Pre-Solicitation Notice 140D8021R0005_1.docx

Amphibious Single Engine Air tanker flight services in support of United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bemidji, MN

Pre-Solicitation Notice: 140D8021R0005

The Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Boise, ID in support of the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), has a requirement for fully Contractor operated and maintained exclusive use Single Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aircraft services in support of fire suppression. Contractor services include provision of an aircraft, personnel, and all other associated equipment as prescribed in this solicitation/contract. Water will be scooped from water sources such as lakes or rivers and/or loaded at ground locations. Chemical fire retardant/suppressants may be loaded in the Contractor’s aircraft. The use of water enhancers mixed with on-board injection systems are not allowed on federal lands or on federally contracted aircraft, unless requested and approved by the ordering Agency. The use of water enhancers mixed through a proportioner and loaded from ground-based equipment is acceptable according to their qualified applications/approvals as specified on the Qualified Products List (QPL).

The Government will direct aircraft to support its missions and objectives. During the exclusive use period and any subsequent extension, aircraft furnished shall be subject to the exclusive use and control of the Government 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The Government has interagency and cooperative agreements with other Federal and State agencies and private landholders and may dispatch aircraft under this contract for such cooperative use. The contractor must be certificated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137, and all aircraft proposed must meet the following minimum specifications:

Designated Bases: Bemidji, MN

Exclusive Use Periods: 24 April thru 02 June (40 Calendar days)

Aircraft Required: Exclusive use, single engine amphibious water scooping aircraft equipped as specified in Section B.

Interagency Air Tanker Board (IAB) approved or interim approved Type 3 Air Tanker/Gate system.

Fuel Service Vehicle (FSV): One (1) Fuel Servicing Vehicle (FSV) meeting the requirements identified in Section B

Crew Compliment Required: Pilot-in-Command (PIC), Fuel Service Vehicle/SEAT support vehicle w/ driver/operator, Relief PIC and driver/operator required.

Minimum Helicopter Requirements:

Must have a Standard and/or Restricted Airworthiness Certificate.

Aircraft certified under 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.

Minimum 1600 Shaft Horsepower (SHP)

VFR, Day Only

Tank capacity of 799 US gallons.

Aircraft capable of dispensing both water and fire retardant

Endurance of 2 hours and 30 minutes, 600 gallons of water, 200 lb pilot at 3,000’ PA 25 degrees Celsius.

Capable of operating from 5,000 ft. gravel runway at @ 3,000ft PA and 25C with an empty tank.

Cruise airspeed of at least 140 kts true airspeed at 7,000 ft. PA and 30º Celsius, empty tank

Aircraft must have the IAB approved or Interim approved gate installed on the aircraft at the time of inspection.

NOTES:

The contract period of performance is a five-year ordering period from 15 March 2021 and 14 March 2026, with the possibility of up to a six-month extension. The exclusive use period is 40 days, subject to change as permitted in the solicitation.

A Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice was posted on beta.sam.gov on 06 July 2020, in order to determine the number and types of Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) and small businesses, including Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), Small Disadvantaged (SDB), Section 8(a), Woman-Owned (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned (EDWOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran Owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) capable of meeting the Government’s requirement. The RFI closed on October 08, 2020. No responses were received from vendors with the capability to execute this requirement.

The services required of this Request for Proposals (RFP) are being acquired under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This solicitation will be issued under full and open competition under NAICS code 115310, Forest Fire Suppression, which has a small business size standard of $20.5M or less. The PSC Code will be F003, Natural Resource/Conservation-Forest-Range Fire Suppression//Pre-Suppression. The Government will award a contract in accordance with the best-value determination as stated in the solicitation.

AQD intends to issue the solicitation on or after 18 December 2020. Offers are anticipated to be due on 20 January 2021 with an award being issued in February 2021.

AQD will consider all responsible sources that submit a timely offer that conforms to the solicitation. Any contractor interested in doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be awarded a contract. SAM is a Federal Government owned and operated free website at www.SAM.gov.

Point of Contact:

Austin Carter Contracting Officer austin_carter@ibc.doi.gov 300 E Mallard Drive Boise, ID 83706