N00024-21-R-5208 Responses to Industry Questions.pdf

BIDDER’S QUESTION RESPONSES – FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 1

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 [Page number (e.g., 98)] Note E Clarify SOW to match intent of Note E

Proprietary Non-Proprietary

[If proprietary, provide justification]

Question/Comment & Requested Action

The requirements of Note E appear to require a special type of either MAT or SFAT testing for the ECSC. Recommend to clarify within the SOW (3.5.3.2 or 3.5.3.3) the specific acceptance test requirements which are being stipulated in Note E for the ECSC.

Government Response

There is no difference in acceptance testing requirements or procedures. The difference between the two is the GFE provided for ECSC testing.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 2

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 94 3.3.4 TDP Clarify scope of TDP maintenance

Clarify that the TDP will be initially provided as GFI. Unless it is not the intent of the Government for the contractor to maintain the TDP, recommend the requirements of this paragraph be extended per the below example. This ensures the Contractor can provide a TDP to the Government that is of production quality.

3.0.1 Technical Data Package (TDP). The applicable CEC Equipment technical documentation and drawings are provided as GFI. The Contractor shall maintain and update the TDPs (CDRL Axxxx) for CEC equipment in accordance with MIL-STD-31000B as a production Level III TDP. The TDP shall contain all data and information sufficient for a third party to manufacture and provide life cycle support for CEC equipment developed and qualified under this contract. The Contractor shall not use proprietary or vendor unique software, equipment (hardware and test) or technology. The Contractor shall update the TDPs, as required, to support CEC equipment production and/or changes to CEC equipment implemented during production. The TDP shall be maintained without any proprietary markings and, at the very least, with Government Purpose Rights (GPR) as defined at DFARS 252.227- 7013. Drawings and associated lists shall be developed and structured in accordance with ASME Y14.24M-1999 and MIL-STD-31000B. The Contractor shall make available each TDP to the Government owned Integrated Digital Environment. The TDP shall be verified by the Contractor at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to any required Physical Configuration Audit (PCA).

Confirmed the TDP will be initially provided as GFI. TDP will be maintained in accordance with C 3.3.4. The Government will look into the recommended language.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 3

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 96 3.5.3.3 SFAT Outdoor range

CLIN 0003 is defined as “COMPLETION OF AN OUTDOOR TESTING RANGE AS DESCRIBED IN THE SOW AND PROPOSAL RESPONSE”. Section 3.5.3.3 defines very little regarding the outdoor range requirements. Are there any specific requirements beyond being certified for C-Band operation? Is the range required to be dedicated and funded purely by this solicitation or is use and sharing of an existing range a compliant position? Is testing at any Government ranges ever required?

The antenna range requirement is to legally radiate C-band frequencies and support the power and cooling requirements of the CEC systems as specified in the TDP. Further details of range requirements will be provided as GFI.

This solicitation requirement is for the contractor to have use of a range that meets the Range requirements of the CEC systems per the details which will be provided GFI.

At this time there is no explicit requirement for Government Range testing but may be required in the future.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 4

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 98 3.6.3 SDP-S Scope of “Ready for Issue”

Is the MAT or SFAT test procedure for a SDP-S modification intended to be provided as GFI? If not, the definition of “Ready for Issue” should be clarified. In particular is certified Special Test Equipment required to test the SDP-S complies with the Unit Spec?

C.3.6.3 Defines ready for issue as (A-Condition) and performs and operates as designed in the applicable CEC Weapon/Unit Specifications. Any Special test equipment necessary will be defined in the GFE for Performance which will be provided.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 5

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 98 3.7.1 Engineering Services Scope of services

Recommend that the potential scope of ES be extended to include support to the design agent(s) for engineering analyses and studies. Presumably the production agent could provide extensive valuable insights to the design agent. Also, to facilitate appropriate pricing of labor to accommodate design support, we would also recommend that the eventual RFP allocates a recommended skill mix that includes design engineering resources along with the more typical manufacturing, test and repair type resources and that the number of potential hours per year be increased slightly over the stated 7000.

The Government will look into the recommended language provided and total hours currently estimated for this effort.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 6

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 NA Section M Recommendation to include engineering support of design as evaluation factor

Although section M was not included, we recommend that a key evaluation factor of the following be included to ensure the risk to the government in the execution of the eventual contract be minimized:

Engineering Design Capability - It is anticipated that over the production lifecycle the hardware design will evolve due to end of life material or other factors. In order to be acceptable, the Offeror's proposal shall demonstrate its ability to support the government in detailed evaluation of hardware changes to include, at a minimum, the assessment of: structural and thermal analysis impacts, acceptance testing software impacts, tactical software impacts, requirements compliance impacts, production flow changes, and impacts to previously delivered systems. In prior NAVSEA proposals a Sample Problem was included to facilitate a clear differentiation of bidder capabilities.

The Government will review the recommended language provided.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 7

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 117 Section D FAUs and PRR

Section D stipulates FAU deliveries 16 months AOE and system deliveries (CLIN 0004 forward) 18 months AOE. Will an FAU PRR be required to authorize material purchases and production on CLINs 0004 forward or will production system builds be allowed to proceed prior to PRR? Is successful conduct of the First Article Test (3.4.1) a gate to conduct of FCA or PCA or receipt of written approval from the Government to proceed to FRP? And is conduct of FCA or PCA a gate to conduct of PRR? We recommend 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.5.1 be written such that DCMA will allow FRP to start, absent full completion of FCA, PCA, PRR, FAT. As currently written DCMA may read the contract as requiring completion of those events before they will begin to participate in a Contractor’s production line inspection.

Government Response

Formal solicitation request will contain amplifying details for FAU and option CLINs. Formal solicitation request will contain amplifying details for FCA, PCA, PRR, and FAT.

Section F timelines will be updated in the formal solicitation.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 8

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 78 Note A Stepladder ranges

The stated number of production CLINs and wide range of stepladders (from Q1 to Q12 for many CLINs, up to 50 for the 8360204-004) will make it difficult for any bidder to claim they have sufficient capacity to accommodate any and all ranges of potential CLINs and max quantities and still meet the delivery requirements of Section D. Is it possible for the Government to provide a bounding of some form on the potential number of systems or kits ordered per year? Alternatively, is it possible to set the delivery requirements in Section D such that the first system is due at Month X and then subsequent systems are due every Y months/weeks?

Government Response

The Contractor should include maximum production rates and delivery capability with their proposal in conjunction with stepladder quantities. The Government will look into providing bounding quantities.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 9

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft+N0002421R5208 NA NA Inclusion of scope for future capabilities

Does the government contemplate using CLIN X028 to fund studies and analysis of developmental waveforms and of emerging aperture or other equipment technology designed to upgrade LPI/LPD performance and performance in adverse environmental or operational environments?

Developmental studies and analysis for emerging apertures or technology design upgrade do not fall within the scope of this solicitation.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 10

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Presolicitation announcement – Beta.sam.gov

N/A N/A

Specifically, these requirements include Defense Security Service (DSS)-issued SECRET facility clearance, SECRET personnel clearances and SECRET safeguarding capability.

Offerors must possess a TOP SECRET facility clearance issued by the United States Government by the time of contract award.

Can the government please clarify whether TOP SECRET facility clearance is required? Per the draft RFP it defines holding clearances up to Secret but the announcement on Beta.sam.gov calls out

TOP SECRET.

The security clearance requirements are defined in the provided DD254.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 11

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP 97 3.6

The Contractor shall conduct repairs of CEC systems and equipment, including emergency repairs, overhauls, refurbishment, and maintenance of CEC equipment and associated equipment, including all efforts, material, and ODCs incidental to such work, such as repair parts

Can the government clarify if the repair of the PAAA configuration will be the legacy PAAA or the new (currently under development) PAAA configuration? Will CSSA repair be included in this scope of work as well?

This solicitation requires the contractor be capable of repairing all CEC System configurations. CSSA repair is not part of the scope of work.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 12

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP 97 3.6.2

All material delivered to the Contractor for repair evaluation shall be held in the stock point until authorized for evaluation. If no emergent need exists, the Contractor shall hold repaired material in the stock point until such time as a Fleet requirement emerges.

Will the government be providing a list of the type of material that is expected to be held in stock point until a requirement emerges?

A representative list of stockpoint material will be made available as GFI with the formal solicitation.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 13

Draft RFP 94 3.3.4

3.3.4 Technical Data Package (TDP)

The Contractor shall develop, maintain, and submit updates to the TDP in accordance with CDRL A029 and the requirements of MIL STD 31000B.

Can the government please provide further detail on the extent to which the TDP will be maintained? Is the expectation that all updates will be maintained similar to that of how the Design Agent operates?

TDP will be maintained in accordance with C 3.3.4.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 14

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP 93 3.3.3

The Contractor shall monitor, identify, plan for, and recommend solutions for DMSMS and obsolescence issues in accordance with the PEO IWS 6.0 Obsolescence and DMSMS Management Plan and PEO IWS 6.0 Risk Management Plan, both provided as GFI

Will the contractor be expected to complete testing/qualification of identified ECP’s or will that role still lie with the Design Agent?

That role is defined within the CM Plan which will be provided as GFI. The Government will look into adding amplifying language into Section C.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 15

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP 117 N/A Section Deliveries and Performance

Will all exercised units be due within the listed delivery time or will the formal RFP define a maximum delivery rate?

The Contractor should include maximum forecasted production rates and delivery capability with their proposal in conjunction with stepladder quantities.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 16

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP Page 93 SOW 3.3.2/3.3.3 N/A

Will there be information on the procurement plan/status for current obsolescence issues?

The Government will look into providing current obsolescence issues as part of GFI with the formal solicitation.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 17

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP N/A N/A N/A

Will bidders be able to tour current CEC production facilities?

The Government cannot provide direction for or facilitate tours of the current contractor's facilities.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 18

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP N/A N/A N/A

Will the government release a draft Section M prior to final RFP release?

Section M will be released as part of the formal solicitation.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 19

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

Draft RFP N/A N/A N/A

When does the government envision all GFI documents to be in the bidders’ library?

The Government intends to have all GFI available to bidders as soon as possible but not later than the time the solicitation is released. Classified GFI will require additional security process to access.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 20

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

DRAFT SOLICITATION

N0002421-R-5208, SECTIONS B, C, F, 14

DECEMBER 2020

N/A

[The company] is engaged with two industry partners responding to Navy’s Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) Radio and Cryptography Technology (20-LANT-0124) Request For Proposal (RFP), which is currently being evaluated by PEO IWS for contract award this year. It is [the company’s] understanding that the results of the IWRP effort will directly influence the capabilities of the next generation CEC system.

As written, the draft CEC solicitation focuses on production, repair and sustainment of the legacy CEC system. If this is the case, then [the company] does not have any specific comments other than to say that we plan to respond to any future CEC RFPs based on our business case assessment at the time.

Thank you and we look forward to your forthcoming response.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 21

DRAFT SOLICITATION

N0002421-R-5208, If the draft solicitation is intended to address development of the next generation CEC system and the Navy plans to incorporate the capabilities to be developed by the Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) effort then [the company] recommends that a baseline system should be able to support the IWRP-20-LANT-0124 technical requirements including the radio sizing requirements specified in the 20-LANT-0124-Radio Sizing Recommendations V5 7-27-20 document. The next generation CEC system must be capable of rapid software and hardware upgrades to remain relevant in the complex EMS environment. A Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) to design and development employing open and scalable system architectures along with robust modeling, simulation and testing will be crucial to the success of the next generation CEC system.

Thank you for your input, the Government will look into the recommendations.

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 22

DRAFT SOLICITATION

N0002421-R-5208, The next generation CEC system should support new waveforms, such as those being evaluated as part of the Navy’s Tactical Data Dissemination Initiative (TDDi), which are capable of supporting combat operations in contested and highly contested environments. The next generation system should comply with the TDDi waveform specification developed by the Navy. Legacy waveforms are well known by our adversaries and are vulnerable in a contested environment. The next generation CEC systems must be capable of supporting assured, resilient and networked communications waveforms to maximize maneuverability in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS).

Draft Solicitation N00024-21-R-5208 – Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) System Production and Repair

Question No.: 23

Source Document Page Number Item Excerpt of Content Proprietary Information

DRAFT SOLICITATION

N0002421-R-5208, The next generation CEC system will require new apertures to effectively support operations in the ever more contested, congested and constrained electromagnetic spectrum. These new apertures must be leap-ahead technologies to support the full capabilities of next generation waveforms that are frequency band agnostic and frequency band agile: essential capabilities to ensure freedom of action in successful combat operations.