W564KV-16-R-0004_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Question 1 CLIN01. Washing machine, US style.

‐ Point 5 calls for porcelain outer tub, yet manufacturers of US style washers use plastic outer tubs (porcelain is used for inner tub.) Please confirm that outer tub material can be either porcelain or plastic. Porcelain or plastic for the outer tub is okay for the OUTER TUB ONLY

‐ Point 6 lists average water consumption requirement. Please clarify if this requirement applies to average in a particular cycle, such as normal or delicate. This is an average per year and goes in conjunction with the Energy certificate

‐ Point 8 calls for a 3‐wire power cable but plug type is not specified. Please specify the plug type, if any. Also, please clarify if you are going to accept units with other‐than‐Schuko power cords and plug adapters. This should state “a cable approximately 1.5 meters long with the German Schuko plug without any connectors or adaptors”.

‐ Point 12 calls for A+ EU Energy certificate to Energy Star Certificate. There is not a single US‐Style top loader that will not qualify for A+ EU Energy rating as top loaders consume more water and energy than front‐loading washing machines (only front‐loading washers would have A+ energy rating, whereas US Style washers would have at best Energy Efficiency C.) As for Energy Star rating, only US‐voltage High‐Efficiency Top Loading washers (no‐agitator models) would qualify. Currently, there are no export US‐Style models equivalent to Energy Star rated top loading washing machines. Please confirm that “A+” energy rating will not be a technical requirement.

efficiency (improved of high.) With the US models we would need an EU Energy certificate OR Energy Star Certificate.

‐ Point 13 calls for stainless steel tub, which is usually a standard in high‐efficiency models (impeller‐type.) Please confirm that porcelain and other materials will be accepted for the washtub. Porcelain is not an option, Galvanize steel or stainless steel would be accepted.

‐ Point 25 calls for inlet hoses to be included and attached. Manufacturers do not attach the inlet hoses to the washing machines as they could kink and get damaged. Specifications have been changed to: Inlet hoses included.

Question 2 CLIN02. Electric Dryer, US Style.

‐ Point 7 calls for side‐opening door but there are some models that have drop‐down door. Please advise if drop‐ down models will be acceptable. No, drop down models are not acceptable.

‐ US Style Electric dryers for export do not meet EU or Energy Star efficiency requirements. Please confirm that requirement for “A+” or better efficiency will not apply. With the US models we would need an EU Energy certificate OR Energy Star Certificate.

‐ It is not specified what type of power cable is required and acceptable. Please clarify. We will except no cable, most of the time the cable is exchanged to suit the building where it is going to be installed

Question 3 CLIN03. Refrigerator, 17.4‐19.5 cu.ft.

‐ Summary states that required model has to be of top‐mount design. Will bottom‐mount designs be accepted?

Yes

‐ Point 4 states that “the item shall be free of traditional ozone depleting substances that are prohibited in the EU.” Please clarify if there are any restrictions regarding the refrigerant used in the offered model, such as R410a or R134a. See EU f‐gas regulation (517/2014).

‐ Please clarify if optional ice maker feature is required or optional. Yes it is required.

‐ Is white the only color acceptable? Yes

‐ Would you accept models with an exterior water dispenser, if available? No

Question 4

CLIN04. Dishwasher.

‐ Is white the only color acceptable? Yes

‐ Is there any restriction on the origin of the goods? Yes, see clause 252.225‐7021 for complete details.

Question 5 CLIN05. Washing Machine, Euro 7kg

‐ Will models with capacity over 7kg be acceptable? Yes Is there maximum acceptable capacity in kg? 8kg, ‐ Point 5 states that door should be min. 32cm diameter. Does this apply to the exterior door, interior door or door opening? Door opening

‐ Please clarify point 9 regarding the 7‐10 years wear & tear. Is the request for extended warranty or for confirmation that offered unit would have life cycle use expectancy of 7‐10 years? If contractor confirms the required life cycle expectancy of the washer, will you require supporting documentation and what type (how will this requirement be reviewed?) This is a normal use life cycle expectancy of 7‐10 years which we can see in the technical details and on experience of the models and manufactures

‐ Point 13 states that “shipping and handling will be included in unit price”. Will this item have a different delivery address than the remaining items? The Solicitations document sates that all quotes have to be FOB destination.

Please clarify. Delivery address is the same as stated in solicitation.

‐ Should item be of the same model and by the same manufacturer as CLIN06? Yes

‐ Should item match in style the item in CLIN06? Yes

Question 6

CLIN06. Condenser Dryer, Euro 7kg

‐ There are no technical specifications & salient characteristics for this item. Please revise the solicitation document to include them. Specifications will be incorporated into the solicitation with an amendment.

‐ What is the maximum capacity acceptable? 8 kg

‐ Should item be of the same model and by the same manufacturer as CLIN05? Yes

‐ Should item match in style the item in CLIN05? Yes

‐ Should the cost include a stacking kit? No, as a separate requirement maybe

Question 7 CLIN07. Refrigerator, 9.5 cu.ft, ‐ There are no technical specifications & salient characteristics for this item. Please revise the solicitation document to include them. Specifications will be incorporated into the solicitation with an amendment.

Question 8 CLIN08. Refrigerator, 15.9‐17.4 cu.ft.

‐ Summary states that required model has to be of top‐mount design. Will bottom‐mount designs be accepted?

Yes

‐ Please clarify the min and max capacity as the information listed in the description on page 7 is ambiguous: it lists “total net capacity *minimum 493 liters.” Should read‐ minimum of 400 liters maximum 467 liters

‐ Please clarify if optional ice maker feature is required? No

‐ Point 4 states that “the item shall be free of traditional ozone depleting substances that are prohibited in the EU.” Please clarify if there are any restrictions regarding the refrigerant used in the offered model. See EU f‐gas regulation (517/2014).

‐ Is white the only color acceptable? Yes

‐ Would you accept models with an exterior water dispenser, if available? No

Question 9

CLIN09. Microwave Oven.

‐ There are no technical specifications & salient characteristics for this item. Please revise the solicitation document to include them. Specifications will be incorporated into the solicitation with an amendment.

‐ Are there any restrictions regarding the country of origin of the product? There is a list of countries which are not expectable products have to meet TAA compliance ‐ Is there a preference for TAA originated product? Yes

‐ Is white the only color acceptable? Yes

Question 10 Page 8 lists guaranteed minimum for the IDIQ per each CLIN. Are the number per year or per whole IDIQ period?

The guaranteed minimum is the minimum guaranteed quantity for the life of the IDIQ.

Question 11 Page 11 references clause 252.215‐7008. Please confirm if Offerors are limited to only one offer per offeror. If yes, please confirm it is acceptable to offer more than one option per CLIN.

Offerors are only limited to one offeror. It is unacceptable to price multiple options per CLIN. However, 252.215‐7008 pertains to additional pricing information requests in the event only one offer is received.

Question 12 Page 11 references clause 252.225‐7021. Please clarify if items that are not US‐made, qualifying country or designated country end products are technically unacceptable.

Yes, clause 252.225‐7021 applies to this contract.

Question 13 Page 11 references clause 252.247‐7023. Please clarify if it is required to ship products of US‐origin on US Flag vessel.

In accordance with 252.247‐7023, “The Contractor shall use U.S.‐flag vessels when transporting any supplies by sea under this contract.” Please see the full text clause for any exceptions and additional requirements.

Question 14 Page 16 lists page limitation of 50 pages for Technical Factor of the Offer Package, which is approx. 5 pages per CLIN.

Additionally, it is required to submit a copy of energy efficiency documentation (1 page), copy of CE conformance (1 page) and copy of international safety certificate (min. 1 page), which leaves maximum 2 pages for specifications and relevant data to confirm model offered meets technical specification and salient characteristics, which might be very difficult to meet with the document page settings required in c and d on page 17.

Please advise if offers with Technical Factor documents over 50 pages will be accepted.

“If the page limits are exceeded, the pages in excess of the limit will be removed and not evaluated.”

Question 15 Page 17 Subfactor 1 states that is required to submit one set of documents (technical factor) in English and one in German. Please confirm this is correct. If correct, please advise which documents are to be submitted in German and extend the page limit for technical factor. Also, please clarify if offers submitted in English only will be considered technically unacceptable. Offers submitted in only English will be acceptable.

Question 16 Page 19 explains that “it is the responsibility of the offeror to make sure past performance questionnaires are submitted in a timely manner.” What if the CO listed in the Past Performance does not submit the assessment questionnaire on time, or at all? Will that make the offer technically unacceptable Please see note under Factor 3: Past Performance Acceptable/Unacceptable Rating.

Question 17 Should there be no offer with ACCEPTABLE rating (for instance, one of the CLINs submitted is missing a copy of the safety certificate or CE declaration of conformity, even though model is certified and conforms to the CE norms), would the Government award the contract to one vendor only, multiple vendors or else?

As it states in the solicitation, “The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a single contract without discussions with Offerors.” Any further answer to this question would speculative.

Question 18 Page 41, point 5 states that contractor is obliged to submit user instruction manuals and repair manuals in German and English. Please confirm if the German language requirement applies to all CLINs. Also, please advise if the manuals are considered part of the 50‐page limit. Offers submitted in only English will be acceptable.

Question 19 Please explain the procedure for replacement of models. Who does the contractor contact for authorization and at what timeline? What documents are required to prove that model suggested for replacement is equal or better than the model originally submitted and approved?

Changes to models will be completed through a bi‐lateral modification to the contract. This process will be coordinated through the Contracting Office. Determination for equal or better than original model will be made on a case by case basis.

Question 20 Pricing Schedule lists estimated annual quantities per CLIN and page 8, but the estimated numbers do not add up to the estimated quantities listed on pages 3‐7 (some totals are over 3000, others are under 3000.) What is a better estimate of the max. quantities: pricing attachment or 3000 pieces (pages 3‐7)?

There is no estimated maximum quantity. The maximum quantity is set at 108,000 appliances for the duration of the contract. For estimated quantities, see the Exhibit B – Price Exhibit.

Question 21 Would the government be placing one order per contract year, or multiple orders per year? If multiple orders, please advice order increments and estimated quantities per order (either number or percentage of yearly total.)

The Government could place a single or multiple awards each year. Ordering limitations can be found at clause 52.216‐19.

Question 22 What is the expected award date?

Before the end of the September 2016.