Attachment 4 - JBAB Furniture BPA RFI Questions and Answers.pdf

RFI Questions and Answers - FA706026Q0039 – JBAB Furniture BPA

Q1. Fabrics and Finishes Should all fabrics, finishes, and related materials be priced at Grade 1/standard grade, unless otherwise specified in the solicitation? If multiple grades are required, please provide the applicable grade requirements.

A: Standard grade materials are acceptable.

Q2. Workstation Panel Height Please confirm the preferred or required panel height for the workstation systems.

A: None (panels) required.

Q3. Workstation Storage Please clarify the required storage components for the workstations. Should pricing include pedestals, overhead storage, storage cabinets, shelves, or other storage components? If specific quantities or configurations are required, please provide clarification.

A: No specific storage components or accessories required.

Delivery and Installation Requirements

Q4. Loading Dock Access Please confirm the type of loading dock available at the delivery location (ground-level or elevated) and whether a truck lift/liftgate will be required for deliveries. Please also identify any restrictions on truck size, height, weight, or capacity.

A: The building has a designated loading area at the rear entrance. It is ground level with the rear entrance. The rear entrance has a parking lot where a vehicle may be parked, no particular restriction.

Q5. Work Hours Please confirm the anticipated hours for delivery and installation. Will work be performed during regular business hours, after hours, weekends, or a combination thereof?

A: Work is expected to be completed during regular business hours for the current requirement.

Weekend work may be permitted for future call orders.

Q6. Elevator Access Please provide the dimensions and weight capacity of the elevator(s) available for delivery and installation.

If the elevator is unavailable or unable to accommodate certain products, should offerors include alternate pricing for stair carry or other material-handling requirements?

A: Elevator dimensions: 80Wx52Lx88H; max capacity: 2400lbs; elevator is available but is not considered a freight elevator.

Q7. Elevator, Floor, and Wall Protection Please confirm whether elevator padding, floor protection, and/or wall/corner protection will be required during delivery and installation. If required, please identify any specific products, materials, or standards that must be used.

A: Standard floor and elevator padding required.

Security and Site Access

Q8. Base Access Requirements Please identify the security and access requirements for contractor personnel entering the installation. Will background checks, security clearances, or other screening requirements be required?

A: All contractor personnel must meet base access requirements to obtain passes. The government contemplates that long term BPA holders that will attend site visits may be issued CACs for ease of access in the future. No special security clearance is required, but a background check and local screening may occur for those individuals identified that will be on base frequently to conduct site visits.

Q9. Personnel Badging Please identify which contractor personnel will be required to obtain badges or credentials, including Project Managers, installers, delivery personnel, and subcontractors.

A: No facility badges required for installers or delivery personnel at the call order level. Project Managers and affiliated members that will attend frequent site visits or coordinate install at physical location may be CAC enabled in the future.

Q10. Secure Areas Will any portion of the work be performed within secure or controlled-access spaces? If so, please identify the applicable requirements and any anticipated lead time for obtaining access.

A: No secure or sensitive areas will be accessed for this call order. The requirements for extra access will be communicated in future requests as needed.

Q11. Work Locations Will all delivery, installation, and related services be performed on the installation, or should offerors anticipate work at off-site locations as well?

A: On-site work only.

BPA Contractual Clarifications

Q12. Removal from BPA Under what circumstances may a contractor be removed from the BPA? If a contractor is removed, will the Government conduct a new solicitation or otherwise compete the requirement to identify a replacement contractor?

A: The five primary reasons for removal or cancellation of a BPA:

1. A contract default or significant deficiency in performance that is not addressed within mission parameters causing significant delay or damage to government operations.

2. Consistent No Bids to requests for quotes. Two no bids or more within a 12-month period may be grounds for removal if the government lacks confidence for regular participation in BPA competitive procedures.

3. “Buy in” unethical business practices where unbalanced low pricing is offered with the intent to modify significantly after an agreed upon firm fixed price.

4. Losing small business status.

5. The government no longer requires the supplies or services of the BPA.

This is not an exhaustive list and the government may determine other circumstances appropriate to ensure fair and balanced pricing, adequate timely performance, and good business ethics are followed.

If a contractor is removed, the government will solicit for a replacement.

Q13. Annual Pricing Adjustments Will the BPA permit annual pricing adjustments to account for documented increases in manufacturer pricing, labor, freight, or other applicable costs? If permitted, please provide the process, timing, and any limitations for submitting such adjustments.

A: The BPA is designed to be competitive to receive the best market rates available to the contractors at the time of the request for quote. The government anticipates costs will rise over time or for manufacturer increases and will be reflected in the competition. No price lists will be used in this BPA; all offers will be assessed on a competitive basis or utilize price analysis procedures to determine a fair and reasonable price. As such, no pricing adjustments will be needed unless an extraordinary circumstance at the order level occurs.

Removal

Q14. Do we need to incorporate the removal/disposal of the existing furniture?

A: No. There is furniture in the area but belongs to another organization that will remove it before the project begins.

Q15. Do you want furniture panel systems utilized in any of the rooms to surround the workstations?

A: No.

Q16. If panels are required, do you want 42’, 54” or 66” high panels and should they be all fabric or have glass in the top portion of the panels?

A: No.

Q17. If panels are to be included, should we include power in the panels, and should the power be fed from a power pole or a base feed (from a wall)?

A: No.

Q18. Will the government provide an electrician to attach the systems furniture to building power, if required?

A: No. Building power array will remain as is, no special power requirements.

Q19/Q20. Do you want height adjustable worksurfaces (if so, main surface only or the entire L to rise and lower)? If so should we include them for all 16 workstations?

A: No.

Q21. Should we include one or two sets of drawers at the desk and return (BBF and FF or just one BBF ped)?

A: One drawer, no preference.

Q22. Regarding room 211, are we to remove/dispose/replace of any furniture and/or the counter, overhead and sink?

A: Area will be empty at the beginning of the project. No removal/replacement.

Q23. Would it be possible to extend the due date (if applicable) 6 days from receipt of answers to questions?

A: Due date will be extended to 23 September 2026.

Q24. Will you consider a variance allowance on all dimensioned items of +/- 2”?

A: Yes.

Q25. Is there a loading dock and elevator available for delivery?

A: Loading areas and some elevator use is available.

Q26. Is there any existing furniture that needs to be removed? If so, can you provide pictures and a list of that furniture?

A: No removal needed. Area will be empty at the beginning of the project

Q27. Are we responsible to provide an electrician to attach furniture whips to house power?

A: No.

Q28. Is there a staging area or warehouse on site to store product if needed?

A: The first floor hallway has space to pre-stage materials, but no warehouse or greatly open areas for storage are available.

Q29. Is there a staging area or warehouse on site to store product if needed?

A: No.

Q30. In the FID, a basis of design is not included. Is that available?

A: No design or floor plan document is available.

Q31. Since the BPA allows Call Orders up to $1 million, can you confirm how the Nonmanufacturer Rule will be handled for orders over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold?

A: In accordance with FAR 52.219-33, the orders above the SAT will be handled as a kit of supplies requiring at least 50% of the total cost of components will be manufactured, processed, or produced by small business concerns.

Q32. The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies. To maximize competition and product availability throughout the five-year BPA ordering period, will the Government consider revising the solicitation to permit furniture products that are compliant with the Trade Agreements Act, including U.S.-made and designated-country end products, in lieu of limiting products to the domestic end-product requirements of FAR 52.225-1? If not, please confirm that FAR 52.225-1 will apply to all furniture furnished under the BPA and each resultant Call Order.

A: FAR 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies is applicable to the BPA and all Call Orders. In rare instances where the government requests specific supplies of a peculiar nature that the BPA competitors cannot source to an American source and provide adequate documentation, a single order exemption can be determined appropriate to permit the Trade Agreements to cover that particular item of supply.

Q33. What is the total estimated value of the BPA?

A: $20,000,000.00 ($20M USD) is the overall ceiling once cleared for execution.

Q34. Will there be an additional site visit opportunity? Can the due date be extended accordingly?

A: No more site visits will be scheduled for this solicitation, the due date will be extended to Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

Q35. Are the manufacturers required to meet the Small Business requirement or only the dealers?

A: The BPA holders are required to be small businesses and fulfill the small business requirements.

Q36. Please confirm how the Government will evaluate small business manufacturing compliance for this 100% Small Business set-aside MAS RFQ. Specifically, please confirm whether all submitted manufacturers must qualify as small businesses for this RFQ/order.

A: The BPA holders must be small businesses in accordance with SAM.gov and SBA regulation.

For orders below the SAT, the manufactured end items can be sourced in accordance with the Buy American supplies statute. For orders above the SAT, the Nonmanufacturer rule will apply where the supplies are treated as a kit of supplies.

Q37. When will you award the project?

A: To be determined upon evaluation, clearance, and adequate funds availability. FY26 Funds are presently available for the initial call order pending review of competitive offers.

Q39. Will the furniture will be purchased by the government or a general contractor?

A: This is an agreement with the Federal Government. The related call orders will be binding contracts executed by a warranted contracting officer on behalf of the Federal Government.

Q40. Should we include sales tax?

A: The Federal Government is exempt from taxes procured using appropriated funds for its own requirements.

Q41. Do installers need to be US Citizens?

A: Installers need to be able to get base access in accordance with the local base policy. At present for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, that requires either US Citizenship or a legal residency in good standing to clear initial screening.

Q42. Is certified payroll required?

A: Certified payrolls are not required. Labor fees may be inquired or discussed in the absence of adequate price competition to determine price reasonableness.

Q43. Is this project new construction or a renovation of an existing building?

A: Neither the BPA nor the call orders placed on it will require any construction or renovation of real property.

Q44. Has construction started on this project?

A: The government is internally resolving turnover between tenants and will communicate a schedule after award for when the building will be available for delivery and install.

Q45. Will you accept open market items?

A: The government will accept end items that comply with the terms and conditions executed in the orders. This is a commercial ordering agreement, therefore commercially available items are anticipated throughout the ordering period of the BPA.