3-_Attachment_11-_Bidders_Questions_Answers_Rev_5-23-16_FINAL.docx

N00024-16-R-2215

EOD MERC

Questions and Answers (Updated) May 23, 2016

1. Question: With regard to Explosive Disposal Multi-Use EOD Response Craft, pre-solicitation, would the Government consider a hull made of different material other than fiberglass (such as aluminum)? Adept Processing Services offers a unit for use which meets or exceeds all the Government’s requirements and is very interested in responding to this solicitation when issued.

Answer: Due to the nature of their work and their existing maintenance infrastructure, EOD requires a fiberglass composite hull. We do buy aluminum hulled boats for other applications, and hope that you will bid on one of those in the future.

2. Question: In paragraph 630-4 of EOD MERC Solicitation N0002416R2215 calls out “Removable anti-fatigue matting (SKYDEX Impact Mitigating (IMBD) or Soft Deck High Performance Energy Absorbing Flooring System (HPEAFS or similar) shall be provided on all walking surfaces. Matting shall be highly resistant, oil resistant, saltwater resistant, easily replaceable and non-skid.” Concern is, call out does not specify “or equal” and calls out two specific manufacturers of matting or similar

Answer: The requirement is for Anti-Fatigue matting and is not limited by a brand name. The Government provided SKYDEX and HPEAFS as examples of acceptable products.

3. Question: What changed in the last 2 weeks that caused this to be now be a set aside?

Answer: Market research was performed pursuant to FAR Part 10 and DFARS Part 10 to identify potential qualified small business sources to build and deliver EOD MERCs based on the current Government requirements. This research showed that there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small businesses. In accordance with FAR 19.502-2 this action has been set aside for small businesses.

4. Question: 252-4 OCC/CAB Dynamic Positioning System (OCC and Cabin Varients) the boat shall be equipped with Mercury Marine's Skyhook(r) Dynamic Positioning System (DPS). The DPS shall be capable of autonomously maintaining heading and approximate position of the boat using GPS coordinates and an electronic compass. The system shall be integrated with navigation system, the control system, and the digital display system (discussed in Sections 252-1, 252-2, and 422-2). After contacting Mercury Marine about this requirement, they have informed us that this system is not approved for government/commercial use. Below is the contexts of the email that was sent to us from Mercury Marine. Mercury will be having a meeting with the Navy within the next few weeks. The data from the current test platform will be gathered during this meeting. Mercury will also discuss the Navy's expectations and Mercury's capabilities and/or system limitations in regards to the RFP. This will help level-set all parties involved and lead to a more favorable outcome. The application teams here at Mercury are aware you are anxiously awaiting further information (BOM and pricing). Please rest assured that the Navy realizes Mercury needs to review the application before we are able to provide you with any info. I will keep you updated. We are requesting either have this requirement removed from the specification in its entirety or say offeror must provide weight, space and power for future installation of this system, or the due date for the RFP needs to moved out until the Navy and Mercury can get together on this system.

Answer: Mercury Marine will provide requested pricing and BOM.

5. Question: Requesting the RIAM and towing lights master guidance for space and design.

Answer: Files will be provided directly to Offeror upon request. All requests must be submitted to Abigail.peregrino@navy.mil AND Roxie.thomas@navy.mil.

6. Question: On page 54 item 422-2 Integrated Electronic Navigation System- The specification call out a Furuno DRS2D this has been discontinued and the replacement is DRS4D. The specification call out a Furuno DFF1 Network Sounder and a Furuno 235-IHF transducer. After speaking with FurunoUSA the 235-IHF will not work with the DFF1 sounder. They said that another transducer would need to be selected to work with the DFF1 sounder or do not use the DFF1 sounder and just use the 235-IHF transducer.

Answer: This has been updated. See revised Attachment 1.

7. Question: We have noted that in the pre-solicitation that the capability will support “Unmanned systems operations” and that they could be used in non-permissive environments etc. However in the Solicitation there is no reference to an Unmanned systems operations. We would like to inquire why this requirement was left out of the solicitation?

Answer: Unmanned systems are not provided by boat builders, but are provided internally by EOD. Unmanned systems are not a requirement for this procurement.

8. Question: Offeror is requesting Eye latch design as per page 62 582-2OCC/CAB Bow Eye (OCC and Cabin Variants): The boat shall be equipped with an aluminum forward bow eye with a stainless steel press fit hole insert. The bow eye shall be rated for a 7,000 lbs design load in the forward direction with factor of safety of five (5) based on the ultimate strength of material. The bow eye shall be designed to accept the SGLR Bow Eye Latch Device. The bow eye shall be 1" in thickness with a hole centered 1.125" from the nearest obstruction (hull or bend in plate). The bow eye hole shall have an inner diameter of 1.125" to accept a 1" pin for attaching the SGLR Bow Eye Latch Device or a Crosby G-2130 7/8" shackle. SGLR Bow Eye Latch Device design details available upon request.

Answer: Guidance for requesting the SGLR Bow Eye Latch Device Design has been added to Section L.1(a), under item 20.

9. Question: Request clarification regarding the ISO standard version for 6185-4.

Answer: The standard is ISO 6185-4:2011 (corrected version 2014). This has been included in the revised Attachment 1.

10. Question: Regarding- Section L Volume 1- Factor 2 and Attachment 10- Past Performance Question- Would the Government consider accepting copies of Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARS), when available, in lieu of the Contractor sending out Past Performance Questionnaires to Customers.

Answer: Yes, the Government will accept copies of CPARS in lieu of the Contractor sending out Past Performance Questionnaires to Customers.

11. Question: SF33 states due date is 6/7/16, however Page 115 L-1(b)2 states due date is 5/26/16.

Answer: Correct due date is June 7, 2016 as stated on the SF33. Amendment 01 has been issued to correct Section L.1.

UPDATED MAY 23, 2016

12. Question: The Spec says guidance on spacing and design. Is there another part to this as far as guidance on design. If not, would a condensed version of the RIAM mast be acceptable something similar to what the 11 Meter SSC that are under contract are using for RIAM mast.

Answer: The guidance is not intended to relax any of the COLREGS requirements. It is only to avoid confusion on which specific rules apply to this RFP. Please be more specific if there is a part of the COLREGS that the Contractor feels cannot be met.

13. Question: Reference: Specifications Section: 084-6 OCC/CAB Rough Terrain Trailer (RTT) (OCC and Cabin Variant) and NOM Road Trailer (NOMWC Variant)

The specification defined the specific Boat Trailer manufacturer. There are other Trailer manufacturers (other than Boatmaster) that can comply with the specified requirements. Will the Government entertain Trailer Manufacturer other than Boatmaster? A company on the West Coast will have to be burdened by shipping cost of each trailer compared to a boat builder in the East Coast (or same State). If not, what is the Part number for the two different Boat Trailer from Boatmaster?

Answer: Parts called out in the Specification have been chosen to reduce the overall Life Cycle Cost of the boat system. Life cycle costs include commonality with existing maintenance planning and analysis, training (including Navy schools) and training support, supply support, technical documentation, and craft design integration. Major components also have undergone market survey analysis by the Navy to determine which product is specified.

Offerors may propose alternative items that meet the criteria in the Specification Section 042-5.

14. Question: Section: 166-1 Air/Foam Hybrid Collar The specification defined the specific Hybrid Collar manufacturer for the boat. There are other hybrid collar manufacturer (other than Wing) that can comply with the specified requirements. Will the Government entertain US Hybrid Collar Manufacturer other than Wing? A company on the East Coast will have to be burdened by shipping cost of each Collar compared to a boat builder in the West Coast (or same State). If not, what is the Part number for Wing Collar?

Answer: Parts called out in the Specification have been chosen to reduce the overall Life Cycle Cost of the boat system. Life cycle costs include commonality with existing maintenance planning and analysis, training (including Navy schools) and training support, supply support, technical documentation, and craft design integration. Major components also have undergone market survey analysis by the Navy to determine which product is specified.

Offerors may propose alternative items that meet the criteria in the Specification Section 042-5.

15. Question: Page 126 of 129 evaluation factors does not address factor 3 Small Business Subcontracting Plan, instead the write up below says factor 3 is price.

Answer: Section M has been revised to remove the factor for a Small Business Subcontracting Plan and replace Factor 3 with Price. Factor 4 has been removed in its entirety.

16. Question: On page 52 of the specification 330-5OCC/CAB Special Operations Light (OCC and Cabin Variants) the boat shall be equipped with a LED beacon with amber lens (Whelen p/n L11HAP) located on the T-top/Rooftop. Whelen has said that the P/N L11HAP has been discontinued and they recommend using L10HAP is this acceptable?

Answer: Yes, this is an acceptable alternative.

17. Question: With the details of the RFP recently release, the time allotted to present a high-fidelity proposal response poses a significant challenge. Request an extension to Solicitation N00024-16-F-2215 of three (3) weeks.

Answer: A two week extension has been given. No further extension will be granted. All questions must be submitted by June 1, 2016. No additional questions will be accepted after this date. Offerors are reminded that it is the Government's intent to award this effort without discussions.

18. Question: REFERENCE: Specification, Section 166-1; COLLAR- the Specification calls for a 7 chamber polyurethane air bladder. Normal industry practice is that the Hybrid Foam Collar is equipped with one chamber on each side and equipped with an Inflation / Deflation Valve and Pressure Relief Valve. Is this acceptable?

Answer: If a full round collar is proposed it shall have 7 chambers per the Specification. If the alternative "D" shaped collar is proposed then reduced number of chambers will be considered.

19. Question: On page 41 of the specification 166-1 Air/Foam Hybrid Collar The boat shall be equipped with a removable seven (7)-chamber polyurethane, minimum 22" diameter round or 'D' shaped, gray, WING Inflatables Foam-Filled Air-Holding collar (or equal) mechanically fastened to the hull. Foam/air hybrid collar systems shall utilize closed-cell foam encapsulated by a marinized membrane/fabric. The foam shall maintain at minimum 80% of the intact volume of the collar/chamber when damaged or punctured. The collar shall be equipped with bulkheaded chambers of nominally equal volume, separate fill and relief valves, inboard and outboard lifelines, heavy duty non-marking rub strakes, and collar doublers in all wear areas.

Construction joints shall be made using radio frequency (RF) welding to the greatest extent possible. Seams shall be at least as strong as the weakest of the materials joined by the seam. Seams shall be capable of surviving a pressure of 200% of the working pressure for thirty (30) minutes at a temperature of 100oF without damage or slippage of the seams.

A UV-resistant topcoat (Techthane or equal) shall be applied to the upper collar circumference (from inboard attachment strip to top of outboard rub strake) from bow to transom. A 6" (nominal) wide non-skid step area on the top of the collar shall be integrated into the topcoat from bow to transom. This coating is intended to provide additional abrasion protection and shall not be used to prevent or remedy air leakage.

Fabric shall be manufactured in the US (per DFARS 225.7002). Basic coated fabric used for collar construction shall have the following minimum properties:

* If Polyester base fabric:

* Base fabric weight not less than six (6) ounces per square yard (oz/yd2)

* Coated fabric weight not less than thirty (30) (oz/yd2)

OR

* If Nylon base fabric

* Base fabric weight not less than twelve (12) oz/yd2

* Coated fabric weight not less than thirty (30) oz/yd2 Question: Is the requirement for an all air or foam/air 22" or D-shaped collar or is the requirement for just 22" or D-shaped foam/air collar?

Answer: The requirement is for an air/foam hybrid collar. The shape of the collar may be round or 'D' shaped, but either shape must be air and foam per Section 166 requirements. A round collar shall be minimum 22" in diameter; a 'D' shaped collar shall be minimum 22" in height.

20. Question: With regard to the 100% Total Small Business set-aside, we would like to bring to your attention that as a small business, we can team with a large business to offer a solution that is cost effective and incorporates small business components. Would the government consider amending the solicitation to allow us to offer the product of a large business?

Answer: In order to meet the requirements of a Small Business Set Aside, Small businesses must provide 51% of the work (at a minimum). In accordance with the FAR requirements, this solicitation remains a small business set aside.

21. Question: Would the Government extend the deadline for this solicitation by 1 week, to then be due 6/14/2016?

Answer: A two week extension has been given. No further extension will be granted. All questions must be submitted by June 1, 2016. No additional questions will be accepted after this date. Offerors are reminded that it is the Government's intent to award this effort without discussions.

22. Question: Specification Sections 236 and 252 - Can you please provide Contractors with a Mercury Marine Point of Contact that will provide the required pricing quotes and BOM?

Answer: This requirement has been removed from the solicitation. We are currently revising Attachment 1 and this will be issued in a forthcoming amendment.

23. Question: We respectfully request a 2 week extension to the bid close. The solicitation has a very short window and is quite complex for a small boat. We have had a very hard time getting suppliers to confirm pricing out several years and are still negotiating with many of them over this.

Answer: A two week extension has been given. No further extension will be granted. All questions must be submitted by June 1, 2016 and no additional questions will be accepted after this date. Offerors are reminded that it is the Government's intent to award this effort without discussions.