0001 Attachment C QA from Pre-Proposal Conference January 29 2020 191S7019Q0007.pdf

19IS7O19Q0007 00001

ATTACHMENT C

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED AT THE PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

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Question #1 Is the rate requested is sections I of the pricing inclusive of all warehouse services stated in the solicitation?

Answer #1: Apart from Temporary services as detailed in the solicitation the rate requested in sections I of the pricing of section 1 to the solicitation are inclusive of all warehouse services stated in the solicitation.

Question #2: Are the quantities specified in Section 1 pricing actual quantities to be received if awarded a contract?

Answer #2: No, all of the quantities specified in section 1 pricing to the solicitation are estimates only. If awarded a contract the awardee shall only be guaranteed the minimum specified in section 1.G of the solicitation.

Question #3: Is there a requirement to clean outgoing items before delivery?

Answer #3: Section 1.I.8.9 of the solicitation states; “All outgoing assets must be dusted and cleaned including household furniture (except for residential wood furniture), appliances, lamps, office furniture, and office equipment prior to the time of issuance.”

Question #4: How will the storage CBM that is priced out be calculated?

Answer #4: The storage space as stated in section 1.I.8.1 of the solicitation is calculated as shelf space.

Question #5: Is the cubic meters of storage space calculated as net or Gross?

Answer #5: Section 1.I.8.1 of the solicitation states; “ The gross warehousing storage space must be large enough to provide 2,500 cubic meters of storage space”. As a result, the calculation is done as

Gross.

Question #6: Are there any periods during the year considered high season?

Answer #6: Estimated quantities stated in the solicitation should be considered throughout the year and there is no high season for warehouse service. High season for delivery services would be between the periods of May - September.

Question #7: Would it be possible to receive dimensions of items being received?

• Answer #7: Yes, the contractor shall receive dimensions of items to be received upon request.

Question #8: Would it be possible to move delivered items with motorized equipment?

Answer #8: Yes, section 1.I.8.3 of the solicitation states, “ The contractor, in performing receiving operations as described in this section, shall only be responsible for the physical unloading, unpacking, repacking, and placing of items received by GSO into their designated warehouse spaces by utilizing motorized and manual equipment to safely handle material”

Question #9: Of the estimated 2,500 CBM that needs to be stored, how much will be furniture and personnel effects?

Answer #9: All of the items needed to be stored at the warehouse facility shall be furniture and personnel effects.

.Question #10: How many locations does the Government presently have in Be’er Sheva as it pertains to line items III?

Answer #10: Currently the Government maintains less than 10 properties at any given time in

Be’er Sheva.

Question #11: Who is responsible for the installation of appliances upon delivery?

Answer #11: It is the contractor’s responsibility for the installation of appliances upon delivery, as section 1.I.6.2. of the solicitation states, “the contractor shall place all designated items in the residences as prescribed by GSO staff”. GSO Staff will instruct the contractor on which appliances need to be installed to the property electrical and gas lines.

Question #12: Will there be any same day requirements for delivery services?

Answer #12: No, all order requests shall be in strict adherence to the performance standard as stated in section 1.I.8.11 of the solicitation.

Question #13: Will the Government pay the full amount of CBM utilized per month for storage services?

Answer #13: Yes, Section 1.A.4.1 states, “.The Government will pay the Contractor a fixed price per cubic meter per month for Standard Services that have been satisfactorily performed.”

Question #14: Who is responsible for obtaining a work visa for the Program and Deputy

Program Managers if they are American Citizens who are not Israeli Citizens?

Answer #14: Clause 652.242-73 in section 2 of the solicitation states, “(a) The Contractor warrants the following:

(1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do business in the country or countries in which this contract will be performed;

(2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits required to perform this contract; and,

(3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor standards, and regulations of said country or countries during the performance of this contract.

(b) If the party actually performing the work will be a subcontractor or joint venture partner, then such subcontractor or joint venture partner agrees to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this clause.”

This applies to all work visa’s required for the program and deputy program manager

Question #15: Do the minimum and maximum amounts refer to each option year?

Answer #15: Yes, section 1.G states, “This is the contract minimum for this period of performance and for each option year” ,and, “This is the contract maximum for this period of performance and for each option year”.

Question #16: Does the warehouse facility have to be completely climate controlled?

Answer #16: Yes, section 1.I.8.1 of the solicitation states, “ The facility shall be dry, well-ventilated, clean, and free from dust, insects and rodents, have adequate fire protection, and are accessible for routine inspection. The facility shall be climate controlled (35 - 75 °F (10 – 23 °C) with 55% relative humidity or less), with the availability to receive, store, and account for equipment, appliances, supplies and materials as required by the Embassy”.

Question #17: Are shower facilities needed at the proposed warehouse?

Answer #17: Yes, section 1.I.10.3 states, “ Other services shall include, Exclusive use of clean, sanitary, and comfortable locker room and shower facilities”.

Question #18: Do toilets have to be in the storage area or on the general property premises?

Answer #18: Access to toilets as requested in section 1.I.10.53 of the solicitation may be in the general property premises as long as there is easy access to the facilities.

Question #19: Is there a specified transition period from the award of the contract and its actual implementation?

Answer #19: Subsection I.13 (Transition Requirement and Continuity of Service) has been added to the solicitation. See this Amendment 00001.

Question #20: Since the Government estimates 25 -30 deliveries during the summer peak season, is the total estimate of 50 per each location (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv) to low?

Answer #20: Estimated quantities for CLINS II in the pricing section of the solicitation are just estimates and will remain as is.

Question #21: What is the total period of performance for the awarded contractor?

Answer #21: Section 1.A.5 of the solicitation states, “ The contract will be for a one-year period from the date of the contract award, with four (4) one-year options for renewal”. If all the options are exercised, then the contract shall be for a maximum of five (5) years.

Question #22: What is the meaning of $5,000 minimum for Temporary services as stated in section 1.A.3.2?

Answer #22: The $5,000 states in section 1.A.3.2 has been revised. See this Amendment 00001.

Question #23: Will it be possible to revise the working days of the solicitation to Sunday -

Thursday?

Answer #23: No section, 1.I.3 of the solicitation defines a working day as, “Monday through

Friday on each non holiday workday”.

Question #24: Does the 700 square meters of open floor space as described in I.8.1.7 refer to both holding and receiving space?

Answer #24: Yes. The 700 square meters is needed for all services described in section I.8.1.7, which includes an area for both holding (in case of auctions) and receiving.

Question #25: What is meant by, “Repacking and cleaning of opened containers and crates as needed.” As stated in section 1.I.8.4 of the solicitation?

Answer #25: section 1.I.8.4 of the solicitation states, “Repack and clean opened containers and crates as needed after inspection of received items by GSO staff” which refers to the returning of furniture in the containers after inspection by the GSO Staff.

Question #26: What is the performance standard of delivery a 50 CBM or over delivery?

Answer #26: In accordance to section 1.I.8.10 of the solicitation, “ All outgoing items will be delivered the same business day if the request is received before 11:00 and before the close of the next business day if received after 11:00”.

Question #27: What is the annual maximum amount of work off of this solicitation?

Answer #27: In accordance to section 1G of the solicitation, “ During the contract period, the amount of all orders shall not exceed NIS 2,500,000. This is the contract maximum for this period of performance and for each option year”.

Question #28: Does the contractor’s electronic inventory system need to be compatible with the

Government’s electronic inventory system?

Answer #28: The solicitation does not require the contractors electronic inventory system to be compatible to the Government’s system.

Question #29: What type of Bar Codes does the Government presently use?

Answer #29: The Government presently uses QR bar codes

Question #30: Is the contractor required to participate in the annual inventory counts for the

Government?

Answer #30: Section 1.I.8.12.6 of the solicitation states, “ A comprehensive inventory shall be performed once annually between October 1 and March 15. This will be coordinated well in advance. The designated inventory schedule shall be provided a minimum of 4 hours prior to the performance of inventory activities”. In addition section 1.I.12.8 states, “.Upon request, the

Contractor may be asked to provide or support on-the-spot inventory counts, with no notice, to the Government”.

Question #31: Are pack outs of personnel effects included in the solicitation?

Answer #31: No, pack out of personnel effects are not included in the services of the solicitation requirements.

Question #32: Is the contractor required to supply cranes and lifts when required?

Answer #32: Yes, section 1.I.9.1 of the solicitation states, “The Contractor shall provide all vehicles necessary for the performance of this contract”. There is only a very small amount

(approximately 10%) of deliveries that would require cranes and lifts as most locations have access to elevators.

Question #33: Are wardrobes delivered as part of the furniture items and if yes, who is responsible for their installations?

Answer #33: Delivery of wardrobes rarely occur and when they occur, the contractor would not be tasked in installing the wardrobe.

Question #34: Are welcome kits (pre-packaged items) included in the items to be delivered?

Answer #34: Welcome kits (pre-packaged items) are included in furniture and personnel effects to be delivered, however the kits will be prepared in advance by the Government without the aid of the contractor.

Question #35: Would it be possible to reduce the insurance level requirements and better define them?

Answer #35: Yes. See this Amendment 0001.

Question #36: Is it possible to make use of large storage vaults for the purpose of the storage as outlined in the solicitation?

Answer #36: All storage requirements offered must meet all of the standards as outlined in

Section 1.I.8.1 (Warehousing and Storage Services) of the solicitation.

Question #37: Are the climate control temperatures outlines is section 1.I.8.1 of the solicitation correct?

Answer #37: No. See this Amendment for correction.

Question #38: Are there any limitations for the location of the warehouse facility, other than the distance from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv?

Answer #38: Section 1.I.1.1 of the solicitation states; “This facility must be located not further than 70 kilometers from the U.S. Embassy, which is located at 14 David Flusser St. Jerusalem and the U.S. Embassy Branch Office Annex located at 11 Galgalai Haplada St. in Herzliya

Pituach.”. In addition, sections 1.I.8.1 and 1.I.8.12.8 of the solicitation state that Government

Personnel must have access to the facility and the facilities location must meet this requirement.

Question #39: What is considered a level of security which reasonably deters unauthorized entry during regular and non-duty hours as requested in section 1.I.11.1? Does the requirement stated in section 1.I.11.7, regarding 24/7 manned security guards as well as a fire and smoke detection and sprinkler system, become the level required?

Answer #39: Section 1.I.11.7 of the solicitation will be removed from the solicitation. See the

Amendment 0001. Any security system that is shown to reasonably deter unauthorized entry as stated in section 1.I.11.1 will suffice.