Clarification Questions Amd 1_0001.docx

Questions on Solicitation 14D8021R0002 Question 1 The definition of “Standby” on page 6 states the Contractor personnel shall be ready for take-off/dispatch within 15 minutes after the Government attempts to contact the Contractor’s representative.

Would the Government agree to changing the wording from 15 minutes to 30 minutes to allow crew(s) adequate time to flight plan, especially in challenging weather conditions?

Answer: The wording will remain as written in the solicitation.

Question 2 Item A1.2 on page 7 shows nineteen (19) light single-engine helicopters required versus page 8 note #2 showing sixteen (16) light single-engine helicopters required.

Can you please confirm the total number of light single-engine helicopters required per the contract?

Answer: The total number is 19 as specified in note #2 15 EU, 2 Option, and 2 OC. The typo will be corrected in Amendment 1 of the solicitation.

Question 3 Can the Government please confirm whether CLIN #3 for FY22 on the Excel file provided (snapshot below) is Optional or Exclusive Use (EU)?

Answer: CLIN 3 is EU FY22 through FY26 and Option FY27 through FY31.

Question 4 Item B1.3 states that all aircraft may be required to remain offshore overnight as directed by the Government.

Will the Government accept adding additional language stating that 48 hours notification will be given if a helicopter is required to remain offshore overnight to allow the Contractor adequate time to facilitate any maintenance inspections and crew schedule required?

Answer: 48 hours notification is not always possible due to the nature of BSEE’s mission. B1.3 will remain as written in the solicitation.

Question 5 Item B6.25 states that passengers must be supplied with adequate fresh air ventilation as determined by the Government. The Item further states that if adequate fresh air ventilation (example: supplement vents or scoops) is not provided, an operational air conditioning system must be installed in the aircraft for all flights.

Can the Government please confirm, to ensure clarity, that if the aircraft is equipped with both fresh air scoops and air conditioning, and the air conditioning is out of service, the aircraft will be considered “available”?

Answer: If the air conditioning is not installed or not working adequate fresh air ventilation will be considered window air scoops or windows that can be slid open or closed in flight. If an aircraft’s air conditioner fails and the aforementioned ventilation is not provided, then the aircraft may be considered unavailable.

Question 6 Item B10.2.4 requires an instrument proficiency check, but states for “twin engine pilots only”.

Would the Government agree to replacing “twin engine pilots only” with “medium aircraft pilots only”? Requiring the light twin engine pilots to complete an instrument proficiency check should not apply as the mission profile is still day VFR only and at the same weather minimums as the single engine mission.

The solicitation will be amended as follows:

B10.2.4 A current FAA competency check, and instrument proficiency check (medium multiengine aircraft pilots only), (twin engine pilots only), completed in accordance with 14 CFR, Part 135.293 and 135.297 in the same make and model as the contract aircraft.

Question 7 Item B10.2.7(j) requires 200 hours offshore operations including takeoffs and landings from platforms and helidecks similar to those used for offshore facilities; OR 100 hours offshore operation with 50 hours accomplished during the previous 12 months.

The DOI manual states 50 hours PIC of offshore navigation within the previous 12 months.

Would the Government accept changing Item B10.2.7(j) to read “200 hours offshore operations including takeoffs and landings from platforms and helidecks similar to those used for offshore facilities; OR 50 hours PIC offshore navigation, which includes platform or vessel landings, within the previous 12 months”?

DOI manual below for reference:

Answer: Section B10.2.7 will remain as written in the solicitation.

Question 8 Item B12.1.3 states that pilots will be given two (2) calendar days of rest (off duty) prior to any 14 consecutive duty days.

Would the Government accept deleting this requirement as the mission profiles and district scheduling of weekend flight schedules often times allow the pilots to have at least one weekend off? In addition, pilots are scheduled on a standard equal time on/off rotational schedule.

Answer: Section B12.1.3 is in accordance with DOI policy, reference: 351 DM 3.6A(1)(3) and will remain as written in the solicitation.

Question 9 Item B20.8 states that for day/night VFR use, single engine helicopters are limited to flight during daylight hours under VFR conditions only with daylight hours defined as from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.

Would the Government accept changing the Item to read “…daylight hours defined as the start of civil morning sunrise to the end of evening civil twilight”?

Answer: The Government will amend section B20.8 to read, “…daylight hours defined as the start of civil morning sunrise to the end of evening civil twilight”

Question 10 Item B20.8.1 states only multiengine helicopters may be operated in IMC conditions.

Would the Government accept changing the Item to read “Only medium size helicopters may be operated in IMC conditions” as the light twin helicopters, which are multiengine, are limited to VFR only operations?

Answer: Section B20.8.1 will be amended as follows: B20.8.1 Day/night IFR use. Only medium multiengine helicopters may be operated in IMC conditions.

Question 11 Item B22.4.1 states that the Contractor may be required to remove CA-EBS from vests of BSEE passengers who are unable to show evidence that they are qualified and current with CA-EBS training.

Would the Government be willing to amend the Item to state that “If a BSEE passenger is unable to show evidence that they have the required CA-EBS training, the Contractor shall advise the applicable passenger not to operate the CA-EBS bottle”?

Reasoning behind this request is the time and paperwork required each day to update the safety items onboard the aircraft potentially delaying departure of the aircraft. Contractor doesn’t know day-to-day which inspector will be flying until the manifest is given.

Answer: The Government will amend B22.4.1 Note: “If a BSEE passenger is unable to show evidence that they have the required CA-EBS training, the Contractor shall advise the applicable passenger not to operate the CA-EBS bottle. The pilot shall give the passenger an approved briefing that will allow them to wear but not use the CA-EBS”.

Question 12 Item B33.1 states that a helicopter turbine engine power check will be accomplished on the first day of operation and thereafter within each 10-hour interval.

Will the Government accept changing this requirement to 50 hours as followed in the current contract, as having to conduct a turbine engine power check every 10 hours will add significant cost to operations?

Answer: The Government will amend B33.1 A Helicopter Turbine Engine Power Check will be accomplished on the first day of operation and thereafter in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The Helicopter Turbine Engine Power Check will be accomplished by the vendor in accordance with the Rotorcraft Flight Manual or FAA approved company performance monitoring program. The results will be recorded and either kept in the helicopter or at the assigned work location. A record of the Helicopter Turbine Engine Power Check will be kept with the aircraft.

Question 13 Item C4.7.7.1 states that following an “aircraft accident” or when requested by the NTSB following notification of a reportable “Incident” the Contractor must provide the OAS ASM with information necessary to complete a NTSB Form 6120.1/2 “Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report”.

This process is a regulatory requirement for the Air Operator in accordance with 49 CFR § 830.5 and therefore the submission of Form 6120.1/2 to the NTSB would fall under responsibility of the Contractor.

Can the Government please clarify the requirements under Item C4.7.7.1?

Answer: It is (somewhat) of a redundant requirement and by no means do we want to interfere with the contractors responsibly to provide that information to the NTSB. As a party to NTSB investigations, we (OAS) require the same information as we often investigate on behalf of the NTSB. Last, some operators fail to submit this documentation in which this allows us to meet our regulatory requirements when we possess operational control.

Question 14 For Item C12 (Unavailability and Damages), can the Government please confirm that, per regulations, an aircraft becomes unairworthy upon landing and pilot entry of discrepancy in the technical log and this would be the starting point of any out of service penalty time?

Answer: The Government will pay for the FT for the duration of the flight to encourage good safe judgement. However, AV will stop being paid for the moment the discrepancy is noted/turns around and will not start again until the aircraft is returned to service.

Question 15 Reference Item C13 (Daily Availability). If a 5x2 CLIN is utilized on the weekend, will the On Call (OC) rate associated with that type aircraft be utilized for billing?

Answer: If BSEE flies on the weekend it will use the 7-day aircraft except in extreme circumstances then the OC rate for that aircraft will be utilized for billing.

Question 16 Item C13 (Daily Availability) references an “Unavailability Conversion Chart Exhibit”.

Can the Government please provide the Unavailability Conversion Chart Exhibit?

Answer: The Government will amend the solicitation to add the exhibit.

Question 17 Item C14 does not address the circumstance where the Contractor is asked to keep the aircraft running on the helideck while inspectors complete an inspection.

Can the Government please confirm that it will accept billing of flight time, including rotors running time, should contractor be required to remain running while inspectors complete an inspection?

Answer: In the event that BSEE requests that an aircraft remains running on the helideck, BSEE will accept that charge as flight time.

Question 18 For Item C14 (Flight Time), can the Government please confirm that flight time is charged on any flight containing a BSEE passenger or on a BSEE mission, including if the pilot returns to base due to a discrepancy while inflight as the Contractor should not be financially penalized for good safe judgement?

Answer: The Government will amend the solicitation and add C14.6: The Government will pay for the FT for the duration of the flight to encourage good safe judgement. However, AV will stop being paid for the moment the discrepancy is noted/turns around and will not start again until the aircraft is returned to service.

Question 19 In review of the solicitation we are struggling to find the payment terms, invoicing and termination rights. Page 33 starts the Contract Terms and Conditions with (a) Inspection/Acceptance, it then appears to jump to (k) Taxes on page 35. We can’t seem to find (b) thru (j) which in the current contract states the payments terms, invoicing and termination rights. Is there pages missing in the current solicitation? I’m probably overlooking where it is in the solicitation, if I am can you point me to it please?

Answer: C2 of the solicitation is the Addenda to the Clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions. 52.212-4 is incorporated by reference in the solicitation C1. Any clause incorporated by reference in C1 can be found in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at www.acquisition.gov. The contractors are also advised to refer to Alt 1 of 52.212-4 as applicable to replace paragraphs of the clause as needed.

Question 20 Will the Government be awarding multiple contracts under this solicitation?

Answer: IAW D1.3 of the solicitation: The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a single award, IDIQ contract to the vendor(s) whose proposal provides the best overall value to the Government.

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