Pre-Bid_Conference_Questions_and_Answers.docx

Attachment 5: Pre-Bid Conference Questions and Answers Q1: With regard to the 6 passenger vans carrying passengers with wheelchairs (reference Sub-CLIN 0001AA), will there be ever six (6) passengers all using wheelchairs?

A1: Based on historical special needs wheelchair requirements, we would, when required, forecast for one special needs student per 6-passenger carrying capacity van that would need to be transported in a wheelchair to and from school. The remainder of wheelchair and other special needs students would use the van seats.

Q2: Are Host Nation laws (German laws) applicable to this contract? Is the German “Standard Wages” law applicable to the contract?

A2: Per basic SOW para. 4.0. Contractor Operations, the Contractor shall adhere to applicable Host Nation laws, installation regulations, and the safety procedures in Addendum D. The Contractor shall provide vehicles and equipment that meet all standards required by Host Nation laws as well as the vehicle requirements in Addendum E. Other Contractor requirements include adhering to Host Nation laws, such as the German “Standard Wages” law. In addition, the applicable U.S. laws under the contract may exceed the standards of the Host Nation laws in some cases. Because we have no economic price adjustment clause in the contract, the contractors must consider all their costs in their pricing for base year and option years.

Q3: Are the Bus Routes, Stops, and Runs permanent throughout the performance period of the contract?

A3: The route schedules provided in the Invitation for Bids are sample route sheets that depict a good estimate of the bus routes, runs, and stops within a run. However, the route schedules and number of routes may change based on the Government’s requirements for towns/villages primarily listed in the school commuting area. The COR will provide the Contractor a copy of each route schedule prior to the beginning of scheduled services each school year and will issue the Contractor a new route schedule when a change to a service is made. Route schedules will include route number, all runs, stops, school location(s), and departure/arrival times. The Contractor shall have two (2) working days from the time of receipt to implement a route change, except in cases of unforeseen events (e.g., server weather). The Contractor is encouraged to suggest route changes that contribute to safety or efficiency of services. Overall, changes using the projected number of routes would not result in any substantial total distances.

Q4: How many passengers are there requiring the use of wheelchairs? When will this information be known?

A4: The requirement for wheelchair transportation of students is generally not identified until approx. several weeks prior to the start of the school year, unless the student was enrolled in the program and is identified as a returning student. The Government will be reasonable in providing the contractor time to accommodate the number of wheelchair student passengers.

Q5: Should the contractor calculate the cost of gas based on the Sample Bus Routes, Stops, and Runs (Attachment 1)?

A5: The contractor may use the sample route schedules which depicts the routes, runs, and stops to calculate the approximate cost of diesel fuel, but note that the routes, stops, and runs may change throughout the period of performance of the contract. The contractor should apply applicable commercial business practices to calculate the cost of diesel.

Q6: Is the fluctuation of the price of gas accounted for in this contract?

A6: No, there is no contract clause in this contract that will allow for an adjustment of the firm fixed-price of the contract amounts based on a fluctuation in fuel prices. The contractor should consider the fluctuation of gas prices (over a five year period) when considering the pricing of their bid.

Q7: Is the Activity Run, as defined in the SOW , a part of the PM (evening) Run?

A7: When an activity run is authorized, the run is a part of a bus route that departs the school after normal school hours to transport student who participate in cocurricular after-school activities from the school to housing areas or transportation terminals. The sample route schedules provided in the Invitation for Bid do not reflect the requirement for activity runs.

Q8: Can you confirm that the start of each day is 6:00 AM?

A8: The operational day is defined in Addendum A of the SOW, “Normally, an operational day extends from 0600 to 1900 Hours.” The route schedules determine the exact service hours. For designated AM home-to-school bus runs, a bus security attendant will conduct a detailed vehicle security inspection with driver’s assistance (i.e., opening bus compartment doors, etc.) prior to the bus arriving at the first bus stop where students board; for designated PM school-to-home bus runs, the inspection must be conducted before the bus enters the installation on which the school is located. The exterior-access compartments (i.e., luggage, storage, engine, etc.) shall be opened and inspected one-by-one consecutively prior to inspecting the bus’ interior. When the route schedule identifies an off-post location for inspecting the bus, the bus Contractor shall ensure the bus is at the inspection location at the time prescribed on the route sheet to allow the security attendant to inspect the bus; such inspections normally require approx. 15-20 minutes. Bottom line, students must arrive at school by the time prescribed on the route schedule.