19RB1020Q0005 Questions and Answers January 15, 2020.pdf

U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Serbia Solicitation 19RB1020Q0005 Packing and shipping services

Questions & Answers

As of January 15, 2020

1. Question: Will the U.S. Embassy Belgrade reimburse DBA Insurance or not?

Answer: In this phase of solicitation, you are not obliged to buy DBA insurance –only to get a quote and include it in your offer. Only the awarded vendor will be required to purchase DBA insurance, which will be reimbursed.

2. Question: Is it allowed to open Lift Vans in our warehouse or not due to new regulations where trucks cannot come in the downtown?

Answer: This type of move must be avoided if possible. If absolutely necessary, we must receive a special approval to open the crate at the contractor warehouse and deliver loose pack. If approved, a member of the Embassy Belgrade shipping office must be present during the unpacking, reloading and transfer to the address.

3. Question: Will you award this contract to the only one provider or to more providers?

Answer: As per FAR provision 52.216-27 SINGLE OR MULTIPLE AWARDS (OCT 1995) in RFQ’s ADDENDUM TO EVALUATION FACTORS FAR AND DOSAR PROVISION(S) NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12, the Government may elect to award a single task order contract or to award multiple delivery order contracts or task order contracts for the same or similar supplies or services to two or more sources under this solicitation.

4. Question: In the table ‘Based Period Prices’ under the field number 19 do you mean additional removal of debris?

Answer: Under the field number 19 it is meant for the contractor to remove all debris within 2 days after the shipment is delivered to the residence.

5. Question: Do you request US Flag carrier for UAB shipment?

Answer: Yes. As per Foreign Affairs Manual regulations, if the American carrier is not present in Belgrade, a NON-US Flag carrier may be used, but the second carrier must be American carrier.

6. Question: Is DBA insurance necessary if a potential contractor possess AEO insurance based on the Customs-to-Business partnership introduced by the World Customs Organization (WCO)?

Answer: Yes. All government contracts contain a provision that requires contractors to obtain DBA insurance. Failure to do so will result in fines and possible loss of contract. For more information on DBA insurance, please visit the link https://rs.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/235/2017/04/Defense-Base-Act-DBA-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf

7. Question: Field #12 on page #1: In case that we don't have discount possibility, is field #12 still mandatory to be filled?

Answer: No, it is not mandatory to fill in field #12.

8. Question: Fields #23 & #24 on page 1: As for all item numbers quantity is 1 and unit is year, could you confirm that unit price and amount are equal = year total price?

Answer: Yes - Unit price and Amount should be of the same amount since detailed prices are given in CONTINUATION TO SF-1449 RFQ 19RB1020Q0005

SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE PRICES, BLOCK 23, INDEFINITE DELIVERY/INDEFINITE

QUANTITY CONTRACT, SHIPPING/PACKING SERVICES, 3. PRICING.

9. Question: Article 4. A, Prices: Are we allowed to give quotes for NON-US Flag carriers for following destinations: Washington, JFK, Miami and Kabul? Under which conditions we can quote for NON-US Flag carriers?

Answer: As per Foreign Affairs Manual regulations, if the American carrier is not present in Belgrade, a NON-US Flag carrier may be used, but the second carrier must be American carrier.

https://rs.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/235/2017/04/Defense-Base-Act-DBA-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf https://rs.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/235/2017/04/Defense-Base-Act-DBA-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf

10. Question: Article 4.A, Prices: Is DBA insurance mandatory, as it's not commonly used in Serbia?

Answer: Yes. All government contracts contain a provision that requires contractors to obtain DBA insurance. Failure to do so will result in fines and possible loss of contract. For more information on DBA insurance, please visit the link https://rs.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/235/2017/04/Defense-Base-Act-DBA-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf

11. Question: Could you please confirm due date for submitting quotations.

Answer: Quotations due date is January 31, 2020, 17:00 Belgrade local time.

https://rs.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/235/2017/04/Defense-Base-Act-DBA-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf https://rs.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/235/2017/04/Defense-Base-Act-DBA-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf