Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers

Q1: How should an offer be presented in the case of a joint venture?

A1: Please refer to Section 3, Solicitation Provisions, for the requirements needed to participate in this solicitation. In case of joint venture, only one entity may invoice the

Embassy. This entity must be registered with SAM.gov.

Q2: Will the new contractor need to supply dispensers for soap, paper towels, and toilet paper?

A2: Yes, the new contractor is responsible for providing dispensers for soap, paper towels, and toilet paper.

Q3: How many workers are currently employed by the existing contractors?

A3: The outgoing contractor will provide this information to the incoming contractor at the time of award. See also the reply to question Q10.

Q4: How many apartments will require cleaning (temporary service) each year, and where are they located in Rome?

A4: Approximately 70 apartments will require temporary cleaning services each year.

These apartments are primarily located in central areas of Rome, such as Parioli.

Q5: Are the external windows accessible for cleaning?

A5: The majority of windows are accessible and do not require special equipment.

Q6: Who is the current contractor, and what is the value of the current contract?

A6: The current contractor is Pellegrini SpA. The value of the five-year contract at the time of award was $4,421,098.

Q7: Are contractor’s offices required to be located in each city, Rome, Florence, and

Milan?

A7: Yes, contractors must maintain offices in Rome, Florence, and Milan to ensure they can provide timely support to the Embassy and Consulates, particularly in emergency situations.

Q8: Is it necessary to have an English-speaking cleaning supervisor always available in

Florence?

A8: No, an English-speaking cleaning supervisor is only required in Florence every two months, when meetings between the Government and the contractor are scheduled to discuss overall performance and requirements.

Q9: Do all three sites have a storage area available for the contractor?

A9: Yes, each site provides a storage area for the contractor; however, the size of the storage areas varies by location..

Q10: How will the requirements of Italian labor law regarding the transfer of current contractor employees to the new contractor be managed?

A10: The Government will not be involved in this transition but will facilitate communication between the outgoing and incoming contractors. See also the reply to question Q3.

Q11: Does the new contract foresee a reduction in services to be performed by the awardee compared to the current contract?

A11: Yes, the new contract includes a reduction in services compared to the current contract. This reduction is an important factor in determining the number of workers the new contractor will need to absorb.

Q12: Can U.S. certifications be submitted as valid substitutes for the Italian documents requested in the solicitation?

A12: Please refer to Section 3, Solicitation Provisions, for detailed requirements on how to submit an offer.

Q13: Milan: Will the van have a dedicated parking spot?

A13: Yes, the van will have a dedicated parking spot. However, obtaining access permits for Area C and/or ZTL will be the responsibility of the awarded company.

Q14: How many apartments will require cleaning (temporary service) each year, and where are they located in Milan?

A14: Approximately 20 apartments will require temporary cleaning services each year.

These apartments are primarily located in the city center of Milan.

Q15: We would like to clarify whether the five clients from the past ten years, required as proof of previous experience (referenced in A.2.(5) on page 40 of SECTION 3 –

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS), must be located specifically in Rome and Milan, with the additional two clients in Florence, or if it is sufficient for all five (or more) clients to be located anywhere within Italy?

A15: Please refer to Section 3, Solicitation Provisions, A.2 (5):

“List of at least five clients over the past ten years for Rome and Milan location, and two clients for Florence location…”

Q16: Is it mandatory for previous experience to be specifically within the three indicated cities (Rome, Milan, Florence) in order to be eligible for participation?

A16: Please refer to Section 3, Solicitation Provisions, for the specific eligibility requirements for this solicitation.

Q17: Regarding the requirements in Sections A.2.1–A.2.12 (such as Italian business registration, tax and payroll records, and proof of a permanent Italian address), is it acceptable for the proposed team as a whole to meet these requirements if the subcontractor performing the on-site work in Italy provides the necessary local documentation?

A17: Please refer to Section 3, Solicitation Provisions, for the specific eligibility requirements for this solicitation.

Q18: Regarding the specific requirements in Sections A.2.1–A.2.12 (e.g., Italian business registration, tax and payroll records, proof of permanent Italian address). Our interpretation is that the proposed team, with the subcontractor performing the on-site work in Italy providing the locally required documentation, would satisfy these requirements, but we request confirmation.

A18: Please refer to Section 3, Solicitation Provisions, for the requirements of this solicitation. Specifically, Section A.2 (4):

In accordance with DOSAR 652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE

(AUG 1999), the offeror shall be required to have obtained necessary authorization to do business and operate in the country of performance (Italy). Please provide a copy of the locally required licenses and permits. At a minimum copy of a valid Italian Company

Registration Report “Visura della Camera di Commercio italiana o Certificato di attribuzione del numero di partita IVA” shall be provided.

Q19: It has been noted that the Incumbent contractor’s spending is reduced by the 5th and last year. Can you please provide an explanation for this decrease.

A19: There is no change in service.

Q20: DURC certification: In the event of an award; can the government present the same for the outgoing contractor? DURC certification is given to any company which verifies it being clear of any debt or liabilities to the State, INPS, and INAIL. Should there be any liability of the outgoing contractor in its contract with the US Government, these liabilities are automatically transferred to the new contractor upon signing.

A20: The Government will not be involved in this transition but will facilitate communication between the outgoing and incoming contractors.

Q21: How many consulate personnel are employed at the Milan Consulate?

A21: Approximately 40 people.

Q22: Can the government clarify whether offerors should submit separate volumes/files for the Technical and Pricing responses, or should all proposal content be combined into a single file?

A22: The Government preference is to submit two separate volumes/files for the

Technical and Pricing responses.

Q23: For Pool of Firms and Subcontractor documentation, should these be compiled within the main technical/administrative submission, or submitted as separate attachments/files?

A23: The Government preference is to submit separate volumes/files in case of Pool of

Firms or Subcontractor documentation.

Q24: How many consulate personnel are employed at the Florence Consulate?

A24: Approximately 15 people.

Q25: Please provide a current copy of the LUL (Libro Unico del Lavoro) for all personnel assigned to the existing contract. This information is required to verify compliance with Italian labor regulations and applicable CCNL (National Collective

Bargaining Agreements) minimum wage requirements, as in case of an award the new contractor is required by labor laws of Italy to hire 65% of the existing crew.

A25: The Government will not be involved in this transition but will facilitate communication between the outgoing and incoming contractors once the awardee has been selected.