Solicitation 70US0926R70093724 Q and A.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 32 KB Posted
- Attached to
- 5. 56 and . 308 Rifle Ammunition IDIQ Contract
- Solicitation number
- 70US0926R70093724
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for Solicitation 70US0926R70093724, a 5.56mm and .308 Winchester rifle ammunition Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the United States Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center. The contract is a single-award, firm fixed-price IDIQ for five years, designated as a total small business set-aside with no bond requirement. The solicitation includes both FAR 52.225-1 (Buy American) and the newly added FAR 52.225-5 (Trade Agreements) clauses, though no waivers or exceptions to Buy American restrictions will be issued.
For CLIN 0001 (5.56mm training ammunition), the government requires copper-jacketed bullets with lead cores weighing 64 grains ±3.0 grains, packaged in 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box, and 1,000 rounds per case. Acceptable bullet types include FMJ, JHP, TMJ, and OTM variants. For CLIN 0002 (.308 Winchester/7.62 NATO match ammunition), 175-grain open tip match bullets are required in 20 rounds per box and 200 rounds per case configurations. All ammunition must be no older than one year from manufacture with virgin brass cases, new components, and manufacturer's headstamps. Test samples of 1,000 rounds must be submitted in production packaging configuration by the proposal deadline. The government will evaluate proposals based on non-price factors (technical quality and past performance, weighted equally and significantly more important than price) and will conduct .308 ammunition testing using 20 percent ordnance gel. Offerors may submit multiple products per CLIN but will result in a single awardee, and the contract will maintain firm fixed prices throughout the five-year ordering period with no economic price adjustments or mutual opt-out provisions permitted.
View the file
Other files
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1 Solicitation # 70US0926R70093724 Q&A
| Question # | Section | Paragraph | Page | Question | Gov Response |
| 1 | I am reaching out regarding the 5.56 and .308 Rifle Ammunition IDIQ Contract. Can you please confirm whether a bond is required for this contract? | No bond is required. | |||
| 2 | I have reviewed this solicitation and see that you are looking to source a 5.56 caliber round with a bullet that shall be a copper jacketed bullet with a lead core...64grains +/- 3.0 grains. I did not see any specific barrier penetration requirements, and I wanted to verify that this round will be used primarily for training? Will an FMJ round meeting the grain weight requirements be acceptable? | The 5.56mm round will be utilized as a Training Round ONLY. As stated for this CLIN (No additional Test Protocols for this CLIN). As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in CLIN 0001 - "Bullet - The bullet shall be a copper jacketed bullet with a lead core." A copper-jacketed bullet is a projectile with a soft inner core (usually lead) completely or partially encased in a harder outer shell (jacket) made of copper or a copper alloy. Examples of common variations of copper-jacketed bullets include: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) , Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP), Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) or Open Tip Match (OTM). | |||
| When we send in the sample rounds, do they have to be on stripper clips and boxed in 20 round boxes per solicitation or can they be shipped in our current retail packaging for purposes of testing? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, section 8 "Packing and Packaging", - CLIN 0001 - 5.56 NATO standard ammunition shall be packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box, 1,000 rounds per case. - CLIN 0002 - .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO Match ammunition shall be packaged 20 rounds per box, 200 rounds per case. | ||||
| 3 | The solicitation currently includes FAR 52.225-1 (Buy American—Supplies) but does not include FAR 52.225-5 (Trade Agreements) or FAR 52.225-6 (Trade Agreements Certificate). Germany is a member of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA). Would the Contracting Officer consider adding FAR 52.225-5 Trade Agreements to this solicitation, which would allow participation by WTO GPA country offerors such as German manufacturers? | Clauses have been added. | |||
| 4 | Alternatively, would the Contracting Officer consider issuing a waiver or exception to the Buy American statute under FAR 25.103 (e.g., on grounds of nonavailability or public interest) to allow foreign end products from Germany? | No waiver or exception shall be issued. | |||
| 5 | Regarding the Total Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 52.219-6: Is the Contracting Officer open to removing or modifying the set-aside designation to an unrestricted acquisition, given the potential benefits of international competition in terms of technical quality and pricing? | No, this shall remain a small business set-aside. | |||
| 6 | Would a 62g projectile also meet the criteria that is being asked for? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, CLIN 0001 - Bullet - The bullet weight shall be 64 grains +/- 3.0 grains. | |||
| 7 | Would you be able to provide any clarification on the jacket requirement. Should it be full metal jacket (FMJ) or a soft point (SP)? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, CLIN 0001 - "Bullet - The bullet shall be a copper jacketed bullet with a lead core." A copper-jacketed bullet is a projectile with a soft inner core (usually lead) completely or partially encased in a harder outer shell (jacket) made of copper or a copper alloy. Examples of common variations of copper-jacketed bullets include: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) , Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP), Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) or Open Tip Match (OTM). | |||
| 8 | BHA would respectfully request clarification on the Projectile requirements for 5.56mm. In attachment #3 it states the “The bullet shall be a copper jacketed bullet with a lead core”. It was our understanding that monolithic (solid copper) projectiles were going to be allowed for this solicitation. Is that understanding correct, can you please help clarify this. | The 5.56mm round will be utilized as a Training Round ONLY. | |||
| 9 | I have a question regarding the packaging for the 5.56 rounds. On Attachment 3, number 8, Packing and Packaging it states, "CLIN 0001 - 5.56 NATO standard ammunition shale (shall) be packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box, 1,000 rounds per case. Does the "," also translate to "or"? Does it have to be packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box (i.e. 2 stripper clips per box), 1,000 rounds per case? Or, does it mean packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip OR 20 rounds per box in 1,000 rounds per case? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, section 8 "Packing and Packaging", - CLIN 0001 - 5.56 NATO standard ammunition shall be packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box, 1,000 rounds per case. | |||
| 10 | Please clarify whether the Government requires commercial packaging, military packaging, or another specific packaging configuration for both CLINs. Specifically, are there any requirements regarding: Inner box construction and labeling; Outer case construction and labeling; Ammunition cans, bandoleers, stripper clip guides, or other military packaging components; Crating or palletization requirements; or MIL-STD or other military packaging specifications? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, section 8 "Packing and Packaging", – Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carrier and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission Regulations, Uniform Freight Classification Rules, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation. Ammunition packaging will be marked “Government Use Only. Not for Resale.” | |||
| 11 | If no additional requirements exist, will standard commercial manufacturer packaging be considered acceptable provided it meets the specified rounds-per-box, rounds-per-case, and marking requirements? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, section 8 "Packing and Packaging", – Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carrier and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission Regulations, Uniform Freight Classification Rules, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation. Ammunition packaging will be marked “Government Use Only. Not for Resale.” | |||
| 12 | We would request a 60-day extension to allow for further product development, testing, cost calculations & bid documentation, ensuring responsive/compliant bid submission. | USSS cannot accommodate a 60-day extension. To ensure a fair and equitable process for all participants and to maintain our project timeline, all bids must be submitted by the original deadline | |||
| 13 | Due to unprecedented volatility in the current/future commodities market(s), coupled with ongoing information flow regarding Trump administration intent to implement additional tariffs on copper and copper products, and additional inflationary pressures on all other raw materials, it is nearly impossible to accurately predict product costs and provide pricing on 5 yr, fixed-price contracts without assuming significant economic risk. Looking at last 5 years, we have seen price fluctuations/escalations of over 100% for copper, over 50% for zinc, up to 200% for steel, and over 200% for nitrocellulose, which is a main component in production of propellants. With respect to this condition, would the government consider the following: | The contract will have firm fixed prices for five years. | |||
| 14 | 1. Allow for justified/negotiated, extension-year economic price adjustment (EPA) to replace up-front firm/fixed 5 YR pricing in accordance with provisions of FAR 52-216-4, Economic Price Adjustment, Labor and Materials, specifically for copper, zinc, steel and propellant, supported by pre-defined baseline prices included in the first year firm fixed price offer, and future year adjustments linked to material content for each of the products, priced at the time of the future years’ awards. | This Solicitation will be for a five (5) year ordering period Firm Fixed Price (FFP) IDIQ contract. | |||
| 15 | 2. Allow for a “mutual agreement/opt out” option where both parties must agree/approve extension year pricing. | No “mutual agreement/opt out” options shall be included. | |||
| 16 | 3. Additionally, to alleviate the risk of additional tariff-induced inflation, we would like to ask the government to consider including the DFAR 252.225-7013 Duty-Free Entry for the prime contractor, and associated flow-down provisions to our subcontractors in the list of applicable clauses for this contract. | DFAR clauses are not applicable to the U.S. Secret Service. | |||
| 17 | Can a single vendor submit more than one item per CLIN? | Yes | |||
| 18 | Can packaging graphics on bid samples be waived with the understanding that sample packaging dimensions will be representative of final product and graphical renderings will be provided with bid submission? | With the exception to "Ammunition packaging will be marked “Government Use Only. Not for Resale.” as well as "Each carton and exterior shipping container shall be marked in accordance with Federal Standard 123 (Marking for Domestic Shipment) on the outside surface with nomenclature quantity, manufacturer’s name, and lot number. The contract number and delivery order number shall also be marked on the outside surface of each exterior shipping container." All other graphics and markings may be waiver. | |||
| 19 | Can headstamping requirement on bid samples be waived with the understanding that potential awarded product will be representative of SOW and graphical renderings will be provided with bid submission? | No - As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, section 4 "Headstamp" – Each loaded cartridge shall be head stamped with the manufacturer’s symbol and appropriate cartridge description. | |||
| 20 | Will .308 terminal gel testing be conducted with 10% or 20 % ordinance gel? | 20% | |||
| 21 | Can you provide estimated yearly volume/consumption on CLIN’s? | No | |||
| 22 | Would USSS allow for a common 3x10 stripper-clipped box/900 round case configuration in 5.56 packaging requirement? | Item 0001 - 5.56 NATO standard ammunition shall be packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box, 1,000 rounds per case. | |||
| 23 | Are stripper clip tools required to be included in packaging? | Not a requirment | |||
| 24 | “Statement of Requirements/5.0 Testing Criteria” indicates USSS reserves the right to make two awards per CLIN. In that event, how will USSS award individual PO/DO’s? Will these be evaluated on a “Best & Final” offer for each PO/DO? | This will be a single award FFP IDIQ. | |||
| 25 | Although we intend on submitting our proposal to the SOW contacts provided, in the event there is additional documentation requested, is there a secure shared file system that will be utilized for large documents, such as DoD Safe? | No | |||
| 26 | Considering the points below, we ask that the current shellcase produced at LCAAP with headstamp (“NATO Cross” LC 26) be deemed eligible for submission. | NATO markings are acceptable. | |||
| 27 | Drawing 19200-9378276 Rev R, Notes 7-9 (specified in statement of requirements for CLIN 0001) require the headstamp to include the NATO ID cross, manufacturer initials, year of manufacture | ||||
| 28 | The NATO cross on the 5.56 headstamp indicates compliance with 5.56x45 NATO design standards | ||||
| 29 | Note: this drawing refers to a legacy-produced case. The currently produced Lake City 5.56 NATO case is 19200-11820451 Rev U, which is specific to the Lake City SCAMP manufacturing technology and includes 100% instrumented inspection for critical and dimensional features. Notes 6,7, and 14 of this drawing require the same headstamp features as those required by 9378276. | ||||
| 30 | Both drawings are currently acceptable for US MIL delivery and functional equivalents. | ||||
| 31 | Attachment 3, paragraph 6, states ammunition shall be no older than one year from the date of manufacture. Attachment 2, Phase II, paragraph c, states no older than two years from the date of manufacture. Which requirement controls? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, section 6 - All ammunition furnished under this contract shall be no older than one year from the date of manufacture. All components, packaging, and shipping materials shall be of new manufacture and shall look to be clean and in new conditions. | |||
| 32 | Phase II, paragraph d, requires the case and projectile to be non-toxic and to produce non-toxic by-products. The 5.56 specification requires a copper-jacketed lead-core bullet and a MIL-spec M855 primer, and the .308 requires a 175-grain Open Tip Match (lead-core) bullet. Does the non-toxic requirement apply to these CLINs as written? If so, please reconcile it with the lead-core and MIL-spec primer requirements. | Cartridge requirments for each CLIN are stated in the Statement of Requirments, i.e both 5.56mm and .308 Win cartridges must meet or exceede those specifications as outlinded in the Statement of Requirments. | |||
| 33 | Attachment 2, Section M, states all non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price and that non-price factors are of equal importance. Attachment 3, paragraph 5.0, states the order of importance is technical, then price, then past performance. Please confirm the governing order of importance and the relative weight of past performance. | All non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price and that non-price factors are of equal importance. Attachment 3 has been corrected. | |||
| 34 | Attachment 3 states up to two products may be awarded for each CLIN, while Attachment 2, Section L, describes award of a single firm fixed-price IDIQ. Please confirm whether the Government intends a single-award IDIQ on which one awardee may offer up to two products per CLIN, or a multiple-award IDIQ with more than one awardee per CLIN. | This will be a single FFP IDIQ. Attachment 3 has been corrected. | |||
| 35 | The Technical volume is limited to ten pages, but the QC/QA plan, MSDS, and Certificate of Conformance are described as submitted "with the solicitation sample." Please confirm which items are submitted with the physical sample and excluded from the ten-page Technical page count, and which must appear within the ten-page volume. | The QC/QA plan shall be part of the technical volume, and the MSDS and Certificate of Conformance may be submiited seperately. | |||
| 36 | Attachment 3, Section "Descriptions and Specifications," Item 4 requires that "each loaded cartridge shall be head stamped with the manufacturer’s symbol." If the Offeror procures cartridge cases with an existing headstamp from a casing manufacturer but performs all subsequent manufacturing, loading, and quality control of the completed cartridge, does the term "manufacturer’s symbol" refer to the casing manufacturer’s headstamp, or must the completed cartridge bear the Offeror’s headstamp as the manufacturer of the end item? Additionally, is it acceptable for the casing manufacturer’s headstamp to remain if the Offeror is identified as the manufacturer of the completed ammunition through packaging, lot traceability, and certification? | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, in the Descriptions and Speficactions, Section 3 Minimum Shell Casing – Unless otherwise specified, shell case for all items must be brass or higher quality. All cases shall be of virgin condition. No reloaded or used shell cases will be accepted.. Section 4 "Headstamp" – Each loaded cartridge shall be head stamped with the manufacturer’s symbol and appropriate cartridge description. Section 6 - All ammunition furnished under this contract shall be no older than one year from the date of manufacture. All components, packaging, and shipping materials shall be of new manufacture and shall look to be clean and in new conditions. The Offeror is the End-Item Manufacturer, because of this, the Offeror performs all subsequent manufacturing, loading, and quality control, they assume legal and contractual responsibility for the finished product. Therefore, the completed cartridge must bear the Offeror's headstamp (or manufacturer symbol) to accurately identify who produced the final, deliverable item. The Case Manufacturer is a supplier producing unprimed or primed brass with an existing headstamp from a third-party vendor simply means the Offeror is purchasing components (the casing) from a subcontractor. The casing manufacturer's headstamp on the base does not dictate who the end-item manufacturer is. For Traceability and Accountability, the Headstamps are used for quality tracking and liability. If a defect or failure occurs with the loaded ammunition, tracing the lot requires knowing who assembled and loaded the powder and projectile, which is the Offeror. | |||
| 37 | The delivery points of contact at the James J. Rowley Training Center are listed as TBD. Since samples must be received by the proposal due date and ammunition ships as hazardous material, please provide the receiving point of contact, hours, and any appointment or hazmat delivery instructions for the 9200 Powder Mill Road freight address. | As stated on the Statement of Requirments, Section 4. "Delivery and Place of Delivery" and well as Section 6. "United States Secret Service (USSS) Points of Contact". The Delivery POC is aded to the instructions. | |||
| 38 | Please confirm whether the 1,000-round test samples should be submitted in the production packaging configuration specified for each CLIN (Attachment 3, p.4), or may be submitted in bulk. | As stated in the Statement of Requirments, CLIN 0001 - 5.56 NATO standard ammunition shall be packaged 10 rounds per stripper clip, 20 rounds per box, 1,000 rounds per case. With the exception to "Ammunition packaging will be marked “Government Use Only. Not for Resale.” as well as "Each carton and exterior shipping container shall be marked in accordance with Federal Standard 123 (Marking for Domestic Shipment) on the outside surface with nomenclature quantity, manufacturer’s name, and lot number. The contract number and delivery order number shall also be marked on the outside surface of each exterior shipping container." All other graphics and markings may be waiver. | |||
| 39 | |||||
| 40 | |||||
| 41 | |||||
| 42 | |||||
| 43 | |||||
| 44 | |||||
| 45 | |||||
| 46 | |||||
| 47 | |||||
| 48 | |||||
| 49 | |||||
| 50 | |||||
| 51 | |||||
| 52 | |||||
| 53 | |||||
| 54 | |||||
| 55 | |||||
| 56 | |||||
| 57 | |||||
| 58 | |||||
| 59 | |||||
| 60 | |||||
| 61 | |||||
| 62 | |||||
| 63 | |||||
| 64 | |||||
| 65 | |||||
| 66 | |||||
| 67 | |||||
| 68 | |||||
| 69 | |||||
| 70 | |||||
| 71 | |||||
| 72 | |||||
| 73 | |||||
| 74 | |||||
| 75 | |||||
| 76 | |||||
| 77 | |||||
| 78 | |||||
| 79 | |||||
| 80 | |||||
| 81 | |||||
| 82 | |||||
| 83 | |||||
| 84 | |||||
| 85 | |||||
| 86 | |||||
| 87 | |||||
| 88 | |||||
| 89 | |||||
| 90 | |||||
| 91 | |||||
| 92 | |||||
| 93 | |||||
| 94 | |||||
| 95 | |||||
| 96 | |||||
| 97 | |||||
| 98 | |||||
| 99 | |||||
| 100 | |||||
| 101 | |||||
| 102 | |||||
| 103 | |||||
| 104 | |||||
| 105 | |||||
| 106 | |||||
| 107 | |||||
| 108 | |||||
| 109 | |||||
| 110 | |||||
| 111 | |||||
| 112 | |||||
| 113 | |||||
| 114 | |||||
| 115 | |||||
| 116 | |||||
| 117 | |||||
| 118 | |||||
| 119 | |||||
| 120 | |||||
| 121 | |||||
| 122 | |||||
| 123 | |||||
| 124 | |||||
| 125 | |||||
| 126 | |||||
| 127 | |||||
| 128 | |||||
| 129 | |||||
| 130 | |||||
| 131 | |||||
| 132 | |||||
| 133 | |||||
| 134 | |||||
| 135 | |||||
| 136 | |||||
| 137 | |||||
| 138 | |||||
| 139 | |||||
| 140 | |||||
| 141 | |||||
| 142 | |||||
| 143 | |||||
| 144 | |||||
| 145 | |||||
| 146 | |||||
| 147 | |||||
| 148 | |||||
| 149 | |||||
| 150 | |||||
| 151 | |||||
| 152 | |||||
| 153 | |||||
| 154 | |||||
| 155 | |||||
| 156 | |||||
| 157 | |||||
| 158 | |||||
| 159 | |||||
| 160 | |||||
| 161 | |||||
| 162 | |||||
| 163 | |||||
| 164 | |||||
| 165 | |||||
| 166 | |||||
| 167 | |||||
| 168 | |||||
| 169 | |||||
| 170 | |||||
| 171 | |||||
| 172 | |||||
| 173 | |||||
| 174 | |||||
| 175 | |||||
| 176 | |||||
| 177 | |||||
| 178 | |||||
| 179 | |||||
| 180 | |||||
| 181 | |||||
| 182 | |||||
| 183 | |||||
| 184 | |||||
| 185 | |||||
| 186 | |||||
| 187 | |||||
| 188 | |||||
| 189 | |||||
| 190 | |||||
| 191 | |||||
| 192 | |||||
| 193 | |||||
| 194 | |||||
| 195 | |||||
| 196 |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .