94th_and_103rd_Contract_QA_17JAN18.pdf

W91ZRU‐18‐T‐0004

2.1 Scenario Development

Q1. Clarification required. Is it 1‐chemical and/or biological laboratory, 1‐homemade explosives laboratory combined with a radiological scenario.

A1a. Guam CTE (execute 27Feb)

A. 1ea Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) synthesis process (preferably VX or Lewisite) B. 1ea Biological Warfare Agent (BWA) process (preferably Yersinia pestis or Cumadin) C. 1ea Home Made Explosives (HME) process (preferably ethylene glycol dinitrate or mercury fulminate) D. 1ea Radiological Dispersal Device (radiological material as contractor can provide)

A1b. Guam TPE (execute 13Mar) A. 1ea Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) synthesis process (preferably Sarin or Nitrogen

Mustard) B. 1ea Biological Warfare Agent (BWA) process (preferably Bacillus anthracis or SEB) C. 1ea Home Made Explosives (HME) process (preferably TATP) D. 1ea Radiological Dispersal Device (radiological material as contractor can provide)

A1c. AK Sitka STX (execute 8May) A. 2ea Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) synthesis process (preferably Phosgene and Tabun) B. 2ea Biological Warfare Agent (BWA) process (preferably Francisella tularensis and

Clostridium botulinum) C. 2ea Home Made Explosives (HME) process (preferably TATP) D. 1ea Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) (see contractor supplied isotopes) E. 1ea Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) (see contractor supplied isotopes) F. 2ea Chemical dispersal device (Phosgene and Tabun) G. 2ea Biological dispersal device (C. botulinum and Bacillus thuringiensis)

Q2. Can the government confirm that the contractor is required to provide multiple radiological isotopes (stronger than button sources) for all three exercises in Guam and Alaska? What are the types and strengths of isotopes required?

A2. Yes, the contractor must provide radiological sources with sufficient size and dose rate to elicit CST execution of their mission tasks. The contractor takes responsibility for licensing or certifications to maintain, transport or provide safety oversight for radiological materials.

A2a. Guam CTE: Contractor will provide Th‐232 (4500uCi) and Ra‐226 (0.4uCi) isotopes.

A2b. Guam TPE: Contractor will provide Th‐232 (4500uCi) and Ra‐226 (0.4uCi) isotopes.

A2c. AK, Sitka Exercise

A. 5ea Cs‐137 1000uCi B. 1ea Cs‐137 3000uCi C. 2ea Cf‐252 25uCi D. 2ea Co‐60 500uCi E. 2ea Ba‐133 5000uCi

Q3. Will the contractor be required to provide a certified Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for each exercise and will this be included in the RFP?

A3a. Guam CTE: No, RSO is present within CST for this source strength.

A3b. Guam TPE: No, RSO is present within CST for this source strength.

A3c. AK STX: Yes, for the strength of these sources a certified RSO is required.

Q4. Since each of the three exercises appears to be 5 days duration, can the government please clarify the intent of this statement: “The full scenarios should each provide for one complete and continuous demanding day of training not to exceed 24 hours.”

A4. The battle rhythm for CST evaluation lanes training is typically as follows:

A. Monday‐CST safety in‐brief and final training venue site preparation.

B. Tuesday‐CST no‐notice response (not to exceed 24hrs duration).

C. Wednesday‐Exercise termination, CST recovery/ sustainment operations and venue breakdown.

D. Thursday‐AAR preparation, venue breakdown.

E. Friday‐AAR out‐brief and training material shipping.

Additionally, each “complete and continuous demanding day of training” requires the contractor to provide a scenario and materials to set scenario conditions in such a way that all UTL tasks may be accomplished. To set UTL CBRNE response conditions the contractor is not allowed to break down one scenario/ equipment to set up another; the exercise must be fluid. The scenario and exercise execution must also be of such rigor as to challenge full CST capabilities for the full exercise duration.

Please see A14 for more information on duration of the AK, Sitka STX.

2.2 Scenario Staffing

Q5. Are the three Emergency Medical Technicians to be used as SME role players? Or as on‐site real world medical support.

A5. The three EMT personnel will be used as on‐site real world medical support. This credentialing level and scope of practice is necessary as contractors are used as venue safety controllers. Due to the high heat stress training conditions necessary for a CST response scenario EMTs are needed to monitor CST personnel in their personal protective ensemble. EMTs are trained to recognize heat stress symptoms and provide immediate care to prevent heat stroke. EMT qualified personnel are also utilized for medical reachback SMEs and casualty play. To execute training requirements for CST medical personnel EMT level trained contractors, at a minimum, are required.

Q6. How many SMEs does the government require or desire to fulfill this myriad of requirements?

A6. The government requires the following contractor positions to be filled:

A. Incident Commander (person will have real world IC experience and ICS qualifications) B. EMT 1 Site safety (EMT qualification, ICS qualifications, HazMat Technician qualified) C. EMT 2 Entry team safety (EMT qualification, ICS qualifications, HazMat Technician qualified) D. EMT 3 Entry team safety (EMT qualification, ICS qualifications, HazMat Technician qualified) E. CBRNE SME (trained in chemical, biological and HME synthesis; HazMat Technician qualified)

Q7. Can the government please clarify the “medical reach‐back” requirement?

A7. Medical reach‐back through a contractor SME is required to execute the following:

A. Task 03‐5‐1014 Establish CST Medical Support

a. Performance steps

i. 1c. Establishes liaison with emergency medical resources to identify the elements of their coordinated response (such as casualty extraction, evacuation, and on‐scene trauma capabilities)

ii. 2b. Assesses WMD readiness of medical communities in the respective region and advises the commander.

iii. 4. Medical section uses a medical reach‐back system as required

iv. 4a. Maintains communications with the designated reach‐back SME.

v. 4b. Provides the reach‐back SME with information regarding on‐site and follow‐on medical elements.

B. Task 03‐5‐1015 Conduct CBRNE Analytical Functions

a. Performance steps

i. 9d. Present hazard identification in collaboration with appropriate

SMEs.

A contractor providing “medical reach‐back” must be able to effectively converse with the CST Physicians Assistant, Health Care NCO, Medical Operations Officer and Nuclear Medical Science Officer.

The scope of discussion (required per UTL) will include, but not be limited to, scenario patient CBRNE exposure symptoms, toxicology, clinical laboratory diagnostic testing results, prophylactic treatments, medical counter measures, CBRNE synthesis, health physics, and PPE selection.

Q8. Will HRF and CERFPEXEVAL contractor support meet the stated requirements for support to CSTEXEVALs?

A8. No, HRF/ CERFPEXEVAL support requirements differ from CSTEXEVAL support requirements. CST evaluation requires SME contractor support to create evaluation conditions for:

A. Task 03‐5‐1015 Conduct CBRNE Analytical Functions B. Task 03‐5‐1019 Conduct CST CBRNE Survey

HRF/ CERFP contractor support focuses requirements on mass casualty medical/ decontamination and search and rescue operations per T&EO. The hazard has already been categorized or identified.

CST evaluation, in contrast, requires support focusing on Identification and assessment of the hazard utilizing authorized specialized COTs equipment in conjunction w/ traditional military equipment.

Contractor SME support is required to assemble realistic synthesis and dissemination venues to allow full evaluation of CST tasks. HRF/ CERFP contractors do not necessarily have the SME knowledge, equipment and familiarity to execute CST evaluations.

Q9. Clarification required regarding the mid‐planning meeting. Is this a physical requirement of personnel or a teleconference requirement?

A9. Contractor, once contract is awarded, may participate by teleconference.

3.0 Place of Performance and 3.1 Target Site

Q10. Clarification required. Will Casualty role players (CRP) be required for each of the exercises? CRPs are normally paid employees of the contractor. Will the contractor be required to provide the CRPs, and if so how many for each exercise day? Or will the government be providing volunteer CRPs if required?

A10a. Guam CTE: No A10b. Guam TPE: No A10c. AK Sitka STX: Contractor must be prepared to provide 5 CRPs at contractor’s expense.

Q11. Will the contractor be required to identify a venue, facilities and buildings for each of the three exercises? Or will the government be identifying the buildings which the contractor will be required to modify?

A11. The contractor will be responsible to reserve a venue(s), facilities and buildings suitable for CST response training for each exercise (Guam CTE, Guam TPE, AK). The venue must meet the time requirements allowing sufficient time to set up the venue, execute training and then break down the venue. Contractor is responsible for venue modifications necessary to facilitate the evaluation.

Q12. How many port‐a‐potties are required for each exercise?

A12a. Guam CTE 2ea (male and female) A12b. Guam TPE 2ea (male and female) A12c. AK, Sitka 2ea per venue (male and female)

4.0 Period of Performance:

Q13. Since the SOW states the requirement for three 5‐day exercise periods, two in Guam and one in Alaska, can the government clarify if the stated PoP in this paragraph is correct? “On average, it is estimated that eleven (11) working days shall be needed to complete the tasks with seven (7) days for preparation of suitable chemical, biological, radiological, and explosives labs, two (2) days for execution, and two (2) days for clean‐up.”

A13. The statement is correct. To provide a venue with sufficient rigor to challenge and evaluate a CST takes on average 7 days. This time is needed to acquire materials, modify the venue to support the scenario, assemble lab processes, validate environmental chemical, radiological and biological instrument readings and rehearse role player injects. The “average” timeline is

A. T minus 7: Venue setup B. T minus 6: Venue setup C. T minus 5: Venue setup D. T minus 4: Venue setup E. T minus 3: Venue setup F. T minus 2: Venue setup, CST scenario synch meeting and safety brief (evaluation team) G. T minus 1: Complete Venue setup H. T execution: Conduct CST STX training I. T execution: Terminate exercise, initiate venue break down (partial day) J. T plus 1: venue break down K. T plus 2: AAR outbrief and training equipment shipping

Note: The exact time of exercise termination is variable dependent on CST progress through the training evolution. CSTs require sufficient time to complete all applicable UTL tasks and performance measures.

Contractor support is only complete when the CST has conducted termination operations and redeployed. In consideration of this the contractor should be prepared to sustain exercise support for 24‐36 hours dependent on exercise training objectives and design.

Q14. Also, how many operational exercise days are included in each 5‐day exercise period? Paragraphs

8.3 and 8.4 describe 36‐hours of continuous operations. Is that the actual operational period for each stated 5‐day exercise?

A14. Due to requirements set forth by NGR500‐3 CSTs are designed for continuous operations to at least

72hrs. To exercise this capability contractors should be capable of providing a sustained training environment; typically for up to 36 hours during a 5‐day exercise period. Due to high OPTEMPO CSTs typically can only budget a week at a time for STXs. Given this window 36 hours is a feasible and attainable training duration. A 36 hour exercise will encompass at least 2 work days.

CST evaluations are typically no longer than 24 hours. T&EO standards to not require a time limit be imposed on the evaluated team; only that they complete all applicable tasks and performance measures. Due to this a contractor should be prepared to sustain continuous exercise support for at least 24 hours to ensure the CST can be properly evaluated with no interruptions.

Q15. Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past?

If available, please provide the incumbent contract number.

A15. Unavailable

Q16. If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

A16. This is a new requirement.