Questions and Answers RFP TRN-12-020.pdf

Questions and Answers

USAID RFP TRN-12-020 – U.S. Domestic Pre-Position Warehouse Services

August 22, 2012

Question 1: Who is the incumbent for Title II U.S. domestic warehouse services?

Answer: Jacintoport, Houston, Texas.

Question 2: Will there be any commodities that have to be transferred at the outset of this contract?

Answer: Possibly. Potential contractors should be prepared to pick up or receive USAID commodities within a couple of days of contract award. The government will provide advanced notice if transport arrangements or warehouse services must be organized shortly after the execution of a contract.

Question 3: Will the contractor have to perform regular inspections of the commodities.

Answer: Yes. In order to maintain the excellent condition of the food commodities, the contractor shall regularly inspect the commodities, packaging and the warehouse to assure there are no infestations or problems with the commodities or surroundings that may require fumigation or recouping.

Question 4: Regarding the palletized food aid products (RUTF, EFP, RUSF, etc.) – How many pallet levels are we able to stack these commodities?

Answer: The RUTF and RUSF pallets may be stacked two pallets high. A-20 EFP products may not be stacked. A-28 and A-29 EFP products may be stacked two pallets high. Racking systems may be used by the warehouse contractor to store these commodities.

Question 5: Please clarify if the rate requested for loading or unloading of 20'/40'/48' container conveyance at the warehouse door should be inclusive of any and all handling, transportation and receipt of containers at the warehouse facility. The RFP seems to request simply a loading or unloading rate at the door.

Answer: The government is requesting commodity handling rates between the warehouse door and the warehouse floor for loading or unloading a container.

Question 6: Is the offeror required to include terminal handling charges (billed by the export port facility when delivering break bulk or container to the nearest deepwater port? Are any terminal handling fees to be billed separately and if so, to which party?

Answer: Based upon local tariffs and circumstances, terminal handling fees may be charged to shippers by exporting carriers at ports. The offeror shall include in their proposed pricing, for

F.a.s. vessel delivery of commodities, all charges they may be billed to effectively deliver commodities to an F.a.s. vessel position at their local export port. The offeror, if preferred, may include local port handling fees as a separate line item, if the terminal handling fee is to be paid by the shipper of record (the Cooperating Sponsor).

Question 7: When delivering commodities to a local port, is F.a.s. considered to be "delivered to the Container Yard?"

Answer: The solicitation defines F.a.s. vessel delivery of commodities to the local port. If the exporting carrier is a container line, then the container yard (CY) will be considered F.a.s. vessel.

Question 8: When delivering cargo, should the MT price be based on 18 MT minimum per conveyance?

Answer: The solicitation requests your proposed rate for trailer or container conveyance drayage of 20 / 40 / 48 foot conveyances, loaded at the warehouse door and delivered to the closest deep water berth for breakbulk or container vessel loading. Please provide the rate per net metric ton to provide this service, inclusive of all expenses and local charges. You may assume that conveyances are generally fully loaded.

Question 9: Please clarify what insurance coverage is required. Is it required that the warehouse contractor have total loss insurance on the commodity?

Answer: The government commodities do not require insurance, as the government is self insured with respect to the commodities. Please see the clause of the proposed contract relating to government property, FAR 52.245-1.

Question 10: RUTF and similar product storage requirement -- Can you provide an estimate of how much storage would be required for these type products?

Answer: Historically, for RUTF and similar products, the government has procured these products in lots of 100 to 1,500 metric tons. Quantities stored in the domestic warehouse have varied, but are estimated to range between about 1,000 and 3,000 metric tons at any point in time.

NOTE: The below prices shall be proposed for the base period of the contract and each option period. All the below services charges shall be paid by USAID under the terms of the contract.

B. Prices (to be provided in a separate document from the technical proposal).

•1. Your rate for warehouse storage, including all labor, management, resources, equipment, warehouse maintenance and upkeep - Per net metric ton per day: $____ per net mt.

•2. Your rate for rail car siding to warehouse floor handling: $____ per net mt.

•3. Your rate for truck or container conveyance unloading or loading at warehouse door (door to floor or floor to door) for each 20 / 40 / 48 foot conveyance: $____ per net mt.

•4. Your rate for trailer or container conveyance drayage of 20 foot conveyance to closest deep water berth for breakbulk or container vessel loading: $____ per net mt.

•5. Your rate for trailer or container conveyance drayage of 40/48 foot conveyance to the closest deep water berth for breakbulk or container vessel loading: $____ per net mt.

•6. Your rate for trailer or container conveyance drayage of 20 and 40/48 foot conveyance to other local or regional deep water berths for vessel loading: $____ per net mt. (Provide rates for named berths or terminals.)

•7. Your rate for carrier container handling drayage/loading/drayage CY to CY from / to the deep water CY for container vessel loading: $____ per net mt. (Provide rates for named CYs in your region.)

•8. If the warehouse facility and USAID commodities are considered to be in an F.A.S. vessel position, the rate for loading a breakbulk vessel (to be paid by the vessel owner) is: $____ per net mt.

•9. Commodity fumigation shall be reimbursed by USAID at actual service vendor market price.

John Abood

Contracting Officer

M/OAA/T

USAID