RFP_Questions_13_July.pdf

Question # Reference Question Answer

I just wanted to make sure that I understand the due dates on the solicitation and if there is an advantage to having them submitted through GFM by July 30th or by the spreadsheet on August 13th?

IAW the solicitation, FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, Paragraph (b)(12)(iii)(A)(1) on Pages 25 and 26, if you use option (iii) to enter the rates, the excel spreadsheet must be submitted in GFM by 30 July 2018. If the offeror does not utilize method (iii) to submit rates, the offer is no longer able to provide rates by uploading an excel spreadsheet in GFM. The offeror then will be required to utilize method (i) or (ii) which consists of a manual rate entry through the user interface in GFM.

Section

INSTRUCTIONS

TO OFFERORS –

COMMERCIAL

ITEMS Page25 of 44, Paragraph (A) (1)

“Pricing in GFM. To be eligible for award, offerors shall insert a proposed not-to-exceed (NTE) all-inclusive cost-per-pound rate for each country to country pairing (lane) listed in GFM, in which they wish to be considered for award.”During a recent USTC hosted Industry Day for another contract, industry members commented on the lack of a pricing component which had been NTE in the past. USTC leadership noted NTE rates were never really a factor in actual bidding on specific requirements and decided to have the customer select the best option based on their needs. In this instance, USTC noted NTE pricing was not realistic and was never a factor in actual shipments and created an undue burden on the USTC staff in trying to determine fair and reasonable pricing. Please explain why NTE pricing is a factor with this requirement when USTC has determined it to be too laborious on the staff and not a true basis to down-select potential carriers.

Contracting Officers, at their discretion, when issuing a solicitation that will result in multiple-award contracts issued for the same or similar services, may exclude price or cost as an evaluation factor for the contract awards, if the solicitation states that the Government intends to make an award to each and all qualifying offerors.

The Contracting Officer shall consider price or cost as one of the factors in the selection decision for each task or delivery order under the multiple-award contract, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(ii)(E). Under some USTRANSCOM programs, a Contracting Officer issues all task orders. However, the Global Heavyweight Service (GHS) program differs in that the GHS Contracting Officer will not be issuing each task or delivery order. Task or delivers orders will be placed by shippers throughout the world. Therefore, the Contracting Officer under GHS is required to evaluate price or cost as a factor in the award selection decision.

Do we have until 11:00AM CST on August 13th to have the rates entered into the GFM?

No. The proposal is due 13 August 2018 at 10:59 p.m. Central Time. IAW the solicitation, FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, Paragraph (b)(12)(iii)(1) on Pages 25 and 26, if you use option (iii) to enter the rates, the spreadsheet must be submitted in GFM by 30 July 2018.

We didn’t see in the RFP instructions to submit an agent letter to Transcom as in past tenders. Is the intention of Attachment 6- Authorized Negotiator Letter to replace the past agent designation letter?

Yes, In the second part of Attachment 6 where it states,"The following individual(s) have authority to negotiate with USTRANSCOM on behalf of ___________ (CRAF company name)" is where you would enter your agent's information.

I would like clarification on the Pricing Proposal Instructions (iii) Page 25 of 44 of the HTC711-18-R-C002 document.The pricing is also due on August 13th?

IAW the solicitation, FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, Paragraph (b)(12)(iii)(1) on Pages 25 and 26, if you use option (iii) to enter the rates, the spreadsheet must be submitted in GFM by 30 July 2018.

We upload a template on July 30th and then GFM on August 6th will allow us to input our new rates and then we will submit to TCAQ on August 13th?

If you utilize option (iii), you will have to complete the excel spreadsheet that you downloaded from GFM and upload that back into GFM by 30 July. GFM will then import those rates into the system by 6 August. From 6 August - 12 August, you will review the rates that GFM loaded from your excel spreadsheet. Once you review the rates, you will submit to TCAQ by 13 August.

Can carriers apply Additional Handling Surcharge (AHS) fees when appropriate and in accordance with their commercial service guide? This would be consistent with the NGDS contract. No, The only accessorials that can be used are those listed in the solicitation.