Responses to Questions 6-1-2020.pdf

70Z03820QK0000003

Responses to Questions

Answers provided June 1, 2020

This document provides United States Coast Guard (USCG) responses for questions that have been asked regarding solicitation 70Z03820QK0000003. Question numbers are provided simply as a reference and in no way infer a prioritization of the questions.

Number Question USCG Response 1 The solicitation references part numbers unique to

Stratasys. The Evaluation Criteria indicates bids will be assessed in terms of Technical Acceptability and rated "acceptable" or "unacceptable" on the basis of the vendors ability to supply Stratasys equipment. As the contract opportunity has been modified to "Brand Name or Equal" can the technical end user issue clarifications as how non-Stratasys OEMs will be assessed?

a. A potential solution could be issuing the contract opportunity with technical capabilities for example being able to handle 3rd party filaments/materials.

b. For support and filament canisters, they could be replaced with general non trademarked material capabilities: ABS, PA, PEI, etc.

Stratasys part numbers are included so that offerors know what the “or equal” is referring

to. The Government has indicated the machine and supplies that are required. It is up to the offeror to show their product is equal to or better than the requested brand name.

2 Further guidance is requested as to installation given the current COVID-19 situation. Certain vendors may provide documentation to assist with installation, where the technical end user is able to install machinery by themselves following vendor instructions.

The Government requires the offeror to install the equipment.

3 Finally, it is unclear as to why Isolation Transformer and Hardware Upgrade is requested-in terms of functionality. What is gained by including these line items? A vendor may have these functionalities already built in within the base configuration of the machine.

The offeror needs to indicate that these are already built into the machine.

4 What are the salient characteristics of this solicitation used to assess performance? The question is asked as the Technical Acceptability evaluation criteria refers to Stratasys part numbers without explicitly listing desired performance characteristics

The Government has indicated the machine and supplies that are required. It is up to the offeror to show their product is equal to or better than the requested brand name.

70Z03820QK0000003

Responses to Questions

Answers provided June 1, 2020

5 The warranty policies of different vendors may vary greatly. What methodology will be used to compare warranty policies, are there specific characteristics required by the technical user? For example, warranty duration?

The offeror should present their best commercial warranty for consideration by the

USCG.

6 For evaluating delivery terms, will this be a combination of delivery costs and lead time?

Yes.

7 If a vendor offers a discount in exchange for prompt payment, should be discount be factored into the unit price per line item by default? Will the buyer by default accept discounts offered in exchange for immediate payment on delivery?

The USCG cannot process immediate payments on delivery. The Government will consider any prompt payment terms.

8 Where ABS M30 and Antero 800NA are materials sold exclusively by Stratasys, what alternatives or brand names equivalents is the technical user willing to consider. Could the technical user clarify what material property is desired (such as biocompatibility, low outgassing, etc)?

The Government has indicated the machine and supplies that are required. It is up to the offeror to show their product is equal to or better than the requested brand name.

9 The .cmb file extension is a proprietary file extension unique to Stratasys software. The industry standar is .Gcode. Can the technical user clarify if alternative commercially available slicers like CURA or SIMPLIFY3D are acceptable?

These files extensions are not approved on the USCG network.

10 A COC is requires as part of the submitted bid.

Does the manufacturer have to provide a Certificate of Compliance and a Certificate of Conformance? Is there a difference between the two (as both have the same acronym)? Should the bid follow the forma specified in FAR clause 52.246-15?

A Certificate of Conformance is required.

11 Is there a template or form available for vendors to fill out in terms of Solicitation Provisions (FAR 52.212-3)?

No, the offeror may use Acquisition.Gov for provision working and use this.

12 There are two (2) contradicting delivery schedules presented in the Statement of Work (30 days after contract award) and Terms and Conditions (90 days after contract award). Which one should be used?

The pricing should be good for 90 days after the solicitation closes and delivery shall be made within 30 days after receipt of order.