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.

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Mass Rescue Operations Fixed-Wing Aircraft Test for the Science and Technology Directorate

Closed

70RSAT26RFI000022Federal

Submission Closed07/10/2026, 09:00:00 PM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

Active Opportunities Like This One

NAICS: 481212

Federal

Specialized Water Scooper Flight Crew ServicesThis subcontract, issued by the Department of Agriculture's Incident Procurement Aviation Branch, seeks specialized flight crew services to support US Forest Service wildland fire suppression projects. The contractor will provide Pilot in Command, Second in Command, and flight engineers to prime contractors, focusing on amphibious water scooping from fresh and saltwater sources and precision water drops in accordance with FAA Order 8110.56. Qualified personnel must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot License with specific certification for Special Purpose Operation of Forest and Wildlife Conservation. The contract focuses on the delivery of flight hours and water delivery services under NAICS code 481212. This opportunity is designated as an SBA set-aside, with a response deadline of October 29, 2026.

Incident Procurement Aviation Branch

POSTED

DEADLINE

Amphibious Water Scooper Aircraft Services

Solicitation # 1202SA26R9100

The Department of Agriculture, through the Incident Procurement Aviation Branch of the U.S. Forest Service, is soliciting multiple Firm-Fixed-Price, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity contracts for contractor-operated and maintained turbine-powered, multi-engine, amphibious, fixed-wing water scooping aircraft services. These aircraft will be utilized for initial and extended attack of wildland fires on a call-when-needed basis. To be eligible, aircraft must have full or interim Interagency Airtanker Board approval and a minimum tank capacity of 1,400 U.S. gallons. The contract structure includes a one-year base period for 2027 and nine one-year options extending through 2036, with a total MATOC ceiling of 2.5 billion dollars. Award will be granted to offerors who are technically acceptable and provide reasonable pricing for daily availability and dry hourly flight rates. Technical evaluations will focus on structural integrity, maintenance, equipment, safety elements, and past performance. Contractors are required to maintain aircraft in accordance with FAA Part 145 standards and OEM maintenance programs, and must provide comprehensive public liability insurance. Payments are processed semi-monthly via the Incident Business System and the Invoice Processing System. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the IIPA application by October 29, 2026, divided into separate technical and business volumes.

Incident Procurement Aviation Branch

POSTED

DEADLINE

USFS Wildland Fire Aviation Helicopter Support Services for Hoist and Medical Services

Solicitation # 1202SA-RFIHSS26-01

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, through the Incident Procurement Aviation Branch, issued this Request for Information (RFI) on September 22, 2026, to conduct market research for wildland fire aviation helicopter support services. The agency is seeking information on helicopter hoist operations and medical services, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS), to extract patients from remote environments and wildland fires. This RFI is intended solely for planning and acquisition strategy development; it does not constitute a formal solicitation, commitment, or obligation of funds. Responses are due by November 21, 2026, and should be submitted to Contracting Officer Shelia Stoddard. The government is requesting technical data on aircraft configurations, performance charts, and estimated pricing for both day VFR and 24-hour hoist extraction capabilities. Key operational requirements include Part 133 Class D certification, hoist systems STC'd for Human External Cargo, and adherence to FAR 91.205 for night operations using Night Vision Goggles. Personnel requirements are stringent, requiring pilots and hoist operators to maintain currency with six hoist operations every 14 days. Medical personnel must be licensed EMTs, AEMTs, or Paramedics with a state-recognized Medical Director. Additionally, all personnel must adhere to specific safety standards, including NFPA 1977 certified flame-resistant clothing and specialized footwear.

Incident Procurement Aviation Branch

POSTED

DEADLINE

On-Call Helicopter Flight Services (Alaska)This subcontract opportunity is for the provision of contractor-operated and maintained helicopter flight services to support Department of the Interior natural resource missions in Alaska. The scope of work includes a variety of critical operations such as interagency fire management, search and rescue, aerial capture, animal tagging, and law enforcement surveillance. The selected contractor is responsible for delivering completed flight hours and the transport of personnel and cargo, necessitating FAA Part 135 certification and the use of flight-specific safety and navigation equipment. Managed by the Ibc Acq Svcs Directorate, this is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 481212. The solicitation was posted on September 16, 2026, with a response deadline of November 5, 2026.

Ibc Acq Svcs Directorate (00004)

POSTED

DEADLINE

Water Scooper Multiple Award IDIQ

Solicitation # 1202SA26R9100

The USDA Forest Service is preparing to issue a presolicitation for Water Scooper Services under the contract title Water Scooper Multiple Award IDIQ, with solicitation number 1202SA26R9100, expected to be released in approximately 15 days. This acquisition aims to secure multiple Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for contractor-operated and maintained turbine-powered, multi-engine, amphibious, fixed-wing water scooping aircraft that hold full or interim approval from the Interagency Airtanker Board. These aircraft will be primarily utilized for initial and extended attack operations against wildland fires, ensuring rapid response and effective fire suppression across federal lands. The contract is set aside entirely for small businesses as defined by the Small Business Administration, with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 481212 applied. All contract activities will be managed from the USDA Forest Service office in Boise, Idaho, with a place of performance also located in Boise. The primary point of contact is Matthew D. Olson, reachable at matthew.olson@usda.gov or 208-407-6002, with Kay Brundage serving as the secondary contact at rita.brundage@usda.gov or 816-490-0249. The presolicitation notice was posted on May 8, 2026, and interested parties can access further details via the provided SAM.gov link. The emphasis is on acquiring capable, certified water scooping aircraft with proven operational reliability to support federal wildfire response efforts through competitively awarded IDIQ contracts.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Wildland Fire Aviation Support ServicesThe Wildland Fire Aviation Support Services subcontract, managed by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, focuses on providing critical aviation support for prime contractors during wildland fire missions. The primary objectives include executing fire suppression operations and ensuring the mechanical reliability and availability of specialized firefighting aircraft and equipment. All operations must strictly adhere to federal aviation safety standards and Safety Management Systems compliance to ensure successful mission execution. This contract is categorized under NAICS code 481212 and is centered in Boise, Idaho. The scope of work emphasizes the delivery of high-performance aviation support to maintain operational readiness and safety during emergency fire response activities.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Aviation Contracting Industry Day

Solicitation # SN-AV-2026-02

The U.S. Forest Service, under the Department of Agriculture, is preparing for the solicitation of aviation services in support of wildland fire operations through the issuance of Solicitation SN-AV-2026-02, with a pre-solicitation Industry Day event scheduled for May 12, 2026, at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place in Boise, Idaho. The event aims to engage industry stakeholders, including partner agencies such as the Department of the Interior, to discuss contracting approaches, performance metrics, and operational expectations for wildland fire aviation support. Key areas of focus include safety management systems, aircraft availability, mechanical reliability, maintenance program quality, crew qualifications, staffing stability, and financial sustainability, with an emphasis on moving away from Lowest Price Technically Acceptable methods toward a best-value trade-off approach that prioritizes mission effectiveness. Economic price adjustments will be tied to Bureau of Labor Statistics data and original equipment manufacturer cost trends, with no proposed caps, while small business participation is strongly encouraged through potential set-asides. Contract terms under consideration include a 3-to-5-year base period with options extending up to 10 years total, standardized standby and fuel reimbursement structures, and seasonal alignment with the Mobilization/Activation Plan. Attendance at the Industry Day requires registration via a Microsoft Forms link, and event logistics include limited daytime parking on the third or fourth floors of the venue, with additional parking available in nearby garages at 10th & Front, 9th & Front, and 11th & Front. While the solicitation notice provides the NAICS code 481212 and designates Boise, Idaho, as the official place of performance, no formal contract clauses, evaluation weights, pricing data, payment instructions, accounting codes, or submission deadlines are included, as this remains a pre-solicitation outreach effort. The U.S. Forest Service and DOI representatives will be present to share insights on oversight expectations and performance standards, but no formal proposal requirements, inspection criteria, or packaging specifications are yet defined. The ultimate goal is to refine the solicitation structure to ensure sustainable, safe, and effective aviation support for federal wildland fire missions, with output-driven metrics replacing purely cost-based evaluations.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Alaska Remote Site Travel and Logistics SupportThe Alaska Remote Site Travel and Logistics Support subcontract provides essential transportation and lodging services for prime contractors working on State of Alaska Department of Public Safety projects. Operating specifically in Aniak and St. Mary's, the contract covers the coordination of airfare, equipment freight, and local ground transport utilizing a combination of bush planes, charter flights, and 4x4 vehicles. Additionally, the provider is responsible for managing lodging and per diem arrangements within these remote Alaska villages. To ensure operational safety and compliance, the contractor must maintain all necessary commercial aviation and transportation licenses. The primary objective of the agreement is the seamless delivery of personnel and equipment to remote project sites. This effort is categorized under NAICS code 481212 and supports the overarching mission of the State of Alaska Department of Public Safety.

Public Safety

POSTED

12 months ago

DEADLINE

N/A

AI Contract Overview

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.

General Info

DHS and Coast Guard seek aircraft charter services to test aerial deployment of a 100-person flotation device at 250–500 feet and 90–110 knots.

Agency

Department Of Homeland Security → Sci Technology Acq Division

NAICS

481212 - Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation

Place of Performance

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

RFI 70RSAT26RFI000022 Fixed Wing Aircraft Test for DHS S&T

rfi

High

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

1 update

PhaseClosed

PostedJun 23

Sources Sought

Notice updatedJun 23

The notice description changed.

Response DeadlineJul 10

Deadline has passed

Submission Closed

07/10/2026, 09:00:00 PM UTC

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment Of Homeland Security → Sci Technology Acq Division

Contacts2 people available

OfficeWASHINGTON, DC, 20528, USA

Organization / AgencyDepartment Of Homeland Security → Sci Technology Acq Division

Office AddressWASHINGTON, DC, 20528, USA

Contacts

Jennifer K. Koons

contact@example.gov

Yao Kole

contact@example.gov

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).