Virtual_Industry_Day_Questions_and_Answers.docx

Virtual Industry Day Questions & Answers Question (Q): Will the Government consider the incumbent suppliers for a multiple award contract? If so, will they not have a competitive advantage? How does the Government plan to level the competition?

Answer (A): Yes, the government will consider incumbent suppliers as this will be full and open competition. Although the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will have knowledge of the current National Stock Number (NSN), the Government is asking for a new design to old Power Supplies. This will result in a new NSN.

Q: What is the percentage of the $800 million cumulative value of all contracts to be awarded that will be set aside for Small Businesses?

A: The Government may award up to 6 contracts with 2 contracts being set-aside for small business. Once the contractors have been selected and awarded contracts, future NSNs will be competed among the Multiple Award ID/IQ. It not possible to predict the percentage of the estimated value of all contracts that will go to small business.

Q: What is the percentage breakdown between low voltage and high voltage power supplies for all contracts to be awarded?

A: The future NSNs that meet the low and high voltage range of the contract are not known at this time. Therefore, a percentage between low voltage and high voltage power supplies for all contracts to be awarded cannot be determined at this time. The government wants to find capable vendors who can find power supply solutions within the stated power supply range.

Q: When does the Government expect to issue the RFP?

A: Within the next 30 days

Q: When does the Government expect to award all contracts?

A: During Calendar Year 2019

Q: Will successful contractors be required to have security clearances to participate in this IDIQ?

A: Not for the initial award. However, it is a possibility that some NSNs competed against the Multiple Award ID/IQ will require security clearance.

Q: Is this IDIQ fully funded or budgeted for?

A: Only the first orders for the minimum order quantity must be funded prior to award. Additional NSNs that may be competed against this ID/IQ are unknown at this time.

Q: Is there a formula for how you weigh your decision process for selecting successful contractors?

A: The Government will make a best value decision based on the Evaluation Factors for Award listed in Section M-900 of the Request for Proposal. The relative importance of the Evaluation Factors is stated but the factors are not weighted.

Q: The Voltage range cited for this IDIQ is very broad. Most companies would not have the design and test expertise to provide the full power range of voltage requirements such as higher end (i.e., 20KVDC). Will that preclude a small business company that had expertise in supplies with an output range from 1 VDC to 100 VDC from participating?

A: The Government needs capable vendors within the power range scope of this effort to ensure competition exists for future NSNs that will be competed against the Multiple Award ID/IQ. For vendors who can only perform to either high or low voltage requirements, partnering or subcontracting opportunities exist.

Q: Will we be able to examine existing power supplies?

A: If the government has spare assets available, they may be provided after contract award and it will not be guaranteed in “A” condition. However, the government is not obligated to provide an existing power supply. Vendors should be capable of designing to a performance specification.

Q: Will Technical information be provided, including schematics on existing power supplies?

A: No, only the specifications found in the Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) will be provided for the 3 initial NSNs. Data for future NSNs competed against the Multiple Award Contract will vary.

Q: Will we be given failure data/analysis on the existing supplies?

A: No

Q: Will we be provided TWT part numbers and technical information on the tubes?

A: The Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) part numbers and technical information will not be provided prior to award. If requested after award, Security Clearance is required to gain access to this information. Each contractor would be responsible for obtaining security clearance at their own expense.

Q: Who/How will the Government determine flight worthiness of the new supply?

A: NSNs must pass First Article Testing requirements as described in the respective AFMC Form 260. Flight worthiness determination will be a product of the Qualification Test Procedure (QTP) written by the Contractor and approved by the Government, with the Power Supply specification document as the requirements basis. The Contractor's responsibility for technical requirements will end with a successful Qualification Test per the approved QTP. The Government may perform System Integration Testing and, in some cases, Flight Testing, on some NSNs added to the Multiple Award IDIQ and may require Contractor support for that testing on a technical advisement (general technical questions) basis only. For the initial NSNs the contractor will not be conducting or participating in any flight testing. Any design changes required due to integration or flight test issues will be considered out of scope of the First Article contract and will be negotiated separately

Q: Who/Where/How will the Government perform First Article testing? Will the supplier be allowed to interact with the Government during testing? What is expected duration?

A: Please refer to the AFMC Form 260 for each NSN. Yes, interaction is allowed as needed. Duration: see AFMC Form 260 for each NSN.

Q: Does the Government have a Support/Maintenance plan for production units?

A: Support/Maintenance plans will vary between contractor support and government organic repair and will be determined as needed during the design phase.

Q: For example, if ATE is used for the Government’s incoming inspection, will we be given detailed information on this equipment?

A: No, details of any Automated Test Equipment (ATE) will not be provided.

Q: How much technical information on the new supply must be furnished to the Government and who will have rights to that information?

A: The Government will have rights based on the clauses listed within the RFP and technical data packages requested for each NSN.

Q: Does/will the Government have an existing or proposed QPL list?

A: No, there are no Qualified Parts List (QPL) for the initial NSNs.

Q: For non-QPL parts, is there an approval process or current Approval Authority?

A: No, drawings/specifications associated with these NSNs adequately defines the expectations associated with parts conformance, reliability, and qualification testing. In the event that a drawing is not adequately defined, the responsible engineering authority for that specification will assist with clarification.

Q: Producing the 150 power supplies within the specified delivery timeframe will be a challenge. The requested delivery timeframe will therefore be a cost driver. Will the government accept longer delivery timeframes if it results in a lower price?

A: Different deliveries may be proposed as alternatives. However, each contractor must propose to the delivery schedule stated within the RFP in order to be determined responsive and eligible for award. Note the yearly quantities are estimated. Contractors have the option to propose quantity ranges rather than one unit price for the total estimated quantity (See RFP Attachment 4 Pricing Matrix).

Q. What is the estimated annual delivery order quantity to be released on the IDIQ for each NSN?

A. The estimated quantities are listed on the Pricing Matrix attached to the Draft RFP for the three initial NSNs.

Q. From Introduction: The Government anticipates awarding up to 6 contracts with 2 being set-aside to small business to capable vendors, who will be required to design and develop power supplies from Form, Fit, Function & Interface (F3I) or other data, samples, etc. provided by the Government and manufacture spares of their new designs. Question: Will non-small businesses be blocked from bidding on any of the three NSNs?

A. No. Each offeror must propose to all three initial NSNs.

Q: For First Article Requirements for the NSN 61300166545626EW box 11d is checked indicating that First Article Approval will be waived “Provided not more than 36 months have elapsed since completion of the contract.” Does delivery on a contract within 36 months where First Article and Qualification is not required negate the need for a First Article approval?

A. 11d was not supposed to be marked. An updated AFMC FORM 260 for NSN 61300166545626EW will be added to the Official RFP. The First Article Requirement will not be waived.

Q. In draft RFP page 57, “the contractor must not provide a no-bid for any item on attachment 4”. Does this mean that the government requires a bid on each NSN?

A. Yes Q. Will additional questions be allowed when the final RFP is released?

A. Yes