17_Apr_15_AF_Responses_to_Questions_from_Industry_(draft_RFP_FA8224-15-R-0027).pdf

Air Force Response to Comments/Questions from Industry

POINT OF USE (POU)

17 April 2015

Below is a list of questions/comments the Air Force has received from industry regarding the draft PWS and Sections L & M for draft solicitation FA8224-15-R-0027 posting on FedBizOpps and the Air Force responses to questions/comments. Air Force responses are based on the best information available at this time and are subject to change in the event the requirement is amended. Only the RFP and RFP Amendments, if issued, should be relied upon while preparing proposals.

1. Industry Question: Reference Draft PWS, 23 Mar 2015, Page 12, Paragraphs 8.1 and 9.1.1. The assumption is that the reference to “TO award” is the same event and can be interpreted as contract award. Please confirm.

Air Force Response: Contract Award will be at time of Basic Contract Award IDIQ contract signing. A Task Order (TO) award can be issued at any time during the ordering period of the contract and not necessarily at time of Basic Contract award. The first Task Order award will be issued at time of Basic Contract Award in order to satisfy the minimum Government Guarantee.

The PWS has been modified to differentiate what will be at Contract Award and what is at Task Order award.

2. Industry Question: Reference Draft PWS, 23 Mar 2015, Based on the assumption above. The change from 60 days to 30 days associated with the Ramp-Up Phase prompts the following question and concern.

a. If the PWS Paragraph 8 (Orientation / Transition Period) and PWS Paragraph 9 (Ramp Up Phase) now occur in parallel and must be completed in the same 30 day period, then why distinguish between the 2 phases?

b. With the revised requirement to complete the Orientation/Transition Period and Ramp Up Phase within 30 days after award, the concern is that competition will be limited.

Air Force Response: The Orientation/transition Period plan is due at the time of award. Once a TO has been issued, then the contractor has 30 days to accomplish the Ramp up. These are two separate issues and time frames.

3. Industry Question: Reference Draft Market Basket and Response to Industry Questions posted on 31 March 2015. Recognizing the government’s intent to maintain consistency and for ease in evaluating offers proposed Total Evaluated Price (TEP), deviations will not be accepted.

However, the current market basket contains items and associated manufacturers that are identified in the Fastenal “2013 Exclusive Brands” catalog. Therefore, to maintain fair competition, we recommend that the government consider requesting pricing for these items from all offerors, but exclude pricing for these items from the TEP.

Air Force Response: All Private Labels, “Fastenal Exclusive Brands” have been updated to reflect “Unknown for both Manufacture and Manufacture Part Number” for fair competition.

4. Industry Question: Draft_TEP_draft_31_Mar. Upon review of the individual line item descriptions and associated part number, we have identified conflicts.

Air Force Response: After reviewing the items listed below, the Description may be the same, but once the Manufactures Part Number is reviewed there is a more defined description for each of the items. Part number 962, was corrected to 932.

5. Industry Question: Is the Transition 30 Calendar days or 30 Business days?

Air Force Response: 30 Calendar days.

6. Industry Question: Are all the market basket items in compliance with the Buy American Act, Trade Agreement Act? Is everything in the market basket compliant with Air Force engineering standards?

Air Force Response: The Buy American Act and Trade Agreement Act are applicable. The items have been approved and have been used for several years on the contract effort in relation to the AF engineering standards.