V--Vendor Demonstration Optionally-Piloted Heavy-Lift Helicopter

Special Notice The purpose of this announcement is to provide notification of an upcoming vendor demonstration for optionally-piloted heavy-lift helicopters. The United States Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Aviation Services (OAS), seeks companies interested in demonstrating their optionally-piloted heavy lift helicopter. This demonstration is tentatively planned for May 2015 in Boise, ID. The exact date, time, and location will be formalized in the coming weeks and a follow-up announcement will be made at that time. This event will be open to companies capable of providing and operating an optionally piloted heavy lift helicopter in the manned and unmanned configuration. The purpose of this demonstration is to assess the feasibility of utilizing these types of aircraft for a variety of missions, including, but not limited to fire suppression at night and during low visibility conditions as well as cargo delivery. At this time we are asking for an initial response of capable companies interested in demonstrating this type of aircraft. As part of this demonstration, the company owned and operated, optionally piloted aircraft will be asked to perform the following scenario based missions over a one to three day period: 1. External load cargo pickup in the unmanned configuration 2. External Load cargo delivery in the unmanned configuration 3. Single target water dropping 4. Progressive line building with bucket 5. Water pickup from a variety of different dip sites 6. In-flight re-tasking of the aircraft 7. Multiple load delivery (carousel hook) 8. Communicate with crews on the ground to identify, locate and drop water or deliver cargo to a specific site. 9. Provide Real-time optical and thermal infrared imagery to the ground control station. The demonstration will take place in high desert and mountainous terrain similar to wildland fire conditions and environment. DOI/OAS asks all interested parties to submit a short informational paper to include but not limited to; aircraft description and specifications, photos, relevant expertise, and performance information confirming the ability of your aircraft and pilots to perform the scenario based missions listed above. Submissions should be sent to [email protected]. All submissions must be provided by 1400 MST, February 17, 2015. This announcement is for information planning purposes only and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of supplies or services. This is not a request for proposal, request for quotation, or invitation for bid, nor does its issuance obligate or restrict the Government to an acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of any responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted or use of such information. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any costs incurred for attendance to the demonstration. Attendees must make their own travel and lodging arrangements. Vendors will be asked to review and sign a vendor demonstration agreement prior to attendance. (See attached) Questions concerning this special notice will only be accepted via email addressed to the Contracting Officer, Michael Willis at [email protected].