MH-60 DEVELOPMENTAL FLIGHT TEST SERVICES

This is a RFI only. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback regarding its submission; other than acknowledgement of receipt – if a request for acknowledgement is requested by the submitter. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The United States Coast Guard is not currently seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.
 

1.0 DESCRIPTION

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Aviation Projects Acquisition Center (APAC) located in Elizabeth City, NC, is seeking information to identify qualified sources capable of providing highly specialized Developmental Flight Test Services in support of the MH-60 Program.

The performance of developmental flight test services is mission-critical and time-sensitive. Delays in test execution directly affect airworthiness certification timelines, which in turn delay the introduction of modified or upgraded aircraft into operational service and reduce operational fleet readiness. To prevent schedule slippage and manage safety risks, the USCG requires personnel with immediate operational familiarity, an uninterrupted understanding of APAC processes, configuration histories, and airworthiness authority relationships.

The Test Pilot (XP) shall provide subject matter expert (SME) support services responsible for program support and conducting developmental flight tests on fielded, newly developed, modified, or upgraded helicopters, systems, and sub-systems. The primary focus is ensuring compliance with all safety, performance, and operational requirements, and supporting the seamless integration of test, logistics, sustainment, training, documentation, and fielding efforts.

The XP will work in close collaboration with the Managing Program Office, other Program Offices, engineering, design, and technical stakeholders. The XP must possess demonstrated familiarity with USCG MH-60 aircraft systems, rotary wing shipboard flight test methods, and the technical and regulatory frameworks governing USCG aviation airworthiness. Prior operational and test experience within the USCG aviation enterprise is essential to performing this role without a learning curve that would adversely affect program schedule or safety.

XP Specific Responsibilities:

• Test Planning & Flight Execution: Develop detailed test plans, procedures, and schedules. Conduct Developmental, Operational, and end-to-end integration/performance test flights. Perform collateral Maintenance Test Flights (MTF) or Instructor Pilot (IP) duties if appropriately qualified.
• Engineering & Documentation Support: Assist in developing system-level specifications, generating risk mitigation and airworthiness substantiation documentation, and evaluating cost, schedule, and performance compliance.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with the program office, developers, and engineers to ensure systems meet design specifications and operational requirements.

XP Education, Qualifications, and Experience Required:

• Education: Graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, or accredited official long-course equivalent.
• Experience & Clearances:
  • Minimum 15 years of military rotary-wing experience.
  • Direct experience with USCG MH-60J/T, shipboard/helicopter operations, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), Search and Rescue (SAR), and USCG operations.
  • Active U.S. SECRET clearance.
• Licensing & Physical: FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (helicopter and instrument ratings), current FAA Class II Medical, and the physical ability to carry up to 50 lbs unassisted.
• Documented Technical Expertise: Must possess proven experience in:
  • Shipboard Envelope Expansion: At-sea testing and qualification of shipboard handling system interfaces (e.g., ASIST or equivalent).
  • Avionics Upgrades: Cockpit upgrade programs, including development testing of integrated avionics and pilot-vehicle interface evaluations.
  • Simulator Validation: Serving as test director/conductor for Level D flight simulator qualification or model validation (flight dynamics & engine modeling).

The Flight Test Engineer (FTE) shall serve as the primary engineering counterpart to the XP. This role is responsible for the rigorous technical planning, airborne data acquisition, and post-flight engineering analysis aspects of the test program, maintaining a strong understanding of the airworthiness process and requirements.

FTE Specific Responsibilities:

• Test Planning & In-Flight Operations: Draft detailed ground/flight test plans, instrumentation plans, and test cards mapped to system capabilities. Operate complex in-flight Data Acquisition Systems (DAS), telemetry, and instrumentation.
• Data Analysis & Technical Reporting: Perform post-flight data reduction, statistical analysis, and engineering evaluations. Author formal technical reports detailing methodologies, findings, system deficiencies, and airworthiness recommendations.
• Program & Review Representation: Represent APAC test and evaluation interests at technical reviews and safety boards, including TIMs, PDRs, CDRs, and SRBs.

FTE Education, Qualifications, and Experience Required:

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or systems engineering (or closely related technical field).
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in military or federal aviation systems engineering, flight test engineering, or program support.
• Technical Documentation & Processes: Direct experience preparing technical reports, flight test documentation, or airworthiness packages for military rotary-wing aircraft. Familiarity with USCG or DoD aircraft configuration management and technical data control processes.
• Clearance & Competencies: Active U.S. SECRET clearance. Possess strong analytical, written/verbal communication, and collaborative skills to work effectively in a multi-stakeholder program office environment.

FTE Education, Qualifications, and Experience Desired:

• Specialized Education: Graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, or accredited equivalent.
• Systems & Program Familiarity: Familiarity with USCG MH-60 systems, maintenance documentation structures, and APAC program office processes.
• Flight Test Tools & Logistics: Experience utilizing flight test DAS and data reduction software. Experience providing Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) engineering support (e.g., maintenance planning, technical data updates, logistics support analysis).

2.0 PURPOSE OF RFI:

The purpose of this RFI is to ascertain industry’s ability and capacity to provide the required MH-60 Developmental Flight Test Services (including both Developmental Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer) to the USCG.

Responders are requested to submit a capability statement addressing their company's ability to fulfill the specific personnel requirements and technical scopes described above. Responders should highlight:

Prior corporate experience providing rotary-wing flight test services within a federal or military aviation acquisition environment.

Availability of personnel meeting the specialized USCG operational criteria (e.g., MH-60J/T, CAAS, SAR, shipboard envelope expansion, and USNTPS/USAFTPS credentials).

Feedback on the proposed technical requirements, including any identified risks, commercial best practices, or potential improvements to the scope of work.

3.0 RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

• Submission Format: Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Electronic files larger than 5 MB shall be broken down into multiple files with no single file exceeding 5 MB.
• Submission Subject Line: Must include the RFI Number/Title in the subject line.
• Page Limit: Response to this RFI is limited to two (2) pages.
• Required Administrative Information:
• Vendor name, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), CAGE Code, and firm’s mailing address.
• Point of Contact (POC) details (name, phone number, and email address) of the individual authorized to address questions or issues associated with the submission.

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