20190801_Vendor_QA__DeCA_response.docx

1. DeCA has amended the RFP to add the following “ADDENDUM 52.212-4” (amendment at p.3):

TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS

The following information is added to the respective paragraphs of FAR 52.212-4:

Offerors awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation will be given an opportunity to provide a quote through the Fair Opportunity Decision Summary for delivery orders only when the requirement of the life cycle of the existing system has expired and determined the whole system; (CEDs 1M28,1M30 & 4SPPM), will be replaced. When only one of the above CEDs need replacing the Fair Opportunity Decision Summary will not be used. Each awardee will be guaranteed one complete system; (CEDs 1M28,1M30 & 4SPPM) for one commissary.

Question #1: While we understand that DeCA wishes to add the above language as a required clause, it is unclear what is intended by this addition. In referencing the “Fair Opportunity Decision Summary” what exactly is DeCA referencing? Is the intention here to refer to and expressly incorporate FAR 16.505(b)? Does DeCA have a policy or instruction document entitled “Fair Opportunity Decision Summary”? Please clarify/explain.

Response: Amendment 003 to the Solicitation clarifies the Government’s ordering process.

2. DeCA has stated that it has deleted FAR 52.212-3. However, this clause is referenced in (b)(8) at page 12 of the Amendment and, more importantly, is a required clause per FAR 12.301 for commercial contracts.

Question/Request #2: Please clarify/explain what DeCA intends with respect to the required clause 52.212-3.

Response: Deletion of the clause resulted from an administrative error. Amendment 003 makes clear that FAR 52.212-3 Alt I is applicable to the Solicitation.

3. DeCA has amended the RFP to add the following language:

Offerors awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation will be given an opportunity to provide a quote through the Fair Opportunity Decision Summary for delivery orders only when the requirement of the life cycle of the existing system has expired and determined the whole system; (CEDs 1M28,1M30 & 4SPPM), will be replaced. When only one of the above CEDs need replacing the Fair Opportunity Decision Summary will not be used. Each awardee will be guaranteed one complete system; (CEDs 1M28,1M30 & 4SPPM) for one commissary.

Question #3: (i) What is meant by “only when the requirement of the life cycle of the existing system has expired and determined the whole system; (CEDs 1M28,1M30 & 4SPPM), will be replaced”? (ii) What is meant/please clarify what will be used “when only one of the above CEDs need replacing”? How will a single be procured? (iii) Finally, please clarify what is meant by “Each awardee will be guaranteed one complete system; (CEDs 1M28,1M30 & 4SPPM) for one commissary.”

DeCA's response: (i) When a complete name brand system needs to be replaced a delivery order will be competed between the awardees of the contract and the lowest priced technically acceptable proposal will be awarded the delivery order. (ii) when one component of a name brand system needs to be replaced DeCA will award a delivery order with the contract awardee that submitted a FFP for the same name brand item at contract award. (iii) During the life of the contract each awardee is guaranteed a delivery order for a complete name brand system at the FFP determined at contract award i.e. one product meeting the requirements of each CED previously stated when combined together equals a whole system.

RESPONSE: Amendment 003 to the Solicitation clarifies the Government’s ordering process.

4. DeCA has added, by reference to clause 252.225-7021, the Trade Agreements Act.

Question/Request #4: It remains unclear as to whether or not an offeror can submit a proposal for some but not all of the products and/or some but not all of the locations identified in the RFP. Please clarify. For example, will a proposal for all the required products that does not include all of the listed locations be considered a compliant proposal? If so, please clarify whether such as proposal will receive the same LPTA evaluation as a proposal offering to provide products and services in all the listed locations.

DeCA's response: DeCA will evaluate offers that provide pricing for all or some CLINs, but each offeror must submit a proposal for all of the listed CEDs to be eligible for contract award. Amendment 003 clarifies this point and also reflects changes to the evaluation criteria to include deletion of references to LPTA.