Attachment 1 Statement of Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

SPECIFICATIONS for helicopter contract for NRCS Snow Survey operations

1. BACKGROUND. Helicopter services are needed to measure snow characteristics and report site conditions at select snow courses and SNOTEL sites located at remote locations throughout Utah, Nevada, and the Eastern Sierras during winter months. Additional services will be needed, throughout the year, to ferry supplies and/or equipment to SNOTEL sites for new site installs, plus site repairs, upgrades, and/or maintenance.

2. SCOPE

A. This contract outlines details related to the use of helicopter services for NRCS Snow Survey operations, including but not limited to:

1. Surveys [winter and spring months].

NRCS staff measure snow characteristics and check on site conditions at select snow courses and SNOTEL sites. Details are in section 2 below.

2. Re-stocking SNOTEL sites with recharge and equipment [any time of year].

NRCS staff periodically need to use helicopter services to transport numerous large (typically 5 gallon) jugs of “recharge” fluid into SNOTEL sites that can otherwise only be accessed on foot. The recharge fluid is a mixture of propylene glycol, mineral oil, and water. Re-stocking typically adds 5-10 recharge jugs per SNOTEL site and also includes removal of empty jugs from those locations. Re-stocking occasionally also may include transport of 100AH batteries, 55 gallon drums of fluid, snow pillows, fencing, and other larger items as needed. Larger items may be sling-loaded into the site, and smaller items may be transported in the helicopter and then delivered to the SNOTEL site by NRCS staff.

3. Re-building, repairs, upgrades, maintenance, or installing new SNOTEL sites [any time of year].

Helicopter transportation of equipment and materials is needed when SNOTEL sites can otherwise only be accessed on foot. Re-building or installing new sites transport of the site shelter (which may weigh up to 1,000 lbs), 100AH batteries, 55 gallon drums of fluid, snow pillows, fencing, tower pieces, a precipitation can, tools and supply boxes, and other large items as needed. Larger items may be sling-loaded into the site, and smaller items may be transported in the helicopter and then delivered to the SNOTEL site by NRCS staff.

B. Additional helicopter services may be required to gather data and/or do site maintenance at SNOTEL and snow course sites in addition to expected usage (surveys, re-stocking, and re-building/installing sites).

C. Helicopter services include the following needs:

1. NRCS staff as passengers (typically for items A1 and A2 above)

2. Sling loading of equipment and supplies (typically for items A2 and A3 above)

3. Outside cargo storage of recharge, batteries, and other potentially hazardous materials (typically for items A2 and A3 above), as well as for skis and snow sampling tubes (typically for item A1 above).

2. SURVEYS. Surveys will generally be conducted during the last five (5) calendar days of January, February, March, April, or May based on the annual survey schedule and snowpack conditions. Typical flight time is 1-3 hours per survey but can be longer if additional sites are in need of service. A three-hour daily minimum will be charged per flight. Snow surveys include stops at both snow courses and SNOTEL sites.

A. Survey flights will, typically, originate from airports closest to survey sites withing Utah or Nevada and can be flown in the most efficient method for the contractor provided the NRCS personnel are notified in time for the necessary arrangements to be made.

Coordination of pickup and drop sites of NRCS personnel will be made at the post-award conference.

B. The pilot will be required to land at each site so that the NRCS snow surveyor and note taker can get out and take measurements. NRCS personnel will make the final determination on the sampling techniques and data quality before leaving the site.

C. Interruptions to the snow survey schedule should only occur in the event of unsafe weather, mechanical, or other unforeseen problems. If weather, mechanical or other problems should force a work stoppage the survey will continue from the point at which it was stopped at the first possible opportunity until all sites have been measured.

3. SAFETY

A. The pilot is responsible for the safety of the aircraft, its occupants, and cargo. The pilot shall comply with the directions of the Government, except, when in the pilot's judgment compliance will be a violation of applicable federal or state regulations or contract provisions. The pilot shall refuse any flight or landing which is considered hazardous or unsafe.

B. The pilot in command shall hold at least a current Class II medical certificate issued under provisions of 14 CFR Part 67.

C. The helicopter offered for this contract shall have a current standard air worthiness certificate. The installation of any special equipment called for in this contract must be FAA approved.

D. The pilot in command shall have a valid commercial pilot's license and the following minimum helicopter flight experience requirements:

CATEGORY HOURS

FLYING TIME

1. Total Flight Hours 1500

2. In last 12 months 100

3. In weight class specified 100

4. In turbine power quoted 100

5. In make, model and series quoted 50+

6. In make, model and series quoted in last 60 days 10

7. In make, model and series quoted in last 30 days 5

8. Operations in terrain and landing facility typical of proposed contract. 200

E. A Flight Plan shall be filed by the operator with his/her organization if returning to the same base or with the FAA and his or her organization if flying to another base.

F. The aircraft shall be of a color that can be distinguish against a snow background and shall be equipped with signal flares, smoke-pots, radio equipment and emergency locator transmitter (ELT). A double strap shoulder harness with automatic or manual locking inertia reel for each front seat occupant is required. Shoulder straps and lap belts shall fasten with one single-point metal-to-metal, quick-release mechanism. Heavy-duty (military style) harnesses with fabric loop connecting the shoulder harness to the male portion of the lap belt buckle, similar to those installed in the transport category helicopter, are acceptable.

G. The contractor shall possess a current air Carrier Operating Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. To comply with this contract, this certificate must authorize: Helicopter, VFR day, passenger and cargo, 9 passengers or less.

H. Notwithstanding subparagraph (b) of the Federal Aviation Regulations, 14 CFR 135.1, aircraft used on this contract will be operated and maintained under provisions of 14 CFR 135, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.

I. Pilots shall have at least an FAA commercial pilot certificate with appropriate category, class, and type rating if required. Pilots must show evidence of satisfactorily passing FAA currency flight check in accordance with provisions of 14 CFR 135, in the make and model offered for this contract, within the previous twelve (12) month period.

Verification of rechecks accomplished during the period of the contract shall be forwarded to the Contracting Officer.

J. The Pilot must show either by an OAS card or otherwise that they are qualified for

"Mountain Flying & Snow Operations (deep snow)".

K. Helicopter shall be operated and maintained in accordance with applicable Federal

Aviation Regulations and the manufacturer's recommendations. Helicopter components which have been operated beyond the published limitation specified by FAA or the manufacture's publication, engines and /or major components having an establish TBO or finite life will be scheduled for replacement so as to minimize unavailability during the contract period or extension thereof.

L. Compliance with applicable manufacture's bulletins, FAA Air worthiness Directives

(AD), and the correction of maintenance deficiencies shall be accomplished prior to delivery and during service under this contract.

M. A copy of the Contractor's procedures manual as outlined in 14 CFR, Part 135, paragraph 135.21 shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer or their authorized representative.

N. The contractor shall assure that all maintenance performed on the contract helicopter is recorded in the affected component maintenance record in accordance with 14 CFR 43 and 91 in addition to the helicopter time-in-service and the hour meter entries.

O. The NRCS will send a snow sampler and a note taker who will be responsible for data collection during surveys.

P. The contractor must obtain prior approval from the COR or Contracting Officer (CO) before any unapproved pilots or passengers can accompany the approved pilot and NRCS personnel.

4. AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS

A. Minimum seating capacity: two (2) passenger.

B. Typical winter load will include the weight of the pilot, two NRCS employees and approximately 150 pounds of snow sampling equipment, skis, snowshoes, survival packs and personal gear while making numerous landings at unprepared snow-covered sites at elevations as high as 11,000 feet.

C. Typical summer load will include the weight of the pilot, two NRCS employees and up to 1,000 pounds of equipment and supplies, as outlined in section 1 above, as well as personal gear and tool bags, while making numerous landings &/or sling load transports at elevations as high as 10,500 feet.

D. Operating range of at least 200 statute miles.

E. High skid gear and snowpads for deep snow landings and OAS/USFS carded for “Deep Snow/Snow Landings”.

F. Capacity of hovering in ground effect at 9500 feet pressure altitude and 25 degrees Celsius with non-jettisonable payload of 875 pounds, using actual pilot weight and fuel for one hour and 30 minutes.

G. Capability of taking off and landing at 10,000 feet pressure altitude at 18 degrees Celsius.

5. OTHER.

A. All Federal wage rates will be applicable.

B. Upon completion and acceptance of all work under the contract, the Contractor shall furnish a release of all claims against the government arising under and by virtue of the contract. The last invoice will be marked "Final"

END