Questions and Answers.pdf

# Page SOW Paragraph Comment/Rationale Responses

1 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award Para 2.1.2 of Attachment 5 states, "Offeror shall provide a cross-reference matrix for Volume 1 indicating the proposal volume section, subsection, and paragraph; cross-referenced with the appropriate SOW paragraphs and item number, applicable RFP instructions, evaluation criteria, and deliverables, as applicable. However, page 3, para 2.1 states, "Each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated with a minimum of cross-reference to other volumes. Comment: If each volume is to be written as a stand alone volume with minimal cross-referencing, we are unable to ascertain the why a cross-reference matrix is only required in Volume I if the intent is to ease in cross-referencing.

Question: To easy in the evaluation process, will the USG permit us to incorporate a stand alone cross-reference matrix to volume IV, and, if so, will these pages be omitted form the page limitations?

The intent is to have one Cross-Referene Matrix that covers all applicale volumes. Cross-Reference Matrix included in vol I should cover the content in all five (5) proposal volumes.

2 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award Para 2.1.2 states, "A Table of Contents shall be incorporated into Volumes 1 and 3, and shall include a listing of the section titles, subsection titles, paragraph titles, and any tables or graphs that are included within the proposal." Comment: It would appear the bulk of the information being evaluated pertains to

Volume IV (Management and Technical Approach), yet the requirement for a table of contents is none existent. Question: Should we incorporate a table of contents into Volume IV, and if so, will these pages be omitted from the page limitation?

Yes, the RFP has been amended. Table of contents will be included in all volumes.

3 10 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award Page 10 of Attachment 5 contains two (2) paragraphs labeled as "4.3.1" (Factor I - Security) and (Factor II -

Special Certifications). Question: In lieu of changing all of the sequential numbers after 4.3.1, can we simply rename the second 4.3.1 paragraph (Factor II - Special Certifications) as 4.3.1.a?

The paragraph numbers have been corrected.

4 15 SOW Para 8.1 The SOW indicates a 15 day transition; however, the Instructions to Offerors pg. 7, para 3.4.3 and pg. 14 para 4.3.3 indicate a 30 day transition. Question: What is the correct transition timeline?

The Transition time has been corrected on para 4.3.3 to 15 days.

5 6 SOW Para 4.2.1 In accordance with paragraph 1.0 (Scope), this is a non-personal services contract, and as such, the

Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over contractor employees performing the services herein. However, SOW para 4.2.1 indicates the Government has final say as to who the contractor hires regardless as to whether the candidate meets the personnel qualifications, certifications and experience requirements stipulated in the SOW. Para 4.2.1 states, "The job skills verification phase will be developed by both the COR and the contractor, and the Government shall have final approval over the job skills verification phase process. Successful completion will be determined by the Government with input from the Contractor." Comment: If the COR will be involved with developing the personnel skills verification process, and, the Government has final approval over the skills verification process, and, successful completion will be determined by the Government with input from the contractor, the USG is infringing upon the contractor's ability to hire, providing said applicant meets the qualifications stipulated in the contract. This practice appears to circumvent the intent of the scope statement and may expose the contractor to legal claims based on the hiring practice; whereas, per the DOL, a plaintiff may establish that the employer’s decision was not legitimate by showing that he or she was “clearly better qualified” than the chosen candidate because the plaintiff’s qualifications were so much better that no reasonable employer would have made the same decision. Question: How will the Government mitigate any contractor lawsuits imposed by the USG having final say, if the employer's candidate meets the credentials stipulated by the

Government?

The Job Skills Verification (JSV) shall be developed and evaluated jointly by the contractor and the FBI.

The JSV shall assess the candidates’ knowledge, practical skills, and be performed at an FBI facility at the government’s expense. All employment decisions, direction, hiring, management, and the like are within the sole purview, discretion and responsibility of the contractor. The final determination of whether an Aircraft Mechanic meets the minimum performance standards as set forth in the SOW through the JSV is reserved to the government, which positive determination shall not be unreasonably withheld. Aircraft

Mechanics are expected to pass the minimum competency criteria in the JSV as developed jointly by the contractor and the FBI in order to receive a positive determination.

6 12 SOW Para 4.9.1 Per para 4.9.1, "An internal policy is required to ensure employees are trained on current and new airframes."; whereas, para 4.9.3 states, "The Government may provide training as required for new equipment, requirements, and technologies not addressed in this SOW." Comment: If the Government elects to add airframes not specified in the SOW, and requires contractor personnel to be trained on said equipment, the contractor can be exposed to a significant costs that cannot be adequately forecasted during the bid process. Question: Per para 4.9.3, will the Government reimburse the contractor for costs associated with the training required by the Government pursuant to aircraft/equipment not listed in the

SOW?

Yes, the FBI would pay for aircraft specific training directly and re-imburse the Contractor for employee travel.

7 18 SOW Para 10.1.2 Per para 10.1.2, "All Contractor personnel who operate government owned vehicles shall be properly trained and licensed." Comment: Per the Department of Motor Vehicles, there are many types of licenses and ratings pursuant to the nature of the vehicle being operated. Question: To accurately forecast the licenses requirement, can the Government specify what type licenses and training is required?

Contractor personnel will only require a regular state issued driver’s license. Any equipment additional specific licenses (i.e. forklift) would be paid for by the FBI.

Solicitation Questions

8 3 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 1.2 Background The Background narrative states: “These numbers could fluctuate up or down but should not fluctuate more than 50% either way over the life of the contract.” Please provide the average staffing levels by labor category, location, and contract year under the current contract as an indicator of the fluctuations.

This information factors into the offeror's proposed program management resourcing and approaches.

Average staffing levels are provided by labor category in the table within paragraph 1.2. The 50% threshold is to set a level at witch additional personnel over the threshold may be considered out of scope to the Basic

Contract.

9 3 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 2. Applicable Documents Please provide a full copy of the Bureau Aviation Regulations (BAR) Policy Directives and Policy Guide. The Bureau Aviation Regulations (BAR) and THU Standard Operating Procedures will be given at the time of award.

10 3 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 3. Requirements The Requirements narrative states: “The contractor will provide mechanics to conduct scheduled and unscheduled aircraft maintenance inspections…” Please provide the number of mechanics provided by location and contract year under the current contract. This information factors into the offeror's proposed program management resourcing and approaches.

This information is provided in Paragraph 1.2 of Attachment 1 - SOW.

11 4 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 3.1.4 Inventory Services What is the name of the computerized maintenance and record keeping system? Computerized Aircraft Maintenance Program (CAMP), Computerized Maintenance Program (CMP), Microsoft

Excel

12 5 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 3.4 Projected Aircraft and Locations SOW paragraph 3.4 indicates that current aircraft supported are located in Quantico, VA, Manassas, VA, Los Angeles, and New York. However, Attachment 2 Pricing Sheet includes no CLIN for aircraft located in

New York; instead the CLIN is for Lakehurst, NJ. Please confirm that support is not currently required in

New York.

The supported location is Lakehurst NJ, not New York. The SOW has been corrected.

13 5 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 3.4 Projected Aircraft and Locations Can aircraft maintenance/repair work be performed at the contractor's secure facility? No.

14 14 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 6. Security Clearance SOW Paragraph 6 states that “all personnel must possess an active SECRET security clearance.

Contractor must have active SECRET Facility clearance for performance of this contract.” Attachment 5 -

Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 4.3.1 – Factor I – Security states, “ The Offeror must validate its current DoD facility security clearance by attaching a copy of Offeror’s Industrial Security

Facility Database print out.” With respect to unpopulated JV submissions, does this contract requirement comply with 13 CFR § 121.103(h)(4)(i) whereas, “Unpopulated Joint Ventures responding to this effort are not required to have an FCL so long as the lead small business partner to the joint venture possess the required facility clearance”?

If each entity that comprises the joint venture meets the security/clearance requirement, then the joint venture will also meet the security/clearance requirements. The Government will review the documentation forming the JV to ensure the individual entities meet the security/clearance requirements.

15 16 Attachment 1 – SOW, paragraph 8.2.3 Re-competition of Contract Pursuant to SOW paragraph 8.2.3 Re-competition of Contract, please make available to the bidders a sanitized copy of all documents, plans, instructions, reports, audits, maintenance/logistics data, etc.

pertaining to this contract.

SOW, Paragraph 8.2.3 "Re-Competition of Contract" is not reflective of the current contract and therefore cannot be provided.

16 13 Attachment 3 SQA CBA, Article 17 - Vacation The CBA dictates leave accruals on an Anniversary Year Basis. Please provide the current employees' average seniority/years of service so that offerors can calculate fringe benefit rates.

This information has been provided in Attachment 3A which has been added as an attachment to the solicitation for informational purposes.

17 15 Attachment 3 SQA CBA, Article 19 - Premium Pay, Section 3. Payments Please identify the applicable premiums by labor category and number of full time equivalents. This information has been provided in Attachment 3A which has been added as an attachment to the solicitation for informational purposes.

18 2 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 2.1 - Organization, Number of

Copies and Content (Organization Table)

Please exclude subcontracting plans/teaming agreements from the page limit. Mandatory corporate templates for these documents exceed the 5-page limit. These templates are under strict configuration control within the offeror's certified Quality Management System.

Paragraph 2.1 has been amended to exclude subcontracting plans/teaming agreements from the page limit.

19 2 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 2.1 - Organization, Number of

Copies and Content (Organization Table)

Please exclude signed solicitation amendments from the 5-page limit. Paragraph 2.1 has been amended to exclude signed solicitation amendments from the page limit.

20 3 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 2.2.1 - Proposal Format May offerors provide information on 11 x 17-inch (tabloid size) sheets? No

21 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 3.1 – Volume I - Executive

Summary/Security

Please consider removing the requirement for subcontractors and non-managing JV members to have a

Department of Defense (DoD) Secret facility security clearance at time of proposal submission.

This has been considered and the Government cannot remove this requirement.

22 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 2.1.2 - Table of Contents, Cross Reference Matrix, Glossary

Please confirm that the title page, Table of Contents, Cross Reference Matrix, and Glossary of Acronyms are all not included in the page count.

Yes, Confirmed. See amended paragraph 2.1 of attachment 5 - Instructions to Offerors

23 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 2.1.2 - Table of Contents, Cross Reference Matrix, Glossary

Please confirm that the Volume I Cross-Reference Matrix should cover the content in all five (5) proposal volumes.

Yes, Confirmed

24 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 3.1 – Volume I - Executive

Summary/ Security

Can offerors provide required documents such as teaming agreements, signed solicitation amendments, KMPL/ARG, and Industrial Security Facility Database print outs as separate files in their native formats?

Yes

25 4 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 3.1 – Volume I - Executive

Summary/ Security

Attachment 6 - AQL and KMPL requires offerors, teaming partners, and subcontractors to submit

Personally Identifiable Information. Please confirm that each team member can submit the documents with

PII separately from the prime offeror's proposal using encrypted email transfer or using password-protected files. Otherwise, please provide instructions for secure transmission of documents with PII.

Yes the offeror can send info with PII in a separate file with Password protection. You may send the

Password in a seperated email.

26 7 Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors and Basis for Award, Paragraph 3.5 – Volume V - Price Please provide the SF1449 for this solicitation There is no SF1449 for the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

27 Para 1.0 states “This is a non-personal services contract.” I believe defined in FAR 37.101 and confirmed by Para 4.0. “The Contractor shall ensure centralized control and overall management of personnel and shall assure required federal, state, and local licenses, permits, and certifications are acquired prior to contract personnel performing any services. ... “The Contractor must certify that personnel understand and comply with applicable Bureau Aviation Regulations (BAR), FAA regulations, manufacturer maintenance manual procedures, THU/Standard Operating Procedures

(SOP) & ASU/General Maintenance Manual (GMM) guidelines and established unit protocols”.and further clarified Para 4.9 “ Contractor shall ensure all Contractor employees possess the required training, qualifications, proficiency, and security clearances necessary to satisfy all contract requirements.

However, Para 4.2.1 “All contract mechanics must successfully complete a resume review, and in some cases a job skills verification phase including an oral and two (2) day practical evaluation performed at an appropriate maintenance facility. The job skills verification phase will be developed by both the COR and the contractor, and the Government shall have final approval over the job skills verification phase process.” We believe this overreach by the Government is in violation of FAR 37.101 whereas the contractor has jurisdiction over labor actions such as hiring not the Government. Recommend Para 4.2.1 be removed as not applicable

The Job Skills Verification (JSV) shall be developed and evaluated jointly by the contractor and the FBI.

The JSV shall assess the candidates’ knowledge, practical skills, and be performed at an FBI facility at the government’s expense. All employment decisions, direction, hiring, management, and the like are within the sole purview, discretion and responsibility of the contractor. The final determination of whether an Aircraft Mechanic meets the minimum performance standards as set forth in the SOW through the JSV is reserved to the government, which positive determination shall not be unreasonably withheld. Aircraft

Mechanics are expected to pass the minimum competency criteria in the JSV as developed jointly by the contractor and the FBI in order to receive a positive determination.

28 a) Bureau Aviation Regulations (BAR) b) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations c)

THU/Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) d) ASU/General Maintenance Manual (GMM) guidelines however no mention is forthcoming reference what documents are being used for UH60M which are DOD aircraft and not FAA certified and Para 3.1.1 states “The contractor will perform scheduled aircraft maintenance/preventative maintenance. … in accordance with manufacturer maintenance manuals and procedures in order to ensure aircraft is airworthy and ready to be flown which in turn other DoD publications vs FAA pubmications. Does the maintenance on UH60 follow DoD (i.e: AR95-20 (DCMA

INST 8210-1C) and/or DA 738-751)?

The UH60 maintenance programs follows DoD, US Army, Technical Manuals (TMs), airworthiness messages, and the DA 738-751 system utilizing the Aircraft Notebook (ACN) system.

29 Para 2.2.1 states “Charts, tables, or diagrams shall not exceed an 8-1/2 x 11-inch sized sheet of paper. Figure callouts (identification and titles) shall be single- spaced. The font size for illustrations and tables shall be no less than: a) Art: 8-point Times New Roman; b) Tables: 8-point Times New

Roman; and c) Titles: 10-point Times New Roman, bold

However, we are unable to discern the font size for the proposal? Please clarify what font is expected? Font size for the proposal shall be no less than 11 point Times New Roman.