B01_SPCA_Synopsis_1.docx

Pre-Solicitation Notice: 140D0423R0058

The Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), in support of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP), has requirements for Exclusive Use, fully contractor operated and maintained rotary wing aircraft for Antarctica mission work in support of the United States Antarctic Program. Contractor will be required to perform these services seven days a week during the flight season (approximately 4 months) with helicopters stored in Antarctica for the remainder of the year until next season. The contractor is required to provide pilots, helotechs and mechanics in Antarctica during the flight season for three helicopters.

The aircraft awarded under these contracts must be capable of performing in the unique Antarctic conditions.

The Contractor must obtain and keep current, all of the following required certificates (or foreign equivalents) and must ensure that contract aircraft are operated and maintained in compliance with those certificates at all times:

1. A Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Air Carrier Certificate or Operating Certificate which authorizes the Contractor to operate in the category and class of aircraft and under flight conditions required by this contract (e.g., rotorcraft, visual flight rules (VFR) day/night, passengers, and internal/external cargo).

2. The aircraft must be identified on the list required by 14 CFR Part 135.63 or Operations Specifications Part D, "D085 Aircraft Listing". The contractor’s Operations Specifications shall authorize the carriage of hazardous materials in accordance with 49 CFR.

3. The contract aircraft must have a Standard Airworthiness Certificate. Installation of any equipment required by this contract must be FAA approved.

4. A 14 CFR Part 133 “Rotorcraft External Load Operations” certificate which authorizes Class A and B loads, as a minimum.

Aircraft proposed must meet the following minimum specifications:

Designated Base Locations: Item One: Exclusive Use; Designated Base Locations: McMurdo, Antarctica (Two light helicopters for 130 days availability with the possibility of extension thereafter; up to 20 calendar days; remainder of the year will be in storage in Antarctica).

Item Two: Exclusive Use; Designated Base Locations: McMurdo, Antarctica (One medium helicopters for 130 days availability with the possibility of extension thereafter; up to 20 calendar days; remainder of the year will be in storage in Antarctica).

Aircraft Required: Multi or single engine Turbine, rotary wing aircraft, equipped as specified in Section B of the resultant solicitation. See below for basic specifications.

Crew Complement Required: For light helicopters: 1.5 pilots, 1 mechanic, and 1.5 helotechs per aircraft. For medium helicopter: 2 pilots, 1 mechanic, and 2 helotechs.

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

Must have a Standard Airworthiness Certificate.

Aircraft certified under 14 CFR 133 or 135 or foreign equivalent.

An aircraft make and model for which engineering and logistical support for continued airworthiness is provided from the current type certificate or supplemental type certificate holder.

For Light Helos:

Seating: Five insured passenger seats, not including pilot but including copilot seat, in an aircraft normally single-pilot operated.

Powerplant: Turbine engine.

Landing Gear: Skid type.

Airspeed: 130 knots Vne at sea level

Payload: Non-jettisonable (HOGE) of 840 pounds at -10 degrees Celsius at 4,000 feet pressure altitude using a pilot weight of 225 pounds, and fuel for 1.9 hours.

For Medium Helo:

Seating: Nine insured passenger seats, not including pilot but including copilot seat, in an aircraft normally single-pilot operated.

Powerplant: Turbine engine(s).

Landing Gear: Skid type.

Airspeed: 120 knots Vne at sea level.

Payload: Non-jettisonable (HOGE) of 2,300 pounds at -10 degrees Celsius at 4,000 feet pressure altitude using a pilot weight of 225 pounds, and fuel for 1.9 hours.

A Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice was posted on sam.gov 30 November 2022, in order to determine the number and types of Small Disadvantaged (SDB), Section 8(a), Woman-Owned (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned (EDWOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran Owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) capable of meeting the Government’s requirement. The RFI closed on 30 December 2022. Nine (9) responses were received, which were determined to have varying levels of confidence in being capable of meeting the requirements of the procurement.

The services required of this Request for Proposals (RFP) are being acquired under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 15 Contracting by Negotiation. This solicitation is intended to be full and open under NAICS code 481211, Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation. The PSC Code will be V221 (Transportation, Travel, and Relocation). The Government will award a single Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract in accordance with the best-value determination as stated in the solicitation.

AQD intends to issue the solicitation on or after 15 June 2023. Offers are anticipated to be due on or around 15 July 2023 with an award being issued in October 2023.

AQD will consider all responsible sources that submit a timely offer that conforms to the solicitation. Any contractor interested in doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be awarded a contract. SAM is a Federal Government owned and operated free website at www.SAM.gov.

Point of Contact:

Homer Shoup Contracting Officer homer_shoup@ibc.doi.gov