RFI_ Project_Azimuth_3.0.pdf

Space Acquisition and Integration Office (SAIO)

REQUEST FOR INFORMAITON (RFI)

MARKET SURVEY

PROJECT AZIMUTH – ZERO GRAVITY FLIGHTS SERVICE CONTRACT

Introduction The Space Acquisition and Integration Office (SAIO) intends to solicit the STARCOM Project Azimuth, zero gravity flights service contract in support of the US Space Force. Flights are to start and end at the Colorado Springs airport (KCOS), Colorado Springs, CO. The proposed period of performance starts on 1 June 2025. The government is considering a performance period of: 1 year base plus 3 option periods (4 years of flights in the summers total). The draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is provided for more detailed information regarding this requirement.

This notice DOES NOT constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor does it represent any commitment by the Government. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of ongoing Government conducted market research for planning purposes and to request industry PWS and Service Catalog feedback along with industry capability. A solicitation is not being issued at this time and this notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation. The Government will not provide reimbursement for costs associated with this request. Responses shall be treated as information only, become property of the US Government and will not be used as a proposal.

Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this RFI is strictly voluntary; responses will not be returned. The information obtained from industry’s responses to this notice may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and a future RFP.

Purpose Responses to this RFI will provide the Government with knowledge of industry interest, qualifications, and capability. Responses will also help the Government with conducting market research as well as finalizing solicitation documents. This is only a request for information, and the type of solicitation may depend upon the responses received.

Industry Response Responses are expected to be on company letterhead and must include the following information: date, point of contact, address, phone number, email address, DUNS number and CAGE code. Responses are requested as soon as possible but not later than 10 December 2024 at 1400 hours Mountain Standard Time (MST). All responses or questions shall be only submitted via e-mail to daniel.hayes.37@spaceforce.mil and flavio.ely.1@spaceforce.mil.

Responses shall be no more than 20 pages (single spaced, front and back, no smaller than Times New Roman, font size 12 or equivalent). If submissions exceed the page count noted, the Government will only review the first 20 pages and disregard the remainder of the submission.

Extraneous materials (brochures, manuals, etc.) will not be considered. Please answer the questions completely and include a copy of FAA certifications. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

Questions

1. Is the NAICS code 481219 (Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation) appropriate for this scope of work? If you determine it to be inappropriate, what NAICS code would be appropriate and why?

mailto:daniel.hayes.37@spaceforce.mil mailto:flavio.ely.1@spaceforce.mil

2. Specify your business type based upon NAICS 541513. Specify all that apply.

__ Large Business __ Small Business __ Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) __ 8(a) __ HUBZone __ Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) __ Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) __ Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business SDVOSB)

3. Does your firm currently provide these services under an existing contract such as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) or Government-Wide Acquisition Contract? If so, please provide the contract number, point of contact name/number, and managing agency (e.g., Air Force, DoD, GSA).

4. Is your company capable of fulfilling the entire requirement outlined in the draft

Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

5. Would your firm propose on this project as a prime contractor, prime contractor with subcontractor(s), prime contractor with team member subcontractor(s), or a joint venture?

6. If you would propose as a joint venture, identify to the extent possible, your team members.

7. Identify the business size of your team members or joint venture firms under this NAICS.

8. Do you anticipate having a teaming partner? How much work do you anticipate performing as opposed to a teaming partner or subcontractor?

9. Identify barriers to performance if any.

10. Identify any projects completed in the past five (5) years for the same or similar scope to help determine your firm’s capability in meeting the requirement for the service listed in the attached documents. Include any Government contracts (Federal, State, or local) you have been awarded for this type of requirement. Also, include the contract number and a Government point of contact. Identify if your company was the prime contractor or a subcontractor for these projects.

11. Industry review and input on the PWS is beneficial for authoring a well-written requirement.

Please identify any concerns or questions you may have regarding the draft PWS, and what information your company would like to see. Suggested changes, questions, and/or comments to the PWS may be submitted via tracked changes in an MS Word document.

12. Do you find any of the PWS requirements to be impossible to perform? Or, do you feel there are requirements lacking which would be necessary for successful performance? Do you identify any task or performance requirement that could be executed better and/or include industry best practices. If so, provide details of why a requirement is impossible, why one should be added, and/or what is recommended for better execution via tracked changes in an MS Word document.

13. What risks do you see associated with this acquisition and how would you mitigate those risks?

14. Are you aware of any organizational conflicts of interest that need to be addressed?

15. Are you aware of any other Government agencies pursuing similar objectives as identified in this PWS? If so, please explain their relevance.

16. Identify measures/terms that should be identified within the PWS regarding contractor vs.

Government responsibilities given the nature and scope of this PWS?

17. Flight operations specific questions:

a. Operational Certification and Compliance

• Are you certified under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 121 for conducting commercial flight operations?

• Can you provide documentation of your FAA certification and compliance with FAR Part

121 for zero-gravity flights?

• What types of flight authorizations and safety protocols do you have in place for conducting parabolic flights under FAR Part 121 regulations?

b. Specialized Experience in Zero-Gravity Operations

• Do you have prior experience operating flights specifically designed to create a zero-gravity environment?

• How many zero-gravity flight operations have you conducted, and over what period?

• What type of training and expertise does your flight crew possess in relation to conducting zero-gravity parabolic maneuvers?

c. Availability and Access to Specialized Aircraft

• What specific aircraft do you use for zero-gravity flight operations?

• Can you support the PWS requirement for passengers per flight?

• Are your aircraft modified or customized specifically for conducting parabolic flight paths that create a zero-gravity environment?

• How many aircraft do you have that are configured and available for zero-gravity operations?

d. Compliance with Safety Standards and Risk Management

• How do you ensure adherence to FAA safety standards for zero-gravity operations?

• What safety measures and emergency protocols are implemented during zero-gravity flights?

• Can you provide documentation or examples of previous successful zero-gravity operations and safety audits?

e. Market Availability and Exclusivity

• Are you aware of any other FAR Part 121-certified companies that provide commercial zero-gravity flight services?

• What sets your company apart from potential competitors in the field of zero-gravity flight operations?

• Are you the only company in the U.S. certified for zero-gravity flight operations under FAR Part 121?

f. Technical Capabilities and Flight Profile

• What specific parabolic flight profiles do you utilize to create a sustained zero-gravity environment?

• How long does each zero-gravity phase last, and how many parabolas can be performed during a standard flight?

• What modifications or customizations have been made to your aircraft to optimize them for zero-gravity flight?

g. Client Experience and Partnerships

• Who are some of your past clients or partners for zero-gravity flight operations (e.g., NASA, research institutions)?

• What has been the feedback or outcomes from your clients regarding zero-gravity flights?

• Do you offer exclusive agreements or partnership options for large-scale zero-gravity projects?

h. Insurance and Liability Coverage

• What type of insurance and liability coverage do you carry for zero-gravity flight operations?

• How do you handle risk management and liability in the event of an incident during a zero-gravity flight?

i. Logistical Capabilities

• What are your scheduling capabilities for zero-gravity flights, and how flexible are you in accommodating client needs?

• Do you offer nationwide service, or are there limitations on where your zero-gravity flights can be conducted?