N0042121R0077_QandA_110421.pdf

N00421-21-R-0077 Industry Questions and Government Answers 11/4/21

Industry Question/Comment Government Response

The CLIN Descriptions on pages 6-7 appear to be repeated on pages 8 and 9. Is this a typographical error?

Yes, this error has been corrected. Please see amendment 0001.

This paragraph requires Virus Free Electronic Submissions, is Vipre Endpoint Security an acceptable certification method?

Any Virus detection software is acceptable if it checks for viruses and the Offeror can certify the proposal is virus free.

3 Will this attachment be provided on sam.gov?

The Section L attachments were inadvertently not posted to sam.gov with the original solicitation post. They were added to sam.gov on 26 October 2021.

PWS Paragraph 3.3 G; This paragraph refers to 14 CFR § 25 Subpart H – EWIS. 14 CFR §25 refers to Transport Category Airplanes, not Rotorcraft. Should this requirement be removed?

No, this requirement should not be removed. 14 CFR § 25 Subpart H is included in all new contracts to give the Navy a means of contractually identifying our expectation for how the contractors shall maintain and make modifications to Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS).

This paragraph requires the GFR to preapprove all personnel onboard a government contracted aircraft and any person added to the flight schedule must be approved by the GFR. Can this duty be delegated to the Air Operation Officer or Technical Director at

PMRF?

The Government Flight Representative (GFR) is the only authorized individual to preapprove all personnel onboard a Government contracted Public Aircraft Operation (PAO) flight in support of this solicitation.

ACHI Question: Will language be changed to reflect the proper Identification of MISPOM now being a Federal Rule?

Paragraph 7.10 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) will be updated to include the full reference for NISPOM as DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)

7 Please clarify facility clearance level required.

Section A of the RFP will be updated. Paragraph 5 will be updated to replace Confidential with Secret. See amendment 0001.

ACHI Question: Will we be asked to modify aircraft after contract start date? Are these the modifications already mentioned in the PWS or could they be different? How long would we have to modify the aircraft?

At this time, there is no requirement to provide additional modification to the aircraft after the contract stand up period has completed. Future advanced technology modifications would be negotiated as Cost and installation Period of Performance (POP) will be provided.

Within Section B CLIN Description CLIN 0006 – Aircraft Modifications: For use when performing Advanced Technology Modification services, the contractor shall provide advanced technology capabilities for training purposes. These capabilities will include, but are not limited to: installation and removal of additional GFP and mission equipment not previously defined that will enhance launch and recovery efforts provided by Medium and Heavy Lift Services or alternate type, model, series (T/M/S) aircraft. The contractor may be required to perform aircraft modifications such as internal/external modifications, special provisioning, antenna mounting, etc. Final modifications are approved by signed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Form 8110-3 and FAA Form 337. The Government will not use this CLIN until after successful demonstration of Full Operational Capability (FOC) providing one (1) aircraft for Medium Lift Services and one (1) aircraft for Heavy Lift Services.

ACHI Question: What type of facilities/life-support is/are available at the deployment locations? Would we be able to preposition Proximity Spares, tools and POL there?

Historically, deployments have never been requested by PMRF.

If deployments are requested, storage spaces would be provided for prepositioning of helicopter equipment.

ACHI Question: How many cameras are mounted with the ERVS and where are these mounted?

One Extended Range Video System (ERVS) camera will be provided for each of the Medium and Heavy lift helicopter requirements. There is no requirement to mount the ERVS camera. The ERVS camera weighs approximately 45 lbs and will be operated by a single Government camera operator.

ACHI Question: Will the ERVS require video to displayed on the aircraft cockpit Multi-Function Displays (MFD)?

No the ERVS will not require video to be displayed on the aircraft cockpit Multi-Function Displays (MFD).

ACHI Question: Will contract personnel be provided housing/billeting or is that a contractor responsibility?

The Government will not be providing housing/billeting for contractor personnel. Contract personnel are responsible for their own housing/billeting requirements.

13 Is this a combined or a separate requirement?

Yes, PWS Table 3.1.1 is a combined requirement for the Medium lift performance requirements.

14 What is the range requirement associated with that lift capacity?

PWS Table 3.1.1 identifies the Service Radius of 110 Nautical Miles (NM). Minimum 1.0 hour loiter at up to 100 NM from base.

15 Is this a combined or a separate requirement?

Yes, PWS Table 3.1.2 is a combined requirement for the Heavy lift performance requirements.

16 What is the range requirement associated with that lift capacity?

PWS Table 3.1.2 idetifies the Service radius of 220 NM.

Minimum 2.0 hour loiter at up to 100 NM from base.

Is MEDEVAC litter capability required for heavy lift aircraft and if so how many litters?

PWS Table 3.1.2 Heavy lift does not have an Internal Capacity to be configured with litter capability.

Is there a current FAA approved STC for the GFP Extended Range Video System (EVRS)?

No, there is no current FAA approved STC for the GFP provided

EVRS.

Subparagraph (b) states: “If the Government terminates this contract in whole or in part…the Contractor is liable for liquidated damages accruing until the Government reasonably obtains delivery or performance of similar supplies or services . These liquidated damages are in addition to excess costs of repurchase under the Termination clause”. Are there any limits or a maximum amount that we can be applied to create a cap or definite period in which the terminated Contractor may be held liable for liquidated damages? We are concerned with being responsible for liquidated damages that continue for any indefinite or not previously defined period that occurs between contract termination and sourcing replacement services.

Upon further review, the Government will be removing the clause. Please see amendment 0001.

Under the regulation, Contractor is required, at the Contractor’s expense, to provide and maintain cargo insurance per vehicle to cover the value of the property being shipped. Does the cargo insurance per vehicle strictly apply to the contract aircraft, or does contemplate any vehicles other than the contract aircraft e.g.

trucks, autos, etc.?

The contract clause is intended to apply to the vehicles used in the transportation or for transportation related services.

Therefore, in this contract it applies to the aircraft.

Subparagraph (b)(1) states: “The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties, except as provided in subparagraph (b)(2)(i) of this clause. (2 ) Taxes imposed under 26 U.S.C. 5000 C may not be - (i) Included in the contract price; nor (ii) Reimbursed . Also, Subparagraph (g) states:

“The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of all matters relating to any Federal excise tax or duty that reasonably may be expected to result in either an increase or decrease in the contract price and shall take appropriate action as the Contracting Officer directs ”. Based on the above excerpts from the clause, are any Federal Excise Taxes that may be incurred while performing services that result in a contract price increase reimbursable by the USG?

Also, is it possible that we may be granted exemption of Federal Excise Tax on transport of people and cargo under the contract?

The Government cannot advise on your company's specific tax situation. Please consult your tax attorney.

We do not have a contract that currently prohibits the Contractor from assigning its rights to be paid amounts due or to become due as a result of the performance of the contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency. Is there any justification for why such assignments are excluded from this contract?

Upon further review, the Government will be removing the clause in accordance with DFARS guidance. Please see amendment 0001.

Section requires Offeror to provide contact information of the local DCMA/DCAA/Government Paying office. If we are exempted as a Small Business, are we still required to provide the information requested in the section?

Yes, all Oferrors regardless of size are required to submit this information.

Section requires Offeror to indicate most recent date which the Offeror’s cognizant DCMA/DCAA determined adequacy of Offeror’s business system. If we are exempted as a Small Business, are we still required to provide the information requested in the section?

If you are a small business and exempt from an approved business system, please state so in your proposal.

Section requires Offeror to submit their SB Subcontracting Plan. If we are exempted as a Small Business, are we still required to provide the information requested in the section?

Section L, Paragraph 1 Volume 1 (d)(4) states "Large Business Offerors shall provide their SB Subcontracting Plan conforming to the requirements of FAR 19.7 and DFARS 219.7 as part of Annex B ((Small Business Subcontracting Plan)." Accordingly, small businesses are not required to submit SB Subcontracting Plans.

26 Could you help us locate the reference document?

The Section L attachments were inadvertently not posted to sam.gov with the original solicitation post. They were added to sam.gov on 26 October 2021.

27 Could you help us locate the reference document?

The Section L attachments were inadvertently not posted to sam.gov with the original solicitation post. They were added to sam.gov on 26 October 2021.

28 Could you help us locate the reference document?

The Section L attachments were inadvertently not posted to sam.gov with the original solicitation post. They were added to sam.gov on 26 October 2021.

29 Could you help us locate the reference document?

The Section L attachments were inadvertently not posted to sam.gov with the original solicitation post. They were added to sam.gov on 26 October 2021.

30 Could you help us locate the reference document?

The Section L attachments were inadvertently not posted to sam.gov with the original solicitation post. They were added to sam.gov on 26 October 2021.

Will billeting and meals be provided by the USG or will this responsibility fall on the prime contractor/subcontractor?

The Government will not be providing billeting and meals for contractor personnel. Contract personnel are responsible for their own billeting and meals.

Will the U.S. Government consider extending the deadline for questions for an additional seven (7) days until Friday October 29th?

In order to meet deadline requirements, the Government will not consider extending the deadline for questions at this time.

The Government states that “the anticipated award date for this requirement is 19 May 2022”. When is the projected contract start date?

The projected contract start date is the same as the anticipated award date.

How many and what type commercial aircraft does the incumbent currently fly in support of this requirement?

That is proprietary information to the incumbent and the Government can not release it.

36 Are there any required paint schema for the aircraft? There is no required paint schema for the aircraft.

Please confirm the expected outline or contents for the required Pricing Volume Narrative.

The expected outline and contents for the pricing narrative can be found in Section L Part B Paragraph 4.0.

Attachment L-7 (Price Attachment) states CLIN 000X quantities for the "ordering period". Please confirm if pricing will be sought for each individual year of the 5 year contract?

Each CLIN has a base ordering period of four (4) years 364 days.

Pricing is for the entire base ordering period and the CLINs are not broken out by indivual years. There will only be one set of CLINs 0001 through 0007 for the entire base ordering period.

The resulting ID/IQ will not have one (1) year option periods.

Attachment L-7 (Price Attachment) states CLIN 0003 and 0004 quantities as 112,500 minutes for the Medium and 142,500 for the heavy (1,875 and 2,375 hours respectively) for the ordering period. Please confirm this covers the 5 year contract period resulting in 375 and 475 average annual hours, respectively).

The quantities in the pricing spreadsheet are incorrect. The quantities in Section B are correct. The pricing spreadsheet has been corrected and reposted to sam.gov with amendment 0002. The quantities do cover the 4 year 364 day period.

In the May 2021 Q&A issued after Industry Day, historical flight volume for both aircraft was noted to range from 163 - 282 hours per year combined. This is significantly less than what is guided in Attachment L-7 (Price Attachment).

The L-7 pricing spreadsheet has been corrected and reposted to sam.gov with amendment 0002. The quantities reflect the current requirements.

PWS section 3.10 (d) states "The Government will reimburse the contractor for per diem and travel expenses of maintenance personnel only IAW the following matrix". The PWS matrix limits such travel reimbursement to only 1 maintenance person per aircraft. Please confirm both pilots on each aircraft will also qualify for travel cost reimbursement on CLIN 0005.

All required aircrew (including pilots) supporting deployments will receive travel and per diem as referenced in PWS 3.10(A).

Per diem and travel expenses for maintenance personnel will only be reimbursed according to Table 3.10 within PWS 3.10(D).

Table ES-3 "Business System Status" seeks status confirmation on bidders accounting system, estimating system, CAS Disclosure Statement, Purchasing System and Property Management System.

Please confirm this Table is only relevant to cost reimbursable CLIN's 0005 (travel/materials/shipping) and CLIN 0007 (aircraft modifications)

The Business System Status Table ES-3 is not only relevant to COST CLINs. Please see the the FAR/DFARS references within Table ES-3 for more information.

Please confirm what types of aircraft modifications bidders should expect to be reimbursed for under CLIN 0007 during the ordering period.

CLIN 0007 is for Administrative/Technical Data

CLIN 0006 is for for use when performing Advanced Technology Modification services, the contractor shall provide advanced technology capabilities for training purposes. These capabilities will include, but are not limited to: installation and removal of additional Government Furnished Property and mission equipment not previously defined that will enhance launch and recovery efforts provided by Medium and Heavy Lift Services.

The contractor may be required to perform aircraft modifications such as internal/external modifications, special provisioning, antenna mounting, etc.

An example of a CLIN 0006 aircraft modification may be to install an additional antenna and/or electrical power source for a Sytem for Naval Target Control (SNTC) relay system. This is only an example as future modifications have not been identified.

Please confirm a Pricing Adequacy Checklist as required by DFARS 252.215-7009 is not required for this submission.

In accordance with the Solicitation Section L Part B Paragraph 4.2, certified cost or pricing data is not required in this solicitation. Therefore, a Pricing Adequacy Checklist was not included in the solicitation and is not required at this time.

However if adequate price competition is not achieved it may be required.

Amendment 1 Q&A #25 (released 10/27/21) states, “small businesses are not required to submit SB Subcontracting Plans.”

Please confirm that offerors are considered small business IAW their primary NAICS Code SBA Size Standards, and not IAW the NAICS Code for this Solicitation (481219). For example, if a company’s primary NAICS Codes’ SBA standards are 1,500 employees, and the offeror qualifies as a small business against these standards, they are considered a small business. The vast majority of companies providing Part 135, CARB approved airlift have annual earnings in excess of $16.5 Million, and would therefore be considered large businesses in the context of this Solicitation, even though the primary NAICS code for this type of service is most typically 481211 or 481212

Offerors size standards are in accordance with the NAICS code of this solicitation.