Response_to_Technical_Questions_3-23-2016_Final.pdf

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RESPONSES TO TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Issue: 09 February 2016 Revision: 23 March 2016

ISSUE 1: Does the Army own the rights to the components and/or design of all components? Or Does Harris/Exelis/ITT? Some of the component vendors require a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the original design authority in order to submit quotes.

09 February 2016 Engineer’s Response: The Army owns the rights to the design of the components, but not the right to the components. It is offeror’s responsibility to acquire the components for manufacturing the Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs). Offerors can procure these components from any vendors, but it’s the offeror’s responsibility to ensure the components meet the Government requirements set forth in the pertinent technical documents, and to ensure the quality components are used for producing the CCAs. It appears that Exelis/Harris, the original design authority has agreements with some vendors that restrict the vendors from providing quotes to other companies. Such agreements are between Exelis/Harris and the vendors. The Government has no right to issue such Letter of Authorization (LOA) or request Exelis/Harris issuing such LOA to the potential offerors. Potential offerors shall request such LOA directly to Exelis/Harris. It is Exelis/Harris’ option and decision whether they are willing to issue such LOA to the potential offerors.

23 March 2016 CLARIFICATION TO ENGINEER’S RESPONSE FOR ISSUE 1:

The statement “The Army owns the rights to the design of the components, but not the right to the components.” is clarified to mean that although the Army owns the technical data packages (TDPs) for the two Circuit Card Assemblies, some components must be procured from sources that are approved sources, because the drawings for those components are on Source Control Drawings.

The components listed in the following tables by CECOM Part Number (P/N) for the CCA-RF and CCA-Synthesizer must be procured from the approved source shown on the applicable TDP drawing. If an offeror wants to submit a component from a vendor that is not listed as an approved source, the offeror must submit an approval package for the proposed alternate component with their proposal. The Army must approve the proposed alternate component. Refer to the Engineer’s Response to the Follow- Up Question 1-A below for information regarding the approval process.

TDP A3331822-1

Circuit Card Assembly - RF

TDP A3331837-1

Circuit Card Assembly - Synthesizer

CECOM P/N CECOM P/N

A3249884-1 A3260884-3 A3266464-1 A3266304-1 A3266503-1 A3271509-2

Other components of the CCA-RF and CCA-Synthesizer are either commercial parts or are found on Specification Control and Selected Item Drawings, which generally include suggested sources of supply.

If an offeror wants to submit a component from a vendor that is not listed as a suggested source or commercial source, please refer to the Engineer’s Response to the Follow-Up Question 1-A below for more information.

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FOLLOW-UP QUESTION 1-A FOR ISSUE 1:

Given this statement from the answer to Issue One: “Offerors can procure these components from any vendors, but it’s the offeror’s responsibility to ensure the components meet the Government requirements set forth in the pertinent technical documents, and to ensure the quality components are used for producing the CCAs.”

Can we take this to mean that it is okay to use crossed/replacement parts as we see fit? The challenge that we will have is being able to do this with only a short extension that Government has authorized so far.

23 March 2016 Engineer’s Response to the Follow-Up Question 1-A:

The answer to the question “Can we take this to mean that it is okay to use crossed/replacement parts (components) as we see fit?” depends on the categories of the items as discussed below.

1. Commercial parts. If the commercial parts referenced in the drawings or other technical documents are not available, the offerors/contractors can use replacement parts, which are same form, fit, function and interchangeable, and are providing the equal or better life and performance in comparison to the particular commercial items referenced in the drawings or other technical documents. It is the offerors/contractors' responsibility to control the quality of the replacements parts and to ensure the replacements parts meeting all technical/specification requirements of the corresponding commercial parts to be replaced.

2. Specification Control Drawing or Selected Item Drawing Items. Normally, there are one or more suggested source(s) of supply listed on the Specification Control Drawings/Selected Item Drawings.

As stated on the Specification Control Drawings/Selected Item Drawings, "Identification of the suggested source(s) of supply hereon is not to be construed as a guarantee of present or continued availability as a source of supply for the item(s)." The source(s) of supply listed on the drawings are only the suggested source(s) of supply. The offerors/contractors have option to purchase these parts from the suggested source(s) or other source(s). Whatever the parts were purchased from the suggested source(s) or other source(s), it is the offerors/contractors' responsibility to control the quality of the parts and to ensure the parts meeting all technical requirements set forth in the corresponding Specification Control Drawings/Selected Item Drawings.

3. Source Control Drawing Items. There is at least one approved source(s) of supply listed on the Source Control Drawings. As stated on the Source Control Drawings that "Only the item described on this drawing when procured from the vendor(s) listed hereon is approved by the U.S. Army Communication-Electronic Command. A substitute item shall not be used without prior approval by the U.S. Army Communication-Electronic Command". Therefore, the offerors have to procure the source control drawing items from the approved source(s) of supply listed on the corresponding source control drawings for manufacture of the Circuit Card Assemblies in the solicitation/contract. .

If an offeror wants to submit a component from a vendor that is not listed as an approved source, the offeror must submit an approval package for the proposed alternate component with their proposal.

The Army must approve the proposed alternate component.

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In general, for category one above, Commercial Parts, and category two, Specification Control Drawing/Selected Item Drawing Items, a substitute component shall meet all of the technical/specifications requirements set forth in the corresponding drawings for the original part. The offeror is not required to obtain approval from the Government for a substitute component if the component is a specification control drawing component, a selected item drawing component or a commercial available component. However, it is the offeror’s responsibility to control the quality of a substitute component and to ensure the substitute component is same form, fit, function and interchangeable, it provides equal or better life and performance in comparison to original component, it meets all technical/specification requirements set forth in the applicable drawings and technical documents for the original component.

For substitutions of components that have approved source(s) of supply (source control drawing components, category three, above), the approval process for the proposed substitution will occur prior to contract award. The substitution proposal shall include all documentation to show that the proposed substitute component meets all of the technical/specification requirements for the original component.

The following documentation shown in the table below is required for a substitution of a component that is identified as requiring an approved source of supply.

TDP A3331822-1 Circuit Card Assembly - RF

CECOM P/N

A3249884-1 For a proposed source that is not listed as an approved supply source, Army approval is required.

What to Submit:

Submit test result(s) and any applicable data required for qualification as set forth in the source control drawing.

A3266464-1 A3266503-1

TDP A3331837-1 Circuit Card Assembly - Synthesizer

CECOM P/N

A3260884-3 For a proposed source that is not listed as an approved supply source, Army approval is required.

What to Submit:

Submit test result(s) and any applicable data required for qualification as set forth in the source control drawing.

A3266304-1 A3271509-2

The “test result(s) and any applicable data for qualification” means that the offeror shall submit data such as technical data sheets, that include test result(s), or other data. However the offeror is cautioned to verify that the test result(s) submitted shall meet the requirements set forth in the source control drawing.

23 March 2016: OTHER PROPOSED TDP CHANGES NOT RELATED TO SUPPLY

SOURCES

If any other changes are proposed on the TDP of the CCAs (such as drawing deficiencies, drawing discrepancies and typo errors), a successful contractor will need to submit a Production Evaluation- Engineering Change Proposal after contract award. The Production Evaluation-Engineering Change Proposal shall include any technical documents supporting the proposed changes.

If any changes are proposed on the configurations of the CCAs, the contractor shall submit Engineering Change Proposal along with all required technical documents supporting the proposed changes.

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ISSUE 2: Below is a list of issues/questions on the TDP answered on 09 February 2016.

QN 1862, CCA – RF

1. There is a discrepancy in reference designators. The PL has J1, J2, J4, P2, and P3 whereas the ASSY DWG and the Schematic Diagram has J1, J3, J4, P2, and P3. DWG Nr A3331822, CIRCUIT CARD ASSY – RF, Note 9 says to not install J3. I am unable to locate J2 on the CCA layout or schematic.

2. The aforementioned J2 is shown as a connection point for some test setups in the alignment and acceptance test procedure.

3. The list of test equipment in SPECIFICATION – RF CCA, DWG Nr A3316719 Clause 5.1 is incomplete as there is a 10 W RF power amplifier and an “Automatic Test Interface” shown in some of the test setups.

09 Feburary 2016 Engineer’s Response to technical issues 1-3 of QN 1862, CCA-RF: The reason the Government issued a competitive solicitation for this acquisition with the incomplete Technical Data Packages (TDPs) is to attempt to award a contract to a potential offeror who has capability to correct the drawing deficiencies and drawing discrepancies, and produce and deliver the required items to the Government. Please see Paragraph 3.4 (Requirement for Production Evaluation) of the Statement of Work (SOW), regarding the Contractor’s obligation and responsibility for TDP review and corrections.

In addition, it states in Paragraph 3.4.1.1.1.1 .2 of the SOW that it is the contractor’s responsibility to identify or obtain the Automate Test Interface that is required for testing this CCA.

4. Some parts suppliers are telling us they can't quote the Harris parts and we need authorization from Harris.

09 Feburary 2016 Engineer’s Response: See engineer response to Issue #1 above.

5. In the SPECIFICATION – RF CCA, DWG. NO. A3316719 Clause 2.1.1 Specifications, Standards and Handbooks. Says “Unless otherwise specified, the following specifications, standards and handbooks of the issue in effect on the date of invitation for bids form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein.”

CECOM DRAWING NO. DRAWING

A3317190-1 Circuit Card Assy – RF A3317192 Schematic – RF A3316708-1 Circuit Card Assy – RF A3316710 Schematic – RF

What are these as they are not included in the TDP?

09 Feburary 2016 Engineer’s Response: These drawings are not part of the TDP for A3331822-1 as they are not needed for manufacturing the A3331822-1 RF Circuit Card Assembly (CCA). A3317190-1 and A3316708-1 are the OLD RF CCAs. They are obsolesced and are replaced by A3331822-1 RF CCA. However, these drawings are available from the Government and can be provided to the potential offerors for reference upon request.

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QN 1863, CCA – SYNTHESIZER

1. There is confusion over Notes 11 and 12 on CCA – SYNTHESIZER, ASSY DWG A3331837.

2. Note 11 states “A3260884-3 MAY BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE ITEM FOR FIND NUMBER 133 (A3271509-1)”. Find Nr 133, Ref Des U3, on the PL is PN A3260883-1, “MICROCIRCUIT, LINEAR – D/A CONVERTER, HIGH SPEED, LOW POWER, SURFACE MOUNT”, with a mfg of Intersil PN HI5780JCQ. Whereas PN A3271509-1 is “OSCILLATOR, XTAL CONTROLLED – TCXO, 12.8MHZ, SMT” with mfg of Netcom Inc. PN 3559. The alternate PN A3260884-3 is “OSCILLATOR, XTAL CONTROLLED – TCXO, 12.8 MHZ, SMT” with mfg of Precision Devices Inc. PN SPCL128000XTASXX. Please clarify.

3. Note 12 states “A3316255-1 MAY BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE ITEM FOR FIND NUMBER 62 (A3249615-26). Find Nr 62, Ref Des L16 and L17, on the PL is PN A3266402-17, “INDUCTOR, MOLDED – SMT, 100UH, SHIELDED” with a mfg of Vishay Dale Electronics Inc PN ISC1210100UH10. Whereas PN A3249615-26 is “INDUCTOR, SURFACE MOUNT – MOLDED” with mfg of Vishay Dale Electronics Inc PN ISC 1812 120µH 10%. The alternate PN A3316255-1 is “INDUCTOR, POWER – UNSHIELDED, CHIP, 1812” with mfg of API Delevan PN P1812-124K.

Please clarify.

09 Feburary 2016 Engineer’s Response to technical issues 1-3 of QN 1863, CCA-Synthesizer: The reason the Government issued a competitive solicitation for this acquisition with the incomplete Technical Data Packages (TDPs) is to attempt to award a contract to a potential offeror who has capability to correct the drawing deficiencies and drawing discrepancies, and produce and deliver the required items to the Government. Please see Paragraph 3.4 (Requirement for Production Evaluation) of the Statement of Work (SOW), regarding the Contractor’s obligation and responsibility for TDP review and corrections.

4. In the SPECIFICATION – SYNTHESIZER CCA, DWG. NO. A3272645 Clause 2.1.1 Specifications, Standards and Handbooks. Says “Unless otherwise specified, the following specifications, standards and handbooks of the issue in effect on the date of invitation for bids form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein.”

CECOM DRAWING NO. DRAWING

A3266138 Circuit Card Assy – Synthesizer A3266140 Schematic – Synthesizer A3272526 Circuit Card Assy – Synthesizer A3272528 Schematic – Synthesizer A3272632 Circuit Card Assy – Synthesizer A3272634 Schematic – Synthesizer

What are these as they are not included in the TDP and the list does not include the A3331837 Synthesizer?

09 Feburary 2016 Engineer’s Response: These drawings are not part of the TDP for A3331837-1 as they are not needed for manufacturing the A3331837-1 Synthesizer CCA. A32661380-1, A3272526- 1and A3272632-1 are the OLD Synthesizer CCA. They are obsolesced and are replaced by A3331837-

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1 Synthesizer CCA. However, these drawings are available from the Government and can be provided to the potential offerors for reference upon request.