Request for Information (RFI)
This Request for Information (RFI) is being released to solicit input on how the Navy can better conduct business with industry in procurement of boats and craft. Parties are not required to respond to this RFI and are not required to address every question/topic below. Responses to this RFI are for internal PMS325G market research only and individual responses will not be made public.
Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships, Support Ships, Boats and Craft (PMS325G), issues this RFI to solicit industry comments on cost drivers and other issues associated with Navy contract requirements and specifications. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal, or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor responses to this announcement. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter negotiations to award a contract. All information must be received without restrictive markings. Do NOT submit proprietary data with the information provided. Do NOT submit any information that is classified or improperly marked as classified information (please note that this includes marking a document with the term Confidential).
As a part of the response to this RFI, interested sources can indicate in a matrix form (Excel spreadsheet) which specifications and/or requirements tend to be cost or time-consuming drivers when compared to building the same boat commercially and/or for another agency. A notional matrix is attached which addresses the following items:
- Specification Items
- Contract Items including Statement of Work (SOW)
- Documentation and Requirements including testing, certifications, and Pre-Delivery Inspections and Trials (PDITs)
- Technical Data Package (TDP)
Builders can also provide input in their own format with or without specific costs identified.
Feedback is also welcome on the following:
1.General
- Estimated cost and hours for proposal development
2. Technical / Specification Items
- Name brand items and alternatives (please address specific items and cost)
- Over/under specifying, or specification clarity
- TDP and Data Requirements
- Delivery and Acceptance process (PDIR)
3. Contract Language
- SOW / Contract
- Contract clauses impacting costs (e.g. Configuration Management, Cybersecurity)
- Use of commercial warranty, warranty start date, warranty Fleet interface
- Payment and invoicing process, specifically provide feedback on financing payment terms
- Proposal submittal to award lead time impact on pricing
- Level of pricing information requested
4. Strategy
- Solicitations (RFP/RFQ) timelines and proposal requirements
- Low Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) vs Best Value
- General Services Administration (GSA) vs. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12
- Multiple awards vs Single award
- Use of Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and ideas for structuring pricing (for example: issues with locking in prices for 5 years, amortizing prices for lead hulls, thoughts on pre-production Contract Line Item (CLIN), or separate CLIN for lead boat if there is a break in production, step ladder pricing, escalation)
- Which set of commercial standards are most cost effective and most commonly used (ABS, ABYC, ISO, etc.)
- Shipping concerns over 5-year period
- Obsolescence management
- Use of IDIQ contracts and delivery/production schedules.
- Supply chain impacts
- Any additional items for consideration
Submittal Options: (1) MS Excel spreadsheet matrix with cost comparison information and/or (2) Narrative addressing cost drivers or any other improvement feedback
Where to submit: Email responses or inquiries should be sent to Matt Warncke at matthew.warncke@navy.mil, Roxie Thomas at Roxie.thomas@navy.mil, and Maureen Barlow at maureen.d.barlow@navy.mil. To help ensure proper receipt, name the email “Contract Cost Drivers” in the subject field.
No telephone inquiries will be accepted and requests for solicitation packages will not be honored, as a solicitation is not prepared at this time.
When to Submit: Responses are requested by 02 July 2021 by 2:00 PM
