FMS A29 RFI QA Final 13Dec24.pdf

FMS A-29 RFI

Questions and Answers

1. Under what contract is the work currently performed?

a. Currently there is no active contract; however, the former contract

FA300219DA003 was a non-commercial sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Corporation.

2. Can you confirm if contract # FA300219DA003 with Sierra Nevada Corporation is the incumbent? If not, would it be possible to get the correct incumbent information or is this a new requirement?

a. The former contract was a sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Corporation and now the agency is conducting market research to identify vendor capabilities which will support the upcoming acquisition for A-29 FMS training.

3. Given number of USG Allies that fly the A-29 is there an expectation that maintenance crew training will be conducted OCONUS at USG Allie countries or, will maintenance crew training be conducted at one central location?

a. Training could be conducted either CONUS or OCONUS predicated upon requested country’s requirement; however, CONUS training would be conducted at contractor facility utilizing contractor provided equipment.

4. It is assumed that some type of maintenance crew training has been conducted previously given the number of allies currently operating the A-29. If so, will existing curriculum be provided as GFI?

a. The intent of this market research is to identify the availability of this material.

5. Will a Training System Requirements Analysis (TSRA) be required as part of effort to determine requirements before developing curriculum.

a. The goal of this market research effort is to identify any OEM restrictions or licensing requirements, and capability statements should identify any such requirements.

6. RFI states “Basic Maintenance Courses (Avionics/electrical, Airframe & Powerplant, Egress/Weapons, Supply Chain Management and AM2 Records Management Database) in multiple levels (e.g. USAF 3-, 5-, 7- level).” Is it reasonable to assume that multiple maintenance crew training courses will be required to be developed for the 3- Apprentice level, 5-Journeyman level, and 7-Craftsman level for Avionics / Electrical, Airframes & Powerplant, Egress / Weapons and AM2 Records Management Database?

a. Yes, dependent upon on the requesting countries requirements.

7. Does the USG know at this point if development of maintenance crew training will be standardized by the USG for all allies or will there be instances of specific releasable systems on a country-by-country basis?

a. As with all aircraft, there are similarities and differences between models of aircraft. Additionally, as with all security cooperation programs, it will be dependent upon the specific country what is releasable and what is not.

8. What type of courseware training is the AETC ASFAT currently using? Computer based training (CBT), PowerPoint, and/or Instructor-led training?

• What types of media?

• What methods of delivery)?

• If the courseware training is currently IMI Level I/II, would the AETC AFSAT be open to considering a more advanced/immersive approach (e.g., IMI Level III/IV courseware)?

The return on investment (ROI) of IMI Level III/IV courseware training includes a:

o 40% reduction in aircraft training downtime.

o 45% reduction in classroom hours.

o 35% increase in student retention.

a. AFSAT would be interested in all courseware delivery capabilities available as long as it is compliant with DFARS 252.204-7018. The specific type and delivery of training will be dependent on the requesting country’s needs and contractor’s capabilities.

9. What is AETC AFSAT’s perspective on extended reality (XR) training (i.e., augmented reality, virtual reality, and/or mixed reality)?

a. AFSAT would be interested in all training delivery options available; however, it must comply with DFARS 252.204-7018. The specific type and delivery of training will be dependent on the requesting country’s needs.

10. Would AETC AFSAT consider procuring and implementing XR training products in support of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) A-29 Super Tucano Training?

a. AFSAT would be interested in all training products available to support FMS training; however, it must comply with DFARS 252.204-7018.

11. Please confirm if the first training is expected to start on or about September 2025. Is there a planned number of trainees and schedule of training courses?

a. Currently, there is no scheduled course start date. This RFI is for market research purposes and no acquisition strategy or plan has been developed. Vendor capability statements will assist with upcoming acquisition strategy for A-29 FMS training.

12. Does it include locations outside United States (other countries)? Is it constrained to military air bases?

a. OCONUS training is anticipated. Specific location is dependent upon country requirements. CONUS training would be conducted at contractor facility utilizing contractor provided equipment.

13. Is the contractor expected to train the crew or to develop the courseware, so government will train interested parties by themselves?

a. Market research is being conducted to assist in identifying this information;

however, the expectation is that contractors be capable of both.

14. What should be considered in the list of common instructional equipment not peculiar to

A-29 training? Could you provide examples?

a. Common equipment are those training items that are common regardless of the aircraft type. Peculiar are those items specifically designed for the A-29.

15. Does it include aircraft and facilities for training, such as a training center and hangar for practical training?

a. OCONUS will be utilizing the country’s existing facilities which should include the country’s aircraft and hangers.

16. What additional training courses may be required.

a. Additional training courses are those requested by the country in line with A-29 training that have been named. This may include hybrid courses, transition courses, refresher courses, or focused specialized courses.

17. When referring to "Initial Qualification," is the candidate in question someone with recent graduation status, or do they already possess technical and operational experience with similar aircraft?

a. Initial Qualification would be a candidate with initial flight qualification training.

18. Specifically for Pilots and Mechanics, does the term "Initial Qualification" imply that they are new to the field, or do they have prior practical and operational experience?

a. New to the field.

19. May the training courseware be provided as a service to the USG with limited rights and additional/complementary courseware be developed under government purpose rights.

Please inform if this is acceptable as a strategy.

a. This RFI is for market research purposes and no acquisition strategy or plan has been developed. Vendor capability statements should identify if any licenses are required to perform the requested A-29 FMS training services.

20. Type Rating training for the A-29 requires that candidates have previous experience in teams and squadrons operating in military aircraft.

a. This is market research and when providing capability statement, please include experience requirements for candidates.