Attachment 5_Questions and Answers_26QN049_AMD0001.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) N6817126QN049 - FIREFIGHTER DUTY APPAREL

(EMBROIDERED) AND FOOTWEAR

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. DFARS 252.225-7012, Preference for Certain Domestic Commodities, is incorporated by reference. The stated CLIN 0001 ceiling is $175,000, which is below the $200,000 exception threshold at DFARS 225.7002-2(a). Please confirm whether Berry Amendment domestic source requirements apply to the clothing, footwear, belts, and textile items to be delivered under this contract. This determination materially changes the available manufacturer base and the resulting unit prices.

A1. DFARS 252.225-7012 removed. See Amendment 0001 to RFQ N6817126QN049.

Q2. FAR 52.216-19, Order Limitations, as completed in the solicitation, states a minimum order of $500.00 and a maximum order of $500.00 for a single item, for a combination of items, and for a series of orders from the same ordering office within one day. This appears inconsistent with the two-year CLIN 0001 ceiling of $175,000 and with the delivery order quantities described in the Statement of Work. Please confirm the intended maximum order value or amend the clause accordingly.

A2. FAR 52.216-19, Order Limitations was revised . See Amendment 0001 to RFQ

N681726QN049

Q3. Paragraph 2.1.1(c)(i) requires a single flat unit price across each grouped ELIN range and strictly prohibits differentiated pricing for extended sizes. Table 1 requires sizes through 3XL, and Line 17 requires waist sizes from 24 inches through 54 inches. Manufacturers commonly apply extended-size upcharges. Please confirm that quoters may establish the flat unit price at a blended level that recovers standard extended-size costs across the range.

A3. As per RFQ N6817126QN049 Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services paragraph 2.1.1c.i. Price Uniformity: For each grouped line item range (e.g., Line 1: A001 - A018 for the Short Sleeve Polo), the Quoter shall propose a single, flat Unit Price that will apply to all individual ELINs within that range. The Quoter is strictly prohibited from proposing different unit prices for larger sizes (e.g., 2XL or 3XL) within the same range.

Q4. Will the Government provide the historical size and color distribution ordered by NSA Naples F&ES over the past 24 months, by ELIN or by item? Without this data, quoters must price 295 size and color variants at a single flat rate with no basis for estimating the actual mix.

A4. No, the Government will not provide historical size and color distributions. However, to assist with pricing estimations, the physical profile of the NSA Naples F&ES personnel generally consists of approximately 80% small-to-medium frame individuals, with the remaining 20% consisting of large-frame personnel who typically require tall sizing.

DISCLAIMER / CONTRACTOR'S RISK: The sizing information provided above is a non-binding estimate representing the current, active workforce at the time of this solicitation. This data does not constitute a warranty, representation, or guarantee of the actual sizes or quantities that will be ordered throughout the two-year contract lifecycle.

The Government reserves the right to order any combination of sizes and colors within the SOW parameters to meet fluctuating mission needs. Quoters are advised that all pricing submitted in Exhibit A is at the contractor's sole risk. Quoters must propose a single, flat, "fully burdened" unit price for each item range in Exhibit A. The Government will not accept post-award price adjustments, claims, or surcharges due to fluctuations in the required size or color mix.

Q5. Our preliminary market research indicates that the Table 1 quantities priced at current market rates may approach or exceed the $175,000 CLIN 0001 ceiling. Please confirm whether the ceiling is a firm not-to-exceed value, and whether the Government would consider adjusting quantities or the ceiling if quotes exceed it.

A5. The Government will consider adjusting quantities or the ceiling if quotes exceed it.

Vendor may make an exception to the ceiling if the quote exceeds the ceiling of $175,000.00.

Q6. Exhibit A includes Line 16, ELIN range A167 through A188, "Lightweight Carbon-Toe Station Slip-On Boots." SOW Table 1 proceeds from Line Item 15 to Line Item 17 and does not include salient characteristics for this item. Please provide the required specifications, including safety toe standard, applicable ASTM or NFPA certification, waterproofing requirements, boot height, slip resistance, and any electrical hazard rating.

A6. Line Item 16 was invertedly left out from the SOW. Please refer to Attachment # 3 – 26QN049_AMD0001_Statement of Work for the full description of Line Item 16.

Q7. SOW paragraph 1.7(b) states that station wear, specifically t-shirts and pants, must comply with NFPA 1975. Please confirm whether the NFPA 1975 requirement extends to any other items, including footwear, outerwear, uniform shirts, or shorts.

Q7a. NFPA 1975 scope for Line Items 10, 11, and 19 SOW 1.7.b states that “all station wear (t-shirts and pants) must be compliant with NFPA 1975,” while only some line items (5, 6, 12, 13, 23, 24) state NFPA 1975 compliance explicitly in their individual descriptions. Please confirm whether NFPA 1975 compliance is required for Line Item 10 (Midweight Fleece Open-Bottom Sweatpants), Line Item 11 (Polyester Serge 4-Pocket Trousers), and Line Item 19 (Polyester Twill Class A Dress Pants), or whether these items are excluded as non-station-wear.

A7- Only the specific items listed in the SOW (T-shirt and Pants) are required to comply with the NFPA 1975 standard. SOW 1.7b corrected to state “Only station wear identified in the Description per each Line Item”. Please also refer to Attachment # 3 – 26QN049_AMD0001_Statement of Work

Q8. Please confirm the acceptable evidence of NFPA 1975 compliance: a manufacturer certificate of compliance, an independent third-party laboratory report, or a UL or SEI listing.

A8 Compliance will be bench marked against the current NFPA 1975 guidance, only guidance needed is material fabric description.

Q9 Volume III requires a stitch-out swatch featuring the fully embroidered Department logo (Image 2) and required custom lettering, and Subfactor A is evaluated on that sample. The high-resolution artwork referenced in SOW paragraph 1.6(a) is described as available upon request and is not included in the posted package. Please provide the artwork files to all prospective quoters as soon as practicable so that samples can be produced using the actual Department logo.

A9. Please see artwork file at Attachment # 4- 26QN0049 - AMD0001- Artworkfile

Q10 SOW paragraph 1.4 provides the Government 45 calendar days after receipt to perform inspection. Please confirm the point at which inspection and acceptance occur - at the Capodichino clearance and receiving point, or at the F&ES station - and the expected payment timeline following delivery.

A10. Inspection and acceptance shall occur at F&ES station. Invoice Payment is net 30 days running from Government acceptance and proper submission of invoice.

Q11. Please confirm that payment terms will be net 30 days under the Prompt Payment Act, running from the later of receipt of a proper invoice or Government acceptance. The WAWF Routing Data Table at DFARS 252.232-7006 is blank in the posted solicitation. Please provide the Pay Official, Issue By, Admin, Inspect By, Ship To, and Acceptor DoDAACs, or confirm they will be supplied at award.

A11. Payment terms will be net 30 days under the Prompt Payment Act, running from the later of receipt of a proper invoice or Government acceptance. WAWF table will be completed at contract award.

Q12. Please confirm that all export shipping, Italian customs clearance, and onward inland delivery from the customs clearance point to NSA Naples Fire & Emergency Services are contractor responsibility and are to be included in the unit prices.

A12. The total firm-fixed-price shall include all applicable taxes, shipping, and handling costs to the shipping address listed in the RFQ. Contractor’s shall follow instructions at SOW paragraph 1.8.

Q13. Regarding paragraph 2.1.1(e), what level of redaction is acceptable on invoices submitted to demonstrate comparable commercial sales, and will those invoices be treated as proprietary and exempt from release?

A13. Invoice redaction is permissible if it allows the Government to adequately compare prices of the requested items sold under similar market conditions. The Government shall not release redacted invoices and will use them to validate price fairness and reasonableness.

Q14. Is there an incumbent contractor for this requirement? If so, will the Government release the incumbent's unit pricing or the total value of orders placed during the prior period?

A14. Previous contract was N6817122D0008 and awarded to US 21, Inc. Historical unit pricing and specific order expenditures are not available for release within this solicitation. Such information must be requested formally through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Instructions for submitting a Navy FOIA request can be found at https://www.secnav.navy.mil/foia

Q15. Will the Government issue an amendment identifying the Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman required by FAR 52.216-32, the Technical POC identified in the SOW as "To Be Determined," and the blank entries at FAR 52.252-4, Alterations in Contract?

A16. FAR 52.216-32 and FAR 52.252-4 shall be removed. Technical Point of Contact will be determined at contract award. See Amendment 0001 to RFQ N6817126QN049.

Q17 Are you only considering companies that can fulfill all listed items? Would you be able to accept a bid for just a portion of the items?

A17. The Navy is currently anticipating a single award contract capable of fulfilling the entirety of the list of items.

END OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS