USG_Response_to_Questions_(16_May).xlsx
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- RSAF F-15 Supply Services
- Solicitation number
- FA8505-16-R-0004
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USG Response to Industry Inquiries
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| Industry Question | USG Response | ||
| 1 | Page 4, 5 of 5 on Request for Proposal FA8505-16-R-0004-0005 Read as | ||
| (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 1 day; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 1 day before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. The Saudi labor Article 75 and 76 office required 60 days to notify the employee of his end of contract termination or the company has to pay 2-month salary to the employee in lieu of the 60 days notification. Question: Will the solicitation be amended to comply with Saudi Labor Law or are we to add the two month salary to comply with the law? | This fill in will remain as is. | ||
| 2 | The solicitation amendment 6 has proposal due 25 May 3;00PM. Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors May 3rd. has due date 29 April by 4:00PM. Question: Which is correct and will the solicitation be corrected to make form 30 and section L match. | Section L updated with a due date of 25 May 2016. | |
| 3 | PWS 4.15.1 – Bullets reference 4.15.1.1.42, there is no such section. Question: Where can the information reference be found? | This reference has been updated to 4.15.2 | |
| 4 | PWS 4.15.2. has “The Contractor shall deliver bench stock parts to established bins in RSAF maintenance shops at locations outlined in paragraph Error! Reference source not found. and the Catalog.” Question: What paragraph reference can the information be found? | The correct reference is 4.1.2. | |
| 5 | PWS 3.16. Paragraph reference contractor shall provide training to RSAF personnel in the safe and efficient operation of POD equipment. Question: With the above statement does this mean we are not required to price or provide training on Print Plant equipment? | There is no paragraph 3.16. We assume you are referencing PWS paragraph 4.16 where this is stated. As stated in the PWS, Print Plant personnel will be required… to provide training to RSAF personnel in the safe and efficient operation of POD equipment. As stated, the Contractor will be required to perform this work; please note this is in reference to the PODs only and not the Print Plant. | |
| 6 | PWS 5.5.4. The paragraph reference contractor shall establish and maintain a safety program in accordance with OSHA, ESOH, the contract/order Appendix C (Industrial Safety Requirements), and the Safety and Health Plan. It also reference “While performing work under this contract the Contractor shall comply with all applicable RSAF regulations regarding occupational safety and health.” Question: As all work is to be performed in KSA how does OSHA, ESOH apply? |
Question: Shouldn’t the Law of Saudi apply?
Question: Our research has been unable to find to RSAF regulations. Please identify what the RSAF regulation are so as they can be review
| Question: What if there conflict between the Saudi law, RSAF regulation and OSHA,ESOH which one take precedent the PWS need to be amended to show precedent? | Regulations to be followed will be based on the actual location of work performed. Work performed within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should follow Saudi Arabian laws as applicable. Work performed CONUS, if any, should follow OSHA/ESOH as applicable. PWS language has been amended to "While performing work under this contract the Contractor shall comply with all applicable Saudi Arabian regulations regarding occupational safety and health when conducting operations within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." It will be the Contractor's responsibility to be knowledgeable of these specific laws. Precedent will be based on location of work. | ||
| 7 | PWS 4.15.2.2 The Contractor shall maintain a bin level fill rate no less than 94% at each base. The bin fill rate will be calculated by the following: (Full Bins/Total Bins) x 100. This measurement will be measured per shop at each base to get an overall base total bin fill rate. In contradiction with 6.3 Appendix C; Definitions (pg 49) that identifies the 'Overall Bench Stock Fill Rate' as the total number of bins that are not empty divided by the total number of bins. Whereas 4.15.2.2 states Full Bins (100% authorized Qty on hand) divided by total bins to arrive at the total bin fill rate. Bins Not Empty versus Full Bins? Question: Which is correct bin fill rate? | PWS language has been amended to use "full". Any reference to "not empty" has been removed. Additional language has been added to PWS paragraph 4.15.2.2, "For the purposes of this metric, full bins are considered to have at least one item in the bin." | |
| 8 | PWS 4.15.5.13 Is measurement (i.e. of contractor's performance) of key Consumable Material Procurement (Sections 4.15.2, 4.15.3, and 4.15.4) metrics (listed in Section Error! Reference source not found) "waived beyond the completion of Contractor's Transition Plan? Question: Waived to when |
Question: What was/is this reference" (listed in Section Error! Reference source not found"?
| Question: Long lead items remaining on order. Ordered by whom? | The correct reference is 2.0. PWS paragraph 4.15.5.13, "long lead items remaining on order", was in reference to items remaining on order from the incumbent. | |
| 9 | Amendment 5 added Solicitation Provision 52.246-11, Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement (Dec. 2014), is hereby incorporated as shown in Section E, Inspection and Acceptance. This solicitation provision is applicable to ALL CLINs. The Section E states see See Individual Line Item Schedule The last amendment that has line item schedule has Quality Assurance: Standard Inspection for all line items. Question: Can the USG clarify which line items require Higher-Level inspection as this affect pricing. |
Question: Please verify there No critical safety of flight items as none are listed on catalog. If there are please identify them on catalog as requiring HL Quality Requirement.
Question: Will items purchased from DLA be fully accepted by the USG as satisfying all requirements for sourcing from qualified sources/OEMs? Will DLA sourced items be exempt from HL Quality Requirements? DLA's provides items with a guarantee of "suitable for intended use".
Question: Will Prime contractor is held harmless for anything beyond DLA's guarantee?
Question: For some benchstock items are common with commercial items and manufactured by sources that supply commercial aviation will HL Quality requirement be imposed on commercial items. All offerors should be aware of DCMA practices. It is the offerors responsibility to review all items to determine a status of whether items are critical safety items or not. Offerors should be aware that critical safety items will require a higher-level inspection, however DCMA reserves they right to conduct higher level inspections as they determine necessary. There are critical safety items included on the Consumable 2015 Requirements spreadsheet. The offeror should conduct appropriate research to identify these items. Items purchased from DLA will be fully accepted by the USG as satisfying all requirements for sourcing from qualified sources/OEMs. Items purchased through DLA already meet the higher level quality inspections required. The Contractor will be liable for items upon receipt. If items are deficient upon receipt from DLA, it will be the Contractor's responsibility to take appropaite measures. The higher level quality requirements will be imposed on the Contractor IAW DCMA standard policies and procedures. Additionally, the Prime Contractor will be held to the terms and conditions contained in the contract.
| 10 | PWS 4.16 Contractor shall print and distribute 100% of all F-15 technical data in hard copy within the time frame specified for each print job per RSAF required needs. If the Contractor is unable to meet the RSAF timeline they must provide valid justification to the USG Program Manager (PM)/PCO within four (4) hours. | ||
| Question: Need Number, Weight, Volume of the TO’s and Frequency and distribution locations for the TO’s to properly price this requirement | The USG will not be providing this information at this time. All offerors should man the Print Plant and Print on Demand (POD) facilities to ensure personnel are available during 8 hour work shifts and to satisfy the requirements as set forth in PWS paragraph 4.16. | ||
| 11 | On Catalog Consumable_2015_Requirements_18_April_2016; Question: Please confirm if other Part Number (P/N) will be acceptable where P/N are listed on the catalog; Question: Please confirm if there are no Shelf life requirement for items that have N/A or Blank on the Shelf life column. Question: Please identify the correct UI, AMC and ERRC for items that have N/A or Blank on the UI, AMC and ERRC columns; Question: Please confirm the number of Geographic Locations as based on the Bins Locations and Quantity Summary, there are 104 unique GLC codes | On a case by case basis, other Part Numbers may be ordered where only a Part Number is listed on the catalog. If an offeror/Contractor is looking to pursue this avenue, they should first review all technical data and then coordinate this change with the USG. USG has updated the catalog with the latest U/I, shelf life, |
and AMC codes. If a cell is blank then the data was not available and does not apply. There are four (4) Geographic Location Codes listed in the LQS.
| 12 | 4,3 PWS Counterfeit Electronic Parts: Question: Will all Electronic Parts purchased from DLA be fully accepted by the USG as satisfying all requirements for sourcing from qualified sources/OEMs and compliance with all applicable guidance and clauses listed in the contract? | Yes, items purchased from DLA will be fully accepted by the USG as satisfying all requirements for sourcing from qualified sources/OEMs. |
| 13 | PWS 4.1.15.5.6. If not available in Kingdom, the Contractor shall purchase items from US Government based Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and/or General Services Administration (GSA) as a preferred source. Question: Please confirm if DLA/GSA will ship items to contractor facility in USA or Saudi Arabia or to the RSAF; if shipped to the RSAF, please confirm if the contractor is required to take position of these items from the RSAF in order to meet Bench Stock requirements. | Shipment of items from DLA will be based on information contained within the requisition to DLA from the Contractor. The Contractor should have these items shipped directly to their facility. |
| 14 | Within the Summary or changes document, a statement was made that "Offerors should assume that no parts will be turned over from the incumbent at contract award (if the awardee is not the incumbent)." The PWS contradicts this statement, with a requirement that states "The Contractor shall be responsible for conducting a joint inventory of existing inventories and for the transfer of existing inventories from the incumbent during the transition period. Items on order but not yet received at the end of the transition period will be provided by the USG to the Contractor as the items are received" (PWS Para. 4.8). In addition, the PWS further states that "It will be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure transfer of any existing inventories from the incumbent to the new Contractor occurs during the transition period" (PWS Para. 4.15.5.13). Contractor assumed the USG did not update the PWS based on the updates addressed in the summary of changes document. Contractor requests the PWS be updated, and in addition, requests that it be addressed that the awarded contractor be responsible for procuring initial warehouse inventory in lieu of receiving any inventory from incumbent contractor. | The statement, "offerors should assume that no parts will be turned over from the incumbent at contract award", was offered as a means to clarify this situation for pricing purposes. The USG cannot provide an estimate of the exact parts or number of parts to be transferred at the time of contract award, as it is 6-9 months in the future and the current state of inventory, as of today, will be a different state of inventory as of that point in time. The USG does expect some turnover of inventory during the transition. The requirement, associated with PWS 4.8 and 4.15.5.13 will remain. For pricing purposes, the offerors may assume no turnover. |
| 15 | Within the Summary of changes document, a statement was made that "Items with a Warehouse Authorized Quantity of zero mean that the contractor is not authorized to maintain on hand stock for that item at their warehouse". There are currently 2,974 Depot parts that fall into this category. Per PWS paragraph 4.15.3.4, "The Contractor shall deliver to the RSAF Depot Supply facility at KAAB all items listed in the depot requirements portion of the Catalog no later than seven (7) calendar days from the date and time the order was placed with the Contractor through the RSAF’s logistics management system (that may include a manual or electronic notification process)." If the Contractor is unable to store these parts in our in-Kingdom warehouse, this metric will be unable to be achieved. Contractor requests this 7 day requirement be removed based on the new statement provided in the recent amendment. | Language has been added to PWS paragraph 4.15.3.1 that these requisitions should be filled within seven days, if available. The Contractor should work to fill these requisitions as expeditiously as possible if items are not readily available. This measurement is not part of the services summary. |
| 16 | Contractor requests confirmation on the below assumption:It is assumed that the range subCLIN structure for CLINs X0001 will be used in the following manner: CLINs X0001AA will be exercised first, in which the first 7,000 part numbers at any quantity up to the estimated annual quantity provided will be allowable. CLINs X0001AB will be exercised once the 7,001 part number is demanded. This CLIN will cover parts 7,001 through 14,000 at any quantity up to the estimated annual quantity provided. CLIN X0001AC will be exercised once the 14,001 part number is demanded. This CLIN will cover parts 14,001 through 20,000 at any quantity up to the estimated annual quantity provided. | This is an incorrect assumption. At the time of awarding a task order, the USG will identify the NSNs to be supported in that task order. The offerors should provide pricing for these ranges based on the fact that any combination of NSNs could be requested to be supported within the identified ranges. |
| 17 | Contractor requests confirmation on the below assumption:It is assumed that the demobilization CLIN, when exercised, will be open for an acceptable duration to allow for the contractor to transition out of the Kingdom. This CLIN period of performance will be based on mutual agreement. | A demobilization plan is required IAW CDRL A002. Once this plan is approved, the time frame for a demobilization period will be established. |
| 18 | Contractor requests confirmation on the below assumption:Per PWS Paragraph 4.15.5.2, it is assumed that the Contractor will package and ship all assets to Saudi Arabia. Contractor will support coordination for customs and assumes the RSAF will be the importer of record into Saudi Arabia. The Contractor will continue the transportation process with the end delivery location being the Depot Supply Warehouse in-Kingdom. | This assumption is correct. |
| 19 | PWS section 4.14.4 states that "Copies of medical exams shall be maintained in the employee file", and further states that "This employee file shall be provided to the USG PM as requested". This is in violation of HIPPA, and the Contractor is unable to comply with this requirement. The contractor requests this statement be removed from the PWS. | The PWS has been updated to exclude medical information form being provided to the USG PM. |
| 20 | In response to previous question 22, please confirm if the contractor determines that 4 Supply TOPDO employees are required to support Contractor tasks associated with PWS 4.16.1 Print Plant Technical Requirements, yet the maximum is 3, we should include the price for 1 additional Supply TOPDO in CLIN 0001. | All personnel in support of PWS paragraph 4.16 should be priced in CLIN X001. The TOPDO personnel referred to in PWS paragraph 6.5.14 should be priced in CLIN X002. |
| 21 | Please confirm the positions identified in CLIN 0002 and Appendix E are contractor employees who will perform all tasks associated with PWS paragraphs 4.14, 4.15, and 4.16. | The personnel listed under Appendix E (PWS 6.5) will perform the tasks as described under PWS paragraph 4.14 and as described in the Duty Descriptions section, 6.5. |
| 22 | In reference to previous questions 37 and 61, please confirm the RSAF owns all USG-sourced inventory held in the Contractor's warehouse and the RSAF owns all material in the bins. Therefore, the only material the Contractor takes title of is commercially sourced material. At what point is the transfer of title for the commercially sourced material? | The RSAF owns all material, regardless of sourcing, once material has been invoiced and the invoice has been paid. |
| 23 | Please confirm the USG will pay for transportation of USG-sourced material to the FMS Freight Forwarder in CONUS. | All transportation costs should be included as apart of CLIN X001. Please be aware that the Freight Forwarder is not involved in the shipment of items for this requirement. |
| 24 | Please confirm the contractor can use a CONUS Freight Forwarder for material sourced from the US Government and that the contractor is only responsible for transportation of commercially sourced material. | The Contractor will be responsible for shipment of all items, regardless of sourcing. DLA prices already include the cost associated with shipment/transportation. |
| 25 | How is the Fixed Fee determined for CLIN 0005? Also, who determines the Fixed Fee? | The USG will set the fixed fee. |
| 26 | Is Government sourced material a pass-thought cost? | No. |
| 27 | In the RSAF F-15 Supply Service Price Matrix shall offerors price only commercially sourced items in CLIN 0001 or should that value also include USG priced items? | The price associated with all items should be included in the price for CLIN X001. |
| 28 | Will the contractor be able to requisition consumables items from the Defense Logistics Agency? If yes, what percent for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency surcharge should be added to the DLA price? | Yes, consumable items will be able to purchased from DLA. There is no surcharge associated with this action. |
| 29 | Shall the labor associated with the Print on Demand / Print Plant requirements be included in CLIN 0001 or CLIN 0002? | The labor associated with Print Plant requirements, PWS 4.16 should be included in CLIN X001. |
| 30 | Please provide the current staffing level and/or man-hour estimates by location for Print on Demand / Print Plant. | This information is proprietary to the incumbent contractor and will not be released. |
| 31 | How does the USAF plan to do a price evaluation for Print on Demand / Print Plant as the incumbent is only contractor who knows the current staffing levels and work volumes at each location and there is inadequate information in the solicitation? | Price Evaluation, as well as the technical evaluation, will be conducted IAW Section L&M. This is a services based contract; offerors should develop pricing to satisfy the requirements as set forth in the PWS. |
| 32 | An offset CLIN is requested to be added into the RFP and forthcoming contract, and titled "Unique Requirements"The Economic Offset Secretariat within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia released Economic Offset Program Guidelines, per Document EOS25-4, which are applicable to any “Contractor seeking to participate in major contracts for the supply of equipment and services to the Government”. These guidelines outline that “the Contractor's Economic Offset Commitment will equal thirty-five percent (35%) of the monetary value of the Supply Contract, denominated in the same currency as the Supply Contract”. This offset commitment will be a requirement of any contractor who is awarded this FMS contract. A cost is associated with generating this level of offset commitment, which is an allowable cost under the contract. The guidelines further go on to states that “the full implementation of the Economic Offset Program must be completed within ten (10) years of the effective date of the Supply Contract”. Due to the Fixed Price Incentive Fee structure of this applicable contract, Contractor is requesting to propose a separate Firm Fixed Price CLIN to cover the cost to support this obligation. The rationale for this, is that the cost associated with completing this obligation will be incurred in varying states over a 10 year period, and not within the period of performances dictated in the CLIN structure outlined. In addition, with a FPIF contract type, the Contractor is required to incur the cost proposed or it is considered an underrun and the Contractor will only recoup 50% of the cost through the share ratio. | An offset CLIN will not be added. |
| 33 | Will the USAF consider the removal of AFFARS 5352.209-9000 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (OCT 2010) based on the below rationale?Per AFFARS Subpart 5309-507-2, which prescribes the requirements for inserting AFFARS clause 5352.209-9000 and its alternates, this clause is applicable if: “The contractor will be providing systems engineering and/or technical direction” and “will be obtaining access to proprietary information”. The clause goes on to state, “The parties recognize that the Contractor shall occupy a highly influential and responsible position in determining the system’s basic concepts and supervising their execution by other Contractors.” These statements are not reflective of the scope of this effort. The Performance Work Statement as written does not include any scope applicable to Systems Engineering or Technical Direction, nor does it outline that it is the contractor’s responsibility to supervise implementation by other Contractors. In addition, the contract does not outline that the Contractor will have access to proprietary information. This clause levies financial and administrative burdens on both the Government and the Contractor, and due to the requirements not being applicable, the clause and its alternates should be removed. | The clause will not be removed. It is applicable to this effort. Reference PWS paragraphs 4.14, 4.14.1, and 6.5 for examples. |
| 34 | Will the USAF consider the removal of FAR 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest (DEC 2011) based on the below rationale?The definition of Personal Conflict of Interest within this clause is specific to “Covered Employees”. Covered Employees are defined as “an individual who performs an acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions and is—(1) An employee of the contractor; or(2) A subcontractor that is a self-employed individual treated as a covered employee of the contractor because there is no employer to whom such an individual could submit the required disclosures”.The Performance Work Statement as written does not indicate any tasks associated with Acquisition functions that would be performed by “Covered Employees”. In addition, the clause defines an “Acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions” as “supporting or providing advice or recommendations with regard to the following activities of a Federal agency”. This contract will not be providing advice or recommendations to a “Federal Agency”, and therefore further addresses the clause’s inapplicability to this contract. This clause levies financial and administrative burdens on both the Government and the Contractor, and due to the requirements not being applicable, the clause and its alternates should be removed. | The clause will not be removed. It is applicable to this effort. Reference PWS paragraphs 4.14.1 and 4.14.2 for examples. |
| 35 | Will the USAF consider the removal of FAR 52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements (JAN 2014) based on the below rationale?This clause is applicable for contracts that are primarily service based and are not funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), per the clause prescription. The scope of this contract is primarily supply of consumables and is not considered a service contract. In addition, this contract is funded through the United States Air Force, which is considered DoD and therefore should not be applicable. This clause levies financial and administrative burdens on both the Government and the Contractor, and due to the requirements not being applicable, the clause and its alternates should be removed. | FAR 52.204-14 was removed in amendment 0005. |
| 36 | Will the USAF consider the removal of FAR 52.249-4 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form) (APR 1984) based on the below rationale?The scope of this contract is primarily under a Fixed Price Incentive Fee contract type, and is not considered primarily service based. FAR 52.249-2, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed Price) is included in the contract, and is more appropriate for this scope of work. Due to FAR 52.249-2 and FAR 52.249-4 outlining differing processes in support of termination for convenience, Contractor requests FAR 52.249-4 be removed. | This is a services contract. The clause is applicable and will not be removed. |
| 37 | Will the USAF consider modifying FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) based on the below rationale?The USAF has filled in a timeframe of “1 day before end of period” for notification of an option being exercised. The Contractor requests a minimum of 90 days notification to allow for sufficient time to guarantee a seamless transition to the newly awarded option year. | The fill-in stands as written in the RFP. |
| 38 | Will the USAF consider modifying FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000) based on the below rationale?Paragraph (a) – The USAF currently has filled in a timeframe of “5 days from end of current period” for formal written notification, provided that preliminary written notification is received at least “1” days before contract expires. The Contractor requests a minimum of 90 days for formal notification and 120 days for preliminary notification to allow for sufficient time to guarantee a seamless transition to the newly awarded option year. | The fill-in stands as written in the RFP. |
| 39 | Will the USAF consider modifying FAR 52.215-18 Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for Post-Retirement Benefits (PRB) Other Than Pensions (JUL 2005) based on the below rationale?Contractor requests the following statement be added as a provision to this FAR clause: “The Governments recovery of the Government’s equitable share under FAR 52.215-18 is subject to FAR 52.233-1 Disputes.” | This FAR clause will not be modified. |
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