Responses to Questions.pdf

Question Answer

1 Is there an extension to the closing/submission date for the proposal?

Yes - The deadline has been extended to July 26, 2020 on or before 11:00 a.m.

2 Will the US Embassy accept proposal via email instead of courier or hand delivery?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are asking all offerors to submit your proposals by email in 2 binders one for technical proposal and second for pricing.

3 Under Section (B) - pricing page 3 & 4 of the RFP

"Temporary Additional Services Please clarify if these

Temporary Additional Services are for:

• Additional skilled manpower, or

• Additional unskilled manpower, or

• Additional softscape maintenance Services, or

• any other Services other than noted above

This additional services is similar to the same tasks described in Section C - refer to Section C

(Skilled manpower required)

4 What are the quantities of garden features like palms, trees, shrubs, groundcover areas, lawn area that are to be maintained as per the current tender There are 50 Palm trees, 54 concarpus trees, 12 washingtonia , Shurbs dedonia 75 meters, 4 small

Neem trees, 20 other tall trees, and ground covers. Grass area is approximately 5500 Sqm, Ground cover area is approximate 5700 sqm.

5 Is there a requirement of minimum number of gardeners to be available in the maintenance crew on site. If yes, please provide details. If not, please advise numbers of the existing maintenance crew.

No - but the successful bidder is responsible for determining the number of workwers needed to meet the contract requirements for providing the services identified in Section J, Exhibit A, Locations of Gardening Services

6 Hourly rate for temporary and additional services - Please clarify if we have to quote for hourly rate of a gardener for such works.

Yes - Refer to Section B.4 PRICING

Questions & Answers - 19-QA1020-R-0003 Gardening Services Contract for the Embassy Compound.

#SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

7 In the absence of automation of irrigation system, it is suggested that garden maintenance activities to be conducted 6 days in a week as minimum. Please confirm.

Refer to section C.4 .2 for Normal Embassy hours

8 Is this an 8(A) Set aside opportunity only? In that, only

8(A) Certified firms can bid?

No - This action is open to all interested bidders.

9 Is there an incumbent 8(A) contractor or landscaper on site? If so, is the goal to replace them ?

The current contract is expiring soon. This solicitation is for a new contract that will be awarded to the successful offeror and will be based on lowest price/technically acceptable terms per the solicitation.

10 Is it possible for us to speak to the existing contractor , especially if they are moving out of the project?

The U.S. Embasy cannot compel the current contractor to speak to potential bidders. It is totally their call.

11 Section C.9. Is the US Embassy facility equipped with a garbage skip onsite for use by the contractor for disposal of garden waste (leaves, shrubs, cut branches, etc.)?

The Embassy will provide a means to convey waste material including leaves, shrubs, cut branches and trash from the embassy compound to a designated location outside the perimeter walls of the chancery compound.

12 List of plants and related details such as their varieties, quantities and area.

Wadeilia, Alternanthera, Sesuvium Iresine. bougainvillea a lot on walkways area front driveways and rear side of the building and some Ixora chinesis, Leaucophyllum, Agave Pennestem grass

Rosemany and lavender, Mint , and few catus and seasonal flowers Vinga and petunia , marigold

13 Section B.4.(c) and FAR 52.228-4. Is DBA insurance mandatory for this solicitation or our company’s current

Workmen Compensation Policy (EL limit is

USD1,000,000 any one occurrence and USD3,000,000 in aggregate) sufficient?

Refer to Section L - its required for all the contractors to obtain DBA insurance even if they have their own insurance policy

14 Section B.4.(e). Our Company is exempt from taxes being an instrumentality of a foreign government (owned by the

MFA of the State of Qatar), will the US Embassy require any other documentary evidence other than the Tax Card issued by the State of Qatar?

We would require a tax card issued by the State of Qatar. Additionally, 15 Section B.5 to B.10. This solicitation is an FFP contract including (a) standard services including manpower, consumables, materials, equipment & tools and (b) additional services including a provisional sum for 2,400 man hours. In any event that additional materials, consumables and/or supplies are required by the COR, will this be considered as additional reimbursable sums?

We expect successful offeror to have the necessary supplies, equipment and tools to accomplish the job per the solicictation. Any additional supplies requested by the COR will be provided by the embassy.

16 Section H.1.1. Please confirm that TCNs from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Philippines are approved Nationalities for mobilization in this project facility.

There is no restrictions on nationalities. All workers would have to go through the vetting process which includes background checks conducted in coorperation with the Ministry of Interior.

17 Section H.1.2. Is there any fees to be paid by the contractor for processing and issuance of the access/identity cards? If yes, please provide fee structure and renewal period frequency.

There is no fee for badges issued by the embassy

18 Section H.4.(d). Is it required by the US Embassy that it is designated as “additional named insured” in the contractor’s general liability and workmen compensation policies?

Successful offeror will be required to provide insurance required by the laws of the State Of Qatar.

19 Can we keep our furnished equipments inside the

Embassy? If any repair may occur or maintenance , are we to take it outside or we can bring the specialist ? Storage space is limited. We can accommodate push and driven lawn movers, and hand tools.

20 What is the required documents for Recruitment and

Housing Plan in Section L..?

Offerors must submit a plan for housing for their employees. Plans may include drawing of staff sleeping quarters, number of employees per room, size of room and amenities.

How can we register our company in SAM…?

Registration for SAM and DUNS is free of charge. https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. Be sure to say you are seeking contract opportunities with the U.S. Government when you are asked to pay.