Request_for_Information_B4C.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – BORON CARBIDE

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials

1. Description

1.1 The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials is seeking information to support its planned acquisition of boron carbide. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to be read in combination with the draft Statement of Work (SOW), included as Attachment 1.

1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, DLA Strategic Materials is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that DLA Strategic Materials will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2. Background

2.1 The Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq., hereinafter referred to as “the Stockpiling Act”) authorizes the National Defense Stockpile (NDS). The NDS acquires and retains stocks of strategic and critical materials to decrease and preclude a dangerous and costly dependence by the U.S. on foreign sources or single sources of supply in a National Emergency. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD-A&S) performs the duties of the NDS Manager, and DLA Strategic Materials operates the NDS on behalf of USD-A&S.

DLA Strategic Materials has developed a requirement for boron carbide to be stored in case of national emergency.

2.2 DLA Strategic Materials may issue an RFP pursuant to the SOW included in Attachment 1, but DLA Strategic Materials reserves the right to issue a modified RFP or no RFP.

3. Statement of Intent

DLA Strategic Materials intends to procure 165 metric tons of boron carbide over a three year period of performance.

In the event that DLA Strategic Materials issues an RFP for the acquisition of boron carbide, DLA Strategic Materials intends for offerors to provide for the performance of material characterization testing, plate production, and ballistic testing in their proposal. DLA Strategic http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

Materials notes that offerors cannot ship material to the Government depot for final acceptance until after the results of all the aforementioned testing is received and accepted by the contracting officer. After a subsequent visual examination of shipped materials at the Government depot, DLA Strategic Materials intends to process invoices for materials, packaging, and all testing costs.

4. Requested Information

4.1 Questions Related to SOW Clarity:

• SOW Section 4.1 defines the technical requirements for the material. Do you believe the specifications in 4.1 and Table 1 can be used for Department of Defense body armor? If not, what changes would you recommend and why?

• SOW Section 4.1.3 requires a material particle size ranging from crude all the way down to a particle size distribution of LS3 <1200 microns and LS50 100 – 400 microns.

DLA Strategic Materials objective is to reduce cost to the government. Is this requirement unclear in anyway?

• SOW Section 4.3 defines the packaging requirements for the boron carbide. DLA Strategic Materials objective is for the material to be stored for 20 years or more without deterioration or degradation. Does the Government packaging requirements in Section 4.3 make you less likely to bid on a contract like this?

• How will the Government’s packaging requirements effect how you price the material?

• Please provide the industry standard for packaging this type of material to include any special requirements for long term storage.

• SOW Section 5 defines the requirement for independent third party testing and sampling. DLA Strategic Materials objective is to ensure the chemistry and particle size conform to the technical requirements laid out in Section 4. What testing method do you recommend to ensure the material is suitable for body armor?

• If DLA Strategic Materials issues an RFP for this requirement, how many days would it take your to prepare and submit a response? If you would not respond, please state why.

• How do you normally price this type of contract? Is there a market indicator? If an

RFP was issued, how would you price the requirements in Attachment 1? Would you price packaging and testing separately from the price for the material?

• The draft CLIN structure is provided in Attachment 2. Would you recommend any changes to the draft CLIN structure? If so, what changes would you make and why?

• SOW Section 6.3.6 explains the Governments intent to provide payment for material once visual acceptance of the material and acceptance of all test results is completed.

Does this seem feasible? If not, when would you expect to receive payment for the CLINs involving plate manufacturing and why?

• Is there anything in the draft RFP that would make you unlikely to submit a proposal?

If so, what is it, and what changes do you recommend?

• If DLA Strategic Materials issues an RFP, do you have any questions or require further clarification on what offerors must do to respond to this acquisition?

• In the event that there are sections of the draft SOW that are unclear or contradictory, DLA Strategic Materials invites potential offerors to highlight those sections in response to this RFI and provide recommendations for improvement?

5. Responses

5.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper with cover sheet.

White Papers with Cover Sheets shall be submitted electronically, in Microsoft Word (Office 2010 compatible) format or in PDF, not later than December 3, 2018 12:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time. Submissions shall be e-mailed to SMContracting@dla.mil only.

5.2 Proprietary information, if any, MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, interested parties shall segregate proprietary information from non-proprietary information.

Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

5.3 The cover material shall have no page limit and shall include the following at a minimum:

5.3.1 Interested Party Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from the mailing address), phone number, fax number.

5.3.1.1 Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 325180 Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing.

5.3.1.2 “Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this RFI is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than 1000 employees. Responders are cautioned, however, that this is a general description only.

Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm.

5.3.2 A designated point of contact of the Interested Party, including that contact’s name, title, direct phone number, and e-mail address.

5.3.3 A statement that the responders provide the conditions under which the Government may release proprietary data to Government support contractors assisting with the technical evaluation of this material.

5.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the questions listed in Section 3 of this RFI. DLA

Strategic Materials also will consider respondent-proposed revisions to the SOW if those proposed revisions are included in a separate, “tracked changes” version of the SOW contained in Attachment 1.

6. Industry Discussions

DLA Strategic Materials’ representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks.

7. Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the DLA Strategic Materials Directorate of Contracting, email address above. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after November 23, 2018, will be answered.

8. Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY to identify sources that can provide boron carbide. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. DLA Strategic Materials has not made a commitment to procure any of the material discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.