UAS Joint Program Office Pilot Currency

The Coast Guard, operating under the Department of Homeland Security Joint Program Office in San Angelo, Texas, requires its pilots to maintain FAA-mandated instrument currency to safely operate large and complex unmanned aerial vehicles in national airspace. Due to constraints including limited Coast Guard aircraft availability and a backlog in pilot transition training, the agency turned to general aviation aircraft to fulfill this requirement. The previous contract provided partial success but was hampered by a single aircraft and insufficient flight instructors, creating a critical single point of failure that disrupted pilot proficiency. To remedy these shortcomings, the agency is re-competing the contract with expanded requirements that include multiple makes and models of aircraft—both single and multi-engine—to ensure redundancy, operational resilience, and enhanced scheduling flexibility. The new contract will require a comprehensive solution featuring a robust flight school capable of rapidly deploying qualified flight instructors, an in-house maintenance program to minimize aircraft downtime, and the designation of a pilot examiner to facilitate necessary pilot upgrades. The focus remains on sustaining uninterrupted currency for UAS pilots while leveraging civilian aviation infrastructure to meet federal aviation standards. The solicitation is targeted toward small business concerns, with the North American Industry Classification System code 611512, and point of contact information is provided for inquiries and collaboration. This initiative underscores the Coast Guard’s commitment to mission readiness and operational continuity for its unmanned aerial systems mission in support of national security.