IERW RFI Questions_10.28.2024_Final.pdf

28 OCTOBER 2024

1. Can the 90 KTAS identified for the Endurance requirement be changed to Vbe

(best endurance airspeed)? Rationale: Maximum endurance is achieved at a lower, more efficient airspeed. ANSWER: Intent is aircraft is capable of performing all syllabus requirements plus VFR/IFR reserve fuel as required for up to two flight periods.

2. Regarding the twist grip throttle requirement, would it be better to word it as “the ability to train antitorque malfunction maneuvers”? Rationale: Some modern aircraft do not have a twist grip throttle and instead are FADEC controlled.

ANSWER: Intent is no maneuver limitations (ex. Autorotation/fixed pedal) due to

FADEC or similar fuel control system equipped aircraft.

3. Can the Crew Weight Restrictions be changed to 720 lbs total crew weight as opposed to an individual crewmember weight, while still accommodating a max crewmember weight of up to 300 lbs? Rationale: 720 lbs total weight would give

3 x 240 lb crew weight (220 lb 80th percentile male pilot plus 20 lb clothing/equipment each), or 1 x 300 lb crew weight (280 lb 95th percentile male pilot plus 20 lb clothing/equipment) and 2 x 210 lb crew weight (190 lb 75th percentile male pilot plus 20 lbs clothing/equipment each). ANSWER: The intent is for no maneuver limitations due to Center of Gravity and weight during all flight profiles.

4. 4. Can the steerable landing light be an objective requirement and a fixed landing light be the threshold requirement? Rationale: Normal night operations may be conducted with a fixed landing light. ANSWER: Will review requirements and consider steerable as the objective and fixed as the threshold. Night flight is not currently planned but the government wants to ensure room for expansion in the future.

5. Can the Vertical and Tilt Axis seat adjustment requirement be removed and replaced with “meets the ergonomic requirement to accommodate the 5th percentile female and 95th percentile male”? Rationale: Wide ranging ergonomic range can be accomplished without these features. ANSWER: Intent is that a medically qualified flight student or instructor pilot is restricted from performing any flight procedure.

6. Regarding the self-sealing crashworthy fuel system requirement, would it be better to require (per FAA) “demonstrated compliance with CFR 27.952(c)” as opposed to possibly inferring a ballistic sealing capability? Rationale: Current verbiage can be interpreted in different ways. ANSWER: Will consider using

CFR 27.952 verbiage in contract development to clarify “self sealing” verbiage.

7. Regarding the three independent internal intercom system requirements, do the rear seats need the ability to transmit outside the aircraft (ATC, etc.) or only internal aircraft communications? Rationale: Communications with ATC/external stations is typically only done by front seat crewmembers. ANSWER: Intent is make the backs-seater a viable member of the crew to include the ability to make outside radio calls. Will consider internal coms only as a threshold and outside comms as objective.

8. This announcement shows an RFI due date of 6 Dec, but there isn’t a list of specific questions/information to address. Is the intent to release those after the industry day, or are you looking for a more general response that simply outlines capabilities that our company can offer? ANSWER: The USG put out a State of

Objectives, not a PWS or Statement of Work. We are looking for what's possible. We are looking for input on how you would run this massive flight training program while keeping costs in check and adding innovation and efficiency. Tell us what you think your firm can do!

24 OCTOBER 2024

1. Is there any opportunity to still register for Industry Day?

ANSWER: Industry Day RSVP and registration are now closed, and no other opportunities exist for attending this event.

22 OCTOBER 2024

1. Is there any information available for the Industry Day at Ft. Novosel

ANSWER: Yes. See attached document “Flight School Next Industry Day

Welcome Packet”

2. UPDATE: USG is removing the opportunity for requesting an exception to participant number. There will not be room for exception to the 3 participants’ rule.

3. UPDATE: RSVPs for Industry Day are due by 23 OCT at 2359 CDT.

4. UPDATE: RFI Responses are due no later than 1700 CDT on Friday, December

6, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted or reviewed.

5. Do participants need to get access to post? (covered in welcome letter).

ANSWER: Every individual is responsible for getting their initial access to post and parking their POV in the designated parking lot on the day of the event.

After that you will be on Government busses for the day. Access to post can be from a dependent ID card, military retired card, as a passenger in the vehicle with one of those individuals (known as trusted traveler), or from a guest pass.

The guest pass can be gained through the online or the day of at the visitor center (see welcome letter in documents).

(https://pass.aie.army.mil/steps/branch_selection)

6. Will any portion of Industry Days be broadcast?

ANSWER: The morning session will be recorded and shared on Sam.gov via a

YouTube link. It will not be live. The tour portion will not be recorded.

7. Will slides for the brief be provided?

ANSWER: Printed slides will not be given during the brief. Read-ahead slides will be posted on Sam.gov and emailed to those who have RSVP’d for Industry

Day NLT Friday 25 October 2024 at 1700 CDT.

8. Are foreigners/foreign companies allowed to attend?

ANSWER: All companies are welcome to attend; however, any company listed on the Sam.gov Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) will not be available for award or as a sub on a Prime’s Award. Each attendant, including international visitors, is responsible for getting appropriate access to post for the event. As long as they are part of the Visa Waiver Program, they should not have issues.

Anyone with concerns on access to post can contact the Visitor Control Center at

334-255-0607.

18 OCTOBER 2024

1. Is there a page limit for proposals?

Answer: RFI sections for SOO Response.

a. Cover page: 1 page limit

b. Contact information page: 1 page limit

c. Aircraft Discussion & Recommendation: 20-page limit

d. Aviation Services Discussion & Recommendation: 20-page limit

e. Contract Type Discussion & Recommendation: 10-page limit

f. Summary page: 1 page limit

17 OCTOBER 2024

1. I am contacting you regarding U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary-Wing Flight Training Next Generation. Mainly I was wondering if remote training/distance learning will be part of the requirements?

https://pass.aie.army.mil/steps/branch_selection

Answer: The answer is maybe. The US Government (USG) has issued a Statement of Objectives to have industry provide unique and innovative solutions to the ways to train the next generation of pilots. If your firm wants to propose remote training/distance learning, and how it can assist with some of the academic courses, create efficiencies and cut costs, then yes, we will absolutely welcome this type of innovation. The USG is not going to provide a military specification (mil spec). The USG is asking for a solution. Every company will have a unique recommendation and solution that could meet the mission requirements. However, it is unlikely that remote training/distance learning can substitute for actual hands-on flight training.

16 OCTOBER 2024

No questions

15 OCTOBER 2024

1. Our company is in receipt of the referenced RFI. I wanted to ensure the data in the RFI and attachments are free of restrictions and can be disseminated to foreign nationals.

Answer: It is posted on a public website and therefore there are no restrictions on release.

2. Following up on the subject request for information. Specifically, our company is interested to better understand the extent to which training aids/devices and simulation are anticipated as part of IERW Flight Training. Additionally, if multiple devices/simulators are anticipated, what level of fidelity are the devices currently in use? If future devices are under consideration, what level of fidelity would those devices likely be? Any additional information you can provide would be extremely useful. Thank you!

Answer: Yes. The USG currently uses simulators to include Cockpit Procedure trainers, Instrument Flight Trainers, and Operational Flight Trainers. The type, number and fidelity are to be proposed by those responding to the SOO. We are seeking innovation and cost savings. For instance, Cockpit Procedure trainers that could also be used to train basic instruments which already exist in the marketplace.

3. Could you inform me if this is a new requirement or a follow-on to an existing contract? If the latter, could you provide me with the Contractor Name and Contract #?

Answer: This is a new contract. However, it will take scope from four currently existing contracts to add both efficiency and accountability to the structure. There will be a multi-year phase-in/phase-out process. The contracts impacted by this effort will be:

1. IERW flight training contract #W9124G17C005/Amentum - Provides Instructor Pilot and some academic instruction

2. Fort Novosel Aviation Maintenance Contract #W9124G17C0104/Cerberus/M1 - provides AVN Maintenance to all aircraft at Fort Novosel

3. Flight School Training Support Services Contract #W900KK23D0001/GDIT - Provides simulation for multiple airframes at Novosel

4. CLS Contract #unknown /Airbus: run by PEO AVN for class IX air parts for current training aircraft