V121--FY21: USVI Patients Charter Flight Services

The purpose of this amendment (A00001) is to answer questions regarding Solicitation

No. 36C24821Q0798. These questions can be seen below:

Question: Will you be adding the NAICS code of 481211 NON-SCHEDULED CHARTER PASSENGER AIR TRANSPORTATION or 621511 AMBULANCE SERVICES as options for this RFQ?

Answer: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation will be changed to 481211 (Non-Scheduled Charter Passenger Air Transportation). Since NAICS codes are self-certifiable, capable vendors can include this NAICS code in their SAM profile. NAICS code 621511 is not applicable for this procurement, since Ambulance Services are not being procured. The services being procured are charter flights for eligible veterans.

Question: It is stated that the aircraft should accommodate 9 passengers plus their medical companions. Does this mean the aircraft must accommodate 18 passengers?

Answer: No. The amount of passengers will not exceed 9, and it includes veterans and companions as well.

Question: It also states that the payload without passengers shall not exceed 25,000 lbs. and with 9 passengers a maximum payload of 15,000 lbs. Is this to say the aircraft must have a minimum payload of 25,000 lbs. without passengers; and must also have a 15,000 lbs. payload in addition to 9 passengers? We ask this question because these payloads may put the aircraft in a larger airline category.

Answer: Payload for the quantity of passengers and this type of air transportation must be in compliance with FAA standards. Section 7.10 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) has been updated accordingly.

Question: It mentions the maximum aggregate amount that can be placed on this contract is $2,300,000. Is this amount for the base period plus the four option years?

Answer: Yes. That amount is the maximum that can be ordered against the main contract, which will be Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ).

Question: Is there currently an incumbent on this contract and if yes, can you please disclose who that contractor is?

Answer: There is not an incumbent contractor, as this is a new requirement.

Question: Can the passengers go on scheduled service? In other words, it would not be a private charter, there would be other passengers on the flight.

Answer: This will be a private charter, and the NAICS code has been changed to 481211 to reflect that these will be for Non-Scheduled Charter Passenger Air Transportation. The Government will be scheduling the passengers for each flight.

Question: In order to save on ferry time, can the flights originate in SJU and fly the daily missions as follows:

SJU STT SJU rather than STT SJU STT

SJU STX SJU rather than STX SJU STX

Answer: No. Flights need to return passengers to their original departure location, which will be either St. Thomas or St. Croix.

Question: Need to confirm the routing is for two different routings, STT-SJU-STT, and STX-SJU-STX, both twice weekly. Will these routes be occurring concurrently with the use of two aircraft?

Answer: The routes will be scheduled separately and will not occur concurrently. When scheduling charter flights, both locations will not be scheduled for the same date.

Question: Does the contractor need to provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, loading and unloading equipment for each location?

Answer: No. Passengers with special needs will not be scheduled on these trips.

Question: The term Lifeguard is no longer an ICAO/FAA utilized term. The term is now Medivac , and it can only be used for medical flights when priority handling is necessary for the best interest of a person(s) receiving medical care, or for a donated human organ. Are these flights considered medical flights, and if so, who is providing that medical care enroute?

Answer: No. The flights are not considered medical flights. Section 7.4 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) has been updated accordingly.

Question: Do you require the operator to be issued the OPS Spec A024, Air Ambulance Operations Airplane from the FAA since the term MEDIVAC is being requested to be used?

Answer: As stated in the answer of the previous question, these flights are not considered medical flights. PWS has been updated accordingly.

Question: Does the aircraft have to have the ability to maintain the cabin temperature at 75 degrees Fahrenheit while on the ground?

Answer: The aircraft needs to have the ability to reach that temperature before take-off of the ground.

Question: Is the government engaged with a vendor currently for this same contract? If so, how long as this current contract been in effect? What type of aircraft is being used currently?

Answer: The Government is not currently engaging with a contractor for these services since this is a new requirement.

Question: What is the purpose of having a gross weight maximum limit on the aircraft?

Answer: Payload for the quantity of passengers and this type of air transportation must be in compliance with FAA standards. Section 7.9 of the PWS has been updated accordingly.

Question: According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), Scheduled Charter Passenger Air Transportation is a set schedule and posted to the public to purchase tickets at will. Will these flights be posted for the public to be purchased?

Answer: Flights will not be posted for the public. Due to the fact that these flights will be provided to eligible veterans only and will be coordinated by the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS), no public posting or publishing of such flights is required.

As a reminder, submission of your response shall be received not later than 3:00 PM EST on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at wilfredo.perez3@va.gov.