Questions and Answers - Final.pdf

Solicitation 12639527Q0007 – Office Furniture & Installation Fresno, CA – USDA

1. Subcontractor Experience & Past Performance

Question:

May a prime contractor with no directly relevant furniture-installation history include its proposed subcontractor’s furniture delivery, assembly, and installation experience and references in the quotation? If so, how should those references be identified?

Answer:

The RFQ provides clear instructions on how experience and references should be presented. The Government will evaluate experience and past performance in accordance with those criteria.

Vendors are responsible for determining how to present their own experience and any experience they wish to attribute to a supplier or subcontractor. Vendors should review the solicitation and consult their internal contracting or legal team to ensure their submission aligns with RFQ requirements.

2. Finishes, Colors, Materials (Consolidated Q&A #1)

Question:

Are there any required or preferred furniture colors, finishes, materials, matching product lines, or aesthetic standards?

Answer:

There are no required or preferred colors, finishes, materials, or product lines for this requirement. Vendors may propose any commercially available office furniture items that meet the functional and dimensional requirements. Proposed items should be appropriate for a Government office-furniture environment. This approach provides flexibility and promotes competition.

3. Dimensions Above Minimum Requirements (Consolidated Q&A #4)

Question:

Where the specifications state “at least” a particular dimension, may larger furniture be proposed if it fits within the designated rooms and standard doorway access?

Answer:

Minimum dimensions represent the smallest acceptable size. Vendors may offer larger commercial sizes provided the minimums are met and the items can be safely delivered, installed, and placed in the designated rooms. Vendors are responsible for submitting reasonable, commercially appropriate quotes based on their professional judgment and the specifications in the RFQ.

4. Site Conditions, Access, and Restrictions

Question:

Are there any mandatory site visits or building access restrictions beyond what is listed in the

SOW?

Answer:

No additional restrictions currently apply. The facility is a single-story building with level access and a parking lot suitable for unloading.

5. Subcontractor Use for Installation (Consolidated Q&A #3 – Topic 1)

Question:

Does the agency require the prime contractor to perform any portion of the installation, or may a subcontractor perform delivery, assembly, placement, and packaging removal?

Answer:

The RFQ does not require the prime contractor to perform installation directly. A subcontractor may perform delivery, assembly, placement, and packaging removal under the prime’s supervision, provided all solicitation requirements are met. Vendors should review the RFQ and consult their internal contracting or legal team for compliance questions.

6. Applicability of the Nonmanufacturer Rule (Consolidated Q&A #3 – Topic 3)

Question:

Does the Nonmanufacturer Rule apply to this procurement, and does any SBA waiver apply?

Answer:

It is the vendor’s responsibility to review the solicitation and determine whether the Nonmanufacturer Rule applies to their quotation. Vendors should carefully review all clauses and provisions and consult with their internal legal or contracting team regarding compliance. The Government does not provide interpretation on behalf of vendors or determine applicability for them.

7. Country of Origin, Buy American, and FTA Requirements (Consolidated Q&A #3 – Topic 4)

Question:

What country-of-origin requirements apply, and what documentation must be submitted?

Answer:

The solicitation includes FAR 52.225-3 and 52.225-4. Vendors must ensure all proposed end items comply with the requirements of those clauses and must provide the required country-of-origin certifications in accordance with the solicitation. Vendors should consult their internal contracting or legal team to determine how these clauses apply to the products they intend to offer. The Government does not verify or interpret these requirements for vendors.

8. Dealer Authorization & Use of Furniture Manufacturers (Consolidated Q&A #3 – Topic 2)

Question:

May a small-business prime quote furniture sourced through a dealer and use a subcontractor for installation? Are any dealer authorizations required?

Answer:

Yes. A small-business prime may source furniture through a dealer and subcontract installation.

Vendors are responsible for ensuring they meet all solicitation requirements, including any dealer authorization necessary for the items proposed. Vendors should review relevant clause+s and consult their internal contracting or legal advisors for compliance.

9. Past Performance Submissions (Consolidated Q&A #3 – Topic 5)

Question:

May the Government consider the experience or references of a supplier or subcontractor? How should experience be attributed when the prime has no past performance?

Answer:

The RFQ clearly describes how past performance and experience will be evaluated, including Neutral Confidence ratings for offerors without relevant past performance. Vendors should follow the instructions in the RFQ and determine how to present their submission. Vendors should consult their internal contracting or legal advisors to ensure their quote aligns with the solicitation requirements. The Government does not interpret or advise vendors on how to classify or attribute their past performance.

10. Quote Submission Method

Question:

Should quotations be emailed to the address listed in the RFQ?

Answer:

Yes. Quotes must be submitted to Mario.Garcia2@usda.gov.

11. File Cabinet Type

Question:

Please confirm whether the requirement is a 2-drawer lateral file cabinet at least 32 inches wide.

Answer:

Confirmed. The requirement is for a 2-drawer lateral file cabinet at least 32" wide that accommodates letter and legal files.

12. Delivery & Installation Timeframe

What is the required delivery and installation completion timeframe?

Answer:

Per Section 6.0 of the SOW, delivery, assembly, installation, and placement must be completed within 90 calendar days of award.

13. Brand-Name-or-Equal Clause

Question:

Is this solicitation brand-name-or-equal?

Answer:

The inclusion of FAR 452.211-70 was an error and has been removed.

14. Furniture Placement & 5-Tier Bookcase Quantity

Question:

Please confirm controlling furniture schedules and the placement of the 5-tier bookcase.

Answer:

The final 5-tier bookcase will be designated on-site to one of the rooms listed in the diagram.

This will be determined at award.

Covered under Consolidated Q&A #1.

15. Small Business Size Standard

Question:

What size standard applies to this solicitation?

Answer:

NAICS 337214 applies. The associated small-business size standard is 1,100 employees.

Vendors must determine their own size status under this NAICS code.

16. Nonmanufacturer Rule Waivers

Question:

Does an SBA class or individual waiver apply to this procurement?

Answer:

No SBA waiver has been identified by the Government. Vendors must determine for themselves whether any existing waiver applies to the products they propose.

17. NAICS Code Discrepancies

The notice referenced multiple NAICS codes. Which one governs?

Answer:

NAICS 337214 governs. Earlier discrepancies have been corrected.

18. Reception Credenza Placement

Question:

Where will the reception credenza be placed?

Answer:

It has been assigned to the Flex Room and updated in the SOW posted on SAM.gov.

19. Site Logistics

Question:

Are there any unloading, staging, security, or parking restrictions beyond what is listed?

Answer:

No. There is ample parking, ground-level access, and no additional restrictions.

20. Partial Delivery & Invoicing

Question:

If partial deliveries are allowed, may partial invoices be submitted?

Answer:

No. All payment is contingent upon completion and acceptance of the entire project.

21. Pricing Schedule

Question:

The Schedule of Items has no separate line for delivery, assembly and packing material removal.

Should those costs be built into the CLIN unit prices, or may we show them as a separate line?

Answer:

The solicitation does not prescribe how vendors must structure their pricing beyond providing complete pricing for all required items and services. Vendors should prepare and submit their quotation in the format they determine appropriate, ensuring it reflects all requirements of the

RFQ.