2021 05 06 Atch 7 RFPQuesAnsFinal 21RR012Jordan.docx.pdf

S&RTS, PORT OF AQABA, JORDAN

RFP QUESTION & ANSWER

HTC711-R-R012

CUI

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

Attachment 7 RFP QuestionsAndAnswers

1. Reception and disposition rates requested in Schedule 1C and 1D in SOR we could not find in the

PWS. Appreciate your guidance on following;

a. Is RECEPTION / DISPOSITION intended as a Gate fee for the cargo to enter / exit the terminal?

A: No, the government does not pay gate fees. 1C/1D are used to compensate the contractor for providing checking and tally service only, it is for the reception/disposition on military convoys driven by the military.

PWS Section 5.14 Military Convoys. The Contractor shall/may receive or disposition cargo by military convoy, the contractor shall provide cargo management, tally/checking, ground guides, and other support labor for arriving or departing convoys. Compensation for receipt and disposition of convoys defined in this paragraph is included in the commodity rates established in schedule 1C and 1D of the SOR. The Government reserves the right to provide military or civilian personnel to receive or disposition convoys, whereas, the Contractor shall receive no compensation.

b. Please confirm SOR rates 1C and 1D are chargeable in addition to 1A and 1B in the SOR basis the commodity and the direction of the movement.

A: No these are not chargeable in addition to the 1B1,1B2 rail, 1B3 or 1B4 Truck

PWS Section 4.6 Cargo Handling (Services) Operations

**NOTE: The Government refers to the following cargo handling (services) the table does not define each service as separate billable item(s). Example: Schedule 1A1 -

Loading Vessel, loading cargo on a vessel will inherently include moving cargo from its place of rest (regardless of method) and stowing it aboard the vessel, at designated stow location, this includes but not limited to driving, towing, or draying the cargo aboard the vessel, lashing/securing/tiedown, lashing inspections, documentation, checking, tally, debris removal, housekeeping, and reconciling the operation with the COR.

c. Is it the Government's intention to have the gate fees incorporated in the truck loading / unloading fees of 1B? And if not, is the Reception / Disposition charges only applicable if the Government is performing all handling at the terminal using soldiers?

A: The Government does not pay gate fees. Gate fees will not be incorporated into other commodity rates, however receiving or dispositioning cargo by definition (see table 1-pg20) is inclusive of loading and discharging commercial truck or rail service

Controlled by: USTRANSCOM Controlled by: Directorate of Acquisition

CUI Category/ies: SSEL

Limited Dissemination Control: FED ONLYPOC:

Anthony Laudano, 618.220.7083

HTC711-R-R012

2. We could not locate in the SOR Open Storage / staging area rates. Appreciate your guiding on the following: a. Is charges for this requirement to be included in Commodity rates?

A: Pricing will be based on cargo SqMt foot print

3. What is the tentative storage / staging space requirement? (Section 5.17.1 mentions up to 5,000 square meters. While section 6.4.12 mentions up to 80,000 square meters)

A: PWS Section 6.4.12 is correct on the amount UP TO 80,000 SqMt that may be needed. However, pricing will be based on cargo SqMt foot print as stated above.

PWS Section 6.4.12 Open Storage and Staging lots. The Contractor shall be able to provide temporary and secured area(s) for staging USG cargo, average required amount of staging yards/lots shall be 0 to 80,000 SqMt. of space (see section 5.17 - 5.17.1 for staging description and billing) to accommodate all DOD sponsored cargo transitioning the port. The Contractor will be given an agreed upon of number days’ advance notice to make the area free from commercial cargo, commercial traffic, obstacles, or trash. The

Government will not compensate for handling any commercial cargo and/or obstacles that need to be removed for the staging of Government cargo. All areas must fall within the radius of the port, and accommodate the simultaneous reception and disposition of all cargo during the length of those operations. Staging requirements may increase or decrease as Government cargo is received or dispositioned. The specific amount/type of storage or staging facilities will be determined in the planning meeting. Compensation for services defined in this paragraph is included in the commodity rates established in the

SOR.

a. How will storage charges for long standing cargo apply? (not due to contractor’s fault)

A: Should storage of cargo be needed at the port, (and its highly discouraged) any storage fees will be paid either by port tariff, or by OOP cost reimbursement.

4. Details for line item 205 under schedule 6 in SOR “Delivery/Pickup of 2 ea. 20 ft. or 1 40 ft. office container on per Trip basis”. Appreciate you guiding the following;

a. Is this for office container arranged by Contractor?

A: Yes, per PWS Section 6.4.5 the contractor shall provide temporary office space to the

USG, when requested and ordered by the COR/OO. Under normal condition the USG would prefer that transportation, placement, setup and removal to and from its designated location be included into the base rent of each office space ordered (20ft or 40ft configuration) however during the unit’s market research it was determined to ask for separated cost. Rental of the unit by the month and the setup and removal by the trip.

PWS Section 6.4.5 Portable/temporary office space. Upon the request of the

Government and ordered by the OO, the Contractor shall provide temporary office space. Each office space shall be no less than 320sf and located within the operational area (staging or pier side) for use by Government personnel during vessel or terminal operations. Temporary Office space shall be equipped with office furniture (specific

HTC711-R-R012

details regarding furniture will be given at the operational planning meeting). Office space shall have environmentally controlled heat/AC for year round use and shall have sufficient standard electrical outlets, interior lighting, lockable door(s) (keys provided). The office space shall be accessible 24/7 during each operation, unless otherwise stated. The temporary office space shall be self-contained or have an external power source (generator or electrical hard wired). Except where otherwise noted, the

Contractor shall be compensated at the rates set forth in schedule 6 of the SOR and shall include electrical hook up, transportation, placement, setup and removal to and from its designated location.

5. If for Government furnished equipment, please guide details on delivery and pickup location? A:

Delivery and pick up locations will be provided when equipment is requested.

6. Technical worksheet question 2a, and 500ton ramp. Appreciate you guiding the following:

a. Can the Government confirm the 500Ton ramp requirement is the pier ramp for RoRo vessel operations and not truck operations? A: Yes, the requirement is the pier ramp

7. SOR Tab, APOD Jordan includes loading and discharging government and/or commercial aircraft as well as loading/unload land transport at the airport. There is no line item in the SOR for air cargo terminal fees such as landing fees and ground handling fees.

A: Compensation for aircraft loading/unloading and transferring cargo shall be inclusive of labor, MHE/CHE, and appropriate handling fees at established rates in schedule 12 of the SOR. Compensation for aircraft loading/unloading and transferring cargo shall be inclusive of labor, MHE/CHE, and appropriate handling fees at established rates in schedule 11 of the SOR. PWS: “6.7.1.1 Aircraft

Unloading. Discharge of cargo from commercial/military aircraft. The Contractor shall perform discharge operations in accordance with the aircraft Load Masters or equivalents guidance and instructions. All cargo shall be landed at the designated place of rest. In no event shall cargo be discharged in violation of CFR Title 49, parts 100-199 or IMO regulations. Damage to the cargo or the aircraft during loading/unloading operations is the liability of the Contractor. While the cargo is in under contractor possession, contractor shall be responsible to compensate the USG for any damage caused to cargo or USG assets. USG will provide a damage cost due to mishandling of cargo which will be reimbursed by the contractor. The Contractor shall unlash, unsecure, breakout and move cargo from place of rest on aircraft to the temporary resting area or mode of land transport. The Contractor shall provide licensed and qualified drivers to load/unload U.S. Government owned vehicles from commercial/military aircraft. Compensation for aircraft loading/unloading and transferring cargo shall be inclusive of labor, MHE/CHE, and appropriate handling fees at established rates in schedule 12 of the

SOR”

8. Please advise if the line items in the SOR are strictly for the physical load/unload of the aircraft and land conveyance. A: Yes, per the requirement stated in the PWS 6.7 thru 6.7.2.5

HTC711-R-R012

9. If the SOR LINE items are to include additional local fees and surcharges, please provide a list of the aircraft that will load in Aqaba as the fees vary based on the type of craft.

A: This is not an all-inclusive list. C-47 Skytrain, C-119, C-124 Globemaster II, C-130 Hercules, C-141

Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III.

10. Our Technical Work sheet (Atch 4) is very big due to the photos and certificates we have, in this regard, can we prepare this sheet in the format that all words inputs to be inside Technical Work sheet

(Atch 4) provided that it will not exceed 25 pages, and the photos/certificates to be in a separate sheet

(like appendix 1, 2, 3…)? A: According to the Instructions to offerors in the RFP, and the directions in the Technical Worksheet, graphs, equipment lists and photos do not count against the page limit;

certificates are not specifically addressed. However, other documentary evidence (photos, MHE lists, etc.), are excluded from count. As long the offeror adheres to the 25-page limitation with regards to all written responses on the technical worksheet the request to submit photos/certificates as an appendix is acceptable.

11. Section 1E Stuffing-Unstuffing. The total does not include Line Item # 131, Commodity #44.

A: Updated SOR attached

12. Items 269,271, Man Hours – Equipment Rental – Truck – Pickup. Please explain why is this listed twice with different units of duration and estimated duration? The PWS does not explain a difference.

A: It is listed twice because one is by the day the other is by the hour. Line Item 269, Man Hours, is by the hour and line item 271 Man Hours is by the day which equates to 24 hours for purposes of the

Schedule of Rates. According to PWS, 6.5.1, the contractor is responsible for providing Buses, and trucks, they use them to travel back and forth between the APOD and the PORT having a day rate and hourly rate gives the unit flexibility to use either/or for longer periods.

13. Line Items 270, 272 Man Hours – Equipment Rental – Bus – 50 PAX (Transportation to Different

Areas of Operation). Will transportation be done only within the port area? Please clarify the term different areas of operation? A: Line Item 270 is by the hour and Line Item 272 is by the day which equates to 24 hours for purposes of this Schedule of Rates. The port and airfield are approximately 5-10

Km.

14. Line Items 312 & 319 Miscellaneous – Inland Transportation. These line items imply that trucks would cross the Jordanian border and return to Aqaba. Will the inland transportation be performed for round trips within Jordan? A: All trips are considered one way. If inland transportation is used, the furthest distance required to a transfer point would be the Iraqi border. See revised PWS. (6.7.6/6.7.6.5 pages 51/52), the intent of this service is a backup to the heavy lift 8 contract.

15. Line Items 321, 322 S Miscellaneous – 3PL Services. What is the difference in these customs services? A: Line Item 321 is Customs processing/Bold Seal/Levy Exemption – this line item is for executing the complete processing. Line Item 322 is SUPPORT SERVICE - Customs Documentation

Fee—this fee applies per document, in a supporting roll

16. Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates, how should outside port fees and tariffs be captured and recorded in the pricing? A: PWS Section, 4.1.2.1 The Government shall take responsibility for all tariff charges or port fees generated throughout the course of this contract. All charges related to the below shall be either

HTC711-R-R012

directly paid to the port, or paid by the contractor and the cost/fees will then be reimbursed back to the contractor. Most are fees paid by the ships agent and the cargo owner.

17. As a conclusion we are requested to merge those 15 price categories (Based on Aqaba port price sheet) into 3 categories. Based on this and for better quote this solicitation we kindly requesting change the price scale in the schedule of rates to match Port of Aqaba scale or break down scale into wheeled, Tracked and boats. Port of Aqaba charge us based on Wheeled vehicles or Tracked vehicles or boats as per the following categories:

Wheeled vehicles:

0-3mt Kgs vehicles.

3 mt up to 10 mt vehicles.

10 mt up to 20 mt vehicles.

20 mt up to 30 mt vehicles

30 mt up to 40 mt vehicles

40 mt up to 50 mt vehicles

50 mt up to 100 mt vehicles

Above 100 mt vehicles.

Tracked vehicles:

0 – 10 mt Tracked.

10 mt up to 20 mt Tracked.

20 mt up to 50 mt Tracked.

50 mt up to 100 mt Tracked.

Above 100 mt Tracked.

Boats:

0-6meter long boat.

Over 6 meter long boat.

A: The scale developed for this requirement is used throughout the Region and aligns with the port handling fees/charges. The scale will remain as annotated in the Schedule of Rates & PWS solicited with this requirement.

18. The USG is requesting to answer the questions for number six regards to Rail Operations. However, in Aqaba Jordan, there’s no cargo rail working in Jordan. Will the USG revise the Technical and remove question number 6? A: Technical Worksheet revised, question 6 deleted.

19. Is it possible to change the scale in the schedule of rates to match what is the prevailing scale in

Jordan? Light vehicle: 11,339 kgs or less, Medium vehicle: 11,340 kgs to 27,215 kgs, Heavy vehicle:

27,216 kgs or more for the wheeled vehicles:

0 - 3 mt

More than 3 mt up to 10 mt

More than 10 mt up to 20 mt

More than 20 mt up to 30 mt

More than 30 mt up to 40 mt

More than 40 mt up to 50 mt

More than 50 mt up to 100 mt

More than 100 mt

For the tracked vehicles:

0 – 10 mt

More than 10 mt up to 20 mt

More than 20 mt up to 50 mt

More than 50 mt up to 100 mt

More than 100 mt

A: SEE QUESTION AND ANS #17

20. What does APOD stand for? A: APOD is an acronym which stands for Aerial Port of Debarkation and is related to the operational service requirements outlined in Attachment 1-Performance Work

Statement (PWS), Section 6.7.

HTC711-R-R012

21. May we have a copy of current contract? Incumbent’s information, link for public access?

A: A link providing public access to the current contract is not available. However, the incumbent is

SEVEN SEAS MARINE SERVICES, AHMAD SHWEIKINI, HAMMAT ALTUNSIA STREET,

AQABA 77110, Contract awarded, 01 Aug 2016, $3,559,370.50

22. Can Be it possible to know how much budget to the project? A: This information is not releasable

23. APOD is where (is military or civic) and location (and Alia Airport / Marka Airport / Aqaba Airport

/,)? A: The King Hussein International Airport is the APOD, it is the only airport in the vicinity of the port it handling both military and civilian

24. If we cannot for example cover some business can put it N/A or leave blank? A: Per RFP, “If an item is left blank it is interpreted as free. “The Government will interpret any cells left blank as $0.00 free of charge.” Please note, inability to provide support in any area may result in an “UNACCEPTABLE” rating overall.

25. Can you sharing the quotations sent from another possible company to have a good idea?

A: This information is not releasable

26. There is also no mention in the PWS whether the government (in the case of a gray tail) or the commercial air cargo carrier (in the case of commercial airlift) is responsible for these fees.

A: 6.7.1.1 Aircraft Unloading. Discharge of cargo from commercial/military aircraft Compensation for aircraft loading/unloading and transferring cargo shall be inclusive of labor, MHE/CHE, and appropriate handling fees at established rates in schedule 11 of the SOR.

27. Our market research has raised a few concerns relative to and in light of FAR sections "22.1008-2

Successorship with incumbent contractor" and, "52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (f)", regarding the labor force and the existing onsite equipment that may or, may not be owned by the incumbent.

If the incumbent owns the current onsite hoisting equipment (at the Aqaba port) and the

Government's requirements will be performed in the same locality:

o How is the Government planning to provide a baseline for the field of 10-15 bidders since the existing onsite hoisting equipment is owned by others and this equipment will most likely be employed/subcontracted to meet the requirements?

Considering the security requirements and limited qualified workforce, potential bidders are constrained to some of the services of the incumbent to meet the Government's requirements. Will the field of 10-15 bidders be privy to prevailing or, historical labor and equipment rates to ensure fairness to the Government prior to the submission deadline?

A: The service Contract Labor Standards Act does not apply outside of the United States. Therefore, FAR subsection 22.1008-2 does not apply nor does FAR 52.222-41. The contract is for services in a

Foreign country, outside the oversight of the U.S. Department of Labor and is not subject to the Service

Contract Labor Standards statute. Additionally, the prices for said services are commercially available under a published Tariff Rate (which all ports have), services are regularly provided to the general public.

HTC711-R-R012

28. Storage service: Would it be possible to provide more information on where the required storage areas are located, Location, capacity, site security requirements, any other considerations?

A: In General, sites used for storage would be at the port listed in the PWS, storage is based on cargo, by container or by each for vehicles, the space they take up.

General Administrations items:

29. Insurance for loading/unloading/in-land transport: Will insurance be covered by USG, as the value of cargo will be unknown to the Contractors.

A: This requirement incorporates, DFARS, 252.247-7007 Liability and Insurance DEC 1991, regarding insurance. Please review DFARS, 252.247-7007 at www.acquisition.gov

30. Insurance for warehousing/storage: Will insurance be covered by USG, as the value of cargo will be unknown to the Contractors.

A: See answer to question #30

31. Aircraft operations: Will USG cover the fees for aircraft loading / discharging from Airport to the warehouse and vice versa, as USG has an air agent handling such operations? Or the same shall be arranged by Contractor as well.

A: Based on the PWS section 6.7.1.1 Compensation for aircraft loading/unloading and transferring cargo shall be inclusive of labor, MHE/CHE, and appropriate handling fees at established rates in schedule 12 of the SOR.

32. For the Diesel and Fuel Tank Lines 240, 246, 248, 253, please note that fuel supply is not available in

Jordan, for diesel refueling the same scope can be done by shore tanks but the price is changeable monthly by the Jordanian Government. Is the Contractor expected to provide fixed prices for the upcoming 5 years?

A: the line item is for the fuel truck section 6.6.4, fuel is at OOP expense, IAW, “IAW Para 6.6.4 through

6.4.4.3 “Fueling, De-fueling, and water”. “the cost of fuel added to USG vehicles, FMS vehicles shall be approved by the COR, Fuel Cost will be compensated at actual cost reimbursable OOP expense”

a. Furthermore, please advise if you still need the price for hiring empty tanks for another purpose.

A: Fueling, De-fueling, and water. The Contractor shall provide fuel truck with pump, capable of providing fuel and de-fueling recovery, for USG vehicles and aircraft.

33. There is a difference in the imposed Tariff for discharging / loading by ship’s crane / shore cranes.

Also difference in Tariff for Hazardous or non-Hazardous cargo; Would it be possible to separate the lines items into more lines? A: The Government’s requirement remains unchanged. Since the SOR http://www.acquisition.gov/

HTC711-R-R012

accommodates the lines for discharging/loading by ships gear/ships crane and There are also lines for handling AA&E (commodity 20/25). There is no need separate further.

34. For line item 321, as Jordanian Military vessels and cargo are usually handled by the Jordanian

Military clearance to issue the customs declaration and the vessel agent to appoint a civilian company to arrange for payments and close the declaration with customs, and their fees are by each declaration not monthly as mentioned in the 3PL. Would it be possible for USG to amend as per custom declaration instead of by month? A: Updated SOR deleted duration cell

35. Reference to the Line Item 1,34, 43 and 93 (Explosive Cargo), we believe such cargo arrives inside containers not breakbulk. For lashing, unlashing, stuffing and unstuffing, would it be possible for USG to mention the estimate quantity of these containers or the maximum capacity for these containers?

otherwise, the rate will very high in order to cover any potential risk in cost.

A: In most cases, explosives will be containerized for transport. The estimated quantity is:

lashing/unlashing the average size breakbulk for this would be 1.6 MTON lashing/unlashing the average size breakbulk for this would be 1.6 MTON

-Estimated quantity of these containers 9.6 MTON

-Maximum capacity 16.0 MTON

36. Regarding the Equipment Schedule and Services from 3PL, MOB/DEMOB, there is no mention in the schedule. Would it be possible or USG to add a column for the same information? A: New lines or columns are not needed all equipment that requires Mob/De-Mob (i.e. large cranes) would be inclusive of the rate, all other contractor equipment is not, the contractor is required to move their equipment at their expense.

37. Would it be possible for USG to confirm/clarify if the arriving USG vessels will berth at the Aqaba

Commercial Port or Jordanian Prince Hashem Naval Base? A: Yes, arriving USG vessels will berth at

Aqaba, the primary port.