19GT5018Q0020_Questions_and_Answers_V4.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DOCUMENT

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION 19GT2018Q0020

1. Is there a Gardening Contract currently?

There is a short term contractual instrument in place.

2. What is the company that is executing the contract?

The name of current contractor is Jardines Exclusivos, 19GT5018P0240.

3. Could you provide the garden square meters of the residences: CMR, DCMR, MSGR, both INL and the Chancellery Building?

The approximately measurements of the gardens are:

4. What is the estimated time between the "Notice to proceed" and the start of the contract?

As indicated in Section 1 – The Schedule, 1. Scope of Contract, after contract award and submission of acceptable insurance certificates, the Contracting Officer shall issue a Notice to Proceed. The Notice to Proceed will establish a date (a minimum of ten (10) days from date of contract award unless the Contractor agrees to an earlier date) on which performance shall start.

5. How long does the security check take to grant a Contractor's card to the gardening staff?

As indicated in Section 1 – The Schedule, 4.4. Personnel Security, when the Contractor provides all paperwork indicated in this section, the Embassy security officers must conduct an in-depth investigation before a badge may be issued to a contractor´s staff member. Individuals under investigation may not start to work until the investigation is completed.

6. If the security check time is longer at the beginning of the contract, does the Embassy have escorts for the gardening work?

No. It is not possible to provide escorts for temporary gardening workers.

7. What area is available for the storage of the machines for gardening?

The approximately storage spaces are as follows:

8. What area is available as “shop" or "barracks" of gardening, for example, dressing rooms, office, common bathrooms?

The contractor´s staff has access to adequate dressing rooms, showers and eating areas in all facilities where services are required.

9. Is the contract paid in Quetzales or in US Dollars?

The Contractor shall be paid in the currency they are capable to submit an invoice, based on Guatemalan commercial law. As per 52.225-17 EVALUATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY OFFERS (FEB 2000), all offers are to be converted in US Dollars for evaluation purposes. However, the contract will be issued in the currency in which the offer was submitted.

10. What is the estimated date to announce the award of the contract?

Current estimated date for award of contract is June 11, 2018.

11. Are there currently any personnel with a contractor card dedicated to gardening?

Yes.

12. Should the contract consider different rates for base year and subsequent option years?

It is up to the contractor to determine the structure of the pricing that they submit in their offer. The price evaluation will be based on the cost of the entire contract, including the base year and four option years.

13. Could you provide information about time for meals?

The structure of the gardeners’ work schedule and break times is entirely up to the contractor to determine. You may review page No. 7, item 1.3.2. Schedules.

14. How are the additional temporary jobs going to be considered within the proposal?

The additional temporary jobs are unknown, as they may arise due to unforeseen circumstances like weather, social events, etc. For this reason, all offerors must submit a price per 100 square meters per year for purposes of price evaluation. The amount of additional temporary services to invoice will depend upon the actual amount of square meters that were serviced.

15. In the case of pruning, what is the height considered in contract?

Please review Section 1.5. Pruning, Page 8 of solicitation for detailed information about pruning. Also, review Section 1.4.3. Trimming, the Contractor shall trim grass around trees, shrubs, cultivated areas, sprinkler heads, valves, fences, buildings, poles, and structures, so that grass height does not exceed the height of the adjacent grass. The Contractor shall perform high trimming of big trees and palm trees up to a height of 15’ or 4.7 meters, included in the contractor’s Grounds maintenance Plan. Trimming works higher that 15’ will be considered additional temporary jobs.

16. Do the gardening services contractor’s personnel have to perform other tasks not related to gardening and grounds maintenance as needed?

No, they are exclusively hired for gardening services and other maintenance detailed in the scope of work. The Embassy has personnel for other purposes like moving furniture, maintenance, etc.

17. How should pricing be structured in the offer?

Please refer to Section 1 – The Schedule, Section 2.0 – Pricing for a supplied pricing template. Pricing is per month, payable each month. No pricing variations are allowed from month to month. The offeror has the option to consider a price increase each option year.

18. Referring to section 1.4.5 Turf Repair and Re-Establishment, what is the maximum amount of damage that the contractor will be asked to be responsible for?

This section refers to damage caused by the contractor’s own team and own equipment, as well as to damage due to NORMAL foot traffic. Social events such as the 4th of July celebration do not fall under the category of normal foot traffic. It is therefore relatively rare that this clause would apply. The Embassy expects a maximum annual expense due to normal foot traffic to be $1,000. The SOW will be modified to reflect that maximum. The contractor is responsible for all damage caused by its own workers and mechanical equipment.

19. What is the previously awarded amount for the gardening services contract?

Due to the number of changes in the solicitation requirements and terms and conditions the information included in the previous contract is not considered relevant. Rather, each offeror needs to review the solicitation requirements to determine the firm-fixed premiums to propose for the base year and each option year.

Jardines Exclusivos 19GT5018P0240 $24,324.42 USD.

End of Questions and Answers.

1 | Page