Pre-Proposal_QA.docx

Q&A 1 American Embassy, Dhaka Shipping and Packing Contract Solicitation SBG30015R0002

1. “The contractor shall not subcontract out any services under this contract”, for your information as a 100% multinational company the Government does not permit us to have our own customs license. We will have a contract with local C&F agent who will do all customs formalities on behalf of us.

Please advise whether we can participate in the bid or no.

Answer: We have changed the solicitation through Amendment A002. We have taken out the provision in Section C.7-4 and added Federal Acquisition Regulation Clause 52.244-6 in Section I.1 as incorporated by reference. Subcontracting is allowed. However, the prospective offerors should take into account that all the requirements under this solicitation (i.e. licenses, insurance, fire suppression system for warehouses, etc.) will apply to the subcontractor. As outlined in the solicitation, the Government will inspect physically all the sub-contract furnishing any other facilities required to perform the contract and will be subject to technical evaluation.

For full text of the said clause, please follow the guidance given at the beginning of Section I.1 of the solicitation.

2. Is there any obligation if some work will be completed by 3rd party by contractors liabilities?

Answer: You may lease or rent some of the furnishing and facilities. And for sub-contract please see the answer under Question No. 1.

3. Is it mandatory that contractor will be the owner of handling and carrying equipment and vehicles? If these equipment/Vehicles will collect in rental basis than is it acceptable for you?

Answer: You may have formal lease agreement with a third party for equipment and vehicles. For sub-contract please see the answer under Question No. 1.

4. If contractor will take co-operation from any C&F Firm then is it acceptable for you?

Answer: Yes, you may have an agreement, sub-contract for C&F. Please see the answer under Question No. 1 for details.

5. What will be the pricing procedure in case of packing service?

a) Only Labor charges?

b) Comprehensive charge including labor & packing / wrapping materials price?

Answer: Comprehensive charge including labor & packing/wrapping/crating material price.

6. In case of Export service “transportation cost” means it is from Dhaka to Chittagong Port/Dhaka Airport/any other ports within Bangladesh geographical area or to its final destination like, New York, Tokyo and Dubai etc.?

Answer: For export service: Packing, crating, transportation and storage charges will be as per contract price.

Freight charges for export services to any overseas destination, which is not inclusive of this contract, will be on prevailing competitive market price. However, number of such shipment is very minimal and before each shipment we will collect market price from different shipping lines and will award the work order to the incumbent contractor. The freight charges will be paid by the incumbent contractor and they will include that cost in the invoice to the US Embassy.

7. Is it required to show individually documents processing & shipment and custom clearance charge in section B? Or including everything a gross comprehensive pricing is required?

Answer: A gross comprehensive pricing is required. Bangladesh Government does not charge any custom charge for incoming or outgoing shipments of US Embassy. If in the future Bangladesh Government imposes any such VAT, the contractor will pay that and will include in the invoice as a separate line item.

8. Is it required to show individually Storage and demurrage charges (where applicable)? Or including everything a gross comprehensive pricing is required by you?

Answer: Price shall be inclusive of all expenses.

9. Is it acceptable to participate in bidding for only local packing & unpacking service and documents processing service?

Answer: Contract is for all the services as mentioned in the bidding document.

10. Who will pay DF vat for Import?

Answer: DF VAT is charged against contractors own commission – so, the contractor shall pay DF VAT. No need to show in different line item in the invoice. US Embassy will not reimburse the contractor that amount.

Note that, as per reciprocity rule, Bangladesh Government does not impose any VAT to American Embassy import/export shipments. If Bangladesh Government imposes any VAT in the future that will be paid by the contractor. The contractor will include that as a separate line item in the invoice and will provide the VAT papers to the Embassy. We have amended the solicitation to provide more clarification on B.4 (e) VALUE ADDED TAX (page 4).

11. Does the contractor need to have Fire Safety Insurance only for Warehouse?

Answer: The contractor needs to have fire safety insurance for both their office and warehouse(s).