Round 2_Questions and Answers_APB_2024.09.05.pdf

QUESTION

DATE

RECEIVED

PROSPECTIVE VENDOR'S QUESTION DATE OF REPLY GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE AMEND RFQ?

3 4-Sep-24

The differences in labor and terminal costs between Antwerp and Zeebrugge suggest that pricing each port separately in the Schedule of Rates (SOR) would provide more accurate and cost-effective pricing for the government. Currently, the combined SOR in the RFP may force offerors to propose higher rates for certain services to account for the cost variances between the two ports.

By separating the pricing for each port, the government could ensure that it receives more competitive and realistic rates, tailored to the specific conditions and costs at each location. Further, the port of Antwerp has significant restrictions for the load/discharge of Class 1 Explosives. Maximum NET is 400kg per vessel. See page 136 of the attached Antwerp Port Instructions from the Harbour Masters Office. Overall, separating the SORs for Antwerp and Zeebrugge would likely lead to more transparent, fair, and cost-effective pricing for the government.

5-Sep-24

The USG has considered the separation, and past contracts for individual ports have yielded the same rates from other offerors; therefore, for the ease of managing these ports and for potential use of other ports, the determination to combined locations remains unchanged.

No

4 4-Sep-24

In past, S & RTS RFPs, ramps were singled out in the equipment section (not just included in the commodity description.) We respectfully recommend adding ramps back into the equipment section.

5-Sep-24

Ramps are considered to be the responsibility of the contractor and inclusive of the commodity rates for loading/discharging truck and rail.

5.30.1 Ramps, Spanner Plates. The Contractor shall provide

mobile or permanent ramps for loading or discharging railcars and commercial trucks or make arrangements to obtain portable ramps. The Contractor shall provide spanner plates for railcar loading or discharging operation (if applicable) ramps and spanner plates shall be comparable to the weight class of the vehicle being loaded or discharged and shall be inclusive of commodity rates for loading or discharging railcars and commercial trucks.

No

5 4-Sep-24

PWS 4.7.4 - Straight Time Extra Labor (XL) Man-hour Rates: There are no schedules for Shift Differential in the Schedule of Rates to support night, weekend, or holiday work and there is no mention on how Extra Labor will be compensated outside of straight time shifts. We request guidance on how this would be handled in practice and/or the addition of shift differentials to the SOR to cover same.

5-Sep-24

PWS 4.7.5 addresses how Extra Labor will be compensated outside of straight time shifts, including hours worked in excess of 40 hrs in a work week as well as weekends and holidays. Line Items 180-197 of the SOR address overtime during the week as well as overtime on weekends and/or holidays.

No

6 4-Sep-24

PWS 4.8 - Equipment Rental Rates:

There are no shift differentials for equipment. Not all equipment is owned by terminal operators and the cost of equipment rental is impacted by day of week. Further, the labor used to operate them have same variable costs depending on shift. There is no shift differential in SOR for Contractor to provide a shift specific price for these shift specific services and the costs can and will range by the type of shift. We recommend the pricing for equipment is rentals based on shift and not per day/hour. Please advise how to proceed.

5-Sep-24

The Contractor as part of these contract is required to provide all material handling equipment (MHE) needed to perform the full spectrum of port operation. The Contractor shall provide Hourly and/or daily rates (operator included) for equipment listed in schedule 4 of the SOR, these rates are for the purpose of calculating the time MHE is used in when ordered for such things as double handling cargo after its been staged or stowed. The USG will not pay detention time, differential time for CFE/MHE. 4.8 For all commodity operations the Contractor’s CFE, its driver/operator, gear, rigging, POL’s, materials, and supplies are inclusive of all commodity activity work (i.e., vessel, commercial truck, and rail (loading or discharging), cargo transfers, towing, stuffing/unstuffing, etc.).

4.8.1.1 CFE/MHE used for Commodity work in conjunction

with XL/EQR on the same day/time, the USG will only compensate the use of CFE only for the actual time the equipment was used in an XL/EQR situation and shall be verified in writing by the COR and the Contractor at the time XL/EQR is rendered.

No

SOLICITATION Q&A LOG

HTC71124RR005 All Ports Belgium S&RTS

UPDATED: 5 September 2024

7 4-Sep-24

PWS 4.4 – Training Events:

Ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge have very strong labor unions. While the military is allowed to drive their own cargo in the ports, the Contractor will be obliged to order labor against the ship or operation as if the labor were working it themselves. Please advise how this will be compensated as it is not clear in the PWS.

5-Sep-24

Compensation shall be based on commodity services performed by the Contractor. 4.4.2 In addition to the above, the USG reserves the right to provide Military drivers to operate/drive (load or discharge to/from the vessel, truck or rail) Military vehicles, aircraft or other cargo at any time when determined it is the best interest of the USG to do so. During vessel, truck or rail load or discharge, where military drivers or aircraft support staff were provided, the USG will only compensate the Contractor when services (if provided) for those vehicles or aircraft (if applicable) are operated/driven by the Military or US civilian. All other Commodity rates shall apply for all other cargo fully handled by the Contractor.

No

8 4-Sep-24

PWS 5.7.1 - Loading Railcars: “The Contractor shall lash/secure/tiedown cargo to include blocking and bracing cargo,” is a significant change in scope and a liability concern. This should not be included in the S&RTS PWS as it is on the rail provider as the expert in rail loading to ensure cargo is lashed and secured according to their standard.

5-Sep-24

All commodity rail rates are inclusive of loading/discharging the cargo on/off railcars, lashing/unlashing the cargo to/from the railcar, and meeting rail service providers inspections, it is and will be the responsibility of the Contractor to provide rail services based on the PWS requirements.

No

9 5-Sep-24

Could you confirm whether this solicitation will be awarded via:

1) A competitive tender through the bidding process or

2) Will it be awarded directly to competing companies already engaged with the USN

5-Sep-24 It is competed via full and open competition. No

Round 1