Q&As - Amendment 0002 - RFQ 19KU2026Q0006 - Renovate Embassy Playground

Enclosure A Questions and Answers RFQ_19KU2026Q0006_Renovate Embassy Playground Notice Regarding Questions and Answers The responses provided in this Questions and Answers (Q&A) document are intended solely to clarify the requirements of the solicitation. Unless expressly stated otherwise in a formal amendment to the Request for Quotations (RFQ), these responses do not modify, revise, or supersede any requirement, specification, Statement of Work (SOW), drawing, schedule, or term and condition of the solicitation. If the Government determines that a change to the solicitation is necessary as a result of questions received or for any other reason, such change will be issued through a formal written amendment to the RFQ. Offerors shall rely only on the solicitation, including any officially issued amendments, in preparing their quotations. In the event of any inconsistency between this Q&A document and the solicitation, the solicitation, as amended, shall govern. -- 1 of 16 -- # Questions Answers 1 Eligibility of a U.S. prime contractor with a Kuwait subcontractor • UCIG is a U.S.-incorporated company with its head office in the UAE and intends to serve as the Prime Contractor and contract holder. All local construction, installation, labour, logistics, warranty and site activities would be performed through a named Kuwait-based subcontractor holding the required Kuwait commercial licence, permits, insurance and directly sponsored workforce. Please confirm whether this structure is acceptable and whether UCIG may satisfy the local licensing and authorisation requirements through its named Kuwait subcontractor. Refer to the following information provided in the RFQ: 652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE 2 • Alternatively, please confirm whether the prime offeror itself must hold a Kuwait commercial license in its own name at the quotation or award stage. Refer to the following information provided in the RFQ: 652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE; and G.4.0 LAWS AND REGULATIONS 3 Please confirm whether attendance is mandatory for quotation eligibility. No, offerors may submit quotation without attending the site visit. -- 2 of 16 -- 4 Existing or previous project • Publicly available information indicates that a similar Embassy playground renovation requirement was previously solicited and awarded under Contract 19KU2025C0013. • Please confirm whether the current requirement is a complete new performance of the scope or a re- solicitation of an earlier project. Please also advise whether any existing work, equipment, materials or partially completed elements are to remain, be removed or be incorporated into the current project. Yes, similar project was solicited in FY2025, however, it was cancelled before the award. This is a new project. Offerors are requested to refer to the Scope of work of the released RFQ 5 Final rubber flooring area • The SOW provides approximate areas for the existing grass, paved, rubber and sand areas and states that the entire playground, excluding the walkway, is to receive rubber safety tiles. • Please confirm the approximate final area to receive new rubber flooring and clarify which portions of the grass, sand and paved areas are to be removed or retained. The approximate final area for rubberized tile is 18m x 26m. This area includes the existing paved walkway, sand area, rubber tile area, grass area, and other paver areas within the playground area. 6 Playground equipment • Please confirm whether the Landscape Structures model numbers listed in Attachment E are reference products and whether technically equivalent products from another manufacturer will be accepted, provided the proposed products fully comply with all specified CPSC, ASTM and ABA requirements. Yes -- 3 of 16 -- 7 • If equivalents are acceptable, please confirm the documentation required to demonstrate equivalency. Provide data sheet for each equipment the meets or exceed the salient characteristics of Equipment Manufacturer: Landscaping Structure, U.S.A. (https://www.playlsi.com/) 8 Performance and payment security Please confirm whether a performance bond, payment bond, bank guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit is required. • If required, please advise: o The required percentage or amount o The acceptable form o The submission deadline The required validity period No performance, payment or bank guarantee is required. 9 VAT, taxes and customs duties Section A states that VAT will not be reimbursed and that no VAT line should appear on the invoice because the Embassy holds a host-government tax exemption certificate. Please confirm: • Whether quotation prices should be submitted exclusive of all applicable VAT or similar taxes • Whether the tax exemption documentation will also support purchases or services supplied through the prime contractor’s named Kuwait subcontractor • Whether imported playground equipment and materials will be exempt from customs duties or other import charges • The process and documents that the Government will provide for tax-exempt importation and local procurement. 1. Should quotation prices be submitted exclusive of VAT or similar taxes? Yes. In accordance with Section A of the solicitation, offerors shall submit quotations exclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT) or any other taxes from which the U.S. Embassy is exempt under applicable agreements with the Government of Kuwait. No separate VAT line item shall be included in the quotation or on invoices submitted for payment. 2. Does the Embassy's tax exemption apply to purchases or services provided through the prime contractor's named Kuwait subcontractor? The Government's tax exemption applies only to purchases and services that are eligible under the applicable agreements between the -- 4 of 16 -- United States Government and the Government of Kuwait. The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring that any subcontracting arrangements comply with applicable Kuwaiti laws …