Questions_Answers 1305M321QNWWG0076.pdf

Request for Quote (RFQ) 1305M321QNWWG0076 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. The statement of work describes USNIC's desire to "create a complete picture of the polar domains," with a stated intent of using the data procured under this solicitation to "[monitor] of sea ice conditions, as well as offering tactical response to those operating within and on top of ice," that yield "more information about both ice extent and ice stage of development, used by USNIC as a proxy for ice thickness." There are additional data types (non-SAR) of which the Government may not be aware, that can fulfill the Government's stated objectives to monitor sea ice extent. As such, will the Government consider or evaluate proposals that may propose alternate data types, but otherwise fulfill the technical requirements (swath width, resolution) and objectives (monitoring and classification of sea ice) of the solicitation itself?

● This requirement is for SAR data. Alternate data types will not be considered responsive to the statement of work and will not be evaluated.

2. Is it possible to extend the deadline by 1 week?

● The due date has been extended to November 5, 2021 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.

3. Can a foreign company, registered in SAM, respond to the solicitation?

● A foreign company, registered in SAM, is not restricted from responding to the solicitation.

4. Can a foreign company participate as a sub to its US partner who would respond to the solicitation as prime?

● A foreign company is not restricted from participating as a subcontractor on this requirement.

5. Where can information about completing the SF 1449 be found?

● The SF 1449 is the first page of the solicitation document. Please fill in all contractor specific text boxes, inclusive of boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c.

6. Section C, (v), page 9. Does this mean that Reps & Certs do not have to be submitted as part of the proposal documents?

● No, completion of the Reps & Certs from the solicitation document with the quote is required. See Section E.C. 7.

7. Section D, 3.3, page 30. Does the data needs to be priced on sq. km basis instead of per product basis (normally different products are priced differently).

● Please see Section E.C. for pricing directions. Both the price per square kilometer and per product are requested.

8. Section D, 5.3, page 31. Does this mean that for every order a technical and price proposal will need to be sent?

● See updated SOW. Section D, 5.3 has been removed. Subsequently, previous sections 5.4 and 5.5 have now become 5.3 and 5.4.

9. Section D, 6, page 31. Where can the full applicable EULA be found?

● The EULA is provided by the offeror. Section D.6.2 is directing offerors that the required statement listed is to be included in any EULA included in the resultant contract.

10. Section D, 7.4, page 32. Is this also applicable to non-US companies?

● Yes, it is required for all offerors.

11. Section E, C, page 38. Where are SF 30 forms to be found?

● The SF 30 is the first page of all solicitation amendments issued.

12. Section E, C, page 38. Clarify the reason for 2 types of prices to be provided: per image

AND per sq. km.

● There must be pricing provided in accordance with Section B – Price Schedule

(Section E.C.1).

● Additionally, offerors may submit alternate Firm Fixed Price (FFP) pricing structures provided that the capabilities and requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW) and solicitation are met (Section E.C.8).

● In addition to the total pricing for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) as required above, provide pricing breakouts based on multiple discretions (Section E.C.10).

13. Section E, C, page 38. What does “first available satellite tasking/delivery” mean? (3rd and

4th bullet)

● “First available satellite tasking/delivery” refers to an emergency, immediate need, or rushed order. The fastest delivery time in which a satellite can be tasked and the data delivered under those circumstances.

14. Considering an overall amount of no less than 90,000,000 sqkm of SAR imagery orders, can you given an estimated breakdown between orders for:

- Imagery with swath width equal or greater than 100 km

- High resolution imagery (3m or better)

- Imagery with swath width in excess of 200km

● It’s anticipated that the vast majority of orders will be in the form of the widest swath available. There will be occasional dynamic events requiring higher resolution.

15. Will the Government be releasing Attachment 2 Price List Worksheet? If not, which of the pricing tables provided is the Government requiring Offerors to submit? Please clarify if Attachment 2 refers to “Section B - Price Schedule” (page 3 of 59), “Schedule Continued” price page (page 59 of 59), both, or a separate to-be-released Attachment document.

● Attachment 2 - Price List Worksheet has been removed from the requirements.

Section B - Price Schedule must be completed and provided as part of the Business/Price Quote requirements outlined in Section E.C.

16. Will the Government please elaborate and define what is meant by ‘coverage’ in this context? Does ‘coverage’ in this case mean the area accessed by the imaging sensor OR the total amount of imagery by square km delivered to USNIC?

● Coverage refers to total amount of imagery by square kilometer delivered to

USNIC.

17. Will the Government amend B. Technical Quote instructions to match Section E Factor 1 evaluation criteria to include all SOW sections?

● See Section E.B.1. for additional language provided.

18. Section E - B. Technical Quote (7) specifically mentions a 4 hour period from downlink to delivery. However, it is only mentioned in the SOW SCOPE, but not in the specific SOW task definitions. Will the Government clarify that this is a requirement in one of the SOW sections?

● Yes, this is a capability requirement per the scope of the SOW (Section 2) and the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS).

19. Will the Government clarify if Near-real-time latency will be a requirement for all deliveries or only during ‘time critical’ events?

● The vast majority of orders placed will not be “time critical” and not require near-real-time latency.

20. Will the Government confirm if the CAR 1352.237.70 Security Processing Requirements – High or Moderate Risk Contracts is required for this commercial contract?

● CAR 1352.237.70 Security Processing Requirements – High or Moderate Risk

Contracts has been removed from the solicitation.

21. Will the Government please provide further details of the importance and weighting of these factors?

● CAR 1352.213-70 EVALUATION UTILIZING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

PROCEDURES (APR 2010) provides the weight of the factors stating, “In determining which quote provides the best value to the Government, non-price factors are approximately equal to price”.

22. Will the Government provide additional details about the specific format(s) of compression and if data delivered should always be compressed?

● Compression needs will vary by image order, ranging from routine imagery compression in Section 4.3 to specific compression examples found in Section 4.4.

Compression format needs will be discussed with the vendor at the time of each image order.