Warhead Vendor Questions Responses.pdf

W31P4Q-23-R-0059 – Vendor Ques�ons

1. 1. There are heat trea�ng requirements for wood packaging items but we do not see any requirements regarding packaging configura�on. Do the Inert warheads need to be in crates or can they be shipped exposed on a pallet? Is there a desired amount of space between/around the inert warheads to allow for li�ing apparatus? Is there a maximum number of Inert Warheads per pallet? The packaging and shipping requirements are described in the Logis�cs paragraph of the SOW (managed by STORM Logis�cs) and must comply with the government and ASTM standards referenced. The contractor will provide Special Packaging Instruc�ons as a CDRL which must be approved. I believe the warheads can be shipped via pallets but must be shipped in closed-type equipment to protect the warheads from weather condi�ons during shipping.

2. We do not see any quan��es iden�fied for the op�on CLINS. Please advise what quan��es should be quoted. Also, the summary iden�fies a quan�ty of 9,471 Each but this does not align with the CLIN quan��es. Amendment 0002 posted to include an increase in quan��es and the quan��es for the op�on years.

3. The Inert MLRS Warhead program will require substan�al funding which will be a strain for a small business. We request that the government add clause 52.232-16 PROGRESS PAYMENTS to the solicita�on and resul�ng contract.

Added in amendment 0003.

4. There are no quan��es iden�fied for First Ar�cle Samples. Please provide FAT sample inspec�on quan��es. Amendment 0002 posted 9/19 to include quan��es.

5. Are the FAT samples to be delivered? Can the government provide the AS9102 specifica�on?

The first ar�cle would be performed onsite at the contractor site with DCMA and/or STORM Quality par�cipa�on. The First Ar�cle Test Report will be submited to the government as a CDRL. Once the First Ar�cle Test Report is approved then the First Ar�cle hardware should be deliverable with other produc�on warheads. AS9102 is readily available from sources such as SAE and other commercial document providers but is not provided by the USG.

6. We will require more �me to generate our proposal once we receive the answers to the above ques�ons and request that the proposal submission deadline be extended un�l 30 days a�er the date the responses are provided. To be answered by ACC/STORM PGMR. Recommend no extension, due to CA �meline.

7. I had not previous no�ced the dates for CLIN 0006AA run 31-Jan-2024 to 30-Apr-2024. This is very �ght on material lead �me with the contract award date of 20-Dec-2023. Are these 2024 releases or 2025? The date has been changed in the amendment 0003.

8. Is the date correct on CLIN 0007AA, Delivery Release 002? It shows 31-Mar-2024 but follows 28- Jul-2024, so I’m wondering if the former was supposed to be 31-Mar-2025. The date has been changed in the amendment 0003.

9. Does the Government require addi�onal Quality Reports other than an AS9102B First Ar�cle Inspec�on Report? If so, what reports will be required? The Quality Program Plan and FAI repor�ng requirements are already covered in the SOW 5.0 for W31P4Q-23-R-0059 dated 12 Apr 23. If a PLV is required to be performed, for example if this is a new contractor, then we will need to coordinate with the contractor to ensure that they are ready. We will provide the checklist, requirements, and expecta�ons to the company/contractor. We will generate a PLV cer�ficate a�er comple�on of the PLV. The format of the cer�ficate is controlled by the Produc�on office.

10. Can the Government state how many units they will accept per pallet? there is not any specific detailed requirement (type or stacking height) for the packaging for shipment of inert warheads to LM and LEMC. They must meet all the specified packaging requirements per the government/ASTM standards. The current vendor places 5 per pallet.

11. Is it permissible for a #3 center hole (less than ¼” deep) for live-center to be on one end of the ballast (drawing 13540613)?

IAW with 13540613 this is not an allowable feature. However, a modifica�on to the drawing could allow it if all other requirements can be maintained (ex. Weight and length). STORM configura�on management would need to concur if this is possible going forward.

12. Is it permissible to adjust the length of the ballast if needed to conform to the weight requirement per note 7 on drawing 13540611?

The length of the ballast should be in accordance with (IAW) drawing no. 13540613 “Ballast, Warhead”.

13. The two welding callouts on drawing 13540611 each show 4 PL. Can you confirm that the degree range listed (eg. 26-90°) is the associated weld length where the top end for each of 90° is a con�nuous weld around their en�re perimeters?

26 is the Length of Weld and 90°is the Pitch (center to center distance).

14. For the welding shown on drawing 13540611, do you prefer flux core, MIG, TIG, s�ck or other?

If no specific type of welding is required as long as it is in conformance with AWS D17.1 per note 5, please confirm.

No type specified. WELD IAW AWS D17.1.

15. Please confirm all materials are to be DFAR compliant.

Sec�on I. Contract clauses incorporates the applicable FAR and DFARS clauses that the contractor must meet. For example, clauses applicable to material are I-18 52.211-5

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS, I-26 52.222-20 CONTRACTS FOR MATERIALS, SUPPLIES,

ARTICLES, AND EQUIPMENT, I-74 252.225-7001 BUY AMERICAN AND BALANCE OF

PAYMENTS PROGRAM--BASIC (JAN 2023), and I-75 252.225-7012 PREFERENCE FOR CERTAIN DOMESTIC COMMODITIES. Some clauses are interrelated with materials and provide restric�ons from certain companies and en��es and some clauses provide encouragement for use of small businesses, na�ve American (Indian) and Hawaiian businesses.

16. What is the es�mated date of the contract award? (We would need this to determine if there is enough lead �me to meet the first delivery deadline.)

December 20, 2023

17. Item number 0008AA shows a delivery date of 20-DEC-2024 which is midway through the first year of the contract. Since this is the first ar�cle, we assume it should be for 20-DEC-2023 instead. Please confirm.

Correct

18. The SOW requires the contactor to prepare Special Packaging Instruc�ons (SPI). Are there any size, weight, enclosed crate vs. open pallet, storage longevity, or other requirements?

The SOW specifies in sec�on 8: The contractor shall prepare and deliver Special Packaging Instruc�ons (SPI) IAW DI-PACK-80121(A009) for the Inert Warhead, and shall comply with the requirements of MIL-STD-2073-1. When commercial packaging is u�lized, it shall reflect packaging performance criteria equal to, or beter than, requirements specified in ASTM-D3951.

All hardware shall be properly marked, packaged, and labeled IAW MIL-STD-129.

In order to protect hardware from damage as a result of weather condi�ons, the contractor shall furnish clean and sound closed-type equipment of sufficient size (but not in excess of capacity) to accommodate shipments.

19. What will the inspec�on frequency be based upon? Are sample sizes to be based upon the total quan�ty of each line-item number (eg. 684 for 0003AA), the delivery quan�ty (eg. 75 for 0003AA 001), or per year (eg. 1777 for the first year) to be on a set frequency? If a complete inspec�on is required for every single part, do you require serializa�on to associate that part with its inspec�on report?

Recommended response: The contractor should employ their internal Quality inspec�on and plan for the number of units and lot sizes. The contractor men�oned that in-process quality checks and inspec�ons are performed and that inspec�ons are performed at the end of the produc�on line. DCMA will employ quality inspec�on based on number of samples, lot and delivery sizes/quan��es for the lots and quan��es presented for DD250 acceptance. The delivery lots and sizes should align with the contract quan��es and requirements. Serializa�on of the warhead is not required.