19AQMM21R0236_Final QAs_6 Dec 2021.pdf

19AQMM21R0236 – Q&As – 6 December 2021

NOTE: Responses provided below are informational only and do not change the terms of the solicitation. The Contracting Officer will make changes to the solicitation, if any, through the issuance of an amendment utilizing Standard Form 30.

Section / Attachment Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

1. 2.0 / SF1449 and RFP Page 6 of 83 Minimum and Maxim Contract Quantities How many individual drones are expected to be purchased on the first Purchase Order, and follow on Pos (just looking for a ballpark here)?

The estimated quantities are included in Attachment 6. However, these quantities are non-binding and are subject to change. Refer to FAR 52.216-22.

2. 5.0 7 The place of delivery and performance will be specified in each delivery order.

Will the contractor be able to price additional travel and logistics costs for delivery to remote locations if called for in each delivery order?

The firm fixed unit prices cover only those tasks called for in the RFP. If additional services are required to complete a delivery order, those services will be negotiated prior to award of the delivery order.

For example, Attachment 2, Item X03 states:

“Travel costs will be proposed separately. Pricing includes DBA insurance.”

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

3. RFP, Section 1 7, 2 The Contractor agrees to provide requested services throughout Colombia, to include in remote, austere, and potentially dangerous environments.

Will personnel security be provided by USG/CNP or is the contractor expected to procure separately?

While on base, the contractor will likely have CNP security. While outside of the bases, the contractor will oversee its own security.

However, it is worth noting that security between towns and the bases is relatively safe. The contractor should expect to receive briefings from CNP on any potential threats.

Additional security requirements will be negotiated prior to issuance of delivery orders.

However, DOS will not agree to security requirements that exceed those required for DOS personnel.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

4. 6.5.a CPM Duties CPM is on call If the CPM is tasked with more duties that exceed the 500 hours listed in Attach 6 clin x05, will that CLIN costs be increased to reflect the new level of effort.

The Government did not intend for the CPM to be a direct charge to this contract. The CPM provides corporate coverage for this contract.

CLIN X05 is negotiated to establish a fully loaded hourly labor rate for a Project Manager. The use of said project manager, if required, will be negotiated prior to award of a delivery order.

Also, RFP section 1, Item 7.0, Paragraph (b) states:

“The negotiated FFUP includes all direct costs, indirect costs, and profit. The Contractor shall be solely responsible to provide personnel, supervision, services, equipment, materials, and any other items necessary to satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of this IDIQ.”

As such, pricing for CLINS X01 and X02 must include all project management costs required to deliver the equipment to CONUS location and provide required warranty. Similarly, pricing for CLINS X03 and X04 must include all PM costs required to deliver the training.

5. RFP, Section 1 11, 7 PRICING FOR “CORE” SERVICES (a) Attachments 1 and 2 identify the not-to-exceed firm fixed unit price (FFUP) and specifications applicable to the “core” items and services under this IDIQ contract.

Please provide attachment 1 as it was not included in the solicitation documents package or identify what is being referenced as attachment 1 if naming convention was changed

Attachment 1 will be derived from Attachment 6 and will be included in the contract prior to award.

The attachment will include the proposed unit prices for each contract period and remove the estimated quantities.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

6. 7.0 Pricing for core services

Pag.12

d) Colombian value added tax

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS We understand that in the event of DDP delivery (merchandise must be delivered to the hangars of the US Embassy), the offeror will act as an importer, and the contractor will issue a VAT exemption certificate. With this exemption, the offeror will not be obliged to pay the same at the time of importation. Is this correct?

Pricing for the UAVs includes delivery to a CONUS warehouse location. FAR 52.219-33 requires, among other things, the Contractor to “provide an end item that a small business has manufactured, processed, or produced in the United States or its outlying areas.”

If direct shipment to Colombia is required in a delivery order, the terms for said shipment will be negotiated prior to issuance of the delivery order.

7. 14.3 / SF1449 and

RFP

Page 16-17. First paragraph

Government Inspection and Evaluation When is the actual implementation of this contract expected to begin, month and year?

How long after contract award should the OEM be prepared to execute?

The Government expects to award a contract in approximately 3 – 6 months after submission of proposals. Timelines are subject to change.

The Contractor must be prepared to execute delivery orders immediately after award of the IDIQ contract.

8. 16.2 Ordering Procedures

Pag. 21 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS What is the Contractor’s maximum delivery time for drones and spare parts once the supply order is issued? Will it change in case some parts need to be imported?

The maximum delivery time for the contractor for the drones and spare parts is 90 days.

Specifications will be revised accordingly.

9. RFP, Section 1 24,23 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS This is an unclassified contract. Contractor and subcontractor personnel assigned to this contract are not authorized to view, process, store, transmit, receive, or handle classified information.

Are any security clearances for personnel required for this contract?

No.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

10. RFP, Section 1 29, 30 PASSPORT AND VISAS. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining an up-to-date passport for all personnel who will be required to travel outside the continental United States, Hawaii and Alaska to accomplish work assigned under this contract. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining any and all visas required for travel to accomplish work assigned under this contract. Contractor employees shall not be assigned to a particular delivery order until required passports and visas have been obtained.

Will Embassy assist in sponsoring for Visa’s or provide letter of support to ease any restrictions for personnel to obtain required visas?

No.

11. 40.0 Contractor Commitments, Warranties, And

Representations

Pag. 34 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS If the equipment warranty is longer than a year, will that add additional points in favor of the company?

Offerors will be evaluated based on the evaluation factors detailed in the RFP. Refer to solicitation section 4, technical specifications rating criteria.

12. 40.0 Contractor Commitments, Warranties, And Representations

Pag. 34 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS What is the maximum time to attend to the quality claims of the supplied items?

30days. Specifications will be revised accordingly.

13. 4.6 Questions Regarding the Solicitation

RFP Pg. 49 Should the government delay in their response to the questions submitted, will the government extend the proposal submission due date accordingly?

An extension until December 17, 2021 will be granted. A solicitation amendment will be processed.

14. 4.10 Proposal Preparation Instructions – A.

Proposal Organization and Page Limitations C. Title Page

RFP p. 51 C. “Each volume shall include a Title Page that includes the following…”

Is the required Title Page excluded from the page count(s) of all volumes?

No. Refer to “Proposal Organization and Page Limitations” table included in the solicitation.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

15. 4.10 Proposal Preparation Instructions – A.

Proposal Organization and Page Limitations D. Table of Contents

RFP Pg.52 D. “Each volume shall include a table of contents” Is the required Table of Contents excluded from the page count(s) of all volumes?

No. Refer to “Proposal Organization and Page Limitations” table included in the solicitation.

16. 4.10 Proposal Preparation Instructions – A.

Proposal Organization and Page Limitations E. Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms

RFP Pg. 52 E. “Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used. Information included in the Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms will not be evaluated”

Is the required Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms excluded from the page count(s) of all volumes?

No. Refer to “Proposal Organization and Page Limitations” table included in the solicitation.

17. 4.11PROPOSAL

PREPARATION

Pag. 53 Tab 1 – General

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Is it allowed for a company to have the commercial representation of a major manufacturer for this proposal? Must the manufacturer be registered in DUNS, CAGE, and

SAM?

Refer to FAR 52.204-7. There is no requirement of the manufacturer to be registered in SAM. The Government would prefer that they are.

This acquisition is limited to competition amongst US small business concerns. Refer to FAR 52.219-6 (Notice of Total Small Business Set- Aside), FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting), and FAR 52.219-33 (Nonmanufacturer Rule).

18. 4.11PROPOSAL

PREPARATION

Pag. 53 Tab 1 – General

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS If we are the manufacturer's representative for this solicitation, would that make us the subcontractors, or would we still be the Prime?

The offeror is the entity submitting the proposal.

If a contract is awarded to the offeror, that entity will become the contractor (i.e., prime).

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

19. 4.11PROPOSAL

PREPARATION

Pag. 53 Tab 3 – Other Requirements

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Financially, if we have the commercial representation of a major manufacturer for this proposal, do we need to present the manufacturer's financial information or only the Prime Contractor's information?

FAR 9.104-4 Subcontractor responsibility.

(a) Generally, prospective prime contractors are responsible for determining the responsibility of their prospective subcontractors (but see 9.405 and 9.405-2 regarding debarred, ineligible, or suspended firms). Determinations of prospective subcontractor responsibility may affect the Government's determination of the prospective prime contractor's responsibility. A prospective contractor may be required to provide written evidence of a proposed subcontractor's responsibility.

Submit information pertaining to the prime. If additional information is required, the Contracting Officer will request it.

20. D. VOLUME IV –

PAST

PERFORMANCE

Pag. 54 PAST PERFORMANCE In the case of being the manufacturer's representative, the past performance must be only of the manufacturer, or the representative has to put its experience as well?

Unable to answer the question as written. The RFP states: “For the purposes of this evaluation, the proposed contract team includes the Offeror, each proposed joint venture partner, and each major subcontractor.”

21. D. Volume IV - Past Performance

Pag, 54, (1) Tab 1 – Identification of Contract Team

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS To participate in this solicitation, are subcontractors required to have a DUNS number and CAGE code? Do they have to be registered in SAM?

The requirements for SAM certification are included in FAR clause 52.204-7. The clause does not require flow-down to subcontractors.

However, the Government prefers all major subcontractors to be registered in SAM.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

22. 4.10 Proposal Preparation Instructions – Volume Specific D. Volume IV – Past Performance (1) Tab 2 – identification of Recent and Relevant Efforts

RFP Pg. 55 Paragraph 1

An assessment of the team’s past performance information will be made to determine if it is recent. To be recent, past performance must not be older than three (3) years from date of release of this solicitation.

In consideration of the worldwide impact of COVID delays, country shutdowns, travel restrictions, and supply shortages of 2019, 2020, and 2021 on contracting efforts globally, would the government consider allowing past performance to be not older than five (5) years from date of release of this solicitation?

Past performance up to five years will be considered.

23. Volume V Tab A Page 57 Paragraph

Provide product datasheets and pictures for the proposed system and major components. Address, via submission of a compliance matrix, required and preferred specifications.

If we are non-compliant to a threshold requirement does that eliminate us from the running?

Depends. The Government will evaluate proposals as stated in the solicitation. Refer to the rating criteria.

24. Volume V Tab A Page 57 Paragraph

Provide product datasheets and pictures for the proposed system and major components. Address, via submission of a compliance matrix, required and preferred specifications.

Are we able to submit a white paper as part of our technical requirements response?

Format and content of proposals are limited to the information requested in the RFP.

25. 8.0 Discussions RFP Pg. 60 “The government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without conducting discussions.”

What is the anticipated award date of the contract? Refer to response for question number 7.

26. X01/ Attachment 2 Page 1 Dimensions and Size: Are the weight requirements of ~15lbs a hard requirement, or is there consideration of sacrificing weight requirements for exponentially higher/expanded capabilities? Specifically speaking, will a system that weighs 37 – 50 lbs.

(based on payload configuration) still be considered if it is able to be carried in a single backpack/case?

Are there specifications for the size of the bag/carry case for all of the equipment?

15 lbs is a hard requirement. Additional RFPs will likely be issued for larger systems.

Nothing above 15 lbs. will be considered due to the nature of the operations in which this equipment will be used. All equipment must be backpack portable due to operational conditions.

Cases are only required for storage at bases and movement to and from bases.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

27. 19AQMM21R0236 –

ATTACHMENT 2

Page 1, X01 Technical Specifications Can the government specify which technical specifications in section X01 are required and which ones are desired?

Section X01 states which specifications are desirable. If it does not include the word “desirable,” it is a hard requirement.

28. 19AQMM21R0236 –

ATTACHMENT 2

Page 1, X01 Technical Specifications Does the government require the downlink radio to be both L and S band, or can it be L band or S band only?

Downlink radio can be L band and/or S band.

Both options are acceptable. Specifications will be revised accordingly.

29. 19AQMM21R0236 –

ATTACHMENT 2

Page 1, X01 Technical Specifications Will the government allow the use of alternate navigation solutions in lieu of protection against GPS spoofing? We are not aware of any Group 1, backpack sized UAS that have GPS spoofing protection.

Yes, alternate navigation solution will be considered in lieu of protection against GPS spoofing.

30. Attachment 2 X01 X01 Group 1 UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (3-5 miles)

Is it permissible to deliver drones and software that is manufactured in Colombia or Canada? Our understanding is that only main components and software from China are prohibited.

Refer to FAR 52.219-33 (Nonmanufacturer Rule).

31. X01/ Attachment 2 Page 2 Operator Training: What are the standard class sizes anticipated for training?

What is the collective number of students to be trained and on what frequency over the period of performance?

How much time will the OEM have prior to each training class to prepare?

Please refer to X03, Operator Training section.

The number of trainees that will collectively be trained will not be determined at this moment. It will be based on operational requirements.

Specifications will be revised accordingly to clarify training period of performance.

32. X01 / Attachment 2 Page 2 Technical Specifications: Does providing an autonomous UAV, with the capacity to fly more than one per ground control station help alleviate the potential for one pilot per each drone scenario?

Not for this specific requirement.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

33. Attachment 2- Specifications I.

Specifications

Requirement X01, X02

“Pricing includes shipping to CONUS warehouse” Will the government please provide the OCONUS address?

No OCONUS address is currently available. The CONUS shipping location is currently located in Miami, FL, but is subject to change.

34. Attachment 2 Page 2 X02 Each UAV will likely fly approximately one to two hours per day, depending on weather and operational requirements.

Please clarify if UAV in this question means the system or a single air vehicle.

We are seeking confirmation as our system has 3 air vehicles and this impacts the planning of the spares.

Assuming 3 planes, at 1 flight per, for 1-2 hours each is significantly more than 1 flight for 1-2 hours for each system, per day.

UAV is referred to a Single Air vehicle, only one vehicle will fly per day between 1 – 2 hours, this applies per each operational team.

35. 19AQMM21R0236 –

ATTACHMENT 2

Page 2, X03 Operator training Does the government intend for the Operator Training course to be taught at a master trainer level or at a traditional operations level?

The requirements are as stipulated in Attachment

2. If additional clarification is required, please provide subjective criteria for master trainer vs.

traditional training for the Government to consider.

The ultimate goal is to equip the students to successfully launch, operate, and recover the UAV system.

36. Attachment 2 Page Numbers 3 & 4, Paragraphs X03 & X04

X03 – Operator Training X04 – Maintenance Training

Will the Government please provide the locations for Operator Training (X03) and Maintenance Training (X04) within Colombia?

Training locations may vary and are currently unknown. As stated in Attachment 2, travel costs will be proposed separately.

37. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Regarding the drone’s manufacturing, if only the drone’s airframe is made in China, will that be accepted?

Refer to FAR 52.219-33 (Nonmanufacturer Rule).

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

38. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Will this solicitation accept a drone manufacturer’s company whose origin was in China but has established offices, operations, and equipment manufacturing in the USA?

Refer to FAR 52.219-33 (Nonmanufacturer Rule).

39. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS If the purchase is made locally in Colombia, can it be done through a manufacturer's authorized distributor, or does it have to be a direct purchase from the manufacturer?

This question does not pertain to proposal preparation instructions. Refer to FAR 52.219-33 -

- Nonmanufacturer Rule (Sep 2021) for applicable restrictions.

40. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Is it required a battery station to charge additional batteries?

Spare batteries are preferred. Operational groups will not have the capability to charge batteries while in operations in field.

Battery station will be relevant in preparation prior to the mission. A battery charger with the capability to charge multiple batteries at once is preferred.

41. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Approximately how many people will be taking the training course? Is it possible to specify a maximum or minimum of students?

X03 and X04 were revised to clarify that the class size is 5.

42. ATTACHMENT 2 –

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS What is the resolution of the electro optical (EO) sensor?

At least Full HD (1920x1080 resolution).

Specifications will be revised accordingly.

43. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS What is the resolution of the IR sensor? At least 640 x 480. Specifications will be revised accordingly.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

44. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Does the drone camera require zoom? Yes, at least 25X. Specifications will be revised accordingly.

45. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Does the operation in rainy conditions require an IP certificate? What is the required level?

Operational Conditions: Day and night, supported operation in rain falling at a rate of less than 0.1 inch per hour.

IP certificate will be positively evaluated.

46. ATTACHMENT 2 –

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Can the communication link be an L-band or S-only?

Downlink radio can be L band and/or S band.

Both options are acceptable. Specifications will be revised accordingly.

47. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Can the equipment engineering come from other countries (like Europe) and do the assembling in China?

Refer to FAR 52.219-33 (Nonmanufacturer Rule).

48. ATTACHMENT 2 –

SPECIFICATIONS

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Is the UAV's mission to only do reconnaissance with the Geolocator?

The Geolocation metadata will be used to ingest the information on a geographic context for a Common Operation Picture, the UAV could operate in missions of ISR or Mapping over small areas where the group can operate.

49. ATTACHMENT 2 –

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Does the drone require storage capacity? If so, what would be the minimum storage capacity required?

The drone must have enough capacity to store the flight estimated time per day (1 – 2 hours) with the best data quality available. Specifications will be revised accordingly.

50. ATTACHMENT 2 –

AND LABOR

CATEGORIES

Pag 1. Technical Specification

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS The 3000 FT AGL is a relative performance value. What would be the maximum operational altitude concerning the SML?

The areas in Colombia where the operations will be conducted not exceed the 10,000 FT SML.

Specifications will be revised accordingly.

Number

Page Number and Paragraph Solicitation Requirement Question / Comment DOS Response

51. Attachment 6 CLINs X03, X04 Operator Training, Maintenance Training Will the training be conducted in Bogota Training locations are currently unknown. As stated in the solicitation, performance locations may include remote, austere, and potentially dangerous environments.

As stated in Attachment 2, travel costs are not included as part of CLINS X03 and X04 and will be negotiated separately before issuance of a delivery order.

52. Attachment 6 Line 9 Group 1 (3-5 Miles) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System

What constitutes a system? A complete turnkey solution with the required elements to accomplish the mission.

53. Pricing table Pricing table PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS Regarding the 200 hours of special training required, where will it take place in Colombia, and who will the attendees be?

The Pricing table is used to negotiate a fully loaded hourly labor rate for a training specialist.

Actual requirements, to include performance location, will be negotiated at the delivery order level.

This training, if required, will be distinct that the training required under CLINS X03 and X04.

54. N/A N/A N/A The RFP attachments are labeled attachment 2 –

7. Will the Government please verify there is no attachment 1?

Refer to response to question number 5.