RFP_FA557018R0002_Questions_and_Answers.docx

UK Mail Haulage - Solicitation FA557018R0002 Questions / Requests for Clarification and Answers

1) What are the average weights, volumes and dimensions of the pieces to be transported?

-11kg is the average weight. The boxes and bags can be no more than 33kg. No more than 130 square inches (length and girth combined)

2) What is the frequency of deliveries?

- Please see PWS paragraphs 1.3.6 and 1.4 for the required delivery days/schedules and CLINS 0001 through 0003, 1001 through 1003, 2001 through 2003, 3001 through 3003, and 4001 through 4003. on the solicitation for numbers of each.

3) What size and scale of vehicle is required for these deliveries?

- The requirement is for contractor-supplied vehicle(s) capable of meeting the workload estimates. Please see PWS paragraph 1.6.1 for specific vehicle requirements.

- The current truck is a tall, 53 foot trailer.

4) What methods of security will be used (x-ray screening, etc.)?

- All parcels are x-rayed at LHR by the air carriers and US Government personnel. The mail haulage contractor is not involved with this process.

5) Will mail come in bags, pouches, boxes, trays or in some combination of all of these?

-A combination of boxes, bags, and trays/tubs

6) How many drivers are required for each delivery?

- It is up to the mail haulage contractor to determine personnel numbers. Obviously, a minimum of one driver is required.

7) Will each delivery require accompaniment by DoD courier?

-No.

8) What airlines are currently engaged in these deliveries?

-The airlines include: BA, AA, UA, NH, AZ, QF, AH, RJ, SK, IB Current AM pick up order–

1. D’NATA (Bedfont Rd, Stanwell TW19 7NZ, UK)

2. SWISSPORT (Southampton Rd, Longford, Hounslow TW6 3LW, UK)

3. AA (Shoreham Rd E, Longford, Hounslow TW6 3NH, UK) Current PM drop off order –

1. IAG CARGO PREMIA (Sealand Rd, Longford, Hounslow TW6 3AQ, UK)

2. SWISSPORT (Southampton Rd, Longford, Hounslow TW6 3LW, UK)

- Mail from other airlines will be collected by US Government personnel and given to the mail haulage contractor to load onto the truck at SWISSPORT and/or AA.

9) Is there an incumbent contractor for this effort?

-The incumbent mail haulage contractor is Saints Transport LTD.

10) Given the sensitive nature of what is being shipped, is this solicitation restricted to or will preference be given to US companies?

-No.

11) Given the award is a Firm Fixed Price contract, should requirement 1.9 Contractor Manpower Reporting be removed?

- Manpower reporting is required on all contracts, regardless of type, as required by sections 235 and 2330a of Title 10 U. S. Code.

12) Define Postal Equipment and Supplies.

- Occasionally the military post offices will order equipment like bins, bags, or other supplies to carry out their missions. They are sent as mail and are handled as mail, but are not in a traditional box or bag.

13) Will the contractor be required to complete any import or export paperwork?

- All paperwork is completed by US government personnel.

14) Will US Government personnel escort or ride with the contractor at Heathrow?

- Mail haulage contractor personnel will not be escorted at Heathrow Airport; US government personnel will provide their own transportation and will meet the mail haulage contractor at each site.

15) What time is collection done?

- See PWS para 1.4 Hours of Operation

16) Is there any loading equipment at Heathrow Airport?

- No US Government equipment is provided at Heathrow Airport. US Government personnel are not available to assist with loading

17) How many times a year do you require one way additional deliveries?

- See CLINs 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003 and 4003. Mainly these occur between 15 November and 15 January, but also may occur at other times during the year.

18) Please explain any schedule changes.

- There are no change to pick up times as described in PWS paragraph1.4.1. The current departure from the AMT is 45-90 minutes after arrival. The truck is then nominally finished at MCA at 16.45. This is a temporary change, if it becomes permanent a Contract modification will be issued.

19) According to HMRC “ If you supply goods or services to US NATO visiting forces in the UK for their official use, you can treat the supply at zero-rated for VAT purposes if you have a US NATO visiting force written contract”. Is this the case? Do we keep vat at zero-rate when calculating each and every contract line unit amount?

- Yes, Clause 252.229-7006 Value Added Tax Exclusion (United Kingdom) as included in the solicitation states: "The supplies or services identified in this contract are to be delivered at a price exclusive of value added tax under arrangements between the appropriate United States authorities and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC Reference Notice 431, entitled Relief from Customs Duty and/or Value Added Tax on United States Government Expenditures in the United Kingdom). By executing this contract, the Contracting Officer certifies that these supplies or services are being purchased for United States Government official purposes only."

20) In regards to 252.229-7001, saying that the contractor’s invoice shall list separately the gross price, amount of tax deducted and net price charges. If we keep VAT at zero-rate then we reflect it in our invoices by having tax rate showing 0%, is that right?

-Yes, if there is no VAT in the prices in the contract, then the tax rate on the invoice will be 0%.

21) Please advise how much advanced notice is given to schedule pick-up from the time information regarding the volume of mail to be collected is provided.

- Please see PWS paragraph 1.3.6

22) Kindly share historical data on quantity and type of vehicle(s) used as well as number of laborer(s) required.

- Please see the answer to question number 3. We do not have data on the number of laborers working on the mail haulage contract for the incumbent contractor.

23) Please confirm that there will be multiple pick-up and delivery locations at LHR airport and provide the name/full addresses of these locations.

- Please see the answer to question number 8.

Important Note: Vendors MUST have an active registration in the US Government System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible to receive a contract. You may verify your company’s registration status or start a new registration at www.SAM.gov. If you have any questions about the registration process or encounter any problems please call or email the POCs listed in the synopsis or the solicitation.