Attachment_0007_-_Rev_A_-_Industry_Question_and_USG_Responses.pdf

Solicitation W52P1J-18-R-0068 Amendment 0001, Attachment 0008 Industry Questions and U.S. Government Responses Item: Propelling Charge Demilitarization

Question 1: Is there a requirement for the demil to take place in CONUS...or could demil be done at an OCONUS location?

U.S. Government Response to Question 1: No, there is no requirement for the demil to take place CONUS. However, in accordance with (IAW) M.6.2.b of the RFP, the cost to transport the propelling charges to the offeror’s place of performance (CONUS or OCONUS) will be calculated by the U.S. Government and added to the total evaluated price. The estimated transportation cost will include any necessary repackaging / fumigation cost required to be compliant with ISPM 15.

Question 2: Regarding transportation, the RFP states that USG is responsible for paying to transport items to the demil location since it is considered GFM. Is there a regulation that mandates USG pay for transport of GFM...or is this specific to the RFP due to it being for ordnance demil? What if the offeror could transport the material on one of its vessels headed to an OCONUS location?

U.S. Government Response to Question 2: All assets to be demilitarized under this RFP are considered owned by the U.S. Government until demilitarization has been completed and the Certification of Demilitarization (COD) has been completed and accepted in Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF). IAW DOD 5100.76, Physical Security of Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E), the U.S.

Government is responsible for the transportation of all AA&E. Therefore, the offeror cannot be responsible for the transportation of AA&E until COD has occurred and ownership has transferred to the offeror.

Question 3: If an offeror can transport, is there still a requirement for the GFM to be transported on US flag vessels?

U.S. Government Response to Question 3: As stated in Answer 2, an offeror will not be able to transport AA&E. However, even if it was allowable, the GFM would require transport on a U.S. Flag vessel IAW DFARS 252.247-7023, Transportation of Supplies by Sea.

Question 4: We understand the purpose of the Remaining Effective Stabilizer (RES) testing, however, if all propellant is treated as having low RES and thermally treated within the normal 60 day requirement, will this testing still be required? If yes, will the Government accept Near Infrared (IR) testing and is there any GFE (Government Furnished Equipment) available to perform that test?

U.S. Government Response to Question 4: Based on past experience, the U.S.

Government is unsure that all propellant received can de demilitarized in 60 days. The U.S.

Government highly recommends using High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) for

RES testing. The use of an HPLC measurement can be directly compared to historical samples the U.S. Government maintains for such purposes.

The U.S. Government does not believe Near IR testing will provide the necessary information. Near IR testing is considered a screening tool and cannot be directly related to historical information retained by the Propellant Surveillance Lab (PSL).

The propellants loaded in propelling charges DODICS D533 and C436 have been baselined and retested throughout their lifecycle using the HPLC test method and the RES levels are determined for stockpile samples.

The U.S. Government does not provide HPLC equipment for the contractor to use as GFE. ARDEC Propellant Surveillance Laboratory may be contacted to conduct such HPLC testing or a commercial lab can be used as well.

Question 5: Are there any drawings available on the packing configurations for both 105mm and 155mm propelling charges? If so, please provide.

U.S. Government Response to Question 5: Yes, the available drawings have been uploaded to FBO for download.

Question 6: Section A.4. of the RFP states that the Base Award will consist of 80,000 each 155mm Charges. However, the Price Matrix Spreadsheet provides for three different quantity ranges for the 155mm prop charges in the Base Award, along with pricing for 105mm charges as well. Please clarify why these additional price ranges are required if the quantity has been determined as per Section A.4.

U.S. Government Response to Question 6: The U.S. Government is requesting prices for the additional ranges in case there is a change in requirement. However, the base year quantity identified in Narrative A is the guaranteed quantity that will be awarded as a result of this solicitation. The range pricing on the price matrix for base year will only be utilized at the time of initial award.

Question 7: Item A.8 states the list found there is not all-inclusive. Item C3 of Attachment 0002 contains a list that matches fairly closely to the heavily weighted quantities found on the Pricing Evaluation Sheet. How likely is it the quantities will increase to the maximum listed amounts as this could greatly impact a new participants level of interest?

U.S. Government Response to Question 7: At this time, the quantities provided in Attachment 0002, Asset List, is the current stockpile for these items. It is not anticipated for additional quantities to be added to the stockpile, however, it is a possibility. Please note that attachment 0002 has been changed to reflect recent changes to the stockpile.

Question 8: In paragraph A.1 and in many other places, CLIN 0200 is identified as 105mm M6 Propelling Charges. Is it safe to assume that the reference should be to 105mm M67 (DODIC C436)?

U.S. Government Response to Question 8: Yes, CLIN 0200 shall be 105mm M67 (DODIC C436). Narrative A has been updated to reflect this correction.

Question 9: Again, assuming CLIN 0200 is referring to 105MM M67 propelling charges, are they packed in Round Fiber Drums (RFD) or Round Metal Drums (RMD)?

U.S. Government Response to Question 9: The 105mm M67 Propelling charge will be packaged as follows:

NSN 1315-00-825-1384 C436 is packed in level C fiber container NSN 1315-01-237-9775 C436 is pack in metal container NSN 1315-01-337-8940 C436 is packed in new steel container NSN 1315-01-336-7185 C436 is packed in a new fiber container

Question 10: Item 6.2.4 found in Section C states “Manufacturing lot numbers/index numbers with less than .20 percent effective stabilizer, lost lot identity, or deemed potentially hazardous by Joint Munitions Command Surveillance Office shall be destroyed.” As we intend to recover and recycle this makes it very difficult to provide accurate pricing. Would it be allowable to provide pricing on the Price Evaluation Sheet per our Recover and Recycle plan and provide a separate/additional price for any quantities that could/will need to be destroyed due to low effective stabilizer?

U.S. Government Response to Question 10: No, The requirement is for one firm fixed price for each quantity range as requested. In recent years U.S. Government testing has indicated RES less than .20 for both D533 and C436.

Question 11: Paragraph C14.0 Low Rate Demil - states that the contractor shall have the privilege prior to ADDP acceptance to use minimum quantities for equipment testing and calibration. What are the quantities that are anticipated?

U.S. Government Response to Question 11: The U.S. Government would anticipate providing no more than one pallet with 24 metal containers of D533 propellant. Each metal container weighs approximately 42 lbs.

Question 12: A thirty (30) day extension is requested to ensure our proposal to you is effective and complete.

U.S. Government Response to Question 12: An extension for one week will be granted. This RFP will now close 02 July 2018. The U.S. Government has issued two separate Sources Sought announcements in addition to this Request for Proposal over the last year. This provided sufficient time to understand this requirement and research methods for accomplishing this work.

Question 13: Section 6.2 is titled "Propellant Testing, Reporting, and Storage Requirements". In this section, the terms "manufacturing propellant lot" are mentioned several times. This section indicates the need to perform lot testing on propellant after delivered to the contractor demilitarization facility. Based upon solicitation literature, all materials are being shipped to contractor facility explicitly for demilitarization-related activities. Given this understanding, we request to further understand the need to perform "manufacturing propellant lot" testing when it will be processed for demilitarization; and request consideration for this section to be revised, removed, or further explained.

U.S. Government Response to Question 13: The purpose of the stability testing is to reduce risk. In accordance with paragraph C9.8.3. of DoD 4145.26-M, DOD Contractor’s Safety Manual for Ammunition and Explosives, “Treat Ammunition and Explosives (AE) with unknown stability as unstable”. Since the frequency of inspection of AE is significantly reduced once the items are transferred to the demilitarization account, it would be prudent to conduct testing of this propellant upon receipt upon delivery.

Question 14: CDRL A021 says that the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) is to be submitted 60 days after contract award. However, L.3.1 (Format for Proposals) says that the IMS and IMP shall be submitted with the presentation as additional attachments in PDF and MS Project format. It is our belief that these two items are intended to be completed and submitted after contract award and not with the presentation (as related to CDRL A021).

U.S. Government Response to Question 14: In accordance with L.4.7.1 of the solicitation, all offerors shall submit an IMP and IMS with its Program Management Plan submittal. The IMS and IMP will be used for evaluation purposes. After contract award, the awarded contractor(s) shall submit its IMS in accordance with CDRL A021 within 60 days after contract award.