WESTPAC SPE60223R0706 Questions_Answers.pdf

SPE602-23-R-0706

Q&A dated 4 May 2023

1. Is it possible for vendor to supply JA-1 instead of JA-1 with additives?

In which fuel is the current provider supplying WESTPAC with? (Between JA-1 and JA-1 with additives)

Answer: Offerors may propose with, or without additives. If additives are proposed, the prices must be included in the proposal entered in the Offer Entry Tool. Award information for the last annual solicitation is available on SAM at https://sam.gov/opp/bc3f8f18a08444f9bd05decb04f67bba/view.

2. When stock is in tight supply for heating fuel, may a vendor offer to only deliver during non-winter months?

Answer: Offerors may submit a proposal with delivery restrictions. To accomplish this, the offeror must complete F92.02 SCHEDULE OF REFINERY SHUTDOWNS FOR TURNAROUNDS (DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS BULK) (DLA ENERGY JULY 2019) in the Offeror Entry Tool. The Government will evaluate that information accordingly to determine if solicitation requirements can be met with the delivery restrictions.

3. May a vendor that bids FOB Destination include more destinations after the date for initial proposals?

Answer: If an offeror is in the competitive range, the offeror may propose new sequences in the second round, which is called the Interim Proposal Submission. However, no new sequences may be proposed after the Interim Proposal Submission.

4. Does vendor need to perform both parts of the delivery for the JA1 and JP5 products (those sections with grey and white rows)?

a. Eg. The truck/pipe/railcar (grey rows) modes in addition to the tanker

Answer: An FOB Destination offer must include the mode of transportation the offeror is proposing to an FOB Destination location. If the mode does not match the solicited mode, then the offeror shall submit an exception. The Government may, or may not accept an exception, as described M72.10 EVALUATION OF OFFERS (EXCEPTIONS/DEVIATIONS) (BULK). The offeror is not responsible for the mode of transportation for any FOB Origin offer. However, the offer submission package must include the shipping location and/or terminal the offeror proposes to accept vessels at for fuel lifts.

5. What is the difference between tanker and shallow draft as a mode of transport? In addition, is there a list of the drafts for the shallow drafts mentioned below in the chart?

Answer: Shallow Draft Tankers chartered for DLA Energy are small vessels that hold a maximum of about 40,000bbls of fuel. Offerors are required to submit complete loading information in the offer submission package so the Government can fully evaluate if a chartered vessel (Shallow or Deep Draft Tanker) can be safely loaded at the offered shipping point for FOB Origin Offers.

https://sam.gov/opp/bc3f8f18a08444f9bd05decb04f67bba/view

6. Is there a requirement to supply F76 to Darwin?

Answer: No, there is no requirement to supply F76 to DFSP Darwin in the current solicitation schedule.

7. In the solicitation notes, the UOM used for the quantities is UG6. Please confirm that the UOM used is correct and that the conversion factor is 42 USG/bbl?

Answer: The estimated quantity of fuel in the solicitation schedule is marked UG6, which is USG. Parcel sizes in the schedule are BBLs. The conversion factor is 42 USG per BBL. If a maximum parcel size is 235,000 BBLs, then that converts to 9,870,000 USG.

8. Refineries sometimes prefer set timings, is this something that can be put in place? For example, “DLA Energy confirms that we will provide a tentative 120-day non-binding forecast for pipeline deliveries. As per clause F1, final orders will be placed at least 15 days in advance.”

Answer: The solicitation, Section F—DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE does include DLA Energy Text with set timings for different transportation modes. For example:

i. DLA Energy Text F15- BARGE AND/OR SHALLOW DRAFT TANKER DEMURRAGE AND LOADING CONDITIONS (DLA ENERGY JUNE 2022) paragraph (a): “Unless otherwise specified in the Schedule, placed under items of the Schedule calling for delivery f.o.b. barge and/or shallow draft tanker at Contractor's refinery, terminal, or bulk plant will be furnished to the Contractor at least 15 days in advance of the date on which delivery is to be made, which date is hereafter referred to as the "scheduled delivery date."

ii. DLA Energy Text F52 - TANKER/OCEAN-GOING BARGE DEMURRAGE AND LOADING CONDITIONS (DLA ENERGY JAN 2012) paragraph (a)(1): “Unless otherwise specified in the Schedule, orders placed under items of the Schedule calling for delivery f.o.b. tanker/ocean-going barge at Contractor's refinery, terminal, or bulk plant will be furnished to the Contractor at least 20 days in advance of the date on which delivery is to be made, which date is hereinafter referred to as the "scheduled delivery date."

If an offeror takes exception to the set timings in Section F, the Government will evaluate it in accordance with M72.10 EVALUATION OF OFFERS (EXCEPTIONS/DEVIATIONS) (BULK).

9. Delivery interval for tanker is usually between 15 - 25 days' notice. Can a vendor request 45 days' notice?

Answer: If this question is regarding a contract delivery order, please reference the answer to question # 8 above. If it is regarding the lift interval, i.e. days needed in between each loading from the Supplier, the offeror may propose a lift interval that accurately indicates the time needed in between each load.

The Government will evaluate that information accordingly to determine if solicitation requirements can be met with the proposed lift intervals.

10. Does a refinery have to hold FOB Origin product in tank until the product is inspected and accepted by the QAR?

Answer: More information on the shipping point to is required answer that question. All fuel quality requirements are in solicitation Attachment 6- QAPs.

11. FOB Destination on tankers: can this be considered as an exception i.e. a contingency for the Qatar DFSP offer, which will primarily be a FOB Origin tanker offer?

Answer: No. FOB destination offers cannot be accepted for items identified as TANKER mode.

12. Does the transfer of title take place at time of offloading into vessel or offloading into the delivery port in tank?

Answer: For FOB Origin, the transfer of title takes place at the time of offloading into vessel after product passes from the shoreline to the vessel manifold at the custody transfer point. For FOB Destination, the transfer of title takes place when product is offloaded and passes the custody transfer point at the ships manifold into the delivery port tank. Additional information regarding this can be found in solicitation Attachment 6- QAPs, E1 QAP.

13. Is there a need to have the JA1 product insured, and if so, is that done by DLA or is this a responsibility of the Contractor?

Answer: The solicitation does not require insurance of bulk fuel products. Contractors are responsible for delivering product in accordance with the quality requirements. Please refer to solicitation Attachment 6- QAPs.

14. Will DLA Energy disclose any scheduled submission dates for the initial offer, IPRs and FPRs as well as opening and closing dates of the negotiation for the solicitation?

Answer: Initial offers are due on May 11, 2023 at 1pm EST. All other dates will be provided further in the procurement process.

15. Is it possible for a vendor to bid under the small business subcontractor program?

Answer: There is no set-aside for small business programs under the WESTPAC solicitation SPE602-23-R- 0706. Nor is there a requirement for a large business offeror to submit a subcontracting plan if it offers an FOB Origin Shipping Point outside the United States and its outlying territories. For general questions regarding small business programs, please contact DLA.ENERGY.OSBP@DLA.MIL or +1 (571) 767-9732.

mailto:DLA.ENERGY.OSBP@DLA.MIL

16. Can the products, locations, and volumes for SPE60223R0706 be provided in excel format?

Answer: Yes, an excel requirements spreadsheet will be provided in a forthcoming amendment to the solicitation as an attachment.

17. Is Supply Commitment Letter relevant for this year’s solicitation?

Answer: Please refer to solicitation, SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES, L704

EVIDENCE OF RESPONSIBILITY (DLA ENERGY-BULK)(JULY 2019).

18. Will other bidding options be available other than https://offerwizard.dla.mil/bulkoet/bulkoet.html?

Answer: No. Please refer to Solicitation Notes # 1.

19. Can you please provide the Westpac award summaries for 2022 and 2023?

Answer:

2022 contracts: https://sam.gov/opp/9bb3a357519248c494a8506831d287ef/view 2023 contracts: https://sam.gov/opp/bc3f8f18a08444f9bd05decb04f67bba/view https://offerwizard.dla.mil/bulkoet/bulkoet.html