Airtanker Modernization Notice of Industry Day

27 August 2015 - Attachments Added Briefing, attendance roster and Question & Answer from Industry Day held on 26 August 2015 in Washington, D.C. are added to this Special Notice. Please provide questions and comments to larryrobillard@fs.fed.us in writing. 11 August 2015 - Attachment Added - Airtanker Modernization Draft Specifications The Airtanker Modernization draft specifications are attached for industry review, comment and questions. Please provide comments and questions in writing to larryrobillard@fs.fed.us. 29 July 2015 - Initial Special Notice posting The U S Forest Service (USFS) is planning an Industry Day Conference, during which potential offerors may obtain a better understanding of the Government requirement with this effort. Notice to Offeror(s): The Federal Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 stated that funding shall be available for the purpose of acquiring aircraft for the next-generation airtanker fleet to enhance firefighting mobility, effectiveness, efficiency and safety. The USFS intends to purchase aircraft to fulfill this congressional appropriation. The Government assumes no responsibility for any expense incurred by an offeror prior to contract award. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the offeror's attendance, submission of responses to past and future Requests for Information (RFI) or the Government's use of such information. Synopsis: The USFS is contemplating acquiring one (1) to seven (7) new production commercial aircraft to serve in a multi-mission capacity. The primary mission is the Forest Service Airtanker Mission focused on wildfire suppression and dropping retardant in support of ground firefighters to contain and/or control new, emerging and large fires. Detailed data for the Airtanker Mission profiles can be found in DOT/FAA/AR-11/7, Usage and Maneuver Loads Monitoring of Heavy Airtankers, March 2011. The secondary mission includes two distinct type operations, logistical support of firefighting crews and delivering critical material to the wildfire area of operations. The firefighting crew support includes movement of up to 2 firefighting crews (20 passengers per crew) and their equipment to anywhere in the United States. The transportation of critical firefighting equipment includes moving the Forest Service owned Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) to an area of operation. The requirement will contain two (2) mission equipment options however offerors will not be required to offer these options with the acquisition of the aircraft. The first is a Retardant Delivery System (RDS) and modification for the RDS to be installed into the aircraft. Installation will be via type certificate (TC) or supplemental type certificate (STC) which will be used to support the Airtanker operations using long term fire retardant. This system is intended to be installed and removed from the aircraft to meet the multi-mission needs. The second is a Passenger Seating System that is intended to be installed and removed from the aircraft to meet multi-mission requirements and include a TC or STC. The Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code for this project is 1510 and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 336411. The solicitation is intended to be developed in accordance with FAR Part 12 using an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type of contract. The draft specifications are expected to be posted at least 15 days prior to the start of the Industry Day conference. The subsequent solicitation for this effort is planned to be posted in the first quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The Airtanker Modernization Industry Day will be held in the USFS Pinchot Conference Room, 201 14th St. SW, Washington DC 20250 commencing at 0900 EDT and be completed by 1600 EDT on 26 August 2015. The day will consist of a presentation by the USFS on the project overview, requirements and draft specifications for the project. Opportunities will be available for the group to ask questions as well as individual discussions with each offeror. The presentation and discussions will be conducted in English. Individuals desiring to attend must pre-register and receive prior written USFS approval to attend. The USFS will process individual access requests to expedite access into the secure facility. To pre-register please send an email to larryrobillard@fs.fed.us providing the following information for each attendee: 1) full legal name 2) citizenship 3) date of birth 4) gender 5) telephone number 6) full business legal name and street address of your company The pre-registration deadline is 1500 EDT Monday, 24 August 2015. Offerors are encouraged to submit all questions in writing to the CO at least five (5) days prior to the conference. Questions will be considered at any time prior to or during the conference; however, Offerors will be asked to submit all questions in writing. All questions and comments must be submitted electronically to larryrobillard@fs.fed.us. Please include the title, "Airtanker Modernization Industry Day" in the subject line of your email. The draft specifications and draft/final solicitations will be available ONLY via the Internet for viewing and downloading on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) at the following address: http://www.fbo.gov. Information on how to register your company on FBO, or to view or receive updates and notifications to the solicitation, may be obtained from the FBO Vendor Guide located on the FBO web site home page. No paper copies of the solicitation will be furnished. The offeror is responsible for monitoring this site for the release of the solicitation and any subsequent amendments. Please submit any questions regarding this posting or the solicitation via email to larryrobillard@fs.fed.us. Primary Point of Contact: Larry Robillard, Contracting Officer Email: larryrobillard@fs.fed.us Phone: 208-387-5682 Contracting Office Address: National Interagency Fire Center Owyhee Bldg., MS-1100 3833 S. Development Ave Boise, ID 83705-5354 United States