Montana Leased Helicopter SOW.doc

(C) STATEMENT OF WORK

The Offeror shall furnish one helicopter (MD Hughes 500, Bell Jet Ranger or equivalent) in accordance with the specifications herein for use by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS). This requirement is for support of predator control activities in the State of Montana. Flights will be conducted over the four month duration of this lease by WS as predation/damage occurs or services are needed. Flights will be conducted only in central and eastern Montana east of the Rocky Mountain Front. The pilots will be WS Pilot Stanley Colton or Tim Graff. The only passengers will be WS crew members/gunners. WS has interagency and cooperative agreements with state agencies and private landowners, and will fly this aircraft under this contract for such cooperative use. The helicopter will be hangared near Denton, Montana.

HELICOPTER SPECIFICATIONS

The helicopter shall meet the following minimum requirements:

· Type Engine: Turbine

Cruise speed capability of 120 mph

· The helicopter and all accessories shall be in operable condition and present a neat and clean appearance

· Upholstery, paint and plexiglass will be in good condition

· There will be a minimum seating capacity: pilot and one crew member

HELICOPTER EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

· Adequate equipment and instruments for VFR day and night operations in accordance with FARs

· One set of individual lap belts for each occupant

· Double strap shoulder harness with inertia reel for pilot, each front seat occupant, and each gunner. Shoulder straps and lap belts will fasten with one single point quick-release mechanism. If the helicopter is flown with the door removed, the single point quick release mechanism must be of the rotary type

· Flight recording meter reader in hours and tenths activated by an oil pressure switch wired in series with a switch on the collective control or equivalent system to record flight time only

· An approved fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and an appropriate survival kit as required by the WS Aviation Operation Manual

· Personnel access step for each door if extended height gear is installed

· An automatic fixed or automatic deployable emergency locator transmitter (ELT) meeting the latest Technical Standard Order (TSO) will be attached to the aircraft in such a manner that the transmitter is activated in a crash but will not sustain serious damage

· A very high frequency (VHF) airways communication transmitter/receiver system

· The helicopter must be capable of flight with one door removed for shooting if shooting door is not installed. A shooting door is mandatory for cold weather operations

· Interphone system between pilot and gunner capable of “hands free” operations at gunner’s position

· Dual controls must be removed prior to WS hunting operations except during approved training flights

· Control mechanism areas must have adequate protection to prevent ejected shells from interfering with the controls

· Cabin heating system and outside air temperature gauge

REQUIREMENTS FOR RENTAL HELICOPTERS

The helicopter and operator covered by this agreement will be certified under the provisions of FAR, Part 135, "Air Taxi operators and Commercial Operators". The Contractor operations specifications will authorize the operations of helicopters, VFR, Day, Passengers, and Cargo. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b) of FAR, Part 135.1, helicopter use on WS operations will be operated and maintained under the provisions of FAR, Part 135, except for FAR, Part 135.119, "Prohibition Against Carriage of Weapons".

SUBSTITUTION OF AIRCRAFT

The Contractor may substitute aircraft during performance of the contract, provided such substitution meets all requirements herein and is approved in writing by the Contracting Officer or his/her authorized representative. Request for substitution shall be made at least 10 days prior to exchange except for unforeseen conditions. Transportation of substituted aircraft to the point of use will be at the Contractor expense.

CUSTODY AND CONTROL

WS shall keep custody of the aircraft for the period of the lease. The Contractor will assume all risk for loss of the helicopter (self insure) for the period of the lease. WS will assume full responsibility for regular maintenance of the aircraft including 100 and 300 hour inspections, excluding time-life or overhaul components which expire during the term of lease

PRE-USE INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT

The Offeror shall make its equipment available for inspection at the designated base of operations or other location acceptable to the Government at a mutually agreed upon time not later than 24 hours prior to the established reporting date. At the time of inspection the aircraft shall (1) be properly certified and registered by the FAA, and (2) comply with all specifications set forth herein.

If the aircraft meets all requirements, an Aircraft Data Card (APHIS Form 150) authorizing use of the equipment will be issued by the Contracting Officer or his/her designated representative. The Aircraft Data Card shall be with the aircraft at all times.

INSPECTION/REINSPECTION EXPENSES

The Contractor will not be charged for the pre-use inspection. The expense of any other re-inspection required due to either the Contractor’s failure to provide equipment or personnel meeting contract requirements or from substitution of personnel or equipment will be charged to the contract.

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

The aircraft shall be fully maintained by WS. Aircraft will be maintained IAW FAR Part 135, 91 and 43 as applicable.

Aircraft will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, applicable APHIS regulations, and the company’s operations specifications and maintenance manual. Aircraft components which have been operated beyond the published limitation specified by FAA or the manufacturer will be inspected, overhauled and/or replaced as required by the FAA or by the manufacturer’s publication. Engines and/or major components having so as to minimize unavailability during the period of performance of the purchase order.

All applicable manufacturer’s mandatory bulletins and FAA Airworthiness Directives shall be complied with prior to performance of this purchase order. Bulletins or Airworthiness Directives published during the purchase order shall be complied in accordance with the individual bulletin or directive.

All maintenance deficiencies existing prior to the purchase order shall be corrected before the starting date of the purchase order. Those deficiencies occurring during the period of performance shall be corrected during normal scheduled maintenance.

WS will assure that all maintenance performed on aircraft is recorded in the affected aircraft’s maintenance record in accordance with FAR 43 and FAR 91. In addition to aircraft time-in-service, the hour meter reading shall be recorded for all maintenance record entries.

A copy of the aircraft’s current maintenance record, containing as a minimum the information required by FAR 91.417, shall be kept at the designated base.

A separate list of FAA Airworthiness Directives and Manufacturer’s Mandatory Service Bulletins on the make and model of aircraft offered will be made available, recording whether applicable or not and if applicable the date and airframe total time at compliance, method of compliance, next compliance due date if recurring, and authorized signature and number. List will be similar to that shown in Advisory Circular 43-9A, Appendix 3.

The Contractor shall supply at the time of the initial agency inspection a list of all items installed on the aircraft which are required to be overhauled or replaced on a specified time basis. This list shall include the component names, serial numbers, service life (or inspection/overhaul time), total time since major inspection

The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer or his/her authorized representative of any proposed change of any engine, power train, flight control, or major airframe.

Routine maintenance shall be performed before or after the daily use or as approved by the Contracting Officer or his authorized representative.

The aircraft’s required weight and balance data shall be determined by actual weighing of the aircraft within 2 years preceding the starting date of the purchase order, or renewal date, and following any major repair or major alteration or change to the equipment list which affect the center of gravity of the aircraft.

The aircraft’s static system, transponder and encoding altimeters system shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of FAR 91.215.

A test flight shall be performed at the Offeror’s expense following overhaul, or replacement of any engine, propeller, major component, or flight control equipment, and following any adjustment of the flight control system before the aircraft resumes service under this purchase order. The result of the test flight shall be logged in the aircraft records by the pilot.

The aircraft shall have a maximum time available between scheduled/required inspections available for use at the start of the purchase order period. The aircraft engine and any ‘time change’ components, shall have not less than 200 hours with a stipulation that should the engine have less than 200 hours, proof of replacement engine availability will be required.

SERVICING REQUIREMENTS

Helicopters shall not be refueled while the engine is running or rotor blades are turning.

FUEL, OIL AND SUPPLIES

All fuel used by helicopters shall be approved for use by the engine manufacturer. Additionally, the fuel shall be a petroleum product designed for use in aircraft.

Fuels shall be manufactured, transported, stored and dispensed in strict accordance with procedures formulated for aviation quality fuel standards. Fuels, lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids used to maintain the helicopter shall be supplied by the Government. Fueling operations shall comply with the manufacturer's standards. Maintenance of fuel storage and fueling facilities is the Government's responsibility.

MECHANIC QUALIFICATIONS

1. The helicopter will be maintained by Helena Aircraft, Inc. based at Helena,.

2. The mechanic is holder of an FAA mechanic certificate with airframe and power plant ratings with current FAA Inspection Authorization.

ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION

The Government shall maintain an accurate record of all aircraft accidents, incidents and injuries to Offeror rising in the course of performance under this purchase order and shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer of all such accidents, incidents or injuries. The Offeror shall not permit removal or alteration of the aircraft following an accident until authorized by the Contracting Officer except in emergencies such as threat to life or property, blocking airport runways, etc. The Government and Offeror shall make available his personnel, records, and any equipment, damaged or undamaged, deemed necessary by the Accident Investigation Board to determine accident cause factors.

LIABILITY FOR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

The Contractor will be responsible for any costs involved in disassembly of any aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, rotor assembly or appliance necessary to determine probable accident or incident cause. The Contractor shall be responsible for any cost involved in reassemble and approval for return-to-service of any item disassembled by the Government.

RESCUE AND SALVAGE RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) The Government will be responsible for rescue operations of the Government personnel employed under this contract.

(b) Salvage of damaged or demolished helicopters will be done at the Contractor expense. No equipment or personnel performing under this contract may be used on such operations unless authorized by the Government.

(c) When search for and rescue of Government personnel or repair of helicopters which are out of commission (either at the base camp or in the field) is made necessary by the failure of the Contractor equipment, the cost of such search, rescue and repairs is solely the responsibility of the Contractor.

PERMITS AND LICENSES

The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining, at their expense, all necessary permits and licenses to comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.

LIABILITIES OF THE OFFEROR AND THE GOVERNMENT

The Government will not assume any responsibility for loss or damage to equipment owned by the Contractor.

The Contractor will hold and save the Government, its officers and employees harmless from all liability for any death or damage to all persons, (other than the liability of the Government to USDA employees as provided for under the Federal Employees Compensation Act) real property or personal property which results from the operation of, or incident to, equipment furnished by the Purchase order, or otherwise incidental to performance of the agreement. However, the Contractor will not be responsible for any intentional negligent or wrongful acts of omissions of the US Department of Agriculture employees.

COMPUTATION OF FLIGHT TIME

Helicopter flight time will be paid from the time a helicopter lifts off the ground for a direct flight until it lands. Flight time will be recorded in hours and tenths by means of a flight recording meter activated by the collective control, or some other means to record flight time only.

RECORDING SERVICES

All services received will be recorded on an invoice approved by the Government and submitted for payment in accordance with instructions issued by the ordering office.

PAYMENT TERMS

Payment shall be made only for flight time conducted by the Government during the term of this purchase order. The Government will guarantee a minimum of 180 hours flight time paid to the Contractor. Payment will be made to the nearest tenth of an hour of actual flight time.

Combined synopsis solicitation

AG-6395-S-10-0034

Statement of work for short term Helicopter Lease