M724A2 questions - Round 2 (12-07-2020).pdf

1. Q: Due to questions requiring responses, would you consider an extension?

A: The RFP closing date was extended until January 5, 2021.

2. Q: Pg. 18, C.4.6 - “For production, test plans in contractor format, shall be submitted to the PCO ten

(30) working days prior to the test…” - Are test plans required to be submitted 10 working days or 30 working days prior to the test?

A: In keeping with the CDRL, 30 working days for first submission, and 10 working days for subsequent submissions (revisions).

3. Q: Pg. 21, C.8.1 Performance Oriented Packaging (POP) Pg. 23, Section D, Paragraph 8, Performance Oriented Packaging - “The test will be to a weight at least 20% greater than the actual gross weight to be marked on the tested container.” “The test will be conducted to a weight of at least 10% greater than the gross package (pack out) weight…” - Should the POP test be to a weight at least 10% greater or 20% greater than the gross package weight?

A: 20%

4. Q: Pg. 24, Section D, Cartridge, 105mm Tank M724A2 TPCSDS-T Cartridge Transportation Requirements Beta.sam.gov Solicitation Notice ID W15QKN-21-R-0017 - “Each order shall be delivered 17 months after delivery order award.” “Deliveries will be required within 24 months after contract award.” - What is the correct delivery schedule requirement after contract award?

A: 17 months after contract award.

5. Q: Pg. 26, Section D, M14 Propellant (12956320-1) (GFM) Transportation Requirements, Paragraph 3 Page 15, C.3.1.2 - “Approximately 14,000 pounds of Propellant (12956320-1) will be provided to the contractor by the U.S. Government within 90 days after contractor specifying delivery location.” “The Government will provide 37,262 lbs of M14 Propellant, 12956320-1 (M865 size) as GFM within 90 days after contract award.” - How many pounds of GFM propellant will be provided by the USG?

A: 37,262 lbs is the correct amount.

6. Q: Pg. 39, Section I-129, 52.209-3(b) - “The Contractor shall submit the first article test report within 30 calendar days from the date of this contract…” - Should this read “within 30 days of completion of the

FAAT”?

A: Yes, within 30 days after completion of the FAAT

7. Q: Pg. 78, Section L.4.1.2.a Pg. 87, Section C.2.2.a - “The Offeror shall identify whether or not it is certified to or compliant with ISO 9001-2008…” “…whether or not the Offeror is certified to or compliant with ISO 9001-2008.” - Should these references be ISO 9001-2015 instead of ISO 9001-2008?

A: ISO 9000-2015 is the requirement.

8. Q: Pg. 17, Section C.4.2.2.1 - “The U.S. Government shall maintain data rights and shall have the right to inform and distribute to other affected contractors any report generated as a result of a Thickwall Primer non-conformance.” - Can the USG be more explicit with respect to which reports the USG is referring to associated with the Thickwall Primer non-conformance? A significant amount of the

Thickwall Primer work accomplished by General Dynamics – OTS has been at our expense and therefore is considered to be competition sensitive and proprietary.

A: Certain information about non-conformances identified in reports such CDRL A007 - Failure Summary and Analysis Report or CDRL A009 – Quality Deficiency Report, or other may be shared with other affected contractors, but under no circumstances will the USG divulge competition sensitive or proprietary information to another contractor, unless there is written consent from the original contractor.

9. Q: Pg. 84, Section M-1 - 52.232-15 Progress Payments Not Included - The M724A2 has a considerably long-lead time that without contract financing would burden the Contractor by requiring that they carry the costs incurred from the start of contract performance through final delivery. Will the USG reconsider incorporation of the Progress Payments clause?

A: The contractor should submit justification for the inclusion of the progress payment clause with their proposal submission.

10. Pg. 15, C.3.1.1 - GFM Cartridge Case - General Dynamics-OTS has performed extensive market research for a Steel Cartridge Case manufacturer during the 105mm AMP development program and over the last several months in preparation for this solicitation. To date, there has not been any qualified sources for Steel Case manufacturing to support the current M724A2 solicitation and drawing number 10522799. If the USG has not developed/qualified a source or if they cannot provide the information related to the currently qualified source(s), will the USG accept a Brass Cartridge Case? General Dynamics-OTS is aware of a qualification program that was conducted on a Brass Cartridge Case, but understands that this was not fully completed. Will the USG provide the Government TDP/QAPs as well as the remaining tasks necessary to qualify the brass case?

A: The USG is currently completing qualification of the JMC Case Manufacturing Facility. They will be able to provide production quotes to the offerors. Brass case use or qualification is not being considered at this time.

11. Section I - Contract Clauses - The following clauses do not seem to apply to this procurement. If so, we respectfully request these clauses be removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

52.216-11 Cost Contract – No Fee 252.225-7006 Acquisition of the American Flag 252.225-7009 Restriction on Acquisition of Specialty Metals 252.227-7014 Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation 252.227-7015 Technical Data – Commercial Items 252.227-7019 Validation of Asserted Restrictions – Computer Software

A: If clauses are not required once a contract is in place, it will be considered at contract award.

12. Q: Section I - Excusable Delays - Will the USG consider incorporation of FAR 52.249-14 Excusable Delays?

A: This clause is used in cost type contracts, and will not be added here.

13. Q: Section I-144, Page 52 - 52.230-2 Cost Accounting Standards - Given that it is anticipated that the resulting contract will be FFP and will be awarded on the basis of adequate price competition without the submission of cost or pricing data, please confirm whether CAS coverage is actually required.

A: This is added in the event that we cannot determine the cost F&R based on competition.

14. Q: Section I - 252.227-7016 Rights in Bid or Proposal Information - This clause does not seem to apply to this procurement. If the USG agrees, we respectfully request that it be removed from the RFP and resulting contract.

A: If clauses are not required once a contract is in place, it will be considered at contract award.

15. Q: Section I - 52.209-3 First Article Approval – Contractor Testing Alt I - Will the USG consider incorporating Alternate II of this clause to allow for the purchase of material or commencement of production before first article approval?

A: The contractor should submit justification for the inclusion of the progress payment clause, Alternate II (including a spend schedule) with their proposal submission.

16. Q: Section I - 52.209-4 First Article Approval – Government Testing Alt I - Will the USG consider incorporating Alternate II of this clause to allow for the purchase of material or commencement of production before first article approval?

A: The contractor should submit justification for the inclusion of the progress payment clause, Alternate II (including a spend schedule) with their proposal submission.

17. Q: Section I - 252.204-7012 Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting - Will the USG please identify the program information that is deemed to be Covered Defense Information?

A: As defined in the clause, there is a link to a registry that will provides required safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with law, regulations, and Government wide policies.

18. Q: Attachment 0010 - C.2.2.b - “ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” “The calibration system shall be in accordance with ISO 10012 or ANSI/NCSL Z540.3.” - The SOW and Attachment 0010 reference different calibration requirements. Which calibration requirement is applicable to this RFP?

A: ISO/IEC 17025

19. Q: Executive Summary - TDPL - The drawing for P/N 8828098 (105mm Chamber Gage) and the drawings within its structure were not included with the TDP provided last week. Will the USG please provide these documents?

A: The chamber gage will be provided as GFE within 180 days after contract award, however, the offeror would be responsible for crating and shipping, first to Rock Island Arsenal for recertification, and then to the offeror’s LAP facility.

20. Q: Is MSE applicable at the component level?

A: Yes, as long as AIE is a production gage or as required per QAPs.

21. Q: What are the MSE requirements when components are supplied by the USG?

A: The MSE clause does not apply to GFM/GFE.

22. Q: Should the costs for the MRTFB be included in the contractors' proposal or will be paid for separately by the Government?

A: MRTFB stands for Major Range and Test Facility Base (YPG, APG) which are operated and managed by USG. Supplier/Contractor is responsible for the MRTFB cost of ballistic FAAT and USG is responsible for the MRTFB cost of LAT. The MRTFB should be included in the contractors' proposal for cartridge level FAAT.

23. Q: Pg. 78, Section L.4.1.1.c – IMS - Should the IMS include the initial order only given that the IMS for future orders will look very similar?

A: No, because the initial order, for instance, will include GFM which will not be the case for future orders, so that may change tasks and durations.

24. Q: Section C.3.1.2 - GFM Propellant - Is the GFM Propellant from demilitarized rounds or from propellant that is in inventory that was never lapped?

A: Propellant was never lapped.