This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Homeland Security was posted on June 23, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
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.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its Science and Technology Directorate and Office of Procurement Operations, is seeking information on aircraft charter services to support the testing of a prototype flotation device designed for Mass Rescue Operations at sea. The device, which is currently under development, is intended to hold up to 100 survivors out of the water during extended offshore rescue scenarios, reducing exposure risks in remote areas where traditional lifesaving equipment may be insufficient. This RFI is not seeking development of the device itself but rather qualified vendors capable of providing fixed-wing aircraft charter services for a single airborne deployment test. The aircraft must have a rear cargo ramp, be capable of flying at altitudes between 250 and 500 feet at speeds of 90 to 110 knots, and be similar in capability to platforms such as the HC-130J or HC-144; side door deployments are explicitly excluded. The test will involve observing the safe handling, transport, and deployment of the prototype during flight, with the government providing the test plan and procedures. No specific drop zone is mandated, but operations near water-based recovery assets are preferred. Respondents are required to submit their capabilities, experience with government aerial deployments, proposed test locations, and a rough cost estimate, with submissions limited to Word or PDF format and sent via email to designated DHS points of contact by the July 10, 2026 deadline. The NAICS code for this effort is 481212, reflecting air charter services, and no contractual obligations are created by this RFI, which serves solely as a market research tool to inform future procurement decisions. All submitted information becomes government property, and respondents bear all costs associated with responding.
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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).
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