Questions and Answers_02.14.2025.pdf

Questions and Answers:

1) We carry every product requested except for 1-gallon bottles. We can either substitute 20oz bottles (case of 24) or you could source that portion elsewhere. Please let us know which you prefer.

A: 1-gallon bottles/jugs are required and cannot be resourced elsewhere.

2) From Page 87, Table "Specifications Base Year"

A. Water bottled 1 gallon size, 6 gallons to a case, delivered as an on-call basis to building E5185. Water to be delivered on palettes (28 cases) in bulk. 140 cases always in reserve.

B. Water bottled .5 liter size, 24ea to a case-84 cases to pallet, delivered on an on-call basis to buildings E5185 and Adelphi Laboratory Center. Water to be delivered on palettes in bulk.

Question --> How many cases per each pallet is required for the 1 gallon size bottles? In the case of the 0.5 liter bottles, it is clear that a pallet should contain 84 cases, with 24 bottles, each. It is unclear for the 1 gallon bottles, however, it is being asked to be sent in pallets.

A: 84 cases per pallet for .5 liter bottles (24 bottles per case)

28 cases per pallet for 1-gallon bottle/jugs (6 bottles/jugs per case)

3) Can you please confirm the Spring Water brand that you are currently using throughout your APG locations.

A: Crystal Springs

4) It looks like there are 15 delivery locations within the facilities from p. 84, Is that accurate?

A: There are currently 14 delivery locations, comments mentioning Locations 14 & 15 should read 13 & 14.

5) Is any security clearance or preapproval needed for the driver? Or just a truck inspection?

A: Visitor pass is needed in order to access the delivery locations. A screening will be performed. Please see the instructions listed on item 2.5.1 – security, p.10 of the PWS for more details.

Item 2.5.1.3.1 - Contractor and Vendor Access. All privately-owned vehicles or motorcycles or Contractor or vendor-furnished vehicles and equipment must enter the Installation through the designated secure access control points (ACP). Under the present Installation FPCON, vehicle and equipment operators and passengers must possess identification documents as required by Aberdeen Proving Ground DES to access the Installation. Vehicle and equipment operators must also possess and be ready to show a valid state and/or commercial driver's license, current vehicle registration, and proof of state required minimum liability insurance. As determined by the Installation FPCON, an elevated FPCON may require additional security screening and/or limited Installation access. All vehicles must be registered IAW current state requirements in which they are registered.

Item 2.5.1.3.2 Installation Access: All Contractor personnel, not possessing a Common Access Card (CAC) requesting access to Aberdeen Proving Ground must register under the AIE online to obtain APG North and South Visitor Pass https://pass.aie.army.mil/apg or enter through the designated Visitor Control Center (VCC) to obtain their visitors pass Visitor Information :: U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground. Screening is performed utilizing National Crime Information Center (NCIC). All Contractor personnel will be required to present a United States National or State issued identification that is capable of being scanned for valid entry. Contractor personnel will receive a visitor’s pass at the VCC with the length of access allowed. The maximum access length for visitor pass is one year. Once issued a valid visitor’s pass, Contractor personnel may enter any Manned Access Control Point/Gate. Contractor will provide a written document or email of all employees registered upon receiving Installation Access Passes. AIE pass must be obtained NLT 5 workdays of contract award. Follow-on renewals will be submitted to COR within 5 workdays. Contractor must also obtain APG North and South ATC Badge access for Controlled Areas, (see para. 2.5.1.5 Secure/Controlled Area). ATC Badge forms shall be obtained through the COR within 10 workdays of contract award, the contractor shall submit all forms for security badges for all employees that will be entering post. ALC/Blossom Point access shall be requested through local ALC security office, detailed instructions will be provided by the COR upon contract award. All Contractor personnel and their vehicles, equipment, and packages are subject to inspection or examination (search) at entry/exit of Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

2.5.1.5 Secure/Controlled Area Access. Portions of the requirements under the contract may be performed in secure areas and all persons requiring access to a secure area will be escorted by the activity or Government personnel if an access badge is not issued. Availability of receiving an access badge is determined by a validated need identifying frequency, number of locations, and duration of visit. The COR shall coordinate the required request for secure/control area badges with the contractor. The Contractor is NOT authorized to take any pictures on any APG service jurisdiction areas. Required access to any Restricted Area Ranges (ATC) will require an in person briefing scheduled by the COR. In the case of escort, forty-eight (48) hours advance notice to the activity shall be required except in emergency or urgent work. Contractor employees requiring access to secure areas shall be free of felony convictions, and prior Military Service Members shall have an honorable discharge (See DD Form 254, Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification).

6) Are there specific time requirements for delivery? (for example, only open 9am to

2pm).

A: Per para. 2.1.3.3 Hours of Operation: The Government's regular (normal) hours are from 0700 – 1600 hours

7) Is there a forklift available for unloading at these delivery locations, or is everything to be completed by hand by the driver?

A: Government has forklift capability available at Locations #13 & 14 for unloading.

8) Delivery Schedule: Do you have an estimated number of deliveries per week or month?

Additionally, could you provide an approximate quantity of bottles ordered per delivery?

A: See Para. 5.2.3 “Deliveries”-page 20, Para. 7.3.3. Technical Exhibit 2 - page 84, and page 87 to 90 of the solicitation.

9) DoD Unique Identification (UID) Labeling:

a. Could you provide a sample or guidelines on how items should be labeled with the

IUID?

b. What is the minimum required information that must appear on the label?

c. Does every individual item need a label, or would labeling at the pallet level be sufficient?

A: No UID required; Bottled water is a consumable, non-mission-critical, with a value under

$5,000 per delivery.

10) Sourcing and Product Restrictions: Are there any restrictions on foreign products, or specific requirements for sourcing from domestic suppliers?

a. Per para. 5.1.5, page 19: The source of potable water (not distributor) must be accredited and approved under the Defense Health Agency Public Health.

b. https://ph.health.mil/topics/foodwater/ca/Pages/DoDApprovedFoodSources.aspx

c. Questions regarding Worldwide Directory of Sanitarily Approved Food Establishments for Armed Forces Procurement may be directed to the DoD Approved Food Sources Program, by Email dha.apg.pub-health-a.mbx.food-protection@health.mil or 410-417- 3725, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

11) Based on the Technical Exhibit 2, will the water coolers and bottles be delivered directly to each individual location listed (e.g., #1 APG South, #2 APG South, etc.), or will they all be delivered to a central warehouse or distribution point for personnel to manage?

A: Coolers and bottled water must be delivered directly to each individual location/building per PWS.

Specifically: In as much as there are more than 170 bldgs at this address:

Will the water coolers and bottles need to be delivered directly to specific buildings, floors, and rooms, or will they all be delivered to one central location for personnel to distribute?

A: Water will be delivered to a Central Location designated by each location/building Point of Contract.

If individual delivery to buildings is required, will you please provide the specific bldg, floor and room (OR) number of buildings for the specific deliveries.

Technical Exhibit A demonstrates the quantities but does not specify which locations.

A: Locations/Building numbers and map will be provided to Contractor within 5 working days of contract award per para. 2.1.3.1 – page 7, para 5.1.4- page 19 and Para. 7.3.2. Technical Exhibit 1 page 43.

Additionally, if available, will you also provide a map or layout of the facility to assist with an accurate proposal preparation and planning?

A: Facility layout is not necessary, as Contractor will be escorted to each designated centralized drop-off location.

12) Bottled Water (1-Gallon, 0.5-Liter, and 5-Gallon) – Exempt from UID marking, as these are consumable items not requiring long-term DoD asset tracking.

Water Dispensers for 5-Gallon Bottles – Potentially subject to UID marking, depending on unit cost and whether these are considered DoD-managed durable assets.

A: No, it is not necessary any markings on the water.

Palletized Bulk Shipments – Clarification requested on whether returnable pallets (if applicable) require UID marking.

A: No, it is not necessary anu UID marking.

Could you kindly confirm whether water dispensers require DoD UID compliance under DFARS 252.211-7003? Additionally, if UID marking is required, could you specify the preferred marking method (e.g., 2D Data Matrix barcode) and registration process for this contract?

A: No marking is necessary on any item.

13) Does the rental water cooler dispenser require a marking?

A: No, Rental Coolers are the responsibility of the Contractor, Government is not acquisitioning the coolers, only renting. It is recommended that the Contractor mark the coolers with their Company Information. Contractor is responsible to ensure tacking, functionality, and inventory of their product. Per Para. 5.2.5.1; Loss or Damage of Contractor Equipment: “The Government will be liable for contractor equipment that is lost or damaged due to negligence on the part of Government personnel”.