Questions and Answers v3.pdf

Questions and Answers

Question # Question Answer Date Received 1 For the requirement to safely and continuously traverse slopes of at least 37 degrees in wet conditions, what manufacturer documentation or test evidence will the Government consider sufficient?

Manufacturer technical specifications, independently verified test data, or a formal certification demonstrating the mower's capability to safely and continuously operate on slopes of at least 37 degrees in wet conditions will be considered sufficient. Promotional videos may supplement but will not be accepted as the sole proof of compliance.

8/24/2026

2 For the automatic shutdown upon mower tip-over, must the machine shut down at a specified angle before an actual rollover, and what documentation is required to demonstrate compliance?

The mower must be equipped with a factory-installed automatic shutdown system that engages in a tip-over event. Offerors must provide manufacturer documentation detailing this safety feature, such as a technical manual or specification sheet. This documentation should describe the system's function, including the conditions under which it activates.

8/24/2026

3 Does a factory-installed operating indicator or warning light satisfy the visibility requirement, or is a dedicated strobe specifically required?

A factory-installed operating indicator light is acceptable, provided it is visible to an operator from all angles up to the maximum remote control distance of 1,000 feet. This is to ensure the operator can visually confirm the mower's operational status from a safe distance.

8/24/2026

4 The purchase description states that access to a local authorized service center is preferred. Will service-center proximity be evaluated as a technical factor, and, if so, is there a maximum acceptable distance from Madison, Wisconsin?

Access to a local authorized service center is a preferred lifecycle serviceability feature and will be evaluated as a non-price technical factor.

While no maximum distance is set, closer proximity to Madison, WI will be considered more favorable. Vendors should provide the address and contact information for their proposed service center.

8/24/2026

5 If the Government requests a pre-award demonstration, must it occur at the Madison delivery location? Please also confirm whether the offeror would be responsible for all demonstration transportation and related costs.

Demonstration at delivery location is preferred but would travel within 20 miles. It is part of the evaluation and vendor is responsible for associated costs.

See more clarifying information in question 12.

8/24/2026

6 Will the receiving location have a loading dock or forklift capable of unloading a tracked mower weighing approximately 2,000–2,400 pounds, or should the contractor include liftgate or other unloading service?

Receiving location has a loading dock and forklift for unloading. 8/24/2026

8/27/2026

9:22 AM

7 Is operator orientation or training required at delivery, or is this a supply-only requirement provided the mower is delivered fully assembled and ready for immediate operation?

Yes, basic operator training is required at the delivery location. The training must cover, at a minimum: safe operation, remote control pairing, startup/shutdown procedures, routine field maintenance, and safety system overviews.

Because this training session will occur on-site, the contractor is permitted to perform final assembly, configuration, and operational testing at the delivery location prior to conducting the training.

8/24/2026

8 Submission method: Section L incorporates FAR 52.212-1 by reference without an addendum, and the solicitation does not state how quotes are to be submitted. Should quotes be emailed to you directly, or submitted through PIEE or another portal? Is there a file format or attachment size limit we should observe?

Notice ID W50S9F26QA0200001, posted on Contract Opportunities at sam.gov, states the required method of submission in the body of the notice

8/26/2026

9 Evaluation basis: FAR 52.212-2 is not included in the solicitation, but the answer to Question 4 indicates that service center proximity will be evaluated as a non-price technical factor. Could you confirm the basis for award, and how price and non-price factors will be weighed?

Notice ID W50S9F26QA0200001, posted on Contract Opportunities at sam.gov, states the basis of award in the body of the notice.

Quotes will be evaluated using the procedures at RFO 12.203 (https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-12). RFO 12.203(a) describes evaluation factors. Unlike RFO Part 15, these procedures do not require stating the relative importance of factors.

The Government intends to evaluate quotations using a comparative evaluation methodology. This means quotations will be compared against one another to determine which provides the best value to the Government, based on the evaluation factors. The Government may consider quotations that exceed minimum requirements and offer additional value or benefits, even if they are not the lowest priced.

However, formal trade-off procedures will not be conducted.

8/26/2026

10 Deadline for questions: No cutoff date for questions is stated. Could you confirm the date after which questions will no longer be accepted, and whether a further Questions and Answers document is anticipated?

Notice ID W50S9F26QA0200001, posted on Contract Opportunities at sam.gov, states the question cutoff date in the body of the notice.

8/26/2026

8/27/2026

11 Manufacturer's part number: Section B lists the manufacturer's part number as "to be determined."

Should quoters provide the specific part number of the unit being offered at the time of quote?

Yes, specific information identifying the product being quoted is essential for evaluation purposes.

8/26/2026

12 Pre-award demonstration: The answer to Question 5 indicates the Government may request a demonstration prior to award. Could you indicate whether a demonstration is expected to be requested of all quoters, or only if the Government determines one is necessary? This affects how we price our quote.

The Government will evaluate quotes based on the written technical information provided by the vendor. Quoters should provide sufficient detail in their submissions to demonstrate that their proposed product meets all specifications. The Government reserves the right to request a product demonstration if, during evaluation, it determines that the written documentation is insufficient to verify compliance with the stated requirements.

In such cases, the Government will contact the individual quoter to coordinate the demonstration. To minimize costs, virtual or video demonstrations will be permitted, provided they are sufficient to prove compliance with all technical and operational requirements. Quoters should price their initial submissions assuming a written evaluation will be performed.

8/26/2026

13 Local serviceability: What does the Government consider sufficient to demonstrate "local serviceability"? Is there a required maximum distance, service radius, or service response time from Madison, Wisconsin?

See also question 4. To demonstrate local serviceability, vendors should provide the name, address, and contact information for their proposed authorized service center, or detail their mobile/traveling service capabilities. While there is no maximum distance specified, closer physical proximity to Madison, WI will be considered more favorable. If a mobile or traveling service model is proposed, the vendor must explicitly disclose any travel fees, mileage rates, or mobilization costs associated with dispatching technicians to Madison, WI. No specific service radius or response time is required, but vendors must demonstrate their ability to sustain the OEM warranty, provide long-term equipment repair, and supply original replacement parts.

8/26/2026

14 Cutting deck width: The Purchase Description requires an "approximate 52-inch cutting deck width." What range of deck widths will the Government consider acceptable?

The Government has determined that a 52-inch deck is the ideal cutting width for its specific operational requirements. To maximize competition while maintaining utility, the Government will consider mowers within a 20% variance range of the 52-inch specification (41.6 inches to 62.4 inches). Mowers with cutting deck widths falling outside of this range will not be considered acceptable.

8/26/2026

8/27/2026

15 Remote-control distance: The Purchase Description requires a wireless remote with "approximately 1000 ft remote distance." Is there a minimum acceptable wireless operating distance?

The approximately 1,000-foot remote range is based on operational efficiency and safety demands of our intended usage. To accommodate various manufacturer designs, the Government will consider wireless remotes within a 20% variance of this target (a minimum of 800 feet).

Mowers with a manufacturer-specified remote distance of less than 800 feet will not be considered acceptable.

8/26/2026

16 Pre-award demonstration: If the Government requests an equipment demonstration, where would the demonstration be conducted, and may a dealer or manufacturer demonstration unit of the exact offered model be used?

See questions 5 and 12. We would not require you as an individual to perform a demonstration, so a dealer or manufacturer may be utilized.

8/26/2026

17 SF 1449 submission: Is a completed and signed SF 1449 required with the emailed quotation, or will a vendor quotation containing all information required by the RFQ satisfy the submission requirement?

Submission of a completed and signed SF 1449 is highly recommended to ensure all required representations, certifications, and terms are fully acknowledged and executed. While a vendor quotation containing technical and pricing elements will be reviewed, the vendor must still complete and return the filled-out SF 1449, including applicable provisions, with their submission package to ensure compliance with the solicitation's administrative requirements.

8/26/2026

18 Nonmanufacturer Rule: Please confirm whether the Nonmanufacturer Rule applies to this acquisition and whether any applicable class or individual waiver is in effect.

The nonmanufacturer rule does not apply to small business set-aside contracts at or below $350,000, but it does apply to all set-aside contracts under the 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB programs. This requirement is solicited as a small business set-aside, is not set-aside under any of the listed programs, and is expected to be under $350,000, so it is not subject to the nonmanufacturer rule. No waiver is necessary. The clause at RFO 52.219-33, Non-Manufacturer Rule, was not included in the solicitation, nor will it be included in any resulting contract.

8/26/2026

8/27/2026

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