Final_Amendment_2_AG-024B-S-9305_R3_EU_Heli_Solicitation_1-13-16.pdf

Solicitation No. AG-024B-S-16-9305 U.S. Forrest Service Region 3 Exclusive Use Type III Helicopter Services National Office

Questions & Answers for Solicitation AG-024B-S-16-9305

Q1: Ref Sec B-5 Crew Coverage: Do you require 3 employees (Pilot, Mechanic, and Driver)? Or can the Mechanic also be the Fuel Service Vehicle Driver if he is D.O.T. Qualified? Resulting in

2 employees on site at all times instead of 3?

A1: The mechanic can serve as the fuel service driver.

Q2: Ref Sec B Helicopter Equipped Weight: Do you want the weight of the actual litter included? Or do you want this weight to be as if the helicopter were configured for bucket work? Certainly the provisions to install the litter will be included. But the litter itself will be listed on Form C of the

Weight and Balance and included if and when installed in the Weight and Balance and Load

Calculation Exhibit 13 in the field once under contract.

A2: The weight should not include the litter- it should be equipped weight for the firefighting mission but the equipped weight should include the brackets installed for the quick installation of the litter.

Q3: Ref Exhibit 13 Load Calc 7b Comp Gross Weight and Exhibit 22 - Computed Gross Weight

Table (B-3(a) Exhibit 13)): You have stated the Computed Gross Weight for an AS350B3e (as described) for 8,000 ft/30 C to be 4,765. However, an AS350B3e equipped with high landing gear and dual hydraulics has a Flight Manual Supplement 28 providing for increased gross weight allowing for 5,225 lbs. Taking into account the load reduction factor of 175 lbs the computed gross weight should be 5,050 lbs. By using the weights stipulated in Exhibit 22 a penalty of 285 lbs is being imposed for no reason. A copy of the Flight Manual Supplement is included.

A3: The Maximum Internal Gross Weight of 5225 goes in Line 10 (non-jettisonable). 4765 goes in

Line 7b OGE Hover Ceiling maximum weight at that altitude and temperature. See document on page 4.

Q4: Can we use the higher weight of 5,225 lbs on the load calc line 7b if our aircraft meets the Flight

Manual Supplement 28 requirements?

A4: No

Q5: Attachment 1 regarding short haul, requires a quick disconnect kit for the front left seat to accommodate the litter kit. For AS350B3’s with the older style seat, we have been unable to locate any sort of quick disconnect kit besides the stock attaching hardware. The seat is easily removable in less than 5 minutes by a properly trained pilot. With regards to safety, the difference between 1 minute and 5 minutes should not render the flight a failure because we should never be in that big of a hurry, medical emergency or not. Perhaps that line item should state that a quick disconnect kit is required if any STC’d kits are available.

A5: If there is a quick disconnect seat available for the aircraft it must be installed. However, if there is not an STC kit available the aircraft will be considered acceptable.

Questions & Answers for Solicitation AG-024B-S-16-9305 (Continued)

Q6: Page 14, Attachment 1 (b) 3rd checked box, “Aircraft with enhanced safety features for flight control systems will not be penalized for any increase in associated aircraft equipped weight”.

Could you please explain and clarify how the process will work as to “not penalize” these aircraft versus another qualified “un-enhanced” model? Seems like aircraft basic/equipped weight and

FAA certified performance calculation are what they are and shouldn’t be subject to discussion….

A6: This requirement is being deleted from the Attachment 1 per Item 1 in Amendment 2.

Q7: Page 14, Attachment 1, (b) 1st checked box discusses the Govt. provided secondary external load safety retainer (the system), In the second paragraph “NOTE” a “certified hard point” is mentioned and “All associated hardware to connect the secondary restraint to the “certified hard point” will be provided by contractor. Can Govt. provide more specifics on the make/model of the system provided and what exactly is the associated “contractor provided” hardware and specifics on the “certified hard point” (i.e. what is it and exact location.)

A7: Attaching a link to the FS short-haul site could be of value for others to go to, to get short-Haul

SA. http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/fire/fam/aviation/short_haul/index.htm

If it is felt that that is too much info then attaching a link to just the Ops plan could provide background info. http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/fire/fam/aviation/short_haul/emsh_ops_plan.pdf

AStar B2/B3 Hard Point Heli-Bridle System. Equipment Source = Air Rescue Systems (ARS) http://airrescuesystems.com/?portfolio_page=heli-bridle-psd

Contractor provided Equip. = Contractor would provide the Hard Point bolt/diaper pin.

Q8: Please clarify section C-7 (5) General Systems (i) RADAR altimeters - it does not show in

Section B-12 and we want to make sure it is not a requirement for this contract (although currently slated as required by FAA in 2017.)

A8: This is not a requirement.

Q9: On page 180, Organizational experience (b) PIC’s, do you expect us to submit a FS5700-20a and 20b for current rostered pilots or just a summary roster? In the past a summary roster has always be sufficient.

A9: A summary roster is acceptable for the solicitation; however as stated in the Line Item Notes that 2 primary pilots and 2 mechanics must be identified and approved by the CO a minimum of

5 days before MAP start.

Q10: Clarify Work Schedules

A10: Item 1 is a 12/4 schedule

Items 2 and 3 are 12/12 schedule

As stated in in the Line Item Notes all personnel SHALL be under the same work schedule.

http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/fire/fam/aviation/short_haul/index.htm http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/fire/fam/aviation/short_haul/emsh_ops_plan.pdf http://airrescuesystems.com/?portfolio_page=heli-bridle-psd tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text

Question 3 Document tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text tbach Typewritten Text

14 Amendment 2

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

ATTACHMENT 1 – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SHORT-HAUL SPECIAL MISSION QUALIFICATIONS

& REQUIREMENTS

The following additional requirements apply to Short-Haul capable contracts.

Special equipment required for Short-haul missions is supplied by the government, which typically consists of attachment hardware to the cargo hook; secondary release system; haul lines in lengths of 100, 150, and 250 feet; and, personnel attachment hardware and harnesses, etc.

(a) Annual Pilot Qualification and Currency Requirements: contained in the Interagency Helicopter Pilot Practical Test Standards (IHPTS).

Reference: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/av_library/index.html.

*Pilots must attend a National Consolidated Short-Haul Training which will include Crew Resource Management for initial certification.

(b) Requirements of Emergency Medical Short-Haul Capable Helicopters

Capability for installation of a Government provided secondary external load safety retainer and safety retainer manual release, or system, which may include the installation of a retainer manual release lanyard or actuator that is secured and routed from adjacent to the cargo hook to the aft cabin for pilot or short-haul spotter activation not to interfere with pilot operations and the system cannot be inadvertently activated.

Movement of the cargo hook shall not inadvertently release the secondary restraint.

NOTE: The manual release shall be secured and routed from adjacent to the cargo hook to the aft cabin for pilot or Short-haul spotter activation. Aircraft offered shall be able to attach the secondary release system to a certified hard point on the belly of the aircraft.

All associated hardware to connect the secondary restraint to the certified hard point will be provided by the contractor.

Certificated for full time right seat position operations

Pilot’s not holding an A&P certificate must be approved under 14 CFR Part 43.3(h) to remove and install doors, seats, cargo basket, and litter kit.

In addition to internal cargo space, Airbus AS-350/355 helicopters shall be equipped with external side mounted cargo basket with metal positive locking lid that has a minimum cargo capacity of 13 cubic feet and 250 pounds, minimum length of 72 inches, minimum width of 20 inches, minimum depth of 16 inches, and a maximum weight of 60 pounds. This basket must not cause any flight restrictions (Vne) or impede ingress and egress of personnel from all cabin doors. This basket must have quick disconnect capability with FAA approval (see C-4 (d) (27) for cargo basket requirements).

For AS350 models, a right side Vertical Reference Floor Window for improved viewing envelope and allows for more line to be viewed by the pilot.

http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/av_library/index.html

15 Amendment 2

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

Both aft cabin doors must be either removable or sliding to allow for installation of Short-Haul equipment.

FAA approved quick release kit for front seat that accommodates litter system.

Keeperless Cargo Hook (C-4 (d) (17) shall incorporate both an electrically activated release and a secondary hydraulically activated release.

FAA/STC load cell on primary hook with indicator visible to pilot

For AS350 models, Cargo Hook shall be incorporated in a Swing Frame

Dual USB charging ports certified to FAA TSO C71 and capable of providing at least

2 amps of power to each port simultaneously with an output voltage of 5 VDC. USB charging port must be installed according to 14 CFR Part 43 and accessible from pilot and observer seats.