Minutes from Pre-Bid Conference 19UZ8025Q0002

Pre-Proposal Conference of November 26, 2024

Request for Quotation (RFQ) Number 19UZ8025Q0002

Introduction

U.S. Embassy Tashkent Team:

Contracting Officer – Kathleen Murphy

HRO – Barry Markowitz

Nargiza Gaibova – HR Specialist

Gulchekhra Umarova – HR Visa assistant

Shukhrat Arifdjanov – Procurement Specialist

Irina Mezentseva – Procurement Agent

Nodir Jumyazov - Procurement Agent

 Contracting Officer –

The purpose of this meeting is to serve as a pre-proposal discussion for the contract for the English Language Program for Locally Employed Staff of the Embassy of the United States of America in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in accordance with the Performance Work Statement, Scope of Work/Specific Tasks, and Attachment 1 on pages 4 – 14.

The U.S. Government intends to award a contract to the responsible company submitting an acceptable quotation at the lowest price.  We intend to award a contract based on initial quotations, without holding discussions, although we may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if there is a need to do so.

Before starting of discussion of the Solicitation Package, the contracting officer mentioned that she has two main requirements. The first is to read the solicitation document very carefully, and the second to submit proposal in compliance with solicitation requirements. If you worked in the past with the US Embassy but did not submit a proposal in compliance with solicitation, it does not mean that you will be awarded the contract.  Section 3 on page 38 - 39 provides you with clear instructions on what must be included to complete the proposal package. Section 4 on page 42 provides exactly what we will use to evaluate your proposal.

The U.S. Embassy strongly emphasizes transparency of the tender and equal conditions for participation.

If you have any questions, it must come in writing by e-mail to TashkentProcurement@state.gov. We will set a deadline for questions, collect all questions and answers, and email them to all bidders at the same time. This emphasizes our commitment to transparency to allow you to calculate your bid accurately. 

Shukhrat Arifdjanov

Proposals should be submitted no later than 14:00 PM Tashkent time on December 16, 2024. Please have ID with you (passport, drivers license or ID card), it should be shown to our local guards. Proposals submitted late will not be accepted for consideration.

Proposals must be in a sealed envelope marked “Quotation 19UZ8025Q0002 Enclosed” or via e-mail.

In order for a proposal to be considered, you must also complete and submit the following:

SF-1449, Section 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30 on page 3.

Where:

17 – Company name, telephone and address

24 – Total amount

30 – Name and title, signature and date

Price table on pages 4 - 5

That is firm fixed price IDIQ contract. The price per unit of supply delivered or service performed is established using a firm fixed price.

After establishing the contract, the US government reserves the right to decide of its extension or completion of work under the contract. The Contractor will be notified of the decision in writing. Base + 2 option years.

Please open page 4 - 5. There is Pricing

There is estimated quantity of hours of services. Delivery order to IDIQ.

Please provide the table with rate per hour and total.

Please note that price of the Contract cannot be changed, you will need to calculate everything, considering inflation and currency rate, economical situation. Once awarded price will not be changed to increase or decrease.

Payment will be done based on Prompt Payment Act. NET 30 days. No advance payment.

Please open Section 3 on page 38.

You should submit the following:

List of the clients for the past 3 years; Adequate financial resources; License and permits.

Section 4 Evaluation factors on page 42 is exactly what we will use to evaluate your proposal.

Also, the successful offeror(s) will be required to be registered in SAM/CCR through the following site: SAM/CCR www.sam.gov

The Solicitation documents will be reviewed by the Contracting Officer.

Technical part of the Scope of Work will be covered by our colleague Gulchekhra.

From page - 4 to page 14

Conclusion

We hope that the information obtained will help you to provide acceptable and mutually beneficial offers. All questions might be asked during the meeting or send via electronic mail to address TashkentProcurement@state.gov. We will send the answers to all the companies, that will reflect the transparency of the tender and equal conditions for participation.

Deadline for the question is November 27, 2024, at 12.00 pm

When decision is made, we will inform all in writing about its results, announce the winning company, and separately, each company will be informed why it did not win the tender.

Q&A Session:

Q: What is SAM. Can you provide more information?

A: SAM is a System for Award Management; we will send you a guidance for SAM.gov. You may receive spam emails about registration support for additional charge once you login into your account, but please note that registration on SAM.gov is completely free.

Q: Do you have any requirements for the teacher?

A: The teacher should be qualified enough to teach at the assigned level.

Q: Can we change the schedule of the lessons?

A: The schedule is fixed, but it can be discussed and changed if classes fall on American or Uzbek holidays.

Q: Should we use our training materials, or will the Embassy provide books, materials, and handouts?

A: Contractor should provide books and other training materials.

Q: What was the main issue with lessons?

A: Unpunctuality and not having competence in teaching.

Q: Can a teacher be from any country?

A: Yes, but must they must teach in person at the Embassy during the lessons and have permits to work in Uzbekistan. And the company he/she works for must be registered in Uzbekistan and have a valid license (Guvohnoma) and SAM.gov registration.