Solicitation for the Purchase of Boats

Additional Questions as of May 27, 2016:
1. Is the fully covered boat to have a metal cabin with windows? Would a metal roof and plastic roll up sides be acceptable?

ANSWER: Either is acceptable.

2. If there are windows are they to be opening or are roll up plastic type windows acceptable?

ANSWER: Either is acceptable.

3. Is the cabin to have an opening and lockable door. Is there only one door?

ANSWER: We are indifferent to the number of doors, but they must all lock.

4. Do people board from the side or is the bow preferred? Or is it both?

ANSWER: Either is acceptable.

5. If bow disembarkation, should there be stairs, push knees and safety railings?

ANSWER: Yes.

6. No standards have been listed, should the boats meet US safety standards?

ANSWER: Yes, we require US safety standards.

7. Is safety gear to be provided by the builder or the customer?

ANSWER: The Consulate provides safety gear.

8. Is the helm location to be in the cabin or can it be outside the cabin?

ANSWER: Inside the cabin.

9. You state the cabin is to be ventilated, does this mean the addition of a generator and air conditioning?

ANSWER: We do not require air conditioning.

10. You provide a distance for the boats but can you provide what speed the boats should achieve when fully loaded? Are they expected to reach planing speeds when loaded?

ANSWER: 35 knots; no.

11. On item No 3, we recommend a metal roof as a tarpaulin will have a short shelf life in the sun.

ANSWER: That's fine.

12. Are the boats to operate in salt water?

ANSWER: Salt water.

13. Please confirm a helm console with controls and engine gauges is required for each boat?

ANSWER: Yes.

14. Is a VHF radio not required?

ANSWER: Yes, it is.

Additional Questions as of May 27, 2016:
1. Is the fully covered boat to have a metal cabin with windows? Would a metal roof and plastic roll up sides be acceptable?

ANSWER: Either is acceptable.

2. If there are windows are they to be opening or are roll up plastic type windows acceptable?

ANSWER: Either is acceptable.

3. Is the cabin to have an opening and lockable door. Is there only one door?

ANSWER: We are indifferent to the number of doors, but they must all lock.

4. Do people board from the side or is the bow preferred? Or is it both?

ANSWER: Either is acceptable.

5. If bow disembarkation, should there be stairs, push knees and safety railings?

ANSWER: Yes.

6. No standards have been listed, should the boats meet US safety standards?

ANSWER: Yes, we require US safety standards.

7. Is safety gear to be provided by the builder or the customer?

ANSWER: The Consulate provides safety gear.

8. Is the helm location to be in the cabin or can it be outside the cabin?

ANSWER: Inside the cabin.

9. You state the cabin is to be ventilated, does this mean the addition of a generator and air conditioning?

ANSWER: We do not require air conditioning.

10. You provide a distance for the boats but can you provide what speed the boats should achieve when fully loaded? Are they expected to reach planing speeds when loaded?

ANSWER: 65 rpm; no.

11. On item No 3, we recommend a metal roof as a tarpaulin will have a short shelf life in the sun.

ANSWER: That's fine.

12. Are the boats to operate in salt water?

ANSWER: Salt water.

13. Please confirm a helm console with controls and engine gauges is required for each boat?

ANSWER: Yes.

14. Is a VHF radio not required?

ANSWER: Yes, it is.

Additional Questions as of May 10, 2016:

1) What material is preferred for the manufacturing of the boats? Aluminum or Fiberglass?

Ans: Either is acceptable

2) You specify 4 different boats. Would it be advantageous for us to offer two (2) different models that can meet all four requirements? We believe we can offer 3 boats of the same size but different seating arrangements to meet the first three models (36, 24 & 15 passengers) and a second model to meet the 8 passenger boat. This will keep spare parts and maintenance and operations at a minimum.

Ans: The boats shall meet the specifications as stated in the solicitation to be considered technically acceptable, keeping in mind the first bullet under Section 4, Evaluation Factors.

3) You note passenger capacity but do not state if the passengers must have individual seats. Is this a requirement or are passengers expected to stand up during the transit?

Ans: Passengers are expected to be seated

4) Are there any safety or stability requirements since these will be
passenger boats? i.e.- USCG, DNV, RINA, Lloyds standards, etc?

Ans: Same Safety requirement as used in the USA for passenger boats

5) What is your intended award date? i.e.- XX days after receipt of bids?

Ans: As soon as practicable.

6) Is there a preferred outboard engine currently supported in Nigeria? i.e.- Yamaha? Honda? , Mercury? , BRP? Suzuki? etc.

Ans; No preference

7) Will the State Department consider Milestone Payments to the vendors based on the purchase and delivery of major boat components?

Ans: No

8) Will the State Department require the awarded company to provide in-country training on the operation and maintenance of the boats?

Ans: No

9) Are there any spare parts requirements we should quote along with the boats themselves?

Ans: No

Questions Received about Solitication:

1) The RFQ calls for delivery of all four (4) vessels NLT 180 days which is very tight, recognizing the man hour requirements to produce all vessels. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you extend the delivery date for at least an additional sixty (60) days. Please comment on this point.

Ans. Amendment A001 to the solicitation is being issued revising the delivery date to 240 calendar
days.

2) In our previous shipments to you, we shipped to a freight forwarder in New Jersey on your behalf. Kindly
clarify if you want the boats to be sent to a freight forwarder in New Jersey, or you want us to quote CIF
Lagos.

Ans. All boats shall be shipped as stated in the solicitation Section 1(IC)

3) For shipping purposes, a shipping cradle or trailer will be required. It would probably be easier to use
trailers, in which case shipment can be effected on a ro/ro vessel.

Ans. That is up to you to indicate in your quotation

4) Regarding the ventilation system on the 36 and 24 passenger boats, will 12-volt fans be adequate to move
the air inside the passenger area? If not, please advise your suggestion.

Ans: That is up to you to suggest in your quotation.
5) Good morning, would it be possible to have a copy of the specifications for the boats? I can't seem to
locate it on FBO.

Ans: The specifications for the boats are stated in section 1 of the solicitation under
"Description/Specifications/Work Statement"

The solicitation of the purchase of four boats as described in the attachments.