211028 METS_Draft_RFP_Govt_Responses Batch II.pdf

Comment

Document (PWS, RFP, Attachment) Reference Paragraph Comment/Question Government Response

1 Att L-2 System Performance Demonstration

Mission Profile Evaluation "The Offeror will provide….Classroom, Simulator or both training prior to the SPD flight" Will traing on the SPD airplane be acceptable, in lieu of the simulator?

Yes, using the SPD aircraft for training is acceptable in lieu of a simulator. Please see updates in the Final RFP.

2 Att L-2 System Performance Demonstration

Mission Profile Evaluation Will an offeror-qualified test pilot be permitted to fly in the co-pilot position during the SPD flights?

Yes. Section L, Paragraph 2.1, System Performance Demonstration states, "The Offeror shall provide a qualified pilot to serve as pilot-in-command. Government pilots should be pilot-at-the-controls for the ground and flight demonstration points."

3 Att 2 METS Airplane Specification Rev 1

1.3.1.1 "shall" Will non compliance or partial compliance with one requirement defined using "shall"statement cause mandatory rejection of the offered product?

Non-compliance with a specification "Shall" requirement will be classified as a deficiency per Section M of the RFP. A deficiency is a material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level. Per Section M of the RFP, a proposal with a deficiency will receive an "Unacceptable" technical rating and be unawardable.

4 Att 2 METS Airplane Specification Rev 1

1.3.1.1 "shall" Would it be acceptable to deliver the first batch of aircraft with one or more temporarily non compliant items, with a firm commitment to retrofit at a later stage, in order to become fully compliant?

No, non-compliance with a specification "Shall" requirement will be classified as a deficiency per Section M of the RFP. A deficiency is a material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level. Per Section M of the RFP, a proposal with a deficiency will receive an "Unacceptable" technical rating and be unawardable.

Att L-11 Flyaway Kits List.docx Lot Column Question: Can the government detail what information is being sought with regard to 'Lot' for each item in the Flyaway Kit.

The Attachment 1 "Performance Work Statement for Multi-Engine Training System" paragraph 3.1.8, Flyaway Kits, establishes the following flyaway kit requirement:

"The Contractor shall deliver a flyaway kit with each aircraft. The flyaway kit shall contain the equipment normally required for aircraft ground handling and daily storage such as protective covers (inlet, antennas, pitot probes) window shades, tie-downs, gust lock, first aid kit in non-metal container, cargo nets and anchors, crash axe, life preservers, etc."

6 Att L-1 Verification Matrix.xlsx Line 6

Comment: AV-027 The METS shall be equipped with a lavatory and relief tube.

Question: Relief tube has been omitted from all other references in the Draft RFP. Can the government confirm a relief tube is not required?

METS-PBS-101R1 does not contain a requirement for a relief tube. The comment discusses a requirement that was in previous versions of the METS specification.

7 Att L-20 Rights in Data

Question: With L-20, is the government requiring offerors to provide proprietary data on a COTS product, previously developed exclusively at private expense, owned by the OEM or in many cases its commercial suppliers beyond that which is typically provided to commercial customers? If so, how would the government protect this data from further release outside the government? Contractor recommands the Goverment clairfy L-20 to specify delivery is required only of data generally provided to commercial customers or data that is specifically paid for by the Government under the METS program.

As a point of clarification, the Government considers the METS aircraft a commercial item, but not a COTS item. Attachment L-20 does not require an offeror to provide technical data or technical data rights in excess of DFARS requirements. Offerors are required to provide technical data and technical data rights pursuant to DFARS 252.227-7015. However, the Government has structured its RFP to encourage offerors to provide technical data and technical data rights in excess of DFARS requirements. Per the RFP, an offeror is not required to provide these technical data and technical data rights as a condition of award, nor will an offeror's choice not to provide these excess rights result in a deficiency, weakness, or significant weakness. If an offeror proposes to provide technical data and technical data rights in excess of DFARS requirements, the offeror is encouraged to review attachments L-5 and L-6 and propose terms for such provision, including terms relative to protection of intellectual property.

8 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.1.7 Military Aircraft

Identification Information

Comment: The reference document states 'The Contractor shall paint a single stripe centerline on the aircraft’s belly.'

Question: Is the government wanting a paint scheme similar to the current T-44C aircraft (orange and white with black markings) and a centerline belly stripe? Or does the government desire a single, solid paint color on the METS, with the a single stripe centerline on the aircraft’s belly along with associated military markings on the METS?

Yes, the paint scheme for METS will be similar to the T-44C aircraft with a centerline belly stripe.

Paint scheme requirements are contained in the METS specification in AV-116 which references MIL- STD-2161C. A figure of the T-44A paint scheme is provided in MIL-STD-2161C in figure C-30.

9 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.4 Instructor Pilot (IP) Training

(CLIN 0006)

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct classroom and flight training in two sessions for a total of 15 Government IPs at a Contractor-designated training facility to obtain a commercial pilot certificate per 14 CFR Part 61.31(d). To obtain a commercial pilot certificate per 14 CFR Part 61.31(d) will require the Government IPs to have FAA commercial pilot with airplane instrument and airplane multi-engine ratings.

Question: Can the Government confirm all 15 of the Government IPs participating in Instructor Pilot (IP) Training will be FAA commercial licensed pilots with airplane instrument and airplane multi-engine ratings?

There is a high likelihood that all instructor pilots will have a FAA airplane instrument and airplane multi-engine rating; however, some may not. NAVAIR requests suggestions for PWS verbiage that would permit training of Navy instructor pilots with and without these FAA ratings.

10 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.4 Instructor Pilot (IP) Training

(CLIN 0006)

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct classroom and flight training in two sessions for a total of 15 Government IPs at a Contractor-designated training facility to obtain a commercial pilot certificate per 14 CFR Part 61.31(d)

Question: Can the Contractor plan for one session to consist of (8) Government IPs and the other session to consist of (7) Government IPs? Or does the Government have a specific allocation for these two training sessions?

Yes, these allocations are reasonable for planning purposes; however, the actual number of students, per class, may slightly change during contract execution.

11 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.4.2 Flight Hours for Currency

(CLIN 0006)

Comment: Upon completion of the initial IP training, the Contractor shall provide four hours of flight time per month to each of the Government IPs in an OEM owned METS representative aircraft in order to maintain IP currency.

Question: Does the Government require Flight Hour Currency flight availability for the entire period of a given month or can the Contractor plan for 1, 2, or 3-week blocks in a given month to offer/provide the Government IPs currency flights in a given month?

The Contractor can plan for 2- or 3-week blocks in a given month.

12 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.5 Maintainer Training (CLIN

0007)

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct classroom training in three sessions for a total of 20 Government personnel at a Contractor-designated training facility.

Question: Can the Contractor plan for on the three sessions to consist of (7) Government personnel, (7) Government personnel and (6) Government personnel respectively? Or does the Government have a specific allocation for these three training sessions?

Yes, these allocations are reasonable for planning purposes; however, the actual number of students, per class, may slightly change during contract execution.

13 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.5 Maintainer Training (CLIN

0007)

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct classroom training ... at a Contractor-designated training facility.

Question: Is the Government amenable to this training taking place onsite at NAS Corpus Christi, TX or must this training take place at a Contractor-designated training facility?

The requirement will remain the same, and the training shall take place at a Contractor designated training facility.

14 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.23.1 Aircraft Performance

(CLINs 0X01 and 0X02)

Comment: The Contractor shall generate and deliver a computational model in an editable format that accurately predicts aircraft mission performance including takeoff and landing throughout its entire operating environmental flight envelope and all aircraft configurations.

Question: Can the Goverment clarifcation to what "editable format" they would perfer?

Data shall be provided in accordance with CDRL A015. For electronic submittal, the tabular aerodynamic and propulsion data may be submitted in embedded Excel files. The intent is not to receive compiled code data.

15 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

52.228-16 Performance and Payment Bonds Pg 49

Comment: 'The Contractor shall furnish a performance bond (Standard Form 1418) for the protection of the Government in an amount equal to 70% of contract price for CLINs 0001, 0101, and 0201 to cover all aircraft.' The Commercial aircraft industry standard for a performance bond is 10% of contract value.

Question: Given this is a COTS procurement, can the Government reduce the performance bond requirment from 70% to 10%?

Pursuant to the policy of FAR 32.202-4(a)(3), "The value of the security must be at least equal to the maximum unliquidated amount of contract financing payments to be made to the contractor."

Furthermore, FAR 32.202-4(d)(2) stipulates "that the bond must guarantee repayment of the unliquidated contract financing". As relevant here, the Government's use of the 52.232-30 provides for financing 70% of the unit price of the aircraft. This is the basis for the performance payment bond amount. Hence, to comply with the FAR policy and to provide 70% of the unit price in financing, the Government is required to a performance bond to cover the 70%.

16 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

52.228-16 Performance and Payment Bonds Pg 49

Comment: The Contractor shall furnish a performance bond (Standard Form 1418) for the protection of the Government in an amount equal to 70% of contract price for CLINs 0001, 0101, and 0201 to cover all aircraft.

Question: Will the Goverment agree to the performance bond having a fixed expiration date, perferably the end of contractor POP.

The intent of the performance payment bond is to safeguard the Government's interest for unliquidated financing payments (i.e., the 70% financing provided via 52.232-30). Further, the bond is only applicable to exercised options as indicated by the need for the requirement to furnish an executed bond no-later-than 30 days of option exercise. Finally, once an aircraft CLIN (e.g., 0001, 0101, or 0201) has been satisfied (i.e., DD250'd) all requirements will have been discharged, including the bond coverage for that CLIN.

17 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

52.228-16 Performance and Payment Bonds Pg 49

Comment: The Contractor shall furnish a performance bond (Standard Form 1418) for the protection of the Government in an amount equal to 70% of contract price for CLINs 0001, 0101, and 0201 to cover all aircraft.

Question: Will the Goverment agree to the performance bond have a automatic reduction schedule based on AC deliveries (EOY). Example: 17.2% reduction at the end of year 1. 41.4% reduction at end of year 2. 41.4% reduction at end of year 3.

The intent of the performance payment bond is to safeguard the Government's interest for unliquidated financing payments (i.e., the 70% financing provided via 52.232-30). Further, the bond is only applicable to exercised options as indicated by the need for the requirement to furnish an executed bond no-later-than 30 days of option exercise. Finally, once an aircraft CLIN (e.g., 0001, 0101, or 0201) has been satisfied (i.e., DD250'd) all requirements will have been discharged, including the bond coverage for that CLIN.

In light of the above, NAVAIR anticipates industry will price in the diminishing risk exposure as aircraft deliveries occur. With that said, to reflect the diminishing risk exposure, NAVAIR has revised FAR 52.228-16(b) as follows:

(b) The Contractor shall furnish a performance bond (Standard Form 1418) for the protection of the Government in an amount equal to 70% of the original contract price for CLINs 0X01 to cover all aircraft. During execution, acceptance of METS Aircraft (as evidenced by the accepting authority on a DD Form 250) absolve the performance payment bond requirement for that aircraft. Thus, the contractor has only the undelivered METS aircraft to deliver that are subject to the 52.228-16.

18 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

52.228-16 Performance and Payment Bonds Pg 49

Comment: The Government may require additional performance and payment bond protection if the contract price is increased. The Government may secure the additional protection by directing the Contractor to increase the penal amount of the existing bonds or to obtain additional bonds.

Question: Can an additional performance bond be opened only in the event the bond amount needs to be increased?

Pursuant to the policy of FAR 32.202-4(a), the solicitation specifies the type of security the Government finds adequate. For the METS aircraft procurement, the form of security deemed adequate by the Government is a bond from a surety. As a result, a bond that satisfies 52.228-16 will not be reassessed as inadequate security post-contract execution with the exception of an increase in contract price or otherwise bilaterally agreed to by the parties.

19 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.1.6 Final Product Baseline

Comment: The Contractor shall generate and deliver the final product baseline with the first aircraft of each delivery.

Question: Will a model specification, specific to the METS aircraft configuration, support this CDRL (A003) requirement?

CDRL A003 identifies data item description number DI-SESS-81121A Baseline Description Document.

DI-SESS-81121A provides examplof product baseline configuration items. A model specification is one of many items listed in DI-SESS-81121A . The offeror may propose a tailored DI-SESS-81121A for documents typically used to define the configuration of its commercial aircraft product.

20 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.1.7 Military Aircraft

Identification Information

Comment: The Government will provide military identification information such as type/model number, aircraft military bureau number, aircraft side number, unit designator, and radio call sign numbers, to the Contractor no later than 90 days prior to scheduled aircraft delivery dates to facilitate painting. The Contractor shall paint a single stripe centerline on the aircraft's belly. The Contractor shall deliver to the Government the final paint drawing for the aircraft IAW the PBS.

Question: Can the Government provide the details at least 6 months prior to deliver to allow time to finalize paint scheme for production planning.

The Government will require the Contractor's serial number assignment to each aircraft before requesting a bureau number. The Contractor will receive all this information two months after the Contractor's serial numbers are received.

21 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.1.11.2 Acceptance Test

Procedure

Comment: The Contractor shall generate and deliver an ATP that evaluates the aircraft, subsystems, interior and exterior lighting, spares, PSE, CFE, and maintenance ground station. The Contractor shall identify the flyaway kit items in the aircraft ATP. The Contractor shall provide access to the ATP results on the IDE in paragraph 3.7.3.

Question: We intend to provide the commercial acceptance checklist for the aircraft. Per the DID, can the Government accept FAA 8130 paperwork with all PSE and spare parts or can they be ommited from this CDRL requirment.

No, the FAA 8130 paperwork is not an acceptable substitute for the acceptance test procedures required in PWS paragraph 3.1.11.2 Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP). Furthermore, CDRL A009 Acceptance Test Plan lists data item description number DI-QCIC-80553A, which also does not cite

FAA 8130.

22 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.1.11.3 Government Acceptance

Test

Comment: Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) representatives will conduct as part of the GAT an acceptance test flight at the Contractor's facility to demonstrate proper operation of each aircraft and its subsystems. The DCMA Government flight representative will be the approval authority for all GAT acceptance test flights.

Question: Can the Government provide a flight profile for DMCA acceptance flights?

A DCMA flight profile is not available to provide at this time.

23 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.1.11.4 Other Acceptance

Testing

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct an ATP and report results on each delivered spare, PSE, CFE, and maintenance ground station.

Question: We intend to provide the commercial acceptance checklist for the aircraft. Per the DID, can the Government accept FAA 8130 paperwork with all PSE and spare parts or can they be ommited from this CDRL requirment.

No, the FAA 8130 paperwork is not an acceptable substitute for the acceptance test procedures required in PWS paragraph 3.1.11.4 Other Acceptance Testing. Furthermore, CDRL A009 Acceptance Test Plan lists data item description number DI-QCIC-80553A, which also does not cite FAA 8130.

24 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.11.4 Integrated Product Team

(IPT) Meetings

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct weekly IPT meetings with the Government.

Question: Can the Government confirm the required weekly IPT meetings are virtual?

Yes, the weekly IPT meetings can be conducted virtually.

25 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.1.10 Software End Items

Comment: The Contractor shall deliver one copy of each software version that is required to operate the METS; e.g., installed in the aircraft, avionics units, spares, PSE, and maintenance ground station.

Question: The software for the avionics and maintenance ground station are commercial proprietary products and cannot be provided in a stand-alone fashion outside of the end-items that are installed in.

Can the Governmetn amend this requirement to non-proprietary software developed specifically for the METS aircraft?

The Government is not amending the requirement. The Government needs the capability to reload software for maintenance purposes to repair system operation and to maintain proper configuration of spares. Actual source code is not required.

26 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.2.1 PSE Delivery

Comment: The Contractor shall calibrate all calibratable PSE within 90 days of date of delivery.

Question: Is this requirement is to perform calibration within 90 days after delivery or before? Will the manufacturer calibration that comes with the new PSE meet the requirement?

Section 3.2.2 of the PWS, Attachment J-1, has been updated to state "The Contractor shall calibrate all calibratable PSE within 90 days before date of delivery. " Yes, the manufacturer's calibration will meet the requirement.

27 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.12.2

Comment: The Contractor shall provide 4,000 labor hours for engineering and logistics support reach back, per prodcution lot, to support Government requests fo technical products on an as-needed basis.

Question: What is the period of performance for each lot of hours (only during 0X01 deliveries)?

Each engineering and logistics support reach back allotment of hours will begin on the first day of performance for each respective production lot (i.e., 0001, 0101, 0301) and will conclude at the end of performance for each respective production lot.

28 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.12.2.2

Comment: The Contractor shall establish conditions and procedures for immediate support (24-hour response), ...

Question: What is the Perod of Performance of this capability (only during 0X01 deliveries)? Can the Government provide greater detail on what 24-hour response entails?

The sustainment support will begin with the first aircraft delivery and continue until the final contract delivery. The Contractor shall identify in CDRL A00N Integrated Logistics Support Plan how they will respond to sustainment support requests requiring immediate support within 24 hours.

29 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf PWS, Section 2.3

Comment: Offeror's repair station is not AS9110 certified, but is FAA certified.

Question: Is FAA certification acceptable in lieu of the referenced AS9110 certification?

Pursuant to DFARS 246.408-71, FAA evaluations are not a substitute for normal DoD evaluations of the contractor's quality assurance measures.

Please propose verbiage in PWS paragraph 3.1.13 Quality Program describing how AS9110 Quality Maintenance Systems would apply to maintenance support tasks in paragraph 3.1.11.5 and appendix B and not conflict with FAA 14 CFR Part 145 repair station certification.

30 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.14.1 Airframe and Landing

Gear Analysis

Questions: For the purpose of the evaluation, what position should be assumed for the E-28 cable?

Lowered? Raised? Should the donut be considered?

E-28 arrested gear cannot be "lowered" or retracted into the runway. It is held in battery (taught), with donuts installed to assist in keeping the cable from touching the runway. It is effectively always raised and the height of the donut rubber supports must be considered.

31 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.12.4 Industry Steering

Committee

Comment: The contractors compliant solution is to utilize a task based inspection program and/or a High Utilization Maintenance program. No question was asked so no response required.

32 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.12.5 Bulletins Comment: The contractor will deliver these documents electronically via on-line access to publications and electronic notification of revisions or new documents. No question was asked so no response required.

33 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf

3.2.4 Crash Survivable Cockpit

Voice and Flight Data Recorder

Comment: The Contractor shall deliver two devices with software to process the data in the crash survivable cockpit voice and flight data recorder.

Question: The Contractor is not liceasned to sell Crash Survivable cockpit voice and flight data recorder processor device.

Procuring two devices with software to process the data in the crash survivable cockpit voice and flight data recorder is the requirement.

34 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.11.1

Comment: The Contractor shall host a post award conference at the Contractor's production facility no later than 45 days after contract award. The Contractor shall coordinate, via email, the conference date and an agenda with the Government Program Manager's office 15 days prior to the conference.

The Contractor shall deliver meeting minutes with briefing material.

Question: What is the size of group the USG shall bring for facility planning purposes?

For planning purposes, a maximum of 20 people will be attending the meeting.

35 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.11.2

Comment: The Contractor shall conduct two IPRs each year of the contract. The Contractor shall present cost, schedule, and performance (technical and logistics) status along with risk, issues, and opportunity status. The Contractor shall coordinate review dates and agenda with the Government Program Manager's office prior to all IPRs. The Contractor shall host one IPR each year at the Contractor facility, and the other IPR shall be conducted at NAS Patuxent River, MD or NAS Corpus Christi, TX, at the Government's discretion. The Contractor shall deliver meeting minutes with briefing material.

Question: What is the size of group the USG shall bring for facility planning purposes?

For planning purposes, a maximum of 20 people will be attending the meeting.

36 Att-1 DRAFT METS Airplane PWS 24Sep2021.pdf 3.13.4

Comment: The Contractor shall deliver SM&R codes for each part in the illustrated part breakdown manual...

Question: Would the Government consider removing this requirement to the extent that the Offeror's products and the Offeror's supplier's products are exempt for any reason including their COTS status?

The Government is unaware of any applicable exemption and does not intend to remove this requirement. Delivering Source Maintenance Recoverability (SM&R) codes is a hard requirement.

37 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 3.1 METS Interim CLS General

Comment: The Contractor shall perform a flight Operations Program to facilitate the achievement of 90 flight-hours per month at NASCC under Contract Line Item Number 0010, 0011, and 0012.

Questions: Is this 90 flight-hours per month per aircraft for up to 10 aircraft (i.e. 900 flight-hours per month) or 90 flight-hours per month in total utilizing up to 10 aircraft to achieve this rate?

90 flight hours total per month, regardless of the total number of aircraft.

38 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 1.2.1 Interim CLS

Comment: The reference document states '... the Contractor shall conduct the Fleet Introduction of the Navy METS in order to allow Training Air Wing 4 (TRW-4)…

Question: What are the requirements and tasks associated with 'Fleet Introduction'?

Fleet introduction is aircraft familiarization - having personnel available to answer questions about the new platform i.e. maintenance familiarity. Additionally, It requires the contractor to be able to establish the necessary infrastructure to support the Safe for Flight requirements/inspections and provide maintenance iaw the Safe for Flight Operations Certification (COMNAVAIRLANTINST 5400.1A).

39 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 3.2.1 Flight Operations

Comment: The Contractor shall perform a Flight Operations Program IAW OEM provided publications and the Government provided supplemental maintenance manuals.

Question: What 'Government provided supplemental maintenance manuals' does the Government envision providing the Contractor to support a newly fielded METS aircraft?

After the delivery of the OEM manuals, the Government will assign Navy Technical publication numbers to all technical manuals. The Government will create daily/turnaround and pre-op checklists and maintenance requirement cards derived from the provided manuals. The maintainers will also be utilizing Navy common manuals and instructions for aircraft and support equipment. The flight crew will be utilizing Navy NATOPS manuals.

40 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 3.2.3.1 Plane Captains

Comment: The Contractor shall be responsible for the fueling, fuel sampling, defueling, and aircraft hot refueling.

Question: Can the Government amend this language to "The Contractor shall be responsible for the fueling, fuel sampling, defueling, and aircraft hot refueling (if applicapable).' as not all aircraft have the capability to conduct hot refueling.

Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B, paragraph 3.2.3.1 will be updated in the final RFP.

41 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 16.3 Inventory

Comment: 'The Contractor shall also have signed supplier and subcontractor agreements for consumable/repairable components'

Question: Seems to be out of context for the Inventory paragraph? Is this sentence in error and should be deleted?

The Government is not amending the requirement. The Contractor shall also have signed supplier and subcontractor agreements for consumable/repairable components.

42 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 11.1 Avionics Equipment

Comment: 'Handling and Storage of Explosives and Ordnance –The Contractor shall handle and store explosives and ordnance IAW NAVSEA OP5, OPNAVINST 8023.24D, and OPNAVINST 5530.15D.'

Question: Seems to be out of context for the Avionics storage paragraph?Is this sentence in error and should be deleted?

Government will update the title for Section 11.1 to "Avionics Equipment/Ordnance"

43 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf

5.2.2 Hazardous Material

(HAZMAT)

Comment: 'Only requirements on the Authorized Usage List (AUL) shall be brought aboard a Government facility.'

Question: Can the Government provide the latest AUL for NASCC?

No, the AUL list is type/model/series specific. The Contractor is required to provide a list per CDRL A00Y Hazardous Materials Management Program Report.

44 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf

11.2.2 Emergency Planning

Community Right-to-Know

(EPCRK) and Chemical Material Management

Comment: 'and verbally report to the OGR any instance of HAZMAT used in the design, development, operation, and/or maintenance of the end item.

Question: Can the Government provide an example in which the Government forsees design or development of an end item for the METS aircraft during the Interim CLS period?

Paragraph 11.2.2 has been updated to remove the words "design, development".

45 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf

12.1 System Safety Program Plan

(SSPP)

Comment: 'Prior to operating any vehicle other than emergency or flight support vehicles on the airfield.'

Question: Can the Government elaborate on the requirement of this sentence?

Paragraph 12.1 has been updated to remove this sentence.

46 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf

1.2.3 Organizational (O) Level

Maintenance

Comment: Sections E. Supply Management, Property Management and Inventory Control and H.

Property Management and Inventory Control appear to overlap.

Question: Is Section H a repeat of Section E, and thus Section H can be deleted? If not, can the Government elaborate on the differences in the requirements of Section E and Section H?

Section E is specifically for the inventory and management of aircraft and engine parts (material control) and support equipment in support of flight operations. Section H refers to all other items, parts, materials and furnishings.

47 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf

4.6.6 Aviation Life Support

Systems (ALSS)

Comment: 'The Government will provide ALSS required for FCF Pilots and inflight observers.'

Question: Will the Government also provide ALSS to the Contractor' pilots conducting Flight Hours for Currency flights with Government IPs in the OEM owned METS representative aircraft?

Yes, the Government will provide flight gear for Contractor pilots who are performing required flights.

48 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf 1.2.1

Comment: During the Interim CLS period of performance for the introduction of up to (10) METS aircraft, it is unclear if there are plans for a concurrent reduction in T-44 fleet size, i.e. (1) METS aircraft arrives in NASCC and (1) T-44 is retired from service in-kind.

Question: Can the Government clarify the how the METS aircraft delivery schedule compares or will coincide with the drawdown of the T-44 aircraft.

During this period, the T-44 has no bearing on the I-CLS. The T-44 is maintained by a separate contract.

49 Att-1 METS CLS PWS Appendix B 16Sept21.pdf

4.3.5 Conditional

Inspections

Comment: The Contractor shall perform O-Level conditional maintenance on METS aircraft under.’

Question: Can the Government clarify the publication (i.e. CNAF 4790.2D) that Contractor’s are required to perform O-Level conditional maintenance IAW?

Maintenance requirements cards will be generated from the OEM instructions for continued airworthiness documents.

50 Att-2 METS Airplane Specification Rev1 13Sep2021 AV-018, Table 3-1

Comment: Is there an error in Table 3-1 requirement of 28.4 inch maximum buttock-knee length.

Could this figure have been transposed and meant to be 24.8 inches as 28.4 inches is an extreme and unrealistic requirement. Further Table 3-1 references FAA HF-STD-001, which shows a 95th percentile male having a 26 inch buttock-knee length, again different than what is shown in the Table 3- 1 requirement.

Question: Can the Government clarify and confirm this accuracy of the information in Table 3-1?

Table 3-1 in the METS specification is accurate and aligns with the existing T-44C design.

51 Att-2 METS Airplane Specification Rev1 13Sep2021 AV-155

Comment: [AV-155] The METS shall be equipped with an AOA system that contains a sensor, two indexers, and two indicators.

Question: The Contractor will offer a compliant AOA system as a COTS solution; it is in current development. Could the Contractor demonstrated the AOA on another similair airframe?

Pursuant to the RFP, AV-155 will not be evaluated during source selection. PWS paragraph 3.8 was updated with tasking to conduct a technical interchange meeting to evaluate AOA integration.

52 Att-2 METS Airplane Specification Rev1 13Sep2021 AV-021

Comment: The METS shall be equipped with seating for a minimum of two passengers.

Question: Can the Government confirm the required location of the two passenger seats? Tandem behind the Observer Seat? Side by Side behind the Oberser Seat?

Any seating with a minimum of two passengers is compliant.

53 Att-2 METS Airplane Specification Rev1 13Sep2021

AV-066

What frequencies or frequency ranges do the METS radios VHF and UHF radios need to transmit/receive on?

Standard commercial aviation VHF frequency ranges and UHF frequency ranges are acceptable.

54 Att-2 METS Airplane Specification Rev1 13Sep2021.pdf AV-020

Comment: The METS jump seat shall be adjustable permitting the student pilot to view the cockpit instruments and displays and then stow the seat.

Question: Does the Government require the METS jump seat to stow on a the right side of the cabin (as is the case with the T-44C) or is stowing the jump seat on the left side of the cabin acceptable?

Either side is acceptable.

55 Attachment 1, Appendix B 3.3.3

Comment: The Contractor shall provide maintenance support for aircraft flown to other locations than NASCC.

Question: Do we need to propose additional PSE to support out of area maintenance to avoid affecting the main operating base maintenance?

No.

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RFP.pdf Section B, Clause 5252.204-9501

Comment: The FAA does not require individual parts and components to be stamped or marked in accordance with National Stock Numbers (NSNs). The offeror's aircraft is a commercial off the shelf (COTS) aircraft and the offeror does not have a parts organization that is currently organized to apply NSNs to individual parts. Being required to attain the ability to apply NSNs to each part would result in significant cost to the Government. The Offeror requests NAVAIR consider removing this requirement.

Clause 5252.204-9501 will be removed in the Final RFP.

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RFP.pdf Section E, CLIN 0X01

Comment: This section references a list of contractor furnished equipment to be found in Section C as Table C-3 and a list of flyaway kit items, also to be found in Section C, Table C-3.

Question: Can the Goverment provide reference page where Table C-3 can be found?

The verbiage will be changed to state table C-1 which already exists.

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RFP.pdf Section L-1, Part B, 3.0

Comment: Commercial customer information to be confidential and proprietary. In addition, as aircraft are bought and sold within the commercial marketplace after delivery, providing a customer's name and number would likely not be very useful to the Government. Question: Would the Government accept proof of production via FAA Certificate of Airworthiness documents rather than customer delivery documents to satisfy this requirement? This document is a public record with the FAA and reflects that we have completed the build of an a/c on a given date.

The FAA Form 8100-2, Standard Airworthiness Certificate, would be an acceptable document showing production of an aircraft.

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RFP.pdf Section E Comment: Please provide the Acceptance/Rejection Template referenced in 5252.246-9514. The template was provided in attachment 11, CDRL Disposition Letter Template.

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RFP.pdf

Section G, Contract Administration Data

Comment: Offeror prefers to utilize FAR Clause 52.232-29 for commercial financing provisions.

Question: Would the Government be amendable to including that clause in lieu of 52.232-30?

NAVAIR is interested in aligning with customary commercial practices as it pertains to the financing practices. NAVAIR elected to apply FAR clause 52.232-30 to fulfill the financing terms. That said, if industry believes different financing terms exist that better align with commercial practices, NAVAIR requests industry submit this data for Government consideration.

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RFP.pdf

Section G, Contract Administration Data

Comment: Regarding Commercial Installment Payment Instructions, per FAR 48 CFR 32.206, Section 3, the contractor's financial condition may be accepted as sufficient security for commercial financing payments.

Question: Please advise what evidence of financial condition would be required in order to qualify for commercial financing payments based upon financial condition.

Acknowledging an offeror's financial condition may be accepted as security for commercial financing and given the significant financing payments provided to the contractor prior to aircraft delivery, NAVAIR has elected to require a performance payment bond as the form of security. The Government's approach is consistent with the policy of FAR 32.202-4(d)(2) and executed under the Section G "Commercial Installment Payment Instructions" and FAR clause 52.228-16.

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RFP.pdf

Section I, 252.204-7020 and Section K, 252.204-7019

Comment: Clauses 252.204-7020 (assessments for NIST SP 800-171 compliance) and 252-204-7019 are not applicable to COTS products.

Question: Would the Government consider removing this requirement to the extent that the Offeror's products and the Offeror's supplier's products are exempt for any reason including their COTS status?

Per DFARS 204.7304, the clauses are only applicable except for acquisition solely of COTS items. Per FAR 2.101, the METS procurement is for a commercial, not COTS, item.

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RFP.pdf Section I, 252.223-7008

Comment: Offeror is required under FAA regulation 23.609(a) to protect structure of its aircraft during the production process. The only FAA approved process for compliance with this regulation contains hexavalent chromium.

Question: Would the Government consider removing FAR Clause 252.223-7008, Prohibition of Hexavalent Chromium?

Per DFARS 223.7306, the clause is required the stated exceptions do not appear applicable.

64 PWS Section 2.3 Comment: Offeror's repair station is not AS9110 certified, but is FAA certified. Question: Is FAA certification acceptable in lieu of the referenced AS9110 certification?

Pursuant to DFARS 246.408-71, FAA evaluations are not a substitute for normal DoD evaluations of the contractor's quality assurance measures.

Please propose verbiage in PWS paragraph 3.1.13 Quality Program describing how AS9110 Quality Maintenance Systems would apply to maintenance support tasks in paragraph 3.1.11.5 and appendix B and not conflict with FAA 14 CFR Part 145 repair station certification.

METS Q&A Sheet