Solicitation_Questions_Korea_Round_1_170105v1.pdf

Solicitation Questions

1. Reference: PWS, Page 6, Paragraph 3.3.1.

Question: The paragraph reflects the training for operation of Government Furnished

Equipment (GFE) but it doesn’t specify what part of the training the Government will provide and what is required of the contractor. Is the contractor responsible to pay the Government for providing this training and if so what is the scheduled amount?

ANS: Government will provide all the training at Government expense; however, the contractor is responsible for paying their personnel to attend the training. This is further explained in PWS Rev-1, paragraph 3.3.2.

2. Reference: PWS, Page 6, Paragraph 3.3.4.

Question: The paragraph outlines the Governments right to conduct training and contingency operations for any vessel operation and related terminal operations with either military personnel. When military personnel are utilized instead of the contractor, the contractor is compensated at less 25 percent of the rates or if requested and only used to lash and unlash cargo the Government will compensate contractor at the man-hour rates. In order to fully understand this paragraph, can you provide further detailed definition of what type of operations this applies or is to all port and related terminal operations?

ANS: The 25% reduction is based on the military performing the entire operation during

Training and Contingency Operations, in which contractor support may be limited to only lashing/delashing.

3. Reference: PWS, Page 7, Paragraph 3.3.6.

Question: The paragraph outlines the requirement to have certified HAZMAT personnel who are trained to comply with several US Government and Military regulations. Will the

Government provide this training and if so what is the expense to the contractor?

ANS: See PWS Rev-1, paragraph 3.3.6.

4. Reference: PWS, Page 9, Paragraph 4.1.

Question: In accordance with this paragraph, minimum time is applied for labor and equipment that have been ordered. However, I only see the rates for labor, not for the equipment under the schedule of rates. What rates should we use for the minimum time for equipment?

ANS: The Schedule of Rates (SOR) has been revised to include daily rates for all equipment, therefore minimum time does not apply. See SOR Rev-1

5. Reference: PWS, Page 9, Paragraph 4.1.1.2.

Question: The paragraph outlines the application of detention time for labor only. How do we apply detention time for the equipment? – In many cases, certain equipment shall be needed for a certain type of cargo only. For instance, there are 6 containers and 120 vehicles to be discharged from the vessel. In this case, I only need to use a 30K forklift and trailers for 2 hours just for unloading the containers.

therefore detention time does not apply. See SOR Rev-1

6. Reference: PWS, Page 9, Paragraph 4.1.1.3.

Question: The paragraph outlines detention rates and times. Does this also include detention rates for equipment that has been ordered and if so what are the scheduled rates?

therefore detention time does not apply. See SOR Rev-1

7. Reference: PWS, Page 10, Paragraph 5.2.2.

Question: In accordance with this paragraph, the contractor should scan MSL and/or manual tallying of all cargo at the commodity rate. What are the circumstances that contractor is required to do both scanning MSL and manual tallying cargo at the same time?

ANS: All circumstances unless the COR has determined to only do manual tallying. However, the requirements for all cargo to have MSL labels affixed is mandatory. Manual tallying is done as a backup for MSL scanning.

8. Reference: PWS, Page 12, Paragraph 5.2.4.3.

Question: In accordance with this paragraph, the contractor is required to participate in daily vessel operational meetings. Does the contractor receive a compensation to attend these meetings and if so what is the rates for this?

ANS: No. This is considered a normal part of operations.

9. Reference: PWS, Page 12, Paragraph 5.2.3.4.

Question: In accordance with this paragraph, the contractor is required to work 24 hour, around- the clock basis even though this contract does not establish the premium rates for working non- duty hours, 2nd shift, holiday including Sat/Sunday. Is the contractor allowed to coordinate with COR/ACOR to plan and schedule the operation hours in order to avoid safety issues and excessive burden on the contractor?

ANS: Yes, the contractor may coordinate with the COR/ACOR to plan and schedule operating hours when necessary. See PWS Rev-1 paragraph 5.2.3.1.1.

10. Reference: PWS, Page 12, Paragraph 5.2.4.

Question: Could you give more details on materials that the contractor is responsible to provide for accomplishing this function?

ANS: At a minimum the contractor is required to provide all equipment necessary to accomplish the following functions dray/shuttle, tow, drag, lift all vehicles including disabled/ inoperable wheeled and tracked vehicles, containers and other cargo from places of rest within staging areas, to vessels and lash and secure cargo in designated stow locations on-board vessels.

11. Reference: PWS, Page 14, Paragraph 5.2.6.

Question: Are work crews provided by the contractor to comply with this paragraph compensated at the extra labor rates?

ANS: The contractor will provide work crews as indicated in the task order to perform vessel opening and closing services not otherwise performed by vessel crews at Extra Labor Rates.

12. Reference: PWS, Page 15, Paragraph 5.3.3.

Question: Could you identify what extra labor rates shall be applied to which services?

ANS: The question is answered in subparagraphs 5.3.3.1 – 5.3.3.13. and any service ordered by the COR not otherwise specified or prohibited in the PWS.

13. Reference: PWS, Page 15, Paragraph 5.3.3.3.

Question: Are labor for performing these types of work under this paragraph compensated by the extra labor rates? And could you provide more details on how carpentry and related work will be executed?

ANS: Extra labor is only authorized for those occasions when the work is not included as part of one of the 8 main functions, i.e., loading/discharging LO-LO and RO-RO ships; loading/ unloading rail cars, trucks and barges; stuffing containers. Example: blocking and bracing of cargo as part of lashing and securing cargo on deck, on rail cars or trucks or in containers.

Carpentry is defined in the paragraphs 5.3.3.3 and Welding in paragraph 6.5.1.3..

14. Reference: PWS, Page 15, Paragraph 5.3.3.5.

Question: When the contractor is required to perform any of these requirements, are we compensated at the full commodity rates because these services require more than just lashing/unlashing cargo function? Reference: PWS, Page 15, Paragraph 5.3.3.6.

ANS: Extra Labor rates in the Schedule of Rates apply. PWS Rev-1, Paragraph 5.3.3 states that “Contractor shall, when ordered by the COR/ACOR, provide extra Labor for miscellaneous services within the scope and intent of this contract only.” 5.3.3.5. is well within the scope and intent of this contract and does require use of a commodity rate.

Question: What are the appropriate rates for handling ship’s stores and materials?

ANS: Extra Labor rates in the Schedule of Rates apply. Paragraph 5.3.3 states that “Contractor shall, when ordered by the COR/ACOR, provide extra Labor for miscellaneous services within the scope and intent of this contract only.” 5.3.3.6 is well within the scope and intent of this contract and does not require use of a commodity rate.

15. Reference: PWS, Page 16, Paragraph 5.3.4.1.

Question: Could you provide a list of GFE under this paragraph? Are materials used for this service compensated at OOP?

ANS: GFE is identified in PWS Rev-1, Appendix D.

16. Reference: PWS, Page 16, Paragraph 5.4.2.

Question: The paragraph outlines the reconfigurations of Government vehicles for onward movement. Can you provide details on the level of reconfigurations as this could include substantial mechanical and engineering work? This paragraph also includes defueling and cleaning operations. Both of these operations are often a separate contract as they are extensive and detailed work. Please provide addition clarification as to the level of detailed required in performing these duties and will the Government provide the fuel recovery tanks?

ANS: See PWS Rev-1, paragraph 5.4.2. any other reconfiguration or cleaning requirements will be determined by the COR/ACOR.

Reconfiguration is taking the vehicle from a reduced configuration for deployment aboard ship to a condition that allows it to either operate under its own power or if moving by commercial truck or rail car to be loaded on those conveyances. As such the latter needs minimal preparation other than Korean Customs clearance.

Export vehicles must be reduced to lowest possible configuration, which may include removing bows and canvas from cargo vehicle beds, defueling to ¼ tank or less, removing or folding down antennae, checking secondary loads, etc., such actions that reduce the measurement tons of vehicles and make them compatible with movement by sea. Each type vehicle has a technical manual that defines the specific things to be done to make this happen or they can consult various SDDCTEA Pamphlets that define many of the principles used.

Another aspect of export is meeting destination nation agricultural standards, which means that vehicles must be clean and have no detectible leaks of fluids or fuels. In the United States the defining directive is US Department of Agriculture Military Customs Protocol and as mentioned in this paragraph, Chapter 506, Part V, DoD 4500.9-R (Defense Transportation

Regulation). Should the vehicle also be infested with insects or other contaminants, it may require fumigation prior to loading aboard ship.

18. Reference: PWS, Page 17, Paragraph 5.4.3. /5.4.4. /5.4.5. /5.4.6. /5.4.7. /5.4.8.

Question: Could you provide further details on what materials necessary for accomplish each operation under these paragraphs?

ANS: See question 10 above.

19. Reference: PWS, Page 17, Paragraph 5.4.9.

Question: This paragraph outlines sorting cargo. What are the appropriate commodity rates for this?

ANS: If not a part of one of 8 functions in the schedule of rates, it should be handled as Extra

Labor.

20. Reference: PWS, Page 17, Paragraph 5.4.10.

Question: This paragraph outlines rail car cleaning. Is this included at the commodity rate or compensated by the extra labor rate?

ANS: See PWS Rev-1, paragraph 5.4.10.

21. Reference: PWS, Page 12, Paragraph 5.4.11.

Question: This paragraph outlines fabrication and installation of blocking and bracing materiel.

How is the contractor compensated for both the materiel and the labor costs?

ANS: If it is part of loading ships, inland conveyances (rail car/truck/barge) or stuffing containers, materials are covered as out-of-pocket expenses; and labor is inclusive of the function and therefore not subject to commodity or Extra Labor rates.

22. Reference: PWS, Page 12, Paragraph 5.4.12.

Question: The paragraph outlines the determining and verifying the weights and measurements of the cargo. It further states that any fines and/or penalties associated with this error or inaccurate weights caused by the contractor will be at the contractor’s expense. Can you provide further details on what equipment is available at the port to conduct this requirement?

Also provide further details on what liabilities the contractor has for inaccuracies?

ANS: See PWS Rev-1, paragraph 5.4.12.

23. Reference: PWS, Page 20, Paragraph 6.3.4.

Question: This paragraph outlines inclement weather differential. Can you provide a more quantified definition for “extreme, rough, rainy, or snowy” conditions? Also note Korean union regulations already outline these conditions that require when Stevedore Companies pay this additional fee. Would you recommend this paragraph be lined with the current Korean labor laws?

ANS: As stated in PWS paragraph 6.3.4., the COR/ACOR will make the determination if inclement weather conditions exist IAW local rules/regulations.

Reference: PWS, Page 20, Paragraph 6.4.1.

Question: This paragraph outlines the use of Government furnished warehouse space located at

2650A, Busan Military Pier 8; can you provide more details and schematics of this space? It also outlines the contactors requirement to pay for utilities. Will there be a separate meter used to determine the amount owed by the contractor?

ANS: Space will be made available for contractor use during operations; however, it is not anticipated that utilities will be charged as the contractor will not be authorized permanent office space to conduct anything but Government business. The one exception might be a separate telephone line to be paid for separately by the contractor.

24. Reference: PWS, Page 20, Paragraph 6.4.2.

Question: The paragraph outlines the contractor’s responsibilities for maintaining and cleaning areas used by the contractor employees. Can you provide more details on where these areas are located and if they are also areas that are utilized by Government and vessel personnel? This paragraph also states that the contractor shall clean all aprons at the wharf area, inland buildings, and truck and container platforms after completion of all loading/discharging operations. Please provide further details on the extent of these cleaning operations and does it include using pressure washers or any other industrial cleaning equipment? Is this cleaning responsibility only at the Military Port, Pier 8 Busan or does it pertain to every port operational area?

ANS: As stated in PWS paragraph 6.4.2., the contractor is required to clean and maintain all areas occupied by contractor personnel and those areas used during the performance of port-vessel operations.

25. Reference: PWS, Page 21, Paragraph 6.5.2.1.

Question: The paragraph outlines the contractor will provide equipment at the contractor’s expense but further outlines it is under the Equipment Scheduled Rates. Can you provide further clarification on how the use of this contractor furnished equipment is compensated and if required would it OOP expense be permitted if equipment is not included in the scheduled rates?

ANS: If the equipment is used for one of the 8 functions as specified in the Schedule of Rates, this would be a contractor expense inclusive of the function and not separately reimbursable as out-of-pocket expense, unless it was something special purpose for the cargo being handled.

This would be handled on a case-by-case basis between the COR/contacting officer and the contractor. This is especially so, if the specific piece of equipment is not now currently listed in the Schedule of Rates (SOR). However, if the piece of equipment was used to support an

Extra Labor situation, then it could be billed as an out-of-pocket expense.

26. Reference: PWS, Page 22, Paragraph 6.5.2.3.

Question: The paragraph outlines the need for heavy lift equipment. Does this only apply to ship operations for does it also apply to terminal operations?

ANS: It applies to both ship and terminal operations.

27. Reference: PWS, Page 23, Paragraph 3 – Stevedoring License

The requirement in the RFQ states that: A subcontractor’s license may not be substituted for the prime contractor’s license and will not be considered.

Question: Is the bidder required to hold a stevedoring license in each port in ROK or can it hold this for a few ports and be allowed to subcontract to other stevedoring companies for other ports?

ANS: The contractor does not have to have a license at each port; however, he has to demonstrate the capability of having a subcontractor at each port that has the capabilities to conduct S&RTS operations there to satisfy the requirements of this contract. See PWS Rev-1, paragraph 6.6.

Majority of the stevedoring companies may not hold a stevedoring license in ALL the ports in

ROK, which would severely restrict competition.

Question: This requirement is in contrast to the S&RTS RFP’s issued in other AOR’s wherein a prime contractor can bid based on subcontracting to authorized stevedores. This requirement severely restricts competition available to the USG and it is requested that shipping companies with relevant experience be allowed to bid as prime supported by authorized stevedoring companies who’s stevedoring license be accepted.

ANS: This requirement has been revised in the PWS. See PWS Rev-1, paragraph 6.6.

28. Reference: Commodity Rates, Section: Pricing Schedule, Page: Pricing Schedule

It’s noted that the pricing schedule has been greatly simplified by allowing the bidders to bid one rate for a large range of cargo i.e. one rate for general cargo, vehicles, containers, aircrafts and boats.

Handling each type of cargo has a different cost attached to it and it presents great difficulty in proposing a single rate for the same, especially without having any knowledge of the breakup of the volume for each type of cargo. While this information may be available with the incumbent, it places the other bidders at a competitive disadvantage.

It is requested that past volumes for each type of cargo for each location be shared with all bidders to allow for a fair competition. Data requested in the following format:

Commodity Name Operations Quantity (M/T) – separate for each contract year and for each port.

ANS: See SOR Rev-1

29. Reference: Commodity Rates, Section: Pricing Schedule, Page: Pricing Schedule

It is understood during the teleconference that the majority of the operations will be carried out at Busan (Pier 8) followed by Jinhae (for mostly ammunitions) and Pohang Port.

Question: Please advise the % distribution of the work between these ports and any other ports.

ANS: The distribution of work on past experience has been approximately 85% Busan (Pier

8), 10% Chinhae, and 5% Pohang.

Question: Please confirm, that the proportion of the volumes shifts substantially between the major ports, the contractor will be provided an opportunity to revise its tariffs?

ANS: As stated above majority of the work will be performed at Busan Pier 8.

30. Reference: Labor/Equip. Rates, Section: Pricing Schedule, Page: Pricing Schedule

Question: As the commodity rates are inclusive of labor and equipment to carry out the operations, please advise under what circumstances would the rates in Schedule II/III and IV will be required to be used?

ANS: Primarily in Extra Labor situations. This would be worked out in advance between the

COR and the contractor.

31. Reference: Contractor Furnished Materials, Section: PWS, Page: 21, Paragraph

6.5.1.

Question: Please confirm if the wire, cables, turnbuckles, binders, shackles, clips, lumber, dunnage, and chocking and blocking material will be compensated to the contractor as Out of

Pocket Expenses?

ANS: YES, if pre-approved by the COR or, if more than $3,500, by the contracting officer.

To get reimbursement, contractor will have to provide a valid receipt for the materials purchased and supplied.

32. Reference: Extension to Deadline

Question: Given the Christmas/New Year holidays and the fact that majority of the key personnel are on holidays for many private and government entities, it is requested that the authority consider a three week extension to the bid submission deadline.

ANS: Proposal submission deadline has been extended until 17 February 2017 at 2:00 pm

CST.

33. Reference: Contract Values

Question: Please advise the following for the current contract:

a. Total contract Value

b. Total of the TO’s/Modifications issued under the current contract

c. Total billing under the current contract

ANS: Offeror can submit FOIA request to obtain this information.

34. Reference: SAM Registration

Question: Is the company required to be registered under SAM at the time of the bid submission or can it be registered before the bid award?

ANS: Prospective contractors shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award of a contract or agreement. However, during the evaluation process the contractor’s proposal will be considered noncompliant if not registered in SAM. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements. Failure to meet a requirement may result in an offer being ineligible for award.

35. Reference: Award Date

Question: As the PoP commences 17 th

May 2017, please advise by when does the authority anticipate making an award decision?

ANS: Award date has not been determined at this time.

36. Reference: Cargo Description

Question: Can the authority please provide descriptions of the various types of cargo required to be handled under this contract. The description requested is in terms of dimensions and weight of each type of cargo that the contractor can expect to handle.

ANS: TB 55-46-1 contains nearly everything that may be handled such as: Wheeled vehicles run from sedans all the way up to large Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) trucks. Trailers run from small ¼-ton 2-wheeled trailers to large multi-tandem axle semi-trailers. Tracked vehicles run from small rubber tracked Bobcat earth movers to M1A2 Main Battle Tanks.

Containers run from QUADCONs/TRICONs to 45’ ISO containers. Break-bulk cargoes come in many different shapes and sizes too numerous to list.

37. Reference: ATTCH_2_837th_Korea_SRTS-_SOR_Blank

Question: What does M/T (Unit of Measure) mean? Does M/T mean Metric Ton? or

Measurement Ton (A volume of 40 cubic feet)?

ANS: Measurement Tons (Length X Width X Height/40). It is not Metric Tons.