FA3002-16-R-0011_QandA_Answers_FINAL_(Amend_0001_22_Feb_17).pdf

FA3002-16-R-0011

Multi-Country C208 Maintenance Training

10 Mar 2017

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past? If available, please provide the incumbent contract number.

If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

ANSWER: The subject solicitation is for a first time contract to provide CONUS/OCONUS Multi-

Country C208 Aircraft Maintenance Support for non-specific country customers, however, a country-specific contract was recently awarded to provide similar C208 Aircraft Maintenance

Training Support. Contract no. FA3002-16-D-0015 was awarded on 27 Sep 16 with a, one year

Period of Performance, to Spartan Education to provide C208 CONUS/OCONUS C208 Aircraft

Maintenance Training Support for Lebanon, Niger, and Mauritania. Any future C208 training requirements for Lebanon, Niger, and Mauritania will be provided under the new contract for

CONUS/OCONUS Multi-Country C208 Aircraft Maintenance Support that will be non-country specific.

2. Requests clarification of several points related to content in References A and B:

A. Solicitation Notice, FA3002-16-R-0011, posted on FEDBIZOPPS webpage on January 6, 2017

B. RFP-PWS, FA3002-16-R-0011, posted on FEDBIZOPPS webpage on January 6, 2017

Section SF 1449 A– CONTINUATION SHEET, Item No. 0014, 1014, 2014 and 3014. Can the USG specify a duration for this course?

ANSWER: The USG does not have a specific duration requirement for CLINs 0014, 1014, 2014 and

3014 and is requesting that Offerors provide the duration required to meet Performance Work

Statement (PWS) Paragraph 1.3.3.1 and 1.3.3.1.15 requirements.

3. Section SF 1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, Item No. 0015, 1015, 2015 and 3015.

Recommend that “FFP” be changed to “COST” i.e. the item should be Cost Reimbursable.

Rationale: Competition as a result of LCTA contracting will drive Contractors to provide lowest cost lodging. This will severely increase the risks to student security and quality of training depending on the lodging management, facility conditions, hotel guest behaviors, physical siting and other factors. The nature of this program should strive to reduce the risks of international incidents stemming from challenges associated with low cost lodging.

ANSWER: The USG requests this CLIN continue to be a firm-fixed price (FFP) CLIN but has amended PWS Paragraph 1.3.6.1 to include the following: “The lodging facility shall allow for easy access to nearby dining facilities or grocery store within 2 miles walking distance from the lodging facility. The Contractor shall consider the safety of the students and sensitivity of the various cultural differences of the students when selecting the lodging facility.”

RFP Attachment 4 – Addendum to 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commerical Items has been revised.

Offerors will be required to describe their process of providing and maintaining student lodging

IAW the PWS and what they took into consideration regarding the safety and sensitivity of the various cultural differences of the students when selecting the lodging facility.

4. Section SF 1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, Item No. 0017, 1017, 2017 and 3017.

i. Can the USG provide an estimate of how many total countries will be requiring CONUS training?

ii. Can the USG provide an estimate of how many countries per year will be requiring

OCONUS training?

iii. Can the USG provide an estimate, by contract year, how many man-months will be required? Or at least a maximum at each country? Each year?

iv. Can the USG specify whether there will be any and, if so, the duration of two or more

OCONUS instructors simultaneously in one or more countries?

ANSWER: The USG is unable to provide an estimated number of countries per year that will be requiring CONUS or OCONUS training. This contract will be available for the use to support multiple countries as requirements arise. The CLIN quantities provide the best estimate the USG is able to determine at this time. For OCONUS training, the Offeror should be prepared to support two or more instructors in one year who may provide training in the same country or in different countries.

5. Section SF 1449 -CONTINUATION SHEET, Item No. 0019,1019,2019 and 3019. Please clarify what activities qualify as "Mobilization." Rationale: This will help Contractors clarify where to place various cost items for pricing.

ANSWER: IAW PWS Paragraph 4.8 “For OCONUS training, the Offeror shall develop and follow a mobilization plan submitted as part of the proposal. The mobilization plan shall detail the

Offeror’s process for mobilization when OCONUS training is required per task order. All OCONUS training mobilization costs shall be included into Offeror's unit price”. Mobilization costs shall include only costs associated with mobilizing and preparing the hired Instructor to deploy overseas to provide OCONUS training IAW the PWS. All Contractor Travel and OCONUS Allowances shall be included under CLIN X021.

6. Section SF 1449 -CONTINUATION SHEET, Item No.0021,1021,2021and3021,Contractor

Travel and OCONUS Allowances: Please clarify and provide examples, more specific than the JTR items, of the various permissible costs acceptable for 1.Travel and 2. Allowances.

ANSWER: CLINs X021 are Cost Reimbursable (CR) CLINs and the USG has established a Not to

Exceed Amount (NTE) for each CLIN. Offerors shall not provide a price for CR CLINs. The Total

Evaluated Price (TEP) for each Offeror will not include the NTE CR CLINs.

Appendix A Definitions, item number 12, outlines what expenses are allowable in Contractor

Travel: “Contractor Travel. This includes all business and instructor travel costs with the exception of labor for Contractor personnel in support of the contract, incorporating the following items:

Travel costs/airline fees

Car rental

Per Diem or reasonable/actual expenses

Hardship/hazard pay

Excess baggage fees if authorized

Physical exams and shots required for travel visas

Point of origin trip(s) home if OCONUS training is required for over 180 continuous days

The CO shall approve all reimbursements for travel and, in no event, shall such reimbursement exceed the rates specified for Federal Civilian Employees under the Joint Travel Regulation. This

CLIN shall not be exceeded without prior written approval of the CO. The invoices must be reviewed for cost allowance and accuracy and certified by the CO.”

7. Section SF 1449 -CONTINUATION SHEET, Item No. 0024,1024,2024 and 3024:

i Will the USG be providing any level of security at any OCONUS training sites? If so, please provide an approximate level and any further details for each location and each contract year.

ANSWER:

CLINs X024 are CR CLINs and the USG has established a Not to Exceed Amount (NTE) for each

CLIN. Offerors shall not provide a price for CR CLINs. The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) for each

Offeror will not include the NTE CR CLINs.

Appendix C number 1.3 of the PWS states: “1.3. The Contractor shall be responsible for all required support i.e. housing, transportation, medical, administrative, or personnel support services, for their personnel during the PoP in-country.” In some cases where the host country may be hostile or austere, such as Iraq, Afghanistan or some African countries, the Offeror may be required to stay on the host countries training base and the Offeror may be required to purchase base security and life support from an existing organization. CLIN X024 OCONUS Base Security and Life Support will be utilized to support costs associated with that situation. This requirement would be identified at the time of Task Order request along details where to obtain base security and life support and what is covered as part of this security arrangement. In rare instances the Offeror may be required to obtain personal security, which would be identified at the time of Task Order request. Costs to support this requirement would be reimbursed under CLIN X021 Contractor Travel & OCONUS

Allowances. There will be no circumstances that the Offeror will be required to provide or carry their own weapon. The USG is currently unable to provide location details for each contract year.

ii. Are any and, if so, how many of the projected OCONUS locations does the USG deem

"hostile”, “austere" or other similar designation?

ANSWER: The USG is unable to provide an actual number of OCONUS training countries per year that will be considered hostile or austere, however Offerors should plan for the possibility of at least one or more OCONUS locations that may be hostile or austere, in these cases the Offeror may be required to utilize CLIN X024 OCONUS Base Security and Life Support to support costs associated with that situation. This requirement would be identified at the time of Task Order request along details where to obtain base security and life support.

iii. Please clarify acceptable activities and costs under "Base Security".

iv. Please clarify acceptable activities and costs under "Life Support".

ANSWER: Appendix C number 1.3 of the PWS states: “1.3. The Contractor shall be responsible for all required support i.e. housing, transportation, medical, administrative, or personnel support services, for their personnel during the POP in-country.” In some cases where the host country may be hostile or austere, such as Iraq, Afghanistan or some African countries, the Offeror may be required stay on the host countries training base and the Offeror may be required to purchase base security and life support from an existing organization. CLIN 0024 OCONUS Base Security and

Life Support will be utilized to support costs associated with that situation. This requirement would be identified at the time of Task Order request along details where to obtain base security and life support and what is covered as part of this security arrangement.

v. Does OCONUS Instructor per diem fall under OCONUS Base Security & Life Support

CLIN or the Travel & Allowances CLIN?

ANSWER: CLINs X021 and X024 are CR CLINs and the USG has established a Not to Exceed

Amount (NTE) for each CLIN. Offerors shall not provide a price for CR CLINs. The Total

Evaluated Price (TEP) for each Offeror will not include the NTE CR CLINs.

OCONUS Instructor Per Diem falls under CLINs X021 Contractor Travel and OCONUS

Allowances. CLINs X024 OCONUS Base Security and Life Support will be utilized to support costs where the host country may be hostile or austere, the Offeror may be required stay on the host countries training base. This requirement would be identified at the time of Task Order request along details where to obtain base security and life support.

vi. Should Contractors allocate Hazard Pay (or equivalent) in OCONUS Contracted Field

Services (CLIN X017), Program Management (CLIN X018), or Contractor Travel &

Allowances (CLIN X021)?

ANSWER: Hazard Pay (or equivalent) is an OCONUS Allowance and will be provided for under

CLINs X021 Contractor Travel & OCONUS Allowance. CLINs X021 are CR CLINs and the USG has established a Not to Exceed Amount (NTE) for each CLIN. Offerors shall not provide a price for CR CLINs. The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) for each Offeror will not include the NTE CR

CLINs.

8. Attachment 1, Page 8, Section 1.3.4.1. “Regardless of who performs maintenance activity, the contractor shall ensure airworthiness is maintained.” Please explain this statement in detail. Who has responsibility for maintaining OCONUS provided equipment?

ANSWER: The host country has responsibility for maintaining OCONUS provided equipment via organic or contract maintenance capabilities. The OCONUS Instructors shall ensure any maintenance tasks use processes and procedures that meet applicable technical data for airworthiness.

9. Attachment 1, Page 31, Appendix C: “USG issued Passports are required.” Does this preclude any other type of passport holder (e.g. a qualified foreign national instructor)?

ANSWER: Instructors are required to have USG issued Passports and be US citizens. Foreign national instructors are not an acceptable solution. Utilizing foreign national instructors would result in third party transfer issues IAW ITAR.

10. Attachment 3, page 3: “Subfactor One: This subfactor assesses the offeror’s ability to provide Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) courses and facilities that are FAA Part 147

Certified.”

-Would the government consider EASA/CAA Part 147 certification as an alternative to FAA Part 147 certification?

-Would the government consider an offer that included a pending FAA Part 147 certification?

ANSWER: The USG requires FAA Part 147 Certification.

11. CONUS Training: Is there a preferred location for training in the U.S.? Does the government expect concurrent sessions

ANSWER: There is not a preferred location for training in the US, however the USG does expect that country customers will order concurrent sessions for training. These training pipelines will be ordered by task order request and all concurrent training sessions shall take place in the same location.

12. Is there a required schedule for the training courses, or is the offeror free to define their own delivery schedule?

ANSWER: There is not a defined schedule for training courses, country customers will order various courses and pipelines via task order request, as needed. The USG is utilizing an IDIQ contract vehicle due to the fact that requirements are not well defined, offerors should be flexible enough to provide training to meet requirements as they arise. Per PWS Paragraph 3.1, training schedules will be agreed upon between the AFSAT TPM/COR, the CO and the Offeror. The country will identify their need and the AFSAT TPM/COR, the CO and the Offeror shall work together to negotiate the training schedule at task order level to best meet the country customer requirements.

13. Various OCONUS training locations: Can we have a list of countries and locations associated with each of the OCONUS CLINs? Or at least a list of tentative locations?

Locations are important because it drives the cost for in-country support.

ANSWER: The USG is unable to provide a complete list of countries per year that will be requiring

OCONUS training, however, tentative locations could be Afghanistan, Philippines, Iraq, Niger, Mauritania, Uganda, Kenya, Chad and Cameroon. This contract will be available for the use of multiple countries as requirements arise. The CLIN quantities provide the best estimate the USG is able to determine at this time and is why the USG is contracting using an IDIQ contract. Based on the above, the USG tried to place most of the fluctuating OCONUS costs under CLINs X021 -

Contractor Travel & OCONUS Allowances, CLINs X023 – Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance, and

CLINs X024 – OCONUS Base Security and Life Support. CLINs X021, X023 and X024 are CR

CLINs and the USG has established a Not to Exceed Amount (NTE) for each CLIN. Offerors shall not provide a price for CR CLINs. The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) for each Offeror will not include the NTE CR CLINs.

14. For each CLIN there is a Maximum Quantity (Each) we are assuming these are maximum number of participants.

- Will these quantities be achieved or realized?

- What will be maximum and minimum class size per CLIN?

ANSWER: The USG is unable to provide an estimated number of countries per year that will be requiring CONUS or OCONUS training. This contract will be available for the use of multiple countries as requirements arise. The CLIN quantities provide the best estimate the USG is able to determine at this time and is why the USG is contracting using an IDIQ contract.

15. Ref. CLINs 0019, 1019, 2019, 3019 Mobilization (OCONUS ONLY) Please define in detail.

Does this include both Phase-In and Phase-Out activities? What countries, locations, etc.?

ANSWER: Yes, CLIN 0019, 1019, 2019 and 3019 include Phase-In and Phase-Out periods. See

PWS Paragraph 4.8. “For OCONUS training, the Contractor shall develop and follow a mobilization plan submitted as part of the proposal.”

The USG is unable to provide an estimated number of countries per year that will be requiring

CONUS or OCONUS training. This contract will be available for the use to support multiple countries as requirements arise. The CLIN quantities provide the best estimate the USG is able to determine at this time.

16. Ref. CLINs 0020, 1020, 2020, 3020 – Can you please clarify the Quantity and Unit for these

CLINs? The correlation to the PWS is not clear.

ANSWER: Each Task Order that is issued to provide OCONUS Training Support will include

CLIN X020 with a quantity of 1 which will provide for the administrative costs associated with making Contractor OCONUS travel arrangements, including but not limited to purchasing and expenditure tracking, IAW the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS), Referenced PWS

Paragraph(s) 2.3.8.2., 2.5 and 2.6. The Contractor will be authorized to invoice for this CLIN

(X020) when invoicing for actual Travel Expenses under CLIN X021 (COST) that have been pre-approved by the Contracting Officer.

NOTE: RFP Amendment 01 will correct the CLIN extended description for CLINs X020 to reference “CLIN X021” vs “CLIN X020”.

17. Ref: Pg. 9 of PWS para 1.3.6.2.3.: Is the contractor responsible for providing (i.e. paying for) student meals or just providing access to a dining facility

ANSWER: The Offeror is only expected to provide access to dining facilities. IMS are required to pay for their own meals and incidentals as they will be receiving per diem.

18. Ref: Pg. 6 of PWS para 1.3.3.1.: What is the maximum number of students that the government expects to send through training at one time?

ANSWER: The USG is unable to provide a maximum number of students that is expected to be sent through training at one time. This contract will be available for the use of multiple countries as requirements arise. The number of students will likely not exceed the CLIN quantities which are the best estimate the USG is able to determine at this time.

19. Ref: Pg. 7 of PWS para 1.3.4.: Does the government have an idea of which countries will require Contracted Field Services (CFS)?

ANSWER: The USG is unable to provide what countries will be requiring OCONUS training. This contract will be available for the use of multiple countries as requirements arise. The CLIN quantities provide the best estimate the USG is able to determine at this time. Tentative locations could be Afghanistan, Philippines, Iraq, Niger, Mauritania, Uganda, Kenya, Chad and Cameroon.

20. Ref: Pg. 8 of PWS para 1.3.4.1.: 1.3.4.1 states that “The Contractor shall develop and execute an OJT program that will build upon the skills of previously trained and qualified C-208 maintenance technicians.” – Does the government desire a capability to tailor the OJT program for each specific countries requirements or does the government desire an off the shelf OJT program that is not country specific?

ANSWER: PWS Paragraph 1.3.4 states: “The objective of the CFS shall be to provide continuation and upgrade training to maintenance personnel as required. Training shall expand the capabilities of previously qualified maintenance technicians. Training shall take place on country provided aircraft. Contractor shall provide students with academic and OJT maintenance training to meet requirements of the country.” PWS Paragraph 1.3.4.5 “The CFS shall conduct an assessment of unit’s immediate maintenance training requirements and provide a training plan within 30 days after completion of assessment. In the absence of a USG approved training plan, the CFS shall commence OJT training on priority areas.”

The USG expects COTS courseware and materials. However, the Instructors will be required to conduct an assessment and provide training that meets the specific requirements of the host country.

21. Ref: Pg. 8 of PWS para 1.3.4.4.: 1.3.4.4 states that the “CFS shall train personnel to access the Management Information System (MIS)…” – What is the specific MIS that is in use?

ANSWER: The MIS that is most likely to be used is CESCOM and CESVIEW, however it is unknown at this time whether or not all the countries utilize the same MIS. If the MIS is determined to be other than CESCOM or CESVIA, it will be identified at the Task Order level in order for the

Contractor to get knowledgeable on the MIS during the mobilization period.

22. Ref: Pg. 8 of PWS para 1.3.4.4.: states in regards to the Management Information System

“The CFS shall ensure the system is accessible to personnel and train them to use it” – What is the contractors responsibility with regard to purchasing subscriptions, ensuring internet connectivity, or purchasing computers to give student’s access? Our understanding is that it is the host nations responsibility to provide all supplies, facilities and equipment (Para 1.3.4)

ANSWER: The host country has the responsibility to provide all supplies, facilities, and equipment.

23. Ref: Pg. 8 of PWS para 1.3.4.8.: Will the government consider training in accordance with current USAF maintenance guidelines and proficiency levels as acceptable for the OCONUS

OJT?

ANSWER: For OCONUS training IAW PWS Paragraph 1.3.4.8, the USG expects the Offeror shall train IAW FAA Part 147 guidelines and the proficiency levels outlined in Title 14 of the Code of

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 147, Subpart B, Paragraph 147.21 and Appendix A.

24. Ref: Pg. 10 of PWS para 2.2.4.1.: How much lead time does AFSAT require to approve courseware for release?

ANSWER: PWS Paragraph 2.2.4.1 is amended to state: “The Contractor shall provide all training material to AFSAT TPM/COR 45 calendar days prior to training start date for disclosure release approval.”

25. Ref: Pg. 13 of PWS para 2.3.10 states that “The Contractor shall detail the approved training schedule and the current progress and how it relates to the OEM current aircraft delivery schedule.” Will the government provide the OEM current aircraft delivery schedule?

ANSWER: When it applies the USG will provide the OEM aircraft delivery schedule, however, in many instances the host countries will already have aircraft and this will not apply.

26. Ref: Pg. 14 of PWS para 2.5.1.1.: Historically, OCONUS Maintenance Training has required instructors to work more than 40 hours a week. Is the Government using the 40 hours a week limit in para 2.5.1.1 to enable price comparison between contractors or does the government intend not to authorize work in excess of 40 hours?

ANSWER: The USG does NOT intend to authorize work in excess of 40 hours per week unless there are extenuating circumstances. Per PWS Paragraph 2.5.1.1 “The USG will not pay overtime without prior approval by the CO.”

27. Ref: Pg. 14 of PWS para 3.1(a): states “The Contractor shall provide CONUS maintenance training courses to students on the Cessna 208 aircraft. Training shall ensure students understand how to safely and independently operate systems, subsystems, and related support equipment associated with the Cessna 208. Training shall be to the level necessary to provide students a thorough understanding of their specialty requirement and ensure that students can perform tasks IAW applicable technical data with minimal supervision (no more than three minor write-ups) at the end of training.” Who is evaluating or “writing up” the students?

ANSWER: The Offeror’s Certified Maintenance training Instructor will be evaluating or writing up the students.

28. Ref: Pg. 17 of PWS para 3.5(g): states the AQL for this standard is 98% - this seems like an odd AQL percentage, is this a typo?

ANSWER: PWS Paragraph 3.5 (g) AQL is correct, allows for minor errors.

29. Ref: Pg. 20 of PWS para 4.4.: Does the CONUS Emergency Evacuation plan that must be submitted with the contract proposal count towards to 100 page technical proposal limit?

ANSWER: No, the CONUS Emergency Evacuation Plan does not count towards the 100 page technical proposal limit.

RFP Attachment 3 – Addendum 52.212-1 – Instructions have been revised. The following statement has been added to Section 1 Paragraph (B)(h): “The CONUS Emergency Evacuation Plan (PWS paragraph 4.4), the OCONUS Mobilization Plan (PWS paragraph 4.8) and the Quality Control Plan

(QCP) (PWS paragraph 4.2.1) will not count toward the 100 page limitation for Volume I –

Technical and have no page limitation.