ADS QA Master Log 2022.02.03.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 28 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- HTC711-22-R-C004
About this file
This document contains questions and answers regarding a solicitation for aerial delivery services at three military bases. The solicitation seeks to provide rigging, preparation, and recovery of various airdrop platforms and equipment at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas in support of aircrew training through September 2027, including four one-year option periods. Responses are due no later than February 18, 2022 at 2:00pm CST. The government will evaluate proposals based on a performance price tradeoff and will provide required training and materials for rigging various load types, including HE, CDS, and door bundles. Offerors must describe their past performance on contracts of similar size, scope and complexity from the last three years.
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Sheet1
| Question # | Par. Ref | Quick Reference | Question | Date | Government Answer | Column1 |
| 1 | All | RFP M-1 Basis for Award (b) (1) | How will the Government determine technical acceptability and price realism in terms of essential parts, supplies, vehicles, and other support equipment? Our concern is that without a plug number specified, a low-cost bid could be successful in the award but unable to execute. | Per M-1 Basis for Award, (b)(1) the Government will then evaluate the Total Proposed Price to determine the Total Evaluated Price (TEP) by the following: (i) Completeness: All information required by the solicitation has been submitted and (ii) Fair and Reasonable: The Government will conduct a price analysis to determine whether the proposed prices are fair and reasonable using one or more techniques set forth in FAR 15.404-1(b)(2). Technical will be evaluated IAW the Solicitation. | ||
| 2 | M-1 Basis For Award | Pages 46 & 51, paragraphs (a) and (b)(4)(B) | Page 46 of the solicitation states that this is a “best value source selection”. However, page 51, paragraph (B) states "If the lowest priced, business and technically acceptable evaluated offer is judged to have a "Substantial Confidence" performance assessment, that offer represents the best value for the Government and the evaluation process stops at this point". This language appears to make this a low price, technically acceptable source selection. Will the Government provide further clarification on the type of procurement, and Section M, evaluation approach? | In accordance with the solicitation, M-1 Basis for Award, the Government will conduct a Performance Price Tradeoff (PPT) source selection in which competing offeror’s past performance will be evaluated on a basis significantly more important than price considerations. | ||
| 3 | Section L Proposal Format | Page 40 | Clear guidance is provided on proposal format, but does not indicate if Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV should all be in a single document or separate files for submission. Will the Government provide additional guidance on proposal formatting for electronic submission? | In accordance with Section L – Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, Addendum To 52.215-1, Offers shall be submitted via Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Access File Exchange (SAFE) https://safe.apps.mil/. |
In accordance with L-4 Proposal Instructions (a) (1), states the proposal shall consist of four (4) separate parts: Part I – Business Proposal, Part II – Price Proposal, Part III – Past Performance Information Proposal, and Part IV – Technical Proposal. The proposal parts may be in a single file or in four separate files so long as it is clear where the beginning and end of each part begin and end, and the proposal otherwise complies with the solicitation submission instructions.
| 4 | Section L-4 Proposal Instructions (b)(3)(b) | Page 43 | It was noted that the past performance parameters remained the same at 3 years (as previously outlined). Considering the previous ADS contract was 5 years in duration, will you reconsider expanding the past performance to 5 years? | No. In accordance with FAR 42.1503(g), Agencies shall use the past performance information in CPARS that is within three years (six for construction and architect-engineer contracts) of the completion of performance of the evaluated contract or order, and information contained in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), e.g., terminations for default or cause. As this is a servcie contract and not for construction or architect-engineering, the solicitation shall remain as written. The Offeror shall submit past performance references for no more than three of the most relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies and commercial customores within the last three years from the date of issuance of this solicitation. However, the Government is not limited to only three past performance submissions submitted by the offeror; the Government may consider any past performance information of which it has knowledge. The Government has adjusted the scope, magnitude, and complexity to better evaluate an Offeror's Past Performance whether or not there is any specific Aerial Delivery Services past performance, for three recent efforts, for the past three years from the date of solicitation. | |
| 5 | RFP/PWS | Regarding the relevant scope items for past performance, will the new expanded relevant items be rated Equally relevant to the traditional air terminal ground handling services scope items; in comparison to the deemed most relevant scope items in the PWS (i.e., Rig and Prepare Aerial Delivery Platforms, Combat Offloads, Inspect, Clean, Store, Repair Parachutes/Extraction Line Panels, Drop Zone Recovery and Participation in Airdrop Malfunction Investigations)? | In accordance with the Solicitation Past Performance evaluation criteria, Scope is defined as providing services requiring logistics coordination, scheduling, compliance with provided instructions, manuals, and regulations, and materials inventory management.. | ||
| 6 | PWS | PWS 3.4.2.1 | PWS 3.4.2.1 states the government will make available a Parachute Rigger Course. The Technical Order for rigging of parachutes requires the specific course attendance at the school in Fort Lee? Can you clarify that the PWS will supercede the Technical Order? | The Parachute Riggers Certification/Course requirements in the PWS do not reference a Technical Order. The Government provided course will be the valid Riggers Certification training, unless amended or modified by the Government. | |
| 7 | PWS | 4.3 | PWS 4.3 Training states the contractor is responsible for all training costs. PWS 3.4.2.1 states the government will make available a Parachute Rigger Course, this is a government unique training only available from the government, as such the actual cost of the course should be free to the contractor, as the government should not be looking to profit on sole source training unique to the government. We can understand all associated costs such as travel etc… being a contractor responsibility but the actual course should be at no charge since it is a mandatory government requirement for the function, and is only available from the government. | There are no Parchute Riggers Course tuition/attendance costs. | |
| 8 | It is our understanding the U.S. Army Quartermaster School for Parachute Rigger Course will not allow contractors to attend? The Air Force provided funded instructors for this course to the Army, the Air Force should have some say in its training needs here but in any case will the government ensure access to a Technical Order approved Parachute Rigger Course for the life of the contract? | The Government will make available a Parachute Riggers Course provided at a location within the Continental United States or through a Mobile Training Team for those contractor personnel not certified for the life of the contract. | |||
| 9 | Small Business | Is it the governments intent to force a Small Business entity such as a SDVOSB to subcontract work to competitor Small Businesses? And if so under what FAR reference does such action exist? | When there is a requirement for Other Than Small Business concerns (Large Business concerns) to submit a Subcontracting Plan (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan) and offers will be evaluated using other than the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process, then small business utilization will be evaluated by all offerors. In accordance with DFARS 215.304(c)(i)(B) Proposals addressing the extent of small business performance shall be separate from subcontracting plans submitted pursuant to the clause at FAR 52.219-9 and shall be structured to allow for consideration of offers from small businesses. | ||
| 10 | Small Business | Why would Small Business concern subcontract work out to a non-qualified small business concern? And, why would the government seek such action? It makes sense for a large business to have a subcontracting plan IAW the FAR, in order to meet small business set aside goals of the government and Congressionally mandated but it lacks merit for one small business to be forced to subcontract to another small business and create a competitor. | It is not an uncommon practice for small business concerns to subcontract with other small business concerns. Like Other Than Small Business concerns (Large Business concerns), Small Business concerns have an obligation to provide maximum opportunities to qualified small business concerns through subcontracting. In Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 2, titled Definitions it states the following: Small Business Teaming Arrangement - (1) Means an arrangement where-(i) Two or more small business concerns have formed a joint venture; or (ii) A small business offeror agrees with one or more other small business concerns to have them act as its subcontractors under a specified Government contract. A Small Business Teaming Arrangement between the offeror and its small business subcontractor(s) exists through a written agreement between the parties that- (A) Is specifically referred to as a "Small Business Teaming Arrangement"; and (B) Sets forth the different responsibilities, roles, and percentages (or other allocations) of work as it relates to the acquisition; Small Business concerns are not to submit a subcontracting plan. However, a Small Business Participation Commitment Document to evaluate small business utilization shall be submitted with the proposal package from all offerors. | ||
| 11 | Can you confirm any and all Union agreements for existing incumbent workforces which apply to this solicitation? | There is a Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective 30 Sep 2018 through 29 Sep 2023, between the incumbent and the union, Aerial Delivery Flight Services Employees of Joint Base Charleston Local. | |||
| 12 | L-4.a.5 | RFP page 40 | Does the Government wish offerors to submit the proposal files in Microsoft Word (.docx) and/or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)? | In accordance with solicitation instructions, proposals shall be submitted using Times New Roman, 12-point font except for figures, tables, and diagrams where smaller is acceptable as long as it is readable. Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat are both acceptable submission formats. | |
| 13 | L-4.a.5 | RFP page 40 | Would one inch (1") margins on top, bottom, and sides be acceptable for all submission documents? | In accordance with solicitation instructions, proposals shall be submitted using Times New Roman, 12-point font except for figures, tables, and diagrams where smaller is acceptable as long as it is readable. Margins of 1" are acceptable. | |
| 14 | L-4.a.5 | RFP page 40 | Will the Government allow 11x17 tabloid size pages for graphics and Organizational Charts? | In accordance with solicitation instructions, proposals shall be submitted using Times New Roman, 12-point font except for figures, tables, and diagrams where smaller is acceptable as long as it is readable. Proposal pages cannot be larger than 8.5 x 11 standard. The Government will allow 11 x 17 inch tabloid pages for graphics and organizational charts. | |
| 15 | L-4.b.3.c | RFP page 43 | In L-4 Proposal Instructions>(b)>(3)>(c), the requirements identify the Point of Contact for each Past Performance contract as that requested on the Contract Information Sheet. On Attachment 7, the Contract Information Sheet, it asks for the most current Contracting Officer. Would the Governemnt consider allowing individuals other than the current Contracting Officer to fill out the Past Performance Questionnaires? | In accordance with solicitation instructions, "the offeror is responsible for ensuring the phone number and e-mail address on each questionnaire is up-to-date." Past performance questionnaires need to be completed by your reference POC familiar with a particular offeror’s performance on a prior contract. | |
| 16 | 1.2.1 | Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC | |||
| Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Paragraph requires contractor to rig HE ADPs utilizing Type V and/or Type VI Dual Row platforms. However. There are no HE load materials listed in Appendix C-1, Government Furnished Materials. |
QUESTION 1: Must the contractor provide all materials needed to build up the HE loads? If so, what types of materials are acceptable, i.e., water-filled plastic drums, Rumber, railroad ties, etc.?
QUESTION 2: What is the acceptable weight range for the HE ADPs?
| QUESTION 3: Will Government-provided vehicles/trailers ever be required to be rigged as HE ADPs? If so, how much advance notice will be provided that the vehicles/trailers must be used? Additionally, will the vehicles/trailers need to be de-rigged either at the drop zone or when the platform is returned to main base from the drop zone? | The Government will provide all materials required to build HE ADPs, acceptable materials will be provided, e.g. plastic drums, etc. The acceptable weight range will be provided by the Government as appropriate to ensure the contractor has sufficient time to build HE ADPs and have them available. The Government will provide HE items needed to meet Unilateral Aircrew Training requirements, these requirements will be coordinated with the contractor in sufficient time to meet the coordinated flying schedule requirements. The contractor shall recover all assets from the drop zone and return them to the Aerial Delivery facilities. | ||
| 17 | 1.2.2 | Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC | |
| Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Paragraph requires contractor to rig CDS Loads. However, there are no CDS load materials included in Appendix C-1, Government Furnished Materials. |
QUESTION 1: Must the contractor provide all materials needed to build up the CDS loads? If so, what types of materials are acceptable, i.e., water-filled plastic drums, Rumber, railroad ties, etc.?
QUESTION 2: What is the acceptable weight range for the CDS loads?
| QUESTION 3: Will Government-provided containers ever be required to be rigged as CDS loads? If so, how much advance notice will be provided that the Government-provided containers must be used? Additionally, will the Government-provided containers need to be de-rigged either at the drop zone or when the platform is returned to main base from the drop zone? | The Government will provide all materials required to build CDS, acceptable materials will be provided, e.g. plastic drums, etc. The acceptable weight range will be provided by the Government as appropriate to ensure the contractor has sufficient time to build CDS and have them available. The Government will provide CDS items needed to meet Unilateral Aircrew Training requirements, these requirements will be coordinated with the contractor in sufficient time to meet the coordinated flying schedule requirements. The contractor shall recover all assets from the drop zone and return them to the Aerial Delivery facilities. | ||
| 18 | 1.2.4 | Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC | |
| Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Paragraph requires contractor to rig door bundles IAW TO 13C7-1-11, Part 2, Chapter 3. However, there are no door bundle load materials included in Appendix C-1, Government Furnished Materials. |
QUESTION 1: Must the contractor provide all materials needed to build up the door bundle loads? If so, what types of materials are acceptable, i.e., water-filled plastic drums, Rumber, railroad ties, etc.?
QUESTION 2: What is the acceptable weight range for the door bundle loads? i.e., TO 13C7-1-11, Part 2, Chapter 3 allows a range of between 90 and 500 lbs.
| QUESTION 3: Will Government-provided objects/materials ever be required to be rigged as door bundle loads? If so, how much advance notice will be provided that the Government-provided objects/materials must be used? Additionally, will the Government-provided objects/materials need to be de-rigged either at the drop zone or when the bundle is returned to main base from the drop zone? | The Government will provide all materials to build Door Bundles. The acceptable weight range will be provided by the Government as appropriate to ensure the contractor has sufficient time to build Door Bundles and have them available. The Government will provide Door Bundle items needed to meet Unilateral Aircrew Training requirements, these requirements will be coordinated with the contractor in sufficient time to meet the coordinated flying schedule requirements. The contractor shall recover all assets from the drop zone and return them to the Aerial Delivery facilities. | ||
| 19 | 1.3 | Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC | |
| Atch 2, PWS Dyess AFB | Paragraph requires contractor to maintain and build replacements for COPs utilizing Type V platforms. However, there are no COP load materials included in Appendix C-1, Government Furnished Materials. |
QUESTION 1: Must the contractor provide all materials needed to build up the COP loads? If so, what types of materials are acceptable?
| QUESTION 2: Will any COPs have been previously built for initial contractor use or must the contractor build all COPS either during Transition/Phase-In or on contract start? | The Government will provide all materials to build COPs. The contractor will be provided previously built COPs as part of the phase-in Government-Furnished Materials/Equpipment joint-inventory process. | |
| 20 | 1.6, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (JB Charleston PWS) |
1.7, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (Dyess AFB PWS) 1.5, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (JB Lewis-McChord PWS) Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC Atch 2, PWS Dyess AFB Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord Paragraphs require contractor to recover all airdrop training platforms and equipment (parachutes, parachute bags, dropsondes, and extraction line panels) from DZs. Accomplishing the recoveries will require the use of multiple pieces of equipment and vehicles to lift and transport the items back to the main operating base.
QUESTION 1: Will the Government make available the needed lifting and transporting equipment/vehicles to support the recoveries from the DZ or must the contractor provide all lifting and transporting equipment/vehicles?
| QUESTION 2: The Government Furnished Facilites (Appendix C-3 of each PWS) does not list any facilities at the DZ locations where lifting and transport equipment/vehicles may be secured and stored. Will the Government make available facilities to store/secure the needed lifting and transporting equipment/vehicles to support the recoveries from the DZ or must the contractor provide all facilities needed to store/secure lifting and transporting equipment/vehicles? | No, the Government will only make available Government-Furnished Equipment in Appendix C-2, which does not include lifting and transporting equipment/vehicles. The contractor is responsible for providing all other equipment, vehicles, etc., necessary to meet PWS performance requirements. There are no Government-Furnished Facilities at any of the DZs, and no contract provisions that allow the contractor to maintain Contractor-Furnished Facilities at a DZ. Any equipment/vehicles the contractor intends to store at a DZ must be approved by the Government DZ Coordinator in advance. | |
| 21 | 1.6, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (JB Charleston PWS) |
1.7, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (Dyess AFB PWS) 1.5, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (JB Lewis-McChord PWS) Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC Atch 2, PWS Dyess AFB
| Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Paragraphs require contractor to recover all airdrop training platforms and equipment (parachutes, parachute bags, dropsondes, and extraction line panels) from DZs. | |
| QUESTION 1: Must the contractor return the training platforms to the main operating base within a specific amount of time? | The contractor shall recover all assets from the drop zone and return them to the Aerial Delivery facilities. Assets will need to be returned by the contractor in time for the contractor to inspect, clean, store, and repair assets for re-utilization. | |
| 22 | 1.6, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (JB Charleston PWS) | |
| 1.5, Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery (JB Lewis-McChord PWS) | Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC | |
| Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Paragraphs reference TO 13C7-1-10, Derigging and Recovery Procedures, Chapter 4. However, this TO appears to have been superseded by TO 13C7-1-5, Rigging Airdrop Platforms; Airdrop Derigging and Recovery Procedures Reference Data For Airdrop Platform Loads, Chapter 14. | |
| SUGGESTION: Replace the references to TO 13C7-1-10, paragraph 4, with TO 13C7-1-5, Chapter 14. | We've amended the DYS, JBCHS, and JBLM PWSs to correct this typo: Drop Zone (DZ) Recovery. The contractor shall recover airdrop training platforms and equipment (parachutes, parachute bags, dropsondes, and extraction line panels) from DZ referenced in Appendix E, IAW TO 13C7-1-5, Chapters 13 - 15, Airdrop Derigging Procedures, Airdrop Equipment Recovery Procedures, and Derigging and Recovery Under Special Conditions. | |
| 23 | Page 7, table at bottom of page, line 7 (JB Charleston & JB Lewis-McChord) | |
| Page 8, table at bottom of page, line 7 (Dyess AFB) | Atch 1, PWS JB Charleston SC |
Atch 2, PWS Dyess AFB
| Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Tables reference TO 13C7-1-10, paragraph 4. However, this TO appears to have been superseded by TO 13C7-1-5, Rigging Airdrop Platforms; Airdrop Derigging and Recovery Procedures Reference Data For Airdrop Platform Loads, Chapter 14. | |||
| SUGGESTION: Replace the reference to TO 13C7-1-10, paragraph 4, with TO 13C7-1-5, Chapter 14. | PWS SDS references have been ammended appropriately: Recovery procedures conform to T.O. 13C7-1-5, Chapters 13 - 15. | |||
| 24 | Appendix E | Atch 3, PWS JB Lewis-McChord | Final Note at bottom of page states that the typical Moses Lake drop times are on Tuesdays, with day drops between 0730-1630, and night drops between 1900-0200. | |
| QUESTION: Will the contractor be expected to support both day drops and night drops on the same Tuesday at this location? | Yes, contractor shall support day and night drops at Moses Lake DZ on the same day, typically Tuesdays. | |||
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