Questions_from_Industry2.pdf

Question

Document Par. Ref. Question Government Response

1 PWS 1.2 Has USTRANSCOM changed its objective of increasing utilization of DTS? No.

2 PWS 1.2

Will the contractor be required to provide transportation using both DTS and commercial inland / ocean transportation?

Transportation is required in accordance with the PWS.

3 PWS 1.3.2 Please confirm that the $20,000 limitation will no longer apply Yes. See PWS paragraph 1.3.2.2.

3a PWS 1.3.2.

How does the Government propose a contractor manage a catastrophic loss i.e. ship sinking with hundreds of vehicles lost. The loss could be tens of millions of dollars.

Catastrophic loss is a risk under any contract, and it is up to the prime to determine the most appropriate arrangement for their company. Options to self insure, insure through an outside party, or negotiate agreements other than COGSA with the ocean carriers 4 PWS 1.3.3.1 Define own/operate - Can they be contracted ?

Yes, CO/CO facilities can be contracted/leased. See PWS paragraph 1.3.3.1.

5 PWS 1.3.3.1.1 How does contractor access government owned VPC's ? See PWS paragraph 1.3.3.3.

6 PWS 1.3.3.2 How is contractor compensated when a facility is added, closed or relocated ? This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

7 PWS 1.3.4.2

Why is the PWS mandating that “orders” are to be scanned and maintained electronically?

Scanning orders is a requirement. See PWS paragraph 1.3.4.2.

8 PWS 1.3.4.6 Is this clause meant to only apply to Quality of Life sites? Yes. See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.4.6.

9 PWS 1.3.4.6 Are all VPC's on an appointment basis? No.

10 PWS 1.3.5.2

Is the incumbent currently performing all required agriculture inspections and certifications in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations or is the

Government participating and providing Agriculture Inspections and certifications at some OCONUS locations ?

See PWS paragraph 1.3.5.2. The contractor is responsible for all customs clearance requirements.

11 PWS 1.3.5.2 Is the SMCI course provided by the Government to the Contractor? No.

12 PWS 1.3.5.4 Is contractor compensated when change in destination occurs ? This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

13 PWS 1.3.5.5

The contractor shall execute door to door shipments when directed by the

Government. Under what circumstances would this service normally fall? Are

Bluebark moves part of this contract?

This service is required when entitlement dictates. Yes.

14 PWS 1.3.6

Will you mandate that Storage service is performed at secured, enclosed, temperature controlled facilities?

See PWS paragraph 1.3.3.2.

15 PWS 1.3.6 Will this liability be for mechanical and safety systems only? See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

16 PWS 1.3.6 Who determines if a repair is necessary? The contractor.

17 PWS 1.3.6

How will maintenance be handled for batteries as well as other limited life parts that are past the warranty period but still functional?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

18 PWS 1.3.6 Will this be a taxable event to the Service Member? See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

19 PWS 1.3.6 What if the repairs cost are higher than the Fair Market Value of the POV? See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

20 PWS 1.3.6

How will the contractor determine the condition of Minor systems at turn in of which some may be impractical or impossible to evaluate?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

21 PWS 1.3.6 To enable planning estimates, will SDDC provide POV repair data for GPC II? Releaseable historical data will be provided.

22 PWS 1.3.6

Will the Government provide additional language within the PWS to set the conditions for contractor maintenance / repair responsibility, or to clearly define the terms and conditions for this responsibility to enable effective pricing?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

23 PWS 1.3.6

Will POV storage be allowed at Port Facilities or on Federal Land that has been converted to commercial?

The Government's requirement does not direct the location of storage facilities.

24 PWS 1.3.6 Will there be a CLIN for transport between the VPCs and Storage Facilities? No.

25 PWS 1.3.6

Is that correct or is the contractor liable for mechanical failures like battery replacement where a charge is no longer an option, tire replacement where rubber may fail due to age?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

26 PWS 1.3.6

What about mechanical failures beyond the basics as previously noted like belt failure due to wear/age or other no-start issues?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

27 PWS 1.3.6.2

Please confirm that the cost up to $1000, should be cumulative within the actual storage amount charged to the Government and actual costs as they may occur are not actually charged as a per outlay to the Government?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.6.

28 PWS 1.3.7.2.1

If a customer's storage entitlement has expired and the member wants to store their vehicle at his or her own expense, can the same storage facilities be used for commercial storage as well?

Dedicated storage facilities are not required.

29 PWS 1.3.7.3 Why are you mandating a “record of telephonic communications” ?

A record of telephonic communications is the Government's requirement.

30 PWS 1.3.9

How long does the contractor have to hold a POV after it has been considered abandoned?

See PWS paragraph 1.3.9.1.

31 PWS 1.3.9

Who is responsible for the cost to store outside or have the vehicle removed once declared and approved by the COR as abandoned?

Once the POV has been determined abandoned, the contractor will be required to bill at the abandoned POV rate until the POV is turned over to the Government.

32 PWS 1.3.10.3

We note the introduction of a 4th rating category – Satisfactory. Why? Further, we note “and must be approved by the Contracting Officer prior to contract performance”. We don’t understand this requirement.

The Government's requirement remains unchanged.

33 PWS 1.3.10.4

We note Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) as a possible source / mechanism to report customer problems / concerns. Can you explain the ICE system to us?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.10.4.

34 PWS 1.3.10.4 Does the Government maintain performance reports and metrics ? Yes.

35 PWS 1.3.11.1

Can you explain more fully by what you mean that the contractor shall directly resolve with customers 95% of all claims annually?

See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.11.

36 PWS 1.3.11.3

Is the responsibility of the contractor to compensate customers for missed

RDD’s unilateral in all cases (ie…controllable vs uncontrollable reasons)? Is the Government reimbursement of $ 30 per day for 7 days being eliminated?

Answer forthcoming.

37 PWS 1.3.12.2

Are you requesting the capability via the website for the customer to upload documents to the website, or do you mean for the customer to download documents from the website?

PWS paragraph 1.3.12.2 states "upload necessary documents."

38 PWS 1.3.12.1 Is there a minimum IT system standard ? See PWS paragraph 1.3.12.

39 PWS 1.3.12.2 Is live current on line tracking of POVs required ? See PWS paragraph 1.3.12.2.

40 PWS 1.3.15.1 Are samples of acceptable report formats available for review ?

See PWS paragraph 1.3.15.1, "The format of each report will be agreed to prior to contract start."

41 PWS 4.1.2

If we are to base pricing on the terms and conditions of the GDS, When the cost of performing these services are increased or decreased as a result of a change in the terms and conditions of the GDS or the Visa participant's tariff, will price be adjusted in accordance with the FAR 52.243-1?

This is a commercial firm fixed price contract. Any price adjustments will be done IAW 52.212-4.

42 PWS 4.1.2

Will the VISA Participants still be required to file rates via the USC06 - What if the VISA Participants refuse to provide prospective bidders with the rates needed in order to include in the bid?

The GPC prime is responsible for providing all rates for this contract.

43 PWS 4.1.2

If the contractor is required to "Subcontract" services with a U.S. Flag VISA

Carrier - will the GDS ocean carrier be expected to be held liable for damages caused while in their possession and is their liability limited to the $500 maximum per package ? or is there another maximum liability amount that applies for the GDS preferred Carrier participants?

See PWS paragraph 4.0. The GPC prime contractor is liable IAW

PWS paragraph 1.3.2.

44 PWS 4.1.2.

Is it SDDC’s intention to have the contractor negotiate ocean transit rates for this contract and to not utilize the Universal Service Contract?

See PWS paragraph 4.0.

45 PWS N/A

Will the numerous other items not in the draft be available for comment prior to the Final PWS?

A draft RFP will be posted in March.

46 PWS N/A

Will the government post for review and comment the missing PWS items

(such as Attachment X in PWS 1.3.5) and attachments prior to the RFP release?

A draft RFP will be posted in March.

47 PWS N/A

We request that the government provides actual volume number history for both Inbound and Outbound POV's for each VPC over the last 5 years?

Releaseable historical data will be provided.

48 PWS N/A

Will the incumbent be providing all the data required on a timely basis, I.E.

clear electronic fields, the data file structure, the document format and transmission requirements

Transition will be done IAW 52.237-3.

49 PWS N/A

Can you please provide a summary / history of claims processed for the last 5 years Releaseable historical data will be provided.

50 PWS N/A

Can you please provide the number of on- site settlements versus direct filings.

Releaseable historical data will be provided.

51 PWS N/A Can you please provide the total amount claimed and the total amount settled. Releaseable historical data will be provided.