ROUND_2_Set_of_Q A.xlsx

Sheet1

9 Will the government please clarify if courses will be conducted back to back or will students make multiple trips to the United States to participate in the courses? Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to add a table showing the anticipated training pipleline by country. Each student will attend a full pipeline, but will not follow-on to other pipelines. For example, one student will attend the C208 Engine courses pipeline, but will not follow on to the C208 Avionics courses pipeline, that pipeline will be attended in full by another student. This requirement will remain IDIQ in nature and the USG reserves the right to adjust training to meet country requirements.

10 Is there any expected order of courses expected? Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to add a table showing the anticipated training pipleline by country. Each student will attend a full pipeline, but will not follow-on to other pipelines. For example, one student will attend the C208 Engine courses pipeline, but will not follow on to the C208 Avionics courses pipeline, that pipeline will be attended in full by another student. This requirement will remain IDIQ in nature and the USG reserves the right to adjust training to meet country requirements.

11 Since FAA part 147 is directly relevant to the requirements will the government please add Part 147 as an acceptable certification or replace Part 141 with 147? Amendment 0003 will be issued to replace FAA Part 141 with FAA Part 147.

12 Please confirm location in Niger for training. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 with the training location of Niamey, Niger.

13 Section SF 1449 CONTINUATION SHEET, ITEM Numbers 0001 through 0020. None of the CLINs are cross-referenced to the PWS. In one case, CLIN 0005 appears to be matched against PWS 1.3.3.1.1. However, the titles do not match. The CLIN has only an engine reference while the PWS reference is for airframe training. Please clarify how all CLINs cross-reference to PWS training course items, especially CLIN 0005 and PWS 1.3.3.1.1. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14 and Section SF 1449 CONTINUATION SHEET, ITEM Numbers 0001 through 0020 to show consistency in course titles.

14 Section SF 1449 CONTINUATION SHEET, ITEM Number (CLIN 0016. This CLIN depicts a "MAX QUANTITY" of "12". Please describe the deployment concept in the PWS such as 12 months continuous deployment (as suggested in PWS 1.3.4.2), 6x60 calendar days (minimum) deployments with 30 calendar day breaks, or 12x 30 calendar days (minimum) deployments with 30 calendar day breaks, or some other preferred deployment methodology. The approach will bear heavily on the recruiting approach and labor payment arrangements with deploying personnel. This offeror recommends four (4) distinct 60-day deployments each separated by an approximately (30 day break), reduced for international travel time to and from Niger. Also please indicate when the deployments would start e.g. after Niger maintenance personnel are trained. If possible, please indicate whether the deployments must start approximately 6 months, 9 months or an expected timeframe based on the contract initial start in the Period of Performance. Please indicate the scope of time expected for the deployments i.e. the 12 months spread over a 12 month (continuous deployments) 18 month (2 months deployed, 1 month non-deployed), or 24 months (alternating months deployed and non-deployed). Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to state that OCONUS training for Niger "will begin concurrently with CONUS training and last period of 10 months NTE 29 September 2017". Offerers should propose their solution for meeting this 10 month requirement. PWS Appendix A Definitions for Contractor Travel show that point of origin trips home are included as part of authorized travel expenses.

15 Section SF 1449 CONTINUATION SHEET, Number (CLIN) 0009 - Engine Run and Taxi. The CLIN item depicts this as one course. However, PWS 1.3.3.1.3 and 1.3.3.1.4, as written, appear to describe two separate courses. Please clarify. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.3 to one course "C208 Engine Run, Taxi and System Check" and PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.4 has been removed.

16 CLIN 0019 - Please link this CLIN to a PWS reference. Please describe what costs are expected and/or allowed in this CLIN. Is this Time and Labor only? This CLIN depends heavily on the total period of performance as linked to the OCONUS deployment concept described above i.e. it could be for more than 12 months if the OCONUS deployment(s) don't start until after Niger maintenance personnel receive their CONUS-based training. CLIN 0019 Program Management Support is linked with PWS Paragraphs 2.3.8, 2.3.9 and 2.3.10. It is not the Government's intent to identify what an offeror should propose under Program Management CLIN 0019. An offeror should propose all associated cost to meet the requirement of PWS Paragraphs 2.3.8, 2.3.9, and 2.3.10. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to state that OCONUS training for Niger "will begin concurrently with CONUS training and last period of 10 months NTE 29 September 2017".

17 CLIN 0019 - The listed period of performance indicates that the OCONUS deployment(s) starts simultaneously with CONUS-based training. Is this the USG's intent? We would recommend an adjusted PoP to start after the projected Niger CONUS-based training. If this CLIN's starting PoP is adjusted, then will the CLIN remain at 12 months? If so, please specify a new beginning and end of the PoP for CLIN 0019. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to state that OCONUS training for Niger "will begin concurrently with CONUS training and last period of 10 months NTE 29 September 2017".

18 PWS 1.3.2.-The paragraph lists, by country, intended attendance at several courses including use of the phrase "pipeline" on at least three occasions for Lebanon IMS. For Niger and Mauritania, "pipeline" is not used but rather "Engine Tech Courses". Please define all uses of "pipeline" in terms of which CLINs or para 1.3.3 courses comprise such "pipelines" or "courses". Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to add a table showing the anticipated training pipleline by country. Each student will attend a full pipeline, but will not follow-on to other pipelines. For example, one student will attend the C208 Engine courses pipeline, but will not follow on to the C208 Avionics courses pipeline, that pipeline will be attended in full by another student. This requirement will remain IDIQ in nature and the USG reserves the right to adjust training to meet country requirements.

19 PWS 1.3.2. Last sentence refers to "…the below table…" Please clarify which table or please add it. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to add a table showing the anticipated training pipleline by country.

20 PWS 1.3.2. & SF 1449 CONTINUATION SHEET Correlation of Amounts. Do the student training volumes in PWS 1.3.2. only refer to those initially anticipated for the PoP. If so, can Offerors expect additional training later in the PoP? Also, the volume of several courses of training as generally described in PWS 1.3.2. as "pipeline" appears to exceed that listed in the corresponding CLIN of the SF CONTINUATION SHEET. These include CLINs 0004, 0006, 0007 and 0010. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.2 to add a table showing the anticipated training pipleline by country. Each student will attend a full pipeline, but will not follow-on to other pipelines. For example, one student will attend the C208 Engine courses pipeline, but will not follow on to the C208 Avionics courses pipeline, that pipeline will be attended in full by another student. This requirement will remain IDIQ in nature and the USG reserves the right to adjust training to meet country requirements. Some pipelines have the same courses and therefore accounts for the difference in volume.

21 PWS 1.3. Scope and 3.1. Provide Cessna 208 Series maintenance training for IMS. In Para. 1.3., the PWS lists a number of what one could infer as course names from Para's 1.3.3.1.1 through 1.3.3.1.14 Based on word choice and capitalization, the course titles have been clearly taken from a company's, website where the exact courses by the exact names in the PWS are offered. However, the PWS does not offer any parameters for the course such as training duration (training days), hours of academics (classroom theory), or hands-on (lab practical). The PWS appears to state requirements that reflect a company's COTS courses, as published on-line and accessible to the public. Please specify the COTS parameters for each course which are acceptable i.e. in addition to top-level course topics detailed in Para's 1.3.3.1.1 through 1.3.3.1.14, please specify number of hours of academic, number of hands-on (practical) hours per course, or specify a percentage of the course which should be hands-on versus academic (theory). FYI, in aviation training industry, most customers prefer a 50 percent or greater amount of any aviation technician course to be hands-on, practical training. Recommend a minimum 50 percent training in every course based on our industry and many Partner Nation, and USAF/AFSOC/AMC customers' feedback. Most large Part 147 aviation academies do not want this specified because their courses are mainly if not exclusively academic and classroom-based, and therefore generate the most profit. While some companies websites will claim "practical" or "OJT" capability within "academic" courses, the "practical" or "hands-on" training typically is provided only with isolated components or cut-always, which do have some value, but do not come close to meeting what international customers want or need in terms of practical or "OJT" training. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14 course titles to be more general in nature. Offeror shall provide their own courses that meet the requirements outlined in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14. Amendment 0003 will be issued to remove all references to course duration. Offerors should provide a course duration that allows students to meet the objectives of each course in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14.

22 PWS 1.3.3. What constitutes acceptable "hands-on training"? Many other organizations draw student and customer complaints due to "hands-on training" being limited to one or two subcomponents sitting on a table in the academic classroom, a cut-away hot section or the like. Simply viewing a component or a cut-away piece of equipment, as we know one company does based on repeated contact we receive who were dissatisfied customers, does not constitute what the industry considers hands-on training. Further, showing 3D or animated slides, as we do with some of our academic training, should not count as valid time towards hands-on training. We ensure every student literally turns wrenches, works on a C208 and uses the aircraft manuals to go through maintenance tasks. We understand that the Partner Nation customers want this level of training, which we have provided before, and strongly recommend be included as part of the PWS requirement for foundational C208 maintenance and engine courses (PWS 1.3.3.1.1 and 1.3.3.1.2) as well as the avionics course (PWS 1.3.3.1.11). Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.4.8 to state: "Contractor shall train tasks in accordance with FAA Part 147 guidelines and proficiency levels outlined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 147, Subpart B, Paragraph 147.21 and Appendix A." Offerors should propose a training program that meets these requirements. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.4.8 to state: "The Contractor shall train tasks in accordance with FAA Part 141 in courses such as Engine Run, Taxi and System check where FAA Part 141 requirements apply."

23 PWS Para 1.3.3.1. Please clarity the use of the term "OJT" in the PWS. In aviation industry, training program typically consist of academic theory (classroom, eLearning/distance learning) and practical aka "lab" or "hands-on" training. The aviation training industry normally ascribes "OJT" training as literally on the job training on the customer's aircraft at the customer's operating environment. Please clarify whether the PWS use of "OJT" is equivalent to "practical", "hands-on" and/or "lab" training and applies to the CONUS-based training, or is "OJT" referring to the OCONUS training requirement? We recommend the latter. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1 to replace OJT with practical hands-on training. On the Job training remains relevant for the OCONUS training requirement.

24 PWS 1.3.3.1.3. Can Offerors substitute actual C208 aircraft for "(4) Simulator training"? If not, please explain why not. Also, please clarify how the term "Simulator training" as listed as a training content requirement contributes to the overall training objective as stated in PWS 1.3.3.1.3, "...and will include training in:...(4) Simulator training." The second reference to "Simulator training" appears to not add any value. However, we have access to a company's training information sheet, and it appears that the PWS phrase was copied literally word-for-word from this sheet, thus inducing the error. Was this intentional? if so, please explain. As such, simulator training is the delivery method, not the content necessary to develop the necessary skills in the technician. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.3 to state "C-208 Engine Run, Taxi and System Check training will meet the needs for maintenance technicians required to perform engine and system operational checks on C-208 aircraft and may include simulator training in: (1) Engine start procedures (2) Emergency procedures (3) Aircraft limitations (4) Airport signs and Markings, and (5) Taxi Procedures."

25 PWS 1.3.3.1.4 Can Offerors substitute actual C208 aircraft for “Simulator training”? If not, please explain why it would not be allowed. Also, please see Paragraph 2. L. (immediately above) and to clarify how “Simulator training” contributes to the overall training objective as stated in PWS 1.3.3.1.4. We have same comments and recommendation for PWS 1.3.3.1.4 as we posed for PWS 1.3.3.1.3. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.3 to state "C-208 Engine Run, Taxi and System Check training will meet the needs for maintenance technicians required to perform engine and system operational checks on C-208 aircraft and may include simulator training in: (1) Engine start procedures (2) Emergency procedures (3) Aircraft limitations (4) Airport signs and Markings, and (5) Taxi Procedures. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.3 to one course "C208 Engine Run, Taxi and System Check" and PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.4 has been removed.

26 PWS 1.3.3.1.12. The course title "Avionics MXAdvantage Practical Training" is clearly a trade name from a Cessna-208 vendor. It is on-line accessible. How can offerors fairly obtain information to offer a COTS MXAdvantage" course when it appears to be a proprietary course offered by a Cessna-208 vendor? Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14 course titles to be more general in nature. Offeror shall provide their own courses that meet the requirements outlined in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14.

27 C208 Maintenance Practical Training. In our review of the CLINs and PWS paragraph 1.3.3.1, we cannot deduce any hands-on (practical) training on the C208 airframe, as there is for the PT6A-140 engine (PWS 1.3.3.1.2. and 1.3.3.1.8) and C208 avionics (1.3.3.1.11). We recommend adding a course similar to the one described in this program's RFI (dated January 6, 2016), under "Response Format", as cited here, "Cessna 208 Series (P&WC PT6) Practical Training (5 Day) - This course shall require participants to use the manufacturer's manuals, regulatory documents and feedback from the instructor to perform specific tasks using the actual aircraft, part task trainers, and simulator devices. The objective of practical training course is to gain the required competence in performing maintenance, inspections, and routine work according to the maintenance manual." This contractor offers and recommends a COTS course of 5 days and 30 hours of instruction (5 training days). Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.1 to include "Practical" maintenance training. Vendors may combine existing courses to include "hands-on" or practical skills training to fully cover this training requirement.

28 Maximum training hours per day. The FAA normally requires Part 147 institutions to limit formal training to six (6) formal hours of instruction per day. Is that the case for this solicitation? Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.4.8 to state: "The Contractor shall train tasks in accordance with 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." The Contractor shall train tasks in accordance with FAA Part 141 in courses such as Engine Run, Taxi and System check where FAA Part 141 requirements apply."

29 Course length. In the USG Request for Information ("RFI") "Multi-Country Cessna C208 Series Aircraft Maintenance Training Support," released on January 6, 2016, the RFI's attached Word document contained durations (in days) for each course listed. All but one course title in the current RFP's PWS closely or exactly match those listed in the RFI. As you know, Support costs and Tuition labor costs are tied to course durations. In turn, in a Lowest Cost Technically Acceptable solicitation, the course durations can generate the greatest price differentiator between Offerors. Please comment on whether Offerors can assume that these course durations are a minimum, a target or a maximum, for each course? Amendment 0003 will be issued to remove all references to course duration. Offerors should provide a course duration that allows students to meet the objectives of each course in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14.

30 The Solicitation seeks the provision of maintenance training as described in PWS Clause 1.3.3.1.1. to 1.3.3.1.14 to start on 15 September 2016. This timeline in our view significantly restricts the pool of competition because any vendor that does not have all 14 of the identified courses already "on the shelf" would be non-compliant. We do note that the reference titles of the described courses significantly match and in some cases are identical to those found on the website for another vendor. However, we are unaware of any other single vendor with similar course availability. Therefore, we respectfully request that in this and future solicitations the necessity of any restrictive requirements be confirmed and where unduly restrictive either changed or removed to support full and open competition. Amendment 0003 will be issued to revise PWS Paragraph 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14 course titles to be more general in nature. Offeror shall provide their own courses that meet the requirements outlined in PWS Paragraphs 1.3.3.1.1 to 1.3.3.1.14.