Armed guard service

Amendment 2: Q&A Follow-up

Q: What classification of "armed guard" is required for this solicitation?
A: The offeror may choose the classification based on their proposal.  The two common classifications are Guard I or Guard II.

NOTE: This is the LAST amendment that will be offered for this solicitation before offers are due.  No further questions will be answered.  The due date is firm and will not be changed.

Amendment 1: Q&A Follow-up

Q: Is there an incumbent contractor at this time & Who is the current contractor and their address?
A: No information about the current contractor will be provided.

Q: Does USDA require a Utah Security Agency license, or is there a reciprocal agreement with out-of-state licensed companies?
A: The State of UT requires that a Security Guard Company be licensed in the State of UT, and the USDA does too.  There are no reciprocal agreements.

Q: What is the anticipated time frame for performing the prospective employee background check once names are submitted to your office?  
A: There is no specific time frame - Homeland Security does the checks and the time varies.

Q: Is sub-contracting authorized for this solicitation?
A: This is a total small business set aside, a small business sub-contracting plan is not required, and sub-contracting would be authorized.

Q: If a guard has to be at the Front desk at all times then the patrol would have to be done by another person. If that's the case what is the required time for the patrol during the 9 1/2hrs shift?
A: There is no requirement in the solicitation that the front desk be covered at all times, the requirement is that the PREMISES be covered during the entire time frame.  The term "station" may be being mis-interpreted as referring only to the front desk.  It is properly interpreted as the PREMISES.

Q: Could services could be provided by Utah Peace Officers or does it have to be a private security firm?
A: Yes, Utah Peace Officer may provide the service or a private security firm.  There is no requirement for one or the other.

This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for Armed Guard Services for the USDA facility located @ 2222 West 2300 South in Salt Lake City, Utah.  This facility is a two (2) story building and grounds housing several government entities.  This request is for facility armed guard services from 7:00 AM through 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday for the period of January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 excluding Federal Holidays.  There is only one guard station for the building.  The Service Contract Act applies to this request and the wage determination(WD) # 2005-2531, Rev, 10, dated 6/21/2010 applies.  A text version of the WD is attached to this solicitation for your use.

The Government intends to offer a firm-fixed price purchase order for these services.

The selected offeror will be required to clear a federal government background check for any/all individual(s) performing these services.

All interested offerors should respond with a quote.  The quote may be e-mailed to jacque.lacroix@slc.usda.gov and/or amy.penechar@slc.usda.gov or the quote may be faxed/mailed.  E-mail is the preferred method of receipt.

Several Questions may be asked:
Q: What are the specific duties that the guard will handle?
A: There are three main areas of concern:  1) Check-in and direct (as needed) Government Employees and Visitors; 2) Check secured areas throughout the premises; 3) Co-ordinate with facility managers on security issues as they may arise.  There may be other issues that arise as the job progresses, but they would be addressed as needed.

Q: How many guards?
A: As many as the offeror decides it will take to cover the time period requested.  There is only one guard station at the building entrance and it may only take one person to cover it.

Q: Is it desired that the guard be the same person each day?
A: As long as the time period 7:00 AM through 4:30 PM is covered, how it is covered is up to the offeror.

Q: The hours of operation indicate a 9 1/2 hour work day.  Is there a way for the guard to have a lunch break within that period of time?
A: See previous answer.  The station must be covered during that time period.

Questions of general interest will be answered through amendments to this combined synopsis/solicitation.  It is suggested that interested parties check back often.