RFQ Instruction to Quoters - DoD Pressure Testing v5.pdf

Unclassified

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Professional Services Acquisition Unit

DoD Pressure Testing

Training Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Request for Quote (RFQ) 15F06724Q0000254

FINANCE DIVISION

PROCUREMENT SECTION

DATE: 08/28/2024

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFQ) No. 15F06724Q0000254

All Interested Parties, The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would like to invite your company to submit a quote for this acquisition as outlined in the accompanying Request for Quotation.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ) in accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures leveraging NAICS 541380 – Testing Laboratories

This RFQ is being conducted as a competitive requirement to Veteran Owned Small Businesses.

The Government will solicit through sam.gov.

Quotes shall be submitted on or before 3:00 PM CDT on September 10, 2024 by email to the attention of the Contracting Officer, Stevon Walker at swalker4@FBI.gov and Anthony Maggert at asmaggert@fbi.gov. Ensure that “RFQ 15F06724Q0000254 appears in the subject line of

ALL your emails regarding this solicitation.

The anticipated schedule of events is:

RFQ Release Date: 28-Aug-24

Questions due to the FBI: 3-Sep-24

FBI Answers disseminated: 6-Sep-24

Final Offers due to the FBI: 10-Sep-24

Sincerely, Stevon Walker

Contracting Officer

Professional Service Acquisition Unit

Procurement Section

Finance & Facilities Division

1.0 BACKGROUND

The FBI seeks to standardize specifications for the law enforcement/civilian version of 5.56 mm

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ammunition. This will allow for improved rifle cartridge performance for law enforcement agencies nationwide. The FBI must perform comparative chamber and gas port pressure testing to gauge the current informal industry standard. This data will be used as a baseline to establish a formal published standard.

The governing body for firearm and ammunition standards in the U.S. is the Sporting Arms and

Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI). The FBI must prepare a packet with this data to

SAAMI to establish the formal industry standard. The difficulty in establishing a standard has been the 5.56 mm NATO specifications are established and tested using Electronic Pressure

Velocity and Action Time (EPVAT) testing procedures as established by the United States

Department of Defense. The civilian and law enforcement ammunition industry use conformal testing procedures established by SAAMI. The values generated by the respective methods are from different test sources. The ammunition must be pressure tested using the two methods simultaneously to get true comparative values. This process requires the pressure testing equipment to be a 3-channel system, acquiring pressure from 3 separate locations at the same time. This capability is extremely rare as the industry standard is 2-channel.

1.1 SCOPE

This is a contract to provide Pressure testing using the two methods (conformal and Electronic

Pressure Velocity and Action Time (EPVAT)) simultaneously to get true comparative values.

This process requires the pressure testing equipment to be a 3-channel system, acquiring pressure from 3 separate locations at the same time using 5.56LE and 223 caliber Remington Arms

Company, LLC (Rem.) to establish standards for future law enforcement ammunition.

1.2 OBJECTIVE

The intent of the conformal and Electronic Pressure Velocity and Action Time (EPVAT) is to standardize specifications for the law enforcement/civilian version of specifically 5.56 “NATO”.

used to establish standards for maximum average peak pressures of chamberings, as well as determining the safety of particular loads for the purposes of new load development.

1.3 CONTRACT TYPE

The FBI anticipates award of a single award, Veteran Owned Small Business set aside, Firm-

Fixed Price contract under NAICS 541380 – Testing Laboratories for the Training Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

The FBI will supply:

• 200 rounds of each type of ammunition to be tested

• 200 rounds of reference ammunition (.223Rem and Military M855)

• 300 rounds of additional ammunition for test barrel break in

• 3 pressure barrels configured as below:

• 5.56 chambered with 3 ports- conformal, case mouth and gas port 1:7 twist

• .223Rem chambered with 3 ports- conformal, case mouth and gas port 1:7 twist

• .223Rem chambered with 3 ports- conformal, case mouth and gas port 1:12 twist

• 24” in length

• The conformal location is the SAAMI .223Rem location (drilled and tapped for

Piezoelectric).

• Case mouth and gas port positions are the 5.56 NATO accepted industry/ DoD locations (drilled and tapped for EPVAT).

• The barrels were manufactured by Bartlein and are configured for use in and industry standard Universal Receiver

TEST PRACTICES

• All pressure testing will follow SAAMI/Industry accepted practices, except for the

EPVAT additions.

• 10 shot tests (plus warming shots)

• Offset will be acquired and applied for both pressure and velocity

Filter choice will be at vendor discretion, but all tests shall be conducted with the same filter.

The Government requires the following specifications:

- The FBI TD requires a digital summary (Excel spreadsheet type) of all test results.

- The summary sheet will be broken down by ammunition type (product code and lot number) documenting high, low, average and SD in each barrel for peak pressure at the conformal, case mouth, port positions and velocity.

- Digital copies of each individual test (Oehler type test summary in a pdf format).

3.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Deliverables from 9/15/2024 to 9/14/2025.

4.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

At the vendors facility.

5.0 HOURS OF OPERATION

The following hours of operation apply to entire award:

The Contractor’s core workday hours will typically be eight (8) work hours a day within the hours of 7:45a.m. and 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Recognized Government Holidays: The Contractor shall not perform any services on the following holidays unless specifically approved by the COR:

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

President’s Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Veteran’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

The U.S. Government also observes the following:

Any day designated by Federal Statute

Any day designated by Presidential Proclamation

There may be incidents due to holidays and national or natural events that result in closing of

Government and/or FBI facilities where Contractor personnel are assigned. The Contractor may not bill for these closings, nor have any expectation of reimbursement for time not worked.

During Government liberal leave conditions, Contractor personnel are solely responsible for determining the risks to personal safety when determining whether to report for duty. When the

Government and / or FBI is closed due to a holiday or national or natural events, Contractor staff may be afforded up to thirty (30) days to make up lost time if there is work to be accomplished.

Working outside of normal established hours must be approved, in writing, by the CO / COR. In those rare situations that the Government goes into furlough status, the Contractor shall not allow their employees to continue working during the government furlough unless specifically approved by the CO.

6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor shall receive direction and guidance from the Contracting Officer (CO) and

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) assigned to execute this order.

6.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER

The CO is the appointed authority to bind the Government to the extent of the authority delegated. Direction that will modify the scope, schedule, terms and conditions, funding, or any other action that may modify the order and / or Option Periods as originally entered into with the

Government must be provided by the CO.

This order will be administered by:

Name: Stevon Walker

Title: Contracting Officer

Unit: Professional Services Acquisition Unit (PSAU)

Address: 4943 Fowler Road, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898

Email: swalker4@fbi.gov

6.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE

The COR assigned cognizance of this contract is:

Name: TBD

Address:

Phone:

Email:

The COR is the primary representative of the Contracting Officer authorized to provide technical direction on contract performance. Individuals other than the COR may be authorized to provide technical direction at the approval of the COR or Contracting Officer. The COR is responsible, as applicable, for:

• Receiving all deliverables, inspecting, and accepting the supplies or services provided hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract.

• Providing direction to the contractor which clarifies the contract effort, fills in details or otherwise serves to accomplish the contractual Scope of Work.

• Evaluating performance; and certifying all invoices/vouchers for acceptance of the supplies or services furnished for payment.

• The Contractor is only permitted to submit invoices against those positions that are fully staffed.

The COR does not have the authority to alter the contractor’s obligations under the contract, and/or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or cost of the contract. If as a result of technical discussions, if it is desirable to alter/change contractual obligations or the scope of work, the Contracting Officer shall review and issue any such changes, via a contract modification. The performance of work required herein shall be subject to the technical direction of the cognizant POC or his designee with respect to the Contractor which fills in details, suggests possible lines of inquiry, or otherwise supplements the scope of work.

Technical direction provided by other approved representatives is limited to the following under this contract:

• Technical direction includes direction to the contractor which assists the contract in accomplishing the services outlined in the contract; comments on and approval of reports or other deliverables; and direction within scope of the contract.

• The COR/POC do not have the authority to issue technical direction which institutes additional work outside the scope for the contract; constitutes a change as defined in the mailto:swalker4@fbi.gov changes clause; causes an increase or decrease in the estimated cost of the contract; alters the period of performance; or changes any of the other express terms and conditions of the contract.

“Technical direction” must be confined to the general scope of work set forth herein and shall not constitute a new assignment, nor supersede or modify any other clause of this contract. To be valid, technical direction:

• Must be issued in writing consistent with the general scope of work set forth in the contract.

• Shall not change the expressed terms, conditions, or specifications incorporated into this contract, and

• Shall not constitute a basis for extension to the contract delivery schedule or contract price.

The COR is authorized to:

• Act as a liaison and to coordinate contractor/government activities.

• Arrange for and coordinate the use of government resources (personnel, space, documents, etc.).

• Provide technical guidance in the performance of the contract; and

• Receive, review, and approve progress reports, selected invoices and final reports or other functions of a technical nature.

The authority to officially reject performance is expressly reserved for the Contracting Officer.

The COR/POC does not have the authority to alter the Contractor’s obligations under the contract; direct changes that fall within the purview of the clause entitled “Changes” and/or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or price of the contract. If as a result of technical discussions, it is desirable to alter/change contractual obligations or the

Specification/Work Statement, the Contracting Officer shall issue such changes in writing and signed.

7.0 FBI SECURITY REGULATIONS

7.1 Limited Access Requirements (LAR)

Upon award of the contract/work order, all personnel involved in the process must have a completed LAR consisting of checks from the Data Integration and Visualization System

(DIVS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Interstate Identification Index (III), Sentinel, and the Treasury Enforcement Communication System (TECS). The following forms must be accurately completed and furnished to the OSO at least 45 work days prior to the arrival of contract individual to FBI space (or as early as possible).

• SF-85 - Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (fill in gray areas) o Completion Guide o Spanish Translations

▪ Spanish Completion Packet https://go.fbinet.fbi/HRB/SecD/SSCS/PSIUIV/LAR%20Resources/SF%2085/SF85.pdf https://go.fbinet.fbi/HRB/SecD/SSCS/PSIUIV/LAR%20Resources/SF%2085/LAR%20SF%2085%20Completion%20Guide.pdf https://go.fbinet.fbi/HRB/SecD/SSCS/PSIUIV/LAR%20Resources/SF%2085/Spanish/LAR%20SF%2085%20Completion%20Guide%20in%20Spanish.pdf

▪ SF-85 Translation Packet

▪ SF-85 Release in Spanish

• Authorization for Release of Information (page 6 of SF-85)

• FD-285 - Fingerprint Application Card (see step 4 below)

• FD-857a - Sensitive Information Non-Disclosure Agreement

Failure to allot enough time to conduct the checks can result in access delays that cannot be waived.

The process to submit the contractors LAR is as follows:

1. Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/Project Manager (PM)/Point of

Contact (POC) will supply SF-85, FD-857a and Completion Guide to Company.

2. Company will supply SF-85, FD-857a and Completion Guide to Potential

Employee.

3. Company will submit completed SF-85, FD-857a and Authorization for Release of Information to COR/PM/POC.

4. Company will coordinate with COR/PM/POC to schedule Potential Employee to have fingerprints taken (Locations: Huntsville - Visitor Center; JEH - Fingerprint

Room; Quantico - East Gate; Pocatello - Visitor Center).

5. Company will provide Potential Employee details (location, time, date) of when to arrive to get fingerprints taken.

6. COR/PM/POC will review the SF-85 and FD-857a to ensure required fields have been completed and forms have been signed, then will email them from an

Unclassified (low side) computer to the appropriate security office.

(Mailbox: Redstone - rsvp@ic.fbi.gov; OSO - HQ_DIV12_OSO@fbi.gov).

7. Security Office will complete NCIC, DIVS Sentinel and TECS checks.

8. Security Office will Uplift the SF-85, FD-857a, Authorization for Release of

Information, record checks, and fingerprint reports to FBINET (high side), and a unique file will be created under the applicant's name.

9. Security Office will adjudicate the individual based on above information;

resulting in either approved, denied, or discontinued.

10. Security Office will upload all documents into Sentinel as approved/denied/discontinued, adding Security Division as additional case file

AND copy the COR/PM/POC.

11. Security Office will create a file in Phoenix.

12. COR/PM/POC will notify the Company of the approval/denial/discontinued result for Potential Employee.

8.0 INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS

This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The

Government will strictly enforce all instruction requirements. This RFQ is being conducted total small business set-aside. The Government will only evaluate quotes from small businesses.

*The Government will strictly enforce all instruction requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a Vendor’s submission being rejected as being materially non-conforming to the RFQ’s requirements. * https://go.fbinet.fbi/HRB/SecD/SSCS/PSIUIV/LAR%20Resources/SF%2085/Spanish/LAR%20Spanish%20Translation%20Packet.pdf https://go.fbinet.fbi/HRB/SecD/SSCS/PSIUIV/LAR%20Resources/SF%2085/Spanish/SF%2085%20Release%20in%20Spanish.pdf https://go.fbinet.fbi/do/rpo/ipo/formsdesk/pdfforms/fd-258.pdf https://go.fbinet.fbi/do/rpo/ipo/formsdesk/pdfforms/FD-857a.pdf https://go.fbinet.fbi/HRB/SecD/SOS/OSO/Pages/CrossDomainDataTransfer.aspx https://phx.fbinet.fbi:8443/PHXMgmtWeb/

The Quote shall consist of (2) Documents / Volumes, which are as follows.

• Volume I – Technical Approach

• Volume II – SF 1449

9.0 EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (Oct 2014)

The government intends to make a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award based on a best value to the

Government. The following Factors will be used for evaluation:

Factor 1 – Technical Approach

This factor assesses the Contractor’s overall understanding of each of the Government’s requirements through a description of their ability to deliver, meet, and comprehend the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW). Technical Approach will be evaluated in accordance with the Evaluation Rating Table 1. The quoter should provide written documentation to corroborate the requirement as outlined in the SOW.

This factor will be rated using the following confidence rating chart:

TABLE 1

Rating Description

High Confidence

The Government has high confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, and will be successful in performing the contract with little or no

Government intervention.

Some Confidence The Government has some confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, and will be successful in performing the contract with some

Government intervention.

Low Confidence The Government has low confidence that the understands the

Offeror requirement, proposes a sound approach, or will be successful in performing the contract even with Government intervention

Factor 2- Price – The Quoter must provide a price quote for the service that is considered to perform the work on the contract. Quoter must provide pricing on the SF-1449 and provide a signature where required by an authorized representative of the Quoter’s organization.

10.0 AWARD

A contract will be awarded after the Quoter is deemed responsible in accordance with the FAR, and whose Offer represent the “best value” to the Government.