Questions_and_Answers_Amendment_Two.pdf

Questions and Answers N3220519R0054

Q4: The contractor request clarification regarding Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement (PWS), under section 1.0 General, second paragraph which states – “The Contractor shall provide products worldwide that comply with U.S. federal, state, and local volatile organic compound (VOC) limits and all other U.S. laws and regulations. Additionally, the Contractor shall ensure that all products comply with the federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the port of delivery. Products manufactured outside of the United States that are versions or equivalents of products manufactured in the United States that are not strictly in compliance with U.S. federal, state, and local volatile organic compound (VOC) limits and all other U.S. laws and regulations may be provided in their respective OCONUS ports of delivery. These products shall be acceptable when the place of delivery is normally from the place of manufacturer. For example, if an equivalent product is manufactured in Malaysia and is normally the source for deliveries to Singapore, that is acceptable as long as it complies with paragraph 2.9 that does not allow lead, chromate, etc. However, the Contractor shall provide U.S.

manufactured products to all USS vessels that are OCONUS. Supplies shall be specialized for marine applications and shall be in Attachment 2: MSC Paint Approval Procedures and Approved Products, unless otherwise permitted by the Contract. The.”

Based on this statement is it the government’s intent that the contractor (coating manufacturer) actually supply US manufactured products for all vessels in MSC’s fleet at all ports OCONUS?

A4: It is preferred that the contractor supplies US manufactured products for all USNS vessels in MSC’s fleet at all ports OCONUS. The statement “Products manufactured outside of the United States that are versions or equivalents of products manufactured in the United States that are not strictly in compliance with U.S. federal, state, and local volatile organic compound (VOC) limits and all other U.S. laws and regulations may be provided in their respective OCONUS ports of delivery. These products shall be acceptable when the place of delivery is normally from the place of manufacturer” is an option for USNS vessels if the US manufactured product is not available at an OCONUS port.

All USS vessels must receive US manufactured paint regardless of their OCONUS location; no exceptions.

Q5: The contractor request clarification regarding Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement (PWS), under section 2.2 Shelf Life, first paragraph states – “All products delivered to the Government shall have, at a minimum, 50% of its shelf life at the time of delivery. The Government may consider a shorter shelf life if the product will be consumed immediately as when supplying paint for a shipyard availability.

In such instance, a waiver is required (See Paragraph 5.6.). The shelf life of all products shall be provided.”

Will the government provide the exact minimum acceptable limit of shelf life it may consider for any supplied product(s) that will be consumed immediately (i.e. 40%, 30%, 25%, etc.)?

A5: The Government will not provide the exact minimum acceptable limit of shelf life to be considered.

A waiver will be granted on a case by case basis. This has not been a significant problem in the past.

Q6: The contractor request clarification regarding Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement (PWS), under section 2.11.4 Foul Release Coating System, the paragraph states – “The Contractor shall provide a foul release paint system that inhibits adhesion of biofouling and has no toxic agents in the coating.

The system will perform successfully for MSC ships operating tempo.”

Based on these requirements will the government provide in advance MSC’s ships operating tempo information (i.e. activity level, static duration, sailing routes, avg. speed and month sea miles) to the contractor (coating manufacturer) in order to verify foul release coating is indeed suitable for the vessel(s) operating profile?

A6: Not at this time.

Q7: The contractor request clarification regarding Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement (PWS), under section 2.13.4 Membrane System, first paragraph which states – “The Contractor shall provide a membrane system including primer, membrane, and nonskid in accordance with MIL-PRF-24667 (Type III, COMP G), or a commercial primer, membrane, and nonskid system suitable for exterior work decks that see heavy use (e.g. large, heavy duty, loaded forklift traffic).”

The mil spec MIL-PRF-24667 (Type III, COMP G) does not include a flexible membrane as part of the requirements, is it the government’s intent that the contractor supply a flexible membrane for some decks to be coated with this non-skids system? If so, what test standard is the membrane’s flexibility required to meet?

A7: It is the Government’s intent that the contractor supplies a flexible membrane. The intermediate flexible membrane shall be a part of an approved MIL-PRF-24667 (Type III, COMP G) non-skid system.

Q8: The contractor request clarification regarding Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement (PWS), under section 2.17 Tanks, subsection 2.17.1 Ballast, the first paragraph states – “The Contractor shall provide a ballast tank coating system. The coating systems shall have a type approval certificate in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Performance Standard for Protective Coatings.”

Exactly which Class Society does the government require the TYPE Approve from, please stipulate (i.e.

Lloyd’s, ABS, DNV, etc.)?

A8: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Q9: If products being submitted are currently approved by MSC is it required to submit all Product Data Sheets and material safety data sheets for this technical proposal for hazardous material per FAR 52.223-3 (d)?

A9: Yes. The latest revision of the Product Data Sheets and Material Safety Data Sheets shall be included in the proposal.

Q10: If the Product Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets are required can you please confirm that the product technical data information and Safety Data Sheets are NOT included in the part of the 100-page Technical Proposal Data limitation? This technical information could surpass a hundred pages and it would not be possible to meet the Technical Proposal limitation.

A10: The Product Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets are not included in the 100-page technical proposal data limitation.

Q11: In 5.1.3 of Attachment 1 has the Billing/Logistic Manager listed, should it be the Customer Service Representative?

A11: Section 5.1.3 has been updated to reflect Logistics/Billing verbiage; see revised PWS.

Q12: Attachment 5 describes the required amount of time given to deliver material for ships stores and availabilities. What is the minimum lead time for providing technical services for availabilities? Does this lead time follow the timeframes as outlined for delivery time limits as described in Attachment 5?

A12: Technical services should coincide with the delivery date of the coating products.

Q13: In the Technical Proposal is the contractor required to submit Exhibit A to include all products for each line without pricing?

A13: No pricing information shall be included in the technical proposal.

Q14: Exhibit A – Paints Supplies and Services Price Table (Amended)– The RFP is asking for pricing for a 5-Year Period as per Page 3 of 69 of the RFP.

• Are the estimated square meters for a single year or is it for the five-year period?

A14a: Single Year; will update rate table to reflect five years.

• In addition are the estimated days for technical services for a single year or the five-year duration?

A14b: Single Year; will update rate table to reflect five years

• If they are one year estimates how do we calculate for the 5-year period on the rate table Exhibit A?

A14c: Will update rate table to reflect five years

• If the totals are based on one year will MSC update the estimated square meters on the Price Table to reflect 5 years estimated square meters or will MSC multiply the total amounts entered in the Price Table to arrive at a 5-year estimate?

A14d: Will update rate table

• Will MSC update the Price Table to reflect an estimated 5-years Travel and Technical Services? If for a single year, does MSC assume that the estimates identified in Exhibit A will be consistent for each year of the contract period?

A14e: Will update rate table

Q15: Exhibit A - Paints Supplies and Services Price Table (Amended) – Lines 194-198. Can MSC confirm that these are the estimated quantities in Cells I195-I198 are for the TOTAL 5 years or for a single year?

Since Exhibit A only has a single Price Table for all 5 years we would like to ensure the totals meet MSC’s estimates for all 5 years versus a single year. If for a single year, does MSC assume that the estimates identified in Exhibit A will be consistent for each year of the contract period?

A15: The estimated quantities are for a single year; will update rate table to reflect 5.

Q16: Exhibit A - Paints Supplies and Services Price Table (Amended) – The Table has calculations that do not seem to reflect the total estimated quantities for Transportation Charges for Cells K203 – K253.

These cells do not accurately reflect the estimated quantities for each location. We ask MSC to review the formulation of this present rate table and make corrections to Exhibit A Price Table for this RFP.

A16: MSC will review Exhibit A and update if needed.

Q17: Could you tell me where the MSC vessels would drydock outside the USA? What is the popular area in Europe, Middle East, and Far East for scheduled drydocking. I am aware of the main port deliveries as per attachment 5, but I am asking about drydocking."

A17: MSC vessels regularly drydock in the Far East, Middle East and South East Asia.

Q18: Does the RFP require the inclusion of Product Data Sheets and SDS's for the products bid? If so would those need to be electronic or printed?

A18: The Product Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets shall be included in the RFP; however, they are not included in the 100-page technical proposal data limitation. The RFP requires one hard copy and one electronic copy of the proposal.

Q19: Will MSC consider extending the Phase In period to 120 days to allow the Contractor to complete establishment of the inventories necessary to support this contract?

A19: Not at this time.

Q20: Why is the Question in Factor 1 Sub Factor 3 Point xii on Page 17 include the laws of Vietnam?

Nowhere in the document is delivery in Vietnam required.

A20: According to Attachment 5: Worldwide Support Requirement, the Contractor will be required to make deliveries either to a main port or a port within a zone. Vietnam is under Zone 11, South East Asia.

Q21: In Attachment 1 Section 5.1.3 is a job description for the Logistics and Billing Manager, which is incorrect. This is a description for the Customer Service role. Is there a description for the Logistics/Billing Manager role?

A21: Section 5.1.3 has been updated to reflect Logistics/Billing verbiage; see revised PWS.

Q22: The Economic Adjustment Clause is limited to 10% over the life of the contract? Will a bidder be disqualified if they seek to amend that to a level in correlation to the Marine Coatings marketplace?

Over the past 5 years "Established prices" have risen 24.5% and we see that trend in rising raw materials continuing into the foreseeable future.

A22: Correct, the clause states, “The aggregate of the increases in any contract unit price under this clause shall not exceed 10 percent of the original contract unit price.”

Q23: While we see the Economic Price Adjustment clause for Products, there is not an increase process for the Services included in this contract. Will MSC amend to include and an Economic Adjustment Clause for Services?

A23: MSC does not plan to amend the solicitation to include an Economic Adjustment Clause for Services.