Notice_of_Intent_to_Sole_Source_1.docx

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLICIT FROM A SOLE SOURCE

DOIDFBO250008

Title: Exclusive Use Smokejumper Flight Services

Issue Date: November 15, 2024

Response Due Date: November 22, 2024 @ 3:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST)

THIS IS A SOLE SOURCE NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) OR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

Issued by: This Notice of Intent to Solicit from a Sole Source is being issued by the Department of the Interior (DOI), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Interior Business Center (IBC), on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Requirement: DOI, IBC, AQD on behalf of BLM, intends to negotiate with Bighorn Airways Inc on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.105(a) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, to implement the following:

BLM is intending to obtain Exclusive Use Smokejumper Flight Services. The aircraft will be used for transporting and dropping smokejumpers, transporting, and dropping paracargo, reconnaissance, testing of parachutes, and other aerial equipment, transportation of personnel and cargo in support of fire suppression activities, search and rescue, natural resources missions, and other administrative and related resources activities as directed by the Government. Each aircraft will be fully-contractor-operated, and contractor-maintained. The contractor will provide both scheduled and nonscheduled maintenance as required to keep the aircraft airworthy in with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and DOI policy.

The designated base of operations for the aircraft is Boise, Idaho; however, the aircraft will be subject to dispatch anywhere in the contiguous United States and Alaska. The Contractor shall be required to respond and commence operations at Boise, ID, or other locations as mutually agreed upon within a maximum of 24 hours from the time the Government contacts the Contractor.

The objective of this sole source award is to procure a services contract for a one (1) 12-month base period, plus four (4) 12-month option periods with an anticipated start date of April 01, 2025.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 481211 – Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation with a small business size standard is 1,500 employees. AQD anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price contract to Bighorn Airways Inc in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for BLM may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice.

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

· Must have a Standard Airworthiness Certificate.

· Aircraft certified under Civil Air Regulation Part 3, or 14 CFR 23 or 25.

· An aircraft make and model for which engineering and logistical support, for continued airworthiness, is provided from the current type certificate holder or supplemental type certificate holder.

· VFR/IFR, Day/Night. Aircraft certified for IFR flight only with cargo door installed are acceptable.

· Payload of 3,400 pounds with three (3) hours of fuel plus a 30 minute fuel reserve, 200 pounds per pilot, and 25 pound survival kit when equipped for smokejumper operations as required per Section B.

· Capable of operating as configured above from 3,000-foot gravel runway at 2000 feet pressure altitude and 40º Celsius.

· Minimum airspeed of 175 KTAS at 8,000’ pressure altitude.

· Minimum seating for eight (8) smokejumpers on Simula seats or other approved seats for smokejumpers plus two (2) payloader seats.

· Side-facing exit aft of main landing gear with FAA approval for aircraft operation with door removed or in-flight opening of this exit door.

· Horizontal mounted parachute static line cable, vertically mounted parachute static line anchor cable with support strut, hand rail.

· Interagency Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Subcommittee (SASES) approved.

· Capable of seating for 10 passengers when not configured for Smokejumper operations.

The objective of this sole source award is to procure a services contract for a one (1) 12-month base period, plus four (4) 12-month option periods with a start date of April 01, 2025.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 481211 – Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation with a small business size standard is 1,500 employees. AQD anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price contract to Bighorn Airways Inc in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for BLM may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice.

This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to sonja_crockett@ibc.doi.gov so that they are received no later than November 22, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST.

[End of Notice of Intent to Solicit From a Sole Source] image1.png