Responses to Vendor Questions – RFQ 19NL8026Q0007

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Responses to Vendor Questions – RFQ 19NL8026Q0007

MSG Cook Services, The Hague, The Netherlands

Notice: Close of Question Period

Issued: August 10, 2026 at 12:45 hours (local time)

The Government thanks all prospective Offerors for their thoughtful questions regarding RFQ 19NL8026Q0007, MSG Cook Services, The Hague, The Netherlands. The responses below represent the Government's final answers to all questions received to date.

Please be advised that the question period for this solicitation is now closed, and no further questions will be accepted. Offerors should rely on the solicitation package, as clarified by this Q&A document, in preparing their final quotations.

Quotations remain due by August 20, 2026, at 1700 hours (local time), submitted electronically to TheHagueContracts@state.gov in accordance with the instructions in the solicitation letter and Section 3.

The Government appreciates the diligence shown by all prospective Offerors in preparing thorough, well-informed submissions.

Page references to the solicitation package (RFQ 19NL8026Q0007) are provided beneath each response for traceability.

Question 1 – Availability of Kitchen Photographs, Floor Plan, and Government-Furnished Property Inventory (Rephrased from: "Would the Government kindly provide photographs, a floor plan or dimensions of the MSGR kitchen and dining areas...")

The Government is unable to provide photographs, floor plans, or dimensions of the MSGR kitchen and dining areas due to security concerns associated with the Marine Security Guard Residence (MSGR). The pre-quotation site visit scheduled for August 5, 2026, per Provision 52.237-1 (Site Visit), did not take place, as no prospective Offerors expressed interest in attending. Offerors must rely on the written description provided in the solicitation, including the Government Furnished Property/Equipment inventory at Attachment 2 ("all cooking pots, pans, and kitchen utensils and equipment as per attached"), together with the Performance Work Statement, to assess equipment adequacy for proposal purposes.

Solicitation citations: Attachment 2 (Government Furnished Property), page 28; Section 3, Provision 52.237-1 (Site Visit), page 47.

Question 2 – Minimum Staffing Requirements for the MSG Detachment Cook Position (Rephrased from: "Does the Government anticipate service being delivered by a single on-site cook...or is additional support staff...expected or permitted...")

The Performance Work Statement identifies the MSG Detachment Cook as the sole Key Personnel position (Section 4.5.1). The Contractor is responsible for furnishing "all managerial, administrative, and direct labor personnel that are necessary to accomplish the work" under the contract (Section 1.0, Scope of Work). The Government does not mandate a specific staffing structure; Offerors may propose additional support staff (e.g., a kitchen helper) as needed to fully meet the requirements within their firm-fixed monthly price.

Solicitation citations: Section 1.0 (Scope of Work), page 8; Section 4.5.1 (Key Personnel – Position and Function), page 11.

Question 3 – Anticipated TDY Headcount Beyond the Standing Detachment (Rephrased from: "Beyond the standing detachment of up to eight (8) Marines, what are the typical and maximum numbers of TDY personnel...")

Section 3.0 (Locations for Food Services) confirms the Contractor shall provide food services for up to eight (8) MSG personnel and shall accommodate additional Temporary Duty (TDY) personnel at no additional cost to the Government. For planning purposes, Offerors should anticipate a not-to-exceed range of up to four (4) additional TDY personnel during surge periods, beyond the standing eight-person detachment. Because this solicitation is for food preparation services only — and not the procurement of ingredients or supplies, which remains a separate Government-managed process under Section 1 (Prices) — any increase in MSG personnel supported during TDY periods, up to this maximum, will not result in additional cost to the Contractor. Offerors should build sufficient flexibility into portioning and menu planning to accommodate periodic increases above the standing detachment.

Solicitation citations: Section 3.0 (Locations for Food Services), page 9; Section 1 (Prices), page 5.

Question 4 – Existence of a Budgetary Ceiling for Ingredient Purchases (Rephrased from: "As the Government purchases ingredients from the contractor's weekly shopping list, is there a budgetary ceiling, per-person allowance, or historical monthly spend...")

The solicitation does not establish a fixed budgetary ceiling or per-person ingredient allowance. Per Section 1 (Prices), the Contractor provides a weekly ingredient shopping list, which the Government (through the Marines) purchases and delivers to the MSGR. This is a Government-managed process separate from the Contractor's firm-fixed monthly price for labor and services. No historical monthly spend figures are being released as part of this solicitation.

Solicitation citations: Section 1 (Prices), page 5.

Question 5 – Confirmation of Set-Aside Status (Rephrased from: "Could you please confirm the set-aside status of this acquisition...")

This acquisition is unrestricted. No set-aside applies, per Block 10 of the SF-1449. 

Solicitation citations: SF-1449, Block 10, page 3.

Question 6 – Applicability of the Section 5000C Excise Tax (Rephrased from: "Please confirm whether the 2% excise tax under 26 U.S.C. 5000C applies to this award, or whether a treaty-based exemption may be claimed...")

Per the Zadroga Act notice in Section 1 and Provision 52.229-11 in Section 5, payments under this contract may be subject to the 2% excise tax under 26 U.S.C. 5000C unless the Offeror is a U.S. person or qualifies for an exemption. The Netherlands currently maintains an income tax treaty with the United States that may provide a basis for exemption from this excise tax. However, regardless of treaty eligibility, any foreign-person Offeror seeking to claim an exemption must still submit a completed IRS Form W-14 with its quotation. If the form is not submitted, the Government will withhold the full 2% from each payment, per FAR 52.229-11(e)(2).

Solicitation citations: Section 1 (Zadroga Act Notice), page 5; Section 5, Provision 52.229-11(e)(2), pages 52–53.

Question 7 – Confirmation of Weekday-Only Meal Service (No Weekend Coverage) (Rephrased from: "Please confirm whether any weekend (Saturday/Sunday) coverage is expected...")

Per PWS §1.2.2 and Attachment 1, meal service is scheduled Monday through Friday, 0700–1800 hours, on a 20-weekday menu cycle. The solicitation does not require any weekend (Saturday/Sunday) coverage. Service is limited strictly to the five weekday service periods described in the meal service schedule.

Solicitation citations: PWS §1.2.2, page 8; Attachment 1, page 22.

Question 8 – Nationality and Work-Authorization Eligibility of the Proposed Cook (Rephrased from: "Could the Government clarify whether the position may be filled by a Third Country National (TCN), or whether it must be a local national or EU/Netherlands-authorized worker?")

The U.S. Government does not provide guidance, direction, or assistance regarding the nationality classification (e.g., Third Country National, local national, or otherwise) of Contractor personnel. Ensuring that all personnel hold valid host-nation work authorization and any required licenses or permits is the sole responsibility of the Contractor, consistent with Attachment 1 (Licensing, Laws, and Regulations) and Clause 652.242-73 (Authorization and Performance).

Solicitation citations: Section 4.4.1 (Personnel Security), page 12; Attachment 1 (Licensing, Laws, and Regulations), page 20; Clause 652.242-73 (Authorization and Performance), page 43.

Question 9 – Availability of Government-Provided Documentation to Support Visa/Work-Permit Sponsorship (Rephrased from: "What written support is the Government prepared to provide to assist with a Netherlands employment (work/residence) permit...")

The U.S. Government does not, in any capacity, provide letters, documentation, or other written support to assist Contractor personnel or prospective employees with work-permit, residence-permit, or visa sponsorship. Obtaining all necessary immigration and employment authorizations remains the sole responsibility of the Contractor, consistent with Clause 652.242-73 (Authorization and Performance).

Solicitation citations: Clause 652.242-73 (Authorization and Performance), page 43.

Question 10 – Government Preference Between a Sponsored TCN and a Locally Authorized Hire (Rephrased from: "Alternatively, should the Government prefer, we are equally able to source a chef who already holds local employment authorization...")

The solicitation does not express a Government preference between a locally authorized hire and a sponsored Third Country National placement. The Offeror may propose either staffing approach, provided the individual(s) proposed hold all licenses, permits, and work authorizations required under host-nation law, per Attachment 1 (Licensing, Laws, and Regulations) and Clause 652.242-73 (Authorization and Performance). As noted in the response to Question 10, securing such authorization is the Contractor's sole responsibility.

Solicitation citations: Attachment 1 (Licensing, Laws, and Regulations), page 20; Clause 652.242-73 (Authorization and Performance), page 43.

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