Attachment 2 - Government Responses to Solicitation Questions_A00002.pdf

Question No. Offeror Question Proposed Government Response

Q1 Offeror respectfully requests a one-week extension of the Phase 1 proposal submission deadline, from 1700 ET on 14 July 2026 to 1700 ET on 21 July 2026, to allow Offerors adequate time to incorporate responses to RFP clarification questions into final proposal submissions.

The requested extension was previously addressed through Amendment A00001. Offerors shall comply with the Phase 1 proposal submission deadline established by Amendment A00001. No additional extension is provided in response to this question.

Q2

Section M.2.1 states that a High Confidence rating requires the proposal to “clearly demonstrate that the Offeror has the appropriate staffing in-house,” while a Some Confidence rating applies where staffing is split “between the Offeror in-house staff and its subcontractors.” Can the Government confirm whether an Offeror that meets all other Factor 1 criteria, but relies on a subcontracted or teaming-partner firm for any portion of the engineering design work — including specialty engineering disciplines such as HVAC design, noise and vibration analysis, electrical/systems engineering, or other specialty naval architecture and marine engineering support — is precluded from receiving a High Confidence rating under Factor 1, regardless of the qualifications or availability of that subcontracted engineering staff?

An Offeror is not precluded from receiving a High Confidence rating solely because it proposed to use subcontracted or teaming-partner design and engineering resources rather than maintaining all such resources in-house.

The Government will evaluate the proposed design and engineering resources, whether in-house or subcontracted. The applicable High Confidence and Some Confidence rating definitions under Factor 1 have been revised accordingly.

Q3

Section C.2.3(e) states that Government-provided technical information “shall not be released or disclosed to any foreign governments, foreign contactors, or international organizations.” Can the Government confirm whether “foreign contactors” is intended to read “foreign contractors,” and if so, whether an amendment will be issued to correct the clause?

Yes. The term "contactors" was a typographical error. Section C.2.3(e) has been revised to read "foreign contractors."

Q4

Section C.2.3(e) further states that if Government-provided technical information is shared with a subcontractor, supplier, prospective contractor, or prospective supplier, “the Contractor shall include this or similar language stating the conditions of the technical information prior to sharing.” Can the Government provide the specific flow-down language to be included, or confirm the minimum required elements of “similar language” that will satisfy this requirement?

The Government will provide the applicable disclosure, safeguarding, and flow-down requirements of Government-provided technical information as part of the Phase 2 package. This clarification does not require any additional action for Phase 1 proposal submission.

Q5

Sections L.10 and M.2.1 both require Offerors to demonstrate “capability for concurrent production of up to four vessels simultaneously.” Can the Government clarify whether “concurrent production” means the capability to have four vessels in the same phase of construction (e.g., four hulls simultaneously in fabrication) at the same time, or whether it means the capability to have four vessels in the production line at different, overlapping phases of construction (e.g., one in fabrication, one in erection, one in outfitting, one in test) at the same time?

For purposes of this solicitation, "concurrent production" means the demonstrated capability and capacity to support up to four vessels undergoing substantive production work during overlapping periods. The vessels may be at different stages of production and are not required to be in the same stage of contraction simultaneously. Concurrent production may include vessels in overlapping stages of fabrication, erection, or assembly, outfitting, systems integration, testing, trials, or delivery preparation.

Q6

Sections L.11 and M.2.2 refer consistently to past performance “prime references.” Can the Government confirm whether past performance references from proposed subcontractors or teaming partners will be considered and evaluated under Factor 2, in addition to the prime Offeror's own past performance references?

No. Section L.11 requires Offerors to submit up to three prime past-performance references for contracts or orders performed by the Offeror as the prime contractor. Past performance references for proposed subcontractors, design agents, or teaming partners will not be accepted as additional or substitute references under Factor 2.

The Government may obtain past performance intermation from other sources in accordance with Section L.11. No solicitation change is required.

Attachment 2 - Government Responses to Solicitation Questions Solicitation No. 70Z02326R93280004

Homeland Security Cutter - Light Icebreaker (HSC-L) Amendment A00002