CSO - U. S. Army Aviation Training

The Army has identified the following needs: (1) to rapidly train and qualify aviators in all platforms; (2) to transform aviation training to improve pilot proficiency by using the latest commercial practices and technology; and (3) to grow the aviation industrial base to better support the Army. This solicitation aims to provide the Army with access to innovative solutions enabling the Army to evolve quickly and maintain a competitive edge over adversaries.  There are THREE identified Areas of Interterest:

1. Fixed-Wing Aircraft Training
2. Rotary-Wing Aircraft Training
3. Unmanned Aerial Systems Training

The Army intends to select the vendor whose solutions demonstrate the greatest potential to achieve its missions. This CSO is maximizing the following existing authorities, either as a single authority or a combination of the authorities below:

1. 10 U.S.C. §4022 – Authority of the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out certain  prototype projects
2. 10 U.S.C. §4023 – Procurement for Experimental Purposes
3. 10 U.S.C. §3458 – Authority to acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures / DFARS 212.70 – Defense Commercial Solutions Opening

Awards issued under this CSO include but are not limited to the following award instruments: FAR contracts under FAR Part 12 Commercial Procedures; any fixed price, or fixed price incentive contract type specified under FAR Part 16; and non‐FAR agreements such as transaction agreements under 10 U.S.C 4022,  and 10 U.S.C 4023; for the Army and/or its customers that are directly relevant to enhancing the effectiveness of training, curriculum development, integration of innovation in training methodologies, demonstration of capabilities and evidence of mastery of basic aviation operation abilities to support Army modernization priorities and improve readiness.

Consequently, under 10 U.S.C. 3458, Contracting Officers may acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, or services using a competitive procedure called a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). Under a CSO, the Department of Defense may competitively select proposals received in response to a Call for Solutions, based on a review of proposals by scientific, technological, or other subject-matter expert peers. Use of a CSO in accordance with DFARS Subpart 212.70 is considered to be a competitive procedure for the purposes of 10 U.S.C. 221 and FAR 6.102. Finally, Contracting Officers shall treat items, technologies, and services acquired using a CSO as commercial products and commercial services. Contracts or agreements under this authority shall be fixed-price, including fixed-price incentive fee contracts.

Offerors are informed that ONLY a warranted Army Contracting/Agreements Officer (not a Contracting Officer Representative or other personnel) may contractually bind the Army. The Army shall not be liable to pay for work performed by a Offeror unless a warranted Contracting/Agreements Officer has signed an agreement in writing agreeing that the Army shall pay. The Army does not fund preparation of solution briefs/proposals, or support work efforts or tasks that are inferred from discussions with technical project officers.

FORMERLY TITLED:  DRAFT CSO - FLIGHT SCHOOL NEXT

The Army has identified the following needs: (1) to rapidly train and qualify aviators in all platforms; (2) to transform aviation training to improve pilot proficiency by using the latest commercial practices and technology; and (3) to grow the aviation industrial base to better support the Army. This solicitation aims to provide the Army with access to innovative solutions enabling the Army to evolve quickly and maintain a competitive edge over adversaries.

The Army intends to select the vendor whose solutions demonstrate the greatest potential to achieve its missions. This CSO is maximizing the following existing authorities, either as a single authority or a combination of the authorities below:

1. 10 U.S.C. §4022 – Authority of the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out certain  prototype projects
2. 10 U.S.C. §4023 – Procurement for Experimental Purposes
3. 10 U.S.C. §3458 – Authority to acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures / DFARS 212.70 – Defense Commercial Solutions Opening

Awards issued under this CSO include but are not limited to the following award instruments: FAR contracts under FAR Part 12 Commercial Procedures; any fixed price, or fixed price incentive contract type specified under FAR Part 16; and non‐FAR agreements such as transaction agreements under 10 U.S.C 4022,  and 10 U.S.C 4023; for the Army and/or its customers that are directly relevant to enhancing the effectiveness of training, curriculum development, integration of innovation in training methodologies, demonstration of capabilities and evidence of mastery of basic aviation operation abilities to support Army modernization priorities and improve readiness.

Consequently, under 10 U.S.C. 3458, Contracting Officers may acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, or services using a competitive procedure called a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). Under a CSO, the Department of Defense may competitively select proposals received in response to a Call for Solutions, based on a review of proposals by scientific, technological, or other subject-matter expert peers. Use of a CSO in accordance with DFARS Subpart 212.70 is considered to be a competitive procedure for the purposes of 10 U.S.C. 221 and FAR 6.102. Finally, Contracting Officers shall treat items, technologies, and services acquired using a CSO as commercial products and commercial services. Contracts or agreements under this authority shall be fixed-price, including fixed-price incentive fee contracts.

Offerors are informed that ONLY a warranted Army Contracting/Agreements Officer (not a Contracting Officer Representative or other personnel) may contractually bind the Army. The Army shall not be liable to pay for work performed by a Offeror unless a warranted Contracting/Agreements Officer has signed an agreement in writing agreeing that the Army shall pay. The Army does not fund preparation of solution briefs/proposals, or support work efforts or tasks that are inferred from discussions with technical project officers.

This requirement is the future of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) Training Program at Fort Rucker, Alabama, known as Flight School Next (FSN).  The United States Government (USG) seeks a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (COCO) solution using commercially available services and equipment on a single contract to provide annual training for 900 -1500 rotary wing pilots.  The innovative commercial service to be acquired will be the first-time use of a fully commercial training platform for U.S. Army Aviation training.  The contractor shall provide all services and equipment required to train pilots to a U.S. Army standard equivalent to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) commercial helicopter pilot certification, including single engine aircraft, parts, maintenance, instructors (both academic and flight), and simulation (if required).  The place of performance to train the rotary wing pilots will be located at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  The intent of the FSN Program is to increase the proficiency of U.S. Army aviators using commercially available equipment and instruction practices.