Additional Questions and Answers 20200902 FA520920R0009.pdf

ADDITONAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Project: Solicitation/RFP No. FA520920R0009, Multiple Award IDIQ Japan-wide Furniture

Offeror J:

RFP Reference Question Statement of Work, Section 1.3: Task Orders (SOW-Page 3)

To enable forward project planning, including the preparedness of Local installation labor, will the Government contemplate making available to awardees a post-award, estimated “schedule” of potential upcoming Task Order requirements?

Actual Task Order will be issued upon award of the subject IDIQ Contract. The stated Mock Project is non-awardable and solely used for “offeror” proposal evaluation, therefore, multiple awardees resulting from the subject IDIQ contract, would have a plenty of time to prepare for actual Task Order requesting the price proposal which will be in FY21.

Solicitation: Pricing Evaluation (Labor Law Compliance, Solicitation- Page 5; Fairness and Reasonableness clause, Solicitation-Page 48;

Warranty clause, SOW Section 6.3-Page 8)

The RFP details that the price evaluation will document “fairness and reasonableness” for the lowest price offer for the Mock Project. How does the Government intend to ensure that IDIQ awardees are qualified to meet the requirements of this procurement (compliance with local labor laws and warranty requirements) while offering a price that reasonably includes the cost differentials representative of a U.S. contractor meeting Japanese/local labor laws and regulations?

Local labor laws exist in each prefecture per direction of the Government of Japan (GOJ), however this direction is highly encouraged to follow the guidance but not asking criminal punishment for non-compliance. We (US Military Bases in Japan) are required to follow the FAR/DFARS/AFFARS & other US policies regulations for compliance, however FAR 19 thru 26 (Small Business Program and socioeconomic programs) do not apply to local acquisitions (Japan). Per para 6.3 of the SOW, if local laws apply, which is not local labor law, it is referenced to para 5.13 of the SOW, all trash removed from the worksite shall be disposed of off base IAW local laws (off base means compliance of local laws), “Waste Management and Public Cleansing Laws”.

As you read through para (C)(2) of Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, we will rank all offers by Total Proposed price from the Mock Project. SSEB (Source Selection Evaluation Board) will perform the price realism analysis (based on fair and reasonable determination). If the Government finds a proposal unrealistic, the Government may withhold award to that offeror. Of course, there’s economic disparity between US and Japan that might exist in certain commodity items (commercial), generally speaking, however we will concern, if necessary, price indexes issued by the Government of Japan and US Government. Further, if the Government elects to perform a price realism analysis, the Government reserves discretion over the method within which it performs its price realism analysis. Award will be made to the lowest priced offers from the Mock Project that meet the acceptability standards for non-price factors (Past Performance). The bottom line is that offerors must receive a past performance rating of “Acceptable” to be eligible for award.

Solicitation, 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Items, Item (a), Page 39

NAICS 337214 relates to a size standard in number of employees of 1,000. Page 39, Item (a) indicates the “small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.”

Please confirm this section should say 1,000 employees.”

Pls reference to “Addenda to FAR 52.212-1” in lieu of 52.212-1 (full text).

“Addenda to FAR 52.212-1” applies to this solicitation/RFP (in fact, FAR 52.212-1 should be by “Reference” only, however new contracting system, CON-IT printed the full text).

In Japan, Small Business/Large Business do not apply. We intend to provide both US and Japanese Commercial offerors with the Government Business Opportunity.

FAR 19 thru 26 (Small Business Program and socioeconomic programs) do not apply to local acquisitions (Japan).

Solicitation, Part III – Past Performance Proposal, Page 42-43

Please confirm how many contract references the offeror can submit as part of this Volume. Item (c) states, “Provide a list of no more than one

(1) of the most relevant contracts performed for any customer.” Does this imply the offeror can submit as many references as deemed relevant, but only one per customer?

As stated in the pre-proposal conference Power Point slides, Past Performance Proposal is limited to only 1 page (1 contract) by using the solicitation Attachment 3 (Past Performance Reference List). Recent past performance information means within 3 years prior to the issuance date of the solicitation. Offerors shall submit one (1) Past performance Information (PPI) related to “Office or Executive Furniture” or “Housing/Dorm Furniture” by using the Solicitation Attachment 3 (Past Performance Reference List). Submit original and one (1) electrical copy via e-mail (under para 3, “Special Instructions” of Addenda to FAR 52.212-1). Excessive pages will not be evaluated (solicitation page 45).

Attachment 4 is Past Performance Surveys/Questionnaire (PPQ), which responsibility to send out the past performance questionnaire rest solely with the offeror. Submission due date for the PPQ is 28 Aug 2020, while the proposal due date is 8 Sep 2020, 1000 hrs (local Japan Time).

Solicitation, Part III – Past Performance Proposal, Page 42-43

The offeror is limited to no more than 1 page per contract listed. Is this page limit (per contract) apply only to Item (c) Past Performance Information?

See above our response.

Solicitation, Part III – Past Performance Proposal, Section (d), Page 43

Section (d) indicates the Government will take into account past performance from subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement. Please confirm subcontractor past performance is permitted, and if so, what information is required for those references (PPI, PPQ, etc.)?

Yes, you can use your subcontractor’s past performance (including your teaming partner so far), if you do not possess. In that case, you need to submit “Subcontractor Consent” (Attachment 5 of the solicitation) as a part of your proposal. Pls reference to above response. You need to submit your or your subcontractor’s past performance information (PPI) related to “Office or Executive Furniture” or “Housing/Dorm Furniture” by using the solicitation Attachment 3 (Past Performance Reference List) (Solicitation page 42 thru 43). Pls read thru Addenda to FAR52.212-1, Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, and the pre-proposal conference minutes.

Solicitation, Part III – Past Performance Proposal, Section (e), Page 44

Section (e) states, “If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past contracts of relevance. The Government will evaluate not more than one (1) past performances for each party of a first time joint effort.” Previous sections indicate multiple contracts can be submitted by both the prime and major subcontractor, however, the language in (d) indicates only one past performance will be evaluated by both. Is this true?

Pls submit only one (1) past performance by using the solicitation Attachment 3 (Past Performance Reference List).

If you had the past performance in teaming or partnership arrangement with other companies (if you do not possess your past performance), you can use that past performance information. However, if that past performance information is your first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past contracts of relevance, means you can consolidate your company information with your teaming/partnership’s past performance as one (1) past performance effort by using the solicitation Attachiment 3 and submit “Subcontractor Consent” by using the Solicitation Attachment 5.

Solicitation, Part III – Past Performance Proposal, Section (e), Page 44

Section (e) states, “If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past contracts of relevance.” What contract information does the Government want included in this list of past contracts?

First time joint effort means you have never experienced in joint effort with other companies, thus each company submit that information.

However, as explained above, you can consolidate your company’s past performance information with your teaming/partnership’s past performance as one (1) past performance effort by using the Attachment 3 (Past Performance Reference List).

Further, as stated in page 43 of the solicitation, offerors shall submit one

(1) Past Performance Information (PPI) related to “Office or Executive Furniture” or “Housing/Dorm Furniture” by sing the Solicitation Attachment 3 (Past Performance Reference List). In that case, you need to submit “Subcontractor Consent” (Attachment 5 of the solicitation) as a part of your proposal.

SOW For Mock TO What is the basefeed or power availability for the space? The base distribution is 6.6 KV, 50 Hz stepped down to 110v, 50 Hz

SOW For Mock TO Should pricing for the offeror provided electrician be included in the Mock proposal pricing? For this Mock Project, it’s not required.

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.1.1, Page 6

Please specify what worksurfaces in each workstation should be adjustable. The computer monitoring stations are only adjustable requirements

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.1.1, Page 6

Provide the locations of privacy panels for all workstations. The user is requesting the design expert to provide advice.

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.2, Page 7

Please define the placement of wardrobes in each workstation. The user is requesting the design expert to provide advice.

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.3.1, Page 7

Please provide the configuration of interior workstation tiles to account for whiteboard tile and glass tile placement. The user is requesting the design expert to provide advice.

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.3.1, Page 7

Should every panel include glass and whiteboard tiles? The user is requesting the design expert to provide advice.

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.4, Page 7

Are floor to ceiling partitions with doors included in the mock proposal?

The user is requesting the design expert to provide advice.

If so, please provide panel locations, workstation layout, dimensions and ceiling height.

SOW For Mock TO:

Section 2.5.4.1, Page 7

The Government has stated “The office will have installed with it the same workcenters IAW paragraph xxx and xxx of this statement of work.”

The last sentence of paragraph 2.5.4.1 (Page 7 of Mock Project SOW) has been removed in its entirety.

If it is to be included in the mock project please define paragraph “xxx and xxx”.

2-2 Drawing for Bldg 838 GeoConFinal, 838 Furniture Layout

This drawing shows cabinet/drawers outside of certain workstations. Are these to be included and if so are there specifications? The user is requesting the design expert to provide advice.

2-2 Drawing for Bldg 838 GeoCon, 838 Furniture Layout

The furniture Drawing shows an approximate 66” oval table. Is this to be included? Yes, this is a meeting table

2-3 Drawing for Bldg 838 Conf.Rm

The conference drawing shows an 8’ and a 5’3 table. Are these to be included? Yes.

2-1 Mock Pricing Schedule, 0001AE

The Mock Pricing schedule lists 0001AE Misc Items: 1/EA, what does this item reference? Any additional items such as hardward required for set up.

Attachment 3 Please confirm the offeror is only required to complete Attachment 3 once, for a contract that is the most relevant contract (refer to the Mock Project, Office Furniture or Housing/Dorm Furniture).

Attachment 3 is “Past Performance Reference List”. Each offeror is required to complete as PPI as a solicitation package, whereas you need to send out Attachment 4 (Past Performance Questionnaire) to the Points of Contact (POCs of the PPI) identified in the Past Performance Proposal (Attachment 3) due by 28 Aug 2020. PPI information of Attachment 3 and your customer (Attachment 4, PPQ) must match (same past performance information). Your customer must submit PPQ (your past performance ratings) to us due by 28 Aug 2020 (Local Japan Time) via e-mail.

Offeror K:

Questions:

1. For the mock quote, can we offer “Option 1” quote using one product and “Option 2” quote using another product?

Answer:

You need to select either “Option 1” or “Option 2” for the office furniture. Pls see pictures of the Mock Project attached on the Pre-proposal Conference slide (power points) for Solicitation # FA520920R0009 which has been posted to beta.SAM at https://beta.sam.gov/. Further, as stated in the minutes of the pre-proposal conference (posted to beta.SAM as well), Program Manager advised that conference room tables & chairs shall meet the Executive Furniture level of standards, thus it’s not necessarily required to match the same furniture (all leather-lined chairs) shown from the pictures but shall meet the Executive Furniture level standards (artificial leather would be acceptable, however it must meet the Executive Furniture level of standards). The pictures shown indicates solely the existing facility/room in a clarifying manner due to COVIT-19 and we are unable to conduct the pre-proposal conference combined with the site visit to the facility on which the Mock Project is based.

The Mock project is non-awardable and solely used for evaluation purposes.

2. For the mock quote, can we deliver our SE Asia made systems furniture to the US

Government warehouse in Singapore in the same way that product is delivered to the US Government warehouse in Tracy, CA? Can the Singapore warehouse (not us) transport the product to Japan?

General As this is a Full & Open solicitation, would the Government consider adding a requirement for Large Business Offerors to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan?

FAR 19 thru 26 (Small Business Program and socioeconomic programs) do not apply to local acquisitions (Japan).

Subcontracting Plan from US large Business does not apply to Japan (overseas acquisition). Business categories do not apply to Japan.

General Does the Government want the offeror to include product cutsheets as part of the submission?

No, we do not need the product cutsheets this time, but it requires price proposal only (Attachment 2-1). Pls reference to the pre-proposal conference minutes which are posted to beta.SAM. The Mock Project is not-awardable and solely used for “offeror” proposal evaluation.

As stated in para 2.8 of the pre-proposal conference minutes; “do not include the disposal cost of the existing furniture in your price proposal;

and do not include the design cost in your proposal”, due to the Mock as not-awardable and solely used for “offeror” proposal evaluation.

I elevated it to SSA (Source Selection Authority for this project) for this question. He said, “we don’t know”.

3. Installation. If product pricing is only to Tracy, CA, where in the mock quote is the cost for onsite installation shown?

Installation cost (labor) could be combined with each product or you can add new CLIN such as 0001AI in the breakdown space or Misc. item (such as labor cost of $xxxx included), you can add as you think it the best way. Shipping method that you suggested in the above 2, is unknown, however mostly US offerors use “Tracy, CA” (FOB Origin or Destination), they can select below check boxes which is a sample format when the commodities items are purchased from the States.

<SHIPPING>

FOB POINT: PLEASE CHECK AND/OR FILL OUT AS APPROPRIATE.

____ FOB: POE - SHIPPING CHARGE MUST BE INCLUDED IN PRODUCT COST

POE: TRACY, CA 95376 (VESSEL FOR TRANSSHIPMENT TO THE

DESTINATION)

OR

____ FOB: ORIGIN – SHIPPING COST MUST BE PROVIDED IN SEPARATED

CLIN

_____ - (Direct Delivery to Japan via Commercial carrier) Or

_____ POE: TRACY, CA 95376 (VESSEL: FOR TRANSSHIPMENT TO THE

DESTINATION)

Shipping cost to above address is $________________

____ FOB: ORIGIN - CONTAINER BOOKING VIA SDDC(IBS-ETA)

If contactors decided to fill a container at their facility or the properties will over 650 cubic feet(about 20' container), contractors will book the containers through SDDC.

SURFACE DEPLOYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION COMMAND(SDDC) – (IBS-ETA)

(VESSEL: FOR TRANSSHIPMENT TO THE DESTINATION)

____ FOB: DESTINATION - SHIPPING CHARGE MUST BE INCLUDED IN

PRODUCT COST

- (Direct Delivery to Japan via Commercial carrier)