GRAPE CALL 003 AMD 03_QandA.pdf

Question # Reference Question Subject Question Government Response

ARA - Amendment 5; page 18 Validity Period There is currently extreme volitility in the pricing of equipment and materials needed for this project in the market. For example, copper prices have varied 15% just in the last 30 days. Given this volitility and the potential impact of tarriff changes, which are foreseeable but unquantifiable, there is extreme risk on the contractor and subcontractors.

Accordingly, vendors/subcontractors are extremely hesitant to provide quotations which are valid for a duration of 180 days. Would the Government consider a shorter validity period? Will the Government consider an offer on a CPFF basis that includes an Economic Price Adjustment provision? The benefit of this is the ability to bid more competitively under volitile conditions.

Due to the typical timeframe of receiving proposals, evaluating, and routing through our clearance processes, it is challenging to deviate away from a proposal validity of 180 days, especially when options come into play.

However, terms and conditions will be negotiated after an offeror is picked.

ARA - Amendment 5; page 7 Applicable FAR Clauses Would the Government provide a list of applicable FAR Clauses should a CPFF award be made?

The appropriate FAR clauses will be provided during the negotiation process and will be agreed upon with both parties before inclusion in the final award.

ARA - Amendment 5; page 7 Applicable FAR Clauses Would the Government provide a list of applicable FAR Clauses should a FFP award be made? In the event that a FFP contract is awarded will the Government include a version of FAR Clause 52.216-2 or equivalent?

(Reference to 16.203)

The appropriate FAR clauses will be provided during the negotiation process and will be agreed upon with both parties before inclusion in the final award.

ARA - Amendment 5; page 7 Applicable FAR Clauses If the resulting contract is awarded on a FAR basis will the contract be considered a construction contract with bonding requirements?

While there will be construction as part of the effort, this effort will remain a Research and Development contract and will not have bonding requirements.

ARA - Amendment 5; page 7; Call 0003 pg 2

Type of Contract Does the Government have a preference for a CPFF FAR contract or a CPFF OTA Award?

The Government anticipates awarding a FAR type contract.

Call 0003 SOO - Section 12 Special Instructions; page A-7

Insurance Would the Government identify the type and magnitude of insurance required as materials will be on a Federal installation?

The Government identifies this question as a business decision. The Government will insert FAR 52.228-7 Insurance-Liability to Third Persons into the final award, and the contractor will make business decisions regarding insurance according to that clause.

Call 0003 SOO - Section 4 Description of Work; page A-5

Critical Load Clarification – Radar and C2 Infrastructure

Will the system be expected to support associated command and control (C2) infrastructure, communications nodes, or other mission-critical facilities during grid outages or peak load events?

We have not defined what the energy storage system will service. The load and system interconnection will be discussed and determined at the Kick-Off meeting with the Awardee and the Station. Your proposed solution will likely need to be adjusted once you are allowed access to the station. Your proposal should not be limited to a specific mission, instead focus on capability, features, and research process.

Call 0003 SOO Operational Duty Cycle Can the Government provide any estimates or planning assumptions regarding the expected duty cycle of the system? Specifically, what percentage of the time is the system anticipated to operate at or near peak load (e.g., 90%, 50%, 25%) under normal, contingency, or surge conditions?

The duty cycle of your proposed system should be explained in your proposal. The solicitation's goal is that a system could fully charge (100%) and discharge multiple times per day continuously as mission needs arise.

Any limitations, rate of charge/discharge, cycle life, etc. are to be documented in your proposal.

Call 0003 - Section IV pg 8 ; ARA Amendment 5 Section IV. Para. 3.

Section a.,b.,d (pages 16- 21, 27) Section K requirements.

Will the Government please provide the required Section K for this call, or alternatively confirm if the Section K requirements are the same as the requirements in Call 0001 (pg 10-45)?

The Government is requiring only DFARS 252.227-7017 Data Assertions as part of the Section K for this effort.

Call 0003 - Section VI CALL Proposal and Submission Instructions; pg 9

Due Date Would the Government extend the due date for proposals to August 18, 2025 by COB?

The government reviewed this request and will not extend the due date to 18 August 2025.

ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA): CALL 003

NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 and the small business size is 1,000 employees.

Federal Agency Name:

Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RXMZ Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Energy Office

ARA Title: Energy Office -- Government Requirement for Advanced Power and Energy (GRAPE) ARA Type: Call 003 -- Amendment 03; Questions/Answers

ARA Number: FA8650-18-S-5008