AFSL Helicopter/Boat Services

Added: Feb 07, 2017 12:43 pm UPDATE 2/07/2017 - New set of Question and Answers have been posted.

Added: Feb 01, 2017 8:53 pm

UPDATE 02/01/2017 - Amendment 02 posted.  Includes additional questions and answers, final Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) Clause and changes to two requirements.

Added: Jan 19, 2017 3:32 pm UPDATE 01/19/2017 - Amendment 01 posted.  Includes notes from preproposal meeting held on 01/17/2017, questions and answers from the meeting and correction to E-1. 

Added: Jan 11, 2017 1:55 pm UPDATE - 01/11/2017 - Final request for proposal package posted. A preproposal teleconference is planned for 17 January 2017. Reference E-1 Instructions to Offerors for details.

Added: Jan 10, 2017 2:28 pm UPDATE 01/10/2017 - Responses to questions submitted regarding the Draft Request for Proposals posted.  

Added: Dec 05, 2016 9:16 pm UPDATE 12/5/2016 - a Draft Request for Proposals document has been posted for industry awareness and comment.  Interested parties are encouraged to submit questions, comments and suggestions to the points of contact no later than Friday December 16, 2016.  The Government anticipates publishing the official RFP shortly thereafter.

NOTE:  THIS IS ONLY A DRAFT AT THIS TIME.  All information contained in the attached documet is subject to change.  No proposals are being requested at this time.

Added: Nov 22, 2016 7:06 pm This is a presolicitation notice for the US Forest Service AFSL Helicopter and Boat Charter services. 

This requirement is for a single contract for exclusive use boat and helicopter services for Forest Service field crews for housing and transportation to remote field plots along the Southeast and Southcentral coasts of Alaska.  Period of performance is one year with 4 one-year option periods beginning in 2017.  The Forest Service anticipates the following requirements for the boat and helicopter:

Boat:  capable of live aboard support for up to 12 Forest Service employees (including field gear) to include providing food, lodging and office space.  The boat shall have a helideck capable of helicopter landings and transport.  The Government is anticipating including a solicitation requirement for a current marine survey and evidence of a current USCG 5-Star Safety Program inspection for proposed uninspected passenger vessels.  Current is defined as within the previous 365 days from the date proposals are due with an updated 5-Star Safety Program inspection required annually prior to commencement of the Mandatory Availability Period.  Specifics will be defined in the final solicitation document when posted.

Helicopter:  capable of transporting a five (5) person field crew (and field gear) from/to the boat and remote sites daily.

Operations will run seven (7) days a week for approximately 59-71 calendar days per year during the summar season beginning approximately Mid June - Mid August each year of the contract.

This requirement is being set aside 100% for small business.  The solicitation and resulting contract will include the clause 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.  This clause requires (in part) that "By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for - (1) Services (except construction).  At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern."  This means that the Prime Contractor must be able to perform at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel with their own employees.

This NAICS for this requirement is 481211 Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation.  The small business size standard is 1,500 employees.  The Prime Contractor does not need to be a Passenger Air Transportation Company (e.g. helicopter charter provider).  However, the Prime Contractor must meet the requirement to qualify as a small business with 1,500 employees or less and be able to comply with 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting Clause.

The Forest Service anticipates release of DRAFT requirements documents within 10 days of posting of this presoliciation notice with a release of the final solicitation mid December.  Proposals will be due within 30 days of release of the final solicitation.