Revised_Q As_12-11-12.pdf

Questions and Answers As of 11 Dec 2012

Question 1.

When is the expected award date?

Answer 1.

Anticipated award date is approximately 01 Mar 2013. The award will be effective (i.e.

task orders issued) 01 Jul 2013.

Question 2.

How much time is the Government allowing for simulator modification? The Draft PWS dated 1 Jun 2012 stated “The Government shall allow the contractor 120 days from the date of issuance of delivery order to properly configure the flight simulator cockpit to that of a C-21A.” As a minimum, request 120 days be allowed for simulator modification. If possible, to account for unforeseen delays, 150 days would be preferred.

Answer 2.

Assuming a 01 Mar 2013 award date, this would give the contractor approximately 120 days for simulator modification.

Question 3.

If the time to modify a simulator to the C-21A configuration exceeds the projected start date for training (i.e., 1 Jul 2013), will training in a civilian LR35 Level C simulator be acceptable until the simulator modification is complete?

Answer 3.

The PWS specifies the minimum requirements for the simulator. If the proposed simulator cannot meet the requirement then it would not be acceptable.

Question 4.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.3.4.4, states the contractor shall deliver the CAI material to the government via electronic media with their solicitation response. As such, there are two conflicts. First, it will take a significant amount of time and effort to develop the CAI material.

Second, it would not be possible to develop the CAI material without being awarded the contract. The Draft PWS dated 1 Jun 2012 stated “The Government will allow the contractor 120 calendar days from the date of contract award to proceed with CAI development …and to deliver the CAI information…”. Thus, request 120 days be allowed for the development and delivery of CAI material.

Answer 4.

PWS paragraphs 1.3.4.1 - 1.3.4.4 do not necessarily require the contractor to develop new CAI material. Offerors may use their own existing CAI material that can be modified to meet the Air Force’s requirement.

Question 5.

There appears to have been a significant change in the number of estimated pilots for the Semi- Annual Refresher Pilot Training (i.e., 220 pilots) and the Annual Refresher Pilot Training (i.e., 20 pilots). Please confirm these estimates are correct.

Answer 5.

Based on known force structure the totals for both the Semi-Annual Refresher Pilot Training (110 students twice per year) and the Annual Refresher Pilot Training (20 pilots) are correct. These numbers are best estimates to date and subject to change in response to changes in force structure or training policy.

Question 6.

For the annual estimate of 220 pilots for the Semi-Annual Refresher Pilot Training, please confirm these 220 pilots will each train twice a year (i.e., 440 training events).

Answer 6.

Based on known force structure the estimated total requirement for the Semi-Annual Refresher Pilot Training equates to 110 students twice per year. This number is the best estimate to date and subject to change in response to changes in force structure or training policy.

Question 7.

For each course, please specify / identify the minimum number of ground school hours, the number of briefing hours, the number of simulator hours, and the number of debriefing hours to be provided / conducted.

Answer 7.

For the Initial and Refresher training the minimum number of ground school hours, the number of briefing hours, the number of simulator hours, and the number of debriefing hours should be determined by the offeror’s proposed training course. As this is a performance based effort the offeror is responsible for proposing the number of ground school, briefing, simulator and debriefing hours. For the Instructor Pilot Training and the Senior Officer Training the expectation is for the offeror to propose what they believe would fit the requirements detailed in the PWS.

Question 8.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.3.3.1: Please confirm the technical data/information needed for the simulator modification will be provided by the Government.

Answer 8.

Yes, the technical data/information needed for the simulator modification will be provided by the Government. PWS paragraph 3.1 Government Provided Material And Publications has been amended to include C-21A Technical Manuals (Maintenance Manuals).

Question 9.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.2 states: “To be considered qualified, each contractor shall possess the following: An Initial Pilot Training and Refresher Pilot Training program approved under

Federal Aviation Regulation Part 121 or Part 135 or a training course approved under Part 142.”

Does the Government want their initial and recurrent course syllabi to be based upon the contractor’s FAA approved initial and recurrent training programs?

Answer 9.

Yes, the Government wants the Initial Training and Refresher Training course syllabi to be based upon the offeror’s FAA approved initial and recurrent training programs. However, the Government does not require specific FAA certification for these particular syllabi.

Question 10.

Air Force C-21A pilot training has been conducted for at least the last 15 years under similar requirements. As such, Air Force C-21A courseware, CAI software, etc. is currently approved and available. More than likely, the Government owns and/or has the rights to this approved material. If this is the case, in order to maintain/ensure program consistency and standardization, can this approved material be provided to and utilized by the next contractor?

Answer 10.

Current CAI software will not be provided to offerors. Offerors are responsible for providing their own CAI solution as part of their proposal.

Question 11.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Items: For initial pilot training and senior officer training, is the more restrictive requirement for the instructor to have prior experience in the C-21A or LR35 correct?

Answer 11.

As of Amendment 0003, the requirement for LR35 experience has been revised to LRJET experience in PWS paragraph 1.3.1.1.1 and 1.3.1.1.4.

Question 12.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.3.2.1 states classroom materials shall contain a reference copy of the following:

C-21A Cockpit Display

T.O. 1C-21A-1, Flight Manual USAF Series C-21A Aircraft

T.O. 1C-21A-1CL-1, Pilot’s Abbreviated Flight Crew Checklist, C-21A Aircraft

AFMAN 11-217V1 & 2, Instrument Flight Procedures

AFI 11-202V3, General Flight Rules

AFI 11-2C-21V3, C-21 Operations Procedures

DoD approach plates and flight planning publications

A C-21A configured Cockpit Procedure Trainer (CPT)

Question 12a.

Except for the C-21A CPT, please confirm the Government will provide sufficient copies of the materials identified above at no charge to the contractor.

Answer 12a.

With exception to the flight planning publications as well as the C-21A Cockpit Display, PWS paragraph 3.1.1 has been amended to state that “Initial issuance of the above publications, by the government, will be via electronic media at no charge to the contractor. The contractor shall reproduce sufficient copies to meet the requirements”.

PWS paragraph 1.3.2.1. has been amended in regards to this question to remove the requirement for the DoD approach plates. As for the C-21A Cockpit Display, the contractor shall provide this as part of their Classroom Materials (CDRL A001). The flight planning publications will not be provided as they are available online.

Question 12b.

Please confirm the Cockpit Procedures Trainer (CPT) can be a pictorial mockup of the C-21A cockpit. If not, please provide a description and/or definition for the required CPT.

Answer 12b.

Yes, the Cockpit Procedures Trainer (CPT) can be a pictorial mockup of the C-21A cockpit.

Question 13.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.3.2.2 states that within 15 days after contract award, the contractor shall forward a final copy of the contractor’s syllabi (CDRL A002) for each of the four courses (Initial, Refresher (Annual and Semi-annual), Instructor, and Senior Officer) to AMC/A3TA.

Fifteen (15) days to develop syllabi for 4 courses is not sufficient. As a minimum, request 45 days be allowed to develop the required course syllabi.

Answer 13.

Paragraph 2(A)(1)(a)(ii) of the Addendum to FAR 52.121-2 lists the following measure of mertit as a technical evaluation factor:

“Submits detailed course syllabi for each course, as described in PWS paragraphs 1.3.1.1.1 through 1.3.1.1.4, indicating at a minimum, the course objective, a detailed course description, the course length, and the course outline curriculum for all classes corresponding to the offeror’s proposal. The syllabi must provide sufficient information that will allow the government to develop a thorough understanding of how the offeror will fulfill the requirements of each of the courses.”

As such, the offeror is required to submit course syllabi as part of their technical proposal.

The PWS paragraph refers to the final copy of the syllabi which should have already been developed as part of the offeror’s technical proposal. This requirement will remain 15 days after contract award.

Question 14.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.3.2.3.1 states that upon arrival at the class, the contractor shall provide to each student in the Initial Pilot Training and Senior Officer Training, complete training publications (CDRL A003), which shall include the following: T.O. 1C-21A-1 Flight Manual, T.O. 1C-21A-1CL-1 Checklist, and AFI 11-2C-21, Volume 3.

Answer 14.

PWS paragraph 1.3.2.3.1 has been revised to state:

“Upon arrival at the class, the contractor shall provide to each student in the Initial Pilot Training and Senior Officer Training a loaner copy of T.O. 1C-21A-1 Flight Manual and T.O. IC-21A-1-1 Flight Performance Data, and AFI 11-2C-21, V3, C-21A Operations Procedures. This loaner copy can be collected by the contractor at the end of class for use with the next class instead of reprinting a new copy. The contractor shall also distribute to each student the following checklists: the T.O. 1C-21A-1CL-1 Checklist and the T.O. IC- 21A-1CL-1-1 Pilot’s Fanfold Flight Crew Checklist. (CDRL A003). These checklists will be provided by the government to the contractor (PWS paragraph 3.1.3) for distribution to the students.”

Question 15.

Please confirm the Government will provide sufficient copies of the training publications identified above at no charge to the contractor.

Answer 15.

The Government will provide training publications (A003) which includes the T.O. 1C- 21A-1CL-1 Checklist and the T.O. IC-21A-1CL-1-1 Pilot’s Fanfold Flight Crew Checklist as required at no charge to the contractor as indicated in paragraph 3.1.3 of the PWS.

Question 16.

For refresher training (semi-annual and annual), please confirm students will attend training with their own copies of the T.O. 1C-21A-1 Flight Manual, T.O. 1C-21A-1CL-1 Checklist, and AFI 11-2C-21, Volume 3.

Answer 16.

PWS paragraph 3.0 states that “Initial issuance of the above publications, by the government, will be via electronic media at no charge to the contractor. The contractor shall reproduce sufficient copies to meet requirements.” PWS paragraph 1.3.2.3.1 was amended to state:

“Upon arrival at the class, the contractor shall provide to each student in the Initial Pilot Training and Senior Officer Training a loaner copy of T.O. 1C-21A-1 Flight Manual and T.O. IC-21A-1-1 Flight Performance Data, and AFI 11-2C-21, V3, C-21A Operations Procedures. These loaner copies can be collected by the contractor at the end of class for use with the next class instead of reprinting a new copy. The contractor shall also distribute to each student the following checklists: the T.O. 1C-21A-1CL-1 Checklist and the T.O. IC-21A-1CL-1-1 Pilot’s Fanfold Flight Crew Checklist. (CDRL A003). These checklists will be provided by the government to the contractor (PWS paragraph 3.1.3) for distribution to the students”.

Question 17.

Solicitation 1, PWS, Item 1.3.2.4 states the contractor shall use multi-media presentations to review previous incidents as well as all previous C-21A major (Class A) accidents. Will the Government provide the required multi-media presentations pertaining to C-21A incidents and accidents in order to comply with this CRM requirement?

Answer 17.

As of Amendment 0003, PWS paragraph 1.3.2.4 has been revised to specifiy that the Government will provide source materials such as accident reconstruction videos and safety board documentation provided proper safeguards and handling of the privileged information is upheld by the contractor. The Government will not provide the entire presentation or lesson plan, only the source documents from which the contractor can build the presentation.

Question 18.

Due to the significant time and effort that will be required to develop and submit a bid response, request the offer due date and time be extended to 21 Dec 2012, 4:00 PM local time.

Answer 18.

Amendment 0002 extended the offer due date and time to 4:00 PM local time on 21 December 2012.

Question 19.

Are you aware of all the requirements/restrictions that will be put on the course because of it being FAA 142 approved?

Answer 19.

The intent of PWS paragraph 1.2 is not to require FAA Certification for the USAF courses, only that the offerors possess an Initial and Refresher course certified IAW FAR 135/142 and can thereby teach the USAF course to an equivalent level. The intent is to “model” the USAF equivalent courses on the commercial counterpart. There is no intent to award an FAA ATP or type rating solely by completing one of the USAF courses.

Question 20.

Can you please provide more special guidance of the outline course hours for all the courses you have requested, both sim and ground school and any requirements or restrictions you might be wanting?

Answer 20.

Please refer to Answers 7 and 19

Question 21.

Are all weekends off for the initial students?

Answer 21.

Yes, Initial Training students will have all weekends off.

Question 22.

How many days are for the initial ground school? The civilian class has 5 days but no CRM, aircraft accident reviews, no FMS training, or end of course testing.

Answer 22.

Please refer to Answer 19. The intent is to model the USAF courses on the civilian equivalent. Reasonable extensions to capture USAF unique requirements are acceptable.

Question 23.

How many simulator events? Five (5), seven (7) or eight (8).

Answer 23.

The number of simulator events should be determined by the offeror’s FAA approved training course. As this is a performance based effort the offeror is responsible for proposing the appropriate number of simulator events. For the Instructor Pilot Training and the Senior Officer Training the expectation is for the offeror to propose what they believe would fit the requirements detailed in the PWS.

Question 24.

Requiring the instructors to have USAF C-21A or Learjet 35 experience is a requirement that can restrict having good instructors without that experience available for employment with the C- 21A training program. Can we remove this or have a mixture of instructors?

Answer 24.

Please see Answer 11.

Question 25.

Can the start and end times be flexible to accommodate a better overall schedule for all students?

Answer 25.

PWS paragraph 1.3.7.5.1 has been amended to state “For all courses in PWS paragraphs

1.3.1.1.1. – 1.3.1.1.4 below, every effort shall be made to schedule training between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time, seven days a week. However, variation to academic class start and end times will be accepted in order to accommodate schedule requirements.”

Question 26.

Page 42 (PWS paragraph 1.3.2.4.8) Why “at least three (3) varied MOST”? The Annual Refresher student will only see the current MOST once each calendar year. The Semiannual Refresher student will only see each MOST once during the second half of the training calendar year. The only student who would see a MOST twice in one year is an initial student. If they would have initial in the first half of the year and return for the semiannual the second half of the year. Each year a different MOST is developed so for now no one ever sees the same MOST.

The maximum that would be required is two (2) MOST to meet the intent of no student seeing the same MOST per calendar year of training.

Answer 26.

PWS paragraph 1.3.2.4.8 has been amended to remove the MOST scenario requirement to the Initial Pilot Training. Additionally this paragraph has also been amended to state:

“The contractor shall ensure that pilots do not experience the same scenario in consecutive periods of performance by tracking which scenarios pilots have encountered in the past.”

Question 27.

Page 42 (PWS paragraph 1.3.3.1) The list of equipment inclusive for the USAF C-21A simulator has “Approach Plate Holders”. Will these be furnished by the Air Force since they are not available to the civilian market? The ones used on the USAF C-21A aircraft are Air Force only.

Answer 27.

PWS paragraph 1.3.3.1 has been amended to remove the requirement for Approach Plate Holders.

Question 28.

Page 43 (PWS paragraph 1.3.4.1) If the Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) is compatible with Air Force operating systems (MS Office 2007 or higher) what happens to the student who receives a copy of the CAI per Page 43 (1.3.4.4) who have MAC computers which will not be compatible?

Answer 28.

The Air Force standard desktop includes MS Office 2007 or higher. As such, that operating package has been determined to be the minimum requirement for the CAI.

Question 29.

Page 43 (PWS paragraph 1.3.4.4) Once a student has gone through a training course under the new contract there would not be a reason for delivering another CAI material unless there are any changes for the original copy. Another copy could be given upon request due to loss, corrupted copy or other reasons. This CAI material will be presented to the students on CD or memory sticks?

Answer 29.

Please see the amended PWS paragraph 1.3.4.4 as the method of providing CAI material to the students has been revised to state: “The contractor shall also deliver a copy of the CAI material in electronic format via CD/DVD ROM or web access (CDRL A008) to each student during each of the courses described in this PWS, paragraphs 1.3.1.1.1 – 1.3.1.1.4”.

Question 30.

Page 51 (PWS paragraph 3.0) In item 12. One of the government provided material and publications it calls for “Expired DOD Flight Publications”. Expired Flight Pubs would not be acceptable for training purposes. Only current pubs should be in use for all training.

Answer 30.

Please see the amended PWS paragraph 3.1 as the Expired DOD Flight Publications have been removed from the list.

Question 31.

It is our understanding the number of C-21A aircraft in the current fleet will be reduced in the future. If this is correct, how will the estimated number of pilots for each program for each period of performance be affected?

Answer 31.

The training requirements are based on known force structure. These numbers are best estimates to date and subject to change in response to changes in force structure or training policy.