1.8.13_NAT_II_Questions_ _Answers_.docx

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (#1)

PRE-SOLICITATION RELEASE

9 JANUARY 2013

SOLICITATION #: HTC711-13-R-R002

NATIONAL AFGHAN TRUCKING II

1. Question-There is no specification on housing or any life support for personnel manning the Centralized Receiving and Shipping Point (CRSP) designated areas in the PWS, will this be government provided?

Answer-The CRSP designated areas are part of the Afghanistan Transportation Network (ATN) requirement and will be included under the ATN PWS and the solicitation. It is not anticipated that housing will be provided to these individuals.

2. Question-Is security escorts to be provided by the Contractor? What are the minimum requirements for it and how will they obtain clearance on to destinations?

Answer-Under NAT, the contractor may be required to provide security escorts. The types of security are described in the PWS. Security escorts are not permitted access to the installations

3. Question- By referring to National CLIN, is it assumed that one contractor will be the main HUB and the rest will line up under (prime-sub relationship)?

Answer-No. Please understand that the DRAFT PWS posted in August contemplated combining the NAT and ATN programs under a single solicitation. However, that course of action is no longer being pursued. Under NAT, the Government anticipates a multiple award IDIQ contract.

4. Question-Can you provide a list of interested vendors?

Answer- Our office will not provide a list of interested vendors as we do not maintain such a list. The posting on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) and Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) website should allow parties to view those vendors that have identified themselves as interested vendors.

5. Question- Will Joint Ventures be allowed in lieu of a US corporation?

Answer- Yes, it is anticipated that Joint Ventures will be permitted to submit a proposal.

6. Question- PWS is vague regarding personnel status, we assume that there are going to be EXPAT and local national (LN) requirements on the contract, if so, who will be responsible for badging requirements Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

7. Question- Are there any tasks that will require EXPATS to perform due to security/clearance requirements? Will LN be allowed limited access to facilities?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

8. Question- If LN's are to be the personnel on ground, who will be responsible for access and operating clearance within the bases? Including and no limited to the airport, cargo areas, CRSP yard?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

9. Question- Insurance: in our past experience the insurance requirements set forth in a government FAR based contract is not conducive in an area of operation (Afghanistan) that does not have an insurance industry. What will the insurance requirements be?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

10. Question- What will be required for LN identification verification and background checks? Who will be responsible for this task?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

11. Question- Can you provide the anticipated award date and anticipated beginning of performance for this contract if awarded.

Answer- As stated in the Description of the Base Notice: National Afghan Trucking II (NAT II) - HTC711-13-R-R002 on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) and Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) website, The US Government anticipates a base year and (2) one-year option periods with initial performance starting on 16 Dec 13. The Government anticipates releasing a request for proposals in early Feb 13.

12. Question- Are incumbents allowed to submit a proposal in response to the NAT II solicitation?

Answer- Incumbents are permitted to submit a proposal in response to the NAT II solicitation.

13. Question- Do we have to bid, we were informed that around 4 carriers would be carried over to the NAT 2 Contract. When will those carriers be informed?

Answer- No Contractors will be automatically “carried over” to the new NAT II contract. Any company interested in submitting a proposal may submit a proposal. However, interested parties are advised to clearly read and understand the solicitation to determine whether or not they conform to the solicitation requirements.

14. Question- Can you please tell me if this is a recompete of the National Afghan Trucking Services contract RFP W91B4N-11-R-5000 (Department of the Army)?

Answer- Yes, this is a re-compete of the National Afghan Trucking Services.

15. Question- Can the logistical licensed companies which are doing transportation submit their proposal?

Answer- Interested parties are advised to clearly read and understand the solicitation to determine whether or not they conform to the solicitation requirements.

16. Question- Is this project considered a new requirement Answer- This is not a new requirement; this is a follow on contract to an existing requirement.

17. Question- If this project is not considered a new requirement; Who is the incumbent? What is the contract number?

Answer- For security reasons and per FAR 5.303(a)(2), Contracts excluded from this reporting requirement include: “Those placed with foreign firms when the place of delivery or performance is outside the United States and its outlying areas.” The safety of the host nation contractors and their employees is extremely important. The Government has determined there may be significant security risks to local (Host Nation) contractors if they are disclosed as conducting business with the U.S. Government.

18. Question- Will we receive any sheet for quoting?

Answer- The solicitation will include instructions for submitting a proposal. The Government anticipates including a price sheet for offerors to complete.

19. Question- Please register our company in your list for future requirements Answer- We do not “register” companies in any lists we maintain for future requirements. Future solicitations for requirements will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities (www.fbo.gov) and/or the Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) [https://www.jccs.gov/OLVRCAC/bta_jccs_login.aspx].

20. Question- Can you please guide me how to find the end date for this project?

Answer- As stated in the Description of the Base Notice: National Afghan Trucking II (NAT II) - HTC711-13-R-R002 on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) and Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) website: The US Government anticipates a base year and (2) one-year option periods with initial performance starting on 16 Dec 13. The Government anticipates releasing a request for proposals in early Feb 13.

21. Question- Quick question for the NAT II bid will a company need all 3 Licenses?

1. AISA license

2. Ministry of Transportation license

3. Ministry of Commerce license.

An Afghan company has only a Transportation license…..but he will need the above as well correct?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

22. Question- Will NAT II allow the awardees of the Host Nation Trucking contract compete for the NAT II?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

23. Question- If HNT Awardees are allowed to compete, how will their past performance on HNT be evaluated?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

24. Question- Will HNT Awardees be evaluated on “Responsibility” and if so, what are the evaluation criteria?

Answer- Please refer to the information that will be included in the Request For Proposal (RFP). After you have read the RFP, if you still have any questions or concerns please contact the POC’s for this requirement.

25 Question- In regards to the pre-solicitation for the NAT, can you tell me if local Afghan companies are going to be permitted to bid based on the CAS restrictions?

Answer- The Government anticipates that Afghan companies will be permitted to submit a proposal in response to the solicitation. Please refer to the information that will be included in the RFP.