28Jan08.doc

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RFP FA8530-08-R-21758

28 Jan 08

Question: On page 100 of the RFP, l-900 2f, there is a requirement to provide SDB targets but the requirement is listed under the Volume III FACTS sheet requirements and no pages are specified. In what Volume is this response expected?

Answer: This information is to be included in Volume III, Present and Past Performance Volume. It is not to be included on the FACTS Sheet, but on a separate page in the volume.

Question: The RFP L-900 2e instructions for Volume II Written Technical Proposal do not address a requirement to complete and submit a copy of the Minimum Capabilities Matrix (RFP Attachment 4). Is it to be included in Volume II and is it included in page count?

Answer: The completed Minimum Capabilities Matrix is to be included in Volume II and is included in the page count. Instructions for completing the Minimum Capabilities Matrix are found at the bottom of the Minimum Capabilities Matrix.

Question: Are the completed C-130 GHE Spreadsheets (RFP Attachment 6) included in the Volume II page count?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Are reduced size, legible graphics (photos) of certifications such as an ISO 9001 certificate acceptable to meet the MCM instructions to “provide a full copy of certification for each”?

Answer: Yes.

Question: This question relates to the Offeror ability to meet page count restrictions. The Minimum Capabilities Matrix instructions require information on “current number of qualified personnel for each” for capabilities such as NDI Qualified. The RFP L-900 2e iv Subfactor 1, Certifications requests “Documentation evidencing NDI capabilities”. Similar differences exist for Ground Engine Run and Aircraft Alignment capabilities description requirements. What “Documentation” is required to fulfill RFP requirements in these areas?

Answer: Offerors are to provide the number of qualified personnel, which entity they work for (name of prime and/or subcontractor(s)), the type of certification(s)/capabilities/qualifications held by each individual, and the effective date of those certification(s)/capabilities/qualifications.

Question: The Minimum Capabilities Matrix instructions require information on “current number of qualified personnel for each” for Fastener Hole Cold Work Qualified. The RFP L-900 2e iv Subfactor 3, Processes requests “Documentation evidencing DCMA or other Government approval or the Offeror’s possession”. What “Documentation” is required to fulfill this RFP requirement?

Answer: An answer will be provided in the immediate future.

Question: The RFP Attachment 4 Minimum Capabilities Matrix Hanger row instructions reference an equipment list. The RFP Attachment 5 describes hanger physical characteristics. We assume the “spec for hanger” will describe physical characteristics and features. Please describe what should be included in the Hanger “equipment list”.

Answer: The Hanger “equipment list” is the same equipment list found at RFP Attachment 6. A consolidated equipment list (RFP Attachment 6) is to be provided in the technical volume.

Question: Can single spaced tables be used in Volume II to respond to Minimum Capabilities Matrix instructions for items such as Brakes and Tire/Wheel equipment and tools list?

Answer: Yes.

Question: RFP M-900 page 105, how many awards does the Government anticipate making?

Answer: As was briefed at the Requirements Symposium (Nov 07), we anticipate approximately 10 contracts (could be more, could be fewer). The number of awards is the discretion of the source selection.

Question: RFP page 100, tenth line from the top, please clarify: is “Section II” supposed to be “Volume III” or does this imply there is supposed to be a Section I and Section II in Volume III—if so, what is expected to be in Section I?

Answer: The RFP should state “Volume III” instead of “Section II.” This will be corrected in an RFP amendment.

Question: RFP pages 96 & 104, L-140, 52.252-3: states: “Portions of this solicitation are altered as follows:” and nothing is specified. What goes in here?

Answer: The fill-in information for this clause is as follows: “As specified in applicable amendments.” This fill-in information will be provided in an RFP amendment.

Question: RFP, page 97, L-900 2. a. i., can pictures of certification documents/pages be treated as “charts and graphs”.

Answer: Yes, but they will still count toward the page limitations.

Question: RFP, page 33, Section H-922: States that the indicator for years 6 to 10 will be calculated by Global Insight, Inc., Economic Forecasting, ECIWSPWP&TNS for ECI, WGSA & SAL, Professional and Tech Workers (or equivalent index specified by the Government). Can the Government provide escalation factors for years 2 through 5?

Answer: No. It is the responsibility of each offeror to determine the amount of escalation to include in their proposed rates for years 2 through 5.

Question: RFP page 50 lists FAR Clause 552.222-41, SERVICE CONTRACT ACT OF 1965 (NOV 2007). Can the Government provide a list of locations for Wage Determinations?

Answer: No. It is not possible to list all of the possible locations work could be performed under F2AST.

Question: Will the Government provide mapping from SCA labor categories to the F2AST labor Categories?

Answer: No.

Question: Are labor rates required for all subcontractors or only the critical subcontractors at time of submission?

Answer: Offerors are to submit labor rates only for the prime contractor and critical subcontractors. Rates for additional subcontractors will be submitted after award for evaluation by the Government and addition to the prime contractor’s team.

Question: Section L of the solicitation under Volume III, Present and Past Performance, states the following: “Include relevant information concerning the offeror’s compliance with FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and/or FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, if these clauses are or were contained in any of the five (5) contract efforts identified in Section II, Performance Information, of the offeror’s proposal. If they were not included in these five (5) contracts, submit this information on two (2) additional contracts which contained these clauses.” Request the government confirm the number of citations required that include 52.219-8 or -9?

Answer: If FAR 52.219-8 and/or FAR 52.219-9 were not included in the five contracts covered by the offeror’s FACTS Sheets, offerors must submit information on two additional contracts that do included these clauses. A minimum of two contracts including these clauses must be provided.

Question: If the number of citations that include the clauses in question 18 above is at least one but less than 5 of the original five citations, is an offeror required to submit two (2) additional citations?

Answer: A minimum of two contracts is required.

Question: Due to the differences in Fiscal year and Contract year, is there an anticipated Start date for the rate build to start from? We are assuming September 01, 2008 to 31 August for the first 3?

Answer: 1 Sep to 31 Aug is a reasonable assumption.

Question: Reference RFP Atch 4 Minimum Capabilities Matrix, line items (appears twice) “C-130 Peculiar Ground Handling Equipment – Instructions” and reference RFP Atch 6 GHE, Instructions, Number 1. Atch 4 instructions specify providing a completed GHE spreadsheet for each subcontractor. Atch 6 instructions direct the offeror to provide one consolidated spreadsheet identifying by assigned # all of the team members possessing a given line item. Which is correct?

Answer: Offerors are to provide one consolidated spreadsheet, as instructed on Attachment 6. Attachment 4 will be revised to reflect this instruction.

Question: Reference RFP L-900 2.e.iii, page 98 and RFP Atch 4 Minimum Capabilities Matrix, Instructions. Please clarify the parenthetical expression “(up to four for each category in the Minimum Capabilities Matrix)”. If we use four of our 12 Critical Subs for a cell in a given category column, does this mean we cannot use any of the other Critical Subs for a subsequent cell in that column where one or more of the first four may not possess that line item capability? For example, we use Numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the first cell of the Development column. However, for the second cell of the Development Column, Number 5 does not possess this capability but Number 6 does. Can we put Number 6 in that cell as long as we do not exceed four subcontractors in any given cell?

Answer: Offerors may only use up to four critical subcontractors in each category. Any, some, or all of the four critical subcontractors for each category can be used in the cells for that category.

Question: Referencing Attachment 10 – Subcontractor Pricing Submittal – Subktr Add On Factors - Will instructions be provided for sheet 1? For Example, definitions of Crisis Pay, Subcontractor Add-On, OCONUS Adjustment Factors (specify countries vs. regions), and Overtime methodology.

Answer: An answer will be provided in the immediate future.

Question: Referencing Attachment 10 – Subcontractor Pricing Submittal – Subktr Add-On Factors - If a Subcontractor does not intend to Subcontract out any work, do they still need to fill this section out?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Referencing Attachments 9 and 10 - On-Site Rates vs. Off-Site Rates – Previous Proposals had requested specific On-Site & Off-Site Rates. The Pricing Submittal spreadsheet provided in the RFP does not differentiate. If we have different pricing for on-site & off-site, do we need to provide two submittals of the pricing?

Answer: No. F2AST will not include different rates for on-site and off-site performance.

Question: We are uncertain whether section “M,” Attachment 8 pertains to only the contracts presented in the Past Experience Volume or should be expanded to include other contracts. Please clarify.

Answer: The FACTS Sheet submissions are to pertain to the contracts presented in the Present and Past Performance Volume.

Question: 8 pt. type is customary in tables, figures, graphics and other proposal visual displays. Is 8 pt. type acceptable for data displays in the F2AST Technical and Past Performance Volumes?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Will appendices be allowed in the F2AST proposal (e.g., showing required NDI certifications)?

Answer: Any appendices included in the proposal will count toward the page limitation (i.e., any appendices included in Volume II will be counted toward the 125-page limitation for Volume II). It is up to the offeror to determine how to organize their volumes, within the instructions provided by the RFP.

Question: Reference: Volume III - Present and Past Performance. Section L, paragraph f, i (page 100) of the RFP above requires the prime on F2AST to submit Small Business “targets” for this Award. Is it intended to put SB targets in Vol. III, PP for future work? Where do we put these on the Fact Sheets? Paragraph 4 on the Fact Sheets is in reference to a Large Business prime’s past performance. If required, do you want these projections provided as a separate document in Vol. III?

Answer: The targets that are required to be provided in Volume III are SDB targets for future work. This information is not to be included in the FACTS Sheets, but is required to be submitted in Volume III, and can be included as a separate document in Volume III.

Question: What are the "rejection criteria" for Clause H-910? In order to select the initial suppliers for the Minimum Capabilities Matrix, it is necessary to understand what circumstance could preclude the Government from allowing the addition of a supplier in the future.

Answer: If the contractor and the Government are unable to negotiate acceptable subcontractor rates that meet the requirements of Clause H-910, the subcontractor will not be added to the prime contractor’s team.

Question: Our “Prime” Company has multiple Divisions. Some of these Divisions are not necessarily considered “critical subcontractors” (not included in our 12 Critical Subcontractor list). However, they may be well suited to bid on distinctive D/TOs. These “non-critical” division’s rates will most likely “exceed the average F2AST subcontractor labor rates” (reference H-910), thus eliminating them from future consideration. Is this H-910 Requirement interpreted correctly?

Answer: If a potential subcontractor’s proposed labor rate for a specific labor category exceeds the average F2AST subcontractor labor rate incorporated at initial contract award for that particular labor category for that prime contractor, then that particular subcontractor labor rate will not be approved and will not be put on contract, meaning the subcontractor would not be permitted to perform/utilize that labor category. (i.e., if the subcontractor’s proposed program manager rate is $150/hour, but the average F2AST labor rate incorporated at initial contract award for the prime contractor for the program manager labor category is $85/hour, that subcontractor’s rate for that labor category will not be added to the contract and the subcontractor will not be able to perform that labor category.) If the potential subcontractor’s labor rates meet the condition of Clause H-910 for other labor categories, those labor rates would be permitted to be put on contract. In the event that a potential subcontractor’s labor rates exceed the average F2AST subcontractor labor rates incorporated at initial contract award for all labor categories, the Government will not approve the addition of that subcontractor to the prime contractor’s team.