Questions W15QKN-23-X-0ULS (Answered 2-22-24).docx

22 February 2024 Omnibus IDIQ for Research and Development, Engineering and Support for the DEVCOM Armament Center in the Areas of Weapons Development, Cannon Development, AT-System Testing/Diagnostics and Netcentric Support.

1. Comment/Question on the DRAFT Price Matrix:

Background

Comment – The excel sheet entitled “CPFF Labor Rates” requires that the Offeror propose a “Burdened Labor Rate Value” and “Prime Fixed Fee Value” to develop a “Fully Burdened Labor Rate Value” for each labor category and each subsequent option years. This is standard methodology for standalone for IDIQ Contracts to establish a Contract Value $ Ceiling. The issue is that the contemplated contract type for this acquisition is “Multiple Award IDIQ Task Order Type Contract”. Meaning that some Task Orders could be awarded with the basic award and the individual CPPF labor category rates are valid only for Year 1. During the out years, the offerors DCAA approved indirect burdens may change thus making the out-year rates invalid. Therefore, the contemplated acquisition T&Cs should account for a mechanism for the awardees to update their CPFF rates on an annual basis to account for any change in the DCAA approved indirect burdens.

Recommended Change/Provision For example, the Government should include a provision such as:

For CPFF orders issued during Ordering Period 1, contractors shall utilize the contract rates in their task/delivery order proposal. For the follow-on ordering periods, 60 days prior to the end of Ordering Periods 1, 2, 3 and 4, contractors shall update their CPFF rates for the forthcoming ordering periods or attest that their rates have not changed, so that contractual rates more accurately reflect the contractor's current rates. The out-year rates, whether the same or not, will be evaluated for cost realism and negotiated, if necessary, before being incorporated into the contract via modification. The contractor shall not propose labor rates for labor categories that were not incorporated into the basic contract. When submitting updated labor rates, the contractor shall utilize the same fee rates contained in the CPFF fully loaded labor rates incorporated into the basic contract.

Government Response:

Language will be included in official RFP.

2. Comments/Questions on the PWS, specifically Functional Area 3: System Testing/Diagnostics and Netcentric Support 2a - Paragraph 4.3.2.1 – Will the government consider adding the clarification text as shown in red?

4.3.2 Test Program Set Development

4.3.2.1 The Contractor shall develop and design Test Program Set’s(TPS) using the Units Under Test (UUT) Test Specification, Schematic and Assembly Drawings, and any other technical data provided by the Government. The term UUT includes but is not limited to Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs), Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Shop Replaceable Assemblies (SRAs), Weapons Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs) circuit cards, and other removable components from weapons platforms or support systems. The TPS software and hardware shall be designed and developed to run on multiple target ATE including the Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS), the specific ATE shall be identified for each task. Most likely the Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS).

Government Response:

Please find updated language in the revised PWS.

4.3.2.1 The Contractor shall develop and design Test Program Set’s(TPS) using the Units Under Test (UUT) Test Specification, Schematic and Assembly Drawings, and any other technical data provided by the Government. The term UUT includes but is not limited to Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs), Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Shop Replaceable Assemblies (SRAs), Weapons Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs) circuit cards, and other removable components from weapons platforms or support systems. The TPS software and hardware shall be designed and developed to run on multiple target ATE including the Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS), the specific ATE shall be identified for each task.

2b- Paragraph 4.3.2.2.1.1 - Will the government consider adding an additional paragraph as shown in red?

4.3.2.2.1.2 The Contractor shall develop a Test Strategy Report (TSR) for each Unit Under Test (UUT), including the Test Program Hardware (TPH). The TSR shall specify the Test Program (TP) design and performance characteristics as well as how the characteristics will be tested using the designated Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). The TSR shall provide the rationale for the test methodology employed for testing the UUT. The TSR shall address problems or constraints caused by incompatibilities between the ATE and UUT. The TSR shall be submitted to the Government using the latest version of ATS00060082 - TPS TEST STRATEGY REPORT TEMPLATE Government Response:

Not required on BASE PWS but similar language can be put in each task order that would require it.

2c -Because the scope of this Functional Area is so wide, there is the potential for many organizations not already associated with this contract to use it as an acquisition tool. In anticipation of this, would the Government consider adding the following language to allow this Functional Area to support additional work not already listed here:

4.3.2.26 Additional Related Work

The Contractor shall provide additional support that may be related to work outlined in Functional Area 3 and specified in separate Task Order PWS(s).

Government Response:

Language will not be included because any additional work would have to fall within the general scope. It is a wide scope so other “additional related work” can be included by task order under the scope as written.