ACCOM_Draft_RFP_Q&A_18_Jun18.pdf

ACCOM DRAFT RFP Q&A

# Ref. Question Answer

RFP 3.4.6 ‐

SB Subk

We believe that FAR Part 19.702 applies to the ACCOM solicitation and the 10% small business subcontracting requirement should be limited to work performed within the United States and not include work performed outside the United States.

Although FAR 19.702 applies, we want to encourage SB subcontracting and are choosing to have this as the goal. It is the goal we have set that our offerors should strive achieve.

2 Insurance

The draft solicitation acknowledges that certain types of insurance are required to perform work on any resulting contract (vehicle, DBA, etc).

However, there is no mention of Air Traffic Control (ATC) Liability insurance, General Liability coverage, or Errors and Omissions coverage.

The last solicitation for this precise work included government provided costs to cover these critical insurance items, recognizing the importance of the coverage and the various ways contractors might behave if they were not required to include these costs and these coverages. Each contractor was required to bid these costs and required to procure this insurance.

Offerors should have the understanding of what levels and types of insurance are required. The Government is not going to mandate insurance levels. This is a corporate risk management decision.

We respectfully request that you consider a requirement for both general liability insurance as well as aviation liability insurance in the solicitation.

Based on our extensive experience in this theatre, we suggest requiring air traffic control liability insurance at a minimum of $100M (non‐aggregate, secured through a reputable third party (i.e., no self‐insurance). As reference, today’s current limits are $200M. The $100M limit is recommended due to the requirement of providing positive control (radar) and the handling of passenger aircraft, which is dramatically different than “VFR” control and, therefore, imposes an increased risk to the service provider and the government. Companies determining that 100M is insufficient would be allowed to purchase additional, or excess, insurance. However, identifying a minimally acceptable limit of liability allows the government to evaluate all fairly and based upon a specified minimum standard. We also recommend that the solicitation require that the US Government be added as an Additional Insured, which is common in this industry.

Staffing Levels

Please provide how many control positions are available in the air traffic control tower at Al Asad, Bagram, and Jalalabad, similar to the information provided regarding control positions available in the RADAR facilities.

This information has been added in Appendix G: Site Location Information

Staffing Levels

Please confirm the specifics of the referenced “ATC Watch Supervisor Concept’. Please confirm that the AFIs as specified below must be adhered to in the Watch Supervisor concept and must be reflected in the staffing of each facility:

7.3. Facility Staffing Requirements. Staff each ATC facility with the following minimums:

7.3.1. Control tower, GCA or RFC: One qualified watch supervisor/senior controller and one qualified controller.

7.3.1.1. When an additional qualified controller is not assigned or critical mission requirements do not allow the facility manager to schedule an additional qualified controller, a control tower, GCA or RFC may operate with only one qualified watch supervisor/senior controller during mid‐shifts or other periods of low traffic density, for example: “Early dayshift, Wing down days, etc.”

7.3.2. RAPCON: One qualified watch supervisor/senior controller and two qualified controllers (Thule AB: one qualified Senior Controller).

7.3.2.1. RAPCONs without the PAR function only require one qualified watch supervisor/senior controller and one qualified controller.

7.3.1.1. WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. On this contract, Senior Controller is one certified/qualified watch supervisor and one certified/qualified line controller. Watch Supervisor Concept is at a minimum, one certified/qualified watch supervisor and two certified/qualified line controllers. This applies to both Tower and RADAR.

7.3.2.2. All units must ensure additional controllers are on duty, as required, to cover periods of increased traffic activity.

7.7. Consolidating Positions. Assign personnel to positions as required by activity, equipment and facility function. Consolidate positions only after considering activity and qualifications of the personnel involved (see paragraph 7.3. for facility staffing requirements). Do not combine Local Control with any other operating position, except during periods of authorized single‐ controller operations.

7.7 This requirement is determined by the onsite government

leadership. The facilities are never to be reduced below the Senior Controller Concept.

Staffing Levels

Please provide information on how bid staffing will be evaluated equitably and fairly to avoid some companies low‐balling/low‐bidding this contract?

The Government will be using price reasonableness as well as price realism in the evaluation in accordance with price evaluation as detailed in Section M of the RFP .

6 GFP

Will the Government, SPAWAR or a like organization, continue to provide MEARTS parts and technical support referred to as “Sustainment Support” and provided through SPAWAR under the current Area 1 and Area 2 Contracts? Current onsite MEARTS Automator support consists of map development, preventive/corrective maintenance, troubleshooting and replacement major and minor components. The technical assistance for nonstandard issues, system updates, and parts support provided through SPAWAR is invaluable in maintaining the MEARTS. Without this government provided support the contractor will be required to contract this critical support to ensure system sustainment.

SPAWAR will continue support for MEARTS

3.3.1.2, Table 4:

Past Perf Rlvncy

It appears that the adjectival ratings are emphasizing ATC, AFM, and Maintenance experience in the AOR. The way this relevancy is currently written, both incumbents are technically not ‘very relevant’ on the current contracts performing the exact work contemplated under this draft solicitation. At an IDIQ award level both primes qualify as very relevant, but at a task order level both incumbents have less than three locations with full ATM, AFM, MX and in one case even locations with those three functions are not at all comparable in size and scope to the larger facilities contemplated.

See adjusted PP criteria

3.3.1.2, Table 4:

Past Perf Rlvncy

At an IDIQ level, one of the incumbents has an unfair competitive advantage on past performance as they will be able to claim past performance on the former SPAWAR contract even though they did not perform any of the required work. It appears that subcontractors who actually performed 100% of the work required by this solicitation will not be able to receive ‘very relevant’ ratings for past performance because their company specific citations will not include all three services (ATC, AFM, and maintenance) at three or more sites.

See adjusted PP criteria

3.3.1.2, Table 4:

Past Perf Rlvncy

As currently written, the ratings do not allow teams who have this exact experience, working together as subcontractors to a thin prime, to achieve a ‘very relevant score’ while at the same time allowing that prime to get the full benefit of the subs past performance. One competitor is able to claim past performance on a recent contract even they did not perform work on any of the functions – whereas the two subs that performed 100% of the work are not able to present as a ‘very relevant’ past performance because neither was the “Prime Contractor.” To alleviate this and to ensure adequate competition, we recommend adjusting the relevancy table for ‘very relevant’ as follows:

See adjusted PP criteria

“Present/past performance effort: Experience performing ATC, AFM, and maintenance services, either as a prime or as team under a common prime contract, similar in size and scope for a US Government Agency or NATO ‐ for NATO specifically, daily operational direction and funding is from the US government) managing either ATC, AFM or MX personnel at multiple sites within the United States Central Command USCENTCOM Area of Operations (AOR).”

3.3.1.2, Table 4:

Past Perf Rlvncy

Since the adjectival ratings are emphasizing ATC, AFM, and Maintenance experience in the AOR, and the government is interested in companies that can manage this kind of work at multiple sites, we recommend that the “very relevant” criteria be reconsidered for ATC, AFM, and Mx based contracts within the AOR when they are being executed simultaneously with similar AOR based contracts (either US Government, NATO‐ for NATO specifically, daily operational direction and funding is from the US government). To alleviate this and to ensure adequate competition, we recommend adjusting the relevancy table for “very relevant” as follows:

See adjusted PP criteria

“Present/past performance effort: Experience performing ATC, AFM, and maintenance services, either as a prime or as team under a common prime contract, similar in size and scope for a US Government Agency or NATO, managing either ATC, AFM or MX personnel at multiple sites (achieved through one contract or through multiple contracts operating concurrently) within the United States Central Command USCENTCOM Area of Operations (AOR).”

3.3.1.2, Table 4:

Past Perf Rlvncy

It appears that the adjectival ratings are emphasizing ATC, AFM, and Maintenance experience in the AOR. As currently written, the “somewhat” relevancy rating does not allow submissions for ATC maintenance experience. We recommend adjusting the table 4 for “somewhat relevant” as follows:

See adjusted PP criteria

“Present/past performance effort: Experience performing either ATC or AFM or maintenance services similar to the magnitude at 1 or more sites.”

3.3.1.2, Table 4:

Past Perf Rlvncy

Air Traffic Control is a very specialized and critical function. There are multiple rules and regulations (both FAA and ICAO) that an ATC service provider must continually be aware of. The US Government has a long history of outsourcing ATC services and the need to be critical of offerors during a selection process.

The past performance criteria only allows for “very relevant” ratings if an offeror has experience within the CENTCOM AOR. We respectfully submit that there are other contracts outside the CENTCOM AOR that are “very relevant,” if not at least “relevant” to this effort. As an example, the US government outsources multiple air traffic control facilities throughout the US. These contracts are large (more than 30 locations), complex, and require the offerors to show evidence of properly managing and operating multiple, geographically dispersed locations. The past performance criteria would only consider this work “somewhat relevant” because it does not also include Airfield Management and Maintenance services on the same contract.

As Air Traffic Control is a critical service being contemplated by this contract, we respectfully request that you allow contracts specifically requiring ATC services that of large scale (more than 30 locations) and complexity to be eligible for a “very relevant” rating.

These contracts would be included in the Relevant rating. Which is what the Government deems them to be. The Government deems experience within the CENTCOM AOR key to being Very Relevant.

RFP Pgs. 41 ‐

For existing employee living quarters the contractor shall provide maintenance, conduct repairs, and perform upgrades in compliance with NEC 2008 standards. For new employee living quarters, the contractor shall provide maintenance, conduct repairs, and make upgrades in compliance with NEC 2011 standards. The government has the authority to enter and inspect contractor employee living quarters at any time to ensure the prime contractor is complying with safety compliance standards.

Please confirm that the contractor is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of their living quarters? Is this reference to on base living quarters or all living quarters?

This clause is a requirement for receiving Theater Business Clearance (TBC) and cannot be removed or changed.

For this contract the offeror is not responsible for maintenance, conducting repairs, and performing upgrades for employee living quarters.

14 Eval Criteria

Given the significant weight of the technical plans and the specific importance of the Efficiency Plan in the evaluation, is a template available from AMIC or is more information available about the specific goals of the Efficiency Plan? Is this requirement truly a ‘Plan’ or more a ‘concept’?

There is no AMIC template. The evaluation criteria is on Efficiency, not an Efficiency Plan. The Government wants to be able to understand how the offeror will maximize efficiencies by using an enterprise concept for managing and operating all sites.

15 Broken Link The current link does not work to locate the Fitness for Duty requirements. Can AMIC forward a link that works? Reference:

http://www2.centcom.mil/sites/contracts/Pages/GCP.aspx

This clause is a requirement for receiving Theater Business Clearance (TBC) and cannot be removed or changed. There is not a replacement link however, the requirements documents have been added as Attachment 5 ‐ USCENTCOM Fitness For Duty Reqts.

RFP pgs. 39‐

Medical Screening, specifically “A physical copy of the CXR film with radiographic interpretation showing negative TB results must be provided to the Base Operations Center prior to the start of deployment/employment, with annual re‐screening prior to installation access badge renewal.”

Please clarify who/what the Base Operations Center is?

This clause is a requirement for receiving Theater Business Clearance (TBC) and cannot be removed or changed. The Base Operations Center is now called the Combat Readiness Center (CRC). This is part of the Offeror's pre‐deployment processing. It would be sent to the CRC the Offeror has selected to utilize and process through.

17 PWS pg. 57 Human Resources Plan – Can AMIC clarify if the 30 and 15 days are personnel identified and resumes and credentials submitted for approval or do they mean they need to deploy within the 30 and 15 days?

These time frames refer to personnel being identified and resumes and credentials being submitted for approval.

18 PWS pg. 57 Human Resources Plan – Can AMIC clarify who the key personnel are? Updated and identified in Appendix F

PWS pgs. 70‐

What is meant by “The designee shall be required to valid Federal Aviation Administration”

Should state" required to validate"

PWS pgs. 70‐

Can AMIC clarify if the TERPS specialist will be required to build approaches/departures to be published or just validate host nation procedures?

They will be required to do both. See para 4.8

PWS pgs. 70‐

Will AMIC provide TERPS computers and programs or is that contractor responsibility?

The contractor be required to obtain stand alone workstations. The Government will provide the TERPS programs to be loaded.

PWS pgs. 70‐

Will the TERPS positions be independent and if so, are they required to be positioned OCONUS?

These positions will be required to be located CONUS IAW 4.8

23 PWS pg. 72 Airfield Operations Manager: Please clarify whether the required experience is 8 or 10 years.

This position is one that could be combined within the duties of a chief controller or an airfield manager as long as that individual has the required qualifications per PWS Appendix F for both positions that will be combined.

23 PWS pg. 72

Airfield Operations Manager: Please clarify the education experience?

Education: Graduate of an approved DoD or FAA ATC course and Graduate of an approved DoD/FAA Airfield Managers course. Do they have to be a graduate of both ATC and AM courses? This would not seem applicable to an AFM function.

Yes, should be a graduate of both courses this individual is responsible for both ATC and AFM functions

24 GFP Will contractors be allowed to fuel vehicles on base? This is site specific and will be indicated in Appendix G.

25 GFP

Please clarify where employees live in the following countries? On base or off base? Please also provide information regarding housing on base – tents, barracks, people per room, etc.

a. Kuwait

b. UAE

c. Qatar

d. Bahrain

e. Jordan

All of these locations will be off base so housing should be included as part of your enterprise approach and pricing

26 GFP Are there any land lease agreements in effect that need to be addressed?

No

27 GFP

Are there any vehicle lease agreements in effect that need to be addressed?

No. However, the KTR will be responsible to lease vehicles as needed to get their employees to and from their work locations.

Support Agreements / Warranty

Are there any maintenance (vehicles/equipment) contracts or maintenance support currently funded/provided by the government that will no longer be funded/provided and must be assumed by the contractor? For instance SPAWAR provides Technical support for systems such as the VSAT, JR2, BC3, TRAPCON and Technical and parts support the MEARTS etc.... If so please provide details.

There are no maintenance agreements for vehicles /equipment provided. That would be the KTRs responsibility to establish any maintenance agreements.

There will still be support provided by SPAWAR through a separate contract. The Government will be responsible for completing the required MOAs for this.

Support Agreements / Warranty

Are there any contractor funded maintenance/technical support contracts (vehicles/equipment) with outside companies that must be assumed an incoming contractor?

No 30 GFP When will vehicle and equipment listing be provided? The GFP Listing will be included with the final RFP.

31 GFP Will government provide current site survey and study data on each site?

Government will provide amplifying site information in Appendix G.

Support Agreements / Warranty

Are there any support contracts or warranty requirements required to support equipment/communication links to be funding by the contractor that have not been specifically identified?

No

PWS pgs. 9‐

3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 3.1.7, 3.1.8, 3.1.9, and 3.1.10. These paragraphs all refer to "associated services will be required IAW PWS….and 9.2.3” is noted. However there is no para 9.2.3 in the PWS. This reference has been removed.

L.4.5 Item 3

One original proposal, which includes a signature on the SF33 in Volume III Part C, shall be submitted. This shall be submitted IAW the instructions provided in paragraph 4.5 for evaluation. See paragraph 7.4 for requested Supporting Price Backup Data.

Paragraph 4.5 does not include instructions for submission. Should another section be referenced?

The chart in para. 4.5 indicates that price volume will be submitted as 1 CD ROM. There is no other submission requirement.

35 L. Attch 1 As part of Offerors’ proposals, a separate cross‐reference matrix shall be completed and submitted with Volume II ‐ Technical. Please confirm that Technical Volume is Volume I and not II. Technical is Volume 1. Attachment 1 has been updated.

36 L. Attch 1 Technical Factor Cross Reference Matrix ‐ Does the Reference Column include RFP, PWS, and CLIN references? What information should be included in the column “Service Summary Item”?

In the Reference Column include RFP, PWS and/or CLIN as appropriate.

In the SSI column the offeror should include which service summary item number which is applicable.

RFP pgs. 2‐

Is the Section B Supplies or Services and Prices contained in these pages to also be included with the submission, or is the Section B tab in the Pricing Matrix (Attachment 4) sufficient? The Section B tab on the Pricing Matrix is sufficient.

Staffing Levels

There is a Program Manager position in the pricing model; however, the PWS section 2.1 discusses a Project Manager to be provided. Section 15.0 of the PWS “As specified in basic contract clause 5252.237‐9600, the contractor shall only propose personnel meeting the minimum position/personnel qualifications IAW Appendix G, Position Requirements.

(It is actually Appendix F). Please provide Position Requirements for the Project Manager position.

PWS section 2.1 should be the Program Manager

Staffing Levels

Also, the “Project Manager” is to be CONUS. Will they be assigned to a specific workplace or can they work from anywhere?

N/A. See above. The program manager can work from anywhere.

40 PWS 2.9.2.1 Will the government provide the NTE value for travel?

Yes. With the final RFP

41 RFP 3.4.2

Will the government provide the value for cost reimbursable NTE CLIN values as discussed in 3.4.2, or are we to determine those costs? Section

3.4.2 states “For the cost reimbursable CLINs, the solicitation will provide NTE dollar figures that will become part of the total overall evaluated price (TOEP) for all Offerors. Yes. With the final RFP

42 PWS 3.1.12

Future Operational Requirements is the pre‐priced value for Base X CLIN going to be supplied by the government and be part of the overall pricing?

Yes. With the final RFP

43 RFP pg. 101

There are no worksheets or definitions of anticipated types of costs for pricing CLINs 0030 Equipment/Materials Replacements, 0040 Travel.

There is no CLIN for pricing ODCs that may not fit the definition provided for these CLINs. Please clarify, define or provide examples of the ODCs to be priced by the offeror specifically as part of the labor pricing worksheets

vs. accounted for under the NTE CLINs.

These CLINS will be NTE amounts provided by the Government and will not be priced by the offerors.

All labor driven ODCs should be included within the FFP portion of the proposal, not the NTE CLINs. These ODCs would also be specified/broken out in the Labor category pricing worksheet but the pricing worksheet is ONLY being used to establish the rates paid under the Surge CLINs.

44 RFP 7.1

The RFP does not provide sufficient language to determine if certain supplies and equipment are required to be provided by the contractor.

Please define the types of costs anticipated to be priced by the contractor.

The language in RFP 7.1 can be interpreted that the offeror may be supplied values for the NTE CLINs in the solicitation. RFP Section 7.4 requests detailed pricing for ODCs, and maintenance costs. Is the offeror supplying pricing for ODCs relative to the supply of labor, or is the detailed pricing for travel, equipment and maintenance NTEs, also? If pricing is required for supplies, equipment and maintenance, there is not sufficient descriptions of cases the offeror would need to go outside government supply chains at the cost to the contractor to procure? Can the government provide more specifics for offerors understanding?

NTE values will be provided for CLINs 0030 and 0040 and subsequent option CLINs.

The detailed pricing requested in 7.4 is in regard to the development of Labor Rates and your FFP Proposal for CLINs 0020 and subsequent option CLINs.

45 ODCs

Please clarify the types of costs to be included in the labor category pricing

vs. segregated and included in travel or other ODCs. As an example, if an employee requires housing not provided by the government, does the cost of this get included in travel or in the labor related ODCs? The same question applies to other labor driven expenses. Where do they belong, in the labor buildup or in the NTE CLINS?

All labor driven ODCs for performance should be included within the FFP portion of the proposal, not the NTE CLINs. These ODCs would also be specified/broken out in the Labor category pricing worksheet, but the pricing worksheet is ONLY being used to establish the rates paid under the Surge CLINs, NOT to capture day‐to‐day operations.

46 PWS 2.9.2.2

Will travel be invoiced via WAWF as one separate travel invoice for a reporting period with all expense reports and receipts attached for prime and sub together? There should only be one invoice per reporting period.

Pricing Wksht

The pricing model says not to change any blue cells. If an offeror has more than one indirect rate, how do we accommodate?

Additional cells have been added to allow for more than one direct rate. The formulas associated with the original rate cell have not been changed so it will be the Offeror's responsibility to update the formulas to reference the correct rate cells if they choose to use multiple rates.

Pricing Wksht

The pricing model has positions that are not listed in Appendix F, but there are instructions in 15.0 to price min qualifications for positions listed in Appendix F. Updated Worksheet and Appendix F to match

Availability Rate

In reviewing the draft PWS, dated 20 April, 2018, we find no requirement for Availability. We recommend AMIC consider adding this requirement, similar to previous contracts, in order to ensure a common understanding and rationale for staffing. Recommend additional PWS language as follows:

“Perform all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance as required to meet the target operational availability (Ao) of 98%, as defined below.

Unscheduled maintenance will be performed when service restoration and equipment repairs are required. All unscheduled maintenance will be reported to the local Communications Focal Point (CFP/Job Control).

Scheduled maintenance will be coordinated with the local CFP/Job Control 30 days prior to maintenance outage. The following parameters are applicable to the support of this task: (see chart from old PWS) The Government did not find this to be useful on the current contracts and has decided to eliminate it as a measure.

Staffing Levels

In order to establish a common baseline and fair competition, we would like to request a site by site list of the current manning authorized for each position requirement.

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' manning levels are not mandated by the Government except for those driven by AFIs.

Manning levels for the previous contract will not necessarily be relevant for this requirement as the PWS is not exactly the same and the Government is looking for the Offeror's enterprise approach to achieve efficiencies.

Staffing Levels

What sites must be staffed at all times (24/7) in accordance with PWS

2.2.3.2 which states “The Contractor shall staff each site with personnel sufficient to provide ACCOM services and PWS 5.0 which states “Most locations require 24/7 support available.”?

This information is included in Appendix G: Site Location Information.

Site Locations

Where are sites 6667 and 6668 located? Are they supported by MilAir only, and/or via some other Military transport? Are there any travel restrictions or special requirements? This information is included in Appendix G: Site Location Information.

53 PWS 5.0 Please confirm which locations do not require 24/7 support.

This information is included in Appendix G: Site Location Information.

54 GFP

Will the onsite MEARTS Automator support which consists of map development, preventive/corrective maintenance, troubleshooting and replacement of major and minor components be required to be provided by the Contractor at sites with MEARTS (currently Bagram and Al Asad) or will the Government provide that support on site.

Yes, the contractor will provide this support.

55 Appdx G Al Asad – How many operational positions are available in the Control Tower 4

56 Appdx G Al Asad – What staffing is required for Complex Airfield Management Operations Flight Line Drivers Program?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

57 Appdx G Al Asad – What is Mid‐level Radar Control Facility and Complex Control Tower Staffing

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

58 Appdx G Bagram – How many operational positons are available in the Control Tower 4

59 Appdx G Bagram ‐ What staffing is required for Complex Airfield Management Operations Flight Line Drivers Program?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

60 Appdx G Bagram ‐ What is Mid‐level Radar Control Facility and Complex Control Tower Staffing

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

61 Appdx G Jalalabad ‐ What is Mid‐level Control Tower Staffing This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

62 Appdx G Jalalabad ‐ What staffing is required for mid‐level Airfield Management Operations Flight Line Drivers Program?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

63 Appdx G Ali Al Salem ‐ What staffing is required for Airfield Management Operations Flight Line Drivers Program?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

64 Appdx G Al Jabar and Ali Al Salem ‐ What staffing is required for mid‐level Control Tower Liaison

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

65 Appdx G Muwaffiq Salti ‐ What staffing is required for Airfield Management Operations Flight Line Drivers Program?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

66 Appdx G Muwaffiq Salti ‐ What is Mid‐level Radar Control Facility and Complex Control Tower Liaison Staffing

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

67 Appdx G Al Dhafra ‐ What staffing is required for Complex Airfield Management Operations Flight Line Drivers Program?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

68 Appdx G Al Dhafra ‐ What is Mid‐level Control Tower Liaison Staffing?

This is a performance based requirement. The Offerors' staffing levels are not mandated by the Government.

L.6.2; M.3.3 ‐ Past Perf

As U.S. Government and commercial agencies seek defense and aerospace support, it is common for contracts to be segmented into any combination of ATC, AFM, and/or Maintenance services. Further, it is common for those contracts to include areas of operation that are comparable to that for ACCOM, but rare that multiple U.S. Government contracts are awarded to qualified prime contractors in that exact AOR with comparable size and scope. To promote a more full and open competition and better assure that the Government receives responses from a competitive field of qualified prime contractors this offeror respectfully requests that the Government modify the description of the adjectival ratings for past performance. One recommendation follows:

Very Relevant: Past/present performance effort: Experience performing ATC, AFM, and/or maintenance services similar in size and scope at 3 or more sites for the US Government, Allied Forces, and/or within the United States Central Command USCENTCOM Area of Operations (AOR).

Relevant: Past/present performance effort: Experience performing ATC, AFM, and/or maintenance services similar in size and complexity for the U.S.

Government and/or Allied Forces.

Somewhat Relevant: Past/present performance effort: Experience performing ATC or AFM services similar to the magnitude at 1 or more sites.

Not Relevant: Past/present performance effort involved little or none of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

See adjusted PP criteria

L.6.2; M.3.3 ‐ Past Perf

Past Performance, as described in Sections L.6.2 and M.3.3 are one means for the Government to gain “substantial confidence” that the Offeror “will successfully perform the required effort.” A second (and equally useful means) is to evaluate an Offeror’s combined corporate experience, the company’s financial stability, and its history of supporting and helping defense and aeronautics services continuously improve and evolve as the users, industry, and technology needs and requirements change.

To promote a more full and open competition and assure that offerors are fully qualified, we respectfully request that the Government consider including a fourth Factor to the ACCOM solicitation – Corporate Experience. Our recommendation includes:

Instructions:

1. The Offeror shall describe its experience in terms of work performed on other projects that are technically similar to the PWS requirements, specifically with respect to the following:

a. Financial Capacity

b. Recruiting, hiring, training and retaining

c. Ability to manage geographically dispersed CONUS and OCONUS locations while maintaining standards

2. The Offeror shall describe its contributions to the advancement of defense and aeronautics services, both domestically and internationally.

3. The Offeror shall describe its teaming structure and how each team member individually and as a whole increase the Government’s confidence that this team will successfully perform the required effort.

Evaluation: Technical (Factor 1) is more important than Past Performance (Factor 2) and Corporate Experience (Factor 3). Past Performance and Corporate Experience are equally weighted. When combined, Technical, Past Performance, and Corporate Experience are significantly more important than Price (Factor 4).

The majority of this information is already included within the other factors. The Government will continue with the three factors already identified.

Section H‐ GFP pg. 40

This clause states: Services will be provided to contractors at the same level as they are provided to military and DoD civilian personnel. In the event of any discrepancy between this summary and the description of services in the Statement of Work, this clause will take precedence. These services are only provided at the following locations: Bagram AB and Kandahar AB, Afghanistan.

Will the government furnish or provide similar support at the other sites in the AOR; Iraq, other bases in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, U.A.E, Qatar and Jordan?

If not, can the Government provide any insight on how these services are currently provided?

All sites in Afghanistan and Iraq will fall under the services provided by this clause.

For other sites the contractor is responsible for acquiring these services on their own. Further granularity will be provided in Appendix G: Site Location Information

PWS,

Section A,

pg. 6

2.1 Project Manager is not defined in Appendix F, Position Requirements.

Should the title in Appendix F. Position Requirements change to Project Manager? This has been adjusted to Program Manager in both areas.

PWS

Section A, Human Rsrc Plan, pg. 6

Requires the contractor submit a Human Resources Plan that shall include the Contractor’s staffing plan for each site. The government is only going to provide site visits to Al Dhafra and Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. This does not provide adequate information regarding control positions, sectors or traffic count data, including types such as helicopter, fixed wing, IFR, VFR, commercial aircraft, to adequately determine staffing for the sites within the AOR. In addition traffic count data is necessary to ensure an adequate amount of ATC liability insurance is acquired to protect Host Nations/commercial aircraft and users of the system.

In order to receive a Human Resources Plan reflecting low risk staffing solutions we respectfully request that the Government identify number of control positions at each location, including whether non‐radar or radar. In addition the government needs to provide total aircraft operations by site, including fixed wing, helicopter, IFR, VFR, Overflights, number of commercial flights along with the type of commercial aircraft, i.e. cargo, passenger, etc.

Estimates for this type of information has been added in Appendix G:

Site Location Information

PWS

Appendix D.

2.0 Quality

Mgt Syst pg.

Subparagraph a. states…….The QMS shall document the organization's quality management structure, personnel authority and responsibility, identify personnel designated to perform QC functions at each location (to include dedicated and additional duty personnel), and skill set for each QC representative.

Does the personnel designated to perform QC functions at each location have to be an American Society for Quality Certified Quality Auditor and ISO 9001 Lead Auditor?

The Quality Management Representative (at the corporate level) who designs the overall quality program should have these qualifications, however, the Quality Assurance personnel at each site do not require this.

Appdx F, PM, pg. 64

Description of position states…. The position is customer‐oriented, and the government reserves the right to decrease hours for the particular individual if the program manager is not being effective.

This would appear to contradict requirements in Section A. Description of Services 2.1 Project Manager in two cases.

1. The use of Project Manager title conflicts with that of Program Manager in Appendix F.

Question: Which title and description is correct?

2. 2.1 requires the Project Manager be available to act on behalf of the contractor on all matters and be able to respond to the Government within one (1) hours of initial notification.

The government decreases the hours of the person identified as the Program Manager how does the Government expect the contractor to have that person available within 1 hour?

See above comment. The correct title is Program Manager and has been updated.

The verbiage regarding the Government decreasing the hours has been removed.

PWS

Appdx F, PM, pg. 64

Education requirement states…… Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Management Information Systems, Management, or Business. The contract is primarily an aviation contract focusing on Air Traffic Control and associated operational areas that require intimate knowledge of FAA, USAF and ICAO regulations that would seem to support the importance of experience over a college degree.

Recommend the following:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in aviation, business and/or 15 years of ATC experience.

See adjusted criteria in Appendix F.

Appdx F, PM, pg. 64

“Fifteen (15) years of technical experience in support of Aviation Command and Control to include: Aviation Operations, Equipment Support, System Support, personnel movement and tracking, and Programmatic Support.”

It is clear that the government is seeking a Program Manager who is familiar with Aviation Command and Control and has the skills to manage a complex operation in the AOR.

The requirement for fifteen (15) years of technical experience in support of Aviation Command and Control may exclude qualified individuals who have the skills sought by the government, but have not directly supported Aviation Command and Control for at least 15 years.

Would the government consider changing the requirement to include qualified individuals who have the skills sought by the government, but have not directly supported Aviation Command and Control for at least 15 years? The proposed requirement will read as follows:

“Fifteen (15) years of technical experience in support of Aviation Programs to include: Aviation Operations, Equipment Support, System Support, personnel movement and tracking, and Programmatic Support. Must have a minimum of five (5) years of technical experience in support of Aviation Command and Control.”

See adjusted criteria in Appendix F.

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

App F lists the important AOM position, but it isn’t listed in Attachment 4.

This position is one that could be combined within the duties of a chief controller or and airfield manager as long as that individual has the required qualifications. If the offeror wants to propose this as a separate position use the AOM line in the spreadsheet. If this position is combined with another position just indicate with a * and a note at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

The ATCSs in App F have different requirements and are broken down into Radar, Terminal, liaison, whereas the ATC specialists in the pricing sheet only have 4 categories.

The skill and experience levels of the ATC professionals are what are captured in the pricing worksheet labor categories. The titles of the worksheet have been updated.

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

The TERPS supervisor in App F is not on the pricing sheet. Appendix F has been updated to remove the "Supervisor" designation and ATC Specialist ‐ TERPS has been added to the pricing worksheet.

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

The Electrical Power Production technician is in App F but not on the pricing sheet. Added

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

The 4 categories of Electronics Techs listed in the pricing sheet are only broken into two levels II and III in the App F. Adjusted to match Appendix F

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

The admin assistant is not in the App F.

Removed. Only positions that may be needed for surges are being priced in the pricing worksheet.

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

The Logistics/Material Management Technician is not on the rates sheets.

The government does not anticipate needing any additional logistics/material management technician surge capability. Only positions that may be needed for surges are being priced in the pricing worksheet.

Appdx F;

Atchmt 4

Lastly, the General maintenance worker from the pricing sheet is not defined in App F.

Removed. Only positions that may be needed for surges are being priced in the pricing worksheet.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Do the transition phases overlap? The transition start dates are staggered however there is overlap of the transition periods. See RFP Section F, CLINS 0051 ‐ 0059

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Does Site 6667 require travel by Red Packet or similar process?

This will be clarified in Appendix G.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Does Al Udeid require both ATC and Airfield Management?

No, it only has Airfield Management.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Is the RMC in existence now?

Yes.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Is the future Site X CLIN going to be used for sites with facilities that are already established (i.e. an established base with existing infrastructure)?

Yes. The Government does not intend to have the Offerors construct any infrastructure. It won't be a bare base.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Are there any current issues/concerns with the condition of the systems and support of same of the BC3‐T? No.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Are there any planned system enhancements/upgrades of the BC3‐T? If so, what?

No enhancements or upgrades are planned at this time. However, there may be periodic tech refreshes that do not impact the requirements.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

In the AMIC pricing tables, a Logistics Specialist is not listed but it is listed in the PWS. Please verify that this is an authorized position on the contract.

The government does not anticipate needing any additional logistics/material management technician surge capability. Only positions that may be needed for surges are being priced in the pricing worksheet.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

In the AMIC pricing tables, an Airfield Operations Manager is not listed.

Please verify that this is an authorized position on the contract.

This position is one that could be combined within the duties of a chief controller or an airfield manager as long as that individual has the required qualifications per PWS Appendix F for both positions that will be combined.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Will the government provide performance standards for each specific type of equipment?

Estimates for this type of information has been added in Appendix G:

Site Location Information

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Will the government confirm which sites or sets of equipment require 24 X 7 support?

Estimates for this type of information have been added in Appendix G:

Site Location Information

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

To ensure a fair competition, will the government provide an equipment‐ density list for all supported locations?

Estimates for this type of information have been added in Appendix G:

Site Location Information

107 PWS 6.1.1.1

Does the USAF implemented Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS), as the standard USAF system for maintenance information, meet the PWS

6.1.1.1 requirement for documenting maintenance activities in an electronic maintenance data documentation (MDD) database?

If so, can the IMDS be utilized as a standalone system as it is now, as long as any PWS 6.1.1.1 minimum documentation requirements that are not included in the IMDS are included in the Management Information System identified in para 2.2.4.?

Yes it meets the requirement in PWS 6.1.1.1 and can be used as a standalone system as long as any PWS 6.1.1.1 minimum documentation requirements that are not included in the IMDS are included in the Management Information System identified in para 2.2.4.

Materials/R eplacement

CLIN

Please clarify what costs are to be included in Equipment/Materials Replacement CLIN, i.e., which materials, spares, etc. will be provided by the government (no cost to contractor) and which the contractor must purchase and fund separately.

The Government will provide materials, spares, test equipment, etc.

Any of these types of items that must be replaced or purchased by the Offeror would be reimbursable under the CLIN. The Government does not anticipate the Offeror having to purchase anything like this "out of pocket."

109 RMC

Given the requirements of 6.1.1.2 to provide staffing in the RMC, at Al Udeid, in order to provide support in accordance with USAFCENT A3A RMC Concept of Operations (CONOPS), can the government please provide the latest version of the referenced CONOPS?

Provided as PWS Appendix H

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

Will a copy of the BC3T ULSS be provided to the bidders?

A copy of the current ULSS is provided as PWS Appendix J.

Pricing Wksht

The pricing matrix only includes maintenance services for Iraq on the summary tab, but the PWS and detailed pricing tab indicate that Iraq requires full O&M. Please clarify which is correct. Updated to match PWS including O&M.

Site Visit ‐ Al Dhafra

As contractors, we are disallowed from using military on site medical services except in cases of emergency. Given this, can the government provide information about what medical services are available to contractors at each location? Also, can the government confirm that where there are no on site medical facilities available to treat contractor personnel, the contractor has the authority to establish an on‐site provider if they so choose.

Site medical facilities have been included in Appendix G: Site Location Information.

With regard to establishing an on‐site provider, the contractor may choose to establish an on‐site provider if they so choose.

113 Solicitation

The following language is contained within the solicitation:

“Contractor personnel must have a Synchronized Pre‐deployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT)‐generated letter of authorization signed by the Contracting Officer in order to process through a deployment center or to travel to, from, or within the USCENTCOM AOR.”

Please confirm that all resources deployed on this contract MUST process through a deployment center.

It is confirmed that all resources deployed MUST process through a deployment center (CRC) IAW the Foreign Clearance Guide.

RFP Section

I ‐FAR

52.247‐21

General liability excludes air traffic control liability, therefore, additional liability coverage is required for ATC operations within the AOR. In order to acquire this coverage, it is necessary to provide the insurance underwriters with traffic count information.

Provide parties traffic count information; to include a breakout of type aircraft (e.g. B‐737, DC‐8, etc.), and service provider (e.g. military vs.

civilian).

Estimates for this type of information have been added in Appendix G:

Site Location Information

PWS

Section A p.10

Define ‘surge’ capabilities. Will it solely be utilized to open/close/move locations, or can it be utilized to plus up manning at an existing location dependent on increased flying operations and/or longer flying window?

The "surge" capability will be used for increasing manning, increasing operational capabilities (i.e. standing up an additional GATR) or making in‐scope adjustments to the location of equipment and associated manning. If a new location is to be opened the "Base X" CLIN would be utilized and the price for this location would be negotiated when it's requirements are finalized.

PWS Appdx F, PM, pg.

Will PM be afforded office space within AMIC and/or on Langley AFB?

No. If the offeror wishes to establish an office location near Langley AFB that would be a business decision. There will be no office space provided for the PM by the Government.

PWS

Section 3.0 & Appdx G

Contract Location Requirements (Section 3.1.8.) details AFM, ATC, and associated Maintenance services required; Site Location Information (Appendix G) details only AFM and associated Maintenance services required.

Confirm most accurate information and update document appropriately.

Updated to match Appendix G.

Section L paragraph

5.2.5 d.

Please define what you mean by “priority allocation” in the requirement:

Demonstration of a clear understanding of priority allocation of resources and personnel.

The Government wants to ensure that the Offeror's Program Management understands the mission, how the various types of equipment and services support the mission, and the resources/personnel that are required to support the mission.

Section L paragraph

5.2.6 b.

Regarding the requirement for an Excel spreadsheet that depicts all Phase In actions with start and completion dates, we have three questions:

a. Can this be a table create within MS WORD as part of the overall narrative for the Transition Strategy file, or do you want a separate Excel file that we would attach to the Transition Strategy file?

b. Do you want all Phase‐In actions for each location since some actions will vary by site and dates will vary by site, or just a summary of all possible Phase In actions?

c. If the Excel spreadsheet is required, will it count against the overall 75 page count?

a. The Government will allow this to be created within WORD but each page created in this fashion will go against the page count. If created in Excel, the workbook will only count as 1 page.

b. All Phase‐in actions for each location should be shown.

c. The Excel…