Pre-Solicitation Conference QA 19MX53-20-Q-0002- For Publication.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

Gardening Services for U.S. Consulate General Monterrey compound and residential property Pre-Solicitation Conference and Site Visit March 9, 2020

RFQ No. 19MX56-20-Q-0003

Q1. Can the proposal be quoted in US Dollars, if so under what instance?

A: Yes, a proposal can be submitted in USD if the vendor has a USD account established in the company’s name and the account is with a Mexican bank.

Q2. Does the COR have a current plan of service that has to be follow thru?

A: There is no current daily plan of scheduled activities. The contractor must comply with the SOW requirements. Please refer to 1.3 through 1.12 of the solicitation.

The provider of the new contract is required to submit a Grounds Maintenance Plan

(1.3.5) 30 days after contract award.

Q3. What types of Irrigations systems does the compound and residential property have?

A: At Post the irrigation system is all drip system, with exception of the grass at the flagpole area which is a sprinkler system. At the Residence, the system is sprinklers and drip system for the plants by the street.

Q4. Who provides maintenance to the Irrigation system?

A: Consulate Facility Staff

Q5. Is it mandatory for the On-site supervisor to speak English?

A: As Section 1.3. MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

1.3.1. SUPERVISION. The Contractor shall designate a representative who shall be responsible for on-site supervision of the Contractor's workforce at all times. This supervisor SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS shall be the focal point for the

Contractor and shall be the point of contact with U.S. Government personnel. The supervisor shall have sufficient English language skill to be able to communicate with members of the U.S. Government staff. The supervisor shall have supervision as his or her sole function.

Q6. In regards of Products, which ones are provided by the Vendor/Contractor?

A: Please refer to Section 1, attachment CONTRACTOR FURNISHED

PROPERTY.

https://www.linguee.com/english-spanish/translation/sprinklers.html

Q7. In regards of PLANTS, can the vendor suggest a different kind/type of plant to place?

A: Vendor can suggest as long it is considered under the firm-fixed price proposal package; any additional incurred cost is not allowed.

Q8. How do you establish a plant needs reposition?

A: If the plant/tree is dead, or looks like is not showing sprouts, seems to be dry.

Q9. Can the vendor make proposals to change the landscaping?

A: This contract is for gardening services for the grounds in their current state and layout. Bids that include changes to the current landscape cannot be considered for this solicitation.

Q10. What does Firm Fix price means?

A: A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) (FAR Subpart 16.2) contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor's cost experience in performing the contract. More information can be found at https://www.acquisition.gov/content/16201-general. 1

Q11. Is the horticulturist report mandatory, if so, does he/she need to be certified?

A: Please refer to Section 1.3.4 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE

Q12. How long does the clearance process for employees takes?

A: It takes an average of 30 days.

Q13. Does vendor provide Tools?

A: Yes. Please refer to Section 1, attachment CONTRACTOR FURNISHED

PROPERTY.

Q14. Is the irrigation system automated?

A: Post: Yes, it is, with the exception of a zone by the street that is irrigated manually.

Residence: Yes, it is, with the exception of the flowerpots at the sidewalk, that is irrigated manually.

Q15. What is the Compound water source?

1 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/16201-general https://www.acquisition.gov/content/16201-general

A: The water is provided by the Municipality and stored in a cistern until used.

Q16. Has the Compound had any issues regarding water supply?

A: None known

Q17. Section 1.4.5. TURF REPAIR AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT mentions Paint, under which circumstances or notice this service must be provided?

A: “1.4.5 The Contractor will also provide grass paint for special events, limited to a maximum of 2 liters per event and 2 events per year.” This is the paint for grass located around the flag pole.

Q18. Is Heights Pruning service considered in the Residential Property?

A: Yes, please refer to Section 1.5. PRUNING

1.5.1 The Contractor shall maintain trees, shrubs, hedges, bushes, vines, ground cover and flowers.

Q19. The residential property has its own personnel to irrigate daily or is this service provided once a week as well?

A: The residential property has daily personnel to provide this service.

Q20. In Section 1.13. LOCATION FOR GARDENING SERVICES. May we respectfully suggest the following correction?

A: Yes, the correct location is: Consul General’s Residence. Mision Del Rosario 263.

Q21. What does Base Year and option years mean?

A: Please refer to SCOPE OF CONTRACT. Base Year is the first 12 months of the contract. The U.S. government then has the option to continue service at the end of the base year and each option year after that. The option years are not automatically renewed.

Q22. Can proposals, as well as work requested within the contract, be submitted electronically instead of delivering the work physically?

A: All proposals must be submitted electronically as stated in the solicitation package.

Future work requests can also be submitted electronically.

Q23. ¿Do you have a template in which Vendor has to submit the Proposal or can

Vendor use their own format?

A: We do not have a template for proposal submission.

Q24. Can a Vendor eliminate Section 1-6.2 GENERAL LIABILITY amounts if the company’s employees are insuraned/covered by (IMSS) Based on Mexican Labor Laws?

A: No. General Liability insurance is for injury or damage caused by the vendor during the performance of duties and is required in addition to any other types of insurance required by local law or that are ordinarily or customarily obtained in the location of work. Please refer to

Section 1. 6.1 AMOUNT OF INSURANCE.

Q25. Is it mandatory to have a John Deere Gator electrical vehicle on site?

A: No, it is not mandatory. Please refer to Section 1, attachment 2 CONTRACTOR

FURNISHED PROPERTY.