Request_for_Information_1.docx

Request for Information (RFI) for the Procurement of Exclusive Use and On-Call Fixed Wing Aircraft Support Services THIS IS A RFI ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes, and it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue an RFQ / RFP. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate any feedback with regards to this submission; other than acknowledgement of receipt, if a request for an acknowledgement is requested by the submitter. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay any costs incurred as a result of a response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ. If a solicitation is released, it will be via the Government Wide Point of Entry (GPE) at (http://www.sam.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. The information provided may be utilized by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in developing its acquisition strategy.

RFI PURPOSE: There are two purposes of this RFI. The first is to determine the number and types of small businesses capable of meeting the Government’s requirements for the subject procurement. The second is to determine the number and types of other than small businesses who may be capable of meeting the Government’s requirements for the subject procurement.

REQUIREMENTS: The DOI, Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), in support of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) seeks information from companies potentially interested in performing commercial aircraft support services in support of the U.S. Navy's ship weapon test and evaluation (T&E) program managed by NAVSEA PEO IWS. The Contractor shall provide the necessary management, facilities, labor, and equipment for four "exclusive use" (EU) turbojet aircraft and two "on call" (OC) turbojet aircraft to perform Electronic Warfare (EW) test and evaluation services for integrated warfare systems. The Contractor shall provide pilots, copilots, electronic technicians (system support operators), and aircraft configuration workers. The Contractor shall properly manage, maintain, and safeguard all Government Property (GP) and information.

The principal service provided by the contractor shall be to fly its aircraft with special mission equipment and/or personnel during the conduct of Navy or Navy-sponsored (i.e. another agency, military department, or foreign government) testing of ship-based or ground-based systems. The carriage and operation of Government Property is an important mission activity. Other important mission activities include performing tracking support missions by flying aircraft profiles for radar calibration and training and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) testing of shipboard equipment.

REQUESTED INFORMATION: If your organization has the potential to provide the required aircraft meeting the draft specifications that follow below, please provide the following information:

1) Company name, mailing address, DUNS number, and point of contact information

2) Email and web site address (if applicable)

3) Information necessary to demonstrate that the aircraft meet the specifications in this RFI.

4) Business Size (NAICS 481219 – Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation)

5) Business Size and Type (e.g. SB, ISBEE, SDVOSB, etc.)

Questions or feedback concerning this request will only be accepted via email addressed to the Contracting Specialist, Homer Shoup, at homer_shoup@ibc.doi.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Submissions should be emailed directly to homer_shoup@ibc.doi.gov by 1700 ET, on Thursday, 8 February 2024.

DRAFT AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS:

Designated Operating Base: Contractor's Home Base.

Aircraft Required: Six multiengine land jet airplanes (4 EU and 2 OC airplanes) equipped as specified in Section B (Section B not included in this RFI) for support of the Navy ship weapon system test and evaluation program.

Crew Complement: Pilot-in-command (PIC), second-in-command (SIC), System Support Operator (SSO), and relief crew.

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

Seating: Five (5) passengers.

Power plant(s): Multiengine turbojet.

Configuration: VFR and IFR; day and night; flight in known ice and extended overwater operation.

Speed/Endurance: 425-knot cruise speed at optimum altitude, six (6) hour endurance at cruise power. 280-knot at 200 feet above the surface of the ocean.

Performance: Single-engine service ceiling of not less than 20,000 feet MSL. Operate at max gross weight from a 6,000-foot runway at sea level at a temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Highest temperature expected is 110° Fahrenheit at sea level.

Payload: 1,200 pounds.

Special requirements: Aircraft modifications per STC to accommodate tow reels for towed targets and special mission equipment as specified in Section B.

Ground clearance: Minimum clearance from bottom of ejector rack to ground of not less than 24 inches (strut collapsed and tires flat).

NOTE: Learjet aircraft models 35/36 were utilized under previous contract requirements.

Other Requirements:

U.S. Security Clearances: Secret clearances are required for all contractor personnel working under this contract.

DRAFT PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS*:

Project Description and Requirements. Assigned missions shall primarily be located in the continental U.S., Hawaii, and U.S. territories, however, international missions include, but are not limited to, UK, Spain, Romania, and Poland.

Combat System Ship Qualification Trial (CSSQT) Support. CSSQTs are conducted on offshore east and west coast military ranges. The Contractor may be required to temporarily base aircraft in the vicinity of Norfolk, VA; Wallops Island, VA; Jacksonville, FL; Port Hueneme, CA; Honolulu, HI and other Navy Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet coastal testing locations. CSSQTs may require aircraft availability for periods up to 10 days and provide 25 hours of flight time per trial. CSSQTs may occur an average of four (4) to five (5) times per year. The character and tempo of CSSQT operations may vary substantially from one evolution to the next. CSSQT flying schedules are highly dependent upon other range/airspace users, as well as the particular requirements and priorities for each ship. The period and duration of the trial varies but shall be identified to the Contractor in advance, with a goal of 45+ days prior to start of testing. Due to refinement of Program Office schedules, schedules are subject to change but are normally finalized at least 30 days prior to of the date of the test event.

Shipbuilding tests and trials. Shipbuilding tests and trials may be conducted in port and off shore adjacent to Bath ME, Portland ME, Pascagoula MS, Pensacola FL, or at other locations designated by the Government. Shipbuilding tests and trials may require aircraft availability for periods of three (3) to four (4) days and provide eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of flight time per trial. These tests/trials usually occur five (5) or six (6) times per year.

Research and Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E). RDT&E operations vary in length of availability and flight hours flown depending on the test requirements of the individual operation. These may be standalone missions or integrated into CSSQTs.

Typical CSSQT and RDT&E Evolutions. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure the specified pods and/or equipment are available at the designated test/trial location and returned to its operating base, or alternate government-designated location, upon completion of operations. If fuel or other considerations preclude carrying the required pods to/from the designated operating location, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer (CO). In such cases, additional funds may be modified onto the task order and the Contractor shall be directed to ship the pods/equipment OR the Government, at its option, may ship the pods/equipment by other means.

Aircraft ferry to the test/trial location shall be coordinated to provide adequate time for the flight crews to orient themselves with the test/trial locations and to participate in mission briefings. Time shall also be allowed to facilitate aircraft configuration and checkout prior to the first operations.

*Specifications in any future solicitation (if issued) will contain more details.