A02_Solicitation_W91CRB16R5042_NVD_IDIQ_Questions_Answers_28_April_2016_Final.docx

General Questions

1) Is the offeror required to bid on all CLINs?

Yes, to receive an award, the vendor must bid on all CLINs and be able to supply all hardware and services for all CLINs found in the solicitation.

2) What is the period of performance? The In-Country Training CLIN spreadsheet indicates four (4) Program Years. Is this IDIQ a 4-Year IDIQ?

The Period of Performance and ordering period is 4 years (1430 days) from the award date.

3) Assuming that spares, tooling and test equipment will be purchased over a multi-year period, how is the offeror to present pricing for the base year and the out-years?

Pricing for CLINs are required for each year of performance. For example, CLIN 0001 should have four distinct prices to coincide with each year the Government can order items.

4) The PWS calls for a one-year warranty. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation calls for a one-year warranty and then (further in the document) identifies a two-year warranty. Please confirm the warranty period.

The Government requires a one year standard warranty. This has been clarified in Solicitation Amendment 0001.

5) The AVS-6 goggle was discontinued many years ago and replaced with the AVS-9. Does the Government want to supply parts for the AVS-9?

Yes. Last year we had 3 cases for AVS-6 and one for AVS-9, so we shall keep AVS-6 requirements and add similar AVS-9 requirements in the PWS.

New CLINs (0004, 0007, 0012, 0013, 0017, 0019, 0023, 0027, and 0029) for AVS-9 have been added in amendment 0002 to the combined synopsis/solicitation.

PWS

6) In the Performance Work Statement on Page 4 under 3.1.2 Specialized Tool Kits it lists the requirement for only PVS-14 Type and for ANS-6 type, as also required in the original IDIQ in 2012, but under the FBO notice CLIN 0004 lists "Specialized Tool Set for PVS-7", which there is none for the PVS-7 system.

The FBO notice is in error. No specialized tool set for the PVS-7 is required. The original CLIN 0004 for PVS-7 Specialized Tool Sets was taken out of the CLINs in amendment 0001.

7) My question is, making reference to the CLIN numbers do I ignore this requirement/CLIN number and move it down CLIN 0004 would become the Specialized Tool Set for PVS-14 and so on; with only 22 CLINS total in the IDIQ?

CLIN 0004 Specialized Tool Sets PVS-7 has been removed. CLIN 0004 has been replaced. Offerors are not required to price PVS-7 Specialized Tool Sets. This is updated in Solicitation Amendment 0001.

8) In the Performance Work Statement on Page 5 under 3.1.3.3 ANV-6 Type Standard Accessories Kit it list “Head/Helmet Mount Adapter”, which might have been copied from the PVS-14 “Head/Helmet Mount Adapter” under 3.1.3.2, and also carried over from the original IDIQ in 2012. The AVS-6 system does not use a head/helmet mount adapter. If my memory serves me right I remember asking about this back in 2012 also, and got an answer that the customer was actually looking for the pins and plate adapter for the QD mount P/N A7946-6, which is what we offered in 2012. This pins and plate adapter allows the standard hard mounted helmet mount (not included) to become a Quick Disconnect when the user presses the lever/button on a helmet equipped with the Quick release visor shield. Just wanted to confirm that things remain the same as back then for this new IDIQ.

Offerers are to price the four mounts shown on page 1-12 of the attached TM ANVS-6 Maintenance Manual Repair Parts and Special Tools List.

Page 1-12 is found at: PDF “TM_11-5855-263-23&P_ANVIS-AVS-6_PartsList.pdf” page 32/248 marked “1-12 Change 1”, Figure 1-9. Mounts and Offset Mounts. This corresponds to PWS Para. 3.1.3.3. and CLIN 0009.

9) Para 1.0. Please define commercial equivalent.

The PWS names PVS 14 NVDs and AVS 6 which are US Government designations. The PWS shall cover commercial equivalents of these and other US Government owned equipment. Commercial equivalents are commercially sold items that could functionally substitute for Government equipment, meeting all salient characteristics (or the modified characteristics occasioned by export restrictions). Equipment operators easily recognize commercial equivalents as performing the same function as Government issue items and can operate them without changing techniques, tactics, or procedures. For non-nomenclatured items (for instance – lens caps, lens wipes, neck cords, test sets, battery chargers) commercial equivalents need only meet functional requirements, but may diverge from Government issue in regard to operational technique or procedures. Typically, commercial equivalents of major items have a similar appearance to the Government item and are marketed with a name that imitates the Government nomenclature (for instance – NYX-14 for PVS-14). A final difference between Government issue and commercial equivalent is that the latter comes from a commercial production line not normally inspected by DCMA or Government QA.

10) Para 3.1. Drawings. Please confirm the Government’s intent with respect to (WRT) drawings and specifications made available by the contractor. How will these drawings and specifications be utilized? Will they be shared beyond the USG and the FMS Government?

The contractor shall be held to conformance by the Government with contractor descriptions and specifications declared in its advertising, data sheets, operator manuals, or other documentation made available during contract solicitation, selection, and award. Unless already publically released, contractor documentation shall not be disseminated by the Government outside the Government. For this contract, only operator manuals and contractor-provided training material shall be provided to an FMS customer.

11) 3.1.3.3 AVS-6, Standard Accessories Kit RFQ states, “Objective Lens Assembly (Qty 2 Class B or Class C). There is a significant price and lead-time difference between a Class B and Class C objective lens.

Should we just price the Class C, which is most expensive, even though it is the most uncommon? How would you recommend pricing this item?

Offerers shall price Class B and Class C (i.e. provide two distinct prices). Offerors shall notice there is an additional CLIN added to amendment 0002 for both AVS-6 and AVS-9 variants.

12a.) There are multiple Class C objective options. For example, 3 lobe Class C or 4 lobe Class C objectives.

Offerors shall price Class C 3-lobe for the purposes of this solicitation and award.

12b.) Please advise what Government part number you want supplied?

There is not a part number differentiating Class B and Class C. Offerors shall make sure to price all items within the solicitation. Solicitation Amendment 0002 now has specific CLINs to price both Class B and Class C variants.

13) There are multiple Class B objective options. For example, 3 lobe Class B or 4 lobe Class B objectives.

Please advise what Government part number you want supplied?

Please refer to page D-2 (Appendix D) of the attached Government Technical Manual for Operation of the AVS-6.

14) RFQ states, “Head/Helmet Mount Adapter.” This is a vague description as there are multiple options depending on the helmet the goggle mount attaches to. See question 8

Offerers are to price the four mounts shown on page 1-12 of the attached TM ANVS-6 Maintenance Manual Repair Parts and Special Tools List.

Page 1-12 is found at: PDF “TM_11-5855-263-23&P_ANVIS-AVS-6_PartsList.pdf” page 32/248 marked “1-12 Change 1”, Figure 1-9. Mounts and Offset Mounts. This corresponds to PWS Para. 3.1.3.3. and CLIN 0009.

15) Please advise the Government part number for the “Head/Helmet Mount Adapter.”

See above (TM ANVS-6 Maintenance Manual Repair Parts and Special Tools List)

16) 3.1.4.1 PVS-7 Tactical Accessories RFQ describes, “IR Flood/Spot 3x Magnifier….” This is confusing as I am not familiar with a 3x magnifier that has an IR Flood light incorporated in it. I am thinking these are two different parts you are describing. Maybe A3256391, 3x Lens Assy and A3187441, IR Spot / Flood Assy. Please advise the Government part number(s) for the “IR Flood/Spot 3x Magnifier.”

Yes these are two parts:

IR Spot / Flood Assy A3187441

5855-01-423-0817 \MAGNIFIER LENS ASSEMBLY (80063) A3256391

17) RFQ asks for, “Retaining Cord.” Do you want the Neck Cord, A3144306 or Shoulder Strap, A3144267?

The Government requires the Neck cord, official nomenclature “Cord, Fibrous”

18) Re: 5x Magnifier - Would the USG consider a 6x magnifier as an upgrade/substitute to the 5x magnifier?

Yes, 6X is an acceptable substitute for 5x.

19) 3.1.4.3 AVS-6 Tactical Accessories Kit - RFQ asks for Consumable Spare Parts. Is this a typo or are we to add the parts shown in 3.1.5.3 AVS-6 consumable Spare Parts to the Tactical Kit?

That was a Typo. SOW paragraph 3.1.5.3 has been corrected. The updated version is attached to amendment 0001.

20) Para 3.1.6.1. & Appendix A.

Please define the minimum acceptable Test Set Capabilities for the TS 4348/UV, commercial equivalent.

The minimum capabilities are that Test Set must be a hand-held, battery powered unit for field testing Night Vision Devices (NVD’s), usable by field personnel to check the optical performance at both low and high light levels to determine the operational readiness of an NVD. The tests that must be performed and the NVD’s that must be testable are as in the attached TM for the TS-4348.

Please see: TM_11-5855-299-12P-OpMaint_Test_Set_TS-4348_NightVision.pdf page 38/108 through 43/108, marked Para. 2-8.1 “Testing Night Vision Goggles” pages 2-16 through 2-21

21) Para 3.2.1.

Is the contractor responsible for obtaining any required export licenses associated with training – to include Technical Assistance Agreements?

No, this equipment and services will be considered military and under the ITAR with the LOA acting as the export license. No commercial export licensing is required.

22) Para 3.3.1.1.

Please define DOD recognized equivalent as it applies to IUID markings.

IUID Equivalents are unique identifiers that meet established criteria to allow for their usage as UIIs. The Final DFARS Rule on 'Unique Item Identification and Valuation' was published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2005. Paragraph 211.274-2(a) states that unique item identification, or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent, is required for situations enumerated in subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of 211.274-2(a). A commercial identifier can be considered by the DoD for use as a DoD IUID Equivalent if it meets all of these criteria.

Must contain an enterprise identifier Must uniquely identify an individual item within an enterprise identifier, product or part number, and Must have an existing Data Identifier (DI) or Application Identifier (AI) listed in American National Standard (ANS) MH10.8.2, Data Identifier and Application Identifier Standard.

The commercial unique identifiers meeting these criteria that the Department recognizes as DoD IUID equivalents are the:

EAN.UCC Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) for serially-managed assets, EAN.UCC Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) for returnable assets, and ISO Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for vehicles.

Electronic Serial Number (ESN) for cellular telephones only Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) for cellular telephones only Cellular Mobile Telephone Identifier (CMTI) for cellular telephones only

23) Para 3.13.3.1.

Please identify CDRL requirements. This paragraph calls out CDRL D001. Nowhere within the tender documents are CDRLs listed. Please advise.

The CDRL list is part of the SOW but is a separate Word document from the SOW. The CDRL list will be added in Solicitation Amendment 0001.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

24) Please confirm the delivery requirement of 90 days and its applicability to FMS training. Our experience has been that sometimes training cannot be conducted within the 90 day period due to hardware or other mitigating circumstances. Will the Contractor be liable for not being able to complete training within 90 days due to no fault of its own?

No, the vendor has contractually signed up to conduct training within 90 days. If the delay is caused by the Government, the vendor can mutually decide to extend the date for a later training session or require some type of consideration in order to extend dates. Conversely, if the delay is caused by the contractor, the Government can has the same alternatives.

25) Proposals shall include… (2) original letter signed by an individual authorized to bind the organization… Due to the short proposal preparation time, will the USG accept a scanned copy with the proposal – with a hard copy to follow?

Yes, the USG will accept a scanned copy. A hard copy to follow is not required.

26) In regards to W91CRB-16-R-5042, will approximate/minimum quantities be provided? Also, are we allowed to quote on selection of items and not on all?

The Government does not have approximate/min quantities to provide. To receive an award the vendor must bid and be able to supply all hardware and services in the solicitation.

27) We would like to participate in the following Solicitation #W91CRB-16-R-5042 however the Statement of Work does not provide any specifications on the night vision image intensifier tubes that go in any of the systems, I’m assuming it is Gen. 3 night vision you want? Please advise at your earliest convenience.

Solicitation W91CRB-16-R-5042 is an IDIQ intended for NVD accessories. We don’t buy tubes or complete NVD end items with the current accessories NVD IDIQ and will not for the follow-on IDIQ either.

28) The Excel sheet only has only space for pricing up to PY4. Will this be only a 4 year IDIQ? Or is it missing PY5?

This IDIQ only has four (4) years of pricing. The Period of Performance (POP) will expire 1460 days from award.

29) Is it going to work like our current IDIQ contract where you have a small number of offerors contracted for this IDIQ and each time an FMS case surfaces those specific offerors will compete for the award? Or, will this IDIQ contract be awarded to a single offeror?

This follow-on IDIQ will work similarly to our current NVD Accessories IDIQ. Per the Solicitation, there will be at least 2 vendors that will get awards. For each delivery order, a fair opportunity will be given to all vendors that hold awards under this IDIQ and the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) vendor will be awarded that delivery order.

30) Will the Government please provide the basis for the 100% small business set-aside decision of W91CRB-16-R-5042?

The Government has a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two small businesses concerns able to meet our requirements for this IDIQ contract, which is in line with FAR 19.502-2(b)(1). Additionally, FAR 19.202-1 encourages small business participation in acquisitions and instructs the Contracting Officer to afford them an equitable opportunity to compete for all contracts that they can perform to the extent consistent with the Government’s interest.

31) To the extent items called for in the solicitation (such as manuals) are unique to a particular night vision goggle manufacturer's product how will the Government ensure the proper items are provided relative to the selected night vision goggle (i.e. there are multiple versions of the AN/AVS-6 currently being manufactured for the Army)?

In Amendment 0001, the Government has identified the meaningful differences (Class B/C lens). The Government is not aware of other differences affecting the accessory items of this IDIQ. The items should be the same for all variants of AVS-6. The Army manual, for instance, covers all ANV-6 versions. Commercial manuals are expected to do the same.

32) Given that the solicitation includes no part numbers or other technical specifications/requirements, how will the Government determine that any offeror is technically acceptable? Will the Government please provide part numbers (NSN) or technical requirements for each item?

The Government is not relying on part numbers but has provided technical salient characteristics that are required. The Government Is planning to add a salient characteristic excel spreadsheet that will aid in the Government’s technical evaluation of venders. If added, this spreadsheet will be available in amendment 0002 and issued prior to the bid closing.

33). Will the Government provide industry with its vision for future support of FMS contracts for night vision equipment? We are particularly interested in maintenance of configuration control and how goggles (purchased under other contracts) will be married up with the kits/items required under W91CRB-16-R-5042.

We have been operating under the assumption that the accessory items are generic enough to be used with all our customers’ PVS-14, PVS-7, and AVS-6. So far we have not had complaints. If the situation changes we will re-evaluate our acquisition methods.