Q and A for RFQ 191NLE26Q0117.pdf

Q&A Responses for RFQ 191NLE26Q0117

Q1 : This solicitation incorporates FAR 52.225-5, Trade Agreements. Please confirm whether the Government intends for vessels manufactured in Pakistan (a non-designated country under FAR 25.003) to be eligible for award, or whether offered end products must be manufactured in the United States or a TAA-designated country.

Ans : The inclusion of the “Trade Agreements” clause in the solicitation was an oversight, as it would not be applicable for Pakistan and for this requirement. The solicitation has been amended to delete this clause.

Q2: Please confirm whether an offeror may propose a designated-country-manufactured vessel while using a Pakistan-based entity as a subcontractor for in-country logistics, warranty repair, and after-sales support (Tabs B and C), without that arrangement affecting the end product's country-of-origin determination.

Ans: See Answer above and proposals would need to meet the “Brand Name or Equal” and specs requirements identified in the RFQ/SOW.

Q3: (Local vendor) was reportedly awarded a contract in January 2024 to construct two Fast Response Boats for PMSA under a separate Pakistan Navy/GoP procurement. Are we able to use (a local Pakistan) as the manufacturer for this as they are already local?

Ans: See Answer above and proposals would need to meet the “Brand Name or Equal” and specs requirements identified in the RFQ/SOW.

Q4: The solicitation includes FAR 52.225-5, Trade Agreements. The required vessels will be delivered, registered, operated, supported, and trained in Pakistan, and the specifications include Pakistani trailer regulations, local fuel compatibility, and local environmental conditions. Please confirm whether vessels manufactured or substantially transformed in Pakistan are acceptable as “other end products,” or whether the Government intends to restrict CLIN 001 to U.S.-made or designated-country end products. If Pakistani-origin vessels are acceptable, please confirm whether the solicitation will be amended or whether offerors should identify Pakistan under FAR 52.212-3(g)(4)(ii)

Ans: The inclusion of the “Trade Agreements” clause in the solicitation was an oversight, as it would not be applicable for Pakistan and for this requirement. The solicitation has been amended to delete this clause.

Q5: Past Performance: May an offeror satisfy the requirement for three similar boat contracts completed within the last two years by submitting relevant past performance from the proposed OEM, manufacturer, or key subcontractor, together with the prime contractor’s experience?

Ans: Yes. Offerors may satisfy the requirement using relevant past performance from the proposed OEM, manufacturer, or key subcontractor combined with the prime's experience, provided the role of each entity is clearly identified. The prime remains fully responsible for performance.

Q6: Speed Requirement: The specification states a minimum speed requirement of “40 to 45 knots under operational load conditions.” Please confirm whether 40 knots is the minimum acceptable speed and 45 knots is preferred, or whether the vessel must achieve a minimum of 45 knots.

Ans: 40 knots is the minimum acceptable speed; 45 knots is preferred and will be considered favorably.

Q7: Backup Starting System: Many commercial 200 to 300 HP outboard engines are not designed with a manual pull start capability. Would a redundant starting arrangement, such as dual marine batteries, battery isolation, emergency parallel starting, and independent engine starting circuits, satisfy the backup starting requirement?

Ans: Yes. A redundant electrical starting arrangement (dual marine batteries, battery isolation, emergency parallel starting, and independent starting circuits per engine) satisfies the backup starting requirement in lieu of manual pull-start.

Q8: Delivery Schedule: The SF 1449 identifies an estimated delivery date of May 31, 2027, while the SOW requires delivery within 9 to 12 months after contract award and states that the delivery period begins upon receipt of any required export license. Please confirm which delivery requirement will govern and whether May 31, 2027, is a firm deadline or an estimated date.

Ans: The SOW governs. Required delivery is 9–12 months (270–365 days) after award, or after export license receipt if applicable. The May 31, 2027 date on the SF 1449 is an estimate only, not a firm deadline.

Q9: FSS Contract Number: Volume III requires the cover page to include an FSS contract number. For an offeror responding to this open market RFQ without an applicable Federal Supply Schedule contract, may the offeror enter “Not Applicable”?

Ans: Yes, please disregard as this was an oversight. N/A for this requisition.

Q10: Nonmanufacturer Rule: The SF 1449 identifies the acquisition as unrestricted, but FAR 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule, is included. Please confirm whether the Nonmanufacturer Rule applies to this acquisition and whether any manufacturer eligibility requirement or waiver applies.

Ans: The solicitation has been updated to delete this clause.

Q11: After Sales Support in Pakistan: May the after sales support requirement be satisfied through an OEM authorized or qualified local service partner in Pakistan, provided that the prime contractor retains full contractual responsibility for warranty administration, repairs, parts support, and performance?

Ans: Yes. An OEM-authorized/qualified local service partner in Pakistan is acceptable, provided the prime retains full contractual responsibility for warranty administration, repairs, parts support, and performance.

Q12: Please confirm whether the Government will consider commercial advance and/or interim milestone payments under FAR Subpart 32.2. If permitted, would the Government consider a payment schedule tied to objectively verifiable milestones, such as OEM order placement, approved engineering documentation, hull completion, factory acceptance testing, shipment and final acceptance?

Ans: This is a Firm Fixed Price order with FOB Destination delivery terms;

payment will be made only upon Government acceptance of delivered supplies.

Interim/milestone payments are not anticipated.

Q13: Since the delivery location for this procurement is Pakistan, would it be acceptable to source the boats locally from within Pakistan, provided they meet the required specifications?

Ans: This is an open, brand-name-or-equal competition; the Government does not restrict the country of manufacture, provided the offered vessel fully meets the salient characteristics and minimum specifications in Section 1 of the SOW, the manufacturer authorization requirement (Section 2.8), and the past performance requirement of at least three similar-boat contracts within the last two years (Section 3.3/Tab D). Offerors sourcing from any location, including Pakistan, must demonstrate full compliance with all requirements on the same basis as all other offerors.

Q14: Additionally, the solicitation includes a training requirement. Could you please confirm whether the trainers may also be sourced locally within Pakistan?

Ans: Locally based trainers may be acceptable provided they are formally authorized/certified by the OEM, possess documented expertise in the specific vessel and systems being delivered, and are capable of fully delivering the training content, duration, and materials required under Section 1.2 (CLIN 002).