First_Draft_RFP_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Shows Previous Industry Q&A as Reference for follow up in next column or Reference to the Draft RFP Question Answer

Block 10 of RFP The NAICS Code listed on the SF 1449 in block 10 is 336411 vice NAICS code 488190, please clarify the correct NAICS code for this solicitation.

The correct NAICS is 488190 and will be the NAICS for the solicitation.

Page 35 of 67 of the solicitation document FAR Clause 52.222‐17 FAR Clause 52.222‐17. Nondisplacement of Qualified workers (May 2104) (E.O. 13495) is not checked. Is this FAR clause applicable to this solicitation?

Including this clause was overlooked and will be included in the solicitation.

Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1, paragraph 3.2.3a.

The offerors are required to provide a written plan to address the Quality System. Will all required plans be exempted from page count or moved to attachments that are not counted in the 50 page technical volume limit?

The plans will not be exempted.

PWS paragraph 1.6 Supply Support Services Note It states PMA are acceptable if approved by the FAA and approved by the C‐21 Program office. For the solicitation will the Government provide a current listing of all C‐21 Program Office approved PMAs?

At this time there are no approved PMA listings.

PWS paragraph 1.12 Aircraft Appearance Standards, Table 1‐4

It talks to fabric seat covers and also vinyl seat covers, arm rests, shrouds and head rests. The C‐21 fleet at one time had two real leather aircraft interiors and all other interiors were upgraded to remove all cloth and vinyl and changed to Izit leather coverings on all seats. Will the Government update this table and provide actual fleet interior configuration?

All aircraft interiors are vinyl (AKA faux leather just like Izit leather)

Question: From the Industry Day PowerPoint on slide 11 referencing engines it states “The only authorized over and above charges will be related to causes outside contractor’s control” and on slide 24 the slide has “Firm‐Fixed‐Price (FFP), Over and Above CLINS of which depot maintenance is the first one. Is the USAF intent for the engine MPI and CZI to be FFP O&As, or is the inspection only FFP and then everything that is on condition would be an O&A? Answer: Inspection and repair of engines will be accomplished on FFP Per Occurrence CLINs. The Government is still considering what will constitute an over and above charge.

Inspection of engines as in a MPI or CZI can easily be priced on a FFP basis, as is common practice in commercial contracts as well as on many government contracts. However including all potential engine repairs in conjunction with an MPI or CZI as FFP would be impractical. Common practice is for the disassembly and inspection to be FFP, and found discrepancies to be negotiated as O&A for each engine.

Frequently, unseen component defects and/or corrosion are found during inspection, each case being different. If required to price all potential repairs into an MPI/CZI as an all‐inclusive FFP event, the contractor would have to set the price unreasonably high to mitigate the cost risk.

MPI and CZI requirements for return to service will be priced as FFP.

Question: On the engines what is the USAF intent to capture high cost time changes such as impellers, or disks, will they be as an O&A or will the contractor be required to include these high cost items in the MPI and CZI costs? If the USAF requires the contractor to price these components in the FFP, all time change data from all engines will be required to be available for potential offerors.

Answer: All time change items should be captured in the offeror’s proposal

Time change components will vary depending on the history of the particular engine. This could result in as many as 38 different engine FFP price quotes, assuming bidders have full access to the engine histories for a full analysis. Even then, hidden discrepancies requiring repair will not be found until inspections are conducted on individual engines, resulting in additional actions of unknown cost and scope. The government would be better served by having a MPI/CZI FFP CLIN covering the basic inspections, and an Over & Above (Time & Material) CLIN for component replacements and repairs for each engine event.

This will come much closer to reflecting the actual costs for each engine.

MPI and CZI requirements for return to service will be priced as FFP.

Question: On the CLINS for the depot strip and paint are any defects noted after the stripping to be considered O&As or is the strip and paint price to be all inclusive? Answer: Since corrosion occurrence and severity cannot be anticipated, any corrosion found after strip would be over and above.

Note the same logic should apply to engine defects found during MPI/CZI—corrosion occurrence and severity cannot be anticipated, thus should be covered in an O&A CLIN

See above.

Since this effort will be at total small business set aside, please explain the 51% rule regarding the prime as a small business and subcontractors.

On 3 Dec 2019, a class deviation was issued for FAR 52.219‐14 (DEVIATION 2019‐003), which states for a service contract, "Services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count toward the 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded." The definition for a "similarly situated entity is defined in 52.219‐14 (DEVIATION 2019‐003). The deviation language is what will be used in the RFP. The deviation memorandum can be found at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA003103‐18‐DPC.pdf.

PWS Paragraph 1.6; The Contractor shall provide quarterly Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL) requirements for each MOB and DOL to the Government. The Contractor shall furnish and dispose of all Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) and Hazardous materials and waste required for the performance of the contract. The Contractor shall develop and deliver a Spare Parts Usage Report of all material used at each site per month in the performance of the contract IAW PWS Attachment 1 (CDRL). NOTE: The Government will furnish POL and storeroom facilities at the MOBs and DOLs.

Are POL for all sites contractor or Government provided? Government provided.

PWS Paragraph 1.6.2; Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS) and Parts Obsolescence

Will the government provide a configuration item list of components that will be covered under the contractor’s DMSMS program?

All of the parts in the Illustrated Parts Catalog would be included for DMSMS.

First Round Draft RFP Questions and Answers

PWS Note for Table 1‐1, NOTE ‐ Two AMC aircraft in Base X, supported by AMC assets.

Reference PWS Note for Table 1‐1, Question: Please elaborate or provide details on the level of support by AMC assets?

The note refers to the ownership of the two aircraft. AMC owns the aircraft.

PWS Paragraph 1.2 Are janitorial and hangar cleaning services required for this program? If so, which CLIN captures this effort?

No. CLIN X002 as stated in the CLIN.

PWS Paragraph 1.5.3; Contractor shall provide all organizational level maintenance and logistics support to the C‐21 fleet 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Will the government confirm that each location has those same flying hours of operation? This paragraph applies to all locations.

PWS Paragraph 1.27, Contractor shall ensure all personnel required to perform engine run and taxi obtain certification from an AF C‐21 instructor pilot from the operating unit.

Are Contractor personnel required to perform an engine on "taxi" to different spots on the ramp?

The contractor may be required to perform an engine on "taxi" to different spots on the ramp depending on maintenance requirements.

RFP Page 3, #3 *Prices re NOT to be provided in schedule B. CLIN structure is present for descriptive purposes only. Include prices for all CLINs on CLIN Pricing Matrix, Attachment 2”.

Please confirm that offerors are not required to populate schedule B?

Offerors are not required to populate Schedule B. Offerors shall populate Attachment 2 ‐ Pricing Matrix. The pricing from Attachment 2 ‐ Pricing Matrix will be used to order CLINs/SubCLINs during the ordering periods.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8.

What does the Unit of LO represent? There is no Unit of Issue in Attachment 2 – Price Matrix to help define LO for X001AB.

LO represents LOT as the unit of issue. Please note, instead of LOT the Government plan on using

EACH.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8.

The total dollar amount of the performance incentive is $XXX ….”. Will the Government be providing this amount ($xxx) in the final RFP?

Yes. The dollar value of the incentives will be populated in the official RFP.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8.

"If the final calculation of the performance incentive is below the maximum possible incentive of $XXX….”

Will the Government be providing this amount ($xxx) in the final RFP?

Yes. The dollar value of the incentives will be populated in the official RFP.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8.

The milestone table for X001AB in Section B will not be populated by the Offeror. Is this correct? It instead will be populated by the Government from information provided by the Offeror in their Technical Volume, is this correct?

The information should be in the technical volume. However, The Government may revise the language to have the offeror populate the dates within the CLIN. This is so there is no ambiguity between the Government and offeror on the dates.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8.

X001AC has a Unit of LO but Attachment 2 – Price Matrix has a Unit of Issue of Each. Are LO and Each the same Unit of Issue? If not, which is correct?

LOT and EACH are not same unit of issue. Please note, instead of LOT the Government plan on using

EACH.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8. Price Matrix X001AC would be populated with 90% of the Government provided incentive, is this correct? Yes.

RFP Pages 6, 7 and 8.

Phase‐In Incentive Instructions are shown on both pages 6 and 7 with the same table. Does the exact same information go into each table or are the instructions duplicated in error?

CLIN X001, references to see the specific SubCLINs X001AA/AB/AC for instructions. With X001AB and X001AC being separate SubCLINS, they cannot give each other instructions and why the phase‐ instruction were in both X001AB and X001AC. To alleviate confusion, the Government plans on placing the phase‐in instructions that applies to both X001AB and X001AC in X001. Then the specific language for X001AB and X001AC with the respective SubCLIN.

RFP Page 22 X015 shows the unit of issue as LO, what does the Unit of Issue LO represent? Attachment 2 – Price Matrix shows the unit of issue as Hour.

The correct unit of issue is hour. X015 on the solicitation will be revised to hour.

Attachment 2 ‐Price Matrix Attachment 2 Headers on both tabs appear are from a different proposal. The header will be revised to reflect the correct solicitation number.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors, 2.4 Page Size and Format

2.4.1 – There are two sections with the identifier of 2.4.1. Recommend that the Government renumber the sections.

Corrected.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors, 2.4 Page Size and Format

2.4.1 – States that the volumes should be in Arial 12 pt and Legible tables, charts, graphs and figures should be no less than Arial 8 pt. The pricing matrix was provided in Times New Roman 6 pt. Should this document be in no less than Arial 8 pt or remain in Times New Roman 6 pt?

The pricing matrix is a Government provided document and will be returned with the offerors proposal as formatted by the Government. The pricing matrix does not apply to the formatting requirements of 2.4.1.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors, 2.4 Page Size and Format Will the Government allow single spacing instead of 1.5 spacing? No.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors, 2.4 Page Size and Format Do headers and footers need to be 1.5 spacing or can they be single spaced? Headers and footers need to be 1.5 spacing.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors; Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 6.1.2 appear to contradict each other.

Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 6.1.2 appear to contradict each other. Will the Government clarify in which volume(s) the blank Schedule B should appear and in which volume(s) Attachment 2, Price Matrix should appear?

The blank schedule will be in the model contract per 6.1.2 (language was revised to inform offeror to leave schedule B blank and pricing will be attached as Attachment 2 to the model contract, see 6.3.7 on attachments to the model contract). Attachment 2 will be in the model contract per 6.1.2 and

6.3.7 and in the price volume per 5.4.4

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors; • 5.2.5 Rounding. “Also proposed Material Factor Rates shall be rounded to two decimal places to the right of the decimal point.”

Nowhere in Attachment 2 – Price Matrix or Schedule B is there a reference to a Material Factor Rate.

Which CLINs would have this rate?

CLINs X018 and X026 have a material factor rate. Instructions are provided in Addendum to 52.212‐ 1, paragraph 5.3.4.2. Language will be added to X018 and X026 to cross reference.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors, “Proposed hourly labor wrap rates (e.g., fully burdened hourly labor rates for all types of applicable labor) shall be in accordance with SCLSs or CDAs, as applicable.”

Please confirm CDA should be CBA?

Yes. Under Paragraph 5.3.4.1, CDA should be Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This will be revised.

Attachment 5 – Instructions to Offerors; • 5.3.4.2 Material /Subcontractor Factor Rates

These cells for CLINs X018AB and X026 are set up as dollars on Attachment 2 – Price Matrix. If a factor of

1.2 is entered is shows a $1.20 which is then multiplied against the estimated quantity (as per the instructions shown on the Calculation Method tab) resulting in a total dollars for this CLIN. This method does not match the explanation shown in this section 5.3.4.2. Recommend revising Attachment 2 – Price Matrix to accommodate factors instead of dollar.

The factor cell was revised so the factor number was not shown in dollars. The extended price is shown as dollars.

RFP, p. 3 of 67, Paragraph 6. Insurance and Indemnification states: FAR Clause 52.228‐5 refers to the minimum amounts of insurance required in the schedule. In accordance with FAR 28.306(b)(1), the minimum amounts of insurance required for work on a Government Installation is the coverage specified in FAR 28.307. Contractors indemnification obligations under this contract shall not be limited in amount, or in scope, to coverage provided by insurance that is required by the contractor under the terms hereof. With execution of this contract by the United States Government and the contractor, the contractor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the US Government against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, and expenses, for aircraft costs and aircraft component costs logistically supported under this contract, which are in the possession, care, custody, or control of the contractor while on the contractor’s premises or their vendor/subcontractor premises.

Reimbursement of any damage to or loss of an aircraft will not exceed the replacement cost of that particular aircraft, including all modifications and improvements. Third party claims are excluded from this provision.

Acts of God are expressly excluded unless provisions to cover these occurrences are covered by the Contractor’s insurance policies.

The “Insurance and Indemnification” clause appears to require indemnification and hold harmless obligations of the successful Offeror to be unlimited in scope, in amount, or by insurance coverage. This appears to be an unreasonably high risk and/or burden, particularly for a small business. In order to satisfy such obligations, offerors would need to secure exceptionally expensive, high limit insurance coverage to be included in the proposed price to the Government. As an alternative to such expensive insurance coverage, would the Government consider adding DFARS 252.228‐7001 to the solicitation, or an acceptable alternative or variation of such clause?

DFARS 252.228‐7001 will not apply to this acquisition IAW DFARS 228.370(b)(1)(iv) as the C‐21 is a commercial derivative aircraft that are maintained to FAA airworthiness and the work will be performed at a licensed FAA repair station.

Reference Draft PWS 1.31 – 1.31.1 1.31.1 states: …..”The Contractor shall develop and maintain a Quality Management System that complies with the requirements of FAA CFR Title 14, Part 135.425, Part 145 and to the requirements of International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001/ American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society for Quality Control (ASQC) AS9100….” and Draft RFP ‐ Page 3, para #4 States:

….” 4. Quality Assurance: The Quality Assurance for all the CLINs is ‘Higher Level Contract Quality Requirements’ with AS9100. See section

1.31 of the PWS

a. For clarification regarding the Quality System Requirements, will the Government confirm AS9100 compliance is not required if the contractor currently meets all CFR Title 14, Part 135.425, Part 145 requirements and is ISO 9001 certified and registered?

PWS Paragraph 1.31 has been revised for clarification.

b. Or, as referenced in Attachment 5 ‐ Section L (ITO), Section 3.2.3a on page 7, should the offeror’s proposal (written plan) address how to become AS9100 compliant?

The offerors proposal should detail compliance with PWS paragraph 1.31.

Draft RFP CLIN descriptions for 1) Aircraft Phase 14/16 Inspections; 2) Engine Core Zone Inspections (CZI); 3) Engine Major Periodic Inspections (MPI); 4) Aircraft Strip and Repaint and 5) 20,000 Hour Flight Control Replacement include the following statement:….” Foreign Object Damage (FOD) and damage due to other than normal wear and tear will be negotiated as an Over and Above ….”

a. For clarification, will the Government provide specific detail (including examples) on what categorically constitutes “Foreign Object Damage (FOD) and damage due to other than normal wear and tear” for each of the five (5) Firm Fixed Price (FFP) CLIN requirements to ensure a concise understanding of the FFP requirements versus the Over and Above requirements?

No.

b. Will the Government elaborate on the criteria used to determine FOD and normal wear and tear for each of the five (5) CLIN requirements?

No.

Reference Draft RFP / Pages 5 thru 9; Page 26 CLINs X001, X001AB, X001AC, X021; Performance Incentive (includes Phase‐In; First Three (3) Months Full Performance and Phase‐ Out

For clarification and a clear understanding of the Incentive Fee, will the Government provide a complete example(s) of the Performance Incentive Fee calculations using hypothetical numbers / percentages for the four (4) criteria of the Incentive Pool (1‐Items Ready for Performance; 2‐Mission Capable (MC) Rate; 3‐ Non Mission Capable Supply Rate (NMCS) Rate and the 4‐Home Station Departure Rate (HSDR))?

The items ready for performance do not need a calculation example as it is a milestone date. For MC Rate, NMCS, and HSDR, examples are provided in the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 2) on how to calculate these rates.

Reference Attachment 5 ‐ Section L (ITO), Section 2.3.4; 2.4 and PWS 1.32.1

a. Do all required “Plans” in the technical Volume ‐ e.g. 1) Facilities Plan, 2) Staffing Plan, 3) SCM/COMBS Stand‐Up Plan, 4) Subcontractor Management Plan with Strike Mitigation etc.; 5) Deployment Scenario OPLAN; Risk Mitigation Plan count toward the 50‐page limitation?

Yes.

b. Do exhibits such as 1) FAA and Quality certifications; 2) phase‐in milestone / critical path schedule to meet MC, NMCS, and HSDR on day one (1) of full performance; 3) the 60‐day Deployment Scenario (MS Project) Phase‐In Plan / Milestone Schedule‐ count toward the 50‐page limitation?

The deployment scenario will not count towards the 50 page limit and shall be an attachment.

c. Please clarify whether the 1.5 page line spacing requirement applies for the: (1) Team List Attach 2.0

(2) Table of Contents (3) List of Table and Drawings (4) Glossary (5) Charts, Schedules and Exhibits

(1) Team List Attach 2.0 (2) Table of Contents (3) List of Table and Drawings (4) Glossary will not require 1.5 line spacing.

d. Will the Government confirm there is not a proposal requirement to submit a 120‐day contract Transition / Phase‐In Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)? Please confirm the 120‐day POA&M submittal due date is three (3) working days prior to Phase‐In. Respectfully that does not seem to allow much time for AF approval and completing subsequent OCONUS travel plans.

Pws paragraph 1.32.1 has been revised for clarification. Furthermore, the phase in plan is required for the technical proposal, which will be attached to the contract at time of award.