Sources_Sought_SAM_Posting_10_20_1.pdf

Sources Sought (SS) for the Procurement of Exclusive Use Multi-Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aviation Services

Solicitation No. 140D0427R0088

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY. This is a Sources Sought 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 Sources Sought 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 Sources Sought 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 Sources Sought. All costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or RFP. 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 Sources Sought. 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.

SOURCES SOUGHT PURPOSE: There are two purposes of this Sources Sought. The first is to determine the number and types of small businesses, including Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), Small Disadvantaged (SD), Section 8(a), Woman-Owned (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned (EDWOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran Owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) 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 U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), seeks information from companies potentially interested in providing fully contractor operated and maintained Multi-Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aviation services across the contiguous United States and Alaska in support of wildland fire suppression. Contractor services include provisions of the aircraft, personnel, insurance, aircraft maintenance support, and all other associated equipment as will be prescribed in the technical specifications of the solicitation.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

If your organization has the potential to provide the required aircraft services, 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 meets the specifications in this Sources Sought.

4) Business Size (NAICS 115310 – Forest Fire Suppression)

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

Any questions or feedback are greatly appreciated and encouraged. Questions or feedback concerning this request will only be accepted via email addressed to the Contracting Officer, Marina Volynets, at Marina_Volynets@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 Marina_Volynets@ibc.doi.gov by 1400 MT, on Monday, 26 October 2026

Multi-Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aircraft DRAFT SOW

Designated Base: Various locations throughout the Contiguous United States and Alaska.

Bureau: U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS)

Exclusive Use Period: Five (5) -year ordering period, April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2037, with 90 - 160 days of Exclusive Use

Aircraft Required: Multiple-Engine turbo-prop powered Water Scooping Aircraft equipped as specified in Section B.

Crew Compliment Required: Initial Attack Pilot in Command (PAKI) (per aircraft), Mechanic, Relief AKI, Relief Mechanic as specified in Section B.

Minimum Aircraft Requirements:

• Must have a Standard or Restricted Airworthiness Certificate.

• Aircraft certified under 14 CFR 25.

• An aircraft make and model for which engineering and logistical support, for continued airworthiness, is provided from the current type certificate holder or supplemental type certificate holder.

• Airframe must be of a flying boat design.

• Certified for Visual Flight Rules (VFR), Day/night

• Tank capacity of 1,400 US gallons scooping from fresh or salt water at +15°C.

• Minimum payload capacity of 525 lbs.

• Endurance of 4 hours, 1,400 gallons of water, 200 lb. pilot at 6,000’ PA 30º Celsius with 30 minute reserve fuel.

• Cruise airspeed of at least 180 kts true airspeed at 7,000 ft. PA and 30º Celsius, empty tank

• Aircraft must have the IAB approved, or Interim approved gate installed on the aircraft at the time of inspection.

• Capable of operating from a 5,000-foot gravel runway, 3,000 feet pressure altitude, and 25º Celsius with an empty tank.

SECTION B – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

B1 Scope of Contract B1.1 The intent of this contract is to obtain fully Contractor operated and maintained call when needed flight services to support fire suppression operations in the Contiguous United States and Alaska.

mailto:Marina_Volynets@ibc.doi.gov mailto:Marina_Volynets@ibc.doi.gov

Contractor services include provision of an aircraft, personnel, and all other associated equipment as prescribed in this solicitation/contract. Water will be scooped from water sources such as lakes or rivers and/or loaded at ground locations. Chemical fire retardant/suppressants may be loaded in the Contractor’s aircraft. The use of water enhancers mixed with on-board injection systems are not allowed on federal lands or on federally contracted aircraft, unless requested and approved by the ordering Agency. The use of water enhancers mixed through a proportioner and loaded from ground-based equipment is acceptable according to their qualified applications/approvals as specified on the Qualified Products List (QPL).

B1.2 The Government and Contractor must establish an effective working relationship to complete this contract successfully. The Contractor’s employees’ cooperation, professionalism, and positive attitude toward aviation safety and accomplishment of the mission are an integral element of this relationship.

B1.3 The Government has interagency and cooperative agreements with other Federal and State agencies and private landholders and may dispatch aircraft under this contract for such cooperative use.

B1.4 This aircraft may be dispatched to Alaska. Because deployment to Alaska from the Contiguous United States usually requires transit through Canada, all contractor personnel are required to possess current passports. Alaska specific equipment and/or operational requirements are referenced in the Alaska Supplement Exhibit

B1.5 During the exclusive use period and any subsequent extension, aircraft furnished shall be subject to the exclusive use and control of the Government 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.