T3026 Response to eQ&A 6.10.24~1.docx

PHILIP D. MURPHY

Governor State of New Jersey

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

DIVISION OF PURCHASE AND PROPERTY

PROCUREMENT BUREAU

33 WEST STATE STREET

P. O. BOX 230

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08625-0230

ELIZABETH MAHER MUOIO

State Treasurer

TAHESHA L. WAY

Lt. Governor

AMY F. DAVIS, ESQ.

Acting Director https://www.njstart.gov

June 10, 2024

To: All Interested Bidders

Re: Re: Bid Solicitation # 23DPP00964 Bid Solicitation TITLE: T3026 – Wildland Firefighting and Aircraft Services Revised Quote Submission Due Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time) Revised Quote Submission Due Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time) Revised Quote Submission Due Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time) Revised Quote Submission Due Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Bid Amendment #3

The following constitutes Bid Amendment #3 to the above referenced Bid Solicitation:

· This Bid Amendment includes answers to questions;

· Revision to the Bid Solicitation Document; and

· Revision to the State Supplied Price Sheet;

· Please note that for all additions, deletions, clarifications and modifications to the Bid Solicitation, please refer to the Revised Bid Solicitation entitled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024.”

It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to be knowledgeable of all of the additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications to the Bid Solicitation and/or the New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions relative to this Bid Solicitation as set forth in all Bid Amendments.

All other instructions, terms, and conditions of the Bid Solicitation shall remain the same.

Bid Solicitation #23DPP00964 T3026 – Wildland Firefighting Aircraft Services

Section Reference Revision

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Answers to Questions

Where applicable, each question references the appropriate Bid Solicitation section.

Note: These questions have been paraphrased in the interest of readability and clarity.

Section Reference Question (Bolded) and Answer

Please be advised that all Quotes shall be submitted electronically through NJSTART.

Yes. Prior to the Quote Opening Deadline, a Bidder should review the documents comprising the submitted Quote to ensure that all of the required documents have been completed and attached. Oftentimes a Quote is deemed non-responsive because a Bidder fails to attach a required form or attaches a blank form. To review a submitted a Quote, a Bidder should log into NJSTART and review each document attached to the Quote submission. Instructions on how to review a submitted Quote can be found in the Quick Reference Guide entitled How to Review a Submitted Quote, which is available on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page under Vendor Reference Guides.

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As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 2.2, Exceptions to the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC): “Questions regarding the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions and exceptions to mandatory requirements MUST be posed during the Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Bidder’s suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested change(s).” Moreover, as stated in Bid Solicitation Section 3.11, Bidder proposed terms or conditions that conflict with those contained in the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions may render a Quote non-responsive.

Purpose and Intent Q. In this section, it states " The intent of the State is to award Contracts to those responsible Bidders(s), conforming to this Bid Solicitation are most advantageous to the (State), price and other factors considered. Question? What are these "other factors”? Please clarify.

A. The “other factors” can be found in Section 8.9.1 of the Bid Solicitation Technical Evaluation Criteria which states:

“The following criteria will be used to evaluate and score Quotes received in response to this Bid Solicitation. Each criterion will be scored, and each score multiplied by a predetermined weight to develop the Technical Evaluation Score:

A. Personnel: The qualifications and experience of the Bidder’s management, supervisory, and key personnel assigned to the Contract, including the candidates recommended for each of the positions/roles required;

B. Experience of firm: The Bidder’s documented experience in successfully completing Contract of a similar size and scope in relation to the work required by this Bid Solicitation; and C. Ability of firm to complete the Scope of Work based on its Technical Quote: The Bidder’s demonstration in the Quote that the Bidder understands the requirements of the Scope of Work and presents an approach that would permit successful performance of the technical requirements of the Contract”.

Quote Submission Q. I previously submitted a bid before the revised bid sheet came out. How do I submit the revised bid?

Q. Do I have to withdrawal the quote and start over?

A. Please refer to Section 3.5 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

“A Bidder may withdraw its Quote submission in NJSTART prior to the Quote opening; however, Bidders should note that while withdrawn NJSTART Quotes remain viewable by the Bidder on its Vendor Profile Homepage, they are removed from the Division’s view and cannot be considered for Contract award. The Bidder may submit a revised Quote as long as the Quote is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote submission. Bidders may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instructions”.

A. Please refer to the answer above.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Technical Quote

Section 3.15

Bidder Quote Overview Form Q. What are the differences between these two sections? 3.14 seems to be whatever we deem is necessary and 3.15 is a separate form, but likely will contain a lot of the same information that will go into 3.14.

Q. What exactly are you asking for in 3.14?

A. Technical Quote, Section 3.14 states: “The Bidder shall describe its approach and plans for accomplishing the work outlined in the Scope of Work. The Bidder must set forth its understanding of the requirements of this Bid Solicitation and its approach to successfully complete the Contract. The Bidder should include the level of detail it determines necessary to assist the Evaluation Committee in its review of the Bidder’s Quote”. The breakdown of the Technical Quote can be found in Section 8.9.1 of the Bid Solicitation.

A. Section 3.15 is the Bidder Quote Overview Form which allows the State to evaluate the Bidder’s ability to complete the scope of work.

Section 3.15 of the Bid Solicitation states:

“The Bidder should submit the Bidder Quote Overview Form with its Quote. The Bidder should complete all of the information requested on the form, so that the State is able to evaluate the Bidder’s ability to complete the Scope of Work. The Bidder’s responses to the questions on the form should demonstrate to the State that the Bidder’s plans and approach to complete the Scope of Work are realistic, attainable, appropriate, and that the Bidder’s Quote will lead to the successful completion of the tasks required”.

The form was labeled “Attachment 5” under the Attachment Tab on NJSTART.

Affidavit of Apparel Production Q. This would not seem to be a form that applies to the services we’re providing. Do we need to fill the form out?

A. No, this form is not applicable.

Additionally, Section 3.17 had been revised as follows:

“Not applicable to this procurement.”

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Disclosure of Product Composition

Section 3.19 Specification Data Sheets

Section 3.21 Specification Conformance Form

Section 3.22 Manufacturer’s Certification

Section 3.23 Manufacturer’s Published List of Options

Section 3.24 Price List/Catalog

Section 3.27 Contract Schedule Q. Sections 3.18 - 3.24 and 3.27 reference products, requirements and documents not found elsewhere in the Bid and do not appear to apply to the bid's purpose and intent.

Are they relevant to this solicitation?

A. No, these Sections are not applicable to this procurement.

Additionally, Section 3.18, 3.19, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, and 3.24 have been revised as follows:

“Not applicable to this procurement”.

A. Section 3.27 of the Bid Solicitation is a mandatory requirement as specified below:

“The Bidder shall include a draft Contract schedule. If key dates are a part of this Bid Solicitation, the Bidder’s schedule should incorporate such key dates and should identify the completion date for each task and sub-task required by the Scope of Work. Such schedule should also identify the associated deliverable item(s) to be submitted as evidence of completion of each task and/or subtask.

The Bidder should identify the Contract scheduling and control methodology to be used and should provide the rationale for choosing such methodology”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Specification Data Sheets

Section 3.21 Specification Conformance Form

Section 3.22 Manufacturer’s Certification

Section 3.23 Manufacturer’s Published List of Options

Section 3.24 Price List/Catalog Q. These sections don’t seem to apply to our services, and we would struggle to complete the necessary information being requested. Do we need to respond to these sections?

A. No, these sections are not applicable to this procurement.

Additionally, Sections 3.19, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, and 3.24 have been revised as follows:

“Not applicable to this procurement”.

Management Overview

Section 3.26 Contract Management

Section 3.27 Contract Schedule

Section 3.28 Mobilization Plan

Section 3.29 Organization Experience

Section 3.30 Location Q. These sections will likely be covered in section 3.14 Technical Quote. Responding to both would be redundant.

Q. Do we minimize our response in 3.14 and just fill out these sections?

A. Please note the State will not advise as to how a Bidder submit its Quote.

Mobilization Plan Q. Does the State pay for Mobilization and Demobilization?

A. No, the State does not pay separately for mobilization and demobilization. All costs are inclusive as stated in price sheet instruction found in Section 3.35 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

“To be considered responsive, Bidders must follow instruction on the price sheet. Failure to do so may result in rejection of its Quote. Bidders must provide firm fixed pricing for the materials and/or services listed on the price sheet. Firm fixed pricing is all inclusive of direct cost and indirect costs, including, but not limited to, direct labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, equipment, materials, supplies, managerial (administrative) support, all documents, reports, forms, travel, reproduction and any other costs”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Experience with Contract of Similar Size and Scope Q. This section will capture the same information that we will be submitting in the Bidder Data Sheet. Do we need to do both?

A. Experience with Contract of Similar Size and Scope should be listed on the Bidder Data Sheet.

Please note the State will not advise as to how a Bidder submits its Quote.

Section 3.33 of the Bid Solicitation states in part that:

“The Bidder should provide a comprehensive listing of contracts of similar size and scope that it has successfully completed, as evidence of the Bidder’s ability to successfully complete services similar to those required by this Bid Solicitation. Emphasis should be placed on contracts that are similar in size and scope to the work required by this Bid Solicitation. A description of all such contracts should be included and should show how such contracts relate to the ability of the firm to complete the services required by this Bid Solicitation. For each such contract listed, the Bidder should provide two (2) names and telephone numbers of individuals for contracting party. Beginning and ending dates should also be given for each contract”.

Financial Capability of the Bidder Q. We understand the need for financial information about the bidder, and we are willing to submit it, but can you ensure that this information will only be used in the evaluation of the bids and not available thru a FOIA request or released as available for public consumption?

A. Financial information is solely for award purposes only, to determine bidder’s financial capacity and capability to undertake and successfully complete the Contract.

Additionally, a bidder can submit a confidentiality form as specified in Section 3.13.7 of the Bid Solicitation which states in part that”

“As part of its Quote, a Bidder may request that portions of the Quote be exempt from public disclosure under OPRA and/or the common law. The Bidder must provide a detailed statement clearly identifying those sections of the Quote that it claims are exempt from production, and the legal and factual basis that supports said exemption(s) as a matter of law. The State will not honor any attempts by a Bidder to designate its price sheet, price list/catalog, and/or the entire Quote as proprietary and/or confidential, and/or to claim copyright protection for its entire Quote. If the State does not agree with a Bidder’s designation of proprietary and/or confidential information, the State will use commercially reasonable efforts to advise the Bidder. Copyright law does not prohibit access to a record which is otherwise available under OPRA.

The State reserves the right to make the determination as to what to disclose in response to an OPRA request. Any information that the State determines to be exempt from disclosure under OPRA will be redacted.

In the event of any challenge to the Bidder’s assertion of confidentiality that is contrary to the State’s determination of confidentiality, the Bidder shall be solely responsible for defending its designation, but in doing so, all costs and expenses associated therewith shall be the responsibility of the Bidder. The State assumes no such responsibility or liability”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

State Supplied Price Sheet Q. For Call When Need line items, are you looking for an hourly or daily cost here?

A. No, the State is not looking for an hourly rate. The State is utilizing a daily rate and a per minute flight time rate as a unit of measure.

Additionally the State Supplied Sheet has been revised to include daily rate price lines (Price lines 9, 18, 27 and 36).

Please refer to “T3026 Revised State Supplied Price Sheet 6.10.24”

Q. The Unit of Measure within each Group is confusing and not typical of other State and Federal Contracts. Is this a 30 day (or less) EU Contract?

Q. Is this a CWN Contract? If so, CWN pricing needs to be provided for both Days and Hours.

Q. Do you really want us to break our Flight Time costs down to the minute? Total Required Standby Days is asked for, but you’re asking us to provide that in “Minutes” A. This Contract is for both Exclusive Use (EU) and Call When Needed (CWN) with appropriate pricing for each.

A. Yes, the State is requesting the Bidders provide both “Per Minute Rate” and “Daily Rate” as specified on the State Supplied price sheet.

Q. Call When Needed lines items – this looks like you’re asking for flight time related costs, but if so, there needs to be a Call When Needed Day Rate and Hourly Rate. Can you please provide some clarity on what you are asking for here?

A. The State is asking for both Call When Needed “Per Minute Rate” and “Daily Rate” as specified on the State Supplied price sheet.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Q. Payments of Landing Fees and Associated Fees – this is something that other states and federal agencies typically pay for Contractors as we’re in the state/area on behalf of the agency. Without knowing what each airport might charge, we can’t make this part of our bid. Will the state reimburse the Contractor for these fees?

A. No, the State will not reimburse the Contractors for any fee. All prices are all inclusive as stated in Section 3.35 of the Bid Solicitation which states in part...

” Firm fixed pricing is all inclusive of direct cost and indirect costs, including, but not limited to, direct labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, equipment, materials, supplies, managerial (administrative) support, all documents, reports, forms, travel, reproduction and any other costs”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Q. Please define Section 3.35, price line item descriptions 5, 13, 21, 28 "total required standby days when aircraft is activated." What is the intent of this line item?

A. As stated in Section 4.7.3 of the Bid Solicitation, “Standby days shall only be placed in effect once the aircraft is activated. The State does not guarantee standby days prior to activation. There is no guarantee minimum number of standby days upon activation for all individual aircraft rates awarded to the Contractor per the State-Supplied Price Sheet.

Payment shall be per the daily standby fees for fixed wing aircraft (For Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 the State-Supplied Price Sheet) plus actual flight time”.

Scope of Work Q. Is a support vehicle required under this Contract?

A. No, a support vehicle is not required under this Contract.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Scope of Work Q. After reviewing the SOW work, we did not see any requirement for the Ground Support Vehicles (GSVs) that supports the aircraft with fuel, water/suppressant, tools and a crew chief.

Q. A lack of a GSV will make the aircraft less effective. Will you be requiring one for every aircraft?

A. Please refer to response to Question 20 above.

General Requirement Q. The bid requires that we provide “Airport facilities as required” – what does this mean? Typically, our customers provide a facility to use while our crews are on base waiting for a dispatch. What can we expect here?

A. Airport Facilities under this section means fueling and maintenance as required in the Contract.

Please refer to revised Section 4.1 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

“Note: For the purposes of the scope of work, “Aircraft facilities as required” refers to the location where fueling and maintenance (refer to Section 4.3.1) take place, as required in the Contract”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

General Requirement Q. Are we bidding on a 30-day Exclusive Use (EU) Contract, a 30-day Call When Needed (CWN) Contract? Based on the following sentences, it is not clear what we are bidding on. “While the State does not guarantee usage, it is estimated that a minimum of two (2) aircraft will be activated during an approximate four (4) week period during the months of March, April and/or May and this usage shall be based on the State’s assessment of current and expected fire danger conditions” What are we bidding on?

A. You are bidding on a Contract to provide an air tanker to the State of New Jersey to suppress wildland fires if the agency determines there is a need. There is no guarantee that either the EU or CWN will be activated. History has shown that two (2) aircraft have been activated for approximately thirty (30) days in the past. This is an example provided as the potential, not the guarantee for activation.

Additionally, please refer to response in Question #16.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Scope of Work

Regions Q. The airports within the aforementioned Regions will be utilized: Question? According to "Air Nav" website and the AOPA Airport directory, several of these airports do not have the required runway length or are gravel/turf which are not advantageous to the AT-802 and the FIRE Boss. This is a major safety factor. What is the States (NJ) Policy of these Airports being used by these aircraft?

Q. Also for planning purposes what bodies of water are to be used for water picks in the State (NJ) these are not stated in the solicitation?

A. Contracted aircraft will be sent to the appropriate airports. The airport listed represent a list of currently utilized locations. The list will be adjusted based on Contract award, location of fire, and available facilities (fuel, fire department availability, fire locations, runway length)

A. Bodies of water would be identified based on fire location and seasonal availability. The SCM or an agency representative will work with the Contractor to determine best locations for operations.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Scope of Work Recommended Aircraft Q. Which type of aircraft will be available for the exclusive use portion of the Contract? AT-802, At-602 or At-402?

A. The State will consider other types of aircrafts as stated in the Bid Solicitation Section 4.3.1, “For informational purposes, below is a list of aircraft that are acceptable to the State. This is not an all-encompassing list as the State will evaluate alternatives.

Also, the type of aircraft that will be activated will be determined approximately 30 days prior to the beginning of the Exclusive Use period as stated in the Bid Solicitation, Section 4.7.1 THE STARTING DATE:

“The starting date is the approximate date when all aircraft, personnel, and facilitating equipment shall be ready to begin operation. The official starting date, to be specified by the SCM after award is made, will be the latest date on which the Contractor shall be fully prepared to begin operations. The schedule shall be provided to the Contractor in advance of the starting date of the exclusive use period annually”.

Additionally, there is no guarantee that any or all aircraft types will be utilized as stated in the Bid Solicitation, Section 4.7.3 STANDBY DAYS:

“Standby days shall only be placed in effect once the aircraft is activated. The State does not guarantee standby days prior to activation. There is no guarantee minimum number of standby days upon activation for all individual aircraft rates awarded to the Contractor per the State-Supplied Price Sheet”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Recommended Aircraft Q. Is the state "onboarding" wheeled SEATs in addition to AT-802 Fireboss aircraft, or only one or the other?

A. The State primarily utilizes wheeled SEATS. The State also realizes the potential value of having a Fire Boss available to us for use. This Contract will give us the opportunity to possibly add the Fire Boss in addition to the wheeled SEATS.

Please note both aircrafts are on State Recommended Aircraft as found in Section 4.3.1 of the Bid Solicitation. The State do not guarantee which aircraft will be activated. Additionally, the list in Section 4.3.1 is not all encompassing as the State reserves the right to evaluate alternative aircrafts that meet the specification.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Recommended Aircraft Q. The solicitation list acceptable aircraft to the State. It does not specify 800 gallon M-18 Turbine Dromadiers, to be clear will this suffice as alternate Aircraft to the State?

A. Yes, the aircraft will suffice as long as the mandatory requirements of Section 4.3.1 of the Bid Solicitation are met:

“SCM-approved equal, shall be equipped with a tank that can hold a minimum of 800 gallons of flame retardant liquids. The tank gate opening shall be between 600 and 700 square inches and the gate shall be capable of multiple drops.”

Additional inspections by the SCM may be needed to determine eligibility as stated in the Bid Solicitation, Section 4.3.6 STATE'S RIGHT TO REJECT AIRCRAFT :

“The State reserves the right to reject any aircraft deemed not suitable for providing services specified in this Bid Solicitation.

Qualifying tests of aircraft may be conducted by the SCM to assure that operational standards are met. All operational costs incurred in conducting these tests shall be incurred by the Contractor. All aircraft and equipment proposed for use under this Contract will be inspected for compliance at some point during the term of the Contract”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Aircraft Substitution and Deviations Q. Is this Section applicable to this Contract?

A. No, this Section is not applicable.

Please refer to revised Section 4.3.5 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

“Not applicable to this procurement”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Availability For Unscheduled Locations Q. Does the State either by the day or flight hour pay to reposition the aircraft either from point of contact, or intra-state for Exclusive use and or CWN?

A. If an aircraft is repositioned during an Exclusive Use day or a Call When Needed day, only ferry time to and from the new location is paid. If the relocation continues into the next day, then the daily rate for the new location will be paid as stated in Section 4.4.1 of the Bid Solicitation, AVAILABILITY FOR UNSCHEDULED LOCATIONS:

“The Contractor shall be paid at the flight time Region rate of the originating base for the first day and will then be paid at the rate for the Region it is operating in for any subsequent flight time”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Licenses, Permits, and Related Documentation Q. Section 4.4.4, Licenses, Permits and Related Documentation, lists documents to be included in the quote, but it is not clear what these documents are. Can you provide more detail as to what should be submitted for this requirement?

A. Contractors are mandated to provide all the necessary licenses, permits, certification, inspection records, and aircraft insurance from all relevant federal, state and local agency (ices) to safely and efficiently operate a firefighting aircraft.

Section 4.4.4 of the Bid Solicitation states:

“The Contractor should be required to furnish proof of the following with its Quote:

· Licensure;

· Aircraft insurance;

· Permits;

· Certifications;

· Most recent inspections;

· Authorizations; (licenses or permits needed to operate an aircraft)

· Any other necessary documentation required by federal, State, county, or municipal government to perform the services specified within this Bid Solicitation;

If the aforementioned items are not provided at Quote opening, the State may allow the Contractor to provide it within a time frame specified by the State.

All costs to obtain or renew licenses, permits, and related documentation shall be incurred by the Contractor and all licenses, permits, and related documentation shall be kept current during the term of the Contract”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Maintenance of Aircraft Q. In this section it sates "The Contractor shall provide fully licensed, qualified, and proficient technicians that have met requirements of federal and state Governments. Where are they to be located? In the case of out of state Contractors or sub-contractors? To clarify are they to be FAA Licensed A&P Mechanics with an Inspection Authorization that can return to service the aircraft after non-routine maintenance? Also State Governments do not license mechanics, FAA does, and this needed to be removed.

A. No, the State will not remove this requirement. The State realizes the FAA is the authority to issue license and approve aviation maintenance staff and procedures. The state recognized the FAA as the certifying agency, therefore becoming part of the approval process.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Installation of Special Equipment on Aircraft Q. Installation of Special Equipment – Are you requiring these items or suggesting they might be required? For example, are you requiring “onboard firefighting water enhancing additive induction systems (foam, gel, retardant”? Can you be more specific, maybe on a “Group” basis about what you are requiring?

A. No, the State does not require these items. The State is placing the possibility for use in the Contract for considerations as technologies in aerial firefighting evolve.

Pilots Q. Section 4.6.2 states that water bombardment testing will be held on the first day of Contract and referenced drops at heights of 50 feet above ground level (AGL). The interagency board does not test drops below 60' AGL for approved fire gates and the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision states SEAT drop heights should be a minimum of 60' above the top of vegetation. Will New Jersey amend this requirement to states 60' AGL?

A. Yes, the requirement has been reviewed upward to 60’ feet above ground level (AGL) or vegetation to meet the NWCG standards.

Please note Section 4.6.2 of the Bid Solicitation has been revised as follows:

“Water bombardment testing will be held (on the first day of the contract) by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and each pilot shall be required to fly the aircraft and successfully complete the following tests of water bombardment:

· Two (2) drops in level flight at 60 feet;

· Two (2) drops in level flight medium turn at 60 feet; and

· Two (2) drops in dive bombing maneuver at 60 feet”.

Time and Sequence of Aerial Operation Q. When does the exclusive use period of the Contract usually take place?

A. Exclusive Period starts in early April into early May, please review the Bid Solicitation, Section 4.7 TIME AND SEQUENCE OF AERIAL OPERATIONS:

“The State shall determine the time and sequence of Aerial Operations. Forest Fire Attack Services are approximately a four (4) week period during March, April and May during the exclusive use period. The State may use these services at any time during the calendar year under the Call When Needed protocol”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Call When Needed Q. Under call when needed (CWN) will the Contractor be in breach of Contract and be penalized, if the aircraft are not available to respond in the allotted time (24hrs) or are on other State or Federal Fire Contracts and are unavailable.

A. No, the Contractor will not be penalized nor be in breach of Contract if otherwise assigned or unavailable. The 24hrs count down will start if and when the Contractor accepts the CWN assignment.

Contractor Availability Q. Are you expecting our crews to be on the base 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset? If so, will you be paying Extended Hourly pay for crews past 8-10 hours? You stated on page 16 that daily operations will be 8 hours – Sunrise to Sunset would imply a potential 12–14-hour day.

A. This section explains the availability day, not the duty day. The state will not provide Extended Hourly pay for Contract aviation crews over the typical 8-10 hr. day.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Contractor Availability Q. Requiring aircraft to be in the air within 5 minutes of receiving a dispatch is an expectation that may be very hard to meet. That would require our pilots to be sitting in the cockpit all day waiting for a dispatch. Is there any possibility that could be moved to 10 or 12 minutes after a dispatch?

A. This Contract is for fire suppression where response time is critical. Our expectations is for the aircraft to be airborne as quickly as possible.

Performance Security Q. On previous Wildland fire fighting Contracts for New Jersey, the performance Security was in the amount that was bid by a Contractor for the term of the Contract. Why has it been deemed necessary to increase the amount of performance security? Has there been an issue to warrant and increase of this size? Especially when other State Contracts require no Performance Security?

A. Please note this Section has been revised in the Bid Solicitation as follows:

“The Contractor shall furnish performance security in the amount of $250,000. See N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.5. Acceptable forms of performance security are as follows:

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Performance Security Q. The Contractor shall furnish performance security in the amount of 500,000.00? This seems very excessive for the amount of this Contract, the NJDEP Aircraft Rental Services Contract Bid Solicitation # 20DPP00454 T0061, does not require Performance Security (Section 7.4) of the Solicitation which is considerably higher in value. Other States around the United States with Aircraft Wildland Fire Fighting Contracts require much less in performance Bonds (if they are, required in a particular State) Please explain this higher performance Bond?

A. Please note this Section has been revised in the Bid Solicitation as follows:

“The Contractor shall furnish performance security in the amount of $250,000. See N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.5. Acceptable forms of performance security are as follows:

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Performance Security Q. This is a requirement we don’t see in our other State or Federal Contracts. Is this something we need to have as part of our response to the solicitation, after we win an Award, or when we get called up on Contract? Will this be a bond that covers all 3-years or can we get a bond on a year to year basis to cover just the number of days we are on Contract?

A. Yes, this is a requirement and it is required for the term of the Contract and any extensions thereof as specified in Section 5.3 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

“The Contractor shall furnish performance security in the amount of $250,000. See N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.5. Acceptable forms of performance security are as follows:

The performance security must be submitted to the State within 30 calendar days unless a shorter timeframe is identified by the State prior to Contract award. The performance security shall be required for the term of the Contract and any extensions thereof. The Contract will not be activated until performance security is received. Failure to submit performance security may result in cancellation of Contract for cause pursuant to the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions Section 5.7(B), and nonpayment for work performed”.

Procurement Efficiency Program Q. This section does not seem to align with the types of services we are providing to the State. How do you suggest we comply? It is not obvious how we would successfully comply with this section. Please provide guidance.

A. Please note this Section has been revised in the Bid Solicitation as follows:

“Not applicable to this procurement”.

Please refer to the Bid Solicitation titled “T3026 Revised Bid Solicitation 6.10.2024”

Evaluation Q. Will the lowest price qualified bidder receive the award or will the award be made on a value basis?

A. No, lowest bid only does not guarantee a Contract award. There are multiple criteria that are considered before Contracts are awarded as specified in Section 8.9.1 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

“The following criteria will be used to evaluate and score Quotes received in response to this Bid Solicitation. Each criterion will be scored, and each score multiplied by a predetermined weight to develop the Technical Evaluation Score:

A. Personnel: The qualifications and experience of the Bidder’s management, supervisory, and key personnel assigned to the Contract, including the candidates recommended for each of the positions/roles required;

B. Experience of firm: The Bidder’s documented experience in successfully completing Contract of a similar size and scope in relation to the work required by this Bid Solicitation; and C. Ability of firm to complete the Scope of Work based on its Technical Quote: The Bidder’s demonstration in the Quote that the Bidder understands the requirements of the Scope of Work and presents an approach that would permit successful performance of the technical requirements of the Contract”.

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