Long Term Lease for Transit Buses

1. Shall the contractor provide the drivers for the buses or will it be used by the Government personnel? a. Drivers are not requested, and the buses will be operated and driven by Government personnel. 2. Does the vehicle requirements less than 7 years old mandatory? a. See Section 1.1. of the Statement of Work - "Vehicles...must meet minimum acceptance criteria provided herein". b. Except as explicitly stated, all vehicles must meet all requirements as expressed in the Statement of Work. 3. Do you accept tourist bus rather than Heavy Duty Transit (City) Bus? a. See Section 1.9. of the Statement of Work - "The contractor shall provide buses that are of the Transit classification or equal. Tour buses or similar, such as those with built in lavatories, will be rejected." 4. Who pays MIAP access fee? a. See Special Contract Requirements Section 7 - "Contractors shall include the price of MIAP badges for vehicles and personnel in their quote." b. However, there is an exception for the leased vehicles. The Government will incur all charges for the buses Manas International Airport (MIAP) badges. The contractor will still be responsible for MIAP badges for personnel and other vehicles (if authorized). 5. Could you please provide an estimate mileage the bus will incur within a month period? a. Between 1,000 to 1,300 miles (1,600 to 2,000 kilometers) per month. b. Between 12,000 to 16,000 miles (19,000 to 26,000 kilometers) per year. 6. Is there a preferred brand for the transit bus that you are requesting? a. See Page 2, Schedule, or Section 1.9. of the Statement of Work - "Vanttool A300L 40' Heavy Duty Transit bus or equal'. b. - Equal' shall be in accordance with clause 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. c. Please note: the specifications as expressed in the Statement of Work are the Government's actual requirements, and may not reflect the specifications of the preferred brand. Vehicles are NOT required to meet the specifications of the Vanttool A300L, only the requirements of the Statement of Work, regardless of make or model. 7. Will the government be shipping the buses to your location and our delivery point would be a port in the States? a. It is not the current intention for the leased vehicles to be shipped via Government means. However, this will not exclude you from the solicitation, and the logistics of this arrangement are being looked into should this be required. b. To be mentioned, is that these vehicles are required to be onsite and in full operation by the 1st of April 2012, with a desired delivery date of the 1st of March 2012. Shipping may not be able to make this timeframe. c. Please note also that regular maintenance is required, as well as an on-site mechanic . 8. Insurance coverage is stated more for a domestic lease. Can this be changed in the scope of work? a. No change is anticipated. Insurance requirements will remain. 9. What is the way of offer submitting? Is hard copy also acceptable or it is supposed to submitted only electronically? a. Offers may be submitted via hard copy and/or electronically as you see fit, as long as the offer is received by this office before the close of the solicitation. 10. On page 24, at SOW item 1.5.1 it is said: "Vehicles shall have capability to drive off the base' Does it mean that vehicles will be utilized at the downtown as well or even at villages out of Transit Center? a. It is not the current intention that these vehicles be used outside of the installation; however, it is required that they are capable of doing so should that requirement arise. 11. If yes, who's responsibility is it to provide drivers? a. Except in transportation for vehicle maintenance, the contractor shall not be responsible for drivers. 12. If this is the responsibility of the Government, who's responsibility is it to provide all necessary categories and papers for the driver to authorize him to operate such a big passenger bus in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic? a. In the event they are to be utilized off of the installation, driver certifications shall be coordinated at that time. In regards to the solicited requirement, it is only required that the vehicles themselves be capable of driving off of the installation. 13. In case of accident within off base trip by fault of third party, who is responsible to cover damages? a. See Section 1.5. of the Statement of Work - "Unless the leasing company requires purchasing insurance, rented or leased vehicles are obtained with the Air Force providing self-insurance." b. See Section 1.8.9. of the Statement of Work - "All damages not attributed to fair wear and tear will be paid by the Government. This shall include vehicle accidents/abuse and missing license plates. The COR shall provide the contractor documentation signed and approved by the KG or USAF Traffic Police for all repairs, where applicable." 14. Please can you give information about the type of gear (transmission) automatic or manual? a. See Section 1.7.4. of the Statement of Work - "TRANSMISSION. Automatic transmissions are preferred, but are not required. Engines shall run on unleaded gasoline or diesel fuel." 15. Can you give information about previous rent prices of buses which you used? a. The current contract's monthly price per bus is $4,160.00; however, the requirements of this solicitation are different than that of the current contract. 16. In the Solicitation it says that you are looking for 8 (eight) transit buses of 44 passenger capacity. "44 passenger capacity" is it passenger seats plus standing passengers, or it is 44 passenger seats? a. See Section 1.9.3. of the Statement of Work - "CAPACITY. All buses shall have a 44 passenger carrying capacity or higher, to include seats and standing room." b. Capacity shall be defined as the total passenger capacity, per the manufacturer specifications. 17. It is required that buses are not older than 7 years. Is it possible to offer buses older than 7 years but in excellent condition and meet all other requirements? a. The requirement as stated was shall remain. 18. If understood clearly, the company that will be awarded this contract will have to provide 8 buses on 1 April 2012? a. Per Clause 52.211-9 - Desired and Required Time of Delivery, the required time of delivery of all vehicles is on or before 1 April 2012, with a desired delivery of 1 March 2012, assuming the award of the contract is by the 15th of February 2012. 19. Not To Exceed $16,000.00 per 8 BUS for 1 month or per 1 BUS per 1 year? a. The $16,000.00 is established to reimburse the contractor at cost for repairs as a result of Government caused damages on all vehicles for the year. This is only the initial funding for such repairs, and may be increased or decreased if warranted. b. These funds are only entitled to the contractor for these repairs. If not fully utilized by the end of the performance year, it is deobligated. At this time, no further answers or clarifications will be provided by the Contracting Officer in regards to the solicitation requirements.