LCP_Round_II_Q A_Amendment_No._5.pdf

Round Two (2) Questions and Answers (Q&A) under RFP No. 294-2012-000008

Q.1. In amendment 4 you made a lot of changes under the sections, and you asked to replace specific paragraphs, but the files we have are PDF extension, and so we can't make changes on the files.

A.1. No changes were made to sections which the Offerors need to fill and therefore they were simply deleted and replaced in the amendment cover letter.

Q.2. In section L, page L-8, in the technical proposal preparation you want us to put resumes for key personal in the Annexes, do we put resumes for all key personal in our company, or is it only for the person who is going to represent us?

A.2. Per the subject section, kindly include the resume of the IQC Program Director only at this stage.

Q.3. With Reference to SAM registration required for the LCP and due that I could not register the company in the SAM, I've sent an e mail to the SAM registration service.

Today I also tried to register in the SAM and the same problem took place.

A.3. Kindly continue working with the SAM helpdesk to resolve the issue.

Q.4. A local firm owned equally by two partners, have decided to mutually split apart. This division meant the split of all assets, which includes: past experience, equipment and real estate (i.e.: each partner now has an equal amount of all of those assets). The two firms are now registered in the PCU and have an equal amount of qualifications (Grade A in all sectors).

Considering the above case, the RFP requires the last five years’ experience. As my firm’s case, now that it is under a new name but with 27 years of past experience from the old firm; how would my firm fill out the requirements of the past experience and of the turnover?

A.4. For purposes of Past Experience, USAID will take into account the past experience information derived from predecessor companies, whether wholly or partially owned by the Offeror.

Q.5. Section K- Representations and Instructions (pages K-1 to K-5): Shall the Offeror fill and sign off on each page of the aforementioned section and enclose in the proposal Annex.

A.5. Per section K.2, Annual Representations and Certifications, Offerors are to complete those Certifications and Representations SAM, which has replaced the ORCA system, per the instructions in paragraph (d) of this clause. The Offeror must also complete and submit sections K.3, K.4 and K.5 of this section.

Q.6. Attachment J-3- Partner Information Form: We need directions on how to fill the start date, the amount $ and the end date.

A.6. You may insert the following in Block 3 of Attachment J-3:

US$ amount and estimated start/end date of proposed award or assistance:

“3. $300,000,000 Start: April 10, 2013 End: April 9, 2018”

Q.7. Attachment J-3: shall the Offeror stamp and sign off on sub-attachments D, E and F.

A.7. No

Q.8. Shall the contractor sign off attachment B (suggested notice language) of attachment J-3?

A.8. No.

Q.9. To avoid missing any attachment, is there a possibility to receive a checklist of all the attachments required to be filled out and signed off by the Offeror.

A.9. Please refer to Section L of the RFP as well as the Cover Letter for instructions with regards to the required documentation.

Q.10. Attachment J-4-Disclousure of Lobbing Activities: If the Offeror is not involved in lobbying activities, would N/A suffice as an answer for Boxes No. 8 &10 in the subject form.

A.10. Yes.

Q.11. There is a paragraph in the Cover Page to fill applications and documents on the website

(http://orca.bpn.gov) about the company are these include the local contractors or can be delivered as a hard copy and what are the required documents and certificates exactly

A.11. Please refer to Section K.2 of the RFP and Answer No. 6 above.

Q.12. Is the Deadline for delivery is Monday 26-11-2012

A.12. Yes.

Q.13. Is the Value of the Guarantee 25,000 USD

A.13. This is the value of the minimum guarantee that would be paid to the firms selected under the LCP should the 5 year period of performance of an IQC expire without USAID ordering any work from a contractor.

http://orca.bpn.gov/

Q.14. Is the project a comprehensive (Including) VAT

A.14. See Section H.13.9.

Q.15. How many Copies must be submitted for Documents

A.15. Please refer to sections L.7 and L.11 for instructions.

Q.16. Is it possible for any organization to submit its proposal in response to this solicitation as a sole offeror in addition to another proposal as part of a joint venture?

A.16. Yes.

Q.17. Section F.7 B.2.4.v.3(k), page F-10:

Q.17.A Regarding community relations efforts by contractors toward local stakeholders impacted by construction activities (Section F.7 B.2.4.v.3.(k) on page F-10), are there any specific USAID requirements to conduct community relations efforts by producing and distributing flyers and/or project fact sheets?

A.17.A While there are no specific USAID requirements to conduct community relations efforts, convenience to the public should be included in the contractor's implementation plan especially in term of minimizing disruptions to the public and ensuring their safety.

Concerning the flyers and fact sheets, those should be approved by the

USAID Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and the Public

Outreach Office prior to their distribution. USAID’s branding requirements will be included in each RFTOP.

Q.17.B Should contractor plans for community relations efforts be described in the proposal?

A.17.B This section under the main IQC sets out all possible types of reports that may be required under future RFTOPs. Nothing is required for submittal under the IQC.

Q.17.C If local stakeholders request the contractors presence at a community meeting, is the contractor obligated to attend?

A.17.C Though the contractor is not obliged to attend such meetings, USAID highly encourages attendance as they can be helpful in raising the contractor’s awareness with regards to the public's concerns and assist in reducing problems with the residents of the area during construction resulting on an increased level of public satisfaction.

Q.18. Section L: Sub‐Part 4‐Evidence of Responsibility , Page L14

In accordance with FAR 9.103(a) ―…contracts shall be awarded to responsible prospective contractors only. To be determined responsible, an Offeror must meet the standards at FAR 9.104 that requires a prospective contractor to have adequate resources to perform the contract or the ability to obtain them. Each Offeror shall be prepared to present evidence required to complete a responsibility determination demonstrating its experience, qualifications and financial ability to carry out the terms of the Contract.

To be determined responsible, an Offeror must

(1) Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract, or the ability to obtain them (see FAR 9.104-3(a)); (2) Be able to comply with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental commitments;(3) Have a satisfactory performance record (See FAR 9. 1

04-3 (b) and Subpart 42.15). A prospective contractor shall not be determined responsible or non-responsible solely on the basis of a lack of relevant performance history, except as provided in FAR 9.104-2;

Is the required Evidence of Responsibility regarding financial capacity, Experience to be submitted with the proposal? or should be available upon the request of the USAID evaluation committee?

A.18 All requested information shall be submitted with the proposal.

Q.19. Section L: B. Resources, P, L10, the Offeror must also specifically describe what physical resources it currently has to convincingly demonstrate its ability to adequately manage and perform the types of construction work contemplated in the LCP. The description should identify what property, plant and equipment the Offeror currently controls.

Q.19.A For other plants, related to construction business, and owned by the same

Shareholders, but registered under different ID Number, (ie, Asphalt Plant, Crushing plant, Pipes Manufacturing Plant, should we consider and add the turnover of these owned plants, in Attachment J.5 Offeror’s

Information Summary?

A.19.A Offerors shall be clear as to the ownership of any plants or assets in the proposal.

Q.19.B Is it recommended to indicate financial figures in the proposal ; ie. Access to credit facilities, bonding capacity as demonstrated by offeror’s Banks?

A.19.B It is up to each offeror to decide how they will demonstrate their responsibility.

Q.20. H.8 SUBCONTRACTORS , P17, Any and all subcontractors required by the Contractor for completion of construction work required under this Task Order shall each be registered with the Palestinian Contractors’ Union. Subcontractors that do not have the required registration shall not be allowed under this Task Order…

Q.20.A For listed Subcontractors, is it required to fill the Representations, Certifications, and other statements listed in Section K, P24?

A.20.A Yes.

Q21.B Is it required to fill Attachment J.5 for the Subcontractor?

A.20.B No.

Q.21. With reference to the Basic IQC key staff requirements and according to SECTION F, I understand the IQC director should have at least 20 years of experience which is unlikely easy to find, therefore is it possible to lower the minimum required qualification ceiling.

A.21 The minimum required experience in both areas may be concurrent. The minimum requirement remains unchanged.

Q.22. With reference to the Attachment J-6-A.1,Section H, Special Task Order Requirements

(H.1) Key Personnel:

Q.22.A Please explain whether the minimum required number of years for each key staff is for a general engineering experience or a specific in the field of Practice.

A.22.A In accordance with the RFTOP section quoted in your question, the minimum required years of experience for the Project Manager and

Quality control Manager must be in the construction of infrastructure projects of a similar type and size to that required under this RFTOP – Biddu Beit Anan Road Project.

Q.22.B Since that the safety and environmental compliance officer is not common position in the west bank and only required in the USAID donated programs ,therefore the specialists in the named field are rarely available especially matching the required qualification of being a Civil Engineer and having a Significant experience of not less than 5 years in safety and environmental compliance. Therefore is it acceptable to propose an Engineer (not civil) with 5 years of experience in the USAID projects and familiar to the safety and environmental compliance requirements and regulations but hadn't occupy the position of Safety and Environmental Compliance

Officer before.

A.22.B Kindly note the requirements in Section H.1 of Attachment J-6-A.1.

Q.23. Q/A number 65 in round 1 Questions stated that " In the case of a joint venture, only information relating to the joint venture's past experience will be considered." and since the joint ventures are formed recently for this IQC, this means that they do not have experience in the name of the joint venture and hence in the technical evaluation section

M.2 in the Basic IQC the scores for item II, Offerer's Experience, will be Zero instead of

20. Please advise.

A.23 As noted under the answer to question 65 under Amendment No. 4 to the RFP, only the past experience of the Joint Venture (JV) will be considered under this evaluation criterion. The individual past experience of the firms making up the proposed JV for the

LCP will not be considered.

Q.24. What is the ceiling value of each type of the required insurances?

A.25 Kindly note Amendment item No. 2.

Q.25. In section C, the document illustrates the types of construction activities that the IOC may include. Is drilling and rehabilitation of deep water wells included?

A.25 In accordance with RFP Section C.3, other related infrastructure programs, which may include any other infrastructure facilities identified as vital to the success of USAID strategic goals in the West Bank and Gaza may be included in future RFTOPs.

Q.26. Do we attach the sections to the proposal?

A.26. Kindly refer to Section L of the RFP for detailed instructions.