99 -- USAF Fee-For-Service Aerial Refueling Pilot Program

This is a combined Sources Sought Synopsis and Request for Information (RFI). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. All responsible businesses, including small businesses, are encouraged to respond to this RFI. As proscribed in the FY08 National Defense Authorization Act, the Air Force is in the process of implementing a fee-for-service aerial refueling (FFS/AR) pilot program as a complement to existing Air Force organic capability. The purpose of the pilot program is to assess the feasibility and utility of incorporating commercial service provider(s) in Air Force operations long-term. This Sources Sought Synopsis is in support of a market research effort being conducted by Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) to determine potential sources capable of providing this fee-for-service aerial refueling service. Under the pilot program, each service provider refueling aircraft must be able to off-load fuel utilizing centerline flying boom equipment and a probe and drogue system. The latter may be satisfied by one or both of: 1) centerline hose/drogue equipment; 2) multi-point hose/drogue equipment (i.e. wingtip refueling pods). No developmental funding is available to capitalize or establish sources capable of providing this service. Respondents should also assume that no government furnished property will be available to establish any commercial aerial refueling capability (such as excess KC-135 aircraft or spare aerial refueling components such as center-line booms). The government is interested in identifying sources of commercial-off-the-shelf aerial refueling services that are or will be capable of initiating performance in the FY09/10 timeframe. Potential sources should include their size status for NAICS code 481212. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation the Government is conducting Market Research. This Market Research is for information and planning purposes only. Before submitting any information to the Government, be advised that the Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of these questions or to otherwise pay for the information you provide. Your responses will be treated as information only and will not be used as a proposal. This information will be used to assist in developing the acquisition strategy. Any information provided by the Government at this time is preliminary and may be updated or changed prior to a formal release of a Request for Proposal. The government may award contracts for concept refinement studies if more detailed information on fee-for-service aerial refueling is needed based on responses to this RFI. The concept refinement studies may be awarded through the Broad Area Announcement (BAA) process. If concept refinement studies are needed, they will be synopsized approximately two months from the date of this announcement. As set forth in the FY08 NDAA, the pilot program will be not less than five years. Multiple contractors may be selected to participate in the pilot program. The pilot program will not exceed more than two aerial refueling aircraft per provider. The pilot program may encompass and/or evaluate the following missions as directed in the FY08 NDAA: testing support, training support to receiving aircraft, homeland defense support, deployment support, air bridge support, aeromedical evacuation, and emergency air refueling. Additional missions may be incorporated as Air Force requirements are established. In responding to this RFI, the government is specifically interested in receiving the following information from interested FFS/AR providers. Information collected will be used to assist the government in drafting its requirements and establishing its acquisition strategy for the pilot program. 1) Describe your ability to acquire/develop/operate/certify aerial refueling aircraft equipped with both flying boom-type and multi-point probe and drogue fuel delivery systems in light of the desired FY09/10 pilot program initiation date; 2) Describe your current or planned capability to hire/train/certify personnel qualified to perform/sustain the aerial refueling service (including flying boom operators); 3) What are the minimum and maximum allowable annual flying hours you could provide as a FFS/AR pilot program provider? 4) Identify any anticipated legal/indemnification/insurance issues the government might encounter in utilizing FFS AR from your firm; 5) Describe your knowledge of and your capability to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certification (to include parts 91, 121, and 125), and public-use certification for the military air refueling issues for CONUS and outside CONUS operations; 6) Describe the potential costs-to-the-government of utilizing your commercial fee-for-service program that would not be captured in the pilot program's pricing. Specifically the government is interested in the potential liabilities it might face at the completion of the pilot program if commercial FFS/AR is not continued with your firm. 7) Describe your firm's experience in performing in conjunction with Air Mobility Command operations and your organizations ability to integrate its operations (existing or planned) with those of AMC. 8) In order to reduce the impact to current refueling fleet training during the pilot program, we are interested in proposed billing concepts that enable receiving aircraft to pay for services through their respective flying hour program, versus using existing refueling aircraft flying hour funding. Describe your capability to utilize this type of billing procedure. 9) Describe your firm's current or planned capability to collect the following data for the pilot program as directed by Section 1081 of the 2008 NDAA: (a) Missions flown; (b) Mission areas supported; (c) Receiver aircraft number, type, model series refueled; (d) Fuel dispensed; (e) Departure reliability rates; 10) Describe any other fee-for-service program efforts you may have had with the U.S. Government for aerial refueling or other air transport services. If any, please state your last commitment. a) Type of service provided b) Date(s) of service provided c) Government point of contact (name, phone number, e-mail address) 11) Identify the quantity, size and type of aerial refueling equipment organic to your company at the present time. 12) Are your company's existing or planned aircraft or AR equipment owned or leased? 13) Are your personnel currently qualified to provide aerial refueling services of the types contemplated above? 14) If not, describe your firm's plans to ensure they are qualified and provide your concept to maintain aircrew proficiency. 15) What percentage of your company's assets or fleet will be dedicated to USAF support during the pilot program? 16) What is your expected turn around time for providing aerial refueling mission support to AMC (i.e. time between sorties)? 17) What is the location of your present/planned operating locations for AR services? 18) How much advance notification is required to meet AMC AR mission tasking requirements under the pilot program? 19) Request you supply the Air Force with a copy of your company's portfolio (e.g., balance sheet, income statement and statement of retained earnings). 20) Provide company point(s) of contact, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and company status (i.e., small business, HUBZone business, etc.). Responses submitted should be one copy, a maximum of fifty pages in length, and must be received by 28 March 2008. Request for Information responses may be submitted electronically or regular mail, but require both electronic and hard copies of responses. Firms responding to this announcement should indicate their business size in accordance with the size standard; ensure that the company name, address, a point of contact with e-mail address and telephone number, Federal CAGE Code, and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. No collect calls will be accepted. Responses should be sent to ASC/XR, (Eric Crawford), 2145 Monahan Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7017. Questions should be directed to Mr. Eric Crawford at 937-255-2649, email eric.crawford@wpafb.af.mil. The Government extends an invitation to potential prime contractors for the Fee-For-Service Aerial Refueling pilot program to present capabilities briefings in person the week of 14 April 2008. These face-to-face sessions will be limited to one hour each and will be conducted at Wright-Patterson AFB OH. Firms interested in scheduling a face-to-face session should contact the above point of contact for available times. The government will not be able to provide industry with information on any future Fee-For-Service Aerial Refueling request for proposal during these sessions as more detailed requirements documents do not yet exist. [Modification 2 change - reduced Industry Day face-to-face sessions to one hour per firm.]