2021.04.15 NTS-R Q&A Round 4.pdf

Q# Q&A

Round Topic RFP Document & Para Question Answer

1 Round 1 Warehouse Location

RFP Attachment 1 PWS Paragraph 1.3.2.3

Are there any restrictions as to the locations of the proposed facilities on the East and West Coast?

Warehouse location restrictions are located in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.2.3 and 1.3.2.7.

2 Round 2 Current Storage Weights

RFP CLINs X002 How much weight is currently being stored on the East Coast? How much weight is currently being stored on the West Coast?

East Coast (BJAQ) presently has 9,003, 818 lbs and West Coast (LFAH) presently has 9,924,984 lbs.

3 Round 2 Warehouse Location

RFP Attachment 1 PWS Paragraph 1.3.2.3

Are all US States within CONUS considered acceptable locations provided they are technically acceptable to the PWS standard?

Yes, all US States within CONUS could be acceptable locations, subject to the restrictions state in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.2.3 and 1.3.2.7.

4 Round 2 Warehouse Location

RFP Attachment 1 PWS Paragraph 1.3.2.3

Has TCAQ considered limiting the location of the warehouse to a distance from a major US Port?

The location of warehouses is not limited to the vicinity to major US ports. This approach provides maximum flexibility in proposed solutions while potentially alleviating other environmental issues such as mold.

5 Round 3 CLINs/Option

Years

RFP

Would the government consider a five- year contract whereby the first three years are firm with two subsequent option years? Warehouse space is generally leased for five-year terms, so only having one-year firm results in far too much risk.

The Government anticipates no change to the contract period of performance.

6 Round 3 Facilities RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.1

Where are the current facilities located (so we can calculate transition / move costs)? Current facilities are located at Fairfield, CA and Suffolk, VA.

7 Round 3 Storage Weights

RFP Attachment 1 PWS Paragraph 1.3.1

What is the estimated amount to be moved from each facility in lbs, units and cu ft.?

The amount to transition will not be known until after the 3 year sunset period of the current contract. Transportation costs will be paid per CWT via the Transition CLIN.

8 Round 3 Crates RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.1 What is the number of moving crates currently stored at each location?

The Government does not track storage shipments at the crate level. On a monthly average there are 4,956 lots/19.2 million pounds in storage.

9 Round 3 Pallets RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.1 What is the number of pallets currently stored at each location?

The Government does not track storage shipments at the pallet level. Retrograde Household Goods are stored via containers as defined in PWS Appendix D. Contractors may determine pallets are required for storage at their own discretion and at no cost to the Government.

10 Round 3 Facilities RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.2.3 What is the current SF for each location?

The PWS does not specify a square footage requirement. Contractor must be capable of storing up to thirty million gross pounds of HHG/UB annually per PWS 1.3.2.1.

11 Round 3 Volume

Estimates RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.5 In addition to CWT, please provide unit volume estimates for: Handle-In, Storage, Handle-Out (containerized), Handle-Out (non-containerized)?

RFP Pricing Attachment, Tab B, The CLIN for handle-in/handle-out and storage provide CWT estimates. Unit volume estimates will not be provided as the pricing is done on a CWT basis.

12 Round 3 Volume

Estimates RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.2.5 What is the estimated amount of non- palletized or non-crated goods (e.g., loose cartoons / cases / etc.) in units and CWT?

There were approximately 400 lots released non-containerized in 2020. This is an estimated number and there is no guarantee of how many non-containerized shipments may be required.

13 Round 3 Volume

Estimates RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.5 What is the overall average weight per unit stored? The overall average weight stored per unit is approximately 4,000 lbs.

ROUND 2 RFP Q&A

ROUND 3 RFP Q&A

14 Round 3 Scope of Work RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.2 Is any specialized Material Handling Equipment required? If so, what (e.g., shipping container handlers)?

No, the PWS does not specify any material handling equipment required.

15 Round 3 Volume

Estimates RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.5

Please provide an estimate of the number of cartons and crates we would need to provide.

Reference questions 12 and 13. The shipments will arrive in containers which are not to be uncrated unless there is noticeable damage. Contractors would have to provide containers when there is damage and the contents need to be put into a new container. The Government does not maintain historical data of the number of replacement container.

16 Round 3 Pricing FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation Will the transportation cost from the Port of Entry to the contractors facility impact the evaluation of the bidders price?

No. Price is evaluated in accordance with FAR 52.212-2, Factor III. The TEP will be calculated based on the detailed instructions found in RFP Attachment 2 Pricing Schedule.

17 Round 3 Joint

Inspection RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.2.10 Will the contractor be liable for loss or damages of any/all contents if no EXCEPTIONS are noted?

See PWS Paragraph 1.3.2.10 for Joint Inspection and Appendix A for Liability and Claims. The omission of notations or exceptions for any container shall indicate the container was received in "good condition." Every claim would be reviewed on a case by case basis. As such there is not an automatic decision if no exceptions are noted.

18 Round 3 Handling-In RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.3.6

Instead of unpacking a carriers container and loading the contents into a government owned container, can the contractor provide the carrier with another container in exchange?

The contractor is not allowed to exchange carrier-owned containers with Government-owned containers.

19 Round 3 Handling-In RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.3.7 Will the contractor be reimbursed for any/all cost associated with the damaged items?

There is no reimbursable line item for this contract. All costs associated with performance of the PWS shall be factored into the CWT rates provided in RFP Attachment 2 Pricing Schedule.

20 Round 4 Warehouse Location

RFP Attachment 1 PWS Paragraph 1.2.

Given that the PWS requires compliance with DTR Part II (as stated in the Scope of Work) and DTR Part II includes certain requirements under the categories I. Drayage, Pickup and Delivery Services and J.

Demurrage, Detention and Storage in Chapter 202-6, where such regulations require both efficiency in transportation and for the Transportation Offices to keep demurrage and detention charges at a minimum, will USTRANSCOM take into more favorable consideration those contractors who offer warehouse storage facilities closer to the ports than those who offer warehouse storage facilities farther away from the ports because warehouses within 50 miles of the ports would provide more efficiency and reduce the cost of transportation services for the government, including demurrage and detention charges, compared to warehouses located more than 50 miles from the ports?

No favorable consideration is given to warehouse storage facilities located closer to ports.

21 Round 4 Pre-Award

Survey RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.2.

Given that the PWS requires compliance with DTR Part IV (as stated in the Scope of Work) and Appendix D of DTR Part IV Pre-Award Survey Guidelines contains guidance and criteria for the Storage Management Office to determine whether a warehouse is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, which guidance and criteria includes language that the SMO will be satisfied that the warehouse has adequate control of the facility as clearly defined by ownership documents or a 3 year minimum lease for NTS, are contractors required to submit either ownership documents or a 3 year minimum lease for each proposed warehouse facility, in addition to all other SMO requirements?

The winning offeror is required to provide proof of ownership or be the primary lessor of the warehouse/facility. No subleases or secondary agreements are acceptable, as per PWS

1.3.2.9. See revised PWS paragraph 1.3.2.9.

ROUND 4 RFP Q&A

22 Round 4 Warehouse Location

RFP Attachment 1 PWS Paragraph 1.3.2.1.

Given that shipments that are farther from the ports (for example, 2,000 miles from a port as opposed to within 50 miles of a port) will necessarily be more exposed to vermin, dust, mold, mildew, moisture, as well as heat, cold, humidity, and direct sunlight that could cause damage to HHG and UB due to more time involved in transporting the shipments to the warehouse storage facilities, will USTRANSCOM take into more favorable consideration those contractors who offer warehouse storage facilities closer to the ports than those who offer warehouse storage facilities farther away from the ports?

No favorable consideration is given to warehouse storage facilities located closer to ports.

23 Round 4 Fire Marshall

Report RFP, Pg 34, Paragraph D

Given that the solicitation states that offers shall provide documentation signed by the Local Fire Marshall (or authorized representative) affirming that the facility meets all local codes and ordinances within 30 days of submission, and Appendix D of DTR Part IV Pre-Award Survey Guidelines (applicable to the solicitation per the Scope of Work in the PWS) at H. Fire Prevention and Protection, numbers 3 and 4, requires that a warehouse operational layout fire plan is approved as part of a pre-award survey process which layout fire plan must show the configuration of pallets or open-stack storage, racks, aisles, deck space, working areas, office space and respective dimensions inclusive of wall clearances, as well as other requirements in accordance with national standards and code provisions, should contractors ensure that the layout fire plans presented to and signed by the Local Fire Marshall include all such requirements in anticipation of holding the maximum gross pounds of HHG/UB possible in each warehouse (even for currently empty warehouses)?

Proposals must include documentation signed by the Local Fire Marshall affirming that the facility meets all local codes and ordinances for each proposed warehouse facility, as specified in RFP, (Pg. 34) Volume I, Business Proposal Paragraph (D). PWS Paragraph

1.3.2.1 specifies "The contractor shall provide warehouse storage facilities in accordance with PWS that comply with all local, state, federal, and country fire, safety and construction codes, standards and ordinances, ensuring that all stored shipments are adequately protected."

24 Round 4 Phase-in RFP Attachment 1 PWS

Paragraph 1.3.1.1.

"For phase-in, the contractor shall be fully operational to begin accepting HHG/UB shipments and associated documentation not later than 180 days after award." and Paragraph 1.3.1.3. states that the contractor must transition all stored shipments and files within 90 days of notification for phase-in and phase-out. For phase-in, does the contractor have 180 days or 90 days to begin accepting shipments upon award?

PWS Paragraph 1.3.1.1 "For phase-in, the contractor shall be fully operational to begin accepting HHG/UB shipments not later than 180 days after award. " The 90 day duration only applies in the event the Government requires the HHG/UB to be transferred. See revised PWS Paragraph 1.3.1.2 and 1.3.1.3.

25 Round 5 Pricing RFP Page 3, Item NO 0001 Can there be different rates for East and West Coast locations, or does it have to be the same for both?

All pricing should be completed in accordance with the instructions in Attachment 2 - Pricing Schedule. CLIN 0001 does not have pricing for specified locations. CLIN 0002 has a line for each the East and West Coast. That pricing should be determined based on the offeror's own business decisions.

26 Round 5 Pricing RFP Page 3, Item NO 0001 Can current vendor rates be available? Can I send a freedom of information form and receive current vendors rates file? Does an attorney have to file this document?

USTRANSCOM will not release current vendor rates. USTRANSCOM cannot provide any advice or guidance on the whether certain information may be released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA requests are reviewed individually on a case by case basis. Please see https://www.ustranscom.mil/foia/.

27 Round 5 SF 1449 RFP Page 1, Box 12 Where can I find the answer for Box #12? Discount terms are at the discretion of the offeror's business decisions.