SWHARC16Q0010_-_Q As_-_9_Mar_2016.pdf

SWHARC16Q0010 – Q&A – 9 Mar 2016

ILEA SAN SALVADOR – IT IMPROVEMENTS

SWHARC16Q0010 – Q&As – 9 Mar 2016

Note: Responses provided herein are for informational purposes only. Terms of the solicitation and specifications remain unchanged unless the solicitation is amended in writing.

Solicitation Section / Appendix Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question Government Response

1. Section 2- Contract Clauses

Page 22 I-001, Recruitment of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) for Performance on Department of State Contracts

Our understanding is that a TCN is neither a citizen of the U.S. nor a citizen of the host country (El Salvador). Will the DoS please confirm this is correct?

This is correct.

2. Section 2- Contract Clauses

Page 22 I-001, Recruitment of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) for Performance on Department of State Contracts

Are offerors required to recruit TCNs for this effort or may offerors provide alternate staffing solutions?

Recruitment of TCNs is not a mandatory requirement.

3. Section 3 - Solicitation Provisions

Page 26, 1.

Tailoring of

FAR 52.212-1

(h)

May we submit a partial offer (Subproject No. 2: Storage Solution and Subproject No.3: Virtual Server); since basis clearly states that the government intends to award a single contract as result of this solicitation.

No. Multiple awards will not be made.

Refer to page 26, 1. Tailoring of FAR 52.212-1.

52.212-1(h), Multiple Awards: The Government intends to award a single contract as a result of this solicitation.

4. Section 3- Solicitation Provisions

Page 29 2.2.1. Volume I – Business, Tab D – Recruitment and Housing Plans.

Include a Recruitment Plan and a

Housing Plan if required per the contract clause I-001, RECRUITMENT OF

THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS

(TCNs) FOR PERFORMANCE ON

DEPARTMENT OF STATE CON-

TRACTS.

Scenario: A U.S. company will participate with a local Salvadorian Company as a Partner, utilizing its personnel who are citizens of El Salvador and live in El Salvador (Not U.S.), to perform work in El Salvador.

Question: If so, is a Recruitment Plan and Housing Plan required to be submitted as part of the Business Volume?

If TCNs will not be recruited for this effort then, per the terms of clause I-001, a Recruitment Plan and a Housing Plan will not be required.

Appendix Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question Government Response

5. Section 3- Solicitation Provisions

Page 29 2.2.1. Volume I – Business, Tab E – Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

Include a Small Business Subcontracting

Plan if one is required per FAR clause 52.219-9.

Scenario: A U.S. company will participate with a local Salvadorian Company as a Partner, utilizing its personnel who are citizens of El Salvador and live in El Salvador (Not U.S.), to perform work in El Salvador.

Question: If so, is necessary to include a Small Business Subcontracting Plan as part of the Business Volume?

If the US company (Offeror) is a small business concern then a Subcontracting Plan is not required.

Refer to FAR clause 52.219-9, paragraph a.

6. Section 3- Solicitation

Page 30 Ref. 2.2.2(b), #2-4 Does the Government intend for offerors to submit the additional information requested in items #2-4 in Microsoft Excel format or may this information be provided in Microsoft Word format?

Microsoft Excel is preferred.

7. Section 3- Solicitation

Page 30 Ref. 2.2.3 Are offerors required to propose on all three subprojects or may offerors submit a proposal for only one of the subprojects?

No. See to response to questions number 3.

8. N/A N/A “The selected contractor will be required to deliver all required hardware, software, and services to ILEA San Salvador. Local warranty and technical support will be required for all systems.”

I reviewed the background info on the RFP and had a question on staging and shipping logistics. Can the equipment be configured and staged at a different location outside of Mexico as long as it’s delivered to ILEA San Salvador within the timelines required? It will have local warranty and support.

The language quoted appears to originate from the pre-solicitation notice posted on FedBizOpps. Actual requirements are described in the solicitation and related appendices.

All equipment shall be configured in ILEA San Salvador facilities.

9. N/A N/A N/A How many rack units (U) are there going to be available in the rack of destination?

2 racks will be available of 42 units each.

10. N/A N/A N/A How much time is required for requesting and getting a DUNS number?

Unknown. Our organization does not issue the required DUNS numbers.

FAR provision 52.212-1, paragraph j, includes information on how to request a DUNS number.

Appendix Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question Government Response

11. N/A N/A N/A May we submit an offer while a DUNS request is being processed?

The DUNS number is required to verify if the offeror’s registration in the System for Award Management.

12. N/A N/A N/A Is DUNS number required only for billing?

DUNS number is required per FAR provision 52.212-1, paragraph j.

Per FAR provision 52.212-1, paragraph k, a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award.

Registration in SAM requires, among other things, the offeror to have a valid DUNS number.

13. N/A N/A N/A What would be an estimated lead time for awarding?

Government intends to make an award within 120 days after receipt of quotations.

14. N/A N/A N/A Does the budget stills the same amount of the first RFQ?

The budget amount was never released. Previously, the Government provided a range of estimated prices to assist US small business concerns. An estimated price range will not be released for this solicitation.

FAR provision 52.212-1, paragraph g states in part: The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint.

15. N/A N/A N/A Can this be quoted by local Salvadorian enterprises?

This acquisition is unrestricted. It is not limited to US small business concerns.

16. N/A N/A N/A Where can we find last bidding results?

The Government may not release requested information to the public.

Appendix Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question Government Response

17. Our Company can participate offering only Appendix A, Subproject No.1 – Videowall Systems?

No. See to response to questions number 3.

18. N/A N/A N/A Does the Embassy of the United States in El Salvador will make the process of customs clearance of the equipment offered as well as the corresponding procedures for delivery at the project site or just carry out the process of customs clearance and our company will have to carry out the processes for transfer of equipment to the project site?

Refer to solicitation Section 1, 16. Shipment and Customs Clearance (page 10). Selected contractor will be responsible for transporting the materials from their place of origin to the project site.