Questions 3-38.docx

Q3. Concern: PWS paragraph 2.2.5.1 states the Avionics Specialist “….is responsible for aircraft systems troubleshooting, on-equipment repairs, component removal and replacement, aircraft ground handling, servicing, and cleaning IAW AFI 21-101.

The contractor shall have F-15 knowledge to inspect analyze, troubleshoot, and maintain aircraft avionics systems such as instruments systems, flight control, communication, navigation, identification, and penetration aids. The contractor may be cross trained to assist with completing general phase work card items.

Question. Can the government please confirm that only 3 Avionics Technicians are needed to meet the requirements in the PWS?

A3. The positions identified in the PWS are the government’s minimum need based on its assessment of current and future personnel and workload. If an offeror believes that additional positions are needed to accomplish the stated need, then the offeror should indicate this and provide an explanation in its proposal.

Q4. The following questions were submitted with regard to leads:

(a) Please confirm that a Munitions Lead is not desired

(b) On the provided Attachment 2 Cost Price Worksheet, some "OSC Titles" do not include any lead titles, can clarification be provided in regards to how many leads are required per labor title?

(c) How many leads is the Government requesting for pilot personnel?

(d) How many leads is the Government requesting for Simulator personnel?

(e) Will the government issue a new Attachment 2 - Cost Price Worksheet.xlsx to enable the Lead positions to be priced separately?

A4. The government specifies the minimum need for personnel in the PWS. If no leads are listed, the government has determined that it is not a minimum need. The offeror is responsible for determining what it needs to meet the requirements as stated in the PWS.

Leads are typically used when their duties are different enough to create a new position or category compared to the journeyman position. If any lead positions are proposed, the offeror must indicate why it believes each proposed position is necessary and how the position is intended to be used.

Offerors can alter the excel spreadsheet to include the proposed lead positions (or other positions as it deems necessary) but the same general format shall be maintained. Alterations should be limited to adding rows for positions the offeror proposes are necessary for the performance of the PWS and modifying the formulas to perform correct calculations. The number of columns required shall not be altered.

Q5. The Attachment 10 - Final - PKL JPS IAMAW Contract.pdf only includes pay rates up to 30 Sep 2022 and we are unable to predict future pay raises that may result from follow-on Union negotiations.

Question: Does the government expect to see pricing without escalation beyond the rates listed in the CBA?

Question: Does the Government expect requests for equitable adjustment due to future pay & benefit increases from CBA negotiations?

A5. Offerors are required to submit pricing information which includes escalation. Failure to propose escalation will result in the offer being determined non-responsive. FAR 22.1008-2 imposes wage and fringe requirements for successor contracts with incumbent CBA. This requirement is being competed as a firm-fixed price contract. As with all proposals, offerors should attempt to reasonably anticipate their costs and risk.

Q6. Is the list of positions in the PWS Appendix 1 (page 64-65) a minimum team compliment (MTC) and are all offerors required to price to that MTC?

A6. This is the government’s minimum need. If the offeror believes more personnel are needed, the offeror should propose accordingly and explain why the offeror believes more are needed.

Q7. Lines 16 and 26 in the government spreadsheet Attachment 2 are the same. Can the government clarify the LOE expected for the OSC Title “Structural Repair?” Is the LOE 6 FTEs or 7?

A7. There are 7 FTE. The 1 FTE structural repair position is an allocated position (please refer to the PWS for definitions of allocated vs dedicated positions). The job responsibilities are the same.

Q8. Section L.II.A indicates there is no page limit for Volume IV Small Business Participation. Section L.II.A.3 indicates there is a three-page limit for Volume IV. Will the government please confirm there is no page limit for Volume IV?

A8. No page limit.

Q9. Will the Government please confirm that Volume IV requires only a Small Business Participation Submission, and it does not require a Small Business Subcontracting Plan?

A9. Section L, Paragraph E.1. states that all offerors are required to submit a small business participation submission. Section L, paragraph E.1. also states that large businesses are also required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. Small businesses are not required to submit a small business subcontracting plan.

Q10. Will the Government please confirm there is no template for the Small Business Participation Submission and Offerors are permitted to use their own format for this volume?

A10. Correct.

Q11. Section L, II, A – says documents must be “fully searchable .PDF or .DOC files”. Current Word documents save as .docx files. Please confirm that desire is to receive .doc files and not .docx files.

A11. .DOCX files are acceptable.

Q12. Section L, II, E, 2 – says “each proposed critical subcontractor in a separate volume (i.e., 3-ring binder) labeled…” – Please confirm that the expectation is only for digital submissions and that no separate bound documents are expected.

A12. Correct. All submissions must be digital. No documents should be submitted as hard copies or via fax to the government persons of contact.

Q13. Concerning Attachment 2 – Cost Price Worksheet and Section M. F. Cost/Price Factor which states “The government will evaluate offers by Total Evaluated Price (TEP). TEP is a multi-step computation. Offerors shall enter in their per-unit prices into the document titled Attachment 2 - Cost Price Worksheet. This should automatically compute the cost per CLIN. The FAR 52.217-8 six month extension shall be computed into the TEP by halving the CLINs in option year four.”

The pricing template includes prefilled cells that includes G&A, OH and Profit.

Question: Please confirm that the unit price section is all inclusive, which would eliminate the need for the G&A, Overhead and Profit %’s, as listed in Attachment 2 provided.

A13. The unit price under “Section B – Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs” on document titled “RFP - FA489722R0001” is all inclusive. In addition to completing the RFP, offerors are also required to complete Attachment 2. Failure to complete Attachment 2 as stated in the RFP and further clarified in these questions and answers will result in a proposal deemed as non-responsive. The excel spreadsheet can be modified to the extent described in this question and answer document, but offerors must provide the requisite information. The percentages and costs attributable to overhead, G&A, and profit must be provided. The government does not request the breakdown for the “any other corporate positions” category.

If the offeror adds additional personnel to the minimum need identified in PWS Appendix 1, those positions must be fully broken out, unless it believes those positions to be corporate positions. For any corporate position, the proposal shall provide a title, job description, and justification for such position.

Q14. Concerning PWS item # 4.4.4, which states: “Access: The contractor shall allow the CO and COR office personnel access to all work areas, facilities, electronic and hard copy records, files, data and databases.”

Please provide confirmation that CO and COR office personnel access is to contractor files, data and databases is “with the performance of the contracted services”.

A14. Only such data, records, databases etc, in the context of performance on contract and necessary or alleged used to fulfill the requirements in the PWS (including as stated with documents used to fulfill PWS requirements, such as the quality control plan).

Q15. On the provided Attachment 2 Cost Price Worksheet, some "OSC Titles" include numbering such as on row 6 and 7 of the Base Year tab. Example: "SECTION CHIEFS (1&1)", "ACFT PHASE & EOR (10&2)". What is meant by the numbering inside of the parentheses?

A15. “SECTION CHIEFS (1&1)” = 1 Ea. 2A3XX and 1 Ea. 2W1X1. “ACFT PHASE & EOR (10&2)” = 10 Ea. 2A3X3 and 2 Ea. 2W1X1.

Q16. Can clarification be provided on Attachment 2 Cost Price Worksheet in regards to mapping of AFSC codes to the CBA?

A16. A collective bargaining agreement is an agreement between a company and a union. The government is not responsible for conforming its needs to the collective bargaining agreement.

Q17. Can the Government provide clarification on Attachment 2 Cost Price Worksheet in regards to row 15 for "WEAPONS 2W1X1" what is the work function of this specific labor category?

A17. Please refer to PWS Para 2.2.6 through 2.2.6.2.

Q18. Can the Government provide clarification on the meaning of the labor category of "R&R/W&T/CRASH"?

A18. "R&R/W&T/CRASH" = Repair & Reclamation/Wheel & Tire/Crash Recovery

Q19. Section M C.1.SubFactor One notes that ") In addition, submissions must identify the following number(s) of qualified contacts (made within sixty days prior to proposal submission) for the following positions, each of which is identified by AFSC in the PWS, Table 7-2, Appendix 1:". Are more than the required number of contacts shown in the table in this section (3/2/3/2) required or only those numbers to be found acceptable?

A19. Section M specifies the minimum number of contacts. Offerors can exceed the minimum but it is not desired or preferred.

Q20. Can the government provide an attendee list for the site visit?

A20. All prospective offerors were provided with notice of the site visit. The government will not provide an attendee list.

Q21. It is not clear in Section L whether or not Offerors are required to fill in the columns for the Unit Price and the Amount in the Section B CLINS in the Solicitation. Since Offerors are completing the Attachment 2 - Cost Price Worksheet.xlsx are we also required to complete the columns for the Unit Price and the Amount in the Section B CLINS in the Solicitation?

A21. The government advises all offerors to fully complete all aspects of the RFP.

Q22. PWS Paragraph: 6.4 CLEARANCES The contractor and prospective sub-contractors shall possess and maintain a Secret facility security clearance from the Defense Security Service. All contractor personnel shall possess or obtain the required security clearances. All integrated contract personnel are required to hold a secret security clearance. If the contractor personnel do not possess a security clearance, the contractor shall request one from the Vetting Risk Operations Center.

The last sentence of the above paragraph implies that employed contractor personnel that do not possess a security clearance shall request one but does not specify if a contractor can be employed with a pending clearance.

(a) Could the Government clarify if contractor personnel can start the contract if they have applied for a clearance which is pending?

A22(a). Yes, the contractor may hire employee/s pending the security clearance investigation (T3) submission and favorable adjudication to the Secret level. Company Facility Security Officer would also need to request an interim clearance. Interim clearances determinations average 45 days. If the adjudication is negative/other than favorable, the employee would not be eligible. This risk must be assumed by the company. A negative drawback to this hiring option is that the perspective employee will not be able to perform any duties requiring access to classified materials and may impact overall contract performance. The COR should be made aware of any such scenarios.

(b) Could the Government clarify if contractor personnel can start the contract with an Interim Secret clearance?

A22(b).Yes, an interim clearance provides the same access as a final with the exception of positions requiring COMSEC and/or NATO access.

Q23. PWS Paragraph: APPENDIX 1: MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS Discussion: Maintenance Support table requires 141 personnel to support 33 OSC Titles; the Operations Support table requires 17 personnel to support 7 OSC Titles; Total Team Complement is 158 personnel.

Is there currently an incumbent workforce in-place that fully meets the requirements of APPENDIX 1: MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS?

A23. No, there are many vacancies. 58 positions were recently added due to an addition of six aircraft to the program. The government will not identify the number of (or any details pertaining to) current vacancies as ongoing changes are expected. Any discussion regarding vacancies will occur with the awardee after award of the contract.

Q24. PWS Paragraph: 1.3.1.4 Laser Safety Program Discussion: The contractor shall follow the safety guidelines in AFMAN 91-203, AFI 48-139 and AFMAN 40-201. Could the Government please clarify if contract employees will be required to work in a class 3B and Class 4 Laser environment which will require medial surveillance?

A24. Contract employees will not be required to work in a Class 3B or Class 4 Laser Environment that would require medical surveillance.

Q25. PWS Paragraph: 1.3.2. Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) and Waste:

Discussion: The contractor shall be responsible for handling, maintaining, and controlling hazardous materials, waste, and Initial Accumulation Points (IAPs) IAW 32-70XX-series instructions, Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 90-8, MHAFB HAZMAT Monitors Handbook and the MHAFB HAZWASTE Accumulation Point (AP) Manager Handbook as required in performance of this PWS for government disposal. Could the Government please clarify if the Contractor will be fully responsible for all aspects of the Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) and Waste Program for this contract?

A25. The 428 FS/MX and 428 FS/JEIM Support Sections are responsible for maintaining the HAZMAT and HAZWASTE programs for those areas.

For the AFE shop the contractor shares responsibility with the RSAF in monitoring and maintaining the HAZMAT program. The AFE shop has no requirement for the HAZWASTE program.

For the Munitions area, the contractor PGM section monitors and maintains their own HAZMAT program. For HAZWASTE, the contractor utilizes the USAF Munitions Accumulation Points to dispose of HAZWASTE materials as required.

For all other allocated workcenters, the USAF manages the HAZMAT and HAZWASTE programs.

Q26. PWS Paragraph: 1.3.7. Tool and Equipment Control.

Discussion: The contractor shall establish and manage tool and equipment control programs IAW AFI 21-101. Could the Government please clarify the contractor’s requirements per the discussion above i.e. will the contractor be fully responsible for the establishment and management off the CTK?

A26. The 428 FS/MX and 428 FS/JEIM Support Sections are responsible for establishment and management of the CTK and equipment programs for those areas.

AGE shop personnel have been appointed as CTK custodians and help maintain CTKs by doing inspections. Overall management responsibility falls to AGE USAF personnel.

For the AFE shop the contractor shares responsibility with the RSAF in monitoring and maintaining the CTK and Equipment program.

For the Munitions area, the contractor PGM and Conventional sections monitor and maintain their CTKs and Equipment. Contractor employees are designated as CTK custodians.

For all other allocated workcenters, the USAF maintains the CTK and equipment programs.

Q27. PWS Paragraph: 1.3.8. Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE):

Discussion: Contractor personnel shall monitor and manage TMDE IAW TO 33K-1-100-2, the MHAFB TMDE Coordinators Handbook and TO 00-20-14

Question: Could the Government please clarify the contractor’s requirements per the discussion above i.e. will the contractor be fully responsible for the monitoring and management of all Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE).

A27. The 428 FS/MX and 428 FS/JEIM Support Sections are responsible for the monitoring and management of all assigned TMDE for those areas.

For the AFE shop the contractor shares responsibility with the RSAF in monitoring and maintaining the TMDE program.

For the Munitions area, the contractor PGM and Conventional sections monitor and maintain their TMDE.

For all other allocated workcenters, the USAF maintains the TMDE.

Q28. PWS Paragraph: 2.3.1.2 Confined Space Discussion: The contractor shall maintain currency and document confined space training IAW AFMAN 91-203 and applicable TO. Will the Government be providing all the Confined Space Equipment to include the Gas Detector?

A28. Yes, the Government will provide all Confined Space Equipment to include the Gas Detector.

Q29. PWS Paragraph: 2.3.2.3 Non-Destructive Inspections Discussion: The contractor shall perform NDI of aircraft, engines, AGE, and other support equipment for all assigned aircraft and mission related support equipment. NDI findings are limited to a description of the size, location, and type of any defect discovered. Could the Government please clarify what Levels of NDI Technicians are required in-accordance-with the NAS410 i.e. 1, 2, 3, limited-Level I etc.?

Could the Government clarify who “Shall” provide the funding for the Qualification/Certification process in-accordance-with NAS410 in the following disciplines?

Eddy Current Ultrasonic Radiography Magnetic Particle Dye-Penetrant Tap Test Bond Test Thermography Visual Inspections

A29. NDI Technicians are required to be certified at Level 2. Certification funding for the required five disciplines (Eddy Current, Ultrasonic [Bond Test is under Ultrasonic], Radiography, Magnetic Particle and Dye-Penetrant) are the responsibility of the contractor.

The Tap Test, Thermography and Visual Inspections are disciplines that are only annotated in the employee’s training records.

Q30. PWS Paragraph: 6.5 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

Discussion: The contractor shall ensure personnel obtain and maintain required certifications IAW the duty position covered in this PWS; examples include welding and NDI certifications. Could the Government please clarify the welding statement in the discussion i.e. to what metal groups must the welder be certified/qualified to perform (Aerospace Welder), and who will provide/fund the training/certification/recertification requirements for this skillset?

A30. The contractor is required to be certified in the following metal groups:

GMAW – 1020 Steel

GTAW – 4130 Steel, 347 Stainless Steel, Inconel 718, 6061 T6 Aluminum, AZ31B Magnesium, 3AL2.5B Titanium and L605 Cobalt.

Recertification testing is conducted by the base NDI lab, so those costs are incurred by the government. Initial training/certification will be the contractor’s responsibility.

Q31. Who sends the PPQ in the context of the transmittal letter whether it is the prime or the sub onto the end evaluator. Does it matter who tracks this? Can it be delegated?

A31. These details are of no concern of the government and the government will not attempt to verify this particular procedure was followed. Every offeror should be aware that negligence of a proposed subcontractor who the prime has entrusted to obtain PPQs will not absolve or excuse the offeror from having to provide the stated documentation. The prime is responsible for verifying the government has received the requisite information and the government will not consider assertions of past performance ratings it has not received.

Q32. PWS Paragraph: 5.10. FACILITY CLEANING AND CUSTODIAL SERVICES:

Discussion: Contractor shall help perform all internal/external facility upkeep. Could the Government please clarify facility upkeep internal/external i.e. performing bathroom cleaning requirements?

A32. There are no custodial requirements for the contractor.

Q33. PWS Section V: GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, SERVICES, AND TRAINING PROVIDED TO THE CONTRACTOR Discussion: The contractor shall provide its own non-government telephone service and maintenance through off-base switching equipment for personal and unofficial business. All telephones necessary in performance of this PWS will be provided, maintained and replaced by the government. All telephones necessary in performance of this PWS will be provided, maintained and replaced by the government.

Could the Government please clarify the discussion i.e. will the Government be providing business phone service to communicate with Corporate Headquarters, or will this be considered unofficial business?

A33. DOD resources—including telephones—shall only be used to conduct business directly related to the performance of the contract. All other matters—including personal use, company business, or union business—are not authorized to utilize DOD resources.

Q34. Would the Government please confirm that all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) except the last four of the SSN can be redacted on the documentation submitted for qualified candidates?

A34. Yes.

Q35. Please clarify PWS para 3.2.7.5: “The contractor shall support the government in the continued maintenance and operation of the EFB program.”

Q35(a). Who is responsible for validating that the tech data loaded is current prior to flight?

A35(a). Individual aircrew are responsible for validating that publications are current, accessible, and viewable prior to flight

Q35(b). Who has overall responsibility for the program?

A35(b). USG has overall oversight of the program (Chief of Standardization and Evaluation)

Q36. The RFP L/M Subfactor 1 states - recruitment/retention lists flight instructor positions and numbers of instructors with the requirement to provide a "Form 8" and contact within 60 days prior of the RFP submission. Is it the intent of the government to replace the existing workforce? Does the government wish to retain the current workforce? Example: If I propose my pilots, then I may not need the existing workforce. Since the existing workforce is not required to provide me with a Form 8 and may be reluctant to do so for a competitor, I would likely choose my existing Instructors for this effort. Is that the intent of this subfactor 1 requirement? If not, we recommend the government remove the requirement for contact and Form 8s.

A36. The government has no opinion on whether the awardee should utilize the existing workforce and the awardee is free to do so. The awardee will be expected to fill all positions necessary to perform the contract with qualified people. Offerors are free to submit any “qualified contact” who fits the criteria stated in Section L and M. Offerors are not required to utilize their “qualified contact(s)” in performance of the contract nor do offerors need to state any such intent.

Q37. PWS Section III: Operations Support, 3.2.1. F-15SG IPs/IWSOs: IPs/IWSOs shall be experienced F-15E Instructors. IPs/IWSOs should be night vision goggles (NVG) and Low-Altitude Navigation & Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) qualified, and Formal Training Unit (FTU) experience is desired. Based on the discussion above is it the intent to have zero flying missions only, Technical F-15E Instructors etc. that must be qualified /certified to meet the requirements of this Performance Work Statement?

A37. A flying mission is intended.

Q38. Are Flight Operation Procedures required to be written in-accordance with DCMAI 8210.1C (series)/AFI 10-220_IP for other areas within this task order i.e. Functional Check flight aircrew?

A38. All Flight Operation Procedures (FOPs) and Ground Operating Procedures (GOPs) are required in accordance with DCMA 8210.1C. and must be written in the same sequential order as presented (by paragraph and sub-paragraph), as is required by PWS Section 1, 1.1.5.