Question_and_Answer_for_Posting_60_through_68.pdf

Question and Answers Solicitation HTC711-13-R-C003

Question 60 Due to the complexity of this contract (i.e. medevac, personnel/cargo drops and night vision), we feel it would be in the governments best interest to not limit the bidders to current CARB approved operators. We are requesting that the CARB approval be obtained prior to performance under the contract.

Answer 60 Solicitation HTC711-13-R-C003 must be awarded in early August 2013 to prevent a break in service from the existing contract administered by the DOD Counter Narcoterrorism Program Office which expires in September 2013. The August 2013 award date is necessary to afford the follow-on contractor time to complete the necessary phase-in/mobilization period prior to expiration in September 2013. Based on experience, the CARB approval process takes a minimum of 120 days. This is due to time required to work with new entrant carriers to ensure our unique requirements can be met while satisfying the statutory requirement for providing continuous oversight of all DOD approved air carriers. This specific contract supports critical casualty evacuation services within Africa; therefore, a break in service would pose an unacceptable risk to the Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) mission which relies on this contract to transport injured personnel as part of the casualty evacuation requirement. The Government has determined there is adequate competition for this requirement.

Question 61 The only Operation Specification for airdrops is A303. A303 is specific to LCLA and Afghanistan.

There is no Operation Specification available for personnel and side door air drops. A new OPSPEC could be created with full FAA cooperation and a lot more than 45 days. We are requesting a phase in of one year for 135 air drops contingent on FAA cooperation.

Answer 61 Recommend carriers work with their local Flight Standards District Office to inquire about timeframe for OPSPEC approvals. Based on market research, granting a grace period of 90 days from contract award is appropriate for this requirement to maintain adequate competition. Extensions beyond this timeframe unduly leaves the Government without the required capability. Revised paragraph 1.4.3 of the PWS via Amendment 0006 to incorporate a 90-day grace period.

Question 62 Could a non CARB certified sub-contractor work with a CARB certified prime contractor?

Answer 62 Subcontracting is permitted in performance of this contract; however, all missions shall be operated by the prime DOD approved carrier to comply with DODI 4500.53.

Question 63 Section 1.1.3 of the PWS states that each applicant shall be prepared to provide en route critical care including but not limited to Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) as well as resuscitative measures. PWS 1.1.6-1.1.7 also states that each aircraft tasked with evacuation must have at least one medical provider that is NREMT-paramedic level with certifications in BLS, ATLS, ACLS, and ATLS (paramedic equivalent- Prehospital Trauma Life Support -PHTLS). We interpret this to mean the capability to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) as defined by the FAA in Advisory Circular 135-15.

In addition to the recommended elements of ALS defined by the FAA such as endotracheal intubation, CPR, cardiac monitoring, treatment of dysrhythmias and the administration of medications the FAA also requires that ALS transports include a minimum staffing of two medical personnel who are experienced, qualified and whom practice through the orders of a physician-medical director. Based on the requirements, is it accurate that the solicitation is requiring the provision of Advanced Life Support (ALS) which requires two patient care providers on each aircraft?

Furthermore, does the medical care provided by the medical crew require either communications with a physician-medical director or the use of physician-medical director developed medical orders?

Answer 63 PWS Paragraphs 1.1.5 and 1.1.6 have been updated via Amendment 0006 to specify transport of two medical providers per aircraft. The contractor must be able to establish communication with a physician/medical director.

Question 64 Section 1.1.5 of the PWS states that the aircraft shall be capable of transporting at a minimum one medic and up to four litter patients, isn’t it 2 litter patients and 2 ambulatory patients? Section 1.1.6 of the PWS states that up to two aircraft may be tasked with evacuation with up to 4 patients each. Is it the intent of

USTRANSCOM that one EMT paramedic potentially manage and provide en route care including ALS to 4 critically ill/injured 2 litter patients and 4 ambulatory patients during transport? This would not be consistent with the FAA definition of ALS or with nationally recognized guidelines for medically staffing the provision of care and transport of critically ill/injured patients. Additionally, since the PWS stipulates the en route care of up to 4 critically ill/injured patients per aircraft is it the intent of USTRANSCOM that the contractor provide the necessary medical equipment to manage Advanced Life Support for each of these patients, specifically, intravenous pumps, monitors and mechanical transport ventilators to support 8 critically ill/injured patients at one time?

Answer 64 PWS paragraph 1.1.5 states (as revised), “The contractor aircraft shall have the capacity to safely transport a minimum of two medics, and four patients (two ambulatory and two litters or a combination thereof) from unimproved landing zones to an airfield designated by the supported unit.” When considering the capacity of using two aircraft as required by the PWS, the contractor shall be required to transport a minimum of four medics and eight patients. The contractor shall be capable of providing the necessary medical equipment to manage the four patients aboard each aircraft, which in worst case scenario, would require intravenous pumps, monitors and mechanical transport ventilators to support four critically ill/injured patients at one time per aircraft.

Question 65 In response to a previous question, USTRANSCOM states that a standard litter/stretcher will be acceptable. Most standard litters and stretchers would not and do not meet the requirements in FAR 23.785.

Subsequently standard litters/stretchers and the devices to secure the litters/stretchers in the aircraft are not approved by the FAA. Most nationally recognized standards for air medical transport require that the litter/stretcher comply with the following: (1) The head of the stretcher can be elevated for patient care and comfort, (2) Must be secured to floor of the transport vehicle during transport, (3) Must allow for easy release, (4) Must be clearly labeled with maximum allowable gross weight limit, and (5) Must provide adequate support and rigidity for performing CPR or have backboard readily available. Does the litter/stretcher need to adhere to any nationally recognized guidelines for air medical transport or at a minimum at least have elevation capabilities and be able to be secured to the floor of the transport vehicle?.

Answer 65 The contractor shall abide by all FAA/FAR guidelines with regards to litters/stretchers used in contract performance.

Question 66 Please confirm requirement that winning contractor must demonstrate or show proof in it's written proposal due by May 15, 2013, that the contractor is authorized to perform MEDEVAC operations as per their (contractor's) Op Specs as indicated under PWS 3.7.1...."All aircraft operations shall be conducted under FAA Regulation Part 135."

Answer 66 The Government will evaluate the contractor’s proposal IAW the procedures included at FAR 52.212-2.

With regards to the Technical Capability factor, the Government will evaluate using the following subfactors:

(1) Subfactor 1: Aircraft capability. The measure of merit for this subfactor is met when the offeror’s proposed aircrafts, and aircraft capability, adhere to the requirements of PWS paragraph 3.5 (not including 3.5.1) and 3.6 (including subparagraphs 3.6.1 through 3.6.9).

(2) Subfactor 2: Staffing Matrix. The measure of merit for this subfactor is met when the offeror proposes a staffing matrix which identifies a sound mix and number of personnel resources to perform PWS tasks.

Offeror’s proposed personnel have the required medical qualifications (pursuant to PWS paragraphs 1.1.6 and 1.1.7) and FAA qualifications (pursuant to PWS paragraphs 3.8.4 and 3.8.5). IAW PWS paragraph 3.8, all proposed personnel possess a SECRET clearance.

(3) Subfactor 3: Information Assurance & Cyber Security. The measure of merit for this subfactor is met when the offeror submits an Information Assurance Report that describes their environment for adequately safeguarding DOD non-public information resident on or transiting on the contractor's unclassified information systems from unauthorized access and disclosure AND address the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute's Twenty Critical Security Controls for Effective Cyber Defense: Consensus Audit Guidelines (http://www.sans.org/critical-security-controls).

Although adherence to PWS paragraph 3.7.1. will not be evaluated as part of the offeror’s technical proposal, the contractor must have the capability to perform IAW all PWS requirements if they become the awardee or risk a termination for cause.

Question 67 Please confirm government's desire / guidance / requirement is for two (2) aircraft to be manned 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week during the entire contract....or....is the requirement to have two (2) aircraft available (on station) to insure one (1) aircraft (in other words, two to make one) are flyable 24/7. This question goes directly to the manning equation and life support. Please clarify the requirement so we can properly meet the government's desire.

Answer 67 Revised paragraph 3.4.5 of the PWS via Amendment 0006 to state, “The contractor shall support operations 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Mission tasking for in-theater operations is typically initiated with 48 hours notice. Although it is the Government’s intent to have at least one aircraft operational 24 hours a day/7 days a week, there are times where the Government may require simultaneous CASEVAC, cargo, passenger, and/or air drop missions requiring use of both aircraft.” The Availability Rate calculation within PWS paragraph 2 has also been updated to define Total Possessed Hours as 24 hours per day times number of days in period times 1 aircraft.

Question 68 Reference PWS 1.7.6. Would the government entertain the idea of changing the language of this point or make changes that would indicate fuel cost could be a direct pass through cost as other government contracts in Africa and Afghanistan?

Answer 68 Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause, TRANSFAR 5552.216-9002, as included in the solicitation and any resultant contract, allows fuel adjustments, upward or downward, only if the DESC price varies by more than 3% per gallon from the base price established in the contract. Historical fuel analysis confirms this EPA is sufficient to protect the interests of the Government and contractor.