140D8121R0003_Amendment_1_Q_A_0001.pdf

Solicitation Questions & Answers BLM-AFS Exclusive Use Smokjumper Flight Services

Solicitation Number: 140D8121R0003

1. Section A1, Minimum Aircraft Requirements, Page 5

Question: Has the Dash 8 been approved as a smokejumper aircraft by the Interagency Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Subcommittee (SASES)?

Answer: Yes, the De Havilland DHC-8 Model 100/200 series are SASES approved Smokejumper aircraft.

The NWCG website was recently updated with the information.

(https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/smokejumper-aircraft-screening-and-evaluation-subcommittee)

2. Section A2, Paragraph 1, Page 6

Question: How many hours has the smokejumper aircraft currently provided by Bighorn Airways actually flown in total during each of the last few contract years? What has been the average annual op tempo during the current contract term?

Answer:

Unlike the current solicitation, the incumbent contract D17PC00203 contains two items. The incumbent

Smokejumper requirements are met using a CASA 212 and Dornier 228 under an annual 90 day and 120

Exclusive Use Period. Roughly, each aircraft has accomplished 200-300 flight hours/year when averaged over a 5 year period. However, flight hours are unpredictable and highly variable due to several factors including but not limited to the severity, intensity, and duration of each fire season, national demand for

Smokejumper services, and aircraft capabilities. Please note there are no flight hour guarantees under this solicitation.

3. Section A2, Prices, Pages 6-10

Question: What are the unit costs, or rates, currently being paid by BLM-AFS for the smokejumper aircraft for Daily Availability, Flight Hour (DRY without fuel), and Flight Hour (WET with fuel)?

Answer: The information requested is proprietary pricing data. However, the total contract value of the incumbent contract D17PC00203, awarded in 2017, was $12,657,035.00.

4. Section B2, Certification, Pages 13-14

Question: Must the smokejumper aircraft be specifically listed on the operator’s 135 certificate, or operated in accordance with 135 standards?

Answer:

In accordance with B2.2, aircraft shall be identified as required by 14 CFR Part 121.135(7) or 135.63.

5. D16, Notice of Award, Page 68

Question: What is the estimated, or anticipated, date of award for this RFP #140D8121R0003?

Answer: The intent is to award the contract in early October 2021 however, this may be subject to change.