Follow up QA for Industry Day - Number 4.docx

Industry Q&A Responses Q1: How will we expeditiously manage timelines associated with the various gates?

A: The timelines between the gate/staggered proposal submittals will ultimately be dependent on the number of proposals received, as well as the quality of the proposals received. The Government anticipates that the first gate, that will include the past performance proposal, will be the longest evaluation timeline as this will be the gate the Government will utilize to re-establish the competitive range to the highest rated proposals in accordance with the relative order of importance of the evaluation factors.

It will also be imperative that offerors continue working towards completing and finalizing future gate proposals while within the earlier gate. The Government stresses its desire for Offerors to limit, or exclude entirely, boilerplate material to expedite the evaluation process.

Q2: Is downselect in or out and how does it relate to gating?

A: We are not likely to pursue both but instead one or the other. We are leaning away from a physical type downselection involving testing and leaning towards using the gating process to more "academically" downselect due to time constraints.

Q3: Since Group A and Group B are now being merged into one program, has the Gov’t given consideration to publishing this as full and open competition instead of reserving a portion for small business considering the overall contract value?

A: The Government is still in the process of internal meetings and discussions with management. The current plan at this time is to have Group A (which encompasses the 72kW GPU, 144kW GPU, and the universal load banks consolidated into a single contract) as full and open. The Government anticipates awarding up to two contracts for Group B (which encompasses the 72kW GPU only), with potentially one contract being reserved for small business. This is entirely a preliminary plan, and a final decision will be made and provided for industry information.

Q4: What types of items would the Gov’t expect to see in a Gate 3 presentation? (In order to plan and prepare to align with your expectations) A: Due to the changing nature as a result of industry input, the Government is anticipating requiring the price proposal, as well as the small business participation proposal, to be submitted in written form. Following the previously provided anticipated timeline, the Government will issue evaluation notices upon the completion of proposal evaluations. The offeror would provide their responses via PowerPoint presentation for oral discussions.

Q5: What kind of TM, Logistics Product Data and Training Development Curriculum does the AF anticipate requiring, and more importantly, which Gate would these items need to be described or delivered in?

A: Logistical data requirements will be fully described in the Statement of Work which is currently being drafted. It will be posted with ample time for review prior to release of the final RFP. While the exact data requirements are still being discussed internal to the Government, it is highly likely that USAF format technical orders, top-down break down provisioning, and interactive organizational level training material will be required for all equipment items within Group A and Group B. All data items will have Contract Line Item Numbers, be denoted as separately priced or not separately priced, and will be part of the pricing evaluation. At this time, the Government has not yet made a determination whether or not it will evaluate logistical data as part of the past performance evaluation or the technical evaluation.

Q6: How many successful awards does the Gov’t anticipate awarding for both group categories?

A: At this time, the Government is anticipating one award for Group A and up to two awards for Group B.

Q7: Is there any upward flexibility on the estimated contract minimum?

A: There is, and the Government is open to industry suggestions. The intent behind asking about the $1,500 post award conference as the minimum was to provide the Government with as much flexibility in staggering the offerors starting towards first article unit manufacturing and testing.

Q8: Is the Gov’t still considering dropping the Ship by Sea requirement?

A: The requirement for rail and sea mobility/shipment/transportability will remain. The requirement for an eyelet to enable single point lifting by crane will most likely be removed from Purchase Descriptions. All Purchase Descriptions (containing complete performance based technical requirements and verification thereof) will be posted with ample time for review prior to release of the final RFP.

Q9: What is the option length in terms of outyears?

A: Nothing has been decided as of yet. At this time, the Government is planning on an estimated 8 year contract. The basic contract period will consist of the two-year first article manufacturing and testing, and then six annual option periods. The Government is further considering ordering periods in lieu of option periods.

Q10: Will foreign participation be allowed?

A: No. It will be prohibited due to the export controlled requirements along with the additional requirements of the Buy American Act.

Questions for Industry Feedback

1. Expected size and weight of 72kW GPU: The generator set design shall include an EPA Tier III engine between 6.6 and 6.8 liters of displacement, a dual bearing three phase, 480 VAC, 60Hz AC 120kVA (minimum) continuous rated rotating machine, supplying power to solid state output LRUs for up to 90kVA of 400Hz, up to 72kW of 270 VDC, and up to 17kW of 28.5 VDC. The generator set design shall include controls and a receptacle to operate with a three phase 480VAC external input power source, as commonly found in USAF hangars. The generator set design shall also feature SAE AS8090 Type II, Group C four wheel running gear and be capable of operation from -40F to 130F.

Q1: Maximum weight shall not exceed 7,000 pounds. Maximum weight is defined as full of oil, full of coolant, full of fuel (with fuel tank capacity sized for 8 hours continuous operation at full load), and one 60' single jacket 400Hz aircraft external power cable. Maximum generator dimensions shall not exceed one 463L pallet dimension (106"L x 88" wide), shipped as rolling stock without dunnage, and shall not exceed 83” high. What, if anything, specifically denoted in the description above would prevent your companies' design from meeting the not to exceed length, width, height, and weight described herein?

A:

Q2: What, if anything, specifically denoted in the description above would prevent your companies' design from meeting the not to exceed length, width, height, and weight described herein if an additional requirement for simultaneous power output of up to 17kW of 28.5VDC while also providing up to 55kW of 400Hz VAC was added to the non-simultaneous outputs provided in the description above?

A:

2. How will industry be producing the loadbank and the generator set output LRUs (solid state DC power supplies and 400Hz frequency converter): in house or subcontract?

A:

3. What is industry's recommended technical relevancy criteria for assessing their critical subs (any entity other than the prime offeror) for providing the loadbank and the generator set output LRUs (solid state DC power supplies and 400Hz frequency converter) for Group A and/or Group B award?

A:

4. The Government is anticipating mandating a confidence assessment rating of “Substantial” or “Satisfactory” in order to proceed out of Gate 1. Understanding this anticipated approach, Group A relevancy must include efforts demonstrating not only generator work, but also loadbank work.

Q1. What technical characteristics would your company recommend for evaluating loadbanks?