Q_ _A__1_for_Solicitation_SKS700-14-R-0006.docx

Q&A for Solicitation number SKS700-14-R-0006 Warehouse Support Services

Q1. Section L is unclear regarding proposal organization. Is the entire proposal supposed to be submitted as one volume? Or is it intended that the proposal be submitted as multiple volumes, with pricing and technical as separate volumes? Also, are there page limits or limits to the number of past performances we should include? What about font size or the use of charts or other graphics?

A1 Please see Amendment A001 for the changes to Section L.1.1., L.1.1.1, and L.1.1.2.

Q2. While Section C does contain workload data, more specific information would be useful for estimating total manning. Will such information be made available during the pre-proposal conference/ site visit, or in some other way?

A2 This is a performance based contract and the service requirements are listed in detail in section C. As such, we will expect the contractor to propose a most cost effective staffing detail in its proposal. No minimum staffing requirement will be suggested.

Q3. Who is the incumbent for this work? What is the current contract number and value?

A3 The incumbent is Green Partners Co. Ltd. The contract number is SKS700-09-0463.

The contract value may be requested through FOIA information.

All FOIA requests must be sent to the Office of Informational Programs and Services (A/GIS/IPS/RL), U.S. Department of State, SA-2, Washington, DC 20522-8100. http://www.state.gov/m/a/ips.

Individuals or companies may also make FOIA requests on-line at http://foia.state.gov/foiareq/foialetter.asp

Q4. Are the current employees for this work part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?

A4 The incumbent’s employees are not part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Q5. If we choose to submit via electronic media (CD-ROM), are we supposed to submit two CDs as original and one copy?

A5 The submission in CD-ROM will be treated the same as hard copy submission. One original and a copy submission will be required.

Q6. No email address for submitting proposals is included in the RFP.

A6 The name and the e-mail address of the Contracting Officer, Mr. Otis Harrison, is provided in SF 33, block 9. Please e-mail your e-mail submission of your proposal to the contracting officer’s e-mail address.

Q7. The phase-in and phase-out periods are not addressed in the RFP. Will this information be included in any upcoming amendments?

A7 The terms of the phase-in and phase-out is specified in FAR clause 52.237-3. This clause is provided by reference only in Section I, so the full text is provided for easy reference below. Please consult the clause in detail. The purpose of the phase-in and phase-out service is to ensure continuity of service that is vital to Government.

52.237-3 Continuity of Services (Jan 1991)

(a) The Contractor recognizes that the services under this contract are vital to the Government and must be continued without interruption and that, upon contract expiration, a successor, either the Government or another contractor, may continue them. The Contractor agrees to-

(1) Furnish phase-in training; and

(2) Exercise its best efforts and cooperation to effect an orderly and efficient transition to a successor.

(b) The Contractor shall, upon the Contracting Officer's written notice, (1) furnish phase-in, phase-out services for up to 90 days after this contract expires and (2) negotiate in good faith a plan with a successor to determine the nature and extent of phase-in, phase-out services required. The plan shall specify a training program and a date for transferring responsibilities for each division of work described in the plan, and shall be subject to the Contracting Officer's approval. The Contractor shall provide sufficient experienced personnel during the phase-in, phase-out period to ensure that the services called for by this contract are maintained at the required level of proficiency.

(c) The Contractor shall allow as many personnel as practicable to remain on the job to help the successor maintain the continuity and consistency of the services required by this contract. The Contractor also shall disclose necessary personnel records and allow the successor to conduct on-site interviews with these employees. If selected employees are agreeable to the change, the Contractor shall release them at a mutually agreeable date and negotiate transfer of their earned fringe benefits to the successor.

(d) The Contractor shall be reimbursed for all reasonable phase-in, phase-out costs (i.e., costs incurred within the agreed period after contract expiration that result from phase-in, phase-out operations) and a fee (profit) not to exceed a pro rata portion of the fee (profit) under this contract.

(End of clause)

Q8. Section C.2.1 Warehouse Operations Services states “Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining a clean working environment at ten (10) warehouses and six (6) storage areas on the Embassy Annex, covering a total area of 37,259 square feet.” This is not sufficient information to adequately determine staffing requirements. We need to know the area and staff required for each separate location.

A8 The warehouse and storage space information is provided below. The six (6) storage spaces are small spaces of varying size. The estimate total area for six storages is 5,137.64 sq. ft. Again, as this is a performance based contract no staffing suggestion/recommendation will be made by USG. We will amend the solicitation to include the below spread sheet in Section J.

SIZE OF WAREHOUSES AND STORAGES

(w/mezzanine 2,837.37)

(w/mezzanine 709.61)

(w/mezzanine 3,048.42)

(w/mezzanine 1193.09)

Q9. Please clarify the scope of work for Temporary Additional Services.

(C.2.5 Temporary Services and Performance Standards)

A9 Temporary Services are same as Standard Services, but are required at times other than the normal workday.

Q10. What are the ports of entry and final destinations for the containers (20' and 40') referenced in C.2.1.1 Receiving Operations.

A10 The contractor responsibility starts once an item is delivered to the Embassy.

Q11. We need more detailed information regarding the contents of the Welcome Kit (Type and Quantity). (C.2.1.2 Deliveries and pick up (exclusive of make-ready tasks)

A11Welcome kit is the package of hospitality kits provided to the occupants who have not received, or packed out their household furniture and equipment. We will amend the solicitation to include the below Standard Welcome Kit List in Section J.

Standard Welcome Kit List (Family member of four)

QTY

LOAN ITEM

BEDROOM

D-1.S-1

KITCHEN

UTILITY ROOM

LIVING ROOM

w/remote control

TV:$349.00

DVD:$49.00

Loan

DISPOSABLE ITEM (Do not return)

Please keep these items to use when you pack out at the end of your tour.

BEDROOM

D-4.S-4

Issue

D-1.S-1

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

KITCHEN

Issue

Issue

Issue

BATHROOM

Issue

Issue

Issue

LIVING ROOM

Issue

EXPENDABLE ITEMS

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Issue

Received by: _____________________ Date: _____________________

Q12. Section C.2.1.3 is titled Maintenance and Cleaning of the Warehouse but subparagraphs (a) through (e) describe only cleaning actions. Is any maintenance required under this section? If the answer is yes, what kind of maintenance actions are required; plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, etc.?

A12It is mainly cleaning the warehouse, and maintaining organized warehouse such as systematic stocking. The electricity, heating system, plumbing of warehouse will be addressed by the Embassy Facility section. We will amend the solicitation to delete the word “maintenance” from Section C.2.1 and C.2.1.3.

Q13. We request a list of specifically what licenses and permits are required. (L.1.1.2 – paragraph 5)

A13 We expect the contractor, as a professional organization to perform the contract work in Korea, to be familiar with all the local legal requirements to conduct business in Korea.

Q14. One of the companies represented pointed out that the Section B, scope of work, states that the maximum quantity for “temporary additional service” is specified at 2,000 hours. However, in pricing we have specified the estimated number of “temporary additional service” per year to 800 hours. The pricing schedule calls for a “Not to Exceed” amount for each year of service and is calculated based on the estimated 800 hours per year. The company representative asked if the “Not to Exceed” amount should be based on the 2,000 hours specified in the scope of work.

Since the 800 hours is only an estimate it is possible that we can exceed the amount but the yearly contract, as it stands now, is capped with 800 hours “temporary additional service, not the 2,000 hours. Shouldn’t the annual “Not to Exceed” contract amount be based on the maximum amount of 2,000 hours of temporary additional service?

A14 The 800 hundred hours represent the estimated number of hours the USG anticipates for these services. However, since there may be fluctuations in requirements each year, the maximum amount allows the government flexibility to increase these hours by formal modification and which would be considered within the scope of the contract. However, under no circumstances can the services exceed the maximum number of hours stated annually, which is 2,000.

Q15. Number of employees during summer peak season for current contractor and number of employees - slow months?

A15As the management and operational procedures may differ among different firms and one of the evaluation criteria for each proposal is based on efficiency of management style we would not be able to release the information. This information would be considered a proprietary information.

Q16. What percentage of backup man power should be maintained for temporary/additional service?

A16 Again, this is a performance based contract and we expect each proposers to determine the optimal back-up manpower based on its management/operational procedures.

Q17. List of attendance for pre-proposal conference

A17 Please see the attached list of attendees.