Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) Training Course PWS.docx

Federal Aviation Administration

Performance Work Statement

Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) Training course for FAA

August 2025

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Aircraft Workforce Development Branch – Critical Incident Response Program Training course for FAA

A. PROJECT/TITLE

The purpose of critical incident response training to prepare individuals to effectively manage and respond to serious incidents, often focusing on psychological support and de-escalation techniques. FAA flight test pilots plan, execute, and report on certification flight tests across a wide variety of aircraft types, and performance levels, with new and innovative technology, resulting in unusual hazards and elevated risk levels. FAA accident investigators report on a variety of serious accidents involving high-stress, life-threatening situations and frequent exposure to traumatic events. Most pilot and investigator groups have adopted CIRP, which is credited with helping many pilots return to the cockpit after an accident or incident and investigators return to their everyday job of investigating incidents after exposure to life and death scenarios. Engineers, pilots and investigators are trained in structured defusing and debriefing techniques that help members and families more effectively deal with normal responses to abnormal events. It is critical that FAA flight test pilots, engineers and investigators be exposed to and cognizant of the latest flight test techniques, lessons-learned, and risk mitigation processes.

B. BACKGROUND

Under Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.), the FAA is authorized to train employees as necessary in the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of the Administrator. The interests of the public, the safety of the workforce, and the credibility of the organization are best served by having qualified, proficient, and current inspectors conducting surveillance, testing, and checking functions.

C. SCOPE

The contractor must provide Initial and Recurrent Critical Incident Response Program training to FAA Flight Test Pilots, Flight Test Engineers and Accident Investigators. The contractor may provide this training through their standard courses offered to the public, other Government agencies or by submitting courses solely intended for FAA Pilots/Engineers/Investigators.

The FAA estimates that four classes will be held annually (two initial and two recurrent), providing approximately 24 hours of instruction. The class size should not exceed 20 students.

Student quotas will be determined by Aircraft Certification Service – Planning and Program Division (AIR-900) and Office of Accident Investigation & Prevention (AVP-110). FAA formal training consists of training courses with agency-level course numbers that will be officially recorded in the employee’s personnel records. The tuition cost should be based on a per-student basis. Training to be conducted at Mike Moroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.

D. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are used to define the terminology contained herein:

1. Contracting Officer (CO): The person authorized to act on behalf of the Government to negotiate and award contracts and modifications thereto, and to administer contracts through completion or termination. Except for certain limited authority delegated by the Contracting Officer to a technical representative, the Contracting Officer is the only individual with the authority to direct the work of the Contractor.

2. Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The authorized Government representative(s) acting within the limits of their delegated authority for management of specific projects or functional activities.

3. DOT: Department of Transportation

4. FAA: Federal Aviation Administration

E. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR), Parts 91, 121, and 135. The applicable regulations are available for download, in pdf format, from www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_regulations/ Title 49 of the United States Code available at http://uscode.house.gov/download/download.shtml

F. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Daily Sessions: Begin when the student shows at the training facility for training each day. For Initial Training, the contractor must present and deliver an approximately 3-day instructor-led training course which must be conducted on a one-shift basis, eight hours (8) per day, not including breaks as follows:

a. 1st day (Tuesday)

b. 3rd day (Thursday)

c. Ensure a meal break for training more than 6 hours daily and two 10-15 minute breaks

d. Ensure one 10-15 break for training at least 4 hours of training

2. To the maximum extent possible, training should not commence during a scheduled or the day following a federal holiday, nor be conducted on a weekend. Training shall be conducted Monday through Friday and is to be continuous during these days except for federally established holidays. Local or state holidays must not interrupt the training period. Normal hours of training should not begin later than 9:00 a.m. local time. Should a requirement exist to change either the hours or days of training indicated, the change must be coordinated in advance with the FAA COR.

3. The FAA will provide a final roster prior to the beginning of class. In the event the FAA student fails to report for training as scheduled, or should become ill, injured or incapacitated during the training period, the contractor must promptly notify the COR and the student’s emergency contact if known.

4. Level of Training: FAA personnel are expected to perform at a level compatible with the highest standards of the specialty. Accordingly, each course of instruction shall adhere to the adult learning principles, which include but are not limited to:

a. Focus the training on "Real World" situations and applications.

b. Emphasize how the training can be applied.

c. Relate the training to the instructional objectives.

d. If possible, relate the training materials to the FAA employees past experience.

e. Allow reasonable debate and challenge of ideas.

f. Encourage FAA employees to be resources to one another.

g. Provide the tools necessary for conducting ethical, out-come based interviewing of individuals employed by FAA regulated entities

In addition:

a. The classes shall not contain content or methodology likely to produce high levels of emotional response;

b. The training content and methodology of the classes shall not be associated with religious, quasi-religious, or new age belief systems;

c. The classes shall not include materials which could be viewed as attempts to change the influence an individual’s personal values or lifestyle outside the workplace.

G. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Course contents shall include at a minimum:

a. Definitions

b. Identification of Stress Reactions

c. Defusing

d. Debriefings

e. Peer Support Volunteer identification, responsibilities and tasks

2. All instruction must be presented by a qualified instructor in a classroom environment (in-person) as the preferred method of training, unless there is a natural disaster or pandemic. If the training cannot be conducted in a brick and mortar environment, Computer-Based Instruction (CBI) or Virtual Training is allowed at the discretion of the Government and with concurrence of the vendor.

If CBI or Virtual Training is used to accomplish training then the following requirements must be met:

a. Prior to training, provide information to the COR on the computer based platform being utilized for approval to include number of hours and the number of training days.

b. Students shall receive a thorough briefing on the operation and use of the software prior to start of first date of course for accessing the virtual platform. If workbook materials is required for CBI training, students must receive material 10 days prior to training.

c. Provide Time Zone training will be conducted.

d. At least one instructor shall be present or readily accessible by electronic means to resolve any problems or questions that the FAA may have regarding the material presented in the course.

e. All material presented by CBI shall be reviewed and reinforced by a qualified instructor in classroom discussion or one-on-one with the Safety Inspector.

3. At least two weeks prior to any course, provide each registered student with the training site address, map and/or directions to the training site, a local point of contact and telephone number, and commercially available lodging near the training site.

4. On the first day of training for brick and mortar and three (3) days before virtual training, the contractor must provide all training aids consisting of learning objectives for each topic not limited to:

a. syllabus/lesson plans/training schedule,

b. handouts/course material, including participant guides

c. instructor guides

d. exercise worksheets

e. presentation slides

f. reference material with class notes

5. The FAA will provide a final roster prior to beginning of class. Notify the COR of any non-attendance on the first day of training and throughout the course. Upon successful completion of all training forward a Certificate of training (PDF) (Appendix A) for each attendee to the FAA COR.

6. Qualifications: The contractor shall provide professional instructors to deliver the course and must meet the following requirements:

a. Three (3) years of instructor experience

7. Training Facilities (applicable when Contractor provides a training facility):

The Contractor must provide Instructor Led Training (ILT) in a training facility which must be located in the United States and preferably within 25 miles of a major airport serviced by at least one major US air carrier. In addition training facilities must comply with the following:

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