Offeror_Questions_21-32.pdf

Question Reference Response

21 This paragraph lists airdrop among other tasks; however, unlike the other tasks there is no further detail of the performance requirement. Please advise if aerial delivery will be required as part of this contract and if yes please provide details of the scope of the aerial delivery requirement.

Section: 1.1 Scope of Contract

Page: 3

Paragraph: Para 1.1 Scope of

Contract

Airdrop is removed from this requirement. The PWS will be revised accordingly.

22 The paragraph referenced above states: “Provide three fixed-wing aircraft and all personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance, and supervision necessary to perform passenger, cargo, combined passenger and cargo

(COMBI), aeromedical evacuation, airdrop, and Short Take-

Off and Landing (STOL) air transportation services in support of the United States Special Operations Command between locations in the Areas of Responsibility (AOR) of

Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and

Uzbekistan”. Our understanding is that airdrops are not part of the current contract. Is the contractor expected to perform airdrops in performance of the contract? If yes, please describe the type of airdrop is expected (e.g., personnel, cargo), expected quantities/frequencies, and any applicable requirements.

Section: 1

Page: 3

Paragraph: 1.1

Airdrop is removed from this requirement. The PWS will be revised accordingly.

23 Will the government supply secure communications

CONUS equipment and related services for operations?

Section: PWS 3.9. Secure

Communication

Page: 13

Paragraph: 3.9.1

Please see PWS 3.9.1 - Contractor will be provided access to secure communications for flight planning and flying operations, pending verification of appropriate security clearances.

USSOCOM Fixed Wing Transportation Support

HTC711-16-R-R018 Questions and Answers 21-32

24 Insurance Requirements and Information, paragraph B.3.2 states that the exclusions of the policy are deleted and replaced with the clauses outlined under paragraphs

B.3.2.1 through B.3.8. Insurers have advised they will not agree to remove the common policy exclusions and replace them as outlined under paragraphs B.3.2.1 through B.3.8. They will however agree to provide a

Waiver of Subrogation(B.3.3), provide notice of cancellation (B.3.4) and confirm the aircraft may be operated by pilots authorized by the named insured

(B.3.5). In light of this, will the government agree to remove the requirements under paragraphs B.3.2 through

B.3.2.5 of Appendix B?

Section: PWS Appx B

Page: 24-25

Paragraph: B.3.2. - B.3.8.

The following sections are removed from PWS Appendix B

Insurance Requirements and Information:

(B.3.1)(B.3.2)(B.3.2.1)(B.3.2.2.)(B.3.2.3.)(B.3.2.4.)(B.3.2.5)(B.

3.6)(B.3.7.)(B.3.8). The PWS will be revised accordingly.

25 Insurance Requirements and Information, paragraph B.3.1 states that insurers agree, that damages from injuries or death to passengers not exceeding $150,000 for each passenger, the carrier shall not be able to exclude or limit its liability unless as a result of an act of war as defined in this contract. As stated above, insurers will not agree to remove common policy exclusions that may limit coverage under this section. Please advise if agreeable to remove this requirement and rely upon paragraph B.2.2.1 to state passenger liability insurance requirements.

Section: PWS Appx B

Page: 24

Paragraph: B.3.1

B.3.1 is removed from the insurance provisions. The PWS will be revised accordingly.

26 Insurance Requirements and Information, section B.5.

Non-Premium War Risk Insurance, paragraph B.5.1 states that Non-Premium war risk insurance will be provided to

U.S. Flag (only) carriers if approved by the FAA. Please confirm that Non-Premium War Risk Insurance will be provided for aircraft operated under the contract by U.S.

Flag carriers.

Section: PWS Appx B

Page: 25

Paragraph: B.5.

Non-premium war risk insurance will be provided to (U.S.

Flag only) carriers if approved by the FAA. Please refer to

PWS. B.5.1.

27 The paragraph referenced above states “The aircraft must be FMC and reported as being FMC to the COR, Tasking

Authority, and Contracting Officer no later than 8:00 AM local time for the monthly service to be paid for that aircraft that day.” Many contractors perform maintenance late evening and early morning to accommodate flying schedules in the afternoon and early evening, along with parts shipments that arrive during the middle of the day. This could result in the aircraft being

NMC at 8:00 AM during routine periodic maintenance, with maintenance being completed and the aircraft reported as FMC before it is due to fly later that day, but after 8:00 AM.

Question (1) If the aircraft is reported as NMC while maintenance is being conducted at 8:00 AM and later reported as FMC at 1:00 PM when maintenance is complete, but is not scheduled to fly a mission until 3:00

PM, is the contractor expected to fly the mission even though the contractor will not be paid the monthly service for that aircraft for that day according to the the

PWS?Question (2) Will the Government consider changing the FMC/NMC criteria in the paragraph referenced to include: (a) reporting at a time of day for that is more aligned with completion of the flying schedule (i.e. during the late afternoon or evening); (b) the option of being considered FMC and receiving payment for the aircraft for that day as long as the contractor completes the mission tasked that day/night?

Section: PWS 1.2. Mission

Requirements

Page: 4-5

Paragraph: 1.2.12.2

Q1 - The aircraft shall be FMC no later than 8:00 AM local time to receive the service fee for that aircraft for that day.

If the contractor completes maintenance after 8:00 AM and flies a mission then they are only be entitled to the flight hour rate and not the service fee for that day. Q2 - The

Government's requirement remains unchanged.

28 The last sentence of this evaluation section states: “The offeror shall submit a commercial quality control plan which describes the risk management procedures that will be utilized to ensure safe and reliable air transportation in accordance with FAR 135 and 32 CFR 861 (PWS para 4.2).”

However, the instructions for the content of this section

(page 62, 1. Technical Approach) does not include this topic as a requirement, and limits the page count to 10 pages to address the PWS. PWS 4.2 briefly mentions the

QC plan in the way a post-award deliverable would be described (“…shall develop and implement)…. Could you please clarify what the expectation is to satisfy the

Technical Subfactor 1 - Technical Approach evaluation criteria for the proposal regarding a quality control plan?

Section: FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation -

Commerical Items, revised.

Page: 67

Paragraph: Paragraph (A) Technical

Subfactor 1 - Technical Approach

1. Offerors willl submit a Commercial Quality Control Plan as part of the Technical Proposal. 2. The Quality Control

Plan will, at a minimum, identify and provide a means to mitigate operational risk hazards inherent to aviation in austere locations. See Para. 4.2. for more explanation. 3.

The Commercial Quality Control Plan will not count toward the Technical Proposal page count ( Reference (G) Volume

III (1), page 62 of the Solicitation)

29 Question: The paragraph above states: The Government anticipates approximately 125 hours per aircraft per month (1500 hours per year). Without approved/scheduled maintenance down days provided for in the contract, this could greatly increase the overall cost to the Government. Is it the Government’s intent to not provide any approved/scheduled maintenance down days for this contract?

Section: PWS

Page: 3

Paragraph: 1.2.3

The Government is not providing for maintenance down days. Aircraft maintenance should be scheduled at the contractor's discretion.

Question: The paragraph above states: The

Government anticipates approximately 125 hours per aircraft per month (1500 hours per year).

Without approved/scheduled maintenance down days provided for in the contract, this could greatly increase the overall cost to the Government. Is it the Government’s intent for the contractor to provide 4 aircraft to make 3 aircraft available for missions? If the contractor chooses to provide 4 aircraft to mitigate the lack of approved/scheduled maintenance down days, will the Government provide for Non-Premium War Risk Insurance and additional ramp space at Bagram for a 4th aircraft?

Section: PWS 1.2. Mission

Requirements

Page: 3

Paragraph: 1.2.3.

No, the Government does not require the contractor to provide a 4th aircraft. Please review. 1.2.3. No, the

Government will not provide for Non-Premium War Risk

Insurance and additional ramp space at Bagram for a 4th aircraft.

31 Question: The paragraph above states; EACH aircraft and crew will be able to evacuate a minimum of 2 litter patients and up to eight medical support personnel from secure airfields in the AOR to

Bagram or other appropriate medical facility. Please provide further clarification, is it sufficient for the contractor to provide two litters in theatre that can be moved between the three aircraft or does the contractor need to provide two litters per aircraft for a total of six litters?

Section: PWS 1.2. Mission

Requirements

Page: 4

Paragraph: 1.2.11

No, EACH aircraft must be equipped with 2 litters for a total of six.

Question: #17 of the Questions and Answers points out an error in the CLIN dates, and the answer states

- "This was a clerical error. The solicitation has been revised to change the end date for CLINS 4004 -

4009 to 30 Apr 2021." The Amendment 0003 document explains the correction but does not provide the corrected CLINs. Could you please provide the corrected CLINs for use in the proposal?

Reference: Solicitation Amend 0003

Question 17, CLINS 4004-4009

Page: 5 of Questions 3-20; Page 2 of

Amend 0003

The corrected CLINS for use in the proposal are 4004 thru

4009 and listed on Page 2 of 7 on Amendment 3