RFI_Ram-Air.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Ram-Air Rough Terrain Parachute Consultant

Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office: Forest Service Location: National Interagency Fire Center – Boise, ID RFI Issue Date: November 01, 2018 RFI Response Date: November 30, 2018 Submittal of information:

The information requested by this RFI shall be provided, in writing (hard-copy or electronic), by close of business (4:30 p.m. Mountain Time) November 30, 2018 to the following address:

Owyhee Building – MS 1100

or klogan@fs.fed.us

Synopsis:

The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research regarding interested vendors/contractors who are capable of providing rough terrain parachute instruction and consultation on the ram-air parachute system.

Product Service Code: R799 – Other Management Support Services NAICS Code: 541990 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government’s use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI may be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for future needs. The information provided may be utilized by the US Forest Service in developing its acquisition strategy and in its Statement of Objective, Statement of Work, and/or Performance Specifications. The information resulting from this RFI may be included or combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements of the future system but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary.

Contracting Office Address:

National Interagency Fire Center Incident Support Branch Owyhee Building – MS 1100 3833 S. Development Ave.

Boise, ID 83705

Primary Point of Contact:

Kellen Logan, Contracting Officer klogan@fs.fed.us 208-387-5361

Technical Point of Contact Mark Belitz, Ram-Air Training Lead markbelitz@fs.fed.us 406-451-2337

Background:

Smokejumpers parachute from various aircraft into rocky, timbered, and steep terrain to suppress or manage wildland fire. Since July 12, 1940 smokejumpers have provided a highly trained, fully equipped, and self-sufficient workforce to support the land stewardship and public safety goals of the U.S. Forest Service. In cooperation with federal, state, and local partners, smokejumpers are a workforce that natural resource and emergency managers utilize for safe and effective response to wildfires, all-risk emergencies, and project work.

On July 1, 2015 the Director, Fire and Aviation Management, made a decision to begin a measured transition to a ram-air parachute system in the USFS smokejumper program. A “square” ram-air parachute system will eventually replace the “round” FS-14 parachute system currently in use. The reasons behind the Director’s decision include a need for improvement and innovation in equipment to optimize operational capabilities of the USFS smokejumper program.

USFS smokejumpers have used a variety of parachute systems over the 75 year history of the program. All of these primary parachute systems have been round in their design. The round parachute system has been developed to near its performance potential. As parachute systems have evolved, ram-air parachute systems offer a greater opportunity to increase operational capabilities so that fires may be staffed during more severe environmental conditions (i.e. higher winds) thereby reducing fire suppression costs by catching high potential fires at the earliest opportunity, instead of waiting for more favorable parachuting conditions. Ram-air parachutes enable smokejumpers more control over vertical and horizontal speed to help minimize landing impact injuries, and promise future advancements in technology.

In 2008, Region 1 began evaluating and training on the ram-air parachute system through a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Smokejumper Program, and the National Technology and Development Program (NTDP). As of today, there are 180 Forest Service smokejumpers on the ram-air parachute system. That comprises over half of the USFS smokejumpers that are currently jumping the ram-air parachute.

The USFS Smokejumpers are conducting market research from interested vendors/contractors who are capable of providing consultation, training, and ram-air rough terrain parachuting expertise to support the transition to the ram-air system.

Requested Information:

Vendors/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:

1. Technical Capability:

Vendors are requested to provide information on their ability to meet the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

1. Skill in instructing individuals in ram-air parachute flight theory, drop zone approaches, flare techniques, and parachute landing falls.

2. Experience in jumping from multiple aircraft, including Sherpas and Twin Otters.

3. Experience in parachuting with heavy equipment or rucksacks that represent 30% or more of total exit body weight.

4. Experience in flying large tandem style canopies representing surface areas greater than 270 square feet.

5. Expertise in landing in rough terrain including rocks, uneven surfaces, water, downed logs, dense brush, and timber.

6. Experience in landing on slopes greater than 100% (45 degrees), ridges, and valleys.

7. Experience with landing in surface winds up to 20 knots.

8. Expertise in landing in openings less than 100 by 150 feet, surrounded by timber greater than 75 feet tall.

2. Company Information:

1. Company name

2. Company mailing address

3. Company point of contact (name & title).

4. Point of contact’s telephone numbers (office & fax).

5. A written one page resume describing skills associated with this RFI.

6. Links or video demonstrating specific skills and experience as stated above (no material will be returned).

3. Cost Information:

All interested vendors/contractors shall provide an estimate/invoice that includes the following costs:

1. Fixed price hourly labor rates, daily rates, or weekly rates. Itemized by individual or priced by group.

2. Classroom teaching aids or equipment included in estimate or noted as supplied by USFS.

3. Travel cost breakdown.

4. Any other allowances deemed necessary to perform duties.

Note:

You may provide any other pertinent information that may contribute to efficiencies related to this RFI that will assist the Government in developing specifications for future solicitations.