Questions_and_Responses_-_DJF-18-2200-000B429.pdf

Questions and Responses: DJF-18-2200-000B429

# RFQ Reference RFQ Requirement Request for Clarification Clarification Responses

1 SF1499 Form, Block 18a SF1499 Form

Block 18a (Payment Will Be Made By) of the SF 1449 is blank. Will the Contractor submit invoices for payment directly to the FBI or will payments be processed through Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) and DFAS using DD250’s?

Invoices will be sent to the following email account:

central_invoices@ic.fbi.gov

2 SF1499 Form, Block 19 SF1499 Form

The Schedule in Block 19 of the SF 1449 defines an Option Year 1 and Option Year 2. Will the final contract include an Option clause where the FBI will issue an amendment to exercise these option periods where delivery orders can be issued within the period?

Yes, the clause 52.517-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract will be included in an amendment to the solicitation.

RFQ, pg. 1, Item A. (1) Schedule of Supplies / Services

Trade-in helicopters

For timeline project planning purposes, please provide the expected schedule of when each trade-in aircraft would be assigned to each new aircraft delivery (i.e. right after the delivery order is issued or concurrent with new aircraft delivery?)

Assuming the initial order is for three Bell 429’s the government expects to trade-in four Bell 407s within 30 days of award and two Bell 407s within 30 days of delivery of the three Bell 429’s. This is an IDIQ contract, there is not a guarantee that the initial order will be three Bell 429s.

RFQ, pg. 1, Item A. (1) Schedule of Supplies / Services

Trade-in helicopters For the trade-in helicopters, where will the inspection / acceptance / hand over take place? Will the FBI deliver the aircraft to the vendor’s facility?

The FBI would prefer the vendor to pickup aircraft from a designated facility.

RFQ, pg. 1, Item A. (1) Schedule of Supplies / Services

Trade-in helicopters

Will the trade in include aircraft only or will the trade-in include aircraft and spares inventory? If it does include spares, when can we have a list of the spares provided?

The answer to this question will be provided in a separate amendment to the solicitation.

RFQ, pg. 1, Item A. (1) Schedule of Supplies / Services

Trade-in helicopters

Is it feasible to provide the current information for the Trade-in aircraft? (i.e. current pictures of exterior and interior, equipment list, weight and balance, and maintenance sheet)

The FBI provided this information during inspection except for photos.

Due to operational security no photos will be provided until after award.

RFQ, pg. 8, para (a), Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, Ordering

Does the government intend to issue one delivery order 30 days after ID/IQ award for all three aircraft in the base year or issue multiple delivery orders in the base period for the 3 aircraft?

It is the government intent to issue one delivery order, however this may change due to administrative or operational conditions.

RFQ, pg. 8, para (a), Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, Ordering Will the delivery orders issued against the IDIQ contract be unilateral? (i.e. will not require signature from the Seller)

The delivery orders will be unilateral.

RFQ, pg. 4, para (b), Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, Contract Terms Please define the applicable FAR clauses under FAR 52.212-5 that will be incorporated in this contract for the acquisition of commercial items.

The answer to this question will be provided in a separate amendment to the solicitation.

RFQ, pg. 4, para (b), Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, Contract Terms Under FAR 52.212-5, will the FBI consider Commercial Item Installment Payments under FAR 52.232-3 for each Delivery Order issued under the ID/IQ contract?

Yes.

RFQ, pg. 9, para (b), Ordering Limitations

Ordering Limitations

The minimum and maximum order quantity defined in FAR 52.216-19 of the solicitation at $4,500,000 and $25,000,000 does not equate to the price of four (4) aircraft configured to the specifications in the solicitation. Will the minimum / maximum dollar values be adjusted to cover a four (4) fully configured model 429 helicopter?

No. The minimum and the maximum order value is an estimate inclusive of trade-in values.

RFQ, pg. 9, para (b), Ordering Limitations Ordering Limitations

Please advise if the Minimum Order and Maximum Order amounts are inclusive of trade-in values and optional aircraft pricing

Yes it is inclusive of trade-in values and optional aircraft pricing.

RFQ, pg. 12, item IV.

Price, Evaluation Factors Summary

Price

Under Section E, Solicitation Provisions, the Evaluation Method for Price is “Reasonableness and Realism”. Is the Contractor required to provide Price Reasonableness data for the configured helicopter in accordance with FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items as part of the price proposal? If yes, what specific data is required

No.

RFQ, pg. 12, item IV.

Price, Evaluation Factors Summary

Price

Other than the line item pricing requested for options, please confirm the vendor is to provide a single price for each helicopter inclusive of trade-in of Bell 407s, modifications and outfitting of Bell 429; and all services to deliver the finished Bell 429s.

Yes.

RFQ Attachment 1, pg.

3, Item 33

Warranty

Bell’s standard warranty includes a 3 year / 1,000 hour warranty that covers Bell manufactured parts. The Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty from non-Bell parts (Warranty coverage for all customizing equipment and engines) will be assigned to the FBI to the extent such a warranty is offered by the OEM and is assignable. Will the standard Bell warranty satisfy the FBI warranty requirement?

The quote shall include the standard warranty for all Bell and non-Bell parts, to include customized equipment and engines.

RFQ, pg, 1, item 3.

Schedule of Supplies / Services

Delivery

Where will final acceptance of the new helicopters take place? At the Seller’s facility or alternate FBI location. If at an alternate FBI location, is that location near Quantico, VA?

Delivery can take place at a vendor’s facility.

RFQ, Attachment 2, Past Performance Profile

Past Performance Profiles

Do the Past Performance Profiles need to be on 429 law enforcement type helicopter sales or can they be for any model 429 sale?

Past performance profiles should reflect the vendor’s ability to receive trade-ins and configure helicopters.

18 RFQ Attachment 1, pg.

2, Item 30

Configuration – Garmin GTX

345ESR

If this component is not certified for installation on the Bell 429 Helicopter by the proposed delivery date, will the government accept the option to retrofit the aircraft with the Garmin GTX 345ESR following aircraft delivery?

The FBI will accept delivery providing a functional Mode C transponder is installed and operational. Please provide an expected certification timeframe.

19 RFQ Attachment 1, Configuration

Will all 3 aircraft in the base period be purchased under an identical configuration along with identical paint scheme?

All aircraft will be identical configuration. The paint scheme will also be identical, however the colors with be different with each aircraft.

20 N/A Acquisition Process

Can the FBI describe the acquisition process used to determine that the Bell 429 is the only aircraft to meet the requirement?

The FBI has conducted strategic market research since 2014 to find a lightweight, twin-engine helicopter to complement and supplement the capabilities of the THU helicopter fleet. Over this period THU pilots experienced flights in various helicopters and had discussions with company representatives marketing lightweight, twin-engine helicopters marketed to perform tactical transportation and medical evacuation.

21 N/A Acquisition Process

Where are the salient physical, functional, and performance characteristics that an "equal" item must meet to be acceptable?

Market research shows that it is not in the best interest of the vendor community nor the FBI to include clause 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal to the Bell 429.

22 N/A Operational requirements

How did THU determine the performance requirements for the lightweight, twin-engine helicopter?

THU has a requirement to modernize its helicopter capability. This modernization plan requires a helicopter to replace up to eight Bell 407s with a lightweight, twin-engine helicopter that complements and supplements the suite of helicopters available to THU.

Market research shows that the only helicopter which meets the technical, operational, and maintainability requirements is the Bell 429.