Questions Answers

OCIE SOLICITATION

W56KJD-12-R-0001

Questions & Answers

6 Jan 2012

1. Question - What is the required Afghan percentage of the company registered in AISA. Can companies with shared ownership (US owner 51% / Afghan owner 49%) bid on this project?

Answer – The successful offeror will be required to produce or manufacture the items in Afghanistan. In addition, offerors are restricted to utilizing at least 51% of its workforce from the Afghan population.

2. Question - Does production need to take place in Afghanistan? Can we import the products from outside?

Answer – Production of the uniforms has to be performed in Afghanistan. The raw materials (fabric) can be imported.

3. Question - Would like to know which country we should import the raw material from so we should adjust our price list correctly?

Answer – Raw materials can be imported from any country.

4. Question - The submission requirements of the solicitation indicate the following:

BUSINESS PLAN; Contractors shall provide a business plan in accordance with below:

Please advise if this was meant to be "offeror" at which point it is to be submitted as part of our proposal, OR if this is intended as a post award submittal as the word "contractor" indicates.

Answer – The business plan submission is part of the technical proposal. Contractors must submit a business plan in accordance with page 144 of the solicitation. For the purpose of the solicitation. “offeror” and “Contractor” are synonymous.

5. Question - Is there any country from which you do not allow raw materials sourcing? Or any country that would be unfavorably looked upon (other than obvious embargo countries such as Iran, North Korea, etc.)? We realize that the Buy American FAR 52.225-1 requirement has not been checked, but we are still concerned about whether some sources will be viewed unfavorably due to recent trade tensions, etc.

Answer – No, raw materials can be imported from any country.

6. Question - Could you please show us an image of the pattern for the GDPSU camouflage material (the desert camo)? Is it an open-source design or a proprietary design requiring sourcing from a specific source? You have written the following in Attachment 6, but we are not sure where we can find "drawing number 2-1-2240":

3.1.5 Colors (Spectral reflectance). The fabric shall have the following colors: The three colors in the DCU are Light Tan 492, Light Brown 493 and Light Khaki 494. There are FED-STD-595C color chips associated with all three colors, they are:

Lt tan- 30450

Lt Brown- 20160

Lt Khaki- 23440

Drawing number is 2-1-2240 for the pattern.

Answer – Image of GDPSU is attached. The pattern is open-source design and NO specified source for sourcing. Strong, durable high quality fabrics are always preferred for the Afghan National Security Forces customer.

7. Question - I don’t understand where the location in manufacturing these items must be. Location:

Theater Wide Source Selection for Afghanistan (TWSS-A)

Answer – Contractor’s facility shall be located in Afghanistan, i.e. have an Afghan address.

Uniforms/jackets must be produced or manufactured in Afghanistan.

8. Question - Does this mean the manufacturers location must be in Afghanistan?

Answer – Yes, manufacturer’s location must be in Afghanistan.

9. Question - Page 144 of the solicitation, section Technical Evaluation, sub-section Standard states

“Have appropriate machinery available or demonstrate installation of machinery will occur prior to award". Installation of machinery prior to award will not be feasible if no award is made.

Answer – In order to be considered for award contractors must have the machinery available in their plant or demonstrate their ability to obtain machinery prior to award.

10. Question - We suggest elimination of this statement, if possible.

Page 142, EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999), states "The Government intends to limit competition to only manufacturing firms that qualify under the 886 provision of Public Law 110-181 for this requirement". Will we be eligible to submit our offer with our construction or plastic manufacturing license?

Answer – The above statement will not be eliminated. Contractors are eligible to submit proposals but must meet the requirements of the 886 provision, i.e. product must be produced or manufactured in Afghanistan.

11. Question - We have given samples before so I would like to know are the samples required for the second time or not?

Answer – No samples are being requested.

12. Question - Is that mandatory that the proposed contractor's factory should be physically located inside Afghanistan?

Answer – Yes, contractors facility must be located in Afghanistan (must have a physical address in Afghanistan).

13. Question - Would you provide tax exemption letter when importing required materials and machinery for this contract?

Answer – No, tax exemption letter will not be provided.

14. Question - Would you consider production outside of Afganistan? Asia or USA?

Answer – No, production must be completed in Afghanistan.

15. Question - Does the fabric need to come from a designated source?

Answer – In the case of three fabrics, yes: are Trademarked fabrics and fabric for those jackets only must be sourced from the Vendor ADS, Inc. Only 3 fabric patterns within this project must be sourced from ADS, Inc., all others may be purchased from other suppliers. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, GIRoA has chosen these particular patterns for the Afghan National Army (ANA) Digital Uniform and Field Jacket, the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) Uniform and Field Jacket, and the Afghan Partnering Unit (APU) Uniform and Field Jacket.

There’s no restriction on where other Raw material (buttons, hook and loop, etco) is obtained from.

16. Question - Are you open to alternative specifications on the fabric? (Content and construction not camo/colors)

Answer - No, specifications must comply with what’s in the attachments to the Request for Proposal.

17. Question - Would you consider setting aside a portion of this as an Service Disabled small business set aside?

Answer – No, this requirement is being set aside for contractors who can produce or manufacture in Afghanistan and employ over 51% Afghan employees..

18. Question - Can you please specify that the Fabric of uniform should be import only USA or we can import the fabric from other country including of ANA & ANP?

Answer – The fabric can be imported from another country.

19. Question - Should product be made in Afghanistan or Out of Country, which are prefered?

Answer – Product should be produced or manufactured in Afghanistan.

20. Question - Could you please tell me what the blend level is (% of each fiber) for the nylon and cotton fibers used to manufacture the basic-material for the Field Jacket?

Answer - It is 50% Nylon and 50% cotton sateen weave.

21. Question - Is the Buy American act in effect?

Answer – No, the Buy American Act does not apply.

22. Question - In the Classification section of Atch_1, classes, 1, 3 and 7 refer to trademarks of a corporation, and this corporation claims that their products have some undisclosed characteristics that make them distinguishable from others. Do we have to buy the fabric from this corp? Or is the reference for guidance only. If so, I suppose, the pattern is important rather than the fabric itself.

Answer - Yes these are Trademarked fabrics and fabric for those jackets only must be sourced from the Vendor ADS, Inc. Only 3 fabric patterns within this project must be sourced from ADS, Inc., all others may be purchased from other suppliers. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, GIRoA has chosen these particular patterns for the Afghan National Army (ANA) Digital Uniform and Field Jacket, the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) Uniform and Field Jacket, and the Afghan Partnering Unit (APU) Uniform and Field Jacket.

23. Question - Page 140 of the solicitation states"

Two copies must be provided; one redacted. Redacted copy includes blanking out or removing any information that would identify your company, such as but not limited to: company names or affiliates, addresses, phone/fax numbers, names of employees, logos, etc. " Does this apply to offers submitted via email as well?

Answer – Yes,this applies to offers submitted via e-mail.

24. Question - In case of JV: (A) Is it necessary to submit a JV license or will a signed and stamped agreement between companies be sufficient?

Answer – JV licenses are not required but the prime contractor must comply with the 886 requirement to have all items produced and manufactured in Afghanistan and are restricted to utilizing at least 51% of its workforce from the Afghan population.

25. Question - Do all companies under a JV need to be registered with CCR or is the registration of the lead company sufficient?

Answer – No, Aghani companies are not required to be CCR registered.

26. Question - Which currency should the price proposal be submitted in?

Answer – The contract will be awarded in Afghani (local) currency, therefore proposals shall be submitted in that currency.

27. Question - Will you be agree if the manufacturing company be in India, China or pakistan?

Answer – No, the product must be produced or manufactured in Afghanistan.

28. Question - Request that we can do some in Afghanistan and some Order our subcontractors

International Companies in case of more requirment per Month Base, at least be ready one month earlier for the Extra Requirement. This what i want to say, to give our and Subcontractors address, Site, email to have more info and Confidence on Service, can i do this or should all be in Afghanistan?

Answer – Product must be produced or manufactured in Afghanistan and employ no less than 51% Afghani citizens.

29. Question - In Attachment 5 of the solicitation, we noticed a reference to the Berry Amendment.

BERRY AMENDMENT/PREFERENCE FOR CERTAIN DOMESTIC COMMODITIES: This acquisition is subject to the Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2241, and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clause 252.225-7012 Preference For Certain Domestic Commodities (See Section I). We request clarification.

Answer – This verbiage will be deleted. Requirement is not subject to the Berry Amendment.

30. Question - Should the Vendor include in the price, their own logistics?

Answer – Production, manufacturing and delivery cost should be included within each CLINs.

31. Question - Producing these custom items is one thing, but getting it into the country and dispersed is another. If the vendor is only responsible for the delivery to one central Warehouse or receiving point, then this should be noted.

Answer – Deliveries will be made to; SAO-A/LA, Lone Star Annex, CAN#2, Camp Eggers.

32. Question - Ref: Solicitation Page 143 of 175, AISA Registration Documents In which proposal volume should we include the AISA and registration documents?

Answer - Please include the AISA and registration documents separately.

33. Question - Can you please provide the full technical details for the fabric that should be used for each of the items (uniforms/Jackets)?

Is this according to the quality that is currently used by the ANA/ANP for the uniforms?

Answer - Only three of the fabrics are required to be sourced from a specific vendor. Quality fabrics and end-item products are expected for all items since these uniforms and field jackets will support the Afghanistan National Security Forces customer. The better quality of the products your company offers in the eyes of Afghans will benefit everyone.

34. Question - Volume I, Technical Capability is limited to 20 pages. Of the following, which pages or items would not be considered part of the Technical Capability and therefore not count against the 20 page limit?

Letter of Submittal, Cover Page, Table of Contents, AISA License front and back, Owner copy, Excel spreadsheet of employees to include name, date and place of birth, nationality, tribal affiliation Letters of Committment from suppliers Company Organization Chart.

Answer - Only your technical proposal is considered part of the 20 page limit. AISA License and registration documents are not considered part of the technical proposal.

35. Question - Is it possible that we can bid in this Solicitation without Past performance?

Answer – Absence of past performance would result in a neutral rating which equates to acceptable.

36. Question - Can we Supply it from our side of Afghanistan we mean we will make it in Pakistan or China or any other country and send it to Afghanistan or we need to make it here in Afghanistan?

Answer – The product must be produced or manufactured in Afghanistan

37. Question - Could you extend the deadline time until 30th January because it needs to much time to provide a Best Technical proposal as per you reqeust?

Answer – Closing date will remain 15 January 2012.

38. Question - We have Connex Experience with SAO Camp Eggers so can we put our experiance in this proposal?

Answer – No, this type of experience is not similar in nature to the services being procured under this solicitation.

39. Question - Item No: 0001 with No quantities, but 0001AA with Quantities also 0001AB with quantities, but there is another Item 0001AC which has quantities, could you please let me know is 0001AC is a collected quantities of 0001AA and 0001AB?

Answer - CLINs 0001, 0002, 0003, etc are all informational CLINs.

Please apply pricing to CLINs with quantities, ie., 0001AA, 0001AB, 0001AC.

0001AC should not be priced as a total of 0001AA and 0001AB.

Each CLIN; AA, AB and AC should be priced separately based on the quantities.

40. Question - Does the SF1449 and associated FARS clauses also need to be redacted or just Volumes I, II and III?

Answer - The only portion that needs to be redacted is one copy of your technical proposal.