RFI_MAFFS_II_SN-2018-10.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Comprehensive Sustainment, Maintenance and Coordination Services Program for the Mobile Airborne Fire Fighting System (2nd Generation) MAFFS II (and associated ground equipment – compressors, containers, trailers) from date of award with four (4) option year renewals.

Special Notice Number: SN-2018-10

Agency: United States Forest Service

Office: Washington Office, Acquisition Management, Incident Support Branch

Location: Fixed Locations, Nationwide (see below)

RFI Issue Date: August 24, 2018

RFI Response Date: September 27, 2018

NAICS Code: 488190 Other Support Activities for Air Transportation and/or 541990 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Submittal of Information:

The information requested by this RFI shall be provided, in writing (electronically), by close of business, 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time, September 27, 2018 to the following address:

U.S. Forest Service National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) 3833 South Development Avenue Attn: Mr. Todd Novinger, Owyhee Building, Suite 1101 Boise, Idaho 83705-5354

Or trnovinger@fs.fed.us

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF

THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort.

This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government’s use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI may be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for future needs. The information provided may be utilized by the U.S. Forest Service in developing its acquisition strategy and in its Statement of Objective, Statement of Work, and/or Performance Specifications. The information resulting from this RFI may be included or combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements of the future system but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary.

mailto:trnovinger@fs.fed.us

Synopsis:

The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research for planning purposes only regarding interested vendors/contractors who are capable of providing a Comprehensive Sustainment, Maintenance and Coordination Services Program for the Mobile Airborne Fire Fighting System - 2nd Generation (MAFFS II) and associated ground equipment – compressors, containers, trailers from date of award with four (4) option year renewals. MAFFS II systems are used as one element of the U. S.

Forest Service’s suppression activities during fire season. MAFFS II units can only be deployed when there is imminent danger to life and property and all other aerial resources are committed. There are scheduled pre/post maintenance and unscheduled fire activation maintenance and repair requirements. The program is variable depending on seasonal fire activity. Due to the sporadic occurrence of incident activity, the placement of any orders is not guaranteed.

The U. S. Forest Service intends to utilize the RFI responses/information to assist with the development of a solicitation for a MAFFS II Sustainment, Maintenance and Coordination Services Program RFP/RFQ. At the present time, the U. S. Forest Service anticipates posting a solicitation to the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website (www.fbo.gov) in Late Fall 2018/Early Spring 2019. At present, performance for the anticipated procurement is May/June 2019.

Contracting Office Address:

U.S. Forest Service National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Owyhee Building, Suite 1101 3833 South Development Avenue Boise, Idaho 83705-5354

Primary and Technical Point of Contact:

Todd Novinger, Contracting Officer trnovinger@fs.fed.us 208-387-5272

All technical questions should be sent to Todd Novinger at trnovinger@fs.fed.us.

General Requirements:

• Eight (8) Forest Service owned MAFFS II units with 3,000-gallon capacity located at four (4) military installations that provide C-130s to fly MAFFS missions, as follows:

o The 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, Cheyenne;

o The 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, Reno;

o The 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, Port Hueneme; and o The 302nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

• Perform program management and supervision to meet performance work statement standards and timeframes.

• Perform scheduled (pre/post season) and unscheduled (fire season activations) maintenance, inspections, and repairs on MAFFS II in accordance with U. S. Forest Service provided MAFFS II Operations and Maintenance Manuals.

• Perform maintenance on the associated ground-based compressors, containers and trailers in a state of readiness in accordance with their Maintenance and Operations Manual(s).

• Mechanics maintain government-provided tool and spare parts bin (field kit).

• Maintain MAFFS II Operations and Maintenance Manuals (PNs 113000-301).

Provide periodic review of the MAFFS system operations and maintenance manuals.

Recommend updates to the U. S. Forest Service National MAFFS Liaison Officer (NMLO) and Program Manager, as necessary.

• Provide recommendations in coordinating the movement of MAFFS equipment including trailers, parts and field containers, as well as, ground compressors. Assist with coordination of the movement of all MAFFS equipment, systems, trailers, parts, field containers and ground compressors in support of activations in accordance with operational status.

• Document Agency provided maintenance log(s), all daily post flight inspections and other work.

• Review discrepancies or deficiencies on the equipment and work discrepancies in an expeditious manner.

• Ensure configuration continuity between systems and provide documentation where differences exist. When in the field, brief the Military Liaison Officer (MLO) or Points of Contact (POC) daily on the status of each system. As needed, provide critical supplies to insure continued operations.

• Identify required changes to documentation to reflect an as built system. Assist in the development and improvement of the equipment maintenance programs and conduct post and pre-season inspections of the equipment.

• Recommend improvements and/or modifications to MAFFS II systems and related ground support equipment to ensure safe and cost-effective operations.

• Provide guidance and/or training for loading and transport of MAFFS II systems and associated equipment.

• Provide briefings, training and information, as requested by the NMLO.

Other information:

• Comprehensive Operation and Maintenance Manual checklists shall be followed for pre/post season maintenance.

• Specialized tools are provided by the U. S. Forest Service. Basic hand tools shall be provided by the contractor.

• Normally, two (2) mechanics complete the pre/post season inspection process in four (4) to five (5) days at each location.

• MAFFS II system(s) activations require two (2) MAFFS II mechanics for systematic inspections and checks conducted at the end of each day. Repair and/or necessary replacement of components requires a two-person lift to position heavy components.

• Two (2) mechanics are required to complete daily inspections and checks, in a timely manner, for activation of more than one (1) MAFFS II system.

• MAFFS II mechanics are required to be at the designated location within 48-72 hours of activation notification.

• Up to six (6) MAFFS II systems may be activated at one time, although three (3) to four

(4) is normal.

• At no time would the U. S. Forest Service activate MAFFS II systems in more than one

(1) location which consolidates MAFFS II support (mechanics and lead planes).

• MAFFS II mechanics follow the same work-rest guidelines established for agency personnel – 14 days on and two (2) days off.

• The U. S. Forest Service historically contracted eight (8) mechanics, consisting of five (5), fully qualified master mechanics and three (3) apprentices. To maintain proficiency, the U. S. Forest Service had two (2) masters and one (1) apprentice work 14 days straight and then rotate with a similarly configured relief crew.

• For information purposes, companies that provide spare and repair parts in support of the MAFFS II systems include, but are not limited to:

o Caltrol, 1385 Pama Lane Suite 111, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 o Sel-Tech, 108 Boeing Avenue, Chico CA 95973 o Ktech Engineering 389 N Industrial Road, Suite 5, St George UT

• The following video provides detailed information about the AFFS/MAFFS II firefighting resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbMo7jVktqQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbMo7jVktqQ

Company Information:

Provide the following information in writing (electronically) and in accordance with the directions below:

1. Company name

2. Company mailing address

3. Company point of contact (name, title and e-mail address)

4. Point of contact’s telephone number(s) (office and fax)

5. Company’s size standard for the NAICS information provided above

6. Capabilities to obtain required configuration(s) of MAFFS mechanics, provide program management, scheduling, maintenance, repair, document maintenance, and training.

7. Provide company's approach to comprehensive MAFFS II systems sustainment, maintenance and coordination services requested above. Provide demonstrated experience in successful delivery of such a program.

8. The U. S. Forest Service is concerned about management of repair and spare parts by a contractor. To date, this has been managed strictly by the Government.

a. Provide at least two (2) approaches as to how the purchase, repair, and/or replenishment of spare parts for both the field kits and depot kits could be funded and managed, with Government approval(s) included for parts over certain dollar thresholds. That is, how will repair, rebuild, or purchase decisions be made, with Government involvement?

b. How will decisions be made to restock field and depot kits? The Government wants to ensure prudent measures are followed as part of the overall MAFFS program described herein.

Additionally, all interested vendors/contractors shall also provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) that includes the following:

COST ESTIMATES TO INCLUDE:

• Labor mix and estimated level of effort, addressing all elements of the program.

• Price discounts for multiple awards.

• Price discounts for different potential durations of activation (7, 14 or 30 days).

• Operating methods to optimize use of appropriate configuration of mechanics for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.

• Recommended pricing structure for the entire comprehensive sustainment, maintenance and coordination services program.

Cost estimates should be based on historical information to the extent possible.

PROVIDE ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS RFI THAT WILL

ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN ADJUSTING THE CURRENT STATEMENT OF

WORK/PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT FOR A FOLLOW-ON SOLICITATION.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION