Exclusive Use Multi-Engine Amphibious Water Scooping Aviation Services

The Department of the Interior's Interior Business Center is gathering sources for exclusive-use multi-engine amphibious water scooping aviation services to support wildland fire suppression operations, with responses due by October 26, 2026. This is a Sources Sought notice only and does not constitute a commitment to contract or issue a formal solicitation; the Government will use responses for acquisition strategy development and will not provide feedback to respondents. No set-aside is anticipated. Performance spans the contiguous United States and Alaska.

The prospective contract covers five years (April 1, 2027 through March 31, 2037) and requires fully contractor-operated and maintained multi-engine turboprop-powered amphibious water scooping aircraft with flying boat design, Standard or Restricted Airworthiness Certificate, and 14 CFR 25 certification. Minimum aircraft specifications include 1,400 U.S. gallon tank capacity, 525 pounds minimum payload capacity, 4-hour endurance with full load, 180+ knots cruise airspeed, and capability to operate from 5,000-foot gravel runways at 3,000 feet pressure altitude and 25°C conditions. Per aircraft, the contractor must provide an Initial Attack Pilot in Command, mechanic, relief pilot, and relief mechanic. Deployment to Alaska requires contractor personnel to hold current passports due to Canadian transit requirements. Aircraft will remain under exclusive Government control 24 hours per day, 7 days per week during the exclusive-use period.

The Government explicitly solicits responses from small businesses (including ISBEE, Section 8(a), WOSB, EDWOSB, HUBZone, Veteran-Owned, and SDVOSB firms) and large businesses. Respondents must submit company information, DUNS number, aircraft specifications, NAICS 115310 business size classification, and business type designation to Marina Volynets (Marina_Volynets@ibc.doi.gov) by 1400 MT, October 26, 2026.