25R0001- Questions - Answers - Personnel Recovery Services.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- W91QEX25R0001
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to a federal contract solicitation for Personnel Recovery Services in support of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). The solicitation is for a non-personal services contract to provide personnel, equipment, and services to support USSOUTHCOM's Personnel Recovery Program within their area of responsibility.
Key details include:
- The contract requires a minimum of 3 years' experience in DoD personnel recovery operations in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility or a Chief of Mission environment, specifically for the Senior Site Representative role.
- The solicitation has specific page limitations and format requirements, including the submission of a completed FAR 52.212-3 form.
- Past performance examples can be used to satisfy the personnel recovery experience requirements.
- The government will ensure placement in required training courses, if seats are not available within the initial 90-day period.
- The solicitation is an existing requirement, with Walsingham Group, Inc. as the incumbent prime contractor.
- There are some clarifications and revisions requested around holidays, travel, key personnel, and experience requirements.
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W91QEX-25-R-0001 – Personnel Recovery Services – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Section L, Volume 2 – Experience, states “The Offeror shall provide evidence that the contractor possesses a minimum of three (3) years of experience in Department of Defense (DOD) personnel recovery operations in the SOUTHCOM AOR or in a Chief of Mission (COM) environment. A minimum of three (3) years working SOUTHCOM Headquarter or a Combatant command Headquarters supporting DOD personnel recovery operations in COM environment. Note: This requirement applies to the Senior Site Representative only, who will be assigned to the USSOUTHCOM HQ in Doral Florida.” After that, the paragraph goes on to require “Experience developing Personnel Recovery Standard Operating Procedures (PR SOP) in support of Security Cooperation Offices (SCO) in the SOUTHCOM AOR in operational conditions in a COM environment.
Experience preparing and delivering High Risk of Isolation (HRI) Briefings in accordance with the SOUTHCOM HRI Briefing program or HRI program supporting DOD personnel recovery operations in a COM environment.” Are these additional requirements also only applicable to the Senior Site Representative or to all contractors in the proposal?
Answer: The requirements only apply to the Senior Site Representative.
2. Section L, Page Limitations and Format – states “*** Volume Page Limitations: Signed SF 1449 with filled in pricing under All CLINs, All Subsequent Amendments Signed, filled in pricing for all cost variables on the "Overtime Support Pricing Sheet", and filled in representations and certifications (optional) under FAR 52.212-3.” However, paragraph C(iii) states “IMPORTANT: An offer submitted without a complete 52.212-3 or ORCA/SAM Record will not be accepted and will be determined ineligible for contract award.” What exactly is optional?
Answer: As stated, the requirements must be met in order to be considered for award.
3. Due to the specific nature of the Personnel Recovery Mission, many of the related past performance examples our team has are smaller, episodic courses, sometimes offered as stand-alone purchase orders or ODCs. Can these be used to satisfy Volume 1 Subfactor 2, PR experience requirements required for this contract?
Answer: Submit in accordance with the instructions provided on the solicitation.
4. The seven training certifications/requirements for the personnel listed on page 55 of the PWS are all government-sponsored JPRA courses. Our personnel obtained those certifications while on active duty, and we believe any missing courses would require Government sponsorship, a guaranteed class seat, and a posted JPRA training schedule to confirm the viability of the 90-day plan. Can the Government provide assurances to all offerors that class seats and courses will be offered within 90 days of the award for the successful offeror?
Answer: Placement in courses listed on page 55 is contingent on availability of seats in the JPRA-managed courses. In the event that personnel are not able to attain the required course within 90 days, the government will develop an action plan to assure placement in the soonest available course.
5. The Surge Support Pricing Sheet lists the Personnel Recovery LCAT. The RFP Section C speaks to Personnel Recovery Coordinators and of the four FTE requirement, one would be appointed as the Senior Site Representative.
Q: Since the Surge Support Price Sheet does not list the Senior Site Representative, should industry add that LCAT as the Senior Site Representative requirement denotes more responsibility and therefore a higher rate?
Answer: The Surge Support Pricing Sheet has been updated to reflect the Senior Site Representative.
6. Section M Volume 2-Past Performance PG 62 Note.
The note below Table 6 on page 62 states…Failure of references to be able to respond to past performance inquiries may preclude the evaluator’s ability to assign a past performance rating of acceptable based on satisfactory performance… When referencing Past Performance as a subcontractor, most prime contractors will not allow a sub to have direct contact with the government customer, and most government customers will not correspond with subcontractors. Therefore, a sub is forced to request the prime contractor to fill out and submit a PPQ. In some cases, prime contractors either refuse to fill out PPQs or prioritize them low which causes delays and sometime late responses.
Q: Based upon the RFP reference above, how does the government plan on ensuring that a submission is not rated as unacceptable due to prime customer lateness or refusal to submit PPQs?
Answer: The Government will evaluate Past Performance as written in the solicitation. If the Government can’t determine vendor Past Performance, it may be rated Neutral.
7. Resume (Multiple Reference) Q: Can the government confirm that all four FTEs, 1x Senior Site Representative, and 3x Personnel Recovery Coordinators are considered Key Personnel and therefore all four require resume submissions?
Answer: Yes, all four FTE’s are Key Personnel.
8. Q: Is this an existing requirement or a new contract effort?
Answer: Existing Requirement.
9. Who is the incumbent prime contractor?
Answer: Walsingham Group, Inc.
RFP Section 1.6.22.3 Pg 21
10. States the Contractor shall collect a DNA record for all U.S. citizen Contractor and subcontractor personnel traveling to the USSOUTHCOM AOR…
Q: Is a DNA sample a mandatory requirement? What is the governments position on a contractor employee who refuses to submit a DNA sample siting HIPPA?
Answer: This will be decision made Post Award and discussed in Garrison Office Health Office if issue happens.
11. Attachment 3, Pg 35
The Hours Math section states 4 FTE, 40hr weeks, 52 weeks/yr, 13 recognized holidays, and 1.6.3 listed 11 recognized holidays.
Q: Can the government confirm that there are only 11 recognized holidays, and/or provide the other two referenced for planning purposes?
Answer: The holidays are provided in the solicitation.
12. PWS 1.6.3 (page 14) & Attachment 3 Hours math
Section 1.6.3 & Hours math state 11 holidays and 13 holidays respectively. How many federal holidays are recognized on this contract?
Answer: The holidays are stated in the solicitation.
13. PWS 1.6.5 (page 15) & Travel CLINS
Is DBA insurance an allowable reimbursable cost when the contractors travel outside CONUS locations?
Answer: This is not a requirement on this contract.
Will the government require contractors submit proof of having a DBA policy for proposal submission?
Answer: This is not a requirement on this contract.
14. Key Personnel Definition 2.17.7 (page 23)
How does the government intend to quantity or evaluate a "firm commitment from persons that are listed in the proposal"?
Answer: The Government will evaluate in accordance with the information provided in Section M of the solicitation.
Will the government require letters of commitment or letters of intent with each submitted resume?
Answer: Yes.
Will the government prohibit the use of non-compete conditions in employment agreements or exclusive letters of commitment for this submission in order to ensue continuity of services?
Answer: Yes.
15. Section 1.6.22, 1.6.22.4 (page 21)
There are two references in TCNs. Has there been historical use of TCN’s on this effort?
Answer: No. The TCN language is derived from the template PWS and is not applicable for this contract. Due to security requirements, TCN will not be considered for hire.
Are there any requirements to employ TCN’s on this contract?
Answer: No. The TCN language is derived from the template PWS and is not applicable for this contract. Due to security requirements, TCN will not be considered for hire.
16. Overtime pricing sheet
Which personnel are considered key personnel?
Answer: All, please see the revised surge sheet separating the FTE’s (1 Senior Site Representative and 3 Personnel Recover Coordinators).
17. Sub-factor 2 Evaluation (page 60)
Does the requirement for 3 years of experience in the SOUTHCOM AOR on in a COM led environment apply to the offeror “the company” or does it apply to the proposed contract employees that the offeror submits in the solicitation response?
Answer: Offeror.
Will the government revise the evaluation requirement to “experience in DoD projects in the SOUTHCOM AOR or COM environment” or similar instead?
Answer: Requirement will remain as is.
18. Pay Scale
Will the government provide a GS Employee class equivalent and monetary Wage- Fringe benefit range for price evaluation/acceptability?
Answer: No.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .