SN-2018-07_Helicopter_Rescue_Hoist.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) — RESCUE HOIST-CAPABLE HELICOPTERS

SN-2018-07 – NAICS CODE 621910

This RFI seeks industry comments on market research for rescue hoist capabilities and costs and planning purposes only. It shall not be considered to be an obligation by the Government to acquire any products or services. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation, nor is it a request seeking contractors to be placed on a solicitation mailing list. Response to this survey is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this market survey and any follow-on information requests that may be issued by the Government. Data submitted in response to this market survey will not be returned.

52.215-3 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES.

(OCT 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) The intent of this RFI is to query the helicopter industry on the availability, options, and cost of modern, high-performance rescue hoist helicopters with advanced emergency medical capabilities.

PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR CONTRACTING:

Gwen Boyle, Contract Specialist gboyle@fs.fed.us 208-387-5632

RESPONSE DATE – DATE AND TIME:

Interested parties are asked to review the following questions and provide responses to the Government no later than 12 July 2018 at 1400 MST.

RFI DETAILS:

The Forest Service is seeking comments from vendors with relevant expertise to the questions below.

Responses received are considered procurement sensitive information. Responses will not be returned and the Government reserves the right to use the responses to this RFI to amend requirements, acquisition strategy/approach and associated documents for this project.

RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS:

Please include reference number, SN-2018-07, in all correspondence.

Questions shall be submitted to Jim Edge at jledge@fs.fed.us and Don Campbell at dcampbell05@fs.fed.us with a courtesy copy to gboyle@fs.fed.us by 27 June 2018 at

1400 MT.

Responses shall be submitted to Gwen Boyle, gboyle@fs.fed.us by the RFI response date and time above.

THE RESCUE HELICOPTER REQUIREMENTS THAT THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE ARE

INTERESTED IN ARE:

Company:

Part 135 Operating Certificate with air ambulance

Personnel: (provided by vendor)

Crew Compliment Required:

Pilot-in-Command (PIC), Second-in-Command (SIC if required) and relief(s)

• PIC shall have a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft instrument rating

• Certified for Night Vision Goggles (NVG) flight (optional)

• Endorsed for special use missions (carded)

Pilots will be evaluated in accordance with the Interagency Helicopter Pilot Practical test standards, to include the Hoist operations and NVG Operations (if applicable).

Mechanic and relief

Fuel Servicing Vehicle Driver and relief

Qualified and experienced hoist operator and relief

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) (primary and relief) and/or

Qualified and experienced intermediate or para-medic and/or

Advanced Life Support (ALS)

Helicopter Requirements:

Capable to operate during the day, and at night (if applicable), in mountainous terrain, Instrument Flight Rules and within the firefighting environment.

mailto:jledge@fs.fed.us mailto:dcampbell05@fs.fed.us mailto:gboyle@fs.fed.us mailto:gboyle@fs.fed.us

Equipped with dual flight controls.

Systems and component quantities listed shall be installed in a helicopter as specified and shall meet FAA certification.

CAT A capability according to 14 CFR Part 27 or 29 preferred.

Power plant alternative: Turbine engine (single or twin).

Landing Gear: Skid or wheel type.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) certified.

Aircraft is Advanced Life Support (ALS) certified.

Payload: Non-jettisonable payload (HOGE) of 1,100 pounds at 25 degrees C at 7,000 feet pressure altitude using a pilot weight of 200 pounds, 35-pound survival kit and fuel for 1.5 hours.

Speed: Minimum 120 VNE at max gross weight.

Accommodate a pilot flight crew, medical crew with Advanced Life Support certification, litter-borne patients, and all required Advanced Life Support equipment for patient treatment and resuscitation.

Helicopter shall have an electric rescue hoist with at least a six hundred (600) pound capacity, including operator hand controls, grab bar switches, motor/cable, monitoring, emergency release mechanism, an operator restraint system. System power-up and master control shall be from the cockpit.

Helicopter to have FAA approval for all mission equipment (aircraft manufacturer or supplemental type certificate(s)).

Hoist Requirements

Shall be removable with quick disconnect-type fittings and capable of at least 250 feet usable cable and 150 feet/min rate.

Hoist system with backup controllability from Pilot station preferred.

Rescue hoist equipment to have supplemental type certificate(s).

Avionics

Intercom Avionics communication capabilities between pilot, co-pilot and medical personnel as well as Interagency approved VHF-FM P25 radio to communicate with wildland fire personnel, at a minimum.

Global Positioning System (GPS) equipped.

Specific questions:

Financial Cost

(a) What is an estimate of daily availability cost to include ALL personnel and equipment costs?

(b) What is the estimated cost per flight hour?

Rescue Hoist

(a) What is the make/model of the rescue hoist equipment?

(b) What is the maximum working load of the rescue hoist?

(c) What are the safety features incorporated in the rescue hoist equipment?

(d) What is the load capability of the rescue hoist?

(e) Is a stretcher and/or basket for winching provided?

Casualty Evacuation

Is the helicopter capable of performing casualty evacuation? If so, indicate equipment details for casualty evacuation to include:

(a) Number of stretchers

(b) Length of stretcher(s)

(c) Configuration

(d) Equipment / Modification required for fitment of the stretcher(s)