THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes in regard to the requirements stated below and the attached specifications in Fed Connect; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission; other than acknowledgement of receipt, if a request for an acknowledgement is requested by the submitter. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Department of the Interior (DOI) is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ. If a solicitation is released, it will be via the Government Wide Point of Entry (GPE) at (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. The information provided may be utilized by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, Statement of Work and Technical Specifications. To the extent possible, all responses should be unclassified and for general access by the Government, other evaluators, and other respondents. Any proprietary information submitted must be clearly identified and marked and will be appropriately protected. Background: The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information regarding interested contractors who are capable of providing flight services utilizing fully functional aircraft equipped to meet specifications, operated and maintained by qualified personnel, for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the research activities of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). For the purposes of this project, USAP helicopter operations on board the RVIB Nathanial B. Palmer (NBP) will support three projects (estimated 120 flight hours) involving approximately 20 scientists, students, and technicians operating within a nominal 50-mile radius of the vessel for shipboard operation during a mission in Antarctica in February 2016. The type of services required to be performed include, transportation of personnel and cargo (approx. 27,000 pounds across three main camps) in support of the scientific projects. The Contractor is responsible for all mobilization/demobilization costs and arrangements from their base of operations to Punta Arenas, Chile. All costs for crews and transportation of aircraft shall be included in the mobilization and demobilization costs. The anticipated cruise sail dates are for 35 days at sea, departing late February 2016. It is the intent of the Government to provide the vendor with a facility on board prepared with permanent structures (berthing, maintenance facility (mx), and galley) however in extremis, it may become required for an aircraft to divert and be able to survive without support for multiple days. When flight operations are not being conducted, one or both helicopters will be stored in the hangar on board NBP. This RFI describes the desired characteristics of helicopters that are a focus of that interest. The helicopters would need to be readily available upon award for inspection and operation prior to the vessel departure in February 2016. Response Requirement: Interested responders are asked to provide a brief response to this Request for Information of not more than ten (10) pages, excluding cover page, with the information detailed below by 5:00 pm Mountain Time on July 29, 2014: 1. Company name, company mailing address, and point of contact information. 2. Company's applicable socioeconomic status, e.g., large business, small business, etc. The NAICS for this requirement is 481211. 3. Capabilities Statement that clearly aligns the capabilities of the company to the requirements contained above. Include a brief list of experience on similar projects (comparable in type of services, size of program, and complexity); including client/project owner, name/title/phone number of a client point of contact, prime contractor name (if applicable), size of comparable contract, brief description, and period of performance. 4. The FAA N Number and the make and model of aircraft must be provided in your response. 5. Confirmation of holding and currency of FAA 14 CFR 133 & 135 and certificates for operations with the aircraft offered included on those certificates. 6. Provide a rough order of magnitude that includes the following costs: a. Daily Availability b. Flight time (per hour/hobbs) c. Deployment and Redeployment. 7. Identify if company is U.S. or foreign owned. 8. Any additional information which the company deems important and relevant to this RFI. The information requested shall be provided, in writing, to the following address: Michael Willis Department of the Interior 300 E. Mallard Dr. Suite 200 Boise, ID 83706 Primary Point of Contact: Michael Willis, Contracting Officer
[email protected] 208-433-5019 Technical Point of Contact: Andrew Barry, Aviation Program Support Specialist
[email protected] Arlyn Miller, National Helicopter Specialist
[email protected]