Aircraft Ground Handling Training and Certification Program

Summary The Forest Service is in the pre-solicitation phase for a Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) Aircraft Ground Handling Training Support Program and contemplates a one (1) year purchase order for this effort. Support services include development of training curriculum package and certification process for personnel involved in the ground handling of agency owned leased, and contracted fixed wing aircraft. Notice Type: Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Solicitation/Notice Number: AG-024B-S-17-0007; FAM Aircraft Ground Handling Training For the purpose of this document, the term "contractor" applies to all employees and sub-contractor employees performing work under this action. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the order in which any listed, numbered, or bulleted items appear should not be construed as implying any precedence, priority, or ranking, unless so stated. This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only and shall not be considered to be an obligation by the Government to acquire any products or services. Primary Point of Contact All interactions with the Government related to this RFI or resultant contract shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer as the Primary Point of Contact: Christopher Cox USDA Forest Service christophercox@fs.fed.us Incident Support Branch 208-387-5602 3833 S. Development Way, MS-1100 Fax: 208-387-5384 Boise, ID 83705 RFI Response Date - COB Mon, 12/12/2016 Interested parties are asked to review the requirement and provide responses and questions to the Government not later than COB Monday December 12th, 2016. Submittal of Questions Questions shall be submitted to Mr. Christopher Cox at christophercox@fs.fed.us by the RFI response date above. Questions provided by the RFI response date may be addressed prior to RFI closing or at a later date. All questions asked and corresponding answers will be provided to all responders as well as any interested parties who request them in a timely manner. All questions and answers from the RFI will also be included in the potential future solicitation. The Government reserves the right to not answer questions that are not appropriate or would disclose source selection sensitive or non-public information. The Contracting Officer makes the final determination regarding the appropriateness of questions. Request for Information Details Purpose The United States Forest Service (USFS) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information on the latest offerings, best practices and approaches for Aircraft Ground Handling Training and Certification programs. The purpose of this action is to provide a professional training curriculum package and certification process for personnel involved in the ground handling of agency owned, leased, and contracted fixed wing aircraft. Currently the USFS does not have an established training program for the ground handling of fixed wing aircraft and it is the desire of the Government to enhance the safety and abilities of its workforce by establishing a professional level training and certification program for the necessary Government personnel. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an RFP or as a decision or obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice. Background Currently ground handlers at airtanker, fixed wing, and smokejumper bases are given insufficient and non-standard training to work with the aircraft they are expected to handle while on the ground. Government personnel are expected to handle all types of fixed wing aircraft at all types of locations. Due to this lack of standardization and sufficient training the Government has seen an increase in the frequency of incidents with aircraft vs. aircraft, and aircraft vs. fixed objects. In order to limit these incidents, Agency personnel need to be taught from a more professional, standardized, and experience level, which can only be obtained by using a reputable contractor that has trained countless line service technicians who work with all sizes of aircraft, on all sizes of airports. Scope/Mission - The contractor shall supply professional online training modules covering aircraft marshaling and hand signals, aircraft towing, and wing walking. - The contractor shall provide an examination at the end of each training module to ensure the information covered was comprehended by the student. - The contactor shall allow a maximum of 1,000 students annually with no required minimum. - The Contractor shall provide a job aid to document On the Job Training (OJY) upon successful completion of all online coursework. - The contactor shall provide a hands on course "Train the Trainer" (TTT) to individuals identified by the Agency who will have the authority of the contractor to complete the job aids and certify students in marshaling and hand signals, aircraft towing, and wing walking. - Upon completion of the online courses and the OJT the student will receive a certificate identifying their accomplishments. - The contractor shall maintain training profiles for all students indefinitely and provide information when requested by the Government. - All materials created and supplied by the contractor shall meet industry standards and ensure that the information contained within, complies with FAA, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements. Performance Objectives - On-line training program for fixed wing ground handling with modules covering: o Standard hand signals o Procedures for wing-walking o Towing and hangaring aircraft - On-line quizzes for each module and a final exam, that upon completion at a satisfactory level, demonstrates the students comprehensive understanding of the topics presented. - Create and maintain on-line training profiles for all students and allow "supervisor" access so supervisors can monitor employee's progress. - Provide a job aid/task book in order to document OJT. - Provide a face-to-face "Train the Trainer" which will allow Government personnel to certify employees after observing proper procedures. Estimated twelve (12) total throughout the period of performance. Period and Place of Performance - The contractor shall initiate performance of the work at their facility utilizing contractor provided computers, cellular phones, and other material necessary to create the training package. - The contractor shall attend meetings either face-to-face or via telephone with the USFS Subject Matter Expert (SME) Team at least once a month or as requested. - The contractor shall develop final specifications at their facility utilizing contractor provided materials. - The Train the Trainer courses will be conducted at a centralized Fixed Base Operator (FBO) for the students scheduled to attend. The contractor will coordinate with the SME Team prior to award to identify multiple options for training at FBO's throughout the country. - The primary training modules will be delivered via online access only. No face-to-face training is required other than the limited Train the Trainer courses. Acquisition Strategy - The Forest Service currently anticipates that a one (1) year purchase order will be made for this requirement. This is only the anticipated strategy and not a commitment on the part of the Forest Service. Information received as part of this RFI may cause the Forest Service to alter this acquisition strategy. Classification Code: R419 Educational Services NAICS Code: 611 - Educational Services / 611430 - Professional development training. The Government anticipates issuing a solicitation for this requirement not later than January 12th, 2017. 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: Market Research and planning to support solicitation preparation for the Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) Applications Support project. (End of provision) Requested Information The Forest Service is not seeking elaborate responses, but rather concise, meaningful responses from vendors with relative educational and certification expertise. Responses received are considered procurement sensitive information. Responses will not be returned and the Government reserves the right to use the responses to this RFI to amend the PWS, acquisition strategy, and associated documents or approaches for this project. In 10 single-sided 8.5" x 11" pages or less (title page and table of contents do not count against the page count), vendors are requested to provide the following information: 1. Company Information a. Name, address and DUNS. b. Business Socioeconomic Classification (large, small, woman-owned small, etc). c. Current contract vehicles (such as GSA Schedules, GWACs, etc) with relevant scope to the Forest Service's requirements, and which the Forest Service could issue a task order/BPA Call against. Include contract numbers, if available. 2. Capabilities Statement that clearly identifies the capabilities of the company as it pertains to the above defined scope and performance objectives. Include a list of experience on similar/relevant Government and/or civilian projects. 3. Detailed information on currently developed and utilized training/certification programs for similar/relevant requirements to include commercial pricing for such services (pricing is for budgeting and planning purposes only). 4. Draft Training Proposal for applicable coursework (to include Train the Trainer) and coursework for additionally developed modules to meet the Governments requirement. 5. A list of labor categories with fully burdened labor rates that would be representative of the skill mix required to support the requirement. 6. What additional data elements does the government need to provide in order to allow offerors to develop reasonable and realistic firm fixed prices for these types of services? 7. Any additional information or comments that may be helpful to the Forest Service in finalizing the strategy and requirements for this project.