Q A_19TH2026Q0021_Office furniture installation_20260420.pdf

Embassy of the United States of America

Bangkok, Thailand

April 20, 2026

Solicitation No. 19TH2026Q0021 – Office furniture installation

Questions and Answers

1. According to Section B, the initial project schedule is required to be submitted within thirty

(30) days after the Notice to Proceed. However, Section E (FAR 52.236-15) states that the schedule shall be submitted within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of an executed contract, while the Deliverables Table indicates a submission within ten (10) days after award.

A:The government requirement shall be in accordance with Section E (FAR 52.236-15), which requires submission of the construction schedule within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the contract executed.

The ten (10) day reference in the Deliverables Table is considered an administrative guideline, while the thirty (30) day reference in Section B relates to a more comprehensive planning submission. In case of inconsistency, Section E shall take precedence.

2. Please provide the required timeframe for submitting shop drawings, product data, and samples after the Notice to Proceed.

A:The contractor may propose the schedule to provide shop drawings, product data and samples of materials in a reasonable timeframe. The proposed work plan will be taken into consideration as part of the bidder’s qualification assessment. The review period will be completed within a week under normal circumstances.

Also, please provide the review period for these submittals.

3. According to Section B, the project schedule is required to be submitted within 30 days after the Notice to Proceed (NTP), with an additional 30 days allocated for review, and any required revisions to be resubmitted within 10 days.

However, Section E (52.211-10) states that:

(a) the Contractor shall commence work within 7 calendar days after receipt of the NTP; and

(c) the entire work shall be completed and ready for use no later than 45 days after NTP issuance.

In light of the above, could the Government please clarify whether:

• An initial NTP will be issued to allow the Contractor to proceed with submittals (e.g., schedule, shop drawings, product data, samples); and

• A second NTP will be issued after approval of submittals, from which the 45-day performance period will be calculated for procurement and construction activities.

A:The first NTP should be a Limited Notice to Proceed after which the submittals are reviewed and updated. After the actual NTP is issued, the vendor has seven days to commence work and finalize it within 45 days.

4. Section K of the RFQ states that award will be made to the lowest‑priced, acceptable, responsible quoter, and that the Government reserves the right to reject quotations that are unreasonably low or high. However, during the site visit, it was mentioned that quotations may also be considered based on the functional usefulness of the proposed solution.

Please confirm whether award will be determined strictly in accordance with Section K, or whether functional considerations will also be evaluated as part of the award decision.

A:Award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable, and responsible offeror, in accordance with Section K.

Functional characteristics of proposed products will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining technical acceptability and compliance with the Statement of Work. No additional evaluation weighting will be applied beyond acceptability.

5. Refer Section B – Statement of Work (B. Conference Room Table and Chairs) Please confirm that the conference table is not required to have sharp or square edges, and that rounded or eased edge profiles are acceptable.

A:Confirm that rounded or eased edge profiles are acceptable as well.

6. During the site visit, the Government indicated a preference for furniture in cool-tone colors

(e.g., gray, blue, or blue-gray). Please confirm whether only these preferred colors are required, or if other colors will be acceptable.

Please also confirm whether submission of a product catalogue and specifications is required as part of the proposal. If so, please clarify which volume it should be included in and provide any applicable requirements or format.

A:Confirm that submission of a product catalogue and specifications is required as part of the proposal. The submission could be submitted in any format of presentation that can demonstrate the clear picture and quality of the product. The catalogue is for informational purposes.

Regarding the colors, please adhere to the indicated color family of gray, blue, or blue-gray.

Additionally, please clarify whether the catalogue is for informational purposes only (e.g., to support review of color selection and functional suitability) or if it will be considered as part of the evaluation criteria.

A:The catalogue is provided for informational purposes only. Upon award, the catalogue and/or samples will be required for review prior to the start of production to ensure that the fabric and color etc. meet our requirements.

7. Please confirm whether office furniture and related materials manufactured in Thailand and other countries not listed under Clause 52.225-23 are acceptable for this RFQ procurement, or whether offerors are limited to U.S. origin or designated-country construction materials under

Clause 52.225-23.

A:The offerors are not limited to the U.S. origin or designated- country construction material under Clause 52.225-23.

8. During the site visit, it was discussed that the Contractor may be permitted to perform onsite work for only one week, tentatively in early October. Please confirm whether this understanding is correct.

If correct, please also confirm whether all delivery, installation, assembly, punch list correction, and final clean-up activities must be completed within that one-week period.

A:All delivery and installation shall be done within one week under normal circumstances. Punch list correction and final clean-up shall be done in one week or reasonable time frame.

9. Please confirm that there are no nationality‑based restrictions on personnel working at the U.S.

Embassy, and that all personnel are permitted to perform work on site provided they hold valid work authorization and permits in accordance with applicable laws and Embassy security requirements.

A : Personnel of third-country nationalities are permitted to work on site, provided they are legally authorized to work in Thailand and possess valid work permits and supporting documentation in full compliance with applicable laws and Embassy security requirements.

10. Please clarify whether the RFQ site areas are considered as Controlled Access Areas (CAA).

A : No, the RFQ area is not a CAA area.

11. Please clarify whether the Government will provide an escort or whether the Contractor is responsible for providing one. If the Contractor is responsible for providing the escort, please advise whether any associated costs will apply to the Contractor.

Additionally, please confirm whether the escort is required to be a cleared American, as stated in the RFQ: “A cleared American escort must be present at all times with contractors in the CAA.”

A : It is not a CAA area, and our Thai staff will be escort all workers into the compound and when work is being carried out.

12. Referring to Section B, Security Requirements and Procedures for Contractors, it states that the

Contractor is responsible for obtaining and submitting official criminal background check reports for personnel planning to work onsite. However, during the site visit, the Government indicated that criminal background checks may not be required.

A : The workers’ criminal background checks at Thai Royal Police are not required for personnel working onsite if the duration of the installation is less than 10 days.

13. Please confirm that submission of a Bid Bond is not required with the proposal.

A : A Bid Bond is not required at the time of proposal submission; however, it will be required upon award.

14. Please confirm whether a Performance/Payment Bank Guarantee issued by a reputable U.S. financial institution is acceptable, or if it must be issued by a Thai bank.

A: It’s acceptable for both.