FPCRFI1501CoE - Request for information/Center of Excellence

The Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, issued a non-binding Request for Information (RFI) seeking information from interested Colorado jurisdictions regarding their suitability to host a Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting. This procurement is intended to identify a physical location for the Center of Excellence, which was established through Senate Bill 14-164 and will function as a science-based research entity focused on evaluating and advancing aerial firefighting technologies and practices. Respondents must address the qualities necessary for a successful CoE location, how their jurisdiction meets identified criteria, what makes their jurisdiction appropriate for hosting the facility, and what additional resources they could offer as incentives. The RFI identified preferred location criteria including accessibility throughout the state, proximity to airports capable of handling large and small aircraft (specifically Type 1-3 helicopters and aerial tanking aircraft), access to multiple terrain types and fire activity areas, local community support and investment, proximity to universities with relevant programs, and adequate affordable housing for staff. The Center of Excellence will initially require nine full-time employees, approximately 5,000 square feet of office space with expansion capability, robust IT infrastructure, conference rooms, and teleconference capabilities. The submission deadline was February 6, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. MT, with inquiries regarding the RFI due by January 20, 2015. Respondents were required to limit their narrative response to no more than 100 pages total, with no more than 10 pages devoted to supporting materials, and submit responses via email to Melissa Lineberger, Interim Director of the Center of Excellence.

This RFI contained no set-aside designations or restrictions limiting which types of Colorado jurisdictions could respond, nor were there any incumbent vendors or current contractors identified. The State did not determine at the time of the RFI whether future use of gathered information would be made or whether future solicitations would be developed based on RFI responses. Following the February 6 deadline, the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, in conjunction with other state personnel, indicated it would review submissions within one week and that the decision to seek formal proposals would subsequently be made by the Interim Director of the CoE, the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety, and relevant staff. The Center of Excellence was anticipated to achieve initial operations by July 2015 at minimum, with permanent director and essential staff to be hired before full operational status. The Division requested $998,496 in FY 2015-2016 for CoE operational expenses, including both personal services and operating costs, with similar funding anticipated for FY 2016-2017 plus potential inflationary adjustments. The CoE will remain state-owned and operated with full state funding, though it is authorized to accept gifts, grants, and donations to supplement operations.