Attachment 1 PWS_Helicopter Charter Services_.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Rotor-Wing Air Contract for

USDA-NRCS Soil Survey, Alaska

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Mission

1.2 Background

1.3 Scope

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Non-Personal Services

2.2 Reserved

2.3 Key Personnel

2.4 Location and Hours of Work

2.5 Invoicing

3 PERFORMANCE TASKS

3.1 Provide Rotor-Wing Air services for NRCS Soil Survey operations:

4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

4.4 Aircraft Requirements

4.4.1 Pilot requirements and other staff

4.5 Applicable Directives

1. INTRODUCTION

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires a contract for Rotor-Wing Air Charter services to complete NRCS Soil Survey operations.

1.1 Mission

The NRCS is committed to “helping people help the land” – our mission is to provide America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. For more information regarding the agency and its programs visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

1.2 Background

Rotor- Wing Air Charter services are needed to provide transportation to and from field base camp to samples sites to measure soil characteristics and report site conditions at select sites located at remote locations throughout Alaska. Specifically, the Willow NPR-A Soil Survey Area, located near Inigok Field Station, AK. Services will be needed in the summer of 2024 (July 21-27 specifically) to ferry crews and gear to and from our operational basecamp (Inigok Field Station) to sampling locations in the field.

1.3 Scope

A. This contract outlines details related to the use of Rotor-Wing Air charter services for NRCS Soil Survey operations, including but not limited to:

1. General Survey Sampling [summer months].

NRCS staff measure soil characteristics and analyze site characteristics at a wide range of sites. This happens during a very specific time frame. Rotor- Wing Air charter services are requested to get crews in and out of operation base camp locations. In this specific instance base camp will be set up at Inigok Field Station (4AK1) and sample site locations will be within a 40 minute radius of base camp. There is an unmaintained gravel runway located on site.

B. Rotor-Wing Air charter services include the following needs:

1. NRCS staff as passengers.

2. Field work gear transportation

1.3.1 SURVEYS. Surveys will generally be conducted during the months of June, July, and August. Typically, Rotor-wing air charter flights are required to bring crew members and gear to and from remote basecamp to sample site locations. Specific drop off and pick up dates are required but may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

A. Rotor-winged flights will originate from Inigok Field Station (4AK1) and travel to pre-selected sampled locations then return to Inigok Field Station (4AK1). (A central point for departure for NRCS personnel.)

B. Interruptions to the soil survey schedule should only occur in the event of unsafe weather, mechanical, or other unforeseen problems. If weather, mechanical or other problems should force a work stoppage the survey will continue from the point at which it was stopped at the first possible opportunity.

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This section describes the general requirements for this effort. The following sub-sections provide details of various considerations on this effort.

Two Robinson R44 helicopters are needed for ferrying soil and ecological scientists and their gear to and from Inigok Field Station (4AK1) to field sampling location beginning July 21st through July 27th. Approximate total flight hours are seventy-two. Inigok Field Station, Airport Identifier 4AK1 is a 5,000 foot unmaintained, gravel airstrip. Flights into Inigok Field Station will be July 21, 2024, and the return flight will be July 27, 2024. Charter Air Company must be FAR Part 135 certified, and the pilot must have 1,500 total flight hours in Alaska, with 250 hours “time in type”.

2.1 Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services, or give the perception of personal services. If the Contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer (CO) immediately.

2.2 Reserved

2.3 Key Personnel

Key Personnel is considered the Pilot in Command who is on the FAR Part 135 certificate, has a minimum of 1,500 total flight hours in Alaska, with 250 hours “time in type” (requirements outlined in Subsection 4.4.1 (below).

The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

1. A

2. B

3. C

During the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. During the contract period, the Contractor shall submit the information required below to the Contracting Officer at least 15 calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

2.4 Location and Hours of Work

1. On July 21st the two R44 helicopters will ferry to Inigok using approximately 16 flight hours and will meet the field crew at the Inigok Field Station airstrip (4AK1), in the afternoon or evening.

On July 27th, the two R44 helicopters will ferry back to their home location, or to its subsequent work location also using approximately 16 flight hours.

2. Accomplishment of the results contained in this PWS requires flights to originate from Inigok Field Station (4AK1) each day during the project. Flights will occur on weekday and weekend days and will extend beyond the normal 8 hour work day. Weather permitting, flights will begin at 8 am, and generally all parties will be back in Inigok by 7pm, with the possibility of extending this time until 10 pm. The pilot will not work more than a 14 hour duty day, and will have a minimum rest of 10 hours immediately before duty.

2.5 Invoicing

Invoices shall be submitted upon the completion of a flight service. Invoices must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) system. In addition to the information required by FAR 32.905(b) each invoice must contain a breakdown of the total amount.

3 PERFORMANCE TASKS

This section describes the required tasks.

3.1Provide Rotor-Wing Air Charter services for NRCS Soil Survey operations:

The specific performance requirements include:

Performance Objectives/Tasks Performance Standards and Acceptable

Quality Levels

3.1.1 Soil Surveys, General Transportation to and from

remote basecamp This specific survey is scheduled for July 21, 2024, through July 27, 2024. Inbound flights will take place July 21st, 2024, and outbound flights will take place July 27th, 2024.

Ferrying to and from sample site locations will take place July 22 through July 26, 2024.

3.1.2 Any additional fees including, but not limited

to, ferrying costs outside of hourly rates (from base of operations to work location airport).

THESE MUST BE CLEARLY PRICED

OUT AT

$/HOUR OR $/DAY OR TOTAL PRICE, AS

APPLICABLE.

4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This section describes the special requirements that apply to this contract. The following sub-sections provide additional detail for each requirement.

4.4 Aircraft Requirements

1. Minimum seating capacity: Two (2) passenger.

2. A typical load for the R44 will include the weight of the pilot, two NRCS employees and approximately

90-120 pounds of personal gear and tools. Landings may be made at elevations as high as 4,000 feet, but will typically be 2000 to 3000 feet.

4.4.1 Pilot requirements and other staff

The Contractor’s minimum staff qualifications must be as follows:

4.4.2 The pilot is responsible for the safety of the aircraft, its occupants, and cargo. The pilot shall comply with the directions of the Government, except, when in the pilot’s judgment compliance will be a violation of applicable federal or state regulations or contract provisions.

The pilot shall refuse any flight or landing which is considered hazardous or unsafe.

4.4.3 The pilot in command shall hold at least a current Class II medical certificate issued under provisions of 14 CFR Part 67

4.4.4 The aircraft offered for this contract shall have a current standard air worthiness certificate. The installation of any special equipment called for in this contract must be FAA approved.

4.4.5 The pilot in command shall have a valid commercial pilot’s license and the following minimum flight experience requirements:

HELICOPTERS

Category Minimum Hours

(1) Helicopter 1500

(2) Weight class* 100

(3) Turbine 100

(4) Make, model, and subsequent series 250

(5) Make and model in previous 60 days 10

(6) Make and model in previous 30 days 5

(7) Typical terrain** 200

(8) Typical terrain in make and model 10

*Weight Class: Light (up to 6000 lbs. Normal gross), medium (6001 to 12,500 lbs. Normal gross), heavy (12,501 lbs. and over, normal gross).

**Typical terrain experience requirement is defined as: Pilot experience in mountainous terrain with varying elevations of over 5000 foot pressure altitude at temperature ranges above 75 degrees F., rugged slopes, mountaintop helispots, mountainside landing spots surrounded by trees, brush or rocks, persistent wind, and weather that includes strong winds in the mountains with sudden up-and-down drafts and direction changes.

4.4.6 A Flight Plan shall be filed by the operator with his/her organization if returning to the same base or with the FAA and his or her organization if flying to another base.

4.4.7 The aircraft shall be equipped with signal flares, radio equipment and emergency locator transmitter (ELT).

4.4.8 The contractor shall possess a current air Carrier Operating Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. To comply with this contract, this certificate must authorize: VFR day, passenger and cargo, 9 passengers or less.

4.4.9 Notwithstanding subparagraph (b) of the Federal Aviation Regulations, 14 CFR 135.1, aircraft used on this contract will be operated and maintained under provisions of 14 CFR 135, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.

4.4.10 Pilots shall have at least an FAA commercial pilot certificate with appropriate category, class, and type rating if required. Pilots must show evidence of satisfactorily passing FAA currency flight check in accordance with provisions of 14 CFR 135, in the make and model offered for this contract, within the previous twelve (12) month period.

Verification of rechecks accomplished during the period of the contract shall be forwarded to the Contracting Officer

4.4.11 Aircraft shall be operated and maintained in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Aircraft components which have been operated beyond the published limitation specified by FAA or the manufacture’s publication, engines and /or major components having an establish TBO or finite life will be scheduled for replacement so as to minimize unavailability during the contract period or extension thereof.

4.4.12 Compliance with applicable manufacture’s bulletins, FAA Air worthiness Directives (AD), and the correction of maintenance deficiencies shall be accomplished prior to delivery and during service under this contract.

4.4.13 A copy of the Contractor’s procedures manual as outlined in 14 CFR, Part 135, paragraph 135.21 shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer or their authorized representative.

4.4.14 The contractor shall assure that all maintenance performed on the contract aircraft is recorded in the affected component maintenance record in accordance with 14 CFR 43 and 91 in addition to the helicopter time-in-service and the hour meter entries.

4.4.15 The contractor must obtain prior approval from the COR or Contracting Officer (CO) before any unapproved pilots or passengers can accompany the approved pilot and NRCS personnel.

4.5 Applicable Directives

The Contractor shall comply with all documents listed below as mandatory and referenced under paragraph 3.0, Performance Requirements.

Mandatory

- Federal Management Regulation Part 102-33, Management of Government Aircraft

- Agriculture Property Management Regulation Chapter 110-33, Management of Government

Aircraft

- Pilot must have current Class II medical certificate issued under provisions of 14 CFR Part 67.

- 14 CFR 135.1, aircraft used on this contract will be operated and maintained under provisions of 14

CFR 135, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.

- flight check in accordance with provisions of 14 CFR 135, in the make and model offered for this contract, within the previous twelve (12) month period.

- The pilot-in-command shall have a valid, current, FAA unrestricted Commercial Pilot Certificate and appropriate aircraft ratings. Meet the minimum flight requirements stated in USDA NRCS General Manual GM 360 420.120.