Questions and Answers - STTS FA441720QA065.pdf

1. Attachment 4 - Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, 2.2.1.

Subfactor 1 - Management Plan. The Technical Submission is limited to 20 pages.

Question: Would the Government consider accepting full resumes for proposed personnel as an attachment, one that would not count against the page limit?

Resumes are not necessary.

2. Attachment 4 Section 2.3 Past Performance Submission – The second sentence requires Quoters to “provide a list of no more than three (3) recent and relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies or commercial customers as a prime contractor that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the scope and breadth of the requirements as described in the PWS for this solicitation.” (emphasis added) Later in the same paragraph, we are requested to submit information items that includes “Description of Effort (Prime, Joint Venture, Subcontractor, etc.)”

Question: Would the Government accept past performance wherein the work was performed as a subcontractor? This would permit Offerors to better demonstrate their ability to successfully perform the scope and breadth of the requirements. Limiting contracts to only those performed as a prime contractor may unduly restrict the Offerors ability to demonstrate their past performance.

Yes, you can submit past performance of any work you performed.

3. Attachment 6 – Past Performance Information. Paragraph D requires a description of the work the work to be performed on the “Multiple Personnel Functions (MPF)” contract.

Question: Should this reference the Special Tactics Training Squadron (STTS) contract instead? Yes this should reference Special Tactics Training Squadron (STTS). Our apologies on the oversight.

4. Is this a new requirement or follow-on effort currently being performed? This is a new requirement brought on by the Air Force standup off a new career field, Special Ops Weather to Special Reconnaissance. We do not currently possess the expertise to train this career field. The PJ necessity is an enduring requirement due to lack of 7-level manning in AFSOC and specifically STTS.

5. If this is a follow-on contract, who is the current incumbent, current award number, current award amount? This is a new requirement.

6. You only ask to quote 2 instructors however your SOW reads as if there are more. Will there be more instructors required at some future point in time?

This requirement is only for two (2) instructors.

7. PWS 4.3.1.2 states Contractor shall provide a non-billable Program Manager

(PM). Is the PM expected to provide the monthly status reports to the Government? Monthly status reports are submitted by the contractor IAW para 1.6.

8. PWS 4.5.3 – How often have alternative work sites been used in the past?

Mostly for HURCON and COVID. Limited requirements for alternate work sites based on range and resource availability here at Hurlburt.

9. PWS 4.5.4 – How often do instructors go over the 80 per two week allotment that would require vacation and compensatory time? Instructors are required to work some long days on occasion when conducting in the field operations.

We are able to adjust their hours accordingly when extended days happen to fit that 80 hours per two week allotment. 80 hours is a hard number with exception of a significant event which may require contractors to respond, i.e.

jumper recovery ops, lost diver, etc. in which we would authorize overtime, if approved by contracting office and leadership.

10. Is the jumpmaster requirement for both SL and MFF or SL only? Both SL and

MFF.

11. Is the site leader another contractor and alternate a separate contractor, or are one of the two SME's the site lead, and the other the alternate site lead? The site lead is one of the two SME contractors on site.

12. While the contractors are not expected to work more than 80 hours per two weeks, if they do, are they authorized overtime or is the 80 expected hours a hard number? 80 hours is a hard number with exception of a significant event which may require contractors to respond, i.e. jumper recovery ops, lost diver, etc. in which we would authorize overtime, if approved by contracting office and leadership.

13. Is the contract company submitting the compensatory time off for each of its contractors or is the unit dictating the amount of vacation/compensatory time per contractor? The contract company will track through their site lead. 80 hours is a hard number with exception of a significant event which may require contractors to respond, i.e. jumper recovery ops, lost diver, etc. in which we would authorize overtime, if approved by contracting office and leadership.

14. How many On-site FTEs are required for this contract? 2

15. The RFP seems to address 1 FTE for each of the 2 Requested Labor Categories (Pararescue SME and Surveillance and Reconnaissance SME) – if more than 2 FTEs are required, how many of each are required? 1 SME PJ and 1 SME SR instructor

16. Are the Site Lead and the Alt Site Lead the Pararescue SME and Surveillance and Reconnaissance SME? Yes

17. How many Airmen go through this training program annually? How many per iteration? 140 max per year, 40 plus per iteration.

18. What is the preferred Student-Instructor Ratio? It varies dependent on the training, but most restrictive is 4 to 1.

19. Will there be an on ramp of 30 days or will the two instructors need to be in place day 1? We do need them as soon as possible.

20. The Requirements state there needs to be an assigned site lead and back up. Is it the government intentions to have an additional staff or is it expected for the two trainers to serve as site lead and back up site lead respectively? One of two trainers will serve as site lead the other can be the B/U.

21. The government requests a PM assigned to the project with no additional cost to the government. Will there be any forms of compensation for the PM? No, see para 4.3.1.2 of the PWS.

22. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside and only Past Performance as a Prime is accepted. Considering that many small businesses perform work as a subcontractor within their niche scope, can it be acceptable to submit Past Performance as a subcontractor provided that the work performed (as a sub) is within the scope and complexity of the STTS RFQ? Yes, you can submit past performance of any work you performed.

23. Paragraph 1.4.4 discusses rappel and fast rope duties for the PJ Instructor, but also references high-angle rappelling and practical high-angle training. What type of high-angle training would be required to help us accurately determine what level of expertise is needed? All AFSOC PJ 5-levels are required by SOCOM to be trained in Advance Mountaineering, which includes Technical Rescue and Recovery, Low and High Angle Rescue Fundamentals, and all of these specific skills mentioned above.

24. Section 1.3 states that the instructors will conduct upgrade training for CCT, PJ, TACP and SR then in section 1.4 specific tasks are listed that cover many, but not all upgrade training tasks so it is unclear if the instructor must be able to teach all upgrade tasks or only a portion of the CFETP tasks. The instructors will teach the training task related to their AFSC and also the core skills tasks related to all Special Warfare Airmen.

25. Section 2.0, summary of services states that the contractor’s performance threshold is to successfully upgrade students on 50-70% of the TCS per the respective CFETP. Does the percentage refer to the portion of UGT tasks that have to be taught or is the percentage intended to be the student pass rate on training tasks? The percentage refer to the portion of UGT tasks that have to be taught.

26. Is the instructor responsible for teaching all upgrade tasks in each CFETP?

Some of these include Closed circuit operations, Snow and Ice climbing, Snow and Glacier travel, Budget Management Principles, Lead Confined Space/Structural Collapse Recovery Mission. If so, will tasks that require special qualifications (i.e. ATC, JTAC, field medicine, etc) be exempt? For instance: the PJ instructor would not teach Air Traffic Control tasks and the SR instructor would not teach tactical medicine tasks. The PJ and SR instructors will only teach their expertise, what they are qualified to teach.

27. To what proficiency level, IAW the CFETP Proficiency Code Key, must tasks be taught? It varies, but the highest proficiency code is going to be 3c.

28. Will the contractor be responsible for writing and/or preparing lesson plans and other course material (i.e. curriculum development)? They will not be responsible for writing and/or preparing lesson plans and other course material, but may use, at times, use their expertise to assist in lesson curriculum development.

29. Section 1.5 states that the contractor will submit student performance documentation as a formal contract deliverable. Depending on interpretation, this could include a large amount of duplication from what is recorded in the training management system. What documentation must be submitted? This would be in the form of test scores and performance evaluations. They will provide the number of students trained and the number of line items signed off during each training event. Contractors will assist AD and GS employees in signing off CFETP line items.

30. Section 2.0, summary of services table, does not list TACP. Is this an omission? What is the upgrade training requirement for TACP? The TACP career field is working on a new CJQS that will determine the STTS training requirement.

31. Section 2.0, summary of services table, only identifies that the PJ instructor will maintain altitude chamber currency and a Class III physical to perform parachute operations. Is the SR instructor required to maintain altitude chamber and flight physical currency? NO

32. Will the SR instructor conduct parachuting operations? NO

33. There is no mention of handling or conducting training on explosives

(demo). This is a CFETP training item. Will the contractor be required to teach and work with high explosives? We do not require the contractor to teach and work with high explosives.

34. Section 3.0 – Government furnished items. This section only indicates that the government will provide basic office space, computer access and administrative supplies. Will any pro gear be issued? Yes, we will issue the required pro gear for the contractors to be able to perform their tasks.

35. PPE for high risk training events and environmental protection. Items such as body armor, ballistic eye-pro, helmets for jumping & CQB, safety harnesses, wet suits, cold WX clothing, etc. STTS will issue this gear.

36. Field training uniforms and individual equipment items for tactical training such as rucksacks, boots, maps, compass, GPS, etc. STTS will issue this gear.

37. Will the contractor use Military training systems and controlled items, such as parachutes, weapons and ammunition, climbing ropes, rappelling/fast rope equipment, tactical radios, etc.? Yes

38. Multi-cams are mentioned as a WILL wear. Will they be issued? Yes, they will be issued.

39. Section 4.3 – Can the site lead be one of the instructors? Yes

40. Section 4.3.2 states - The contractor shall ensure personnel are commensurate with manning and experience levels for each designated position and job description. Ensure all employees possess the following professional qualifications before starting work under this contract. Stated as in the PWS.

41. Our employees will have the experience and professional qualifications – How will they receive initial certifications/currency on local policies/procedures, and training/familiarization on local ranges and drop zones? This training will be conducted by STTS once they are brought on board.

42. In order to maintain a backfill roster, (for 100% fill rate), in the case of an injury/emergency, contractors will need to have personnel (who are not on contract), trained/certified/current on all tasks, and familiar with local policies/procedures/ranges. How will the government provide this training? We can provide the local training, but not the AFSC training.

43. Section 4.3.6 on contractor identification. Is there an exclusion for tactical/field training where safety considerations preclude wearing an identification badge? Safety is always first.

44. Section 4.4 - Are there training facilities and other locations that are used on a recurring basis for STTS training that would be included as places of performance? Yes, Eglin Range is the largest range in the DoD and we have ranges that we use all over the area. There is also a small arms range that we will use on a regular basis.

45. Section 4.5 – Will there be non-traditional work hours to support field training and non-classroom instructional periods? Yes, there will be non-traditional hours.

46. Section 4.6.1.1 discusses travel. What is the actual requirement for worldwide travel, and is the government or the contractor responsible for OCONUS travel requirements such as passports, country clearances, visas, etc? No overseas travel required.