Attachment 3 - Amendment 0004 SPE30023R0007 (FINAL).pdf

Attachment 3- SPE300-23-R-0007 Amendment 0004

This amendment contains three (3) sections:

- Section I: provides answers to additional questions that were submitted in reference solicitation SPE300-23-R-0007.

- Section II: contains additional revisions to the solicitation not otherwise included in Section I.

- Section III: contains additional revisions to the pricing spreadsheet – Attachment 2.

Section I – Additional Questions and Answers

Note: DLA Troop Support received the following additional questions in response to this solicitation, SPE300-23-R-0007, and the issuance of Amendment 0002 under same. The responses to these additional questions are provided for clarification purposes only but may change portions of the solicitation requirements. In the event of any discrepancy between the answers provided in this amendment and the solicitation documents, the solicitation documents will take precedence.

General/Miscellaneous

1. As a result of the Q&A release in Amendment 0002, we would kindly like to request an extension to the due date to allow for completion of proposals according to the Q&A changes.

DLA Troop Support Response: Amendment 0003 to the solicitation extended the closing date to 3:00 PM Eastern Time on June 9, 2024.

2. May a company submit a quote for Iraq only?

DLA Troop Support Response: This solicitation seeks offers for subsistence Prime Vendor support to military and other federally funded customers located throughout the countries of Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria. The Government intends to make one award, and the SPV must have the ability to support all requirements for each of these locations as outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

3. Supporting documentation such as lease and carrier agreements generally contain attachments in the form of Annexes, Appendixes, etc. As a result of Offerors obtaining multiple agreements which will be provided as supporting documentation, will the government consider increasing the page count allocation for Supporting Documentation to 125 pages?

DLA Troop Support Response: No.

4. Please confirm that cover pages and tables of contents are excluded from the page count for the Volume II Attachments document.

DLA Troop Support Response: Initial technical proposals are limited to no more than 75 pages. An additional 75 pages will be allowed for supporting documentation such as lease and carrier agreements. These page limitations are exclusive of cover pages and Tables of Contents included within an offeror’s technical/non-price proposal submission. This is also exclusive of cover pages and quote sheets for an offeror’s Business/Price proposal submission.

5. The Government is asking that Times New Roman Font Size 12 should be used throughout the response. Would the Government consider allowing a reduced font for certain documentation / images that are being provided by Vendors (i.e. MOUs, Warehouse Layouts, Carrier Agreements, graphics, tables, etc.)? Particularly for signed documentation, we may not have the ability to increase the font size to 12, or for Warehouse Layouts (i.e. Blueprints, Maps) where increasing font size to 12 may make the graphic cumbersome and unreadable.

DLA Troop Support Response: This will be addressed, via Amendment 0004, to the solicitation. Reference is made to #12 of the Caution Notice and Addendum to FAR 52.212- 1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, 3.(b).(iv.). This language has been revised to read, “Initial technical proposals are limited to no more than 75 pages. An additional 75 pages will be allowed for supporting documentation such as lease and carrier agreements. Font must be Times New Roman size 12; however, reduced or larger font sizes will be permitted for scanned images (e.g., MOUs, Warehouse Layouts, Carrier Agreements, graphics, tables, etc.) to ensure clear legibility for proposal evaluation. Pages must be single sided.”

Notice to Offerors/Caution Notice

6. The answer to question 30 of Amendment 2 Questions and Answers states that a Small

Business Subcontracting Plan shall be submitted as a separate document by the solicitation closing date. This presumes that the Plan is not incorporated within any of the required Volumes I – IV. Please confirm that the following documents are to be submitted by the closing date as separate and distinct documents: Volume I, Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV, Small Business Subcontracting Plan as separate documents.

DLA Troop Support Response: See FAR 52.219-9 for Small Business Subcontracting Plan submission requirements. In addition to the submission of Volumes I through III of this solicitation, an offeror’s Small Business Subcontracting Plan shall be submitted as a separate document by the solicitation closing date. This document is not to be included in the page limitation requirements outlined in the solicitation – Attachment 1.

7. Are the small business goals as indicated a percentage of total contract value or a percentage of total subcontract value?

DLA Troop Support Response: The DoD Office of Small Business Programs’ subcontracting goals outlined in the solicitation – Attachment 1 represent percentages of the total dollars to be subcontracted in support of the contract.

DLA Internet Bid Boards System (DIBBS)

8. Amendment 2 of Solicitation SPE300-23-R-0007 continues to state that “The DLA Internet Bid Boards System (DIBBS), IS NOW THE ONLY form of transmission for submission of initial proposals.” Will the Government offer an alternative method of initial proposal submissions under this solicitation if the DIBBS verification process will take longer that the deadline for submitting a proposal?

DLA Troop Support Response: In addition to DIBBS, please refer to Section II of Amendment 0004 and the solicitation – Attachment 1 for changes/updates to the method of submission of initial proposals. Please also refer to Attachment 5 – DoD Safe Instructions for proposal submission instructions through the DoD Safe electronic platform.

Contract Implementation/Transition

9. Reference is made to Question 93 under Amendment 0002, Section I. DLA responded that the new Prime Vendor will only be entitled to 50% of its standard distribution price and further confirmed that the incumbent Prime Vendor will receive 100% of its standard distribution price for the transferred rations. The overall rationale for only providing for 50% and allowing 100% distribution price to the incumbent for inventory transferred from the incumbent Prime Vendor is given in response to question 37. DLA responded that “Second, the incumbent Prime Vendor will be entitled to 100% of its standard distribution price for delivering any residual inventory to the new, incoming Prime Vendor not only to cover those delivery costs to the new Prime Vendor but also to cover those inbound transportation costs for ordering and inventorying those items prior to the transition as well as any other costs not included in its non-standard distribution price(s). That said, it was determined fair and reasonable that the new Prime Vendor would then, only be entitled to 50% of its standard distribution price for those residual items purchased from the incumbent prime Vendor given the absence of those risks and costs outlined in the solicitation.”

The prime vendor does not incur any inbound transportation cost, or any cost associated with ordering. The only costs associated with handling GFM by the Prime Vendor are the costs to receive, store, pick and deliver to customers as ordered. The same costs would have to be incurred by the Prime Vendor on transitioned GFM and therefore allowing only 50% distribution price for GFM does not appear fair and reasonable.

DLA Troop Support Response: No. DLA Troop Support does not intend to amend the solicitation with regards to GFM Distribution Price categories.

10. Reference is made to Amendment 0002, Section I, Question #97. Since the new SPV would not have any knowledge of the brand (since the data is based on an October 2022 catalog) or price of the items that they “shall be responsible for purchasing the residual stock”, how can the new prime vendor be required to establish the first post award catalog at the award price?

How can the potential price delta “be factored into your (the) distribution price” if the new SPV has no knowledge of this information? DLA direction in this area is ambiguous as what will the first award catalog price reflect, our item award pricing or the stock purchase price?

DLA Troop Support Response: Refence is made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section IV. Contract Implementation Phase for information related to first post award catalog pricing and all other contract implementation details.

11. Why does the USG give such a competitive advantage to the incumbent PV with regards to the 50% distribution price for the selling/purchase of residual inventory? Should DLA not reconsider the percentage given that the new contractor only avoids the small costs associated with procurement/ CONUS transportation / consolidation cost and is left with warehouse storage, obsolescence, expiry, outbound packing, and transport distribution insurance etc.? Other than the inbound transportation costs, which are only transportation costs in CONUS to the CONUS PV distribution / consolidation point and cost to consolidate the product, all other costs are part of the new PV’s cost model. Based on the 50% reimbursement, is it the Governments estimate that the cost made prior to arrival at the PV CONUS facility are 50%? Is it considered fair and reasonable to reimburse the new PV with 50% of the distribution price while the only cost component not to be covered are the CONUS-related costs (transportation and consolidation)? Lastly, what is the rationale for the new PV only getting 50% of the Distribution Price for GFM items and the incumbent 100%.

Shouldn’t both parties get 100%?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section IV. Contract Implementation Phase, Paragraph A. 2.iii. This language, as written, is correct. First, in accordance with the average demand history for each item, quantities sold to the new Prime Vendor shall be a minimum of 4 months of stock (where available) and shall not exceed 8 months of stock, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer, which would account for a total pipeline (stock on-hand and receipted replenishment quantities to include stock levels for surge and sustainment requirements). Second, the incumbent Prime Vendor will be entitled to 100% of its standard distribution price for delivering any residual inventory to the new, incoming Prime Vendor not only to cover those delivery costs to the new Prime Vendor, but also to cover those inbound transportation costs for ordering and inventorying those items prior to the transition, as well as any other costs not included in its non-standard distribution price(s). That said, it was determined fair and reasonable that the new Prime Vendor would then, only be entitled to 50% of its standard distribution price for those residual items purchased from the incumbent Prime Vendor given the absence of those risks and costs outlined in the solicitation. Each offeror’s distribution prices for the entire 60-month performance period covered under this solicitation will be evaluated as outlined in the solicitation. The total evaluated price will neither be reduced to offset the 50% reduction in the new Prime Vendor’s standard distribution prices nor increased for that of the incumbent Prime Vendor.

12. For the transition of GFM items who will determine product that fails to meet minimum contractual requirements (i.e. proper storage, shelf life remaining, etc.); the Product that does not have sufficient anticipated demand; who will do the inspection upon acceptance at the new PV warehouse?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section IV. Contract Implementation Phase for information related to the transition of Class I items during contract implementation.

13. In accordance with the average demand history for each item, quantities sold to the new

Prime Vendor shall be a minimum of 4 months of stock (where available) and shall not exceed 8 months of stock. Does the new Prime Vendor need to procure 8 months of stock or less in case up to 8 months is not available or up to 4 months even if there is more than 4 months available?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section IV. Contract Implementation Phase, Paragraph A. 2.iii, which states, “In accordance with the average demand history for each item, quantities sold to the new Prime Vendor shall be a minimum of 4 months of stock (where available) and shall not exceed 8 months of stock, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer, which would account for a total pipeline (stock on-hand and receipted replenishment quantities to include stock levels for surge and sustainment requirements). Products shall be sold to the new Prime Vendor at the “Product Price” as defined by Defense Logistics Agency Directive Defense Logistics Agency Directive Procurement Note the Economic Price Adjustment – Actual Material Costs for Subsistence Product Price Business language. The estimated value for the maximum 8 months of stock (product price only) is $94.6M. The new Prime Vendor shall request and obtain supporting invoice documentation from the incumbent contractor for all items purchased for traceability and price verification purposes. Any other charges by the incumbent Prime Vendor will be billed to the new Prime Vendor separately from the Product Price and shall not be included in the new Prime Vendor’s catalog pricing or otherwise reimbursed by the Government.”

14. Regarding the Contract Implementation Phase – Ramp Up, the solicitation states that “the following products may be excluded from any required purchase transaction: Product that is sourced from Outside Contiguous United States (OCONUS) contractors (i.e. fresh fruits and vegetables, etc.).” Is the reference to OCONUS products only applicable to FF&V or also to items in Distribution Price categories 6, 7, 8 and 11?

DLA Troop Support Response: Section IV. Contract Implementation Phase, Paragraph A.

2.iii. will be updated, via Amendment 0004 to the solicitation to read: “The new Prime Vendor shall inspect all products prior to accepting the product into its inventory. The following products may be excluded from any required purchase transaction… o Product that fails to meet minimum contractual requirements (i.e. proper storage, shelf life remaining, etc.);

o Product that does not have sufficient anticipated demand; and or o Product that is sourced from Outside Contiguous United States (OCONUS) contractors and not stocked at the incumbent Prime Vendor’s OCONUS warehouse(s).”

Government Furnished Material (GFM)

15. Reference is made to Question 80 under Amendment 0002, Section I. Will DLA consider amending the Solicitation to allow for the Prime Vendor to charge GFM (DC 14-17) on a monthly basis for each case of GFM held within its OCONUS warehouse and subsequently charge DLA the standard (or non-standard) distribution rate for Dry/CHL/FZN per case for GFM when the GFM is actually delivered to the end customer? The Solicitation terms currently appear to only allow for charging for GFM storage once at the point where GFM leaves the Prime Vendor’s warehouse. This is irrespective of how long the GFM has been stored within the Prime Vendor’s warehouse. DLA recognises (in its clarification response

80) that ordering, and consumption planning is dictated by the customer/military theatre food adviser and can vary. It is therefore not reasonable to expect the Prime Vendor to project or reasonably plan for such variables and to estimate the number of months storage, per case of GFM, to include within its distribution category pricing.

DLA Troop Support Response: No. DLA Troop Support does not intend to amend the solicitation with regards to GFM Distribution Price categories.

16. What is the average rotation time / turnaround time of GFM ration stock at the OCONUS PV facility aka how long are rations being stored in the OCONUS PV facility?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section VIII. Inventory Warehouse Management and Office Space, Paragraph B.

Government Furnished Material (GFM), ii., which states, “Note: Average GFM storage quantities are provided for informational purposes only. Actual GFM storage requirements may vary greatly at any given point in time based on customer requirements. Offerors are reminded that they will only be paid for GFM distribution, storage, re-work, and re-labeling when the GFM is ordered by the customer and delivered by the Prime Vendor.

Notice to Offerors/Caution Notice

17. Below provide small business contracting objectives specifically for SDVOSB: 5% SDB: 5% and WOSB: 5% are quite high considering the volume of OCONUS component, brand items and market basket product composition. Are the below objectives firm for this contract or provided as a guidance?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to Factor III – Implementation and Management Plans, Submission Requirement, 5., and Evaluation Criteria – Section A -Factor III for details on small business subcontracting goals.

18. The answer to question 30 of Amendment 2 Questions and Answers states that a Small Business Subcontracting Plan shall be submitted as a separate document by the solicitation closing date. This presumes that the Plan is not incorporated within any of the required Volumes I – IV. Please confirm that the following documents are to be submitted by the closing date as separate and distinct documents: Volume I, Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV, Small Business Subcontracting Plan as separate documents.

DLA Troop Support Response: See FAR 52.219-9 for Small Business Subcontracting Plan submission requirements. In addition to the submission of Volumes I through IV of this solicitation, an offeror’s Small Business Subcontracting Plan shall be submitted as a separate document by the solicitation closing date. This document is not to be included in the page limitation requirements outlined in the solicitation.

Clauses/Provisions

19. FAR Clause 52.212-3 has been updated to Feb 2024. Will DLA update the clause via amendment?

DLA Troop Support Response: This clause will be updated, via Amendment 0004, to the solicitation.

Reporting

20. Reference is made to Section XVI. Contract Authority, Administration, In-Process Reviews, Invoices, Payments, Reports, and Prime Vendor 832 Catalogs, Paragraph K. Other Considerations. The paragraph states "The Prime Vendor will submit specific monthly reports, signed by a senior official of the company (i.e. Chief Financial Officer or someone higher in the organizational hierarchy), relating to pricing, discounts, rebates, allowances or other similar economic incentives or benefits that will be received by the contractor." Is this information only required in the event of an investigation and upon request? What type of "specific monthly reports" would be required and do they duplicate the management reports already required?

DLA Troop Support Response: Please review full details of Section XVI. Contract Authority, Administration, In-Process Reviews, Invoices, Payments, Reports, and Prime Vendor 832 Catalogs, Paragraph K. Other Considerations. The full paragraph reads, “The Prime Vendor will cooperate in any Government investigation relating to this contract. The Prime Vendor will also be responsible for ensuring subcontractor or partner cooperation in any Government investigation relating to this contract. Specific forms of cooperation will include making officials available for interviews, production of records, etc. The Prime Vendor will submit specific monthly reports, signed by a senior official of the company (i.e.

Chief Financial Officer or someone higher in the organizational hierarchy), relating to pricing, discounts, rebates, allowances or other similar economic incentives or benefits that will be received by the contractor.”

Subsistence Total Order and Receipt Electronic System (STORES)

21. Is DLA still moving forward with the elimination of the STORES ordering system and replacement with FedMall as the ordering system? What is the anticipated timeline for the change, and will it impact the proposed contract?

DLA Troop Support Response: Refer to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section XV.

Delivery, Title, Orders, and Order Fill rates, Paragraph C. Ordering System – Subsistence Total Order and Receipt Electronic System (STORES) for information related to the electronic ordering system under this solicitation.

Customer Ordering

22. Can DLA Troop Support share a table sharing estimated percentages of total volume per country as well as mode of transportation per county? In addition, can DLA provide a monthly or quarterly average number of airlifts and their frequency?

DLA Troop Support Response: No. However, please refer to the solicitation - Attachment 1 and pricing spreadsheet - Attachment 2 for guidance. Specifically, the “Market Basket” tab of Attachment 2 represents at a minimum 40% of the anticipated dollar value of the solicitation.

Product Sanitarily Approved Source Requirements

23. Based on PHC requirements published on their website:

Storage, non-government-owned products – Prime Vendor. PHC approval for storage is required for all 4 countries involved in this RFQ (KIJS)

Storage, non-government-owned products to be furnished to the Government - Other. PHC approval for storage is required for a storage facility if in Iraq and not required in Kuwait, Jordan and Syria

Does the storage facility from an LMR supplier / manufacturer located in Kuwait, Jordan or Syria making a direct delivery to the customer need to be PHC approved? The PHC website does not list any PHC approved facilities in Iraq (with the exception of water) and Syria? Is this due to the fact that there are none or that this has not been published? If this is due to the fact this has not been published can the listing be shared?

DLA Troop Support Response: Refer to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section V.

Product Sourcing and Pricing, Paragraph D. Local Market Ready (LMR) Items, and Section X. Quality Control, Quality Assurance and Inspections, Paragraph B. Product Sanitarily Approved Source Requirements for information related to Public Health Command (PHC) approval of all storage facilities, to include LMR items. Post-Award, the awardee may also contact the Contracting Officer with questions regarding this process and available establishments in the requested regions.

24. Referencing to the solicitation Attachment 1, Section VI. Transportation, Paragraph K. Direct Vendor Deliveries Within Iraq and Syria, which states, “Iraq and Syria customers may require direct vendor deliveries for certain items (e.g., FF&V, water, bakery, soda, etc.) from approved local Iraqi and Syrian sources. The Prime Vendor shall sub-contract with the approved Iraqi and Syrian source(s) to fulfill these direct vendor delivery requirements.”

However, when referring to the CENTCOM approved establishments through Worldwide

Directory of Sanitarily Approved Food Establishments for Armed Forces Procurement website there are no local Iraqi & Syrian approved establishments to be found. Is having a single source (facility) in either of Iraq or Syria considered a local source for covering both of the two countries’ demand in fulfillment of this section of the SOW? If not, can the Government please provide the current list of local Iraqi and Syrian approved establishments, and the process to access/receive approval in-country?

DLA Troop Support Response: Please see the Worldwide Directory of Sanitarily Approved Food Establishments for Armed Forces Procurement, (Worldwide Directory) (available at:

http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/foodwater/ca/Pages/DoDApprovedFoodSources.aspx), for the listing of approved food establishments. Post-Award, the awardee may contact the Contracting Officer with questions regarding this process and available establishments in the requested regions. In addition, reference is also made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section II. Introduction, which states, “At a minimum, the Prime Vendor is required to have one (1) Outside the Continental United States (“OCONUS”) physical warehouse location and distribution network located within Kuwait. The Prime Vendor shall be capable of using this facility and distribution network to provide subsistence support of those items included on the resulting contract catalog (at award or added during contract performance) to any and all customers located within the countries of Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria, including the supply of fresh items (i.e. fruits and vegetables, bakery, dairy, etc.). It is expected that the Prime Vendor will be able to support all customers inside of Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria via delivery routes originating from this warehouse location and distribution network within Kuwait, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.

25. Regarding the Worldwide Directory of Sanitarily Approved Food Establishments for Armed Forces Procurement website, some establishments are found approved for a specific line of product; however, the establishment is set to have a full set of products and services, would they still be considered as a CENTCOM approved source for all of their services?

DLA Troop Support Response: No.

Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS)

26. Are subcontractors in “Expired” or “Ready for Review” status in JCCS acceptable for RFP submission?

DLA Troop Support Response: Please refer to the solicitation, Attachment 1, Section IX.

Security Measures/Force Protection and Theater Support, Paragraph D. Mandatory Eligibility for Installation Access, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, (e). Submission Requirement – Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) Registration – Volume IV, and Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, JCCS Registration Evaluations, for information related to JCCS requirements under this solicitation. Please also note that additional updates to information related to JCCS submission requirements have been made via Amendment 0004 to the solicitation.

http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/foodwater/ca/Pages/DoDApprovedFoodSources.aspx

Airlifts

27. In multiple sections of the RFP there is a reference to “commercial air movement to Syria”.

Currently there are no commercial air freight operations into Syria. How should RFP respondents price this requirement when the service is not commercially available?

DLA Troop Support Response: Please refer to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section VI.

Transportation, Paragraph J. Airlifts, 3., which outlines the requirements for airlifting into Iraq and Syria.

28. Please confirm if an APOD will serve as the final delivery point for any airlift shipments moving via MILAIR?

DLA Troop Support Response: Depending on the customer’s requirement(s), Aerial Ports of Departure (APODs) may be used for MILAIR transportation. Please refer to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section VI. Transportation, Paragraph J. Airlifts, which outlines the requirements for airlifting into Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria.

Business/Price Proposal/Attachment 2

29. Can you provide examples on how to complete the tables in Attachment 2?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation - Attachment 1, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Section Submission Requirement – Business Proposal/Pricing – Volume III, for instructions on the submission of an offeror’s Business Proposal/Pricing.

30. Regarding Attachment 2, “Distribution Category Worksheet” tab, Category Number 10, the unit request for FFV is Case instead of LB. FFV is always priced in pounds instead of by cases due to the nature of the products varying so greatly. Can you please confirm this should read LB for the Distribution Price Category of Measure instead of CS?

DLA Troop Support Response: Within the “Distribution Category Worksheet” tab, Distribution Price Category 10 is LB. There is no reference of FFV UOM by CS.

31. In Attachment 2, Tab “Market Basket”, the following item is unavailable from any source: Line Item 95, 733001E082253, Ice Mold, Eagle, 1/CS. Requesting deletion of this item from the Market Basket or provide additional guidance for this item.

DLA Troop Support Response: Line Item 95 has been removed from the “Market Basket” tab. A new pricing spreadsheet reflecting this change will be provided. Please note that item numbers within the “Market Basket” tab may have changed based on updates made to Attachment 2.

32. On the updated Attachment 2 Pricing Sheet, “Distribution Price Category Worksheet” tab, the Unit of Measure for Category 9 Is mentioned as LB, while in the “Market Basket” Tab, the Distribution Price Category UoM for the market basket for the below item is CS. Please confirm which UOM is correct.

79 897001E901085 FOOD BASKET, for Jordan, 95.34 kg pre-built case of items

EA (95.34

KG)

DLA Troop Support Response: The UoM of CS is correct. Distribution Price Category 9 within the “Distribution Category Worksheet” tab has been changed from LB to CS. In addition, the Item Description UoM (Column D) has been changed from EA to CS within the “Market Basket” tab. A new pricing spreadsheet reflecting these changes will be provided.

33. On the updated Attachment 2 Pricing Sheet, “Distribution Price Category Worksheet” tab, Cell AT20 shows volume in the cell for FFV airlift to Syria, while Cells AN20 and AQ 20 are showing 0 volume for FFV airlift to Iraq and Jordan. Please confirm that this cell should show volume, or if it should be zero (0) in line with other airlift assumptions.

DLA Troop Support Response: The Government’s estimated volumes provided in the pricing spreadsheet are for evaluation purposes only. Reference is also made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Section III. Estimated Value/Guaranteed Minimum/Maximum Quantity, which states, "NOTE: Solicitation estimates are only estimates and subject to increase or decrease based on the actual conditions on the ground.”

34. DLA TS has made adjustments in volumes (cases / lbs.) to the Market Basket on both

Current Catalog and the portion to be evaluated to determine TEP. As mentioned under Q&A 97 the current catalog that includes market basket items is as of October 2022 i.e. the current catalog and associated Market Basket data is from a 12-month time period from November 2021 up to October 2022. Can more recent date be used for the MB and associated current catalog to assure proposals are closer to relation since data used and provided is at least between 1.5 and 2.5 years old? If not, will DLA TS share the demand portion of the SCFR(s) of the incumbent Prime Vendor considering that this does not contain any proprietary information related the incumbent Prime Vendor?

DLA Troop Support Response: Supply Chain Fitness Report (SCFR) information will not be shared at this time. The “Currently Cataloged Items” tab lists the items that were cataloged for customer support as of October 2022. It includes the market basket items but identifies other items that are most likely to be cataloged by the Prime Vendor post award.

This tab is provided for informational purposes only.

35. Below Market Basket line-item numbers are line items with a UoM lbs. These are part of product movement via air converted into lbs. for Iraq, Jordan and Syria.

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 84 85 86 87 88 89

Total MB lbs. Kuwait-Iraq-Syria-Jordan (Standard Distribution Quantity) is 3,225,237 lbs.

per annum. The sum of Non-Standard Distribution Quantity for Commercial Air Movement to Jordan, Iraq and Syria - UOM converted to LBS is 34,120,152. This is excluding some of the lbs. that are not considered to in the lbs. conversion. Even with this reduction 10 times larger than the overall demand which includes Kuwait. This is obvious an error. Can this be corrected?

DLA Troop Support Response: Airlift volumes within the “Market Basket” tab have been corrected. A new pricing spreadsheet reflecting these changes will be provided.

36. The solicitation states that Syria customers do not require routine air shipments at this time.

If not routine, why does one expect to fly between 10% in set weighting so 10% of 7,531,765 lbs. on market basket items alone or 10% over the Syria current catalog weight being 12M lbs. So, an estimate 750.000 lbs. per annum is weighted to fly to Syria in the aggregated TEP while no routine air shipments are required. Can this please be corrected?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation - Attachment 1, Section VI. Transportation, Paragraph J. 3., which states, “Syria customers do not require routine air shipments at this time. Note: All Iraq and Syria Ground and Air movement requirements are subject to change based on actual conditions on the ground regardless of the length of the disruption. Said changes will occur at no additional cost to the Government. for information related to airlift transportation within Iraq and Syria.

37. It appears that the RFP page 212 is missing an explanation for Column R (in the "Market Basket Formulas" tab). May DLA please provide instructions or an explanation for Column R for consistency with the other Columns?

DLA Troop Support Response: Page 212 of the solicitation – Attachment 1 refers to the “Distribution Category Worksheet” tab. There is no fill-in for Column R within this tab.

Refer to Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Section (d). Submission Requirement – Business Proposal/Pricing – Volume III, Element 3, Market Basket – Prepopulated or Calculated Fields for details related to Column R.

38. Within the “Market Basket” tab, many items listed on the Market Basket are NAPA specific vendor numbers. If an offered item meets the exact same product description, but from an alternate supplier should this be listed as an “exact match” or "alternate item" on the Exact Match requested document?

DLA Troop Support Response: Reference is made to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Section (d).

Submission Requirement – Business Proposal/Pricing – Volume III, Element 3, which states, “All offered items must be an exact match to the solicited LSN specification requirements to include item description, unit package size, units per purchase pack, grade, or fabrication. If the offeror’s proposed item does not adhere to the current requirement, it may not be considered an acceptable item.”

39. Within the “Market Basket” tab, can DLA verify and confirm Airlift volumes provided under

Market Basket, Jordan (Column P), Iraq (Column S) and Syria (Column V) for line items 17 thru 20? The distribution category UoM in "EA" and the airlift volume provided on market basket sheet does not match the annual demand multiplied by unit weight (per each). As an example, Line #18 PEPPER, BLK, GRD, GOURMET, 1/16 OZ PLASTIC CO (IND UNIT SALE), Annual demand for Iraq is 9,242 EA whereas the airlift volume provided for Iraq is

110,904 LBS.

DLA Troop Support Response: Airlift volumes within the “Market Basket” tab for line items 17 through 20 have been corrected. A new pricing spreadsheet reflecting these changes will be provided.

40. Within the “Market Basket” tab, can DLA verify and confirm Airlift volumes provided under

Market Basket, Jordan (Column P), Iraq (Column S) and Syria (Column V) for line items 84 thru 89? These items already have UoM in LBs. It appears DLA has applied a conversion multiplier by using the average case weight. Therefore, we request for DLA to confirm and correct the quantities in Columns P, S, and V.

DLA Troop Support Response: Airlift volumes within the “Market Basket” tab for line items 84 through 89 have been corrected. A new pricing spreadsheet reflecting these

41. Within the “Market Basket” tab, can DLA verify and confirm Airlift volumes provided under the Market Basket tab for Jordan (Column P), Iraq (Column S) and Syria (Column V) for Line Items 50 thru 56? These items already have UoM in LBs. It appears DLA has applied a conversion multiplier by using the average case weight. Therefore, we request for DLA to confirm and correct the quantities in Columns P, S, and V.

DLA Troop Support Response: Airlift volumes within the “Market Basket” tab for line items 50 through 56 have been corrected. A new pricing spreadsheet reflecting these

42. Within the “Currently Cataloged Items” tab, there are multiple items with Distribution

Category 4 or 4A that have a distribution UOM listed as CS (see below). Should these items actually fall in Categories 3 and 3A or is the demand provided to be correlated as LBS instead of CS?

890501E396953 SAUSAGE, BRATWURST, LINKS, F/C, FZN, SKLS, BEER BRATS,

50/3.2 OZ EA, 1/10 LB PG

890501E401165 PEPPERONI, BEEF, SL, FZN, 14-16sl/oz, bulk, 1/25lb cs

890501E603675 SAUSAGE, BKFST PATTIES, P/C, FZN, PORK, SEASONED, 84/1.9

OZ EA

890501E615133 PEPPERONI, BEEF, SL, FZN, 15 sl/oz, 2/12.5 lb bg

890501E394963 BACON BITS, FZN, 100% BACON, 2/5 LB CO"

DLA Troop Support Response: The Distribution Price Category for these items have been updated from Category 4 and 4A to Category 3 and 3A within the “Currently Cataloged Items” tab.

43. Within the “Currently Cataloged Items” tab, there are a few items that have the same product description but are listed in different Distribution Categories (i.e. SAUCE, TARTAR, 200/12 GM PG – line 117 and 146, DF category 1 and 2 respectively). Can DLA please clarify when an item like Tartar Sauce would qualify for DF category 2 – CONUS DRY EA?

DLA Troop Support Response: The Distribution Price Category for these items have been updated from Category 2 to Category 1 within the “Currently Cataloged Items” tab.

44. Referencing to the pricing spreadsheet – Attachment 2 and previous amendment. Some items which are country specific seem to still have shared quantities with other countries orders. For example, in the Market basket, item line number 92, LSN 896001E399171, WATER, DRINKING, 12/0.5 LT CO, FOR JORDAN ONLY, remains to have shared quantities with Kuwait and Syria. Are these items just for Jordan only or are they shared quantities for all countries? In addition, when an item is considered as country specific, is the description considered as a reference with the customers only or would that have an effect from having the items outsourced from different approved establishments in the region?

DLA Troop Support Response: The item descriptions have since been revised to remove reference to country specific descriptions (e.g. “FOR IRAQ ONLY”).

45. Will the Government accept alternative Local Stock Number (LSN) for some of the quoted items effect the evaluation, considering the pack size is maintained matched to the item description.

DLA Troop Support Response: Please refer to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Section (d). Submission Requirement – Business Proposal/Pricing – Volume III, Element 3 for information related to item descriptions and quote submissions.

46. What is DLA preference between having a quote for an item with an exact match to the LSN than having a better price from an alternative LSN/brand? How would that be reflected in the evaluation.

DLA Troop Support Response: Please refer to the solicitation – Attachment 1, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, Section (d). Submission Requirement – Business Proposal/Pricing – Volume III, Element 3 for information related to item descriptions and quote submissions.

Section II – Additional Solicitation Adds/Changes/Deletions

1. SF1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, BLOCK 8 (continued)

Delete:

NOTE: This solicitation and any amendments shall be signed by the offeror, and each Joint Venture / Partner as applicable, and submitted along with each offer. Only one originally signed copy of this solicitation document is required for submission.

All offers are required to be uploaded to the DLA Internet Bid Boards System (DIBBS).

Please visit the DIBBS website to submit your proposal: https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil.

Replace with:

NOTE: This solicitation and any amendments shall be signed by the offeror, and each Joint Venture / Partner as applicable, and submitted along with each offer. Only one originally signed copy of this solicitation document is required for submission.

All offers are required to be uploaded to the DLA Internet Bid Boards System (DIBBS) at https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil OR via the DoD Safe electronic platform at https://safe.apps.mil.

2. SF1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, BLOCK 9 (continued):

NOTE: The DLA Internet Bid Boards System (DIBBS), IS NOW THE ONLY form of transmission for submission of initial proposals. Please visit the DIBBS website to submit your proposal: https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil. As directed by the Contracting Officer, facsimile, e-mail, and the DoD Safe electronic platform (https://safe.apps.mil/) may be used during discussions/negotiations, if discussions/negotiations are held, for proposal revision(s), including Final Proposal revision(s).

Replace with:

NOTE: The DLA Internet Bid Boards System (DIBBS) AND the DoD Safe electronic platform, ARE NOW THE ONLY forms of acceptable transmission for submission of initial proposals. It is an offeror’s discretion as to which of the two (2) systems it intends to use for initial proposal submissions under this solicitation. For DIBBS, please visit the following website to submit your proposal: https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil. For DoD Safe, please visit the following website to submit your proposal: https://safe.apps.mil. As directed by the Contracting Officer, e-mail and the DoD Safe electronic platform may be used during discussions/negotiations, if discussions/negotiations are held, for proposal revision(s), including Final Proposal revision(s).

https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/ https://safe.apps.mil/ https://safe.apps.mil/ https://safe.apps.mil/

3. Caution Notice/Did You Remember To:

4 Prepare and return all proposals through DIBBS using the instructions in Attachment 4.

6 Return one (1) signed and completed copy of this entire solicitation with your proposal to include FAR 52.212.03 fill-ins?

Replace with:

4 Prepare and return all proposals through DIBBS OR DoD Safe electronic platform using the instructions in Attachments 4 and 5.

6 Return one (1) signed and completed copy of this entire solicitation with your proposal to include FAR 52.212-3 fill-ins?

4. Section V. Product Sourcing and Pricing, Paragraph G. National Contracts

During the performance of this contract, DLA Troop Support may issue Indefinite Delivery Type Contracts (“IDTCs”) for specific food items to be sourced, cataloged and delivered by the Prime Vendor as part of their normal inventory. The Prime Vendor will be required to obtain the specific products identified in the IDTCs from the sources identified by the Government. The price charged by the Prime Vendor to the ordering activity will not exceed that cited in the IDTC, plus the Prime Vendor’s applicable distribution price. At the time of award and at other times when applicable, DLA Troop Support will provide the Prime Vendor with a list of all IDTCs awarded and their respective terms and conditions. The Prime Vendor shall have 30 days within which to implement the terms and conditions of the awarded IDTCs; when the item is new, the new item lead time will apply; replacement items will be phased in according to the Prime Vendors supply chain. Although the Prime Vendor must utilize the National Contracts for items approved by the customers, there are times when the Prime Vendor may need to purchase alternate products. These instances will be reviewed on a case by case basis and must be approved by the Contracting Officer. DLA Troop Support currently has a National Contract in place for the acquisition of chicken items and DLA Troop Support intends to put other categories of protein items onto National Contracts.

Replace with:

During the performance of this contract, DLA Troop Support may issue Indefinite Delivery Type Contracts (“IDTCs”) for specific food items to be sourced, cataloged and delivered by the Prime Vendor as part of their normal inventory. The Prime Vendor will be required to obtain the specific products identified in the IDTCs from the sources identified by the

Government. The price charged by the Prime Vendor to the ordering activity will not exceed that cited in the IDTC, plus the Prime Vendor’s applicable distribution price. At the time of award and at other times when applicable, DLA Troop Support will provide the Prime Vendor with a list of all IDTCs awarded and their respective terms and conditions. The Prime Vendor shall have 30 days within which to implement the terms and conditions of the awarded IDTCs; when the item is new, the new item lead time will apply; replacement items will be phased in according to the Prime Vendors supply chain. Although the Prime Vendor must utilize the National Contracts for items approved by the customers, there are times when the Prime Vendor may need to purchase alternate products. These instances will be reviewed on a case by case basis and must be approved by the Contracting Officer.

5. Section VI. Transportation, Paragraph A.9.

9. DLA Troop Support has been advised by USTRANSCOM that the “Point to Point” delivery time to Kuwait or Jordan from the Eastern and Western U.S. coasts averages 60 days depending upon the point of embarkation. However, these timeframes are estimates and the Prime Vendor must be aware that delays in excess of these timeframes may occur. The delivery time for new items must be made within one hundred-twenty (120) days from the Contracting Officer’s approval, taking into consideration the fact that the item must be sourced, ordered and then shipped. The Contracting Officer must be made aware, in writing, if any delays in excess of this timeframe are expected. The Prime Vendor is solely responsible for maintaining sufficient stock levels in its OCONUS facility(s) to cover any such delays in transport. Any Prime Vendor claims for cost relating to delays in transportation or other transportation-related issues, such as loss or damage to goods, lie against the USTRANSCOM contracted carrier. The Government has no Liability for late delivery or damage to goods in transit. The terms and conditions of the USTRANSCOM contract with the designated carrier govern carrier liability for any loss or damage to products during “Point to Point” transportation, and the Prime Vendor is solely responsible for developing and presenting any claims for delay, loss, or damage to the USTRANSCOM designated carrier when applicable. The Prime Vendor is cautioned that in some instances the USTRANSCOM contract carrier may have limited or no liability under the terms of the USTRANSCOM contract (see B. Insurance/Liability and Claims, below). It is important for all offerors to familiarize themselves with said contracts and agreements for purposes of proposing on this solicitation and consider those limitations and the associated risks when preparing offers.

NOTE: “Point to Point” is further defined as the date a CONUS container is loaded to the OCONUS warehouse arrival date. This includes the USTRANSCOM inbound transportation process, to include customs clearance at the arrival port.

9. DLA Troop Support has been advised by USTRANSCOM that the “Point to Point” delivery time to Kuwait or Jordan from the Eastern and Western U.S. coasts averages 60-

75 days depending upon the point of embarkation. However, these timeframes are estimates and the Prime Vendor must be aware that delays in excess of these timeframes may occur. The delivery time for new items must be made within one hundred-twenty

(120) days from the Contracting Officer’s approval, taking into consideration the fact that the item must be sourced, ordered and then shipped. The Contracting Officer must be made aware, in writing, if any delays in excess of this timeframe are expected. The Prime Vendor is solely responsible for maintaining sufficient stock levels in its OCONUS facility(s) to cover any such delays in transport. Any Prime Vendor claims for cost relating to delays in transportation or other transportation-related issues, such as loss or damage to goods, lie against the USTRANSCOM contracted carrier. The Government has no Liability for late delivery or damage to goods in transit. The terms and conditions of the USTRANSCOM contract with the designated carrier govern carrier liability for any loss or damage to products during “Point to Point” transportation, and the Prime Vendor is solely responsible for developing and presenting any claims for delay, loss, or damage to the USTRANSCOM designated carrier when applicable. The Prime Vendor is cautioned that in some instances the USTRANSCOM contract carrier may have limited or no liability under the terms of the USTRANSCOM contract (see B. Insurance/Liability and Claims, below). It is important for all offerors to familiarize themselves with said contracts and agreements for purposes of proposing on this solicitation and consider those limitations and the associated risks when preparing offers.

NOTE: “Point to Point” is further defined as the date a CONUS container is loaded to the OCONUS warehouse arrival date. This includes the USTRANSCOM inbound transportation process, to include customs clearance at the arrival port.

6. Section IX. Security Measures/Force Protection and Theater Support, Paragraph D.(c) through (f)

Delete:

(c) Currently, to be eligible for installation access, Contractors and subcontractors at all tiers are required to register for installation access in the Joint Contingency Contracting System (JCCS) and are responsible…