Consolidated Questions and Answers W91CRB-27-R-A002_W91CRb-27-R-A005.pdf

W91CRB-27-R-A002 | Questions and Answers – Final (Consolidated)

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 1 of 10

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

Questions and Answers

Solicitation Number: W91CRB-27-R-A002

Welding, Machining, Painting, and Fabrication Support Services – Aberdeen Test Center (ATC)

NAICS: 333992

Date: 29 October 2026

This document consolidates industry questions received in response to the Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) and the Government’s final responses. Contractor-identifying information has been removed.

Questions are presented in a single sequential list. Contractor-identifying information has been removed.

Question 1

Question: Under Corporate Experience, the DRFP states, "Offerors shall demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of corporate experience occurring within the past five (5) years. Does this requirement apply to individual Corp Exp citations or the aggregate of all the citations?

Government Response: The three-year corporate experience requirement applies to the aggregate of all citations.

Question 2

Question: Estimated Staffing Levels: Attachment 1 identifies an estimated workforce of 42 personnel, totaling 80,640 annual hours. Should these staffing levels be considered minimum requirements that must be maintained regardless of workload, or are they estimates based on anticipated workload?

Government Response: The staffing levels identified in Attachment 1 are estimates based on anticipated workload.

Question 3

Question: Historical Workload Data: Can the Government provide Attachment 2 and any available historical data showing annual work orders, production hours, workload by shop, and anticipated workload changes? This information would help us validate the staffing assumptions in Attachment 1.

Government Response: Attachment 2 is listed on page 64 of the Performance Work Statement.

Question 4

Question: Workload Surges: How does the Government anticipate prioritizing work when multiple ATC organizations have competing requirements or when workload exceeds the estimated staffing capacity?

Government Response: Work prioritization will be handled by the Government and directed through contractor leadership. Time and schedule risk will be owned by the Government.

Question 5

Question: Staffing Increases addresses increasing staffing within 45 days. Can the Government clarify the anticipated circumstances that would trigger this requirement, the labor categories and quantities that may be required, and how staffing increases beyond the estimated workforce would be addressed contractually and financially?

Government Response: Unforeseen circumstances and requirements will drive the need to increase staffing levels.

Question 6

Question: Part-Time Positions references part-time positions. Can the Government identify which labor categories may be part-time and clarify how those positions and their required hours will be established?

Government Response: Labor categories will be based on required needs and will be established by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 2 of 10

Question 7

Question: Short-Notice and After-Hours Work references providing personnel on one-hour notice for work outside normal working hours. How frequently has this requirement historically occurred, which labor categories are typically affected, and how will overtime or additional-shift costs be authorized and compensated?

Government Response: Frequency is dictated by unscheduled testing requirements and is unpredictable.

Question 8

Question: Security Clearance Requirements appear to describe different clearance requirements and timelines.

Can the Government clarify the required clearance status at proposal submission, contract award, and the start of performance, including the requirements for interim and final Secret clearances?

Government Response: Twenty percent (20%) of all contract employees must hold a SECRET clearance at the time of award. All employees must maintain a SECRET clearance for the life of the contract.

Question 9

Question: Special Access Program (SAP) Personnel identifies a requirement for four SAP personnel, with the possibility of increasing to eight within 30 days. Are these positions included in the 42 personnel identified in Attachment 1, or are they additional staffing requirements? Can the Government identify the applicable labor categories and clearance requirements?

Government Response: The positions requiring Special Access Program (SAP) access are included in the 42 personnel identified in Attachment 1.

Question 10

Question: Key Personnel Qualifications: Will the Government consider equivalent combinations of education and experience where a candidate does not meet a specific educational requirement but has relevant technical experience? Please also clarify the approval process and expected turnaround time for key personnel substitutions.

Government Response: Exceptions to education and relevant experience requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis between the COR and the Contracting Officer (KO).

Question 11

Question: Personnel Onboarding: What are the expected Government timelines for reviewing and approving personnel qualifications, processing required access, and completing onboarding? Can personnel who meet all qualification and security requirements begin administrative onboarding while final site access is pending?

Government Response: Final site access is required before personnel may begin onboarding.

Question 12

Question: Government-Furnished Property (GFP): Can the Government provide a current inventory of Government-furnished equipment and property, including its condition, availability, maintenance status, and any known deficiencies?

Government Response: Refer to the Government-Furnished Property (GFP) Listing, Attachment 3.

Question 13

Question: Contractor-Furnished Tools indicates that contractor toolkits are not provided and that toolkit costs are included in hourly rates. Can the Government provide a list of required tools and specialized equipment by labor category, including any calibration, replacement, or maintenance requirements?

Government Response: Tools to be provided by the contractor are listed in Performance Work Statement paragraphs 4.4.1 and 4.4.2.

Question 14

Question: Materials and Other Direct Costs (ODCs): Can the Government clarify which materials, consumables, tools, and supplies must be included in the contractor’s hourly rates versus those that may be purchased through an ODC CLIN? If available, please provide historical annual expenditures for materials and other direct costs.

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 3 of 10

Government Response: No separate ODC CLIN is available. Fully burdened labor rates for the identified labor categories will be established under the primary Time-and-Materials CLIN. The Offeror’s estimate in the ODC tab of Attachment D (Level of Effort Spreadsheet) will be used to develop the final estimated value for the T&M CLIN.

Question 15

Question: Equipment Maintenance and Repairs: Can the Government identify which party is responsible for routine maintenance, repairs, inspections, and load testing for Government-furnished equipment, including vehicles, forklifts, welding equipment, and painting equipment?

Government Response: Addressed in Performance Work Statement paragraph 3.4.1. The Government is responsible for all maintenance and repair of Government property.

Question 16

Question: Government Systems and Access: What Government systems will the contractor use for work orders, labor-hour tracking, estimating, inventory management, and reporting? Will required accounts, system access, licenses, and training be available before performance begins?

Government Response: Access and training will be provided for all Government-required systems.

Question 17

Question: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): Can the Government provide the complete QASP and clarify how performance will be measured, including sampling methods, compliance calculations, treatment of delays caused by Government actions, and the process for correcting deficiencies?

Government Response: The information requested is addressed in the current Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). Offerors are advised to review the QASP thoroughly.

Question 18

Question: Quality Control Plan (QCP) Review appears to contain a blank Government review period for the QCP.

Can the Government clarify the expected review and acceptance timeline and when the contractor’s 10-day resubmission period begins?

Government Response: Performance Work Statement paragraph 1.5.1 has been updated.

Question 19

Question: Project Estimates and Scheduling: What estimating standards, production rates, and reporting formats does the Government expect for individual work orders and projects? How will changes to scope, priorities, or delivery schedules be handled after work has been accepted?

Government Response: The Performance Work Statement does not dictate a specific estimating or scheduling format.

Question 20

Question: Inspection and Rework: Can the Government clarify the applicable inspection, testing, welding certification, and nondestructive testing requirements? If rework is required due to a changed Government specification or a previously unidentified condition, how will responsibility for the associated labor, materials, and schedule impacts be determined?

Government Response: Established industry standards will be used for determining rework. Government-directed changes will not be held against the contractor.

Question 21

Question: Changes in Scope: What process should the contractor follow when a work request exceeds the established scope, estimated effort, or available funding? Will additional work require Contracting Officer approval and a formal modification before execution?

Government Response: Work that exceeds the scope of the Performance Work Statement will require a contract modification prior to execution. Work that exceeds available funding will only be authorized if a known funding plan is in place and the contracting officer makes the determination to issue an authorization to proceed.

Question 22

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Question: Phase-In Period provides a 45-day phase-in period. Can the Government identify the expected transition milestones, incumbent knowledge-transfer requirements, access limitations, and any restrictions on recruiting or onboarding personnel before the start of performance?

Government Response: Per Performance Work Statement paragraph 1.20, the contractor shall develop a phase-in plan that begins after contract award and is completed within 45 calendar days.

Question 23

Question: Facility Closures: How will scheduled or unscheduled facility closures, weather-related closures, and Government-directed shutdowns affect staffing requirements, scheduled hours, and contract pricing?

Government Response: Facility closures will be directed to the contractor by the COR. If the facility is closed, no personnel are required to be on site, and no hours will be billed to the Government for that period.

Question 24

Question: No Working Alone Requirement addresses personnel not working alone. Does this requirement apply to all shops, shifts, and after-hours work? What minimum staffing and supervisory coverage must be maintained?

Government Response: Yes. The no-working-alone requirement applies to all shops, shifts, and after-hours work.

Question 25

Question: Coordination with Other Contractors: What responsibilities will the contractor have for coordinating work with other contractors using shared facilities, equipment, tooling, and production areas? How will delays caused by competing access or shared-resource limitations be addressed?

Government Response: No other contractors will utilize shared equipment, facilities, tooling, or production areas.

Question 26

Question: The Program Manager and Alternate are not listed with any hours in Estimaated Workload Data. Will both positions be full-time (1920 hours)?

Government Response: The Program Manager will be full-time; however, hours will not be directly charged or reimbursed by the Government.

Question 27

Question: Is the planned evaluation criteria - Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) correct?

Government Response: The evaluation will be conducted using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) process.

Question 28

Question: Please provide a corrected Attachment D/LOE workbook with all broken formula and reference errors resolved. In particular, please restore the labor-category references for Years 2–5, validate totals and weighted-average calculations, and confirm whether offerors should preserve all Government-provided formulas.

Government Response: The Attachment D/LOE workbook has been corrected. The references were accurate;

however, Excel was not displaying the information properly. Offerors shall preserve all Government provided formulas. Some formulas such as AVERGAE my display #REF or DIV/0 if cells feeding the formula are unpopulated. Should a offeror complete the workbook and an error is received please notify the contract specialist and contracting officer so a corrected book may be sent out. As stated above all formulas and functions at time of solicitation are reviewed and identified as properly functioning.

Question 29

Question: Please reconcile the CLIN numbering and periods of performance in Section B, Section F, and Attachment D. Attachment D identifies a period of 07 December 2026 to 06 December 2031 and uses annual CLINs such as 1001/1002 through 4001/4002, whereas Sections B and F identify phase-in beginning 09 December 2026 and a 57-month T&M ordering period beginning 21 January 2027. Please provide the authoritative CLIN structure, pricing schedule, and associated dates.

Government Response: The period of performance is 09 December 2026 through 08 December 2031. Sections B and F and Attachment D have been revised accordingly.

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 5 of 10

Question 30

Question: Please clarify the intended contract/order structure for the hybrid T&M and FFP requirements.

Specifically: (a) whether CLINs 0002 and 0003 are the minimum and maximum quantities under the IDIQ; (b) the minimum and maximum ordering values/quantities; (c) the task-order issuance process, required task-order content, and task-order approval/acceptance process; and (d) whether the $5 million FFP amount is a total contract ceiling, a not-to-exceed amount, or a price-evaluation plug only.

Government Response: CLIN 0002 will be negotiated based on the rates submitted by the Offeror. CLIN 0003 is a not-to-exceed amount. For task orders issued on a T&M basis base negotiated rates will be utilized to execute the order. Task orders issued on an FFP basis will be negotiated at the time of task solicitation. Historical pricing and Independent Government Cost Estimates will be utilized to determine FFP task order as fair and reasonable.

Question 31

Question: Please confirm whether the $5 million FFP amount is strictly a Government-provided price plug for evaluation, and state how actual FFP task orders will be priced and funded after award. Please also clarify whether the amount includes labor, materials, ODCs, subcontractor effort, and profit.

Government Response: The $5 million FFP amount is provided strictly as a price plug for evaluation purposes.

The FFP amount encompasses all costs associated with an FFP order. FFP task orders will be awarded for regular and recurring services. Historical pricing and T&M rates will be used to determine fair and reasonable pricing for FFP task orders.

Question 32

Question: Please identify the applicable wage determination(s) or Department of Labor identifier(s), and map each applicable labor category to its required wage determination. Section L states that wage-determination identifiers are provided separately; however, no separate wage-determination attachment appears in the attachment list.

Government Response: The applicable wage determination is WD #2015-4265. Wage determination will be uploaded with solicitation.

Question 33

Question: Please clarify how ODCs, repair parts, materials, tooling, and travel will be priced, authorized, and invoiced under the hybrid contract. Specifically, identify the CLIN(s) and contract type(s) to be used, applicable markup limitations, funding authorization procedures, and whether these costs are within the T&M ceiling, FFP task-order price, or separately reimbursable.

Government Response: These costs will be invoiced under the Time-and-Materials CLIN 0002. Contractors may invoice applicable material G&A rates.

Question 34

Question: Please provide the completed allotment schedule and the initial funding amount for incrementally funded CLINs 0001, 0002, 0003, and 0006. If these fields will be completed only at award, please confirm how offerors should assess funding-related performance risk and price the phase-in/phase-out requirements.

Government Response: Funding will be added to the CLINs as it becomes available to the Government throughout the fiscal year. Funding balances and allotments will be monitored by the Government.

Question 35

Question: Please clarify the personnel-security eligibility requirement at proposal submission. Does the requirement for an active SECRET clearance apply to every proposed contractor and subcontractor employee, only the personnel proposed to perform at award, or only key personnel? Also clarify the documentation required in Volume I to demonstrate compliance without including classified information or sensitive personnel data.

Government Response: Twenty percent (20%) of all contract employees must hold a SECRET clearance at the time of award. All employees must maintain a SECRET clearance for the life of the contract.

Question 36

Question: Please identify the specified job descriptions and minimum SAP eligibility requirements for the four personnel required to support SAP, and clarify whether those personnel must be identified in the proposal or

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 6 of 10 available at award. Please also clarify the applicable security clearance, access, training, indoctrination, and polygraph prerequisites for SAP support

Government Response: Special Access Program (SAP) requirements are listed in Performance Work Statement paragraph 1.6.2.1 in accordance with AR 380-381.

Question 37

Question: Please clarify the apparent conflict between the proposal-submission clearance requirement and the requirement that 20% of contract employees hold final SECRET clearances at award. Please confirm the population used to calculate the 20%, whether the percentage applies to the core 42-FTE staffing level, and whether phase-in personnel count toward the requirement.

Government Response: The 20% SECRET clearance requirement applies to all contract employees, including phase-in personnel.

Question 38

Question: Please provide the current DD Form 254, or incorporate it as a solicitation attachment. The PWS references the DD Form 254 but does not include it in the listed attachments.

Government Response: The DD Form 254 will be included in the solicitation attachments.

Question 39

Question: Please provide the authoritative GFP listing before proposal submission, including equipment condition, maintenance status, calibration status, known deficiencies, and available documentation. If the attached GFP list is authoritative, please confirm that it is complete and reconcile its date with the PWS reference.

Government Response: A complete GFP listing will be provided to the successful offeror upon contract award.

Question 40

Question: Please clarify responsibility and cost treatment when GFP is missing, unserviceable, unavailable, or not received in time to perform. Specifically, confirm whether the Government will issue an equitable adjustment, schedule relief, a substitute task direction, or separate funding when contractor-procured replacements are required.

Government Response: Accommodations will be made if GFP is not available to perform the requirements of the Performance Work Statement.

Question 41

Question: Please confirm whether standard computers, monitors, software licenses, and administrative equipment for contractor management personnel are contractor-furnished, and identify the required cybersecurity, network-access, and software-approval process.

Government Response: Computers and monitors will be provided only for direct support of the Performance Work Statement.

Question 42

Question: Please issue a single reconciled CDRL/Technical Exhibit B deliverables schedule. The PWS Technical Exhibit B, CDRL information attachment, and other PWS references appear to prescribe overlapping but not fully aligned deliverables, formats, recipients, and submission methods. The amendment should identify every deliverable, governing CDRL number, due date, required format, and Government recipient.

Government Response: The Performance Work Statement has been updated.

Question 43

Question: Please clarify whether CDRL_INFO.pdf is an incorporated, binding contract attachment or working/draft information. It includes explanatory “WHY” narrative and a “PWS Updates” section, which may indicate proposed revisions rather than final contract language. If binding, please incorporate the stated PWS changes into the PWS and align all cross-references.

Government Response: The referenced “WHY” and “PWS Updates” language does not appear in the current version of the Performance Work Statement. CDRL_INFO.pdf was a working/draft informational document.

Question 44

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 7 of 10

Question: Please clarify the required frequency, content, and submission route for the Monthly Contract Status Report, including whether it is required for phase-in and phase-out and whether it applies to both T&M and FFP task-order effort. Please also reconcile the report’s required financial content with the fixed-price portions of the contract.

Government Response: The Monthly Contract Status Report applies to both Time-and-Materials and Firm- Fixed-Price task orders.

Question 45

Question: Please clarify the correction standards for QASP performance measures and specify whether the correction timeframes apply per occurrence, monthly assessment period, deliverable, employee, or task order.

For example, the QASP uses multiple corrective-action standards, including 30 days after submission, 30 days after a personnel request, and 60 days after employee start date.

Government Response: The corrective-action standard applies to each occurrence.

Question 46

Question: Please correct or clarify the QASP cross-references for GFP accountability and any other inaccurate PWS citations. The QASP references PWS §3.4.3 for GFP accountability, while the available PWS excerpt identifies equipment and inventories under §3.4.1.

Government Response: The QASP cross-reference has been updated.

Question 47

Question: Please clarify the apparent inconsistency in proposal file-format instructions. Section L initially permits Volume I and Volume II in searchable PDF or MS Word, but later states that each proposal volume must be submitted as a separate read-only PDF. Please confirm the required final-submission format for each volume.

Government Response: The proposal file-format instructions will be clarified in the final solicitation. Volumes shall be submitted as separate read-only PDF files unless otherwise specified.

Question 48

Question: Please confirm the Government’s anticipated schedule for posting responses to questions and issuing any amendment. This is particularly important because the solicitation indicates that proposals are due 06 November 2026 at 10:00 AM local time.

Government Response: Draft solicitation Q&A will be posted on 30 October 2026. The solicitation will be posted on 2 November 2026. Solicitation questions are due no later than 9 November 2026, with Q&A posted on 10 November 2026. The solicitation will close on 16 November 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

Question 49

Question: Please confirm the applicable time zone for the proposal deadline and whether both the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer must receive all proposal files by the deadline for the proposal to be timely.

Government Response: Proposals are due in Eastern Time. Both the Contracting Officer and the Contract Specialist must receive all proposal files by the deadline.

Question 50

Question: Please confirm whether all 45 calendar days of phase-in and phase-out are separately priced under CLINs 0001 and 0006, respectively, and whether the Government expects full core staffing during those periods.

The solicitation describes phase-in and phase-out as 45 calendar days, but Section F displays one-month quantities.

Government Response: CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0006 are for phase-in and phase-out, respectively. The Government does not expect full core staffing during those periods.

Question 51

Question: Please identify the Government-provided template and acceptance criteria for the required phase-in plan, phase-out plan, and any transition-related status reporting. The PWS requires procedures for phase-in and phase-out but does not, in the excerpts reviewed, establish a discrete deliverable or approval process.

Government Response: Per Performance Work Statement paragraph 1.20, the contractor shall develop a phase-in plan that begins after contract award and is completed within 45 calendar days.

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 8 of 10

Question 52

Question: Does the government expect bidders to PDF attachment B08 or is the PDF requirement only applicable to the Cost Narrative?

Government Response: The PDF requirement applies only to the Cost Narrative.

Question 53

Question: Is there a CBA associated with the work? If so will the government please provide the appropriate

CBA?

Government Response: The Government does not maintain a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for this requirement.

Question 54

Question: Both tabs have reference errors with the government please correct those errors?

Government Response: The Attachment D/LOE workbook has been corrected. The references were accurate;

however, Excel was not displaying the information properly.

Question 55

Question: FAR 52.212-5 was removed in the RFO. Will the Government please remove FAR 52.212-5?

Government Response: Concur.

Question 56

Question: Although FAR 52.212-4 is referenced on the SF1449, will the Government please add FAR clause 52.212-4 in addition to FAR 52.212-3?

Government Response: FAR clause 52.212-4 has been added.

Question 57

Question: Reference to Standard Form 33 (SF33) is made on p48 when the draft solicitation was issued on Standard Form 1449 (SF1449). Will the Government confirm this is a FAR Part 12 contract and a SF1449 will be utilized? If so, will the Government please change the reference from SF33 to SF1449 on page 39 in Section 1.1.2.B and on page 48 in two spots?

Government Response: This is a commercial solicitation. Standard Form 1449 will be used.

Question 58

Question: This is in conflict of the instructions on page 40 that state "Each proposal volume shall be submitted in separate PDF files." Will the Government please clarify what format Offerors should submit their Price Narratives in?

Government Response: The Price Narrative shall be submitted in PDF format.

Question 59

Question: Comment: The Government is changing this work from CPFF to T&M Task Orders. Per clause 252.243-7002, the contractor will have to request an equitable adjustment each year for changes in CBA DL rates and fringe benefit changes.

Government Response: Concur.

Question 60

Question: Both Sections reference completing the SF33 however, the solicitation cover page is an SF 1449. Will the Government please update these sections to reflect the correct document required?

Government Response: The requested change has been made.

Question 61

Question: This paragraph references the Past Performance Questionnaire, Solicitation Attachment 2. This document was not provided with the Draft RFP. Will the Government please provide this document with the final solicitation?

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 9 of 10

Government Response: The Past Performance Questionnaire will be provided at solicitation release.

Question 62

Question: This paragraph states, "References for Past Performance should be shall be listed on the Contract References Form." This form was not included with the Draft solicitation. Will the Government provide this form with the final solicitation?

Government Response: The Contract References Form has been discontinued. Offerors shall provide a list of references on the last page of the Past Performance volume.

Question 63

Question: In reviewing both the PWS and the CDRL document in the Draft Solicitation, it seems that some of the CDRLs do not line up with what is in the PWS. For example, CDRL A002 is listed in the CDRL document as Key Personnel resumes. However, in the PWS, in Paragraph 1.5.1.1 it lists CDRL A002 but it is for alerting the COR of potential issues that might affect performance. Will the Government please review CDRL document and the PWS and ensure that the references match where appropriate?

Government Response: The CDRL document provided with the draft solicitation was a list of anticipated CDRLs. The requiring activity has since reduced the requirement to three CDRLs, which will be available on SAM.gov.

Question 64

Question: Will the Government be providing the plug ODC numbers for the ODC Detail tab? The instructions state that an amount is provided and the proposer must fill in the burden column only. The instructions also say to fill in the green shaded cells, but there are no green shaded cells in that tab. The indirect column is shaded grey.

Government Response: The ODC tab has been updated with the Government-provided amounts.

Question 65

Question: Why is there reference to updating the PWS 1.27 in CDRL document and why isn't the PWS updated with this information?

Government Response: The referenced “PWS 1.27” update does not appear in the current CDRL documents.

The Performance Work Statement and CDRLs have been aligned.

Question 66

Question: Will the Government provide the actual CDRLs?

Government Response: The Government will provide the CDRLs at the time of solicitation release.

Question 67

Question: Content Requirement para states: "Each file of the proposal shall consist of a Table of Contents, Summary Section, and the Narrative discussion." Do the Volume III Pricing Spreadsheet (Attach D) and Volume IV require these elements?

Government Response: A note has been added clarifying that Volume III (Pricing) will not require a table of contents.

Question 68

Question: The solicitation has a period of performance of 9 December 2026 - 8 December 2031 in the Ordering Clause 52.216-18 on Page 23. That includes the 45 day Phase-in and the 45 day Phase-out. The BOE Attachment D has different dates (7 December 2026 - 6 December 2031. Section F of the solicitation also has different dates. We believe that the dates for CLIN 0002 should be 21 January 2027 - 20 January 2032. The 45-day Phase-in is prior to the 5 year period of performance and the 45-day Phase-out would be the last 45 days of the actual work period of performance. Therefore, CLIN 0001 for Phase-in would be 9 December 2026 - 20 January 2027 (Block states 1 Month but should be changed to 45 days), CLINs 0002-0006 would be 21 January 2027 - 20 January 2032, and CLIN 0007 would be 9 December 2031 - 20 January 2032 (Block states 1 Month but should be changed to 45 days), as mostly shown in Section F. We believe the dates in Section F for CLINs 0002- 0006 need to be changed to 21 January 2027 - 20 January 2031 and the dates in the pricing schedule need to be corrected accordingingly. Will the Government please review this and make the necessary changes please?

W91CRB-27-R-A002 – Questions and Answers (Final) | Page 10 of 10

Government Response: The period of performance is 09 December 2026 through 08 December 2031. This maintains a five-year period of performance inclusive of the 45-day phase-in period.

END OF DOCUMENT

This document reflects the Government’s final responses to industry questions on the Draft RFP as of 29 October 2026.

Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for the formal solicitation and any amendments.

W91CRB-27-R-A002 | Q&A 2 Nov 2026

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

Questions and Answers

Solicitation Number: W91CRB-27-R-A002 Welding, Machining, Painting, and Fabrication Support Services – Aberdeen Test Center (ATC)

NAICS: 333992

Date: 2 November 2026

This document consolidates industry questions received in response to the Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) and the Government’s responses provided in the ATC Updates of 2 November 2026. Contractor-identifying information has been removed.

Questions are presented in a single sequential list. These questions are in addition to those previously answered on 29 October 2026. Contractor-identifying information has been removed.

Question 1

Question: To ensure compliance with the submission requirements and allow adequate time for delivery before the submission deadline, please clarify whether there are any file size limitations for individual email attachments or cumulative email sizes. Additionally, if the proposal volumes and supporting documentation exceed the allowable email size, may offerors submit the proposal in multiple emails, and are there any specific file-naming or email subject line conventions that must be followed to ensure all submissions are properly received and associated with the proposal?

Government Response: File size limits are described within Section L of the solicitation. Should files not fit within one email multiple emails may be sent.

Question 2

Question: Please clarify whether offerors are required to submit each proposal volume in both searchable PDF and Microsoft Word formats, or whether submission in either one of these formats is sufficient to meet the requirement.

Government Response: Submissions in searchable pdf are preferred. Should a offeror not be able to provide searchable pdf, Microsoft word will be acceptable.

Question 3

Question: Please clarify throughout Section L how the documents are to be packaged and submitted.

The Native Electronic Format requirements in Paragraph 1.1.2.B and the instructions in 1.1.3.C appear to contradict the requirements in Paragraph 2, File Packaging (that files shall be in read-only PDF files).

Government Response: Submissions may be made through either searchable PDF or word formats.

Question 4

Question: Given the page limitations imposed on the Technical and Past Performance volumes, which must accommodate all required information, kindly request the cover sheet, table of contents, and table of figures be excluded from the page count for both volumes.

Government Response: Cover sheets and table of contents may be combined but shall still count toward page counts.

Question 5

Question: Please clarify whether the use of the standard Microsoft Word Table of Contents feature, including its automatically generated hyperlinks, is permissible under this requirement. Section 1.1.1 A states, "The use of hyperlinks in proposals is strictly prohibited." However, Section 1.1.3 C.1 requires the Table of Contents to be created using the Table of Contents feature in Microsoft Word, which automatically generates hyperlinks.

Government Response: Use of hyperlinks generated by Microsoft Word that will direct the government to external websites or documents is prohibited. Links to internal paragraphs, pages or figures are permissible.

Question 6

Question: Given the page limitations imposed on the Technical and Past Performance volumes, we respectfully request that the Summary Section for each volume be excluded from the applicable page count, allowing up to five pages for each summary in addition to the established volume page limits.

Government Response: Summary sections are to be brief.

Question 7

Question: Please clarify whether the requirement that each file of the proposal shall consist of a Table of Contents, Summary Section, and the Narrative discussion applies to Volume IV, Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents, and Certifications/Representations. If applicable, please identify the information expected to be included in the Summary Section for this volume, given that it consists primarily of completed solicitation forms, certifications, and representations rather than a narrative technical response.

Government Response: Volume IV does not require a table of contents, summary section or narrative discussion.

Question 8

Question: To assist offerors in preparing their Past Performance volume and ensuring compliance with the solicitation requirements, would the Government please provide the Contract References Form in advance of the final RFP release?

Government Response: Contract Reference Form has been removed as a requirement. We complete Volume II Past Performance as described in section L.

Question 9

Question: Please confirm that completed Past Performance Questionnaires are to be submitted directly to the Contracting Officer by the respective POCs and are not required to be included in the offeror's proposal submission.

Government Response: Past Performance Questionnaires are to be completed and sent directly to the contracting officer by respective POCs and are not required to be included in the offerors proposal submission.

Question 10

Question: Will the Government consider allowing the Past Performance Questionnaire to be sent to the prime contractor responsible for managing the contract, rather than exclusively to the Government contracting activity and technical representative, when the prime contractor is better positioned to provide a comprehensive assessment of the subcontractor's performance? This would help ensure the questionnaire captures meaningful, firsthand feedback regarding the offeror's actual performance and contributions to the contract.

Government Response: Past Performance Questionnaires must be provided to the Government and not the prime contractor.

Question 11

Question: Please clarify how an offeror proposing to perform the requirement entirely with its own workforce and no subcontractors should address the requirement to describe its approach to assigning, coordinating, and performing work "between the prime contractor and any subcontractors, if used," followed by requirements for an operational plan and staffing plan. Are the operational and staffing plans required of all offerors, regardless of whether subcontractors are proposed, with the prime/subcontractor work-allocation discussion applicable only when subcontractors are used?

Government Response: Operational and staffing plans are required even if no subcontractors are being used.

Question 12

Question: Please clarify how the Government anticipates offerors will provide a qualified Alternate PM when no corresponding labor category or other position with comparable minimum qualifications is provided. Suggest eliminating the resume requirement and allowing offerors to designate a working leader to act as PM in the PM's absence in their General Management Plan (Section 1).

Government Response: Alternate PM can be designated after contract award. Alternate PM must meet same requirements as primary PM.

Question 13

Question: Section L identifies the Welder Working Leader under Key Personnel and states requirements for AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with NDT experience. However, the Labor Categories and Qualifications file states one position must be certified by AWS as a Certified Welding Inspector and possess 5 years experience in NDT, and one position must be certified to operate bridge cranes up to 15 ton capacity. These requirements appear to indicate that two separate positions may be required, although Section L identifies the key personnel title in the singular. Please clarify whether the Government requires one or two Welder Working Leader key personnel. Specifically, are offerors required to submit resumes for two individuals to satisfy the separate CWI/NDT and bridge crane operator certification requirements, or may one individual satisfy both requirements?

Government Response: The position of the Welder Working Lead Key Personnel is made up of two positions, not one. One must be certified by AWS as a Certified Welding Inspector. The second one must be certified to operate a bridge crane up to 15 tons in capacity.

Question 14

Question: The solicitation lists the Painter Leader as a Key Personnel; however, the Labor Categories and Qualifications document does not. Please clarify whether the Painter Leader is a Key Personnel. We recommend that this position not be key, allowing the successful offeror to retain the trained, experienced incumbent for mission continuity.

Government Response: Painter Lead is a Key Personnel.

Question 15

Question: The key personnel requirements have very unique and specific minimum qualification requirements we believe unfairly favors the incumbent and will severely restrict competition on the contract. In situations like this, the incumbent employees almost always transition to the successful offeror thereby minimizing any performance risk to the Government. In order to mitigate the unfair advantage of the incumbent and encourage competition, we respectfully suggest that the required resumes be restricted to one – the Program Manager position.

Government Response: No changes will be made to the required resumes.

Question 16

Question: Given the extensive past performance information required in the Past Performance Volume and the applicable 15-page limit, kindly request the Government consider excluding the written consent and letters of commitment required for major subcontractors from the page count.

Government Response: Concurred. Written consent and letters of commitment will be excluded from Volume II page count.

Question 17

Question: Please confirm the evaluation treatment when an offeror timely transmits a questionnaire request but the Government POCs do not return the questionnaire by the proposal due date, including whether the Government will evaluate other information sources or consider the past performance citation incomplete.

Government Response: The government will accept this as the offerors good faith effort to fulfill the requirement. Past Performance evaluations shall be completed in accordance to section M.

Question 18

Question: Which CMMC level and assessment type will the solicitation specify: Level 1 (Self), Level 2 (Self), Level 2 (C3PAO), or Level 3 (DIBCAC)? Given the 13 July 2026 suspension of CMMC Phase 2, will a Level 2 (C3PAO) status be required as a condition of award, or will a Level 2 self-assessment with a current SPRS score and affirmation satisfy award eligibility? Will the requirement apply at award, or at option exercise?

Government Response: CMMC Level 1 (Self) will apply at award.

Question 19

Question: Will performance require the Contractor to receive, generate, or handle CUI? If so, will the CUI be processed on Government-furnished systems (GFE/GFI) or Contractor information systems?

Government Response: If the contractor is required to receive or handle CUI it will be on GFP information systems. No CUI will be handled on contractor systems.

Question 20

Question: The draft solicitation only identifies DFARS 252.204-7012 as a safeguarding requirement.

Does the Government anticipate including any of the following additional clauses: DFARS 252.204-7020 (or 252.240-7997), 252.204-7021, 252.204-7025, 252.204-7000, 252.225-7048, and FAR 52.204-21 (or 52.240-93)?

Government Response: Clauses: 252.204-7021, and 252.204-7025 have been added to the final solicitation.

Question 21

Question: Since at least 2017, ATC has not tasked nor allowed the contractors on the predecessor contracts to perform lead abatement from any platform or system with lead. In the referenced documents, the Government requires that the Painter Leader be certified to perform lead paint abatement. Will the government consider removing the requirement for the Painter Leader to be certified to perform lead paint abatement, if in fact this person will never be allowed to perform this role?

Government Response: PWS updated to make requirement "Can be certified to perform lead paint abatement if required."

Question 22

Question: The Government's response to Question 50 states, "CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0006 are for phase-in and phase-out, respectively. The Government does not expect full core staffing during those periods."

We do not believe that the Government customer anticipates less than full coverage during the Phase-out period, which is usually covered by the incumbent contract.

Government Response: The incumbent is expected to have full core staffing to support PWS activities during the phase-out period.

Question 23

Question: Question 53 asked if a CBA was associated with this work. The Government's response was, "The Government does not maintain a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for this requirement." While the Government may not "maintain" a CBA for this work, this work is in fact under a union contract with a CBA. Will the Government be providing the current CBA as an attachment to the final solicitation?

Government Response: The Government does not maintain a CBA for this requirement but a CBA between the contractor workforce performing this work and their management company does exist.

Current CBA will not be posted as part of the solicitation.

Question 24

Question: Regarding the Government's response to Question 68 about the discrepancy in the period of performance dates: The incumbent contract currently ends on 1/20/27. Even with a 45 day Phase-in period, the awardee's period of performance for the 5 Year contract would not start until 1/21/27. The pricing spreadsheet is set up with full-time hours for every year of the 5 year period of performance. That would seem to make CLIN 0002 (T&M CLIN) have an actual period of performance of 1/21/27 - 1/20/32 and we believe that this is the period of performance that should be priced out and shown in the Attachment D LOE spreadsheet.

Government Response: PoP is 5 years from date of award. Estimated award is 9 December 2026.

Phase in and out periods are inclusive to the base PoP and will not fall outside the 5 year PoP.