WES Q-A Responses Round 2 - App-1 20200521.pdf

Appendix I- Questions and Answers RFQ Number 72027819R00012

Jordan Water Engineering Services (WES) Amendment No. 2

The following are the second set of questions and answers in response to the RFQ:

Q.1: Reference to pages 31,32 from the RFQ: Please confirm that the contractor can provide additional information other than the mentioned sections in pages 31,32 as extra annexes but keeping the proposal within the 8 MB limitation.

Answer 1:

No, the offeror should only provide the requested information as specified in the RFQ and subsequent amendments.

Q.2: On Page 6 from Amendment No.1, Q. No. 26, Under page 34, It is mentioned that (c) Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the service or product described in the Statement of Work. This information is not included in the page limitation”. Please confirm if this information shall be included in Annex No. 4 after the past performance matrix. Answer 26: Yes, this information should be included in Annex 4 after the past performance matrix.

Please confirm that signed recommendation letters and PPQs from clients for mentioned past projects in form SF330, F and Annex 4 shall be part of this description and shall be added after Annex 4.

Answer 2:

Please refer to pages 2 and 3 of the SF-330 for a detailed description of what should be included in the SF-330 form, particularly on “SF-330 Part I – Sec F. EXAMPLE PROJECTS WHICH

BEST ILLUSTRATE PROPOSED TEAM'S QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS CONTRACT.”

Offerors are reminded that they should complete one section F for each project (please refer to the example provided on page 11 of the form (SF-330), and which should be submitted as part of the SF-330.

For detailed instructions please refer to Attachment 3 “Instructions to Offerors,” specifically section 4. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL” on page 30-32, and “section C. Past Performance” on page 33 of the RFQ.

Q.3: Page 30 from the RFQ, it is mentioned that form SF330 shall be submitted as PDF File, please confirm that the contractor can prepare a similar word files of Sections E&F and then convert it to PDF file as we may need extra spaces other than the available in the provided forms.

Answer 3:

Yes, you may expand the spaces for filing the information for each of the items under these sections, provided that you keep each block identical to the form as provided in the RFQ.

Q.4: Page 36 from RFQ, Point 2. Task 6 Additional A-E Services in the Statement of Work.

it is mentioned that the Contracting officer will determine reasonableness of the proposed rates and will include them in the contract to be used specially for activities under task 6. Please confirm that the contractor MUST include all the mentioned labor categories in Pages 36, 37 in the RFQ for the proposed positions under task 6. In addition, based on our understanding to this task, can we add additional positions other than the mentioned categories in the table?

Answer 4:

This information will be requested from the highest ranked firm who will be asked to propose salary ranges for the labor categories as part of their cost proposal. As Offerors are not required to submit a cost proposal at this stage, this information is therefore not required with the submission of the proposal at this stage of the procurement. This is clearly reiterated under section 5.2 on pages 35 and 36 of the RFQ.

The table provided on page 36 includes an illustrative list of labor categories. Offerors may list additional positions as they may find appropriate for accomplishing the work.

Q.5: Page 34 from the RFQ, With reference to Point E of the additional instructions that the offeror must comply with (Evidence of responsibility), it is required for the offeror to have a satisfactory performance record. According to the mentioned reference (subpart 42.15), “past performance shall be entered into CPARS, the Government wide evaluation reporting tool”. CPARS applies only for American companies. Kindly clarify what is required to be submitted by Jordanian companies (offerors). Would work certificats/recommendation letters from Clients be acceptable instead of CPARS.

Answer 5:

Please note that the “Evidence of Responsibility” section is different from past performance.

Under point E, the Contracting Officer makes an affirmative responsibility determination based on the requirement under FAR Part 9. Past performance information is only one element under this section. Offerors are required to address each of the elements listed on page 35, and submit sufficient evidence regarding their each of the items including past performance, whether it is a CPAR or other type of proper documentations.

Q.6: Page 28 from the RFQ, Attachment 3- instructions to offers, 1. General Contract Information, point (d) Eligibility , USAID will only accept offers from firms that are , point (3) Registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of offer submission. The registration process in SAM needs multiple approvals and needs NCAGE Code. Please clarify what is the registration Status that is required from the contractor? Core Data, Assertions, Reps & Certs, POCs, Submit, Processing, Active. Would the DUNS number and a registration in SAM as “Work in progress” in core data would be sufficient at this stage for the Jordanian firms?

Answer 6:

Offerors are required to be registered in SAM at the time a cost proposal is submitted in order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements. Offerors also must continue to be registered until the time of award as well as during performance, and through final payment of any contract resulting from this RFQ. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to disqualifying the offeror from receiving a Federal award.

For further information on the SAM registration, please refer to “Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Provision 52.204-7.”

Q.7: Page 32 from the RFQ, Annex 2- Key Personnel Letters of Commitment.

Please confirm that the letters of Commitment are only required for the 4 Key Personnel.

Answer 7:

Letters of Commitment are only required for each of the four key personnel.

Q.8: Page 7 from Amendment No.1, Q. No. 28, please confirm the duration of defects Liability

Period is 12 months for tasks 1,2 &3.

Answer 8:

The defects liability duration for Task 2 is 2 years, while for tasks 1 and 3 the duration has not yet been finalized.

Q.9: In light of the current situation in the country due to COVID 19, can you extend the submission deadline beyond June 17, 2020.

Answer 9:

The deadline was already extended for an additional two weeks until June 17, 2020 at 3:00pm Jordan Time. Please refer to amendment No. 1 issued under this RFQ on May 10, 2020. There will be no further extensions for receipt of proposals beyond this date.

Q.10: After reviewing the RFQ72027819R00012 – Water Engineering Services, Under Point A.

[Professional Qualifications and Experience] page 32, the offeror must propose key personnel and designated positions not to exceed 4. Would you please explain if the requested is 4 personnel for each position or the total number of the overall proposed experts is 4.

Answer 10:

The total number of key personnel for the entire project is four.