RPA Draft PWS Q A

Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Maintenance Support

Draft PWS Questions/Comments

No

Document

Question/Comment

Response

N/A Does the Government plan to release a draft of the remaining RFP

Sections, including B, H, L, & M prior to formal RFP release? When will these be made available?

The government intends to release a draft RFP at a date yet to be determined. The draft RFP to include sections B, H, L and M will be posted to Fedbizops.

ALL Many of the requirements in the draft documents would be interpreted differently or would result in different technical or pricing approaches depending on contract type (cost-reimbursable, time & materials, fixed price, etc.) There are a number of requirements that may not be sufficiently defined in the draft documents to enable a fair and reasonable fixed price to be assigned or evaluated. Suggest the

Government indicate type of contract before final RFP release so that offerors can best prepare further comments and approaches.

The Government will provide the contract type in the draft RFP.

PWS

Section

A 2.7

Contract Management paragraph states that the contractor is to

“Develop and maintain a non-proprietary set of procedures, policies, and supplements that provide guidance and establish procedures for this contract.” (1) Can the government be more specific regarding which contractor procedures, policies and supplements must be non-proprietary? For example, corporate HR, financial, and other internal procedures will be used in managing the contract, but would not be logical to make all of these non-proprietary. (2) Existing, applicable procedures may have already been developed on company funds and therefore belong to the contractor. Redeveloping new procedures under the contract funds, when adequate procedures exist, will increase contract costs. Suggest reconsidering the requirement for procedures to be non-proprietary, or provide more specific instructions regarding which policies, procedures, and supplements are governed by this requirement.

This requirement will not apply to internal corporate procedures that are normally considered proprietary.

It does apply to procedures, policies, and supplements that the contractor uses to manage day-to-day activities in support of the contract.

PWS

Section

A 2.8

Financial Management subsection requires the contractor to “provide detailed backup information that provides a clear/verifiable accounting trail for each CLIN. Example: contractor shall provide the labor charges for each CLIN broken down by name, hours worked, pay rate, The Government is reviewing Para 2.8 and 2.23.1.

etc.” (1) This requirement does not appear consistent with paragraph

2.23 Reports, which requires labor summary at top level. (2) Also, this level of financial detail seems appropriate for a Cost-Plus type contract only. If the Government requests Firm Fixed Price, recommend revising this reporting requirement to a more high-level breakdown appropriate for this type of contract.

PWS

Section

A 2.15

The Meetings section requires the contractor to attend program management meetings, briefings, and other meetings and conferences

“as directed by the government”. Travel expenses other than local are to be cost-reimbursable. Since the scope and frequency of these meetings is indeterminate and out of the contractor’s control, suggest the government consider making all costs, including labor, associated with these meetings cost-reimbursable. Alternately, the government may wish to specify a number of meetings that should be included in a

FFP-type price.

Any additional out of town meetings are expected to be a small requirement. Travel expenses for out of town meetings are cost reimbursable, however, labor will not be since these meetings are within the scope of normal business operations.

PWS

Section

A 2.17.1

Master Reference Library requires the contractor to “establish and maintain a master library containing copies of, or electronic access to, all contractor-prepared or acquired T.O.s, publications, manuals, and other information”; “establish and implement a method of controlling master library items”; and “establish and maintain a current list of all items in the master library.” It is assumed that the Government is the responsible source for the official T.O.s, publications, and manuals that will govern RPA maintenance. (1) Does the Government intend for the contractor to develop or prepare these documents? (2) Will incumbent contractor master libraries, control methods, and list(s) be available to transition to the awardee?

The contractor will not develop or prepare T.O.s, publications, manuals, etc. The contractor will manage and update those documents through normal

AF processes as required. Available documents will be posted in the bidder’s library.

PWS

Section

A 2.20

Visitor Support: Support visits by dignitaries, inspection teams, depot teams and other groups as directed by the government. Since the scope and frequency of this requirement is indeterminate and not under the control of the contractor, suggest the Government allow any such

Visitor Support tasks that require the contractor to expend more than routine daily resources to be cost-reimbursable.

Visitor support normally includes providing a static display or a hangar space for visitors to view an aircraft. No more than routine daily resources are expected to be used.

PWS

Section

A 2.23.7;

Section

The System Circuit Information Guide (SCIG) was a requirement of a previous ACC O-Level contract covering this equipment. Does this document exist now, and therefore is the task of this paragraph simply to keep the document updated as additions and changes to equipment

Yes this is a current CDRL; it will be provided in the bidder’s library.

A 3.13 occur? Suggest that government provide a copy of the current SCIG as part of the RFP.

PWS

Section

A 3.3

Aircraft section requires the contractor to “Provide technical solutions to integrate government requests to upgrade aircraft systems.”

Recommend the government clarify this specific requirement so that offerors can better plan and price this activity. For example, does this requirement include designing, developing, testing and integrating new systems, or fielding approved Modification Work Orders? If so, consider making this requirement cost-reimbursable.

Approved modifications will be accomplished through the AF TCTO process and are a normal part of organizational-level aircraft maintenance. Depot-level TCTOs will be performed under another contract. The contractor is not expected to design, develop, or test proposed modifications. The contractor shall participate in the validation and verification of O-level TCTOs as required. The val/ver requirement was added to the PWS.

PWS

Section

A 3.3.1

Crash Recovery requires the contractor to “Perform crash recovery operations as directed by on-scene commander. Contractor shall perform crash recovery duties on- and off-base as required at CONUS locations. Contractor shall not perform crash recovery services off-base at OCONUS locations without prior approval from contracting officer on a case-by-case basis.” (1) Suggest clarifying the contractor’s role in crash recovery operations. Is the contractor limited to providing technical assistance, or does the scope include EOD, HAZMAT, hardware recovery, etc? (2) To limit exposure to possible hostile action, suggest the Government clarify that contractor personnel will not be required to leave a secured base for OCONUS crash recovery.

(3) In the event that the contracting officer approves crash recovery services off-base at OCONUS locations, please describe the method of transportation and security that will be provided by the Government.

The contractor shall assist in recovery of hardware and cleanup of fluids if required. The contractor shall not provide EOD services. Contractor personnel may be required to leave a secured base for

OCONUS recovery. However, CO approval will only occur when safety permits and there is no threat of hostile action. Transportation and security provided will be entirely situational dependent.

PWS

Section

A 3.5

Aircraft Positioning requires the contractor to “Position and remove aircraft for special purpose use as directed by the government. Comply with all safety and munitions directives as applicable for all special use and static display aircraft.” Please clarify if this requirement includes support of off-station air shows, static displays, etc? If so, suggest any such requirement would be indeterminate and outside the contractor’s control; therefore, suggest this be a cost-reimbursable item.

This requirement does not include off-station airshows or static displays.

PWS

Section

A 3.10

Ground Control Station (GCS) section requires the contractor to

“Provide technical solutions to integrate government requests to upgrade GCS systems.” Recommend the government clarify this specific requirement so that offerors can better plan and price this

Approved modifications will be accomplished through the AF TCTO process and are a normal part of organizational-level aircraft maintenance. Depot-level TCTOs will be performed under another activity. For example, does this requirement include designing, developing, testing and integrating new systems/software, or fielding approved hardware or software? If so, consider making this requirement cost-reimbursable.

contract. The contractor is not expected to design, develop, or test proposed modifications. The contractor shall participate in the validation and verification of O-level TCTOs as required. The val/ver requirement was added to the PWS.

PWS

Section

A 3.11

Predator Primary Satellite Link (PPSL)/Tactical Field Terminal

(TFT)/Fixed Site SATCOM Terminal (FSST)/SATCOM Earth

Terminal Subsystem (SETTS) section requires the contractor to

“Provide solutions to integrate government requests to upgrade satellite earth terminals, subsystems, ancillary equipment and supporting C4ISR systems.” Recommend the government clarify this specific requirement so that offerors can better plan and price this activity. For example, does this requirement include designing, developing, testing and integrating new systems/software, or fielding approved hardware or software? If so, consider making this requirement cost-reimbursable.

Approved modifications will be accomplished through the AF TCTO process and are a normal part of organizational-level aircraft maintenance. Depot-level TCTOs will be performed under another contract. The contractor is not expected to design, develop, or test proposed modifications. The contractor shall participate in the validation and verification of O-level TCTOs as required. The val/ver requirement was added to the PWS.

PWS

Section

A 3.12

Requires the contractor to “Develop and accomplish preventative maintenance routines for commercial C4ISR systems IAW applicable commercial manuals and manufacturer’s guidance.” Will the

Government provide existing PMI routines from the incumbent contractor?

The PMI schedules are located in the applicable TOs and are maintained through IMDS. For the items that the contractor believes PMI routines are necessary, it is up to the contractor to identify and develop the routines. If current PMI routines for COTs equip exist, they will be provided.

PWS

Section

A 3.12.4

Technical Interchange states “Technology/services shall include the acquisition of new equipment to be supported under the PWS…”

Please clarify the contractor’s role regarding the acquisition of new equipment. For example, will the contractor be required to purchase any new equipment under this contract, and if so will the equipment cost be born by the government or the contractor? If so, recommend that this requirement be cost-reimbursable.

The contractor will not be purchasing equipment.

This task was eliminated from the PWS.

PWS

Section

A 3.17

The current draft applies section number 3.17 twice; once for

Maintenance Management Analysis and once for Combat Air Patrol

(CAP).

Corrected.

PWS

Section

A 3.17

Combat Air Patrol (CAP). If this is a FFP element, suggest the

Government define the scope more specifically. For example, how many additional aircraft may be required in a given timeframe? Is there any provision for operating sites with less than 5 CAPs? How does the contractor provide a single price for 1-4 CAPs? Requirement

Some deployed sites may support less than 5 CAPs.

The govt will provide requirements in the final RFP for all bidders to price to.

references “up to”; “may be assigned,” etc.

PWS

Section

A 3.18

Divert Aircraft. (1) Would it be correct to assume that all divert sites will already be staffed with personnel and equipment to accommodate the diverted aircraft, or does the Government intend for contractor personnel at the originating site to travel to the divert site for support?

(2) In the event the Government requires inter-site contractor travel, what modes of transportation and security will be provided to/from the divert site? (3) In the event divert actions require increased costs for extra hours, additional shifts, or overtime, does the Government intend for this element to be cost reimbursable?

Contractor personnel are not expected to travel to recover diverted aircraft. The intent is to use existing contractor- or government-supported sites as divert bases. The intent of the divert requirement is to have the local military leadership coordinate with the contractor to meet mission requirements at no additional cost.

PWS

Section

A 3.21.2

Purchasing states “All contractor-acquired supplies shall become government property.” Suggest clarifying this statement to read “All contractor-acquired supplies which are direct charged to the contract shall become government property.

Paragraph 3.21.2 updated to read: “All contractor-acquired equipment/supplies which are direct charged to the contract shall become government property.”

PWS

Section

A 3.26.4

Minimum Proficiency Requirement Load: Currently, all sites do not permit access to the load barn. Recommend including language in the contract that verifies that the Government will provide access to the load barn at all required sites in order to fulfill the requirements of this section.

The Government will provide stateside load barn access.

PWS

Section A

3.27.1.3

States that the 432 nd

MXS Munitions Accountable Systems Officer

(MASO) oversees effective and efficient management of the conventional munitions stockpile at CONUS locations. Is the 432 nd

MXS responsible for other sites in addition to Creech AFB? If not, recommend this statement be reworded to eliminate the specific reference to the 432 nd

Government will update the PWS with location neutral language for the stateside MASO.

PWS

Section A

3.27.2.1

(MQ-9): The contractor shall, control, account, store, ship, receive, inspect, test, maintain, assemble, breakout, perform flight line delivery, and dispose of assigned munitions. Perform all actions IAW Appendix

C (Munitions Tab). Munitions disposal activities could impose significant liabilities on the contractor. Recommend clarifying the contractor’s role in munitions disposal to be limited to turn-in or transport to Munitions Storage Area (MSA), with no direct role in physical disposal, destruction or remediation.

Dependent upon the level of support provided by military forces, the contractor could be expected to perform duties IAW T.O. 11A-1-60 and 11A-1-10, common functions performed by munitions inspectors.

PWS

Section A

3.27.4

Munitions Holding Areas requires the contractor to manage munitions holding areas to preclude explosive and compatibility violations.

Suggest clarifying the contractor’s role in managing munitions holding areas. It is believed that this may be an Air Force function and contractors are not permitted to perform this activity at OCONUS locations. Does the Government intend to change this practice?

Typically, munitions holding areas are located close to the flightline and contain enough munitions to expeditiously support daily flying operations, also known as a Flightline Munitions Holding Areas

(AFMAN 91-201 Para 7.31 and Page 428). The contractor is expected to manage Net Explosive

Weight (NEW) within these areas, not site explosive limits/identify boundaries (weapons safety function).

Concerning the Munitions Storage Area/Ammunition

Supply Point, this is a performance based work statement. The Government does not have a list of locations other than what was provided in the draft

PWS. At a forward operating location, the level of effort expended by the contractor managing a MSA will directly depend upon the level of support provided/available from military forces.

PWS

Section

A 3.27.7

Munitions Accountability requires the contractor to “Control and safeguard assigned munitions and components to ensure accountability.

Perform all required monthly inventories and provide personnel to assist the MASO during semi-annual and change of MASO inventories.

Coordinate local munitions operations/CAS/MC2 SharePoint environment procedures with the owning MASO.” Suggest this requirement be more specific regarding the contractor’s role in control and accountability. As written, it implies the contractor will be responsible for weapons inventory, etc. Will the government provide a list of locations where the contractor will have responsibilities for managing MSAs? Recommend that contractor be responsible for checked-out munitions only.

Performance based work statement. The Government does not have a list of locations other than what was provided in the draft PWS. At a forward operating location, the level of effort expended by the contractor managing a MSA will directly depend upon the level of support provided/available from military forces.

PWS

Section

A 3.27.9

Munitions Training requires the contractor to “Train personnel to build all munitions assigned on the unit's UCML.” (1) Recommend the

Government be more specific regarding what they consider “training”.

For example, is Munitions Inspector training required as well? (2) Is the contractor required to provide training for its personnel, or will USAF provide training for contractor personnel? If the latter, please identify

The Government expects the contractor to hire qualified personnel to include munitions inspectors, if applicable. Furthermore, the training requirements for munitions inspectors are located in AFI 21-201 paragraph 3.8.3. Typically initial training is not provided by the Government.

location(s) where the Government will provide this training.

As of 10 Jan 11, the anticipated munitions that the contractor could be expected to build-up/handle are

AGM-114s (Hellfire Missiles), GBU-12, GBU-38, EGBU-12s/GBU-54

PWS

Section

A 4.1.2

Housekeeping states, “Maintain solely contractor occupied government furnished facilities and other assigned areas in clean, safe, and sanitary condition IAW industry standards. Aircraft hangar floor cleaning machines are not permitted within five (5) feet of aircraft or engines.

Maintain grounds around facilities, including snow removal, IAW host base policy.” (1) Suggest the Government further define the scope of this requirement at each host base, especially in cases where the contractor is required to provide Public Works-type services. Will

Government provide required equipment such as floor cleaning machines, lawnmowers, snowblowers, etc.? Are contractors expected to provide landscaping materials? (2) Does this requirement include

OCONUS sites?

The contractor is not expected to provide landscaping materials. The government will provide required equipment. This requirement includes OCONUS sites, however, it’s expected to be a minimal effort at forward deployed locations.

PWS

Section

C 4.1

OCONUS Deployment Preparation Assistance states that the

Government will provide various training and administrative assistance to prepare and qualify contractor personnel to deploy OCONUS. Will the Government provide these services in the vicinity of the primary and option bases? If not, suggest the Government list the location(s) of required or available OCONUS Deployment Assistance or allow this requirement to be cost-reimbursable.

The Government intends to provide deployment support primarily at Creech AFB, NV or Nellis AFB, NV. Other bases will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on local capabilities.

PWS

Section

C 3.2

Weapons Certifications states that certification will be provided by

WSS for weapons loading/unloading operation IAW AFI 21-101 and local policy. Please clarify that weapons certification for the contractor will be provided at and by the host base or host wing.

The Government will provide stateside load barn access, or TDY availability if not at current location.

Procedures for deployed personnel will vary, however, in general weapons load certification will only take place at CONUS locations.

PWS

Section

D 1.0

Transition Aircraft states that one MQ-1 and one MQ-9 aircraft will be provided to the contractor at Creech AFB, NV the purpose of contractor maintenance training, and that these aircraft shall be available throughout the transition period and end at contract start. (1) While providing aircraft for maintenance training is a very positive action, The government intends to provide an MQ-1 and an

MQ-9 aircraft during transition. We’re also working a plan to provide a GCS, GDT, AGE, etc during transition. After contract start, the contractor is expected to manage all assigned aircraft and limiting the availability to the transition period results in a challenge.

In order to accommodate contract growth requirements and employee attrition, the contractor will require periodic access to representative vehicles throughout the contract POP to provide new employee training. Following the transition period, suggest assigned aircraft be made available for contractor training as long as aircraft are not broken out for training and remain available for the flight schedule. (2) Assets required for comprehensive maintenance training exceed the aircraft itself. Suggest the government also make available a GCS, RAMTS, complete tool kit, GSE, PPSL, GDT, etc.

equipment to meet mission and training requirements.

PWS

Section D, Appendix

H

Section D and Appendix H reference the contract/CLIN schedule/POPs in various places, referring to “contract start”; “contract performance start”, “transition period” etc. Suggest that the Government clarify and ensure consistency regarding the contract schedule. For example:

Transition period (assume that contract start is at beginning of transition period, since transition tasks are part of the contract)

Base Period

Option Period 1

Option Period 2

Option period 3 etc.

It is likely that this information would be found in Section B of the

RFP.

The contract schedule will be identified in the RFP.

PWS

Section

D 4.0

GFE Reporting/Documentation requires the contractor to

“verify/document the inventory NLT 30 days after contract start…” It is unclear if “contract start” refers to the beginning of the transition period, or the end of the transition period. Please clarify.

Contract start is the end of the transition period. The government would prefer conducting the transition inventory during transition through coordination with the offeror. If the transition can’t be accomplished during transition than the inventory must be accomplished NLT 30 days after Contract start.

PWS

Section

D 7.0

Phase-Out requires the contractor to submit a Phase-Out Plan for contract completion tasks when directed by the CO. The requirements for the plan will be detailed in CO tasking letter. Suggest the government not ask for this to be separately priced. If the full requirements for the plan cannot be provided in the RFP, suggest this item be either NSP or cost-reimbursable.

Phase-out will not be separately priced in the contract. The CO tasking letter will identify the requirements of the plan.

Appendix

E Title

Within the Appendix E, Government Furnished Equipment, the document title shows it as “Appendix F”. This appears to be an oversight and Appendix E appears correct.

The GFE document title is updated to “Appendix E”

Appendix

E

(1) The draft GFE list appears to be missing some current sites.

Suggest Government list GFE available at all CONUS/OCONUS sites to be supported under this contract. (2) Suggest the Government provide a list or description of equipment which will be provided for any new or unidentified site(s).

All contracted sites will be added during the RFP release.

Appendix

E

The Tool kit list appears to only reflect the MQ-1 at Creech and does not appear to have OCONUS tool kits listed.

All OCONUS Consolidated Tool kits will be added during the RFP release.

Appendix

E 4

(1) Transition period through Block 5 MQ-1 Aircraft 15 days after contract performance. Appears to conflict with training timeline discussed in PWS Section D, para. 1.0. (2) MQ-9 aircraft is not listed as GFE whereas it is indicated in the PWS. Suggest government add

MQ-9 GFE to list. (3) The GFE list does not include CGS, RAMST or other associated equipment which would be needed for a complete training resource.

The government intends to provide one MQ-1 and one MQ-9 aircraft during transition. We are working a plan to also provide a GCS, GDT, and associated equipment required for training.

Appendix

F Title

Within the Appendix F, Quality Management System – Requirements, the document title shows it as “Appendix H”. This appears to be an oversight and Appendix F appears correct.

Corrected to read “Appendix F”

Appendix

H 2.1

C4ISR OR Standards are provided. Will Government provide historical data on these OR rates so that offerors can gauge their abilities/approaches to achieve the standards?

The government will provide historical Operational

Rates and they will be located in the bidder’s library.

Appendix

I 3.2.5.2

Document states that “Contingency Contractor Personnel may obtain a prescription so that eyeglass inserts can be made for chemical gear, if needed”. Will the Government provide inserts for all personnel who wear glasses and present a prescription?

Contractors may obtain eyeglass inserts for gas masks from the government.

Appendix

N

Operational Requirements. (1) The Government lists “MQ-1/9” at several locations. In order to plan and price appropriate training, staffing, engine and weapons skills, etc. it would be necessary to understand the mix of MQ-1 and MQ-9 systems to be supported at each site. Recommend the Government provide a baseline system mix for each site to allow for accurate and adequate comparisons of offeror approaches and pricing.

The government will define requirements that all bidders will build and price their proposal to.

Appendix

N 1.0

CONUS Requirements. The GCS Support level at Creech AFB is not specified. Please provide (24/7, 16/5, etc.).

GCS support at Creech AFB for FTU support is generally required 16/5. Keep in mind that weekend work may be required to support the flying schedule.

Appendix

N 1.0

CONUS Requirements. Holloman AFB, NM is not listed within the

CONUS requirements. Does the government contemplate including

Holloman AFB in the scope of this contract?

There are no plans to provide contractor support at

Holloman AFB.

Appendix

N 2.0

Deployed Requirements. Much more information will be required if

OCONUS support is to be priced as FFP. Information that would be necessary includes country locations, aircraft mix, specific # of locations (as opposed to “up to 8/9/10”), available facilities and equipment, etc. If this information cannot be determined at this time, recommend this activity be priced as cost reimbursable.

The government will define requirements that all bidders will build and price their proposal to.

CDRL

A002

Block 12

Equipment Inventory Records. The due date of 15 Oct 2011 conflicts with PWS and may be insufficient to complete inventories at all operating locations. Also recommend that dates be tied to contract award or contract start, unless all dates in the contract are tied to the calendar.

Equipment Inventory will be accomplished annually.

Dates will be adjusted for initial inventory based on contract start date

CDRL

A003

Environmental Protection Plans. Please clarify if this CDRL is required for OCONUS sites.

The EPP covers all CONUS and OCONUS sites.

CDRL

A003/005

Block 12

CDRLs use “DAC” terminology. Based on other terms used in the draft documents, DAC might refer to days after transition period begins, or days after transition period ends. Suggest the Government clarify and ensure consistency in terminology amongst the contract schedule, CLIN POPs, and CDRL dates to avoid confusion.

DAC refers to days after contract start.

PWS

Section

A 2.15.1

PWS Section A - Para 2.15.1 requires contractor to attend award fee reviews.

Question: Will the PWS include an Award Fee

Plan?

The government intends to use an incentive fee versus award fee and will include an incentive fee plan.

PWS

Section

A 2.16

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A - Para 2.16 requires "Develop, maintain, and analyze metrics for assigned RPA requirements...Section

C para 3.1 indicates that the Wing will provide "maintenance analysis".

Question: Will the contractor have access to the maintenance analysis metrics developed by the Maintenance Operations Squadron?

Section C, Para 3.1 has been clarified to better show relationship between contractor and military

Maintenance Analysis personnel.

PWS

Section

A 3.3.3

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A - Para 3.3.3 NDI requires the contractor to support authorized depot-level directives.

Question: Will the government specify the nature of NDI that the contractor will be expected to perform?

NDI requirements will be provided through applicable technical orders.

PWS

Section

A 3.9

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A- Para 3.9, Response Time: maintain a maximum two minute response time during operational missions for assigned Remote Split Operations (RSO).

Question: To what contractor capability does the response time apply?

Question: Does this include missions with both MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft? Are there any differences allowed between two different sensor payloads (e.g., MTS Track Ball versus Gorgan Stare)?

Understand if OPSEC concerns limits response.

There will be a two minute response time for GCS outages and an immediate response time for

Reachback outages during operational missions for assigned Remote Split Operations (RSO). The PWS has been updated to reflect this requirement.

This requirement applies to both MQ-1 and MQ-9 regardless of sensor payloads.

PWS

Section

A 3.12

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A- 3.12 Reachback Facilities: The last sentence in this paragraph refers to Appendix C Tab C5. Appendix C has no Tabs.

Question: To what part of Appendix C is the government referring?

Question: Will the government provide Tabs for Appendix C? (NOTE:

the page numbers for part of Appendix C indicate some "separate parts" however; the page numbering stops with the second part)

Comment: The Reachback function needs clarification and definition.

Assuming this is not done for OPSEC reasons, the following addition to the beginning of 3.12 would help tie things together:

“The Reachback facilities provide critical connectivity using satellite and networking resources as described in paragraphs 3.11 and 3.13. The

Reachback sites, amount of resources and equipment, and number of

CAPs supported are defined in Appendix N.”

Tab C5 is located at the bottom of the Excel

Document.

Appendix C updated to include tabs and page numbers.

Change was incorporated into PWS.

PWS

Section

A 3.14

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A - Para 3.14 states that the certified individual will require a recommendation from the unit commander.

Question: What unit is being referred to here and what specific

The unit commander requirement was deleted in the

PWS.

requirements are necessary for that unit commander to provide a recommendation? Please identify those requirements, in addition to the listed certifications, for the unit commander to provide the recommendation necessary for the IA personnel at the Reachback location.

Question: What process will be used to obtain the “Unit Commander” recommendation?

Question: Where will the “Unit Commander” be located?

PWS

Section

A 3.17

RFP Reference: PWS Section A - Para 3.17 Maintenance Management

Analysis.

Question 1. Does the government expect the contractor to staff a work center to duplicate the work of the USAF Wing Maintenance

Management Analysis Section to track, report, and analyze maintenance activities IAW AFI 21-101, Para 6.2.6?

Question 2. Will the reports generated from the analysis of maintenance activities be included in a Contract Deliverable

Requirements Listing (CDRL)?

Question 3 . Will the Monthly Logistics Indicators Report, RCS: ACC-

LGP (M) 9302 be a contract deliverable included on a Contract

Deliverable Requirements Listing (CDRL)?

Question 4. The RCS: ACC-A4P(M) 9302 Report contains three sections: Will the contractor be required to populate all three sections?

Question. What information beyond: Sorties Programmed, Hours

Programmed, Total Utilization Rate (UTE) Deviations for FSE (all categories), Average Hangar Queens and Hangar Queen Categories, Total Dedicated Crew Chiefs (DCCs), Job Data Documentation (JDD)

Error Rate, Total Maintenance Man-hours per Flying Hour, Repeats/Recurs, Pilot Reported Discrepancy (PRDs), Total Possessed

Hours, and Deployed data will be required to report?

The contractor will coordinate with military Analysis personnel at Creech AFB to provide input to the

Wing 9302 report. Exact requirements at other bases will depend on whether military Analysis personnel are assigned.

The reports will not be CDRLs.

The 9302 will not be a CDRL.

The contractor will populate all areas of the 9302 report for contractor-supported aircraft.

Question 5. Exactly what OCONUS data will be required in the report?

Question 6. Will the contractor be required to establish a Dedicated

Crew Chief Program?

Question 7. Will the contractor be given training for the EKM/MPI

Portal

(https://www.aekm.wpafb.af.mil/auth/index.jsp?target=/jsps/UserHome

P.jsf)?

Question 8. Will the “similar products” for supported units (deployed units, AFRES, ANG, etc.) be submitted through the EKM/MPI Portal?

9302 requirements and inputs are defined in AFI 21-

101 and AFI 21-118.

There is no requirement for a DCC program.

No, the contractor won’t be given portal training.

Yes, where the unit normally submits through the portal. This requirement will be base specific and the bases haven’t all been identified.

Section

A 3.17

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A - Para 3.17 defines a CAP and specifies that the government can require that a CAP be scheduled as two separate sorties. The sub-paragraphs then specify the number of major weapon system components that the government is required to assign per CAP (i.e. up to 4 MQ-1 or MQ-9 RPAs as applicable.

Question: Will the government revise the language in para 3.17.1 and

3.17.2 as follows: "The government will assign not less than two (2), and up to four (4) MQ-1 and MQ-9 RPAs as applicable....." NOTE:

since the government has reserved the right to schedule a CAP as two separate operational sorties there is a need for the contractor to have at least two RPA per assigned CAP.

The government will not mandate a minimum number of aircraft. It’s an inherent government responsibility to provide enough aircraft to meet operational requirements and we cannot require the contractor to provide a level of support it is physically impossible to achieve.

PWS

Section

A 3.22

RFP Reference: PWS Section A – 3.22.

Question. Will the government provide training for the IUID web site https://www.bpn.gov/iuid?

Question. Will the government provide details on how to gain access to the IUID web site?

The government will not provide any official IUID training. All information concerning IUID is located on a public website for contractor use. The government will help clarify any information found on the website that’s beyond the offeror’s understanding or capabilities.

The Government will provide the UID website https://www.aekm.wpafb.af.mil/auth/index.jsp?target=/jsps/UserHomeP.jsf https://www.aekm.wpafb.af.mil/auth/index.jsp?target=/jsps/UserHomeP.jsf https://www.bpn.gov/iuid

Question. If multiple accounts; will the items require re-identification to a single account and terminated in the tracking system under the old number?

Question. Will assets controlled under other property accounting systems be exempt from IUID accounting until that system is integrated into the process and eliminated to prevent dual accounting? Examples:

TAS, CA/CRL, Vehicles, ADPE, IMDS

Question. Will the government provided property/equipment being used on the current contract be loaded into the IUID system prior to contract start?

address: https//www.bpn.gov/iuid

Currently there are no IUID accounts. There is only one IUID account per government contract.

No, only CA/CRL items will be exempt from IUID.

All CA/CRL items will be added to IUID registry through a separate Air Force project.

No, the current contract does not have an IUID requirement.

Section

A 3.23.2

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A Para 3.23.2 indicates that Appendix

E list the Special Purpose vehicles to be used by the contractor.

Appendix E page F4-23 is the only listing of vehicles.

Question: Will the government provide a specific listing of Special purpose vehicles to be made available to the contractor at each MQ-1 and MQ-9 base and OCONUS operating location?

The government will provide a complete list in

Appendix E of Special Purpose Vehicles available to the contract in the RFP release

PWS

Section

A 3.27

RFP Reference: PWS Section A – 3.27, Munitions.

Question. What are the types of munitions the contractor will be required to build-up?

Question. Will the contractor have contractor only occupied facilities to build up weapons?

Question. Will Munitions Inspectors be required at all CONUS locations?

Question. Are there any OCONUS sites that will not require Munitions

Inspectors?

Question. Will the 432 nd

MXS MASO be the MASO for all CONUS sites?

As of 10 Jan 11, the anticipated munitions that the contractor could be expected to build-up/handle are

AGM-114s (Hellfire Missiles), GBU-12, GBU-38, EGBU-12s/GBU-54

No, typically at stateside/OCONUS locations the

Contractor will build munitions within the owning

Munitions Storage Area.

Location dependent due to the wide range of activities that the contractor could be expected to encounter CONUS/OCONUS and the level of support provided by military forces.

No, PWS language will be changed to be location neutral.

Section B

Service

Summary

RFP Requirement: PWS Section B Service Summary under the headings of 3 Performance Management and 4 Mission support

(ESOH) (page 35), both specify a Performance Threshold of "No non-conformances are allowed."

Comment: In an award fee environment that starts at zero such perfection should be a goal but not a threshold. Recommend the government establish a threshold for quality and safety using a defect rate based on mishaps per flight hours or mishaps per manhours.

The wording has been changed to say “no major non-conformances allowed.” The government won’t establish acceptable quality or safety defect rates based on flight hours or manhours.

PWS

Section

C 1.0

RFP Requirement: PWS Section C paragraph 1.0 suggests that

"facilities" are detailed in Appendix E. No facility description or diagram is provided.

Question: Will the government provide a description and/or specification for contractor facilities at CONUS locations?

The government has an inherent responsibility to provide facilities that allow the contractor to meet contractual obligations. Assigned facilities will change based on local requirements and it isn’t possible to specifically define them in the PWS for each location.

PWS

Section

C 6.2

RF Requirement: PWS Section C paragraph 6.2 specifies that deployed locations will be provided one satellite phone.

Question: Is the use of this satellite phone at government expense?

Question: Will this satellite phone be capable of supporting classified information exchange?

Satellite phones will not be provided. The PWS was updated to delete satellite phones.

PWS

Section

C8

RFP Requirement: PWS Section C – Para 8.

Question. Will the government provide advanced IA Certification

Training?

Question. Will the government provide Munitions Inspector Training?

Question. Will the government provide Crash Recovery Training (to include composite material hazards)?

Question. Will the government provide ESOMIS training?

Question. Will the government provide ECSS training?

No, the contractor must have qualified personnel to fulfill this requirement.

The Government expects the contractor to hire qualified personnel to include munitions inspectors, if applicable. Furthermore, the training requirements for munitions inspectors are located in AFI 21-201 paragraph 3.8.3.

The government is reviewing the entire list of government provided training and will provide it in a

Question. Will the government provide Consolidated Engine

Management System (CEMS) training?

Question. Will the government allow the contractor to attend the ACC

Scheduling Classes?

future draft PWS.

Appendix

H 3.0

RFP Requirement: Appendix H - Para 3.0 has added the metric of

Flying Schedule Effectiveness (FSE).

Question. Will the contractor be allowed to exclude scheduling events outside of their control and adjust the metric to reflect contractor performance? For instance, weather events are counted against the

FSE, but are clearly beyond contractor control. Events that are beyond the contractor’s control could prevent meeting FSE standards. Weather is just one example of events outside the contractor’s control.

The contractor will not be allowed to adjust the metric. Per the service summary, all standards will be considered to the extent the contractor exercised good management. The contractor won’t be held accountable for events outside of its control.

Appendix

I 3.2

RFP Requirement: Appendix I paragraph 3.2 addresses the medical conditions for deployment. Although the more stringent requirement for

Afghanistan and Iraq are included in this Appendix, they are not directly linked to paragraph 3.2.

Question: Will the government add a sub-paragraph for clarity

"3.2.2.5 Contractor personnel deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq must refer to paragraph AI 25.2 in this Appendix."

Nonconcur. The contractor is responsible for meeting requirements in the entire appendix.

Appendix

N

RFP Requirement: PWS Appendix N has "GCS support 16/5" as well as "GCS support 24/7".

Question: Is the "GCS support 16/5" correctly understood to mean 16 hours per day Monday through Friday only?

The 16/5 support is normally Monday – Friday.

However, the PWS also requires weekend maintenance to support flying schedule requirements.

PWS

Section

A 3.12.3

RFP Reference: PWS Section A – 3.12.3 Lifecycle Management

Question: Will the government specify a CDRL format for the report associated with this requirement?

This requirement was deleted from the PWS.

PWS

Section

A 3.13

RFP Reference: PWS Section A – 3.13 Circuit Support.

Comment: VOSIP phones are used at the Reachback, but are not currently nor planned to be supported by Reachback personnel as part of RSO. The VOIP and VOSIP phones and phone system are supported

The VOIP phone requirement was removed from

PWS.

by the base like the DSN phones and use the base Call Manager. As such, the VOIP wording should be removed from the paragraph.

Comment: The following sentences could be added to the Circuit

Support paragraph to further define the requirements:

“Install and maintain fiber optic cable jumpers to support equipment connectivity requirements. Work with outside entities to include DISA and local host base circuit actions personnel to install new circuit connectivity as site growth need require. Maintain a circuit history folder- can be a soft copy, of RFS, TSR, TSO and change TSO paperwork. Notify the appropriate government entity when new circuits require new equipment purchases to support installation including routers, switches, fiber or electrical cables. Document and report all barriers to completing new circuit installation.”

Comment: Suggest a new subparagraph for the ATM-to-IP migration:

“Assist in engineering changes and implementation of technology changeovers such as ATM equipment to IP; this may include hardware such as switches, routers, edge devices, and encryption equipment. Aid the government in creating and implementing a Reachback migration plan from ATM to IP which minimizes or eliminates mission down time. Coordinate any circuit or technology changes with all identified stake holders. Document equipment technology changes in comprehensive network diagrams using the Microsoft Visio software application. These diagrams must accurately reflect both the layer 1 network topology and IP schema information to include network and subnet address for all ports and interfaces.”

Change was incorporated into the PWS.

Change was incorporated into the PWS.

Section

A 3.14

RFP Reference: PWS Section A – 3.14

Comment: Recommend the first sentence of the paragraph be reworded to reference App M and make clear that this is a requirement of everyone at the Reachback sites, as follows: “Personnel at Reachback sites must be IA certified Technical Level II IAW Appendix M and that certification must be sustained through the life of the contract.”

Change was incorporated into the PWS.

PWS

Section

RFP Reference: PWS Section A – 4.2 Communications Security

(COMSEC)

COMSEC user accounts are required at all communication reachback sites and all deployed

A 4.2

Question: Which locations listed in App N require local COMSEC accounts to be established and maintained by the contractor?

sites.

Appendix

K

RFP Reference: Appendix K

Comment: Recommend “Bldg 2381” be removed from the SETSS graphic.

The Bldg. is still located and is utilized at the site.

Contractor needs to identify a reason for the removal.

Appendix

N 3.0

RFP Reference: Appendix N 3.0 Communications Reachback Sites

Question: Video Breakout is cited as a Mission Area Supported here, but nowhere else in the RFI. Will the government define this Mission

Support Area?

Question: The number of CAPS per Reachback site for each fiscal year defines the contractor level of effort. Will the government specify the

CAP support as a function of FY in the Table in paragraph 3.1?

This requirement will be deleted from the PWS.

CAPs will not be used to define the contractor level-of-effort at reachback sites. The reachback site section of the PWS is being updated.

PWS

Section

D 1.0

RFP Requirement: PWS Section D-1.0 Transition Aircraft specifies (1)

MQ-1 and (1) MQ-9 for transition training, but it doesn’t mention any of the electronics/support equipment.

Question: Will the government make available for transition training the following components: GCS; GDT; PPSL and SSET?

The government is working on a plan to provide equipment during contract transition.

PWS

Section

A 3.19

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A-3.19 CAP and Sortie Requirements states that CAP and sortie requirements shall be fulfilled IAW

Appendix N. Appendix N para 1.0 CONUS Requirements specifies

Average Sorties / Day; ASD and Hours / Month.

Question: Will the government specify the flying hour duration (e.g.

number of sorties or total flying hours) which is the limiting factor for maintenance support?

The contractor shall support an average of 8 sorties per day. The maximum number of flying hours supported per month is 1,584.

Section

A 3.13.1

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A-3.13.1 Circuit Support "Restore all circuit and system outages affecting OCONUS RPA missions." The reliability of the Reachback circuitry can be impacted by the reliability of the back up generator and UPS systems.

Question: Does the Contractor Reachback team have any responsibility

This requirement was added to the PWS.

for periodic checks, maintenance, or emergency trouble shooting for the emergency generator or UPS systems.

PWS

Section

A 2.17

RFP Reference: PWS Section A, Para 2.17 Information Management:

Question: Does the government require the CAR to integrate documents into the USAF file plan program and Air Force Records

Disposition Schedule (RDS)?

Yes.

PWS

Section

A 2.23.7

RFP Requirement: PWS Section A, Para 2.23.7, Technical Report –

Study Services, requires an update NLT 7 days after any change.

Question: Will the government consider changing the time limit to 10 work days?

This requirement was updated to 20 days.

PWS

Section

C 2.5

RFP Reference: PWS Section C Vehicles – Para 2.5.

Question: The last paragraph (misnumbered as 2.4.3) states the government will only supply fuel for general purpose vehicles. Does this mean the contractor is responsible for the routine and scheduled maintenance of general purpose vehicles in CONUS?

Yes, The contractor will be responsible for all maintenance on all general purpose vehicles in

CONUS.

PWS

Section

A 2.6

A - 2.6 cites para 2.24.2 -

Should cite 2.23.2

Paragraph updated.

PWS

Section

A 2.8

A - 2.8 cites para 2.24.1 - Should cite 2.23.1 Paragraph updated.

PWS

Section

A 2.12

A - 2.12 cites 2.24.4 - Should cite 2.23.4 Paragraph updated.

PWS

Section

A 2.23.1

A - 2.23.1 refers to 2.9 - Should refer to 2.8 Paragraph updated.

PWS

Section

A 2.23.4

A - 2.23.4 refers to 2.13 - Should refer to 2.12 Paragraph updated.

PWS

Section

A 2.23.7

The paragraph has conflicting requirements of 7 and 10 days for a

System Circuit Guide update. Both requirements are fast considering the revision and processing time for the drawings and documents. 21 or

PWS was updated to 20 days.

30-days would be more appropriate.

PWS

Section

A 3.6

A - 3.6 refers to Appendix H, Chapter 14 - Appendix H does not have

Chapter 14. Recmd gov't determine correct reference

Corrected reference.

PWS

Section

A 3.10

A - 3.10 refers to 2.24.7 and 2.24.3 - Should be 2.23.7 and 2.23.3 Corrected references.

PWS

Section

A 3.11

A - 3.11 refers to 2.24.7 twice - Should be 2.23.7 Corrected references.

PWS

Section

A 3.12

A - 3.12 refers to 2.24.5 and 2.24.6 - Should be 2.23.5 and 2.23.6 Corrected references.

PWS

Section

A 3.13

A - 3.13 refers to 2.24.5;2.24.6 and 2.24.7 - Should be 2.23 in all cases Corrected references.

PWS

Section

A 3.17

There are two paragraph 3.17 Paragraph numbers updated.

PWS

Section

A 3.23.1

A - 3.23.1 OCONUS section refers to Para 2.4- Should be Para 2.5 Corrected reference.

Appendix

E

Appendix E GFE- all headers and page numbers use "F" - Correct to

"E"…