20030916electposted.doc

Question: Could you clarify my understanding that 14 students will be trained at one time annually. We are trying to develop a plan, schedule and cost. So if I read this correctly, sometime during each year we will have 14 students for a total of 18 hours. Is this 18 consecutive/contiguous hours?

Answer: Paragraph J43.1.1 Specifies that “Each task requirement (or combination thereof) listed in section 2 shall be uniquely developed into two specific course offerings….”, one course for Qualification Training and one course for Upgrade Training. The Master Task List indicates that the QT courses will be 2 hours and the UGT courses will be 4 hours. These time durations for training are suggestions based on analysis of present Government training efforts. The contractor is encouraged to propose a duration of training he deems appropriate to render fully trained Government personnel. Furthermore, Paragraph J43.1.3 states in part, ”As alluded to throughout this document; AF training is a well-organized program that weighs key goals and objectives against specified timelines. In all but a few cases, completion of training results in the attainment (or maintenance) of a specific skill level. Individual possession of this skill level is mandatory to compete for, acquire, and hold a specific rank (pay grade) within the Air Force. Should training opportunities be postponed (past 60 days), skill level advancement would be jeopardized and individual promotion opportunities and retention impacted.” Presently military personnel are trained on a continuous basis at a minimum of every 60 days. Due to the anticipated cost and burden on contractor resources, the Government has determined the frequency of each of the two courses (QT and UGT) should occur twice per year. The contractor is required to provide two QT courses and two UGT courses each year with no more than 14 trainees total for QT and 14 trainees total for UGT each year.

Question: Tasks 15.2.3 and 15.2.4 seem reasonable to expect a competency to install a PT or CT in 2 or 4 hours of training, however it does not seem reasonable to expect competency in troubleshooting substation equipment in the same time period. Are we to just make do in the hours provided or do we propose additional hours or not meet competency? And what happens if a student doesn't meet competency?

Answer: The contractor is required to train to competency based on the Master task list and the site references. The 2 and 4-hour times are suggested based on present Government training programs. The contractor is expected to develop and propose an adequate training program, including the number of hours he believes it will take to achieve competency. Once the program is established and accepted as adequate it will be up to the student to pass the course. If the course is adequate, and the student passes the course, Competency should be achieved.

Question: Section C.13 Transition Plan says in first paragraph that the first transition period, among other things, shall include "commencement and completion of capital improvements." However the third paragraph says that contractor in the transition will only initiate efforts for construction and improvements, and C.11.2.2, ICU says that they will be performed within the first five years. I believe clarification is needed. I understand commencement but not completion of capital improvement in the transition plan.

Answer: The contract anticipates two initial capital upgrade programs:

The first initial capital upgrade program is required to bring the system up to code; thus allowing the contractor to obtain the operating permits necessary to own and operate the system. Section C-13, Transition Plan, discusses the various tasks required to be accomplished by the contractor during the transition period. This initial upgrade program first mentioned in the Transition Plan relates to initial exclusions granted the Federal Government as owner. These capital upgrades must be initiated and completed within the transition period time frame.

The second initial capital upgrade program is necessary to implement the offeror’s capital improvement plan included in its proposal. This capital upgrade program is addressed in paragraph C.11.2.2. The purpose of the capital upgrade program is to do those upgrades required to bring the system to the level of efficient, reliable operation required by the contract and outlined by the offeror in the request for proposal. These upgrades can begin as early as the transition period but must be completed during the first five years of the contract. Additionally capital upgrades can be made over the life of the contract as forecasted in the capital upgrades plan.

Question: In regard to Section B.4, which provides guidance for offers for multiple systems, it appears as though offeror(s) can submit one or more separate proposals, plus an alternative proposal consisting of a bundled offer for two or more utilities. It also appears to be acceptable to submit only a bundled proposal for two or more utilities, as long as each CLIN, schedule, and the related costing is addressed separately.

Answer: In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Request For Proposal (RFP) Section B.4, offerors may submit individual offers; may submit bundled offers; or may submit both individual and bundled offers. For example, the offeror may submit an individual offer for operation and maintenance of the natural gas distribution system only and an alternate proposal to include a bundled offer that includes an offer for the natural gas, water distribution system, and the wastewater collection system.

Question: In the latter case, the page limits for Volumes I, (200) and II, (40) would apply to each utility in a bundled proposal, not in the aggregate. Would you please confirm this, or provide additional guidance?

Answer: In the case of an alternate proposal that provides a bundled offer, each Volume I for each utility would be limited to 200 pages; each Volume II for each utility would be limited to 40 pages. The page limitations would apply per utility and not in the aggregate.