RFP_Questions-Answers_SPE60119R0307_RP_1-2.pdf

RFP Questions & Answers

SPE601-19-R-0307

RP 1&2

Question 1: The solicitation has text in the synopsis that requires samples to be delivered prior to January 25 2019. If a contractors has previously sent samples is another set required be submitted?

Answer 1: As stated on page 3, Item #4 / Note: “Offerors who are currently, or have submitted samples previously that meet MIL-DTL-25576E requirements are not required to submit additional samples and instead should submit results from said samples. Ensure results are included with your proposal.”

Further clarification on this can be found on page 27, Item # ix of the“ Aerospace Clauses & Contract Text” document, it states, “Note: This only applies to new industry entrants. Offerors who have previously submitted samples, that meet the requirements of MIL-DTL-25576E, are NOT required to submit additional samples; instead should submit results from said samples. Ensure results are included with your proposal.)” As well as Item #C1, which states, “Offerors are required to demonstrate compliance to MIL- DTL-25576E. Offerors should submit results from previously tested/approved samples. Ensure results are included with your proposal.”

In other words, if you have previously submitted samples to DLA that meet this specific military specification, all you need to submit with your proposal are the results of the samples previously provided. The responsibility rests with the Offeror to submit proof to the Government they can comply/produce the required product specification.

Question 2: The synopsis also mentions the term Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP). This is apparently in place on acceptance. Is this acceptance of the bid or acceptance of the product on collection. Please clarify what Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) is? Is the Government stating that Offeror’s tanks have any type of government obligation if the Offeror should win the bid?

Answer 2: DFSP is a product storage point for the Government; acceptance of the product will occur after award and upon product delivery. The product in the tanks will belong to the Government, not the equipment/tanks themselves.

Question 3: Is this a pre purchase? Is the Government stating that a tank owned/leased by an Offeror’s company contains Government owned product even though there has been no legal change of title? Please note that the solicitation contains estimated volume requirements and not a take or pay volume requirement.

Answer 3: This is not a pre-purchase, nor two organizations owning the same thing. Once the contract is awarded, the Government will then issue a delivery order for a specific quantity of the product, once delivery is made and accepted by the Government, this establishes legal ownership of the product to the Government. If the Government asks the Contractor to store said quantity in Contractor tanks, the Government will continue to have ownership of the product, regardless if it is stored in a Contractor tank.

Question 4: Is it the Government’s intent for the Offeror’s to complete all the blocks on the SF 1449 for each product/location/incoterm? Block 17 is required Contractor code? Offeror code? Block 24 quantity.

How do the Offeror’s answer this when they do not know exactly how much the Government will need?

Please can the Government confirm that this is the actual bid submission document? Is it to be hand written? Not sure if there will be an online process?

SPE601-19-R-0307

RP 1&2

Answer 4: When it pertains to this document, the SF 1449, this is the solicitation; all that is required on page 1 is the Offeror’s information/signature on Blocks 30a-30c when they submit their proposal. On pages 4-57, the contract line item numbers (CLINs) listed are the actual items an Offeror can propose on. These have quantities and have two (2) blank lines for Offeror’s to propose a unit price and a total price for each CLIN/Line item based on the stated quantity. These are the “proposed cost(s)” of the Offeror’s proposal.

Question 5: The bid says 1 base year agreement with 2 option years. Are the 2 option years automatic? Who has the right to exercise the option years? Based off what criteria to exercise? Are the volumes listed in the bid for the first year, or the base year plus the 2 option years, or the original 5 years listed in the initial bid?

Answer 5: The option periods are not automatic, and will only be exercised if the Government determines a need continues to exist and if they are in the best interest of the Government. The quantities of the base year and each option period are stated in the SF1449.

Question 6: Is it a fixed price for the duration of the agreement or are there adjustments with each year if exercised, or are Offeror’s adjusting pricing quarterly as in the past agreement? If there is a price adjustment time or mechanism, what is it, and is it tied to an index?

Answer 6: The Government intends to award a firm fixed priced contract; however, per DFARS Clause 252.243-7002, Request for Equitable Adjustments (REA), which is incorporated by reference in the solicitation and subsequent contract award. This clause allows Offerors to submit REAs (along with the proper and factual documentation (such as indices showing price/industry/market increase)) will allow the Offeror reimbursement.

Question 7: Will the contract prices be subject to escalation considerations?

Answer 7: Please see response in Question #6.

Question 8: In the very few cases were FOB Origin pricing is requested, can the bidder provide FOB Destination pricing instead?

Answer 8: As stated on page 3 of the solicitation, “Contractors are required to submit proposals with prices for both methods [FOB Destination and FOB Origin]. Award will be made to only one of the solicited methods. Provide your best and final offer, the Government may or may not conduct negotiations.”

Question 9: Are the number of delivery days calendar days or business days?

Answer 9: They are calendar days.

Question 10: At the end of the contract, will the DLA purchase all remaining bulk and drum inventories of RP-1 and RP-2?

Answer 10: The intent of the Government is to procure the stated quantities as listed in the solicitation.

Should quantities change, they would be addressed during the options periods if the Government determines a continuous need.

Question 11: What are the payment terms? Is there a discount option for the DLA?

Answer 11: They are Net 30, and there is no discount option being offered.

Question 12: In addition to bidding on the entire RFP, can only portions of the RFP be bid upon?

Answer 12: Proposals must include offers for all locations.

Question 13: Are the variance quantities for each contract year in addition to the estimated quantities for each contract year, or do they include the estimated quantities?

Answer 13: The variance quantity of +/- 10% is in addition to the stated quantities.

Question 14: The 2-day lead-time required for emergency orders appear to be unlikely due to a number of factors? Can the proposal include recommended lead times for emergencies?

Answer 14: Yes, the Government will consider and negotiate any recommended lead-times if they are in the best interest of the Government.

Question 15: Is the Government referring to movable tanks? Or are the tanks at the stated location?

Answer 15: No, on the destination into customer owned tanks and Gov’t owned tanks. Vendor’s prerogative for additional storage tanks as long as meeting specifications and complying with local, state, federal environmental regulations

Question 16: How does the DLA want to inventory going forward? By placing a manufacturing order, which creates a batch that is stored/inventoried and the material and storage is paid by the DLA? Or by making a batch based off demand schedule and the DLA purchases by the load? This will be very difficult to do with 7 days lead-time.

Answer 16: FOB origin option. Per the SOO, vendor provides storage and DLA Energy buys product when enters storage tanks. FOB destination option. DLA Energy customer buys product from vendor when product is received into customer tanks.

Question 17: In order to meet the 7 days lead-time there will need to be inventory someplace. Who owns/will own that inventory? And who will be responsible for storage fees?

Answer 17: With the FOB origin option, DLA-Energy owns inventory. Please refer to Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) 0102, 0103, and 0104.

Question 18: Depending on which manufacturing/storage model, if there is a year contract, there will be 90 days post empty tanks rent and cleaning charges. Is the DLA bid considering this?

Answer 18: The Government will evaluate an Offeror’s proposal if they chose to include this method.

Question 19: Does the material need to be stored and shipped in stainless steel tanks?

Answer 19: Yes, the material does need to be stored and shipped in stainless steel tanks.

Question 20: Will the DLA provide details needed from each receiving post; delivery windows, connections, and hoses required, shipping retains, appropriate sight contacts, special requirements for drivers or personnel ahead of delivery, etc.?

Answer 20: Yes. After award and information to be provided with each order.

Question 21: For each fuel type, what has been the range of times between placed orders from all delivery sites for the fuel?

Answer 21: Frequency depends on space launch operations and customer demands.

Question 22: Can the Government share how many emergency deliveries, by delivery site, have been experienced during the current contract?

Answer 22: No, However, emergencies deliveries are very rare.

Question 23: Can the fuel supplier invoice for demurrage charges due to actions or problems caused by the delivery location?

Answer 23: Please review the “Detention Fee’ CLINs listed in the RFP.

Question 24: Can the Government please advise as to the scope of QAR required quality checks (each fuel batch? Periodic fuel in storage? At manufacturing/storage site prior to each delivery? At the delivery location?) Fuel parameter specification checks? Or only Specific Gravity, Flash Point, Particulate Matter?

Answer 24: Please review the Supplemental Quality Assurance Provision (SQAP), entitled “E1.16:

Contractor Inspection and Quality Assurance Responsibilities;” specifically the “Minimum Sampling and Testing Requirements” table on page 6.

Question 25: The epoxy specification for the drum lining, MIL-PRF-4556, is obsolete. Can the Government specify what specification needs to be used / reference? Clause D0003- D15 in the Aerospace Clauses and Contracts document (page 4) is confusing.

Answer 25: Although this specification has been canceled / is obsolete, the Government / DLA Energy Aerospace continues to use its guidance for materials containing epoxy coatings of interior containers.

Question 26: Are epoxy-lined drums acceptable?

Answer 26: As stated in Answer 25, please reference the SQAP “Energy QAP E1.16.” Specifically, paragraph number (11)(iii) (on page 4), which states, “Drums shall be internally coated (including bungs) with epoxy conforming to MIL-PRF-4556.”

Question 27: Drums that have been treated with a rust inhibitor and then painted, be acceptable to the Government?

Answer 27: Reference the Supplemental Quality Assurance Provision (SQAP) “Energy QAP E1.16”. Specifically, in (11) (iv) The exterior of the drum shall be protected from external corrosion in adverse climates through the use of appropriate surface preparations and application of a corrosion preventative coating compatible with RP fuels.

Question 28: For tamper proof drum bung seals, is a wire required through the bung?

Answer 28: All openings on shipping containers, prior to shipment, shall be sealed in such a way that entry could only be gained by breaking the seal (tamper indicating device).

Question 29: The DLA Vandenberg AFB site (DFSP) has one (1) 126,000 gallon storage tank, but is only expected to use 7,800 gal/contract year. How many gallons per delivery are expected for this site?

Answer 29: The Government does not have this information at this time.

Question 30: The ULA Vandenberg AFB SLC2 site has one (1) 15,000 gal storage tank, but is only expected to use 2,000 gal/contract year. How many gallons per delivery are expected for this site?

Answer 30: This site is now inactive and will no longer accept RP.

Question 31: Where in the RFP documents can be found the specific insurance related requirements as they pertain to the contract?

Answer 31: The Government is not requesting any insurance requirements from Offerors for this solicitation.