QA_Draft_RFP_20170613.pdf

Abrams Engine Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Trainer (ED/TT) - W900KK-17-R-0044 Draft Solicitation

Question and Answers (Q&A)

Question 1:

Are the transmission pressure tester assemblies to test ports Main, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and G2 going to be provided, and is this procedure going to be required?

Answer: NO. The procedure will not be required.

Question 2:

Is the Battlefield Override switch and the drain valve handle required as a space constraint in the driver’s compartment?

Answer: YES. Not functional, but as a space constraint.

Question 3:

Is the fire bottle and fire extinguisher bottle pressure gauge required as a space constraint in the driver’s compartment?

Answer: YES. Not functional, but as a space constraint

Question 4:

Are the Engine and Crew fire extinguisher T-handles required as a space constraint?

Answer: YES. Not functional, but as a space constraint.

Question 5:

The M1A2 SEP v2 do not contain an RVSS and CCU, however, the IETMs lists these two components. Are the RVSS and CCU required as a space constraint or is functionality required?

If functionality is required, please provide details of this functionality.

PEOSTRI: The RVSS and CCU are not required as a space constraint nor is their functionality is required.

Question 6:

Lesson FS-5 requires left and right fuel tanks as part of the lesson steps. Are all 3 fuel tanks required to be provided for this trainer? If so, what is the required functionality for the right and left fuel tanks? Will we be required to purge the fuel tanks?

Answer: The Government does not want to dictate a material solution. The contractor is being asked to develop a solution where the trainer responds to student inputs and realistically replicates the behaviors as observed on the Abrams Tank. Actual purging of the fuel tank(s) is not required.

Question 7:

Assuming all troubleshooting procedures originate from the IETMs. As for the Theory of Operations, Table 3.2.6 is it intended that they use the -10s hardcopy or the IETMS for these tasks?

Answer: The IETM should be used. The IETM and -10 hardcopy manuals contain the same information

Question 8:

In the lesson tables (Tables 3.2.5.1), the third column calls out a Volume and WP reference.

What are these and where are they located? We have not been able to find any WP reference in the IETMs.

Answer: All lessons came from TM 9-2350-388-23-1-1 and TM 9-2350-388-23-1-2. The malfunction list has been revised to allow selection of 80 total lessons, 60 Practical Lesson and 20 Examination.

Question 9:

Are the TPs that are called in the lesson tables the only TPs that will be used for the troubleshooting lessons? If a manual troubleshooting lesson leads to a TP, will that be included?

Answer: The TP in the lesson tables are not the only TP that will be included in troubleshooting lessons. If a manual troubleshooting lesson leads to a TP, then that TP will also be included in the lesson.

Question 10:

Although Section F provides the Period of Performance (POP) for each CLIN, no indication has been provided for targeted date of execution for the Options. This information is required in order to provide an accurate representation of schedule and resource requirements, would you please provide targeted or No Later Than (NLT) dates for the execution of the Options?

Answer: Draft RFP has been revised to include Section F.3 to provide information in regards to the estimated period to exercise the options.

Question 11:

The RFP has identified 9 trainers as modification of existing units and 2 trainers as complete builds or “new” trainers. Which of the CLINs will be modification and which new?

Answer: There are 9 existing Engine Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Trainers that consist of tactical Abrams Tank components and Trainer unique components (ie… battery box, fuel tanks,…etc). The Tactical components are the same from trainer to trainer. The Trainer unique components are not. One common design for all eleven trainers is expected to provide the Government with the most cost effective life cycle support strategy. The Government does not want to dictate what is to be modified and what is complete build. Contractors will have the freedom to factor that into their individual approaches to satisfy the contractual requirements in a cost effective manner.

Question 12:

Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) is required for both trainer approaches (Modified or New) we have assumed that all NRE will be applied to the CLIN 0001 to ensure a complete Data Package for use in the First Article Inspection.

Is this a correct to assume that all NRE is to be applied to CLIN 0001?

Answer: Yes, all NRE is expected to be completed under CLIN 0001. This will ensure the first two devices are tested and function properly, documented properly, operators and maintainers trained properly. This will also ensure the design is documented properly and provisioned for lifecycle sustainment properly.

Question 13:

In the RFP Section L, paragraph L.4.4 VOLUME IV: Factor 4: Small Business Participation, b: is it states:

“Small Business Participation Plan that shall clearly demonstrate a viable plan for meeting or exceeding the Small Business Participation goal of no less than 15% of the total contract value in the 18 month base period and each of the 12 month options.”

It also in the same paragraph states:

“The plan shall clearly demonstrate the annual dollars to be provided to the small businesses equaling or exceeding the 15% of the total contract effort.”

In the RFP Section M.3.4 FACTOR 4 – Small Business Participation Plan it states:

“Proposals not meeting the required Small Business Participation percentage goal of no less than 15% of the total contract value in the 18 month base period and each of the two 12 month options may be considered unacceptable.”

This same goal is repeated in the subsequent sub-paragraph M.3.4.f using the same terminology.

Is it correct to assume that the participation will be based on the execution of the total contract value to include Options, and not on expenditure of annual dollars?

Answer: The 15% applies to the value of the 18 month base period and each option period and not only to the total value of the contract. As result, the 15% participation requirement applies to the cumulative obligated dollars awarded in each contract period. Please note correction made to the Draft RFP to change from "12 month options" to "18 month options." This change is consistent with the period of performance as set forth in Section F.