MODIFICATION
23 -- Vehicles for Ecuador
- Notice Date
- 9/25/2007
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 336112
— Light Truck and Utility Vehicle Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of State, Regional Procurement Support Office - Fort Lauderdale, Florida Regional Center, 4000 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33309, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- S-WHARC-07-Q-0031
- Response Due
- 10/10/2007
- Archive Date
- 10/25/2007
- Point of Contact
- Robert Lindquist, Contract Specialist, Phone 9546301164, Fax 9546301165
- E-Mail Address
-
LindquistRA@state.gov
- Description
- Contractor Questions and Answers Round 1: Question 1: I see no reference to the FAR 'Buy American' requirement. Is this out? Answer 1: Please consult the FAR references mentioned in the solicitation, which discuss (in FAR Part 25), the origin issue. The Buy American Act does not apply to this acquisition; instead the Trade Agreements apply. The FAR may be found on the Internet at: http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html Question 2: On all items where Air Conditioning is optional, do you want the unit quoted without A/C as the base, and then have the optional A/C listed as an extra cost? Answer 2: This is acceptable. You can show the cost without A/C, and then indicate how much extra it would cost to include A/C. Question 3: If we are right you need some kind of vehicles and you need that they include taxes that we have here in our country? Also, you need that we provide you warranties? Answer 3: Generally, for vehicles imported into Ecuador (as oppose to locally purchased vehicles), the Embassy is not able to obtain either a waiver or reimbursement from the Ecuadorian government for local Value Added Taxes (VAT) and Customs Duties. Currently, VAT is 12% and the Customs Duty for imported vehicles is 10%. It is up to each company participating in this procurement to research what taxes and/or duties are applicable for the vehicles proposed by the company, and any applicable taxes or duties must be included in the quotation. Question 4: In solicitation Section 2.0 (Pricing), it states the following: "The Contractor shall provide the vehicles listed below at firm-fixed price(s). Provide quotation showing unit price and total maximum price, including all features listed below, priced in U.S. dollars. The above price(s) is in terms of "Cost, Insurance and Freight" (CIF), with final delivery to be made in Quito, Ecuador. The vehicles shall be insured by the Contractor until such time as the vehicles are received by NAS in Quito. The Embassy will clear and title the vehicles." In addition to the request CIF destination, it is our understanding that we would also need to provide proper insurance coverage in country (Ecuador) until such time as the vehicles or motorcycles are actually physically delivered to NAS in Quito? Answer 4: The vehicles and motorcycles must be delivered to customs in Ecuador. The Embassy will go to customs to clear the vehicles/motorcycles. Clearing the vehicles/motorcycles at customs will constitute acceptance, and the Embassy will then be responsible for taking the items from customs to their final destination. Question 5: In solicitation Section 3.0 (Payment), it states the following: "The Contractor may invoice after completion of delivery (partial deliveries allowed)." Is it possible to respond offering alternative payment terms? That is, which may be considered as an alternative to proposed payment terms following actual delivery as outlined herein? Answer 5: Payment will be made only after delivery. In the case of a partial delivery, you may only invoice for the number of vehicles or motorcycles delivered. Question 6: In Solicitation Section 6.0 (Evaluation of Quotations), it states that the Government may make one award or multiple awards, whichever is most advantageous to the Government. With specific regard to motorcycles only, is it our understanding that more than one dealer may be awarded this same bid/contract? Answer 6: Due to the number of different items required, it is understood that some companies may only be able to quote on one or a limited number of the different line items. For this reason, multiple awards may be necessary. However, it is unlikely that any single line item (such as the motorcycles) will be split in to multiple awards, unless multiple awards are necessary to obtain the desired quantity. Questions 7: The NAICS code for Line Item 0007 is 336991; size standard 500 employees. Is it correct that this NAICS code relates to supplier businesses which employ <500 employees? Answer 7: Some NAICS codes are based on company revenue, while others are based on the number of employees. For the NAICS code you referenced, a company operating under that NAICS code would be considered a small business if the company has 500 or fewer employees. Keep in mind, though, that this acquisition is not set aside for only small businesses. This acquisition is unrestricted, which means that both small and large businesses may participate. Question 8: Regarding the seating capacity for the bus, it says: "25 to 30 passengers capacity (including or not driver)." Does this mean "not including driver"? Answer 8: You are correct. The capacity should be 25 to 30 passengers, not including the driver. Question 9: As a former General Manager at an automobile dealership I have negotiated fleet purchases and arranged shipping to foreign countries. This type of negotiation would be similar with the addition of the arrangements for warranty. That being said, must there also be a dealership for the brands of each vehicle type, and must they have a service department? Answer 9: One of the requirements in solicitation Section 1.0 is that the vehicle(s) quoted must be capable of being maintained commercially in Ecuador and must be covered by the manufacturer's warranties. In Section 6.0 (Evaluation of Quotations), there are several items listed under Factor 2 that the quoted vehicle(s) are required to meet, and each quoter must submit appropriate technical documentation and other relevant documentation to show that the quoted vehicle(s) meet these requirements. Two of the requirements under Factor 2 are that the vehicle is capable of being maintained commercially in Ecuador, and that the vehicle is cost-effective to operate and maintain. It is up to each quoter to determine how to show that the vehicle(s) quoted meet these requirements. Question 10: My next question is country of origin for the manufacturers. I assume you would prefer an American branded product for the automobiles and light trucks. However, for the larger trucks this may be more difficult. As for the motorcycles, Harley Davidson is the only American contractor for motor cycles I am aware of and Harleys are considerably more expensive than a comparable Japanese brand. I suppose the key question would be; is buy American more important than the bottom line price? Answer 10: Due to the unique requirement for the vehicles and motorcycles, which is to support anti-narcotics missions and surveillance, what is more important is that the vehicles quoted are consistent with those commonly seen on the roads in Ecuador. This, as well as the points explained in #9 above, will be important factors in determining whether the quoted vehicles will meet the mission needs. (Also, see question #1 above.) Question 11: Regarding the Cargo Truck (Item 4.4): a. For Tires (4.4.13), what is meant by "Ring 15 to Ring 18"? b. For Cargo Area (4.4.14): What body configuration is desired? Flatbed, with or without removable stake sides/ends, or removable solid sides? Steel front bulkhead, with or without mesh screen window opening? Tarp? Van Body? Dump Body? etc? Answer 11: a. Tires: from ring 15 to ring 18. That?s the size of the tire. For example, in a truck that has this specification: 7.5-16-14PR or 235/70R16. This means a ring 16 inches inside diameter tire. b. Cargo area and body configuration: In Ecuador it is called ?chasis cabinado? ? that means chassis and cabin. They usually sell this kind of body configuration and then we will construct a wagon to be mounted on the chassis. Question 12: For the Mid-Size Bus (Item 4.5), do you really want (auxiliary) floor mats and locks on all doors (reference 4.5.19)? Answer 12: Floor mats are not necessary. Locks on all doors: driver?s door ? yes, right door ? the mechanism usually locks the door. In Ecuador, a mid-size bus normally has 2 doors, 1 for the driver on the left side, and 1 for the passengers on the right side. A key lock on the drivers door usually comes as a standard feature, and for the right door, there are usually 2 kinds of mechanisms to open and close the door, a manual with tie rods, and a pneumatic. Either manual or pneumatic work, and normally the door is locked by the mechanism.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Ecuador
- Country: ECUADOR
- Country: ECUADOR
- Record
- SN01420035-W 20070927/070925223436 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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