Attachment I-CONUS Lab Responses.pdf

SOLICITATION SPE603-21-R-0508 CONUS LAB

PRE-PROPOSAL QUESTIONS/RESPONSES

1. Do subcontractors need to be declared in submitted plans?

This question is unclear in regard to its reference. If subcontractors will be part of a teaming arrangement, all subcontractors should be identified in the proposal submission.

Refer to Section L, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, follow as instructed for teaming arrangements, and Section C-2.0 of the revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021. Please review the evaluation criteria in solicitation provision FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation for purposes of technical proposal preparation.

2. Attachment 1, Pg6, Sec C-4.0 : Is contractor required to prepare samples for shipment or is DLA, or just provision of the sample kit packaging?

Yes. The contractor is responsible for packaging and transporting all samples. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Section C-4.0.

3.

Attachment 1, Pg5, Sec C-3.8.1 through C-3.8.3: Are the special TAT requirements for these sites, in particular 8hr and 16hr, also based on TAT starting ‘when contractor is notified that sample is prepared for transportation from sample location?

Yes, TAT begins as stated in Sections C-3.8.1-C-3.8.3 of the revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021.

4. Is there an established TAT when a referee method is required to be conducted after the routine test method in performed credibly within required TAT?

Yes. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Section C-3.7.

5.

For diesel fuel no.1 and no.2 under standard ASTM D975 - 20b, can the Derived Cetane by ASTM D6890 be performed as an alternative for consistency with the specification for Naval Distillate NATO F-76 under standard MIL-DTL-16884P?

Yes. For routine samples that would be acceptable; however, D613 is the required referee testing. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3: Table 7.

6. For low sulfur diesel fuel no.1 and no.2 under standard ASTM D975 - 20b, can sulfur by ASTM D4294 be performed, consistent with Mil Specs for other product?

No. ASTM D4294 as written is not able to analyze samples with sulfur under 20 ppm.

7. For low sulfur biodiesel fuel under standard ASTM D7467-20a, can sulfur by ASTM D4294 be performed, consistent with Mil Specs for other product?

No. ASTM D4294 as written is not able to analyze samples with sulfur under 20 ppm.

8.

The CILI - FSII tab in the price sheet only list product FSII (fuel icing inhibitor). Is testing for Corrosion Inhibitor/Lubricity Inhibitor (CI/LI) expected to be included under the product listing?

Yes. Refer to Attachment 3-Revised Price Sheet.

9.

Test 4.4.10 Storage stability test for Corrosion Inhibitor/Lubricity Inhibitor (CI/LI) under MIL-PRF-25017, this test does not complete within the required timeframe for turnaround time for testing. Please confirm. (Note, it appears testing for series A samples for CILI samples are geared for product formulation testing).

This test method has been removed. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3: Table 10.

10.

In the SOW testing series/scope, pages 6 through 15/tables 1 through 12, series testing for Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR) is not included. Yet the pricing spreadsheet Tab “FOR” shows “Series” testing B-1 noted as FOR. Is “Series” testing for Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR) applicable? Or is pricing for individual tests for Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR) only applicable? If there is series B-1 testing scope for Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR) please provide. It is noted in the pricing spreadsheet that volumes for series testing is 36 for Series B-1, and individual tests for Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR) in the FOR tab is zero.

B-1 testing is not applicable for Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR). Refer to Attachment 3:

Revised Price Sheet.

11.

For Marine Residual Fuel Oil, Reclaimed, under standard MIL-PRF-24951B, can sulfur by ASTM D4294 be performed instead of D129, consistent with Mil Specs for other product?

Yes, provided that the material is in the method scope and the analytical range is appropriate. Offerors shall identify in their technical proposal whether they plan to perform sulfur by ASTM D4294 instead of D129.

12. The ash limit by ASTM D482 for Marine Residual Fuel Oil, Reclaimed, under standard MIL-PRF-24951B shows: “0 15”. Is there a decimal point missing?

Yes. It is represented with a decimal.

13. For Marine Residual Fuel Oil, Reclaimed, test method for Neutrality list FED-STD- 791 Test Method 5101. Can test ASTM D1063be listed as an alternative?

ASTM D1063 does not exist. ASTM D1093 is the replacement for FED-STD-791 Test Method 5101. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3: Table 8.

14.

Where can test method 1151.2 for Explosive Vapors in Boiler Fuel Oil be obtained?

The test method is listed in FED-STD-791D but no details on the method are provided in this document and the method is not coming up in a web search.

The method is available in the FED-STD-791D which can be found at https://quicksearch.dla.mil/. Type in the document name in the Document ID field.

15.

For Total Halogens for Marine Residual Fuel Oil, Reclaimed, under standard MIL- PRF-24951B can ASTM D4929 XRF or ASTM D5384 be used as an alternative to D808 (Bomb method). Generally in this application the supplier or user is just trying to confirm if total halogens is less than 1000 ppm in order to meet spec.

ASTM D4929 and ASTM D5384 are not acceptable methods.

16.

For As, Cd, Cr, and Pb for Marine Residual Fuel Oil, Reclaimed, under standard MIL-PRF-24951B, can ASTM D5708 be referenced on the test report instead of EPA SW-846, Method 3040/3050, which is equivalent? We are a petroleum testing lab and not an environmental lab so we would prefer to list petroleum standard methods and not EPA, even though the methods are equivalent.

No. As, Cd, Cr, and Pb are not within the scope of D5708.

17.

Table 6: Lubrication Oil (LO6) (NATO O-278) of SOW states Neutralization number (acid/base) by D2896. The common industry recognized method for total acid neutralization number is ASTM D664, which is what manufacturers would use when blending this product and testing for product formulations. Can D664 be used in lieu of D2896 for this product test scope? The test scope already specifies D2896 for total base number, which makes sense.

No.

18.

In 9. Lubrication Oil (LO6) (NATO O-278) Series Testing Requirements for Specification MIL PRF 9000, page 12 of the SOW, test scope calls for “Emulsion test”. What is the test method required? Nothing is listed to this affect in Table 6:

Lubrication Oil (LO6) (NATO O-278), page 19 of the SOW). If the method is D1401 the test is irrelevant for this product due to its high detergency (calcium/magnesium) and would not provide relevant test results.

Emulsion testing has been removed. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2: Table 11.

19. In 9. Lubrication Oil (LO6) (NATO O-278) Series Testing Requirements for Specification MIL PRF 9000, page 12 of the SOW, test scope calls for “Solid https://quicksearch.dla.mil/ contaminants”. What is the test method required? Nothing is listed to this affect in Table 6: Lubrication Oil (LO6) (NATO O-278), page 19 of the SOW).

Solid Contaminants has been removed. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2: Table 11.

20.

In 2. Jet A & Jet A-1 (NATO F35) Series Testing Requirements for Specifications ASTM D1655 and Def Stan 91-091, page 17 of the SOW, is Def Stan 91-091 also a Series A test scope? Nothing specific to this is listed in the pricing spreadsheet.

Yes. Refer to revised SOW dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2: Table 2. Testing specifications are not itemized in the price sheet; however, they are captured by series type for pricing.

21.

In 10. Diesel Fuel Oil (NATO F54) Series Testing Requirements for Specifications ASTM D975, EN 590, page 13 of the SOW, is EN 590 also a Series A test scope?

Nothing specific to this is listed in the pricing spreadsheet.

EN 590 has been removed. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2:

Table 12.

22.

In 12. Gasoline, Unleaded (NATO F67) Series Testing Requirements for Specifications ASTM D4814, EN 228, page 14 of the SOW, is EN 228 also a Series A test scope? Nothing specific to this is listed in the pricing spreadsheet.

EN 228 has been removed. Refer to SOW dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2: Table 15.

23.

In Table 7: Diesel Fuel Oil, page 19 of the SOW, can D5771 be used as an alternative to D2500 for cloud point as long as the lab has D2500 available for a referee? This would be consistent with Table 2 for Marine Diesel, page 17, of the SOW for cloud point.

Yes. Offerors shall identify in their technical proposal whether they plan to perform D5571 instead of D2500.

24.

In Table 7: Diesel Fuel Oil, page 19 of the SOW, cold temperature filterability for diesel fuel shows character LTFT/CFPP using method D4539, D6371. Does this mean either test can be performed, or do both test need to be performed for the same characteristic? The same Method Designation is listed in ASTM D975, which has always been treated as an either/or.

The Government is requiring the ability to perform both in accordance with Attachment 3: Table 7 and section C-3.0 of the SOW. “Testing facilities shall have the capability to perform all testing requirements in accordance with the SOW”.

25.

Note 4.4.10 of MIL-PRF-25017H w/Amendment 1 for storage stability of 4.4.10 of MIL-PRF-25017H w/Amendment 1 for Corrosion Inhibitor/Lubricity Inhibitor (CI/LI) (NATA S-1747) blends tested for Series A are to be stored for 12 months before required examination and testing. How does this related to the TAT requirement for A series samples?

Note 4.4.10 has been removed. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3, Table 10.

26. How does Vapor Lock Index relate to EN ISO3405 (ASTM D86? No reference to this is

Vapor Lock Index has been removed from Motor Gasoline. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3, Table 11.

27.

In Table 8: Reclaimed Fuel Oil (FOR) in the SOW, can viscosity by ASTM D445 at 50C be performed instead of Saybolt viscosity by ASTM D88? Since this product is intended to be blended into Fuel Oil RME 180/380 it would make the FOR viscosity measurement consistent with Fuel Oil RME 180/380. If the Saybolt viscosity value is required to be known for this product a calculation from kinematic viscosity (D445) can be provided.

Yes. Offerors shall identify in their technical proposal whether they plan to perform ASTM D445 instead of D88.

28.

The pricing spreadsheet shows Series test packages for JPTS (Houston location).

The SOW does not list any required Series test packages for JPTS under Thermally Stable, Grade JPTS (Specification: MIL-DTL-25524. If Series test packages are required under the SOW what are the test parameters?

JPTS has been added. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2: Table 5 and Attachment 3: Table 1.

29.

The pricing spreadsheet shows Series test packages for Aviation Gasoline). The SOW does not list any required Series test packages for Aviation Gasoline under Aviation, Gasoline, NATO F-18 ASTM D910. Unleaded Specification: ASTM D7547. If Series test packages are required under the SOW what are the test parameters?

AVGAS has been added. Refer to revised SOW dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 2: Table 6 and Attachment 3: Table 12.

30.

In regards to Aviation Gasoline under Aviation, Gasoline, NATO F-18 ASTM D910.

Unleaded Specification: ASTM D7547, what is the test method for determining Blue Dye Content in Aviation Gasoline?

ASTM D2392. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3: Table 12.

31.

In the Statement of Work for Contracted Laboratory Services CONUS dated 17 May 2021 on page 17 in Table 2: Marine Diesel for Sulfur D5354 (referee) should be D5453 (referee).

This is a typo and has been corrected in revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Attachment 3:

Table 2.

32.

In the solicitation there are questions to answer, is that completed on line or do I mark up the solicitation and send you a copy with all the other documents by the deadline?

The question is unclear with regard to “questions” in the solicitation. Offerors must complete and return all documentation by the closing date in accordance with the instructions provided in the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, pages 105-108 of the solicitation.

33. Attachment 2 – DLA Energy Quality Assurance Provisions, do you need this for all our quality assurance procedures?

The E34 Quality Assurance Provision is specific to Test for Sulfides in Water.

34. Attachment 5 – Past Performance Questionnaire, Do I need get them completed by customer before sending to you?

Refer to the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, (b) Volume II: Past Performance, Section 2:

PPQs for instructions.

35.

Attachment 1: Products of the PWS – JET FUELS table lists - JPTS (Specification:

MIL-DTL-25524 latest version) and is listed within the Attachment 3 - LAB

TESTING PRICE SHEET

- However this Product is not listed within the Attachment 2: Series Testing Requirements or within Attachment 3: Approved Testing Methods Should JPTS be associated under certain tables within Attachments 2 & 3 or was this omitted?

Refer to response provided in question 28.

36.

Attachment 3 - LAB TESTING PRICE SHEET

- Are all Diesel Fuels priced at the same rates? (Diesel Fuel Oil – No. 1 & 2, Biodiesel blends B6-B20, Marine Residual Fuel Oil Grade) Are there any other associations which should be made for Attachment 1: Products & specifications to the Attachments 2, 3 or Pricing Sheets?

Yes. Associations between the SOW attachments and price sheets are all inclusive. The price sheet does not itemize pricing for Series test; only the individual tests are itemized.

Offerors may use the SOW to determine which testing methods are required. .

37.

C-6.1.4 – Cargo Inspection of petroleum products: “the contractor shall oversee operations to include……” What is the service capacity of the contractor obligated to perform? Would this be to perform any of the listed operations or only to observe and not intervene or take part in the completion of the service?

The Contractor will oversee operations as specified in the SOW. The Contractor will also possess the authority to intervene any operations deemed unsafe subject to the limitations specified in the SOW. Refer to revised SOW, dated 6 July 2021, Section C- 6.1.4.