N0016718Q0009_PHCD_Question_and_Answers_1_Final.docx

N0016718Q0009 PHCD

Question and Answers 17 May 2018

Question 1 – Would the government consider Best Value evaluation over Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation?

Answer 1 – The government has made the determination that using Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation procedures will result in the best value to the government for this procurement.

Question 2 - The Technical Data Package (TDP) to be provided to the government includes creation, by the contractor, of all detailed drawings. Are there currently no other drawings in this TDP nor any data on analyses conducted to date?

Answer 2 - No other drawings or analysis will be provided with this RFQ. A certain amount of conceptual design was completed to ensure feasibility and interface with the boat and UUV. The conceptual design was used to scope these specification requirements but not intended to limit the contractor’s ability to execute detail design and produce the supplies. For example, the boom arm must be the length specified for correct operation and integration on the boat; however, the cross-sectional shape, layup schedule, and size shall be determined by the contractor to meet their design analysis and desired production method.

Question 3 - Would the government consider an alternate design that meets the specifications provided?

Answer 3 – If a design meets all of the specifications, then it is not considered “alternative”.

Question 4 - COTS Technical Manuals and Documentation and Maintenance Manual are to be provided. Does COTS imply that this product already exists from some supplier?

Answer 4 – The COTS manuals and documentation are not required for the end product, which is not COTS. These manuals are for components installed on the davit system that are COTS. Examples of components that may be COTS are the slewing gear, winches, or electrical components.

Question 5 - Is the davit design, shown in the sketches provided, a currently existing COTS/MOTS product? If not, is it a modification based mostly on a COTS/MOTS product?

Answer 5 – No, this system is not a currently existing COTS/MOTS product. The sketches are to provide an illustration with the specification for clarification of the intended use and arrangement of the PHCD.

Question 6 - The schedule for delivery of the prototype unit at 120 days ADC is highly unrealistic for a design/build contract, particularly given the additional interim dates:

a. Post-Award conference 2 weeks ADC

b. Government has 7 days to review the structural analysis prior to any composites production (laminating)

c. Government notified 30 days prior to Pre-Delivery Inspection and Trials

d. TDP provided for review by the government 30 days prior to prototype delivery Allowing minimal time for many interim tasks, the stack up of these required dates creates an effective total manufacturing time, including lead times on all purchased items such as the winches, of 4-6 weeks. Please revisit this plan.

Answer 6 – The interim dates should not affect the design/build schedule. The post award conference may be scheduled earlier than the 2-week maximum and does not mean the contractor must wait to start design until after the conference. The 7 days’ allowance to review structure is to ensure the Government has adequate time for the review and does not receive a structural analysis at the time of construction. The notification of Pre-Delivery Inspections and Trials does not mean manufacturing has to be completed prior to notification, but is to allow for the Government to coordinate availability and travel arrangements. Preliminary TDP submittal also does not mean manufacturing must be complete, but allows the Government time to review, provide comments, and for the Contractor to incorporate corrections to those comments with the final TDP due at delivery of the prototype and production PHCD.

Question 7 - The schedule for delivery of up to 96 subsequent units is not realistic. It states that the first unit would be 90 days ADC and then every 15 days afterward. At the maximum, that is 2 per month for 4 years. This type of output comes from a dedicated manufacturing facility, which would be perfectly achievable if 4 years was the known commitment. However, this same rate is not achievable if the government, for example, orders 4 units then, 3 months later, orders 12 then, 6 months later, orders 8, etc.

Answer 7 - The delivery schedule requires the prototype to be delivered no later than 120 days after contract award. The first Delivery Order (DO) will be issued after acceptance of the prototype, and will require the first production unit no later than 90 days from DO award, with any other units ordered on the same DO to be delivered no more than 15 days after delivery of the preceding unit. Each DO issued under this IDIQ will follow the same delivery schedule: 90 days for the first unit and 15 days for each additional unit following delivery of the preceding unit.

Question 8 - A number of data items are described in the RFQ but there are no CDRLs contractually defining what must be delivered. Please define.

Answer 8 – CDRLs added by solicitation amendment A0001.

Question 9 - Page 3 of 55, CLIN 1002 Pricing requirements are unclear. Do you want stepladder quantity ranges, by year, for pricing purposes?

Answer 9 – The Government is not requesting stepladder pricing. Submit pricing in accordance with the Solicitation CLIN Structure (i.e., a unit price for the prototype under CLIN 1001, and a maximum amount which would be the same as the unit price, because there’s only one prototype required; and a unit price for each production unit under CLIN 1002, with a maximum amount for 96 units).

Question 10 - Page 4 of 55: The contract minimum is listed as 1.00. The maximum is listed as 97.00. Therefore, the production quantities can range between 0 and 96. What quantities are to be priced for CLIN 1002 shown on Page 3 of 55?

Answer 10 – The Delivery/Task Order Minimum/Maximum Quantity and Order Value has been changed to minimum quantity of 1 and maximum quantity of 24 per Delivery/Task Order.

Question 11 - Page 4 of 55: What are the anticipated or predicted ordering quantities that are expected per year?

Answer 11 – This solicitation will result in an Indefinite Quantity, Indefinite Delivery (IDIQ) contract award as the quantity and delivery are unknown. See Answer 7.

Question 12 - Page 4 of 55, CLIN DELIVERY/TASK ORDER MINIMIM/MAXIMUM QUANTITY AND CLIN ORDER VALUE: This table is not populated. Please specify the minimum and maximum quantity per delivery/task order associated with CLIN 1002.

Answer 12 – This system generated clause is populated upon issuance of award. See clause 52.216-19 Order Limitations and Answer 7 for additional clarification.

Question 13 - Page 5 of 55, DELIVERY INFORMATION, CLIN 1002, DELIVERY DATE states 30 dys. ADC. This does not correlate with the CLIN 1002 delivery information shown on Page 3 of 55. Please clarify.

Answer 13 – This is a system generated field, the following statement included in the CLIN 1002 description is intended to clarify the expected delivery schedule. “Note: The first unit shall be delivered no more than 90 days ADC, each follow on unit of the same delivery order shall be delivered no more than 15 days after the proceeding unit. Example: if 4 units are ordered the first shall be delivered within 90 days, the second unit 105 days, the third 120 days and the final unit 135 days ADC”. See also Answer 7 Question 14 - Page 6 of 55, Paragraph 1.3.1 states “One copy of the final TDP (with all comments incorporated) is due with each PHCD.” Paragraph 1.3.1.1 Drawings states “Hard copy and electronic copy (on CD) of drawings/data shall be provided with each davit.” Paragraphs 1.3.1.2, 1.3.1.3, 1.3.1.4, 1.3.1.5, and 1.3.1.6 do not specify delivery requirements. Please clarify delivery requirements for 1.3.1.2, 1.3.1.3, 1.3.1.4, 1.3.1.5, and 1.3.1.6.

Answer 14 – See solicitation amendment A0001.

Question 15 - Page 7 of 55, Paragraph 1.3.1.5, Test Reports, requirements are unclear, as are the testing requirements throughout the solicitation. For example, what testing, if any, is required for 3.6 Environment and/or 3.9 Time to Launch and Recover? Please clarify:

a. Testing required for the prototype unit

b. Testing required for each production unit

c. Will the government provide a UUV test dummy vehicle?

Answer 15 - Section 1.3 Documentation Deliverables has been amended to clarify.

Question 16 - Page 7 of 55, Paragraph 1.3.2, Schedule: Besides the Schedule that is being evaluated as part of the offeror’s technical capability, are there other Schedule delivery requirements? If so, what are they?

Answer 16 - There are no other Schedule delivery requirements above what’s required in paragraph 1.3.2.

Question 17 - Page 9 of 55, Paragraph 3.10.4, Socket Mount (Prototype Only): Are there specific interface requirements for the Production units? If so, what are they?

Answer 17 – See paragraph 3.10.3 Question 18 - Page 9 of 55, Paragraph 3.10.5, Capture Head: Please provide UUV interface information, such as, but not limited to:

a. UUV diameter

b. UUV attachment point(s) and locations

c. UUV attachment hardware

d. UUV Center of Gravity information

Answer 18 – Per paragraph 3.1, the attachment point is a lift bail vertically aligned at the UUV’s longitudinal center of gravity. Detailed information on the lift bail and attachment hardware can be made available to the contractor after award.

Question 19 - Page 15 of 55, 52.209-4, FIRST ARTICLE APPROVAL – GOVERNMENT TESTING (SEP 1989) states that the test unit is to be delivered to the Government for first article tests. Elsewhere in the solicitation, it appears that all testing is accomplished at contractor facilities with Government witnesses. Please clarify this requirement, including what Government testing at Government facilities will entail.

Answer 19 – 52.209-4 has been removed.

Question 20 - Page 15 of 55, 52.209-4, FIRST ARTICLE APPROVAL – GOVERNMENT TESTING (SEP 1989), Paragraph (e)(1) states “…the Contractor – May deliver the approved first article as a part of the contract quantity, provided it meets all contract requirements for acceptance and was not consumed or destroyed in testing…” Will the first article unit be destroyed by the Government during testing?

Answer 20 - 52.209-4 has been removed.

Question 21 - Page 35 of 55: If stepladder quantity ranges are provided for pricing, please clarify how evaluated prices will be computed.

Answer 21 - See answer 9.

Question 22 – Will quotes offering an alternative material to carbon fiber be accepted?

Answer 22 – Since this is a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and the specifications require carbon fiber, an alternative material will not be acceptable.