AK FWOC Solicitation Questions and Answers_0002.pdf

FWOC Solicitation (140D8120R0004) questions/answers:

1. Will the field of departure be Anchorage?

Answer: The field of departure depends on each funded mission. While some projects may be based out of Anchorage, most are based out of other locations throughout the state.

2. We read through the solicitation and could not find the location requirement for the contractor to be located in Alaska. Does this remain the case? If so, can it be waivered?

Answer: All flight services for this contract will be conducted within the state of Alaska. For efficiency and cost effectiveness, the objective is to obtain contractors authorized and located in Alaska. To clarify this point, a sentence was added to Section A1, stating, “Services under this contract are limited to those operators who are authorized to conduct flight services in Alaska and maintain an Alaska Base of Operations.” “AK” was also added to the pricing sheets for the Base of Operations.

In accordance with B2.1, “the contractor must hold a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Carrier and/or as appropriate an Operating Certificate.” The contractor must be authorized to conduct flight services within Alaska.

The requirement for contractors to have an Alaska Base of Operations will not be waived.

3. Section: C, Exhibit 3, Page: 62, Are contractors allowed to propose aircraft that are not included in this exhibit?

Answer: Exhibit 3 is a list of Approximate Fuel Consumption Rates and not a list of aircraft that can be proposed. As long as the proposed aircraft fits into one of the types (item numbers 2 – 9) presented, it may be proposed. In order for the aircraft to be awarded on a contract, it must be a type that the Department of the Interior (DOI) would utilize. That determination would be made during the evaluation process.

4. Section E, Exhibit E-1, table at bottom of page, What does "deob" mean?

Answer: Deob stands for deobligation. Deobligation is the process to remove any excess unused funds left on a task order after the mission and invoicing have been completed. This is accomplished via bilateral task order modification.

5. Sec on Form 1449, Proposal due date, Page 1, Is the due date for responses 26 October or 28 October? The RFP mentions both.

Answer: The due date for responses is October 28, 2020 at 10:00 am Alaska time. The cover sheet erroneously mentions October 26, but item #8 on the SF1449 shows the correct proposal due date of October 28, 2020.

6. Section: B12, page 23, This section states that the contractor's base of operations must be as stipulated in Sec on A2. However, Sec on A2 does not mention specific bases of operation, stating only that "Contractor designated base location(s) are identified on the following pricing pages." Is it the offeror's responsibility to propose bases of operation via the forms in Sec on A3?

Answer: It is the offeror’s responsibility to propose designated base(s) of operation in Alaska for their company. Proposed bases of operation can be anywhere in the state of Alaska. If an offered base of operation is not of use to the Department of Interior (DOI), it may not be awarded;

however, it is beneficial to DOI to have aircraft located throughout the State to reduce aircraft ferry time and cost.

7. Section: A2, page 7, Would DOI's "Special Use" activities apply to multi-engine jet aircraft?

(Item #9 in Sec on A2)? Larger aircraft like this do not seem suitable for special use activities as defined in OPM-29.

Answer: If aircraft proposed cannot perform in accordance with special use activities as defined in OPM-29 or as described in the B25 Supplements, then they will not be considered for special use carding. All aircraft proposed do not have to be available for special use activities. DOI missions are a mixture of point-to-point transport and special use activities.

8. Section: D, Paragraph D4.3.1, page 63, Does an offeror increase its chances of an award if proposing more aircraft types? That is, would the Government be more likely to award to an offeror that offers a "one-stop shop" for most or all aircraft types versus an offeror who is proposing only one of the eight types, or is each aircraft type evaluated separately?

Answer: While offering multiple aircraft types may increase the chance of DOI utilization, contract award will not be based on a contractor offering more aircraft. A contractor offering one aircraft would have the same chance of obtaining a contract as a contractor that offers multiple aircraft.

9. Section: Form 1449, Page 1, Can the government provide an estimate of the number of flight hours per year for the various aircraft types?

Answer: There is not an accurate way to estimate the number of flight hours per year for each aircraft type. DOI missions vary each year depending on budgets, the animals, project funding, staffing, fires, weather, the pandemic, etc. Usage for each aircraft type can range from no use to heavily used depending on the season and the needs of DOI.

10. How should we, as a one-person operation, meet requirements for Exhibit E-2 Safety Management System (SMS) Components Questionnaire and Accident History?

Answer: The government is concerned about the troubling number of crashes involving Part 135 flight operations in Alaska. The intent of the SMS Questionnaire and Accident History is to learn how each contractor approaches safety management. A documented SMS (formal or informal) can help ensure operators manage their operations in the safest possible way. Please respond to the Questionnaire and Accident History to the best of your ability. The sole intent is to ensure that your company has been, and will continue, to operate in a safe manner.

11. Can you tell me who is operating this contract now? Incumbent? Value?

Answer: There were 59 Alaska Fixed Wing On-Call multiple award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) type contracts awarded. The shared value among the contracts for the base and all option periods is $20,000,000.