FA560624Q0014 Questions 11 April 2024.pdf

LRS RFID Warehouse Optimization Project – Questions Document

Spangdahlem AB, Germany

FA560624Q0014

Items:

1. Please provide details of the IPE to be tagged. What type of CBRN equipment will be tagged and approximately how many of each surface material?

a. All IPE items being tagged are sealed in either plastic or a metal foil. The packaging will be tagged, not the item itself. The smallest surface area of an item being tagged is 1” x 3”.

2. Will it be CBRN PPE stored in plastic bags or full CBRN PPE Kits (w/gas mask, canisters, boots, etc.) or other type of CBRN equipment like Decontamination Tents/Showers, HazMat/CBRN Response Vehicles?

a. There will be no CBRN PPE Kits or large-scale equipment like tents, showers, or vehicles included.

3. To allow for equal competition will the Government please provide the current inventory list?

a. We will not be providing the current inventory list.

Tag Information:

4. With reference to the SOW Scope: “Must be adhesive to plastic, paper and metal foil,” what are the details of the estimated volumes required for each of these different surfaces.

a. The RFID tags do not have a size requirement.

b. There are approximately 65K plastic items, 32K metal foil items, and 3K paper items.

5. What type of adhesive will be required (Permanent or removable).

a. Both types of adhesives are acceptable.

6. Do we have to print anything on the Passive UHF RFID Tags? Please provide detailed information.

a. No; printing on the tags is not necessary.

7. What information is required to be captured by the RFID tags? Serial number, lot number, sizes, expiration dates?

a. Item name, stock number, contract number, lot number, manufacturer date, expiration date.

Location:

8. Describe the environment that these labels will be used in.

a. The labels will be stored in 2 different warehouses. The items are stored in plastic and cardboard containers placed on large industrial metal racks/shelving.

9. What is the temperature range of the environment where items may go?

a. 20 degrees – 95 degrees Fahrenheit

10. Do you just want to do all scanning using Handheld RFID Reader, or would you like to install Fixed RFID Readers as well?

a. Per the updated SOW Scope, three (3) handheld scanners and three (3) fixed readers.

11. Does the Government require wiring for separate network for contractor provided Server and Laptops to connect or is WiFi feasible? If contractor provided, please provide number of warehouses, square feet and distance to each from preferred central Server point, rooms and floors where laptop access shall be required.

a. A connection to government WiFi/networks is not feasible. Moreover, any WiFi reliance is not permitted.

b. Warehouse 1: 106K sq ft

c. Warehouse 2: 454K sq ft

d. Central server is preferred to be located in Warehouse 1. Distance between warehouse

1 and Warehouse 2 is 60 meters.

Hardware:

12. Will you provide the computer/server to install the RFID software solution components?

a. No; system hardware must be provided by the contractor per the SOW Scope “Provide system hardware (all must be compatible with 220v European outlets and power sources).”

13. Please indicate if there is a preference between (i) each (3) tablet/laptop (station) will be connected to the server hosting the software, or (ii) two tablets/laptops (stations) are connected to a third station that also acts as a server. If neither option is acceptable, please indicate the desired architecture and confirm how data will be synched between the (3) tablets/laptops (stations).

a. Both options are acceptable if it meets the criteria in the SOW Scope.

14. Please indicate if the there is a preference between a tablet or a laptop, and if there is a preference for the tablet and/or laptop to have a built-in CAC reader.

a. There is no preference between tablet or laptop. The hardware does not need to have a built-in CAC reader however, the digital signature capability does need to be available.

15. Please confirm if the CAC/PIN will be used to authorize usage of the tablet/laptop (station) and/or the scanner.

a. No; the CAC-enabled feature is not required to authorize usage on the tablet/laptop by the IPE members. The CAC reader, pin-enable feature will exist to identify which customers are being issued gear when processing AF Form 1297.

16. How many tags will the RFID equipment be expected to read per second?

a. There is no required time for scanning per second.

Software:

17. What features must be on the Mobile App on the Handheld RFID Reader? What features must be on the Enterprise RFID Web Application?

a. Handheld RFID Reader – Inventory capabilities by isolated locations and/or stock numbers.

b. RFID Computer Station features – Inventory quantities. Data filter by location and stock number. Export to excel. Dates of most recent scans/quantity inputs. AF Form 1297 data information input.

18. Are there any frequency requirements applicable to the handheld scanners and tags?

a. Must be in accordance with standard German guidelines. Should you need more information, please request it from Lt Camille Bowen at camille.bowen.1@us.af.mil.

19. Will the Air Force Form 1297 include distinct sections for check-in and check-out processes?

Furthermore, how is the integration of CAC for digital signatures planned, especially considering the system is standalone and lacks network connectivity? Is the check-in/check-out process for assets necessary?

a. The AF Form 1297 has distinct sections for item identification. The AF Form 1297 has a digital signature option embedded - CAC/Pin capabilities are required to support this signature option. The check-in/check-out process for assets is necessary.

20. What Operating system will the software need to run on?

a. The system does not have to have a specific operating system if it meets the SOW.

Sustainment Costs:

21. In regards to this RFQ, can you please provide details on what the unit requires for CLIN

1001-1004 Sustainment Costs.

a. Sustainment costs are the bare minimum items or necessary software/hardware changes or updates vital to keep the system serviceable. Common office supplies (toner, paper, etc.) do not need to be provided by the contractor. Contractor personnel are not required to be in person to ensure the serviceability of the system.

b. Revised Response: If in-person site visits are necessary for sustainment, please provide justification. Otherwise, the Government is requesting virtual software sustainment only.

c. If you have already submitted a proposal, please adjust your sustainment costs or provide justification, as requested in 21.b., accordingly.

22. How many times we have to travel to Germany post installation?

a. Having contractors in person after the 90-day installation period is not necessary.

Contracting:

23. Is there any preference for small business or SBA 8(a) certified company?

a. No; there will be no small business preference.

24. What is the expected time from the contract award to final successful installation?

a. Per the SOW 4.4 Period of Performance, “From the time of initial purchase to complete installation on-site is not to exceed 90 calendar days.”

25. What is the Government’s criteria (metrics for success) of proficiency of the system? Does the Government intend to maintain contractor presence for some period NTE 90 days to monitor Government usage of the RFID tool, make spot corrections of the IPE workforce and conduct retraining (if required)?

mailto:camille.bowen.1@us.af.mil

a. See the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation FA560624Q0014 Section Evaluation Criteria. The Government may maintain contractor presence NTE 90 days.

26. What type of contract is anticipated to be awarded?

a. Firm Fixed Price

27. Is the contractor required to tag all of the PPE Gear as part of the scope of the contract? If Yes, will Air Force personnel be available to assist in the tagging of equipment?

a. No, the contractor is not required to tag all of the PPE.

28. Will inspections or testing be required on any of the equipment?

a. No; the items will remain in their sealed packaging.

29. How many people will need to be trained initially and in each option year? Will the government provide a classroom setting for training?

a. Approximately 20 people will require initial training and the government will provide a classroom setting for training. Training will not be included in sustainment costs.

The Government will be responsible for training after the initial 90-day installation period.

Additional Questions:

30. How many users will use the RFID software solution?

a. Approximately 20 users.

31. Will a forklift and pallet jack be provided by the government?

a. This equipment is not necessary for this requirement.

32. What will the inventory status be on the start date? Will 100% of the inventory be accounted for? Will the contractor be required to perform a physical count?

a. The contractor will not be required to perform a physical count.

33. We understand that our pricing must be entered into the Synopsis pdf file. However, the version we have downloaded does not allow us to modify the Unit Price or Extended Price columns, but we are able to alter the Line Item, Description, Quantity and Unit columns.

Please would you reissue this document with the Price columns open for input.

a. It is not necessary to input the items directly into the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation FA560624Q0014 document. Please ensure the Contract Line Item Structure with all necessary information is located within your proposal.

34. Please confirm the email address for proposals to be submitted.

a. Please email proposals to Lt Camille Bowen at camille.bowen.1@us.af.mil and MSgt

Karina Reyes at karina.reyes@us.af.mil.

Additional Questions (11 April 2024):

See Question 21 as information has been added.

mailto:camille.bowen.1@us.af.mil mailto:karina.reyes@us.af.mil

35. Is there an existing inventory management system in place whereby the RFID can query and track warehouse assets?

a. No, the system in place will not interface with the RFID inventory management system due to software limitations.

36. Based on the Government's responses to questions 11 and 13, please provide clarification for the following. In the responses the Government indicated that there are two warehouses located 60 meters from one another. The Government also indicated in the responses that contractor is to provide cabling/connectivity between these warehouses as well as within the two warehouses to support 3 stations with connected handhelds and three newly specified fixed reader locations. Please confirm this is accurate and, if so, please provide the following

(i) distances between the desired internal locations, (ii) details of how the Government expects the cabling to be performed between two buildings, including any applicable permitting and code requirements for performing the work, (iii) if internal cabling is to be performed via the ceiling, please indicate ceiling height and if the Government will provide necessary ladders, scaffolding and/or lifts, and (iv) please provide floor plans and applicable images of the desired install locations (stations and fixed readers), including images between the two warehouses if conduit is not currently available.

a. There should be no need for wiring/cabling/connectivity between the two warehouses. We do not want a capability that would require connectivity between the two warehouses.

b. Warehouse 1 will contain the fixed readers, the laptop/stations/database. Warehouse 2 is an extra warehouse where most of the inventory is stored. The intent is to use the wireless hand-held readers in Warehouse 2, and upon return to Warehouse 1, the hand-helds would be wired/plugged into the laptop/station and upload the data collected in the Warehouse 2 from there.

37. Given the potential costs and complexities of cabling/connectivity within and between both warehouses, would the Government reconsider permitting the deployment of a dedicated wireless network to support the solution.

a. N/A, please reference question 36 answer.

38. Do you want Handheld RFID Reader connected to Laptop/Tablet through USB cable, or Mobile Handheld RFID Reader which are totally wireless and send RFID reads data to Local Server (as part of RFID solution) through local independent WiFi (which we can set)?

a. The system cannot be connected to WiFi, but if there is a wireless option that DOES NOT rely on internet, that is permitted.

b. Connecting Handheld RFID Readers through USB cable is permitted.

39. Is setting local Independent WiFi network connectivity allowed (for RFID software solution) or not?

a. The system cannot be connected to WiFi or rely on the internet.

40. How far is your areas/locations from each other where fixed RFID readers based RFID Tags readings have to happen? If these areas/locations are not far from each other then we can have only one Fixed RFID Reader and attach RFID antennas to this reader. The maximum displace from reader to antenna in one direction is approximately 75 feet. So two antennas can be 150 feet away while having the RFID reader (with built in RFID antenna) in the middle. So you will just need one RFID Reader (with built-in RFID antenna) and two external RFID antennas, instead of 3 readers. But these locations are far from each other then we will need one reader at each location.

a. Rather than increasing range of reading, the intent of the 3 fixed readers is so that we can have three individuals scanning at once.

41. Do we have to have all hardware items listed in the GSA schedule? Or would it be fine if we use most of RFID solution’s hardware listed in the GSA contract, and get commercial accessories items from open market which are not listed in the GSA contract?

a. This has been corrected in the Statement of Work. Items do not need to be through

GSA.

42. Is there available Dark Fiber connecting the two warehouses that can be used?

a. No, please reference question 31 answer.

43. Are there available data drops in the area you need the handheld scanners and the laptops?

a. No, please reference questions 36 and 38 answer.

44. If data drops are not available are building floor plans available?

a. No

45. Are rugged laptops required?

a. No

46. Is a UPS available to protect any server, if not is one required?

a. This will not be available or provided by the government.