Q_AND_A__7.pdf

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N32205-16-R-3101 SBX-1 Operation & Maintenance

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS # 7

The following are answers to questions received from potential offerors. The answers provide clarification only and DO NOT constitute an amendment to the solicitation.

1. It seems to us that there is no place to actually write a technical proposal that would explain how we intend to provide the services. Notice amendment 0001 paragraph 1.(f) which lists changes to be made to

L-8(B) says "new paragraph". There is no new paragraph at L-8(b) in the amendment. We think this may be an oversight, but not sure. Please advise if you do or do not want a Technical Proposal which would explain how the services are to be provided, and how many pages that can be (if the answer is yes).

Answer: See answer to question 7 below.

2. Answer to Question 23 of Q3 and TM 15.25 and 15.25.1 require the contractor at his/her own expense to provide various Sponsor Consumables, and Sponsor Hazardous Materials. A list is provided to show examples of the type and kind of products that the contractor must provide, however, there is no indication of the quantities of these materials to be provided. Without direct knowledge of the Sponsors activities, and with no control over the quantities of materials to be utilized, how is an offeror expected to be able to reasonably estimate the costs associated with this element. Will MSC please consider making this a reimbursable cost element? If the element is not made reimbursable, please provide quantity guidance so that a reasonable cost can be derived for this requirement.

Answer: Per Section 15.25 and 15.25.1 of the SBX-1 Technical Manual, the costs for Sponsor

Consumables, and Sponsor Hazardous Materials are required to be furnished at the contractors own expense. Information is provided in the tables listed in 15.25 and 15.25.1, including a hi/lo stocking objective for each ship, to assist in estimating.

3. Clarification question on familiarization. In section 1.7.11.5 it is reemphasizing that these costs are reimbursable yet on the schedule Form D pricing (Revision 2) it is looking for an input. What should we be pricing if familiarization is reimbursable?

Answer: Section B-12 will be added and section 1.7.11.5 will be amended as follows in a forthcoming amendment:

B-12 FAMILIARIZATION STATUS (FAM). The fixed Familiarization rate (FAM) shall include costs for training, insurance, other ship expenses, indirect costs, G&A, and profit. The standard crew size and arrival schedule for FAM will be negotiated if needed prior to the beginning of the familiarization period. The Government will also reimburse the contractor for provisions at a fixed rate of $30 per ration (three meals for one person) or a single meal rate of $8.00 for breakfast and lunch, and $14.00 for dinner for all required crew members. In the event the vessel is unavailable to accommodate the crew for messing and berthing, the

Government will reimburse the contractor travel and per diem costs in accordance with the

DoD Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) in effect at the time of travel.

1.7.11.5 Familiarization Crew Wages, Transportation, Subsistence and Lodging. The familiarization fixed rate (FAM) price shall include costs for training, insurance, other ship expenses, indirect costs, G&A, and profit. Other costs associated with the familiarization period are reimbursable. Post-award, but prior to the start of the familiarization period, the contractor should submit a request with an estimate of the other costs associated with the familiarization period to the COR or authorized Approving Authority for approval. This familiarization period shall allow the Contractor’s personnel time to become familiar with the operation of the vessel including but not limited to machinery, auxiliaries, communications, and fire safety. The familiarization period shall not be necessary if an offeror has proposed the same personnel/crew who are currently under contract and assigned to the vessel.

4. Answer to Q&A #3 Question 2 states that all references of Penalty time will be removed in a forthcoming amendment. Where some references were removed, Section G-5 still references penalty time. Please advise if penalty time is reimbursable with prior approval from COR / KO as reimbursable overtime? If it is not reimbursable, how many hours of penalty time should be included in the fixed price?

Answer: The reference to penalty time in section G-5 will be removed in a forthcoming amendment.

5. According to CBAs Penalty time is applicable for certain dirty jobs. CBAs require penalty time to be paid at a different rate than the regular overtime rate. How should this rate be accounted for in the pricing sheets?

Answer: The offeror may have many different wage rates in its CBAs with the unions. The wage rates are to be factored into the proposed fixed rates as the offeror sees fit. There shall only be one overtime rate that will be reimbursable in accordance with section C-1.7.11.3

Overtime

6. Section 1.8.9 references Calhoun/MEBA High Voltage Electrical Safety training. With some bidders providing officers from AMO, is the AMO provided High Voltage class acceptable?

Answer: High Voltage Electrical Safety training is required. The training must be provided by a USCG approved course provider. USCG approved High Voltage Safety training providers can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/courses/default.asp?tab=1#TabbedPanels1.”

7. Section L-8(B) States “The offeror shall provide a statement that it will perform all the requirements of the solicitation, without exception.” Is it MSC’s expectation that the offeror will provide a brief yet all-encompassing blanket statement that all requirements of the solicitation will be performed without exception, or is it MSC’s expectation that the offeror will submit a lengthy and detailed document describing how it will perform each requirement within the solicitation?

Answer: The offerors only need to provide a general statement that it will perform the requirements of the solicitation, without exception, IAW L-8(B). A lengthy and detailed description is not required.

8. In Amendment 2, section B-3.1, Reimbursable Estimates were provided. CLIN 2521G has $1.8M+ per year of Contractor Overtime since the previous contract had overtime reimbursable in excess of the first 8 hours. In this contract, the first 12 hours are included in the firm fixed price and anything above is reimbursable. This estimate should be updated to reflect this change.

Answer: The estimated reimbursables in section B-3.1 will be revised in a forthcoming

9. Section L-8(A) states:

(m) SCLS Certification: The offeror must certify that it will comply with 41 U.S.C. chapter 67, Service

Contract Labor Standards (formerly known as the Service Contract Act of 1965) and Department of

Labor Wage Determination (Attachment B) whenever it applies during performance of the contract.

(o) SCLA Certification: The offeror must certify that it will comply with the Service Contract Labor

Standards and Department of Labor Wage Determination (Attachments B-1 & B-2) in performance of this contract, should they apply.

Is this a redundant request? Please clarify.

Answer: Section L-8(A)(o) is redundant. Section L-8(A)(o)will be removed in a forthcoming amendment. Additionally, Section L-8(A)(m) will be revised in a forthcoming amendment.

10. Section L-8 E(b) states, “In proposing prices, the offeror should propose wages and fringes in accordance with Section H-12 of the solicitation (Limitation to Service Contract Act Applicability) and shall certify that the wages and fringe benefits contained in its offer meet, at a minimum, the wage and fringe benefits levels contained in the Department of Labor Wage Determination(s) (Attachment B).”

Is this a redundant request? Please clarify.

Answer: Section L-8(E)(b)will be revised as follows in a forthcoming amendment:

L-8(E)(b): In proposing prices, the offeror shall propose wages and fringes in accordance with

Section H-12 of the solicitation (Limitation to Service Contract Act Applicability) The wages and fringe benefits proposed must meet, at a minimum, the wage and fringe benefits levels contained in the Department of Labor Wage Determination(s) (Attachments B-1 & B-2).

11. L-8(A)(p), Small Business Subcontracting Plan – After a realistic evaluation of subcontracting opportunities and in light of the estimated overhaul costs in option year 3, we believe the majority of subcontract dollars will be spent with large business concerns. There is no specific evaluation criteria included in Section M for the small business subcontracting plan. Will the small business subcontracting plan be evaluated unfavorably if it fails to include minimum goals for small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged and woman-owned small business concerns?

Answer: IAW section M-1(B)(4)(b), last sentence, “Failure to submit and negotiate a subcontracting plan acceptable to the Contacting Officer may make the offeror ineligible for award of a contract.” Therefore, at a minimum, large businesses must submit a subcontracting plan and negotiate it during discussions. The offeror must be prepared to justify its inability to meet subcontracting goals during discussions.

12. L-8(C)(a), Small Business Participation Plan – The contractor must provide a percentage of the total effort to be performed by large and small businesses. Does “total effort” refer to the estimated contract price (evaluated proposal) or does total effort refer to the total amount to be subcontracted. Not all reimbursable expenses included in Section B-3.1 offer subcontract opportunities and the amounts listed should not be used to evaluate the small business participation plan.

Answer: In accordance with FAR clause 52.219-9(d)(1), “Goals, expressed in terms of percentages of total planned subcontracting dollars, for the use of small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns as subcontractors.” Therefore, total effort refers to the total amount to be subcontracted.

13. In Section 1.7.4 Crew Rotations- it states “Travel wages are reimbursable only after the first 24 hours of travel.” Later in this section it refers to “Rotation Costs.” Please confirm that all travel costs including wages and any fringe costs dictated by the CBA will be reimbursable.

Answer: Wages and and fringe costs are only reimbursable after the first 24 hours of travel.

Section 1.7.4 will be amended as follows in a forthcoming solicitation amendment:

1.7.4 Crew Rotations. All crew travel & per diem associated with crew rotations are reimbursable in accordance with the DOD Joint Travel Regulations in effect at the time of travel. Travel wages and fringes are reimbursable only after the first 24 hours of travel. Crew rotations shall be undertaken in a manner that does not compromise vessel safety and ensures personnel and operational continuity: Prior to arrival onboard, all crew will have completed all required training.

• The maximum crew rotation per billet per vessel for Government reimbursement in any operational status is six (6) times per year

• The Contractor shall endeavor to ensure there shall be at least 30 days between the rotation of the Master and Chief Mate, and at least 30 days between the rotation of the Chief

Engineer and 1st Assistant Engineer

• The Contractor shall not change out/rotate more than 50% of the crew in one evolution

• The Contractor shall make every effort to minimize travel time associated with crew rotations.

Crew rotations will normally occur when the vessel is in Pearl Harbor, HI. Rotation costs, including travel, per diem, and crew wages/fringes, for one-way travel in excess of five (5) days per crew member will not be reimbursed without written justification for COR or authorized Approving Authority approval.

SBX-1 does not currently have a supply vessel (OSV) assigned to it for crew changes at sea.

In the event an OSV is assigned, the contract will be modified to include reimbursable overlapping wages for crew changes at sea. In the event a supply vessel with crew change capability is chartered on an interim basis overlapping crew change wages will be handled as a reimbursable item requiring prior COR or authorized Approving Authority approval.

14. Does the remote office require a facility security clearance?

Answer: The remote office requires a facility security clearance meeting the requirements of section C-3.3.2. This answer will be incorporated into section C-3.3.2 in a forthcoming

15. In reference to Questions and Answers #6, Answer to Question 10: Please clarify the answer previously provided to this question. Will the Contractor (Offeror) be required to provide P&I insurance coverage for sponsor personnel? Yes or No?

Answer: Yes, the contactor will be required to provide P&I insurance coverage for sponsor personnel.

16. C-17.11.4 Familiarization at Vessel Delivery The Independent Duty Storekeeper is listed as a possible attendee during the vessel familiarization period. It appears that the turnover is to occur during

ROS and the Independent Duty Storekeeper is not on the ROS crew list as per TE 19. Is this an oversight, as the Independent Duty Storekeeper has extensive responsibilities and consistency in this billet would appear to be beneficial to the program? Please clarify.

Answer: In accordance with Section C 1.7.11.4 the Independent Duty Storekeeper is an attendee during the familiarization period regardless of vessel operating status.

17. C-2.7.3.3 Pre-Availability Inspection: This item does not discuss whether the expenses for Port

Engineer attendance are reimbursable as the location of this inspection cannot be known at this time.

Please proved clarification.

Answer: Travel expenses for Port Engineer Attendance at the Pre-Availability Inspection as described in are reimbursable. Section C-2.7.3.3 will be revised in a forthcoming solicitation amendment to reflect this answer.

18. C-3.5.2 Vessel Delivery: This item states that the costs of shoreside personnel attending the turnover is not reimbursable. C-1.7.1.4.4 states that shoreside travel during the familiarization period will be reimbursable, (also see Question 27, Q & A #2). Please clarify.

Answer: Section C-1.7.1.4.4 will be amended in a forthcoming modification to state that shore-side personnel travel will not be reimbursable.

19. Technical Manual Section 15.24(d) General Use Consumable: The only items listed as not being a consumable are lube oil and fuel oil filters. Past MSC RFPs have included such items as high dollar electrical components, especially in regards to overall vessel lighting like cargo hold lighting, ballasts, etc. and maintenance gases (refrigerant, welding gases, etc.) and maintenance cleaners available through

MSC’s contract with their independent chemical/water treatment provider. This allows for considerable savings for the Government in that this reduces high dollar cost estimates that may or may not be accurate and allows for MSC to take advantage of the high volume chemical contract pricing. Please review this issue and advise.

Answer: The technical manual section 15.24(d) will not be revised.