Answers.docx

1. To confirm, this bid package is only to be electronically submitted (Emailed)? Yes

2. This Bid will require multiple very large files to be delivered, can this bid package be delivered using an online shared drive or website (examples of Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive) for UNICOR to download all the documents to be delivered? We will not be able to utilize Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. Please submit zip files that we will be able to unzip. If needed, you may submit several emails to submit the larger files. Please number the emails so we can ensure we receive them all.

3. Will all pricing that needs to be submitted in the bid package only be expected in the excel spreadsheet provided, or will PDF pricing catalogs that will have ordering procedures and further product specification information be desired too? Please submit all pricing on the excel spreadsheet.

4. In Section J on page 49, it lists "BID Tab" as a required Document? Is that the excel spreadsheet to incorporate our pricing? Yes

5. Do we need to submit and NCIC form for any personnel with the submission? There will be no need for an NCIC form for this requirement. The awarded vendor may need to submit NCIC forms if visiting locations is required. That will be resolved after award.

6. On the attached Business Management Questionnaire that was part of the bid package says to provide 5 contracts, but then on page 54 it indicates "at least three (3) and no more than five (5)". Can you clarify which is correct? We require at least three references. However, submitting more is helpful as we must make contact with at least three and sometimes contacts provided do not respond.

7. On the attached Business Management Questionnaire that was part of the bid package is asking for more detailed information, whereas on page 55 it is just asking for less specific information. Do we just fill out Page 55 of the bid package, or do we need to submit the other more detailed Business Management Questionnaire sheet? Please submit the more detailed Business Management Questionnaire form.

8. Is a “past performance survey” required to be submitted? If so, please provide. I only see reference to this on Section 7.,,(3) on page 59. This information was included in error. You are only required to supply the business references on the Business Management Questionnaire form.

9. On page 4, The bid indicates that "All samples must be received no later than the deadline for offers.", Is this bid asking for specific samples? No samples are required for this requirement.

10. On the pricing spreadsheet provided, it indicates to add our pricing as new tabs on the excel document. With multiple large lines, can we submit multiple excel spreadsheet files for more clear organization? The additional tabs should be utilized to break down pricing in a Bill of Materials style pricing for each piece being offered.

11. On the pricing spreadsheet provided, it indicates to add our pricing as new tabs on the document. Is there anything that needs to actually be filled out on that first tab? Meaning since we are just submitting catalog pricing, there is no specific Net price being offered that i can submit on that tab. Please clarify. Please place a total overall price for the basic system in each of the line items. You can then add additional pages to list out boms which will help up further understand how you got to that total price on page one.

12. Where an offeror proposes to act as the prime contractor and uses a disclosed U.S.-based manufacturer/subcontractor to provide the furniture system, may the offeror rely on that partner’s relevant past performance, manufacturer certifications (including GREENGUARD, BIFMA and ISO), technical/manufacturing capability, and related experience to satisfy the solicitation’s qualification and evaluation requirements? If this is permitted, please also confirm what documentation should be submitted to demonstrate the relationship and the partner’s capabilities. Yes, you can rely on that partner’s, certifications (GREENGUARD, BIFMA, ISO, etc.). Just include any documentation that shows the relationship (such as a teaming agreement or letter of commitment) along with their certifications. However, the primary vendor will be required to provide past performance and related experience based on their business experiences.

13. Our products come in various heights and widths, meaning we have many different BOM's. For the BOM spreadsheet, can we supply one example item for each product family we are offering? The BOMs you submit will help support the overall basic pricing you list on tab 1. You can submti one example for each product family, if you believe it is enough information necessary to support the pricing on tab 1

14. Our products are MAS Green Certified. Please confirm that other VOC certifications, in addition to Green Guard, are okay. Regarding VOC certifications: MAS Green and other equivalent VOC/emissions certifications are generally acceptable as long as they meet the standard the solicitation is aiming for. If GREENGUARD is listed only as an example, alternatives are typically fine

15. Prices are to be delivered to different locations, but our pricing is FOB destination. Can we provide a different freight charge for each location as a separate line item? This solicitation was announced as FOB destination. freight charges should be included in the pricing being offered. You should not add addition line items for freight.

16. The document states a 14-day lead time. Please confirm if the offeror can change the number of days of lead time. A vendor's ability to meet the specifications of the solicitation is an evaluation factor. You may list a different lead time if needed, however, it may effect that vendor's score in the evaluation process.

17. Our products are internally BIFMA tested. Can we still submit an offer and have products externally BIFMA tested if we are selected? Yes

18. The solicitation requires 3 completed Past Performance Surveys. Can a blank version of the survey be attached as a document downloadable from SAM.gov? (item 7 on page 59 of 59 of solicitation document). See prior question regarding this topic.

19. Is pricing only needed on the included Excel spreadsheet or is it also needed on page 2 of the solicitation document under unit price for Item No.’s 00001 - 00007? Pricing is only required on the Excel Spreadsheet.

20. Delivery is stated as 14 calendar days after receipt of order. Many components used in systems furniture are available with a 14-day delivery but due to its complexity and the high-volume nature of many essential components, a 14-day lead-time for all required components is not very realistic. There will be thousands of components in the various product lines and many of these components are not required very often (at times only used every few years); therefore, they will not be stocked and will need to be produced when they are required. As such would it be satisfactory to provide designated lead-times with a maximum of 28 days (14 – 28 days) for each component under each specific product line listed with our bid response? See prior question regarding this topic.

21. Can you define the starting date from which lead time is calculated? e.g. Leadtime starts the first business day after receipt of order? Leadtime begins the day the order is received.

22. Will alternate lead times be accepted or considered for nonstandard/tailored/customized products or specialty finishes? Please bring attention to this in your offer. Non-standard/tailored/customized products or specialty finishes will be addressed on a case by case basis.

23. Is there a maximum order size that would be required to conform to the standard lead time, or can UNICOR order any contracted item in any quantity with the same delivery requirements? Any order meeting the minimum requirements listed in the solicitation will be required to meet the required lead time.

24. Does the 7-day go-back lead time apply only to contractor-caused shortages, or does it apply to any shortage, change, installation error, damage after delivery, ordering error or manufacturing error that creates the requirement for a go-back? The 7 day go back lead time applies to items that need to be re-ordered for any reason to complete a project

25. Is there a maximum dollar amount of liquidated damages that may be assessed to a vendor – either as a percentage or as a dollar amount? There is currently no maximum dollar amount listed in the liquidated damages clause of the solicitation.

26. Are liquidated damages assessed to only the quantity of items that are late, to the entire CLIN from which there are late items, or to the entire PO? Are partial-week delinquencies prorated? Liquidated damages are taken only on items (quantities) that are late. Liquidated damages will be assessed on a prorated basis.

27. Please confirm that bid responses are to only be submitted electronically via email by the due date of 9/25/26 at 2:00PM EDT to the primary and alternative contacts (Peyton P. and Brent P.)? Yes

28. Page 25 of solicitation document references PPI Index PCU337211337211, Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing as the index to be used for any Economic Price Adjustments. The BLS.gov website (https://www.bls.gov/ppi/notices/2025/bls-to-discontinue-selected-ppis.htm) shows that this index was discontinued in November 2025. Will there be a different index used for this contract? If the index listed in the solicitation is no longer valid, please submit the NAICS code you feel is the most appropriate. A final decision will be made during negotiations.

29. Under Submission Requirements listed on page 49 – Section J states Green Guard certification is required. UNICOR replaced Green Guard certification and utilizes a sub-licensing agreement for SCS Indoor Air Quality certification so can SCS certificates be submitted as part of our response versus Green Guard? Yes

30. Are there typical workstation layouts that you would like all responses to reflect for design and quoting or are you looking for unique concepts and proposals? Please provide your best offer to include your typical offering, as well as any unique concepts and proposals that may make your offer more beneficial to the government.

31. When completing the component level bill of material data, do you want to see country-of-origin information for each component listed to evaluate each proposed product against your stated Made In America preference? Yes.

32. What documentation must offerors provide to substantiate domestic content? Will unknown-origin minor hardware be treated as foreign content? If a commercial commodity item is required in the product but proposed as a component UNICOR can source independently, will a foreign-origin for purposes of the proposal prevent a high rating? The evaluation criteria "Domestic Content Superiority" is being removed from this solicitation. However, you will need to provide the Country of Manufacturer for your parts and provide a Certificate of Origin for parts not manufactured in US. You must ensure your proposal is in compliance with the Trade Agreement Clause in the solicitation.

33. Can you please clarify if/when samples are required? Are they due with initial proposals, after award or only upon written request? See prior question regarding this topic.

34. Will UNICOR consider licensing/royalty agreements for proprietary designs that UNICOR is interested in fully vertically integrating without an associated material procurement? UNICOR does not have current plans to do this under this RFP but please send details and UNICOR will review and consider any detailed business plan.

35. If a proposed product is already on GSA schedule with an established market price to the government, is there an expectation that UNICOR will be able to manufacture and deliver the equivalent product to the government at the same or lower market price? Yes

36. What information is required of the component supplier to support UNICOR’s other service contracts in the fulfillment of UNICOR’s full scope of work? Sales training, 2D/3D CAD files, CET extensions, specification guidelines/training, assembly/installation/repair instructions, etc.?

The specific level of supplier support required will be determined during contract negotiations and may vary based on the product offering, scope of partnership, and UNICOR's operational requirements. As a general expectation, suppliers should be prepared to provide the information and resources necessary to support UNICOR's full lifecycle responsibilities, including marketing, specification development, manufacturing integration, order fulfillment, installation support, warranty support, and ongoing customer service. Such support may include, but is not limited to:

Product sales and specification training;

Product catalogs, finish options, and pricing information;

2D and 3D CAD files;

CET extensions and related configuration tools, if available;

Product specification guidelines and technical documentation;

Installation, assembly, maintenance, and repair instructions;

Parts identification and replacement documentation;

Warranty procedures and support requirements;

Product update notifications and engineering change information; and Access to technical subject matter experts as reasonably required.

As UNICOR evaluates potential expansion of its systems furniture offerings, suppliers should demonstrate their ability to provide sufficient technical, operational, and sales support to enable successful implementation and long-term program sustainability. Additional requirements may be identified as the program develops and customer requirements are further defined

37. Some products, like demountable walls, are tailored uniquely to each project requirement. Will a demountable wall vendor, if awarded, remain an integral part of the specification and design process for that product through the term of the contract due to the complex nature of the solutions therein? Any specific custom requirements for demountable wall would require that the vendor does remain an integral part of the specification and design process until the completion of that project and thru any warranty issues.

38. Is UNICOR’s objective with this solicitation to work directly with manufacturers or with dealers/distributors? Or is there no preference? No preference given to either option.

39. Does UNICOR use any kind of forecasting tool for future raw material requirements and/or will UNICOR provide suppliers with estimated forecasts prior to ordering? UNICOR can provide an estimated future forecast for potential purchase orders, but it is not a purchase promise as order dates may get pushed and or canceled.

40. Does this solicitation include height-adjustable desk/table bases and ergonomic accessories? If not explicitly, may solutions be presented that are tangential to these product categories? These items will be solicited at a later date.

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