W91CRB20R0009 Attachment J-9 Questions and Answers Round 2.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- W91CRB20R0009
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This document contains questions and answers related to a solicitation for conformal wearable batteries. The solicitation seeks a centralized energy source to power the Nett Warrior suite, Integrated Visual Augmentation System, and Next Generation Squad Weapon. The conformal, flexible battery must increase mission time without resupply and eliminate device battery swapping. Questions covered topics such as pricing structure, testing requirements, and delivery timelines. The Department of the Army is the issuing agency, with questions due by August 7th, 2020.
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Sheet1
| Solicitation Questions (W91CRB20R009) | |||||
| Question # | Question | Document | Item | Question Type | Contracting Office Response |
| 8 | Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) 0003-0009 shows quantities of 944,787 next to TBD, but yet it states above the table "Step Ladder Pricing". The term "Step Ladder Pricing" appears on Page 82 in a table showing maximum quantities of "90,000 or more. The CLINs asked for pricing at the maximum limit, so does this mean 944,787 is the total production quantity over the full 9 year period of performance? And if so, is the Government asking us to enter the same price for 944,787 units on each of CLINs 0003-0009? | CWB Solicitation | CLINs 0003-0009 | Solicitation | On page 82 in the paragraph directly before the table is the following sentence: "An example of step ladder quantities is shown in Table 5." Title to Table 5 has been changed to "TABLE 5 EXAMPLE OF STEPLADDER PRICING RANGES". The GOVs maximum ordering amount is projected to be 944,787 CWBs. |
| 9 | What does "Destination FOB PSC CD 6130" mean that appears in all the CLINs? | CWB Solicitation | Solicitation | Freight on Board (FOB) Product Service Code (PSC) code changed to 6140, Batteries, rechargeable. CD is system generated. | |
| 10 | The DD254 Form states that the level of classification for this program is SECRET, and as such, the contractor will need to have a secured vault to store classified information. This requirement implies that the contractor must apply for a SECRET facility clearance and have personnel with SECRET clearances in place. When does the Government expect the contractor to need access to such classified information as it takes some time to apply for and receive the requisite facility and personnel clearances? | Attachment J-6 | Solicitation | Once the contract is awarded the Government will initiate a follow on DD254 with the vendor to initiate required clearance actions. | |
| 11 | Attachment J7: The OPSEC Form says for items checked "YES" and "PWS" to "include both the standard language and contract language in the PWS". This includes AT Level 1 Training, iWATCH Training and Handling/Access to Classified Information. The current SOW in the RFP does not specify any classified activity requirement. Please explain what will be included in the PWS concerning the Handling/Access to Classified Information. | Attachment J-7 | Solicitation | This requirement is a contingency in case a vulnerability is identified during the testing. We will want the results protected and safeguarded approprately. CWB program classification information is contained in the NW Security Classification Guide (SCG). Following contract award the awardee will receive a copy of the Nett Warrior SCG. | |
| 12 | CDRL A003, CDRL A004 refer to DI-MGMT-81650, but that document is specific to an IMS. Can the government confirm? | Attachment J-4 | CDRL A003; CDRL A004 | Solicitation | Changed to DI-ADMN-81505 |
| 13 | What work, if any, does contractor have regarding CWB Material Type Classification per AR700-142 (SOW C.4.5) (we assume this is a task for the Army with some support from CWB Manufacturer, please have Army confirm) – exactly what do we have to provide them for that? | CWB Solicitation | C.4.5 | Solicitation | This is a Government effort but the contractor may be required to provide info to support document preparation. AR700-142. Exact info is unknown but it should not impact proposing to the effort. |
| 14 | It is unclear what 'Risk assessment' is described as last bullet in C.4.4 - this does not appear to be the same as either the Safety Assessment Report (C.6.15) nor the Risk Management Activity (C.3.7). Is this referring to activity in C.3.6? | CWB Solicitation | C.4.4. | Solicitation | This is a contactor generated document that identifies any risks associated with the successful, on time completion of FAT and associated mitigation factors/corrective actions that would be put into place. |
| 15 | On Page 75, Section 2, P2, phrase "Technical Readiness Review" is used; shall we assume that is referring to the Test Readiness Review" | CWB Solicitation | Sub-Factor A - CWB Design (P 75) | Solicitation | Changed to Test Readiness Reivew. |
| 16 | CDRL A016 says the first draft of Commercial Manual is to be provided "to the Government 30 calendar days prior to the Logistics Guidance Conference (SOW C.7.1)". However, the Logistics Guidance Conference "shall be in conjunction with the Post Award Conference" in section C.4.2. The Post Award Conference "Shall be held 'no later than (NLT) fourteen (14) calendar days after contract award...". This implies that the Commercial manual must be provided 16 calendar days before contract award. This is probably not the government's intent. Please clarify. | Attachment J-4 | A016 | Solicitation | The last sentence of SOW C.7.1, page 25 has been changed to read "The Logistics Guidance Conference shall be in conjunction with the Government Provisioning Conference. |
TABLE 1. has been updated:
Logistics Guidance Conference from cell 1, and "/7.1 from cell 3 have been removed.
"Government Provisioning Conference" has been changed to read "Logistics Guidance Conference/Government Provisioning Conference".
The last cell has changed from "C.7.2" to "C.7.1/C.7.2"
| 17 | Requalification – how do we cost out FAT testing when we have no control over delays longer than 6 months? How many times does the govt expect 6 month delays between lot builds? | CWB Solicitation | C.6.12 | Solicitation | In the proposal submission there is no requirement for the offeror to submit a cost for requalification. If one of the circumstances detailed in paragraph C.6.12 does arrive, the extent and cost burden associated with the requalification will be subject to negotiations. | |
| 18 | Does the government plan to provide the test fixtures referenced in MIL-PRF document 4.7.3.12, 4.7.3.12.1, and 4.7.3.16 or do they want us to procure those? | J-1 | Spec | The required test fixtures are the responsibility of the contractor. | ||
| 19 | Section 4.5.2 states the Group B inspection size is not less than 8 samples, but the “contracted effort shall take precedence”. Does 10% of the inspection lot still apply from 16 June 2011 MIL-PRF-32383? What is inspection lot total size and frequency? Can group B tested parts be shipped as production? | J-1 | 4.5.2 | Solicitation | If the Offeror is proposing something higher than the stated NLT 8 samples in the spec for Group B , then please clearly state that in the proposal. The size of the inspection lot is up to the Offeror to determine. Every delivery is tied to an inspection lot. Group B samples cannot be shipped as part of production. | |
| 20 | Section 4.5.3 states the Group C inspection size is not less than 4 samples, but the “contracted effort shall take precedence”. Does 10% of the inspection lot still apply from 16 June 2011 MIL-PRF-32383? What is inspection lot total size and frequency? Can group C tested parts be shipped as production? | J-1 | 4.5.3 | Solicitation | If the Offeror is proposing something higher than the stated NLT 4 samples in the spec for Group C , then please clearly state that in the proposal. The size of the inspection lot is up to the Offeror to determine. Every delivery is tied to an inspection lot. Group C samples can not be shipped as part of production. | |
| 21 | Is every sold battery part of an inspection lot? In other words, is an ispection lot just a subdivision of an order or a portion of an order? | J-1 | 6.5 | Spec | Yes, every battery delivered to the Government is built in production lots, which are inspected and tested in accordance witth requirements of the contract. | |
| 22 | 3.5.8.l: The digital display shall flash 000 indicating the battery has an internal fault preventing it from providing output power through any connector. Display will continue indefinitely with 000 displayed until any internal fault is gone or the battery is depleted. | |||||
| a. | Is flashing 000 to be displayed “if and only if” this condition? Or, possibly for other faults? | |||||
| b. | Does a "short button press" or “long button press” do anything in this state? | J-1 | 3.5.8.l | Spec | a. "000" is flashed for any fault. Specification has been updated. |
b. Short/Long button press is not defined in this state.
| 23 | 3.7.2.8.1 Nail Penetration, Battery | ||||
| a. | Is the display “normal” (responds to short and long button presses), other than the SOH display being replaced with flashing “000”? | ||||
| b. | How quickly is the battery expected to detect this condition? (e.g., should it prevent any further attempts to charge, or detect it after a another cycle?) | J-1 | 3.7.2.8.1 | Spec | a. "000" shall flash anytime after a penetration/fault but the battery should still continute to operate. Specification has been updated. |
b. it should detect the fault as soon as it happens and in a fault state the battery shall not charge.
| 24 | Displaying RTTE and CTTF | |||
| a. | What should display show when one of these values is >= 100 hours? (Just saturate at 99:59?) | |||
| b. | What should display show when one of these values is essentially meaningless? (not discharging, not charging) | J-1 | Spec | a. saturate at 99:59. |
b. the offeror is refered to J-1, 3.5.8, "m." and "n.". Displayed will indicate the SMBus data within the register.
| 25 | Charging | |||
| a. | Is the battery expected to charge if attached to a “dumb” 16.8V source limited to 5A? (no SMBus communication) | |||
| b. | What behavior is expected if battery is attached to multiple chargers? | Spec | a. Yes |
b. Need clarification from offeror on this question.
| 26 | Width on page 5 says 7.6+/-.06 but page 49 says 7.65+/-0.05. | J-1 | 3.4.3 and Figure 12 | Spec | Specification has been updated. It is now figure 14. |
| 27 | Height on page 5 says 8.65+/-.05 but page 49 says 8.67+/-.05. | J-1 | 3.4.3 and Figure 12 | Spec | Specification has been updated. It is now figure 14. |
| 28 | Depth on page 5 says no greater than 0.7 inches, but page 49 shows 0.6+/-1.0. | J-1 | 3.4.3 and Figure 12 | Spec | Specification has been updated. It is now figure 14. |
| 29 | Page 53 says case color is Tan 499. But that is a burgundy color. Shouldn't it be Tan 686A? | J-2 | Spec | Tan 499 is correct. | |
| 30 | Section C-8 (OPSEC) identifies Level 1 awareness training being available at https://atlevel1.dtic.mil/at but that address does not exist. Does the government have another recommended source for the training? | CWB Solicitation | C.8.1 | Solicitation | https://jko.jten.mil/courses/atl1/launch.html |
| 31 | " C.4.2 states, "The Contractor shall conduct a Post-Award Conference no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after contract award..." (the Post Award Conference includes the Logistics Guidance Conference per Table 1) CDRL A016 states, "The first draft of the manual shall be provided to the Government 30 calendar days prior to the Logistic Guidance Conference." This would mean we'd be sending you a draft of the TM 16 days prior to contract award." | The last sentence of SOW C.7.1, page 25 has been changed to read "The Logistics Guidance Conference shall be in conjunction with the Government Provisioning Conference. |
TABLE 1. has been updated:
Logistics Guidance Conference from cell 1, and "/7.1 from cell 3 have been removed.
"Government Provisioning Conference" has been changed to read "Logistics Guidance Conference/Government Provisioning Conference".
The last cell has changed from "C.7.2" to "C.7.1/C.7.2" 32 The 4.7.4.4 states the following:
Insert a 2.5 mm DIA stainless steel nail with a length that exceeds the width or diameter of the cell to be tested into each cell at right-angles to the electrode surface close to the center of the cell (+/- 15% of center of cell). Drive the nail completely through on one of the samples at a rate of 8 cm/sec but not more than 71,500 cm/sec; Drive the nail to a depth of 2/3 of the width of the cell for the other.
We are requesting confirmation that the two images below describe the locations and orientations of the nail penetration tests on prismatic style cells.
| J-1 | 4.7.4.4 | For prismatic style cells the nail should be driven through the geometric center (+/- 15%) of the largest surface area. | ||
| 33 | Page 49 of the specification shows Figure 12. The thickness dimension is indicated as 0.600 +/-1.00. We believe this might be a mistake and is intended to be 0.600 +/- 0.100 per the overall dimensions listed on page 53. We are requesting what the tolerance is on the thickness specification, or is there an absolute max? Section 3.4.3 shows 0.70 in max. Its section 3.4.3 on page 5. “Depth shall be no less than 0.50 inches and not greater than 0.70 inches.” | J-1 | figure 12 | Specification has been updated. Figure 12 is now figure 14. |
| 34 | 4.7.3.8.1 Immersion, shallow. |
Question 1: For the unmated connectors please confirm that contact corrosion is not a failure criteria Question 2: Please confirm that this testing is to be done on EVERY battery.
Question 3: If so, can you explain why this was added to the MIL-PRF?
Question 4: Has there been a history of salt water failures in the field that are quantifiable?
Question 5: Is turning off the connector output power during this test acceptable?
J-1 4.7.3.8.1 1. If corrosion causes water ingress it is considered a failure during the test. Visual mechanical check is a part of basic funcationality. Corrosion would be considered a failure during this check.
2. Confirmed.
3. Decline to comment
4. Decline to comment
5. No, the battery shall be fully functional during this test.
| 35 | Comment: Please indicate which of the two clauses between FAR 52.204-7 and DFARS 252.225-7000 is applicable and delete the clause that is not applicable. Rationale: The solicitation contains DFARS 252.225-7000. The prescriptive provision at DFARS 225.1101 provides: "Use the basic or the alternate of the provision at 252.225-7000, Buy American—Balance of Payments Program Certificate, instead of the provision at FAR 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate, in any solicitation, including solicitations using FAR part 12 procedures for the acquisition of commercial items, that includes the basic or the alternate of the clause at 252.225-7001, Buy American and Balance of Payments Program. If the solicitation includes the provision at FAR 52.204-7, do not separately list the provision 252.225-7000 in the solicitation." Yet, the solicitation includes FAR 52.204-7 on page 48 and DFARS 252.225-7000 on page 50. | RFP - contract clauses, pages 48, 50 | section I | FAR 52.204-7 is applicable in all solicitations. DFARS 252.225-7000 has been removed. |
| 36 | Comment: Recommend deletion of DFARS clause 252.242-7005. Rationale: The solicitation contains DFARS 252.242-7005. According to the prescriptive provision at DFARS 242.7001, the clause applies to contracts covered under DFARS 242.7000(a). Since 48 C.F.R. 9903.201-1(b)(15) provides that Cost Accounting Standards do not apply to “firm-fixed-price contracts awarded on the basis of adequate price competition without submission of certified cost or pricing data,” the contemplated contract will not be covered under DFARS 242.7000. | RFP page 51 | section I | DFARS Clause 252.242-7005 has been removed |
| 37 | Comment: Please identify which specific clauses listed in FAR clause 52.212-5 are intended to apply to the awarded contract. Rationale: FAR clause 52.212-5 is incorporated in full text beginning at page 53 and directs the contracting officer to "check as appropriate" those clauses that are intended to apply. However, no FAR clauses under paragraph (b) on pages 54-59 are selected as applicable to the awarded contract. | RFP page 53-59 | section H | Clause 52.212-5 has been updated. |
| 38 | Question: Please clarify whether the government intends to adopt a volume pricing approach in situations where delivery orders from multiple agencies are combined. If not, please provide additional information about how the government anticipates the contract awardee to administer a stepladder pricing approach to such consolidated orders. | SSP page 82 | section M | The purpose of this requirement it to assist Government organization who may place small delivery orders on the contract potential got more favorable pricing. For example. The contractor has stated that delivery orders placed within 4 months can be combined in terms of pricing. Agency A places a delivery order for 42,000 batteries which places the pricing in range 5. Two months later Agency B places a delivery order for 4,000 batteries, which would have put it in range 1. But now the two delivery orders are combined for a total of 46,000 batteries, and both agencies now get the advantage of range 6 pricing. |
| 39 | Need clarification on actual display requirements: ###%, hh:mm F, etc. | J-1 | Please refer to 3.5.8 of J-1. | |
| 40 | 3.7.2.4 calls out a minimum of 2 thermo-switches. Can these be board mounted? | J-1 | 3.7.2.4 | The location of the thermo-switches are a part of the offerors design. The offorer should consider safety as a priority for their design. |
| 41 | Attachment J-3 TEP Pricing Matix.xlsx" the "Total Eval Price" tab has a value for CLIN 0011 for Product Improvements pre populated at 5,000,000. This is noted as Not to Exceed Normalized Amount. |
Is this value prescribed by the government? If not what is the basis of the value to be entered? J-3 Pricing Matrix Pricing This is the normalized amount prescribed by the Government.
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