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Q&A 10272022: Also see updated draft PWS attached.

Question 1. Section 2.0 and Section 5.0 of the PWS are contradictory. Section 2.0 stifles fair and open competition by naming the only acceptable Accreditation Body as ANAB.

Answer 1: Reference to ANAB was removed from the PWS.

Question 2. The complexity and risk ratings as stated and described in IAF MD 5 are not stated in the PWS. These ratings are known to the Environmental Office for ISO 14001 and the Safety Office for ISO 45001, and the incumbent Certification Body, Orion Registrars. They must be included in the PWS. Please refer to IAF MD 5 pages 24 thru 33.

Answer 2: The PWS was revised to show a high complexity rating.

Question 3. The PWS indicates that the three (3) management systems are integrated. Integrated systems have one system for document and record control, one management review covering all three standards, and one internal audit program covering all three standards. Please verify and confirm that the statement in the PWS is accurate. The answer impacts audit duration.

Answer 3: PWS was updated to clarify the integration of the three systems.

Question 4. The headcount stated in the PWS is 580 federal employees. The headcount working within the scope of each management system must include full time, part time, and contracted personnel. In addition, it is unlikely that the headcount would be identical for each standard. For example, depots and arsenals typically have tenant activities and GOCO operations which do not fall under the Commands ISO 9001 QMS. However, these activities do fall under the Safety and Environmental. Therefore, the headcount will be different for each standard.

Question 4: Pine Bluff Arsenal is a GOGO with no tenants that support us in section 2.0

Question 5. Areas of non-applicability for the ISO 9001 standard are not stated. There could be one or more areas of non-applicability including design and development (8.3). This answer impacts the technical and price proposal and would be known by the incumbent Certification Body, Orion Registrars.

Answer 5: There are no areas of non-applicability. Pine Bluff Arsenal does not design or develop any product.

Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI) is investigating the market capability to provide ISO Auditing Services at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Please See Attached "PBA ISO Services - Draft". Responses to this Sources Sought shall be provided as described herein. Interested parties shall submit responses in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or Adobe Acrobat. Responses shall be limited to 2 pages with Arial font greater than or equal to 12 pt.

PART I: Company Information

1. Organization Name (if organization has experienced name changes, please list previous names used)

2. Address

3. Primary point of contact and phone number

4. Company SAM Unique ID and Cage code

5. Business Classification / Socio-Economic Status (e.g., large, small, 8(a), women owned, hub-zone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned) for NAICS Code: 541611

6. Positive assertion indicating registration in the System for Award Management database (https://www.beta.sam.gov/)

7. Brief overview of Products and Services provided

8. Relevant experience and any other information you deem relevant to this notice.

All submissions, written comments, or questions shall be submitted to Larry Owens, larry.w.owens4.civ@army.mil, and John Fotos, at john.g.fotos.civ@army.mil no later than 1300 Central Standard Time, on 31 October 2022. Please ensure the Subject Line Contains the following: PBA ISO Services

This is a request for information ONLY. No solicitation will be issued at this time. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no cost or obligation to be incurred by the U.S. Government.

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