Questions_and_Answers.doc

Questions and Answers for

Solicitation N00421-12-R-0048

Question 1: Do you mind providing an estimated value for the whole contract including all options exercised?

Government response: The government will not provide an estimated value. The value will be determined by the winning proposal. The current contract can be found at http://foia.navair.navy.mil. , contract number N00421-08-D-0011. The average flight hours on the current contract has been 225 per year.

Question 2: As an innovative cost savings approach to Maritime Surveillance and Range Clearing, will Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) accept a proposal in response to the subject solicitation that provides a technical approach using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles instead of manned aircraft?

Government response: Yes. The government will be happy to accept proposals that provide innovative and/or cost saving solutions. All proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the RFP.

Question 3: We are concerned the UAV approach we propose for range clearing will be evaluated negatively if evaluated in accordance with the RFP as written, specifically RFP sections; 14.0 Crew Compliment, 21.0 Pilot Qualifications and MA (1) Evaluation Factors - Part B - 1.0 Technical - Element 5 - Personnel Qualifications. Obviously a UAV is unmanned, is it fair to presume if we propose the equivalent personnel qualifications for UAV operators our proposal will be evaluated fairly.

Government response: All proposals received will be evaluated fairly and in accordance with the RFP. Also, please see section L, Part B, paragraph 5.0. In Volume 5 of the proposals, offerors are allowed to state exceptions, deviations, and requests for waivers.

Question 4: Section B provides an estimated flight hour quantity over the five (5) year term of the contract. Are there any amount of flight hours guaranteed during each contract year?

Government response: No. As stated in section F, 5252.216-9506 Minimum and Maximum Quantities (NAVAIR) (March 1999), the minimum quantity for the entire contract and all option years is one (1) task order of $100,000.

Question 5: Section C, paragraphs 2.7, 23.0 and 24.0 are contradictory with respect to aircraft maintenance standards. Paragraph 2.7 states “Contractor air operations and aircraft must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) PART-91 maintenance and operations standards.” While paragraph 23.0 states “Aircraft used in the performance of this contract shall be maintained in accordance with 14 CFR 135.” We interpret this to mean aircraft maintenance will comply with Part 91 standards while maintenance programs will comply with Part 135 standards, as the title of paragraph 23.0 is “Maintenance Program.” Is this interpretation correct?

Government response: These sections of the RFP have been revised.

Question 6: Section C, paragraph 2.10.1 states: “Upon returning to the contractor’s facility, the contractor shall top off the aircraft fuel tanks utilizing the Government furnished fuel card.” There may be an extended amount of time between taskings so it is not a standard procedure to top off the fuel tanks and have the aircraft sit on the ramp with full fuel for possibly weeks at a time. Can the fuel top off be constructively billed to the government on the return of the aircraft to the contractor’s facility?

Government response: The offeror can provide alternative means for fuel payment - as long as the government is not buying fuel it did not use.

Question 7: Section C, paragraph 2.11 states: “Task Orders will be issued providing mission requirements along with requested ferry and mission flight hours.” Will these individual Task Orders be Firm-Fixed Price (FFP?)

Government response: Yes. Offerors are expected to propose a firm fixed price per unit for each flight hour and each “No Fly/Standby Day.” However, in the revised RFP, Section H, a special clause has been added that states the contractor shall invoice only for flight hours flown. Therefore, the contractor will be required to invoice only for actual flight hours, which may be less than the total flight hours ordered in each Task Order.

Question 8: Section C paragraph 5.1 states: “Identification in the form of a Government/State ID will be required to access U.S. military bases and flight lines.” Vendors currently supporting PMA-207 CAS requiring base and flight line access for U.S. Navy bases require a DoD CAC (card) with NACI favorable background results. Will a DoD CAC with an NACI with favorable background results be required for the AMS Contract?

Government response: Yes Question 9: Task Order Procedures (e.g. NAVAIR clause 5252.216-9534) are not mentioned as an applicable FAR for this contract. Will the customer publish specific Task Order Procedures prior to contract award?

Government response: Please see section H, 5252.216-9540 Issuance of Orders Using Streamlined Procedures (NAVAIR) (NOV 2003) Question 10: There is no guidance as to how to bill the government for services rendered. Will this contract be billed as an FFP?

Government response: Section G, 252.232.7006 Wide Area Workflow Payment Instructions - gives guidance on contractor billing.

In regards to billing as an FFP, the contract will contain line items that are Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), and Cost. The contractor will bill to each line item appropriately. In the case of the flight hours, the revised RFP Section H contains a special clause that states the contractor shall invoice only for flight hours flown. Therefore, the contractor will be required to invoice only for actual flight hours, which may be less than the total flight hours ordered each Task Order.

Question 11: Section LA-1, paragraph 2.0 states: “The Offeror must present proposal information in a manner that facilitates a one-to-one comparison between the information presented and this Proposal Instruction. Proposal information must be structured such that its paragraph number/letter is identical to the Proposal Instructions paragraph number to which it is responding, although the Offeror may add lower tier subparagraphs.”

From the paragraph above, it appears that every numbered paragraph in the Performance Work Statement and in the separate sections of the Instructions (e.g., Volume 1, paragraphs i through ix, Volume 2, paragraphs 2.0 through 2.5, etc.) must have a corresponding number in the Offeror’s proposal. Is this correct? If not, what is meant by this statement?

Government response: Not every numbered paragraph in the RFP’s Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the Instructions sections requires a response from the contractor. However, every part of the contractor proposal must tie back to a paragraph in the PWS or Instructions sections by using the same number or letter as used in the PWS or Instructions section.

Question 12: Section LA-1, Part A, paragraph 3.0 states: “The Offeror shall submit a Cross Reference Matrix (CRM) for the Technical Volume, similar to the following example, . . . The CRM should be a single integrated matrix and cross-reference the proposal volumes and paragraphs to specific RFP requirements, as well as other parts of the proposal that contain relevant information.”

In the example provided in the Solicitation, Column 2 is labeled “Government SOW.” Is the Cross Reference Matrix only applicable to the Technical Volume (e.g., paragraphs 2.0 through 2.5 in Part B Specific Instructions) as stated above or should it include all paragraphs contained in the Performance Work Statement as well (e.g., paragraphs 1.0 through 27.0 ?) Please clarify.

Government response: The cross reference matrix is applicable to all sections of the RFP deemed relevant to the Offeror.

Question 13: Section L requires the Offeror to provide significant substantiation data (e.g., pilot resumes, airworthiness documentation, life-limited aircraft part data, aircraft part TBO data, official company documents, etc.). This data submission requirement is likely to exceed the 25-page limit for Volume 2 as stipulated in paragraph 3.0. Is it permissible to provide requested substantiation data as Annex(es) so as not to count against the 25-page limit?

Government response: Yes

Question 14: Section L, paragraph 3.0, Cross Reference Matrix: The Evaluation Factor “2.A” listed in the Cross Reference Matrix (CRM) example in Section L, paragraph 3.0 does not correspond to any paragraph in Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award. All evaluation factors are spelled-out in Section M paragraph 3.0, for example, “Pre-Requisites”. Should the Offeror’s CRM cite the paragraph or one of the listed factors, e.g., “Personnel”?

Government response: Yes Question 15: Section L, Part B, paragraph 1.0.viii: Volume 6 is referenced in this paragraph. Should the reference be Volume 5 since no Volume 6 is listed in the Solicitation?

Government response: Section L, Part B, paragraph 1.0.viii has been reworded and reference to Volume 6 has been removed.

Question 16: Section L, Part B, paragraph 5.0 – Volume 6 is referenced in this paragraph. Should the reference be Volume 5 since no Volume 6 is listed in the Solicitation?

Government response: Reference to Volume 6 has been removed.

Question 17: Section L, Part B, paragraph 2.1 states: “Each aircraft shall be identified as a “primary” or “backup” for each category.” What is meant by “category”?

Government response: Category is mission type (i.e. Mission, Ferry or Mission Backup) Question 18: Section L, Part B, paragraph 2.3: There are several references to “The Offeror shall demonstrate” throughout this paragraph and subparagraphs. Will it meet the Solicitation requirements to have the information/procedures required by the Offeror to demonstrate available onsite at the Offeror’s facility for review by the customer?

Government response: Yes Question 19: Section L, Part B, paragraph 2.5: This directs the contractor to submit a one (1) page resume for each PIC and SIC expected to perform under this contract. Over fifty pages may be needed by the Offeror to meet this Solicitation requirement which exceeds the Technical Volume page limit. May a spreadsheet be submitted that captures the requested data in Section L paragraphs 2.5, 2.5.1 and PWS page 25 paragraph 21.0 in lieu of a one-page resume for each pilot?

Government response: Please provide the resumes as requested.

Question 20: Section L, Part B, paragraph 3.1.a, paragraph 3.2, and Attachment P1: It seems that there is a significant amount of information duplicated across these three tables (i.e., CPARS information, company name, contact information, designation of prime or sub). Is there any way to consolidate these forms, or would you like to see all the information in these forms as they are currently written?

Government response: Please provide all information as requested.

Question 21: Section M, Part B, paragraph 1.0, Element 3: Requires submission of aircraft raw data in excess of 25 pages per aircraft. Can this data be included as an Annex to the Technical Volume?

Government response: Yes.

Question 22: What kind of aircraft were used in previous solicitations for this contract?

Government response: In the current contract the aircraft used have been G-2B/G-3.

Question 23: In regards to the minimum aircraft range of 2,000NM, would it be allowable for the aircraft to have an internal cabin fuel bladder during the transit between CONUS and Hawaii?

Government response: The Government only needs the offeror to meet the performance specifications as stated in the PWS.

Question 24: In addition to the minimum requirements, is there a certain aircraft that Naval Air Systems Command has in mind for the upcoming opportunity?

Government response: The Government only needs the offeror to meet the performance specifications as stated in the PWS.

Question 25: In addition to the minimum requirements, is there a certain radar system that Naval Air Systems Command has in mind for the upcoming opportunity?

Government response: The Government only needs the offeror to meet the performance specifications as stated in the PWS.

Question 26: How many deployments (CONUS to Hawaii) per year are expected?

Government response: 2 to 5 (estimate only).

Question 27: If requirement is for “On-Call” support, what will be the notification time to respond?

Government response: Historically, the government has given the contractor 60 days notice.

Question 28: How many system operators/riders in aircraft?

Government response: This is up to the offeror. The Government only needs the offeror to meet the performance specifications as stated in the PWS.

Question 29: Section C, paragraph 2.7 states aircraft must comply with FAA Part-91, and under Section C, paragraph 23.0, it states aircraft must be maintained under 14 CFR 135. Can you please clarify the maintenance requirements?

Government response: This section of the RFP has been revised to clarify requirements.

Question 30: Section C, paragraph 2.3 requires the use of the contractor’s facilities to base the aircraft. Are there any restrictions or requirements applicable to these facilities?

Government response: No.

Question 31: Does the contract require exclusive use of the aircraft to satisfy the contract requirements?

Government response: No.

Question 32: May the contractor utilize the aircraft in other revenue generating activities?

Government response: Yes.

Question 33: Section C, paragraph 4.0 describes equipment to be installed/removed on some, but not all Task Orders. Who is responsible for installation and removal of this equipment?

Government response: The contractor will be responsible. This is more fully detailed in Section C, paragraphs 15.0 and 19.0.

Question 34: Does the contract require the contractor to carry any Department of Defense accreditations or certifications?

Government response: The offeror may need to obtain an Interim Flight Clearance (IFC) from NAVAIR depending on the offeror’s proposed aircraft.

Question 35: Section C, paragraph 14.0 requires one radar operator. What are the minimum requirements for the radar operator?

Government response: The offeror needs to meet the performance parameters as stated in the PWS.

Question 36: Is the radar operator supplied by the contractor?

Government response: Yes.

Question 37: Who is the current contractor?

Government response: As stated in the solicitation, the current contractor is Phoenix Air Group Inc.

Question 38: What aircraft type is currently being used for this contract?

Government response: See response to question 22.

Question 39: What is the current contractor rate?

Government response: That information is proprietary.