PWS_Aerial_Burning_DRAFT.docx

1. GENERAL:

1.1 SCOPE:

1.1 Provide one helicopter and aerial ignition system to facilitate prescribed burning operations, wildfire suppression, inspection of range and woodland areas, and other forest management and administrative flights within the boundaries of Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF), Georgia. A Premo 3 Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) ignition system compatible with the aircraft which will be used to burn ranges and timberland on Fort Stewart.

1.1.1 The PSD system will ignite ground fuel on a grid system with spots located from 30 to 100 feet apart as prescribed by the Aerial Ignition Specialist at the prescribed burning site.

1.1.2 The contractor shall be responsible for igniting the grid pattern with an accuracy of +/-20% at a ground speed of 60 M.P.H. with ground winds 20 M.P.H. or less.

1.1.3 The contractor shall be responsible for providing a pilot and aircraft with the PSD to conduct burning operations or other flight operations as deemed appropriate by the Chief Forester to include: fire suppression, VIP tours, beetle inspection flights, detection of boundary encroachments and similar tasks.

1.1.4 The contractor may occasionally be required to operate on Townsend Bombing Range or Fort Jackson, SC, 1-5 days a year for prescribed burning or wildfire reconnaissance.

1.1.5 Quality Control: Quality Control is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for the delivery of quality services/supplies to the Government (see FAR 52.246-1 Contractor Inspection Requirements).

1.1.6 Quality Control Program: The Government is committed to a highly interactive relationship between quality control by the Contractor and quality assurance by the government recipient of services. This relationship shall be achieved through an effective Prevention Based Quality Control Program dedicated to ensuring the best possible products and services to end users. The Contractor shall provide their final written Quality Control Plan (QCP) no later than (NLT) 10 days after contract award and within five (5) days of any proposed changed to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (KO) for acceptance.

1.1.7 The Contractor’s quality program shall demonstrate its prevention-based outlook by meeting the objectives stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) throughout all areas of performance. The QCP shall be developed to specify the Contractor’s responsibility for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract.

1.1.8 The Contractor’s QCP shall be maintained throughout the life of the contract and shall include the Contractor’s procedures to routinely evaluate the effectiveness of the plan to ensure the Contractor is meeting the performance standards and requirements of the contract. Proposed changes made after KO acceptance shall be submitted in writing through the COR to the KO for review and acceptance prior to implementing any revision.

1.1.9 Contractor Discrepancy Report (CDR): When the Contractor's performance is unsatisfactory, a CDR will be issued. The Contractor shall reply in writing within five (5) work days from the date of receipt of the CDR, giving the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance, corrective action taken, and procedures to preclude recurrence.

1.1.10 Quality Assurance: The COR will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the COR must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s). When an observation indicates defective performance, the COR will require the Contractor or designated on-site representative to initial the observation to acknowledge the defective performance. The acknowledgement of the observation does not necessarily constitute Contractor concurrence with the observation, only that the Contractor has been made aware of the defective performance.

1.1.11. Recognized Federal Holidays: The Contractor is normally not required to perform services on recognized federal holidays. However, that requirement is subject to mission execution requirements, and flights may be required and scheduled on federal holidays. The recognized federal holidays include:

1.1.12 Anti-Terrorism (AT) Level I Training: Contractor personnel performing work under this contract that require access to Army installations, facilities and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within 30 calendar days after commencing performance under this contract. The Contractor shall submit employee certificates of completion within 30 calendar days after completion of the training. AT Level I awareness training is available at the following website: http://jko.jten.mil/courses/atl1/launch.html

1.1.13 iWATCH Training: The Contractor shall brief all personnel performing work under this contract on the local iWATCH program [training standards provided by the requiring activity Anti Terrorism Office (ATO)]. This locally developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract award with the results reported to the COR NLT 45 calendar days after contract award. New employees shall complete the training within 10 calendar days of commencing performance of work under this contract.

2. DEFINITIONS:

2.1 PRESCRIBED BURNING. Prescribed burning is the deliberate burning of woodland and open areas under controlled conditions within rigid weather and fuel criteria to accomplish prescribed results.

2.2 GRID. A grid consists of points located an equal distance apart such as 30’ x 30’, 150’ x 150’, or 330’ x 330’ as defined by the aircraft’s GPS or as specified by the government.

2.3 PLASTIC SPHERE DISPENSER (PSD). A PSD dispenser is mounted to the doorframe of a helicopter. The dispenser injects spherical containers (balls) of potassium permanganate with ethylene glycol, and ejects the spheres on a grid pattern. Spheres ignite five to ten seconds after injection with glycol.

2.4 CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.5 CONTRACTING OFFICER (KO). A person with authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts, and to make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government.

2.6 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) OR ALTERNATE (ACOR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor, as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.7 DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.8 PERFORMANCE PREQUIREMENT SUMMARY (PRS). A listing of the service outputs under the contract that are to be evaluated by the COR on a regular basis, the surveillance methods to be used for these outputs, and the performance requirement of the listed outputs.

2.9 QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA). A planned and systematic pattern of all actions necessary to provide confidence that adequate technical requirements are established; products and services conform to established technical requirements; and satisfactory performance is achieved. For the purposes of this document, quality assurance refers to actions by the Government.

2.10 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLAND PLAN (QASP). The Government’s organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.11 QUALITY CONTROL (QC). All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.12 SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES:

3.1 Form sheets to record and initial start-stop times to nearest 1/l0 hour.

3.2 Fort Stewart 1:50,000 maps and copies of aerial photographs of burn areas.

3.3 Landing areas for refueling and other purposes in close proximity to the burning site. Several paved airstrips are also available subject to prior approval by the military.

3.3.1 The contractor will land, take-off and store his helicopter at Wright Army Airfield. The storage of the aircraft will be at the contractor’s expense. The contractor will adhere to all rules and regulations of Wright Army Airfield. Contact information for Wright Army Airfield is: 912-435-3065.

3.4 At the government's option, Aerial Ignition Specialists (AIS) will ride in the helicopter to direct the pilot to the work site and will prescribe grid spacing and ground speed for PSD dispensing on areas to be burned.

3.5 A Burn Boss and burn team will be on the ground at each area to be burned.

3.6 Premo 3 PSD balls will be furnished by the government.

3.7 Advance plowing of fire breaks around perimeter to delineate and secure areas for aerial burning.

3.8 A government employee to operate, feed, and monitor the Premo 3 PSD machine in flight.

3.9 The AIS will usually carry a portable 2-way Forestry radio for back-up communication with Forestry Branch elements and DPTMS Training Support Division.

3.10 Nomex clothing to include either coveralls or pants/shirt and a flight helmet for all government personnel engaged in fire suppression or prescribed burning flights.

3.11 At the contractor’s request, the Government will provide a qualified employed to drive the contractor’s fuel truck. This driver will be available to assist the contractor in fueling the helicopter. A Government employee will only move a fuel vehicle that is under 110 gallons. This vehicle must be insured and the Government will not be liable for damage.

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS:

4.1 A pilot and/or alternate with a minimum of 1500 hours helicopter experience, 1000 of which are qualified as external load flying (Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 133), 500 hours of air taxi experience (FAR Part 135), 500 hours of aerial application (FAR Part 137); and at least 100 hours of Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD). The helicopter must pass an annual FAR Part 135 inspection. Not more than three pilots (one primary and two alternates) will be used each year (1 December – 30 November). The Contractor must provide pilots’ log books to verify experience prior to any flights conducted by the pilot. All pilots must be approved by the COR prior to any changes in personnel.

4.2 Alternate pilot if primary pilot cannot fly for any reason for an expected 24-hour period or longer. The alternate pilot shall be onsite and ready to fly within 24 hours after the primary pilot becomes unavailable. The alternate pilot shall remain on duty until the primary pilot returns.

4.3 Nomex clothing to include either flight suit or pants/shirt and a flight helmet for any pilot engaged in fire suppression or prescribed burning operations.

4.4 Licensing and compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations for the intended use of the helicopter is a contractor responsibility.

4.5 One Bell Jet Ranger 206B-III helicopter or equivalent size with: Minimum 5-place passenger/pilot seating, a Global Positioning System (GPS), minimum of one single turbine engine with a minimum of 420 shaft horsepower and must be capable of carrying a Premo 3 PSD machine, six extra boxes of balls, pilot with two government employees on a burning flight or carry pilot plus up to four government personnel on an inspection flight.

4.6 Access to a replacement helicopter if primary helicopter cannot fly due to maintenance or repair problems for an expected 24-hour period or longer. The replacement aircraft should be ready to use within 24 hours after the primary helicopter becomes unserviceable. The replacement helicopter shall remain in service until the primary helicopter returns to duty.

4.7 Fuel and all necessary repair and maintenance for the helicopter will be at the contractor’s expense. All helicopter repairs and maintenance shall be accomplished by use of a FAA Certified Repair Station.

4.8 Hour meter (Hobbs) for recording engine hours to the nearest 1/10th hour, readily visible to the pilot and government employee for recording time for payment.

4.9 Intercom for communication between pilot, government employee controlling the Premo 3 PSD system and the AIS.

4.10 On board, dash-mounted radio for the pilot to contact with Fort Stewart’s Wright Army Airfield (WAAF) Control Tower and/or Marne Radio at frequencies 126.25 MHz and 127.35 MHz and/or HAAF Tower, 124.975 mhz, HAAF BASOPS: 126.2 respectively. Contractor must comply with Marne Radio and/or Wright Tower requirements, i.e., notification when entering or leaving Fort Stewart air space, stops for fueling, etc. Notification on the Forestry radio net is not acceptable, except in emergencies or aircraft radio failure.

4.11 On board radio operating through the aircraft’s intercom/headset system on the Forestry net (127-170 MHz) for the AIS to contact supporting ground crews, Firetowers, Forestry Office and/or DPTMS Training Support Division direct at frequencies such as 164.7 MHz (Ch 1) or 163.5625 MHz (Ch 2). Radio transmission must be clear and acceptable to Forestry personnel.

4.12 One permanently installed panel-mounted global positioning system (GPS). The GPS must utilize the WGS-84 datum, reference latitude and longitude coordinates in the degrees/minutes/decimal minutes (DM) mode for aircraft positioning; utilize an approved, fixed, external aircraft antenna; and be powered by the aircraft electrical system. Handheld equipment is not acceptable.

4.13 Two fully operational Premo 3 PSD machines, one in the helicopter with one spare in case of mechanical failure and sufficient ethylene glycol to inject 100,000 balls. (Government will furnish PSD balls). The PSD machines should be identical.

4.14 Maintenance and repair of the Premo 3 PSD systems and all accessories or spare parts needed to keep the systems operational including number of chutes and gear to give a 30'x100’, 150’x150’ or 330’x330’ spacing at 60 M.P.H. ground speed, etc.

4.15 A 4x4 Truck for hauling equipment listed above and for fueling helicopter in the field and appropriate licenses for hauling fuel. The truck will be mounted with a fire extinguisher appropriate for extinguishing fuel fires IAW FAA rules and regulations.

5. SPECIFIC TASKS:

5.1 Government personnel will determine helicopter mission, start and stopping times for ignition, grid spacing, and other parameters. Pilot shall decide if conditions are safe for the proposed flight. Pilot and aircraft shall be available on a one-hour notice or at the time specified by the government.

5.2 The pilot and the government personnel will confer on the mission to settle logistics, method of operation and other details.

5.3 Flight time for contractor payment purposes shall be determined by the engine hour meter. The pilot and government personnel will record and initial start and stop times to the nearest 1/10th hour on a form sheet. The start time shall be when the helicopter takes off from Wright Army Airfield. Stop time will be when the helicopter has landed. Time shall be recorded to the nearest 1/10th hour on a form sheet initialed or signed by the pilot and the government employee. The original flight ticket will be supplied to the COR and payment will be invoiced in accordance to the original flight tickets.

5.4 Government personnel will be responsible for selection of the burning site, coordination with the military (except Marne Radio/Wright Tower) and other users of the site, delineating the burning site by pre-burning or other means, informing the pilot where to position the helicopter for the first run, and the spacing required between subsequent flight lines. The pilot is responsible for maintaining the specified distance between flight lines. The pilot (contractor) is not responsible for fires that escape from the burn site to the undesignated areas.

5.5 Government personnel may ride in passenger seats to help navigate, make course corrections while aiding the pilot in staying on flight lines, observing wildfires and similar duties.

5.6 Flights shall be terminated at any time by the pilot when he judges weather conditions or mechanical conditions are unsafe. Flights shall be terminated by government personnel when weather conditions adversely affect the prescribed burn, when military use restricts the airspace, when the prescribed burn endangers other ground areas or users of the burning site or when government personnel deem the flight unsafe or no longer necessary.

5.7 Flights may be made for government personnel to check the progress of burns, to assess the damage of previous burns, or to check wildfires on or within the GFC Cooperative Firefighting Area adjacent to Fort Stewart. Flight time will be in accordance with paragraph 5.4 above except burning attachments will not normally be used.

5.8 Contractor shall be required to complete forms listed below and secure written approval through WAAF/HAAF Base Operations before 1 December each year (telephone: WAAF: 912-435-3065 HAAF: 912-315-5110) to conduct flights on Ft. Stewart/HAAF:

5.8.1 DA Form 2400 (Certificate of Insurance)

5.8.2 DA Form 2401 (Civil Aircraft Landing Permit)

5.8.3 DA Form 2402 (Hold Harmless Agreement)

5.9 AIS is responsible for submitting and canceling VFR flight plans with Wright Army Airfield (or HAAF if WAAF operations is closed) for relay to Wright Tower/Marne Radio to alert Air Traffic Control of proposed departure times.

5.10 Pilot will establish radio communications with Air Traffic Control (Wright Tower or Marne Radio) prior to departure from the area. (Telephone contact may be made with Air Traffic Control at 435-3065.)

5.11 Pilot will have a discrete beacon code permanently assigned by Wright Air Traffic Control and squawk code prior to departure to allow rapid identification.

5.12 Contractor will be expected to comply with FS Regulation 95-1(Aviation General Provisions and Local Flying Rules).

5.13 Government personnel and pilot shall wear PPE to include Nomex clothing and flight helmet during all prescribed burning and fire suppression operations.

5.14 Quality Assurance Inspection will be performed on all equipment as determined by the government COR.

6. CONTRACT PERIOD:

6.1 Peak field operations shall commence on or about 1 December and end 30 June; however, services may be needed for additional sporadic burning throughout the year. The government shall guarantee a minimum of 115 hours flight time during the peak time frame and for each option period exercised. The contractor must have the helicopter, pilot, and equipment onsite by 1 December of each year. The contractor shall provide exclusive use of the helicopter, pilot, and equipment during the peak time. Payment for any guaranteed hours not used shall be made after the peak field operations cease on 30 June. For any burning “off-peak” from 1 July through 30 November, during either the base period or the option periods, the contractor is guaranteed a minimum of 7 hours per week for any week burning is ordered and the contractor is onsite to perform. The contractor is NOT required to store his helicopter at Wright Army Airfield during the “off peak” period. The contractor will be notified by the Forestry office if service is needed during the “off peak” period. Off peak burning will be at the convenience of the contractor and the Forestry Branch. Ferry time will NOT be paid for.

6.2 The pilot shall provide the government with a telephone number where he can be reached at any time for the purpose of scheduling flights. Flights may be scheduled on holidays, Saturdays, Sundays, as well as any weekdays when military use and weather permit. The helicopter and crew shall be on the burning site within one hour after pilot receives notification or at the time specified by the government, whichever is later. Pilot and aircraft may be required to be at or near the Forestry office during emergency or high danger days, 1 Dec – 30 Jun. This “close stand-by” of pilot and aircraft may continue for days, weeks or longer until conditions improve.

7. DELIVERY OF SERVICES

7.1 The COR or contracting officer will schedule service. Services may be scheduled by phone, fax or email. The contractor is responsible for only accepting service requests from designated individuals and that service does not exceed amount authorized by task orders.

7.2 Service may only be scheduled up to the guaranteed minimum as stated in the contract and authorized by the initial task order. Any service request beyond the guaranteed minimum must be authorized in writing by an additional task order. Once service increase is authorized with an additional task order, the COR can schedule service up to the newly authorized amount.

8. CONRACT MANPOWER REPORTING

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the contractor will report ALL contractor manpower (including Subcontractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. The contractor is required to completely fill in all the information in the format using the following web address https://cmra.army.mil/. The required information includes: (1) Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative; (2) Contract number, including task and delivery order number; (3) Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period; (4) Contractor name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of contractor employee entering data; (5) Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-contractor); (6) Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-contractor); (7) Total payments (including subcontractor); (8) Predominant Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by contractor (and separate predominant FSC for each sub-contractor if different); (9) Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the Army Requiring Activity (the Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the contractor with its UIC for the purposes of reporting this information); (10) Locations where contractor and sub-contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest City, Country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on website); (12) Presence of deployment or contingency contract language, and, (13) Number of contractor and sub-contractor employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country). As part of its submission, the contractor will also provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement. Reporting period will be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each Government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year.