Vendor_Questions_Answers_QA.pdf

SOLICITATION AMENDMENT & VENDOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

(Q&A)

Solicitation Number: N6278626Q0007

Procurement Title: USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127) Custom Galley Table and Chair Covers

Document Type: Formal Solicitation Amendment & Aggregated Vendor Q&A Document

Distribution: Public Release via SAM.gov

PART I: AGGREGATED VENDOR QUESTIONS AND OFFICIAL

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

1. Administrative, Solicitation Numbering, and Submission Method

Q1.1: Could you confirm if the Government requires the quote and supporting documentation to be submitted via email?

Government Response: Yes. Complete quotation packages, including the completed CLIN pricing schedule, technical capabilities statement, past performance references, and flammability test documentation, shall be submitted via email directly to Contracting Officer Roy T. Jones (roy.t.jones10.civ@us.navy.mil) and Contract Specialist Lorelei Vella (lorelei.r.vella.civ@us.navy.mil).

Q1.2: Some correspondence or notices reference N2678626Q0007 while the solicitation documents reference N6278626Q0007. Which solicitation number should offerors use on their quotation?

Government Response: The correct official solicitation number is N6278626Q0007.

SAM.gov displayed an inadvertent administrative prefix typo (N2678626Q0007), but all quotation packages, proposal cover letters, pricing grids, and email subject lines should reference N6278626Q0007, submissions with N6278626Q0007 will still be accepted.

Q1.3: Can vendors submit a lump-sum bottom-line total price for all galley covers combined?

Government Response: No. As stated in the solicitation instructions, offerors must break down pricing per each individual item (CLINs 0001 through 0015) and provide a distinct, all-inclusive firm-fixed price for the final line item covering travel and measurements (CLIN 0016). Proposals submitted without an itemized unit and extended price breakdown per CLIN will be deemed non-compliant and returned without evaluation.

Q1.4: If an offeror submitted a total price that already includes all travel, measurement, and delivery costs but did not break out CLIN 0016 on a separate line, is it necessary to re-quote or reprice?

Government Response: If an offeror has explicitly confirmed in writing that their total firm-fixed price already encompasses all required travel for design confirmation, on-site templating/measurements, final delivery, onboard check-fitting, and any required minor tailoring adjustments at no additional charge to the Government, it is not necessary to reprice or resubmit a quote solely for that reason. However, offerors submitting new or revised quotes are strongly instructed to break out CLIN 0016 separately on the pricing schedule for administrative and invoice-routing purposes.

2. Drawings, Scope Baseline, and Ship Identification

Q2.1: Are photos of the existing tables, benches, swivel seats, and chair backs available?

Government Response: Yes. Photos and design drawings from a previous order (DDG-

124) are available for reference to illustrate the general style, construction method, and design complexity. Email roy.t.jones10.civ@us.navy to request a copy directly. Final designs, specific to DDG-127, will be provided post-award.

Q2.2: The provided drawings and proof files reference the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG-124). Is this procurement for DDG-124 or DDG-127?

Government Response: This procurement is strictly for the USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127). All drawings, photos, and proofs referencing DDG-124 are provided solely as an illustrative example to assist offerors in assessing the scope of work.

Q2.3: Are there any furniture drawings, prints, or dimensions available for the tables and chairs in the three messing spaces that can be provided prior to award?

Government Response: Formal shipbuilder layout drawings are restricted to Government agencies and will not be released publicly or provided to offerors. The dimensional estimates in Attachment 1 and the DDG-124 reference package represent the best available scoping data. Physical dimensions must be verified by the contractor via a post-award on-site measurement visit.

Q2.4: What is the official ship slogan that must appear on the table cover overhang drops?

Government Response: The official slogan for the USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127) is "BE BRAVE AND BE BOLD". The phrase "CHARGE ON" from the sample drawings belongs to DDG-124 and shall not be used. All table cover drops must feature "USS PATRICK GALLAGHER (DDG 127)" and "BE BRAVE AND BE BOLD" in accordance with Attachment 1. Alternate slogans, such as: “BOB'S GOAT LOCKER” maybe used on specific articles as determined at final design meeting.

Q2.5: Can offerors receive photos of actual finished items from the prior ship procurement?

Government Response: Yes. Sample photos of completed items from the DDG-124 contract have been distributed via email upon request to provide visual reference of the finished vinyl construction, drop overhangs, and graphic clarity.

3. Artwork, Graphic Processes, Sublimation vs. Screen Printing, and Proofs

Q3.1: Would direct screen printing be acceptable for the required logos, insignias, and graphics throughout the contract, including both the table and seat covers, instead of the sublimation process referenced in the specifications?

Government Response: No. Sublimation is strictly preferred and required. Shipboard galley table covers and seat upholstery are subjected to rigorous and continuous daily use.

Direct screen printing creates a surface-layer ink deposit that tends to rub off, crack, or peel quickly when repeatedly exposed to Navy-approved quaternary sanitizing solutions, degreasers, and disinfectants. Sublimation embeds the pigment directly into the substrate, preserving a smooth, sanitary, and wipeable surface that will not degrade under daily shipboard cleaning.

Q3.2: Will all required Ship’s Crests, insignias, rank graphics, text layouts, and other artwork be provided by the Government in production-ready vector/high-resolution format?

Government Response: Final artwork will be provided during the post-award design confirmation meeting. The Government anticipates providing production-ready vector files (.ai / .eps / .svg) for the official Ship’s Crest and rank insignias.

Q3.3: Are the Ship’s Crest, Omega 2A, and required insignia artwork files available prior to award?

Government Response: Final artwork files will be released to the awardee at the post-award design meeting. Offerors should base their technical approach on the high-resolution examples and dimensions provided in Attachment 1 and the DDG-124 reference package.

Q3.4: Will the Government require or approve pre-production samples/prototypes before full fabrication?

Government Response: Physical pre-production prototypes are not required, though an offeror may optionally produce them to confirm fitment. However, submission and approval of digital design proofs via email are required before the contractor cuts raw material or initiates full production.

4. Material Standards, Flame Retardancy, Thread, Foam, and "Approved Equals"

Q4.1: Are there any specific approved vinyl manufacturers/material lines, or may the contractor propose a compliant marine-grade equal with the required flammability documentation?

Government Response: The Government does not restrict procurement to a single brand name. The contractor may propose a commercially equivalent, "marine-grade equal" material, provided it fully complies with the military specifications and flammability standards outlined below.

To be considered an approved equal, any proposed alternative material must meet or exceed the following standard specifications and must be submitted with accompanying certified test reports for approval:

1. Material Specification: The material must meet or exceed Commercial Item Description (CID) A-A-59517 (expanded-vinyl-coated fabric for heavy-duty upholstery).

2. Fire Performance: The material must fully comply with MIL-STD-1623 (Fire Performance Requirements and Approved Specifications for Interior Finish Materials and Furnishings).

Certified test documentation demonstrating compliance with the fire and toxicity limits of this standard must be submitted with the proposal. Be advised that standard commercial marine-grade vinyl does not automatically meet MIL-STD-1623 flammability and toxic smoke index requirements.

Q4.2: For vinyl meeting CID A-A-59517 (or approved equal), would a burn certificate for one color be acceptable for the other proposed colors within the same product line?

Government Response: Yes. A single laboratory burn/flammability certification covering a specific product line is acceptable for all colors proposed under that same line, provided the base vinyl formulation, substrate backing, thickness, and flame-retardant chemical treatment are identical across all colors. Material will have to be compatible with the dye sublimation printing process.

Q4.3: For the high-tensile flame-retardant polyester thread, are separate NFPA 701 and FAR 25.853 test documents required specifically for the thread, or is manufacturer specification documentation sufficient?

Government Response: Manufacturer technical data sheets and certification demonstrating that the thread is inherently flame-retardant polyester or Kevlar-core FR thread are acceptable. Standalone laboratory burn testing specifically for the sewing thread is not required if reputable manufacturer FR certification is provided.

Q4.4: For the 2” shipboard-approved foam required for the swivel seat covers (CLIN 0014), is foam meeting MIL-PRF-20092M acceptable, and is there a specific foam firmness required?

Government Response: Yes. Cushioning foam certified to MIL-PRF-20092M is fully acceptable as a Navy-approved shipboard seating material. A medium-firm seating density (standard naval afloat mess grade) suitable for commercial swivel stools shall be utilized.

Q4.5: Is stretch Spandex required under any CLIN?

Government Response: No. All requirements for stretch Spandex have been eliminated.

All table covers (CLINs 0001–0009), chair slipcovers (CLINs 0010–0013 and 0015), and swivel seat covers (CLIN 0014) must be fabricated from heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl meeting CID A-A-59517 and MIL-STD-1623 (or approved equal). CLIN 0002 (Wardroom Utility Table Cover) shall be fabricated from Dark Green marine-grade vinyl with a bulkhead Velcro attachment.

5. Site Visits, Security Access, Delivery Timeline, DPAS Rating, and Final Check- Fitting

Q5.1: Can you confirm whether the post-award measurement/templating visit is expected to take place in Bath, ME or Norfolk, VA, or will the location only be known after award?

Government Response: Depending on the contract award timeframe and the ship's operational movement, design verification and physical templating will take place in either Bath, Maine or Norfolk, Virginia. Final delivery and onboard check-fitting are anticipated to occur in Norfolk, Virginia. Offerors must account for this flexibility within their firm-fixed-price proposal for CLIN 0016 (Travel & Measuring Lot).

Q5.2: What base/ship access procedures or credential requirements should contractor personnel anticipate for the measurement and final fitting visits?

Government Response: Each location operates under separate naval security credentialing protocols. Prospective contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens and possess a clean background check prior to being granted access to the Bath Iron Works shipyard or Naval Station Norfolk. Foreign nationals will not be granted access.

Q5.3: For final onboard check-fitting, should the contractor assume only minor tailoring/fit adjustments, with any major redesign or re-fabrication handled separately?

Government Response: Correct. Onboard check-fitting assumes only minor tailoring and snug-fit adjustments. Accurate post-award templating is required to prevent major fit discrepancies.

Q5.4: What is the required delivery/completion timeframe after onboard measurements and final artwork approval?

Government Response: The delivery timeline will be finalized during the post-award design meeting to ensure that manufacturing and delivery align with the ship’s operational schedule. Offerors should anticipate an overall completion window of approximately 3 to 6 months from design confirmation and measurement verification.

Q5.5: Is there a DPAS rating associated with this procurement, and how does that affect delivery scheduling?

Government Response: Yes. This requirement is tied to a DPAS DO-03 rated program for DDG-127. The contractor shall accord the contract appropriate priority and expedite manufacturing, travel, and delivery in accordance with Defense Priorities and Allocations System regulations (15 CFR 700).

Q5.6: When is work expected to commence following contract award?

Government Response: Work is expected to commence immediately upon contract award. The awardee shall coordinate promptly with the Contracting Officer and Ship’s Force to schedule the initial on-site measurement/templating visit. While the overall timeline from site visit to design approval and delivery is estimated at 3 to 6 months to match crew availability, initial post-award mobilization must occur without delay.

6. Pricing Structure and Evaluation Criteria

Q6.1: How should offerors price the required travel to Bath, ME and Norfolk, VA?

Government Response: All travel, transportation, lodging, per diem, and labor expenses associated with the on-site measurement visit and the final check-fitting visit must be fully burdened and priced as a single, lump-sum firm-fixed-price under CLIN 0016 (Travel & Measuring Lot). Separate invoices or cost-reimbursement vouchers for travel will not be accepted.

Q6.2: What is the evaluation basis for award?

Government Response: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote represents the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Proposals will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis under Technical Acceptability (compliance with CID A-A- 59517, MIL-STD-1623, MIL-PRF-20092M, and Attachment 1 specifications) and Past Performance. Price will be evaluated as the aggregate sum of CLINs 0001 through 0016.