Attachment 3 - Vendor Questions and Answers.pdf

1232SA26Q1050

Attachment 3 – Vendor Questions & Answers

Q1.) Should we provide a separate per-pickup price for each tier listed in the SOW and then calculate the annual SF1449 price using the estimated 50 pickups per year?

A1.) Yes

Q2.) Should each base and option-year CLIN show an annual total, with a separate pricing schedule listing per-pickup prices for 1–49, 50–99, and 100–500 trays and a separate per-pallet price? How should mixed tray-and-pallet loads be billed?

A2.) Yes, the CLIN should show an annual total. Recommend using the estimated pickups to determine your pricing but do one total.

Q3.) Should pricing be submitted as unit rates (for example, per tray and per pallet) consistent with the Statement of Work?

A3.) How ever you want to price it. Normally it is priced per pickup which includes x number of pallets and each additional would be x price.

Q4.) Should offerors provide a single total price for each Contract Line Item (CLIN) on the SF- 1449 for the base period and each option year?

A4.) Yes

Q5.) For pallet shipments, is the rate charged once per scheduled pickup regardless of the number of pallets, or separately for each pallet? If a pickup includes both trays and pallets, would both rates apply?

A5.) Normally it is priced per pickup which includes x number of pallets and each additional would be x price.

Q6.) Are the estimated 200 pallets and 50 pickups per year planning estimates only, with no guaranteed minimum volume?

A6.) That is correct.

Q7.) Can you confirm whether the historical 126 pallets and 32 pickups represent one 12-month period and whether the prior contract’s awarded unit-price schedule is available?

A7.) Yes, that volume represents a one-year period. Prior Purchase Order is 1232SA25P0186.

Q8.) Has a single pickup ever required more than one box truck or more than one trip?

A8.) Yes, normally it is only one truck. On a rare occasion a second trip or truck is needed

Q9.) Please provide the loading-dock dimensions and confirm any liftgate, vehicle-capacity, insurance, background-check, badging, or USPS access requirements.

A9.) The docks are standard dock height and width. A semi or standard box truck is required. A moving truck like a Uhaul will not work because the bumper sticks out too far and the truck is too low.

Q10.) Regarding Section D of the Statement of Work, which states that the Government will request service two days in advance, could you please clarify the preferred method of submitting pickup requests (e.g., email, telephone, or another method)?

A10.) Email is the preferred method to schedule pickup requests.

Q11.) Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) at Pickup: The SOW requires the Contractor to provide a pallet jack for unloading at the USPS facility. Please clarify if the Government provides a pallet jack for use during the loading process at the 9700 Page Ave.

pickup location, or if the Contractor-provided pallet jack must be used at both sites.

A11.) The contractor shall provide their own pallet jack for both sites.

Q12.) USPS Delivery Performance Standards: Regarding delivery to 1720 Market St., please clarify if "delivery" is complete once the vehicle is unloaded at the USPS dock, or if personnel are required to transport mail trays to a specific internal point within the Post Office.

A12.) Delivery is complete when USPS has taken possession of the palletized mail - requires check in with USPS at first dock and transportation/unloading at 2nd dock for final delivery.

Q13.) Same-Day Cancellation Policy: Section D of the SOW states the Government may cancel a service request one day in advance without a fee. Please clarify the Government's policy regarding cancellations made on the same day as a scheduled pickup and whether a "dry run" or minimum arrival fee would be applicable.

A13.) Vendors can add a CLIN for same day cancelations in their quote.

Q14.) Confidentiality Certification (ADM-004): The SOW requires all drivers and mail handlers to sign the USDA-NASS Confidentiality Certification annually. To ensure technical acceptability, please clarify if these signed forms must be included in the initial proposal submission for proposed personnel or if they are required only post-award during the onboarding process.

A14.) These do not need to be signed prior to submission. They just need to be signed prior to the first pickup.

Q15.) Historical Pick-up Frequency: While the Government assumptions estimate 50 pickups per year, the actual historical data shows a range of 1 to 6 pickups per month. Can the Government clarify if there are specific "peak seasons" or if the "2 days in advance" notice applies equally to high-volume requests (e.g., 24 pallets) to ensure the Contractor can guarantee the 4:00 PM delivery deadline?

A15.) The peak season is from November through June. 2 days in advance still applies.

Q16.) Are there any changes in the previous scope to new one?

A16.) No.

Q17.) Are there any post-award submittals that we should be aware of? If so, could you please provide the relevant information?

A17.) No.

Q18. Should contractors use the Driver Courier classification at $19.50 per hour plus the applicable health-and-welfare amount, or must drivers operating the required box truck/bobtail be classified as Truckdriver Light or Medium?

A18.) Use the Wage Determinations

Q19.) May a small-business prime perform the physical transportation through a committed St.

Louis small-business courier or owner-operator subcontractor while retaining full management and contractual responsibility? If so, are there self-performance limits or subcontractor documents required with the quotation?

A19.) If a vendor is planning to sub a sustainable amount of work, the prime will need to provide details on how they will manage the sub and if they have a commitment from the sub to work if the vendor gets the award.

Q20.) Please also confirm the official quotation-submission email and whether the required package consists of the signed SF1449, pricing schedule, technical approach, and past-performance information.

A20.) The vendor is to provide a signed SF1449 and amendments, pricing for each line items, technical acceptability, and past-performance information.