SGE50017Q0002_Questions_and_Answers_2.pdf

Question Answer

Will used or reconditioned equipment be acceptable, or will only new equipment be accepted?

Only new equipment will be accepted.

The Q&A identified the contractor is required to deliver the equipment all the way through to final destination Beirut Airport. Considering the above the following questions require a clarification to ensure we provide a compliant and best approach to meet the requirements:

a. Will INL still be required to customs clear the equipment to include any import permits, payment of Customs Duty, Taxes or fees?

b. If it is the requirement of the Contractor to arrange for the clearance will the DOS be able to provide a waiver of the Customs Duty, Taxes and fees or will the contractor have to make all these arrangements and payments?

As stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation, the Internal Security Forces of Lebanon will be responsible for customs clearance.

Would DOS be amenable to an extension being calculated 90 ARO of contract award?

The Q&A identified a March 15, 2017 due date which is extremely tight as one of the products (XXXX) most economical method to ship is via ocean freight. We are checking on the dimensions and if there is air lift capacity all the way into Beirut in order to handle the size requirements.

If we transport via ocean the transit time are on an average of 41 to 55 days. This would exceed the March 15th date indicated in the Q&A.

DOS understands that a required delivery date of March 15, 2017 to be extremely tight. However, DOS considers the requested equipment to be mission critical, are urgently required, and cannot accept a delivery date past March 31, 2017. Therefore, the required delivery date is hereby changed from 15 March 2017 to 31 March 2017.

Will the expense to air lift be an allowable cost?

If we are successful in identifying air lift capacity into Beirut we could meet the March 15th deadline; however, our concern is that the expense to air lift would be cost prohibitive.

DOS does not dictate how the equipment is to be delivered. However, the price is one of the evaluation factors.

Can we offer 2 options/alternatives as the technical specs is subject to many interpretations?

Per FAR 52.212-1 (e), which is already incorporated in the combined synopsis/solicitation: "Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately."

"The subject solicitation has been designated as a Request for Quotation, which ordinarily would entail only submission of pricing information and that would form the basis of the Award decision. However, the Evaluation criteria specified under FAR 52.212-2 as listed on Pg 31 of the solicitation;

Technical Capability; Past Performance; Price.

It further stipulates that Technical Capabilities and Past Performance when combined are equal to price. In the Questions and Answers published on January 3rd, 2017, there is a question asked and answered regarding the Past Performance criteria to be submitted. Would the government give guidance as to the information required to convey and therefore judge the Technical Capability of the proposed equipment?"

All required information for submission is addressed in FAR 52.211-6 (if applicable), and FAR 52.212-1-both of which are incorporated by reference, and in the addendum to FAR 52.212-1.