Amendment 1 to Solicitation N6883625Q0044.docx

Contractor Questions to solicitation:

Clarification: Please do not include any shipping costs in your quote. Your quote must be FOB Origin. The shipping rate of $13.81/mile will be added by the contracting office to account for government evaluation purposes. You must clearly state where the material will be shipping from.

1. How many sets per individual pallet before loading in the container? A “set” being a pallet that contains all the components to assemble one crate.

a. Guantanamo Bay does not have storage capabilities for crates shipped in this manner. Historically, components were shipped as follows:

b. 32 sides per pallet, shipped on custom pallets

c. 32 ends for pallet with 32 each 46 3/8” cross fits stacked on top, shipped with one or more bases in place of a pallet

d. 32 tops per pallet with 32 each 43 3/8” cross fits stacked on top, shipped with one or more bases in place of a pallet

e. The additional cross fits that were not stacked on the ends and tops were stacked and shipped on their own pallet.

f. Bases were shipped with some 10 per pallet and some 8 per pallet. This may have been due to height when double stacking them in the shipping container. Bases were not shipped on a pallet, they are bundled and the bottom base serves as a pallet.

g. These are stored approximately ½ mile from the warehouse where they will be utilized. When stacking the components the total weight needs to be taken into consideration as there is limited equipment for movement to and from the warehouse.

h. The warehouse is not large and therefore cannot accommodate exceptional large bundles of crate components.

2. Would a smaller crate (84”x48”x48”) offer a suitable alternative?

a. No.

3. Would you be able to please provide pictures of the crate?

a. Pictures were added to the solicitation.

4. What are the interior dimensions?

a. Interior dimensions should not be a factor if the components are built to the requirements of part 3.0 of the solicitation. The resulting product will meet the requirement.

5. To be sure, the crates must be unassembled, correct?

a. All crates must come unassembled. Please see historical shipment method above.

6. The solicitation states that there needs to be 4x4 blocking on the bottom of the container to support forklifts on the sides and front. The blocking in the picture is not 4x4 blocks. Are 4x4 blocks necessary?

a. Yes 4x4 blocks are necessary. Please follow the specifications in the solicitation.

7. Is 48”x48” winged hardwood pallets sufficient or will we need to build custom winged pallets 90”x50” to fit under these big crates?

a. Due to the size of the side components, you will need to custom build a pallet for that item.

8. Can we stack as many crates on each pallet as possible while staying under 100” shipping containers?

a. Guantanamo Bay is isolated with limited storage capacity. Please see historical shipment method above.

9. Can the base of the crate be used as a pallet?

a. Yes, the base of the crate can be used in place of a pallet.

10. Is the ISPM 15 stamp required on the crates?

a. No. Though Guantanamo Bay is in Cuba, the crates come directly to the Naval Base and are therefore not considered as being shipped overseas.

11. Do we add the shipping charge of $13.81/mile to our quote or will you add it?

a. Please do not add the shipping to your quote. The shipping cost of $13.81 will be added by the contracting office based on FOB Origin to Blount Island Terminal. Please clearly state where the material will be shipping from.

12. Should we quote FOB Origin?

a. Yes. Please submit all quotes FOB Origin.

13. Does the $13.81 freight charge apply to the initial quantity of 30 needed?

a. Yes.

14. Can you clarify if our shipping amount exceeds amount to be paid per order, can we request an equitable adjustment?

a. No. The Contractor will not be paying any shipping cost therefore no equitable adjustment will be considered.

15. For a crate of this size, is 2x4 framing necessary, or would a different structural approach be acceptable?

a. All specifications from the solicitation come directly from the regulation that cover movement of government household goods shipment. Different structural approaches are not authorized.

16. Should the framing be on the inside or outside of the crate?

a. The framing is on the inside of the crate.

17. Do you require a 4-way access base for forklift handling or is a 2-way access sufficient?

a. A 4-way access base is required.

18. Is there a CAD drawing or a formal specification sheet available for this crate that we can reference?

a. There are no CAD drawings available. Please reference pictures provided. Additional information can be found online by searching “Type II lift van boxes”

19. The solicitation states “All material shall be inspected by designated Government personnel for approval and acceptance and must be documented and signed prior to material on-load into 40’ shipping freight containers.” How will this be accomplished for the initial shipment vs the follow on shipments?

a. The SDDC approval is in place of an inspection. There will not be an inspection of goods prior to shipping because the SDDC approval is required for this contract.

20. Page 5 of the solicitation shows inspection at destination. Please clarify.

a. The SDDC approval is in place of an inspection. There will not be an inspection of goods prior to shipping because the SDDC approval is required for this contract.

21. Page 5 lists Item 0002 for loading the shipping containers, quantity 2 batches. What is considered a batch?

a. Line Item 0002 is to account for the cost of loading the containers. One batch is for the initial minimum quantity of 30 needed and the second batch is for the remaining units to be shipped.