Attachment 1 - RFI FY26-RFI-FMS-HH60W - Questions and Answers.pdf

RFI Notice ID: FY26-RFI-FMS-HH60W RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

Attachment 1 - Questions and Answers

1. Who is the target training audience for each course? Are trainees already qualified HH- 60G/M/P pilots and crew transitioning to the HH-60W, or are they new accessions requiring full initial qualification?

a. Trainees will meet U.S. Air Force prerequisites for the courses listed in this RFI.

The audience may include crews previously qualified in HH-60 or UH-60 variants, as well as new accessions completing standard Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) pipelines.

2. Will the RFI support a single partner nation or multiple FMS customers?

a. Multiple FMS Customers are anticipated but not guaranteed.

3. What is the projected annual student throughput (number of pilots, flight engineers, maintainers, etc.)?

a. As this is a strategic RFI, the projected annual student throughput us currently unknown.

4. Will there be language proficiency or cultural adaptation requirements (e.g., bilingual instruction, interpreters, or translated courseware)?

a. All aircrew and maintenance personnel must meet standard English Comprehension Level (ECL) requirements (ECL XX, XX).

5. Should training be aligned with U.S. Air Force syllabi (e.g., FTU/MQT) or tailored to the partner nation’s operational requirements?

a. Training may follow U.S. Air Force syllabi and/or be tailored to meet specific partner nation operational needs, depending on the customer.

6. Where is the intended location of training delivery—U.S. installation (e.g., Kirtland or Moody AFB), contractor facility (CONUS), or host nation (OCONUS)?

a. As a strategic RFI, we welcome industry input on all delivery options (CONUS and OCONUS). Training will likely occur OCONUS using partner nation equipment, but this is subject to change.

7. If OCONUS, will the contractor be responsible for obtaining necessary host-nation approvals or security coordination?

a. As a strategic RFI, this responsibility has not yet been defined. We are seeking industry input on capabilities to support potential host-nation coordination.

8. Will the government provide site access, housing, or transportation support for personnel and students?

a. As a strategic RFI, these support elements have not been established. Historically, the government has provided or contracted for such services, but no decisions have been made at this time.

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

9. Will the government provide HH-60W aircraft for live flight training?

a. Training is expected to use partner nation HH-60W aircraft. However, we are open to alternative options if available.

10. Are simulators, part-task trainers, or maintenance trainers available as GFE?

a. Partner nation simulators, part-task trainers, and maintenance trainers may be available. We are also open to exploring other options.

11. What technical data, flight manuals, or maintenance documentation (GFI) will be provided to support courseware development?

a. If courseware development is desired/required by the partner nation. Availability will depend on foreign disclosure policies and the partner nation’s procurement.

Typically, standard flight manuals and maintenance documentation should be accessible.

12. Will the government furnish facilities (classrooms, hangars, flight lines), or should the vendor propose or lease training facilities?

a. This is a strategic RFI, not a request for proposal. Training is expected to occur at OCONUS using partner nation facilities. However, we are interested in the feasibility and availability of CONUS-based options.

13. Should the vendor assume integration with existing USAF training systems or plan for new, stand-alone simulator capability?

a. Partner nations may or may not procure training systems. Vendors should be prepared for either integration or stand-alone solutions.

14. Is the contractor expected to procure any aircraft, simulators, or VR/AR systems as CAP?

a. Training is expected to use partner nation’s equipment OCONUS. Nonetheless, we are interested in contractor-owned aircraft, simulators, or VR/AR systems, as well as any plans to acquire them.

15. Does the government prefer Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS), Modified off-the-Shelf (MOTS), or custom-developed simulation systems?

a. Per Executive Order 14271, the government prefers Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solutions to the maximum extent possible.

16. Are there cybersecurity or IT compliance requirements (e.g., RMF, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-171) for contractor-managed networks or training systems?

a. These requirements may apply depending on the specific needs of the partner nation.

17. Should proposed simulators support Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) or Live- Virtual-Constructive (LVC) network participation?

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

a. This is a strategic RFI, not a request for proposal. With that in mind, it is not known at this time if a specific partner nation would purchase simulators or not.

Additionally, if those simulators would be DMO capable or LVC capable.

18. Should training follow the USAF AETC-approved syllabus and ISD methodology, or may the vendor propose an equivalent system tailored for FMS delivery?

a. This is a strategic RFI, not a request for proposal. For formal courses, AETC approved syllabus and courseware may be utilized. However, there may be a need for equivalent system tailored for FMS delivery or for some courses complete new courseware/syllabus tailed to part nations request.

19. Will a formal Training System Requirements Analysis (TSRA) or Front-End Analysis (FEA) be required prior to course approval?

a. This is an analysis accomplished during the aircraft procurement process and should be accomplished prior to course approval.

20. Are any specific validation, accreditation, or quality assurance processes required (e.g., AETC validation, FLETA-equivalent)?

a. Courseware development may require validation, accreditation, or quality assurance processes based on partner nation requirements. Examples include ITAR compliance, Foreign Disclosure, and AETC approval.

21. What is the expected instructor-to-student ratios for flight, simulator, and classroom instruction?

a. Subject to change; The estimates are Flight 1:1, Simulator 2:1, and Classroom 5:1.

22. Does the government have a preferred Learning Management System (LMS) or training records database for course administration?

a. No preferred LMS has been identified. We welcome information on available options.

23. What maintenance levels (organizational, intermediate, depot) should the curriculum address?

a. Curriculum scope will depend on partner nation’s requirements and may include all or none of these levels.

24. Will maintenance training require hands-on aircraft work, or can simulation and AR/VR tools suffice?

a. Training requirements may vary by partner nation and may include hands-on work, simulation, AR/VR tools, or a combination.

25. Are OEM technical data and interactive electronic technical manuals (IETMs) available for inclusion in training development?

a. Availability is currently unknown. In most cases, Contractor Support Technical

Orders (CSTOs) adapted from USAF Technical Orders are expected to be available.

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

26. Should certification align with USAF maintenance qualification standards or be adapted to partner-nation needs?

a. This is currently unknown. Typically, partner nations follow USAF maintenance qualification standards but may choose to consolidate career fields and duties.

27. Which partner nations are anticipated to receive HH-60W training under this RFI?

a. The government will not be disclosing that information at this time.

28. Are there specific FMS case numbers or country codes tied to this requirement?

a. The government will not be disclosing that information at this time.

29. What are the expected export control and ITAR compliance constraints for courseware, simulators, and data sharing?

a. Constraints will vary by partner nation. However, it is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure full compliance with ITAR regulations.

30. Will contractor staff require Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status or host-nation security vetting?

a. This will depend on the specific partner nation. Generally, SOFA does not apply to these types of training events, but host nations may have specific visa or security requirements.

31. What is the anticipated contract type (Firm Fixed Price, Time and Materials, or IDIQ)?

a. The government’s current preference is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite

Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, subject to change.

32. What is the anticipated period of performance or contract duration?

a. The anticipated period of performance is expected to begin in FY27 or FY28, with a five-year ordering period. This is subject to change.

33. Is the government seeking a single prime contractor or multiple vendors/teaming arrangements?

a. As this is a strategic RFI, the goal is to inform acquisition strategy rather than define it. The government is interested in learning about potential single prime contractors and teaming arrangements capable of supporting HH-60W training.

34. Will small business participation goals apply, and if so, what percentage targets are anticipated?

a. Small business participation goals will apply. However, specific percentage targets have not yet been determined.

35. Are OEM teaming arrangements (e.g., Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin) encouraged or restricted under this RFI?

a. This RFI is intended to inform acquisition strategy. The government is open to learning about current or future OEM teaming arrangements or prime contractors capable of supporting HH-60W training.

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

36. What are the minimum personnel clearance levels (Public Trust, Secret, etc.) for instructors and developers?

a. Clearance requirements will depend on partner nation needs and are currently unknown. Planning for at least a Secret clearance is recommended, though subject to change.

37. Are specific flight safety certifications or airworthiness approvals required for contractor-operated aircraft?

a. Yes. Depending on the training delivery method, FAA certification, government-issued airworthiness approvals, and GGFR/GFR requirements may apply.

38. Will the contractor be responsible for safety risk management and mishap reporting under DoDI 6055.04 or equivalent guidance?

b. Yes, this responsibility is expected.

39. What documentation deliverables are expected (e.g., Training Plans, Syllabi, Courseware

Samples, Monthly Reports)?

a. Contractors should plan to provide all standard documentation deliverables, including training plans, syllabi, courseware samples, monthly reports, quality assurance plans, evacuation plans, and others based on partner nation requirements.

40. Will the government require ownership or unlimited rights to contractor-developed courseware and simulator content?

a. The government’s preference, subject to change, is to receive unlimited rights to any courseware or content funded under the contract.

41. Are there preferred formats for deliverables (e.g., SCORM-compliant electronic courseware, PDF technical manuals, PowerPoint-based syllabi)?

a. Preferred formats will depend on the type of instruction. SCORM-compliant courseware is generally preferred, but PDF and PowerPoint formats may be acceptable depending on training needs.

42. Will student performance data or training effectiveness metrics be required as part of reporting deliverables?

a. Yes

43. Can the government provide the current or draft Training System Requirements

Document (TSRD) for the HH-60W to inform curriculum alignment?

a. Not at this time

44. Is there a target timeline for RFP release or contract award following this RFI?

a. The target timeline is early to mid FY27, with contract award anticipated between late FY27 and early FY28.

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

45. Will the government host an industry day, or site visit to discuss requirements in greater detail?

a. Yes, the government intends to conduct both an industry day and site visit in the future.

46. Pilot training states that anticipated Partner Nation training will include Advanced Combat Maneuvers. As such training will be based on USAF tactics, techniques, and procedures, will the Government provide additional information on the application of ITAR requirements for this opportunity?

a. ITAR compliance will be required. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure compliance throughout the execution of training.

47. Will any of the HH-60 training be conducted for USAF personnel?

a. This is not anticipated

48. Will any Partner Nation training in this program occur in CONUS?

a. Training is expected to take place at OCONUS. However, the government is interested in understanding any available CONUS training options.

49. [The RFI] suggests there is both “touch” maintenance and maintenance training in the mission tasks. Will the Government confirm the opportunity will possibly include “touch” maintenance for some customers?

a. Yes, it is anticipated that touch maintenance on aircraft will be required to train partner nation maintainers.

50. [The RFI] states that responders should identify requirements for facilities to support this opportunity. Is this objective designed to define the types of facilities (hangars, warehousing, offices, etc.) that will be needed to support the opportunity?

a. If the industry partner’s capability requires the use of any of the aforementioned, yes, especially if it is a CONUS capability. However, if the industry’s partner capability is to provide training OCONUS utilizing partner nation facilities has an assumption that should be stated as well. The government has not developed an acquisition strategy and as a strategic RFI we are looking for all available capabilities which could include the need for the government to provide facilities if the industry partner does not have them.

51. Will facilities be furnished by the government?

a. The government is gathering information to inform the acquisition strategy. If government-furnished facilities are deemed necessary, they will be provided, or access will be granted accordingly.

52. If contractor facilities are desired to support the opportunity, should the contractor expect requirements in CONUS, OCONUS, or both?

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

a. Partner Nation preferred training locations are unknown at this time. However, the government anticipates that most training will be accomplished at OCONUS utilizing partner nation facilities. However, because of the nature of this RFI, the government wouldn’t restrict capabilities. Partner nations are interested in the possibility of COCO and COGO CONUS available options.

53. There is currently a solicitation on TSA IV for a Small Business Set Aside to run the HH- 60W Training System (TS) / Contract Logistics Support (CLS) / Contract Instruction (CI) / TSSC underway sponsored by AFLCMC/WIH. The HH-60W Program Office released an RFI in Nov 2024, with 2-3 subsequent follow-on RFIs. Is your RFI aligned with that effort?

a. As a strategic RFI, this effort is intended to inform, not dictate, the acquisition strategy. We welcome insight into current or future teaming arrangements or prime contractors capable of supporting HH-60W training.

54. Is the Government interested in Contractor Owned and Operated (COCO) or a Government Owned and Contractor Operated (GOCO) solution?

a. The government would be interested in all possible solutions

55. Will the aircraft be owned and supplied by the FMS customer for all flying training?

a. This is anticipated. However, the government would be interested in understanding all possible training solutions.

56. When providing training for "basic flight skills", is it expected that the students will not have gone through a primary/basic helicopter course prior to entering CRH training? Or is that referring to basic flight skills in the CRH platform only?

a. Referring to HH-60W. Each pilot will have gone through primary/basic helicopter course or may be current in qualified in other models of aircraft.

57. Are there expected simulator and flight time minimum hours established by the customer?

a. Syllabus execution will align with current USAF models. However, the government supports contractor-recommended timelines based on Partner Nation Air Force (PNAF) requirements.

58. Is one or more full flight simulator required?

a. Simulator requirements will depend on the specific training needs.

59. Will facilities for aircraft, simulators, and classrooms be provided by the FMS customer or US Government or are they expected to be Contractor Owned? Is there a particular location required?

a. It is anticipated that training will be accomplished OCONUS utilizing part nation facilities and equipment. However, the government would be interested in understanding other possible training capabilities.

60. Is there an expectation for delivering maintenance trainers such as part task trainers?

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

a. If an industry partner has them available, we’d be interested in getting more information.

61. Is there an expectation for aircrew station training devices such as hoist or door gunner simulators?

a. If an industry partner has them available, we’d be interested in getting more information.

62. Will the CRH aircraft provided to FMS customers be the same as or different from the US version? What are the significant differences if there are any?

a. The HH-60W should be nearly identical. Any differences should be minimal for planning purposes but subject to change.

63. Is this in support of more than one foreign country?

a. Multiple foreign nation purchasers are anticipated however the exact number is unknown currently.

64. Will flying and simulator instructors come from the contractor, the US Government, FMS customer cadre, or some combination of these?

a. It is anticipated that this effort will source the flying and simulator instructors that the partner nation needs to execute their required training classes. That being said, FMS customer cadre may be leveraged and/or trained to facilitate training.

65. Will the contractor be responsible for student services such as room, board, transportation, security, etc.?

a. If training occurs at CONUS or away from partner nation facilities, the government may include these services as part of the contract.

66. Will the Government consider a different NAICS for the small business threshold considering significant training assets must be developed for this effort to more appropriately size small business with a manning-based NAICS of 336413 Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment or similar? The dollar-value based NAICS of flight training when significant hardware and software must be produced and delivered is difficult to meet for any business that does that work.

a. The government does not intend to change the NAICS code for this effort.

However, given that this is a strategic RFI looking to inform the acquisition strategy. The government is not intending nor setting the requirement at this time to develop or purchase all training assets described in the RFI. The government’s intent is to determine what capabilities there are out there within the HH-60W training footprint.

67. Will USG provide the contractor with the USAF approved HH-60W Curriculum, Courseware, Syllabus (CC&S) and training materials (aircrew and maintenance) to serve

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment as a baseline that can then be tailored/modified to satisfy the specific mission profiles and aircraft configuration of respective FMS customers?

a. This is always the government’s preference. However, due to disclosure requirements as well as the government’s rights to that information would dictate the releasability. Currently, the government does not know the status of that information as it relates to the current interested partner nations. The government will have this information prior to any future RFIs.

68. Will USG consider an IDIQ with Task/Delivery Orders to establish a consistent baseline of FMS training services and products, with task/deliver orders that define the indefinite delivery and quantity requirements of each FMS client?

a. Yes, this is the government’s preference currently.

69. Will the USG provide any time on, or access to, existing training devices, facilities, or equipment during the execution of these FMS contracts?

a. If the partner nation has them available, that would be the government’s preference. It is anticipated that the current partner nations will be procuring these items. However, in the past on other platforms, some partner nations have not procured them.

70. Will USG provide the contractor with full access to USAF approved HH-60W technical manuals? Are there OEM data right restrictions?

a. The USG will provide full access to country approved HH-60W technical manuals which may differ from USAF approved technical manuals.

71. Will USG provide means, through active-duty resources, for the contract instructor team to remain current and qualified in model and in between FMS contracts?

a. It will be incumbent upon the contract to develop a plan to ensure contract instructors remain current and qualified. However, the government understands the unique challenges that a new platform brings to ensuring contract instructors remain current and qualified. We’d be interested in understanding industry’s solution to this challenge.

72. When can contractors come and meet with AETC about this requirement?

a. The government intends to host follow-on RFIs and possibly Industry Days to further discuss and refine the requirement.

73. Will the Government consider revising the 611512 (Flight Training) NAICS code for RFI

FY26-RFI-FMS-HH60W (V) to the 541330 (Engineering Services, Exception A – Military and Aerospace Equipment) to more accurately reflect the potentially unique engineering-intensive scope found on FMS aviation training cases?

RFI Title: RFI: Foreign Military Sales – HH-60W Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft Training Capability Assessment

a. It is not the intent of the government to have an engineering-intensive scope.

This strategic RFI was broad and all-encompassing to understand all possibilities to inform the acquisition strategy.

74. Will the Government accept past performance from all members of a JV.

a. The government has not made any determination on this. We will discuss it further and release this information during follow-on RFIs or update this one if it requires.