Mass Rescue Operations Fixed-Wing Aircraft Test for the Science and Technology Directorate
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 70RSAT26RFI000022
- Agency
-
Office of Procurement Operations
Department of Homeland Security
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations is issuing a Request for Information (RFI 70RSAT26RFI000022) on behalf of the Science and Technology Directorate to solicit fixed-wing aircraft charter services for testing a prototype Mass Rescue Operations flotation device, with responses due July 10, 2026. This is market research only; DHS is not seeking proposals at this time and will not pay for response or demonstration expenses.
DHS, partnering with the United States Coast Guard, is developing a nonstandard, large-capacity, ultralightweight flotation device capable of holding up to 100 survivors out of the water during long-term rescue operations at sea. The RFI seeks aircraft capable of flying at approximately 250 to 500 feet altitude at 90 to 110 knots speed with a rear cargo ramp for deployment—side door deployments will not be considered. Examples include HC-130J or HC-144 models. Vendors must provide aircraft and crew, charter a single flight path over a body of water, and manage mission requirements; DHS will provide the deployment test and evaluation plan.
Responses must include aircraft service descriptions, types available, government agency experience, previous cargo drop or device deployment experience, drop/deployment procedures, location options over water, and rough order of magnitude pricing for one test with an option for a second test. Submissions must be emailed to Jennifer.Koons@hq.dhs.gov and Yao.Kole@hq.dhs.gov and include cover letters with company name, address, UEI number, size and socio-economic status for NAICS 481212, technical and contracting points of contact, and a list of all federal contract vehicles held. The Government reserves the right to meet with respondents at its discretion but provides no guarantee of meetings.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) issues this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with the United States Coast Guard and industry partner on a research and development (R&D) effort to develop a viable search and rescue solution that could deploy during Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) on the high seas.
MROs at sea are Search and Rescue (SAR) operations characterized by the need to provide immediate assistance to large numbers of persons in distress in a situation that exceeds the capabilities normally available to SAR authorities. An MRO example is a catastrophic passenger vessel emergency in a remote area which requires passengers to leave the vessel with limited access or no access to the vessel’s inherent lifesaving apparatus.
DHS S&T is developing a prototype flotation device with the purpose of keeping survivors out of the water during an MRO event that could be 25, 50, or even 100’s of miles out to sea while additional USCG assets can be deployed to the rescue site. The prototype is a nonstandard innovative, large-capacity, ultralightweight floating device that can be deployed from air and surface assets during MROs. The prototype is capable of holding up to 100 survivors out of the water during long-term rescue operations, lowering their risk of injury from exposure.
The protype is currently in development and testing. This RFI is seeking sources for aircraft charter services to assess the device’s performance when deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft. The aircraft should be capable of flying at an altitude of approximately 250 to 500 feet at a speed of approximately 90 to 110 knots and have a rear cargo ramp. Side door deployments will not be considered. Examples of such aircraft include C130 (HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft) or HC-144. During this test, DHS S&T, USCG, and other stakeholders will observe how the prototype is safely handled, transported, and deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft.
Please note: This RFI is solely for aircraft charter services to provide air assets for a test of the device under development, it is not seeking device development.
Update: There is no Government preference on a drop zone location for the test. However, DHS would prefer deployment to take place near device recovery assets (e.g. water-based).
Update #1 ·
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) issues this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with the United States Coast Guard and industry partner on a research and development (R&D) effort to develop a viable search and rescue solution that could deploy during Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) on the high seas.
MROs at sea are Search and Rescue (SAR) operations characterized by the need to provide immediate assistance to large numbers of persons in distress in a situation that exceeds the capabilities normally available to SAR authorities. An MRO example is a catastrophic passenger vessel emergency in a remote area which requires passengers to leave the vessel with limited access or no access to the vessel’s inherent lifesaving apparatus.
DHS S&T is developing a prototype flotation device with the purpose of keeping survivors out of the water during an MRO event that could be 25, 50, or even 100’s of miles out to sea while additional USCG assets can be deployed to the rescue site. The prototype is a nonstandard innovative, large-capacity, ultralightweight floating device that can be deployed from air and surface assets during MROs. The prototype is capable of holding up to 100 survivors out of the water during long-term rescue operations, lowering their risk of injury from exposure.
The protype is currently in development and testing. This RFI is seeking sources for aircraft charter services to assess the device’s performance when deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft. The aircraft should be capable of flying at an altitude of approximately 250 to 500 feet at a speed of approximately 90 to 110 knots and have a rear cargo ramp. Side door deployments will not be considered. Examples of such aircraft include C130 (HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft) or HC-144. During this test, DHS S&T, USCG, and other stakeholders will observe how the prototype is safely handled, transported, and deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft.
Please note: This RFI is solely for aircraft charter services to provide air assets for a test of the device under development, it is not seeking device development.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| RFI 70RSAT26RFI000022 Fixed Wing Aircraft Test.pdf |
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