N0042121R0077 Q and A.pdf

Contracted Air Services (CAS) Hawaiian Operating Area Helicopter Services

N00421-21-R-0077

Questions And Answers From

Industry Day Held On May 18, 2021

# Industry Question/Comment Government Response

Standup CLIN - Is there an incentive to stand up sooner? Is there a more favorable rating for proposals with less standup time?

A: The stand up CLIN is still being finalized based on market research. Any updates to the stand up CLIN, including any possible incentives for a shorter stand up period, will be provided in the Technical section of the final RFP

2 Is there a stand down schedule date for the current effort?

A: The ordering period on the current contract ends 2 August 2022. A transition plan will be developed to ensure a smooth performance transition from when the incumbent completes the last flights on the current contract to when the awardee begins to perform services after the completion of CLIN 0001 Stand Up.

3 Is the age of the Offeror's aircraft an issue?

A: No, the Government has no issue with the age of the proposed aircraft, as long as, it meets the Performance Work Statement (PWS) requirements, airworthy requirements and life limited parts are available to support this ordering period of 4 years 364 days.

Is there anything within the certifications of the Federal Aviation

Administration that the Government will not accept?

A: No, the Government will accept certification in accordance with Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA) and leverage off of the FAA approvals.

What North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code has been designated and is the Government supporting a Small Business set aside?

A1: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is

481219 - Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation

(https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=481219&year=2017&details=4812

19)has been designated.

A2: No, this procurement will not be set aside for small business. The responses to the Sources Sought posted on https://sam.gov on 07 April

2020 did not indicate that at least two responsible small business concerns under NAICS Code 481219 were capable of performing the requirements for this effort. Therefore, this solicitation has been approved as a Full and

Open, Unrestricted Competition.

6 Is the intent to use an existing Air Force IDIQ contract?

A: No, the Government has no intent to use a US Air Force IDIQ contract.

The US Navy will establish its own contract.

7 Is medical accreditation required for the aircrew?

A: No, the Government has no requirement for aircrew with medical accreditation. However, Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) is in the Draft

PWS Section 3.1.1.6 Medium Lift Performance Requirements Table 3.1.1 but no medical personnel is required to be on the helicopter.

Why split medium and heavy lift? Can one aircraft type do both medium and heavy lift?

A1: The split of medium and heavy lift is to meet aircraft performance requirements as stated in Draft PWS.

A2: One aircraft can do both, as long as, it meets the Draft Performance

Work Statement (PWS) requirements for both Medium and Heavy lift services.

If the incumbent is ready to go day one of the contract, but a 6 month standup is allowed, will the incumbent get a more favorable result?

A: See response to question #1.

Is the 4 year 364 day ordering period inclusive of the 6 month stand up period?

A: The start day begins on the first day of the ordering period. The stand up period is inclusive of the 4 year 364 day ordering period.

When the Stand-up CLIN 0001 is utilized, the number of months associated with the related CLIN 0002 Aircraft Readiness will decrease commensurably.

Questions And Answers From

Industry Day Held On May 18, 2021

HOSTAC approval pre-qualifier. Is the government able to provide any additional information to obtain this approval?

A: Recommend that industry review the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO) Standard MPP-02, Volume 1 for HELICOPTER OPERATIONS FROM

SHIPS OTHER THAN AIRCRAFT CARRIERS (HOSTAC) edition (H) Version (1) dated April 2017.

The Government recommends viewing this website:

https://www.japcc.org/wp-content/uploads/MPP-02-VOL-I-EDH-V1-E.pdf

The government is reviewing the requirements and will provide additional information at the time the RFP is posted to https://www.sam.gov, if necessary.

Is there any potential for a requirement to provide a Unmanned Aircraft

Systems (UAS)?

A: No, there is no Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or drone type requirement for this solicitation.

Does this solicitation require the aircraft to be Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

A: Yes, the proposed aircraft must be IFR capable and the pilots must be instrument rated and current.

If you haven't been performing a contract for more than a year, is there an issued there?

A: No, there is no issue if a contractor is not performing a contract for more than a year. The Government will be evaluating Past Performance within 5 years of the RFP Release Date (Section L - 3.0 Volume 3 - Past

Performance, 3.1 General.

Section M, 4.0 Performance Confidence Assessment Ratings provides the description of the ratings.

The rating may fall under Neutral Confidence defined as "No recent/relevant performance record is available or the Offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned." and the Offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably under the past performance factor.

Is this solicitation for the helicopter services that are currently being performed with S-61N work?

A: This Solicitation N0042121R0077 is a recompete effort for services that are currently performed by Croman Corporation as identified in Section L paragraph 4.3.2

4.3.2 Incumbent Information

The incumbent contractor is:

Croman Corporation

White City, OR 97503

16 Are the recoveries for the BQM-34s & BQM 74s still a requirement?

A: Yes, the Booster Target Drone Ground and Aerial Launched Mobile

BQM-34s and BQM-74s are a recovery requirement under this solicitation as referenced in Section 1 of the PWS.

17 Is firefighting still a requirement?

A: Yes, the firefighting is a requirement for Heavy lift services as referenced in the PWS paragraph 3.1.2.6.

18 Is the Hangar and Offices still the same at PMRF for this solicitation?

A: The Draft PWS provides a floor plan that identifies the hangar and office spaces listed in Appendix (F) PMRF Airfield and Appendix (I) Building 384

First Floor Plan. This is the same hangar and office spaces utilized while supporting the current contract.

19 What are the average flight hours historically flown per year?

A: Over the past 5 years, the Navy's CAS Helicopter flight hours have increased. The following historical information was posted in the https://sam.gov RFI on 4 May 2021:

FY16: 282 flight hours (130 Medium and 152 Heavy)

FY17: 163 flight hours (41 Medium and 122 Heavy)

FY18: 240 flight hours (104 Medium and 136 Heavy)

FY19: 183 flight hours (52 Medium and 131 Heavy)

FY20: 272 flight hours (109 Medium and 163 Heavy)

20 Is the medium lift a twin engine requirement?

A: Yes, the medium and heavy lift is a twin engine requirement. Draft PWS

Table 3.1.1 and 3.2.1 identifies that the helicopter while in a hover will have a single engine fly away capability.

Questions And Answers From

Industry Day Held On May 18, 2021

21 Can we send electronically our capability statement?

A: Yes, any potential offeror/company can send a capability statement to the Government prior to the time the final RFP is posted to https://sam.gov

22 Can you provide who or what firm is currently providing these services?

A: This Solicitation N0042121R0077 is a recompete effort for services that are currently performed by Croman Corporation as identified in Section L paragraph 4.3.2

4.3.2 Incumbent Information

The incumbent contractor is:

Croman Corporation

White City, OR 97503

Did you receive small business interest as this requirement is identified as full and open?

A: No, this procurement will not be set aside for small business. The responses to the Sources Sought posted on https://sam.gov on 07 April

2020 did not indicate that at least two responsible small business concerns under NAICS Code 481219 were capable of performing the requirements for this effort. Therefore, this solicitation has been approved as a Full and

Open, Unrestricted Competition.

24 Is the Government providing the bambi buckets?

A: Yes, the Government will be providing the Bambi Buckets as listed in the Draft PWS Section 5.2 GFP Installation and Removal Requirements.

25 What is the capacity of the bambi buckets?

A: The capacity of the Bambi Buckets is 240 gallons. The capacity is listed in Draft PWS Section 5.2 GFP Installation and Removal Requirements and

Appendix (M) 240 Gallon Bambi Bucket.

26 Is there any idea of workload breakdown between CAO and PAO?

A: CAO and PAO flights are dependent upon your proposed aircraft

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness certification.

However, it is anticipated that CAO flights will be flown for 98% of the flight hours performed.

Is the 4 year 364 day ordering period inclusive of the 6 month stand up period to include the mobilization of the aircraft?

A. Yes, the mobilization of the aircraft is required within the 6 month stand up period. Paragraph 3.1.3 will be updated to clearly identify that (2) aircraft will need to be mobilized to Barking Sands and ready to perform flight operations within the 6 month stand up period.

28 If we were ready to stand up in one month would that be acceptable? A: See response to question #1.

If we were ready to stand up in one month would that be evaluated more favorably A: See response to question #1.

Will this solicitation provide services in support of the Japanese, Korean and

Australians during RIMPAC?

A: Yes, During Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) services are provided in support of exercise participants from foreign nations.

The Government may need to reevaluate the 3,500 lbs for medium lift PWS requirement. The MK-30 weighs 3,600 lbs plus the weight of the cage. If the

PWS requirement is inaccurate, can the Government adjust that PWS medium lift requirement?

A: The Government is reviewing Industry feedback on the draft PWS medium lift performance requirements and any updates will be included in the Final RFP, as applicable.

32 Is this effort currently operated under Navy or Contracted?

A: This Solicitation N0042121R0077 is a recompete effort for services that are currently performed by Croman Corporation as identified in Section L paragraph 4.3.2.

What about ground support equipment? Is that to be brought in or provided?

A:1 All Support Equipment (SE) will be provided by the awardee.

A:2 The offeror is responsible for providing all SE required to support flight operations.

34 Are the facilities maintained by contractor or the Navy?

A: Government provided facilities at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Barking Sands, Kauai, HI are maintained by the US Navy.

Is the awardee responsible for providing personnel to fuel and de-fuel the aircraft?

A: The offeror must fuel and de-fuel their own aircraft that are proposed for this solicitation.

36 Are there additional age or cycle limits beyond the OEM criteria?

A: Correct. There is no age or cycle limits beyond the Original Equipment

Manual (OEM) criteria.

Questions And Answers From

Industry Day Held On May 18, 2021

37 Is there a schedule when employees need to have security clearances A: Yes, Secret clearances are required for the contractor personnel in advance of performing services in support of this solicitation.

Can you share what the $200k standup would cover (get aircraft there, tools, people)?

A: The $200K standup for CLIN 0001 will be provided after 100% of the

PWS section 3.1.3 has been completed.

The stand up includes providing Insurance, FAA Certification, aircraft, pilots, mechanics, tools etc to provide perform services. Paragraph 3.1.3 will be updated to provide additional details.

Do you envision building in within the 6 months for the current contractor to leave?

A: A transition plan will be developed to ensure a smooth performance transition from when the incumbent completes the last flights on the current contract to when the awardee begins to perform services after the completion of CLIN 0001 Stand Up.

If another competitor comes in will incumbent be required to stay on while new contractor sets up?

A: A transition plan will be developed to ensure a smooth performance transition from when the incumbent completes the last flights on the current contract to when the awardee begins to perform services after the completion of CLIN 0001 Stand Up.

The incumbent will not be required to train a new contractor to provide services as part of this solicitation.

41 Will the task orders be set for standard time periods, yearly, monthly?

A: It is anticipated that Task Orders (TOs) will be issued/awarded for a 365 day Period of Performance (POP).

Other than excel and Microsoft project, can all other documents be in a pdf format?

A: Table G-1 and G-2 specifically indicate what applications/format must be used for each document in each Volume of the Offeror's proposal.

Under crew member certification of training, what does supernumerary mean?

A: The Supernumerary (non pilot) in Draft PWS 3.7.1 - The Crewmember trained to monitor and support external load operations when conducted.

44 Are the S-61 and Bell medium lift both required to operate under Part 133?

A: This draft PWS requires all aircraft to perform under 14 CFR § 133

Rotorcraft External Load Operations.

Are both heavy and medium lift helicopters required to carry a maximum of 9 passengers?

A: As stated in Draft PWS 3.1.1.6 and 3.1.2.8

3.1.1.6 Medium Lift Performance Requirements Table 3.1.1 states Internal

Capacity: Minimum 6 passenger capability plus crew; Medical Evacuation

(MEDEVAC) litter capability (1 litter) (with ICS capability for all)

3.1.2.8 Heavy Lift Performance Requirements Table 3.1.2 states Internal

Capacity: 2,000 lbs. capacity (including a minimum of 8 passengers); re-configurable for internal loads

46 What is the requirement for CARB certification?

A1: The draft PWS section 1.0 identifies Commercial Airlift Review Board

(CARB), as "Additional support services that will be conducted as CAO In

Accordance With (IAW) 14 CFR, include, but are not limited to:

c. Transport of personnel to/from in support of shipboard exercises

(requires United States Air Force (USAF) Commercial Airlift Review Board

(CARB) Certification per DoD Instruction (DoDI) 4500.53), and conducted

IAW 14CFR Part 135."

A2: The CARB certification is required as part of the proposed stand up period. It is part of the standup period and would be required before standup period is completed and prior to ordering additional CLINs via a

Task Order (TO).

47 Are you giving 6 months to get to the Full Operational Capability (FOC)?

A: The stand up period is currently 6 months as listed in the draft RFP.

However, that is subject to change in the final RFP based upon market research.

Questions And Answers From

Industry Day Held On May 18, 2021

Are there any operational requirements that you foresee changing in the future? Example night time operations?

A1: No, the Government currently does not foresee/expect changes to operational requirements under the contract period.

A2: At this time, night time operations are not anticipated.

49 Is there data on the number of flight hours?

A: Over the past 5 years, the Navy's CAS Helicopter flight hours has increased:

FY16: 282 flight hours (130 Medium and 152 Heavy)

FY17: 163 flight hours (41 Medium and 122 Heavy)

FY18: 240 flight hours (104 Medium and 136 Heavy)

FY19: 183 flight hours (52 Medium and 131 Heavy)

FY20: 272 flight hours (109 Medium and 163 Heavy)

Will the Navy airworthiness approvals cover flight operations that are not covered by Part 135 operations for medium/heavy lift requirements?

A: The draft PWS requires the aircraft to perform under 14 CFR § 133

Rotorcraft External Load Operations and 14 CFR § 135 Operating

Requirements: Commuter and On Demand Operations and Rules

Governing Persons On Board Such Aircraft.

51 Is there a desire for a firefighting tank if one could be provided?

A: The government will provide a Bambi bucket as GFE. The offeror may propose a firefighting tank if that is their solution to meeting the PWS requirements.

Based on our historical and current experience the current PWS Heavy Lift

Performance Requirements are understated and will not meet mission requirements with specific regards to the MK-48 recovery (weight of target coupled with cage weight). To meet mission requirements for the MK-48

(3,600lbs) and the recovery cage (600 lbs), we believe the PWS external lifting capacity minimum should be amended to 4,200lbs.

A1: The Government is reviewing Industry feedback on the draft PWS heavy lift performance requirements and will be reflective in the Final RFP, as applicable.

A2: The Government is reviewing Industry feedback on the draft PWS medium lift performance requirements and any updates will be included in the Final RFP, as applicable.

The Contracting Officer (“CO”) designated the Solicitation using NAICS code

481219, Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation, which explicitly excludes

“passenger and/or cargo transportation,” from its coverage. Has the

Government researched the potential use of NAICS 481219 Other Non-scheduled Air Transportation and NAICS 481211 Non-scheduled Chartered

Passenger Air Transportation?

A: The government has researched and assigned the NAICS code that is appropriate for this solicitation as 481219.

PWS Section 3.3 states a 6 month stand up period. To save the USG in time, resources and cost, we strongly suggest the evaluation criteria reflect that a shorter duration stand up, as proposed by offerors, will be evaluated more favorably and stated so within the respective solicitation documents.

A: See response to question #1.

PWS 3.1.2.6 states a 324-gallon BAMBI bucket will be provided as GFP. Table

5.2 lists GFP equipment for both Medium and Heavy missions as 240 Gallon

Bambi Buckets. Please clarify capacity of GFP Bambi Buckets.

A: The Government will update the draft PWS to reflect a 240 gallon bambi bucket.

To increase firefighting “time on station” with a larger bucket capacity equates to reduced time, resources and cost to the USG, we strongly suggest a larger capacity bucket (Contractor owned/Contractor Operated) to be evaluated more favorably and stated so within the respective solicitation documents.

A: The Government is reviewing Industry feedback on evaluation rating for time on station, larger bucket capacity with time efficiency and will reflect in the Final RFP, as applicable.

Clarification is required wrt which performance requirements need to be met concurrently vice individually. i.e., an aircraft that may meet the 2.0 loiter at

100nm from base clean, may not be necessarily have fuel reserves to short haul the recovery basket at 80 kts to retrieve a MK30 Target and return to base carrying over 4000lbs at 80kts 100nm away.

A: The Government is reviewing Industry feedback on the draft PWS performance requirements and will be reflective in the Final RFP, as applicable.