Q and A Office Furniture for the 309 MXSG.pdf

FA8201-25-Q-OF01 - Office Furniture for the 309 MXSG – Question & Answer

1) If the panels are tackable do you still want a tackboard?

If panels on workstation are tackable, then they do not need a tack board

2) What is A04? I don't see it on the furniture legend Located on I-201 with D1. Disregard A04. No longer needed. I missed removing this reference.

3) Do the panels need power? If so, will all power come from the wall, no power poles?

NO PREWIRED PANELS. Security requirements require no prepowered/prewired panels.

4) There are finishes noted on the finish Bill of Material page, are those set in stone, or can we specify the standard for the product we are proposing that is close?

Compatible colors and finishes are ok.

5) C2 chairs looks like the specs are for an all-mesh chair. Is a mesh back and fabric/vinyl seat acceptable?

That’s fine.

6) Can the bookcases be laminate? If not do, they have to be white?

Not opposed to laminate, color chosen should coordinate with the workstations and chairs.

7) There is no drawing for the D4, do you have specs?

Please see page 20 of the PWS. There is a picture with specs on the upper right-hand side of the page. We are looking for a small desk with ability to store a computer under the desk top. Desk will need to house 2 computers – one on top and one on bottom.

8) M4 & M5 Whiteboards. Are you looking for glass boards or can they be dry erase melamine?

Dry erase boards are fine.

9) F2 - what are you looking for? Do you have a drawing or more details?

Please see page 23 of the PWS. There is a drawing with on the upper right-hand side of the page and there are details on the same page in the Salient Characteristics section.

10) S4- Are you looking for 18"W lockers? Can they be 12 or 15"W?

Please see the PWS page 41, we are looking for 18”W lockers

11) S3 - How many lockers total?

Please see PWS page 40, we need 15 to 20 units.

12) D5, do you have more information on this?

Please see page 21 of the PWS.

13) Is a small business dealer representing a large manufacturer eligible for this Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS 337214?

Answer: It depends. Key factors include:

Dealer Size: The dealer must meet the small business size standard for NAICS 337214.

Ostensible Subcontractor Rule: This rule prevents large businesses from improperly benefiting from small business set-aside contracts by using a small business as a "front." Key considerations include:

• Dealer's Reliance on Manufacturer's Expertise: To what extent does the dealer depend on the manufacturer's specialized knowledge, personnel, or technical assistance to fulfill the contract requirements?

• Manufacturer's Control Over Dealer's Performance: Does the manufacturer exert significant control or oversight over the dealer's operations, decision-making, or contract execution?

• Nature of the Dealer's Contribution: Is the dealer primarily reselling the manufacturer's products with minimal alteration or added services, or does the dealer provide substantial value-added services such as design, customization, installation, project management, or other activities that significantly contribute to the overall contract performance?

• Limitation on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14): This clause requires the small business prime contractor to perform a certain percentage of the work itself. For supplies (such as office furniture), the small business must perform work for at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials.

• Value Added: What specific value is the small business dealer adding to the product or service being provided? Are they providing installation, customization, design services, project management, or other services that go beyond simply reselling the manufacturer's product?

In short: Reselling with little added value is likely non-compliant. Significant value-added services may be compliant, if the 50% manufacturing cost requirement is also met.

Recommendation: If unsure, describe your specific relationship with the manufacturer to the Contracting Officer for guidance.

14) I am working through the products, and I am seeing the opportunity for alternates, are the noted alternates an example or alternate options?

Yes, the noted alternates are examples of potential alternate options. They are meant to illustrate possibilities that meet the salient characteristics, design series, finish and dimensions outlined PWS. You can provide a different alternate option as long as it complies with all of the salient characteristics, design series, finish and dimensions listed in the PWS.

2 June 2025 Clarification: Please provide a tack board that is 6’ by 3’. The alternatives listed above may have been 4’ x 3’, but the requiring activity is requiring a tack board that is 6’ by 3’.

15) I am also asking if you have established a deadline for questions, knowing the RFP is due next week.

All questions regarding this acquisition must be submitted by 30 May, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST.

To allow for the Government to assess the inquiry and provide a response send all questions and quotes to Contract Specialist Colton Esplin colton.esplin@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer

Joseph Laing joseph.laing@us.af.mil

16) B1 (and similar storage)

Is the 3” base required? Would 2 ¼” with leveling glides be acceptable? I am asking because the standard base across all manufactures is 2 1/4” plus glides for leveling.

Normal base with leveling is fine

17) The LEED Application requirements does not appear on every spec sheet. If they are not shown is this not required, or are the requirements the same for similar items?

I don’t know what LEED is.

18) C1

Does this chair need to be specified in leather, or a coated upholstery that has the

“appearance of leather”

Imitation leather is fine

19) C2

Is a 3” diameter caster required? Are glides required as a standard offering or as a 3rd party modification?

Typical manufacturing is OK. I am not a furniture expert. I don’t know what glides are.

20) C3

The spec sheet details “padded seat and back”. Is this a requirement for an upholstered seat and back?

This was a cut and paste into the description. Seat is mesh – so not really padded. Upholstered is naturally padded.

21) D1

Does the storage need to be freestanding, or can it be used as surface support?

Storage is part of the panel system.

22) D1 & D2

Stations on the plan appear to share panels. Should stations be priced as separate sta-tions, or should they be priced as sharing components (panels & connection hardware)?

Separate stations for D1.

Combined stations for D2 mailto:joseph.laing@us.af.mil

23) The D2 Stations require 8 wire 2+2 power. Is this a requirement for the D1 stations as well?

NO prewiring.

24) D2

Will these stations require power/ data locations in the panel tiles above the base raceway or just wire management within the panel above the base raceway?

There should be punch-outs for the location of the power/data receptacles in the base. Do not prewire.

25) The D2 stations require 39” high wing panels, would 42” be acceptable?

That would be fine

26) D3

Is it a requirement for only the corner 30”Dx48”L worksurface be height adjustable, or should any other worksurface sections be height adjustable as well? If so, would those sur-faces need to be ganged or independent?

Only the 30”Dx48”l need to be height adjustable and would work independently.

27) D4

Are the sizes on the spec sheet (image) or in the plan the size requirements? What is the size requirement for this desk?

This desk needs to hold 2 computers. One on top of the work surface and one on a storage ledge. Dimensions shown are suggestions. Wouldn’t go over 48” width of the desk.

28) F1 (and similar)

Does the label holder need to be integrated, or can it be surface applied?

Either way is acceptable

29) F2

Do these storage pieces require a laminate common top and/ or laminate end panel?

They should be independent – 2 separate 3 shelf bookshelf.

30) M3

Please clarify what is required in the specification for “angled clip hangers”. Is this for wall mounting or for use pinning items to the tack board?

I think this was a cut and paste. There should be a way to hang the tackboard.

31) Can this be a fabric wrapped tack board or is it required that this be a cork board?

As long as items can be thumb-tacked or stapled to the board either is acceptable.

32) M7

Would a keyboard tray with a mouse tray fixed to the right side and not able to be fixed to the left side be acceptable?

Yes

33) T1

Is only one data port (grommet) required in the table? Within the data grommet(s) do you have a specific need on the number of outlets, USB charging or open data ports?

Only data port grommet – no prewiring. Allow for power and data connections.

2 June 2025 Clarification: no prewiring. Allow for power and data connections. 2 grommets in the table.

34) Worksurfaces

It’s detailed that the “Desk Worksurface: Provide two grommets, one each at the front and back of the worksurface”. All other worksurfaces require one or more grommets at the rear of the worksurfaces. Is a grommet at the front (user side) required or is that a specification error?

Specification error. Having a grommet in the front makes not sense. Each area needs 2 grommets.

35) Is detailed that “worksurfaces shall be pre-drilled with threaded, metal inserts for metal-to-metal connection” is this required, or can the connection be made directly into a work sur-face substrate?

I don’t know what the manufacturing best practice is for this specification. I would think that the metal-to-metal connection would be stronger and allow for the furniture to be moved in the future.

36) Storage Pedestals

It is detailed that “pedestals shall be floor mounted”. Do floor pedestals need to be secured to the floor, or just be able to be freestanding, or have counterweight kits when needed?

Floor mounted or on casters. They are not secured to the floor. They are freestanding.

36) Paper Management System

Does each station require the items in this section, or do those items need to be available accessories?

Available as accessories

37) For the panel mounted management system. Can this be an integrated “panel tile” or does this need to sit proud of the panels (mounted in the slotted standard or desk mounted)?

I was envisioning mounted in the slotted panel supports.