SOO FSN 11.21.2025 - Final.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

FLIGHT SCHOOL NEXT

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1. Project Title

U.S. Army Flight School Next (FSN)

2. Introduction

The United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE) is seeking a new and innovative approach for U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary-Wing (IERW) Flight Training located at Fort Rucker, Alabama to train between 800 and 1500 Army Aviators each year. The AVCOE is pursuing a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (COCO), turnkey solution. The U.S. Army is looking for solutions and methodologies that cover contractor-provided aircraft, aircraft parts, aircraft maintenance, academic instruction, flight instruction, and Training Aids Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (TADSS).

3. Background

The U.S. Army’s IERW Flight Training has been located at Fort Rucker for over 50 years and currently operates across four separate contracts covering aircraft maintenance, instructor pilots, aircraft parts, and academic/simulation training, requiring the Army to be the lead services integrator. Over the past 20 years, AVCOE has trained between 980 and 1380 pilots annually.

4. Objectives

The AVCOE seeks an innovative method to provide a modern adult learning model maximizing innovation, efficiency and technology to more effectively train the next generation of Army Rotary-Wing Aviation Professionals. The model must maximize efficiency, safety, and throughput while increasing aviator proficiency. The model must be flexible enough to expand and contract over annual periods as the need for pilots is adjusted by U.S. Army manning policies. Aviators must graduate from this program prepared for advanced aircraft training in the AH-64E, UH-60M, CH-47F, C-12U and the MV-75. Currently this requires inducting 50-54 aviators every two weeks from IERW into advanced aircraft training. The overall objective is to create a new aviator capable of operating in the national airspace, versed in both Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Army Regulations, knowledgeable in academic topics, proficient (as demonstrated via evaluation) in all flight tasks, and prepared to be successful as they transition to their assigned U.S. Army aircraft. Training shall be completed in a COCO aircraft, selected by the contractor, that best meets the needs of the training requirements.

5. Scope of Problem

The mission of the selected contractor for Flight School Next (FSN) is to produce an IERW common core graduate that is able to demonstrate a working knowledge of foundational topics and perform flight tasks in the Academic Topics and Flight Task List (Attachment 1) to established flight standards while applying aircrew coordination principles. Each graduate will be proficient with terrain flight, terrain flight navigation, and tactical flight mission planning, and familiar with multi-aircraft operations and night operations. Contractor provided technical publications, including but not limited to Operator Manuals and Checklists, will be in the same format and use similar terms to the U.S. Army standard for the AH-64E, UH-60M, and CH-47F.

Solutions shall plan for a minimum of 131 flight hours across all phases of flight training. The computation of student flying time will begin when the helicopter lifts off the ground, and ends when the aircraft has landed and the engines are stopped, or the flight crew changes (AR 95-1 paragraph 2-7).

While the Academic Topics and Flight Task List reflect the existing 3-phase structure of the current IERW training program, AVCOE is open to considering solutions that prescribe different sequencing/phasing to academic and task training. Hours logged in a flight simulator, regardless of simulation certification, will not be credited toward the minimum flight hour requirement;

however, simulation can be used to enhance training proficiency. A minimum of 10 flight hours shall be solo flight (student flight without an instructor pilot acting as a crewmember), with at least 3 flight hours in which the student is the sole occupant of the aircraft.

Mastery of the tasks and standards outlined in the Academic Topics and Flight Task List is a mandatory requirement, and AVCOE seeks a proficiency-based approach to achieving these foundational training outcomes. As part of a proficiency-based approach, solutions shall provide phased evaluations throughout the training program. Beyond these essential requirements, AVCOE is interested in innovative solutions that incorporate training in additional flight techniques once the foundational training has been completed to maximize training value within the 131 flight hour minimum requirement. Examples of additional training include, but are not limited to, power management techniques, or additional flight training (e.g. solo, VFR cross-country, instrument). Additional training should be directly aligned with preparing students for transition to U.S. Army aircraft. Training programs should consider that students are not assigned specific advanced aircraft until after completion of IERW.

Given the changing nature of warfare, solutions shall also incorporate flexibility to adapt as Army Aviation’s tactics, techniques, and procedures evolve over the life of the program.

6. Performance Objectives

To provide AVCOE with the following:

Program Management Requirements

1. Transition services that include:

a. Onboarding and qualifying instructor pilots

b. Onboarding maintenance and oversight staff

c. Acquiring aircraft

d. Acquiring an initial supply of maintenance items

e. Preparing facilities on Ft. Rucker

f. Creating a student training schedule

2. On-sight program management and oversight services to act as lead liaisons to the Army.

3. Insurance on aircraft and personnel against damage or harm while performing training services for the Army.

4. Establishing codes of conduct for contractor personnel including:

a. Appearance and dress code

b. Acceptable behaviors

c. Methods of personnel evaluation, selection and termination

5. Offerors shall participate in all Quality Assurance (QA) program reviews ensuring program standards are met.

Training Requirements

1. Flight training to execute the U.S. Army’s Initial Entry Rotary-Wing flight training course to approximately 1,250 students annually.

2. Capabilities and per student pricing to include contingencies of up to a 250-student increase or up to a 450-student decrease. AVCOE will notify Offerors of estimated student throughput requirements three years in advance.

3. The capability to train English speaking Foreign Military Students (FMS) which currently comprises approximately 10% of the student load.

4. The capability to incorporate approximately a 7% student set back rate (medical, evaluation failures, etc.), where a student has to restart a phase of training.

5. Supplemental training using training aids such as virtual reality systems may be utilized;

however, supplemental training will not reduce the required in-aircraft flight hours.

6. The capability to provide an additional 15 aircraft flights hours per cohort for remedial student training when required.

7. Student pilots will have a working knowledge of academic topics and proficient performance of flight tasks using an acceptable aircraft in accordance with the standards of IERW Academic Topics and Flight Tasks Standards Guide (to be provided prior to award), developed by the Army, based on the tasks listed in the Academic Topics and Flight Task List.

a. Based on standards established in the IERW Academic Topics and Flight Tasks Standards Guide, Offerors will develop training material, including an Aircrew Training Manual (ATM) and Course Management Plan (CMP), in cooperation with AVCOE.

b. Training material will be subject to review and approval by AVCOE’s Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD) and must comply with the provisions of AVCOE Reg 350-16 (Uniform Flight Grading System) and USAACE Reg 350-70 (Training Development). Offerors should plan for an iterative review and approval process of training material prior to the commencement of student training. Changes to approved CMPs will require AVCOE approval.

8. Offerors will provide training course outlines for each phase of training (similar to FAA Part 141 curriculum).

9. The Contractor shall use the Graduate/Training Integration Management System (G/TIMS) U.S. Air Force program of record known in the U.S. Army as the Aviation Resource Training System (ARTS) for tracking student training. ARTS must be accessed via Non-classified Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) Network.

10. The Contractor shall recover flight crews that do not arrive at their intended destination due to weather, maintenance, etc.

11. The Contractor shall provide flight hours for Army personnel to conduct government-purpose flights, including program oversight, of approximately 3,000 hours annually.

12. The nature of flight training will require Offerors to advise and participate in student administrative actions throughout the training program including student evaluation and advancement, disciplinary action, training deficiency actions, award of additional training time, aeromedical actions, and student eliminations.

Helicopter Requirements

1. Single main rotor with tail rotor design, with counterclockwise rotating main rotor.

2. Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness certification in accordance with 14 CFR Part 27.

3. Single turbine engine.

4. Communication systems compatible with Army-issued HGU-56/P helmets.

5. Able to accommodate, at a minimum, a crew of one instructor pilot, one flying student pilot seated at a set of flight controls, and one observing student not seated at a set of flight controls, with all crew flight gear.

6. Equipped with Mode S Transponder and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In and Out.

7. Equipped to communicate simultaneously on UHF-AM (225-400 MHz), VHF-AM (118- 144 MHz), and VHF-FM (30-88 MHz) with 25 khz spacing for all bands.

8. Marked with a large, unique alphanumeric designation on each side of the fuselage for ease of visual identification.

9. The helicopter must support night operations as a minimum requirement, with compatibility for Night Vision Goggle operations using Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) AN/AVS-9 being desired but not mandatory.

Personnel Requirements

1. Tactical Flight Training Phase task instructors shall have the following flight experience:

terrain flight planning, terrain flight (all modes), and multi-aircraft formation flight.

2. Contractors shall provide initial aircraft qualification training of both contract Instructor Pilots and Government personnel. Contractor aircraft will be used for evaluations (students and contract instructors), Army Quality Assurance and Evaluator qualification purposes, and other government purpose operations conducted by AVCOE personnel designated to fly the training helicopter.

Maintenance Requirements

1. Solutions should plan for aircraft maintenance and repairs to be performed in accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specifications and FAA requirements.

2. Adherence to all installation, state, and federal environmental requirements are the responsibility of the contractor.

3. The Contractor shall recover all aircraft that do not arrive at their intended destination due to weather, maintenance, etc.

7. Operating Constraints

The contractor shall provide services under the following constraints:

1. Aircraft operations supporting the training program will be categorized as public use in accordance with Title 49 U.S.C. § 40102(a)(41) and § 40125. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clause 252.228-7007 Public Aircraft and State Aircraft Operations—Liability will be included in the final contract. Contractors shall comply with the provisions of DCMA Instruction 8210-D – Contractor’s Flight and Ground Operations and are specifically recommended to review the procedures in Appendix 9A - Procedures Matrix for Contractor-owned Aircraft PAO/State without GFRC.

2. The U.S. Army will provide maintenance hangar space, ramp parking, parts storage space, training areas for all flight tasks, office space, and academic classrooms. A consolidated list of all available government facilities and availability timelines is available in the Facility

Guide and Transition Plan (Attachment 2). Limited Government Furnished Property (GFP) will be provided within government facilities. This GFP only includes limited office furniture within offices and classrooms, including chairs, desks, audio/visual equipment, etc. listed or depicted in Attachment 2. The government will furnish GFP in an “As Is” condition. The Contractor will be given the opportunity to inspect such property prior to the property being provided. In such cases, the Government makes no warranty with respect to the serviceability and/or suitability of the property for contract performance. Any repairs, replacement, loss and/or refurbishment shall be at the Contractor’s expense. A complete listing of GFP will be provided prior to contract award.

3. In the current flight training model, students train Monday through Friday, with core training hours between 0600 and 2400 (Central Time) seasonally adjusted, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government-directed facility closings.

4. Saturday flight periods are conducted when students are behind schedule in training due to weather or maintenance to meet throughput requirements. Saturday training will require coordination and approval by the Army. Sunday is a non-flying period reserved for maintenance.

5. AVCOE suspends training during federal holidays. The Example AVCOE FY26 Holiday and DONSA Memo (Attachment 3) is an example of a typical holiday/Day-of-No-Scheduled- Activities schedule, which varies annually and may not reflect specific dates.

6. AVCOE conducts up to two Safety Days each year. Student training is not conducted on Safety Days. The Contractor shall conduct Safety activities for their personnel on these days.

Safety Days are not included in the training schedule; therefore, the Contractor will have to make up the training time.

The government will provide the following services in support of IERW flight training:

1. Air traffic control (ATC) at all Fort Rucker airfields. ATC services at stagefields may be scheduled for availability.

2. Fire prevention and crash rescue services at all airfields. Fire prevention and crash rescue at stagefields may be scheduled for availability.

3. Airlift medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) services within the Local Flying Area (LFA)

4. F-24 Jet A aviation fuel services at all AVCOE-owned airfields and stagefields at no cost for all flights. Offerors will also be able to receive Jet A aviation fuel at Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contracted Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) within the local flying area at no cost for all flights in which DoD personnel are participating.

Additional details regarding constraints and operating procedures are provided in the Supplemental Operating Procedures and Guidance (Attachment 4).

8. Place of Performance

Fort Rucker, Alabama and surrounding military facilities, including Cairns Army Airfield (KOZR), Shell Army Heliport (KSXS), Stagefields, Remote Training sites, and the LFA as described in USAACE Regulation 95-2.

9. Delivery Schedule

The Army will provide 50-54 students every 2 weeks who are available to commence IERW training once FSN is transitioned to full performance. After a complete training cycle, the contractor shall deliver 50-54 new aviators every 2 weeks, capable of operating in the national airspace, versed in both FAA and Army Regulations, knowledgeable in academic topics, proficient (as demonstrated via evaluation) in all flight tasks, and prepared to be successful as they transition to their assigned U.S. Army aircraft.

10. Minimum Transition Plan

A build-up period of one year is planned following contract award where no training will be conducted, enabling the Army and the contractor time to assemble capital assets and prepare for commencement of FSN training. The contractor shall meet the minimum training throughput milestones described below following the initial one-year build-up period. The Army will consider transition plans that meet training throughput requirements faster than the minimum milestones.

1 year after contract award: 25% of IERW classes in FSN training (~310 students annually) 2 years after contract award: 50% of IERW classes in FSN training (~620 students annually) 3 years after contract award: 75% of IERW classes in FSN training (~930 students annually) 4 years after contract award: 100% of IERW classes in FSN training (~1250 students annually)

Due to AVCOE resource constraints, the IERW program must be divided into cohorts of 50-54 students, which will require the FSN contractor to assume training responsibility on a by-cohort basis once the FSN program commences training, and further expand training capacity on a by-cohort basis. This cohort-based constraint will preclude a more gradual “ramped” approach to training commencement. As Offerors prepare for commencement of training, any training program validation should be planned to accommodate this requirement for by-cohort training.

For illustration, on the first day of the second year of the contract, the FSN contractor shall be prepared to train one out of every four cohorts of IERW students (25%) at a rate of one cohort every eight weeks; on the first day of the third year of the contract, the FSN contractor shall be prepared to train two out of every four cohorts of IERW students (50%) at a rate of one cohort every four weeks, etc.

11. Attachments

1. SOO Attachment 1: Academic Topics and Flight Task List

2. SOO Attachment 2: Facility Guide and Transition Plan

3. SOO Attachment 3: Example AVCOE FY26 Holiday and DONSA Memo

4. SOO Attachment 4: Supplemental Operating Procedures and Guidance