17JAN2025 - This update is being published for the below three reasons:

1. To answer two bidder questions.

Q1: (1) Re: Volume III Small Business Participation Plan – If we commit to making a genuine good faith effort to achieve all of the subcontracting commitments listed in our Plan, but choose to label them as “non-enforceable,” as opposed to “enforceable,” will this negatively impact how our proposal is evaluated? (2) If we label some or all of the commitments as enforceable, but fail to achieve the set targets, what will the consequences be?  Please clarify.
A1: (1) A “non-enforceable” subcontracting commitment will not negatively impact how a proposal is evaluated.  However, an “enforceable” subcontracting commitment will positively impact how a proposal is evaluated.  As noted in subparagraph 3 of the Small Business Participation evaluation provision (see Attachment 7, p. 8), the Small Business Participation Plan will be evaluated in terms of the offeror’s proposed subcontracting participation, the extent of commitment to use the subcontractor(s) (enforceable vs. non-enforceable commitments), and the offeror’s established or planned procedures for small business outreach and utilization.   Thus, it would be reasonable to expect that the Contracting Officer would rate proposals showing a greater commitment to enforceable subcontracting participation more highly than similar commitments or goals that were not considered enforceable.  (2) “Enforceable” subcontracting commitments will become part of the terms and conditions of the contract; therefore, a breach of the terms of the contract may impact administration of the contract, including the documentation of performance in CPARS and could play a role in decisions regarding termination or option exercise.  Additionally, firms that are not small businesses and are required to file a subcontracting plan should note the requirement to annually document how they performed compared to their plan via the Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (eSRS).  As noted in the Small Business Subcontracting Plan Submittal requirements (Attachment 7, p. 5)  the Government will document performance accordingly.

Q2: Re: Volume III Small Business Participation Plan – Do subcontractors have to be registered in Sam.Gov or be certified by any particular certifying agency? Please clarify the eligibility requirements, if any.
A2: Short answer, no, they do not have to be registered.  If you have the CAGE of a subcontractor, please identify it.  However, if the subcontractor is not registered in SAM, the procedures from FAR 52.219-8(e)(1) may be used, which say "The Contractor may accept a subcontractor's written representations of its size and socioeconomic status as a small business, small disadvantaged business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, or a women-owned small business if the subcontractor represents that the size and socioeconomic status representations with its offer are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of the offer for the subcontract."

2. To upload the final version of Attachment 1, 'Attachment 1 - Price ScheduleV4.xlsx'. 'Attachment 1 - Price ScheduleV3.xlsx' has been removed to reduce the potential for confusion.  Offerors must complete V4 and submit it with their Volume I.  For your awareness, cells that have changed since the original are highlighted in yellow, and the following three new CLINs were added to the schedule: "LP06C2", "LP07C4", and "1005SP, Defoaming Agent for pumping of AFFF rinsates. 1 EA = (1) 5-gal pail."  See section 2.4 a. of the updated PWS for more details.

3. To upload a revised version of Attachment 2, 'Attachment 2 - PWSv2.pdf'.  This revised version has an update in section 2.4 a. for new CLIN 1005SP added to the Price Schedule.

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10JAN2025 - This update is being published for the below three reasons:

1. To answer six bidder questions.

Q1: The 12 month order history shows very large volumes of supplies being purchased which is not represented in the new volumes.  Are supplies now being purchased under a separate contract and this will be used as a backup?
A1: No. This is the only contract being used for supplies.

Q2: There was a very large volume of alkaline batteries shipped last year, well above the new 30-month anticipated volume.  Was there an event that caused the higher volume?
A: No event is known.  A 30-month ordering history (not 12-month) from the current contract was used for the estimated quantities on this new contract.

Q3: Volume I – In addition to the Minimum Content requ