Attachment 07 - Requests for Information (RFIs) for Polo Shirts.docx

Cadet Polo Shirts – Q&A

1. Are the rib collar and the white stripe a requirement on this shirt? If not, would a self-trim jersey fabric collar with no white stripe be acceptable?

2. Could vendors explore offering shirts produced outside of the United States? This would be significantly more cost-effective for large-scale orders. No. The Berry Amendment applies to this acquisition. See DFARS 252.225-7012 and Attachment 05.

3. Do the shirts need to be the brand “Ultra club”? No.

4. When will this be awarded? Estimated award date ~22 Dec 25

5. How much time will I get, if we get awarded? 30 days ARO for the first article sample, 60 days ARO for the remaining order after first article sample is approved. See FAR Clause 52.211-8 found in Amendment 2_ Attachment 02.

6. The requested items (UltraClub 8406 and 8406L) are both discontinued. My question is the "white rib" on the collar a requirement for this?

7. Are these cut and sew garments? If so, can I request the patterns and/or drawings? These can be cut and sew garments. The Government does not have patterns or drawings. Please use commercial standards.

8. Do the samples have to be sent with the bid proposal, or is the sample for approval after the bid is won and approved? The first article sample will be due 30 days after award.

9. The requested shirt style has been discontinued. When would the delivery be needed?

10. Is overseas production an option for this requirement? No. The Berry Amendment applies to this acquisition. All manufacturing must be in the U.S. and all materials and components must be U.S. sourced. See DFARS 252.225-7012 and Attachment 05.

11. The solicitation references polo shirts equal to or exceeding UltraClub 8406 (Men’s) and 8406L (Women’s). We have confirmed with the manufacturer that both SKUs are being discontinued, and no direct replacements have been issued. Can alternate polo shirts be proposed as long as they meet or exceed the requirements in Purchase Description PD 1808 (e.g., fabric performance, design, embroidery location, measurements)? Yes. Please be sure to include literature, pictures, etc in your quote so we can perform a technical evaluation to ensure the proposed product will fulfill this requirement.

12. The solicitation specifies estimated annual quantities of 1,550 men’s and 650 women’s polo shirts. Can the Government clarify whether these quantities will be released via monthly or staggered delivery orders? If so, what is the anticipated delivery cadence and monthly volume split for each shirt type? The estimated quantities will be ordered once annually, however, we may need to issue a backorder of much smaller quantities (50-200) throughout the year. Each order will have a 60-day ARO.

13. The solicitation indicates a waiver may be requested if similar shirts were delivered to USAFA within the last three years. Could you clarify whether this applies only to vendors who have previously delivered under a USAFA contract? Or can vendors with similar past performance (commercial or other agency) also request a waiver? Only vendors who have previously delivered this same requirement to USAFA in the past three years may request a waiver for the first article sample.

14. PD 1808 includes strict embroidery size and placement specifications. Will vendors be required to submit sample embroidered garments for approval outside of the First Article Testing process? Or will this be evaluated as part of First Article review? The embroidery will be evaluated as part of the first article sample review.

15. The solicitation notes that bar code labels must be submitted within 30 days of award. Will this approval be handled in conjunction with First Article Testing? Can digital images of barcode samples be submitted in advance for preliminary review? The bar code labels can be submitted electronically (via email to the Contracting Officer) within 30 days ARO and/or be submitted with the first article sample.

16. Could the Government please provide a historical or estimated size breakdown (XS–XXXL) for both men’s and women’s shirts? This would allow us to quote more accurately and reduce excess material ordering. We have added Amendment 2_ Attachment 07 which is an example of a typical order’s sizes and quantities.

17. Are vendors required to individually bag and barcode each polo shirt, or is barcoding required only at the carton level? Also, will USAFA provide the stock numbers that must appear on the barcode tickets? Yes, USAFA will provide the stock numbers to be placed on the bar codes. Please see page 12-13 of the combined synopsis/solicitation for the sample bar code label instructions which include the NSNs for the sample bar code labels.

18. How frequently does USAFA anticipate issuing delivery orders throughout the contract period (e.g., monthly, quarterly)? What is the expected turnaround time per order? We anticipate an annual order but may need to order a small quantity (~50-200) seldomly in addition to our annual order for backorders. Expected delivery is 60 days ARO.

19. Could you please provide the size range for the shirts and confirm whether they are required to be Berry compliant? Please see the new attachment Amendment 2_ Attachment 07 which is an example of a typical order’s sizes and quantities. Yes, the polos must be Berry Amendment compliant.

20. The quantities estimated in the solicitation are too small to permit the manufacturing of a custom Berry-compliant garment. When researching the UltraClub 8406 and 8406L polos as a replacement for a custom version, we discovered these skus are being discontinued and are only available in very limited quantities currently. Is there an alternate sku that will meet the project's specifications?

21. Who would provide the barcodes? Would they have to be a certain format? The contractor will need to provide the bar code labels. USAFA will provide the NSNs with sizes and quantities with each order. Please see pages 12-13 of the combined synopsis/solicitation for sample bar code label requirements as well as Attachment 02 - Sample Bar Code 39.