The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research for planning purposes only regarding interested vendors/contractors who are capable of providing Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) services for wildland firefighting in 2013 thru 2015. VLAT aircraft use is focused on large fire support or initial attack in moderate to rolling terrain. Use will be highly variable depending on seasonal fire activity but have averaged 60 to 100 hours per year. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. Response to this RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided may be utilized by the US Forest Service in developing its acquisition strategy and it's Statement of Work. The information resulting from this RFI may be included/combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary. Primary Point of Contact: Melinda G. Draper, Contracting Officer
[email protected] 208-387-5610 Technical Point of Contact: Scott Fisher, Aviation Management Specialist
[email protected] 208-387-5968 Generic Requirements: • One to three (1-3) aircraft with capacity for 10,000 or more gallons of delivered product. • Airworthiness and Maintenance Program specific to VLAT dispensing mission. • Logistics support system to operate throughout the western states. • Capable of meeting Interagency Airtanker Board (IAB) procedures and criteria. Procedures and criteria are available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/contracting/airtankers/iab.htm • Turnkey retardant base to support operations at locations away from established bases. • A multi-engine support aircraft capable of supporting logistics needs and directing tactical operations for the VLAT. • Sufficient flight crews to provide seven day coverage while in use. • Ability to load and launch on fires in less than 30 minutes from time of receipt of initial dispatch and ability to reload and launch in 20 minutes on subsequent orders. • List of locations from which the VLAT can reasonably operate on fires in western states. Vendors/contractors who respond to this Request for Information (RFI), are requested to provide all of the following information, in writing, in response to this announcement and in accordance with the directions below: 1. Company name. 2. Company mailing address. 3. Company Point of Contact (One person's name, telephone number and e-mail address). 4. Company's size standard (ie. Large, Small, Veteran Owned, etc.) based on NAICS code 481212. 5. Number of VLATs that will be proposed. 6. Provide feedback of company's approach in providing the support aircraft requested above. Propose support aircraft's capabilities (ie. Type I, II or III) and the number personnel required for the support aircraft. Additionally, all interested vendors/contractors shall also provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) that includes the following: COST ESTIMATES TO INCLUDE: • Fuel burn rate for the VLAT mission. • Price discounts for multiple awards. • Price discounts for different durations of standby. • Operating methods to optimize use in target terrain and locations. • Recommended pricing structure for support aircraft. Cost estimates should be based on existing aircraft and not on concept designs. PROVIDE ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS RFI THAT WILL ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN ADJUSTING THE CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR A FOLLOW-ON SOLICITATION Submittal of Information: The information requested by this RFI shall be provided, in writing, by close of business (4:00 p.m. Mountain Time) August 22, 2012 to the following address: National Interagency Fire Center U.S. Forest Service - Contracting Attn: Melinda G. Draper, Contracting Officer Owyhee Building - MS 1100 3833 S. Development Ave. Boise, ID 83705 The U.S. Forest Service intends to utilize the RFI responses/information to assist with the development of a solicitation for a VLAT RFP. At the present time, the U.S. Forest Service anticipates posting a solicitation for one to three VLAT aircraft to the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website (www.fbo.gov) in late 2012. The current plan to start performance for the anticipated procurement is late April 2013.