AHTS GBTS Pre-Soliciation Industry Questions.pdf

Control # Document Ref Proprietary Question Text Government Response PS-0001 None No There is no mention of a motion or "G" seats in the Draft RFP. Given

These are training systems, and the coupling of motion seats with motion platforms is the only way to create a realistic translation from vertical to horizontal flight, will there be a requirement for motion or "G" cueing seats?

The requirement for the level 7 FTDs is to replicate the motion responses of the TH-73A as closely as possible to the actual aircraft, including 6-DOF motion and vibration responses as felt during all flight regimes. The government is not stipulating a specific material solution as the intent is to create a device that is able to meet our training goals which include all aspects of simulator flight from ground operations, hovering, taxiing, landing and flight maneuvers.

PS-0002 None No I was NOT able to write down the complete projected delivery schedule for the FTDs as the screen changed to quickly. I only have the schedule for the first two Level 7 and 6 FTDs at 7,8,9,and 12 months after award.

Would it be possible to provide the schedule list for all 18, or provide a link to that information? As a Second Tier Sub hardware manufacturer, we need to be able to estimate our production timelines for the primes we will be teaming with.

See Section F.2 Schedule of RFP posted to beta.sam.gov website.

PS-0003 Draft PWS App C, Pg. 27, Section 11.b, paragraph 1

No What is the acceptable format for the Government Learning Management System (LMS) related to the debrief stations?

The AHTS LMS is currently under development. Discussions about appropriate file format will occur during Technical Interchange Period meetings and will be limited to standard commercial formats.

Advanced Helicopter Training System TH-73 Ground Based Training System Acquisition Question and Response Tracker for Draft RFP - Pre-Solicitation Conference

PS-0004 AHTS GBTS Sec A-M, Pg. 119, bullets No Is the reference to OEM directed changes to imply concurrency or limited to issues Airworthiness Directives?

These changes specifically refer to the unexpected changes levied by the OEM, and does not apply to normal updates associated with avionics packages. PWS update details the requirements as:

PWS Addendum B, para 1.2.7.2.c "The FTDs shall have a fully functioning avionics suite matching TH-73A aircraft systems. The FTDs avionics suite, and associated software, shall be updated in accordance with the TH-73A aircraft system to include navigation database, avionics software, and associated license or subscription agreements with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). When a change to the TH-73A avionics suite software is required, the Government will notify the contractor of the timeline for the aircraft update. Concurrency update of first FTD shall be completed no later than one month after delivery of the first aircraft cockpit update. Subsequent FTDs shall be updated proportionally to the aircraft update schedule to ensure standardization can be maintained for training."

PS-0005 Draft PWS Addendum B, Pg. 3, paragraph 1.2.4

No Will the contractor be involved in the power, cooling, and layout of the temporary facility?

The temporary simulator building will have 480V service with termination points for 120/208V circuits running throughout the simulator hall to allow the contractor to install power panels that suit their configuration. There are condensate drain points run throughout the simulator hall to allow for drainage from any additional cooling units installed by the contractor. There is no backup power generation provision for the temporary simulator building. 100% Building Design will be GFI for the contractor's planning purposes. any additional support requirements must be provided by the contractor.

PS-0006 Section F No Will the flooring of the temporary facility be stress-tested for full motion level 7 FTD's? If not stress-tested sufficiently, can level 6 FTD's be substituted for Level 7 FTD's on delivery schedule?

The floor will be sufficiently stressed for 6-degree of freedom (6-DOF) short-throw motion Level 7 FTDs. The planned weight per trainer is approximately 15,000 LBS. No, Level 6 FTDs will not be substituted for Level 7 devices. The government device requirements are not negotiable.

PS-0007 None No When does the government anticipate releasing the final RFP? Final RFP release is estimated March 2020.

PS-0008 None

No Would the Government provide an estimate of the budget for this program?

At this time, the Government does not intend to provide the estimated budget for TH-73 program.

PS-0009 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg.

56, Line Item 0X13

No The DRFP mentions a 10% daily variance as shown here:

Hours of instruction per day will be a distribution of weekly hours in a six-day work week… However, perfect level load scheduling is normally unattainable and the following general guidance is provided on page 56, Line Item 0X13, which states: “A 10% daily variation in HPW is authorized.

However, the total instructional hours expended for the week shall not exceed the total line item (CLIN) weekly HPW allotment (excepting either hours carried over (paragraph 4.6 below) or the use of Additional Instruction Time (AIT).”

Is this 10% variance in line with current program operations?

Yes. Many of the prerequisites for simulator training events depend on flight events. Weather and class sizes, primarily, (but there are other phenomena) effect training throughput (and therefore, scheduling) on individual and group levels. While this 10% variation is not "the norm" (closer to 3% would be normal), there are many routing instances where the 10% allowable variation (and even more, if approved by the site manager) is exercised.

PS-0010 Current contract No Would the government provide the minimum and maximum Hours per Day (HPD) and Hours per Week (HPW) variation encountered on the current contract to date?

No, historical TH-57 contract is not applicable. All the requirements are in the TH-73 ATS PWS.

PS-0011 AHTS GBTS Section A-M pg. 59, paragraph 1, sub paragraph (2) X and (3) Y

No Is there a reason the government is excluding reporting of contractor labor hours for performance of services for product service codes (PSCs) relating to Lease/rental of facilities and construction of structures and facilities? (P59 para1, sub paras 2,3) If so, can you please share it?

The PSCs relating to Lease/rental of facilities and construction of structures and facilities is not applicable to this effort as the TH-73 PSC is U099.

PS-0012 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg.

74, paragraph 5252.211-9507 Period of Performance

(NAVAIR) SEP 2013)

No Does the government still expect to have this on contract by 1 June 2020? Contract award is estimated July 2020.

PS-0013 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg.

111-112, paragraph Table G-2

No Are the suggested page limits stated in Table G-2 “suggested” or true limits not to be exceeded?

If these pages limits are truly limits, would the government please increase the Volume 2 Technical volume page count from 60 pages to 90 pages to ensure a thorough response to the large number of technical requirements?

The suggested page limits are "suggested" only.

PS-0014 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg.

119 and 135; paragraph 2.9, 4.3 No Are there specific characteristics of rotary wing instructors and/or rotary wing flight instruction that substantially differentiates these instructors and the instruction they provide from any other type of instructor pilot and course of flight instruction?

Sections of the DRFP seem to indicate that only a bidder’s history hiring rotary wing instructor pilots is relevant. For example, the Government lists the term “rotary wing” in the first bullet under the Instructor Staffing heading: “Its history in hiring rotary wing CIs, if any” (page 119, paragraph

2.9 in the DRFP). We have not found that hiring and retaining contract instructor pilots is markedly different regardless of the type of aircraft they have flown in the past.

The Government again states on page 135 in the table section called “Relevant”: “3. The Offeror’s ability to operate (provide Instructor Training, Management, and Scheduling) either a military or civilian (e.g.

14 CFR Part 142) flight school that provides training to Rotary Wing Aviators.”

Not allowing all flight training to prove relevance, regardless of whether that training is fixed wing or rotary wing experience seems unnecessarily restrictive. For instance, ab-initio or undergraduate flight training is much more similar across all types of platforms than advanced transition and tactics training (as provided at the FRS or Weapons Schools for example)

is. Please confirm that all experience providing flight training would be considered as relevant for consideration of corporate experience on this program.

Section L, Section 2.9 page 119 has been edited to say:

"Its history in hiring CIs, if any."

Past Performance has been deleted.

PS-0015 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg.

115, Volume 2 - Technical first sentence

No The instructions begin with this statement: THE OFFEROR SHALL SUBMIT

THIS INFORMATION AS PART OF VOLUME 6 CONTRACT

ADMINISTRATION, SECTION 6.g. NO SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL VOLUME. Since none of this information is to be included in Volume 2, would the Government put the instructions in Volume 6 and delete from the instructions for Volume 2?

Since the Government intends to evaluate Small Business as part of the Technical Factor, the instructions will remain in Volume 2 as they currently are.

PS-0016 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg.

83, H.1 and H.2

No Per the DRFP P83, Section H, paragraph H.1 deals with Service Contract Labor Standards and paragraph H.2 states ‘Notice of Existing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)’ and references Attachment 6 which P94 describes as containing WD CBA 2018-11923.

Can the government please confirm that bidders are expected to bid wages in accordance with WD CBA 2018-11923? If so, will WD CBA 2018- 11923 be provided in the RFP?

The TH-73 program does not have an agreed upon CBA, but the Government will include sample CBAs for the performance location to only demonstrate the current labor rates in place .

PS-0017 FSTD PWS Addendum B, pg. 11, paragraph 5.2

No Would the Government exercise different hour sets of the L6 and L7 FTDs at the same time? Example: Level 6 FTD 16.5 HPD, Level 7 FTD 19.5 HPD?

It is not the intent of the Government to exercise different hours for Level 6 FTDs and Level 7 FTDs.

PS-0018 CIS PWS Addendum A, pg. 5, paragraph 2.1.1.3

No What is the current approved Training/Learning Management System? The AHTS LMS is currently under development. Current TH-57 LMS is

TIMS.

PS-0019 CIS PWS Addendum A, pg. 5, paragraph 2.1.1.3

No Regarding the TH-73 Learning Resource Center, what are the expected hours of operation? Will this be a separate facility from TH-57, or will both platforms share resources?

Hours of operation for TH-73 will be developed as a part of curriculum development. Spaces will be shared, initially, due to facility constraints.

PS-0020 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, Section A.2(b) Items 0013-0024

No Does the Government have a timeframe to ramp up into CIS hour increment CLINS? There are several CLINS for CIS in the Base Year to choose.

The hours ramp shown in the CLIN structure is designed to account for monthly growth until later years once full student throughput is achieved.

PS-0021 FSTD PWS Addendum B, pg. 11, paragraph 5.2

No Please confirm that device operating hours per day are to be per device?

Example: 16.5 OHPD for 2 delivered devices would be 33 OHPD total.

That is correct, per device.

PS-0022 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg. 7- 11, Section A.2(b) Items 0013 -

No Does the Government have a timeframe to ramp up into CIS hour increment CLINS? There are several CLINS for CIS in the Base Year to choose.

The hours ramp shown in the CLIN structure is designed to account for monthly growth until later years once full student throughput is achieved.

PS-0023 FSTD PWS Addendum B, pg. 3 and 6, paragraph 1.2.4 and 2.4 No Will the Central Control Station (one in Bldg. 3005, one in temporary facility) be expected to control all 18 devices, as per PWS 1.2.4 b, if there is no conduit for the temporary building, as per PWS 2.4?

Yes, it must have that capability. PWS Addendum B para 2.4 has been changed to:

"The Government will provide the contractor access to one underground cable conduit approximately 4 inches in diameter for connections between buildings 2946 and 3005. This conduit has approximately 60% capacity available for use.

Additionally, the Government will provide two underground cable conduits, each approximately 4 inches in diameter between the temporary simulator building and building 3005. As an alternate option, the Government will provide sufficient fiber pathways between building 2946 and the temporary simulator building, via a connection to building 3125."

PS-0028 FSTD PWS Addendum B, pg. 12 and 18, paragraph 2.2.3 and 2.4.2

No Regarding the Temporary Building, would the Government please provide the following details:

1. Will it have a technical work space?

2. Will it have cable trenches installed?

3. Will this structure, or the existing structure, have any overhead lift capability? If yes, what is its capability, is it currently functional, and routinely inspected?

4. What communications devices will be allowed? Will it be the same as for the existing structure?

5. Will industry climate control standards be followed to maintain constant server room temperatures? Does the existing building currently adhere to these standards?

1. Yes

2. There will be communications and power conduit run along the wall throughout the simulator hall as well as overhead cable trays to facilitate additional installations.

3. No

4. There are no restrictions on communications devices and it will be the same as for buildings 2946 and 3005.

5. Yes and yes. The building and HVAC installations are being designed with specific consideration to temperature and humidity regulation throughout the space.

PS-0029 FSTD PWS Addendum B, pg. 18, paragraph 2.4.2 No Section 2.4.2 describes facilities and what the Government will and will not provide.

1. Regarding power supply, will there be a backup power source provided to each building involved in the contract? If so, what is the power source and what is the duration of the power supply?

2. Will there be commercial internet provided and available at all buildings involved in the contract?

1. The temporary simulator building will have 480V service with termination points for 120/208V circuits running throughout the simulator hall to allow the contractor to install power panels that suit their configuration. There is no backup power generation provision for the temporary simulator building. 100% Building Design will be GFI for the contractor's planning purposes. Any additional support requirements must be provided by the contractor.

2. The ability to install and use commercial internet will be available, however it is the contractor's responsibility to install and maintain.

PS-0030 None No Would the Government please clarify who is responsible for courseware development for TH-73 helicopter instruction?

There will be a stand-alone courseware/curriculum contract separate from the AHTS TH-73 ATS Services contract.

PS-0031 None No Will the Government schedule specific Level 6/7 devices for specific events or will syllabus events be allowed to be scheduled interchangeably? Would a waiver be required?

There will be events that require the Level 7 or Level 6 FTD specifically, but some events can use either device. That will be spelled out in the Master Curriculum Guide (MCG). The Government requirement for Level of devices during scheduling will not exceed the Government required number of devices and types.

PS-0032 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg. 3- 54; 55-58; 65-74

No Before devices are delivered, early in the program, which CLINs to you plan to award?

o i.e. - are you going to buy availability, or CIS hours? or??

o We understood from our face to face that you would award - TIM CLIN for the first 5 months, and Mobilization after that….when will you award the first “stepladder” hours for instruction.

Before devices are delivered, the Government plans to award CLIN 0001 Post Award Conference and CLIN 0002 Technical Working Interchange. In conjunction with FTD CLINs, the Government plans to award CLIN 0003 Mobilization. The government expects to always have availability, and some level of instruction. Availability is expected to be greater than Instructional Hours requirement.

PS-0033 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M No Will you always award both Availability and CI Hours through the Period of Performance.

a. i.e. – will the contract have the flexibility to only order availability and or just instruction?

The government expects to always have availability, and some level of instruction. Availability is expected to be greater than Instructional Hours requirement. The government does not expect wide variations in requirements, however the transition will see a slow growth over the Period of Performance as more devices are available for training and more students are training in AHTS.

PS-0034 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, pg. 3-

No How are you planning to calculate the Total Evaluated Price? See section "M" for clarification on how we will be performing the entire evaluation.

PS-0035 Draft TH-73 ATS_FSTD PWS Addendum B, pg. 1.2.7, Additional FTD Requirements

No Clarify please, what is included in the Concurrency requirement o Note: We agree that Nav Databases will be updated as part of this contract, and is a cost that we need to account for.

o We would see an OFP update as an out of scope item for this contract, unless the gov can define exactly how many and what would change as a result.

PWS update details the requirements as:

PWS Addendum B, para 1.2.7.2.c "The FTDs shall have a fully functioning avionics suite matching TH-73A aircraft systems. The FTDs avionics suite, and associated software, shall be updated in accordance with the TH-73A aircraft system to include navigation database, avionics software, and associated license or subscription agreements with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). When a change to the TH-73A avionics suite software is required, the Government will notify the contractor of the timeline for the aircraft update. Concurrency update of first FTD shall be completed no later than one month after delivery of the first aircraft cockpit update. Subsequent FTDs shall be updated proportionally to the aircraft update schedule to ensure standardization can be maintained for training."

PS-0036 Draft TH-73 ATS_PWS Appendix A - Facility Drawings.pdf, pg. 11

No Please clarify what spaces are occupied by Flight Safety or other CNATRA COMS/CIS contractors today, and which spaces would be available for incoming AHTS contractors.

Spaces in buildings 2946 and 3005 have been allotted for TH-57 ATS contractor. All of the temporary simulator facility spaces will be exclusively for TH-73 GBTS contractor use.

PS-0037 Draft TH-73A ATS_PWS, pg. 6,

4.1 Program Meetings

No Aircraft Working Groups - you mentioned that GBTS Prime can attend, and that was added to A/C RFP. Can you say whether this is a required meeting or optional?

The aircraft working groups are not required meetings for the GBTS Prime to attend. If a change to the contract is necessary, the Government may invite the GBTS Prime to attend aircraft working groups.

PS-0038 None No What is the anticipated proposal turn timeline? At this time, the request for proposal submittal is 30 days.

PS-0039 None No When will access to an aircraft (TH-73A configured or close) be available, and where?

The first Navy configured aircraft is to be delivered November 2020.

PS-0045 Addendum B, Page 6-7, Paragraph 2.4

No Will there be conduit connecting the temporary facility to buildings 3005 and 2946? There is a requirement “for as many as 18 FTDs in a virtual training environment (from Draft TH-73A ATS PWS Appendix C-Subjective requirements p. 28, Paragraph 12.a.3). If FTDs are to be installed in the Temporary facility (p. 6, paragraph 2.3 Draft Addendum B- TH-73A ATS PWS FSTD) then conduit will be needed to connect to the other FTDs in buildings 3005 and 2946.

Yes, there will be a conduit connecting the temporary facility to buildings 3005 and 2946.

PWS Addendum B para 2.4 has been changed to:

"The Government will provide the contractor access to one underground cable conduit approximately 4 inches in diameter for connections between buildings 2946 and 3005. This conduit has approximately 60% capacity available for use.

Additionally, the Government will provide two underground cable conduits, each approximately 4 inches in diameter between the temporary simulator building and building 3005. As an alternate option, the Government will provide sufficient fiber pathways between building 2946 and the temporary simulator building, via a connection to building 3125."

PS-0046 Addendum B, Page 6, Paragraph 2.1, 2.2

No Is the prospective TH-73A contractor responsible for the removal of TH- 57 FTDs during the installation of TH-73A FTDs?

The contractor installing the TH-73A FTDs will not be responsible for the removal of the TH-57 FTDs.

PS-0047 Addendum C, Page 13, Paragraph 3.0

No Section 3. of Addendum A references Trainer Facility

What office equipment will be provided by the govt?

Desks, Chairs, File Cabinet, Tables, Printer, etc What office equipment will not be provided by the Govt?

What office space will be provided by the Govt? as the facility drawing does not indicate what can or cannot be used by the contractor training and maintenance staff.

Building 3005 and temporary facility have Government furnished briefing spaces. Building 2946 does not have Government furnished briefing spaces. Specifically in building 3005, Government owned tables, task chairs and computer suites are located in each of the TH- 57 briefing stations.

Updated temporary facility drawings in PWS Appendix A show maintenance/storage rooms and briefing spaces that can be used by the contractor.

PS-0048 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, page

132, paragraph 4 No Are the requirements listed in the paragraph below applicable to this effort?

“The contractor’s compliance to FAR Clauses 52.219-14 “Limitation on Subcontracting,” 52.219-27 “Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Business Set Aside,” 52.219-29 “Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns,” 52.219-30 “Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns,” or 52.219-3 “Notice of Total HUBZone Set Aside or Sole Source Award,” as applicable, will be assessed as an element of responsibility. An Offeror’s proposal that fails to meet the limitation on subcontracting during each period of performance shall not be considered for award.”

The clauses referenced are not applicable to this effort. Sections A-M will be updated in the final RFP release.

PS-0049 AHTS GBTS Sections A-M, page

127, paragraph D No Please quantify the goals required for the Small Business (SB)

Subcontracting Plan

The Government does not intend to quantify goals required for the Small Business (SB) Subcontracting Plan as those goals may differ based on an Offeror’s approach. It is important to note that the percentage goals an Offeror identifies in their SB Subcontracting Plan are calculated differently than in the SB Utilization Strategy (addressed on page 120, paragraph 2.10 of the solicitation). The SB Strategy’s minimum proposed small business goal is 30% of the total contract value (inclusive of options); if a lower value is proposed it should be clearly explained why 30% cannot be met. The SB Subcontracting Plan’s goals are calculated as a percentage of subcontracted dollars (see FAR 52.219-9(d)(1)). The dollar values in all SB categories should be the consistent between the SB Utilization Plan and the SB Subcontracting Plan; however, the percentages will differ between these two documents due to the method of calculation. Further, IAW 5252.219-9501 (see page 107 of the solicitation), if the SB Subcontracting Plan reflects a SDB goal of less than 5%, the extenuating circumstances of why a 5 % goal cannot be proposed shall be provided as a part of the SB Subcontracting Plan.