Kuwait_Final_RFP_QAs_(19Jun13)_(2).xlsx

Post Final RFP Questions

References: 1. PWS page 17 (Section 6.14.2). 2. SF33 page 23 (Section H1) Discussion: In prior questions and answers, it was established that the fleet average method depicted in Reference “1” above (PWS) would be utilized to determine readiness and aircraft availability applicable to reduced payments. In the SF33, the language still penalizes the contractor for “per aircraft” occurrences.

References: 1. PWS. 2. SF33 Discussion: In prior questions and answers, it was established that the contractor would be provided all tools, etc. including common hand tools.

References: 1. SF33 Section L and Section M Discussion: The SF33 Calls for the Executive Summary to include the “Offeror Summary Table”, “Offeror Representation and Information”, “Government Agency Information” and System Compliances”. It also asks for the “Offeror Summary Table” to be submitted 3 weeks prior to the proposal due date.

References: SF 33, Section “L” page 62; 4.0 Proposal Submission Discussion: The “Offeror Summary Table” requires the contractor to include the sub-contractor’s relevant % of proposed price. Accordingly it would seem premature to ask the offeror to validate that number prior to completing their cost proposal.

References: 1. PWS Page 4, 1.1. 2. SF33 Page 35 Discussion: The PWS speaks to 3 aircraft being accepted in June and July. The SF33 requires the contractor to price specific periods of performance for implementation at Cherry Point and in Kuwait that are dependent upon when the aircraft are received and then transferred to Kuwait.

Reference: The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) paragraph 1.3.1, attachment (3) dated 25 March 2013.

Discussion: The QASP references the QCP (Quality Control Plan), though numerous references throughout the solicitation make reference to the Quality Assurance Program Plan to include exhibit “A” CDRL A00F.

Reference: QASP paragraph 4.3 Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs), dated 25 March 2013.

Discussion: Paragraph 4.3 Acceptable Quality Levels states that (AQLs) are included in Exhibit “A” of the contract. Paragraph 3 Identification of Required Performance Standards/Quality Levels also references quality levels (are included in the PWS and Exhibit “A” of the contract).

Reference: PWS paragraphs 3.5.2.3 (Quality Assurance Supervisor), and 3.5.2.4 (Aviation Maintenance Supervisor).

Discussion: Both listed references refer to the Navy Maintenance Training Management and Evaluation Program Levels IV and III respectively.

Reference: PWS paragraph 5.1 Cherry Point, N.C. Phase-In requirements and 5.2 Cherry Point, N.C. Organizational Maintenance.

Discussion: All (3) KC-130J aircraft will be going through Cherry Point for either Aircrew Training or required maintenance per the PWS.

Questions:

a) Will there be a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) established between the Contractor, and Cherry Point to ensure all logistical requirements are met in-order-to ensure aircraft are responded to in a timely fashion i.e. supply, fuel, hangar facilities, I-level (if required) etc?

b) Will the contractor be performing an Acceptance Inspection per the KAF 4790.2G at Cherry Point upon receipt from Lockheed Martin or will this be taking place by the KAF upon acceptance (Form DD250)? a) No, USG/FST has established all necessary support requirements/agreements for MCAS Cherry Point support.

b) The First aircraft arriving at Cherry Point for Training will require an Acceptance Inspection to be performed by the Contractor with the exception of an FCF. The Second and Third aircraft will have their acceptance Inspections done upon arrival in Kuwait.

10 Logbooks and Records Reference: PWS paragraph 6.16.1 Logbooks and Records.

Discussion: Weight and Balance Calculations.

Reference: PWS paragraph 5.14.1 Quality Assurance Records.

Discussion: Paragraph 5.14.1 states The Contractor will retain all Quality Assurance Records for the life of the contract. The Quality Assurance data shall be retained on WIS. It is the understanding of the Contractor that only the Inspections/data performed by the QAR/CDQAR and CDI will be retained in WIS. Other records such as Auit reports will be retained by the contractor via their Quality Assurance Plan.

Reference: PWS Paragraph 5.2.3. Contractor shall inspect and maintain all aircrew life support equipment (ALSE) IAW applicable technical manuals listed in Appendix A.

Discussion: First aircraft will remain at Cherry Point, NC for approximately 45 consecutive days for KAF aircrew training conducted by a third party contractor.

Reference: PWS Paragraph 5.3. Contractor shall inspect and maintain all support equipment (SE) IAW applicable technical manuals listed in Appendix A.

Discussion: First aircraft will remain at Cherry Point, NC for approximately 45 consecutive days for KAF aircrew training conducted by a third party contractor.

Reference: PWS Paragraph 5.2. First aircraft will remain at Cherry Point, NC for approximately 45 consecutive days for KAF aircrew training conducted by a third party contractor.

Discussion: Number of personnel required to support flight operations at Cherry Point is heavily dependent on sorties per day and average sortie duration (ASD).

Reference: PWS para 5.2 Discussion: PWS para 5.2 discusses organizational maintenance at Cherry Point. No mention is noted as to the who will provide the spares/consumables required to support the Cherry Point operations Questions:

a) Who will provide support materials for Cherry Point operations/maintenance?

b) If KAF, what is the list of materials to be provided?

c) If materials are not available to, what is the plan to order items not available or to replenish those consumed? a) The KAF will provide all materials.

b) The Government will not provide a list of repair parts. However, the Government of Kuwait has procured enough spares based on USN sparing model recommendations to support Cherry Point operations.

c) The contractor will work closely with the COR for material replenish.

16 O-Level TDs Reference: PWS para 5.2.5 Discussion: PWS para 5.2.5 discusses O level TDs and indicate that the USG will provided all authorized TD’s.

Reference: PWS para 6.3.4 Discussion: PWS para 6.3.4 discusses logistics support functions but does not address when the support is required, i.e. 5 days 40 hours per week, 24/7 or something in between.

Reference: CLIN 0X04, Over & Above Rate Discussion: The rate required for the Over & Above CLIN is a composite rate of all labor skills required.

Reference: PWS 6.12, Operations Discussion: Standard workweek in Kuwait is Sunday through Thursday.

Reference: PWS 9.0, Travel and Per-Diem Discussion: Hours outside the standard workweek in support of TDY requirements

Reference: Section H, 5252.237-9501 subparagraph (g) Discussion: Subparagraph (g) identifies that the Government may equitable adjust (downward) the contractor price for any delay, loss or damage as a result of the contractor’s untimely replacement of personnel.

Questions:

a) If the suitable and timely replacement of personnel does not impact the Aircraft availability, why would there be a need to terminate or equitably adjust (downward) the contract?

Discussion: Tires, wheels and brakes will require NDI.

PWS Paragraphs: 6.16.2.4 "The Contractor shall ensure the WIS has: A method for accountability of warehouse inventory parts; A means to establish and maintain tracking of parts order (stock repair, estimated delivery date); Fields to maintain information on repaired parts, work load, orders, material cost per flight hour and warranties in the aircraft database for the life of the contract; Provisions to record/track history (data indicating number of times a particular part has been requested for repair or replacement on a per-one hundred (100) flight hour and monthly basis and aggregated on a quarterly basis).

Discussion: The answers to questions 13 thru 18 in the Post Final RFP Questions & Answers (5/31/13) contradict PWS paragraphs 6.16.2.1 and 6.16.2.4 quoted above.

a) PWS paragraph 10.0, titled Base Relocation (CLIN 0208), states "The Contractor shall provide all operations and services necessary to perform the Base Relocation to include supporting the movement of materials (e .g. packing, unpacking, set-up}, information technology, SE, and other logistics support from the AI Mubarak airbase to the designated permanent airbase. The KAF will provide all equipment (e.g. trucks, packing material) necessary for base relocation. The Contractor shall deliver a Base Relocation Schedule in accordance with CDRL A00K."

b) Section B identifies CLIN 0208 as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP} Option.

c) Section M, subsection D, titled PRICE/COST, states "The FFP CLINs (0001, 0002, 0X03, 0201, and 0208}, the LH CLIN (0X04} and the CR CLINs (0X05 and 0X06} shall be evaluated to determine reasonableness, completeness, clear understa nding of the solicitation requirements and to ensure CLINs contain no material imbalances." In addition, it states "The TEP is the sum of the following: The total proposed price for the FFP CLINs 0001, 0002, 0X03, 0201, and 0208. The total proposed price is the proposed unit price multiplied by the Section B Estimated Quantity for that CLIN;"

Discussion: There are a number of unknown variables that can impact offeror's base relocation costs [e.g., relocation destination, relocation of personnel and re-establishment of life support, reestablishment of information technology services (i.e., internet, long distance phone service}, amount of time allowed to accomplish the relocation, and timing of the relocation itself]. Given the fact key base relocation requirements are yet to be defined, this could present the Government difficulty in evaluating the technical acceptability of offeror's approach as well the offeror's reasonableness, completeness, and clear understanding of the solicitation requirements. Furthermore, given the CLIN is factored into the TEP, this will impact the Government's best value selection.

a) PWS paragraph 5.1, titled Cherry Point, NC Phase-In, states:" ... All maintenance supplies required for supporting each aircraft at Cherry Point, NC will be provided by Kuwait."

b) PWS paragraph 5.5.3 states: "Material in support of AOG will be covered under the Over and Above Parts and Materials line item (CLIN 0X05)."

c) PWS paragraph 5.6.4 states: "Material in support of Crash Recovery/Repairs will be covered under the Over and Above Parts and Materials line item (CLIN 0X05}."

d) PWS paragraph 6.5.4 states: "Material in support of AOG will be covered under the Over and Above Parts and Materials line item (CLIN 0X05)."

e) PWS paragraph 6.6.3 states: "Material in support of Crash Recovery/Repairs will be covered under the Over and Above Parts and Materials line item (CLIN 0X05)."

f) PWS paragraph 8.0, Over and Above Parts and Material (CLIN 0X05).

g) Response to question #18 (8 Mar 13) states "KAF is responsible for pre-positioning repairables and consumables at both Cherry Point and Kuwait (AI Mubarak) prior to contractor arrival

h) Response to question 33 and 38 (8 Mar 13) states "The contractor will not be responsible for material management functions, but will only be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations of the warehouse."

a. Organizational/Intermediate level site maintenance to include airframe, engine, and propeller maintenance and modifications using a mix of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial maintenance requirements. Managing aircraft at sites including operations in different countries at both military and commercial airfields. This may include remote single aircraft sites with access to limited resources.

b. Worldwide supply chain support, to include dealing with customs, shipment and storage of Hazardous Materials (HAZMATS) and Exp losive Ordnance Disposals (EODs).

c. Support for short notice deployments."

Discussion: Items a-care specifically tied to experience associated with managing and maintaining C-130 aircraft. Furthermore, the requirement associated with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and commercial maintenance requirements does not appear to be applicable to this solicitation since performance will be in accordance with KAF 4790.2G. Given the specificity associated with this requirement, this will sign ificantly restrict competition to Offerors who possess C-130 experience related to items a - c, despite the fact there are Offerors who possess nearly identical experience in managing and maintaining weapon systems other than C-130s equipped with common aircraft systems/sub-systems (i.e., engines, props, avionics, LRUs, parts, etc.) and maintenance and logistics support requirements. Given this, Section 3.1 should be modified to read "Experience in Managing and Maintaining C-130 or Similar Aircraft".

a) Since this solicitation has a value in excess of $ 650,000, what are the provisions and mandates of the solicitation to provide a subcontractor plan.

&P