IPT RFI - 12 June 2024.docx

Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought (SS) for Initial Pilot Training (IPT)

This Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought (SS) seeks Industry’s feedback in the review of the Government’s draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). In addition, the Government is seeking industry’s assistance in responding to the below questions to determine availability and capability of all qualified sources, large and small businesses, to perform a potential requirement. Responses received may be used for acquisition strategic decision-making purposes only. This announcement does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a contract or otherwise pay for the information solicited or any follow-up information requests.

The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this notice. Companies responding to this RFI/SS notice are advised that participation does not ensure involvement in any future solicitation or contract award. Contact with Government personnel, other than those specified in this RFI/SS, by interested firms or their employees regarding this requirement is not permitted.

Small Business Information The Government reserves the right to determine whether a Small Business (SB) set-aside is appropriate for this acquisition based on responses to this notice. To support a Government SB set-aside determination, interested SB concerns must provide sufficient written information to indicate their capability to successfully perform and manage all the requirements listed herein. Please include business type (Large Business, Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(A)-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business (8a), HUBZone Small Business (HUBZone), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)) based upon the NAICS 611512 Flight Training, Size Standard $34M.

Purpose:

The Government is conducting Market Research/fact-finding to:

a. Request feedback from Industry members on the Government’s draft PWS via Comment Resolution Matrix (Attachment 1).

b. Determine the extent to which sources can provide solutions to conduct all operations associated with a robust flight training program as defined by this RFI (flying operations, provision of simulators, academics (inclusive of instructors), aircraft and simulator maintenance, lodging, transportation, and meals.

c. The Government does not have a desired/specified location and requests respondents use areas within the Continental United States (CONUS) where they have existing operations. The goal is to minimize impacts to mobilization, bed-down, and environmental concerns.

d. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for the upfront/mobilization and sustainment cost as defined by this RFI and PWS.

Description:

To increase pilot production output, production efficiency, and pipeline modernization, the United States Air Force (USAF) seeks new means to increase throughput. This RFI requests a fully autonomous contract training capability solution.

Summary:

It is the Government’s intention to research available sources to meet the above criteria as part of this preliminary Market Research RFI. The Government may use responses to this RFI to determine industry’s capability to perform the services outlined within this RFI; determine the commerciality of this service; the capability for small businesses to perform this service; and any other determination as required by the Government. The main emphasis is to determine industry capability to provide a robust IPT program for aviation candidates in advance of Undergraduate Pilot Training.

Scope:

IPT is the first step in the Air Force Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) process. IPT provides ground and flying training for United States Government (USG) and international military student (IMS) candidates. These may include pilot candidates, combat system officer (CSO) candidates, and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilot candidates in preparation for follow-on flight training.

The solution should accommodate competencies/objectives necessary to achieve FAA certifications to include Private Pilot Certification (PPC), Instrument Rating (IR), and a Multi- Engine (ME) qualification. Fewer sorties and hours are acceptable with verification of students achieving competencies/objectives.

The potential projected student load may vary depending on course:

1. Pilot: 1620 to 1800 entries per year

2. RPA: 400 to 450 entries per year

3. CSO: 250 to 350 entries per year

This training should meet all objectives to include, but not limited to:

1. Flying and simulator training, and training pertaining to the principles and techniques used in flying operations at a level comparable or better than commercial training.

2. Academic and ground training to supplement and reinforce flying and simulator training.

3. Pilot students should receive their Private Pilot Certification (PPC), Instrument Rating (IR), and a Multi-Engine (ME) qualification.

4. Pilot students should also receive four additional advanced multi-engine simulator sorties focused on Crew Resource Management (CRM), Flight Management System (FMS), Threat & Error Management (TEM), Verbalize, Verify, Monitor (VVM), and Automation Use competencies as well as Advanced Instrument Approaches (Back Course Localizer, Global Positioning System (GPS), Area Navigation (RNAV), Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR)/Precision Approach Radar (PAR))

5. Complying with FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-109 (Stall Prevention and Recovery Training) and AC 120-111 Change 1 (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training).

In response to this RFI, identify if a new or existing Environmental Assessment (EA) will be required as part of the training location(s). Please provide an anticipated timeline for completion of any such assessments. EAs should include information on Military Operating Airspace (MOA) and Special Use Airspace (SUA) that will be required to meet training objectives as defined by this RFI.

Government Expectations:

This training will occur within CONUS and the contractor will provide an all-encompassing solution that includes, but is not limited to: flying operations, provision of simulators, academics, instructors, flight examiners, aircraft and simulator maintenance, lodging, fitness, transportation, security, and meals. Industry Partners should:

Maintain the flying equipment unique to the aircraft required for operations to include supplies, parts, aircrew flight equipment, aerospace-ground equipment.

Provide and sustain simulation devices (part task trainers, medium to high fidelity simulators, Aircrew Training Devices (ATD), etc.) to satisfy simulator syllabus events.

Develop and provide academic courseware/curricula to satisfy all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, academic, and syllabus events.

Provide all technical orders and publications associated with any contractor-owned aircraft.

Support the following required flying missions, to include, but not limited to: student training sorties, new hire training sorties, flight instructor flight check and check ride preparation sorties (initial and recurring flight checks should normally be flown as local student profile sorties), flight instructor Buddy Instructor Pilot (IP) required sorties.

Utilize identically configured/standardized types of aircraft to execute syllabus. If Industry Partners use more than one type of aircraft, students should be restricted to the type of aircraft in which they begin training. The aircraft should be capable to yield all required certifications (e.g., PPC, IR, and ME) and utilize a modern avionics suite (aka Glass Cockpit) as the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD).

The Government is contemplating a ten-year multiple award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract ending in 2035.

Respondents shall provide location(s) of training, your solution should consider the following:

1. A location should include at minimum one runway and operating airspace within 50 miles.

2. Provide flight instructors with a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII) rating along with academic and simulator instructors. All instructors should conduct training in accordance with the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) approved syllabus and Program Flying Training (PFT) guidance.

3. Provide Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) to meet all check-ride requirements.

4. Maintain sole responsibility for complete maintenance and logistics for your aircraft, facilities, infrastructure, and other property.

5. Develop and execute a physical security plan that achieves the necessary levels of protection for the contractor-provided facilities, transportation system and vehicles, aircraft, students, and permanent party personnel.

6. Ensure the availability of emergency, fire, crash, and rescue services at each primary and auxiliary airfield.

7. Provide lodging, transportation, and meal services.

Contracting Office Address Department of the Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, 338 ESS/PKA, 2021 First Street West, JBSA-Randolph, TX, 78150-4302 Indicate your company’s interest in response to this RFI by providing a completed Contractor Capability Survey (below), with the Title of this RFI to Mr. Justin Haynes at justin.haynes.7@us.af.mil and Ms. Jaimee Wilson at jaimee.wilson@us.af.mil, NLT 4:00 pm CST 19 July 24. Marketing materials are insufficient responses to this RFI. Please limit responses to no more than 20 pages and please identify a representative to support further government inquiries and requests for clarification on submissions. Any questions about this RFI will be submitted NLT ten (10) days prior to the RFI response due date to both Lt Col Pedro Collazo at pedro.collazo@us.af.mil and Mr. Javier Rangel at javier.rangel.2@us.af.mil.

NOTE: The Government is under no obligation to consider information received after the due date as part of the formal market research for this acquisition.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Part I. Business Information Following the numbering scheme below, please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

1. Company/Institute Name:

2. Address:

3. Point of Contact:

4. Unique Entity ID Number:

5. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code:

6. Phone Number:

7. E-mail Address:

8. Web Page URL:

9. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 611512 Flight Training, $34M

10. A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership)

11. Identify business size and socio-economic status, pursuant to NAICS listed above and pursuant to FAR 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representations (Mar 2023), by marking all applicable categories shown below.

12. Please provide any comments, questions, or feedback on the draft performance work statement via the attached Comment Resolution Matrix (CRM), found at Attachment 1. The Government would appreciate comments associated with any requirements listed in the PWS (e.g., DAFIs, etc.) that are different from FAA governing regulations.

13. Can your company accomplish all tasks contained within the scope outlined in this RFI? If incapable of accomplishing the entire throughput, please let us know what you are capable of in Question 23.

14. Please provide with your company’s overall concept a ROM cost estimate for annual student production as listed in the scope section, including a ramp-up strategy, broken down by year and portion of operation (e.g., maintenance, flying operations, simulator maintenance, etc.).

15. Please provide feedback on the Government’s contemplated Variable Quantity Pricing table, found below:

Quantity

Pilot Production

Pilot Production

Private Pilot Certificate (PPC)

Instrument Rating (IR)

Multi-Engine Land (MEL)

RPA

CSO

16. Describe any experience and contracts within the last three years your company has as a PRIME or First Tier 1 Subcontractor to perform contracts similar in scope and complexity to the scope of this RFI. Please provide contract numbers, dollar value and what services your company performed as related to the scope of this RFI.

17. List NAICS code(s) the respondent usually performs under (must be listed in SAM.gov):

a. Company’s role in the performance of the requirement:

i. Prime or Subcontractor

ii. If Subcontractor: What functions did your company perform? Were they core functions? What percentage of the contract did your company perform?

iii. Other (please describe)

18. If respondent is a small business, how does your company intend to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting requirements set forth in FAR 52.219-14 (i.e., partnership, teaming, joint- venture, subcontract, etc.) and how would your company plan to select a qualified subcontractor to ensure compliance with the attached draft PWS document?

19. List any contracting vehicle, with contract number, that your company possesses (i.e. GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) w/ applicable SIN(s), OASIS Contract, etc.) that would be within scope of this RFI.

20. What Government Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government Furnished Property (GFP) will your company requires?

21. What type of aircraft would your company utilize for the contemplated requirement? How many (by type) do you currently operate and how many would be required?

22. Please provide a notional schedule that includes: timeline for mobilization, hiring and training of personnel, provision of aircraft, simulators, infrastructure requirements, when is the soonest you can start producing pilots at IPT, when would you require the flying hour program, training calendar, student flow, etc.

· Initial Operational Capability (IOC): Ready to accept first full class

· Full Operational Capability (FOC): 100% of identified student production requirement for each operating location

23. What requests, stipulations, or constraints delineated in this RFI would you change to improve the training or make the operation more efficient?

24. Briefly describe your company’s capabilities to finance, mobilize, and manage services contracts similar to this requirement.

25. How will your company plan to fulfill the simulator training requirements (flying, simulators, virtual reality, cockpit trainers, etc.)?

26. Does your company currently have sufficient certified instructors to meet this requirement? Of your company’s current instructors, describe their flying experience in terms of FAA certificates, military flight experience, flight regency/currency, and itemized flight hours?

27. Briefly describe the capabilities of your current and planned facilities and the nature of the services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure. Also, state whether your current and planned locations have ever received a Finding of “No Significant Impact” as the result of a government conducted Environmental Assessment (EA).

28. Describe any risk or impact to lead time you would perceive in conducting EA.

29. Describe your ability to modify your current facilities (if needed) to satisfy all aircrew and maintenance support to meet this RFI.

30. Please describe how your program accomplishes the below tasks:

· Determine the flying status, including operational status of auxiliary, divert, and local airfields

· Assist with airborne emergencies

· Coordinate with other flying organizations as necessary to ensure smooth flight operations and route deconfliction

· Review and monitor the flight schedule and training area deconfliction

· Monitor the weather and make appropriate weather decisions

· Closely monitor solo flights and provide guidance as necessary

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Comment Matrix List of Abbreviations and Acronyms AETC - Air Education and Training Command AIA – Advanced Instrument Approaches ASR – Approach Surveillance Radar ATD – Aircrew Training Device CRM – Crew Resource Management EA - Environmental Assessment FAA - Federal Aviation Administration FAR - Federal Acquisitions Regulations FMS – Flight Management System FOC – Full Operational Capability GSA – General Services Administration GFE – Government Furnished Equipment GFP – Governmetn Furnished Property GPS – Global Positioning System HUBZone - Hubzone Small Business IOC – Initial Operational Capability IP – Instructor Pilot MAS - Multiple Award Schedule NAICS - North American Industry Classification System NLT - Not Later Than PAR – Precision Approach Radar PFT – Program Flying Training RFI - Request for Information RNAV – Area Navigation ROM – Rough Order of Magnitude SAM - System for Award Management SB – Small Business SDB - Small Disadvantaged Business SDVOSB - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business SS - Source Sought TEM – Threat and Error Management USAF – United States Air Force VVM – Verbalize, Verify, Monitor WOSB - Woman-Owned Small Business