Loren Data's SAM Daily™

SAMDAILY.US - ISSUE OF OCTOBER 18, 2020 SAM #6898
SPECIAL NOTICE

V -- National Exclusive-Use Type 1 and Type 2 Helicopter Modernization

Notice Date

10/16/2020 6:57:14 AM
 

Notice Type

Special Notice
 

NAICS

481212 — Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
 

Contracting Office

USDA FOREST SERVICE BOISE ID 83705 USA
 

ZIP Code

83705
 

Solicitation Number

SN-2021-01
 

Response Due

11/16/2020 3:30:00 PM
 

Archive Date

12/01/2020
 

Point of Contact

Mike McFarlane, Phone: 2083875695, Fax: 2083875384, Eric Bush, Phone: 2083875632
 

E-Mail Address

michael.mcfarlane@usda.gov, ejbush@fs.fed.us
(michael.mcfarlane@usda.gov, ejbush@fs.fed.us)
 

Description

Description� (SEE ATTACHED FOR ADDITIONAL DETAIL) The purpose of this announcement is market research associated with modernization of the current Type 2 Exclusive-Use (EU) contracted helicopters. Specifically, providing fully contractor operated and maintained helicopter services to support fire suppression and natural resource activities for the US Forest Service (FS) Fire and Aviation Program with aircraft that meet 14 CFR Part 29 standards (or equivalent) and our operational requirements as identified below. Examples of standard category helicopters that may meet USFS modernization criteria are Leonardo AW-139, AW-189, Airbus H-145, H-215, and Bell 412 EPX. An example of newly-manufactured, non-military helicopters that may meet USFS modernization criteria is the Sikorsky S-70/70A/70M. Background The FS has implemented a process to determine availability and applicability of twin engine helicopters with upgraded technology, safety attributes, with increased range, and payload. This Request-for-Information (RFI) is limited to standard category or restricted category helicopters (non-military, and currently in-production). The FS relies on various makes and models to deliver firefighters, fire suppressants, and supplies to wildland fire incidents throughout the United States. The FS may utilize a 5-year EU contract cycle for helicopter services meeting the modernization criteria (1 + 4 option years). Aircraft Maintenance and Support Helicopter shall be maintained in accordance with all applicable 14 CFR requirements, mandatory manufacturer�s bulletins as required or identified by the Forest Service, and all applicable FAA Airworthiness Directives. New-manufactured Restricted Category helicopters will require confirmation of support from the manufacturer. � Aircraft Utilization The FS utilizes EU helicopters for firefighting and resource management.� The primary mission for T1 and T2 helicopters is wildland fire support.� 19 T2 EU helicopters are configured for helitack (13 are contracted with a bucket, 6 with an internal tank), and 15 T2 EU helicopters are contracted with bucket and are configured for rappel missions. On an annual basis, the current T2 EU fleet responds to over 1,000 incidents nationally. EU T2 aircraft transport 35,000 passengers, drop 9 million gallons of water, move 3 million pounds of cargo, and fly 7,500 hours per fire-year (10-year average). The FS responds to incidents located in areas where temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius in high-elevation mountainous and desert terrain. Conditions on-incident may place the aircraft in high-density altitude areas performing continuous low-slow missions such as aerial ignition, or hover work such as rappel, short-haul, hoist, and delivery of external cargo. Aircraft Configuration The contract requirements for rappel and helitack configurations are nearly identical, with the exception of the aft audio configuration, human external load system requirement (rappel bracket and rappel spotter tether attachment), and simultaneous deployment of two ropes (dual-door rappel configuration) for rappel contract line items. The examples below identify existing needs in Configuration 1 and desired needs in Configuration 2 for both helitack and rappel programs. We are seeking parties with existing aircraft, or willing to obtain aircraft, meeting the requirements specified in the Technical Information requested below to support the operational needs of the USFS identified below.
 

Web Link

SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/e5ea0a9087fc48438dc69f5572e23d15/view)
 

Place of Performance

Address: USA

Country: USA
 

Record

SN05829465-F 20201018/201016230134 (samdaily.us)
 

Source

SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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