M67854-21-R-1804 Solicitation Questions and Answers.xlsx
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- Attached to
- Physical Training Uniform - USMC
- Solicitation number
- M67854-21-R-1804
- Issued by
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United States Marine Corps
About this file
This document contains a solicitation notice for a Physical Training Uniform for the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Systems Command seeks to award up to four Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts for a total maximum quantity of 1,800,800 Physical Training Uniform units over five years. The solicitation is set aside for total small businesses and requires Berry Amendment compliant uniforms. Offerors must submit product demonstration samples, pricing valid for one year, and meet production and delivery requirements upon award including a monthly minimum of 15,000 units after successful completion of pre-production validation. The closing date for proposal submissions is January 22, 2021.
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Sheet1
| # | QUESTIONS | ANSWERS |
| 1 | I have downloaded the solicitation packet but noticed there was an update at 3:00pmEST, but i do not see specifically any changes. Were there any changes to the original solicitation post? | The 3:00 EST solicitation update on 8 December 2020 made no changes to the solicitation. The Government attempted to upload the pattern files as solicitation attachments, however beta.Sam.gov would not support the file type. |
| 2 | I would like to formally request a due date extension. Due to Covid shut downs, limited work force at both manufacturing plants including raw material providers and holiday schedule limited working schedules, we are most likely unable to secure the materials and information that is required to respond to the solicitation in accordance with the currently posted due date of January 8, 2021. Can you please extend the due date to the end of January or February 2021? | The Government issued Amendment 002 on 16 December 2020 which extends the due date to no later than 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time 22 January 2021. |
| 3 | Have the patterns/files changed from the last time you sent them to us about 1 month ago? | Yes, the pattern files have been updated from the Pre-Solicitation. Please ensure you have requested updated pattern files as of 11 December 2020. |
| 4 | Are the paper pattern still available and how do we request it in case our CAD system is not able to read these files? | We strongly recommend using the CAD software files to ensure you have the most up to date and accurate pattern files. Please contact Eric.G.Daniels@usmc.mil if you have an trouble opening the CAD files. |
| 5 | Are bidders able to bid on either the PTU shirt or PTU shorts, or is it a requirement to do both? | The Government is requesting a PTU set which requires offerors to bid on both PTU shirt and PTU short. |
| 6 | Can you please send the artwork files as a separate attachment? We are in receipt of the patterns, but do not have the artwork files for the logos. Is it possible to have these in a PDF or AI format? | The Government obtained the logo file on 16 December 2020 and disbursed via email to all offerors who had previously requested pattern files in response to the solicitation. The logo file is available to all offerors upon email request to Eric.G.Daniels@usmc.mil with a copy to Peggy.L.Smith1@usmc.mil. |
| 7 | The actual anticipated size of the solicitation. In the DLA awards we have bid on & or won, the quantities are usually described as “ Minimum, Average Expected or Maximum”? Is the size of an offeror’s award resulting from this solicitation equal to 1.8 million PTU’s per year or 1.8 million PTUs over the 5 year contract ? Would the forecast be considered min, average or max? | The contract is an IDIQ with an estimated maximum of 900,000 PTU "Sets" over the 5 year ordering period, which is 1,800,800 units to include the limited testing user evaluation submissions. |
| 8 | Reflective decorations. Our current thinking is that a heat transfer method will be better than screen printing for these types of decorations ( logo, etc. ). Does the MC have a preference? |
Is the stripe on the side of the shorts a print or a different piece of fabric which has been dyed/ finished differently?
| The Marine Corps does not have a preference or define the method to meet the reflective material requirements. The PTU short consists of three fabrics: the basic material, side panel, and liner. Refer to the PTU Short Purchase Description. | ||
| 9 | Is there a preferred fabric construction ( jersey, interlock, mesh, etc.) for the short’s knit liner material ? | No, there is no preferred fabric construction for the short’s knit liner material. The PTU short consists of three fabrics: the basic material, side panel, and liner. Refer to the PTU Short Purchase Description. |
| 10 | Do you have a Pantone number for the marine Olive Drab color for the basic material? | No. Refer to the PTU Short Purchase Description for short liner requirements. |
| 11 | Can you please confirm what size are you requiring for the 3 sets of PTU with the Submission by Jan 8th at 10m EST? |
Please review Attachment 005 - PTU Provisions and Clauses. The PDMs shall include one set in size medium, one set in size large, and one set in size x-large.
| 12 | At the present time, we are requesting a 2 week extension for the Marine PTU solicitation M67854-21-R-1804. | See question # 2. |
| 13 | I wanted to follow up on Amendment 001. Per the document shared, it stipulates that the new sizes for the PTU Shirt USMC heat seal are 1.5" x 4" instead of 3.127" x 3.5", however, we have already ordered the initial size and may not be able to secure the proper size by January 8th. If we use the 3.127" x 3.5" USMC heat seal, does that exclude us from being considered for the job if we can submit the proper size if awarded? | The Government will accept the 3.127" x 3.5" front USMC logo on the Shirt for the PDM samples with the understanding that the production items will need to be in accordance with the terms/conditions of the resultant contract. |
| 14 | I noticed in the 11-PD 20017USMC Short document page 4 & 5 ( highlighted below 3.5.3 Liner material calls for basic material which is the Marine Olive Drab (OD) Green 522, knit with antimicrobial and fiber moisture management properties) |
However, Table I: PTU Short Fabric Salient Characteristic Requirements in the PT Short Liner column: shows the liner listed in black and in a slightly different material weight and stretch/ wale wise.
| The "Table I: PTU Short Fabric Salient Characteristic Requirements" is correct. The PTU Short liner shall be Black in color and follow the specifications in Table I and the Statement of Work. Amendment 002 provided correction to Attachment 003, 11-PD 20017USMC PTU Short. | |
| 15 | Attachment 001 – PTU SOW lists the color of the PT Short Liner as Black. |
Attachment 003 – 11-PD 20017USMC PTU Short lists the color of the PT Short Liner as Marine OD Green 522 as well as Black (see below).
| Could you please confirm the correct color of the PT Short Liner? | See question # 14. | ||
| 16 | We are requesting a 2 week delay to counter the delay in receiving our material for the PDM. | See question # 2. | |
| 17 | What size are you requesting for three PTU Product Demonstration Samples required to be submitted with the proposal submission? | See question # 11. | |
| 18 | Will you accept product demonstration samples in substitute colors as it may not be possible to produce the fabric in Marine Olive Drab by January 8. | No. Government provided proposal extension via Amendment 002. | |
| 19 | I see that the decorations are constantly referred to as "Heat Transfers", is that a contract requirement or would screen printing be acceptable? | See question # 8. | |
| 20 | My office is telling me that both of these attachment pdf’s are not editable so we cant complete them by typing in the information required. Is there anyway to send me a PDF that we can edit/type on the forms | Adobe Acrobat Pro software will allow edit of the files or they can be printed and manually checked/completed as appropriate. | |
| 21 | We are requesting clarification on the finishing of the drawcord. Attached are the guidance, and two options. There is come confusion as the photo appears to be single-loop (no raw end), and the verbiage implies there are raw ends. |
Option 1 (photo A): A single-loop draw cord is knotted 1 inch from the exposed end.
Option 2 (photo B) : The draw cord ends are each knotted 1 inch from the exposed end to prevent raveling
Guidance:
3.6.2.1 Draw cord. The polyester knitted round draw cord shall be on the inside of the waist and shall be a good shade match to the basic material. The draw cord end shall be knotted 1 inch from the exposed end to prevent raveling
| A single buttonhole for the drawcord is the intended design. Drawings are correct, PD will be updated to reflect a single buttonhole. A single loop drawcord is not requested. Draw cord ends will have a knot 1 inch from each end. | ||
| 22 | Please provide more guidance on the requested color of the zipper tape. | See Section 3.6.2.2 Slide fastener of the PTU Short PD 11-PD 20017USMC. |
"The color of the coil, tape, and slide fastener square tapered pull shall be a good match to the basic material."
23 Additional question for the drawcord:
Can you please provide guidance on graded drawcord lengths?
| Drawcord length should be derived from the waist elastic length plus the exposed knotted end. Waist elastic length for all sizes is determined in Table VI Finished measurements, PT Short (inches) under measurement A: “Half Waist Relaxed”. Elastic and drawcord length should be cut for a total waist circumference. Approximately 5" of drawcord outside of waistband when laying flat. | |
| 24 | In speaking to multiple thread vendors, there is a recommendation to use Tex 30 in lieu of Tex 24 & 27 (for strength and simplification). Please advise if this is acceptable. |
SHORT ALL SIZES ALL YEARS Thread A-A-50199B Type II - Tex 40 Reinforcement of Bartacks SHORT ALL SIZES ALL YEARS Gimp Thread A-A-50198 Type I - Tex 210 Thread for Reinforcement of Buttonholes
| SHIRT & SHORT ALL SIZES ALL YEARS Thread A-A-50199B, Type II - Tex 30 Singleneedle & Needles of Overlock Machines, Loopers for Overlock & Coverstitch Machines (stronger than Tex 24 & 27) | This is acceptable. Please provide testing to verify strength. The offeror should demonstrate a benefit or rationale to a thread change. The benefits could be stronger seams, better seam appearance, and fewer seams and stitching defects. | ||
| 25 | Discrepancy for waist elastic Page 4 3.3 has 1” and page 5 3.6.2 has 2”. Please clarify. | Use the information in Section 3.6.2. The waist elastic is 2". The Short PD will be updated to reflect the discrepancy. | |
| 26 | Discrepancy for button hole Page 4 3.3 and Page 9 3.8.2 has 2 buttonholes with inserted drawstring. Images on Page 21 clearly show 1 buttonhole with drawcord in elastic. Please clarify. | See question #21. | |
| 27 | Does drawcord match short or liner if liner is black since it is on interior waist? | See Section 3.6.2.1 Draw cord. The polyester knitted round draw cord shall be on the inside of the waist and shall be a good shade match to the basic material. |
In this case the basic material is the referring to the short fabric.
| 28 | Could you provide a physical swatch for the Black shade standard chip ID 37038 in AMS-STD-595? | Physical swatches are not being provided. |
| 29 | In working with our textile vendors, we have a few more questions. |
Will you consider:
• PT shirt basic fabric with a weight of 5.3 - 5.6?
• PT short basic fabric equivalent to the shirt fabric?
• Short liner fabric in Marine Drab (vs. black)?
| Proposals and Product Demonstration Models must meet or exceed the requirements in accordance to the Statement of Work and Purchase Descriptions. Any deviations from the Purchase Descriptions shall include testing and verification of how the change exceeds the requirements. The PTU Short liner shall be Black in color and follow the specifications in Table I and the Statement of Work. Amendment 002 provided correction to Attachment 003 PTU Short. | |
| 30 | In the brief the USMC has requested a synthetic blend of either Poly or Nylon Spandex and we are proposing a superior alternative that will meet the needs of your requirements. |
| Hemp is a natural fiber that has permanent anti-microbial and antibacterial properties. | Proposals and Product Demonstration Models must meet or exceed the requirements in accordance to the Statement of Work and Purchase Descriptions. Any deviations from the Purchase Descriptions shall include testing and verification of how the change exceeds the requirements. | |
| 31 | Please confirm the individual packaging requirement. |
I am trying to get clarification based on MIL STD 129P, for each PT uniform item, does each item require to be in a individual sealed polybag/packaging
Does there need to be a hangtag with UPC sticker on each garment?
Yes, each item requires to be in an individual sealed polybag/package.
Yes, there needs to be a hangtag with UPC sticker on each garment.
PTUs will not be packaged as sets. Future packaging requirements shall be as specified in the resultant delivery orders.
| 32 | Is your office going to conduct a wash test on the PDMs submitted for this solicitation? | The Government reserves the right to inspect and test the material or components to verify the validity of the certification. |
| 33 | For PDMs, is the vendor required to conduct end item wash testing and submit results per section 4 of both (jersey and short) purchase descriptions? | The offeror shall submit testing data in accordance with section 4 in 11-PD 20013USMC and in section 4 11-PD 20017USMC verifying the PDMs meet the physical requirements. |
| 34 | Do submitted PDMs need to be garments used in end item wash testing or new unwashed garments? | Submitted PDMs should be new unwashed garments. |
| 35 | For the shorts, 1-PD 20017USMC dated 3 December 2020 section 3.3 calls for the waist to have a width of 1 inch. Section 3.6.2 calls for 2 inch wide knitted elastic. Would you please clarify if section 3.3 should instead call for 2”? | See question #25. |
| 36 | For “Quality Conformance Inspection” the jersey calls for ANSI/ISEA 107. ANSI/ISEA 107 refers to reflectivity. Was the intention to call for ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 (similar to what is called out in the short description)? | The PTU shirt purchase description Quality Conformance Inspection should reference ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. |
| 37 | Is there a spec for the distance between buttonholes for the elastic drawcord for the shorts? | See question # 21. Single buttonhole should be centered in line with front rise seam. |
| 38 | For “Quality Conformance Inspection” (in both short and jersey descriptions), is there an estimated AQL and Inspection Level (G1, GI, GIII, S1, S2, S3, S4)? | The inspection and the AQL shall be specified in the contract or purchase order. We expect the AQL and inspection levels to be similar to current t-shirt and short contracts. |
| 39 | Does end item testing requiring laundering fall under the quality conformance inspections of 4.3, where we would have to launder sample quantities for end item testing according to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4? | Yes, end item testing falls under conformance inspection, and end item samples could be subject to laundry tests. |
| 40 | If end item testing needing laundering is required on a regular basis, would conforming laundered units be included back into production shipments or discarded? | No. Laundered items would not be put back into production. |
| 41 | Wash testing for “Reflective Durability Requirements” calls for testing three samples of each garment. What is the frequency of this test? | See question #38. |
| 42 | 11-PD 20017USMC, 4.3.3 references Table VIII for end item examination, but table VIII is the table for fabric salient characteristics. Is this table reference intended for table IX? This same discrepancy appears to occur in section 4.3.1.2 as well. | Refer to Table X. End item testing. |
| 43 | 11-PD 20017USMC, 4.3.4 references Table V and Table VI when referring to measurements. Table V is a list of stitch types. Is the proper reference is likely table VI and table VII? | The proper references are Tables VI and VII. |
| 44 | 11-PD 20017USMC, 4.4 reference table IX for defects. Is the correct reference is table XI? | Yes, the correct reference is Table XI. Defects. |
| 45 | 11-PD 20013USMC, 3.6.1 calls for “Tex 27 210” thread. Is this is to read “Tex 27”? | See question #24. |
| 46 | What is the process for submitting more than one supplier for materials? (i.e, we have two different suppliers for the t shirt body, two different suppliers for the short body and so on..) | The testing data, submitted by the offeror, in accordance with section 4 in 11-PD 20013USMC and in section 4 11-PD 20017USMC verifying the PDMs meet the physical requirements shall be the submitted PDMs. The offeror may submit testing data on the alternate supplier(s). |
| 47 | If we use a primary raw material supplier’s product in the initial garments, can we qualify a secondary supply source if the secondary source demonstrates equivalent performance? Does the Marine Corps have to approve the second source of raw material supply or is CoC and test data satisfactory for demonstrating equivalency? | The contractor would be required to demonstrate that the materials from the secondary supplier meet the requirements in the PTU shirt and PTU short purchase descriptions. |
| 48 | Where we can find additional information (or a stitch table) regarding the suffix on the "seam and stitch type" from Table IV Stitches and Seams? |
E.g., looking to understand the suffix "-2(B)" of LSbp-2(B) , or "-2" of EFa-2.
| Refers to industry manufacturing ASTM 6193 in applicable documents. | ||
| 49 | Is there a Standard for the black used in the short liner and mesh panel for tee and shorts? | The black shade standard shall be chip ID 37038 in AMS-STD-595 Colors Used in Government Procurement. |
| 50 | Please confirm that it is OK to use fabrics dyed to app shade match of the Green 522 for the initial end items submitted for the solicitation as long as the shade can be adjusted for production. | Fabrics shall match the appropriate shade standard. Minor adjustments will be allowed prior to production. |
| 51 | Is there a way to receive courtesy shade evaluations on current prototype fabric? | No, the Government does not plan to conduct courtesy shade evaluations. |
| 52 | Will end items constructed of fabrics that do not meet 100% of the current requirements listed in the initial PDs still be considered? | Yes, although preference will be given to fabrics that meet all or as many of the salient characteristics requirements listed in the PTU Shirt and Short Fabric Salient Characteristic Requirements. Preference will also be given to fabrics that significantly exceed requirements (e.g., higher burst strength). |
| 53 | Materials Drawcord - Is there a specific width diameter that the round drawcord should be? | 1/4" Diameter. |
| 54 | Materials Elastic - Does the elastic in the waistband need to be latex free? | No, the elastic waistband does not need to be latex free. |
| 55 | Materials Fabrics - Can materials used in submission samples be without silver? close to final but not 100% | If the question refers to the reflective logo, the color shall be silver. |
If the question refers to the antimicrobial, the antimicrobial treatment should meet the antimicrobial requirement.
| 56 | Materials Fabrics - Will samples with be accepted with fabrics that are close to request, if not exact? | See Question # 52. |
| 57 | Materials Labels - Images show that the Reflective Heat Transfer art would be sewn through by topstitching at back neck of shirt and at leg hem of shorts. Is this correct? Would this create issue for tearing or decrease durability of the heat transfers? | Stitching should not be sewn through reflective material. |
| 58 | Materials Labels - Can the reflective heat transfers be moved out of the seams? | Yes reflective heat transfers may be moved off the seams. |
| 59 | Materials Labels - Can we change the combination size/identification/instruction label be a pad print instead of a heat transfer? | Yes. The label may be a pad print instead of heat transfer. |
| 60 | Materials Labels - Can reflective strips on shorts be 1" not 3/4" | Yes, 1" reflective strips on the shorts may be used as they visually will appear similar. |
| 61 | Materials Thread - Bid says Tex 27 thread but Tex24 is more common | See question #24. |
| 62 | Materials Thread - The polyester drawcord--are aglets at the end necessary or is a raw edge but knotted okay? | The draw cord end shall be knotted 1 inch from the exposed end to prevent raveling. Aglets are not necessary. |
| 63 | Pattern Seam Allowances - Can we update to be 1/4" instead of 3/8"? | Patterns account for a 3/8" seam. Seams can be adjusted for finishing but overall finished dimensions should remain. |
| 64 | Pattern Shirt/Shorts - Some of the pattern measurements/grading are not the same as the "finished measurements" in the documents. Should we follow the pattern measurements or match the "finished measurements" tables? | Patterns should govern, finished measurements can be updated post production to reflect any changes needed. Please ensure you have the most updated pattern files that were disbursed 11 December 2020 and after. |
| 65 | Pattern Shirt - Should there be a side panel insert on both the left and right side of the garment? The pattern has only left side panel pieces cut 1. Should this be cut 2, so the shirt has side panels on both the left and right side of the shirt? | Yes, the side back and side front pieces are cut 2. Panels should be included on both sides of the shirt. |
| 66 | Pattern Shirt - Does the 1/2" self neck tape get applied to just the center back panel or should it extend forward to front raglan seam joining? | The self neck tape may be extend to forward to the front raglan seam join. |
| 67 | Pattern Short - Leg vent is the construction supposed to have fabric behind the opening, like a skirt vent? | Patterns provide a step out for proper overlap between shell and mesh at the side vent. |
| 68 | Pattern Short Pocket - What is the correct measurement from top of waistband to top of pocket opening on side seam? pattern is confusing | Distance from the top of the waistband to the top of the pocket opening is approx. 2-3/4". |
| 69 | Pattern Short - Hem on pattern is 3/8" but documentation calls for 3/4". Which is correct? | See Table II in the PTU Short PD 11-PD 20017USMC. The hem for the short and the liner is 3/4". May appear 3/8" due to DXF conversion issue. |
| 70 | Pattern Short - If 2 buttonholes are needed how far apart are they from center front? The document says they should be "correctly positioned" but doesn't give an exact position for them. Should they each be 1/2" from CF, 1/4", etc.? | See questions #21 and #37. |
| 71 | Pattern Short Drawcord - Should this be one loop through 2 buttonholes, giving you a loop at center front and ends attached at center back? Can their just be one buttonhole at center front where drawcord loop exits through this same one buttonhole? | See questions #21 and #37. |
| 72 | Pattern Short Drawcord - Is there a spec for the length of drawcord cut length or finished length? How much drawcord should be outside of the garment? | Approximately 5" of drawcord outside of waistband when laying flat. |
| 73 | Sewing Short - Is it possible to just do one buttonhole at centfront to pull the drawcord through? | See questions #21 and #37. |
| 74 | Sewing Stitch Type - Can we get more information/details on the 506 stitch type? What is the ASTM for this stitch type? | It is 406 stitch type. The reference is ASTM 6193 bottom coverstich. |
| 75 | Sewing Stitch Type - Can buttonholes and bartacks exclude the 210 gimp? | Yes. Buttonholes and bartacks may exclude the 210 gimp. |
| 76 | Sewing Stitch Type - Is Tex 30 for single needle and Tex 24 for loopers acceptable in place of Tex 27? | The offeror should demonstrate a benefit or rationale to a thread change. The benefits could be stronger seams, better seam appearance, and fewer seams and stitching defects. |
| 77 | PTU Short - Stitches & Seam requirements Table V (page 10) - do you have location information available? I.e., Corresponding Table IV for the shirt (page 9) has additional information of width and location. | There is not additional information available for the trunk. |
| 78 | Will you accept Greige color for the main body for the sample if Marine Olive Drab is not available at the time for sampling? | No. See question #18. |
| 79 | Based on the directive below from the most updated attached documents from beta.Sam.gov., the below barcode and upc numbers need to be provided to us. |
The barcoding element shall be a 13-digit national stock number (NSN). There shall be a 12-digit UPC number assigned for all NSNs by the contracting activity.
The Barcode requirements notated in 11-PD 20013USMC; "3.6.3.2 Barcode label" as well as 11-PD 20017USMC; "3.6.5.2 Barcode label" are not required for porposal submissions. These requirements will be applicable to to production units.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .