+++ Amendment 005 has been posted. The response deadline is still November 5, 2013 at 1 pm. +++ +++ Amendment 004 has been posted. The response deadline is still November 5, 2013 at 1 pm. +++ +++ Amendment 003 has been posted. The resonse deadline is extended until November 5, 2013 at 1 pm. +++ +++ Amendment 002 has been posted. +++ +++ Amendment 001 has been posted and the primary point of contact for this requirement has been changed. +++ ++ The solicitation has been posted. In order to gain access you must complete the required form and request access. ++ ** A site visit has been scheduled. The solicitation package is under final review and is expected to be posted to this site in the next few days. See below for site visit information: L.1 SITE VISIT In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.237-1, Site Visit, the Government will host a site visit on September 16, 2013, 10:00 a.m. local time, at the U.S. Embassy Helsinki. This is not a pre-proposal conference. Any change to the date of the site visit will be published as an amendment on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) (https://www.fbo.gov). All potential offerors are encouraged to attend and become acknowledgeable of the sites in accordance with Section J, Exhibit A. Information provided at the site visit may not be available in the same level of detail to those potential offerors who do not attend the site visit. Due to security concerns, all Offerors must contact Contract Specialist Larry A. Pruitt Jr. at pruittla@state.gov and provide the name of the company and name(s) of individual(s), who will represent the company at the site visit, telephone numbers and email addresses. This information must be submitted for clearance no later than 15:00 Eastern Standard Time (local time) on September 13, 2013. Only two (2) representatives from each company will be allowed due to space limitations. On the date of the site visit, company representatives must present matching photo identification, i.e., a passport, driver's license, photo identification in order to be allowed access to the site visit. Anyone attempting to attend the site visit without prior clearance will be denied entry. No statements made by the Government at the site visit shall be considered to be a change unless an amendment is issued to the solicitation. Attendees may bring written questions to the site visit; however, it is required that an email follow-up be provided. (See L.9) Following the conference, the Government will post all questions and answers pertaining to the site visit and solicitation on https://www.fbo.gov. If an answer requires a change to the solicitation, the Government will issue a solicitation amendment, which will also be posted on https://www.fbo.gov. ** + Changed secondary point of contact. + ALL INTERESTED OFFERORS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN A RESTRICTED ACCESS REQUEST IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED ACCESS TO THE SOLICITATION AND ALL ASSOCIATED CONTENT ONCE THEY ARE POSTED. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has a requirement for a qualified Contractor to provide Local Guard Services at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, Finland. The U.S. Embassy Helsinki requires a secure environment to conduct their mission. The Contractor shall provide the organizational structure, management, and qualified staff at levels adequate to meet or exceed the requirement contained in the Performance Work Statement. The Contractor shall be required to provide services in a manner that prevent loss or injury to U.S. personnel, dependents, property; destruction of assets; to prevent unauthorized access; and deter potential terrorist attacks. Anticipated period of performance is one base year and four one-year options (to be exercised at the sole discretion of the Government). All contracted personnel, regardless of nationality, will be required to pass a background investigation conducted by the Contractor and a separate background investigation conducted by the U.S. Government to certify their suitability for employment under this contract. The approximate acquisition schedule is as follows: The synopsis will be posted for approximately 50 -100 days before the solicitation is posted. The solicitation and all associated documents will be viewable only to those parties who have been granted access to them. No paper copies will be mailed. Once the solicitation is posted on FedBizOpps, the offerors will have approximately forty-five (45) days to submit proposals. All dates are subject to change and any change will be posted on this site. A site visit is will be scheduled approximately two weeks after the solicitation is released at the U.S. Embassy and their facilities in Helsinki. A firm date of this site visit will be included in L.1 of the solicitation once released. Offerors are responsible for entry visa, all travel arrangements, local transportation, and accommodations in Helsinki. Due to space limitations, only two (2) representatives from each firm will be allowed for the site visit. Offerors are requested to provide notice of their interest in the solicitation (i.e., name of representative, name of firm, address) to Larry A. Pruitt Jr. at pruittla@state.gov. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. In accordance with 22 U.S.C. - 4864, the Government will give preference to offerors qualifying as U.S. persons or U.S. Joint Venture Persons. The contract will be awarded to the best technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price.
