QA SVE30012Q0002 Janitorial Solicitation Caracas rev

American Embassy Caracas RFQ No. SVE30012Q0002

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

A002

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

February 1, 2012

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

PR1506156

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

Department of State American Embassy General Services Office Caracas, Venezuela

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (NO., street ,city ,county, State, and ZIP Code)

9a. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

SVE30012Q0002

9b. DATED (SEE ITEM 11) December 13,2011

10a. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10b. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ X ] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers [X ] is extended, [ ] is not extended Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning ___03__ copies of the amendment;(b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or(c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers.

FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [ is not, [ X] is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO CHANGE THE SUBMISSION DATE. THE NEW DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF OFFER IS FEBRUARY 06, 2012 BEFORE 4:00 P.M.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS POSED BY THE OFFEROS. SEE ATTACHEMENT.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

DAVID C. GRIER, Contracting Officer

15B. NAME OF CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

1. Question: What is the name of the current Contractor?

Answer: The name of the current Contractor is Fuller Mantenimiento, C.A.

2. Question: Provide the current solicitation number for this contract.

Answer: RFQ No. SVE30012Q0002.

3. Question: Provide the grand total amount of the current contract.

Answer: $452,395 for all three years.

4. Question: Is the current scope of work the same as what is listed in the new contract?

Answer: It is the same scope of work.

5. Question: Is there a wage determination for this contract?

Answer: No.

6. Question: Are all spaces within the Embassy utilized daily, Monday thru Friday?

Answer: Yes.

7. Question: Does the Contractor’s Supervisor have to be bilingual?

Answer: As per Section 1, paragraph 2.1, the supervisor shall have sufficient English language skill to be able to communicate with the U.S. Government staff.

8. Question: Does the Contractor’s personnel have to have High school? or Primary school?

Answer: It depends on the organization proposed by the offeror.

9. Question: Does the Embassy require a certain number of employees? Or will the Contractor determine how many employees to hire?

Answer: A minimum of twelve (12) workers daily, plus one supervisor. Under the current contract, there are two (2) shifts, 8 hours each group.

10. Question: What is the date and time for submission of offers?

Answer: The submission date is February 6, 2012, before 4:00 p.m.

11. Question: Will the Offerors quote labour only? Or do they have to include also equipment and materials?

Answer: Please, refer to Attachment 2, page 21. The Offerors will include labour and equipment and materials in their quotations.

12. Question: What is the work schedule?

Answer: from 7:00am to 8:00 pm Mon thru Friday, and from 7:00 AM to 12:00 on Saturdays.

13. Question: Will there be an economic price adjustment during the contract?

Answer: No. There will not be any price adjustment. Bidders will have to make projections for three years of contract.

14. Question: Can we submit the offers via E-mail?

Answer: Yes, but we would prefer that you submit 5 envelopes (1 original and 4 copies). Offerors must include all the documents required in section 4, and must include all the amendments signed.

15. Question: Shall we quote in local currency or in U.S. Dollars?

Answer: You may quote in Bolivars or U.S. Dollars.

16. Question: How many employees are there in each shift?

Answer: Currently, there are 7 employees in the morning and 5 in the afternoon.

17. Question: Shall we submit proposals in English?

Answer: Yes.

18. Question: What are Additional services?

Answer: Those are services for special events during the year (for example, for the celebration of the 4th of July). The Embassy will request a quote from the Contractor and will be billed separately.

19. Question: Can we submit a copy of the Third Party liability insurance in Bolivars?

Answer: Yes.

20. Question: Do you classify the janitors in Men and Women?

Answer: It is not necessary. However, it is recommended that you have men janitors in each shift for heavy tasks.

21. Question: Shall we quote per hours or per square meters?

Answer: The Offerors shall submit propose for standard services on a firm fixed price basis and temporary additional services on a per square meter basis.

22. Questions from bidders will be accepted until January 27, 2012,via e-mail only. Answers will be published in the web page (FedbizOps).

23. Question: Pages 30 and 31 indicate that funds will be available until September 30, how does this affect the rest of contract?

Answer: In the U.S. government, Fiscal year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30. However, when the contract is awarded, funds are assigned for the whole year of contract. The U.S. government has never stopped paying a contractor after September 30.

24. Question: If the Contractor will be paid in U.S. Dollars, can the Contractor bill in Bolivars?

Answer: It will depend on the negotiation.

25. Question: What equipment does the current Contractor have?

Answer:

6 vacuum cleaners 2 small polishers 2 heavy duty polishers 1 heavy duty machine for carpet cleaning.

4 janitor carts.

26. Question: Does the Contractor receive a monthly payment? Is it in advance?

Answer: Yes, the Contractor receives a monthly payment after services have been received. The Contractor will submit an invoice during the first five days of the following month. There is no advanced payments.

27. Question: If there is more than one complaint, how will this affect the contract?

Answer: It will depend on the nature of complaint. The Contracting officer will evaluate if it is a valid complaint and may request the Contractor to dismiss the worker.

28. Question: What is the percentage between floors and carpet inside the Embassy building?

Answer: 90% carpet and 10% vinyl or marble floors.

29. Question: Will the Embassy provide an office space for the Contractor?

Answer: Yes.

30. Question: If a worker has a labor accident inside the Embassy, will the Embassy take care of the worker? What is the procedure?

Answer: Rescarven will give first aid to the worker and will take him to the hospital. Also, the Embassy´s Doctor will be able to evaluate the worker´s condition.

31. Question: Are you aware of any permit application or authorization procedure required by the State Department ( or any other agency) that must be complied with by a U.S. Firm to provide cleaning service at the Embassy?

Answer: No. We are not aware of any permit or procedure.

32. Question: Will the Embassy provide transportation for the Contractor`s workers?

Answer: No. The Contractor shall provide transportation in the morning for the first shift, in the afternoon for the second shift and in the evening.

33. Question: What is the payout per basic year plus options?

Answer: Please, see Question 3.

34. Question: Does the government have a current list of current staffing?

Answer: No.

35. Question: What would be the start date for this contract?

Answer: We estimate that the contract will start on March 1, 2012.

36. Question: Would clause 52.222-44 be included in this contract?

Answer: No, it will not be included. It is marked as “N/A” .

37. Question: Can I do my own pre-screening prior to submitting the employee list?

Answer: The company may conduct background investigation on prospective employees. However, Embassy Security will still conduct its own background investigation.

38. Question: If so, what would be the guidelines for the background investigation?

Answer: There are no guidelines for the Background investigation.

39. Question: My company is a Certified Minority Business Enterprise and Small Business, Can this solicitation be set aside for this designation?

Answer: No. It cannot be set aside, as SBA requirements do not apply overseas.

40. Question: Is this solicitation a 5 or 6 days schedule?

Answer: Work schedule is from Monday thru Saturday.

41. Question: Will the contractor be required to have a vehicle on site?

Answer: No.

42. Question: Any special permits or licenses needed for this contract, if so, what are they?

Answer: Companies shall submit evidence that they have a registered and established business.

43. Question: Will there be any employee parking space provided?

Answer: No.

44. Question: Should the contractor provide proof of insurance along with proposal?

Answer: The offerors shall show evidence or a statement that they will obtain the required document.

45. Question: If we send the proposal via e-mail do we still have to bring 5 paper copies to the Embassy?

Answer: No, but we prefer you submit hard copies.

46. Question: What date and time is the proposal due by?

Answer: Offers will be submitted on February 3, 2012, before 4:00 p.m.

47. Question: You mentioned that the estimate was $452,395. Is it for all three years or for one period?

Answer: Please, see question No.3.

48. Question: Our company does not have a bank account in the United States. Is it possible that you can make the payment to a third party via wire transfer?

Answer: That depends on the situation and the negotiation.

49. Question: I’m not aware of any licenses/permits to provide janitorial services. Are there any?

Answer: Please, see question 30.

50. Question: As per your requirements for the submission of offers, we shall complete SF-1449, blocks 12, 17, 19-24 and Section 1. Shall we use this form (SF-1449) or the form for “Amendment of solicitation/Modification of contract”?

Answer: For the submission of offers, the offerors shall submit SF-1449 blocks 12, 17, 19-24 and Section 1. Also, the Offerors shall sign and submit a copy of all published Amendments of solicitation.

51. Question: Section 3, page 37, A.2., indicates the information to be submitted by offerors. Do we need to submit this information in separate documents or can we include all the information in a Company’s presentation letter?

Answer: There is not a particular format. Offerors can submit it as desired.

52. Question: Section 2 Authorization and performance, Page 35, DOSAR 652.242-73. Question: Which kind of Licenses shall the offeros submit?

Anwers: Offerors shall submit Registro Mercantil(registration with the government) and RIF (tax identification number).

53. Question: How are the shifts currently staffed?

Answer: 6 persons from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm 5 persons from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm 1 person from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at the warehouse Question: On which days?

Answer: From Monday to Friday. On Saturday the schedule is from 7:00 am to 12:00 only at chancery building, warehouse is close on weekends.

54. Question: Will the proposals be opened the same day of submission and will the bid be discussed with the offerors?

Answer: No, the proposals will be opened by the Contracting officer. The technical evaluation panel will review the bids.

55. Question: Do personnel need to wear safety boots?

Answer: No. There are no requirements to wear safety shoes..