Responses_to_vendor_quotes__1.docx

1. Is this a new program for the U.S. Customs Border Patrol? Yes.

2. Part 2 Scope – it states that 250,000 pieces will be produced at delivery order award. Will a lead time for production be coordinated at the “Kick-Off Meeting”, or is this product expected to be shipped immediately upon award? The 250,000 seals requested in SOW are to be number of seals for first shipment. As we do not know at this point where seals will be manufactured, and each company may have different way of shipping cargo from overseas (maritime, air, etc. which will have different time frame for shipping – air cargo arrives arrive within one day, maritime cargo arrives in few weeks) all these type of details will be discus during kickoff meeting, and as mentioned in SOW - The delivery timeframe will be negotiated in the final agreement.

3. Section 4.2 Shipment – it’s noted that the CBP will not be responsible for any required resources associated with shipping and handling to include, loading and unloading, when the cable HSS arrive at the NDC facility, what does this mean exactly? Is the vendor responsible for unloading the goods and stacking them in the CBP warehouse? 250,000 seals will be amount that CBP is re 4.2 is talking about vendor’s responsibilities for shipment coming from overseas: The vendor shall be responsible for all shipping/handling and for the means and methods used for removing shipments from delivery conveyances and transporting shipments to the loading dock warehouse of the NDC, identified in section 2 of this document. Meaning when seals arrive in boxes at CBP port of entry – vendor will be responsible for all fees, taxes clearing customs, possible inspections there, unloading from docks, loading into I guess trucks, driving to NDC, then provide labour, people and possibly forklift to unload at NDC loading dock. Ones seals on described skids are unladed at NDC loading dock, NDC will take over to stuck skids up their shelves. All this is done to ensure chain of custody transfer of the shipment is done properly

4. Section 4.5 High Security Seal Requirement (Bullet Point 7 and 8)

• Do you have a spec sheet (and or drawing) for this item?

• Is the 3.2MM cable actually a 3.25MM cable (3.25MM cable is the normal standard)? – Actual cable diameter (the wire beyond the locking mechanism body) should be at least 3.2 mm in order to comply with ISO17712. Thicker cables will be accepted.

• It says the HSS shall have two independent locking mechanism?, Is the crimped lock body, which secures one end of the cable considered an independent locking mechanism? The “two independent locking mechanisms” describes what should be inside the locking mechanism body out of witch the 14 inches cable (wire) starts. Usually one locking mechanism body that have 2 independent mechanisms and wire after that. In essence wire will go ones into the body and go out second time out of the same body or something of that sort.

• What are the tolerances for the cable body and cable itself?

• Will special orders be placed for the 16” cable if that is requested? CBP may request 100 boxes of seals with 16 inch long wire. Can pricing be adjusted for the longer cable length? Yes, the price for the longer cable should be provided within the quote.

5. Section 6 Quality Assurance - “Vendor and its manufacturing companies shall be ISO 9001 (or equivalent) certified and compliant” Can the vendor be 3rd party DCMA compliant and manufacturer is ISO 9001 certified? - ISO 9001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. If the vendor has a partner that manufactures item overseas for instance, both have to comply.

6. Section 6 Quality Assurance – “Vendor shall provide proof of current membership in CBP’s Custom Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program”. Is their any type of waiver to being a member? SOW states that vendor shall have CTPAT partnership account number – meaning CBP already vetted and approved this company for safe and secure trade practices. If waiver was contemplated it would have been included in the SOW.