U.S. Marshals Service, Business Services Division, 600 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

R -- EXPLOSIVES DETECTION WORKING DOG TEAMS SOL MS-99-Q-0006 DUE 121098 POC Betty P. May (703) 416-8966 The purpose of this notice is to amend the previous notice dated 11/10/98. This amendment changes the due date for responses to 12/10/98, and answers questions noted below. Q: Would the USMS favorably consider a Search Letter from the SBA to enter into a sole source procurement with an (8a) Small Disadvantaged Business? A. The requirement is issued as a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. Q: Will Handlers be required to carry firearms? A: No. Handlers will not be performing a law enforcement function. Once explosives are detected, the USMS will assume responsibility. Q: Will the Government consider the past performance of the offeror's proposed canine handler, the management personnel assigned to run the program, and the proposed canine(s) past certification level and/or past performance as corporate past performance? A. Yes, to the extent that it proves that the handlers and dogs meet the stated solicitation minimum standards. Q: Will the Government accept and consider in their evaluation for award the resumes of the offeror's proposed handler personnel in the assessment of past performance? A: Yes. Q: We note that the Service Contract Act is incorporated by reference. Will the Government provide the appropriate Wage Determinations for the geographic areas (Northeastern United States) upon which the offers quote must be based? A: Services are considered professional services and not subject to the Service Contract Act. Referenced clauses are hereby deleted. Q: Is there a designated SIC code for this procurement? A: Yes. It is 7389, Business Services N.E.C. Q: Does the Government require an overtime hourly rate? If so, can the Government provide an estimate of the overtime hours to be worked, and the anticipated place(s) of performance of this overtime? In the event that work increases to 24 hours per day, will additional teams be required to augment the core team(s)? A: No to both questions. Q: Is there a designated home base location (or locations) for these teams? A: Currently, the primary place of performance is in New York City (lower Manhattan). Depending on unknown circumstances, this is subject to change. Q: Does the Government intend to provide transportation for the teams at the assigned locations of performance? If not, will the procurement of such transportation be a reimbursable expense? A: The teams will arrive by their own means at the place of performance. If the USMS determines that the handlers are needed elsewhere the USMS will provide transportation and/or per diem in accordance with Federal Transportation Regulations. Q: Is it the intention of the Government that the canines be take-home dogs? A: The USMS will not house the canines. When the canine team's shift ends, he/she and the canine will leave the place of performance. Q: If the answer to the previous question is No, will the Government reimburse the contractor for year round kennel spaces at selected locations? A: Any additional costs must be incorporated in the offeror's hourly rate. Q: In order for teams to maintain proficiency in explosive detection techniques, the teams must have access to a variety of training devices and areas, such as aircraft airframes, vehicles of various types and configurations, and public spaces such as airport baggage handling areas. Additionally, the teams must have access to various odor-producing materials, such as: C-4, Flex-X, TNT, Water Gel, Symtex, Commercial Dyn, Black and Smokeless Powder, Prima Cord/DT Cord, Sodium Chlorate, and Potassium Chlorate. Does the Government intend to provide these items as GFM/GFE? If not, will the Government reimburse the Contractor for the licensing, provision, storage and transportation, and safeguarding of these materials? A: No. The USMS is not providing anything in the way of training or assistance to the vendor to maintain the handler or canine's certification. This is the responsibility of the vendor. The USMS may, however, verify the canine's working ability by having an on-site EOD tech test the dog's responsiveness to the materials listed by the vendor. Q: Is the reimbursement of ODCs for Government-directed travel and/or Government- specified materials included in the contract price ceiling of $5 million? A: No. Travel and materials will be reimbursed at cost on an as needed basis. Q: Does the acquisition threshold of not greater than $5,000,000.00 include the entire period of performance? (From date of award through each contractual year up to and including the final period of October 1, 2002 -- September 30, 2003). A: Yes. Q: Is there any anticipated date of award? A: The anticipated date of award is January, 1999. Q: What time frame is anticipated from the date of the award to the actual implementation of the teams? A: Approximately 1- 2 weeks. Q: Is insurance required? A: Yes. The contractor shall acquire and maintain at his expense during the entire contract performance period adequate insurance. Insurance coverage shall, at minimum, provide the following: (1) $10,000 per canine per incident; and (2) General public liability insurance covering all duties, services, and work to be performed under this contract in the amount of not less than $2,000,000. Posted 11/25/98 (W-SN274945). (0329)

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