SF30_Amendment to solicitation 19Z11524Q0005.pdf

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Question and Answers - RFQ # 19Z11524Q0005 for Residential painting services.

Question 1. Could you kindly confirm if the contract terms permit the engagement of subcontractors?

Answer 1. The Government deals with principal contractor, who shall be responsible for its subcontractors' compliance with the contract requirements. Please refer to Section H of the solicitation.

Question 2. Should subcontractors be permissible, what are the required procedures or specific approvals that your office might require before their engagement.

Answer 2. The Government deals with principal contractor, who shall be responsible for its subcontractors' compliance with the contract requirements. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all subcontractors proposed if their participation in the project, as determined by the Contracting Officer, may cause damage to the national security interests of the United States.

Question 3. Section B.3.2 Payment. The Government will make payment in United States dollars and advance payments are not authorized. Does this apply to Small Business Subcontractors

ITO FAR 52.232-40

Answer 3. Advance payments are not authorized.

Question 4. Is the solicitation for a new contract? Kindly provide details of the existing/previous contract.

Answer 4. The solicitation is for a new contract and there is no previous contract.

Question 5. Who is the incumbent contractor and what is the amount for the subject.

Answer 5. The solicitation is for a new contract and there is no previous contract.

Question 6. Is Registration for SAM done online? And how is it done?

Answer 6. To successfully register your company in SAM.gov, please follow these steps:

I. Obtain a NCAGE Code: As a prerequisite to SAM.gov registration, you must first acquire a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code. This code can be obtained through the following website:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/Support/en/Products/NCAGE/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/Support/en/Products/NCAGE/

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II. Register for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Following the acquisition of your NCAGE code, proceed to acquire the UEI through the SAM.gov website:

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

III. Final step is to register your company in SAM.gov using the NCAGE and UEI.

Question 7. How many residential properties are included in the potential scope of work?

Answer 7. An average 20-25 houses per year.

Question 8. Property Types and Sizes. Could you provide more detail about the types of residences (e.g., single-family homes, apartments, etc.) and their approximate sizes?

Answer 8. Single family houses. Varying in sizes with a few double storey houses.

Question 9. : Are there any constraints on work schedules (e.g., days of the week, specific hours)?

Answer 9. All work shall be performed during 7.30am to 5.00pm Monday through Friday, except for the holidays outlined in Refer to Section F6 and section I subsection 652.237-72 of the solicitation.

Question 10. Can work be conducted on weekends or holidays if needed to meet deadlines?

Answer 10. All work shall be performed during 7.30am to 5.00pm Monday through Friday, except for the holidays as outlined in Section F6 and section I subsection 652.237-72 of the solicitation.

Question 11. Are there any security or logistical considerations regarding access to the properties that we should be aware of during planning?

Answer 11. The Contractor, its subcontractors and their employees shall not have access to or be admitted into any building or portion of the site outside the areas designated in this contract except with the permission of the Contracting Officer.

After award of the contract, the Contractor has ten calendar days to submit to the Contracting Officer a list of workers and supervisors assigned to this project for the Government to conduct all necessary security checks, as stated insection H.10.3 and H.7.2.c of the solicitation.

Question 12. Are there specific paint brands or quality standards (e.g., VOC requirements, specific durability standards) required by the U.S. Embassy?

Answer 12. Please refer to Section C of the solicitation.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

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Question 13. How will color selection for each task order be handled? Will color palettes be provided by the Embassy, or will the contractor be responsible for proposing color schemes?

Answer 13.

Embassy is responsible for color selection that matches as closely as possible to the existing color.

In most cases good quality PVA paint, preferably Dulux Chalk down 4 for interior painting. A high-quality semi-gloss latex paint (containing no lead or mercury) for all kitchens, baths, laundry areas, door frames, and window frames.

Question 14. For drywall, plaster, and stucco repairs, are there preferred or prohibited repair methods? Are there any specific materials that should or should not be used?

Answer 14. Rhinoset, Rhinobond or rhino cove bond plaster can be used, other special applications can be considered at case by case with the Embassy experts.

Question 15. Are there any additional insurance requirements beyond the minimums specified in the solicitation, particularly for a project of this potential scale (40,000 sqm)?

Answer 15. As per section H.1.1 of the solicitation ,the Contractor is required to provide whatever insurance is legally necessary

Question 16. What level of detail is required in identifying and vetting subcontractors before their use on task orders?

Answer 16. The Government deals with principal contractor, who shall be responsible for its subcontractors' compliance with the contract requirements.

Question 17. Does the U.S. Embassy have a preference regarding the structure of our partnership with Enviro-Protec & Projects (formal joint venture agreement or subcontracting arrangement)?

Answer 17. Refer to Answer 2

Question 18. How will the Embassy evaluate the combined experience of our US-based management team and local Zimbabwean partners when assessing our capabilities?

Answer 18. The Government deals with principal contractor, who shall be responsible for its subcontractors' compliance with the contract requirements. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all subcontractors proposed if their participation in the project, as determined by the Contracting Officer, may cause damage to the national security interests of the United States.

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Question 19. While the document mentions payment in USD, could you clarify if any provisions exist for potential currency fluctuations during the 12-month contract period?

Answer 19. This contract is an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed prices. There is no provision for Economic price adjustments. If there is need to deviate from original prices the contractor should write to the Contracting Officer substantiating the deviation.

Question 20. How soon does work start after issuing of Task Order.

Answer 20. All things being equal the contractor is expected to start at least a day or two, to allow sourcing of materials and equipment. On few occasions works may delay a bit to allow internal administrative processes.

Question 21. Due to volatile economic environment, during the course of the contract, will price increase be tolerated?

Answer 21. This is a firm-fixed price contract with no provision for Economic price adjustments.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances that warranty price increase, the contractor should write to the Contracting Officer substantiating the deviation from original pricing.

Question 22. Will the Embassy allow inventory count for covered furniture?

Answer 22. Counting of inventory is cumbersome process that may take some days, which may lead delays in actual performance.

Question 23. It appears timeline for completion in the solicitation is too short, this may result in cutting corners which compromises on quality. Is there any room for extension?

Answer 23. The completion schedules in the solicitation are set up by painting experts who are familiar with the feasibility of timelines. To maintain quality standards, there may be some exceptions to extend completion timelines on case-by-case basis.