RFP 75A50223R00001 Amendment 2-signed.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

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9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

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14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

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16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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Previous edition unusable

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 2 of 8

This amendment answers questions received regarding solicitation RFP 75A50223R00001

Questions and Answers:

1. Question: In going through the RFP, we noticed a possible miscommunication in the date appearing at the top of page 31. It currently reads, "Proposals and supporting documentation must be e-mailed directly to ...... no later than January 3, 2023." We believe, based on other information in the RFP, that the correct date should read "January 19, 2023."

Answer: The due date for proposal submission is extended to 3:00 PM, Eastern Time, on February 3, 2023.

2. Question: 60-month period of performance (+4 options). Since there is not a commitment to purchase a designated quantity of production, what is expected during the POP (i.e. build out of facility only, or build-out and production)?

Answer: The correct period of performance is estimated to be 36 months or less. Please refer to SECTION C - STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO) for details.

3. Question: POP provides “60 months” with 4 options and estimated to be “2-3 years”, which is correct?

Answer: The correct period of performance is estimated to be 36 months or less.

4. Question: RFP provides the anticipated period of performance is likely to be 2 to 3 years. How does this and the statement concerning 60-month POP work together?

5. Question: FOIA: Are the proposals submitted under the RFP subject to FOIA request? If so, may Offeror add FOIA disclosure to header/footer due to protected information?

Answer: The proposals in response to this RFP are offerors proprietary information and remain as confidential from FOIA requests.

6. Question: Any specifications for font, font size, line spacing, margins, etc.?

Answer: Thank you for pointing it out. Please follow the instructions below.

FORMATTING AND PAGE LIMITATIONS

A. Formatting for proposals

• Proposals should not include links to internet web site addresses (URLs) or otherwise direct readers to alternate sources of information.

• Font size should be 11 points.

B. Page limitations:

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 3 of 8

• The technical proposal should be no more than 60 pages in length including the Statement of Work. This page limit does not include cover pages, table of contents, cross reference Matrix, resumes, appendixes and attachments. If the Offeror includes appendixes with information not expressly allowed herein, the Offeror should note that such information may not be evaluated.

• There is no page limit for the business proposal.

• Proposal pages should be numbered “Page 1 of 60, “Page 2 of 60” etc.

7. Question: Is strict adherence to the table on Page 7 of the RFP required, or may we deviate/expand?

In which section of the Proposal do you expect to see this table?

Answer: In the body of the technical proposal, offeror shall propose the scope as it aligns with the technical requirements outlined beginning on page 6. Offerors may propose additional details as necessary or alternative approaches to these requirements with sufficient justification. All reasonable and well-justified proposals that meet the minimum mandatory evaluation criteria will be considered.

8. Question: Reference is made to a “Contract Form” and provides that it, “can be found in the Attachments.” Was the Contract Form inadvertently omitted from the published RFI, or is that a reference to the Standard Form 1449 (Rev 2/2012)?

Answer: The contract form is the SF 1449, the cover page. We apologize for this error. Blocks 30a, 30b, 30c on the SF 1449 must be signed by an official authorized to bind the offeror and return as part of the business proposal.

9. Question: Is there a recommended Work Breakdown Structure format or platform?

Answer: There is no standard WBS format or platform. Please provide sufficient level of detail for the reviewer to adequately evaluate the proposed project plans.

10. Question: Section D – packing is omitted (page 9). How should we handle this in format?

Answer: Section D is left blank because the Government is not procuring supplies under this RFP.

11. Question: L.3 provides in part, “(b) a second part consisting of organized sections with numbers and title that coincide with the listing of technical factors identified in Section M.” Does that solely refer to factors listed in M.3, opposed to M.1 through M.5?

Answer: Section M refers to how the proposals will be evaluated. The detailed criteria are outlined in sections L1-L3 beginning on page 31.

12. Question: Page 7: Should responses to the manufacturing and assembly technologies list (1-6) and the comprehensive capacity/capability operational and sustainability list (1-5) (both appearing on page 7 of the RFP), be addressed within the Technical Evaluation/Criteria section (M.3)? If so, how

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 4 of 8 do the questions appearing on pages 6 and 7 of the solicitation fit into the required response outlines provided in section L and M?

Answer: The technical requirements outlined on pages 6 & 7 are complementary and should align with the criteria detailed in sections L.1-L.3. Offerors should use both to drive the content of the technical proposal and SOW. Section M refers to how the proposals will be evaluated.

13. Question: Period of Performance Point VI (page 3) references: “The period of performance is anticipated to total 60 months (including a base period and the flexibility to include up to four options).” Point F.3 (page 11) references: “The period of performance for this contract will be TBD.

(It is anticipated that the Period of Performance is likely to total 2 to 3 years.)” Point L.4 (page 33) references: “It is anticipated that the total contract period of performance will be up to 3 years.” Will the government state the actual contract period of performance (total of base period + option periods) contemplated for this requirement?

14. Question: We received notice of an RFP issued by your office for services related to production of raw materials for PPE production. Please clarify if you are requesting bids to analyze the market or provide available production. If it is the former, please let me know if you can share any additional information about the study.

Answer: The Government is seeking proposals to expand US-based manufacturing capacity. Offerors must meet the mandatory evaluation criteria, M.2 page 37, to be considered for evaluation.

15. Question: In an effort to increase competition and facilitate the best quality proposals, we respectfully request an extension for submission of proposals of at least 1 month.

Answer: The due date for proposal submission is extended to 3:00 PM, Eastern Time, on February 3, 2023.

16. Question: Does the government desire offerors to propose manufacturing upgrades to the existing asset base to expand our capacity to remain competitive considering the new expansion?

Answer: Offerors may propose adding new capacity, modifications, upgrades, etc. to their existing capacity, or a combination if these proposed changes improve the overall competitiveness of MMF in the US. These aspects should be well justified in the proposal.

17. Question: Will offers of less than 150,000 metric tons be acceptable “M.2”?

Answer: Offerors must meet the mandatory criteria as outlined in M.2 to be considered for evaluation.

18. Question: Can you define and share your market research on a fully automated continuous vertically integrated polymerization line coupled with MMF production?

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 5 of 8

Answer: The Government collected responses from industry as part of a Request for Information (RFI) on this topic released on August 26th, 2022. The contents of those responses contain company confidential information and are proprietary in nature and therefore cannot be made publicly available. These responses did however inform the RFP.

19. Question: Would the government allow an industry day to allow offerors to ask more questions and clarify the RFP? In conjunction with this industry day, would the government include a private session with offerors to increase competition while protecting competition sensitive information of each offeror?

Answer: No, industry day is not appropriate at this acquisition phase. Industry day is for the market research phase of the acquisition. The Government has released this official RFP and requesting formal proposals from interested companies.

20. Question: Can you share your budget range for the RFP?

Answer: No, the Government budget shall not be shared for the subject RFP.

21. Question: Can you share your anticipated award timing?

Answer: The award is anticipated to be made in FY 2023.

22. Question: Does the government expect offerors to submit a cost sharing proposal to be deemed fair and reasonable. Or does the government expect offerors to provide a team concept proposal?

Answer: No, the Government is contemplating a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type contract. A cost sharing type is not appropriate for the subject RFP. Please refer to the RFP for details. The offeror is advised to provide as much supporting documentation as possible (i.e., equipment and subcontractor quotes), and/or calculations utilized in determining the project costs. Please refer to Section L.4 PRICE/COST PROVISIONS for detailed instructions regarding business proposal.

23. Question: Would the government consider converting the current RFP to a Draft RFP to facilitate offeror input in refining the RFP to achieve more competition and facilitate quality proposals?

Answer: No. This is an official RFP.

24. Question: Does the government contemplate a single or multiple IDIQ contract with a Min and Max purchase amount?

Answer: No, the Government is not contemplating an IDIQ contract.

25. Question: Our interpretation of the RFP is the government is contemplating a single FFP contract for the entire requirement. If correct, is the total requirement fully funded or does the government anticipate incrementally funding the contract?

Answer: The Government is contemplating FFP type contract. Multiple awards may be issued as a result of this solicitation. The contract is anticipated to be milestone driven. As part of the proposal, the offeror shall develop and propose a detailed list of milestones against which to track progress and

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 6 of 8 payment. Payment will be linked to the milestones. The contractor shall propose milestone payment schedule(s) with sufficient details to justify each payment.

26. Question: What requirement does the government anticipate awarding on a Time and Material contract?

Answer: The Government is contemplating FFP type contract with possible T&M type CLINs. The Government reserve the right to award the entire contract as FFP type without any T&M type CLINs.

It is the offeror’s responsibility to propose T&M line items if needed in accordance with Section L.4 of the solicitation.

27. Question: Does the government have data on the mix of the types and volumes of MMF required for this RFP (e.g., spunbond, meltblown, spunbond‐ meltblown‐spunbond (SMS) or similar material) “C.2”

Answer: The Government is not prescriptive in the types and volumes of MMF to meet the requirement. We encourage offerors to put forth all reasonable and well-justified proposals that address 1. Expansion of US based manufacture of MMF and 2. Do so in a commercially sustainable fashion.

28. Question: Can you please clarify the period of performance? There is mention of 2-3 years as well as 60 months.

29. Question: Is this solicitation to establish the capability to produce 150,000 metric tons or to establish capability and produce the MMF? Does the government intend to purchase the quantity of MMF produced? Will the government commit to purchase the quantity produced?

Answer: This solicitation is not for the purchase of any product. The Government is seeking proposals to not only expand US-based manufacturing but do so in a manner that enables this new product to be commercially sustainable.

30. Question: The contract type stated is Firm Fixed Unit Price (FFP), with the possibility of some Time and Materials (T&M) line items. Due to the fact that the production of MMF is dependent upon a commodity that changes value on a daily basis will the government consider an index-based pricing for the follow-on year(s) beyond the first year of performance.

Answer: We understand the volatility of the market. To the extent possible, please use the business (cost/pricing) proposal to justify the best approach to address this volatility with sufficient details.

31. Question: Will the government extend the submission date?

Answer: The due date for proposal submission is extended to 3:00 PM, Eastern Time, on February 3, 2023.

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 7 of 8

32. Question: Will the Representations and Certifications and Small Business Subcontracting Plan that are required to be included (Attachment #1 and #2 of the RFP) count toward the 40 page limit?

Answer: The Representations and Certifications (Attachment 1) and Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Attachment 2) are separate documents from the technical proposal and do not count towards the updated 60-page limit. Please see updated page limits and formatting instructions, Question #6.

33. Question: In the Technical Criteria response, may we refer to addendums that more fully explain or depict our response to a section and if so, will the addendums count toward the 40 page limit?

Answer:. Please refer to the answer to Question #6. Appendixes and addendums do not count towards the page limit. The SOW and the technical proposal should clearly address the technical criteria laid out in Section L. Offerors should make every effort to point the evaluator the relevant information within the proposal but note that any information beyond the 60 pages may not be evaluated.

34. Question: In the Technical Criteria response, may we refer the reader to items or attachments included in our SOW and if so, will we receive credit for answering those sections when graded?

Answer: The SOW and the technical proposal should clearly address the technical criteria laid out in Section L. Offerors should make every effort to point the evaluator the relevant information within the proposal but note that any information beyond the 60 pages may not be evaluated. All proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined in Section M.

35. Question: Given the market research that was received by the government for this requirement, will the government please carve out a small business set aside for these awards?

Answer: No, this requirement is being competed full and open.

36. Question: Given the market research that was received by the government for this requirement, will the government please consider carving out a SDVOSB set-aside for these awards?

Answer: No, this requirement is being competed full and open.

37. Question: How does the government plan to enforce and monitor the small business subcontracting plan presented by offerors for this requirement?

Answer: It is the prime contractor’s responsibility to monitor and enforce its small business subcontracting plan as proposed in the solicitation. The contractor will be required to complete and submit a Small Business Subcontracting plan/report on an annual basis via portal Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (eSRS). This is mandatory and one of the required contract deliverables.

38. Question: Will the government provide a debrief to those offerors that were not selected for this requirement?

RFP 75A50223R00001, Amendment 2, 01/11/2023 Page 8 of 8

Answer: A written debrief will be provided upon request in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations.

39. Question: Will the government give additional consideration and priority to offerors that demonstrate in their proposals new technology that uses AI and scalability?

Answer: The Government welcomes all innovative approaches that improve on the scalability, sustainability, and global competitiveness of US manufactured MMF. Some suggested approaches are outlined in L.2 criteria 2 but Offerors do not have to be limited by these suggestions.

40. Question: If an offeror is not currently producing these materials, will they be excluded from award consideration?

Answer: Institutional experience is an evaluation criterion that will strengthen a proposal but not a mandatory requirement. The Government welcomes all reasonable and well-justified proposals that meet the mandatory requirements in section M.2 and achieve the stated goals of the RFP.

41. Question: What funding is currently obligated for this 5-year requirement?

Answer: This requirement will be fully funded for a period of performance estimated being 36 months or less. The Government budget shall not be shared for the subject RFP.

Purpose: This Amendment 2 is to extend the due date for proposal submission to February 3, 2023, at 3:00 PM ET and answer offerors' questions.

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