Mass Rescue Operations Fixed-Wing Aircraft Test for the Science and Technology Directorate
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard, is seeking aircraft charter services to support testing of a prototype large-capacity, ultralightweight flotation device designed for Mass Rescue Operations at sea. This device is intended to hold up to 100 survivors out of the water during extended rescue missions far offshore, reducing risks from exposure and improving survival outcomes. The test will focus exclusively on evaluating the safe handling, transport, and deployment of the prototype from fixed-wing aircraft, with no intent to solicit development of the device itself. The aircraft must be capable of flying at altitudes between 250 and 500 feet at speeds of 90 to 110 knots and must feature a rear cargo ramp; side door deployments are explicitly excluded. Preferred aircraft include the HC-130J or HC-144. The Department is open to any location for the drop zone but prefers sites accessible to water-based recovery assets to facilitate efficient retrieval of the device post-deployment. This solicitation, issued under the number 70RSAT26RFI000022, is a sources-sought notice with a response deadline of July 10, 2026. Interested parties must respond through the SAM.gov portal, and inquiries should be directed to the designated points of contact, Jennifer K. Koons and Yao Kole. The activity is classified under NAICS code 481212 for scheduled air transportation services and is being managed by the DHS Office of Procurement Operations on behalf of the Sci Technology Acq Division in Washington, DC.
General Info
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Full Description
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) issues this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with the United States Coast Guard and industry partner on a research and development (R&D) effort to develop a viable search and rescue solution that could deploy during Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) on the high seas.
MROs at sea are Search and Rescue (SAR) operations characterized by the need to provide immediate assistance to large numbers of persons in distress in a situation that exceeds the capabilities normally available to SAR authorities. An MRO example is a catastrophic passenger vessel emergency in a remote area which requires passengers to leave the vessel with limited access or no access to the vessel’s inherent lifesaving apparatus.
DHS S&T is developing a prototype flotation device with the purpose of keeping survivors out of the water during an MRO event that could be 25, 50, or even 100’s of miles out to sea while additional USCG assets can be deployed to the rescue site. The prototype is a nonstandard innovative, large-capacity, ultralightweight floating device that can be deployed from air and surface assets during MROs. The prototype is capable of holding up to 100 survivors out of the water during long-term rescue operations, lowering their risk of injury from exposure.
The protype is currently in development and testing. This RFI is seeking sources for aircraft charter services to assess the device’s performance when deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft. The aircraft should be capable of flying at an altitude of approximately 250 to 500 feet at a speed of approximately 90 to 110 knots and have a rear cargo ramp. Side door deployments will not be considered. Examples of such aircraft include C130 (HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft) or HC-144. During this test, DHS S&T, USCG, and other stakeholders will observe how the prototype is safely handled, transported, and deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft.
Please note: This RFI is solely for aircraft charter services to provide air assets for a test of the device under development, it is not seeking device development.
Update: There is no Government preference on a drop zone location for the test. However, DHS would prefer deployment to take place near device recovery assets (e.g. water-based).