RFQ 19LE2026Q0003 for Bottled Water.pdf

UNITED STATES EMBASSY BEIRUT

REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS

BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR BOTTLED DRINKING

WATER

RFQ Number: 19LE2026Q0003

Issue Date: August 4, 2026

Quotation Due Date and Time: August 18, 2026, at 16:30 Beirut Local Time

Contracting Office: U.S. Embassy Beirut, General Services Office, Procurement Section

Delivery Location: U.S. Embassy Compound, Awkar, Lebanon

Contracting Officer: Elizabeth Keene / Senior General Services Officer

Procurement Contact: Garo Ohanian, Procurement Supervisor, procurementbeirut@state.gov 04-542600 Ext:4268 mailto:procurementbeirut@state.gov

SECTION 1 — PURPOSE OF THE

SOLICITATION

The United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, requests quotations from qualified bottled-water manufacturers, authorized distributors, and suppliers for the furnishing and delivery of bottled drinking water to the U.S. Embassy compound in Awkar.

The Embassy intends to establish a Blanket Purchase Agreement, hereafter referred to as the

“BPA,” with a responsible supplier capable of providing safe, properly licensed, high-quality bottled drinking water throughout the entire period of the BPA.

The anticipated BPA will consist of:

• One Base Period of twelve months;

• One first Option Period of twelve months; and

• One second Option Period of twelve months.

The Embassy intends to establish one BPA. However, the U.S. Government reserves the right to establish more than one BPA if doing so is determined to be in the Government’s best interest.

SECTION 2 — BPA PERIODS

The anticipated periods are as follows:

Period Anticipated Period of Performance

Base Period September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027

Option Period One September 1, 2027, through August 31, 2028

Option Period Two September 1, 2028, through August 31, 2029

The Government may exercise each option period by providing written notice to the BPA holder.

The Government is not obligated to exercise either option period.

SECTION 3 — NATURE OF THE

BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

The BPA will establish agreed prices, ordering procedures, delivery requirements, product specifications, and other terms under which the Embassy may place individual orders for bottled water.

The establishment of a BPA does not obligate funds and does not guarantee that the Embassy will purchase any minimum quantity or dollar amount. Funds will be obligated only when an authorized Government representative places an individual order under the BPA.

The quantities stated in this RFQ are estimated annual quantities provided for quotation evaluation and acquisition planning purposes. Actual quantities may be higher or lower depending on the Embassy’s operational requirements.

Only individuals specifically identified in the resulting BPA may place orders against the

BPA.

SECTION 4 — ESTIMATED ANNUAL

REQUIREMENTS

The Embassy’s estimated annual consumption is as follows:

Line

Item Product description

Estimated annual quantity Unit

001 Bottled drinking water, 0.5-liter bottle 98748

Bottle

002 Bottled drinking water, 1.5-liter bottle 34446

Bottle

Bottled drinking water, returnable 20-liter container

Filled container/refill

For Line Items 001 and 002, the supplier shall identify:

• The number of bottles contained in each carton, case, or package;

• The price per individual bottle;

• The price per carton, case, or package; and

• The total evaluated price based on the estimated annual number of bottles.

For Line Item 003, the supplier shall identify:

• The exact filled volume of each returnable container;

• The price for each filled container or refill;

• The refundable deposit, if any, for each container;

• The replacement charge for lost or damaged containers;

• The procedure for collecting empty containers; and

• Any minimum quantity applicable to an individual delivery.

Bottle deposits will not be included in the evaluated price unless the deposit is nonrefundable.

SECTION 5 — PRICE SCHEDULE

The supplier shall provide firm fixed prices for the Base Period and both Option Periods. All prices must be submitted at the time of quotation.

Prices shall remain fixed throughout each respective period and shall not be subject to adjustment because of inflation, changes in labor costs, fuel costs, transportation costs, packaging costs, raw-material costs, foreign-exchange movements, market conditions, or other supplier expenses.

5.1 Base Period

Line

Item Description

Estimated annual quantity

Bottles per case

Unit price per bottle or refill

Price per case, if applicable

Evaluated annual total

0.5-liter bottled water 98748 bottles

1.5-liter bottled water 34446 bottles

Returnable 20-liter water container/refill

6303 refills N/A N/A

Total Base Period

Evaluated Price

5.2 Option Period One

Line

Item Description

Estimated annual quantity

Bottles per case

Unit price per bottle or refill

Price per case, if applicable

Evaluated annual total

0.5-liter bottled water 98748 bottles

1.5-liter bottled water 34446 bottles

Returnable 20-liter water

6303 refills N/A N/A

Total Option

Period One

5.3 Option Period Two

Line

Item Description

Estimated annual quantity

Bottles per case

Unit price per bottle or refill

Price per case, if applicable

Evaluated annual total

0.5-liter bottled water 98748 bottles

1.5-liter bottled water 34446 bottles

Returnable 20-liter water

6303 refills N/A N/A

Total Option

Period Two

5.4 Total Evaluated Price

Period Evaluated price

Base Period

Option Period One

Option Period Two

Total Evaluated Price—Base and All Options

All prices shall include:

• Bottled water;

• Bottles, caps, seals, labels, cartons, and other packaging;

• Loading and unloading;

• Transportation to the U.S. Embassy compound in Awkar;

• Fuel and delivery costs;

• Collection of empty returnable containers;

• Administrative expenses;

• Insurance;

• Security-access compliance costs;

• All other costs necessary to complete delivery; and

• Any other supplier expenses, except refundable bottle deposits separately identified in the quotation.

No separate delivery, transportation, fuel, handling, loading, unloading, or administrative charge will be accepted unless expressly authorized in the BPA.

Prices shall be quoted in United States dollars.

The Embassy is exempt from Lebanese value-added tax to the extent applicable. Quoted prices shall be exclusive of VAT. The supplier shall separately identify any tax that it believes is legally applicable.

SECTION 6 — PRODUCT

6.1 General Requirements

All water supplied under the BPA shall:

1. Be safe and suitable for human consumption.

2. Be bottled by a facility currently authorized by the relevant Lebanese governmental authorities.

3. Comply with all applicable Lebanese laws, regulations, standards, health requirements, and food-safety requirements.

4. Comply with the applicable Lebanese standard for bottled drinking water.

5. Be produced, treated, bottled, stored, transported, and delivered under sanitary conditions.

6. Be free from contamination, objectionable odor, objectionable taste, visible particles, sediment, discoloration, and foreign matter.

7. Be delivered in clean, food-grade containers that have not been improperly reused.

8. Have tamper-evident and intact seals at the time of delivery.

9. Have permanently affixed and legible product labels.

10. Be traceable by production date, bottling date, lot number, or batch number.

11. Be transported in enclosed or adequately protected vehicles.

12. Be protected from direct sunlight, excessive heat, rain, dust, fuel, chemicals, pests, waste, and other possible sources of contamination.

13. Be obtained from the approved source and bottling facility identified in the supplier’s quotation.

14. Be the same brand and product approved by the Embassy at the time the BPA is established.

The supplier may not substitute a different brand, bottling facility, water source, bottle size, container type, or product without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

6.2 Bottle and Container Requirements

The 0.5-liter and 1.5-liter bottles shall:

• Be new, sealed, food-grade bottles;

• Bear the manufacturer’s original label;

• Show the bottle volume;

• Show the brand name;

• Show the producer or bottler’s name and address;

• Show the source or type of water, as applicable;

• Show the production or bottling date;

• Show the expiration or best-before date;

• Show the batch or lot number;

• Show storage instructions; and

• Comply with applicable requirements governing food-contact packaging.

The returnable 20-liter containers shall:

• Be made of food-grade material;

• Be designed for repeated use;

• Be cleaned, sanitized, inspected, filled, and sealed at the approved bottling facility;

• Be free from cracks, excessive scratches, discoloration, residue, odor, algae, deformation, and visible contamination;

• Have an intact tamper-evident cap or seal;

• Bear a label or marking that identifies the brand, bottler, batch, and filling date;

• Be suitable for use with the Embassy’s water dispensers; and

• Be exchanged for empty containers at the time of delivery, unless otherwise directed.

The supplier shall state the exact nominal volume of its returnable container. A product materially smaller than the required 20-liter size may be rejected unless the Embassy specifically approves the stated volume during the quotation evaluation.

6.3 Remaining Shelf Life

At the time of delivery, each disposable bottle shall have:

• At least 90 percent of its manufacturer-established shelf life remaining; and

• In no event less than six months remaining before the printed expiration or best-before date.

The supplier shall not deliver expired products or products approaching expiration in a manner inconsistent with this requirement.

6.4 Packaging

Cases shall be securely packaged and suitable for normal handling, stacking, transportation, and storage.

Cases and shrink-wrapped packages shall not be:

• Torn;

• Open;

• Wet;

• Crushed;

• Contaminated;

• Excessively dusty;

• Damaged by heat or sunlight; or

• Otherwise unsuitable for storage or distribution.

SECTION 7 — REQUIRED LICENSES,

CERTIFICATIONS, AND QUALITY

DOCUMENTATION

7.1 Mandatory Documents

The supplier shall submit the following with its quotation:

1. Lebanese Ministry of Public Health authorization

A copy of the current license, authorization, approval, or other official documentation issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health permitting the offered brand and bottling facility to produce and sell bottled drinking water.

2. Other governmental licenses

Copies of all current licenses, registrations, authorizations, and permits required by

Lebanese law for:

o Operation of the bottling facility;

o Production and bottling of drinking water;

o Distribution and sale of bottled water;

o Operation of the water source, when applicable; and o Transportation of food products, when applicable.

3. Current laboratory test reports

Recent laboratory reports for the offered water showing microbiological, chemical, and physical testing.

The reports shall:

o Identify the offered brand;

o Identify the source or bottling facility;

o Identify the sample date;

o Identify the laboratory;

o Show the test methods and results;

o Show the applicable acceptable limits; and o Be signed or authenticated by the testing laboratory.

Laboratory reports should have been issued within the preceding six months. The

Embassy may request newer test results before BPA establishment or at any time during BPA performance.

4. Authority to sell the offered product

When the offeror is not the manufacturer or bottler, the offeror shall provide a current letter from the manufacturer, bottler, or authorized national distributor confirming that the offeror is authorized to distribute and sell the offered product.

5. Product technical information

Technical documentation or product data showing:

o Product brand;

o Water classification or type;

o Water source;

o Bottling location;

o Bottle sizes;

o Container materials;

o Chemical composition or mineral analysis;

o Shelf life;

o Storage conditions; and o Traceability information.

Failure to provide the mandatory documentation may result in the quotation being considered technically unacceptable.

7.2 Certifications to Be Submitted When Held

The offeror shall identify and submit copies of all quality, safety, environmental, laboratory, and management-system certifications held by the manufacturer, bottling facility, offered product, or offeror.

Relevant certifications may include, but are not limited to:

• ISO 22000—Food Safety Management Systems;

• ISO 9001—Quality Management Systems;

• ISO 14001—Environmental Management Systems;

• ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for laboratories performing product testing;

• FSSC 22000 certification;

• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification;

• Good Manufacturing Practices certification;

• NSF bottled-water or packaged-beverage certification;

• LIBNOR conformity certification or mark;

• International Bottled Water Association certification or membership;

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration-related certification or compliance evidence, when applicable;

• Codex Alimentarius conformity;

• Occupational health and safety certification;

• Food-defense or supply-chain security certification; and

• Any other recognized national or international certification relevant to bottled-water production.

For each certification, the supplier shall provide:

• The name of the certified company or facility;

• The certification number;

• The issuing certification body;

• The scope of certification;

• The original issue date;

• The current expiration date; and

• A copy of the current certificate.

The Embassy may independently verify certificates with the issuing body.

Expired, suspended, withdrawn, unverifiable, or out-of-scope certifications will not be considered valid.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in this RFQ, certifications listed in this subsection are requested as evidence of the supplier’s quality-control system. The absence of a particular voluntary certification, such as NSF certification, will not by itself render a quotation technically unacceptable, provided that all mandatory licensing, safety, testing, and technical requirements are met.

7.3 Quality-Control Plan

The supplier shall submit a brief description of its quality-control system addressing:

• Control and protection of the water source;

• Water treatment processes;

• Bottle and container cleaning;

• Sanitization procedures;

• Filling and sealing procedures;

• Microbiological testing frequency;

• Chemical testing frequency;

• Product-release procedures;

• Batch and lot traceability;

• Product storage;

• Delivery-vehicle sanitation;

• Handling of customer complaints;

• Nonconforming-product controls;

• Product-recall procedures; and

• Corrective-action procedures.

SECTION 8 — SAMPLES AND

FACILITY INFORMATION

The Embassy may require the offeror to provide, at no cost to the Government:

• Samples of each offered bottle size;

• A sample returnable 20-liter container;

• Product labels;

• Packaging samples;

• Additional laboratory reports;

• Water-quality analyses;

• Copies of original certificates; or

• Other information necessary to evaluate the offered product.

The Embassy may also request a visit to the bottling facility, warehouse, or distribution location before establishing the BPA or during its performance.

Any inspection or facility visit by the Embassy does not relieve the supplier of responsibility for compliance with the BPA requirements.

The supplier shall provide the address of the facility/warehouse from which water deliveries to the Embassy will originate.

SECTION 9 — ORDERING

PROCEDURES

Orders will be placed on an as-needed basis by authorized Embassy personnel.

Orders may be placed by:

• Email;

• Written purchase order;

• BPA call;

• Embassy procurement system;

• Telephone followed by written confirmation; or

• Another method identified in the resulting BPA.

Each order will normally identify:

• Product and bottle size;

• Quantity;

• Requested delivery date;

• Delivery location within the Embassy compound;

• Name and contact information of the requesting official; and

• Applicable order or call number.

The supplier shall acknowledge receipt of each order and confirm the delivery date.

The supplier shall identify in its quotation:

• Its normal order-processing hours;

• Its order-contact telephone number;

• Its order-contact email address;

• The name and title of its ordering representative;

• Its standard delivery lead time;

• Its emergency-order capability; and

• Any minimum order quantity.

SECTION 10 — DELIVERY

10.1 Delivery Location

All products shall be delivered to:

United States Embassy Compound

Awkar, Lebanon

The exact access point, receiving location, delivery date, and delivery time will be communicated with each order.

10.2 Delivery Schedule

The supplier shall deliver orders within two business days after receipt of an order, unless another delivery schedule is specified in the individual order.

The supplier shall state whether it can provide:

• Same-day emergency delivery;

• Delivery on weekends or Lebanese public holidays;

• Delivery during periods of fuel shortages or transportation disruption; and

• Backup delivery capability if its normal vehicle is unavailable.

Delivery shall be made only during the hours authorized by the Embassy.

No after-hours, weekend, or holiday delivery may be made without prior Embassy authorization.

10.3 Delivery Costs

All normal delivery costs shall be included in the quoted unit prices.

The supplier shall not impose:

• Minimum-order surcharges;

• Fuel surcharges;

• Transportation charges;

• Waiting-time charges;

• Loading or unloading charges;

• Security-processing charges;

• Administrative fees; or

• Other supplemental charges, unless the charge was expressly disclosed in the quotation and specifically accepted in writing by the Contracting Officer.

10.4 Delivery Personnel and Vehicles

The supplier shall provide sufficient personnel to unload and place the products at the receiving location designated by the Embassy.

The supplier shall ensure that:

• Delivery personnel are properly trained;

• Delivery personnel wear clean and appropriate work clothing;

• Delivery personnel carry valid government-issued identification;

• Delivery vehicles are registered, insured, clean, enclosed or adequately covered, and suitable for transporting bottled drinking water;

• Water is not transported with fuel, chemicals, garbage, pesticides, cleaning products, or other materials that could contaminate the product; and

• Delivery personnel conduct themselves professionally while on Embassy property.

The Embassy is not responsible for unloading the delivery vehicle unless otherwise agreed in writing.

10.5 Delivery Documentation

Each delivery shall be accompanied by a delivery ticket showing:

• BPA number;

• Order or call number;

• Delivery date;

• Supplier name;

• Product brand;

• Product size;

• Number of cases;

• Number of bottles per case;

• Total number of bottles;

• Number of 20-liter containers delivered;

• Number of empty containers collected;

• Batch or lot numbers;

• Production or bottling dates;

• Expiration or best-before dates; and

• Name and signature of the supplier’s delivery representative.

The Embassy receiving representative will inspect the delivery before signing the delivery ticket.

A signed delivery ticket confirms physical receipt only. It does not constitute final acceptance of concealed defects, quality problems, contamination, shortages discovered later, or products otherwise not conforming to the BPA.

SECTION 11 — EMBASSY SECURITY

AND ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

The supplier and all of its employees, representatives, subcontractors, drivers, helpers, and vehicles shall comply with all U.S. Embassy security procedures and compound-access requirements.

The supplier shall understand that access to the Embassy compound is a privilege and is subject to security approval.

The supplier shall:

1. Submit personnel and vehicle information within the time established by Embassy security personnel.

2. Provide accurate names, identification information, vehicle registration information, and other required access information.

3. Ensure that delivery personnel bring the same valid identification documents previously submitted for access processing.

4. Use only vehicles and personnel approved or accepted for the scheduled delivery.

5. Arrive only at the approved date and time.

6. Follow all instructions issued by Embassy guards and security personnel.

7. Permit inspection and screening of personnel, vehicles, cargo, packages, containers, tools, and equipment.

8. Refrain from photography, video recording, audio recording, mapping, or collecting information concerning the Embassy compound.

9. Refrain from bringing prohibited items onto Embassy property.

10. Restrict movement to the areas authorized by Embassy personnel.

11. Remain under escort when required.

12. Immediately depart the compound when directed.

13. Protect all information learned during delivery from unauthorized disclosure.

The Embassy may deny or revoke access for any person or vehicle at any time.

Security approval of an individual or vehicle does not create an employment relationship with the U.S. Government and does not guarantee future access.

The supplier shall maintain sufficient qualified alternate drivers, delivery personnel, and vehicles to ensure continuous performance if a particular individual or vehicle is denied access.

Failure by the supplier to submit access information on time, use approved personnel and vehicles, or comply with security instructions will not excuse late or failed delivery.

The supplier shall not disclose security procedures, access arrangements, compound information, delivery patterns, employee information, or other sensitive information to unauthorized persons.

SECTION 12 — INSPECTION,

ACCEPTANCE, AND REJECTION

The Embassy may inspect products at the time of delivery and at any time before consumption.

The Embassy may reject any product that:

• Is not the approved brand or product;

• Comes from an unapproved bottling facility or source;

• Has a broken or missing seal;

• Has a damaged, dirty, leaking, deformed, or discolored bottle;

• Has an illegible, altered, or missing label;

• Is expired or has insufficient remaining shelf life;

• Shows signs of heat exposure or improper storage;

• Contains visible particles, sediment, foreign material, or discoloration;

• Has an unusual taste or odor;

• Has damaged or contaminated packaging;

• Does not correspond to the delivery documentation;

• Fails laboratory testing;

• Is subject to a public-health warning or recall;

• Does not comply with applicable legal requirements; or

• Otherwise fails to conform to the BPA.

Rejected products shall be removed and replaced by the supplier at no additional cost to the

Embassy within two business day or within another period directed by the Contracting

Officer.

The supplier shall be responsible for all costs associated with rejected products, including:

• Removal;

• Replacement;

• Transportation;

• Testing;

• Disposal;

• Recall activity; and

• Corrective action.

Repeated delivery of defective or nonconforming products may result in suspension of orders, cancellation of the BPA, referral to competent authorities, or other action available to the Government.

SECTION 13 — CONTINUING QUALITY

ASSURANCE

Throughout the BPA period, the supplier shall maintain all required licenses, permits, authorizations, and certifications.

The supplier shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer in writing of:

• Any expired, suspended, revoked, or withdrawn license or certification;

• Any failed laboratory test;

• Any inspection finding by a governmental authority;

• Any warning, notice, fine, closure, or enforcement action;

• Any contamination event;

• Any product recall;

• Any material change in the water source;

• Any material change in the bottling process;

• Any change in ownership or management of the bottling facility;

• Any interruption of production;

• Any change in the offered product;

• Any public-health complaint involving the product; or

• Any circumstance that could affect product safety, quality, or availability.

Notification shall be made immediately and no later than 24 hours after the supplier becomes aware of the matter.

The Embassy may require periodic laboratory testing during the BPA period. The supplier shall provide requested test results at no additional cost.

The Embassy reserves the right to independently test delivered water. If testing establishes that the water is contaminated or nonconforming, the supplier may be required to reimburse the Government for reasonable testing costs in addition to replacing the affected products.

SECTION 14 — PRODUCT RECALLS

The supplier shall maintain a written product-recall procedure.

The recall procedure shall provide for:

• Immediate identification of affected batches;

• Prompt notification to customers;

• Removal of affected products;

• Replacement of affected products;

• Investigation of the cause;

• Corrective action;

• Coordination with governmental health authorities; and

• Documentation of all recall actions.

The supplier shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer of any recall, contamination concern, governmental warning, or other product-safety matter involving the offered brand, source, bottling facility, packaging, or production line.

The supplier shall retrieve and replace affected products at no cost to the Government.

SECTION 15 — BUSINESS

CONTINUITY

The supplier shall maintain sufficient production capacity, inventory, personnel, vehicles, and distribution arrangements to support the Embassy’s requirements.

The supplier shall describe its contingency arrangements for:

• Equipment breakdown;

• Temporary plant closure;

• Fuel shortages;

• Road closures;

• Labor disruptions;

• Power outages;

• Water-source interruption;

• Packaging shortages;

• Vehicle breakdown;

• Public-health incidents; and

• Other circumstances that could interrupt delivery.

The supplier shall not provide water from an alternate source, brand, or bottling facility without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

SECTION 16 — INVOICING AND

PAYMENT

The supplier shall invoice only for products ordered, delivered, inspected, and accepted.

Unless otherwise instructed, invoices shall be submitted with each individual order.

Each invoice shall include:

• Supplier’s legal name and address;

• BPA number;

• Order or call number;

• Invoice number and date;

• Delivery date;

• Product description;

• Quantity delivered;

• Unit price;

• Extended price;

• Number of returnable containers delivered;

• Number of empty containers collected;

• Bottle deposits, separately stated when applicable;

• Total amount due;

• Bank information, when required; and

• Copy of the signed delivery ticket.

Invoices containing unsupported charges, VAT, unauthorized fees, incorrect quantities, or incorrect prices may be returned without payment.

Payment will be made in accordance with the terms of the resulting BPA and applicable U.S.

Government payment procedures.

SECTION 17 — QUOTATION

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The quotation shall be submitted in English and signed by an individual authorized to bind the offeror.

The quotation shall contain the following sections:

Volume I — Technical Quotation

1. Completed supplier information form;

2. Description of the offered products;

3. Product technical data sheets;

4. Photographs or copies of product labels;

5. Lebanese Ministry of Public Health license or authorization;

6. Other governmental licenses and permits;

7. Recent laboratory test reports;

8. ISO, HACCP, NSF, FSSC, LIBNOR, and other certificates held;

9. Quality-control plan;

10. Product-recall procedure;

11. Delivery and distribution plan;

12. Security-access compliance confirmation;

13. Business-continuity plan;

14. Evidence of authorized distributorship, when applicable;

15. List of similar institutional customers;

16. Past-performance references; and

17. Any exceptions or qualifications to the RFQ requirements.

The technical quotation shall not contain price information.

Volume II — Price Quotation

1. Completed Base Period price schedule;

2. Completed Option Period One price schedule;

3. Completed Option Period Two price schedule;

4. Bottle and container deposit schedule;

5. Replacement charge for lost or damaged returnable containers;

6. Any minimum-order quantity;

7. Confirmation that delivery and all related costs are included;

8. Confirmation that prices exclude VAT;

9. Total evaluated price; and

10. Quotation validity period.

The quotation shall remain valid for at least 60 calendar days after the quotation due date.

SECTION 18 — SUPPLIER

INFORMATION FORM

The offeror shall provide the following information:

Information required Offeror response

Legal company name

Trade name

Registered address

Telephone number

Email address

Website

Name and title of authorized representative

Name of order contact

Order email address

Emergency contact number

Company registration number

VAT registration number

SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier, if applicable

Manufacturer, distributor, or reseller

Offered brand

Water source

Bottling facility and address

Ministry of Public Health license number

License expiration date

Normal delivery lead time

Emergency delivery capability

Minimum order quantity

Number of delivery vehicles available

Quotation validity

SECTION 19 — PAST PERFORMANCE

The offeror shall provide at least three recent references for similar bottled-water supply and delivery arrangements performed during the past three years.

Preference should be given to references involving:

• Embassies;

• International organizations;

• Government institutions;

• Hospitals;

• Universities;

• Hotels;

• Large offices;

• Industrial facilities; or

• Other customers with recurring and security-controlled deliveries.

For each reference, provide:

Required information Reference response

Customer name

Contract or arrangement description

Products and approximate quantities

Performance period

Customer contact name and title

Telephone number

Email address

The Embassy may contact the references and may consider other available information concerning the offeror’s performance history.

SECTION 20 — EVALUATION OF

QUOTATIONS

The Embassy intends to establish a BPA with the responsible offeror whose quotation is technically acceptable and represents the best value to the U.S. Government.

Quotations will be evaluated using the following factors:

Factor 1 — Technical Acceptability

The offered products must comply with the specifications, bottle sizes, packaging requirements, labeling requirements, shelf-life requirements, and quality requirements of this

RFQ.

Factor 2 — Licensing and Product Safety

The offeror must provide acceptable evidence of current Lebanese Ministry of Public Health authorization, legally required licenses, and satisfactory laboratory testing.

Factor 3 — Quality-Control Capability

The Embassy will evaluate the supplier’s quality-control procedures, sanitation controls, traceability, recall capability, certifications, and continuing product-safety controls.

Factor 4 — Delivery Capability

The Embassy will evaluate the supplier’s ability to provide continuous, timely delivery to the

Embassy compound in Awkar, including delivery vehicles, staffing, backup arrangements, and emergency-delivery capability.

Factor 5 — Past Performance

The Embassy will evaluate the relevance and quality of the offeror’s recent performance for similar customers.

Factor 6 — Price

Price will be evaluated based on the total price for:

• The Base Period;

• Option Period One;

• Option Period Two; and

• The combined Base and Option Periods.

The Embassy may consider unbalanced pricing, hidden charges, unreasonable bottle deposits, minimum-order requirements, and other price-related risks.

The Government may reject a quotation if its prices are materially unbalanced or if the quotation does not provide firm prices for all three periods.

The Embassy intends to use a lowest-priced technically acceptable methodology unless otherwise stated before the quotation due date. Technical acceptability, responsibility, required licensing, and satisfactory past performance are prerequisites to establishment of the

BPA.

The Embassy is not required to establish a BPA based solely on the lowest quoted price.

SECTION 21 — CLARIFICATIONS AND

DISCUSSIONS

The Embassy may:

• Request clarification of a quotation;

• Request missing or updated documents;

• Verify licenses and certifications;

• Contact governmental authorities;

• Contact testing laboratories;

• Contact past-performance references;

• Request product samples;

• Conduct a facility visit;

• Negotiate price or other terms;

• Establish a BPA without discussions; or

• Cancel the RFQ without establishing a BPA.

Offerors are therefore encouraged to submit their best technical and price quotations initially.

SECTION 22 — GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

The U.S. Government reserves the right to:

1. Accept or reject any quotation, in whole or in part.

2. Waive minor informalities.

3. Request additional information.

4. Verify any information submitted.

5. Reject products or documentation that cannot be verified.

6. Establish one or more BPAs.

7. Establish no BPA.

8. Reduce or increase estimated quantities.

9. Exercise or decline to exercise option periods.

10. Suspend orders when product quality or safety is questioned.

11. Cancel the solicitation at any time.

12. Discontinue a BPA in accordance with its terms.

The Government will not reimburse offerors for any expense incurred in preparing or submitting a quotation, providing samples, attending meetings, participating in inspections, or responding to clarification requests.

SECTION 23 — REPRESENTATIONS

AND CERTIFICATIONS

By submitting a quotation, the offeror represents that:

1. The information in its quotation is true, complete, and accurate.

2. It is legally authorized to conduct business in Lebanon.

3. It is authorized to manufacture, distribute, or sell the offered product.

4. The offered product is legally authorized for sale and human consumption in

Lebanon.

5. All submitted licenses and certificates are current and valid.

6. It has disclosed any suspension, closure, recall, failed test, or regulatory action involving the offered product or bottling facility during the previous three years.

7. It has sufficient resources to perform the BPA requirements.

8. Its quoted prices include all performance costs except separately identified refundable deposits.

9. Its prices will remain fixed during each applicable BPA period.

10. It will comply with Embassy security and access procedures.

11. It will immediately report any product-safety issue or regulatory action.

12. It will not substitute products without written Contracting Officer approval.

13. It understands that estimated quantities are not guaranteed.

14. It understands that establishment of a BPA does not obligate Government funds.

SECTION 24 — QUESTIONS

REGARDING THE RFQ

Questions concerning this RFQ shall be submitted in writing to:

Email: procurementbeirut@state.gov

Subject line: Questions—RFQ # 19LE2026Q0003 Bottled Drinking Water BPA

Questions must be received later than:

August 11, 2026, at 16:30 Beirut Local Time

The Embassy may distribute its responses to all prospective offerors without identifying the company that submitted the question.

Offerors shall not contact other Embassy employees regarding this RFQ unless authorized by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION 25 — QUOTATION

SUBMISSION

Quotations shall be submitted electronically to:

Email: procurementbeirut@state.gov

The email subject line shall state:

Quotation—RFQ 19LE2026Q0003 Bottled Drinking Water BPA

Quotations must be received no later than:

August 18, 2026, at 16:30 Beirut Local Time

Late quotations may not be considered.

The technical quotation and price quotation should be submitted as separate electronic files clearly marked:

• Volume I—Technical Quotation

• Volume II—Price Quotation

ATTACHMENTS

The following attachments should be included with the final RFQ:

1. Attachment 1—Price Schedule;

2. Attachment 2—Supplier Information Form;

3. Attachment 3—Technical Compliance Checklist;

4. Attachment 4—Past-Performance Questionnaire;

5. Attachment 5—Applicable FAR and DOSAR Provisions and Clauses;

6. Attachment 6—Embassy Security and Access Requirements, if separately issued;

7. Attachment 7—Invoice Instructions; and

8. Attachment 8—Sample Blanket Purchase Agreement.

mailto:procurementbeirut@state.gov

Solicitation provisions

1. 52.204-7 — System for Award Management, if required

2. 52.204-16 — Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting, if required

3. 52.204-24 — Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment

4. 52.204-29 — Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Representation and Disclosures

5. 52.212-1 — Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial

Services

6. 52.212-2 — Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, or the

Embassy’s equivalent evaluation provision

7. 52.212-3 — Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and

Commercial Services

8. 52.217-5 — Evaluation of Options, if not already addressed through 52.212-2

9. 52.229-11 — Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements—Notice and Representation, when prescribed

10. 52.252-1 — Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE

CHECKLIST

The offeror shall complete the following checklist and identify the location in its quotation where supporting documentation can be found.

Requirement Complies—

Yes/No

Quotation page/reference

Current Ministry of Public Health authorization submitted

Other legally required licenses submitted

Recent microbiological test report submitted

Recent chemical and physical test report submitted

Offered brand and source identified

Bottling facility identified

0.5-liter bottle offered

1.5-liter bottle offered

Returnable 20-liter container offered

Tamper-evident seals provided

Batch or lot traceability provided

Shelf-life requirement accepted

Delivery to Awkar included in price

Fixed Base Period prices provided

Fixed Option Period One prices provided

Fixed Option Period Two prices provided

Empty-container collection included

Security requirements accepted

Quality-control plan submitted

Recall procedure submitted

Business-continuity plan submitted

Past-performance references submitted

ISO certifications submitted, if held

HACCP certification submitted, if held

NSF certification submitted, if held

FSSC 22000 certification submitted, if held

LIBNOR conformity evidence submitted, if held

All other relevant certifications disclosed

No exceptions to RFQ requirements, or exceptions clearly identified

OFFEROR SIGNATURE

The undersigned certifies that the offeror has reviewed the entire RFQ and agrees to provide the products and services in accordance with the quotation and all resulting BPA requirements.

Legal name of offeror: ______________________________________

Name of authorized representative: ___________________________

Title: ______________________________________________________

Signature: __________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________