Submarine_Preservation_Revised_Q A.pdf

Submarine Preservation: Solicitation N500054‐15‐R‐0003

Questions and Answers:

1. Page 99, paragraph L.2.1, of the solicitation sets a 25‐page limit for the Technical Capability volume. Page 100, paragraph L.3.2, of the solicitation lists the organization of the Technical

Capability volume, to include table of contents, summary page, glossary, and the three subfactors, but does not indicate which of these items is or is not included in the total page count for the volume. Would the Government please indicate which components of the

Technical Capability volume are excluded from the page count?

The Table of Contents, Summary Page and Glossary are excluded from the page limitations described in Table 1.2 (p.99). Clarification added to Section L, Para. L.2.1 and L.3.2.

2. Page 102, paragraph L.4.1, of the solicitation states that the offeror shall provide no more than three (3) previous contracts in the Past Performance volume. However, on page 103, paragraph

L.4.4, the solicitation states that the offeror may list at least three, but no more than five, similar contracts. Would the Government please indicate the maximum number of contracts allowed within the Past Performance volume?

The offeror shall provide no more than three (3) previous contracts in the Past Performance volume (p. 102, paragraph L.4.1). Solicitation, paragraph L.4.4 (p.103) has been revised.

3. Page 103, paragraph L.4.4, of the solicitation asks offerors to provide a Past Performance

Information (PPI) Form for each past performance reference. The same paragraph makes reference to a “reference list sheet” that lists requirements that are not included in the PPI

Form, such as contract type, multiple points of contact (the PPI Form asks for one only), and fax numbers. No “reference list sheet” is included in the attachments. Could the Government please provide a Reference List Sheet, if it is required? Or will the Government please clarify the information to be provided in the PPI Form?

The Past Performance Information (PPI) Forms are provided as Attachment J24. The reference to

“reference list sheet” has been revised to “Past Performance Information (PPI) Form”

(Paragraph L.4.4., p.103).

4. Page 103, paragraph L.4.5, of the solicitation states that offerors shall ensure that “the

Procuring Contract Specialist receives all Past Performance Assessment questionnaires NO

LATER THAN the solicitation closing” (i.e., January 21). However, the questionnaire states that responders must complete and return the questionnaire no later January 5. Will the

Government please indicate which date constitutes the correct deadline?

The Procuring Contract Specialist receives all Past Performance Assessment questionnaires NO

LATER THAN the solicitation closing. The Past Performance Assessment Questionnaire

(Attachment J25) has been revised.

5. Attachment J17 is a memorandum defining Code 970 Contractor Scaffolding Policy but does not identify any scope of work (i.e. areas to be staged, class of ship, etc.). Please provide sufficient clarification for pricing as Exhibits A‐E, A106 cannot be provided based upon the information provided in the solicitation.

Attachment J17 (MARMC Code 970 Contractor Scaffolding Policy, Ser 970‐33‐12, dated 25 July

2012) and Attachment J22 (991−11−001, Scaffolding; provide [SAMPLE]) have been provided as solicitation attachments to assist in pricing Exhibits A‐E, A106. The specific scope of work (i.e.

areas to be staged, class of ship, etc.) required, will be provided at the task order level.

6. Page 37, Clause RMC C‐2‐0052 DELAY/DISRUPTION, states “A minor delay is defined as two hours or less.” Further clarification is requested. Is this to be anticipated per day/week or month?

Due to the uniqueness of each effort, the government is unable to estimate the anticipated frequency of minor delays.

7. Do you have a list yet of who the Prime's are that will bid on this solicitation?

Solicitation N50054‐15‐R‐0003 is scheduled to close on 21 January 2015. Prior to solicitation closing, we are unable to determine who may propose on the subject solicitation.

8. Section C.2.6., specifies certain key personnel that are required to be designated as part of the proposal; however Section L instructions does not mention the requirement to designate key personnel or provide resumes as part of the technical proposal. Are key personnel resumes required to be submitted with the proposal, if so how many of each type?

Key Personnel resumes are not required to be submitted.

9. Section C notes that submarine tank preservation has unique challenges given the tight geometries, submarine‐specific sensitivities and high value components which must be protected and/or worked around. The master contract for which this RFP is a follow‐on acknowledged the need for significant submarine‐specific experience on the part of proposed supervisors and blaster/painters on the order of several years. However, the key personnel criteria as currently written does not require any submarine blast and UHS preservation experience and only a relatively short history of general marine preservation experience

(despite the recognized unique technical challenges of this work). Is it the intent of the RFP not to require the specialized experience of skilled preservation workers, supervisors, QC’s, project managers, etc.? If the intent is to require submarine specific or more extensive critical coating preservation experience—please specify.

The use of project management, supervision and quality assurance personnel that are familiar with this type of preservation process is extremely important. At a minimum, contractors shall meet the minimum personnel qualification requirements outlined in paragraph C.2

PERSONNEL. It is the intent of the solicitation to require the specialized experience of skilled preservation workers, supervisors, QC’s, project managers, etc. in accordance with the requirements specifically outlined in the Statement of Work, including but not limited to

National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) or NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector (NBPI) certified inspectors, blasters, spray painters, plural component pump tenders and applicators, who have work experience in extremely confining spaces with structural abnormalities, equipment interferences and limited existing access openings. Inspectors and painters must be highly experienced working in extremely confining spaces with the application and inspections of ultra‐high solid Optically Active Pigment (OAP) paints including single coat systems and non‐high solid paints (e.g. Sherwin Williams Fast Clad ER, International Interline

783, Navy Polyamide Epoxy MIL‐DTL‐24441 paints). All tanks require the preparation and application of 100% coverage without additional access cuts installed and special blasting and application equipment/nozzles are often required to achieve this requirement. Critically coated surfaces and tanks require certified quality assurance inspectors, blasters, spray painters, plural component pump tenders and applicators in accordance with NSI 009‐32 and reference (e), who have work experience in extremely confining spaces with structural abnormalities and equipment interference. Contractors performing blasting operations

(abrasive and waterjetting) or paint/nonskid application shall be certified in accordance with

NSI 009‐32, reference (e), and The Society of Protective Coatings (SSPC) QP1 Certification or

NAVSEA‐approved equivalent.

10. “Clause HQ‐L‐2‐0003 requires awards be made to companies holding a facility clearance at

Confidential level or higher. However Section L instructions to bidders does not require bidders to state whether or not they hold a facility clearance. Should Technical Proposals explicitly state if an offeror holds a facility clearance or not?

No, the appropriate security clearance action will be initiated for any apparent successful offeror which does not already possess a facility security clearance at Confidential level or higher. A facility clearance is not a requirement for consideration of award.

11. “C.2.6. specifies certain key personnel and their required attributes. These personnel will often be working with classified or NNPI material or in controlled locations that require them to have security clearances. Do the proposed key personnel need to have security clearances?

These personnel will not be working with classified or NNPI material. The contractor shall comply with all specified security requirements and provide personnel in accordance with

Section C.6.3 Security Requirements of the solicitation.

12. Section C.6.3 states that some taskings will require “Red Badge” workers. However, Section L instructions for the technical proposal L.3.4.1. (c) does not explicitly require that the offeror state the number of “Red Badge” personnel available to support the SOW. Is this information required? Will the ability to provide “Red Badge” workers in support of the SOW be a part of the Section M evaluation?

No, it is not required that offeror’s state the number of “Red Badge” personnel available to support the SOW. The ability to provide “Red Badge” workers in support of the SOW will not be a part of the Section evaluation. However, the contractor shall comply with all specified security requirements and provide personnel in accordance with Section C.6.3 Security Requirements of the solicitation.

13. Section C notes that the removal and installation of SHT tiles will be one of the required efforts but section L does not require discussion of offeror’s experience, approach, or special equipment capabilities for SHT work nor does section M include it in the evaluation criteria for the technical proposal. Is a discussion of the offeror’s experience, approach, personnel and equipment capabilities with respect to SHT removal and installation required or desired in the technical proposal?

Yes, as stated in Section M of the solicitation, the Government will evaluate the offeror’s capabilities and experience to successfully work on U.S. Navy submarines and accomplish the following: painting with non‐high solids coatings; painting with one hundred percent solids coatings; blasting including blast protection; preparation and preservation of dampening tiles;

lead ballast removal and installation; internal and external staging; surface preparation, preservation, and installation of SHT tiles and Zinc replacement.

14. From the Contractors experience, out of town workers (skilled trades and supervision) are often required for successful execution of submarine preservation projects. These workers are entitled to and receive per diem from the Contractor even though they may be working in the contract’s “homeport”. For the subject contract, will bidders be able to propose costs on per diem/travel ELIN for projects working within 50 miles of MARMC when using out of town workers or does any allowance for these cost elements need to be included in the proposed composite rate in the master contract?

No, the Government anticipates awarding Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite

Quantity contract(s) resulting from this solicitation. All proposed pricing shall be fully burden rates.

15. Section C.6.x notes the importance of adherence to schedules and the need to man the project

24hrs/day 7 days/week. Note 1 of the price proposal Exhibits A, etc., state that allowances for anticipated overtime costs needed to support the schedules and must be included in the proposed composite unit pricing labor rate of A101. However Note 3, states that Overtime is not an authorized expense unless explicitly specified in the written task order or modification.

How much overtime should the contractor assume when calculating the master contract composite unit pricing labor rate?

Based on the information provided in Solit‐Exhibits A‐E, offeror’s are encouraged to use standard business practices and estimating procedures when proposing the composite labor rate in support of submarine preservation.