Attachment 7 - Question and Answer Template (Amendment 3)_3MAR2025.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 34 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Binocular Night Observation Device (BiNOD) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- W91CRB-25-R-0007
About this file
This is a Question and Answer template from Amendment 3 containing 47 questions and government responses related to solicitation W91CRB-25-R-0007 for the Binocular Night Observation Device (BiNOD) program.
Key clarifications include: vendors may submit a second proposal for an alternate system variant but only one variant per vendor is eligible for award; CUI markings have been removed from the Performance Specification and SOW; the minimum guaranteed quantity is Delivery Order #1 (CLINs 0001-0005 and 0008-0010); the maximum quantity will be increased beyond 18,000 units; inspection will be at origin to allow for DCMA involvement while FOB remains destination; and price redetermination will occur at the beginning of Program Years 3 and 5. Technical clarifications address requirements for the accelerated production schedule, system color requirements, test procedures, essential mission functions, and measurement standards. The government also provided updates regarding Small Business Participation requirements and CDRL references.
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Sheet1
| NOTE: The solicitation superceeds the Government responses stated herein. | ||||
| No. | RFP / Document Reference | Offeror Question | Government Response | |
| 1 | Statement of Work at section 3.4.4.3. Accelerated Production Schedule | Alternate Proposals: The Statement of Work at section 3.4.4.3. Accelerated Production Schedule states: “The government reserves the right to accelerate the production and waive certain requirements. An accelerated production schedule could be utilized for the purpose of rapid delivery of core capability to the field while continuing to develop a fully-compliant, cost-effective system. The accelerated production schedule, if utilize by the Government, shall include the manufacture of Production-Ready Systems with the expectation that the Government will provide interim waivers of select non-critical criteria of MIL-PRF-A3309670 (see Appendix B for non-waivable critical criteria). Later production systems would be required to meet MIL-PRF-A3309670”. | ||
| Question: Will the Government consider allowing submission of both a Fully Compliant Proposal and an Alternate Proposal, for achieving accelerated deliveries of a Production Ready System. If an Alternate Proposals will be allowed, it is suggested the Government consider adding clause 52.204-22 ALTERNATIVE LINE ITEM PROPOSAL (JAN 2017) to the solicitation. Further, if an Alternate Proposal is acceptable, we request the Government provide expanded language to Section L, Page Limits, and Section B Pricing, to accommodate the Alternate Proposal. | A second proposals would only be for an alternate systems/variant, not an alternate proposal. |
Pricing for the accelerated production is covered under PY1 "BiNOD Production Ready Systems (See step ladder pricing tab of attachment). These systems are not expected to be fully compliant but still must meet minimum performance of the non-waivable critical criteria. The technical requirement for the Compliance Growth Matrix should reflect the path from the Production Ready System to the Fully-Compliant system. The response to technical program management should reflect the ability to deliver Production Ready Systems in an expedited schedule and qualify and deliver fully-compliant systems later in the schedule. Note: This should encompass the path of the baseline hardware's growth into the fully-compliant, cost-optimized system.
We will be issuing an ammendment that addresses the Government's intent to execute the Accelerated Production Schedule and also eliminate CLINs 006 and 007. Proposals should reflect the vendor's intent to execute that plan.
2 W91CRB25R0007, Section 2.1.1.ii, “Each Offeror shall submit a single, complete proposal that contains the Offeror’s best terms..” Does the Government intend to limit Offerors to a single proposal, removing the ability to offer an Alternative Proposal when an Offeror has competing options based on timeliness of availability? If an Offeror has a Product available today that the Government could have interest in, does the Government agree that a second proposal from that Offeror is appropriate? If so, does the Government agree that the sentence should instead be, “Each Offeror shall submit a single, complete proposal that contains the Offeror’s best terms.” ? We will be issuing an ammendment to include a choice by the vendor to submit a second proposal with a second variant system. Only one variant per vendor will be eligible for contract award.
Note: Second proposals should be for alternate systems, not simply alternate paths.
| 3 | Attachment 1 - BiNOD SOW (13Feb25) and Attachment 2 - BiNOD Performance Spec (28Jan2025) | These documents are marked CUI but these and other doucments were published on SAM.gov without restriction. For ease of responding to the RFP, should these documents be non-CUI? | CUI has been removed from the PSPEC and SOW. |
| 4 | Solicitation Section A, Order and Minimum Limitations. | Section A states: “3.) The MINIMUM guaranteed quantity of supplies to be ordered |
under this contract is Delivery Order #1 (CLINs 0001 – 0005 and 0008 - 0010). 4.) The MAXIMUM quantity of supplies to be ordered under this contract are 18,000 Bi-NOD systems”.
Question #1: Please advise why the Minimum Guaranteed Quantity in not all inclusive of CLINs 0001 – 0015, where these CLINs are all highly interdependent and constitute the development portion of the program.
Question #2: Please advise why the MAXIMUM quantity of supplies to be ordered is limited to 18,000 units, while the Solicitation is requesting firm pricing for up to 30,000 and 40,000 units in Year 3 and beyond? Should the 18,000 units reference be referred to the “MINIMUM” quantity?
Question #3: Please confirm the Step Ladder Pricing in Attachment 5 is meant to be Firm Fixed Ceiling Pricing. 1. The minimum order is the EMD Phase CLINs. Other CLINs will be awarded seperately.
2. The ammendment will increase the max quantity.
3. CLINs 0001 - 0020 would be what's reflected on the basic IDIQ contract award.
| 5 | RFP 2.1.4 | Volume naming indicates each volume should be a single separate file. Please clarify if it is acceptable to append the naming convention format with an explanatory label for multi file volumes. For example, Volume 3 includes a narrative compliance roadmap which will be in Word, and an excel spreadsheet for Attachment 3. (i.e. Abbreviated Company Name_BiNOD_VOL3_Attachment_3.xlsx) | This is acceptable. | |
| 6 | RFP 2.2.1.1 | What is the meaning of the acronym "P&D" in this paragraph? | Production and Deployment. | |
| 7 | RFP 2.1.2 | Examples of supporting documentation that are not considered part of | ||
| the page count are included in 2.1.2. Are other types of supporting documents (such as offeror generated test reports) allowed other than the specific examples listed which may be submitted outside the allocated page count? | We accept Offeror-generated test reports as supporting documents not included toward page limit. | |||
| 8 | RFP 2.1.4 and 2.3.1.1 | 2.1.4 states that only the transmittal letter is allowed to be in pdf format. Will the Government please consider allowing other items such as the DD254 (issued in pdf), and applicable supporting technical documentation such as the Baseline Hardware Instruction manual, and compliance supporting vendor data to be submitted in pdf format? | The DD254 is not part of the proposal submission documents. Attachments maybe PDF, but should be limited to the extent practicle. | |
| 9 | RFP 2.1.4 and 2.4.1.1 | Will the Government consider allowing the master schedule to be submitted in mpp format outside of the Volume 4 allocated page count to ensure a full and transparent schedule can be provided? | This is acceptable. | |
| 10 | RFP 2.1.8 and 2.5 | Section 2.1.8 states that form SF33 and a completed RFP section B are to be submitted as part of Volume 1 Cover Letter/Offer. Section 2.5 also states that SF33 and totaled section B are to be completed as part of volume 5. Does the Government want these two items submitted twice as part of two separate volumes? | Yes | |
| 11 | SOW Table 3 and Attachment 5 CLIN Structure | For the 30 systems specified in SOW Table 3 for IOT&E, PCA, FCA, and LD/TM Verifications, will these systems be taken from lot production or should they be provided separately (i.e. bid as part of the CLINs for these events)? | These will be part of the minimum buy 61 systems CLIN 0001. The USGs reserves the right to execute the Accelerated Production schedule explained in the SOW PRR paragraph. | |
| 12 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.6.11 | Requirement states 'the system soft carry case color shall be equivalent of the AMS-STD-595A solid color 20180 (Tan 499) or similar in color and pattern to the Operational Camouflage Pattern' while 3.5.6.9 requirement for the BINOD has been updated to be 'black matte'. Will the soft carry case color requirement be updated to match the BiNOD system color requitement? | No. Soft carry case shall be tan per requirement. | |
| 13 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.6.11 | Where is 'Operational Camouflage Pattern' defined? | It is our intent to more clearly define this. Note: The ENVG-B carrying case meets this requirement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_Camouflage_Pattern | |
| 14 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.6.6 and 3.5.6.12 | Section 3.5.6.6 and 3.5.6.12 appear to be the same requirement. What is the intended difference between these two requirements, if any? | 3.5.6.6 is not intended to include the timing and will be corrected in Rev B | |
| 15 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 4.1.3.1 | Requirement states 'BINOD Operational Mode Summary / Mission Profile'. What is the definition of 'BINOD Operational Mode Summary / Mission Profile'? | The parameters of the Perf Spec encompass the rigors of the mission profile. | |
| 16 | SOW / 4.4.1 and 4.4.1.10 | |||
| CDRL E001 | SOW Section 4.4.1, in addition to CDRL E001, requires model, assembly, and schematic files in "Drawing Interchange Format (DXF) and in linked Pro/Engineer or CREO formats". Section 4.4.1.10 requires model files "Standard for Exchange of Product (STEP) AP203 file format". Will the Government please clarify that standard STEP file format in 4.4.1.10 is applicable and not the specific formats in 4.4.1 and CDRL E001? (Note: The referenced section #s in 4.4.1.10 (3.3.2.1.a, 3.3.2.1.b…) don't exist in MIL-PRF-A3309670.) | Concur as applicable. The CDRL is updated. | ||
| 17 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.7.48 | Requirement states "The BiNOD shall continue to provide essential mission function…". What is the definition of 'essential mission function'? | Intent is MTBEFF - Mean time bewteen essential function failure. The essential functions of a night vision system. The night vision aspect is essential. As opposed to the IR illuminator or manual gain. | |
| 18 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.7.56 | Requirement states "The BINOD shall not be permanently damaged, fail to operate, or exhibit degraded performance when subjected to airborne/assault operations...". What is the definition of 'airborne/assault operations'? | When subjected to normal use during airborne operations. i.e jump test | |
| 19 | SOW Table 3 | SOW Table 3 states that TRR will occur 30 Days prior to EDT-C, EDT-G, PQT, and LUT. EDT-C, EDT-G, and LUT all occur roughly 7 months after award, while PQT occurs roughly 18 months after award. Will two separate TRR events be required - one 30 days prior to EDT-C, EDT-G, LUT, and a second one 30 days prior to PQT? | EDT-C and EDT-G are no longer required to reflect USGs resrves the right to execute the Accelerated Production schedule explained in the SOW PRR paragraph 3.3.3.5. TRR could occur individually depending on offeror's test schedule. USG is not opposed to combined TRR if practical. | |
| 20 | SOW 3.5.4, CDRL C002, CDRL C003 | Section 3.5.4 states that the contractor shall prepare and submit ESS profiles IAW CDRL C003. However that CDRL is the GFE CDRL. Does the Government mean CDRL C002 for the ESS profiles? | The SOW is corrected. | |
| 21 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.1.2 | Section 3.5.1.2 states that "the total system mass shall be determined including the following: lithium batteries, filters, sacrificial windows, and helmet interface mount. These items are excluded from the total system mass determination: eyecups and retention lanyard." Sections 3.1.2, 3.1.3.1 and 3.1.3.2 list sacrificial windows as separate items from de-mist shields. Section 3.5.2.5 description denotes the 'eyepiece shield' as an 'eyepiece sacrificial window'. What is the definition of the eyepiece de-mist shield in the context of 'sacrificial windows' used in multiple sections throughout the MIL PRF? | De-mist shields and sacrificial windows may be same item or not. Please include mass based on the system configuration you propose. | |
| 22 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 / 3.5.4.4 | Section 3.5.4.4 description states 'System Monocular Stow/Deploy (Objective)'. No other section includes '(Objective)' in the description. What is the meaning and/or context of "Objective"? | This is not a threshold requirement. Objective requirements are goals but not mandatory requirements. | |
| 23 | RFP 2.6 | Will the Government please modify the requirement that past performance citations to include contracts as a major subcontractor? This would enable Offeror's to incorporate citations that meet the recency and relevancy and demonstrate the ability of the Offeror to execute a contract of this magnitude, but were executed as a major subcontractor. | The Government is primairly seeking past experience as a prime contractor. As such not change will be made. | |
| 24 | RFP 2.6 Section 3 | Will the Government please modify the requirement that Past Performance Questionnaires be delivered "no later than 30 days after the release of the RFP" to "no later than 30 days after submission of the RFP"? This would enable Offeror's ample time to identify, qualify and down-select appropriate contracts for inclusion in their response and questionnaire respondents' time to deliver their responses in accordance with the instructions contained within the questionnaires which indicate responses are required "within 30 calendar days of receipt". | No, the Past Performance Questionaireis required with the rest of the RFP. | |
| 25 | MIL-PRF-A3309670 4.1.3.2.3 | The text of paragraph 4.1.3.2.3 describes a sinusoidal sweep vibration environment, and references Figure 12, showing a graph consistent with a random vibration test environment. Will the Government please clarify that a random vibration test environment is intended? | Figure 12 does not imply random vibration. It is still a vibration sweep of frequencies with decreasing power from 5 to 25 Hz. | |
| 26 | Attachment 9 SBPCD | Section 7 of Attachment 9 cites a CDRL with question marks (i.e. B00??, Small Business Utilization Report). No Small Business Utilization Report CDRL form DD1423 was issued with the RFP. Is this CDRL required? If so, provide an associated DD1423. | The SOW has been revised, a CDRL is added, and Attachment 9 corrected. | |
| 27 | RFP Section I | Understanding the US Government may elect to award a single or multiple award contract. Is the Government intending to award a dual award IDIQ with Fair Opportunity for Delivery Orders as described in the pre-solicitation notice? | The award will be an IDIQ type contract. Per Section M the Government may award more than one contract. | |
| 28 | Attachment 5 BiNOD CLIN Structure | In the event of a dual award, what will the evaluation criteria be for fair opportunities? | Each Fair Opportunity Notice will describe the evaluation factors for that Deliver Order. | |
| 29 | SOW 3.4.2.1 & 3.4.2.1.1 | Section 3.4.2.1 states 'During Government testing, the contractor shall provide on-call support at the test site location.' What are the locations of the Government test facility/facilities for the EDT-G tests described in section 3.4.2.1.1? | EDT-G CLIN is being removed to reflect USGs reserves the right to execute the Accelerated Production schedule explained in the SOW PRR paragraph. | |
| 30 | SOW 3.4.2.1.1 | Section 3.4.2.1.1 describes the EDT-G series of test events captured IAW the Requirements Verification Matrix (RVM) in MIL-PRF-A3309670. What is the expected schedule/duration of the EDT-G test support? | EDT-G CLIN is being removed to reflect USGs reserves the right to execute the Accelerated Production schedule explained in the SOW PRR paragraph. | |
| 31 | Attachment 5 CLIN Structure | Will the US Government change CLINS 0006 and 0007 to CPFF type CLINS to allow for a more applicable type as it relates to the various functional reviews required? | CLINS 006 and 007 are being removed to reflect USGs reserves the right to execute the Accelerated Production schedule explained in the SOW PRR paragraph. | |
| 32 | Attachment 5 CLIN Structure | How will the contractor have the ability to adjust pricing to address market changes including future executive orders and changes in regulation not currently contemplated? | The award type will be Firm Fixed Price. FAR Clause 52.216-5 Price Redetermination-Prospective will be added. At the beginning of PY3 and PY5 the redetermination will be made. | |
| 33 | RFP Section B | Section B does not allow for an Offeror to add step ladder pricing or the out year pricing requested in Attachment 5. What pricing should be placed in Section B when submitting Offeror's proposal? | The Section B tab of Attachment 5, Cell F17 auto populates. Use that figure for CLIN 0016. | |
| 34 | Attachment 5 CLIN Structure | Maximum quantity of supplies to be ordered is 18K BiNOD systems however the step ladder pricing for CLIN 0016 goes out 7 years and is beyond the 18K max order. Please clarify, what is the maximum quantity of supplies to be ordered? | The 18K maximum is being ammended. See attachment 5. | |
| 35 | RFP Section B | Will the Government update the inspection and acceptance of CLIN 0016 to Origin, consistent with previous night vision goggle contracts awarded by the Army? | F.O.B. will be Destination. Inspection & Acceptance will be Origin to alloww for DCMA to perform. | |
| 36 | Attachment 5 CLIN Structure | Will the Government add language to allow for awardees to revisit out year pricing of CLIN 0016 based on results of the EMD phase of the procurement cycle and market conditions? | See question #32 response. | |
| 37 | Attachment 1 - BiNOD SOW, 3.4.1.1 Measurement Standards, ".... The Government will decide what is the standard of measurements for all image intensifier tubes and systems…." and "...The contractor shall, at no additional expense to the Government, address and rectify to the Government’s satisfaction, any correlation issues identified through Government correlation testing. " | Does the Government agree that the precedence for the measurement standards has always been worked to an agreement by the Contractor and the Government? If so, does the Government agree that the sentences would instead state, "The Government in collaboration with the Contractor will decide what is the standard of measurements for all image intensifier tubes and systems." and, "The contractor shall, with commercially available technology, at no additional expense to the Government, within reasonable and justifiable expense to the Contractor, address and rectify to the Government’s satisfaction, any correlation issues identified through Government correlation testing." ? | Clarification of the paragraph in question: "The Government will review contractor proposed standards of measurements for all image intensifier tubes and systems". and, "The contractor shall submit for Government approval reasonable and justifiable approaches to address and rectify uncorrelated measurements between the Government and the contractor at no additional expense to the Government. | |
| 38 | Attachment 2 - BINOD PSPEC, 3.5.6.5 Monocular Stow Auto-Off, N/A | Does the Government agree that without Stow Auto-Off, emmited light from the monocular may inadvertently reveal the soldier’s position in low-light conditions, especially when eye-cups are not mounted? If so, would the Government agree to add the requirement that each monocular automatically power off when flipped to the side? This requirement would enhance operational security and support requirement 3.5.6.2 Light Emmissions. | The Government agrees that the feature is beneficial. During requirements development, the user community did not require this capability. Offerors are welcome to present their own system's beneficial characteristics even if not directly traceable to a capability required by the user. This characteristic with others, may become part of the performance specification at a later date but there is no plan for it at this time. | |
| 39 | Attachment 2 - BiNOD PSPEC, 3.5.6.6, "The BINOD shall automatically power-off both monocular channels when the within 500 ms of the system is placed into the stow configuration." | Does the Government agree that the sentence may have multiple meanings, and if so that the actual intent is "when the system is placed into the stow configuration"? | Concur. There will be a rewording for clarification in the next performance specification revision. | |
| 40 | Attachment 3 - SOW, Section 3.5.4 ESS, "The contractor shall prepare and submit ESS profiles IAW CDRL C003." | Does the Government agree that CDRL C003, the GFP Inventory Report CDRL, is incorrect and that the reference should instead be to another CDRL? If so, would the Government please update Attachment 3 with the correct CDRL? | See question #20. | |
| 41 | Attachment 9 - SBPCD, 2.a) Small Business Concerns Table, PWS Column |
W91CRB25R0007 Solicitation, Section M, 3.5 Factor 6, 2nd Bullet, "The type, variety, and complexity of work SBCs are proposed to perform IAW the work supporting PWS Part
| 5. | Would the Government please identify what is meant by "PWS"? Would the Government also please explain the intent of that column? Would the Government also explain what is referred to as PWS Part 5? | The Solicitation and Attachment 9 are updated replacing PWS with SOW. The column with the SOW Reference Number would be if a Small Business was performing a specifc task/paragraph of the SOW. You may place NA. | ||
| 42 | Attachment 9 - SBPCD, 7. "The Offeror shall propose annual reporting of the requirements in paragraphs 1-3 above (contractor format acceptable) in accordance with Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) B00??, Small Business Utilization Report." | Does the Government agree to the submittal of ISR reports only for small business utilization as required by FAR 52.219 and then please eliminate reporting of Commitment Plan through "CDRL B00??" as this is not standard practice and not FAR required and will increase the cost of the program? | Attachment 9 is corrected with regards to the CDRL. Small Busniess Participation and the Small Business Subcontracting Plan are two seeperate reporting requirements. | |
| 43 | BiNOD CDRL E001, "Content of submissions shall be IAW SOW paragraph 7.4.1 (inclusive of all subparagraphs). " | Attachment 1 BiNOD SOW does not include a paragraph 7.4.1. Would the Government please update the CDRL with the correct reference? | CDRL was updated to show correct SOW reference 4.4.1 | |
| 44 | W91CRB25R0007 Solicitation, Section E Inspection and Acceptance Terms | Does the Government agree that if an Offeror already hosts DCMA at their site and facility that the INSPECT BY site for CLINS 0015-0018 could instead be "Origin" instead of "Destination"? If so, would the Government please update Section E with INSPECT BY for CLINS 0015-0018 as "Origin (DCMA at Site) / Destination (if DCMA not available at Origin site)?" | See answer to question 35. | |
| 45 | W91CRB25R0007 Solicitation, Section L, 2.1.7 Written Proposal Submission Instructions, "..Offerors shall submit all volumes via email.." | Does the Government agree that a CUI proposal cannot be emailed? If so, would the Government either amend the solicitation and release it as Non-CUI, or provide instructions on the required use of a SAFE link for the submission? | CUI has been removed. | |
| 46 | W91CRB25R0007 Solicitation, Section M 3.2.4 Factor 2/Subfactor 1 | Will the Government please identify the tests the Government will perform on the baseline hardware submission? | The Govt will only evaluate to the extent to determine the baseline goggle meets the criteria of 2.3.1.1 of Section L. No destructive testing will occur. | |
| 47 | W91CRB25R0007 Solicitation, Section M, 3.5 Factor 6, 4th Bullet, "...Failure to meet the MQR shall result in the Offeror being unacceptable for this factor and therefore ineligible for award." | Does the Government agree that an Offeror is to demonstrate their maximum effort shown to meet goals and if the Offeror does not meet goals at the onset submission, that doesn't negate their effort to increase participation to meet the goals with the plan they are providing? If the Government agrees, should the sentence be changed to "Failure to meet or demonstrate a plan to address the MQR shall result in the Offeror being unacceptable for this factor and therefore ineligible." | The proposed Small Business Participation has been revised. | |
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