QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS_19RP3826Q0018.pdf

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

QUESTIONS RECEIVED

FOR

RFQ NO. 19RP3826Q0018

Garbage Collection and Disposal Services for U.S. Embassy Philippines

Q1 What is the ongoing garbage disposal contract value?

A1 The contract has expired and the service is under an interim purchase order. Also, the requirements have changed, and as such, it is the responsibility of the offerors to review the solicitation requirements and terms and conditions to arrive at their proposed firm fixed prices.

Q2 We are an American company and have a local partner and we have not done similar services in Philippines, but we have done the similar services in Africa for United States government and their subcontractor. Will that be enough for past performances?

A2 Refer to Section 3-Solicitation Provisions, Subparagraph A.2(4).

Q3 Are there any other documents which we need to provide as a partner company?

A3 Refer to Section 3-Solicitation Provisions.

Q4 For general reference, may we confirm how many companies attended the mandatory pre-quotation conference and site visit?

A4 No.

Q5 Is the Embassy currently receiving garbage collection and disposal services under an existing contract? If so, and if such information is releasable, could you please advise the reference number of the prior solicitation or contract under which the current services were awarded?

A5 See A1.

Q6 Are there any pricing considerations or thresholds that the Government typically views as unrealistically low or otherwise non-responsive under an LPTA evaluation, which offerors should be mindful of when preparing their quotations?

A6 Refer to Section 4 – Evaluation Factors.

Q7 If available, may the Government provide reference photographs or diagrams of the garbage collection points observed during the site visit to assist offerors in validating pricing and logistical assumptions?

A7 Refer to Amendment 001. Note: Photographs will only be sent to the attendees of the mandatory site visit. Offerors are responsible for identifying and addressing their own concerns regarding pricing and logistics based on observations made during the site visit, during which all areas were shown. Offerors should also ensure that their quotations align with the performance and deliverables requirements specified in the solicitation.

Q8 Is proof of insurance required to be submitted with the quotation, or will this be required only from the successful offeror prior to award or commencement of services?

A8 Refer to Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement, Par. 8, Deliverables.

Q9 Are copies of local waste disposal permits, DENR accreditations, and landfill authorizations required at the time of quotation submission, or may these be furnished by the successful offeror after award and prior to mobilization?

A9 Refer to Section 3-Solicitation Provisions, Subparagraph A.2(6).

Q10 For U.S.-based companies performing services outside the United States, are there any

U.S. federal tax withholding requirements applicable under this contract?

A10 Refer to Section 2-Contract Clauses and Section 3-Solicitation Provisions, Subparagraph A.2(6).

Q11 In the event that a successful offeror is unable to execute required contractual service agreements within the prescribed timeframe, are there penalties or other remedies applied by the Government?

A11 Refer to Section 2-Contract Clauses, 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items

Q12 Does the contract allow for termination by the contractor with advance notice due to unforeseen circumstances, and if so, what notice period would be required?

A12 See A11.

Q13 For service at the Ambassador’s Residence and other residential compounds, may the

Government advise on the process, points of contact, and any applicable fees for obtaining vehicle access passes or service stickers for dump or collection trucks?

A13 Refer to Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement, Par. 2.6 Disposal of Garbage/ Trash, Par. 7 Lawful Operation, Permits and Indemnification and Section 2-Contract Clauses, 652.242-73 Authorization and Performance.

Q14 Is there currently an incumbent contractor providing garbage collection and disposal services for the U.S. Embassy Philippines under this requirement?

A14 Yes.

Q15 Are there estimated waste volumes, container sizes, and collection frequencies available for each service location, or should offerors base pricing assumptions solely on observations from the site visit?

A15 Refer to Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement, Par. 2.3 Abnormal Quantities of Garbage and Par. 4 Vehicles.

Q16 Will all facilities and service locations covered under this RFQ be included in the site visit, or is there a separate list of locations identified within the solicitation documents?

A16 Refer to Section 3-Solicitation Provisions, 52.237-1 Site Visit and Attachment 1 –

Performance Work Statement.

Q17 Are there any specific operational constraints offerors should consider when pricing this requirement, such as restricted service hours, vehicle size limitations, security-related access procedures, or routing restrictions near Embassy facilities?

A17 Refer to Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement.

Q18 For dump trucks or compactor trucks with approximately 8 CBM capacity, could you please advise what specific local licenses, permits, or accreditations are required for the vehicles and operators to be considered technically acceptable under this contract?

A18 Refer to Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement, Par. 7 Lawful Operation, Permits and Indemnification and Section 2-Contract Clauses, 652.242-73 Authorization and Performance.

Q19 In the event of severe weather conditions or road flooding that temporarily restrict access to Embassy facilities or nearby roads, how should service interruptions or delays be handled under the contract? Additionally, would any penalties apply in circumstances where access is deemed temporarily impassable due to such conditions?

A19 Refer to Attachment 1- Performance Work Statement, Par. 2.2 Schedule During Inclement Weather.

Q20 For pricing and staffing assumptions, may offerors assume a standard crew composition of one (1) driver and two (2) helpers per dump or compactor truck, or is there a minimum staffing requirement specified by the Government?

A20 It is the responsibility of the contractor to review the scope of work and terms and conditions to determine the appropriate number of personnel to satisfactorily perform the services in accordance with the Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement.

Q21 For locations such as the Ambassador’s Residence or other residential compounds where access restrictions may apply, may offerors utilize smaller-capacity trucks if 8 CBM dump or compactor trucks are not permitted? Additionally, does the Embassy provide any assistance or coordination for obtaining service stickers or access authorization required for entry into residential villages or gated areas?

A21 Refer to Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement, Par. 1.1 General, Par. 4. Vehicles Lawful Operation, Permits and Indemnification and Section 2-Contract Clauses, 652.242-73 Authorization and Performance.

Q22 Are there recurring operational challenges that the contractor should be specifically mindful of?

A22 Offerors should determine their own concerns on operations from the site visit where all areas were seen, together with the performance and deliverables expectations as outlined in Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement.

Q23 Are service expectations or access constraints different across the compounds?

A23 Refer to Attachment 1-Performance Work Statement.

Q24 Are there common compliance or coordination issues that tend to create challenges during contract execution?

A24 See A22.

Q25 Is there a preferred communication cadence with the COR?

A25 Refer to the solicitation.

Q26 Is seamless transition-in the expectation upon award?

A26 Yes.

Q27 Are there administrative or compliance issues that tend to delay awards?

A27 Yes, i.e. Federal Government Shutdown, funding availability.

Q28 What does a successful contractor relationship look like from the Embassy's perspective?

A28 Refer to the solicitation, as to the work and standards required.

Q29 Current Contractor with contact details.

A29 Refer to SAM.gov, Iswims Transport Hauling Services Inc.

Q30 Local teams/equipment working with the contractor.

A30 Refer to Section 2 – Contract Clauses, 652.242-73 Authorization and Performance.

Q31 Ending date of current contract.

A31 The expiration of the current interim purchase order is May 26, 2026.

Q32 Value (in USD) of current contract.

A32 See A1.

Q33 Any specific local licensing/permits required.

A33 Refer to Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement, Par. 7 Lawful Operation, Permits and Indemnification, Section 2 – Contract Clauses, 652.242-73 Authorization and Performance and Section 3 – Solicitation Provisions, Subparagraph A.2 (6).

Q34 What was the value of the previous contract?

A34 Refer to SAM.gov:

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/award/view/19RP3821P0640?agencyID=1900&m odNumber=P00006&transactionNumber=0&refIdvPiid=null&idvAgencyID=null&con tractType=AWARD https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/award/view/19RP3821P0640?agencyID=1900&modNumber=P00006&transactionNumber=0&refIdvPiid=null&idvAgencyID=null&contractType=AWARD https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/award/view/19RP3821P0640?agencyID=1900&modNumber=P00006&transactionNumber=0&refIdvPiid=null&idvAgencyID=null&contractType=AWARD https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/award/view/19RP3821P0640?agencyID=1900&modNumber=P00006&transactionNumber=0&refIdvPiid=null&idvAgencyID=null&contractType=AWARD

Q35 Can the scope of the previous contract be shared to help us identify any additions or removals that may impact pricing?

A35 See A1.

Q36 Are recyclable materials segregated from residual waste?

A36 Refer to Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement, Par. 1.2.3 Recyclables.

Q37 What is the anticipated award date?

A37 Prior to expiration of the current interim purchase order.

Q38 What was the reason the incumbent contractor was not renewed?

A38 Contract expiration.

Q39 Is there an allocated budget for this project, and if so, what is the budget amount?

A39 The U.S. Government’s cost estimate is procurement-sensitive information, so it is not releasable.