2._Questions_and_Answers_W564KV-16-T-0035.pdf

The following are questions and answers for the Solicitation that were asked for W564KV‐16‐T‐0035.

Product questions

Dishwasher

1. Is white the only color acceptable?

ANSWER: Per the solicitation, white is the only color acceptable.

2. Is there any restriction on the origin of the goods? Would models produced in Asia be acceptable?

ANSWER: There is no restriction on origin. All proposed models must meet the characteristics identified in the solicitation.

US Dryer

1. There is currently no model US‐style model of an electric dryer for 220V~50Hz on the market that would meet the requirement of 3500 W maximum total connected load. There are European‐style dryers that meet that requirement, however. In Q&A it had been stated that:

"We have had problems in the past, that we had over 800 dryers delivered with the large heating elements these had to be exchange before that they could be set in use, they do not work in the EU as the standard is: 16 amp socket outlets therefor higher that 3500 will not work in the EU there are manufactures which can comply with this requirement. Therefore, drop down doors will not be acceptable."

We can quote model that has higher output, which would label our offer technically unacceptable as new models with power output under 3500W are not available for sale at this time. Would the Government be willing to remove the CLIN from the solicitation and wait for the new model(s) that meet the requirement?

ANSWER: The Government has confirmed that there are US models available that require only a 15 amp socket outlet which is within the 3500.W range.

Refrigerator 15.9‐17.4 cu.ft

1. Please clarify the total net capacity in Liters (min and max)

ANSWER: Total net capacity required for refrigerator PLUS top‐mounted freezer is a minimum of 450‐ liters/15.9 cu.ft, maximum 493/17.4 cu.ft, Net capacity required for the top‐mounted freezer only is minimum 97‐liters/3.4 cu.ft, maximum 150‐liters/5.3 cu.ft.

2. Is white the only color acceptable?

ANSWER: Per the solicitation, white is the only color acceptable.

3. Will models with refrigerant other than R600 be considered technically unacceptable?

ANSWER: No but they must meet all characteristic requirements identified in the solicitation including all of the required EU standards.

4. Please clarify max. outside dimensions.

ANSWER: Maximum outside measurements permitted are width 76 cm/30 inches, Height 170 CM/66.9 Inches including any hinges that may protrude to the top. A maximum depth is not specified.

5. Would you accept models with water dispenser through the door, if available?

ANSWER: No, this is considered technically unacceptable.

Refrigerator 17.4‐19.5 cu.ft

1. Please clarify the total net capacity in Liters (min and max)

ANSWER: Total net capacity required for refrigerator PLUS top‐mounted freezer is a minimum of 493‐ liters/17.4 cu.ft, maximum 552‐liters/19.5 cu.ft. Net capacity required for the top‐mounted freezer only is minimum 97‐liters/3.4 cu.ft, maximum 150‐liters/5.3 cu.ft.

2. Is white the only color acceptable?

ANSWER: Per the solicitation, white is the only color acceptable.

3. Will models with refrigerant other than R600 be considered technically unacceptable?

ANSWER: No but they must meet all characteristic requirements identified in the solicitation including all of the required EU standards.

4. Please clarify max. outside dimensions.

ANSWER: Maximum outside measurements permitted are width 90 cm/35.5 inches, HEIGHT 170 CM/66.9 INCHES including any hinges that may protrude to the top. A maximum depth is not specified.

5. Would you accept models with water dispenser through the door, if available?

ANSWER: No, this is considered technically unacceptable.

EU Washer

1. Will models with capacity over 7kg be acceptable?

ANSWER: No, this is considered technically unacceptable.

2. Is there maximum acceptable capacity in kg?

ANSWER: The maximum acceptable capacity is 7kg.

3. Salient characteristics for the unit (point f, page 33) state:

"Note Item 0001AA and 0002AA shall be corresponsive models of the same manufacturer to allow for optional item 0003AA"

However, there are no CLINs with those numbers listed in the solicitation W564KV‐16‐T‐0035. Will you be adding a dryer to match with the EU washer and clarify the requirement about stacking? If not, could you please remove the point mentioned from the salient characteristics?

ANSWER: Point f on page 33 has been removed.

US Washer

1. Will you accept models with an impeller (washplate) instead of agitator models? Agitator models do not meet the average water consumption requirement listed in the Salient characteristics for the washer (point a, page 28) as their average water consumption exceeds 100 L.

ANSWER: No, this is considered technically unacceptable. The Government has confirmed that units meeting the salient characteristics identified in the solicitation exist in the commercial marketplace.

2. Please review the max. spin speed requirement of 710RPM listed in the Salient Characteristics. That requirement will only apply to agitator models, which do not meet the water consumption requirement.

If you accept non‐agitator models, the max. RPM will have to be revised to 800 RPM.

ANSWER: Only washers with agitators will be considered acceptable. As such, the 710 RPM requirement remains unchanged.

3. Point 25 in salient characteristics calls for included and attached hoses but there are no US models of washers that come with attached drain hoses (some models do not even include them.) The Q&A explains that "we have had water damage in the past where the hoses have been pulled off, there are manufacturers which have the hose connected directly to the pump", however that might be the case only with European style washers.

ANSWER: The Government has confirmed that units meeting the salient characteristics identified in the solicitation exist in the commercial marketplace.

4. Please see the picture of the back of US‐style washer showing water inlet valves at the back of the unit (some model have the inlet valves on one side, instead the middle.) If the drain hoses were attached, they would get damaged (kinked, pinched etc.) Please remove the requirement.

ANSWER: The Government disagrees with this assessment. The drain is in the same line as the water inlet connections. This has two purposes: (1) it stops the machine from self‐draining and (2) the hose cannot be accidently detached. The drain hose is not related to the inlet hose connections.

General questions

1) Page 7 of the solicitation talks about Format and Content, and Subfactor 5 states that offeror "shall submit proof of ISO 9001:2000 certificate for their organization."

Please clarify if required. Such certifications are costly, and requirement would put a restriction on small business companies.

ANSWER: ISO 9001:2000 certificate requirement is removed.

2) Page 23 of the solicitation references clause FAR 252.229‐7001 Tax Relief, in which it states that contract price should exclude Abwicklungsschein tax of 19%.

Will you provide the documentation confirming the tax relief? Could you please provide a reference that would help understand the tax and procedure of the relief?

ANSWER: This is for vendors local to Germany only.

3) For the product originating in the US, will you require that good are shipped on US‐Flag vessel? Will Government clear the import shipments?

ANSWER: Delivery shall be F.O.B. Destination. Preference for US Flagged Vessels is in accordance with DFARS 252.247‐7023 which is incorporated in the solicitation. Contractor is responsible for delivery, including clearing imports.

4) When do you expect to issue a contract award?

ANSWER: The Government anticipates award in May 2016, however, this is subject to change including cancelation.

Comments

* The Item list on pages 3‐6 lists six CLIN, for which salient characteristics are detailed in Point 2 of Technical specifications, however in different order. For instance, dishwasher is listed as CLIN0001 but specifications for it are listed under point d. Would it be possible to list the salient characteristics in the same order as CLINs?

ANSWER: No, the CLIN and salient characteristics order will remain unchanged.

* ITEM 0003 specifications on page 4 list total net capacity at min. 493 Liters but later 493/17.4 cu.ft is listed as max. capacity. "REFRIGERATOR ‐ FREEZER COMBINATION 15.9 ‐ 17.4 cu.ft., US Style technically approved for use within the EU market, in 2‐door Top Mount design, i.e., FOUR STAR freezer on top of refrigerator with separate door, freestanding, With NO‐FROST technology in refrigerator AND freezer.

i.e. ventilated in both compartment. Total net capacity * minimum 493 liters/17.4 cu. ft. (Cubic Foot). SUITABLE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AN OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC ICEMAKER. 450/15.9 ‐ 493/17.4 (cubic foot)."

Could you please have the specs corrected to avoid ambiguity?

ANSWER: Specifications have been corrected in solicitation.

* Additionally, the Salient characteristics for the same product (point d, page 30) are the same as salient characteristics for the larger‐size refrigerator (point c, pages 29‐30.)

Could you please correct the total net capacity, net capacity for refrigerator and freezer compartments and max, dimensions?

ANSWER: Specifications have been corrected in solicitation.

* Given the ambiguity of the specifications and questions posted, could you please extend the deadline for submission of offers to allow for review of answers and any necessary adjustments?

ANSWER: Per amendment 0002, the deadline will be extended to 11 May 2016.