Amendment_4_Question and Answer Set 6 Amendment 5.pdf

F-16 OCONUS Depot Solicitation: Question/Answer set 6

1. Validity of the proposal - PWS para 1.5 mentions:

“Block 12 of the front page of the solicitation provides a period of 365 calendar days to award the contract. All proposals shall be valid for this duration.”

Block 12 of the front page mentions: “180 days” Q: What is correct?

A: Amendment 0003 of the solicitation updated Attachment 4 PACAF Section L 17 Mar 20 to 180 days to match Block 12 of the solicitation. The correct duration is 180 days.

2. CLIN 0039 / 0054 and CLIN 0041 / 0055 We are confused by the answers/question on CLIN 0039 / 0054 and CLIN 0041 / 0055.

Q: Can you please explain the difference between CLIN 0039 and CLIN 0054?

A: The main difference between CLINs 0039 and 0054 is that SLEP provides parts for 0054. The contractor prices parts in 0039. This is the same for CLINs 0041, 0055 and 0056.

Question set 3 states;

Q: What is the difference between CLIN 39 (Canopy Sill Longeron replace, F-16C, both sides) and CLIN 54 (CSL 16B1107 Model C, Blk 40/42/50/52, TCTO 2775)?

A: CLIN 0039 is to address Canopy Sill Longeron replacement for C model aircraft that experience a crack and require replacement. CLIN 54 addresses completion of the TCTO 2775 (Canopy Sill Longeron replacement) as part of SLEP. It is up to the contractor to understand and determine repair and modification flow, but there are expected to be efficiencies gained from bringing a jet in for the accomplishment of multiple tasks with SLEP vs. standalone drop in maintenance.

Q: What is correct?

Note: To our opinion, efficiencies can only be gained if modifications are guaranteed performed at the same time such as CLIN 0050. We do not know which separate CLINs always will be performed together therefore each CLIN is priced separately.

A: CLIN 0054 will ALWAYS be performed with SLEP. CLIN 0039 will be prices as a standalone. SLEP workload (CLIN 0053) is covered in Section 1.3.5. Post Block Repair (CLIN 0050) workload is described in PWS Section 1.14.19 and there is not an overarching CLIN for PSSR.

3. CLIN 0033 / 0035 / 0037

We are confused by the questions/answers on CLIN 0033.

Question set 3 states;

Q: Regarding the work specified in CLIN 0033 are Inspection / Wing Box Cleaning / Fuel Cells Re-seal / Faulty Component Replacement. We have to put in the cost for all the process? And re-install work includes follow-on maintenance?

The way we interpreted the work to be performed is that if you have to perform CLIN 0033, you always have to perform either CLIN 0035 or CLIN 0037 first. Therefore no removal or reinstallation work is priced in CLIN 0033. Is that correct?

A: Correct, no removal of the wing from the aircraft or reinstallation of the wing onto the aircraft (CLIN 0035 and/or CLIN 0037) is included as part of CLIN 0033. Note that Amendment 0003 corrected the TCTO reference to TO 16W9-13-3. The intent of this task is for the contractor to accomplish only the inspection of upper and lower wing skins and the inner wing box, cleaning and sealing per PWS Section 1.14.12.3.1, 1.14.12.3.2 and 1.14.12.3.3 using TO 16W9-13-3 and 1F-16C-36, any faulty component replacement would be considered Over and Above tasks.

4. CLIN 0058 / 0059

A similar situation as to CLIN 0033 / 0035 / 0037 is applicable to CLIN 0058 / 0059 Question and Answer Last Set for Draft states;

Q: Is it correct that for both CLINs we have to include in our price the work on one wing excluding wing removal and reinstallation?

A: Yes, this is for one wing only. Price should include wing removal and reinstallation

Q: TCTO 2726 para 3 mentions the work required by this technical order will be accomplished concurrently with the work required by depot level T.O. 16W9-13-501. Can we combine CLIN 0058 and CLIN 0059 into one CLIN or can TO 16W9-13-501 be performed as standalone from TCTO 2726?

If you have to perform CLIN 0059, you always have to perform CLIN 0058 first. And for SLEP you have to perform CLIN 0058 twice: LH and RH. Therefore no removal or reinstallation work is priced in CLIN 0059.

Is that correct?

A: Correct, no removal or reinstallation work should be priced in CLIN 0059. CLIN 0058 and CLIN 0059 are for completing the SLEP wing modifications on a set of wings (one left hand and one right hand). The position has evolved over the course of this solicitation and the previous guidance requires additional clarification. The offeror should price CLIN 0059, as a 1400 hr task over 100 calendar days to accomplish all aspects of 16W9-13-501 on a full set of wings (one left hand and one right hand). For the purpose of this pricing estimate both a left wing and right wing will be removed as part of 0058, modified as a set under CLIN 0059 and reinstalled under the original CLIN 0058. Both CLIN 0058 and 0059 will be completed only once for every one SLEP aircraft.

5. Long Lead Tooling. In PWS 1.14.12.2.2 you mentioned that in Europe only the incumbent possesses the long lead tooling required for post-block wing repair and that time required to obtain all necessary long lead tooling could add up to four years. On the other hand you mention in PWS 1.4.4 not having the required tooling prior to need dates is not a valid reason for the contractor’s inability to accomplish the work or to receive an extension on a task order beyond the six months lead time. This implicates that in any scenario the incumbent will have to perform that scope of work as a subcontractor or as the awardee. By awarding the work this unreasonable way with an overly restrictive time requirement that is impossible for anyone other than the incumbent to meet the solicitation perpetuates a defacto sole source award. Would the Government be open to separating that work scope from the current work scope to promote a level playing field, which is in the best interest of the Government? Alternatively, would the Government be willing to enter into FAR 15.201 industry discussions to determine if this the incumbents or others would be able to sell or provide the tooling or entertain a new timeline that allows for greater competition of this work scope.

A: No, we will not be separating the workload. We explored this option at length but due to equipment limitations and the SLEP schedule it was determined that the effort would not be separated. The Air Force is not going to open industry discussions. Offerors are welcome to initiate their own discussions without Government involvement. It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine how they will complete the workload, whether it be subcontracting the work or fulfilling the requirements themselves. There are potential solutions such as subcontracting to either one of the contractors with the tooling. There is the potential that a partnership could be met. There is the potential that equipment could be leased, borrowed, or purchased from the current owners.

6. CLIN 0076 (TCTO 2823) PSSR Install of Upper Outboard Bulkhead Flange Fittings AT F.S. 309.8, 325.8,

341.8 AND 357.8 ON USAF/EPAF F-16A/B/C/D BLOCK 1/5/10/15/25/30/32 AIRCRAFT

Question: Should we include the price of the fittings? Or only price for the manhours without fittings?

A: For CLIN 0076 PSSR, TCTO 2823 is 100% fitting installation at FS 309, 325, 341 and 357, there is NO kit for PSSR and parts will be requisitioned by the contractor from Air Force supply. Offerors should include the price of the fittings in their proposal

7. Can you provide guidance on secure electronic file exchange services?

A: Due to the difficulties COVID -19 has imposed on us all, we do not expect to receive hand-carried copies of your proposals. We advise two alternatives: 1 – a mailed hard copy with electronic copies (CDs, etc.) IAW part 4 of Section L, and/or 2 – an electronically submitted copy using a proprietary secure file transfer process, or using the USG secure file transfer process, DoD SAFE.

Electronically submitted (emailed) copies – The USG will regard emailed copies received before 2:00 PM (Mountain Standard Time) on April 14th, 2020 as timely delivery. You may use whatever file transfer service you feel most comfortable with. Please provide the PCO and Buyer advanced notice of one week’s time, and opportunities to test and use the service. Or, a link to DoD SAFE, which is the secure file transfer protocol for the Department of Defense, may be sent to you upon request.

Just as all contractors are expected to mitigate all risks when sending hard copies through the mail, we expect the same level of diligence for electronic submissions. Email the Buyer and PCO your preferred method (your own company’s secure file exchange program, or DoD SAFE) of secure file transfer. It is in your best interest if we conduct some “test-runs” before the due date.

Mailed copies - We will still accept hard copies of the solicitations (note that the electronic copy on disc would still be a requirement). If both methods are used, please let us know if there are any differences in the files. Otherwise we will consider whichever file version that was sent later to be the official proposal.

8. Can we extend the page numbers to 150? May we use a different type or size of font? May we have any other kind of page layout?

A: No. We expect all offerors to follow the guidelines laid out in part 4 of Section L.

9. May we receive the following TCTOs and drawings?

1F-16-2825 1F-16-2844 16F0275 16F9520 16F9610 1F-16-2826 1F-16-2873 16F8013 16F9530 16F9615 1F-16-2828 16E2119 16F8265 16F9600 16Z5516 1F-16-2833 16E3675 16F8280 16F9605

A: No further TCTOs or drawings are expected to be sent. These TCTOs and drawings would correspond to CLINs 0048 and 0049 and are not yet finalized (see note at bottom of Attachment 1 Pricing Table).

CLIN 0048 and CLIN 0049 are specifically identified in Attachment 4 Section L Section 9.4.1.4 as not requiring a price. The workload is similar in scope to TCTO 1F-16-2795 and TCTO 1F-16-2827, respectively, which are available.

10. Note that Amendment 0004 will not be used.