Vendor Questions and Answers.docx

SWFLANT Vessel Maintenance Questions and Answers

1. Question: Does the 33’ SAFE Boat and 64’ Gladding Hearn communications equipment require a specific communications skillset?

Answer: No, the Electronics Technician specified in Paragraph 1.3.6.5.5 is skilled in general electronics. The United States Coast Guard is responsible for maintaining encrypted communications capabilities.

2. Question: Do all of the gauges and electronics run on the NMEA network for the 33’ SAFE Boats and 64’ Gladding Hearn boats?

Answer: The 64’ Boats navigation & electronics run on NMEA 0183. Two (2) 33’ boats are on NMEA 2000, while four (4) are on NMEA 0183.

3. Question: Are there any armament systems on the 33’ SAFE Boats?

Answer: No

4. Question: Is the contractor responsible for preservation on the 64’ Gladding Hearn boats, such as non-skid coating?

Answer: Yes, the contractor is responsible for preserving all systems on the boat in accordance with the PWS.

5. Question: Is the contractor required to support things such as hull cleaning, strainer cleanouts, and drive shaft work on the 64’ Gladding Hearn boats?

Answer: Yes, the contractor may be required to seek industrial assistance in accordance with Paragraph 4.7 of the PWS.

6. Question: Are all Boat Alterations (BOATALTs) complete for the 33’ SAFE Boats and 64’ Gladding Hearn vessels?

Answer: No. The 64’ Gladding Hearn boats have BOATALTs remaining which will be largely accomplished during the scheduled overhaul period that is not under the responsibility of this contracting effort. The 33’ SAFE Boats have some BOATALTs remaining that will need to be accomplished under this contract.

7. Question: Are any major repairs scheduled on the 64’ Gladding Hearn boats?

Answer: Yes, the 64’ Gladding Hearn boats are scheduled for mid-life overhauls in FY23, FY24, and FY25, and will occur outside of this contracting effort.

8. Question: How long are the boats expected to be at the Off-Site Maintenance Facility (OMF)? What kind of work will be accomplished at the OMF?

Answer: The time at the facility and type of work to be accomplished will vary by contractor. For example, some lifts may need to occur at an OMF while the boat is out of the water. Another example would be welding. Some contractors may be capable of welding on the water at the pier, while others may need to utilize the OMF.

9. Question: Is maintenance of the 12 trailers included in the scope of this contract?

Answer: Yes, per paragraphs 1.2, 1.2.1.1, and 1.2.1.2 of the PWS.

10. Question: Does each 33’ Safe Boat have a trailer?

Answer: Yes, there are six (6) Boatmaster SB3234-HDH-180 trailers for each of the 33’ Safe Boats.

11. Question: Is 64’ Gladding Hearn maintenance conducted on-site at Site 6?

Answer: Yes, much of the maintenance is conducted onboard the 64’ Gladding Hearn vessels while at Site 6 on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA. For maintenance requiring haul out, the boats are typically removed from the water at a third party boatyard.

12. Question: Are there any on-site maintenance or storage facilities for the 33’ Safe Boats and 64’ Gladding Hearn boats?

Answer: There is no on-site maintenance facility for the 33’ and 64’ boats. However, there is a designated maintenance space for the 36’ Harbor Security Boats (HSBs). All regular 33’ and 64’ maintenance will occur on the water or at the Contractor’s OMF. There is a HAZMAT storage area made available to the Contractor on base. There is also a 40’ shipping container that the Contractor may use for storage.

13. Question: Is there HAZMAT storage available? What happens to HAZMAT? Are the boats barricaded off?

Answer: Yes, there is HAZMAT storage available. HAZMAT generated on the base will be collected by the Contractor and brought to a satellite accumulation area and disposed of at no cost to the Contractor. For HAZMAT generated off base, the Contractor will be responsible for disposal. The boats do have oil booms present for fueling purposes and general contaminant containment.

14. Question: Would we be able to add an office space via a connex box on-site?

Answer: No, there is no room nor plans for facility growth at this time.

15. Question: Can I have a preview of historical costs associated with this contract?

Answer: No historical costs available

16. Question: Where is Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) stored?

Answer: GFE is stored at the Contractors OMF and via the storage areas provided at Port Ops and Site 6.

17. Question: How often do the 33’ Safe Boats get bottom painted?

Answer: Per Technical Exhibit 6, the hull bottoms will be inspected annually or when removed from the water, and the hull bottoms will be cleaned or preserved as directed by hull inspection.

18. Question: What year were the 36’ Moose Boat vessels manufactured?

Answer: The boats were built in 2006 and 2007.

19. Question: Does the Contractor have guidelines for actions during Hurricane Conditions?

Answer: The Contractor is required to develop a destructive weather plan per paragraph 5.1.4 of the PWS. Paragraph 1.3.5.1 and 4.9 of the PWS outline contractor responsibilities during periods of inclement weather.

20. Question: Section 4.1 states the Contractor shall maintain vessel status in an electronic system capable of being accessed by Government representatives. As the Government currently uses NMCI system, would they consider providing a CAC NMCI computer access either on-site via office space, or off site via a CAC NMCI accessible computer for the contractor to use?

Answer: Section 4.1 also states that the Contractor can use a Government provided tracking system. In this case, CDRL #001 will suffice as meeting the requirement, provided it’s disseminated daily via email as required.

21. Question: The TE 2 document lists seven vessels, however, our understanding was the Government has six vessels in standard rotation. Will the Government please indicate the expected time frames they may have more than six vessels in rotation at a time?

Answer: The Government will only have 6 vessels in the standard rotation. There will be a turnover period where the new Metal Shark boats will be rotating with the current Moose Boats, however, we don’t expect this to create a maintenance burden or any excess costs.

22. Question: Per FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, paragraph 1 on page 45, Volume I shall not exceed ten (10) pages. Page 46, Volume I: Technical Documents provides four factors that offerors are to provide detailed responses to. Ten pages at 1 ½ line spacing is not adequate space to allow the offeror to address each element requested in the RFP. Will the Government please increase the page count for Volume I to 30 pages to allow the offerors to provide the requested detail?

Answer: The government will increase page count to 20 pages.

23. "Per RFP FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, p. 46, Factor 2 (d), the offeror is to provide an effective quality control plan in their proposal. Per p. 37, section 6. Plan Submission states that the Quality Management System Plan (CDRL 012) is due 10 calendar days after contract award.

Question (a): Will the Government please clarify whether the quality control plan referenced on p. 46 is the Quality Management System Plan (CDRL 012) listed on p. 37?

Answer: Yes, your proposal will need to include your quality control plan which will then be finalized 10 days after contract award.

Question (b): If the quality control plan is the CDRL 012 Quality Management System Plan, will the Government please remove this from the Volume I page count, or allow the offeror to submit this as a non-page counted Appendix?

Answer: The document can be submitted as a non-page counted Appendix

24. Question: On p. 47, Section Factor 4: Past Performance states the Government will evaluate an offeror’s past performance using the CPAR system. Will the Government please confirm there is not a written response required for Factor 4 given the page constraints?

Answer: A written response is not required but we encourage you to provide enough detail as you believe necessary to satisfy Factor 4. If the Contractor has historical CPARs, they should delineate contract numbers associated with these.

25. Question: RFP, 52.212-1 Addendum, p. 45, paragraph 1 states "Resumes and past performance data may be single-spaced." Will the Government please confirm that Factor 3 Corporate Experience is part of past performance data and may therefore be single spaced?

Answer: Yes, this is permissible.

26. Question: RFP p. 3 CLIN X002 states it is FFP; Section 4.3.3.1, p. 29 states Payment under the NTE/ODC CLINs shall be limited to the approved "Actual Price" paid by the Contractor....since there is no provided list of ODCs for Offerors to price out and include within the solicitation response, will the Government please provide an "NTE Plug Cost" and update SF 1449 to reflect the NTE ODC CLIN?

Answer: The SF 1449 will be updated with the NTE cost.

27. Question: CLIN X003, p. 4 states it is FFP, however Section 1.3.2.1, p. 16, states "Overtime may become necessary either after normal hours or on weekends contingent on mission requirement. Overtime to continue work on scheduled Preventative Maintenance Schedule (PMS) not completed during normal work hours will not normally be invoiced. The Contractor may invoice under CLINS 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003 & 4003." Since the Government has not provided specific overtime hours to be included within Offerors Total Price, and to ensure pricing fairness between competitors, will the Government please update SF 1449 to reflect a NTE OVERTIME/WEATHER/CONTINGENCY CLIN and provide an NTE Plug Cost for offerors to use?

Answer: The SF 1449 will be updated with the NTE cost.

28. Question: CLIN X003, p. 4 states it is FFP, Section 1.3.7.4, p. 23 states "..Travel expenses incurred in accordance with the JTR will be reimbursed the NTE TRAVEL CLIN." Since Travel expenses are to be reimbursed per the JTR specifications, will the Government please update SF 1449 to reflect a NTE TRAVEL CLIN and provide an NTE Plug Cost for offerors to use?

Answer: The SF 1449 will be updated with the NTE cost.

29. Question: N6470923R0007_SF_1449_VesselMaintenanceSolicitation.docx (p. 85). Pursuant to Wage Determination (WD) 2015-4515 Rev 23 (dated 12/27/2022), EO 14026 states there is a minimum of $16.20 / hour for persons subject to Service Contract Labor Standard (SCLS)(FAR 52.222-41). FAR 52.222-55 Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022) (E.O. 13658) is marked as being applicable (on p.76) of same document. As a result, EO 14026 should apply. Will the Gov’t please confirm that all persons subject to SCLS are to receive, at a minimum, $16.20 / hour?

Answer: The executive orders have been marked as applicable under FAR 52.212-5 listed in the solicitation and the Service Contract Act applies.

30. Question: "N6470923R0007_SF_1449_VesselMaintenanceSolicitation.docx, (p. 30), Section C PWS, Subsection 4.3.3.1 Purchase of Parts…, Fourth para. states “Payment under the NTE/ODC CLINs shall be limited to the approved “Actual Price”…” Actual Price is defined as excluding “…additional costs for the Contractor’s material handling charges, overhead, general and administrative costs, profit, or any other indirect cost that is in any way associated with the Contractor’s purchase or provision of such supplies, repair parts and industrial assistance.”

Contractors typically place general and administrative and or material handling charges on top of prices paid by the Contractor for ODC’s, material and related. Offeror agrees there should be no profit applied, but because of the unknown factor of what ODC’s, material and or travel is envisioned, it’s difficult to predict. Will the Gov’t please allow administrative and or material handling charges on top of prices paid by the Contractor for ODC’s, material and related? Or in the alternate, will the Gov’t agree to a ceiling for all burdens applied by Contractor on ODC’s, material and travel which cannot be exceeded?"

Answer: The SF 1449 will be updated with the NTE cost. All other costs should be captured in the FFP CLIN 001.

31. Question: "In section 1.3.6.4.9, p. 21, the MINMUM PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS list the Watch stander personnel as Rover (Laborer), Occupation number 23470. Section 1.3.6.4.7, p. 21 DUTY ROVER PERSONNEL states that the rovers must be trained to handle general vessel safety and security situations, and section 4.1.1 on p. 27 states the Duty Rover’s responsibility is to ensure general safety conditions on the vessels to include but not limited to the following:

• Constant checks hourly to ensure that vessels are securely and safely moored.

• Monitor vessels for any alarms and take actions as needed.

• If plugged into shore power, ensure that breakers have not tripped, and batteries are being properly charged.

• Ensure bilge pumps are energized and on as appropriate.

• Monitor electrical power generators, when in use, to ensure safe and effective operation.

• Inspect all floodable spaces and ensure fluid is not present in the bilges and clean as needed.

• Inspect the condition of gangways, brows and general pier areas and report or correct issues as needed.

• Receive and pass on to competent authority, discrepancy reports from vessel operators.

• Respond to afterhours emergencies in support of mission operations.

• Recall as necessary, assistance from Contractor Maintenance Personnel.

• Contact Navy Security as needed to report security violations.

Due to the amount of security and safety requirements in addition to the checking of equipment, would the government please consider changing the WD rating of (23470) Rover (Laborer) to (27101) Guard I to more accurately reflect their job duties and capabilities? " Answer: The requirement has been changed to 2701 Guard 1

32. Question: The DoD (Defense Pricing and Contracting) published Memo USA000999-22-DPC on 05/25/22 regarding Guidance on Inflation and Economic Price Adjustments. As cost for fuel and other products susceptible to inflationary costs are to be borne by the Contractor under the fixed price effort, will the Gov’t consider adding Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause(s) such as FAR 52.216-2 Economic Price Adjustment-Standard Supplies, FAR 52.216-4 Economic Price Adjustment-Labor and Material and or other, to this solicitation / contract?

Answer: FAR clauses were added.

33. Question: Would the government be able to provide the contract number of the incumbent contract?

Answer: N6883618C0007

34. Question: Would the government provide a four-week extension to the bid due date?

Answer: No, the due date will remain unchanged.

35. Question: Could the government provide the type of vehicles/ trucks required for this effort and how many?

Answer: Per 1.3.5.1 of the PWS, the Contractor must be able to support concurrent towing operations for the HSBs and the SV33’s. The size of the truck and its capabilities must match the weight of the trailer/boat being towed.

36. Question: Could the government provide the historical number of concurrent transportation operations that occur monthly that would require multiple contractors provided vehicles?

Answers: This varies greatly based on maintenance/repairs that require the boat to be removed from the water, and how many hurricanes we have in any given year. The Contractor will need to have two (2) trucks available daily that will be dedicated to this mission.

37. Questions: Could the government advise if the off-site maintenance facility requires any special certifications, size etc.? Please include door dimensions required to support the vessels while on a trailer? If the height is greater than 12 feet, would the government consider increasing the distance allowed from the front gate for the off-site maintenance facility as the availability a facility meeting the requirements is drastically limited?

Answers:The SV33 measures 12 feet 6 inches tall with the mast lowered. The Moose Boat HSB measures 13 feet 6 inches tall and 13 feet 6 inches wide. The Metal Shark boats (replacement for the Moose Boat) measure 13 feet 5 ½ inches tall.

No, the government would not be willing to extend the distance greater than 50 miles.

38. Questions: Could the government provide clarification or historical reference to the need for multiple vessels to be located concurrently at the off-site facility?

Answer:The off-site storage of vessels may be required based on various hurricane factors that we cannot predict. Separating the boats allows us to maintain continuity of operations should a specific location suffer considerable storm damage. The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June to November annually.

39. Questions: Could the government provide the historical average number of days a vessel is stored off site and the historical number and type of maintenance activities required at the off-site facility?

Answers: No, but this can be estimated based on the maintenance schedule within TE-6 and TE-7. The Contractor should plan on utilizing their OMF for repairs that cannot be conducted with the boat moored at the pier.

40. Questions: Could the government advise if the contractor is responsible for any tools?

Answers: Section 3.2 of the PWS stipulates that the Contractor will provide all hand tools and support equipment. The GFE contains some specialty tools such as torque wrenches.

41. Questions: Could the government advise if the contractor is responsible for any special or specialized tools? (Are these available for our use at the off-site facility?)

Answer: Section 3.2 of the PWS stipulates that the Contractor will provide all hand tools and support equipment. The GFE contains some specialty tools such as torque wrenches. The Contractor FFP should include any specialty tools they believe they’ll need to perform the duties stated within the entire PWS. Yes, the Contractor may use GFE tools or their Contractor provider tools at any of the facilities.

42. Questions: Pricing: Since the contract is FFP, can the government clarify that all contractor related costs (labor, TE-8 consumable costs, Off-Site Facility, contractor provided vehicles) and only captured in CLIN X001? Also please clarify that the CLINS for ODC, Travel, and OT, for CLINS X002, X003, X004 and X005 that are cost-reimbursable CLINS. Could the government provide average costs incurred by the contractor to support parts and material purchases per month/year for CLINS X002, X003, X004, and X005? (PWS 4.3.4, 1.3.2.1, 1.3.5.2)

Answers: For CLINS X002, X003, and X004 refer to questions 26-28. CLIN X005 is not for us to determine.

43. Questions: Could the government provide age of vessels and historical number of repairs in the last years?

Answers:

SV33 – 2010

SV64 – 2009/10

HSB – 2006/7

Historical repair data will not be provided, as it is variable based on many factors such as overhaul schedules, new boat acquisition (Metal Shark) and repairs/upgrades that are funded outside of the contract.

44. Questions: Are all the tools and equipment stored in the TPP storage container government provided equipment or contractor provided equipment?

Answers: We have provided the GFE listing. All other tools and equipment that are required in carrying out the PWS will be provided by the Contractor and included in the FFP. The current contractor may have some of the tools they provided, which are owned by them, in the storage container.

45. Questions: Can the government clarify the Periods of Performance for each year? The Solicitation mentions a 30-day transitionary period, but the Base Year in the chart shows 12 months.

Answers: Period of Performance is 12 months and if needed a modification to extend the services will be generated in accordance with FAR 52.217-8.

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