MUAS for HC RFP Questions and Answers - Amendment 2.pdf

MUAS for HC RFP Questions and Answers - Amendment 2

No. Attachment Page Section Text Question USCG Response

1 While we are putting the proposal requirements together, it says in

VOLUME IV – CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION: "(a) Standard Form (SF) 33, “Solicitation, Offer, and Award,” with blocks 12 through 18 completed and signed by the Offeror." Can you clarify the mentioned SF location or provide us with one at your earliest convenience please.

An SF-33 can be accessed at the General Services

Administration website:

www.gsa.gov/system/files/SF33-22.pdf

2 MUAS for HC RFP

Sections C-M

L.4 - General Instructions "Each Volume of the proposal must consist of a Table of Contents, Summary Section, Narrative discussion, and a Glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, with an explanation of each." - Do these items count towards the total page counts?

Table of Contents and Glossary are not counted in the volume page limitations in the chart in Section L.4. The

Solicitation will be updated.

3 MUAS for HC RFP

Sections C-M

L.4 - General Instructions Please confirm if the Contracts Volume needs to include a Narrative and

Summary section.

The Volume IV Contract Documentation does not require the Narrative and Summary sections. The

Solicitation will be updated.

4 (N/A - general question)

Will the Government consider an extension on the proposal due date? See Amendment 1 posted to SAM.GOV for Notice ID

70Z02324R93130001. The Government is not considering an additional extension at this time.

5 J-2 Performance Specifications Will the aircraft be expected to meet all performance threshold requirements concurrently or are they discrete requirements? (e.g., fully fueled takeoff at 4800' DA and 25kt winds w/ 15kt gust component vs.

4800' DA or 25kt wind)

The UA with full fuel and payload must be capable of takeoff, operation, and recovery while operating in the environmental conditions described below. Has to be able to meet all threshold requirements at the time of submission.

6 J-1 Performance Objectives "At cost to the embarked Contractors, the Government will make available access to meals when supporting Government-directed UAS activities or deployments. " - How should we go about estimating costs for meals and lodging? Will these be provided by the customer? If so, what will the cost/day be while embarked on a host cutter?

No lodging cost while on the cutter. Total daily meal cost is approximately $20.00 per day (cost includes breakfast, lunch and dinner). This rate has been the same for the last 4 years.

7 MUAS for HC RFP

Sections C-M

L.4 - General Instructions Confirm Price Proposal page limitation. Table in Section 4 indicates a 10-page limit, however L.7 Section 2 states no page limitation.

The Volume III Price Proposal has a 10 page limitation.

The MUAS for HC RFP Attachment J-18 Pricing Sheet is not included in the 10 page limitation. The Solicitation will be updated.

8 J-2 UA Performance

Specifications

"Autonomous | Launch and recovery [KPP]: The UA shall provide fully automated flight operations, including launch and recovery. " - Can the USG provide their definition of “fully automated”?

Answer in the USCG estimation is clear in the note. No further action required.

9 J-2 UA Performance

Specifications

"Loss of Link | [KSA]: The UA shall have a pilot-actuated flight termination mode." - Is a pilot-actuated flight termination via software on the GCS acceptable or does this require a separate hardware solution?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

10 J-2 UA Performance

Specifications

"Payload |[KPP] The UA shall have space, weight, and power to concurrently operate (EO) sensor, (IR) sensor, AIS, VHF/UHF communications relay, aeronautical transponder, and non-visible IR marker." - Is there a specific vendor model that is currently filling the communications solution that must be implemented?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

Pleasee ensure Offeror is using the current Solicitation under Notice ID 70Z02324R93130001 on SAM.GOV.

11 UA Performance

Specifications

"Payload |[KPP] The UA shall have space, weight, and power to concurrently operate (EO) sensor, (IR) sensor, AIS, VHF/UHF communications relay, aeronautical transponder, and non-visible IR marker." - Is there a specific vendor model that is currently filling the communications solution that must be implemented?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

12 J-2 UA Performance

Specifications

Is the UAS expected to come equipped with EO sensor, IR sensor, AIS, VHF/UHF communications relay, aeronautical transponder, and non-visible

IR marker or available SWAP only?

The UA must have space, weight, and power to concurrently operate vendor provided: Electro-Optical

(EO) sensor, Infra-Red (IR) sensor, AIS, VHF/UHF communications relay, aeronautical transponder, and non-visible IR marker for the required flight endurance.

(KPP)

Additional payload requirements are listed below the

KPP with "must" statements.

13 J-2 System Footprint/ Mobility and Transportation

Requirements

"System Footprint: The UAS(s), launch/recovery system, maintenance/support equipment, and spares shall be stored, secured, and maintained in the hangar space designated for UAS. Lithium-ion batteries shall not be used, stored nor charged onboard any Coast Guard cutters nor part of the UAS launch/recovery system (SFLC Engineering Advisory

0##/22) (TS-313 Policy)." - Please confirm that no lithium technology batteries are allowed? Or are lithium ion batteries under a certain size acceptable?

The current RFP states: For systems that employ Lithium batteries as part of the solution, the Lithium batteries must be certified by the Naval Sea Systems Command

(NAVSEA) in accordance with NAVSEA Technical

Publication S9310- AQ-SAF-010 Revision 3 (dated 03

November 2020) and it’s aligned standard NAVSEAINST

9310.1.C. Lithium batteries are limited to an aggregate energy content of 1,000Wh or less. In addition to battery safety procedures identified in S9310-AQ-SAF-

010, lithium batteries are required to be stored outside the skin of the ship (exterior deck) in vendor provided containers that provide shock mitigation, fire suppression, filtration of gases, and thermal management. Any proposal that includes Lithium batteries must submit the NAVSEA Certification documentation. Those that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted for evaluation by the

USCG. NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-AQ-SAF-010 and NAVSEAINST 9310.1.C are publicly available online.

14 J-2 Maritime GCS System "System Malfunction: The UA shall zeroize, erase, wipe, or destroy all sensitive onboard data upon pilot command, or automatically upon imminent loss of the UA." - What is considered sensitive data?

Current RFP language does not say "sensitive." The UA must zeroize, erase, wipe, or destroy all onboard data upon pilot command, or automatically upon imminent loss of the UA.

15 J-2 Sensor, Communication, Navigation, and

Identification Systems (CNI)

Requirements

"Communications Spectrum| Frequency: The UA shall provide secure and non-secure radio relay on VHF-AM (118-136 MHz), VHF-FM (155-162.55

MHz) and military UHF (225-400 MHz) frequency bands." - Is there a specific vendor/type? Or ‘any’ radio that meets these requirements that has to be integrated into the platform?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

16 J-2 Sensor, Communication, Navigation, and

Identification Systems (CNI)

Requirements

"Communications Encryption| FMV and C2: Type 3 FIPS Pub 197-compliant

AES encryption" - Is there a specific vendor/type? Or ‘any’ radio that meets these requirements that has to be integrated into the platform?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

17 J-2 Sensor, Communication, Navigation, and

Identification Systems (CNI)

Requirements

"Communications Encryption | Control: The system shall be able to enable/disable the data links (e.g., flight/navigation control & payload control) encryption from the GCS while the UA is airborne at the pilots’ discretion." - Is it acceptable for the USCG to turn off data links and lose positive control of the UA even for a short amount of time? The goal is to turn/off encryption throughout the mission/flight? What is the use case for this requirement?

Just encryption must be able to be enabled and disabled, but positive control must not be lost.

18 J-2 Sensor, Communication, Navigation, and

Identification Systems (CNI)

Requirements

"Communications Remote Video Terminals| Compatibility: The Contractor shall provide a communications architecture that is compatible with the

Rover (IV+) or other RVT capable of Type 3 FIPS Pub 197-compliant AES encryption." -Is there a specific vendor/type? Or ‘any’ radio that meets these requirements that has to be integrated into the platform?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

19 J-2 ISR Data Product

Requirements

"FMV & Still Imagery: In addition to other sensor requirements identified in section this document, when such a system is commercially available, the

UA shall be capable of incorporating a collision avoidance system to extend the UA’s range beyond the host cutter’s air search radar envelope while maintaining compliance with international due regard. (Objective Value) ." -

Is this done via optics or a different sensor? Is there a recommended DAA system, do they have requirements for what that system need to be able to do (detect range)? Is there a system that has been certified by the

USCG?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

20 J-2 ISR Data Product

Requirements

"AIS: The UA AIS system shall receive LE encrypted signals" - Are there specific encrypted signals that we can reference?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

21 J-2 UA Performance

Specifications

" Loss of Link [KSA]: The UA must have an alternate means of controlling the UA to return to the host cutter for recovery when the primary link for

UA control becomes unavailable or degraded to the point of no longer controlling the UA." - What is considered an alternate means of control? Is that the establishment of another link/backup frequency? Auto-pilot control through pre-programmed waypoints back to the host cutter?

No, there is no specific solution that must be implemented. The offeror must propose a solution that meets the requirement.

22 J-1 Contract Obligations "The Contractor must support an annual program management review

(PMR), and post deployment operational review following each UAS deployment." - Which CLINs should this effort be priced in?

There is no specific CLIN for these reviews. Offerors should incorporate the pricing into existing CLINS.

23 Sections C-M

Instructions, 2. Proposal

Instructions – General, pg.

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, 1.

Technical Approach, pg. 46

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, Sub-

Factor 1.2 System

Sustainment, pg. 47

1.2 System Sustainment, pg.

Section J

ATT 10 Contractor Logistics Support Plan

(CLSP) (Offeror submittal)

Offer provide with proposal

Section L.4 General Instructions, 2.

Proposal Instructions – General

Offerors must include a Contractor Logistics

Support Plan (CLSP) (which must include the Offeror’s Configuration Management

(CM) Plan for the MUAS), and a Quality

Control Plan (QCP) (for product and services)

Section L.5 VOLUME I – TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL

Contractor Logistics Support Plan (CLSP) (As described in Sub-factor 1.2

Section L.5 VOLUME I – TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL, Sub-Factor 1.2 System

Sustainment a draft Contractor Logistics Support Plan

(CLSP), to include the following:

Section M.4, sub-factor 1.2 System

Sustainment

a. the proposed CLSP to demonstrate the

Offeror's approach to meeting the requirements in the Government SOO and

Contractor's MUAS Performance

Specification to include the maintenance and logistics elements that will ensure the

There are multiple references to the offeror submitting attachment J-10 and the Contractor Logistics Support Plan (CLSP) with its proposal.

However, a formatted J- 10 attachment was not provided in the RFP documents included in the solicitation notice on SAM.gov.

Will the Government provide Attachment J-10 if it is to be submitted as part of the offeror’s proposal?

There is no Attachment J-10. The Solicitation will be updated to reflect this. The CLSP requirements are explained in section L.4. Offerors may use any appropriate format to present a proposed plan.

of Objectives (SOO)

Performance

Specification (SPS)

Requirements

Verification

Traceability Matrix

(RVTM)

Objectives (SOO), pg. J-1-3

Specification (SPS), under

Battery and System

Footprint

Verification Traceability

Matrix (RVTM), pg. 5, 7

For systems that employ Lithium batteries as part of the solution, the Lithium batteries must be certified by the Naval Sea

Systems Command (NAVSEA) in accordance with NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-

AQ-SAF-010 Revision 3 (dated 03 November

2020) and it’s aligned standard

NAVSEAINST 9310.1.C. Additionally, commercial off the shelf (COTS) Li- Ion batteries are limited to an aggregate energy content of 1,000Wh or less. Any proposal that includes Lithium batteries that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted for evaluation by the USCG.

NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-AQ-

SAF-010 will be provided for reference upon request.

1. Is the 1000Wh battery limitation for the system batteries inclusive of all batteries on the ship (all aircraft and spares)?

The Solicitation has been updated to remove the specification for only "COTS" Lithium batteries for the

1000Wh limit. The Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

Performance Specifications in J-1, J-2, and J-3 now covers all lithium batteries, regardless of manufacturer

(COTS or non-COTS), must conform to the specifications and limit. The 1000Wh limitation aggregate for the total number batteries required to be on the cutter for the deployment. Additionally, the Solicitation now includes language in J-1 through J-4 for battery safety, charging, and handling, as well as requirement for storage outside the skin of the ship (exterior deck) in vendor provided containers. Offerors must provide their NAVSEA

Certification Documentation as well as battery, charging, and storage information in ATT J-4 as part of their proposal.

of Objectives (SOO)

Performance

Specification (SPS)

Requirements

Verification

Traceability Matrix

(RVTM)

Objectives (SOO), pg. J-1-3

Specification (SPS), under

Battery and System

Footprint

Verification Traceability

Matrix (RVTM), pg. 5, 8

For systems that employ Lithium batteries as part of the solution, the Lithium batteries must be certified by the Naval Sea

Systems Command (NAVSEA) in accordance with NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-

AQ-SAF-010 Revision 3 (dated 03 November

2020) and it’s aligned standard

NAVSEAINST 9310.1.C. Additionally, commercial off the shelf (COTS) Li- Ion batteries are limited to an aggregate energy content of 1,000Wh or less. Any proposal that includes Lithium batteries that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted for evaluation by the USCG.

NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-AQ-

SAF-010 will be provided for reference upon request.

2. Are COTS batteries allowed at over 1000Wh if they pass the NAVSEA

S9310-AQ-SAF-010 certification?

The Solicitation has been updated to remove the specification for only "COTS" Lithium batteries for the

1000Wh limit. The Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

Performance Specifications in J-1, J-2, and J-3 now covers all lithium batteries, regardless of manufacturer

(COTS or non-COTS), must conform to the specifications and limit. The 1000Wh limitation aggregate for the total number batteries required to be on the cutter for the deployment. Additionally, the Solicitation now includes language in J-1 through J-4 for battery safety, charging, and handling, as well as requirement for storage outside the skin of the ship (exterior deck) in vendor provided containers. Offerors must provide their NAVSEA

Certification Documentation as well as battery, charging, and storage information in ATT J-4 as part of their proposal.

of Objectives (SOO)

Performance

Specification (SPS)

Requirements

Verification

Traceability Matrix

(RVTM)

Objectives (SOO), pg. J-1-3

Specification (SPS), under

Battery and System

Footprint

Verification Traceability

Matrix (RVTM), pg. 5, 9

For systems that employ Lithium batteries as part of the solution, the Lithium batteries must be certified by the Naval Sea

Systems Command (NAVSEA) in accordance with NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-

AQ-SAF-010 Revision 3 (dated 03 November

2020) and it’s aligned standard

NAVSEAINST 9310.1.C. Additionally, commercial off the shelf (COTS) Li- Ion batteries are limited to an aggregate energy content of 1,000Wh or less. Any proposal that includes Lithium batteries that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted for evaluation by the USCG.

NAVSEA Technical Publication S9310-AQ-

SAF-010 will be provided for reference upon request.

3. Are non-COTS batteries allowed at over 1000Wh if they pass the

NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010certification?

The Solicitation has been updated to remove the specification for only "COTS" Lithium batteries for the

1000Wh limit. The Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

Performance Specifications in J-1, J-2, and J-3 now covers all lithium batteries, regardless of manufacturer

(COTS or non-COTS), must conform to the specifications and limit. The 1000Wh limitation aggregate for the total number batteries required to be on the cutter for the deployment. Additionally, the Solicitation now includes language in J-1 through J-4 for battery safety, charging, and handling, as well as requirement for storage outside the skin of the ship (exterior deck) in vendor provided containers. Offerors must provide their NAVSEA

Certification Documentation as well as battery, charging, and storage information in ATT J-4 as part of their proposal.

27 Sections C-M Section M, pg. 51 Technical Approach and Past Performance, combined, are significantly more important than Price.

When determining best value, is Technical Approach considered more important than price even when not combined with Past Performance?

Section M.2 states the Government's basis for award.

28 Sections C-M Section L.6 VOLUME II –

PAST PERFORMANCE

PROPOSAL, pg. 48

In lieu of the PPQ, the final and complete

Contract Performance Assessment

Reporting System (CPARS) evaluation(s) may be submitted.

For active contracts, will the Government confirm the Offeror may submit all 1) Interim and 2) Final CPARS evaluations from 2020 to 2023 for the Past

Performance evaluation?

Yes, Interim CPARS can be submitted. The Interim

CPARS must be final and complete (i.e., all steps required by the Government agency and the Contractor are completed in the CPARS system at CPARS.gov to finalize the evaluation).

29 MUAS+for+HC+

RFP+Sections+C-

M+Amendment+1

Section L.4 GENERAL

INSTRUCTIONS, 3. Response

Date

The proposal must be delivered via

AMRDEC (https://safe.apps.mil) to

Barbara.A.Reithmaier@uscg.mil and

Matthew.L.Wallace@uscg.mil. Hard copies will not be accepted.

The website safe.apps.mil displays a disclaimer reading: “DoD SAFE is NOT to be used for contract solicitation or proposal submission. Use the

Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) for time-sensitive submissions.”

Will the Government please confirm whether Offerors are to submit their proposal via DoD SAFE or PIEE?

The proposal must be delivered via DoD SAFE (formerly

AMRDEC) (https://safe.apps.mil) to

Barbara.A.Reithmaier@uscg.mil and

Matthew.L.Wallace@uscg.mil. The solicitation will be updated regarding uploading and submitting proposals.

30 MUAS for HC RFP

Attachment J- 1

SOO

Security Objectives, pg. J-1-5 Security Objectives: This contract will require personnel with security clearances and a Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the SECRET level. The security clearance level must be in accordance with the DD

Form 254 Contract Security Classification

Specification provided in Attachment J-15.

See further guidance in Section H and the awarded Attachment J-15 DD Form 254.

Will the Government please provide attachment J-15 or confirm it will provide to awardee at time of award?

The DD Form 254 will be provided to the awardee at time of award.

31 Can the USCG provide clarity on the payments foreseen in the programme, for us to be able to accommodate the necessary investments?

The guaranteed minimums are listed in the RFP, specifically in the MUAS for HC RFP Attachment J-18

Pricing Sheet, Tab 3 - Guaranteed Minimums. No further clarity can be given on payment schedule, as it is dependent on cutter pier side availability for installation and subsequent deployment schedule. Task orders will be awarded for services required. See Sections G.5 through G.11 for invoicing procedures.

32 MUAS+for+HC+RFP

+Attachment+J-

2+System+Perform ance+Specification+

(SPS)

J-2

Attachm ent

ATO,

Certification/Qualification

Requirements

The UAS must be capable of meeting and maintaining host cutter cybersecurity levels.

Can the government provide the host cutter cybersecurity levels and associated controls?

The MUAS for HC RFP Attachment J-12 has been updated to include links for Cyber Security documents.

33 MUAS+for+HC+RFP

+Attachment+J-

1+SOO

J- 1 -2 Performance Objectives National Airspace System (NAS) and

International Civil Aviation Organization

(ICAO); the UAS must comply with applicable Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) directives and standards when flying within the NAS. The

UAS must meet applicable ICAO flight standards, including those governing due regard operations, to enable worldwide maritime deployment.

Can the government provide a copy of the most restrictive airspace COA in place for USCG Cutter operations.

No COAs are in place specific for this effort at this time.

Please refer to MUAS for HC RFP Attachment J-1, Performance Objectives section on page J-1-2.

34 MUAS+for+HC+RFP

+Sections+C-M

General General Funding Does the USCG intend to incrementally fund this program? Task Orders will be fully funded at time of order.

35 MUAS+for+HC+RFP

+Sections+C-M

54 M.4 EVALUATION FACTORS Relevancy: The Government will consider the similarity of each prior effort compared to the specifications and scope of the RFP.

What specifications is the Government referring to when evaluating

Relevancy?

The solicitation will be updated.

36 MUAS+for+HC+RFP

+Sections+C-M

48 L.6 VOLUME II – PAST

PERFORMANCE PROPOSAL

Offerors must submit Past Performance information on at least three (3) but no more than five (5) contracts performed during the past three (3) years that are relevant and demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this Solicitation and to perform the proposed solution...Proposals may include a narrative rationale/summary supporting the relevance of the prior efforts included.

Narratives are limited to 5 pages per reference effort (total maximum of 25 pages). PPQs, CPARS reports, and contract documents (as described below) are not included in the Volume 1 page limitation.

If fewer than 5 references are used in the past performance volume, is it acceptable for contractors to utilize the full 25 pages?

No. The Solicitation is clear that each reference has a page limitation of five pages. If fewer than five prior efforts are submitted USCG will expect fewer than 25 pages to be submitted.

37 (Section J

Attachment J-2

“System

Performance

Specification (SPS))

Section J

Attachment J-13

After a review of the Section J attachments, it is clear the footprint and mobility (Section J Attachment J-2 “System Performance Specification

(SPS)) capability threshold requirements are based upon the National

Security Cutter (NSC) as shown in the Section J Attachment J-13

“Host_Cutter_Configuration_Drawings_ (WMSL_Rev_E_06SEP2023)” drawings. There are 11 total NSCs. The estimated order quantities for

CLINs 0001 through 0003 defined in Attachment J-18 show a total of 20

Host Cutters. Will the Government please provide the reduced System

Footprint values for the anticipated other 9 Host Cutters as an Objective value in Attachment J-2?

The contract has provisions for the additional Host

Cutters beyond the NSC, but this will be a case by case basis in the future. Evaluation of the RFP is solely for offerors ability to meet the requirements on the NSC.

38 RFP Section J Attachment J-2 “System Performance Specification (SPS)” specifies a capability in the ISR Data Product Requirements section for the

Automatic Identification System (AIS) that “The UA AIS system must receive LE encrypted signals”. We are following the latest revision of the

Encrypted Automatic Identification System (EAIS) Interface Design

Description (IDD) [Version 5.4, dated 08 May 2017] to comply with this requirement. Will the Government please confirm this is the correct version of the EAIS IDD or provide the more current version, if it exists?

Requirement does not specify a specific manual to be in compliance with, only that: “The UA AIS system must receive LE encrypted signals”.

39 In the Final RFP Section L, the Government removed the 20% of total contract value requirement for Small Business leaving the Minimum Small

Business Subcontracting Targets to be 43% of Total Subcontracting Value.

However, Section J Attachment J-21 still shows the 20% requirement. We assume that we should replace that language with the 43% language in

Section L. Will the Government confirm this is correct?

Offerors should follow targets established in Section L.7.

The MUAS for HC RFP Attachment J-21 Small Business

Consideration Plan will be updated.

40 In FAR clause 52.216-19 Order Limitations (OCT 1995), the Government inserted $500 in paragraph (a) for the minimum purchase under the ID/IQ contract. However, RFP Section G.4 Ordering Procedures states “It is understood and agreed that the Government has no obligation to issue any orders except the guaranteed minimum order of quantities indicated on the Attachment J-18 Pricing Sheet (Tab 3 Guaranteed Minimum) and

Section B.” The Guaranteed Minimum is significantly higher than $500.

Which value takes precedence?

These values do not conflict. The value inserted in paragraph (a) of 52.216-19 assures that the government will not place any orders over the life of the contract for less than $500. The guaranteed minimum amount (Tab

3 of the Pricing spreadsheet) is the minimum order which will satisfy the government's obligation under the contract.

41 The RFP is currently silent with respect to whether the Table of Contents

(TOC), List of Figures (LOF), and Glossary are included in the Volume I page count. Since these pages do not have any new technical content and are typically provided as guides to aid the Government evaluation, we request these pages be specifically removed from the Volume I page limitation. Is this acceptable to the Government?

Table of Contents and Glossary are not counted in the volume page limitations in the chart in Section L.4. The

Solicitation will be updated.

42 RFP Section L allows for 11 by 17 pages. However, the next sentence which states “Proposals which include an excessive number of drawings or include additional narrative on those pages risk a determination that the proposal exceeds the page limitations, which will result in excess information being excluded from evaluation.” This language appears to be highly subjective and open to interpretation. We recommend the

Government state each 11 by 17 counts as 2 pages, limit the number of 11 by 17 pages to 15 (counting as a total of 30 8½ by 11 pages), and remove the subjective language. Is this acceptable to the Government?

The solicitation will be updated.

43 A review of the Final RFP shows that all Section L and Section M references to CDRL A002, A004, and A006 have been removed. However, in the Exhibit

A DD Form 1423-1 for these CDRLs the forms still contain "Proposal" in

Block 12-Date of First Submission. Additionally, the Block 16 remarks for

CDRL A006 indicates Offerors must include a SDII in their proposal to demonstrate their approach to meeting the requirements depicted in the government Statement of Objectives and contractor's MUAS Performance

Specification. We assume the drafts of these CDRLs are not required to be submitted with our proposal and that Block12 will be changed to to the number of days after contract award and Block 16 will be revised. Is this a correct assumption?

Offerors need not submit any of the Exhibit A forms provided in the Solicitation with their proposals. The

CDRL forms provided with the Solicitation are examples.

44 RFP Section L.5.1 Subfactor 1.2 Paragraph a.ii reads “a description of the to perform direct shipping of items controlled by the International Trafficking in Arms Regulation (ITAR).” This appears to be an incomplete sentence.

Reviewing the language in Exhibit A CDRL A003, Block 16, we find the sentence “A description of the ability to perform direct shipping of

International Trafficking in Arms (ITAR) controlled items.” We assume this is the correct Section L language for this requirement. Is this assumption correct?

The solicitation will be updated.

45 RFP Section L.6, Past Performance Factor, 3rd paragraph requires us to

“…provide complete copies of those contracts…”. Our teammates are very reluctant to provide this data to us as the Prime due to its extremely sensitive nature especially in an environment where we sometimes team and sometime compete against one another. In these situations, would the

Government allow us to provide a Past Performance Government POC for teammate contracts so the Government can pass the contract files from

Government to Government?

The Solicitation requires offerors prior efforts to include the Statement of Work/PWS and the Total Value of the efforts. While USCG does not anticipate that these items would include sensitive information, it acknowledges such as a possibility. In such an instance, proposed subcontractors may submit such information directly to the government as part of the proposal using the AMRDEC system. Such direct submissions must be clearly labelled and Offerors should inform the USCG

POCs so that they can look for them. Such direct transmissions will be subject to the same due date as the proposals and late submissions risk exclusion.