Rotorcraft Engineering Simulation Software Maintenance Agreements

Sources Sought Notice

Rotorcraft Software

June 13, 2024

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. FURTHER, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
 

The NTSB intends to award a sole source contract to the Advanced Rotorcraft Technology, Inc. (ART) based on their unique technical qualifications as the only known company authorized to provide maintenance agreements of its proprietary software. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) knows of no other sources for this requirement. Notice is provided as information to the marketplace, market research, and is an invitation for any other qualified companies to express their interest in and demonstrate their capability to provide the required work.

The intended sole source contract will be awarded in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), Soliciting from a single source. Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

The decision to award a sole source contract is based on the fact that ART is the sole provider and maintainer of the FlightLab software, and no third party can provide maintenance for this software.  ART created FlightLab and is the only known contractor capable of providing access to, maintenance, and technical support of the software.

Background

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation—railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. 

In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate.

We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.

In support of this mission, NTSB has a requirement to renew yearly maintenance agreements for the FlightLab software developed and maintained by ART. The period of performance is for one 12-month base year and four 12-month option years for a total performance period of five (5) years. 

Required Capabilities

The Vehicle Performance Division (RE-60) in the Office of Research and Engineering (RE) determines the motion of vehicles in transportation accidents and analyzes the physical causes of that motion. The Division also compares the computed performance of these vehicles to their expected or design performance, in order to identify unexpected or anomalous behavior. Engineering simulations, in which the response of vehicles to physical forces is calculated in detail using computers, is an important tool used in accomplishing these tasks.

Rotorcraft have many more degrees of freedom than fixed-wing aircraft, so that simulating their behavior is much more complicated.  To more effectively analyze and understand the physics underlying the motion of rotorcraft (e.g., helicopters) involved in accidents, the Division needs to maintain the comprehensive, physics-based rotorcraft engineering simulation capability provided by FlightLab.

Sources capable of fully satisfying the above requirement are invited to submit a capability statement. At a minimum, this information, which must be prepared specifically in response to this notice must include: (1) identification of company or organization; (2) an assertion of existing, full capability to meet proposed requirements; (3) business/contracts/marketing office point(s) of contact; (4) notification of business size and /or special status; and (5) any additional information that may be useful to the successful procurement of the requirements, if solicited. The capability statement shall adhere to a five (5)-page submission limit plus web links and any specialized product descriptions. The statement of capabilities should include only information that clearly demonstrates the respondent's capabilities, expertise, and experience to provide the requirements described in this notice. General marketing material should not be included. The NTSB prefers that companies do not submit proprietary material. However, the Government recognizes that proprietary data may be a part of your submittal. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by NTSB. Parties must submit information within ten (10) days of publication of this notice. NTSB will not return capability statements and the supporting documentation submitted in response to this notice. Telephone responses and inquiries will not be accepted.

Anticipated Date of Award

A contract is anticipated to be issued no later than September 15, 2024. 

Response Deadline

You may email questions regarding this notice to the issuing office to Ciara Bond via email at: Ciara.Bond@ntsb.gov no later than 4:00pm EST on June 20, 2024.