N0018925R0043 Questions and Answers.docx

Norfolk Super Servmart N0018925R0043 Questions and Answers

1. Question: We would like to attend the site visit on 21 August, and I was looking for some help with the requirements to get on base. In the RFP on Page 97, it states Vendors must obtain self sponsorship and send confirmation to you. Can you clarify what self sponsorship is, and what it is the procedure to acquire it?

A: The Government no longer requires self-sponsorship and the site visit information was updated via Amendment 0003.

2. Does the quantity listed in Quantity - Column E of the Market Basket represent a quarterly, annual, or contract-term total?

A: This is an estimate over the life of the contract.

3. Are vendors permitted to apply a reasonable mathematical conversion to align the requested Unit of Measure (UOM) and Unit of Issue (UOI) specified in the Market Basket? Example: each to dozen.

A: Yes as long as the overall quantity in Column E remains unchanged.

4. Can you clarify why the deadline for submitting questions is set before the site visit?

A: Per Amendment 0006, the question deadline was revised to 22 September 2025.

5. Are vendors required to follow the same procedures for Market Basket items as specified in RFP N0018925R0043, Page 8, Section 3.2.1, Mandatory Items Listing, given that 175 of the 308 Market Basket items do not include a National Stock Number or Manufacturer’s Part Number?

A: Yes. The PWS states: “For any items that do not have a National Stock Number or manufacturer’s part number listed in Attachment #2, items provided must meet the minimum salient characteristics shown in the description.”

6. Is Norfolk Super Servmart required to adhere to ETS compliance requirements?

A: Government is clarifying with who asked this question what they mean by ETS compliance requirements and will provide answer once clarification is received.

7. If the Market Basket part number provided is no longer TAA compliant, may the vendor submit a quote for a comparable item?

A: Yes, but please advise within the price proposal which item(s) has been substituted, and provide sufficient information on comparability (i.e.salient characteristics, manufacturer, etc.).

8. If the Market Basket part number provided is no longer manufactured, may the vendor submit a quote for a comparable item?

A: Yes, but please advise within the price proposal which item(s) has been substituted, and provide sufficient information on comparability (i.e.salient characteristics, manufacturer, etc.).

9. If a Market Basket part number provided is invalid, may the vendor submit a quote for a comparable item?

A: Yes, but please advise within the price proposal which item(s) has been substituted, and provide sufficient information on comparability (i.e.salient characteristics, manufacturer, etc.).

10. What is the procedure if the NSN or part number provided has reached end-of-life or been discontinued? May the vendor propose a comparable item?

A: Yes, but please advise within the price proposal which item(s) has been substituted, and provide sufficient information on comparability (i.e.salient characteristics, manufacturer, etc.).

11. How can vendors ensure competitive pricing when there is a significant variance in products that share the same salient characteristics, as illustrated in the examples below?

Examples

MB 106 Galley_Awning Serving Line

It is assumed that is a serving line with a sneeze guard, what are the dimensions? Is this for Hot or Cold pans? Power 220V, 110V? There are literally 1000 different configs that can fit that description.

MB 221 Jan/San_LARGE JAN SAN EQUIP

Walk behind floor scrubber Price Change New can run ~$1,500 to ~$18,000

MB 229 Jan/San_WASTE RECEPTACLE

Low-end indoor or light-use units: $80–$200.

Standard durable outdoor or site-specific units: $400–$700.

High-end, heavy-duty, designer or signage-integrated models: $800–$4,000+.

A: Please see updated Test Market Basket via Amendment 0007.

12. If items appear duplicated with different descriptions, which line governs?

Example

MB 9 ABILITYONE_BINDER,3RG,1.5" W/PKT,LTR,WE

NSN 7510015194381

MB 10 ABILITYONE_BINDER,3RING,WHITE,2

NSN 7510015194381

A: See updated Test Market Basket which removes item 10 and combines quantities of 9 and 10.

13. If an item is unavailable, will leaving it blank disqualify the quote, or will the proposal be evaluated of just the comparable market basket items submitted by the proposers?

A: If item is left blank with no further explanation as to why it was left blank, then yes, that may disqualify the quote. Instead of just leaving it blank, state that the item is unavailable, and quote a substitute- when doing so, please advise within the price proposal which item(s) has been substituted, and provide sufficient information on comparability (i.e.salient characteristics, manufacturer, etc.).

14. In the Market Basket, I noticed the abbreviation RO. Can you confirm what it stands for?

A: Roll

15. In the Market Basket, I noticed the abbreviation SE. Can you confirm what it stands for?

A: Set

16. How can the unit of issue be ‘DZ’ while the issue quantity is less than 12?

Example

MB 29 AbilityOne_UOI DZ & Amount in Unit of Issue of 1

A: See updated Test Market Basket via Amendment 0007.

17. How can the unit of issue be ‘EA’ while the issue quantity is greater than 1?

Example

MB 46 AbilityOne_UOI EA & Amount in Unit of Issue of 12

A: See updated Test Market Basket via Amendment 0007.

18. If a Contractor complies with TAA, but not BAA for each item, may it still participate in the RFQ?

A: In accordance with FAR 25.402, Buy American is waived for certain items provided they are compliant with the TAA, come from a country that there is an applicable free trade agreement with, and meet all the DFARS 225.401-70 requirements. The Government is unable to provide further analysis for a specific item that you may be wondering about, and is also unable to provide any further general advice as to complying with the statutes and the Foreign Acquisition rules in FAR part 25 and DFARS 225. The contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with those rules, and you should consult your own legal counsel if you have questions in that regard.

19. It is generally understood that when the Government requests a country of origin ("COO"), it is because there had been a representation that the item is not BAA compliant. If the item were represented as BAA compliant, there would be no need for the COO as the assumption is that it is America.

A: The COO is required for all Test Market Basket Items without exception.

20. That said, why is Norfolk asking for the COO for each product? Isn't it assumed that the COO for each product is America? If that is not Norfolk' assumption, is it because TAA compliance will suffice?

A: See answer to question 19. The Government has decided it will not be making that assumption in this case and the COO for each product will be looked at.

21. Many MRO products are made of iron or steel thereby classifying them as Commercially Available off the Shelf ("COTS"). COTS items are not bound by BAA. May the Contractor designate those items it believes are classified as COTS on the RFQ? In such instances, would Norfolk waive the BAA requirement?

A: The Government cannot provide a pre-evaluation or advice as to how a hypothetical item will be analyzed and evaluated. The Contractor must state the COO for each product. If there is an applicable exception or waiver, the Government will make that determination.

22. Can the question date be extended to allow for any questions that occur during and after the mandatory walk through that is tentatively scheduled for September 17th.

A: Per Amendment 0006, the question deadline was revised to 22 September 2025.

23. During the 4-day transition period for moving in our equipment and supplies, will the previous contractor be moving out their equipment at the same time? Or, will they have two days to remove their equipment and supplies from the location before we move in?

A: It is the Government’s preference that the current contractor would have completely transitioned out/removed all their equipment and supplies prior to the new contractor moving in their equipment and supplies. In accordance with the PWS, the current contractor has “The contractor shall remove from the premises all equipment and supplies that belong to the contractor within two business days of the expiration of the contract.”

24. During the 4-day move-in period, will our team be allowed to park in the parking lot, or will we be required to use the bus to access the store location?

A: The parking lots is first come, first serve. The contractor would be allowed in the lot but it cannot be guaranteed that any spots are available. The spots labeled “SERVMART CUS” need to remain open for Servmart customers.

25. Is the mobile vehicle to be supplied by the contractor? If so, what are the minimum specs for this vehicle.

A: The mobile vehicle is the property of the contractor. The mobile vehicle must maintain a state inspection, and current license plates. The mobile vehicle must be able to communicate sales to the store manager’s accounting system. The mobile vehicle must go through the truck/gate inspection before accessing the pier or the base on each occurrence.

26. What are the requirements of the security plan?

A: Contractor badges will be manage by the store manager for employees. The COR will provide a yearly badge for employees and two year time periods for management, (depending on the store manager or the Contracting Officer).

27. How far away is the satellite parking lot from the store? How long is the bus ride to the store?

A: Parking is available in front of bldg. W-135 and pier 6 (by Wendy’s). Space available will depend on how many ships in in port. According to base security, parking is first come first served. The base shuttle is Monday-Friday from 0600-1800. Every 30 minutes around the base.

28. Are products made available for sale required to be TAA compliant?

A: See answer to question 18. The contractor has to comply with all Foreign Acquisition rules, to include BAA, and the relevant/applicable FAR clauses will be put into the contract. The Government cannot provide advice as to how the TAA interacts with the BAA or any other legal statutes or regulations, to include the DFARS rules. You should consult your own legal counsel if you need assistance in that regard.

29. For item delivery tracking, would an email confirmation of delivery be adequate to fulfill this requirement?

A: An email can be adequate. “The contractor shall have an automated tracking system to provide verification to the COR that the supplies are being delivered within the timeframes.”