QA_2_FA520920Q0090_20200908_Final.pdf

Question & Answer (2) As of 08 Sep 2020

Solicitation No. FA520920Q0090

Customs Clearance and Transportation of Freight

No. 1 (Revised)

Area: Quotation Package Reference: Standard Form (SF) 1449, Pages 40 through 41 of 44, Addenda to FAR 52.212- 1(m)A. and B.

Question: What documents are offerors required to submit in response to the subject solicitation? Would you please provide a list of submittals, including (a) specific documents that offerors shall submit and (b) representations that offerors shall answer?

Answer: In accordance with Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)A. and B., quotation shall be prepared, including but not limited to:

• SF 1449, Page 1 of 44: Complete blocks 12, 17a, 30a, 30b, and 30c. (See Addenda to FAR

52.212-1(m)B.1.(a).)

• SF 1449, Pages 1 and 11 of 44: If the remittance address is different from the mailing address, mark the box in block 17b (Page 1) and enter the remittance address in Paragraph 1, Addendum to SF 1449 (Page 11).

• Complete the necessary fill-ins and certifications in provisions and in the on-line Representations and Certifications at www.sam.gov. For other provisions and clauses in the solicitation, the offeror is required to submit the pages that require an offeror fill-in. (See Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.1.(b).) Below are representations that offerors are required to submit, including but not limited to:

o FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment: Paragraph (d) Representation, (1) and (2) (Pages 22~24) Note: The offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the offeror has represented that it “does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument” in the provision at FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services- Representation, or in paragraph (v) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. (Refer to the first paragraph before paragraph (a).)

o FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation:

Paragraph (c) Representation (Page 24) o FAR 52.212-3 Alternate I Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, including but not limited to: Paragraph (l), (3)~(5) (Pages 35~36); Paragraph (n)(2), (i) and

(ii) (Page 36); Paragraph (p)(1) (Pages 36~37); Paragraph (q)(2), (i) and (ii) (Page 37);

Paragraph (r)(1) (Pages 37~38); Paragraph (t)(2), (i) and (ii), if applicable (Page 38); and Paragraph (v)(2) (Pages 38~39)

• If the Solicitation Amendments are issued, submit an acknowledgment of the all solicitation amendments (SF 30). (See Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.1.(c).)

• Technical Offer (See Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.2.): A copy of valid authorization of the Trucking Business Law (“Kamotsu Jidosha Unso Jigyo Hou 貨物自動車運送事業法” in Japanese) and/or the Freight Carrier-Using Transport Business Law (“Kamotsu Riyo Unso Jigyo Hou 貨物

利用運送事業法” in Japanese) issued by the Regional Land Transportation Bureau (RLTB), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT).

• Price Quotation (See Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.3.): Complete the Exhibit A: Price List.

http://www.sam.gov/

No. 2 Area: Technical Offer Reference: SF 1449, Page 40 of 44, Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.2.(b)

Question: We have changed our company name. We originally obtained the authorization of applicable laws under the former company name. We have submitted the application to change the company name to the Regional Land Transportation Bureau (RLTB), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT). However, we were advised that the RLTB would not re-issue the authorization under the new company name since the original authorization is still valid. How should we meet the technical offer requirement?

Answer: Refer to SF 1449, Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.2.(b). In case your company has changed your company name and the authorization has been issued to your former company name, please submit the documents listed below, in addition to the proof of valid authorization in accordance with Addenda to FAR 52.212-1(m)B.2.(a), i.e., a copy of valid authorization:

• “Certificate of All Historical Matters” (Toukibo Touhon 登記簿謄本) that shows your current company name and your former company name(s).

• A copy of the application form to the RLTB, MLIT, in order to change the name of the company.

(If available)

No. 3 (Added)

Area: General Information Reference: N/A

Question: Can any vendors participate in this opportunity?

Answer: Yes, this is a competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ). However, the offeror has to have registered the System for Award Management (SAM) and their SAM account must be active at the submission of the quotations. Additionally, the offeror shall meet the requirement as stated in Notice to Offerors, Paragraph 1.b. and SF 1449, Page 40 of 44.

No. 4

Area: Clause Reference: SF 1449, Pages 22 through 24 of 44, FAR 52.204-24

Question: If our company does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services, is it okay to leave paragraph (d)(1) in this provision, without a check mark?

Answer: Refer to the first paragraph (page 22) before paragraph (a) in the provision at FAR 52.204-24. The offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the offeror has represented that it “does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument” in the provision at FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items.

No. 5

Area: Performance Period Reference: SF 1449, Page 3 of 44, Paragraph 2

Question: During the performance period of five (5) years, does the Government allow for any extension of the performance period?

Answer: Currently, the requested performance period under this requirement is a total of five (5) years.

No. 6

Area: Method of Payment Reference: SF 1449, Pages 3 through 4 of 44, Paragraph 9

Question: Will the payment be made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) via SYNCADA?

Answer: No, SYNCADA will not be incorporated in this requirement.

No. 7

Area: Payment Reference: SF 1449, Page 4 of 44, Paragraph 12

Question: If EFT is made via SYNCADA, how will payment be made by Japanese yen through EFT?

Answer: Same answer as No. 6.

No. 8

Area: Payment Reference: SF 1449, Page 4 of 44, Paragraph 12

Question: Will SYNCADA be incorporated anytime during the performance period?

Answer: Currently, the Government is not planning to incorporate SYNCADA in this requirement.

No. 9

Area: Price List Reference: Notice to Offerors, Paragraph 1.b. and SF 1449, Page 41 of 44, Addenda to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Paragraph (m)D.1.(a)

Question: When the offeror completes the Price List, which does the Government prefer PDF or EXCEL file?

Answer: As long as accurate information is provided, the offeror can use either PDF or EXCEL file. However, the EXCEL file may be preferred. The EXCEL file can be provided to the offeror upon request.

No. 10

Area: System for Award Management (SAM) Reference: Notice to Offerors, Paragraph h

Question: If delays occur during annual SAM revalidation, can the Contractor still operate as the Contractor?

Answer: If the SAM status becomes inactive due to delays during annual SAM revalidation, it is our understanding that the Government cannot place an order to the Contractor until the SAM registration is revalidated and the SAM status becomes active.

No. 11

Area: Freight Reference: Performance Work Statement (PWS), Page 3 of 13, Paragraph 1.2.

Question: Will the dangerous goods be under a DoD license or on the U.S. munitions list (USMIL)?

Answer: Dangerous goods/hazardous materials stated in the PWS are materials regulated by the International

Air Transport Association (IATA).

No. 12

Area: Outbound Booking with Carrier for Export Freight Reference: PWS, Page 5 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.5.1.

Question: After cargo has been tendered to the airlines, does the Contractor’s responsibility end, or will the

Government have additional expectations, such as tracking, tracing, pre-alerting overseas, etc.? Also, are the air exports from Japan exclusively destined for the U.S.?

Answer: The Contractor’s responsibility ends when export cargo material is tendered to airlines; however, any tracking information would be helpful. Generally, pre-alerting overseas is handled by the Government. The destinations includes, but not limited to, the U.S.

No. 13

Question: Regarding the carrier selection that the Contractor shall follow, is there a more complete/specific list of carriers that the Government wishes the Contractor to follow?

Answer: A more complete/specific list of carriers is not available. The Contractor is responsible for selecting carriers in accordance with paragraph 1.4.5.1. of the PWS. However, the list specified in the paragraph may be updated periodically by the Government. The Government will advise the Contractor once changes occur in the Defense Transportation Regulations.

No. 14

Area: Payment to Airlines Reference: PWS, Page 6 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.5.4.

Question: When the Contractor prepares Master air waybills and provides delivery to the airlines, how will the

Government make payment to the airlines?

Answer: Please refer to paragraph 1.4.5.4. (page 6) of the PWS. Airfreight charges to the airlines will be paid directly to the airlines by the Government through the Government Bill of Lading (GBL). The GBL will be handed to the Contractor when an export material is picked up at the loading point, and the Contractor shall submit the GBL to the airlines.

No. 15

Area: Unloading Reference: PWS, Page 6 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.7.

Question: Please expand on this requirement, as it is not normal for the Contractor to provide the equipment to unload cargo being tendered to an airline.

Answer: When material handling equipment is required to unload heavy export freight from the Contractor’s vehicle, airlines provide the service.

No. 16

Area: List of Subcontractors Reference: PWS, Page 9 of 13, Paragraph 1.5.8.

Question: How detailed does a list of subcontractors need to be?

Answer: A list of subcontractors shall include, but not limited to, company name, company address, and telephone number.

No. 17

Question: Who will be handling air freight booking on the export side?

Answer: Refer to paragraph 1.4.5.1. (page 5) of the PWS. The Contractor shall be handling the booking for export air freight.

No. 18

Area: Award Reference: Notice to Offerors, Paragraph 1.b. and SF 1449, Page 11 of 44, Contract Administration Data, Note 1

Question: Will the bid winner be awarded all lanes or the winners be decided per lane? Will the Contractor be able to offer on some items in the Price List?

Answer: In accordance with the reference above, the Government contemplates award of a single pre-priced Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) resulting from this solicitation; therefore, the offeror must quote on all line items in the Price List.

No. 19

Area: Award Reference: Notice to Offerors, Paragraph 1.b. and SF 1449, Page 11 of 44, Contract Administration Data, Note 1

Question: Will the Government consider runner-up contractors as back-ups?

Answer: No. The Government contemplates award of a single pre-priced Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) resulting from this solicitation.

No. 20

Area: Delivery for Import Freight Reference: PWS, Pages 4 through 5 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.4.3.

Question: How strict is the delivery time of 1630 hours? Will the receiving Government installation not accept cargo if the trucker is running late and could not make delivery by 1700 hours?

Answer: Government employees who speak Japanese is unlikely to be available after 1630 hours. The Contractor’s drivers may have to communicate with U.S. military personnel or U.S. civilian at the time of delivery after hours.

No. 21

Area: Emergency Service (Import Freight) Reference: PWS, Page 3 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.2.4.3.

Question: Does the 2-hour delivery window for emergency service apply for Yokosuka, Atsugi, and Yokohama?

Is it 2 hours from the time of customs clearance?

Answer: Please refer to the reference above. For any import freight that requires urgent clearance and shipment, a call will be placed at least two (2) hours prior to the scheduled flight arrival time during any time of any calendar days.

No. 22

Area: Use of Toll Road Reference: PWS, Page 5 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.4.4.3. and Page 6 of 13, Paragraph 1.4.5.5.3.; and Exhibit A, Price List, Page 10 of 10, Exhibit Line Item Number (ELIN) A51B

Question: Will toll road usage be directed by the Caller? We would like to use toll roads for Misawa and

Sasebo delivery as much as possible to make sure the delivery can be made on time.

Answer: Yes. When directed by the Caller, the Contractor is required to use toll roads. Also, refer to paragraph 1.4.11. (page 7) of the PWS: “…all costs of operation under this contract shall be borne by the Contractor, including but not limited to tolls (except for 1.4.4.4.3. and 1.4.5.5.3.),…”