Inactive

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment implied or otherwise, that the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) will take any action on this matter... This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment implied or otherwise, that the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) will take any action on this matter. Further, NAWCAD is not responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing information. This RFI is being used to gather market research for NAWCAD to determine the feasibility and make decisions regarding the development of a requirement for Contracted Air Support (CAS) non-personal services in support of Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) T-45 Goshawk Pilot Training. NAWCAD will use the results of this RFI to determine interest and estimate costs that may lead to a future procurement. The T-45 Combined Multi-Service Pilot Training System currently supports CNATRA’s Intermediate and Advanced Jet Training Syllabus. An outside vendor may be utilized to supplement the existing T-45 formation stage syllabus sorties. There is no requirement for Government personnel to operate or be a passenger in the Contractor Owned Contractor Operated (COCO) aircraft operations. The Government is considering a maximum of six fully mission capable (FMC) aircraft, three per site, with at least two aircraft operational per site, available six days a week, to support CNATRA training. The Government intends to do day-only two-plane (section) formation events. There will be no TacForm events. The perspective locations for CAS services may include, but are not limited to, the following: Meridian, MS Kingsville, TX The contract type will be determined at a later time. The responses will assist in the requirements generation process, development of the acquisition strategy, and budgetary submission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Potential offerors are requested to provide the following information: company name, company address, CAGE code, DUNS number, NAICS code(s), size status (small or large business), socio-economic category/categories (as applicable for small business) and company point of contact name, title, phone number, and e-mail address. Please limit responses to no more than 25 total pages. Please provide responses to the following questions: Describe your company’s relevant experience (in the last 5 years) in providing CAS services? What does your company specialize in? What specific technical skills does your company possess which ensures capability to perform the tasks described in this RFI? How much experience do your Pilots have with formation flying in specific aircraft similar to the T-45 Goshawk? What qualifications do your Pilots have for different missions and aircraft? How many Pilots would be available to support this effort? What types of aircraft does your company operate? How many of each type/model/series (T/M/S) does your company operate? How many of each T/M/S are currently available now and for the next two to three years? How many of your aircraft are similar in performance and design to the T-45 Goshawk? Can your aircraft support sortie durations up to 1.1 flight hours? Are your aircraft equipped with Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) with an Air-to-Air mode? When assigned to a Government operating base, what support facilities and equipment are required to be provided by the Government? How many square feet of hangar space is required for each T/M/S? Are there any special ramp or parking requirements for each T/M/S for inclement weather (i.e. tropical depression, hurricane force winds)? How many aircraft are required to support an average of five (5) sorties per day per site, six days a week? For planning, assume aircraft turnaround patterns of 2 turn 2 turn 1 daily. How many aircrew would be required to support the operational tempo above? How many maintenance personnel would be required to support the operational tempo above? How much lead-time would be required to reach Full Operational Capability to support COCO Public Aircraft Operations at a site? Please provide an explanation of the events that will be occurring during this time (Example: delivering and setting up support equipment, hiring personnel, qualifying aircraft, etc.). Does your company have the ability to perform services within 6 months of contract award? If so, what is the earliest start date your company could begin full performance after award? What is the minimum and maximum duration of services you would consider for assignment to a Government operating base? What is your rationale for these time periods? If your company intends to team with a qualified subcontractor, please provide an explanation of your company’s ability to perform at least 50% of the contract performance. Would you partner with another company to perform this requirement? What company? What would the potential workshare be? What experience do you have with Government Cyber requirements? What impacts do you foresee due to Cyber requirements? What type and how many Internet connections would be required per site? Does your company currently have access to Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI)? Please provide an estimated price (or rough order of magnitude (ROM)) per sortie, given the assumptions below, along with an explanation of how this estimate was derived. Contractor Owned Contractor Operated (COCO) aircraft Two locations of operation: Meridian, MS and Kingsville, TX Average of five (5) sorties per day per location Average sortie length 1.1 hours Operating six (6) days a week “Dry” contract, meaning the Contractor will purchase all fuel. The Government will provide access to the Contractor to purchase fuel at the United States Government bases and civil fields. All fuel purchased by the Contractor should be obtained from a military base whenever possible. Is pricing based on “scheduled” events or actual flown events? Do events canceled due to weather still incur the same cost as a flight? Please identify any recommendations, concerns, or additional thoughts you may have on this RFI. Are your aircraft equipped for over water flights in accordance with 14 CFR 91.509? What would it take to get your aircraft in compliance with 14 CFR 91.509? This RFI is issued for the purpose of encouraging communication and exchanges of information between the Government and interested parties. Responses to this request are voluntary. Interested businesses shall submit responses and any questions via email to jacob.r.heintze.civ@us.navy.mil and cc: Kathleen.c.dougherty.civ@us.navy.mil. Electronic submissions are limited to 25 pages and shall be received no later than 2:00 pm Eastern Time on 15 December 2022 and reference: T-45CASRFI Responses to this request may not be returned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Updated 7 December 2022: In light of questions asked regarding this RFI, the Government has made the following changes: The Government recognizes that the data submitted in response to this RFI may be proprietary information; therefore, we deleted the statement that proprietary information shall not be submitted. Respondents shall properly mark data/information submitted that is proprietary. The Government added a statement clarifying the type of events it intends to complete under this effort. ** Updated 8 December 2022: Added question 12 to the RFI. *** Updated 9 December 2022: Answering additional questions from industry, see below: Is there a minimum liability insurance level required? The Government is still researching Liability Insurance requirements at this time. Will the Government require the Contractor aircraft to be painted in a specific paint scheme (such as orange and white) for standardization? No specific paint schemes are required for Contractor aircraft. Is the Government able to provide the Contractor TACANs as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE)? No, the Government does not intend to supply any avionics components as GFE. Is the Government able to provide the Contractor a UHF radio per aircraft as GFE since we believe that will be a requirement? UHF radios will be a requirement, but the Government does not intend to supply any avionics components as GFE. Will the Contractor be operating under CFR Part 91 operations for general aviation (and not Part 121)? Yes, Operators will be required to hold an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate and follow 14 CFR Part 91 – General Operating and Flight Rules, however, during contract execution, flights would be declared Public Aircraft Operations (PAO) and operate with a NAVAIR IFC in accordance with FAA AC 00-01.1B and the aircraft maintained in accordance with DCMA INST 8210.1C Change 1. Will the Contractor’s maintenance team and other, necessary admin personnel have access to office space in a hangar at both bases? Facilities will be provided by the hosting command but have not been determined at this time.