Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Modification 2

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Z2.5 Questions & Answers

The Z-2.5 HUT Assembly – Statement of Work, states in part:

• “1. Background: The Crew and Thermal Systems Division’s Space Suit Systems Branch is requesting the fabrication services for a new Hard Upper Torso (HUT) Assembly to complement the development of the next generation spacesuit.” “Scye (P/N 10459-01) and Arm (P/N 10444-01) bearing drawings are not available.”

• “3.1 General Requirements: 3.1.1 One Z-2.5 Hard Upper Torso (HUT) shall be created from the provided CAD file, with specific interface details shown in drawing SDN 13102990.”

• “4.1 Suit Hardware Deliverables: 4.1.4 The task ordering table below (4.1.5) details the rates for fabrication and delivery services of the Z2.5 HUT per the SOW. The Government anticipates issuing a Task Order for Task 1 below at contract award.”

1. In accordance with SOW sections “1. Background” and “4.1.4”, NASA implies that this RFQ is for the acquisition of Commercial “fabrication and delivery services”. If this is correct, wouldn’t the preferred Contract Type for this Commercial Services acquisition be Time and Materials? Please note that this assumption (e.g., T&M Contract Type) is further supported by SOW subpart 4.1.4, wherein it states in part: “The task ordering table below (4.1.5) details the rates for fabrication and delivery services …”.

Answer:

Yes, the contract is for commercial fabrication and delivery services. Firm Fixed Price IDIQ is the preferred method for Performance Based Contracts. The RFQ has been updated to provide clarification on the SOW.

2. If this acquisition is not intended to be Time and Material type contract, then what “rates” should an Offeror enter in 4.1.5 Task 2, Price Column, for unknown scope of multiple tasks over a five (5) year period of performance? In addition, what “rates” should an Offeror enter in 4.1.5 Task 1, Price Column, to perform the effort outlined in the Task 1

SOW?

Answer:

The RFQ has been updated. It is anticipated the requirements for Task 2 may be issued multiple times during period of performance.

3. Please note that Subpart 12.2 – Special Requirement for the Acquisition of Commercial Items, specifically 12.207(b)(1) allows the use of a time and material contract for the acquisition of commercial services (e.g., fabrication and delivery services) when the service(s) is acquired under a contract award using competitive procedures. Based on the aforementioned, NASA could amend this acquisition to a T&M type contract and request the Offerors price Task 1 on a T&M basis, for the Commercial fabrication and delivery services required to perform the Commercial fabrication and delivery services outlined under the Task 1 SOW. For Task 2, NASA could amend the acquisition to require the

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Questions & Answers

Offerors to provide Commercial T&M Rates, by Labor Category, which will be used to price follow on Tasks, once they are defined, for the balance of the five (5) year period of performance.

Answer:

Firm Fixed Price IDIQ is the preferred method for Performance Based Contracts.

The RFQ has been updated to provide clarification on the SOW.

4. In accordance with SOW 3.1.1, “One Z-2.5 Hard Upper Torso (HUT) shall be created from the provided CAD file, with specific interface details shown in drawing SDN 13102990.”. However, under SOW subpart 1. Background, it states in part “Scye (P/N 10459-01) and Arm (P/N 10444-01) bearing drawings are not available.” Assuming that one of the Offerors has access and/or owns the unavailable bearing drawings, how does NASA intend on “leveling the playing field” in order to preclude an Offeror from having a competitive advantage over the other Offerors? Please note that Offerors who do not have access to these Drawings will be unable to provide an adequate estimate to fabricate these parts. Under the circumstances, has NASA considered providing the Scye Bearing and the Arm Bearing as GFM? Providing these Bearings as GFM would result in a “level playing field” for all Offerors. Terms and Conditions – Page 39 “Property Furnished to Contractor by NASA”.

Answer:

Providing the bearings as GFM is overly complex for this commercial procurement.

These bearings may be available commercially.

5. The clause “Property Furnished to Contractor by NASA” implies that NASA intends on providing the successful Offeror with GFE/GFP. Can we get a listing of the GFE/GFP that NASA intends on providing under a resulting contract (NOTE: An Offeror requires this information to ensure that they don’t adversely escalate their offer for items that are going to be provided as GFE/GFP.)?

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2017),

states: “Supplemental information for FAR 52.212-1(b): (4) Technical approach (page limit 4); (6) Price information in sufficient detail to demonstrate understanding of the technical requirements; (10) Past Performance (page limit 3).

Answer:

The government will provide the initial block of AL6061-T6 for the first HUT fabrication.

6. In accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS, it states in part: “(6) Price information in sufficient detail to demonstrate understanding of the technical requirements”. How can an Offeror provide price information in sufficient detail to demonstrate an understanding of the technical requirements of Task 2, when

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Questions & Answers there are not “technical requirements” identified for Task 2? Based on the aforementioned, what type of pricing information does NASA require under Task 2?

Answer:

The RFQ has been updated to provide clarification on the SOW. The technical requirements for Task 2 are anticipated to be identical to Task 1.

7. In accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS, it states in part that an Offeror must submit Supplemental information addressing “(4) Technical approach”. How can an Offeror provide information on its “Technical approach” to Task 2, in sufficient detail to demonstrate an understanding of the technical requirements of Task 2, when there aren’t “technical requirements” identified for Task 2? Based on the aforementioned, what supplemental information should an Offeror provide to address the “Technical approach” for Task 2? QUOTE EVALUATION CRITERIA states: The Government will award a contract from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government and represents the best value, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers to determine the best value to the Government: (1) Price (2) Past Performance (3) Technical Approach An award will be made to the offeror whose quotation represents the best value to the Government when the above-listed evaluation factors are considered.

Answer:

The RFQ has been updated to provide clarification on the SOW. The technical

Supplemental Information for 52.212-1 has been updated.

8. Does NASA intend on using a “Best Value” process to make an award determination under this RFQ?

Answer: Yes

9. How does NASA intend to evaluate the Price and Technical Approach for Task 2, given that Task 2 Scope of Work is undefined?

Answer:

The RFQ has been updated to provide clarification on the SOW. The technical

10. Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent vendor? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract number?

Answer: New requirement.