Follow-Up_AETC_Fixed_Wing_(FW)_Airlift Support Services_RFI.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

FIXED WING (FW) TRAINING SUPPORT

Air Education & Training Command (AETC)

Special Warfare Training Wing (SWTW)

Special Warfare Training Operations and Support Services (SWTOS)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This is an RFI released pursuant to FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is issued solely for information, planning purposes and market research only; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP.

This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. GSA is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP. If a solicitation is released, it will be via GSA IDIQ or FBO based on the results of a thorough internal market research process. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Current DoD military FW training air support does not have the capacity to support DoD, AETC training requirements. Additionally, military air support is tasked with operational requirements that prevent consistent access to training assets. This makes it increasingly difficult to schedule and plan training with local assets that have higher operational priorities resulting in the inability to meet training requirements. Contracted aircraft support shall provide reliable and consistent access to necessary assets to support day/night air operations that include: air support for air traffic control training, Static Line (SL) parachuting and Military Free Fall (MFF) parachuting operations on land and over water. The Contractor shall provide platforms, crews, support staff required to perform Parachute operations (pilot services, parachute rigging/packing, aircraft maintenance) associated with the delivery of airlift support under coordination with the Government Organization, Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer

(CO).

2.0 REQUEST

GSA is seeking information on contractors capable of providing support to AETC in the performance of training services as defined herein. Contracted aircraft support shall provide reliable and consistent access to necessary assets to support day/night air operations that include:

air support for air traffic control training, Static Line (SL) parachuting and Military Free Fall (MFF) parachuting operations on land and over water. The Contractor shall provide platforms, crews, support staff required to perform Parachute operations (pilot services, parachute rigging/packing, aircraft maintenance) associated with the delivery of airlift support.

3.0 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (GENERAL)

The main objective of the airlift contract is to provide the AF consistent and safe aircraft support to the Special Warfare (SW) Apprentice Course and Major Command (MAJCOM) training. This program shall provide consistent, safe, and reliable aircraft support that will allow the AF to meet their Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) curriculum and SW instructor training/proficiency requirements. FW aircraft will conduct: air support for air traffic control training and day/night airdrop operations over land and water. FW aircraft must meet Air Mobility Command (AMC) Paratroop Commercial Operator Part 91 list safety requirements. FW aircraft must also meet the training and configurations required for paratroop airdrop and training bundle operations. FW platform must maintain the applicable certificates for airdrop services during contract performance.

See attached draft PWS for more specifics.

4.0 RESPONSES

GSA is seeking to determine industry interest and capabilities to submit competitive proposals for a potential new contract. As part of the response to this RFI, please address the following items:

Interest and Capabilities:

● Vendor’s input and feedback on the Draft PWS

● Vendor’s capabilities in providing all of the training services included in the PWS and at various performance locations noted therein.

● Any recommendations for Contract Line Item (CLIN) Structure

● Any feedback and/or comments on contract type (i.e. Firm Fixed Price vs. Cost Plus, etc.)

● Vendor’s price per flight hour for Government use or any other proposed pricing structures for all contractor related costs

● Provide information as to how you price these services commercially and provide any commercial pricelist(s)

Experience:

In addition to the above your response should address the following questions:

1. To what extent do you have experience providing leased aircraft to government or commercial users or services similar to those outlined in the draft PWS.

2. To what extent do you have experience in maintaining a highly reliable aircraft fleet to support airlift/training operations similar to those outlined in the draft PWS.

Additional information requested:

● Small or Large Business

● Interested in Competing as a Prime, Sub or Both

● Demonstrated ability to provide required services across multiple geographical

Continental United States (CONUS) training locations as outlined in section 6.1 of the attached draft PWS

● Valid Security Clearance SECRET or higher

● Have fully qualified pilots and aircrew

● Have necessary aircraft and equipment (Y or N)

● Demonstrated ability to attain/hold FAA, Pilot, Aircraft, Aircrew, Certifications as outlined in the attached draft PWS

● Any Government Contracts for these or similar services

Also please respond to the questions listed below:

● What additional information, details, or items would your company need in an RFP in order to provide a proposal for this requirement?

● Has your company performed similar services with the contract type listed (T&M, FFP, Cost Reimbursement)? Yes____ No_____ If so, please describe your company’s experience with these contract types.

● Are there any elements of the requirement that would preclude you from submitting a proposal?

● How much proposal preparation time is typically needed for your company to respond?

● What, if any, risks or other factors does your company foresee that may deter your company from bidding on this requirement?

● Can you briefly explain your company’s bid/no-bid decision process?

● Any other relevant information that is not listed above in which the Government should consider in finalizing its market research and acquisition strategy.

Follow-up RFI Questions to the original RFI posted on 07 March 2024:

● Will your company be able to provide required Air Transport services to the first training locations as outlined in the PWS within two (02) weeks of contract award?

● Does your company routinely provide the type of equipment (NVG’s, Repellant Lines, etc.) spelled out in the PWS?

● Do your rates change based on the operation location?

● How many airframes does your company operate that are certified under FAR Part 91?

● **Is your company and/or your potential subcontractor who will be performing the operations on the required/approved Air Mobility Command (AMC) Paratroop Commercial Operator Part 91 list as specified in the PWS?**

● What airframe types does your company offer that can meet or exceed the required airframe specifications spelled out in the PWS?

The maximum number of pages to be submitted shall not be more than 10 (8 ½ x 11 inches).

This does not include charts or drawings.

Please provide a cover page with the following:

1) Company name and address

2) Primary point of contact and one alternate

3) Telephone number and e-mail address

4) Unit Entity ID (UEI) / Cage Code

5) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes

6) Socioeconomic category, if applicable

5.0 RFI SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT

RFI Responses are due no later than (NLT) Friday, 26 April 2024 by 12:00 PM CST.

Responses shall be submitted via email: both cherline.pierre@gsa.gov and jerry.mctyre@gsa.gov .

Questions – GSA will not be accepting questions in response to this Follow-Up RFI. The Government will review all timely RFI submissions upon receipt and will seek further clarification from respondents as appropriate.

Acknowledgment of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the Government's evaluation of the information received. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the Government's use of such information as either part of an evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Electronic submissions in response to this RFI must be viewable in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Acrobat Reader, or Goggle Docs. All submissions (email including attachments) must be less than 50MB.

This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a Request for Proposal or to award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this RFI or otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.

The Government's use of such information is at its sole discretion and is not accepting proprietary information. Sources responding to this RFI shall submit the minimum information necessary for the government to make a determination that the source is capable of satisfying the desired requirements.