42--Non-Encapsulated Level B Suits

A. Amendment 0001 has been issued for clarification purposes only to provide the Government's responses to offerors' questions submitted in reference to Solicitation W9133L-11-T-0009, add FAR Clause 52.211-6 by reference and to revise the product description as shown below. B. The Government will also accept brand name or equal products in accordance with FAR Clause 52.211-6 "Brand Name or Equal" that is incorporated by reference to the Solicitation. The product description has been changed and will be replaced with the following description to read as shown below: Item 0001: ZYTRON 300 Coverall - CE 3, Style Z3H426, Quantity of 5500, size SM/MD, Coverall Zipper Front, Respirator fit hood and attached sock boots with boot flaps, elastic in the hood, wrist, and boot flap, CE 3 marked, Zytron fabric consisting of 2.0oz/yd2 non-woven substrate laminated on one side to barrier films, and tape seam type, Color: Tan. Item 0002: ZYTRON 300 Coverall - CE 3, Style Z3H426, Quantity of 1300, size LG/XL, Coverall Zipper Front, Respirator fit hood and attached sock boots with boot flaps, elastic in the hood, wrist, and boot flap, CE 3 marked, Zytron fabric consisting of 2.0oz/yd2 non-woven substrate laminated on one side to barrier films, and tape seam type, Color: Tan. Item 0003: ZYTRON 300 Coverall - CE 3, Style Z3H426, Quantity of 2200, size 2XL/3XL, Coverall Zipper Front, Respirator fit hood and attached sock boots with boot flaps, elastic in the hood, wrist, and boot flap, CE 3 marked, Zytron fabric consisting of 2.0oz/yd2 non-woven substrate laminated on one side to barrier films, and tape seam type, Color: Tan. Delete the following product descriptions: CLIN 0001: Non-Encapsulated level B chemical protective suits with thickness, an overall zipper front, air ventilator with fitted hood and attached sock boots and Flaps; Elastic Hood, Wrist, and Boot Flap; Material Multiple layer film based - consisting of a 2.0oz/yd2 non-woven substrate laminated on one side to barrier films; durable strong and tight seam tape, Color: Tan; Sizes: SM/MD. Material Temperature Service Range -85 degrees Fahrenheit (-65 degrees Celsius) to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). CLIN 0002: Non-Encapsulated level B chemical protective suits with thickness, an overall zipper front, air ventilator with fitted hood and attached sock boots and Flaps; Elastic Hood, Wrist, and Boot Flap; Material Multiple layer film based - consisting of a 2.0oz/yd2 non-woven substrate laminated on one side to barrier films; durable strong and tight seam tape, Color: Tan; Sizes: LG/XL. Material Temperature Service Range -85 degrees Fahrenheit (-65 degrees Celsius) to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). CLIN 0003: Non-Encapsulated level B chemical protective suits with thickness, an overall zipper front, air ventilator with fitted hood and attached sock boots and Flaps; Elastic Hood, Wrist, and Boot Flap; Material Multiple layer film based - consisting of a 2.0oz/yd2 non-woven substrate laminated on one side to barrier films; durable strong and tight seam tape, Color: Tan; Sizes: 2X/3X. Material Temperature Service Range -85 degrees Fahrenheit (-65 degrees Celsius) to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). 1. QUESTION: Is there an EPA or escalation adjustment clause over this 5 year period? If not, can or should the clause be included in the offerors' proposal? RESPONSE: No, an EPA or escalation adjustment clause will not be incorporated in the instant solicitation because the Contracting Officer has made a determination that the use of the clause at FAR 52.216-2 is inappropriate as specified in FAR 16.203-3. 2. QUESTION: Are there certifications required on your RFQ W9133L-11-T-0009? Are suits Berry Compliant and what is the shelf life? RESPONSE: The suit specifications for style #Z3H426 are CE 3 marked and made in the USA. Chemical suits contain components made from various polymer or rubber materials for which there is no specific shelf life data currently available. The shelf life of Zytron products are considered to be undetermined and any suit which does not pass the visual and/or pressure test, should be immediately removed from service. 3. QUESTION: Please confirm that you won't expect all 9000 suits have to be supplied in 30 days after the bid is awarded and will there be releases throughout the year? RESPONSE: No, all items must be delivered within 90 days after receipt of order. 4. QUESTION: What is an "air ventilator with fitted hood", please provide an example or reference brand and part number. The referenced in earlier addendum Zytron 300 Z3H426 does not seem to have this feature. RESPONSE: An air ventilator is an encapsulated suit. The requirement is for a non encapsulated suit and the description should read as respirator fit hood vice air respirator fit hood. 5. QUESTION: Can you please provide the price point at which the last purchase was made, as well as its date? RESPONSE: The government will not release the unit prices provided under competitive solicitations. The government previously awarded a delivery order for Non-encapsulated Level B Zytron suits to Federal Resources Supply Company on 6 Jan 2011. 6. QUESTION: My manufacturer has two options for me to quote. Can I submit bids on both options? RESPONSE: Yes, you may submit both options for each proposal. 7. QUESTION: What are average orders and how often historically have they been placed? Are orders usually for over 300 suits total? RESPONSE: The estimated quantity of 9000 suits is not annual quantity. This is an initial fielding to meet the unit's current requirement. Other suits will be ordered as required. 8. QUESTION: About what portion of the total 9,000 suits would the first order entail? Are 30 days delivery required for both initial order and all subsequent orders? RESPONSE: No, all items must be delivered within 90 days after receipt of order. 9. QUESTION: Since we as a distributor are expected to stock these, would we be able to communicate and estimate in some advance what orders might be forthcoming or/and when the orders might be stopping, so we won't be left with obsolete custom inventory for this bid? RESPONSE: The government estimates that it will need approximately 9,000 suits, but may use this vehicle for additional orders over a 5 year period. this blanket Purchase agreement does not have a guaranteed minimum order, but the government intends to take advantage of price discounts expected to be derived under this type of agreement. Vendors shall provide a listing with range prices and delivery terms based upon an order quantity between 1,300 and 6,000 suits. The best combination of delivery lead times and range prices shall be considered whenever the government makes a funded call. 10. QUESTION: Estimated quantity of 9000 suits - Is this quantity an annual quantity or the anticipated quantity over the 5-year term? RESPONSE: The estimated quantity of 9000 suits is not annual quantity. The quantity is an initial fielding to meet the unit's current requirement. Other suits will be ordered as required or needed. 11. QUESTION: Firm fixed price - Will an EPA be acceptable for years 2 through 5 with a firm fixed price for year 1? RESPONSE: No, an EPA or escalation adjustment clause is not applicable and will not be incorporated in the instant solicitation because the Contracting Officer has made a determination that the use of the clause at FAR 52.216-2 is inappropriate as specified in FAR 16.203-3 12. QUESTION: Does suit have to be tan or will gray be acceptable? RESPONSE: No, The Government specifications require the suit to be tan in color. 13. QUESTION: Will an equal product be considered? RESPONSE: Yes, the Government will consider an equal product. 14. QUESTION: Will there be an economic price adjustment allowed over the 5 year period? RESPONSE: No, an EPA or escalation adjustment clause is not applicable and will not be incorporated in the instant solicitation because the Contracting Officer has made a determination that the use of the clause at FAR 52.216-2 is inappropriate as specified in FAR 16.203-3 15. QUESTION: Will you accept an alternative Suit? RESPONSE: Yes, the Government will consider an equal product. C. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged and in full force and effect.