ATS_Questions_and_Answers_14_Apr_2016.docx

AFOTEC Test Services (ATS), FA7046-16-R-0003 Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)/Request for Information (RFI) Questions and Answers as of 14 April 2016

QUESTION:

Will the Government permit an ATS Offeror to submit an OCI Mitigation Plan (including firewalls, etc.), that if found acceptable and approved by the Government, would allow the company to prime the ATS contract while performing A&AS support for Air Force Major Acquisition Defense Program(s) under development.

ANSWER:

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) evaluation is conducted on a case-by-case basis. AFOTEC will not review or approve mitigation plans in advance of award.

AFOTEC will not consider a mitigation plan where a company is providing A&AS support to the defense contractor, which presents a conflict under 10 USC § 2399.

Where the company is supporting the government, there remains a potential of "impaired objectivity" OCI. The company could be in a position to evaluate its own work during development of a weapons system under test IF the weapon system is then evaluated by AFOTEC. Key considerations are (1) the specific systems/projects, (2) the Air Force unit receiving support, and (3) the nature of the work provided.

It is a business decision for a company to assess, based on the nature of the support to Air Force programs, if a mitigation plan can be designed which would adequately address the risk of actual or potential impaired objectivity. Independence is the hallmark of AFOTEC's brand, and the regulations and law which define the roles and responsibility of Operational Test and Evaluation.