Purchase of a new tandem seat aircraft

The Department of the Interior Departmental Offices Interior Business Center is seeking to procure up to five new tandem seat aircraft through an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The solicitation, numbered 140D0424Q0733, requires a factory new, high-wing, single-engine aircraft with specific performance characteristics, including a minimum 200 HP fuel-injected engine, tandem seating, and the ability to configure with tricycle or conventional landing gear. The government will evaluate offers based on technical capability, past performance, and total evaluated price, with technical factors being more important than price. Proposals are due by December 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM local time, with a contract period of performance from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2030. The solicitation is unrestricted and uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336411 for Aircraft Manufacturing.

The contract guarantees a minimum of one aircraft to be ordered at contract award, with delivery required by May 15, 2025, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska. The aircraft must meet specific technical requirements, including a 1,000-pound useful load with wheels, 700-pound useful load with floats, and a 4-hour endurance with a 450-pound payload. The procurement allows for future potential accessories such as belly pods, floats, or skis to be purchased separately. The government intends to award a single IDIQ contract to the technically acceptable offeror providing the best value. While no specific incumbent or current contractor is mentioned, the solicitation indicates that the aircraft will be delivered with a two-color paint scheme, with specific color and scheme drawings to be provided upon award. The total potential contract value is not explicitly stated, but the ability to purchase up to five aircraft over five years suggests a significant potential investment in this aircraft procurement.