QA FA558720R0001 - dtd 20200213.docx

UK Island-Wide Integrated Waste Management Services

FA558720R0001

Questions & Answers

1. Can I please clarify whether we are to contact our bank and ask them to submit Appendix 4 to you? – or do you do that, based on the information we supply in Appendix 3?

Answer: The US Government will utilize the information, supplied by the offeror in Appendix 3, to contact the offeror’s financial institution. The US Government will request that the offeror’s financial institution complete Attachment 4 to determine the offeror’s current financial standing. The offeror should provide notice to their financial institution to be prepared for correspondence from our office.

2. With regard to the below, I’m not clear, are we required to submit references or not?

ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-2 - EVALUATION-COMMERCIAL ITEMS

BASIS FOR CONTRACT AWARD: The Government's evaluation of offerors proposals will be conducted utilizing price only. As this is a price only evaluation, similar contract performance reference information (Volume II) will not be evaluated as part of the award decision. However, the contractor's performance record will be considered in the Contracting Officer's responsibility determination prior to award, in accordance with FAR 9.104-1.is the total contract value of all option years, including the base year for the current contract?

Answer: Yes, do submit references. This section has been reworded to read as follows:

“BASIS FOR CONTRACT AWARD: The Government's evaluation of offerors proposals will be conducted utilizing price only. As this is a price only evaluation, similar contract performance reference information (Volume II) will only be considered as part of the Contracting Officer's responsibility determination prior to award, in accordance with FAR 9.104-1. The Government seeks to award to the offeror whose proposal, conforming to the solicitation, represents the lowest total evaluated price. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation.”

3. Could you advise if there is any additional background data available please particularly regarding: Unscheduled Items Pick-up and Special Events, Equipment Maintenance, Hazardous waste services – including a detailed breakdown of material types, weights and mode of collection please?

Answer: The Attachment 2 – Pricing Schedule includes estimated quantities for Unscheduled Items Pick-up and Special Events for each RAF location. There is no US Government equipment requiring maintenance. This CLIN has been revised to “Not Separately Priced”. Appendix A to the PWS includes estimated workload data detailing different waste streams and estimated quantities for hazardous waste, based on past workload data. Furthermore, Appendix B to the PWS includes tasks and estimated frequencies for each RAF location.

4. Re: the price spreadsheet, ‘Contract Total Pricing’ tab - Can we check that whether the total price box at the bottom is for:

a. 7 years’ costs PLUS costs for a six month extension? - or -

b. 7 seven years which is to include the six month period, so in other words, just seven years in total?

Answer: The contractor will complete each tab of the price schedule which will then automatically roll up into tab “Contract Total Pricing”. The box simply adds the totals for each of the first five ordering periods, the two option periods, and the last option period divided by two. This is simply for purposes of calculating the Total Evaluated Price.

5. We think there may be an error in the ‘Ordering Period’ headings at the top of the two price boxes on the tab “Contract Total Pricing”. The years run May – April 30th inclusive for the 5 years, then the year 1 & 2 options go from April 1st.

We think this should be May 1st as the contract run up to 30th April 2025, otherwise the cost for April would be charged twice. Is that correct?

Answer: Correct, this was an error. The Attachment 2 – Pricing Schedule, tab “Contract Total Pricing”, has been updated to correct the dates. All periods run 1 May – 30 April.

6. Can we confirm whether (assuming our SAM registration is complete and up to date) we need to supply anything other than the below?

· Part I - Price Proposal

· Attachment 2

· Part II - Similar Contract Performance References

· Word document with reference details as stated in D. ADDENDA TO FAR 52.212-1 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS (2) (a)

· Part III - Contract Documentation

· Written confirmation that Representations and Certifications in SAM.gov are completed

· Attachment 3 - Offeror's Financial Reference

Answer: Correct, however, under Part III – Contract Documentation, evidence will also need to be provided that the offeror’s proposal incorporates all amendments to the solicitation.

7. We are not clear if we are ALSO required to provide a document containing responses to ‘52.212.3 Alternate I Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. 2018-10 (p)- - as reproduced below:

(p) Ownership or Control of Offeror. (Applies in all solicitations when there is a requirement to be registered in SAM or a requirement to have a unique entity identifier in the solicitation).

(1) The Offeror represents that it [_] has or [_] does not have an immediate owner. If the Offeror has more than one immediate owner (such as a joint venture), then the Offeror shall respond to paragraph (2) and if applicable, paragraph (3) of this provision for each participant in the joint venture.

(2) If the Offeror indicates has in paragraph (p)(1) of this provision, enter the following information:

Immediate owner CAGE code: ____.

Immediate owner legal name: ____.

(Do not use a doing business as name)

Is the immediate owner owned or controlled by another entity: [_] Yes or [_] No.

(3) If the Offeror indicates yes in paragraph (p)(2) of this provision, indicating that the immediate owner is owned or controlled by another entity, then enter the following information:

Highest-level owner CAGE code: ____.

Highest-level owner legal name: ____.

(Do not use a doing business as name)

(2) The Offeror represents that-

(i) It is [_] is not [_] a corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability; and

(ii) It is [_] is not [_]a corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation under a Federal law within the preceding 24 months.

(r) Predecessor of Offeror. (Applies in all solicitations that include the provision at 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting.)

(1) The Offeror represents that it [_]is or [_]is not a successor to a predecessor that held a Federal contract or grant within the last three years.

Answer: If the offeror has completed their representations and certifications in SAM.gov, the offeror does not also have to separately complete FAR 52.212-3, Alternate I Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items.

8. Can you provide clarification on what “Non-privatized” means?

Answer: Non-privatized and privatized are terms use to classify installation housing. Privatized housing is housing that is contracted out and managed by a private company. Non-privatized housing is housing that is controlled and managed by the Government. For this particular contract, all military family housing (MFH) included, is considered non-privatized.

9. Green Waste.

We would look to collect on a call off basis via skips as opposed to 360ltr Wheelies, this is not a service that has been in place previously and given its seasonal would be better suited to call off. Also, the 360ltrs required for Municipal and Recycling would be in 240ltrs as is currently on site.

Answer: Collection is to be made in accordance with the PWS. 240ltr bins are acceptable. Appendix B has been updated.

10. Container Numbers, although they do not match exactly they are within a small number so we are happy to bid as per numbers advised.

Answer: Correct, propose in accordance with the PWS and accompanying appendices.

11. Fairford Container listing (from Appendix B) needs clarification. The appendix shows the below listing for Fairford in RED. Are these a requirement of the contract?

FAIRFORD

Answer: Yes, these bins are a requirement of the contract and need to be proposed as such.

12. Recycling Compound Mildenhall: As we understand, the site make their own arrangements for some of the below listed streams, can you clarify what needs to be included or excluded from the bid?

Answer: Appendix A has been updated to remove recyclable items handled internally.

13. Tonnages (Appendix A): Please can you get the tonnages advised in Appendix A verified as this has the highest impact on the costs, as previous years appeared higher on some sites and lower on others?

Answer: Any tonnage changes are highlighted in yellow in revision 1 to Appendix A.

14. Can you advise how the proposal will be scored? It looks like its price based but we can't see anything else within the solicitation (request for proposal) documents?

Answer: Correct, selection of a contractor is based on price alone. However, once the lowest priced offeror’s price proposal is evaluated for realism, balance, and fair and reasonableness, the offeror must also be determined responsible. The contractor responsibility determination is conducted in accordance with FAR 9.104.

15. How many road gullies are there per site? (if available).

Answer:

16. Appendix A – Lakenheath/ Feltwell tab, Liquid waste Item 4 – Road Gullies. States 150 gullies per visit, Quantity 10 Each – is a visit a day, a batch of gullies? (NB we estimate 50 gullies per day, not 150) and is 10 – 10 x days, or 10 x 150 gullies to be serviced?

Answer: Appendix A and Appendix B have been updated to better clarify this requirement.

17. Appendix A – Alconbury, item 9, road gullies, what does the quantity “2” represent? Days/ number of visits?

Answer: Appendix A and Appendix B have been updated for Alconbury.

18. Appendix A - / Liquids / Item 3 – Storm Drains – what does Quantity “2” represent? 2 what i.e. 2m / 2 days / 2 widgets / 2 lengths / 2 visits – Storms drains on a site can be 1000’s of meters

Answer: Appendix A and Appendix B have been updated for Alconbury. Alconbury and Molesworth do not have storm drains.

19. Can you please clarify payment terms?

Answer: Payment terms are listed in the clause at FAR 52.212-4 – Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Oct 2018). Specifically, 52.212-4(i)(2), “Prompt payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C.3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315.”

20. I have reviewed the documents posted and although I can see the requirement for TUPE personnel in section 4.5 of the PWS and in the Solicitation, I cannot see any detail of how many personnel would be part of this arrangement and which locations they work at. Please can you provide some detail on numbers, sites worked at and current job titles, e.g. worker, supervisor, etc.?

Answer: Per the solicitation language, “the U.S. Government does not have access to specific TUPE information nor becomes involved with related TUPE processes and associated liabilities (to include indemnification) that may transpire during pre-award or post-award phases between transferor and transferee. While the U.S. Government understands the relevance of TUPE-information in proposing fixed prices, the responsibility to provide TUPE-information rests solely with the transferor; governed by Regulation 11 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). As the transferor need only provide TUPE information to the transferee prior to the transfer, the U.S. Government will only make available the listing of the current, incumbent contractor(s) with associated points of contact if requested. The U.S. Government is not responsible for determination of TUPE applicability; the responsibility lies solely with the transferor.”

21. On attachment 2 - pricing schedule, there are lines blanked out, for example on tab three (Lakenheath & Feltwell) line 5-9, 12-14 and 17-18 are all blacked out. Please can you explain why this is as on other tabs it looks like we cannot insert pricing for these services.

Answer: The items that are blacked out are not required for that particular location. So, RAF Lakenheath does not require line 5-9, 12-14 and 17-18. Requirements vary across all of the different RAF locations. Because blacked out services are not required, prices should not be entered for these services.

22. On the Solicitation it appears that there are prices already included in some cells, for example page 6 - item 14; page 9 - option line 1008, 1009.

Answer: Specific to line items 1008 and 1009, the amounts listed are estimated quantities. In this column you will see a quantity of 12 for monthly services and varying quantities for one off services that may arise during the performance period. To complete the price section of the offeror’s proposal, the offeror simply needs to complete the Attachment 2 – Pricing Schedule. Nothing is required to be filled in on the “Supplies or Services and Prices/Cost” section of the solicitation, starting on Page 3

23. Can we enquire if there are any operational developments, changes or known events over the 5 + 2 year contract term that are likely to materially change the forecast volumes of waste generated from the in-scope locations, in respect of liquid tankered hazardous and/ or non-hazardous wastes?

Answer: The only known event that could materially changes the volume forecast for hazardous liquid waste is the F-35 beddown in late 2021, early 2022 at RAF Lakenheath. The beddown will involve an increase in personnel, two squadron composing a total of 54 aircraft. If changes in waste streams become necessary, a modification will be accomplished at that time.

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