Questions and Answers Round 4.pdf

QUESTION

DATE

RECEIVED

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

45 20-Aug-26

Amendment 0001 substituted paragraph (a)(1) of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 to provide that "The due date for proposals is 01 September 2026, 0600 Central Time (CT)." For the reasons set out in Rehal International Transport Company's covering letter of this date, which accompanies these inquiries, Rehal requests an extension of that date. Will the Government extend the date for receipt of proposals by amendment and, in doing so, state the revised date for receipt of proposals?

24-Aug-26 The proposal due date has been extended to 15 September 2026, 0600 CT, via Amendment 0003. No further extension is contemplated at this time. No

46 20-Aug-26

Amendment 0001 substituted paragraph (a)(1) of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 to provide that "The due date for proposals is 01 September 2026, 0600 Central Time (CT)." Rehal International Transport Company has requested an extension of that date, for the reasons set out in its covering letter of this date, and the inquiries that follow ask the Government to amend or clarify a number of provisions of the solicitation. Will the Government state, in any amendment extending the date for receipt of proposals, the revised date by which pre-proposal inquiries will be received, so that offerors are able to prepare and submit offers against any amendment the Government issues in answer to those inquiries?

24-Aug-26

Dates are in the RFP. No

47 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-2 (Deviation) at paragraph (d)(2) provides that the Government "will rank the proposals from lowest to highest Total Evaluated Price (TEP)", that it will "evaluate the Technical Proposal (Attachment 3 and Attachment 5) of the four proposals with the lowest TEP (or all proposals if less than four are received)", and that it "will utilize the Excel (.xlsx) spreadsheet at Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates, to capture pricing and to calculate the TEP for ranking, evaluation, and award purposes."

On the Government's own estimated quantities, and computed by the workbook's own formulas, the Total Evaluated Price that paragraph (d)(2) ranks is determined almost entirely by Schedule 5, STORAGE. Line item 230, "OUTSIDE PORT AREA - DETENTION/STORAGE - Exclusive Use of Hardstand - From 0 up to 30,000 SQMT (per Day)", carries a Unit of Measure of SQMT, a Unit Quantity of 15,000, a Unit of Duration of DY and an Estimated Duration of 30, and its Extended Price is Unit Quantity multiplied by Unit Price multiplied by Estimated Duration - a multiplier of 450,000 on that one unit price in each year. Line item 1, LO/LO by port or ship's crane, carries a Unit Quantity of 100 MTON with no duration factor, a multiplier of 100. Setting every offeror unit price to 1.00 and allowing the workbook to compute, Schedule 5 accounts for approximately 85 per cent of the annual evaluated total and line item 230 alone for approximately 84 per cent, while the seven cargo-handling commodity schedules together account for approximately 0.8 per cent.

Will the Government confirm that the Unit Quantity and Estimated Duration figures carried on Schedule 5 line items 230, 231 and 232 are its considered estimates of the storage and detention requirement at the locations named at PWS 6.1, or amend Attachment 2 to state estimated quantities and durations that reflect the requirement?

24-Aug-26

The estimated quantities and durations in Attachment 2 are the Government's current best estimates for evaluation purposes. No

48 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-2 (Deviation) at paragraph (d)(2) provides that the Government "will rank the proposals from lowest to highest Total Evaluated Price (TEP)", that it will "evaluate the Technical Proposal (Attachment 3 and Attachment 5) of the four proposals with the lowest TEP (or all proposals if less than four are received)", and that it "will utilize the Excel (.xlsx) spreadsheet at Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates, to capture pricing and to calculate the TEP for ranking, evaluation, and award purposes."

On the Government's own estimated quantities, and computed by the workbook's own formulas, the Total Evaluated Price that paragraph (d)(2) ranks is determined almost entirely by Schedule 5, STORAGE. Line item 230, "OUTSIDE PORT AREA - DETENTION/STORAGE - Exclusive Use of Hardstand - From 0 up to 30,000 SQMT (per Day)", carries a Unit of Measure of SQMT, a Unit Quantity of 15,000, a Unit of Duration of DY and an Estimated Duration of 30, and its Extended Price is Unit Quantity multiplied by Unit Price multiplied by Estimated Duration - a multiplier of 450,000 on that one unit price in each year. Line item 1, LO/LO by port or ship's crane, carries a Unit Quantity of 100 MTON with no duration factor, a multiplier of 100. Setting every offeror unit price to 1.00 and allowing the workbook to compute, Schedule 5 accounts for approximately 85 per cent of the annual evaluated total and line item 230 alone for approximately 84 per cent, while the seven cargo-handling commodity schedules together account for approximately 0.8 per cent.

Will the Government confirm whether the Total Evaluated Price ranked under paragraph (d)(2) is intended to be determined predominantly by the Schedule 5 storage and detention rates rather than by the cargo-handling rates that make up the greater part of the work described in the PWS?

24-Aug-26

The TEP will be calculated strictly based on the rates proposed in the Schedule of Rates (Attachment 2). No

49 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-2 (Deviation) at paragraph (d)(2) provides that the Government "will rank the proposals from lowest to highest Total Evaluated Price (TEP)", that it will "evaluate the Technical Proposal (Attachment 3 and Attachment 5) of the four proposals with the lowest TEP (or all proposals if less than four are received)", and that it "will utilize the Excel (.xlsx) spreadsheet at Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates, to capture pricing and to calculate the TEP for ranking, evaluation, and award purposes." Paragraph (d)(3) provides that the Government will review proposed unit prices to determine if unbalanced pricing exists, and paragraph (d)(4) makes unbalanced pricing that poses an unacceptable risk to the Government a ground for proceeding to the next lowest priced offer.

On the Government's own estimated quantities, and computed by the workbook's own formulas, the Total Evaluated Price that paragraph (d)(2) ranks is determined almost entirely by Schedule 5, STORAGE. Line item 230, "OUTSIDE PORT AREA - DETENTION/STORAGE - Exclusive Use of Hardstand - From 0 up to 30,000 SQMT (per Day)", carries a Unit of Measure of SQMT, a Unit Quantity of 15,000, a Unit of Duration of DY and an Estimated Duration of 30, and its Extended Price is Unit Quantity multiplied by Unit Price multiplied by Estimated Duration - a multiplier of 450,000 on that one unit price in each year. Line item 1, LO/LO by port or ship's crane, carries a Unit Quantity of 100 MTON with no duration factor, a multiplier of 100. Setting every offeror unit price to 1.00 and allowing the workbook to compute, Schedule 5 accounts for approximately 85 per cent of the annual evaluated total and line item 230 alone for approximately 84 per cent, while the seven cargo-handling commodity schedules together account for approximately 0.8 per cent.

Will the Government state how the review of proposed unit prices for unbalanced pricing under paragraph (d)(3) will be applied to a Schedule of Rates in which a single line item carries the great majority of the evaluated price, so that all offerors are able to price every line on a consistent and balanced basis?

24-Aug-26

Unbalanced pricing will be evaluated in accordance with FAR

15.404 and FAR 52.212-2 to assess potential risks to the Government. No

50 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.228-5, Insurance - Work on a Government Installation (Jan 1997), is incorporated by reference and provides at paragraph (a) that the Contractor shall provide and maintain "at least the kinds and minimum amounts of insurance required in the Schedule or elsewhere in the contract", and at paragraph (b) that before commencing work the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing that the required insurance has been obtained. DFARS 252.247-7007, Liability and Insurance, is also incorporated. Having searched the solicitation, Amendment 0001 and Attachment 1 (PWS), we have not found any statement of the kinds or the minimum amounts of insurance required; the word "insurance" appears in the solicitation only in the two clause titles and does not appear in the PWS.

Will the Government state the kinds and minimum amounts of insurance required for the purposes of FAR 52.228-5(a), or identify where in the contract they are specified? Offerors are unable to price an insurance obligation, or to give the paragraph (b) notice, until the kinds and amounts are known, and any coverage newly identified would require time to obtain quotations from the market.

24-Aug-26

No. The Government does not advise the kind and minimum amounts of insurance. No

51 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.228-5, Insurance - Work on a Government Installation (Jan 1997), is incorporated by reference and provides at paragraph (a) that the Contractor shall provide and maintain "at least the kinds and minimum amounts of insurance required in the Schedule or elsewhere in the contract", and at paragraph (b) that before commencing work the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing that the required insurance has been obtained. DFARS 252.247-7007, Liability and Insurance, is also incorporated. Having searched the solicitation, Amendment 0001 and Attachment 1 (PWS), we have not found any statement of the kinds or the minimum amounts of insurance required; the word "insurance" appears in the solicitation only in the two clause titles and does not appear in the PWS.

Will the Government confirm whether coverage under the Defense Base Act, 42 U.S.C. 1651 et seq., is required for employees engaged in performance at the locations named at PWS 6.1, and if so whether a waiver under 42 U.S.C. 1651(e) has been granted or is sought for any class of those employees? Any coverage newly identified would require time to obtain quotations from the market.

24-Aug-26

No. The Government does not advise regarding the required insurance. No

SOLICITATION Q&A LOG ROUND 4

HTC71126RE136 Jordan S&RTS

UPDATED: 24 August 2026

52 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.228-5, Insurance - Work on a Government Installation (Jan 1997), is incorporated by reference and provides at paragraph (a) that the Contractor shall provide and maintain "at least the kinds and minimum amounts of insurance required in the Schedule or elsewhere in the contract", and at paragraph (b) that before commencing work the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing that the required insurance has been obtained. DFARS 252.247-7007, Liability and Insurance, is also incorporated. Having searched the solicitation, Amendment 0001 and Attachment 1 (PWS), we have not found any statement of the kinds or the minimum amounts of insurance required; the word "insurance" appears in the solicitation only in the two clause titles and does not appear in the PWS. PWS 4.5 requires an all-encompassing commodity rate.

Will the Government confirm whether the cost of any insurance so required is to be included within the all-encompassing commodity rates at PWS

4.5 or is otherwise recoverable?

24-Aug-26

The Government will not reimburse a Contractor's cost of insurance. No

53 20-Aug-26

The Place of Performance recorded for CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and Option Line Item 1001, and the Inspection and Acceptance Location recorded for each of them, read "CountryCode: USA" and give an address of "OPERATION RESOLUTE SUPPORT, APO AE 09366 ... UNITED STATES." Attachment 1 (PWS) paragraph 6.1 fixes performance at "the Aqaba Main Port, Aqaba Container Terminal, Royal Jordanian Naval Base, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB), Marka Air Base of the country of Jordan," and PWS 1.2 describes the two air bases as within scope "under certain circumstances."

Will the Government amend the Deliveries or Performance and Inspection and Acceptance schedules for CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and Option Line Item 1001 to record the place of performance as Jordan? 24-Aug-26

Place of performance is as defined in PWS Section 6.1. No

54 20-Aug-26

The Place of Performance recorded for CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and Option Line Item 1001, and the Inspection and Acceptance Location recorded for each of them, read "CountryCode: USA" and give an address of "OPERATION RESOLUTE SUPPORT, APO AE 09366 ... UNITED STATES." Attachment 1 (PWS) paragraph 6.1 fixes performance at "the Aqaba Main Port, Aqaba Container Terminal, Royal Jordanian Naval Base, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB), Marka Air Base of the country of Jordan," and PWS 1.2 describes the two air bases as within scope "under certain circumstances."

Will the Government identify, for each of the locations named at PWS 6.1, the place at which inspection and acceptance will occur and the official who will perform it?

24-Aug-26 Inspection and acceptance will occur at destination in Jordan by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), as outlined in the PWS. No

55 20-Aug-26

The Place of Performance recorded for CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and Option Line Item 1001, and the Inspection and Acceptance Location recorded for each of them, read "CountryCode: USA" and give an address of "OPERATION RESOLUTE SUPPORT, APO AE 09366 ... UNITED STATES." Attachment 1 (PWS) paragraph 6.1 fixes performance at "the Aqaba Main Port, Aqaba Container Terminal, Royal Jordanian Naval Base, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB), Marka Air Base of the country of Jordan," and PWS 1.2 describes the two air bases as within scope "under certain circumstances." A number of the provisions and clauses in this solicitation operate by reference to the place of performance: DFARS 252.204- 7998 Alternate A identifies at (f)(1) provisions applying where "the contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country," and FAR 52.229-6, FAR 52.229-11 and DFARS 252.229-7001 are each incorporated or printed on that footing.

Will the Government confirm, on the basis of the corrected place of performance, which body of terms the Government intends to apply, in particular whether any United States domestic labor standards clause or wage determination is intended to apply to work performed at those locations? 24-Aug-26

U.S. domestic labor standards and wage determinations do not apply in foreign countries. Host nation labor laws apply. No

56 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates a substantial number of provisions and clauses by reference in versions designated (Deviation) or (DEVIATION 20xx- Oxxxx), among them FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation) Feb 2026, FAR 52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors--Competitive Acquisition (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026, FAR 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation) Feb 2026, FAR 52.204-7 (Deviation), FAR 52.204-13 (Deviation), FAR 52.209-6, 52.209-9 and 52.209-10 (Deviation), FAR 52.215-2 (Deviation), FAR 52.222-50 (Deviation), FAR 52.222-56 (Deviation), FAR 52.223-23 (Deviation), FAR 52.233-3 (Deviation 2026-O0038) (Alternate I), FAR 52.240-93 (Deviation 2026-O0038), FAR 52.244-6 (Deviation), and DFARS 252.240-7997 (DEVIATION 2026-O0025). The deviated text of these instruments is not contained in the solicitation, whereas the Government did print the deviated text of FAR 52.216-22 (Deviation) and of DFARS 252.204-7998 (DEVIATION 2026-O0043) in full. FAR 52.252-1 and FAR 52.252-2, both printed in full text, each state that upon request the Contracting Officer will make the full text available.

Rehal International Transport Company requests that the Government provide by amendment the full text of each provision and clause incorporated by reference in a (Deviation) or (DEVIATION 20xx-Oxxxx) version.

24-Aug-26

Deviated clauses are incorporated by reference or full text in accordance with FAR 52.252-2. Full texts of FAR and DFARS deviations are available at www.acquisition.gov. No

57 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation) Feb 2026 is incorporated by reference and its deviated text is not contained in the solicitation, while FAR 52.252-1, printed in full text, states that upon request the Contracting Officer will make the full text available. The Addendum states "The following paragraphs of FAR 52.212-1 are tailored as follows:" and then tailors only paragraphs

(a) and (b); because the text of FAR 52.212-1 (Deviation) (Feb 2026) is not in the record, an offeror cannot verify that paragraphs (a) and (b) of that version carry the titles the Addendum assigns to them, cannot know what has been deleted, and cannot read the paragraphs of that provision which continue to bind it.

Rehal International Transport Company requests that the Government provide by amendment the full text of FAR 52.212-1 (Deviation) (Feb 2026) as tailored by the Addendum.

24-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-1 (Deviation) is tailored by the Addendum in the solicitation. The document stands as written. No

58 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation) Feb 2026 is the principal terms-and-conditions clause of the resulting contract. The solicitation prints only the Alternate I substitutions for paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l) and (m) of FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation), so the remaining paragraphs of that clause, including its order-of-precedence paragraph, are absent from the record. FAR 52.252-2, printed in full text, states that upon request the Contracting Officer will make the full text available.

Rehal International Transport Company requests that the Government provide by amendment the full text of FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation) (Feb 2026) with Alternate I.

24-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation) with Alternate I is printed in full text in the solicitation. No

59 20-Aug-26

This is a housekeeping point only. In the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, which tailors paragraphs (a) and (b) of FAR 52.212-1, the quotation mark opened immediately before "The Government requires a minimum of 180 calendar days for acceptance of proposals submitted in response to this solicitation" is not closed, so the extent of the substituted text of paragraph (b) is not fixed on the face of the document. Rehal International Transport Company has assumed that the substituted text of paragraph (b) ends at the end of that sentence, and would be grateful if the Government would confirm that reading and close the quotation by amendment. 24-Aug-26

Confirmed. The substituted text ends at the end of that sentence. No

60 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates by reference both FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation) Feb 2026 and FAR 52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors--Competitive Acquisition (Deviation 2026-O0038) Feb 2026, and the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 tailors paragraphs (a) and (b) of FAR 52.212-1.

Rehal International Transport Company requests that the Government provide by amendment a statement of the order of precedence among the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, FAR 52.212-1 (Deviation) (Feb 2026) and FAR 52.215-1 (Deviation 2026-O0038) (Feb 2026), each of the latter two of which contains its own instructions on submission, revision, late offers and exchanges with offerors.

24-Aug-26

In the event of a conflict between instructions, the tailored Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 takes precedence. No

61 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates by reference "52.228-5 Insurance-Work on a Government Installation. Jan 1997" and "252.247-7007 Liability and Insurance. Dec 1991." Neither text is reproduced in the record, the word "insurance" does not appear anywhere in Attachment 1 (PWS), and no attachment, and no action item in Attachment 4, addresses insurance; FAR 52.228-5 conditions the Contractor's obligation on the kinds and minimum amounts of insurance required in the Schedule or elsewhere in the contract, and no such statement appears. At the same time the PWS allocates open-ended liability to the contractor: PWS 5.6.1 provides that "The USG will hold the contractor liable for vessel cost incurred for vessel delays caused due to contractor negligence not meeting vessel completion schedules," and PWS 6.2.2 provides that "The USG or Jordanian military will not be liable for compensation to the contractor and will hold the contractor liable for performance delays caused due to shortages of personnel, or CFE/MHE denied entry."

Will the Government state whether cover is required in respect of loss of or damage to Government cargo, chartered vessels and Government furnished property?

24-Aug-26

Yes. The contractor is responsible for loss or damage to Government cargo and property caused by contractor negligence. No

62 20-Aug-26

PWS 5.6.1 provides that "The USG will hold the contractor liable for vessel cost incurred for vessel delays caused due to contractor negligence not meeting vessel completion schedules," and the PWS states no limit on that liability. The solicitation incorporates by reference "52.228-5 Insurance- Work on a Government Installation. Jan 1997" and "252.247-7007 Liability and Insurance. Dec 1991", neither text is reproduced in the record, and no kinds or minimum amounts of insurance are stated anywhere in the contract.

Will the Government state whether it will fix a limit on the Contractor's liability for vessel delay costs under PWS 5.6.1?

24-Aug-26 No. The Government will not establish a set dollar limit on contractor liability for vessel delays caused by contractor negligence. No

63 20-Aug-26

PWS 5.6.1 provides that "The USG will hold the contractor liable for vessel cost incurred for vessel delays caused due to contractor negligence not meeting vessel completion schedules," and the PWS does not state how contractor negligence is to be established for that purpose.

Will the Government state the standard by which contractor negligence will be determined for the purposes of PWS 5.6.1?

24-Aug-26

Standard commercial rules of negligence apply. No

64 20-Aug-26

PWS 4.1.4 requires the contractor to designate a primary Contract Manager and at least two alternate Contract Managers as key personnel. PWS

4.1.5 requires the "Contract Manager(s) or alternates" to be always present at each work site during simultaneous cargo handling operations, and PWS 5.1.3 separately requires a dedicated onsite representative during terminal operations together with "an alternate representative on-site for each shift", each with decision-making authority and acting as central point of contact between the COR and the contractor. Will the Government confirm whether the persons required by PWS 4.1.5 and PWS 5.1.3 must be among the key personnel designated under PWS 4.1.4? 24-Aug-26

Yes. The designated Contract Manager and at least two alternates are key personnel. No

65 20-Aug-26

PWS 4.1.4 requires the contractor to designate a primary Contract Manager and at least two alternate Contract Managers as key personnel. PWS

4.1.5 requires the "Contract Manager(s) or alternates" to be always present at each work site during simultaneous cargo handling operations, and PWS 5.1.3 separately requires a dedicated onsite representative during terminal operations together with "an alternate representative on-site for each shift", each with decision-making authority and acting as central point of contact between the COR and the contractor. Will the Government confirm whether the requirement at PWS 5.1.3 applies at each work site being worked simultaneously as well as for each shift?

24-Aug-26 Yes. A representative must be present at each active work site during simultaneous operations. No

66 20-Aug-26

PWS 4.7.1 defines guaranteed time as a minimum work guarantee "specific to the local labor agreement" and introduces the figures of eight hours for first and second shifts and five hours for third shift by the word "Example", while PWS 4.7.1.1 provides that the USG will only pay guaranteed time to the contractor when established minimums exist in the port's governing labor agreement. That agreement is required to be submitted to the Contracting Officer and COR only after award, under PWS 4.1.3. Will the Government state whether guaranteed-time minimums are currently established for the Ports of Aqaba and the designated airports and, if so, what those minimums are by shift?

24-Aug-26 Guaranteed time minimums are as established in the port's local labor agreement. Offerors must research local port rules. No

67 20-Aug-26

PWS 4.25.1 provides that during a crisis or contingency as declared by the National Command Authority or Overseas Combatant Commander, the contractor shall respond at short notice (within 24 hours) to perform the contractual services. Will the Government confirm whether the 24-hour period runs from the declaration itself or from the Contracting Officer's Representative's notification to the contractor? 24-Aug-26 The 24-hour period runs from the COR's notification to the contractor. No

68 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation) with Alternate I in full text. Alternate I opens "When contemplating a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract, substitute the following paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l), and (m) for those in the basic clause." Every line item, however, is designated "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price", and CLIN 0001 provides that "Billing shall be IAW Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates (SOR)", which prices all-encompassing commodity rates by unit of measure rather than hourly rates against direct labor hours. The substituted payment paragraph pays by "multiplying the appropriate hourly rates prescribed in the contract by the number of direct labor hours performed", reimburses materials at actual cost, records other direct costs and indirect costs as "None", and measures termination for the Government's convenience by "multiplying the number of direct labor hours expended before the effective date of termination by the hourly rate(s) in the contract"; Attachment 2 nevertheless contains a monthly out-of-pocket expense line under its miscellaneous schedule.

Will the Government confirm whether Alternate I is intended to apply to this firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity requirement and, if it is not intended to apply, amend the clause listing and the full-text section to incorporate the basic clause?

24-Aug-26

Confirmed. Alternate I applies as modified by the solicitation pricing schedules. The clause listing stands as written. No

69 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation) with Alternate I in full text. Alternate I opens "When contemplating a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract, substitute the following paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l), and (m) for those in the basic clause." Every line item, however, is designated "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price", and CLIN 0001 provides that "Billing shall be IAW Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates (SOR)", which prices all-encompassing commodity rates by unit of measure rather than hourly rates against direct labor hours. The substituted payment paragraph pays by "multiplying the appropriate hourly rates prescribed in the contract by the number of direct labor hours performed", reimburses materials at actual cost, records other direct costs and indirect costs as "None", and measures termination for the Government's convenience by "multiplying the number of direct labor hours expended before the effective date of termination by the hourly rate(s) in the contract"; Attachment 2 nevertheless contains a monthly out-of-pocket expense line under its miscellaneous schedule.

If Alternate I is intended to apply, will the Government state which paragraphs govern invoicing and payment of commodity rates billed by unit of measure under Attachment 2?

24-Aug-26

Billing and invoicing shall be in accordance with Attachment 2 (SOR) and Attachment 1 (PWS). No

70 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation) with Alternate I in full text. Alternate I opens "When contemplating a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract, substitute the following paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l), and (m) for those in the basic clause." Every line item, however, is designated "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price", and CLIN 0001 provides that "Billing shall be IAW Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates (SOR)", which prices all-encompassing commodity rates by unit of measure rather than hourly rates against direct labor hours. The substituted payment paragraph pays by "multiplying the appropriate hourly rates prescribed in the contract by the number of direct labor hours performed", reimburses materials at actual cost, records other direct costs and indirect costs as "None", and measures termination for the Government's convenience by "multiplying the number of direct labor hours expended before the effective date of termination by the hourly rate(s) in the contract"; Attachment 2 nevertheless contains a monthly out-of-pocket expense line under its miscellaneous schedule.

If Alternate I is intended to apply, will the Government state how the out-of-pocket expense line in Attachment 2 is to be paid, given that Alternate I records other direct costs and indirect costs as "None"?

24-Aug-26

Out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed at actual cost upon approval of the COR and CO. No

71 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-4 (Deviation) with Alternate I in full text. Alternate I opens "When contemplating a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract, substitute the following paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l), and (m) for those in the basic clause." Every line item, however, is designated "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price", and CLIN 0001 provides that "Billing shall be IAW Attachment 2, Schedule of Rates (SOR)", which prices all-encompassing commodity rates by unit of measure rather than hourly rates against direct labor hours. The substituted payment paragraph pays by "multiplying the appropriate hourly rates prescribed in the contract by the number of direct labor hours performed", reimburses materials at actual cost, records other direct costs and indirect costs as "None", and measures termination for the Government's convenience by "multiplying the number of direct labor hours expended before the effective date of termination by the hourly rate(s) in the contract"; Attachment 2 nevertheless contains a monthly out-of-pocket expense line under its miscellaneous schedule.

If Alternate I is intended to apply, will the Government state how the termination-for-convenience amount under Alternate I is to be computed for work billed at commodity rates rather than at hourly rates against direct labor hours?

24-Aug-26

Settlement will be calculated in accordance with FAR 52.212-4(l) Deviation. No

72 20-Aug-26

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-4, Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation) (Feb 2026) together with Alternate I (Feb 2026) (Deviation), and prints Alternate I in full text. Alternate I is introduced by the words "When contemplating a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract, substitute the following paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l), and (m) for those in the basic clause," and its substituted paragraph (i) provides for payment of an "Hourly rate" and of "Materials" on the basis of actual cost, provides at (i)(2) that "The total cost to the Government for the performance of this contract shall not exceed the ceiling price set forth in the Schedule," requires the Contractor to notify the Contracting Officer when accrued costs "will exceed 85 percent of the ceiling price in the Schedule," and provides at (i)(3) that "the Contractor shall not be obligated to continue performance if to do so would exceed the ceiling price set forth in the Schedule." CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and Option Line Item 1001 are each recorded as "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price." Attachment 2 designates no ceiling price, no ceiling amount, no maximum quantity and no minimum quantity.

Will the Government confirm whether Alternate I of FAR 52.212-4 is intended to apply to this firm-fixed-price requirement and, if it is, amend Attachment 2 to set forth the ceiling price on which Alternate I paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) operate?

24-Aug-26

The maximum contract value is set forth in the CLIN 0001 preamble. Attachment 2 stands as written. No

73 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.216-19, Order Limitations, provides at (b)(2) that the Contractor is not obligated to honor "Any order for a combination of items in excess of the ceiling amount on the awarded Schedule of Rates," and Attachment 2 designates no ceiling amount. CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002 and Option Line Item 1001 are each recorded as "Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price."

Will the Government amend the Schedule of Rates at Attachment 2 to designate the "ceiling amount" referred to at FAR 52.216-19(b)(2)?

24-Aug-26

See FAR 52.216-19(b)(1). No

74 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.216-22 (Deviation) provides at (b) that the Contractor shall furnish services "up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the “maximum”" and that "The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the “minimum.”" Attachment 2 designates no maximum quantity and no minimum quantity.

Will the Government amend the Schedule of Rates at Attachment 2 to designate the "maximum" and "minimum" quantities referred to at FAR 52.216-22(b)?

24-Aug-26

No. Attachment 2 (SOR) will not be amended. No

75 20-Aug-26

The only ceiling figure in the record is the CLIN 0001 preamble, under which "The established maximum contract value for any contract resulting from this solicitation will be based on the total contract award amount plus a 25% increase." The base period of performance is five years, and the record also provides for a six-month extension of services.

Will the Government state whether the maximum contract value described in the CLIN 0001 preamble is computed on the sixty-month base total or on the sixty-six-month total that includes the six-month extension of services?

24-Aug-26

The maximum contract value is computed on the total estimated value including options, plus a 25% ceiling increase, as shown in Attachment 2. No

76 20-Aug-26

The rates offered in Attachment 2 are to apply across the entire period 01 February 2027 through 31 July 2032, and Attachment 2 states that "all proposed unit rates will apply to the entire period of performance, to include options and extensions, upon award." The record contains four further and differing statements about adjustment. FAR 52.217-8, printed in full text, provides that the rates for the extension "may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor", while all performance under this contract is in Jordan. The Additional Information/Notes contemplate that "contract rates are revised through a bilateral modification". DFARS 252.247-7002, Revision of Prices (Dec 1991), is incorporated by reference and its text is not in the record. DFARS 252.204-7998, printed in full text, states at paragraph (f)(1)(ii) that DFARS 252.216-7008, Economic Price Adjustment--Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government, "Applies to solicitations for fixed-price supply and service contracts when the contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country, and a foreign government controls wage rates or material prices", yet DFARS 252.216-7008 appears in neither the FAR nor the DFARS clause listing.

Will the Government identify the mechanism, if any, by which unit rates may be adjusted during the five-year ordering period and the six-month extension?

24-Aug-26

Contract rates are firm-fixed-price. Rate revisions require a bilateral modification based on mutual agreement. No

77 20-Aug-26

The rates offered in Attachment 2 are to apply across the entire period 01 February 2027 through 31 July 2032, and Attachment 2 states that "all proposed unit rates will apply to the entire period of performance, to include options and extensions, upon award." The record contains four further and differing statements about adjustment. FAR 52.217-8, printed in full text, provides that the rates for the extension "may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor", while all performance under this contract is in Jordan. The Additional Information/Notes contemplate that "contract rates are revised through a bilateral modification". DFARS 252.247-7002, Revision of Prices (Dec 1991), is incorporated by reference and its text is not in the record. DFARS 252.204-7998, printed in full text, states at paragraph (f)(1)(ii) that DFARS 252.216-7008, Economic Price Adjustment--Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government, "Applies to solicitations for fixed-price supply and service contracts when the contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country, and a foreign government controls wage rates or material prices", yet DFARS 252.216-7008 appears in neither the FAR nor the DFARS clause listing.

Will the Government state whether the U.S. Secretary of Labor publishes prevailing labor rates applicable to performance in Jordan for the purpose of FAR 52.217-8 and, if not, what adjustment mechanism applies to the extension period?

24-Aug-26

U.S. Secretary of Labor wage rates do not apply in Jordan.

Proposed rates apply for the duration of the performance period. No

78 20-Aug-26

The rates offered in Attachment 2 are to apply across the entire period 01 February 2027 through 31 July 2032, and Attachment 2 states that "all proposed unit rates will apply to the entire period of performance, to include options and extensions, upon award." The record contains four further and differing statements about adjustment. FAR 52.217-8, printed in full text, provides that the rates for the extension "may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor", while all performance under this contract is in Jordan. The Additional Information/Notes contemplate that "contract rates are revised through a bilateral modification". DFARS 252.247-7002, Revision of Prices (Dec 1991), is incorporated by reference and its text is not in the record. DFARS 252.204-7998, printed in full text, states at paragraph (f)(1)(ii) that DFARS 252.216-7008, Economic Price Adjustment--Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government, "Applies to solicitations for fixed-price supply and service contracts when the contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country, and a foreign government controls wage rates or material prices", yet DFARS 252.216-7008 appears in neither the FAR nor the DFARS clause listing.

Will the Government confirm whether DFARS 252.247-7002 or DFARS 252.216-7008 is intended to apply, and provide the text of whichever applies?

24-Aug-26

DFARS 252.247-7002 is incorporated by reference. No

79 20-Aug-26

The rates offered in Attachment 2 are to apply across the entire period 01 February 2027 through 31 July 2032, and Attachment 2 states that "all proposed unit rates will apply to the entire period of performance, to include options and extensions, upon award." The record contains four further and differing statements about adjustment. FAR 52.217-8, printed in full text, provides that the rates for the extension "may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor", while all performance under this contract is in Jordan. The Additional Information/Notes contemplate that "contract rates are revised through a bilateral modification". DFARS 252.247-7002, Revision of Prices (Dec 1991), is incorporated by reference and its text is not in the record. DFARS 252.204-7998, printed in full text, states at paragraph (f)(1)(ii) that DFARS 252.216-7008, Economic Price Adjustment--Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government, "Applies to solicitations for fixed-price supply and service contracts when the contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country, and a foreign government controls wage rates or material prices", yet DFARS 252.216-7008 appears in neither the FAR nor the DFARS clause listing.

Will the Government incorporate in the clause listing whichever of DFARS 252.247-7002 and DFARS 252.216-7008 is intended to apply?

24-Aug-26

The clause listing is correct as issued. No

80 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (6)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 lists DFARS 252.229-7001, Tax Relief, among the provisions that "require your input and must be included with your proposal if they are not in your SAM record." The clause as printed provides at paragraph (a) that "Prices set forth in this contract are exclusive of all taxes and duties from which the United States Government is exempt by virtue of tax agreements between the United States Government and the Contractor's government", followed by "NAME OF TAX: ____(Offeror insert) RATE (PERCENTAGE): ____(Offeror insert)", and at paragraph (b) that invoices "shall be exclusive of all taxes or duties for which relief is available." All performance is at the locations named at PWS 1.2 and PWS 6.1 in Jordan. Neither Attachment 4 nor Attachment 2 provides a field for either insertion; Attachment 4 collects only a Tax Identification Number.

Will the Government identify where in the proposal the name of tax and rate insertions required by DFARS 252.229-7001(a) are to be made, and, if that is Attachment 4, amend Attachment 4 to provide the fields?

24-Aug-26

Offerors shall insert it in their proposed RFP SF1449. No

81 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (6)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 lists DFARS 252.229-7001, Tax Relief, among the provisions that "require your input and must be included with your proposal if they are not in your SAM record." The clause as printed provides at paragraph (a) that "Prices set forth in this contract are exclusive of all taxes and duties from which the United States Government is exempt by virtue of tax agreements between the United States Government and the Contractor's government", followed by "NAME OF TAX: ____(Offeror insert) RATE (PERCENTAGE): ____(Offeror insert)", and at paragraph (b) that invoices "shall be exclusive of all taxes or duties for which relief is available." All performance is at the locations named at PWS 1.2 and PWS 6.1 in Jordan.

Will the Government identify the tax agreement or agreements it relies on for exemption in respect of performance at the locations named at PWS

1.2 and PWS 6.1?

24-Aug-26

No, this research is conducted by the Offerors. No

82 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (6)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 lists DFARS 252.229-7001, Tax Relief, among the provisions that "require your input and must be included with your proposal if they are not in your SAM record." The clause as printed provides at paragraph (a) that "Prices set forth in this contract are exclusive of all taxes and duties from which the United States Government is exempt by virtue of tax agreements between the United States Government and the Contractor's government", followed by "NAME OF TAX: ____(Offeror insert) RATE (PERCENTAGE): ____(Offeror insert)", and at paragraph (b) that invoices "shall be exclusive of all taxes or duties for which relief is available." All performance is at the locations named at PWS 1.2 and PWS 6.1 in Jordan.

Will the Government identify the Jordanian taxes and duties to which relief extends, including general sales tax, customs duties on imported equipment and consumables, and social security or payroll charges on locally engaged labor?

24-Aug-26

No, this research is conducted by the Offerors. No

83 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (6)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 lists DFARS 252.229-7001, Tax Relief, among the provisions that "require your input and must be included with your proposal if they are not in your SAM record." The clause as printed provides at paragraph (a) that "Prices set forth in this contract are exclusive of all taxes and duties from which the United States Government is exempt by virtue of tax agreements between the United States Government and the Contractor's government", followed by "NAME OF TAX: ____(Offeror insert) RATE (PERCENTAGE): ____(Offeror insert)", and at paragraph (b) that invoices "shall be exclusive of all taxes or duties for which relief is available." All performance is at the locations named at PWS 1.2 and PWS 6.1 in Jordan.

Will the Government confirm that the rates entered in Attachment 2 are to be exclusive of those taxes and duties, as paragraphs (a) and (b) of DFARS 252.229-7001 require?

24-Aug-26

No, this research is conducted by the Offerors. No

84 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (6)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 lists DFARS 252.229-7001, Tax Relief, among the provisions that "require your input and must be included with your proposal if they are not in your SAM record." The clause as printed provides at paragraph (a) that "Prices set forth in this contract are exclusive of all taxes and duties from which the United States Government is exempt by virtue of tax agreements between the United States Government and the Contractor's government", followed by "NAME OF TAX: ____(Offeror insert) RATE (PERCENTAGE): ____(Offeror insert)", and at paragraph (b) that invoices "shall be exclusive of all taxes or duties for which relief is available." All performance is at the locations named at PWS 1.2 and PWS 6.1 in Jordan.

Will the Government identify the documentation it will furnish to enable relief from those taxes and duties to be claimed?

No, this research is conducted by the Offerors. No

85 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (8)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 requires a breakdown of gang costs, other labor costs, equipment costs associated with Contractor Furnished Equipment (CFE) and all other costs used to develop the commodity rates, and provides that the breakdown "shall be provided in the SOR (Attachment 2) and linked to the proposed commodity rates", with "a detailed description of the method(s) used to develop the commodity rates" at (8)d(i) and a further breakdown of all proposed manhour rates at (8)d(ii). Paragraph (8)b of the same Addendum provides "Do not attempt to change anything on the spreadsheet", and (8)a directs that no formulas be entered in the Unit Price column. The issued workbook contains three sheets -- Summary, Definitions and the rate sheet -- and no sheet, column or cell in which a gang, CFE or manhour cost build-up can be entered or linked to a commodity rate. Attachment 4 nevertheless carries separate compliance action items for the (8)d breakdown, the (8)d(i) methodology and the (8)d(ii) manhour breakdown, and FAR 52.212-2 (Deviation) at paragraph (d)(1) provides that proposals considered incomplete or non-compliant may be considered ineligible for award.

Will the Government state how the (8)d, (8)d(i) and (8)d(ii) submissions are to be provided in Attachment 2 without changing the spreadsheet, and, if a sheet or a separate workbook is to be added, amend Attachment 2 to provide it?

24-Aug-26

Submit the detailed cost breakdown as a separate sheet within the Excel price proposal. No

86 20-Aug-26

Paragraph (8)d of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 requires a breakdown of gang costs, other labor costs, equipment costs associated with Contractor Furnished Equipment (CFE) and all other costs used to develop the commodity rates, and provides that the breakdown "shall be provided in the SOR (Attachment 2) and linked to the proposed commodity rates", with "a detailed description of the method(s) used to develop the commodity rates" at (8)d(i) and a further breakdown of all proposed manhour rates at (8)d(ii). Paragraph (8)b of the same Addendum provides "Do not attempt to change anything on the spreadsheet", and (8)a directs that no formulas be entered in the Unit Price column. The issued workbook contains three sheets -- Summary, Definitions and the rate sheet -- and no sheet, column or cell in which a gang, CFE or manhour cost build-up can be entered or linked to a commodity rate. Attachment 4 nevertheless carries separate compliance action items for the (8)d breakdown, the (8)d(i) methodology and the (8)d(ii) manhour breakdown, and FAR 52.212-2 (Deviation) at paragraph (d)(1) provides that proposals considered incomplete or non-compliant may be considered ineligible for award.

Will the Government confirm whether the (8)d, (8)d(i) and (8)d(ii) submissions form part of the price proposal and are therefore to be in Microsoft Excel .xlsx format under paragraph (a)(3) of the Addendum as amended, or are to be submitted separately in Adobe PDF format?

24-Aug-26

Submissions must be in Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format as part of Part III (Price Proposal). No

87 20-Aug-26

FAR 52.212-2 (Deviation) at paragraph (a) publishes a second evaluation factor, "Price Proposal/Schedule of Rates (Attachment 2) - (Fair and Reasonable/Not Fair and Reasonable)". The process paragraphs do not then use that rating. Paragraph (d)(4) provides for moving to the offeror with the next lowest priced TEP only where the lowest-TEP offeror with an Acceptable Technical Proposal rating "is found to be non-responsible or have unbalanced pricing that poses an unacceptable risk to the Government", and paragraph (d)(5) makes negotiations available only where "no offers are awardable based on the evaluation process above, or the Offeror with the lowest priced TEP receives an Unacceptable Technical Proposal rating or has unbalanced pricing". A determination that a price is Not Fair and Reasonable is not a stated consequence in either paragraph. Paragraph (d)(3) also assesses fair and reasonableness only in respect of the lowest-TEP offeror with an Acceptable Technical Proposal rating, so the factor published at paragraph (a) is never assigned to most offers at all.

Will the Government state what will happen to an…