Att. 3. Section L.pdf

Section L – Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors or Respondents

1.0 INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

General Notes:

Note 1: For pricing purposes, the anticipated period of performance start date of this contract is 31 March 2026.

Note 2: This requirement is solicited as unrestricted. This requirement is a new requirement.

Note 3: The Product Service Cost (PSC) for this requirement is 5975, Electrical & Electronic Equipment Components.

Note 4: The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 334511, Underwater Sound Equipment; Detection and Coherent Radiation Equipment; Electronic and Communication Equipment.

Note 5: The Government anticipates a Multiple Award Contract (MAC) with awards to approximately five awardees. As detailed throughout Sections L and M, the Government anticipates acceptable offerors that will receive awards to fall into one of the following TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly First Article Qualification categories, as contemplated by this solicitation’s evaluation schema:

1. Fully qualified

2. Partially qualified

3. Undergoing qualification

4. Not currently qualified

Note 6: The contract minimum guarantee referred to in paragraph (b) of FAR Clause 52.216-22 ‘Indefinite Quantity’ is the following (Note, this contract minimum guarantee is guaranteed at first order concurrent with basic contract award and satisfies the minimum guarantee over the life of the contract) and is dependent on the offeror’s qualification status as outlined in Note 5 above in accordance with the table below:

Fully Qualified – Minimum guarantee is the Post Award Conference CLIN 0001.

Partially Qualified – Minimum guarantee is the Post Award Conference CLIN 0001 and 12 First Article Units CLIN 0002 Undergoing Qualification – Minimum guarantee is the Post Award Conference CLIN 0001.

Not Currently Qualified - Minimum guarantee is the Post Award Conference CLIN 0001 and 12 First Article Units CLIN 0002

Note 7: Until qualification under the outside qualification program or through the FA qualification under this contract is approved and NAVSEA 05 qualification letter is issued, awardees will not be eligible to submit proposals or receive awards for production orders.

Note 8: The dollar value ceiling for each awarded contract will be established as a sum of the following:

CLIN 0001 – Post-award conference -Established as the unit price specified in Section B

CLIN 0002 – First Article Units – Established as the unit price proposed by the offeror multiplied by the quantity of units identified in Section B CLIN 0003 – Production Units - LOT at the plug ceiling value provided by the Government identified in Section B.

Note 9: Applicable Documents 3.1 – 3.3 in the Statement of Work in Section C of this Request for Proposal will be available electronically. The deadline to request Applicable Documents is no later than 4:30 PM, Eastern Time, 21 calendar days after the solicitation is issued. Requests received after this date will be honored but may not be received by the offeror prior to receipt of proposals. Failure to request these documents by the stated date will not be justification for extension of the proposal receipt date.

To request applicable documents, please contact the POC and follow the instructions as specified below:

Points of Contact: Hannah Sherron, hannah.r.sherron.civ@us.navy.mil and Andrew Nagelhout, Andrew.c.nagelhout.civ@us.navy.mil

Please include your vendor CAGE Code and the certified DD2345 when sending the POC a request to view the documents. Your currently active vendor CAGE Code must be listed on the certified DD2345.

NOTE: The name and email of the individual requesting the documents must match those listed as the JCP data custodian on the certified DD2345.

The POC will send the Applicable Documents via DoD SAFE. The Company POC will receive an email containing instructions on how to retrieve the Applicable Documents.

Information on the JCP can be found at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/.

Access to the Applicable Documents will only be granted to the individual listed on the JCP certified DD Form 2345.

Note 10: The Government currently anticipates implementing ramp-on procedures at year two.

1.1 General Information

All questions concerning this procurement, either technical or contractual, must be submitted via email to the POCs listed below. No direct discussion between the technical representative(s) and prospective offeror shall occur. All questions shall be constructed in an unclassified manner. All such questions shall be submitted via e-mail, no later than 4:30 PM, Eastern Time, 14 calendar days after the solicitation is issued to allow the Government adequate time to prepare and issue responses to all Offerors prior to the date and time set for receipt of proposals. Only questions transmitted electronically will receive a response. Information provided with each question should include the document name, document date, specific page, paragraph, clause or other definitive citation requiring clarification. Questions and proposals shall be submitted via email to the following POCs:

Name: Hannah Sherron Email: hannah.r.sherron.civ@us.navy.mil

Name: Andrew Nagelhout Email: andrew.c.nagelhout.civ@us.navy.mil

1.2 Submission Requirements

(a) Each offeror shall submit its entire proposal electronically. The Government will evaluate each offeror's understanding of the Government's requirements and ability to perform the work on the basis of its proposal. Offerors shall provide information and documentation in detail to clearly identify its overall qualifications.

(b) Proposals and any proposal modification shall be submitted electronically via email to both of the POCs identified in Section 1.1 above. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to submit its complete and entire proposal no later than the closing date and time identified on page 1, Block 9, of this solicitation.

It is not permissible to upload a link to an internet-based data center (e.g. Google cloud or Dropbox).

Offeror shall submit all required proposal information as files uploaded directly via email. Failure to submit a complete proposal and any proposal modification prior to the solicitation closing date and time will render the proposal late and unacceptable. Each proposal submitted is time/date stamp recorded by the email system at time of proposal submission. Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice to the cognizant Contracting Officer for the solicitation provided such notice is received prior to Contract award. Offerors shall comply with the detailed instructions for the format and content of the proposals;

proposals that do not comply may be considered unacceptable and may render the offeror ineligible for award.

(c) Proposals shall be marked with ‘CUI Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104’ at the top and bottom of each page submitted. The first page of each document submitted shall contain the below 5 line Designation Indicator Populated with Offeror’s entity name. The “Controlled By” lines are intentionally listed twice.

Controlled By: Insert Vendor Name.

Controlled By: Insert Vendor Name.

CUI Category: PROPIN, PROCURE, SSEL Limited Dissemination Control: DL ONLY, Distribution to C02 FED, 00L FED, SSEB Team FED, and Insert Vendor Name.

POC: Insert Vendor POC Name.

1.3 Proposal Format

(a) In order to maximize efficiency and minimize the time for proposal evaluation, all Offerors shall submit their proposals in accordance with the format and content specified below. The requirements below apply equally to subcontractors. Proposals that do not meet the below requirements may be deemed unresponsive and may not be eligible for award. The electronic proposal shall be prepared so that if printed, the proposal meets the following format requirements:

8.5 x 11-inch paper

Single-spaced typed lines

1-inch margins

Font text shall be 12-point Times New Roman, except for:

o Graphs, graphics, tables, or charts used to supplement the proposal text shall use Times

New Roman that is no smaller than 9-point font size.

o Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheets shall use Times New Roman that is no smaller than 9-point font size. These Excel spreadsheets shall be formatted for printing in landscape orientation such that all row and column headings appear on each printed page. All spreadsheets shall include calculations in the cells showing all formulas. Do not enter hard data where formulas were used to calculate the entered value.

No hyperlinks

Proposals shall be in English and in U.S. dollars.

Proposals shall be Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 2010 and newer versions or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) compatible. PDF files shall be searchable when reviewed electronically.

Offeror shall organize its proposal and include all proposal content exactly as described herein.

Offeror shall organize its proposal into separate volumes and adhere to page limitations as delineated in the Proposal Organization Table below. Page limitations will be treated as maximums. If exceeded, excess pages may not be read or considered in proposal evaluation. A Cover or Title Page, Table of Contents, and Glossary of abbreviations and acronyms are allowed for each volume and will not count against the page limitation for each respective volume.

Volume Volume Title Maximum Number of

Pages

Fully Qualified

Partially Qualified

Undergoing Qualification

Not Currently Qualified

I Administrative X X X X Cover Letter No Limit X X X X

Completed RFP Fill- Ins

No Limit X X X X

II Pass/Fail Requirements

Small Business Participation

2 pages X X X X

Assertion of Qualification Status

2 Pages (excluding any

NAVSEA 05

Letter attachment)

X X X X

Quality Management System

No Limit X X X X

III Technical Proposal (Excluding any RFV attachments)

Factor I – Technical Capability

30 pages

N N N X

Factor II – Past Performance

2 pages per reference

X X X X

- Prime

- Subcontractor

6 pages total 6 pages plus 1 page for each subcontractor letter Factor III - Cost/Price No Limit X X X X

X=applicable N-Not applicable

Important: Offerors shall not include classified material in the volumes and shall not provide any cost or price information in the technical volumes.

(b) Offerors shall provide a cover letter with the following information:

(1) Solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, email address, telephone numbers, Cage Code, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) of the offeror;

(3) A statement specifying unconditional acceptance of all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item.

(4) A statement that the proposal is valid through 240 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of proposals;

(5) Names, titles, telephone numbers, and valid e-mail addresses of persons authorized to negotiate on the offeror’s behalf with the Government in connection with this solicitation;

(6) DCAA and DCMA office points of contact, including branch location, contact name, telephone number, and valid email address;

(7) Name, title, and signature of a person authorized to sign the proposal;

(8) Identify all enclosures being transmitted as part of its proposal

(c) Offerors shall provide fill-in information for all clauses/provisions that require Contractor input.

(d) Abbreviations and Acronyms Glossary: Offer shall include a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms for each proposal volume that provides corresponding definitions.

2.0 PASS/FAIL REQUIREMENTS

NOTE: All offerors regardless of qualification status are required to submit this section.

The offeror shall submit the following information with its proposal which will be evaluated as a pass or fail in relation to the solicitation requirements:

2.1 Small Business Participation

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code applicable to this solicitation is 334511 Therefore, companies proposing as a subcontractor under this solicitation as a small business concern must have no more than 1,350 employees. Companies proposed as a small business concern shall meet this size standard as of the date of the proposal submission under this solicitation.

Offeror shall demonstrate how it will provide at least 5% of the proposed total estimated amount of the task order to small business concerns. Offeror shall provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the tasks assigned to the selected small business subcontractors are meaningful in the overall success of the program. The approach shall address use of Small Business Concerns, Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns, Hub Zone Small Business Concerns, Veteran- Owned Small Business Concerns, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns.

In the event multiple similarly situated small businesses join in order to meet the requirement to perform more than 50% of the effort, Offerors are advised that there may be an inherent technical risk associated with no clear prime contractor in charge of ensuring successful performance. Offerors should consider this risk in determining how many partners are needed in order to comply with the greater than 50% requirement.

2.2 Assertion of Qualification Status

All offerors shall make an assertion of TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly First Article Qualification status as follows:

a. Full Qualification:

i. Definition: The offeror is qualified to produce units compliant with the Critical Item

Performance Specification (including associated Technical Data Packages referenced therein) (SOW Applicable Document (AD 3.1 and 3.2.)) and supported by official correspondence from NAVSEA 05 stating as such. First Article will be waived for Offerors with full qualification.

ii. Proposal Requirement: Offerors asserting full qualification status shall provide proof of qualification. Offerors who have successfully completed TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly First Article Qualification shall submit a copy of their NAVSEA 05 First Article Qualification Letter as an attachment to its proposal to demonstrate the required qualifications are IAW SOW ADs 3.1 and 3.2. Offerors that can provide qualification evidence are not required to submit proposal Sections 3.1. Offerors that provide full qualification evidence are not required to submit First Article unit pricing as no First Article units will be ordered under this contract. First Article will be waived for Offerors with full qualification.

b. Partial Qualification:

i. Definition: The offeror is qualified to produce compliant units to an earlier revision of ADs 3.1 and 3.2, including under a Request for Variance (RFV) approved by the Government, but requires design modification and partial qualification in order to meet this contract’s requirements.

ii. Proposal Requirement: Offerors asserting partial qualification status shall provide proof of partial qualification. Proof of partial qualification status include contract for same product which documents the revision of the DWGs & CIPS the Offeror has last built to

(including associated RFVs), a copy of their NAVSEA 05 First Article Qualification Letter or other proof that the Offeror has successfully passed First Article Qualification of the same product. Offerors that can provide this objective quality evidence are not required to submit proposal Sections 3.1. Offerors that can provide partial qualification evidence are required to submit First Article unit pricing as First Article will not be waived, therefore, First Article units will be ordered under this contract.

c. Undergoing Qualification:

i. Definition: The offeror is undergoing Government qualification but has yet to receive final qualification approval.

ii. Proposal Requirement: Offerors undergoing qualification status shall provide proof of its ongoing qualification process, including the current stage of the process and anticipated completion date. Proof of undergoing qualification status includes the contract number specific to a First Article qualification effort for the same product IAW ADs 3.1 and 3.2.

Offerors that can provide this objective quality evidence are not required to submit proposal Sections 3.1. Offerors that provide evidence that they are undergoing Qualification are not required to submit First Article unit pricing as no First Article units will be ordered under this contract.

d. Not Currently Qualified:

i. Definition: The offeror does not presently meet the definitions in (a)(i), (b)(i), and (c)(i) above.

ii. Proposal Requirement: Offerors not qualified shall provide a statement as such. Offerors with this status shall complete the full solicitation requirements in Section 3 below. Not currently qualified offerors are required to submit First Article unit pricing. First Article units will be ordered under this contract as part of the minimum guarantee as detailed above.

If the Government disputes the asserted status, the Government reserves the right to enter into discussions with the offeror solely on this basis.

2.3 Quality Management System

The offeror shall submit either:

a. A copy of the offeror’s current ISO 9001:2015 Certificate of Registration (if registered) or;

b. Documentation of its Quality System.

If the offeror does not have a certified Quality System, in addition to providing the Quality System documents, the Offeror shall demonstrate that its Quality System meets the requirements of SOW ADs 3.8.

3.0 NON-COST/PRICE FACTORS

Offerors shall provide information by addressing each factor in the format and sequence identified in the solicitation. The offeror must provide information in sufficient detail to allow the Government to make an evaluation of the offeror’s ability to perform the work described in the solicitation. The proposal shall be detailed and clearly stated to allow an assessment by the Government without the need for additional clarifications. All information and data provided shall be specific to this solicitation except for the area of

Past Performance. Proposals that do not contain the information required in the solicitation risk being determined unacceptable by the Government.

Offerors are, hereby, notified that performance or capabilities proposed above mandatory minimums may be incorporated into the contract.

In the response to the solicitation, offerors must address the below factors, based on their qualification status as detailed above. Stating that a unit has previously passed a First Article (FA) Qualification without additional discussion or providing details that explain how the design shall meet the requirement is not an acceptable response.

3.1 Factor 1 – Technical Capability

NOTE: Only offerors that are Not Currently Qualified are required to submit proposal section 3.1.

Offerors proposing under any other qualification status shall skip to Section 3.2.

The Offeror shall describe its proposed approach and ability to design, manufacture, test, package, and deliver first article and production TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assemblies, which meet the requirements of the Applicable Documents identified in Statement of Work (SOW) Section 3 by addressing the following topics:

3.1.1 Design Overview

The Offeror shall present an overview of the proposed TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly design which shall include an illustration of the proposed design showing, at a minimum, the components of the design to meet the requirements of ADs 3.1 and 3.2.

3.1.2 Requirements Table

The Offeror shall provide a table in which it describes how each of the critical elements listed below will achieve the performance requirements of the TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly. The Offeror shall list the design features and process control features which are critical to meeting requirements. Offerors may reference proposal paragraphs that appear later in the proposal (i.e. it is acceptable to reference detailed discussions in other sections).

Requirement Critical Design Features and Process Control Features

MATERIAL CONTROL

OBJECTIVE QUALITY

EVIDENCE

(FA and QC Test Spec Para 3.2.1)

Specifically address:

1. Details on specific aspects of the Offeror’s material control process, from receipt inspection to delivery.

Thermal Shock

Specifically address:

(FA and QC Test Spec Para 3.5.15) 1. Details on specific aspects of the Offeror’s selection of seal configuration and rubber formulation to maintain integrity and electrical insulation under temperature extremes.

Connector & Penetrator Molded Rubber (FA and QC Test Spec Para 3.2.15)

Specifically address:

1. The offeror shall describe critical aspects of the rubber molding process, required to consistently produce parts conforming to 3.2.15.

2. Storage & handling of rubber prior to & during molding process

Rubber Material Properties

(FA and QC Test Spec Para 3.2.15)

Specifically address:

1. Details on offeror’s proposed rubber

a. Change in volume due to water absorption

b. Compression set

c. Cure package

2. Offeror’s past work with proposed rubber

Flex and Fatigue (FA and QC Test Spec Para 3.5.9 and 3.5.14)

The offeror shall describe critical aspects of strain relief as it relates to mold dimension and cable geometry.

3.1.3 Performance and Analysis of Proposed Design

The Offeror shall describe the predicted performance of the proposed TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly, including critical aspects of the proposed design which pertain to the performance requirements listed in the table of solicitation section 3.1.2.2.

3.1.4 Basis for Predictions

The Offeror shall specify whether performance predictions are based upon measured data of its initial design, analysis, or both. The Offeror shall describe the measured data or the modeling data and provide objective quality evidence to support its predictions (e.g. measured data, modeling/analysis outputs, or both). Note that identifying or providing text-book type formulas is not acceptable and doing so may result in the Government finding the response unacceptable. If the Offeror is basing its design on a model, it shall describe the basis of the model and shall present the model output data.

3.1.5 Facilities, Tooling and Equipment

The Offeror shall list and describe all existing and planned facilities, tooling and equipment which are required to successfully design, manufacture, test, inspect and deliver TR-317 Series

Hull Penetrator Assembly which meet the requirements set forth in the ADs. That description shall include, but is not limited to:

a) Incoming inspection

b) In-process testing and inspection

c) Special test equipment and tooling

d) Special manufacturing equipment

e) Calibration equipment and techniques

f) Final inspection

g) Packaging and shipping

h) Documentation control

i) Data retention and distribution

j) Secure storage for government-furnished information

If the Offeror does not have test facilities that are capable of performing the testing of the TR-317 Series Hull Penetrator Assembly, the Offeror shall provide an attestation of a commitment or explicit arrangement that will be in existence at the time of contract award, to either subcontract out the testing or itself or acquire the needed facilities, equipment, other resources, or personnel to satisfy the test requirements set forth in the ADs.

3.1.6 Technical Risk Assessment

Every design, fabrication and manufacturing effort involves risk. The Offeror shall identify potential risks and provide a mitigation approach for each identified risk within the following areas:

-Sub-Contractors and Vendors (if applicable) – Use of sub-contractors for critical processes or critical subassemblies, and/or sole source vendors for critical or long-lead parts (e.g. connectors, test cables, ceramic, machined components, elastomers, etc.). The Offeror shall provide details on the supply chain to ensure material will be available for life of contract, inclusive of its own efforts.

-Meeting all performance requirements of the ADs, and how it affects the first article and production plan and schedule.

3.1.7 Configuration Management

The Offeror shall provide a detailed summary of its internal configuration management procedures, which shall include its process for revision control of drawings that ensures the correct revisions are being used and the means by which it promulgates engineering changes approved by the Government through its manufacturing processes.

3.1.8 First Article Design

The Offeror shall describe its approach to developing, testing, building and verifying the first article design for qualification. Specific to subassembly-level testing prior to First Article qualification, the Offeror shall detail the manufacturing equipment, fixtures, facilities, measurement tools and analysis equipment used in the process, preferably in tabular format, and specifically identify whether the aforementioned items are currently in-place or will be procured or developed as part of First Article Process. The Offeror shall describe how initial subassembly-level testing will be used to refine the final design during the First Article process.

3.1.9 Test and Inspection

- The Offeror shall present an outline of its processes for receipt inspection of material procurements.

- The Offeror shall present an outline of all data obtained from in-process testing that will be delivered as part of the First Article Test/Inspection Reports, in accordance with the requirements of SOW Section 4.2.7,

- The Offeror shall present an outline of all data obtained from in-process testing that will be delivered as part of the Production Test/Inspection Reports, in accordance with the requirements of SOW Section 4.2.4.

- The Offeror shall present an outline of all data obtained from receipt inspection and in-process testing that will be delivered as part of the Certification/Data Report, in accordance with SOW Section 4.3.5 and SOW AD 3.5.

3.2 Past Performance

NOTE: All offerors, regardless of Qualification Status, are required to submit this section.

(a) The Offeror shall provide three (3) past performance references, if available, that reflect recent relevant experience performed within the last three (3) years of the closing date of the solicitation that demonstrate the ability to perform the work required by this solicitation.

For each reference, the Offeror shall include the contract number, contract type, program name, total contract dollar value, and names and valid telephone numbers for the Procuring Contract Officer (PCO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and Government Program Manager (PM).

For each reference, the Offeror shall identify its role as either a prime contractor or a subcontractor on the referenced contract.

If the Offeror was a subcontractor on the reference, then the Offeror shall provide an explanation of its role in contract performance as well as the dollar value of its subcontract.

For each reference, the Offeror shall also provide a written explanation describing the work that was performed and how the work was or is relevant to the work being proposed in this solicitation. The Offeror may provide information on problems encountered on the identified contracts and the Offeror's corrective actions.

(b) Each past performance reference shall not exceed two (2) pages per reference, for a total of six (6) pages.

(c) Subcontractors proposed to perform more than 25% of the total proposed value of the contract shall also submit three (3) past performance references, if available, that reflect recent relevant experience performed within the last three (3) years and demonstrate the ability to perform the required work under the contract resulting from the current solicitation. Subcontractor past performance references shall contain the same information as that of the prime as listed in paragraph (a), above. Each past performance reference shall not exceed two (2) pages per reference, for a total of six (6) pages per subcontractor.

(d) If submitting subcontractor experience for subcontractors proposed to perform more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total contract value, the offeror shall include a commitment signed by the offeror and subcontractor certifying that if a contract is awarded resulting from the proposal, the parties commit to joint performance as proposed.

(d)(1) If affiliate companies, sister companies, teaming arrangements, joint venture agreement, etc., proposed to perform more than twenty-five (25%) of the total contract value, the offeror shall submit documentation that the affiliate will perform significant and critical aspects of the contract if awarded.

Documentation must include a copy of the signed arrangement (ex. documented affiliation, a copy of the teaming agreement, a copy of the joint venture agreement).

(e) As this is a SUBSAFE LEVEL 1 material requirement the Government reserves the right to consider Product Data Reporting and Evaluation Program (PDREP) data as part of its Past Performance confidence assessment.

4.0 COST/PRICE

NOTE: All offerors regardless of qualification status are required to submit this section.

Offerors shall fill-in the pricing tables in section B for all contract line items. Offerors to which FA unit pricing is not applicable shall indicate not applicable in their proposal.