B01_SPCA_Synopsis_2.pdf

Pre-Solicitation Notice: 140D0425R0098

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:

Designated Base: Bemidji, MN

Bureau: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Exclusive Use Period: 60 Days (Estimated April 14 – June 12 each fire season)

Aircraft Required: One (1) Exclusive Use, Single Engine Water Scooping Aircraft equipped as specified in Section B.

Crew Compliment Required: (1) Level I SEAT Pilot in Command (PIC)

(1) Level I or II SEAT Relief Pilot as specified in Section B

Fuel Service Vehicle: Fuel Service vehicle with driver/operator and relief driver/operator required for operations in Lower 48. Not required in Alaska.

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

Must have a Standard or Restricted Airworthiness Certificate.

Aircraft certified under 14 CFR 23 or 25.

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.

Minimum 1600 Shaft Horsepower (SHP)

Certified for VFR, Day Only

Tank capacity of 799 US gallons.

Aircraft capable of dispensing both water and fire retardant

Endurance of 2 hours and 30 minutes, 600 gallons of water, 200 lb. pilot at 3,000’ PA 25º Celsius.

Capable of operating from 5,000 ft. gravel runway at @ 3,000ft PA and 30º Celsius with an empty tank.

Cruise airspeed of at least 140 kts true airspeed at 7,000 ft. PA and 30º Celsius, empty tank

Aircraft must have the IAB approved, or Interim approved gate installed on the aircraft at the time of inspection.

Notes:

• Air Tractor AT-802F aircraft are known to meet the above requirements.

• The following IAB approved Type 3 single engine airtanker gates:

Air Tractor Fire Gate Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3

Hydromax Gate

Hatfield Gate

• 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 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.

• All exhibits applicable to this contract are included at the end of Section C.

The contract period of performance is a five-year ordering period from 01 February 2026 and 31 January

2031 (estimated, actual dates based upon date of award), with the possibility of up to a six-month extension. The exclusive use period is 60 days, subject to change as permitted in the solicitation.

A Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice was posted on sam.gov 30 July 2025, 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 August 2025. One

(1) response was received, and the vendor was determined not 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 $34M 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 19 November 2025. Offers are anticipated to be due on

29 December 2025 with an award being issued no later than February 2026.

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