Attachment 0008 Government Answers to Offeror Questions updated.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 26 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- W909MY-22-R-0009
About this file
This solicitation is seeking proposals for three Engineering and Manufacturing Development contracts for a new Small Tactical Electric Power 3-kilowatt generator. The generator must be rated at 3kW or higher, operate on JP-8 fuel, and weigh less than 308 pounds. Each contract will have four phases: Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, Prototype Build and Delivery, and Test Support. The affordability goal for each contract is $7.5 million to fund development, support all phases, and deliver 30 generator sets and associated equipment. Two of the three potential awards are set aside for small businesses initially, while large businesses can compete for any remaining awards. This development has potential to lead to a substantial follow-on production contract awarded non-competitively to the contractor(s) that successfully complete the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phases by meeting Purchase Description requirements. The solicitation closes on August 15, 2022.
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Sheet1
| Question Number | QUESTION | Final Government Response 7/11 |
| Contracting Officer note that applies to all answers: These answers accompany and form part of Solicitation Amendment 0001. These answers have the same force and effect as the Solicitation amendment itself. Like the solicitation itself, any challenges to these answers must be raised/brought prior to the due date for proposals. Also, Offerors are cautioned to rely only on the actual RFP and these Q&As for the actual RFP. Offerors should not rely on any prior Draft RFP nor any Q&As related to the Draft Q&A. | ||
| 1 | RFP W909MY-22-R-0009 Section L.5 does not include a requirement for Attachment 4 Small Business Participation Commitment Template.xlsx to be provided with the proposal. Is it the Government's desire that Offerors provide Attachment 4 with the proposal? If so, does the government desire Offerors to submit Attachment 4 as a separate file? | Attachment 0004 (titled "Small Business Participation Commitment") is the Government-provided template for the Small Business Participation Plan required by Section L.5 of the Solicitation. Offerors shall complete and provide Attachment 0004 as a stand-alone file in Excel format. Offerors may also provide a narrative Small Business Proposal Volume (in Word or PDF) that includes any additional Small Business related information required by the Solicitation but that the Offeror is otherwise unable to include within Attachment 0004. For example, the narrative portion of the small business volume might include the subcontracting plan required for large businesses; copies of agreements with small business subcontractors; explanations as to why the Offeror is unable to achieve any specific small business goals; etc. The Government will consider information contained in the Offeror’s Attachment 0004 and the Offeror’s narrative proposal, and Offerors are not required to provide the same information in both files. An Offeror is welcome to provide the same information in both places if they believe this will aid in understanding, but the Offeror then bears the risk of inconsistencies within its proposal. |
| 2 | RFP W909MY-22-R-0009 Section L.5 Volume 5 subsections 5.1-5.3 Items 1-6 includes requirement s for information that significantly overlaps with Attachment 0004 Small Business Participation Commitment Template.xlsx. Does the Government desire this information to be submitted in both Attachment 4 and narrative? | See Answer 1 to Question 1, above. |
| 3 | The Attachment 0004 Small Business Participation Commitment Template references a certified letter as one method to verify the subcontractor’s socioeconomic status. Typically, subcontractors attest to their socioeconomic classification by way of a self-certification letter. Did the government intend to specify a self-certification letter rather than a certified letter to verify the subcontractors’ socioeconomic classification? | Yes, a self-certified letter signed by the subcontractor is an acceptable method to confirm the subcontractor's socioeconomic classification (with the exception of Hubzone status, which requires a valid SBA certification.) |
| 4 | RFP W909MY-22-R-0009 Attachment Exhibit A CDRL C001 is mislabeled as C0001. | The Government has provided updated CDRLS with Solicitation Amendment 0001 in order to correct this numbering issue. |
| 5 | RFP W909MY-22-R-0009 Section M C. Evaluation Approach contains two sections numbered M.2.1 and M.2.2 on page 52 of 55. “M.2.1. The Technical Factor is divided into the following two Subfactors, which are of equal importance” and “M.2.1 Subfactor 1: System Design.”; |
“M.2.2. Each Subfactor will be evaluated and assessed findings which shall be characterized as Strengths, Weaknesses, Significant Weaknesses, and Deficiencies, utilizing the following finding definitions” and “M.2.2 Subfactor 2: Management Approach”.
| Would the government please update Section M so numbering is not duplicated? Our recommendation is to simply eliminate the first reference to M.2.1 and M.2.2 and also M.2.3. | The Government has provided an updated Section L and M as part of Solicitation Amendment 0001 in order to correct this numbering issue. | ||
| 6 | RFP W909MY-22-R-0009 L.2.3.4 IMS requires Offerors to “The Offeror shall provide an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) which includes the Offerors proposed plan to meet the SOW and Purchase Description requirements. The IMS shall include all contract tasks, reviews, and deliverables, as well as procurement of long lead items.” A comprehensive IMS will consume a significant number of pages. a. Would the Government allow Offerors to submit the IMS in Microsoft Project as a separate file attachment, not included in the 40-page count? b. If not, can we use 11 x 17 foldout pages for the IMs and can we have those pages excluded from the page count in a separate Appendix? | MS Project files are NOT acceptable. Word Document or PDF files are the only acceptable file formats for the Technical Proposal Volume. However, Offerors may include the IMS required by Section L.2.3.4 of the RFP as an appendix to Technical Proposal Volume. If the IMS is included as an appendix, the IMS appendix pages will not count against the 40-page limit for the Technical Proposal Volume and may be formatted as either 8.5"x11", or 11"x17" pages. In sum, while the page limit for the Technical Proposal Volume remains 40 pages, Supporting Data (L.2.2.6), and the IMS - if placed in a separate appendix (L.2.3.4) - will not count against the Technical Volume page limit. | |
| 7 | Background: The solicitation references the Tactical Microgrid Standard – Tactical Ground Power (TMS-TGP). Question: Is the draft version dated 19 April 2021 still the current version of this standard? If not, can the current version be provided? | The latest version of the draft TMS-TGP standard is dated 6 May 2022. This standard has been provided with along with these answers and shall have the same force and effect as it was an attachment to the SOW and PD. Should this standard be revised again, the Government reserves the right to incorporate and make contractually binding the most recent version of the TMS-TGP. | |
| 8 | Background: PD Paragraph 3.2.1 uses the term “reconnectable.” Question: Does “reconnectable” refer to a physical reconnection at the output lugs to interchange between the 1-phase 2 wire, 120V and the 1-phase 3-wire 120/240V output options? | It can or any user method to achieve the required power, i.e. a toggle switch. | |
| 9 | Background: PD Paragraph 3.2.1e states “All in one power source selectable to 28VDC, 120VAC 1PH 50/60Hz 2-wire, or 120/240 VAC 1PH 50/60Hz 3-wire, where AC has selectable frequencies as well” as an Objective requirement. Question: Is the requirement to provide both DC and AC power simultaneously or more than one form of voltage simultaneously? | The objective is to have a power source that can provide the various voltages and frequencies, but none are required to be provided simultaneously in this objective. The user would select AC or DC, and when AC is selected, the frequency can further be selected for 50 or 60Hz, or maybe even 400Hz (not mentioned). 3.2.1 of the PD will have added the following just prior to the colon: "at the appropriate load terminals, as applicable, separately (not simultaneously)" | |
| 10 | Background: PD Paragraph 3.28.1.1 addresses National Security Exemption from Engine Emissions Standard. Question: Is the engine required to meet EPA Tier 4 standards? | No, Offerors are not required to propose a solution that meets EPA Tier 4 requirements. However, the Government does desire a design that does meet Tier 4 requirements. As such, the Government has added an Objective sentence to PD 3.28.1.1 which now states (as of Solicitation Amendment 0001): "No exemption shall be required in accordance with 40 CFR 1068.225 (O)." Note: PD 3.28 instructs that the engine shall be of the latest design(s) to limit obsolesce risk and having the latest available engine technology to start with. | |
| 11 | Background: PD Paragraph 3.35.6 states, “A complete feeder box accessory shall include all cables, cable schematics, and grounding (6.4.13) accessories with grounding rod (3.35.6.8) for each.” Question: What cables are required in the feeder box cable set? | PD paragraph 3.35.6.6 discusses the 6 cables that are required as part of the feeder box accessory. | |
| 12 | The Purchase Description (PD) refers to the document TMS-TGP - Tactical Microgrid Standard–Tactical Ground Power. Please provide this document as it is integral to the design and operation of the set and necessary to develop our proposal in response to the solicitation. | The latest version of the draft TMS-TGP standard is dated 6 May 2022. This standard has been provided as an attachment to solicitation Amendment 0001, and shall have the same force and effect as if the TMS-TGP standard was an attachment to the SOW and PD. Should this standard be revised again, the Government reserves the right to incorporate and make contractually binding the most recent version of the TMS-TGP. | |
| 13 | In February 2021, in response to a number of questions on the draft RFP, the Government answered “Vendors must realize that the Tactical Microgrid Standard (TMS) is in its infancy stage, and not all aspects of TMS have been defined to this date.” Please describe the current state of the TMS including the TMS data Model, reference implementations, software library, and certification tools. | The latest version of the draft TMS-TGP standard is dated 6 May 2022. This standard has been provided as an attachment to solicitation Amendment 0001, and shall have the same force and effect as if the TMS-TGP standard was an attachment to the SOW and PD. Should this standard be revised again, the Government reserves the right to incorporate and make contractually binding the most recent version of the TMS-TGP. | |
| 14 | Does the government expect the units delivered in the EMD phase to implement any part of the TMS standard? If so please provide some guidance as to the capabilities that are required to be implemented by the EMD units. | All requirements in the PD (including TMS compliance) are required for the units delivered in the EMD phase. | |
| 15 | For the set rating (3.2.1), is 28VDC output required to be provided together with AC, i.e., both AC and DC outputs are provided at the same time? When both AC and DC output are provided at the same time, what’s the expected power rating of each? | The objective is to have a power source that can provide the various voltages and frequencies, but none are required to be provided simultaneously in this objective. The user would select AC or DC, and when AC is selected, the frequency can further be selected for 50 or 60Hz, or maybe even 400Hz (not mentioned). 3.2.1 of the PD will have added the following just prior to the colon: "at the appropriate load terminals, as applicable, separately (not simultaneously)" | |
| 16 | For parallel operation, when the bus voltage is already set up, for another set to be parallelly linked, what’s the required time duration for 2nd set to finish the synchronization and parallel process? | It should synchronize within 30 seconds. 3.35.1 of the PD will have added: "Paralleling shall occur within 30 seconds of initiation." | |
| 17 | RFP W909MY-22-R-0009, Section L, Paragraph L.4.2 states “Recency. A recent effort is defined as one that has been awarded and/or had performance occurring during the past five years from the original issue date of this RFP”. Question: If an Offeror was awarded a contract with a period of performance (PoP) through 2020, however the actual completion date was outside of the five year from original issue of the RFP would this contract be considered recent? | This competitive source selection requires "recent" past performance, which the Government defines as including either a contract award or actual performance occurring during some portion of the five years preceding the original issue date of this RFP (10 June 2022). Thus, regardless of what a contract's originally awarded POP might have been, if the contract was awarded more than 5 years ago and no actual contract performance occurred between 10 June 2017 and 10 June 2022 (5 years prior to the RFP release date), that contract would not constitute recent past performance. | |
| 18 | Are the Feeder Box and the various power and remote cables required to meet the same MIL-STD-461 requirements as listed in PD section 3.15 as for the generator unit itself? | Yes, PD 3.15 applies to the set and all accessories. Details of how it will be tested can be found in PD 4.8.6. | |
| 19 | Background: The STEP 3kW Generator Purchase Description paragraph 4.8.1 states that the tests for "HEMP, 2417 CBRNCS, Road Transportability, and Reliability, Endurance, and Maintainability Demonstration 2418 tests." Shall be completed at a Government installation. Question: Will the Government be charging the offeror to complete this testing? If so, can the fee amount be published to support pricing model development? | All tests which are required in Section 4 under this contract will be conducted by the government at government expense during Phase 4. This language remains for other uses of this PD in which some tests may be conducted by the contractor. | |
| 20 | Background: The STEP 3kW Generator Purchase Description paragraph 4.8.4 prescribes the Railroad Impact Test. Question: Are Government facilities available for conducting this test? If so, can any Government fee be published to support pricing model development? | All tests which are required in Section 4 under this contract will be conducted by the government at government expense during Phase 4. This language remains for other uses of this PD in which some tests may be conducted by the contractor. | |
| 21 | Will an extension be granted? | No extension is being granted by the Government at this time. Proposals remain due before 2:00 p.m., local time at Ft. Belvoir Virginia, on 25 July 2022, as stated on page 1 of the Solicitation. Any additional requests for extensions should be submitted in writing (email to the KO and KS), prior to the due date for proposals, with a justification explaining the effect that granting/not granting the extension is likely to have on the Offeror. As indicated by Solicitation Section L.1.3., the Government may not answer additional question received after 15 July 2022. | |
| 22 | Question – can the requirements compliance chart from L.2.2.2 be included as an appendix to the Technical Volume and excluded from the 40 page limitation? | No | |
| 23 | If we have identified a component from the current 3kW TQG system that we believe would be suitable for the STEP system, is there any reason (contractual, IP, or otherwise) that we couldn’t propose it’s use for the STEP system? | The offeror can propose any component necessary to meet the requirements. The availability of the component should be readily available and not at risk of obsolescence. The offeror needs to understand the component(s) details for proper implementation into the design. The offeror is responsible for whatever agreement there needs to be between the owner(s) of its intellectual property of the component(s) it plans to implement if so necessary. | |
| 24 | 3.33.2.3 states: The set shall inherently provide the ability to automatically engage an inrush limiting capability to limit the high initial current demand of loads when the AC circuit interrupter closes (and DC circuit interrupter if equipped) (O). 3.33.2.2.1 states: A current pulse at 6 times (T) 12 times (O) rated current shall trip in no less than half a voltage cycle (8.33ms for 60Hz, 10ms for 50Hz if equipped) without damage. I’d just like to clarify that the inrush current limiting can keep the inrush current below 6x when the circuit interrupters are closed. I think 3.33.2.2.1 applies when loads are applied after the circuit interrupter is closed, but would just like to clarify this point. Additionally, for this test, shall the load impedance be sized based on nominal voltage value, or will it be reduced until the 6x current is reached. Following FIGURE D-5. Curve 3 output voltage performance, for up to 10 ms the output voltage is permitted to droop up to 100%. I would like some clarification if this is a required current level or if actions may be taken in controls to ensure the current does not reach such a value | The objective inrush current limiting capability (3.33.2.3) if equipped, could keep the inrush current below 6 times or more of the rated current when the circuit interrupter(s) each time closes, as applicable. 3.33.2.2.1 applies anytime regardless, and load impedance for it is based on the nominal voltage in its evaluation. The intent of 3.33.2.2.1 is to ride through short high inrush currents (at least 6 times rated) at any time by establishing a minimum time for the ride through before tripping and longer durations without damage repeatedly are ideal. In Appendix D, the FIGURES D-3 through D-5 are limits established for the voltage performance of a power source when subjected to a standard nonlinear load, and where FIGURE D-5 being most forgiving of voltage performance by particular loads. The goal of any power source design is to automatically perform within FIGURE D-3 when subjected to a standard linear or nonlinear load and not nuisance trip. If the voltage must droop that low (100%) for that period of time to limit the current, so be it, but some loads my not operate properly if voltage droops too low for that long, e.g., motors, relays, etc. Appendix D helps to establish a standard nonlinear load and allows the power source designer the opportunity to design a power system best matched for the load beforehand. | |
| 25 | In Attachment 0001 SOW and CDRL C007, Engineering Data for Provisioning is required, however, there is no mention of performing actual provisioning of the STEP 3 kW parts. Does the Government want the bidders to include pricing for the provisioning efforts, or will provisioning be performed by the Government based on the EDFP collected and results of the Maintenance Task Analysis. | The Engineering Data for Provisioning (EDFP) will be required during the production and deployment phase but it is not needed during the EMD phase so the EDFP task has been removed from the SOW and CDRL C007 has been deleted. | |
| 26 | The TM required under CDRL A004 is required to include a RPSTL. The RPSTL would typically be built from the provisioning database LSA-036 report. Please advise if provisioning is to be included in the pricing for CDRL A007. | The electronic TM (eTM) is still required but Engineering Data for Provisioning (EDFP) is not required and should not be included in any pricing. CDRL C004 has been revised to state, "A Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL) is not required as part of any eTM submission." | |
| 27 | The pricing model spreadsheet as well as the solicitation W909MY-22-R-0009 indicate lump sum cost/payments for each phase. We appreciate the simplicity in pricing and will respond accordingly. My question is whether it is expected and/or possible to negotiate progress payments or milestone payments if selected for an award? | The government does not intend to offer progress/milestone payments to awardees however it is negotiable. | |
| 28 | Background: The CDRL C012 (Software Requirement Specification) Form 1423-2 Item 5 cites SOW paragraphs 8 and 12. SOW paragraph 12 does not appear to be a relevant reference. Question: Can the Government please confirm this is a typo and that SOW paragraph 12 is not a relevant reference to CDRL C012? | Paragraph 12 in the SOW is a relevant reference for CDRL C012. | |
| 29 | Background: The CDRL C013 (Computer Software Product) Form 1423-2 Item 12 states, " Submit the deliverable not later than the end of phase 3." This conflicts with the SOW CDRL Table, which cites the Frequency/Expected Delivery as "Once, 30-days after beginning of phase 4." Question: Can the Government please confirm the Expected Delivery for CDRL C013? | The due date for the data deliverable described under CDRL C013 is now shown as due 30-days after the start of phase 4 in both the CDRL and the SOW. | |
| 30 | Background: We note that Items 17 and 18 in the margin of each CDRL Form 1423-2 are titled "Price Group" and "Estimated Total Price." Question: Is the Offeror expected to complete these Items and to include the completed Forms as part of the submission? | No, this is not required of the Offeror for submission. | |
| 31 | The Statement Of Work (SOW) for this solicitation requires Engineering Data For Provisioning (EDFP) and a Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL). Does the Government also expect the contractor to support provisioning, by screening parts for existing NSNs and preparing an LSA-036 Report/Provisioning Part Lists (PPL)? If so, will the contractor be responsible for supporting provisioning conferences? | The requirement for the Engineering Data for Provisioning (EDFP) and a Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL) have been deleted from the SOW. CDRL C004 has been revised to state, "A Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL) is not required as part of any eTM submission" and CDRL C007 has been deleted. | |
| 32 | Background: CDRL C008 calls out SOW Paragraph 7.2 under remarks Item 10-13; however, there is no paragraph 7.3 in the SOW. Question: Can the Government please confirm that the intended reference is SOW paragraph 7.2 or point to the correct location? | Paragraph 7.2 and paragraph 8 are the correct references in the SOW for CDRL C008. |
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