9Q0HDLA38001 RFP QandA from VESST Vendors Amd 2.docx

November 1, 2010 Questions received by Vendors on RFP for Value Engineering and Sourcing Support Tool This Q&A applies to order RFP 9Q0HDLA38001 Question 1. P. 28, b1: states "Maintain a lawful employment status within the United States of America and State of California". Why must we conform to California laws?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for deletion of this requirement.

Question 2. P. 111, 1.2 mentions four (4) separate volumes. There only seems to be three

(3) volumes mentioned in the RFP: Executed Proposal, Technical Proposal, and Price Proposal. Is there a 4th volume?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 3. As a Past Performance example, can we use a contract where we were a sub to a prime contractor?

GSA/DLA Response: No, the Government is interested in projects where vendors performed as a prime contractor.

Question 4. Page 111, Para 1.2. Size 12 pitch font is called out for this document. Can 8 type point be used in graphics and 10 point type in graphics?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 5. Page 111, Para 1.2. Submittal instructions calls for submission of "four (4) separate volumes" but lists 3 volumes is subsequent paras. Clarification is requested.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 6. Page 111/112, Para 1.5/4.0. Para 1.5 calls out three volumes but para 4.0 indicates that 4 volumes are required. Clarification is requested.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 7. Page 112, Para 1.5. RFP indicates "Evaluation criteria identified below are described in Section 3.0 through Section 6.0 of the instructions". Clarification is requested on which Section 3.0 through Section 6.0 should be used to develop the proposal.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 8. Page 112, Para 1.5.2. The instructions direct proposal development to address:

"Description of Capabilities (see Overview Criteria)" and "Response to Evaluation Factors". Review of Section M 2.0 indicates that the Overview Criteria and the Evaluation Factors are references to same requirements. Clarification is requested on the requirement for proposal responses.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 9. Page 112/130, Para 1.5.2. There are 3 volumes which are to be addressed in the proposal. Tech Proposal - Volume II includes "Response to Evaluation Factors" which appears to include "Evaluation Factor 3: Price". Should this section be included in Volume III which is specific to pricing?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 10. We need clarification on what is expected for the LINs in our cost rate proposal. Are we giving a proposal of our fully burdened cost (inc G&A + Overhead) for job tasks like Electrical Engineering Skill Level 1, Electrical Engineering Skill Level 2, Mechanical Engineering Skill Level 1, Mechanical Engineering Skill Level 2 and so on?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section B

Question 11. The solicitation mentions that up to four awards will be made under this GSA contract. What will be the process post award for awarding future PBSOW?

GSA/DLA Response: All delivery orders issued under the resultant IDIQ contracts will be competed among the IDIQ contractors when the requirement is identified.

Question 12. What criteria will be used to determine the winners of this GSA contract?

GSA/DLA Response: Refer to the RFP, Section M , Evaluation Factors for Award

Question 13. What criteria will be used to determine awards under the GSA contract for future PBSOW?

GSA/DLA Response: Each solicitation competed under the RFP will contain the evaluation criteria for award which will include Technical Approach, Schedule and Price.

Question 14. Will there be multiple awards for first delivery order?

GSA/DLA Response: No. There will be one award to one IDIQ Contractor

Question 15. Is there any set aside for small business under the GSA contract?

GSA/DLA Response: No. this is not a set-aside

Question 16. The RFP only requests pricing for fixed hourly rates on labor categories. PBSOW requires many different tasks that may involve other costs such as equipment, prototype manufacturing, printing, travel, etc. Will the government allow contractors to propose ODC and equipment costs on task orders in addition to the required labor categories? If not, does the government expect these non-labor costs to be included in the labor rates proposed?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section B for clarification

Question 17. Are offerors required to use labor categories from their GSA FSS schedule or can they propose new labor categories if they are appropriate for this acquisition?

GSA/DLA Response: This RFP is an open market procurement and thus GSA FSS Schedule rates do not apply.

Question 18. The RFP states that acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 and 15. RFP also states that government will award IDIQ contracts rather than GSA schedule BPAs. Please confirm whether or not this is a GSA FSS acquisition.

GSA/DLA Response: This is not a GSA FSS acquisition.

Question 19. The government property clause cited in the RFP, FAR 52.245-4 Government Furnished Property (Short Form (June 2003) no longer exists. All government property clauses in the FAR have been replaced by FAR 52.245-1 Government Property (Aug 2010).

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 20. Section L, 1.2 under Section 1.0 titled “Submittal Instructions” (pg 111) states that proposals submitted shall be contained in four (4) separate volumes, six (6) copies each, etc… however, there are only three (3) volumes listed Volume I-Executed Proposal Volume II- Technical Proposal Volume III- Price Proposal Additionally, section 1.5.3 Price Proposal is listed as Volume III (pg 112), but section 4.0 is Titled Volume IV-Price Proposal (pg 113). Please clarify the number of required volumes.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 21. The RFP limits the technical proposal to 50 pages (Section L, Submittal Instructions, para 1.2). Is the response to delivery order 0001included in this 50 page limit?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarifications to this requirement

Question 22. Period of Acceptance of Offers: A-10 Proposal Validation Period indicates that proposals shall remain valid for at least 60 days from the date submitted and L. 1.1 states that the period of acceptance of offers shall be 60 days. However, A-14 states that the Contractor’s proposal must be good for at least one year from the date of proposal submission and L-1(c) states that the offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers unless another period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation. Therefore, please clarify the period for which offers should remain firm.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 23. ITSS Registration: The notice to All Prospective Offerors indicates that a GSA IT Solutions Shop (ITSS) registration is required to participate in this acquisition. Please clarify what actions (i.e. proposal submission, award, acceptance, etc.) will be performed through ITSS.

GSA/DLA Response: Prospective IDIQ contractors will need to be registered in ITSS in case of a contract award. All basic IDIQ contracts and subsequent award of delivery orders will be completed in ITSS. Proposal submissions for the basic IDIQ and first delivery order will be in accordance with the RFP, Section L , Instructions, conditions, notices to bidders (Offerors).

Question 24. Contractor Furnished Items and Services: Section 7.0 of the Statement of Work specifies that the contractor shall acquire additional hardware and software not provided by the Government as required to accomplish each delivery order. However, Section B does not include a CLIN for Other Direct Costs (ODCs). May the offeror add this as an additional CLIN to be determined on a delivery order basis?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section B

Question 25. H-4 Government and Contractor Relationships: Why does paragraph 1.b(1) indicate that Contractor personnel under this contract shall maintain a lawful employment status with the State of California?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for deletion of this requirement.

Question 26. Payment: FAR 52.232-2 Payments under Fixed-Price Research and Development Contracts (for non-commercial items) is included at I-9. FAR 52.232-16 Progress Payments is provided in Section I (p. 78) of the solicitation. And GSAM 552.232-1 Payments (APR 1984 (Deviation FAR 52.232-1) is also included (p. 103). However, it is our understanding that, in accordance with FAR 32.222(a)(1), for fixed price service contracts FAR 52.232-1 Payments would be applicable. Please clarify which payment provision applies.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 27. Price Reductions: GSAM 552.238-75 Price Reductions has been checked as included in this solicitation and resultant contract. However, it is our understanding that this RFP is for an ID/IQ contract to support the DLA rather than for a Multiple Award Schedule contract. If this understanding is correct, please remove the inclusion of this clause.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 28. Appendices: Section J mentions that Appendices A through M are provided. However, it appears that only Appendix A has been included in this RFP. Are there other Appendices?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 29. Representations and Certifications: Please clarify what the Government’s requirement is for the submission of Representations and Certifications. Based upon the differing instructions concerning their submission found in Section K, paragraph 2, which refers to paragraph (j) in Section L, which in turn is a provision concerning the DUNS number, and 52.204-8 in Section I and 52.212-3 in Section L.8, the submission requirement is a bit unclear.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP, Section K for correction of this requirement.

Question 30. Volumes: L.1.2 states that proposal submitted shall be contained in four (4) volumes. However, three are specified. Please clarify if there is in fact a fourth volume of the proposal, and if so, what is shall contain.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 31. Price Proposal: L.4.0 refers to Volume IV as the Price Proposal. Should this be Volume III?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 32. Pricing Volume page count; please clarify.

Section K, page 106 states “Offerors must submit a completed representation and certification with their cost/price proposal.” Page 111, paragraph 1.2 requires Price Proposal be a maximum of 10 pages. Does this page count include the Reps and Certs required in Section K?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification of this requirement.

Question 33. Proposal Validity; please verify correct validity period.

Part I, A-10 states “All offers submitted in conjunction with this RFP must be valid for at least 60 days from the date submitted.” Part I, A-14 states “The contractor’s proposal must be good for at least one year from the date of proposal submission.” Page 110 states “The period of acceptance of offers submitted in response to the RFP is 60 calendar days.”

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 34. Proposal Volumes required; please confirm Volume numbers.

Page 111 paragraph 1.2 references 4 separate proposal volumes but lists only 3 Volumes(Vol I Executed Proposal; Vol II Technical Proposal; Vol III Price Proposal)> Page 112 paragraph 4.0 shows the Price Proposal as Vol IV.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 35. Wage Determination Labor Category Code; please verify correct code.

Page 76 of the RFP specifies use of General Clerk III, Code 01117 for use in the cost/price proposal. The SCA WD for our location does not contain this code. General Clerk III is listed in the WD applicable to our location as Code 01113.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for the deletion of this requirement.

Question 36. What is your feeling on Joint Ventures?

GSA/DLA Response: For the VESST program, the Government is looking for one vendor to be the prime contractor. The prime contractor may enter into prime/sub arrangements; however, only one contractor will be considered the prime to whom the delivery order awards would be made if successful through competition.

Question 37. Section A, A.10 vs. A.14: One says proposal validation of 60 days; one says 1 year. Which is correct?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 38. Will there be any price competition between offerors, or will proposed rates/hours be examined for the sole purpose of determining realism and reasonableness?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes, there will be price competition as the RFP is being competed and each contractor’s price proposal will be examined for fairness, reasonableness and realism.

Question 39. Please expand on how the Price Proposal will be evaluated, considering both the fact that there are no specific labor categories provided in the RFP, and the fact that the Service Contract Act rates vary depending upon location?

GSA/DLA Response: The Government will examine all price proposals for fairness, reasonableness and realism.

Question 40. How are we to conform to the SCA when most of the personnel levels required to reverse engineer a part are not included in the SCA (e.g., project manager, project technical manager, scientist, aerospace/mechanical engineer, electronic/electrical engineer, chemical material engineer, test engineer, subject-matter expert, etc.)?

GSA/DLA Response: SCA is required; however, it is the contractor’s responsibility to assure that they are meeting all Department of Labor regulations and applicable wage standards as indicated by your respective local and state jurisdictions.

Question 41. Page 111, Section 1.2 of Section L says, “Proposals submitted shall be contained in Four (4) separate volumes,” yet only three volumes are listed. Are we correct in assuming we are to include our Past Performance discussion within our Technical Proposal?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for correction of this requirement.

Question 42. P. 111, Section 1.1 says, “All offerors must submit an original and six (6) copies of their cost/price proposal,” yet the list below says 6 copies of each. Do you want seven (an original and 6 copies) or simply 6 copies of each volume?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 43. P. 112, Section 1.5.2, alludes to the “Overview Criteria.” Would you like us to just speak to Section 1.1 of Section M in this area, or are there specific Overview Criteria you would like us to discuss?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 44. Has the Government considered including a travel CLIN?

GSA/DLA Response: It will be addressed per individual delivery order only if/when necessary.

Question 45. Will there be changes to the labor category chart for the first delivery order to allow for items such as materials, equipment, transportation and incidental services? (Section B)

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section B

Question 46. How do we handle past performance for sub contractors?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section M. A revised Past Performance Questionnaire must be submitted by the PoC for any subcontractor that you intend to use in the performance under VESST where that subcontractor performed as a prime contractor on one or more of the five (5) contracts or purchase/delivery orders that your firm has identified for the past performance factor.

Question 47. Will the government consider delaying the proposal due date since all questions have not yet been answered formally from industry days, Appendix A questionnaires that have to be reissued (if possible) and mailing packages to Hawaii over a weekend and after a federal holiday shortens the time to delivery by a considerable percentage?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes. See revised RFP

NOTE: Below are response to questions that are more technical in nature.

Question 1. When will the sample parts be available for review?

GSA/DLA Response: The parts will be available at the preproposal conference for viewing. A picture or diagram will be given to vendors at the preproposal conference to take to prepare proposals for the first delivery order.

Question 2. Are sample parts available to review at vendors facility?

GSA/DLA Response: No. Only a picture or diagram will be provided.

Question 3. Is a complete SAR required for both NSN's described in the solicitation?

GSA/DLA Response: The Government does not require a SAR package for the NSN’s; however, we are looking for a price proposal to develop the NSNs.

Question 4. P. 130, subfactor 1B suggests that a copy of a perviously submitted and approved SAR be submitted. Is this example of a SAR considered in any part of the page count in the solicitation?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 5. Page 11, Para. 3.0/3.1. RFP indicates that the contractor shall provide digital exchange of product process data support, including CAD, CAM, and data exchange competencies to support PDM actions. Neither RFP nor SOW explains DLA preferences or requirements for the engineering package such as...3D Model software usage (Pro-E models, NX, Catia, or 2D drawings), DLA owned PDM database for contractor transmittal to customer of models and item product structure. DLA preference toward parts lists placed on the face of the drawings, or an electronic version of product structure / Parts lists transmittal with completed model into DLA data management database. Does DLA have a preference / requirement toward electronic transfer & location of analytics reports, test reports, inspection reports etc.?

GSA/DLA Response: Proposals should only contain pricing for submission of 2D drawings. Requirements for submissions other than 2D drawings will be included in future delivery orders (i.e., when a prototype may be required).

Question 6. Page 12, Para 6.0. Proprietary data access requirements. Will a particular security clearance be required?

GSA/DLA Response: Contractors will not be accessing proprietary data. If such requirement arises, it will be addressed in individual delivery orders.

Question 7. Page 21, Para 2.1.3. RFP indicates "All analysis, engineering, testing and documentation needed to complete the SARs shall be performed by the contractor." Has DLA indentified standard content required in an "engineering package"?

GSA/DLA Response: Please refer to paragraph 2.2 of the PBSOW for applicable link.

Question 8. Page 21, Para 4.0. RFP indicates GFM included in the delivery order will be one sample of each item. Does DLA facilitate access to the item prior to or during the bidding process for contractor to identify item complexity, take pictures, take measurements etc.?

GSA/DLA Response: The parts will be available at the preproposal conference for viewing. A picture or diagram will be given to vendors at the preproposal conference to take to prepare proposals for the first delivery order.

Question 9. Page 21, Para 4.0. Part / item usage & NHA fitment information is critical to developing engineering & manufacturing requirements such as, load / fracture analysis for raw material selection / identification, part tolerance requirements, thickness of paint, and storage requirements. Does DLA provide / make available performance requirements and NHA fitment information for the items?

GSA/DLA Response: This is not applicable for the development of pricing for the first delivery order.

Question 10. Do the data packages produced need to include only 2d drawings and illustration, or must we include 3d CAD Solid Models?

GSA/DLA Response: Proposals should only contain pricing for submission of 2D drawings. Requirements for submissions other than 2D drawings will be included in future delivery orders (i.e., when a prototype may be required).

Question 11. Under copyright rules if we provide detailed drawings do we have rights to prevent distribution of those drawings to competitors?

GSA/DLA Response: The Government will own all data rights. Please refer to Section C of the PBSOW

Question 12. Information given to produce a source approval request (SAR) for Delivery Order 0001 includes the NSN and nomenclature only. The PBSOW for DO 0001, Para. 4.0 states that GFM included in the delivery order will be one sample of each item. Offerors will therefore have to develop a SAR solution and FFP estimate prior to receiving a sample part. Will any other information be provided in order to develop assist offerors in estimating the level of effort needed to produce a SAR for these parts?

GSA/DLA Response: The additional information needed (pictures/diagrams/measurements) to submit your initial response to this proposal for delivery order 001 was provided via the preproposal conference and is attached in FedBizopps under Section J, Appendix B for Amendment 2. A subsequent submittal of a SAR package will be required from the awardee of the first delivery order.

Question 13. For the successful MAC contract awardees that propose under the VESST program for future DLA SAR needs will sample parts be provided to assist MAC contract awardees in estimating the level of effort needed to produce a SAR?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes

Question 14. For the successful MAC contract awardees, what is the expected RFP response time for follow-on task order requests?

GSA/DLA Response: The Government projects that this time frame will be 30 days after all contractors have inspected the sample item. However, the PBSOW for each delivery order will specify this requirement.

Question 15. Referenc page 21, paragraph 4.0, Government Furnished Material will additional information/ diagrams/pictures of the supply items to be quoted be available prior to proposal submittal date?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes

Question 16. Reference page 12, GFM and GFE, Please provide additional information regarding provision of GFM/GFE after contract award. Will the GFM/GFE be available at time of quotation or will it only be provided on task order award?

GSA/DLA Response: For the initial delivery order, it will be provided after award and for future delivery orders it will be before award.

Question 17. The solicitation list several requirements, for example to provide a previously approved SAR and a previously approved alternate offer. Can these requirements be met through teaming or must the prime contractor meet all these requirements without reliance on team member qualifications?

GSA/DLA Response: No, the Government is interested in projects where vendors performed as a prime contractor.

Question 18. IAW VESST, C-2, para 4.0, what is the process to obtain items NSN: 2995-00968-8429, Nomenclature: Shield, Heat and NSN: 1560-01-406-8974, Nomenclature: Latch Assembly?

GSA/DLA Response: The parts will be available at the preproposal conference for viewing. A picture or diagram will be given to vendors at the preproposal conference to take to prepare proposals for the first delivery order.

Question 19. Reference Page 130,sub-Factor 1b, Development/Submittal of SAR Evaluation sub-factor 1b states “One of the most important criteria to be considered in this submission is the overall understanding of the requirement to develop technical data and Source Approval Requests. The contractor shall prepare and submit as an example a previously approved SAR package as a response to this sub-factor.”

Our company has extensive experience reverse engineering components and piece parts for Army Aviation. Our requirements are for generation of Airworthiness Release Substantiation Documents which are reviewed and approved by our government customer. The AWR Substantiation Package includes a complete Technical Data Package of drawings, models, stress/structural analysis, aerodynamic analysis, test procedures, test reports and flight test recommendations. These packages often include original OEM drawings and test procedures/results for comparison by the government customer. We interpret the AWR Substantiation documentation to be the equivalent of SAR packages. In some cases, these documents can exceed 300 pages. Is it acceptable to submit this package as an appendix to the Tech Volume so it is not included in the page count?

GSA/DLA Response: AWR Substantiation is considered equivalent to a SAR and is not included in the page count.

Question 20. Are both NSNs to be priced individually?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes. NSN’s shall be priced individually and a total shall be provided. See revised Section B of the RFP Question 21. On past performance, what specifically are you looking for? Just technical data or a narrative and explanation?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for additional information

Question 22. Does the SAR and Alternate offer samples belong in the technical volume?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes

Question 23. Will T.O’s and overhaul manual be made available to awardees?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes, when available and necessary

Question 24. Is an actual part required along with the SAR package? The RFP only asks for labor costs not part costs.

GSA/DLA Response: No, part will not be required. See revised Section B for pricing information.

Question 25. If a part has to be manufactured and reverse engineered, will we have access to ESA’s for tolerance issues, etc.?

GSA/DLA Response: As necessary, and must be coordinated through DLA Aviation

Question 26. Will the amendment change the contract type from a fixed-price to cost plus?

GSA/DLA Response: No

Question 27. If the material for any given delivery order is hard to price in the proposal stage, wouldn’t it make sense to exclude (estimated) material price from the evaluation and then to use the equitable adjustments clause to reimburse the winning contractor for his or her actual incurred material cost?

GSA/DLA Response: The requirement for material costs will be evaluated on a case by case basis and would be identified, if, when required for each delivery order. The Government reserves the right to include EPA clauses per delivery order when required.

Question 28. How will the Government evaluate proposals for delivery order 002 and onwards among the four previously selected IDIQ awardees? Will it be solely based on price or also based on technical approach and past performance? And based on lead time too? What is the relative weighting of those evaluation factors?

GSA/DLA Response: Primarily, the Government will utilize technical approach, schedule and price. However, the Government reserves the right to establish the evaluation criteria for each new delivery order RFQ before issuing to contractors for competition.

Question 29. Because any given delivery order may result in the VESST contractor becoming approved as a limited source for the item, the contractor may have an incentive, knowlingly, to underprice the delivery order. Would that practice be deemed an abuse of VESST, inasmuch as VESST is intended to reduce the contractor’s risk of absorbing the NRE costs?

GSA/DLA Response: The Government will mitigate much of the risk associated with underpricing by analyzing the price proposals for fairness, reasonableness and realism.

Question 30. Will the Government obtain ESA concurrence for the NRE effort prior to soliciting any given delivery order under VESST?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes

Question 31. Where the solicitation asks for “approved SAR packages” in past performance, is it asking for SARS that have been approved by ESA? Do you want us to submit copies of the actual SARs as part of our proposal’s past performance submittal?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 32. The solicitation’s past performance section asks us to cite 5 successful SAR efforts by the offeror within the past 3 years, and to ask a PoC to submit questionnaire responses directly to the contracting officer. Would it make sense for the cognizant ESA who approved the SAR be the PoC, and would the contracting officer facilitate the contractor’s asking ESA to be his PoC?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 33. On prototypes, are there tooling considerations?

GSA/DLA Response: This requirement will be evaluated per delivery order, if/when required.

Question 34. SAR approval by ESA? Time frame?

GSA/DLA Response: The approval time will depend on the nature of the item. However, it is expected that it would take a minimum of 90 days.

Question 35. With respect to evaluation of technical approach of a VESST contractor for any given delivery order, will a proposal to submit a SAR under Category II (Similar Item per the DSCR 2005 SAR guide) be rated more highly than a proposal to submit a SAR under Category III (New Manufacturer) since, after all, VESST’s goal is to obtain a new approved manufacturing source and arguably a Cat II SAR is more likely to get ESA approval than a CAT III SAR?

GSA/DLA Response: SAR Category will not be considered under the Technical Approach evaluation factor.

Question 36. Will access to NHA or aircraft be granted if needed as part of a reverse engineering effort?

GSA/DLA Response: Yes, when possible and necessary

Question 37. What type of information and/or GFM will be provided with future delivery order RFPs that will allow offerors to submit a fair and reasonable proposal? Will proposals need to be based just on the NSN, or will other specific information be provided (such as a sample part, a partial technical data package (TDP), drawings, etc.)?

GSA/DLA Response: Sample parts and all available technical data will be provided under future delivery orders

Question 38. P. 21. In accordance with DO-0001 PBSOW, the Government will provide “one sample of each item”—are we correct in assuming this includes the first delivery order for the proposal? If that is the case, how are we to request that item, and how and when will we receive it? Will offerors be provided adequate time to accurately price the requisite reverse engineering?

GSA/DLA Response: Sample parts and all available technical data will be provided under future delivery orders

Question 39. Has the government considered the amount of risks placed on offerors when trying to bid without access to TDPs or GFE parts? The Government may not enjoy the optimal cost-savings if contractors have to build such risk into their proposals. Will the Government consider incorporating a Cost-Plus CLIN, T&M CLIN, or a teardown/quote CLIN into the contract?

GSA/DLA Response: Sample parts and all available technical data will be provided under future delivery orders. The Government will not be incorporating Cost-plus, T&M or Teardown CLINS into the contract?

Question 40. What is the workload estimate or historical data show for the parts included in this program? Will the Government delineate how many DOs are sent out each month?

Will the Government provide a detailed sampling of parts that will require reverse engineering and/or a SAR package?

GSA/DLA Response: An average of five (5) per month but may vary depending on need.

Question 41. As per Sub-factor 1.b in Section M, we are to include a previously approved SAR package. However, approved SAR packages can be lengthy. Will such a package count against our page count delineated in Section L, 1.4, which asserts that attachments will be included in the page count specified in 1.2? Or is such a package exempt from page-count requirements?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP for clarification

Question 42. We need additional information to quote the two reverse engineering efforts. Anything you can provide from Level 1, 2 or 3 drawings; technical manuals, assembly drawings; pictures; test requirements; etc.?

GSA/DLA Response: See RFP Section J, Appendix B for additional information.

Question 43. What exactly do you consider "Alternative Offers" for the purpose of this RFP?

GSA/DLA Response: Any offer for material other than that requested specifically in an RFQ or

RFP.

Question 44. The focus of deliverables and evaluation of contractor capabilities for VESST is on the ability to produce SAR packages. Our company uses products other than SARs for our government customer to show engineering and process for projects. While we have the ability to produce SARSs, we have used alternative products to date to include first article production and engineering qualification packages that are similar to SARs. Would the VESST evaluation process consider alternative engineering development packages as SAR equivalents for the purpose of qualifying for VESST?

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section M

Question 45. How exactly will the government want to account for past performance for SAR or SAR equivalent packages? The Appendix A questionnaire does not completely align with SAR or SAR equivalent type work.

GSA/DLA Response: See revised RFP Section M for clarification and revised Past Performance Questionnaire in Appendix A image1.png