Helicopter training for 6 NASA pilots.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center is soliciting helicopter pilot training services for six NASA pilots through a presolicitation synopsis posted on April 16, 2026, with a submission deadline of April 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. The procurement seeks specialized helicopter training including initial proficiency courses, autorotation and energy management training, and utilization of Flight Simulation Training Devices to support lunar surface return mission and Artemis 3 crew training objectives. NASA intends to award this contract on a sole source basis under FAR 12.102(a) authority, determining that Bell Textron Inc is the sole capable provider; however, interested organizations may submit written capabilities and qualifications statements to demonstrate why competitive procedures should be used instead. The Government will evaluate responses solely to determine whether competitive procurement is warranted and reserves discretion to proceed with either sole source award or convert to competitive selection. Interested parties must submit capabilities statements to Cara Craft, Procurement Specialist II, at cara.s.craft@nasa.gov, with oral communications not being acceptable.

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and identifies Bell Textron Inc (located at 3255 Bell Flight Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas) as the presently intended sole source contractor. The training will be delivered at Bell Academy in Dallas, Texas, with performance location at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas 77058, supporting the NASA Astronaut Office and Aircraft Operations Division staff. The contract will utilize FAR Part 12 procedures and clauses applicable to commercial items, with the NAICS code 611512 (Flight Training) assigned to this procurement. While no specific award value is stated in the presolicitation materials, the scope encompasses initial training completion, on-demand proficiency updates, and delivery of comprehensive training reports documenting hours flown for all participating astronaut and pilot staff. The procurement is classified under PSC Category AJ11 (General Science and Technology R&D Services).