80JSC020Q0018 - Questions Answers.docx

THIS NOTICE CONSTITUTES AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR VIPER Fabrication Services which was posted on September 4, 2020. You are notified that the following changes are made:

A1. The components identified in the RFQ attachments are the lowest level of assembly that NASA is expecting for delivery and NASA is not requesting any components be assembled. The Contractor is being asked to deliver a single, component of the Outer Mold Line, as defined by the CAD models. The only assembly that would be required is if the Contractor’s chosen fabrication method requires assembly in order to create the requested component.

Q2. Need step or .iges files of all components, assemblies and individual files

A2. .stp files will be posted to the beta.sam.gov website.

Q3. Several components look to have ports for electrical connectors. Will these be needed to function?

A3. The electrical connector does not need to function either mechanically or electrically.

Q4. No materials were listed in the RFQ for any of the components, we will need a material list.

A4. The Contractor shall select materials for each component to enable assembly of the VIPER Surface Segment. Typical rigid materials should be used (e.g., sheet metal, aluminum tubing, FDM, ABS M30, Nylon, Ultem, etc.), however, no wood or wood-based materials shall be used. The Contractor shall conduct a meeting with NASA to discuss materials selection for each component for review and approval.

Q5. Are we allowed to choose the best manufacturing method based on how we feel the part will perform during manufacturing? For instance, 3D printing might be the intended method, but with our expertise we might feel the part would warp considerably and CNC machining might make more sense.

A5. The Contractor shall select fabrication processes and methods, materials, fastening method, and finishing for each component to enable assembly of the VIPER Surface Segment. The Contractor shall conduct a meeting with NASA to discuss the fabrication methods, materials, and fastening methods for each component for review and approval.

Q6. Is any secondary operations or post processing needed for any of these parts. For example, painting, anodizing, etc.

A6. There are no special requirements for secondary operations or post-processing (e.g., sanding, painting, anodizing), as long as the tolerance requirements are met.

Q7. If these parts are intended for assembly procedures, and we are not given the individual files, can we then have free reign on how we slice the parts for manufacturing?

A7. The Contractor can choose how to slice each individual component for manufacturing, as long as the delivered component is whole and meets the tolerance requirements. The Contractor shall select fabrication processes and methods, materials, fastening method, and finishing for each component to enable assembly of the VIPER Surface Segment. The Contractor shall conduct a meeting with NASA to discuss the fabrication methods, materials, and fastening methods for each component for review and approval.

Q8. Is there a target weight for each component?

A8. There is not a specified target weight, but each component should be as light as possible. This should be taken into account when filling voids and meeting tolerance requirements for each of the components.

Q9. Will there be an extension to ask technical and contractual questions? The deadline is today at 4:00 central. The reason why we need the extension is because we need the files in a different format. They were sent as .stl files and we need .stp or .iges files. Can we please get all the files in a different format? Without the files in this format, we will be unable to quote the part or ask questions, without the new files.

Q10. When is the contract expected to be issued?

A10. The contract is anticipated to be awarded in November 2020.

Q11. What are the required part tolerances?

A11. Each component shall have dimensions at the fastening locations to +/- 1 millimeter and the overall Outer Mold Line dimensions of the component shall be +/- 4 mm.

Q12. What is the period of performance?

A12. The anticipated period of performance is 5 years.

Q13. What is the desired completion date?

A13. For the first Task Order, the Contractor shall deliver the first component within 6 weeks of Authority to Proceed (ATP) and the Contractor shall deliver all components within 4 months of ATP.

Q14. Would you publish a compiled list of the technical/contractual questions and answers relating to this RFQ that have been submitted by other RFQ participants?

A14. A consolidated list of questions and answers will be posted on the beta.sam.gov website.

Q15. Would you consider extending the RFQ response due date beyond September 29th?

Q16. How should we be expecting to hear back on these items? Will it be through email or through the beta.sam.gov website?

A16. Answers to all questions will be posted on the beta.sam.gov website.

Documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).