Request for Information

Purpose The purpose of this request for information (RFI) is (1) to assess industry interest in a new method of establishing alternative sources of supply and (2) to research potential constructs of the new methodology. Problem Statement Field and depot level repairs are conducted within the government and are planned in advance to posture parts, tooling, and equipment; however, at times, unforseen circumstances have created unacceptable delays. These circumstances have normally been due to parts shortages caused by erratic demand rates, inaccurate shelf lives, obsolescence of parts, or diminishing sources. An effort is underway to mitigate the risk of these unforeseen circumstances by establishing a contract with an end item supplier which is incentivized by schedule or availability of the subcomponents within that end item. The goal of this RFI is to assess industry interest in such a contract and determine the most suitable way to create a sustaining partnership which benefits both private industry and the government. Program Objectives The primary objective of the new effort will be to support the warfighter during unexpected part shortages by creating an alternative source or sources of supply. To achieve this primary objective, a contractor would be incentivized by the availability of parts, as measured by the time a demand was known to the time it was filled. The method in which the contractor meets the objective has yet to be determined. At this time the Government is researching two specific end items. Interested sources should contact the Contracting Officer to obtain additional information about the two specific end items. Hypothetical Support Methods As part of its Market Research, the Government is seeking feedback on potential acquisition strategies. Some initial ideas are listed below. In response to this RFI, please comment on each of these strategies and provide any other suggestions that could address the problem explained in this RFI. - 1) Rotable Pool Concept - a. In this concept, a contractor would manufacture, qualify, and store a certain quantity of the end item. If and when the government places an order, the contractor would pull that NSN from the end item and deliver it to the government. The contractor would then replenish that NSN in their rotable pool. - b. Potential advantages: immediate availability of parts - c. Potential disadvantages: high cost to stand up and maintain rotable pool - 2) On the Shelf Concept - a. In this concept, a contractor would obtain (through manufacture or purchase), qualify, and store all the NSNs within the end item but does not necessarily assemble them together. - b. Potential advantages: eases storage requirements - c. Potential disadvantages: reduced availability if higher lever assembly is needed - 3) Selective Manufacturing Concept - a. In this concept, a contractor would obtain (through manufacture or purchase) long lead items, qualify, and store them similar to the On the Shelf concept. Short lead items would be manufactured or purchased if and when the government places an order. - b. Potential advantages: costs are mitigated if government does not regularly order short lead items - c. Potential disadvantages: reduced availability if lead times estimates are incorrect - 4) Other Suggestions Questions to Industry As stated previously, the purpose of this RFI is (1) to assess industry interest in a new method of establishing alternative sources of supply and (2) to research potential constructs of the new methodology. With respect to these two goals, please address the following items: Please comment on your interest level in this type of effort. How would you support this effort? Would it be via one of the above methods, or another method altogether? If your chosen method does not include stock which is immediately available - o Approximately what lead times would be expected for generic types of parts (e.g. - castings, soft goods, electronic components, etc)? - o How will you prevent delays due to obsolescence of parts? If your chosen method does include stock which is immediately available - o How would you estimate the size and cost of that stock? - o How would you expect the initial stock to be funded? This effort would mandate that a contractor be pre-qualified prior to contract award. Contractors wishing to be considered as qualified must do so in accordance with a Source Qualification Statement (SQS), which generally requires a qualification article or a waiver through similar workloads accomplished previously. Given that the government does not typically fund a contractor's qualification expenses, would you still be willing to participate in this effort? Because the goal of this effort is to counter the unpredictable demand, the government cannot guarantee any volume of assets to be ordered from a contractor. Given this uncertainty - o If the volume is lower than expected, what type of cost or incentive structure would you prefer? For example, separating fixed versus variable costs, annual equitable adjustments etc. - o If the volume is higher than expected, how would you ensure the ability to meet government demand? Which types of parts, of those contained in the GMMP and Pipe Pusher, pose more of a challenge in meeting availability demands? Please provide any additional feedback you feel is relevant to this effort. RESPONSES Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. White papers are to be submitted in Microsoft Word for Office 2010 compatible format. Responses shall be limited to 15 pages and submitted to the points of contact listed below. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. At a minimum, the white paper shall provide the following information: Name, mailing address, phone number, and email address of designated point of contact Answers to questions raised in this RFI along with a recommended contracting strategy Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)- certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, etc) Please send your responses to the RFI questions to the following POCs by COB 10 December 2015 Matt Streeper, Contracting Officer, matthew.streeper@dla.mil Jeffrey C. Boulware, ICBM Engineer, Jeffrey.boulware@us.af.mil