Advanced Manufacturing Training

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation W911SG-26-Q-A026, clarifying various aspects of the training services being procured.

• Manufacturing Disciplines: Training will cover Intuitive and G-code CNC machining (Lathe/Mill) and Additive Manufacturing using various plastics filaments, including metal printing, SLS, FDM, and SLA.
• Participants per Session: Each training session will accommodate up to 10 personnel.
• Facilities & Equipment: While the facility and equipment for the three classes will be provided on-site, the contractor is responsible for providing necessary equipment and supplies off-post as stated in the PWS.
• Instructor Qualifications: Instructors must possess at least an Associate's Degree in a relevant engineering or computer science field, a minimum of three years of experience operating 3D printers and required software, and three years of teaching experience with CAM software. They must also demonstrate the ability to re-engineer or design parts from scratch using CAD software. A team-teaching approach is acceptable, provided each instructor meets the minimum education and experience thresholds for their block of instruction.
• Incumbent Contractor: There is no incumbent contractor providing these services.
• Instruction Format: All training will be conducted in person; hybrid or remote instruction will not be considered.
• Size Standard: The applicable size standard for this solicitation is $16.5 Million.
• Set-Aside Status: The acquisition is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside.
• Brand Name Equipment: While specific brand name printers are listed, equivalent models that meet or exceed the specified capabilities will be considered. Models can vary, but the makes must be the same.
• Facility Readiness: The contractor-provided facility must be operational and ready to begin classes after contract award, not during the phase-in period.
• Evaluation Criteria: If multiple proposals are rated Acceptable, price will be the primary evaluation criterion, with award made to the offeror with the lowest evaluated price among technically acceptable proposals.
• Phase-In Content: The 72-hour phase-in will involve the contractor demonstrating their ability to start training, including a walk-through to ensure all PWS requirements are met.

These clarifications refine requirements related to training scope, instructor qualifications, equipment, evaluation, and contract administration. Bidders should ensure their proposals address these points accurately.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is issued by the Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Bliss, TX, to procure Advanced Manufacturing Training services for the 1st Armored Division. The government intends to award a single Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract on a competitive basis.

• Provide Advanced Manufacturing Training services.

• Training to be conducted in six (6) recurring sessions, each lasting 6-8 weeks.

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

• Services must be in accordance with the forthcoming Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Offerors must provide specific brand name printer models identified in Section 4.1.3 of the PWS, which are certified by the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC).

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

• Period of Performance: 27 April 2026 – 26 April 2027

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

• Proposals are due by 10 April 2026, 09:00 MST.

• Submission is electronic via email to the Primary and Secondary Points of Contact.

• Proposals must be submitted in three separate volumes: Price Proposal, Technical Proposal, and Phase-In.

• Evaluation will be based on Price, Technical Acceptability (Brand Name, Education/Degree, Experience with Equipment, Experience Teaching Use of Equipment).

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is technically acceptable and offers the lowest evaluated price.

• This acquisition is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Small business prime contractors must perform at least 50% of the work.

• Question Response Date: 07 April 2026, 12:00 MST. All responses will be issued via written amendment.

• Full text of incorporated FAR clauses can be accessed at https://www.acquisition.gov/.

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 current and future Army manufacturing innovations. The training aims to develop a skillset to sustain military needs, allowing students 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 8-10 students per class.

• Each class will be 6-8 weeks long.

• Training will cover Computer Aided Design (CAD) software (GrabCAD, IdeaMaker, Autodesk Fusion, Mastercam, Featurecam, SolidWorks), 3D printing, manufacturing equipment diagnostics, and hands-on capstone projects.

• Topics include engineering design, reverse engineering, post-processing, nondestructive testing (NDT), and additive manufacturing (AM) machine operation.

• A capstone project involves designing, printing, and manufacturing a final-use OEM part.

• 100% delivery of all sessions per schedule, unless modified by mutual agreement.

• Performance may affect Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) ratings.

• Deliverables include a full implementation plan within 4 days of award, course reports within 4 days of course completion, and documented adaptations to participant feedback.

• Weekly reports detailing student feedback, issues, and lessons covered are required.

• A certification of completion will be provided to each student.

• Period of Performance: April 27, 2026 – April 26, 2027.

• Place of Performance: Classes will be held at Fort Bliss, TX, and off-installation within a 15-mile radius. A minimum of three classes will be off-base (contractor-provided facility), and three classes will be on-base (government-provided facility).

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

• Contractor employees must have an Associate's Degree or higher in a relevant field and a minimum of three years of experience operating specified 3D printers and related software, as well as teaching experience.

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

• An Operations Security (OPSEC) program must be implemented.

• Contractors must sign a non-disclosure agreement.

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

• Security requirements for accessing Fort Bliss must be met.

• Recognized Federal Holidays are listed, during which services are not required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, W911SG26QA026, is for "1AD Advanced Manufacturing Training." The government is procuring training services related to advanced manufacturing.

• Provide three (3) onpost training sessions.

• Provide three (3) offpost training sessions.

• All training must be in accordance with Section 4.1.1 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• The specific brandname printer models identified in Section 4.1.3 of the PWS must be provided. These printers are certified by the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) for Army component production.

• Offerors must demonstrate capability to supply the exact brandname equipment, including successful completion of JMTC's qualification and validation process, structural integrity testing, repeatability assessments, and verification of part performance against military specifications (MILSPEC).

• Offerors must demonstrate a documented record of high-precision, reliable, and repeatable output aligned with Army manufacturing standards.

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: April 27, 2026, to April 26, 2027.

• NAICS Code: 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training).

• Size Standard: USD 15,000,000.00.

• Offers must be submitted electronically via email to the primary and secondary points of contact.

• Submission consists of three volumes: Price Proposal, Technical Proposal, and Phase In.

• The offeror agrees to hold prices firm for 60 calendar days from the offer due date.

• Evaluation will be based on Price and Technical Acceptability.

• Technical Acceptability includes evaluation of Brand Name equipment, Education (Degree Obtained), Experience with Equipment, and Experience Teaching Use of Equipment.

• Only proposals offering the specified brandname equipment will be considered technically acceptable.

• Offer due date: April 10, 2026, at 09:00 AM MST.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses and provisions covering various aspects of the contract, including terms and conditions, payment, contract clauses, solicitation provisions, evaluation factors, representations, and certifications.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Advanced Manufacturing Training for the 1st Armored Division, to be procured on a competitive basis by the Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Fort Bliss, TX. The contractor will provide all labor, materials, and supervision for the training.

• Conduct six (6) recurring training sessions.

• Each session must be between six (6) and eight (8) weeks long.

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

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

• Specific brand name printer models identified in the PWS (Section 4.1.3) must be provided. No alternate or substitute models will be considered technically acceptable.

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

• Period of Performance: 27 April 2026 – 26 April 2027

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

• Size Standard: $16.5 Million

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the primary and secondary points of contact.

• Submission Deadline: 10 April 2026, 09:00 MST.

• Proposals must consist of three separate volumes: Price Proposal, Technical Proposal, and Phase-In.

• Evaluation Basis: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous based on Price, Technical Acceptability (Brand Name, Education/Degree, Experience with Equipment, Experience Teaching Use of Equipment).

• The Government will assess prices for fairness and reasonableness, awarding to the offeror with the lowest evaluated price among technically acceptable proposals.

• Questions Deadline: 07 April 2026, 12:00 MST. All official responses will be issued via written amendment.

• Set-Aside: None (Unrestricted).

• Note: If a Small-Business Set-Aside is later implemented, the prime must perform at least 50% of the work.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-2, 52.212-3, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5.

• A 72-hour phase-in period will commence upon contract award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Brand Name Justification, serving as a justification for limiting competition to a specific brand name for the procurement of Advanced Manufacturing Training. It outlines the necessity for this specific training and the rationale behind selecting a particular brand or set of equipment.

• Requiring Activity: 1st Armored Division
• Contracting Activity: MICC – Fort Bliss
• Nature of Requirement: New
• Brand Name: Yes
• Contract Vehicle: Purchase Order
• Pricing/Contract Type: Fixed Price
• Funds: FY 26, Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA)
• Description of Services or Supplies: Provision of six (6) Advanced Manufacturing Training classes to develop skills for current and future Army manufacturing innovations. Training will enable students to design, manufacture, and qualify Final-Use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components.
• Estimated Value: $450,000.00
• Period of Performance: 27 April 2026 – 26 April 2027
• Authority Cited: FAR 16.507-7(b) - Items peculiar to one manufacturer, supported by rigorous evaluation and certification of specific printer models by the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC).
• Market Research: Confirms a specialized requirement with inherent pricing variability. Initial and subsequent Sources Sought notices identified qualified vendors, with a recommendation for a 100% Total Small Business set aside.

This document indicates a procurement for Advanced Manufacturing Training with a brand name justification. Bidders interested in providing this specialized training should note the specific requirements, the justification for brand name limitation (related to specific printer qualifications), the estimated value, period of performance, and the potential for a small business set-aside. The document references a Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Attachment 3, which would contain further details on the training scope and OEM components.