A14_MR_Sources_Sought_1.pdf

Sources Sought (SS) for the Procurement of Exclusive Use Single Engine Amphibious Water

Scooping Aviation Services

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY. This is a Sources Sought issued solely for information and planning purposes, and it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue an RFQ / RFP. This Sources Sought does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. Furthermore, those who respond to this Sources Sought should not anticipate any feedback with regards to this submission; other than acknowledgement of receipt, if a request for an acknowledgement is requested by the submitter. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay any costs incurred as a result of a response to this Sources Sought. All costs associated with responding to this Sources

Sought will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or RFP. If a solicitation is released, it will be via the

Government Wide Point of Entry (GPE) at (http://www.sam.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this Sources Sought. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. The information provided may be utilized by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in developing its acquisition strategy.

SOURCES SOUGHT PURPOSE: There are two purposes of this Sources Sought. The first is to determine the number and types of Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) and small businesses, including

Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), Small Disadvantaged (SDB), Section 8(a), Woman-Owned (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned (EDWOSB), Historically

Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran Owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned

(SDVOSB) capable of meeting the Government’s requirements for the subject procurement. The second is to determine the number and types of other than small businesses who may be capable of meeting the

Government’s requirements for the subject procurement.

REQUIREMENTS: The DOI, Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), in support of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), seeks information from companies potentially interested in providing fully contractor operated and maintained Single Engine Amphibious Water Scooping

Aviation services in support of wildland firefighting and other resource missions. Contractor services include provisions of the aircraft, personnel, fuel, aircraft maintenance support, and all other associated equipment as will be prescribed in the technical specifications of the solicitation.

For this requirement, missions will support water application for fire suppression by single-engine, amphibious, water scooping, air tanker aircraft approved for use as water scooping water tankers.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

If your organization has the potential to provide the required aircraft services, please provide the following information:

1) Company name, mailing address, DUNS number, and point of contact information

2) Email and web site address (if applicable)

3) Information necessary to demonstrate that the aircraft meets the specifications in this Sources Sought.

4) Business Size (NAICS 115310 – Forest Fire Suppression)

5) Business Size and Type (e.g. SB, ISBEE, SDVOSB, etc.)

Any questions or feedback are greatly appreciated and encouraged. Questions or feedback concerning this request will only be accepted via email addressed to the Contracting Officer, Shay Roadruck, at

Shay_Roadruck@ibc.doi.gov.

http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ mailto:Shay_Roadruck@ibc.doi.gov

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Submissions should be emailed directly to Shay_Roadruck@ibc.doi.gov by 1400 MT, on Wednesday, 06

August 2025.

Single Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aircraft DRAFT SOW

Designated Base: Bemidji, MN

Bureau: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Exclusive Use Period: April 24 – June 04 (40 days each fire season)

Aircraft Required: Exclusive Use, Single Engine Water Scooping Aircraft equipped as specified in Section B.

Crew Compliment Required: (1) Level I SEAT Pilot in Command (PIC)

(1) Level I or II SEAT Relief Pilot as specified in Section B

Fuel Service Vehicle: Fuel Service vehicle with driver/operator and relief driver/operator required for operations in Lower 48. Not required in Alaska.

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

• Must have a Standard or Restricted Airworthiness Certificate.

• Aircraft certified under 14 CFR 23 or 25.

• An aircraft make and model for which engineering and logistical support, for continued airworthiness, is provided from the current type certificate holder or supplemental type certificate holder.

• Minimum 1600 Shaft Horsepower (SHP)

• Certified for VFR, Day Only

• Tank capacity of 800 US gallons.

• Aircraft capable of dispensing both water and fire retardant

• Endurance of 2 hours and 30 minutes, 600 gallons of water, 200 lb. pilot at 3,000’ PA 25º

Celsius.

• Capable of operating from 5,000 ft. gravel runway at @ 3,000ft PA and 30º Celsius with an empty tank.

• Cruise airspeed of at least 140 kts true airspeed at 7,000 ft. PA and 30º Celsius, empty tank

• Aircraft must have the IAB approved, or Interim approved gate installed on the aircraft at the time of inspection.

Notes:

• Air Tractor AT-802F aircraft are known to meet the above requirements.

• The following IAB approved Type 3 single engine airtanker gates:

Air Tractor Fire Gate Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3

Hydromax Gate

Hatfield Gate

• The use of water enhancers with on-board injection systems are not permitted to be used on federally contracted aircraft, or on federal lands, unless requested and approved by the ordering

Agency.

mailto:Shay_Roadruck@ibc.doi.gov

• The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that “equal” products must meet are specified in the contract.

• After retardant operations, aircraft must be appropriately cleaned prior to beginning scooper operations.

• Aircraft may be required to have the tank and gating system cleansed after operations in water that have known invasive species.

SECTION B – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

B1 Scope of Contract

B1.1 The intent of this contract is to obtain fully Contractor operated and maintained call when needed flight services to support fire suppression operations in the Lower 48 States and Alaska. Contractor services include provision of an aircraft, personnel, and all other associated equipment as prescribed in this solicitation/contract. Water will be scooped from water sources such as lakes or rivers and/or loaded at ground locations. Chemical fire retardant/suppressants may be loaded in the Contractor’s aircraft. The use of water enhancers mixed with on-board injection systems are not allowed on federal lands or on federally contracted aircraft, unless requested and approved by the ordering Agency. The use of water enhancers mixed through a proportioner and loaded from ground-based equipment is acceptable according to their qualified applications/approvals as specified on the Qualified Products List (QPL).

B1.2 The Government and Contractor must establish an effective working relationship to complete this contract successfully. The Contractor’s employees’ cooperation, professionalism, and positive attitude toward aviation safety and accomplishment of the mission are an integral element of this relationship.

B1.3 The Government has interagency and cooperative agreements with other Federal and State agencies and private landholders and may dispatch aircraft under this contract for such cooperative use.

B1.4 This aircraft may be dispatched to Alaska. Because deployment to Alaska from the Lower 48 usually requires transit through Canada, all contractor personnel are required to possess current passports.

Alaska specific equipment and/or operational requirements are referenced in the Alaska Supplement

Exhibit

B1.5 During the exclusive use period and any subsequent extension, aircraft furnished shall be subject to the exclusive use and control of the Government 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.