DRFP 80LARC22R0016 QA_122021.pdf

RFP 80LARC22R0016

IAD Q&A (as of 12/20/21)

1. We are performing independent research on the Presolicitation (80LARC22R0016). We are hoping to find out if there is (was) an incumbent contractor performing these services, or if this is a brand-new contract. If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the current/previous contract number?

Government Response: For the Inflatable Structures (Track A): NNL12AA02B; Contract Title:

Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators (HIAD) IDIQ; NNL12AA02B (Contractor:

Airborne Systems), NNL12AA03B (Contractor: ILC Dover) and NNL12AA04B (Contractor:

Lockheed Martin). For the FTPS (Track B): 80MSFC20D0003/80MSFC21F0091 (follow-on to NNM14AA01B/80MSFC18F0073) Task Orders; Contract Title: Testing and Analysis of Propulsion System Materials; Contractor: Southern Research Institute (Jackson Bond Enterprises as a subcontractor); For the Gas Generators (Track C) - new procurement, no incumbent.

2. What is considered a newly formed business?

Government Response: A newly formed business is considered one which may have been recently legally incorporated in some capacity and therefore, has little or no corporate experience. Examples of newly formed business may include new 8(a) businesses or a new Joint Venture (JV).

3. Section L.18 (a) – This section outlines that the past performance section shall include the corporate past performance, but not past performance of individuals. If provides allowance for newly formed companies to include past performance of principal owners or corporate officers.

As a company, we believe that our employees are our strongest asset. While some of those people are owners of the company, not all are. Without including our team members’ expertise in this area, we would be selling our capabilities short.

b. Would it be possible to handle the past performance section in a similar fashion as with the SBIR process? Where company provides the experience of the company, but also identifies Key Personnel. The experience of the key personnel is also considered in the evaluation of the company’s expertise.

Government Response: NASA has considered the request; however, it has determined that corporate past performance not the past performance of individuals who are proposed to be involved in the work, is the most pertinent to the award of this Multiple-Award IDIQ contract as the requirements that will be competed at the task order level are end item design, development, testing and evaluation (DDT&E) procurements. However, for newly formed businesses having little or no experience as the new business entity, the Offeror may submit the past performance of a predecessor business entity or the past performance of the company's principal owner(s) or corporate officer(s). Each company must be capable of performing within its applicable track.

NASA has determined that the Past Performance Volume proposal requirements are sufficiently broad to allow all capable offerors of demonstrating their previous performance capability on the same or comparable technologies that it deems to be similar in content, size and complexity within the applicable track to which it is proposing to. This approach provides for a wide range of past experience for each offeror to be submitted from Federal, State, and Local Government or private customer sources.

4. Section L.20 – Quality Management Systems: The wording in the draft solicitation says “H.9

- LaRC 52.246-97 ISO 9001: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS (COMPLIANT AT AWARD)” Key point being “Compliant at Award”.

However, the next line states that the offeror shall submit a copy of the certification/registration certificate with its Volume I, Technical Proposal. These two statements seem contradicting to me.

b. We understand the desire for ISO 9001, especially for flight test articles, but is there a way to allow a period of time once awarded for the company to become compliant? This will open up this opportunity to small companies.

Government Response: H.9 - LaRC 52.246-97 ISO 9001: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS (COMPLIANT AT AWARD) requires Contractors to be compliant but is not required to be certified/registered to ISO 9001.

"Compliant" as used in this clause means that the Contractor has defined, documented, and will continually implement during the term of the contract management-approved methods of operation that conform to the requirements given in the above-cited International Standard via an approved Quality Management Plan. If an offeror is ISO 9001 certified it may provide a copy of its certification to demonstrate it compliance at award in accordance with the clause. This information in section L.20 will be clarified in the final RFP.

5. For an opportunity like this solicitation, is there a benefit to NASA to contract with HUBZone small businesses instead of just small businesses?

Government Response: NASA cannot advise you on this as this is a corporate decision.

Further, after extensive market research and coordination with our Small Business Specialist, it was determined to set-aside for small business Track B and Track C.

6. DRFP 6 (c) Would you please provide more information about the phrase “The Limitation of Future Contracting clause contains prohibitions on the successful offeror performing or competing for work associated with the performance of task orders awarded under this contract.”

And more information about the Clause 1852.209-71, Limitation of Future Contracting. Specifically, examples of when a successful offeror would and would not be prohibited from performing work associated with performance of the task orders.

Government Response: Clause 1852.209-71, Limitation of Future Contracting is not included in the solicitation. The Contracting Officer has determined that this acquisition does not give rise to a potential organizational conflict of interest.

7. Can a Foreign contractor bid to this RFP? What is the expected deadline for proposal submittal after the release date of January 14, 2022?

Government Response: NASA’s policy is to only conduct research with foreign entities on a cooperative, no-exchange-of-funds basis (see NPD 1360.2B, Initiation and Development of International Cooperation in Space and Aeronautics Programs); therefore, foreign entities would not be eligible for this procurement. For contracts, NASA policy on research with foreign organizations is covered in paragraph (l) Additional Guidelines Applicable to Foreign Proposals and Proposals Including Foreign Participation of NFS provision 1852.235-72, Instructions for Responding to NASA Research Announcements (https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/NFS.pdf).

The approximate Final RFP release date is January 14, 2022, with a due date approximately 45 days after issuance of the RFP.