The U.S. Department of State, Office of Acquisition Management intends to issue a solicitation for security services; facilities operation, maintenance and repair, food and medical services for the U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan, in April 2006. PLEASE NOTE THIS SOLICITATION IS NOT READY TO BE ISSUED AS OF THIS DATE. The closing date for receipt of initial offers shall be 60 days after release of the solicitation. The Period of Performance will be for one (1) base year, with four (4) one-year options. Security services are required to prevent loss or injury to U.S. personnel, dependents, property; destruction of U.S. assets and prevent unauthorized access or potential terrorist attacks. Duties will include, but not be limited to, restricting entry of unauthorized personnel, operation of walk-through metal detectors, hand-held detectors, electronic and hydraulic barriers, utilization of working dogs and dog handlers for the detection of explosives or explosive devices, and special monitoring devices. This will be an armed program with weapons provided by the Government. In addition to security services, the Contractor shall furnish complete medical services, supplies, medicines, etc., for its employees. Vehicles and local transportation shall also be required to transport contractor personnel to and from worksites. Several Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) will be required to respond to emergency situations. The ERTs will be comprised of U.S. citizens and/or/Ex-Pats. The term - Ex-Pat is defined a native of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The Contractor will be required to price optional services for complete life support to include, but not be limited to, the operation, maintenance, repair, janitorial, laundry and gardening services for the residential camp, which house the guard force and other support personnel. The Contractor will also be required to price optional services for complete food (i.e., purchase, storage, preparation, catering). These support services will be provided as overhead managerial and administrative support. The Contractor's personnel shall reside in the Government's residential camp. The Government will provide furnished residential housing, medical clinic office space, exercise equipment, a dining hall and vehicle maintenance facilities. Except for the Screeners/Interpreters, all security personnel must be U.S. Citizens, expatriates native to English-speaking countries (EXPATs), or Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) from non-native English-speaking countries that do not pose a security risk. Each TCN must possess a Level 3 language proficiency, which requires an ability to speak English with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectually in most formal and informal conversations or practical, social, and professional topics. Offerors may inquire about security risks by specific countries during the Question and Answer (Q&A) period of this procurement. It is important to note that some of the Government-furnished equipment, as well Contractor-furnished equipment, is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) with respect to exports of defense articles and provision of defense services. Therefore, it is critical when offering under this solicitation that each offeror be familiar with all requirements prior to offering under this solicitation. Refer to the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls website at www.pmddtc.state.gov for more information. Go to - Reference Library/Site Map. The annual number of hours for standard services for all labor categories is estimated to be 1,300,000 hours. Clearance Requirements The Contractor will be required to have a Top Secret facility clearance issued by the Defense Security Services (DSS) in accordance with DOD Industrial Security Manual at the time an offeror submits its proposal. Offerors will be required to furnish proof of their facility clearance, i.e., address of the facility granted the clearance matches the address of the entity making the offer. Firms without a current facility clearance, joint ventures, and non-U.S. firms are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the requirements for obtaining a facility clearance at www.dss.mil/isec/pcl_index.htm. Offerors should take particular note of the guidelines regarding the eligibility of firms under Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) at www.dss.mil/isec/FOCIFAQs.htm. Individual contractor personnel must also be cleared according to the position they staff. As identified in the solicitation, key personnel will be required to have a Top Secret clearance. All others, regardless of nationality, will be required pass a background investigation conducted by the Contractor and a separate background investigation conducted by the Government to certify their suitability. Preference to U.S. Persons In accordance with 22 U.S.C. - 4864, the Government will give preference in awarding this contract to offerors qualifying as U.S. persons or U.S. Joint Venture Persons and award the contract to the technically acceptable, responsible offeror with the lowest evaluated price. Offerors are advised, however, that firms who are eligible for a facility clearance may not necessarily qualify for U.S. preference since the facility clearance and U.S. preference requirements are completely separate. Offerors must meet the requirements in Section K of the solicitation. Pre-Proposal Conference and Site Visit The pre-proposal conference and site visit to the U.S. Embassy and its facilities, Kabul, Afghanistan, is tentatively scheduled for 28 April 2006. A firm date will be announced at the time the solicitation is posted. The U.S. Embassy's business hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time). Once offerors arrive in Kabul, please contact the Assistant Regional Security Officer during office hours at 070-108-001 or 070-108-002, extension 4934 or 8312, to confirm their arrival and participation. Further information will be provided at time of solicitation release. Offerors are prohibited from bringing weapons into the camp or the embassy, and are responsible for wearing their own protective gear. Travel to Kabul Offerors are responsible for entry visa, travel, local transportation, and accommodations in Kabul. Due to space limitations, only two representatives from each firm will be allowed for the conference and site visit. The solicitation, when finalized, will be available on the Internet at www.fedbizopps.gov. Firms are requested to provide notice of their interest in the solicitation (i.e., name of representative, name of firm, address) to Steve Rogers at
contact@example.gov or via fax at
+1 (555) 000-0000. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Offerors will have the opportunity to submit questions after the conference and site visit. All announcements and amendments made to the solicitation will be posted at www.fedbizopps. To receive updates, click on - Register to Receive Notification.
