Attachment 8 - Questions and Answers 15 April 2021.pdf

Attachment 8 Questions and Answers Question # Industry Question/Comment Government Response

Q1 POU inventory reports. Does the contractor manually pull inventory reports from each individual machine or will the Hill AFB POU team be able to provide a report for all machines?

There is no two-way communication between the AutoCrib database and the contractor. Access to the AutoCrib database will be done through the government Hill AFB POU Team. The AutoCrib report data will be emailed to the contractor. The contractor will have the ability to read only all data. The government Hill AFB POU Team will establish report delivery after contract award to the contractor’s point of contacts.

Q2 Will the contractor be able to work with Hill AFB to increase the max quantity for products that are stocked in the machines?

The contractor is required to use min/max levels established by the government. Yes, the contractor will be allowed to suggest increases to quantity for products that are stocked in POU machines. The final decision lies with the government.

Q3 Are contractors able to ship replenishment stock directly to Hill AFB UT, Randolph AFB TX and AMARG/Davis Monthan AFB AZ, to a designated area on each base to enable contractor to pick up stock at the base and fill machines without having to receive product at a separate warehouse every time?

No, there are no areas on each base for the contractor to ship items to or to store items. Per SOW 19 Mar 2021, paragraph 2.1, the contractor shall procure, stock and manage the consumable supplies and shop operating material until physically stocked into POU machines or provided through non-stock order requests

Q4 Are the machines at Randolph AFB TX and AMARG/Davis Monthan AFB AZ in the same area, or spread out over many buildings on the bases?

The POU machines at Randolph AFB TX and AMARG/Davis Monthan AFB AZ are located in different buildings on each base.

Q5 On the Attachment 3 Market Basket, if the U/I is “Each” for a line item, then we should price that product as each, correct? An example is MB#’s C986, CB071, C197 and C001. We should price one individual screw, staple, and label, unless it states pack for the U/I, correct?

Yes, the items should be priced for Unit of Issue (U/I) as identified in Column G in Attachment 3 - Market Basket.

For example:

For MB# C986 ... Screw, Column G U/I is 1 each, shall be priced for 1 each for 1 screw.

For MB# CB71 ... Dual Reader Protective Eyewear, Column G U/I is 1 pair, shall be priced for 1 pair for 1 eyewear.

For MB# C197... Shipping Label, Column G U/I is 1 each, shall be priced for 1 each for 1 shipping label.

For MB# C001 ... Cotton-Tipped Swab, Column G U/I is 1 each, shall be priced for 1 each for 1 swab.

Q6 Are contractors permitted to submit pricing on non-TAA products if we are unable to identify an exact match that is TAA compliant? There are several lines on the market basket that specify non-TAA compliant products already. An example is MB# CJ59. The Minuteman filter bags are made in China.

If the item proposed unit description in Column C does not meet TAA requirements (I.e.., a non-TAA compliant item), this should be identified in Column F. Pricing should still be provided.

Q7 Is the government going to provide manufacturer part numbers?

No, IAW Attachment 3 ... Market Basket, contractors are required to provide proposed unit description in Column C, proposed manufacturer name in Column D, and the proposed manufacturer item number in Column E for the item in Column C.

Q8 Will a waiver DFARS 252.225-7012 Preference for Domestic Commodities be granted?

No, DFARS 252.225-7012 Preference for Certain Domestic Commodities is applicable since the solicitation and contract is using FAR 12 procedures for acquisition of commercial items.

Q9 Are products currently stocked in the POU machines in compliance with DFARS 252.225-7012 Preference for Domestic Commodities?

To demonstrate compliance with DFARS 252.225-7012, items proposed in Attachment 3 … Market Basket Column C shall be produced IAW the clause, in the United States or its outlying areas or a qualifying country.

Q10 Will a waiver of DFARS 252.225-7015, Restriction on Acquisition or Measuring Tools be granted?

No, DFARS 252.225-7015 Restriction on Acquisition or Measuring Tools is applicable since the solicitation and contract is using FAR 12 procedures for acquisition of commercial items that require delivery of hand or measuring tools. The POU requirement includes countersinks, abrasive wheels, cones, and other abrasive attachments for use only on Hand Held Power tool.

Q11 Are products currently stocked in the POU machines requirements in compliance with DFARS 252.225-7015?

To demonstrate compliance with DFARS 252.225-7015, hand or measuring tools proposed in Attachment 3 … Market Basket, Column C shall be produced in the United States or its outlying areas.

Q12 Can an extension to the due date for receipt of proposals be given. No, at this time, the due date for proposals remains unchanged.

Q13

In the first paragraph the SOW states that the “The Contractor shall maintain ownership of all consumables supplies and shop operating materials in the POU machines until physical transactions of items takes place by approved users.” However, in the 2nd paragraph it states that the “Contractor shall be responsible for warehousing all consumables supplies and shop operating material until physically stocked in POU machines”.

There is a conflict in this language. Is it the Government’s intent that the Contractor owns it until vended out of the machine or does the Government assume ownership when the item is stocked in the machine?

Yes, the Contractor maintains ownership of all items until it is vended from the POU machines.

Q14 It is important to know the type of POU machines, self-serve vs vending. The self- serve machine will have issues with waste and excess, which will provide for additional labor and cost to manage and maintain the material.

The POU machines that are in use are automated inventory management cabinets made by AutoCrib. The specific model is AutoCab FX

Q15 What level of AutoCrib access will be provided to the Contractor? To what AutoCrib modules will the Contractor have access?

See question #1 Government response.

Q16 What would be the criteria to determine ‘abuse’ with a POU machine? Observation of an incident? High usage / over usage? Will the government be billed for ‘consumed’ material?

Abuse would classify as more items being removed from the machine than requested to be vended or noticeable machine damage that would appear to be to abuse.

The Government will be billed for material that is "consumed" from the POU machines.

Q17

All shelf life material will be stocked at min/max levels established from material usage requirements provided by the USG. Replacement of expired material at contractor costs presents high risk of loss on items that the contractor has uncertainty of the accuracy of usage data that establishes initial min/max levels. Also there is no guarantee of aged material usage by mechanics. Will the Government consider shelf life extension requests and shorter procedures to adjust inventory min/mix levels?

The shelf life cannot be changed as it is referencing the expiration date of the items these are not determined by the Government. Moreover, the Contractor may suggest the min/max level and there can be coordination to discuss a change for those. However, the Government has determined these levels based on history of consumption.

Q18 If the program expands, will the government or the contractor be responsible for new machine procurement? The Government is responsible for new machine procurement.

FA8224-21-R-0005 Point of Use (POU) Consumables Hill AFB UT