QUESTIONS_FOR_SOLICITATION_-_ROUND_2.docx

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

5. Will the government provide the historical flight hours for this contract?

Response: The average number of flight hours per year (Fiscal Years 11, 12, and 13) was 225.

6. Is there an incumbent on the project? If so, can you name the operator?

Response: Yes. Papillon Airways, Inc.

7. What aircraft is currently performing the mission?

Response: Bell 206L

8. Reference CLIN 0001:

The CLINs indicate the Government will provide two weeks for mobilization if an award is made after January 1st. Will the Government clarify how many days will be allowed for mobilization should the Government make an award prior to January 1st?

Response: The awardee must begin performance no later than 14 calendar days after date of award.

9. Would a day used for scheduled maintenance be considered an unavailable day, or is there some flexibility to work around the mission schedule?

Response: Yes. An operational aircraft must be available on site in order to meet mission requirements as they arise (in addition to scheduled flights).

10. Reference Section 1.0, Paragraph 1.3.2.12.6:

Can we assume that the observer is sitting in the co-pilot seat?

Response: Yes, we typically use the co-pilot seat for a passenger.

11. Reference Section 1.0, Paragraph 1.3.4.4:

Would sliding vents in the helicopter windows meet the “ventilation/air conditioning” requirement?

Response: That configuration has been sufficient for the Government in the past.

12. Reference Section 1.0, Paragraph 1.3.4.4:

To meet this requirement, could a contractor conduct familiarization flights with its pilots (at contractor expense if necessary) on site?

Response: Yes, that is possible.

13. Reference Section 3.0, Paragraph 3.2:

The solicitation mentions that a parking space is provided. Is hangar space available for aircraft storage and/or maintenance?

Response: There is only outside parking space available at Bicycle Lake Airfield for this contract.

14. Reference Section 4.0, paragraph 4.5:

Please confirm that all pilots and mechanics will need a security clearance. Can you provide any guidance on the time required for an interim security clearance and the cost to the contractor?

Response: The pilots do not require access to sensitive information, therefore no “security clearance” in that context. For clarity, employees are required to provide their personal information to Ft. Irwin Director of Emergency Services, for clearance access at Ft. Irwin, CA.

15. Reference Attachment 5:

Is the Government requiring that we use the listed weight reduction for the payload calculation?

Response: Yes, please follow the instructions provided with the HOGE chart.

“6. WEIGHT REDUCTION – The Government Weight Reduction is required. The appropriate Weight Reduction value, for make & model, can be found in the Helicopter Services Fuel Consumption, and Weight Reduction Chart provided above.”

16. Reference Section 52.212-1, Paragraph 4.1 (i):

How many copies of the proposal are required? This paragraph references an “original” copy but does not indicate a need for additional copies. Please confirm that “electronic submission” is acceptable (via email). If so, how is the contractor expected to provide a copy.

Response: See Amendment 0002.

17. Reference Section 52.212-3, Paragraph (2):

Please confirm that the second paragraph (2) is actually paragraph (b) and therefore the section to complete if all representations have been filed through SAM.

Response: The second paragraph (2) is actually paragraph (b)(2).

18. Reference Attachment 1, PWS, paragraph 1.3.1:

“…seating 5 passengers plus pilot, capable of carrying internal/external loads of at least 500 pounds…(excluding pilot and fuel weight)…and/or combination…”. Please clarify minimum aircraft capability as per this section, based on planning weight reference (250 lbs per person) in Attachment 5 – HOGE chart (page 38 of 62) means 1,750 pounds?

Response: No, it does not necessarily mean 1,750 pounds. That is dependent on the number of crew the offeror is proposing, and the fuel consumption of the aircraft. See updated instructions in Amendment 0002, Attachment 5.

19. Reference Evaluation-Commercial Items, Section (a), 2, Technical, Sub-factor 1: Technical Approach (b):

“Seating for 5 passengers along with cargo for a total internal weight of 500 pounds…”. Please clarify statement. Does the Government mean 5 passengers plus a total internal “cargo” weight of 500, indicating total payload of passengers and cargo to be 1,750 pounds?

Response: See response to Question Number 18.

20. Reference Attachment 2, Section b, Aircrew Requirements, (1) (c):

Additional DOD Standards dictate that when an aircraft is operated under IFR, there must be a Pilot-in-command (PIC) and Second-in-command (SIC). This requirement would indicate that the Government requires two (2) pilots under PWS, Attachment 1, Page 25 of 62, Section 4.0 General Information, 4.3, “Contractor shall have a current FAA Authorization certificate to operate over routes and into airfields specified under both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR)”… . . instead of the stated requirement of just one (1) pilot throughout solicitation. Will the Government therefore please clarify that requirements are for two (2) pilots?

Response: For safety considerations, the Government requires the Contractor and aircraft to be IFR capable. The contractor is only required to fly under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Also, see response to Question Number 18.

21. Reference Attachment 2, Section b, Aircrew Requirements, (1) (c):

Additional DOD Standards dictate that when an aircraft is operated under IFR, there must be a Pilot-in-command (PIC) and Second-in-command (SIC). This requirement would indicate that the government requires two (2) pilots under PWS, Attachment 1, Page 25 of 62, Section 4.0 General Information, 4.3 “Contractor shall have a current FAA Authorization certificate to operate over routes and into airfields specified under both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR)”…..instead of the stated requirement of just one (1) pilot throughout solicitation. This requirement would have the internal weight increased by another 250 pounds (second pilot), bringing the requirement to 2,000 pounds (excluding PIC and fuel weight). Will the government consider dropping the requirement of the IFR authorization to allow the aircraft minimum capability to remain as stated?

Response: See response to Question Number 20.

22. Reference: Attachment 1, Performance Work Statement (PWS), Section 3.0, “Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Services”, 3.4:

Additional DOD Standards dictate that when an aircraft is operated under IFR, there must be a Pilot-in-command (PIC) and Second-in-command (SIC). This requirement would indicate that the government requires two (2) pilots under PWS, Attachment 1, Page 25 of 62, Section 4.0 General Information, 4.3, “Contractor shall have a current FAA Authorization certificate to operate over routes and into airfields specified under both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR)”…..instead of the stated requirement of just one (1) pilot throughout solicitation. Will the government provide office space for two (2) pilots?

Response: No. See response to Question Number 20.

23. Reference: Attachment 1, Performance Work Statement (PWS), Page 24 of 62, Section 4.0, “General Information”, 4.1:

Will the government consider allowing the contractor to gain it’s DOD Approved Air Carrier (CARB) status by day one of the performance period as per DOD Instructions if contractor can provide documentation it meets all applicable requirements listed in 32 CFR Part 861; meets, exceeds and certificated under all applicable rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) (certificated under Part 133, 135 and 145), and meets or exceeds other interagency department's safety and operational guidelines such as being OAS/USFS Carded in its bid response?

Response: No. Due to time constraints, the air carrier must be DOD approved by the closing date of the solicitation.

24. I’m a little confused as to the requirements for the Attachment 1 to the PWS. This requirement for Security Cyber Control is entirely new to me, as I have never seen one. Is this actually applicable to this type of helicopter contract? Would it only apply to the Satellite Base for the helicopter/pilot at Fort Irwin? Or would it apply to the entire company? The Vendor for this helicopter contract would not be involved in any type of Data Processing needing Cyber Security, other than pilot records and aircraft maintenance. We would not supply any “Boundary Defense under Critical Control 13. Why would we need to do a “penetration test” and have a RED TEAM Exercise, as required by Critical Control 20? Or would we just fill out the form and respond, “Not Applicable”?

Response: Yes, Cyber Security Contract Requirements and Language in the solicitation apply to transportation contracts. The information applies to the entire company. If the vendor processes, receives, transmits, etc. non-public Government information, appropriate cyber security measures would be needed to protect the Government’s information. If your company has a corporate network for IT/data processing, boundary defense is a typical feature and industry best practice not only to protect Government information but your intellectual property. All of the critical controls, including #20, are industry best practices for the protection of your environment and information of your customers. As the template indicates, if a particular control is not in use in your organization, that control should be marked “not applicable”.

25. Reference: PWS 1.3.1:

This section of the PWS requires the offered aircraft to be capable of seating 5 passengers. The aircraft must also be capable of transporting an internal/external load of at least 500 pounds. Will the government please clarify, does the operator need to demonstrate the aircraft’s capability to transport the weight of 5 passengers at 30 degrees C at 6,500 feet? If so, should the operator use a per passenger weight of 200 lbs?

Response: The requirement is for the aircraft to be able to carry 500 pounds. The offeror must be able to demonstrate that 1) the aircraft has seating capacity for 5 passengers, and 2) the aircraft can carry a payload of 500 pounds @ 6,500 feet at 30° Celsius.

26. Would it be possible to find out the current rates, monthly or daily, and the flight hour rate that DOD is now paying the current Contractor/Vendor?

Response: A request for this information may be made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA requests can be sent to candice.l.velazquez.civ@mail.mil.