RFI_Posting_responses.docx

4 August 2015

RESPONSES TO RFI QUESTIONS

REQUIREMENT: US Air Force Academy Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Support

1. How many total aircraft are in the USAFA SUAS fleet?

ANSWER: Currently we have 6 RQ-11B DDL systems, with potential to increase if needed. Each system has an estimated cost of $162K.

2. What are the approximate number of flight hours/day (or flight hours/class) expected under this effort?

ANSWER: Updated in the PWS Section 1.7.2.

3. How many different sites would the contractor be expected to support simultaneously?

ANSWER: Updated in the PWS Section 1.4.1.2.

4. How often will the contractor be required to support night ops?

ANSWER: Currently one Night Ops per semester and approx. 3-6 per summer. However this number is subject to change depending on needs of USAFA.

5. Would the contractor be expected to support day + night operations on the same day?

ANSWER: No. We would only do one or the other. Now we may need someone to support the AOC during the day if there are research flights going on and then different people supporting night Ops

6. What are the crew day limits for contract instructors?

ANSWER: Per AFI 11-502 V3, SUAS-O duty day begins when the SUAS-O reports for duty and ends when all SUAS associated post-flight duties are accomplished (AV/GCS teardown, RTB). The maximum duty period (DP) for single-operator controlled SUAS is 12 hours and 14 hours for dual controlled (e.g. SrA Smith shows for work and performs 8 hours of primary non-SUAS-O duties. He can then perform 4 hours of single controlled SUAS-O duties.). Maximum continuous control time will not exceed 6 hours.

7. Will maintenance support be required at each site?

ANSWER: Only minor Mx is performed in the field (i.e. replace prop, snap screw, etc). All higher level Mx will be performed back in the main building.

8. Does the PWS place a higher value on USAF experience, or will a contractor workforce with Joint experience (Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, and Navy) be acceptable?

ANSWER: All service experience is welcome. Our concern is being able to expose the Cadets to aviation experience which could be from any rated area or even ground personnel with experience dealing w/ aircraft operations (TACP, JTAC, ALO, etc)

9. Will this effort be contracted as CPFF or FFP? It appears to be FFP from the draft SS.

ANSWER: The Government is anticipating a firm-fixed price contract for this effort. Final decision will be made and posted with the solicitation.

10. Para. 1.7.2.1 was a bit confusing... Three three-week sessions x 30 students each = 180 students? Consider re-writing this section for clarity.

ANSWER: Updated in PWS. There are three three-week sessions during the summer. Each three-week session involves two two-week UAS 200 courses that will overlap during the middle week. One course starts the first week and runs for the first two weeks of the three-week session. The second course starts the second week and runs the last two weeks of the three-week session.

11. Para. 1.8.1.1... Recommend providing amplifying info on specific instructor certifications/requirements.

ANSWER: Contractor is required to identify basic training requirements for certification related to operating Raven RQ-11.

12. Embedded comment #121 discusses mandatory references (AFIs, OIs, USAFA SOPs, etc.). Consider providing a shared folder on FedBizOpps with these documents included.

ANSWER: Items will be included with solicitation posting on FedBizOpps.

13. PWS section 1.12 addresses insurance requirements. Respectfully request a review for any additional insurance/workman’s comp requirements which must be considered by prospective bidders.

ANSWER: Contractor is responsible for identifying employee related insurance requirements.

14. Reference section 1.1 below suggests adding paragraph 1.1.4:

1.1.4 "Contractor will provide significant maintenance and parts as required" Note: this is to cover non routine items and eliminates the need to go through an open solicitation to fix damaged aircraft or provide the necessary support for large expense tasks

ANSWER: The Government will be responsible for purchasing needed parts.

15. Also reference 1.6.2 recommend adding verbiage on technical assistance:

1.6.2 Contractor will provide data and communications support to AOC as required to maintain operational readiness.

ANSWER: The Government anticipates having a separate IT person supporting this part of the AOC. Contractors will need to know is how to operate and perform minor troubleshooting as described in PWS.

16. 1.4.1.2. At any given time the contractor may be required to provide a complete crew to perform RQ-11 flight operations….contractor may obtain RQ-11 training through AerovVironment or AFSOC at contractor’s expense. Contractor will be certified locally by the USAFA SUAS Director.

Can you please provide additional information regarding the certification process, both by AeroVironment and/or AFSOC, as well as the USAFA SUAS Director?

ANSWER: AeroVironment or AFSOC provides the basic training required to learn how to operate the RQ-11. Once completed, the contractor will receive specific local training on operating the Raven at USAFA and then be evaluated by the USAFA UAS Director or a designated evaluator to be allowed to operate/instruct the Raven at USAFA.

17. 1.6.1 Air Operations Center Management. The contractor is responsible for operating and maintaining the Air Operations Center, its related systems, and its interface with the Raven system and other SUAS as required.

Is this section stating that under this contract, the contractor will operate and maintain the entire Air Operations Center (AOC), or only the section(s) within the AOC that will interact directly with the Raven system and other SUAS, as required?

ANSWER: Contractor will only support AOC operations which deal with the Raven system and/or other SUAS platforms, as required. Our AOC only works with UAS Operations.

18. 1.7.3.22. The contractor will develop and present the pre-mission (“mass”) brief IAW the USAFA UAS OI Vol 3.1 Ch. 2.5.2 A standard ISR “mass brief” will include classified information regarding specific threats, even if the mission is a training briefing. Will the contractor and students have access to this type of information in order to create a more realistic training environment?

ANSWER: Currently, the Government does not include any classified information in briefings. If the requirement becomes necessary in the future, the Government will provide this type of information.

19. How many Raven DDL systems, aircraft and GCSs are involved in this project? Do you have any historical information on the repair and replacement requirements?

ANSWER: Currently we have 6 full RQ-11B DDL systems with spare parts. We do not have any historical information on repair/replacement requirements.

20. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.3.1. What is the difference in SUAS Group 1 and Group 2? Is there a list of specific UAS in SUAS Group 1 and Group 2?

ANSWER: SUAS Group 1 and 2 references the SUAS size:

Group 1 SUAS are 0-20lbs operating below 1200’AGL and fly at less than 100KIAS Group 2 SUAS are 21-55lbs operating between 1200-3500’AGL and fly less than 250KIAS

21. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.3.3. Is the “Government officer” mentioned the same as the Program OIC and/or the USAFA SUAS Director mentioned in paragraph 1.4.1.2 and following paragraphs?

ANSWER: The Government Officer referenced is the USAFA SUAS Director or his/her representative.

22. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.3.5. Will the AFSOC qualification requirements be outlined or added to the final solicitation?

ANSWER: The AFSOC Initial qualification course is a 10-day (weekday) program consisting of hands-on training on day and night operations, basic field maintenance, and practical/tactical employment of the system and includes a weather day. At the conclusion of the training program, students will be assessed on their ability to operate the system. Some limited reconnaissance scenarios occur in the field, but will not require remaining in the field overnight. At the completion of this training the student will receive an AFSOC Certification to be a SUAS operator (SUAS-O) and have approx. 10-12 hrs of flight time.

For the local USAFA instructor upgrade, SUAS-O will complete a full review of required AFIs and local operating instructions. These will be evaluated with a Closed and Open book test. Individual will also be required to perform site visits to each of our local flying locations with an instructor in order to learn local area procedures. Once completed with all the above (approx. 1-2 weeks depending on weather) the individual will perform a local flight evaluation by either the Director or designated evaluator. To become an instructor you will need a minimum of 25 hrs of flight time, however this can be waived by the Director if the individual has prior relevant instructor experience in either a different UAS or manned aircraft.

23. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.4.6.1. In addition to the Raven DDL Operator’s Manuals mentioned in this paragraph, what are the other paper and/or electronic courseware materials used for academics and is the contractor responsible for development (back reference to paragraph 1.3.4), reproduction and distribution of these materials?

ANSWER: All courseware is already provided by Government, however Contractor will work w/ Director as needed to update courseware when necessary.

24. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.6.1. Besides the Raven equipment what else/other systems are located in the AOC that the contractor is responsible for maintaining and operating?

ANSWER: Several Desktop workstations with various software are located in the AOC along w/ a projector and several monitors which are used to display information on individual Desktops. USAFA will have a separate IT person who will maintain desktop computers. Contractor will need to know how to primarily use FalconView software which is part of the Raven sytem.

25. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.6.2. Besides operating and minor troubleshooting of video distribution, telemetry distribution and display, cursor-on-target, SPI and the maintenance requirements outlined in paragraph 1.10, what other maintenance is the contractor responsible for on the Raven systems?

ANSWER: No other Mx requirements outside of RQ-11 maintenance.

26. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.7.2.1. Considering that there are three summer sessions and each session has a group of 30 Cadets (total 90 Cadets) how do you come up with 180 total Cadets trained for the total summer?

ANSWER: Please see answer to question 10.

27. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.7.2.2. For the Fall Semester considering M and T Days, this paragraph mentions “15 Cadets plus additional Cadets who will act as instructors” and then mentions “30 Cadets trained.” So, are there two classes to be conducted in the Fall Semester or is this just a planning number in case the number of additional Cadets is 15 or the Cadets undergoing training is actually higher than 15?

ANSWER: Each class has a max of 15 “student” cadets. We may also have additional upper-class Cadets who are used as instructors. There will be to separate classes having a max of 15 “student” cadets.

28. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.7.3.1.3. Will compatible LMR be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) or will the Contractor need to purchase LMR? If so, how many LMR are required? LMR are not addressed in paragraph 5.3.

ANSWER: LMRs (Land Mobile Radio) are provided by the Government as GFE

29. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.9.5. “Contractor may be required to provide transportation for its employees from Bldg 2413 to various launch and recovery locations located on USAFA. Government vehicles are not available for use by contractor personnel.” We understand that the AOC is located in Bldg 2413. Is Bldg 2413 also known as Vandenberg Hall, the academic building? If not, what is the name of Bldg 2413? How much travel on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis is required to support operations? If cadets require transportation, is that transportation provided by the Academy?

ANSWER: Bldg 2413 is not Vandenberg Hall and does not have an official name. Bldg. 2413 is located in the southeast corner of the Cadet Area. Contractor may travel up to 280 miles in a month when we are flying daily. USAFA provides Cadet trans to a max, however Contractor may volunteer to transport Cadets in their POV to help expedite.

30. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.10. Is there a contract or agreement with Aerovironment for the purposes of performing higher level maintenance above the level of diagnosis, troubleshooting, isolation and removal of LRU and/or SRU? Does the Academy provide spare parts as needed?

ANSWER: The Academy will purchase spare parts as needed to support Mx requirements.

31. Reference PWS, paragraph 1.11.2. In reference to storage of recorded imagery date is adequate storage space hard drives GFE?

ANSWER: Hard Drives will be made available for use by the Government.

32. Reference PWS, paragraph 3.1.1. Will the contractor be able to post a recruitment notice in each facility and contact incumbent employees as outlined in the following paragraph, paragraph 3.1.2, Phase-out Transition Period?

ANSWER: Yes

33. Reference PWS, paragraph 4.5. What security clearance level is required for contractor employees? Is a favorably adjudicated National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) the minimum required of is a higher security clearance required? Reference paragraphs 4.8.1. for Contractor Verification System (CVS) and 4.9 for criminal background check.

ANSWER: Currently Contractors do not require a security clearance.

34. In paragraph 1.4.1.3, “Contractor must have appropriate staffing with primary responsibility and experience of maintenance/logistics, and ARMS with RQ-11 qualification desired" can the government describe how many systems need to be maintained, any historical data in regards to number of hours/sorties flown, how parts are ordered.

ANSWER: Currently USAFA has six full RQ-11 systems which includes the aircraft and Ground Control System (GCS) and spares. As the program grows, additional systems may need to be purchased by the Government. In the past year the RQ-11 has logged approx. 700 flt hrs. Parts are ordered by the Government when needed.

35. There is not enough data within the PWS to develop a Basis of Estimate for cost & pricing. For example, instructor to student ratios, number of aircraft the offeror is responsible for, or does the government intend to provide this information? Or require the offeror to develop the BOE?

ANSWER: Information has been added regarding the number of flight hours related to each course offering. In addition, please review section 1.4.1.2 for personnel related information.

36. In paragraph 1.4.4.1 (Approximately 80-100) Training and Flight Evaluation Folders (TFEFs) will be maintained. Can we assume this will be the approximate number of cadets to be trained?

ANSWER: TFEFs are only maintained for individuals either remaining active in the UAS program or those individuals operating a UAS for research purposes. However the UAS program may familiarize over 200 Cadets in a single year to the RQ-11, but not all Cadets will choose to remain in the program.

37. Paragraph 1.7.2.1 states 180 cadets will be trained in the summer. This appears confusing when referencing para. 1.4.4.1, and the number of TFEF’s are between 80-100. Can the government please clarify this?

ANSWER: TFEFs are only maintained for individuals either remaining active in the UAS program or those individuals operating a UAS for research purposes. However the UAS program may familiarize over 200 Cadets in a single year to the RQ-11, but not all Cadets will choose to remain in the program.

38. Will the offeror be required to obtain a COA or approved Ground or Flight Operating Procedure (FOP/GOP) as required in DCMA 8210 for contractors performing flight operations in support of government owned equipment?

ANSWER: USAFA has already obtained and is responsible for a COA which allows UAS flight/research operations at USAFA. Under this COA contractors working government employs are permitted to perform flight operations in support of government furnished equipment.

39. Does the government intend to make this a small business set-aside? If so will the 611512, $27.5 M size standard remain applicable? Also, does the government intend to use any GSA contract vehicles or make this a stand alone contract?

ANSWER: The Government’s acquisition plan will be finalized when the solicitation is posted.