QA 19KE5021R0003 OPE ver 070621.pdf

ACN Pre-Proposal Conference June 22,2021 Question & Answer

Question 1. In the cover letter you have exclusively stated that the all offeror must have been registered under System Awards Management. Does this provision also include subcontractors and suppliers?

Answer: Only the Offeror who will be submitting the bid is required to be registered in

SAM as prescribed on the following link. https://beta.sam.gov

Question 2. In Section L.3. For international Companies are required to procure local permits and licenses for construction and if in possession they should attach copies. What are the deadlines for procuring the license and permits?

Answer: The licenses and permits are requirements of the solicitation and should be submitted with the proposal document on or before the solicitation due date

Question 3. In Section L. Is the Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance premium costs covering employees’ requirement a post solicitation or pre solicitation requirement?

Answer: DBA Insurance is a post solicitation requirement.

Question 4. In section L.5.2 For the submission requirement, kindly clarify if the submission of Volume 1, 2 & 3 be collective as a single document or separately.

Answer: Per section L each offer shall consist of separate volumes.

Question 5. Is there a specification on the NCA certification levels required

Answer: Per Section M1.2 c Evaluation Criteria: “be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations.”

The offeror must demonstrate qualifications that are needed to meet the scope of the solicitation .

Question 6. Section B.1.1 Pricing Notes

2.b. Clearing debris with speed on a daily basis as they arise, cleaning of affected surfaces, and removal of the debris from site to Nairobi County Government approved dumping sites. Accumulation of debris within the site premises shall not be allowed.

Removal of Debris shall be co-ordinated with the U.S. Embassy Nairobi- FM office.

Could you please give information about the distance between the debris collection area and project site?

Answer:

Since this is within an office space, the debris should be carted away daily by loading it inside the vendors truck on an assigned parking slot. There is limitation of holding spaces within the compound. The disposal must be done to the appropriate sites regulated by the https://beta.sam.gov/ local authority. The offeror has the responsibility to establish such sites and arrange for the required permits.

Question 7. There are product manufacturer name and product references for architectural finishes materials and furniture in Attachment 6 specifications. Is it mandatory to use these materials? Or is it just for reference? Please clarify.

Answer: The specifications are an integral part of the design and possess the desired characteristics preferred by the client. While we may not insist that the supplier goes for the particular “brand”, all other characteristics must be maintained where a perfect match is not available.

Question 8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES

Section 1.03 Regulations and Standards

This section mentioned American standards, UL listed materials and NFPA 70 for electrical installation. If materials cannot be available conforming to these standards in Nairobi, the materials will be imported from other country. According to these conditions, the project completion time of 98 days seems short. Please clarify.

Answer: The delivery period may vary from one vendor to another. In the technical proposal, kindly indicate the lead times and technical evaluation team through

Contracting Officer (CO) will make the decision on how far to extend the delivery period, if there exists convectional importation challenges that affect other offerors as well.

Question 9. Could you please provide Attachment 4 Proposal Breakdown. It is not included in the project documents that were received by e-mail.

Answer: The breakdown of price by division template is provided on page 90 of the solicitation document.

Question 10. Please confirm that the offerors are allowed to submit their proposals only via e-mail to nairobigso-contracts@state.gov

Answer: Per L.5.1. Summary of Instructions solicitation amendment 0001, submit

Volume I, II & III in one pdf copy by email to nairobigso-contracts@state.gov and deliver one original hard copy of all volumes to the U.S. Embassy.

mailto:nairobigso-contracts@state.gov mailto:nairobigso-contracts@state.gov

Question 11. Please verify that the US Embassy will provide a diplomatic note to the contractor for VAT exemption

Answer: Per Section B.2 VAT all taxable goods and services supplied to the U.S.

Embassy are zero rated.

Question 12. As per Section F.8 WORKING HOURS All work shall be performed during weekends (Friday 1300 HRs to Sunday 1700HRS). Upon request through the

COR, they can be granted approval for working hours : Monday to Friday or nights

1700HRS to 0715HRS.

Please reconsider allowing the contractor to work at least 5 days in a week during the regular working hours, since due to the contract requirements working only weekends may not be sufficient.

Answer: Owing to the fact the operations in the location are currently on halt, working from Monday to Sunday is feasible. Upon request and subsequent approval by the security office, more hours after 1700hRS can also be allowed.

Question 13. Now that the actual site visit has been postponed / cancelled, could you possibly share photos, as-built drawings of the current rooms? This would help us dramatically. Thanks for your consideration

Answer: The virtual site visit replaced the physical site visit due to the large number of participants expected and related health and safety protocol requirements. The as -built drawings have been provided. See attachments………

Question 14. Please provide acoustic rating for acoustic partition as none is shown in the solicitation 19KE5021Q0009 document.

Answer: According to the Solicitation document B.1.2.3 F, the specifications are

Modernfold Inc' panel or equivalent quality. Where the exact match cannot be obtained, use the following codes as a guide in the international sound proofing for office and conference rooms:

ASTM E413-73, ASTM E90 - for office and conference rooms acoustics, the recommended Sound Transmission Class (SRC) is SRC 33 , Question 15. Speak through the extents of reuse of existing materials- if in good condition. and elements. E.g. is the folding door to be reused/ repaneled?

Answer: According to the Solicitation document B.1.2.3 F says ‘Supply and fix

'operable acoustic seal’ In regard to the folding panel, the face panels , the overhead sliding railings and associated accessories are must to be removed and replaced.

Question 16. Sprinkler system, do we have a shut valve on the area we will be working.

Answer: There is a shut of valve in the 1st floor where the space in question is located.

Client will arrange for the shut off where required, but the contractor must ensure effective spillage management for the water after the valve.

Question 17. Where the operable partitions are going in, what is the suspension structure?

Answer: There is existing overhead/suspended rail all the way to the rest/retracted position. This rail is deformed and requires replacement. The supplied panel to be supplied with its own railing.