RFQ19BR9320Q007_Formal Questions -Answers.pdf

US. Consulate Sao Paulo

FORMAL

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RFQ19BR9320Q0007

The U.S. Consulate Sao Paulo answered the questions below for the prospective bidder’s opportunity regarding the solicitation for Microphone Service Installation.

Question #1) Will Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance need to be in place for this contract?

Answer: Brazil has a country-wide waiver for DBA insurance

Question #2) For the Certificate of Insurance, can the exact name/entity/additionally insured to be covered (certificate holder) be confirmed? With address? We will need this for the accord form.

Answer: Insurance and payment protection are both required 10 days after award, so yes, that will be confirmed. The general liability policy should list "the United States of America, acting by and through the Department of State" as the additionally insured, per the RFQ.

Question #3) For the payment protection/surety, can the exact name/entity (obligee, obligee address) be confirmed?

Answer: Legal name is Consulado Geral dos Estados Unidos da America em Sao Paulo. The address is Rua Henri Dunant, 700 – Chacara Santo Antonio – Sao Paulo – SP – Brazil - Zip code:

04709-110

Question # 4) Are we correct in assuming that even though the work would be performed in Belize, that the contract will be subject to US law?

Answer: The work will be performed in Brazil, and the contractor must abide by all local laws.

The contractor must also abide by all clauses so US law applies as well.

Question # 5) Will the Government accept electronic submission? If so, what email address should the proposal be submitted to.

Answer: Yes, the government will accept electronic submission. Please send your proposal to:

goncalvesjp@state.gov.

mailto:goncalvesjp@state.gov

Question # 6) Regard DOSAR 652.252-73 (Licenses and Permits required by local law). You may be aware that we are a US-based company that regularly is contracted by the DoS for these types of audio equipment replacement projects overseas. As such, most if not all contracting offices at diplomatic posts do not hold us to the provisions of local licenses or permits as all the work is done on a US Government premises by US citizens. Further, since no real alterations are done to the consular area we don’t really fall under the construction purview. Are you able to clarify what types of local licenses/permits are required to be shown if any given the actual onsite time would be about two weeks at most?

Answer: This is a standard language for construction. Since this is a replacement project, no permits will be needed.

Question # 7) Attachment A and B are referenced in the RFQ but are not included in the Solicitation. Please provide both attachments as these are essential to our cost proposal preparation Answer: Attached.

Question #8) Proposal due date is June 17; please provide the time.

Answer: Proposals are due by the end of the calendar day (midnight), Sao Paulo time

Question #9) The Solicitation indicates cleared U.S. escort needs to be provided, please confirm that the contractor is responsible for escorting.

Answer: If needed, Post will provid.

Question # 10) The deliverables table item A describes Securities/Insurance as a requirement, what is the security or bond penal percentage amount?

Answer: The Contractor shall furnish some form of payment protection like bonds, irrevocable letters of credit or bank guarantees as described in 52.228-13 in the amount of 50% of the contract price.

Question # 11) Please confirm that new raceways and conduit will need to be installed to all teller windows as well to all speaker locations throughout the consular section.

Answer: Raceways and conduit exist, but condition unknown. Bidder should take into account installing <200 meters.

Question #12) We were not able to travel for the site visit due to COVID19; would you be uploading/providing site visit attendee’s list, pictures, or other information regarding the site visit?

Answer: Yes, we have filmed the area. Please contact GoncalvesJP@state.gov to request a copy of these videos.

mailto:GoncalvesJP@state.gov

Question #13) Will the proposal due date be extended?

Answer: Yes, to give bidders enough time to adjust bids based on these Q&As, the new deadline is the end of the calendar day June 19.

Question #14) The period of performance is stated as 60 calendar days. Since the RFQ includes a Pre-installation visit (site survey) as well as design submittals at different percent of completion, as well as shipping materials and equipment, we believe the performance period is not sufficient. Please confirm the performance period.

Answer: The period of performance commences on the Notice to Proceed date which will be discussed in the pre-construction conference with the contractor awarded this contract.

Submittal schedules and any shipment estimates will be confirmed in this conference. The sixty day period of performance represents the time period in which the physical work will be performed in the Consulate.

Question #15) Section 3 Item A.2(4) (a) requires a “work plan taking into account all work elements in Section 1, Performance Work Statement.” Can you elaborate as to the type of plan, schedule and or written narrative?

Answer: Each bidder should submit their proposal and work plan assuring all requirements of the RFQ are met. Typically, we find GANNT charts to be useful documents but they are not required. A construction schedule based on phasing of 6 windows at a given time should be submitted. As this work maybe extremely disruptive, nights and weekend/holiday work should be utilized to the extent possible.

Question #16) Is the whole waiting area outdoors or are there two waiting areas indoor and outdoor?

Answer: The waiting area consists of outdoor space and indoor space. The outdoor space is under a corrugated aluminum roof. (Approx.. 2500 SqFt) The indoor space is approximately 500SqFt.

Question #17) For the conduit to the outdoor area, does the conduit go to the proposed equipment rack location? If not, is there a cable path from the end of the conduit to the equipment rack location?

Answer: Bidders should consider that it does not and plan for install. (Approx. 300 ft.)

Question #18) How far is the rack room from the waiting area?

Answer: The rack room to the furthest point of the waiting area should be considered ~500 feet.

Question #19) How many speakers are currently in the waiting area?

Answer: In the ACS waiting room 3 flush mount, and in the outdoor area 12 surface mount. Photo A & B.

Question #20) How large is the waiting area (approx. LxWxH)?

Answer: ACS waiting room ~ 30x30x8 Outdoor area 60 x 180 x 8

Question #21) How far is the rack room from the furthest Consular Officer booth?

Answer: Consider ~250’

Question #22) Are the speakers in the Consular Officer booths currently recessed or surface mount?

Answer: Both. See Photo A & B

Question #23) Are the speakers at the Applicant stations currently recessed or surface mount.

Answer: Both surface mount and telephone receiver. See Photo C.

Question #24) Are the speakers in the waiting area currently recessed or surface mount?

Answer: Both see question 14 and photo A & B.

Question #25) Does the Embassy facilities team have ladders available for installation use, or does the Bidder need to bring their own ladders?

Answer: All materials, equipment, PPE, etc. are responsibility of Contractor. Consulate does not lend.

Question #26) What is the Applicant booth ceiling height?

Answer: For ACS 8'. In NIV ~8’. See Photo D & E for reference.

Question #27) Are pictures available for

a) one Consular Officer booth? Photo G & H

b) one Applicant station? Photo C & F

c) the waiting area? Photo A - F

Please speak with Procurement agent about videos and photos of the area as well.

The U.S. Consulate Sao Paulo answered the questions below for the prospective bidder’s opportunity regarding the solicitation for Microphone Service Installation.