Questions_and_Answers_N0042109R0002.doc

MEMO TO FILE

Solicitation #: N00421-09-R-0002 (ASTARS Replacement) Date: 31-Oct-08 Section 2.1.1.2 in the SOO states contractor provides maintenance support.

Question 1: Will NTPS provide hangar space and work office for this purpose, or does the contractor have to fly the aircraft away for maintenance?

Answer Q1: Dependent on aircraft size USNTPS may be able to provide hangar space to support limited local maintenance. Additionally, a small office space is can be made available for visiting aircrew and/or maintainers.

Question 2: Section 3.0 Schedule, 90 days is a tight figure for the integration required for the proposal. It can be accomplished however, is the 90/120 day requirement negotiable?

Answer Q2: 90 and 120 days are not negotiable, they are requirements. This will be addressed under Section L &M.

Question 3: Is 4.5 Mil for the base and two follow-on years inclusive of all integration and operations requirements?

Answer Q3: 4.5M was the "all-inclusive" number for base plus two option years. This is our internal estimate of the cost.

Question 4: What Computer Language is the software and what type of database is used for the software called out in several places in the Statement of Objectives?

Answer Q4: Current ASTARS language is Delphi.

Question 5: At the April 8th Industry Day, slide #22 stated "Will USNTPS consider an optimal solution to performance based goals that does not meet all section 2 and 3 requirements? -- Yes." Does the Government still intend to give equal consideration to a best-value solution that does not meet all the goals of SOO Section 2.0: Program Objectives, or Section 4.0: Support?

Answer Q5: Yes. USNTPS will weigh all submissions and give equal consideration to a best-value solution.

Question 6: SOO Section 2.1.2.2 states: "Use government provided fuel when supporting USNTPS missions." Will the Government incorporate estimated annual fuel costs for 400 flight hours into the evaluation of "total cost of ownership" for aircraft proposed?

Answer Q6: Yes. Aircraft fuel consumption will be considered in evaluating the total cost of each proposal. This will be addressed under Section L & M.

Question 7: Section L, page 38 states: "Photographs, graphics, pictures, or hyperlinks are not permitted." Are mission systems schematic drawings to be considered graphics and therefore not permitted?

Answer Q7: No figures which require special software to view are permitted. Drawings or graphics, including photographs, which are constructed using the drawing tools of Microsoft Word 2003 or prior are permitted.

Question 8: Section M, page 45, 1.0 General, 1st paragraph, and several other references in Section M, identify this as a "best value" type of evaluation. However, the clause on pages 49-50, 5252.215-9524, Basis of Award, indicates award will be made to the offeror proposing the "lowest price" for supplies or services meeting the requirements of the solicitation -- commonly called a "two-step" procurement. These statements seem to be contradictory. Will this contract award be made on the basis of a best-value or a two-step evaluation process?

Answer Q8: Clause to be deleted.

Question 9: Attachment (4), Cost Summary Format, is the required form for submittal of the Cost/Price Proposal. This form, however, is not broken down by CLIN. Is it acceptable to modify the form to show pricing by CLIN and a roll-up depicting the total amount of all CLINs for each contract year?

Answer Q9: It is acceptable.

General:

Question 10: Will Nonrecurring Engineering (NRE) be funded separately and to what amount?

Answer Q10: Yes, through CLIN 0001. The amount of NRE will be proposed by the contractor. NRE is to be borne by the contractor and included in the proposed bid.

Question 11: Will flight clearance documentation for current WP3D ASTARS system be available to the successful bidder?

Answer Q11: Yes. USNTPS can provide historical flight clearance documentation if desired by the winning bidder after award.

Question 12: Will the government provide the electrical loads analysis of the current P-3D ASTARS system?

Answer 12: USNTPS can provide details of current ASTARS electrical requirements as currently installed on the NP-3D aircraft. (400 Hz 50 amps; 60 Hz 50 amps (with single converter, 60 Hz, 15-2- amps); 28 VDC 100 amps)

2.0 Program Objectives:

PARA. 2.1.1.3:

Question 13: Does USNTPS intend to provide staff aircrew to act as second in command for all syllabus flights so the bidder should only include the cost of the pilot in command?

Answer Q13: USNTPS may provide staff or student, qualified aircrew to act as co-pilots for syllabus flights, however this is not a requirement. Staff or student co-pilots will not be expected to be qualified in type.

Question 14: Would current USNTPS contractor staff become qualified in the aircraft to serve as pilot in command?

Answer Q14: No, there is no intention of having USNTPS contractor straff become qualified in the aircraft as pilot in command, but this does not preclude a current contractor staff from becoming qualified as pilot in command if his or her company is selected as the successful offeror.

PARA. 2.1.1.4 and 2.5.3:

Question 15: Is it acceptable to use the FAA certification regulations under which a specific airframe was certified to qualify the airworthiness of the student and operator stations for all phases of flight?

Answer Q15: Yes, but we do not propose to determine FAA acceptability of airworthiness, but do expect the system to be airworthy by whichever method the offeror choses.

PARA. 2.1.2.4 and 2.1.3.3:

Question 16: Is the airplane required to be self-contained with respect to ground starting and ground power/air conditioning?

Answer Q16: “Self-contained” is not required, however the aircraft should be able to be supported by current ground support equipment (GSE) available at NAS Patuxent (i.e. no special GSE required) Question 17: Is the use of a standard Navy power cart and air conditioning unit acceptable to meet the requirement to operate on the ground for three hours, or must this requirement be met with no external equipment whatsoever?

Answer Q17: Yes. See Q16 above.

PARA. 2.2.1:

Question 18: The system must include a “Global Positioning System aided navigation system”. Is GPS alone sufficient or is Inertial Navigation System (INS)/GPS required?

Answer Q18: The system requires INS and GPS to allow demonstration/student evaluation of dead reckoning and position fixing systems.

Question 19: Does the current LTN91 system meet the all the requirements of section 2.2?

Answer Q19: Current LTN-92 system does meet requirements of sections 2.2 Question 20: Will the LTN91 currently used onboard the USNTPS P3’s be provided as GFE?

Answer Q20: The current LTN-92 INS may be provided as GFE if required. See updated GFE list under clause 5252.245-9509.

PARA. 2.1.3.5:

Question 21: Is the “high density information system or external advanced range data system pod” provided by contractor or as GFE?

Answer Q21: The high density information system will be provided as GFE. See updated GFE list under clause 5252.245-9509.

Question 22: What infrastructure aboard the plane is required to support the internal system?

Answer Q22: This question still needs to be addressed.

PARA. 2.4.1:

Question 23: Will the current ASTARS Software be made available to all the bidders prior to contract award?

Answer Q23: Current ASTARS software will be made available only after contract award to the winning bidder.

PARA. 2.6:

Question 24: Does the current set of video recorders and data logging on PCs meet the requirements of section 2.6?

Answer Q24: Yes.

3.0 Schedule:

PARA 3.1:

Question 25 : What instructor checkout training will be required to be provided by the contract?

Answer Q25: Demonstration on ground and in flight of all modes of operation of all the sensors.

Question 26: What level of detail will be required of any training or training materials to be provided 90 days after contract award?

Answer Q26: Adequate detail for instructors to gain a knowledge of the system to sufficient level of detail that they can instruct on proper test techniques using the various systems.

Question 27: Is this 90 calendar days or 90 working days?

Answer Q27: 90 calendar days.

PARA 3.2:

Question 28: The schedule allows for as little as 30 days after the initiation of instructor familiarization flights for the awardee to begin supporting syllabus sorties. Is this 30 calendar or 30 working days?

Answer Q28: 30 calendar days Question 29: What relief is available from this requirement if weather or USNTPS Instructor availability precludes meeting this schedule milestone?

Answer Q29: Consideration will be given for items directly under government control. Weather is not under government control.

4.0 Support:

PARA 4.3.4 and 4.3.5:

Question 30: In what format, to what level of detail and on what revision cycle will software, hardware, user’s, and training manuals be required to comply?

Answer Q30: Format will be at the contractor’s discretion. Level of detail will be will be adequate to provide technical insight into system operation. Expect replacement paragraphs to be provided to manuals every six months as part of the student software deficiency discovery, correction, verification, and validation.

Question 31: These documents are required to be ready for delivery within 90 days of contract award. Is this 90 calendar days or 90 working days?

Answer Q31: 90 calendar days Question 32: What Navy agency will be reviewing these documents?

Answer Q32: USNTPS.

Question 33: At what phase(s) of document development will this agency be conducting reviews?

Answer Q33: USNTPS will review final drafts if requested by the contractor, but there is no review requirement. Final copies of documents and revisions will be submitted to the Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School for acceptance.

Question 34: Who is the signature authority for these documents for the Navy?

Answer Q34: Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School PARA 4.4.1 and 4.4.2:

Question 35: What is the required format for the initial and refresher training required by this section?

Answer Q35: Format will be at the contractor’s discretion. If computer based training is provided, it must be compatible with current NMCI equipment.

Question 36: How will this training be tracked with regards to contractual requirements as well as currency for ASTARS Instructors?

Answer Q36: Expect to provide training every six months, if changes have been made to software or hardware that require a change in procedures to operate the equipment, or add new function. Instructor currency training can be conducted on a six month cycle.

Question 37: Who is responsible for ensuring the training is completed and what are the penalties for noncompliance?

Answer Q37: USNTPS will determine if the training is complete. Non compliance will be assessed by the contracting officer to determine penalties based on failure to complete the contract.

Section I, Contract Clauses:

Section 5252.2459509

Government Furnished Equipment (GFE):

Question 38: “The Government will furnish to the contractor for use in connection with this contract the following material at the time specified”. What is the “time specified”?

Answer Q38: As specified by the contractor for the government to make equipment available to the contractor for use at any time after contract award.

Question 39: Global Positioning Units and Inertial Navigation Units are not listed as GFE available for installation. Are these items available?

Answer Q39: ARN-151 (GPS) is not available as GFE, the LTN-92 is available as GFE (see Q20).

Question 40: The GFE list includes components of the current student station and instructor station but not the stations themselves (A12cockpit, racks, cabinets/shell, etc.). Will the entire student and instructor stations be available as GFE?

Answer Q40: Yes, the entire student and instructor stations will be available as GFE, but not required.

Question 41: Will the wiring harnesses of the current ASTARS system be available as GFE? If yes, when will the harnesses be available?

Answer Q41: Yes, the wiring harnesses will be available as GFE, but not required.. The harnesses will be available upon contract award. See Q40.

Question 42: Will the bidder have an opportunity to inspect the current installation and solicit the government to provide other GFE that is specifically a part of the existing system or supports the system by providing other required data (flight parameters, sensor information, operator inputs)?

Answer Q42: Industry day was held April 8, 2008, interested parties attended where given the opportunity to tour and inspect the P3 configuration. However, pictures will be posted for review.

Question 43: Will the government consider adding FAR and DFAR flight clauses including

· FAR 52.2287– Insurance to Third Persons, 2522287001– Ground and Flight Risk and 252.2287002– Aircraft Flight Risk?

Answer Q43: Ground and flight risk and aircraft flight risk will be added. Insurance to third persons will probably not be added.

Question 44: Period of Performance

Reference (1) 5252.2119507 - PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (NAVAIR) (MAR 1999)

(a) The contract shall commence on 15 December 2008 and shall continue 14 December 2009.

Reference (2) CLIN 0005: Operation & Maintenance of Aircraft for 12 months

Reference (3) 3.0 Schedule

3.1 The contractor shall complete GFE integration and installation and deliver the aircraft to USNTPS for instructor checkout and familiarization flights no later than 90 days after contract award.

3.2 The contractor will ensure the aircraft is ready to support USNTPS Syllabus sorties no later than 120 days after contract award.

The Period of performance as given, appears to be too short to include syllabus sorties commencing 120 days after contract award followed by 12 months of O&M.

Please clarify performance period.

Answer Q44: The initial period of performance is one year, which includes commencing syllabus flying 120 days after contract award and continuing for O&M for 8 months. After the first year, additional one year periods of O&M may be exercised.

Question 45: PARA 3.1

This section states that when the proposal is printed, “Photographs, graphics, pictures or hyperlinks are not permitted.” Does this prohibition include such graphics as program schedule and system block diagrams?

Answer Q45: No, provided the figures are printable and readable using Microsoft Word 2003 and no other software (See Q7) Question 46:

Section I

52.2452 - GOVERNMENT PROPERTY INSTALLATION OPERATION

SERVICES

Section (b) states, “If any or all of the Government property is lost, damaged or destroyed or becomes no longer usable, the Contractor shall be responsible for replacement of the property at Contractor expense.” Does this responsibility include repair of the INUs, APG66, or MX15 after routine failure during normal operation? And if such repair after routine failure is at contractor expense, will replacement parts be available through the MILSTRIP system?

Answer Q46: No, the responsibility for normal routine repairs will be at the expense of the government.