RFP_140D8021R0007_Type_1_Questions_20_Dec_2021_0001.pdf

RFP 140D8021R0007

BLM EU Type 1 Helicopter Flight Services

Question #

Section: B2.2 Page #: 13 Paragraph: 1

Reference Text:

A Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 (14 CFR 135) Air Carrier Certificate. These aircraft must be carried on the list required by 14 CFR 135.63 or Operations Specifications Part D, "Aircraft Listing," as appropriate. (Not applicable to restricted category aircraft offered)

Question:

Please confirm that what is not applicable to restricted category aircraft is the Part D aircraft list, but a FAR part 135 Certificate remains a requirement.

Answer:

Offerors must have a FAR part 135 certificate. The government understands restricted category aircraft will not be listed on the Part D “Aircraft Listing”.

B2.2 has been edited. See amendment

Section: B2.5

The offered aircraft must have a Standard Airworthiness Certificate OR a Restricted Airworthiness Certificate.

Installation of any equipment required by this contract must be FAA approved.

Question:

Two part question; Please confirm that passenger seats whether standard category or restricted category aircraft must comply with FAR 29.785 and be compliant to TSO- C114. Also, with regard to FAR part 135.128 which states in part “….shall occupy an approved seat or berth…” that the approved referenced in 135.128 applies to both Standard and restricted category aircraft offerings.

Answer: B2.5 outlines the certification of the aircraft and the approval basis for installed equipment.

B2.5 is correct as written, no edits required.

Section: B.20 Page #: 26

Manifesting. The pilot-in-command (PIC) must ensure that a manifest of all crewmembers and qualified non-crew members on board has been completed and that a copy of this manifest remains at the point of initial departure.

Question:

Please confirm that the definition for qualified non-crewmember is Section 40125(a)(3), if it is not, please provide the reference

Manifesting is required anytime personnel, other than the required flight crew, are carried.

B20.1 has been edited. See amendment

Section: A1.1 Page #: 6 Paragraph: 7

Reference Text: Item Requirement: Seating: Twelve (12) insured personnel seats not including pilot and copilot seats. Operated by a two-pilot crew.

FAR 135.411(a)(2) requires a maintenance program for “10 or more” passenger seats that maintains the aircraft under FAR(s) 135.415, 135.471, 135.423 through 135433.

Please confirm that is a requirement for both Standard and restricted category aircraft.

If it is not the same requirement, please detail the program required for “10 or more” other than the rules referenced here.

Answer: Section A1.1 establishes the minimum aircraft requirements (i.e. number of seats). For maintenance requirements see B26 through B33.

No edits required.

Section: B2.5.1

Restricted category aircraft offered must be certified under 14 CFR 21.25 (b) (2) “Forest and Wildlife conservation”. For aircraft offered which are certificated under any other portion of 14 CFR 21.25, offerors must provide a letter from the FAA authorizing the carriage of firefighters under 14 CFR 91.313 (d) (3) and/or 14 CFR

91.313 (d) (4) on the offered aircraft as certified. (See D4 for required documents to be submitted with offer)

FAA AGC-200 in a May 28, 2018 legal interpretation states that firefighters can not be transported aboard restricted category aircraft in accordance with 91.313(d) (3) or (4) or FAR 119(e)(4)(iv), with detail on page two of the interpretation. Can you please provide a reference to allow this operation?

Answer: B2.5.1 has been edited. Removed the statement in question. See amendment

Section: a. B6.36.1 and b. Exhibit 12 Page #: 16

a. The tundra pads, and camera/load monitoring system, as required in Exhibit 12, will be inspected and must be together with the aircraft for the initial inspection and all subsequent contract renewal inspections.

b. One set of approved Tundra Boards or Snow Pads with accompanying FAA certification.

Question: Are Tundra Pads required on retractable gear aircraft?

Answer: Yes

Section: A.1.1 Page #: 6 Paragraph:

Reference Text: Minimum Aircraft Requirements in addition to B6 through B8: “Airspeed: Capable of 140 knot indicated airspeed at 7,000 feet and 25 degrees C”

Question: At what gross weight is this airspeed specification to be determined?

Answer: The weight of the aircraft equipped as specified by the solicitation and meeting the minimum payload in section A1.1 No edits required.

Section: A.1.1 Page #: 6 & 7 Paragraph: 13

Target Aircraft Capabilities: **Note: The Government has identified target aircraft capabilities that are deemed beneficial to the Government’s mission and may contribute to a higher assessment of Aircraft Capability in proposed aircraft.

Question:

Are the 3 items (Fuel System, Landing Gear, and Certification” weighted equally in contributing to a higher assessment of Aircraft Capability?

Proposed aircraft will be evaluated in accordance with section D9 Technical Capability.

Section: A.1.1 Page #: 7 Paragraph: 2 Reference Text: Target Aircraft Capabilities: Landing Gear: Rated to absorb over 10 g’s.

Question: At what gross weight is this specification to be determined?

Answer: The gross weight and landing gear performance is aircraft model specific. Offer should submit sufficient documentation to support the evaluation of target capabilities.

Section: B6.22 Page #: 15 Paragraph: 1 Reference Text: FAA approved internal cargo restraint system Question: Will the BLM fly internal cargo for hire in a Restricted Category, non-PAO aircraft?

Answer: No.

Section: B7.5.1.1.1 Page #: 19 Paragraph: 1

Reference Text: A third, separate audio system, with its control mounted on the left side, outboard-facing seat, must be provided for use in the aft cabin.

Not all aircraft are equipped with a “left side, outboard-facing seat”. Are there alternative provisions for this requirement should the aircraft not have a left side, outboard facing seating station?

Answer: Yes – the seat on the left-hand side of the aircraft nearest the exit door would be acceptable.

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Question:

Would the configuration of an external-mount belly tank and an additional bucket be considered?

Proposed aircraft must meet the requirement listed in Sections B6.29 and B6.30.

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Question: Would a rappel configured aircraft be considered?

Answer: Any aircraft meeting the solicitation requirements will be considered. Rappel operations are not identified in section B1 Scope of Contract.

Section: B.1.1

Reference Text: states there could be the intent of conducting hoist and fast rope insertion operations.

Is there any guidance available as to specific capabilities sought, and what technical requirements exist for these types of operations? Would Part 133 D authorization be required for non-crewmember hoist operations?

Answer: The scope was developed to demonstrate intent. Specific requirements (if needed) will be coordinated through bilateral contract modifications.

Section: Section C Page #:

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Reference Text: FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

Question:

According to acquisition.gov, most recent version of FAR is dated NOV 2021, but RFP shows SEP 2021. Can FAR be updated to reflect most recent revision date?

Updated. See amendment

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Reference Text: FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items

Question:

shows OCT 2018. Can FAR be updated to reflect most recent revision date?

Updated 52.212-3 as well. See amendment

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Reference Text: FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items - Alternate I

Question:

shows OCT 2018. Can FAR be updated to reflect most recent revision date?

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Reference Text: FAR 52.212-4(k) Taxes

In previously awarded contracts with DOI, have included the following language concerning Federal Excise Taxes for the transportation of personnel/cargo stating:

“When the transportation tax on passengers and/or cargo (Section 4261 and 4271 of the IRS Code) is applicable, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to make claim for the applicable tax on the electronic invoice by annotating whether the tax applies to each line item by indicating one of four codes; “P” for Passenger Tax, “C” for Cargo Tax, “B” for Both taxes, or “N” for no tax. Any exceptions to this procedure shall be coordinated with the Contracting Officer”. Will the aforementioned language be incorporated into the contract regarding Federal Excise Taxes for the transportation of personnel/cargo?

Answer: The CO has determined that the FAR clause as written is sufficient.

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Reference Text: FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items

Question:

shows SEP 2021. Can FAR be updated to reflect most recent revision date?