13_QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

6973GH-20-R-00069 AMENDMENT 00002

Q1. Reference Solicitation Document, Page 56, Paragraph, L.6 (b) 3) states “Offerors must send the attached Past Performance Questionnaire...” There is no attached Past Performance Questionnaire. Please clarify.

A1. Amendment 00001 was posted on beta.sam.gov on June 11, 2020 to rectify the oversight of not including it in the attachments.

Q2. Both PWSs have the Estimated Base Period of 7/01/20-6/31/21. Can you provide updated Base Period dates?

A2. This amendment will replace both PWS’s with a version that does not include dates.

Q3. There is no specific mention as to conducting Pre-employment operations and flight hours for the Single Engine Turbine Helicopter. Was this an oversight or are the hours included with the 1230 annual hours for the Single Engine Turbine Helicopter EBC hours? Please clarify.

A3. Pre-employment flight evaluations are included in the annual hours as indicated in the 141 PWS.

Q4. Reference King Air C90GTI contract and administrative support, page 4 “Requirements:

Contract Pilot Services” states contract pilots will conduct training in AATD’s, PA44 and EC135. Please clarify

A4. The Attachment 3 PWS has been updated with the examples deleted.

Q5. Reference Solicitation Document, Page 50, Table L.1. The Volume number for the Cost/Price Proposal appears to have the wrong volume number. Should this read Volume IV rather than Volume III.

A5. Yes. The table has been updated in amendment 00002 to this solicitation.

Q6. Reference Solicitation, including Section B, PWS for King Air C90GTi Contract Pilots and PWS for 14 CFR Part 141 Pilot School. The Solicitation, including Section B, Supplies or Services Pricing, and the PWS for King Air C90GTi contract pilots and administrative support clearly identify the requirements for Administrative Personnel and the data entry/records keeping tasks. However, the PWS for the 14 CFR Part 141 Pilot School is not as clear. For example on Page 6 of the PWS states that “The training curriculum must also include the associated administrative process to capture information on appropriate FAA training document forms, as well as other administrative support information for the completion of the flight training course/event documentation. Additionally it states that:

“A single flight event consists of the following: Pre-Flight Briefing, Flight(s), Post- Flight Briefing, Flight record updates”. Additionally on Page 8 of the PWS it states that, “The contractor is required to provide the TPOC with flight program participant training records for post-flight administrative processing, and provide any other post-flight documentation necessary for archiving the flight and training data in accordance with 14 CFR 141.101 at the conclusion of each participant training.” This is a two-part question.

Q6(i). Is it the FAA’s intent that Administrative Support personnel identified in the solicitation and PWS for the King Air Contract Pilots and Administrative Support also support the flight course documentation and records keeping for the CFR 141 Pilot School?

A6(i). No, the 141 Pilot School/14 CFR Part 141 Air Agency Certificate is a stand-alone requirement. All 141 requirements (including administrative support) will be part of the 141 Pilot School firm fixed price. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring sufficient support to provide administrative services to the FAA under the Part 141 Pilot School PWS, as described under section 4.1.

Under the Part 141 Pilot School PWS, the Contractor is responsible for providing requested training records to the TPOC.

Q6(ii). If not, are the training records requirements stated in 14 CFR 141.101 adequate to meet the FAA’s requirements and how will this information and data be provided to the FAA TPOC?

A6(ii). The FAA will work with the Contractor to ensure the training records required by the FAA are in a format that can be approved by the Contractor’s Certificate Holding District Office (CHDO). As noted in the PWS, the training records requirement under 14 CFR 141.101 is the basis for this requirement.

The Contractor will be required to provide the training records to the TPOC via electronic delivery or hard copy. The TPOC will work with the Contractor to determine the best method of delivery.

Q7. Reference PWS for 14 CFR Part 141 Pilot School. The table on Page 7 provides a summary of the estimated Training and Currency/Proficiency Flight Event Schedule deliverables. This Table contains a line item for Multi-Engine Piston Fixed Wing (i.e.

Piper PA-44-G500) GFP PE.

Will the FAA provide scheduling and records keeping support for the GFP PE through the King Air Contract Pilots and Administrative Support Contract, through some other means, or will it be the responsibility of the 14 CFR Part 141 Pilot School?

A7. The pre-employment flight evaluation scheduling and recordkeeping is covered under the C90 PWS. Administrative personnel under the C90 PWS will not provide support to the 141 Pilot School.

Q8. Attachment 1, Schedule B: C90 Pilot and Admin: Are the 19,200 hours of flight training and the 9,600 hours of Admin support guaranteed hours? Or, is there a minimum number of hours?

A8. The intent of this is for each employee proposed to be considered a full time employee. The number of hours is an estimate due to potential circumstances such as the global pandemic, continuing resolutions and any other unforeseen circumstances.

Q9. PWS 141 Pilot School: How many briefing hours and ground instruction hours are required for the anticipated flight hours in the non-king air courses? How many hours of AATD instruction?

A9. For each flight event, the vendor should estimate 30 minutes for the pre-flight briefing, and 30 minutes for the post-flight briefing, for a total of 1 additional hour per event. Ground instruction is estimated at 872 hours annually. AATD is estimated at 1000 hours annually.

Q10. PWS 141 Pilot School: Is a breakdown of expected flight hours, pre/post brief, classroom training, and simulator training for each training event available? Are any non-flight hours included in the annual hours estimates?

A10. An estimated time can be provided as guidance only, as actual flight time depends upon each student’s proficiency. Reference PWS 141 Pilot School Section 9.1 for estimated flight time by event. For each flight event, the vendor should estimate 30 minutes for the pre-flight briefing, and 30 minutes for the post-flight briefing, for a total of 1 additional hour per event. Ground school classroom and AATD training is broken out on the attached “Expanded 141 Hr. Chart”. Non-flight hours are not included in the annual hour estimates.

Q10(i). Single engine turbine helicopter EBC Course – please provide a breakdown of how many flight hours, classroom hours, and pre-post briefing hours are included in each event.

A10(i). See above reference and Expanded 141 Hour Chart attachment.

Q10(ii). Please confirm the Helicopter Recurrent Course 0095 Bell 206 only includes flight hours in the annual estimation. If not, how many flight hours, how many classroom hours, and how many pre-post flight briefing hours per event?

A10(ii). Annual estimate provided in the “Training and Currency/Proficiency Flight Event Schedule” chart in Section 4.1 reflects the expected flight hours under the Annual Est. Hours column. It does not include classroom, pre/post-flight brief hours. See above reference and attachment for additional breakout hour information.

Q10(iii). Please confirm the Single Engine Piston Helicopter Recurrent Course 0095 R-44 only includes flight hours in the annual estimation. If not, how many flight hours, how many classroom hours and how many pre-post briefing hours per event?

A10(iii). See A10(ii)

Q10(iv). Please confirm the PA-44 and C172 courses only includes flight hours in the annual estimation. If not, how many flight hours, how many classroom hours and how many pre-post briefing hours per event?

A10(iv). See A10(ii)

Q11. Will the Part 141 Special Curricula courses fall under Part 141 Appendix K (5), which indicates: “Stage check and end-of-course tests. Each person enrolled in a special preparation course must satisfactorily accomplish the stage checks and end-of-course tests, in accordance with the school's approved training course, consisting of the approved areas of operation that are appropriate to the operating privileges or authorization sought, and for which the course applies.”

A11. Yes.

Q12. PWS 141 Pilot School- Will any of the courses require a Stage Check or End of Course Check?

A12. Yes, all courses have a stage check and/or end of course test component. All courses will need an end of course check. In the case of training courses, there is at least one stage check, and an end of course check. In the case of currency/proficiency flight profile curricula, there is a quarterly stage check requirement, as well as an annual check requirement (equivalent to an end of course check).

Q13. PWS 141 Pilot School- Are check instructors required for performance of the contract?

A13. Yes, the Contractor is expected to have qualified check instructors in accordance to 14 CFR 141.33 to deliver any required checks. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring sufficient qualified staff to meet FAA requirements for ground instruction, flight instruction, and checks.

Q14. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 3. As the vendor is responsible for getting FAA approval of these courses under Special Curricula (Part 141 Appendix K), please identify which category of courses these curricula will be approved under from the list contained within Part 141.11 (b)(2).

A14. The Contractor will work the approval process with the Certificate Holding District Office (CHDO).

Q15. PWS 141 Pilot School- Do any of the courses lead to a certificate or rating? If so, what are they?

A15. None of the courses will lead to a certificate or rating.

Q16. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 3: Can contractor SMS officer access the Flight Program Operations safety reporting system? We will certainly report through the FAA reporting system but would also like administrative access for our SMS officer.

A16. Yes, the FAA will provide access to our safety reporting system to the Contractor SMS officer.

Q17. PWS 141 Pilot School- Is the contractor and subcontractors required to have their own Safety Management System, or is contractor and subcontractors to use the Flight Program Operations automated safety reporting system instead?

A17. The 141 PWS states on pg. 4 “Contractor personnel will use the Flight Program Operations automated safety reporting system.” The Contractor is expected to have a safety program (or SMS as appropriate) in order to collect data; however contractor personnel will be able to submit safety reports through the Flight Program Operations safety reporting system.

Q18. PWS 141 Pilot School, section 4.1- Government States: “If the number of events consistently exceed the monthly event average to include the allowed 20% fluctuation more than seven (7) times during the period of performance, in addition to exceeding the total number of estimated flight hours, then an evaluation will be performed at the end of each contract year for an equity adjustment based on negotiated event pricing.” PWS goes on to state that 0.1% of Task 1 FFP cost will be added per overage event.

A18. 141 PWS revised to take 20% out.

Q19. PWS 141 Pilot School section 4.1- Is it to be understood that the Government will pay for “Over and Above” rates for aircraft rental, IP hours, as well as 0.1% of Task 1 FFP for each overage event?

A19. O&A will be paid only after total flight hours are exceeded in an option year, see revised PWS.

Q20. PWS 141 Pilot School, section 4.1 - Are “Over and Above” rates only used when activity exceeds 120% of the estimated annual hours? For example, the estimated monthly hours in the Cessna 172 is 250 hours. Would the Government begin paying Over and Above rates at the 251st hour or at the 301st hour?

A20. 141 PWS revised to take 20% out. O&A comes into effect when the total flight hours are exceeded in an option year period of performance.

Q21. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 4.1: Similarly, is it to be understood that 0.1% will be deducted from the Task 1 FFP (03AA on Schedule B) for each event over 2% missed due to contractor issues?

A21. Correct, on a monthly invoice basis.

Q22. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 4.1: If a single award is made for both PWS, can the contractor cross utilize dispatch personnel for the Part 141 Pilot School for King Air Contract Pilot Administrative Assistant position and visa versa?

A22. No, the 141 dispatch personnel requirement is only for support of the 141 Pilot School/14 CFR Part 141 Air Agency Certificate. The FAA will provide dispatch support for the C90 aircraft, and will maintain full operational control of the FAA owned C90 requirement. The dispatch position is part of the 141 Pilot School requirement. The Administrative Assistant position(s) are specified under the C90 requirement.

Q23. PWS 141 Pilot School- Are dispatch personnel required to be licensed?

A23. Dispatch personnel must meet the requirements of 14 CFR 141.33 (a)(2).

Q24. PWS 141 Pilot School- If a subcontractor is used in performance of the helicopter training, can the two entities cross utilize the same dispatch personnel?

A24. The Prime contractor has the responsibility to execute the requirement under the Contractor’s 141 Air Agency Certificate, to include sufficient instructors and dispatch personnel as described in the revised PWS.

Q25. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 7: Is the Assistant Chief instructor permitted to fly as an Instructor Pilot for performance of the contract?

A25. The FAA has no objection to the Assistant Chief Instructor flying as an Instructor Pilot for performance of the contract. Ultimately, the Contractor’s CHDO has oversight of the Contractor’s 14 CFR Part 141 Air Agency Certificate.

Q26. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 8: 141 PWS page 17. For agency support of relief efforts with respect to the Single Engine Turbine Helicopter, would the travel distance be more than 75 nm from the Alliance Airport?

A26. Since this requirement is event driven (and not anticipated to be a regular event), the FAA cannot guarantee that such response activity would occur within 75 nm of AFW.

Q27. If so, what maintenance support is expected of the vendor should the aircraft become stranded outside the local flying area?

A27. The Contractor is expected to arrange for maintenance support when the aircraft is outside the local flying area if the need arises.

Q28. Are these off-site recovery and maintenance expenses reimbursable to the vendor?

A28. No.

Q29. PWS 141 Pilot School- PWS 141: If a contractor subcontracts helicopter operations to a subcontractor that holds a Part 141 Air Agency Certificate, will a single Assistant Chief Instructor be permitted to serve on both certificates to manage the program? Reference 14 CFR 141.33

A29. The Prime Contractor is required to hold the 14 CFR Part 141 Air Agency Certificate, and approve all curriculums under that certificate.

Q30. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 9: Is factory air conditioning an acceptable or preferable substitute to Artic Air Coolers or other portable substitutes?

A30. Factory air condition is acceptable.

Q31. PWS 141 Pilot School- Section 9: Can all PA-44 aircraft have GFC 700 autopilot installed? The equipment can be disabled and labeled inoperative as needed for the mission.

A31. Yes.

Q32. Section 4 PWS 141: Which other substitute turbine single engine helicopters are permissible? Specifically, the Bell 505, Bell 407, H125 or Robinson R66?

A32. No other turbine single engine helicopters will be considered. The requirement is specified in Section 4.1 of the 141 Pilot School PWS. During the course of the contract, the FAA may elect to change to an equivalent aircraft as noted. Proposals for aircraft other than the aircraft listed will not be considered.

Q33. PWS 141 Pilot School - Would contractor be penalized in their proposal for proposing an aircraft other than the Bell 206B3?

A33. In Section 4.1 of the 141 Pilot School PWS, the requirement is for a Bell 206B3.

Proposals for aircraft other than the Bell206B3 for this portion of the requirement will not be considered as they do not meet the requirement.

Q34. PWS 141 Pilot School- Can contractor use Government provided AATD’s for employee training?

A34. Yes, when available, and not otherwise in use by the Government. The Contractor may coordinate with the TPOC for use of the AATDs for employee training.

Q35. PWS 141 Pilot School- Are pictures of the Government AATD’s available for bidder evaluation?

A35. Yes. This is a photo of the PA-44 AATD (which is the only AATD that will be used by the vendor when delivering services under this requirement):

Q36. 141 PWS page 17: With respect to flight control/flight locating, for helicopter operations, which are low level operations, would a cellular connectivity solution offered by Blue Sky or a similar provider be an acceptable alternative to satellite if the reliability of the system can be ensured?

A36. In accordance with the PWS: “Flight control personnel will be responsible for monitoring active flights and reporting overdue aircraft and weather changes to FAA Management. Flight control personnel support will be required to provide aircraft release/flight locating/flight arrival, scheduling, and to perform associated operational communications in accordance with 14 CFR 141.33.a.2.

Q37. PWS King Air C90GTi Contract Pilot and Administrative Support - Section 4: The Government requires four (4) pilots for instructional purposes and two (2) for non-instructional duties. Can the Chief Pilot count as one of these positions?

A37. There is no Chief Pilot under C90 Labor Hours PWS. Under the PWS, the “contractor must have four(4) contract pilots simultaneously available for instructional purposes plus two (2) contract pilots available for non-instructional purposes during a duty day.” Contractor must have sufficient staffing to meet this requirement.

Q38. PWS King Air C90GTi Contract Pilot and Administrative Support - Section 5: Due to delays in aircraft production and general industry disruption, would the Government consider a longer Transition Phase?

A38. The Government may extend the Transition Period, at its sole discretion. If this is desired please include this in your proposal, buy the proposing vendor should assume a 30-day transition period will be required, as specified in the PWS.

Q39. PWS King Air C90GTi Contract Pilot and Administrative Support - Section 5: What is the new estimated base performance period for this contract?

A39. The FAA is estimating a Phase in to begin by 10/1/20, with the base period of performance beginning 11/1/2020.

Q40. PWS King Air C90GTi Contract Pilot and Administrative Support - Section 14: Can pilots performing non-instructional duties be paid under a different DOL Occupation Code?

A40. The Contractor is required to follow all applicable Federal and state laws/regulations in compensating Contractor personnel. Contract pilots must hold the qualifications specified in the C90 Labor Hours PWS.

Q41. L.6 Proposal Content, Factor 1, 1.2 Management Approach, Bullet 3, Page 53: There isn’t a QASP associated with this PWS. Should the vendor assume the QASP provided within the other PWS should be used to meet this requirement?

A41. Factor 1 is associated with the 141 PWS. Section 12 of the 141 PWS references the QASP and the requirement thereto.

Q42. Solicitation, Factor 3 Page 54: This section summary requires a description of 2 past performances; however, 3 references are required for the past performance volume. Is this an error or is a description only required for two of the three past performance references?

A42. Factor 3 is for Relevant Experience. Relevant Experience is a technical factor which concentrates more on the type of work the vendors have performed. Past Performance is a different factor that deals more with how well you performed. Past Performance could include the 2 projects listed in the Relevant Experience.

Q43. Solicitation, Factor 7 Page 56: There’s no mention of a quality control plan or contract management requirement associated with the 14 CFR Part 141 Pilot School PWS; however, Section L.6 Proposal Content (a) mentions. Additionally, the table reflects Factor 7 is applicable only to the evaluation of the Flight Operations portion of the PWS; please confirm this is an accurate understanding.

A43. Factors 4-7 are for the C90 Labor Hour requirement. Factor 7 requires a Quality Control Plan for the C90 PWS.

Q44. Is designation of the Assistant Chief Instructor required at the time the proposal is submitted?

A44. If the contractor proposes the 141 PWS then yes, as they are considered Key Personnel IAW AMS clause 3.8.2-17 KEY PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES (JUL 2019) and the 141 Pilot School PWS pg. 12. Please note the PWS also states: “The names of key personnel along with a Key Personnel Qualification Matrix must be provided to the government as part of the contractor's proposal.”

Q45. Are subcontractors to include past performance?

A45. In accordance with the SIR section L.6 Proposal Content (b) 3, “Offerors that are submitting proposals under a Teaming Agreement or other similar prime contractor/sub-contractor teaming arrangement must also have at least two returned questionnaires returned that are relevant and recent past and/or present contracts for each of the proposed sub-contractor(s).”

Q46. Will the government consider extending the proposal due date by 14 days?

A46. See the extension date of the solicitation on this amendment.

Q47. SIR H.5 [pg. 10] Is it the government's intent not to provide insurance coverage for aircraft? If so, this will greatly increase the cost of aircraft leases.

A47. The Contractor is expected to provide insurance coverage for leased aircraft.

Q48. SIR L.5(a) [pg. 50] Will the government confirm that the Proposal Organization described in table L.1 should identify the Cost/Price Proposal as Volume IV, rather than Volume III?

A48. See A5 of this document.

Q49. SIR L.5(b)-3 [pg. 51] Is the Evaluation Factor Matrix required in every proposal volume as indicated in this paragraph, or is required only in Volume II as indicated in Table L.1?

A49. An evaluation factor matrix is only required for Volume II, the SIR has been amended to reflect this.

Q50. SIR L.5(d) [pg. 51] Who oversees the whole program if two contracts are awarded for the King Air and Part 141 PWS requirements?

A50. The Federal Program Manager/Federal Staff oversee the program, regardless of whether there are one or two contracts awarded.

Q51. SIR L.6(a) [pg. 53] Within the Part 141 response, can an offeror submit separate bids for airplane and helicopter requirements?

A51. The 141 proposal will be viewed as a whole. There are different line items for each of the aircraft associated with the 141 PWS.

Q52. SIR L.6(a) [pg. 54] No contract Program Manager is identified in the Part 141 PWS, but the responsibilities for a Program Manager are to be identified according to Factor 2 in the SIR.

Is the contract Program Manager identified in the King Air PWS responsible for all technical and administrative services for both King Air and Part 141 PWS requirements?

A52. No. The two PWSs are separate entirely. The Program Manager identified in the C90 PWS has no responsibility under the Part 141 Pilot School PWS. Under Factor 2 in the SIR (L.6(a), page 54), the reference to management personnel applies to the Chief Instructor/Assistant Chief Instructor, and any other management personnel the vendor proposes.

Q53. 141 PWS 5 [pg. 10] Does the government require that all aircraft, including helicopter(s) (may require more than one), must be available M-F, 6am-7pm on the ramp at Alliance, every week? Even when few or no events are scheduled at any given time?

A53. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring aircraft are available when flights are scheduled. The PWS defines the Government's requirement.

Q54. 141 PWS 5 [pg. 10-11] Do the Administrative positions provided in the King Air requirement also provided administrative services for the Part 141 requirements?

A54. See A6(i) in this document.

Q55. 141 PWS 7.1 [pg. 12] If the offeror's approach includes a teaming relationship (prime and subcontractor), does the government require that the prime and each subcontractor provide their own separate Chief Pilot and Assistant Chief Pilot to support their own aircraft? Or is the prime expected to provide a Chief Pilot and Assistant Chief Pilot for all the aircraft covered?

A55. The Contractor is not permitted to sub-contract any portion of the 14 CFR Part 141 Air Agency Certificate requirement. The Contractor is expected to provide the Key Personnel to support the requirement.

Q56. 141 PWS 7.2 [pg.13] Do contract Instructors Pilots have to be qualified on the 141 certificate?

A56. Yes. In accordance with the PWS. "Contractor IPs will conduct all flight program participant training for all aircraft training devices under the14 CFR Part 141 Pilot School."

Q57. Can you provide a DOS Workflow Example?

A57. The Contractor will use its own flight control/flight management/dispatch system. The workflow must ensure the requirements of all applicable 14 CFR parts are met.

Q58. Number of aircraft by type (PA-44, C-172, etc…) kept on site?

A58. The aircraft ordered per month varies based on a monthly event schedule.

Q59. With respect to the Assistant Chief Instructor qualifications, would 14 CFR 141.36 (d) be the applicable regulation for all courses conducted under this program?

A59. Yes

Q60. Is Wage 15030 used for Instructor Pilots and Assistant Chief/Chief Instructors? If not, what wage is used for each?

A60. The instructor pilots would fall under this occupation code. For the Assistant Chief/Chief Instructors it depends on how you would define their roles. If you need assistance with wage determinations and what occupation code to utilize please contact the Department of Labor.

Q61. Is an organizational chart for existing operations available?

A61. No

Q62. Does the FAA provide all maintenance for the simulator equipment?

A62. Yes