Q&A_15Feb18.pdf

FA4890-18-R-0001 MQ-9 CAT/CWD

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1.

a. Reference. CAE USA, Inc. and Local Lodge SC-711, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Effective September 1, 2017 for Creech AFB, NV. Article 9, Section 13 - Payment Calculations. Severance Pay and Loyalty Pay will be calculated on the current hourly wage, the SQP wage and the dual qualification wage rate as defined in Article 12, Section 2.

b. Observation. The reference to Article 12, Section 2 does not include a “dual qualification wage rate”. In addition, there are no other references to a “dual qualification wage rate” in the CBA.

c. Question. Can the government please identify and explain the “dual qualification wage rate” and which labor categories this rate applies?

Answer: The “SQP” identifies a dual qualification in the current CBA. Since the termination of MQ-1 training at all ACC and ANG FTUs, there is no longer a dual wage rate for IP and ISO. Therefore, the “SQPs” will not apply in the new contract.

Question 2.

a. Reference. CAE USA, Inc. and Local Lodge SC-711, IAM, CBA, Effective September 1, 2017 for Creech AFB, NV. Article 13, Section 2 -Rates of Pay.

b. Observation. The table with the rates of pay in the CBA does not include several labor categories called out in the RFP/PWS. Offerors will need to know all wage rates applicable to all labor categories to generate accurate pricing. The following labor categories are listed in the RFP/PWS, but there are no pay rates listed in the Creech AFB CBA.

c. Question. Can the government please provide the pay rates for all labor categories in the PWS but not listed in the CBA for Creech AFB, NV?

Answer:

a. Scheduler (PWS (A3.2.1.7) (Only Lead Scheduler is listed in the CBA)

- For purposes of this solicitation use the “Lead Scheduler” pay rate.

b. Learning Management System (LMS) Specialist (PWS paragraph 4.2.6) (Is this position not required at Creech AFB?)

- LMS Specialist is not required at Creech

c. Operational Training Support Instructor (PWS paragraph 1.2.4)

- This was updated in the PWS to read “ Simulator Instructor”.

d. Operational Training Simulator Instructor (PWS paragraph 1.2.4.8)

- This skill is paid at the applicable (IP/SO) Instructor/SME wage rates identified in the CBA.

e. Training Specialist (PWS A3.2.1.7)

- This skill has two categories for Creech (GTIMS Specialist and Squadron Operations

Support Specialist). These positions are not covered in the current CBA. Amendment is forthcoming to incorporate the applicable Department of Labor Wage Area Determination.

Question 3.

a. Reference. PWS paragraph 4.2.4. The first sentence states that “Instructors shall be competent SMEs (for definition of term, refer to Section 4, paragraph 4.7.44)”.

b. Observation. The reference to Section 4, paragraph 4.7.44 explains the Syllabus. It appears that the correct reference in parenthesis should be paragraph 4.7.43 instead of paragraph 4.7.44.

c. Question. Will the government verify the reference to paragraph 4.7.44?

Answer: Reference should be 4.7.43

Question 4.

a. Reference. PWS A1.2.3.2. Hancock and March Training Days.

b. Observation. The PWS states that there will be an estimated 251 Academic and Simulator training days and 208 estimated Flying training days (4-day fly week). The 208 estimated flying days for a 4 day fly week suggests that flying could possibly occur on holidays.

c. Question. Does the government plan to fly on holidays at March and Hancock? If so, how many holidays per year could be fly days?

Answer: The Government does not plan on flying on Federal Holidays at any of the work sites.

Question 5.

a. Reference. CAE USA, Inc. and Holloman Aircrew Trainer Employee Association (H.A.T.E.A) CBA, Effective August 1, 2017 for Holloman AFB, NM. Article 14, Section 2 -Rates of Pay.

b. Observation. The table with the rates of pay in the CBA does not include several labor categories called out in the RFP/PWS. Offerors will need to know all wage rates applicable to all labor categories to generate accurate pricing. The following labor categories are listed in the RFP/PWS, but there is no pay rate listed in the Holloman AFB CBA.

c. Question. Can the government please provide the pay rates for all labor categories not listed in the CBA for Holloman AFB, NM?

Answer:

a. GTIMS/LMS Training Specialist (PWS paragraph 1.2.4) (The CBA has a GTIMS Training Specialist, but there is no combined GTIMS/LMS Training Specialist) o Experience with Unions is that they will not allow companies to unilaterally introduce a new position and then combine it with a current position.

- The GTIMS/LMS Training Specialist is not covered on the current CBA.

Amendment is forthcoming to incorporate the applicable Department of Labor Wage Area Determination.

b. Learning Management System (LMS) Specialist (PWS paragraph 4.2.6 and A2.2.5)

- The LMS Training Specialist is not covered on the current CBA. Amendment is forthcoming to incorporate the applicable Department of Labor Wage Area Determination.

c. Operational Training Simulator Instructor (PWS paragraph 1.2.4.8)

- This skill is paid at the applicable (IP/SO) Instructor/SME wage rates identified at the CBA.

d. Instrument Refresher Course Instructor (PWS paragraph 4.2.4.1.3)

- This skill is paid at the applicable (IP) Instructor/SME wage rates identified at the applicable CBA and as required by PWS para 4.2.4.1.3.

e. Training Specialist (PWS paragraph A3.2.1.7)

- This is deleted on the revised PWS.

f. Curriculum Developer (PWS paragraph 4.2.5)

- This is a category of personnel not a specific position. See PWS para 4.2.5.

g. Courseware Manager (PWS 1.2.1.2 (13) and 4.6.2)

- There are no specific requirement for a courseware manager.

h. Learning Center Monitor (PWS 4.7.23)

- Per the PWS para 4.7.23. an IP or ISO

i. Audio/Visual Library Attendant (PWS 1.2.1.2 (15)

- This is not a specific work category.

j. Educational Technician (PWS paragraph 4.2.5.2) (The CBA has an Educational Technologist, but not an Educational Technician)

- It is the same for this contract.

k. Lead Scheduler/GTIMS Associate (PWS paragraph A2.2.5) (The CBA has a GTIMS Associate and a Scheduler, but there is no “Lead Scheduler” or combined Scheduler/GTIMS Associate)

- GTIMS Associate position has been deleted. The GTIMS Training Specialist and Scheduler are paid at the same rates.

Question 6.

a. Reference. CAE USA, Inc. and Holloman Aircrew Trainer Employee Association (H.A.T.E.A) CBA, effective August 1, 2017 and AOCE, Inc. and H.A.T.E.A. effective August 1, 2017 for Holloman AFB, NM. Article 14, Section 2 -Rates of Pay.

b. Observation. The table with the rates of pay in the CBA includes several labor categories that are not called out in the RFP/PWS. Offerors will need to know the PWS requirements that these labor categories are responsible for and the minimum qualification levels. The following labor categories are not listed in the RFP/PWS, but they are listed in the Holloman AFB CBA.

Programmer/CBT Educational Technologist Graphic Artists/Illustrator Word Processor II Administrative Assistant Tactical Scenario Support Specialist White Cell (WCO)

c. Question. Can the government please provide the exact PWS requirements that these labor categories are responsible for and the minimum qualification levels?

Answer: IAW paragraph A.6.9. Workload Table, the contractor is required to produce the identified types of courseware. It is up to the contractor to provide the appropriate personnel to meet the PWS requirements.

The following positions (Administrative Assistant, Tactical Scenario Support Specialist, and WCO) are no longer PWS requirements.

Question 7.

a. Reference. PWS, Section 4, General Information and Contractor Personnel.

b. Observation. Section 4 lists many of the minimum qualifications for contractor personnel such as years of experience, education levels, and other qualifications for most of the labor categories. However, some labor categories are not included and do not have minimum qualification requirements listed.

c. Question. Can the government please provide the years of experience required, education levels, and minimum qualification levels for the labor categories above?

Answer:

a. Program Manager (PWS 1.3.5 (5))

- This is a contractor management level position and is up to the company who they decide to manage the contract.

b. Security Manager (PWS 4.3.1.6)

- The contractor can identify whomever they want to be a security manager.

c. Courseware Manager (PWS 1.2.1.2 (13) and 4.6.2)

- This is no specific requirement for a courseware manager.

d. Lead Scheduler (PWS 1.2.4.5.1.1 and A2.2.5)

- See PWS para. 4.2.9

e. Learning Center Monitor (PWS 4.7.23)

- See IP and ISO Instructor qualifications

f. Graduate Training Information Management System (GTIMS) Training Specialist (PWS 1.2.4 and

1.2.4.2)

- See GTIMS Specialist PWS para. 4.2.7

g. Graduate Training Information Management System (GTIMS) Associate (PWS 1.2.4.5.1.1)

- See PWS para. 4.2.7.

h. Operational Training Simulator Instructor (PWS 1.2.4.8)

- See Operational Training Simulator Instructor PWS para. 1.2.4.8. and subparagraphs.

i. Squadron Flying Operations Support Specialist (PWS 1.2.4.10)

- Person must be able to do the work required IAW PWS para. 1.2.4.10

j. Audio/Visual Library Attendant (PWS 1.2.1.2 (15)) ‐ No such position.

Question 8:

DRFP Page 156, Subfactor C, Aspect 2. “Demonstrates that proposed CFE is compliant with the Air Force Network Integration Center approved product list.” As this list is only available from a .mil computer, will the Government provide the approved products list?

Second Reference: Attachment 1 PWS Section 1.2.3.4.3

Answer: No. The Equipment List can change daily so a contractor must go online to the Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC) site and request approval.

Website is as follows: https://www.disa.mil/Network-Services/UCCO

Question 9:

RFP 8.1 states The offeror shall complete Section 3 of the solicitation (Schedule of Supplies and Services (CLINS)) by inserting the price elements (unit price and extended amount) for all Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract line item numbers (CLINS), including Phase-In, Base Year, Option Years, and Optional CLINs.

For ease of administration, all TOTAL pricing should be rounded to whole dollar amounts and divisible by

12. The solicitation will provide a pre-established NTE amounts for the Travel CLINs that will become part of the total evaluated price for all offerors. Section 3 shall be submitted using Microsoft 2010 or later.

Will the Government allow use of Microsoft Excel as a substitute to producing this in Microsoft Word to significantly reduce the size of the Cost Volume?

Answer: Yes, Microsoft Excel will be used for the pricing information. Attachment 5- Price Spreadsheet has been incorporated to the Final RFP for offerors to input their pricing proposal. See Section 8.0 Instructions for Volume III for details.

Question 10.

Past Performance Relevancy.

a. Draft Solicitation Reference: Table 4, Past Performance Relevancy, page 174

b. Issue: Although this is a small business set-aside acquisition, the descriptions associated with adjectival ratings in the past performance relevancy table – including those related to size, scope, complexity, student throughput, and contract value – reflect performance activity levels that normally can only be demonstrated by large businesses.

c. Question: Will the Government revise the performance relevancy descriptions for adjectival ratings to more realistically reflect performance qualifiers at all relevancy levels that could be demonstrated by highly qualified small businesses?

Answer: No

Question 11.

CBA-Based Pricing Consistency.

a. Draft Solicitation Reference: Paragraph 8.0, Instructions for Volume III – Price Proposal (Factor 3); and Paragraph D) Factor 4–Price, Section 7

b. Issue: Current CBAs include rates of pay and associated labor costs at established escalation levels through 30 September 2020, encompassing the base and first option year of the new contract.

c. Question: Will the Government require pricing for the base and option years of this acquisition that is based on currently established CBA rates?

Answer: For pricing purposes, offerors are to use the applicable FY19 CBA rates for base and all option years.

Question 12.

Learning Management System (LMS) and SIPRNET.

a. Draft Solicitation Reference: Paragraphs 1.2.3.4 and 1.2.3.4.1, Learning Management System (LMS)

b. Issue: Paragraph 1.2.3.4 calls for an LMS that is “an internet based knowledge portal which provides student, instructor, and other required personnel access to approved courseware for each unclassified course of instruction specified in the PWS.” Subparagraph 1.2.3.4.1 indicates that “classified material shall be located on a classified server that can be accessed via a SIPRNET web page. . .”

c. Question: Would the Government clarify and provide more detail about the requirements for SIPRNET content and access in the LMS?

Answer: Some of the material we work with is classified. The SIPRNET reference refers to a parallel system similar in structure that would reside on SIPRNET and enable our ideal training program. Long term, our winning contractor does need to support SIPRNET requirements and be able to do work in that medium.

Question 13.

Instructional Systems Development Management Plan due date.

a. Draft Solicitation Reference: Appendix 4 of PWS and Section 1.3.2 of PWS

b. Issue: Appendix 4 of PWS states that Instructional Systems Development Management Plan is due with proposal but section 1.3.2 of PWS states it is due 10 days after contract award.

c. Question: Please clarify when the Instructional Systems Development Management Plan is due.

Answer: Initial ISDMP is due 10 days after contract award. Any modification required to the ISDMP at any time are due within 15 business days of notification.

Question 14.

Reference: DRFP Section 6a, paragraph 7.5 PPI Contents, subparagraph D.

Question: Can the Government please confirm our understanding that the 1 page “Summary” referenced in subparagraph D should include only “the nature or portion of work performed” and “the percentage of the total effort performed” for each contract reference submitted, and should NOT include the information requested in subparagraphs E and F?

Answer: See revised paragraph 7.5 PPI Contents of the official RFP. The one (1) page limit for the Summary applies and yes, it does not include the information requested in subparagraphs E and F.

Question 15.

Reference: DRFP Section 6a, paragraph 7.5 PPI Contents, subparagraphs E and F.

Question: Can the Government please clarify where the information requested in subparagraphs E and F should be included in Volume II (i.e. as a standalone section or integrated into the individual Past and Present Performance Contract References referenced in subparagraph G)?

Answer: See revised paragraph 7.5 PPI Contents of the official RFP. The information requested on subparagraphs E and F of the draft RFP should be included in the revised subparagraph D, Table of Past Performance Information Contract References.

Question 16. (3-Part) Reference: DRFP Section 6a, paragraph 7.5 PPI Contents, subparagraph G.1.

Question (a): Can the Government please clarify if the instruction to “Submit one (1) sheet for each contract reference” constitutes a 1 page limit for each Past and Present Performance Contract Reference for the information requested subparagraph G.1.?

Answer: Yes, contractor will submit one (1) sheet for each contract reference. See revised paragraph 7.5 PPI Contents of the official RFP.

Question (b): If there is a 1 page limit, can the Government please clarify if the information requested in subparagraphs E and F is part of the page limitation?

Answer: Information requested in subparagraphs E and F of the draft RFP is not part of the page limit. This information is included in subparagraph D.

Question (c): If there is a 1 page limit, will the Government increase the page limit to 5 pages per Past and Present Performance Contract Reference to allow for a full discussion of relevance to the Relevancy Criteria in Section 7 of the RFP as instructed in subparagraph G.1.?

Answer: No, the page one (1) page limit summary for each reference remains.

Question 17:

Reference: DRFP Section 6a, paragraph 7.5.G.2 and 7.6.

Question: As completed CPARS may contain proprietary and / or confidential information, will the Government allow completed CPARS for subcontractor Past and Present Performance Contract References to be sent directly to the Government or in a sealed envelope addressed to the Government with the proposal submittal?

Answer: Yes, the Government will allow subcontractor completed CPARS in a sealed envelope addressed to the Government with the proposal submittal.

Question 18:

Reference: Attachment 1 PWS Section 1.2.2.8.(4) Question: What authoring system is currently used for MQ-9 courseware (PowerPoint only or other software?)?

Answer: CWD also used Word, Adobe Acrobat and CBT-based programs.

Question 19:

Reference: Attachment 1 PWS Section 1.2.2.8.(5) Question: Does the MQ-9 program currently make use of the USAF cloud-based Enterprise System for courseware development?

Answer: NO

Question 20:

Reference: Attachment 1 PWS Section 1.2.3.4.4 Question: Is the current LMS (Moodle) used to serve courseware to the other MQ-9 sites? If not, how are the sites now obtaining access?

Answer: YES

Question 21:

Question: Is the current LMS (Moodle) hosted on the NIPRNET (.mil)?

Answer: YES, it is available on NIPRNET to hang courseware.

Question 22:

Question: Has the version of Moodle being used for MQ-9 been modified in any way from the open-source product openly available?

Question 23:

Reference: Attachment 1 PWS Section 1.2.3.4.4 Question: Does Moodle interface directly with TIMS, or is there an air-gap that requires transfer of information from Moodle to TIMS?

Question 24:

Reference: Attachment 1 PWS Section 1.2.3.4 Question: What is meant by “multi-site collaboration”? Is it connecting multiple networks, synchronizing databases, or remote data manipulation (lessons, materials, contents, etc.)?

Answer: No, the courseware development system is hosted on a server that all sites have access to.