Lease Aircraft RFI.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

This is a Request for Information (RFI). It is neither a request for proposal nor does the United States Coast Guard intend to form a contract on the basis on any response to this RFI.

I. INTRODUCTION

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) seeks capability statements from vendors able to lease and maintain helicopters capable of performing missions currently conducted using the USCG MH-65 platform. USCG will use the results of this RFI, along with other market research, to assess the feasibility and desirability of potential contracting strategies.

The quantity of aircraft will depend on USCG program need and funding availability.

II. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is for informational purposes only. This is not a Request for Proposal. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by USCG to purchase products or services. Responses in any form will not be considered offers and USCG is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted is strictly voluntary.

III. CONTRACT/PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Currently, the USCG’s H65 platform performs USCG’s aerial intercept, non-compliant vessel interdiction, or search and rescue flight profiles. USCG is exploring the possibility of using contractor-owned, contractor-maintained, but USCG-operated aircraft to perform these missions. USCG is seeking information from potential vendors to provide leased aircraft with maintenance support that will be able to support one or all of the flight profiles described below under Section IV, “Required Capability.” While a multi-mission helicopter capable of meeting all flight profiles may exist, respondents may provide multiple aircraft options that are capable of meeting one or all more the flight profiles and associated requirements in reply to this RFI.

IV. REQUIRED CAPABILITY

A. REQUIRED CAPABILITY:

The following parameters are applicable to all flight profiles/scenarios listed hereunder. Any aircraft described in a response to this RFI must meet these requirements as well as being capable of performing any of the flight profiles/missions for which it may be described.

1. Aircraft Requirements

· Dimensions: Approximate height – 14', rotor diameter (unfolded) - 40’, length – 45'.

· 2.5-hour endurance with 20+ minute fuel reserve.

· Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified.

· Certified for day and night operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in FAA, ICAO, and uncontrolled airspace.

· Redundant flight controls at both pilot positions.

· Compatible with Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations at all pilot and aircrew stations.

· Global Positioning System (GPS)/R-Nav certified (enroute/terminal/approach) and equipped with an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) capable of at least 4-axis control (pitch/roll/yaw/collective) and compatible flight director to support in-flight operations.

· Performance Based Navigation types: RNAV 10 (Required Navigation Performance [RNP] 10), RNAV 5 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), RNAV 2 GNSS, RNAV 1 GNSS, Basic RNP 1 GNSS, RNP APCH with Barometric Vertical Navigation (BARO-VNAV) or Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS).

· Ability to complete (VOR), Tactical Air navigation (TACAN), Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Localizer approaches un-coupled or flown by the flight director or other automated system.

· Ability to locate/track radio and emergency locator devices/beacons.

· Configured with weather radar.

· Configured with Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).

· Capability to be painted with USCG markings, as specified at a later date

2. Maintenance and Technical Requirements (applicable to all flight profiles):

· Maintenance and airworthiness support that meets Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 145 for Repair Station Operators. Contractor support includes, at a minimum, the completion of planned/unplanned maintenance, inspections, required parts, and logistics support to ensure a safe and operational aircraft at or away from home unit.

· Technical publications for the aircraft relating to airframe systems, operating procedures, emergency procedures, aircraft limitations, and other necessary documents/materials to ensure safe and effective operations and aircraft certification approval by the appropriate airworthiness authority.

· Integrate and certify mission equipment (e.g., communication, rescue and survival systems).

· Integrate and certify USCG/DHS/DoD communication systems, Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF), Satellite Communications (SATCOM), and other communication requirements included in the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Project 25.

· Integrate and certify Mode IV/V Identification Friend or Foe (IFF).

· Integrate and certify pilot-controlled lighting system (visible and infrared) to observe surface or objects (landing light with controllable beam).

3. Training requirements

· Initial pilot and aircrew training for aircraft qualification utilizing an aircraft or simulator with USCG support/oversight.

Support for additional training and qualifications relating to the applicable mission(s) as well as an annual aircraft refresher course for pilot proficiency.

B. FLIGHT PROFILES/MISSIONS:

The following flight profiles are missionsets which may be conducted using these aircraft. Any platform offered must specify its capability of performing at least one of these profiles. If capable of performing more than one, RFI responses should describe each of the flight profiles the platform is capable of performing.

i. Aerial Intercept

**Operates primarily in the National Capital Region (NCR) to include Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Joint Base Andrews.

1. Aircraft Requirements (in addition to parameters listed above):

· Achieve at least 140 KIAS up to 10,000’ MSL.

· Maneuver up to 60 degrees angle of bank at airspeeds of 110KIAS or less.

· Integrate and certify suitable tactical data link system (Link 16).

· Integrate a powered signboard (approximately 3 feet by 2 feet) in a cabin door/window to visually communicate to another aircraft or person approximately 50 to 200 feet away.

2. Maintenance and Technical Requirements (in addition to parameters listed above):

· At least two aircraft available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a 99% dispatch rate. An additional two aircraft must be available to support training events.

· The NCR unit annually deploys 250 cumulative days away from home station to all 50 states and U.S. territories; two (sometimes four) aircraft deployed at a time while sustaining the ability to support operational commitments and conduct routine training events in the NCR. Deployed aircraft will also meet a 99% dispatch rate.

· Deployments may require transport of aircraft via flight, truck, or military coordinated airlift, and the aircraft should have the ability to be assembled and certified safe for flight away from home station within 12 to 24 hours of arrival at the deployment site.

· Planned and unplanned aircraft maintenance to meet airworthiness compliance and logistics management to ensure readiness of assets while deployed domestically.

· Deploy maintenance staff to support aircraft readiness requirements (estimated at 1-2 staff) at required deployment locations.

ii. Airborne Use of Force ** Operates primarily from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) located at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL.

1. Aircraft Requirements (in addition to parameters listed above):

· Maneuver up to 60 degrees angle of bank at airspeeds of 110KIAS or less, at a weight or fuel status that permits up to 1.5 hours of flight.

· Capable of 40kts sideward flight while maintaining suitable power margin (15% torque or other limiting factor) to maintain altitude in a hover at a weight or fuel status that permits up to 1.5 hours of flight.

· Configured with surface-mapping and weather radar.

· Capable of jettisoning fuel.

· Capable of operating in the maritime environment aboard a ship for up to 90 days.

· Capable of being traversed across a flight deck (aided or un-aided) with appropriate tools or equipment aboard a ship.

· Wheeled landing gear system.

· Folding main rotor blades.

· Means of securing the aircraft to the deck of a ship.

· Able to integrate a helmet mounted or heads-up display for pilots to conduct night operations.

· No more than 64’ 10” in length with rotor blades turning, 55’ 3” in length with rotor blades folded, 13’ in width with rotor blades folded, 17’ height above ground, and a rotor diameter of no more than 53’ 8”.

· Maximum gross weight cannot exceed 21,890lbs.

· Static/folded dimensions shall be no greater than: 44’L, 14’9”W, 16’H to meet shipboard hangar dimensions.

· Sliding main cabin door.

· Cabin deck and door frame shall be capable of supporting and operating a .50 caliber rifle and M240 machine gun (weapons mounts and suitable ammunition storage rack).

· Ability to conduct an approach to the water via the flight director or other automated system.

· Ability to hover with an altitude hold/assist from the flight director or other automated system.

· Ability to enter and fly search patterns in the Flight Management System (FMS).

· An electro-optical sensor system with the ability to record (day/night) and export footage.

2. Maintenance and Technical Requirements (in addition to parameters listed above):

· Annually deploy 1,500 cumulative days to all fifty (50) states and U.S. territories away from home station; 4-5 aircraft deployed at a time while sustaining the ability to conduct routine training events at the home station.

· Deploy with a “helicopter support kit” (parts, supplies, and other consumable parts typically required to sustain routine inspections, maintenance, and items/components which fail at higher rates).

· Deploy maintenance staff to support aircraft readiness requirements (estimated at 1-2) who will reside aboard a USCG, DoD, or allied vessel for a period of approximately 30-90 days.

· Deployments will require transport of aircraft via flight, truck, or military coordinated airlift, and the aircraft should have the ability to be assembled and certified safe for flight away from home station.

· Perform planned and unplanned aircraft maintenance to meet airworthiness compliance and logistics management to ensure readiness of assets while deployed, internationally or domestically.

iii. Airborn Use of Force Facility (optional):

· Office, administrative, and meeting spaces for approximately 120 people.

· Locker rooms/changing spaces with shower facilities for approximately 120 people.

· Firearms training range located within 50 miles from the site.

· Aerial gunnery land range with a moving target located within 100 miles from the site.

· Offshore aerial range/warning area to conduct live fire training located within 100 miles from the site.

· Suitable body of water to conduct helicopter and small boat tactics training located within 50 miles from the site year-round. “Suitable body of water” will support a vessel with a draft of 4-5 feet, be large enough to allow for simulated scenario training (at least 20-30 nm with a width of approximately 1nm).

· USCG prefers locations in the Jacksonville, FL area but will consider additional/different locations.

iv. Search and Rescue (SAR) ** SAR Operations are currently conducted from 3-5 air stations across the country and from U.S. territories. **

1. Aircraft Requirements (in addition to parameters listed above):

· Suitable power margins (10-15% torque margin or other limiting parameter) to conduct rescue operations (hover in/out of ground effect)

· Operational temperature range: –13 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit

· Service ceiling: up to 12,000 ft mean sea level

· Suitable for sustained over the water operations or exposure.

· Endurance of at least 3 hours flight with a 20-minute fuel reserve.

· A range of at least 300nm and cruise speed of at least 120 KIAS.

· An operational radius of at least 125nm with a 20-minute on-scene time to conduct rescue operations (fly to/from a location and hover in/out of ground effect on-scene for mission needs).

· Accommodate a minimum of 4 mission personnel (2 pilots and 2 aircrew) with operational equipment in the rear cabin (basket, litter, etc.).

· Configured with surface-mapping and weather radar.

· Rescue hoist capable of lifting 600 lbs.

· Cabin space to transport/deploy a rescue basket, litter, dewatering pump and/or raft/rescue devices.

· Minimum usable payload of 3,000 lbs (fuel, aircrew/passengers, mission equipment).

· Ability to load/secure/transport passengers and cargo in the cabin.

· Ability to conduct an approach to the water via the flight director or other automated system.

· Ability to enter and fly search patterns in the Flight Management System (FMS).

· Ability to hover with an altitude hold/assist from the flight director or other automated system.

2. Maintenance and Technical Requirements (in addition to parameters listed above):

· 3-5 aircraft assigned to each air station where SAR operations are conducted.

V. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Any contracted efforts will require, at a minimum, the ability to handle and store proprietary information, subject to the Arms Export Control Act, that is treated as Unclassified/For Official Use Only (FOUO). Maintenance and support staff will be required to possess a secret clearance.

VI. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

Interested vendors shall submit detailed capabilities statement regarding the company and available aircraft. Responses should provide details responding to this RFI for each aircraft and each mission for which it is offered. Respondents should provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing for each aircraft and flight profile/mission for which it is capable. A separate response and ROM may be provided to respond to the Airborn Use of Force Facility. Capabilities statements shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Monica E. Mende, monica.e.mende@uscg.mil.

A. Page Limits:

1. Aircraft Capability Statements (Each aircraft/flight profile should be approximately 10 pages in length)

2. Airborn Use of Force Facility (optional) capability (no more than 10 pages in length)

3. ROM Aerial Intercept NCR (no page limit, include separate for each aircraft platform)

4. ROM Airborn Use of Force (no page limit, include separate for each aircraft platform)

5. ROM Airborn Use of Force Facility (no page limit)

6. ROM Search and Rescue (no page limit, include separate for each aircraft platform)

Capability statements should include the following information (if offering multiple platforms or multiple flight profiles/missions this may be satisfied with a cover-letter applicable to all):

· The company name

· The company’s physical address

· The company’s point of contact with current phone number and email address

For each aircraft platform described, vendors should provide relevant technical specifications to demonstrate that the aircraft meets the general parameters above as well as those for each of the flight profiles for which that aircraft is offered.

· Responses should include information regarding the previous flight profiles/missions performed (additional information regarding Organizations/Agencies supported and other performance specifications)

· State if aircraft can be safely transversed in USCG cutter hangars with blades folded and secure (dimensions should be no greater than 44’L, 14’9”W, 16’H), e.g., tiedowns, transversing capabilities, capability with USCG cutter TALON grids.

· Responses should include information regarding the capability to maintain the contractor-owned aircraft

· Responses should include information regarding the capability to train USCG operators

· Responses may include facility information