Industry Questions and Responses 7-22.docx

Solicitation SAQMMA11R0178 Responses

· Where would the Aircraft Condition Inspection work be performed?

DoS Response--Work will be performed at contractor facilities.

· Is the facility Government owned Contractor Operated?

DoS Response—No, performance will not be in the field.

· Would there be a requirement for depot work via contract field teams in theater?

DoS Response--Yes, contract field teams may be required.

· Does the government transport the aircraft to and from the depot?

DoS Response--Contractor shall provide transportation from Melbourne, FL or as directed by the government. Also see clin’s x004 and sub clin’s

· Are consumable materials for ACI contractor furnished as part of the FFP?

DoS Response--Contractor furnished

· Will the government require the contractor to stock replacement parts/spare for known high usage/failure repairable components?

DoS Response--No

· Will there be a separate CLIN for the weight and balance or is this to be included in the ACI FFP?

DoS Response—No, shall be included with ACI

· Will there be a separate CLIN for stripping and painting the aircraft if required?

DoS Response -- No

· Will there be a separate CLIN for scuff and over painting?

DoS Response—No requirement for scuff and over painting.

· Does the government or contractor furnish new wiring harnesses when performing rewire and avionics upgrades?

DoS Response--Contractor furnished

· Page 44, CLIN 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, and 4002: States that “This is a Time and Material Item.” Section B has these CLINs as Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Which is correct?

DoS Response--Time and material

· Page 44, CLIN 0004, Air/Surface Transportation: Is it to be understood that the contractor is required to go out into the field and prepare a non-flyable helicopter for shipment and make all arrangements to ship it to the depot?

DoS Response—Contractor shall propose transportation from Melbourne, FL.

· If so, each event will have multiple variables. How does the government expect the contractor to establish a FFP for these events?

DoS Response--Propose transportation from Melbourne, FL to depot facility.

· Will the government hold an industry day prior to RFP release?

DoS Response--No

· What is the government time line for this solicitation for?

RFP Release Date? Aug 1, 2011 Proposal Due Date? Aug 31, 2011 Contract Award Date? Sept 21, 2011 Contract Start Date? Oct 1, 2011

· Factors for evaluation: Technical Solution; Depot/Heavy maintenance of similar type aircraft. Is it correct to interpret this to read that unless a company is currently conducting depot maintenance on H-1 aircraft or connected with the OEM then they will receive “0” points on this evaluation factor? If so this could be a major impediment to competition.

DoS Response—No. Incorrect interpretation.

· Evaluation Factor Past Performance: Is it correct to interpret this to read that unless a company is currently conducting depot maintenance on H-1 aircraft or connected with the OEM then they will receive “0” points on this evaluation factor? If so this could be a major impediment to competition.

DoS Response-- No. Incorrect interpretation.

· Is it the USG’s intent that aircraft be transported and maintained at a single CONUS location?

DoS Response--No, offeror shall propose solutions. Multiple locations acceptable.

· Is there a restriction on the number of locations to complete the work?

DoS Response—No. Multiple locations acceptable.

· Are all the aircraft air worthy and in flyable condition?

DoS Response—Yes for depot but solicitation includes separate clin for crash & battle damage.

· Do contractor personnel have to be U.S. citizens?

DoS Response—No

· Are there any security clearance requirements?

DoS Response--No

· Not all locations may be suitable to perform maintenance due to accessibility, current threat, special tooling, infrastructure, and logistics support. Has a central location in the area of operations been designated/ authorized or has it been considered?

DoS Response-- Depot performance in the field has been removed.

· According to CLIN 004, the contractor will provide air/surface transportation as needed to accomplish the necessary maintenance repair. Will the U.S. military limit commercial surface and/or air transport in the theater of operations?

DoS Response—Transportation shall be proposed from Melbourne, FL to depot facility.

· Have any aircraft suffered possible major structural damage, and where are they located?

DoS Response--Yes, possible.

· Will the USG accept a temporary repair to relocate an aircraft to a suitable location where major work can be accomplished?

DoS Response—Yes, possible.

· Can the contractor expect authorization for use of existing Huey II, UH-1N and Huey stocks of GFP/GFE, components and replacement parts?

DoS Response—No

· If so will the USG ship them to the contractor location where maintenance is being performed, or will the contractor be responsible for shipment?

DoS Response—Contractor responsibility

· If the contractor cannot physically evaluate the aircraft at each location, can the USG provide the aircraft records or a copy of the aircraft records to determine the initial condition and Time Between Overhaul (TBO)?

DoS Response—Will be given access to aircraft records.

· Some aircraft conditions cannot be determined until the aircraft is run up. Once the initial condition is “somewhat determined,” can the contractor recommend to the USG to preposition the best candidates and or pre-work some of the minor issues at the aircraft location, and/or provide a one-for-one immediate replacement with an airworthy aircraft so the Operational Rates are not affected while the aircraft undergoes the required maintenance, updates and repairs?

DoS Response—No.

· Some locations may have only have the capability for unit level maintenance and performing maintenance above that level will require access to airworthiness bulletins, safety messages, and other publications to perform intermediate or limited depot. Will the USG provide or authorize usage of such publications and related updates to CONUS or OCONUS locations as required?

DoS Response—contractor is responsible for acquiring technical data.

· The request for proposal does not clearly indicate if adequate numbers of GFE/GFP Ground Support Equipment are in place. Please clarify.

DoS Response—contractor responsibility at depot facility.

· Will the USG provide sufficient quantities of special tools and calibrated equipment to be rotated at different locations to ensure compliance with calibration cycles? Does the USG have sufficient GFP/GFE to comply with such calibration rotation requirements?

DoS Response— contractor responsibility at depot facility.

· Are there any limited or advanced Non Destructive Inspection (NDI) capabilities in existence at any of the locations now? Depending on the state of deterioration as determined by the inspection of the aircraft surface and following the criteria outlined in the respective technical publication, retouching, repainting, recondition of not only an aircraft, but parts, may require an adequate facility that meets minimum requirements. Is there such a facility anywhere in any of the current aircraft locations that would be available to the contractor?

DoS Response— contractor responsibility at depot facility.

· If JIG work is required on any airframe will the USG make available access to JIGs? Will the USG arrange any flight or other clearances required for flying or transporting aircraft within or out of any of the various countries where the aircraft are located?

DoS Response— contractor responsibility.

· The SOW states that the USG may order up to 24 aircraft per period. Will the USG specify at the beginning of each period of performance how many aircraft will be ordered during that period?

DoS Response—No.

· Do any of the aircraft currently exceed the 60 months ACI standards?

DoS Response—Yes.

· Can the contractor assume that the preservation of engines, gearboxes, batteries and other components is currently being accomplished IAW the appropriate publications?

DoS Response—Yes.

· Are any aircraft exposed to the environment and not stored properly?

DoS Response—Aircraft are flyable and yes aircraft are exposed to environment.

· Wiring was not completely replaced during the upgrade from UH-1H to UH-1H2. Is one of the goals of this program to rewire the aircraft completely?

DoS Response—limited number of rewires will be required and covered in over & above clin’s.

· Throughout the different fleets around the world these Huey IIs have operating systems that are not supportable. Will DOS require modernization of these systems and/or configuration standardization of the fleets in each country once initial inspections are completed?

DoS Response—government directed modifications will be covered in over & above clin’s.

· Are aircraft currently maintained under the Bell Helicopter Textron maintenance program specified in the OEM maintenance manuals as a minimum?

DoS Response—aircraft are maintained in accordance with OEM or USG maintenance program.

· Can the USG please provide an inventory of all government furnished equipment and facilities that are provided with this program?

DoS Response—aircraft will be the only GFP provided.

· The Air/Surface Transportation is firm fixed price – will the USG consider changing this to cost plus fixed fee? Without knowing where the aircraft are going or how many, it would be difficult to offer a firm fixed price given the constantly changing air cargo transportation costs.

DoS Response—contractor shall proposed transportation from Melbourne, Fl to depot facility.

· The ACI requirements are expected to restore aircraft subjected to this process to a condition which can be maintained at the field level to ensure a high level of operational availability for the duration of the designed service period and to provide interim support during total service life. In addition the requirements in this SOW are expected to enhance the aircraft reliability.

Is this a reference to a “field-level maintenance” environment?

DoS Response— Shall be conducted in accordance with ACI requirements.

· The ACI requirements are expected to restore aircraft subjected to this process to a condition which can be maintained at the field level to ensure a high level of operational availability for the duration of the designed service period and to provide interim support during total service life.

What is the definition of “interim support?”

DoS Response—removed from requirements.

· Incorporation of authorized Technical Directives and Modifications. Replacement of time change components assigned to depot level at specified replacement intervals. Repaint the exterior of the aircraft if determined to be required after assessment.

These statements are not defined in scope.

DoS Response—requirements are in scope.

· Operational service life is measured in terms of operational service months accumulated between periods of rework.

As this interval is not driven by flying hours, but by the calendar, levels of use could vary from aircraft to aircraft, which could lead to unnecessary inspections being performed if the flying hour commitment varied by location. As there is a move to change to conditioned based maintenance to eliminate unnecessary cost, this may be something to consider as aircraft are modified and upgraded.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· The contractor shall develop a program management plan which includes schedule, costs and risk management.

Consider adding greater definition to this section as in this example:

“The Program Manager (PM) shall manage the work scope as defined herein and shall provide oversight to coordination and communications, project planning and proposals, budgeting and cost management, and master schedules; conduct and attend reviews with the customer and lower-tier subcontractors, and prepare data reports. The PM shall plan and conduct meetings and support in-process reviews (IPRs), as defined by the program plan. The Program Management Plan (PMP) shall include, as a minimum, a Scope Statement, detailed description of requirements, the work breakdown structure, a risk management plan or a reference to a standalone plan, data management, configuration management, cost and schedule management, and references to related subordinate plans.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Daily Inspection requirements: [Page 13, Para 1] C: For clarity, consider identifying the specific technical data required to complete this inspection. [Note: Page 30, Check Flight, Daily/Turnaround Inspection, refers to a “UH-1 Daily Checklist”] DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Corrosion Control Inspection: [Page 13, Para 2] C: Consider adding the applicable technical data used to complete this inspection.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Maintenance Practices: [Page 13, Para 3] Q: For clarification, this section calls out maintenance and structural repairs to be completed in accordance with the applicable structural repair manual and FAA rules and regulations. Do unit and intermediate maintenance levels have the same requirements?

DoS Response—contractor shall focus on depot level requirements.

· Disturbed systems: [Page 13, Para 4] C: Consider adding of the applicable technical data used to complete installation and operational checks.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· General Maintenance Standards/General Requirements: [Page 13, Para 5 – Page 14, Para 1] C/Q: The Operating Program may provide resources (funding or manpower) for work beyond the scope of the ACI. Prior approval by the DoS Chief of Aircraft Maintenance and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) are required for work beyond the scope of the ACI. –

Please address how this work would be identified or requested for this effort. Is the contractor expected to bid effort as part of this program?

DoS Response—will be completed in over & aboves.

Who or what entity or organization is the “Operating Program?”

DoS Response—removed from SOW.

· Rework Procedures: [Page 14, Para 2]

C/Q: Source Applicable Documents: The commercial rework activity will receive an initial allowance of those Service documents, drawings and specifications that are referenced by this specification. Commercial and FAA publications are to be obtained by the rework activity. The rework activity shall be responsible for obtaining all other publications applicable to ACI processing. – This paragraph is difficult to interpret.

Are the Bell Helicopter and Honeywell Manufacturers’ Publications, referenced in Appendix B, included in the “Service” documents allowed or are they considered “Commercial” publications for purposes of this program?

DoS Response—all OEM publications are considered commercial and the responsibility of the contractor to provide. Unavailable USG publications will be provided on request.

· Inspection Work Sheets: [Page 15, Middle]

C: For clarification, consider listing a specific inspection work sheet and establishing the requirement to maintain these data for historical purposes.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Nondestructive Inspection Processes: [Page 15, Bottom]

C: As the NAS 410 E describes multiple methods, it would be appropriate to identify the specific NDI methods (all or a sample) required for this contract.

DoS Response—defined in aircraft technical data.

C: Request the government provide a listing of current airframe structural and dynamic components requiring NDI.

DoS Response—defined in aircraft technical data.

· Replacement Part and Substitutions: [Page 17]

C: Consider adding a requirement for a parts management plan, including provisions for control of counterfeit parts.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Electrical Wiring: [Page 19, Middle]

C: This contains a vague reference to DoD- or FAA-approved procedures; consider providing applicable technical manuals and procedural guidance.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Unscheduled Component Rework: [Page 20, Top]

Q: Items removed on a discrepancy basis will normally be replaced by exchanging or Ready for Issue (RFI) units.

Who provides the RFI units and are these contractor-controlled, “spares,” or government provided property (GFP)?

DoS Response—will not be GFP, contractor responsibility.

· Scheduled Component Removal/Replacement Criteria: [Page 20, Bottom] C: Aircraft components listed in Section IV of this specification shall be replaced at flight hour, calendar or operational time limitations specified.

Section IV does not list the aircraft components subject to time change.

DoS Response—prior to induction, contractor will be given access to aircraft records.

· Inspection Requirements: [Page 20, Bottom] C: Aircraft Phase Inspection shall be completed during the ACI inspection.

What level of phase inspection is required to be completed during the ACI; the next in the series, hourly, or periodic?

DoS Response—revised in SOW

· Report Requirements/Aircraft Maintenance/History Summary Report: [Page 21, Bottom] C: The rework activity shall prepare and submit a Maintenance/History Summary Report in accordance with section VI.

Should this reference be to Section V? ACI Report Requirements are defined in Section V. Section VI defines Structural Sampling Reporting Forms Requirements, listed as NA under report requirements.

DoS Response—removed.

· Aircraft Record Analysis: [Page 22] C/Q: Early record analysis is critical to identifying material requirements and planning the workflow. Is it possible to view the logs and records before aircraft induction?

DoS Response—prior to induction access to records will be granted.

· Surface Conditioning/Stripping: [Page 24] Q: Is outsourced stripping and aircraft painting allowable?

DoS Response—as proposed by offeror.

· Disassembly/Aircraft Modifications: [Page 27, Bottom] Q: Aircraft modifications shall be designed and installed in accordance with FAA or DOD standards.

How do we account for “aircraft modifications” with respect to unspecified avionics upgrades when we bid this effort? This section, Page 28, “Rewire and Avionics Upgrade,” Item (4), refers to instrument identification and layouts per Appendix 3. Will Appendix 3 be provided? What CLIN would these activities be bid to?

DoS Response—appendix 3 and references removed. Modifications will be included in over & above clin’s

· Section III, ACI Check Flight and Acceptance Requirements/Final Processing Weight and Balance: [Page 29, Top] C: This paragraph seems to belong with the previous Section I discussion on Weight and Balance on Page 21.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Disturbed Systems: [Page 30] C/Q: Disturbed system functional testing will require a significant investment to procure unique support equipment applicable to the UH-1 airframe (i.e., pilot static system test set, fuel system leak and fuel quantity calibration test sets). Section C, Descriptions/Specification/Statement of Work, describes some aircraft as having defensive aircrew and aircraft survivability systems (AAR-47 missile warning/ALE-47 countermeasures) installed. If these systems are disturbed, will the government furnish the required test sets to functionally test these systems?

DoS Response—aircraft survivability system support equipment will be provided if required.

· Check Flight/Acceptance Check Flight and Acceptance: [Page 30] Q: Is the Maintenance Test Pilot a contractor (Rework Authority) or a DoS (Delivery Activity) responsibility/individual?

DoS Response—contractor shall provide a qualified maintenance test pilot to perform functional test flights.

· Correction of Discrepancies: [Page 30-31] C: The rework activity shall be responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft and the correction of all defects in accordance with the defect correction criteria of Section II, paragraph 2-1.

This should state “correction of all defects noted during ACI.” If the aircraft arrives with minor defects they would be worked if time allowed but should not be the responsibility of the rework activity.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· Acceptance: [Page 31] Q: At acceptance by the DoS representative, does the aircraft become the responsibility of the government or does that occur when the A/C arrives at the appropriate delivery point?

DoS Response—contractor responsibility when located at contractor facility until government signs for and accepts delivery.

· 3.4 Section IV, Component Removal/Replacement Schedule [Page 31] C: This is a vague requirement and could vary from aircraft to aircraft; consider adding specific requirements.

DoS Response—prior to induction, contractor will be given access to aircraft records.

· 3.5 Section F – Deliveries or Performance [Page 48] C/Q: The required delivery schedule [Item No. x001] is to complete 24 aircraft within 360 days.

The basic requirement (i.e., disassembly, inspection, repair, and reassembly) is a reasonable expectation; however, aircraft with major repairs will likely require additional engineering and DoS approval before repairs can be performed. This process alone can extend the repair time significantly. Additional factors that can delay turnaround time are availability of TD kits, modification kits, long-lead components, high time components, and repair of non-standard repairs. Will contracting extend the limit of this performance threshold if delays are clearly not attributed to the contractor?

DoS Response—yes with government concurrence.

· Has the Aircraft Condition Inspection (ACI) been previously developed or is it a series of phase inspection checklists, as described under Page 28 “Structural and Zonal Inspection Requirements”?

DoS Response—series of phase inspection checklist.

· The SOW states that engines that are deemed economically repairable shall undergo cleaning, inspection, repair, and troubleshooting in accordance with the applicable engine manual. Is the contractor required to perform depot-level engine repair and testing or is this statement applicable to installed engine troubleshooting, test, and repair?

DoS Response—installed engine troubleshooting, test and repair. All other engine shall be performed by OEM authorized repair facility and covered in over & above clin.

· Subparagraph (1) states that the rewire will consist of all new wiring harnesses throughout the entire aircraft. Is this statement applicable to all aircraft undergoing DLM and, if so, are these wiring harnesses being provided as government-furnished material?

DoS Response—wiring harness replacement will be identified by the USG for specific aircraft only and harness’s are not GFP. Work shall be covered in over & above.

· Subparagraph (4) refers to example avionics and instrument identification and layouts depicted in Appendix 3. Is Appendix 3 available for viewing?

DoS Response—removed.

· Where would the ACI work be performed?

DoS Response—contractor proposed facility

· Is the facility government-owned contractor-operated?

DoS Response—contractor proposed facility

· Would there be a requirement for depot work via contract field team in theater?

DoS Response—limited to crash and battle damage repairs covered in over & aboves.

· C: Descriptions/Specifications/Statement of Work—To facilitate referencing the document, enable streamlined discussions, and enhance the proposal response, we suggest breaking down the Sections and referencing them numerically. For example, at present, “Self-Locking Nuts” is on a par with “Weight and Balance” and “Pre-Delivery Requirements.” We suggest grouping the CLS roles, responsibilities, and tasks appropriately and arranging them in a numerical “waterfall” outline.

DoS Response—acknowledged.

· C: Under the Maintenance References, is this an index to a “Technical Library” and are all documents readily available to the contractor? If so, the list appears incomplete. We suggest a comprehensive review of the publications tied to this effort and their location: (e.g., online at www.apd.army.mil). At a minimum, the list should include the latest date; for example: AR 95-20, 1 Mar 2007. For the Bell Helicopter and Honeywell documents, a reference to “Bell Information Letters” or “Honeywell Report 286.2” offers little unless the government provides these documents or provides online location and access. The same comments apply to Para 3, Military and DoS Publications list (e.g., 1H-1(U)N-2-1 Organizational Maintenance Manual), and the subsequent documents and drawings addressed in Paras 4 through 8 DoS Response—acknowledged.

· C: NAICS 336411 has an SB size standard of 1,500, not 500 as mentioned. NAICS 336413 (1,000 employees) may be more appropriate.

DoS Response—corrected See: www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/Size_Standards_Table.xls

· C: The table is not stand-alone; we cannot relate the numbers to a weighted evaluation. The only clarification provided is, “Technical and Past Performance, when combined, are equal to cost/price.” Suggest the specific criteria be spelled out.

DoS Response—section M contains the technical and past performance scoring criteria.

· CLIN xxx1 is difficult to price. Recommend DoS establish a CLIN for UH-1II, UH-1N, UH-1H

DoS Response—acknowledged, no sub clin’s

· Should clin xxx4 would be difficult to price due to unknown aircraft locations. Should this be CPFF and not FFP? Recommend DoS state a point in CONUS from which contractor will be responsible for transporting from or make CPFF.

DoS Response—transportation shall be from Melbourne, FL. or as directed by the government. See clin’s x004 and sub clin’s for locations.

· Given that this is depot maintenance which is mostly inspections, who will be responsible for the cost of replaced components/parts?

DoS Response— covered in over & above

· Is this a depot maintenance effort or refurbishment/avionic upgrade? It seems a multi award was previously made for refurbishment and avionics upgrade?

DoS Response—separate effort

· Will a technical proposal be required?

DoS Response—Yes.

· Will DoS allow work to be performed outside the US?

DoS Response—contractor may propose.

· Will DoS allow a foreign owned business perform the work?

DoS Response—under small business rules, only US owned business qualifies.

· Will DoS consider a small business set-aside?

DoS Response—Yes.

· Are the UH-1 PDM / depot-level rework facility sites predetermined or are the selection of the sites at the bidder’s discretion?

DoS Response—Bidder’s discretion

· What are the current PDM/rework facilities?

DoS Response—no depot facilities identified for this requirement.

· Since the solicitation states the DoS Chief of Aircraft Maintenance, Engineering staff and COR are required to give prior approval for work beyond the scope of the ACI, does the number of DoS maintenance chiefs, engineering staff, COR’s limit the number of rework facilities?

DoS Response—No.

· Is the OEM’s certification required?

DoS Response—No.

· Bidder assumes the “adjustments…to the inspection criteria…to fit the current fleet requirements…” will be financially addressed under the Time and Materials over and above clin’s and not considered part of the FFP clins?

DoS Response—correct.

· Is the DoS Engineering staff stationed at a central location and accessed electronically, or are the remotely located at each PDM/rework facility?

DoS Response—centrally located and available electronically.

· Will rework of non-standard installations, approved by a DoS representative, also require COR approval for over & above clin?

DoS Response—Yes.

· To fully understand and successfully accomplish the requirement, will DoS provide the configuration of each UH-1 helicopter showing modifications outside the standard UH-1 configuration?

DoS Response—no standard configuration. Upon induction, DoS will provide.

· The ALE-47 carries a security classification of confidential when operationally loaded. Will all classified items be removed from the aircraft prior to induction to PDM/rework facility?

DoS Response—Yes.

· Will the contract have a requirement for a DD254 and will the contractor be required to store classified items or material?

DoS Response—No.

· Will DoS representatives (or DCMA like agency representatives) be part of the PDM/rework process and accomplish in-process inspections?

DoS Response—yes