FA8650-19-S-5010 CALL 004 Response to Questions 19 Dec 2019.pdf

19 Dec 2019

Response to Questions FA8650-19-S-5010 CALL 004

1. In the Brief Project Summary section, the RFP states the objective of the effort is to develop “a secure, domestic source of qualified NdFeB sintered materials and/or NdFeB permanent magnets.” Does “qualified” in that sentence refer to qualification by a DoD program or by compliance with 10 U.S.C. 2533c?

Response: As stated in Section 1.0, Scope, of the Statement of Objectives, “Qualified NdFeB sintered material and/or NdFeB permanent magnets are those products that are approved for use in DoD or other U.S. Federal Government applications. For other U.S. Federal Government applications, qualified as defined in their purchasing Agency regulation(s).”

2. As used in the RFP, what is the definition of “qualified source”? Does this mean compliance with 2533c or qualification by a U.S. government program?

Response: As stated in Section 3.0, Objective, of the Statement of Objectives, “Qualified sources are those business concerns approved to sell NdFeB sintered materials and/or NdFeB permanent magnets for use in DoD and other U. S. Federal Government applications.”

3. Will qualification by any DoD program serve as sufficient “qualification” for an offeror’s determination as a “qualified source” for the purposes of responding to this RFP? If so, will an offeror’s bid be affected by the identity of the program that offers that qualification?

Response: Qualification by any DoD program will serve as sufficient “qualification” for an offeror’s determination as a “qualified source” for the purposes of responding to this RFP. An offeror’s bid will not be affected by the identity of the program that offers that qualification. An offeror’s proposal will only be evaluated on the evaluation criteria as stated in Section VIII of the Call Announcement.

4. Does the government have an ideal proposed mix of NdFeB sintered materials and NdFeB permanent magnets for an offeror to stockpile? Will the government publish minimum amounts of specific grades, types, or other specifications for stockpiled materials?

Response: No. Offerors shall propose a target of a six month inventory (quantity and grade) of either NdFeB sintered materials, NdFeB permanent magnets, or some combination of the two.

5. The RFP states: “If a qualified domestic source or qualified U.S. allied trade partner source does not exist, the Awardee(s) shall obtain the product/material from a qualified source and identify the product/material as non-compliant.” Does an Awardee require a Non-Availability Determination to take such an action?

Response: Yes. A Non-Availability Determination would be required to take such an action.

6. The RFP states: “Offeror will, if applicable, demonstrate current verified sales to DoD and U.S. Federal Government end users.” How does the Government intend to verify these sales?

Response: The information provided by the offeror regarding current verified sales to DoD and U.S. Federal Government end users should be sufficient such that should the Government choose to verify the sales, the Government could do so.

7. Does the Government anticipate that this contract action will result in the establishment of NdFeB manufacturing capabilities within the United States?

Response: No. This effort is a supply chain study and inventory demonstration.

8. The RFP states that government funds may not be used for inventory. What uses does the government intend for uses of funds? Equipment? Facilities? Labor and overhead?

Qualification of new sources? Production costs? Magnet Procurement by Customers?

Response: As stated on page 5 of the Statement of Objectives, “Government funds may not be used to purchase inventory; however, Government funds may be used for other project components. Examples of other project components may include, but are not limited to: labor hours, overheads, equipment, holding and storage cost (as these things relate to the planning for, management of, and storage of said inventory), outside consulting, travel, and other direct costs.”