M6700419R0023_NWAMS_RFP_Gov_Response_26_Aug_2019.pdf

M6700419R0023 NWAMS RFP Gov Response 27 Aug 2019

1) Ref: pg. 35 item 1.H.1: General Personnel Requirements: This Item states “NAVMC personnel shall be United States citizens”. The Compact of Free Association (COFA) between the United States and three associated COFA nations, permits the citizens of those three associated states to live and work freely in the United States, including, but not limited to, serving in the United States’ armed forces. Do citizens of COFA nations satisfy NAVMC personnel eligibility requirements for employment under this contract?

Gov Response: Refer to 1.H.3.b Common Access Card (CAC) Requirement and 6.A.1 “All NWAMS NAVMC personnel will be US Citizens, must meet requirements to, obtain and maintain Government Common Access Card (CAC) requirements and meet MSC ship access requirements.”

2) Ref: pg. 39 item 1.J.2: Office Furniture & Equipment: Will each MPS ship, our proposed Secure Site Facility, and the proposed BIC PM office be provided with government furnished computer systems and associated periferials to ensure connectivity with BIC?

Gov Response: Section 1.J.2 refers to ship only. Each ship provides a community work station. The Gov will discuss viability of one dedicated workstation for the NAVMC. The Gov can not speak to your proposed secure site facility. At BIC, the Gov will provide workstation.

3) Ref: pg.64 item 6.A.2: Vessel Manning. The RFP directs that two NAVMC personnel will be embarked on each MPS ship for a total of 20 personnel. The RFP also directs that there will be a Squadron Supervisor assigne to MPS 2 and MPS 3 respectively.

a. It is AMBYTH’s understanding that MSC set aside two stateroom per MPS ship for lighterage maintenance personnel. Will a third stateroom be set aside on at least one ship within MPS 2 & MPS 3 to accommodate the Squadron Supervisors?

Gov Response: It is the Government’s intent for Squadron Supervisors to have shipboard berthing. The Government is finalizing terms regarding the additional stateroom.

b. If the answer to the above is no, then will the government reimburse the NAVMC contractor for arranging shore berthing and subsistence for the two Squadron Supervisors?

Gov Response: It is the Government’s intent for Squadron Supervisors to have shipboard berthing. The

c. For operational support (real world operations / exercises), and if the Squadron Supervisor is required, how will the third stateroom aboard the MPS ship be sourced?

Gov Response: It is the Government’s intent for Squadron Supervisors to have shipboard berthing. The

4) Ref: pg. 65 item C.6.A.2(f): During the 3 day face to face turnover for the MDM’s will shore lodging and subsistence be provided due to the lack of onboard berthing?

Gov Response: It is the Government’s intent that additional temporary shipboard berthing will be provided during turnover. With prior notice, the Government intends to coordinate berthing availability.

e. Ref: pg. 65 item C.6.A.3a: We understand that BIC will make available office space for the Program Manager (PM). Would the Government allow the PM to work in a location other than BIC with the understanding that any contract required travel to and from BIC by the PM would be done so on a non-reimbursable basis?

Gov Response: It is the Gov intent that the NWAMS PM shall be on site at BIC to provide daily face to face interaction with the Gov. The on-site requirement is integral to NWAMS CONOPS, which mitigate historical challenges. The Offeror may provide an alternative comprehensive approach for consideration.

f. Ref: pg 72 item 6.G.2: Programed Preventive Maintenance: Is it the intention of the RFP that the NAVMC contractor manually update any MRC revisions directed by Force Revision?

Gov Response: The NAVMC shall update all hard copies and electronic libraries IAW 6.G.2

g. Ref: pg 81, items 6.H.10 a/b: Vehicle and Furnished Lodging: Is it BIC’s intention that the NAVMC contractor, when directed, lease the vehicle and the furnished lodging on 365 day lease basis?

Gov Response: Correct, on an annual basis.

h. Ref: pg. 100 item H-4 (d): Would the Government consider the use of Non-US Citizens in the performance of this contract provided that the personnel could pass all the applicable background checks and have the ability to obtain a CAC?

Gov Response: Refer to Section 6.A.1 “All NWAMS NAVMC personnel will be US Citizens, must meet requirements to, obtain and maintain Government Common Access Card (CAC) requirements and meet MSC ship access requirements.”

i. Ref: pg. 101 item H-4 (f): We understand the Government’s need to try and curtail travel costs throughout the duration of the contract. However, we have great concern with the Governments requirement that shipboard personnel must complete a one year tour prior to repatriation for vacation leave. As you know the areas of operation for the squadrons are Diego Garcia and the Northern Mariana’s. Both locations are extremely harsh environments with outside daytime temperatures averaging well into the 90’s. As the NWAMS effort requires personnel to work outside on deck in extreme heat we strongly believe that a one year deployment without vacation is virtually unattainable and would most likely result in worker inefficiencies, poor morale, and increased safety risks. Therefore, we request the NWAMS shipboard personnel rotations align more closely with the current deployed MCMC personnel which allows for vacation every 6 months with commensurate reimbursable travel.

Gov Response: Refer to H-10 Travel procedures. The one year tour does not eliminate vacation time. It is the NAVMC PM’s responsibility to maintain equipment readiness through maintenance scheduling and accomplishment. Employee quality of life and continuity of service is a consideration. The rotation of personnel, travel expenses associated with employee vacation should be provided within the Offerors proposal for employee compensation, continuity of service, retention and locality incentives. Refer to Section L-5, Section3, Proposal Focus Areas.

NWAMS RFI Gov Response 26 Aug 2019

5) Ref: pg. 102 item H9 (a) / pg. 21 item 252.252-7000: Contractor Acquired Property:

a) Is it BIC's intention that ALL repair parts and consumable items required under this contract be primarily sourced through the Government / DOD supply systems?

Gov Response: Refer to SOW Section C.6 Navy Services Para 5, C.6.C.9 and C.6.E

b) Will the contractor be authorized to try and source needed repair parts or consumable items through commercial sources with BIC approval before hand?

Gov Response: Refer to SOW Section C.6 Navy Services Para 5

c) If BIC requires the Contractor to utilize the Government supply system, are there any special requirements, I.E. training, manpower, that we would need to utilize these systems?

Gov Response: Refer to SOW Section C.6 Navy Services Para 5

6) Section L, Focus areas: Is it the Governments intent that all embarked NAVMC contribute to the corrosion control effort, regardless of occupational labor categories?

Gov Response: Correct, refer to Page 64, Ref 6.A.2, 6.A.D.2, 6.G.9, 6.G.9.a and 6.G.9.b. The CCT provides the technical expertise within a squadron and the SS provides the corrosion control and coating system maintenance strategy and management. The Offerors should provide their management approach and any additional steps planned to ensure watercraft coating system integrity is maintained. Positive watercraft corrosion control readiness trends may be part of a compensation/incentive proposal. Example- the SS may be incentivized for positive trends concerning corrosion control and coating system maintenance accomplishment.

7) Section L, Focus areas: Is it the Governments intent that the MDM on each ship is a constant on their assigned ship, where as other labor categories assigned to the squadron are allowed to rove/roam throughout the squadron to accomplish required preventive maintenance?

Gov Response: Correct, refer to SOW Section 6.A.2. The Squadron Supervisor is responsible for managing assigned employees to accomplish scheduled preventive maintenance, including corrosion control, regardless of which MPS assigned or berthed on. The MDMs shall not be moved between MPS since they have custodial (RO) responsibilities for their assigned ship equipment. The

SS also must move assigned employees from ship to ship to accomplish authorized corrective maintenance as well. Ships schedules and watercraft maintenance schedules management is key.

The Offerors should provide their management approach and any additional steps planned to ensure watercraft are FMC. Positive watercraft readiness trends may be part of a compensation/incentive proposal. Example- the SS may be incentivized for positive trends concerning preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance or corrosion control and coating system maintenance accomplishment.

8) Section L, Focus areas: Is it the Governments intent that watercraft are only required to be FMC at time of launch from the ship?

Gov Response: Incorrect, The NAVMC is responsible to ensure that all Navy watercraft remain FMC at all times. However, historically, watercraft become degraded periodically for several reasons and corrective maintenance actions shall be taken upon discovery, reporting and authorization. This focus area is intended to stress to the NAVMC management and employees on the importance that every reasonable effort shall be taken to ensure watercraft are FMC for scheduled exercises. The

Offerors should provide their management approach and any additional steps planned to ensure watercraft are FMC. Positive watercraft readiness trends may be part of a compensation/incentive proposal. Example- the SS may be incentivized for positive trends concerning preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance or corrosion control and coating system maintenance accomplishment.

9) Section L, Focus areas: Is it the Governments intent to provide compensation/incentives to maintain

NWAMS staffing?

Gov Response: The Government will consider and evaluate the offerors proposal on their strategy to obtain, maintain and retain qualified employees to meet SOW staffing requirements. Positive staffing readiness trends may be part of a compensation/incentive proposal. Example- the PM may be incentivized for providing high staffing readiness, subject matter expertise and employee performance. Additionally, incentives may be proposed for employee continuity of service and duty location.

10) 6.A.2 Personnel: Is the contractor restricted by the prevailing wages when hiring specialized personnel such as an Electronic Maintenance Technician? Pertaining to the difficulty in staffing undesirable locations such as Diego Garcia, will the Contractor have any discretion to hire personnel at above the prevailing wage?

Gov Response: The Offeror’s proposal shall be evaluated a competitive environment. Labor costs for skilled workers and locality incentives should be included in the proposal.

11) 6.E.1.c DLA ordering of parts and supplies: What are the requirements to purchasing material and repair parts through open purchase versus DLA? What conditions have to be met to authorize commercial purchase of repair parts?

Gov Response: Refer to SOW Section C.6 Navy Services Para 5.

12) 6.G.9.a Corrosion Control Technician Duties: Given 10 craft onboard, if every panel has some corrosion at less than 25%, it will total a significant amount of corrosion control. Are all ‘less than 25% per panel” the Contractor’s responsibility? At what level would an additional expense be justified?

Gov Response: Refer to SOW Section C.6.G.9.a-c.