Question and Answers.pdf

Question and Answers

• Can you confirm whether the 240-hour maximum applies per individual contractor or across all awarded contractors? Additionally, how many contractors does the Government anticipate awarding under this solicitation?

240 hour max is for all awarded contractors and I anticipate awarding one contractor for this mission

• For survey missions, will contractors primarily operate as observers alongside a Government-designated flight manager, or is there an expectation for independent mission execution for those holding Fixed Wing Flight Manager – Special Use qualifications?

For a contractor who is qualified as a FWFMSU they may be asked to perform survey independently with a pilot depending upon their familiarity with the area and demonstrated ability to identify forest damages appropriately. The exact mix of work alongside other government surveyors and independent work will depend on the qualifications of the contractor

• Can you confirm the minimum required Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) certifications at time of award versus those that may be completed post-award during initial training?

Certifications can be obtained post-award with the bare minimum being Air Crew Member certified but more weight will be given to contractors who are certified as Fixed Wing Flight Manager Special Use

• What level of responsibility is expected for post-flight data processing, editing, and GIS deliverables (e.g., ArcGIS/AGOL)? Are there defined production or turnaround expectations?

Most of the GIS work will be handled by the government and it is not crucial for the contractor to be able to perform those functions, however, if the contractor has the requisite GIS knowledge they could be asked to perform some data editing/processing or produce cartographic outputs.

• Will contractors be assigned a primary base of operations, or should they anticipate frequent relocation throughout Region 2 during the period of performance?

They should expect frequent relocation throughout Region 2 (mainly Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota). We typically return to Rocky Mountain Metro airport between missions as our main base of operations. Although we will at times travel immediately to the next mission area without returning to Metro.

• Given the weather-dependent nature of operations, is there a historical average of weekly flight hours or utilization rates that can be shared to better estimate expected workload?

We typically fly 4-8 hours per day depending on conditions and 5 days per week.

Sometimes we work weekends if needed to stay on pace.

• Can you confirm whether travel time (including transit to survey locations) counts toward the 240-hour contract ceiling, and whether per diem is paid in full during non-flight operational days? Additionally, is there an expectation for contractors to remain on-site between missions?

Yes transit time to/from the mission base will count towards the 240 hours.

Per Diem will be paid in full even if no flight operations occur that day due to weather, fire, etc.

Contractors do not need to remain on site between missions, such as weekends or weeks without scheduled flights. Per diem is not paid for times when no flights are scheduled and the contractor has been released until the next scheduled mission.

• Beyond Government-furnished equipment (tablet, DMSM, headset), are contractors expected to provide any additional hardware, software licenses, or personal equipment to support mission execution or data processing?

Only the proper PPE (closed toed boots, non-synthetic clothes) for flights

• Would the Government see added value in contractors who can support enhanced geospatial outputs (e.g., refined GIS products, visual reporting, or supplemental aerial imaging) beyond the minimum DMSM requirements?

In the past we have used Hi-resolution imagery over areas of high importance to collect more precise data but those acquisitions are beyond the scope of this particular contract