Attachment_10_Ground_Control_Station_Conversion_QA_Rev_Nov_24.doc

Ground Control Station Conversion Service for Cannon AFB

Solicitation FA4855-15-R-0007

Questions and Answers #1

1. QUESTION: SOW para 3.4 states, "Contractor employees must have a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working on MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper systems with relevant experience modifying ground systems to include modification and de-modification of system components to include platform IT configuration and a minimum two contractor employees must have Security + certification." Do support personnel (i.e., Logistician, Tech Writer, or QA) on contract need this experience?

ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 3.4 was revised to state “… Contractor employees who will handle the physical conversion must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working on MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper systems with relevant experience modifying ground systems to include modification and de-modification of system components to include platform IT configuration and a minimum two contractor employees must have Security + certification. These individuals must be dedicated solely to this requirement. Support personnel such as Logistician or Technical Writers will not be required to have the minimum of 3 years’ experience since their function will be to supportive in nature and will not have to be solely dedicated to this requirement. Multiple shifts will be authorized and Bldg. 848 will be available 24hrs.”

2. Q: SOW para 7.6, OCI Plan states, "...the contractor must ensure personnel tasked against this effort are required to be dedicated to it." The solicitation has similar verbiage in Section M, para B. (c) Evaluated Technical Factors. What is the Government's definition of "dedicated?" Are the personnel tasked against this effort prohibited from working on anything besides the GCS Conversion? Do support personnel (i.e., Logistician, Tech Writer, or QA) need to be dedicated solely to this effort as well?

ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 3.4 was revised to state “… The government defines dedicated employees as those who will handle the physical conversion and are required to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working on MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper systems with relevant experience modifying ground systems to include modification and de-modification of system components to include platform IT configuration as outlined in Section 3.4. Dedicated employees will not include support personnel such as Logistician or Technical Writers who will act in a supportive nature to this requirement as outlined in section 3.4. .

3. Q: RFP Section J, The Gant chart in Attachment 1 has two weeks of overlap showing 2 GCSs' in conversion at the same time and SOW Para 2.3 "Notice to Proceed" states all GCSs' will only be released at Government discretion. The period of performance does not provide any schedule margin if the contractor or Government encounter delays. May the contractor propose a longer period of performance to reduce schedule risk?

ANSWER: No, The contractor should build their proposal based off of the period of performance stated in FA4855-15-R-0007. Also, SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.3 Notice to Proceed states that “Due to operational need, the government may allow no more than 1 GCS system to being converted and moved at a time but more or less are possible depending on Government discretion and associated contractor agreement. Conversion of a second GCS may begin while previous GCS is in the certification process as coordinated with the COR. The contractor must receive a notice to proceed before they move on to converting the next GCS unit. The limiting factor will be the number of operational GCS units, so that will be the factor used for notice to proceed.”

4. Q: SOW para 2.1.4 states, "Contractor will acquire, install and perform all additive equipment and/or modifications as necessary to implement FGCS configuration of the GCS system..." Is the contractor required to provide all materials in Attachment 2 for all GCSs except the Proof of Concept GCS?

ANSWER: Yes, To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.1.4 was revised to state “… With the exception of the items listed in Section 5 Government-Furnished Property (GFP) and Attachment 4- Government Furnished Materials, the contractor will acquire, install and perform all additive equipment and/or modifications as necessary to implement FGCS configuration of the GCS system, to include machining and/or other electrical and physical modification where required.”

5. Q: SOW Para 2.1.5 states, "The contractor shall provide all necessary equipment to perform the required service." Where will the contractor be required to move the GCS mobile facility when finished removing the GCS equipment?

ANSWER: Staging location for MGCS shells will be provided to the awardee after award but the location will be located on Cannon AFB.

6. Q: SOW para 2.1.4 states, "Contractor will acquire, install and perform all additive equipment and/or modifications as necessary to implement FGCS configuration of the GCS system..." SOW Para 5.4 states, "...The materials listed will be provided for each GCS conversion..." SOW paragraph 5.4 states the government will provide materials listed in attachment 4 for each GCS conversion, for a total of 7 GCS conversions. Attachment 1 does not explicitly state when the materials will be available for the contractor. Will the Government provide a per GCS estimated delivery date of the materials listed in attachment 4?

ANSWER: Yes, To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 5.4 was revised to state “… The Government will give the contractor three weeks’ notice on the availability of all the items listed in Attachment 4.”

7. Q: Where will the contractors items and GCS parts be able to be staged during the conversion process?

ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 1.1 was revised to state “….The primary work areas will be within buildings 780 and 848 at Cannon AFB. Room 157 of Bldg 848 will be provided as required to accomplish required staging activities. ”

8. Q: Does the contractor have to provide tools to complete the GCS conversion or will the government provide the necessary tools?

ANSWER: The Government will only provide the items in accordance with Section 5 – Government Furnished Property (GFP) and Attachment 4 – Government Furnished Materials of the SOW dated 21 Nov 14.

9. Q: Will the performing individuals be required to have a top secret clearance or will the government provide one?

ANSWER: SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 3.2 states “… To support operation and conversion in an active TS/SCI environment, all personnel conducting modification and installation activities must possess an active TS/SCI clearance.”

10. Q: How many SCI Billets will the government provide the contractor?

a. ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 3.2 states “… The Government will be able to provide all requested TS/SCI read-ins the contractor may require for eligible personnel.” Currently there is not limit to the number SCI Billets the Government can provide.

11. Q: Will the contractor need to have Facility Clearance as stated in the 254?

ANSWER: No, Per Attachment 7 DD Form 254 block 1a, no facility clearance is required.

12. Q: Is attachment 4 Government Furnished Materials going to be provided for all the GCS Conversions in the beginning? Or will we receive the as we perform each individual conversion?

ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 5.4 states “….The materials listed in Attachment 4 will be provided for each GCS conversion, for a total of 7 GCS conversions all together at the time of the first conversion.”

13. Q: Will the Government provide a 1 to 1 floor layout template for each bay? If so, will these layouts already be in place before the GCS conversion, or will the contractor have to place the layout themselves?

ANSWER: The COR will provide each 1 to 1 floor layout as needed by the awardee.

14. Q: Are the Pre-existing auxiliary racks specifically for the GCS? (Question from Site Visit)

ANSWER: No, They are for additional GCS equipment and IT components associated with Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations. The awardee will not have access to pre-existing auxiliary racks in Bldg 848.

15. Q: Will the contractor be required to perform any system upgrades during the GCS conversion?

ANSWER: SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.1.3 states “… Re-integration will match approved component integration as depicted in T.O. 1Q-1(M)B-2-2 and related technical specifications, and will include all special weapons system modifications as documented by the Special Programs Officer (SPO) via AF Form 1067 or authorized government personnel designated by the COR in 27 SOW/XP.”

16. Q: Will there be an AF Form 1067 given to the contractor?

ANSWER: SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.1.3 states “… Re-integration will match approved component integration as depicted in T.O. 1Q-1(M)B-2-2 and related technical specifications, and will include all special weapons system modifications as documented by the Special Programs Officer (SPO) via AF Form 1067 or authorized government personnel designated by the COR in 27 SOW/XP.”

17. Q: Will all Air Force authorization be provided to the contractor in order to move and install the GCS conversion?

ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.3 was revised to state “… The Contracting Officer Representative (COR), in coordination with the Contracting Officer (CO), will provide the authorization needed to move the GCS being converted from their current location to the new location. ”

18. Q: Is the government able to post the manpower hours that it took for the Proof of Concept GCS conversion to be completed?

ANSWER: The manpower hours from the Proof of Concept will not be posted or available to any offering vendor.

19. Q: How did the timeline come to be on Attachment 1 the Gantt Schedule?

ANSWER: The Government created the Gantt Schedule in accordance with the operation need of the government, and a timeframe that was realistic per conversion and move.

20. Q: What if any modifications come up during the GCS conversion, will the contractor be required to perform these?

ANSWER: SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.1.3 states “… Re-integration will match approved component integration as depicted in T.O. 1Q-1(M)B-2-2 and related technical specifications, and will include all special weapons system modifications as documented by the Special Programs Officer (SPO) via AF Form 1067 or authorized government personnel designated by the COR in 27 SOW/XP.”

21. Q: Who will be the one doing the inspections of the GCS Conversions?

ANSWER: SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 2.1 states “… Note: The depot level activity is the entity that performs Air Force acceptance and certification of all GCS for flight operations.”

22. Q: Will the government provide a schematic for all the doors sizes in which parts for the GCS conversion may have to go through?

ANSWER: Yes, Since Bldg 848 is a secure building, a schematic of that building will only be provided to the awardee upon a request made though the COR.

23. Q. Will running the fiber for GCS conversion have to go through anyone?

ANSWER: The COR will provide coordination between the awardee and the current contractor regarding all issues with fiber.

24. Q: Are multiple shifts throughout the day authorized or will the building not be available?

ANSWER: To clarify the Government’s requirement, SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 para 3.4 was revised to state “… Multiple shifts will be authorized and Bldg 848 will be available 24hrs.”

25. Q: Will the contractor have access to the proof of concept during the conversions?

ANSWER: Yes, the contractor will have access to the proof of concept except when the proof of concept is not being used for operational need. The awardee will coordinate with the COR for access.

26. Q: What do we need to tow or move the mobile GCS?

ANSWER: The mobile GCS is rated at 25K lbs, so a vehicle that is rated for at least 25k lbs. will be needed in order to move the mobile GCS to the conversion site.

27. Q: Can the contractor take pictures while they perform the conversion?

ANSWER: The awardee will have to coordinate with the COR for all pictures. The COR may authorize pictures of the mobile GCS during tear down and rebuild only if the GCS is powered down but pictures in Bldg 848 can only be done by authorized Government personnel.

28. Q: Where can the mobile GCSs are removed from the old ROC location during the GCS conversion process?

ANSWER: There will be a single entry/exit point at Bldg 780 the old ROC location storage yard where the mobile GCS units are currently stored. Entering and exiting though that location will require coordination though the COR.

29. Q: When will the building (New ROC) be ready?

ANSWER: The building is complete and available for this effort.

30. Q: Section L, Part I, Subsection (c), states, "Provide a plan that addresses all potential organizational conflict of interests IAW SOW 7.6." Is an OCI Plan required to be submitted if the Offeror does not have any potential OCIs?

ANSWER: Yes, the FAR 9.5 directs contracting agencies to take measures to detect and mitigate actual and potential OCIs. Section 7.6 of the SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 was revised to state “… Even if an offeror doesn’t feel they have any OCIs, they must submit a plan on how they plan to avoid any OCIs if any do arise before or after award. The contractor must clearly address all potential organizational conflict of interests and how they plan on avoiding them, also the contractor must ensure personnel tasked against this effort are required to be dedicated to it. The government defines dedicated employees as those who will handle the physical conversion and are required to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working on MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper systems with relevant experience modifying ground systems to include modification and de-modification of system components to include platform IT configuration as outlined in Section 3.4. Dedicated employees will not include support personnel such as Logistician or Technical Writers who will act in a supportive nature to this requirement as outlined in section 3.4. .”

31. Q: Section M, Subsection B.(c) states, "The contractor will receive an Acceptable rating if the contractor clearly addresses all potential organizational conflict of interests and how they plan on avoiding them, also the plan must have evidence showing how personnel tasked against this effort will be required to be dedicated to perform work to it." This evaluation factor appears to assume that an Offeror will have a potential OCI. How will an offeror without a potential conflict of interest be evaluated?

ANSWER: If an offeror submits a plan as stated in Section 7.6 of the SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 and Section M - Evaluation Factors para (c) Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Plan, that plan will be evaluated per Table 1 – Technical Acceptable/Unacceptable Ratings on an Acceptable or Unacceptable bases. To clarify the Government’s requirement SOW dated 21 Nov 2014 was revised to state “… Even if an offeror doesn’t feel they have any OCIs, they must submit a plan on how they plan to avoid any OCIs if any do arise before or after award.” Also. Section M - Evaluation Factors para (c) Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Plan was revised to state “… If the Government determines the plan sufficiently describes that no potential conflicts of interest exist, the contractors plan will be further evaluated on how the contractor plans to have personnel solely dedicated to this requirement.”