Responses to Question Set 10 for RFP W15QKN-22-R-0008 - final.pdf

16 May 2022 Question{s}

W15QKN-22-R-0008

1. Page 5 of 123, Section B, Pricing states que“The Offeror shall fill in Firm Fixed Unit Prices within

Section B CLIN structure for Initial FATs, AFATS, …..”

Would the Government please define what is to be included within the initial and additional FAT pricing.

Government Response: Section C.3.3.2 defines a First Article Test as follows: “A First Article Test (FAT) shall consist of items and quantities cited in the specifications identified in Paragraph C.2.1, Mandatory Documents: MIL-DTL-32692, MIL-DTL-63268B w/ AMD 1 if the Lifting Plug is CFM in the delivery order, MIL-DTL-45449C w/ AMD 2. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all materials, first article samples, test equipment, facilities and support, and conducting destructive testing for the FAT. The Contractor shall examine and test all FAT samples in accordance with all contract requirements, item specifications, Quality Assurance Provisions (QAPS), and all drawings listed in the Technical Data Packages (TDP).

The Contractor shall conduct the FAT at the manufacturing site and the Contractor shall invite the Government to conduct the final inspection of the FAT samples at the manufacturing site.

The Contractor shall be responsible for conducting the Contractor provided subcomponents FAT/LAT. The Contractor shall invite the Government to witness all Subcontractor FATs. The Contractor shall invite the Government to witness the production of any First Article samples, Contractor inspection of the FAT samples, and the Government shall be able to conduct/verify dimensional measurements of First Article Test samples during production and Contractor inspections. The Contractor shall submit a First Article Test Plan for approval in accordance with DD Form 1423 (DI-NDTI-80566A). Upon the completion of testing and inspection, the Contractor is responsible for submitting an Inspection Test Report in accordance with DD Form 1423 (DI-NDTI-80809B Tailored). The Contractor shall submit a Failure Summary and Analysis Report in accordance with DD Form 1423 (DI-SESS-80255B) for each First Article failure.”

Section C.3.3.2.1 defines the Initial First Article Test (IFAT) as follows: “The initial FAT is the first FAT awarded on the contract conducted after post award and prior to production start-up.

This FAT is in accordance with the complete FAT requirements in this RFP. The U.S.

Government plans to award an initial FAT no more than once per contract for each item.”

Section C.3.3.2.1.1 is also applicable to the IFAT and states “In addition to the required FAT quantities cited in the specifications identified in Paragraph C.2.1, Mandatory Documents, the IFAT executed in Ordering Period 1 shall include the production and delivery of a lot consisting of 2,756 155mm XM1128 Artillery Metal Parts Assemblies. The Contractor shall examine and test this quantity in accordance with all contract requirements, item specifications, Quality Assurance Provisions (QAPS), and all drawings listed in the TDP.”

Section C.3.3.2.2 defines the Additional First Article Test (AFAT) as follows: “An Additional First Article Test may be required in accordance with Section J, Attachment 0003 - Quality Assurance Addendum or upon issuance of additional delivery order(s). Conduct of an Additional FAT is sometime after delivery of production quantities. The Contractor shall utilize the mature processes and existing equipment to the maximum extent possible. Existing approved CDRL submissions from the initial FAT may be utilized provided they are unaffected by any changes and the Contracting Officer concurs.”

16 May 2022 Question{s}

W15QKN-22-R-0008

Paragraphs C.3.3.2.1 and C.3.3.2.2 are subparagraphs to Section C.3.3.2. These are types of FATs. The IFAT is a FAT and is the first FAT awarded. An AFAT is also a FAT. An AFAT may be awarded during the performance of the contract and is after delivery of production quantities. Delivery of production quantities occurs after an IFAT. Therefore, the AFAT is also after an IFAT.

The Government cannot specifically instruct an Offeror on pricing approach used for the initial FAT, AFAT, and production unit price CLINs. This is a business decision.

2. Page 62 of 123, Section I-132 (b) states “The Contractor shall submit the first article test report within 300 calendar days from the date of this contract…..”

Request that the Government extend this requirement to 650 days to allow for longer than normal material and facilitation lead-times. Current lead-times for material and equipment exceed 45 weeks ARO.

Government Response: The Government has reviewed industry impacts due to supply chain challenges. The Government will revise the solicitation in whole and release an amendment to reflect the First Article Test Report is due within 570 days from the date of contract award.