Amendment - A001 - District of Alaska - Aircraft Charter Services - Questions and Answers.doc

AMENDMENT # A001 – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – RFQ # DJMS-10-Q-0242

AIRCRAFT CHARTER SERVICES / PRISONER AIR TRANSPORTATION

FOR THE USMS DISTRICT OF ALASKA (D/AK)

Question #1: Is it possible to operate multiple aircraft with a max seating capacity of 8 passengers?

Question #2: Is it acceptable to propose multiple aircraft that would meet this requirement?

Question #3: Can transports of passengers be conducted by a single aircraft flying multiple trips or by multiple aircraft flying in tandem?

Question #4: If multiple aircraft can be used - would passengers need to be transported at one time (aircraft departing and returning in tandem) or would multiple transfers by the same aircraft be acceptable?

Answer for Question #(s) 1 - 4: Multiple aircraft will not be feasible, nor will back to back flights be possible, due to security requirements and manpower concerns. Each prisoner movement requires undivided attention to prisoners and supervisory guards and the use of multiple aircraft would mitigate against such undivided attention.

Question #5: What are the exact requirements of a "lavatory"?

Answer: The lavatory on board the aircraft does not have to be a flushable system nor does it need a secure door. It may be a chemical toilet which is mounted in the rear of the aircraft, with a small curtain available for basic privacy.

Question #6: How will the passengers/prisoners be secured within the aircraft?

Answer: Prisoners will be secured during the entire flight with leg restraints, a waist chain and wrist restraints. At no time, during the flight or transportation of the prisoners will these devices be removed.

Question #7: Will there be any special requirements for the interior configuration for securing passengers/prisoners?

Answer: No special configuration is needed for the aircraft interior. The prisoners will be wearing full restraints during the entire flight, but will not be secured to the airframe or seat rails.

Question #8: Are there specific Passenger Accommodations that are desirable?

Answer: Not Specifically. The best cabin environment for this mission is one which is as simple and clear of clutter as possible. Prisoners will be provided sack lunches by the US Marshals. Lavatory accommodations are all which are required.

Question #9: What are the requirements for a "Secure Loading" site?

Answer: A “secure” loading area, for this setting, is one which is not readily accessible by the general public. Most airport environments will meet this requirement since the ramp areas are not generally open to the public.

Question #10: What are the acceptable levels of experience and training for the A & P techs?

Answer: The US Marshal will not require any training for the aircraft A&P’s, above and beyond that which has already been required to meet the specifications set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was specifically stated in order to ensure that all personnel, who require specific licenses, for the functions which they perform, are properly trained, certified and documented for their specific positions.

Question #11: Would Substitute Aircraft be invoiced at the Contract rate?

Answer: Yes, any substitute would be invoiced at the contract rate, and must meet or exceed the capabilities of the aircraft in which it is replacing.

Question #12: Would the ratio of prisoners to deputies adjust given the circumstances?

Answer: Not normally. The US Marshals will generally move 10-12 prisoners during each airlift operation mission. If the number of prisoners expected for the mission fell significantly, the mission would probably be postponed until it could be completed with a proper load.

Question #13: Aircraft Requirements p 4, (a), (1) Does this mean that the Government will not allow an aircraft with more than 20 seats to be used? e.g. “to a maximum of 20 seats” Answer: No. Larger aircraft can be utilized to meet the requirements of the Statement of Work. However, the typical prisoner movement/charter will only involve the movement of 10-12 prisoners, so the utilization of a larger aircraft, in the past, has not been as cost effective for an aircraft operator/owner or the United States Marshals Service (USMS).

Question #14: Refer to page 6 of SOW (d) Flight Crew (3) - Does the Government consider the USMS (Deputy) a member of the flight crew since it is listed here? As required under Part 135 any aircraft having over 19 seats is required to have a flight attendant. Would it be the position of the government that an operator not have a flight attendant on board and consider the deputy as a crew member?

Answer: The Deputy US Marshal will not be considered a “flight crew member”, but will be an essential person, required for each mission. Larger aircraft could possibly be utilized, since the mission is being flown under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the aircraft are being used for public use missions.