ROSS_II_Industry_Day_Questions_and_Answers.doc

ROSS II Industry Day Questions/Answers Questions Submitted 17 Nov 2008

Question 1: Has a final determination been made regarding whether ROSS II will be full and open or set aside?

Answer 1: No, the government team is still conducting market research to determine the capability that exists within all facets of industry.

Question 2: If ROSS II is full and open, what are the Small Business (SB) goals?

Answer 2: See the response to Question 1. The government team has not made a determination on the type of competition.

Question 3: Has a determination been made on the contract type (full & open, small business set aside) and if it remains full and open what will be the small business subcontract goal?

Answer 3: These questions were answered previously in Answers 1 and 2.

Question 4: Is the AFRL going to conduct any activities to support teaming of companies with specific skills with potential primes?

Answer 4: No. However, AFRL understands the benefit of teaming in order to balance and/or increase the capability of a potential offeror. This is one of the potential benefits of conducting today’s conference. Contractors can pursue teaming arrangements according to company direction.

Question 5: Are there any new requirements or specific needs with ROSS II that did not exist with the original contract?

Answer 5: The vast majority of requirements that will be written into the ROSS II contract exist on the current ROSS contract. There are a few potential new requirements derived from changes in AFMC policy. However, the government team has not yet verified them for inclusion or exclusion. For more information reference the current SOW posted on FedBizOpps and the draft PWS that will be posted on FedBizOpps in the near future.

Question 6: When will the draft RFP be published and distributed? Note that industry will need time to review and submit to the government and that the government will need time to make revisions and post the final RFP as required.

Answer 6: We anticipate releasing the draft RFP in Mar 09.

Question 7: What information relative to current ROSS can be published (LOE, Projects, Cost, Labor Categories, etc)?

Answer 7: The current SOW is published and the types of projects will be described in the draft PWS as well as the draft RFP.

Question 8: This synopsis specifically discusses “research and engineering” to advance the current state of art in propulsion technology. Are there plans to fold the current SETA and/or other research type contracts into ROSS II?

Answer 8: Execution of both the current and future ROSS contracts will advance the current state of the art in propulsion technology, but this will be done primarily through engineering design and analysis as well as test facility design, analysis, construction and modifications. There is no current plan to combine the current basic research or engineering support contracts into the ROSS contract.

Question 9: What is contracting’s position relative to OCI with proposers who currently have SBIR Phase 1 and 2 efforts with AFRL/RZ-West?

Answer 9: Companies should identify and propose mitigation steps whenever potential OCI issues could occur. The government team currently has no knowledge of current or future SBIR Phase 1 or 2 efforts that would eliminate a company from participating in this solicitation.

Question 10: In the current synopsis for ROSS II posted on the FedBizOps site, there is mention of “advanced” research activities. This implies that advanced R&D activities for areas such as rocket engine technology including solid and hybrid rocket motors, components and propulsion system technology would be performed under the ROSS II contract. Is it intended that advanced scientific research will be conducted under ROSS II?

Answer 10: AFRL-West has the facilities, personnel and mission to accomplish R&D of many advanced rocket propulsion activities. However, the ROSS contract is primarily responsible for the following tasks: Experimental Research Facility/System Modification, Research and Development Test Operations Support and Maintain Test Facilities and Support Infrastructure. Knowledge of advanced propulsion principles is critical to execute the requirements in the contract. However, advanced scientific research will not be conducted under ROSS II.