MODIFICATION
84 -- Dry Suits
- Notice Date
- 8/6/2006
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 315999
— Other Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Commandant (G-ACS), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second St., SW, Washington, DC, 20593-0001
- ZIP Code
- 20593-0001
- Solicitation Number
- HSCG23-06-R-DNQ157
- Response Due
- 8/15/2006
- Archive Date
- 10/30/2006
- Point of Contact
- Sandra Queen, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-475-3218, Fax 202-475-3905,
- E-Mail Address
-
squeen@comdt.uscg.mil
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- Answers to questions for Request for Proposal for the Lightweight and Industrial Dry Suits QUESTION 1: I have read section 52.212-5 of the solicitation and noted in particular the Buy America Act is included. However, it is not stated in the solicitation if the Berry Amendment applies should a component not be available domestically. ANSWER: The Berry Amendment applies to the Department of Defense only. QUESTION 2: In reading through the contract solicitation, are you looking for only a proposal, or are you looking for a proposal along with a sample of the various suits included in the solicitation? ANSWER: No samples are requested in the solicitation. QUESTION 3: Is the manufacturer required to offer a 3 year warranty? ANSWER: As per the solicitation, “ You are requested to provide your policies on warranted items and length of the warranty beyond the required three (3) years”. QUESTION 4: Typical manufacturer’s warranties cover workmanship and quality only and not user-induced damage. What does the Coast Guard anticipate the warranty to cover? ANSWER: This is a commercial procurement. Therefore, it is anticipated that the USCG will receive the warranty coverage as is commercially available. QUESTION 5: As both suits may be used in flight, is the use of FR materials a requirement for these suits? ANSWER: As per the solicitation, the use of FR is not required. QUESTION 6: - The current “CG-authorized for use” Industrial Dry Suit is entered from the rear of the suit, arms inserted through the sleeves and wrist seals, and then pulled over the wearer’s head. This has not been a problem in the past. Is front entry a design requirement for the Industrial Dry Suit or is the current authorized design acceptable? ANSWER: The zipper design used in the construction of the Industrial suit must allow the user to open and close the suit without assistance. The ultimate solution for this performance is left up to the suit designer. QUESTION 7: Contractor must have the ability to provide special order sizing. Does turn-around time required (30 days ARO) apply to custom sized suits? ANSWER: Please address anticipated turn-around time for a custom suit if it is greater than 30 days. QUESTION 8: Please define “temperature cycling” conditions? ANSWER: The suits shall be resistant to changes in ambient temperature within the intended operating range of -30 F to 70 F, with no loss of waterproofness. QUESTION 9: ISO 11092 is a requirement for Vapor Resistance and ISO 15496 is a requirement for Vapor Transmission, which is the inverse of Vapor Resistance. Should the later part of this requirement read: “(no less than 0.10 g/Pa/m2/h)”? ANSWER: Correct. The last part of the requirement should read” no less than 0.10g/Pa/m2/h” QUESTION 10: Does this requirement restrict the neck and wrist seals to specific materials (i.e., rubber seals)? ANSWER: See paragraph 1.6 of the solicitation. QUESTION 11: Is the use of an adjustable neck seal that conforms to the user’s neck size acceptable? ANSWER: Adjustable neck seals are not acceptable in the lightweight suit. This requirement is hereby incorporated into the solicitation. QUESTION 12: Can the manufacturer specify a larger range of sizes to cover the anthropometric sizing range required (i.e., XS through XXL?) ANSWER: An offeror is always welcomed to propose additional options for consideration. QUESTION 13: What is the specified thickness for insulated undergarments? ANSWER: The undergarment is up to a ½ inch thick. QUESTION 14: Are removable internal suspenders required for both the Industrial and Lightweight suits? ANSWER: The suspenders are required on the lightweight suit and are not required on the industrial suits, but offerors are always welcome to offer added features to their proposed solution. QUESTION 15: Is the use of an external Tone-On-Tone distinguishing logo acceptable? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 16: If this is to be a commercial-off-the-shelf product why is a manufacturer’s labeling not acceptable? ANSWER: The manufacturer’s labeling is acceptable as long as it satisfies the need to track the suit via serial number. QUESTION 17: The neoprene hood currently authorized for use by USCG units is red. Is red acceptable? ANSWER: The color is one that confirms to the universally recognized, F1 3A 13. Red, International Orange. QUESTION 18: Please define patches or embroidery to be attached to each suit. ANSWER: On the left breast a 2 ½ by 3 ½ piece of pile tape that allows for the attachment of the Coast Guard Emblem as described in 33 CFR Subpart 23 with a diameter of three inches, plus or minus ¼ inch. On the right breast a 2 ½ by 3 ½ piece of pile tape to affix a patch with the CG ensign as described in title 33 CFR subpart 23, the ensign shall measure 2 ½ inches in height by 3 ½ inches in width, plus or minus ¼ inch. A 2 ½ b y 3 ½ piece of pile tape centered on the upper left sleeve below the shoulder seam to affix a U.S. Flag 2 ½ by 3 ½. A 2 ½ by 3 ½ piece of Pile tape centered on the upper right sleeve below the shoulder seem to attach a unit patch up to 5 inches in diameter. Other DHS agencies will require similar type patches in the same locations. QUESTION 19: Are subdued color embroidery or patches required on olive drab or blue shade 3362 dry suits? ANSWER: Pile tape should conform to the color of the suit on the olive drab and blue shade 3362 suit. Black pile tape would be acceptable on the blue shade 3362 suit. QUESTION 20: (CLIN 0001B) Olive Drab. Is SOLAS grade retro-reflective tape required on this color? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 21: (CLIN 0001c) Blue Shade 3362. Is SOLAS grade retro-reflective tape required on this color? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 22: - Please define the term “storm collar? (Does this requirement refer to a storm cover over the entry zipper or does it refer to the flap or collar over the neck area? ANSWER: The storm collar is used to provide protection of the wearer from the elements. (wind driven rain, spray, etc) QUESTION 23: Is the “storm collar” required to be completely removable from the suit or is it acceptable for the collar to be permanently attached to the suit with the capability to fold out of the way when not needed? ANSWER: See paragraph 2.2 of the solicitation. QUESTION 24: Is a storm flap over the entry zipper required as the entry zipper is waterproof? ANSWER: It is not required, but may be offered as a design feature. QUESTION 25: Does the optional drop seat closure need to be priced in the offer or is it simply to be an option paid for by the end-user at time of order for the Lightweight Dry Suit? ANSWER: The offer should provide pricing for adding the drop seat. QUESTION 26: The assembled suit shall qualify as a Class B suit described in prEN ISO 15027-1:2000. Does this entire standard apply to the Industrial Dry Suit, or only Section 4.11,Thermal Protection performance requirements? ANSWER: The reference is provided to support the requirement to meet the Thermal Protection performance requirement. QUESTION 27: Please define specific components that the Coast Guard would typically consider as “routine wear and tear” repairs. ANSWER: As the manufacturer, your knowledge base on routine wear and tear is what is applicable to your proposed suit. QUESTION 28: How are unanticipated repairs (i.e., tears, damage by user misuse or otherwise not covered under warranty, etc.) to be handled? ANSWER: Non-warranted repairs will be paid for by the unit. QUESTION 29: We understand the requirement to provide documentation. However, should documentation also be supplied to the end-user prior to the conduct of repairs in order to obtain authorization? ANSWER: If the repair is not covered by a warranty, authorization must be sought from the sender prior to performing the repair. QUESTION 30: Should the manufacturer be required to obtain authorization for repairs, does the 30 days after receipt of the suit for repairs include time required to obtain authorization? ANSWER: The thirty days for repair of the suit would start after obtaining authorization for repairs. QUESTION 31: Is this to be a flat shipping fee based on the average price of shipping, or an estimated shipping cost for return? ANSWER: Your proposed shipping prices can be either a flat rate, a “per state” rate, a regional rate, or any other proposed way of handling the return of the suit to the sender. QUESTION 32: Costs will vary dependent upon the location of the unit. Please provide guidance as to regulation of shipping costs. ANSWER: See answer to the above question. The USCG anticipates utilizing the most economically responsible means to send and return the suit. QUESTION 33: Has the USCG or other DHS OEs anticipated maintenance/repairs during the initial three ordering periods for products damaged by the user unintentionally (i.e., product torn or misused by the end user and not covered by warranty of materials and workmanship)? ANSWER: No, offerors are welcome to include a solution in their proposal. QUESTION 34: What is the anticipated ratio of Industrial Dry Suits to Lightweight Dry Suits? Without this information, it is impossible to calculate the total cost of the contract for all CLINs. ANSWER: For the purposes of evaluating total evaluated ceiling price of each offeror, 4 lightweight suits for every 1 industrial suit shall be the ratio for each year, for which the total evaluated price will be the basis of evaluating for award. QUESTION 35: For shades on the various items you do note Blue Shade 3362. You do not note a standard shade number for the other three shades, Orange, Black, and Olive Drab. Are there shade standards to which we should be adhering? ANSWER: The target “Orange”, F1 3A 13 or a hue as close as possible, as internationally recognized currently in the marine environment. The intent of the colors is for each color to closely resemble current uniform colors that are internationally recognized. QUESTION 36: We realize that this is a commercial item specification, however; are you intending on using any particular testing to characterize some of the features you are requesting? We are speaking specifically of air temperature range, and temperature cycling. ANSWER: As per the solicitation, the offeror’s proposal shall be evaluated in accordance with the stated evaluation factors. Offerors are encouraged to provide supporting documentation to clearly address each evaluation factor. QUESTION 37: Will you be including a water permeability after flexing? ANSWER: per the solicitation, offerors are required to provide information addressing each evaluation factor. If an offeror feels it is important to describe a certain aspect of their proposed suits, they are encouraged to incorporate that discussion in their proposal. QUESTION 38: Will the amendment extend the August 15 due date for responses? ANSWER: No extension is granted. Award must be made no later than 30 September 2006. QUESTION 39: Does an individual contractor need to bid on both suit styles? ANSWER: As per the solicitation, the Government reserves the right to award multiple awards. QUESTION 40: Can you please provide an approximate ratio of lightweight vs. industrial suits? We would like to provide more accurate pricing. ANSWER: For the purposes of evaluating total evaluated price, the ratio of lightweight to industrial suits that will be used in each year will be 4 lightweight suits to every 1 industrial suit. QUESTION 41: Will the solicitation be evaluated on a group basis pursuant to FAR 25.503? ANSWER: The basis of award will be made in accordance wit the evaluation factors, as stated in the solicitation. NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (06-AUG-2006); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/USCG/GACS/HSCG23-06-R-DNQ157/listing.html)
- Record
- SN01107893-F 20060808/060806222135 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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