Aircraft Operations Support and Maintenance_RFI.docx

1.0 Introduction and Purpose

The Government is conducting market research in accordance with RFO 10.001 to identify potential sources and subcontracting opportunities with the expertise, capabilities, experience, and necessary data to competently and competitively respond to all requirements to provide comprehensive operations, maintenance, and support for a fleet of Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) aircraft.

2.0 Background

The Government requires a contractor to provide flight operations, maintenance, and contractor logistics support for a fleet of aircraft utilized to support removal operations for deportations, voluntary repatriation, high-risk charter operations, deployment of crisis response personnel, medical evacuations, and movement of senior officials in support of continuity directives and diplomatic engagement. The requirements may involve supporting operations at both Continental United States (CONUS) or Outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS) locations, which may include remote, primitive, or austere environments.

The Contractor will be responsible for the full lifecycle of support of two C-37B or equivalent Gulfstream 650ERs and seven Boeing 737-700s or equivalent, including aircraft reconstitution and modernization, training support, mission operations, and sustainment. Operations may be required 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, often with short-notice mission tasking. The support model may include a single main operating location, multiple main operating locations, or a “Hub and Spoke” concept with a main operating hub supporting forward operating locations.

3.0 Summary of Requirements

To meet the requirements, the contractor will be required to provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, and supervision necessary to perform the following key functions:

· Program Management:

Provide overall management of the program, personnel, planning, quality control, and contract performance. This includes financial and progress reporting, configuration management, and hosting program reviews. Ensure that there is real-time tracking of all operational missions with providing Government access and visibility.

· Safety and Compliance:

Ensure all operations are conducted in full compliance with DHS Flight Program Standards, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and federal regulations.

· Flight Operations:

Provide qualified and current pilots for CONUS or OCONUS missions, maintenance personnel, and support staff ensuring proper credentialing, duty-day compliance, and readiness. Operate aircraft in accordance with all applicable regulations and government-approved procedures. Support includes test flights, training, ferry flights, and operational missions in potentially hazardous environments.

· System Maintenance and Sustainment:

Perform all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for the aircraft and their primary mission equipment (PME). Provide an integrated approach for inspections, modifications, supply chain management, and lifecycle records. This also includes establishing a corrosion prevention program and managing parts obsolescence.

· Logistics Support:

Provide comprehensive logistics, including maintaining a spares inventory, managing Government Furnished Property (GFP), and handling all logistical requirements. This includes establishing a “fly-away” support kit for rapid deployment.

· Mission Equipment Operations:

Provide qualified Airborne Sensor Operators (ASOs) to operate all mission systems and act as mission coordinators.

· Security:

Adhere to all U.S. Government security regulations. Personnel may be required to hold security clearances up to the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level. The contractor must manage a secure facility and ensure aircraft are handled as Tactical Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities TSCIF).

· Cybersecurity:

Implement and maintain cybersecurity standards for all information systems in accordance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directives, including the Risk Management Framework (RMF).

· System Integration and Upgrades:

Respond to Government requests for system upgrades, modifications, and engineering changes. This includes performing technical studies, providing engineering drawings, and supporting a full range of test and evaluation (T&E) and airworthiness certification activities.

Key Performance Thresholds:

· Operational Availability (AO):

C-37B equivalent Gulfstream 650ER aircraft (2):

Ensure 1 of 2 C-37B aircraft is fully mission capable (FMC) at all times, with both maintaining a FMC rate of > 90%.

Boeing 737-700 aircraft (9):

Maintain a Fully Mission Capable (FMC) rate of > 90% and a Mission Capable (MC) rate of > 95%.

· Mission Tasking Ratio (MTR):

Maintain a ratio of mission hours flown to mission hours assigned of > 90%.

4.0 Information Requested from Industry

Respondents are requested to provide a response, not to exceed 10 pages, that addresses the following questions regarding your company’s relevant experience and capabilities.

1. Corporate Experience:

· Briefly describe your company and the nature of the goods and services you provide.

· Provide a brief overview of your company’s experience managing programs of scope and complexity involving the requirements stated herein and particularly involving GOCO aircraft. Provide contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, periods of performance, agency supported and contact information for the Contracting Officer and/or Program Manager.

2. Operational Approach:

· Describe your approach to staffing and training pilots, sensor operators, and maintenance personnel to meet high operation tempo and specialized mission requirements.

· Explain your methodology for achieving and maintaining high Operational Availability (OA) and Mission Tasking Ratio (MTR) rates.

· Detail your experience operating in an operational environment (OCONUS), providing specific examples of locations and the logistical challenges your company overcame.

· Describe your experience supporting multiple operational locations and your capability to deploy and sustain missions from forward operating locations on short notice (e.g., 24-72 hours). Include a description of your company’s methodology for managing a “fly-away” support kit, including its typical contents and how it is maintained for immediate deployment.

3. Technical Capability:

· Describe your company's engineering capabilities related to system integration, modernization, and modification of aircraft and complex sensor suites.

· Detail your experience with the airworthiness certification process, particularly for C-37B equivalent Gulfstream 650ER aircraft and Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

· Describe your capabilities and experience with cybersecurity, including implementing the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and achieving an Authority to Operate (ATO).

4. Security:

· A high-level security clearance (TS/SCI) is required. What is your company’s facility clearance level?

· Describe your experience managing personnel with high level security clearances and your ability to staff a program with these requirements.

· Describe your experience managing and operating from a Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), including any lessons learned from past implementation.

5. Business Information:

· Provide your company name, address, CAGE code, and business size status (e.g., Small Business, Large Business, etc.), including for any teaming or joint venture partners.

· Please provide a primary point of contact, including name, title, phone number, and email address.

5.0 Response Instructions

· All respondents must be registered in the SAM database.

· Responses shall be limited to 10 pages, 8.5 in. x 11 in. pages, in English, 12-point font, Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins.

· Administrative Information (One (1) Page Limit). At a minimum, interested parties shall provide and include the following:

· Name of firm, mailing address, firm UEI, firm phone number and e-mail of designated point of contact.

· Written responses shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona-fide capability to fulfill this requirement.

· The response shall be provided in searchable Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.

· Please provide an annual Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for these services.

· Responses should be submitted electronically to Matthew.Carnes@ice.dhs.gov and Nicholas.Chiles@ice.dhs.gov no later than July 22, 2026. Questions will be taken until July 15, 2026.

· The subject line of the email should read: “Response to RFI (RFI NUMBER).”

6.0 Request for Information Conditions and Notices

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes, it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, ICE is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Vendors are advised that the U.S. government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the government. All submissions become government property and will not be returned. The government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Unless advised or indicated on the responses to this RFI, all information furnished will be considered non-proprietary. The government reserves the right to hold one-on-one meetings as a result of responses received from this RFI as part of its market research. Meetings may be held in particular with vendors who provide comprehensive responses to the questions posed. In addition, there may be a need to seek further clarification from those respondent(s) identified as capable. This clarification may be requested in the form of brief verbal communication by telephone; written communication; electronic communication; or a request for a presentation of the response. The government reserves the right to seek additional information from those vendors identified with unique solutions that are determined to be beneficial to the government. If a solicitation is released, information may be posted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Advance Planning Forecast System (APFS) or the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website. It is the responsibility of potential vendors to monitor APFS or SAM.gov for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

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