Attachment 0008 - DRFP Industry Q and A - NGT-II - 25JUN2025.pdf

Number Question / Comment Rationale / Secondary Remarks Reference Government Response

We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

1st Next Generation Transponder (NGT) Contract was W52P1J-21- D-0007.

The PWS requires a storage temperature range of -50°C to +125°C. However, Iridium modems (required for satellite/hybrid CLINs X002/X003) typically specify narrower storage ranges (e.g., 5°C to 25°C). Will devices meeting operational temperature (-40°C to +85°C) but not the full storage range be considered compliant?

Clarify flexibility for critical satellite components where industry-standard hardware may not meet extreme storage specs.

PWS 3.6, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 13, Paragraph 3.6

PWS was updated to reflect appropriate temperature for operational and storage.

For ‘subdued color’ (PWS 4.4), will industrial-grade gray satisfy requirements without military-specific finishes? To clarify if standard industrial colors are acceptable.

PWS 4.4, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.4

Yes gray would be an acceptable color.

The PWS specifies a maximum device volume of 86 cubic inches and separate dimensional constraints for ISO container mounting (max 2.5" horizontal, 1.5" vertical/depth). If a device meets the 86 cubic inch volume requirement but exceeds one of the dimensional constraints, will it be considered compliant if it can be securely mounted on containers without protruding beyond the corrugation ribs?

To clarify whether volume compliance alone satisfies the requirement, or if dimensional limits are absolute regardless of mounting location or total volume.

PWS 4.5, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.5

PWS was updated to reflect maximum dimensions for Length, Width, and Depth for a maximum volume of 86 cubic inches.

For the visual battery status indicator requirement (PWS 4.7), will an online or mobile app display of battery status be acceptable?

To clarify if digital/remote battery status meets the PWS requirement for a visual battery indicator.

PWS 4.7, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.7

PWS was updated to reflect battery status will be a data element pushed to RF-ITV. No visual requirement is needed on device.

Is USB-C charging mandatory, or can proprietary ruggedized connectors be used if provided with each device?

To clarify if alternative charging solutions are acceptable for rugged devices.

PWS 4.7, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.7

USG requirement is for non-proprietary connections for these devices; Requesting USB-C, USB Micro or other universal connections.

Will JSON APIs with AES-256 encryption be acceptable if middleware converts data to SOAP/XML before RF-ITV delivery (PWS 4.8.1)?

To clarify if data format conversion via middleware is compliant with

PWS.

PWS 4.8.1, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16- 17, Paragraph 4.8.1

Yes if middleware converts data to SOAP/XML before pushing to RF-

ITV.

If a device exceeds 120-day battery life on a single charge and is solar rechargeable with back up battery, will this be compliant?

To clarify if longer battery life is acceptable without the need to manually recharge using Charging Cables

PWS 4.8.3, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 18, Paragraph 4.7

USG minimum requirement is for at least 120 days battery life with rechargable devices using charging cords

Can a bidder submit a bid for multiple device models or variants under a single

CLIN/SLIN?

To clarify if offerors can propose multiple device options under the same CLIN/SLIN for flexibility and evaluation.

Section L / Price Matrix, Vol 3, Attach 4, Pg 23, Paragraph L.4.4.1

No; bidders can only submit one device per CLIN.

If a proposal passes Subfactor A but has minor gaps, can these be resolved post-award via CCP without disqualification?

To clarify if minor non-compliances can be addressed via post-award contract changes.

Section M, Vol 2, Attach 5, Pg 5, Paragraph M.3.7

Any non-compliance should be addressed prior to award.

The PWS requires that NGT-II devices allow for easy power on/off functionality directly on the device, without the need for additional hardware. Will a device, which comes with a magnet that physically enables/activates the device suffice to meet this requirement?

To clarify if magnet-based activation and automatic inventory mode satisfy the PWS requirement for direct, hardware-free on/off capability and user-controllable power management.

PWS 4.7, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.7

PWS was update; magnet based activation is acceptable if integrated on the device.

For 24/7 service desk response times (PWS 5.4), if real-time portal-based ticketing with 95% resolution within 4 hours is provided, does this meet the requirement without live phone support?

To clarify if digital/portal-based support is acceptable for 24/7 service desk.

PWS 5.4, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 20, Paragraph 5.4

USG requirement is for the Service Desk to have 24/7 availability, with toll-free telephonic support.

Will hosted services containing the source data for the exchange be required to be hosted in GovCloud or will commercial AWS hosting infrastructure be permissible? To clarify the hosting/infrastructure requirements for the service.

PWS 4.8, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.8.1

USG requirement for data exchange is referenced in PWS 4.8.1 with cyber details in PWS 3.7. Commercial infrastructure is permissible as long as it meets the requirements of PWS.

42 Same as above for the Website. To clarify the hosting/infrastructure requirements for the Website PWS 5.5, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 20, Paragraph 5.5

USG requirement for website is referenced in PWS 5.5. Vendor website is permissible as long as it meets the requirements of PWS.

Paragraph 3.5 of the PWS states in part that "The Contractor shall ensure their products are listed on the DOD Unified Capabilities (UC) Approved Product List (APL) prior to delivery." However, the DoDIN APL Approved Products Certification Office (APCO) has stated that "Transponders are not within the scope of the DoDIN APL as defined by the Unified Capabilities Requirements (UCR) 2013 Change 2:

https://aplits.disa.mil/docs/UCR-2013-Change2.pdf." Would the Government please amend the Draft PWS as necessary to reflect that transponders are not within the scope of the DoDIN APL and define what Approved Product List the Government uses for non-classified transponders?

Revising the Draft PWS will allow offerors to meet the requirements of the solicitation.

PWS, Vol 2, Attach 1, Pg 13, Paragraph 3.5

PWS was updated to reflect EMSS APL vs DOD UC APL. Latest EMSS APL date 13 May 2025.

Pricing is to be provided on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis per unit for Satellite, Cellular, and Hybrid Transponders. Given the requirement that offerors must provide 24/7/365 Service Desk Support Program Support, and other ancilary support, would the Government please provide the anticipated number of products/units by CLIN it expects to order on an annual basis to enable offerors to provide the Government with the most competitive CLIN prices possible?

Providing the anticipated number of units by CLIN will enable offerors to price this requirement effectively. PriceMatrix, Attach 3, NGT-II tab

USG is not able to project this information because this contract is open to all DOD organizations and expectations for each group is not known by the PMO. Minimum buy is $20K per CLIN.

Evaluation criteria in Attachment 0005, M.3.1.1 Volume 1a: Technical Subfactor 1a:

Technical Matrix [Pass/Fail] states: "3 Provide the following information for all CLINs/SLINs: a. Model / Part Number, b. Manufacturer, c. Part Description, d. Quantity.

Will the government please include the field for Quantity in Attachment 0002 - Technical Matrix or remove quantity from the list of evaluation criteria?

Revising Attachment 002 will allow offerors to meet the requirements of the solicitation. Section M, Attach 5

Concur. Quantity has been removed as a technical subfactor within Attachment 0002, Technical Matrix.

NAL notes the absence of any "Technical Engineering Services" that were included in the RFI's prior to this latest Pre-RFP release. There are rapidly growing geographic regions where commercial GNSS is either being jammed or spoofed so NAL Research recommends that the USG allow an option once again include “ Technical Engineering Services” to add a crtitical capability such as Iridium APNT, which is an Army program of record.

Without this capability, the USG will not be able to use commercial GNSS and have effective asset tracking in a growing number of locations and regions worldwide.

USG does not have a requirement for Technical Engineering Services at this time.

The maximum dimensions of 2.5" x 2.5" x 1.5" is less than the 86 cubic inch maximum volume. Also, container corrugations can exceed these dimensions (including front of a container and doors) so they are unnecessarily limiting.

Recommend removing maximum dimensions or determining the actual maximum dimensions of container corrugations which are not standardized.

PWS, Vol 1, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.5

PWS was updated to reflect maximum dimensions for Length, Width, and Depth for a maximum volume of 86 cubic inches.

The operating and/or storage temperature range exceed that of the current ITV system/devices, commercial and industrial semi-conductor ranges including the cellular and satellite modules specified elsewhere.

Recommend the operating and storage temperature ranges match the existing active RFID based ITV system: -32C to +70C Operating and - 40C to +85C Storage

Government Standards and Compliance, 3.6 Operating Environments, Vol 1, Attach 1, Pg 13, Paragraph 3.6

PWS was updated to reflect appropriate temperature for operational and storage.

Will the government accept multiple transponder options within each CLIN from one proposer, e.g. two cellular/satellite/hybrid transponders?

Provides the government with different device options from a single vendor for a given CLIN.

Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award, Vol 1, Attach 5, Pg 1, Paragraph M.1.1

No; bidders can only submit one device per CLIN.

50 Will the government accept solar recharged batteries instead of a corded charger?

Devices are available that can operate for 10+ years with a solar panel as the charging source.

PWS, Power Requirements, Vol 1, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.7

USG minimum requirement is for transponders to be chargable with a cord.

Will the government acecpt alternative methods of battery status checks such as a handheld mobile device/app or utilization of the RF-ITV tracking portal when users are maintaining NGTs?

The current active RFID tags do not not have a visual indicator. NGT data specifications require a battery status be sent to the RF-ITV server.

PWS, Power Requirements, Vol 1, Attach 1, Pg 16, Paragraph 4.7

PWS was updated to reflect battery status will be a data element pushed to RF-ITV. No visual requirement is needed on device.

After the review of the Draft RFP, our only comments are as follows, to consider including within the RFP, requirements for agnostic encryption to be included within the program.

That way, responses, will be sure to include agnostic encryption as part of their response to the actual response and will be included within the cost. This will ensure data security.

USG requirement for encryption is included within the PWS.

DRFP Industry Q&A 25 JUN