A15_BN_NPS_Cessna_Redacted.pdf

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41U.S.C 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

It was decided that a park-based aircraft and pilot would produce the most efficient mission completion rate and cost effectiveness over scheduling vendors to perform the work. A PA-18 Super Cub was purchased in the 1990s to perform these services; however, due to the need for a larger capacity aircraft, a Cessna 185 was purchased in 1995 to replace the Super Cub. The Cessna 185 was then replaced with a Cessna 206 (G model, N388S), which was sold in late 2019 due to the aircraft needing extensive repairs and the pilot’s retirement. The park has spent on average $132,658 per year over the last five years on fixed wing aircraft flight services and has averaged 162 hours a year for that cost for a total hourly cost of $818. Based on the averages, the previous $818 per hour cost with vendor aircraft, versus current fleet Cessna 206 hourly rates of $220 is a significant cost savings of $96,877 per year. This shows that in six years-time, NPS has essentially paid for this aircraft with cost savings. This will ultimately provide greater flexibility for scheduling to complete missions in a timely manner and increase the overall cost effectiveness of the program.

The second requested used Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) aircraft is to replace an aircraft that crashed and was destroyed in 2019 at WANP. WANP in Alaska was created to protect the archeologically significant beach ridges of Cape Krusenstern, the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, and most of the expansive watershed of the Noatak River and commemorate the people of the Americas who crossed the Bering Land Bridge in prehistoric times. WANP are uniquely tied to local communities, landowners, and land management agencies to conserve and protect the resources.

There are also several research projects conducted that require a level of access and capability that aviation provides. Having the ability to use aviation assets across this vast area contained within WANP is crucial for these parks units to meet their mission and goals the Parklands is committed to accomplishing. The aircraft to be purchased shall have a float configuration and a wheeled configuration to provide greater flexibility with aviation operations and enables access to areas of the park not serviceable by wheeled aircraft.

Historically, WANP has utilized Cessna 185F’s and Cessna 206’s. In April of 2019, the park’s Cessna 185 (N5163E) was involved in an accident. Since then, WANP have had to work with the regional office and other parks utilizing their aircraft to complete missions. This produces increased stress on other NPS aviation programs that are already stressed with their own aviation resources. The damaged Cessna 185 was not sold for salvage, but instead DOI destroyed the Federal Aviation Aircraft (FAA) data tag in which the aircraft can no longer be rebuilt or sold.

The use of vendor pilots and aircraft is currently costing $630-$2,300 per hour depending on the aviation asset utilized. Fleet rate information for Cessna 185 and Cessna 206 previously used by WANP depicts hourly rates for FY 2018 at $175.62, FY 2019 at $196.20, and if the Cessna 185 had not been in an accident, the estimated hourly rate for FY2020 would have been $207.11.

Even with small increases in hourly rates, it clearly denotes the cost savings for WANP to acquire a fleet Cessna 206.

NPS fixed wing operations in Alaska will be utilizing the Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) aircraft to conduct missions for GLBA and WANP. In the most recent Aviation Business Case conducted by OAS for a light utility, fixed wing aircraft, the only comparable aircraft is the Cessna 206 (H model). In comparing aircraft configuration required to accomplish the mission requirements, the 206 (G, F, or D models) has individual passenger seating. Each of the individual seats are mounted on seat rails that allow the seats to easily be removed for different cargo and passenger configurations as needed for flight requests. A configuration unique to the Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) is removal of the left rear seat which allows for additional baggage, better midrange center of gravity and four passengers with sufficient gear for Alaska operations. Field configuration is another unique attribute of the Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models), with proper training and approval pilots can remove and reinstall seats, calculate weight and balance and properly endorse maintenance documents prior to missions. This versatility and configurability make the Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) the ideal aircraft for GLBA and WANP operations.

New production Cessna 206 (H model) Aircraft have two forward, pilot and copilot seats, two middle row seats, and one rear bench type seat. The rear bench seat can only be removed or installed as a unit, removing seating for two passengers. There is no configuration which allows for single rear seat with expanded baggage. This eliminates the ability to install a single back seat, which is the only practical configuration for four passengers and gear. Furthermore, the airbag shoulder harnesses installed in the Cessna 206 (H model) require most reconfigurations be performed by a by a FAA certified mechanic, including seat removal/reinstallation. These limitations and the austere environment which GLBA and Western Arctic National Parklands operate their aircraft in make the Cessna 206 (H model) an unacceptable aircraft for current operations.

In addition, new production Cessna 206 (H model) aircraft are built with G-1000 avionics package, this is an advanced avionics package, mirroring those systems delivered in much more advanced aircraft. Unfortunately, these installations add height and width to the instrument panel and glare shield. This is an unnecessary and burdensome tradeoff for aircraft operated in the complex back country of Alaska. Pilot visibility is a priority over advanced avionics.

Procuring a Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) eliminates the burden of restricted pilot visibility.

The austere and remote environment of Alaska is also a consideration when introducing advanced avionics. Harsh conditions coupled with limited or no existent authorized repair sites will result in more aircraft down time should a Cessna 206 (H model) be fielded for GLBA.

Procuring a Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) lessens the risk of expensive and lengthy complex avionics issues, the 206 (G, F, or D models) can be modified to match most other 206s in the fleet supporting fleet standardization throughout the region.

In comparing aircraft performance required to accomplish the mission requirements, a survey of existing fleet aircraft and comparison between G, F, D models and H models shows an increase in useful load of nearly 200lbs. for Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models)’s. In addition to a higher useful load, Cessna 206 (G, F, or D models) also have a higher engine takeoff Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). These two performance advantages are necessary for the complex missions performed by GLBA and Western Arctic National Parklands.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

We have reasonable expectation of receipt of two or more quotes from small business. As such, we intend to post this requirement to the SAM.gov website as a competitive Total Small Business Set-Aside restricted to the particular brand name item. This will be posted as a combined synopsis/solicitation in accordance with FAR 12.603.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-3 (a)(1) competitive quotes and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii) commercial posted price lists.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

An initial meeting was held with OAS and NPS personnel to discuss this requirement and potential ways of procurement. The Customer recommended Wipaire, Inc. and Turbo Air, both of whom are small businesses. We have reasonable expectation of receipt of a quote from two or more small businesses; therefore, will set this aside for small business in accordance with FAR Subpart 19.502.

We have selected NAICS code 336411, Aircraft Manufacturing for this requirement based on reviewing the descriptions. Research was conducted using online resources such as Controller, Trade-a-Plane, Barnstormers, ASO, and Aerotrader. None of the resources produced positive results. Research included searching for suitable aircraft in the Lower 48 states, Alaska, and Canada. Commercial catalogs such as Controller and Trade-a-Plane were reviewed to understand the current aircraft market and pricing for used Cessna 206s. NPS reached out to Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to inquire about a possible sale of a FWS Cessna 206 (G model); however, FWS was not interested in selling the aircraft at this time. An Aviation Business Case was performed to justify the investment to replace the previously sold aircraft and determine the best aircraft available based on the NPS requirements.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

Both GLBA and Western Arctic National Parklands are currently without an aircraft and in need of acquiring an aircraft as soon as possible. The pandemic has been a limiting factor for acquiring a replacement aircraft as it has caused manufacturing of aircraft, engines, parts, avionics and equipment to be at a standstill with low to no production. Aircraft engines are on back order up to a year or more. The strain on major components as well as new aircraft deliveries has made the used aircraft market excessively competitive.