7200AA19R00064_Amendment_01.pdf

(x)

7200AA19R00064

x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

N/A

Not Applicable

7200AA

Washington DC 20523-1000 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, SA-44 Office of Acquisition & Assistance

USAID M/OAA

06/17/20190001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

06/17/2019

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

OFDA/FFP Warehousing and Logistics Services in Miami, FL

The purpose of this amendment to solicitation no.7200AA19R00064 is to:

1) Extend the submission deadline to August 12, 2019, 11.00ET.

2) Post responses to questions asked by Potential Offerors.

See continuation Pages for details.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Prince Boateng

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

7/16/2019

In addition to the Q and As below, there was a request for extension, as follows:

We respectfully ask for a 2-week extension due to the fact that the answers to the questions below are critical for us to provide a more cost-effective solution to USAID. The revised due date would be August 12, 2019.

1. Who has the current contract? Is this a new or existing service? Answer: (Final Mile Logistics;

AID-OAA-C-17-00101; 9/8/2017 - 8/30/2019; This is an existing service.

2. Is there any flexibility in the actual start date of the contract? Answer: Start date is as stated in the solicitation.

3. What services does USAID/OFDA specifically require, type of materials to be stored, processes to be accomplished does USAID/OFDA warehouse? Answer: Please see page 6 of the solicitation for detailed description of the required services and processes, and description of materials.

4. How does USAID/OFDA use these items? Answer: Please see page 5 of the solicitation, Section C.2 Scope.

5. What types of materials are to be warehoused? Does anything need temperature control? Are any items HAZMAT? Answer: Page 6 of the solicitation, Section E. Additional warehousing services may also be requested if the need arises. These services may include cold chain storage, food-grade– certified, ambient temperature storage, hazardous material storage (i.e. chlorine), bonded storage, as well as inspection and disposal of commodities. As of today, the current Miami warehouse holds over 50 standard pallets of food product which requires temperature controlled environment. Therefore, the contractor shall be able to accommodate such requests on-site or at another nearby facility if requested. The nearby facility shall be approximately 30 miles from the primary facility and approximately 50 miles from the Miami International Airport (closest location preferred). What are the square feet needed? Answer: As an indication of demand, throughout 2018-2019 USAID had approximately 1000-1200 standard and oversized pallets in stock in addition to approximately 1,700 cubic feet of bulk storage space occupied in its Miami warehouse. Pallets are generally 40” x 48” x 50” or 42” x 48” x 83”. Pallets typically do not exceed 1,300lbs.

6. What role does the warehouse play in shipping items? Answer: Page 6 of the solicitation, Section G, The contractor shall be available 24 hours every day (including weekends and holidays) for management, material handling, personnel and operations, and for disbursement of materials in response to USAID disaster or emergency response operations. Operations may include receiving, palletizing/wrapping/strapping, handling and loading commodities, transportation to local and regional airports, customs clearance, inspections as well as procurement of auxiliary items and services. The warehouse contractor is usually responsible for local transport to ports and airports, while international air/sea travel is handled by pre-qualified freight forwarders that routinely work with the US Government.

7. Are the shipments going out on shipping containers or dry van trailers? (Email states 20ft & 40ft container to deliver to port and to airport and Price schedule states delivery of commodity to port and to airport per 20ft / 40ft trailer). Answer: Although both options are possible, typically commodities are shipped in containers loaded on trailers. The contractor may be requested to load commodities into containers provided by USAID or to provide containers and trailers.

8. If trailer is needed, does 20ft & 40ft container require lift gate? Are trailers required to be temperature controlled? Answer: Typically lift gate and temperature control are not required. However, the nature of USAID’s work is such that those maybe requested from the contractor during the contract period. In such cases, the contractor is required to provide them.

9. At deliver is driver required to off load material? If Yes, what else is required by driver at time of delivery? Answer: Most commodities are palletized. Therefore, the receiving airport/port facility would offload the cargo. However, the nature of USAID’s work is such that offloading assistance may be requested in some cases from the contractor during the contract period. In such cases, the contractor is required to provide the service. The driver typically locates the person/company receiving cargo and hands over the transport documentation.

10. Is material Hazmat? If yes, what class would be shipped? Answer: Most (not all) cargo is not Hazmat. However, the nature of USAID’s work is such that offloading assistance may be requested in some cases from the contractor during the contract period. In such cases, the contractor is required to provide the service. As materials vary, it is hard to state the class at this time.

11. How many shipments would ship out per occurrence? Answer: This varies substantially depending on emergency USAID is responding to – from a few pallets to the entire stock if it is a large response.

12. How many drivers would need to be available? Answer: Per page 6 of solicitation, the contractor shall be able to obtain access to a minimum of drivers, tractors, and trailers as needed during USAID emergency response operations. A minimum of two drivers is required. Given the nature of USAID’s work, more might be necessary for the response.

13. Please describe the nature of outbound materials flow (ULD, palletized trailer load, loose trailer load; percentages of each if mixed). Answer: Most cargo is palletized and is shipped on pallets. Bales of blankets have been loose loaded in the past. Some specialty items (bladders, water treatment units, etc. are not palletized but are crated when possible. It is impossible to provide the percentage as it is based on commodity request (which varies) following the emergency.

14. Does outbound merchandise move at the pallet level, or are mixed items picked to fulfill discreet unit or case level requirements i.e. order assembly (percentage of each if mixed)? Answer: In most cases all palletized commodities are shipped on their pallets. Order assembly is very rare. However, given the nature of USAID’s work, it might be required.

15. Is there a maximum allowable stack height to materials in bulk storage? Answer: No. The current bulk storage consists of water treatment units - they are on trailers, about 5 ft. high.

16. How many unique items (SKU) are in average on hand? Answer: The current Miami inventory has about 25 SKUs. For some commodities, there are 2-3 production batches that need to be kept separate, even if the items look otherwise the same.

17. How do we bill for the building and equipment? Page 3 lists: “Management, administration, and overhead expenses shall be included in the monthly invoice”, but there are no line items in the pricing on page 4 for those or vehicle/equipment costs. Answer: These costs should be incorporated into your per-pallet-cost. The equipment costs should be incorporated into you per container load/offload cost.

18. Section C.4 line-item B, of the RFP states “The awardee shall have its warehouse management and operations team as well as USAID project manager working on-site and not remotely.” Will both the awardee and USAID project manager be on-site at all times, or only when operations are required / in progress? Answer: We require that staff who work the USAID project be based in Miami rather than in another city.

19. Section C.4 line-item B of the RFP states “At least 75% of the work must be performed by the primary contractor.” How is this work being measured? By revenue, level of effort, or operations?

Answer: USAID requires that the staff managing the facility will be also people with whom USAID interfaces. There may be times when the awardee has to outsource a service (mechanic maintenance, customs clearance, trucking, etc.) but it is imperative that USAID staff interact 75%+ of the time with consistent and known staff employed by the awardee.

20. For the Past Performance, how should we submit our response? In a narrative? Answer: Please review p.32 of the Solicitation for instructions.

21. The RFP references a “Contractor Performance Report – Short Form”. Please provide or point us to where it is in the solicitation package. Answer: Attached

22. Does page count from the Past Performance response count towards the 15-page limit for the Technical Proposal? Answer: No

23. Will the government hold a Pre-solicitation Conference, or will the government conduct a site visit where perspective offers may see the current operations, if any? Answer: Pre-solicitation conference will not be offered. The government may conduct site visit prior to award

24. Must the successful offeror have an approved DCAA accounting system prior to award to successfully manage cost reimbursable type contracts? Answer: No

25. Will the vehicle maintenance records be included in the delivery and will the specifications be outlined? Is the contractor to be expected to drive vehicles to and from the maintenance facility or if they be picked up by maintenance company is that cost reimbursable? Answer: The only vehicle (or two) to be maintained are Kawasaki mules that require occasional starting, tire inflation and maintenance.

There are also water treatment units that contain basic generators that need similar, occasional, maintenance and inspections.

26. For TARIFFs, and/or additional timelines, if paid by the contractor, what are the reimbursement timelines? Answer: 30 days after submission of invoice

27. Additional Storage: Is there an existing warehouse that will need to be transported/relocation to the new warehouse facility? Answer: Yes, there is an existing stock of items that will need to be relocated. This relocation will be contracted separately from the new warehouse contract. Occasionally, the awardee is asked to secure storage for commodities, when overseas operations require USAID to do so.

Being able to facilitate this kind of temporary storage should be possible.

28. Will the current stock management system and logs used in the current warehouse be made available day one to be used if inventory is to be relocated or included in new warehouse? Answer: A simple spreadsheet of current inventories will be made available to the awardee to integrate into their own stock management system.

29. Under the Standard Warehouse Operating Standards it states that the keys may not be given to guards or a security company. Is there a requirement to have 24/7 security on the outside of the warehouse and facility grounds? Answer: The awardee has to demonstrate that stored stocks will be secure at all times.

30. Under the Standard Warehouse Operating Standards it states the need for stock rotation or buildup of un-used stock. If such an occurrence happens how is it resolved that it was lack of demand no contractor error? Answer: The awardee must follow FIFO rule as well as the directions of USAID regarding the SKU of commodities to be dispatched.

31. Reference to above - given there are monthly reports to the Gov. should there be an out of date disposable area included in the warehouse foot print inside or outside? Answer: The awardee must be able to store commodities that are expired and awaiting disposal.

32. Random samples inspections of goods should be taken (is there a procedure that USAID uses and a % of items to be sampled)? Answer: USAID staff will provide this information on case by case basis as it varies depending on commodity.

33. Under the USAID Expectations for Food Aid Storage and Warehouse Good Management Practices (there is no requirement for emergency backup power or system cooling redundancy) neither is there a requirement for duration of backup provisions. Answer: Question not understood

34. Is there GFE printers, scanners, projector and photocopier and office furniture? Answer: No

35. What other airports and ports are defined as regional? (Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port? Are there others we should take into account? Answer: Please see p. 13 of the solicitation.

36. Is the required destination within six hours, the Miami International Airport/other regional airport/ cruise port? Answer: Miami International Airport

37. Vehicles and equipment are to be stored and shipped without fuel is this USAID standard also?

Answer: Yes

38. The six hour requirement for loading and delivery or to include unloading? Answer: Six hours do not include unloading at destination.

39. Does the government have a preferred system for the management of warehouse functions?

Would the government consider the utilization of an existing system currently deployed on a similar contract? Answer: Yes, the Government expects to have access to and use the contractor’s existing warehousing management system. In addition, the Government may require the awardee to enter warehouse data into another system (currently not in place).

40. Is the contractor responsible for transporting out of date and damaged goods to disposal facility Answer: Yes, USAID may request this service on a cost-reimbursable level and on a case-by-case basis.

41. Under the Standard Warehouse Capabilities, it references being able to house several trailers on site (what is the typical number of Tractor Trailers being stored on the grounds)? Answer: These trailers (~3-4) are the size of a small, U-Haul-style trailer (not tractor trailer). They are designed to be pulled by a pickup truck and contain water treatment units, approximately 6 x 12 sq. ft. each. Typically, there could be 2-6 trailers at a time

42. What does the government classify as custom service fees? Answer: Any and all inbound/outbound customs charges.

43. Could Attachment J. 2 Performance Rating Form be provided as a separate document in order to send to Past Performance references? Answer: Yes

44. At the time of proposal submission, the Contractor must be able to provide upon request the bonded storage, cold chain storage, food storage, and temporary remote storage if the need arises.

Please provide estimated figures and specifications requirements from historical request. Answer:

Please refer to the solicitation for approximate numbers of pallet positions that USAID will be requiring.

These types of storage may not be used, but must be available as options when the needs arise. Of note, temperature controlled food storage is required at the beginning of the contract.

45. How many deliveries were made /received each month for the last year? Answer: Each month varies as disasters are unpredictable and can range from 0 to 10 or more deliveries depending on the emergency.

46. What is the appropriate clearance level for contract employees? Answer: Clearance is not required.

47. Could Government confirm time frame after contract award that contract employees would have to obtain Forklift, Compressor licenses etc.? Answer: The warehouse should be fully operational at the time of offer submission.

48. Does the Government expect the contractor to include reimbursable costs in the pricing?

Answer: No. Outside of those costs already outlined in the solicitation, it is expected that the Government will reimburse for items that its contracting officer pre-approves of first.

49. Cleaning $ Per Pallet. How many pallets are to be cleaned per month or year? Answer: This varies depending on how clean the facility is in the first place and whether forklift soot heavily coats pallets with black dust.

50. Palletising loose cargo and shrink wrapping $/Pallet. Could the Government provide an estimate of # of Pallets/month? Answer: This varies, depending on that international response that is underway. If new commodities are being assembled at the warehouse, it can be a burst of 100-300 pallets needing banding or wrapping. But usually, these activities are occasionally done when pallets are already on the shelf and need reinforcing.

51. What is the historical staffing level in the warehouse? Answer: The staffing level has always varied, depending on the implementing company. That said, the required staffing positions are laid out in the solicitation.

52. When will the government provide the ceiling amount? Answer: At time of award

53. General - Please provide 5 years history of the following:

1. Number of pallets received into the warehouse per year.

i. If possible, please provide the data by month.

1. Number of pallets shipped out per year?

i. By air?

ii. By Ocean?

iii. Within CONUS?

1. Number of pallets requiring “cleaning”?

i. Please provide data by month and by year?

Answer: 5 year history is unavailable. Typically, the number of pallets arriving each month can vary from zero to 200-300 if the warehouse is being restocked. Same applies to shipping out. Please see Q 48 regarding cleaning.

54. B-4 Price Schedule - Please provide the definition and scope of work for Cleaning $ Per Pallet.

Answer: This includes wiping/removing dust/dirt from a wrapped pallet.

55. Can any of the pallets be double stacked for storage? Answer: Some pallets (not all) can be double stacked for storage. It is preferred not to double stack for long term storage.

56. Are there any special handling requirements for any of the standard commodities? Answer:

None

57. When handling the receipt of commodities door to floor – are the commodities always palletized?

Are cartons ever floor-loaded requiring the contractor to palletize the commodities upon recipe?

Answer: see Q12-13

58. How many pallets are received per 40’ trailer and per 20’ trailer? Answer: this varies per commodity, but typically 10-42 depending on single or double stacking

59. Do commodities ever arrive in 53’ trailers and if so, how are the receiving rates adjusted? Should contractors also offer rates for receiving 53’ trailers? Likewise, should there be a rate for delivery to MIA in 53’ trailers? Answer: It is not common but please feel free to offer the rates for 5’3 trailers.

60. How does USAID calculate the 4,000 Cubic Feet of Space in the bulk area? The rate sheet asks for a price per cubic foot. Do we invoice based on the cubic foot of items stored in this bulk area or does the contractor invoice for a flat 4,000 CFT? Answer: 4000 CUFT is provided as an estimate given historical data and may change. You will invoice based on the CBU stored in bulk during a given month.

61. What is the value of the product in storage at any given time? Can you provide a breakdown in the value by product type? Answer: Please review p. 6 of the solicitation. Value of commodities is not available at this time.

62. Please advise what circumstances would require a bonded warehouse? How much bonded warehouse space would be required? And would a Free Trade Zone work instead of a bonded warehouse? Answer: Bonded warehouse may be relevant if commodities arrive and are held for shipping out without clearance. FTZ would be acceptable.

63. One of the commodities listed is Utility Task Vehicles (UTV’). Please advise the following regarding the UTV’s: Answer:

1. How many UTV’s will be stored at any one time? Up to one (1)

2. Please advise the size and weight of each UTV? L 346 cm x W 175 cm x H 189 cm /

1105 KG

3. How many UTV’s are received into the facility per year? Up to one (1)

4. How many UTV’s are shipped out of the facility per year? Up to one (1)

5. Do the UTV’s get shipped out by ocean or air? Both ocean/air as required.

64. Are there specific pallets that the contractor must provide in cases where the pallets arrive to the contractor's warehouse damaged? Answer: Pallets must be fumigated to ISPM 15 standards and robust enough to withstand a minimum of ten logistics moves.

65. Does the government reimburse the contractor for supplying the new pallets, shrink wrap and strapping material? Answer: These costs should be included in the relevant Price Schedule rate description.

66. The contractor will be responsible for transportation to or from Miami International Airport.

Will the contractor be responsible for unloading the cargo from our truck or will the government arrange/provide the unloading service? Answer: The Government will arrange for unloading.

67. The contractor must be able to store and transport goods including Hazardous goods. Please list the hazardous goods the contractor would be storing and transporting under the operation of this contract? What portion of the storage volume will be hazardous goods? Answer: Hazardous Goods are not commonly stored in the warehouse but could include Chlorine for water treatment or fuel (gasoline/diesel).

68. How does USAID define “Covered Bulk Storage” for the purposes of this contract? Please advise what commodities are included in the 1,700 cubic feet of bulk storage space in its Miami warehouse?

How are these bulk items packed? C.4.C – Requirements – State that there are 1,700 CFT of bulk storage yet Section B.4 ask the contractors to price 4,000 CFT of bulk storage. Which figure is correct? Answer: 1700 CUFT is bulk storage USAID currently has in the warehouse. Historically, it has been more so the price matrix shows a higher number to consider. Both numbers are estimates and may not reflect the actual need at the beginning of the contract. Commodities include Water Treatment Unit trailers and crates for similar equipment that are not palletized.

69. “Most Commodities will arrive at the warehouse door already palletized” – how many pallets on inbound per month and how many cartons on inbound per month? Answer: see Q 52

70. How much lead time would the contractor be given if asked to provide the additional services listed? Answer: This will vary depending on the service and the specific context. As an emergency response organization, speed is important.

71. How many pallets or truck load are required to be delivered with the six hours after notification from USAID? Will these deliveries only be to MIA or a Miami are ocean port, or would this requirement also apply to deliveries to McDill AFB? Answer: It varies depending on the response and can be more than 100 pallets. This requirement applies to McDill AFB in terms of loading and having trailers available but not in terms of travel time.

72. Will the requirement for meeting space for up to 30 people be limited to normal working hours, Monday – Friday? And how often do such meetings occur? Is a large open area of the warehouse suitable for such meetings? Answer: The meeting space is generally used every two months (six times/year) during normal office hours. A large open area of the warehouse would not be suitable.

73. Please provide the Vehicle Maintenance Checklist. Answer: It is unavailable at this time.

74. Is the maintenance required by this clause the same maintenance required by clause F.9.C?

Answer: Yes, this is correct.

75. Does the government also pay the cost to transport the vehicle from the contractor warehouse to the local vehicle maintenance facility? Answer: Yes, if relevant. In the past the mechanic provided services on-site (in warehouse).

76. Does the Government dictate which facility the vehicles are taken to for maintenance or is that the contractor’s option? Answer: No but where possible a minimum of three quotes will be required to identify the most suitable and best value for money facility.

77. Are the vehicles mentioned in these clauses the UTV’s or some other type of vehicle? Answer: the UTV’s.

78. If some other type of vehicle, please advise the number and types of vehicles to be stored in the warehouse? Answer: N/A

79. Lost or Damaged Commodities – Since the contractor is liable to USAID for loss or damage to commodities cause by the contractor is there any insurance coverage requirements placed upon the contractor? Answer: All contractor’s operations must be adequately insured. Please see pages 3, 7, 9, and Warehouse Procedures attached to solicitation for further information.

80. Stock Management – The Solicitation states that the premise must be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Do you always require 24/7 operations or is an “on call” solution when emergency situations require operational availability on a 24/7 basis acceptable? Answer: This is an “on call” solution during emergency situations. USAID warehousing operations do not take place every day/all days 24/7.

81. The Solicitation states that any customs charges and fees will be invoiced and billed to the government at cost. There are other instances in the Solicitation where the government will reimburse the contractor at cost. Will the government allow a processing fee or add on fee to the costs? Answer: The government anticipate that such administrative fee and processing fee will be included in the per pallet rate. The fee for other services will be reimbursed at cost unless agreed to prior to execution of task.

82. What are the payment terms for invoices to the government? Answer: 30 day after receipt of invoice

83. Will the contractor be required to make deliveries to Homestead and or McDill Air Force Base?

Answer: Yes, it may be required.

84. The warehouse manager is tasked with overseeing a variety of equipment including forklifts, pallets jacks and machinery. These items become contractor purchased, Government owned property. Does the Government require the contractor to have dedicated equipment for use solely by this contract? And if so, will the Government reimburse the contractor for the cost of the equipment?

Does the Government also pay the maintenance cost for this equipment? Can the contractor use contractor owned equipment for the operation of this contract? Answer: This is only applicable if USAID requests to purchase specific equipment for its operations. For this contract, shared equipment used in the facility is expected.

85. J.3 – Operations Manual – Section 2.3.7 Vehicles refers to vehicles coming into Jebal Ali. It also references OFDA Vehicle Handbook, Appendix Q. These two bullet points don’t appear to apply to this Solicitation. There are several other references in the Operations Manual that don’t seem to apply to this Solicitation. Can you clarify the intent of the Operations Manual? Is the contractor expected to comply with this Operations Manual as written? Answer: This is correct, certain sections of the Operations Manual are not applicable to contractor-managed commercial facility.

86. J.3 – Operations Manual – Section 1.4 Warehouse Equipment implies that the Government will provide the listed equipment as Government furnished property to the contractor for the operation of the contract. Is this a correct assumption? Answer: No, please see Q.83

87. The USAID Guidelines for Food Aid Storage and Warehouse Good Management Practice document contains numerous references to various temperature ranges. The base Solicitation, pages 1 – 39 talk about ambient temperature requirements. Are there specific temperature and/or humidity requirements for the primary Miami area warehouse? Answer: No for primary warehouse.

However, the current requirement for RUSF stored in Miami is under 85F (temperature controlled storage).

88. Is a food grade certified warehouse required for the storage of RUSF, RUTF, Vegetable Oil, Grains, Flours or Pulses? What commodities would require a food grade certified warehouse?

Answer: Yes. The list of commodities is included in the question.

89. Fumigation – Please advise the specification and requirements for fumigation. The Solicitation states that Fumigation cost per pallet would be a pass-through charge. The USAID Guidelines for Food Aid Storage and Warehouse Good Management Practice document outlines extensive fumigation guidelines. Can the government clearly identify the fumigation requirements for this contract? Answer: Fumigation requirement will be identified and paid for at time of request

90. Please confirm this Solicitation is unrestricted. Answer: Unrestricted

91. Our understanding is that lot # capture is required on certain food aid commodities. Could you please provide details on volumes that require lot # capture either in pallet quantities or case quantities? Answer: This will be provided prior to shipment of food aid commodities

92. Do all commodities arrive with the USAID logo affixed to the pallets or does the contractor need to provide USAID Logo labels? How many units require labeling? Answer: Most items will arrive labeled. At times, the Contractor will be asked to relabel pallets/cartons as and when needed.

93. Securing the commodities – Does the Government require a standalone warehouse, or can the contractor utilize a warehouse with another client’s cargo as well? Is any special fencing required inside the facility with special access to authorized personnel only or does this only refer to securing the entire warehouse in general? Answer: As shared facility is acceptable. Special fencing for authorized personnel access is not required. It is strongly preferred that all USAID cargo is consolidated in one section of the warehouse.

94. Storing goods – This section states that “All supplies stored in the warehouse must be registered on the USAID/OFDA provided electronic warehouse ledger. Will USAID provide some type of inventory management tool or will the contractor be responsible for its own inventory management system? Is there any requirement for the contractor to provide access to the contractor’s inventory management system? Answer: Please see Q.38

95. Are products marked with expiration dates? If so, how many SKUs and their associated volumes have expiration dates and need date control? Answer: At present, only three SKUs has an expiration date but this is subject to change.

(END)