19R3009_WATSON_Q&A5___83_-_119.pdf

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

N32205-19-R-3009 WATSON Operation & Maintenance

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS # 5

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

83. C 1.8.2 Crew training; reasonable and allowable transportation, lodging meals and incidental expenses associated with MSC/Navy required training and drills are reimbursable……what about the actual cost of the training?

ANSWER: Please reference the solicitation to confirm whether specified costs are reimbursable. Also, please see Answer to Question #17.

84. Will MSC consider an extension of the current closing date to August 1, 2019.

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #48

85. As a follow-up to our 04 June 2019 request: please provide the current locations & availability of the eight (8) Watson Class vessels for possible ship check

ANSWER: Offerors that are interested in conducting a site visit can contact Lora

Caldwell (lora.caldwell@navy.mil) and Gary Davis (gary.j.davis@navy.mil) directly to make arrangements.

86. In Questions and Answers #1, answers to Questions 3. and 4. refer to “Attachment T

– Reimbursable Expenses.” Attachment T does not appear to be included in the attachments list of the FBO solicitation; only Attachments A through R are listed. Please clarify if there is an “Attachment S,” and where Attachment T – Reimbursable Expenses may be found for download?

ANSWER: Attachment T will be added to the contract via a forthcoming amendment.

87. Section L-7 B.(1) Minimum Technical Requirements Proposal shall not exceed 30 pages. Is there a page limit for Section L-7 B.(2) Technical Proposal?

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #11.

mailto:lora.caldwell@navy.mil mailto:gary.j.davis@navy.mil

88. Also, note that C-1.7.1 references the manning scale in “O” – what does that refer to or is it just a typo?

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #24.

89. Attachment T is referenced in the answers to questions 3 and 4 however there is no attachment T provided with the RFP. When will attachment T be published?

ANSWER: Attachment T will be added via a forthcoming Amendment.

90. FYI there are two attachments labeled as attachment N.

ANSWER: Attachment N – CDRL is the standardized DD FORM 1423-1 (FEB 2001) and DD FORM instructions that will be needed when viewing the MSC list of Contract

Deliverables for this contract under Attachment N – Contract Deliverables.

91. Section J references Attachment P – Awardee Subcontracting Plan. Attachment P are the pricing forms. What is the Awardee Subcontracting Plan attachment?

ANSWER: The Government has revised Section J (Attachments) to show that

Attachment S is the Awardee Subcontracting Plan and Attachment P is the Pricing Forms

A, B, and C. This change will be included in forthcoming Amendment.

92. Key Shipboard Personnel are referenced in the RFP in section C-1.7.7 and in section

C-3.10.3.3.1 however a list of Key Shipboard Personnel has not been provided.

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #21.

93. Section C-3.7.2.a lists 25 Key Shoreside Personnel. KBAs are required for 18 of the

25 personnel. Are resumes for all 25 personnel required with bid submittal or only the

18 that require KBAs?

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #51.

94. Section C-3.10.3.3.1 provides the list of personnel and when they are to attend the ship for familiarization. Will these personnel be housed and feed on the ship or are shoreside accommodations required? If shoreside accommodations are required, then what is the cost to house personnel on Diego Garcia?

ANSWER: Per Section C-3.10.3.3.3 costs associated with the familiarization period shall be included in the contractor’s fixed rate. Section C-3.10.3.3.1 provides information on who and for how long different crewmembers and select shore side staff shall be on board the ship for familiarization. The contractor’s personnel will not be housed or fed on the ship. Contractors should conduct their own research to ascertain the cost to house personnel on Diego Garcia.

95. Section C-10.3.3.3 states that the cost for Personnel Wages, Transportation, Subsistence and Lodging during familiarization are to be included in the contractor’s fixed rate. Does this include the transportation of the ship’s crew or is ship’s crew transportation reimbursable as per section C-1.7.3?

ANSWER: Section C-3.10.3.3.3. pertains to the familiarization period only and per this section the familiarization expenses will be in the contractor’s fixed rate. Section C-1.7.3 is regarding crew rotations during the normal operation of these ships. Thus, crew rotation expenses will be reimbursable.

96. Would you consider the Familiarization expenses as a separate lump sum fixed rate instead of being incorporated into the first year per diem rate?

ANSWER: The Government determined it is in its best interest to leave the requirement as it is.

97. Section C- page 170- When a ship is transitioning from ROS to FOS when does the

FOS pay begin for crewmembers? The contractor should be able to pay all crewmembers at their FOS pay rate as soon as the activation order is given because they will be doing FOS work. It is unmanageable to pay a crewmember a much lower ROS pay rate when they are performing FOS work. We suggest language be clarified to reflect that FOS per diem rates begin when a vessel is activated.

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #55.

98. Section C-1.7.4 – This section requires a crew overlap of at least three days for key personnel. Since DGAR flights are only once a week will 7 days of overlap be reimbursable for these crew reliefs?

ANSWER: Per Section C-1.7.3.1 flights out of Bahrain and Singapore to Diego Garcia depart routinely on a daily basis IAW the AMC schedules. The Government determined it is in its best interest to leave the requirement as it is.

99. Section C-1.7.3- Will MSC reimburse contractors for crew travel air tickets that are the lowest available economy class tickets which are upgradable? Seaman’s class tickets do not fall into this category. JTR does not address this issue, so an answer that says

“follow the JTR” is not sufficient.

ANSWER: MSC will only reimburse the actual cost incurred for air travel up to the amount of an economy class airfare ticket.

100. C-1.7.7. Key Shipboard Personnel--Only the Electronics Officer is noted as key shipboard personnel. Please provide remaining key shipboard billets as there is no other documentation elsewhere on what constitutes the key shipboard personnel.

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #21.

101. Section I: Contract Clauses

Clauses Incorporated by Reference: The following clauses are stated as Alternate’s only and the clause isn’t listed above the Alternate as normally seen. Did you mean to reference just the Alternate or the clause plus the alternate? Please provide clarification.

52.215-21 Alt IV

52.215-23 Alt I

52.233-1 Alt I

52.243-1 Alt I

52.245-1 Alt I

Section K: Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors 52.227-6 Alt

I

ANSWER: IAW FAR 52.105 (B) (Procedures for using alternates), “when an alternate is used, its date shall be cited along with the date of the basic provision or clause. e.g., 52.209-3 First Article Approval – Contractor Testing (Oct 1983) – Alternated I (Dec

1983).”

102. In B-1.0 General: The last sentence states:

No adjustments will be made to the per diem rates for startup costs or Collective

Bargaining Agreement (CBA) wages.

Are startup tasks identified herein in sufficient detail to be able to provide adequate pricing estimates?

ANSWER: The Government determined sufficient detail is provided in the solicitation to develop pricing estimates.

103. In B-1.1 Per Diem Rate for Operation and Maintenance

Per diem rates shall cover the cost of daily operation, maintenance, equipment, personnel, and service for vessels, unless an expense is specifically listed in the contract as being reimbursable.

What equipment and services does this include?

ANSWER: The Government will revise Section B-1.1. to say Per diem rates shall cover the cost of operation, maintenance, personnel, and services required to operate and maintain the ships and ship’s equipment, unless the expense is specifically listed in the contract as being reimbursable. Changes will be reflected in a forthcoming solicitation amendment.

104. In B-1.2 Familiarization

The Contractor’s fixed price per diem shall include all cost associated with the ship familiarization period (IAW Section C) for the specified timeframes prior to ship deliveries. Familiarization costs include, but are not limited to: crew wages & fringes, travel cost, travel wages, lodging, subsistence, training, insurance, administrative cost and any other costs associated with start-up costs not otherwise included in the offeror’s per diem rate.

Please clarify the details for the specified timeframes IAW Section C as stated.

ANSWER: Sections C-3.10.3.3 thru C-3.10.3.3.3 address all the requirements for the familiarization period.

105. In B-1.3 Reimbursable Items

Some expenses identified as reimbursable are subject to additional restrictions in the sections that identify expenses as reimbursable (e.g., transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses IAW the limitations set forth in FAR 31.205-46 (Travel Costs), as amended, airfare costs IAW the Joint Travel Regulations (JTRs), as amended, etc.).

C-1.7.3. Crew Rotations

The Government will reimburse all reasonable and allowable transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses IAW the limitations set forth in FAR 31.205-46 (Travel

Costs), as amended. Reasonable and allowable airfare costs will be reimbursed IAW the

JTRs, as amended. Crew rotations shall be undertaken in a manner that does not compromise ship safety and ensures personnel and operational continuity.

• In the Joint Travel Regulation under Introduction it states that the JTR does not apply to Contractor employees under a DoD contract for anything other than personal services.

• Chapter 3: TDY Travel, Part A: Business Travel, C. Restrictions, 5. Contractors:

References (Travel for a Government Contractor or Contractor Employee)

• The PDTATAC (Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee)

AP-CTR-01, states the Joint Travel Regulations do not apply to Government contractors or their employees.

• For use of the General Services Administration City Pair Program for airfare, government contractors are ineligible to participate. Car rentals, Rail Service and

Lodging programs are at the vendor’s discretion to provide similar discounted rates.

• In the Defense Travel Management Office, the DoD center for Travel Excellence specifically states that the regulation that applies to Contractors is the Federal

Acquisition Regulation Part 31. The Joint Travel Regulations are written solely for civilian employees of the Defense Department and of the Uniformed Services.

• Government Contractors and contractor employees normally travel under a

Government contractor letter of authorization and identification signed by the authorizing Government’s contracting officer may encourage a vendor to extend rates reserved for Government employees to a Government contractor and contractor employees.

Will a Government Contractor letter be issued with award of this contract for authorization and identification signed by the authorizing Governments contracting officer encouraging a vendor to extend rates reserved for Government employees to a

Government contractor and the contractor’s employees?

ANSWER: The MSC contracting office will provide a letter to the awardee for the purposes of encouraging vendors to extend rates reserved for Government employees to the contractor and the contractor’s employees.

106. In B-1.4 Estimates

All quantities within this contract and its attachments are estimates, unless this contract expressly states a specific quantity is a “guarantee.” If a stated quantity does not state it’s a “guarantee” then it shall not serve as the basis for additional compensation under the contract.

How are we as contractors expected to price for items that are not “guarantee” and the government exceeds a notional value with no remedy?

See Disputes Clause 52.233-1 Alt 1 referenced in this solicitation.

ANSWER: Contractors should price potential cost risk into their proposed firm-fixed-price.

107. In B-1.7.1 Ammo Bonus Surge Ships

In the event the Government places explosives in sufficient quantity onboard any ship causing the Contractor to pay the crew a required “explosives bonus,” the Contractor will reimburse the actual bonus cost.

Who will the contractor reimburse the actual bonus cost too?

ANSWER: See Answer to Question #41

108. In B-1.9 Adjustments to ROS Crew Size

The Government will not consider or pay adjustments to the per diem rate for Contractor overhead, general and administrative cost, material handling costs, profit, fees, or any other cost.

If the government provides the number of billets and adds to that number at a later date, how is a contractor expected to process the additional payroll, benefits, insurances, etc., without compensation for overhead, general and administrative costs and profit?

ANSWER: Section B-1.9 “The Government reserves the right to make minor crew adjustments during periods of ROS (e.g. reduction of steward crew when ROS ships are nested and multiple ships crews are fed on one ship, the addition of an Electronics

Officer, or the addition of crew for enhanced security). During times in which the ROS crew is modified, the per-diem rate will be increased or decreased by the total amount of the crew member’s Total Wages/Fringes/Payroll Taxes as depicted in Attachment P, Pricing Form A for ROS (also see Sections B and F).”

The necessary overhead, general and administrative cost, material handling costs, profit, fees, or any other costs to cover these periods of minor crew adjustments shall be at contractor’s expense.

109. In B-1.12 Transition Costs

When transitioning a ship from ROS to FOS, FOS to ROS, FOS to RAV or RAV to FOS to meet the requirements in Section C, the contractor shall be reimbursed reasonable, direct, allocable, allowable, actual costs for supplies and services associated with the transition IAW Section G.

How is this supposed to be priced without a dependable estimate of how often this may or may not occur?

ANSWER: IAW Section B-1.12 the contractor shall be reimbursed reasonable, direct, allocable, allowable, actual costs for supplies and services associated with the transition.

110. In B-1.14 Ship Turnover

See Contract Clause 52.237-3 (Continuity of Services) and Section C. All reimbursable costs under Contract Clause 52.237-3 shall be reimbursed by the government at the ship’s per diem status in effect during the turnover process.

Turnover requires significant resources including performing inventories for GFE and

CFE, is there additional reimbursement for additional resources?

ANSWER: The Government determined it is in its best interest to leave the requirement as it is.

111. In B-1.15 Contractor’s Expense

All overtime, penalty time, bonuses, and other emoluments, payable for whatever reason, shall be at Contractor’s expense except those expressly authorized by the contract or pre-approved by the Contracting Officer.

Where are the liabilities and cause within this statement? The Contractor is responsible for all overtime, penalty time, bonuses and other emoluments, payable for “whatever reason” is unclear and unreasonable. Please provide clarity as to what the contractor is and is not responsible for in regard to overtime, penalty time, bonuses and other emoluments.

ANSWER: Unless expressly authorized by the contract or prior approval is received from the Contracting Officer, any overtime, penalty time, bonuses, and other emolument shall be at contractor’s expense.

112. In C-1.1.2 Scope of Work/Mission

The contractor shall operate the ship and related ships systems and equipment IAW

USCG and ABS rules and regulations that would apply as if it is owned by a non-government entity, which includes but is not limited to maintaining a valid USCG

Certificate of Inspection and ABS Classifications (including all statutory certificates) at all times.

Will the vessels be in good operable condition with valid certificates at the time of turnover? Are the most recent inspection reports available?

ANSWER: All ships, included in this solicitation, currently possess a valid USCG

Certificate of Inspection and ABS Classifications.

113. In C-1.1.2.1 Directives

The contractor shall comply with the MSC Standard Operating Manual (SOM), COMSCINST 3121.9 (series), Standard Operating Manual (SOM) and the other directives referenced in this contract. In cases where the SOM and this Contract conflict, the contractor shall notify the COR, and the Operational Commander immediately.

Can you provide an example of a conflict and how it was resolved?

ANSWER: It is the Governments intent with this requirement to provide the contractor with a feedback method to make sure any future conflicts have a way of being reported and corrected. The Government does not know of any conflicts between SOM and RFP

N32205-19-R-3009.

114. In C-1.1.3. Operational Control (OPCON)

Operational control of the ships covered under this contract is normally exercised by a designated operational commander which may or may not be the cognizant MSC Area

Command. The contractor shall comply with Operational Commander and MSC Area

Commander’s direction. If there is a conflict between the Operational Commander and the MSC Area Commander, then the contractor shall follow the direction of the

Operational Commander.

Does the operation commander have authorization to change scope and or funding in accordance with section G-2 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) (b) In no event, shall any understanding or agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of the contract be authorized by the COR, or any other

Government personnel, unless formalized by the proper documents executed by the

Contracting Officer?

ANSWER: Pursuant to the existing terms, the Operational Commander does not have authorization to change scope or funding.

115. In C-1.1.3. Operational Control (OPCON)

The contractor shall comply with all anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) and other security requirements for the ships while at sea and in port that the Operational

Commander requires MSC ships follow. If a situation arises which prevents the operator from complying with mission tasking, then contractor shall immediately notify the

Operational Commander and provide an information copy to COMSC and the cognizant

MSC Area Commander.

Can you advise if these requirements have been published and where the tasks are detailed in this solicitation? How is the contractor to price without specific details?

ANSWER: Operational requirements are published and provided by the Operational chain of command. The Government will revise Section C-1.1.3 to add a sentence that states actual costs incurred in the performance of meeting AT/FP and other security requirements will be reimbursed if the contractor obtained contracting officer approval prior to incurring the costs. Changes will be reflected in a forthcoming solicitation amendment.

116. In C-1.1.4.a. Vessel Operating Areas

The Government anticipates prepositioning three of the vessels in the Indian Ocean

(Diego Garcia - Squadron 2) and four of the vessels in the Western Pacific

(Guam/Saipan or Korea– Squadron 3). One ship will be in ROS in CONUS. The government does not provide any guarantee the ships will continue to operate in these areas during the contract’s period of performance. Contract price shall not be increased or decreased to account for cost changes due to a change in ship(s) operational locations.

This is stating that upon the relocation of a vessel that the contract price shall not be increased or decreased to account for cost changes due to a change in ship(s) operational locations. How is the contractor to account for the move of all personnel, travel, training, possible crew replacement for a relocation of a vessel? Will relocation of a vessel be considered reimbursable and what shall be included in the relocation reimbursement?

ANSWER: IAW Section G-3 (f), crew travel and training are reimbursable expenses. All costs associated with actual relocation of a vessel shall be at Contractor’s expense.

Contractors should price potential cost risk into their proposed firm-fixed-price.

117. In C-1.1.4.a. Vessel Operating Areas

At commencement of Contract performance and throughout the performance period of this contract, the government anticipates the ship(s) will be operated as indicated in C-

1.1.4.b. However, the Government may direct ships to be placed into a Full Operating

Status (FOS), Reduced Operating Status (ROS), Repair Availability Status (RAV) at any time and offerors shall account for this risk in their pricing. Contract’s firm fixed price shall not be increased or decreased to account for cost changes due to a change in a ship’s operating status.

Does this mean you will not entertain request for equitable adjustment in the instance the operational tempo for the said vessels increases past what is currently stated in the solicitation for any and all administrative costs that shall be incurred due to the increase?

ANSWER: MSC will consider any equitable adjustment requests submitted. However, the Contractor’s firm fixed price shall not be increased or decreased to account for cost changes due to a change in a ship’s operating status.

118. In C-1.1.4.3 General Operations

The contractor shall ensure the ship(s) and all ship(s) equipment, systems, and appurtenances are continuously maintained in good working order and repair regardless of the frequency or importance of use.

What is the Governments responsibility to fund this responsibility of ensuring all of the ship(s) equipment, systems, and appurtenances are continuously maintained in good working order and repair regardless of the frequency or importance of use?

ANSWER: The Government has the responsibility to adequately fund this requirement.

MSC recognizes that proper funding levels are required for a contractor to maintain the vessel in good working order and repair.

119. In C-1.1.4.5. Reduced Operating Status (ROS)

When a ship is directed to transition to FOS, an activation notice will be issued by

MSCHQ

How will this be funded and will the activation notice arrive prior to funding being obligated?

ANSWER: The COR will issue the activation notice and the MSC Contracting Officer will confirm funding.