N0042117R0018_GOVT_RESPONSES_TO_QUESTIONS_IN_RESPONSE_TO_RFI.pdf

PMA-226 Contracted Air Services TACT Government Responses To Potential Vendor Submitted Questions DRAFT RFP Sections

Question Number

DOCUMENT

NAME and

PAGE

NUMBER

SECTION

NUMBER

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS

/SUGGESTIONS

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

No. 1 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.1.1

The RFP states that ordnance loads shall be "Standard Configuration and Loads (SCL) as per Naval Air (NAVAIR) IFC evaluation.". What loads are these or will they be chosen by the contractor during the IFC process?

In reference to Section L, Part B, 1.0 Volume 1, Technical Element #2, Allowable loads authorized by the IFC will be based on the contractor proposed aircraft / load configuration's ability to safely carry (and in the case of training ordnance, release) external loads. This is based on the OEM's design and specifications or authorizations by other military airworthiness authority, and analysis by NAVAIR engineering.

No. 2 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.1.1

The RFP states a need for an IR sensor. Does the IR sensor need a laser target designator, IR pointer or LTD incorporated?

The Government’s current threshold does not require Laser Target Designator (LTD), IR pointer, or LTD incorporated as a minimum requirement for the Basic MAC Award. As the Government's minimum requirement is for Mk-76/BDU-33 capability in order to qualify for the MAC pool. LTD is listed as an objective in the table at Section 3.3.1. As the Laser Guided Training Round (LGTR) capability is also listed as an objective, these objectives may be more relevant and be a requirement at the Task Order level. Infrared Laser Marker is also stated as an objective.

No. 3 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.1.1

The RFP states "IR Pods shall be provided by the Contractor for all aircraft utilized in performance of this contract within six

(6) months from date of contract award." Does that statement refer to the award date of IDIQ or to specific follow-on task orders?

As stated in the PWS, IR Pod/Sensor capability shall be provided by the Contractor for all aircraft utilized in performance of this contract within six (6) months from date of contract award. This requirement applies to the award date of the basic contract.

The Government's requirement and intent here is that either (1) the aircraft T/M/S offered as the contractor's proposed solution already have the required IR Sensor system installed on its aircraft so that the six (6) month requirement is no longer an issue, or (2) enclosed with a contractor's proposal it provides what IR Sensor System it will be installing on its aircraft and complete timeline for full-up IR Sensor capability and airworthiness in accordance with the required six (6) month timeline.

No. 4 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.1.3

The RFP states " all Contractor aircraft platforms shall have an approved Weapons Danger Zone (WDZ) for the Threshold dive delivery, Threshold ordnance, and/or meet the USMC and United States Navy (USN) approved weapons delivery dive and release profiles". Will approval and issuance of the Weapons Danger Zone for contract aircraft weapons release be part of the IFC process after IDIQ award?

Review and assessment for prospective issuance of the Weapons Danger Zone (WDZ) authorization for contract aircraft weapons release will be part of the IFC process after IDIQ award.

Keep in perspective as well, Section L, 1.0 Volume 1:

Technical, Technical Element #2, requirements for proposed T/M/S.

No. 5 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.2

The RFP states " 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)." Will that turn pattern be adjusted for individual task orders since operational scheduling may have a lower requirement that does not require 4 aircraft to meet.

The quoted language at Paragraph 3.2, Sortie / Mission Requirements, of the PWS Number 1 is a daily minimum requirement as complementary to the Number 2 requirement that, "Contractor service platforms shall be able to execute sustained operations for at least fourteen

(14) days without interruption." This is a requirement that will have to evaluated by the Government prior to contract award, that the prospective contractor's technical solution appears to be acceptable and viable.

As these are minimum requirements of a Contractor, the Government will have the ability to reduce the number of required aircraft and number of turns at the Task Order (TO) level.

No. 6 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.4.1

The RFP states the need to provide HUD footage for debrief. If the contractor aircraft is not equipped with a HUD, would gunsight/ helmet cam footage suffice?

Paragraph 3.4.1 provides for, "post event visual Head Up Display (HUD) and EO and IR sensor video with audio (Objective)" as an objective, not a minimum requirement to be a part of the Basic MAC pool. HUD capability may become a requirement of a resultant Task Order, however, even though the Government desires this capability, it is not a minimum requirement

No. 7 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 4.2.11

Will the government reimburse the contractor for ferry flights to deployment sites? If the deployment is over an extended period of time, such as 2 weeks or longer, will the government consider reimbursing the contractor for personnel and aircraft swaps.

Each individual Task Order (TO) PWS will provide enough information for MAC holder(s) the ability to price according to tasking requirements during the Fair Opportunity comparison. Each TO will be a Firm-Fixed Price order.

Once a TO is executed in support of defined events, it is up to the TO contractor to provide the required full support per the terms and conditions of the order. Paragraph 4.2.11 will be removed from the MAC PWS, for longer TOs with multiple deployments, appropriate verbiage for scheduling will be included.

No. 8 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 4.4

The RFP States "All personnel performing TACT operations shall have appropriate training and any necessary qualifications for TACT".

What are the specific training events and qualifications the government considers appropriate for TACT?

The Government's requirement and intent here in regard to, "appropriate training and any necessary qualifications for TACT", is not to make things unnecessarily complicated.

To have support from aircrew with knowledge of the PWS referenced and outlined in the JP 3-09.3, Close Air Support, and proficiency/experience in execution of Close Air Support. .

No. 9 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 4.4.2.7

The RFP states "shall hire and train the number of employees required to safely maintain the company aircraft and support the scope of the maintenance operations both at home station (the Contractor's primary facility) and detachment locations". Will the government accept and provide reimbursement for TAD costs of all contractor personnel based on contractor discretion of what is required to support flight ops at the detachment location or will there be a government imposed limit on total maintenance personnel?

The Government will not impose a maximum limit on the number of personnel a contractor utilizes in support of these TACT services. The Government, once a Task Order is in force, expects to receive the Contracted Close Air Support services as defined in the Fair Opportunity Task Order. The Government's intention is for all event/deployment specific costs, to include Flight Minutes, Travel, Ferry, Risk, and ODC's to be rolled up into one Firm Fixed-Price per event/deployment.

No. 10 Draft RFP Section B pg.

Sect B item

Could the government give a breakdown of the expected workshare for each of the possible locations

As previously provided by the Government, "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.

No. 11 Draft RFP Section C pg.

Sect C 3.3.1

The objective for forward firing guns is .50 cal or greater, but there is no threshold capability identified. Recommend including a threshold requirement of 7.62 ammunition for forward firing guns.

The Government appreciates prospective offeror input, however the requirement of forward firing guns is not a MAC entry / minimum threshold requirement.

No. 12 Attach 1 DD254 pg. 1

DD-254

Section 10.a, j, k and 11.c, h, j, k and l

The RFP states that SIPRnet access and secure STE access to include COMSEC information is required. Verify the location required for SIPR Access to facilitate briefing and coordination and / or if the Government is responsible for installation and certification of all SIPRnet drops for the contractor.

Will the Government provide classified storage safes and classified SIPRnet computers to facilitate access?

The Government does not plan on provision of classified storage safes and classified SIPRnet computers.

At this time the Government does not anticipate the need for SIPRnet access, although SECRET clearance is required for entry into NAWDC and EWTG spaces and for any held discussions or briefings on real world capabilities.

No. 13 2 Section C Will an OEM computed weapons delivery system (such as CCIP and or CCRP) be required or will there be any preference given to computed bombing system?

There is no requirement for a specific weapons delivery system such as CCIP and/or CCRP. No preference will be given to computed bombing system at time of Basic MAC Award.

No. 14 2 Section C If a computed delivery system is not required, will an OEM aiming system ("iron sight") bombing system be required or will a home-built aiming system (e.g.

grease pencil on the windscreen or other in-house modification for aiming) be acceptable? If a contractor modification for aiming is acceptable what are the requirements for that aiming system?

Any system used in the aircraft must conform to airworthiness requirements and will be evaluated by NAVAIR prior to IFC release. For weapon release, the WDZ requirements must be met. Therefore, if a standard aiming systems is used, there may be an existing model which could be used as basis for approval. Otherwise, testing will be required to establish a weapon delivery profile envelope and weapon delivery system model for the proposed aircraft.

No. 15 2 Section C Will NAVAIR require an OEM weapons release system (wiring) in the aircraft or will they consider a post OEM modification to enable weapons release? Any criteria associated with a non OEM solution?

The Government assumes that this question only relates to the weapons release system, not the hard points and loading configuration. The Government will consider post OEM modification, however, establishing the airworthiness of any such modification may require significant effort and will most likely require ground and flight testing. Any required testing shall be the responsibility and at the cost of the contractor with Government oversight only.

No. 16 2 Section C Will non-OEM suspension equipment (homemade or taken from another aircraft) be considered to carry and release the ordnance?

Any system proposed must meet airworthiness requirements and will be evaluated by NAVAIR prior to IFC release. The Government will consider post OEM modification however this may require extensive testing such as flutter, store separation, etc. This will also impact WDZ approval and more than likely require testing to establish weapon delivery profile envelope and weapon delivery system for the proposed aircraft. All associated costs for any required testing is a contractor’s responsibility. The Government will provide oversight only.

No. 17 2 Section C In the previous draft RFP 90 minutes on station was listed as a threshold requirement, the updated RFP lists 60 minutes’ time on station as a threshold requirement. Is this due to a reduction in the amount of controls required to be performed or will there be an increase in sorties?

The 60-minute time on station minimum or threshold requirement has no intended correlation to the amount of controls required to be performed nor the amount of sorties required.

Prospective offerors are also reminded to take note that the minimum 60-minute tactical time on station aircraft endurance requirement does not equate to wheels-up to wheels-down. Table 3.1.1, Airspeed and Endurance states, "minimum 60 minutes’ tactical time on station, in excess of required transit time." Time on station is considered the point where actual TACT CCAS services are being provided by a contractor.

No. 18 Attachment

4, DRAFT-

TASK ORDER

PRICING

SPREADSHEE

T

Attachment 4, the Task Order Pricing Worksheet only provides an ELIN for Cost Per Minute. How would you like us to account for ferry transit time, travel, per diem, etc.? Do you want it built into the Unit Price? It would be much cleaner for industry if we had the ability to break out these out separately per iteration.

This RFP utilizes Class Deviation (2018-O0006, dated 13 DEC 2017) which permits Multiple Award Contracts (MACs) to exclude price/cost as an evaluation factor under certain conditions. The Task Order Pricing Spreadsheet is removed as part of the Basic MAC Source Selection Criteria.

No. 19 Attachment

4, DRAFT-

TASK ORDER

PRICING

SPREADSHEE

T

Can you please provide more information on ELIN "010 - Live CCAS Air Support, Locations IAW PWS & Appendix C”?

This appears to be a generic ELIN for undetermined support. How do we price if the intention is for ferry, travel and

This RFP utilizes Class Deviation (2018-O0006, dated 13 DEC 2017) which permits Multiple Award Contracts (MACs) to exclude price/cost as an evaluation factor under certain conditions. The Task Order Pricing Spreadsheet is removed as part of the Basic MAC Source Selection Criteria.

personnel costs to be built into the Unit Price (which would differ depending on location and footprint)?