Attachment I STATEMENT OF WORK_Area location.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

USCG Aviation Training Requirements Coast Guard Air Stations Nationwide

1.0 Scope of Work: This Statement of Work describes the vessel(s) and personnel required to support aviation training for U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Air Stations in Sitka, Alaska; Astoria, Oregon; Barbers Point, Hawaii; Kodiak, Alaska; Corpus Christi, Texas; Houston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Miami, Florida; Clearwater, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Traverse City, Michigan. The contractor will be responsible for providing and operating a vessel (or vessels) in support of the USCG’s aviation training program. Specifically, the contractor shall provide all necessary management, supervision, personnel, labor, materials, fuel, and equipment necessary for the vessel(s) to support helicopter hoisting, helicopter weapons training (also known as Airborne Use of Force training), and fixed-wing aerial delivery evolutions by aircraft from the listed Air Stations.

1.1 Background: The Department of Homeland Security, USCG has a requirement for training vessel support services. The USCG Operational Logistics Command (LOGCOM) requires a vessel or vessels to support the Aviation Training Program at multiple locations nationwide. USCG Air Stations require consistent aviation training to maintain aircrew proficiency in essential skills like helicopter hoisting, rescue swimmer deployment/recovery, helicopter weapons training, and aerial delivery. These skills are critical for executing the Search and Rescue mission. Historically, USCG surface assets and local volunteers supported this training. However, increased operational commitments have significantly reduced the availability and reliability of these resources, impacting aircrew readiness. Dedicated training vessel support is therefore essential to ensure aircrews maintain proficiency and Air Stations can safely and effectively execute their statutory missions.

1.2. Vessel Description: The contracted training vessel for helicopter and fixed-wing hoisting and recovery training shall have the following characteristics:

Contracted Training Vessel Characteristics (Helicopter Hoisting & Aerial Delivery):

Dimensions:

Overall Length: 34-80 feet Beam: Minimum 9 feet Draft: Minimum 3 feet, Maximum 4.25 feet (Shallow draft undesirable due to rotor downwash) Weight: Minimum gross vessel weight of 8 tons.

Deck Area: Minimum 50-64 square feet clear, unobstructed deck area on the aft (fantail) portion to safely conduct training/hoisting operations. Deck area must be visible to vessel operator. A platform structure on the aft portion of the vessel accessible by the vessel’s crew is acceptable.

Overhead Clearance: No permanent structures protruding higher than 25 feet above the waterline that cannot be quickly stowed (e.g., antennas, rigging).

Maneuverability & Stability:

Capable of maintaining a heading of +/- 10 degrees at 5-15 knots while operating under helicopter rotor downwash (up to 90 knots) in varying sea states and winds.

Capable of operating "dead in the water" (DIW) for up to 30 minutes while under helicopter rotor downwash.

Performance: Minimum transit speed of 10 knots for a minimum of 3-5 hours without refueling.

Recovery Capabilities:

Capable of recovering up to 8 people from the water and transporting them to shore.

Capable of recovering floating rescue equipment dropped/lowered from aircraft

(dewatering pumps, rafts, mannequins, etc.) weighing less than 300 pounds.

Personnel Accommodations: Enclosed, heated cabin to accommodate the boat crew and at least one additional person.

Operating deck lights which can be manipulated on/off at the request of the helicopter training crews at all times.

1.2.1 Other Characteristics: The vessel must also meet the following characteristics:

Must be capable of easily recovering personnel or floating equipment from the water Must be capable of maintaining at least 10 knots transit speed for a minimum of 3 hours; 15 knots for 3 hours is desired

1.2.2 Vessel Equipment: The vessel shall have all equipment required by law, including a fathometer, radar, VHF-FM multiple frequency capable 2-way marine radio with specified frequencies/channels (13, 16, 21, 22, 23, 81, 83) and a minimum range of 20 NM, a cellular phone for secondary communication with the Air Station Operations Center, GPS, and a long-distance, high-beam searchlight (hand-held or fixed).

A radio headset or equivalent device/technique is required to allow the operator to clearly understand radio communication between the aircraft and the vessel while a helicopter is directly overhead. In cold weather environments (air temperatures between -2 degrees C to 0 degrees C (28 degrees F to 32 degrees F)), the crew must be able to operate for 30 minutes then receive 15 minutes of “warm up” in the heated cabin before resuming training exercises

1.2.3 Safety Equipment: The vessel shall be outfitted with a contractor-furnished first aid kit, USCG-approved Type III personal flotation devices for crew and passengers, and survival suits as needed for crew members operating on the weather deck/under rotor downwash in cold temperatures. The contractor shall provide helmets, goggles, and hearing/ear protection for crew members during helicopter hoisting. The vessel shall demonstrate a means to dissipate static electricity from the helicopter through a grounding wand to the water or vessel. All equipment shall be used in accordance with and be of the same type or better as listed in the USCG Rescue and Survival Systems Manual, COMDTINST M10470.10(series) and the USCG Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M16114.5(series). The contractor shall operate and maintain the vessel and all equipment/systems per manufacturer's specifications, USCG regulations, and all applicable laws, and shall familiarize employees with all maritime regulations. The contractor shall inform the Government of any hazards or unsafe conditions during embarkation/disembarkation and shall report any personnel injuries or damage to Government property to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) within two (02) hours of the incident.

1.2.4 Required Docking/Mooring Facilities: The contractor is responsible for providing docking/mooring facilities for their vessel(s). The vessel shall be located within a one-hour transit time from the geographical area of operation. For specific operations, the contract vessel(s) shall be homeported, moored, or launched from within the designated operational area.

1.3 Personnel: The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform all requirements specified in this SOW. All contractor personnel are required to be U.S. citizens or legal residents of the United States, at least 18 years old, and able to read, write, and speak English fluently

1.3.1 Point Of Contact: The contractor shall provide a point of contact who shall be available to discuss work performed under this contract during the normal working day (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time) and during periods of underway time. The point of contact shall be able to read, write, and speak English fluently. The name(s), telephone numbers, and addresses of the point of contact shall be provided to the Contracting Officer with the quote.

1.3.2 Crew: Minimum vessel crew shall consist of a coxswain and two deckhands. The crew shall be currently trained in rescue techniques and water survival. Each of the crew members shall be capable of operating and maneuvering the vessel during helicopter hoist operations and for aerial delivery equipment pickup as well as any required rescue operations. vessel The training shall also be able to accommodate one USCG member during certain designated training situations (e.g. certain scenarios may require a USCG Guard member to conduct role playing with aircraft).

1.3.2.1 Master/Captain: The captain shall be licensed by the USCG to operate uninspected passengers vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 (42) Upon Near Coastal Waters Not More Than 100 Miles Offshore, at a minimum, for the size of the vessel being operated, including the carriage of six passengers, and shall be qualified in CPR.

1.3.2.2 Deckhands: The deckhands shall be knowledgeable in shipboard operations, rigging for helicopter operations, and deck seamanship. Training in procedures for helicopter operations will be provided by training USCG aircrew members.

1.4 Operational Requirements / Sites: The schedule required and the operating site is as follows:

1.4.1 Normal Schedule: Scheduling operations with the contractor will follow a two-step process. First, a Contracting Officers Representative or Contracting Officer will publish a monthly schedule outlining anticipated dates and general times for operations. This schedule is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a firm commitment. Second, the Government will email the Contractor with specific dates and on-scene times for each training event. The Contractor must reply to confirm receipt, and these emails will serve as proof of scheduled operations for billing purposes in case of cancellation. While specific schedules may vary, the contractor will typically be required to provide services on multiple days per week and shall be available based on a 5-7 day work week during defined hours. Operations will usually last between 1-6 hours but shall not exceed a maximum of 8-12 hours in any 24-hour period, depending on the location. The Contractor is responsible for tracking cumulative operational time and informing the Government when approaching maximum limits. The Government will strive to provide as much advance notice as possible regarding any deviations from the typical schedule. Finally, the contractor shall contact the local command center prior to departing mooring to ensure unexpected events have not cancelled training.

1.4.2 Area of Operations: The primary area of operations are listed below based on location: Contact Contract Specialist for exact location:

Air Station Atlantic City:

Air Station Barbers Point:

Air Station Borinquen:

Air Station Clearwater:

Air Station Corpus Christi:

Air Station Houston:

Air Station Miami:

Air Station New Orleans:

Air Station Kodiak Air Station Savannah:

Air Station Sitka:

Air Station Traverse City:

Air Station Astoria:

1.4.3 Operational Log: The contractor shall maintain a log of all operations including dates, times, locations, duration, and type of evolutions performed. The log shall be passed to the Air Station COR on a monthly basis within five (5) days of the end of the month.

1.4.4 Communications during Operations: The contractor shall ensure that the vessel contacts an appropriate USCG communication facility at intervals not to exceed 30 minutes while engaged in aviation training services. This communication facility will typically be the USCG Air Station Command Center each location listed in 1.4.2 unless provided by the COR..

1.4.5 Weather Criteria: The minimum acceptable weather conditions for training operations, assessed and potentially waived by the Air Station Operations Officer, are dependent on the specific location, but generally fall within the following parameters: cloud ceilings ranging from 500 to 1000 feet, visibility between 2 and 3 statute miles, sustained winds from 30 to 40 knots, and a maximum sea state of 6 feet. The minimum temperature for boat hoisting operations is between 28 and 32° F (-2 to 0° C). The vessel must be capable of completing training requirements within these limits. The contractor retains the right to cancel or limit training if safety is compromised by conditions within these limits or other environmental factors, and forecasted convective activity may also necessitate cancellation. The government assumes no responsibility for any misunderstandings or misrepresentations concerning conditions made prior to contract execution unless explicitly included in the contract documents, and training cancelled due to safety or weather will be rescheduled.

1.4.6 Functions / Tasks: The contractor shall support training operations involving the hoisting and/or delivery/deployment of equipment and rescue swimmers from government aircraft. These objects and/or personnel may be delivered directly to the vessel or deployed into the water for retrieval. The contractor shall also serve as an on-scene rescue asset during helicopter rescue swimmer deployment evolutions and helicopter approaches to the water. This support may include the return of delivered/retrieved training gear to designated personnel at the Air Station within 24 hours and providing a place to store a drill basket, if applicable. The training to be conducted will be both initial for new aviators/aircrews and proficiency maintenance for experienced aviators/aircrews. Examples are listed below:

TASK ONE. Underway Hoisting The contractor shall receive rescue devices or personnel lowered to the fantail of the vessel while making way at 10 knots from a helicopter overhead. The devices will be lowered either directly onto the fantail or with a trail line.

TASK TWO. Dead in the Water Hoisting

The contractor shall receive rescue devices or personnel lowered to the fantail of the vessel while dead in the water from a helicopter overhead. The devices will be lowered either directly onto the fantail or with a trail line.

TASK THREE. Swimmer Operations

The contractor shall act as a cover asset while a helicopter is conducting persons in the water operations, they shall keep visual contact with the training operation, and be ready to recover some or all of the helicopter crew from the water in the event of a crash or left swimmer.

TASK THREE. Approaches to the water

The contractor shall act as a cover asset while a helicopter is conducting approaches to the water, they shall keep visual contact with the training operation, and be ready to recover some or all of the helicopter crew from the water in the event of a crash.

1.5 Performance Evaluation Meetings: The contractor’s project manager shall meet at least biweekly with the COR during the first two months of the contract to discuss performance problems and review contractor corrective actions. The operational log will also be used to verify the contractor’s timely arrival on station. If the contractor fails to meet the scheduled training events or is unable to complete the training activity, the frequency of not fulfilling the scheduled requirements may be the basis for a deduction in the charter hire. Meetings will be held thereafter at intervals to be established by the Contracting Officer and

COR.

1.5.1 Pre-Award Inspection and Evaluation: A successful quote by a potential contractor will require an inspection and underway/on-scene evaluation of performance characteristics to ensure that the vessel meets the requirements indicated in this Statement of Work. Contractors shall anticipate background checks of personnel operating on the vessel. All personnel must meet background check requirements.

Additionally, personnel operating on the vessel will be encouraged not to discuss specifics of USCG training characteristics or training performance with personnel outside the government.

1.6 Liability Insurance: The contractor is responsible for ensuring they have adequate liability insurance coverage under FAR provisions 28.306. In addition, the contractor shall provide proof of third party liability insurance that covers up to a minimum of $1,000,000.00 in personal injuries and property damages.

1.7 Communication Procedures: The government shall provide/assign VHF communication frequencies for contractor use. The contractor shall provide a cellular phone on board for secondary communications with the Air Station Operations Center.

1.8 Orientation Briefing & Training: The USCG shall provide an orientation brief and initial training for key contract personnel prior to the contract start date. The orientation and training will include at a minimum safe boating practices, vessel hoisting operations, rescue swimmer operations, and dewatering pump delivery operations.

1.9 Invoicing for Service: A set payment will be established for a standard training block. The payment will be the same regardless of whether the USCG actually uses the full scheduled time. The standard training block will include at a minimum of two hours of contract vessel on scene time, not including transit time to/from the training site from the contractor’s mooring/docking location. Scheduled unused training time may be banked by the Air Station and added onto any future training block. No training event shall exceed six hours. Unused training time may not be used to set up a separate trip. Any unused training time at the end of the contract will be forfeited.

1.9.1 Cancellation Policy: Operations, maintenance, or other issues could force cancellations of previously scheduled training events. In the event that a cancellation is anticipated with greater than 24 hours notice to the contractor, no cost will be incurred by the USCG for that mission. If the Air Station cancels the training event with less than 24 hours, from the previously agreed upon start time, the USCG agrees to pay 50% of the cost of the training event. If cancellation due to weather is received with less than 12 hours prior to the scheduled training event, the USCG agrees to pay 50% of the cost of the initial two-hour training event. The Air Station Flight Schedules Officer will communicate the cancellation via phone and email, to the points of contacts provided by the contractor. If no answer or reply is received when an attempt is made, voice mail and email shall suffice for informing contractor of cancellation.

1.10 Applicable Documents

1.10.1 In each of the publications referred to herein, consider the advisory provisions to be mandatory, as though the word, “shall” had been substituted for “should” wherever it appears. Interpret references in these publications to the “authority having jurisdiction,” or work of similar meaning, to mean the Contracting Officer.

1.10.2 The below list of applicable documents is supplied to assist contractors in determining pertinent regulations and shall not be considered all-inclusive.

Title Description 46 CFR 175-187 Small Passenger Vessels 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C., Section 6901 et seq (R CRA) 33 CFR 154 Control of Pollution by Oil and Hazardous Substances, Discharge

Removal N/A The Water Quality Improvement Act of 1974 N/A The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) CERCLA of 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability

Act (CERCLA) of 1980) SARA of 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986

1.11 Deliverables

Deliverables Frequency Number of Copies and to Whom

Dates Required

Incident Report in accordance with Section 1.2.3

As needed Two, Contracting Officer and COR

Within Two (2) hours of the incident

Operational Log in accordance with Section 1.4.3

Monthly One, COR Within three (3) days of the previous operational weeks end

Name(s) telephone number and address of the point of contact in accordance with Section 1.3.1

As needed Two, Contracting Officer and COR

Provide initial list with quote

Certification of Insurance Annually One, Contracting Officer

Within Five (5) days after contract award and upon renewal

Liability Insurance in accordance with Section 1.6

As revised One, Contracting Officer

Within Five (5) days after contract award and upon renewal

Background Investigations in accordance with Section 1.12

As needed One, Contracting Officer

Before Placement of Employee

Licenses and Permits in accordance with Section 1.3.2.1

As needed One, Contracting Officer

With quote and upon renewal

Contract Discrepancy Report Form

As needed One, Contracting Officer

Within Three (3) days after receipt of form

1.12 Background Investigation: Only employees with an affirmative background investigation, certified by the contractor, shall be employed under this contract. An affirmative background investigation must be documented and provided to the Contracting Officer before placement of any personnel. At a minimum, background investigations shall include: a criminal investigation, including convictions of domestic violence, child abuse and drug offenses. Contractor shall not employ any employees under this contract who have been convicted of a felony, a General Courts Martial conviction, discharges from the Armed Forces with “Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge,” or adjudicated mentally incompetent. All employees must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens with work permits.

Affirmative Background Investigation Documentation: The contractor shall require each employee to complete and sign a SF-85, “Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions and Authorization for Release of

Information: (online at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF85.pdf) before placement of employee.

The contractor shall forward a completed copy of the SF-85 along with an affirmative background investigation statement described below for each employee prior to placement of employee. Background investigations shall be at the contractor’s expense. Only viable resources shall be used to conduct background investigations, e.g.: National law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS);

Federal, State and Local criminal justice investigation services; Department of Motor Vehicles; Federal and State Departments of Justice, etc. If background investigations are to be conducted as part of the State-licensing program, certification must include the results of the investigation and the areas considered in the background investigation. Upon conclusion of an affirmative background investigation, the contractor shall certify in writing which resources were used to conduct the investigation and the employee meets all the requirements of this paragraph.

1.13 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion: Contact the COR to arrange for inspection/acceptance of work.