Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

PURPOSE This RFI is issued for market research purposes only. The purpose of this notice is to identify U.S. small business concerns having an interest in and capability to provide support for INL’s C... PURPOSE This RFI is issued for market research purposes only. The purpose of this notice is to identify U.S. small business concerns having an interest in and capability to provide support for INL’s Colombian National Police (CNP) aviation program. Responses to this notice will be considered in selecting the acquisition strategy and to determine the appropriateness of setting aside this requirement for any one of the small business programs described in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19. Information contained in this notice is preliminary in nature and is subject to change. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or a commitment on the part of the government to conduct a solicitation in the future. All information provided is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse contractors for the costs of responding to this notice or otherwise participating in market research activities. Further, the US Department of State offers no assurance that a solicitation will result from this notice. Any information submitted will become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and must be clearly marked. BACKGROUND The previous INL Bogota Colombian National Police (CNP) aviation support services contract was awarded to PAE Government Services (now Amentum Services Inc.) as an unrestricted task order under GSA’s OASIS pool 1 IDIQ contract. The previous PWS is not included in this notice as the Government expects changes. A summarized description of work, sufficient to determine small business capabilities, is included below. Mission Overview and Program Goals The United States Government (USG), through the INL Police Aviation Program (INL ARAVI), provides administrative, technical, maintenance, training, safety, and logistics/procurement support to the Colombian National Police’s (CNP) Aviation Unit, which operates throughout Colombia supporting counter-narcotics and law enforcement operations. INL ARAVI provides aviation management expertise and resources to the CNP to strengthen law enforcement, support counter-narcotics operations, and provide for safe and efficient aviation support. As its primary focus, the program directly supports a total of 30 rotary winged aircraft (helicopters) located in three fixed bases - Bogotá/Guaymaral, Mariquita, and Tuluá - and in multiple forward operating bases in Colombia on an as needed basis. The supported fleet is currently composed of 30 helicopters (2 x S-70, 7 x UH-60L, and 21 x UH-60A+). The total number and type of aircraft supported under this program is subject to change. The CNP exercises operational control of the aviation assets supported by the INL Police Aviation Program. The Contractor selected for this effort will not be required to fly the aircraft. Program goals include: • Safe operation and maintenance of aircraft • Efficient logistical support • The maximum number of aircraft Fully Mission Capable (FMC) • Training and qualification of CNP personnel • Airworthy aircraft in conformance with DOS airworthiness standards Scope Support shall include, but is not limited to, providing maintenance, quality control, logistics/procurement, training, safety, and program support at CNP fixed bases in Guaymaral, Mariquita, and Tulua, and in forward operating locations as directed by the government. Program requirements may change due to financial, political, or economic situations for the USG or the Government of Colombia (GOC). As such, the Contractor must be flexible and prepared to respond to unanticipated program changes. Contractor’s staff will be required to travel to locations throughout Colombia to perform services and provide program oversight. Additionally, the Contractor will be required to minimize the use of US-based and US-hired personnel and associated travel costs. Technical Requirements All aircraft in the INL ARAVI program will be maintained in an airworthy condition. The Contractor’s aircraft maintenance programs will establish procedures to: Monitor and comply with appropriate maintenance and safety bulletins and directives from either INL/A, U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or the manufacturer applicable to the types of aircraft, engines, propellers, and equipment that are operated. Ensure safe CNP operation of aircraft with mission equipment or approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL). Utilize technical support, including updated technical publications and appropriate engineering documentation and testing, for aircraft, power-plant, propeller, or appliance repairs, modifications, or equipment installations. Establish and maintain a quality control system for acquiring replacement parts, ensuring that the parts acquired have the airworthiness documentation needed to determine that they are safe for flight and are inspected and tested, as applicable. Official aircraft forms and records shall be maintained in Spanish. Official contract forms and records must be maintained in English. Airworthiness & Maintenance Standards The Airworthiness & Maintenance Standards applicable to the specific type aircraft assigned to the INL ARAVI Program are as follows: UH-60 A&L Maintenance Standard: Will be maintained in accordance with U.S. Army/DoD standards using the current Technical Manual (TM) or Electronic Manual (IETM) applicable to the specific model. All avionics, equipment, and appliances that do not have a National Stock Number in the Federal Supply System will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s directives. INL ARAVI Supported S-70s: Will be maintained IAW AMCOM AWR standards applicable to the UH-60L; any deviation from this standard must be approved by INL. RESPONSE Prospective offerors interested in responding to this notice are requested to submit information electronically to FernandezJM@state.gov no later than 3:00 pm ET on May 15, 2024. The Government will only consider responses submitted in the Attachment A format. The format is required to facilitate the efficient analysis of responses. Responses providing partial information may not be considered by the Government. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted nor acknowledged. Questions, if any, must be directed via email to FernandezJM@state.gov. Individual feedback or evaluations will not be provided to companies regarding their submissions. The Government reverses the right to conduct one-on-one interviews with any of the respondents to this notice. Depending on the number of responses received one-on-one interviews may not be conducted with each respondent.