Additional Q A QMAA-SB-110003-N.docx

GSA QMAA-SB-110003-N

Additional Questions for Clarifications

1. Fixed price contract for five years must include all customs, tariffs and taxes. What is the remedy provided if the customs, tariffs or taxes are revised during the contract period? It is unrealistic to expect the offeror to guarantee prices for five years when these variables are likely to change during the contract.

A: The offeror is to clear the vehicles as US property taxes and duty free with the customs office in Afghanistan.

2. The specifications require GCC compliance which is intended to provide operational capability in a high temperature climate. Many GCC specification vehicles are equipped only with air conditioners and not equipped with heaters. Afghanistan has extremely low temperature winter climate conditions. What are the minimum and maximum operating temperature requirements? It is presumed that a heater is required even though some GCC spec vehicles will not have these.

A: Yes, heaters are required.

3. DF2 diesel fuel is low sulfur which is generally not available in the retail market in Afghanistan; high sulfur content diesel fuel is generally available and is what the U.S. Army specifies for compatibility. Use of high sulfur diesel in modern diesel engines designed for operation with low sulfur diesel fuel may cause engine operating issues and will void manufacturers’ warranties. GSA is requested to be aware of the implications of this specification.

A: DF2 is the commercial grade fuel available. Vehicles offered must be compatible without voiding the manufacturers’ warranty. Vehicles which require the use of Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel will not be accepted.

The other acceptable diesel fuel is JP-8. JP-8 is the military equivalent of Jet A-1 with the addition of corrosion inhibitor and anti-icing additives; it meets the requirements of the U.S. Military Specification MIL-T-83188D. It is the dominant military jet fuel grade for NATO airforces. The UK also have a specification for this grade namely DEF STAN 91-87 AVTUR/FSII (formerly DERD 2453). NATO Code F-34.

4. Mogas/Unleaded petrol (gasoline) is required. The petrol/gasoline generally available in Afghanistan is leaded, not unleaded. Using leaded fuel in vehicles designed to operate on unleaded fuel will contaminate the emission control hardware and will void manufacturers’ warranties. GSA is requested to be aware of the implications of this specification.

A: Mogas/Unleaded petrol (gasoline) will be the fuel used.

5. For all the models specified as 4x4, is there a requirement for single range or dual range 4x4 transfer case? Are both types equally acceptable? Is a full time or part time All-Wheel-Drive system acceptable?

A: Dual range transfer case is preferred. All wheel drive (non shiftabletransfer case) will not be accepted.

6. For the automatic transmission option where specified, some makes and models may offer an automatic transmission with only a diesel or petrol/gasoline engine, or vice versa. Are all engine fuel and transmissions combinations a mandatory requirement, or can only those combinations that may be available be proposed?

A: Exception should be noted on the exceptions worksheet.

7. Are there any operating parameters or location preferences for the OEM Trailer Brake Control option?

A: OEM TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER - the vehicle shall be furnished with an integrated electronic device thatcontrols electrical power to trailer braking system and provides ideally matched braking force between tow vehicle and trailer.

8. 105M 4x4 Intermediate 4-door 5-pass SUV specifies 5750 minimum GVWR. Please clarify if this is kg or pounds.

A: Pounds

9. In attachment C under 105M, it is stated Drive and Passenger needs to have 3-point seat belts, that is applicable to all passengers? Typically the middle passenger position in the second row seat will have a two-point lap belt.

A: That is correct. Typically the middle passenger position in the second row seat will have a two-point lap belt.

10. For all SUV models (105M, 108M, 108M.1) it is stated as 4 doors whereas SUV models typically have 5 doors including the rear tailgate door. Clarification required.

A: 4 side door plus the rear tailgate/door

11. 108M 4x4 Full Size 4-door 8-pass SUV and 108M.1 Full Size 3-door 10 pass SUV. No GVWR or payload are specified. After up-armoring is it acceptable that there is no expectation of any payload capability?

A: A minimum of 100Kg per passenger is required

12. For these two Full Size SUVs, both the B6 up-armor package and the B7 up-armor package are listed under options. Does this imply that both 108M and 108M.1 are available in three variants: unarmored, B6 armor, and B7 armor?

Is it listed this way?

A: Correct, yes it is listed this way.

13. 108M 4-door 8 passenger requires 2 individual front seat seats and rear left and right troop seats. This would require 3 troops seated on each side. The seat length required to seat 3 troops will block the rear doors of the 4-door SUV impeding entry and egress. Is this understood and is this acceptable?

A: No it is not acceptable.

14. For 108M and 108M.1, the safety restraint system requires driver and passenger seat belts. Is this intended to also provide seat belts for the troops in the rear left and right seats as well as the driver and front seat passenger? Also, other models explicitly specify 3-point seat belts. Is this to be interpreted that for 108M and 108M.1 that 2-point lap belts are required?

A: Yes, Typically the middle passenger position in the second row seat will have a two-point lap belt the remaining passengers in the front two rows are typically three point restraints.

15. 108M.1 is specified as a 3-door SUV, assuming the third door is the rear tailgate door. 108M is specified as a 4-door SUV. By the same terminology, is it understood that 108M with a rear tailgate door is actually a 5-door SUV.

A: Correct.

16. The synopsis shows 7 passenger seats for “Up Armor SUV” but in the Attachment C, it is stated as 8-passengers for 108M and 10 passengers for 108M.1. Please clarify the discrepancy.

A: The minimum is 7 passenger plus a driver (8 passengers total).

17. CLIN 7 sedan. This vehicle is specified as both a minicompact and a subcompact. The cargo volume is specified as 170. Please specify whether this cargo volume is measured in liters, cubic meters, or cubic feet, and is only cargo volume and not the total interior volume. Also please clarify if the cargo volume is to be determined with the rear seat up or folded down.

A: The cargo volume specified is in liter3. The cargo volume is to be determined with the rear seat up.

18. CLIN 7 sedan body style is specified as trunk/hatch. A 4-door sedan has a trunk and a 5-door has a hatchback. Is it correct to assume that both a sedan or a hatchback are acceptable?

A: Yes

19. CLIN 346 Shuttle Bus. The seating capacity is variously referred to as 20+1, 21+1 and 23+1 while the schematic displays a 22+1 seat layout. Is this an exact seating capacity required or are any of these configurations acceptable?

A: 20+1 is the minimum requirement. Please note any exeptions on the exeptions spreadsheet.

20. In the Attachment C, under 108M and 108M.1, it is requested to submit info for Mogas but the requirements mentioned Mogas is not required for these models. Same goes for 20M, Diesel is mentioned in the attachment but in fact Diesel is not required as stated in the Synopsis. Other models/ variants requirements are consistent between the synopsis and attachment C.

A: We are allowing for both fuel types.

21. Do these vehicles need to have Afghan license plates? I can see that there is a requirement for (US-sized) license plate holders on the vehicle but could not see anything about whether any of the vehicles needed to come with license/registration for use on the Afghan public highways.

A: No, the vehicle will be registered by the US Government.

22. In additional to the 12 Forward Operation Bases, what will be possible to give and idea of any of the additional FOB Destination points that may be added?

A: This information is considered propriotory and will be provided to the successful offeror(s) at time on order.

23. Could you break down by vehicle type and volume required for each Operation Base?

A: This information is considered propriotory and will be provided to the successful offeror(s) at time on order.

24. Is it possible to provide exact delivery address of each operation base? How shipping documents are consigned consignee for both options (ship to Kabul, Afghanistan and to Forward Operation Base throughout Afghanistan)

A: This information is considered propriotory and will be provided to the successful offeror(s) at time on order.

25. According to Section D: CONTRACT CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS under subsection D.6-52.229-6 TAXES – FOREIGN FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS (JUNE 2003)

(c) Unless otherwise provided in this contract, the contract price includes all applicable taxes and duties, except taxes and duties that the Government of the United States and the government of the country concerned have agreed shall not be applicable to expenditures in such country by or on behalf of the United States Please advise if tax exemption is applicable when importing into Afghanistan (both to Kabul and directly to each operation base) or if it is subject to Customs, Tariffs and Taxes?

A: Tax exempt

26. If tax exemption is applicable when importing into Afghanistan, will the delivery (ARO) be exclusive of lead time to get approved tax exemption letter? Due to vehicles cannot be customs cleared and moved from transit port (Karachi/Qasim port, Pakistan) until tax exemption process is complete, this may affect delivery requirement (delivery ARO within 90/140/200 days) A: No

27. If tax exemption process is applicable, what shipping documents do you require from us for preparing tax exemption process and how long can you provide complete tax emption letter (from the date of Memorandum Letter issued until get approval letter from Ministry of Finance)?

(a) A packing list or other suitable shipping document shall accompany each shipment and shall indicate

(1) Name and address of the consignor;

(2) Name and complete address of the consignee;

(3) Government order or requisition number;

(4) Government bill of lading number covering the shipment (if any); and

(5) Description of the material shipped, including item number, quantity, number of containers, and package number (if any).

Please clarify if we need to attach Packing List to each vehicle for every shipment and what kind of “other suitable shipping documents” stated in this clause are required to be accompanied with the shipment?

A: The documents are required for each shipment. Other suitable documents are documents which are required for importation into Afghanistan.

29. Since this is U.S. Government Contract and there are some clauses related to FAR applied, please advise if it is an obligation to use U.S. Flag carrier? If U.S. Flag carrier is compulsory, what category is required i.e. P1, P2 or P3 service? Is it possible to get waiver and use foreign flag vessels? Please advise process, lead time and documents required for such waiver.

A: Commercial has been used in the past

30. Please advise what is minimum cargo insurance coverage required during transportation or what clauses to be covered?

A: There is no minimum cargo insurance coverage, this will be the vendors responsibility.

31. Please advise if Security Escort need to be provided by offerer/contractor especially during transport to each operation Base throughout Afghanistan?

A: Offeror must provide their own security

32. Is there any specific requirement of transportation for all these vehicle types? Is vehicle must be loaded in closed container? Since there is requirement for big bus (23+1 passenger) and its size cannot be loaded in standard container.

A: Wheels off ground delivery

33. Is there any specific transport route or preferable routing? Normally cargo to Afghanistan can be shipped via Pakistan or Russia but transit time and logistics costs can be a huge different. (At the moment, there is a political situation in Pakistan which might affect lead time for cargo being shipped through Pakistan) A: No, prefer the most cost effective route thatwould allow us meet our timeframes and objectives.

34. Are there any prohibited countries that we cannot ship cargo through?

A: Countries that border Afghanistan and are normal routes/port of entries to the country, we are not currently aware of any prohibitions

35. Further explanation and clarification is necessary for the “statutory price limitation.” Despite the four questions related to this subject that were posted in the Q&As on 28 June 2011, none of the responses provided adequate clarification.

a. “The statutory price limitation on effects passage vehicles (Sedans) listed in the table below. Statutory price limitation does not include delivery cost.” The first sentence does not make sense and there is no table listed below.

A: The statutory price limitation requires offerors to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1343. This U.S.C. is for sedans and station wagons. When calculating the statutory price delivery cost should not be considered a factor.

b. A single response of “No” is given to two different questions. Is the GSA response “No” to both questions? If the answer is “no” to the first question that the contractor has to offer vehicles at a maximum price of USD 17,197 (for heady duty vehicles), what is the point of including the statutory price limitation in the solicitation?

A: Statutory price limitation is for sedans.

c. “Manufacturer will need to be able to have a vehicle that meets the statutory price limitation if need be.” The response is confusing and contradictory and requires further explanation.

A: The manufacturer will need to be able to provide the offered sedan(s) as a base vehicle within the statutory price limitation.

d. “This is mandatory for all commercial vehicles being procured by the US government.” This response seems to contradict the responses give to Q49 and Q50.

A: The Statutory Price Limitation is for Sedans only and does not include shipping, tax, and tariffs.

36. The specifications require the vehicles provided under this solicitation to be GCC compliant. The GCC is the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. These are all Arabic speaking countries and GCC motor vehicle standards include Arabic language labeling and marking requirements. Arabic is not understood or read in Afghanistan where the official languages are Dari and Pashtu with many dialects of each. Vehicles provided according to GCC specifications will have labels, markings and operators manuals in a language that will not be readable in Afghanistan. It is recommended that the manuals be provided in English and Dari for all vehicles supplied under this solicitation.

A: Vehicle specifications / solicitation will be changed to read vehicles built for use and operation in Afghanistan. The vehicles offered must be able to be registered for legal operation within Afghanistan.

37. The Industry Day Conference was held in Doha, Qatar, a member of the GCC. Was the mandatory requirement of GCC compliance influenced by the presence of GCC dealers?

A: No. Vehicle specifications / solicitation will be changed to read vehicles built for use and operation in Afghanistan. The vehicles offered must be able to be registered for legal operation within Afghanistan.

38. Q12 clarifies that Mogas is Motor Gasoline NATO Spec F-46, unleaded fuel. Does this imply that the GSA Mogas vehicles supplied under this contract will be operated exclusively on unleaded fuel? Leaded fuel is used extensively in Afghanistan and use of leaded fuel in vehicles designed for unleaded fuel is not sanctioned by any motor vehicle manufacturer.

A: YES

39. There is an apparent contradiction in the pricing terms. The solicitation requires quoted prices to include customs, tariffs and taxes. The responses to Q43, Q52 and Q62 indicate the US is currently exempt from all taxes and duties. Please clarify this discrepancy.

A: US is exempted from all taxes and duties

40. The solicitation has a preference for local content/local sourcing in the South Caucasus / Central and South Asian Countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The only two countries that have any automobile and commercial vehicle manufacturing of any consequence are Pakistan and Uzbekistan. All motor vehicles produced in Pakistan are right hand drive; Afghanistan is a left hand drive market. A limited range of vehicles are produced at a single auto plant in Uzbekistan. Neither country is part of the GCC. The time required for any of the automotive manufacturing plants in these two countries to produce vehicles that conform to the requirements of the GSA specifications for left hand drive vehicles and conform to GCC regulations may exceed the DARO requirement specified. What is the rationale for local content/local sourcing preference for SC/CASA?

A: Local content is requested and is an evaluation factor but not required.

41. Q18 answers the customers are GSA and USFOR-A. Q22 answers the non-tactical vehicles are for use by USFOR-A. Please explain the discrepancy.

A: GSA or USFOR-A can be the customer however USFOR-A is the end user.

42. Will the vehicles used by the USFOR-A be of a military nature? Japanese manufacturers are prohibited from the sale or trade of any articles of defense.

A: The vehicles are for non-tactical support operations.

43. The Delivery timing of 90 days and 140 days ARO are unreasonable. Most manufacturers lead times for new vehicles can be 90 days or longer. Actual experience in the transportation of vehicles to various locations in Afghanistan demonstrate that these times are unrealistic due to the security situation in transporting vehicle through Pakistan and into Afghanistan, for example. GSA is requested to solicit offerors’ delivery schedules as part of the solicitation for evaluation.

A: Exceptions to the requested delivery times should be noted on the exceptions worksheet and will be evaluated as such.

44. Amendment #1 included the addition of a new open line item CLIN 999 for Miscellaneous Non Tactical Motor Vehicles. Is it the expectation that the Offerors do not need to submit any specific vehicle, data or price for CLIN 999 with this solicitation’s proposal, and that any supplier awarded to provide any of the vehicles in the schedule will be offered the opportunity to submit an RFQ for any future undefined non tactical vehicle?

A: The offerors do not need to submit any specific vehicle, data or price for CLIN 999. If at a later date additional requirements are needed each supplier will be requested to supply the data based on a RFQ for the specific vehicle type.

45. The Industry Day Conference was held in Doha, Qatar on 22 February 2011. The Solicitation was posted on FBO on 27 May 2011, over 13 weeks later. The initial response was due in 6-1/2 weeks, now amended to 7-1/2 weeks. Due to the complexity of this solicitation, the multitude of vehicle types, the large number of queries submitted, the lack of clarification provided in many of the Q&As, it is requested that a further extension for submission of proposals be provided after Q&As are posted in response to the queries due 29 June 2011.

A: The current closing date is June 19, 2011.

46. I would like to find out if it is acceptable to offer multiple responses for particular CLINs in a partial response. The reason for asking is that we can propose 2 solutions for the same CLINs in some situations – would this make us non-compliant?

A: You can offer more than one solution to the same CLIN.

47. Will the contractor awarded this contract be given prime contractor status?

A: No, Multiple vendors may be awarded based on CLIN.

48. Can the successful contractor bill the logistic cost on this contract in advance?

A: No

49. What are the penalties for late/non delivery of vehicles?

A: This is dependent on the cause for the delay each case will be reviewed and assessed separately.

50. Is it a requirement to inspect the vehicles and produce an inspection sheet in Dubai as well as the destination?

A: A manufacturer PDI is required as well as a delivery destination inspection.

51. Will there be a charge for the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and if so please state what it is.

A: GSA does not have a charge associated with EDI.

52. Is there a preferred method for EDI?

A: No.