FA8224-15-R-0023_Questions_and_Answers _Rev_1 _5_Feb_15.pdf

Air Force Response to Comments/Questions from Industry

Inventory and Records Management Support Services

FA8224-15-R-0023

Revision 1, Updated 5 February 2015

Below is a list of questions/comments the Air Force has received from industry regarding the

Solicitation FA8224-15-R-0023 posted on 15 January 2015, and the Air Force responses to said questions/comments. Air Force responses are based on the best information available at this time and are subject to change in the event the requirement is amended. Only the Solicitation and

Solicitation Amendments, if issued, should be relied upon while preparing proposals.

1. Industry Question: Will there be an opportunity to visit the location (prebid site visit) to review facilities; determine vehicle/material handling requirements; and converse with the Contracting

Official?

Air Force Response: The government is not hosting a site visit for this solicitation. Please send us your specific questions regarding the vehicle and material handling requirements of the solicitation.

2. Industry Question: Is the operation currently under contract? With whom?

Air Force Response: No, the requirements of this solicitation are not currently provided under a contract.

3. Industry Question: Is there a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in effect for the current employees?

Air Force Response: No, a CBA is not in place.

4. Industry Question: Will bonding and insurance be required for this contract?

Air Force Response: No.

5. Industry Question: Reference Section L, page 23, paragraph 2.1, Program Structure and

Objectives, Page 24, paragraph 3.2, General Instructions. Will the SSA host a pre bid site visit and conference to allow contractors to see the facility and observe operations to better prepare realistic proposals? If a formal site visit is not planned, can a contractor arrange a visit through the local procurement office?

Air Force Response: The government is not hosting a site visit for this solicitation. Please send us your specific questions regarding the facility and operations.

6. Industry Question: Reference Section L, page 26, Cross Reference Matrix. Question: The reference to paragraph 4.2.1.1 in Section L does not appear in the Section. Only 4.2.1 is shown.

Please clarify the reference

Air Force Response: The Cross Reference Matrix in Section L, table 2 is revised to remove a reference to paragraph 4.2.1.1 and is included in the solicitation amendment 0001.

7. Industry Question: Reference Performance Work Statement (PWS), page 3, paragraph 1.1, Description of Services. Question: Can you provide the name of the contractor who is currently providing the service and the annual amount of the contract?

Air Force Response: The requirements of this solicitation are not currently provided under a

8. Industry Question: Reference Section M, page 37, paragraph 3.2, Past Performance. Can a newly established company that has no current contracts, submit past performance as an individual who was the Project (Site) Manager for numerous supply contracts with similar processes of stock control, storage, issue, requisitioning, accounting and disposition?

Air Force Response: Offerors shall submit past performance information in accordance with

Section L, paragraph 3 and will be evaluated in accordance with Section M, paragraph 3.

9. Industry Question: Reference Section M, page 37, paragraph 3.2, Past Performance. Will 27 years professional experience as a senior Supply executive be considered relevant?

Air Force Response: Please reference question and answer #8 above.

10. Industry Question: Please confirm that a Small Business Subcontracting plan is not required if the offeror is a small business.

Air Force Response: A subcontracting plan is not required. This is a total small business set-aside. The Section L and M requirements for a small business subcontracting plan is removed in the solicitation amendment 0001.

11. Industry Question: Please provide details/requirements for the Safety Plan that was requested to be included in the Contract Documentation section of the response.

Air Force Response: The specific requirements are in Section II of Appendix C of the PWS, dated

16 Dec 2014.

12. Industry Question: Please advise if this is an unrestricted procurement or a small business set-aside?

Air Force Response: This is a total small business set-aside.

13. Industry Question: Is the Service Contract Act applicable to this solicitation?

Air Force Response: Yes, Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly known as the Service

Contract Act of 1965) applies to this solicitation. FAR clauses 52.222-41 and 52.222-43 are added to the solicitation in amendment 0001.

14. Industry Question: Will the Government sponsor offerors for a facility clearance if they do not possess one at time of submission?

Air Force Response: Please refer to Section 16 of the PWS, dated 16 Dec 2014.

15. Industry Question: In order for offerors to accurately estimate the level of effort for this program, can the Government please provide the desired number of full time equivalents (FTEs) needed to support this program?

Air Force Response: Reference contract line item numbers 0X01, the government estimates “five

(5) supply technician equivalents.”

16. Industry Question: Reference Appendix B, page 17, AMARGI 21-109, Air Force Depot

Maintenance Activity Group Facilities and Equipment. This reference is not available through the Air Force epublication on line service. Can you provide an electronic download copy for review?

Air Force Response: AMARG Instruction 21-109, dated 3 July 2013 is now attached to the

17. Industry Questions/Comment: Reference PWS, page 12, paragraph 16.1, Security Requirements.

The PWS requires employees to possess SECRET clearances prior to period of performance.

Office of Personnel Management, Systems Access Support Team indicates that it takes approximately 2-4 months to receive a clearance. Do current employees all have current SECRET clearances? Will the base security office process the Form 86 once they are completed by the employees? Will the contractor be allowed to request interim clearances, pending receipt of final clearances?

Air Force Response: The Air Force is preparing a DD Form 254 and will provide more information at a later date.

18. Industry Question/Comment: Reference PWS, Appendix B, Applicable Regulations, Manuals, Specifications, page 17. The PWS requires the contractor to comply with requirements set forth in

AMARGI 21-109, Chapters 3 and 4. That document is not available on government e-publications. Will the government allow bidders access to the base technical library to review this publication?

19. Industry Question: Section L - 7.2.2. Section B - Services and Prices. Supplies or Services and

Costs or Prices: Do not input pricing information in Section B of the Model Contract and

Solicitation. All required prices shall be proposed in the TEP Worksheet Section J Attachment 3 -

TEP Worksheet. Please provide Section J Attachment 3 - TEP Worksheet

Air Force Response: A TEP Worksheet is added as a section J attachment (attachment 5) to the solicitation amendment 0001.

20. Industry Question: Page 17 of the RFP states: 52.219-1 SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

REPRESENTATIONS (OCT 2014) - ALTERNATE I (MAY 2014) (a)(1) The North American

Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990. Page 38 of the RFP states: 4.3. Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away, Restricted and Transferred

(DART) rates, or, injury and illness rates should be equal to or lower than the most recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national average for North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) 336413. Page 31 states: 7.2.4. Section K - Representations, Certifications, and other Statements of Offerors - Complete representations, certifications, acknowledgments and statements. Offeror must have filled out an online FAR provision 52.204-

8 Annual Representations and Certifications (May 2014), Online Reps and Certs at http://www.sam.gov. Offeror shall ensure certification as a small business under North American

Industry Classification System (NAICS) 812332. Please clarify which NAICS Code applies.

Air Force Response: NAICS 541990 applies to this acquisition. Corrections are made to the solicitation in amendment 0001 to remove other NAICS referenced.

21. Industry Question: Paragraph 3.17.2 states "The offeror shall fill out the page (Pg.) column of

Table 2 - Cross Reference Matrix in the format below, indicating information as it relates to the

Section L - Instructions to Offerors, and Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award, PWS CLIN numbers and CDRL references found therein. This shall be included in the Technical Volume

(Volume II). The Cross Reference Matrix Section L refers to Paragraph 4.2.1 and 4.2.1.1.

Section L does not contain these paragraphs. Please clarify. The Cross Reference Matrix PWS column refers to 4.1.14, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, and 4.2.3. The PWS does not contain these paragraphs.

Please clarify.

Air Force Response: The Cross Reference Matrix in Section L, table 2 is revised to remove incorrect references and is included in solicitation amendment 0001.

22. Industry Question: Section L and Section M technical descriptions do not correspond with each other. Please clarify. SECTION L (Pg. 29) and SECTION M (Pg. 34)

Air Force Response: Section L and M are revised to correspond with each other. Please see solicitation amendment 0001.

23. Industry Question: Sections L & M do not align for Volume IV - Contract Documentation. Please clarify. SECTION L (Pg. 30) and SECTION M (Pg. 37)

7.2. Model Contract and Solicitation Representations and Certifications

7.2.1. Section A - Solicitation and Model Contract Form

7.2.2. Section B - Services and Prices.

7.2.3. Section I - Contract Clauses

7.2.4. Section K - Representations, Certifications, and other Statements of

Offerors

7.3. Exceptions to Solicitation Requirements

4.2. The proposal shall contain evidence of adequate financial resources.

4.3. Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away, Restricted and Transferred

(DART) rates, or, injury and illness rates should be equal to or lower than the most recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national average for

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 336413

4.4. Safety Plan

Air Force Response: Section L and M are revised to align with each other. Please see solicitation amendment 0001.

24. Industry Question: PWS Section A - Solicitation and Model Contract Form: Complete blocks

17a, 17b, 28, 30a, 30b, and 30c. Signature by the offeror on the SF 1449 constitutes an offer, which the Government may accept. Question: Section A of the PWS references form SF 1449 but

SF 33 is provided. Please Clarify.

Air Force Response: Instructions to complete the SF 33 are added to Section L, para. 7.2.1 and SF

1449 instructions are deleted. Please see solicitation amendment 0001.

25. Industry Question: Is the Quality Plan (Pg. 11 of PWS) required with the proposal or after award?

Air Force Response: The Quality Plan shall be provided in accordance with PWS, paragraph 13 and as required by Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) A003. The Quality Plan is required after award, as indicated by CDRL A003: the Quality Plan is required “NLT ten (10) days prior to period of performance start” and “NLT ten (10) days after a required revision.”

26. Industry Question: Will a site visit be allowed at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB)?

Air Force Response: The government is not hosting a site visit for this solicitation. Please send us your specific questions regarding the facility and operations.

27. Industry Question: Level of effort is not identified in the RFP. What info does the government plan to provide to quantify LOE?

Air Force Response: This is a performance based requirement. Offerors are expected to provide services in accordance with the PWS. PWS paragraph 5, Service Summary, outlines specific performance objectives and thresholds.

28. Industry Question: Is the Prime Contractor required to have their Secret Facility Clearance at the time of award or proposal submission? Will the Government sponsor the Prime Contractor's

Facility's Clearance?

29. Industry Question: Is there an incumbent contractor? If so, please provide name of contractor.

30. Industry Question: Is the incumbent contractor eligible for recomplete?

31. Industry Question: Will the Government provide the current contract values for each POP?

32. Industry Question: Will the Government provide the number of incumbent employees currently working shift hours 1430 to 2300?

33. Industry Question: What is the historical frequency of the shift hours?

contract and no such historical information is available.

34. Industry Question: Will the Government provide the number of FTEs supporting current incumbent contract?

Air Force Response: The requirements of this solicitation are not currently provided under a contract. However, please reference contract line item numbers 0X01, the government estimates

“five (5) supply technician equivalents” will be required.

35. Industry Question: The Government has referenced TEP Worksheet in Section J - Attachment 3;

however, we are unable to locate the TEP Worksheet as an attachment. Please provide.

Air Force Response: The TEP Worksheet is now attached to the solicitation as attachment 5.

Please see solicitation amendment 0001.

36. Industry Question: On page 26 of the solicitation (Section L) Table 2 – Cross Reference Matrix.

Under the PWS paragraph heading it refers to PWS paragraph 4.1.14, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, & 4.2.3 however, the PWS does not contain those references.

Air Force Response: The Cross Reference Matrix in Section L, table 2 is revised to remove incorrect references and is included in solicitation amendment 0001.

37. Industry Question: On page 30 of the solicitation (Section L) paragraph 7.2.1 refers to signing of the SF1449. However, there is no SF 1449, rather a SF 33. The paragraph goes on to refer to blocks 17a, 17b, 28, 30a, 30b, and 30c which are blocks on a SF 1149 but not a SF 33.

Air Force Response: Instructions to complete the SF 33 are added to Section L, para. 7.2.1 and

SF 1449 instructions are deleted. Please see solicitation amendment 0001.

38. Industry Question: PWS paragraph 16.1 states: "Contractor employees shall possess a valid

SECRET clearance prior to the period of performance (POP). We currently do not have a secret facility clearance. Is there a period after award that will allow personnel to work without a secret clearance until the DD 254 is issued and the facility clearance is awarded which allows our company to hold secret clearances of our personnel? Can our company participate as a team member using our qualifications as part of the team and receive a clearance once the DD 254 is issued to the prime and the prime sponsors our company to receive a clearance?

39. Industry Question: Will the government provide any training during the orientation period for the multiple government databases (11) listed in the PWS? Rationale: This is a very tough resume requirement; finding individuals with experience in all of these databases is simply not feasible.

Specific database requirements from the PWS: “The contractor shall accurately enter inventory data transactions into Government Data systems examples which include: Air Force Equipment

Management System (AFEMS), AMARG Business System MAXIMO, the electronic Tooling

Information Management System (eTIMS) used for Navy ST/STE, Material Asset Management

Application (MAMA), and other Department of Defense (DoD) automated equipment information systems.”; “The contractor shall scan/electronically file, appropriately name, and transfer the data files in the 309 AMARG Electronic Records Management (ERM) data base.”;

“The contractor shall accurately process various supply transactions into the Enterprise Solution –

Supply (ES-S).”; and “The contractor shall perform research and processes reports using various web-based Government logistics data systems. Examples of these systems include: Air Force

Supply Central Database (AFSCDB) Discoverer (Query and Analysis system), D043, Fed LOG, Federal Logistics Information System Web Search (Web FLIS), Enhanced Technical Information

Management System (ETIMS), Logistics Installations and Mission Support Enterprise View

(LIMS-EV), and DoD Emall.”.

Air Force Response: IAW PWS paragraph 4.1.1 and 4.1.2, offerors need to be familiar with and able to accurately enter data into systems described in the PWS or like systems used across DoD.

Training will be provided for AMARG specific systems.

40. Industry Question: Will the government provide an independent estimate of manpower requirements? Since no Industry Day was not announced for this work, it is very difficult to figure out how many FTEs are needed to do the work.

Air Force Response: Reference contract line item numbers 0X01, the government estimates “five

(5) supply technician equivalents.”

41. Industry Question: Using the Cross Reference Matrix on FA8224-15-R-0023 Page 26 of 38, either there are errors either in the cross reference matrix of Section L, because the references below are not available as depicted on page 36. Section L: No Paragraphs found for 4.2.1, 4.2.1.1, 5.4.2.1, 7.6.2 PWS: No Para found for 4.1.14, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3

Air Force Response: The Cross Reference Matrix was revised to remove incorrect references and is included in solicitation amendment 0001.

42. Industry Question: Should the solicitation have a pricing proposal spreadsheet?

Air Force Response: A TEP Worksheet is now attached to the solicitation as attachment 5. Please see solicitation amendment 0001.

43. Industry Question: In the RFP Section L it states Vol II - Technical will have two subfactors and titles sub-factor one as “Staffing Plan” but in section M it refers to sub-factor one as

“Operational Plan”. Which is correct as the two names infer different types of plans?

Air Force Response: Section L, paragraph 5.4.1 was incorrect. The title for technical sub-factor one is Operational Plan. Please see solicitation amendment 0001 which corrects the title.

44. Industry Question: Will a bidder’s library be provided in support of Appendix B – Applicable

Regulations, Manuals and Specification requirements. These are not all available on e-pubs on-line.

solicitation. All other regulations, manuals, and specifications should already be available online.

45. Industry Question: Will the contractor be responsible for a warehouse and/or warehouse operations? If so, will applicable warehouse operations such as forklift operations apply to this requirement?

Air Force Response: The contractor will operate in a warehouse setting, but warehouse operations to include forklifts or special vehicle licenses are not required. Pictures are now uploaded to the solicitation to demonstrate the office space and warehouse areas. Note: PPE is for basic warehouse safety - steel toe shoes, safety glasses (contractor provided).

46. Industry Question: The PWS lists numerous requirements under paragraph 4.1; however the matrix only lists 4.1.1, 4.1.2, and 4.1.3 for response. The matrix did not include 4.1.4 through

4.1.13 for response. Are the requirements of those paragraphs no longer applicable and no response is required? The same problem exists for other references in the PWS that are not identified on the cross reference matrix. Question is whether the unidentified PWS items are still required.

Air Force Response: The PWS references in section L, table 2, cross reference matrix, corresponds with the technical subfactors listed in section M, paragraph 2.4, technical subfactors.

In accordance with section M, paragraph 2.3.2, the proposals shall be evaluated against the technical subfactors and all requirements found in the PWS.

47. Industry Question: Although this is a new requirement, can the government provide estimated workload data to support offeror’s preparation of the Technical Volume Subfactor 1 staffing plan?

Air Force Response: This is a performance based requirement and offerors are expected to provide services in accordance with the PWS as they see fit. Please reference contract line item numbers 0X01, the government estimates “five (5) supply technician equivalents” will be needed.

48. Industry Question: Can the government provide SCA, wage determinations for planning considerations in support of the Technical Volume Sub-factor 1 staffing Plan and the pricing volume?

Air Force Response: Please refer to FAR clause 52.222-42, Statement of equivalent rates for federal hires, of the solicitation.

49. Industry Question: PWS paragraph 4.1.1 states the contractor shall accurately enter inventory data transactions into government data systems; can the government provide a breakout of transactions with any historical or estimated number per month?

Air Force Response: In building 7328, the government anticipates an estimated 200-500 inventory data transaction per day. These transactions are related to incoming and outgoing aircraft, system data updates, and inventory schedules. Additional workload is expected to support customer service related functions.

50. Industry Question: PWS paragraph 8.1 states the contractor shall have access to the necessary facilities, computers, telephones, scanners, workspace, required for the specific contract, etc.

Will the government provide a detailed list of equipment by type that is being shared for contractor use?

Air Force Response: The Government will not provide a detailed list in advance. All shared equipment is Government- owned and will be adequate to accomplish required tasks.

51. Industry Question: PWS paragraph 3.3 states AMARG parts removals from aircraft include life support kits containing drugs or explosives, etc. Do the requirements for this opportunity require the contractor to come into contact with explosives and or hazardous material and if so what are the tasks and or training certifications required by the contractor?

Air Force Response: PWS paragraph 3 relates to the background and mission of AMARG and is provided for informational purposes to demonstrate the importance of the requirement. However, the inventory and records management requirements covered by this contract does not include the function of removing equipment/material from aircraft and the contractor will not be in contact with explosives or hazardous material.

52. Industry Question: Can the government specify the contractor’s square footage in work space for warehouse, office workspace, yard / facilities, buildings 7328, 7408, 7428, and AMARG?

Air Force Response: The Government will not provide such information. The provided workspace will be standard cubical or equivalent which is/was utilized by Government personnel.

Please see the pictures of the workspace now attached to the solicitation. Note: see PWS correction to paragraph 4.3, which corrects building “7428” to “7328”. Building 7428 is not part of this requirement.

53. Industry Question: RFP proposal instructions Section L., paragraph 5.4.1. defines a “staffing plan” as the technical volume subfactor 1 requirement. in addition, evaluation criteria section M., paragraph 2.4.1 defines an “Operational Plan” as the Technical Volume Subfactor 1 requirement.

Would the government clarify what is the specific requirement for technical volume subfactor 1 to include the appropriate section L. and M. references?

Air Force Response: Corrections were made to Section L in solicitation amendment 0001 to change “staffing plan” to “operational plan”. The correct title for technical subfactor one is

“operational plan.”

54. Industry Question: RFP Volume IV paragraph 7.2.2 of the Contract documentation states the requirement for all prices to be proposed in the TEP worksheet section J attachment 3 – TEP

Worksheet. However, no such attachment can be found. CDRL A003 is for a quality plan.

Would the government please provide the TEP worksheet with specific instructions and clarify if the offeror is to provide it in volume 1 of volume 4?

Air Force Response: Please see solicitation amendment 0001 and its new attachment 5, TEP

Worksheet, added to FBO.gov on 27 Jan 15.

55. Industry Question: PWS paragraph 11 discusses an orientation/transition period. Would the government specify the number of days for contractor start-up/orientation/transition period from the date of award?

Air Force Response: As stated in the CDRL A002 and PWS paragraph 11.1, the contractor shall submit the orientation plan within 10 days upon award of the contract. This length of the orientation period is not set to allow the contractor flexibility to propose a plan and period of time, meeting the criteria in PWS paragraph 11, as they see fit. Generally an orientation period would last no more than 30 days.

56. Industry Question: Reference Appendix B, Applicable Regulations, Manuals and Specifications, page 17, AFI 21-101, AFMC Supplement 1, Aircraft and Equipment Maintenance Management.

This reference refers to chapters 19 and 20; however, AFI 21-101, which is on e-publications, only has 18 chapters. Can the government provide the correct AFI 21-101 for reference purposes?

Air Force Response: Please be sure to review the current AFMC Supplement 1 to AFI 21-101, it adds chapters 19 and 20.

57. Industry Question: The contractor responsibilities that are listed in the PWS appear similar to functions performed by a Material Supply Liaison office, located within a maintenance operation, as opposed to a more traditional base supply. Does the AMARG supply operation have its own

Stock Record Account Number (SRAN) with which to requisition, ship, account for property?

Air Force Response: Yes, AMARG is a forward supply operation and does have a SRAN.

58. Industry Question: Reference: PWS, page 3, paragraph 1.1: next to last sentence " ---this service contract will provide personnel to support supply operations to the 309th SPTS Squadron, AMARG". Are these operations in addition to the requirements stipulated on page 5, para 4.3, 309 SPTS-Buildings 7408, 7428?

Air Force Response: Please see PWS, revision 1, which corrects paragraph 4.3, to change building “7428” to “7328”. Yes, the operations in each building, building 7408 and building

7328, are separate duties.

59. Industry Question: Reference solicitation amendment 0001, section L, table two - cross reference matrix sections 7.1 -7.6.2 - volume IV, model contract. Section L paragraphs 7.1 - 7.6.2 do not coincide with section M. Please clarify.

Air Force Response: Please see solicitation amendment 0002 which corrects table 2, cross reference matrix, in section L.

60. Industry Question: There are three buildings listed in the PWS (Building 7328, 7408, and 7428).

Question: How many Supply Technicians are estimated to work in each building?

Air Force Response: Please see question and answer 58 which addresses the buildings. The government estimated 2 FTE supply personnel in building 7408 and 3 FTE inventory/records management/supply personnel in building 7328.

61. Industry Question: Referenced in contract line item numbers 0X01: Question: How did the

Government determine the LOE of 5 FTE?

Air Force Response: Based on historical and anticipated future workload, the government estimated 2 FTE supply personnel in building 7408 and 3 FTE inventory/records management/supply personnel in building 7328.

62. Industry Question: Without workload data, we cannot adequately assign personnel. Please provide an estimated number of inventory data transactions to be performed.

Air Force Response: In building 7328, the government anticipates an estimated 200-500 inventory data transaction per day. These transactions are related to incoming and outgoing aircraft, system data updates, and inventory schedules. Additional workload is expected to support customer service related functions. Workload data is not available for building 7408.

63. Industry Question: What is the reporting structure for the five supply technicians? Will they report to a single point of contact (POC) at the AMARG or an office within the AMARG where multiple work? I ask this because since there is a monthly reporting requirement (CDRL A001

Status Report) we would desire to designate one of our supply technicians as a site lead responsible to the POC and also responsible for authoring the CDRL A001 Status Report.

Air Force Response: Other than the specific contractor points of contact required in the PWS, the government does not specify how contractor personnel will be assigned or tasked with workload as this is a performance based requirement. At each building, building 7408 and building 7328, a single government point of contact will be provided to the contractor. Please note, the government will not manage contractor personnel or assign tasks to contractor personnel.