Helicopter training for 6 NASA pilots

The contract for helicopter training for six NASA pilots is a firm-fixed-price procurement issued by the NASA Shared Services Center under solicitation number 80NSSC26930838Q-1, with a posting date of May 28, 2026, and a response deadline of June 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CT. The work involves providing Bell 206B helicopter training for up to six pilots from the NASA Astronaut Office and Aircraft Operations Division, with all services required to be performed within a 350-mile radius of Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Training must focus on autorotation, recurrency skills, and technical consultation regarding NASA helicopter publications, delivered by a Bell Certified Training Facility using FAA-compliant, dual-control aircraft. The contractor must be an OEM-authorized organization capable of supporting revisions to the TH-57(B) aircraft documentation, and all training activities are subject to NASA Commercial Air Services Inspection under NASA STF 7919.1, with pilots required to meet minimum standards outlined in NASA STD 7919.1. The performance period runs from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with delivery terms specified as FOB Destination. The contract is not subject to any set-aside and is open to full and open competition under NAICS code 611512. Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov and provide their CAGE code with their quote, along with details on lead time, period of performance, and FOB destination. Proposals must include two points of contact with phone numbers and email addresses, and quotes must remain valid for 30 days. Technical acceptability is a pass/fail criterion, with award going to the lowest-price technically acceptable offer. The contract incorporates numerous FAR and NASA-specific clauses, including deviations for sustainability, DEI compliance, system maintenance, whistleblower rights, and access restrictions to NASA facilities. Contractors are subject to stringent export control obligations under ITAR and EAR, must secure appropriate licenses for foreign personnel or technical data transfers, and are responsible for ensuring compliance flows down to subcontractors. Safety requirements mandate current aircraft certifications and access to a dedicated training area to enhance astronaut safety. Documentation must include proper government labeling, two copies of shipping documents with gross weight and estimated value, and a specific duty-free entry notification per 19 CFR Part 142. All