Q A 4-43.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 4 THROUGH 43

HTC711-12-R-R001

AERIAL DELIVERY SERVICES

QUESTION #4: Page 1, paragraph 1.2.2.1 of the Charleston, Dyess, McChord, and Ft Bragg PWSs.

PWS paragraph 1.2.2.1 references rigging “CDS with JPADS to include but not limited to 2K Firefly

System.” Appendix D does not identify 2K FireFly System components and does not identify JPADS

2K FireFly system drops. It is our understanding that the parabolic parachute used for the FireFly takes significantly more time to pack and inspect than parachutes in use now. Would the Government please provide 2K FireFly System workload estimates?

ANSWER #4: The workload information contained in Appendix D is based on historical data.

There is no historical workload data for 2K FireFly drops since no actual drops have occurred. There are currently no drop zones authorized for live JPADS drops. Therefore, there is no requirement to recover JPADS drops from a DZ. However, the contractor will be required to comply with PWS paragraphs 1.2. through 1.2.5.; and paragraphs 4.3. through 4.3.1.1. In the future, there may be a requirement for live JPADS drops, which would require a modification to the contract.

Packing the 2K FireFly system parachute does take longer to pack than a G-12. The exact amount of time is dependent on the experience of the team packing the parachute.

QUESTION #5: Appendix E of all PWSs. Have the drop zones identified in Appendix E been approved for 2K FireFly Systems? Would the Government please identify which drop zones will be used for airdrops of the 2K FireFly System under this contract?

ANSWER #5: No; see question and answer #4 above.

QUESTION #6: Appendix D of all PWSs. It is our understanding that the new LCLA CDS and the A-

22 container normally used for CDS have different rigging characteristics making the fabrication and reconstitution times different than high or low velocity CDS. Would the Government please provide workload estimates for LCLA CDS?

ANSWER #6: The workload in Appendix D does not differentiate between CDS rigged with an A-22 container or a non-A-22 container LCLA. The aerial delivery training schedule will identify which type of CDS is needed for a mission. The reconstitution times for the different types of CDS do not vary significantly.

QUESTION #7: Appendix E of Dyess PWS. The Note states that “When recovering ADPs at

Rapido only Marrion DZ/LZ may be used simultaneously.” Would the Government please clarify whether ADPs could be dropped simultaneously at the other DZ/LZs (i.e., Bronte and

Heartbreak, or Rapido and Heartbreak)?

ANSWER #7: The first Note in Appendix E will be changed for clarification.

QUESTION #8: Is there a requirement to hire incumbent personnel?

ANSWER #8: No; there is not a requirement to hire incumbent personnel. On 30 Jan 09, President Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13495, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers

Under Service Contracts. This EO required the Secretary of Labor and the Federal Acquisition

Regulatory Council to issue regulations to implement the requirements of the order. There is currently a pending Federal Acquisition Regulation case on this; however, it has not been published and therefore is not a solicitation or contract requirement.

QUESTION #9: Does the Contracting Officer plan to open discussions after receipt of proposals?

ANSWER #9: In accordance with Section M, paragraph (b)(3), “Communications conducted to resolve minor or clerical errors will not constitute discussions and the Contracting Officer reserves the right to award a contract without the opportunity for proposal revision.” If;

however, the Source Selection Evaluation Board determines discussions need to be held to gain a better understanding of one or more proposals, discussions will be held with all offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range.

QUESTION #10: Is there a requirement for an overall Program Manager besides the Station

Managers?

ANSWER #10: No; there is no contract requirement for an overall Program Manager. That is a business decision that needs to be made by each individual offeror.

QUESTION #11: Are there off-site requirements other than those identified (e.g., USAF

Rodeo)?

ANSWER #11: All off-site requirements are identified in the Performance Work Statements.

QUESTION #12: Will the contractor be expected to support contingency operations?

ANSWER #12: No; the contractor will not be expected to support contingency operations.

QUESTION #13: Is the contractor required to maintain the facility license for the G-11 cutter explosives?

ANSWER #13: No; the government maintains the license for G-11 cutters at Dyess AFB.

QUESTION #14: Are there any vehicle license requirements?

ANSWER #14: There may be specific vehicle license requirements at each of the four locations. In accordance with PWS paragraph 4.3., it is incumbent upon the contractor to contact each installation to determine the local requirements at each site.

QUESTION #15: What is the phase in period; 30/60/90 days?

ANSWER #15: We anticipate the contract will be awarded on/or about 2 Jul 12. The base period will be from 1 Aug through 30 Sep 12. This period is to obtain common access cards and rigger training for personnel as necessary. Actual on-site performance at each of the four locations begins on 1 Oct 12. In accordance with PWS paragraph 4.8., the contractor shall be allowed access to the facilities after the post award conference and prior to contract performance start.

QUESTION #16: There is no mention of base transportation from LRS for maintenance of 25K loaders (Dyess only).

ANSWER #16: The 7 th

LRS will perform maintenance on the K-loaders. The contractor shall notify and coordinate with 7 th

LRS for maintenance of K-loaders.

QUESTION #17: Please clarify where the wash rack area is for the Government-furnished 25K loaders (Dyess only).

ANSWER #17: The wash rack area is near the 7 Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) Vehicle

Operations Facility. PWS paragraph 1.11.2.1. will be added for clarification.

QUESTION #18: Is there any intent by the Government to include FAR clauses in the RFP which indemnify the contractor from risk?

ANSWER #18: Section H and FAR 52.228-5 require the contractor to procure and maintain insurance. FAR 52.245-1 addresses contractor liability for loss, theft, damage, or destruction to

Government property. FAR 52.246-25 addresses liability in contracts requiring the performance of services.

QUESTION #19: Is McChord the only site at which we will support Rodeo events?

ANSWER #19: Yes. If there is a future requirement to support Rodeo events at other locations, the contract will be modified.

QUESTION #20: Will the Government license contractors for operation of contractor acquired vehicles/forklifts on post?

ANSWER #20: No; the Government will not license contractors in accordance with AFI 24-

301, paragraph 8.10. The Government will provide initial qualification training on the 25K loaders at Dyess. After the initial qualification training, the contractor is responsible for training contractor employees in accordance with PWS paragraph 4.3.2.

QUESTION #21: Is there a Government estimate of hours (level of effort) per site?

ANSWER #21: The level of effort is based on the hours of operation provided under paragraph

4.2., the workload data provided under Appendix D, and the drop zone locations provided under

Appendix E.

QUESTION #22: Can the Government provide manning per site?

ANSWER #22: No; the manning required at each site is determined by the offeror and is based on the hours of operation, workload data, and drop zone locations.

QUESTION #23: The airdrops per site do not equate to the numbers provided on the historical information.

ANSWER #23: PWS Appendix D, Estimated Workload Data, for each location will be revised to delete the estimated annual workload sentence; and provide additional detailed historical workload data. All aerial delivery platforms that are rigged are not necessarily dropped.

QUESTION #24: In comparing the Performance Work Statement Service Delivery Summaries, it is noted that the performance threshold for performance objective #4 is different for Dyess than the other locations. Is it intended to be different or is this a typographical error?

ANSWER #24: The PWS paragraphs references for performance objective #4 are intended to be different for Dyess; however, the performance thresholds should be the same. Appropriate changes to the PWSs were made.

QUESTION #25: Are offerors required to attend the pre-proposal conferences in order to submit a bid?

ANSWER #25: No; it is not a requirement to attend the pre-proposal conferences in order to bid on this acquisition.

QUESTION #26: Is the contractor only required to support the 62 AW Flying Schedule?

(McChord only)

ANSWER #26: Yes; however, in accordance with PWS paragraph 1.8.1., the 62 AW flying training schedule may include other unit’s training requirements.

QUESTION #27: Are vehicles required to be flightline certified?

ANSWER #27: Yes; vehicles operated on the flightline are required to be certified in accordance with installation policies.

QUESTION #28: When preparing a load sequence (load pull sheet for Ft Bragg) in accordance with PWS paragraph 1.1.2., is the contractor required to utilize load plan software?

ANSWER #28: No; the load data could be provided manually. It is up to the contractor to determine the most suitable method for providing the information.

QUESTION #29: Is the contractor required to send one rigger from each of the four locations to the tri-annual malfunction review board at Ft Lee, Virginia?

ANSWER #29: No; the contractor is required to send one certified rigger from one of the four locations who represents all sites.

QUESTION #30: Will equipment (sewing machine) used to repair JPADS be provided by the

Government?

ANSWER #30: Yes. The Government-furnished equipment list will be revised to include the machines once they are procured by the Government.

QUESTION #31: Reference solicitation pages 2 and 3, reimbursable CLINs for training. These

CLINs mention rigger training, but do not currently include the JPADS rigger course. Request this be added.

ANSWER #31: CLINs 0001, 0002, 0003, and 0004 have been changed to include the JPADS rigger course.

QUESTION #32: Which of the four aerial delivery locations drop JPADS?

ANSWER #32: None of the four aerial delivery locations currently drop JPADS (2K FireFly).

See question and answer #4.

QUESTION #33: Reference solicitation page 47, which states in assigning the overall past performance confidence assessment rating, the prime offeror’s past performance will be considered more highly than that of subcontractors who will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement, key personnel who have relevant experience, or predecessor companies. Why is the prime offeror’s past performance considered more highly?

ANSWER #33: The prime contractor’s past performance will be considered more highly in assigning the overall past performance confidence assessment rating because the Government’s contractual relationship will only be with the prime offeror, and the prime offeror has overall responsibility for the performance of all contract services. Additionally, there is no way to guarantee that the proposed subcontractors or key personnel will actually perform services for the entire duration of the contract.

QUESTION #34: If an aircraft returns to the installation without dropping the ADP due to a malfunction, is a certified rigger required to respond within fifteen minutes?

ANSWER #34: No; paragraph 1.1.3. requires a certified rigger at the aircraft within fifteen minutes of notification to correct rigging discrepancies found after the ADP is loaded on the aircraft. This only applies prior to aircraft departure.

QUESTION #35: Who signs the DD Form 1748?

ANSWER #35: The contractor does not sign the 1748. In accordance with PWS paragraph

1.2.5., the contractor will annotate the rigger’s inspection on the DD Form 1748 or DD Form

1748-1. The JAI Loadmaster signs the pre-load and post-load inspections blocks.

QUESTION #36: Who corrects errors after found by JAI?

ANSWER #36: Rigger errors found during the JAI pre-load inspection will be corrected by the contractor. Rigger errors found during the JAI post-load inspection will be in accordance with

PWS paragraph 1.1.3.

QUESTION #37: Does the contractor load the aircraft at Dyess?

ANSWER #37: Yes; in accordance with Dyess PWS paragraph 1.6., it is the responsibility of the contractor to load and unload aircraft at Dyess.

QUESTION #38: How does the CLIN structure relate to the Base Period of Performance –

(e.g., is this strictly a training period with no labor)?

ANSWER #38: CLINS 0001, 0002, 0003, and 0004 are strictly for the purpose of obtaining

Rigger Certification training as needed. There are no Aerial Delivery Service requirements performed during the base period.

QUESTION #39: What responsibilities will the winning contractor have with regard to the

CBA?

ANSWER #39: We contacted a SAF/AQCA Labor Advisor regarding this question. IAW Title

29 USC the successor contractor or subcontractor shall not pay any service employee less than the wages and fringe benefits, including accrued wages and fringe benefits, and any prospective increases in wages and fringe benefits provided for in a CBA as a result of arm’s-length negotiations, to which such service employees would have been entitled if they were employed under the predecessor contract. The obligation of the successor contractor is limited to the wage and fringe benefit requirements of the predecessor’s CBA and does not extend to other items such as seniority, grievance procedures, work rules, overtime, etc. However, the successor contractor and the union may sign a bridge agreement accepting the predecessor contractor’s collective bargaining agreement as written. Additionally, the successor contractor and the union may renegotiate the terms and conditions of the predecessor’s CBA.

QUESTION #40: Is there historical information on the use of the alternate Drop Zones listed in

Appendix E, Joint Base Charleston PWS (Ft. Stewart, Ft. Bragg, and Shaw AFB)?

ANSWER #40: During the life of the current contract there was only one instance that the Ft.

Bragg alternate DZ was used by the 437 AW; other alternate locations were not used.

QUESTION #41: How are ADPs that do not drop handled upon return to Charleston after contractor operations have closed for the night?

ANSWER #41: Ramp Services offload the ADP and maintain control of the ADP until the contractor opens the next business day.

QUESTION #42: If the winning contractor does not require training during the 60-day base period can they begin performance of Aerial Delivery Services sooner?

ANSWER #42: No; the incumbent contractor is responsible for providing services through 30

Sep 12.

QUESTION #43: Some of the PWSs show the below paragraph.

“Ensure the MO is present on the DZ during all equipment drops and possesses the following

Government-Furnished Materials and Equipment: video camera, digital camera, forms and clerical supplies necessary to tag equipment and initiate reports, binoculars, wind meter, and a global positioning system.”

The Government equipment list and the GFM list do not show all of the equipment. Can we expect the Government to provide the video camera, digital camera, wind meter, binoculars, and

GPS system at each location?

ANSWER #43: The referenced paragraph is included in all PWSs (paragraph 1.7.1.1. for

Dyess; paragraph 1.6.1.1. for Charleston; paragraph 1.5.1.1. for McChord; and paragraph 1.6.l.1.

for Ft Bragg). The government will provide video camera, digital camera, forms and clerical supplies necessary to tag equipment and initiate reports, binoculars, wind meter, and a global positioning system at each location. Appendix C-2 of the PWSs will be updated as the items are procured.