Questions_and_Responses_to_Draft_RFP_-_Q's_27-_67_Final.pdf

Questions and Responses to Draft RFP

These are responses to questions the Government has received in response to the draft evaluation language. These are not all the received questions. As responses become available to be published, the

Government will add them to www.FBO.gov until all questions are responded to. Questions 1 – 26 have already been posted on the previous Question and Response document.

Question 27: Will the Government include FAR 52.226-1, Utilization of Indian Organizations and Indian-

Owned Economic Enterprises?

Answer 27: No. Per FAR 26.104, market research did not demonstrate that any subcontracting possibilities exist for Indian organizations or Indian-owned economic enterprises.

Question 28: Will the Government include DFAR 252.226-7001 Utilization of Indian Organizations, Indian-Owned Economic Enterprises, and Native Hawaiian Small Business Concerns for tier 2 suppliers?

Answer 28: Yes

Question 29: Will the Govt incorporate 52.250-1, Indemnification under Public Law 85-804?

Answer 29: No. The requirement does not have unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Question 30: Will the government consider priced options in the proposal that reflect enhancements in line with the measures of merit in section M?

Answer 30: The Government will not consider priced options for enhancements.

Question 31: Will the offeror's proposal be rewarded for innovation merits as described in Section M,

3.6.5.1 that may result in syllabus modifications. We understand the provided syllabus must be executable as is and any changes must be coordinated with HQ AETC/A3 after award.

Answer 31: Specifically stated measures of merit will be removed from the final RFP. Syllabus changes will not be associated or caused by aircraft.

Question 32: In regards to PWS paragraphs 1.2.1.10 and RFP Section L 3.6.3.3, does the current contract have waivers for using remote airfields that cannot meet the five minute response requirement?

Answer 32: Paragraph 1.2.1.10 will be amended to include the minimum standard for all offerors. This paragraph also includes language designed to allow for waivers should a change in the airfield conditions arise during the performance of the contract.

Question 33: Regarding the submittal of the required emergency, fire, crash, and rescue services plan.

Please provide the current plan.

Answer 33: No. The current contractor’s emergency crash, fire and rescue plan will not be released because such a plan would be dependent of the proposed location and contractor’s concept of operations.

Question 34: Does the government require a minimum number of emergency personnel at the airfield?

Answer 34: No, PWS paragraph 1.2.1.10 details the CFR requirements. It does not include a minimum number of emergency personnel. It is up to the offeror to determine the personnel needed based on their proposed solution.

Question 35: Does the Government require a specific certification for fire rescue personnel?

Answer 35: No, the government does not require a specific certification. Instead, the government requires the training contained in the PWS, paragraph 1.2.1.10.

Question 36: In regards to area performance (PWS 1.2.2.1.7), aborted takeoff (PWS 1.2.2.1.8), stall (PWS

1.2.2.1.12), and stability and control (PWS 1.2.2.1.13); how are these requirements to be verified in the proposal evaluation?

Answer 36: The Government will review the aircraft performance charts/data in the proposed aircraft's pilot operations handbook/aircraft manual/aircraft performance charts provided by the offeror with their proposal. Based on this question, Section L of the RFP will be revised to include the requirement to provide this information.

Question 37: Does the government consider the current aircraft (DA 20) as meeting all of the requirements of that PWS section (1.2.2)?

Answer 37: The Government has not evaluated any aircraft for this requirement.

Question 38: Will the RFP limit Contractor liability to the Government and the Students to $200k per person per occurrence?

Answer 38: The PWS specifies the minimum insurance limits in paragraph 1.2.3.1.

Question 39: PWS 1.2.5.1 - W/R to the government funded fuel, how does the government plan to deliver the fuel? At what point does the government responsibility stop and the contractor responsibility start? (port, truck, fuel tank, etc…)

Answer 39: The Government will not provide fuel. The contractor must make arrangements for acquiring and dispensing the fuel. The Government will only reimburse the contractor for the cost of the fuel.

Question 40: The fact that AVGAS has (or had) a CLIN line item implies that the previous contract might not have included government reimbursement for fuel. Can you confirm that the prior contract required the contractor to bear the cost of the AVGAS?

Answer 40: The AVGAS CLIN is/will be used to reimburse the contractor for fuel. The contractor must pay for the fuel up front, and then submit an invoice to the Government along with the receipt for reimbursement.

Question 41: Reference PWS section 1.2.1.1.2 Student Load, ± 1500 flight hour variation, would the

Government please clarify the basis for 1500 hours? Same question on the 6000 flight hour increase/decrease mentioned just below.

Answer 41: The requirement is designed to allow the Government ordering flexibility based on need.

The Government may order from 18,000 to 51,000 flight hours per year + 1500 hours. The + 1500 hours is the deviation between each level of ordering in which the contractor is expected to be able to sustain without further Government notification. The Exhibit Line Item Numbers (ELINs) in the Pricing Model demonstrate the variations among ELINs (the Pricing Model will be revised to reflect this). The total flight hours are on an annual basis. Should the Government require an increase or decrease more than the variation allowed for an ELIN (+ 1500 hours); a 60-day prior notification will be given. Should the deviation be more than 6000 flight hours in a single notice, maximum flexibility will be given.

Question 42: PWS 1.2.1.3.7 - Daily Flying Schedule – What are the size requirements for the “block of training airspace” mentioned in this requirement.

Answer 42: The size requirements will be determined by the offerors based on their concept of operations, aircraft proposed, airspace plan, etc.

Question 43: PWS 1.2.1.10 – Can the government confirm that Emergency, Fire, Crash, and Rescue provisions at away airports is not a requirement for this RFP?

Answer 43: Emergency, Fire, Crash, and Rescue are a requirement at all primary and auxiliary airfields proposed for student training.

Question 44: PWS 1.2.14.1 – Based on the language of this requirement, it is easily inferred that there should be a maximum of 2 students per one bathroom. Is that the government’s intent, or is a “jack and jill” style setup allowable which would require that up to 4 students share the private bath?

Answer 44: A “jack and jill” style setup with 4 students sharing a bath is not allowable. As a guideline, student rooms will meet normal commercial hotel / motel standards for room space, approximately 250 square feet per room, and be single occupancy. Each student room will have an adjoining private bath.

Two students may share a room and bathroom, if required for surge operations (requiring more than

200 single occupancy rooms), as long as the Contractor furnishes the room accordingly. International students will normally be the last students to be doubled up.

Question 45: Can one bidder submit multiple bids? These varied bids would contain different service options, allowing the government to choose the best value among them.

Answer 45: No.

Question 46: Alternatively, can a single bid contain multiple options? These options would have varied services, aircraft, etc. with accompanying pricing. The government could then choose the best value among them.

Answer 46: No.

Question 47: “Two students may share a room if required” – Does this mean shared rooms are allowed on a permanent basis or should shared rooms be a temporary measure to cope with surges? If shared rooms are acceptable on a permanent basis, 1) Is this less preferable to the Air Force than single rooms?

and 2) Would two bathrooms be required or will a single adjoining bathroom shared by both cadets of a shared room be acceptable?

Answer 47: See response to question 44.

Question 48: Is housing separated from the training compound viewed negatively by the Air Force or is this equally acceptable given appropriate logistical support?

Answer 48: No, the Government will not view negatively the option to house students at a location separated from the training location and/or airfield. The Government, will however, consider the lodging concept proposed in conjunction with the transportation plan, security plan, student scheduling, etc. and the criteria in Sections L and M.

Question 49: In Appendix A-7 it mentioned the need for a computer connection (assumed to be an

Ethernet port) – is this required if WiFi is freely available in the room?

Answer 49: The computer connection may be from WiFi.

Question 50: 1.2.14.2 – Linen Service – Would a sheet and towel exchange, where students bring their dirty sheets and towels to a kiosk window and are given clean ones in return, be acceptable?

Answer 50: Yes, the option of students exchanging sheets and towels will be considered, but the

Government’s expectation is the housekeepers will make the beds with the clean sheets. PWS 1.2.14.3 and 1.2.14.3.1 lists the requirements for guest lodging.

Question 51: 1.2.14.3 – Could more information be given on the expectations for housekeeping services? Will housekeeping make students beds daily? Will they need to vacuum student rooms daily or would twice weekly be sufficient?

Answer 51: The PWS will be revised to state that housekeeping service, to include making the beds, must be provided daily during normal working hours. What services are provided to keep the rooms clean and orderly is dependent on the contractor’s concept of operations.

Question 52: Could the government give guidance in relation to AFMAN 32-1084 as to which housing plan is most applicable? Is perhaps the space allowances for visiting quarters going to be the standard?

Answer 52: AFMAN 32-1084 will be removed from the PWS. PWS, 1.2.14.1, will be revised to explain the housing guidelines.

Question 53: CFIs: Draft PWS in 1.2.1.8.1 states that instructors must have two years of experience or

100 hours of instruction logged. Is “or” correct – the instructors do not need two years’ experience if they have logged 100 hours of instruction?

Answer 53: “or” is correct. Note: the required experience is a minimum.

Question 54: Surges are mentioned throughout the documentation – would it be possible for the government to quantify a “surge?”

Answer 54: The PWS will be revised to define a surge as when over 200 rooms are required to house students in single occupancy rooms.

Question 55: Will the contractor provide housing for assigned MFIs or other 1 FTS staff? (1.2.1.8.2)

Answer 55: No, the contractor will not be required to provide housing for MFI's or 1 FTS staff.

Question 56: Concerning student arrivals, will the contractor be responsible for purchasing any needed commercial airfare tickets alongside transportation to and from major commercial airports? Will the cost of transportation be included in the government’s total evaluated cost?

Answer 56: No, the contractor must provide ground transportation between the training facility and the closest regional or international airports that provide commercial airline service; not arrange for the commercial airfare. The cost of the transportation provided by the contractor will be included in the total evaluated price of the proposals.

Question 57: In 1.2.12.1 the PWS mentions contractor support for non-local MFI check ride preparation.

Could the government provide more information as to what this might entail?

Answer 57: One or two sorties that are conducted annually outside the local area to satisfy MFI training requirements.

Question 58: 3.1.3 – May electronic flight bags be used to convey Air Force Publications and Forms?

Answer 58: Yes

Question 59: Section L, 1.1.5 states the Government requires a minimum acceptance period of 14 months from the date of receipt of proposals. How long is the expected lead time between award and performance? Previous guidance seems to have been 6 months.

Answer 59: The time between award and performance (mobilization period) will be 6 months. Prior to award, an environmental assessment (EA) must be completed which will require approximately 8 – 12 months. Note: Any location and operation who participates in the environmental assessment must receive a Finding of no Significant Impact (FONSI) to be eligible for award.

Question 60: IFT Price Model – Base Period (Year 1) Tab – Mobilization is “6 months” and the input is a price that will be multiplied by the number of months to determine the total amount of CLIN0005. Does this mean that the mobilization fee will be paid out over a 6 month period in equal payment or will mobilization fees be paid in an upfront lump sum?

Answer 60: Mobilization will be paid out over a 6 month period in equal monthly payments.

Question 61: The Notification responsibilities of the contractor (PWS 1.2.11.4) appears to include a broad set of notification incidents, but goes on to elaborate investigations that only pertain to accidents.

Please clarify the investigation requirements.

Answer 61: The PWS will be modified to indicate the contractor's investigations are required for aircraft accidents and incidents not investigated by the NTSB.

Question 62: PWS 1.2.13.3 identifies 17 1FTS personnel whereas PWS 1.2.7.2 identifies "up to 18 [1 FTS] people" for computer needs. Please clarify.

Answer 62: The language in PWS 1.2.7.2. will be modified to reflect a notional structure of 17

Government employees.

Question 63: In order to properly scope personnel and resources, can the government please provide an estimate of student load mix for the maximum student load (51,000 flight hours)?

Answer 63: The Government cannot accurately forecast the estimated student load mix at the maximum student load amount of 51,000 flight hours. A minimum notification time period of 60 days will be provided prior to changes in the student load mix IAW PWS 1.2.1.1.2. The contractor will have to build a plan to accommodate the 51,000 flight hour requirement with an undetermined mix of pilots, CSOs, and

RPA pilots.

Question 64: It seems that approving the aircraft plan only 2-months from start of performance may be too late due to the long-lead nature of this equipment. Please clarify.

Answer 64: The aircraft plan, to include aircraft acquisition, must be submitted with their proposal and will be evaluated. The final aircraft plan must be approved 2 months prior to performance.

Question 65: Previous published solicitation Q&A response indicated PWS 1.2.2.1.10 would indicate a future date requiring ADS-B compliance, but the latest draft PWS remains unchanged. Please clarify.

Answer 65: The PWS was modified to require "ADS-B out (as required by the FAA)." As the FAA may change the compliance date, the requirement will be stipulated to meet the FAA mandate.

Question 66: Is the International (IMSPFT) syllabus final or is it expected to change?

Answer 66: The IMS syllabus is not final. The final IMS syllabus will be similar to the RPA Pilot syllabus, but will be modified to meet IMS requirements.

Question 67: There is a potential disconnect between PWS 1.2.1.1.1 (Student Experience) and the RPA syllabus regarding the students being "proficiency advanced." In summary, the PWS states RPA student will not proficiency advance, but the RPA syllabus alludes to shortening the program in specific cases.

Can the government please clarify how the program could be shortened if not by proficiency advancing students?

Answer 67: The PWS and/or syllabus will be modified to clear up the inconsistency prior to the release of the RFP. The syllabus is subject to change in the near future, so providing a definite response now would be premature.