Questions and Answers on RFP FA8533-11-R-32637 1-26-12.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FA8533-11-R-32637

FUELS OPERATIONAL READINESS CAPABILITY EQUIPMENT

(FORCE)

Question and Answers, 26 January 2012

The following questions relative to the FORCE RFP were received in the Major Programs Contracting Office in the Support Equipment and Vehicles Division at Robins AFB, GA. The questions and the applicable answers are being provided for the benefit of parties who are interested in providing a proposal in response to the RFP.

1. Question: From Page 82 of 119 of the Solicitation, First Article Unit Testing, paragraph 1 states in part, “First Article Unit testing is a requirement of this contract.” Will the Government consider waiving First Article Unit Testing, or any portion of the First Article Unit testing, for prior contractors of the FORCE system?

Answer: On page 3, paragraph (a) of the RFP, offerors are advised that, “The single contract that results from this RFP will include all contract line items.” First article testing requirements will not be waived for any offeror.

2. Question: From Page 82 and 83 of 119 of the Solicitation, First Article Unit Testing.

Paragraph 1 of that section states in part “The approved first article units will serve as manufacturing standards. The first article units, once accepted, will become part of the initial production quantities.” Later, in the first paragraph of the section “Delivery Requirements” from page 83 of 119, the solicitation states “Upon Government acceptance of the units, the contractor shall ship each unit to the delivery location specified in Delivery Order 0001.”

Typically, “manufacturing standards” remain at the manufacturing facility for the life of the contract, to serve as an aid for configuration control and for Government Quality Assurance Representatives’ reference throughout the life of the contract. Is it the Government’s intention for the First Article Units to remain in accessible storage at the manufacturing facility for the life of the contract as stated on Page 82? Or will the First Article Units be delivered to the Government as stated on Page 83?

Answer: Upon Government acceptance, the units will serve as manufacturing standards for the life of the contract. Close of the expiration of the contract and upon Government direction, the contractor will ship the units to designated locations specified in Delivery Order 0001.

3. Question: From Page 82 and 83 of 119 of the Solicitation, First Article Unit Testing.

Paragraph 1 of that section states in part “The approved first article units will serve as manufacturing standards. The first article units, once accepted, will become part of the initial production quantities.”

Later, in the first paragraph of the section “Delivery Requirements” from page 83 of 119, the solicitation states “Upon Government acceptance of the units, the contractor shall ship each unit to the delivery location specified in Delivery Order 0001.”

From Section B of the Solicitation, CLINs 0001 through 0006 require pricing for the First Article Units. At what point does the Government expect to “Accept” the First Article Units, so the contractor may properly plan for invoicing and receipt of payment? In the event the units will remain at the manufacturing facility as manufacturing standards, will the Government consider “Ship in Place” so that the contractor may invoice for the units and receive payment?

Answer: The Government will accept the first article units at the time that all testing required by the contract has been successfully completed, the units have been refurbished in accordance with Statement of Work, and the final technical manuals have been determined acceptable. When the Government accepts the first article units, they will be “shipped in place” in order for the units to remain at the contractor’s facility and the contractor may invoice.

4. Question: From Page 115 of 119 of the Solicitation, Evaluation Basis for Award.

Paragraph C.2.v, states in part “Note that FAR clause 52.219-8 applies to ALL offerors” The title of FAR 52.219-8 is Utilization of Small Business Concerns. Block 8 of the title page of the Solicitation (page 1) confirms the solicitation is 100% set aside for small business. The authorizing language for FAR 52.219 comes from FAR 19.702. FAR 19.702(b)(1) states “Subcontracting plans are not required from small business concerns.” Please clarify the Government’s intention regarding inclusion of FAR 52.219-8 in the Evaluation Basis for Award.

Answer: FAR 52.219-8 is a mandatory clause applicable when the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold which is presently $150,000. In the FORCE RFP, all offerors must provide information showing compliance with the clause in their past and/or present contract efforts that are identified in Volume III. FAR 52.219-9 is mandatory for use when subcontracting possibilities are expected to exceed $650,000, unless the acquisition is reserved solely for small business participation or the 8(a) program. As the FORCE RFP is reserved 100% for small business participation, no subcontracting plans are required.

Farrell/WR-ALC/GRVKBB