QA_W912SV25QA001_2025.01.16.docx

W912SV-25-Q-A001 Recruiting & Retention Promotional Items Question & Answer Q: What is the typical timeline for payment after invoice submission through Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF)?

A: After an invoice is accepted by a WAWF acceptor, the invoice needs to be certified by MA National Guard (MANG) Finance Office, reviewed by Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) and then disbursed by Treasury. This process may take up to two weeks.

Q: Is there any possibility of partial or advance payment to help offset the initial costs of goods and shipping?

A: Advance payment is not authorized. However, it is possible to submit a partial invoice.

Q: Are there any additional requirements or documentation needed for timely processing of payments?

A: If you are a new user, please refer to New User Setup and Help (https://piee.eb.mil/xhtml/unauth/help/newuser.xhtml).

Q: In case of any payment-related issues, who would be the appropriate point of contact?

A: Reach out to MANG Contracting Office at ngma-uspfo-contracting@army.mil .

APEX Accelerators, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), can also offer no-cost guidance and support services to help your business succeed in the government marketplace (https://www.apexaccelerators.us/#/).

Q: Under the "Delivery and Logistics" section, paragraph a), it states, "MAARNG to provide all artwork files within 14 days of contract award." Does this requirement apply solely to the successful offeror? Is the 14-day deadline based on calendar days or business days following the contract award?

A: Yes, this requirement is only applicable to the successful offeror. The deadline is based on calendar days.

Q: Under the "Delivery and Logistics" section, paragraph b), it states, "Vendor to provide digital proof for approval within 7 days of artwork submission." Is this requirement only applicable to the successful offeror? Is the 7-day deadline based on calendar days or business days after MAARNG provides all artwork files?

A: Yes, this requirement is only applicable to the successful offeror. The deadline is based on calendar days.

Q: Under the "Delivery and Logistics" section, paragraph c), it states, "Vendor to provide a production sample of each item for approval within 30 days of digital proof approval." Does this requirement apply exclusively to the successful offeror? Is the 30-day deadline based on calendar days or business days after digital proof approval?

A: Yes, this requirement is only applicable to the successful offeror. The deadline is based on calendar days.

Q: If no items are expected to cost $5,000 each, can we assume that there are no requirements under DFARS clause 252.211-7003 (Item Unique Identification and Valuation)?

A: For this acquisition, there are no requirements under DFARS clause 252.211-7003.

Q: We are currently awaiting the activation of our SAM registration, which should be completed by the solicitation close date. Will we still be eligible for award if our SAM registration is pending activation at that time?

A: Vendors are eligible as long as their status is active at the time of award.

Q: Is this a new requirement for the recruiters, or have they purchased similar items in the past? If this is not a new requirement, could you provide the previous contract number(s)?

A: Similar items have been purchased in the past. The previous contract number is W912SV-24-P-0022.

Q: Could we please obtain a copy of the Massachusetts National Guard's tax exemption certificate?

A: The certificate is attached to the solicitation.

Q: Since FAR clause 52.225-1, Buy American Supplies, was not selected in this solicitation, could you confirm that none of the requested items have any restrictions regarding country of origin or manufacturing?

A: Buy American statute does not apply IAW FAR 25.100(a)(5) Waiver of the domestic content test of the Buy American statute for acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1907.

Q: Could you kindly confirm if partial bids focusing solely on one CLIN of the contract are permissible?

A: Partial quotes are not permissible for this requirement.

Q: I would just like to humbly ask Notice ID W912SV25QA001 if the CLIN 0003:is 600 pcs. each for gray and white or 6,000 pcs. each color.

A: CLIN 0003 requests 600 pieces half gray and 600 pieces half white.

Q: Are we supposed to email the information to you or is there another email to send it to?

Also, I didn't see a Standard Form 30 to attach...is this correct?

A: Any quotes should be emailed to timar.sealy.civ@army.mil and isao.hattori.civ@army.mil.

There is no SF 30 to attach.

Q: Regarding the lip balm, is there specific material? Does it have to be Bee Waxed, Essential Oil based or just standard Lip Balm-Peppermint?

A: Either are acceptable

Q: Regarding the heavy hooded sweatshirt, 7-9 oz weight of fabric means 250-260 GSM of fabric. Please advise if this aligns with your definition of heavy. Size measurements and specifications of the hoodie is requested, if possible a sketch of the garment will be appreciated. Tear away Label - any specific information is required to be printed on the label or just the regular information of COO, Content and wash care.

A: The fabric weight aligns correctly. Mockup of garment is attached. Nothing special required on the tear-away label as long as the size is listed.

Q: Regarding the solid cuffed beanie, 2" leather Patch - is it Faux leather or real? and will it be the same as the base color?

A: Faux leather is acceptable. Light brown in color.

Q: Must all of the items be provided in one bulk delivery or can separate deliveries be arranged?

A: Separate delivery dates are acceptable.

Q: Concerning clause 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights, given that we currently do not have any employees under W-2 or 1099, are we still required to provide documentation to demonstrate compliance with this clause?

A: IAW FAR 3.900(a), this clause does not apply to the DoD.

Q: Concerning clause 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting, could you confirm whether the logos attached to the solicitation are subject to this clause?

A: Logos are not subject to this clause.

Q: Concerning clause 252.247-7023, Transportation of Supplies by Sea, while our suppliers are based in the United States, we are uncertain about the origins of their materials and where their products are manufactured. Does this situation allow us to remain compliant with this clause?

A: This clause only applies to contracts if the transportation of supplies by sea is anticipated. Since the required items are commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items, the restrictions in the Buy American statute are not applicable to this acquisition.