Disaster Overseas Transportation Support (DOTS) - AS/GU/CNMI

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses from the Government to vendor questions regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) 70FB7026R00000013 for Disaster Overseas Transportation Support in American Samoa, CNMI, and Guam.

• Incumbency: The current contract numbers are 70FB7021D00000019 and 70FB7021D000000020.
• Scope of Work: Partial scope proposals will not be considered; offerors must propose performance for the entirety of the AS, GU, and CNMI geographic scope.
• Cargo Preference: Prime Offerors not owning U.S. Flag vessels may team with a major subcontractor (>=5% performance share) that owns U.S. Flag vessels. The Prime Offeror must certify all vessels are coastwise qualified, and a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation (Coastwise Endorsement) will be required at task order award.
• Warehouse Space: The 500,000 sq. ft. figure is a minimum aggregate requirement. Warehousing must be secured, covered (dry), and suitable for MHE/CHE, with a focus on Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa. No specific CONUS/OCONUS split is prescribed.
• Readiness Costs: Minimum guarantee for the effort is outlined in Section B.3 of the RFP. There is no reimbursement or readiness CLIN for continuous readiness costs when no active task order is issued; these costs must be absorbed into unit pricing.
• Small Business Reserve: Small business status will be confirmed during Phase II submissions. The Small Business Reserve is subject to proposal evaluation, including all technical and price factors, and will be determined at the conclusion of source selection. FAR 52.219-14 applies at the order level.
• Demonstrated Experience: The $10,000,000 minimum completion dollar value applies to each individual example. The dollar threshold applies to the Offeror's share of a teaming or joint venture. Experience from a proposed major subcontractor can be attributed to the Prime Offeror for Factor 1 evaluation, provided the subcontractor's experience and roles are clearly identified.

These clarifications provide essential details for offerors to accurately prepare their proposals, particularly regarding geographic scope, subcontracting requirements, facility specifications, cost absorption, and evaluation criteria for demonstrated experience and small business set-asides.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 0001 to Request for Proposal (RFP) 70FB7026R00000013 for Disaster Overseas Transportation Support (DOTS) for American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, and Guam.

This amendment modifies Section E - Solicitation Provisions, specifically:

• E.1 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) has been updated with new dates for several provisions.

• E.2 52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION 25-27) has been updated.

• E.3 52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION 25-27) has been updated.

• E.4 52.209-12 Certification Regarding Tax Matters (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION 25-27) has been updated.

• E.5 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (AUG 2025) (DEVIATION 25-21) – ADDENDUM has been updated with new dates for submission of questions and proposals, and revised proposal format details.

• E.6 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Aug 2025) (DEVIATION 25-21) has been updated.

• The deadline for submission of questions has been extended to Friday, April 24, 2026, by 12:00 PM EDT.

• Responses to questions will be posted on www.sam.gov by Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

• Phase I proposals are due by Friday, May 15, 2026, by 12:00 PM EDT.

• Phase II proposals are due by Friday, June 5, 2026, by 12:00 PM EDT.

• The proposal format has been updated to include specific page limitations for each volume and subfactor.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 70FB7026R00000013 makes the following changes:

• Incorporates questions received from vendors and the Government's responses.

• Updates section E.6 of the solicitation.

• Section E.6 of the solicitation.

• Questions and Answers (implicitly, by incorporation).

• The period of performance has been updated to 08/02/2026 to 08/01/2029.

• Bidders should review the incorporated Q&A and the updated section E.6 for any impact on their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, "Disaster Overseas Transportation Support (DOTS)", is for the procurement of transportation support services for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The services are required for both steady-state operations and emergency/surge operations, involving the receiving, staging, shipping, and accounting for resources.

This solicitation outlines a comprehensive range of transportation services, including:

• Surface line haul services for containerized and breakbulk cargo.

• Ground transportation services within and between the specified territories.

• Ocean transportation services for various cargo types.

• Air transportation services, including expedited options.

• Container staging yard services.

• Specialized services such as wrap-around services, logistical support personnel, and office space.

• Material handling equipment (MHE) services.

• Reefer container purchase and lease.

• Chassis and ISO tank lease.

• Stevedoring services for dedicated barge/vessel operations.

• Travel services for meetings, exercises, and site visits.

• Commodity pre-positioning.

• Contract Type: Multiple Indefinite Delivery – Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) CLINs.

• Period of Performance: Includes a 12-month base year and two 12-month option years.

  • Base Year: August 2, 2026 – August 1, 2027
  • Option Year 1: August 2, 2027 – August 1, 2028
  • Option Year 2: August 2, 2028 – August 1, 2029

• Minimum Contract Value: $3,000.00 per contract (base and option periods combined), unless more than two contracts are awarded.

• Contract Ceiling: To be established at the time of award.

• Proposal Submission: Two-phase process. Phase I due by May 15, 2026, and Phase II due by June 5, 2026.

• Evaluation Factors: Proposals will be evaluated based on six factors: Demonstrated Experience, Technical Capability & Management Approach, Assurance Plans, Past Performance, Price, and Subcontracting Plan (for Large Businesses only). Non-price factors are weighted equally and are significantly more important than price.

• Questions Deadline: April 24, 2026.

• The acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• NAICS Code: 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation).

• Preference for local firms in disaster assistance activities is noted.

• Offerors must use the provided Attachment II – Pricing Template. Failure to do so will result in an unacceptable proposal.

• Specific CONUS/OCONUS port locations will be specified in task orders.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and HSAR clauses by reference.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To establish a multiple award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle for all-inclusive, multimodal transportation and shipping services to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX's disaster response and recovery efforts in American Samoa (AS), Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

• Provide transportation and shipping services from Continental United States (CONUS) and/or Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) to AS, Guam, and CNMI, including inter-island transport.

• Services include containerized and breakbulk cargo movement, drayage, cross-docking, staging yards, storage, and continuous sailing.

• Support for pre-positioning Initial Response Resources (IRR) and retrograde of commodities.

• Contractor must be fully functional within 48 hours of task order award, operating 24/7.

• Services include maritime, ground, and air transportation.

• Contractor must maintain real-time visibility of all equipment, resources, and assets under contract.

• Specific reporting requirements for arrival/departure visibility, container staging, and damage/loss reports.

• Quality Control Plan (QCP) required, with self-identification and reporting of problems/failures.

• Performance will be monitored through quality assurance procedures and a Government Performance Requirement Summary (PRS).

• IDIQ contract period: One-year base period with two one-year option periods.

• Place of Performance: CONUS/OCONUS ports to AS, Guam, and CNMI. Specific locations include FEMA Distribution Center (Guam), Saipan, Port of Saipan, Port of Tinian, Port of Rotan, and Port of Pago Pago. Contractor may recommend alternate locations.

• Compliance with Cargo Preference Laws (Merchant Marine Act of 1936).

• Contractor must provide cargo insurance and port, liability, pollution, and environmental insurance.

• Strict adherence to safety, environmental, labor, and occupational health regulations.

• Background investigations (Tier 1, T2S, T4) required for contractor personnel based on risk designation.

• Compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards for Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

• Contractor must furnish all facilities, materials, equipment, and services.

• Participation in a Post Award Conference and regular Progress Meetings is required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing template for the "Disaster Overseas Transportation Support (DOTS): American Samoa, CNMI, Guam" opportunity. It outlines the CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) and associated quantities, units, and pricing structures for various transportation and logistics services.

• Ground Transportation: Includes services such as line haul, drayage, and shuttle services for containerized and breakbulk cargo, both domestically and internationally (to/from American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, and West Coast ports).
• Ocean Transportation: Covers the transport of loaded containers and breakbulk cargo via ocean vessels, including dedicated voyages and retrograde movements.
• Air Transportation: Details expedited air cargo services for both inter-island and CONUS/OCONUS movements.
• Staging and Storage Services: Includes commodity pre-positioning, container yards, cross-docking, and warehouse storage.
• Equipment Leasing: Outlines leasing options for container handling equipment (CHE), material handling equipment (MHE), reefer containers, chassis, and ISO tanks.
• Stevedoring Services: Specifies stevedoring for dedicated barges/vessels.
• Miscellaneous: Includes a CLIN for travel expenses.

Bidders must use this template to provide their pricing for all CLINs. The quantities and unit types are specified, and bidders are expected to fill in the unit prices and total prices. All CLINs are currently listed with a zero value, indicating that pricing needs to be submitted by the vendor. This document is critical for proposal preparation and will form the basis of the contract's financial structure.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a collection of spreadsheets or data entry forms intended for tracking and reporting transportation and logistics information. It includes sections for FEMA contact, carrier contact, and detailed logs for shipments.

• FEMA Contact Information: Fields for Name, Email, and Phone.
• Carrier Contact Information: Fields for Name, Email, and Phone.
• Shipment Tracking Data: Multiple tables with columns for:
  • TSO Number, DO, BOL Number, Trailer Number
  • Plate State
  • Plate Number, Origin Facility, Destination Facility, Intransit Location Date/Time
  • Estimated Delivery Date/Time, Actual Shipped Date/Time, Partner Ref Number, CO Number, Driver Name, Driver's Number
  • SCAC, Mode (TL, LTL, Air, Ocean), Booking Number, Pick up Notification Date, Pick up Location, Detention Days, Relocation Fee
  • Seal Number, Vessel, Voyage, Flight Number, Flight Date/Time, Airfield of Departure, Arrival/Time, Arrival Airport, Item Name
  • Shipped Quantity (Units), Lot Number, Expiration Date, Manufacturer, Asset Barcode (Asset), GPS, Linehaul, TOTAL, Comments

This attachment likely serves as a template or required reporting tool for vendors involved in transportation or logistics services for FEMA. Bidders may need to use these forms to provide detailed information about shipments, carriers, and delivery status as part of their contractual obligations or for invoicing and performance tracking.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides the U.S. Department of Labor's Service Contract Act wage determinations for various occupations in American Samoa, Hawaii, and Johnston Island. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for service employees working on federal contracts in these locations.

• Lists numerous occupations categorized by industry (e.g., Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology).
• Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Includes footnotes and notes regarding specific conditions, such as applicability to computer employees, night/Sunday pay, hazardous pay differentials, and uniform allowances.
• Details requirements for paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays.
• Outlines the conformance process for additional classifications not listed.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with performing services in the specified geographic areas. It ensures compliance with federal labor laws by setting minimum wage and benefit standards for employees working on the contract, directly impacting proposal pricing and overall project feasibility.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the Disaster Overseas Transportation (DOTS) Support for American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It outlines the government's methods for monitoring contractor performance to ensure compliance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and achieve specified quality levels.

• Objective: To describe systematic methods for monitoring performance and identifying required contractor documentation and resources.
• Performance Management Approach: Focuses on assessing achieved outcomes rather than strict compliance with processes, allowing contractor flexibility.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Defines the roles of the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) in monitoring and evaluating performance.
• Surveillance Techniques: Includes Random Sampling, 100% Inspection, review of Reports, and Work Orders/Task Orders.
• Performance Standards: Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) are detailed in Attachment 2, with a minimum Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of "Complete Compliance".
• Monitoring Forms: Standardized forms (Attachment 1) will be used by the COR to document surveillance.
• Analysis and Reporting: Includes determining performance, quality assurance reporting, and reviews/resolutions for issues.

This QASP details how the government will measure and evaluate the contractor's performance against the PWS requirements. Bidders should review the Key Performance Parameters (Attachment 2) to understand the critical performance standards, acceptable quality levels, and surveillance methods that will be used to assess their work. Understanding these requirements is crucial for developing a compliant and successful proposal and for executing the contract effectively.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment III - Past Performance Questionnaire, provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is used to gather feedback on a contractor's past performance for the "Disaster Overseas Transportation Support" Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Instructions: Details how to complete the questionnaire, including rating standards (Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Neutral) and the submission process.
• Certification: Requires the evaluator to certify the accuracy of the provided information.
• Evaluation Ratings and Supplemental Comments: Provides sections to rate the contractor on Quality of Service, Customer Satisfaction, and Timeliness of Performance and Completion of the Contract. It also includes a question on whether the evaluator would do business with the contractor again and space for supplemental comments.

Offerors are required to have past performance references complete this questionnaire. The feedback provided will be used as a basis for the evaluation of the Offeror's proposal. The completed questionnaire must be submitted to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist by the solicitation closing date and time.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To establish an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle for all-inclusive, multimodal transportation and shipping services to support FEMA Region IX's disaster response and recovery efforts in American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The goal is to ensure timely availability of Initial Response Resources (IRR) by pre-positioning commodities and mitigating shortfalls.

• Provide transportation and shipping services from Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) to AS, Guam, and CNMI, including inter-island transport.

• Services include containerized and breakbulk cargo movement, drayage, cross-docking, surface line haul, staging yards, and storage.

• Support for both initial response (IRR) and retrograde of commodities.

• Specific transportation needs will be defined by task order awards.

• Contractor must be capable of handling approximately 4,000 containers monthly and have resources for continuous 24/7 operations.

• Contractor must be fully functional within 48 hours of task order award.

• Continuous operations (24/7) are required, with exceptions only for USCG, DOT, or FAA restrictions due to hazardous conditions.

• Cargo insurance, port liability, pollution, and environmental insurance are required.

• A Quality Control Plan (QCP) must be established and maintained.

• Performance will be measured against predetermined quality assurance procedures and the Government Performance Requirement Summary (PRS).

• Critical performance requirements include timely delivery and accurate reporting.

• Period of Performance: One-year base period with two one-year option periods.

• Place of Performance: CONUS/OCONUS ports to AS, Guam, and CNMI. Specific locations include FEMA Distribution Center (Guam), Saipan, Port of Saipan, Port of Tinian, Port of Rotan, and Port of Pago Pago. Alternate locations may be recommended.

• Compliance with Cargo Preference Laws (Merchant Marine Act of 1936).

• Contractor travel may be required and will be reimbursed per GSA/Joint Travel Regulations, with prior CO/COR approval.

• Contingency support for Department of Defense (DOD) operations.

• Strict adherence to safety, environmental, labor, and health regulations.

• Reporting of damage and loss incidents within 24 hours.

• Background investigations for personnel accessing sensitive information or facilities.

• Security training (Unauthorized Disclosure, OPSEC, Insider Threat) and Privacy Training are mandatory.

• Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

• Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding non-discrimination against individuals with disabilities.