Contractor_Requests_for_Clarification.pdf

Contractor Requests for Clarification (RFC’s) for solicitation No.

AG-024B-S-17-9506

1. Can we treat the requirements as individually exclusive elements?

‐ For instance a plane can do 345 knots, or the plane can carry 950lbs in payload, or the plane can do 4 hours @ 18,000 ISA + 10C, but cannot do all those things at once.

‐ Is it required that the plane perform all the above at once?

If it is a requirement – what is the USFS definition of payload?

Government Response: Please refer to B-13 (b) (1) OR (2)“Aircraft Performance Requirements”. In each of the “Preferred” or “Minimally Acceptable” requirements, the aircraft must meet the three minimum requirements in (1) or (2) of the “Aircraft Performance requirements”. Two of the three requirements are performance specific. We have included a required payload and fuel load to be used in calculating the performance requirements. Payload is equipment and personnel required for a mission (which includes the Pilot). The payload is added to the aircrafts’ “equipped weight” along with the weight of the fuel to determine the aircrafts’ gross weight and ability to perform at the selected altitudes and temperatures. These requirements should be looked at as a moment and not a mission. Example: Under B-13 (b) (1)(i) we are looking for an aircraft that has a minimum capability of 250 KTAS (Knots True Air Speed) while carrying 950 lbs. of payload flying at 18,000 feet pressure altitude with 4 hours of fuel at ISA +10c.

2. A question was posed on the estimated flight hours to be used for item B-6 (Santa Maria).

Government Response: The figure to be used is 352 hours. A change page will be provided calling this out in the amendment.

3. In Section E-3 (b) on Page 116, the RFP states that the Legal Offer will consist of "Sections E-9 and E-10 are completed and submitted with your offer or submitted electronically in accordance with the clause". However, there is no Section E-10 in the document. Did the contracting officer intend that Section E-8 and Section E-9 are to be submitted?

Government Response: We did mean to state Sections E-8 and E-9. A change page for Section E-3 will be provided in the Amendment.

4. If an operator plans to be able to service two (2) fully compliant aircraft, flight and maintenance personnel, can they submit a proposal for all locations and then decide on which location to accept within the award process?

Government Response: The decision regarding which location will be awarded rests solely with the Government. If a contractor is not interested in working at a particular location, then they should indicate a “No-Bid” for that particular line item.

An offeror can certainly offer an alternate proposals. An example might be: If we are awarded bid items B-1 (Chester) and B-4 (Siskiyou) we will offer a discounted price for being awarded both locations.

5. Closing is specified as Dec 15, 2016 2:00 p.m. MT. Will there be a public opening of the proposals and when would a decision be expected for award notification?

Government Response: There is no public opening for this solicitation. The evaluation and award decision will take place after the holidays.

6. Part C-8; Please confirm this is NOT a Federal Contract subject to the Service Contract Act (SCA), and these wages are only provided for reference?

Government Response: The resulting contracts will be subject to the SCA. Please direct your attention to Exhibit 01 and the applicable boxes that have been checked under C-10.

7. Exhibit 09 Past Performance Information; Please confirm whether there is a limit on the number of Past Performances references, or is the limit 6?

Government Response: There is no limit on how many references you provide.

8. Section E-3; is there any requirement on minimum number of resumes for Pilots and Mechanics?

Government Response: There is no requirement for the number of references you provide.

Provide resumes for all pilots and mechanics that would be associated with a resulting contract.

9. Is the flight time shown in B14. A. 11. To be paid at a standard hourly flight rate ?

Government Response: The final sentence is hereby deleted from this paragraph. The cost for any flights that take place to maintain the aircraft will be the responsibility of the contractor.

10. In Section B-24 “Substitution of pilots, is it intended to read that the contractor is responsible for paying for whatever familiarization training is required, and that the government is taking the responsibility for establishing the number of hours that is required for that training?

Government Response: B-24 refers to the substitution or replacement of personnel, aircraft or equipment. Replacement of personnel not carded for this contract may require an evaluation flight as described in B-29, B-30, B-31 and B-32. If the Government requests the flight for area or incident orientation the Government will pay for the flight (B-38(a).

11. In B-25; Can the word “Day” be defined as either a “Solar Day” that being a 24 hour period, normally starting at midnight on a new calendar day, or as a continuously rolling 24 hour period looking back at any point for 24 hours in the past? (The issue stems from the fact that under Part 135 Regulations, any and all commercial flying when combined for any 24 hour period, shall not exceed 8 flight hours.)

Government Response: Please refer to B-25, Flight Hour and Duty Limitations, which is agency policy. Also see B-20 (a)(2) and Exhibit 11- Public Aircraft Operations which serves notice to you (the vendor) that you may be conducting Public Aircraft Operations(PAO) while under contract to the United States Forest Service.

12. In E-4 (b) (4): Is there a personal, personnel evaluation that the government is doing for the individual pilots or mechanics as a customer satisfaction review that we should be aware of?

Government Response: The purpose of the “Organizational Experience” is strictly to obtain information on Pilots, mechanics and proposed maintenance plans. References to customer satisfaction reviews will be deleted from this factor.