CM-170 Fouga

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. The United States Air Force Test Pilot School (USAF TPS), Edwards AFB, CA, is seeking Contractor training services through use of a CM-170 Fouga aircraft. Contractor shall provide pilot, instruction, and aircraft in support of the USAF Test Pilot School Qualitative Evaluation (Qual Eval) Program (QE 900). Aircraft capabilities to include: aircraft communication/navigation equipment, instrumentation, safety equipment, air worthiness, and sufficient cockpit room for student pilot primary seat and contractor secondary pilot command seat. Responses will assist the Government in determining whether to set-aside/restrict competition in some way, or solicit offers from all responsible sources. The Government will consider all responses to determine the extent of interest of qualified sources. Industry must submit sufficient information for the Government to determine their capabilities and experience. Background: This requirement is to familiarize students and staff with the CM-170 Fouga aircraft in support of the Qual Eval. The Qual-Eval program is part of the formal Test Management Phase training provided by the USAF TPS. The Qual-Eval program is designed to build a strong and broad foundation of experience for test aircrew (both student and staff) by exposure to different aircraft, systems, and missions of the world's military and civilian sector, see USAFTPS Operating Instruction 11-5 for a more detailed description. The mission objective is to introduce students and staff of the USAF's Test Pilot School to the basic flight characteristics of the CM-170 Fouga. Scope: 1. Qual Eval Sorties: Format for the Qual Eval sorties will be for the safety/instructor pilot to occupy a pilot station while pilot and/or non-pilot students occupy another pilot station. Student and staff pilots will be afforded the opportunity within safety constraints to take-off and land with a qualified contractor pilot at another set of flight controls. Non-pilot students and staff crew members will have access to a fully functional set of flight controls and will perform hands-on flying within the limits established by the qualitative review board (QRB), see TPS Operating Instruction OI 11-5 which contains guidance and limits established by the USAF Test Pilot School and is coordinated with the contractor. 2. Sortie Requirements: The contractor must be willing and able to safely enter a fully developed spin and recover. The contractor must be proficient and willing to allow the students to perform aileron rolls, barrel rolls, loops and cuban eights as a minimum for acrobatic performance evaluation. The contractor must be willing and able to instruct various flight test techniques as determined by the Qual Eval faculty monitor, within the aircraft structural limitations as prescribed by the flight manual. 3. Classroom Instruction: A Contractor pilot will be required to provide a mass briefing to the TPS students. The presentation shall use electronic aids such as electronic briefing slides, video material, etc. Electronic briefing slides shall be formatted in a manner approved by the TPS Program Manager. 4. Course Materials. Contractor shall provide to the TPS Program Manager copies of training materials to be used for the program. Requirements: 1. Aircraft Systems: communication/navigation system, instrumentation with recording capabilities, safety equipment, operating manuals, air worthiness maintenance, and well documented maintainer logs. 2. At least one full-time, available, and properly certified instructor pilot. 3. Properly certified maintenance crew. 4. Proven past performance record. 5. Experience within the past 5 years with a recognized Government test pilot school program. 6. Aircraft must be ejection seat equipped. Screening Criteria for Qualification Packages are: Letter of Interest containing all of the following: - FAA commercial pilot certificate - Type rating, Letter of Authorization or proper log book endorsement as required by 14 CFR Parts 61 or 91 - Recent experience as required by 14 CFR Parts 61 or 91 - Current Certified Flight Instructor certificate - Minimum 1500 hours total flight time - At least 300 hours in the CM-170 Fouga as pilot with at least 50 landings as sole operator of the controls Any company proprietary information shall be separately marked as "PROPRIETARY". Responses shall be single-spaced, single sided and shall be submitted in two copies (e-mail preferred). POINT OF CONTACT: Alberto J. Safille, AFFTC/PKEW, 220 S. Wolfe Avenue, Edwards AFB, CA 93524. Voice (661) 277-3045, Fax (661) 275-7881, or email: alberto.safille@edwards.af.mil. All responses to this synopsis shall be provided no later than August 9, 2010. Sources are reminded that this synopsis does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this synopsis. The synopsis is for information and planning purposes only, to determine the extent of interest of qualified sources by their response to synopsis. Interested, qualified sources are encouraged to advise the Government of any limiting factors or issues that they think the Government should consider in this synopsis action. Firms responding to this synopsis should reference the synopsis number and indicate whether they are or are not a small or small disadvantaged business concern as defined in FAR 52.219-1. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611512 with a size standard of $25,500,000.00.