Attachment 3 - High Altitude PWS 56 and 57 FINAL.pdf

56th and 57th RESCUE SQUADRON

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

FOR:

High Altitude and Mountain

Aeromedical/Search & Rescue

Continuation Training

Date: 28 September 2023

PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT

FOR

High Altitude Search and Rescue Training and Mountain Aeromedical/Search & Rescue Continuation Training

1. OBJECTIVE

This Performance Work Statement outlines requirements for a mountain flight training course for USAF HH-60 aircrew to learn search and rescue tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP’s) to ensure mission readiness in the European Alps. Also defined are the efforts required from the contractor to provide instructional services and flight opportunities in order to accomplish mountain aeromedical recovery qualification and continuation training. These iterations will greatly enhance the skillset of the emergency medical professionals by providing the most contemporary and effective international best-practices (P1), reinforced by high-volume real rescue mission opportunities (P2) with requisite professional oversight.

2. GENERAL

P1:The contractor must provide all management, supervision, tools, supplies, equipment, qualified personnel, services, course marking materials, instructional material, and any other items necessary to provide theorical and practical high altitude mountain search, rescue, and recovery flight training, in accordance with (IAW) the requirements specified in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and all applicable host nations laws. Each course must support two USAF aircrew members: one Pilot and one Special Missions Aviator (SMA). The contractor will work with the 56RQS Chief of Training to coordinate a yearly course schedule at the beginning of each fiscal year. Names and requested dates will be supplied by the 56RQS Chief of Training no later than 1 week before each class start date.

P2:The Contractor must also provide for the opportunity to participate in the full spectrum of skills, exercises, and recovery missions, in accordance with (IAW) the approval of the flight crew and requirements specified in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) as well as all applicable host nations laws. Each Qualification iteration must support up to eight United States Air Force (USAF) Pararescueman (PJ) or Combat Rescue Officer (CRO). Each Continuation iteration must support up to two USAF PJ’s or Qualified Flight Physician. Names and requested dates will be supplied by the 57th RQS Current Operations Director a minimum of 2 weeks before class start date.

3. SERVICES REQUIRED

The 56th Rescue Squadron (56RQS) is a USAF Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) unit stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Its mission is to recover isolated personnel in contested environments, including the high alps of Europe. The 57th Rescue Squadron (RQS) is a USAF Guardian Angel Squadron based in Aviano, Italy. The 57th RQS mission requires that all Pararescuemen become experienced and remain proficient in numerous facets of rotary-wing rescue and emergency medicine in all environments. The 56th’s Pilots and SMAs require mountain terrain flight experience and additional training in high density altitude (DA) approaches, first aid, dynamic hoisting, avalanche rescue, avalanche dynamics, case study reviews, and application of actual rescue scenarios in real world conditions. The local mountain training area, which includes the Italian Alps, is severely limited, as most landing zones are below 5,000 MSL.

During winter months, host nation requirements deny access to snowy, alpine terrain. In summer months, aircraft performance preclude access. This handcuffs a crew’s ability to challenge themselves and practice critical high DA skills on a regular basis.

Currently the 57th RQS does not have sufficient real opportunities to effectively perform life-saving medical care at the boundary of helicopter flight and technical mountainous terrain. The 57th RQS is seeking to supplement training and experience through a professional mountain helicopter rescue foundational and rotational period. Pararescuemen need continued exposure and mentorship in relevant best-practices of mountain weather considerations, live dynamic hoist and long-line recoveries, emergency medicine in adverse and high-altitude, cabin treatment considerations, avalanche/crevasse and high-angle terrain evaluation and considerations, helicopter lift/approach/landing considerations, recent case studies reviews, and application of actual rescue scenarios in dynamic conditions.

3.1. Definition of Mountain Terrain Flight Experience:

"Mountainous terrain experience is defined as: experience in maneuvering a helicopter at more than 7,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) altitude including numerous takeoffs and landings in situations indicative to mountainous terrain. This terrain consists of abrupt, rapidly rising terrain resulting in a high land mass projecting above its surroundings, wherein complex structures in which folding, faulting, and igneous activity have taken place. These mountainous areas produce vertical mountain winds and turbulence associated with mountain waves, producing abrupt changes in wind direction often resulting in up-flowing or down-flowing air currents."

3.2. Mountain Rescue Refers To:

Search and rescue in mountainous environments is commonly associated with precise technical rope employment, confined/exposed landing zones, snow, avalanches, ice, crevasses, glaciers, alpine environments, unpredictable weather, and high altitudes. The difficult and remote nature of the terrain in which mountain rescue often occurs has resulted in the development of specific pieces of flight equipment and interest in continued development of tactics, techniques, and procedures.

4. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

4.1. Contractor Supplied

4.1.1. High altitude flying training area within a 7 hour drive from Aviano AB.

4.1.2. All courses and missions will be taught/facilitated in English by fluent instructors.

4.1.3. At least 2 instructors will be provided. 1 pilot and 1 hoist operator, or technical rescue expert with a paramedic certification.

4.1.4. 1 instructor must be a helicopter rated pilot with a minimum of 2000 hours of mountainous terrain experience.

4.1.5. 1 instructor must be a helicopter hoist operator that holds a paramedic certification with a minimum of 300 hoist cycles.

4.1.6. Training course should be accomplished within 1 week, with extensions possible due to weather/maintenance delays.

4.1.7. Contractor will provide hoist equipped rotary-wing aircraft. This includes all associated gear baskets, long-line, aircraft attachments, sling load netting, maintenance and fuel.

4.1.8. P1:Helicopter will be able to support at least 2 students and 2 instructors simultaneously.

4.1.9. Provide classroom, educational material, airspace, and storage space for flight, medical, ski, and technical recovery gear.

4.1.10. Contractor will provide 10 courses per year, as outlined in 4.3 and 4.4.

4.1.11. One (1) instructor will be provided. 1 Physician, 1 Flight Paramedic or Technical Rescue expert with a paramedic certification.

4.1.12. Ensure adequate instructors, facilities and other equipment needed to support real recovery missions and instructional periods.

4.1.13. Total training length will be 5 days with the possibility of extending up to 6 days.

4.1.14. P2: Helicopter will be able to support one student and one instructor simultaneously except under exceptionally limited lift and/or space conditions (as deemed by the aircrew). All attempts will be made to include the member on the response helicopter and/or recovery effort.

4.1.15. For qualification training blocks, helicopter will be able to support all 8 students flights to/from hands-on training sites for skills application and scenario execution.

4.1.16. When indicated during skill performance or rescue missions, contractor will provide oversight by trained physician and/or paramedic and allow maximum opportunity to perform patient assessment, medical interventions, and extraction preparations at technical and non-technical point-of-injury/incident (POI).

4.1.16.1. Medical interventions may include all PHTLS/ACLS/PALS care, administration of Intravenous (IV)/Intraosseous (IO) access, airway management, fluid administration of all medications, bleeding management, splinting, Advanced Life Support (ALS) or invasive interventions and reassessments.

4.1.16.2. Extraction preparations include any of those activities included in the vendor’s qualification course which allows for safe transfer from the POI into the helicopter. These may include technical aspects of avalanche, crevasse and canyoneering, climbing, rappelling and load transfers.

4.2. US Government Provided Equipment/Services

4.2.1. Technical civilian outdoor clothing and equipment for use in mountain rescue missions and survival circumstances for student pilot, SMA, PJs, and CROs.

4.3. Ground Training

4.3.1. Contractor will provide at least 10 hours of academics consisting of:

4.3.1.1. Mountain winds/European Alps weather patterns.

4.3.1.2. High density altitude power management.

Additional training days beyond the established cap may be granted to accommodate factors such as inclement weather, mission and aircraft availability.

4.3.1.3. Mountain hoisting: static vs dynamic and vertical face rescue.

4.3.1.4. Mountain rescue procedures and case study reviews.

4.3.1.5. First aid class taught by paramedic or medical doctor with focus on enroute patient care.

4.3.1.6. Avalanche training: avalanche theory, conditions, reporting, ground team helicopter integration, survivor recovery procedures, and current recovery technology review and use.

4.3.2. Training topics may be combined if learning objectives are completed. Classroom instruction can be supplemented with flight time.

4.3.3. P1: Contractor will provide 2 - 4 hours of initial class room instruction (day 1)

4.3.3.1. Contractor will provide 40 hours of hands-on application in alert facility and diverse mountain terrain.

4.3.4. P2: Contractor will provide 4 hours of review (day 1) on mountain and helicopter rescue operations per established best practices.

4.3.4.1. Contractor will provide tailored ground instruction during alert periods when not flying, preparing, or reconstituting from a mission, focused on member’s specific needs.

4.4. Flight Training

4.4.1. Contractor will provide at least 6 hours of flight training over duration of the course; of which at least 2 hours will be dedicated to support hoist, hover, and approach training.

4.4.2. Contractor will provide a minimum of 10 hoist cycles. A minimum of 3 cycles will include a live survivor (or survivor mannequin).

4.4.3. Contractor will have student pilot fly at least 10 high DA approaches.

4.4.4. P1: Contractor will allow for at least one 12-hour alert period for mission execution

4.4.5. P1: Contractor will provide 4 days of helicopter flight opportunities supporting hands-on skills and principles taught in the ground training period.

4.4.5.1. Where weather conditions prevent or diminish flight opportunities, contractor will provide other off-site training opportunities in a mountainous environment .

4.4.6. P2: Contractor will provide 60 hours (5 consecutive 12-hour duty days) of mission alert paired with a qualified instructor present.

opportunities. Any course training requirements may be conducted in conjunction with real world missions.

4.4.6.1. Where the patient speaks Swiss/German or another local language, the instructor will need to communicate with the patient.

4.4.6.2. Where weight or space is limited, the PJ will not be guaranteed aboard.

4.4.6.3. Where the patient is very critical or the member is not comfortable with a procedure, the most experienced crew member will perform the procedure.

5. MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE

5.1. Contractor will complete 100% of ground training and flight time listed.

5.2. Contractor will complete 100% of hands-on application of instructed skills.

5.3. P1: Contractor will ensure a minimum of 4 flights.

5.4. P2: Contractor will ensure a minimum of 5 missions flown.

5.5. Contractor is able to request member to spend a maximum of two (2) extra days at training if weather/missions do not allow minimum number of missions flown.

5. MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE