PF_2_RFP,_Question_-_Answer_(ao_11_Aug_2017).pdf

Pathfinder #2 – Question & Answer

ITEM # DOCUMENT PAGE SECTION QUESTION ANSWER

1 SOW 12 3.5

We respectfully request that the agency amend the solicitation to clarify that the Government will not have the right to terminate the contract for default if the contractor determines that there is not a business case to launch a new satellite by 2022, so long as the contractor provides other capacity that meets the requirements set forth in Section 3.5 of the SOW.

The Government will not relinquish its rights concerning termination at this time. The Government is procuring an end-item (transponder) and service is incidental to that end-item.

2 SOW 12 3.5

Alternatively, we respectfully request that the agency amend the solicitation to clarify that the Government will not have the right to terminate the contract for default if the contractor determines that there is not a business case to launch a new satellite by 2022, so long as the contractor: (i) agrees to include the transponder on the next satellite launched that meets the government’s requirements and (ii) in the interim, provides other capacity that meets the requirements set forth in Section 3.5 of the SOW.

The Government will not relinquish its rights concerning termination at this time.

3 TRD 2-4 3

If spacecraft in-orbit testing (IOT) cannot be achieved prior the required date (December 31, 2022) for any reason, will the Government accept capabilities that meet TRD REQIDs 01, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 19 via a previously launched on-orbit satellite?

No, the Government will not accept these capabilities without procurement of the transponder(s).

CIP

Payment

Plan N/A N/A

The long lead time between proposal submission and completion of IOT exposes industry to changes in the business climate that could result in the proposed mission not being executed as originally planned. This could result in the 72 MHz of bandwidth being supplied thorough the Guarantee of Service Clause and the satellite never completing IOT. How will the Government modify the Payment Event Schedule for cases like this where the satellite never progresses through the milestone stages and never completes IOT?

The Government will only disburse funds for satisfactorily completed milestones. Performance Based Payment event schedules will be addressed as part of post award administration.

5 SOW 12 3.5

The Guarantee of Service clause ensures the Government will have access to 72 MHz of comparable bandwidth in the event the satellite never completes IOT or suffers on-orbit failures preventing it from providing the proposed bandwidth. This focuses on only the bandwidth provisioning aspects of the mission. Does the Government intend to seek remedies for the lack of CNSSP-12

Any such remedies will be addressed as part of post award administration.

encryption and burnout protection in the event the satellite never completes IOT?

6 Attach 5 N/A N/A

The RFP requests a sample Transmission Plan be provided.

Transmissions plans are typically done in response to specific application and terminal information provided in CSSRs (Commercial Satellite Service Request). In lieu of this information only the start and stop frequencies of the indicated transponders can be provided. Since the Government has not provided specific terminal information, is simple start and stop frequency information acceptable?

In accordance with PF2 - RFP - Attachment 1- Statement of Work (SOW), Section 3.4.2, “[SOW-29] The Contractor shall provide a copy of Satellite Operator Transmission Plan for the USG Transponder(s) no later than completion of IOT.”

The Transmission Plan is not required with proposal submission.

7 Attach 5 15 C

Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1 Instructions to Offerors Section C. Proposal Preparation Instructions Paragraph 3. Proposal Content provides specific instructions on what to include in Volume I – Contract Documentation and Volume II – Technical Capability – Factor 1; however, these instructions are missing in subparagraph c) Volume III – Cost/Price – Factor 2. Volume III organization is provided in C. 3. (c) iii. c) i. Please provide detailed instructions on how to complete Volume III. Also, should section C. 3. (c) iii. c) i.

be numbered C. 3. (c) iv.?

PF2 RFP Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1, Instructions to Offerors, will be revised to include instructions regarding Volume III – Cost/Price and correct the numbering of Section C. 3. (c) iii. c) i.

8 Attach 5 15 C

Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1 Instructions to Offerors Section C. Proposal Preparation Instructions Paragraph 3. Proposal Content (c) Volume III makes reference to Attachment 4 Commercial Interim Payment Plan but does not indicate if this completed Attachment is required with Proposal submission. Please clarify.

The completed Attachment is required with proposal submission. PF2 RFP Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1, Instructions to Offerors, will be revised to include instructions regarding completion of Attachment 4 – Commercial Interim Payment Plan.

9 Attach 5 15 C

Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1 Instructions to Offerors Section C. Proposal Preparation Instructions Paragraph 3. Proposal Content (c) Volume III makes reference to required Attachments CP-2 and Attachment CP-3 that are titled Subcontractor/IWTA/Team X. Please define IWTA.

PF2 RFP Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1, Instructions to Offerors, will be revised to remove this language.

10 Attach 5 4 3 Is a personal delivery to the physical address on the due day also acceptable?

Yes, see - PF2 RFP Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1, Instructions to Offerors, page 4, section A. 3.

11 Attach 5 4 3.B

Is there any advantage in the award/procuring process for those satellites that will be launched/completed IOT this or next year, versus those satellites that will only be ready in the year 2022?

See - PF2 RFP Attachment 5, Addenda to 52.212-1 v1, Instructions to Offerors, page 4, section B. 1.

The Government intends to award a contract to the Offeror who provides the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) offer. The launch date for the satellite is left to the discretion of the Offerors, as long as it complies with the solicitation requirements.

12 SOW 3 2.1

In the Attachment #1 (Statement of Work) and Attachment #2 (TRD) the paragraph 2.1 states that “..The Government intends to procure Ku-Band Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) commercial pre-launch transponder(s) for access to COMSATCOM services.” A clarification is needed for the term ‘procurement’: does it involve CAPEX. Ie the ownership of the procured transponders by the Government or is it meant to be defined as a 15-year full time contractual lease between the Government and the Awardee?

In accordance with PF2 - RFP - Attachment 1- Statement of Work (SOW), section 2.1, “The USG shall own the transponder(s) for the lifetime of the satellite on which they are carried.”

13 Attach 5 4 1

Is the Pathfinder #2 procurement designed for only a single or perhaps multiple Awards staggered in time, as several satellites within the defined orbital location range will be launched between now and the year 2022, enabling the Government to choose transponders from more than one orbital location

The Pathfinder 2 effort is for the award of a single contract.

14 TRD 3 3

[TRD-15] requires that "..All bandwidth comprising the USG Transponder(s) shall conform to typical commercial specifications for all other major performance parameters." Will the Government provide a clear definition/meaning of "typical commercial specifications?"

The Government is leveraging the term "typical commercial specifications" in accordance with National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, S. 2943. Section 875 SEC. 875. USE OF

COMMERCIAL OR NON-GOVERNMENT

STANDARDS IN LIEU OF MILITARY

SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS. The Government will not specify all requirements necessary to build a satellite transponder. Design decisions are left to the Offeror to enable flexibility in providing a solution that meets the Government requirements based on today’s industry practices complying with the solicitation requirements.