Attachment_07_Vendor_Q_and_A_RFQ47QMCA25Q0054_Navy_34Ton_Stepdeck_Trailers_Final.pdf

RFQ- RFQ47QMCA25Q0054 - 34 Ton Navy Step-Deck Trailers

Vendor Questions and Answers

Vendor Question One (1)

It looks like this trailer would need to be ATTLA certified. This is a very detailed spec, and to do that, it looks like it has to be priced out to try to make the trailer match all of the needs for ATTLA certification. But then a vendor submits that application after the award happens. What happens if the trailer is deemed that it needs more modifications than what was quoted? How does that process work?

Also, is this a spec that has more purchases planned beyond these three trailers? It would be around 150-200 engineering hours to try to make this match what is needed for ATTLA certification.

Government Response One (1):

The U.S. Navy as the military sponsor (GSA customer agency) of this requirement recently requested the assistance and engagement of the Air Force- ATTLA team to improve the processes and procedures for government contractors to obtain air transport certifications.

These new processes/procedures were fully coordinated with all government stakeholders, and they succinctly define roles and responsibilities of all parties engaged in the acquisition. The underlying technical requirements for air transportability as defined in MIL STD-1366E, MIL STD-1791E, and MIL STD-209K remain unchanged. The process for obtaining ATTLA certification is defined in the RFQ Technical Specifications.

All offerors/quoters shall consider these requirements contained in the RFQ, to include all costs associated with obtaining ATTLA certification, formulate their best technical solutions, consider the effort, and assess their risks when formulating their firm fixed pricing. If successful they will be responsible for any technical defects within their proposed solutions at no additional cost to the government. If the vendor's trailers should need any additional modifications to obtain ATTLA certification than quoted, this cost shall be at the risk of the vendor as this contract will be a Firm-Fixed Price award.

GSA will be using these new requirements on all future acquisitions when the agency requires air transportability. However, the government cannot definitively state what quantities, if any, shall be procured in the future.

Question Two (2): ATTLA Certification Timeline – Please confirm whether the Government will accept delivery of trailers built fully in accordance with MIL-STD-209K and MIL-STD-

1366E, pending ATTLA certification issuance within 60 days post-delivery, provided the ATTLA sponsor is the Government.

Government Response Two (2): Refer to the detailed requirements in the Purchase Description, under section “Process for ATTLA Air Transportability Certification”. Which states; “Upon approval, ATTLA will provide a transportability certification memo to the purchasing customer/Government Agency sponsor stating the conditions of approval / certification of transportability within 60 days of receiving a complete package with all proper requirements met.” The contactor is responsible for the correct design solution and timely submission of the complete package to assure the certification is available at the time of GSA-EXWC inspection of the first production trailer.

Question Three (3): Dimensional Equivalence on Brand-Name-or-Equal – For purposes of Attachment 4 –Brand-Name-or-Equal Worksheet, may equivalence be determined based on meeting or exceeding all functional and performance parameters, even where minor dimensional deviations (2 inches within DOT legal limits) exist?

Government Response Three (3): Correct but note the government’s reference to brand names is very limited.

Question Four (4): Component Substitution Reporting – If an OEM proposes a U.S.-sourced hydraulic, lighting, or electrical subsystem meeting all MIL/SAE standards but differing from a named brand, should this be listed solely on (Attachment 3 – Technical Exceptions Worksheet), or cross-referenced in both (Attachment 3 – Technical Exceptions Worksheet) and (Attachment 4- Brand Name or Equal Worksheet)?

Government Response Four (4): Quoters may submit exceptions with cross references to the brand name or equal worksheet, but note the government’s reference to brand names is very limited

Question Five (5): Delivery Confirmation – The RFQ specifies FOB Destination to NMRLC, Williamsburg VA. Will inspection and final acceptance occur at that site, or may the Government elect to inspect at the OEM facility prior to shipment?

Government Response Five (5): EXWC+ GSA will inspect the first production trailer at source and Navy EXWC will conduct operational testing of the first production trailer at Williamsburg. Please refer to the section operational testing for additional details related to acceptance. EXWC will inspect the balance of trailers at destination

Question Six (6): Paint, Coating, and Marking Validation – Will Government acceptance of primer/topcoat/undercoat systems require third-party coating-thickness certification, or will a manufacturer’s conformance statement with sample chips suffice?

Government Response Six (6): The vendor may use a manufacturer’s conformance statement with sample paint chips. However, the Navy will validate the end thickness of the entire paint job to determine final government acceptance.

Question Seven (7): MVDO and AutoVendor Access – Please confirm that successful contractors will be granted temporary AutoVendor credentials to GSAFleet.gov for entry and status reporting, and that this access may be delegated to subcontractor OEMs under the prime’s supervision.

Government Response Seven (7): AutoVendor is no longer used. Successful contractors will be granted access to GSAFleet.gov for MVDO award, entry, and status reporting. However, Fleet.gov access will be limited to the prime contractor. Subcontractors will not be granted access to Fleet.gov.

Question Eight (8): Warranty Clarification – The specification references a 60-month comprehensive warranty with 3-business-day service response. Please confirm whether this applies to the entire trailer assembly or only to structural and running gear components.

Government Response Eight (8): Warranty requirements and terms apply to the entire trailer- “bumper to bumper”

Question Nine (9): ATTLA Engineering Submittal Sequence – Should ATTLA data (drawings, weight, CG, restraint diagrams) be submitted after First Article acceptance, or concurrently with production design documentation to expedite sponsor review.

Government Response Nine (9): Refer to the detailed requirements in the Purchase Description, under section “Process for ATTLA Air Transportability Certification”. Which states, “Upon approval, ATTLA will provide a transportability certification memo to the purchasing customer/Government Agency sponsor stating the conditions of approval / certification of transportability within 60 days of receiving a complete package with all proper requirements met.” The contactor shall be responsible for the correct design solution and timely submission of the complete package to ensure the certification is available at time of GSA-EXWC inspection of the first production trailer.