Amend 01-BQ Answers 11-9007.docx

RFP AG-024B-S-11-9007

BIDDERS QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

AMENDMENT 01

Bidders Questions

BQ-No. 1 RFP Area: General

Question: This RFP (in particular the delivery schedule) is written such that only the incumbent can reasonably bid to meet the requirements of the Solicitation. Is the (United States Government) USG’s intent only to allow the incumbent to successfully bid the contract?

ANSWER-01

Refer to Amendment 01-Section F.2 and in full, complete context.

BQ-No. 2 RFP Area: Section M, Clause M.2 Question: As these Technical Capability evaluation criteria are not in compliance with a full and open competition, does the USG intend to remove the unfair criteria and replace them with evaluation criteria that provide for a level playing field?

ANSWER-02

The aviation firefighting mission requires specific technical equipment to safely and effectively operate in the complex airspace around wildland fire. This includes the aircraft flight capability, performance envelope. The aircraft performance and technical requirements essentially mirror the previously solicited and awarded contract for the same mission. These essential requirements have been fully vetted and approved.

Refer to Amendment 01-Entire amendment, in full and complete context.

BQ-No. 3 RFP Area: Section L, Clause L.4(d) Question: As these flight testing criteria are not in compliance with a full and open competition, does the USG intend to revamp the RFP delivery schedule and terms/conditions to provide for equal consideration for all aircraft offered therein so a level playing field is created for all offerors?

ANSWER-03

Refer to Amendment 01-Section F.2

BQ-No. 4 RFP Area: Section H, Clause H.2

Question: Does the USG intend to reconsider their position on this competition limiting requirement?

ANSWER-04

No.

Clause H.2 is in compliance with applicable U.S. Code, has been fully vetted and is, in essentially the same verbiage, currently and historically included in all U.S. Forest Service National aviation contracts, the major majority of which are small business entities, that were competed.

BQ-No. 5 WAAS Certified GPS Reference: Section C, Para (3) Navigation Systems, (i) Global Positioning System (GPS) GPS systems shall be TSO approved, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) certified and the installation approved for IFR enroute, terminal, and LPV approaches….

Question: Will the Forest Service accept aircraft with TSO approved non-WAAS GPS systems certified and installation approved for IFR enroute and terminal approaches?

ANSWER-05

Yes. Refer to Amendment 01-Section C change page.

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