Q_and_A_Posted_12_May_16.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS POSTED TO FBO ON 12 MAY 2016:

Q1: Due to the recent economic difficulties in Puerto Rico, including a potential declaration of bankruptcy, the cost of services from the Puerto Rican government have increased. This includes announced utility rate hikes. If the Government is basing their budget for utilities on historical data, will they be prepared to handle the expected increases in utility rates moving forward?

A1: IAW DFARS 252.232‐7007, Limitation of Government’s Obligation, the contractor should inform the CO in writing (via email being acceptable) at least 90 days prior to the date when, in their best judgement, required expenditures will exceed 85% of the funding available on any of the cost reimbursable CLINs. The communication should include an estimate of the additional funding required to cover remaining costs for the remainder of the performance period. If the CLIN in question is a utility CLIN, the contracting office will contact AFIMSC Det 8, who provides the funding for the utility reimbursements, to request additional funds. Once certified funding is provided, the CO will issue a modification increasing the obligation to the CLIN.

Q2: In the event of a “large” emergency, would the contractor’s response be cost‐reimbursable?

A2: The contractor would be expected to respond IAW the PWS timelines. If corrective action restoring site services cannot be accomplished within the existing pricing, terms and conditions of the contract, the contractor will contact the COR/PM and provide additional information and/or proposed corrective action, including any related pricing estimate. The PM will determine the required response, obtain any funding necessary, and inform the Contracting Officer. The CO will issue any RFP and initiate any negotiations required to implement the corrective action chosen. The contractor will begin work only after receipt of written authorization from the CO to perform corrective action outside existing contract pricing, terms, or conditions. This will usually be in the form of a contract modification, but could be a written communication or email, such as a CO letter, providing a notice to proceed prior to release of the modification.

Q3: Will the Government modify the 12 month requirement for Past Performance so that current Prime contract work supporting another HFGCS site, (greater than 6 months but less than 12 months […] can be submitted as recent and relevant past performance?

A3: No. Please note that IAW FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv) an offeror without recent and relevant past performance will be determined to have “UNKNOWN” past performance, and receive a rating of ACCEPTABLE for the Past Performance factor.

Q4: Will the Government provide Appendix D, Quality Management Systems Requirement?

A4: Yes, it is posted with the solicitation.

Q5: The RFP references that Past Performance must be performed within the last three years. Will the Government consider changing the Past Performance relevancy period from three years to five years?

A5: No. Please note that if there has been 12 months of performance within the three years prior to the post date of the RFP, the reference will be considered Recent and, if relevant, the Government will review the entire contract, including contract performance prior to the three year window.

Q6: Section SF 1449 Continuation Sheets. The continuation sheets contain CLINS 000x – 700x for a base year and seven option years. Attachment 4, the Price Schedule, contains a base year, seven options and a six month extension under CLIN 800x. Will the offeror have to complete the optional extension pricing?

A6: No – the Attachment 4 spreadsheet will calculate the 800X CLIN evaluated pricing based on the 700X CLIN pricing proposed. For evaluation purposes, the price of the 800X CLINs will be one half the proposed price of the 700X CLINs.

Q7: PWS Paragraph 2.6 Location and Hours of Work requires accomplishment of work at the HFGCS Transmitter, Receive/Control sites in Isabella and Salinas and at various contractor, subcontractor and Government facilities mainly in the continental United States. Will the government provide a list of these other facilities and how often employees are required to travel to these sites?

A7: This section in the PWS was stated in general terms because the location and frequency are as necessary. The only projected support required is to attend either the Integrated Logistics Support Working Group (ILSWG) meeting or the Program Management Review (PMR). The ILSWG is primarily held at the System Program Office (SPO), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) AFLCMC/HBDH, Tinker AFB, OK, although the meeting could take place elsewhere depending on the SPO's decision for the location. The PMR is held at various locations, also determined by the SPO and/or Air Force Space Command (AFSPC, the lead command). The frequency of both are very sporadic, potentially one trip every 3 years. For planning purposes, 2 trips total over the entire period of the contract would be fairly accurate. The contractor will not attend every ILSWG or PMR but only those meetings the ACC CSS PM office deems appropriate. Only the Isabela HFGCS‐PRS Program Manager (contractor) would be required to perform travel. Since this travel cannot be projected with any certainty, it would be reimbursed as Government Directed Travel under the Cost Reimbursable ODC CLIN.

Q8: PWS Paragraph 3.3.2.3 Unscheduled Maintenance. The contractor is required to respond to outages within one hours after notification to initiate repairs. Historically, how often have personnel been called in to repair outages outside of normal workdays?

A8: A good estimate for unscheduled outages and the associated, required response would be 1‐2 times per year. On a historical basis, this type of required support is rare. Although there have been occasions when the contractor needed to respond to an outage that occurred outside normal duty hours/ workdays, it has been infrequent. The main factor contributing to an outage after hours and off workdays is a generator malfunction resulting in failure to supply equipment power after a loss of commercial power. The commercial power in Puerto Rico is very unstable making the generator power critical in avoiding any interruption to HFGCS‐PRS operations.

Q9: PWS Paragraph 3.2.2.5 TMDE. Are all costs, including shipping of equipment to Langley, reimbursable under the Other Direct Costs CLINs?

A9: Any costs for sending TMDE to Langley for calibration will be reimbursed utilizing the Cost Reimbursable CLIN. These costs are only to send the TMDE to Langley because the return costs are paid by the Langley PMEL.