Sources Sought - Mobile Aircraft Fire Training (MAFT)

The U.S. Air Force 460th Contracting Squadron at Buckley Space Force Base is conducting market research to identify potential vendors for a Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer (MAFT) that will provide semi-annual live fire training to 42 firefighters at the installation. The service involves delivering a MAFT unit with a minimum of one instructor and one operator to conduct five consecutive days of training (40 hours) twice yearly during April/May and September/October, operating between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The contractor must deliver and set up the equipment on Buckley's training pad no later than one day prior to training and provide both classroom instruction and practical hands-on training evolutions that include six specific LPG remote-controlled fire scenarios simulating realistic aircraft firefighting conditions for both small fixed-wing aircraft (F-16) and large commercial aircraft (747/C-17/C-5). The MAFT equipment must comply with NFPA 405 standards, Federal Aviation Administration requirements, and Department of Defense regulations. Performance will be evaluated through 100 percent Government surveillance against two primary criteria: classroom instruction delivery and provision of the six required fire scenarios, both rated on a complaint-based scale from Excellent (zero complaints) to Unsatisfactory (more than three complaints). Responses to this Sources Sought notice are due by March 4, 2026, and must include company information, CAGE Code or UEID number, socioeconomic status, capabilities statement, and any relevant government contract vehicle schedule numbers.

This Pre-solicitation notice involves no set-aside designations and does not identify any incumbent contractors or award values. The contract is structured as a base contract with four option years, suggesting a potential five-year performance period, though specific budget information is not disclosed in this market research phase. The Government will provide facilities (training room and training pad), electrical power, water, and propane at no cost to the contractor, reducing the contractor's infrastructure burden. Key responsibilities include maintaining a quality control program, responding to Contract Discrepancy Reports within ten calendar days, participating in periodic progress meetings, and submitting all contractor labor hours via SAM.gov by October 31 annually. Contractor personnel must maintain neat appearance, be easily identifiable on the installation, be fluent in English, and comply with Buckley SFB security requirements including DBIDS card access and vehicle inspections. The opportunity is categorized under NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) and PSC 4210 (Fire Fighting Equipment).