83 -- Backpack

DescriptionAmendment #02: The purpose of this Amendment #02, is to answer contractor questions and extend the Quotation Due Date. Solicitation Reminder: A contractor will have to provide awarded backpacks within 4 calendar days of being notified of Government need for each class. The following questions and answers are hereby incorporated into the solicitation (and subsequent purchase order). 1. Question: When you refer to "bottom" is it the: 17.5" x 7", 13.5" x 7" or 17.5" x 13.5" side. I visualize this bag as a small suit case, with the bottom being 17.5" x 13.5" and the cover or top (17.5" x 7") with a zipper that goes up 13.5" over 17.5" and down 13.5". The front face of the lid or cover would then have a zippered pocket or pockets. (zipper would go approximately 17" across the top) with dividers. Your proposed design doesn't work well for a side pocket The bottom is 13 1/2" x 7" and the material is a large quilted design made of the same fabric as the backpack, unless using leather as the bottom, then contractor can offer a leather bottom and another durable material for the rest of the backpack. Example of a one front pocket backpack would have a 10" zipper on the front with 7" depth pocket. 2. Question: Does Class Number have to be embroidered on the backpack or can it be put on a patch which is embroidered on the backpack. Answer: No patch. Class number has to be embroidered on backpack. 3. Question: Can the back pack for this bid only have one front pocket? Answer: The backpack can have one or two front pockets. The customer has no preference. 4. Question: Padded shoulder strap, should this be adjustable? In addition, how about a molded handle located close to the bag for easy lifting? Answer: The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable. There should be a padded (molded) handle for lifting. 5. Considering that this is a custom designed bag your delivery requirements of 4 days from receipt of order would be impossible to complete. It would be possible to have a minimum amount in our inventory, and then have them embroidered with the logo and class number. However, it would be difficult to embroider a thousand pieces and ship in 4 days. Can the delivery schedule be adjusted? Answer: No. Note: Solicitation does not require a shipment of 1,000 backpacks at one time. 6. Question: Once you lock in on the design, how much time can you give for the first delivery? We are a small company, less than 500 employees, and from the award, it would take a minimum of 5 ? 6 weeks to have completed product. Can this be accomplished? Answer: Although the closing Due Date has changed with this Amendment 02, start times for the first delivery is still February 1, 2007. Again, please review the estimated amount of backpacks being sought per order/request per class. 7. Question: When offering a quote, is it necessary to ship a sample? The solicitation infers this. If a sample is required, can it ship without embroidered logo? Answer: Yes, a sample backpack is required with quote. Sample backpack must have all requirements stated in solicitation. 8. Question: Based upon what you consider the bottom, where will the embroidered logo go? Answer: Top of backpack, centered in the middle. Suggestion: Seek out the middle of your backpack. From the middle to the top of the backpack you would place the seal and class number. The quote/sample Due Date is changed to January 15, 2007, 2:30 p.m. local time.