QUESTIONS_FOR_SOLICITATION_-_ROUND_1.docx

Questions and Answers for Solicitation HTC711-15-R-R007

1. Reference: Solicitation / SF 1449, Page 1 of 62, item number 8

Considering the government reserves the right, due to the time to research a question, and may not answer a question less than five (5) calendar days prior to “Offer Due Date”, and the nations holiday of Thanksgiving falling within the time period; will the government extend the offer due date by thirty (30) days?

Response: The closing date will remain unchanged at this time.

2. Reference: Performance Work Statement (PWS), Page 21 of 62, Section 1.0 “Description of Services”, 1.3.2.2

Considering the government’s requirement of landing on other than prepared / approved landing pads, i.e…remote and uneven terrain; will the government consider changing the wording from “Skid-Type” to “extended (height)" landing gear, thereby increasing the government’s availability of rotary wing choices?

Response: Paragraph 1.3.2.2 is changed to read “Extended (Height) Landing Gear”.

3. Reference: Performance Work Statement (PWS), Page 24 of 62, Section 4.0 “General Information”, 4.1

From the points of view of increasing the government’s potential list of offerors, reduced pilot workload, and generating more qualified competition from operators that meet or exceed Title 10, US Code, Section 2640; DOD Instructions 4500.53; 32 CFR Part 861 and meet other Interagency requirements (i.e. US Forestry carded, OAS carded operators), will the government consider changing it’s DOD Approved Air Carrier (CARB) certification requirement from “…by the closing date of the solicitation”, to “….by the beginning of the performance period”?

Response: No.

4. Reference: Performance Work Statement (PWS), Page 25 of 62, Section 4.0 “General Information”, 4.3

Reference the government’s statement under Performance Work Statement (PWS) 1.4.2, “…limited daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions", and the government’s requirement under “Additional Standards for Department of Defense (DOD) Contract Aircraft Operations Under FAR Part 135, section (a)(Operations)(3), which limits Single-engine aircraft to day VFR operations; section (b) (Aircrew Requirements)(1)(c), which requires two pilots when operating under IFR; and PWS, section (Description Of Services)(1.3.1) (Aircraft); will the government consider changing the requirement under PWS, section (General Information) 4.3 by dropping the requirement of “…..Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)” from an operator’s authorization certificate (OPSPECS) provided the offeror’s aircraft meet “Additional Standards for Department of Defense (DOD) Contract Aircraft Operations Under FAR Part 135, section(c)3(e) thus keeping inline with this solicitation’s intent of the aircraft load of five (5) passengers and one (1) pilot?

Response: Paragraph 4.3 will remain unchanged.