03.30.11 - Q A 5 Perishables.pdf

30 March 2011

HTC711-11-R-W001

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS - 5

Solicitation No. HTC711-11-R-W001

OVER-PACKING & AIR TRANSPORTATION OF PERISHABLES TO THE PACIFIC

U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Requirement

1) The following are responses to questions received in response to solicitation number HTC711- 11-R-W001. The numbering of this Q&A response is continued from the previous presolicitation Q&A responses. The table below shows the Q&A responses issued to date.

Q&A Date Posted Phase #1 12/28/2010 Pre-solicitation #2 01/27/2011 Pre-solicitation #3 02/08/2011 Pre-solicitation #4 02/11/2011 Pre-solicitation #5 03/30/2011 Solicitation

2) As a reminder, Q&A responses are different than amendments. Amendments are material changes to one of the solicitation documents. Q&A responses provide additional information that may aide an offeror in understanding the requirement and developing a proposal. Some Q&A responses may generate an amendment based on the specific question and response resulting in a change to the solicitation documents. In these instances, the response will be provided in the Q&A, and will indicate that the solicitation will be amended to reflect a change in the solicitation documents. Offerors are cautioned in relying on information provided in Q&A, but not changed via an amendment.

3) If you believe there is a discrepancy between information conveyed in a Q&A response and the solicitation documents or any amendments, please contact the Contracting Officer for clarification.

Q.1. What is the primary location(s) for non-scheduled shipments going to Singapore?

A.1. The primary location for previous Singapore deliveries was:

AT Fresh 14 Chin Bee Road Singapore 619824

However, offerors are reminded that the unit rate proposed for non-scheduled shipments to Singapore shall be effective for all non-scheduled shipments to Singapore as the unit rate is at the “country level.” There is no guarantee that future shipments to Singapore will be strictly to this location.

HTC711-11-R-W001

Q.2. Please give us some guidance on receiving criteria. It states “the contractor accepts liability for the quality of the product.” Should we expect the products to be at certain standards, for example US # 1? What is the tolerance for damaged products? Is there an allowance for slight bruising, mold, shrivel age, etc.?

A.2. The PWS will be changed via amendment. The PWS is expected to add the following to paragraph 3.1.1:

“Contractors should expect the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FF&V) to arrive in grade US #1 condition or better (http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateN& navID=U.S.GradeStandards&rightNav1=U.S.GradeStandards&topNav=&leftNav=&pag e=FreshGradeStandardsIndex&resultType=&acct=freshgrdcert).

If upon inspection the contractor identifies product less than this standard, they shall notify the applicable agency (DeCA or DLA) Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

The COR will inspect the product and document its condition. The COR will make the determination as to whether or not the product is acceptable for shipment. If the COR determines that the FF&V is acceptable for shipment, the contractor shall document the initial condition of the product and provide service as required. The contractor is responsible for maintaining the initial quality of the product.

Q.3. Sample Pallets: Is the product for the sample pallets part of the actual order or will we be supplied with “extra” product to be used to create the sample pallets? Do the bases expect to receive the sample pallets after inspection or are they typically disposed of after inspection?

A.3. The “extra” product needed to construct the sample pallets is part of the actual order. The end customers do not expect to receive the products contained in the sample pallets.

Q.4. Korea Shipments: Will a Government Bill of Lading be available for shipments into Korea?

A.4. The PWS will be changed via amendment. The PWS is expected to add the following to paragraph 3.2.1.

“For shipments to Korea, the Government will also generate a Government Bill of Lading.”

Q.5. Korea Shipments: What are the hours Yongsan will clear perishables?

A.5. The Government is working to provide this information. This information will be provided in a later Q&A response.

HTC711-11-R-W001

Q.6. Exhibit C, Historical Data: Can we get a historical breakdown of product moved by individual commodity, weight, and volume? This will allow us to better calculate the labor and material costs of overpacking and temperature control requirements with different products.

A.6. The Government is working to compile and report this data for a recent two week period.

Q.7. How far in advance will we know what’s going to be shipped on a specific day?

A.7. Typically the contractor will not know what’s going to be shipped until the third-party supplier delivers the product with the invoice.

Q.8. Can perishables be delivered early to the required destinations?

A.8. In accordance with PWS paragraph 3.5.4, “…delivery times that result in quicker, more efficient delivery may be established between the contractor and the applicable end customers, but must be approved by the CO. The delivery times in the delivery schedule are the minimum standard during contract performance.”

Q.9. Solicitation Addendum 52.212-1, Part 2, paragraph (d), subparagraph (2): “The offeror is allowed to submit a total of four contract references for which the offeror (prime) or the proposed principal subcontractor (e.g., freight forwarder) has performed cold-chain logistics functions and transportation service similar in size, scope, and complexity described in this solicitation.” Does this mean that it is sufficient to have only four contract references for the entity that will be performing the cold chain logistics functions and not for the prime or other subcontractor(s) that will not be performing the cold chain logistics functions?

Q.9. As stated, the offeror is permitted to choose the appropriate mix of past performance information for itself and its principal subcontractor. Yes, it is permissible to have all four contract references be for the principal subcontractor. This is at the discretion of the offeror as to the appropriate mix to be submitted for evaluation. However, offerors are advised to understand and become familiar with the evaluation criteria for the past performance evaluation factor located at Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, paragraph “e”.