NFA Basic Remote Pilot Course Program
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the National Fire Academy, intends to award a sole-source contract to the Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting to deliver the NFA Basic Remote Pilot Course program. This program provides specialized Unmanned Aircraft System training developed exclusively by the Colorado Center, aligned with the Interagency Aviation Training A-450 framework and NIST UAS proficiency standards as required by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act. The training is designed to be applicable across multiple disciplines including structural and wildland firefighting, search and rescue, HAZMAT, EMS, and law enforcement, and will be delivered through a regional model to expand access, strengthen interagency collaboration, and build a sustainable pipeline of certified UAS operators for the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The Colorado Center is the only entity capable of providing this specific curriculum and associated support services. The acquisition will proceed under simplified procedures in accordance with FAR 13 and is classified under NAICS code 611430 with a small business size standard of $15 million. This is not a competitive solicitation, but interested parties may submit capability statements by email as a Word or PDF attachment to James Suerdieck at james.suerdieck@fema.dhs.gov by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on August 21, 2026. The government will review submissions solely to evaluate whether competition is feasible, and retains full discretion to proceed without competition. No phone inquiries will be accepted, and all responses must be received by the deadline to be considered. The contract will be performed primarily in Emmitsburg, Maryland, with the point of contact for administrative inquiries located in Washington, D.C.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Emmitsburg, MD, 21727, USASet-Aside
Documents
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Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) / United States Fire Administration (USFA) / National Fire Academy (NFA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis (IAW FAR 13 and 19.14) with the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting, 1697 Cole Blvd, UNIT 200, Lakewood, CO 80401, as the only responsible source that capable of providing Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Training Program and management for USFA/NFA.
The Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting uniquely developed training for UAS firefighting. Through a regional delivery model, the program will expand access to high-quality UAS training, foster interagency collaboration, and establish a durable foundation for the future growth of the NWCG pilot workforce. The NFA Basic Remote Pilot Course is built on the Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) A-450 framework and incorporates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) UAS proficiency standards, as mandated by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act. The curriculum is designed to be discipline-agnostic, ensuring relevance for structural fire, wildland fire, search and rescue, HAZMAT, EMS, and law enforcement personnel Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting is the only source that can provide this UAS training program and support services required to deliver these courses regionally.
This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures (IAW FAR 13). The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 611430 with a Small Business Size Standard of $15M. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice will need to submit technical data, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product. All capability statements received within 15 days after publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
Capability statements shall be submitted by email only as a MS Word or Adobe PDF attachment to James Suerdieck at james.suerdieck@fema.dhs.gov. Statements are due by 4:00 PM Eastern, 21 AUG 2026. No phone calls accepted.
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