HSAAP Final Solicitation QA no.2 - 27OCT2022.pdf

No. Reference Question Answer

1 Can personnel resumes be included as an Appendix to Volume 1 and, if so, can these be excluded from the Volume 1 page limitations?

There is no requirement for providing resumes nor does Section M identify that the Government will evaluate resumes. If submitted, pages would count towards the limitations.

What incumbent property in place at HSAAP will the Government establish title to and assume ownership of in the event of an award and transition to a new operating contractor?

All Government property that will transition to the potential new operating contractor is contained within Attachment 0018. Offerors should not assume any additional property will transfer.

Section A, 1. Executive Summary, (d) states that a Secret Facility Security Clearance is required of the operating contractor of HSAAP prior to contract award. Is the Secret Facility Security Clearance required before Start-Up / Transition or before the contractor assumes full responsibility after Start- Up / Transition? Will the Government approve the contractor request for a Secret Facility Security Clearance in advance of Start-Up / Transition if that is the requirement?

Secret clearance is required prior to contract award. Secret clearances are processed by Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and approval is subject to DCSA's process.

In the first draft RFP, the costs for PWS 11 – Transition and Start up, were to be included in the product pricing. Then in the second draft RFP, those costs were not to be included. In the final RFP, those costs are to be included in product pricing again. Was the final RFP language in error, or does the USG want the cost of PWS in the product price?

The reference costs are to be indirectly born into product prices. To clarify, this is consistent with both draft RFPs.

In Section H (a), the RFP states that the USG will retain title to all property acquired by the Contractor in performance of the contract. Later, on page 78 under FAR clause 52.245-2 (b), it states that property that is lost or becomes no long useable must be replaced by the Contractor at the Contractor’s expense and that the Contractor shall have title to that equipment. Can the USG please clarify?

Narrative H0001 has been updated to clarify the requirement for title to property that is lost or becomes no longer useable. FAR 52.245-2 has been removed from the solicitation.

An amendment to the solicitation is forthcoming incorporating these changes.

On page 56, in the narrative on an Earned Value Management System it states that DFARS 252.234-7002 regarding EVMS does not apply to the initial contract award, but only to subsequent modernization efforts for which the Contracting Officer has determined EVMS necessary. On page 81, under narrative of the same DFARS clause, it states that an EVMS shall be used in the performance of this contract. Can the USG please clarify?

EVMS is being offered for potential modernization work only. Since there will not be modernization work executed at time of award of the resultant contract, it is not applicable until a modernization effort is awarded where EVMS is applicable.

7 Will the USG release historical utility usage (Natural Gas, Water, Electricity) so that Offerors can provide the highest quality price submissions? This data cannot be provided.

In the RFP, Section L under Subfactor 1, Production Processes, the USG has asked to offeror to provide process descriptions that include “key regulatory requirements”. Can the USG provide additional guidance on which types of regulatory requirements the USG is looking for in this section?

Would this be OSHA related, environmental related, or other?

It is the responsibility of an Offeror to determine what to include in its proposal and how to address the Government’s requirements. In general terms, an Offeror is expected to provide sufficient detail in a clear and concise manner to completely and logically address the RFP requirements; and, more specifically as it pertains to the question at hand, it is incumbent upon an Offeror to explain how its proposed process description will follow key regulatory requirements for safe production of the products identified in the subfactor.

The Government will evaluate the proposed process description in accordance with the criteria in Section M.

9 Can the USG provide the documents MI 1123-1103 “Washing RDX and RDX Recycle” and MI 1124-1103 Washing HMX in E-Building”? The Government cannot provide these documents.

FRFP, Section A.3.n and Section L.A.4

Will the USG please clarify that Indemnification Request Packages are due on 02 December 2022? Yes, Volume 6 is due 02 December 2022.

11 FRFP, Section L.A.2 and L.A.7 The solicitation requires a Cover Letter, and also states that Cover Letters are not excluded from page count. Against which volume's page count does the Cover Letter count?

Offerors shall provide the cover letter under Volume 7. The solicitation has been amended to reflect this direction. Any cover letters provided in other Volumes will count against the page count.

12 FRFP, Section L.A.2 and L.A.3 The solicitation requires a Cover Letter and a master Table of Contents and also specifies submission of only 7 Volumes/DVDs. Where should the Cover Letter and master ToC be included in the submission?

Offerors shall provide the cover letter and master table of contents under Volume 7. The solicitation has been amended to reflect this direction.

13 FRFP, Section I Does the Service Contract Labor Standards statute (formerly known as the Service Contract Act) apply to any part of the contract to be awarded, including any subcontracts issued thereunder?

No.

14 PWS 10 and 29 Sep Q&A, Q#134 Is the IH certificate that has been used by personnel onsite historically still acceptable to meet this requirement?

Offerors are responsible for meeting requirements outlined in the PWS. The Government will not speak to current performance as to whether it would meet solicitation requirements.

15 FRFP, Section I004 Is it the Government’s direction for offerors to utilize the EPA Baseline: Producer Price Index - FD49405 of 6.9% for year over year escalation on unit price in order to effectively utilize the calculations within the EPA Basis of Adjustment in out year pricing? If so, will the EPA basis of adjustment be applicable to the first ordering period as well?

Offerors can dictate what assumptions are made within the proposal. The Government is not dictating these assumptions. The Government will execute the EPA adjustment based on the referenced index and proposed prices. Further, Ordering period 1 will not be subject to the EPA. Each subsequent ordering period will be subject to the EPA.

16 FRFP, Attachment 0032 Will the USG please clarify if the example order is for January 2024 or 2025?

The year is irrelevant to the example order. The example order starts in January only to mirror the start of an ordering period.

17 PWS 5, Section 2.4 Is Contractor/Subcontractor allowed to substitute All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles for (4x4)? No, Offerors must meet the requirement of the PWS.

18 PWS 5, Section 2.7 Since these personnel will not be cleared, what follow on (if any) actions will be required to maintain the T3 investigations?

Per PWS 5, Section 2.7 states annual review of DA Form 7708 is needed and a T3 investigation as required.

HSAAP Solicitation Q&A #2 27 October 2022

19 PWS 1, Section 3.2.3.1.8 AACE recommended procedure 18R-97 suggests that estimate Class 4 represents 1-15% design maturity. With the change to estimating Class 3, that design maturity jumps to 10-40%. Is it the Government’s intention to fund these near term projects through PWS 1 to this level of maturity? If so how many of prescribed ten annual documents do they expect to be AACEI Class 3 estimates?

Offerors shall include cost associated with support of reference requirements indirectly into price of product. Although the PWS paragraph referenced identifies the minimum number of new P-25s that should be assumed annually, the requirement for Class 3 cost estimating is not tied to the assumption of quantity of new P-25s, rather it is tied to the number of all P-25s that fall into the associated target year of execution. The contractor should estimate the quantity of both new P-25s as well as the quantity of P-25s that would transition from a target year of execution tied to a Class 4 estimate to a target year of execution tied to a Class 3 estimate. The Offeror shall not assume any additional funding will be provided in execution to support P-25 cost estimates.

20 FRFP, Section L.A.7.a Please confirm that narrative and analyses within the submitted FMEAs are excluded from the page count. Any analysis or narrative within a FMEA is excluded from the page count.

FRFP, Section L (multiple instances)

Are Letters of Commitment required only from major subcontractors, defined as "those subcontractors who will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement"?

Letters of commitment are required for any proposed subcontractor/teammate referenced in the Offeror's response to the specific factor/subfactor.

22 FRFP, Section C

The far right column in the table above this statement is headed "TDP #" and is a listing of the single specification for each designated product.

Some of the specifications include "w/Amd …" and "w/ECP …" Not all specification numbers, however, properly specify approved ECPs, even though they exist in the Virtual Library. If an Offeror interprets the TDP to mean only the specification and amendment, it could miss an approved ECP from the Virtual Library. Will the USG please update the specification names to include all approved ECPs in the Virtual Library?

The Government has updated the TDP names and included all applicable engineering exceptions in Attachment 0033.

23 FRFP, Section C The Virtual Library contains the Weapon Specification WS-23158C for TATB Type I Class 2, Type II, Type III Class 1 and Type III Class 2. The table in section C lists TDP/Specification MIL-DTL-32337 w/AMD 1 for TATB. Will the USG please post the specification to the Virtual Library?

Section C has been updated to reflect the correct TDP.

24 FRFP, Section C The Virtual Library does not contain the TDP/Specification RM6K0015 for PBX-9501. Will the USG please post the specification to the Virtual Library? The reference specification has been provided.

25 FRFP, Section E0006 Specification WS-23158C is listed for TATB Type I Class 2, Type II, Type III Class 1 and Type III Class 2. Will the USG please clarify that specification MIL- DTL-32337 w/AMD 1 is the correct specification to use for the Technical Data Package and post the specification to the Virtual Library?

The Government has updated the TDP names and included all applicable engineering exceptions in Attachment 0033.

26 29 Sep Q&A, Q#99 LIMS is a laboratory information system that does not contain inventory control system functionality. Will the USG please verify that the USG has the rights to LIMS and not OSI Holston’s customized Inventory Control System?

The Government has rights to LIMS, but not OSI's Holston customized inventory control system.

27 FRFP, Section F0001

On Page 51, paragraph (b) under Required Delivery Schedule, the solicitation implies that the Government reserves the right to make changes to the delivery schedule in the event of a national emergency, but then states that the Government shall not be liable for any effects. Is it the intent of the Government to exclude such material requirements changes from the Changes clause? If yes, how does the Government determine that the basis of the change is in fact due to a national emergency?

The Government has revised the language in this narrative.

FRFP, Section H and Attachment

In response to the requirement to submit Volume 7 and its required contents, offeror requests confirmation that Attachment 31, IP Certification is not required as part of Volume 7. It is our understanding that the Attachment 31 certification is only required after award to comply with the IP requirements of Section H and the USG is not seeking to abridge offerors’ ability to submit a proposal in accordance with L-6, FAR 52.215-1(e).

Please confirm.

This is correct. IP Certification does not need to be submitted with the Offeror's proposal.

It will be submitted after contract award with CDRL submission.

29 FRFP, Section I004 Does the 10% product price cap reset following final execution of unit price adjustments for an ordering period, i.e. the 10% product unit price cap is based on the adjusted prior year unit price?

The 10% product price cap is based off proposed prices incorporated into the resulting contract. EPA adjustments are applicable to the subsequent ordering period only and will not alter future ordering period prices. Each ordering period's potential adjustment is handled independently as compared to the proposed prices that will be incorporated into the resulting contract.

30 FRFP, Section I004 Since the economic price baseline (EPA Baseline: Producer Price Index - FD49405) is Final Demand Less Energy, and the natural gas EPA only addresses natural gas, does that mean there is no EPA adjustment for fuel and electricity?

There is not an EPA specific to fuel and electricity.

FRFP, Section B.e.2 and Attachment 0022

Section B.e.2 states Plant Volume Range 2 is 4,000,001-11,500,000 and Range 3 is 11,500,001. Attachment 0022 ends Range 2 at 10,500,000 and starts Range 3 at 10,500,001. Will the government confirm which is correct?

The solicitation has been amended to correct this.

32 FRFP, Section C0002 and PWS13 PWS13 requires the operating contractor to provide detailed cost reports for all direct funded production (inclusive of commercial orders) and indirect funded PWS elements. C0002 requires that all data provided to USG under PWS and CDRL requirements be provided to prospective bidders in a successive competition. Will the government confirm that release of PWS 13 data is included in this requirement?

Yes.

33 FRFP, Section I002

Since the NYMEX 12 month forward looking average price for Natural Gas only applies to a portion of Natural Gas procured by the facility, is it the Government’s intent to utilize the $6.89 baseline for both the NYMEX portion (Tier 1) and the Basis Market portion (Tier 2) of natural gas procurement? If so, will the Government consider impacts of the volatility of the Basis Market portion in the adjustment as well as the expected monthly weighted consumption in the evaluation?

The adjustment is against the content factor identified to the end item unit price. It will include the NYMEX price and the content factor provided in Attachment 0030. Adjustments for the basis market is not part of the EPA.

FRFP, Section L.a.6 and Section L.a.7

Certain proposal content (e.g., IMS, FMEAs, Letters of Commitment, etc.) is intended to be evaluated, but is excluded from the page count per the RFP. Sections L.a.6 and L.a.7 require that we number these pages; however, if we number them sequentially with their preceding and succeeding content, page counts would appear to exceed the specified volume page limits. Will the USG please clarify how we should number pages that should be evaluated, but which are excluded from page count limitations?

The solicitation has been amended to clarify. To summarize the change to Section L, Offerors shall number excluded pages separately from the included pages. Excluded pages should be numbered with an identifier of what specific document it is (i.e. IMS-1, IMS-2, etc. or FMEA-1 or LOC-1, etc.).

35 PWS 8

Will the USG please clarify the correctness of this definition given that fire hydrants are identified as Critical Assets in section 3.3.6 of PWS 8? A failed fire hydrant would not shut down production. Please advise if there are further conditions associated with this definition that would result in the inclusion of a fire hydrant or other fixtures or equipment that would not otherwise meet the provided definition of Critical Asset.

Fire hydrants are not considered critical assets. Loss of a hydrant would not result in the shutdown of production as the fire department can develop contingency plans to cover fire protection needs. PWS 8 has been updated accordingly.

36 PWS 8

Please clarify that the quarterly load testing requirement is only applied to the associated batteries and not the generators as stated in 3.5.1 of PWS

8. A quarterly load test exceeds industry best practice of an annual generator load test. Also, verify that the Air Force section referenced in UFC 3- 540-07 is not applicable to this Army facility.

The Air Force section (UFC 3-540-07, Chapter 8, Air Force Requirements) does not apply to this Army facility. Level 2 generators that we have on this facility are supposed to be load tested on an annual basis. A system exercising operational check is supposed to be performed on a monthly basis. NFPA 110 Annex A is referenced in chapter 6 of the UFC for Emergency Power Supply Systems maintenance schedules.

Page 104 of 148, Narrative I0002, Paragraph (g)

Could the USG expand their example to show a hypothetical application over the first three years on Natural Gas?

Each ordering period's adjustment is independent of previous ordering period's EPA adjustment, so further examples within the narrative are not necessary. To clarify, an adjustment made in Ordering Period 2 is only applicable to Ordering Period 2. If an adjustment is made to Ordering Period 2, the unit prices established on contract for Ordering Periods 3-10 would not change.

Page 105 of 148, Narrative I0004, Paragraph (h) (1), Could the USG expand their example to show a hypothetical application over the first three years on Escalation? See answer above.

39 Page 104 of 148, Narrative I0004, For the EPA-Escalation, should all Bidders assume that the prices in the matrix must include the baseline escalation of 6.9% on a yearly basis? Please clarify for competitive purpose

Offerors can dictate what assumptions are made within the proposal. The Government is not dictating these assumptions. The Government will execute the EPA adjustment based on the referenced index and proposed prices.

40 Page 104 of 148, Narrative I0004, It is our understanding that the EPA – Escalation does not apply to that portion of price covering Prime Contractor Overhead, G&A and profit. Please confirm.

The EPA will adjust the total unit price.

Page 6 of 148, Paragraph e, Plant Wide Volume, subparagraph (1), Annual range determinations will occur prior to the start of each ordering period” and “The Contractor will be required to honor the range pricing the PCO determines is applicable for the given ordering period”. How will this be determined? Will this be negotiated by both parties?

The PCO will determine the range based on the best information available at the time.

Page 122 of 148, Paragraph A.3 and A.4, Will the Government accept Volume 6 via electronic means in lieu of DVD submission? Offerors shall submit a DVD of all volumes, as instructed in Section L.

Page 122-123, Section L, Item 6 Pages printed on both sides, to include 8.5 x 14 and 11 x 17, will be counted as two pages.”

Since the Offeror’s proposal will be an electronic submission, (rather than printed), please clarify if oversize pages will count as 1 or 2 pages in the total page-count.

Oversized pages count as one page.

In the Questions and Answers from 22 September 2022, in line 99 the Government listed specific buildings where the Government had rights to the PCS-7 Control System. Are there locations within Holston where the Government does not have rights to the PCS-7 control system?

The Government cannot affirm its rights to PCS systems in other buildings at this time.

Offerors shall not assume it will be provided as Government furnished.

"The costs associated with performing indirectly funded PWSs (PWS 1-13) shall be included in the proposed unit prices, as well as the cost of insurance necessary should indemnification not be approved through the Secretary of the Army."

Will the USG consider an annual true-up of assumptions based on realized actuals or another alternative to jointly manage PWS risk? There will not be a true-up of PWS costs in execution of the 10-year FFP matrix.

"FAR 52.223-3, Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data, indicates failure to submit the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) prior to award may result in the apparently successful Offeror being considered non-responsive and ineligible for award. However, MSDSs are not required to be submitted with the Offerors' proposals but will be required from the successful Offeror subsequent to award."

This statement first indicates MSDS are required "prior to award," but later states "subsequent to award." Will the USG please clarify when MSDSs are to be submitted?

MSDSs are not required to be submitted with an Offerors' proposal, but will be required from the successful Awardee prior to award of an order against the base requirements contract.

"Each volume shall not exceed the following limitations. Pages shall be 8.5 inches x 11 inches;

however, graphs and diagrams may use oversized paper of 8.5 inches x 14 inches or 11 inches x 17 inches."

The Draft RFP explicitly allowed for oversized paper to be used for charts and tables; will the USG please clarify whether it considers charts and tables to be diagrams for the purposes of this instruction in the Final RFP?

Charts and tables are included. Section L has been adjusted to clarify.

The statement is in Section L, Subsection A, Item 6. Last sentence on Page 122 extending to Page 123. "Pages printed on both sides, to include 8.5 x 14 and 11 x 17, will be counted as two pages." Our interpretation of this statement is that 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14 and 11 x 17 pages printed on one side will be counted as 1 page. 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14 and 11 x 17 pages printed on both sides will be counted as 2 pages. Is our interpretation correct?

Yes, the interpretation is correct, however; due to proposals being submitted via DVD, this sentence has been removed from the solicitation.

49 Can Tables utilize text size no less than 8-point font? In other words, are tables considered as diagrams in the Final RFP response? Charts and tables are included. Section L has been adjusted to clarify.

HSAAP Final RFP Q&A Rev 1