RFI_Type_1_Helicopter_NVG_Tank.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

HSS MATOC Type 1 NVG -Tank

Special Notice Number: 1202SA-25-IPAB-0002

Agency: United States Department of Agriculture

Office: Forest Service

Location: National Interagency Fire Center – Boise, ID / Region 5 McClellan, CA

RFI Issue Date: June 18, 2025

RFI Response Date: June 28, 2025, 16:00 (MDT)

Submittal of information:

Vendors who wish to respond to this request for information (RFI) should send responses via email, to shelia.stoddard@usda.gov Please include Special Notice Number in the subject line of your email.

Synopsis: This request for information is for a type 1, tanked helicopter with night vision goggles (NVG) and is being conducted for market research and planning purposes only.

Product Service Code: F003

NAICS Code: 481212

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) AND IS OPEN TO TYPE 1 HSS MATOC

CONTRACT HOLDERS ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.

Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

Responders are advised that the Government is not responsible for any costs associated with preparation or response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any information received in response to this RFI. The information provided in response to this RFI may be used to formulate evaluation methods for future needs. The information provided may also be utilized by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, Performance Work Statement, Statement of Work, and/or Performance Specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future associated RFP that may be issued.

Primary Point of Contact:

Shelia Stoddard, Contracting Officer shelia.stoddard@usda.gov 623-293-8721

Technical Point of Contact:

John Nelson, Washington Office, Branch Chief-Airworthiness john.a.nelson@usda.gov 208-387-5617 Or Beau Dobberstein, Washington Office, Rotor Wing Branch Chief mailto:shelia.stoddard@usda.gov mailto:shelia.stoddard@usda.gov mailto:john.a.nelson@usda.gov beau.dobberstein@usda.gov 406-370-3374 Or David Gomez, Washington Office, National Helicopter Program Manager david.a.gomez@usda.gov 307-413-4209

Description:

The purpose of this announcement is to conduct thorough market research associated with modernization of the current Night helicopter operations. Specifically, providing a Call When Needed (CWN) contractor operated and maintained helicopter services to support Region 5 with a Type 1 tanked Helicopter to be used for Nighttime fire suppression water dropping for the US Forest Service (FS) Fire and Aviation Program with aircraft that satisfy the requirements as identified below.

Background:

As wildland fire activity continues to increase in complexity, intensity, and duration, the demand for capable, large-capacity aerial firefighting resources has grown significantly. Type 1 helicopters, capable of delivering larger volumes of water or retardant, are a cornerstone of both initial attack and extended attack suppression operations. These aircraft provide rapid response, flexibility across varied terrain, and targeted delivery essential to protecting life, property, and natural resources.

To meet evolving incident needs, the agency seeks to enhance its fleet with Type 1 helicopters that are equipped and capable of operating in both day and night conditions. This includes integration with (NVG) operations where feasible, in alignment with the National Night Air Operations Plan. Standardizing performance capabilities, communications systems, and mission-readiness. Expanding a fleet capable of night operations is a vital pathway to maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness and safety of aerial suppression missions.

The Forest Service is investigating acquisition strategies that support scalable and sustainable aviation assets.

As part of this effort, this Request for Information is issued to identify vendors with aircraft that meet the operational and technical requirements for Type 1 tanked water/retardant delivery missions under both daytime and nighttime conditions. This RFI will assist in development of a strategy to attain these services in the future.

Aircraft Maintenance and Support:

Each aircraft shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the base contract and any additional requirements for maintenance and configuration management included in the Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) Standard Type Certificate (STC).

Aircraft Utilization:

NVG-equipped helicopters must demonstrate the capability to safely and efficiently deliver large volumes of water or retardant, ensuring full interoperability with existing air and ground suppression operations.

These aircraft are required to include mission-essential systems such as internal or external tanks, along with NVG-compatible lighting and avionics where applicable.

Our goal is to enhance situational awareness, safety, and operational effectiveness during nighttime aerial supervision. NVG technology must enable continuous monitoring of fire behavior, firefighter safety, and tactical operations after dark, ensuring coordinated and uninterrupted firefighting efforts.

mailto:beau.dobberstein@usda.gov mailto:david.a.gomez@usda.gov

Helicopters must provide visibility in low-light and nighttime conditions to support safe navigation and precise water or retardant drops. This capability aims to extend operational windows, allowing timely execution of critical fire management tasks such as perimeter control, without compromising effectiveness.

We require that integrating NVG-equipped helicopters into night operations increases firefighting hours and optimizes the use of limited aerial resources. Improved visibility will support fire line scouting and assist the Forest Service in overcoming daylight limitations, contributing to efficient aerial resource management.

Our strategic objective is to leverage NVG-equipped helicopters to improve wildfire supervision by enhancing situational awareness, coordination, and operational coverage. This approach seeks to support safer and more effective fire suppression efforts during nighttime operations.

Specific Aircraft Requirements:

Aircraft must satisfy the HSS MATOC Type 1 parent contract requirements for Tank operations (Exhibit 11).

In addition to these requirements the following must also be met:

Minimum Payload: Performance Requirements Hovering out of ground effect (HOGE- Jettisonable )

A HOGE-jettisonable payload of 3000 pounds at 8,000 feet pressure altitude and 25 °C, as determined by Attachment 11, Standard Interagency Load Calculation form, using a standard pilot weight of 200 pounds and 1.5 hours of fuel as determined by Attachment 10, Hourly Flight Rates, Fuel Consumption, and Weight Reduction Chart.

B.7(a)(3) Helicopters approved for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations must also meet the following avionics requirements:

(i) An External Public Address (PA) System

(ii) One Rotatable Search Light

(iii) Instruments and equipment for NVG operations in accordance with 14 CFR 91.205(h)

(iv) Modifications to aircraft instrumentation, lighting, and cockpit/cabin configurations must be performed, documented, and maintained in accordance with a commercially available STC specific to the make/model/configuration of the aircraft being offered. Minor alterations, field approvals, and/or former military configurations will not be accepted.

EXHIBIT 8 - NIGHT FLYING OPERATIONS

Night flying operations are operations conducted under the scope of this contract during periods of darkness with the use of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) consistent with the USFS Night Air Operations Plan.

A post award visit will be conducted at the vendor’s facility within 30 days after contract award to discuss Night Flying Operations. Due to the developmental nature of this program, subsequent quality assurance and oversight visits prior to and during the contract period should be expected.

(a) Helicopter Requirements:

(1) Meets 91.205(c) Visual Flight Rules (night)

(2) Meets 91.205(h) Night Vision Goggle Operations

(3) Supplemental Type Certificated for NVG operations, aligned with the Mandatory Availability Period conformity check, to include four (4) sets of compatible Night Vision Goggles and (2) sets for single piloted operations.

(4) Fixed Tank:

(i) Type 1 Helicopters - A fixed tank capable of hover filling and/or ground filling as required in the TORP.

(ii) Type 2 Helicopters - A fixed tank capable of hover and ground fill with snorkel capable of being removed or retracted.

(ii) Type 3 Helicopters – Not required.

(b) Routine Maintenance: routine maintenance will be coordinated with the helicopter manager and conducted during daylight hours. The vendor is required to provide the manager daily updates on upcoming maintenance events. At the managers request the vendor shall conduct scheduled maintenance up to five (5) hours early. Routine maintenance conducted under the guidelines stated above may be conducted without penalty.

(c) Additional requirements for field maintenance personnel: Primary maintenance personnel shall have received additional training on the NVIS installed on the aircraft and any addition inspection requirements. Maintenance personnel must have training on any special tools or test equipment required to perform NVIS maintenance appropriate for field conditions.

(d) Reserved.

(e) Night Vision Equipment Selection: OEM certified Generation III image intensifier tubes with auto gating, minimum Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) 25, minimum resolution 64. Must mount to a universal military style visor mount system. M949 and F4949 systems are known to meet this requirement.

(f) Crew Coverage: Night Flying Operations aircraft will be provided in accordance with B.25.

There will be 9 hours of standby each day per B.27 with payment for extended standby in accordance with B.28 and C.16.

(1) Pilot staffing (i) Type 1 and 2 Helicopters: Night operations: 2 pilot crew as stated in B.25.

(See (h) below for qualification requirements). The company will provide a list of offered primary and relief pilots (not to exceed four) prior to the contract start date. Any additional pilots will require currency flights in accordance with (e) at the vendor’s expense.

(2) Mechanic and Fuel Service Vehicle Driver Staffing

(i) Vendor will provide personnel which meet qualifications and duty limitations for each day, as per B.25.

(3) Maximum number of personnel to be paid will be consistent with B.19 as per the payment clause C.15 and C.16.

(g) Flight Hour and Duty Limitations: For day operations in accordance with B.16, for night operations same as day except maximum of 6 hours NVG flight time per duty cycle. Pilots will provide NVG hours flown after each fuel cycle to the helicopter manager.

(1) Relief pilots for night operations will be on for a minimum of 6 consecutive days.

PIC and SIC schedules need not be concurrent.

(h) NVG Pilot Requirements-Experience: In accordance with section B.18 with the following additions (Note: NVG pilots need not be long line carded).

(1) PIC Experience Requirements:

(i) Previously Approved for Interagency Fire

(ii) Helicopter Night Flying Hours 100 hours

(iii) Fire Fighting Experience 100 hours

(iv) Helicopter Night Vision Goggle Hours 50 hours

(v) Helicopter Night Vision Make and Model 10 hours

(vi) Night Vision Goggle Flight Training 5 hours*

(vii) Night Vision Goggle Ground School 8 hours*

• Completes Additional Training Required for Night Vision Goggle Operations per FAR 61.31

• Meets Night Vision Operating Experience and Proficiency Check per FAR 61.57

• Pass a Night Operations “special use” flight evaluation from a USFS approved Helicopter Pilot Inspector annually.

(2) SIC Experience Requirements:

(i) Helicopter Night Flying Hours 100 hours

(ii) Helicopter Night Vision Goggle Hours 25 hours

(iii) Night Vision Goggle Flight Training 5 hours*

(iv) Night Vision Goggle Ground School 8 hours

• Completes Additional Training Required for Night Vision Goggle Operations per FAR 61.31

• Performed as SIC during a Night Vision Operating Experience flight (reference FAR 61.57)

• Completed required online training modules IAW B.20(i)(2)

• Pass a Night Operations “special use” flight evaluation from a USFS approved Helicopter Pilot Inspector annually.

*Military NVG training will meet the ground training and flight time requirement. Must provide official documentation.

(i) Currency flights; If either the primary or relief Night Flying Operations crews have not conducted NVG flight within the previous 25 days, the vendor is authorized one (1) hour of NVG flight for each crew at the government’s expense. The flight will involve mission training and ground crews.

(j) Orientation flights: Orientation flights will be conducted at the government’s expense during daylight prior to conducting Night Flying Operations in an unfamiliar area.

(k) PPE: All ground personnel are required to wear PPE in accordance with B.40, additionally reflective clothing (belts, vests, or flight suits) will be worn while inside the rotor disk with aircraft operating.

(l) Government Pilot: Approved Government Pilots may act as SIC’s for evaluation purposes.

(m) Pre-use inspection

(1) Pilot training documentation

(2) Conformity check validation

(3) NVG maintenance records

(4) Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) maintenance plan.

(5) Configuration management plan

Requested Information:

Contractors who respond to this Request for Information (RFI) are requested to provide all of the following information in writing and in accordance with the directions below:

Company Information:

1. Company name

2. Company mailing address

3. Company point of contact (name & title)

4. Point of contact telephone numbers

5. Company’s size standard for the NAICS information provided above

6. Verification for modification of installation of commercially available STC for NVG (337 and STC documentation)

7. A Copy of the company helicopter night vision goggle maintenance program

Price Information:

The Forest Service is asking that all interested contractors provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), that includes the following costs:

Helicopter Services consisting of fully contractor operated and maintained helicopters that meet the requirements of the RFI.

• Daily Availability Rate: Estimated daily costs for aircraft, including pilot(s), maintenance, and fuel service driver to support the aircraft on a 9-hour availability day (extended standby rate paid by government for hours over 9, NTE a 14 hour duty day). The daily cost should be estimated based on a continuous 120-day exclusive use period.

NOTE: The Government is not looking for a quote but a rough estimate of cost.

Technical information:

The Forest Service is asking that interested contractors provide the following documents:

1. How many aircraft can you provide that meet the RFI?

2. When can each aircraft be available?

3. What models are these aircraft?

4. Provide a list of aircraft that can satisfy a minimum or higher HOGE-jettisonable payload of

3000 pounds at 8,000 feet pressure altitude and 25 °C

5. If available please submit a single Form A, B, and C indicating that aircraft could meet the aircraft requirements listed within the RFI.

Note:

You may provide any other pertinent information that may contribute to the evaluation of this RFI that will assist the Government in developing specifications for future solicitations, for example; What length of time is needed to equip an aircraft to the requirement found in the RFI from when a Call When Needed order is placed or an exclusive use line item is competed?