FA2823-13-R-0001__Q A_01_Response.pdf

FA2823-13-R-0001; Solicitation Questions & Answers FBO.gov posted 11 July 2013

Q.01 – Attachment 2 Price table 1 thru 5.

• We think the form needs one more column. We have Lease Rate Local (CEW), Lease

Rate TDY, Flight hour Rate Wet, And Flight Hour Rate Dry.

• Our flight hour rate is the same for Local or TDY and only varies with WET or DRY.

• Column C could be relabeled Local/TDY and then both rates could be entered. You could take the word "TDY" off column E.

A.01 – (Vendor suggested changes specific to their rate structure redacted). Attachment 2 – Price List Tables remains unchanged.

Q.02 – Annex B Page 1 (2.1) You show Frequency x1 but in the form but in the Table (1 thru 5) you show Frequency x3. Which should we use?

A.02 – Solicitation Annex B – Sample Test Scenario for LAIRCM Proposal Tables 1 thru 5 revised to Frequency x1.

Q.03 – Proposals are due 12 July 2013. What is the anticipated time period for source selection process and subsequent contract award?

A.03 – Due date for proposals has been extended to 1700 CST on 19 July 2013.

Q.04 – Contract base year period of performance begins 01 Aug 2013. Does government anticipate this date for contract start?

A.04 – Yes.

Q.05 – Is Past Performance as a Sub-Contractor for a US Government contract acceptable for the Past Performance Project Information (Appendix A) and PP Questionnaire (Appendix B) forms?

A.05 – Appendix A section 4 allows for designating whether the contractor performed as the Prime Contractor, Sub-Contractor, or Key Personnel. Past Performance Acceptability will be evaluated in accordance with the solicitation.

Q.06 – Will contractors without a history of Performance as a Prime Contractor be neutrally rated?

A.06 – Past Performance Acceptability will be evaluated in accordance with the solicitation.

Offerors will receive the rating “Unknown” if evaluated in accordance with Solicitation Section M, 52.212-2(II)(C)(4).

Q.07 – Will the MALD-J be provided as a GFE item?

A.07 – Yes.

Q.08 – Will the LAIRCM-pod be provided as a GFE item?

A.08 – Yes.

Q.09 – B&P processes generally require approval for proposal preparation based on contract value. Can the USAF provided estimated minimum and maximum number of flight hours for all contract years (base and options) for contractor consideration?

A.09 – Contract value for all contract years (base & options): Minimum $10,000.00; Maximum $4,500,000.00. Clause 52.216-19 – Order Limitations (OCT 1995) further describes specific order limits within the contract value.

Q.10 – Would the USAF consider potentially breaking the contract award into three separate contract awards; one for each aircraft type requirement? Three aircraft type requirements are noted, and not all contract contractors may have all three aircraft types.

A.10 – The Government requires the three aircraft types or equivalents on one contract for flight test support requirements.

Q.11 – If the USAF does not consider breaking the contract award into three separate contract awards;

one for each aircraft type requirement, then would a bid with less than three aircraft types be considered a 'Not Technically Acceptable' bid?

A.11 – The Government requires the three aircraft types or equivalents on one contract for flight test support requirements. Technical Acceptability will be evaluated in accordance with the solicitation.

Q.12 – The PWS states that the ability to carry up to "two additional crew members is desired". Is this a requirement?

A.12 – The ability to carry two government provided crew members (nominally a government flight test engineer and an instrumentation operator) is required and a solicitation evaluation criteria.

The Attachment 1 - PWS 1.7.1, 1.7.2, 1.7.3, and 1.7.4 references “... ability to carry up to two additional crew members is desired” for a total of up to four crew members is not a requirement or an evaluation criteria.

Q.13 – The PWS states that the ability to carry up to "two additional crew members is desired". If this is not a requirement, will a proposal response with an aircraft that does not meet the "ability to carry up to two additional crew members" be considered a "Not Technically Acceptable bid"?

A.13 – The ability to carry two government provided crew members (nominally a government flight test engineer and an instrumentation operator) is required and a solicitation evaluation criteria.

The Attachment 1 - PWS 1.7.1, 1.7.2, 1.7.3, and 1.7.4 references “... ability to carry up to two additional crew members is desired” for a total of up to four crew members is not a requirement or an evaluation criteria.

Q.14 – This RFP has a reduced time frame from Q&A responses to proposal submission. Additionally, respective contractors are located throughout the US. Will the USAF consider electronic submissions for RFP proposals?

A.14 – The Government requires proposals submitted in accordance with the solicitation. Due date for proposals has been extended to 1700 CST on 19 July 2013.

Q.15 – The PWS requires that the contractor have a SECRET facility clearance, and provide for open storage of SECRET material in a 30’ x 30’office space and a hanger area of 150’ x 90’. The contractor must own a secure storage container large enough to house up to 5 laptops. Will the USAF sponsor the facility clearance DD254 upon contract award?

A.15 – Yes.

Q.16 – The USAF often MIPRs funding to other DOD services to support Contract Air Support (CAS) requirements. These CAS requirements utilize contract available tactical aircraft equipped with onboard radar, RWR, pod carriage, data bus, and buddy stores; all equipment being state of the art and currently compatible with USAF aircraft. Additionally these aircraft are dual seat and have hardpoints for equipment installations/integrations to support Flight Test Requirements at the same locations stated in the PWS. Will the USAF be adding the requirement to this solicitation for tactical aircraft?

A.16 – Such an amendment / change is not anticipated.

Q.17 – The PWS requires that the contractor have a SECRET facility clearance, and provide for open storage of SECRET material in a 30’ x 30’office space and a hanger area of 150’ x 90’. The contractor must own a secure storage container large enough to house up to 5 laptops. If facility clearance is in process of being obtained (e.g. being sponsored) at time of RFP submission, will the contractor's RFP response be considered 'Not Technically Acceptable'?

A.17 – If facility clearance is in process, i.e. application submitted, then it will be considered Technically Acceptable.

Q.18 – When does the USAF anticipate posting responses to the questions from Q&A?

A.18 – 11 July 2013.

Q.19 – [Please clarify] the request for an "advanced copy", Financial Responsibility Questionnaire Appendix C, as stated on page 15 of 62, (g), listed below, of Solicitation FA2823-13-R-0001. [Please clarify], "advanced copy" is at time of submission.

(g) In accordance with FAR 9.104-1(a), the contracting officer must make a determination that a prospective contractor has adequate financial resources to perform the contract or the ability to obtain them prior to award. The government requests an advanced copy of this information submitted by the offeror on the Appendix C form(s) in regards to having, or the ability to obtain, adequate financial resources. Information submitted on Appendix C form(s) is not a technical factor and will not be evaluated under Cost/Price Proposal or Past Performance. Rather, this information is required by the FAR in order to be eligible for award and is submitted in advance to expedite the contracting officer’s determination of contractor responsibility prior to contract award.

A.19 – Appendix C must be submitted with proposal. Submitting Appendix C with the proposal is considered the “advanced copy.”