Questions and Answers for FA5613-20-Q-0009.pdf

FA5613-20-Q-0009 Aircraft Washing Services Questions and Answers

# Questions Answers 1 Facility Clearance: Is existing facility clearance is a pre-requirement in this solicitation?

No, as long as clearance can be obtained prior to the start of the contract.

2 Clearance requirements: The PWS on page 15, section 5.1 identify that all contractor's employees shall possess the minimum of a “secrete” clearance. But the Combo file on page 41, section 5352.242-9000 elaborates the specific access requirements for residents of European Union nations which are none US citizens.

We are confused and cannot determine if non-citizens can be hired in this contract.

We currently have non-US citizens working on our aircraft that have the equivalent of a “Secret” clearance.. As long as section 5352.242-9000 is met, then non-US citizens can be hired.

3 Environmental requirements:

EPA requires contractors to prevent leak or discharge of contaminated washing water to the drainage system. The PWS on pages 13-14 extend the EPA requirements.

a. Does Hangar 2210 is equipped with a closed-loop system which takes care of the contaminated water?

b. Does the hangar equipped with water source?

c. Does the hangar equipped with hot water source?

d. Does the hangar equipped with some kind of water reclamation system?

e. Would the contractor be responsible for the reclamation of contaminated water?

f. Would the contractor be responsible for the disposal of contaminated water?

a. Yes, the Hangar is equipped with a closed loop system.

b. Yes, standard structural water supply is available for use.

c. Yes

d. Yes, Bldg 2210 is equipped with a water reclamation system.

e. No, the contractor will not be responsible for reclamation of contaminated water.

f. No, contractor would not be responsible for the disposal of contaminated water.

4 Site Manager: The PWS on page 11, section 2.1 identifies that the supervisor shall be available within 120 minutes of notification to meet on the installation. The requirement is reasonable during aircraft wash days. Please elaborate if this requirement is valid on periods between scheduled wash days or the availability is required only on active aircraft wash days.

This time period is meant for the day prior, day of, and the day after the wash.

5 Fall protection system: The PWS on page 18 identifies in section 8.2 that all aircraft wash will take place in Hangar 2210.

a. Does the hangar equipped with safety anchors to secure staff with harnesses working at heights?

b. Please elaborate on the available fall protection system used for aircraft wash in Hangar 2210.

c. Would the government provide any articulated lifts?

d. Should the contractor provide any articulated lifts?

a. Yes, Hangar 2210 is equipped with fall protection.

b. The Overhead fall-arrest system is installed with using a fixed rail and track assembly for ease of movement without sacrificing safety.

c. Yes.

d. No, the Government provides them.

6 Aircraft Wash Training and Qualification: The PWS on page 11 section 2.2.1 identifies a list of training requirements, are thus requirements are pre-requirements for solicitation participation or would the training the government will conduct to the contractor employees, as listed in section 2.3 will satisfy the requirements in section 2.2.1?

The training listed in 2.3 is meant to satisfy the requirements in 2.2.1.

7 Aircraft Mechanic Skills: The PWS on page 12 section 2.2.2 break down an Aircraft Mechanic Skills. Please identify who among the contractor employees should possess aircraft mechanic qualifications. How many of the contractor employees should possess such qualifications?

All employees shall possess the skills.

Please review para 2.3.

8 Expected Schedule: We understand that the Air Force expects to have 60 C-130 wash days in a contract year and the tentative plan for these days is known in advance.

It is clear to the air force that 5 wash days every month (5X12= 60) requires different logistical arrangements from conducting a semiannual consolidated 30 wash days (30 X 2 = 60).

It is outmost essential for personnel planning and staff retention to understand the outline of how wash days will be distributed along a contract year.

Please provide your tentative wash day plan for the base year.

See attachment

9 Our customers are prevented by Army intelligence regulations from sending you the questionnaire by email; please provide your fax number for past performance questionnaire acceptance?

We do not have any other way of receiving correspondence other than official mail to the squadron and my email. There are no fax capabilities.

10 There is currently a travel restriction between the US and Germany, please elaborate on how the covid-10 pandemic affects the air force expectation from a responsible contractor to perform this contract.

Expectation is to continue operations with health mitigation (re: HPCON) requirements, as directed. The TA contractor is still operating.

11 The covid-19 pandemic created a situation that staff with secret clearance are limited from traveling. We understand that the Secret clearance is mainly for the contractor to use government-issued laptops and review TOs on these laptops.

Under such limited traveling conditions, will the agency consider providing hard copy/printed TO’s rather than laptops and allow us to hire staff without Secret clearance?

Security clearance is not just for TOs.

The contractor will need a RAB to get out on the flight-line. They would be permitted to use/transport TO’s as needed. Many LN contractors utilize AF Tech Data. They will be offered laptops that they can check out during the wash.

12 Does the Air Force have the expectation, as part of this contract, to carry any C- 130 wash in locations other than Ramstein air base?

No.

13 Who is the incumbent firm currently performing the aircraft wash services? None.

14 What is the incumbent contract number? None.

15 Would any prevailing rates apply in this solicitation? Since performance is to take place outside of the United States, no. Ref:

FAR 22.1003-2.

16 The PWS states that the contractor shall provide all personnel, personnel protective equipment (PPE), equipment, tools, materials, and etc. The PWS does not specify if a CTK area would be given to the contractor to store the equipment, lubes, and oils. Only office space is indicated in the PWS. So will there be a CTK area that the contractors can use to store/ maintain materials?

Yes, there is a CTK location within the wash rack building that the contractor will inventory and check out during the wash. All Haz items besides the actual washing solution will be retrieved from the squadrons. The contractor will check out the required CTK items through MXS/MXMF following AFI 21-101 guidance.

17 The Supplied Equipment Provided in Appendix A. Is the equipment and gear shared with the Government or will that be permanently checked out or given to the Contractors?

The equipment will be checked out by the contractors during the wash and returned back to the units.

18 Washing an aircraft, the Tail and Spine of the aircraft is required to be washed.

Will a Genie Lift (JLG) be provided or will the contractors have to provide their own?

A JLG will be provided.

19 In Section 2.2.2 Aircraft Mechanic Skills of the PWS, it is mentioned that Maintenance Course Training at a minimum are, Qualification training Program, Air Force Maintenance Specialist Course, or FAA Certification. Is this training required for all employees or is this a one (1) person certified covers all?

The training or FAA certification is required for all employees. As per 2.3 the government will provide the initial training and the contractor will be responsible to train its own employees after the time period has expired.

20 In Section 8.2 Building, the PWS mentions that Hangar 2210 will be provided to wash the aircraft. Does the hangar have any type of Fall Protection System?

Yes, Overhead Fall arrest systems are installed.

21 Also in Hangar 2210, is there any pressure washing and soap systems that the contractor can utilize to wash the Aircraft? Or, are the Contractors only able to use the one (1) gas pressure washer and one (1) Pneumatic Foamer provided by the Government?

The wash Hangar is equipped with 4 high pressure wash systems and 4 Foamers that can be utilized by the Wash Contractors.

22 Is the contractor required to remove and reinstall the following panels or will the government remove/install them?

a. Bellyband

b. Arkansas panel to include sealant & pressurization check after panel is reinstalled

c. Urinal panels and batting

As per 1.2.2, the contractor will be responsible for removing and installing the bellyband, Arkansas panel and urinal panels and batting. They will not be responsible for the pressure check due to the required cure time.

23 Given what has been learned from the recent COVID 19 situation and most wash contracts and Transient Alert around the country and Europe being deemed as essential services and required to perform services. Wouldn’t it be prudent to offer logistical support and SOFA status under these contracts? Employees are required to travel back and forth to the base and be placed on the essential personnel roster

There are no positions currently designated as offering logistical support or SOFA status.

for access to the base to continue performing services, but are not allowed access to things like Commissary, BX or gas station for needed supplies. Employees are required to be a US citizen but their place of primary residency is not the US which has made them ineligible for the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act. If they get sick, they are not eligible for these benefits and must depend on the local economy to purchase food, supplies and gas. At least with logistics support they would be able to utilize the base resources.

24 Should the pricing be submitted in euros? Yes, offers should be submitted in EUROs.

25 Is there a wage determination we can reference? There is not.

26 Is SOFA in place There are no positions currently designated as offering logistical support or SOFA status.