Catholic Administrative Religious Education Coodinator

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides a clarification in response to a bidder's question regarding the contract's status.

• Question: Is this a brand-new contract, or is there an incumbent performing these services? If not brand new, please provide the current/previous contract number.
• Response: This is a brand-new requirement.

This clarification confirms that the opportunity represents a new requirement and does not have an incumbent contractor. This information is relevant for bidders assessing the competitive landscape and the nature of the requirement.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services to provide a Catholic Administrative Religious Education Coordinator at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Fort Jackson, SC. The role involves assisting the Catholic Chaplain and Priest in conducting religious education and pastoral life services.

• Provide Catholic Administrative Religious Education Coordinator services.

• Assist the Catholic Chaplain and Priest in religious education and pastoral life services.

• Services must comply with Roman Catholic Church guidelines, Archdiocese for the Military Services policies, Army Regulation 165-1, and Installation Chaplain Policies.

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Period: 1 March 2026 - 28 February 2027
  • Option Year 1: 1 March 2027 - 28 February 2028
  • Option Year 2: 1 March 2028 - 29 February 2029
  • Option Year 3: 1 March 2029 – 28 February 2030
  • Option Year 4: 1 March 2030 – 28 February 2031

• Quotes shall be submitted in electronic format via email to tesia.l.polk.civ@army.mil.

• The government anticipates award will be based on initial responses; vendors are encouraged to quote their most advantageous pricing.

• Questions Due: Tuesday, 20 January 2026, by 10:00 AM EST.

• Answers Posted: On or around Thursday, 22 January 2026, by 3:00 PM EST.

• Quotes Due: Friday, 23 January 2026, by 4:00 PM EST.

Not specified in this synopsis.

• The written solicitation is attached for all required information.
• Applicable attachments include: Performance Work Statement, ADDENDUM 52.212-1 (Instructions), ADDENDUM 52.212-2 (Evaluation), ADDENDUM 52.228-5 Insurance, 5152.233-4000 AMC-Level Protest, Wage Determination, and Fort Jackson Vetting Policy.
• Points of Contact: Tesia L. Polk (Contract Specialist) and Jason M. Fronden (Contracting Officer).

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide Catholic Administrative Religious Education and Pastoral Life Coordination services at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Fort Jackson, SC, supporting the Chaplain's Religious Support Program and ensuring the free exercise of religious preference for Soldiers, Families, and authorized civilians.

• Assist the Catholic Chaplain and Priest in conducting religious education and pastoral life services in accordance with Catholic Church guidelines, Archdiocese for the Military Services policies, Army Regulation 165-1, and Installation Chaplain Policies.

• Serve as a special resource person for program support functions.

• Consult and coordinate with the Catholic priest and Garrison Religious Support Office (RSO) personnel.

• Prepare and track documents such as facility reservation request forms, RE flyers, and attendance reports.

• Assist in preparing program materials, including copying, distributing supplies, and resetting spaces.

• Prepare liturgical documents and materials for Mass.

• Register and maintain the Catholic Chapel Community Census.

• Provide input for the Weekly Catholic Bulletin.

• Develop public announcements and advertisements for Garrison Catholic community programs.

• Assist in the preparation of AMS Quarterly Clergy reports.

• Maintain a monthly work log and submit invoices.

• Quality Control Plan (QCP) required within 10 workdays of contract award.

• Performance evaluated against the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and Performance Requirements Summary (PRS).

• Specific Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) are defined for each task, with consequences for non-compliance (e.g., payment withholding).

• Base Period: March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027

• Option Years: Four additional one-year periods through February 28, 2031.

• Place of Performance: Main Post Chapel, 4580 5th Division Avenue, Fort Jackson, SC 29207, and other locations as determined by the CMRP and in coordination with the COR and the primary Roman Catholic Priest.

• Contractor personnel must obtain Catechist certification from the Archdiocese for the Military Services within 90 days of contract award.

• Experience in military Catholic religious support programs is preferred.

• Contractor personnel must be computer competent in Windows-based operating systems and proficient with Microsoft Office software.

• Must possess the ability to present information orally and in written format.

• Must be able to work in a pluralistic environment and interact professionally with members of various faith groups.

• Compliance with security requirements, including background checks (Tier 1 with SCHR) for all personnel working with children under 18.

• Required training includes Anti-Terrorism (AT) Level I, OPSEC, iWATCH, Information Assurance (IA), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and Child Protection Training.

• Contractor shall safeguard all Government equipment, information, and property.

• Contractor shall establish and implement key control procedures.

• Contractor shall attend post-award conferences and periodic progress meetings.

• Contractor shall provide a Primary Point of Contact (POC) and an Alternate POC.

• Contractor shall provide a phase-in/phase-out plan 30 days prior to the end of the contracting period.

Amendment / Modification

This document is an addendum to Clause 52.212-1 Instructions for Solicitation W9124C26QA005.

• Submission of Offers: Specifies that only signed offers on SF 1449 will be accepted, either electronically or via mail to the addresses provided. Emailed proposals are only accepted to the specified addresses.
• Inquiries: Directs all inquiries to the Contract Specialist (Tesia Polk) with a courtesy copy to the Procuring Contracting Officer (Jason Fronden). Questions must be submitted by 10:00 AM on January 20, 2026, to allow for a response.
• Proposal Preparation: Outlines that proposals will consist of three volumes: General, Technical Proposal, and Price. Each volume has specific formatting and content requirements, including page limitations and numbering.
• Page Limitations: Details how pages are counted (including fold-outs and double-sided printing) and states that pages exceeding limits will be removed and not evaluated. Specific exclusions from page limits are listed (e.g., title page, table of contents).
• Electronic Copies: States that sound or video files are not to be embedded in proposal files.
• Glossary: Requires each volume to include a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms.
• Change Pages: Describes how changes to proposals will be marked if revisions are requested after initial submission.
• Proposal Content: Details the required content for each of the three volumes, including SF 1449, acknowledgments, representations, certifications, executive summary, exceptions/assumptions, and contact information for Volume I; a narrative approach to the PWS for Volume II; and a detailed pricing worksheet in Excel for Volume III.
• Pricing Proposal: Specifies that the pricing worksheet must be in Excel, not password-protected, and include unit prices and total amounts for each CLIN. It also requires a roll-up of calculations and addresses all costs, including fees and charges. A direct labor table is also required.

This addendum provides detailed instructions on how to prepare and submit proposals, including specific deadlines for questions and requirements for proposal content and format. Offerors must adhere to these instructions to ensure their proposals are considered.

Amendment / Modification

This document is an addendum to Clause 52.212-2, "Evaluations." It details the evaluation method and basis for award for the solicitation.

• Evaluation Method: The Government will use a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method.

• Basis for Award: A single Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) contract will be awarded to the LPTA offeror.

• Evaluation Factors: Proposals will be evaluated under three factors: Technical, Price, and Past Performance.

• Technical Factor: Evaluates the offeror's capability to meet minimum requirements and includes a narrative describing the approach to the scope of work outlined in the PWS. Specific requirements include attending meetings, providing calendars, preparing forms, formatting materials, collecting documentation, preparing liturgical documents, maintaining census, providing bulletin input, developing announcements, and providing essential documents. An effective quality control program must also be described. Ratings are "Acceptable" or "Unacceptable."

• Price Factor: The Price Submission will not be scored but will be assessed for reasonableness using FAR Part 13.106-3(a). The total proposed price, including base and option periods, will be used. The pricing worksheet must be in Microsoft Excel, with intact formulas and no links to external files. Offerors are not required to price the six-month period for FAR 52.217-8. Unbalanced pricing will be evaluated per FAR 15.404-1(g). Option prices will be added to the total price for award evaluation.

• Past Performance Factor: Assesses the offeror's probability of meeting requirements based on past performance. Data may be sourced from proposals and systems like PPIRS. Ratings are "Acceptable," "Unacceptable," or "Neutral" (considered acceptable if no past performance record exists).

• Offers must address all requirements to avoid rejection.

• The Government intends to award without discussions, so proposals should contain best terms.

• The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if deemed necessary.

• Offers that are missing required data or convey a misunderstanding may be rejected upon initial submission.

Amendment / Modification

This addendum provides specific insurance requirements in accordance with FAR clause 52.228-5, "Insurance – Work on a Government Installation."

This document details the required kinds and minimum amounts of insurance:

• Workmen's Compensation: Amount required by the State in which the contract is performed and Occupational Disease Insurance.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: $100,000.00
• Comprehensive General Liability Insurance for Bodily Injury: $500,000.00 per occurrence.
• Comprehensive Automobile Liability: $200,000.00 per person; $500,000.00 per occurrence for Bodily Injury; and $20,000.00 per occurrence for Property Damage.
• Medical Liability Insurance: $1,000,000.00 per occurrence / $3,000,000.00 in the aggregate.
• General Liability Insurance: Coverage written on a comprehensive form is required in the amount of $500,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury and $50,000 per occurrence for property damage. Deductibles shall not exceed (i) $10,000 per person or $25,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, or (ii) $10,000 for property damage.

Bidders should ensure their proposed insurance coverage meets or exceeds these minimum requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Service Contract Act, establishing minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in South Carolina. It serves as a reference for contractors to ensure compliance with labor laws when performing federal contracts in the specified area.

• Area: South Carolina Counties of Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, Saluda.
• Occupations: Lists numerous job titles categorized under broad headings such as Administrative Support and Clerical, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology, and more.
• Wage Rates: Provides specific hourly wage rates for each listed occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific details on Health & Welfare, Paid Sick Leave (EO 13706), Vacation, and Holidays are provided.
• Footnotes: Includes specific notes for certain occupations, such as Computer Employees and Air Traffic Controllers/Weather Observers, detailing applicability and special pay rates (e.g., night pay, Sunday pay, hazardous pay differentials).
• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for establishing wage rates for occupations not listed in the determination.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under a federal contract in the specified geographic area. Bidders must incorporate these wage and fringe benefit requirements into their proposals to ensure compliance and accurate cost estimation. Failure to adhere to these rates can lead to contract violations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Fort Jackson Contractor Vetting Policy" and includes several enclosures detailing procedures and forms related to contractor access and vetting on Fort Jackson.

• Policy Overview: Establishes procedures for vetting contractor employees requiring access to Fort Jackson and a DoD Common Access Card (CAC).
• Vetting Process: Details the Contractor Verification System (CVS) and the DES Standardized Contractor ID vetting program for temporary badges.
• Contractor Responsibilities: Includes requirements for prime contractors to provide contract data, be aware of the ICE IMAGE Program, and submit letters requesting contractor badges for their employees. Contractors must also verify employee social security numbers and ensure badges are displayed properly.
• DES Vetting Office Responsibilities: Outlines the process for vetting personnel, verifying information, scheduling badge issuance, and maintaining records.
• Legal Hiring: References Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding lawful employment verification.
• Enclosures:
  • Enclosure 1: Sample Contractor Identification Data Elements for Spreadsheet.
  • Enclosure 2: Information on the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) Mutual Agreement between Government and Employer (IMAGE) Program.
  • Enclosure 3: Sample Letter Requesting Contractor Badge.
  • Enclosure 4: Request for NCIC Check form.
  • Enclosure 5: Sample Request for Replacement Contractor Badge.

This policy is critical for any contractor seeking to perform work on Fort Jackson. Bidders must understand the requirements for obtaining contractor badges, the vetting process, and the legal obligations related to employee verification to ensure compliance and access to the installation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the AMC-Level Protest Program procedures. It provides guidance for interested parties who have complaints about a procurement and prefer to resolve them within the Army Materiel Command (AMC) before filing a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or another external forum.

• Primary Resolution: Encourages resolving concerns with the contracting officer first.
• AMC-Level Protest: Details the process for filing a protest directly with HQ AMC.
• Suspension of Action: Contract award or performance is suspended during an AMC-level protest, similar to GAO protests.
• Decision Goal: AMC aims to resolve protests within 20 working days.
• Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the periods specified in FAR 33.103.
• Filing Address: Provides the mailing address, room number, and fax number for submitting protests to HQ AMC.
• Email Submission: An email address is provided for protest submissions: usarmy.redstone.usamc.mbx.protests@mail.mil.
• FedEx/UPS: Specific instructions for packages sent via FedEx or UPS.
• Online Procedures: A URL is provided for accessing the full AMC-Level Protest procedures online.
• Alternative Contact: If internet access is unavailable, contact the contracting officer or HQ AMC for the procedures.

This document is crucial for bidders who may wish to protest aspects of a procurement. It informs them of the internal AMC protest process, including how and where to file, the expected timelines, and the effect on contract award or performance. Understanding this process can be an alternative to or a precursor to external protest filings.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (W9124C26QA005) for "Catholic Administrative Religious Education Coordinator" services. The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The core service is "Catholic Administrative Religious Education Coordinator".

• The document outlines various contract clauses and provisions that offerors must comply with, including those related to:

  • System for Award Management (SAM)
  • Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting
  • Representations and Certifications
  • Prohibition on contracting for certain telecommunications and video surveillance services/equipment
  • Small business program representations (including HUBZone, SDVOSB, EDWOSB, WOSB)
  • Buy American Act and Trade Agreements
  • Service Contract Labor Standards
  • Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations
  • Prohibition on contracting with entities engaging in certain activities relating to Iran
  • Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements
  • Service of Protest

• The solicitation is issued by W6QM MICC-FT JACKSON.

• The offer due date is January 23, 2026, at 04:00 PM.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 813110.

• The small business size standard is $13.0M.

• The contract is set aside for Small Business.

• The document includes multiple option periods, each for 12 months, extending the period of performance through February 28, 2031.

• Offerors must submit proposals by the due date of January 23, 2026.

• Evaluation criteria are detailed within the solicitation, including adherence to FAR clauses and representations.

• This acquisition is a Small Business set-aside.

• The document includes a comprehensive list of FAR and DFARS clauses incorporated by reference and in full text.

• It also details various addenda and attachments, including a PWS, instructions, evaluation criteria, insurance, wage determination, and vetting policy.