B26_SQA_Combined_Questions_140D0423R0032_(FINAL_q1-11)_0003.pdf

Combined Questions for FY 23 BLM EU HELO Fire - T2 Tanana (Recompete - 140D0423R0032)

Q1: When do you anticipate posting the solicitation?

A1: Check Contract Opportunities in SAM https://sam.gov/content/home. The Solicitation 140D0423R0032 was posted (4 Jan 2023) and Solicitation Amendment 1 to 140D0423R0032 (11 Jan 2023).

Q2: For the submission, are we allowed to send (4) folders, in a zip file, names as follows.

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

Within the folders will be the required documents and the documents within the folders shall be title in accordance with the instructions to offerors.

A2: Yes, but please confirm that the contents of the folders have been received; not just the email has been received. NOTE: Normally, Contracting will simply respond to email proposals with a response email of “confirm receipt and thank you”. This means we do not confirm the contents, but confirm the email was received. NOTE: If multiple emails are required, please label subject line as directed in the instructions to offerors along with the following at the end of the subject:

• Email 1 of 4

• Email 2 of 4

• Email 3 of 4

• Email 4 of 4

Q3: What type of helicopter is has the current contract Bell 212, Bell 205, Bell 214?

A3: Bell 212

Q4: The current award had $8.5M total evaluated award price?

A4: Yes

Q5: What was the current contract daily rate for 2022?

A5: The government cannot disclose this proprietary information.

https://sam.gov/content/home

Q6: In the solicitation it states that the flight rate for Alaska is Dry but the flight rate for the lower 48 is wet, However I see no rate or place to add a rate for the lower 48. Will the lower 48 then be at USFS rates or how will that be calculated?

A6: C23.5 Flight Rate Adjustment, Contiguous United States Operations.

The flight rate will be increased to add a fixed fuel (wet rate) allowance for all Contiguous United States operations. The fuel allowance will be calculated using the fuel consumption rate contained in Exhibit entitled - Helicopter Fuel Consumption and Weight Reduction Chart multiplied by the average cost of fuel derived by sampling several sources near where the aircraft will initially relocate to in the lower 48.

A contract modification will be prepared for adjustment of the flight rate.

C24.6 Mobilization and Demobilization to and from the Contiguous United States

Upon dispatch to the Lower 48 Contiguous United States, (including ferry through Canada) the Contractor shall be reimbursed for fuel in accordance with this Subsection until such time as the contractor crosses the U.S. Lower 48 – Canadian Border. Upon release from the service in the Contiguous United States and dispatch for return to the designated (Alaskan) base, the Contractor shall be reimbursed in accordance with this Subsection for fuel purchased only after crossing the Lower 48 Contiguous United States – Canadian Border. Conversion from dry rate to wet rate (and wet to dry rate) shall coincide with first landing and refueling after crossing the border. The pilot shall record fuel on board at time of fueling. Credit for Government reimbursed fuel shall be recorded on the AMD-23 Flight Use Report prior to commencement of flight using wet rate. When changing from a dry to a wet or wet to dry rate, the pilot shall start a new AMD-23 Flight Use Report.

Q7: B6.21 The paragraphs on cargo restraints have me confused. My aircraft currently has the FAA approved cargo restraint nets that we used in Alaska last year, Am I allowed to use them? or do I need to add a solid barrier to that net? or am I required to have the aluminum cargo box? I can kinda read it to say all three are both acceptable and that only two options are acceptable. Can you please clarify.

A7: B6.21 and B6.22 has changed in their entirety as follows:

B6.21 Internal Cargo. Must meet one of the following two requirements.

B6.21.1 Internal cargo compartment.

B6.21.1.1 Bell medium helicopters must have a cargo box, with a minimum capacity of 22 cubic feet, capable of storing 58-inch-long handle tools. This box shall be mounted vertically aft of fuselage station 130 within the cabin compartment. This box shall be primarily constructed of aluminum or other rigid lightweight flame retardant material. It must be a solid sided structure mounted vertically thus providing a fully enclosed compartment within the cabin area aft of station 130. It shall be equipped with a door, complete with latching system, to secure the cargo within the box. The door shall be equipped with a retention strap to prevent the door from accidentally impacting any portion of the aircraft fuselage. The box design shall allow it to be secured within either side of the helicopter and shall allow it to be secured in or removed from the helicopter within 15 minutes.

Note: Cargo boxes, previously approved by OAS, which were constructed of aluminum and designed to fit only on one specific side of the helicopter will continue to meet this requirement.

-OR-

B6.21.2 FAA approved Internal cargo restraint system.

B6.21.2.1 Internal cargo compartment: Aircraft shall provide a minimum baggage/cargo compartment of 54 cubic feet in the right rear passenger compartment, capable of storing 58-inch-long handle tools.

B6.21.2.1.1 Bell medium helicopters must have FAA approved internal cargo area adjustable restraints or barriers (normally constructed of nylon webbing) which extend from the floor to the ceiling, completely protecting the passenger compartment and sliding door area, are easy to work with, expedite loading/unloading of cargo, and can be removed or installed in the aircraft within 15 minutes. (i.e. Aeronautical Accessories part # 2550-01-03 or equivalent)

B6.21.2.1.2 A solid barrier must be secured to the cargo side of the forward webbing to prevent small cargo items from protruding into the passenger area. This barrier may be constructed of aluminum, composite, or plastic sheet (i.e. Kydex®), or other puncture resistant fabric material, is easy to work with, expedite loading/unloading of cargo, and can be removed or installed in the aircraft within 15 minutes.

Note: All construction and/or attachment methods must be as prescribed by Advisory circulars 43.13-1B and 43.13-2B or other FAA approval.

B6.22 Reserved

Q8: B.18.3 The paragraph on the use of additional crews, appears contradictory, It states that additional crew members are "required" and then says that we "May '' provide them. This is a pretty big price differentiator if I need to employ a full time relief crew to step in, rather than use my existing relief crew when they have had their required time off. Can you please clarify?

A8: B18.3 has been edited as follows:

B18.3 Additional Flight Crews or augmenting Crew Member. During high periods of fire activity, the Government may have the occasion to utilize the aircraft after the primary flight crew has reached their daily duty/flight limitations. As a result, the Contractor may be requested to provide at least one additional flight crew. In some situations, continuous coverage may be provided by augmenting crewmember, (usually a pilot). The Government will request orders for crew compliments in advance as determined to be appropriate. The additional crewmembers may be furnished at the option of the contractor. If provided, the Contractor will be paid as set forth in Sec. A.

Q9: B.16 Regarding the FSVD must we keep a crew on the lower 48 fuel truck during all duty periods or merely have one available on call for such an occasion where the aircraft leaves Alaska for the lower 48?

A9: Only when the contracted Helicopter is dispatched to the Lower 48 does the government require a Fuel Service Vehicle Driver (FSVD).

B16 Fuel Servicing Vehicle Driver Requirement and Qualifications Required for operations in the Lower 48 States only.

See Exhibit 12: B16 Fuel Servicing Vehicle Driver Requirement and Qualifications

B16.1 For each day the aircraft is required to be available, the Contractor must furnish a Fuel Servicing Vehicle driver who meets all Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for fuel vehicle drivers.

The Fuel Servicing Vehicle Driver may not serve as the mechanic.

Q10: D15.2 States that The Government has the right to extend the contract by 6 months. Will the contractor have the option to decline this extension should the aircraft be contracted elsewhere or must we be available and then need to add the cost of that possibility to our bid proposal.

A10: No, the offeror cannot decline the 6 x month option to extend services. Offerors when they submit a proposal agree to all the terms and conditions of the solicitation/contract. The rates of the last ordering period are used for the extension. REF FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days.

(End of clause)

Q11: Is it an option to have different pricing in the government's favor for possible extensions. It appears that the prices used for the first 90 days of the contract must be used for any additional days. Is this the case? as it could make a substantial difference in the Total evaluated pricing.

A11: Yes, A2.1 pricing charts includes lines for an “optional” pricing for extensions; the offeror can offer a discounted price to the government during the extension. If the offeror does not put a price here it defaults to same price during the Exclusive Use Period.

Sec D15 Total Evaluated Price has changed to read:

D15.1 The Government will apply the unit prices in acceptable offers, including out year unit prices, to the daily availability quantities identified in Section A. For the purpose of evaluating flight time, the estimates in Section A will be applied to the flight rates offered for each year. The offeror can offer a discounted unit price to the government for the optional extension(s) pricing tables in Section A. If the offeror does not propose a unit price for the optional extension(s), the unit price will default to same unit price proposed for the Exclusive Use Period, per year. The totals for availability and estimated flight for all years including possible extensions and additional pay items will be added together to arrive at the total evaluated price for each offeror.