Reponses to Industry Questions (FINAL 1Jun21).docx

FINAL 1 Jun 2021

Aerial Targets III Solicitation FA489021R0012 Industry Day and One-on-One Questions & Responses

1. What exactly does the government consider to be an OCI and how would an OCI present a problem? What type of OCIs is the government looking for? If a company is involved in RIS operations, is that a potential OCI? Response: The Government is seeking to prevent unfair competitive advantage or creation of an instance of conflicting organizational roles that might bias a contractor’s judgment – refer to FAR 9.505. For this acquisition we want to avoid situations where a contractor would be accepting hardware/targets under this contract that they had a major role in producing. We do not foresee any OCIs due to RIS operations at this time.

2. Will resumes be required with the proposal? Response: No.

3. From an Air Force maintenance perspective, is the T-38 aircraft a fighter/trainer aircraft?

Response: Yes.

4. Is labor 100 percent union? Response: No, there are non-exempt employees currently employed (e.g., management and supervisors, two ISSO positions and one ISSM position); however, the vast majority is unionized labor.

5. Industry Day’s presentation noted the acquisition schedule on slide #14 titled Notional Project Milestones. Is this schedule accurate? Will it move to the left? When will the draft RFP be released? When will the final RFP be released? Response: Our notional schedule has moved to the left with the draft RPA expected to be posted in June 2021 and the official RFP in Aug 2021. Continue to watch sam.gov for updates. (NOTE: sam.gov and beta.sam.gov have merged into one website.)

6. Does the government foresee any eye openers on the new contract, such as new DoD policies not yet published but anticipated to be in effect for the new contract? Response: New requirements, also recently added to the current contract per higher headquarters direction, include CUI, NIST self-inspection, and CMMC – enhanced IT security management Clauses and Provisions. There are no other new policies anticipated at this time.

7. Regarding the level of funding on the contract, will the level of funding be fully funded or incremental? Response: The goal and intent is to fully fund the contract but incremental funding is always a possibility depending on if the DoD is operating under Continuing Resolution Acts (CRAs).

8. When will the government determine the final competition type for this contract? Response: The decision will be finalized in mid-June and posted with the Draft RFP. As of this posting, the Acquisition Strategy is still in draft, but we anticipate approval of full and open competition.

9. Is CMMC a level 1/2/3 requirement? Response: CMMC is required on this contract as part of the new NIST requirements inherent in the new cybersecurity clauses that will be incorporated in the RFP. At the present time the only requirement for level is the Basic assessment performed by the contract and documented in the SPRS. Any further assessment and level assignment will be based on a Government assessment to be performed in the next several years as the full-scale CMMC program is rolled out; however, AMIC is not responsible for determining the timing of or the order in which programs/contracts are assessed nor are we charged with actually performing those assessments or determining the final level of the program/contract after the assessment is complete.

10. What is the small business requirement? Will the government allow offerors to set their own subcontracting goals to be expressed as a percentage of total contract value? Response: The Government will not be mandating a minimum small business requirement. Offerors will be able to set their own percentages, both as a percentage of total contract value and percentage of subcontractor dollars (if a large business submitting a subcontracting plan).

11. Regarding the Relevancy ratings for Factor 3, would the government consider opening that up to all services? Response: The Government considered this recommendation and has determined to keep the Air Force specific requirement in place. This is due to the difference in policies and procedures that make Air Force maintenance different and therefore more relevant to our requirement.

12. Slide #61 from Industry Day showing the Evaluation Factors of Relevant and Very Relevant, is it Air Force specific or all military type fighters? Response: Military is Relevant, USAF-specific to be Very Relevant.

13. When will the CBAs expire? Response: Tyndall’s CBA will expire 30 Apr 22 and Holloman’s CBA will expire 30 Apr 24.

14. When will copies of the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) become available? Response: The current CBAs will be posted with Draft RFP and as an attachment to the Official RFP.

15. Are the Relevancy ratings on slide #61 of the Industry Day solidified, specifically the contract value of$100M? Response: Contract value for the Relevancy ratings have been updated based on industry feedback. These will be posted with the Draft RFP.

16. Is there any Relevancy area the government is looking to adjust? Response: Not at this time – with the exception of the contract value adjustment noted in Question 15.

17. Regarding Performance Confidence and Relevancy, is Relevancy more heavily weighted? Will that process be objective? Response: By definition, the Confidence Assessment is the most important item as it is the overall assessment for Past Performance. Recency and Relevancy ratings are components of Confidence Assessment along with quality, Reference DoD Source Selection Procedures, 31 Mar 16, paragraph 3.1.3. No recent past performance information will not be further evaluated.

18. Could offerors present innovations that would justify an additional cost? Response: This is a full subjective tradeoff source selection, so offerors are free to and encouraged to present such innovations if they choose.

19. Will the government release workforce demographics data? Response: The Government will provide some information on labor categories and the CBA.

20. Can we submit more questions? Response: Yes, the Government will continue to accept questions from the draft RFP up until the cut-off date published in the official RFP.

21. Is the government considering a small business set aside (SBSA) procurement or a segment of the acquisition to be SBSA? Response: The Government considered a Small Business Set Aside at the time of the Industry Day and One-on-One appointments; however, market research has now shown that we do not have two or more interested and capable small businesses. Per question 8, the acquisition strategy is still in draft so this decision has not yet been approved.

22. If SBSA, would the awardee be required to follow small business rules and meet goals in in all socioeconomic categories? Response: See answer to question 21 above, this will not be a SBSA pending the approval of the acquisition strategy.

23. If unrestricted full & open competition, what are the small business requirements? Response:

The Government will not be mandating specific percentages for small business subcontracting.

Small business will be a factor in Sections L&M that will be evaluated by the Government.

24. If unrestricted full & open competition, will the prime be able to assign NAICS according to PWS area? Response: Yes – the NAICS and standard is set for the full contract but in their SBSP and commitment document the prime can propose subcontractors as small based on the area of the effort/PWS they would be supporting and the associated NAICS code that would align with that work.

25. If a small business plan is required, would the contract have different NAICS across the PWS or will the NAICS be defined by the program? Response: In their SBSP, the prime can propose subcontractors as small based on the area of the effort/PWS they would be supporting and the associated NAICS code that would align with that specific effort. The Government will only set the NAICS at the program/contract level, which is applicable to the prime.

26. Will the government consider NAICS 541715? Will the government consider a NAICS which includes aircraft maintenance and manufacturing? Response: Not at this time – NAICS codes have been considered and the decision is to utilize NAICS 488190.

27. Are future dialogs with industry planned, such as a site visit and/or future one-on-one conversations? Response: Yes. The Government anticipates holding a site visit and preproposal conference after official RFP release. Any site visit or other opportunity to interface with industry will be posted to sam.gov. Please continue to monitor the site for further instructions.

28. Please confirm the NAICS and any others that may be under consideration for this contract. Response: Anticipating release under briefed NAICS of 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation), no others are currently under consideration.

29. Will the government consider issuing this contract as an IDIQ? Response: No, this requirement is known, well defined, mature and fairly stable. There is no benefit in using an ID/IQ contract type at this time.

30. Is the current labor under a Contract Field Team? Response: No, current contract labor is not performed under a CFT contract or task order.

31. In reference to Workforce Minimum qualifications, will the government consider experience equivalent in place of a degree requirement? Response: Yes, the government will consider experience in lieu of a degree.

32. Tugs and forklifts and other vehicles are required on this contract; will the government provide Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Government-Furnished Vehicles (GFV)? Response: Yes, the Government provides GFE per Appendix D and GFV listed on Appendix G. Government-provided contractor-maintained vehicles are listed on Appendix G.

33. What is the status of Tyndall AFB after Hurricane Michael? Are there facilities available for contract workers to perform? Response: Tyndall AFB facilities were severely impacted by Hurricane Michael. Permanent facilities are provided for unmanned drone/heavy aircraft maintenance and Range Instrumentation System portions of the contract. Temporary structures are provided for some QF-16 support and BQM-167 maintenance. The contractor will be required to move work/shop locations according to ongoing base rebuilding efforts.

33. What are the hours of operation? What about delays in launch? If delays in launch, this incurs overtime costs; are these overtime costs reimbursed by the government? Response: Operating hours established by the contractor shall be consistent with meeting the mission of the 53 WEG. Please refer to PWS section 2.0, Hours of Operation and 2.3, Flying Hour Window for additional detail. Government reimbursed overtime must be pre-approved and will not be paid for meeting fixed price PWS requirements.

34. How many sorties (per week or per month) are at Tyndall? How many sorties (per week or per month) are at Holloman? Response: Please refer to PWS section 3.4, Aircraft Ground Operations for details on FSAT, SSAT sorties at Tyndall and FSAT sorties at Holloman.

35. Are training sorties associated with subscale aircraft? Response: No, however, please refer to PWS section 3.4.5, Subscale Aerial Target (SSAT) Operations Support for details on SSAT sortie support requirements.

36. PM/O&M/support functions. There are five high risk areas in this contract, and two of the five are related to the workforce. Would a government entity be recruiting/hiring the workforce away from the contract? Response: No, the government does not anticipate a government entity recruiting/hiring workforce away from the contract.

37. TCO/TCTO are high risk. Would the winning contractor develop workbooks for TCTOs or would the workbooks be provided? Response: The government will provide applicable technical data for TCO/TCTOs and the contractor is responsible for establishment and maintenance of the functional reference library IAW PWS section 2.4.4, Functional Reference Library.

38. Are there any anticipated surges? Or is the contractor support functions relatively flat?

Response: Yes, surge capability is included IAW PWS section 3.4.4.2.1 TAFB Level of Effort for surge requirements at Tyndall, 3.4.4.2.2 HAFB Level of Effort for surge requirements at Holloman.

39. There are many primary service areas on this contract. What percentage of the work is aircraft maintenance operations, field operations, range instrumentation, RIS, cyber, etc? Is there a notional breakout for each type of work? Range instrumentation is vital, but this a maintenance first contract; therefore, what is the percentage of range instrumentation versus maintenance? How much percentage of the program is maintenance versus range management? Can the range work be separated from this contract? Response: FSAT Tyndall - ~45%; FSAT Holloman - ~15%; SSAT Mx - ~20%; Range Instrumentation Systems (RIS) - ~20% (RIS would not be considered for a separate contract).

40. RIS uses old Fortran software and expertise is lost over time; is there a plan to upgrade?

Response: Yes, the WEG is currently working on a modernization plan while pursuing Authority to Operate (ATO) for the current configuration.

41. What, if anything, are the major issues you are currently experiencing with the RDMS systems integration, the Gulf Range Drone Control System (GRDCS)? Response: There are no current issues with Relational Database Management Systems integration with GRDCS.

42. Does the Government plan on keeping QF-16 aircraft for the life of the new contract?

Response: Yes, the Government anticipates keeping the QF-16 for the life of the new contract.

43. Does this contract have a Flying Hour Program? Response: No, Aerial Targets is not operated/funded using a Flying Hour Program.

44. Could more details be provided on the Performance Incentive/Award Fee Plan? Is the Plan structured 50/50 subjective/objective? Would there be more incentive if the Plan was more objective? We believe objectivity should be higher weighted on the Plan. Response: Yes, performance is evaluated and Performance Incentive-Award Fee (PI/AF) calculated using a combination of objective and subjective criterion designed to optimize contractor performance and incentivize process and program improvements throughout the life of the contract. The PI-AF plan has been refined to ensure consideration within areas of program mission risk. Refer to the Draft AT Performance Incentive-Award Fee Plan attachment to the Draft contract on sam.gov for additional details.

45. Do you anticipate major changes in requirements in this acquisition versus the previous two contracts? Response: No, the Government does not anticipate major changes in requirements versus the previous two contracts.

46. What do you like about the current contract? What would you want to sustain? What is the sweet spot? Response: The current structure of the AT contract is the result of process refinements where the Government has considered requirements, constraints, guidance and available resources to meet mission requirements. While this is an ongoing process, positive feedback from the Mission Owner indicates the current structure is effective at balancing these items.

47. What would the government change about the contract in a perfect world? Response: The contract is structured to meet requirements, while balancing constraints.

48. Does the Government possess full rights to technical orders (TOs) and publications? What about changes? Are there any proprietary issues? Response: Yes, the Government will make available all publications listed in Appendix C, at the start of the contract. The contractor is responsible for maintenance of a TO Distribution Office/Account (TODO/TODA) function IAW PWS sections 2.3, Contract Administration and 2.4 Publications, Technical Orders (TO) and Supplements for additional detail.

49. Regarding Appendix C and full performance by September 2022, will the awardee have all documents available? Response: Yes, the Government will make available all publications listed in Appendix C, at the start of Transition on 1 August 2022.

50. Is PMIS proprietary? Is it government-provided to the contractor? If a contractor would offer a fully developed system free of charge, would the government accept it from the awardee?

Response: Yes, the contractor-provided PMIS is a contractor-developed SharePoint used to share CDRL and contract information. Information access is controlled by the contractor and information is considered proprietary to the contractor. However, all information submitted into PMIS maybe downloaded by Government managers and becomes the property of the Government. The contractor-designed PMIS system is acceptable if it is secure and meets the requirements in PWS section 2.31, Program Management Information System (PMIS).

51. How much of the current Program Management Information System (PMIS) is proprietary or subject to prohibitions? Response: The current PMIS information is proprietary to the current contractor.

51. Will the government provide timely access to the full changes and/or updates to TDPs, for example, those listed in Appendix C of the PWS? Response: Yes, the Government will make available all publications listed in Appendix C, at the start of the contract. The contractor is responsible for maintenance of a TO Distribution Office/Account (TODO/TODA) function IAW PWS sections 2.3, Contract Administration, 2.4 Publications, Technical Orders (TO), and Supplements, and Appendix C section 1.0 and for additional detail.

53. Can the presumptive awardee obtain access to all of the existing designs, enterprise architecture(s), and details of the products within Appendix C as part of the PWS prior to the period called out last week? What if the awardee can provide an improved architecture, for example, by Option Year 2? Would the government be open to an improved architecture? Response: The Government will make available access to existing designs, enterprise architecture(s), and Appendix C publications at the start of the contract that enable the contractor to successfully perform all requirements contained in the PWS. The majority of system architecture and configuration management resides outside the scope of this contract. Considerations for modernization of system architecture is currently underway and the mission owner will work with awardee for prioritization of IT/IS. The Government is not soliciting system upgrades as part of this contract requirement.

54. In the Services Summary slide from Industry Day which listed key performance metrics, are there others or was the slide a comprehensive list? Response: Refer to PWS Section B, Services Summary for comprehensive Services Summary information. The Services Summary requirements on the slide is a complete list. However, there are other performance metric goals contained in the PWS at para. 2.24.3 (abort and repeat/recur rates).

55. Would the government be interested in a contractor offered something above AS9110?

Response: The requirement is for AS9110 certification. The Government is not soliciting QMS above AS9110.

56. Is the AS9110 certification set in stone? The last RFP said AS9100 and/or AS9110; can this contract be either/or? Why has compliance changed to AS9110? What if a contractor is AMS certified? Response: Yes, per PWS 2.12 Performance Management, section 2.12.1.3, the contractor shall be registered to the most current version of AS9110 and all operating locations shall be compliant. The AS9110 ensures an organization has adequate quality management systems in place and eliminates redundancy by ensuring measures are complimentary (not alternative) to contractual and applicable law and regulatory requirements.

57. Is AS9110 required at the contract level or corporate level? Please elaborate on the AS9110 requirement for the Quality Manager as different standards require different qualifications.

Response: The contractor shall be registered to the most current version on AS9110 and the operating locations shall be compliant. The Quality Manager must successfully complete a certified AS9110 Rev C Aerospace Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor course.

58. Do enterprise management processes and policies now exist for the Enterprise Architecture? If so, can we see them? Are they subject to improvement based upon contractor and government collaboration? Response: Yes, AFI 17-140, Architecting is the governing guidance and contains Air Force enterprise management processes and policies for enterprise architecture. Improvements must be performed IAW this publication and Mission Owner IS/IT priorities.

59. Would the government look favorably on pre-existing government qualified and certified Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) offered free of charge? Response: No, SAMP is not identified as a requirement and will not result in competitive advantage during proposal evaluations.

60. Have you considered adding Cyber Resiliency requirements? Response: Cybersecurity and resiliency are included in the requirement IAW AFI 17-101 Risk Management Framework and applicable Department of Defense directives, instructions, publications and manuals. Refer to Appendix C for detailed list of guidance.

61. Have you considered adding AFWERX requirements such as an AFVentures component?

Response: No, this is not under consideration.

62. PWS paragraph 3.4.8 speaks to air shows, static displays, flyovers, and cross-country flights. Assuming this program will be FFP A/F with cost reimbursable CLINs, might any emerging air show support requirements be one of those CLINs? Response: No, off-station support is part of the FFP labor requirements. Travel associated with this support will be reimbursed according to contract requirements.

63. Industry Day’s presentation noted the government identified five high risks under Risk Assessment. Can you prioritize them in the order of merit? Response: High risks should considered equally important to the Government. Section M evaluation criteria incorporates high risks and should be appropriately addressed in your proposal.

64. Has the government considered adding to the program a requirement for foreign language capability to provide a Common Operating Picture (COP) for key Foreign Military Sales (FMS) air-to-air weapons testing activities free of charge? Response: No, this is not under consideration as it is outside the scope of the O&M contract and is not required.

65. How will the government calculate or establish the total available Performance Incentive/Award Fee Pool? Response: The Government will establish the Performance Incentive/Award Fee Pool amount as a set amount for all performance periods. The available pool will be set at $400K for every 6-month period; $800K annually.

66. What is the total amount of Performance Incentive/Award Fee available each year for this program? Response: $400K PI/AF Pool every 6-month period; $800K annually.

67. Does the Appendix H minimum qualifications match the current union job description or qualifications? Response: Not in all cases. The Government added minimum experience time requirements for all positions. Additionally, added training requirements for certain positions, for example, such as Aircrew Flight Equipment.

68. Does the government know if the current workforce in those positions meet the Appendix H minimum qualifications? Response: Yes, the current workforce meets the Appendix H minimum qualifications.

69. Does the Appendix H minimum qualifications match or supersede the AFI 21-101 standards and requirements? Response: Minimum qualifications listed in the PWS supersede AFI 21-101.

70. Is AFI 21-101 really that important? Response: Yes, requirements are written with AFI 21-101 and ACC Supplement, as foundational AF service guidance instructions where interoperability and safety requirements are considered significant. Portions of each instruction are indicated as either mandatory or advisory within the AFI 21-101 compliance matrix located in Appendix C.

71. Under Performance Management, AFI 21-101 is required. Are there any current initiatives at Tyndall and/or Holloman? Response: Yes, refer to PWS section 2.12, Performance Management for details on requirements for Tyndall and Holloman. There is a 5-year initiative for the Air Force to change the Maintenance Information System (MIS) from the Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS) to G081 MIS. The Air Force is using a phased approach and Tyndall’s BQM-167 sub-scale aerial target is expected to change over in the next the year before the end of the current contract. QF-16 MIS will transition over to G081 MIS in the next phase expected after contract start. Another initiative is underway at Tyndall to build new facilities after 2018 hurricane destruction and is expected to be ongoing over the next 5 years.

72. When will the workload data be available? Response: Workload data will be made available with the subsequent draft RFP issued in June timeframe.

73. Is a complete list of Government Furnished Vehicles available? Response: Yes, see Appendix G previously posted to beta.sam.gov.

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