QA_001_-_SOL-OAA-15-000174.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SOL-OAA-15-000174

18 September 2015

Q&A 001

The following are answers to questions received from potential offerors. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the solicitation.

1. Has a contractor performed similar work to the one described in this solicitation for the government in the past? If so, please provide the incumbent contract number(s).

ANSWER: Yes, there is currently a contract in place for a similar work/requirement. The contract number is as follows: AID-OAA-C-11-00082-00 (Intertek).

2. What are the specific locations of Food for Peace (FFP) Prepo Warehouses?

ANSWER: FFP prepo warehouses are located in: Durban, South Africa; Djibouti, Djibouti; Jacinto City, Texas USA. We are currently in the process of selecting new warehouse which may change the current location. The government intends to update the solicitation prior to closing with the new warehouse location if there are changes.

3. In regard to ad hoc inspection services in support of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), are there any known locations at this time where services are expected to be provided?

ANSWER: We currently do not have locations for this requirement. Past location included several locations in India, South Africa and Middle East countries.

For ad hoc inspection services required by USAID, individual task will be issued to the contractor, clearly describing technical requirements and all services to be performed and delivered, so the full price for the performance of the work can be established when the order is placed. All terms and conditions postulated in this solicitation apply to ad hoc services, unless otherwise indicated.

4. In addition to per hour and per metric ton (MT) rates, can a minimum fee be included for each of the following services: Service Hourly Rate and Outturn Tally Inspection?

ANSWER: The offeror may propose a minimum fee for each of the following services.

5. Under Section VII, does the 15 page limit include the “single, separate page within the proposal” for the pricing information?

ANSWER: No, the single page for pricing information is not included in the 15 page limit.

6. Do Section V. “Rate Schedule” and letter A under Section VII. “Evaluation Criteria for Proposal”, represent all of the pricing information that should be limited to a “single, separate page within the proposal”?

ANSWER:Yes Section VII. “Evaluation Criteria for Proposal”, represent all of the pricing information that should be limited to a “single, separate page within the proposal

7. Under Section C.1: What does “appropriately licensed” refer to?

ANSWER: “Appropriately licensed” include license from the International Federation of Inspection Agents and other internationally/nationally recognized associations.

8. Throughout the SOW, it appears that “contractor” (Statement of Work, Section A and B, “inspectors” (Statement of Work, Section C.2) , and “vendors” (Statement of Work, Section C) are used interchangeably. Can you please confirm each of these terms is referring to the same thing?

ANSWER: The terms “contractor”, “vendor” and “inspector” are used to identify the same party within this solicitation.

9. Under Section VI, why is the contract term 3 months with 3 one-month extensions? What is projected to happen after the 6 months?

ANSWER: The government intends to solicit for this service after the 3 month base or base plus option period. The follow on contract will most likely be for a year with multiple one year option periods.

10. Section VII-B-3, can copies of company - commodity / warehouse inspection report and lab analysis forms be submitted as attachments? And, are they counted in the page limit?

ANSWER: Yes these forms can be submitted as attachments. They are not counted in the page limit

11. Under Section C.2, what is USAID referring to with the statement: Inspectors should possess: “necessary authorities” to perform their duties and will be held accountable for all actions?

ANSWER: The contractor must have the necessary authorities from local or national entities to work as inspectors in the location of the warehouse.

12. Under Section C.2, what is USAID referring to with the statement that Inspectors should possess the necessary inspection facilities, appropriate tools and equipment to satisfactorily perform all functions”? This is repeated under Section C.3. In our experience, if an inspector is inspecting a warehouse (or a production/manufacturing facility), the warehouse provides equipment such as a table, forklift. Re-packaging materials etc. The inspector would bring any portable measurement equipment and a computer. Please confirm if this is a correct interpretation.

ANSWER: This is a correct interpretation

13. Under Section II-2-1, it is mentioned about inspections at the manufacturer’s facility, which may include outturn tally/count prior to loading into containers. Can you provide any information relative to the location(s) of the manufacturer’s facilities?

ANSWER: Outturn tally rate will be for the warehouse identified in the solicitation. The government may require outturn tally at other locations not identified in the contract. If outturn tally is requested at other locations individual task will be issued to the contractor, clearly describing technical requirements and all services to be performed and delivered, so the full price for the performance of the work can be established when the order is placed. All terms and conditions postulated in this solicitation apply to ad hoc services, unless otherwise indicated

14. For the lab analysis, do you have a general spectrum of the kinds of testing that may be required for the commodities?

ANSWER: The lab analysis may include but not limited to fumigation of commodities, phyto analysis The lab analysis may include but not limited to fumigation of commodities, phyto analysis, testing to meet commodity specifications, and whether fit for human or animal consumption.

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