Q and A Number 3 - 19GE5020R0030.pdf

Interpreting and Translating Services – IDIQ Contract Embassy of the United States of America

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Solicitation Number 19GE5020R0030

Questions and Answers #3

Q48: Is VAT applicable for firms that are based outside of KSA?

A48: It is the responsibility of each offeror to determine their own liability to collect and pay to the KSA, the Saudi Arabia Value Added Tax (VAT), based on each offer’s unique business relationship within the KSA.

The following adjustment were made within Amendment 0003 regarding VAT:

Each VAT CLIN has been modified to increase the VAT percentage to 15% and to add the note “as applicable”, The VAT paragraph has been moved from B.3(g) to B.4, The VAT section has been expanded to define Recoverable and Non-recoverable

VAT,

Clause 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items has been modified at (a)1. BASIS

FOR CONTRACT AWARD to define lowest price as the total price, less the amount of recoverable VAT.

Q49: The Government will award multiple contracts from the solicitation utilizing a lowest price, technically acceptable evaluation methodology. How many awards will the

Government make?

A49: It is the Government’s intent to award a small number of contracts. It is estimated that there will be two or three awards made.

Q50: In section b. 3 C: the pricing criteria now is by using word counter in Microsoft Office

Word Application, does that mean the contractor is not supposed to redesign the translated page, (i.e. change direction of pictures, tables and multi layered infographics and charts specifically in other applications than Microsoft Office Word such as

Microsoft Office Power Point), since the word counter in Microsoft Office Word

Application doesn't not consider such redesigning of infographics, charts, pictures and tables? As we understand from the RFQ all documents are plain text, is that correct?

A50: No. Target language documents should be in the same format as the source documents. Most sources documents will be in Microsoft formats, not plain text.

Q51: If the contractor has to redesign and change text direction of the page to match the original document as mentioned in question 1 above (Arabic writing start from right), what will be the pricing criteria in this case?

A51: The pricing criteria remains as stated in the RFQ. Offerors should take the potential need to modify page layouts into account when pricing their proposals.

Q52: We understand from the RFQ that the number of interpreters could vary from day to day, which means during a particular week the number of required interpreters could be 20 and the next week it could be as low as 1 interpreter or none. Is that right?

A52: The number of required interpreters will be stated in each task order. We anticipate the demand on any given day will vary.

Q53: Will the need for the interpreters continue during the religious occasions (i.e. Ramadan and Hajj)? As we know, and based on our previous experience, MOI might suspend courses during such periods due to their involvement in the aforementioned occasions.

A53: We anticipate the Saudi calendar, including the schedule of religious events, will have an effect on the demand for interpreting requirements.