Virtual and Mixed Reality Training for Wildland Firefighting and Wildland Aviation

The Government has a need to provide training for various aspects of wildland firefighting and wildfire aviation, specifically with respect to aerial supervision, lead plane, and other fixed- and rotor-wing aerial wildfire support or supervision. Target end users include agency aerial supervision staff, agency ground based firefighters, and agency partners to include Department of Defense (e.g. MAFFS air crews) and aircraft vendors (e.g. airtankers, helicopters, light fixed wing aerial supervision platforms). Training may also include agency non-fire aviation missions such as forest health and reconnaissance and other general aviation based training as needed.

Virtual and mixed reality training allows the use of robust simulation software and hardware to perform many of the missions in a real time training environment. This extremely realistic training will allow for initial training as well as proficiencies and have a significant cost savings by reducing overall cost to government by reducing actual flight time. This training is a service and will be scheduled throughout the life of the contract, along with adapted modifications as specific needs arise.

Vendor to provide the equipment, in-person IT support, and role player support as specified for all listed items. All simulations require realistic terrain, realistic and adjustable fire growth and modeling, applicable and realistic aircraft cockpit configuration, and realistic AM and FM radio interaction including multichannel scanning, individual volume controls, and a mixer box.

Specific Training Events to be Hosted in 2026

1. Provide In-Person Aerial Supervision Virtual Reality RT 378 Refresher Training

Purpose

Providing realistic aerial supervision virtual reality training to lead plane pilots/trainees (LPIL), air tactical supervisors/trainees (AITS), helicopter coordinators/trainees (HLCO), and air tactical group supervisors/trainees (ATGS) at annual refresher training events will significantly increase training capacity, repetition, and speed to competency. Multiple events to occur between January and May 2026.

End State

For RT-378 “refresher” training, the vendor will deploy one full set of mixed reality fixed wing flight controls and all associated equipment, two full sets of VR equipment (excluding full fixed wing flight controls), a laptop and all associated equipment for a dispatch and/or incident commander role player, and a projector/laptop/speaker setup to provide an overview/viewing station for employees not involved in the simulation. The vendor will provide role players able to fly an aerial supervision platform (AC 690) as well as role players to fly 2 fixed (air tankers and/or water scooping aircraft) and 2 rotor wing platforms simultaneously (5 total vendor-provided pilots). Role players may be in person or remote. All role players will display an expert level understanding of PMS 505 policy and scripts. Vendor will be able fly a minimum of 3 different fire scenarios at each event. Vendor will provide in-person IT support. Pricing is at a daily rate and includes all items listed above as well as shipment, setup and teardown, and all vendor-related travel costs.

2. Provide In-Person Helicopter Based Training

Purpose

Providing realistic helicopter manager (HMGB) RT-372 refresher or helicopter shorthaul virtual reality training to various helitack personnel and vendor pilots at annual refresher training events will significantly increase training capacity, repetition, and speed to competency. Multiple events to occur between January and May 2026.

End State

The vendor will deploy one full set of mixed reality rotor wing flight controls and all associated equipment, two full sets of VR equipment (excluding full fixed wing flight controls), a laptop and all associated equipment for a dispatch and/or incident commander role player, and a projector/laptop/speaker setup to provide an overview/viewing station for employees not involved in the simulation. The vendor will provide role players able to fly (in person) a light or medium helicopter platform as well as role players to fly 2 fixed (1 aerial supervision platform and 1 air

tanker or water scooping aircraft) and 2 rotor wing platforms simultaneously (5 total vendor-provided pilots). Role players may be in person or remote. All role players will display an expert level understanding of PMS 505 policy and scripts, including the aerial supervision role player. Vendor will be able fly a minimum of 3 different fire scenarios at each event. Vendor will provide in-person IT support. Pricing is at a daily rate and includes all items listed above as well as shipment, setup and teardown, and all vendor-related travel costs.

3. Provide In-Person Smokejumper Virtual Reality Spotter Refresher Training

Purpose

Providing realistic smokejumper spotter virtual reality training to smokejumper spotters/trainees (SPOT) at an annual refresher training event will significantly increase training capacity, repetition, and speed to competency. Multiple events to occur between January and May 2026.

End State

For smokejumper spotter training, the vendor will deploy one full set of mixed reality fixed wing flight controls and all associated equipment, two full sets of VR equipment (excluding full fixed wing flight controls), a laptop and all associated equipment for a dispatch and/or incident commander role player, and a projector/laptop/speaker setup to provide an overview/viewing station for employees not involved in the simulation. Vendor will provide one in person role player to fly the smokejumper aircraft. Agency will provide all additional role players. The vendor will also provide three prebuilt missions that start from a smokejumper base/ramp, include taxi and takeoff, transit to a fire, and 5-10 minutes of orbits around the fire. Fires should be found in timber fuel models, be 5-20 acres in size, and have nearby meadows to assess as possible jump spots. All simulations will occur in a de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Dornier 228 with realistic interior and avionics. Vendor will provide in-person IT support. Pricing is at a daily rate, for up to 2 eight hour days and includes all items listed above as well as shipment, setup and teardown, and all vendor-related travel costs.

4. Provide In-Person Aerial Supervision Virtual Reality Training to Agency Partners

Purpose

Providing realistic aerial supervision virtual reality training to MAFFS air crews and aircraft vendors at annual refresher training events will significantly increase training capacity, repetition, and speed to competency. Multiple events to occur between January and May 2026.

End State

For agency partner training, the vendor will deploy one full set of mixed reality fixed wing or rotor wing flight controls and all associated equipment, two full sets of VR equipment (excluding flight controls), a laptop and all associated equipment for a dispatch and/or incident commander role player, and a projector/laptop/speaker setup to provide an overview/viewing station for employees not involved in the simulation. The vendor will provide role players able to fly an aerial supervision platform (AC 690) as well as role players to fly 2 fixed (air tankers and/or water scooping aircraft) and 2 rotor wing platforms simultaneously (5 total vendor-provided pilots). The style of full flight controls will be determined prior to training scheduling and will be specific to the partner(s) being trained at the event. Role players may be in person or remote. All role players will display an expert level understanding of PMS 505 policy and scripts. Vendor will be able fly a minimum of 3 different fire scenarios at each event. Vendor will provide in-person IT support. Pricing is at a daily rate and includes all items listed above as well as shipment, setup and teardown, and all vendor-related travel costs.

5. Provide In-Person Non-Fire Virtual Reality Training to Agency Pilots and Flight Crewmembers

Purpose

Providing realistic aviation virtual reality training to agency pilots and flight crewmembers at annual refresher training events will significantly increase crew resource management (CRM), training capacity, repetition, and speed to competency. Multiple events to occur between January and May 2026.

End State

For agency pilot and flight crewmember training, the vendor will deploy one full set of mixed reality fixed wing or rotor wing flight controls and all associated equipment, two full sets of VR equipment (excluding flight controls), a laptop and all associated equipment for a dispatch role player, and a projector/laptop/speaker setup to provide an overview/viewing station for employees not involved in the simulation. The vendor will provide role players able to fly specific, to be determined, make/models of both fixed and rotor wing aircraft typically used in agency forest health and other resource and utility missions. The style of full flight controls and make/model of aircraft will be determined prior to training scheduling. Realistic interiors/cockpits are required. Role players may be in person or remote. All role players will display an expert level understanding of FAA and agency policy and communication procedures. Simulated missions to occur in various environments and terrain to include forested/mountainous, over water, and urban/controlled airspace. Vendor will provide in-person IT support. Pricing is at a daily rate and includes all items listed above as well as shipment, setup and teardown, and all vendor-related travel cost.