Industry_Day_Q&As_N0042117R0018_TACT_PreSolicitation_Conference.pdf

TACT Pre Solicitation Conference Questions and Answers N0042117R0018

Q1: Targeting pods require a large upfront investment by the Contractor. Would the Government re-consider this requirement as an objective rather than a threshold?

A1: In accordance with the Aircraft Minimum Requirements table found at 3.1.1, specifically at

“Targeting Pods” row states, “Electro-Optical (EO) Sensors and Infrared (IR) Sensors shall be provided by the Contractor for all aircraft utilized in performance of this contract within six (6) months from date of contract award.”

Q2: In reference to PWS Draft v8.0 Page 5 Section 3.4, it is unclear what information is expected for debrief from the HUD.

A2: As stated in the PWS Paragraph 3.4.1, “The Contractor’s service platforms and support personnel who are directly involved in OAS and TAC training execution shall have the ability to attend

UNCLASSIFIED briefings and debriefings. Provide post event visual Head Up Display (HUD) and EO and IR sensor video with audio (Objective).” The following further information is being added to provide further clarity, “HUD, EO, and IR sensor video to support enhanced debrief with provisional

JTAC students to support student understanding of aircraft perspective via HUD and sensor video. The video of the HUD is to include but is not limited to dive angle / pitch ladder, altitude and airspeed.”

Q3: How long after award does the performance period begin?

A3: The government intends to issue Task Order(s) immediately after award.

Q4: What is the process for the Contractor to obtain a Weapons Danger Zone (WDZ)?

A4: Please see the attached brief “CAS Aircraft Airworthiness”.

Q5: What percentage of missions will be "live"?

A5: The Government intends for majority of the events / missions to be for ‘live” CCAS. The intent is to provide the most realistic training as possible. Ref. A.12

Q6: What percentage of missions will require targeting or IR sensor?

A6: A percentage of missions or events requiring targeting or IR sensor cannot be provided at this time.

The expectation is that all Task Orders in support of NAWDC will require EO/IR capability.

Q7: Is there a minimum guaranteed number of hours/year?

A7: No, the Government has set the guaranteed minimum amount at $10,000 per MAC awardee.

Q8: Given that the Contractor will carry Government supplied ordnance onboard, would the Government consider supplying airborne armament equipment (AAE) as GFP?

A8: No. Government Furnished Property (GFP) is not planned to be provided under this contract. AAE will not be provided by the Government.

Q9: How does the Government intend to handle ammunition transactions?

A9: In accordance with Paragraph 4.4.2.9 of the PWS, Contractors must have personnel trained in

NAVAIR approved ordnance loading & unloading procedures. The Contractor and the Government

Customer will coordinate with USMC and/or Navy ordnance personnel to receive ordnance for scheduled live ordnance sorties / events. Loading, arming/de-arming, and unloading will be conducted at a designated and approved loading areas at airfields specified for event support. The Government will not provide ordnance handling personnel beyond the transfer of required Government provided ordnance for scheduled events.

Q10: In the event of an aborted mission as a result of Contractor Furnished Property (CFP) malfunction, would the Government reconsider the position to not reimburse the remainder of the flight after PIC declares abort? This could lead to undue pressure on the PIC.

A10: The Government’s position remains unchanged. The definition of “Aborted Mission” is found in

PWS Appendix A, Definitions and Glossary.

Q11: What is the projected amount of work?

A11: The subject contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract type. Therefore, the Government is unable (with any certainty) to predict the number of hours expended on any given mission (as well as the total number of hours across the life of the ordering period). The Government is also unable to predict when the hours would be expended. However, the Government can state the expected events by HQMC: fourteen (14), one (1) week long events; and NAWDC: five (5), two (2) week long events per year. This prediction is based on past expenditures/number of events by command. The

Government does not intend to limit the number of possible events during the ordering period. The

Government has the ability to issue events as long as there are ceiling hours available under the IDIQ.

Q12: Will orders be separated by live and dry requirements?

A12: As stated above, the Government intends for majority of the events / missions to be for ‘live”

CCAS. The Government retains the right to determine the “live” or “dry” CCAS mix at time of task order request.

Q13: How does the Government intend to set up orders for stability?

A13: The current intent is to have one year periods of performance for each customer, which could include multiple events across multiple locations. However, the Government reserves the right to issue shorter or longer duration task orders if determined necessary.

Q14: What will be considered satisfactory for a night vision compatible cockpit?

A14: In accordance with 3.1 Aircraft Minimum Requirements, Aircraft and Aircrew Systems states, “Aircraft shall incorporate Night Vision Device (NVD) compatible cockpits to allow for day and night live Terminal Attack Controller (TAC) operations and ordnance delivery. NVDs shall be Contractor provided and be compatible with currently fielded Infrared (IR) marking devices. Contractors, in performance of night time sorties, must be able to conduct IR CCAS, visually acquiring IR marks and strobes using Night Vision Devices (NVDs).” Contractors, in performance of night time sorties, must be able to conduct IR CCAS, visually acquiring IR marks and strobes using Night Vision Devices (NVDs).

Contractors are responsible for determining cockpit compatibility with NVDs.

Q15: In regards to Section 3.1.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, the total required number of radios is unclear. Is the threshold 2 total radios 1 each of UHF and VHF?

A15: The requirement at 3.1 Aircraft Minimum Requirements, Aircraft and Aircrew Systems has been revised to state, “Two (2) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radios with at least one radio capable of Very

High Frequency (VHF) transmission, both capable of transmission and reception for line of sight signals.”

Q16: In regards to Section 4.2.2.10 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, how many deployments are expected annually?

A16: The Government tentatively plans for the following known number of planned events on a per customer basis: HQMC: fourteen (14), one (1) week long events; and NAWDC: five (5), two (2) week long events per year. The exact number of known or unknown events cannot be defined at this time. The

Government does not intend to limit the number of possible events during the ordering period.

Q17: It is unclear if ferry flights to ordnance loading areas and/or deployments will be funded. A separate

CLIN for ferry flights would reduce the risk assumed by Contractors and allow better value offers.

A17: Paragraph 3.6.1 of the PWS is being revised to remove the statement, “Contractor ferry flight costs are not allowable under this CLIN”, based on the fact that flight events will be quoted at the task order level.

Q18: Would all aircraft on the schedule require EO and/or IR sensors as part of their required configuration? If not, can the Government state how many aircraft would simultaneously need to carry

EO and/or IR sensors?

A18: All aircraft utilized in performance of this contract shall have EO and IR capability within 6 months from date of contract award. Once a task order request requires provision of EO or IR sensors, all aircraft for the stated event, sortie, or mission, to be defined at time of task order request, will be required to provide said capability.

Q19: In regards to Section 3.1.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, can you further explain the rationale for the 300 KTAS minimum criteria? Is that in level flight? If so at what altitude? Is the

Threshold speed requirement configuration clean or the same as for the endurance requirement (carrying ordnance and external stores)?

A19: The table at 3.1 Aircraft Minimum Requirements has been updated with more specific speed and configuration requirements.

Q20: In regards to Section 4.2.2.4 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, are these operations to be conducted with the aircraft certified as Public Aircraft? If so will that certification cover enroute deployment to the various supporting fields?

A20: The operations performed IAW with the PWS are considered public operations and a U.S. Navy

Interim Flight Clearance (IFC) will be required, per Section 3.4.2. These operations would include enroute deployment to the various supporting fields as part of the public operation under the IFC when authorized through the Scheduling Officer. It is possible that certain missions associated with this contract, which do not require the carriage and dropping of ordnance (such as dry or Simulated CCAS) may be considered Civil and performed under FAA airworthiness certificates. It is also a requirement that the Contractor maintains the capability to operate their aircraft as civil under FAA airworthiness certificate for operations not associated with this contract such as flights required for maintenance purposes (reach maintenance facility, perform FCF, etc.)

Q21: In regards to Section 3.1.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, will an aircraft with a proven weapon delivery system, to include a HUD with an automated program for Mk-76/BDU-33 and Tac

Manual Mk-76/BDU-33 delivery data, sufficient to meet the Weapon Delivery Zone (WDZ) requirement by analysis?

A21: The Government will require prospective offeror’s proposals to, “provide proof of each T/M/S aircraft proposed were in fact manufactured to drop ordnance/threshold munitions”, and “As proof or substantiation data of proposed T/M/S aircraft, the Offeror shall submit Original Equipment Manufacturer information and/or Military documentation that the T/M/S were manufactured and had been utilized in dropping of ordnance.”

Q22: Will the WDZ determination be part of the IFC CLIN?

A22: The Interim Flight Clearance (IFC) & Related Substantiation Data will be paid to each Contract holder/awardee for IFC, WDZ, and any other related substantiation data required in performance of the contract.

Q23: In regards to Section 3.1.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, please expand the 60-minute time on station to include the anticipated (or notional for evaluation purposes) transit distance.

A23: Continue to check FBO for updates to the PWS and a final solicitation.

Q24: Table 3.1.1 identifies the types of ordnance desired for both the Threshold and Objective requirements but does not identify the minimum number required for each for those aircraft without an existing SCL. E.g. are 6 BDU-33's required for each sortie or are 2 sufficient?

A24: This requirement has been further clarified and changed. The Government’s minimum quantity requirement per aircraft is for capability to carry at least two (2) MK-76/BDU-33’s, as a threshold/minimum requirement. Aircraft capability to carry more than two (2) MK-76/ BDU-33 Practice

Bombs are desired as an objective.

Q25: In regards to Section 3.1.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, is a 20mm cannon suitable for this contract?

A25: A 20mm cannon as an ordnance loadout delivery mechanism may be acceptable for live CCAS sorties as long as in accordance with Paragraph 3.1 Aircraft Minimum Requirements, there is an approved straight path dive delivery, WDZ approval for the aircraft and ordnance delivery profile, and Contractor is able to deliver the ordnance day and night (under IR CCAS conditions).

Q26: If a safety assessment cannot be made based using provided paperwork for a particular item, for example, a modification for lighting, can a risk acceptance decision be considered, or a combination of operations limits, crew training and partial risk acceptance be considered?

A26: Modifications that cannot be assessed using existing paperwork / documentation will be required to undergo a physical configuration audit to determine the scope and impact to airworthiness of the modification. There are three possible resultant avenues of the airworthiness analysis process being: (1) approval or acceptance, (2) mitigation by utilizing analysis of operational limits, or (3) possible risk acceptance via a Systems Safety Risk Assessment (SSRA). SSRA’s may be considered but are not a preferred option.

Q27: In regards to Section 3.2 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, How many times during the period of performance will exercises be conducted at the two (2) sites: one (1) site for USMC with the ability to sortie two (2) aircraft for up to three (3) turns daily; and one (1) site for NAWDC with the ability to sortie four (4) aircraft up to two (2) turns daily (Day and/or Night)?

A27: In accordance with the table at 3.2 Sortie / Mission Requirements which has been revised in the current version of the PWS, “The Contractor shall be able to operate in support of each Task Order at least four (4) aircraft for up to three (3) turns daily (Day and/or Night), and Contractor service platforms shall be able to execute sustained operations for at least fourteen (14) days without interruption.

Q28: In regards to Section 3.1.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, what types of aircraft (e.g. Light

Attack, High Performance Turboprop or jets) are desired to meet the requirement for 300-500 Knots True

Airspeed (KTAS) and the aircraft being required to maintain 60 minutes tactical time on station without any refueling operations?

A28: The Government cannot determine the solution of/for a prospective contractor. It is up to a contractor to propose their preferred T/M/S as part of its technical solution.

Q29: How many awards are planned for this Firm Fixed-Price Multiple Award Indefinite

Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract?

A29: The Government cannot predict, with any certainty, the number of awards that shall be made under the IDIQ. However, the Government can award TO events as long as there are ceiling hours available under the IDIQ throughout the 10 year ordering period. While the Government intends to issue TO events every year of the 10 year ordering period, the number of orders, the specific amounts (hours) per order, and the exact dates of the orders cannot be determined for any year.

Q30: In regards to Section 3.2 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, how many flying hours at each site

(1 USMC site and 1 NAWDC site) are estimated for the period of performance to meet the planned amount of sorties?

A30: In addition to the answer for Q11 and Q29, the Government can't guarantee the number of hours for either site for any given year.

Q31: Do the identified objectives present an opportunity for a trade-off source selection?

A31: At the task order level, the Government will provide for Fair Opportunity in accordance with FAR

16.505. The Government reserves the right to consider criteria found at FAR 16.505(b)(1).

Q32: What is the planned duration of the IDIQ ordering period?

A32: The anticipated ordering period is for 10 years. The Government intends to issue orders of varying period of performance length throughout the ordering period.

Q33: With the scope and other customers for CCAS under this contract including other Department of

Defense (DoD) agencies and services, is the ordering process planned for centralization or is it decentralized?

A33: The plan that may be supported with this contract vehicle at this time is to centralize Department of

Defense (DoD) requirements related to CCAS for any DoD entity requiring CCAS at a PWS specified location.

Q34: In regards to Section 3.5.1 of N00421-17-R-0018 PWS Draft v8.0, if Contractor ferry flight costs are not allowable under CLIN 0001, are ferry flight costs allowable in another planned CLIN? If not, are the ferry flight costs expected to be a factor in the firm fixed price of CLIN 0001?

A34: Paragraph 3.6.1 of the PWS is being revised to remove the statement, “Contractor ferry flight costs are not allowable under this CLIN”, based on the fact that flight events “will” be quoted at the task order level. MAC Contract holders that respond to task order requests will be able to structure its task order request responses with a complete Flight Time rate to include all associated costs. Also see the related question Q16.

Q35: Is there a possibility of reserving an award for small business or setting the entire acquisition aside for small business?

A35: The basic MAC IDIQ’s will be competed unrestricted utilizing full and open competition. For the task order requests, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F), “contracting officers may, at their discretion, set aside orders for any of the small business concerns”.