19GE5026Q0005-0001-QA.pdf

Acquisition of Vehicles Solicitation No. 19GE5026Q0005

U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador Amendment 0001 dated 04/10/2026

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Q&A)

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

1.

(Q) We would like to request clarification regarding CLIN 007 – Sedan (Yellow Color).

During our market research in Ecuador, we found that yellow is not a standard factory color offered by sedan manufacturers, and it is generally not available through official vehicle configurators or authorized dealers. Would a professionally applied vinyl wrap (yellow color) be acceptable in lieu of factory paint, provided it meets high-quality automotive standards? Is it acceptable for the authorized dealer to deliver the vehicle and coordinate the wrapping process through a certified third-party provider?

(A) The Government will accept the use of a professionally applied vinyl wrap in yellow color in lieu of factory paint, provided that the following conditions are met:

• The vinyl wrap shall be automotive-grade, high-quality, and suitable for long-term operational use.

• The installation shall be performed by a certified and experienced provider.

• The wrap shall not void or negatively impact the manufacturer’s warranty.

• The final appearance shall be consistent, durable, and compliant with professional automotive standards.

Additionally, the required yellow color shall correspond to a “taxi yellow” standard. The exact

Pantone or color specification shall be submitted by the contractor and is subject to review and prior approval by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) before application. It is acceptable for the authorized dealer to coordinate the wrapping process through a qualified third-party provider;

however, full responsibility remains with the contractor.

2.

(Q) Regarding CLIN 007 – Sedan (Yellow Color), can the warranty requirement be satisfied if the vehicle retains full manufacturer warranty, and the wrapping service includes its own workmanship/material warranty from the installer? Alternatively, would a factory color close to yellow (e.g., gold, bronze, or champagne) be considered acceptable?

(A) The Government confirms that the warranty requirement will be considered satisfactory provided that:

• The vehicle retains the full manufacturer’s warranty in accordance with the solicitation requirements; and

• The vinyl wrap installation includes a separate warranty covering workmanship and materials issued by the installer.

However, the requirement for the vehicle color remains mandatory. The vehicle shall be finished in a

“taxi yellow” color standard. The contractor shall submit the proposed color specification (Pantone or equivalent) for review and prior written approval by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) before any painting or wrapping is performed. Alternative factory colors that are similar to yellow

(such as gold, bronze, champagne, or other variations) are not acceptable.

3.

(Q) “If applicable, Offeror/ Contractor shall identify Value Added Tax (VAT) as a separate line item. In order for the United States Embassy Quito, Ecuador, to receive reimbursement for

VAT.” In our experience delivering vehicles in Ecuador, the embassy is exempt from paying VAT and provides assistance during the exemption process. The embassy is still exempt from paying VAT?

Is that correct?

(A) The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador is not exempt from VAT and no exemption letter will be provided to the contractor. As stated in the RFQ, the U.S Government will only reimburse the contractor for VAT if the following conditions are met:

• The Contractor shall be in possession of an Ecuadorian VAT registration number, and the registration number shall be included in all payment requests.

• The Contractor's invoices shall be issued by the Contractor appearing on the award document and the Contractor shall have obtained authorization to operate and conduct business in Ecuador.

• Contractor's invoices shall reflect VAT as a separate line item.

• VAT costs incurred by subcontractors or suppliers and billed to the prime contractor do not represent value addition by the Contractor; such costs shall not be included in the Pricing Schedule as the prime contractor’s VAT.

4.

(Q) “The Contractor shall be in possession of an Ecuadorian VAT registration number, and the registration number shall be included in all payment requests.” If the embassy is exempt from paying VAT, will this still be required?

(A) The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador is not exempt from VAT and no exemption letter will be provided to the contractor. Contractors shall refer to question #3.

5. “The Contractor's invoices shall be issued by the Contractor appearing on the award document and the Contractor shall have obtained authorization to operate and conduct business in Ecuador.” The award document will be issued to our company (as the prime contractor);

however, our company is not registered in Ecuador. As with past orders, we will be the one issuing the Payment Invoices. Commercial invoices, which will be provided for the tax exemption process only will be issued by our in-country supply partners (local dealers/distributors) and as such their company names will appear on these invoices. Will this be acceptable to the embassy?

(A) As stated in the RFQ, VAT costs incurred by subcontractors or suppliers and billed to the prime contractor do not represent value addition by the Contractor; such costs shall not be included in the Pricing Schedule.

6.

(Q) For CLIN 007 - Sedan – Yellow Color, if a vehicle is not available from stock in this color, would the embassy accept a vehicle that is painted Yellow?

(A) The Government will accept vehicles that are painted yellow, provided that:

• The painting is performed using professional, automotive-grade materials and processes;

• The quality of the finish meets manufacturer or industry standards;

• The painting does not void or negatively impact the manufacturer’s warranty; and

• The final product ensures durability, uniformity, and suitability for operational use.

The required color shall correspond to a “taxi yellow” standard. The contractor shall submit the proposed color specification (Pantone or equivalent) for review and prior written approval by the

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) before any painting is performed.