EU High Wing Multiengine Turboprop SMJ

The Department of the Interior's Business Center is seeking an exclusive use high-wing, multi-engine turboprop aircraft for smokejumper operations supporting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Aviation Fire Service at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. The solicitation (Number 140D0425R0003) requires a contractor to provide a fully-equipped aircraft certified for VFR/IFR and known icing conditions, with specific technical requirements including a minimum of 19 passenger seats, 260 KTAS cruise speed, and 4.5-hour endurance with a 6,500-lb payload. The aircraft must be capable of operating from 3,500 ft gravel runways and have a side-facing exit door approved for in-flight opening. Proposals are due by January 31, 2025, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, with an initial evaluation period of 15 days followed by a 90-day field evaluation. The contractor must provide qualified pilots with smokejumper experience or complete specified training requirements, and an on-site mechanic.

The contract is an unrestricted solicitation with a NAICS code of 115310 and a size standard of $11.5M, covering support activities for forestry. The base performance period is two years, from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, with a six-month extension option. The first exclusive use period will be 120 days, primarily starting around May 1, 2025. The government will provide fuel for Alaska operations, and the contractor will be responsible for all other aircraft-related expenses, including pilots, mechanics, and maintenance. The contractor must support various missions including smokejumper transport and drops, paracargo operations, reconnaissance, equipment testing, personnel and cargo transport, search and rescue, and natural resource activities. The solicitation includes specific wage determinations with minimum hourly rates for key positions such as Airplane Pilot ($37.65) and First Officer/Co-Pilot ($34.28), and requires compliance with current federal wage regulations.