CFT ISR Australia Industry Day Questions and Answers.pdf

CONTRACTOR FIELD TEAM (CFT) IN-SERVICE REPAIR (ISR) of UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) and UNITED STATES NAVY (USN) AIRCRAFT in

AUSTRALIA

Solicitation Number: N6264923R0088

Industry Day 22 February 2024

Brisbane Australia

Generalized Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Question 01: How often have Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific (FRC WESTPAC) repair teams performed ISR work in Australia?

Answer: In 2018, FRC WESTPAC personnel performed four (4) F/A-18 ISRs in Tindall. In 2021, a MV-22B ISR requirement was deferred until the next planned maintenance interval (PMI). In 2023, FRC WESTPAC personnel performed one (1) AH-1Z ISR in Darwin.

Historically, the United States Government (USG) deferred flyable aircraft ISRs until return to home station.

Question 02: How can a company learn if its response to the USG’s sources sought notice (SSN) for this requirement is acceptable?

Answer: FRC WESTPAC will neither make nor provide an acceptability determination of the data received from the SSN. Rather, the information gathered from the SSN responses is vital to the market research process and is used for the following purposes:

Determining what commercial sources are available to meet the requirement Determining if the requirement can or should be modified Identifying common commercial practices for meeting the same or similar requirements Developing an acquisition strategy that will result in a best value solution for the requirement

Question 03: Will the USG’s presentations for this Industry Day be available for future reference?

Answer: FRC WESTPAC and Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka presentations for this industry day (CONTRACTOR FIELD TEAM (CFT) IN-SERVICE REPAIR (ISR) of UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) and UNITED STATES NAVY (USN) AIRCRAFT in AUSTRALIA), Solicitation Number:

N6264923R0088) were posted to SAM.gov on 12 March 2024 at this link:

https://sam.gov/opp/2299bb515a83435bb276393767612323/view

Question 04: When is the next FRC WESTPAC Industry Day?

Answer: For this requirement, the next event will be either a pre-solicitation conference (held just before the request for proposals (RFP) release) or a pre-proposal conference (held about one

(1) – two (2) weeks after RFP release). These events are similar to an industry day, with focus on explaining both the solicited contract and proposal requirements.

Question 05: Will the contemplated contract be “proof of concept”?

Answer: The contemplated contract will be a proof of concept demonstration of Australian Industrial Capability (AIC). The objective of the contract will be to demonstrate and enhance the effectiveness of Australian Industry in performing ISR work on forward-deployed USMC and USN aircraft in Australia.

Question 06: Will the contemplated contract be single award or a multiple award contract

(MAC)?

Answer: The USG is currently contemplating a single award indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Question 07: Is the USG considering a small business set-aside for the contemplated contract?

Answer: In an effort to encourage maximum participation from Australian Industry, the USG is NOT considering a small business set-aside pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 19.5.

Question 08: Since the contemplated contract will be an IDIQ contract with specific requirements covered by individual task orders (TO), will the TOs be time and materials (T&M), estimated (EST), or fixed rate with not to exceed (NTE) amount?

Answer: The USG intends for the contemplated contract to contain NTE amounts with a FFP hourly wrap rate.

Question 09: In terms of past performance, what will the USG be looking for during source selection for the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG will mainly be looking for Contractors with experience performing CFT ISR on military aircraft in Australia.

Question 10: Will foreign vendor approval be an issue under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG does not anticipate significant issues in this regard, as all of FRC WESTPAC’s aircraft maintenance contracts (8 total) are with vendors headquartered outside of the United States.

Question 11: What will be the process for submitting proposals for the award of the contemplated contract?

Answer: The particular requirements for responding to RFP, including the due date for proposals, will be contained in the USG’s Solicitation. The Solicitation will be posted to SAM.gov. Offerors will be required to submit proposals to the Contracting Officer by the due date and time specified in the Solicitation.

Question 12: At what stage of development are the documents for this contemplated contract?

Answer: The FRC WESTPAC requirement documents (i.e. performance work statement (PWS), PWS attachments, contract data requirements lists (CDRL), etc.) are in the final drafting stages.

Question 13: What is the anticipated timeline for contract award?

Answer: Generally, a contract is awarded about 12 – 18 months after the Industry Day: 6 – 9 months from Industry Day until RFP release; then 6 – 9 months after RFP release until contract award. While FRC WESTPAC will make every effort to expedite the process, its ability to execute depends on total workload volume and available resources at both FRC WESTPAC and at the supporting Contracting Agency. The current target for contract award is on or about April 2025.

Question 14: What are the next steps in the contracting process?

Answer: After this Industry Day, FRC WESTPAC will refine and finalize the requirement. FRC WESTPAC will then transfer the requirement over to the Contracting Agency for its reviews.

After the Contracting Agency finishes its reviews, there will be a pre-solicitation announcement, a RFP release, and either a pre-solicitation or a pre-proposal conference (both similar to an industry day). All of these events will be announced on SAM.gov.

Question 15: What are the anticipated contracting barriers?

Answer: The USG anticipates no unusual barriers to awarding the contemplated contract.

Capital investment requirements may be a barrier to a Contractor’s successful performance of this requirement. Because this will be an IDIQ contract, the schedule is unknown and TOs beyond the initial minimum guarantee TO are not guaranteed. Therefore, there is greater financial risk for a company not already staffed and equipped to perform this work.

Question 16: Toward whom is this contemplated contract directed?

Answer: The contemplated contract is directed toward viable commercial entities who are successfully registered in SAM.GOV, and have experience performing CFT ISR work on military aircraft in Australia. The USG anticipates that a majority of interest in this requirement will be from Australian companies.

Question 17: What is the estimated work-force requirement for the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG anticipates about five (5) TOs per year, with a maximum quantity of ten (10) TOs per year. After the TO for satisfying the USG’s minimum guarantee, there is no further guarantee of a TO. The estimated labor mix for a CFT is from three (3) to five (5) Contractor personnel per TO, with each TO lasting about two (2) weeks. The Contractor will also need to provide a designated Program Manager (PM) to interact with the USG Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Other Contractor personnel may contribute to upholding the contract's requirements at the company's discretion. Ultimately, it will be the Contractor's decision on how to best allocate resources to the contract.

Question 18: Will a funding partnership be required for a vendor that desires to perform the contemplated contract?

Answer: In general, funding arrangements are the prerogative of the commercial entity interested in performing this work. In particular, the Contracting Officer will make a determination of the Contractor’s responsibility in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.105.

Question 19: Will there be any restrictions for a U.S. Contractor to sub-contract work to an Australian company under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG is not contemplating such restrictions. Rather, it is the USG’s intent to maximize use of Australian industry and resources under this contract.

Question 20: Has there been consideration of a public/private partnership for the contemplated contract?

Answer: This contemplated contract will be a traditional USG procurement for overseas services.

Question 21: What will be the place of performance under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The place of performance for the contemplated contract will be within the geographical boundaries of Australia. Within those geographical boundaries, work may occur anywhere in the country: in the field, on a government installation, at a government facility, or at a Contractor’s facility. There will be no performance outside of Australia under this contemplated contract.

Question 22: What is the estimated period of performance for this contract?

Answer: The contemplated contract will include a one-year base and four one-year optional ordering periods. Exercise of the option ordering periods is a unilateral right of the USG upon determining a continued need for the services. The current target for contract award is sometime during April 2025.

Question 23: What is the meaning/purpose the 90-day mobilization period?

Answer: The 90-day mobilization period is for the Contractor’s preparation to perform the contract. For example, developing ground operating procedures (GOP) in accordance with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Instruction 8210, preparing the Contractors’ facility to meet any other USG requirements, hiring personnel, and purchasing tools and equipment might all be accomplished within this time-frame.

Question 24: What will be the scope of the contemplated contract?

Answer: The overall scope of the contemplated contract is as follows:

CFT ISR Services (depot level repairs, i.e. “heavy maintenance,” mainly structural) Drop‐in ISR Services (depot level repairs) Technical Directives and Modifications Customer Service Requests (organizational level services, i.e. “line maintenance”) Miscellaneous Aircraft Services

• Flight Line Services (fuel, towing, washing, tires, hydraulics, etc.)

• Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Preservation

• Aircraft Battle Damage / Crash Damage

Question 25: Who will provide the tools and equipment for the work required under the

Answer: In general, the Contractor will provide all common hand tools and the USG will provide all specialized tooling and support equipment. In certain cases (identified in the TO), the USG may negotiate for the Contractor to provide specialized tooling, and support equipment for these requirements.

Question 26: Will the Contractor be required to perform aircraft assessments and develop repair procedures?

Answer: The intent is for USG personnel to perform aircraft assessments and develop repair procedures. In certain cases (identified in the TO), the USG may request Contractor assistance for aircraft assessments but will retain the Engineering role for developing all repair procedures.

Question 27: Will the contemplated contract mainly service non-flyable aircraft?

Answer: FRC WESTPC’s aircraft ISR requirements have historically been 27% for flyable aircraft and 73% for non-flyable aircraft.

Question 28: Will aircraft preservation be included in the scope of the contemplated

Answer: Aircraft and aircraft component preservation (e.g. aircraft engine preservation) will be within the scope of the contemplated contract. Specific details (e.g. levels and duration of preservation) will be determined by individual TOs. The USG currently intends to require Level III preservation of aircraft and aircraft engines for such requirements.

Question 29: Will the contemplated contract be for repair of new aircraft?

Answer: This requirement is for repair and servicing for aircraft currently in-service. If new USN/USMC aircraft are placed in-service during the contract’s performance periods, and require ISR, those will also fall within the contract’s scope.

Question 30: Is the intent of the contemplated contract to send contractor personnel to the aircraft’s location to perform repairs on an “as-needed” basis?

Answer: Yes. The primary scope of the contemplated contract is for the Contractor to send CFTs to the location of the aircraft in order to perform ISRs. However, the contract’s scope also includes drop-in ISRs if feasible and advantageous to the USG.

Question 31: Is this contract going to include blade repair?

Answer: Although component repair is within the scope of this contract, FRC WESTPAC does not anticipate a need for blade repair under the contemplated contract.

Question 32: What aircraft platforms will be covered by the contemplated contract?

Answer: Aircraft assigned to support Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) are the focus of this requirement. The scope also includes other USN, other U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft, and military aircraft of United States allies. The type/model/series (T/M/S) USMC aircraft covered by this requirement may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: AH-1Z, UH-1Y, CH-53E, CH-53K and MV-22.

Question 33: Will landing gear repair be within the scope of the contemplated contract?

Answer: If the component repair is associated with a specific aircraft ISR (e.g. replacing damaged landing gear and repairing other associated structural damage), then the answer is yes.

However, component repair (e.g. overhauling damaged landing gear) is a minor piece of the contract scope and is not likely to be required. Standalone component repair/overhaul requirements are not within the scope of this contemplated contract.

Question 34: Is repair of aircraft subsystems within the scope of the contemplated

Answer: On-aircraft repairs are within the scope of this contract. However, component repair is a minor piece of the contract scope and is not likely to be required. Standalone component repair/overhaul requirements (i.e. not associated with a specific aircraft BUNO) are not within the scope of this contemplated contract.

Question 35: Is aircraft battle damage repair (ABDR) within the scope of the contemplated contract?

Answer: ABDR and aircraft crash damage repair are within the scope of the contract. In the case of battle damage repair, the aircraft will be transported to Australia.

Question 36: What level of aircraft painting will be required under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG only anticipates touch-up painting related to aircraft repair, as opposed to full strip and paint, under the contemplated contract.

Question 37: Will repair or servicing of fixed-wing aircraft be included in the scope of the contemplated contract?

Answer: The scope of this contemplated contact will allow for ISR of both fixed and rotor-wing aircraft.

Question 38: Who will fly aircraft to and from the Contractor’s facility: the Contractor or the government?

Answer: Under the contemplated contract, all flight requirements will be provided by the government.

Question 39: Will the contemplated contract scope include repair or servicing of allied aircraft?

Answer: The contemplated contract scope includes military aircraft of United States allies.

Question 40: Will the contemplated contract scope include repair of weapons platforms other than aircraft?

Answer: The scope of the contemplated contract only includes repairs and services for military aircraft.

Question 41: What will be the process for providing quotes to perform TOs under the

Answer: For each TO requirement, the COR will send a combined capability check / request for quote (RFQ) to the Contractor. The Contractor will respond to the COR’s request with either a “not capable” response, a formal quote, or a quote with requested revisions to the requirement (e.g. USG to provided tooling, alternate start dates, etc.).

Question 42: Will there be a USG field agent residing in Australia to oversee the contemplated contract?

Answer: There are no current plans to position a USG representative from FRC WESTPAC in Australia. It is possible that DCMA will use personnel stationed in Australia to perform certain aspects of contract surveillance.

Question 43: Will a PM be required under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG intends to require a Contractor designated PM who will interact directly with the COR.

Question 44: What will be the required turn-around-time (TAT) for ISR TOs under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The required TAT will be the period between the required work start under the TO and the required contract completion date (CDD) under the TO. The USG and Contractor will negotiate these dates prior to award of any TO. A typical ISR repair will take about two (2) weeks.

Question 45: What is a practical response time for starting work on CFT ISRs?

Answer: FRC WESTPAC is still working to develop a response time that is both achievable (i.e.

practical) and that meets the USG’s operational needs. The current response times (in draft) are being considered:

- Response threshold (emailed report) to a routine RFQ will be 48 hours.

- Response threshold (emailed report) to an urgent RFQ will be 24 hours.

- On-site Work Start threshold (personnel travel) for a routine task order will be 48 hours.

- On-site Work Start threshold (personnel travel) for an urgent task order will be 24 hours.

Question 46: Will there be any flexibility in the Contractor’s response times under the contemplated contract?

Answer: To the greatest extent practicable, the capability check in the RFQ process will encourage a balance between the Contractor’s capabilities and the USG’s requirements.

Question 47: What is the anticipated annual frequency of TO placement under the

Answer: FRC WESTPAC anticipates a need for up to five (5) TOs annually. The contract will be scoped for up to ten (10) TOs. However, there is no guarantee for a minimum number of TOs.

Question 48: When will first task TO be placed under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The first TO, representing the USG’s minimum guarantee under the IDIQ contract, will be placed upon contract award. The USG is contemplating the first TO as payment for the Post- Award Conference. Afterward, FRC WESTPAC cannot predict the timing of the next TO.

However, issuance of the next TO cannot occur until the Contractor has met all USG mobilization requirements for performing work under the contract.

Question 49: Will the TO requirements under the contemplated contract be ad hoc?

Answer: The contemplated contract will be an IDIQ contract for unscheduled aircraft repairs and services. Therefore, TOs will be issued for emergent requirements for which actual schedule and quantities are unknown.

Question 50: Will the Contractor be required to follow DCMA requirements under the contemplated contract?

Answer: DCMA requirements will apply under the contemplated contract. For examples of such requirements, see the latest versions of DCMA Manual 2303-01 “Surveillance,” DCMA Instruction “8210-2 Aircraft Operations,” and DCMA Instruction 8210-1 “Contractor’s Flight and Ground Operations.”

Question 51: What higher-level quality standard will be required under the contemplated contract?

Answer: FRC WESTPAC is considering ISO 9001, AS9110, or equivalent as a requirement under the contemplated contract.

Question 52: What qualifications would a sub-contractor have to meet under the contemplated contract?

Answer: A sub-Contractor must meet the same qualifications as the prime Contractor under the contemplated contract.

Question 53: Will having an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approved facility be a requirement under the contemplated contract?

Answer: Having an OEM approved facility may be beneficial in the USG’s assessment of technical risk during source selection for the contemplated contract. However, DCMA (for aircraft services) and FRC WESTPAC Engineering Department (for local manufacturing) have separate processes for approving a Contractor’s facility for use under the contemplated contract.

Question 54: Will DCMA Instruction 8210 requirements apply to a Contractor’s facility where drop-in aircraft ISRs occur?

Answer: All applicable DCMA requirements, unless waived by DCMA, will apply under the contemplated contract.

Question 55: Will the Ground and Flight Risk clause be incorporated into the contemplated contract?

A: The USG anticipates incorporation of the clause found in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.228-7001, “Ground and Flight Risk,” as prescribed by

DFARS 228.371.

Question 56: How will the Contractor maintain a qualified workforce without a constant workload?

Answer: The USG anticipates awarding to a Contractor with either the appropriate scale or sub-contractor relationships to respond to the unscheduled requirements. While the USG may use a Contractor’s specialized qualifications when they exist, the work under this contemplated contract will mostly be for generic aircraft structural repairs.

Question 57: How will the Contractor transfer its workforce skills between aircraft types?

Answer: The work under this contemplated contract will mostly be for generic aircraft structural repairs. Therefore, type/model/series (T/M/S) expertise is less important than overall ability to perform structural repairs.

Question 58: What process will be used for employee certification?

Answer: The USG will accept the Contractor’s employee certification process as part of the technical evaluation during source selection. Specialized certifications may be required for certain work (i.e. composites). However, TO award will be contingent on the Contractor’s capability to perform the specific TO requirement.

Question 59: Will Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) challenges be considered?

Answer: The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable safety and environmental laws, including local statutes.

Question 60: Will there be any weapons or active armory on the TO aircraft?

Answer: The USG intends to remove all weapons and active armory prior to the Contractor’s commencement of work. Any deviations or exceptions will be explicitly identified in the TO.

Question 61: What will be the security requirements under the contemplated contract (background investigations, security clearances, cybersecurity, physical security, etc.)?

Answer: The contemplated contract will be Unclassified. Therefore, there is no anticipated requirement for either facility or personnel clearances. The Contractor will be required to meet all current cybersecurity standards (FAR, DFARS, etc.) as provided in the Solicitation.

Interested vendors should carefully review the Solicitation to understand their ability to meet those cybersecurity requirements. Finally, incorporation of Australia’s Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) requirements (applicable to personnel and physical security) into the final contract is under consideration.

Question 62: How will aircraft sanitization (including removal of radios and other communication equipment) and safeguarding of the U.S. Government’s classified assets be managed under the contemplated contract?

Answer: The USG will be responsible sanitizing the aircraft before the Contractor can commence work. In cases where complete sanitization is not possible, the Aircraft Reporting Custodian (i.e. the operational squadron) will be responsible for implementing alternate security measures (e.g. security watch, blocking access to sensitive areas of the aircraft, etc.).

Question 63: How will the USG and the Contractor manage proprietary data under the contemplated contact?

Answer: The FRC WESTPAC Central Technical Publications Library (CTPL), via the COR, will only provide data for which the USG has appropriate rights as described by DFARS clause 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data—Other Than Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Such data is typically marked with an appropriate distribution statement per the U.S.

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5230.24 Distribution Statements on DoD Technical Information. The contract clauses, PWS, and other associated contract documents will provide details for managing data in performance of the contemplated contract.

Question 64: Where will the USG engineers supporting the contemplated contract be located?

Answer: The USG supporting engineers will reside with the FRC WESTPAC Engineering Department in Atsugi Japan. Occasionally, these personnel may require assistance from Fleet Support Teams (FST) in the United States.

Question 65: May the Contractor use a subcontractors to fulfill the USG’s local manufacture requests (LMR)?

Answer: Sub-Contractors may be used to support LMR requirements. The sub-Contractor providing such support will first require approval (processes and facilities) from the FRC WESTPAC Engineering Department.

Question 66: Will spare parts required for performing this work be stocked in Australia?

Answer: Most parts and materials will be provided by the Aircraft Reporting Custodian. It is outside the scope of the contemplated contract to address stock locations for the required parts and materials.

Question 67: What is the USG’s plan for managing repairable components under the contemplated contract?

Answer: In most cases, the repairable component turn-in/replacement process will be the responsibility of the Aircraft Reporting Custodian. In some cases, the Contractor may be requested to perform such repairs. Approval from the FRC WESTPAC Engineering Department must be obtained before commencing with such repairs.

Question 68: Will sharing of repairable components, repair parts and material (between USG and Australia) be allowed under the contemplated contract?

Answer: Sharing of components, parts and material is outside the scope of the contemplated contract to address. In most cases, the Aircraft Reporting Custodian will be responsible for providing components, parts and materials, as well as ensuring that such items are from an approved source.

Question 69: Will the contemplated contract require the use of local aviation manufacturers?

Answer: In general, the Aircraft Reporting Custodian will be responsible to provide components, parts and materials for the aircraft’s repairs. However, it is within the scope of the contemplated contract for the contactor to provide such items if required. Such items must come from a U.S. DoD approved source.

Question 70: Once the Contractor begins an aircraft repair, what are the responsibilities for the Contractor and for the USG?

Answer: Particular requirements and responsibilities will be specified in the individual TOs. In general, and especially in the case of CFT ISR requirements, the Contractor will provide supervision, personnel and common tools for completing the repair. The USG, typically the Aircraft Reporting Custodian, will provide components, parts, materials, specialized tooling and general support equipment.

Question 71: How will the Contractor sustain its support capability to the USG in a contested logistics environment?

Answer: While this is a valid concern, it is outside the scope of the contemplated contract to address.

Question 72: Is the Contractor’s provision of repair material within the scope of the contemplated contract?

Answer: Typically, the Aircraft Reporting Custodian will provide all materials required for an aircraft’s repair. However, it will be within the scope of the contemplated contract for the Contractor to provide such material if required.

Question 73: If the intent for this effort to be entirely “as-needed,” then how will replacement parts be handled?

Answer: The USG, normally the Aircraft Reporting Custodian, will use the USN Supply System to provide parts for the contemplated contract. To the greatest extent practicable, the COR will ensure parts availability when planning a TO. On a case-by-case basis, if the USG is unable or constrained to provide repair parts, then the Contractor may be requested to either procure or manufacture the required parts.