USC-7 Q As 7 MAR 12.pdf

# RFP Para # Industry Questions/Comments US Government Response

Attachment 6, C.8 Port Storage: Invoices will be submitted as a “Pass Through Charge”. Invoices with supporting documentation should be submitted no later than 30 days from the date cargo departed the port (e.g. lift or dispatch).

i. we want to increase this section so that it includes port storage charges incurred not only with the port but with sub-contractors. In other words that Port Storage includes ALL storage charges incurred…payable to port or private subcontracts.

Amendment 8 - Revised Attachment 6, C.8.1 to include subcontractor services at Karachi, Pakistan.

Exhibit 1 Exhibit 1 – Section (c)(4) “Past Performance Information” a. Section (c)(4)(i) – For the questions shown under (a), (b), (c), and (d) are we to include the references responses in the solicitation when we provide the reference information (ie: name of company, contact, phone, etc)? If not, are these questions to be addressed by the respondent in addition to the Questionnaire which will be emailed direct to USTRANSCOM from the respondent?

i. There is also a conflict in where this information should be emailed. The Exhibit 1 states to send to lisa.cahill@ustranscom.mil <mailto:lisa.cahill@ustranscom.mil> and bill.lindquist@ustranscom.mil <mailto:bill.lindquist@ustranscom.mil>, but the Performance Questionnaire itself under Section 2 sates to email to USTCAQ-OTO-USC@ustranscom.mil <mailto:USTCAQ-OTO-USC@ustranscom.mil> . What is the correct email address to tell our references? b. Past/Present Performance Questionnaire i. Section 1 – Under this section there is a request to state “Initial Contract Cost”, “Final Contract Cost”, and then to “Explain the Reasons for the Differences between the Initial and Final Costs”. Please advise what is meant by Initial Contract Cost and

The offeror shall send out a Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 1 to Exhibit 1) to each of the offeror’s references (which may include USTRANSCOM) identified in their proposal along with a request for the reference to complete the questionnaire and return it to the Government by the date specified for receipt of offers. The responsibility to send out the Past Performance Questionnaires rest solely with the offeror.

Amendment 6 - Revised Exhibit 1 (Addenda to FAR Provisions) and Attachment 1 to Exhibit 1 with the correct email addresses for where the Past Performance Questionnaires should be sent.

for the Differences between the Initial and Final Costs . Please advise what is meant by Initial Contract Cost and Final Contract Cost. Also, the contract cost is confidential information between SSL and the Reference (especially if it’s a non-government company). Can these sections be left blank by the Contractor?

The Initial Contract Cost (Cost at Award), Final Contract Cost (Cost at Contract Completion Date) and the differences between them help the Contracting Officer gain an understanding, if there are differences between Initial and Final Contract Cost, what caused the differences, which can assist in making a Past Performance determination. It is at the Contractor's discretion what information they want to release.

Exhibit 3, (PWS) Section 3A.2.1.3

Section 3.A.2.1.3 “Hazardous Cargo” – This section states that the Contractor shall identify to the Contracting Officer any cargo precluded from carriage due to Contractor Policy prior to the contract award and further advise the Contracting Officer of any changes to such policy thereafter. In what format do the Contractors need to provide a list of commodities that are not acceptable due to contractor policies and/or commodities that may require further evaluation and information from Contracting Officer before confirming whether or not the Contractor can handle?

Can this be handled at the time of booking or does this need to be included in our solicitation package?

In accordance with 3.A.2.1.3, the Contractor shall identify to the Contracting Officer any hazardous cargo precluded from carriage due to Contractor policy prior to contract award.

There is no specific format required for identifying any hazardous cargo precluded from carriage due to Contractor policy.

234 Exhibit 3, (PWS) 6.A Section 6.A “Declaration of Exigency Area” – This section states that the Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor in writing of each Exigency Area determination. Is there a list available now to see what areas are considered Exigency Areas?

For USC-7, the US Government anticipates the Exigency Areas to be the same as USC- 6, which are Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

Exhibit 3, (PWS) 8.1 Requirements are unclear. Recommend deleting the 5 th and 6th sentences to eliminate confusion: “Any stipulation of the numbers and what IT/ADP or clearance levels for the contractors will have to be approved by the functional manager, COR, or the KO before the start of the contract task order. The contractor shall not divulge any financial, planning, programming, or budgeting information without the express consent of the Government as outlined in Operational Security (OPSEC) and Information Security regulations.”

Amendment 8 - Clarified language.

Exhibit 3, (PWS) 8.2 The requirement is overly broad. It suggests that the master and one other officer on every vessel must possess a SECRET security clearance, which has not been the case under USC-6. Under USC-6, the requirement for two cleared officers only applied on U.S. flag vessels that carried classified cargo. The requirement should be clarified by adding the following phrase at the end of the first sentence: “in order to carry classified cargoes without government supercargo personnel.”

Amendment 8 - Clarified language.

Exhibit 3, (PWS) 8.3 The application of 8.3 is unclear. As stated in PWS 8.1, the majority of daily work associated with this PWS is unclassified. However, Section 8.3 does not provide for any limitation on its applicability. To the contrary, the language of Section 8.3 is extremely broad and by its terms would require that all personnel performing the services under the contract be U.S. citizens: “The contractor’s, subcontractors, and/or partner’s personnel performing services under this contract shall be citizens of the United States of America as a clearance requirement.” We recommend that Section 8.3 either: (a) be deleted in its entirety and specific requirements be addressed on a case-by-case basis as the need arises through a contract modification/delivery order; or (b) be revised to state that Section

8.3 applies only to the extent specifically required under a mutually agreed delivery order/contract modification.

Amendment 8 - Clarified language.

Attachment 6 "A.6 For direct booked cargo, the contractor shall submit invoices for container detention, port storage, reefer maintenance and any other costs for services not ordered in IBS yet associated with the movement of cargo directly to the shipper." The question is why did you (Gov't ) put this in attachment 6? Issues are many. As an example, if a direct booker let's say DLA, sends a container from PA to Germany and the container sits and collects detention/port storage. How would we bill DLA direct? Would DLA have access to CMM to validate that # of days detention or port storage are valid? Do all Direct Bookers have the same systems? Sorry for bringing this up late but we just caught it...We are just concerned that this could get very cumbersome depending on the shipper and or the reason for causation...

Language is clear and meets the US Government's intent. Language will remain as written.

Exhibit 1 Exhibit 1 – Section (c)(3)(iii) “Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)” – This section states that the Offeror must either demonstrate that they have Trading Partner Agreements (TPA) in place or submit a copy of their TPA as part of their offer. If the Offeror currently meets all of the Military’s EDI Requirements would this demonstrate that we have a Trading Partner Agreement (TPA). If not, please advise how the Offeror would demonstrate having a TPA?

Amendment 8 - Clarified language.

270 Exhibit 3, (PWS) 3.A.10 Is DTEDI required for both EDI and OCI systems? The DTEDI Trading Partner Agreement is not required for OCI.

General CARE System Questions Liner Terms (Under Accessorials)

a) Missing Liner Term for Destination St. Croix Zone for General and Heavy Vehicles

b) Missing Liner Term for Destination St. Thomas Zone for General and Heavy Vehicles

c) Missing Liner Term for Origin St. Thomas for General, Heavy Vehicles and Shipper 20’ Container

Liner Terms

a) At this time, there is not a need to have ongoing rates for this service.

b) At this time, there is not a need to have ongoing rates for this service.

c) At this time, there is not a need to have ongoing rates for this service.

d) At this time, there is not a need to have ongoing rates for this service.

271 c) Missing Liner Term for Origin St. Thomas for General, Heavy Vehicles and Shipper 20 Container

d) Missing “All” Liner Term for Origin St. Croix for General, Light Vehicles, Heavy Vehicles and Shipper 20’ Container Mileage Rates

a) Missing “Per Mile by Vehicle” for 351 miles to 400 miles for Flatbed/Stepdeck

b) Missing “Per Mile by Vehicle” for 751 miles to 900 miles for Doubledrop/RGN

d) At this time, there is not a need to have ongoing rates for this service.

Mileage Rates

a) CLIN 74774 Exists in CARE - United Sates of America / 351 to 400 miles / Flatbed/Stepdeck

b) CLIN 74830 Exists in CARE - United Sates of America / 751 to 900 miles / Doubledrop/RGN