Solicitation_Intro_Letter_20_OCT_0003.docx

999 West Main Street Ste 1320 Boise, ID 83702

This Solicitation is the same as the original solicitation that was posted in 2021. There have been no significant changes to this solicitation. This is just a reopening a solicitation to add additional contractors to the current IDIQ.

Solicitation No. 140D8121R0001 Alaska Exclusive Use Helicopter Flight Services in support of the Department of Interior and other federal and non-federal agencies operating in Hawaii

The current AK/HI On Call Helicopter Flight Services contracts will expire on 2/28/2023. The purpose of this solicitation is to award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for fully Contractor operated and maintained helicopter flight services throughout Hawaii on an on-call basis to support the many DOI bureaus with natural resource and other missions in the state. This acquisition is a 100% Small Business Set Aside.

NOTE: There are numerous changes from the previous contracts, so be sure to read the solicitation thoroughly before deciding to submit a quote. Requirements and items in this solicitation are not negotiable.

If you submit a quote, you must include pricing for the base period, as well as all the option periods. Your best pricing should be submitted in case discussions are not held. If your pricing cannot be determined fair and reasonable, you will not be given an award/contract. All flight rates are wet, meaning you will not be reimbursed for fuel separately and should build fuel costs into your flight rate(s).

NOTE: Your quote should be priced competitively and should be prepared independent of other contractors. Agreement or mutual understanding among competing firms that restrains the natural operation of market forces is suspect and can be seen as antitrust violations. Pricing the same as others can be considered collusion and the Federal Acquisition Regulations prohibit this. (see FAR 3.303)

If your offer is selected for an award, your prices will remain in effect for the base period of the contract (through February 28, 2023), as well as your pricing for subsequent option years if they are exercised. No adjustments to prices will be made except as otherwise permitted in the contract. Renewal of the contract(s) is at the option of the Government.

Section D, 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors and Evaluation, outlines what you must submit with your quote and how the quotes received will be evaluated. Prior to submission of your quote, please check to see that you have included all the information requested. Failure to include the information identified may adversely affect the evaluation of your quote. For your convenience, a checklist has been attached for your use (last page of the solicitation).

Quotes are due by 12:00 pm, Hawaii time, November 21, 2023, to Heather_armstrong@ibc.doi.gov . quotes received after this time and date would be subject to the conditions of D6 Late Submissions, Modifications, Revisions, and Withdrawals of Offers.

The below list of changes were adjustments listed to the original solicitation in 2021.

The following highlights some of the changes you may wish to review prior to submitting a quote:

A1:

· Services under this contract are limited to those operators who are authorized to conduct flight services in Hawaii and maintain a Hawaii Base of Operations. Alaska requirements will be advertised in a separate solicitation.

A2:

· Item #3: R-66 or equivalent “Resource work only” has been deleted. R-66 aircraft are no longer limited to resource work only.

A3 (Pricing Schedule)

· Each aircraft will have one flight rate (FD) and if applicable, one ACETA rate. For payment purposes, special use and point-to-point flight rates are no longer contract rates and will not be authorized. All flight rates are wet rates.

· For ACETA, each aircraft will have one flight rate (P24) and shall be used for all ACETA programs flight services. The ACETA flight rate is a wet rate.

· Standby (SB) is now applicable for all types of flights. See C32.2 for more information on Standby.

· Daily Availability (AV) is no longer a contract rate and will not be authorized.

· Extended Standby (EP), an Additional Pay Item in previous contracts, is not a contract rate and will not be authorized.

B6 Aircraft Equipment Requirements

· B6.2 One digital hour meter observable from the cockpit. Location of meter is optional for aircraft with limited panel space (R44, R66 and MD500). Meter must be able to be observed without removal of panels and from a location at or forward of the cockpit doors. The meter must be wired in series with a switch on the collective control, and a switch activated by engine or transmission oil pressure or by equivalent means, to record flight time only.

· B6.10 Flight instruments for low visibility flight conditions, including gyroscopic bank and pitch indicator (ADI), directional gyro, vertical speed indicator and rate of turn indicator or skid/slip indicator or inclinometer.

Note: In lieu of these listed instruments, a single, new generation electronic instrument providing combined data meeting at minimum the following TSO's: C3e, C4c and C113A.

· B6.18 One permanently installed, and circuit protected dual auxiliary power charging receptacle (USB) (cigarette lighter adapter is not acceptable).

· B6.25.1.1 External Cargo Rack/Basket: A side mounted external rack/basket attached to the aircraft. The rack/basket(s) must have at a minimum a horizontal surface of approximately 36 by 15 inches. with a depth of 2.5 inches. Cargo carried in the rack must be secured with tie-down net, straps, or bungees.

B7 Avionics Requirements

· B7.3.1 One automatic-fixed Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), certified under TSO-C126 (or newer)

· B7.3.2 One panel-mounted VHF-AM (VHF-1) aeronautical transceiver, with a minimum of 760 channels covering 118.000 to 136.975 MHz.

· B7.3.5 One satellite-based aircraft tracking hardware, for each aircraft offered, compatible with the government’s Automated Flight Following (AFF) Program (https://www.aff.gov). Not all available satellite-based tracking systems are compatible with the Government’s AFF Program, nor meets AFF’s requirements. The contractor must ensure that the aircraft hardware offered is compatible with AFF.gov. For questions about current compatibility requirements, select the “HELP” button at https://www.aff.gov.

· B7.4.1 One permanently installed, panel-mounted global positioning system (GPS-1) utilizing an approved, fixed external aircraft antenna and powered by the aircraft electrical system or an aviation portable GPS unit (Garmin GPSMap 296/396/496 or equivalent) provided the portable unit is securely mounted, is equipped with a remote (i.e., not part of the GPS unit) antenna, and presents information from an overhead orientation (not a drive-along-the-road type), and is powered by the aircraft electrical system. The GPS (permanently installed or portable) must utilize the WGS-84 datum and reference latitude and longitude coordinates in the degrees/minutes/decimal minutes (DM) mode for aircraft positioning. The GPS navigation database must be updated annually covering the geographic areas where the aircraft will operate. (Now required for all aircraft, not just fire aircraft)

· B7.5.1 One audio control system must be provided for the pilot and copilot/observer. The system must provide controls for selection of receiver audio outputs and transmitter microphone/PTT audio inputs for any installed radios and PA systems. The system must also provide controls for adjustment of both Inter-Communication System (ICS) and receiver audio output levels. (different requirements for Basic Fire/Interagency Fire, see section C Exhibit) (Now required for all aircraft)

· B7.5.3 Earphones, microphones, PTT’s, and jacks designed for operation with 600-ohm earphones and carbon-equivalent, noise-canceling boom type microphones (Gentex electret type model 50602, military dynamic type M87/AIC with type CE100 TR preamplifier, or equivalent) with U174/U (single/male) type connector plug. The pilot position only may be configured for low impedance (dynamic) operation. (Now required for all aircraft)

· B7.5.3.2 Separate PTT switches for radio transmitter and ICS microphone operation must be provided at the pilot, copilot/observer, and any other positions required to be furnished with both radio transmitter and ICS operation. The pilot's PTT switches must be mounted on the cyclic control. The copilot/observer's and gunner’s PTT switches must be mounted on the cord to the earphone/microphone connector. Any additional ICS-equipped positions must also be furnished with cord-mounted ICS PTT switches. (Now required for all aircraft)

· B7.6.1 Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) All aircraft must be equipped to meet the ADS-B OUT requirements of 14 CFR 91.225. ADS-B OUT systems must be approved to either TSO-C154c (978MHz Universal Access Transceiver [UAT]) or TSO-C166b (1090MHz Extended Squitter [1090ES]). Aircraft operating outside of the United States must be equipped with systems approved to TSO-C166b. (Now required for all aircraft)

· B7.6.2 Each aircraft must be equipped to meet the Radar Altimeter requirements of 14 CFR 135.160, or have a current FAA Letter of Deviation Authority.

B14 Mechanic Qualifications

· Mechanic qualifications have been modified to match the Interagency Fire Helicopter Standards.

B20 Flight Operations

· B20.9 Smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) will not be allowed in the aircraft.

B22 PPE for Flight Operations

· B22.1 The Contractor must provide and require personnel to wear PPE for in accordance with the Interagency Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) Guide/Handbook, Chapter 2 Personal Protective Equipment.

· B22.2 The DOI/USFS ALSE Guide/Handbook can be located here and the Aviation Helmet Standard along with, the list of approved helmets and the associated certificates of compliance are available on the OAS website at: https://www.doi.gov/aviation/safety/helmet.

B24 Transportation of Hazardous Materials

· Modified due to updated Department of Transportation Special Permit DOT-SP-9198.

B25 Fuel and Servicing Requirements

· B25.2.6 Cell phone use is prohibited within 50 feet of the aircraft and fuel servicing facility/vehicle during fueling operations.

B26 – B33 Aircraft Maintenance Requirements

· Numerous changes in these sections. Please read carefully.

C2 52.212-4(a) Inspection/Acceptance

· All references to point to point removed.

· C2.1.2 Note: For Limited Use/Restricted Category pilots only. In lieu of a current FAA 135 check ride, evidence of a current biennial flight review and two hours of documented long line training is required. (added) C15 Safety and Accident Prevention

· C15.1 Safety Management System (SMS) (added) – this is a post-award review

C21 Economic Price Adjustment – Insurance and Fuel

· This is a new section and was not included in previous contracts.

C28 Orders for Services

· C28.1.2 For requirements over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, currently $250,000, task order quote requests will be issued to all helicopter on call contract holders to inform them of the opportunity and allow for quote submission.

C32 Measurement and Payment

· C32.2 Standby is only to be earned while in ready status and awaiting direction by the government.

· C32.2.4 When held away from base overnight, flight time plus guarantee plus standby cannot exceed the 14-hour duty day.

· C32.3 The flight hour guarantee (GTD) is now three (3) hours. This is now applicable to all missions that require the contractor to remain overnight away from their base.

Section C Exhibits:

The following exhibits were updated:

· Exhibit 12 Aerial Capture Eradication Tagging of Animals (ACETA)

· Exhibit 13 Offshore, Vessel Landings and Extended Over Water- Additional Requirements

· Exhibit 14 Basic Fire - Additional Requirements

The following exhibit was removed:

· Additional Pilot Requirements for Selected Geology Projects

The following exhibit was added:

· Exhibit 11 Safety Management Systems (SMS) Questionnaire

D9 Evaluation of Quotes

· Safety is not an Evaluation Criteria; however, this does not exclude a Contractor from meeting all Safety requirements stated within the contract.

General Changes

· Pilot information is NOT required with your quote. Pilots will be inspected after award. All pilot related documentation will be submitted to the Office of Aviation Services prior to inspection/carding.

· Your business entity must be registered and active in SAM.gov prior to submitting a quote (IAW 52.204-7).

Questions?

Should you have any questions after reading this solicitation, please submit your inquiries in writing to Contracting Officer, Heather Armstrong Heather_armstrong@ibc.doi.gov. They will be researched and answered via an amendment to the solicitation. Questions will be accepted until 12:00 pm Hawaii time on Nov 3, 2023. Answers will be posted by solicitation amendment no later than 12:00 pm Hawaii time on November 9, 2023.

Solicitation Amendments

You are required to submit acknowledgement of any solicitation amendments with your quote. If you submit your quote early, you will need to monitor https://sam.gov on a regular basis through the closing date for any updates to the RFQ to ensure you have submitted signed copies of any amendments with your quote. If the amendment posting answers provide additional information that make you want to revise your quote, you are free to do so and submit the revision prior to the closing date via email in accordance with Section D2.2. If you submit a revision, it must be marked as such so the Contracting Officer knows it is to replace your initial quote.

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