2.5.1 70B06C24Q00000167 A00001 Question & Answer.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 17 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 70B06C24Q00000167
About this file
This document is a set of questions and answers related to a Request for Quote (RFQ) for specialty service rifle ammunition to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The RFQ, numbered 70B06C24Q00000167, seeks 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester ammunition. Key details include:
The RFQ provides clarification on various requirements, including headstamp, testing, accuracy, packaging, and submission instructions. It confirms that the Government will pursue a single award but reserves the right to split the award by caliber. Offerors must submit quotes for both calibers. The solicitation states the estimated annual quantities but removes the specific ordering periods. Past performance questionnaires must be submitted directly by the references. The RFQ maintains the original quote due date of August 2, 2024 and will not consider an extension. The contracting agency is the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection.
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Sheet1
| Request for Quote 70B06C24Q00000167 | ||||
| Specialty Ammunition (6.5 & .308) | ||||
| Attachment 5- Question & Answer | ||||
| # | Reference | Question | Government Response | RFQ Changes (if any) |
| 1 | SOW 4.2.4. Cartridge Case | Will/can headstamp requirements be waived for bid sampling with the understanding that any potential awarded deliverables will meet SOW requirements? | Yes, provided that offeror addresses this in their technical response. | None. |
| 2 | SOW 4.3 Performance Requirements | Indicates that ‘Velocity, Pressure, Penetration and Sustained Immersion Water’ testing shall be conducted by an independent NIJ approved laboratory. Would this include testing conducted at the manufacturer’s operation that is witnessed/certified by NIJ Lab personnel? Would this be acceptable? | Yes, provided that the Test Data Sheets and the Summary Test Data Sheets are completed and signed by the NIJ Laboratory. | None. |
| 3 | SOW 4.3.2. Accuracy | Will this accuracy testing to be shot bench rest? No fixtures or mounting apparatus? | Accuracy testing will be completed prone with the use of a bipod by CBP BORTAC Precision Marksmen. | None. |
| 4 | SOW 4.3.6. Function Reliability | Will any aspect of this testing involve fully automatic fire/cycling? | No | None. |
| 5 | SOW 4.4.7 Quality Control | Please expand upon DHS/CBP’s expectation(s) with respect to “traceability of production components”. | The vendor shall be able to track and identify ammunition components to isolate any quality control/assurance issues in order to effect corrective action. | None. |
| 6 | SOW 4.7 Packaging | Will/can headstamp requirements be waived for bid sampling with the understanding that any potential awarded deliverables will meet SOW requirements? | Yes, provided that offeror addresses this in their technical response. | None. |
| 7 | RFP I.2 Schedule of Supplies/Services (Page 5) | It would appear that the yearly volumes listed in the RFP differ from those listed in Attachment 3 Price Submittal Grid. Please clarify. | The table in Section I.2 which defines the ordering periods and estimated quantities is removed from the solicitation. It will be reinstated in the resultant award(s) based on the case quantity as to be completed by offerors on Attachment 3- Pricing Schedule, Cells B11 & B12. Offerors are to base pricing on the estimated quantities in Attachment 3- Pricing Schedule. | The table in Section I.2 which defines the ordering periods and estimated quantities is removed from the solicitation |
| 8 | RFP III.2 Evaluation Factors (Page 28) | This section delineates the Government intent to pursue a single award but reserves the right to split award by listed calibers (two awards). If a respondent only submitted one of the two offerings/calibers, would their proposal be evaluated/considered or deemed unresponsive? Are submitters required to bid both items? | As the Government's intent is to award a single award, Offerors are required to submit both items. | Section III.1 has been updated to reflect that quotes shall include both ammunition types or will be rejected. This langauge includes: |
Offerors shall not submit partial quotes. Quotes shall include all items, otherwise, the quote will be rejected. Further, Offerors shall only submit one (1) ammunition for each ammunition type (6.5 Creedmoor & .308 Winchester) for evaluation and testing per quote. If Offerors wish to quote multiple ammunition combinations, multiple offers may be submitted.
| 9 | SOW 4.2.4.1 – Case Headstamp | Can we have a waiver for the submission samples that the headstamp will feature the year of manufacture upon award? | Yes, provided that offeror addresses this in their technical response. | None. |
| 10 | SOW 4.2.4.2 – Casemouth Sealant | If water immersion test is passed without casemouth sealant, would it be acceptable to submit without casemouth sealant? | No. Casemount sealant is a requirement. | None. |
| 11 | N/A | Is the ammunition tested by NIJ have a different deadline that the ammunition submitted to Harpers Ferry? | No. Complete proposal submissions must be received by CBP by the closing date/time listed on the RFP. | None. |
| 12 | SOW 4.3.1.2 – Chronograph | Currently our chronograph system features spacing of 5’ and 20’. Is this acceptable providing it documents the distance in the submission information or does this need to be tested at 5’ and 25’? | No. Chronograph system must meet the requirements contained in the SOW (5' and 25'). | None. |
| 13 | SOW 4.3.3.10 – Weight retention | If the average weight retention is less than 80% of it’s original weight per test, will the submission be rejected? | There is no disqualification for weight retention less than 80% of original weight. | None. |
| 14 | SOW 4.3.6.3 – Reliablity | What rate of fire will be used for functional reliability testing? | One round per second for .308 Win. As quickly as possible with a bolt action for 6.5 Creedmoor. | None. |
| 15 | SOW 4.9.1 – Production Capacity | In the event of component supply issues (specifically propellant and/or primers), will alternative options be allowed if it meets the statement of work requirements? | No. | None. |
| 16 | N/A | Respectfully request an extension of the Question/Answer period of 30 days to allow any additional questions to be submitted following the responses from CBP to the manufacturers. | No. | None. |
| 17 | Quote Volume Content, Volume III Past Performance, Pgs. 26-27. The RFP states, “The Past Performance submission, which consists exclusively of Past Performance Questionnaires, shall be submitted via email.” | Question: Could the Government please confirm that the only deliverables required as part of Volume III include PPQs sent to CBP from Government customers, and bidders do NOT need to submit an electronic or hard copy of any other information as part of Volume III Past Performance? | The Volume III- Past Performance submission, which consists exclusively of Past Performance Questionnaires, shall be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer directly from the references. | None. |
| 18 | Quote Volume Content, Subpart 3 – Test Data Summary and Test Data Sheets, Pg. 25. The RFP states, “The Quoter shall include test data summary sheets (Attachment 2, to be completed by a NIJ Laboratory and Attachment 5, to be completed by the Quoter) followed by all associated test data sheets…” | Could CBP please provide Attachment 5? | This was an error. Reference to Attachement 5 removed. | Single reference to Attachment 5 shall be removed from the solicitation. |
| 19 | Each Quoter’s quote submitted in response to this solicitation shall be in four separate volumes. Volume I, Technical, shall be submitted in an original and one (1) copy which will be paper and in a binder. Volume II, sample submissions for Government testing, shall accompany Volume I. In addition to the original and 1 paper copies, each Quoter shall send a complete Volume I copy electronically to CBP procurement Contracting Officer Jared Tritle at U.S. Customs and Border Protection 6650 Telecom Drive Suite 100, Indianapolis Indiana 46278. Volume III, Past Performance, shall each be submitted directly by the references (not the Quoter) via email to jared.a.tritle@cbp.dhs.gov. Volume IV, Price quote, shall be submitted in an original and (1) copy. | Are printed Volumes absolutely required? This is extremely costly to the bidders and triples processing times. What is the CBP’s file size limit for electronic submissions? | Yes. Printed volumes are required. | None. |
| 20 | SAAMI Pressure | Please clarify SAAMI Pressure requirements including the pressure difference from ambient (typically 5,000 to 7,000 psi) for hot and cold conditioned samples. Applying the same pressure limit across ambient, hot, and cold samples typically results in artificially lowering the ambient requirement to ensure all three conditions are met. |
- SOW Section 4.2.7.1 states MPLM not to exceed 63,600 psi for both calibers but does not include conditioning temperature.
- SOW Sections 4.3.5.1.1 through 4.3.5.1.3 detail sample quantity, conditioning temperature, and conditioning duration but do not include the required pressure limits.
| - Solicitation Section III.2 Evaluation Factors require chamber pressure of less than 63,600 psi for both calibers and across all three conditioning temperatures but does not clarify Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) or Maximum Probable Lot Mean (MPLM). | The same SAAMI Pressure requirements apply to all conditioned samples. This includes ambient, hot, and cold conditions. 63,600 psi is the Maximum Probable Lot Mean (MPLM) requirement for all conditions. | None. | |||
| 21 | .308 Winchester Twist Rate | Please confirm the use of SAAMI standard 24 inch 1:12 twist rate velocity and pressure test barrel for .308 Winchester rather than the 1:10 twist rate barrel called out in SOW Sections 4.3.1 Velocity and 4.3.3 Penetration. Lead time on new 1:10 twist rate test barrels is a significant risk to meeting the bid timeline. SAAMI standard .308 Winchester 24 inch 1:12 twist rate test barrels will continue to be used on plant for in-process ballistic testing. | No, test barrels shall have 1:8 twist rate for 6.5 Creedmoor and a 1:10 twist rate for .308 Win as specified in the SOW. Continuous QC testing after award also shall follow all SOW requirements. | None. | |
| 22 | Bid Extension | Due to the barrel lead time, time needed for NIJ witnessing, and the holiday, we would like the due date to be extended 30 days. | No. | None. | |
| 23 | Order Limitations | Can the minimum be stated in number of cases verses dollar value? We recommend it be a minimum of 5 cases. | No. | None. | |
| 24 | Submission Instructions | Please clarify the submission instructions for Volume IV. The instructions state volume IV is original and 1 copy, but then later states to submit via e-mail. | Volume IV- Price Submission, shall be submitted via email only to the Contracting Officer. | The reference in Section III.1, Pg. 24, second paragraph has been revised to remove the requirement for an original and copy and require it to be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer. | |
| 25 | Function Reliability | Based on extensive Function and Casualty testing, vendor highly recommends cooling the weapon after firing three (3) magazines (30 to 60 rounds total) rather than after 100 rounds as stated in SOW Section 4.3.6. Cleaning, inspection, and lubrication should also occur at a higher rate than every 1,000 rounds for .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition fired in precision weapons. | No. Requirements and methodology remain unchanged. | None. | |
| 26 | Past Performance Questionnaires | We understand CBP expects Past Performance questionnaires to be submitted directly by the references, but does CBP expect a volume to be submitted listing the references and the relevance as part of the proposal? | No. | None. |
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