Advanced Manufacturing Training

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding solicitation W911SG-26-Q-A026, clarifying requirements for an advanced manufacturing training program.

• OEM Relationships & Training Status: Prime contractors do not need direct OEM relationships unless using blueprints for training. Vendors must have authorized training status with machine manufacturers.
• Training Equipment: Contractors are required to own all training equipment; OEM-supported demonstration equipment is not acceptable.
• Instructors: OEM-certified instructors are not required, but must meet PWS requirements.
• Subcontractors: No restrictions on subcontractors providing instruction, but the prime contractor is responsible for their payment.
• Government-Provided Materials: The government will provide software licenses, laptops, and training materials for on-base training. Vendors are encouraged to bring supplemental materials.
• Facility Requirements: Off-base training locations must be at least 5,000 sq ft and suitable for classroom and training activities.
• CAD Files: CAD files have been approved for use in the program.
• Equipment Quantity: Contractors will need to provide 2 or more units of each machine.
• Training Level: Training must be at an advanced manufacturing engineer level.
• Sources Sought Response: While identified as informational, respondents are highly recommended to incorporate Price Proposal, Technical Proposal, and Phase In volumes into their Sources Sought response.

These clarifications refine requirements related to equipment, personnel, facility, and submission expectations, which bidders should consider when preparing their proposals.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide advanced manufacturing training to enable students to become instructors and utilize hands-on techniques for future Army manufacturing innovations. The training aims to equip students with the skills to design, manufacture, and qualify Final-Use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components, thereby reducing lead times and strengthening defense readiness.

• Conduct six (6) training classes over a 12-month period, with each class lasting a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 8 weeks.

• Each class will accommodate 8 to 10 students.

• Training will cover current and future manufacturing methods, including Computer Aided Design (CAD) software (GrabCAD, IdeaMaker, Autodesk Fusion, Mastercam, Feature Cam, SolidWorks), reverse engineering, post-processing, heat treating, and Nondestructive Testing (NDT).

• A capstone project requiring students to design, print, and manufacture a final-use OEM part is mandatory.

• Classes will be held both on Fort Bliss, TX, and off-installation within a 15-mile radius.

• Students must complete a hands-on capstone project.

• Weekly reports are required, detailing student feedback, issues encountered, suggestions for improvement, lessons covered, and daily attendance rosters.

• A detailed Lesson Plan, Curriculum, and Schedule must be submitted upon contract award.

• A certification of completion must be provided to each student at the end of each class.

• Period of Performance: 13 April 2026 – 12 April 2027.

• Place of Performance: Fort Bliss, TX, and off-installation within a 15-mile radius of 2674 Shannon Van Valzah Rd, Fort Bliss, TX 79916.

• Contractor must provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, tools, materials, and supervision, except for Government Furnished Property (GFP) and Government Furnished Services (GFS).

• Off-base training facilities must meet OSHA standards and be designed for instruction and hands-on learning.

• Contractor employees must possess specialized qualifications, including degrees in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering and significant experience in operating various 3D printers, CNC machining, and CAD software.

• A Quality Control Plan (QCP) must be developed and maintained.

• Contractor must adhere to non-disclosure requirements and sign a non-disclosure agreement.

• The contract type is anticipated to be Firm-Fixed Price.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Sources Sought Technical Description for Services related to "1AD Advanced Manufacturing Training." The Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Fort Bliss, TX, is conducting market research to identify interested parties with the resources to support this requirement. The government intends to procure these services on a competitive basis.

• Provide all labor, materials, and supervision necessary to perform Advanced Manufacturing Training for the 1st Armored Division.

• Training to be conducted in six (6) recurring sessions, each lasting no less than six (6) weeks and no more than eight (8) weeks.

• All training sessions to be completed within a 12-month performance period.

• Services will be provided in accordance with a Performance Work Statement (PWS) to be released with the solicitation.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: 13 April 2026 – 12 April 2027

• Place of Performance: To be specified in the PWS.

• Size Standard: $16.5 Million

• Evaluation Factors: Price, Technical Acceptability, Mobilization Schedule, and Past Performance.

• Price Evaluation: Includes reasonableness, completeness, realism, and consideration of the option to extend services (FAR Clause 52.217-8).

• Technical Acceptability: Evaluated on a pass/fail basis, requiring demonstration of ability to meet PWS requirements. Offerors must provide a technical narrative and resumes of key personnel.

• Mobilization Schedule: Evaluated for clarity, feasibility, and timeliness.

• Past Performance: Assesses the offeror's record of recent and relevant performance.

• Submission: Proposals to be submitted electronically via email in three volumes: Price Proposal, Technical Proposal, and Phase-In.

• Questions Deadline: 13 March 2026, 10:00 MST.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: 20 March 2026, 09:00 MST.

• Set-Aside: None (Unrestricted)

• This is a Sources Sought notice for informational purposes only and not a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Responses are not offers and do not obligate the government to award a contract.

• No funds are available to pay for response preparation.

• Offerors are responsible for monitoring the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) for future information.

• The document references several FAR clauses, including FAR 52.212-1 through FAR 52.212-5.