Solicitation Questions and Answers 12639523Q0220.docx

Questions and Answers Solicitation 12639523Q0220 USDA/APHIS Import Broker Services Mexico Questions Received by July 12, 2023

Question 1:

The pupae and Tamarixia come from the APHIS lab in Edinburg, Texas, in two shipments per week; shipments need to be inspected at the border point of entry by the SAGARPA authorities in Mexico. What POE (bridge) will be needed to coordinate the documentation delivery and will it be on the US/Mexico border?

Answer 1:

As outlined in the SOW section 2.4 TASKS and 2.6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE, Importation Services need to be provided at the Mexican Point of entry, according to the needs of the Mexican fruit fly program. Importation permits need to be delivered to a USDA employee at the Mexican Point of entry, Pharr International Bridge. All work shall be performed at the Mexican Point of Entry. The entry point required for the USDA shipments is Pharr International Bridge. No alternatives will be considered.

At the following address the first inspection of documents and material is conducted: 1101 E. Produce Road, Hidalgo Texas USA, the crossing is through the Pharr bridge, another inspection will be made if the traffic light touches Red, by the Mexican customs agents.

Question 2:

Regarding the services of a broker agency, in order to obtain the necessary permits to import the goods/products (in this case the Pupae and Tamarixia) complying with the Mexican regulations. Will the government allow these broker services to be subcontracted "In-house" or will a joint venture be required to comply with the solicitation?

Answer 2:

The contractor services require the proper authority provided by the Mexican government to act as a broker for importation in accordance with Mexican customs law. Contractors are responsible for determining if they have the capability or authority required to provide the Mexican import services and how to meet the requirements of the statement of work. The USDA is seeking contractor services to perform import broker services to obtain the import permits complying with the Mexican regulations of SAGARPA and SAT (Mexican IRS).

Question 3:

Will all shipments arrive Monday - Friday during normal business hours or are weekend shipment arrivals also included in the scope?

Answer 3:

Shipments will always arrive from Monday to Friday at normal business hours. Note: The shipments of pupae and Tamarixia are not sent together. Some weeks they will arrive together, but many weeks will arrive separately, not on the same day. Shipments will not always arrive at the same time each week. The USDA has a schedule for sending the shipments and generally sends them the same day each week, but this is subject to change.

The contractor shall deliver the importation permit to the USDA employee importing the Pupae and Tamarixia Radiata to Mexico.

Question 4:

Please provide a breakdown of historical Transportation cost associated with this type of shipment

Answer 4:

The vendor does not pick up the Sterile Pupae or Tamarixia Radiata, the USDA transports both items and is responsible for transportation costs. The contractor service only requires import broker services to obtain the permits for importation of the Sterile Pupae or Tamarixia Radiata into Mexico in accordance with Mexican customs law.

Question 5:

What is the harmonized code?

Answer 5: The program personnel that are the points of contact for this import broker acquisition looked through the Mexican import documents and can’t find any reference number that states a Harmonized Code. The Harmonized Code isn’t something the agency is familiar with nor does the USDA currently have this information or recognize that term. They also stated they haven’t provided any such number in the past and but believe this is likely something that the broker agency would determine.

The contractor services require the proper authority provided by the Mexican government to act as a broker for importation in accordance with Mexican customs law.

Question 6:

What kind of transportation is needed? Transportation type; Box Truck, Reefer van etc.?

Answer 6: No transportation is required from the vendor to provide broker services for this solicitation. The USDA transports the pupae and Tamarixia Radiata in their vehicles. This acquisition is solely for broker services. The vendor act as a broker for importation in accordance with Mexican customs law and must work with the proper authorities in order to obtain the necessary permits to import the Sterile Pupae and Tamarixia Radiata to comply with the Mexican Regulations.

Question 7:

Approximately what’s the best estimation of the weight for each load?

Answer 7:

Sterile Pupae: It depends on the number of boxes, currently there are 5 with an approximate weight of 50 kg per box, but we can bring up to 10, 15 or 20 boxes.

Tamarixia Radiata: There is a maximum of 4 coolers with an approximate weight of 15 kg per cooler.

Question 8:

What’s the time and distance between the destinations (zip code to zip code) between Texas and Mexico?

Answer 8: As noted above, the USDA transports the Sterile Pupae and Tamarixia Radiata and is responsible for the cost of transportation.

Sterile Pupae: 25 miles, with inspections by SENASICA Government of Mexico and Mexican Customs Inspection, the estimated time is two hours.

Tamarixia Radiata: 50 miles, with inspections by SENASICA Government of Mexico and Mexican Customs Inspection, the estimated time is four hours.

Question 9:

Pick up origin

Answer 9: The vendor does not pick up the Sterile Pupae or Tamarixia Radiata, the USDA transports both items. The contractor service only requires import broker services to obtain the permits for importation of the Sterile Pupae or Tamarixia Radiata into Mexico in compliance with Mexican customs laws. For each shipment. the contractor is responsible for delivering the importation permits to the USDA employee at the Mexican point of entry.

Location the USDA picks up the Sterile Pupae: USDA APHIS PPQ, 1101 E Hackberry Ave. Suite 300 McAllen TX 78501 Location the USDA picks up the Tamarixia Radiata: The address where we bring the pupae from is 22675 N Moorefield Rd, Edinburg, TX 78541

Question 10:

Destination

Answer 10: The address where the USDA delivers the Sterile Pupae and Tamarixia Radiata is listed on the 1449 of the solicitation and is as follows: Carretera Reynosa to Matamoros Km 79 Brecha 102 Reynosa Tamaulipas Mexico Zip Code 88501

Question 11:

Type of containers; How is the freight packaged

Answer 11:

Sterile Pupae: Boxes; Tamarixia Radiata: Coolers

Question 12:

Number of containers

Answer 12:

Sterile Pupae: Depends on the season and production, it can range from 5, 10, 15 and 20 Tamarixia Radiata: 4 Coolers

Question 13:

Weight of each container

Answer 13:

Sterile Pupae: 50 kg; Tamarixia Radiata: 15 kg

Question 14:

Total weight of all containers

Answer 14:

Sterile Pupae: 250 kg, 500 kg, 750 kg and up to 1000 kg Tamarixia Radiata: 60 kg

Question 15:

Pick up date / Delivery Date

Answer 15: Note: As outlined in the SOW, because the pupae and tamarixia radiata are LIVE and could be damaged if the importation is not completed rapidly, often within less than 1 hour after arrival at the border, the import broker is required for meeting each shipment at the border to complete the importation requirements.

Sterile Pupae: Once a week (Wednesday), Tamarixia Radiata: Once a week (Thursday)

Question 16:

Desired mode of transportation

Answer 16:

The vendor does not pick up the Sterile Pupae or Tamarixia Radiata, the USDA transports both items in a reefer van. The contractor service only requires import broker services to obtain the permits for importation of the Sterile Pupae or Tamarixia Radiata into Mexico.

Question 17:

Is the shipment considered hazardous?

Answer 17:

No

Question 18:

Contact information for all concerned parties

Answer 18:

The points of contact are listed in the SOW section 2.7 GOVERNMENT CONTACTS. All questions and communication for the solicitation and acquisition process must go through the contracting officer.