PS_QA_v.2.docx

(1) Question: Freight handling - is this a physical charge to handle in our depot or does it require a need to incorporate the transportation cost to our depot?

Answer. Freight handling is defined as any line items incorporated in the pricing structure Amendment A004, and as set forth in the freight and handling Attachment 1, paragraph 6 of the solicitation. Prospective offerors firm fixed prices must be in compliance with the aforementioned line items incorporated in Amendment A003 and solicitation Attachment 1, paragraph 6.

Per Section 1, paragraph 3 “Pricing” of the solicitation, “Freight handling shall contain all import and export costs to include but not limited to loading and unloading of the freight at the port or airport, agency fees, all tolls, etc. There shall not be separate reimbursement for any import or export related costs incurred in performance of this contract if the services are not included in the firm fixed line items above.”

(2) Question: Post/Port city - please clarify what the estimated quantity is referring to (containers or actual lift vans). Does the requested pricing require a full destination service rate?

Answer. Post/Port definition please refer to Question 3.

In addition, ‘containers’ rather than separate lift vans are identified in Section 1 the pricing Schedule and are identified as “container” in the pricing schedule.

Destination services and costs shall be included in the firm fixed prices for the “unpacking” contract line items.

Per Section 1, paragraph 3 “Pricing” of the solicitation, “Freight handling shall contain all import and export costs to include but not limited to loading and unloading of the freight at the port or airport, agency fees, all tolls, etc. There shall not be separate reimbursement for any import or export related costs incurred in performance of this contract if the services are not included in the firm fixed line items above.”

(3) Question: What is the difference between Post/Port City?

Answer.

Port City: A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships, a city or town on a waterway with such facilities.

Post: An assigned position or station, typically US Embassy or Consulate

(4) Question: General cargo - please define the meaning pertaining to general cargo. Is there a requirement for freight to be palletised for transportation?

Answer. Please refer DEFINITIONS in Attachment 1 of the solicitation.

"Cargo" means any items consigned to the Contractor under this contract for inbound or outbound shipment, whether consisting of household effects or U.S. Government-owned materials.

It is anticipated the majority of items will be palletized prior to shipment, but on occasion and without any increase in the price of the task order, the contractor shall as required by the COR to palletize loose effects as defined in Attachment 1, Paragraph 17 of the solicitation.

(5) Question: Post/Local Airports - please clarify if the post/local airport is the airport in each capital city?

Answer. Yes, this is the cost to move shipments to or pick up from the airport in each Capital City

(6) Questions: Vehicles - there are several items requiring specification and clarity within this requirement of tender for us to get a full understanding :

(a) Question: Vehicles without boxing - what is this referencing, please advise exact requirements?

Please clarify what the bolting of a vehicle to box platform entails.

Answer. Vehicles would generally be blocked/braced directly to the container floor.

(b) Question: We also require clarity surrounding the requirement of “enclosure of wooden box that will withstand transhipment.”

Answer. Vehicles (cars) generally would not need a wooden box. Per the updated pricing table in Amendment 004, since we do not anticipate any vehicles with boxing this line item has been removed.

(7) Question: Point 17 - Removal of Debris and Return of Container - is the actual requirement to dehire container to wharf?

Answer. Yes, per the solicitation, the requirement is to return the container as per Section 1, Paragraph 17 of the solicitation.

(8) Question: Why is the pricing table done per kilo (vs. volume or pounds)?

Answer. Section 1.The pricing structure is divided into different volumes for the shipment of different goods, Per Kilo, Per cubic meter (volume) Per container etc. Between 1970 and 1988, imperial units were withdrawn from general legal use in Australia and replaced with metric units.

(9) Question: What about the freight costs? For example, transport from Australia to XYZ location? How does this fit into the pricing structure?

Answer. Air and sea transportation is not a priced line item but rather handled either through Government Bill of Ladings, transportation tenders, etc. as stated in Section 1, Paragraph 6 and Attachment 1, Paragraph 16 of the solicitation.

(10) Question: What is “unpacking?” Does it include import charges, customs clearance, to unpacking (at final delivery point), or only unpacking at final delivery point? Is unpacking at final delivery point an expectation?

Answer. Please also refer to Question 11 concerning “Unpacking,” which includes only unpacking at final delivery point.

Per Section 1, paragraph 3 “Pricing” of the solicitation, “Freight handling shall contain all import and export costs to include but not limited to loading and unloading of the freight at the port or airport, agency fees, all tolls, etc. There shall not be separate reimbursement for any import or export related costs incurred in performance of this contract if the services are not included in the firm fixed line items above.”

(11) Question: Unpacking of UAB - does this rate include the transportation to residence inclusive or is it a basic rate to specifically only unpack said cartons at residence? The unpacking definition/requirement indicates unpacking to shipper’s direction - is this to incorporate placing items away into specified cupboards or just to unpack to a clear flat surface? Does the unpacking service also facilitate a need to unpack personal clothing?

Answer. Attachment 1, Section 17 refers to REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DELIVERY AND UNPACKING OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS and defines the contractor’s requirement for the unpacking of HHE and UAB.

(12) Question: Whether GST is chargeable or not relates to a set of rules defined by the ATO which can be quite grey. From Amendment 2, you have now removed the applicability of GST from Packing and Unpacking services. However, GST would be applicable if the move were a domestic move within Australia. Likewise, Storage on International shipments is only GST exempt for a period of 90 days.

Answer. Pricing structure has been updated. Please refer to the pricing structure as set forth in Amendment A004.

(13) Question: A section has been added under Freight Handling for Transportation Within: Can you clarify:

a) Transportation within: is the removal cost for a domestic local removal within the same city?

Answer. Yes, this pertains to government-owned furniture moves only (personal effects fall under packing/unpacking domestic moves).

b) Transportation between: is the removal cost for a domestic interstate removal within Australia?

Answer. Yes, this pertains to government-owned furniture moves only (personal effects fall under packing/unpacking domestic moves).

c) Post/Port City is the cost of moving an international shipment to from the post city to the port of entry/exit ?

Answer. Yes, either from port to Canberra (post city, no port); or from port to within Sydney/Melbourne/Perth (port city). Please refer to definitions of Post and Port City in Question 5.

d) Vehicles is the cost of loading/unloading a vehicle at the port of entry/exit?

Answer. No, at the vendor’s facility nearest the port of entry/exit.