Questions_and_Answers_3.pdf

19 Dec 2014 – 07 Jan 2015

1. On 5 January 2015, the F-15 Program Office was presented with a written request to provide information regarding the F-15SA ICS Sources Sought Synopsis. To ensure that all interested parties are privy to the same information, we will provide the questions and answers. I ask that you share this information with all interested parties.

2. Questions and answers as requested from the program office.

a. Requirements description Page 3 states that in addition to O and I-level maintenance, the contractor shall be required to provide on-site technical support services and/or engineering reach back support, as requested by RSAF.

1) Would you please clarify required design and engineering activities so we can determine if Professional Architects and Engineers Liability insurance will be required for this contract? Engineering support will be limited to the RSAF engineers working on site. This will be included for anything over and above the normal operating procedures and within the scope of the RSAF engineers’ capabilities.

2) As the F-15SA is expected to be a significant technological advancement over currently operational models of the F-15, with a high probability of additional modifications and refinements to be forthcoming as the aircraft encounters challenges in its initial operational experience with the RSAF, we believe that engineering reach back to WR-ALC System Program Management and OEM engineers will be necessary, or perhaps insisted upon by the RSAF. In our past experience with WR-ALC supported aircraft, notably the C-130, we have noted that WR-ALC tends to defer to the OEM on engineering decisions. Can the ICS contractor expect assistance from the SPM and WR-LC PK/PZ in facilitating access to Government and OEM engineering resources, or will the contractor be required and authorized to make engineering determinations regarding this weapon system? This is not a requirement of this contract; the offeror will not be expected to make engineering determinations for the F-15SA for this effort.

3) Is an engineering support package from the OEM part of the original weapons system acquisition? If so, will the ICS contractor be able to make use of it? All technical data needed for execution of this effort will be provided.

b. With respect to the contractor’s responsibility for RSAF property, will FAR 52.245-1 for GFP apply to RSAF property? If not, will the Government insert similar manuscript language equivalent to FAR 52.245-1 into the RFP to limit Contractor liability for loss or damage of Government/RSAF property: Yes. FAR 52.245-1 will apply.

c. Please define the “maintenance operations” that may be conducted at RSAF bases other than King Khalid AB. Are these limited to off station recovery of 55th FTU aircraft, or is some other type of maintenance operation contemplated? No other maintenance will occur at bases other than King Khalid AB. The only thing to occur at other bases than King Khalid AB is the critical skills support.

d. The ICS contractor, while required to verify that required parts are on order, will not have control over the supply system or the delivery of parts. The FMC rate is driven by both the NMCM and NMCS rates. Will the contractor be held accountable for the NMCS rate which he cannot control, or only for NMCM time? No, the contractor will not be held accountable for NMCS. The contractor will be held accountable for the NMCM.

e. Will the Government make the directive RSAFI 4-7165-110 available to offerors for reference when responding to the solicitation? No, RSAFI 4-7165-110 is a restricted document. However, the equivalent to this document is Air Force Instruction 21-103, Equipment Inventory, Status, and Utilization Reporting, which can be obtained via the web.

f. Will the contractor be required to house all US expatriate employees in RSAF-approved secure housing compounds, or will employees, particularly the small numbers assigned to bases other than King Khalid, be allowed to rent housing on the economy? It will be up to the contractor to determine the best means forward for housing and include that in their subsequent proposal, when requested.

g. Will contractor employees be required to have USG Secret clearance or Saudi Secret clearances—Both USG and Saudi Nationals will be hired to support this effort. USG personnel shall have USG Secret clearances and Saudi Nationals will have Saudi Secret clearances, as required.

3. For questions or concerns, please contact Brittany Prouty, 478-222-8640.