HEMP Q and A.pdf

High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) Hardness Maintenance/Hardness Surveillance (HM/HS) Engineering/Technical Support and Enhancements

FA4600-26-R-0002

Site Visit Questions and Answers

Q1: Regarding SC49: The current program plan mandates testing for all surge protection devices (SPDs), but does not explicitly list the VHF/UHF filters or any associated surge arrestors. During the recent site visit, it was noted that the shielded cabinet and filters are scheduled for replacement in April. Polyphaser filters typically utilize in-line spark gaps which require voltage breakdown and VSWR or S11 testing. Furthermore, additional spark gaps are often located near the antennas. Please confirm if these specific SPDs will be required to be tested.

A1: The Government confirms the VHF/UHF filters and any associated surge arrestors will need to be tested.

Q2: Are there SPM surge arrestors on the cooling tower motors, heaters, etc?

A2: There are surge protection devices on the cooling tower fans.

Q3: For B1000, can the Government provide a complete list of HCIs/HCAs from the database management system mentioned in the program plan?

A3: The CUI plans and procedures identify what are HCI and HCA. A complete list of HCIs and HCAs will be provided to awardee.

Q4: For B1000 Maintenance of Primary and Secondary Air Compressors, who is responsible for maintenance? The program plan does not mention anything except for when building air is lost.

A4: The B1000 maintenance contract is responsible for maintenance of the primary air compressor. Offerors to the solicitation FA4600-26-R-0002 are responsible for maintenance of the smaller secondary air compressor and dryer. See FA4600-26-R-0002 Amendment 2, updated Attachment 4, PWS, Sections 4.1.1.4 and 4.2.1.4.

Q5: Are all CDRLs and deliverables acceptable in the contractor’s format?

A5: Yes

Q6: Referencing PWS Paras 4.1.2.3 and 4.2.2.3, Ultrasonic test procedures are not outlined in program plan for B1000. What percentage of the shield needs to be tested on an annual basis?

Can an example technical report and test plan be provided?

A6: IAW the PWS, the contractor shall perform ultrasonic thickness testing on accessible HEMP shield surfaces within B1000 at Offutt AFB. This effort shall target 100% of shield surfaces that can be safely accessed and are free of obstructions.

Historically, for B1000, the contractor performs singular Ultrasonic Test points on every panel per shielded side; i.e., 150 test points on the west wall / 150 test points on the east wall / 126 test points on the north wall / 144 test points on the south wall / 145 test points on the hatch subfloor / 233 test points on the shielded roof.

The awardee will provide the results of its Ultrasonic Testing in CDRL A010. Previous reports can be provided to awardee after contract award.

See updated Attachment 4 PWS 4.1.2.3, FA4600-26-R-0002 Amendment 2.

Q7: Referencing PWS Para 5.2 and CDRL A013, can the contractor’s Program Management team attend digitally, or does the Government require in person program management attendance?

A7: Contractor’s Program Management team can attend the Program Management Review meetings virtually.

Q8: Referencing PWS Para 5.7, the Contractor recommends Transition Plans be executed as separate CLINs, similar to emergency call CLINs. Transitions should only be executed upon award to non-incumbent contractors. Otherwise, this could be an unnecessary cost to the Government.

A8: CLIN 0008 is the Transition Labor CLIN for B1000 and CLIN 0009 is the Transition Labor CLIN for B500 HSE as indicated in the Solicitation’s Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs Section and Attachment 3 Price Model. The anticipated Period of Performance (PoP) is 16 Apr 2026 – 30 Apr 2026 and will only be exercised if the incumbent is not the awardee.

Q9: Referencing PWS Para 5.7.1, does the phase-in transition plan need to be submitted with the proposal or within a certain time-frame upon award?

A9: The phase-in transition plan needs to be submitted in Offeror’s proposal in Volume I contract documentation.

Q10: Referencing PWS Section 6.0 table, the contractor recommends revising A006 to Labeling Report. Physical labeling is typically not a CDRL, same as executing CWIS is not a CDRL (A009); the report is.

A10: The Government will update PWS Section 5.8 Deliverables Table, CDRL A006 to Phenolic Labeling Report. See FA4600-26-R-0002 Amendment 2, Attachment 4, PWS.

Q11: Referencing PWS Para 7.1, “the Contractor personnel shall be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) level security clearance (facility and employee)". The contractor understands the requirement for an employee. Is the expectation the contractor will be creating TS/SCI documents or storing them at their home office? The contractor’s expectation is TS/SCI will only be created and stored onsite in B1000.

The contractor requests a PWS change to reflect TS/SCI storage not be a FCL requirement.

A11: The Government does not anticipate the contractor creating or storing TS/SCI documents at its home office.

Q12: Referencing PWS Para 7.2, will it be required for the designated Project Manager to obtain a TS/SCI clearance?

A12: Per updated PWS 7.1.2. The Contractor personnel shall be required to possess at time of award and maintain a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) level security clearance. This is required for access to the B1000 and B500 HSE site. See FA4600-26-R-0002 Amendment 2, Attachment 4, PWS.

Q13: Are both referenced Technical Orders tied to the Building 500?

A13: No, the Technical Orders are not tied to B1000 or B500 HSE and have been removed from the PWS. See updated Attachment 4, PWS, FA4600-25-R-0002 Amendment 2.

Q14: Can both TOs referenced in the PWS be provided?

A14: The Technical Orders are not tied to B1000 or B500 HSE and have been removed from the PWS. See updated Attachment 4, PWS, FA4600-25-R-0002 Amendment 2.

Q15: Can the Government provide a recent technical report shield performance and executed HM/HS procedures?

A15: The awardee will provide the results of its SE Testing in CDRL A008, the results of its CWIS Testing in CDRL A009 and the results of its Ultrasonic Testing in CDRL A010. The contractor will provide HM/HS Logs in CDRL A002. Previous reports and HM/HS Logs can be provided to awardee after contract award.

Q16: Can the Government provide the most recent HEMP topology report/Drawing package, CWIS Test Plan, and any program documentation related to the Data Item Descriptions outlined in the MIL-STD-188-125-1A?

A16: Previous reports and HM/HS Logs can be provided to awardee after contract award.

Q17: Will SELDs testing be required if the CWIS testing can be accomplished, even if only 25% of the facility is completed annually?

A17: Yes. Certain areas of the shield cannot be CWIS tested and SELDs testing is used in place of CWIS testing. See FA4600-26-R-0002, Attachment 4, PWS Section 4.1.2.2

Q18: Clarification on what is required for the 3Y and 6Y requirements for all PPDs? Procedures are not outlined in the Program Plans or PWS. Is full VPCI testing required during the 3Y? The 6Y periodicity falls within the window of reverification requirements for VPCI, and would likely be satisfied under that separate contracted effort. Please confirm.

A18: The CUI Plans and Procedures are being updated and are expected to be sent to all Offerors that have already submitted its Attachment 1 NDA NLT 12 February 2026. 3Y has been removed. The 6Y does fall within the PoP of this requirement; therefore, reverification will be completed by a company other than awardee.

Q19: For CLIN 0002 and CLIN 0005 and referencing Attachment 3, should contractors assume this number is a required plug number? It appears these CLINs are being executed as T&M, but is listed as FFP CLINs.

A19: CLINs X002 and X005 are Government populated values and are not to be updated by Offeror in Offeror’s proposal submission of Attachment 3 Price Model or the Solicitation’s Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs Section. The pricing arrangement is firm fixed price.

These ODC CLINs will be utilized to purchase filters and shielded cabinets only. All other consumable materials, such as MOVs, fingerstock, etc. shall be accounted for in Offeror’s labor CLINs as Offerors are to provide all consumable maintenance materials, repair parts and equipment IAW PWS 5.6. When the need arises to purchase ODCs, the contractor will submit three quotes as evidence of price reasonableness to the COR or CO for Government approval.

Once the Government approves the proposed purchase of ODCs, then incremental funding will be obligated for the specific ODC purchase. Profit shall not be allowed on the purchase of ODCs; however, this does not preclude the contractor’s application of G&A or M&H from being added to the quotes submitted for ODCs. Contractor invoicing on this CLIN shall only be approved when Government approved ODCs are purchased.

Q20: Please confirm whether the totals calculated in Attachment 3 (Price Model) should be copied directly into the CLIN Schedule beginning on page 3 of the RFP as part of the Offeror’s price proposal.

A20: Offerors shall utilize the Attachment 3 Price Model to reflect Offeror’s price proposal.

CLINs X002 and X005 are Government populated values and are not to be updated by Offerors.

When the contract is awarded, the Government will populate CLIN values based upon awardee’s Attachment 3 Price Model CLIN values.

Q21: Attachment 3 (Price Model) only includes fields for fully burdened labor rates and labor hours. Please confirm whether these labor rates are intended to include consumable or incidental material costs (e.g., fingerstock, MOVs). If not, please advise how Offerors should account for these costs within the contract pricing structure.

A21: All labor shall be reflected in CLINs X001, X003, X004 and X005 as well as CLINs 0008 and 0009, if those CLINs are executed. All material cost, other than ODCs (filters and shielded cabinets), shall be accounted for in Offeror’s labor CLINs as Offerors are to provide all consumable maintenance materials, repair parts and equipment IAW PWS 5.6 (Attachment 4).

Q22: Attachment 3 (Price Model) only includes fields for fully burdened labor rates and labor hours. Please confirm whether these labor rates are intended to include costs associated with SE Testing (PWS 4.1.2.1 and 4.2.2.1), CWIS Testing (PWS 4.1.2.2 and 4.2.2.2), and Ultrasonic Shield Testing (PWS 4.1.2.3 and 4.2.2.3). If not, please advise how Offerors should account for these testing costs within the contract pricing structure.

A22: All labor shall be reflected in CLINs X001, X003, X004 and X005 as well as CLINs 0008 and 0009, if those CLINs are executed. All material cost, other than ODCs (filters and shielded cabinets), shall be accounted for in Offeror’s labor CLINs as Offerors are to provide all consumable maintenance materials, repair parts and equipment IAW PWS 5.6 (Attachment 4).

Q23: Please confirm that the Contractor should not provide pricing for CLINs 0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, 4007, and 5007 as the RFP states "Not Separately Priced."

A23: CLINs X007 are for Contract Data Requirements (CDRLs) and are not separately priced.

All labor associated with CDRLs shall be reflected in CLINs X001, X003, X004 and X005 as well as CLINs 0008 and 0009, if those CLINs are executed. As directed in Attachment 3 Price Model Directions Tab, Offerors are to fill in only the cells that are highlighted in yellow.

Q24: Please confirm that Offerors should propose an hourly labor rate for the B1000 Emergency CLINs and that material costs are not included in this rate.

A24: All labor shall be reflected in CLINs X001, X003, X004 and X005 as well as CLINs 0008 and 0009, if those CLINs are executed. All material cost, other than ODCs (filters and shielded cabinets), shall be accounted for in Offeror’s labor CLINs as Offerors are to provide all consumable maintenance materials, repair parts and equipment IAW PWS 5.6 (Attachment 4).

Q25: Please confirm that Offerors qualifying as Small Businesses are not required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

A25: IAW the Solicitation’s FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, Paragraph 2.1.2, a Small Business Subcontracting Plan shall be provided IAW FAR 19.704 by Offerors not otherwise exempt for a reason such as being a small business concern. A small business is exempt from the requirement of submitting a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

Q26: PWS Section 4.1.1 states that the Contractor shall perform inspections, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance (e.g., repairs or replacements). For corrective maintenance activities, please clarify the intended level of replacement. Specifically, does “repairs or replacements” include replacement of complete assemblies or components (e.g., entire filter assemblies or doors), or is corrective maintenance limited to repair or replacement of minor subcomponents and wear items (e.g., gaskets, fingerstock, seals, fasteners, or similar parts)?

A26: Minor components are required to be provided by the contractor IAW Attachment 4, PWS Para 5.6. PWS Para. 4.1.1 has been revised accordingly, see below and the updated Attachment 4 PWS in FA4600-26-R-0002 Amendment 2.

The Contractor shall perform inspections, preventive maintenance (e.g., adjustments or cleaning), corrective maintenance (i.e. repairs or replacements of minor subcomponents or wear and tire items such as gaskets, fingerstock, seals, fasteners, metal oxide varistors, and similar parts), and testing on the HEMP protection subsystem and/or its HCIs and assemblies. These HM/HS activities are intended to eliminate or detect faults or to preserve specified HEMP protection subsystem performance levels and observe and monitor the condition and performance of the hardening elements. In addition to maintenance actions, surveillance measures as described in MIL-HDBK-423 chapter 20, HM/HS shall be required on a systematic basis to validate the performance of HEMP systems.

Q27: Please confirm whether there are any cost, material, or labor thresholds that distinguish corrective maintenance from work that would be considered outside the scope of this contract and require separate authorization, modification, or replacement projects.

A27: See para. 5.1 of the B1000 Plans and Procedures Manual and B500 Plans and Procedures Manual

Q28: For purposes of the base HM/HS CLINs, is rust mitigation limited to localized corrosion repair at the specific affected location only (i.e., spot treatment), with any broader or area-wide corrosion remediation of the HEMP shield envelope to be performed only when separately directed and funded by the Government?

A28: Rust mitigation for HM/HS maintenance purposes is limited to localized corrosion repair at the specific affected location, i.e. spot treatment. Any larger rust mitigation area would be handled via contract modification.

Q29: If available, please advise whether the Government has established an estimated magnitude for this opportunity.

A29: The Government’s estimated magnitude for this requirement is 30,000 – 40,000 labor hours.

Q30: The solicitation requires the Offeror to possess a Facility Clearance and to employ appropriately cleared personnel in accordance with PWS Paragraph 7.1. Paragraph 7.1 states that the Contractor shall possess a Facility Clearance at the time of award. Given that performance under this contract requires personnel with TS/SCI clearances, please confirm whether a Top Secret Facility Clearance is required for this project at the time of award.

A30: A Facility Clearance is required for this requirement at the time of award. See Solicitation FA4600-26-R-0002 FAR 52.212-1 Addendum Para 3.2.4, FAR 52.212-2 Addendum Para 8.2.4 and Attachment 4 PWS 7.1.1.

Q31: PWS Paragraph 7.1.2 addresses personnel clearance requirements. Please confirm at what point during contract performance the Contractor would be required to provide TS/SCI-cleared personnel to perform HM/HS activities (e.g., at award, at notice to proceed, or prior to commencement of specific tasking).

A31: At time of award. See FA4600-26-R-0002 Amendment 2, Attachment 4, PWS, Para 7.1.2

Q32: Please confirm that, although the Emergency Service Call CLINs are option CLINs exercised only in the event of an emergency, PWS Section 6 (Services Summary) requires the Contractor to be onsite within four (4) hours of emergency notification. Accordingly, please confirm that the Contractor would be required to staff the project with locally available, TS/SCI-cleared HM/HS technicians capable of responding within this timeframe.

A32: Confirmed. The Contractor is required to be onsite within four (4) hours of emergency notification.

Q33: As this solicitation requires the handling, transmission, and storage of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), DFARS 252.204-7021, Contractor Compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program, would apply. Please confirm whether this clause is intended to be included in the solicitation.

A33: As this requirement does not necessitate Offerors to utilize its information systems in the performance of the resulting contract and the program office or the requiring activity has not specified a CMMC level, DFARS 252.204-7021 is not applicable and will not be included in the resulting contract.

Q34: Per PWS 4.2.1.4 Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RMA) The Contractor shall provide RMA metrics on HEMP HCIs/HCAs to include filter elements, Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs), door finger stock and bladders, and supporting door hardware (controllers, valves, air compressors). Can the Gov't provide a baseline (or redacted) copy of the facility's inventory of these items? Wearable and replaceable items, per this PWS, are consumables required to be provided under this FFP proposal and must be priced according to anticipated (or historical) usage rates.

A34: The Government does not have historical usage or inventory of these items.

Q35: Are there Technical Orders (TO)s outside of this contract that we need to refer to? TO’s are mentioned several times in the PWS section 4. If there are additional TO’s that we need to reference and abide by will the Government please provide them?

A35: The Technical Orders are not tied to B1000 or B500 HSE and have been removed from the PWS. See updated Attachment 4, PWS, FA4600-25-R-0002 Amendment 2.