Q and A to RFP 140D8020R00020 10 20_2.docx

Questions in response to RFP 140D8020R00020

1. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Definitions Page: 6, Paragraph: 2 & 5 Question 1: Daily Availability, please further explain the Government intent with regards to “The Government may require additional work in a minimum quantity of one (1) aircraft for one (1) day at any time during the term of this contract by giving written notice to the contractor at least ten (10) days prior to the date the aircraft is required.” Should the contractor expect (10) day written notice prior to use of a labeled CLIN number with the On-Call designation?

Answer: Updated the solicitation

Question 2: High Activity & Additional Aircraft, please further explain the ability of the Government to require additional aircraft and personnel mid-season to the ice? Will the contractor be asked to reposition assets to another location away from the Gulf of Mexico?

Answer: This reference was removed from the solicitation.

2. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Technical Specifications Page: 11, Paragraph Question: Regarding B6.1 Will electronic charts be acceptable to the Government?

Answer: Yes, if allowed in the offeror’s operations specifications

3. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Technical Specifications Page: 23, Paragraph Question: Regarding B2.3.1 & B20.8.1.1 Is the intent for the Government to fly SPIFR in the light twin and medium twin aircraft?

Answer: No, single pilot IFR will not be required.

4. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Contract Terms and Conditions Page: 47-48, Paragraph Question: Is was noticed that no AgustaWestland / Leonardo aircraft were labeled in the helicopter fuel consumption charts. Will the Government accept bids containing AgustaWestland aircraft?

Answer: Yes, the Government will accept bids containing AgustaWestland aircraft. The Helicopter fuel consumption chart will be revised to include the AgustaWestland/ Leonardo aircraft.

5. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Schedule of Supplies/Services Page: 8, Paragraph Comment: The CLIN numbers or the (5) light single engine exclusive use aircraft identified on page 8 do not match the CLIN numbers in Exhibit 6 page 53 Answer: The solicitation will be updated.

6. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Technical Specifications, Page 17-18, Paragraph Question: Regarding B10.2.7 (b), (e), (j) Would the Government consider lower /modifying the Pilot Requirements in these sections?

Answer: No

7. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: D Instruction of Offerors Page: 77, Paragraph Question: D5.4.4.4.2 Please further explain 24 hours/7 day per week Search and Rescue requirements?

Answer: The contractor must have a SAR plan in place for 24 hour/7 day a week coverage. SAR services are required 24/7 because BSEE frequently has personnel remain offshore overnight during the week and on the weekend. Specific requirements for the SAR aircraft will be added to the solicitation.

What will the aircraft be required to carry and be outfitted with? See question #11 for the aircraft specifications.

8. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: A Schedule of Supplies/Services Page: 7, Paragraph Suggestion: Please further clarify “VFR Reserves, IFR Reserves” …. Suggested language would be “For offshore operations, fuel must be planned to the intended landing location plus a suitable alternate plus VFR Reserves. For IFR operations, adherence to the contractors standard operating procedures. These changes would add additional safety measures for crews in the event offshore destination has an issue and is out of service upon aircraft arrival.

Answer: VFR/IFR reserves are defined by the FAA. The reference to VFR, IFR reserves in section A is to evaluate aircraft payload only. Operational decisions concerning fuel loads for VFR/IFR reserves will be determined by a company’s SOPs.

9. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: SF‐1449, Page: 1, Paragraph: 20 (Schedule of Supplies/Services) and Section: C – Contract Terms and Conditions, Page: 44, Paragraph: C6 Period of Performance Question: Please confirm base period of performance & number of option years for this contract. The SF‐1449 gives the base period as 1 Oct 2021 – 30 Sep 2026 with five option years, while Section C6 defines the base period of performance as Oct 1, 2021 through Sept 30, 2027, with four additional option years.

Answer: Solicitation has been updated. It should be a five (5) year base period, FY 2021 to 2026, with five option years.

10. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Definitions, Page: 6, Paragraph: Key Personnel.

Question: Reference is made to an onsite manager as Key Personnel. Is an onsite manager required at each of the required flight support facilities? Will the aircraft’s Pilot‐In‐Command (PIC) serve as onsite manager, particularly at pick up points outside of the required flight support facilities?

Answer: “Key Personnel” will be edited to include. Lead pilots, chief pilot, safety manager, operations manager.

11. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: A – Schedule of Supplies/Services, Page: 7.

Question: P.7 states that “the vendor shall submit an aircraft in their offer for Search and Rescue/AMS”. What are the aircraft specifications, equipment fittings and crew requirements for the Search and Rescue/AMS aircraft?

Answer: The solicitation will be updated

12. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: A – Schedule of Supplies/Services, Page: 7‐8, and Section: B – Technical Specifications, Pages: 17 – 19, Paragraph: Personnel Requirements B9 Pilot Requirements and B13 Mechanic Requirement.

Question: What is the aircraft availability requirement? Section A does not explicitly state the availability requirement, though the personnel specifications in Section B point to a Monday – Friday (5 & 2) operational availability, while the pricing tables appear to indicate that one or more aircraft may be required seven (7) days per week.

Answer: As per the pricing sheet Exhibit, each location will have one aircraft available 7 days a week per the pricing table and all other exclusive use aircraft are Monday – Friday.

13. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 10, Paragraph: B5, and Section:

B – Technical Specifications, Page: 17, Paragraph: B10.2.5.

Question: Will the OAS be conducting the aircraft and pilot inspections and evaluations at the Contractor’s base locations and/or flight support facilities?

Answer: Yes, please see C2.

C2 Addenda to 52.212-4 (a) Inspection/Acceptance:

Inspection Scheduling and Process. After either contract award or annual renewal of the contract, the COTR will schedule a date to inspect the Contractor's proposed aircraft, equipment and personnel to ensure contract compliance. The inspection will be conducted at the designated base, Contractor's facility or other location acceptable to the Government.

14. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 12, Paragraph: B.7.1.2.

Question: Are all aircraft to be equipped for extended overwater operations, or only equipped when an extended overwater operation is planned? The application of 14 CFR, Part 135.165, Radio and Navigation Equipment for extended over water or IFR flights is in conflict with single piloted, single‐engine aircraft configuration that are not equipped, as a standard, with dual navigation systems or navigation equipment specified for extended overwater flights. Please clarify the Government’s definition of extended overwater flights in nautical miles from shore and if this equipment specification is only to be applied to dual‐piloted, twin‐engine aircraft.

Answer: All BSEE GOM aircraft will be required to conduct extended overwater flights. Ranges vary from 3 NM to an excess of 200 NM offshore. The requirement for SPIFR will be removed.

15. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 14, Paragraph: B7.3.4.

Question: Is the Satellite Phone System to be available in‐flight for emergency situations, or is use primarily for communications when landed on offshore stations? Is the Government providing the subscription service, or does the Contractor invoice this back monthly to the Government?

Answer: BSEE will require the pilot to frequently use the sat phone to gain clearance for an offshore landing when radio communication isn’t available. Cost of the phone is the contractor’s responsibility as stated in B7.3.5.2.

16. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 14, Paragraph: B.7.3.5.

Question: Does the Government have experience with IRIS and/or Skytrack for satellite-based fight following and in‐flight communications? Specifications within the draft solicitation are made for an Iridium based satellite phone and Iridium based flight following system. Newer technology exists in the form of IRIS and/or Skytrack. These systems allow for in‐flight communication and flight following but are not Iridium based technologies. Are alternate satellite-based communication systems acceptable to the Government?

Answer: Alternate systems would be considered, provided they can furnish all required information to AFF.gov

17. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 16, Paragraph: B7.5.2 ‐ B7.5.3 and Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 24, Paragraph B22 Question: B7.5.2 gives the requirement for intercommunications systems (ICS). However, B7.5.3.1 states that the audio system must be designed for operation with earphones, while B22 states that the Government will provide flight helmets for government personnel, and Contractor is to provide helmets for pilots. Please confirm whether the ICS requirement is for separate earphones, or whether in‐helmet audio capability is required.

Answer: The use of headsets is not authorized in DOI operations under this contract. In-helmet audio capability is required, no separate headsets will be utilized.

18. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 17, Paragraph: B10.2.5 Question 1: At what point are all pilots required to be carded by OAS prior to commencement of Operations?

Answer: Pilots will be required to be carded after contract award and prior to performance on this contract. In accordance with section B10.2.5 of the solicitation specifications. The contract is estimated to be awarded with enough time for pilot evaluations to be scheduled and completed prior to 1 Oct. It will take an estimated 2 to 3 weeks of pilot evaluation to complete the carding process.

Question 2: Is there a limit to how many pilots will be carded by OAS in consideration of additional use aircraft or pilot availability?

Answer: In previous years, OAS has found it reasonable to card approximately 1.5+ current/qualified pilots per active exclusive use aircraft. Aircraft or pilots that are not to be used during the funded period of performance shall not be carded.

19. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 25, Paragraph: B22.3.1.

Question: Does the Survitec HALO vest with integrated Survitec compressed air breathing systems comply with the Government specifications for life vests?

Answer: The FAA has no requirement for civilian life vests. The FAA TSO C13F requires life preserver units be FAA approved.

Question: What is the purpose of the Laser Rescue Light requirement? use aircraft or pilot availability?

Answer: The laser light is an effective light source that aids in detection – especially when using night vision devices.

20. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: Section C – Contract Terms and Conditions, Page: 63, Paragraph: Exhibit 6 – Fixed Rate Tables: No Guarantee – Aircraft Type Required: Search and Rescue/EMS, and RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: A‐Schedule of Supplies/Services, Page: 7 Question: Section A p. 7 states that “the vendor shall submit an aircraft in their offer for Search and Rescue/AMS”, but the Exhibit 6 – Fixed Rate Tables give no guarantee of usage. Is a SAR aircraft required for evaluation of an offeror’s technical capability?

Answer: There is no guaranteed pay for a SAR aircraft as it is an emergency on-call aircraft. If it is not used, BSEE will not pay for it. However, a SAR plan must be submitted and will be evaluated as part of the offeror’s proposal.

21. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: D – Instructions to Offerors, Page: 74, Paragraph: D.1.3.

Question: Will the Government consider a multiple award IDIQ contract?

Answer: No

22. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: D – Instructions to Offerors, Page: 77, Paragraph: D5.4.4.4.2.

Question: The offeror is asked to describe its approach to 24/7 search and rescue operations. Given the stated Monday – Friday personnel requirements and crew days in Section B – Technical Specifications, please advise as what decision points or events would trigger a callout for a 24/7 SAR response under this contract.

Answer: Any flight that would be deemed as a medical emergency or any extraction of BSEE personnel that would require a night flight, day or night, would trigger a SAR. The medical emergency determination would be made by either an offshore facility medic or by the SAR medic.

Question: Does the prime offeror need to have 24/7 search and rescue capability, or will a subcontracted SAR service package meet the Government's needs, given appropriate SLA parameters?

Answer: Yes, the offeror needs to have 24/7 search and rescue capability that meets the requirements of the solicitation.

23. RFP 140D8020R00020

Question: Will the Government provide annual flight hours for the last two calendar years of the existing contract IND16PC00212, to provide all offerors with equal benchmarking for pricing considerations?

Answer: The estimated hours listed for each Pay Item Code is maximum estimated hours for each aircraft at each location. If a vendor requires any further information a FOIA will need to be submitted.

Clarifications: Aviation Flight Services Contract in the GOM Region To Support BSEE and USCG

1. RFP 140D8020R00020, Section: B – Technical Specifications, Page: 9, Paragraph: B2.3.1.

Clarification: B2.3.1 states that “Light Twin Engine Only – Aircraft must be certificated and equipped for single pilot flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)”. Regulatory Conflict: Light Twin Engine aircraft are able to operate IFR at land‐based facilities, but per FAA regulations, must get into VMC before the offshore environment. FAA regulations require two pilots for offshore IFR operations.

Answer: The requirement for SPIFR will be removed from this solicitation.

Suggestions: Aviation Flight Services Contract in the GOM Region To Support BSEE and USCG

1. Multiple awards to two or more operators for execution of the scope of work under the proposed IDIQ contract. This could be easily accomplished with master service agreements with these operators incorporating all of the salient terms. Task orders could then be issued to the pre‐selected contractors by BSEE district region, and/or based upon the primary flight support facilities. This will allow the pre‐selected contractors the ability to bid on location specific portions of the scope of work that best match their current fleet count and operating locations. This approach will give the Government the most competitive pricing the offshore aviation industry has to offer – utilizing currently available assets and infrastructure to perform the scope of work. The major oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico have long recognized the economic efficiencies of having multiple air transport companies to service their requirements and BSEE will be well served to consider this approach. There are currently multiple air transport providers who can achieve the contract performance requirements laid out in the draft solicitation. On‐site key personnel at each of the flight support facilities will guide location‐specific operations and be on hand to mitigate any potential challenges.

Answer: The Government has taken this into consideration prior to soliciting. It is in the Governments best interest to award this as a single award IDIQ.

2. Another suggestion is to extend the guaranteed term for the dedicated use aircraft. This will permit prospective offerors to finance the additional capital required to source aircraft, modify aircraft, develop infrastructure, and onboard necessary staffing while spreading the cost of such improvements over the full term of a multi‐year contract. While this would not entirely eliminate the pricing bias resulting from the capital investment required to support the scope of work, it would help foster a more competitive price point for qualified offerors.

We believe that expanding the opportunity for an award among multiple operators while extending the minimum guaranteed term will result in a much more competitive bid process amongst the most qualified operators which will inure to the direct benefit of BSEE. The end result will be an open and competitive bidding landscape aligned with BSEE’s stated desire for safe, high quality, and cost-effective aviation services.

Answer: The base ordering period is five (5) years with (5), one (1)-year option periods. The base period has been “extended” from the traditional one (1) year in order to assist the prospective offerors with financing solutions. Once the apparent awardee is carded in accordance with the solicitation. the awardee will be awarded each funded task order during the five-year base period. The guarantee amount is based on the available appropriations and the Government’s minimum need.