Amend_0004_Update_Sol_Q+A_01-24-2018.pdf

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RESPONSES TO SOLICITATION QUESTIONS

Issue: 16 January 2018 Revised: 24 January 2018

Question 1: How does the amended Technical Requirements-Technical Specification and Instructions (TSI) work with the added clause FAR 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies-Fixed Price?

Response 1: FAR clause 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies-Fixed-Price (AUG 1996) is required by FAR

46.302 to be inserted in every fixed-price supply contract. If there is a conflict regarding inspection/acceptance between the DCMA Inspection Procedure and FAR 52.246-2, or between the DCMA Inspection Procedure and the Quality Management section in the TSI, then the DMCA Inspection Procedure will govern.

Question 2: With respect to the amended TSI, is DLAD Proc. Note E05 [Production Verification Testing (SEP2016) still required?

Response 2: Upon further review, DLAD Proc. Note E05 is removed in Amendment 0003.

Question 3: Pursuant to FAR 12.404(b), may a commercial offeror's proposal include its customary "express commercial warranty" in addition to, or in lieu of, the FAR 52.212-4 warranty currently in the solicitation?

Response 3: FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items in included in the solicitation.

FAR 52.212-1(b)(5) addresses express warranty.

Question 4: What is the Government’s Cost Analysis method utilized to assess the warranty factor and how the express warranty contributes to the total cost of product ownership?

Response 4: Warranty is not an evaluation factor for award in this acquisition.

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Question 5: Amendment 0003 removes Product Verification Testing. Yet, Exhibit A revision date 9 Jan 2018 lists two types (Initial Production Testing, Ballistic Testing) of testing on pages 8-9 of 21. Please clarify which, if any, testing will be implemented? Please clarify if there is no longer a requirement for Initial Production Testing (IPT) and/or Ballistic Testing?

Response 5: Amendment 0003 removed DLAD Proc Note E05 Production Verification Testing. This DLAD Proc Note E05 allows the Government at any time to pick samples from production to verify conformance to specifications, and this testing is different from initial production testing and ballistics testing requirements. The Government determined that DLAD Proc Note E05 was not required.

Initial production testing and ballistics testing will be implemented as described in Exhibit A revision 9 Jan 2018.

Question 6: For bolt ballistics testing:

6a. What is the cost of the testing?

6b. Who pays for the testing?

6c. Who is the responsible Government person for arrangements of the testing?

6d. If there is a delay in the Government testing schedule or report results, is the contractor provided a change in schedule for the delivery of the end product?

6e.The DCMA Inspection and Acceptance procedure does not include ballistic bolt lot testing certificate documentation, please clarify?

Response 6:

6a. The cost of the testing will be included in the unit price of the mounts.

6b. The Government pays for the testing via the unit price.

6c. As stated in the TSI, ballistic Testing (9-mm Resistance to Penetration) will be planned and coordinated with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC).

6.d. The awardee shall communicate with the Government if a delivery delay occurs in the Government testing schedule or report results. Please refer to FAR 52.212-4(f) which addresses excusable delays.

6e. The DCMA inspection does not include acceptance of the ballistic bolt lot testing certificate, but DCMA will verify that a Certificate of Compliance is included with each shipment.

Question 7: What is the process for validation of the Contractor’s Certificate of Compliance?

Response 7: The Certificate of Compliance will be submitted per Contract Data Requirement List, Certificate of Compliance. The Contracting Officer will forward the Certificate of Compliance to the Army Technical Expert for validation/acceptance.

Question 8: Are you enforcing the buy American act and Balance of Payments program?

Response 8: Yes. The solicitation includes DFARS 252.225-7000 Buy American --Balance of Payments Program Certificate – Basic, and this provision must be filled out as part of an offeror’s proposal.

Question 9: Amendment 0002 removes the word “audit” from the TSI. How does the Government intend to assure the Contractor Compliance?

Response 9: Although the word “audit” was removed from the Quality Management section of the TSI, the Government retains the right to examine the contractor’s quality management system.

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Question 10:

10a. Amendment 0002 changes the Section E, Product Verification Testing, Inspection and Acceptance from Origin to Inspection and Acceptance at Contractor designated location with DCMA Inspection Procedure.

10b. Where will Inspection and Acceptance for all shipments be completed?

Response 10:

10a. Amendment 0002 deleted DLAD T/Q RQ009 Inspection and Acceptance at Origin and replaced it with Instruction to DCMA on inspection procedure. DLAD T/Q RQ0009 describes additional inspection procedures, which the Government has determined are not required.

10b. Inspection and Acceptance for all shipments will be at Origin.