ARV VI Industry Day Questions Answers 20230720.pdf

Antarc�c Research Vessel (ARV) Integrator, Industry Day

ARV Industry Day Questions

NSF is providing answers to the questions below to help improve the understanding of Government requirements and industry capabilities consistent with FAR 15.201. All responses should be considered in “draft” form and subject to revision as the procurement process progresses.

1. How will orals play into the acquisition process?

At this time oral presentations are not being considered as part of the procurement’s evaluation process or criteria.

2. Will a shipyard plug value be provided for construction pricing?

Potentially, yes. NSF will provide further information regarding its cost or price evaluation factor upon issuance of its “draft” RFP for substantive industry comment or feedback.

3. Given the shipyard price will be the majority of the contract value, what is the NSF approach to small business for the vessel integrator and the shipyard?

NSF’s intent is to require small business subcontracting plans at the order level, acknowledging the fact that different requirements (Example: completing final design, construction efforts, operational transition) represent different opportunities for small business engagement.

4. Will there be additional industry days for this opportunity?

NSF has not determined whether additional industry days will be held. In the event additional industry days are hosted, notice shall be provided via SAM.gov.

5. Will there be an opportunity for one-on-one engagement with the acquisition team for industry?

NSF intends to have one-on-one engagements with interested parties prior to the release of the Request for Proposal (RFP). A timeline for this engagement has not been determined. When a timeline has been determined, a request for interested parties to schedule time will be posted to SAM.gov, similar to the Industry Day announcement.

6. Acquisition Schedule?

At this time NSF cannot provide a more accurate acquisition schedule than was provided during the Industry Day.

https://sam.gov/opp/a622a676f6dd40baaf8f77731760028e/view

7. Are there requirements documents that can be shared?

As part of the RFP, NSF intends to share key requirement deliverables related to the ARV received thus far, such as the vessel’s existing Project Execution Plan created for the Preliminary Design Phase. While a draft RFP was not released prior to the industry day, NSF still has the intent of releasing a draft RFP prior to the release of the final RFP. NSF will endeavor to provide a “draft” RFP that is as complete as possible (e.g., including requirements documents) with sufficient time for the submission of meaningful industry feedback.

8. Is there a scope of work that can be shared?

A draft scope of work shall be shared as part of the draft RFP, which NSF intends to release before the final RFP.

9. Will the recording of today’s Antarctic Research Vessel (ARV) Industry Day be made available?

A recording is available via SAM.gov. Be advised the link does expire, please download soonest. Download requires use of a password, which is provided as part of the link’s description on SAM.gov.

10. On the acoustic systems page you had a list of the types of equipment you were looking for, however when it came to the USBL for the SONAR Flat Systems you stated a HiPAP 502 made by Kongsberg. Would you accept other USBL systems which are equal or better in terms of performance?

The design as it exists today is not final, and subject to the processes of the Final Design Phase. Discussions on specific equipment would occur during this phase and alternative solutions can be considered.

11. An NSF member mentioned that the ARV operator will be selected as part of a separate solicitation. When does NSF envision that solicitation to occur, either in terms of calendar date or within the phases of final design / construction / transition to operations?

NSF does not have a more accurate timeline for when the ARV Operator would be selected, such that they’re available for a transition to operations. NSF’s intent is that, yes, an ARV Operator is available prior to the transition to operations.

12. Could NSF please confirm that the vessel is still on track to have a U.S. build requirement?

Yes, at present the vessel is still anticipated to have a U.S. build requirement.

13. Could NSF please confirm if foreign subcontractors to the Integrator would be allowed?

I.e. international engineering and design firms.

Prime contractors must ensure compliance with applicable law to the extent foreign subcontractors are proposed during contract formation and/or relied upon during contract administration, including but not limited to export control rules (e.g., ITAR and EAR), combating trafficking in persons rules, domestic preference laws (e.g., the Buy American Act & the Trade Agreements Act), cybersecurity constraints, and other supply chain requirements.

14. Could NSF please advise if Integrators in the form of a Joint Venture would be considered?

Likely yes, an Integrator presenting as a joint venture would be considered. NSF does not intend to specify a certain organization of offerors which they must adhere to.

15. Could NSF please advise if an approved cost accounting system would be required of the prime contractor/Integrator? If yes, could NSF advise if it would be acceptable for the Integrator to achieve cost accounting system approval post-award but prior to construction?

Consistent with the FAR, NSF intends for an approved cost accounting system to be a requirement of the prime contractor (the Integrator). Approval of the cost accounting system, as it relates to the award process, is intended to be handled in accordance with FAR provision 52.230-1, Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certification. This provision accommodates “Concurrent Submission of Disclosure Statement[s]” as well as “Previously Submitted Disclosure Statement[s]”

16. Could NSF please advise if the draft engineering package will be provided to potential offerors when the draft RFP is released?

The Preliminary Design documentation, including drawings and reports, is intended to be provided with the RFP along with the Project Execution Plan, Performance Specifications, and draft Builder’s Contract Specifications https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_230_1