ARA_Sol_Amend_1_Q_A_final_0001.pdf

ARA Solicitation 140D8022R0009 Amendment 1 Attachment: Questions and Answers

Section: N/A Page: N/A Paragraph: N/A Question: How many aircraft are located in region 2 of the last ARA contract in 2022?

Answer: There are no regions identified in the ARA program. Calls (orders) for ARA projects can occur anywhere in the locations identified in the Paragraph B1, Scope of Agreement. Calls (orders) for Fire and Non-fire Emergencies will depend on the Resource Order and mission needs from Dispatch.

Section: A2 AQD-10 Pricing Form Information Page: 6 Paragraph: A2 Question: Are we required to bid both with and without pilot rates?

Answer: No, you do not have to bid both with and without pilot rates. Only bid on the items you are offering.

Section: A2 Page: N/A Paragraph: N/A Question: Is there any availability paid on days where no flight time takes place?

Answer: No, there is no daily availability paid on days where no flight time takes place. Instead, there is guarantee time of three (3) hours per day based on specific conditions. See answer in Paragraph C26.4.

Section: A4 Page: 7 Paragraph: N/A Question: Has a base price for 100 LL fuel been established?

Answer: Yes, the base price for fuel in Section A4 is based on AVGAS 100LL. The references to “jet fuel” were incorrectly stated in Section A4 and will be replaced with “AVGAS.”

Section: A4 Page: 7 Paragraph: N/A Question: What is the Base Price for AVGAS? All the check marks refer to Jet Fuel.

Answer: The base price for AVGAS is $7.50 as shown in Section A4. The references to “jet fuel” were incorrectly stated in Section A4 and will be replaced with “AVGAS.”

Section: B2 Page: 8 Paragraph: B2.2 Question: Does each aircraft have to be on a 135 certificate?

Answer: Yes. Per Section D4.7.2 A copy of the ‘list’ required by 135.63(a)(3) (Operations Specifications part D, “D085 Aircraft Listing”). The listing identifies, by N number, the aircraft the certificate holder is authorized to conduct operations with. Each aircraft offered for use under the ARA must be identified on the listing.

Section: B Page: 9 Paragraph: B7.1.1 Question: Can you verify that the NIFC link provided is for system performance, not a list of required avionics?

Answer: Correct. As stated in Section B7.1.1 Detailed avionics systems performance requirements are listed in Avionics Operational Test Standards (copies available upon request from DOI OAS Avionics or at https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NIICD/docs/avionics/FSOAS_A24F.pdf

Section: B Page: 14 Paragraph: B15.2.2 Question: Are aircraft battery locks an acceptable method of disabling the aircraft?

Answer: Yes. Battery locks achieve a level of security equal to or greater than the examples.

Listed in Section B15.2.2.

Section: B26 Page: 18 Paragraph: B26.1.4 and B26.1.5 Question: What is the difference between reconnaissance 1 and 2 and what are the avionics requirements for reconnaissance 2?

Answer: The difference is in the mission. Resource Reconnaissance 1 does not require a GPS.

Resource Reconnaissance 2 requires a GPS. Addition avionics requirements are based on the mission and will be determined by the bureau entity.

Section: B26 Page: 18 Paragraph: B26.1.6 Question: What qualifies for fire reconnaissance in terms of airplanes, avionics and equipment?

Answer: Supplement B26.1 identifies the requirements for an airplane to qualify for Fire Reconnaissance.

Section: B26 Page: 17 Paragraph: B26.1 to 26.7 Question: What is the peak time for orders under each one of the following? How many flight hours were logged under each different category?

a. B26.1 Fire and Resource Reconnaissance

b. B26.2 Low Level

c. B26.3 Off Airport Operations-wheels

d. B26.4 Tandem Seat Airplanes

e. B26.5 Extended Overwater

f. B26.6 Mountainous Terrain

g. B26.7 Skiplane

Answer: For B26.2 to B26.7 there are no peak seasons for these categories. For B26.1, the peak season is fire season which varies from one location to another across the L48. The number of flight hours under each category varies significantly from year to year and will not be provided.

https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NIICD/docs/avionics/FSOAS_A24F.pdf

Section: C Page: 31 Paragraph: C3.3.1 Question: If additional equipment, such as EO/IR/surveillance equipment, is added to contracted aircraft, can the additional equipment be added and pricing adjusted?

Answer: Yes, additional equipment can be added subject to the requirements in C3.3.2. Section C3.3 will be amended to include the word “equipment” and include additional guidance in C3.3.2. For all aircraft/equipment submissions either at the time of the solicitation or after award, if the pricing differs for aircraft with additional equipment and aircraft without additional equipment, a separate AQD-10 form must be submitted to account for the different pricing. See amended guidance in Section A2.

Section: C Page: 31 Paragraph: C3.3.2 Question: Would the Government consider adding similar aircraft, capable of performing the same mission, in the invent that newer and modernized aircraft are added to the vendor's that inventory?

Answer: This request would be evaluated by the Contracting Officer on a case-by-case basis to determine if there is a governmental need for such addition. See paragraphs C3.3.1 and C3.3.2 for guidance.

Section: C8 Page: 34 Paragraph: C8.3 Question: What determines who is called for orders? Is it best value, location, price, immediate need? How is it determined?

Answer: Paragraph C8.3 uses “fair opportunity” to be considered when placing orders with price as a mandatory consideration, and tradeoffs made for other factors such as “location (response time), past performance, aircraft capability and experience.” ARA BPA holders will be compared for every project order, other than fire, to determine the best value to the government.

For fire, Dispatch will issue a resource order for Fire and Non-Fire Emergencies to those vendors who meet the aircraft and equipment requirements for these types of emergencies as described in the solicitation. See also paragraph C8.5 for guidance.

Section: C18 Page: 38 Paragraph: C18.2 Question: Do we have to submit an SMS Questionnaire at the time of bid?

Answer: See Paragraph C18.2 and Exhibit 4 for the timing of submission of the SMS Questionnaire and the SMS Plan (Manual).

Section: C Page: 41 Paragraph: C23 Question: Is the scheduled 14 HR period during the day? Is maintenance performed at night?

Answer: The 14 hour period may occur at any time during a day depending on the project/mission. Paragraph C23 and B22.4 requires “routine/preventative maintenance” to be performed outside of the 14-hour duty day, or as approved by the Government. Section C26.4.2 applies when unscheduled maintenance is required.

Section: C26 Page: 41 Paragraph: C26.1.2 Question: Is mobilization and demobilization paid for from the contractors home base?

Answer: Yes. Paragraph C26.1.2 states that the contractor will be paid for ferry time to and from the contractor’s aircraft Base of Operations as specified on the AQD-10 or from the location of the aircraft at the time of hire, whichever is in the best interest of the Government.

Section: C26 Page: 41 & 42 Paragraph: N/A Question: How is flight time calculated?

Answer: See Paragraph C25 for how flight time is calculated.

Section: C27 Page: 42 Paragraph: C27.1 Question: Does the government reimburse for transportation of relief personnel?

Answer: Yes. See paragraphs C27.1 to C27.3 for answers and examples of reimbursements.

Section: C29 Page: 43 Paragraph: C29.1 Question: Is per diem for personnel paid by the government?

Answer: Yes. See Paragraphs C29.1 and C29.1.1 for conditions when the government will pay for per diem.

Section: Exhibit 3 Page: 46 Paragraph: N/A Question: Can you add under “VulcanAir” AP68TP…………….50T?

Answer: Exhibit 3, Airplane: Approximate “Recommended Cruise” Fuel Consumption Rates updated to include AP68TP at 50T GAL/HR.

Section: D13 Page: 59 Paragraph: N/A Question: What determines if a business is eligible for award under this contract?

Answer: According to Section D13, a business must be determined acceptable for all non-price factors listed in Sections D9, D10, and D11. In addition, the business’ submitted pricing must be determined to be fair and reasonable in accordance with Paragraph D12, D13.2, and D13.3.