TCAQ Response to Industry Questions 08 Apr 2011.pdf

WWX-5 Solicitation Questions

HTC711-11-R-C001

8 Apr 11

Q1. A contractor stated, “It is not appropriate for the Government to calculate the HVSL rates of an offeror. This can lead to inaccurate rates and invoicing issues.

Example: If a letter rate is $17.87 with a HVSL discount of 7.5%, the Attachment 1 worksheet calculates the HVSL rate to be $16.53. 7.5% of $17.87 is $16.529750.

The discrepancy is due to rounding rules. The offeror may elect to offer $16.52 to ensure the rate can be invoiced. We request the ability to submit Base Rates and calculate HVSL to ensure accuracy of rates.”

A1. In Attachment 1, worksheet labeled “HVSLPrice”, the cells have been unlocked to permit offerors the ability to perform minor changes to the auto-calculated rate. The cells will still autocalculate based on the rates in the worksheet labeled “BasePrice” and the proposed discount provided in the accessorial worksheet. Offerors are permitted minor deviations from the autocalculated cells to resolve the invoicing issue.

Q2: Transit times. Please clarify the transit time is for all locations within a country listed, unless a specific location is defined. Example: Japan would be for mainland Japan and Okinawa. Afghanistan would be for all FOBs serviced, with the exception of those specifically listed. Please clarify transit times should be inclusive of known Customs delays for DoD shipments.

A2. Yes, the transit time is for all countries unless a specific loaction is identified.

Q3: The contractor is to provide the system, but not the internal communication/network connection for the system. Would the Government please clarify this, as some shippers haven’t provided a phone line or network connection for the system to work?

A3. It is not mandatory for the shipper to accept a system; however, when a system is requested by the shipper it is their responsibility to provide a phone line or network connection.

Q4: Accessorial SLIN 0002AE and 0002AF. Would the Government accept a rate per lb SLIN instead of a rate per shipment for Delivery or add a SLIN and allow it to be an either or accessorial? By only listing a rate per shipment, a worst case rate must be submitted. Commercially, a rate per lb is quoted with a minimum.

A4. In the worksheet titled “Accessorial”, Subcontract Line Item Numbers (SLINs) 0002AE and 0002AF are revised. These SLINs are revised to enable invoicing at a per pound pricing rate or a minimum charge, whichever is greater. Note 1 has been added at the bottom of the Accessorial rate sheet.

WWX-5 Solicitation Questions

HTC711-11-R-C001

8 Apr 11

Q5. Cost-reimbursable contractors. Will the ISPX and IHX form be condensed to one form to support WWX5? Would the Government be willing to discuss modifying the form after Contract Award to allow it to be more conducive to account setup?

A5. International Small Package Express (ISPX) and International Heavyweight Express (IHX) forms have been condensed to one form to support the WWX-5 contract. ISPX and IHX are being replaced by WWX as these two acronyms are not part of WWX-5.

The Government would be willing to discuss modification of the account set up form after contract award.

Q6. Basic/Non-Basic Service. Can the Contractor refuse to have their rates posted on a website that can be viewed by the general public? These rates are proprietary to the U.S. Government. Posting to a site which is restricted to the Government is acceptable. FBO.gov lists Contract Awards but not the details of the Contract.

WWX5 should follow the same guidelines.

A6. The Government will not list contractor rates on a public website.

Q7. Damage or Loss. Clarification is needed if a manifest is not provided. Would the Government consider the following: Claims may be filed by the shipper within 30 days of receipt of the manifest or ship date.

A7. PWS para 1.17.3. has been expanded to include ship date if no manifest is provided.

Q8. Can an offeror bid only on the 150-300 pound weight range?

A8. For this solicitation you must provided an individual price for each weight increment for “Letter”-150 lbs, 151-300 lbs, and the aggregate weight break categories.

Q9. HVSL Price and Accessorial Tabs, Attachment 1. The HVSL Shipping Location Discount is for all shipments originating from any HVSL listed in Exhibit B. Therefore, HVSL rates will not need to be submitted for Regions A-I to CONUS as well as all other defined countries in which a HVSL shipping location does not exist. Will the Government consider updating Attachment 1 to remove the SLINS not needed for HVSL?

A9. The Attachment 1 has been revised to indicate that a HVSL discounted rate is not applicable for Subcontract Line Item Numbers (SLINS) that do not have an origin with a High Volume Shipping Location as identified in Exhibit B. Offerors are not expected to provide a HVSL discounted rate for SLINs in which the origin point does not contain a

HVSL.