Enclosure A Questions and Answers RFQ -19KU2026Q0006 Playground Replacement Project.pdf

Enclosure A Questions and Answers RFQ_19KU2026Q0006_Renovate Embassy Playground

Notice Regarding Questions and Answers

The responses provided in this Questions and Answers (Q&A) document are intended solely to clarify the requirements of the solicitation. Unless expressly stated otherwise in a formal amendment to the Request for Quotations (RFQ), these responses do not modify, revise, or supersede any requirement, specification, Statement of Work (SOW), drawing, schedule, or term and condition of the solicitation.

If the Government determines that a change to the solicitation is necessary as a result of questions received or for any other reason, such change will be issued through a formal written amendment to the RFQ. Offerors shall rely only on the solicitation, including any officially issued amendments, in preparing their quotations.

In the event of any inconsistency between this Q&A document and the solicitation, the solicitation, as amended, shall govern.

# Questions Answers 1 Eligibility of a U.S. prime contractor with a Kuwait subcontractor

• UCIG is a U.S.-incorporated company with its head office in the UAE and intends to serve as the Prime Contractor and contract holder. All local construction, installation, labour, logistics, warranty and site activities would be performed through a named Kuwait-based subcontractor holding the required Kuwait commercial licence, permits, insurance and directly sponsored workforce. Please confirm whether this structure is acceptable and whether UCIG may satisfy the local licensing and authorisation requirements through its named Kuwait subcontractor.

Refer to the following information provided in the RFQ:

652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE

2 • Alternatively, please confirm whether the prime offeror itself must hold a Kuwait commercial license in its own name at the quotation or award stage.

Refer to the following information provided in the RFQ:

652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE; and

G.4.0 LAWS AND REGULATIONS

3 Please confirm whether attendance is mandatory for quotation eligibility.

No, offerors may submit quotation without attending the site visit.

4 Existing or previous project

• Publicly available information indicates that a similar Embassy playground renovation requirement was previously solicited and awarded under Contract 19KU2025C0013.

• Please confirm whether the current requirement is a complete new performance of the scope or a re-solicitation of an earlier project. Please also advise whether any existing work, equipment, materials or partially completed elements are to remain, be removed or be incorporated into the current project.

Yes, similar project was solicited in FY2025, however, it was cancelled before the award.

This is a new project. Offerors are requested to refer to the Scope of work of the released RFQ

5 Final rubber flooring area

• The SOW provides approximate areas for the existing grass, paved, rubber and sand areas and states that the entire playground, excluding the walkway, is to receive rubber safety tiles.

• Please confirm the approximate final area to receive new rubber flooring and clarify which portions of the grass, sand and paved areas are to be removed or retained.

The approximate final area for rubberized tile is 18m x 26m. This area includes the existing paved walkway, sand area, rubber tile area, grass area, and other paver areas within the playground area.

Playground equipment

• Please confirm whether the Landscape Structures model numbers listed in Attachment E are reference products and whether technically equivalent products from another manufacturer will be accepted, provided the proposed products fully comply with all specified CPSC, ASTM and ABA requirements.

Yes

7 • If equivalents are acceptable, please confirm the documentation required to demonstrate equivalency.

Provide data sheet for each equipment the meets or exceed the salient characteristics of Equipment Manufacturer: Landscaping Structure, U.S.A. (https://www.playlsi.com/)

8 Performance and payment security Please confirm whether a performance bond, payment bond, bank guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit is required.

• If required, please advise:

o The required percentage or amount o The acceptable form o The submission deadline

The required validity period

No performance, payment or bank guarantee is required.

9 VAT, taxes and customs duties Section A states that VAT will not be reimbursed and that no VAT line should appear on the invoice because the Embassy holds a host-government tax exemption certificate. Please confirm:

• Whether quotation prices should be submitted exclusive of all applicable VAT or similar taxes

• Whether the tax exemption documentation will also support purchases or services supplied through the prime contractor’s named Kuwait subcontractor

• Whether imported playground equipment and materials will be exempt from customs duties or other import charges

• The process and documents that the Government will provide for tax-exempt importation and local procurement.

1. Should quotation prices be submitted exclusive of VAT or similar taxes?

Yes. In accordance with Section A of the solicitation, offerors shall submit quotations exclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT) or any other taxes from which the U.S. Embassy is exempt under applicable agreements with the Government of Kuwait. No separate VAT line item shall be included in the quotation or on invoices submitted for payment.

2. Does the Embassy's tax exemption apply to purchases or services provided through the prime contractor's named Kuwait subcontractor?

The Government's tax exemption applies only to purchases and services that are eligible under the applicable agreements between the

United States Government and the Government of Kuwait. The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring that any subcontracting arrangements comply with applicable Kuwaiti laws and regulations.

The Government cannot provide tax exemptions directly to subcontractors except as authorized under the applicable tax exemption procedures.

3. Will imported playground equipment and materials be exempt from customs duties or other import charges?

The U.S. Embassy is entitled to applicable customs and tax exemptions in accordance with its agreements with the Government of Kuwait. Eligibility for customs duty exemption will depend on the nature of the imported goods and compliance with the required importation procedures. Offerors should not assume that all import-related costs are automatically exempt.

4. What process and documentation will the Government provide for tax-exempt importation and local procurement?

Following contract award, the Government will coordinate with the successful contractor regarding the applicable tax-exemption and customs-clearance procedures. Where applicable, the Government will provide the required tax exemption documentation or other supporting documents necessary to facilitate eligible tax-exempt local purchases or importation in accordance with established Embassy procedures and applicable host-country requirements.

10 Worker and supervisor documents

• Please confirm whether the complete list of workers and supervisors, Civil IDs and direct-sponsorship evidence must be included with the initial quotation or whether these documents may be submitted following award within the three-calendar-day period stated in the deliverables schedule.

Refer to section J and paragraph G.5.2 of the RFQ, that states “ After award, the Contractor has 3 calendar days to submit to the Contracting Officer a list of workers and supervisors assigned to this project for the Government to conduct all necessary security checks.

11 Electronic submission structure

• Section J refers to four separate electronic attachments, while the submission table appears to identify the introduction/administrative information, technical proposal and price proposal.

• Please confirm the exact number, titles and preferred file formats of the separate electronic attachments.

Interested vendors must comply with the submission requirement outlined in the solicitation to include but not limited to the requirement in Section J.

Pricing file must be submitted as a sperate email attachment and file formats must be an editable format (word file).

12 DBA and local workers’ compensation

• Please confirm whether DBA insurance is required for all employees of the Kuwait subcontractor or only for personnel who are U.S. citizens or direct hires not adequately covered under applicable Kuwait workers’ compensation requirements.

The Contractor shall provide workers’ compensation insurance in accordance with FAR 52.228-3 to employees assigned to this contract who are either United States citizens, local nationals or third country nationals.

13 Section J, 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors, Clause B- Submission of quotation-file table, pdf page no. 34 and pdf page no. 91 Submission of the following:

1)Activity Hazard Analysis & Accident Prevention plans

With the submission of the quotation

2)Safety Plan and Construction Accident Prevention Plan (CAPP) 3)Heat Remediation Plan 4)Medical reaction plan in the event of a heat-related medical emergency.

But in the RFQ document (Page 91) also indicates that these requirements (the above plans) are to be submitted prior to commencing the work.

Kindly clarify these all plans are required to submit with the solicitation proposal submittal or after awarding the contract.

14 Solicitation document As not specifically mentioned in the RFQ document about QC plan submittal, do we need to submit any QC plan submittal, or QC plan will be submitted after awarding the contract. Please advise.

Not required with submission

15 Existing Shade Structure According to the tender documents, kindly confirm that the existing shade structure (metal frame, fabric canopy and foundations) is excluded from the Contractor's scope.

Not required.

FAC confirms the existing shade structure is excluded from the scope.

16 Existing Playground Base Please confirm the existing ground composition beneath the current playground area. If it is existing concrete slab, kindly confirm whether its demolition and disposal are included in the Contractor's scope, and provide slab thickness.

Contractors can provide a quote for a crushed-aggregate subbase and a quote for a 10cm thick concrete slab with an area of approximately 18m x 26m. Contractors must provide a quote for the crushed-aggregate subbase and can have an option of the concrete slab.

17 Contractor's Technical Staff Kindly clarify the minimum required Contractor's site management and technical personnel team.

It’s the contractor’s responsibility to provide all personnel and supervision required to complete the project within the required timeline.

18 Drainage System Please clarify whether drainage is limited to surface grading or includes an underground drainage network and provide an as-built/sketch of the existing drainage system. So, we can link the new system if it is required?

Please clarify whether drainage is limited to surface grading or includes an underground drainage network and provide an as-built/sketch of the existing drainage system. So, we can link the new system if it is required?

Refer to attachment “A” Statement of Work.

Drainage is limited to surface grading.

19 Landscaping Kindly confirm that planting, Curbstone, interlocking tile works are excluded from that the Contractor scope.

Curbstone to be added in the perimeter of the landscape area and any other place without existing curbstone.

20 Existing Concrete Paving Based on the tender photographs, kindly clarify us whether demolition of the existing concrete tile paving beneath the rubber surfacing is included in the Contractor's scope or not?

Existing concrete subbase does not need demolished if it does not impede on proposed subbase installations.

21 Owner's Site Office Kindly clarify us whether providing a temporary site office and facilities for the Owner/COR is included in the Contractor's scope or not.

The COR will be Omar Mahmoud.

22 Contractor's Site Office & Storage Please clarify us whether a designated area will be provided inside the Embassy for the Contractor's temporary site office and material storage or not.

Refer to the scope of work page 59

3.2 Logistics

• Staging/storage area shall be available on the ground as coordinated with the Embassy.

23 Underground Utilities Please clarify us whether underground utilities exist within the work area or not? if yes, provide utility drawings so we can verify the depth of these utilities avoiding to any damages during our site works removal and demolitions

Refer to page 86

Contractors must apply the following safety controls:

▪ Before any excavation work begins, underground utilities shall be identified and the location marked of underground pipes, electrical conductors, any other structures.

24 Material Delivery Please clarify delivery restrictions including delivery times and overnight storage.

Material deliveries will be coordinated with the COR likely during normal business hours, unless otherwise agreed by the COR.

Laydown sites will be located just outside of the embassy compound.

25 Protection of Existing Facilities Please identify existing facilities requiring protection and any restricted or no-work areas.

Surrounding protections are required for the canopy structure, tennis court fence, perimeter wall of the MPR building, roads and sidewalks, landscape, and any other existing structure in the area.

26 Security Clearance Kindly confirm the expected duration for obtaining security clearances for personnel, vehicles, equipment and material deliveries.

Clarification required for accurate pricing and compliance.

Refer to paragraph G.5.2

27 Temporary Utilities A site office can be discussed with the winning bidder that will be positioned just outside of the embassy compound.

Please clarify whether temporary electricity and water for construction and contractor consumption will be provided by the Government or not?

28 For New Rubberized Safety Tiles, is there a particular required brand/ or supplier for the materials? Kindly confirm.

As per the SOW, install new rubberized tiles that fully comply with USCPSC, ASTM, and all applicable industry standards.

29 For New Rubberized safety Tiles material, is locally available material is acceptable? Kindly confirm.

Locally available material is acceptable if it complies with USCPSC and ASTM standards. If standards are different from the two standards mentioned in the SOW, please provide a comparison sheet of other/local standards to that of the U.S. standards.

30 As SOW, stated in section - Details of the Embassy Compound Playground- it was mentioned that "the existing metal structure and awning shall remain in place. Kindly confirm that NO works to do for the Metal structure like (repainting works). Please confirm.

Canopy and canopy metal structure are to remain untouched.

31 kindly client to confirm,need to demolish all the equipment with footing? Or limited to which replacing with new only.

Existing playground equipment to be removed and salvaged as best as possible.

32 AS stated in SOW 3.5, concrete for footings 20 mpa can mix at site as per mixed propotions?

Yes, can mix at site.

33 Compaction test (FDT) required for footings or not?

Kindly confirm.

It would be preferred if compaction rates are confirmed through testing, as per ASTM D698.

34 Is there a closer access road to the project site that can be used to bring in vehicles for debris disposal?

There are access roads leading to the playground area.

35 Client can provide temporary power supply or not ? Yes, we can provide.

36 Client can provide temporary Utilities or not ? Yes, we can provide.

37 How many existing equipment are there at site to demolish?

Seven (7) existing playground equipment to be removed.

38 is there any utilities passing underneath the Equipment foundations?

Yes, manholes are marked and will remain untouched however possible.

39 As Per Attachment E, List of Playground Equipment is given Please clarify either any relation with the proposed work?

This question is unclear. The list is of playground equipment is what we would like to have priced in the proposal.

40 Do we have to replace soil beneath the Grass.Please clarify?

Grass area to be converted to rubber tiles up to the shrubs.

41 Is there any Irrigation water line and Electrical works are included in our scope?

No, unless underground services are damaged during the project.

42 As per SOW, Existing canopy has to be include any cleaning and painting works in our scope or not. Please clarify?

If existing canopy is damaged during the project, painting, cleaning, repairing, etc. is the contractor’s responsibility.

43 For New Rubberized Safety Tiles, is there a particular required brand/ or supplier for the materials? Kindly confirm.

No specific brand name is required, as long as it complies with USCPSC, ASTM, and/or all applicable industry standards.

44 For New Rubberized safety Tiles material, is locally available material is acceptable? Kindly confirm.

Yes, as long as it complies with USCPSC, ASTM, and/or all applicable industry standards.

45 As SOW, stated in section - Details of the Embassy Compound Playground- it was mentioned that "the existing metal structure and awning shall remain in place. Kindly confirm that NO works to do for the Metal structure like (repainting works). Please confirm.

If existing canopy is damaged during the project, painting, cleaning, repairing, etc. is the contractor’s responsibility.

46 kindly client to confirm, need to demolish all the equipment with footing? Or limited to which replacing with new only.

Footings will have to be removed along with the equipment it’s used for.

47 AS stated in SOW 3.5, concrete for footings 20 mpa can mix at site as per mixed propotions?

Yes, can mix at site in an agreed location with the COR.

48 Existing Surface Depth: Please confirm the existing depth and construction layers beneath the playground surfaces, including rubber tiles, concrete, sand, and aggregate sub-base, if this information is available

Maximum 15cm-30cm below playground surface.

49 Perimeter Curbing: Please confirm whether new curbing is required around the entire rubber-tile area or only where no existing permanent boundary is present.

New curbing is not required where curbing exists.

50 Recommended Concrete Base: To improve long-term stability and prevent movement of the rubber tiles, we recommend installing them over a continuous concrete base. Please confirm whether the Embassy will accept this proposed construction method.

Please provide a quote for crushed aggregate subbase as per SOW, and for subbase with 10cm concrete base. Two quotes total, if desired.

51 Safety flooring area During the site visit, the Government representatives indicated that the rubber safety flooring should cover the full playground footprint underneath the existing shade structure. Please confirm:

• The exact boundary to receive the new rubber safety flooring;

• Whether the existing walkway is excluded; and

• The Government’s approximate total area in square metres, if available.

Yes, all flooring to be the same underneath the shade structure including the existing walkway. The approximate final area for rubberized tile is 18m x 26m

52 Reinforced concrete slab

• During the site visit, a compacted subsoil and crushed-gravel sub-base was discussed. The attending contractor representatives

Please provide a quote for crushed aggregate subbase as per SOW, and for subbase with 10cm concrete base. Two quotes total, if desired.

recommended a reinforced concrete slab to reduce the risk of settlement or uneven safety flooring.

• Please confirm whether the base quotation must include a 10 cm thick reinforced concrete slab across the entire playground area, or whether concrete is required only for the equipment foundations and other specifically identified locations.

• If a full slab is not mandatory, please confirm whether an offeror may propose it as part of its technical solution.

53 Underground utilities and existing services

• Please provide any available drawings or information showing underground electrical lines, irrigation pipes, drainage lines or other utilities within or close to the playground area.

• If no drawings are available, please confirm whether the contractor will be responsible for locating and protecting all existing underground services before excavation

Drawings do not exist. Contractor will work with COR if underground utilities are discovered to work around them as best as possible.

54 Reinforced concrete slab

• During the site visit, a compacted subsoil and crushed-gravel sub-base was discussed. The attending contractor representatives recommended a reinforced concrete slab to reduce the risk of settlement or uneven safety flooring.

Please provide a quote for crushed aggregate subbase as per SOW, and for subbase with 10cm concrete base. Two quotes total, if desired.

• Please confirm whether the base quotation must include a 10 cm thick reinforced concrete slab across the entire playground area, or whether concrete is required only for the equipment foundations and other specifically identified locations.

• If a full slab is not mandatory, please confirm whether an offeror may propose it as part of its technical solution.

55 Perimeter kerbstones

• Please confirm whether the contractor must include the supply and installation of kerbstones, curbing or another approved edge restraint around the complete safety flooring area.

• If required, please confirm that this should be included in the firm-fixed base price.

New curbing is not required where curbing exists.

56 Rubber safety tile thickness

• Please confirm whether the approximately 2.5-inch rubber safety tile thickness stated in the solicitation is the minimum requirement across the complete playground area.

Please also confirm that thicker surfacing must be provided where necessary to meet the required critical fall-height rating of the proposed equipment

Please ensure the rubber tiles comply with USCPSC, ASTM, and/or all applicable industry standards.

57 Playground equipment manufacturers and country of origin

• Please confirm that the manufacturers and model numbers listed in Attachment E are reference products and that technically equal playground equipment from other manufacturers will be accepted, provided that the offered products meet all required CPSC, ASTM, ABA and other solicitation standards.

• Please also confirm whether the Government has any preference or restriction concerning the country of origin, in addition to the applicable Trade Agreements requirements.

The list of equipment was taken from the manufacturer, Landscaping Structure, U.S.A. (https://www.playlsi.com). Please use this or similar brand that meet safety requirements mentioned in the SOW.

Brands from China will not be accepted.

58 Equipment layout and safety zones

• Please confirm whether the Government has a fixed layout for the placement of the new playground equipment.

• If not, please confirm that the contractor is expected to prepare and submit the proposed equipment layout, accessible route, foundations and required safety zones based on the actual site dimensions and the manufacturer’s requirements.

The proposed layout with safety zones meets all safety requirements.

The contractor will need to provide detailed drawings of equipment and safety layouts, accessible routes, etc. as part of the package.

https://www.playlsi.com/

59 Site levels and drainage Please provide any available information concerning:

• Existing site levels or survey benchmarks

• Required finished floor levels and slopes

• Existing drainage points or permitted discharge locations

• Any specific drainage arrangement required below or around the rubber safety flooring If no Government design is available, please confirm that the contractor should propose the necessary grading and drainage solution.

Refer to attachment “A” Statement of Work.

Drainage is limited to surface grading. Finished flooring levels to match existing curbstone and surface (tennis court) and slope away from the building.

60 Removed equipment and construction waste Please confirm whether the existing playground equipment, rubber tiles and other removed materials must:

• Be transported and disposed of off-site at an approved facility; or

• Be retained and transferred to an Embassy-designated storage location.

Please also advise whether there are any particular disposal or documentation requirements that must be included in the quotation.

Existing playground equipment, rubber tiles, and reusable materials (e.g., not concrete footers) to be stored outside of the embassy compound. Contractor is responsible for proper disposal of all trash, construction debris, etc. at a local government-approved facility.