2025-R-013 (RFQ) Question Responses_12.16.24.pdf

Question# Reference / Question Answer

1 Question: Would you be able to let us know your brand and manufacturer preferences for the flatbed printer?

No preference on brand or manufacturer, we are looking for a machine that meets the specifications of the RFQ.

2 Question: Will the Senate accept a print height of up to 2" to allow for more fair and open competition? The Senate will accept a print height of 2" for the flatbed printer.

3 Question: What is the basis of award for this contract? (I.e. lowest Price technically acceptable, best value)

The Senate will make a source selection decision on a best value (trade-off) basis. The government will evaluate the technical specifications of the Flatbed Printer System, proposed price (including list price, optional items, consumables, and maintenance), and past performance of similar products and services being purchased within the past three (3) calendar years. Please see the RFQ instuctions.

Question: Would it be possible to have this solicitation extended by 2 weeks to allow adequate time to prepare a quote and relevant information

The submission deadline has been extended to December 20, 2024 @ 12:00pm EST. Please see updated RFQ instructions.

5 Question: Can you tell me where the Flatbed Printer for the US Senate is to be delivered and installed?

The location of the flatbed printer will be at the Landover Print Facility located at 1535 Cabin Branch Drive Hyattsville MD.

Question: Will the Contract Office be permitted to provide RFQ participants with the decision (and/or status and outcome of RFQ No. 2025-R-013) upon request, after the response period closes?

Yes. Per request, the Senate will provide the award summary (decision) to the RFQ participants of 2025- R-013.

Question: The Epson V7000 Flatbed Printer comes with a 90-day warranty; however, the Price List does not include a warranty for the Base Period. Which means after 90 days the Senate would not have any service coverage until Option Year- 1 on 1/1/2026. Please confirm the Senate does not want more than 90 days of Warranty service coverage during the BASE YEAR - "Estimated" 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025.

a) The Senate is not requesting an Epson V7000 flatbed printer. Please see Question 1 response.

b) The Offeror shall warrant the proposed flatbed printer for a period of 1 year (Base Year). Please see Specification 51, RFQ Attach B-Specifications.

Question: “If the Flatbed Printer System had a failure downtime within 30 days of the start of acceptance testing period, the Vendor shall, at its own expense, fix and/or replace any defective part or parts of the Flatbed Printer System (including the entire Flatbed Printer System if necessary). The acceptance testing period shall begin again after the Flatbed Printer System has been fixed and/or the replacement of the designated parts. If the Flatbed Printer System had another failure downtime within the next 30 consecutive days of the re-start of acceptance testing period, the Senate may reject the Flatbed Printer System entirely and terminate the contract for default. The Vendor shall return all payments if any had been made to Vendor; and liability, if any, made up until the point of rejection; and release the Senate from all future payments.

The Vendor shall not remove the Flatbed Printer System until a suitable replacement printer is installed and functioning in accordance with the printer specifications.”

“Four (4) business hour on-site service response time during business hours, 8am-5pm, Monday - Friday.”These are contrary to normal industry standards. The unilateral option for the government to cancel without an objective standard as to what constitutes a “failure downtime” puts the vendor in a precarious position. The 4-hour on-site response time is likewise far from industry standards.

Are these items preferences, and bids may offer alternative arrangements? Or, are these hard requirements that vendor’s will be bound by should they submit a bid?

The Senate will consider accepting an alternative arrangement. Please specify the details of the alternative arrangement and/or proposal in the "comments" section for each applicable specification.