A/C Services of Twin Propeller for Link-16 Interference and UH to UHF relay Communication

Q&A, 8/31/2015:

Q #1: Ref Q&A #2 -- The services solicited as described in the solicitation, Section C, do not include the "transportation of persons or cargo for hire" which is the FAA's definition of flights governed by FAA FAR Part 135 e.g. charter flights. Flights which do NOT involve the transportation of persons or cargo for hire are governed by FAA FAR Part 91, e.g. Contracted Air Services (CAS) flights. Please clarify that the contract only requires the contractor / operator to fly under FAR Part 91 vice 135 and in compliance with solicitation/contract section C-12 Airworthiness requirements.

A #1: The SOW states that Aircrew flight time limitations and instrument proficiency shall be in accordance with appropriate Part 135 sections. I acknowledge that operating a/c that are not used for transportation of persons or cargo for hire can and normally do fall under Part 91. However, The Navy stipulating the more stringent requirements levied under Part 135 for the two items previously mentioned.

Q #2. Ref Q&A #5 - Please clarify that the Government allowable / billable flight time will only be from the designated in section C-4.2.3a / C-13 and that the contractor must reposition from his aircraft home base at his own cost.

A #2: The Government is asking for vendors to propose a cost to provide the stipulated service as defined in the SOW. If they choose to add the ferry costs into their proposal it will be taken into account. The Government is not looking for a long term IDIQ type contract but a specific price to fly the missions designated in the SOW which is one mission out of Wilmington, NC and one out of Cecil Field, FL.

Q #3. Ref Q&A #7 - Although the FAA may not require both a pilot & co-pilot on the types of flights being solicited under the above referenced solicitation, historically the Navy has determined that two pilots meeting the qualifications set forth in section 8, are required for safety purposes of the aircraft being operated under this solicitation as well as the other aircraft contracted and/or military operating in the designated op-areas due to the limited positive radar control. Please clarify whether two pilots are required.

A #3: The Government acknowledge that the USN normal standard is two ensure a PIC and SIC to be on board however that does not always apply to CAS a/c. The Navy leverage off the specific OEM standards for operating the a/c they designed and built. In other words, if the OEM says an aircraft they are cognizant on can be operated safely with just 1 pilot in the cockpit then the Government would recognize that authority. Since certain missions require more than just flying the a/c (e.g. operating a GFE piece of equipment) concurrent with flying the a/c additional personnel may be required to safely perform the mission.

The following questions in regard to the referenced RFQ from a Contractor:

1. Does the contractor have to be DOD approved?

ANS: Yes

2. If so, does the selected contractor-owned/operated aircraft have to be on our FAA Part 135 Certificate?

ANS: Yes and missions must be compliant with FAA Civil operation

3. Can you supply the dimensions and weight of the LATR GFE?

ANS: Approximately: 17 (Wide) X 12 (Long) X 10 (tall) and 25 lbs

4. We see that the contract is for one year. Does NAVAIR anticipate multiple missions throughout the year, or will

missions be focused into multiple flights on consecutive days?

ANS: See para 13.1.1 and 13.1. for anticipated mission dates, tentive plan is two missions and consecutive days.

5. The aircraft we will propose is based at our headquarters in the midwest. We anticipate positioning from HQ

to the NAVAIR specified staging area and then depositioning to HQ after mission completion, repeating the

process for subsequent missions. Will this be acceptable to NAVAIR?

ANS: Yes

6. Reference #5, will the GFE (LATR) need to be removed from the aircraft and remain in NAVAIR's custody

after mission completion, requiring reinstallation for subsequent missions?

ANS: No

7. Does NAVAIR require two crewmembers (Pilot/Co-pilot)?

ANS: No, but will need an operator for the HF/UHF comms relay and link 16 interference.

8. The time from contract award to flight ready is 48 hours...is that correct? In order to outfit the aircraft with the

required avionics it will require additional time. The cost of the avionics purchase & installation is such that

any potential contractor cannot rig the aircraft on speculation of an award. The alternative is to award to an

operator who currently has the avionics package aboard (incumbent). Although we can provide a reasonable

timeframe to ready status, will NAVAIR take this into consideration.

ANS: Yes, 48 hours is correct due to expected contract award date and planned mission 15 September 2015.

.

The following questions in regard to the referenced RFQ from a Contractor: 

1. Does the contractor have to be DOD approved?

ANS: Yes

2. If so, does the selected contractor-owned/operated aircraft have to be on our FAA Part 135 Certificate?

ANS: Yes and missions must be compliant with FAA Civil operation

3. Can you supply the dimensions and weight of the LATR GFE?

ANS: Approximately: 17 (Wide) X 12 (Long) X 10 (tall) and 25 lbs

4. We see that the contract is for one year. Does NAVAIR anticipate multiple missions throughout the year, or will

missions be focused into multiple flights on consecutive days?

ANS: See para 13.1.1 and 13.1. for anticipated mission dates, tentive plan is two missions and consecutive days.

5. The aircraft we will propose is based at our headquarters in the midwest. We anticipate positioning from HQ

to the NAVAIR specified staging area and then depositioning to HQ after mission completion, repeating the

process for subsequent missions. Will this be acceptable to NAVAIR?

ANS: Yes

6. Reference #5, will the GFE (LATR) need to be removed from the aircraft and remain in NAVAIR's custody

after mission completion, requiring reinstallation for subsequent missions?

ANS: No

7. Does NAVAIR require two crewmembers (Pilot/Co-pilot)?

ANS: No, but will need an operator for the HF/UHF comms relay and link 16 interference.

8. The time from contract award to flight ready is 48 hours...is that correct? In order to outfit the aircraft with the

required avionics it will require additional time. The cost of the avionics purchase & installation is such that

any potential contractor cannot rig the aircraft on speculation of an award. The alternative is to award to an

operator who currently has the avionics package aboard (incumbent). Although we can provide a reasonable

timeframe to ready status, will NAVAIR take this into consideration.

ANS: Yes, 48 hours is correct due to expected contract award date and planned mission 15 September 2015.

Solicitation N00421-15-T-0538 is issued as intent to procure as a competitive requirement. The Government expects to select one offeror on the basis of its proposal providing the "best value" to the Government, all factors considered. Offerors are advised that the proposal meeting the solicitation requirements with the lowest price may not be selected for an award if award to a higher priced offeror is determined to be more beneficial to the Government.

Under the authority of FAR Part 12, FAR Part 13, and 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business set-a-side. Offerors must be registered in SAM.GOV database http://www.SAM.gov prior to submission of an offer to be considered for award of any DoD contract.

Award is expected by 10 September 2015. All proposals received by 3 September 2015 will be considered by the Government. The Government will not pay for any bid or proposal costs. Proposal can be submitted via email. For information contact: Helen Choo 301-757-9056, or email: helen.choo@navy.mil

.

Solicitation N00421-15-T-0538 is issued as intent to procure as a competitive requirement. The Government expects to select one offeror on the basis of its proposal providing the "best value" to the Government, all factors considered. Offerors are advised that the proposal meeting the solicitation requirements with the lowest price may not be selected for an award if award to a higher priced offeror is determined to be more beneficial to the Government.

Under the authority of FAR Part 12, FAR Part 13, and 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business set-a-side. Offerors must be registered in SAM.GOV database http://www.SAM.gov prior to submission of an offer to be considered for award of any DoD contract.

Award is expected by 10 September 2015. All proposals received by 3 September 2015 will be considered by the Government. The Government will not pay for any bid or proposal costs. Proposal can be submitted via email. For information contact: Helen Choo 301-757-9056, or email: helen.choo@navy.mil