MODIFICATION
J -- 463L Cargo Pallet
- Notice Date
- 1/24/2013
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 321920
— Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, WR-ALC, WR-ALC/PK Acquisition Opportunities, 235 Byron St,, Warner Robins, Georgia, 31098-1611, United States
- ZIP Code
- 31098-1611
- Solicitation Number
- FA8519-12-R-00516
- Point of Contact
- Donna C. Pallini, Phone: 4782221892, Mandy Mathews, Phone: 4782221754
- E-Mail Address
-
Donna.Pallini@robins.af.mil, Mandy.Mathews@robins.af.mil
(Donna.Pallini@robins.af.mil, Mandy.Mathews@robins.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Solicitation FA8519-12-R-00516 Question and Answers (24 January 2013) An offer was extended during the Market Research/RFI portion of the acquisition to examine the 463L Cargo Pallet BUT is not available during the official source selection process, as the PCO must be central point of information exchange between the Government and offerors. 1. Do you have drawings and or samples of the pallets available? All documents, including the technical drawings, are available on FedBizOps. Everything that is associated with the 463L Cargo Pallet solicitation has been posted as Distribution A, meaning that it is approved for public release with no restrictions. If you still have a problem with any of the links, I would suggest contacting the FedBizOps help desk. 2. Would Plastic Pallets be an option for this project? No; Plastic pallets are not in accordance with the drawings included with the posted solicitation and would not be acceptable for this effort. Alternative materials are being researched and could possibly be integrated into future requirements for pallets; however, if you are interested in proposing on the current effort, please see the requirements of solicitation FA8519-12-R-00516, including all attachments. 3. The released solicitation # FA8519-12-R-00516 for the 463L Cargo Pallet is "unrestricted". We understood from the initial market survey, that the acquisition plan was to be considered for a total small business set-aside. Our entire proposal program was developed utilizing a total small business approach, and this change now impacts that approach. Please help us understand the reason for the change from a total small business set-aside to an unrestricted acquisition. Our Initial Market Surveys were conducted during the fact-finding stage of the acquisition. During this planning stage the requirement was still being formulated. You will also notice that our requirement changed from repair only to production and repair during this time. Throughout this whole process we emphasized an acquisition strategy had not been approved and that the official solicitation documents, when posted, would outline the approved acquisition strategy. There was not a change in determination from a Small Business Set-Aside to an Unrestricted acquisition. After conducting Market Research, the Government decided that an unrestricted acquisition is in its best interest. It is always our goal to maximize opportunities for Small Businesses and this is something that is being taken into consideration for future pallet designs and acquisitions; however, for solicitation FA8519-12-R-00516, which utilizes the current pallet design, an unrestricted acquisition was determined to be the best approach. 4. We are requesting clarification on the specification MIL_DTL-27443, Page 4, 3.2.3 Adhesive. The adhesive used for bonding the core to the skin and the rails shall be vinyl phenolic FM-47 liquid adhesive in accordance with MMM-A-132, Type I, Class 3. The adhesive to be used to bond the balsa shall be a Urea-Resin type in accordance with ASTM D4690 and the following requirements. The FM-47 is a brand name product for a specific supplier. The QPD (QPL) lists additional sources that meet the MMM-A-132, Type I, Class 3 specification for the Adhesive. Are we non-compliant with the specification if we offer another suppliers product that complies with the MMM-A-132, Tpe I, Class 3 requirements? The spec states that FM-47 liquid adhesive in accordance with MMM-A-132, Type I, Class 3 shall be used. There are 5 QPLs that fall under this classification Class 3 of this spec. MMM-A-132, Type I, Class 3, Form P, Group 4 would be the one that is applicable for pallet production. Any contractor bidding on the pallets should be using only FM-47 liquid adhesive, which would be Form P, Group 4 under MMM-A-132 Type I, Class 3 QPL. FM-47 is the only adhesive that is listed on this QPL. 5. We are requesting clarification that removes the paint requirements and replaces it with an adhesive on the pallet based on the Engineering Order (WRAFB - AF IMT 3925, 20020819, V1) Notes 12 and 16: replace "MIL-PRF-2615" with "SAE AMS-P-38336." No Vendors Listed on the associated QPL for MIL-PRF-26915. (See Attachments) This Engineering Order stipulates the paint shall be replaced with an adhesive. The adhesive IAW SAE AMS-P-38336 has zinc in it and prevents corrosion of the rivets holding the rings and corner brackets in place. FM-47, which is for bonding metal to metal to metal to wood for aerospace applications, would not be suitable for this application, as it's not a corrosion inhibitor because it does not have zinc to act as a sacrificial anode. That's why there are two different adhesives being used; one is coating a corrosive material and the other is for bonding aluminum which doesn't warrant a corrosion inhibitor. 6. Repair method description clarification for the Pallet Repair: CLIN 0004AB thru 0004AG "Reuse Top Skin & Bottom Skin. New Complete Core...". The CLIN 0004AH thru 0004BA "Reuse Bottom Skin. New Top Skin and Complete Core..." Clarification is being requested on the description for the New Top Skin and Complete Core. Please explain the difference between the two descriptions. The first description states a "New Core", whereas the second description states a Complete Core". What's the difference between the two descriptions? Does all Repair Pallets require New Complete Cores, as the wording the second description is unclear? This description is repeated in the applicable CLINs for the Repair of Pallets. As clarification: CLIN 0004AA - Repair Method #1 - General Inspection without Repair CLIN 0004AB - 0004AG - Repair Method #2 - meaning the top and bottom skins are reusable and the core is replaced with new. CLIN 0004AH - 0004AN - Repair Method #3 - meaning the bottom skin is reusable and the top skin and core are replaced with new. Repair method #3 is NEW top skin and NEW complete core. CLIN 0004AP - 0004AU - Repair Method #4 - meaning the top skin is reusable and the bottom skin and core are replaced with new. Repair method #4 is NEW Bottom skin and NEW complete core. CLIN 0004AV - 0004BA - Repair Method #5 - meaning the top and bottom skin and core are replaced with new. Repair method #5 is NEW Bottom skin, NEW top skin and NEW complete core. 7. Selected Items reference "Associated Document(s) FD20601200512 - Request a copy of document. Items 0010 & 0017 Associated Document(s) FD20601200522, FD20601200516 referenced and drawings needed for NSN 1670-00-820-4896. Associated Document(s) FD20601200516 and FD20601200522 are internal documents that are used to generate a requirement and are not releasable. All documents, including the technical drawings, are available on FedBizOps. Everything that is associated with the 463L Cargo Pallet solicitation has been posted as Distribution A, meaning that it is approved for public release with no restrictions. 8. The PWS Specification, Page 11, Paragraph 4.10.2.1 First Article Test Procedures, CDRL reference A007 does not reflect the First Article reporting, see attachment item 3. Please clarify the appropriate CDRL reference for First Article Inspection. CDRL A007 posted in FedBizOps for subject solicitation is titled Test Procedure and subtitled First Article Test Procedure as referenced in PWS paragraph 4.10.2.1. CDRL A011 is Mishap Notification and Reporting. 9. The Questions and Answers item 3. References a "Section L-409 First Article Applicability and/or Conditions of Waiver" will state the First Article testing is a requirement for this contract. What are the conditions for the FA Examination Testing? Are we required to have all equipment in-place for the FA Testing, since the only assurance of the Government is to acquire the FA Article Test Units? Please explain, the methodology for the requirements and what is required to satisfy the FA acceptance? In reference to First Article conditions for waiver, please see page 125 of solicitation "Provision L-409 First Article Applicability and/or Conditions for Waiver". First Article testing and requirements are located in clauses 52.209-3, 52.209-3 Alternate I, 52.209-4, and 52.209-4 Alternate I. 10. Who pays for the transportation costs from the Inspection/Acceptance back to the manufacture of the 5 Repaired Pallets? Please clarify transportation responsibility. PWS 4.10.2.2 First Article Testing of the Pallets. After Government approval of the first article test procedures, the Contractor shall schedule the testing to be conducted. If shipping is required to move the item(s) to and from a test site away from the Contractor's facility, the Contractor shall be responsible for all costs associated with the shipment. The Contractor shall notify the Government of the date, time, and location of first article testing 30 calendar days prior to the start of testing. The test shall be witnessed by one or more Government representatives. 11. Are we required to have all equipment in-place for the FA Testing? There is contractor testing and Government testing as specified in the solicitation. All deliverables and dates must be met as spelled out in the solicitation schedule and solicitation clauses.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/WRALC/FA8519-12-R-00516/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02971780-W 20130126/130124234603-2eb001ac3651fd01adf5af0f7c4f6855 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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