Responses to questions W912CL-26-Q-F001_Updated.pdf

Responses to questions W912CL-26-Q-F001 – Ambulance Rental

1. Teaming/Subcontracting Question: May a U.S.-based prime contractor team with or subcontract a qualified Peruvian ambulance company to provide the required Type-1 BLS ambulances and locally licensed professional drivers?

• Response: Yes. Teaming arrangements, joint ventures, and subcontracting with qualified local Peruvian ambulance companies are fully permitted and encouraged. The U.S. prime contractor remains solely responsible for overall contract performance, quality assurance, and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract.

2. Vehicle Ownership Question: Is the prime contractor required to own the two ambulances, or may the ambulances be provided by an approved subcontractor/teaming partner?

• Response: The prime contractor is not required to own the vehicles. The ambulances may be leased, rented, or provided through an approved subcontractor or teaming partner, provided the vehicles meet all technical, safety, and regulatory specifications outlined in the PWS.

3. Driver Requirements Question: If the ambulances and drivers are provided by a qualified Peruvian subcontractor, would that satisfy the requirement for drivers to possess the required Peruvian Class A-IIa or higher driver’s license?

• Response: Yes. If the subcontractor provides the drivers, they must possess and present valid, current Peruvian Class A-IIa (or higher) driver’s licenses. All drivers—regardless of whether they are employed by the prime or subcontractor—must meet this licensing standard.

4. Local Presence Question: Must the prime contractor currently have an established business presence in Peru, or may a U.S. company perform as the prime contractor through a qualified local subcontractor?

• Response: The U.S. prime contractor is not required to have a physical or permanently established business presence in Peru. Performing the contract through a qualified, locally established subcontractor is fully acceptable.

5. Security/Vetting Question: What specific documentation and vetting requirements must be completed for the prime contractor, subcontractors, ambulance vehicles, and drivers through the U.S. Embassy/Security Cooperation Office?

• Response: Upon contract award, the contractor must submit full names, national identification numbers (DNI / Passports), driver’s license copies, vehicle registration (tarjeta de propiedad), and license plate numbers to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). This data is routed through the U.S. Embassy and the Peruvian military (5th BDE HQ) for base access vetting. Vetting paperwork must be submitted NLT 14 days prior to the start of the exercise on 06 SEP 26.

6. Ambulance Requirements Question: Could you please confirm the specific equipment, configuration, certification, and licensing requirements for the Type-1 BLS ambulances?

• Response: The vehicles must be legally registered and certified as Type-1 BLS ambulances under Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA) and transportation regulations.

They must be equipped with standard vehicle safety gear (fire extinguisher, safety triangles, spare tire, jack), IV hooks, a secure litter/stretcher mounting system compatible with standard litters, and a working two-way radio or cellular communication link. No specialized Class VIII medical equipment is required from the vendor, as it will be provided by U.S. military medics unless otherwise specified in the PWS.

7. Operational Coverage Question: What are the expected daily operating hours for each ambulance, and how many drivers are expected to be assigned to each vehicle to satisfy the required coverage?

• Response: Operations will typically run 12 to 18 hours daily, aligned with the military training calendar. However, the contractor must guarantee 24-hour on-call emergency transport capability. To comply with safety regulations and shift limits, the contractor is expected to assign at least a driver rotation plan to ensure continuous coverage without violating safety or fatigue limits.

8. Backup Ambulance Question: Does the backup ambulance need to be physically located in the same area as the primary ambulances, and may it also be provided through an approved local subcontractor?

• Response: Yes, the backup ambulance may be provided through a local subcontractor.

However, due to the unimproved road conditions and the 3-hour transit time between Tarapoto and the Sauce training area, the backup ambulance must be physically staged within a 2-hour response radius of Sauce to ensure rapid contingency execution.

9. Insurance Question: Please confirm the required insurance coverage, including Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance, for both the prime contractor and any subcontractors.

• Response: The prime contractor and all subcontractors must maintain local commercial automotive liability insurance that meets or exceeds Peruvian national requirements for emergency vehicles. Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance is required for the foreign national employees (local drivers) under this solicitation.

10. Pricing Question: Is the Government requesting pricing on a daily rate, hourly rate, or another pricing structure for the ambulances and drivers?

• Response: The Government is requesting pricing based on a flat daily rate per ambulance (to include the vehicle, driver, fuel, maintenance, and insurance) for the 18-day period of performance.

11. Travel/Mobilization Question: Are transportation and mobilization costs for bringing personnel and equipment to Peru expected to be included in the contractor’s quotation?

• Response: Yes. All mobilization, transit, fuel, ferry tolls (for the Huallaga River crossing), and demobilization costs must be fully burdened and included in the contractor's daily rate or line-item pricing. The U.S. Government will not provide transportation or airlift for contractor assets.

12. Award Structure Question: Will the Government consider a quotation from a U.S. small business that meets the contractual requirements through a qualified Peruvian teaming partner/subcontractor?

• Response: Yes, absolutely. Quotations from U.S. small businesses utilizing qualified Peruvian subcontractors or teaming partners will receive full consideration and are highly encouraged.

Responses to questions W912CL-26-Q-F001 – Ambulance Rental

1. Can the Government confirm whether a Peruvian Type I / BLS ambulance, duly authorized under Peruvian health and transportation regulations, is acceptable as equivalent to the requested “commercial Type-1 Basic Life Support patient transport ambulance”?

Answer: Confirmed. A Peruvian Type I / BLS ambulance authorized under local regulations is acceptable, provided it meets all physical, mechanical, and safety requirements outlined in the PWS (e.g., capable of traversing the unimproved roads between Tarapoto and Sauce) and can properly secure/accommodate U.S. military litters (stretchers) and medical personnel.

2. The PWS states that the Government will provide medical and clinical services, Class VIII supplies, oxygen, monitoring, immobilization and trauma-related equipment. Can the Government confirm that the contractor is only required to provide the ambulance vehicle, driver, fuel, vehicle safety equipment, IV hooks, fire extinguisher and two-way radio, and is not required to provide medical/clinical supplies or personnel?

Answer: Confirmed. The contractor is only required to provide the vehicle, a licensed driver, fuel, maintenance, and the specific vehicle safety/operational equipment listed in the PWS. The U.S. Government will provide all medical personnel, clinical services, and Class VIII medical supplies.

3. Can the Government clarify whether the backup Type-1 BLS ambulance must be physically staged within a two-hour response radius of Sauce/Tarapoto throughout the period of performance, or whether a documented contingency plan demonstrating replacement within two hours is sufficient?

Answer: The backup ambulance must be physically staged at Sauce training area or a documented contingency plan demonstrating replacement within two hours is sufficient.

4. The PWS references 12-to-24-hour support, typically 12–18 hours daily based on the training calendar, with extended coverage as needed. For pricing purposes, should offerors assume 24-hour daily availability for both ambulances during all 18 days, or price based on expected 12–18-hour daily operations with emergency extension included?

Answer: For pricing purposes, offerors should base their quotes on a flat daily rate for 24-hour on-call availability.

5. Please confirm that contracted drivers are not required to provide medical or clinical services, and that no EMT, paramedic, nurse or physician staffing is required from the contractor.

Answer: Confirmed. Contracted drivers are strictly for vehicle operation and navigation.

No EMT, paramedic, nurse, or physician staffing is required from the contractor.

6. The solicitation requests two examples of past performance of awarded contracts.

Can the Government confirm whether commercial/private ambulance rental or emergency transport contracts are acceptable, or whether only government contracts will be considered?

Answer: Confirmed. Commercial and private ambulance rental or emergency transport contracts are acceptable for past performance. They do not need to be exclusively with the U.S. Government, provided the scope and complexity are similar to this requirement.

7. Are there any DOD or local requirements for driver beyond whats listed? ie EVOC for driving emergency?

Answer: Drivers must hold all required and valid commercial/emergency driving licenses as mandated by Peruvian national and local transportation laws. No U.S. DOD EVOC certification is required, but proof of local emergency driving credentials must be provided.

8. -Youre asking for two. Is one a primary and one a back up or are two running at one time with a third back up and is there a fourth needed for backup?

Answer: The requirement is for two (2) primary operating ambulances to serve simultaneously in case there are two emergencies at the same time or one goes down for maintenance. If one goes down for maintenance, then the replacement timeline outlined in the PWS will still occur.

9. -do you need drivers to be Spanish and English speaking or will we be working with local fixer/military translator?

Answer: The driver is only required to speak Spanish, as the U.S. Government will have organic interpreters on site.

10. -Drivers need to be local national or can they be American with proper local license?

Answer: Drivers can be Local Nationals, U.S. citizens, or Third Country Nationals, provided they are legally authorized to work in Peru, possess the proper Peruvian driving credentials, and can pass all required local security background checks to access the Peruvian military installations.

11. -are we responsible for getting the ambulances there or can we fly them on a C17 from DC or a US base?

Answer: The contractor is solely responsible for sourcing, delivering, and staging the ambulances at the designated locations in Peru. The U.S. Government will not transport contractor vehicles via U.S. military airlift. Vehicles must be sourced locally or regionally by the vendor.