Questions_and_Answers_2.docx

Questions and Answers #2 AG-56A1-S-17-0001 Gypsy Moth Aerial Spray Project 1/13/2017

1. I have a question regarding Factor 1A (Relevant Experience) and Factor 2, Past Performance. Can you give me some clarification on the difference between these two and how you would like them differentiated in the proposal? Our technical proposal DOES identify at least three projects, so do we need to include those details again as part of Factor 2? For Factor 1A we are rating your experience doing similar work to what is in the solicitation. In Factor 2 we are rating how well you did that work. So if you have relevant projects that you provided as documentation to show your experience for Factor 1A, you’d provide all the details of the work there so that we can see how the work on those projects is relevant to what we are doing. Then all you would need to provide for Factor 2 is the contact information for the owners of at least three but not more than 5 of those projects so that we may call them and check on how your quality, timeliness, cost control, management, and regulatory compliance was on those projects.

2. Will you accept a Field Approval for the dispersal system or is an STC absolutely required? Yes, an FAA field approval or STC are acceptable. This change to Exhibit 12 will be documented in Amendment #3 which will be posted to FBO and will need to be acknowledged as part of your price proposal.

3. I looked up the last contract for STS and found the “STS Mating Project Aviation Safety and Management Plan”. Is this a plan that has to be submitted with the bid or is it produced after the contract is awarded? If it is to be provided with the bid, where can I get a blank form to fill out to include in the bid? Project Aviation Safety Plans (PASP) are required for any aviation project undertaken by the FS. PASPs are produced internally by FS project personnel, then routed through FS Aviation Safety for review and approval. The PASP is specific to the mission and location of the project and the aircraft and airports being utilized so it is produced after award but prior to implementation. The document you found was the PASP for the 2014 project. There is no requirement to submit a PASP as part of the proposal. However, under the “Safety” evaluation factor, you need to submit at a minimum (1) the information requested in Exhibit 14 – Synopsis of Safety Program of the solicitation, (2) FAA Accident, Incident, and Enforcement Action Histories during the past 36-months or a statement(s) that there have been none during the past 36-months for individual personnel as well as the firm and (3) a project spill response plan.

4. If awarded, who will be the point of contact for all regions? Will we be working with the same inspector for calibrations and inspections at each work sight? There is a possibility of two awards from this solicitation (item 1 and item 2). There would be a different Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) assigned to each contract. The COR assigned to a contract would be on site during implementation of the entire contract and would be the point of contact for inspections and calibrations on that contract regardless of which region you are working in.

5. What are the minimum acres that would be awarded to a new contractor, and what is the probability of keeping the same acres and not being drastically reduced for the option years? The base year acreages shown on the schedule of items should be fairly close to what is awarded. A vendor could receive award of item one only, item two only, or both items (see the paragraphs above the schedule of items in the solicitation for an explanation on this). While the acreages shown on the schedule are believed accurate, we do have the option of awarding a smaller amount if funds aren’t sufficient to award the full amount (clause 52.212-1(h)). At this time, we do not have any funds available to make the base year award (see clause 52.232-18) but we anticipate funds will be available in time to award the contract(s) with enough lead time to fully prepare for implementation. If we do make an award for the base year, the next four years are exercised at the government’s option. If we choose not to exercise an option, then the contract is considered complete at that time. Our intent is to do this work for the next five years at acreages similar to what is shown on the schedule of items however there is no guarantee that will happen.

6. Will my offer be rated lower because I have never worked on a government contract? Would private client references be acceptable for a rating on the contract? See the proposal preparation instructions beginning on page 21 of the solicitation document. There is no requirement to have had a federal contract in the past. Under the “Relevant Experience” evaluation factor, you need to submit specific and relevant experience of your firm in managing aerial application projects over forested terrain with release heights less than 200 feet above treetops and of similar complexity to the requirements set forth in the solicitation. Project performance should be within the last five years. Under the “Past Performance” evaluation factor you need to submit contact information for the vendors you completed your relevant projects for so that we can contact them to check on the quality, timeliness, cost control, management, and regulatory compliance of your work on that project. Any references provided can be contacted, however if the project is not “relevant” to the work to be done on our contract, the rating for relevant experience will be lowered.

Any additional questions shall be emailed to melissaajohnson@fs.fed.us by 1/24/2017 so they may be posted to FBO.