A02 - Question and Answers (W911QX20Q0075 Amendment 0001).pdf

Solicitation W911QX20Q0075 ‐ Questions from Vendors

Question 1:

Will someone please explain to me why "hot gas torch heating capability" is added? And that the Government will even pay more for a system that has it? This technology was deemed ineffective and technically impractical more than 10 years ago. Who specifically added it? Does the wording imply that only systems with "hot gas torches" will be considered? Regardless of price?

This feature addition seems to make this solicitation exceedingly narrow for the purpose of making it non competitive. Candidly, I believe an explanation regarding the technical merit of including it is due and proper if this is to be a fair evaluation of a system.

Government Response:

Hot Gas Torches (HGTs) are still used by the Government and in order to replicate current manufacturing practices and products, the Government is interested in offers that include a HGT as a potential option. As such, utilizing a technical evaluation approach that includes a trade‐off on price for offerors that include a hot gas torch heating capability which then allows the Government to acquire all forms of technology for our equipment is relevant and necessary. Providing a HGT is not a requirement for the effort, however the Government, as indicated in the solicitation, is potentially willing to tradeoff price for inclusion of the HGT if it is determined to be beneficial and reasonable, all factors considered.

Therefore, those offers that meet or exceed the stated performance characteristics and specifications will be evaluated in terms of technical aspects above the minimum requirements and of those aspects not addressed in the solicitation performance characteristics and specifications that would be most beneficial to the Government.

Question 2:

We discussed the new SOW with the manufactures and I am listing their comments below:

• Hot gas torch heating capability

No one considers gas torch processing of thermoplastics to be a viable technical solution any longer.

lasers displaced them more than 5 years ago. This insertion would make it sole source.

In any case, we don't have the "hot gas torch heating capability" in our portfolio and we really don't want to design something meaningless.

The manufacturers feel this clause puts our competitor [REDACTED] at a advantage as Gas Torch processing is an out dated and is meaningless to add to the design,

1. Technical Evaluation Approach

The Technical element of the evaluation will first be a determination as to whether the proposed product meets the performance characteristics and specifications in the solicitation. Those o ers that meet or exceed the stated performance characteristics and specifications will then be evaluated in terms of technical aspects above the minimum requirements and of those aspects not addressed in the solicitation performance characteristics and specifications that would be most beneficial to the Government. In particular, the Government is willing to trade‐o on price for o erors that exceed the following performance characteristics/specifications and/or delivery time:

• Perpetual license for all provided software

• Hot gas torch heating capability

Please let me know if this is a mandatory requirement.

Government Response:

Hot Gas Torches (HGTs) are still used by the Government and in order to replicate current manufacturing practices and products, the Government is interested in offers that include a HGT as a potential option. As such, utilizing a technical evaluation approach that includes a trade‐off on price for offerors that include a hot gas torch heating capability which then allows the Government to acquire all forms of technology for our equipment is relevant and necessary. Providing a HGT is not a requirement for the effort, however the Government, as indicated in the solicitation, is potentially willing to tradeoff price for inclusion of the HGT if it is determined to be beneficial and reasonable, all factors considered.

Therefore, those offers that meet or exceed the stated performance characteristics and specifications will be evaluated in terms of technical aspects above the minimum requirements and of those aspects not addressed in the solicitation performance characteristics and specifications that would be most beneficial to the Government.

Question 3:

We are nearing completion of this RFP, but we have a critical question regarding your updated specification. We understand the detail of the room layout you have provided but we do not understand the specification of rolling additional tooling into the AFP machine work envelope. If we provide a spindle (rotator) for part processing, there will not be a clear entrance to the work envelope for additional tooling. The spindle is permanently mounted in front of the machine, as seen in the picture below. Can you please elaborate on this requirement and if we should be including the rotator, or not, and if we should consider the Government’s additional tooling?

Government Response:

As stated in the solicitation, the Government anticipates utilizing large tooling parts and layup tables on casters with maximum dimensions of up to 4' wide and 10' long, outside of those provided by the Offeror. The Contractor shall ensure the casters are capable of rolling through either door and positioned within the AFP head operating envelope without obstruction by any equipment provided by the contractor. The Contractor shall ensure the AFP equipment, accessories and cabinetry do not interfere with access of rolling tools or tables.