SSV_East_Q&A_16-26.pdf

N32205-17-R-3515 SSV East Coast

Question’s and Answer’s # 16-26

16. Question – Please clarify the following with regard to underwater communications equipment.

a. What are the specific requirements for accommodating an underwater telephone (other than the retractable tube mentioned in the RFP)?

b. What are the specific vessel configuration requirements for receiving the acoustic transducer?

c. What are the actual sound isolation/vibration standards that must be met to facilitate use of underwater communications equipment, i.e. acceptable ambient noise levels, rubber or polyurethane isolator installation, etc.)?

Answer - Underwater Communications Equipment is being selected now and will be installed as a Sponsor Work item after contract award. Installation costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the contract.

17. Question – What are the specific requirements in terms of space, equipment, setup, and functionality for the diver staging area? And, to what equipment do the requirements of NAVSEA (SS521-AA-MAN-010 Rev 2, 1 Nov 2006) apply? Just ladders?

Answer - The diver staging area platform will be provided as GFE, and will be installed as a Sponsor Work Item after contract award. Installation costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the contract. Attachment A identifies the Divers Launch and Recovery Stage as 3,500lbs and 6x10x8.

18. Question- What are the specific design and construction requirements for the platforms and armor necessary to support the weapons mounts?

Answer – This Item is no longer required as the ship does not deploy OCONUS and does not utilize Embarked Security Teams. Please see Amendment 0003 to the solicitation.

19. Question- In section C-1.3 of the RFP, the normal primary system load out listed is comprised of either a DCS or DDS and two SDVs. It does not mention other small craft. Later in that section, it states that "The vessel will launch two 11m RIBs or CRRCs." The launch and recovery system requirement in section C-2.10 is for a system capable of lifting 98,000 lbs. With a DCS or DDS and two SDVs loaded, there is no additional capacity for two 11m RIBs. How does the sponsor expect the 11m RIBs to be stored and launched? Do they require two additional and separate man-rated systems to launch each of the two 11m RIBs or are they expecting the 11m RIBs to be launched from the primary launch system for the DCS/DDS? Please confirm the total list of assets for each individual load plan required by the sponsor and the expected method of launch and recovery of waterborne assets for each load plan.

Answer – The vessel shall be equipped with a single launch and recovery system capable of launching and recovering CRRCs, 11m RHIBs, DCS, DDS and SDVs. Following is a table illustrating launch and recovery requirements for each system with support craft indicated:

SYSTEM SUPPORT CRAFT/SAFETY BOATS

Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) Two Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRCs)

Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) Two Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRCs)

Two SEAL Delivery Vehicle’s (SDV) Two Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRCs) or Two 11m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB)

Note: In the case where the DCS or SDVs are operating independently (the assets have transited to an operating area on their own), or the ship is supporting a submarine that is conducting DDS/SDV ops, the DDS and SDVs are not loaded onto the Support Ship. Given the additional space, both CRRCs and RHIBs may be used.

20. Question – In section L-3.4 of the above RFP, it states that "The first CD or DVD shall contain the Solicitation Package, Past Performance Data, and Price Proposal. The second CD or DVD shall contain the Technical Proposal." Then in section L-4.2 it states "CD or DVD I shall contain the technical proposal (L-7) and the following:" It then goes on to list items L-4.2.8, L-4.2.9, L-4.2.10, L-4.2.11, L-4.2.12, L-4.2.13, L-4.2.14, L-4.2.15, and L-4.2.16, all of which are normally contained in the price proposal and which seems to make up what would be the solicitation package.

However, the first section mentioned above states that the solicitation package should go on the same CD as the price and past performance volumes. Would you please confirm which of these is correct?

Answer - L-4.2 has been amended, please refer to the new amended section L-4.2. “CD or DVD I shall contain the Solicitation Package, Past Performance Data, and Price Proposal. CD or DVD II shall contain the Technical Proposal (L-7).”

21. Question- Under wage determinations 2014-0801 and 2014-0800. The occupational and labor categories are defined as A-1 through A-4 according to the power tonnage of the vessel. If the vessel of opportunity that shall be proposed in response to the solicitation falls outside the A class rating; which step labor rate (A-1 through A-4) does the offeror use in determining the minimum daily wage rate for each occupational labor category when the vessel falls outside the A class rating?

Answer – The contract specialist is not able to provide guidance on the wage determination.

Please contact The Department of Labor by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365).

22. Question- Health and Welfare contribution. Please provide definition and application of this ratio.

Answer – The health and welfare rate is the result of a nationwide survey of private industry conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Employment Cost Index private industry data is used to derive the single "total" benefits rate. Unless otherwise specified on the applicable wage determination, health and welfare payments are due for all hours, including paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week and 2,080 hours per year on each contract. The contract specialist is not able to provide further guidance on the wage determination. Please contact The Department of Labor by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866- 487-2365). Please see the Department of Labor FAQ Page at https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/web/SCA_FAQ.htm#fringe

23. Question- Pension contribution, Feinberg ratio. Please provide definition and application of this ratio.

Answer – Pension contributions differ between positions and are defined in Attachment G to the solicitation. According to attachment G the Feinberg ratio is defined as the ratio of vacation earned to days worked. The contract specialist is not able to give further guidance on the wage determination. Please contact The Department of Labor by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866- 487-2365). Please see the Department of Labor FAQ Page at

24. Question- Individual Retirement Account Plan (IRAP), Feinberg ratio. Please provide definition and application of this ratio.

Answer –IRAP applies to Masters and Mates and is 4.83% of the sum of base wage and non-watch allowance plus the Feinberg ratio for the position. The contract specialist is not able to give further guidance on the wage determination. Please contact The Department of Labor by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365). Please see the Department of Labor FAQ Page at

25. Question- Training Contribution, Feinberg ratio. Please provide definition and application of this ratio.

Answer – The training contribution differs between positions and is defined in Attachment G to the RFP. According to attachment G the Feinberg ratio is defined as the ratio of vacation earned to days worked. The contract specialist is not able to give guidance on the wage determination.

Please contact The Department of Labor by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365). Please see the Department of Labor FAQ Page at

26. Question- There is a requirement for the contractor to complete Attachment E (evaluation sheet) but there are no instructions on how to do so. Would you be able to provide comment on, for example, what should go into the comments column and what do the A* and U* mean?

Answer – Please see the new Attachment E in Amendment 0002. This attachment has eliminated the comments column and the reference to A* and U*. The offeror only needs to provide the page number where the requirement is located in their proposal.