Solicitation_Packing_and_Shipping_Number_SMX530-17-R-0001.docx

Solicitation Number S-MX530-17-R-0001

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide services for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City in accordance with Section C - Description/Specifications/Work Statement and the Exhibits contained in Section J of this contract.

Nothing in this contract shall prohibit the Government, at its discretion, from using International-Through-Government-Bill-of-Lading (ITGBL) contractor(s) (door-to-door amongst other methods) for movement of effects to any destination covered by ITGBL tender(s) in effect. The Government reserves the right to assign these ITGBL shipments without recourse by Contractors awarded a contract from this solicitation so long as the guaranteed minimum is met.

B.1.1. Offers and Payment in U. S. Dollars

Offers and Payment in U. S. Dollars. U. S. firms are eligible to be paid in U. S. dollars. U. S. firms desiring to be paid in U.S. dollars should submit their officer in U. S. dollars. A U. S. firm is defined as a company which operates as a corporation incorporated under the laws of a state within the United States.

Offers and Payment in Pesos. Any firm which is not a U. S. firm is a foreign firm. Any firm that does not meet the definition of a U. S. firm shall submit its prices and receive payment in local currency.

B.2. TYPE OF CONTRACT

This is a fixed price indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity type contract. Orders will be placed by firm-fixed price task orders.

For each year of the contract, the U.S. Government guarantees a minimum order of 250 Lbs. The maximum amount of shipping/packing services each year of this contract will not exceed 3,500,000 Lbs.

Individual purchases shall be documented as follows: with a task order, see Section J.6. An e-mail from the Contracting Officer may be used for an urgent service and will follow with a task order the next working day.

B.3. LEVEL OF EFFORT

(a) The contractor shall provide the services for the base period of the contract at the rates shown in Section B and any option years exercised by the Government.

(b) The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not guaranteed by this contract.

(c) The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations. Except as specified in the Delivery-Order Limitations clause or in the paragraph below, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued/ordered.

B.4. PRICING

(a) For satisfactory performance of all the scheduled service required under this contract, the Government shall pay the Contractor a fixed-price per unit of service.

(b) The cost of Workers’ Compensation War-Hazard Insurance Overseas (See Section I, FAR 52.228-4) is not reimbursable and shall be included in the Contractor’s rates.

(c) The Government will make payment in the currency as stated in accordance with Sub-Section B.1.1, above.

(d) The Contractor shall include the Value Added Tax (VAT - I.V.A.) as a separate charge on the invoices and as a separate line item in Section B.

B.5. BASE PERIOD PRICES (March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018)

Base Term: twelve (12) months

As per Subsection B.1.1, above, prices are in ________________ (state currency)

(a) Packing Services

(b) Unpacking Services

(c) Storage Services

(d) Freight Handling Each Trailer

Transportation between:

(1) Mexico/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ __120_ __________

(2) Hermosillo/Nogales, AZ 20’ & 40’ _______ ___10__ __________

Hermosillo/Mexico 20’ & 40’ _______ ____4__ __________

(3) Monterrey/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ ___20__ __________

Monterrey/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ___10__ __________

(4) Merida/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ ____6__ __________

Merida/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ____2__ __________

(5) Tuxtla Gtz/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ____2__ __________

(6) Queretaro/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ ____3__ __________

Queretaro/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ____5__ __________

(7) Port-Veracruz/Mexico Each Seavan

(8) Port-Manzanillo/Mexico Each Seavan

(9) Port-L. Cardenas/Mexico Each Seavan

(e) ***Local Moves

(f) Vehicle/Motorcycle

(g) Other Services

Hoisting Service Each _______ ___25__ __________

Customs Clearance Each _______ ___100__ __________

(h) Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance

The Government will reimburse the Contractor for DBA insurance. The total estimated cost of this insurance is: $__________ (16% VAT does not apply).

SUB-TOTAL: _______________

16% I.V.A. (VAT): _______________

DBA: _______________

TOTAL FOR THE BASE YEAR: _______________

*This estimated amount is based on total estimated Government requirements. This means that if more than one award is made, the estimated amount of work awarded under task order(s) to any single contractor will be less than the amount shown.

** The Contractor shall not charge the first 30 calendar days. After the first 30 calendar days, the Contractor shall invoice the actual number of days of storage and actual weight stored in the following month after furniture, appliances, equipment, supplies, personal effects have been either added or removed.

*** Local moving services to be provided within the same metropolitan area or the same city (for Mexico City to include Toluca Airport). These services shall be provided to the locations stated in (a), (b) and (d) above and are extensive to: Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros.

**** Applicable only for apartment buildings and only from the third floor and above and when an elevator is not available.

B.6. FIRST OPTION YEAR PRICES (March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019)

Option Term: twelve (12) months

As per Subsection B.1.1, prices are in ________________ (state currency)

(a) Packing Services

(b) Unpacking Services

(c) Storage Services

(d) Freight Handling Each Trailer

Transportation between:

(1) Mexico/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ __120_ __________

(2) Hermosillo/Nogales, AZ 20’ & 40’ _______ ___10__ __________

Hermosillo/Mexico 20’ & 40’ _______ ____4__ __________

(3) Monterrey/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ ___20__ __________

Monterrey/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ___10__ __________

(4) Merida/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ ____6__ __________

Merida/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ____2__ __________

(5) Tuxtla Gtz/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ____2__ __________

(6) Queretaro/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ _______ ____3__ __________

Queretaro/Mexico 48’ & 53’ _______ ____5__ __________

(7) Port-Veracruz/Mexico Each Seavan

(8) Port-Manzanillo/Mexico Each Seavan

(9) Port-L. Cardenas/Mexico Each Seavan

(e) ***Local Moves

(f) Vehicle/Motorcycle

(g) Other Services

Hoisting Service Each _______ ___25__ __________

Customs Clearance Each _______ ___100__ __________

(h) Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance

The Government will reimburse the Contractor for DBA insurance. The total estimated cost of this insurance is: $__________ (16% VAT does not apply).

SUB-TOTAL: _______________

16% I.V.A. (VAT): _______________

DBA: _______________

TOTAL FOR THE FIRST OPTION YEAR: _______________

*This estimated amount is based on total estimated Government requirements. This means that if more than one award is made, the estimated amount of work awarded under task order(s) to any single contractor will be less than the amount shown.

** The Contractor shall not charge the first 30 calendar days. After the first 30 calendar days, the Contractor shall invoice the actual number of days of storage and actual weight stored in the following month after furniture, appliances, equipment, supplies, personal effects have been either added or removed.

*** Local moving services to be provided within the same metropolitan area or the same city (for Mexico City to include Toluca Airport). These services shall be provided to the locations stated in (a), (b) and (d) above and are extensive to: Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros.

**** Applicable only for apartment buildings and only from the third floor and above and when an elevator is not available.

B.7. SECOND OPTION YEAR PRICES (March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020)

Option Term: twelve (12) months

As per Subsection B.1.1, prices are in ________________ (state currency)

(a) Packing Services

(b) Unpacking Services

(c) Storage Services

(d) Freight Handling Each Trailer

Transportation between:

(1) Mexico/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ __120_ __________

(2) Hermosillo/Nogales, AZ 20’ & 40’ ________ ___10__ __________

Hermosillo/Mexico 20’ & 40’ _______ ____4__ __________

(3) Monterrey/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ___20__ __________

Monterrey/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ___10__ __________

(4) Merida/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ____6__ __________

Merida/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____2__ __________

(5) Tuxtla Gtz/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____2__ __________

(6) Queretaro/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ____3__ __________

Queretaro/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____5__ __________

(7) Port-Veracruz/Mexico Each Seavan

(8) Port-Manzanillo/Mexico Each Seavan

(9) Port-L. Cardenas/Mexico Each Seavan

(e) ***Local Moves

(f) Vehicle/Motorcycle

(g) Other Services

Hoisting Service Each ________ ___25__ __________

Customs Clearance Each ________ ___100__ __________

(h) Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance

The Government will reimburse the Contractor for DBA insurance. The total estimated cost of this insurance is: $__________ (16% VAT does not apply).

SUB-TOTAL: _______________

16% I.V.A. (VAT): _______________

DBA: _______________

TOTAL FOR THE SECOND OPTION YEAR: _______________

*This estimated amount is based on total estimated Government requirements. This means that if more than one award is made, the estimated amount of work awarded under task order(s) to any single contractor will be less than the amount shown.

** The Contractor shall not charge the first 30 calendar days. After the first 30 calendar days, the Contractor shall invoice the actual number of days of storage and actual weight stored in the following month after furniture, appliances, equipment, supplies, personal effects have been either added or removed.

*** Local moving services to be provided within the same metropolitan area or the same city (for Mexico City to include Toluca Airport). These services shall be provided to the locations stated in (a), (b) and (d) above and are extensive to: Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros.

**** Applicable only for apartment buildings and only from the third floor and above and when an elevator is not available.

B.8. THIRD OPTION YEAR PRICES (March 1, 2020 to February 29, 2021)

Option Term: twelve (12) months

As per Subsection B.1.1, prices are in ________________ (state currency)

(a) Packing Services

(b) Unpacking Services

(c) Storage Services

(d) Freight Handling Each Trailer

Transportation between:

(1) Mexico/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ __120_ __________

(2) Hermosillo/Nogales, AZ 20’ & 40’ ________ ___10__ __________

Hermosillo/Mexico 20’ & 40’ _______ ____4__ __________

(3) Monterrey/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ___20__ __________

Monterrey/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ___10__ __________

(4) Merida/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ____6__ __________

Merida/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____2__ __________

(5) Tuxtla Gtz/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____2__ __________

(6) Queretaro/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ____3__ __________

Queretaro/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____5__ __________

(7) Port-Veracruz/Mexico Each Seavan

(8) Port-Manzanillo/Mexico Each Seavan

(9) Port-L. Cardenas/Mexico Each Seavan

(e) ***Local Moves

(f) Vehicle/Motorcycle

(g) Other Services

Hoisting Service Each ________ ___25__ __________

Customs Clearance Each ________ ___100_ __________

(h) Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance

The Government will reimburse the Contractor for DBA insurance. The total estimated cost of this insurance is: $__________ (16% VAT does not apply).

SUB-TOTAL: _________________

16% I.V.A. (VAT): _________________

DBA: _________________

TOTAL FOR THE THIRD OPTION YEAR: _________________

*This estimated amount is based on total estimated Government requirements. This means that if more than one award is made, the estimated amount of work awarded under task order(s) to any single contractor will be less than the amount shown.

** The Contractor shall not charge the first 30 calendar days. After the first 30 calendar days, the Contractor shall invoice the actual number of days of storage and actual weight stored in the following month after furniture, appliances, equipment, supplies, personal effects have been either added or removed.

*** Local moving services to be provided within the same metropolitan area or the same city (for Mexico City to include Toluca Airport). These services shall be provided to the locations stated in (a), (b) and (d) above and are extensive to: Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros.

**** Applicable only for apartment buildings and only from the third floor and above and when an elevator is not available.

B.9. FOURTH OPTION YEAR PRICES (March 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022)

Option Term: twelve (12) months

As per Subsection B.1.1, prices are in ________________ (state currency)

(a) Packing Services

(b) Unpacking Services

(c) Storage Services

(d) Freight Handling Each Trailer

Transportation between:

(1) Mexico/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ __120_ __________

(2) Hermosillo/Nogales, AZ 20’ & 40’ ________ ___10__ __________

Hermosillo/Mexico 20’ & 40’ _______ ____4__ __________

(3) Monterrey/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ___20__ __________

Monterrey/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ___10__ __________

(4) Merida/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ____6__ __________

Merida/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____2__ __________

(5) Tuxtla Gtz/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____2__ __________

(6) Queretaro/Brownsville 48’ & 53’ ________ ____3__ __________

Queretaro/Mexico 48’ & 53’ ________ ____5__ __________

(7) Port-Veracruz/Mexico Each Seavan

(8) Port-Manzanillo/Mexico Each Seavan

(9) Port-L. Cardenas/Mexico Each Seavan

(e) ***Local Moves

(f) Vehicle/Motorcycle

(g) Other Services

Hoisting Service Each ________ ___25__ __________

Customs Clearance Each ________ ___80__ __________

(h) Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance

The Government will reimburse the Contractor for DBA insurance. The total estimated cost of this insurance is: $_______ (16% VAT does not apply).

SUB-TOTAL: ________________

16% I.V.A. (VAT): ________________

DBA: ________________

TOTAL FOR THE FOURTH OPTION YEAR: ________________

*This estimated amount is based on total estimated Government requirements. This means that if more than one award is made, the estimated amount of work awarded under task order(s) to any single contractor will be less than the amount shown.

** The Contractor shall not charge the first 30 calendar days. After the first 30 calendar days, the Contractor shall invoice the actual number of days of storage and actual weight stored in the following month after furniture, appliances, equipment, supplies, personal effects have been either added or removed.

*** Local moving services to be provided within the same metropolitan area or the same city (for Mexico City to include Toluca Airport). These services shall be provided to the locations stated in (a), (b) and (d) above and are extensive to: Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros.

**** Applicable only for apartment buildings and only from the third floor and above and when an elevator is not available.

B.10. GRAND TOTAL

As per Subsection B.1.1, prices are in ________________ (state currency)

Grand Total: $___________________

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT SHIPPING/PACKING SERVICES

C.2. WORK REQUIREMENTS

C.2.1. General. The contractor shall provide services for the United States Mission in Mexico as described. This consists of packing, unpacking, freight handling, forwarding, cargo storage, direct purchase method (door to door), under direct purchase method and all other related services that apply to shipments originating from, consigned to, routed through, and/or moved within the geographic area(s) of the Mexican Republic, Mexico, D. F., and to and from Brownsville, Texas to include Nogales, Arizona.

The contractor shall furnish all managerial, administrative, direct labor personnel, materials and transportation that are necessary to accomplish all work as required by this contract. Contractor employees shall be on site only for performance of contractual duties and not for other business purposes. Performance requirements for required work are described below.

C.2.2. Personnel. The contractor shall provide a qualified work force capable of providing the services specified in this contract.

C.3. DEFINITIONS

"Article" means one item, piece, or package and contents thereof received by the contractor as listed on the inventory. It can be household effects, professional books, papers and equipment, privately owned vehicles, U.S. Government items or furniture, or U.S. government vehicles, or general effects included in a shipment.

"Calendar Day" means the twenty-four hour period from midnight to midnight. Saturdays, Sundays and all holidays are considered calendar days.

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

"Client" means all United States mission personnel for whom the required services are to be rendered.

"COR" means the Contracting Officer's Representative, appointed in accordance with Section G of this contract.

"Cube" means the cubic measure of space occupied by a given article after it has been packaged for shipment.

"Estimator" means the contractor employee who has the responsibility to evaluate and provide calculations of the price of packing work to be undertaken. This employee shall provide all calculations in writing.

"Government" means the Government of the United States of America unless specifically stated otherwise.

"Gross Weight" means the weight of the packed shipping container, including the articles packed therein and all materials used for wrapping, cushioning, banding, waterproofing, packaging, blocking and bracing the container.

"Household Effects" means those items that are the personal property of post officials, and are therefore to be packed and transported at U.S. Government expense. This includes furniture, personal effects and consumables that, because of volume and weight, are shipped via surface freight. (Note: See the clause in Section D entitled "Prohibited Items" for a listing of items which are not to be packed or transported at U.S. Government expense).

"Inventory" means a contractor-prepared list originated at the time the goods are packed. Each inventory is to be reviewed and signed by the client then turned over to the Contracting Officer's Representative.

"Lift Van" means a wooden storage crate.

“Modular Containers” – lift vans that are reduced in size to accommodate a particular shipment, also referred to as overflow containers.

"Net Weight" means the gross weight of a shipment less its tare weight.

"Ordering Officer" means the Contracting Officer of the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. Consulates.

"Packing" means the activities required to wrap and protect an article, properly place the article in appropriate carton or box, and stow the article and its carton or box in a lift van of sufficient size and constructed in accordance with post specifications; includes obtaining customs clearances and required documentation for shipment, (such as, via surface or air as appropriate).

"Packaging" means application or use of protective measures, including appropriate protective wrappings, cushioning and interior containers.

"Professional books, papers, and equipment" means reference material, instruments, tools, and equipment peculiar to technicians, mechanics and members of the professions and special skill areas; specialized, job-related clothing not considered to be normal or usual clothing; communication equipment used by members in association with their particular specialty; and military and individually owned or specifically issued field clothing and equipment.

"Services" means the services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of the services.

"Storage Pack" means the final result of wrapping and protecting of articles, and then properly placing these articles in appropriate cartons and boxes and then into Lift vans, and then storing these articles/cartons in storage pallet boxes as loose pack storage.

"Tare Weight" means the weight of an empty shipping container, excluding all materials used for wrapping, cushioning, banding, waterproofing, packaging, blocking and bracing articles within the exterior container.

"Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB)" means that portion of the total weight allowance of personal property that the client is permitted to ship via airfreight. UAB typically includes those items required for short-term housekeeping, such as clothing, linen, and kitchen items.

C.4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Packing of client Household Effects or Government-owned materials for transportation is a highly specialized function. The measure of performance shall be the condition of packed articles upon arrival at their destination. The contractor must appreciate the importance of family possessions and U.S. Government property and always take the greatest care in handling and packing such articles. No claim for any additional compensation shall be considered unless it has been authorized by the Government in writing in advance. The Government shall not be responsible for any work performed that is not specifically provided for under the terms of this contract or authorized by the Government in writing in advance.

C.5. PACKING SPECIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Labor employed to perform services under this contract shall be experienced and competent in the performance of such services. Those employees who perform services at the client's office, residence or Embassy warehouse shall be neat and in uniform identifying them as employees of the contractor.

C.5.1. Packing Services.

C.5.1.1. The contractor agrees to provide complete services for surveying, packing, crating, weighing, and marking of household effects, surface baggage and official Government shipments of commodities including, but not limited to, household effects, office and residential furniture, vehicles, and equipment and supplies for shipments originating from, consigned to, routed through, and/or moved within the geographic area(s) of the Mexican Republic, Mexico, D. F., and to and from Brownsville, Texas, to include Nogales, Arizona.

C.5.1.2. The contractor shall provide all necessary packing and crating material required by this specification and standard industry practice for the services under this contract. The contractor shall furnish packing containers, including, but not limited to, boxes, wardrobes, and cartons; all crating materials; and all padding materials and equipment.

C.5.1.3. At the request of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), the contractor shall survey the goods to be packed and furnish the Government with a written estimate of the weight and required number of lift vans or other containers in which to pack the goods to be shipped. The survey must list the major items of furniture, appliances and equipment which are to be included in the shipment. It must also indicate the number of wooden crates required to protect fragile items and the approximate number of cartons required for the shipment. The contractor shall transport packing materials and vans to the designated location ready to perform the services required on the date and at the same time specified by the COR. The Government shall notify the contractor 48 hours in advance unless otherwise mutually agreed. Any services performed outside of normal business hours as may be agreed upon between the parties to this contract shall be for the mutual convenience of the contracting parties and shall create no liability on the part of the Government for overtime or premium pay charges.

C.5.1.4. The contractor shall provide export packing and related services following the best commercial practices to insure a shipment of the least tare weight and smallest cubic measurement that is compatible with assurance of transportation to destinations without damage or pilferage to containers or contents. All cartons, boxes, containers and materials are new and of sufficient quality for protection of goods. The use of damp, wet or unclean packing is prohibited. Export packing shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

· Padding, dunnage and packing into cases, barrels or crates of all fragile items.

· Wrapping in waterproof paper and padding all items of furniture, television sets and other valuable equipment. The Contractor shall crate these items. The Contractor shall place these items in the lift vans so as to prevent damage or shifting while in transit. No special crating is required unless approved by the COR and the price is not affected. If the price is affected, the Contractor shall obtain the approval of the Contracting Officer.

· Padding securely all mirrors and framed pictures, marble tops, etc., in crates made to the proper size of good packing grade dry lumber with least tare weight.

· All rugs and carpets shall be mothproofed, and crated or wrapped without folding.

· Packing clothing items, linens, bedding, lampshades and similar items in containers lined with tissue paper, carefully, to prevent excessive wrinkling or folding.

· Freezers or refrigerators shall be dry inside and the Contractor shall pad and secure all removable shelving and interior parts to prevent breakage or damage.

· Applying tightly and securely adequate steel banding to all wooden cases and containers and to the outside of other appropriate containers that may be used for shipments.

C.5.2. Inventory System

In conjunction with the client or his/her agent, the contractor shall prepare six copies of an Inventory List of all articles packed, bearing the signature of the client or his/her agent together with the signature of the contractor, both certifying to the correctness of the inventory. The contractor shall ensure diligence in recording any unusual condition of the goods being packed by the contractor. The inventory shall list each article. Words such as "Household Effects" or other general descriptive terms such as marred, scratched, soiled, worn, torn, gouged, and the like shall be avoided unless they are supplemented with a statement describing the degree and location of the exception. Care in the preparation of the initial inventory will assist in protecting the client of the property and the contractor in the event of loss and/or damage. Inventory Lists shall specify the name of the client of the goods, the date of shipment and the name of the contractor, and contain on the form an explanation of the condition symbols and location symbols. The original of the Inventory List will be retained by the contractor; one copy shall be given to the client or the client's agent; and the remaining copies shall be forwarded to the COR.

A separate inventory shall be prepared for each type of packing the Contractor performs: UAB, HHE, storage, consumables, etc. The Contractor shall also keep and provide to the COR, an inventory of the items being stored in the Contractor’s Warehouse to be able to identify the cargo and shall be updated as items are deleted and/or added. The inventory shall contain a description, number of items, weight and volume.

C.6. FREIGHT HANDLING

C.6.1. The contractor shall act on behalf of the Government on any selected incoming and outgoing Government cargo that may be assigned to the contractor under this contract, including the effecting of necessary transport of Government cargo within Mexico City and the locations listed in Section B, to include to and from Brownsville, Texas, Nogales, Arizona and freight handling to other continents. The contractor accepts full responsibility for any and all losses and/or damage, from the time such cargo is received into the hands of the contractor until it is released into the custody of the Government as evidenced by a signed receipt. The contractor further agrees that in any instance involving loss or damage to the Government cargo, where the contractor fails to exercise reasonable diligence, the contractor shall assume full responsibility for such losses or damage including payment of claims for such losses or damage.

C.6.2. The Contractor shall transport all incoming Government cargo handled under the contract from commercial facilities at the sea-ports in the Mexican Republic to include such as Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan; Manzanillo, Colima; Veracruz, Veracruz; and airports at each location to include Mexico, D. F. and Toluca to the final destination in the Metropolitan area or elsewhere in Mexico including off-loading from the contractor's vehicle, as specified by the COR unless otherwise directed by the COR in writing to the contractor.

C.6.3. The Contractor shall pick up from the Government in the Mexican Republic or elsewhere in Mexico in time to insure delivery to sea-ports in the Mexican Republic to include such as Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan; Manzanillo, Colima; Veracruz, Veracruz; and airports at each Consulate, location to include Mexico, D. F., and Toluca facilities or as consigned overseas within 48 hours of the request for pickup. The Contractor shall not place cargo in any warehouse at Government expense without prior approval of the COR.

C.6.4. The Contractor shall provide the COR with an Arrival Notification via e-mail for each cargo that arrives to the Contractor’s warehouse and is to provide the description, numbers of items, gross weight and volume.

C.7. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

C.7.1. The contractor is responsible for strict adherence to all instructions and quality requirements stated in this contract and shall provide the appropriate management effort to ensure that all services are performed.

Each packing, unpacking shall have a team leader to supervise the workforce and serve as a liaison with the COR. This designated person shall have supervision as his/her function during the time the Contractor is in the client's facility or residence and when Household Effects, Unaccompanied Baggage, or other cargo is being loaded into lift vans or other shipping containers. The Contractor shall have a team leader with a minimum of four (4) packers available for HHE, and a team leader with a minimum of two (2) packers available for UAB at each location without exception. This requirement may be waived in writing by the COR on a case by case basis.

C.7.2. Work Skills and Experience. The contractor shall ensure that all personnel assigned to this contract possess the skills and experience necessary for accomplishing their individual tasks.

C.7.3. English Language Qualifications. Each Team Leader must possess sufficient ability in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the English language to carry out the duties prescribed herein for the position. The remaining staff must be able to follow simple instructions in English, and must be able to completely understand the instructions of the Team Leader. The inventories must be written in English language.

C.7.4. The contractor's employees shall not at any time:

(a) Smoke in the client's facility or residence;

(b) Arrive at the facility or residence under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or even with alcohol on the breath;

(g) Request or accept any articles or currency as a gratuity from the client for work performed under this contract.

C.8. SCHEDULING AND PLANNING SHIPMENT PICKUPS

C.8.1. Scheduling and Planning Shipment Pickups. The COR receives requests from clients for Household Effects pack out dates, and will coordinate the scheduling of shipments with the contractor. The COR will give the Contractor a completed "Request for Shipment" form which is the notification of scheduling and authority to proceed if "confirmed" is indicated. This form will not be given to the Contractor unless a task order has already been issued by the Contracting Officer. If "tentative" is checked, the contractor shall contact the COR for information/instructions.

C.8.2. Pre-Shipment Survey

Before the HHE has been packed, the contractor shall, in connection with each instance of Household Effects services in this contract, make an on-site pre-shipment survey of the items to be shipped and/or stored to determine the approximate net weight of each category. The survey shall be conducted by an approved Estimator. The survey must list the major items of furniture, appliances and equipment which are to be included in the shipment and/or storage lot. It must also state the number of cartons, lift vans and crates necessary to properly protect the loose and fragile items. The Contractor shall give a copy of each survey, signed and dated by the estimator, indicating total estimated net weight of both the export shipment and storage lot to the client within three (3) calendar days upon completion of the pre-shipment survey. A pre-shipment survey which deviates more than ten percent, either high or low, in either the export or storage estimates, will be documented by the COR in the contractor's performance file. A pre-shipment survey will not normally be required for shipments other than Household Effects shipments.

C.9. DURATION OF PACKING

The contractor shall perform all packing and/or pickup of household goods, personal effects and U.S. Government property on the date beginning and at the time agreed upon between the contractor and the client or his/her agent. The client shall be any person the COR specifies as the client in the "Request for Shipment" form authorizing service. All services shall be performed on normal workdays between the hours of 08:00 a.m., and 18:00 p.m., or as directed by the COR on normal workdays, or other than normal workdays with the mutual agreement of the parties.