19GE5023Q0014 Questions and Answers v4.pdf

V4, 3/7/2023

SGBS of Ukraine Dugout Shelters US Embassy Kyiv

19GE5023Q0014

Questions and Answers

Q1: Is the solicitation looking for the steel structure as verbally described only or the thick overhang roof structure on top of the steel structure as well as depicted in the rendering on the top of page 5?

A1: Only the steel container, no overhang roof on top of the container is required.

Q2: Placing is mentioned but no digging requirement is found in the SOW. Does this mean, places where these containers will be placed are already prepared/dugout?

A2: No placement or digging is required. The contractor shall only be required to deliver the shelters to the Ukrainian border (specific location shall be shared after award). The Ukrainian SBGS will install the shelters.

Q3: The technical specs require the overall dimensions to be 6000x2400x2440 mm. A normal 20 x 8 ft shipping container is 6.058 x 2.438 x 2.591. If the original requirements cannot be changed it would require custom built dugouts which increase the cost to the government and make transportation difficult on trucks which are designed to carry 20ft or 40ft containers. If our proposal has the dugouts at the normal 20 ft shipping container specifications will that disqualify us in the bidding process?

A3: Minor deviations in the size, as described in the question, to fit the size of a standard container are permissible.

Q4: Reference the delivery of the shelters, can more than 20 be delivered at once?

A4: Yes. Price quotes shall clearly indicate the proposed accelerated delivery schedule.

Q5: Is there a restriction on the country of origin of the shelters?

A5: Yes. FAR 52.225-5 Trade Agreements applies to this contract, which says:

The Contractor shall deliver under this contract only U.S.-made or designated country end products except to the extent that, in its offer, it specified delivery of other end products in the provision entitled "Trade Agreements Certificate."

Designated country end product means a WTO GPA country end product, an FTA country end product, a least developed country end product, or a Caribbean Basin country end product.

Refer to FAR 52.225-5 for the full list of designated countries.

Q6: Will the contractor be responsible for unloading the shelters from the delivery trailer?

A6: Offerors shall assume that the contractor will be responsible for unloading.

Q7: Is there a maximum number of containers the site can receive (offload and place) per day or per week?

A7: No.

Q8: How quickly after proposal due date (March 21, 2023) will an award be made?

A8: As quickly as possible after the offer due date. Barring any complications, realistically it would occur 7-10 days after the due date.

Q9: Confirming there is (1) Door penetration, and it is through the side of the shelter?

A9: Correct.

Q10: Do all wall and ceiling need to be insulated because the RFQ only specifies insulation on the man door wall?

A10: Only that one wall with the door needs to be insulated as it will be open to the air outside. The other three walls and the ceiling will be underground and covered with soil.

Q11: Clarifying the Shelter need (2) air vents and (1) wood stove exhaust vent for a total of (3) roof penetrations for piping.

A11: Correct.

Q12: Are large double container doors required to bring equipment inside or can everything fit through the standard end man door of the shelter?

A12: No, large double doors are not required. Only standard door is required.

Q13: In the introduction on page five, the solicitation requires the delivery of shelters to de-occupied areas from Russian Forces. The solicitation later narrows the delivery to a shipping address along Ukraine’s northern border.

a. De-occupied areas include both North, East, and, fortunately, South Ukraine too. We assume the SOW has been written while the East and South were not de-occupied. Please confirm that the transportation requirement should concentrate only on northern Ukraine.

b. The solicitation on page five requires "Deliveries shall be FOB Destination" but it is unclear where is the specific destinations so we can develop a budget for this quote.

c. The northern Ukrainian border spans hundreds of miles, and the delivery locations can be interpretated in multiple ways. Hence the requirement is ambiguous.

We ask you to solve this ambiguity by providing shelter drop-off delivery addresses.

A13: The transportation requirement for 100 dugouts will concentrate on the northern Ukraine’s border only. The plan is that these dugouts will need to be delivered and offloaded at the State Border Guard Service Detachments located in the following cities:

Lutsk – 10, Zhytomyr – 10, Chernihiv – 10, Khmelnytskyi – 10, Cherkasy – 20, Velyki Mosty – 20, Kyiv – 20. The government (SGBS) will transport and place the shelters in the actual installation locations. No placing to the pit is required.

Note: The exact delivery address within each city and the end user’s POC details for coordination purposes will be provided to the contractor not earlier than a month before the scheduled delivery to a certain location.

Q14: The solicitation on page five requires: "Full destination services (shipping, custom clearance, temporary warehousing, local delivery, loading/offloading, and placing) should be included in the contract price."

Your requirement for temporary warehousing, local delivering, placing, loading, and offloading is implied, partial, and lacking description of a complete logistical plan whose requirement is not comprehensively described, hence, can be interpreted in multiple ways.

We ask you to solve ambiguities in your logistics requirements by providing a comprehensive plan describing warehousing, local delivery, loading/offloading, and placing, should any of this are needed.?

A14: This statement, of page 5, will be removed in the upcoming amendment, as it is sufficient to say that delivery is FOB Destination. The offeror shall do due diligence to investigate all necessary and potential shipping and logistical costs.

Q15: The solicitation on pages 3 requires on CLIN 0001-0005 requires a delivery schedule spans along 5/31/23-09/30/23.

The solicitation on page five requires: "All items shall be delivered within six months after award of the purchase order". The requirement on page five and page three provides a contradicting delivery schedule, hence ambiguous.

Please provide a clear and consistent delivery schedule.

A15: Page 5 will be edited to be more consistent with the 9/30/2023 final delivery.

Q16: The solicitation requires on page 8: "lifting slings with hooks/loops – 4 pcs, 1 m long, made of rolled metal, Ø30 mm." Do you mean by "rolled metal" that you require a chain link for hooking the top of the shelter for moving it??

A16: Here is a picture of a required lifting equipment for quick loading/offloading and installation of dugouts. Ten pieces of this equipment is required for 100 dugouts (1 per 10).

Q17: The clause embeds 652.228-70 Defense Base Act - Covered Contractor Employees, but no CLIN for DBA is provided in this solicitation. Where should we include DBA costs??

A17: DOSAR 652.228-70 does not reference DBA. DBA is not required in this solicitation.

Q18: Please confirm that excavation is not within this contract's scope of work.

A18: Excavation is out of scope.

Q19: Please confirm delivery would be direct to the excavated pit. Otherwise, please provide a comprehensive description of the required logistics plan.

A19: No, the contractor shall not delivery to the final destination. See Answer #13.

Q20: The solicitation on page five provides drawings of the shelter, depicting a desk, chair, lamp, storage box, and bench in the lower picture. There is no written requirement for these items. Please confirm these items are not within the scope of requirements.

A20: Correct, these items are out of scope.

Q21: Would you also require mattresses as part of the folding bunk beds?

A21: Yes.

Q22: Ventilation

a. Please provide CFM rating for the intake fan.

b. Please provide salient characteristics of the ventilation portal/wall hatch.

A22: The ventilation system/equipment will have to provide for sufficient air circulation inside the dugout. The technical characteristics of the ventilation system/equipment will have to be appropriate (meet the ratio) for the dugout air capacity.

Q23: Please provide salient characteristics of the fire extinguisher.

A23: Two powder fire extinguishers (5 liters capacity each) per dugout.

Q24: Please provide salient characteristics of the solar powered system.

A24: The power supply system must provide for lighting, ventilation, and other equipment, like communication. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the power consumption up to 2000 Watts.

Q25: What is the expected date of award.

A25: See Answer #8.

Q26: Is this opportunity funded?

A26: Yes.

Q27: Due to several long lead items, would the agency consider exercising CLIN 0002-0005 all at once to ensure material availability and no delivery delays.

A27: Yes, See Answer #4.

Q28: The RFP states no tax, VAT or customs fees are to be applied in Ukraine. If the awardee is a company based outside of Ukraine in a country such as Romania or Moldova where VAT is customarily applied to commercial transactions, will the US State Department customer still sign tax exemption documents for use in the contractor’s country of registration? Currently, contracts in these countries in support of US Government projects are routinely exempt from all such taxes and US Government customers sign contractor-initiated VAT exemption documents for contractor processing with the tax authorities – similar to what the RFP states will take place in Ukraine.

A28: Yes.

Q29: In the spec, mineral wool 100 mm is specified for insulation. Is it acceptable to use another type of insulation with the same (or better) thermal values?

A29: Yes, but only with the same (or better) fire rating.

Q30: Can you please advise if there’s is a purpose for 2mm inner wall, as it will add cost, weight, and not add rigidity. And can we provide insulation and a thinner wall (1mm) or dry wall?

A30: Yes, a thinner wall (1mm) or dry wall is acceptable.

Q31: Are there any more specific requirements for the ventilation? i.e. cubic meters per hour, capacity of the fan, duration of the work on battery, work of the solar panel will greatly depend on the location (field - forest), season of the year, weather conditions..

A31: See Answer #22.

Q32: Is the Government able to provide the anticipated maximum weight of the material (soil, sand, foliage, wood, concrete, other) that the end-user will independently place on top of the exterior of the shelter for camouflage or force protection purposes after the contractor has made delivery? This information is necessary for the structural design.

A32: Providing an exact weight is complicated by the fact that dugouts will be installed in different regions with different terrain. Along with this, the installation is usually made by arranging a frame made of logs, 20 cm diameter, covered with a layer of logs, 20 cm diameter, and covered with a layer of soil, 30 cm thick. The soil is leveled and covered with a waterproofing material (polyethylene film). Another layer of soil is filled, 30 cm thick, covered with a layer of logs, 20 cm diameter. All elements of the log frame and log layers are fastened together with a knitting wire.

Q33: Is there a preferred paint color for the exterior of the shelters?

A27: Muted color shades.

Q34: Are there minimum dimensions for the bunk beds? Is 90cm wide x 200cm long an acceptable dimension for each person’s bed.

A34: These dimensions are acceptable. The main things are: a) the bunk beds shall be foldable to the wall; b) dimension shall not be smaller than 70 cm wide x 190 cm long; and c) shall provide a convenient passage near the beds when folded and unfolded..

Q35: The RFQ has the following bunk bed specification: “Folding bunk bed – 3 pcs (for 6 people).” However, the render of the shelter interior shows more than 3 bunk bed pieces. Would the Government please clarify this requirement?

A35: Bunk beds for 6 people.

Q36: The RFQ does not make clear where the solar panels will be located outside of the shelter. For example, the end user could place them on top of the shelter, or they could place them some distance away from the shelter. As this directly affects the contractor’s cost, would the Government please specify the length of the cable that is required to connect the solar panels to the shelter?

A36: Given various terrains and shelter installation arrangements, the length of the cable shall be 12 m (minimum). Also, please, consider a possibility for the cable extension, for example, a socket, which an extension cable can be connected to, if needed.

Q37: What are the requirements for the solar panel system that will feed the ventilation fan with respect to the duration necessary to power the ventilation fan?.

A37: Provide round-the-clock operation of the ventilation, taking into account day and night.

Q38: The RFQ states: “All dugouts and equipment must be new and of high quality, officially imported to Ukraine or made in Ukraine. This equipment must meet the Ukrainian technical and quality regulations.” Would the Government please clarify which Ukrainian technical and quality regulations are being referred to?

A38: It is the vendor’s responsibility to do due diligence and determine all applicable local standards and regulations. The shelter, and its components (with mandatory certification), shall be certified in accordance with the established requirements/standards of Ukraine. For example, fire extinguishing devices shall be certified and have an appropriate/current certificates of conformity.

There are the following regulations/standards that apply: State Construction Standards (ДБН – in Ukrainian), State Sanitary Standards and Rules (СНІП – in Ukrainian), State Standards of Ukraine (ДСТУ – in Ukrainian)..

Q39: Floor - Can we keep the original plywood flooring and cover it with steel, welded and waterproofed?

A39: Yes.

Q40: Door Height - Is the 200mm height of doorstep is it fixed, or can it be higher to protect from flooding?

A40: Yes, it can be higher, but shall be convenient to enter and exit.

Q41: It is mentioned that the generator is not required, but are the solar panels required for the ventilation and lights?.

A41: Solar-powered lights and air Intake fan shall be provided for backup purposes.

Q42: Shall a case for battery protection be provided or should it be free standing.

A42: A case is the preferred solution. If placed separately, the case will protect against dust and possible moisture.

Q43: Are sockets required inside?

A43: Yes, to connect communications equipment.

Q44: COR conducting pre-inspections: usually how many days in advance will the Offeror be notified of a pending inspection/s

A44: The vendor shall notify the COR about the scheduled completion to coordinate pre-shipment inspections well in advance.

Q45: Is it allowed to manufacture containers without metal galvanizing (only anti-corrosion treatment and 2-layer painting)?

A45: Two corrosion protection layers are required on the outside walls. Layer one – 3 in 1 ship enamel coating. Layer two - waterproof bitumen-rubber mastic (the layer two isn’t required on the door).

Q46: The RFQ states: “Rigid all-welded container-type structure for underground placement with overall dimensions (length x width x height) of 6000 x 2400 x 2440 mm.” Are we correct in understanding these “overall dimensions” are the external container dimensions as measured from the outside?

A46: See Answer #3.

Q47: The RFQ states: “All elements of the container shall be galvanized or painted. 2 corrosion protection layers on the outside: 3 in 1 ship enamel coating covered with waterproof bitumen-rubber mastic.” The way this requirement is worded leaves it open to more than one interpretation – which means competing offers may reasonably be based on different understandings of these performance requirements. To ensure our proposed price is based on what the Government is intending to purchase, are we correct in understanding the Government requires the steel to be galvanized, and then coated with one layer of 3 in 1 ship enamel paint, and then covered with 1 layer of bitumen-rubber mastic waterproofing?

A47: See Answer #45.

Q48: Is it possible to replace “corrugated/bent profile steel sheet, 2 mm thick” with “flat steel sheet, 2 mm thick” in the technical specification for the roof covering?

The frame and beams of the ceiling are reinforced with additional supports made of hollow sections, involved in absorbing the load and distributing it throughout the frame of the box unit. If the roof is covered with a corrugated sheet, the corrugated sheet will take all the load instead of the beams and supporting framework. Moreover, damaging load from the soil layer and wooden beams over the box unit will concentrate on the corrugations of the corrugated sheet, which is unacceptable.

A48: The requirements are based on a standard sea shipping container, which has already proven itself. Also, see answer #32.

Q49: Is it possible to replace “corrugated/bent profile steel sheet, 2 mm thick” with “flat steel sheet, 2 mm thick” in the technical specification for the foundation base?

In terms of design, the foundation base is not a load-bearing element. It does not carry any load but merely ensures the tightness of the construction.

A49: See Answer #48.

Q50: Is it possible to replace the material forming the wall with doors, namely a “profile steel sheet, 2 mm thick” with a “PS-10 sheet profile with polymeric coating, 0.45 mm thick” in the technical specification? The 2 mm thick corrugated sheet is not a load-bearing element but merely a decoration that prevents contact with winterizing material.

A50: Yes.

Q51: Do steel doors have to be explosion-proof?

A51: Preferably, yes, but not required.

Q52: The provided first drawing shows that the lifting straps (4 pcs.) protrude from the ground. That is, they should remain in place after the module is covered with logs and covered with soil? Should the straps and their attachment points to the module withstand this and other loads when lifting the module together with additional load (logs, soil, module contents)?

A52: No. See answer #16, 32.

Q53: In the second drawing, there is a certain device, presumably for forced ventilation of the module. The picture is not enough to understand the purpose and parameters of this device. A description of the parameters of this device is needed. From the experience of using cellars, natural ventilation with two pipes with a diameter of 100-110 mm is usually used in different corners of the room. The outlet of one pipe is made 200 mm above the floor level, and the outlet of the second pipe is 200 mm below the ceiling level.

A53: See answer #22, 38.

Q54: The general description of the module indicates the size of the module as 6,000 x 2,400 x 2,440 mm. This size raises several questions, as it differs from the standard sizes of containers and modules for various purposes. In this case, the specified external height of 2,440 mm of the module is especially confusing. The module's design implies the presence of beams, insulation, etc. With the specified external height, the height inside the module will be slightly more than 2,000 mm, which is very uncomfortable for placing people inside. It will also be difficult to place bunk beds. The door with the specified dimensions in the task will not fit.”

A54: See answer #3, 10, 56.

Q55: It is possible to make the floor from a non-slip profiled steel sheet, but such a floor cannot be insulated. Usually, the floor in rooms intended for people (such as those with beds) is made of load-bearing beams, insulation, cement-bonded particleboard, and linoleum. The modules of this type typically have an external height of 2,591 or 2,800 mm.

A55: See answer #3, 10, 48.

Q56: A door with the specified dimensions of 940 x 1,900 mm cannot fit on the module, taking into account the additional requirement of a door frame/sill that is 200 mm higher than the floor level. The large width of the door will make it difficult to reinforce it.

A56: A smaller size door is permissible, which would provide for a reliable reinforcement and be convenient for the geared personnel to pass through.

Q57: It is not clear how the module will be insulated. It is mentioned that the wall with the door is insulated…. Will the other walls, floor, and ceiling also be insulated.

A57: See answer #10.

Q58: Is it necessary to provide additional protection against corrosion on the exterior wall of the module where the door is located.

A58: See answer #10, 45.

Q59: More detailed information is needed regarding ventilation and its planned operation (e.g. solar-powered fan with an additional battery).

A59: See answer #22, 37, 41.

Q60: The requirement for the heater to have a heating area of 40 square meters is not clear.

The area of the module is only 13 square meters, so using such a heater in the module would make it very hot. Additionally, I would recommended to specify the presence of a poker, shovel, and bucket for cleaning the heater's firebox.

A60: The heating area requirement is because the door may be kept open. Only the heater is required, and the rest (poker, shovel, and bucket) is out of the scope.

Q61: Four solar-powered flashlights with an additional battery (with at least 12 hours of operation) are required. Does this refer to a handheld portable flashlight or something else? For example, as shown in the attachment «305013227».

A61: Handheld flashlights are not required. Only ceiling lamps are required.

Q62: We can switch the electrical power supply of the power grid / generator module with a toggle switch (see the figure in the «network-generator» attachment). Therefore, the electrical panel of the module must be designed to operate both from a conventional 220 or 380 V network (a specific type of network must be indicated) and from a 220 or 380 V generator.

A62: 220 V.

Q63: More clear and detailed information is needed regarding the "Transport Features" section, specifically the «Corner Flashings on the Container; Straps with Hooks/Loops - 4 pcs, 1 m long, made of metal, Ø30 mm» as mentioned in point 1.

A63: See answer #16.

Q64: Only beds and a fire extinguisher are mentioned under the «Equipment» section. Are tables, stools, cabinets, and hangers not needed?

A64: These items are out of the scope. See answer #20.

Q65: The drawing indicates conduit to the desk leading above the door, are there electrical cables required for this.

A65: Yes, the cables, at least two sockets, and conduit are required.

Q66: What is the specification of the electrical cables and devices.

A66: See answer #24, 62, 65.

Q67: Is there a requirement for an external electrical socket for generator hook up?

A67: See answer #62.

Q68: Is there a requirement for electrical sockets next to the desk? If so - 2 double switched sockets would be enough?

A68: Yes, at least two sockets are required. See answer #24, 62, 65.

Q69: Is there a requirement for an internal consumer distribution panel connected to the internal devices and external generator hook up (if required)?

A69: See answer #24, 62, 65.

Q70: The Scope of Work indicates a requirement for an air intake that can be powered from a generator, does this require conduit and an electrical cable?

A70: Yes.

Q71: Backup interior light connected to generator - does this require conduit and electrical cable?

A71: Yes.

Q72: Solar powered lights and air intake fan - Is there a requirement to include a suitable solar panel in this proposal?

A72: Yes. See answer #41.

Q73: Will you accept 2.8m height of the modules?

A73: Yes. See also answer #3, 48.

Q74: Is it necessary to treat the wall at the entrance and the entrance door with rubber-bitumen mastic?

A74: The wall – yes, the door – no. See also answer #10, 45.

Q75: Can the door be 800 mm wide?

A75: Yes.

Q76: Is it required additional strengthen the door frame (during an explosion, the door can be damaged and jammed)?

A76: Yes. See also answer #51, 56.

Q77: Is it mandatory to make ventilation holes in the ceiling (an additional risk of moisture penetration into the room) or better through the walls??

A77: Through the walls would also be acceptable. The most important thing is to provide sufficient and reliable air ventilation.

Q78: Is the door frame level of +200 mm from the container floor or the level of the base (ground)?

A78: From the container floor.

Q79: a) Should the 100mm Wool Insulation be placed inside the described Bunker Dimensions (thus making the internal usage space smaller) or should the 100mm Insulation be fitted on the outside of the described Bunker Dimensions?

b) Is there a requirement to Insulate (Rockwool 100mm thick) the Floor of the Bunkers??

A79: See answer #10.

Q80: Please confirm if this Solar Powered Air Intake Fan, or Auxiliary Battery can be manufactured in China, or any of its components can manufactured in China?

A80: FAR 52.225-5 (b) Delivery of end products. The Contracting Officer has determined that the WTO GPA and FTAs apply to this acquisition. Unless otherwise specified, these trade agreements apply to all items in the Schedule. The Contractor shall deliver under this contract only U.S.-made or designated country end products except to the extent that, in its offer, it specified delivery of other end products in the provision entitled "Trade Agreements Certificate."

End product means those articles, materials, and supplies to be acquired under the contract for public use.

Q81: Please Confirm if CO2 Carbon Dioxide, CO (Carbon Monoxide) Detectors and Smoke Alarms should be fitted to these Bunkers.

A81: Out of scope.

Q82: Both side walls of the standard 20 ft container ore covered with 5 side panels. The two edge panels on each side are made of steel 2 mm thick, but the 3 middle panels are made of steel 1.6 mm thick. Can we leave the original middle panels, or do you require it to be replaced to meet the 2 mm requirement? With the use of an additional internal reinforcement cage we believe that 1.6 panels could be left as originally installed. That has significant influence on delivery time and total cost.

A82: With the use of additional internal reinforcement cage, the 1.6 mm panels can be left.

Q83: Sea containers are originally covered with three layers of paint:

Exterior:

one coat of zinc rich primer to 25 mic. DFT.

one coat of epoxy primer to 40 mic. DFT.

one coat of acrylic topcoat to 40 mic. DFT.

Total 105 mic. DFT.

Is additional painting "3 in 1 ship enamel coating" necessary, in case if we will apply a layer of waterproof bitumen-rubber mastic layer?

A83: No, it’s not necessary, if a layer of waterproof bitumen-rubber mastic layer applied over an existing three layers of paint: 1) coat of zinc rich primer to 25 mic. DFT; 2) coat of epoxy primer to 40 mic. DFT; 3) coat of acrylic topcoat to 40 mic. DFT.

Q84: Is it possible to use a fire door with thermal insulation with dimensions of 1040 x 2065

mm. With EI60 fire resistance (European standard 60 minutes of protection). Wall thickness 0.7 mm flat instead of profile steel sheet, 2 mm thick?

A84: Yes.

Q85: Is it acceptable to replace „Folding bunk bed – 3 pcs (for 6 people)” to “6 pcs of hammocks”. Hammocks are also foldable and take up much less space?

A85: No.

Q86: Transport to Northern Ukrainian border. Could you confirm if deliveries should be arranged to Ukrainian territory, or shelters might be delivered to selected destination on Polish side of PL / UA border (eg. border crossing)??

A86: See answer #13.

Q87: Would you please confirm offerors are to submit prices in US Dollars?

A87: Offerors can choose the current of their choice. Price offers shall clearly state the currency of the offer.

Q88: If an offeror does not provide the required SAM registration UEI number within their proposal, are they still eligible for award.

A88: No. Due to the urgency of this requirement, the requirement of FAR 52.204-7 stating that offerors are to be registered in SAM when submitting a quotation will be strictly enforced.

Q89: The RFP states all items shall be delivered within six months after award of the purchase order, with the 5th delivery of 20 units required no later than 30 September 2023. This implies the purchase order will be issued no later than 31 March 2023 – ten days after proposals are due. Also, the RFP states 20 units are required to be delivered every 30 days, with CLINs 0001 thru 0005 requiring a total of 100 units to be delivered. A delivery schedule of 20 units per month would take 5 months to deliver 100 units. However, the contractor will be given 6 months to perform. Does the Government intend to give the contractor 60 days to deliver the first 20 units, and then 30 days for each group of 20 units thereafter? If not, would the Government please explain how the 6-month performance period relates to the 5-month delivery schedule?

A89: The 6-month performance period statement has been removed. Additionally, the required delivery dates in the solicitation are based on a timely award of the purchase order. If there is a delay with the award, the required delivery dates will be shift to the right so that the awardee has 60 days to deliver the first units.

Q90: What are the payment terms? Is an advance payment possible to aid in quick procurement of 20 containers at a time? Is it possible to get paid (partially) following your inspection at our fabrication facility and before transport and delivery?

A90: See provision 52.232-31. Normally, the contractor can invoice the government once the items have been delivered and accepted by the Government.

Additional questions are currently being processed, and will be posted on future iterations of this Q&A.