This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, which, as part of market research, is being issued in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 15.201(e). - RFIs may be used when the GoverT-6A/B COMBS Services Request for Informatio

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only, which, as part of market research, is being issued in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 15.201(e). "RFIs may be used when the Government does not presently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these notices are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract..." This is not a solicitation or request for proposal and no contract shall be resultant from this RFI. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Training Aircraft Division/Sustainment Branch (AFLCMC/WLZW) is seeking to identify potential sources that may be capable of providing Contractor Operated and Maintained Base Supply (COMBS) for the T-6A/B fleet. Program Description: AFLCMC/WLZW is in the initial stages of identifying a strategy for the acquisition of Contractor Operated & Maintained Base Supply (COMBS) services for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) fleet which consists of 700+ T-6A/B aircraft. COMBS services will begin in FY17 at approximately 6 CONUS operating locations. The COMBS services provider will be responsible for providing supply support in the form of serviceable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified material and support equipment to the maintenance provider in support of Air Education & Training Command (AETC), Chief of Naval Air and Training (CNATRA) & US Army Fixed Wing (USA) flying mission. The T-6 fleet is primarily supported by Government Furnished Property (GFP). Please include with your response to this RFI the following company specific information: Company Name: Cage Code: Type of business and category under NAICS Code 488190: If applicable, define the Small Business category identified in the Central Contract Registration, i.e., small business, Service Disabled veteran owned small business, small disadvantaged business, Certified 8A, Hub-zone small business, women owned small business: Please email written responses to this RFI no later than close of business 28 FEB 2014 to: Mr. Hugh Young, Contracting Officer, e-mail: Hugh.Young@us.af.mil or Mr. Max Simpson, Contract Specialist, e-mail: Maxwell.Simpson@us.af.mil . There is no solicitation package available at this time. All questions and comments must be in writing, no telephone calls. The US Government (USG) will not pay for any information received in response to this request, nor will the USG compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided to the USG. RFI Questions Experience In 500 words or less, please briefly describe your company's core competencies. 1) Do you currently, or have you in the past 10 years, provided COMBS support? a) What are/were the number & type of aircraft and at what locations? 2) Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) issues will likely occur during this effort: a) Identify, specify and name experiences with DMSMS b) Identify and specify unique capabilities or business relationships with suppliers and OEMs to address DMSMS issues? Acquisition Strategy 1) We are contemplating awarding between a five (5) and eight (8) year contract. a) Can you accurately reflect your costs for that Period of Performance? b) What are advantages/disadvantages do you realize regarding this length of contract? c) How long is your typical contractual arrangement with vendors/subcontractors and would you be able to maintain those agreements for this length of time? 2) What length of transition between outgoing & incoming contractors would most benefit successful performance: 30, 60, 90, 120 or 150 days? 3) What types of incentives (i.e. option periods, cost savings incentives, award fee, etc...) would most motivate your company? a) Are there incentives that would motivate you to offer continuous supply rate improvements while driving down cost? 4) What advantages and/or disadvantages do you perceive would be obtained by using: a) FAR Part 12 contract? b) FAR Part 15 contract? 5) Do you have a preference to using a "C" or "D" type contract? Please explain your answer. a) Is there a preference to using Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Orders on the contract? 6) What previous experience does your company have with USG contracts? a) What types of pricing arrangement were used? b) What type of pricing arrangement would you recommend for this contract? 7) Is your company familiar with the USG processes of contracting, billing, engineering, etc...? 8) What do you perceive are the pros and cons of including liquidated damage penalties that are tied to aircraft availability? 9) Detail past teaming arrangements, i.e., partnering, joint ventures, etc... with small businesses 10) Describe and detail subcontracting opportunities by function & percentage of contract a) What function and/or what percentage of set-aside would you deem most advantageous to this effort? b) What teaming arrangements (if any) can be established to help develop small business for this effort? 11) Do you believe this effort could be a total small business set-aside? Market Research In an effort to optimize flexibility within COMBS services contracts, the USG is exploring pricing variable levels of support in order to adjust required levels of support as needed without driving costs or significantly increasing risk to either the USG or the contractor. We would like candid feedback to the following possible contract options and any additional ideas the respondent may have to increase contract flexibility. 1) Do you have capability to price incremental levels of supply support? For example, are you able to price separate flying hour rates for a Total Non-Mission Capable Supply (TNMCS) rate between 2% and 10%? (TNMCS includes both NMCS & NMCB times) a) Would there be a significant price difference between increments? b) At what increment(s) would the USG see the greatest price difference? c) Do you foresee additional risks of pricing different levels of TNMCS support? i) Please briefly explain any risks. d) In your opinion, would the overall contract price increase, decrease, or remain the same if an incremental pricing structure was established versus pricing to support a single TNMCS rate? 2) Would it be difficult to adjust your level of support at the beginning of each FY or Period of Performance based on a change in the required TNMCS rate? 3) Do you have other recommendations for making a supply support contract more flexible? Additional Information 1) What are your recommendations and/or concerns with this source selection? a) Do you have other recommendations/approaches that would result in successful contract performance? Provide any additional closing comments you would like.