Question_and_Answers_for_Posting.docx

Question and Answers Draft PWS/Solicitation HTC711-13-R-C003

Question 1 We have been audited by the USTRANSCOM SAET teams twice and granted a CARB waiver for the services we provide. Would this be sufficient for this tender? or can we arrange a audit team visit to be granted the complete CARB certificate?

Answer 1 CARB certification remains a requirement for this contract effort; there are no applicable waivers that can be applied to this contract. Please see http://www.amc.af.mil/library/businesscustomers.asp for more information on how to become a CARB approved carrier. As noted within the website, the CARB approval process takes approximately 120 days; our requirement mandates carriers to be CARB approved before date of solicitation close, 8 May 2013.

Question 2 Are the secret clearance requirements a certainty from the end user? We have been allowed to provide the services on our current work with this requirement waived.

Answer 2 The security clearance requirements as specified in the Performance Work Statement are required for this contract effort; there is no applicable waiver for this contract.

Question 3 What is the current aircraft type used for this requirement? It seems the only multi-engine aircraft that can actually (legally) match the performance criteria is the Casa 212.

Answer 3 This is the first requirement for Trans-Sahara STOL Services at USTRANSCOM. Suggest you request this information, under a FOIA request, to the predecessor agency, the DoD Counter Narcoterrorism Program Office (CNTPO) within the Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Question 4 Does the aircraft have to be multi-engine? Can we also provide a proposal for a single-engine aircraft (that meets the performance criteria otherwise) as an alternative that would be considerably more cost efficient and as capable and safe.

Answer 4 A multi-engine aircraft remains a requirement for this contract effort.

Question 5 The section 1.6.1 mentions 1000 hrs per month I assume this is 100hrs. Is that 100 total hours or 100 hrs per aircraft?

Answer 5 PWS paragraph 1.6.1 was corrected as part of the final solicitation posted 8 Apr 13 to read, “The contractor shall provide all necessary support required to include, but not limited to, personnel, equipment, and material supplies to provide up to 1000 flight hours per year, to be carried throughout the entire performance period.”

Question 6 Page 3 of 23, it mentions 1000 hours per month. I assume that is a typo and meant to read 100?

Answer 6 See response to question 6 above.

Question 7 I just noticed that the solicitation was posted for the Trans Sahara STOL RFP. However, the questions in response to the draft RFP to be incorporated into the RFP are not due until 23 April. Please advise if we are still able to submit questions regarding the draft solicitation, and if the solicitation would be further amended pending the amount of questions received.

Answer 7 Submission of questions in response to the solicitation (note the final/formal solicitation was posted 8 Apr 13) are permitted. Whether the question(s) will result in a solicitation amendment depends on the validity of the question and how the response affects the requirement. Please adhere to 52.212-1, Instruction to offerors Part IV (4). Written questions will be answered in writing and provided to all offerors via FedBizOpps. Solicitation changes will be made via amendment when applicable. However, due to the time required to research a question and provide an answer, questions received less than ten calendar days prior to the due date of offers specified in this solicitation may not be answered.