Solicitation 19B04925Q0036 Questions and Answers (1).docx

Solicitation 19B04925Q0036 Site Visit 05/21/2025 Questions and Answers.

1. Solicitation indicates payment in BYN based on the exchange rate on the payment date. Will the awarded contract state a reference USD amount for rate-lock purposes to protect against currency volatility? В запросе указано, что оплата производится в белорусских рублях (BYN) по курсу Национального банка на день платежа. Будет ли в заключённом контракте указана ориентировочная сумма в долларах США для фиксации курса с целью защиты от валютных колебаний?

Answer: Contract is awarded USD to be paid in Belarusian Rubles (BYN) at the exchange rate of the National Bank on the date of payment.

2. Should offerors include the 20% VAT directly in the fixed price line items or list it as a separate subtotal line? Следует ли участникам включать 20% НДС непосредственно в фиксированную стоимость позиций или указывать его отдельной строкой в общей стоимости?

Answer: Yes, the VAT amount should be indicated as a separate line, as demonstrated in the solicitation package.

3. Will a bank guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit from a Belarusian financial institution satisfy the 50% payment protection requirement in lieu of U.S.-issued performance and payment bonds? Будет ли банковская гарантия или безотзывный аккредитив от белорусского финансового учреждения достаточными для обеспечения 50% обязательств по оплате вместо американских гарантий исполнения и платежей?

Answer: A document from the bank should be provided to guarantee that the offeror has a valid account, has not filed or declared for bankruptcy, and has all necessary financial resources to perform.

4. Will excusable delays be granted for material delays or weather-related issues beyond the contractor’s control, especially given current geopolitical logistics? Будут ли признаны допустимыми задержки, вызванные задержкой поставок или погодными условиями, не зависящими от подрядчика, особенно с учетом текущей геополитической ситуации и логистики?

Answer: Only weather conditions will be considered as excusable delays.

5. Are there any Buy American, Trade Agreement Act, or foreign sourcing restrictions for brick, plaster, paint, or tile? Существуют ли ограничения по Закону о покупке американских товаров (Buy American), Соглашению о торговле (Trade Agreement Act) или другим требованиям на иностранное происхождение материалов — таких как кирпич, штукатурка, краска или плитка?

Answer: No such restrictions apply.

6. Will contractors be permitted to use on-site restroom and potable water facilities, or must the contractor provide its own sanitary support? Будет ли подрядчику разрешено пользоваться санитарными удобствами и питьевой водой на территории посольства, или подрядчик должен обеспечить эти условия самостоятельно?

Answer: Yes, the contractor will be allowed to use on-site restroom and potable water facilities.

7. Will electrical outlets or temporary connections be made available for power tools, tile cutters, and small equipment? Будет ли предоставлен доступ к электрическим розеткам или временным подключениям для электроинструментов, плиткорезов и прочего мелкого оборудования?

Answer: Yes

8. Will the Embassy provide overnight security for materials and scaffolding staged onsite, or is the contractor responsible for daily removal? Будет ли посольство обеспечивать охрану материалов и строительных лесов в ночное время, или подрядчик обязан ежедневно вывозить все с площадки?

Answer: Yes, overnight security will be provided for materials and equipment on the Embassy territory.

9. Is there a secure, designated area within the compound for staging materials, scaffolding, or waste containers? Предусмотрена ли охраняемая и специально отведённая зона на территории посольства для складирования материалов, лесов и мусорных контейнеров?

Answer: Yes

10. Who is responsible for coordinating the temporary relocation of the police guard house and associated drainage system installation? Кто несёт ответственность за координацию временного перемещения полицейского поста и установку водоотводной системы?

Answer: The Embassy will facilitate this process. However, the contractor should notify the COR one week in advance before the scheduled relocation takes place.

11. Will existing site plans or fence layout drawings be made available to aid in the preparation of as-built drawings or installation planning? Будут ли предоставлены существующие планы участка или чертежи ограждения для подготовки исполнительной документации и планирования работ?

Answer: No

12. Will remote participation (e.g., via video) be permitted for the preconstruction conference if our team is based outside Belarus? Будет ли разрешено участие в предпроектной встрече в дистанционном формате (например, по видеосвязи), если команда подрядчика находится за пределами Беларуси?

Answer: No, the construction team should physically participate in the preconstruction meeting if/when one is scheduled/required.

13. Will the Government provide visual samples or design references for: The white metal top covers? The paving tile to match the existing pathway? The approved facade paint color? Предоставит ли заказчик визуальные образцы или дизайнерские эталоны для следующих элементов: белые металлические козырьки; тротуарная плитка, соответствующая существующей; фасадная краска согласованного цвета?

Answer: During the site visit, samples of the white top covers and paving tiles were presented. The white top covers should match those used on the neighboring German residence fence. The paving tiles should be consistent with the existing ones. The façade paint color should closely match the current color. An acrylic façade paint from a non-Belarusian manufacturer should be used, ensuring durability for at least a three-year warranty period.

14. Is a first-aid station or emergency medical support available on Embassy grounds in the event of injury? Имеется ли на территории посольства пункт первой помощи или дежурная медицинская поддержка на случай травмы?

Answer: No, contractor must make the necessary arrangements for any medical needs.

15. If delays occur, will weekend or after-hours work be permitted upon COR approval to maintain schedule? В случае возникновения задержек будет ли разрешено проведение работ в выходные или после рабочего времени с одобрения COR для соблюдения графика?

Answer: After-hours or weekend work will only be permitted in the event of weather-related delays. Otherwise, all work should be conducted during the Embassy's regular working hours, from 8:00 to 18:00 on Embassy working days.

16. What is the typical turnaround time for COR approvals of completed phases before proceeding to next work segment? Каков обычно срок рассмотрения и утверждения COR завершённых этапов работ перед переходом к следующим?

Asnwer: 1- 3 business days

17. During the 3-year warranty period, who is the designated Embassy point of contact for defect notification and access coordination? В течение 3-летнего гарантийного периода кто является назначенным контактным лицом в посольстве для уведомлений о дефектах и координации доступа?

Answer: current COR, his/her designee, or replacement.

18. Will the Embassy provide format templates for deliverables such as: Work schedule? Materials list? Request for Final Acceptance? Предоставит ли посольство шаблоны документов для представления: графика работ; перечня материалов; заявки на окончательное приёмку?

Answer: Templates are not provided. The list of information that should be included in the work schedule and list of materials is provided in the solicitation package. The request for final acceptance can be submitted in free form via email.

19. What is the procedure for removing and reinstalling wiring on the fence at Starovilenskaya Street?

Answer: The contractor should carefully remove the existing wiring from the fence wall without disconnecting it. After the fence repair is complete, the wiring should be installed inside a metal pipe and securely fixed back to the fence wall.

20. Should the police background certificate (report) be provided after the award is made or together with the solicitation package?

Answer: All relevant police background certificates (reports) for the personnel requiring access to the Embassy compound should be provided along with the solicitation package, or the confirmation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs showing the certificates were requested

Additional description for the SOW:

1. The fence top covers on Kommunistticheskaya Street, located behind the Consular building, should be painted with oil paint. All other top covers on this fence wall should remain unpainted. The gap between the metal peaks and top covers should be sealed with silicone paste.

2. The façade paint should be acrylic and of non-Belarusian production.

3. The paint surface design should match that of the fence wall on the German Embassy residence territory facing Starovilenskaya Street, as demonstrated during the site visit.

4.

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED