B08.03 Q&A 07222020.pdf

1. XXXXXX is a SME headquartered in Canada which already has fulfilled contracts with the US Army and US Navy and either has satisfied or will be able to satisfy the requirements listed regarding being actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), having no active exclusions, and completing the FAR and DFARS representations and certifications. We have not identified any exclusion of foreign companies in our review of the notice materials, and would just like to confirm that with you before proceeding.

Answer: This requirement is being competed on a “full & open basis with no exclusions”. Barring no statutory reason for an offeror to otherwise not be eligible for award, foreign offerors are permitted.

2. When is the deadline for Questions and Answers? Is there a specified process for the Q&A? I cannot find any information on this in the documents provided.

Answer: Section L has been updated to address the deadline for submission of questions. Questions are due by 11:59am CST 7 August 2020.

3. As a small business we intend to submit a proposal to this request. We note that the work is to be done at the proposers’ facility. We intend to do so, however, our facility that can process up to seven tons/day of hydrocarbon wastes is located in Germany. Will we need to request a waiver to use this facility? All the wastes for the various mixtures would be purchased in Germany, shredded and processed. We can also process the PWP disks. If we are successful and awarded a contract, could they be sent to that location?

Answer: The Government is prepared to ship the disks to any location necessary should a successful awardee be capable of processing them as part of the effort. Since the solicitation clearly stipulates that performance will occur at the offeror’s determined location, there’s no “requirement” to waive as far as a facility or location is concerned.

4. On page 23 of 32, Section 1. Proposal Submission Requirements (e), the instructions explicitly state to physically separate the Offeror’s submission into "two (2) physically separate volumes". The chart on page 24 of 32 however references five (5) volumes. Would you like the Offeror to submit five (5) physically separate volumes (i.e., 5 separate documents attached to the submission email, named using the five (5) volumes on page 24), or would the below be organization be compliant assuming that you would simply like to ensure the Offeror’s pricing is kept completely separate:

Submission Document 1: “Volume I” (Technical Proposal)

- Volume I: Technical Approach

- Volume II: Corporate Experience

- Volume III: Small Business Participation

- Volume V: Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents, and Certifications / Representations

Submission Document 2: “Volume II” (Pricing Proposal)

- Volume IV: Price

Answer: Section L has been updated to correct this mistake. The submission should be separated into five (5) separate volumes.

5. The system that we currently have engineered is larger than the 10 TPD referenced in the RFP.

It is possible for us to re-engineer to a smaller size, but we would not have sufficient time to do so and cost prior to the RFP deadline. Would it be acceptable for us to submit the system we have for technical review with the understanding that we may need to adjust the size and price if we were successful.

Answer: The Government cannot prevent an offeror from submitting a proposal, however any proposal that does not meet the minimum research objectives would not be deemed technically acceptable.

There is no opportunity for a proposed solution to be adjusted and re-priced at a later date because that would violate the Competition in Contracting Act.

6. Is it 4 recipes for a total of 13 times, or a total of 13 variations of the 4 recipes?

Answer: 4 recipes for a total of 13 times over a period of 14 days.

7a. It says the Government anticipates the testing to represent a fourteen (14) day period, is that supposed to be 13 recipes are tested in 14 days, or each recipe should be tested for 14 days. 2b. Also, do they want continuous operation or a certain tonnage?

Answer: 7a. There are 4 recipes outlined in the RFP Attachment C. The recipes are to be tested over a period 14 days: a) the "standard mix" recipe should be tested 4 times, b) the "challenge one paper and sludge" should be tested 3 times, c) the "challenge two food" should be tested 3 times, and d) the "challenge three plastics" should be tested three times.

7b: Ideally the interest is for a system that can efficiently and economically handle small quantities of waste, 1 to 4 tpd and not to exceed 10 tpd. As long as the waste that is continuously fed falls within these parameters and does not exceed 10 tons in one day then it is OK.

8. Does the system need to a be a commercially available unit, or is a research unit acceptable?

Answer: The more capable the system, the greater our interest in the system, but a research unit is acceptable, provided it meets the parameters specified in the RFP

9. The solicitation specifically targets solutions which do not require pre-processing of the waste streams. What does pre-processing mean in this context? We see pre-processing as describing two possible operations:

* Manual pre-sorting of waste constituents before they reach the WTE system.

* Pre-processing as an internal step within the WTE system, meaning as an automated processing stage once the waste has entered the system.

Answer: Pre-processing refers to the prep-work required to prepare the waste for input into the WTE system. This includes: shredding (i.e. a separate shredder that would need to be purchased in addition to the WTE system), manual pre-sorting, and any type of waste prep system that would need to be purchased in addition to the WTE technology. However, if the pre-processing is an internal step that is automated and built into the WTE system, i.e. such that the system allows for direct input of waste (waste-as-is out of a dumpster), without any prep of the waste, than that is a system that is considered NOT to require pre-processing.

10. Are the four waste compositions outlined intended to be processed as comingled streams or as individual material charges? From our experience, waste compositions can be formulated in two scenarios:

* Pre-mixed, evenly distributed waste components to maintain consistent waste composition charged to the system.

* Uneven distributions of single waste components to the system which represent likely scenarios of waste generation (i.e. load of 100 lbs of cardboard at once, followed by a load of food waste, etc.), however the total charge to the system would represent the composition as defined in the solicitation.

Answer: Ideally the system should be able to handle mixed waste together, i.e. waste mixed in no particular order (as if taken straight from the disposal area/dumpster), but still accurately representing the percentages of waste materials outlined in the recipes and with as little preparation as possible.

11a. Sewage sludge is a listed component of waste mix #2. Is there any further detail on the makeup of the sludge itself, such as the intended moisture vs. solids content? 11b. Also, has there been any simulated production of test material which is not actual sludge, but represents its properties accurately and is logistically easier to acquire?

Answer: a. Please consider using sludge with a moisture content that ranges between 30% to 50%.

b. No

12. Wood is a required constituent in all four waste mixes. What form factor or type of wood is expected to be tested? Some examples would be plywood sheets, framing materials (2x4s, wooden posts, etc.), or wood chips/debris.

Answer: Mainly wood pallets, framing materials, woody debris/green waste

13. Steel is a required constituent in all four waste mixes. Like wood, steel could be processed in many form factors such as steel plates, screws/fasteners, bearings, and others. Is there a required form factor to be used for testing?

Answer: All mentioned here are acceptable including scrap steel

14. Can a more specific definition of hazardous materials be provided? We see hazardous waste as potentially encompassing a range of materials, such as oil soaked rags, large quantities of liquid wastes (oils, solvents, etc.), or items such as medical waste.

Answer: All mentioned here are acceptable. But the more expansive the system is with respect to the handling of hazardous waste the better. Thus, if you could provide a list of the different types of hazardous waste the system can handle, it would be appreciated.

15. Is the expectation that this RFP will result in a single award or will multiple awards be contemplated?

Answer: This acquisition will be solicited on the basis of awards resulting from tradeoffs, with the potential for multiple awards being dependent on the value of proposals and the availability of funds.

16. What is the estimated date for source selection determinations?

Answer: Early-Mid September

17. What is the anticipated project start date?

Answer: 30 September 2020

18. What is the expected contract length and cost?

Answer: Schedule and Cost are to be proposed.