations hanger #909, 19210 E. Breckenridge Ave, Buckley AFB, Aurora CO 80011

b. Los Alamitos AAF, CA: The contractor shall perform weather observing duties close to the flight line just outside of a hangar located at 4442 Doolittle Ave, Suite 2, Los Alamitos CA 90720

c. Pease ANGB, NH: The contractor shall perform weather observing duties from the 7th floor of the Air Traffic Control Tower located at 14 Airline Avenue, Portsmouth ATCT, Portsmouth NH 03803.

d. Selfridge ANG, MI: The contractor shall perform weather observing duties close to the flight line just outside of the Base Operations Building, Bldg. #50, 29080 Wilbur Wright Blvd, Selfridge ANGB MI 48045

1.4.1 Operating Hours. The contractor shall provide services for each base specified in this PWS. The contract employees shall not work more than 4 consecutive shifts of 12 hour shifts without having at least 48 hours off after the fourth shift. Also, the contractor employees shall not work more than 12 consecutive hours per shift.

1.4.1.1 Buckley ANGB, CO: The Contractor shall perform the services required under this contract during the following hours: Observing: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, inclusive of Federal Holidays; The contractor will have one weather observer on duty at all times.

1.4.1.2 Los Alamitos AAF, CA: The Contractor shall perform the services required under this contract during the following hours: 16 hours per day (0600-2200 Local Time) Tuesday through Friday, 8 hours per day (0745-1545) Saturday through Monday, exclusive of Federal Holidays.

1.4.1.3 Pease ANGB, NH: The Contractor shall perform the services required under this contract during the following hours: Observing: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, inclusive of Federal Holidays; The contractor will have one weather observer on duty at all times.

1.4.1.4 Selfridge ANGB, MI: The Contractor shall perform the services required under this contract during the following hours: 0600-2200L, 7 days per week, closed on Federal Holidays. Hours may be flexible to support customer flying operations but not to exceed 16 hours per day. The Contractor will have one Meteorological Technician on duty during work hours.

1.4.2 Recognized Holidays. The following are recognized US holidays. The contractor shall not perform services on these days, except for Buckley ANGB, CO and Pease ANGB, NH:

New Year’s Day: January 1st Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day: July 4th Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran’s Day: November 11th Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

1.4.2.1 The contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate work force for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility/installation is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the work force are essential.

1.4.3 Telework. Telework is not authorized.

1.4.4 Unscheduled Gate / Base Closures. Unscheduled gate closures by the Security Forces may occur at any time causing all personnel entering or exiting a closed installation to experience a delay. This cannot be predicted or prevented. Contractors are not compensated for unexpected closures or delays. Vehicles operated by contractor personnel are subject to search pursuant to applicable regulations. Any moving violation of any applicable motor vehicle regulation may result in the termination of the contractor employee’s installation driving privileges.

1.4.5 Performance of Services During Crisis or Emergency Conditions. In the event of a crisis, services on this contract have been determined as mission essential and are required to continue support during the crisis.

1.5 General Information

1.5.1 Air Force Privacy Act Program. Contractor personnel may be exposed to data subject to the Privacy Act of 1974. The Contractor shall ensure all its personnel assigned to perform work under this PWS take appropriate action to prevent disclosure of this information and follow the guidance provided in AFI 33-332, Air Force Privacy and Civil Liberties Program, 12 January 2015.

1.5.2 Air Force Messaging. Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-152, User Responsibilities and Guidance for Information Systems, 1 June 2012

Chapter 2, Information Systems and End User Devices (entire section)

Section 6.2, Air Force Messaging, (entire section)

Section 6.4, Electronic Message Format, (entire section)

1.5.3 Quality Control (QC). The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective QC Plan (QCP) to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s QCP is the means by which it assures itself that its work complies with the requirements of the contract. As a minimum, the contractor shall develop QC procedures that address the areas identified in Technical Exhibit 1, Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The contractor shall submit the QCP to the Contracting Officer (KO) within 30 days after contract award. After acceptance of the QCP, the contractor shall obtain the Contracting Officer’s (KO) acceptance in writing of any proposed changes to its QCP.

1.5.4 Quality Assurance (QA). The Government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and acceptable quality level(s) (defect rate(s)).

1.5.4.1 Quality Assurance Evaluator (QAE): Tasks listed on the PRS (Technical Exhibit 1), the QAE will follow the methods of surveillance specified in this contract. The QAE shall have unrestricted access to all facilities and Contractor generated records in support of the contract. The QAE will evaluate Contractor compliance with the contract through scheduled semi-annual site visits, personal observation, reviewing each sites weather records, verbal questioning or review of Contractor generated records and feedback received from customers. Government personnel will record all surveillance observations. Upon completion of the monthly surveillance, the QAE will fax or email a list of all discrepancies noted to the contract manager or site supervisor. If the Contractor feels any discrepancy is invalid, they should call the QAE within 2 working days to discuss the discrepancy and provide supporting information from this contract or the applicable Air Force directive for their reasoning. If the QAE determines the discrepancy is invalid, he/she will delete it from the surveillance record. Government surveillance of tasks not listed in the PRS or by methods other than those listed in the PRS (such as provided for by the Inspection of Services clause) may occur during the performance period of this contract. Such surveillance will be done according to standard inspection procedures as noted in the QASP. Any action taken by the Contracting Officer as a result of surveillance will be according to the terms of this contract.

1.5.4.2 Contract Discrepancy Report: The QAE may initiate a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) whenever non-compliance with the PWS, Performance Requirements Summary or Contractor Technical Proposal is detected, observed or reported and validated through investigation. Validated customer complaints are also grounds for a CDR to be issued to the Contractor.

1.5.4.3. QAE Functional Standards: Standards listed in the PRS and contained in the Contract QASP shall be used to evaluate Contractor performance.

1.5.4.4 Performance Evaluation Meetings. The Contracting Officer may require the contract manager to meet with the Contracting Officer, contract administrator, Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/QAE, and other Government personnel as deemed necessary. The Contractor may request a meeting with the Contracting Officer when he or she believes such a meeting is necessary. Written minutes of any such meetings shall be recorded, documented and signed by the contract manager and the Contracting Officer or contract administrator. If the Contractor does not concur with any portion of the minutes, such non-concurrence shall be provided in writing to the Contracting Officer within 10 calendar days following receipt of the minutes. The assigned Contracting Officer representative (COR) will then have five (5) working days to provide the minutes and Contractor non-concurrence to the Contracting Officer for action.

1.6 Security Requirements. The contractor shall comply with all applicable installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures, which may be obtained from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The contractor shall also provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by the local installation’s Security Forces, Director of Emergency Services or local Security Office. The contractor shall ensure compliance with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DoD, HAF and/or local policy. Should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) change, the Government may require changes in contractor security matters or processes.

The contractor shall:

a. Comply with the Computer Security Act of 1987 and all DoD and Air Force requirements for access to sensitive, but unclassified information and classified systems.

b. Ensure personnel assigned under this PWS shall have at least a favorably adjudicated National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or equivalent before performing any work under this contract effort.

c. Provide properly cleared personnel, providing security briefings, and ensuring compliance by its employees with the Government or Contractor security regulations.

d. Comply with all administrative and security requirements to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC).

e. Obtain Non-secure Internet Protocol Routing Network (NIPRNet) user accounts, as required by the COR.

f. Return of ALL badges (controlled/restricted area, local access, building, etc.) to include CAC (if necessary) and any other government property upon contract completion or when contract personnel no longer requires access to the installation (e.g. quits or the contract is terminated).

g. Coordinate with the site POC or sponsoring organization on all security issues and to gain access to the base and all areas necessary to execute this project.

h. Comply with established security procedures for entering an installation and its facilities, including special security procedures for entry to restricted or controlled areas. The government reserves the right to refuse entry to any individual at any work location.

i. Protect DoD information technology resources (e.g. installations, personnel, equipment, electronic media, documents, etc.) from damage, loss, theft or unauthorized physical access. The contractor shall ensure physical security is in accordance with DoDD 5200.28.

j. The contractor’s employees shall become familiar with and obey the regulations of the installation; including fire, traffic, safety and security regulations while on the installation. All contractor employees shall carry proper identification with them at all times.

1.6.1 COMSEC / IT Security. All communications with DoD organizations are subject to communications security (COMSEC) review. All telephone communications networks are continually subject to intercept by unfriendly intelligence organizations. DoD has authorized the military departments to conduct COMSEC monitoring and recording of telephone calls originating from, or terminating at, DoD organizations. Therefore, the contractor is advised that any time the contractor place or receive a call they are subject to COMSEC procedures. The contractor shall ensure wide and frequent dissemination of the above information to all employees dealing with DoD information. The contractor shall abide by all Government regulations concerning the authorized use of the Government's computer network, including the restriction against using the network to recruit Government personnel or advertise job openings.

1.6.2 Use of Government Information Systems. Use of Government Information Systems (IS) and access to Government networks is a revocable privilege, not a right. Users are the foundation of the DoD strategy and their actions affect the most vulnerable portion of the Air Force’s and Air National Guard’s Enterprise Information (EI). Contractor employees shall have a favorable background investigation or hold a security clearance and access approvals commensurate with the level of information processed or available on the system. Contractor employees shall:

a. Comply with the command's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Government owned IS and sign an AUP prior to or upon account activation.

b. Complete initial and/or annual Information Assurance (IA) training IAW AFPD 33-2.

c. Mark and safeguard files, output products, and storage media per classification level and disseminate them only to individuals authorized to receive them with a valid need to know.

d. Protect IS and IS peripherals located in their respective areas in accordance with physical security and data protection requirements.

e. Practice safe network and Internet operating principles and take no actions that threaten the integrity of the system or network.

1.6.3 Protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The contractor shall protect all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) encountered in the performance of services in accordance with DFARS 224.103 and DoDD 5400.11, Department of Defense Privacy Program, and DoD 5400.11-R. If a PII breach results from the contractor’s violation of the aforementioned policies, the contractor shall bear all notification costs, call-center support costs, and credit monitoring service costs for all individuals who’s PII has been compromised.

1.6.4. CAC Requirements. The Common Access Card (CAC) is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential. The issuance of a CAC will be based on four criteria; (a) eligibility for a CAC and (b) verification of DoD affiliation from an authoritative data source IAW DoDM 1000.13, V1, DoD Identification (ID) Cards: ID Card Life Cycle, January 2014; (c) completion of background vetting requirements according to the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 201-2, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors, August 2013, and DoD 5200.2-R, Department of Defense Personnel Security Program, January 1987; and (d) verification of a claimed identity. CAC eligible personnel must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) through either an authoritative personnel data feed from the appropriate Service or Agency or Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS).

1.6.4.1 HSPD-12 Background Investigation Requirements. The contractor shall ensure Common Access Cards (CACs) are obtained by all contract or subcontract personnel assigned to work on the Government site and/or requiring access to a DoD network. In accordance with DoDI 5200.46, DoD Investigative and Adjudicative Guidance for Issuing the Common Access Card (CAC), September 2014, a favorably adjudicated National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or equivalent in accordance with revised Federal Investigative Standards is the minimum investigation required for a final credentialing determination for a CAC. The contractor shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that contractor employees meet CAC eligibility standards upon assignment to the contract and shall be held responsible for delays, failure to meet performance requirements or decreases in efficiency in accordance with the applicable inspection clause.

1.6.4.2 Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS). The contractor shall be responsible for processing applications for Common Access Cards (CAC) for every contractor employee who deploys with the military force OR who has needs to access any government computer network in accordance with FAR 52.204-9, "Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel."

The contractor shall be responsible for managing requests for new or renewal CAC cards in sufficient time to ensure that all contractor employees have them when needed to perform work under this contract. The norm is at least ten calendar days advance notice to the Trusted Agent (TA), unless there are extenuating circumstances approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer.

It is recommended that a "Corporate Facility Security Officer" (FSO) be designated to serve as your firm's single point of contact for Background Investigation (BI), the TASS application process and other CAC and security related matters. If a FSO is not established, each contractor employee requiring a CAC will be required to process their own applications.

CAC applications shall be processed through the TASS. The contractor's FSO or contractor employee shall submit requests for a CAC via email to the designated TASS Trusted Agent (TA) before accessing the TASS website. The TASS TA for this requirement will be:

The government will establish a TASS application account for each CAC Request and will provide each contractor employee a USER ID and Password, via email, to the FSO. The FSO or contractor employee shall access the TASS account and complete the CAC application (entering/editing contractor information as applicable) at: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/tass/.

The FSO or contractor employee shall submit completed applications in TASS and will follow up to ensure that the TA is processing the request.

A CAC cannot be issued without evidence that the FSO has initiated a National Agency Check with Written Inquires (NACI) or a personnel security investigation (PSI) equal to or greater in scope than a NACI.

The government will inform the contractor's applicant, via email, of one of the following:

a. Approved.* Upon approval, the information is transferred to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database and an email notification is sent to the contractor with instructions on obtaining their CAC. The contractor proceeds to a Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) station (RAPIDS Site Locator: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/).

b. Rejected.* The Government, in separate correspondence, will provide reason(s) for rejection.

c. Returned. Additional information or correction to the application required by the contractor employee.

* The contractor shall maintain records of all approved and rejected applications.

At the RAPIDS station, the RAPIDS Verification Officer will verify the contractor by SSN and two forms of identification. Identity source Documents must come from the list of acceptable documents included in Form I-9, OMB No. 115-0136, "Employment Eligibility Verification." Consistent with applicable law, at least one document from the Form I-9 list shall be a valid (unexpired) State or Federal Government-issued picture identification (ID). The Identity documents will be inspected for authenticity and scanned and stored in the DEERS upon issuance of an ID. The photo ID requirement cannot be waived, consistent with applicable statutory requirements. The Verification Officer will capture primary and alternate fingerprints, picture, and updates to DEERS and will then issue a CAC.

Issued CACs shall be issued for the period of performance (current contract year), not the contract end date (inclusive of any options). CACs are validated by the acceptance and issuance of the new Option Year.

The contractor shall return issued CAC's to the TA, COR or DEERS office upon departure or dismissal of each contractor employee. Obtain a receipt for each card and provide to the TA/COR if returned to a DEERS office.

1.6.5 Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS). All contractor employees and associated sub-contractor employees assigned to work on a government site and/or requiring access to a DoD network will be required to register with ADLS at commencement of services in order to complete the necessary training required of them initially and annually for the duration of the contract (i.e., DoD Information Assurance, OPSEC, Security Administration). ADLS website:

https://golearn.csd.disa.mil/kc/rso/login/ADLS_login.asp

1.6.6 Classified Information. Weather technicians do not handle classified material under this contract.

1.6.7 Visitor Group Security Agreement (VGSA). The contractor shall enter into a long-term visitor group security agreement at each location where contract performance is on an Air Force/Air National Guard installation. This agreement shall outline how the contractor integrates security requirements for contract operations with the Air Force to ensure effective and economical operation on the installation. The agreement shall be executed within the phase-in period by way of the Information Protection Office at each location and include:

1.6.8 Antiterrorism (AT) Level 1 Awareness Training. All contractor employees, to include subcontractor employees, requiring access to Government Installations, Facilities and Controlled Access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within 30 calendar days after contract start date or effective date of incorporation of this requirement into the contract, whichever is applicable. Certificates of completion for each affected contractor employee and subcontractor employee will be maintained by the COR or Antiterrorism Representative. AT level I awareness training is available at the following website: http://jko.jten.mil

1.6.9 Information Assurance (IA) / Information Technology (IT) Training and/or Certification. All contractor employees and associated sub-contractor employees shall complete the DoD Information Assurance Cyber Awareness Challenge before issuance of network access and annually thereafter. All contractor employees performing services involving IA/IT functions shall comply with DoD and Air Force training requirements in DoDD 8570.01, DoD 8570.01-M and AFPD 33-2 within 30 days of the start of contract performance. In accordance with DoD 8570.01-M , DFARS 252.239.7001 and AFM 33-282, contractor employees performing services supporting IA/IT functions shall be appropriately certified upon contract award. The baseline certification as stipulated in DoD 8570.01-M shall be completed upon contract award.

1.6.10 OPSEC Requirements/Plan. The contractor shall develop an OPSEC Plan and provide it to the COR or KO within 30 calendar days of contract award to be reviewed and approved by the responsible Government OPSEC officer, per AFI 10-701, Operations Security.