Question and Answers.pdf

80NSSC21754842Q Plates, Wing Loading Fixture

1. Do any of the parts have any flatness or parallel requirements.

No, other than the dimensions itself.

2. Also, your L x W dimensions have a 2 plc decimal, so do you need to have the perimeter machined to size? +/-.030’’ will require machining.

a. We can plasma or torch cut the perimeter to size at +/-.060’’ and save if you don’t need the outside machined.

No, We don’t need them to be machined, a rough grinding will suffice.

3. On sheets1, 2 and 6 there are holes shown that are not identified. (See attached.)

a. Are these to be ignored?

Yes, ignore them.

These holes were not supposed to be in the drawing to avoid any confusion, but BEING there is useful to mark the Stay Away zones… See the attached redlined drawing.

4. Would it be permissible to put a couple of 1"-8 handling holes, 1-1/4 on the larger plates, in some of these plates?

Yes, but use the Rectangles Zones in the redlined drawing.

5. Can you just clarify that the new drawings do not change the scope of work and are just for clarification of the overall assembly? Correct, the new drawings do not change the scope of work and are just for clarification of the overall assembly. It does not appear there are any new details required. Correct, there are no new details required. You just addressed the lift holes and undimensioned holes on the original drawings, correct? Correct, the previously provided responses from address the lift holes and un-dimensioned holes.

6. Can you please clarify if this request is still only for the plate material as outlined in the RFQ document? And does not include any of the Steel beam material shown in -Spec-1.pdf.

the attached drawing may help them better understand the manner in which the beams and plates assemble. It is purely a reference document.

7. I’ve put together pricing for the “Plates, Wing Loading Fixture” and my firm was planning on submitting a bid. My company uses document and process controls and we have a robust inspection process but we are not ISO certified because the majority of our work is custom fabrication rather than production.

Will we be able to submit a bid for the project without an ISO certification? We were planning to provide material certifications and inspection reports. The only processes we have planned are Waterjet cutting, Machining (for adding holes) and powdercoating.

We do not stipulate manufacturing or inspection methodologies or their costs. Ultimately, we expect the supplier-produced end-item to match the dimensions, tolerances, and notes on the drawing. Moreover, I feel that the spirit of the Q-1 and Q-2 (and their applicable bullets) are already captured by the drawing’s content.

To specifically address their ISO certification concern, the Q-1 appears only to require adherence to particular standards with regard to Electronic Parts. All other procurements only make mention of a generic “quality management system”.

1. In Q1, the last page on Procurement Quality Assurance Terms and Conditions says we must have a quality management system in place (e.g. AS9100, AS9120, ISO 9001, AS5553, AS6081). This is repeated in No. 3 on the second page of Q2. While we have our own quality management system in place that is very similar to AS9100, we are not officially certified with any system. Will this preclude us from being awarded this PO? After speaking with Tony Rodgers (AFRC’s Procurement Quality Assurance Lead), I understand that a certification is not necessary. The AS and ISO standards are only listed as examples to help define the framework of the quality management system expected of the awarded supplier. I believe all of our previous delivered goods to NASA have met or exceeded all quality requirements, but please advise.

2. Does the material need to be DFARS compliant for this solicitation, or is import material okay if it meets all test report criteria? Apart from a FAR’s reference to record retention (on the last page of Q-1), I find no mention/requirement of DFARS-compliant materials. Only certification(s) attesting to the “[manufacturer’s] part number, and heat, batch or serial number (when applicable)” and/or the “[manufacturer’s] name, date of manufacture and street address of production facility and/or article’s maintenance repair or overhaul facility” are expected; in summary, an effective means of traceability.

3. On Q1 and Q2, do you just need a confirmation through email that we can/will comply? Or is there another place we need to certify to these? In the event of award, I would presume the signed, contractual agreement between the NSSC and the supplier would serve as the supplier’s agreement to adhere to (and ability to comply with) the applicable items listed in the Q-1 and Q-2.

The Q-docs are pertinent [i.e., do apply] to the procurement of the Wing Loading Fixture Plates, but only to the extent of the applicable bullets contained therein. The documents are generic in nature, and suppliers are expected to exercise reasonable judgment in whether or not they adhere to particular requirements. For example, a structural steel weldment would not adhere to the same requirements as would an electronic circuit board. Moreover, suppliers should not selectively identify particular quality management standards, acronyms, and numbers, and fear that NASA will hold them accountable to such certifications. In many cases, these standards are listed only as examples and framework.

Q)The paint requirement is MIL-PRF-85285E Type lll Class H or W . Is it permissible to use either type l or type ll paint instead of the type lll? My understanding is the performance characteristics are the same.

A)Please, go ahead and use Type II (for support equipment). Either Class H or W is Ok.