Questions_and_Responses.pdf

# QUESTION RESPONSE

Section C.6: Order Limitations, Paragraph (b) (2) stated “any order for a combination of items in excess of 10 aircraft. We believe you meant to say 20 aircraft in lieu of 10 aircraft.

This value is an order limitation not a contract maximum value. This purpose of this paragraph and the number 10 is to state that we won't force orders in excess of 10 aircraft on you at one time so as to exceed the contractor's capacity or be uneconomical. The contract maximum amount is 20 aircraft as identified in paragraph C.7. No change.

Paragraph B.6(b)(12): If the IONode is in use by the USFS, please provide the part number(s)/model(s) approved for installation. Please confirm the USFS finds the

IONode recording device capable of satisfying the OLM requirements outlined in solicitation AG‐024B‐S‐17‐0004, Section D, Exhibit 1 – OLM to include Table 1.

Please consider doing likewise for the OLM system and prescribe in paragraph

B.6(b)(12) the OLM recording device(s) that satisfy USFS requirements.

The IONode, Part No. ION 100‐003B is capable of recording the channels listed in Section D, Exhibit 1.

Some channels may require sensors to interface with the IONode hardware in order to collect the required data. Sensor requirements will vary based on aircraft proposed. Therefore, it is not practical to provide an approved sensor list.

Paragraph B.6(b)(12): If the IONode is in wide USFS fleet use and to leverage USFS buying power and the economies of scale of an existing logistic system, would the

USFS consider providing the IONode as Government Furnished Equipment to be installed by the offeror in a manner consistent with the requirement in B6(c)(19) for Bluesky D1000C?

Yes, the USFS will amend the solicitation to provide the IONode (Part No. ION 100‐003B or equivalent), IONode Connector Kit (Part No. KT028 or equivalent), and USB Thumb Drive (Part. No.

500‐0119 or equivalent) to the contractor in a manner consistent with the requirement in B6(c)(19) for Bluesky D1000C. The contractor will be responsible to install the IONode and provide a functioning OLM system meeting Exhibit 1, Table 1 requirements. Required sensors, antenna, wiring, and installation hardware/material will be procured by the contractor and must be included in the offered price.

Exhibit 1: States “(1) The Contractor shall meet paragraph 7(1). Criteria for the

OLM system are provided in (1) below.” There is no paragraph 7(1). What is the correct reference?

Exhibit 1 will be changed via amendment to correct the citations.

Exhibit 1: States “(2) Contractor shall instrument aircraft with a government reviewed and approved OLM system. This system must provide to the government required and specified parameters in Table 1 in paragraph (h) below.” There is no paragraph (h) below. Correct reference and confirm the OLM that is offered shall be capable of recording all the parameters illustrated in Table 1 on page 42.

Exhibit 1 will be changed via amendment to correct the citations.

Exhibit 1: Refers to tasks that extend beyond delivery of the aircraft to the USFS.

For example: “(5) If the OLMS system is inoperable or malfunctioning the aircraft operator shall have the problem corrected in 10 business days. If the problem is not corrected then the aircraft will be made unavailable until the OLMS is operating and properly recording data” and the subparagraphs of “(iii) Minimum requirements for a Continuous Monitoring OLM system:” Confirm the aircraft OEM requirement is limited to providing a complete instrumentation package and recording device that records all the parameters in Table 1.

Exhibit 1 will be changed via amendment to correct the citations.

Paragraph B.6(c)(19: States “(19) Installation only: One government supplied

Bluesky D1000C, or equivalent, Automated Flight Following (AFF) system shall be installed. Delivery negotiated at time of order.” What specific system equipment

(datalink, cable, antenna) will be government supplied? Is flight crew action required to switch AFF system on or off?

Additional equipment provided with the AFF modem will include a Power/Harness Kit, Dual channel antenna, and two 15' Coax cables. The AFF must be active with avionics power on and must not require action from the flight crew.

Paragraph B.6(a)(6) and (7): B.6(a)(6) States “Have a minimum capacity of 6 passenger seats excluding the pilot and co‐pilot seats.” Further, B.6(a)(7) states

“Have a minimum cabin cargo volume capacity to fit a minimum of 240 cubic feet.”

Can the passenger seats be removed to achieve the required cargo volume?

Change B6(a)(7) to: Have a minimum cabin cargo volume capacity to fit a minimum of 200 cubic feet when passenger seats are removed from the aircraft.

Request to add the FAR clause 52.232‐28 – Invitation to Propose Performance Base

Payment to the RFP and FAR52.232‐32 – Performance Based Payments.

Clauses will be added via Amendment.

Paragraph B.7(c) and C.10(c): Delivery Schedule, requires delivery of all documents called out in Section B.8 with each task order. The documents appear to be the aircraft maintenance manuals. As stated in Section B.7(c) each aircraft will be delivered with a complete sets of aircraft maintenance manuals. Do you intend to get delivery of manuals called out in Section B.7(c) and Section C‐8? This appears to be a duplication of maintenance manuals.

Paragraph B.7(c) is deleted via Amendment 0001.

Paragraph B.7(b)(1): The requirement currently requires the following approvals“…be FAA approved by the TCDS or STC.”“…Request allowing FAA approved by TC, STC, or FAA form 337 with supporting FAA Form 8110‐3 and all

DER supporting engineering substantiation documentation.”

Requirement will be changed via amendment to:

(1) The installation of additional equipment and/or modification of the aircraft to meet the specifications of this contract shall be completed in accordance with 14 CFR requirements and manufacturer's recommendations or engineering data and be FAA approved by the TCDS, STC or FAA form 337 with supporting FAA Form 8110‐3 and all DER supporting engineering substantiation documentation.

Paragrpah B.6(b)(4): FAA mandated Stage IV noise requirements apply to jet powered aircraft. Believe the appropriate requirement should be modified here to include turboprop aircraft and include requirement 14CFR part 36, Appendix G"

Request change to "Meeting 14 CFR Part 36 Stage IV noise standards.” To “Meeting

14 CFR Part 36 Stage IV noise standards for jet powered aircraft or 14CFR Part 36

Appendix G noise standards for turboprop aircraft”

Requirement will be changed via amendment to: Meeting 14 CFR Part 36 Stage IV noise standards for jet powered aircraft or 14CFR Part 36 Appendix G noise standards for turboprop aircraft.

Paragraph B.6(c)(2): Will operation within the boundaries identified below be acceptable? This meets the requirement for AHRS operation and covers the vast majority of Alaska.

This will not affect our operations. The language will be changed via amendment to "…without restrictions in Alaska below 70° North Latitude."

Paragraph B.(c)(13): The requirement states “…and allow range selection of 1 mile or less, unless the 1 mile display area has a diameter of 2.75 inches or larger.”Request change of the requirement to “… and allow range selection of 1 mile or less, unless the 1 mile display area has a diameter of 2.3 inches or larger.”

The requirement will be changed via amendment to allow a diameter of 2.3 Inches.

Paragraph B.6(b)(12): Incorrectly identifies Exhibit 2 as related to the Operatioal

Loads Monitoring (OLM) System. Please correct.

Corrected via Amendment.

Paragraph C.10: Would you insert the proposed aircraft delivery schedule dates into this section to eliminate the need to go back to the proposal for clarification?

Yes. See Amendment 0001.

Paragraph B.6 (c)(6) and B.6(d)(2)(ii): How many AM radios do we need? Paragraph

B.6 (c)(6) requires two (2) VHF‐AM Communications Radios while paragraph

B.6(d)(2)(ii) requires three (3) VHF‐AM Communications Radios which is correct.

Offeror's that offer aircraft without the optional Tactical Communmications System are required to provide two (2) VHF‐AM Communications Radios. Offeror's that offer aircraft with the Optional

Tactical Communications System are required to provide Three (3) VHF‐AM Communications Radios.

The Optional Tactical Communications System requires that a third VHF‐AM Communications Radio be installed as a part of the package. The aircraft will ultimately be equipped with three VHF‐AM

Communications Radios.

SOLICITATION AG‐024B‐S‐17‐0004