Audit & Accreditation Services for Mexican Correctional Facilities

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation 19AQMM26Q0109 for Prison Audit & Accreditation (INL Mexico).

• Evaluation Factors: The evaluation factors in Section M have been corrected and are consistent with Section L, as detailed in Amendment 0001.

• Technical Proposal - Resumes: Offerors must provide resumes for all proposed visiting committee auditors. Resumes should demonstrate required qualifications and experience, be no more than one page each, and a maximum of five resumes should be submitted. Resumes do not count against page limitations.

• Performance Monitoring Visit (PMV): The PMV is to be included as a task within CLIN X001 (Facility Audits and Accreditation). The government will reimburse VAT costs in accordance with Section C.2 of the solicitation; there is no mechanism to waive VAT at the time of transaction.

• VAT Reimbursement: The USG in Mexico will reimburse contractors for VAT costs as per Section C.2. Contractors must provide all necessary documentation for reimbursement.

• Amendment 0001 has been issued to correct evaluation factors.

• Section L has been revised to include additional language and formatting requirements for resumes.

• Performance Monitoring Visits (PMVs) have been separated into independent line items (CLINs) with extended periods of performance, as detailed in Amendment 0003 and updated Attachment 2. This addresses concerns about aligning PMV costs with the period of performance and accurately capturing costs for previously audited facilities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price matrix for the "Audit & Accreditation for Mexican Correctional Facilities" opportunity (Solicitation Number 19AQMM26Q0109 A0003). It requires bidders to provide firm fixed pricing for various CLINs across a base year and three option years.

• Pricing Structure: All prices are Firm Fixed Price (FFP). Travel expenses must be included within the FFP and will not be billed separately. Value Added Tax (VAT) and Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance are treated as pass-through FFP direct reimbursements, contingent on contractor compliance and documentation.
• Completion Requirements: Bidders must complete all yellow cells on the "Price Matrix" sheet with FFP quotes for each service type during the base year and each of the three option years. The sheet is protected, allowing input only in yellow cells.
• CLINs: The matrix details pricing for CLINs including Facility Audits and Accreditation (X001), Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs) (X002), Audit Reports (X003), Panel Hearings (X004), Quarterly Performance Reports (X005), Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Reports (X006), VAT (X007), DBA Insurance (X008), Annual Project Plan (0009), and Performance Monitoring Visits (PMVs) (X010).
• Automatic Calculation: Totals will be automatically tabulated based on the entered price quotes.

This price matrix is critical for bidders to understand the cost structure and provide their quotes. Only complete price quotes will be considered compliant and evaluated. Bidders must ensure all yellow cells are filled accurately to comply with solicitation requirements. Review Section C.3 for specific VAT process details.

Statement of Work (SOW)

The objective of this effort is to enhance prison conditions in Mexico by achieving compliance with the International Core Standards developed by the American Correctional Association (ACA). This involves evaluating Mexican correctional facilities through audits and providing technical assistance to improve security, management, and inmate programs.

The contractor shall provide all labor, services, materials, and equipment necessary to perform audits and technical assistance for the accreditation and re-accreditation of up to forty (40) Mexican federal and state correctional facilities annually. This includes:

• Performing audits based on ACA standards covering administration, management, physical infrastructure, operations, services, and inmate programs.

• Conducting three (3) technical assistance visits (TAVs) per year.

• Executing Performance Monitoring Visits (PMVs) as required.

• Providing technical assistance for clarification on policies and procedures.

• Selecting and assigning qualified visiting committee auditors with specific experience in correctional settings and the ACA accreditation process, including Spanish language proficiency.

• Preparing audit reports in both Spanish and English.

• Reviewing and responding to plans of action for non-compliance.

• Conducting panel hearings.

• Providing translation services for all relevant documents and reports.

• Coordinating all travel and accommodation for personnel.

• Submitting a Project Management Plan (PMP) and quarterly project reports.

• Up to forty (40) facility audits per year.

• Three (3) technical assistance visits (TAVs) per year.

• Audit reports to be completed within ten (10) business days of the visit.

• Responses to plans of action within ten (10) business days of receipt.

• Deliverables must be timely, complete, and of high quality, with no more than one complaint per month.

• Late deliverables will result in negative Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) ratings.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year plus three (3) option years.

• Place of Performance: State or federal prisons within Mexico for audits and TAVs; conference centers in the U.S. or virtually for panel hearings.

• Auditors must have at least five (5) years of correctional experience and three (3) years of ACA accreditation process experience.

• At least one auditor per visit must be a Spanish speaker (Level 4) with English Level 1.

• Auditors must be culturally sensitive and respectful of Mexican customs.

• All personnel must comply with U.S. Embassy security requirements and U.S. Department of State travel restrictions.

• All documentation and reports must be delivered in electronic format in Spanish and English and become the property of the U.S. government.

• Firm-fixed price contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price matrix and instructions for completing pricing for the "Audit & Accreditation for Mexican Correctional Facilities" opportunity (Solicitation 19AQMM26Q0109-A0002).

• Pricing Structure: All prices are Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP). Travel expenses must be included within the FFP and will not be billed separately. Value Added Tax (VAT) and Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance are treated as pass-through FFP direct reimbursements, contingent on contractor compliance and documentation.

• Completion Instructions: Offerors must complete all yellow cells on the "Price Matrix" sheet with FFP quotes for the base year and three option years. The sheet is protected, allowing input only in yellow cells, with totals automatically calculated.

• CLINs: The matrix details CLINs for Facility Audits and Accreditation (X001), Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs) (X002), Audit Reports (X003), Panel Hearings (X004), Quarterly Performance Reports (X005), Monitoring & Evaluation Reports (X006), VAT (X007), DBA Insurance (X008), and Annual Project Plan (009).

• Deliverables: Specific deliverables and their associated quantities and periods are outlined for each CLIN.

• Compliance: Offers must have all yellow cells completed to be considered compliant and eligible for evaluation.

• Pricing Strategy: Bidders must ensure their FFP quotes encompass all costs, including travel. The matrix requires detailed pricing for each CLIN across the base and option years.

• Evaluation: The "TOTAL PRICE FOR EVALUATION" will be calculated based on the entered quotes. Incomplete quotes will not be evaluated.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0002) to solicitation 19AQMM26Q0109 makes the following changes:

• Attachment Update: Provides a corrected Attachment 2, the Price Matrix. Quoting firms must use this updated version.

• Clarification on Page Limit: Clarifies that Past Performance Information Forms are not included in the 15-page limit for technical quotes. Section L.1 has been updated to reflect this.

• RFQ Extension: Extends the closing date and time for the submission of quotations to March 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST.

• Attachment 2 (Price Matrix)

• Section L.1 (Quotation Preparation Instructions)

• The deadline for submitting quotations has been extended to March 26, 2026, 5:00 PM CST.

• Offerors must use the corrected Attachment 2 Price Matrix.

• Past Performance Information Forms do not count towards the technical proposal page limit.

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

The objective of this effort is to enhance prison conditions in Mexico by achieving compliance with the International Core Standards developed by the American Correctional Association (ACA). This involves evaluating and accrediting/re-accrediting up to forty (40) Mexican federal and state correctional facilities annually.

The contractor shall provide all labor, services, materials, and equipment necessary to perform audits and provide technical assistance for the accreditation and re-accreditation of Mexican correctional facilities by the ACA. This includes:

• Conducting audits to assess administration, management, operations, services, physical infrastructure, and security conditions.

• Selecting and assigning qualified auditors with specific experience in correctional settings and the ACA accreditation process, including Spanish language proficiency.

• Providing technical assistance for clarification on policies and procedures.

• Preparing audit reports in Spanish and English.

• Reviewing and responding to plans of action for non-compliance.

• Conducting panel hearings.

• Performing technical assistance and monitoring visits as needed.

• Translating relevant documents into Spanish.

• Coordinating all travel and accommodation for personnel.

• Up to forty (40) facility audits per year.

• Three (3) technical assistance visits (TAVs) per year.

• Audit reports and other required documentation must be delivered in Spanish and English within specified timeframes (e.g., 10 business days after audit completion).

• A Project Management Plan (PMP) must be submitted annually.

• Quarterly Project Reports detailing activities, progress, and planned actions are required.

• A Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report is required quarterly.

• Timely submission of deliverables is critical; late submissions can result in negative Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) ratings and may affect the exercise of option years.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year plus three (3) option years.

• Place of Performance: State or federal prisons within Mexico for audits/TAVs; conference centers in the U.S. or virtually for panel hearings.

• Auditors must meet specific qualifications, including at least five (5) years of correctional experience and three (3) years in the ACA accreditation process, with preference for experience in Mexico.

• Auditors must be culturally sensitive and possess a valid passport.

• All personnel must comply with U.S. Embassy security requirements for travel within Mexico.

• All documentation and reports generated become the property of the U.S. government.

• The contractor is responsible for quality control; the government will conduct quality assurance.

• This is a firm-fixed-price contract.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "19AQMM26Q0109 Prison Audit & Accreditation (INL Mexico)" solicitation.

• Evaluation Factors: The evaluation factors in Section M have been corrected and are consistent with Section L. This correction is detailed in Amendment 0001.

• Resumes: Offerors must provide resumes for all proposed visiting committee auditors. These resumes should demonstrate the auditors meet the qualifications and experience outlined in Section 5 of the SOW. Resumes must not exceed one page each, and five resumes must be submitted. They do not count towards the overall page limit.

• Performance Monitoring Visit (PMV): The ACA requires a PMV between the 18th and 24th month post-audit to ensure continued accreditation. This PMV should be included as a task within the pricing for "Facility Audits And Accreditation" (Line Item X001).

• The solicitation's evaluation factors have been amended.

• Specific requirements for auditor resumes and their submission have been clarified.

• The inclusion of a Performance Monitoring Visit (PMV) as a priced task has been confirmed.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 19AQMM26Q0109 makes the following changes:

• Provides Questions and Answers (Q&A): The amendment includes the Q&A document that was accompanying the original solicitation.

• Updates Clause 52.212-2: This clause, related to evaluation factors, has been updated to include evaluation factors that were inadvertently omitted when a deviated provision was previously included.

• Modifies Section L: Instructions for the submission of resumes with proposals have been added to Section L.

• Revises SOW Attachment 1: Changes have been made to SOW Attachment 1 to align with the Q&A. Specifically:

  • Requirements for COR approval of new auditors post-award have been added.
  • It is noted that Audits (Task 001) should include the Performance Monitoring Visit (PMV) in alignment with ACA standards.

• Solicitation Document

• Clause 52.212-2

• Section L

• SOW Attachment 1

• The amendment provides Q&A, which may impact how offerors prepare their proposals.

• Updates to Section L add resume submission instructions.

• The effective date of this amendment is March 2, 2026, and the solicitation amendment number is 0001. The original solicitation date was March 13, 2026.

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

To enhance prison conditions in Mexico by achieving compliance with the International Core Standards developed by the American Correctional Association (ACA), through audits and re-accreditation processes.

• Perform audits to evaluate Mexican prisons seeking accreditation or re-accreditation by the ACA.

• Assess facilities based on ACA standards, covering administration, management, operations, services, physical infrastructure, and security conditions.

• Provide all necessary services, logistics, and equipment for the contract.

• Conduct up to forty (40) audits per year.

• Perform three (3) technical assistance visits (TAV) per year.

• Auditors must meet specific qualifications, including Spanish language proficiency, correctional experience, and ACA accreditation process experience.

• Auditors must be culturally sensitive and possess valid passports.

• Prepare visiting committee reports in Spanish and English within ten (10) business days of the visit.

• Respond to non-compliance standards plans within ten (10) business days.

• Submit quarterly project reports and an annual Project Management Plan (PMP).

• Deliverables must be submitted electronically in Spanish and English.

• Contract period: One (1) base year plus up to three (3) one-year option years.

• Place of performance: State or federal prisons within Mexico for audits/TAVs, and U.S. conference centers or virtually for panel hearings.

• The contractor is responsible for all labor, services, materials, equipment, transportation, and supervision.

• All documentation and reports become the property of the U.S. government.

• Confidentiality of information is required, and dissemination of work products requires prior written authorization.

• A Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan (QASP) will be used to monitor contractor performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Information Questionnaire (PPIQ) intended for use by the government to gather feedback on a contractor's performance. Bidders may be asked to provide this to their past performance references.

• Sections for the responder to fill out their contact information and details about the contract being reviewed.
• A rating scale from 0 (Unsatisfactory) to 4 (Outstanding), with options for Not Applicable (NA) and Don't Know (DK).
• Specific questions covering various aspects of contractor performance, including:
  • Meeting milestones and submitting deliverables
  • Adherence to schedules and cost performance
  • Accuracy of invoices and reasonableness of pricing for changes
  • Key personnel performance and ability to recruit staff
  • Project management system effectiveness
  • Trend in contract performance
  • Teaming/partnering and integration with other contractors
  • Execution of the Statement of Work
  • Responsiveness to technical direction
  • Subcontract management and transition effectiveness
  • Regulatory compliance and corporate support
  • Quality assurance and human resources management
  • Cooperation with stakeholders
• Overall assessment and a "Would you hire this Company again?" question.
• A section for additional comments.

This questionnaire is a tool used by the government to evaluate a bidder's past performance. Bidders should be aware of the types of questions asked and the performance areas assessed, as this information will likely be used in the evaluation of their proposals. Understanding these criteria can help bidders prepare their past performance references and ensure they are highlighting relevant experience.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Past-Performance Reference Information Form. It is designed to collect detailed information about a contractor's performance on previous contracts. Bidders will likely need to complete this form to provide references for their past work as part of their proposal submission.

The form requests the following information for each reference:

• Government agency or commercial firm details (name, address)
• Contract details (number, type, dates, value)
• Work description and scope
• Technical, Contracting, and Environmental Regulator points of contact
• Information on consultants, partners, and subcontractors
• Current status of the contract

This form is crucial for bidders to document their past performance. The instructions emphasize describing the nature and scope of the work, its relevance to the current acquisition, and any performance issues or successes. Completing this form accurately and thoroughly will be essential for demonstrating capability and meeting evaluation criteria related to past performance.

Solicitation

This solicitation is for "Audit & Accreditation Mex. Correctional Facilities" services. The government is procuring auditing services for federal and state correctional facilities in Mexico. The contract will be a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, following FAR Part 12 and FAR 13 procedures, under NAICS code 611430.

The scope of work includes:

• Facility audits and accreditation in accordance with ACA standards.

• Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs).

• Preparation of audit reports with recommendations.

• Conducting and attending panel hearings.

• Quarterly performance reports.

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) reports.

• Annual project plans.

• Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance.

• Value Added Tax (VAT) in Mexico.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: Base Year (June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027) plus three one-year option periods.

• Option Year 1: June 1, 2027 - May 31, 2028

• Option Year 2: June 1, 2028 - May 31, 2029

• Option Year 3: June 1, 2029 - May 31, 2030

• Offers are due by March 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST via email to ModrakER@state.gov.

• Quotations must be submitted as Adobe .pdf files.

• Technical quotations have a 15-page limit (excluding resumes, which are limited to 2 pages each). Relevant Corporate Experience is limited to 2 pages.

• Evaluation will be based on technical merit (more important than price) and price.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• The government will provide identification and access to the Government of Mexico (GOM) correctional facilities, and schedule audits/visits.

• The contractor must separately price VAT and DBA insurance.

• Performance will occur in Mexico and potentially U.S. conference centers for panel hearings.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price matrix for the "Audit & Accreditation for Mexican Correctional Facilities" opportunity. It outlines the required pricing structure for various CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) across the base year and three option years.

• Pricing Basis: All prices are Firm Fixed Price (FFP). Travel expenses must be included within the FFP and will not be billed separately. Value Added Tax (VAT) and Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance are treated as pass-through FFP direct reimbursements, contingent on contractor compliance and documentation.
• Completion Instructions: Offerors must enter their FFP quotes in the yellow cells on the "Price Matrix" sheet. The sheet is protected, allowing input only in these designated cells. Totals will auto-calculate.
• CLINs: Includes CLINs for Facility Audits and Accreditation, Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs), Audit Reports, Panel Hearings, Quarterly Performance Reports, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Reports, VAT, and DBA Insurance.
• Deliverables: Specific deliverables and their associated timing are noted for several CLINs (e.g., audit reports, performance reports).

This price matrix is critical for bidders to understand the cost structure and to accurately prepare their quotes. Completing all yellow cells with FFP quotes is required for compliance and evaluation. Bidders must ensure their FFP quotes encompass all costs, including travel, and adhere to the specific requirements for VAT and DBA insurance as detailed in the SOW and this document.