B01_SPCA_Synopsis_2.pdf

Pre-Solicitation Notice: 140D0424R0009

The Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), in support of the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), has a requirement for fully Contractor operated and maintained exclusive use Single Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aircraft services in support of fire suppression. Contractor services include provision of an aircraft, personnel, and all other associated equipment as prescribed in this solicitation/contract. Water will be scooped from water sources such as lakes or rivers and/or loaded at ground locations. Chemical fire retardant/suppressants may be loaded in the Contractor’s aircraft.

The Government will direct aircraft to support its missions and objectives. During the exclusive use period and any subsequent extension, aircraft furnished shall be subject to the exclusive use and control of the Government 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The Government has interagency and cooperative agreements with other Federal and State agencies and private landholders and may dispatch aircraft under this contract for such cooperative use. The contractor must be certificated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137, and all aircraft proposed must meet the following minimum specifications:

Aircraft Required: Exclusive use, single engine amphibious water scooping aircraft for wildland fire support equipped as specified in Section B. "Interagency Air Tanker Board (IAB) approved or interim approved Type 3 Air Tanker/Gate system."

Fuel Servicing Support Vehicle: One vehicle equipped as specified in Section B.

Bureau: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Crew Complement Required: Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and fuel service support vehicle driver/operator.

Relief PIC and relief fuel service support vehicle driver/operator.

Designated Base: Deer Park, WA.

Exclusive Use Period: 90 Days (Estimated June 15th through September 12th each fire season)

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

• Must have a Standard and/or Restricted Airworthiness Certificate.

• Aircraft certified under 14 CFR 23 or 25.

• Certified for VFR day flight.

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

• Aircraft must have IAB approved or interim approved gate installed.

• Aircraft must be capable of dispensing water, fire retardant, and water enhancer.

• Minimum 1600 shaft horsepower.

• Tank capacity of 799 U.S. gallons.

• Payload 650 U.S. gallons of water with 2 hours and 30 minutes (2.5 hours) of fuel at 3,000 feet pressure altitude and 25º Celsius.

• Cruise airspeed of at least 140 knots true airspeed at 7,000 feet pressure altitude and 30º Celsius, empty tank.

• Capable of operating from a 5,000-foot gravel runway, 3,000 feet pressure altitude, and 25º

Celsius at certified gross takeoff weight.

Notes:

• Air Tractor 802 aircraft equipped with water scooping amphibious floats (Fire Boss) are known to meet the above requirements.

• The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that “equal” products must meet are specified in the contract.

• After retardant operations, aircraft must be appropriately cleaned prior to beginning scooper operations.

• Aircraft may be required to have the tank and gating system cleansed after operations in water that have known invasive species.

• The use of water enhancers with on-board injection systems are not permitted to be used on federally contracted aircraft, or on federal lands, unless requested and approved by the ordering Agency.

The contract period of performance is a five-year ordering period from 01 March 2024 and 28 February 2029 (estimated, actual dates based upon date of award), with the possibility of up to a six-month extension. The exclusive use period is 90 days, subject to change as permitted in the solicitation.

A Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice was posted on sam.gov 30 October 2023, in order to determine the number and types of Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) and small businesses, including Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), 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 06 November 2023.

One (1) response was received, and was determined to be 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 will be issued under full and open competition under NAICS code 115310, Forest Fire Suppression, which has a small business size standard of $ or less. The PSC Code will be F003, Natural Resources/Conservation-Forest-Range Fire Suppression/Pre-Suppression. The Government will award a contract in accordance with the best-value determination as stated in the solicitation.

AQD intends to issue the solicitation on or after 12 January 2024. Offers are anticipated to be due on 14 February 2023 with an award being issued no later than May 2024.

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:

Shay Roadruck Contracting Officer shay_roadruck@ibc.doi.gov mailto:shay_roadruck@ibc.doi.gov