Pre-Soliciation Conference Industry Questions-Responses_Part III.pdf

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30-Sep-22

Pre-Solicitation Conference Questions & Responses – Part III T-6A Texan II Avionics Replacement Program (ARP)

OVERVIEW QUESTIONS (Document Access, Timeline, etc.):

1) When will the RFP be released?

Response: An updated Draft RFP has been posted. Please continue to monitor www.SAM.gov for updated information. The Final RFP may be posted First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023.

2) SOW, 3.19 - How will the bidders library be accessed? Will it continue to be via www.SAM.gov or by another means?

Response: The bidder’s library will continue to be on www.SAM.gov.

CLIN QUESTIONS:

1) CLIN 0006: AIRCRAFT DELIVERY INCENTIVES, PRELIMINARY DESIGN

REVIEW (PDR) - CLIN does not include Limitations of Liability, Inspection, Acceptance, Inspection/Acceptance Report, and Quality Assurance sections. Is that because the aircraft PDR effort is included in CLIN 0001 TMRR such that CLIN 0006 exclusively applies to the award fee incentive?

Response: CLIN 0006 only includes the award incentive fee. The CLINs have been restructured. An updated Draft RFP has been posted. Please continue to monitor www.SAM.gov for updated information.

2) CLIN 0007: AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING

DEVELOPMENT (EMD) - There isn’t a section that clearly defines the work to be accomplished in the EMD phase. Without a clear statement of USG intent, it will be very difficult to build a plan that meets the USG expectations. The SOW indicates there are 5 kits to be made, 3 aircraft prototypes, the ASIL, the virtual prototype, the design efforts to get to CDR, and aircraft airworthiness, development, and operational testing are all to be completed during EMD but the entry criteria to move from one to the next and how these efforts relate to each other is not clearly described. The modification location for the prototypes is also not described in the SOW or contract CLIN.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

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Response: The CLINs have been restructured. An updated Draft RFP has been posted. Please continue to monitor www.SAM.gov for updated information.

3) CLIN 0007: AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING

DEVELOPMENT (EMD) - The quantity is 20 and unit of issue is Month – what is the deliverable to authorize a DD250 being submitted for the month? The monthly status report?

Response: The CLINs have been restructured. An updated Draft RFP has been posted. Please continue to monitor www.SAM.gov for updated information.

SMALL BUSINESS QUESTIONS:

1) How will the Government evaluate any price paid for the OEM technical data package required by the RFP in calculating compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting?

Response: FAR Clause 52.219-14(Deviation 2021-O0008)(e)(2), Limitations on Subcontracting, states: “When a contract includes both supplies and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract.” As OEM technical data is considered a professional service, this portion of the proposal would not be included in the limitations of FAR 52.219-14.

2) Draft RFP 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Deviation 2021-O0008) (e) Limitations on subcontracting - We would like some additional clarification from the government regarding this portion of the Draft RFP. Specifically, does the procurement of B-Kit LRU's count towards or not count towards the SB content of the Prime. All the potential B-kit providers and many of the A-kit raw material suppliers that would feed into the overall solution are Large Business entities. Our assumption is that these suppliers do NOT count towards the SB content. This has been the normal practice on other SBSA aircraft modification efforts and we would like to confirm.

Subcontracting, states: “By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a NAICS code for supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of material, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities .” Therefore, the cost of material is not included in this limitation.

Cost of materials is defined in 13 C.F.R. 125.1:

o Cost of materials means costs of the items purchased, handling and associated shipping costs for the purchased items (which includes raw materials), commercial off-the-shelf items (and similar common supply items or commercial items that require additional manufacturing, modification or integration to become end items), special tooling, special

3 | P a g e testing equipment, and construction equipment purchased for and required to perform on the contract. In the case of a supply contract, cost of materials includes the acquisition of services or products from outside sources following normal commercial practices within the industry

Also, the link to a Govology article at https://govology.com/limitations-on-subcontracting-for-manufacturers-compliance-in-four-steps/ is very helpful in understanding the requirements of 52.219-14.

In addition, SBA has issued a class waiver of the nonmanufacture rule for NAICS 336411, waiving the requirement for the small business nonmanfacturer to supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor, or producer. Therefore, with the waiver in place, a small business nonmanufacturer can supply the end item of a large business manufacturer. FAR 19.505(b)(4)(iv) requires the contracting officer to provide potential offerors with written notification of any class or individual waivers in the solicitation. Therefore, this notification will be issued in the final RFP.

3) Does using a small business supplier add value to a proposal?

Response: As this effort is a small business set-aside, small business participation as a subcontractor must be in compliance with FAR Clause 52.219-14(Deviation 2021-O0008).

4) RFP, Block 10. This is listed as a contract for supplies. What does this mean with regard to the referenced FAR 52.219-14 (e) (2) Supplies on page 72? Does this mean the prime and similarly situated subcontractors shall provide 51% of labor only and not supplies?

Subcontracting, states: “When a contract includes both supplies and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract.”

Therefore, this clause for a supply contract applies only to the supply portion of the contract, not services.

In addition, FAR Clause 52.219-14(Deviation 2021-O0008)(e)(2), Limitations on Subcontracting, states: “By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a NAICS code for supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of material, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities .” As this effort is a small business set-aside, this means that the small business prime must not utilize large businesses as subcontractors for more than 50% of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance for the supply portion of the contract, with the exception of the cost of material.

Cost of materials is defined in 13 C.F.R. 125.1:

o Cost of materials means costs of the items purchased, handling and associated shipping costs for the purchased items (which includes raw materials), commercial off-the-shelf items (and similar common supply items or commercial items that require additional manufacturing, modification or integration to become end items), special tooling, special testing equipment, and construction equipment purchased for and required to perform on

4 | P a g e the contract. In the case of a supply contract, cost of materials includes the acquisition of services or products from outside sources following normal commercial practices within the industry

Also, the link to a Govology article at https://govology.com/limitations-on-subcontracting-for-manufacturers-compliance-in-four-steps/ is very helpful in understanding the requirements of 52.219-14.

5) SOW, 3.18.2(b) - It is our understanding that any equipment not manufactured by the prime, but procured as supplies in support of this program is not subject to the more than 50% small business requirement (reference FAR Part 2, definition of "supplies").

Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a NAICS code for supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of material, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities .” As this effort is a small business set-aside, this means that the small business prime must not utilize large businesses as subcontractors for more than 50% of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance for the supply portion of the contract, with the exception of the cost of material.

Cost of materials is defined in 13 C.F.R. 125.1:

o Cost of materials means costs of the items purchased, handling and associated shipping costs for the purchased items (which includes raw materials), commercial off-the-shelf items (and similar common supply items or commercial items that require additional manufacturing, modification or integration to become end items), special tooling, special testing equipment, and construction equipment purchased for and required to perform on the contract. In the case of a supply contract, cost of materials includes the acquisition of services or products from outside sources following normal commercial practices within the industry

Also, the link to a Govology article at https://govology.com/limitations-on-subcontracting-for-manufacturers-compliance-in-four-steps/ is very helpful in understanding the requirements of 52.219-14.

In addition, SBA has issued a class waiver of the nonmanufacture rule for NAICS 336411, waiving the requirement for the small business nonmanfacturer to supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor, or producer. Therefore, with the waiver in place, a small business nonmanufacturer can supply the end item of a large business manufacturer. FAR 19.505(b)(4)(iv) requires the contracting officer to provide potential offerors with written notification of any class or individual waivers in the solicitation. Therefore, this notification will be issued in the final RFP.

6) SOW 3.18.2 (b) requires the Prime to perform at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials. Please confirm that this would not apply to the manufacturing of COTS equipment (LRUs).

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Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a NAICS code for supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of material, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.” As this effort is a small business set-aside, this means that the small business prime must not utilize large businesses as subcontractors for more than 50% of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance for the supply portion of the contract, with the exception of the cost of material.

Cost of materials is defined in 13 C.F.R. 125.1:

o Cost of materials means costs of the items purchased, handling and associated shipping costs for the purchased items (which includes raw materials), commercial off-the-shelf items (and similar common supply items or commercial items that require additional manufacturing, modification or integration to become end items), special tooling, special testing equipment, and construction equipment purchased for and required to perform on the contract. In the case of a supply contract, cost of materials includes the acquisition of services or products from outside sources following normal commercial practices within the industry

Also, the link to a Govology article at https://govology.com/limitations-on-subcontracting-

7) Regarding SOW 3.18.2 on Subcontract Management, will SB subcontractors with the same SB status as the Prime be included in the 50% calculation?

Response: Yes, that is correct. FAR Clause 52.219-14(Deviation 2021- O0008)(e)(2), Limitations on Subcontracting, states: “By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a NAICS code for supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of material, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the concerns 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.”

Please note that SOW 3.18.2 will be updated to correct the current language to match FAR Clause 52.219-14 in the final RFP.

Also, the link to a Govology article at https://govology.com/limitations-on-subcontracting-

8) Regarding SOW 3.18.2 will the significant amount of T-6A production B-kits (Aircraft and ATDs) be considered “materials” and be excluded from the 50% calculation IAW

FAR 52.129-14?

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Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a NAICS code for supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of material, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor’s 50 percent amount that cannot be exceeded.”

Cost of materials is defined in 13 C.F.R. 125.1:

o Cost of materials means costs of the items purchased, handling and associated shipping costs for the purchased items (which includes raw materials), commercial off-the-shelf items (and similar common supply items or commercial items that require additional manufacturing, modification or integration to become end items), special tooling, special testing equipment, and construction equipment purchased for and required to perform on the contract. In the case of a supply contract, cost of materials includes the acquisition of services or products from outside sources following normal commercial practices within the industry

Please note that SOW 3.18.2 will be updated to correct the current language to match FAR Clause 52.219-14 in the final RFP.

Also, the link to a Govology article at https://govology.com/limitations-on-subcontracting-

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS:

1) To the extent an offeror is able to propose a fully compliant solution without access to an OEM TDP or only a partial OEM TDP (e.g., through reverse engineering, etc.), is the Government willing to find such an offer eligible for award? If such offers will be excluded, can the Government please provide additional rationale for requiring all offerors to acquire a full OEM TDP?

Response: How offeror can develop the solution is not mandated by the PO.

SOW requires “the Contractor shall provide Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA) or subcontracting arrangements for OEMs”.

2) 3.5.25.1 Human Performance - The installed system shall meet the human engineering criteria in MIL-STD-1472H, sections 4, 5.1 through 5.5, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.13, 5.16, 5.17, and 5.20 for all normal and emergency conditions for all anticipated missions contained in the JPATS ORD. Can the government please provide additional guidance as it relates to the MIL-STD-1472H. Some of the called out specifications are not consistent with a certified Commercial off the Shelf T-6A avionics solution.

Response: In some cases of requirements regarding displays, TSO may be used to show compliance by substitution of FAA similar requirement. Where lenience is given on dimensional or shape constraints of standards, a USG approved demonstration with 19AF selected aircrew will suffice for verification of

7 | P a g e compatibility with gloves. Where human factors and SRD requirements impacting pilot operation are not quantifiable for inspection verification, a USG approved demonstration with 19AF selected aircrew will suffice for verification.

3) SOW, 4.11 - Installation items (A-kits) should be delivered with FAA Form 8130-3, not 8110-3, same as the B-kits, correct?

Response: Yes; FAA Form 8130-3 is the requirement.

4) SOW, 6.0 & 7.0 - Will bidders be able to survey the facilities proposed for government site modifications?

Response: The Contractor will have the opportunity to survey after 90 calendar days prior to aircraft installation for ARP.

5) SRD, 1.2 - To what extent is the contractor expected to integrate and test the static display aircraft? The ATP may include actions that cannot be performed on a non-functional aircraft.

Response: Please refer to updated Statement of Work (SOW para 5.14) in Draft RFP #2. Static Display (SD) is now referenced as PT-406.

6) For the GBTS, will the upgrades be based on the avionics upgrades only, or are there other upgrades that are requirements such as improving the visual data base, projection system, or image generators?

Response: GBTS upgrades will only include the ARP updates.

7) Are the prototype, kit proof and validation/verification aircraft (to be provided to the contractor) currently conformed to the FAA approved Type Certificate (A00009WI) and configured IAW drawing 133-005001? If not, what are the configuration differences and scope necessary to conform to A00009WI?

Response: Please refer to "Pre-Solicitation Conference Questions & Responses" dated 2 Aug 22; Responses #24 and #76.

8) In the SRD, Tables 3 and 4 that detail the environmental requirements per DO-160G: For Section 4, "Temperature and Altitude" it lists C2 as the requirement for the fuselage environment and A1 as the requirement for cockpit environment. It then lists temperatures in the tables below those requirements. For the fuselage environment, it requires +75C for high operating and high short time temperature, while DO-160G Section 4 Category C2 requires +70C rather than +75C. For the cockpit environment, it lists +55C for high operating and +75C for high short time temperature, while DO-160G Section 4 Category A1 requires +55C continuous and +70C short time high. Based on this, we request clarification of the high temperatures to align with the cited DO-160G requirements.

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Response: This is currently under review; any updated will be added to the SRD prior to final RFP.

9) What is the data the USAF intends to capture with the T-2 Mod (described in SOW 5.15) and for how many aircraft is this required? Without knowing the data acquisition plan required, it is not possible to provide a FFP quote on the special test instrumentation, data acquisition systems and other test equipment required.

Response: The T-2 modification is only required if the ARP contractor needs preliminary data (e.g., data about how the T-6A operates as is currently configured) to finalize their proposed STC design. The T-2 modification is not intended to be a preliminary installation of the ARP solution. Therefore, the post T-2 modification configuration is to be the T-6A configuration prior to the T-2 modification.

10) 3.11 Data Rights - FAR Part 2 designates the purchase of T-6A ARP as a Commercial Product, rather than COTS. The distinction is identified by the desire of the USG to modify and integrate the commercial products for long term support over the life-cycle of the T-6A. Is the intent of the USAF to modify the mission software of the system versus the flight critical software?

Response: No; the USG does not intend to modify the flight critical software.

11) Hardware / Operating systems a) Modular, Open Design – The Contractor shall develop an architecture that is layered and modular and uses standards-based COTS/NDI hardware, operating systems, and middleware that all utilize either non-properitary or non-vendor unique key module or components interfaces. The Contractor’s design approach shall be applied to all subsystems and compnents. As part of its Open System Management Plan, the Contractor shall, at a minimum, describe how the proposed systems architecture meets these goals, including the steps taken to use non-proprietary or non-vendor unique COTS or reusable NDI componenets whereever practicable. Safety critical operating systems that support the flight critical components are by their nature, how do we make sure that we align with the program goals while meeting this requirement? Is this primarily for the mission software versus the flight critical side?

Response: No; the USG does not intend to modify the flight critical software.

12) MOSA – upgrades for changes and updates put the STC and the software qualification at risk. How do we meet the requirements while maintaining STC / software qualification?

Response: MOSA should be applied at the integration level. We would like to see MOSA had been applied to COTS design.

13) Open Business Practices – The Contractor shall demonstrate that the modularity of the system design promotes the identification of multiple source of supply and/or repair, and supports flexible business strategies that enhance Subcontractor(s) competition. The

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Contractor shall conduct a market survey to identify candidate COTS, proprietary, open source software (OSS) and other reusable NDI capable of achieving the performance requirements of solutions that it proposes to custom build. The survey results shall be provided to support each major review. COTS and other reusable NDI. Can you explain the intent?

Response: The USG intends to foster competition.

14) Third Party Development – The Contractor shall address how it will provide to the USG information needed to support third-part development and delivery of competitive alternates of designs for software or other components or modules on an ongoing basis.

The Contractor shall provide a list of those proprietary, vendor-unique elements that is requests be exempt from this review. Can you explain the intent?

Response: The ARP hardware, software, and integrated architecture should enable growth for future requirements of T-6A. Among those might be non-flight critical applications (i.e., formatting of alternate information page to display status info for mission or instructor use) added to integrated computer. It is the understanding of engineering advisors to the Government that the architecture should support different levels of DAL in appropriate partitioning within the framework of the certification of the Line Replaceable Units (LRU). The importance of schedule, threshold requirements, certification, and objectives will be as indicated in Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award.

15) The architectural approach shall provide a vital technology insertion methodology and refresh strategy that supports application of a modular open systems approach and is responsive to changes driven by mission requirements and new technologies. The Contractor shall develop a detailed modular design and integration that includes but is not limited to the following aspects: interoperability, intro-operability, upgradeability, re-configurability, transportability, software standards, interface standards, long term supportability. Can you explain the intent?

Response: The ARP hardware, software, and integrated architecture should enable growth for future requirements of T-6A. Among those might be non-flight critical applications (i.e. formatting of alternate information page to display status info for mission or instructor use) added to integrated computer. It is the understanding of engineering advisors to the Government that the architecture should support different levels of DAL in appropriate partitioning within the framework of the certification of the Line Replaceable Units (LRU). The importance of schedule, threshold requirements, certification, and objectives will be as indicated in Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award.

16) 5.7 Frequency allocation. Can you explain concern or intent?

Response: Please refer to SOW Para 5.7; this is required for all USAF aircraft regardless of any previous FAA approval of the avionics components.

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17) 5.10.3 Software TDP. Is the intent for the Contractor to deliver software for organic support?

Response: The Government does not intend to maintain T-6A ARP software.

The Government intends to have the option of organic, third party, and/or vendor support that would be determined in the future.

Please submit additional Pre-Solicitation Questions to Stephanie Tinnin at stephanie.tinnin.1@us.af.mil and Gale VanDeventer at gale.vandeventer@us.af.mil.