AG-3187-S-16-0090_IDIQ_Q_and_A.pdf

Question and Answer Document

1. Please advise us of what type of seedling containers are required?

Per the technical specifications in the solicitation:

o Containers that can be easily sorted by limited staff when germination rates are low.

o In USFS partner countries, there is typically poor seed management and storage. This results in low germination rates and poor seed quality. Nursery staff must be able to move cells to sort seedlings and cannot use fixed cell containers.

o Additionally, most greenhouses do not have ventilation. In places with periods of high humidity, diseases can spread between seedlings and result in high mortality. The desired containers should allow for seedlings to be well spaced out to avoid the spread of disease.

o Specific containers that have prominent ridges to promote downward root growth o Containers that are closed on all sides. In many partner countries, high winds cause excess air pruning of roots. Closed containers will avoid unwanted root pruning.

o Containers that are interchangeable in size to ensure that the same cells can be used after multiple years.

o Containers that are not be pre-filled with growing media. Growing media will be procured locally with local vendors and sources.

o Container with sizes that range from 10-60 cubic inches in volume for roots to allow for growing trees, shrubs, grasses and herbs, a wide variety of restoration species.

2. Also should we quote pricing FOB our factory or to a certain destination?

Bidders will no longer be required to provide shipping costs. Instead, please provide type, mean and method of shipping where rates are based on commercial pricing (ie FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc).

3. I see there are five different years to quote. How do we allow for changes in raw material pricing this far out (5 years)?

It is up to the applicant to determine pricing five years out.

4. Is this type of bid vague on purpose so it leaves the door open to order many different types of containers over a 5 year period without going thru so much paperwork?

The description of services requested is written to allow multiple suppliers to bid on the RFP, and provides technical specifications for the type of containers needed internationally. Many different kinds of containers and locations will be selected over the five-year period from the awarded bidder.

Sample Task Order

Background/Context: The Sustainable Environmental and Economic Development (SEED) project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the US Forest Service (USFS), aims to establish plant nurseries to grow thousands of native shrub and grass seedlings in various regions of Jordan over the next three years. In order to accomplish this task, the production of vigorous seedlings by nurseries is crucial for future restoration success. The purpose of the project is to reverse environmental degradation in Jordan by restoring parts of the eastern desert that were historically important grazing areas for rural communities. The nursery project will also generate economic opportunities for women from local communities in the eastern desert region. These efforts seek to restore Jordan’s native vegetation cover, to increase rainwater infiltration that is otherwise lost to evaporation.

Description of Services Needed: The Forest Service requires the supplier to provide:

15,000 19 cubic inch containers 25,000 27 cubic inch containers 15,000 60 cubic inch containers Trays to hold containers and allow for sorting

The items will be shipped to 6A Mutanabbi Street, 3rd Circle Jabal Amman Jordan 11181

Period of Performance:

November 30, 2016 – March 31, 2017