Offerors_Questions_10.6.16.docx

Offeror’s Questions

1. Question: The subject solicitation calls for a vessel with “hydraulic rolling hatches.” Is a vessel with removable pontoon cargo hatches acceptable?

Answer: MSC will amend the RFP to state “In order to meet mission requirements, vessels with the minimum SOA of 15 knots are required to have hydraulic hatch covers. Vessels with a 16 knot (or faster) SOA are not required to have hydraulic hatch covers.”

2. Question: DRYTIME Box 1 states the vessel shall, at a minimum, accommodate four supercargo. Part IV(ae)(3) states the Charterer has option to embark force protection personnel at any time, and the Owner shall provide accommodations and victualling to these personnel. Part IV(ag)(2) states the Owner agrees to the embarkation of up to 12 force protection personnel. Can you please clarify the total minimum number of supercargo and/or force protection personnel that the vessel is required to accommodate?

Answer: Supercargo minimum requirement is four personnel. The requirement for Force Protection Personnel may require a USCG COI Waiver. See the answer to Question 3 below.

3. Question: Part IV(ag)(2) states if embarking the 12 force protection personnel exceeds the vessel's COI, then Owner must obtain an appropriate waiver to allow such additional personnel. If Owner is unable to obtain this waiver within two business days of award, then Charterer shall have option to cancel the Charter at no cost to the Government. This clause seems unreasonable for following reasons:

a. Obtaining such waiver is at the sole discretion of the flag state (USCG) and outside the control of Owners. There is no guarantee that USCG will be able to evaluate and grant such waiver within two business days, if at all;

b. Owners will execute the purchase of the vessel and undertake reflagging into US only if awarded the Charter. Executing the purchase and reflagging process will take several weeks after award. Such waiver cannot even be requested from USCG until after reflagging is completed. Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect Owners who are reflagging a vessel to obtain such waiver within two business days of award.

Answer: MSC will amend the RFP to remove “Within two business days of award” requirement.

4. Question: DRYTIME Box 6 states the vessel shall have a minimum speed of advance of 15 knots. Please confirm if this speed (15 knots) is intended to be the minimum charter party warranted speed as it relates to Boxes 66 and 67.

Answer: See the answer to Question 1, above.

5. Question: DRYTIME Boxes 6 and 75 states any vessel requiring reflagging shall not exceed 15 years in age at time of delivery.

a. Please confirm if the 15 year age restriction should be applied to the time of delivery under the Charter, or to the time of reflagging;

b. Please advise why the Government has determined that applying a 15 age restriction only to vessels to be reflagged is in its best interest, and why such age restriction is not applicable to existing U.S. flag vessels.

Answer: Upon further consideration of the requirement, MSC will amend the RFP to remove the age requirement.

6. Question: DRYTIME Box 75 states the vessel shall accommodate a minimum of 230 TEU, and also states the vessel shall be capable of carrying a maximum load averaging 14 metric tons per container. Can you please clarify what is meant by "maximum load" (for example, if vessel has total capacity of 500 TEU, does the vessel need to be able to load all 500 TEUs of 14 metric tons each (on average), or only 230 of those TEUs)?

Answer: The vessel shall be capable of carrying a maximum load of 230 TEUs with an average load of 14 metric tons per container, 100 of which may weight 22 metric tons. If a vessel has container capacity above the 230 TEU, only the 230 TEU is subject to the weight conditions identified.

7. Question: DRYTIME Box 75 states the vessel shall be capable of carrying all types of hazardous cargo. Please confirm what is meant by "all types of hazardous cargo" (for example, does this mean all dangerous goods listed on the Dangerous Goods List of the IMDG code)?

Answer: “All types of hazardous cargo” means those listed in the IMDG code.

8. Question: Part III(q) requires Contractor to submit evidence that it has an active Secret facility clearance. Please clarify if such evidence is required to be submitted with the offer, or if such clearance/evidence can be obtained after contract award but prior to contract commencement.

Answer: Due to the mission requirements, contractors shall submit evidence of a secret facility clearance with the offer in order for the Agency to consider the offer acceptable. The contractor cannot obtain the clearance after award.

9. Question: Please advise if X(b)(12) requirement for a subcontracting plan is correct.

Answer: X(b)(12) will be deleted – a subcontracting plan is NOT required.

MGO/MDO - 7.507 barrels per metric ton IFO - 180 - 6.526 barrels per metric ton IFO - 380 - 6.468 barrels per metric ton

11. Question: Please provide Basic Pricing Data Sheet attachment.

Answer: Basic Pricing Data Sheet will be added by amendment as Attachment IX(G) and the Crew Complement form has been added as Attachment IX(H). Both must be completed and submitted as a part of the offer. Part XI (e) a will be amended to include Attachment IX(G) as the basis for evaluated price.