QA_Set_2_170316.pdf

SPEAR Soft Armor Ballistic Inserts Solicitation Q&A Set 2

16 March 2017

Q1: Attachment 2 provides the overall dimensional drawings of the parts (as a PDF file). Can you provide either DXF files (CAD) or Gerber files for the drawings?

A1: No additional formats of the drawings are available.

Q2: If I am performing as a subcontractor to a prime with a Government contract, can I have the Government Contracting Officer complete the past performance questionnaire?

A2: The prime contractor should fill out the questionnaire in this scenario.

Q3: The drawing package (Attachment 2) does not contain the drawing for CLIN items 1017, 2017, 3017, 4017, 5017 – Increased Coverage Side Plate (ICSP), Md. It also does not contain the drawings for Items 1018, 2018, 3018, 4018, 5018 - Increased Coverage Side Plate (ICSP), Lg. Can those drawings be provided?

A3: The increased Coverage Side Plate (ICSP), CLIN Items 1017, 2017, 3017, 4017, 5017, 1018, 2018, 3018, 4018 and 5018 has been removed from the Solicitation. See RFP Amendment 01.

Q4: The quantity for CLIN 3004 is 50,000, which is 10 times larger than every other year for that item (RBAV Ballistic Fillers, X-Large). All other production years are only for 5,000 of these parts. Is this correct / intentional or is this a typo?

A4: This is a typo and has been corrected within Amendment 01.

Q5: In para 3.7.3 it states; “ISO 9000 or equivalent certifications are required. ISO certification provides USSOCOM assurance that documented production procedures with rigidly enforced manufacturing process limits will be used to control raw material quality, laminate fabrication, composite bonding and soft armor finishing processes. The contractor shall establish and maintain a SPEAR Unique Quality Assurance Plan relating to the work instructions, inspections, frequency of inspections (Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL), test methods, and other testing activities used to verify that the specified requirements for this product are met.”

Does this mean ISO 9000 or equivalent certification applies to the materials and processes associated with our ballistic material and ballistic material providers? Or does this mean the manufacturer of the armor package, who assembles those components, is required to be ISO 9000 or equivalent certified? Is ISO 9000 or equivalent compliant acceptable? If ISO 9000 certified is required at what point in the procurement process must the manufacturer be certified? Before submission, before award, before first order is manufactured, etc.?

A5: Performance Specification Paragraph 3.7.3 applies to the soft armor manufacturer and not to the material suppliers. However, if the material suppliers are ISO 9000 certified, this information should be provided to the Government. The soft armor manufacturer shall be ISO 9000 or equivalent certified at the time of proposal submission.

Q6: To provide enough time to gather requested documentation and prepare a response a 45 day extension is requested.

A6: The Government will grant a 30 day extension. See RFP Amendment 1.

Q7: What are examples of certifications equivalent to ISO 9000 certification?

A7: The Government will evaluate the offeror’s and quality assurance plan to rate the effectiveness, efficiency, and thoroughness of the plan and procedures to be commensurate to or exceed the practices and standards set forth in ISO 9000. The Performance Specification has been updated to reflect the change in language.

Q8: Are there specific examples or details (beyond what was provided in the SPEAR performance specification) of what needs to be in place to achieve a "SPEAR Unique Quality Assurance Plan"?

A8: No.

Q9: Does a certified quality assurance plan have to be in place at the body armor manufacturing location (contractor) for assembly, or is it satisfactory to demonstrate that all materials used in assembly of the finished articles for the contract be procured from ISO 9000 certified or equivalent manufacturers?

A9: The soft armor manufacturer shall have ISO 9000 certification or a quality assurance plan and procedures commensurate to or exceeding the practices and standards set forth in ISO 9000 at the time of proposal submission.

Q10: In the event that a ISO 9000 or equivalent formal certification is currently not in place at the armor manufacturer, and is requisite to compete for this contract, can/will armor manufacturers (contractors) have the opportunity to demonstrate/present their internal quality control procedures as being commensurate to, or possibly exceeding the requirements set forth in those established quality control procedures?

A10: In the event an offeror does not possess ISO 9000 certification, the offeror’s proposal shall clearly and thoroughly demonstrate that the offeror’s quality assurance plan and procedures are commensurate to or exceed the practices and standards set forth in ISO 9000.

Q11: In the event that a ISO 9000 or equivalent formal certification is currently not in place at the armor manufacturer, and is required before delivery of body armor, can the body armor manufacturer compete for the contract demonstrating they are actively pursuing formal certification, which will be in place before delivery on this contract?

A11: See answers to questions 7 and 10, above. An offeror may compete for the contract and shall demonstrate the offeror has a complete and thorough quality assurance plan that is commensurate to or exceeds the practices and standards at the time of proposal submission.

Q12: Attachment 1 (Performance Specification) and Attachment 2 (Drawings) do not contain any information on the Increased Coverage Side Plate (CLINs 1017 and 1018). Can you provide drawings and a performance specification for these items?

A12: The increased Coverage Side Plate (ICSP), CLIN Items 1017, 2017, 3017, 4017, 5017, 1018, 2018, 3018, 4018 and 5018 have been removed from the Solicitation. See RFP Amendment 01.

Q13: Page 85 (Section L.1.4.1) requires that each volume must contain a Cover/Title page as well as a Table of Content. Are these two pages included in the page count listed in Table L-1?

A13: Yes.

Q14: For Volume 2, Past Performance Information Sheets are required. A minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 are required for the prime contractor. Paragraph L.2.2.2.2 states that the Performance Information Sheet for each contract is limited to five pages. However, the total page limit for Volume 2 (from page

85) is “10 + Consent Letters + Explanation if required”. Are Past Performance Information Sheets included in the 10-page limit? Or are they considered “explanations” of the contracts?

A14: Past Performance Information Sheets are included in the 10-page limit. The page limit has been increased from 10 to 20 within Amendment 01.

Q15: Section L.2.2.2.1 states that Consent Letters are required but they are excluded from the page limit for “Volume 4”. Should that actually state that Consent Letters are excluded from the page limit for Volume 2 (not Volume 4)?

A15: Yes. This has been corrected within Amendment 01.

Q16: This question is with respect to the following drawings:

· SPEAR CUT, BASELINE, LOW VISIBILITY, AND TACTICAL STAND ALONE CONFIGURATIONS, SIZE XLARGE

· SPEAR CUT, BASELINE, LOW VISIBILITY, AND TACTICAL STAND ALONE CONFIGURATIONS, SIZE LARGE

· SPEAR CUT, BASELINE, LOW VISIBILITY, AND TACTICAL STAND ALONE CONFIGURATIONS, SIZE MEDIUM

· SPEAR CUT, BASELINE, LOW VISIBILITY, AND TACTICAL STAND ALONE CONFIGURATIONS, SIZE SMALL

Attachment 2 shows only 3 dimensional drawings of the SPEAR Plate Shaped Inserts. Are we to use the project plan view shown as the 2 dimensional geometry required to create the SPEAR Plate Shaped Inserts? Or do we need to create a flat pattern of the 3 dimensional drawing(s) shown?

A16: Vendors are to use the project plan view shown as the 2-dimensional geometry.