B-17 - Q A - Ltr to Prospective Offerors - as of 18 Dec 09.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

60TH CONTRACTING SQUADRON (AMC)

MEMORANDUM FOR All Prospective Offerors

FROM: 60 CONS/LGCB

350 Hanger Ave, Bldg 549 Travis AFB CA 94535-2632

SUBJECT: FA4427-09-R-0017, Corrosion Control Services, Questions and Answers

1. QUESTION: In the Price Schedule, for all aircraft, it states "Full Aircraft Lubrication".

Does this mean a Full Aircraft Lubrication, or does this mean an After Wash Lubrication? There is a huge Difference, and we will definitely need to know so we can accurately price these items.

ANSWER: PWS, para. A3.4.2 should read "Post Wash Lubrication"; price schedule in the solicitation for item OOOlAKshould read "C-5, Post Wash Lubrication". Reference Amendment 0005, para A3.4.2 changed.

2. QUESTION: In the Price Schedule, on page 20, Items OOOlBKand OOOlBLare the same, why?

ANSWER: Item OOOlBKshould read "KC-lO Post Wash Lubrication". Reference Amendment 0005, CLIN OOOlBKchanged.

3. QUESTION: In the Price Schedule, in the Basic Year, there is no line item for a C-5 Lubrication, why?

ANSWER: Item OOOlAKshould read "C-5, Post Wash Lubrication". Reference Amendment 0005, CLIN OOOlAKchanged.

4. QUESTION: Since this is a Requirements Contract, are we required to have personnel on site, or can they be available by phone, on a standby availability?

ANSWER: PWS, para A2.1.1 Hours of Operations states that the contractor will maintain operation 24/7, includes holidays as required by the government.

5. QUESTION: PWS, para. A2.3, T.O. Management. How are we to be paid for T.O.

Management and maintenance?

ANSWER: Cost of doing business.

6. QUESTION: PWS, para.A3.1, Scheduling. If the aircraft is delayed, or ultimately cancelled, AMC -- GLOBAL REACH FOR AMERICA because of maintenance related issues, how will the contractor be paid for his/her lost .labor costs? Do we charge for the Complete Wash Service since we were available to perform the wash, and the Delay/Cancellation was not the Contractors fault? The Contractor will still have Labor costs, and the last sentence of the paragraph states, "Government delays will be at no expense to the contractor?

.ANSWER: It is industrial standard to experience some delays in arrival of aircrafts and costs such as these should be absorbed in your proposal, however, if a contractor feels that they have expended an excessive amount of lost labor the provision at DFARS 252.243-7002, Request of Equitable Adjustment is their remedy.

7. QUESTION: PWS, para. A3.4.3, Complete Exterior Wash WS-l, (C-5, KC-I0). Line 5 states, "Components shall not be cleaned using high pressure cleaning equipment". Could you please define what high pressure is?

ANSWER: Reference Technical Order 1-1-691, para. 3.4 Cleaning Equipment, first Caution states that high pressure wash equipment which develops more than 175 PSI nozzle pressure shall not be used to apply cleaning compounds unless specifically authorized. para. 3.4.1 explains high pressure wash equipment further by stating that it is capable of delivering 4 gpm/21 0 degrees Fahrenheit/3000 PSI.

8. QUESTION: In thePWS, para. A3.4.4, Major Cargo Compartment Wash, WS-2, (C-5).

Will the Government or the Contractor remove the winches, so access to the winch wells can be obtained?

ANSWER: Winches will be removed by government. Reference Amendment 0005, para A3.4.4. changed.

9. QUESTION: PWS, para. A3.4.14, Interior Cleaning, WS-3. This service lists the MAET as only 2 hours. This is a major cleaning operation, and will take at least 6 hours to perform. The time needs to be changed to 6 hours as there are over 300 rails, omni panels, guide rails, etc.

ANSWER: PWS, para. A3.4.14 should reflect six hours in lieu of two. Reference Amendment 0005, para A3.4.14 changed.

10. QUESTION: PWS, para. A3.4.22.1. Government personnel will accomplish all tows into the Isochronal Inspection facility only. Does the contractor tow up to the Iso Facility, and does the Contractor get paid for a complete tow?

ANSWER: No, the government will pick up the aircraft at the wash facility.

11. QUESTION: PWS, para. A4, Emergency Services. How will the contractor receive payment for Emergency Services performed? How will the contractor be reimbursed for employees put on standby until the all clear is given?

ANSWER: The government do not anticipate any emergency service other than towing and provisions for payment is in the pricing schedule. The contractor remedy for standby and all other emergency services is the provision at DFARS 252.243-7002, Request of Equitable Adjustment.

12. QUESTION: PWS, para. A5.2, Removal of Waste Sludge. Will the Govt. clean this area at the beginning of the contract, as this area has not been cleaned in over 7 years? Secondly, all the pipes (water, soap, and air) are laid across the bottom of the drain, which prohibits shovel access for removal of the sludge. Does the Govt. know a better method for removal of the sludge? Since other organizations use this hangar for mop water and sweeper unit waste water disposal, in addition to aircraft maintenance purposes, how will we be compensated for the waste they deposit into the drain system?

ANSWER: Yes, removal of Waste Sludge Will be accomplished prior to the beginning of the contract. The method to be used to remove the sludge will be at the contractor's discretion.

Compensation? This is part of the contractor's cost of doing business.

13. QUESTION: PWS, Section C, para. C2.1. States the Govt will provide water for office operations, is this correct?

ANSWER: Yes.

14. QUESTION: PWS, Section D, para Dl, Contractor Requirements. Does this mean we are not required to provide manning on site, as long as a POC is available by phone, and on the installation within 2 hours?

ANSWER: As reference in paragraph Dl, the contractor shall provide a POC ... etc ..

15. QUESTION: PWS, Section D, para. D1.3. Does this statement mean that uniforms are no longer required, as long as we are easily recognizable?

ANSWER: Yes.

16. QUESTION: PWS, Section D, para.D2.9. Ifwe are to coordinate with the Military Agency responsible for the work, if they fail to provide escort to the area for an extended period of time, how do we receive compensation for our lost labor costs, also does this mean we will no longer require restricted area badges?

ANSWER: Contractor employees will be issued restricted area badges for use in the performance of the contract prior to contract start date. A "restricted" area badge, allows unescorted entry.

17. QUESTION: PWS, Section D, para. D2.13. At what FPCON will Aircraft Corrosion Control operations be considered non essential? Ifwe can no longer gain entry to the base, who/how will we be contacted when entry is once again allowed?

ANSWER: Aircraft Corrosion Control is "Non-Essential". The Contracting Office will contact the contractor's point of contact by telephone when base entry is once again allowed.

18. QUESTION: PWS, Section D, para. D2.13.l. This being a requirements contract, how will we be compensated for having a tow crew on standby, since regardless of whether we tow or not, we will still incur labor costs?

ANSWER: PWS, para. D2.13.1 has been deleted. Reference Amendment 0005, para D2.13.1 deleted.

19. QUESTION: PWS, Tables E1 through E14. How will the change from the 105 day wash cycle to the 180 day wash cycle affect the projected wash frequencies in Tables E15, and the C- 17 Gear lubes in Table E16?

ANSWER: Data in table E15 is figured on 180 day wash cycle; table E16 is-figured on a 60 day gear lube cycle. Reference PWS, Para. ELL "The projected and historical workload is an estimate only, etc .."

20. QUESTIONS: PWS, Section E, para. E3.l. If the contractor requires the use ofGFP, such as a UKE, and one is unavailable, even though it states we will have priority use ofGFP, how will we receive compensation for lost labor costs? Would you also define what is meant by, "the Govt. will grant an excusable delay at no cost to the contractor".

ANSWER: If it is industrial standard that some delays are experience in the area costs should be absorbed in your proposal. A contractor will use the remedy at DFARS 252.243-7002, Request of Equitable Adjustment for excessive lost labor. If Government Furnished Property (GFP) is not available it will be an "excused delay" and will not count against the contractor.

21. QUESTION: PWS, Section E, Table E15; With a 180 day Wash Cycle, how do you anticipate washing 64 C-5 aircraft per year. It will be much less based on the assigned number of C-5 aircraft and the historical data you have provided, which reflected the 105 day wash cycle?

ANSWER: Reference PWS, para. E1.1. "The projected and historical workload is an estimate only, etc .." The quantity in the schedule is estimated.

22. QUESTION: Can the government please clarify elapsed time discrepancy between the two referenced paragraphs below concerning KC-10 wash times (16 hours vs. 24 hoUrs). A3.1 Scheduling - This paragraph states "all full wash services will be completed in Hangar 811 and returned to the government within 24 hours (C-5/C-17) and 16 hours (KC-I0) from the time aircraft is turned over to the contractor". A3.4.3. Complete Exterior Wash WS-l (C-5, KC-lO) (Maximum elapsed time 24 hours)

ANSWER: The maximum elapsed times are 24 hrs/C-5 and 16 hrs/KC-l O. Reference Amendment 0005, para A3.1. # of hours changed.

23. QUESTION: A3.4.9.3 FS-l (C-17) Mission Ready Wash - DQ,esthe cleaning of the "exhaust area" entail the entire area behind the engines to include bottom of the wings, flaps and bullets? '

ANSWER: Yes, reference PWS, para. A3.4.9.3, "and all components within the specified work area not specifically identified herein."

24. QUESTION: A3.4.20 Minor Interior Cleaning, FS-3 (C-17) Clarify ADS Rails or CDS?

ANSWER: FS.3 (C-17) should read Cargo Delivery Systems (CDS). Reference Amendment 0005, para. A3.4.20 changed.

25. QUESTION: A3.4.2l FS4 (C17) Major Interior Cleaning - clarify cargo doors cleaning (does this mean clean inside AFT cargo door)?

ANSWER: Yes.

26. QUESTION: A3.4.23 CSI Spot Wash - Is there any workload data on the number pieces of AGE?

ANSWER: No.

27. QUESTION: Item #OOOlBQKC-lO (WAR) Mission Ready. What is the difference between OOOlBQ& OOOlBB?

ANSWER: There is no difference in the service, other than the funding source from which the service is paid.

28. QUESTION: Should OOOlAKbe a C-5 full ACFT Lube or is it KC-lO as written (Base year) Option years seem to be correct.

ANSWER: CLIN OOOlAKshould read "C-5 Post Wash Lubrication". Reference Amendment 0005, CLIN OOOlAKchanged.

29. QUESTION: On page 26 ofthe PWS E2.4. Current publications and forms are available online at http://www.e.publishing.af.mil. however I cannot find any Air Force Technical Orders on that web site. Could you forward me the TO's listed in the PWS?

ANSWER: Distribution of Aircraft specific TOs are limited to DoD Personnel and DoD Contractors. Use internet search engine for TO requests.

30. QUESTION: Reference Solicitation page 133. In reviewing the contract line items and quantities, it would appear that one would have to interpret "Washes" in this context to mean any wash related service, e.g. tow, prep, lube, etc, .. Similar scope contracts are written as lumped line items, or monthly flat-rate. For example, a typical Complete Wash would include 8 washes by this implied definition; 1) Complete Exterior Wash, 2) Tow in, 3) Tow out, 4) Major Cargo, http://www.e.publishing.af.mil.

5) Flight Comp, 6) Troop Comp, 7) Prep/Post and 8) Full Lube. If each of these items has been considered separately in arriving at the monthly 450 requirement, they must also be considered separately for the purpose of determining past performance relevancy. Request either this clarification to be added to the Past Performance Questionnaire, or the numbers to be adjusted to reflect actual aircraft washes.

ANSWER: Relevancy definitions chart has been revised by amendment 0005.

31. QUESTION: Reference PWS page 8, A3.4.23, Spot Wash, CS-l, Component parts.

"Service consists of localized cleaning of an area not to exceed 200 square feet or one unit. For this PWS, these areas or fractions thereof are identified as one unit. Examples of areas to be spot washed are wheels, AGE, rails, aircraft components and equipment on or off the aircraft". As presently written, there are a total of 6,348 estimated service items per year, 3,735 of which (58.8%), or roughly 311 per month, are very low complexity "Spot Wash/Component Parts" wash services. With monthly quantity clearly being such a significant factor is determining relevancy, and since the past performance evaluation would have to consider an offeror's experience of comparably complex services, this would appear to allow a contractor with high/volume, low complexity experience to be rated as "Very relevant" regardless of how many complete washes they performed. However, a reasonable person could not infer this same interpretation from the Past Performance Questionnaire, which would very likely result in undervalued past performance. Please confirm that equal weighting will be given to a single wheel washed offthe aircraft, a piece of AGE, or a C-5 complete wash. If not, please adjust monthly volume requirements to reflect the same services for which complexity is also a factor.

ANSWER: All services listed in the performance work statement, to include CS-l spot washes, are important to the Travis requirement. While some may be of greater or lesser complexity, .

they are all important. Relevancy definitions chart has been revised by amendment 0005.

32. QUESTION: The offer due date is currently 30 Oct 2009, however the base year period of performance is stated as 01 Nov 2009 through 30 Sep 2010. This seems to give the incumbent contractor a distinct advantage. Given the scale and complexity of this contract, will the awarded contractor be given sufficient time to transition services smoothly, and more importantly, safely?

ANSWER: Reference Amendment 0005, dates changed.

33. QUESTION: Follow-on to previous question: Does the current contract in place prescribe FAR 52.237-3, "Continuity of services," requiring the incumbent contractor to furnish phase-in, phase-out services for up to 90 days after contract expiration, among other things?

ANSWER: Yes, however, we currently have no requirement to implement or a provision in the solicitation for a phase-in.

34. QUESTION: Request current revisions of applicable TOs.

ANSWER: Distribution of Aircraft specific TOs are limited to DoD Personnel and contractors.

Use internet search engine for TO requests.

35. QUESTION: With the expense of us proving a tow tractor for movement of aircraft to the wash facility, is there an option that the Air Force would provide this equipment, or an option for us to reduce our pricing for services if Travis provided this tow service with your personnel and equipment?

ANSWER: Reference PWS, paragraph A3.4.22 that the contractor is to coordinate usage of tow vehicles with owning units (government).

36. QUESTION: CLIN 0001BK Description states that it is KC-lO Prep, Post, Restoration.

However, CLIN: OOOlBLis also for KC-lO Prep, Post, Restoration. Should this be KC-lO Full Aircraft Lubrication?

ANSWER: Should read "Post Wash Lubrication". Reference Amendment 0005, CLIN 001BK changed.

37. QUESTION: CLIN 2001BP Museum Display Aircraft Upper Wash: estimated quantity is

90. During all other years of the contract the quantity is 20. Should this items quantity be 20 to match all other years and the historical data?

ANSWER: Yes. Reference Amendment 0005, CLIN 2001BP changed.

38. QUESTION: CLIN 3001AE C-5 Clear water rinse: estimated quantity is 160. During all other years of the contract the quantity is 4. Should this items quantity be 4 to match all other years and the historical data?

ANSWER: Yes. Reference Amendment 0005, CLIN 3001 AE changed.

39. QUESTION: In regards to Executive Order # 13495 (Non-displacement Of Qualified Workers).

a. Will we be required to offer the current employees employed under this contract employment?

ANSWER: No

b. What is the number of full time employees the current contractor has on staff?

ANSWER: Unknown

c. What is the number of part time, sub-contractors, or contracted workers on call?

ANSWER: Unknown

40. QUESTION: A Vacuum Truck is required per the PWS for all washes outside ofthe Hangar 811. Is the Vacuum truck government furnished, or is the contractor required to provide the vacuum truck?

ANSWER: Contractor provided. Reference para Al.l.

41. QUESTION: In the PWS the contractor is required to provide soap to complete the aircraft washes.

a. Who is the vendor supplying soap?

ANSWER: Currently, the contractor provides the soap, vendor unknown.

b. How much soap gets used every quarter?

ANSWER: Unknown as the amount varies with the number and types of washes required during a given quarter.

42. QUESTION: In the PWS the contractor is required to provide solvent to complete the aircraft washes.

a. Who is the vendor supplying the solvent?

ANSWER: Unknown.

b. How much solvent gets used every quarter?

ANSWER: Unknown as the amount varies with the number and types of washes required during a given quarter.

43. QUESTION: All contractor supplied equipment (man-lifts, snorkel lifts) requires safety certification every year. Who conducts the safety/certification of the equipment? The base? An outside certifier hired by the contractor? If the base conducts the inspection is there a charge for this service?

ANSWER: Safety/certification of the equipment is the responsibility of the contractor.

Reference para. A 1.1..